#'why did i feel this character needed to be white rather than black

[livelaughlovesubs]

NINIII!! I have a tiny little incy wincy request :3 … ermmm how abt making dazai wear a maid dress and then fucking him afterwards ?? (｡>\\\<｡)

And a little over stimming wouldn’t hurt.. ( ´ཀ` )

Again, sorry if I’m bothering u!! Don’t gotta do this request if u ain’t feeling like it! Have a great day nini, love uuuu!! ૮꒰ྀི∩´ ᵕ `∩꒱ྀིა

- 🎀

Heyyy 🎀 anon! Good to see you again, I haven’t heard a lot from you lately though :< anyway, thanks for the support and the idea, excuse me for a second. JAKOAKSKA DAZAI IN UGHH MAID DRESSES AHHH, SO CUTE OH GODDDD

Dom!reader x sub!character - reader is gender neutral

Warning: teasing, hair pulling, lingerie, role play (master/ servant), touching inappropriately, clothed sex? (A tiny bit)

Edit: this ended up being sexual tension without actually getting to the fucking part - ig it’s cuz I write dick in dick out too often so I like writing the foreplay aspect more :’)

“What’s this?” You asked, curiosity peeked when you saw dazai hiding behind a locked room. He’s been staying there for at least 15 minutes now with the door shut tight, leaving you clueless. “It’s a surprise~!” Whenever you’d ask questions related to whatever he was doing, he’d give the same reply. Did he really need to make this so mysterious? Today wasn’t even a special day, so why was he being silly again?

Defeated, you sighed and simply went to the kitchen to grab something. Then you made your way over to the couch, deciding to wait until he’s ready. There wasn’t much you could do other than this. Another minute passed, and you finally heard the sound of locks getting unlocked. Your eye went immediately to the door, staring with anticipation. To your surprise, it was actually him. It took you a moment to properly grasp the situation.

There he was, standing in the door frame all confident like always. This wouldn’t have been surprising if it weren’t for the nice looking outfit he wore, which was a maid costume? A black top with long sleeves paired with an ankle long skirt in the same colour, as well as a white, pretty extravagant or frilly apron. The apron hung from his shoulders and has been tied around his waist, creating a ribbon behind him. He also had a headband on his head, along with some gloves. The outfit would have looked professional if it weren’t for the many excessive ribbons decorating the dress, like the ones on his sleeves or headband, as well as his heels.

It’d be an understatement to say your jaw dropped and you were flabbergasted. Sure, you had some ideas what he could have being doing in that room, and this idea has come across your mind before. Even so seeing it in person was still shocking to say the least. With his usual confidence he carried himself over to you, which was impressive even if the heels weren’t that tall. He stopped in front of the couch and did a few twirls. The dress fluttered around in an elegant fashion, captivating your attention.

“It looks great..” you whispered, eyeing him up and down. The outfit was really pretty and refined, it gave off high class vibes. “Of course it is, I picked it out for you,” dazai said with a smug look on his face, before kneeling down and resting his head in your lap. Despite the reality, you had troubles believing dazai really brought this. Knowing him, he would have gotten something more erotic instead of settling down for elegance.

For a while, none of you moved. He kept nuzzling against you while you stroke his hair gently. Until you grabbed his wrist and slipped your index finger inside his gloves. “There must be more to why you wore this, no?” The brunette didn’t have an ounce of surprise on his features, he has been expecting such a reaction from you. “There is no deeper meaning to this, did you wish there were some?” At the same time your hand kept advancing, though he let you do so without any resistance. Now you were slowly slipping the glove off of him. Those were latex gloves, how mischievous of him, or should you rather say thoughtful?

You shook the glove in your hand a little, getting rid of the folds. He watched you do so, revealing a moment of vulnerability to you. Making use of that small frame, you suddenly tugged at his hair, making him throw his head back. “Err..?” A small yelp left him, this position made him arch his back too. The headband fell off and his eyes were now glued to your hand holding his glove. Since when was it so close to your lips? It was your dominant hand too.

Slowly, without rushing it, you put on the glove, all while tugging at his hair with your other hand. Then you bit the end of the fabric and pulled it down, wearing it. Your gaze didn’t leave his for a moment. Noticing how he had a slightly dumbfounded expression. “What’s wrong, dazai?” You cooed, though it almost seemed like you were mocking him. Before he could say anything in opposition, you continued, “oh dear, stand up, or the outfit might get dirty.” What a roundabout way of giving him orders.

The male obeyed, standing up slowly and leaving the headband on the floor. With each moment spend here in your presence, the tension seemed to increase. He grabbed the end of his apron, waiting for your instructions, smiling excitingly. “You know you can just order me around, master.” Dazai teased, wanting to push your buttons. This game of tug was balanced, none of you wanted to fold first. “I’m just your maid after all.” He added, now holding the skirt and raising it, giving you a small glimpse of his legs while he bowed. Stockings. You saw stockings. Was he perhaps wearing lingerie underneath it..? It’d make sense, considering how long he took in that damned room.

“Haha..” you chuckled a little, he seems to have caught onto your little challenge. The hint you dropped was too obvious huh? If that’s the case, time to speed things up. Once again you surprised him, this time by grabbing his waist and changing your positions. Pushing him down to sit on the couch while you were hovering above him, pressing a knee against his clothed crotch. “Hmm~! Hey now.. that’s not fair.” He gasped, breathing heavily. “I’m your master, not a fair player.” That answer seems to have shut him up. His hands grabbed your leg, you weren’t sure what he was trying to do. Moving your knee away or pressing it down?

Nevertheless you had to move it out of the way for your next move, so you did that. A disappointment whine followed from the male. “No need to get all needy already, I’m just getting started.” You smirked and your weaker hand held his dress up, revealing the real surprise he had been hiding. “Ops~ I guess you exposed me~?” He grinned, as if he didn’t plan this from the very start. Your prediction was right, he did wore some nice looking undergarments for you. Black lace covered his smooth legs, up until his thighs. From there on it was attached to his panties by a string, all of it black and laced.

“The fabric is pretty uncomfortable you know?” Dazai voice his thoughts, pulling a pitiful facade. Of course you knew what he was implying, which is why you deliberately ignored it. He just loved this power struggle between you two. Even though he knew exactly where his place was, he just wanted to rile you up. Without answering his previous statement, you moved your hand to his back. At least you tried, the apron was preventing you from doing so. That’s why you settled for his sacrum, caressing that part gently before moving lower and groping his butt.

A squeak filled with anticipation escaped him, feeling the latex rub against his skin. Soon the cheeky smile turned into a seductive one, melting with pleasure all due to your touch. His entrance clenching while his dick slowly got hard, rubbing against the cute panties. How he wished to just beg you to fuck him senseless, but that would spoil the fun, no? Yet all this foreplay was making him impatient~ what should he do? In the end, he settled on whispering with a pleading tone, “oh, master, please make this servant dirty.”

REBLOGS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED

Part two!

#sub character #sub!character #dom reader #dom!reader #sub bsd #sub bungou stray dogs #sub dazai osamu #sub dazai #dazai smut #dazai osamu x reader #dazai oneshot #dazai bungou stray dogs #dazai bsd #dazai #dazai x reader #bsd dazai #bungou stray dogs dazai #dazai osamu #dazai x you #dazai x y/n #🎀 anon

[creatingblackcharacters]

“The Same Place as the Music” Lighting & Color

“Where is the light coming from?” “The same place as the music.” Andrew Lesnie, Cinematographer of LOTR

How & Why It's A Problem

If I had to summarize the frustration I have with this topic in one image, I'd use JeCorey Holder's (queer Black creative!) meme:

Now here's the thing. I'm not saying you have to be a master at lighting. I'm surely not. Hell, I still play around with lighting in my art in ways that aren’t the ‘most realistic’. You can’t ask me the technical explanations behind ‘color theory’ or 'contrast' without me doing some more reading. However… I don’t think anyone needs an art degree to understand this point:

We should be able to SEE your brown skinned Black characters!

I brought this up in my lessons about skin tones and blushing, and it applies with lighting as well. If all of your other characters have focused light and shadows, so should your Black characters.

However, this does NOT mean making them lighter-skinned!!!!

It's not funny nor logical at all to suggest that they somehow can't be seen like your other characters when you’re the one creating the piece. It's like a classic fifth-grade racist joke, “You blend in at night”. Har-de-har.

I was once rudely told to my face (well in the DMs) that a Black character that was completely Europeanized looked like that “because of the [sepia] lighting”. So I'm going to give you all, gracious readers, an example to show that that's not true.

This is Ana Flávia, Afro-Brazilian model! Gaze upon her beauty! Notice how in both of these filters, Ana did not, in fact, turn into a white woman! Because, my friends, that is not how that works! At all!

Here are some other examples of Black people in non-color lighting:

None of these people vanished from the frame just because there was no color. They didn't have to paint on lighter makeup to be captured by the camera. What do they all have in common (in this example)?

Lighting!

Now let’s discuss different ways to think about and potentially try instead!

What I want you all to keep in mind, is that the art you’re painting:

And I know that's silly right, like yeah no shit Ice, we knew that. BUT my point here is don’t be afraid to study photography, theatre, and staging for ideas. They actively work with light! It’s why I share so many images of models; it’s purposeful, focused staging of light with many of these compositions!

Brown-skinned Black people- brown-skinned people in general- GLOW in the light! Our skin reflects environmental light! There’s so much opportunity to play with that, and you can see different examples in those mediums.

Here are a couple articles of lighting in film focused on Black actors.

When lighting a person with dark complexion, the answer is not LIGHTENING THE SKIN, it’s understanding how light reflects off of dark skin.” -Nilah Magruder

Nilah Magruder (Black creator!) has an ENTIRE, thorough and wonderful essay on the topic, far better than I could give! She incorporates the use of cameras, lighting, painting, and more- so rather than be redundant here, I'm going to spotlight (ha see what I did there. It's okay, I know I'm funny) her and her explanation.

Incorporating Blackness in Color/Colorful Lighting

@dsm7 has an excellent and short visual explanation of how picking certain colors will lead to washing out or whitewashing Black characters, and how certain lighting and backgrounds (think the black and white photos on brighter backgrounds) will change the way their skin tone looks.

@nicosbighead has one of my favorite images on here, that shows how many different colors can still be used to convey the image of Blackness. Notice how all those pinks still worked?

@gaksdesigns has a beautiful picture here that I feel utilizes the light in a very minimal yet effective way to show highlights even on a palette that's fully brown.

This article approaches from a lighting perspective via filmmaking, but essentially Sade Ndya suggests instead of increasing the amount of light, change the color/lens of the light based on your character’s skin, as well as for the circumstances of the scene. They'll remain vibrant that way, and you’ll still capture what you need.

I know one way I do this on CSP (I think I’ve mentioned this but I can’t remember) is to use the Add Glow tool with the same or a similar shade of the character’s brown skin tone as a highlight under natural light, or maybe use different colors or filters depending on the sort of light on their skin at the time.

Here’s a reddit about it too, just because I know y’all value Reddit on here, and someone else discussed the topic that both Nilah and Sade discussed.

Is It Intentional?

There are going to be times where you intend for the light to be minimal. Maybe it’s a style choice. That should still show purposeful composition. Here’s an interview with famed Black director Ava Duvernay discussing the intentional darkness on Black actors in the prison scene in the movie Selma. To show that they're both trapped in prison AND that Martin is temporarily low on resolve- it's a part of the story that's being told.

I'm always talking about this: there is a difference between intention (and following through), and neglecting to think about it at all. And neglect isn't what we want, because often we can tell visually when it is- when an artist simply did not think to do it for one versus the rest.

Sidenote, on Youtube in the suggestions after Ava's interview, are also plenty of videos discussing lighting for dark-skin as well- why not take the chance to look?

Conclusion

We do not lack for light! We aren’t flat and lightless when you see us in life. It's actually a pretty awesome part of being brown-skinned. If you’re giving proper, flattering lighting to everyone else, give it to us as well. Study and experiment with ways to highlight brown skin.

You already know what I’m going to say. It’s going to take practice, same as anything else, because it’s the thought that counts, but the action that delivers!

#creatingblackcharacters #character design #black characters #black art #black character design #black artists

[da-birb-writes-sometimes]

Of Truths & Dreams; Malleus Draconia

Dreams can tell you a lot about a person. Their wants, their fears. But sometimes they can tell you the truth, and sometimes it isn't pretty.

Supporting Characters; Lilia Vanrouge & Malenoa Draconia

Content; Soulmate AU (I call them soul matches), gender-neutral reader, can be read as familial, platonic, or romantic, Chapter 7 spoilers, canon divergence, hurt/comfort

Content Warnings; Chapter 7 spoilers, overblot stuff, swearing

Word Count; 5 K

Don't put my work into AI, I will hunt you for sport.

Prologue & Lilia's Story | Sebek's Story

Malleus was born into this world alone. His mother, dead, and his father, missing. It was a miracle that he even hatched, as Draconia eggs required love to hatch. And his grandmother was ridden with grief, over losing her only child. It was no wonder why he was delayed by several centuries. And despite everything, he hatched. But despite his hatching, the love and adoration that people gave him, he was alone. Malleus didn’t feel loved, not in the way that mattered.

