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miss-tc-nova · 3 years

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Tonight - Eraqus x Reader

SCREW IT! I’M DONE! HAVE IT! I’ve been working on this for too long and it’s starting to eat at me. It’s not perfect, but it’s time to move on!

NO BETA WE DIE LIKE THE SCALA UPPERCLASSMEN!

Music inpsiration: Let’s Get Out of This Town - Carrie Underwood

~~~~~

Leaves rustle above, dappling the ground in a perfect mix of cool shade and warm sun. My pen scraws across the book I’m holding up in a rather awkward manner. The reason for such awkward writings shifts again, turning the page of a book I told him to put away at least ten times now.

“Eraqus, would you please focus.”

Splayed across my lap, the young man responds, “I am focused.”

“Then what did I just say?”

“Uh…That the founding of Scala Ad Caelum was the start of a new era for keyblade wielders.” I stare at him, a mix of annoyance and disappointment painted across my face. “What?”

“That was the first thing I said TWO HOURS AGO!” I drop the notebook on his face. “Era, the Founding Festival is in three days and you haven’t even written one word of your speech! Your mom is going to be so pissed if you mess this up!”

The notebook gets pushed aside as he rubs his nose. “I forgot about it, okay. Besides, if she’s so afraid of me ruining the family name, she shouldn’t have put this on me.”

It’s in these truths that I can’t fault him. His parents are trying to exhibit Eraqus as the perfect heir to blue-blooded family—except, everyone knows Eraqus doesn’t couldn’t care less about his heritage.

My fingers slide through his soft, wavy hair. “I know you hate it, and I agree that it’s not really fair, but being Tardy Fleetfoot isn’t gonna get you out of this one, sweetheart.”

His eyes open, staring off into the distant sky; I can practically see the gears turning in his head.

“What if it could?”

“Huh?”

Finally, Eraqus sits up. “What if…we ran away?”

“Seriously? I know it sucks, but you wanna run away because your mom asked you to make a speech on behalf of your family?”

“Yes! I mean, no. I just…” Shoulders slump, his eyes cast down. Suddenly, the ever-present light he radiates dims. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and…I think we could be happier outside of Scala.”

I feel a knot in my stomach. “When you say ‘we’…”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you said no, but travelling across the all the worlds would be a lot more fun if you were there with me.”

Eraqus could easily be the heir his parents keep nagging him to be if he would just take their requests more seriously, but I know he has his reasons for rebelling. As for me, I’ve been struggling with a lot of things ever since I met a man in a black coat. I began questioning our purpose and history, which has admittedly affected some of my work. There’s no reward, no guarantees—no certainty that what we’re doing will mean anything; what he showed me has shaken my resolve in this career. Doing something so selfish for once has an incredible allure.

My voice in careful contemplation, I ask, “Do you really think we’d be fine out there on our own?”

That adorable grin that scrunches his nose returns. “With you looking after me, I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Of course he could bring a smile to my face so easily. “Just you and me, travelling the worlds, no responsibilities, doing whatever we want, being together! It’ll be perfect!”

He takes my hands and I can feel the excitement tingling in his fingers like an infection. Still, I can’t quite lose myself to irrationality the same way he can.

“What about your family?”

He sighs, his gaze dropping. “All I have left are my parents and I’m not sure they even see me as their son anymore—just someone to follow the family tradition. And honestly, I don’t care. So I’ve got nothing holding me back.” His gaze turns on me. “Do you?”

My mind frantically sifts through excuses and obligations. Even in my shattered determination, I’d always convinced myself that the path of the keyblade wielder was the right thing to do and that this was my place in this existence. But right now, my heart washes out those thoughts more and more with each beat.

“No.”

I’ve never, in all my years of knowing him, seen Eraqus smile so brightly. And suddenly, my entire future feels like an abyss of the unknown, but it’s bright.

“Then let’s go.”

“Now?!”

He scrambles to his feet, arms thrown out. “Why not?!”

My brain rattles, trying to get a grip on the suddenness of it all. “Wh-But…What about the others?”

For the first time, his confidence falters. “I’m not sure they would understand. They’ve wanted to be masters for as long as I can remember.”

“And Xehanort?”

His voice lowers to something more sober. “This is the life he’s dreamed of. Gods, he would probably be angry that I want to give this up.” His drooping shoulders square up and he turns to me, determination in his eyes. “We can’t say anything to them.”

“Are you sure?”

Hesitation flickers briefly. “Yes. Not a word. Okay?”

I nod. “Okay.”

“Good.” Eraqus throws his arms around me, squeezing so tight he lifts me off the ground for a moment and the uncertainty of my life feels long gone by now.

We agree on a plan—opting to sneak out after curfew—and even talk about some of the things we’ll bring with us, but the conversation quickly dissolves into Eraqus telling me about all the adventures he wants us to have. I hang on every word, the nerves still fluttering in my chest but having the utmost faith in him. Before long, I can’t help thinking that curfew can’t come soon enough.

Checking up and down the halls, I sneak my way from the kitchen with a bag in hand. I hadn’t managed to snitch much since it had all been locked away for the night, but anything would work until we get out of here. Realistically, food is the most important thing we need to worry about, but Eraqus promised me he would grab the other things on the list we made. I just hope it’s going as smoothly for him as it is for me.

A finger jams into my cheek. “What’s got you all smiley?”

Correction: I hope it’s going smoother for him than it is for me.

In spite of the flush boiling into my cheeks, I attempt to give the offending red-head my best glare. “Am I not allowed to smile just because I’m happy?”

His brow arches. “It’s more the reason why you’re happy that’s suspicious.” Those amber orbs eye up my bag. “And what’s in the bag?”

The heat is climbing into my ears as I hold the bag tighter against me. “It’s none of your business Bragi; can’t I just be happy to be happy?”

“Me thinks thou doth protest too much,” he hums before leaning in. “What are you hiding?”

Hand against his chest, I push the young man back a step. My heart is racing in my chest while I struggle to remain calm. “What does it matter to you?”

His shoulders bounce. “I get curious when people start acting weird.” Once again, those eyes narrow, gleaming with serious intent. “So, are you gonna tell me or do I have to pry it out of you?”

I force an eye roll, pushing past his so-called ultimatum. “If you don’t quit pestering me, I’ll tell Urd it was you who ruined the ice sculpture she made for the magic project last week.”

That puts a damper on his investigation. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh I would.” I poke at his shirt. “You let poor Baldr take the blame but I watched you botch the aero spell that knocked it over.”

“You have no proof.”

“I have proof that Baldr was helping Eraqus with homework and the others were working on their projects together on the training ground. You’re the only one without an alibi and your project was the only other one in the class, yet you were overlooked because everyone thought your wonky, incomplete project was broken too.” Finally with some confidence, I smile. “Besides, who’s Urd more likely to believe? Me? Or Smarmy Fluffcoat?”

Bragi scowls. “Fine. But I’m on to you. I will figure out what you’re up to.”

“Run along, Fluffcoat,” I say, shooing him away from me.

As he walks away, I feel a tug in my heart. Bragi, Urd, Vor, Baldr, Hermod, and Xehanort are my classmates—no, more like family. We spent years together, working together, taking care of each other, laughing together. They were the only reason I never chickened out of becoming a keyblade wielder. Of course, I’m giving up that path now for different reasons, but I didn’t think I would miss anything about this life—I was wrong.

I have to remind myself that I have preparations to make or I risk giving myself reasons to reconsider.

Stowed away in my room, I collect the things I’ll be taking with me. Hard choices are made for I can’t reasonably take everything. Mementos, niceties, and even gifts from the people I’m closest to must be left behind. I’m not going to lie, I cried a little.

With some time to kill before curfew, I jot down the things I can’t say in person. I can’t tell my friends where we’re going—not that I even know where we’re going—but I do everything I can to express how much I love them and that I’m going to miss them. For the life of me, I want them to understand our choices and not to worry about us. Even as I tuck the letter away in the photo album on my desk, I find myself praying they’ll be okay.

A soft knock comes from the door. Creeping closer, I crack it open to find my boyfriend.

“Are you ready to go?” he whispers.

Reaching back, I grab my bag, sparing my room of several years one last glance. “Yeah.”

As I scurry after Eraqus, I give him a cheeky smirk. “I was beginning to think you’d gotten cold feet.”

The young man stops in his tracks, turns on me, and jerks me into a hasty kiss. With his eyes sparking with excitement, he says, “Cold feet? Me? Never.”

His surprise attack has my stomach writhing, forcing him to take the initiative, taking my hand and leading the way. We creep through the silent halls, holding our breaths as we check around every corner. Years spent in this citadel has taught us the patrol route of the staff watching out for kids like us, so we find little trouble on our way to one of the lesser used exits of the student dorms.

Both of us heave a sigh of relief once the cool night air washes across our skin. There are still patrols scattered about the school grounds but—without restrictive, empty, hallways—they’re easier to avoid.

We’re so close; once we make it to the back corner of the school grounds, we can hop the fence and we’ll be long gone by the time anyone realizes we’re missing.

Eraqus glances off to the left, pulling us around the corner towards the right. Immediately, he skids to a halt and I slam into his back. My question dies on my tongue as I peer around him to find the reason for our delay. My heart freezes as we come face to face with all six of our friends, headed by a scowling Xehanort.

“What are you troublemakers up to?” Urd hisses, looking just as angry as Xehanort.

“Eheh, what are you guys doin’ out past curfew?” Eraqus asks with a nervous laugh.

Hermod folds his arms. “We could ask you the same thing.”

“Uh…” Era’s grip on my hand tightens nervously. “We were just out for a walk. Fresh air under the moonlight’s super romantic, you know.”

Baldr points out the obvious flaw. “Then what’s with the bags?”

Stone eyes glance to me for an excuse, but I have none. “Homework?”

I feel our dreams shriveling in my heart. Xehanort squares up, stepping in to nearly bump chests with Eraqus, his silver eyes practically glowing with his displeasure.

“Fight me.”

No one was expecting his challenge. However, without backing down, Eraqus questions him.

“What?”

“Fight me,” Xe repeats. “If you win, you can go.”

Cautiously, Eraqus asks, “And if I lose?”

“You tell us what’s going on.”

I reach out to rest a hand on Eraqus’s arm. “Maybe we should-”

I don’t know if it’s the competitive streak he has going on with Xehanort or a reckless thought that convinced him he has a higher win rate than one out of three, but Eraqus ignores my second guessing.

“You’re on.”

Without another word, Xehanort turns and begins leading the way towards the training grounds. The leader glares straight ahead with his opponent right behind him, but the others are free to throw me a mix of glares and questioning glances.

The competitors take the field while the rest of us wait at the sidelines. I assume in order to keep the secrecy we’d tried to escape in, the two speak in hushed voices I can’t hear. Meanwhile, pressure continues building as the others surround me like I’m some sort of inmate needing guarding—perhaps I am in this situation.

Finally, Urd breaks the silence. “You know Eraqus is going to lose.” My lips purse, reluctant to respond. That’s not what she wanted. “Seriously?! There’s no point hiding it; just tell us what you guys were doing!”

I simply hold my silence, but Vor at least seems to have some mercy. “Shh, you’ll attract attention. There’s no use trying to pry out secrets, especially if Eraqus really is going to lose.”

An arm bumps against me and I peer up at Hermod. His expression seems like a mix of pain and anger; all I’m really sure is that he wants to say something, but he holds his tongue and returns his gaze to the fight.

The boys clash in silence, only the clang of metal ringing out when keyblades occasionally collide. Eraqus is renowned as a slacker and a clown among the class; nevertheless, he’s got power and skill. And this is the first time I’ve ever seen him take on his best friend without a cheeky grin. For the sake of our ambitions, he’s serious.

That’s not to say Xehanort doesn’t have a chance—he does have win rate to back him up after all. Right from the beginning, he had us all on the run with his raw talent. So while I haven’t lost all hope in Eraqus, I’m not exactly an optimist either.

And then comes the slip up.

Eraqus lunges, but when Xehanort side steps the attack, his wrist turns and he pulls back, hooking his opponent’s foot and pulling him to the ground. And then, when Eraqus goes in for the finishing move, Xehanort shoves his keyblade forward—right where Eraqus’s foot lands. The boy in black stands, pulling his weapon with him and unbalancing Eraqus enough that Xehanort easily topples the enemy and claims checkmate.

Standing above his opponent, keyblade to Eraqus’s chin, Xehanort heaves. Eraqus, equally exhausted, glowers in his defeat. I can feel the weight of failure sinking in my chest.

“Out with it,” the victor says. The line of Era’s jaw tightens. Unfazed, Xehanort jabs at his chest. “You agreed to the terms, now talk. And no lies.”

His chin drops, ebony hair hiding his frustration. “We’re running away.”

For a moment, Xehanort scrutinizes him. I can feel the others staring between me and Era until, finally, Xehanort’s aim lowers as he lets out a huff.

“I figured that’s what was going on.”

Just like Eraqus, my eyes snap back to Xehanort. “Huh?”

Xehanort, for the first time tonight, smiles as he pulls Era from the dirt. “Did you really think you could hide it from me? You can’t act to save your life.”

“Uh…”

“I just wanted you to tell me yourself instead of leaving some stupid note.”

From his jacket, Bragi produces the note I had left behind. Eraqus shoots me a confused glance. “Must’ve just missed ya sneakin’ out when we stopped by to check on you.”

The silver-haired man picks up the dropped bag and pushes it against his best friend. “You two better get going. You have a lot of ground to cover and Eraqus’s parents will have all the worlds looking for you.”

The words slip from my mouth, “You’re…letting us go?”

Bragi snorts. “S’no secret you two aren’t happy here. Kinda sucks but you gotta do what’s best for you.”

“Do you guys have enough supplies?” Hermod asks.

“You better make sure to stay stocked up on food and water,” warns Vor, pulling a bag from her haori to give to me.

“And be careful not to get sick,” adds Baldr, placing a folded blanket on top of Vor’s gift.

“Also, you left your map in the library, you dingus,” accuses Xehanort. From his pocket, he pulls the map Eraqus promised me he would get. The ‘dingus’ gives a sheepish smile.

“Speaking of which, where do you guys plan on going first?” asks Vor.

Xehanort holds a hand up. “Don’t answer that. The less we know, the better. Just…send us a card from all the worlds you visit, ‘kay?”

Tears well in my eyes when he pulls the two of us into an embrace. The others pile on, sharing the last group hug we’ll have for a long time. It breaks my heart, but at the same time, we have their blessing and nothing could make me happier.

Breaking apart, Urd takes my face, wiping away the tears she won’t succeed in erasing. To be fair, there’s not a dry eye among us.

“Take care of yourselves,” she says through sniffles.

“I love you guys,” I murmur.

Eraqus takes my hand, wearing soft smile. I can’t force myself to move and it takes him pulling me away for me to finally turn away from them.

Once we jump the stone wall, we leave behind our responsibilities, our old lives, and our family—at least our real family understands.

As we race through the empty streets, my tears start to dry. I’m still sad and I’ll miss them, but I have a bright future ahead of me—besides, it’s not like we said goodbye. No, right now, I’m focused on Eraqus and all the adventures we’re going to have. He’s the light pulling me through the darkness and I wouldn’t have been able to break free without him.

Coming up on the docks, we slow to a stop, looking over the water the reflects the shining night sky.

“So, where to first?” Eraqus asks, waving to all the endless possibilities.

Giggling a bit, I point to the brightest star I see first. “That one.”

“Alright. That one, here we come.”

Before I can summon my keyblade, Eraqus pulls me into another surprise kiss. His excitement is palpable, seeping in and instigating my own. When he breaks it, he keeps me close, eyes shimmering like the sky above.

“I promise you won’t regret this,” he says.

“Regret? Me? Never.”

He sticks his tongue out at me for mocking him and we summon the armor that will protect us in the Lanes Between. Without any more delays, we leave Scala Ad Caelum.

And we’ve never been happier.

#young eraqus x reader #eraqus x reader #gender neutral reader

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lovingmyselfcore · 3 years

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i can go anywhere i want just not home

A fic based on My Tears Ricochet!! Highly recommend listening to the song while reading. Very angsty, it's if something happened and Aelin was forced out of Terrasen and had to fake her death. So yeah. I'm working on my Illicit Affairs one so that should be soon? No promises

**Not beta-read or anything we die like men here and I think I'm allergic to editing after 8pm so I can't be blamed if it's really bad

“Do it,” She spat, staring up at him - at all of them. Rowan was the only one who met her eyes, he didn’t flinch away from her, he never flinched away from her. Until recently, at least. There was a sort of comfort in knowing that she was horrible enough that Rowan Whitethorn had finally flinched.

She felt that achingly familiar lick of flame, starting at the base of her spine slowly curling up, lighting the hollows in her spine and bones, in her soul.

Something must be smoldering in her eyes because Rowan shifted, almost imperceptibly. Only being his mate and carranam did she recognize it for what it was. He’d shifted enough to have placed himself between them. Between her, Chaol, and Dorian.

With a bitter laugh, she spat again, “It’s come to this? You’re protecting them from me!” Her voice got shrill.

“Fireheart,” Rowan started but she cut him off.

“No. No. Don’t. You. Dare. Call me that.” It took all her years of training in hiding herself, of becoming other people, that allowed her to keep her voice steady.

She wanted to cry. She wanted to curl up in her massive bed, half sprawled against the comforting warmth of her husband, with Fleetfoot resting in her lap and a good book in one hand, the delicious chocolate hazelnut cake an elderly woman in town had learned to make just for her in the other. She wanted to go home.

But home was a long way from here.

Dorian shoved forward, elbowing past Rowan, ignoring Chaol’s muttered warning, and stopped once he and Aelin were nose-to-nose.

“We didn’t want to do this.”

She just hummed, not backing away from him.

Those flames still curled, ready for her to wield.

“This is better than the alternative,” Chaol spoke up and she and Dorian both moved to look at him.

She arched a brow and schooled her face into that indifferent arrogance she knew made nearly everyone see red. “The alternative? What was the alternative to forcing me to flee my kingdom I have fought so hard to keep and fake my own death with only,” She jabbed a finger at each of them, “You three knowing the details of what happened.”

“The alternative was taking away the fake part,” Dorian said, cold water to match her own burning flame.

She started, and against her better judgment, looked at Rowan. “You were going to,” She swallowed and tried very hard to ignore the agony in his gorgeous eyes. “Kill me?”

“If it makes you feel better, I don’t think anybody voted for that.” Dorian offered.

“Voted?” Her voice went shrill again and she saw Rowan twitch. “You all voted on what to do with me?”

“You couldn’t stay in Terrasen anymore, not after what you did, so yes. We voted.”

“And you three are the lucky bastards who have to force me out.”

“Force is only needed if you decide to fight us, Aelin,” Chaol said.

She ignored how pointed the words were, how they angered those festering embers.

“So Lorcan didn’t volunteer? I was sure he’d be the first to want to force me out of my own home and fake my death.”

“Nobody volunteered, Aelin. Nobody wanted this to be the way it went.”

“Hmm, well it seems someone did. Since we’re here, and all.” Her voice dropped low and she was suddenly talking only to Rowan. “Was what I did so unforgivable that you don’t love me anymore?”

He couldn’t look at her, this man, who used to look at her like the stars were born in her eyes, now couldn’t look her in the face. “I’ll always love you, Fi-” He cleared his throat, “Aelin. Don’t ever think I stopped but-” He looked like words had become too hard and merely stared at whatever his eyes were fixed on, somewhere behind her left ear.

Chaol and Dorian were both looking anywhere but at the two of them.

Looking at him in the dying sunlight filtering through the web of branches formed from ancient oak trees, the way his eyes glittered, the hard lines of him all highlighted, and his hair ruffled from the autumn wind, her resolve broke. She took a step, then another, then she was running. He caught her, swept her up, and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

It was oddly reminiscent of a time long ago, in Adarlan. That, however, was a reunion. This was a goodbye.

Tears streaked down her face and he held her closer; as if trying to further commit all of her to memory. “I’m sorry, Rowan.” She whispered.

“I know. I am too.”

She pulled away first. He wiped her tears away with painstaking gentleness and kissed her forehead, “This may not be the end.” From his tone and the way he was looking at her, he believed it as much as she did. Which is to say, this is the end. “Promise me you’ll stay alive.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Take care of Terrasen for me. They need you.”

He nodded, his hands still resting on her face, making no move to leave. “Where will you go?”

She shrugged helplessly, “Maybe I’ll bring Lillian back. I don’t know. I’ll just stay in the shadows for a few centuries, try and build a life where nobody knows me, nobody knows Terrasen.”

He nodded again and slowly dragged his hands from her face. She was the one that was ‘dying’ but he looked ready to keel over himself. He took a few unsteady steps backward and stooped to pick up a backpack they’d brought. He tossed it to her and she caught it easily, slinging it along her back.

She turned and looked at Dorian and Chaol, biting her lip. She wanted them to hurt, she wanted them to feel the betrayal she felt. Not a sting, no, she felt like she’d been stabbed. And as someone who had been stabbed many times before, she felt confident in her analogy. But they were her friends, once.

Make them hurt a voice whispered deep from inside her. She clenched her fists and felt the flames bubbling up.

Aelin. Rowan. In her head.

She breathed in deeply and nodded to them once, they nodded back. She acknowledged the pain in their eyes with not a small amount of satisfaction.

She took off sprinting into the forest and didn’t look back.

