#incorrect history 3: trapped | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tripleyeeet · 6 months

Text

I'LL CRAWL HOME TO HER (14)

SUMMARY: Upon waking up, you realize just how long you've been gone for.

PAIRING: Astarion & Female Reader

WORD COUNT: 3,257

WARNINGS: Spoilers for Act 2, so much angst (this time with comfort!), descriptions of death, probably incorrect lore about necromancers and how their powers work. :')

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, we're officially back in business baby, let's go! Sorry for the fillerish chapter. It's been so long that I kind of needed to keep things chill before the story starts up again. Hope you can forgive me??? <3 Also, thanks to @the-lady-amphitrite for letting me include their little necromancer Zamrie!

CHAPTER LIST / MASTERLIST / NEXT CHAPTER

It’s not uncommon for you to wake up breathless. With the presence of an unknown threat mixed with your history of nightmares, there have been countless moments upon gaining consciousness over the last few months that have felt like you’re dying. Gasping for air to no avail until Astarion’s hand meets your back to soothe your stress.

At this rate, it’s practically inevitable, especially with the Absolute and all its developments. Each night you close your eyes, more often than not all you see is their hatred plaguing your thoughts, your mind forcing you to stop and stare at whatever vision it’s decided to produce. As you lie still inside your bedroll, experiencing the false depictions of whatever horrors that occur, you’re left without much choice. Forced to lay and wait for that moment you’re jolted awake, wheezing in the dark.

Despite the intensity, you know deep down it’s always temporary. A passing thought that runs through your lungs until you’re forced to reset at the sound of Astarion’s voice telling you you’re fine. That he’s here and you’re there and that regardless of the dangers that lie ahead he’ll always remain.

When you awake that day, however, gagging at the air that rushes through to the back of your throat, you can’t help but feel the weight of eternity. As you shoot upwards, desperately clawing at the base of your throat, it’s as if you’re trapped inside this unfamiliar limbo, struggling to gain a sense of self as you blink and breathe and—

“That’s it, just like that, dearie. You got it.”

The voice that cuts through the darkness is light, their careful tone hitting your ears far gentler than anything else you feel. Closing your eyes, you can hear them humming under their breath, low and slow; working to match your own as you glance around the room, unable to properly see.

“Pesi, can you get her friends, please?”

Inhaling deeply, you suddenly feel a sharp pain erupt through your chest as the stranger speaks. Targeting your left side, you feel it push through you like a knife, catching every layer of flesh as you lean forward and groan at the impact, feeling a hand grace your back.

“It’s alright, just take deep breaths, okay? Nice and slow.”

Opening your mouth, you cough and clutch your chest, allowing the painful feeling to bloom outwards, each shot of pain targeting the span of your torso before filtering out.

As it happens, you force open your eyes and glance at the blurry mess of colour in front of you. A figure doused in sunset tones —pinks and oranges with hints of purple that slowly filter through to reveal a bright-eyed tiefling smiling in your direction. Overall, her skin is doused in shades of peach and decorated with various tattooed dots that primarily sit beneath her violet eyes that scan you anxiously.

“I’m Zamrie. A friend of Gale’s,” she tells you.

In response, you go to speak but all that comes out is a plume of stinging air that rakes through your esophagus, making you cough and reach for your throat, feeling nothing but numbness at the ends of your fingers.

“It’ll feel weird for a while I’m afraid.” She offers you a sympathetic smile, gripping your shoulder as the expression across your face twists with confusion.

How does she know what it feels like?

Suddenly, she lets out a laugh, gently digging her fingers into your skin, massaging the tension that you just now notice is there. “I know, I know —you’re probably wondering how I know how you’re feeling,” she says, making your confusion only strengthen as she nudges your legs aside to make room for herself. “Rest assured though, I’ve lived and died a thousand times, so I’m basically an expert when it comes to the after effects of a good necromancy spell.”

Necromancy?

Your eyes widen —your thoughts whirling through you like a disoriented storm, crashing into the inner walls of your head. Looking around in a panic, you hear Zamrie try to pull you back in, whispering words of reassurance in between more quiet hums that only spur your anxiety.

Shoving away her hands, you attempt to slip off the bed then, your legs wobbling at their newfound position, causing you to stumble forward, landing on your hands and knees.

“Oh, shit.”

Almost immediately, the tiefling abruptly rushes to your aid, reaching for hands that only work to slap her away, prompting her brow to furrow as she watches you struggle to move. “C’mon dear, don’t be proud. Just let me help you.”

You shake your head and groan, feeling your chest begin to ache all over again —the remembrance of your reality beginning to settle as you lower your head in pain.

You died during the battle against Ketheric. Died. And as you sit there, now keeled over in pain, remembering all the horrible details of that blade pushing through your flesh —of the helplessness you felt staring into Astarion’s weary eyes as Shadowheart worked to drag him away— all you can think about is how careless you’d been. How stupid and reckless and overall selfish for thinking that you could do anything on your own like that.

Gritting your teeth, you feel the numbness in your fingers slowly begin to subside the longer you kneel, granting you the opportunity to ball your hands into fists before pressing them angrily into the floorboards. Groaning loudly, you then punch the wood with what little energy you have, feeling your eyes begin to well up at the thought of your friends. At the thought of them potentially following in your footsteps into a world where everything meets nothing. Where every existing thing about you ceases all at once, leaving nothing but a shell for those to mourn.

Releasing a shaky breath, you stare at the floor beneath you, praying that nobody did. That instead, they managed to succeed despite your failure and that they’re already on their way to Baldur’s Gate.

“Where…wha—“

“Shhh, it’s okay. Everything’s okay, yeah? You’re alright.”

Grunting in frustration, you shake your head and look at Zamrie, feeling the tears begin to spill as you glance at her face, noting the stress that graces her features before the shock of loud voices erupts through the doorway, prompting her brows to raise before she turns her head.

Following her gaze, you look up to see everyone huddled at the doorway, staring with varied looks that upstart your tears, realizing how worried they must have been. How angry and betrayed they must have felt watching you do something so painfully stupid.

As you sit there, glancing at each of their faces, you can’t help but feel your heart break at such a realization. Taking in Karlach’s glassy eyes and Gale’s expression of pure relief —all of it quickly becomes too much to bear, forcing your head to drop again, allowing the threat of tears to overtake you.

All at once, the awareness of their love becomes apparent then, causing you to sob until all you can feel is the presence of arms and hands —bodies of all shapes and sizes wrapping around your frame like a warm blanket on a cold winter night.

All of them envelope you differently. While Shadowheart and Gale press themselves firmly against your back, Lae’zel’s hands are reluctant yet firm from a distance, taking refuge on your elbow with tight fingers, while Wyll and Karlach have completely pushed themselves into either crook of your neck, wrapping their arms around to pull you close.

Feeling the warmth of their skin and the heaviness of their breath, you can’t help but give in to the fearful thoughts that plague your mind. The way they hold you close, bracing for an impact you all but knew was bound to come, you let the stress of the last few months overtake you, reaching for whatever body you can find so that you can dig your fingers into the fabric of their clothes.

Immediately, the worn leather of whoever you're touching reminds you of war —of all the battles you faced thus far, struggling to maintain that same momentum you first started with. Running your fingers along the wear and tear, you feel a weight inside your stomach begin to swell, its unfamiliar heaviness making your face scrunch in discomfort, realizing this might be it. Having died and come back, there’s no way you could possibly keep going, right? After revival, you’re too weak to keep up —too broken and frail. A newly inhabited shell, replacing something that used to be much stronger.

At this rate, you’d only hold everyone back. Either that or make another big mistake that could cost more lives and obliviously that’s not an option. Not after how far you’ve gotten. Not after risking so much with what little you have.

