#Anatomy of a Great Deception

[witchthewriter]

𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝑀𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑟𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑎

So, I’ve done a post about why I add a character’s moral alignment, so I thought I would do it for the Tarot cards. Maybe you’ve noticed it or not (it is something I’ve only started doing). 

Because there are 4 suits; Cups (Water), Wands (Fire), Swords (Air) & Pentacles (Earth). I decided this first post will be about the Major Arcana, to break up the Tarot - so it’s easier to digest, rather than have everything thrown at you. 

content warning: the titles have the photos of the cards, some show human anatomy 

Okay, so the Major Arcana is about a person going through different stages in their life. Starting off with The Fool - who is a curious innocent who wants to experience the world, to the end, ‘The World,’ meaning you’ve accomplished what was set before you. 

Great Resources:

One. 

Two.

Three. 

Each zodiac sign has their own tarot card that represents them. Here’s a free website that tells you. I’ll provide the sun signs equivalent to their tarot card. Although you have your own personal one!

I’ll make another post on how to read tarot cards, because there’s a lot that goes into it. But with the Major Arcana, their messages are much clearer (inn my experience) then the Minor Arcana (the suits; cups, wands, swords, pentacles). 

Also, when I read tarot, I include when a card comes out upside down. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. Do what feels right, it may seem silly or overstated, but your intuition is a superpower. Feel it in your gut. Listen to yourself. 

These cards will represent the deeper, more life-impacting matters. The Major arcana deal with the major moments in our lives. 

𝟎. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥

This is a card of rebirth. It signifies new opportunities. Telling us that it’s never too late to start fresh and follow your heart’s desire. 

Zodiac Card: All signs

Keywords: Beginnings, Risks. 

Element: Air

Planet: Uranus

Upright: New beginnings, adventure ahead, innocence, a thirst for life, enthusiasm. Someone who lights up a room. Taking that leap of faith, starting something new, optimism, openness to the unknown, a free spirit. 

Reversed: Recklessness, risk, naievity, holding yourself back, stupidity, negligence. 

Yes/No: Yes (although usually when a card is in reversed, it means the opposite. Again, you don’t have to take into account when the card is upside down. It’s completely fine to read them as if they were upright)

Advice: Don’t be afraid to take chances, and go on new adventures. However, think before making too big of a leap. Change is inevitable, embrace it rather than fight it. You never know what could happen next. 

Quote: “I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.”

𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧

The Magician represents creation and manifestation. This card is the inventor, the self-employed, the entrepreneur. It reminds us to step into our power. 

Zodiac Card: Gemini & Virgo

Keywords: Action, Ambition, Manifesting. 

Element: Air

Planet: Mercury

Upright: Power, skill, manifestation, resourcefullness, inspired action, concentration, desire, creation. 

Reversed: Trickery, deception, manipulation, poor planning, untapped talents, someone who doesn’t believe in themselves. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: This card encourages you to set your intention; in life, in your work, your family, your relationships etc. Don’t be flaky, or indecisive. Decide what you want and bloody go for it. 

Quote: “As above, so below.” / “Make your own magic.” 

𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐬

Simply, this card represent the subconscious mind. It’s all about inner wisdom, what we’ve learnt - both the good and the bad. And how we can combine that with our intuition and knowledge to move forward. 

Zodiac Card: Cancer

Keywords: Secrets, Intuition, Learning. 

Element: Water

Planet: Moon

Upright: Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, the subconscious mind, mystery.

Reversed: Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal, silence, hidden agendas. A need to listen to your inner voice, lack of self-trust. 

Yes/No: Maybe, listen to yourself. 

Advice: Slow down, stop listening to your intellect. Instead, reflect on what you’ve learnt, listen to your intuition and aquire more knowledge. 

Quote: “Explore your spiritual side.” / “Trust your own counsel first.” 

𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

This card embodies growth, divinity, celebration and evolution. It represents abundance and material comfort, sensuality, security and emotional support. 

Zodiac Card: Taurus

Keywords: Creativity, Resources, Motherhood. 

Element: Earth

Planet: Venus

Upright: Femininity, beauty, nurturing, mother nature, abundance, love, possible pregnancy (not always you!)

Reversed: Creative block, dependence on others, insecurity, inferitlity, disharmony, smothering. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: This card calls on you to tap into your feminine side; think of creativity, elegance, sensuality, fertility, and nurturing. Be kind to yourself. Search for the beauty in all things. 

Quote: “Be your own fairy godmother.” / “The pleasure is all mine.” 

𝟒. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫

This card represents responsibility, intimate power, authority, a bringer of balance. It could be about a man, or your masculine side. It’s a return to order. A reminder to trust yourself. 

Zodiac Card: Aries

Keywords: Order, Power, Boundaries. 

Element: Fire

Planet: Mars

Upright: Authority, estbalishedment, structure, father figure, rise to power, stable future, ambition. 

Reversed: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility, patriarchal society, power struggles, cannot help yourself. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: Even though a ruler has a throne, a crown, and power; they still serve. 

Quote: “Don’t apologise for who you are.” / “Respect yourself.”

𝟓. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭

This card represents an authority figure between the material and spirit. Someone who guides, and teaches. This card shows support, self-realisation, and expansion. Additionally, the Hierophant represents insitiutions, and traditional values. 

Zodiac Card: Taurus

Keywords: Unity, Marriage, Education. 

Element: Earth

Planet: Venus

Upright: Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institiutions, knowledge sharing, blind faith. 

Reversed: Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo, rebellion.

Yes/No: Ask someone wise. 

Advice: Know your boundaries and stand strong in them. 

Quote: “Develop yourself emotionally and spiritually.”

𝟔. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬

This card represents relationships, connection and equality. You are being asked to make a mature decision that supports your true needs.

Zodiac Card: Gemini

Keywords: Love, Decisions. 

Element: Air

Planet: Mercury

Upright: Love, harmony, relationships, values, choices, soulmates, strong bond. 

Reversed: Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values, conflict, detachment, strife, lack of trust. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: There is reason for optimism and the potential for harmony. It’s all up to you. Don’t go for the easy road. 

Quote: “Follow your heart.” / “Be wary of temptation.”

𝟕. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭

This card is a celebration of individuality, victory, transition and overcoming obstacles. You are ready to take control and learn. You’re expanding. This card is a sign of encouragement. 

Zodiac Card: Cancer

Keywords: Progress, Determination. 

Element: Water

Planet: Moon

Upright: Control, will-power, success, action, determination, fame and fortune, being a source of inspiration, two forces pulling in the opposite direction. 

Reversed: Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction, desire for revenge, showing off, using others for your benefit. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: The journey is just as important as the destination. 

Quote: “Persevere against all odds.” / “Keep going.”

𝟖. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡

This card represents self-guidance and self-confidence. It’s a time to summon your courage and determination to get the situation under control. 

Zodiac Card: Leo

Keywords: Management, Endurance. 

Element: Fire

Planet: Sun

Upright: Control, courage, compassion, patience, focus, influence, caring for others, inner strength, strong sense of responsibility. 

Reversed: Self-doubt, weakness, insecurity, low energy, raw emotion, putting others before you, others trying to knock you down. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: Remember to act with grace and sensitivity rather than using brute force.

Quote: “You are capable.” / “Know yourself.” 

𝟗. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭

This card represents forging your own path in the pursuit of knowledge and truth. It’s more so a state of mind rather than physically being on your own. This sage is ushering in a period of personal growth and exploration.

Zodiac Card: Virgo

Keywords: Analysis, Solitude.

Element: Earth

Planet: Mercury

Upright: Solitude, guidance, soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guindance, wisdom, learning, the pursuit of knowledge. Gaining independence. 

Reversed: Anti-social, restrictive, isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, paranoia, paralysed by fear, betrayal, hiding what you really think.

Yes/No: Maybe. 

Advice: Rely on yourself. You already have the answers you need. If you’re under pressure, the Hermit card will reveal itself to say that you need more time. 

Quote: “I am pure.” / “Withdraw and gather strength.”

𝟏𝟎. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞

This card represents the emracing of destiny, and the movement of the universe. Additionally, reveals psychic ability, so use it wisely to listen to your intuition and manifest your wishes. 

Zodiac Card: Capricorn

Keywords: Luck, Fate. 

Element: Fire

Planet: Jupiter 

Upright: Good luck, karma, life-cycle, destiny, a turning point, good change, upheaveal, chances, good things on repeat, positive results, lottery & gaming wins, destiny & fate in your favour

Reversed: Possible bad luck, lack of control, delays, unwanted change, going around in circles, not getting anywhere, not your time. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: While you can’t control the forces of the universe, you can certainly come to a better understanding of your role within it. 

Quote: “Anything is possible.” / “Go with the flow.” 

𝟏𝟏. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞

This is a card of empowerment, advising you to take a left-brain approach to take control. Be aware if you are holding on to any prejudice or bias that could sway your decision unfairly.

Zodiac Card: Libra

Keywords: Decisions, Balance, Legal Affairs. 

Element: Air

Planet: Venus

Upright: Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, the law, you’ll get what you deserve for the better, positive legal outcomes, good contracts.

Reversed: Unfairness, lack of accountability, dishonesty, corruption, prejudice,. you’ll get what you deserve for the worst, negative legal outcomes. 

Yes/No: Maybe/Neutral

Advice: Do not fear, your justice will come. If you have wronged someone, it’s best to take accountability and learn from your mistakes. 

Quote: “You can’t run from karma.” / “Do the right thing.”

𝟏𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧

This card represents a pause, inner reflection and patience. The obvious meaning is ... hanging around - that events aren’t moving forward and all you can do is wait. It can also mean you’ve made sacrifices and are waiting to see the rewards. 

Zodiac Card: Pisces

Keywords: Waiting, Sacrifice. 

Element: Water

Planet: Neptune

Upright: Restriction, letting go, sacrifice, paise, new perspective, playing “the waiting game.” forced to be still, cannot bloom all the time. 

Reversed: Martyrdom, indecision, delay, closed off, stuck in your mindset, not seeing the bigger picture. 

Yes/No: Maybe

Advice: Your project needs time to evolve. 

Quote: “Surrender.” / “Change your perspective.”

𝟏𝟑. 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

This card represents the natural cycles of life. Death brings endings and beginnings - sometimes all at once. This card is a time of quick and deep transformation. An opportunity to let go of what is no longer serving you. 

Zodiac Card: Scorpio 

Keywords: Transformation, Change, New Beginnings. 

Element: Water

Planet: Pluto

Upright: Ending of a cycle, transitions, powerful movement, transformation, endings, beginnings, sudden unexpected ‘death’ is not the end. 

Reversed: Resisiting change, fear of new beginnings, repeating the same negative patterns, another phase in our lives. 

Yes/No: Maybe

Advice: This card can be a release as well as a relief, leaving you with the bare bones...the truth. 

Quote: “Don’t fear the reaper.” / “Change.”

𝟏𝟒. 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

This card represents moderation and temptation. There is a balance in the universe and the need to set your own boundaries. Temperance shows you dealing with a potentially volatile situation, and you need to temper your thoughts and actions. 

Zodiac Card: Sagittarius

Keywords: Negotiation, Moderation. 

Element: Fire

Planet: Jupiter

Upright: Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, good health, finding solutions, cooperating with others, pure contentment, peaceful home life, end of arguments/conflict. 

Reversed: Imbalance, discord, hastiness, over-indulgence, risky behaviour, avoidance of conflict, being a pushover, overlooking obvious problems. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: Sometimes you cannot choose one side/perspective/person/problem, but accept both sides of the situation and reconcile what is out of balance. Once you’ve seen what is out of balance - take action!

Quote: “Find balance.” 

𝟏𝟓. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥

This card represents insatability and power, exposing relationships to authority and loss. You may be stuck in a situation or relationship that demands too much of you, or you may be feeling controlled, or under a bad influence. This is a card of greed, temptation and materialism. 

Zodiac Card: Capricorn 

Keywords: Restriction, Manipulation.

Element: Earth

Planet: Saturn

Upright: Shadow self, attachment, addiction, temptations, material focus, negative thinking, betrayal, strong desire, the drive to make things happen, humanly pleasure, ability to influence others

Reversed: Releasing, exploring, dark thoughts, detachment, overcoming addiction, independence, reclaiming power, freedom

Yes/No: No

Advice: Walk away from temptation, however, you may need to use a little devilish cunning. 

Quote: “Kick negativity to the curb.” / “You’re only limited to what you believe is possible.” 

𝟏𝟔. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫

This card represents the imbalance and surprise disruption - always leadinng to new paths. It hits us with sudden change, a collapse of a dream, an organisation, or a relationship. It can also represent a shattered ego. 

Zodiac Card: Aries

Keywords: Breakdown, Illumination.

Element: Fire

Planet: Mars

Upright: Destruction, chaos, change, upheaval, awakening, crisis, unpleasant surprise, become stronger, release, painful loss, tragedy, revelation.

Reversed: Fear of change, refusal to let go, personal transformation, shock, avoiding tragedy, a narrow escape, delaying what is inevitable

Yes/No: No

Advice: Surrender to the power of change, release and let go. The walls will come tumbling down and what you build next will have more foundation. 

Quote: “Embrace the chaos.” / “Expect the unexpected.”

𝟏𝟕. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫

This card represents individuality, expression and creativity. The Star offers hope and guidance, have faith that  your luck is about to change for the better. This card show good health. It’s also the card of the healer. 

Zodiac Card: Aquarius 

Keywords: Hope, Guidance. 

Element: Air

Planet: Neptune

Upright: Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality, creativity, opportunities, wishes comming true, new romance, rebirth, fame, pleasant surprise, birth of a child or idea, coming out of darkness

Reversed: Lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnectiohn, doubt, insecurity, lost direction, loss, theft, jealousy. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: Share your love, gifts and talents, it will allow you to shine. 

Quote: “Go ahead and wish upon a star.” / “Have faith.”

𝟏𝟖. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧

This card represents instinct and intuition, the power of dreams, ad the potential pitfalls of illusions. This is a warning card that all is not what it seems. 

Zodiac Card: Pisces

Keywords: Crisis of faith, Deep emotions. 

Element: Water

Planet: Neptune

Upright: Fear, anxiety, confusion, delusion, risk, illusion, subconscious, welcomed cycles, increased intuition, femininity, all isn’t as bad as you think it is. 

Reversed: Overcoming fear, finding the truth, conquering anxiety, gaining clarity, release, hidden truths that need to be uncovered. 

Yes/No: No

Advice: Take note of your intuitive messages and dreams. 

Quote: “Dig deeper.” / “Be careful your imagination doesn’t cause you to see things that aren’t there.”

𝟏𝟗. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧

This card represents illumination and oppenness. It brings success and achievement. It’s one of the most positive cards. This card predicts recovery. 

Zodiac Card: Leo

Keywords: Growth, Recovery.

Element: Fire

Planet: Sun

Upright: Positivity, success, fertility, optimism, joy, confidence, happiness, truth, radiance, fun, marriage, happy relationships, happy family, adventures, help with health and fertility. 

Reversed: Blocked happiness, excessive enthusiasm, pessimism, unrealistic expectations, blind to the truth, overlooking certain situations. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: A card of energy and growth, all your projects will benefit now, as this card heralds a good time for creative projects, businesses and relationships. 