~~~~~~

They were walking back to Terrasen, they’d let Aelin off at the border.

“Rowan,” Dorian laid a hand on his arm, “Are you-”

He shrugged the young king off and shifted, taking to the skies, as far from them, from anyone, as he could get.

“We made the right decision, right?” Dorian’s voice was so strained it cut at Chaol’s heart.

“Yeah, yes. This was the right choice. The only choice.”

He nodded, but Chaol could tell the doubts lingered. As long as Aelin was out there, on her own, free but never allowed to return home, the doubts would always linger.

~~~~~~

Her knees buckled not far from where she’d taken off running from the three of them. She flew forward, throwing her hands out and scraping her palms along the rocks as slid to a stop. She tried to breathe, ragged, shaking breaths, as she tried to calm her mind. The world blacked-out around the edges and a whimper fell from her mouth. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t fucking do this.

A weak scream ripped from her throat and she dug her hands harder into the rocks, they sliced her palms open, warm blood trickling into the grass.

She tried to wrangle the fire, she tried to use the tactics Rowan had taught her what felt like lifetimes ago, but just like it had which led to her being here, she couldn’t control it.

It didn’t explode like she thought it would, it bubbled. Like lava in a volcano, it bubbled out of her, hot smoldering fire, trickling down her face like tears, tracing lines along her body like blood. It covered the grass around her and spread, her cry was futile. It burnt straight through some of the ancient oak trees, bringing them down and melting them entirely into the earth.

Despite the chaos around her, despite that first anguished cry, she knelt in the dirt. Wind ripped her hair away from her face as she burned the world around her, nobody could say Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius went out gracefully.

~~~~~~

Despite the initial burning at the border, no sign of Aelin had surfaced. He had to give her credit, the woman knew how to disappear. The thought sent an ache through him, intensifying what was already there.

He’d been like some kind of ghoul, Lorcan and Fenrys traded shifts watching over him, making sure he bathed and ate. Someone always sat at his bedside with him, waking him when the nightmares took him. Nightmares that Aelin was still held captive by Maeve. When they resurfaced, the first night his hand had shot out, seeking a warm body that wasn’t there. He’d flown into a fit of panic until someone had brought someone in. One of the women, Elide, maybe? They had calmed him enough to tell him Aelin wasn’t with Maeve. They weren’t in the war anymore. He remembered where Aelin was. That he didn’t know where Aelin was, only that he had sent her away. In some ways, that hurt worse.

Most of them had moved into the castle and would stay until most of Terrasen, until Rowan, settled enough to be left. Most of them were Lords and Ladies, however, so they alternated. One week Elide would stay at the castle, the next week Lorcan would. The same went for Aedion and Lysandra. He knew it hurt them, being separated like that, but they never once complained. Rowan hadn’t entirely been paying attention when they had decided how Aelin’s ‘death’ had happened, but they’d fabricated a story and spread it. Today was her funeral, nearly a month after she had left - since they’d made her leave - and Terrasen’s people had been in mourning ever since. They would be for a long while, but not nearly as long as Rowan would be.

He wasn’t sure what woke up, it wasn’t even dawn, but his eyes fluttered open. He oriented himself with what - who - surrounded him. Fleetfoot, that damned dog, was at his feet. She hadn’t taken Aelin’s spot, as if hoping she would be back. There was another animal asleep near the foot of the bed, on the floor, Lysandra or Fenrys, and he watched their chest slowly rise and fall and matched his own to it. His heart had been racing. Maybe that’s what woke him, an unseen nightmare.

He crept past the sleeping figure, probably Lysandra then, not as attuned to his every move like he knew Fenrys was.

He slipped out onto the balcony and was struck with the memory of the time Aelin had woken him and he had found her staring with tear-filled eyes at the Kingsflame blooming across those rolling hills.

He surveyed those same hills, the sleeping town below, and leaned forward, bracing his hands on the railing until he was close to tumbling off the edge and stayed there in silence for a long while before speaking. “Damn it Aelin!” He was nearly sobbing, he had no idea when the tears had started. “Why didn’t you stay? Why didn’t you fight harder? Gods,” He broke off and slumped down, unable to speak thanks to the sobs wracking through him. “Please stay,” He nearly whimpered. “I know it’s too late but please, Fireheart, I need you. I need you.”

He fell asleep there, on the balcony, soothed by the beat of his heart. A beat that sounded suspiciously like an echo of Aelin’s fingers dancing along the pianoforte, drawing out a sound she commanded while quietly singing a lullaby she had told him her mother sang to her when she couldn’t sleep.

His eyes closed and he could’ve sworn her voice carried on the wind, that lullaby, followed by a nearly inaudible, “I love you, Rowan. I love you.”

~~~~~~

Half the time she slept in the forest like some kind of wild animal, the other half of the time she disguised herself and found some disgusting tavern to sleep in. She had no idea where she was anymore, she was just wandering aimlessly. She was currently sitting on the roof of one of said taverns. It reminded her painfully of her days as an assassin. She stared up at the stars, unblinking, the night wind was cold and stung her face but she was past caring. Up here, she took off the glamour, becoming Aelin again.

“Do you miss me, buzzard?” She asked the stars. “I hope you miss me as much as I miss you.” She shook her head and laughed angrily. “You became everything you didn’t want to, didn’t you? You bastard.” Her voice was getting louder with each word. “To whatever end? Right.” Angry tears streaked her face for what was definitely not the first time. “I’ve listened around enough that I learned my funeral is tomorrow.” She didn’t even know what she was doing anymore, besides pacing on a roof and shrieking at the sky. “Maybe I’ll stop in, I’ve always wanted to see my own funeral.” She jabbed an angry finger at a star she had deemed was Rowan’s stand-in. “I hope you make it worthy of me, you bastard. Gods, I hope you know me enough to make it as me as you can.” She blew a kiss at that star and something in her cracked, “I love you, Rowan Whitethorn. I shouldn’t, not anymore, but I do.”

She pulled her glamor back on and jumped down from the roof, landing on her feet with practiced ease. “Let’s see if I can make my own funeral, hmm?”

~~~~~~

It was as outrageous as Aelin would have wanted. Everyone was miserable, even those within the inner circle who knew what had really happened. Most everyone was here, except for all the royals within Erilea, and every other land Aelin had touched.

Music flourished from every corner, musicians from all over had come to play pieces for her, in honor of her. It was like some kind of twisted wedding, the way everyone turned when the royals entered. The leaders that Aelin had not known as personally entered first, stopping individually to give impersonal speeches about her. Then Galan entered. He knelt before the basically-shrine honoring her. “You were one of the greatest Queens this world has ever seen, cousin.” He cleared his throat, “You were so much more than all your titles give you credit for, and that’s saying a lot. You were so full of life and energy and,” A broken laugh. “Fire. You burned bright, Aelin. And now that you’re ash, we’re ash too.” He cleared his throat again and stayed kneeling next to the other leaders, murmuring words meant only for him and his cousin.

Manon entered next, she knew the truth but despite that, her eyes were rimmed an angry red. She stood next to Galan, “Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius.” She went silent for a moment before sinking to her knees. Everyone gasped. Family knelt, but other than that no leader, especially not a witch, knelt. “You-” She broke off and bowed her head, curling her hands into fists at her side.

When it was clear Manon wasn’t going to finish, Dorian entered. He knelt beside Manon (cue another gasp) his mouth moved, but it was only for him and Aelin. The goodbye he hadn’t had the chance to say in that forest.