“I can’t believe we’re hugging right now.”

Unsurprisingly, it’s Karlach who speaks first. Her voice quiet against the crook of your neck sends a chill up your spine like any other, causing you to let out a shaky laugh.

You can’t believe it either.

“She’s a bit out of sorts still,” Zamrie says then, forcing your eyes to glance up at her smiling face. “She’ll need to rest for a few more days. The process of revival is pretty taxing on the body. Considering you’re essentially reconnecting a detached soul to an already decaying body, you’re lucky you managed to preserve her as well as you did.”

As she pauses to let out a laugh, the majority of your friends sort of look around in discomfort, listening as Zamrie continues her long-winded spiel about the process of revival. All in too great of detail.

Almost immediately, it makes you a bit sick, listening to the grotesque ways your body was essentially put back together at the hands of her and Withers, forcing you to close your eyes as your head begins to spin. You realize then that you should probably lie down again. Considering there’s more than likely a rough road to recovery ahead of you, you assume most of your time spent over the next few days will be in bed, drifting between sleep alongside Astarion’s—

Feeling a sudden panic rise through your chest, you look around to see him nowhere, causing your mind to slip further out of control, resulting in you pushing and pulling —desperate movements taking over your body as you work to distance yourself from the hold that currently binds you. Sensing your stress, the group quickly distances themselves in response, a handful of nervous and reluctant stares watching as you plant one hand against the floor to steady yourself while the other moves to your throat.

“Wh— where—“

You cough violently as the previous ache in your throat rips right through, interrupting your words in the form of a distorted wheeze.

As it happens, you can’t help but think of the worst possible outcome regarding his absence. Imagining his lifeless body somewhere all alone, trapped beneath the rubble of an aftermath of battle, all you can see is his flesh. Pale skin stained with crimson, all torn apart to reveal the inner parts of himself. Amongst the rubble, you envision tendons splitting between broken bones —a lifeless face ripped with wild red eyes so empty compared to the life they once held. Tightly shutting your eyes, you imagine shattered fangs and cut-up lips left open in preparation for a dying breath you never got the chance to try and fix.

Suddenly behind your eye, you can feel your tadpole wiggling violently. Rushing from one end to the other, its presence quickly wreaks havoc on your skull, forcing a groan to escape your lips, realizing someone’s there. That there’s a voice calling out to you, telling you it’s okay —that everything's fine and he’s safe, so please stop crying.

Focusing on the voice, you hear Shadowheart’s tone eventually begin to push through, prompting your tear-stained eyes to drift to her, catching a soft smile. It’s subtle, as most of her outward emotions are, but regardless it speaks volumes. Reassuring you in a way that makes you smile back, mentally thanking her again and again until there’s a set of footsteps at the doorway.

“What the hell are you all—“

His words are dripping in confusion. Rattling through your system like an echo of waves, the mere thought of it pulls you forward, forcing your body to crawl closer, watching the way his eyes glaze over once he catches sight of your crumpled frame.

As soon as he notices, he promptly pushes past all the bodies that separate you, breathing so hard that when he inevitably drops to his knees in front of you, clawing at the fabric of your tunic to pull you into his chest, you can feel it shaking. Rising and falling through the stress of his unbound anxiety, showing you just how much he missed you. How much he longed for your presence however long you were gone.

Feeling him shiver against you, you immediately break, crying harder than you ever have before. Allowing the catharsis of your shared embrace to fill up the room with desperate sobs that leave both of you breathless.

Gripping the base of his shoulder blades, you then maneuver your body until you’re completely wrapped around him, sitting on his lap, tugging at tufts of hair as you push your fingers through his curls.

“Star…”

“Shh, it’s okay. You’re okay,” he speaks with disbelief, clutching you tight. As if the fear of this all being a dream has led him to believe that if you part somehow you’ll disappear entirely.

Nodding against him, you press a gentle kiss to the side of his neck before pressing your forehead into the same spot, feeling him shift.

“When did you wake?”

You open your mouth to speak before swallowing hard, opting to use your Illithid. Not long ago. Where were you?

Getting supplies. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Zamrie said—

Before he can finish his thought your hands are on his face, fingers splayed out to cup the delicate angles as you press your lips to his, feeling how cold they are. How the temperature bites against your own, forcing you to work for the heat you long for in the form of languid licks and nips that have you dizzy all over again.

Hearing the background sound of footsteps followed by the shutting of a door, you can’t help but grin through the movement of Astarion’s mouth pushing open your own, realizing then that you’re alone. That for the first time in ages it’s just you and him and both of you safe from whatever evils lurk beyond the exit.

“I’m still…very much…mad at you,” he eventually says, groaning between the kisses you steal through his frustrated tone —no longer caring if your behaviour bites you in the ass later.

That’s fair.

He snorts as he places a hand on the back of your neck, placing one last kiss to the edge of your mouth before pulling away, looking at you with narrowed eyes. “I can’t believe you left me with those idiots. Do you know how boring they are? I swear, the minute we arrived in Baldur’s it was like—“

You roughly tug at the collar of his shirt to get his attention, widening your eyes. Wait, we’re in Baldur’s?

In response, he immediately huffs. “Gods, of course nobody told you. They were probably too busy hugging you to death all over again,” he says. “I swear, it’s been nothing but chaos since you left. Karlach’s been crying for weeks. Shadowheart and Lae’zel have been at each other’s —ow!”

You narrow your eyes and pinch his cheek. Astarion, what the hell happened?

For a moment he just sits there, watching you with those angered eyes that make your chest tighten and your stomach flip, remembering then that none of it matters anyway. That for now, despite the lingering curiosity of it all festering at the back of your mind, wondering how long it’s been and how everyone’s truly fared, you don’t care. So long as everyone’s alive and well and the progress you’ve worked so hard to push through is still on track, all you care about is him.

Are you okay?

Even with his unwavering resilience, you know deep down that he hasn’t come up the other side unscathed. That regardless of what he might say in replacement of the truth, there’s something uneasy hidden beneath the surface. You can see it in his eyes. In the way they drop almost immediately at your words, his expression shifting from anger to confusion to a mix of something foreign you can’t quite place.

Opening his mouth, you see the quiver of his lips. The wobbling motion of uncertainty before he suppresses his thoughts, swallowing hard at the presence of fear to say, “I’m fine. Now that you’re here.”

Frowning then, you trail your thumb across his cheek, tracing the peaks and valleys of his flesh, skimming thoughtful patterns across the expanse of his face, eventually winding up at his lips. Thumbing the lower one, you press your own together and look at him with tired eyes, surveying the age of a man who’s so obviously been pushed to his limits.

Yes, but are you okay?

He isn’t. Not in the slightest. And you can tell because the moment you ask he’s crumbling all over again, clutching your frame —pulling you in with far too much effort for someone who claims such nonchalance.

Pressing his digits roughly into your flesh, it’s as if he’s changed completely. What once was a man of constant mischief —a man with unlimited lies and tricks up his sleeve to hide the truest version of himself— has now become too honest. Too candid in the way he presents himself as he clutches onto your frame, acting as if you’re the last sliver of light in a forever-darkened sky.

It breaks your heart almost instantly, feeling the tremors of his body releasing all the pent-up anger and betrayal —all the sadness of a passing he was ill-prepared to handle. Fisting the fabric that rests against his back, you grant him access to your neck without hesitation, feeling him burrow inside, whispering all the thoughts he couldn’t say when both of you were separate and alone.