Quote: “Spread your wings and fly.” / “Shine on.”

𝟐𝟎. 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

This card represents both an end and a beginning. Great changes and opportunities are on the horizon, but you need to address past issues. As you accept yourself fully, you can blow your own horn. 

Zodiac Card: None

Keywords: The Past; Second Chances. 

Element: Fire

Planet: Pluto

Upright: Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution, action, renewal, reflection, reckoning, a calling you cannot ignore, fresh start, great opportunities. 

Reversed: Feeling down, self-doubt, blame, destruction, ignoring the call, loss of opportunity, not meant to be, outcome that’s out of your control. 

Yes/No: Neutral

Advice: Own it all, then let it go. 

Quote: “Face yourself.” / “Be self-aware rather than self-critical.”

𝟐𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

This card represents an open door, and the excitement of every potential action in the universe. This card is the conclusion of the Fool’s journey and a new beginning. A completion of one cycle, and now another begins. 

Zodiac Card: None. 

Keywords: Success, Completion. 

Element: Earth

Planet: Saturn

Upright: Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel, success, harmony, celebration, fulfillment, positive results, travelling around the world.  

Reversed: Seeking personal closure, short-cuts, delays, failure, unfulfilled, a change may not be welcome, but in time it will be. 

Yes/No: Yes

Advice: This is a time for celebration, so it is as great card for groups. 

Quote: “Feel your deserved success.” / “Everything you have worked for is coming together.”

#witch's lessons #tarot #tarot card #tarot card lessons #witchthewriter #tarot card meanings #the world #judgement #the sun #the moon #the star #the tower #the devil #temperance #the hanged man #death tarot card #justice #justice card #wheel of fortune #the hermit #strength #strength tarot #the chariot #the lovers #the hierophant #the emperor #the empress #the high priestess #the magician #the fool

[pmamtraveller]

L’UMANITÀ CONTRO IL MALE (HUMANITY AGAINST EVIL) | 1908 | by GAETANO CELLINI

Deeply symbolic of the eternal clash of good and evil, this sculpture was created in the early 20th century during a period of social, political and artistic turmoil, a period that had a profound impact on CELLINI'S work.

CELLINI was a master at conveying emotions and philosophical depth through his artwork. This statue is no different. It is an eye-catching depiction of the human experience, which is marked by the constant struggle against evil.

The sculpture’s dynamic composition conveys the intensity and movement of such a cosmic battle. In the center of the sculpture, a human figure stands in a powerful pose representing strength, resilience and determination. The central figure is sculpted with great care and attention to detail. The sculptor has mastered the form and anatomy of the figure.

This central figure is surrounded by various figures of evil. They are designed to stand in stark contrast to the upright, uprightness of humanity. These figures are grotesque, distorted, and represent the various aspects of evil. Their faces express anger, deception, and malice. The contrast is not only a thematic one, but also a visual one as CELLINI uses textures, forms, and composition to define the power of good and evil.

The use of symbolism is one of the most interesting aspects of the sculpture. The evil figures are not only literal enemies but allegorical representations of vices and negative human qualities such as greed, hatred, and ignorance. This symbolism extends to the posture and interactions of the figures. The central figure of humanity not only fights against these external evils but also appears to rise above them. This implies that the struggle is not only against external enemies but also against internal demons.

#humanity against evil #gaetano cellini #sculptures

[haru-sen]

Through the Gates of Horn and Bone

Each of them needs something different, but under the surface it's really the same thing. It is so difficult to carry on alone.

Tav/Zevlor with Halsin eventually joining.

Spoilers for early Act I, foreshadowing for events within Act II. This is an expansion of the previous sample. There will be more. Because what are word counts? I'll probably toss this on AO3 soon.

Tav is AFAB, not going deep into description, however given differences in anatomy, she's likely not going to perfectly fit some of the more atypical features (dragonborn, githyanki, etc). I also know elves don’t sleep properly, but honestly, I’m not trying too hard to adhere to that. The point of making it “reader POV” is so others can indulge in some immersion, and to my knowledge, most of my readers don’t have scales, tails, or horns (a real injustice, I know).

My furthest along Tav is a half-drow warlock in Act III, so that influence may leak in. No, I have not done my Dark Urge playthrough yet. This Tav is sneaky and pragmatic, her talents leaning toward persuasion and deception, so not a great paladin candidate, but she mostly makes choices for the good-aligned outcomes.

“How do you do it?” you grumbled, perched on a crate and resting your forehead on the cool stone table, your eyes closing as you reviewed your day. “From harpies, to bugbear assassins, to evil druid-controlled child-tormenting serpents, how do you keep these people alive? I mean, honestly, Zevlor, I’ve only been at it for like a day, and I’m exhausted.”

Zevlor, the tiefling-wrangler in question, gave a dry humorless laugh. “You assumed it was easy?”

“No,” you muttered. “I’m just gobsmacked by the sheer variety of ways they get into trouble. You have my deepest respect and my most heartfelt sympathies.” You stayed facedown while you spoke, which might have detracted from the authenticity of the delivery, but alas.

About a meter away, Tilses snorted. “Have you met Mol yet?”

“Have I met Mol?” you laughed, and it might have been a sob. “Have I met the future legendary patron of the Thieves Guild, you mean? Have I met a force of chaos constrained in a tiny tief package? Have I counted my purse half a dozen times today? Where do I even start?”

Zevlor groaned, clearly not interested in delving into that subject.

Tilses laughed. “You should have seen the time she-”

“Tilses, it’s getting late: you don’t have to stay,” Zevlor said.

“But-”

“Tilses, it’s getting late: you’re dismissed.”

You didn’t need to use your illithid powers to read the subtext in the room. Small talk aside, Tilses didn’t want to leave Zevlor alone with an outsider. Zevlor, however, didn’t seem worried. It could be that he thought you were trustworthy, but it was more likely that he knew that it didn’t matter if she was here. If you decided to turn on him, her presence wouldn’t make a bit of difference.

You could picture his expression easily, that no-nonsense frown, accentuated by the severity of his hellfire eyes and sharp ridged bones. He wasn’t exactly scary, but he had a quiet dignified gravitas that you and Tilses lacked; the kind of man was used to being in charge. Still, Tilses wouldn’t argue, not with you here.

“Understood, sir.”

Military discipline was a hard habit to shake, or so you heard. You smiled as you as her steps faded in the distance and the stone door grinding open and shut. And then there were two.

“I don’t blame you for Mol,” you said. “Obviously, the circumstances are shaping that one, and it would take more resources than you, me, or the entire Grove has to alter her trajectory.”

Zevlor sighed. “...I don’t think I’m capable of discussing Mol’s future right now.” There came a soft grunt and you didn’t have to open your eyes to know that the tiefling was sitting on the table across from you, just a few handspans away. If you lifted your head, he would probably move away, so you stayed there, the slight dissonance of his aura making your ears ring. You didn’t mind though. Things that might have bothered you a week ago couldn’t really match up to a godsdamned mindflayer tadpole swimming through your brain.

Some tieflings possessed a discomforting presence, akin to knowing you were being stalked by an apex predator, or that feeling of something alien crawling across your skin, or that screaming gut instinct that warned you when truly dark magics were abound. It was an involuntary inheritance, a side effect of being part devil, or at least having their human bloodlines tainted by a Hellish pact. But you knew better than most that biology didn’t override character.

Zevlor was a striking model of an Asmodeus tiefling: deep red skin, sharp features, and a pair of thick black horns twisting out of his skull. From what you heard, that strain got well and truly screwed over by their progenitor devil lord’s plotting.

“Would you like something to drink?” A cork popped and there was the clink of metal cups sitting on the table.

“Is it poison?” you asked. “Because I’ve got some lovely wyvern poison of my own. No need to dip into your personal stores.”

“That would be a poor repayment for all the help you’ve given,” Zevlor said, his tone mild.

You didn’t think he was offended. Hard to say. He was difficult to read, unless you decided to use your illithid powers, but then- People didn’t like it when you did that. You didn’t always like it when you did that.

He poured the drinks, and you slowly raised your head, lured out by your own dry mouth.

Zevlor was standing now, he gestured to the uncorked bottle, which sat beside the cups in front of you, all of it available for your inspection.

“Ashaba Dusk?” you asked, sniffing the common wine.

“It’s not so bad,” he said.

It figured that he liked red wines. You wondered if he smoked a pipe too. “You seem like the type to prefer a Gulthmeran Reserve.” It was a dryer red, complex with stronger mineral taste. Something suited for the palate of a stoic older man.

Zevlor’s lips twitched. “Is that so?”

“Am I wrong?”

“I wouldn’t say “no” to a bottle. But finding one out here might prove difficult,” he said as you chose your cup, pretty certain that none of it was poisoned. After all, they still needed your help dealing with the goblins, defanging Kagha, and rescuing the Archdruid. Logic made rationalization easy, even though you had no logical reason to be here alone with this man.

The wine wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. You drank it though. Today had been long, and you weren't going to turn your nose up at his hospitality.

The two of you finished your cups and sat in an almost comfortable silence. Your shoulders lowered incrementally and you basked in his calm company. You were on your second round of refills before he spoke again. “Was there something you wished to discuss?” he asked, fixing that burning stare on you.

Your stomach flip-flopped, but you just raised your cup and took a drink, buying yourself a few seconds to compose your words. “Just enjoying the ambiance.”

His brow furrowed, and he looked around the cave, clearly trying to figure out what you were referring to. The air in the chamber was cool, there were a couple shelves lined with books, and the candlelight was warm and golden. There were no fleshpits, no bloodstains, and nothing was trying to kill you. Best of all, you could not hear Shadowheart and Lae’zel bickering. To be fair, Lae’zel sniped at everyone, but Shadowheart got so damn shrill about it.

“Look, my...friends are nice and all, but sometimes they’re a bit much,” you said. “I’m taking a break from being mediator.”

“Ah,” he said. He rested his chin in his hand, thoughtfully. “I can lend you the chamber. Would you like some privacy?”

You winced. “No, no, I’m enjoying the company too.”

“I see,” he said, brow furrowing momentarily. He refilled your cup, sitting on the edge of the table farthest from you.

You studied the map of Elturel on the desk, while sipping your unpoisoned wine. And then a thought occurred to you much too late. “Oh gods, I’m intruding, aren’t I?” you groaned. “Look, don’t feel obligated. I’ve found a ton of great hiding spots in the Grove. I can take a dip in the sacred pool. There are some very private corners in the library. Hell, I can even go camp out with Mol.”

“...Don’t do that,” Zevlor grimaced.

“You’re right. She absolutely doesn’t need access to wyvern poison. I’ll go sit with Dammon. Aside from the hammering and the smithing, he’s pretty quiet.”

You’re not intruding,” Zevlor said, forcefully. “My hosting skills are simply rusty. I...welcome the chance to practice.”

“Oh,” you said, a smile tugging at the corner of your mouth. It wasn’t a believable reason in the least, but it did seem that he wasn’t trying to shoo you out. At least, you felt more confident that you were not unwelcome.

Zevlor studied your face. “How do you find Dammon’s company?”

“He’s a good kid and so cheerful in the face of everything that’s happened. I’m impressed by his attitude and his skills,” you said. “He’s helping me keep my tiefling in good shape.” Karlach was a certified badass, but she still needed extra special care. Gods, now that you thought about it, tieflings were like exotic fish, it was a real struggle to keep them alive.

Zevlor nodded. “We’re lucky to have him.” He set the empty bottle down and looked over his shoulder at the worn down storage crates, clearly considering the state of his supplies. He was a lean man, and while the kids were small, it was clear that the adults weren’t letting them go hungry. He likely didn’t have a lot to spare.

“Oh! I’ve got a bottle of Ithbank in my pack – the good kind.” You quickly dug into your bag and pulled it out. You were considering trying to bribe Asterion with it, but honestly, he would probably just turn his nose up at the unimpressive offer. You rummaged around your supply pack and found some cheese wedges, ham, a loaf of sourdough bread, and the treasure you scored while exploring. Looking around furtively, you pulled a small ripe sunmelon out and winked. “I know everyone is eating apples, but I’m sick of things trying to poison me-”

“You’ve mentioned poison very frequently today. How often does this happen to you?” Zevlor asked, looking concerned.

“Well, just this week-” You tried to think back. “The bandits, the goblins, some traps, the swamp apples, Nettie-”

“The healer?” Zevlor sounded alarmed.

“Yeah, because of the whole parasite infection thing,” you muttered, the wine loosening your tongue. Only a select few knew that you were carrying mindflayer tadpoles, and he was one of them since you had to explain to him why you were able to just walk into the Absolute camp without raising the alarm. “Look, the point is, I’m put off apples for awhile.” You pulled out a clean food knife – not a dagger, people applied all sorts of deadly coatings to their weapons – and eyed the cheese.

Zevlor rose and brought over clean plates and more cutlery. There was an economy to his motions, a careful precision to everything, no wasted movement. No tells either. This man tried to keep his cards very close to his chest.

It was very different from the first time you met, when he was shouting orders and coming down from the post-battle fury and the loss of one of his charges. Rage uncoiled all those carefully suppressed feelings and destroyed self control: you understood that feeling all too well. The contrast was interesting, you liked watching him.

You made a nice little plate cubes of cheese and ham, slices of bread, and cut your half of the melon into long wedges. Zevlor made a neat sandwich and chopped his melon into bite-sized chunks. This time you poured the Ithbank while Zevlor watched.

He took a sip. “This is nice. Thank you,” he said quietly.

“It really is,” you smiled, biting into the melon and getting some down your chin. The flavor was honey sweet, the flesh luscious and crisp under your teeth. You happily licked your fingers, slurping down the juice. Fuck, these were so much better than apples, and absolutely worth fighting a bunch of bandits for.

When you looked up, Zevlor was staring down at the table.

“I’m being messy, aren't I?” you muttered, wiping your mouth off. The heady combination of too much wine, sweet melon, and the company was making you sloppy. “Sorry.”

“No, no, you’re fine,” Zevlor coughed and poured himself some more wine, averting his eyes. He carefully bit into his melon cubes. His tongue flicked out and he licked his lips, closing his eyes. “That is delicious,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble, his tail swishing behind him.

Satisfied that he was enjoying his fruit, you devoured your slices too quickly, eating them down to the rind. When you looked up, Zevlor was only half finished, clearly taking his time and really savoring the experience.

“These are better than apples,” he said, glancing down at your empty plate. He speared a chunk of melon and extended his fork. “I don’t know if I can finish all this though.”

A damned lie if you ever heard one, and between Wyll and Asterion, you heard a lot of creative truths. You took a swig of wine and met that burning gaze, your breath catching. “I’ll take a bite,” you said. “But you clearly aren’t eating enough. You really should take better care of yourself, Zevlor.”

You leaned forward, delicately took the melon between your teeth, and pulled it off the tines. You gave the utensil a light parting bite, never looking away from Zevlor’s face.

