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anonymousewrites · 6 months

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Clan of Three Halloween Special 2023

Father Figure! Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Teen! Reader

“Why don’t you have to dress up to blend in?” grumbled (Y/N), hands on their hips.

Mando sighed as he put Grogu down in the ship and closed the hatch. “Because these people don’t know what a Mandalorian is, and they’re having a festival where they dress up in masks and costumes. I fit in. You don’t.”

“What I’m dressing up as, again?” asked (Y/N) as they picked up the bundled outfit.

“Some sort of hunter spirit. That’s what the lord’s wife told me it was,” said Mando.

(Y/N) nodded and stepped around behind a wall to change quickly while reviewing the details of the job. “What exactly is the point of our job here?”

“We need funds, and since we have a good track record, Bo-Katan and the Armorer sent us on a job since a neighboring planet reached out,” said Mando. “There was an attempted assassination of one of their lords, so his wife hired us to hunt down the suspect. His puck tracked him to this festival.”

“That’s a lot of area to cover,” said (Y/N). “Let’s just find him quickly.”

“Can’t you use your Force-powers to track him down?” asked Mando, waving a hand in the way they usually did.

(Y/N) stepped out, dressed in costume. “Yeah, that’s not really how that works. And don’t ask me how it does since I don’t really know either. I just go with whatever my gut tells me and that seems to be it.”

Mando stared at (Y/N) in the costume. It was just a dark orange cloak slung around their shoulders, but the helmet-mask on their head was what shook Mando. It reminded him of a Mandalorian helmet, and as (Y/N) stared at him from behind the visor, he remembered just how deep their connection to Mandalore went. Mandalore the Great themself had chosen (Y/N), guided them, advised them.

And although Mando would never force (Y/N) to permanently wear the helmet as the people of his Covert did, he had thought about them wearing more Mandalorian armor in the way Bo-Katan did, not always covering their face but clearly a member of the clan. His clan. Din (Y/N).

Mando smiled beneath his helmet at (Y/N) looking so Mandalorian. That was his kid, ready to fight for Mandalore just as usual, closer to wearing their armor. Honestly, Mando thought they should be given armor already since they were clearly more than an apprentice, but he wouldn’t argue with the Armor. (Though, seriously, (Y/N) had wielded the Darksaber, had visions of Mandalore the Great, and defeated Moff Gideon to protect Mandalore. What more did anyone want? His kid was incredible).

“Are we ready to go, Dad?” asked (Y/N), making sure their beskar dagger and blaster were accessible.

Mando nodded, stopping his train of thought. (Y/N) would always be something of an anomaly, and he knew that. But they were his kid. That was the important part. “Come on. We should finish this job quickly before the assassin causes any trouble during the festivities.”

“I could sneak up on them and grab them before they see your shiny armor coming,” said (Y/N) brightly.

“No, I take point.” Mando was still strict on that. “You’re there if he runs.”

(Y/N) scowled beneath their helmet. “I fought Moff Gideon. Why do I have to play backup?”

“Because you still run into danger without thinking,” said Mando matter-of-factly.

(Y/N) shrugged. He wasn’t wrong. (Y/N)’s instincts just threw them into battle faster than their brain could think (at least, that was their interpretation of what Mando would call plain old recklessness).

Mando’s visor blinked to alert him as he approached the puck tracking the would-be assassin. He wore a grey tunic and mask to blend in, but once Mando found his target, they didn’t escape his sight. That being said, he had lost sight of (Y/N). He really needed to put a tracker on his kid.

Mando stepped out of the shadows and approached the assassin. The man turned into an alley, and Mando followed him. The moment he stepped foot into the alleyway, the assassin pivoted and drew a blaster.

“Don’t move or I shoot,” warned the assassin. He knew he was being hunted.

Mando really didn’t care. His beskar could take a hit, so although he dodged the first shot the assassin launched at him, he wasn’t afraid to get close. He fired a grappling dart from his gauntlet and pulled the assassin towards him, punching at the man. The assassin, however, was skilled at fighting, and the moment he was tugged towards Mando, he flicked out a dagger and cut himself loose. He evaded the attack and stabbed down at Mando’s arm, and Mando twisted to avoid it. When the assassin pivoted and effortlessly moved the blade towards the split in Mando’s armor between plates, Mando stepped back. He grabbed for his own blaster, raised it, and—

A blur of umber orange landed on the assassin.

The man grunted and fell to the ground before rolling away to his feet. (Y/N) was on their feet in the same instant, and when the assassin grabbed for his blaster, (Y/N) threw out a hand. It flew through the air, and in the moment the assassin stared in surprise, (Y/N) threw their dagger, and it landed in his dominant arm. He cried out at the sudden pain, and the moment of distraction was all Mando needed to grab him and punch him squarely, knocking him out. He let the assassin’s body fall to the dirt before looking at (Y/N).

They could tell he was giving them a dad look from behind the helmet. They shrugged.

“I let you take point. Then I decided to intervene,” they said.

Mando sighed. (Y/N) was going to kill him with stress.

(Y/N) put down the case of payment in the ship and grinned. “Bo-Katan and the Armorer will be happy.”

“Yes,” agreed Mando, picking up Grogu and letting him pat his helmet to say hello after leaving him for the job.

(Y/N) waved at their brother before pulling off the cloak and then the helmet of their costume. They shook their head and let their hair fall messily around them face. They grinned at him. “And I’m glad we’re back out on jobs together. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Mandalore needs the rebuilding and everything, but I don’t think I’m much cut out for the politics of it all.”

And yet you gave Mandalore guidance when it needed it most and were chosen by one of the greatest Mandalorians of all time for…something, thought Mando. For being so bright at times, (Y/N) really didn’t seem to understand how special they were.

“As long as you stay alive, you’ll do fine,” said Mando.

“Death has to try harder than it has to get me,” said (Y/N), grinning and leaning into their dad.

Mando put an arm around them and held them for a moment. “Please don’t tempt death. I don’t want to lose you.”

(Y/N) paused and looked up at him. “You won’t lose me. We’re family, remember?”

Mando smiled beneath his helmet. (Y/N) was a good Mandalorian now and would become an even greater one in the future. But above all of that, he liked them being his kid the most. “This is the Way.”

“This is the Way.”

Taglist:

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@theurbannoodle

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@dmitrytherat

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raeynbowboi · 1 year

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Creating a Thematic Bard

Through Bardic Magical Secrets, any Bard can pick up any 6-8 spells of their choosing depending on their subclass. I thought I’d go through some thematic options for a Bard to choose from to cater to different themes and archetypes the Bard aspires to do. For each, I will offer the 8 spells I would recommend if you were to play as a Lore Bard, and if you pick a different subclass, just elimate two of the options.