Inside your mind, you can feel the pain of his Illithid showing you a memory. A flash of magic mixed with a broken man’s cry filtering through closed lips. Unlike anything you’ve ever heard, it punctures your ears like a needle, painfully pushing through until it’s all but cut off without warning revealing the face of your last dying breath before everything goes black.

“We tried to save you sooner,” he whispers, placing a kiss to your neck, then to the fabric that rests against your shoulder. “But every moment between then and now was spent fighting those bastards.”

You place a hand on his hair, gently running your fingers through before repeating the process, hearing him breathe.

“We’d only just arrived this morning, I swear.”

You smile then, pressing a kiss to his head, telling him that it’s okay. That he’s okay and you’re okay, repeating the words over and over until you can feel his body begin to loosen at the seams, granting you both a moment of relief before he tells you he loves you and you do the same.

@poohxlove @gaiasmight @sassy-stupid @novarex @v-gremlin @sapphiccloud @lipstickghoulie @kuroitsukyo@jjfchk@idiotsatan@bluestuesday@bloopthebat@art-by-greenie@heneralmoon@sukunababe@dreamingaboutyousworld@ranfithegood@haniscrying@liadamerondjarin@the-lake-is-calling@marina-and-the-memes@rookieoftheyear@zraloci-cpr@kaetmo@snickerdoodle-daydream@wowowwild@d1anna@raswiet@conniesbbymama@venus-wrts@demonicthorns@kihten@deadglamsheep@sanscas@spammypasta@leighsartworks216@rose-gold-blue@p1ssmagg0t@hellish-writes@ghostinvenus@otayz@sexysquatch@sleepyeclair@colorful-anxieties@alina-exe@ilana-the-lasagna@lillifer@girlwiththepapatattoo@y2cade@acelin-ginsberg@pinkuranium@catrad0rable@scarletrosesposts@qwnamidala@itsrosebabe@bunnyperi@queenofcarrotflowers-s@tatumadams20@spkyxszn@chlort@f3v3rs@awkwardwookie@joy-the-reader@warm-milk-with-honey-blog@vertigocrime@iyis@wildpiper@pebblethestone@tillywasneverhere@bex-03@kaetmo@revemiya@staticspouse@itzagothamcitysiren@djarinsmixtape@when-the-night-came@epicy0n@bababahannah@sleepyred1703@lotus-99@lofcompass@r4d10h34d5@vampninjaz@itsmekalou@offbrandhand@yikes-buddy@konenichi@rainonarden@oceanbluesixeyes@bodtyworship@maydayitsjay@greasyslimebucket@yeeteth-the-raven@fantasyfairysworld@allexthakatt@flowersaretheshit@morglyne@thespectacularspaceace@cephiss0@use-your-telescope@furblrwurblr@kloverfield@angelofthorr@writervaul-t@starved-kitten@minixluvr@crowley--aziraphale@sapphicwren@alionera-blog@jennithejester@dezedrol@thisisew@saladalpaca@applepiewithbacon@httpbiohazard@aurasyn@nerdoodles@kingpinthedevil@itzkawaiix@domainoflostsouls@silverskylan@uminootome@helpidkwhatimdoingwrong@deadlyinfernos@blackbirdswhispers@sarahskywalker-amadala@writingmysanity@f3v3rs@jayjones03@quietlyebbie@optimisticprime3@eyes-for-daze@sunnytalia3@megoshh@maddiedott@cappsikle@mostbeautifulnightmare@lynnlovesloki@simpytheshrimpy69@astarion-archive@smaranshakthi@autistic-deer@shadowfeart@freckled-petals@candied-lavender@hp-art-studio@ghouligan@satelliteapotheosis@waywardwitch-hel@pandimoostuff@mythoughtsofinsanity@ilovelovelylove@oneandonlyizabelle

TAGLIST NOW CLOSED!

#i'll crawl home to her #a lover’s folly #astarion #astarion bg3 #astarion fan fic #astarion series #astarion x female reader #astarion x reader #astarion x you #summer writes

341 notes · View notes

darwin-xf · 1 year

Text

Vox Mulder; Ch. 1...

“Scully.”

Usually she answered her home phone with the more customary “Hello.” It had been a long week, though—one of many in a series of long weeks—and she’d yet to slough off her work manners.

“Hey Scully,” Mulder said. “Guess where I am?”

“Let’s see,” she said, making her way into her kitchen. “An hour ago you were next to me finishing up an expense audit. Then I looked up and-Poof!-you were gone. My guess is, the ether.”

“Incorrect.”

“The woodwork?”

“Actually, that’s very close. Didn’t mean to ditch you. You were tied up on the phone and I had an appointment.”

“Not a big deal.” she said. “It *was* five o’clock.” She’d never been one to crack jokes, but she couldn’t resist the occasional opportunity to needle Mulder. She took a water glass down from her cupboard and began running the tap.

“How did it end?” Mulder asked. “I’m breathless. On what did we spend $36.48 in the third fiscal quarter of last year?”

“First aid supplies. Gauze, ace bandages, a finger splint, aspirin, and Tylenol 3.”

“Ah, there’s some memories right there. We should bill the New Spartans. They can withdraw it from their ‘Anarchy & Mayhem’ fund. Assholes.”

“I never got all the details on that.”

“We have our whole lives, Scully. I’ve got to save some material with which to entertain you in our dotage. You don’t want me to start repeating myself.”

She wanted to laugh lightly, but his comment had knocked her off balance. Did he think neither one of them was ever going to retire? She stayed quiet.

“Thanks for finishing up the audit. Those things used to take me weeks to do. BS, that is.”

“BS?”

“Before Scully.”

“Huh. Well, someone has to do it.”

“I was not recruited for my clerical skills.”

“And I was?”

“Of course not, Scully. I’m just trying to thank you.”

Ok then. Scully dropped two ice cubes into her water and untucked her once crisp white dress shirt from her suit skirt, the phone trapped between her ear and shoulder.

“All right, Mulder, I’ll bite. Where are you?”

“Doctor’s office.”

“You feeling ok?” she asked.

“No, but I’m not sick.”

“Who doesn’t love a riddle, Mulder?”

“I’m at Dr. Parenti’s clinic, actually.”

Oh. That doctor’s office. “Great,” Scully said, trying and failing to cover anxiety and awkwardness with cheer. “How did it go? Did he answer your questions?”

“I didn’t have many. You were pretty thorough in letting me know what to expect.”

“Did you complete the paperwork?”

“Earlier this week. It took two hours. Who memorizes the height, build, blood type, and health history of each and every relative? I had to call my mom three times.”

So that was where he’d disappeared to after lunchtime Monday. Not that she’d been keeping tabs. Scully laid her suit jacket carefully over the back of a chair, took a big swig of her water, and collapsed into her sofa.

She was still on light duty between cases, still recovering from her misadventure in New York with Agent Peyton Ritter. Their most recent case, which involved murders where the hearts had been mysteriously and unaccountably extracted from victims’ bodies, had been unusually draining. It had been unsettling in more subtle ways, too.

The irony of light duty was how exhausting it felt to her. The more tedious and meaningless the work, the more it fatigued her. She propped her feet up on the coffee table.

“Did you tell your mom why you were asking?”

“Nah. She didn’t remember much. She’s not all that curious anyway.”

Sounded like his mother. When it came to Teena, Scully had to be careful in Mulder’s company not to telegraph her otherwise open scorn.

“Thanks for taking care of that Mulder. When will you go back to, uh, give a sample?”

“I’m still here. That’s up next.”

“Today?” Scully said, trying to keep the startle out of her voice.

“Time’s a wastin’,” Mulder said.

“Makes sense. You’re there anyway.”

“Yep.”