He swallowed audibly, but his hand did not shake and he did not draw back. He just watched you with narrowed eyes, his jaw clenched, those sharp nails digging into his palms, his tail snapping from side to side. That tension was familiar. You remembered a similar strained look back when he got into a confrontation with that asshole mercenary. Maybe you were pushing him too far.

“Have I offended you?” you asked a little sheepishly. You did just take his food from him while insinuating that he was bad at taking care of himself.

“No,” he said gruffly, his voice an octave lower. “But are you going to claim that you don’t know what you’re doing?”

You smiled, lowering your eyes in amusement. “I’m just enjoying the ambiance.”

Zevlor gave a low exhalation, those orange eyes burning intently as he regarded you. “The situation is difficult enough,” he said, his voice harsh. “Hells, teasing an old man like this is cruel.”

You blinked. “I’ve seen you fight, Zevlor. I’d hardly call you old.” You met his gaze. “And teasing is only cruel if one doesn’t intend to follow through.” You stood, the wine giving you a cocksure recklessness that you would not possess sober. You leaned over the table, nearly nose to nose with him, baring your teeth in a grin. “I’ll deal with Kagha tomorrow. We’ll figure out the goblins after that. And then, if you’re still interested, let’s do something about it.”

Zevlor stiffened, his eyes widening, his lips parting in shock.

You took a swig of the Ithbank, and slammed it down next to him, lifting one of those calloused hands to your lips. You brushed your mouth against the inside of his wrist and then caught his index finger between your teeth. You sucked it down to the knuckle, tasting the blended salt and sulfur of his skin and the sweet stickiness of the melon. The heat of the digit made you want more than this, but you had to be careful with those sharp nails.

Zevlor’s nostrils flared, those brimstone eyes burning as he gritted his teeth, your name a hoarse curse in his mouth.

“And if you’re not interested,” you said, lowering his hand gently. “That’s fine too. It’s entirely up to you. We can just blame the wine.”

And with that, you turned on your heel and left, before you did something really stupid. It didn’t matter though, the fire was already in your veins and the taste of him lingered on your tongue.

##

You dreamt of that stone table, of pinning the man down and riding him till he was hoarse and begging. You dreamt of him bending you over it, pounding you with the force of all that suppressed frustration. Fuck, if you’d been more patient, gone slower, you probably could have gotten further with him. Getting on your knees for him sounded fun, and hells, you didn’t doubt he could give great head. Instead you pushed him too fast and who knew how he’d react when he saw you next? Probably politely, like nothing happened, and Tilses would never leave the two of you alone again.

Ugh.

“Eat garbage, foul bloods!” A little boy snarled, taking on a monstrous tone with the slur.

You froze, and turned to look at the children playing in the Hollow.

“I try not to judge anyone’s blood as foul...until I’ve had a taste of it!” Arabella briefly struck a heroic pose before tackling Meli into the dirt and walloping him in the side of the head.

“Ah! No fair!” Meli shrieked, losing the villainous voice. “You’re not supposed to really hit me!”

“I’m doing it like you’re supposed to!” Arabella scowled. “Tav, that’s how you did it, right?”

You blinked. “What? Also, don’t call people that, Meli. It’s...very rude.”

“People call us that all the time,” Meli said, narrowing his eyes at you.

“Yeah, and I punched the last guy who-” you said, putting two and two together. “Wait, where did you hear about this?”

“Everyone knows about how you beat up that loudmouth,” Arabella said brightly. “Do you really taste people’s blood to check if it’s foul?”

“...That’s not what I said,” you muttered, catching a glimpse of a certain white-haired high elf darting off.

“Oh.” Arabella looked disappointed. “What did you say?”

“Why would you taste it?” you asked shaking your head. “You can tell just by lookin-” You stopped yourself when you saw how the kids were hanging on to your every word.

“So you can just cut people open and tell?” Meli asked eagerly.

“Do you need a lot of blood to check?” Arabella asked.

You looked around helplessly, spotting Locke and Komira standing off to the side covering their mouths. By the crinkling of their eyes and their hunched positions, you definitely knew they were laughing at you.

“A little help-” you called out of the corner of your mouth.

“I heard that you actually have to smell it,” Locke called over and Komira snorted, slapping his arm. “Ow!”

“Look, the only truly foul blood I can think of off the top of my head is from the shambling undead-” And mindflayers. You flinched internally. “That blood smells really bad, because it’s gone rotten. But you don’t actually need to cut them open to know that. You can tell from a good distance.”

“Oh, like when you leave meat out too long,” Meli said, wrinkling his nose. “Yuck.”

“Exactly. Doesn’t apply anywhere else,” you said.

“I still think saying “tasting it” sounds better,” Arabella said, clapping Meli on the back. “This time you can be the hero, and I guess I’ll be the merc.”

You glanced over at Arabella’s parents. “Seriously?”

“It makes them happy,” Locke said, giving you a shit-eating grin. “They need good rolemodels.”

“They have Zevlor,” you muttered.

“You certainly did more than Zevlor,” Komira said with narrowed eyes. She was still clearly furious that Zevlor had not been quick enough to intervene over Arabella.

“Zevlor was in the fight too, it was that mercenary who decided to be an asshole,” you said, thinking back to that encounter.

The mercenary -Aradin, that was his name- got in your face, spitting, still high on blood and fury from the fight at the gate.

And it was Zevlor who came to your defense, full of his own outrage and adrenaline. It was a surprise, not the vehemence of his response, but that hint of honest gratitude. It was maybe the first time someone, a total stranger no less, came to your defense since this entire infection mess started.

You talked them down, telling them to stop and think. A reminder to yourself as much as anyone else.

And then Aradin had to get in that last word, throwing in some nasty comment about foulbloods and cowardice.

Zevlor gritted his teeth, but did not seem surprised by the slur.

You were not so sanguine. You decked the asshole in the side of the head, laying him out flat. “I try not to judge anyone’s blood as foul...until I’ve had a close look at it,” you had said to a stunned Zevlor. Which was now being exaggerated into something else.

“That’s not what I said,” you repeated.

“I’ll talk to them about their language. Let them enjoy this.” Komira said quietly. “It’s safer than playing poison the druid.” She stared at you with those sharp orange eyes, and you knew that Kagha’s transgression was not forgiven nor forgotten.

“I like the line; it’s got style,” Locke said, and all you could do was roll your eyes at him.

##

You made it a little farther down the Hollow past Arron before Asterion reappeared. “Darling, have you seen this?” He waved a little piece of parchment in your face, looking very smug.

You blinked and reached for it, half expecting him to make it vanish. But he let you take it, the throbbing ache in your neck reminding you exactly why he was being so cooperative. You glanced over the parchment, a private note addressed to Kagha with some interesting implications. You would probably be better off not asking where he got it. Your brows went up and you glanced at the very smug elf in front of you. He did so enjoy drama. “Oh my, someone’s being naughty.”

He gave you a mean little smile. “Always, but some of us are just better at it, or at least more stylish.” His lip curled in disdain.

“Of course,” you nodded, and then winced slightly at the motion.

“Are you sure you want to go back to the swamp?” he asked a little too coyly.

“No,” you shuddered. “But we have to run down that lead on a cure,” you said. “Obviously, we can’t trust Ethel, but it might be worth it to hear her out.”

Asterion’s smile flattened. “You’re right,” he murmured, looking away, like he had momentarily forgotten about the tadpole infection. “We could take her Kagha, maybe one of those quieter tiefling children. No one’s going to notice one missing.”

You sighed. “Sure, but do you really think Ethel’s going to bargain straight with us? Nah, if we want anything better than a devil’s deal, we’ll need to really bring the pain. Creatures like that don’t respect honest bargains.” You were already nudging the group away from Raphael’s offer, but to be honest, you were still holding that one in your back pocket, a last resort if all else failed.

But you were not going to hand a literal child over to a hag and someone absolutely would notice a tiefling child missing, but quibbling with Asterion over details like “morality” and “atrocities” would just end with him sulking. Best to direct him down another route.

“You’re just fond of those horrid little demonspawn,” he muttered.

“What, you don’t like Arabella and Mol? They’re hilarious.”

Asterion gave an exaggerated eyeroll when you named his favorite tieflings. “I suppose someone would miss those two. What about that pickpocket or the whiny one we saved from the harpies?”

“Let’s get ready for the swamps,” you said, clapping him on the back. “I feel like if anyone deserves to be sacrificed to a monster, it’s Kagha.”

Reluctantly, Asterion let you push him along. “I suppose…”

##

You sat on the shore of the sacred pool, grimacing as Gale created water to flush out your wounds and Shadowheart hit you with what remained of her nearly spent magic. You sipped a healing potion, staring at the water and gritting your teeth while they cleaned off your back.

“You know, when a bear swipes at you, you’re supposed to dodge,” Gale said in a stage whisper. “The pointy end is dangerous.”

“So, that’s what I was doing wrong,” you said, shaking your head. One of those damn Shadow Druids wild shaped and tried to unstitch your spine. It was an experience you’d rather not repeat. “Next time, I’ll know.”

Gale laughed.

“The slash wounds are closing nicely,” Shadowheart said and then paused. “But...you have not been at your best today.”

You nodded. The trip to the swamp could be summed up as a “bog slog.” Ethel’s lair was a nightmare farm, and the sheer amount of poisons- Ugh. You threw back another healing potion.

“You do know that feeding the undead sacrifices your own vitality,” she said, not hiding her disapproval.

“I do now,” you groaned. Your performance today was abysmal: your attacks lacked potency, your wounds didn’t heal right, you were sluggish and foggy-brained. Conversely, Asterion was lively, with improved reflexes, and in very good spirits. “Sorry, we need everyone in fighting shape and that involves catering to certain dietary needs. If there are other volunteers-”

“I can prepare a spell that will mitigate the effects,” Shadowheart said hurriedly. “Just come see me after you’ve...donated. We can avoid this in the future.”

“Ah. Thanks, that’s really thoughtful of you,” you said, grinning up at her, not having to feign your gratitude. “It’s such a relief that you anticipated this. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“It’s not such a considerable feat. You don’t have to- everyone needs to be in fighting shape after all,” she stuttered, cheeks turning pink as she practically fled up the hill.

Gale gave a soft chuckle. “She’s really not used to heartfelt appreciation.”

“No, it doesn’t look like it.” You nodded and downed the rest of the potion, then rolled your shoulder, wincing. You weren’t leaking any more, but the area was still very sore. “And thanks for being a calm, moral presence.” When you rejected Ethel’s “cure,” you weren’t so sure that Asterion and Lae’zel would agree. When you actively thwarted the hag, Asterion got pretty upset. He had a point about it not being your fight, about you constantly meddling in things that weren’t helping get a cure…

It wasn’t just about being a do-gooder. You didn’t think Ethel was about to let your party walk out without making some kind of deal, or that she would leave loose ends. Best to clean that up while you could. You didn’t exactly want to explain that right now. It might be wiser to let Asterion think you were some kind of cow-eyed bleeding heart. It let him believe that he could charm you into complacence.

You rubbed your temples. But protests aside, he still showed up to the Shadow Druid fight. You would have to check in with him later, but you still needed to update Zevlor on the cancellation of the Rite of Thorns.

“Does it...hurt?” Gale asked and from his speculative tone, you knew he wasn’t talking about your most recent battle wounds.

“Yeah,” you said, as you stood and fixed your shirt. “It’s sore afterward too, but it’s not terrible. There’s a little high at the end, or maybe I’m just used to rapid blood loss.” You shrugged. “But I think he’s getting better at it.”

“Ah, so let him practice on you for a few more nights. Understood,” Gale laughed. “But would it bother you if I tried it...for research?”

“Not at all,” you said, raising a brow. “Research, huh?”

Gale’s cheeks flushed. “Well, if we’re all in such imminent peril, there’s no harm in enjoying what time we have left, now is there?”

“I’ll take that over in-fighting any day,” you said.

“Oh, are you going to mediate more disputes with your body?” Gale chuckled.

You rubbed the back of your neck. “I think I did that already today. Badly though.”

Gale sucked in a breath, looking you over sympathetically. “Agreed. There certainly are more pleasurable ways to run interference.” He paused. “Do you need me to take a turn with Asterion? He seemed...displeased earlier.” Gale watched you with clear concern, like maybe he was worried that Asterion would bite your throat out in a fit of pique. Or maybe he just wanted to experience the pointy end this time, Gale seemed to be the adventurous sort.

“If you want to work out an arrangement with him, that’s between you two,” you said, not ungraciously. “But I’ll continue to volunteer as needed. Just because we disagree on policy doesn’t mean he should starve.” And because it let you monitor his control and feeding schedule. You didn’t blindly trust the vampire spawn.

You trudged up the hill and did not jump when Asterion materialized from a shadow, his haughty face drawn up in prim displeasure.

“Ugh, you still smell like swamp,” he said, giving you a disdainful once over. “Gale, can’t you wizard something up for her? She’s a mess,” he said, shaking his head. And then suddenly, he shoved a bag into your hands. “Go get cleaned up, you can’t walk around like that. There might be something salvageable from the Shadow Druids’ loot. I doubt it, but it can’t be worse than your current outfit, so you might as well look.” With that, he gave a huff and stalked off.

You glanced into the worn backpack, finding clean clothes, soap, a healing potion, a bottle of Amnian Dessert Wine, and some food.

“That’s strange,” Gale said, looking over your shoulder. “I didn’t realize Shadow Druids carried soap, let alone spicy shrimp soup and berry tarts.” He gave you a very smug grin. “You know, that looks remarkably like the food Arron made earlier-”

“Shush,” you said, giving him a wry smile, because you noticed that too.

“Was he eavesdropping the entire time?” Gale mouthed.

You shrugged and that was a mistake.

“Is he eavesdropping now?” Gale mouthed.

You nodded, just to see him look around wildly, trying to spot Asterion’s alleged hiding place.

##

Feeling a little better after another wash, a potion, and a change of clothes, you recalled a particularly troubling fact from Ethel’s lair. There were a lot, but this one stuck with you: she didn’t want Mayrina, she wanted her child. And here in the Grove, there were a lot of unattended tiefling children. Grimacing, you went down to see Mol, Lae’zel and Asterion trailing behind.

The little mastermind sat atop a crate eating an apple, her eye gleaming when she saw you.

“Stopped’em, did you?” She gave you a smug look.

“Matthis?” you asked, wondering which kid tipped her off.

“Mirkon,” she said. “He gets around here better than you’d think.”

You nodded. Gale thought the kid might have the knack for magic. “No kids have gone missing here, have they?”

Mol narrowed her eye, straightening up. “No, why?”

You exhaled in relief. “Ethel’s a hag. She eats kids and she went through a lot of trouble to try to get one. She shouldn’t come back here, but I thought I’d warn you, just in case.”

Mol’s brow furrowed. “We stayed away from her. Mirkon really didn’t like her, and he’s got a sense about these things. I just thought she was fake and irritating.” She hunched over, looking troubled.

You nodded. “I’m going to warn Zevlor to keep clear of the swamp. There was some powerful magic on it, and the apples from there are all poisoned. The Teahouse was also under enchantment. It turned out to be a pretty nasty place.”

“What did you see in her lair?” Arabella asked eagerly, emerging from the shadows with Silfy.