HEAVENLY CHOIR 6th Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians 10th Flame Strike, Destructive Wave 14th Holy Weapon, Summon Celestial 18th Divine Word, Holy Aura

THAT INFERNAL BARD 6th Hellish Rebuke, Summon Lesser Demons 10th Summon Greater Demon, Planar Binding 14th Summon Fiend, Tasha’s Otherworldly Guise 18th Planar Ally, Shapechange

WOODLAND WOODWINDS 6th Spike Growth, Plant Growth 10th Grasping Vine, Wrath of Nature 14th Transport Via Plants, Wall of Thorns 18th Tree Stride, Guardian of Nature

NECRODANCER 6th Animate Dead, Summon Undead 10th Spirit of Death, Danse Macabre 14th Create Undead, Finger of Death 18th Negative Energy Flood, Antilife Shell

PYRODANCER 6th Scorching Ray, Fireball 10th Ashardalon’s Stride, Flame Strike 14th Immolation, Investiture of Flame 18th Fire Storm, Meteor Swarm

CRYODANCER 6th Ice Knife, Rime’s Binding Ice 10th Ice Storm, Cone of Cold 14th Investiture of Ice, Otiluke’s Freezing Sphere 18th Wall of Ice, Control Weather

WET T-SHIRT CONTEST 6th Tidal Wave, Wall of Water 10th Control Water, Maelstrom 14th Watery Sphere, Summon Elemental 18th Tsunami, Water Breathing

TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM 6th Thunder Step, Lightning Bolt 10th Control Winds, Storm Sphere 14th Chain Lightning, Investiture of Wind 18th Whirlwind, Storm of Vengeance

DOWN TO EARTH 6th Max’s Earthen Grasp, Erupting Earth 10th Stone Shape, Wall of Stone 14th Bones of the Earth, Move Earth 18th Investiture of Stone, Earthquake

A DANCE OF DRAGONS 6th Chromatic Orb, Dragon’s Breath 10th Elemental Bane, Summon Draconic Spirit 14th Fizban’s Platinum Shield, Draconic Transformation 18th Illusory Dragon, Shapechange

BARDS GONE FEYWILD VOL VII 6th Summon Fey, Spirit Guardians 10th Conjure Woodland Beings, Healing Spirit 14th Heal, Conjure Fey 18th Mass Heal, Wish

FIND ME SUMMON TO LOVE 6th Conjure Animals, Summon Undead 10th Summon Aberration, Summon Draconic Spirit 14th Summon Fiend, Summon Celestial 18th Summon Construct, Summon Elemental

ROCKY HORROR NIGHTMARE SHOW 6th Dissonant Whispers, Fear 10th Phantasmal Killer, Dream 14th Mental Prison, Feeblemind 18th Maddening Darkness, Weird

CLOAK AND DAGGER 6th Counterspell, Pass Without Trace 10th Death Ward, Steel Wind Strike 14th Contingency, Simulacrum 18th Feeblemind, Foresight

NECROSIS 6th Inflict Wounds, Wither and Bloom 10th Blight, Enervation 14th Harm, Finger of Death 18th Abi’s Horrid Wilting, Destructive Wave

STEP THREE: PROPHET 6th Augury, Clairvoyance 10th Divination, Commune 14th True Seeing, Detect Thoughts 18th Astral Projection, Foresight

GLOWING REVIEWS 6th Blinding Smite, Spirit Guardians 10th Destructive Wave, Wall of Light 14th Sunbeam, Crown of Stars 18th Guiding Bolt, Sunburst

SIMPLY PSIONIC 6th Mind Spike, Tasha’s Mind Whip 10th Raulothim’s Psychic Lance, Telekinesis 14th Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static 18th Telepathy, Psychic Scream

SONG OF WAR 6th Hunter’s Mark, Spiritual Weapon 10th Staggering Smite, Steel Wind Strike (or) Swift Quiver 14th Holy Weapon, Blade Barrier 18th Conjure Volley, Blade of Disaster

SHIELD MASTER 6th Armor of Agathys, Shield 10th Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere, Wall of Force 14th Fizban’s Platinum Shield, Globe of Invulnerability 18th Forecage, Invulnerability

MAGIC MIKE 6th Magic Missile, Glyph of Warding 10th Arcane Eye, Bigby’s Hand 14th Arcane Gate, Symbol 18th Demiplane, True Polymorph

SPELLBREAKER 6th Absorb Elements, Counterspell 10th Circle of Power, Synaptic static 14th Fizban’s Platinum Shield, Forecage 18th Feeblemind, Antimagic Field

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED 6th Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians 10th Guardian of Faith, Bigby’s Hand 14th Mordenkainen’s Sword, Blade Barrier 18th Max’s Earthen Grasp, Blade of Disaster

TWO-FACED 6th Alter Self, Water Breathing 10th Guardian of Nature, Stoneskin 14th Tasha’s Otherworldly Guise, Draconic Transformation 18th Animal Shapes, Shapechange MASTER OF ILLUSIONS 6th Blur, Pass Without Trace 10th Phantom Steed, Creation 14th Mental Prison, Nystul’s Magic Aura 18th Illusory Dragon, Weird

A DANCE WITH DEATH 6th Wither and Bloom, Vampiric Touch 10th Blight, Enervation 14th Contingency, Soul Cage 18th Clone, Invulnerability

MERCY MAIN 6th Aura of Vitality, Beacon of Hope 10th Aura of Purity, Aura of Life 14th Heal, Regenerate 18th Mass Heal, True Resurrection

PLAGUED BY GUILT 6th Hex, Bestow Curse 10th Vitriolic Sphere, Contagion 14th Eyebite, Harm 18th Feeblemind, Weird

BLUE EXORCIST 6th Counterspell, Remove Curse 10th Dispel Evil and Good, Banishing Smite 14th Forbiddance, Plane Shift 18th Forecage, Imprisonment

BARD EX MACHINA 6th Elemental Weapon, Tiny Servant 10th Fabricate, Creation 14th Animate Objects, Summon Construct 18th Mighty Fortress, Blade of Disaster

CONCLAVE OF THE HOUND DOG 6th Hunter’s Mark, Conjure Animals 10th Swift Quiver, Conjure Volley 14th Guardian of Nature, Dominate Beast 18th Animal Shapes, Insect Plague

OATH OF MERRIMENT 6th Blinding Smite, Crusader’s Mantle 10th Find Greater Steed, Destructive Wave 14th Staggering Smite, Banishing Smite 18th Circle of Power, Holy Weapon

And of course, you can always mix and match. Going for a Fire Dragon theme? Mix the Pyrodancer and A Dance of Dragons spell lists. As an example:

LOVE AMONG THE DRAGONS 6th Dragon’s Breath, Fireball 10th Flame Strike, Summon Draconic Spirit 14th Investiture of Flame, Draconic Transformation 18th Illusory Dragon, Meteor Swarm

These are all the bard themes I could think of, but if you can think of some more that I missed, or have better suggestions for some of my choices, let me know your own thematic magical secrets builds. Obviously, these were made with the Lore Bard in mind, since it gets the most magical secrets, but I’m sure some synergize better with other bard types, such as Song of War with the College of Valor. I just used Lore as the default. How well do these magical secrets builds work for you?

#dungeons & dragons #Dungeons and Dragons #bard #bardic magical secrets #magical secrets #dnd bard #dnd 5e #fifth edition #5th edition #dnd #d&d #d&d 5e

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pocketjoong · 10 months

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❥𓂃𓏧THE RING chapter 3! masterlist

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (SYNOPSIS) Five years ago, the seas became unruly; there were waves large enough to drown islands, storms deadly enough to destroy anything, and monsters big enough to swallow ships. Everyone avoided the waters, never daring to stray too far from the shores. People had adapted to this lifestyle, but things changed for the worse. A report of dark mist swallowing islands and killing everything in its path was made. No one knew what it was. Everyone dreaded it, praying that it wouldn’t reach their islands. Around the same time, things changed for your family as well.

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (PAIRING) merman!seonghwa x fem!reader; pirate!hongjoong x fem!reader

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (WARNINGS) violence. swearing. eventual smut. angst.

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (WORD COUNT) 3.8k

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (NOTES) I always enjoy feedback, reviews, and asks so don't hesitate to comment/send an ask! Things are moving forward and we're getting closer to Hongjoong's appearance! Anyways, do send an ask to be added to the taglist if you are interested! Also I cross post on AO3 only!

You wait until everyone is asleep and for the castle to fall silent before leaving. Your hand pats against the dagger safely tucked into the belt at your waist and tug at the hood of your cloak to make sure that your face is hidden before opening the door. You peek from the crack, looking both ways carefully and only step outside when you are sure that the hallways are empty. As you walk in silence, your thoughts flicker from Seonghwa and Yeosang to the Mist and the words of the soldier you had managed to talk to—talk being an exaggeration since you weren't able to decipher much from the soldier's hysterical blabbering.