“Should I, uh, let you get going with that then?” Scully asked. Her voice seemed to have acquired a tiny squeak.

“That’s why I called. Unfortunately, I’ve hit a snag. I’m in one of the donation rooms. Have you ever been back here?”

“No. I’ve only seen the waiting room and the exam room.”

“I gotta admit, I’m not finding the atmosphere especially conducive to the task at hand.”

“So to speak,” she said.

“So to speak.”

“And why not?”

“Where to start? Let me paint you a picture, Scully. A windowless room only slightly larger than the broom closet across the hall from our office. The cheap linoleum flooring is cracked and yellowing. The furniture looks as though it’s been pilfered from a bus station.”

“Molded plastic,” Scully said. “Very chic. I’m sure that’s preferable to upholstery, though, given the purpose of the room?”

“Granted. But wait, there’s more. A pile of tacky magazines on a lopsided end table. There’s a VCR with a couple of lame tapes stacked on top. One of them is actually titled ‘Rockin’ ‘Ricans.’ I’m not normally one to object to porn on grounds of political correctness, but doesn’t that strike you as racist, Scully?”

“It does,” she said.

“Worst of all, there’s a post-it that reads ‘out of order’ over the tape slot.”

“Oh no,” Scully said with genuine concern.

“When I say tacky magazines, not only am I referring to the taste level, but also to the condition. Most of them are dog-eared, dated, and... sort of sticky.”

“Ewww.” Scully didn’t want to reinforce his apprehension, but what a nasty image.

“Not that I’ve touched them.”

“C’mon Mulder, you’ve got intrepid fingers.”

“And how would you know, Scully?”

“What I mean is, I’ve seen you swipe at many a vile looking unidentified oozing substance. Once you even tasted it.”

“That was because I wanted to identify it! Cases don’t solve themselves Scully. It’s part of the work.”

“Okay,” she said. “I hear you.” The volume and timbre of Mulder’s voice tended to serve as a rough metric for his anxiety. He had been particularly serene all week, available for her to lean on in the wake of the Padgett debacle. But his voice had been steadily rising since their conversation began.

“Any oozing substance I’d find in here I sure as hell wouldn’t taste. Not to judge anyone who would.”

“Of course not,” Scully said. Especially if the substance in question was his own, Scully mused. He probably would encourage tasting, in that instance. She was speculating, of course.

“I have my limits.”

“That’s good to know, Mulder. But in my experience, that office has been immaculately clean. Don’t you think they sanitize the donation rooms between, uh, uses?”

“I thought about that. You’re a scientist. How would you go about sanitizing a magazine?”

“Mulder, listen. They gave you a sample cup, right, as they presumably do with the other men? That’s the whole point, if I’m not mistaken. Given that, the magazines should be relatively unscathed.”

“Have you ever seen a toilet seat in a men’s room Scully? Not everyone has good aim. And this cup is tiny. Like it’s been scaled down for the likes of Frohike.”

“Mulder, I’ve come to appreciate the charms of Melvin. But summoning his image in this context has got to be a step in the wrong direction.”

“Good point.”

“Unless there’s something between the two of you I should know about?”

“Funny stuff, Scully,” he said humorlessly. “And why did they put this room next to the staff break room? Separated by more of a divider than an actual wall, no less. The microwave chimes every few minutes and the whole place smells like scalded cup-o-soup with an undersmell of rubbing alcohol. The combination is nauseating.”

Undersmell? He certainly was overstimulated. Just not in the way he needed to be.

“As we speak, I can hear the nurses laughing uproariously. I can’t get the idea out of my head that they’ve carved a peephole and are watching my pathetic attempts. Just for yuks.”

“Are you, um, attempting, right now?” Scully said, trying to mask her alarm.

“No! Jesus Scully. I’m complaining. And pacing. Which ain’t easy given the cramped confines.” Then, glumly: “I gave it a shot a few minutes ago and got nowhere.”

“Look Mulder…”

“You want to know the very worst feature of this room?”

“Why not?” She said.

“They pipe in muzak, allegedly to relax you. Also to drown out the buzz of fluorescent lights and the heckling nurses, I suppose. I ask you Scully: What kind of pervert would enjoy jerking off to Pachelbel's Canon in D minor?”

Oh no. When that big bad beautiful brain of his got moving in the wrong direction, it could be a challenge to slow the roll. Scully tore her own mind from contemplating Newton’s First Law of Motion and how it could be applied to non-corporeal processes. He needed help.

#msr #the x files #msr fanfic #mulder and scully #fox mulder #today in fic #dana scully #mulder x scully #x files #mulder #love this

65 notes · View notes

irregularcollapse · 8 months

Note

I'll move on to an actual Ask (that I don't believe I've seen an answer for). Every time I get to your end notes in Even In Another Time, I end up eyebrows deep in online reading. Wikipedia is always a great place to start and then I'll follow links within, sometimes for a couple of hours, and also out into the wider world heading closer to original sources, etc. Here it is 2 in the morning, after I finished reading chapter 26, and I currently have windows open to Achilles and Bible and Exegesis Linear B and bounced in and out of there on various links. Somewhere in the last 3 hours I read about some earlier prolific translator who did so much work on so many works that he'd apparently forget what he had come up with in earlier work and contradicted himself. Not sure whether that was in one of your endnotes or in some page I skimmed through tonight. The web was designed to trap people like me for all eternity. People who grew up hiding in a corner and reading National Geographics and volumes of the encyclopedia.

So: What's your background, education, vocation, or whatever else that brings you to sharing such a wealth of knowledge about the topics that have gone into creating this fiction?

I hope you don't mind that I'm only publishing the question and not your other thoughts!! But yes, in what you said (in the other message) about biblical translations and the ongoing mutability of the text, particularly through misinterpretation (often deliberate misinterpretation), you've hit the nail right on the head! History and historical documents become these tools to perpetuate an idea of culture and society that those in power want to be the dominant one. So, we get versions of Christianity that make little sense when viewed in relation to the early documents and their actual purpose -- and we also get academic and cultural discourse around whether certain narratives count as queer ones.

I should say that the commentary around historians always erasing queer narratives and saying "they were good friends" is an incorrect one. Historians cannot say, from a professional standpoint, whether a person was definitively queer because a) there is often not sufficient evidence that can't be reasonably interpreted in multiple ways, and b) the vernacular we use today more often than not does not fit with the sensibilities of times past. This is sort of what the conversation in the bar is hinting around in Chapter XXVI.

The other point I have been trying to communicate is that when we are so far removed from a time period, and lack the complete context for documents which were created then, we as modern people cannot definitively say anything about the people represented in them. As Laurent says in Chapter IX, "This is why [he] could never have been a true historian. The uncertainties, the guessing. The gaps. Understanding of even a period of history like this one, with such upheaval and such outcomes, rests heavily on interpretation."

It excites me to an extreme extent that you have been researching and reading off the back of little references and titbits that I've been including! And my enthusiasm for your curiosity and interest in learning might tell you something else... In answer to your question, I'm an educator, librarian, and archivist by profession. Basically, research is life <3 And BECAUSE research is life, when I started out writing this story, I didn't have all of the information in it as part of my knowledge base already! Or if I did, it was only approximate. So I've done a lot of searching, a lot of reading, and a lot of cross-referencing to get to the point we are at in the narrative now.

But the good thing about writing a mythological fantasy is that I don't need to be 100% historically accurate! So I can take the fun pieces of what I learn, and change them a little to suit my purposes, and hopefully we end up with rich and interesting worldbuilding at your (the reader's) end.