His subjects, his guards, his teachers, even his own grandmother loved the idea of him. And he was raised away from the outside world, within the dark halls of Briar Castle. Malleus was an idea, and the hope for the future rather than his own person. It was a lot for a child to handle. So, of course, he would sneak out when he thought no one was looking. The guards would realize rather quickly that the sole heir to Briar Valley, their most treasured royal, was missing. But Malleus didn’t care.

“Good evening,” he greeted the raven gargoyle that was at the westernmost turret of the outside wall. Malleus looked in the direction that the raven did, looking out into the moors. A dense fog had rolled in, covering everything in a white haze. “Do you ever wonder what’s out there?”

He knew that the stone wouldn’t answer him, but he asked anyways. “Grandmother tells me stories you know,” he sighed, taking a seat in one of the carved-out alcoves in the ancient stone. “That Briar Valley will one day be mine to keep. But I cannot rule without a soul match.”

Soul matches were quintessential for the Draconias, after all, it was their own ancestor the Thorn Fairy, who had gifted the fae the blessing. But Malleus had yet to find any trace of them in his dreams. Typically, members of his family were born with their soul match already in their dreams, but Malleus had yet to meet them, his dreams still being black and white, and no blurry stranger to speak of in sight. It was distressing, and he heard the whispered concerns of his grandmother when she thought he was in bed.

And those whispers played in his head. “Is there something the matter with me?” All the young prince got for an answer though was the distant cawing of ravens, and the approaching sounds of footsteps. “Did I do something wrong?”

It felt like he did something wrong. Why else would the Thorn Fairy withhold his birthright to a soul match? Why would she punish him? Had he already not been punished enough?

“So that’s where you were hiding,” the familiar voice of Lilia pulled Malleus from his thoughts. “Come now, young prince, you can’t hide away forever.” Lilia offered his hand for the young boy to take. 

Malleus looked at his outstretched hand to his face, and placed his hand in Lilia’s. “Did I upset everyone again?” His voice was quiet as the two of them walked hand and hand down the uneven steps of the turret’s staircase.

Lilia hummed, “Upset? No. Worry? A little bit.” He was used to barking out orders in the battlefield, not looking after children, let alone one so precious to the Valley. But Lilia felt that he needed to, for both his Queen, and the late princess. He had a duty to keep, an oath that he lived by; to protect the royal line.

Malleus frowned, giving the moors a final look before he and his keeper descended into the heart of the castle. “I just wanted to find them.”

“And you will,” Lilia gave the prince a practised smile, as it was still something he was getting used to. “It may just take some time is all.”

“But mother and grandmother both were born with their soul matches already in their dreams. Why is mine not with me now?” Malleus was starting to spit a bit of fire, clearly becoming upset with his own frustration. “Why must they keep me waiting?”

Lilia took a knee, and gently placed his hands on Malleus’s shoulders, looking into his eyes. “Good things come to those who wait. It must mean that the Thorn Fairy is taking her time in finding the best match for you.” Lilia’s eyes searched Malleus’s and he propped himself back up. “So since it is taking a while, they must be very special.”

Malleus was still upset, but that put him at ease. Good things come to those who wait. So the longer he had to wait, the better his soul match should be, and that put his turbulent mind at ease… for now.

…

…

Malleus was standing in the thick fog of the moors. And it was deathly silent, not even the crickets or the throaty calls of frogs filled in the silent din. “Another dream,” he sighed to himself. 

Of course it was a dream, which was obvious due to everything being in various shades of grey, white, and black, but also because he wasn’t allowed past the castle’s outer walls without someone else accompanying him.

“Why have you brought me here,” Malleus quietly asked the fog.

It is said that the Thorn Fairy lived in the moors, that she protected the moors. She put up an impenetrable wall of thorns, to protect her people from those who wished to destroy them. But the moors remained silent, and barren of colour or life. Malleus hummed to himself the lullaby that his grandmother sang to him while he was still a baby, and still in his egg. He has heard this song over the centuries as he lay dormant. Permanently etched into the deepest recesses of his mind. The lullaby was crafted solely for the fae to learn of soul matches.

Malleus stopped humming. He hadn’t met them yet, so it didn’t feel right to hum the original lyrics. “I’ll know you. I will walk with you once upon a dream,” he sang slowly, walking to nowhere in particular, the fog moving gently with his movements. “I’ll know you, that look in your eyes will be so a familiar a gleam.” 

He started dancing by himself, making the fog swirl around him. “And I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem. But if I’ll know you, I know what you’ll do.” Malleus made one large twirl, and all the emotions he had were summoned as fire, setting the dry grass of the moors ablaze, yet he was untouched as his dream was slowly being reduced to ashes.

“You’ll love me at once,” he whispered quietly, “the way you did once upon a dream.” Smoke filled the air, and where there was once light, white fog, there was now heavy, black smoke.

It was simply a dream though, nothing more. But dreams reveal truths, even if we don’t want to confront them.

…

…

…

Malleus had missed the entrance ceremony… again, at least Lilia was all over it, but it still rubbed Malleus in all of the wrong ways. But was it really his fault? He had never received an invitation… due to his electronics acting up again due to his own magic, so maybe it was his fault. Maybe next year! … Oh right, he would be a fourth year and not studying within the confines of Night Raven College, so in actuality, there was no next year.

At least there was a familiar face that was new to the dorm, and Sebek was overjoyed and followed Malleus dutifully. But that didn’t really change his own inner turmoil; he is next in line to be king, and yet he wasn’t able to attend something as simple as an annual recurring event? It troubled him, even as he was preparing himself for bed, adjusting his custom pillow just so.

I just wish I were invited? A proper letter. He mused in his own head, before finding himself back in the moors. It was always the moors. By this point he had traversed the entirety of it, and seen everything it had to offer, all of its little secrets. Not hard when he’s had nearly a century of time to do so.

He started humming his version of the lullaby, as he mindlessly floated along a path that he had made with his own footsteps, well trodden. Good things come to those who wait. That’s what he’s told himself, night after night. That’s what he told himself every morning when he woke up. He was getting tired of waiting. He was supposed to have been born with his soul match already in his dreams, but no one had ever appeared in Malleus’s dreams. He was always alone in the moors, with not even animals to keep him company. He was not only isolated in his waking world, the real world, but he was also isolated in his dreams.

Malleus was all alone, he had been alone for a while. Yes, he may have guards, and loyal servants, but above all else, they saw him as their next king, not Malleus; they didn’t see him for him. So maybe it was fitting that he didn’t have a soul match either. Maybe the Thorn Fairy wanted him alone.

Right as those feelings surfaced though, his dream changed. Malleus was very much still in the moors, but the silence was gone. The soft chirping of crickets filled the void. There was life, and it was all at once. The fog was still there, but Malleus could also see the faint lights of fireflies, glowing softly. This, this was new, and he didn’t know what to make of it. The once still moor was now gently rustling, breathing.

In front of him, the fog became dense, and a figure slowly emerged from it, looking around in a confused state. But they then turned their full attention to Malleus, and everything became saturated in violet.

Good things come to those who wait. They were here, they were finally here. Malleus was finally not alone.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” he greeted with a slight bow of his head. He did not know who they were, did not know of their upbringing or social status, but none of that mattered. They were his soul match, which usurped everything else. 

He watched curiously as his words floated in front of him, a harsh, neon green. His soul match did the same, watching as the words faded away.

“Uh, nice to meet you too?” Their words, your words, floated in front of Malleus, the same shade of green as his. “Who are you? Where am I?”

Malleus hummed, intrigued by their reaction. Perhaps they were not taught of soul match bonds, which would be understandable, as not all families knew of the bonds the Thorn Fairy had gifted them. “I will explain all in time, for now though, let us walk together, and enjoy this moment. Shall we?”

He extended his hand, waiting for you to take it, but right as your hands were about to meet, your form turned back into mist, leaving Malleus alone yet again in his dream. “Hmm, they must have woken up suddenly… perhaps tomorrow night then…” He murmured to himself, and continued down his footpath, watching the fireflies blink in the distance.

…

…

That was a weird ass dream, and you were kinda thankful that Grim had rudely woken you up. Kinda being the key word. And you couldn’t really get back to sleep, instead just staring up at the decaying ceiling above you, just wishing that you could go back to sleep. But what was up with the formal-speaking stranger? Why were you in some sort of swamp? Why was everything purple? And why were your words floating in front of you and a bright ass neon green? It was only your first night too… maybe this was just your brain coming up with weird scenarios to distract you from the weirdness you experience while awake? Maybe some inter-dimensional travel side effects? Like some form of jet lag that messed with your dreams? Sure, let’s pin it on that.

“Ughhhh, I hate it here,” you groaned. It would be a few hours before classes even began, so you had plenty of time for utter boredom, how fun. At least you had borrowed some books from the library, a mix of general information — since that ‘headmage’ hadn’t given you a proper welcome or a lowdown on how this world functioned — and just some interesting looking cover. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Sure, but when the book was a deep violet leather-bound book, with green metallic filigree? How could you not be curious about it? It was stunning.

“Of Truths and Dreams,” you whispered to yourself, that was the title of the book, the font in the style of calligraphy from medieval texts. How old was it? Were you actually allowed to touch it, let alone read it? It looked like it belonged in a museum.

You carefully undid the metal clasp, in the shape of a dragon’s claw. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. And you began reading.

Dreams can reveal much about a person; their wants, their fears, their memories. Dreams also hold power, and such power has been bestowed to the Draconia family. And this power comes from our ancestor, the Thorn Fairy.

You snapped the book shut. This wasn’t just a book, it was a diary. You shouldn’t be reading this… but this was a chance to learn more about this world. Learn about it from… You open up the diary again, and find the owner’s name written in the same calligraphy as the title. Maleficia Draconia. 

-

As with all fae, our family too is blessed with soul matches who enter our dreams as we sleep. Our family is different though, as we are born with them already in our minds; our dreams tinted in a colour that represents both of us. They are of utmost importance to us. Without them, we cannot rule. They may become an advisor, a confidant, and in some cases, a lover. That is for both parties to decide though, we cannot use our power or status to influence their decision, no matter how we feel about them, Malenoa. Do not let our draconic greed dictate the relationship. It surfaces as a song. I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, that look in your eye is so familiar a gleam. And I know it’s true, that visions are seldom what they seem. But if I know you, I’ll know what you’ll do. You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream. Ignore that song, my love, for that is the greed speaking, and not the truth. Ignore it at all costs, for it will stain the heart…

The rest of the diary was left blank, the edges of the paper charred. Turning it back over, you noticed that the entire back of the book was blackened, blackened by fire. And even though you didn’t know who Maleficia was, she had helped you a great lot. Whatever that dream was, that was no ordinary stranger. They were your… soul match? Yeah, whatever that meant.

…

…

Malleus found himself walking outside of his old haunting grounds, Ramshackle dorm. He was surprised to find it now occupied, but his sadness had morphed into something far more pleasant. He had gained a friend. He had gained you.

“Good evening, Child of Man,” he greeted you, taking notice of the large yawn that escaped your mouth. “More tired than usual I see. You do not need to walk with me tonight if rest is what you need.”

Malleus meant well, in his own odd and formal way. “Eh, it’s nothing, Tsunotarou. I’ll get some shut eye in a bit,” you waved off his concern, and shot him a small smile.

He gave you back a tiny smile, remembering the last time that he gave someone a full smile, they were left scared, not happy. He didn’t want to scare you off. That’s why he let you decide on a nickname for him, that but also names hold power… but he trusted you, he just didn’t know how to bring it up. He didn’t want your friendship to change just because you found out he was the Malleus Draconia, but he also knew that you wouldn’t really care. You didn’t seem like the type to treat him any differently just because of his title. He didn’t want to risk it though.

So the two of you walked around the outskirts of Ramshackle, fireflies lighting the way. Something about them felt familiar though, and it wasn’t from just your nightly walks with your horned friend. You could have sworn you saw them in a dream… now wasn’t the time for that, now was the time to enjoy what time you could get with your friend.

“Hey, Tsunotarou,” you asked him, turning a bit so you faced him. “Do you have a soul match?”

Malleus’s pupils dilated outwards, becoming more rounded rather than harsh slits. “Yes I do, Child of Man. I am rather surprised that you know of the subject,” he breathed out. You really were full of surprises, weren’t you?

Surprised? “How so?”

Malleus hummed to himself, a melody that sounded familiar, but it evaded you. “The bonds of soul matches of fae are only known by fae, which is why I was caught by surprise of you knowing of the term. That is all.” Do you have one, Child of Man? But why does the thought make my tongue go bitter?

“Found it in a book in the library,” you mused. You mentally kicked yourself, you could have given it to him, he may know the family of the previous owner. Maybe you could go hunting for it the next time you found yourself in the cramped halls of the library. A rather large yawn escaped from you, and that was your, and Malleus’s, queue that it was time for you to head off to the land of dreams. “Any who, night, Tsunotarou! Sweet dreams!” You waved him goodbye as he vanished into a puff of fireflies, off into the night.

…

…

And they were both asleep again, but something felt off. Like there was something dark tainting the dream. It was a familiar sensation, one that made the hairs on your neck stand on end; blot. There was blot in the dream.

“Are you alright,” you asked your soul match, carefully watching their reaction.

They hummed, and turned to look at you curiously, green eyes practically glowing in the dark violet lighting, pupils relaxing from their tight slits into more relaxed ovals. “I am alright, just thinking is all,” their words floated in front of them, still the neon green they were in the beginning.

But the alarm bells were screaming in your head. Screaming at you that everything was definitely not alright. This, this was being calculated, being considered. “You just seem preoccupied… like your mind is elsewhere is all.”