Since it's past dinner time, only a few guards who are supposed to be patrolling are around, so you easily sneak downstairs, this not being the first time you have done so. Arriving at the first level of the dungeons, you stop in front of a seemingly unused door and open it using a key that hangs from your necklace. You close the door behind yourself and lock it for good measure before resuming your journey through the stone-lined tunnel. A few minutes later, you reach the end of the tunnel and open the door on this side to emerge into a cellar filled with wooden crates and barrels of wine. You creep slowly towards the wooden staircase that leads upstairs, starting to hear the voices of the patrons of Orivia Inn. You reach another door at the top of the stairs and knock thrice, only for it to be opened by a woman in her mid-20s. She smiles on seeing you and bows her head in respect before leading you through an empty hallway and up the stairs until you are in front of a door.

“Would you like anything, Your Highness?” Hyo asks you, taking your leave when you shake your head.

The door creaks open even before you can knock, causing you to jump. You lock gazes with a wide-eyed Seonghwa, who relaxes when he realises it is just you. He steps aside to let you enter, and you find yourself standing in the middle of the room.

Seonghwa blinks at you before nodding at the plush chair next to the table in the corner, “You didn't bring Yeosang with you?”

You shake your head, “He fell asleep earlier today, and I didn't have the heart to wake him up because of the pitiful amount of sleep he has gotten ever since we got news of the Mist.”

“Ouch,” Seonghwa winces, settling down on the bed in his room. “You look tired as well... Long day?”

You let out a frustrated laugh, “Something like that.”

“You should get some rest too, My Lady. A wild guess, but I think you need to catch up on some well-needed sleep.”

His words make you smile, and you shake your head in amusement, “Who would have guessed?”

Seonghwa laughs at your sarcasm, “Only a genius like me, apparently.”

Before you can say something, there is a knock at the door, and Hyo peeks her head inside. She enters with a tray full of snacks for you to munch on.

“It's on the house,” she winks at Seonghwa before hurrying back outside, closing the door behind her with a click.

The subtle flirting doesn't come as a surprise to you, Seonghwa has an alluring charm to him, but at the same time, a dangerous current seems to run beneath his sweet demeanour, which makes him mysterious and interesting enough to turn a few heads.

“So, what did you learn from your soldier about the Mist?” Seonghwa's words bring you out of your thoughts, and you look at him. His eyes search your face for answers, the intensity of his stare making you look away.

“Not much, really,” you manage, throat tight beneath his attention. You can still feel his burning gaze against the side of your face as you clear your throat to not sound as out of breath as you feel. “The man was too hysterical for us to decipher much apart from a couple of words. All I got was the Mist is suffocating and brings “unspeakable horrors” with it.”

Silence follows your words, and when Seonghwa doesn't say anything, you turn to look at him, only for you to see that his lips are pulled into a frown.

“Unspeakable horrors,” Seonghwa echoes under his breath, bewilderment and confusion etched onto his face as his brows knit together. “Wha—”

He stops abruptly, narrowing his eyes at the door before relaxing slightly.

Before you can ask him what is wrong, there is a gentle knock at the door—a polite, barely there sound that you wouldn't have heard if the room wasn't so silent. Seonghwa stands to open it, revealing Yeosang on the other side. He looks tired and worried; the light from the candles in the room allows you to see purple bruise-like bags spreading underneath his eyes.

You get up, stepping next to Seonghwa, your movement causing Yeosang’s eyes to meet yours. His demeanour relaxes imperceptibly when he sees you next to his friend.

“You’re okay…”

Yeosang’s words are barely above a whisper, and suddenly, you feel bad for leaving without telling him. You know he worries every time you’re not in his sight, especially now when the world is on the verge of destruction. You’ve been his sun for so long that without you, he feels like a planet lost in space.

You are so busy staring at Yeosang that you don’t realise how close you are to Seonghwa, and it’s only when Yeosang’s eyes shift to the taller male that you finally feel the heat emanating from his skin through the satin of his clothes and yours, and into your very bones. Your clear your throat, taking a step away from the heat that scorches between you two and instead usher Yeosang in.

“I’m sorry, Yeo. You looked so peaceful sleeping that I did not have the heart to awaken you,” you admit softly. “You needed to catch up on some sleep.”

“It’s okay, I am just glad that you are okay. I didn’t know where you were, and this was the first place that came to mind. I don’t know what I’d tell your father if I didn’t find you here,” he admits.

As he settles onto the bed Seonghwa had been occupying before, the light from the candles casts deep shadows on his face causing the contours of his face to appear agitated, amplifying his anxious demeanour. “Y/N,” is all Yeosang manages before heaving a sigh and casting a glance at Seonghwa, who has now opted to lean against the frame of the window and watches the two of you with concern burning in his irises.

The tension between the three of you is thick, palpable, and so heavy that you could cut it with the dagger safely tucked into your side. The heaviness settles in the air, drying your throat. You wouldn’t be surprised if your shoulders start aching at any given moment.

“What news do you bring, Your Highness?” Seonghwa’s melodious voice cuts through the air, casting a temporary net of serenity over all of you.

“It’s worse than we assumed,” Yeosang announces with an air of finality. Shattering the temporary calm that had embraced the three of you. “We have received news of the Mist arriving at the shores of Ceres.”

Time seems to still at Yeosang’s words, your breath faltering as your heart stutters in your chest. You’re sure all the blood in your cheeks has drained and turned you pale as a ghost.

“No…” you whisper, a broken sound that causes both the males to wince at the heartbreak in your voice. Yeosang’s own eyes mirror the anguish in yours, and he seems to curl into himself.

“My Lady,” comes the gentle caress of Seonghwa’s voice, hoping to soothe the pain and anxious uncertainty that flows through you. In the bleakness of the night, his tone holds promises of hope and healing. “I know of a seer on Ceres. I’ve been promised answers from them.”

“But the seer only appears on full moon nights,” you say, hands fisting on your knees, knuckles tense as you grip at the skirts of your dress.

“That means she shall appear tomorrow.” A breeze follows Yeosang’s words, flowing through the room with a gusto that flickers the candles, casting tall shadows that distort the room into frightening shapes.

“Then I shall leave for Ceres after sundown,” Seonghwa announces with an air of finality that causes you to scoff.

“You’re not leaving alone, Seonghwa,” you tell him, warmth leaving your tone as you cock an eyebrow at him as you wait for him to deny your words.

“But Y/N—”

The expected protest comes, but not from Seonghwa. It is Yeosang who speaks, causing you to smother a bitter laugh. It is only your affection for your friend that allows him relief from the rapidly unravelling threads of your usually unyielding patience.

“The seer is known to be standoffish with males. You may not be humans, but you are men, and she will not answer either of you,” your voice is as sharp and unforgiving as the edge of a sword pressed against a warrior’s neck. “Sirelia is my home, and after devouring Ceres, the Mist’s next victim will be my Kingdom. You cannot expect me to sit and wait for you to bring answers.”

“The journey won’t be easy. I don’t even know if we’ll get to come back to Crestshore after meeting with the seer,” Seonghwa warns you, holding your stare with his own, his gaze sharp as steel and penetrating deep into your heart, looking for a hint of fear or hesitation. Finding none, his lips quirk up on one side. “Very well, then, My Lady. He then turns to Yeosang, “And you will be joining us too, Your Highness?”

“Of course,” Yeosang says with a small nod, his expression unreadable save for the bags beneath his eyes. “Sileria is my home as much as Atlantis is, and both are in danger right now.”

“Okay, so how do we get there?” Seonghwa breaks the silence that falls between the three of you, glancing between you and Yeosang.

“Ships will be going to and from Crestshore to safely bring people from Ceres here,” Yeosang says, getting on his feet and prompting you to do the same. “We can sneak onboard one of them around dusk.”

“Sounds like a plan, then,” Seonghwa finally leaves his station at the side of the room and crosses the distance between the two of you and himself in a few strides.