Nesryn and Sartaq strode in, Sartaq didn’t speak, but Nesryn did. Her voice carried, unwavering. “No King or Queen is perfect, but Aelin was pretty damn close. She and I were never the closest but,” She hesitated and Sartaq reached for her hand, “She believed in me. She never looked down on me because I was human, and wasn’t in any huge position of power, and that faith in me never changed even when I became,” She gestured at her and Sartaq, at her dress, “Aelin mattered in a way that not many people have ever mattered. She will be remembered, for her fire and power, for what she’s done, but also how she has a soft spot for dogs and chocolate,” A few wet laughs, “How she loves music and theater, how kind she is to everyone.” The crowd nodded their agreement, there wasn’t a soul that wasn’t crying. “You did it. You made your mark.” She bowed her head and it was clear she was done.

Rowan was last, Goldryn in his hands. He laid in with pain-staking gentleness at her shrine. He stepped back and opened his mouth as if about to speak. His fingers fiddled with the ring on one finger. The ring Aelin had given him that he hadn’t taken off. That he would never take off. “Damn you,” He said finally. “Damn you, Aelin.” He bowed his head to hide from the crowd and someone moved, Elide. She came up to him, murmured a few quiet words, and led him to kneel next to Sartaq. She waited a few moments before returning to her spot.

The music rose as everyone knelt, heads bowed, before their dead Queen. It was ghostly, the way they knelt in total silence, besides their tears. Aelin was going to haunt everyone, for a very, very long time.

If anyone had been looking, they would have seen a female figure in the trees, slipping away as quietly and quickly as she could, tears flowing freely at the love everyone held for her.

“Goodbye,” She whispered. Well, looks like she could make a graceful disappearance after all.

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piermanwalter · 3 years

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Thief’s Apprentice: Core Gameplay Part 1 - Fights

Index: You are Being Warned

Index

Overview

FIGHTS

Figures 1 and 2, Table 1

SUPER SUMMARY

How Stats Affect Fighting

Status Bars

Weapons

Figure 3

Fight Controls

Purpose of Fighting

Aesthetics of Fighting

Final Thoughts

OVERVIEW

Thief’s Apprentice is a shitty evil retro open world game about Medieval zombie crime. Being an immortal corpse with no physical senses should be reinforced in every aspect of its design, as well as the day-to-day functions of an entire undead city fuelled by maniacal devotion to half-forgotten joys of life.

The aimless story composed of seemingly inconsequential and unrelated events culminating into huge payoffs and/or disasters should be reinforced by the gameplay, with the same set of stats influencing and being influenced by every mechanic.

Most fights can be headsmashed through with your gigantic healthbars, so fights should be ended in ways conducive to your goals, not just by winning. To compensate for fights technically being easier than most games, many abstractions and widely accepted quality of life features have been removed from dialogue and inventory to make them as infuriating as I can get away with.

Unsecured objects will move, rot, break, sprout, and form junk piles in your inventory. There is a very simple turn based RPG hidden in the dialogue with “elemental attacks” based on various methods of persuasion, “status effects” based on political affiliation, and “items” based on rare information.

FIGHTS

Fig. 1: Health, soul, and stagger bars. 1A-C: Charming Conman, Fleetfooted Housebreaker, Greedy Pickpocket. 1D: Housebreaker partially staggered. 1E: Housebreaker fully grounded, soul partially depleted. 1F: Conman health low (Note: After some changes after rendering in Godot, Fig. 1 is already out of date.)

Fig. 2: Evil bullshit damage formula, made to maximise evil bullshit

Table 1: Material impact type grid (values placeholders for now but it should get the vibe across)

SUPER SUMMARY: Revenants don’t usually fight to kill, since even the most deprived madman is very hard to kill and injuries don’t heal naturally. They fight to run away or establish social hierarchy. If you are careful, you can fight a lot through the entire game without being a nohit speedrunner and not heal even once.

Two out of three bros are bad at fighting, so it is not a priority, but if you want to attack, fighting is based on staggering people until they fall over and using the right type of attack on the right type of tissue to maximise damage while making sure it doesn’t happen to you.

HOW STATS AFFECT FIGHTING

Secret stat: weight. The bros have a base minimum and maximum weight based on how much of each type of health they have, but it can go over max by carrying items in inventory or holding heavy containers. Having a giant weight makes your soul decrease faster, makes more noise while walking, and breaks certain types of floors, but has great benefits otherwise, such as increasing your “tipping point” and making you harder to stagger, and as a damage multiplier. It is both thematically appropriate and mechanically advantageous to carry many things and be heavy as hell. Most weapons increase damage simply by increasing your weight. Hopefully there are some playstyles and outrageous cheat methods based on being light, but in a game about gutting the wealth out of an entire city, being heavy should not be discouraged.

Strength: Allows the bros to carry heavy objects and move faster while carrying them. Also acts as a damage multiplier. Damage is calculated when hit boxes on different individuals intersect, as...

((Enemy Stagger X Vector Difference X Weight X Strength X Attack / Hit Point Conversion)) + (Sharpness Boolean or Maybe Not a Boolean if Weapon Sharpness Will Be More Extensive X Sleight) - (Enemy Defence X Defence Conversion X Material Impact Type Grid) = Points of Damage per Material

This looks like absolute bullshit, but a majority of these stats don’t change a lot during fights and can be precalculated and reduced into a Super Fight Multiplier (Weight X Strength X Attack / Hit Point Conversion) and Super Damage Additive (Weapon Sharpness Boolean or Maybe Not a Boolean if Weapon Sharpness Will Be More Extensive X Sleight) - (Enemy Defence X Defence Conversion X (Material Impact Type Grid) . The values of the Material Impact Type Grid, while changing depending on material and impact type, can be called upon with no calculation, so maybe it is a good idea to store nine Super Damage Additives at once. If not, the Super Damage Additive should be calculated without the grid part and there’s also a Super Defence (Enemy Defence X Defence Conversion) to compensate.

There will need to be some kind of iterable that cycles upon all three material types for damage calculation and skips over materials that aren’t there. For the sake of sanity, each attack can only have one type of impact.

The Super Fight Multiplier and Super Damage Additive can easily be stored somewhere and only updated when their component stats change, to prevent processing meltdown hell from calculating the entire damage formula each frame.

Thus the entire formula in terms of frame by frame calculation can be reduced to...

(Stagger X Vector Difference X Super Fight Multiplier) + Super Damage Additive = Points of Damage per Material.

Or with separate Super Damage Additives...

(Stagger X Vector Difference X Super Fight Multiplier) + Super Damage Additive - (Super Enemy Defence X Material Impact Type Grid) = Points of Damage per Material.

I am not sure if the vector difference should just be the speed stat and be consumed by the Super Fight Multiplier, or if it can be calculated in real time based on the movement vectors of each hit box with “approaching” vectors of great difference and “retreating” of little difference upon the first frame of interaction, but the point of this pointlessly complicated damage system is to not have categorical differences between different hit box interactions.

Essentially, this means attacks will hurt more if they are faster and hit head on, and not hurt at all as glancing blows dealt to someone actively running away. This also means it’s easy to accidentally or “accidentally” hurt someone or break things by filling your pockets with bricks and running into them.

This also allows multiple hit box interactions at once. For example, a kick where one corner of your hit box clips slightly into your enemy’s shoulder does one box interaction worth of damage, but if you bodyslam someone, you have so many hit and hurt box interactions and a lot of damage is done.

Attack priority will be easier to figure out after I can see all the boxes, so I’ll do that later.

I hope making the graphics and loading zone sizes purposefully shitty and limited will allow large numbers of hit box interactions and vector calculations to happen relatively quickly, to achieve situations like running away while people throw rocks at you, but the rocks are doing no damage, or charging into oncoming traffic and exploding, or loading your pockets with bricks and ganking someone by jumping off a building on top of them.

Defence: Decreases damage taken by a set amount. Also used to generate a minimum damage threshold, which governs whether or not a regular box turns into a hurt box during box interactions. If not, no damage is taken.

This is EXTREMELY NOT the same as turning into a hurt box and taking no damage from set damage reduction. I will explain this in the Starting and Ending Fights section.

This also means you can whale to your shrivelled little corpse heart’s content beating on a monolith of defence and they won’t care.

Charisma: This is used to get into and out of fights, which is technically a part of dialogue.

Attack: As you may remember, this is also a damage multiplier.

Speed: Increases movement speed, including fight animations. Increasing speed by a single point is barely perceptible, but the evil bullshit damage formula means this may be enough to reach victory.

Sleight: Also a damage multiplier, but solely acts on sharp and/or finicky attacks. Does nothing otherwise.

Stamina: Increases your rate of stagger and soul regeneration.

Class: Class may enable the bros to get into or avoid fights, but once a fight starts it doesn’t matter in terms of stats. Enemies may use certain attacks against specific classes.

STATUS BARS

As seen in Fig. 1, there are three health bars: metal (grey), flesh (red), and bone (beige). There are two other indicators: stagger (dark square turns red while depleting), and soul (light green loops).

With at least one health bar still there, you will still be alive. When all three bars are depleted, you die. In practice, this means when fighting a knife-wielding enemy who slashed all your flesh apart, you are still alive because your bones and prosthetics are still intact. In 1E, the health bar gets a pointy end, as an indicator of low health, and also because if it stayed square, it would be very hard to see how much you have left as a tiny triangle of pixels stuck behind the stagger bar. I hate when that happens.

Most importantly, all these health bars are gigantic. I won’t know how the numbers behave until this gets programmed, but assuming fights with regular non-towering-prosthetic-monstrosity Veilheimers deal 0-40 damage per hit, it is normal to have a total of 6000 hit points across all health bars. In practice, this means you die after getting impaled by a spearman running into you at full speed 50 times. This sounds incredibly lenient, but remember revenants are sustained by Death Magic and feel no pain.

At high metal, you are very heavy, highly resistant to physical status types of damage, increases defence and strength greatly, but decreases stamina. High metal also reduces the rate of soul regeneration, to the point where you might die from having more prosthetics than your soul can support. At low metal, you are lighter, speed and stamina increase, but charisma decreases because your fit is busted as hell.

At high flesh, you are heavy, strength, speed, and stamina increase colossally, soul regeneration increases, but you are highly likely to get physical status effects, like burning, smelly, maggots, or rotting. At low flesh, you are light, but charisma and sleight increases because being a skeleton is a lifestyle.

At high bones, you are heavy, strength and defence increase a bit, and soul regeneration increases massively. At low bones, your charisma and sleight tank catastrophically. Take care of your bones.

Realistically there would also be a fabric health bar, but the UI is cluttered enough already and the in-universe explanation is that the bros are Cyrenean and good at repairing clothes.

Bear in mind that health isn’t the only thing affecting stats.

Because revenants feel no pain and are horrifying tanks in general, there are very few damage indicators like flinch animations and particle effects. To make sure the player understands revenants are horrifying tanks while still being aware when damage is taken, the health bars will break off and fall down the screen. The status bars need to be in the top left. The health bars also need to be this thick because I feel like a single pixel falling down is hard to see.

Note that this only applies to revenants. The living have one tiny health bar and die if it depletes.

The stagger bar, the pink square, determines when you will fall over, and basically acts as a traditional stamina and balance meter. Every action from walking to doing hit animations increases the stagger bar because revenants don’t have a sense of balance. Being in windy or slippy environments automatically increases stagger. Having high stagger, as seen in the evil bullshit damage formula, increases the amount of damage you take as a percent of max stagger, which I realised i did not properly convey in the evil bullshit damage formula, but I can’t be assed to change it. When your stagger reaches maximum, you fall down and your movements are much more limited on the ground, but hopefully you can take someone down with you because it counts as an attack. For the sake of sanity, the stagger formula for getting hit is...

(Vector Difference X Weight X Strength / Stagger Conversion) = Points of Stagger

With the Super Stagger Multiplier (Weight X Strength / Stagger Conversion)...

Vector Difference X Super Stagger Multiplier = Points of Stagger

The stagger formula for getting staggered by your own actions is...

Arbitrary Stagger Value X Weight X Strength / (Stamina X Self Stagger Conversion) = Self Stagger

I’m not sure how the maximum stagger should be calculated. Should it just be...

Stamina X Weight = Max Stagger?

Stagger is still tracked above the maximum and you can only stand up when it goes under the maximum. It should be really easy to get stunlocked. Being grounded is debilitating for Conman because he can’t do anything except get up. Housebreaker also can’t do anything on the ground, but he does a devastating attack while getting up. Pickpocket can crawl and roll around and has a new set of attacks on the ground, so it may be advantageous to intentionally get knocked over.

The soul bar is the overlapping green line and is basically your magic meter and level of motivation. Bear in mind as a revenant, every movement and thought is done with magic and every action burns soul. Conman is not physically violent by nature, so his attacks burn a lot of soul. Pickpocket is totally amoral, so his attacks burn some amount of soul. Housebreaker is a belligerent asshole fuelled by violence, so his attacks burn very little soul and the simple ones actually increase soul. In practice, this means you can hide in an alley punching the air until you feel good enough to talk to people without insulting them.

You can also burn soul to empower activities by pressing and holding the soul button (haven’t decided which key it is yet) before pressing another button. If you hold the soul button while running, speed increases, and if you attack while burning soul it will increase attack. I’m not sure if using soul counts as an all-stat boost or if it uses button press context to only boost specific stats. Latter is better I think.

You can also burn soul with a different button to empty your stagger bar, or refill your health bars, except the metal bar. For shitty evil reasons, this burns a ton of soul. Revenants will instinctively let their bodies fall into ruin to conserve soul, which takes huge chunks out of the flesh and bone bars. It should be possible to make a terrible mistake by burning soul to heal flesh, but it’s too much soul, so now you have less flesh than you did before. Fortunately, the bros are also shitty and evil and can increase soul by doing crime.

WEAPONS

Fig. 3: Circumferential movement increases effectiveness of polearms. 3A: Short star mace. 3B: Long star mace. 3C: Vector difference is calculated by this frame data and previous frame data, meaning you will never get a perfect instantaneous velocity tangent. Deal with it. I will also have to deal with it, to prevent frame disasters leading to infinite damage.

The best and hopefully not the only good thing about the evil bullshit damage formula is that it allows weapon damage to scale in accordance to the range and shape of the actual weapon, not just base stats, although those are also here. As seen in Fig. 3, the hit box of long weapons physically move faster than short weapons, increasing damage.

This technically means damage is affected by framerate, since many frames means smaller vector differences and less damage. Maybe the framerate can be capped, or damage be based on a specific time unit, but it would be super funny if the game was unplayable at high frame rates because the vectors become infinitesimally small and deal no damage.

Weight in the evil bullshit damage formula is actually (Total Weight + Weapon Apparent Weight), which I realised i did not properly convey, again. The Master Design Document is stored somewhere else and posting a scrungy and unreadable design doc draft only makes my ideas harder to copy. In fact, I’m counting on people to not read this.