You bit your tongue, pretty sure that the details would give the kids nightmares.

“Gruesome displays,” Lae’zel spat, having no such restraint. “She would lure the weak and impressionable in and transform them into fiendish spectacles. We cut her and her mind-warped minions down!”

“Like what?” Meli peeked out, awe in his voice.

“Oh, terrible things?” Asterion cackled. “We went into her gallery, and there was a woman standing there...we went to speak to her, but she was holding her own head!”

The kids screamed in delight. Egged on, Asterion and Lae’zel began to describe the battles and victims in graphic detail.

“Her workshop was a true horror to behold, poisons and potions abound, bones and body parts stored in blood-soaked bowls-”

“Chkkt, that was nothing. She controlled her victims through cursed masks-”

“How did you beat them?” Sylfie whispered, peering out from behind her own hands.

You stared for a moment, knowing you should stop them. But the hag was a real danger, and these children needed to know. Maybe you should have brought Gale or Wyll instead, but Lae’zel and Asterion seemed to be having fun, Lae’zel recounting the battles and traps, Asterion embellishing the horrors of the lair.

Mol rested her chin on her fist, looking very troubled.

“I can stop them. Probably,” you said, glancing at Lae’zel and Asterion.

Mol shook her head. “Things are even more dangerous than I thought.” She gritted her teeth.

“I’m sorry,” you said, realizing that you were putting more worries on this child. Because it didn’t matter if she was a genius mastermind, she was still just a kid, carrying far too much for her little frame. And worse, you didn’t have a good solution, because there were not enough adults to properly care for these orphans. Zevlor and the other tieflings like Asharak and Ikaron were doing their best, but they were clearly struggling just to survive. It was not fair in the least, but it was better to give Mol what you could and hope that it made some difference.

Quietly, you reached into your pack and put down a sack of potatoes and sausages you’d salvaged. You also donated all your unpoisoned apples, glad for an excuse to get rid of them. It was better to do this discreetly; Lae’zel and Asterion got so huffy when you were nice to other people. “Keep it between us, but I found some extra stuff while exploring. Make sure it gets distributed, not sold, got it?” You gave her a pointed look.

Perking up, Mol peered into the sacks and gave you a toothy grin. “You’re too soft.”

“You’re welcome,” you told her.

She looked at you for a moment. “You know, there’s another entrance to Zevlor’s room.”

You raised a brow. Wait a minute, did that mean-

“You should be more careful. I’ll tell the others to stay out when you’re in there, but we’re not the only ones who know about it.” She smirked at you. “You know, if you want to be our Mom, Dammon is a better earner.”

“I should go,” you choked out, leaving Asterion and Lae’zel to their enthralled audience.

##

After taking a moment to compose yourself, you went to Zevlor’s quarters. You were barely inside when he met you.

“I’m told the druids stopped their damn chanting. What happened?”

Well, he was talking to you. But Tilses was here. It was anyone’s guess what he truly thought about your last meeting.

“Kagha’s agreed to stop the ritual. She said the they’ll grant you safe harbor till you depart.” You glanced at Tilses, trying to sense any hostility or wariness.

She was grinning ear-to-ear though, clearly pleased by the news. Hell, Zevlor didn’t seem the type to tell Tilses what transpired in private. Your tadpole twitched encouragingly, nudging you to check. You flinched and ignored it.

“-left over from my soldiering days,” Zevlor said, and you realized you missed what he was saying as he pressed something into your hands. It was a pair of metal gauntlets.

“Sir?” Tilses said, uncertainty clear in her voice, like she couldn’t believe what he was handing you.

“It’s a sparse thanks for what you’ve done for us,” he said, ignoring her.

“Is this a sign that the gloves are coming off?” you asked, eyes drifting down to his hands.

Zevlor inhaled sharply.

Tilses frowned at you.

“I...well,” Zevlor cleared his throat. “I wasn’t wearing gloves,” he muttered quietly, looking down.

You were very aware of that. But you bit your lip.

“You’re bleeding,” Tilses said.

You reached up to touch your mouth, unconvinced that you bit down that hard, when you saw more blood trickling down your right arm.

“Godsdamnit, still?” You rolled your eyes, realizing the cuts reopened at some point.

“Sit down,” Zevlor snapped, gesturing to the stone table. He snatched bandages off the shelf, rolled up your sleeve, and gave a low hiss when he saw the wound. “Now how exactly did you convince Kagha to abort the ritual? Is she alive?” he asked, already applying pressure.

“Yes, and it’s a long story,” you muttered.

He frowned as he began to examine the wound. “Didn’t your cleric tend to you?”

“She did. It’s been...busy. She took care of the bigger wounds first. But we’re all kind of done for the day. By the way, Ethel’s a hag who murders people in really creative ways and likes eating children, so if you see her back here-”

Zevlor stiffened. “What?”

“Yeah,” you muttered. “It was a long day. Umm, I got food. I’m feeling a little faint, so I need to eat-”

“Of course.” Zevlor lifted your pack onto the table.

Tilses narrowed her eyes at you, and then looked between you and Zevlor. It wasn’t a hostile expression, more inquisitive.

You bit your lip, shrugged, and looked off to the side sheepishly.

She stood up a little straighter. “Sir, I just remembered that Asharak needed my help on the training grounds,” she said.

“Oh?” Zevlor looked up, blinking. “I see, dismissed.” He waved her off, tying off the bandage around your upper arm. “These look like bear claw marks.”

You glanced at Zevlor in surprise.

“I wasn’t aware that Kagha could wild shape into bear form,” he said grimly.

“I think she’s a wolf,” you said. “How’d you know it was a bear?”

“You notice these things after a while,” he said sternly. “Now stop avoiding the subject and tell me what happened.”

There was a spritely laugh as the stone doors ground open and you looked up to see Tilses smirking before she briskly walked off.

“In a minute,” you said, not quite whining as you got the soup and tarts out along with the dessert wine. “You can have some too, just-” You tilted your head back exhaling slowly. “I’m so tired.”

Zevlor pursed his lips. “That is the risk of feeding vampire spawn.”

You glanced at him. “I suppose that fact is also just one of those things you notice after awhile?”

He frowned at you. “You already knew.”

“Of course, someone has to feed him,” you said. “He’s limited to volunteers. If he breaks that rule, we’ll know and we’ll deal with the problem.”

Zevlor gave you a curt nod. It was a show of faith that he didn’t argue.

You sighed and tried to uncork the wine, but Zevlor grabbed it first.

“Just keep that arm still,” he said gruffly. “I’ll take care of this.” He poured the wine and scooped the stew into a smaller bowl for you. “What happened?”

“The rite was a Shadow Druid plot to isolate the Grove,” you said. “Kagha realized she’d been led astray and course-corrected in the end. But we still had to fight them. Hence the bear attack. And before that it was the swamps: there was so much poison. Explosions too. It’s really a terrible place. Do not recommend.” You sighed and downed the sweet wine. It perked you up a little. The berry tarts put more life into you. The soup was just what you needed though, savory, spicy, and filling. It went surprisingly well with the wine. Of course, if Asterion paired them, maybe it wasn’t such a surprise.

Making a face, Zevlor tasted the wine.

You nudged a tart toward him. “Too sweet?”

“It’s fine on occasion,” he said. He hesitantly served himself some soup. He drank it down, clearly not worried about it being too hot. He sat beside you, not too close, but still close enough to touch. “Thank you for the food.”

“Asterion got it as a peace offering. It’s probably not poisoned,” you mused.

Zevlor gave an exasperated sigh. “I wouldn’t be so certain.”

You shrugged. “Well, too late to worry about it now.”

Zevlor glanced down at his bowl.

“Kidding, I think. I have some antidotes in my bag if you’re worried.” It would be ironic if those were poisoned, but some part of your barely upright intellect knew not to bring that up.

You ate slowly, while Zevlor refilled your cup.

While you ate, you studied the gauntlets in your lap, the Hellrider’s Pride. You blinked. You knew something of the Hellriders, they were the famous cavalry unit of Elturel: a highly-esteemed city guard, easily matching any army, and named for the legendary exploit of riding to Avernus to rescue one of their own.

Oh hells.

You looked up at Zevlor, a man who clearly once held a military command, who had no horse, no unit, just a band of refugee tieflings – most of them obviously civilians, and you thought you understood what happened.

“I guess their loyalty really was only legendary,” you said, staring at the gloves.

Beside you Zevlor stiffened, like you’d slapped him.

“Casting one of their own out. And given what happened to tieflings in Elturel, am I inferring incorrectly that you being a tiefling had something to do with it?” you scowled, and slammed back your wine.

“It...wasn’t that simple,” Zevlor said, his voice barely above a whisper. He quietly poured himself more wine, and sipped it slowly, like the sweetness would overshadow the bitter memories.

Memories that you just dragged to the surface with your well-intentioned, but careless remark. “I just put my foot in it, didn’t I?”

Zevlor mustered a wry smile, but kept his gaze straight ahead. “I just didn’t expect you to be aware of those details. That was my mistake. It’s fine. I think a healer would get better use out of the gloves. As often as you get hurt, you need them more.”

You gave him a sidelong look, wanting to protest, but realized that you should just let him change the subject. “In my defense-”

“Judging by your injuries, your “defense” clearly didn’t work that well back then, why do you think it would now?” he said dryly.

“You get mouthy after a couple glasses, don’t you?” You laughed as he refilled both your cups.

“Not usually, no,” he said, staring down at his feet, his tone suddenly melancholy. “I suppose I don’t often indulge with company.”

You realized then that Zevlor maintained a professional distance between himself and the civilians. It was a lonely position to be in. You understood why, but in his place, you would have at least hired Mol’s intelligence network. “Can’t get too sloppy when you’re holding everyone else together. Though I guess I can’t complain too much. My companions are warming up to each other, or at least starting to embrace the spirit of cooperation. It’s a step in the right direction, unless they’re coming together to plot against me…” You furrowed your brow. “Oh, that would be bad.”

Zevlor chuckled. “I doubt that’s the case. Karlach and the Blade of Frontiers have been by to...check on things. The wizard from Waterdeep keeps volunteering to help Okta with meals. And your...rogue keeps turning up looking displeased with everyone. I’m afraid I don’t entirely understand the dynamics.”

“Same,” you said, holding your cup out for a refill.

“It’s empty,” he said. “But I procured another bottle of Ithbank.” He brought out another glass bottle, opened it, then topped you off. “Perhaps they’re concerned about the size of the workload.”

“For sure,” you nodded, staring ahead at the door. “We’re checking every avenue for a cure, or at least more information about our condition. If our...benefactor can be trusted, we have some time before ceramosis sets in. That’s still a lot of pressure. I’m afraid if we stay idle too long, people will start to despair and morale will plummet, or worse, we’ll fracture and start fighting amongst ourselves. Most of us didn’t know each other before this happened, and we come from very different backgrounds. Building some sense of trust and fostering camaraderie early on is crucial.”

And more importantly, if any of you turned into mindflayers while surrounded by innocent civilians, the casualties would be catastrophic. Until you had more reassurances, it was better to keep your distance. Except...you weren’t doing that. Your stomach recoiled a little at your own hypocrisy.

Zevlor grimaced. “You make some very tactical points. But their concerns seemed more personal. I’ll speak plainly: are you courting any of them?”

You turned to look at him, genuinely startled by that question.

He briefly met your gaze, his cup held tightly in one hand, and then he averted his eyes.

“Truthfully, I’m not sure,” you said. “We all share an...awareness of each other. Despite learning some mental shielding, things still slip out. Everyone is under a lot of stress, and I think we’re all taking comfort where we can. I might be the only one who hasn’t bedded someone back at camp yet, but that’ll probably change at some point. Will any of us pursue relationships? Hard to say. I’ve made no promises to anyone. I can’t. Not in good conscience.”

You thought Shadowheart and Lae’zel might have sorted some of their tension last night. Or something was killing rabbits very loudly in that cave next to camp. Karlach had her unfortunate condition, but you saw her looking sheepish while Shadowheart treated Gale’s hands for burns today and decided not to question it too closely. Two days ago, you stumbled across Gale and Wyll skinny-dipping in the sacred pool. And of course there was skittish scheming Asterion, who was very open about his interest, culinary or sexual, in the rest of the party, yourself included. You didn’t think anyone made a pass at Withers yet, but you didn’t need to know either. That was one mystery he was welcome to keep to himself.

Zevlor stared straight ahead. “I...see.”

“I’m trying to hold off. I’d like things to be more stable before I dive in. Harder to manage the group when I’m too entangled,” you said, with a nod. “I’m not Asterion, I don’t use seduction to control people.”

“Don’t you?” he murmured, sounding a little resentful.

“No, I just convince people that our best interests are aligned. Some people are just bad at seeing the big picture and need the help,” you chuckled into your cup. “Our interests already align, Zevlor. I’m not here because I’m trying to sway your policies. I’m here because I like your company.” You paused, considering his question. “Is there someone else I should be aware of?” You hadn’t seen anyone, and the tiefling kids seemed pretty convinced that Zevlor was a confirmed bachelor. The fact you even asked seemed hilarious to them.

He exhaled slowly. “No, not exactly. Nothing’s happened.” His voice trembled a little. “And that liaison would not be constrained by monogamy if it were to start.”

Your lips quirked up and you lowered your voice conspiratorially. “Who?”

He shook his head. “I’d...rather not speak of it right now.”

You really wanted a glimpse of who actually sparked Zevlor’s interest. But you were not in a good position to pry. Maybe you could ask Mol to discreetly do some...investigating. The tadpole pulsed, eager to be of service. You shook your head. No. Bad! No stripping away allies’ autonomy to sate your personal curiosity! But you could still ask someone else to look into it… That was still a morally gray zone, right? Or maybe you were just rationalizing your bad behavior. Not a great sign.

You resisted the urge to gulp down your wine in discomfort. You sipped it instead. “I was too forward yesterday. My apologies. But I meant what I said, we’re already allied against the Absolute. So I’ll uh back off now. You’re going to have to be the one to tell me if the personal stuff goes any further.” You silently promised not to suck any more of his fingers without permission. That restriction should probably extend to the rest of him too…

Zevlor flinched, resting his face in one hand. “Can we come back to this later?” he asked in a strained voice.

“We don’t have to revisit it at all if you’re not comf-”

“Please!” he yelped, real panic in those orange eyes. “Just give me a moment-” he said frantically.

You rubbed the back of your neck, unsure of how to interpret this. Your cup was empty, so you refilled it. Wine would make you feel less awkward, but it also increased your chances of doing something dumb.

You rifled through your pack, looking for something to distract from the tension. Oh, you had the rough sketches and plans Karlach and Wyll made of the goblin camp, along with Lae’zel’s tallies of troop numbers. Wyll and Karlach proposed two very different strategies for handling the numbers, Wyll’s was sneakier, while Karlach’s was more suited for someone who couldn’t pass freely within the Absolute’s ranks.

You laid the sheets out on the table for Zevlor to see. “So the main leaders of the camp are Priestess Gut – goblin cleric; Dror Ragzlin – hobgoblin barbarian, and Minthara seems to be the biggest threat. She’s a drow paladin.”