“We’ll meet you here,” you affirm with what you hope is a reassuring smile.

On the way back to the castle, the silence that falls between you and Yeosang isn't comfortable, neither is it awkward, but both of you are in your own worlds, thinking about what the future might hold for you.

“I'm sorry,” you are surprised by the apologetic tone of his voice. He sounds exhausted as if he is tired of the world. “I shouldn't have kept my lineage from you, especially not when you saved me and trusted me with your life. I...”

You watch as Yeosang seems to be having a debate with himself, not knowing whether to continue or not, as he nibbles on his bottom lip.

Seeing him like this, you release a sigh, “It's fine, Yeo. Really,” you add when he looks at you incredulously. “I kind of understand where you are coming from. I don't know what you went through to have ended up in the oceans in the state we found you in, but it must have been horrible. And from what Seonghwa said about your step-brother,” you shake your head sorrowfully, “I suppose I can look past that little part about you being a mermaid...uh, merman?”

“It still doesn't make it okay that I lied to you,” frustration settles in his shoulders, causing them to tense up as he watches you with dark eyes that make you think of shadows. Though the more he looks at you, his expression seems to lighten, and he eventually exhales heavily. “Thank you, Y/N. For saving me, for being my friend, and for trusting me even after knowing the truth.”

You smile at him ruefully, bumping your shoulder with his playfully as you continue walking in silence, this one being more comfortable than the previous one.

Tucked a few hundred miles away from the South of the Kingdom of Sirelia, Ceres is a fairly big island nation that has been your ally ever since history books were written. From the shores of Crestshore, it appears like a dot over the sea, a beacon of warmth during the night. As you approach the island, it grows bigger, and the noise from the bustling port reaches your ears. You can see scores of people waiting for their chance to set foot on a boat and reach Crestshore.

As the ship reaches the pier and the crew prepares for docking, you hear Seonghwa’s intake of breath from your side, followed by a wince from Yeosang. Your eyes move from one male to the other as you see them battle something you are unaware of. Whatever it is, it seems to hurt Seonghwa more than Yeosang, for the former has closed his eyes and presses his hands against the railing, breathing deeply as if to ground himself.

“Seonghwa, pull yourself together,” Yeosang’s voice is sharp as a dagger, piercing through whatever it is that startled Seonghwa, who, despite the steel that laces the younger male’s words, seems to find support in them. You watch as Seonghwa seems to lift himself taller, straightening his spine in the wake of Yeosang’s words.

“Let’s go,” Yeosang’s hands pull at your hood once before he’s guiding you to the ramp. It’s slightly hard for the three of you to go the opposite way from the others without garnering too much attention, but you somehow manage to dodge every single person until you reach the first alleyway you see and slip into it. Your journey from there is much easier, considering that the narrower streets are deserted.

“Where to?” Seonghwa questions, his eyes looking everywhere for any danger or sign of the seer.

“Just follow me,” you reply curtly, your pace brisk, almost bordering on a run. The two males keep pace with you easily, using their long legs to their full advantage, though Seonghwa is half a pace behind you, covering your backs as you rush through the cobbled streets of Niafell, Ceres’ biggest port city, in darkness. Almost thirty minutes later, you start hearing voices again, along with the sounds that are typical of a port.

“Where—”

“Keep your heads down. Just trust me on this one,” your voice is sharp as you look around for the familiar sign. You breathe a sigh when you see it, a crescent moon encased in the body of a sun.

“The shop is magical…” Seonghwa breathes as you come to a stop in front of a small shack. It looks unassuming from where you stand, a small, abandoned building that is hanging onto its last few days. But you know better, and so do the males at your side. Seonghwa’s hands catch the sheer drape fluttering in the wind. His touch causes sparkles of bright light to emerge from his fingertips, and for the first time since meeting him, you seem to realise that he isn’t human after all.

“Let’s go, shall we?”

With that, you lead your companions into the shop. It looks like an antique shop at first glance; knick-knacks and jars full of herbs fill the room, and you spot small knives on the far side. Ignoring it all, you walk through the room into another, this one is bare save for a table that occupies the middle. On the table is a crystal ball, behind which sits the woman you were supposed to meet. Without any word to Seonghwa or Yeosang, you slide into a chair in front of the table, and though you can’t see them, you feel the two males come to sit beside you.

The seer looks at the three of you with an unreadable expression, causing the hairs on the back of your neck to stand on end. She is old, her face full of wrinkles, and her eyes shine with wisdom, but the way she’s looking at you unnerves you. You are sure your hands are trembling where you had rested them on your knees. You move to turn them into fists, only for each of your hands to be encased by warmth from either side.

Yeosang’s hand covers your right one, his thumb gently stroking over your knuckles. His hands are soft but still roughed up by the training he had gone through over the years for him to be allowed to become your bodyguard. Seonghwa’s are more delicate, though you can feel the strength that runs through his joints as he squeezes your hand in an act of comfort. With them both by your side, the nerves settle somewhat, but the buzzing is still there, an uncomfortable reminder of the danger that lurks in the air not so far away from where you are. You haven’t encountered the Mist, and you hope that you don’t.

“What brings you here, Princess of Sirelia?” she questions, eyes shining in curiosity. “Most royals do not set foot in the black district of Ceres.”

“We need to find a way to stop the Mist,” you jump straight to the point.

“Ah, the Mist,” you can’t tell if it’s your eyes playing tricks on you because of the light, but she seems amused.

She stands from her seat with a grace that you would not have associated with a woman of her age and almost glides to the bookcase that lines the side of the room. You hadn’t noticed it when you entered, and you wonder how you managed to miss it when it covers the entirety of the wall. She browses through the tomes, fingers gently brushing the air over the worn spines until she stops at a violet book that seems older than the rest. She pulls it from the shelf and gently places it on the table.

Seonghwa’s hand trembles over yours, and instead of watching the seer open the book, you choose to glance at the male who seems to be holding himself back. You can tell he’s biting the inside of his cheek. Curious, you turn to your friend, who seems to mirror Seonghwa’s awe.

You tilt your head to the side, Yeosang catching the movement from the corner of his eyes. “The book… I think it’s the only one from Atlantis that survives on the humans’ side of the world,” his whisper is so quiet that you end up reading his lips rather than hearing him speak those words.

“Atlantis, as you both probably know,” the seer glances at the two males sitting by your side, “existed even before human civilisation. It was created by Poseidon himself and is advanced far beyond what humans can even dream of being. Magic and technology come together to create the kingdom, which is—uh, was—” she looks up from the book and at Yeosang, “—ruled by his descendants until much recently.”

“The male next to you, Your Highness,” she speaks to you, “is the true keeper of the ocean. Atlanteans don’t control the oceans, far from it. However, the emotions and temperament of whoever sits on the throne influence the nature of the seas, as you must have surmised from how they have been behaving since the new ruler took the throne.”

“What about the mist?” Seonghwa asks, impatience seeping into his tone. The seer looks at him sharply, and he swiftly mumbles an apology, waiting for her to continue.

“I am not sure what this Mist is as I haven’t had the chance to study it. All I can tell is that you are dealing with the darkest of magic here because my own magic can feel it. I suppose you can feel it too? It feels suffocating, doesn’t it?” The seer glances from Yeosang to Seonghwa before continuing, “The only way to stop the Mist and return the oceans to their original temperament is to stop the ruler of Atlantis.”

“And how do we do that?” You feel anxiety coursing through each nerve as you free your hands from beneath Seonghwa’s and Yeosang’s in favour of gripping the table in front of you.