Weapon Apparent Weight takes into account deliberately unbalanced weapons like maces and gourds on a stick that concentrate weight on the end to hit harder. Sharpness Boolean or Maybe Not a Boolean takes into account weapon sharpness and proper edge alignment. If it’s not a boolean, it could be a Sharpness Proficiency Type Grid.

Different attacks with the same weapon can have different damage types. For example, hitting someone with the flat side of a shovel is blunt damage, hitting them with the edge is cut damage, and piercing them with the point is still cut damage. Stabbing someone with a sword is stab damage, but hitting them with the hilt does blunt damage.

There should be some button to press to change grip, thus changing damage type without needing to open your inventory and switch weapons mid fight. I hate doing that. It also won’t fit the shitty and evil design ethos to switch between weapon loadouts quickly.

There should be breakable weapons, but I haven’t decided how to do it yet. Ideally, a random object like a gourd on a stick breaks instantly, a regular intended weapon’s health bar is as big as yours, and well made weapons are nearly indestructible.

Weapon sharpness and apparent weight worsen by either the boolean or by the grid. I haven’t decided.

Holding weapons can have different effects on stats aside from weight. Holding a menacing weapon increases attack. Holding something that’s not a weapon decreases attack for Conman, but increases attack for Housebreaker because he’ll beat your skull in with a gourd on a stick if he has to. Conman also gets more attack from having weapons in his inventory, not just by holding them. Pickpocket is not emotionally affected by weapons because he lacks awareness of many things.

GETTING THINGS STUCK IN YOU

I can’t think of a better way to word this mechanic, but basically when a barbed or sticky attack lands and its damage exceeds the Stuck Threshold, or when you grab someone, when one of you gets staggered, the other takes the same amount of stagger, you can only move within a set radius of each other, and the strongest one gets to drag the other around until either the weapon is let go of, or the equal amount of damage to the Stuck Threshold is taken to get unstuck. Getting stuck persists between loading zones, allowing you to get dragged across the city.

The Getting Things Stuck in You Formula is...

Sticky Boolean Like an Actual Boolean X Sticky Conversion - (Points of Flesh X Sum of Sticky Status Effect Additives) = Stuck Threshold

Maybe it would be better as If Sticky Boolean = Yes, then...

Sticky Conversion - (Points of Flesh X Sum of Sticky Status Effect Additives) = Stuck Threshold

This is something else that can be only recalculated on the frame any of its components changes. Basically, the fleshier and stickier you are, the more likely it is to get things stuck in you.

This is potentially one of the most broken mechanics and I’m willing to cut or simplify it if it gets too off the shits, but it would be super funny to steal weapons by covering yourself with glue and deliberately getting attacked.

For the sake of sanity, it would be best if you are sticking someone else, you can’t get things stuck in you, but it should be possible to form “sea urchins” of many people sticking one person.

But it would be even funnier if you could form geometric webs of an entire loading zone of people stuck together, even though this is impossible to make.

Conman is the only bro who can get stuck in things while unarmed.

It would be shitty and evil if being stuck only tracked radius so you can move and turn and the weapon stuck in you just carves its way around without doing anything.

STARTING AND ENDING FIGHTS

As stated above, one way of accidentally or “accidentally” starting fights is to run into someone, and surpassing the minimum damage threshold. The minimum damage threshold deserves a formula but I can’t be assed to formulate one right now. Basically it allows people to get into fights even when no damage is taken, or damage is taken but they let it slide. It should also be possible to lower the minimum damage threshold by making someone hate you through dialogue and reputation.

Assuming you aren’t running into people all the time, the main way to start fights is mid-conversation, by insulting one specific person or group. You should also be able to yell at people without starting conversations, but I am still not sure how to make that target specific people.

It would be really funny if cursor targeting was solely used to start fights with specific people.

Alternatively, it might be better to pick a madlibs type fill in the blanks statement that you say whenever you press the designated yell button, that can be used for many other things, but also for starting fights. For the sake of playable character insignificance, other people will also be yelling things, often completely unrelated to the current situation.

For example, you can yell, “(demographic) ARE (adjective)” and use “MASONS ARE A BLIGHT” to piss off every mason in earshot, or start fights with specific people by using, “(greeting) (individual)”. That said, some people are getting yelled at in the street so much that insults from you from you will be ignored.

This is EXTREMELY NOT the same as being in the middle of a conversation and picking an option or pissing someone off to the point of starting fights.

You can also start fights by breaking things and causing problems.

Obviously, you can also purposefully attack people.

Obviously, other people can also just attack you for being there.

If you bother the living in any way, all civic-minded Veilheimers will attack you.

There isn’t a specific fight mode instigator for you, meaning that you get to decide if the person insulting you or running you over in the streets warrants attacking. For shitty evil reasons, this does not apply to Housebreaker, who will automatically go into fight mode when he sees someone holding one bottle of wine in each hand, a three-legged dog, or a yelling guard.

Obviously, fights end when you or your opponents die.

But the best way of ending fights is by negotiation. You have “I won. You give up.” and “You won. I give up.” buttons that you can press any time during fights. Surrendering usually works, but whether demanding your opponent to surrender depends on achieving secret objectives like 3 knockdowns or destroying 50% of their flesh before they surrender. Bear in mind some revenants will kill and die for the pettiest reasons imaginable.

FIGHT CONTROLS

To make fighting as shitty and evil as possible, I’m taking inspiration from Dark Souls and making it worse. Not only are attack animations slow and laborious, they only start after you let go of the attack button. The purpose of this is to make you feel like a sluggish insensate creature, and make fighting feel so viscerally bad that you try to avoid it. For the sake of sanity, most opponents will also be sluggish insensate creatures.

There are three attack buttons. One for dealing high stagger but low damage, one for purposeful attacking, and one for mauling the hell out of people. If you press and let them go like any normal game, all the attacks suck, which may be useful if you want to intimidate someone without killing them.

You can press and hold the buttons for up to 3 seconds for better versions of the same 3 attacks, at the cost of increased self stagger.

For shitty evil reasons, using weapons gives you only one attack for the weapon-related button at any given time, until you change grip and get a different single attack.

Should there be combos? No. Die.

Should there be crouch attacks? Only one and it sucks.

Should there be running attacks? Ok. Fine.

The reason for 3 attack buttons is using the last button for items.

PURPOSE OF FIGHTING

You won’t achieve your objectives by killing everyone in your path, unless your objective is to kill everyone in your path. For example, if you kill someone while trying to get information out of them, that information is gone. If you kill someone while robbing their store, the store closes and you miss out on potential later goods. If you try to put a dent in the guard population by killing them, that just summons more guards.

The main objective of fighting is to figure out what to do in order to make your enemy surrender, so afterwards you can ask for whatever you want. There are some obvious physical and personality indicators for how hard you are supposed to kick someone’s ass before they comply, but as i said before, some revenants will die on one degree hills.

For shitty evil reasons, there are no direct ways of finding exactly how to make someone surrender beyond incidental information like “If you knock him over enough, he’ll just sit there and give up.” or “She’s in debt. Bought too many nice prosthetics.” Maybe there can be expensive magic items that tell you what to do, but sometimes they don’t know and lie.

Sometimes fights have multiple stages when you have to kick someone’s ass to make them hear you out, and you ask too much of them, so you have to kick their ass again.

Even fighting your hardest all the time won’t help you.

If you are having a fun shoving match between friends, but you start mauling people, the win condition may go from “stagger 3 times” to “You dare try to kill me? You pitiful mad traitor. I’ll kill you first.”

Be careful how you behave during fights.

If you have a gun, the win condition may go from “break 50% metal” to “holy fucking shit dude. do whatever you want.”

If you keep demanding surrender to a proud opponent, the win condition may go from “break 20% bone” to “Go fuck yourself. Break 20% bone and +5% more bone for each time you demand surrender.”

If you are seriously losing, but you keep demanding your opponent surrender, the win condition may go from “stagger 30 times” to “Are you ok? I’m worried about your sanity. I surrender.”

If you keep using magic items against a wizard hater, the win condition may go from “hit 20 times or break 10% metal” to “Wizard. Die.”

In practice, the win conditions will be more specific and include things like fire tolerance and how far you need to run away before they grant you mercy, but these are just for demonstration purposes.

AESTHETICS OF FIGHTING

It needs to look shitty and evil. These are rotting zombies clawing and bumbling into each other, with no flinch, knockback, or invincibility frames at all, just taking turns smacking each other until the other gives up or dies. Fighting is less about being actually good, and more about deciding how much of your health and soul you are willing to destroy to achieve other objectives.

If you see anyone fighting with real grace and technique, get out.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Here are things that I can’t be assed to fit into specific categories.

Bear in mind that all of this is intended for 8 directional movement. Theoretically, this makes it easier to line up vectors for better damage, since there are much fewer possible orientations of boxes.

Pressing and holding buttons seems to tie similar mechanics together while also making you feel slow and numb, which massively suits the setting, so I will work it into other controls.

I hate when writers or directors form an idea in 30 seconds and it takes the rest of the team ten thousand hours to realise it. For the sake of equity and good game design, I should spend at least 20% amount of time thinking of something as it takes to realise, which is one of the reasons I put all my thoughts here. Another reason is as a screening method, because if I can’t even be assed to fully articulate and write down an idea, it probably sucks.

I know firsthand making funny and cool comic about interpersonal relationships gets the most attention, but that’s the least useful thing for me to make in order to actually finish the game. Bathe in love for something that doesn’t exist, or watch as everyone forgets about something that does? It’s the game designer’s eternal crisis.

#thief's apprentice #long post #game design #graphic injuries

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revengerevisited · 4 years

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Maddie rambles about Kingdom Hearts: Dark Road

Let’s just get this outta the way: Xehanort is my least favorite character in Kingdom Hearts. Now there are certainly more boring and underdeveloped characters but as far as evil deeds go, it doesn’t matter how ‘cute’ or ‘relatable’ Nomura tries to make Xehanort. I will never forget that he tore Ven’s heart in half, tortured Vanitas for four years, killed his own best friend, possessed Terra’s body for a decade, possessed Riku’s body as Ansem, unleashed Heartless on the worlds resulting in countless deaths, manipulated Organization XIII for years, and experimented on Kairi as a child and eventually murdered her in front of her best friends. Any attempt to make me sympathize with him just ain’t gonna work.

Also, I’m not taking any of these ‘Character X is secretly Character Y’ theories too seriously until they actually happen. Yes, it can be fun to speculate that Bragi or Odin is secretly Luxu or the Master of Masters, or that Brain is Eraqus’s ancestor, or that Demyx is the MoM, or that Ava or Vor is Kairi’s grandma, or whatever other theories are out there. But until there’s conclusive evidence that’s all they are, speculations and theories.

On that note, I don’t know why Xehanort is having dreams about the KHUX Player’s adventures but I don’t think it’s because Xehanort is the Player’s Nobody or a reincarnation of the Player. Reincarnation has never been a concept present in the KH series, and honestly it just sounds like bad fanfiction. Plus, if Xehanort does turn out to be the Player, then I feel bad for everyone who spent a lot of time creating their own unique character only to have it be replaced by the generic default Player in KHDR’s opening cutscene and then re-replaced by Xehanort of all people. Perhaps Xehanort simply has a unique, unexplained power to see into the past like Namine’s memory manipulation or Terra’s precognition.

Either way, this past-sight just makes it harder and harder for me to believe that Xehanort wanted to learn about the Keyblade War in BBS, since it seems he already knew all he needs to know. Xemnas knows that Luxord, Marluxia, Demyx, and Larxene are from the past, young Xehanort lives in Scala ad Caelum which was built over the ruins of Daybreak Town complete with a huge machine explaining Daybreak Town’s demise, Eraqus talks about the Book of Prophecies like it’s common knowledge, the list goes on. Also, I don’t like the implication that Xehanort chose Ventus as his vessel and later as material for the X-Blade only because he knows him from the Player’s dreams. Then again, if his dreams of the Keyblade War end before the Player meets Ven and Lauriam, then Xehanort wouldn’t know about them and would instead be more familiar with Skuld and Ephemer.

I will say that one thing I do like is Xehanort comparing himself to a starfish laying on the beach, both for the humorous imagery and also just a bit of that islander backstory flavor. Xehanort being the outsider of his friends group and not telling the whole truth of how he ended up in Scala is also an interesting Kairi parallel, although him being found unconscious in the middle of a city is kinda overused. I do like that the surrounding cities around Scala are all uninhabited, since trying to wrap my mind around these huge mountain-sized cities with potentially millions of people in them was a little too much for my brain to handle.

I do however find it quite bizarre that it’s taken some worlds so long to recover from the Keyblade War. Not only that, but apparently people just appear out of thin air once their world is restored. Like, how? It just feels weird and uncomfortable, almost like these people only exist for the protagonist and audience’s amusement rather than being independent living beings in their own right. I dunno, there’s just something deeply unsettling about those implications. It also makes me wonder how long ago the Keyblade War was, if places like Agrabah still aren’t finished only 75-ish years before KH1. The characters refer to it as a legend, so it must’ve happened a long time ago, right? Some fans think it’s only been 100 years since the Keyblade War, but that would be like the equivalent of calling World War 1 a legend.

The worlds all being on different timescales is also extremely headache-inducing, both as analyst and a fanfic writer trying to keep track of the plot. Couple that with time travel and the whole thing just falls apart. Of course, if each world runs at a different time, then perhaps this is why Xehanort looks so much older than Eraqus, or rather why Eraqus looks so relatively young when he’s supposed to be 80-ish years old. And if that’s the case, then do any of the characters’ ages really matter? I’ve already proven that their ages have been retconned before. Also, this renders timecodes such as ‘75 years later’ and ‘one year later’ from Re:Mind and other parts of the series completely meaningless. The timeline is broken.

Anyway, I’m not sure how much Norse Mythology will play into the story, but all the new characters have Norse names with two that stand out the most. The first is Master Odin, named after a Norse god who sacrificed one of his own eyes for knowledge, which is an interesting parallel to the MoM. The second is Baldr, the as of yet unseen seventh student who has a missing sister, because evidently Nomura likes recycling his previous plots before they’ve even finished. In Norse Mythology, Baldr is the god of light whose death kickstarts the events of Ragnarok. How this’ll be relevant in KHDR remains to be seen, but after seeing those four gravestones in the timeskip/flashforward, I can’t imagine this ending well for anyone not named Eraqus or Xehanort.