They tilted their head, “I am right here with you.” Their words were blunt, as they typically were. “However,” the lighting darkened, being tainted with more hints of blot, “are you planning on going anywhere?” Are you planning on leaving me, like everyone else?

The words hang heavily in the air. It was no use lying to them, as it would only worsen the situation to lie. “Eventually I have to… I have to go back,” you said carefully, gauging their reaction.

Malleus’s pupils turned into slits again, but he remained calm on the outside. “Go back to what? Do you not like it here?” Do you not like me?

You looked around the bog, “That’s not the case. I have responsibilities back home. I need to go back. I’m …” Sorry. But the word didn’t come out of your mouth. What did you have to apologise for? It was not your fault that you came here, but why did it feel like it?

“I too have responsibilities,” Malleus said quietly, words barely visible. “You cannot go back.” All of the pleasantries were gone, this was a command. “You are staying here with me.”

The blot thickened. Could someone overblot in their dreams? And they started singing, and it was the tune that they’ve been humming since their first shared dream.

“I know you, that look in your eye is so familiar a gleam,” they cupped your face, looking softly into your eyes. “And I know it’s true, that visions are seldom all they seem. But if I know you, I know what you’ll do…” The violet lighting of the dream had turned almost black, the only lighting being the neon green words dancing around you. “You’ll love me at once, they way you did once-”

You shot up awake, heart beating so fast that you could feel and hear it. You didn’t need your soul match to finish the lyric, for you knew it already… for you had read it in that fire-charred diary. “… upon a dream,” you breathed out.

Your soul match is Malleus Draconia, Tsunotarou, and this was bad. The greed had taken over… alongside the blot. 

…

…

Malleus looked over the forms of his sleeping classmates, singing the lullaby again. He could see everybody’s dreams, except for yours, and it was equally as annoying as it was endearing. Of course his Child of Man would be filled with surprises. Malleus only wished that his soul match was here, for he wished to see their deepest desires, to see how they would be the hero of their own tale. But when he closed his eyes, and tried to teleport to their dreams, he saw nothing. It distressed him too, he knew they were asleep, but he couldn’t see anything.

“Where are you,” he chuckled darkly, a mix of anger but also fear. He should be able to see them, but he saw nothing, nothing except for the moors now engulfed in ink. Devoid of colour and life. 

Soul match bonds cannot break, at least not easily. Either they were no longer of this world — which they were not, Malleus could sense that much — or they were underneath a sleeping spell, a Draconia’s sleeping spell.

It meant that they were on the island. They have been so close this entire time. “Now, wherever could you be hiding,” Malleus sighed, looking into every single person’s dreams, looking for his soul match. Their dream should be tinted violet, singling them out to him. And as Malleus hopped from dream to dream, not once did he find the familiar colour. But they were here… he just couldn’t see them. He couldn’t see their dreams.

That left one option. There was only one person who he couldn’t see the dreams of. “You are full of surprises, aren’t you,” he floated over to your sleeping form, coming to sit next to you with a fond look in his eyes, “my dear Child of Man.” And he started humming that song of his, trying to pry into your mind, trying to get back into your dreams, where he could keep a diligent eye on you. “Looks like we have indeed met once upon a dream… that must be why your eyes are so familiar a gleam.”

…

“Yeah, this, this is beyond bad,” you muttered to yourself. You were back in the swamp, up to your chest in thick ink. The once pleasant dream was now, effectively, a trap; a giant glue trap if you will. 

A boom of thunder overhead underscored your statement and brilliant flashes of bright purple and green lightning provided the only light for you, everything else was shrouded in darkness caused by the blot. Caused by Malleus. But why, why did he overblot?

“They found a way for me to go back home.” Oh. You're leaving, and add onto that, Lilia coming out from nowhere and saying that he was also leaving because his magic had dried out… That’s why.

“TSUNOTAROU!” You yelled out into the swamp, but all you got as an answer was your own voice causing ripples in the ink. “TSUNOTAROU?!” You tried again. Nothing.

Names hold power, Child of Man, do remember that. You took in a deep breath, steeling yourself for when he manifested himself here. “MALLEUS DRACONIA?!”

A bolt of lightning hit a few metres in front of you, morphing into bright green fire, and then Malleus was standing in front of you, or rather, a part of him. “You called?”  He glided easily over the ink, and looked down at you, assessing you.

“What have you done, Malleus,” you refused to tilt your head upwards, instead looking up with your eyes, head remaining level.

Malleus knelt down in front of you, despite him being vastly stronger and of higher status, he still viewed you as his equal. “I did what needed to be done.” He said it so matter of factly, like it made perfect sense. “Now everyone will be happy.”

“You can’t force people to be happy,” you said back, looking into his eyes, searching for the Malleus you knew, searching for your friend. “That’s not for you to decide, Malleus.” 

Malleus just hummed at your comment, and he tried to change your dream to something more pleasant, but you remained stuck in the ink. Why can I not change it? I should be able to change it. “They deserve to be happy… You deserve to be happy. Do you not?”

I mean, yeah it would be nice, but I would rather it be because of something other than an overblot, but ya know how it is. “Yes, but not like this… Let me help you, Malleus.”

“I do not need help,” he hissed, tilting your chin up. “Let me make you happy.” 

The ink rose, and it was now up to your neck, and you were floating in it. You spared a quick glance down and saw a gentle lilac light shining down from the bottom. This may just be a crazy idea, but it was one worth taking.

You looked back into Malleus’s eyes. “Do you promise?”

Malleus smiled at you, “Of course I do.”

You grabbed him by the arm and pulled the both of you under the surface of the ink, making your eye towards the lilac light.

…

You crawled out of the ink and found yourself, and Malleus, on the outside walls of a grand castle, roses vining their way up the facade in full bloom. Everything was in a gentle lilac light, and fireflies glowed green despite it being daytime. It was idyllic, it was peaceful, the only thing out of place being the blot that dripped off Malleus. Yet it was contained to him, disappearing into a gentle puff of green sparkles when it hit the ground.

“How,” Malleus whispered, his words now a light green, no longer a harsh neon. “How are we here?”

You didn’t know, all you did was follow the light from the bottom of the inky depths. “Do you know this place?” You had no idea where you were, but you weren’t complaining, since you were no longer up to your neck in blot.

Malleus looked up, and there was the familiar raven gargoyle from his childhood. “This is my home,” he turned to look at you curiously. “How did you bring us here, Child of Man?”

“They didn’t,” a velvety voice said. And coming down the stairs was a woman, who looked like Malleus except older, looking like she was probably in her thirties. “I did, my love.”

She gracefully walked over, and cupped his face, looking over his features. And you could have sworn that you saw her absorb some of the blot. “You have grown into a fine young man. But you have let greed overshadow you.”

Malleus looked like he had seen a ghost, and he was frozen in place. “Mother?” His voice was quiet, barely even coming out. “But how?”

The woman, Malleus’s mother, hummed gently, combing her fingers through her son’s hair, slowly absorbing the blot from him. “You can thank them,” she turned to you and gave you a mischievous smile, “all thanks to your soul match.”

She turned back to her son, her face shifting into a more solemn expression. “My love, let me bestow a gift on you… but you won’t see me again. This is the last thing I can do for you. Let me do this though; for you and everyone you love.”

You can’t force people to be happy. 

Keep everyone you love close to you, guard them, hoard them.

You’re my friend, I’ll always be with you, even if we’re far apart!

You’ll love me at once-

This was wrong, and Malleus choked on his own blot. The greed, the dark parts of the dragon had won. “Please,” he coughed. 

His mother embraced him into a hug, “Spinning wheel of fate, undo this thread of darkness. As Queen of Briar, I shall bestow upon you this gift.” She placed a kiss on his forehead, and all of the blot was gone. “I love you,” she whispered, before her form vanished gently into green and lilac sparkles.

“I’m sorry,” the words floated over to you. Malleus looked tired, exhausted. How much magic had the blot taken from him? He opened his mouth again, but closed it, at a loss for words. “And I understand if… if you want nothing to do with me.”

From your times dealing with overblot, you knew this wasn’t his fault. Overblots are due to trauma, from bottling it all up until someone broke. “Why would I not want anything to do with you? I’m still friends with the others.”

Malleus looked into your eyes, but all he found was honesty… and love, love for a friend. A genuine love. 

You extended your hand, “So come on, Tsunotarou. Let’s move forward together.”

And he took your hand. The path forward was sure to be bumpy, but he knew that you would stick by his side, even after this.

Fin!

Author's Note; And this concludes the Soul Match AU! I know in my poll people voted for a fluffy ending, but uhhh, I was possessed by a vision. I might continue this AU for other characters in the future, but for now this is where I've leave it. Thank you for reading!

Tags; @xxoomiii @eynnwwyjth @twistwonderlanddevotee @savanaclaw1996 @krenenbaker

If you like my work, please check out my masterlist [there are 9 other Soul Match works btw]

#twst #twst x reader #twst x gn reader #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland x gn reader #malleus draconia #malleus draconia x reader #malleus draconia x gn reader #malenoa draconia #<- i've seen her name as both malenoire and malenoa so i just flipped a coin to decide on which one to use #twst soulmate au #soul match au #started august 15 ended august 18 #i need to go back and add up all of the words for my complete word count #rough estimate; 52000 words #I STARTED THIS ON JUNE 13 2023 WHAT THE FUCK BRAIN #this was all in the span of just over 2 months oh my gods #i'll include in the added thoughts the total word count and how many pages it would be if i ever decided to make a hard copy for myself #writing; powered by hyperfixation~ #originally i wanted no fluff or comfort in this but decided to go easy on you #the only one that has made me cry yet is ruggie's; no one else; just ruggie

[semi-imaginary-place]

"This manga is heavily a Buddhist story, which is mostly the reason for the morals, choices, and consequences of the story falling flat for many westerners. It'd be too difficult to go into everything in one comment, but the most important thing is Ichikawa's criticism of Pure Land Buddhism.

In this branch of Buddhism, people can basically pray to get into the Pure Land, rather than having to do the work themselves. Gemstones also can't get into the pure land and thus are exempt from samsara, the karmic cycle, which was the main inspiration for the series and something Ichikawa sought to change in the story.

The story depicts Ichikawa's rejection of Pure Land Buddhism through Adamant's burden of existing solely as a tool to pray humanity away and his eventual breaking free of this role to be able to live with the gems full time during the 10,000 years. It also sort of paints the lunarians as lesser for convincing themselves that they need someone to pray them away when they didn't. But the biggest example is regarding which character actually got the better ending, because the way I see it, and the way Ichikawa seems to see it, everyone other than Phos got fucked in the end.

Over the course of the story, Aechmea paints nothingness as a serene realm of nonexistence that is free from the suffering of the living world, but by the end, it seems clear that nothingness is just another state of existence and everyone there is still a part of the eternal cycle of everything being remade into everything else. Taking this into account, why would you want nothingness when you can make peace with existence like Phos ended up doing? Despite everything he went through, it's only because he actually put the work that he was given the opportunity to find his purpose, reflect on his life and actions, and be happy with the pebbles. Things didn't go how he planned, but he did end up getting everything he wanted.

A lot of people will say that the message of the manga is that existence is suffering, but I think the ending makes a good point that it is equal parts suffering and happiness. Likewise, the manga does a good job painting humanity as a force of destruction, ignorance, and shortsightedness, but the ending shows that there is still pureness and wisdom in it.

Probably the biggest takeaway should be that good and evil and other black and white ways of looking at things are rarely any use in a world as nuanced as ours. And that seeing the world this way will only lead to confusion when those you see as good are getting punished and those you see as evil are getting rewarded, when in reality, the universe could not care less what you are. Everyone is just the result of their own actions and the influences of the world around them and we're all going to die and go back to being stardust eventually anyway."

"The lunarians were all able to pass on their own, but their insistence on someone else doing the work for them was an attachment that kept them from that. Shiro and the game board fulfilled their desire to see Adamant again and were able to go to nothingness without him praying for them."

"They got what they wanted, but what they wanted doesn't seem to be what they thought it was. Rather than a state of absolute non-feeling, it sounds like they're just getting put back into the karmic soup of the universe a bit sooner than Phos, Brother, the pebbles, and everything else eventually will. Except the lunarians and gems weren't wise enough to come to terms with that inevitability.

Most of this take comes from Brother's conversation with Phos in chapter 103 regarding living in the present and not worrying about the future that's beyond your control. But even ignoring this part of it, I still think the series makes a good case for existence, even including the worst of it, being a better deal than absolutely nothing.

This is not to say that Phos didn't experience far worse than anyone else in the story, only that the kind of growth he went through requires a degree of hardship. Phos post-prayer seems to agree that everything he went through, despite how unfair or traumatizing it was, was necessary and worth it for him to have the clarity and happiness that he has now.

A part of Buddhism is realizing that you can't change most things and accepting things the way they are. Basically, things don't always go the way you planned and finding value in the way they did rather than dwelling on things out of your hands is a form of personal growth that one should strive for.

Phos made peace with what he was dealt and used those experiences to make himself and those around him better off, spending eons of happiness with the pebbles. The lunarians rejected this way of thinking and endlessly sought to change their fate, wasting the existence they were given before inevitably getting thrown right back into a new one. They squandered their chance at what Phos attained and will have to start from scratch in their next form. When everything you have ends eventually, it's the present that really matters, not the outcome."

