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tpquill · 2 months

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What would another 4 years under Trump be like?

Imagine if you will, someone who has zero empathic qualities. A person vibrating with revenge. Someone who has spent their entire life self indulging on a brand, a purpose that is all they ever care about. A narcissistic sociopath; deeply entrenched in outbursts of anger, hatred and lustful ignorance. Living life on “my brand is higher turnover than any loan a bank can give you.” A gentleman’s agreement, but they are no gentleman. This person has spent their entire life; 70+ years on this planet, growing up in a standard of living he has only ever known. A man, whose father was a businessman and through his businesses, met a lot of wealth, a lot of influence and a lot of questionable behaviour. This person was surrounded by people he was introduced to in a world of social ignorance and old money wealth, because he had become his narcissistic father’s business protégé.

Throughout his entire academic and business career he has bought, bullied or faked his way out of everything, resplendent in the firm belief “dearest daddy” bred into him “everyone can be bought for a price”

Banks, businesses, criminals, judges…the list is endless in their world, because money speaks many languages, including Russian. His deep needed greed to be famous, to be talked about, to be adulated and praised - strokes his fragile ego. He demands attention like a toddler in the throes of a temper tantrum, because he’s always got what he wanted. Not an only child, but definitely a high maintenance one. Reminding me of a character from a well known book series, whose ridiculous parents spoilt their child endlessly while ignoring the child in their foster care. A child who demanded everything and got it no matter the cost - this is how this person has lived their entire life, bully into submission, threaten legal action if they never got it.

I watched in 2015 this person proclaim they were setting their sights on the presidency and I laughed with concerned hysteria. This idiot, who had spent his entire business career in and out of court due to bankruptcies. Casinos and hotels foreclose due to overdue loans, employees not being paid. Employees who had invested most if not all of their pension money in “shares” that would make them a sizeable profit to pay off their mortgages - to later find out it was just another scheme to help pay off or pay into his businesses, while they lost everything. His desire to hire undocumented migrants is old news he’s always done it. That’s why he holds favour with the old dusty republican men and women in congress, because they come from a long line of plantation owners and as you would know through American history, plantation owners had…you guessed it, slaves who they bought at auction to do the menial tasks for next to nothing. He is a man of very little talent but one who has bought and sold everyone and anything for his brand. He wants the celebrity status, he wants the adulation and ceremony of a King, he wants the authoritarian rule and suppression of a dictator, he wants the immunity of god but does not live with a Christian heart (not evangelical brainwashing)

Yes, this very same person wanted to be crowned a King, because he coveted that rule, but settled for Commander in chief instead. And, just like everything else in his life, he took measured steps to secure it through nefarious ways. His questionable admiration for authoritarian leaders puts his loyalty in the right paths of those who see America as their bankable gain. Years of political and foreign resentment balances out evenly when you meet with a weak minded, fragile ego who has always wanted to be praised. The art of the deal was never about the savvy businessman lie he always told but about the “fake it to you make it” mantra and he always excelled at that.

But here’s what lies ahead. He spent four years destroying America the last time. You can listen to the mentally concerned drum on about how he made their lives better, or how he made America great. Or how he made America the best it has ever been and think to yourself - do they actually go outside?

There was only one thing on Donald Trump’s mind from 2016 to 2020, how can I benefit from all of this? He used the office and seal of the president of the United States to enrich both himself and his blood sucking family of hangers on. He made his children (all adults) head of administration in the White House with no formal training in anything, including business (fake it to you make it) the nepotism he used in his questionable business practices, he simply transferred to the “People’s House” he installed a cabinet of lawmakers who lusted for fame, but felt left out. Grievance and vengeance because a black man had held that coveted office for 8 years and they needed (dusty and white privileged republicans) to drive that stench out. His plan was to stay there to show the world he wasn’t just Trump the businessman (6 bankruptcies, several business failures, university & charity disasters) but also the greatest world leader ever.

* stock market tanked

* economic downturn

* unemployment at an all time high

* infrastructure never fixed

* Medicare never looked at

* tax breaks for the filthy rich, tax increases for the working class

* migrants put into cages and separated from their children (white privileged free world)

* racism raised its ugly head and laughed, fascism, xenophobia, homophobia soon followed.

* gun related deaths increased, because why not? he abolished or allowed laws to lapse that had been put in place.

* scraped bills that he deemed unnecessary, pulled out of the Paris agreement, called America veterans suckers & losers, disgraced the military, threw paper towels at hurricane ravaged states claiming they weren’t part of America anyway.

Went on the world’s stage and mocked NATO demanding the countries pay more (America had only started paying more) or he was pulling out of NATO and Russia could occupy them all. Completely made himself an absolute laughing stock in front of other well respected leaders by throwing temper tantrums if he didn’t get his way.

Kissed the ass of Putin on more than one occasion. Ignored daily briefings, hired horrible actors to be his press secretary on multiple occasions. Went through more “chief of staff” positions than any former president.

And then came Covid and his botched handling of that. Nearly 5 thousand deaths, the worst of any country’s handling of the pandemic due to the size of the population of the United States. Mocked the scientists and doctors, refused states (who did not support him) of vital PPE instead, used another nepotistic family member to sell it off to states that didn’t use it because they questioned the vaccine and any easier way to keep their people alive.

His disastrous handling of the very serious pandemic led to so many unnecessary loss of life, ignorance into vital medicine that could help, instead advertising the use of injecting bleach into your veins. Once again Trump’s ignorance of not listening to sound advice, instead using his own because, he knows everything.