“A paladin?” Zevlor’s head snapped up. “You’re sure?” “I’d assume an Oath of Vengeance one,” you said, with a shrug. “I mean, Absolute-shenanigans aside, she seems to be the stereotypical embodiment of a Lolth-Sworn drow.” You winced. “You know, it makes sense that there are just plain evil paladins. The rules are so rigid that sticking to them will eventually cause harm. Couldn’t do it myself. I suppose I’m too flexible about methods. Alignments aside, seems on par with a devil’s deal, honestly. Warlock pacts are a lot more negotiable, unless your warlock pact is with a devil...” You shook your head, thinking of poor Wyll.

“The leaders are spread out, so if we’re careful we can keep each encounter contained and prevent them from overwhelming us with reinforcements. As for the forces outside, they have an open dining area.” You wrinkled your nose, recalling the big chunks of roast dwarf on a spit. “I’m going to poison their communal grog. That’s not a joke. I’ve been poisoned so many times this week, it’s only fair that I get to do it to my enemies en masse. Turnabout and all that.” You chuckled. “Probably won’t finish everyone, but it should make their numbers more manageable.”

Zevlor stared very hard at the floor, shoulders drawn up tight, fists clenched. The mention of Minthara really shook him.

“Umm, do you know her?” you asked hesitantly.

“No,” he shook his head once, still not looking at you.

“...Like if it’s personal I won’t pry. I can bring back a trophy or something. Like in a not-creepy way- You know what, there’s no way to frame that as “not creepy.” It’s absolutely creepy. But who am I to judge? If you want proof of death, I can retrieve something.” You slapped your palm against your chest for emphasis. Who said you couldn’t be chivalrous?

“Will you be all right going up against a paladin?��� he asked hesitantly.

“Pffft, yeah,” you laughed, rolling your eyes. “They’re tough, but they’re not invincible. They’re just borrowing a god’s power, with way too many strings attached, and we’ve all seen how reliable the gods are these days.”

Zevlor winced at your casual blasphemy. That might have been insensitive. His group experienced an overwhelming dose of religious-based persecution. They probably had complicated feelings on the infernal and the divine.

“But it’s not like I’m planning on just standing around and letting her smite me,” you said, taking a more conciliatory tone. “Look, I didn’t share this to worry you. Worst case scenario, you have an idea of what you’re up against. But the plan is decent, we’ve already gotten in and out once with no problems. My friends are very competent. Plus, the goblins are keeping prisoners, so hopefully we’ll find the Archdruid alive and intact. I already had eyes on that idiot bard, so we’ll try to spring him before the chaos starts.”

Zevlor nodded.

You thought about what else you knew. “There are Zhentarim traders there too. I know the Zhent by reputation, but I don’t know if they’ll bring complications.”

“They’re unlikely to join in the battle, but...they wouldn’t be on your side if they did,” Zevlor said, clearing his throat.

“Shadowheart reported a lone priest of Loviatar, but doubts he’ll be a problem.”

Zevlor frowned. “She’s a cleric.”

“Yeah, so she’d know, right?” You shrugged. “Look, the affairs of the gods are all distant and mysterious. If I thought about what they could do, if they wanted to be involved, I’d probably be terrified. But I’ve gone this long without attracting any divine attention so why should that change? Anyway, it’s much easier to be flippant.” Wait, did mindflayers have a god? Oooh. That could be unpleasant. You refilled your wine glass, your head a little swimmy. “So, no trophy then?”

“No, thank you,” Zevlor said firmly, a pained look on his face. “That’s...unnecessary.”

Your cup was empty, and any more wine would encourage you toward bad behavior. So you reluctantly set it aside. “All right, well, if that’s all, I should probably head back.” Your stomach sank a little, recalling that Zevlor did not want to talk about more personal matters. You would not pressure him. You would leave amiably, and you would behave like a civilized adult. A lack of a clear answer was, in its own way, also a very clear answer.

Standing up left you light-headed. You reached for your backpack, but a warm hand caught your wrist, gripping tightly.

“Wait.” Zevlor lifted his head, teeth clenched, brows furrowed. He drew in a shaky breath, light flaring in those hellfire eyes. His chin jutted up, teeth sinking into that full bottom lip. He watched you with a desperation that bordered on anger.

Your stomach dropped and you tensed, unsure of what he needed to add. A rebuke? You cocked your head to the side.

He swallowed roughly and loosened his hold on your wrist, but he did not let go. “You move far too fast for this old man to keep up with.”

“Obviously not,” you said, glancing down at his hand on your arm, but you made no move to shake him off. “Anyway, age has nothing to do with it. You were probably always this deliberate.”

“You’re far too brash to be so insightful,” he murmured, turning your wrist over and lifting your palm to his mouth. He kissed the inside of your hand gently and heat pulsed from his lips through your veins, and down your core. Your blood roared as your thumb dragged along the ridge of his cheek. He leaned into your touch, closing his eyes.

“Are you sure about this?” you asked softly.

“Surer than I’ve been about anything in a long time,” he said, watching you through slitted eyes. “I just needed a moment to compose myself. It’s been a...very long time.”

You nodded sympathetically. “If you need more time-”

“Time is something we have in short supply.” Zevlor gave a rough laugh, glancing up at you. “You’re going to face them tomorrow.”

“Yes, and then I’ll come back,” you said with firm conviction.

Zevlor’s eyes widened, and he studied your face. “You really mean it.”

“Well, yes? It’s not like there’s another inhabited town in the area,” you said, your tone playful. But you understood exactly what he meant. How many times did he send someone off, with a strained “come back safely” never to see them again? You exhaled slowly, trying to think of the right way to reassure him. “I’ve walked their halls. I’ve seen their forces. We can take them, especially with ambush tactics. It will be tricky, but we can do it.”

“You keep offering me hope, when I thought there was none left to be had,” he said, in a whisper that bordered on reverent.

You stroked his face. “It’s hard to walk this road alone.” Zevlor shepherded his people from Avernus-stricken Elturel to here. And he still had farther to go. It could not have been an easy journey. You could empathize.

“It’s not just that. You saved our children. Then you handled Kagha. And now you go to face the forces of the Absolute. Do you want to wait to complete this till after then?”

“Not really,” you said, eyes bright. “Your distinguished older gentleman attitude is charming and all, but honestly, I want to do filthy things to you right here on this table, right now-”

Zevlor growled and pulled you down onto his lap, his arms wrapping around your waist, his mouth covering yours. He tasted like smoke and wine, and you straddled him, knees planted on either side of his hips.

You squealed as he sunk his teeth into your neck, covering Asterion’s bite without breaking skin. He laved at your throat, growling softly as he sucked marks on your skin, making you squirm. He was still in full armor, a solid wall to cling to. You ran your fingers along his horns, grateful that they curved backward.

“May I?”

“Yes,” he hissed.

Permission was all you needed. You yanked his head backward, and bit down on the side of his neck, grinning as he cursed. Before he had a chance to retaliate, you shoved him supine, grinding down against his hips.

He panted, arching under you, flames burning in those orange eyes.

“Need to get you out of this armor-”

You felt it then, someone’s eyes, someone’s tadpole flickering overhead. Snarling, you glanced up at the second level, belatedly remembering Mol’s warning. You couldn't see exactly who lurked there in the shadows, but you glimpsed their distinct outline so you had a damn good idea.

Get out! The psionic order had bite, illithid power reverberating in your skull and they stumbled.

You glared upward, while Zevlor pushed his hair out of his face, followed your line of sight, raised one hand and pointed his finger.

There was a flash of fire and a familiar yelp as he struck the voyeur with a hellish rebuke, his reflexes combat-ready. Rapid footsteps echoed for a few seconds and then silence as you felt the presence fade.

“One of yours?” he asked, watching you with hooded eyes.

“Yeah. Sorry,” you muttered, embarrassed and started to climb off of him.

Zevlor rested one hand on your hip, gently stroking it, encouraging you to stay. “I thought so. I can usually recognize the kids.” He exhaled slowly, giving you a rueful smile. “Sorry, perhaps I overreacted.”

“No, they had it coming,” you scowled. You didn’t necessarily mind an audience, but that was under certain circumstances. Having someone sneak around to watch a private moment was a nasty violation. You fumed silently.

Zevlor took your clenched fist and gently opened it, lightly stroking the inside of your palm. Something rubbed against your calf, and you looked down to see his tail coiling around your leg.

Your neck and shoulders ached, the tension in your back now painful. You were half tempted to go back to camp and really ream the culprit out, but you rather liked your current seat. You studied the man stretched out underneath you, his chestnut hair mussed, his gaze hungry as he watched you.

You leaned over him, pressing a soft kiss to his throat and he groaned.

“We can move. There’s more privacy in that alcove.” He gestured off to the side where you knew he bedded down.

You hummed softly, running your fingers along his jawline and the sharp planes of his face. “I still want you on this table, just like this, eventually.” You leaned over and nibbled on the tip of one ear, just to feel him jolt under you. “Gonna fuck you till you cry,” you murmured.

Zevlor’s eyes widened, and then he sat up, pressing a needy kiss to your shoulder. “You have a filthy mouth,” he breathed.

“You have no idea.” You glanced upward, and then slid off Zevlor. He stood on shaky legs, and then guided you over to a bedroll positioned behind large leaning stones. It was a private spot. There was an open book lying next to it and some gear on the crates. He gave you an embarrassed look.

“I know you’ll need an early start tomorrow, so we can’t do everything.” He swallowed. “Can we focus on you tonight?” He reached out, cupping your jaw. “You’re coming back. You can do whatever you want with me then. So let me do this for you, please.”

“All right.” You sank down onto the bedroll. It smelled faintly of sulfur and smoke, but was clean.

Dropping to his knees, Zevlor unfastened your pants, his hands steady, though he was breathing hard.

“Do you like it when I grab your horns?” you asked, kicking off your pants.

“Yes,” he breathed sharply. He paused, looking at his talons. “Do you mind if I put on gloves? I’ll file my nails later.”

You swallowed. “Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

He pulled out a pair of thin leather gloves and bit down on the cuff, pulling one on. He licked his fingers, tongue swirling around them as he watched you with hooded eyes. Crawling between your legs, he lifted one knee over his shoulder and pulled your underwear off. Inhaling deeply, his tongue flicked along the edge of your lower lips.

You leaned back, sighing as he gave little kitten licks. It took you a moment to realize what he wanted.

“If you keep teasing me, Zevlor, I’m going to get mad,” you purred, grabbing his horns.

“It’s only fair, considering what you’ve been doing to me,” he rasped, but lowered his head, that hot tongue sliding inside you.

Groaning, you ground against his face, his nose pressed to your clit as he tongued you. You keened softly, raising your hips, trying to get him to go faster. “Zevlor, come on-”

He chuckled, his breath hot against your core. And then his leather covered fingers parted your folds, stretching you pleasantly for him. The worn leather was supple and already slick.

“Fuck,” you exhaled, head dropping back.

His tongue circled your clit, his fingers pumping faster in and out of you.

You gripped his horns tightly, the keratin unnaturally warm in your palms. Grinning, you wrapped your legs around his neck, lightly squeezing his head between your thighs. “Tap if it’s too much,” you said.

He gave a muffled moan, fingers pounding faster in and out of your pussy. Teeth grazed your lips, sharp little pricks that made you squirm. You squeezed tighter, digging your heels into his back and his fingers sped up, the blade of his tongue applying more pressure to your clit. He liked this, you realized. He’d probably like it if you just sat on his face. Though honestly, you wanted him flat on his back, panting and writhing underneath you. Or bent over that table, taking a strap while you pulled his tail and made him beg. You wanted to fuck him hoarse and sobbing. But you also wanted him to pin you to that table and fuck the spite out of you while calling you his “good girl,” just for a little while. You wanted to coax that tense furious Zevlor out, the man who was one step from losing control. He wouldn’t hurt you, you knew that much, but there was a fiery Hellrider buried in this reserved man, and you wanted to see him in action.

The pressure continued to build. Zevlor seemed tireless, his tongue and hands moving in tandem. His fingers curled inside you, hitting the sweet spot.

“That’s it,” he purred, his voice low and rough. “Loosen your grip. I want to spread you wider.” You released the leg lock, breath catching as he pushed another finger inside you the delicious stretch making you arch.

You fisted the bed roll, a ragged moan escaping your throat. “Zevlor, I need, just a little more,” you gasped. He gave a low chuckle, and then something smoothly stroked the rim of your ass, a teasing warmth that set your nerves alight.

Your eyes flew open, you realized it was the tip of his tail. Fuck, it was a prehensile one then. If he used that while he was inside you- You threw one arm over your face, arching as you came. Spasms wracked your body, clamping down on Zevlor’s fingers. It had been too damn long since someone else got you off. Your legs shook, but he kept going, those burning eyes fixed on you while he sucked on your clit, his fingers still working in and out of your dripping cunt.

“Zev-” you whimpered. The fine edge of pleasure honed into something harsher and you shuddered.

His smile sharpened as your voice cracked. Looking immensely satisfied with himself, he lifted his head, his mouth gleaming with your slickness, Casually, he wiped his face with his gloved fingers and still maintaining eye contact, he licked each finger clean.

Your heartbeat started to slow, and you basked in the afterglow for a few minutes, before sitting up to kiss him.

Zevlor gave a contented sigh as you tasted yourself on his lips.

One hand rubbed your back, pressing you closer to him.

“Give me a moment, and then I can-”

“It’s not necessary,” he murmured. “Between druids and hags, you’ve had a long day. You need to rest up for tomorrow.”

“But I want to make you mewl,” you said with a yawn, unable to deny that you were fading fast. “I’m going to. Just so you know. Going to ruin you later. Ugh. I don’t want to get up-”

“Rest. I’ll rouse you before it gets too late,” he said, stroking your hair.

Yawning, you gratefully curled up in the bed roll, and closed your eyes.

##

It was a short rest, less than an hour, but you awoke feeling refreshed. Zevlor sat on the ground beside you, reading that book, his fingers gently kneading your scalp. He gave you a warm lazy smile, looking more relaxed than you expected, considering you hadn’t finished him.

“When you get back,” he murmured, reading your concern. “We can take some time then.”

It surprised you how optimistic he seemed. Not that you doubted yourself, but it was unexpected to see how the normally somber Zevlor was so affected. That spark of happiness was something to be protected. It put steel in your spine. It made you more resolved not to let him down.

He helped you tidy your clothes and hair, his touches lingering. There was a cozy comfort in his gentleness, something you’d forgotten you craved. To your surprise, he pulled a small bottle out of his pack.

“Is that-?” You started to laugh.

“A poison resistance elixir, yes,” he said, giving you a serious look. “If your pattern of luck holds, you’ll probably need one.”

“I’ll drink it when I wake up tomorrow,” you laughed. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

He gave you a shy smile.

“Going to go deal with my idiot friend now. Any suggested punishments, or do I just emotionally scar them for life?”

He yawned. “I trust however you wish to handle it. Honestly, I just would prefer not to see a repeat of the behavior.”

“Oh, there won’t be,” you said darkly, giving him a peck on the cheek before you left for camp.