“As a land-dweller like yourself, I cannot tell you much, Your Highness. For after Atlantis fell, all records of the kingdom were destroyed, except this little book that has certain information about the kingdom from when it was above the sea. But,” she adds when she sees your face fall, “I have seen visions in my crystal ball. You need to find the forgotten one who will lead you to the three lost treasures. Only when you have all three will you be able to defeat the one who sits on the Atlantean throne. Be careful, though, for this journey will test you in ways you cannot even begin to imagine.” Her eyes lock with yours suddenly, and you feel the terror burning inside of them, “You must do whatever you can to stop his madness, Your Highness. If you don’t, there is no telling what destruction awaits all of us.”

You stand from your seat, the boys scrambling to their feet behind you. “Thank you.”

Once out of the shop, Yeosang spins you around and levels you with an icy stare, “Black district? Are you out of your mind?”

“We have answers, or at least something to go with, Yeosang,” Seonghwa reminds him gently and levels you with a stare, “What did she mean by black district?”

You nod towards the right, where the street veers towards the left, “Behind this is the port used by pirates, for they are the only ones foolish enough to brave the seas even with their lives at stake on the oceans. What do you guys know about the forgotten one and the three treasures?”

“We need to leave for Coralhaven,” Seonghwa tells you. “The ‘forgotten one’ can only be Jongho. He was banished from Atlantis a long, long time ago and lives the life of a human on that island.”

“How do we get there, though? Considering Y/N won’t let us go on our own,” Yeosang looks at you with an exasperated yet fond expression that makes you grin.

“I have an idea,” you smirk at the males, who seem to grow pale at your enthusiasm.

“Uh oh,” Seonghwa mutters under his breath.

Uh oh, indeed.

ꕥ𓂃𓏧 (Taglist) open, send an ask: @moonis-world @moonm1st@lelaleleb @toxic-babexe @itsokaytobedumb00 @kyume02 @starillusion13 @taeriffic @sunnyhokyu @lexiigom

#outlaw/The Ring #ateez #ateez x reader #seonghwa x reader #hongjoong x reader #fluff #angst #eventual smut #slow burn #fantasy #pirate ateez #ateez fanfic #yeosang #san #mingi #wooyoung #jongho #cromernet

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twoidiotwriters1 · 5 months

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Daughter of Olympus (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: I'll see y'all in a few weeks! -Danny Words: 1,944 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter /Book II Listen to: 'The Exit' -by Conan Gray

XLIII: It Got Too Fluffy, I Had to Do Something About That

Monsters are vanishing left and right. After Typhon vanishes away, Lady Artemis and Apollo help us strike down a couple more creatures, not to mention Tyson and his buddies are also stomping enemies like they're made of clay.

A blast of golden light comes from the sky, and we all stop to stare. The gods around us, all except Hades, go up to Olympus at once.

"Did we win?" Jake Mason asks behind me.

I realize we've run out of monsters, and everything is deadly quiet except for a few mortals' panicky screams in the distance.

"It's done," Hades announces. "Olympus stands."

I drop Almighty out of pure shock. "My brother..."

The top of the Empire State turns blue all of a sudden, there is only one kid insane enough to ask Zeus to do that.

"She said what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters 'cause she's supposed to be your second in command and she's disrespecting you!" Leo insists heatedly.

"It doesn't matter," Ara repeats calmly. "This was just an argument, we'll make peace once I'm back."

"But..." he almost asks 'What if we don't come back?', but asking that is never an option, so he changes the subject. "I don't want you to leave this place sad, this is your home."

"My home is with my parents and Percy," Ara corrects him stubbornly, then pokes his cheek. "And you. As long as I'm with you, I'll be okay."

Leo softens at her words. "Alright. Let's go rescue your brother from Camp Stuck-up."

"I heard that!" Jason steps onto the deck with his backpack over one shoulder. "Don't go saying that once we get there, Leo. Be nice."

"I'm nice!" Leo puts his arm around Ara's shoulders. "But my girl needs me on her side right now."

Ara looks over the ship's rail, they're on top of the cliff where Bunker Nine is hidden, and she's meditating on whether it's a good idea to look for Lily or not. Their arguments wash away as soon as something bigger happens, so she's not too worried.

The next hour is a blur, while Hades helps us rebuild the city, Mrs O'Leary walks past us with Chiron on her back.

"Ara Jackson," he says my name as if he were talking to a badly behaved pet. "In the future, review your plans with me before you risk your life in such a reckless manner."

Mrs O'Leary shakes off a bit of dirt, making him wince.

"We can talk later, go to camp," I say gently.

Hades walks up to us after Chiron leaves.

"Well, Jackson," he eyes my appearance. "Now is your time to come through with your part of our agreement."

I stare at him, not sure of what to say. He glances at Nico and the boy steps forward, looking anxious. "We should check on the others," he suggests.

"You're a good warrior, Ghost King," I nudge his arm as we walk together. "If I hadn't promised Lily the position, you'd be a good second in command."

He makes a face as if he can't think of anything more horrid than following my orders forever.

When we enter Olympus, people cheer for us. Percy goes out of his way to find me and holds me, after getting my mom's blessing, my forehead can reach his shoulder perfectly.

"Pretending to be Achilles? Are you kidding me?! That was insane!"

"And I haven't pulled my craziest stunt yet," I mumble against his shoulder.

Percy moves away and frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Ready to go?" Piper and Coach Hedge arrive with all of their stuff.

Ara holds tightly onto the railing. Lily didn't come to say goodbye, she left Ara's cloak inside Ara's cabin in the ship, along with her tattered T-Rex. That's how she operates, Ara knows that.

She pulls out the dagger her friend forgot in her room that same afternoon, Ara brought it as a good luck charm.

"Annabeth's ready?" The girl eyes the blade, deep in thought.

"Yes," Leo hums, moving to the control board.

"Let's go, then," Ara sighs, trying not to sound worried.

Lily gets called by Hades right after Annabeth becomes the architect of Olympus, he tells her there are too many corners that he doesn't want to leave unattended in the Underworld, and many souls to recover after this war, so Lily must work with Daedalus to make the Underworld safer and Tartarus harder to reach.

Percy could've become a god if he wanted to, but he turned it down. In exchange, he asks for the Gods to care for their children, to treat every camper with respect, no matter who their parents are. I think that's sweet.

"Arae Jackson."

It isn't Hades the one who calls me forward, it's Ares. I can't help the way I glance back at my friends in confusion. The god snorts. "Why are you surprised? You've been calling to me for a whole year."

I frown. "Lord?"

"We've all been listening, like you asked," Mr D says. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

What surprises me the most is that instead of passing out, I feel braver. Blame it on the Aphrodite in me, but I thrive on the spotlight.

"Yes," I look at Zeus. "With your permission, then... I'd like to plead my case." The god's face is impossible to read, but I carry on anyway. "I offer myself as your next child of Olympus."

Demeter scoffs. "Why would we choose you?"

"Cause I want it," I reply cynically.

"Young lady," Poseidon speaks. "We haven't seen that kind of hero in centuries. What makes you think you're up to the task?"

"Well, what makes you think I'm not?"

"You're an Aphrodite!" Ares laughs. When my mother glares at him, he clears his throat. "I mean, it doesn't seem like it would be the calling for someone of your kind."

"I've fought plenty," I continue. "I've learned a lot and I want to keep our world safe. I also have this..."

I show them Almighty. Hephaestus shifts on his chair uncomfortably and looks away; Zeus frowns, but next to him, Hera gets excited with the revelation.

"Pantodynamos!" She beams.

"How do we know she didn't steal it?"

"I saw her in action," Hades says. "This half-blood tricked a whole army into believing she was Achilles, our last son of Olympus, and they believed it because she did a good job."

"A child of Olympus must be familiar with their armies," Athena nods in agreement. "And she's spent years learning all the crafts, has she not? She can fight, build, and knows how to lead."

"I say we give her a try," Mr D shrugs. "We can strike her out of existence if she's lousy."

"She has my full support," Hades announces. "And my vote."

Zeus glares at his brother, but then Hera speaks. "Mine too."