(CrashDunning)

#hnk #land of the lustrous #houseki no kuni #lotl

[writingwithcolor]

Am I handling the black woman character’s murder well?

@selfdxd2 asked:

Hello! My current project is a crime fiction set in KY, USA in which the instigating action is the death of a young black woman (W), with the first half being another young woman (L) investigating her disappearance and how it correlates with the disappearance of her close friend. That friend (P) is later found alive after having been kidnapped because he witnessed the crime, and is the POV character of the second half. He is also a white man, and him being white is relevant to other aspects of the story. My intention is for the "credit" for solving W's death to go almost entirely to L (who is also a woman of color, specifically Romani), and for the tragedy to be centered around the unfair loss of life and the pain of her parents and others who knew W rather than how bad P feels about it. My main cast also has two other prominent black women with arcs that extend outside this tragedy. All of this is intended to lend to one of the story's major themes of social invisibility vs visibility. So does this exploration of that stray into harmful territory from the outset? I know successfully keeping away from any white manpain traps will take active caution while actually writing the story and I intend to get sensitivity readers as I work on it, but I wanted to get some feedback on my starting point before going too far down that road. Thanks so much for all you do!

It is important for us to know why this young Black woman was murdered to give specific advice. 

Was it racially motivated, gender motivated, or both? 

Wrong place, wrong time? 

Did someone take revenge?

Was she involved in something insidious? 

Was it truly an accident?

Depending on the reason, you should explore and acknowledge this violence and the existing societal problem behind it. For help, see the crime stats on violence against Black women.

…and for the tragedy to be centered around the unfair loss of life and the pain of her parents and others who knew W rather than how bad P feels about it.

Yes, give a voice to the people most affected by her death. Other Black women, people, and Women of Color. This will help further not make it about the feelings of a white man. He is absolutely a victim of the crime too, being kidnapped, so his trauma does matter and should be tended to. But ultimately, he gets to live.

On that note, his life being worth kidnapping vs. ending begs the question; why wasn’t he murdered while the Black woman’s life had to end? And for representation purposes, why couldn’t it be the other way around (Where the Black woman lives and witnesses the crime, and the white man dies)?

This is why knowing your reasoning for her death is so important. 

Otherwise, if she was thoughtlessly murdered, it does feel like her life was incredibly devalued in your story due to her being a Black woman. It’s a serious and true problem, so I'm not saying not to write this. This just needs careful exploring. If you’re choosing to bring this real life problem into your story, it deserves full and respectful acknowledgement. 

Please check out our resources on writing tragic material, Black suffering and abuse and avoiding exploitation. 

More reading: tragedy exploitation tag

~Mod Colette

#Death #murder #tw #Black women #Black person dies first #Tragedy exploitation #Black suffering

[hayatheauthor]

How To Write POC Characters Without Seeming Racist

Writing about a community you don’t come from can be hard. A lack of research or basic knowledge can often lead authors to wrongly represent or describe characters who belong to that community. But this is a simple mistake that can be reversed with a little bit of guidance and an open mind. 

If you’re a non-POC writer looking to accurately describe your POC characters without coming off as racist, here are some tips for you! From a POC YA fantasy author. 

Would You Describe Your Character Similarly If They Were White?

This tip is honestly a very basic technique that is often overlooked when discussing ways to combat racist descriptions in literature. The tip is simple: if you wouldn’t describe your character that way if they were non-POC, then don’t use that description. 

Think of every time you described your POC character’s physical features. Did you ever feel like you ‘had to’ write a certain description because your character was POC? Are your descriptions of your non-POC characters drastically different from that of your POC ones? 

If your answer to these questions were yes, then it’s very likely that your POC descriptions will come off as racist to your readers. 

I would recommend crawling through your manuscript and comparing the way you describe your non-POC characters to the way you describe your POC ones. More specifically, compare how you described your characters the first time they were mentioned in the book. The goal is to compare the two descriptions and figure out any differences between them, why these differences are present, and whether they exist due to a racist eye.

Word Choice 

An author’s word choice when describing their POC character is often a direct reflection of their perception of that community. When writing a POC character, it is important to consider what your character really looks like. This goes beyond their hair type or skin colour. 

Take a look to analyse your character’s physical attributes and come up with a list of words you could use when describing them. This can be beneficial in the long run when you need a quick adjective to describe said character during a scene. 

How To Describe POC Features 

Non-POC authors often don’t realise how discriminatory or redundant their descriptions of POC characters can be. They tend to water down their character’s features to the colour or visual depiction of it rather than actually describing those features. 

Saying your character has tan skin is an effective way to describe your character’s appearance, but it can come off as a cop-out when compared to detailed descriptions of your non-POC character’s fair skin dotted with light freckles. An easy way to better your descriptions is by using creative descriptions. 

Here is an expert from my WIP, The Traitor’s Throne, that describes one of the many POC characters: 

Her grandmother’s briefings of the royal guards failed her when Amaya needed them most, for try as she might, Amaya couldn’t recall anything to help her recognise the green-eyed man with a face like an acorn, both in shape and shade. 

I could have easily said he was tan skinned and left it at that, but the acorn analogy seems more alluring and helps the reader gain insight on the character’s features instead of their skin tone. 

When using creative descriptions, consider using words and phrases that tie into your character’s personality. A scary antagonist would have long black hair dark as night that curtained their pale face, a cute child could have golden skin that glowed under the sunlight. 

Refrain From Using The Word Exotic! 

The word exotic is possibly the worst thing you could use when describing a POC character. 

The Oxford dictionary describes exotic as ‘from or in another country, especially a tropical one; seeming exciting and unusual because it is connected with foreign countries’. Thus, this adjective would make no sense if your book takes place in a POC setting or is written from another POC’s perspective. 

Exotic is also often overused by non-POC writers and is seen as a lazy copout by many. 

Rather than describing your character as exotic, consider actually describing their features. Ask yourself why you chose to use exotic in the first place. Maybe they have wild curls unlike anything your character has ever seen, or their fair skin is so different from the tan skin your character is used to. 

Narrow down the reasons and then take the time to redescribe your character. This will not only help you ensure you don’t come off as racist but will also paint a clear picture for your readers. 

Are you facing a hard time trying to pick the right words for your POC characters? Consider checking out this blog by writing with colour on Tumblr that details how to describe skin colour. Their tips can also be applied to other aspects of your character’s features.  

Avoid The Stereotypes 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sighed in annoyance every time I come across a tan-skinned South Indian character in literature who is kind and smart and has long dark brown hair.

Yes, there are many Indians who look like that. But India is a diverse country known for its various cultures and people, and it’s unfortunate to see authors completely overlook the rest of our country in an effort to pertain to their stereotypes. 

The same can be said for many other POCs, such as East Asians who are always described as thin and dainty with sharp features and minds, or Middle Easterns and Africans who are extroverted, excitable and often portrayed as violent. 

Non-POCs often find racial stereotypes amusing, but they are really just frustrating and show us how uninformed non-POCs are when it comes to our cultures and countries. 

The next time you draft up your POC character’s appearance and personality, take the time to consider why you chose to make them this way, and whether their personality is really a reflection of your limited insight into that character’s culture. 

Don’t Over Describe 

It’s important to paint a clear description of your characters, but it’s just as important to remember when your descriptions are redundant. Overdescribing POC characters is the biggest mistake you can make when writing a POC. As mentioned at the start of this blog, it’s important to consider whether or not you would describe your character that way if they were non-POC. 

For example, if I were writing a fight scene between the antagonist and an African character, I would likely use lines like ‘their dreadlocks slapped against the back of their neck as they raced away from the villain’ or ‘the blood staining their hands ran down their russet arms as they tightened their grip around the antagonist’s neck’. 

These are simple yet effective descriptions that help paint a clear image of the character without ruining the reader’s immersion. 

When writing POC characters, it’s important to remember that they are just like every other character you are writing. They are human. And their race or physical attributes shouldn’t change the way you describe your characters.

 I hope this blog on how to write POC characters without seeming racist will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and subscribe to my email list for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.  

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of my blog where I post writing and marketing tools for authors every Monday and Thursday. 

Want to learn more about me and my writing journey? Visit my social media pages under the handle @hayatheauthor where I post content about my WIP The Traitor’s Throne and life as a teenage author.

Copyright © 2022 Haya Sameer, you are not allowed to repost, translate, recreate or redistribute my blog posts or content without prior permission

#hayatheauthor #haya's book blog #haya blogs #haya sameer #writing tools #writing community #writing blog #writing things #writing prompt #writing with color #writing tips #creative writing #writer things #writer tips #writer community #writer prompts #writerslife #women writers #writing advice #writing help #writing resources #writing motivation #writer advice #writer tools #writer tricks #author tips #author tumblr #author advice #author community #author life

[mcybank]

LOSING GAME ; S.H (2)

⟶summary Hooking up with Steve Harrington was meant to be a one-time thing. What’s the worst that could happen if it exceeded its limit? A relationship with a guy that is clearly not over his first love.

⟶ pairing Steve Harrington x Reader. Stranger Things!au

⟶ warnings stranger things!au, so a lot of the characters are different from canon. fluff to angst, emotional cheating, cheating, toxic relationships, mentions of smut, drinking, and angst. READER IS 18 AND A SENIOR IN HS !!

⟶ word count 3k

part two to the losing game series click here to read part one click here to read part three

click here to be added to my taglist. click here to send requests, thoughts, etc

click here to view my masterlist. reblogs and ur thoughts are v appreciated

an i kinda broke my own heart with this one but .. what do u think is gonna happen next ?? possible ships for yn ?? also do y'all wanna see more steve pov after this

"Hey, are you coming?" Steve heard you ask over the phone. His fingers clutched around the spiral chord as he debated your question. This was your senior year, and he expected nothing less than you hitting every half-decent party on a Friday night, but wasn't sure if he was up to the challenge of being in the same place as his old high school classmates. "Steve?" you asked, and there was a hint of impatience coating your words.

"Yeah? Yeah," he said, shaking his head.

You sighed softly. "Yeah what? You're coming?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

It wasn't as if he didn't want to go—he definitely wanted to spend time with you—but he wasn't all too keen about going someplace he was sure he'd be encountering somebody he wasn't sure he wanted to see. Still, he said yes to you even though the gut-churning feeling in his stomach felt more like an instinct rather than a minor stomachache.

Even when Steve walked with you to Jason Carver's house, hands clinging onto yours, the feeling hadn't left him. But the music echoing off the walls and the stench of booze was enough to ware off any negative thoughts for the night. He didn't want to focus on anything aside from you, how your eyes seemed to gleam underneath the dim light of the house and how the little black skirt you wore hugged your waist so perfectly he was sure it was made just for you.

Coincidentally, your white tank top underneath the black cardigan matched his white t-shirt and black jeans. "Hey, we're in sync," was what he'd said when you hopped in his car, his eyes slightly glazing over as he took in your appearance. You weren't overdoing anything, but you definitely did look your best for a casual house party. Lipstick, a few shades lighter than the bright red, almost pink, adorned your lips with a subtle layer of blush.

"This looks fun," you said, a small giggle escaping your lips while you greeted your classmates and some people who had graduated.

You had no problem conversing with most people at the party while Steve looked around the area to spot someone with whom he still remained on good terms. It was granted that you'd be friends with kids a year younger than him. He'd always noticed, especially when the two of you were just best friends, that he wasn't the only person you relied on.

Sometimes he felt like he needed you more than you needed him.

While you had a tight-knit friendship with the people he'd distanced himself from over the last two years, he only had you to be open with. When you were going through relationship problems, you had your friends who turned into an army to defend you. But when he was going through his relationship problems, well, he only had you to rely on until the unexpected Robin became one of his few friends.

"I'd love it if you could get along with my friends," you'd said to him a few weeks into your relationship. It wasn't like any of your friends hated him; they'd worshipped the ground he walked upon at one point. He'd just become secluded without even realizing it, which is why he allowed you to get him back into the small Hawkins social scene.

Jason, the senior in your class and the host of the party, came up to greet the two of you, accompanied with two red solo cups in his hands.

"Y/N! Harrington, glad you both could make it." Even though his words were welcoming, the slur on them along with the strong scent of alcohol whisking from his person didn't go unnoticed by Steve. "Care for a drink?"

He was about to decline before you picked the glass out of his hand with a huge smile decorating your face. "Going sober tonight, Harrington?" Jason asked, a lilt of playfulness as he nudged the drink closer to him.

Steve placed a palm in front of him to slightly push the cup away. "Can't, man," he laughed, fingers brushing through his hair as he shrugged. "D.D duty."

Jason's lips twitched as he gave him a nod, sauntering away before Steve could even blink.

"There was a reason I didn't involve myself with your class in high school," he said to you, walking you into the throng of people with your fingers intertwined.

You had been the only underclassman Steve had associated himself with. When you came in as a freshman and he as a sophomore, the two of you ended up being in the same place at the same time way too often. You hadn't befriended each other for an extremely long part of the fall semester, but you both gave in when you realized that you and he could never escape each other. And that's what started your friendship.

Your hips slowly began swaying as you and Steve were surrounded by several drunk, dancing teenagers. The music was loud, but not too loud, as you tried to coax Steve into moving along to the beat with you.

The most he did was snake his arms around your waist, moving in the same direction you were moving in, and press his forehead against yours. Despite the raucous environment, the moment between the two of you was peaceful. As each second passed, it started feeling like you were becoming an extension of him. His body was pressed close to yours, and his eyes were locked on yours.