I won’t beat on about what happened during the previous election (we all witnessed it) the insurrection, the riots, the deaths and the damage when he very legally as witnessed by over 60 court cases all saying the same thing - lost the 2020 election, it was not stolen. Since then, he has done daily if not weekly rallies (he needs that hit of serotonin that can only be found through crowd adulation) he seeks to be re elected back into the White House. Not because he did such a fantastic job the last time, but because he could very well go to prison. 91 felonies, he’s already lost one tax fraud case and one sexual assault and rape case. He still has the hush money case, the RICO and espionage case to go through all while pleading he needs immunity, because without it, a president can be subjected to influence from foreign countries or leaders. Donald J. Trump already is, he just wants the freedom to do it all over again only this time, not get caught and answer for it, because immunity means he will be like Vladimir Putin and the leaders he greatly admires from Saudi Arabia - Turkey - Israel - China - North Korea - Russia -self appointed leaders with a regime that cripples the people of their country.

The point to this journalistic account on my tumblr is simply this;

After everything I have documented (not all in order) after all I have written, after everything that has been witnessed and grieved for. Even in the face of terrorism in your own country. The birth of a very dangerous ideology of Making America Great Again, christofacists plotting revenge on the country built on freedom and democracy, where in its constitutional legislations simply put the rule that divides church and state and successfully removed its colonial predecessors - the stripping of women’s rights and freedom of anatomy, the destruction of legal abortion (Roe vs Wade) and the push to go back in time to the 1800’s - will people still firmly believe this hate filled, vengeful, egotistical, delusional narcissistic sociopath is still worth electing him as the next president, knowing full well that once he gets in again he will do everything in his power to stay there. To then elect his predecessor (another Trump) to take over from him? He successfully taught his children well - grift, lie, squander, tax evade, hide business assets - they won’t let him down.

Or do you look at all that you went through, all that has taken 4 years to recover. To put right the horrors of the predecessor. To make the economy grow, to improve the medical system. To fix and improve the infrastructure, to raise employment and lower the cost of living. To help with student debt and get more money back in your pockets. To make America respected on the world’s stage and warn authoritarian leaders that this is not the way a countries people should be ruled. To stand up to murderous dictators and help a country fighting for its freedom from tyranny. To try and unify their country, not divide it. To have empathy and compassion, respect and loyalty to their people, not to themselves. To lift all voices including women’s to fight for what is most important up.

I hope this time you don’t send yourselves backwards, but move forwards to a better place. There is only one place Donald J Trump needs to go, one time he will ever be held accountable for his poor behaviour. One place he needs to be shown and to answer for all he has done for far too long…

Prison.

TPQ

#president of the united states #crooked donald #donald j trump #j6 insurrection

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devilinthebox · 2 months

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Two characters that I believe have personality traits and interests in common are Asha and Robb!

-- They're both emotional leaders who express their feelings (they don't typically hide their emotions that well).

-- They're both bold and respected for their skill in battle.

-- They both have a special relationship with their mother (in Robb's case there is too many examples to count haha).

-- They are adept at military strategy (If there are rocks to starboard and a storm to port, a wise captain steers a third course // Robb's Whispering Woods strategy).

-- ...but fail at politics (although Asha seems more politically savvy to me, she is still losing on that front for the time being).

-- They both can be unvoluntarily insensitive (both with Theon during the incident with the wildlings and Bran and in the aftermath of his homecoming).

-- They both fail to gauge the magnitude of Theon's need for belonging and approval (related to the above point).

-- They're both rebels defying a crowned king.

-- They're both the oldest sibling who has had to take responsability at a very young age.

-- They're both romantics !

-- They both need advisors to reassure themselves (Catelyn&Theon and Rodrik the Reader). They're not quite as invulnerable as they might appear.

#i'm sure there are more actually #asha greyjoy #robb stark #valyrianscrolls #asoiaf #words are wind #asoiaf epiphany #i would say they are both using theon as a political tool as well WHILE feeling sincere affection for him #(asha with the latecomer plot - maybe - and robb as he sends theon to negotiate with his father)

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lizhly-writes · 15 days

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hey guys do you wanna hear about my bad idea ahahaha i'm just joking i'm going to tell you whether you like it or not.

anyway! au where jiang fengmian brings back a starving orphan from the streets, and his name is yue qi.

(what happened to wei wuxian? don't worry about it it's fine) (idk maybe he doesn't exist? whatever)

yue qi is strong. yue qi is talented. yue qi tries harder than anyone. yue qi is perfect and you can't even really be irritated at him for it, because he's nice and polite and good-tempered and absolutely everything you could ask for in a da-shixiong.

jiang cheng feels so fucking bad about this. second best even in a whole new au, huh, a-cheng? but it's not your fault. even op protagonist bing-ge couldn't beat yue qi in a fair fight!

nobody knows this, though, so you're just going to have to suffer through the comparisons. it's your mom and your dad and all the little disciples thinking that yue qi is better than you. ooooh, that can't be good for that burgeoning inferiority complex your mom's instilled in you, huh?

but, you know. jiang cheng's going to be sect leader. he's going to need a strong sect. even if his mom fuckin bitches at him for not being as good as yue qi -- yue qingyuan -- then at least he's going to have a strong right hand, right?