"Me three," Mr. D hums, he's already lost interest and seems eager to leave the throne room.

"I gave her my blessing," my mother smiles. "She has my vote and my trust."

"Mine too," Hephaestus grumbles. "That was a neat trick you pulled with my son's creations, I'd like to see more of that."

"I vote in favor," Artemis eyes me with interest. "Would've made a fine hunter, but if this is her choice..."

"I never forget a fan," Apollo winks at me. "She's got my approval."

"Well, I helped her kill a Hyperborean..." Ares ponders. "So I guess I vote in favor too."

"She has my vote," says Hermes.

"Fine," Poseidon gives in, briefly glancing at Percy. "She shall have her chance."

Percy steps forward but Annabeth stops him. It catches my eye and I look back at them, my brother doesn't understand what being a child of Olympus ensues, but he's visibly worried. Annabeth's staring at me like she can't believe this is happening, and Thalia's shaking her head, knowing the deed is done.

Lily keeps her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes fixed on the floor, Nico's the only one who doesn't look anxious or angry, perhaps he wants me to succeed, cause that would mean he also can.

"Arae Jackson, kneel before the council," Zeus says at last.

I do what he asks me right away, holding tightly to the hilt of my sword.

"The gods are granting you the greatest honor," he says. "Do not waste it."

"You'll be the General of our armies," Athena continues. "You're allowed to deny or authorize quests as you deem it proper, and you shall join them if you think it's necessary."

"If we call, you must answer. We will grant blessings only when you truly need them," Zeus continues. "Choose wisely, we cannot grant you all twelve."

"Lastly," Hades smiles coldly. "You cannot favor your former godly parent over the rest of us. From now on, you are the daughter of Olympus."

"Do you conform to these rules?" Zeus asks.

"I do."

Every god in the room lowers their weapons and scepters to the ground, golden lines travel through the marble surface and climb up my body healing my bruises, cuts, and scars.

"Stand."

I hold onto Almighty as I get up and notice the purple cape around my shoulders, a gold pin shaped in the form of an omega keeping it in place. I also feel something on my head, and when I reach up, I discover it's a crown of gold laurels.

Zeus looks far from happy. "You may go."

I put my sword on the sheath that's hanging over my hips, and I keep my head up as I walk away without turning my back on them.

I think of the friends I lost, of how lonely they must've felt in their last moments. I think of all the lives it could save to have someone who shows up when we need them. A hero who doesn't think we're inconsequential and who by magical binding, can't turn their back on us.

I remember when the monsters thought I was Achilles.

I'm just like him now.

"You should take a nap," Annabeth suggests. "You have to look your best once we arrive."

Ara raises a brow. "I didn't come here to look pretty."

Annabeth shakes her head. "A child of Olympus is above everyone else, Ara. The Romans won't like that."

Ara feels her stomach twisting in knots, but she smiles despite it. "Won't be nice to discover a Greek is their commander, huh?"

"You'll have to assert your position, and for that, you need to look strong," Annabeth squeezes her shoulder. "Sleep, I'll call if we need you."

The girl makes her way to the cabins. As she goes she spots Leo moving from one side to the other on the control board, but she leaves him alone, they all need to focus on themselves.

Jason helped her practice the wolf glare all Romans have, and he's taught her the way the legions work, but just like Annabeth, he's warned her they'll show resistance to admitting she's their superior.

Ara has faced worse crowds, so she thinks it'll be fine. Becoming a daughter of Olympus didn't keep her loved ones out of danger, but at least no one can keep her out of the fight now, and she's going to become whatever she must to secure their victory over Gaea.

The girl falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow, but she doesn't get a demigod dream this time. When she opens her eyes, she's no longer on the ship.

"Ara," Aphrodite looms over her, eyes just as serious as the rest of her expression. "We need to talk about your curse."

I don't understand why my friends are acting this way, but they aren't upset because I wasted their time, they're angry because I've given mine up. Ambition blinds me from the one thing the others can see.

I didn't care at first, I was fifteen years old yet my name would be written in our history books. No one was going to be able to put out my fire for a very long time.

I wish they had.

Book II ->

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @ash-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles

#twoidiots writing #pjo fanfic #pjo hoo toa #pjo fandom #percy jackson and the olympians #leo valdez x oc #leo valdez fanfic #doo

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vintagegeekculture · 2 years

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The movie/media critic for the UK AD&D magazine, Imagine, was Neil Gaiman.

Notably, in issue 28, dedicated to pulp fiction roleplaying games, Gaiman gave a rare good review to the video game and RPG-themed movie, 1984′s “Cloak and Dagger,” comparing it to Alfred Hitchcock. As usual, Gaiman was right and ahead of the curve on that.

All 30 issues of Imagine are available on the Internet Archive, which has a strange irony, particularly considering Gaiman’s own history of comments on that modern-day Library of Alexandria.

#Neil Gaiman #80s

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rainyfestivalsweets · 3 months

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Well, one of my friends started a new business.

Which is annoying to me because she sent me a message asking about my goals and shit- acting like we haven't been talking nearly every day for years.

She knows what I have been doing (or I thought).

She knows that I regularly review my diet and regularly exercise.

She sent me a template message and when I said I was already on something, she asked me to post a tester message on the Facebook.

I did it. OK, whatever...but she wouldn't tell me even what fucking company it was. Are you fucking kidding me? 😒

So a friend signed up for her program and messaged me. So I asked what company it was.

But why the fucking cloak and dagger. We are actual friends. Starting a fricking business and hitting me up without telling me what the actual business is? Come on!

Apparently this pissed myself off to the 9th level. She should know that I am with a coach, and doing the damn thing every day. Ugg.

Apparently on of the things is skinny coffee:

$55 for 15 servings, I think.

In comparison to the slim coffee I previously reviewed:

Which was...$35 or $39 for 30:

So...

Idk if ya'll run across stuff like this.

Weirdly enough, I probably would have bought a package if she hadn't been so fucking weird about it because as you know, I am trying alot of weird shit. I was extremely heavy for a long fucking time. And if a weight chart says I am supposed to weigh 120.... good God. I am still 80 pounds away from that, AFTER 120 pound loss.

I am already on something that is helping me, it is called Nomorbidity from The Ambrosia Collective. I also started Alkemi from them back in October.

I have also been taking something called Slim from TS transformations.

If you are interested in either of those, just use Google and order them.

What is the point of this?

Oh yeah, I am super fucking annoyed that a person who got weight loss surgery hit me up like a fucking acquaintance; pretending like we haven't been heavily involved in each other's lives.

If you start a business, don't do this. Your friends deserve better.

I am probably going to fall down an anti-MLM series of posts now.

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fandom-girl-99 · 7 months

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Totally Killer (2023)

Hey, guys! Last night I watched Totally Killer and I loved it so I decided to write a review! Enjoy!

I just finished watching the new movie called Totally Killer starring Kiernan Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Olivia Holt ( Kickin’ It, Marvel’s Cloak And Dagger, Cruel Summer), Lochlyn Munro (Riverdale) and Liana Liberato (Light As A Feather) with Charlie Gillespie (Julie And The Phantoms) directed by Nahnatchka Khan. The plot of the movie is about a…

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mxtomituck · 22 days

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I've gone from zero reports on Overwatch to suddenly getting several in one week, but I haven't changed my communication style at all. What's annoying is that there's no indication of what was said that "violated" guidelines, so despite being threatened with having my account suspended, I have no idea what I did to merit these warnings so I don't know how to modify my behavior to comply with the guidelines...? It's extremely frustrating to be told I'm risking my account but not be told what I did wrong.

This is a terrible system as I have no way of knowing if the reports were even sincere. I have no way of knowing if I said something in defense of myself or my teammates that someone took the wrong way. Is there one of those ridiculous zero-tolerance policies where you're not allowed to match people's energy?