Soon enough, you'd started to lose control, and your laughs were coming out of your lips a lot more often. You'd lost count of how many glasses of drinks you'd downed, but you weren't too worried, considering Steve was by your side. He always was.

"You've had too much to drink, sweetheart," he said, words barely decipherable over the music.

"Huh?"

"You've had too much to drink—" Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a cold splash against his back, dampening his t-shirt. "Jesus fuck," he muttered under his breath, slowly letting you out of his hold, making sure you didn't lose your footing.

Within a few seconds, he realized somebody had spilled their drink on him. He wasn't sure who since he wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the perpetrator over his shoulder, but the drink was cold.

You blinked a few times, adjusting your vision. Steve's face was blank as he let out a breathless laugh. "Somebody spilled their drink on my shirt," he explained, palms cupping your face as he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I'm g'na clean this up in the bathroom, alright?"

You nodded slightly, barely comprehending his words. Your surroundings had become increasingly blurry, and your body seemed as light as a feather as you made your way over to the couch to sit beside a few people from your class.

As Steve opened the bathroom door, he wasn't expecting to be greeted with the sight of pretty, bouncy curly hair and a lovely scent of vanilla that he'd kept locked within his subconscious for several months. He wasn't expecting to be greeted with the sight of Nancy Wheeler in the bathroom.

And just like that, memories flashed through his mind like a stop-motion film. In a bathroom with her, his heart broke into a million pieces as she crushed the entire idea of their relationship. Being with her, the effortless smiles and sense of peace. He didn't want to, but it had been too long since he'd let himself relive those memories.

He shook his head. Nancy's eyes were on him, eyebrows raised, and palms flat against the counter. There was a half-full glass of some drink beside her hands, and he couldn't help but notice the white-knuckle grip she had on the counter.

"I just... I came to dry myself up," Steve said, unsure if his words would fail him. He didn't know what he was feeling; he didn't know if it was wrong. There wasn't anything wrong with feeling just something when seeing your ex months after the breakup, right? He couldn't be expected to merely ignore her presence as a whole.

She backed away from the door, pushing herself further into the bathroom, and waved a hand signaling him to come in.

Like a dumb, stupid, spellbound dog, he went in.

Nancy's presence was cruising on the line between being a breath of relief and being a complete disaster. He wished he could keep his emotions in check, but he couldn't do that without knowing what he was feeling. And she was making him feel an abundance of feelings.

"I didn't know I'd see you here," she said, and he felt his knees buckle at the sound of her voice. Christ, he hadn't heard it in so fucking long. It was always a lulling tone, even when she spewed the most feisty things she could, and he'd enjoyed hearing it since the day he first spoke to her.

He cleared his throat, hands basically paralyzed to his sides. "I—could say the same." Yep, there it was. Words had failed him just like he expected.

"I had nothing else to do," she replied back, and his eyes fell to the sweater she wore with the denim jeans. "What brings you here?"

How was she so good at this? Pretending like nothing had ever happened. How was she talking to him like he was nothing but an acquaintance she'd stumbled upon at the party. How could her body be so relaxed while being in such a small area with him when he was as stiff as a rock?

He stumbled upon his response. "I was invited."

They remained quiet for what felt like minutes when in actuality, it was most likely just a few seconds before both spoke up simultaneously.

"Nance,"

"Steve,"

He let out a strangled cough. "You can go first," he mumbled under his breath, but she waved him off, telling him that he could. So, he said, "It's good to see you."

A small smile graced her lips, and it was as if he'd forgotten about everything that wasn't her. That was bad, definitely not good.

"You and Jonathon good?" he asked, his voice clearing up enough for him to comfortably let out his thoughts. He wasn't sure why he asked—but he'd tell himself it was because he wanted to check in on her. Yeah, he wanted to check in on her and nothing else because his new girlfriend was outside, his new girlfriend he undeniably loved. His new girlfriend never failed to be there for him, even when she wasn't doing so well herself.

"We're on a break."

He hated the way he wanted to let out a sigh of relief.

"What about you and—"

He'd done it. He felt so much that he could burst that he didn't want to hear your name coming out of Nancy's mouth while he felt his thoughts betray you. He'd taken a step closer before allowing his hand to wrap on one side of her waist before his eyes locked onto hers for a short moment.

He wasn't sure if he was the one who leaned down or she was the one who pushed herself higher on her toes to connect their lips.

When Steve asked you if you guys could leave, you were sure that it was because he hadn't wanted to go to the party in the first place. So, you agreed and let him walk you to his car. You slightly stumbled on your footsteps, but he was quick to wrap a protective arm around your body to keep you steady.

You leaned into him as you walked, but the rigidness of his body was clouding over the drunken haze you were in. When you realized that he had barely said a word to you since he came back and that his t-shirt was still wet from the drink spillage, you were already in the passenger seat of his car.

And when, halfway through the drive to your house, he said, "Let's try seeing other people," you were already too out of it to say the first thing that popped into your head. What the fuck?

He paused, eyes flickering over to yours, and you didn't miss the guilt creased into the way he bit his bottom lip with unsuredness. "Y/N? Sweetheart, you heard me?" It was extremely funny, almost hilarious, how he sounded as though the last thing he'd want to do was say anything that would make you cry. You didn't know that Steve Harrington had a manipulative streak, but you didn't consider that a possibility because you were sure he didn't know that saying that made him sound like it.

"Heard you, loud and clear," you mumbled with the surety to fool him into thinking you were completely sober. But you were the only one between the two of you that noticed your trembling fingers on your lap while his eyes were mainly focused on the road.

Your voice almost broke when you asked, "Is something wrong?" You knew there was something wrong. Throughout the entire relationship, you'd known there was something wrong. But a part of you didn't want to confront it, didn't want to believe it, and only wanted to think it was just your insecurities taking a notorious shape to come between you and the person you treasured to an indescribable extent.

He drew in a long breath as if he was frustrated. "No, I mean... I guess? I just think we moved too fast, you know?"

No, you didn't know. You didn't know because he'd said countless times, that he always felt like the two of you would happen.

And now?

"Did you meet somebody else?" It almost pained you to ask, but that was the only thing you'd ask that prompted an answer that would possibly slice through your chest.

He took a moment, and his car slowed down but didn't stop. And at that moment, you realized that the kiss he'd placed on your forehead before heading to the bathroom was the last time he'd kiss you—not just like that, but just kiss you.

"Kind of," he said, and his words were laced with a kind of honesty that almost threatened the tears welling up in your eyes to roll down your cheeks. He didn't leave room for doubt in those two words. And that fucking cut.

You realized that there wasn't much you wanted to say to him. You already knew the answers; you already knew who he'd met. You were sure you'd get a confirmation later, but a large piece of you hoped you'd never have to see him with the person he'd left you for.

But that wasn't completely true, was it? He was hers first. She'd felt his intimacy before you did, and he was running back to what she gave instead of taking what you could.

"I'm sorry." When he said that, you almost wanted to land a punch against his jaw. Why was he apologizing when he didn't want to fix what he was so effortlessly breaking? What was the point?

It's over. He'd said the two of you should see other people, but it was clear as day that he didn't want to find his happiness with you anymore. It's over.

So, you didn't say more because you knew if you did, you'd start crying. You couldn't do that, not in front of him. You could feel his heavy gaze on you, searching for even a hint of emotion that he could comfort you through. But you were unwavering.

As he pulled the car onto your street, you said, "Stop here, I'll walk the rest of the way.

Steve's jaw clenched in thought as he fulfilled your wish, but he didn't unlock the car. "You're drunk. It's not safe," he said with care in his voice. That was stupid, you couldn't help but want to voice out.

"I think this car ride sobered me up enough." A pained chuckle left your lips as you unlocked the door yourself. You could hear Steve telling you that he'd walk you home or that you should just sit back down, but after you let your eyes linger on his features one last time, you didn't look back.

He hadn't even tried hard to walk you home, and you weren't sure if he'd driven away the second both of your feet hit the concrete sidewalk. You cared, but you tried to distance yourself from that. He wasn't yours to care about anymore.

When you reached your bedroom, you wished you weren't sober. That was when it finally hit you: you lost your best friend of four years and boyfriend of four months in the space of fifteen minutes.

It's over, you kept on telling yourself as you sat in front of your mirror, tears running down your cheeks. You'd never lost hope for many things, and that was what the people closest to you said they admired you. This time, though, hoping would only bring misery.

It's over.

Chrissy Cunningham was an angel sent from above.

Her deep green eyes glimmered as she talked about her boyfriend, the smile never leaving her face. Your fingers were curled around the steering wheel as you drove to your house, ready to hop into your bed and spend the rest of the night watching movies.

"What about you?" she suddenly asked, her tone switching to a more inquisitive one. You slightly turned your head, eyebrows raising in question. "Are you looking to get back into the entire dating scene anytime soon?" There was hope in her voice that you didn't want to crush.

That was why you decided to take a political approach. "If the right person comes along, sure." Your eyes narrowed. "Though I've thought that I found the right person at least three times in the past three years."

Your voice was softer; it barely raised a decibel even when you were joking or snapping at someone. Chrissy noticed it, and she also noticed how you hadn't said Steve Harrington's name since the day after your break up, which concerned her.

"Hey, I have an idea."

You hummed in response, eyes focused on the road ahead of you.

"I know a place." With the way she spoke, you were able to tell that she was treading with caution. "Turn over—we're going to Forest Hills."

You only knew of two people that lived on Forest Hills. Max Mayfield and Eddie Munson—you weren't sure who Chrissy Cunningham would be talking about, but you'd be a lot more surprised if it happened to be the latter.

TAGS

@lexlexl3x @macey730 @tiaamberxx @hoodpankow @gloryekaterina @tvandfanfic @lem0ns77 @dessmxsworld @kibumslatina

#f: losing game #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington one shot #steve harrington angst #steve harrington x you #steve harrington series #steve harrington smut #stranger things angst #stranger things imagine #stranger things x reader #eddie munson x reader #possibly lol! #stranger things

[punkeropercyjackson]

Across the Spiderverse rewrite

Said i would do this in a few hours.ALMOST THREE MONTHS AGO.I am sorry,i'm so gods fuckdamn stupid💔💔💔

So a bit of Itsv first:It's an almost perfect movie so not much changed but i'm a firm believer in trans girl Miles so the franchise is called 'Spidergirl:Spiderverse' instead and Gwen cracked her egg in Into,Gwen is black/white mixed latina(dominican),Miles reveals her new name as 'Mirasol' as her last spoken line in it and Peni is shoujo themed instead of the moefication bullshit

The reason for Gwen and Mirasol's cosmic connection in Across is their transfemininity and being eachother's first ever trans girl friend and Mirasol is the reason Gwen managed to finally befriend other black girls in The Mary Janes and they're like sisters.Mirasol's been transitioning for 1 year but no meds were needed as her spider bite gave her her ideal apperance within a few months as it does all Spiderpeople and is pretty much radioactive gender affarming surgeries and hrt

The first few Ghostflower scenes play out mostly the same minus the romantic undertones but Hobie and Margo literally swing in on their city scene because they saw Gwen was gone and got worried so they sneaked off too so they could find her.Mirasol and Gwen nearly fall but Hobie and Margo catch them and then the roof talking scene is Mirasol getting to know the other two-they're The Core Four of the Spiderband and Hobie's first line is also the first thing he says to Mirasol:"Ay,Tinkerbell,you run out of faith and trust?You need a lil pixie dust?"