HAHAHAHA.

so there are two routes we can go here. for the sake of my early morning ramblings, we're going to go for the more unrealistic one that requires me to jump through more hoops, because i think it's hilarious.

yue qingyuan starts getting more distant as he gets older. going on long nighthunts away from the lotus pier, you know. he stops leading the disciples in morning drills -- or, well, it's less that he stops, and more that he's not around to actually do that.

he's not around a lot.

snide, snide commentary about how yue qingyuan is going to run away to become a rogue cultivator, just like -- (but we don't talk about them). how yue qingyuan's not going to be da-shixiong for much longer. every time yue qingyuan returns to lotus pier, he seems to be more tired, more wound up, more stressed out --

and then everything stops. yue qingyuan comes back one day emotionally catatonic. he doesn't respond properly when people talk to him. unrelatedly (of course it's unrelated), there is some wailing and weeping in the night. some little shidi thinks that somehow a resentful ghost has made it into the pier and alerts da-shixiong about it in the morning.

thankfully, da-shixiong is back to normal in the morning. "i'll take a look," da-shixiong says, and then everybody forgets about it because da-shixiong is back and da-shixiong stops going on those long nighthunts away and everything is fiiiinnnne, don't worry. and if da-shixiong is a bit more brittle after that -- well, you're probably just imagining it.

jiang cheng worries about it. but yue qingyuan never says anything, because that's what yue qingyuan does. he never says annnnnnything to anyone.

of course, there's only so long you can argue with da-shixiong when the plot is coming up. gusu happens. the wens happen.

jiang cheng and yue qingyuan get sent to the wen evil summer camp, or whatever it's called. indoctrination, right?

lectures. drills. meaningless busy work for the sake of beating people down. obedience, and more obedience. there's a wen staring down every class, just waiting for them to slip up. there's one in particular that seems to have it out for yue qingyuan, sharp mouthed and pointy and HAHAHA OKAY, you've probably guessed who this is, haven't you? you're a genre-savvy audience, i bet!

ah, but i'll spell it out anyway, don't worry. for a-cheng, maybe, because jiang cheng can't guess, because yue qingyuan doesn't tell him anything. jiang cheng's out of the loop, on the outside, like he always is with yue qingyuan. don't worry, jiang cheng -- you're not special. he treats you like he treats everyone else.

but ah, that's the problem, isn't it?

jiang cheng stumbles over da-shixiong at night, past curfew, arguing with the wen. or, really, it's not arguing -- the wen is verbally eviscerating him, and yue qingyuan is just letting him. attacks on yue qingyuan's character and talent and everything, and about how yue qi's CLEARLY found a replacement (replacement? what does that mean?) and fine, you think you're so respectable now, of course only a high-bred sect heir is good for you (that jiang-gongzi, do you think he's a better version of me) (is this the version of me you've always wanted?) --

all yue qingyuan says is "i'm sorry, i'm sorry, i'm sorry--"

there's got to be one question on your mind, huh, a-cheng? yue qingyuan seems to know this wen. pretty well, it seems -- those insults aren't generic, this seems personal. why? how?

who the hell is wen qingqiu?

#liz rants #yue qingyuan #jiang cheng #that feeling when your beloved shixiong loves your sect enemy more than you #yue qi's already given his loyalty to someone else!#so i call this the more unrealistic route because i suuuuper think that yue qi should be able to find shen jiu under these conditions #like how is he not finding shen jiu if shen jiu's spent all this time staying one place #AND he's in a sect that lets him fuck off whenever he wants (jiang freedom woooo)#more realistically i think that he would have brought shen jiu back to lotus pier #and it is THERE that jiang cheng has the horrible realization that his best friend's best friend is not him #miserable in a different kind of way!#or well would jiang cheng even form this connection with yue qi to begin with? yue qi and wei wuxian aren't very similar i think #and even if he did would yue qi really think nothing of it?#there's a difference between being friendly with your fellow head disciples at cang qiong #and being forced in a weird pseudo-brother position at lotus pier #probably some different emotions there #but then where do you get this across the war lines drama #where do you get yue qingyuan cutting himself off from the jiang sect after the war to try and save his xiao jiu?#a-cheng let's prove all your fears right #all this time you truly weren't enough #clearly yue qi never really DID care about you #svsss #mdzs

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everygame · 3 months

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Hi-Fi Rush

Developed/Published by: Tango Gameworks / Bethesda Released: 25/01/2023 Completed: 09/12/2023 Completion: Finished it!

I loved this.

I’m not quite sure why, but saying so feels very exposing. Maybe it’s because before playing Hi-Fi Rush I had no idea what it actually was, and the game’s bright anime-adjacent stylings somewhat had me discounting it out of hand, so I assume the extremely cool people who read this would be doing the same.

Maybe it’s also just that Hi-Fi Rush is… pretty straightforward? It’s not particularly trying to move the medium forward (although I think it does some clever stuff) it’s just trying to be very, very good at what it’s doing. And what it’s doing, actually, isn’t so much “anime” as “full on Sega blue skies” while being an incredible competent 3D action platformer/brawler with a likable (dare I say loveable) cast of heroic misfits telling a simple but effectively structured narrative with some very savvy music choices.