Thanks so much for your continued interest! I really appreciate it! :D

#asks #my writing #even in another time fic

11 notes · View notes

novemberthecatadmirer · 2 years

Text

A Growing List of my extremely-OOC Silm Headcanon:

Dark is not Evil, Evil is Nothingness. Evil tells you “There is no Good and Evil there is no Right Things to do everything does not matter stop worrying and love the jail.” Evil traps you in indifference and inaction while it burns the world around you.

The Void was a Nihilism hell filled with Spiders. If you get lost there the Void would eat you and turn you into a Spider.

Everlasting Darkness did not exist. Feanor was being dramatic.

--------------------

The Evil loved darkness and black and everything morbid because Melkor was jealous of Namo for his top-tier aesthetics. Namo was at least 3 times hotter than Melkor and I am not spreading rumor, he got the nice fiber artist wife and fiber people are the kindest people ever peopled. Morgoth got his revenge by filling Namo’s house with broken souls and mountains of paperwork.

--------------------

Morgoth single-handedly created mental illness. His curses and spells were depression, anxiety and ptsd.

Morgoth was the self-claimed artists that did art by destroying other people’s art. And his taste is BAD and BORING.

You should be VERY AFRAID of Sauron.

Sauron was the personification of Orwellian Horror. For the sake of world Sauron must die. Yes he was an idea and you cannot kill an idea but it is better to kill him again and again than letting him free roaming building his lovely 1984 empires.

Sauron was not follower of Morgoth no matter how he appeared. He was plotting to overthrow Morgoth and snatch the nice piece of world domination and was happy that the Valar did the hardest part for him.

--------------------

NO. Things touched by evil were NOT EVIL. That’s the lie Morgoth wanted you to believe.

Fuck the concept of “Black Heart.”

--------------------

Elves can suicide and it did not need specific condition and it happened more often than you think. The history just did not like to mention it.

Honestly if you were chased by Sauron or Morgoth you better finish yourself first. When you see them it would be too late, they would trap your soul and forced you to fate worse than death.

--------------------

Elves can be in relationship however they want.

They had all kinds of relationship.

They had crazy ideas of relationship. (HONESTLY, dating mortals lived less than 1/10 of your past life.)

Being an elf and having crush on your cousin? Fine go for it everyone was related anyway. Turgon was against it because two of his siblings had crush on cousins and somehow ended up died and he was DONE with the mess. In general be prepared for the bad luck when you are an elf and have crush on cousin.

LaCE is nice but I do not need to know her to lead my happy life.

--------------------

Death was the Gift of Men, but Elves got Gift too and their Gift was Life.

Morgoth managed to corrupt both of the Gifts with pain and suffering and fear.

--------------------

Tolkien can have his obsession with “tall and taller and tallest,” and I am going to claim this and that and that character being short and shorter and shortest.

Tolkien can have his obsession with beautiful hair and I am going to call him a fellow mortal of culture.

--------------------

I am still salty about the treatment of Easterlings. And orcs.

--------------------

Everything about Eol and Aredhel and Maeglin were lazy biased incorrect writing from Gondolin survivors crushed by sorrow and guilt and hate.

People just refused to believe their wonderful princess would willingly marry with a foreigner who was a nobody lived in some weird forest.

Eol and Aredhel should never get married though. They had fucking different political views. Probably got married because they looked at each other and went “Oh how exotic,” then just jumped straight into the pit to suffer together.

Turgon was depressed and passively suicidal and stuck in inaction and if he listened to Ulmo earlier none of the mess would happen.

Everyone broke in Angband. If one was not broken that meant they did not want to break them and was preserving them for something else.

Maeglin went crazy and believed killing Earendil and sending him to Mandos would be better than leaving him to Morgoth.

Morgoth showed him some creative plans.

--------------------

There were absolutely urban climbers in Gondolin.

Idril once put a giant red pumpkin right on the very tip of the Tower of the King’s pinnacle the Cornell University way.

Nobody believed she did it even when she straight up said it a month later. She secretly was very offended.

--------------------

All the weird cave-explorer kids went to House of the Mole.

They all got killed when the city fell.

#tolkien #lotr #lotr meta #the silmarillion #silmarillion #silm #silm headcanons #silm meta #morgoth #melkor #sauron #mairon #namo #Eol #aredhel #maeglin #idril #gondolin

18 notes · View notes

simownerdetails · 7 days

Text

4 Common Mistakes When Checking Sim Owner Details Online

Sim Owner Details Online Check is a useful utility in many aspects. Nevertheless, this comfort also requires avoiding usual traps. This blog will discuss four errors people commit while verifying SIM owner details over the internet and what to do to avoid them. Approaching this process carefully will result in a smooth process without any privacy and security breaches.

Mistake 1: Using Unverified Platforms

The most common mistake depends on untrusted sources for Sim Owner Details Online Check. To guarantee the safety of the data, always use reliable websites such as simownerdetails.org. Unreliable sources may degrade data integrity and lead to potential privacy violations for users. The most important thing is to prefer platforms with a history of success and positive user reviews.

Mistake 2: Entering Incorrect Mobile Numbers

Another common error in checking Pak sim data sim owner details is inputting the wrong mobile numbers. Due to the hurry to get information, one may type incorrectly or miss some numbers, leading to incorrect results.

Please recheck the mobile number you typed before hitting the submit button. Ensure you have the right country code (+92 for Pakistan) and all 11 digits are correct.

Take your time when inputting the number to avoid typos.

If possible, copy and paste the number from a reliable source to minimize the risk of errors.

Remember, even a single incorrect digit can completely change the outcome of your search, so accuracy is crucial.

Mistake 3: Neglecting Security Measures

Failing to consider security measures is the most dangerous mistake when verifying SIM owner details online. Many platforms include captcha or other security checks to confirm the user's validity. Neglecting or hurrying through these steps can reduce the credibility of the data extracted and put both the user and the accessed data at risk.

Mistake 4: Relying Solely on Sim Owner Details

Although Pakistan can offer useful information for sim owner details Pakistan, it is not wise to entirely depend on this information. The information accessed through these searches should be taken as a beginning rather than an ending.

Sometimes, The information provided may be restricted or insufficient because of privacy laws or obsolete records. In addition, sim cards can be registered under fake names or bought secondhand, hence, making the current owner untraceable.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding, consider using sim owner details online in conjunction with other verification methods, such as:

Directly contacting the mobile number in question

Conducting background checks through official channels

Verifying information through multiple reliable sources

Wrapping Up

Checking sim owner details online in Pakistan is a very useful resource, but it is critical to avoid the common mistakes that can result in inaccurate information or breach of security. By using reliable platforms like simownerdetails.org/, entering mobile numbers cautiously, observing privacy issues, and utilizing the data as one step of a larger verification process, you can easily find your way through the world of Pak sim tracker services. Remain aware, remain safe, and utilize these powerful tools to protect yourself and make smart choices in the era of digital.

0 notes

qandle5 · 2 years

Text

How HRMS Transformation Can Help Your Organization Grow?

The challenge of managing them grows as your team grows. Getting a single view of personnel data becomes challenging. Sensitive employee data will continue to be dispersed across several files or incompatible platforms. Integrations need too much manual work to maintain themselves. The effectiveness of HR procedures suffers as a result.

Implementing an HRMS is the only way to address all of these problems. Not all HR management solutions are costly or restrictive, despite what the general public believes. The market nowadays offers a wide variety of choices.

However, it is simple to become lost in the sea of goods accessible while you are on the prowl for the ideal HR Management Software. You must distinguish between the aspects of HR software and have a thorough grasp of the general phrase “human resource management” in order to escape the death-trap of well-weaved jargon that persuades you to pick the incorrect tool (HRMS).

Human Resource Management System: What Is It?