When they all go back to the Morales residence for Jefferson's party,it's revealed Mirasol did a small fib of Gwen being a 'friend from the web' i.e an online friend who she met and helped her realize she's trans,Margo is passed off as a school friend pretty easily and Hobie dosen't get a label put on him but Jefferson and Rio both think he's a secret boyfriend Mirasol's been hiding and this is why Jefferson dosen't like him rather than because he's a cop(househusband Jefferson au ftw)and why Rio DOES like him because she's so glad her Mija has taste instead of liking altie white boys.So she teases them about it and Hobie dosen't react too much and Mirasol is mostly just embarrased but subtly.There's a short montage of them demonstrating their powers to eachother as they take down random villains after sneaking off again and Gwen and Hobie show off to impress Margo and Mirasol

Straight after this,Peni arrives to tell them about the 50101 sitch and she's shifted to shonen like her world has-It's canon event(Spidergeddon)literally changed the and her structure.She went from sunshine to emo as per canon but it's explored in detail instead of a one-off shot and completely offscreen character development and i'll expand in a bit.When they're on Gayatri and Pavitr's dimension,there's actually no Spiderman yet and we're given a red herring that it's Pavitr but the one who gets bitten is Gayatri to reinforce 'Gwen Stacy dosen't have to be a fridged woman' and 'canon events are bullshit'.65 Gwen has a lot of feelings on this but tries to not make them Gayatri's problem and Pavitr is Spiderladdoo(Spiderwoman!Gayatri)'s guy in the chair.She calls him that after the mission is complete and he says 'I'm her guy in the chair' in a dreamy voice and with a goofy down bad grin on his face like she just called him her boyfriend

We then get to Earth 22191,Margo's dimension that's VR based and has secret post-apocalyptic origins like Hobie's only she knows about and it's a hidden trauma she carries that's revealed to the Spiderband who comfort her,but not before they have lots of gamer fun,including food and dressup game shenanigans,them playing as Gwen is so distracted flirting with Margo that she scores 0 points while Margo scores 200 flirting back and an Animal Crossing knockoff bit where Miausol(Meows)is confirmed and Hobie makes a quip about loving girls who're like cats.14512 is next up and things take a darker turn in tone as they work hard to bring it back to it's former glory with drop ins of japanese-american culture for representation and end up getting the first step to it and Peni violently glitches between artstyles as a magical girl transformation and shonen power up fusion and so she's a literal perfect inbetween inside AND out

And finally:Earth 138,Hobie's more or less home.We get to meet the comics Spiderband and there's lots of fun interactions between all of them as they get an adventure interesting enough to fill a 30 minute cartoon episode,including the reveal Hobie's dad is a deadbeat who bailed as soon as his mom divorced him but kept coming back to cause problems and Hobie dosen't care about him at all because his mom raised so well he dosen't need him but also believes she's been dead since he was 12 and it's revealed she's actually alive and this shocks him to his core with Mirasol being the only able to snap him out of it and he frantically says they have to find her and she promises him to while kissing him so close to his mouth you can't tell it's a cheek kiss at first look and he leans into while shaking as she says,"Hey,hey,hey,it's okay,Peter Pan-We'll get you your Neverland back."Both of Hobie's bands watch these scene wanting to join in but Riri tells them not to,saying 'I think Hobie's wants only one girl.Bout time,never thought he'd find more than zero'

At last:They arrive at Spider Society.Peter B(ft.Mayday)and Jessica greet them at the entrance after the grand reveal scene and there's a comical mix between scolding and wholesome moments and there were also some cutbacks to the Spiderparents between the Spiderkids to see what they got going on normally nowadays and included in this is an explanation of canon events and other Spiderlore that happens at the same time as the Spiderband's as intergenerational juxtaposition.Miguel's anger and reasonings have big buildup and we get to see more of Jessica and Peter B both by themselves,with eachother and with him and the Spiderman 2099 and Spiderwoman casts also get animated debuts in flashbacks.It's made clear Miguel dosen't hate Mirasol,he's just scared of all Anomalies she's causing and his words to her aren't nearly as harsh thanks to this but the fight still happens and he DOES use the word 'Anomaly' to describe her because it's too important in-universe and in a meta sense to the story's point to remove

Gwen also dosen't make up with George as character development but still 'betrays(not really)' Mirasol with the rest of the Spiderband not knowing about it either and that causes tension between her and them,Hobie the most but they still agree to follow her to Earth 42 because they love Mirasol that much.And a description given is 'This movie is for the forgotten Spiderpeople.This movie is also a love story between Mirasol and Hobie and i think that really brings it full circle'

#don't try to shit on the hobie parts i'm coping(dosen't want to traumadump but also dosen't wanna get called antiblack for being black) #atsv #spiderman #spidergirl #spidergirl:across the spiderverse #miles morales #transfem miles #trans girl miles #mirasol morales #gwen stacy #black gwen stacy #trans gwen stacy #margo kess #margo tag #hobie brown #peni parker #gayatri singh #pavitr prabhakar #jefferson morales #rio morales #miguel o'hara #peter b parker #jessica drew #punkflower #ghostbyte #t4t gayatri x pavitr #spiderladdoo #team dad hobie #💌 #summerposting

[the-fiction-witch]

Across The Courtyard

Media The Artful Dodger

Character Jack Dawkins

Couple Jack X Reader

Rating Smut

I ran my hand through my hair and headed out for a break, god knows I need it after all this chaos. I stepped out the side door and went out onto the steps down to the courtyard, I perched my hip on the stairs tailing and leaned my back against the wall taking a moment to breathe. 

I just need something to take my mind off this shit- 

I glanced out across the courtyard seeing the various lines of laundry hung around to dry in the Australian sun, and amongst all of them sat one of the nurse girls,  

I know her. Y/n... I think. 

I had seen her a few times in passing, she knelt on the stone slabs in her black lace-up boots, a grey nurse dress with the typical white apron around her, Her hair braided and pinned up around her head, her bottom lip between her teeth, in her hands the sheets as she scrubbed and washed them in the bucket in front of her. Water had soaked her hands and her apron and dress making it cling to her far more than it would normally, and as she was scrubbing these sheets up and down a washboard her breasts slightly bounced or at least shifted as she moved, far more noticeable when usual. 

I looked at her for a while just watching her wash and scrub away, 

But she looked up and we briefly made eye contact so I looked away trying to pretend that I wasn't looking, at her.

But she saw me, she knew. 

She briefly playfully giggled and went back to her work, I continued to watch her and she would often meet my eyes making a point to give me a very wicked look with raised eyebrows and a sly smile as if with each look she said 'I can see you, and I know why you're looking'  but I simply gave her a look back with a sly smile as if to say 'yeah? what are you gonna do about it' She rolled her eyes and continued her work almost ignoring me and I had to admit it made me kinda... I guess jealous, it made me want her to look at me, want her to notice me, but I knew she was just teasing me. 

She got up to hang the sheet she had been washing on the line standing up and pegging it on the line beside her, She briefly made eye contact and I raised my eyebrow a little questionably she checked around the courtyard doing her best to glance around and check we were alone. she dried her hands on her dress as she moved away from the sheet on the line, she giggled and made eye contact she grabbed her dress in her hand and lifted the hem of her dress all the way up to her waist exposing her almost knee high lace up black boots, her bare slightly paler skin where her legs never see the sun, her bare knees, her bare thighs, her hips and of course her mound and pussy. 

I took in every single inch of her because of course, I did! 

She's beautiful, alluring and somehow even with her pussy exposed to me rather mysterious, as she stands there exposed with a wicked and get still innocent smile, fluttering her eyes to only make brief eye contact,

I bit my lip hard taking in every inch of her feeling myself get hard for her forcing me to shift a little where sitting was now uncomfortable thanks to the throbbing erection in my trousers, which she noticed and giggled dropping her dress she took her now empty basket in hand setting it on her hip. 

She smiled put her palm to her lips kissed it and blew the kiss over to me, before she headed away to go back inside through the other door towards the laundry room. 

I smirked watching her go until she completely was out of view, I bit my lip a little harder feeling myself throb at the thought of her. 

I forced myself up and headed down the stairs and across the courtyard to follow her. 

#thomas sangster #tbs imagine #tbs imagines #thomas sangster imagine #tbs smut #thomas brodie sangster smut #thomasbrodiesangster #thomas brodie sangster #tbs #thomas brodie sangster imagine #jackdawkinsartfuldodger #jackdawkins #jack #jack dawkins #Jack Dawkins #JackDawkins #the artful dodger #the artful Dodger #The Artful Dodger #theartfuldogger #thearttfuldodger

[sephirothsplaything]

So dear author, can I get an extremely intimate, passionate and romantic nsfw imagine/oneshot Daemon x poc/black fem! reader, in which they are married, but reader has been acting strangely for weeks and Daemon is kind of worried/intrigued by her behavior (since she is distant and doesn't talk to him about what's going on) and he goes to Nyra (they're friends) to try to find out what's going on and she just reassures him. But what he doesn't know is that Reader is pregnant and is trying to find a way to tell him. So with the help of Rhaenyra (who is the only one besides her who knows) reader prepares a surprise for him (more like a love nest, complete with candles, flowers, sweets, bath and massage)… While they are there taking a shower together and talking about the amenities of the day, she is giving him a back massage and kissing his scars, then she apologizes for acting strange and tells him the real reason and then he worships her while they make love, please? (sorry for my English, and if it's too long and full of details, feel free to ignore)

I'm ngl Daemon and I struggled a little with this. I really had to lock in for him to be character-accurate, but I sincerely hope you like it! And thank you for requesting I had plenty of fun.

Daemon Targaryen x black fem! reader NSFW

CW: smut obvi, slight pregnancy kink, and breeding kink if you squint and body worship.

Word count: 1320(honestly i have a thing for writing long stuff)

Daemon’s eyes followed as you briskly walked past him.

You hadn’t spoken to him all day. In fact, these days you hardly speak at all. You’d often eat your supper alone or walk with only the company of your handmaidens.

Daemon isn’t one to worry,he had larger matters to attend to than whether or not you're upset with him.

That was his personal opinion at least. Rhaenyra seemed to adamantly disagree.

“There is something bothering her, it is plain to see.” Rhaenyra said. Daemon had come to her for advice, or rather he’d hope Rhaenyra would confirm his thoughts.

“She’s being ridiculous.” Daemon scoffs. Deep down he had to admit, your dismissal of him irritated him immensely. He really did love you, no one could deny this. So why the avoidance?

Rhaenyra scoffs at Daemon. Clearly, what was obvious to her might as well be invisible to him.

Rising up from her seat, Rhaenyra shoots Daemon a pointed look. 

“Take care to be more gentle with her.” She says. And with that Rhaenyra exits the room, leaving Daemon swirling in his thoughts.

You paced around your room. You knew you’d have to tell him eventually. Your belly would soon grow for all the world to see.

“Y/N?” You heard Rhaenyra’s voice call out to you. Ordering your handmaids to leave the room,you invited Rhaenyra to sit by you. She takes your hand in hers,thumb brushing the top of your hand.

“He needs to know.” Rhaenyra sighed out. Of course she was right,as always.

You folded your hands together,deep in thought. Daemon was always caught up in one matter or another. You were unsure on how to speak to him.

“Perhaps you should arrange for something special?” Rhaenyra suggested. You stared at her in confusion. You and Daemon’s relationship was interesting at best. It was never boring, he’d frequently bring you back things such as fine jewelry or books from other kingdoms. 

“I am unsure as to what he’d like.” You admitted,slightly embarrassed. Rhaenyra smiles at you. 

She found it amusing how you, too, seemed oblivious. 

“He’ll enjoy anything you give him,I think.” Rhaenyra assures you.

So here you were,leaning up against the outside of your tub. Your curly white hair rested against your brown skin. You chose to wear a simple linen dress. As nervous as you were,you were in no mood to be decked out in overindulgence.

You had sent for Daemon awhile ago. The longer you sat in waiting, anxiety began to set in. Taking a breath,you took in your surroundings. The bath had since been  drawn and the petals of your favorite wildflowers had been scattered onto your bed and the floor.

But what if he didn’t like it? What if he thought you were a fool for making such an effort? What will happen when–. 

“Y/N?” Daemon’s voice cuts through your thoughts. He walks around your room,taking note of all the decorations you’ve set up. You lift your head up slightly. It was like you were going to puke any minute.

Daemon finds you on the floor of the bathroom. You offer a half smile at him. Daemon crosses his arms,leaning onto one of the walls.

“And what’s all this?” He asks. 

“I just thought perhaps we could take a bath together.” You mumble.

Daemon doesn’t respond. He stares at you for a moment. Then slowly, he passes you by to the bath. He removes his shirt, followed by his pants and undergarments. Getting into the water, he leans back into the tub.

“Well?” He raises an eyebrow at you. Following suit,you remove your dress. Sliding behind him,you lean onto his back. A comfortable silence wafted in the room.

“Caraxes and Syrax have brought forth a new clutch of eggs.” Daemon said. You hum softly as you begin to massage his shoulders. He sighed,leaning back further into you.

“Perhaps I should take an egg for myself then.” You giggled. You hadn’t yet found a dragon for yourself,much to Daemon’s dismay.

You went quiet after that. You still haven't told him. Daemon runs his hand down your arm,silently coaxing you to speak to him.

“I’m pregnant.” You say,voice quivering a little. Daemon stills at the news and you think that you really might throw up, for the second time.

“Is that what you’ve been dancing around?” He finally speaks. You take a breath but the nervousness doesn’t leave your gut.

“I know you’ve been so busy I wasn’t sure if you’d be pleased.” You say quietly.

“You are going to bear my child,why wouldn’t I be pleased?” He scoffs.

You couldn’t find a response for him,so back to silence it was.”

“Do you know that I care for you?” He asks,voice stern.

“Yes.” Your response was immediate.

Daemon stands up,he turns to face you.

“Then,allow me to take you to bed and show you?” He suggests.

With that he slips an arm under your plush thighs,carrying you to the bedroom.

Daemon lays you out on your bed. Your body is flush against him as he kisses you deeply. His hands trail down to your stomach and linger there for a moment. You shivered at the contact.

Daemon kisses down to your stomach and down to your thighs. You whine impatiently and he shushes you.

Daemon devoured you like a man starved. His hands grip harshly onto your plush thighs, sure to leave bruises in the morning. You moan softly, your hand finding its way to his hair as your fingers softly brushed them.

Daemon hummed softly. Then, he removes his mouth from you,beginning to place kisses fervently all over your body. He sits back on his knees,taking you in. The coils of her hair were splayed out on the pillow like a halo. Your brown skin was nearly hot to the touch.

Mother to his child. Daemon couldn't begin to verbalize how perfect you were.

“Perhaps after this child, I should give you another.” Daemon purrs. You gasp in surprise as he drags you by the legs,bringing you closer. Lining himself up with you,he thrusts in one fluid motion.

Curses and moans filled the room,the sounds gracing your ears. It was all so overwhelming,waves of emotions welling up in you all at once. As he continues his harsh thrusts,you think you can hear him mutter about how tight you were for him.

 Your legs wrap around him tightly,urging him on. You felt the soft stabbing of his cockhead up to your most sensitive spots. You whisper out his name,hands making their way towards him, hands interlocking.