The thing is that… succeeding at something that hits that many beats isn’t actually… easy? Something I’m most struck by is actually those characters. By now we’ve all seen the nadir of Marvel-inspired quip-a-thons thanks to the likes of that Forsaken trailer, but even looking at something like, say, Guardians of the Galaxy, where they have something that (at least previously) had worked, it’s remarkable how flat it falls. Here, you have a goofy, act-first-think-later hero, Chai, the cleverer-than-him female leader, Peppermint, the funny robot, CNMN, etc. in a very simple “baddies are doing bad things, let’s get the different things we need to defeat them” story, but it completely pops because there’s been care to keep the story rolling naturally so you flow through it and grow into caring about them. I’m so insanely curmugeonly that I can’t believed to ride that line for me. But they did!

Now you could say, “ah, but the secret weapon here is that the game uses actual songs that you actually like! That always works!” But it doesn’t work if all the pieces don’t fit together. There’s no better example than one of the game’s latter levels that uses The Prodigy’s Invaders Must Die. It plays at a moment where narratively all hell is breaking loose. It feels like you’re in a climax of an action movie, not just because the music is playing, but because the story has taken you there. That the level design is clever enough to cool down, let the music pull back a little, and then kick it back in for a climax? Absolute chef kiss.

(It only really gets better from there, too. Ending strong is rarely something I think video games aspire to, but Hi Fi Rush is sensibly around the 10 hour mark and the last three levels or so rip. Did the appearance of The Joy Formidable on the soundtrack literally make me emotional? Yes. Yes it did.)

Now interestingly, I haven’t actually played any other Tango Gameworks titles so I don’t really know if I should have expected rock-solid play, but either way I was surprised by how well it does. What makes Hi Fi Rush genius, I think, is that it takes a type of game I am incapable of not button-mashing through and adds a rhythm action component that doesn’t expect but rather, uh… politely asks you to hit your combos on rhythm. And it works!

I can criticise it, somewhat, however They quickly add quite a lot of subtleties to the combat and don’t tutoralise them heavily enough–I didn’t understand how to use Chai’s “partner combos” until well over half-way through the game, and I don’t know if I ever got comfortable with parries because standing around waiting for enemies to attack seemed the antithesis of everything else I was doing. There end up being a lot of buttons and you have to internalise the order of your partners and switching between them rapidly in situations where there are like 3 different kinds of enemies at once meaning at times combat is just a total stramash. But even then, there’s always the beat to follow. It’s very clever.

Anyway. I loved this. It’s one of my favourite things I’ve played in years. Your mileage may vary!

Will I ever play it again? When it finished I wanted to play it more. That literally never happens. I sort of hope there’s a sequel, but the story of this is so pleasantly complete that I’m not sure if there should be one.

Final Thought: I may also be a bit of a sucker for this game because you’re always accompanied by a black cat. Inspired by the game director’s!

Support Every Game I’ve Finished on ko-fi! You can pick up a digital copy of exp. 2600, a zine featuring all-exclusive writing at my shop, or join as a supporter at just $1 a month and get articles like this a week early.

#gaming #video games #games #txt #text #review #hi-fi rush #tango gameworks #bethesda #2023

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lazaruspiss · 3 months

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Historia Strigidae: Part 2/7

The Arkhams

Try as you might, it is impossible to overstate the impact the Arkham bloodline has had on Gotham’s history. From Ezekiel Arkham’s role as one of the original founders of the colonial settlement that would grow into Gotham City, to Amadeus Arkham’s founding of the renowned Arkham Hospital, their name and the city are bound.

Originally having settled in Gotham City in search of plants that could have medicinal benefit, the Arkhams’ ambitions grew from simple medical suppliers to a robust pharmaceutical company before the family’s history with madness turned their attentions to the human psyche. Such pursuits have made the Arkhams formidable within the ranks of the Court, with their ability to manipulate, bend, or break others to their will without resorting to more primal methods. The psychological approach to problem solving has been key to the Court’s influence over legal and industrial leadership in Gotham City.

The Cobblepots

The Cobblepots were the beneficiaries of the Court's first significant victory in politics, having successfully placed Theodore Cobblepot in the Mayorship where he enjoyed a record-setting tenure that stands to this very day.

Having rose to power as steel barons, the Cobblepots quite literally provided the bones to Gotham City's iconic skyline, securing the Court's place in the very DNA of the city. They have since branched out to other ventures, expanding their empire and influence. Like Theodore, many in the family have proven themselves savvy leaders, though it does bring to question how no Cobblepot has risen to the position of the Voice.

The Elliots

As the family that founded the Gotham Herald, the Elliots have controlled the gates to information throughout the city since the first days of its existence. This, you can well imagine, makes them invaluable to the Court. While the Herald is a respectable paper to the uninitiated, the Court has had call in the past to have stories both planted and pulled, or truth massaged into a more palatable fiction. I assure you we will have call to do so again in the future.

More recently, the Elliots have lead the telephonic boom in Gotham, furthering their influence by collecting the city's secrets over telephone lines. Whispers of burgeoning television technology offer promising potential to beam messages straight into the homes of families in Gotham and beyond, with the Elliots, and therefore the Court, primed to take full advantage.

The family's current patriarch is a vault of secrets capable of taking down every prominent figure in Gotham. Under normal circumstances, no single person would be permitted such wide-reaching knowledge, but as a founding family, the Elliot's loyalty is beyond reproach.

The Kanes

As military industrialists, the Kanes know the business of conflict unlike anyone within the Court, including when conflict is good or bad for us. The Kanes, in fact, have often acted as counsel to the Voice in matters pertaining to the dispatch of Talons. This arrangement has always made sense, given the similarity in use between our Talons and common foot soldiers.