The term “human resource management system” (HRMS) refers to a group of programmes, such as Human Capital Management (HCM) and Human Resource Information System (HRIS), that assist HR professionals in caring for the most important resource of a firm, its employees. Manually doing HR activities is too time-consuming and difficult. You may save time, money, and manage your workers more effectively by utilising a technical solution like an HRMS.

You might choose a straightforward HR Management Software with capabilities that handle routine administrative duties like Employee Management, Leave Management, etc. based on your needs. Alternatively, you might go for a system that deals with key aspects of human resource management including recruitment, performance management, and training.

A human resource management system’s components (HRMS)

An HR management system’s primary job is to standardize and streamline the essential procedures for managing human resources. An HRMS has distinct HR modules to handle certain HR and administrative functions, freeing up HR employees to concentrate on improving the workplace. The essential features of a perfect human resource management system are as follows:

1. Managing applications

A comprehensive employee onboarding module that tracks and monitors candidates all over job boards, recruitment portals, and websites across all phases of the hiring process—find, shortlist, interview, and hire—smoothly in a single interface will enable recruiters and hiring managers to work together and speed up the hiring process.

2. Management of employees

Store and access all current employee-related data (basic profile, employment history, performance, job, etc.) in a single database that is accessible from anywhere at any time to make choices affecting the workforce or the company.

3. Management of organisations

To assist international employee migration and all other global workforce management duties in a flexible way, design an organisational structure accurately using pre-defined industry-relevant templates, business operations, associated reports, and compliance requirements.

4. Benefits administration

Include various plans and choices to automatically design, administer, and customise the whole range of employee-specific perks in a single interface, making it simple to control the related eligibility and costs.

5. Payroll administration

Reduce payroll processing’s complexity by providing a full range of payroll services that include an integrated accounting module, automatic tax computations, a tool for periodic audits and reporting, tabular data storage, and a configurable rule-based engine.

6. Management at work

Utilize trend predictions and pre-made templates to optimize daily headcount while organising workforce activities like hiring, onboarding, training, and development.

7. Compensation administration

Create and administer comprehensive employee pay plans that are applied consistently across many teams, departments, and locations. Connect compensation to performance and corporate goals, and aggregate compensation information for anytime viewing/editing.

To know more: https://www.qandle.com/blog/how-hrms-transformation-can-help-your-organization-grow/

#human resource management system #HRMS

0 notes

creditrepairinwestjordan · 2 years

Text

The Best Online Credit Monitoring Services For You

There are many services that provide credit monitoring and they vary in the type of information they provide. It is important to know what you need before you start looking for a service.

This article will talk about some of the best credit monitoring services in 2022. It will also help you decide which one suits your needs the best.

Definition and Examples of a Credit Monitoring Service

A credit monitoring service is a service that provides consumers with information about their credit history.

This includes information on their credit scores, as well as any inquiries into their credit history.

The idea behind this service is to provide the customer with a "snapshot" of their entire credit history in one location for easy access.

The customer can then review this information and take any necessary actions to correct any errors.

Some of the most common errors include incorrect information on the file, such as an incorrect address or phone number, or a misspelling of the customer's name.

If there are no errors found, then there is no need to do anything more than simply monitor your account for free by signing up for a free trial period and reviewing your report every 30 days.

What is a Credit Monitoring Service?

Credit monitoring services are designed to provide individuals with a way to monitor their credit report and credit score.

The service provides alerts and notifications when the individual has a change in his or her credit report, such as an account being opened, an account being closed, or a change in credit limit.

It also provides alerts when there is a change in the individual's credit score. The service will also provide information on how to improve the individual's credit score.

How Does a Credit Monitoring Service Work?

A credit monitoring service is an organization that offers to monitor a person's credit for potential fraudulent activity, usually for a monthly fee. Credit monitoring services are also called credit protection services.

A credit monitoring service will keep an eye on your personal information, such as your name, address, and social security number. They will also monitor your bank accounts and any other financial information to make sure it's not being used without permission.

The company will send you alerts if they notice any suspicious activity that might be related to your account or identity theft.

How Much Does a Credit Monitoring Service Cost?

Credit monitoring services are designed to help you track your credit score and financial status. They can be used for a variety of purposes such as:

- Checking your credit score and financial statements

- Preventing identity theft

- Monitoring your credit card or loan payments

- Checking if a person is using your identity for fraud

Credit monitoring services are available in different types. Some of them are subscription based and some are free. The cost of the service depends on the type that you choose.

How to Avoid Credit Monitoring Scams?

Credit monitoring services are becoming more and more popular. However, they can be a trap. They often charge high fees for the service and provide little to no value in return.

Here are some ways to avoid credit monitoring scams:

1) Look for a reputable company that is transparent about their pricing and terms of service.

2) Be aware of the fine print before signing up with any service.

3) Check reviews on sites like Yelp, Facebook, or Google Reviews before making your final decision on which company to sign up with.

4) Do not give out personal information such as your social security number or bank account information over the phone or online without first checking out the company’s website for privacy policies and terms of services.

How We Chose the Best Credit Monitoring Services?

When you want to protect your credit score and financial security, it is important to know what kind of credit monitoring service you want.

There are many different types of credit monitoring services available in the market. Some companies provide free services while others charge a monthly fee. We looked at some of the most popular ones and picked out the best one for our readers, based on their reviews and user satisfaction ratings.

Alternatives to a Credit Monitoring Service

Credit monitoring services are an easy way to keep track of your credit score. They typically offer a monthly subscription for a fee. This can be an expensive option if you don't use it regularly and may not be worth the cost in some cases.

There are alternatives to credit monitoring services that can help you keep track of your credit score without paying a monthly subscription fee or any other costs. These include using your bank's online tools, using free tools like Credit Karma, or using apps that give you access to your credit score for free.

Credit Karma is one of the most popular alternatives to credit monitoring services because it offers its users full access to their own credit scores in seconds with no subscription fees or other costs involved. It also offers users the opportunity to monitor their friends' and family members' credit repair company.

Get the best credit monitoring services help you keep track of your credit and receive alerts on potential fraud. Call Us (855) 656-2963 Today for Cheap Credit Monitoring.

#credit history #credit monitoring services #credit report #credit limit #credit score for free #credit repair company #Cheap Credit Monitoring

1 note · View note

nubsibs · 3 years

Text

Tang Yi : in this relationship, I am the sun and you are the moon

Shao Fei : well obviously, you light up my world

Tang Yi : yeah and I'm also the hot one

#incorrect quotes #history 3: trapped #shao fei x tang yi #tangfei #chris wu #chrisjake #trapped #taiwanese drama #taiwanese bl #incorrect taiwanese bl #h3: trapped

72 notes · View notes

spam-monster · 5 years

Text

Zhao Zi: I'll have you know I'm a cop with very high standards!

Jack: I can make noodles.

Zhao Zi: ...OH NO, YOU'RE MEETING ALL OF MY STANDARDS!

#incorrect quotes #history 3 trapped #history 3: trapped #jack x zhao zi #history 3: 圈套

620 notes · View notes

sailormurkury · 5 years

Conversation

*Zuo Hong Ye and Gu Dao Yi walk arm in arm into the house after another day at the office*

Zuo Hongye: ...so I told him, you’re a good man, Tang Yi, they don’t understand you. All they see is a criminal, not how you're putting in the work to make Xian Tang Meng a legitimate business and build a better life for our brothers. Who cares what they think? Fuck the police.

*Hong Ye and Dao Yi walk in to the living room interrupting Shao Fei and Tang Yi getting hot and heavy on the couch*

Zuo Hongye: OHMYGOD! TANG YI, THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!