Daemon knew you were close,he could feel your walls squeezing him like a vice,ever the tease you were. 

Climaxing, you felt the mixture of his cum as well as yours flow down your thighs. Daemon stays in you for a while,ensuring that not a single drop was wasted. After some time passed,he slowly pulled out of you. Shuddering at the feeling of his warmth leaving you,Daemon pulls your body to him,wrapping his arms protectively around your waist.

The two of you were silent for a while. Daemon gently stroked your back, His head turned to you slightly.

“I assume you’ve come up with names for the child,all that time you were ignoring me.” He says,a slight humor in his voice.

Giggling, you agree you had.

“Aemon if it’s a boy and Rhaena if it's to be a  girl.” You decide. Daemon smiles down at you before placing a kiss on your forehead.

#black oc #daemon targaryen #house of the dragon #daemon targeryen x reader

[infernalodie]

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 || 𝐇𝐲𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐢

“𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦'𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯' 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯' 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦“

Inspo: Julia Michaels - Heaven

Pairing: Black!Male!reader x Hyoma Chigiri

Summary: You were the heaven that Chigiri couldn’t get enough of.

Warnings: Character’s aged up, soft smut, and blowjob

Words: 1131

DNI IF YOU’RE YOUNGER THAN 18!

When Chigiri entered the apartment, he was surprised when he found the apartment pitch dark. Nearly stumbling over his feet from the little mat that lay in front of the entrance. The only sight of natural lighting came from the street lights outside with their white glow purging the darkness. But in this case, it only created shadows that Hyoma couldn’t differentiate from reality or his imagination.

“Y/n?” He called out, walking towards the kitchen table where he dropped his gym bag. Pulling his arms out the sleeves of his sweater and placing that on the back of a chair. Walking around the table with his eyes focused on the shadows and a rather dark interior ahead of him. “If this is some sort of prank Y/n, it’s not funny. I want cuddles!” He whined.

And almost like a dog, ear perking up at the sound of Chigiri’s whining, you came running out of the darkness. A pair of boxers only worn on your body as you approached your tired and sore boyfriend. “I was originally going to scare you, but I’ll let it slide for cuddles.” Your arms curled around him, encapsulating the red-haired boy, who melted into your chest and sighed. His hands resting against your stomach with his face stuffed in the center of your chest.

Pressing a gentle to your ebony flesh, he craned his head up. Resting his chin and blinking tiredly up at you. Only feeling his exhaustion begin to catch up to him when your hands ran through his locks. Nails gently scratched his scalp just the way he enjoyed it. “Why did you wait up for me?” He inquired softly.

A deep sigh fell from your lips as you looked out the window to see absolutely no one outside. To be fair, it was nearly midnight, but it was quieter than it usually was. You were used to the occasional teenagers ripping up and down the street in their suped-up cars or just being loud in general. But this silence was nice and made an idea appear in your mind.

“To help relax you.” Chigiri didn’t need much of a hint to understand the meaning behind your words. But it also left him breathless as you slowly walked him back until he was pressed firmly against the glass window.

“Y-Y/n…” Chigiri tried to find the right words that got caught up in his throat. Unable to remove his eyes from how your hands ran down his body slowly. Lifting the hem of his shirt and letting your warm hands grace his flesh; goosebumps erupted across his body.

Lowering yourself to your knees and keeping his gaze, you took the hem of his shorts and boxers between your teeth. Grinning like a fool when seeing Chigiri’s chest rise and fall in anticipation. “Just relax, honey. I want you to feel good.”

Chigiri wasn’t ever going to get used to how you treated him. Never did you ask for anything in return except a kiss. One that Chigiri was always itching to gift you. But he was always going to feel a bit selfish whenever you acted like this. It was hard not to be when you looked at him like you were. An animal stalking its prey.

You freed the man from his boxers and grinned feeling his cock hit your cheek. The leaking of his pre-cum smearing against your cheek as you looked up at the soccer player. Finding it absolutely adorable seeing him all embarrassed by such actions. Softly grasping his warm cock, you snickered when hearing him gasp from the contrast of the cold rings around your fingers and the warmth of your palm.

“Look at this needy little thing.” You stroked his cock slowly, hearing the whimpers of your name fall from his lips. “Have you been thinking about me since practice ended? Do you need me, Chigiri?”

Chigiri swallowed the lump in his throat, whimpering with both of his hands covering his face. That was the only response needed for your teasing questions. You liked messing with him before putting him through a worldwind of emotions.

But relenting, you wrapped your lips around the red tip of his cock. Chigiri couldn’t help the sudden jerk of his hips from the warmth of your mouth. Instead of getting mad, you moaned and held his hips firmly against the window. Earning a pout from the man for it to be quickly replaced with a moan.

Your tongue flicked over his slit before taking more of him inside your mouth. One of your hands reached beneath and fondled his balls, creating a loud whine to fall from Chigiri’s lips. He couldn’t help but stare down at the slow and tedious bobs of your head. Taking more of him each time until you were down to his pelvis. Nose pressed to his pubes as your tongue peaked out to just barely lick his balls.

“O-Oh, yes! Y/n!” Chigiri moaned, head slamming back into the glass. The pain was muted by you placing both of your hands behind your back and clasping them. Chigiri didn’t hold back his desires as he held the back of your head and began to fuck your mouth. But you stared up at him with a warm blush on your cheeks, allowing him to use you as he saw fit.

Any previous embarrassment had been washed away from Chigiri’s system. Seeing this side of him, the most lustful part of him only turned you on. Feeling your own cock twitching inside your pants with a wet patch beginning to grow in arousal.

Chigiri’s nails dug into your scalp with his breaths began to stutter. His hips losing their rhythm as he choked on his words as you laughed around his cock. Placing your hands on his hips, you bobbed your head rapidly. Feeling the man’s nails dig deeper as you wrapped your lips around his tip and sucked, hard.

It was enough to propel Chigiri into his orgasm as his head rolled back with a cry. Body trembling as hips jutted in an attempt to prolong the orgasm; you performed that yourself. Taking his load and swallowing before parting from his wet and twitching cock.

A string of saliva connecting your lips to his cock broke, hitting your chin. Causing you to swipe it with your thumb and stand to your feet. Towering over the tired boy as you parted his lips and placed your thumb in his mouth. He complied instantly, sucking the digit.

But Chigiri couldn’t help but smile seeing the desire swimming in your eyes. Although he knew he would have to return the favour, he needed to be selfish. A guy like you changed someone like him into being this way.

#chigiri hyoma #hyoma chigiri imagine #blue lock hyoma chigiri #hyoma chigiri x reader #hyoma chigiri x black!male!reader #hyoma chigiri x black!reader #hyoma chigiri fanfiction #chigiri x reader #blue lock #blue lock anime #blue lock fanfiction #blue lock imagine #hyoma chigiri #hyoma chigiri smut #hyoma chigiri x male!reader #x male!reader #blue lock x male!reader #blue lock x male reader #blue lock x y/n #blue lock x you #blue lock x reader #blue lock x black!male!reader #x black!reader #x black!male!reader #x poc reader #poc reader

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Would a Chansey be a good pet?

A chansey would, in fact, be an excellent pet! One of the best! This is a rare case in which, after calculating their score, the pokémon’s final number is higher than it was before considering the boons and penalties of their move set!

Perhaps the biggest downside to chanseys when it comes to pet ownership is their rarity. They are well known to be elusive and slick (Red/Blue, Gold), as well as small in number out in the wild (Silver), so they may be a hard pet to adopt, especially if you are looking at ethical means of adoption. However, if you did manage to adopt one, they would be one of the best pets you could have. They’re a bit on the larger size, but certainly nothing too unmanageable (though they would take up a lot of room on the couch!). Personality-wise, chanseys are kind-hearted, compassionate, and generous (Yellow, Diamond). They have a strong sense of other-people’s character as well: they don’t like to share their eggs with those they deem to have “evil in their hearts” (Pearl). So, as long as you don’t have evil in your heart (which I hope you don’t, beyond in an ironic sense), they will likely get along with you well.

Chanseys have a particular soft spot of the sick and injured (Diamond, Black/White), which is likely why they’re often seen helping out at medical facilities. They’re natural healers. The eggs that chanseys can almost always be seen carrying don’t serve a reproductive purpose; rather, chanseys offer them to those in need of healing as their nutritional value help with the natural healing process (Yellow). Chanceys lay multiple eggs a day (FireRed), and take special care to keep them from breaking or getting into the wrong hands (Gold, Pearl). If you have a close bond with your chansey, there’s a good chance (pun intended) that they would share their eggs with you. These eggs can be used to treat injuries or sickness, as I’ve already mentioned, but they also said to be delicious and are considered a high-class cooking ingredient (Ruby/Sapphire, Sword). In fact, these eggs may be used to treat issues with appetite, as they are said to be alluring even to those who aren’t feeling like eating (Ruby/Sapphire).

As far as their moves go, chanseys aren’t all that dangerous. Their small number of troubling moves like Double-Edge or Sing are vastly outweighed by their handful of healing abilities! Life Dew, Heal Pulse, and their signature move Soft-Boiled allow chanseys to heal both themselves and others. This would cut down not just on pet bills, but potentially your own doctor’s bills as well! People who are particularly prone to injury or illness could really benefit from having a chansey as a pet, or even as a service pokémon.

In totality, chanseys passes the pet test with flying colors. They are a pokémon that is well known to get along well with humans, and whose empathetic generosity could vastly improve the quality of life for many potential owners.

#pokémon #pokemon #chansey #pkmn irl #PR-A

[barrel-of-screaming-aloe-vera]

I've only just started ep3 but dickie is just...not dickie. in the 1999 one you totally get why everyone gets swept up by him, why tom does. in the 2024 one he is So boring so far. the age-up doesn't help, but I think it'd still have been possible to have an older dickie that oozes charm and life. why anyone would want to spend time with this one, or be this one, is beyond me.

on the whole so far the whole thing feels very...student project?

part of me does think what's the point of filming in italy without the colour. and then if you're doing it black and white, what's the point if you're going to keep the camera quality so crisp. it all looks like a digital photo with a digital filter, and the balance leaning too white. if you want it noir, make it noir; but they haven't!

I hate to say it but none of the acting is hitting either. and the directing/acting feels very stage play, which is fine I guess? but feels very stunted. and like I'm watching people film something. hit their marks, say a line, walk off, walk across frame, get their cue. rather than feeling like I'm inside a story.

I'm willing to keep watching and hopefully be swayed a little. but sadly it's really disappointing me so far :/

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!! i really don't like the age-up, and you're so right about dickie feeling less charming and more reserved (i miss jude law 💔💔💔). in fact, most of the characters feel way more reserved. IT'S AN INTENSE STORY!!!! THEY'RE ALL HAVING INTENSE EMOTIONS!!!!

i ESPECIALLY need that big emotion to make up for the lack or color. it just feels so flat. im sure the duller acting was a director choice rather than the actors themselves falling short.

i didn't feel connected to the story at all like i did with both the book and the 1999 minghella adaptation. i really think it had potential with how faithful it was to the book, i just need MORE. more action, color, emotion, etc!!

#ripley #mr. ripley #tom ripley #the talented mr. ripley #the talented mr ripley #ripley 2024 #ripley netflix

[positively--speculative]

It's really unfortunate that a number of people (mostly white people) in the IWTV fandom here on Tumblr seem to have this watered down view of the gothic genre as "cool, sexy monster stuff." I mean, yeah. That's *part* of it, but that's like, a very high school Hot Topic view of it. I mean, nothing wrong with liking the stuff you did in high school or Hot Topic, but it shows a lack of a deeper understanding.

I know I've ragged on Anne Rice a lot here, but I honestly think that this is partly her responsibility. Did she craft interesting characters? Yes. Did she give them flaws? Yes. But does she do a good job of challenging them? Not really. In fact, the way she frames then makes it seem like they're not flaws at all. I can accept the fact that slavery was normalized in Louis time, but I cannot accept the idea if no one in the story challenging it. It is not unreasonable for Daniel to be attracted to Louis during the interview, but at the very least, he should be uncomfortable with his attraction to him. Sometimes bad people are still attractive. That's an uncomfortable truth. But AR doesn't handle it this way. She never addresses it.

So, it's really not hard to understand why her fandom carries such limited views on uncomfortable matter, because her writing didn't challenge them to feel uncomfortable with their attraction to Louis. To Lestat. To even fucking Marius (who I won't get into here. Other people have already written about him here and have done so better than I can). AR made the sexy vampire books, and her fans just go along with all the awful things they do because, hey, they're monsters and it's cool because they live outside human expectations of morality (even though Louis was awful before becoming a monster). AR presents shock value, but doesn't address what's shocking. Her fandom, in fact, seems to take pride in illustrating no shock over what is shocking. This, in my opinion, is an illustration of *failure* to create an effective gothic story.

The show does a much better job, in my opinion, at presenting something gothic. I, a Black biracial woman of the audience, should not be attracted to Lestat. But I *am.* I shouldn't be attracted to Louis, but I *am.* I shouldn't be looking at their family dynamic with Claudia in her earlier days as a vampire through heart-shaped lenses, but I *do.* And it's uncomfortable. It's supposed to be. And I think Daniel's character does a good job of bringing the audience back into the horrible reality of the situation and causes us to check ourselves.