##

You packed the gauntlets away, knowing that you could offer them to Shadowheart, but maybe you didn’t want to just yet. Tomorrow.

You arrived back at camp to find things calm. Sure, Wyll was drinking a little more than usual, but given his new form, you understood why. You checked on Scratch, and thanked Gale for saving you some dinner. Asterion was watching you, obviously waiting for clarification about whether you were going to let him feed. But you had someone else to deal with first.

While you made your evening rounds, you purposefully watched a slightly singed Karlach squirm, avoiding eye contact with you. You didn’t think Zevlor’s spell had done much damage to her. When everyone else was sorted you made your way over to Karlach, and she laughed awkwardly at your expression.

“Huh, I didn’t expect him to get me that good,” she just came out and said, digging the toe of one boot into the dirt. “Old man’s got reflexes.”

“He’s not the one you should be worried about,” you scowled.

“C’mon, soldier.” She flashed you a weak smile. “I didn’t mean to peep. I was coming down to ask Zevlor something and then you two started going hot and heavy. You know I’m no good at the sneaking around stuff.” She shifted awkwardly from side to side, a restrained version of her usual dance steps.

“Uh-huh,” you said, arms crossed, fixing her with a flat stare.

Karlach winced, drawing her broad shoulders up. “Oh don’t look at me like that,” she whined.

You just tilted your head back and watched her hop back and forth. You could do this longer than she could.

“All right! All right!” she shouted. “Asterion dared me! He said I couldn’t do it without getting caught and I honestly thought I could! He bet me a berry tart!”

“That’s a lie!” Asterion shouted from across the camp, with just enough “authentic” outrage to convince you that it was, in fact, not a lie.

“I thought you two were just talking about boring shit! I didn’t realize you were mounting up for private Hellriding lessons!” she shouted, loud enough for the entire camp to hear.

And then it went eerily silent, confirming that yes, the entire camp did hear.

You rested your face in your hands, rubbing your temples.

“Uh...sorry,” Karlach said, in a much lower indoor voice.

“Uh-huh,” you said, reminding yourself that everyone probably already knew, the tadpoles leaked things all the time. But still, that was different from having your business shouted into open sky. Shaking your head, you went to ask Gale if he was really interested in feeding the resident pain in the neck.

#fanfiction #reader insert #tav x zevlor #bg3 #light spoilers for act i #reader x zevlor #baldur's gate 3

[meistoshi]

while there is a great deal of creativity going on in every one of his battles, from how moves are utilized, to how to make his surroundings work for his team, it would all be wasted if satoshi were not deceptively analytical.     after all, he does come from a region where battle analysis is regarded on the same level as battle itself, & he did grow up with a professor for a regular dinner guest at his mama's restaurant, & he did lean heavily on theory for the first handful of battles in his early career.

satoshi's extremely observant, his skill in this regard only improving over the years with every battle, & through experience he has learned how to overcome most any obstacle.     more intuitively than through actual study, he knows where to look, what to look for, what moments to grab for an opportunity, how to maximize a move's strength, what are the likeliest weaknesses & how can he best exploit & use them to his advantage. he notices tiny openings that take extremely precise timing & movements to take advantage of, the kind where a fraction slower or a moment too early / late & the strategy to take advantage of the moment falls apart instantly.

in training, satoshi largely focuses his pokémon's speed / precision, as an attack is worth nothing if it doesn't hit, something that goes both ways, so taking advantage of minute openings is something that satoshi's pokémon are particularly adept at doing.     he's very good at finding the right angles & distances at which to launch an attack to achieve what he wants, & doing it in a matter of seconds, particularly when it comes to pulling off a series of ricochets.     while satoshi would argue that it's the pokémon executing the attacks & thus they should get most of the credit, & he's not entirely wrong, the execution is still heavily dependent on when satoshi makes the call.     & satoshi knows when to make the call.

people joke about him being stupid & a lot of people that don't know him too well think that most if not all of satoshi's success in battle is sheer luck, because how can someone who knows so little possibly do so well in battle, & while he may not be considered academically intelligent, certainly by standard means that the more rigorous pokémon schools would hold him to, & certainly not by standard non-pokémon schools, he's actually incredibly clever when it comes to battling.

more through experience than any active learning he's learned of what different types can do, what their advantages / disadvantages are, what tricks can be used against certain pokémon to bypass his type disadvantage, what angles to attack from, what angles to attack in for a desired result, how to change the battlefield to suit his needs, how to overcome difficult terrain, how to get to an airborne pokémon with a landlocked pokémon, how to use a pokémon’s anatomy against them or to his advantage, how to disrupt a double battle’s formation, how to combine moves to attack more efficiently, how to use moves as an offensive defense, & so on, & so on.     he couldn't for the life of him explain all of it in a concise let alone coherent manner, but he knows it, & what he can't explain he can show in battle.

& in alola, satoshi took advantage of living with professor kukui who specializes in pokémon attacks & having an advanced pokedex with a rotom in it.     he did pay attention at the pokémon school, he really tried to absorb as much information as he could, but a lot of the actual learning was him just talking to kukui & rotom, asking questions & creating back & forths of "if a then why b & not c" & "actually x can be y if z" where both satoshi & the conversation partner learned something new or saw something from a different point of view.     he did once try skimming through books that kukui had at home but it got extremely academic really quickly & thus got him nowhere.     this is all to say that satoshi has actually actively tried learning what gaps his experience on its own can't fill, & he continued trying to fill these gaps in his work as a field research assistant, & continues on even now in his travels.

he's incredibly creative, & most people only ever really notice him just rush head first into things, but they miss the part where satoshi uses what he's learned in the past decade to make a split-second analysis of a situation & come up with the best plan he can cook up.     it just happens that often his best plan is a little crazy.

#HES SMART DANG IT #this is the battle side of it; i have a separate thing re pkmn specifically bc hes also much smarter than most assume THERE #study. #ooc. pkmn is autistic culture.

[dandizettes]

Tried The Handmaiden again and I still do not see what everyone else sees in this film……………… I’m just gonna say it: I really do think anyone trying to claim the sex scenes in are not voyeuristically shot is just being dishonest—and this is coming from me, a sex-scene enjoyer. Like, I feel like the usual response when anyone critiques the approach to the sex scenes here is always to paint that criticism as prudish and stemming from a dislike of sex scenes in movies generally, which is……. not the case?????

I don’t mind that the sex scenes are filthy; I mind that they don’t feel meaningful to the characters or illuminate any tensions/reveal anything about their relationship, when they rightly should. I was actually trying to understand why the sexy bits of this really don’t work for me, besides the fact that THEY ARE SHOT, LITERALLY, IN A VOYUERISTIC MANNER, THIS IS NOT, IMO, SUPER DEBATABLE, but putting that aside for a minute: I think my main problem with both the sex feeling meaningful/working for me and also with large swaths of the narrative cohering is that I just never buy that Hideko and Sookhee want to fuck each other—the images of desire that we do get don’t feel, to me, particularly truthful or specific to what it actually feels like to actually want to get all up in someone, you know? The most effectively erotic thing in this whole movie, one of the only insights into why Sookhee wants to fuck Hideko (besides her telling us Hideko is very pretty??? I guess??) is the tooth filing scene, which. The entire time I was just thinking about how much hotter it is in the book, where it’s even more mundane and Maud is fully clothed. And on paper, I should also think the version in the film is hot: Sookhee is fully clothed and Hideko is not, something I often am very down for, in a power-exchange way—but it feels really lacking in eroticism, and I think it’s because (in my read) Hideko’s nakedness itself, not any vulnerability it may connote, is meant here as an indicator of attraction. Sookhee, and by extension the audience looking as Sookhee, can see her body, which is naked, which we are meant to take on its face as a thing that is hot. And boobs can be hot for their own sake! Sure! But in this case…….. idk I remember reading an excerpt from a Patrick Califa book (who I am pretty lukewarm on, btw, but it was a good insight) about how sex without erotic imagination is dry anatomy, and I think that’s an applicable sentiment here. Hideko’s nakedness doesn’t signify anything—to use an example from another Park Chan-Wook film, the incestuous piano playing scene in Stoker (2013) is infused with FAR more erotic meaning than Hideko being unclothed while Sookhee is clothed, and indeed, than Sookhee and Hideko actually, literally fucking each other.

This whole film just feels, to me, like a GREAT premise—Fingersmith’s plot and characters but in occupied Korea is such an interesting and cool idea—with extraordinarily lackluster execution. Why even amp up the power differential between your central characters only to take pains to present their dynamic as just sort of……. conventionally romantic-sexual, without much tension beyond the plot-necessary-deception? Idk. I’m happy so many people love this one, but it just does not do it for me :/

#i do love love fingersmith it was the first sarah waters i ever read #so it holds a special place in my heart #and that does make me biased in some ways #but also! there are just a lot of things about this film that Do Not Work for me even outside #of it as an adaptation #prattling #ALSO. WHERE was the bush. WHERE was the pit hair. Where was it.

[wall-e-gorl]

old v new

just want to talk about the differences between these two pieces :] casual essay under the cut

first off, in the nine months between making the first one and redoing it i have a) learned how to make space backgrounds in a way that i am very fond of, b) picked up a textured brush, and c) have gained some more understandings of my layer modes

now. i didnt like make a new piece and start over from scratch. i keep a save of the art with layers and a save of the art i can post. i have a whole system, is why my art always have a 1 at the end if youve ever looked at the file names. the only thing i completely changed is the background. got rid of the stars added my space and readded stars and added the moons. and some glow at the bottom.

other than that i color shifted the ship wall theyre leaning against to be more purple than green, and did some heavy blurring and smudging on the lighting and changed the layer modes. i had left the group layer modes on the wrong setting (pass through vs normal) and it dimmed all the work i did so much. because of that i actually had to go back, after i fixed it, to tone down a lot of the lighting i did, especially on the faces. i took my big textured brush (which i also used for the background. deceptively simple to do that actually) and just set it to eraser mode and did a few taps over the spots that needed it. i used the same method on the moon actually, i just made a white circle and duplicated it and erased it with a tap and it ended up like that.

anyway all of that is to say that the little changes really changed the whole, like effect of the piece. before, everything felt really flat and i was disappointed in how the lighting showed up, but i thought there was nothing i could do. the back lighting was a last minute decision and it looked cool but also a bit out of place. it was a great concept but i didnt have all the technical skills and the right eye for what i wanted. i had actually drawn it before and gone no i need to try harder and do better with this actually. i went hard into the anatomy and lighting, but fell the the side on the background.

which is what i went into this time, and what helped give it the effect it has now. they arent as flat with the improved lighting, the background has depth and actually looks like its a night sky, the moons give context for the back light, and its no longer all the some sort of contrast.

in the before they kind of blended into everything else because it was all given the same emphasis in contrast. if you step back and squint the only things that stand out are fjord's lighter green skin and jesters skin. not the worst things to stand out ofc, thats their faces on the most part. but in the after, its their whole bodies (and the moon) that stand out and thats what i want.

one thing i didnt expect to see, when i set them next to each other, was to think that the newer one seemed smaller than the other. they look smaller, when i didnt resize them at all. i didnt touch the line art, except to put it on a multiply layer and to make it a color other than black (almost black green and almost black blue). that, plus the enhanced lighting, and surprisingly the moon in the back also makes the moment sadder and more lonely? which is the exact mood in the actual scene im portraying, where jester and fjord have a talk and jester sheds her happy mask for a moment to share her sadness and loneliness at leaving her mom. in the new piece they are surrounded by darkness, with the only visible features being themselves lit by the moon and the moon itself. in the older piece the sky is lighter and filled with stark stars that negate that effect completely. With all that starkness consolidated into the single white moon, it feels as though the moon is a third figure in the scene that, since it is addressed and centered, makes it so that any notion of any other audience moot. the moon is the only audience for the moment between them and its indifferent (not a stand in for us, because we are not indifferent). Ruidus is there as well, because of what we know about it now. all the forboding and negitive enegery around it, and having placed it above jester, shows that its a serious, if beautiful, moment of her, again, showing sadness and loneliness, non-positive emotions.

anyway all of this is to just say: look at what i did! isnt it neat how i did it. look at the very cool side effect it caused! wow im so proud of that, isnt it so cool.

i also think itd perhaps be a really cool card for jester and molly's oracle deck, im thinking connection and then upside down is loneliness. idk i havent looked at the cards and their meanings and the specific art yet, i just thought id be cool cause of the connection/loneliness theme of jester that kinda first shows its face to us with this moment

if youve read all of this i love you

#see i DID do ib lit and ib lit 2 and i did learn SOMETHING even if it wasnt as much as they wanted #anyway! back to it #feel free to talk in the replies i just dont want this to spread more than the actual art posts ya know. #my art

[coinandcandle]

⚔️ Ace of Swords ⚔️

(Card from Antique Anatomy tarot; Picture from Underland Press on Twitter)

Upright

Intelligence, Breakthrough, Clarity, Concentration

Upright, the Ace of Swords can indicate a breakthrough. Perhaps there has been a dark cloud casting a shadow over you lately, this card suggests that the sun’s rays are finally ready to pierce this cloud and bring some clarity and understanding to your situation.

This card also represents using your intellect to see through deception and mistruths. If something doesn’t seem right to you, investigate it because you’re probably right!

When this card appears upright it’s a good sign that now would be a great time to concentrate on your goals, especially if you have new ideas and projects. Put together a plan and think the best way to execute it. This Ace suggests that you have the smarts needed for the tasks at hand!

Reversed

Misunderstanding, Confusion, Clouded judgement

Unlike it’s upright position, the Ace of Swords reversed suggests a dull blade, one that lacks the ability to cut through the fog that lingers around you right now.

What can you do to sharpen this blade? Should you sharpen your skills? Your intuition?

Notes

Element: Air

Active or Masculine energy

Conscious minds or intellect, balance, double sided, ambition, courage.

Associated signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

The suit of swords can be read as constant movement and change since it is related to air which is unseen, constant, and always moving. These cards indicate your actions, knowledge, and ability to change. Swords often depict strength and power and can be seen as influential.

This suit could also represent being overbearing, flaky, forceful, or unreliable.

From my Suits post

Aces often represent the beginning of something. Not necessarily the act of beginning, but more the seed that sprouts into a full idea later on.

From my Numbers post

#tarot time #tarot 101 #tarot #learning tarot #ace of swords #Suit: Swords

[mostshipshape]

The First Voyage - "In A Pickle"

This story was told on a weekly basis from 13/06/22 to 5/08/22, and concerned a voyage of a naval ship in a fantasy world, quite similar to our own history of the Napoleonic Wars, yet with a more egalitarian view on matters. Yet though any gender or race may and will serve at any rank, one sin is forbidden aboard a warship - the sin of love.