*Hong Ye storms off, Tang Yi chases after her while readjusting his clothes. Meanwhile, Dao Yi quietly smiles at a flushing Shao Fei who buttons his shirt incorrectly*

#history 3: 圈套 #history 3: trapped #Incorrect History 3 #shao fei x tang yi #Zuo Hongye x Dao Yi #history3圈套 #History 3 Trapped #I haven't done something like this in ages #I can't be the only one who's thought of this scenario

53 notes · View notes

dangerliesbeforeyou · 5 years

Conversation

Shao Fei to Zhao Zi, sometime within the 4 years, probably: You know who I think is the ugliest guy ever? That Tang Yi!

Zhao Zi: ...

Shao Fei: Do you know what I'd rate him, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being really ugly and 10 being really attractive?

Shao Fei: I'd rate him an 8... well, 8.5! or a 9...

Zhao Zi: ...

Shao Fei: Definitely NOT more than a 9.8, because there's always room for improvement! Not everyone's perfect, like me, which is why I'm holding out for a 10!

Zhao Zi: ...

#zhao zi remains silent cos rly what else can u say to that stupidity lol #this might not be funny but it just came into my head and i had to write it lol...#history 3: trapped #incorrect quotes #history 3: 圈套 #history3圈套 #incorrect trapped #avpm #(one of my fav scenes from avpm)#(had to adjust the quote slightly lol... the original is truly Comedic Genius tbqh)#i've wanted to write an incorrect quote for trapped for ages cos they're legit my fav things #but i couldnt think of anything lol...

23 notes · View notes

waiting-to-be-lost-at-sea · 5 years

Text

Shao Fei: Did u hang out with Andy last night?

Tang Yi: Yeah I did last night-

Shao Fei: Oh I love Andy

Tang Yi: You hate him

Shao Fei: yEaH nO sHiT hOnEy!!!

#i couldnt help it #literally kept thinking of that vine #meng shao fei #tang yi #incorrect vine memes #shao fei x tang yi #history 3: trapped

68 notes · View notes

getoutofmyjaneway · 3 years

Text

Since Star Trek Voyager is Leaving Netflix, Here are 10 Episodes that you Should Watch Before the End of September

1. The Cloud

The Cloud is a great example of the early dynamic between the main cast. This bottle episode shows a very Star Trek episode dealing with some space creature they accidently harm, and being oh so very Starfleet, they assist. That, of course, is not why you watch this episode. It has some pretty great comedic moments, the iconic “There’s coffee in that nebula,” moment, and (if you can over look the cringy and incorrect portrayal of Native American culture) great moments that will let you better get to know the character we love.

2. Tuvix

Tuvix is was created when there was a transporter accident fused Neelix, Tuvok, and some plants together to create a new single sentient being. Tuvix loves being himself but ultimately it was decided by Captain Janeway that they would be separated back into there original beings. This episode is not only thought provoking, but has been the basis for many discussions of morality on a broader level. It is an interesting thought experiment that is so very Star Trek in nature - it is a don’t miss in my book.

3. Before and After

You remember Kes yes? She was definitely not given the most to do throughout the run of Voyager, but this is her best story by far. This story sees Kes aging backwards through death to birth, giving us a full picture of her life. This also brings us some of the very seldomly seen foreshadowing in the series, eluding to the Year of Hell (we’ll talk about that soon) and Tom and B’Elanna’s relationship. This is how I choose to remember Kes (we don’t talk about Furry).

4. Year of Hell Part 1 and 2

Yeah you knew this was going to be on here. There is a reason this is on most peoples lists of top Voyager episodes. And yes, I know I am cheating by putting both episodes on the same spot on my list, but like Janeway, I make my own rules. This is the most action packed two-parter in the series, serving as a kind of what-if scenario if the Voyager crew went down a more dangerous path. It ultimately ends with the ever present “Voyager-Rest-Button” but this is the best use of it. This is the most bad-ass episode by a long shot, also giving great character interactions, as well as commentary of grief and family.

5. Living Witness

This one is for all of my TNG lovers out there, you will love this one. Living Witness sees the Doctor’s program ending up in an alien museum in the distant future where an exhibit shows the species interactions with the crew of the Voyager. It is up to the Doctor to clear the name of his crew, and himself. This is amazing commentary of how history can be warped by those that recount it. Of course I also enjoy the absolutely savage portrayal of the Voyager crew - you can tell they had a good time with this one. Overall, this is a story you could only see on Voyager and is excellently done.

6. Timeless

This episode is iconic. If you have seen media referencing Voyager, you have most likely seen the image of the Voyager crashing into an ice planet in some amazing for its time CGI (that holds put pretty dang well even today). This is a strong episode for both Chakotay and Kim, two of Voyagers other most under used characters, seeing them try and create a slipstream with the Delta Flyer to get home. While the Delta Flyer is ultimately successful in this, the Voyager and the rest of the crew ends up dead. Chakotay and Kim take it upon themselves to change the events of the accident.

7. Counterpoint

There is a reason that this is Kate Mulgrew’s favorite episode (other then the fact that she gets to kiss an alien). This is Janeway at her absolute best - intelligent, cunning, and a master of her craft. This sees Janeway help a group of telepaths cross a region of space where a xenophobic ruling body does not allow them. After frequent inspections, Janeway takes in a defector from the xenophobic race, who tries to get her to divulge her secrets. She, however, was always one step ahead of him in a brilliant power play that I can only describe as spicy.

8. Someone to Watch Over Me

Someone to Watch Over Me is a story about what it means to be human, a theme often discussed in Star Trek. This sees the Doctor, a hologram, show Seven, a woman rebuilding her sense of self after spending most of her life in the borg collective, teach her what he has learned about relationships. It’s like the blind leading the blind, or in a more Star Trek example, the blind teaching an Andriod how to paint. Throughout their time together, they both seem to teach each other a lot - Seven gains many incites into how to be more human and the Doctor learns what it is like to be in love. A heartwarming episode.

9. Collective

Members of Voyager’s senior staff are abducted by the borg... children. Five who have been separated and awoken from there maturation chamber struggle between being borg and being individuals. This is, however, not a borg story, it is a story about being human. As Seven was saved from the collected, she went through a transformation under the guidance of her friends family and now it is time for her to help these children in the same way.

10. The Void

After becoming trapped in a Void with no way of escape, they soon find that ever ship is out for their own in this region, everyone stealing what they need to survive. It becomes a battle of morals - do you take back from those who have stolen from you and then some? Do you use what has been stolen from others for your personal gain? Where do you draw the line for the sake of survive. The Voyager spearheads a mini federation type alliance of sorts, finding strength in unity and numbers, and, in the end, it is the understanding of others that allows for the Voyager and the members of the alliance to escape

These are not necessarily the best episodes of Voyager, but I think these are episodes that you can watch on their own with no other knowledge of Voyager to really get a feel for the series and the characters. Of course, I would love to know what other episodes you would include. Personally, I would have loved to include episodes like Course: Oblivion, Author Author, and Dark Frontier, but out of context, these episodes will give that Voyager flavor we all know an love.

#Star trek #star trek voyager #long post #netflix

436 notes · View notes

emblemxeno · 2 years

Text

You ever think about how “Ladlegard wars against the Church because they’re responsible for Teh Crest Systum” is completely made up? Like totally utterly fanon?

Ladle herself never says “The Church promotes Crests and that people with them should stand above all others”. Her reasons for warring against the church is that they covered up history (which is true, though Ladle herself doesn’t actually know the truth) and because she believes that the institution itself is lead by inhuman beasts who profit off of/prey on the weak (misguided at best, discriminatory and ignorant at worst) whilst the goddess forsakes/abandons people who are in need, by not giving certain people Crests (Ladle talking about Miklan) and by not answering prayers of the helpless (about her being trapped and experimented on).