And I think white fandom really does a disservice to Jacob Anderson *AND* Sam Reid by trying to argue with Black fandom over the subject of race. Racism is a central theme in this version of the story. But they don't want us to talk about it, because they're uncomfortable with it. They'd rather pretend it doesn't exist and doesn't need to be discussed. But it's *supposed* to make them uncomfortable. They're just not used to seeing the benefits of being challenged, because AR never did. And unfortunately, they're missing out in a very fulfilling part of enjoying the story because they want to keep themselves in a little bubble where they can pat each other on their backs for not being shocked by shocking things and never growing as people.

#Gothic genre #Anne Rice #Iwtv #Iwtv amc #amc interview with the vampire #Jacob Anderson #Sam Reid #Fandom racism #Anti-Blackness #Loustat #Lestat #lestat de lioncourt #Interview with the Vampire #Literary Criticism #louis de pointe du lac

[tokyoghoulnurse]

Im reading the tokyo ghoul and tokyo ghoul:re manga rn and i feel like I've been slap in the face for the different between the anime and manga is. Juuzou is my favorite character and u write him so freaking well 🤧. Since ur ask rn now is open can I request the differences of white and black hair Juuzou act if he has a crush. Especially if his crush is like a popular ccg scientist?

“With you.”

Thank you! I love writing for Juuzou, I hope you enjoy! His development was huge, I can definitely agree.

Pre-RE

His idea of a “crush” would, at this point, probably be someone he just enjoys spending time with for multitude of reasons, whether that be shared interests or sense of trust created by personality.

He would genuinely be curious in your work, satisfied by sitting by and watching you work with unknown to him fluids and objects - whilst many people would find it gross, this is one of the only things that keeps him quiet and concentrated from destruction. Shinohara trusts you to keep him interested.

You’d have to be patient with him, since he just might ‘borrow’ or prod and poke at things you need to use, or things that should not be touched with bare hands. A calm and patient explanation will surprisingly be enough - he won’t rebel against you, seeing you as a friend.

He would love you in his own way, and it would be more genuine than anybody else’s, however it’s far from romantic. Juuzou’s current idea of love is stealing donuts from the main office and sharing them with you, talking to you about giraffes or sitting in the corner of your office, observing your work.

Physical touch would be pretty much off the table, except light things like pat on the shoulders or head. He would initiate contact such as poking you to get reactions, however, and finds it rather amusing. Did you see your face just then? You should’ve!

He might lose patience with others scientists working under you, Juuzou knows you’re good at your job but is everyone else incompetent? Why do they always disturb you when you work?

Would really like it if you tried to involve him in your work, and would happily cooperate with you! Juuzou would enjoy feeling useful and like he can do something right, your praise means the world to him even if he doesn’t fully understand why.

RE

Now that he has a handle on his emotions he can grip, he will happily label it as a crush and will openly express it if asked. After all, why hide the obvious?

Whenever he admits his feelings to you or not depends on your situation, if you’re already dating someone he won’t fall apart about it, and will wish you well, satisfied to be around you even as just a friend. If you’re free and opportunity arises he will take a jab at it.

Will be more open to physical contact towards you, knowing you for a long time. Juuzou will accept hugs, side hugs and any combination of handshakes you come up with. He feels comfortable with you.

Still admires and is inherently interested in your job, after all you’re very important and your works are incredible. However, he’s more understanding towards your underlings and encourages people to look up to you.

Still steals donuts from the main office for you - that will never change.

Even if you’re both busy he will make time for you. Juuzou still enjoys going to the zoo or just going for walks around the city at night, to watch street lamps. Who knows, he might even grab your hand and give your his well-known free-spirited smile.

#tokyo ghoul #tokyo ghoul re #tokyo ghoul headcanons #requests #tg #tokyo ghoul x reader #ccg #Juuzou #suzuya juuzou x reader #juuzou suzuya x reader #suzuya juuzou #Juuzou Suzuya #tokyo ghoul juuzou

[butterflydm]

wot rewatch (book spoilers edition): 2x1

And here is the very spoiler-filled follow-up to my earlier post!

Not only is this one going to have spoilers for all the aired episodes plus any teasers, it will also have book spoilers through book 11: The Gathering Storm.

Thinking of the Darkfriend Social in terms of spoilers -- the x-ray notes that the 'location' for the scene is Tel'aran'rhoid. What does that mean for the little girl? Hmm.

2. I also wonder if this scene isn't set a little earlier than the rest of the episodes are set. We know that by the end of this episode, it's been a full year since 1x1, because Bel Tine has rolled around again. Other things that this being in TAR could mean: that the fallen seal is symbolic rather than reflecting reality and is a representation of the fact that Ishamael has been released from his prison.

3. Darkfriend roll call! We've got Fain, who is still a member in good standing (has not yet killed a Fade); we've got Lord Ingtar; we've got High Lady Suroth; we've got at least two Black Ajah sisters (Sheriam and Liandrin? One of them is wearing a black dress and one is wearing a red one, I think); we've got Unnamed Tuatha'an Mom; we've got a Whitecloak (probably Carridin). I'm not 100% on anyone else at the table. I'm pretty sure our main characters are basically surrounded by Darkfriends right now in their various storylines!

4. The storyline of Moirine fighting her depression over not being able to touch the One Power by forcing herself to have a sense of purpose each day and not give up to the despair... it really does show how poorly served the male channelers are by the Tower. After they get gentled, they get shoved into prison, basically, but the White Tower knows that a sense of purpose is what makes severed (or, in Moiraine's case, probably shielded) channelers have the will to keep living. And that gets denied to the men who are gentled.

5. Verin being merged with Vandene feels like a perfect example of a merged character -- the much more important character is plucking bits and pieces from the minor character and folding them into her characterization. It does really make me wonder how the future is going to go down, though! Will Verin be ordered to kill her own sister and feel like she has to do it in order to maintain her cover? Also: I wonder how much of the reason why Tomas 'picked' Verin over Adeleas had to do with him being a repentant Darkfriend and Verin finding out about it. Also, in our first major storyline, we have two Darkfriends interacting with main characters. Total count so far: 2.

Both the Verin/Vandene merger and the Elyas/Hurin merger should be, I think, our hints as to how the show is handling mergers and it's roughly what I would expect: the more important character swallows up the more minor character. This is why I don't think Liandrin & Elaida would be merged, because Elaida is a more important character than Liandrin, so 'Elaida' is what the merged character would have been named imo.

6. Haha I can't believe that I got so caught up in everything else that I didn't even mention Doman in my first impressions post! I loved his scenes. I think they did a good job giving him a purpose that suited what he does in the books, and he also delivers key plot info to Moiraine. Given that he calls the broken piece part of a 'moondial', I'm guessing he found part of Lanfear's seal (and he's being chased by the Shadow to recover the prophecy that he sells here to Moiraine, maybe?). I suspect that the poem is the Dark Prophecy, which means that we've already got a way for Rand to find out that he needs to go to Falme/Toman Head and he may even go there having zero idea that his friends are in trouble there (which makes sense since he's already in 'stay away from them to protect them' mode; either way would make sense to me, so I'm just curious what road the show takes).

But if Doman takes Moiraine's advice, he might be sailing right into the Seanchan's arms.

7. Egwene taking a moment to look at the official Amrylin outfit. I See You, foreshadowing. I See You. And as much as it pained me not to get my girl Elayne in the first episode, I do think it was a good idea for us to focus on Elayne and Nynaeve as they are before we get our third Wondergirl added to the mix.

8. Given that both Nynaeve and Egwene have learned about The Wonders of Poly (That Are Not For Them, Personally), I wonder if that means that we're going to get them finding out about Rand's polycule situation over the course of the series (maybe as someone for Elayne to talk to?) but in a more gradual and natural way. Also, I noticed a handful of novices watching the sparring down there, but we don't get to see the faces of the people sparring -- could one of them be a Certain Someone?

9. Haha, it's kinda weird seeing Nynaeve as a novice given that she spent zero time as one in the books. But this scene with her was a perfect illustration of why she makes a terrible novice, lol. She's perfect, but she's also a terrible novice. But also, the show is continuing to build up the characters' toolkits for the future - last season, Rand watched Moiraine pull the corruption of Shadar Logoth from Rand and this season, Nynaeve is learning how to purify water (and the Power is often compared to water/rivers). It does also point to the cleansing being more of an actual team-up instead of just Nynaeve being Rand's battery.

10. Poor Alanna is surrounded by Darkfriends in this next scene. We have Liandrin, Sheriam, and Joiya (literally every speaking character apart from Alanna is a Darkfriend in this scene, lol RIP). Total Darkfriends hanging out in main character plotlines: 5. If the show has preserved the 'heart' format from the books, it's entirely possible that none of them actually know that they're hanging out with other Black Ajah Sisters right now, too. Were Liandrin and Sheriam working together or are they both working under their own interpretations of their orders but don't know the other one is also Black Ajah? Given the way Joiya backed up Liandrin in this scene, I suspect that they may know about each other.

The show has done such a good job making Alanna understandable, empathetic, and charming. But she also has already shown herself not to be great at... appropriate boundaries.

11. We don't get much time with Uno before, well, Future Events, but the show did a good job painting his character very vividly, and using him to show the comradery that has built up between Perrin and Loial.

12. So I did a little post mentioning it but the girl who runs away while Fain is killing the other girl! I think that's the girl from the Darkfriend social scene! She looks like she's wearing the right outfit and is the right age with the right color hair. "There was a child who made it out." Her entire family (except her Darkfriend mom?) was slaughtered by Fain and his Trollocs. I wonder if we'll see her again. Hmm, actually, if Fain attacked a Tuatha'an caravan that he knew had a Darkfriend in it, was this his first move of going against the Dark One's/Ishamael's wishes?

13. Now that we're in Perrin's plotline, time to mention that Lord Ingtar, who doesn't want to hear Uno go on about how evil the traitor soldier was, is also a Darkfriend. Total Darkfriends surrounding our main characters: 6.

14. They did a good job in hitting all the main points of the actual Hunt for the Horn, tbh. In the first two episodes, we've got Perrin using his heightened senses, we've got the abandoned village and the room of flies, we've got the Fade nailed up that imo shows the moment when Fain stopped taking orders from the Dark One/Ishamael, and we've got Ingtar bonding with one of the main characters. And Rand's 'pushing people away' arc was pretty well covered with him faking his death. And Mat Suffering Terribly is also covered, lol.

15. I do feel like what Alanna tells Egwene here about poly relationships is probably something the show is going to lean into once Rand's situation starts rolling. "things are messy before they are perfect; nothing worthwhile is neat and tidy". Them leaning so much into Alanna's relationship is definitely giving me some good reassurances about poly plans for the future, because they're investing a relatively large amount of time into showing that this is a valid type of relationship to have, and explaining it to the audience.

16. Per Fain, the Darkfriends do know that 'all five' ta'veren will be important and will matter to how things go down with the Last Battle, so I feel like Liandrin trying to cultivate Nynaeve makes a lot of sense in that case. She wants to take Nynaeve under her wing to turn her to her point of view and her side. It's actually interesting to compare and contrast what Moiraine knew vs the Dark One, because they were actually pretty close in their timelines of figuring out when the Two Rivers was the hot spot.

17. I feel like it really works to give Siuan's scene to Liandrin here, in training Nynaeve. The Two Rivers folk are more vulnerable and more 'exposed' in the show than in the books. So it makes a lot of sense to me. It also feels like they are leaning into the idea that not all Aes Sedai have to 'surrender' in order to channel (so women don't always need to submit and men don't always need to dominate, per Jordan's canon), which is a change that I like.

18. And the Perrin and Ingtar stuff is also working really well for me. I think it helps his character a lot to have him be the one who is going through this with Ingtar instead of Rand (who has plenty going on already). And Ingtar! "Perhaps Padan Fain had a reason for doing what he did."

19. Moiraine's platonic breakup with Lan feels a lot more grounded in the show than it was in the books imo.

20. The letter! Oh, gosh it's so beautiful. It does feel like a little promise from the show that they aren't going to forget about the EF5 bond, and I'm hoping that we'll get more moments of reconnection than we got from the books.

21. So, what are everyone's thoughts on if what Liandrin tells Mat about the letters ("not a single mention of Mat Cauthon") counts as a lie and our confirmation that she's already Black Ajah or was it a wiggle around the truth (either going by the logic of there being multiple mentions of Mat and/or SHE didn't mention Mat and or well it doesn't ever say Cauthon)? I mean, she also seems to be keeping him as her completely isolated little secret. I feel like it's a Black Ajah clue but maybe there's wiggle room.

22. Mat also seems VERY aware that Moiraine is partly responsible for his current circumstances (he notes her along with Liandrin when he's saying he's not a danger to anyone). Liandrin probably read him the note that Lady Amalisa sent from Fal Dara. The show is doing such a better job of actually establishing Mat's motives for various ways he behaves than the books did -- in the books, he seemed to take against Aes Sedai for the terrible crime of... healing him? But selling him out to someone who has kept him locked up for six months and who spent that time psychologically torturing him is an EXCELLENT reason for him to feel wary about being around Aes Sedai. He's seen the worst of them! Because it's not just Liandrin and the Reds. It's Moiraine too!

And they did this in s1 too, giving Mat actual reasons for his canon-typical behavior by changing his background to one more fraught with tension.

#butterfly watches wot #wot #wheel of time #wot on prime #wot show spoilers #wot prime spoilers #wot 2x1 spoilers #wot s2 spoilers #wheel of time s2 spoilers #wot book spoilers #the gathering storm