I get how this probably sounds. I know there are way bigger problems in the world. If, however, your stated goal is to improve communication or foster a specific environment, how can anyone hope to do better when they don't know what they've done wrong? If you can't even point to the alleged offending communication, how do I know these reports are even being reviewed at all? Do you just accept every report at face value?

I know I limit how much I report people. I will usually only do that if someone is actively, vocally stopping team progress (like repeatedly jumping off the map or stating in chat that they are no longer gonna try because they didn't get enough heals). How do I, as a community member, know what is a violation of community guidelines if I know I don't go around calling people slurs or picking fights in chat? Plenty of people do that but I don't report them. Should I be? Because I've seen plenty of players "disrupt" my gaming experience but I figured it would be extreme to report them.

I have to assume that this vague, unhelpful language is simply designed for Blizzard/Activision to deflect responsibility for actually doing anything about toxic players. Frankly, even in the situations where I have reported people I still believe they deserve to know why they were reported. If they're using racial slurs they should know why they got caught. Otherwise they can just feel justified in what they did, because I'm fairly sure they don't have the same level of introspection that I do, trying to figure out in my head what I did wrong. Instead, they can just keep going and hope that nobody takes the time to report them.

Obviously, I'm frustrated. I hate being told vaguely that I did something wrong but that this thing is a secret. I would like to be able to interact with other players, but if no clarification is offered, then I have to operate under the assumption that no communication that could potentially be interpreted as anything but unequivocally positive is safe from malicious (or even sincere) reports. How, precisely, does a cloak and dagger veil of mystery allow for a safe and friendly environment? In my opinion, it's antithetical to that goal.

#we've all got bigger fish to fry #but I have thoughts

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dispatchdcu · 4 months

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Luke Cage: Gang War #3 Preview

Luke Cage: Gang War #3 Preview #lukecage #lukecagegangwar #gangwar #MARVEL #marvelcomics #comics #comicbooks #news #mcu #art #info #NCBD #comicbooknews #previews #reviews #amazon

Luke Cage: Gang War #3 Preview: THE FIGHT FOR NEW YORK IS ON! SPIDER-SLAYERS are back and bigger than ever! Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Jessica Jones, Cloak and Dagger face a GIANT threat as they battle for the soul of New York! RODNEY BARNES RAMÓN F. BACHS (A) Cover by CAANAN WHITE CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY SERGIO DAVILA KINGPIN MARVEL MASTERPIECES III VARIANT COVER BY GREG & TIM HILDEBRANDT 32…

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#comic books #comics #Luke Cage #Luke Cage: Gang War #Luke Cage: Gang War 3 #Luke Cage: Gang War 3 Preview #Marvel #marvel comic books #marvel comic previews #Marvel Comics #Marvel Previews #Previews

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fallowhearth · 1 year

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Branching out into book reviews...

Just finished Age of Ash (Kithamar Trilogy) by Daniel Abraham. Abraham is the author of the Dagger and the Coin series, as well as one half of the Expanse pen-name.

I had mixed feelings about the Dagger and the Coin series, despite liking it enough to finish all six books. There were many elements I thought were well done, and the character work was mostly excellent (one or two glaring exceptions in the cast), but the negative elements were weighted heavily enough that they brought the whole thing down for me. Some truly eye-rollingly cliche character beats, and most damningly for me, despite it being a series about "the Coin", Abraham does not understand economic history. Baru Cormorant this ain't.

That is all to say, I liked Age of Ash much better. The conceit is that two impoverished girls become embroiled in a high political intrigue plot reaching the highest echelons of the city after the murder of one girl's brother. It improves on pretty much every element I disliked in the prior series.

The two main protagonists are well drawn and believable. Alys spends much of the book in the role of antagonist to pure cinnamon roll Sammish, and Abraham here excels as usual in putting you in the head of someone behaving poorly. It's a believable and compelling portrayal of someone in the throes of grief, and the distorted thinking that can cause. And for all I jest, Sammish also comes out as a fairly rounded character. She is my favourite though.

The world of Kithamar the city balances lush (but occasionally overdone) prose with an apparent new-found understanding of how economies work. It's one of the better portrayals of how a 'low end' of town could function. Longhill comes through as a place with a real living culture, and significantly, a place with actual economic function. We follow Sammish as she strings together the various small jobs she can access, and it feels like a believable portrayal of paycheck to paycheck living.

In terms of the main plot, I was initially intrigued by reviews I'd read that complained of a nearly incomprehensible cloak and dagger plot occurring offscreen that was impossible for the reader to understand or follow. This sounded great - I love Harrow the Ninth! Unfortunately (fortunately?) I have to report that these reviewers may just be stupid. I love a convoluted cloak and dagger plot, but the intrigue here is fairly straight forward, presumably to account for the fact we are seeing it through the eyes of characters on the periphery. The factions emerge fairly early and there aren't really any great reversals or reveals. This is fine for its part - it's less about wallowing in the intrigue and more about the personal/interpersonal for Alys and Sammish.

You may have noticed that the other series I've mentioned so far have been in the 'lesbian space atrocities' genre, and that's not just because they are the only referents I know how to reference (though that is also true). Age of Ash may not exactly be in the neighbourhood of lesbian space atrocities, but it's... a neighbour to the neighbourhood. If only because it's far less ambitious than is characteristic. Sammish is in love with her friend, a hopeless puppy love that leads her to act in ways she knows to be foolish (relatable). In an interesting variation, Sammish does not get the girl - she realises she can do better than that specific girl. (Which, she can.) The emotional throughline of the book is partly a coming of age for Sammish: gaining confidence and letting go of her youthful dreams for the future when they no longer serve her.

Overall, would recommend, and I'll likely read the sequels, but not revolutionary.

#daniel abraham #Age of ash #Kithamar #Book review #fantasy novel #sff

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leona-is-free · 2 years

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The Path to Freedom, a HOTD fanfic

Summary: Rhaenyra takes up Ser Criston Cole’s offer. Rhaenyra x Crispin

Read/review on AO3

Prologue

Chapter 1

Criston Cole was again on the battlefield.

It was as if the bloodlust never left him.

The feeling of bones crushing under his hands. The way they splintered and cracked as his knuckles dug harder, and harder. The hot blood staining his gloves and seeping in his skin. Criston had forgotten this part of him. He buried it the day he chose honor before everything. Before he became a knight.

The demon had woken once again, infecting the blood in his veins, filling his mind, traveling down to the fingers that gripped whatever bits of flesh were left.

He froze when the music had stopped. He had reawoken as he felt the hundreds of eyes bearing down on him. The tapping of shoes on the dance floor ceased. All was silent. All eyes were on him.

Criston, the man, had returned. And he had been horrified by what he had done.

His memory became hazy, forgetting much other than a right hook landing on Laenor Valeryon. A rush of men began to attack each other, using Criston’s outburst simply as a reason to shed blood.

Criston did not know how he escaped unannounced. He kept going, stumbling along the hall, like a lost child. He was disengaged with reality, feeling nothing but deep, painful shame. Criston thought he had shed that part of him after the incursions. He lied to himself that he left that devil in the battlefield when he was knighted.

He realized tonight, that he was always that devil.

Criston would not let the king execute him. He didn’t deserve an honorable death.

He stood in the godwood, looking up at the at the great oak. On beautiful nights like these, the princess and him sat among the stars, sharing stories of the constellations. He remembered her in this place during the day, tormenting the bard with the same, tired ballad of Princess Nymeria. Those were the few times he saw her at peace. Those days she truly looked like a maiden.

The Rhaenyra of today was a monster. Just like him.

Criston dropped to his knees, disrobing his now filthy white cloak. He unbuckled his long sword, saying his goodbye as he gently laid it to the ground.

Clang.

He slowly removed each piece of his armor, dropping it thoughtlessly to the ground. He could not be as gentle with it as Rhaenyra .