On top of that, she adds her own propaganda on top of it, saying the church was fully responsible for splitting Fodlan in three, amassing wealth, and wanting to rule the world, all of which is confirmed-either by in-game evidence or the devs themselves-to be incorrect.

What Ladle actually says is “Church preaches that Crests are blessings given to a select few people, whom we (the people) elevate and allow to rule the world.” She foists part of the blame onto those who just believe in the Seiros creed, since to her, it’s the masses’ belief in that Crests = Blessings which allows nobles with them to rise above others and ‘mistreat those who don’t have any’.

The way this somehow led to Crests and aristocracy for the stans is because they saw “Goddess gave out Crests” and decided “well the church must be responsible for the shitty nobility in power then” even when the church commandments preach against ‘abusing power gifted by the goddess’ and has writings about the greed of humans who amassed Crests.

In actuality it’s like this: “Church says Crests are blessings from the goddess, Ladlegard hates the church and assumes they lie about everything and are corrupt assholes, Ladlegard thinks that if she de-legitimizes the church then the masses will stop propping up Crests as blessings and ergo the nobility itself will collapse since nobles can’t thrive with lots of angry commoners, people will then fall into her bullshit meritocracy.”

(After all, Ladle herself said that she wants to shoot 2 or even 3 birds with a single arrow in her support with Petra; perhaps that’s what she meant)

It really is an interesting play, it’s just a shame that most of the stans settle for just blaming the church for everything. But I guess to realize the more complex workings of the plan, they’d have to acknowledge that Ladlegard was written to be a villain who lies, manipulates and spreads propaganda, all while using any means necessary to gain power for said plan.

And y’know. Even after the writers said she was the villain, the stans don’t want to do that.

#meta #edelgardiscourse #fire emblem discourse

102 notes · View notes

audreydoeskaren · 3 years

Note

Thank you for posting a review on the book Evolution & Revolution Chinese Dress 1700s - 1990s. It’s so disappointing how the book potentially could’ve been good. What are your favorite books on Chinese fashion history?

Hi, great that you found the review useful! To be completely honest, I haven't really read any books on Chinese fashion before I started this blog, because I mostly used online resources like museums' websites, archaeology reports and other blogs. I actually started this blog in the hopes that people might recommend me some books😅 And I only ever read about the Ming, Qing and republican era so my knowledge is very limited.

Anyway, here are some books people recommended to me that I found great, some that I'm currently reading and some I know to be objectively good:

Ming Dynasty

Q版大明衣冠图志 (2011) 董进著

A classic made by the popular fashion history blogger 撷芳主人 (real name Dong Jin), this book is the ultimate compilation of Ming Dynasty looks illustrated by the most adorable drawings. It has basically everything you need to know about Ming Dynasty garments from informal civilian fashion and theater costumes to the most formal court dress and military uniforms. My only quibble with this book is that it doesn’t specify the decade/year each look is from, giving the false impression that everything could be worn throughout the Ming Dynasty (I heard that he did specify some eras in the new version? I don’t have it so I’m not sure). You can follow the author on Weibo where he regularly posts stuff about the Ming Dynasty, or check out other books and articles written by him. Even if you don’t have the book, you could probably find images of individual entries on the internet. Unfortunately all of it is in Chinese and no English version is available :(

华夏衣冠中国古代服饰文化 (2016) 孙机著

More of a collection of essays Sun Ji wrote on historical Chinese clothing from a variety of eras, I got it for the chapters on Ming Dynasty xiapei 霞帔 and headwear. Professional, academic language that is still easy to read, plenty of references and neatly traced line drawings of artifacts. Useful diagrams on the structure of 狄髻 diji. However if I remember correctly, Sun had some beef with Dong Jin on the terminology of parts of diji, not sure if that was ever resolved; here’s an article about that. Also only in Chinese (that I know of).

Qing Dynasty

Chinese Reverse Glass Painting 1720-1820 (2020) by Thierry Audric

This is the book form transcript of a dissertation given by the author in 2016. It's more Chinese painting than Chinese fashion but has a lot of wonderful images of 18th century export paintings (with dates even), which depicted fashion realistically. I love 18th century export art in general, they're really beautiful and unusual so I would recommend everybody to check them out. I love this because Chinese oil painting outside of a court context (and all other forms of art that were not literati painting e.g. woodblock print, lithograph, pen and ink illustration) gets very little attention from Chinese art historians. This book could be downloaded for free in pdf form the publisher Peter Lang.

A Fashionable Century: Textile Artistry and Commerce in the Late Qing (2020) by Rachel Silberstein

This book focuses on the 19th century and has some interesting insights on the impact of commercial workshops on Qing fashion, which is a welcome break from the “dragon robes” and women’s domestic work stereotyped in most literature on the Qing. It has rich descriptions of the decoration patterns and fabrics used in the 19th century, accompanied by paintings and photographs. It did kind of fall into the trap of “the late Ming continued into the early Qing” and just dismissed the 18th century altogether, which is a shame. Silberstein’s dating of several prints also appears somewhat incorrect, but it’s still a very useful analysis of the 19th century nonetheless. I read this for free on JSTOR through my university login.

Cinderella’s Sisters: A Revisionist History of Footbinding (2005) by Dorothy Ko

This book is absolutely epic and an undeniable classic on the subject. Ko masterfully avoids all the surface level problematic takes on footbinding and offers an extremely nuanced, extremely well researched overview on the history of footbinding in the Ming, Qing and republican eras, the reasons for its popularity and demise, with a most interesting analysis of the problems with the way people in the republican era went about the abolition of it. The book is more heavy on the social analysis side but also contains a lot of factual description of the process of footbinding, styles popular in different eras etc. I just love how she approaches the topic in the most factual and non-emotionally charged way possible, which is refreshing considering the sheer volume of literature on footbinding that is just brainless condemnation without any nuance, a lot of which also unconsciously perpetuate misogynistic ideas rather than combat them. I don’t know of a way to read this for free, I bought it from Amazon.

Every Step a Lotus (2001) by Dorothy Ko

I haven’t read this yet but apparently it works well as a supplement to Cinderella’s Sisters. Also on footbinding.

China Trade Painting 1750s to 1880s (2014) by Jack S C Lee / 中国外销画 1750s - 1880s 李世庄著

Another book on export art, focusing more on the established painters. Lee digs a bit more into the painters’ experiences and biographies, with big portions on George Chinnery and Lam Qua, but also includes plenty of portraits and scenery paintings depicting men’s clothing and the architecture of the studios at the Guangzhou factories (十三行). It’s great because the paintings included were super realistic and well made with accurate proportions and anatomy----the quality on a par with those produced by the European academies----so they contemplate conventional Chinese portraits made in the same era in showing how the clothing fits on the body. Again I bought this book second hand from Amazon.

----

I don’t know of any reliable books for republican era fashion because for some reasons most discourse on it is centered around the glorification and mystification of the cheongsam... Fortunately, due to the abundance of extant originals and photographs, books are largely not necessary for the research of republican era fashion :3

There are some other books and articles that were recommended to me but I haven’t yet read: x, x

@fouryearsofshades also made a post recently recommending books and it covers other time periods as well.

If anyone knows any other books on the Ming, Qing or republican era please tell me regardless of good or bad. I need to read more😅

#book review #historic fashion #chinese fashion #fashion history #vintage fashion #chinese history #ming dynasty #qing dynasty #hanfu #清汉女装 #book rec #chinese painting #foot binding

284 notes · View notes