Worldbuilding The Fantasy World - Setting and Worldbuilding The Way and the War - Further Worldbuilding and the Articles of War For Crown and Country - Nationalities and Stereotypes (Fantasy)

Characters HMS Pickle and Captain Swanmay - The Ship and Captain The Sailors of the HMS Pickle - Player Characters The Complement of the HMS Pickle - Non Player Characters

Chapters Action Report One - "Pickle At Anchor" Response to Action Report One - "Portside Business"

Action Report Two - "Windbound" Response to Action Report Two - "Look to Windward"

Action Report Three - "Matters of Darkness" Response to Action Report Three - "Matters of Deception"

Action Report Four - "The Truth of the Matter" Response to Action Report Four - "The Truth In The Pudding"

Action Report Five - “La Tempête” Response to Action Report Five - “The Pickle”

Action Report Six - "Dernière Danse" Response to Action Report Six - "Stir the Sky"

Mechanics

How to Play Shipshape Rules, Conduct and Safety

Character Creation The Anatomy of a Sailor - Character Creation Healthy, Wealthy and Wise - Health The Measure of a Man - Measures Knowing the Ropes and Skills - Skills Who and What You Know - Reputations Tricks and Traits - Traits The Great Leveller - Combat Midshipman Elena Fairwell - Example Character

Ranks, Ratings and Hierarchy - Position On The Ship Sense and Societability - Backgrounds Capitalism - Item Costs A Sailor’s Life at Sea - Resources

#shipshape game #shipshape summary

[heartsdefine]

❅ - Vasilisa the Fair ⇢ Character Sheet (DND/BG3)

BASIC INFO.

NAME: Vasilisa CLASS: Warlock LEVEL: 5 (6500XP) RACE: Human BACKGROUND: Sage ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Good HIT POINTS: 49/49 ARMOR CLASS: 13 INITIATIVE: +2 PROFICIENCY BONUS: +3 PASSIVE WISDOM: 12

PERSONALITY.

TRAITS - There's nothing I like more than a good mystery. - I'm willing to to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgment. IDEALS No Limits: Nothing should fetter the infinite possibility inherent in all existence. BONDS I sold my soul for knowledge. I hope to do great deeds and win it back. FLAWS Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy.

ABILITY SCORES.

STRENGTH: 13 (+1) — Saving Throw: +1 ↪ Athletics: +1 DEXTERITY: 14 (+2) — Saving Throw: +2 ↪ Acrobatics: +2 ↪ Sleight of Hand: +2 ↪ Stealth: +2 CONSTITUTION: 18 (+4) — Saving Throw: +4 INTELLIGENCE: 17 (+3) — Saving Throw: +3 ↪ Arcana: +6 ↪ History: +6 ↪ Investigation: +6 ↪ Nature: +3 ↪ Religion: +6 WISDOM: 15 (+2) — Saving Throw: +5 ✓ ↪ Animal Handling: +2 ↪ Insight: +2 ↪ Medicine: +2 ↪ Perception: +2 ↪ Survival: +2 CHARISMA: 19 (+4) — Saving Throw: +7 ✓ ↪ Deception: +7 ↪ Intimidation: +4 ↪ Performance: +4 ↪ Persuasion: +7

PROFICIENCIES.

Armor: Light Weapons: Simple Skills: Arcana (Sage), Deception, History (Sage), Investigation, Persuasion, Religion

LANGUAGES.

Common, Dwarven, Elvish, Sylvan

FEATURES & TRAITS.

FEY PRESENCE Starting at 1st level, your patron bestows upon you the ability to project the beguiling and fearsome presence of the fey. As an action, you can cause each creature in a 10-foot cube originating from you to make a Wisdom saving throw against your warlock spell save DC. The creatures that fail their saving throws are all charmed or frightened by you until the end of your next turn. PACT OF THE TOME Your patron gives you a grimoire called a Book of Shadows. When you gain this feature, choose three cantrips from any class's spell list. While the book is on your person, you can cast these cantrips at will. They don't count against your number of cantrips known. If they don't appear on the warlock spell list, they are nonetheless warlock spells for you. ELDRITCH INVOCATIONS - Beguiling Influence: You gain proficiency in the Deception and Persuasion skills. - Eyes of the Rune Keeper: You can read all writing. - Book of Ancient Secrets: You can now inscribe magical rituals in your Book of Shadows. Choose two 1st-level spells that have the ritual tag from any class's spell list. The spells appear in the book and don't count against the number of spells you know. With your Book of Shadows in hand, you can cast the chosen spells as rituals. You can't cast the spells except as rituals, unless you've learned them by some other means. You can also cast a warlock spell you know as a ritual if it has the ritual tag. On your adventures, you can add other ritual spells to your Book of Shadows. When you find such a spell, you can add it to the book if the spell's level is equal to or less than half your warlock level rounded up, and if you can spare the time to transcribe the spell. For each level of the spell, the transcription process takes 2 hours and costs 50gp for the rare inks needed to inscribe it. RESEARCHER (Sage) When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it. Usually this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature.

EQUIPMENT.

ARCANE FOCUS Lissa's staff serves as her arcane focus; a jewel in the eye of the skull at the top glows like a lantern flame when she uses it. DUNGEONEER'S PACK - A crowbar - A hammer - 10 pitons - 10 torches - A tinderbox - 10 days of rations - A waterskin - 50ft hempen rope CLOTHING - Leather Armor - A set of common clothes - A cloak the color of midnight WEAPONS - Name (Quarterstaff) - Light Crossbow - Two (2) daggers OTHER (Sage) - A quill & a bottle of black ink - A small knife - A letter from a dead colleague posing a question she has not yet been able to answer

SPELLCASTING.

CLASS: Warlock SUBCLASS: Pact of the Archfey SPELL ATTACK BONUS: +7 SPELL SAVE DC: 15 PREPARED SPELLS: 6

SPELLS KNOWN.

CANTRIPS. 1. Chill Touch 2. Eldritch Blast 3. Friends 4. Detect Magic (Book of Shadows) 5. Ray of Frost (Book of Shadows) 6. Vicious Mockery (Book of Shadows) LEVEL ONE. 1. Armor of Agathys 2. Witch Bolt 3. Identify (Book of Shadows: Rituals) 4. Speak With Animals (Book of Shadows: Rituals) LEVEL TWO. 1. Misty Step 2. Shatter LEVEL THREE. Spell Slots: 〇〇 1. Counterspell 2. Vampiric Touch

#re; vasilisa the fair. ( seeker of the knowledge that lies hidden ) #hc; vasilisa.

[princesspink68]

Anatomy of a Manipulator: Unveiling the True Nature of Charming Individuals

Introduction

Have you ever encountered someone who appeared charming, self-obsessed, and used the silent treatment to manipulate your emotions? It can be unsettling and confusing to deal with such individuals, as they often ignore your feelings and only focus on their own agenda. In this article, we will delve into the anatomy of a manipulator, exploring their characteristics, tactics, and how to protect yourself from their harmful influence.

The Charming Facade: A Deceptive First Impression

Manipulators often possess a charming facade that initially draws people towards them. With their charismatic personality and engaging demeanor, they effortlessly captivate those around them. They know how to present themselves in a way that instantly hooks others, making it hard to resist their allure. However, beneath this captivating surface lies a dark and manipulative nature that can cause immense emotional damage.

Self-Obsession: The Fuel for Manipulation

One key characteristic of a manipulator is their self-obsession. They are primarily concerned about their own needs and desires, often disregarding those of others. They thrive on gaining control and power over people, using their charm as a weapon. Manipulators will go to great lengths to ensure their own satisfaction, even if it means trampling over the emotions and well-being of those around them.

The Silent Treatment: A Weapon of Emotional Warfare

One of the most potent weapons in a manipulator's arsenal is the silent treatment. By deliberately withholding communication, they seek to instill fear, guilt, and insecurity in their victims. This powerful tactic leaves you questioning your worth and desperate for their validation. The silence can be deafening, intensifying emotional distress and rendering you vulnerable to their manipulative schemes.

Ignoring Your Feelings: Diminishing Your Worth

Manipulators excel at dismissing and disregarding the feelings of others. They downplay your emotions and concerns, leaving you feeling invalidated and insignificant. By belittling your emotions, they exert control over your perception of reality, causing you to doubt your own worth and judgment. This constant invalidation can have a detrimental impact on your self-esteem and overall well-being.

Protection Against Manipulation

Recognizing the signs of manipulation is the first step towards protecting yourself from its harmful effects. Here are some strategies to shield yourself from manipulative individuals:

Maintain Boundaries: Set clear boundaries and be assertive in enforcing them. Manipulators often exploit those who lack strong personal boundaries, so it's crucial to establish limits to protect yourself.

Trust Your Intuition: Listen to your gut instincts. If someone's actions or words make you uncomfortable, trust yourself and distance yourself from the situation. Your intuition is a powerful tool in identifying manipulative behavior.

Seek Support: Reach out to trusted friends, family, or professionals who can provide guidance and support. Their objective perspective can help you navigate the complexities of manipulative relationships.

Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your well-being and engage in activities that promote self-care. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally can empower you to resist manipulation and maintain your sense of self.

Conclusion

The anatomy of a manipulator is complex and deceptive, but with awareness and proactive measures, you can protect yourself from their harmful influence. By recognizing the signs and implementing strategies to safeguard your emotional well-being, you can regain control and maintain healthy relationships. Remember, you deserve to be surrounded by individuals who appreciate and respect your feelings, and manipulation should never be tolerated.

#Manipularors

[joeknows4]

Anatomy of a Scene

Ever since I was a child I have always been into movies. I love all genres but my favorite genre would have to be drama amongst all of them. I find that drama movies or TV shows have the best storylines with great shot scenes and lighting. Unfortunately, I did not have access to the movies under list A, but a drama movie that I did have access to and watched was Sound of Freedom. This movie was truly one of my favorite movies because of the storyline and the camera angles and views that were set in motion when this movie was released. The lighting was on point in terms of the suspense and drama behind the child trafficking. The background music between conversations or during conversations was spot on. This movie Sound of Freedom did not miss a beat and was on point in terms of directing and acting. The message I received from this movie was that although you think you may have it bad there are people out in the world that have it much harder and to remember to count your blessings and be thankful. This movie also showed a man who was courageous to do what was right no matter the cost such as losing his job, risking his life, and spending months away from his own family. 

However, for list B I did find a movie in the list that I watched and had access to and it was a very good movie. An immediate classic called, "Being John Malkovich" is a comedic film. In the movie, Craig Schwartz, a failing street puppeteer, gets a job as a filing clerk. One day, he discovers a gateway within renowned actor John Malkovich's head. For fifteen minutes, he has the ultimate hallucination in which he transforms into John Malkovich. In the movie, betrayal, deception, and compulsive love are all examined themes. This movie is an all-time classic with many great scenes and angles that keep your attention at a hundred percent afraid of missing a single second. This movie was meant for comedy and it did its job for sure it was a very good film that became an instant classic. This movie focused on making sure the audience was entertained and it did that by having the correct lighting, music, and actors. The actors also did a great job and played it perfectly in this scene. 

[strangecloud]

Skills and descriptions for my gamedev project

REASON - Reason is the better half of the mind-arms one uses to subjugate reality to their whims. It's the lens through which all that is reaches the soul's eye. Like all lenses, it is treacherous, distorting the real image into something mortal eyes can see. Don't be fooled by the mere capability of thought. Outside the reasonable mind, all manner of worlds and beings inhabit the dark oceans upon which no mortal minds may dwell.

APOCRYPHA - The obscure brother of reason. Apocrypha concerns the hidden, occult, and forbidden. Magic is a mystery unto itself, but even though it is poorly understood, it is used to great effect in the contemporary world. There is no need to be careful, because the mere use of magic itself is reckless. Those who dabble in forbidden forces will be visited by the entities that guard them.

CRAFTWORK - Wholesome, worldly technology unconcerned with witchcraft and psychology. Disciples of craftwork learn to operate and construct machines from concrete materials. Whether it is a sword, a catapult, or a mechanoelectric brain from the future, craftwork is able to imagine, build, and power it. It truly is the greatest of human disciplines.

HEALING - The medicine men and women are a smug bunch. "There goes the peasant joe," they think, "unable to discern his bowels from his mouth." Those adept in healing know the ins and outs of the body, anatomy, and the effects of concoctions and poultices on the body. Much of medicine has become common knowledge, but there once was a time when people were unaware of their own insides. What a simple reality that must have been.

ORATORY - The most important lesson that a would-be dictator, psychopath, or criminal learns is the importance of confident oratory. It's surprising the lengths to which one can convince others by simply speaking as if what they spout is known to be true. Other than that, speaking well, efficiently, and properly can net you allies and foes, favors and disservices, whether you like it or not.

INSIGHT - There's a sixth sense in experienced socialites that helps them read between the lines, to find meanings unsaid. A misplaced silence, a suspicious call for clarification, or some lack of eye contact betrays those thin enough to see through. The master concealer wears a mask and thinks quickly. You will be quicker, for the liar can't keep the façade forever. All you need to do is stare long enough.

DECEPTION - Of course, omitting and misrepresenting facts is a useful skill to have. Lying is no more of a sin than eating. It's something humans unconsciously do, usually poorly. To lie well is to lie deliberately, to yourself and others. In the mind of those who believe you, you've altered a world and created false realities. For a while, at least.

INTIMIDATION - Most brutish types expend unecessary energy with violence where the mere implication of such would do. Threatening others is an art best reserved to experienced fighters, those who understand the risks of violence and would rather avoid it, but can still back up their speech with steel should the need arise. Your targets know this. You know they know this.

IMPERMANENCE - There is no reality without an observer. If a phenomena was not seen, recorded, or catalogued in some way, it may as well not have happened. The real art of stealth is an avoidance of consequences, of fooling the hurricane in a butterfly's wing. If no one notices their valuables missing, or an authority seems unaware of a certain mischief, well, no harm no foul. After all, it may never have happened at all.

MARKSMANSHIP - There's a simple pleasure in shouting obscenities while throwing objects towards a goalpost, as well as being good at such. Someone somewhere figured it was useful to defend a village by doing just that, only the object is heavy and the goalpost is a skull. Centuries later, we're still doing this. Millennia after that, we'll still be doing it. Projectiles may well be the thing that separates man from beasts.

PERCEPTION - Your five senses are filthy lying idiots, but they're the only ones you have. Don't be fooled by your eyes and ears, you perceive with your mind. The lack of sights and sounds can betray a threat more often than a clear view, so use object permanence and intuition properly. You are no more blind than when you depend on your eyes for everything.

LEGERDEMAIN - The indolent interface with reality through fingers and hands, and yet have poor control over them. There are some who scoff at the meager dexterity of those who have a "favorite hand" as if one should be satisfied with only half of a replete potential. The free hand is an extension of self, and ambidexterity means twice as much freedom to pilfer, pick and do all manner of fine manipulations upon small objects, tools, and valuables. Lightweight, precise, but most importantly: free.

BRUTE FORCE - There's many easy ways of doing things. Those usually are the right ways, because they prevent unnecessary risks and are, on the whole, generally more efficient than the wrong ways. You disagree. Brute force is the paradoxical child of a chronic lack of patience and also unrelenting stubbornness. Can't expend mental power to pick a lock? Grit your teeth and smash it with your fist. The splinters in your hand are a testament to your resolve, the resolve to always take the path of most resistance.

MARTIAL ARTS - For most of history, violence was a way to solve problems. If you can beat it to submission, it can no longer worry you. And if that doesn't work, well, death is a short hike from that kind of beating. The worlds dreamed up by humans usually lean too strongly on this form of management but it suits you, for you are a warrior. And when all you have is a sword, every problem has to look like an enemy.