It has been noted, by myself, naturally, that the Kanes can be quick to anger, and have, on occasion, wielded the Talons like a personal army, sending them to take out competition that has little to do with the goals of the Court as a whole. While many see no problem with making use of Court resources for such petty purposes, I see it as another indicator of our slow decay.

#Historia Strigidae (GK)#text is copy pasted from the in-game transcriptions so take any inaccuracies up with DC and/or WB

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fuzzydreamin · 5 months

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per my Disciples Nuka World post;

no, no. please get into it. i'm working on a deep-dive into why the disciples are "like that" and i would absolutely love to hear other peoples' thoughts on them.

Well okay! Ranting under the cut!

So, the Disciples. They're boring. At first I was intrigued by them. They do look cool, and Nisha is presented as a scary character, but... we aren't shown anything to back that up in the end. There's nothing else really there. They don't really have a theme beyond being the same average boring raiders Bethesda always gives us.

I like the Operators and the Pack because they show the reasons people might turn to being raiders in a world like the wasteland. They're still bad reasons, but most reasons to be a shit person that turns harming others into their livelihood aren't going to be very good.

But we're looking at the writing of the gangs and how they justify themselves here, not whether those justifications are valid (they aren't) in any real or even fictional sense.

In the Operators case they are all about getting ahead in their endeavours. They're almost business-like, but they aren't afraid to openly take out their competition if they have to. They're the overlap between what makes a person a raider or a triggerman, with the savvy and viciousness of both, but willing to go to lengths that triggermen usually don't.

Their leadership came from the highest class society you can find in the Commonwealth: Diamond City's Upper Stands. I'd say that a lot of their members also seem to reflect this, either coming from similar lofty circumstances or wishing to climb that ladder and act the part. Systems like that inherently run on putting others below you - ruining lives either figuratively or literally. The Operators understand and embrace this. They lie, cheat, steal, blackmail, and will use sex and mind altering substances to make sure that they will get their way.

They aren't as interested in killing people so much as they are in controlling them in some way - they're the gang who is likely most favourable of slavery, as they're always looking for ways to use other people, and you can't really use a dead body for much.

They're also the gang mostly responsible for building the gauntlet. Their people are educated and skilled, value teamwork, and are cunning and intelligent, all in addition to whatever bloodlust they might have.

The Operators want control.

With the Pack their themeing is obviously being othered from society. Both the animal(furry) aspect and their cannibalism show this, with these themes being used in the usual way to symbolise a disconnect with the subject from the rest of humanity in some way.

They're people who's desires and/or view of themselves didn't fit in with the norm of society, even for the wasteland. Now of course, not everyone who fits into that would become a raider like the Pack, but this is about themes, and it's easy to fall into being the bad guy when society already treats you like one for aspects of yourself that you can't help and/or don't want to hide. Especially when you live in a place like the wasteland, where raiders are already common enough. The Pack exists to catch those who do decide to become the bad guys they're likely already viewed as, or see themselves as in some way due to the way they feel. To let them live a life with the freedoms that polite society doesn't allow.

(As a side note, I highly recommend Lola Sebastians video essay on youtube about the subject of cannibalism in media - it's just 2hrs long and very good.)

I also find it interesting that of the three groups, the Pack is the only one who has a single leader with no chain of command sitting under them. Both Mags and Nisha have a second hand, and then another person to rely on too further down the chain. The Pack only has Mason. It's clear that Mason is both brawn and brains, and none of the pack seem to defy him - at least not openly. I don't think that's an accident either. I think Mason and the Pack are running on a very 'law of the jungle' type system, where if somone were both strong and clever enough to take him out then that person would simply deserve to be leader in the eyes of Mason and the Pack. But it does bring into question what would happen if someone were to kill Mason without taking over the Pack - or taking the rest of them out like the game forces you to. It could have been interesting to see that power struggle. Oh well.

The Pack wants freedom.

So what do the Disciples want? As far as can be seen, they just want to hurt and kill people. To cut them up and make them bleed and string their bodies up as nasty, smelly decor. Just like every other bland raider we've already encountered in the Commonwealth.

They're only shown to be interested in killing. Not teamwork, not building skills, nor living by any law or code of their own besides the usual "raiders be raidering". They have no motivation or meaning. They're serial killers - just ignoring that serial killers rarely work in teams, let alone huge ones, and often still have their own motives for doing what they do. Especially in literary works. Simply saying something like "but people like that do exist in real life!" doesn't justify Bethesda's bad writing here either. This is still a story, and in 99% of stories your bad guys need a better justification than just "they're bad!" (The only time you don't is in like, a monster centric horror movie, where the monster just exists to tear the dumb victims apart for the quick amusement of the viewers. Even then, the narrative is boosted by having a monster with a reason for being the monster.)

Nisha herself is presented to us as an interesting character; she's the one who makes a warning comment to Gage upon the player being made the new overboss, which immediately puts her in a spotlight and position over the other two gang leaders by interacting with you in the story first.

We can also learn that she's the boss that Gage fears the most. But beyond her liking to cut people up, there's no real reason for her to be so scary - not in comparison to the others. A big point about Gage is that he hates to use chems or alcohol because he dislikes not being in control of himself, which would open himself up for being killed or harmed in some way. Logically this should make The Operators his biggest concern. But instead it's Nisha. The defence for this is that Nisha is meant to be very clever. We're told this. But we aren't shown it very well, if at all.