Now, as funny as I find it that the new characters have all been killed off this quickly, I’m not entirely convinced that those are Urd, Hermod, Bragi, and Vor’s graves. They could actually be the graves of the missing upperclassmen, if some of them turn up dead. Speaking of the upperclassmen, I would hope that Yen Sid is one of them, but I have a feeling he won’t be allowed to show up simply because of Disney’s stranglehold on its own IP. It’s pretty sad and ironic seeing as this series used to be all about Disney, but I assume that’s why Nomura is straying further and further from the brand.

About the four new student characters, I don’t have any particular attachment to any of them, beyond Vor’s name being hilariously unfortunate. I find it a bit eye-rolling that fans continuously snub Kairi but will instantly latch onto any new characters like Yozora and these four despite barely knowing anything about them. It doesn’t help that, and please correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems that any of the four who you choose to be in your trio will have the exact same dialogue in cutscenes no matter who you pick, meaning that these new characters don’t even get much of a chance to develop their own personalities because all of their dialogue has to be generic and bland enough to fit all four of them.

Young Eraqus is probably the best character so far, simply because he’s the only one with any personality. Granted his supposed cowardice has yet to be seen, but it’s mentioned so often that I assume it’s gonna be an important plot point later. However, I’m finding it hard to relate young Eraqus with his adult counterpart seeing as their personalities are just so different. I’m aware there’s a 65-ish year gap between this Eraqus and older Eraqus, but there better be some major character development to explain this, especially since even standing in front of his presumed classmate’s graves he still seems fairly chipper.

On that note, as humorous as ‘Tardy Fleetfoot’ is, just like with Xehanort, don’t think I’ve forgotten that this guy caused Terra’s insecurity and self-doubt with his overzealous anti-darkness stance, probably heavily influenced Aqua’s black-and-white anti-darkness keyblade-first-ask-questions-later thinking, was also probably the one who told her to lie to Ventus about always living with them, and attempted to straight up kill Ven and Terra. Eraqus’s actions aren’t as bad as Xehanort’s, but they certainly aren’t acceptable in any capacity.

Something odd I noticed is that Eraqus knows what the Heartless are called, and even the difference between Pureblood and Emblem Heartless-- well, part of the difference; I’m assuming he doesn’t know that future Xehanort created them. But anyway, my point is that Aqua doesn’t know what the Heartless are called until Mickey tells her in BBS 0.2. Before that she simply calls them ‘dwellers of darkness’, and even mistakes one for an Unversed. Does this mean Eraqus never taught his students about the Heartless? Why? Perhaps after his classmates died, he decided to shelter his own students from the worlds, hence why their Mark of Mastery was so simple? I’m just guessing at this point. Of course, there’s still no real explanation as for why the Emblem Heartless are here in the past. My best theory is that someone used the Book of Prophecies to summon them... somehow. It really just seems like an excuse to gloss over the corner Nomura wrote himself into with the whole ‘Emblem Heartless were made by Ansem’ thing, but we’ll see.

Honestly this whole series is just one big endless death-spiral of constant retcons and nonsensical plot twists and at this point I’m just exhausted. My view on KH has become one of mild and morbid curiosity, rather than expecting anything truly great. Is that cynical? Yes, but I’ve watched other once-great series (Star Wars, Voltron) worsen over time to the point that they just fizzle out and die, and I’m afraid it’s the same deal with Kingdom Hearts. I don’t think I’ve truly enjoyed a KH game since BBS, and if the series just continues down the path of introducing bland new characters every time Nomura gets bored rather than developing the already established ones, I don’t know how long I can stay interested. The Dark Seeker Saga is over and he really needs to let Xehanort go.

To end this on a positive note, I am tentatively hopeful about Melody of Memory. The gameplay looks cute and fun and the story looks like it will have more development for Kairi and her backstory, which is something I’ve been wanting for a while now. Focusing on the original cast is definitely a step in the right direction, and I hope this series can keep moving forwards rather than backwards.

#khdr

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acourtoftog · 6 years

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Throne of glass spoilers ahead, you have been warned kiddos

Firstly , god damn that was a rollercoaster of hardcore battle , like seriously

The forging of the lock... idk the scene of aelin kinda flying across worlds gave me shivers, and even though I haven’t read acortar or whatever , it’s kinda made me want to read them now, it was so beautifully written

Tell ya who the queen of slow burn is, SJM like god damn that woman, yeh we god elide and Lorcan(obvs) but freakin Lysandra and aedion , I’m kinda still starved for content like, ik aedion was pissed but still a lot of the dialogue between the two of them was Lysandra feeling like shit

LYSANDRA WAS UNDER APPRECIATED JEEZ

aelin- 10/10 character development, Sarah kinda broke her down and built her back up again, from a cocky arrogant queen (who I adored) to a kind, almost wise still cocky queen

Was it just me who thought rowan and the cadre and elide finding her was kinda... anticlimactic... yeh rowan skinned that douchebag alive but still. I felt sjm could have done it more justice

Dorian and manon my little cuties honest to god, their scenes were awesome, manon found her humanity

Crochans were awesome, but like obviously they were important but we didn’t really find out much about them if that makes sense ?

IM ALSO GONNA GET A LAWYER, SARAH OMG WHY TF DID YOU KILL MY BEAUTIFUL THIRTEEN, YEH IT MADE MANON GO APESHIT N FIGHT HARDER. AND YEH THE STAIN ON THE BLOODIED GROUND, AND THEN ALL THE DIFFERENT KINGDOMS PUT FLOWERS WAS AWFULLY BEAUTIFUL. BUT STILL YIELDING? WASNT THAT THE COWARDLY WAY OUT? ASTERIN NEVER MET FENRYS REALLY? I WANTED HER AND BORTE TO BE BEST FRIENDS OMG. HONESTLY WAS SOBBING AT 3am ONLY BIG DEATH THAT MADE ME CRY OTHER THAN NEHMIA, ALSO ASTERIN GOT TO KICK THE BITCHES ASS N TAKE HER DOWN, she’s going to be with her hunter and witching remember that guys :(((((

NOOOOOOOO GAVRIEL AND AEDION NEVER GOT TO TALK CUS AEDION WAS A STUBBORN ASS 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😤😤😤😤

ngl thought nox was gonna have a bigger role, like we all knew he was gonna be in there somehow but still... did he even meet aelin ? Did I miss something

Also thought that it was gonna be Dorian that would have forged the lock ? Anyone else , like ik it wasn’t supposed to be glorious and yeh aelin kinda hAd the right to do it but she just pushed him aside tbf , also neat little thing sjm put in about Dorian wondering about his humanity, and about his father who turned out to be cleverer than we thought.

Maeve was an absolute bitch, her death was kinda anticlimactic, but my main boi fenrys got to have one of the killing blows which was pretty cool

Sartaq and neseryn was awesome as per usual, but I kinda wanted there to be more interaction between them and the other characters , but then again they were just their so we could get birds eye view of battle and also the dam which was freakin awesome like that was really cool , there was an impending threat that wasn’t maeve or erwan

Rowan didn’t really give aelin more time which kinda pissed me off like yeh , he was wary In a worrying way for the couple of chapters in the boat and caves but still.

It was fenrys that honestly just took my mind away, the communication whilst my main girly was getting tortured by the dickhead. That was really cool the way that was written, 11/10 maas for keeping that going throughout the book dammmn

Ik it was a battle but WHERE TF WAS FLEETFOOT , yeh she was mentioned which means she was safe and yeh she was sleepy on the floor , but I wanted her to take a bite outta someone for nehmia

Abraxos didn’t die hahahaha hahahaha my theory of big spikey doggo was correct 😏

HE HAD A MATE OMG SERIOUSLY MAN , he’d gone through so much effectively torture, then he was happy and then his mate and all his friends just got killed

Erwans death was awesome like good on yrene who is a freakin goddess in my books definitely a favourite character for evermore. She was pregnant and she managed to save everyone

Aelin still kinda has her power to remind herself and everyone what she had to do to save their world

Ngl I felt kinda sorry for maeve when she wasn’t plotting and scheming , yeh she’s the evil lady that tortured aelin for months, mentally and physically, but she genuinely just wanted to escape from her husband and brothers

Sorry but who TF were those random wolf fae/ humans like heya they saved their asses but I’ve never heard of the wolf tribe before unless I’m being stupid lol

So ummmm Dorian and shapeshift? What can’t that kid do 🤨 but his and chaols reunion was the best like I almost cried , they found each other again, the boys are backkkk

Chaol and yrene didn’t have that many chapters tbf, and when we saw them it was kinda a couple of pages and that’s it each couple of chapters, like I would have liked to have seen more interaction with other characters

Chaols dad didn’t turn out to be as much of a massive dickkk whooooooooop but still I wanted to meet terrin and his mum. Like how cool would that have been if terrin used his diplomatic skills to make the wild men fight for them, like we could’ve had some more character development from chaol who would have faced the bad aspects of his past with the good ones

Sjm could definitely do another series idk she’s kinda set it up like she could write tonnes more on it , but I’m mmm guessing theirs gonna be some more storytelling aspects to the guide book next year than we thought

THE ENDING OMG THE ORIGINAL TRIO WAS BACK AND THEY ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGED EACH OTHER IN THE BEST WAY LIKE CHAOL WAS CRYING DORIAN WAS SOBBING AELIN WAS JUST KINDA GLAD THAT NONE OF THEM HAD DIED. However wtf was chaol going about them seeing each other again.? I’m expecting yrene and chaol and Dorian to be all up in Terresan for yulemas etc, aelin and Dorian better send each other books

Nawwwwww manon was a powerful queen who united the clans of witches like that was sickkkkk

Yano I was kinda expecting to meet Vaughan tbf (idk if that’s how you spell his name ) but I’m glad we didn’t because aelin probably would have given the blood oath to him so she could have the full cadre (other than Conall) which I’m still pissed about, like him killing him self, surely he loved fenrys enough to fight it ? Bros before hoes ? Jks it was relevant 😖 and it wish it wasn’t cus I wanted him and fenrys to be free together

AND THIS CONCLUDES PART 1 OF MY LONG AND TEDIOUS TED TALK , THERES GONNA BE MORE I CAN TELL, BUT THAT WAS ME TRYING TO CONDENSE MY BIG PHAT SAD FEELINGS OMG I SOBBED AT THE END OKAY COOL YOUR WELCOME 😎

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bookofmirth · 6 years

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Kingdom of Ash prediction ask meme

So... I was going to wait until closer to release date for this, but also I’m in a mood to talk about ToG! Feel free to reblog this, and I’ll send an ask to everyone who does!

1) How do you want Aelin to become freed from Maeve? On her own, or being rescued?

2) If you could only have one couple make it through intact (besides rowaelin), who would you choose?

3) How do you think they will deal with the lock situation? Is anyone going to have to sacrifice themselves, or will they find a way around it?

4) Whose POV are you most looking forward to reading?

5) What do you want to happen to Maeve?

6) What alliances do you think are possible, moving forward?

7) Chaol’s reaction when he comes back to a sh*tstorm?

8) Babies - yea or nay? If you had to pick one couple to have a mini, who would it be?

9) Do you think that Aelin will become the Queen she was meant to be?

10) Will Manon be able to regain the Witchlands? How?

11) Do you think that Lysandra will do a good job being Aelin? Why/why not?

12) Are there any other minor characters you’d like to see come back?

13) What role do you think Nox will play?

14) Aelin said that Terrasen would need someone like Elide in its future - what kind of role do you think she should have?

15) So all these groups came together at the end of EoS to support Aelin - do you think they will actually work well together?

16) If we assume some people are gonna die, who would you want that to be?

17) Maeve, Cairn, and Erawan - if you could only kill one, who would it be?

18) Do you want any smut scenes in the book? If so, with whom?

19) Who do you want to definitely survive this series (besides our baby Fleetfoot)?

20) Given that sjm seems averse to connecting the ToG and acotar worlds, how would you feel about a crossover possibility?

21) Which characters (besides Rowan and Aelin) do you want to see get some more attention/character development?

22) What do you think Aelin’s time with Maeve has been like? What about how Fenrys has been dealing with it?

23) What do you think will happen when Nehemia’s brothers show up?

24) Do you think Aedion and Gavriel will make up?

25) Aelin’s tattoos - should Rowan redo them? Should they say the same thing they did before?

26) Do you think Elena is an Actual Idiot, or do you understand her POV?

27) What is your ultimate HAE (happily ever after) for this book?

28) How quickly are you going to read this book? Do you want spoilers? Or are you going to avoid tumblr like the plague?

29) What are three things you do NOT want to happen?

30) What are three things you would give your right arm to see happen?

31) Free question - ask anything!

#throne of glass #koa #kingdom of ash #sarah j maas #ask meme #reginald who lives in whales ho u’re doing well!

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fae-fucker · 7 years

Text

Crown of Midnight: Chapter 1-2

Fuck you.

Fuck me.

Fuck this.

Let’s do this.

Chapter 1

We open on Sardines being all assassin-y (took you long enough, you silly blond bitch) and sneaking into some nobleman’s house.

Concealed beneath a black mask and hood, she willed herself to melt into the shadows, to become nothing more than a slip of darkness.

*deep sigh*

I can’t believe I’m doing this shit again. Why do I hate myself this much?

The [servant] hadn’t noticed the wet footprints on the floorboards.

How convenient.

Lord Nirall was no older than thirty-five, and his wife, dark haired and beautiful, slept soundly in his arms.

Gotta make sure the wife is beautiful!! What else are women good for, right?

Feminism!

Sardines wonders what this man did to offend the king so. But then she doesn’t?

It wasn’t her place to ask questions. Her job was to obey. Her freedom depended on it.

If you wanted freedom so bad, why didn’t you just escape as soon as you found the secret escape route, you dumb bitch?

Her sword slid out of its sheath with barely a whine. She took a shuddering breath, bracing herself for what would come next.

I can’t believe it’s only chapter one and I already have to bust this one out, but damn:

Some assassin.

Chapter 2

Sardines is back in the castle delivering “Lord Nirall’s” severed head and some other goodies.

No one spoke as it bounced, a vulgar thudding of stiff and rotting flesh on marble. It rolled to a stop at the foot of the dais, milky eyes turned toward the ornate glass chandelier overhead.

Mmm, yes, Sarah! Sarah, I just LOOOOVE it when you get so edgy! Look how dark and mature your books are, Sarah!

The king notes that he can barely recognize him because of all the cuts and slashes on his face. I’m assuming since Jammo can’t actually write a morally grey protagonist, it’s not actually Lord Nirall and Sardines has just been finding coprses that look like her victims or some shit.

Celaena gave him a crooked smile, though her throat tightened.

Yep, ok, that’s exactly what it is.

Supposedly Sardines is supposed to be this brilliant social strategist, but as soon as somebody even slightly doubts her lies, she just flips her shit and starts getting nervous.