ATHLETICS - The more reserved among us, from the kind of heroic violence that paints history red, devised idiotic games involving pork bladders and grassy fields to run on. The baffling antics of chucking balls around is a popular pastime and provides men, women and children with exercise, camaraderie, and diversion, all very necessary nouns for the maintenance of health and sanity in the ground orb. You're well versed in triathlon-running, marathon-sprinting, ball-chucking and sometimes even people-beating due to sport and only sport. Run, sprint, chuck and beat on, you crazy imbecile.

BLOOD - The undying will of iron has led a legacy of beings, from protoplasma to trilobites and, I'm sure, from there to us in the race of centuries. You are only alive because people before you managed to live as well, virtually all of life culminates with you as the capstone. Now, these ancestral ghosts might feel entitled to your survival, but fear not: the selfish gene has instilled you with mental anguish, pain and anxiety on behalf of all those who struggled in your place. If it hurts, that means it's working. That means you're alive.

#my writing

[laresearchette]

Thursday, February 09, 2023 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: ATTACHMENT (Shudder) EX ON THE BEACH COUPLES (MTV Canada) 9:0pm NFL HONORS (TSN5) 9:00pm IMPRACTICAL JOKERS (OLN) 10:00pm WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT HARLEY QUINN: A VERY PROBLEMATIC VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL  (Premiering on February 11 on adult swim at 12:30am) A DATE WITH DECEPTION (TBD - Lifetime Canada)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

NETFLIX CANADA THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF JERUSALEM (Season 1) DEAR DAVID MY DAD THE BOUNTY HUNTER YOU (Season 4, Part 1)

THE RAPTORS SHOW WITH WILL LOU (SN/SN360) 2:00pm

NHL HOCKEY (SNWest) 7:00pm: Oilers vs. Flyers (SNEast/SNOntario/SN360) 7:00pm: Avalanche vs. Lightning (SN1) 7:00pm: Flames vs. Red Wings (SNPacific) 7:30pm: Canucks vs. Islanders

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN4) 7:30pm: Bulls vs. Nets (TSN/TSN4) 10:00pm: Bucks vs. Lakers

BOLLYWED (CBC) 8:00pm/8:30pm: (SEASON FINALE): Mom puts Chandni and Roop in charge of an important event; Chandan is put on ice while organizing a surprise for Kuki. In Episode Two, Kuki is missing when the family prepares for its first solo fashion show and the clock ticks down to Diwali.

THE FIFTH ESTATE (CBC) 9:00pm: Anatomy of a Scandal 2:  More on allegations that members of Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior team took part in a group sexual assault; unpacking a history that suggests a pattern of abuse and financial misrepresentation.

THE UNDECLARED WAR (Showcase) 9:00pm: Marina moves to London for a new opportunity; Danny is unconvinced by information Saara shares from an anonymous source; Saara's hand is forced when Kathy informs her that GCHQ is about to reveal the names of the FSB coders.

THE GREAT POTTERY THROW DOWN (Makeful) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE):  Ten home potters from around the United Kingdom travel to Stoke-on-Trent, the home of British pottery, to take part in a competition to become top potter. This week they’ll be making a 5 Piece Children's Crockery Set.

RUSSELL PETERS (CTV Comedy) 10:00pm:  Comedian Russell Peters is joined by Dave Merheje, Sophie Buddle, Dara Ó'Briain, James Davis and Robert Kelly.

LEGO MASTERS AUSTRALIA (Discovery Canada) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE):  The contest designed to push the imaginations and creativity of Australia's best Lego builders returns.

CANADIAN REFLECTIONS (CBC) 11:30pm: Not My Today; Bad Omen

#cdntv #cancon #canadian tv #canadian tv listings #bollywed #the fifth estate #the undeclared war #the great pottery throw down #lego masters australia #canadian reflections #the raptors show #nhl hockey #nba basketball

[melin-ex-in-rosarium]

———————————————————————

Chapter One: Antiquated Mysteries:

———————————————————————

- Orphic Origins:

An exploration of the birth of the universe in the big bang, the formation of stars and planets, the universes inevitable ultimate entropic heat death and rebirth in the big crunch, the reset of the universe, tangential parallel timelines and the generation of multiverses.

- Morphic Genesis:

An exploration into the changing geography of planet Earth and the evolutionary journey of single celled organisms ultimately into the dawn of mankind.

- Ascent Of Man:

An exploration of early humans, the dawn of civilisation, religions, cultures and a continuation of our history until the early iron age.

- Hidden History

A continuation of human history, religion and culture spanning the iron age through to the Industrial revolution.

- The Great Deception:

A final continuation of human history spanning the industrial revolution through to the modern age illuminating the global conspiracy at work.

- Divine Personas:

A listing or pantheon of deities from around the world across known history.

- Elemental Natures:

The perceptual appearances and properties of elemental spirits and a listing of reported spiritual beings from around the world and their descriptions.

- Masks Of Divinity:

Mythology, Theology and Religion reviewed and deeply dissected.

- Elysium Fields:

A study of the ancient mystery schools.

———————————————————————

Chapter Two: Tongue Of The Birds:

———————————————————————

- The Sublime Lexicon:

Signs and symbolism dictionary.

- The Prime Lexicon:

Universal rules governing magical practices.

- Hieroglyphic Scripts:

The development of early language and writing, sacred esoteric scripts and sigil magics.

- Spell Weaving:

Focused intention in incantation to the effect of spoken or written spells.

- Enchanting Enraptures:

Sound, music, frequency, vibration, audial effects and mood alteration.

- Sacred Geometry:

Shaping existence and manifestation.

- The Divine Code:

Gematria and sacred mathematics.

———————————————————————

Chapter Three: Lost Tree Of Edom:

———————————————————————

- The Tree Of Life:

Qabbalah and the anatomy of the divine.

- Right Hand Of The Divine:

Angelology and high magics.

[sekhisadventures]

Dead Men and the Tales They Tell

Oribos, four days after the group’s encounter with the Dreadlord

Nelen sat at a table in the tavern in Oribos, the mage in his human form as he sighed and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes as he got the report from Jaie and Galdia. Given the situation and their enemy Savage United and Avalon had decided to abandon the whole ‘red VS blue’ thing openly upon arriving in the Shadowlands and, while he was grateful for it, it did mean more problems.

For one, teaming up their groups was difficult. Galdia flat out refused to work with Dareley under most circumstances because he used the Light, Shalandrae was more open to working with Sekhi and (much to her relief) Nitika again but the rest of Savage United was pushing it at best, and putting Merihim and Dissonantia on a team together was like sticking two cats in a box and giving it a good firm shake… if one of those cats could breathe fire and the other could blow things up with their mind.

For another some of the teams he set up weren’t great at certain objectives, like information gathering and interrogation.

“And did you manage to get any idea about how many Dreadlords there were in Korthia before Galdia cut his head off? Any names? Anything?” he asked with a long drawn out sigh.

Jaie shrugged awkwardly, “Well, I was about to force something out of them… I mean demon anatomy is surprisingly similar to most humanoids and people will tell you a lot when you press down on their kidneys like that but…” she glanced at the orcish warrior standing next to her.

Galdia snorted and rolled her eyes, “Blah, blah, BLAH! They’re DEMONS! Fuck the questions AND them!” she spat, glaring at the wall. “We’ll find out how many more there are when my blade finds their throats!” she smirked.

Nelen put his glasses back on and sighed, “Yes Galdia, its very impressive that you can kill a dreadlord so easily… but they’re masters of deception and illusion. We need to have at least some idea of which particular Nathrazeim we’re up against and how many…” he tried explaining to her again... knowing full well how it would go.

“WHATEVER, can’t Merihim and Dissonantia find them anyways?” she grumbled as Nelen frowned. The orc was an amazing fighter. She was a current favorite at the Theater of Pain in Maldraxxus and he’d personally seen her take one of the World Eaters apart both figuratively and literally… but when it came to strategy she was the type to stab first, stab some more, stomp a few ribcages, smash a few heads through walls, punch some jawbones off, and then when everyone is dead expect him or Nitika to ask any questions.

“Technically yes Galdia… but Merihim has to actually see them to recognize them, and he has to get close and if a Dreadlord is watching for an Illidari which after that one escaped us at the cave I’d have to assume they ARE… then Demon Hunters are very easy to spot.” he replied. An elf with fireballs for eyes, a penchant to go shirtless to show off their tattoos (and because the tattoos tended to ignite any cloth or leather one tried to wear,) and horns stood out even among the very mixed races of the Alliance and Horde. “… and while Dissonantia can sense them, she can only tell if one is nearby. She can’t pinpoint them yet without using the proper ritual.” he added.

This was something Dissonantia had made him painfully aware of, the warlock actually explaining to him (in gruesome detail) how the ritual worked. He could have known less about the reagents needed and after she mentioned needing the eye of a virgin he found he was quite put off his dinner, but the fact that Dissonantia was actually telling him this and not just cracking some joke and pissing off back to Revendreth showed just how serious the situation was. Dreadlords were the spymasters, infiltrators, and saboteurs of the Legion. If they were aligned with Zovaal then they were all in very very deep trouble.

Dissonantia had told him that the only other way was to work with another warlock to ward the base camp in Korthia as well as Sinfall, the Forest’s Heart, the Seat of the Primus, and the Archon’s Citadel against the infiltrators. While the ritual was simple enough, the power channeled would require at least two warlocks to succeed and Nelen only trusted Dissonantia.

Galdia just grumbled and decided that the meeting was over for her, and since she was a warsong warrior and quite capable of killing most people in the room, nobody argued. She stomped over to the bar and demanded something that would make her see flying pink kodo beasts as Jaie sighed, “I should probably go and hold her beer if needed. Nitika asked me to make sure she didn’t make herself sick again after our mission.” she smiled awkwardly at Nelen who nodded back. Jaie was a braver person than him to get between an orc and their booze…

As she did however there was a sudden sound of boots stomping outside the bar as Grimo rushed in through the doorway with Dissonantia following behind, the warlock smirking as if enjoying a private joke as Grimo grinned toothily at Nelen, slamming his fists down on the table. “HEY FULLMOON!” he shouted, “Ya said ya needed another warlock for that ritual Diss told ya about right? Wardin’ our places against the Dreadlords?” he nodded, smirking confidently at the mage.

Nelen looked at his expression and quickly did an inventory of nearby exits, when a goblin smiles like that its because they either expect to make a lot of money or a lot of noise, “… yes…” he replied to Grimo, taking a half step back.

“Well its yer lucky day bud! I just contracted a new member for Savage Untied! I put the word out we were lookin’ for infernalists, shadowmancers, and assorted fel-whatevers and when I mentioned to one of ‘em we were workin’ with a group of Alliance guys led by you they signed right on! Get this bud, they said they KNOW you!” he grinned.

Nelen paused at that. He’d worked with a few other warlocks in various campaigns, usually out of necessity, and most of them he didn’t even remember their names anymore. “… that… sounds extremely unlikely Grimo. The only warlock I really know is Dissonantia here.” he nodded to her as his fel-using counterpart sat down at the table and rested her elbows on it, folding her hands and putting her chin on them to grin at him.

“Aye, but he knew yez by name. Said he knew ya waaaaaaaaaaaay back in yer old school days.” she smirked.

Nelen looked between the two. Dissonantia’s sense of humor could lean dark, morbid, and downright psychotic at times, and Grimo… was Grimo. “… you guys are starting to worry me. Grimo, whats going on?”

Grimo opened his mouth to respond, then his ears twitched and he looked back at the doorway. “Hah, speak of th’ devil summoner.” he smirked, waving to a tall man in a long robe with a concealing hood. He wore heavy gloves over his hands and walked with a slight hunch to his posture. “Here’s our new recruit now! C’mon over man!” called the goblin.

The warlock looked towards them, the cowl hiding his features in shadow as he padded forward, and Nelen hesitated. Something about him did seem familiar. He was wearing red quilted robes and his shoulder pads had some scrolls tied onto them in a manner that reminded him of the tidespeakers of Kul’tiras but then, it wasn’t just them who wore those. They were known for it yeah, but a lot of Kul’tirian spellcasters liked that style.

And then the mage spoke, and Nelen’s eyes went wide.

"Tides below! Th' goblin was tellin’ th' truth! I knew ye’d gotten outta Dalaran somehow!” the cloaked man cackled, pointing at him. “Hair’s got some grey, 'n th' glasses 're different, but its definitely me ol' mate Nelen Fullmoon!” he added.

Nelen took a step back as Jaie looked up from the bar, Gladia taking the opportunity to down half a bottle of something violently purple as she did. “That voice… no way…” he shook his head. He hadn’t heard that voice in years, not since he was a student at Dalaran…

… not since that fateful day that the city fell to the Scourge.

“What? Don’t ye remember me? We were like brothers back then! Thick as thieves we was!” the cloaked man added as the pandaren padded over to stand near the table, curiosity overruling her desire to keep Galdia from drinking the bar dry.

Nelen stared, then finally found his voice, “… Ed? Edwood Vargas?” he asked, disbelief thick in his voice.

The cloaked man slapped his hands together. “GOT IT IN ONE! Knew ye’d do it! Ye always were th' brains back then matey!” he added, nodding his head under his hood.

“That’s not possible! Edwood died! I saw him fall off the battlements after Arthas shot him in the face with a death coil!” he shouted, hesitating a bit as he remembered where they were. "Okay... Ed could be here... but... you're no Venthyr or Maldraxxi or disembodied soul or anything from the Shadowlands... You're clearly a flesh and blood being..." he trailed off as his nose twitched.

Even in his human form, his sense of smell was stronger than it had been before the curse. Not uncanny like Shalandrae's, but stronger than the average person's... and he smelled something, something that would explain exactly how this could be his former classmate... "... no..." he whispered under his breath.

The coweled head tilted, “… well, aye, there is that detail…” he chuckled, reaching up, then pulling down his hood as Nelen’s eyes went huge, the mage staring at the sight.

It was Ed, he knew the face of his boyhood friend anywhere. But, this Edwood’s face was a sickly green, and his lower jaw was all exposed bone, his eyes glowing a poisonous fel glow as his hair hung about his head limply.

“… yer right about that Fullmoon. I did die… but since when does that stop people anymore eh?” he laughed, “Now c’mere and give yer ol' pal Edwood a hug!” he grinned toothily, the scent of formaldehyde, preservatives, and rot filling the worgen's nostrils.

Edwood Vargas, Nelen had last seen him falling to his death as a young man in his twenties, killed by Arthas Menethil, who was leading the Scourge. An army of the dead.

Edwood had fallen to his death, but he hadn’t stayed fallen. He was back, as one of the Forsaken.

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#warcraft #warcraft roleplay #fanfiction #adventures in azeroth #shadowlands

[genpopmedia]

THE 401 QUOTE CARD TRAILER - Sampler of Quotes - Monarch Bea.

www.patreon.com/davidhooper

#quotes #quote #quotation #conspiracy #401 show #david hooper #9/11 truth #anatomy of a great deception #agd2 #biblical #history