She's meant to come off smart through our conversation with her, I guess. Because talking in a sneaky manner makes a person clever to Bethesda. We also learn that despite the truce that is meant to be in place between the three gangs she still lets her people kill members of the other gangs, just so long as they don't get caught. But... they do. We can find mutliple instances of Disciples doing sloppy jobs hiding their crimes. It's not a secret they're doing it. This makes Nisha look bad, because she clearly doesn't have as much of a lid of things as she would like to claim.

It also ignores that the Operators already have 'intelligent and sneaky' covered in their own themeing. By giving these traits to Nisha too Bethesda is simply doubling up on them but without the justification to back them up for Nisha and the Disciples. It comes off like Bethesda went "Smart guys (Operators), Animalistic guys (Pack), and... uh... let's just do regular raiders but also try to make them smart too?" And it didn't work.

Hell, you can't even argue that they're at least still better than the Commonwealth gangs, because I am far more interested in the lore behind The Forged and Judges Jury than the Disciples. And that's mostly just from notes and terminal entries! They at least have reason! Culture! In the end the effort that went into the Disciples is about the same as some of the more mid Commonwealth gangs.

There could be some arguement with the fact that the Disciples are largely made up of female NPCs over males, with enough male NPCs to count on one hand, but again there's nothing actually done with that. It could have been really interesting if it was! But it wasn't! It's just a random thing you can note yourself by running around their base. It's not actually brought up at all.

Ultimately I think a lot of the Disciples and the Nuka World DLC being "like that" in general is because there were probably plans to do much more with them but Bethesda rushed it out to get it done, meaning a lot that likely had been planned got cut, leaving us with nothing but glances beyond an ultimately disappointing experience. Like they do with everything.

Maybe in another version of the DLC Nisha and the Disciples had more of a role to play which would have fleshed them out more in opposition to the other gangs, but that's not the reality we got. We got nothing.

So. Yeah. That's why the Disciples are my least favourite of the Nuka World gangs. I'd love to see your deep-dive when you get to it. Feel free to tag me!

#To other people reading this:#If you like Nisha and the Disciples thats fine! Good even!#But youve probably added more to them in your head than the game actually gave you #I wanted to like them but I cant. But I dont hate them either. Theyre just... boring on their own #fuzzy.post #fallout #fallout 4 #nuka world #nisha #the disciples

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lansplaining · 1 year

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i know i’m late to the party but: thoughts on nie mingjue/qin su? not specifically “do you like/dislike it”—just in general! (including platonically or maybe an emergency marriage of convenience inconvenience)

(i think that nmj finding out that something is janky before jgy’s wedding—but not knowing not exactly what—would really throw a wrench into things, and i think there are some interesting possibilities to explore :3x )

HMMM YEAH

Nie Mingjue is absolutely someone who would act if he learned about the Qin stuff prior to the wedding-- unfortunately, his version of acting probably be along the lines of 'threaten JGY into cancelling the wedding/telling everyone, or he'll do it himself.'

i WANT the world where NMJ is the type of person to find out what's going on and have the tact and political savvy to recognize that stepping in and demanding to marry Qin Su himself is literally the only thing that could stop this wedding while not causing a life-ruining scandal for everyone. there would absolutely be a scandal, but that's why NMJ is literally the only one who could get away with doing this, because he can weather any gossip, because he doesn't care. people would gossip about JGY too, but it would presumably be sympathetic, and he can handle that. JGS would be annoyed at the embarrassment, but he hates NMJ already anyway. what's Qin Cangse supposed to do when a leader of one of the great sects demands to marry his daughter? everybody would see it as NMJ throwing his weight around and recognize that no one else really had a choice.

poor Qin Su, though-- I can't imagine anyone who falls in love with JGY/Meng Yao taking very easily to NMJ. however, he'd at least definitely explain the situation to her, and maybe she'd be the type to learn how to make the best of an arranged marriage.

it's really a perfect example of MXTX's great writing in terms of boxing characters into a corner based on their own world and personalities. one of the great sect leaders stepping in could fix this with a relative minimum of embarrassment for everyone, but LXC can't because of his sect's reputation, NMJ wouldn't because of his personality, and Jiang Cheng both could and would, but he doesn't know JGY or the Qins well enough to care.

#ask answered

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disgruntledexplainer · 7 months

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I am so, so, so, SO TIRED of the repulsive, melodramatic, borderline-heretical vitriol being thrown at Pope Francis right now by american conservatives.

if I here one of these morons say "Pope Francis is going to destroy the Church" one more time, I'm gonna explode.

"And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." -Matthew 16:18

The Church cannot, WILL NOT EVER be destroyed until human civilization itself is snuffed. The Son of God Himself decreed thus, and so it will be. To claim otherwise is heresy.

And to claim that Pope Francis is actively trying to destroy the Church? down that path lies nothing more than madness.

criticize Pope Francis's competence all you want (I will join you in criticizing if you bring up the Amazonian Synod in particular, since that was an absolute disaster on every level), you can even call him a sinner or a heretic (Pope John XXII was a heretic as well), but recognize that the Papacy is not the Presidency. Whoever ends up in Saint Peter's chair is there by the will of God. He may not be as politically savvy as Pius XII, as clear and precise in his meaning as Pope Pius XI, or are decisive a leader as Pope John Paul II, but he is there for a reason.