Clang.

The ceremony had surely begun by now. Was she happy with her decision? He wondered how quiet the words would escape her lips as she recited her vows.

I am yours and you are mine.

He dreamt of Rhaenyra’s voice speaking that vow to him every night. The reality of her sharing them to another, at that very hour, brought him unbearable pain. He truly had nothing left go give.

Criston unsheathed the dagger. The moonlight flickered on the sharp blade, illuminating the steel.

He raised it to his chest.

A shrill scream filled the air.

Criston’s shoulder slammed into the ground as a great force suddenly knocked him over. A stranger had jumped him, pinning his arms to reach for the dagger. While he was caught by surprise, Criston quickly surmised that this foe was no match for him. Criston gave a heavy push as the foreign hand gripped the blade of his dagger. Blood hit his face as his assailant unceremoniously flung to the ground.

Criston sat up, and his mouth dropped.

Rhaenyra sat up, groaning. The white and gold of her wedding dress was stained with dirt and blood. Her hair, previously styled up in elaborate braids, was now loose and disheveled. Her left palm was cut open, but she paid no mind to the wound. Her attention turned back to Criston, her eyes ablaze with a rage he had never seen.

Criston, still breathless, quickly jumped to his feet and towards her, raising her up to her feet.

“Mi’Lady--“

Rhaenyra slapped him across the cheek with her bloodied palm.

Criston gasped, his head fixed in place for a moment. He felt the the night’s cool touch as the blood traveled down his skin.

Criston had no moment to feel insult as Rhaenyra attacked him again, grabbing his tunic with her bloodied hands. She screamed at him in a High Valyrian. She relentlessly slammed her delicate fists against his chest. Every beat against his muscle made a dull thump.

To an outsider, the scene would be absolutely comical. Criston’s frustration quickly dissipated as he wondered how ridiculous they looked.

“Enough!” Criston exclaimed, unable to contain his laughter. He pushed her off gently enough to let her land on her feet. He rest his hands on her upper arms and looked down at her.

Beneath the fury of her blue eyes held a deep sorrow he recognized. He watched the fire of her fury dim, leaving behind a sheen of glass. In that moment he knew, he was not the only one suffering.

Criston cupped her cheek, thankful that she did not resist his kiss. Her lips were soft, and supple, and he leaned into her touch. His focus was solely on her, escaping from the dark events of the night. He remembered happier times, to them riding together on horseback. To feigning ignorance as she played tricks on his fellow kingsguards. To the first time he felt her skin against his as they shared her bed.

“Forgive me, Princess,” he whispered against her lips, “for ruining your wedding day.”

Rhaenyra scoffed and pulled away. “Save your apologies. We are leaving.”

Criston bent to the ground, ripping a piece of his cloak. He took Rhaenyra’s injured hand and began to wrap the wound.

“You came for me.”

“Hm,” said Rhaenyra, teary-eyed, “All these years you have come for me. Protected me. How can I not do the same?”

“So you choose infamy after all, do you?”

Criston finished the dressing and their eyes met. He raised a free hand and gently wiped her tears away.

Rhaenyra chuckled. “I’m already infamous. Haven’t you heard the whispers in the halls? That I lost my maiden-hood to my own uncle.”

“Lies.” Said Criston, “I know best of all.”

They shared a smile. Criston kissed her cheek, savoring her presence.

“Now, Princess. To Essos?”

“Gods no, not Essos!” Rhaenyra cried out as she snatched her hand away. She pulled her dress up and kicked off her heels, running barefoot into the woods.

Criston retrieved the bloody dagger from the ground and sheathed it. He picked up his longsword and secured it to his belt. He stared at the torn cloak, stained with blood.

Voices in the distance broke Criston from his thoughts, and he quickly took after the princess.

——————

He weaved right and left between the tall trees, trying to keep close to her. Criston was confused at her sense of direction. The only way out of the godswood was the castle itself, where everyone was searching for her. Surely she wasn’t expecting to climb the wall. As they reach the wall, Criston saw his answer - a rope ladder, secured, leading to the top.

Criston placed his hand on the twine.

“An escape route when I was young,” said Rhaynera, “when Mother would try to teach me sewing.”

Criston, suspicious of its age, tugged on the ladder. It seemed sturdy enough. He guided Rhaenyra in front of him, so he may catch her should they fall.

The least he could do after everything.

Rhaenyra slipped her foot in between the makeshift steps and began to climb. Criston slowly followed, tensing with every snap the rope made. The climb felt eternal, and as the voices grew louder he became more unnerved.

“So,” said Criston, “Once we reach the top of the wall, suppose what do we do? Do you expect us to jump down and land on both feet?”

Rhaenyra stopped, rocking the ladder. Her eyes gleamed down at him.

“Suppose I do, would you jump with me?”

“Please don’t look down.” Criston chided, ignoring the subtext of her question.

—————

The wind was eager to greet them as they approached the top of the wall. Criston stepped to his feet and put an arm around Rhaenyra.

He hadn’t realized how beautiful the city was at night. Laterns flickered below like tiny stars. Clouds above dimmed the light of the moon, casting an iridescent glow.

“And now?”

“And now we wait,” said Rhaenyra. “Not for long. She has good eyes from afar.”

“What are you doing?”

Rhaenyra had stepped away from him and reached under her gown. She unsheathed a belted dagger from her mid thigh. The patterns along the blade told Criston this was Valyrian steel. Rhaenyra raised the blade behind her, and ran it through her hair. The intricate braids were released one by one, and a gust of wind freed her hair.

She then brought the blade to the bust of her dress, tearing until it reached her waist. She slipped the fabric off of her shoulders, allowing the gown to drop to the ground. She hooked the fabric under her foot and tossed it over the wall. The bustier quickly followed.

She looked up at the moon, the wind tossing her hair back. She now wore nothing but a white chemise, the sheer, thin fabric leaving little to the knight’s imagination.

Any typical nobleman would see this wild woman, half naked on a five hundred foot wall, and think of her as a witch or at least insane. Criston would have thought this himself, were it any other woman. But in that moment he saw the same fearless girl who flew to Dragonstone, stood between two armies and single handedly stopped a civil war. He saw the true queen for the first time in his young life.

He loved her wild.

A shadow caught Criston’s eye, and he looked up. A silhouette appeared behind the clouds. It danced in the light, growing larger and lager before the sight could be made out, Criston trembled.

The dragon approached and braced her wings, the gust so strong it nearly blew the two off the ledge. Criston braced himself and instinctively pulled Rhaenyra close to him.

The dragons front claws grabbed the edge of the wall as she descended. She emitted a low growl at Criston.

“Syrax.”

Rhaenyra left Criston’s embrace and walked towards Syrax. She placed her hands, then her temple, along the beast’s snout.

“Shhhhh, shhhh,” Rhae said gently, speaking in her ancestral language. Syrax responded in soft growls. She released her hold on the wall and lowered herself, presenting her back to them.

“She’s finally large enough for two.” said Rhaenyra. She glanced at Criston and read his reaction.

“Don’t worry, it’s like riding a horse.”

Criston frowned. “Doubtful.”

Rhaenyra shook her head. “I can’t believe after all this time you still haven’t rode on dragon with me.”

Criston carefully stepped towards Syrax. “I prefer the ground Mi’Lady.”

“Hm. I’ll let you take the saddle and I will stay on her back.”

Criston, in between glances at the dragon, slowly placed his hands on the saddle. When she did not stir, he hooked his boot in the stirrup and raised himself over.

Just like riding a horse, he told himself, trying to look anywhere but down. Rhaenyra effortlessly climbed on, taking a seat in front of the him.

“And how, Princess, will you stay on the back of a flying dragon with no saddle?”

“It’s simple.” Rhaenyra shot a mischievous glance that left Criston again in awe.

“I am a dragon.”

Next —> Chapter 2

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