Some MASTER MANIPULATOR.

She extended the hand to Chaol, whose bronze eyes were distant as he took it from her and offered it to the king. The king’s lip curled, but he pried the ring off the stiff finger.

Why didn’t you just ... bring the ring. Without any hands.

Is it just to make it more gruesome, Jammo? Is that what it is? You realize it just makes it dumber, yes?

And why aren’t these chunks of rotting flesh filled with maggots? Would that just be too icky, Jammo? You can only handle Hollywood edginess? PG-13 edginess?

“What of his wife?” the king demanded, turning the ring over in his fingers again and again.

“Chained to what’s left of her husband at the bottom of the sea,” Celaena replied with a wicked grin, and removed the slender, pale hand from her sack.

Why did the king even have to ask this? Didn’t he give the order? Did he just say “uuuhhh kill the guy” and Sardines didn’t even ask what to do with the wife?

God, these people are so dumb.

The king mentions that there’s a rebellion brewing in Rifthold but he only has one name so far.

On [the paper] was a single name: Archer Finn.

It took every ounce of will and sense of self-preservation to keep her shock from showing.

1) Someone teach this bitch how to pokerface.

2) There’s just one name on the piece of paper that Chaol hands to her on the king’s order. Why couldn’t he just SAY THE GODDAMN NAME? With his mouth hole?

Whatever. Sardines recognizes Archer and mentions that he’s hot and she used to have a crush on him, so he’s probably mildly important or his death will be super tragic.

He’d been several years older, already a highly sought-after courtesan … who was in need of some training on how to protect himself from his rather jealous clients. And their husbands.

Uuh ... bonus points for male courtesans, I guess?

He’d been handsome and kind and jovial, not a traitor to the crown so dangerous that the king would want him dead.

It was absurd. Whoever was giving the king his information was a damned idiot.

Sardines, the smartest being in this world: UUUUHHH THIS DOESN’T MATCH THE THINGS I KNOW!!! EVERYBODY ELSE IS WRONG!!!

Though that’s probably true, since we all know Smaas could never handle Sardines being anything but absolute perfection.

“You know Archer? I’m not surprised.” A taunt—a challenge.

She just stared ahead, willing herself to calm, to breathe. “I used to. He’s an extraordinarily wellguarded man. I’ll need time to get past his defenses.” So carefully said, so casually phrased.

If you say so, curiously crusted book page. I mean it’s an obvious and rather clichéd attempt at making more time for herself, but I guess the king is a dumbass and SJM can’t actually write for shit, so this passes for cleverness.

It works, too. The king, who’s supposedly a shitty dictator who’s afraid of this rebellion killing him, still gives her an entire month. Yeah, that makes sense. Gotta love it when you have to nerf your villains because your hero is a fucking imbecile.

Honey, king-boy, the correct response here is: “BITCH, MY ACTUAL LIFE IS ON THE LINE, YOU HAVE TWO DAYS, GET!! ON!! IT!!”

It’s especially stupid when this is happening IN THE TOWN THEY LIVE IN. So the fact that this dumbass lie works is just pathetic, honestly.

“Then you have one month,” the king said. “And if he’s not buried by then, perhaps I shall reconsider your position, girl.”

Wow. Damn. SJM, be nicer to your heroes. We’re on the edge of our seats here. How will they possibly defeat this very intimidating villain.

“Be discreet. Your payment for Nirall is already in your chambers.”

1) Do you really have to tell your stealthy assassin to be discreet? Well, I guess since it’s Sardines, you kinda do. What a nice self-roast there, book.

2) Do you also have to tell her that her payment’s in the chambers? Hasn’t she done this a couple of times already? Shouldn’t she know this?

Smaas, why.

We switch POV to Doriass, who angsts about how edgy and evil Sardines is now and how she maybe doesn’t actually love him and manipulated him to love her!

Yeah, she’s not that smart, Doriass.

Actually, for the two months since she’d been named the King’s Champion, she’d been like this. Her lovely dresses and ornate clothes were gone, replaced by an unforgiving, close-cut black tunic and pants, her hair pulled back in a long braid that fell into the folds of that dark cloak she was always wearing. She was a beautiful wraith—and when she looked at him, it was like she didn’t even know who he was.

1) UNFORGIVING TUNIC.

2) This is the second time she’s described as a wraith in the first two chapters. Who edited this?

A gibbon.

But he couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever meant anything to Celaena at all.

Cry me a river with your manpain, Doriass.

We switch POV back to Sardines. (Well, that was utterly pointless.) She angsts bout how Chaol hasn’t been looking at her the same way ever since she started with the murder and stuff, and she meets with him in the secret passages of the castle or what-the-fuck-ever-who-gives-a-damn.

“Are you still acting like the King’s Champion, or are you back to being Celaena?” In the torchlight, his bronze eyes glittered.

This is the second time his eyes are described as bronze in this chapter.

I have a feeling that this book was created and “perfected” by a bunch of horny drunk women throwing their own shit at the walls.

We get more of Sarah’s trademark tepid banter that the fangirls probably think is super hilarious and SASSILY FEMINIST.

Chaol tells her that he’s been worried and thought she’d been murdered, so they hug it out.

He hadn’t held her since the day she’d learned she had officially won the competition, though the memory of that embrace often drifted into her thoughts. And as she held him now, the craving for it never to stop roared through her.

ROARED.

He tells her that she smells bad.

She hissed and shoved him, her face burning in earnest now. “Carrying around dead body parts for weeks isn’t exactly conducive to smelling nice! And maybe if I’d been given time for a bath instead of being ordered to report immediately to the king, I might have—” She stopped herself at the sight of his grin and smacked his shoulder. “Idiot.”

This is, like, AT LEAST 10 feminisms.

We get another scene change.

After a joyous Fleetfoot calmed down enough for Celaena to speak without being licked [...]

I’m gonna eat that fucking dog.

Sardines angst some more about Elena and about how ...

Fucking called it.

She’d given Lord Nirall the same choice she’d given Sir Carlin: die right then, or fake his own death and flee—flee far, and never use his given name again. So far, of the four men she’d been assigned to dispatch, all had chosen escape.

Apparently, this LE EPIC ASSASSIN saw that Sir Carlin was a cool dude and just couldn’t put a knife in his throat. She only killed BAD PEOPLE, remember? Which makes no sense, considering how shitty evil her mentor was. Why would he even allow that? Whatever.

God forbid we have an actual female anti-hero, right Smaas? You wouldn’t wanna imply your bitchy little twat princess is anything but a perfect beacon of morality.

Curiously, we don’t find out whether she saw the other men acting as kind and cutesy perfect as Sir Carlin. What if they were assholes? I wouldn’t enjoy Sardines playing god, but the fact that she did it before and doesn’t do it now makes no sense either.

We find out that she’s been finding corpses from sick-houses to replace the dudes for the crime scenes.

But with magic gone and those wise healers hanged or burned, people were dying in droves. Dying from stupid, once-curable illnesses.

Alright, here cometh an epic rant:

1) I can maybe buy that the king doesn’t know all of the nobles who live far away, at least not enough to recognize them by appearance. What I can’t buy is the servants not recognizing their masters. That’s just plain dumb. Even if she fucked up their faces or cut their heads off, they’r still recognize the bodies as not theirs.

2) So, do they not have non-magical healers? Did the king know that the world needed magic to survive and that they had no non-magical medicine and still went “nah, just kill them all”. We never really find out if the king truly killed magic of if it went away, so like ??? What’s the truth here?

3) If they have no non-magical healthcare, WHY THE FUCK DOES THE KING LET HER JUST BRING DEAD THINGS INTO HIS THRONE ROOM AND WHY DOES HE TOUCH THOSE DEAD THINGS. WHAT THE FUCK!!!

4) If Sardines has been stealing corpses and not actually killed any of the dudes, then her little angsty thoughts about how bad she feels about killing this man and how it’s not her job to question but to obey are nothing but misleading bullshit. It doesn’t make any sense for her to be thinking that! WHY DID SHE EVEN UNSHEATHE HER SWORD IF SHE KNEW SHE WASN’T GOING TO KILL HIM?! HE’S MENTIONED TO OPEN HIS EYES SO HE’D JUST SCREAM AND FREAK OUT AND CALL ATTENTION TO HER!!

SJM why.

Celaena fought a shudder. She was playing a very, very lethal game. And now that her targets were people in Rifthold—now that it was Archer … She’d have to find a way to play it better. Because if the king ever learned the truth, if he found out what she was doing …

He’d destroy her.

God, I fucking hope.

It’s only been two chapters and I’m already tired.

#eff reads: crown of midnight #book rants #anti tog #anti sjm

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starswhogaze · 7 years

Text

Friendly Reminders

Things from THIS POST that are still relevant to us books later.

Throne of Glass

HOF was hardest to write

Manon’s POV is easiest to get into

“Definitely possible” for Fae to have more than one soul mate

Asterin Blackbeak is wanted for murder

Five year old Dorian would want 30 year old Dorian to be an “epic dragon-slayer”

If Sarah could bring back any character that she killed, it would be Nehemia

Influence for Rowan: “Rowan just walked into my head one day, and that was that”

SJM knows how ToG will end but “still many, many stories to be told in that world afterwards”

Manon likes to have her hair brushed

Yrene will be returning in future ToG books

Fleetfoot is 100% confirmed to survive the series

Nox will return (as of right now ) but not is QoS

“Nox has been off on some VERY fun adventures since TOG”

Ending of ToG won’t be like fiction press draft which Sarah considers to be “an entirely different book” of which “everything has been thrown out”

Dorian stole a berry pie from castle kitchen when he was 11, ate the whole thing and was sick for a day (random fact)

Dorian is 6′0, Chaol is 6′1, Celaena is 5′7-5′8, Aedion is 6′3, Rowan is around 6′4

Rowan would win in a fight against Legolas… “Duh”!

Ironteeth “witches have slits high up in their gums where the iron teeth snap down/over their normal teeth”

Piano is only instrument Celaena can play

Chaol has “the NICEST buns”

It was always the plan for Sam to die

“Sam is 1000% dead and never coming back”

Most important question asked (according to SJM): “who has the better bum, Chaol, Dorian or Rowan?” - SJM won’t answer except to say that Celaena definitely has an opinion on this

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Working on last names for Tamlin and co.

Potential companion novels!

Took 5 weeks to write first draft (”crazy fast”)

Rhys is favorite character to write in ACOTAR

Tamlin’s chest is so chiseled, “you could literally crack a nut on his chest”

TOG + ACOTAR

Celaena was harder to write than Feyre because “I had to rip open old wounds and dark parts of myself to write HOF”

Lucien and Dorian would be “bffers”

ACOTAR cover might be favorite

Chaol and Tamlin would be good friends (but tense at first)

If Celaena and Feyre met, “they would be like two cats meeting for the first time”

ACOTAR men would not know what to do with Celaena, she would eat them all alive

Favorite villain to write = Manon’s grandmother

SJM’s advice to surviving SJM’s endings: “invest in tissues. and chocolate”

Cover color decisions are not up to SJM

“TOG and ACOTAR are in the same Megaverse. So you could technically open a Wyrdgate between their worlds.”

Character Personalities

Feyre would love Sophia Coppola films

Celaena would love Gone With the Wind

Dorian would love classics (films)

“Rhys wears black boxers… when he feels like wearing underwear at all.”

If Celaena were an animal, she would “10000%” be a velociraptor

Feyre’s sport is cross-country or swimming

Manon’s sport is ice-hockey (without pads preferable)

Celaena’s sport is soccer

Feyre’s most visited website = Pinterest

Celaena’s most visited website = Goodeads

Rhys’ theme song = “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred

Celaena’s unofficial theme song = “Back in Black” by AC/DC

TOG characters who would have tattoos (if modern day): Aedion, Celaena, Rowan, Nehemia

TOG characters who would not have tattoos (if modern day): Manon, Dorian, Chaol

Celaena is a “double-shot-espresso-hold-the-bs” type of person (not tea)

#throne of glass #crown of midnight #heir of fire #acomaf #acotar #acowar #a court of mist and fury #aelin #rhysand #tog6 #tog7 #tower of dawn #nox #irene

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books--andt · 7 years

Conversation

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas Spoiler Review!

Hey everyone! I finally finished ToD and can't wait to share my thoughts about it. This review does however contain ***SPOILERS***

WOW! SJM does it yet again!! I went into this book completely open minded. I didn't hate Chaol, as some people do, nor do I really, really like him. In the other books he was sort of just... there I guess? After reading this book I can say that I love him! His character went through a lot in this book. I'm really happy with how it was handled.

More specifically.... I'm talking about how he was in a wheelchair for more than half of the book, and although Yrene does heal him in the end, he isn't totally "healed"(for lack of better word). I really appreciated this because it proves that heroes aren't all able-bodied. The struggles Chaol went through were mainly mental struggles rather than physical. He had to accept that he may not walk again, but that doesn't make him any less of a person than who he was before.

I also loved this knew setting and addition to characters! Am I the only one who thinks Throne of Glass book 7 is going to be absolutely MASSIVE because of all these characters??? The Khagan were super cool and I read that SJM took inspiration from Genghis Khan. Sounds like she really did her research too. These new characters and setting just added to the diversity of this book. I believe Chaol was the only white person, besides maybe Yrene.

I wasn't feeling the NesrynxChaol relationship so I'm happy that didn't sail. I quite liked Nesryn and Sartaq, more so because they started out as friends who got along and bonded over the Ruhkin (who are super sweet btw and I want one real bad). I liked that they didn't start off on the wrong foot, talking all snarky to each other and then falling in love, which I've noticed is a bit of a pattern in SJM's love stories.

I liked that Yrene and Chaol's relationship was slow moving, but when we discovered that they are married I was like whaaaaa???!!!! I mean, it makes sense since they do love each other and now that they are bonded, if Yrene is weak, Chaol will not be able to walk, and if one dies so does the other. It just seemed a bit rushed to me. However, in a fantasy world, where war is already in full effect, they probably don't have much time to consider planning a wedding x years from now.

So we learn a hell of a lot in this book. Quite the information dump but I didn't find it slow at all. Sure, I took my time when reading because there's a lot to take in, but everything was told in an interesting and gripping way. You DEFINITELY need to read this book before ToG7!!!

I fricken loved the scene when Nesryn and Sartaq are nearly trapped with the spiders, the Kharankui. We meet Falkin, a shape shifter who sold 20 years of his life for spider silk, and who is also the uncle of Lysandra! I defs thought he was going to die, but then the whole relation between him and Lysandra would be ruined... I'm sure they will reunite in the next book. I didn't believe for one second that Sartaq was dead when he and Nesryn were facing the spiders because knowing SJM, she wouldn't kill a character who is loved by another character.