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sad-endings-suck · 1 year

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Aegon’s Conquest Parallels: The Dragon Has Three Heads

Daenerys = Aegon the Conqueror

So it is already pretty clear that Daenerys is meant to mirror Aegon the Conqueror in many ways. She’s already conquered Slaver’s Bay and she’s on a path to “conquer” the Dothraki so to speak (becoming their leader) and Westeros as well. She is seen as a versatile leader that focuses on military leadership and political leadership relatively equally. She’s also a strong figurehead that is known far and wide accros much of the known world. The Mother of Dragons, the breaker of shackles, Khaleesi, Stormborn, Mhysa, the most beautiful woman in the world, etc. She’s very much framed as an iconic figure that’s easy for anyone to conceptualize as a great figure and remember.

Drogon = Balerion

It is also quite clear that Drogon is being set up as a parallel to Aegon’s dragon, Balerion the Black Dread. Drogon has been called “Balerion come again” as well as “the Winged Shadow” (we know that Balerion was described as being so large his shadow could engulf a town). Drogon and Balerion are also both black dragons as well, and Drgon is the largest of Dany’s three dragons just how Balerion was the largest of Aegon’s three dragons.

Young Griff = Rhaenys

These next parallels are a bit more abstract, but I believe Young Griff mirrors Aegon’s wife/sister, Rhaenys. Young Griff is being set up as someone that could be loved by the people, and who is savvy in the manner of political image and intricacies (thanks to Varys). I think he will rely on political maneuvering to gain power.

I think he’s someone who could potentially appreciate art in a way Rhaenys did, and use that to his advantage to sculp his image the same way she did. Being influenced by people like Varys and Illyrio who are familiar with such things helps a lot. I think Young Griff will be the first to die of the “three heads” in a surprise attack during a battle, similar to Rheanys (though I don’t think he will be the favourite “wife”). Wether or not Young Griff is actually a Targaryen or a Blackfyre or the true third head of the dragon isn’t super important in terms of drawing comparisons between him and Rhaenys, it is more about what he represents.

Viserion = Meraxes

I think Viserion will die in a similar way that Rhaenys’ dragon Meraxes died (if the show is to be believed) taking a spear/scorpion bolt through the eye. And I believe Young Griff could be riding him when it happens, thus ending both their lives, the same way Rhaenys/Meraxes died. Meraxes was also the first of Aegon’s three dragons to die, long before Vhagar or Balerion.

Jon = Visenya

Now for the Jon/Visenya parallels (which are my favourite). Both Jon and Visenya are the type of people that do what needs to be done, even if it is far from the popular or likeable choice. Visenya is a brutal, practical and loyal individual that stays calm under pressure. And I believe this is already true of Jon, but will be especially so after he is resurrected and brought back colder and harsher. Visenya was always seen as a harsh leader, though she was respected and feared. The way Jon handled the situation with Janos Slynt is absolutely something I think Visenya would approve of, as Stannis did (there are also Visenya/Stannis parallels and Rhaenys/Renly parallels, but that is for a different post).

Visenya and Jon are both leaders, period. However, they are more specifically military oriented leaders. I also believe Jon will be quite loyal to Daenerys (Quaith never warned Dany about a “wolf” of any kind) similarly to how loyal Visenya was to Aegon. I don’t think it will be a blind loyalty situation the same way it was in the show, but I could see Jon challenging Dany the way Visenya would challenge Aegon (ultimately for the better). Such as how Visenya defied Aegon to create the Kingsguard, which was ultimately in his best interest. Visenya was also the last of the “three heads of the dragon” to die, which I believe Jon will be as well. There is also the likely possibility that Jon was meant to be named Visenya had he been a girl, due to Rhaegar’s other two children being named Aegon and Rheanys because of his obsession with a prophecy. I also enjoy that Jon is a black brother (of the Night’s Watch) and Visenya’s sword was called Dark Sister. Like they are both the “dark sibling” or “black sheep” so to speak.

Rhaegal = Vhagar

And of course there is Visenya’s dragon Vhagar, who is a green dragon just like Rhaegal. Of course, we are also 99% certain at this point that Jon is Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, and wouldn’t you know it: Vhagar, Rhaegar, Rhaegal. Not only are those names similar, but they all transition into each other seamlessly in a way that other names seemingly connected names do not. There is absolutely conclusions to be drawn there, and I believe we’re meant to notice.

#the dragon has three heads #asoiaf thoughts #asoiaf #daenerys targeryan #young griff #jon snow #aegon targaryen #aegon the conqueror #rhaenys targaryen #visenya targaryen #jon stark #jon targaryen #jon x dany #jon snow x daenerys targaryen #asoiaf theories #asoiaf analysis #house targaryen #fire and blood #fire & blood

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alaezasmystery235 · 2 years

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SUN IN THE HOUSES ( 1 - 6 )

The Sun in the houses of the natal chart shows what its influence is on the life and destiny of a person. The sun is the source of life. It represents vitality, ego, confidence, self-respect, courage, image, reputation and authority.

1st house

Sun in 1st house gives excellent health, strong bones, strong heart.The sun represents leadership and shows someone who always wants to be on top.He often has a self-absorbed demeanour and an inflated ego.

A person with such a Sun strives to take the first place without making any effort; he may think he deserves everything.Such a person cannot follow the orders of others and work for hire, so he should be self-employed or in administrative and leadership positions. This placement gives great self-confidence and strength.

2nd house

This position gives a family heritage: wealth or business, a very intelligent person and someone who can be the owner of the family business.The Sun in the 2nd house also gives rise to a political or public career.