We also learn that MAEVE IS A MOTHER FRICKEN VALG QUEEN????????? I can't believe it. It all makes sense but for SJM to have this planned this ENTIRE time is insane. SO Maeve tricked the other two fae queens, and like, the rest of the continent that she was their third sister all this time. Chaol also mentions that Maeve has a pet owl... Owls are the symbol for Silba, the goddess of healing, so this owl must be a fae healer shape shifter!! We learn that Erawan (or was it Maeve?) has been keeping these healers locked up because healers can "kill" the valg demons inside of other bodies!!!!! Yrene discovers that the valg are like parasites, and she can get rid of them while not harming the host body. The only problem is that the body would have to be still, and practically unconscious for her to work on it and defeat the dark valg within.

AND DUVA! Of course no one suspects a pregnant woman!! Was I the only person who just wanted Yrene to slice her head off when she had the chance??? I know she wouldn't ever kill someone... and Duva was basically possessed and had a baby in her stomach and all... but I mean!!!!! She would've killed them if they didn't do anything.

We also learn that the note Yrene carries with her was from Aelin all those years ago!! So if Aelin hadn't given her that note, and if she hadn't come to this continent, she never would have met Chaol, and they never would have fallen in love!!! Crazy! I can't wait for them to meet again.

And that last little chapter called Fireheart oooohhh man. I was super excited to read from Calaena's perspective again, but was also high key devastated once I remembered where she was and who she was facing. GAWSH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK ASAP.

Damn. Well done SJM. Well fricken done. I mentioned that SJM wouldn't kill characters who are important or in love...(am I wrong??) That being said, this is war! And people die in war, as sad as it is. I'm not saying I want people to die in the final book, but........... I just almost feel like it's necessary so that things don't end "too" happily. That's how I felt things ended in ACOWAR. Thoughts???

I also loved all these new creatures. Like the Baast cats! Fricken library cats, keen and full of stealth. I LOVED them.

If you could have either a Ruhkin, a wyvern, a shape shifting friend, a baast cat, or Fleetfoot, which would you have????

I might have to say wyvern although.... the ruhkin are pretty sweet.

4.5-5/5 stars! I would only dock .5 off simply because I missed Celaena and thought the marriage was a bit unnecessary.

Thanks for reading! Let's chat books!

- T

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gayvilliard · 7 years

Text

Now I feel like talking about nehlaena so here’s some of my input aka the reason why nehlaena would have been a better choice than row/ae/lin

• nehemia was like the first person that celaena got along with at the palace and visa versa???? its like the more subtle version of love at first sight

• nehemia would always cast wyrd spells to protect celaena while she slept because SPOILER ALERT she loved n cared about her v much

• even when celaena’s dumb ass would always dust away the wyrd marks that nehemia made under her bed she would always go back time and time again to put them back bc she was just so devoted to keeping her safe at night

• they would see each other almost everyday if not literally everyday just so nehemia could teach celaena how to read the wyrd (? I can’t remember if that’s what they did but it was something about understanding wyrd) and then see each other again at night in celaena’s bedroom where nehemia would do the Wyrd Marking™ under her bed

• celaena literally went insane when she found out about the death threats against nehemia and then proceeded to kill/ruin the lives of everyone who was involved in the murder

• they played fetch together with celaena’s dog (fleetfoot or some shit like that?) aka their child

• celaena’s entire relationship w chaol was literally ruined all for the sole reason of what happened to nehemia

• nehemia literally never laid a hand on celaena and celaena would never hurt nehemia so like 👀 what have we here. If anything they would constantly try to bring each other up

• if they got married then terrasen (or however tf you spell it) and ellwye would’ve been good political allies

• CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY GOT MARRIED. Jfc imagine the cute outfits and nehemia would be wearing a long dress that gets all frilly at the ends and celaena (or aelin by this time probably) would be wearing a fancy suit but the kind with fluffy sleeves and instead of pants it’s a short skirt and UGHSJDSKDJDN

• side note because I’m an asshole: bridesmaid dorian

• nehemia wouldn’t have had to die?? I mean she SHOULDNT have died in this version either but like this way there would be no ‘excuse’ to kill her off

• sjmess only likes writing That Steamy Heterosexual Sex™ so we wouldn’t have to worry about a fetishized lesbian relationship

• best of all, no rowan whatsoever

This is all that comes to mind right now and I’ll probably go back and edit this when I find my tog book but like, you literally cannot tell me that nehlaena isn’t the best thing in the world besides malide and chaorian

#I'll also probably make another post with malide n chaorian too #nehlaena #nehemia ytger #celaena sardothien #headcanon #anti sjm #ild speaks

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courtsofstarlight · 7 years

Note

1) Would you rather have Tamlin or Ianthe die? 2) FMK: Tamlin, Hybern, Bone carver 3) Suriel, Abraxos or Fleetfoot? 4) Feyre, Morrigan or Amren? 5) One bullet in a room with Erawan, Manon's grandmother, Arobynn, Tamlin, Ianthe, Hybern, Eris, Amarantha and Jurian. Who's going down? (One only) 6) Would you rather cut off Rhys' wings or take away Feyre's immortality? 7) FMK: Rhys, Rowan, Aedion 8) Who do you get drunk with, kill or insult out of these characters? Amren, Rhys, Tamlin

Thanks for the questions 😋1)I would have Ianthe die, as much as I don't like Tam Ianthe is less important to me lol2)ooooo tuff one 😂 Fuck Tam Marry bone carver( he's gotta lot of info I'd like to hear) and kill king of Hybern cuz he's an ass and almost killed Cass/separate feyre and Rhys 3)idk if your question 3 and 4 are fmk or like what one do i like best ?soooo imma skip over those 5)HYBERN IS GOINGGGG DOWNNNNN HE IS TOOO POWERFUL6) I'd say cut off Rhys wings because I couldn't imagine him and feyre not being able to spend forever together. Plus feyre can just carry him with her lovely fae wings7) why are you punishing me 😩😩 my 3 husbands how ever will I CHOOSEEEE. Okay okay fuck Rowan, marry Rhys ( cuz then I could fuck em all the time 😏 ) andddds sadly kill Aedion 😩😩😩8) get drunk with Amren, kill tam and then insult Rhys (then grovel and kiss his boots while asking for forgiveness)

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kuroneko0195 · 7 years

Text

TOG 7 Headcanon

So, I’m done with EOS for a few days now and I had a lot of time to think about “what’s next?”. Here are some ideas, things I would like to read in the last TOG book or think will happen. I won’t get into “lock” theories because I’m still trying to figure it out.

It’s classified by character.

ROWAN

That scene where he let go of control and is the legendary warrior he is.

Maybe beating asses with Lorcan

Another exquisite confession to Aelin

Please let him be happy with his mate.

AELIN

Carranam beating Maeve’s ass

Coming back to Terassen like “What’s up ?” or at least go back to Orynth one last time.

Fire-breathing-bitch-queen moments

Survival ? Coronation ?

AEDION

He’s so lost, just give him some peace so he can think.

More epic speeches to his armies (because he’s so good at it)

Being a war hero and have his own legends

Forgive Lysandra

He and Lysandra at some point ... A: Dude, don’t touch the Lady, she’s my fiancée. L: What ? A : Silence is an agreement. Still waiting for a date by the way.

LYSANDRA

Having trouble to deal with being Aelin, because “finally this was a bad plan”

Come to Darrow with the armies and verbally kick his ass like her friend would have done.

Do whatever she can to avoid a coronation. It’s Aelin, she had earn it more than anyone.

At some point being caught. Most likely by Evangeline and Fleetfoot.

I have a feeling she’s going to die.

DORIAN AND MANON

Because both have been raised as rulers but it have been thrown at them when they where the least prepared.

Manorian or not, they’re going to help each other figure out what kind of rulers they are, they want to be. But because they really care it will most be about what kind of Queen/King their people need. Whatever the price.

Manon killing the matron, earning blueblood loyalty and being sassy with Ansel. And Aelin.

Just let Dorian be happy too.

CHAOL

Return of bromance

Will walk but need a cane

Will bring another army to fight erawan. Maybe steel a bit of Adarlan’s beleving Dorian is the true king.

Just imagine him, on his stallion, ready for the battlefield ahead. Ready to fight for his brother Dorian, for his kingdom, for the ones he cares about.

Nesryn (but I think this will be a good part of TOG 6)

ELIDE

Her groing iron teeht and nails (it was not just about some pieces of shirt and kind attention, she’s becoming a Ironteeth !)

Won’t be against some more wife/husband time. But more like wife/husband and with less dangerous creatures around.

Just something like this ...

Rowan : Lorcan, agree with the plan ? Lorcan: *totally disagree* Elide : *Tired because Lorcan is the only one to disagree* Of course he does. Don’t you Lorcan ? Lorcan : I - I agree. Rowan and Gavriel : *approving nods to Elide*

THE CADRE

Fenrys saving his brother from Maeve (maybe dying for it, or to save Aelin)

Vaughan. Because who knows what the hell he’s doing north while the main team is fighting south.

Some earned Proud Dad / Son moment for Gavriel.

Cairn being killed with his whip.

The remaining cadre moving to Terrassen willingly serving Aelin.

I think I got the main characters here. Tell me if I have missed some.

Ps : I am in a total book-hangover since EOS and ACOWAR is out in a month ... How will I live after that ?

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nashville-escort · 7 years

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WHY THE HELL DOES EVERYONE LOVE AELIN GALANYTHIUS SO MUCH?!?!

The girl who turned her back on her kingdom and changed her name for 10 years cause she didn’t want anything to do with them. The girl who wanted to take the life of the man who got her out of Endovier and offered her friendship when she had no one, who gave her Fleetfoot and continues to support her cause. Who got her out of prison and was her friend when everyone else was afraid of her, offered her support after Nehemiah died and when she was alone, and freed the continent because they were friends. 100% the fact that she even ATTEMPTED to take Dorians life and THOUGHT that it was hers to take just made me hate every being of her and wishing she dies. Dorians life didn’t belong to her. Yes she fought for him in the end but that’s only because of what Manon wrote and Chaol changing the plan at the last minute. Before that she basically dismissed him. Chaol, absolutely, but a bitch who just used him???? I WANTED TO SEND HATE TO SARA J MASS. (But I didn’t) She’s so obsessed with Aelin and Rowan that she forgets that Aelin is not better Meave, or any of the bad people in her books. She acts like she’s all high and mighty but since she got her powers she’s just as arrogant. I don’t understand why ANYONE thinks she would make this MARVELOUS AND AWESOME queen. I actually think people only worship the ground she walks on simply because she’s AELIN ASHRYVER GALANYTHIUS. I have to say I LOVED watching her get kicked out of Terrassen by Darrow because it served her right. She changed her name and then all of sudden DECIDES that after 10 years she finally wanted to be queen and expects people to see her as that. Bitch please. It doesn’t work like that. She was too young to even remember anything about her people, and while they were being butchered she was training to be an assassin. People want her as queen because she’s sassy and has a good heart but so does everyone else. She’s a tyrant. That vision the Valg demon gave her was a warning. Then Meave saying saying about Aelin and Rowans children could rule empire’s. She’ll either become a great ruler or a maniac. And that alone makes her a threat. Dorian would definitely be the better monarch. He’s the the most amazing person in the books. Pissed that SJM had him free the continent just so she could hand it over to Aelin whenever she wanted. Dorian deserved it. He deserves everything. Aelin has had it hard, yes, but so has he and he didn’t turn out like she did. Yes she was a child when she left but she is a woman now and has been for several years. She got by for a long while without the king recognized who she is. The point is she never went back to her people. She never forget it no, but she never helped them either. The minute she had her period and became a woman she could have sought out her cousin and did SOMETHING to help her people. But she chose not to. She CHOSE to stay with Arobrynn and become an assassin and leave that life behind. SHE EVEN CHANGED HER FREAKING NAME. That’s how much she wanted to escape her birthright. You don’t leave for years, enjoy killing people, then meet some fae Prince, then come back and think just because of who she is now people should accept her. Her BEST FRIEND HAD TO STAGE HER OWN DEATH TO GET HER OUT OF HER SELFLESNESS, and even that didn’t work. It wasn’t until she met Rowan a while after Nehemiah was killed, that he talked her into it that she FINALLY decided to wanted to be queen. She can’t just come back and call herself Aelin after all that time away and expect people to see you as their queen and your NOT. At least SJM has enough sense to realize that. And so do her fathers court. They see how reckless, unpredictable and immature she is. I loved her in the first 3 books but in the 4th she was insufferable. Cocky, arrogant, and more than a little cruel. I love Celena but I hate Aelin. They’re two completely different people. When she came back in the fourth book after she honed her magic and accepted who she is she was a completely different person. But what she did to Arobrynn and those assassins….I hated her so much I swear I was reading red. What she did to them was completely uneunessecary and horrible. That screamed cold blooded. And psychopath. So was Arobrynn yes, for what he did to her but no one cares about him. He made her what she is. If he hadn’t trained her she never would have been what he is now. Everything was her choice. What she seems to be so proud of. Amazing with a sword, smart and cunning. Always having a plan. But that doesn’t make what he did to her okay and same goes for her. That was more than cruel. And she’s very self absorbed. Do you really think that if her friend wanted her to free the continent do you think she would do it because she is kind? Hell no. She didn’t even want to allow Dorian to let Manon out of that cabin on the ship. She would never give that power up. Once again why Dorian is better than she is. All she cares about is Terrassen and her court. She puts them above EVERYTHING. Nothing and no one else. I’m sure she’d sacrifice her own mate. And everyone who can read between the lines knows the real reason she sent Rowan to rescue Dorian from the witches. It wasn’t because she cared about him and he was her friend, but because if he died her kingdom would lose it’s support from Adarlan. Now WHY THE HELL WOULD I LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE THAT. Why even think that about him after he’s done so much for her. The way she’s treated Dorian since the 4th book really ticks me off. Would he have done her like that? No. Because even If his court was at risk he would try to save her AND his court. Like now. He’s choosing to stay with her instead of taking back his city. Because he continues to support her and all she gives a damn about is Terrassen. She never forgot about it but at the same time never returned. That combination plus the way she was in the fourth book is why I hate her. I’ve never felt this strongely about a fictional character. Now that she has her court and Rowan by her side she doesn’t care about anyone else. Her court is super powerful and no one will challenge her.👎 If she ruled the continent it would be terrible. Her kisses her ass so there’s no one who would stop her from becoming a tyrant if she wanted to. Rowan even said he would lay the continent at her feet and asked her if she wanted it. Or if she would stop at Terrassen or take more. It says says something that Meave, a powerful fae queen, could take over the continent as well but chooses to stay in Doranelle. If SJM does let Rowan and Aelin take the continent I’m burning all her books. Because there is nothing Aelin has than Dorian doesn’t. Not to mention the way she treats her own cousin. She gave up his blood oath because she said she thought he was still faithfully serving the king. But she was Kings champion and he never gave up on her. She lied to him and made it seem like it was his fault. And then she basically told him she is queen, he is just her General and he can fuck off. That was his blood right. He’s family. He grew up with her and loved her but Rowan, who she’s only known for a FEW months, who SJM started writing and fell in love with apparently, tells her to give him the blood oath just so they can stick it to Meave and she does it. In the book she wants even THINKING about her cousin. And yes she can do what she wants but then she lied about it and when she got caught she brought up the I’m the queen card. Like no. Every guy in the book is worshipping her, they’re all wanting to serve her knowing she can protect herself just fine. I just don’t understand what makes her so better than Dorian. Every guy is basically having a pissing contest and she’s just amused by it. Is she really that intelligent?? In EOS she treats Dorian, the KING, like he’s one of her warriors and orders him around and treats him like shit when he’s a valuable ally. “The battlefield is no place for a king” STFU. I wish Dorian told her then that she doesn’t give him orders. I get that he’s in that dark place right now but he needs to snap out of it. That’s not smart. If I were him I would have been done washed by hands with her. But as we all know he’s better than she is. She wasn’t THINKING about how Aedion would feel when she gave away his blood oath. She wasnt THINKING about what would happen when she chose to always flaunt her magic, not thinking about all the monsters it drew to them and put them in danger. The books try to tell us that she is super intelligent and an amazing strategiest but we don’t really see it. Nehemiah was killed off just for her character development. And if your queen cared about Erila at all she never would be thinking of conquering it. People who want to conquer a continent only care about power. I just don’t think she deserves the world like everyone thinks she does. Dorian has hard it as well. Been imprisoned, had a demon inside his body, violated, forced against his will, seeing the woman he loved beheaded, his best friend’s paralyzed SJM takes him away from Dorian, and then Aelin and her fucking court leave and then there’s no one there for him…GOOD GOD he went through a SHIT TON. But still isn’t cold and cruel like Aelin is. Diplomacy is not her strong at it. She’s very terrible at it. She is also very young and half fae which makes her temper harder to control. She has a lot of self doubt and is terrified to openly fail. That combination is a power keg ready to go off AND IT DOES in EOS. She has not developed into the queen I expected her to be. I expected her to be a grown up version of Caelena. More grownup, more thoughtful and less reckless. The worst part is she thinks of her own self, Calena, as a monster. But ppl forget how she disobeyed her master, and risked her live to save 200 slaves. Celeana chose to spare Ansel’s life even after her betrayal. In EOS AND QOS Aelin was more than ready for her COURT, but would she die for her FRIENDS the same way Chaol and Dorian do? Probally not. I love Celena but I hate Aelin. The lords of her kingdom don’t want her as queen and I have to agree. When he aid that I was cheering them on. Her line to Chaol in COM when she said “I would always choose you” was the biggest lie ever. She thinks she’s better than the bad guys which is laughable. SOOO Based on everything I just said can someone please tell me what this girl has that my cinnamon roll, or anyone else doesn’t?

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plot-twist-i-survived · 4 years

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ToG-Alein and Rowan-Lies are scars modern day planetary blindness au

Alein’s POV

~flashback~

7 years ago- I was blind, stumbling around in complete darkness until I ran into a furry body, presumably my dog Fleetfoot. “Are you ok?? Good boy!!” I told him, and heard a hearty woof in reply. “Where are they Fleetfoot?? Find them!” I held on to her body as she led me inside and through rooms to where I had found my best friend Lysandra, I was able to tell by the scar on her wrist she earned by telling a creepo on the street she had a boyfriend to get away from him. “Alein is that you?” she had asked, running a hand up my back, over the three large scars running across my back. “It is you!” She cried, embracing me. “I was terrified! All of a sudden I couldn’t see!” She said. “Yeah, me too.” I shuddered. ~end of flashback~

People started calling it “The Great Blinding,” as everyone on Earth had gone blind in the same moment. The world had quickly started deteriorating, with humans not being able to see, even the most bustling cities now appeared post-apocalyptic. We had started telling each other apart by our voices and our scars, earned by the lies we have told. It hurts like heck when it happ- my train of thought interrupted by someone stumbling into me and knocking me down. “Oh crap, sorry.” a voice says, grabbing my hand and pulling me up. “What did you do!” I screech, seeing him, the first person I’ve actually seen in three years. He’s looking at me with the same shocked face that I’m sure I have. As we look around, we gravitate toward each other ending up back to back as we look around, completely bewildered. Across every available solid surface the words “DON’T TELL THEM YOU CAN SEE” are scrawled in red paint. We look each other and shrug, confused, but we already were because we can see now so whatever I guess. I turn to him, noting the large tattoo across one side of his face. “My names Alein, what’s your’s handsome?” I say. I mean he is, silver hair, tan, tall, and buff, looking to be around my age, 18. “Rowan” he replies with a snort, “Not so bad yourself.” “Thanks” I smirk and then whip around startled, when I hear leaves crunch. Oh it had been so long since I had seen the beautiful fall colors of leaves in autumn. We saw an old man carrying a can if red spray paint. He grinned excitedly when he saw us staring at him. “You can see me!” He exclaimed. “I know what the messages say” he says chuckling, “but we mean the people who can’t see, until we find you. We find people like you and bring them back home to us.” He says. “Where is home and who is ‘we’?” Rowan asks. “Home is Indianapolis, we have restored parts of it to suit our needs, and we is those of us who have met our soulmates and have had our sight restored. We are the Resistance because everyones sight disappearing wasn’t a coincidence and we need to set it right.” He explains. Rowan and I are just gaping at him, shocked, but the old man continues. “Did you find each able to see or after meeting regain your sight?” He asks. I tell him that the male bumped into me and when we touched hands we could see again. “Just what I thought” he smirked, “you two are soulmates.

SOULMATES?!?!?! Who does this man think he is?! No way. I just met Rowan. But what if..? Again, my thoughts are interrupted, like what is up with today and getting my train of thought cut off?? The old man was asking our names. I cut in before Rowan could speak. “I’m Celeana and this is Chaol.” I said, my gut telling me not to give away our real names. I gave Rowan a glance that told him to play along. Right now, thats the best I can do.

Rowans POV

We followed the old man, who introduced himself as Dorian. It was a bit of a trek but after a while we reached a bunker leading underground. He led us inside, acting very welcoming, which for the world Alein and I are from, people don’t act like that. We actively avoid others for our own safety. People have gone insane enough from the virus to kill others and themselves. Who knows where he’s actually leading us. Now we are heading deep underground. “So how many of you are there in this ‘Resistance?’” I ask. “Well Chaol, we are somewhat scattered around in hopes to find others like us, but from our most recent count about a month ago, we number in the 700s.” the old man, Dorian, that was his name, replies. The tunnel levels out, and we reach a circular room containing one stairwell leading up, one leading down, two more hallways, and three doors. He leads us through one of the doors into a room. The walls are packed dirt, supported by wooden beams, which it to be expected, with the floor also packed dirt but with 6 large square plates of metal, tin by the looks of it. Curious. The ceiling is tin as well, some what beaten up.

Dorian disappears through a door on the other side of the room, then reappears through what appears to be a tinted window. “This is a one way mirror. That means you can see me but I cannot see you.” His voice crackes over an obviously dated sound system. Everything is old nowadays. “Strip down to your underclothes.” He orders, as Alein and I gasp. “Excuse me!” She demands. “I don’t take orders from you!” Dang. She’s angry. “Celeana do as I say or it will be done forcefully.” Dorian replies, calmly. Too calmly. She reluctantly complies, pulling her sweater off. I turn and face the opposite wall and strip down to my boxers. Thank goodness I didn’t wear my lobster embroidered ones even though they are my favorites! Dorian speaks again, “I am going to send a bot into the room, it will not take pictures or record, it will only catalog your scars. I ask that you face my wall and stay still.” Alein and I turn and face the indicated wall, but as the bot comes out of the door, I see Alein make a face out of the corner of my eye. She gives me a wince and turns slightly away from me, showing me her back. Oh God. She has three very large raised scars slashed across her back. I mouth “what did you do?!” “I’ll explain later, it isn’t anything super bad, I promise.” She mouths back. “My turn” I mouth to her, and point to my face, and the tattoo covering a third of my face then curling down my neck and spilling onto my chest. “It’s not a tattoo” I mouth to her, “I’ll explain later too.” She nods as the bot makes it’s way over to me. I stand still as it circles me a couple of times, beeps at me cheerily (how does a bot sound cheerful??) and starts over to Alein. She copies what I did, except while the bot is nearer her back she sticks her tongue out and crosses her eyes. I almost choked attempting to not laugh at her antics.

Finally the bot deemed us thoroughly scanned and left through the door and Dorian informed us that we could redress in the clothes that had been left for us. Dang, I hadn’t even realized clothes had been left, but our previous clothes had been neatly folded and packaged. I quickly donned the clothes left for me, somehow fitting exactly as they should. Grey sweatpants, a white almost but not quite skintight t-shirt, covered by a matching grey zippered hoodie. I was also provided with comfortable leather lace-up hiking boots with white fur on the inside. I grabbed my old clothes and turned around to see Alein in her provided clothes, grey skin-tight leggings, leather fur lined hiking boots similar to mine, but wearing an almost skintight white tank top and carrying a plain white drawstring hoodie. She looked breath-taking! How had I not noticed this as soon as I could see?!?

We were then led back into the circle room and went down one of the hallways, made a couple turns and were through another circle room containing a staircase leading up, one leading down, and five hallways with doors up and down them. We went up the staircase, and were led to a medium sized rectangular room with a fireplace at one end with a large rug and couches forming a semi-circle around it. A couple of tables with comfy looking armchairs around them were scattered around the room, with a few couples and trios sitting playing games or talking. Some looked up and waved, obviously we weren’t an abnormality. They were all dressed in similar fashions and colors as us, and now that I think about it, so was Dorian. He led us to a room, and I was guessing these were dorms. Ours had a small, cozy looking living area and a small counter, sink, and fridge. Two doors led off one side of the room and shelves and bookshelves lined the last side. While gazing at the shelves, Alein’s mouth hung open. “A reader Celeana?” Dorian asked. She walked over to the books and ran her fingers over the spines. “Yes” she said, “and I’ve missed it so much.” Dorian informed us we would have plenty of time to settle in and Celeana could have plenty of time to read. Celeana crossed the room to me and whispered to me, “If I’m reading never ever interuppt me unless you are dying or something is on fire or another emergency.” I nodded, not needing threats to encourage me to obey. Dorian directed us to the two bedrooms. He recommended “Celeana” take the bedroom on the left for the bookshelves and I the right for the taller shower. He told us to settle in, and don’t be afraid to mingle. The people in our dorm area are newer as well, so they understand what you are feeling as well.

We sit together in the big room at a table, after ordering some tea through the tubes Dorian showed us so we wouldn’t have to wander around and wind up lost to get food. This place is actually way more updated than the rest of the world, what with people being able to see and all. “So, your scar?” Alein asked. “Before the Great Blinding my younger brother had cancer. He died only days before it hit. He had already lost his vision from the cancer though. During chemo and his episodes, and anytime I visited him, I would tell him it would be ok. That’s how I knew he was going to die. Every time I told him, “you’re gonna be ok” the scar grew. I think it became like this, all fancy and fooling people into thinking it was a tattoo before the blinding, because him being ok would have been a fairytale ending, so I got a fancy fairytale tattoo-like scar to mock me for my lies.” I told her, tears lining my eyes by the time I finished. “Yours?”

“I grew up in an abusive household until I ran away at 12 with my best friend Lysandra, who was in a similar situation as I was. My mom wasn’t usually around because she was afraid of my dad. My father... did many things. Raped me, beat me... broke me.”

A tear slipped from my eye.

“The beating started when I was 6. He was drunk most of the time, and nothing I did would ever be enough for him. He hated me, hated that he had a daughter. I was supposed to be a boy. He hurt my mom because I wasn’t born a boy like he wanted. I would receive beating almost daily, but only in the places other people couldn’t see. My back was his favorite.”

Another tear fell.

“He raped me for the first time at 9 years. Told me I had been a terrible child. That I deserved it. That was the night I got the beginnings of my first major scar. As he raped me, hurt me, I told myself I deserve this. The pain, the hurt, the taking of what little innocence I had left, I deserved it. When the first cut slashed down my back, he asked what I said. I told him that I was trying to tell myself that I didn’t deserve this. A tiny cut split on my scalp, where he wouldn’t notice, almost if whatever makes it happen knows it must stay hidden. Looking over me, seeing no more fresh cuts, he believes me. At a price. I can’t hide that scar. Soon after the first time, he started bringing his friends over as well. I hated myself. I wanted to die.”

Tears follow the lines of my scar down my face.

“As time went on that scar grew, and after me and Lysandra ran away, a new one started to form. She knew my story, and eventually others we befriended learned about it, from me of course. They would ask, ‘how are you?’ and ‘are you ok?’ I always said, ‘I’m ok.’ And every time, that scar reopened.”

More tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill over.

“The last scar started when my mom reappeared to come see me where I was living with three other friends at 14. She said she wanted to apologize, that my father was gone, that she wanted to be a good part of my life. I told her I believed her. Hence the scar. By then I was almost used to the feeling of scars splitting open but that one hurt more than either of the others did the first time. Except this new scar? It doesn’t bleed. I disguised the tears of pain as those of relief and happiness. At 15 when a boy came along, said he only wanted to be friends, that’s all, I told him I believed him too. The scar split. No blood, only pain. I disguised those tears because in our new, even more screwed up world, friends can be hard to come by. He believed me. Thought I fell for him. Then a month later, he laced my water with a drug, and he raped me too. Just like my father did. Ever since, people think I believed them, but I trust few people these days. I don’t know how many more betrayals I can take before I break completely in two.”

The tears spilled out of my eyes, creating wet streaks down my face. The hurt and sadness from her story evident on her face. “I won’t ask if you trust me or not, I won’t do that to you. Promise.” Now tears ran down her cheeks, glistening in the firelight.

And in that moment, I saw peace settle over her body, and she whispered into my chest as she leaned into me, “Thank you.” And this time, I think she actually believed.

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