Such a person respects his/ her father and the values that he instils in him / her .He / She will have a cultured and motivating speech as the second house governs the voice. This will help him / her get people to listen and follow him / her .

3rd house

The Sun in the 3rd house makes the person media savvy, with a strong will to succeed, and facilitates communication.But indicates a bad relationship with brothers and sisters or lack of communication between them.

A person with this position is courageous, he/ she has good communication skills, is a speaker and is a motivator.Maybe an actor, a journalist who draws people to him / her and speaks with the utmost confidence.

4th house

The Sun in the 4th house signifies the absence of the father's influence.A person will not have paternal love, affection and guidance throughout life.Perhaps the mother will fulfil the role of the father in the life of this person. She will come to be the worker and "father's hand."

The person will have a caring relationship with the mother. He / she loves his / her home, cherishes their homeland.

Will be closed by nature, and strive to return home from any other place. Such a person will achieve success by their efforts but after 30 years.

5th house

The Sun in the 5th house influences very well as it is his own house. This gives innate creative and artistic skills and a son in life unless the Sun is weak. It makes a person successful in business.Such a person is interested in politics, art, creativity and culture.

6th house

The Sun in the 6th house makes a person a leader and financial manager, symbolizing the resolution of conflicts, disagreements and victory over enemies and litigation.

However, if the Sun is weakened, this means divorces, fractures in the body.

If the Sun is strong, he / she can become a CEO, manager or marketing director using his creativity.The Sun in the sixth house will show its positive effects as a person matures, after 35 years.

Pictures are taken from pinterest 📌 .

This is solely based on my own observations.

©️ Aleaza @alaezasmystery 2022

#astrology facts #astrology notes #astrology observations #astrology #astro notes #sun #sun in the houses #part 1 #original work #astro community #alaezasmystery

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oc-smashorpass · 3 months

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Malyce is a dwarf player character from the Dragon Age franchise. She's a member of the Carta (dwarven organized crime) and through a combination of shadiness, nosiness, and sheer dumb luck ended up as a kind of messianic figure to the local Fantasy Catholics (she is the only one pleased about this.

She's cunning, politically savvy, unflinchingly polite, and pragmatic to the point of absurdity. Her concept of ethics boils down to 'whatever makes The Business work best' and usually that's good wages and responsible leaders, but sometimes it's drinking from a magic well and submitting to an unknown magical geas because she's the most affordable loss and can be turned into a martyr to rally around. Her best friend is a scathingly snarky gay man who's a giant nerd doing his best to be less fantasy racist and she's calls everyone either 'love (affectionate)' or

'lovely (derogatory)'.

Character by @aces-to-apples !

Art by @sophronist !

#polls #smash or pass #dragon age

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spyridonya · 1 year

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So, I wrote something for 'Why does your Commander love their LI?" challenge given by @silversiren1101. I decided I would write a reversal of such for fun! So, "Why does the LI love their Commander?" I'd love to read what other people write! I'll likely clean this up for Ao3.

"I wonder, though, if the rumors about you were true?"

Ramien's question was casually asked between cups of wine and sharing of sun drenched memories; such a common question that Daeran that he felt no alarm rising in his throat. He could even recall Ramien ask this very same question two summers ago with his tone sly and rosy flush across cheeks. A lovely memory, one Daeran cherished, and yet one he found himself not wishing to repeat.

"You'll have to forgive me, Prelate, I must insist on asking which one? That lovely couple from the Northern Ward who decided to spend their honeymoon in the mire for her Majesty? That the duties required by her insufferableness has me in the mud encrusted battle field?" Rumors that aligned to the truth, "The clandestine meaning with that apprentice of Gwerm?"

Ramien’s shrewd look on the too perfect heart shaped face and strong jaw seemed so strange for someone so angelic looking. The golden arch of brows, the casual curls that softened features carved from marble, the mere twist of lips. It was that look given to him in the Half Measure in Daeran's favorite spot in the back that made the count's hair raise on the back of his neck.

"That you've found yourself in the Knight Commander's bed."

The only tell of dismay might have been the twitch of fingers around the earthen cup, likely not as easy to spot in the dimness of a backwater inn lit only by prayers and tallow. "Is that's what they say in Nerosyan, now?"

"Kenabras, I've not the time to be in Nerosyan nor do I imagine they need me. My flock has increased drastically in the recent months," Silver blue eyes clear to warmth as he grins around a cup of wine, "Though I'd imagine your cousin would be having this drink with you now if such rumors headed further south."

"I would purpose that dearest Galfrey placed all sorts of rumors when she attached me to our illustrious leader without my consent, who knows what true reasons lie under her thoughtful meddling. Mm?"

"Does the rumor hold any truth?"

"She's a practical ingenue, Ramien." His eyes flicker away to the fresh crowd of Kenabras crusaders mingling with the old, their appearance standing out like blood on fresh snow. Or, perhaps, fresh snow laid upon soot and grime. "I've not the patience for guiding one through their first fuck, they unyielding as stone from fear."

Daeran felt his own stomach knot as he mingled the truth with some sense of loathing. Kenabras was in awe of Kadira, so many took her mingled truth like swallowing honey. Some rumor of him sleeping with the commander might be one of many circulating around her. They likely didn’t care if she was a virgin or not, no one did since the Worldwound opened, but rather who she spent her time with. He was not well liked and while politically savvy, he had given up his reputation… and that could ruin Kadira’s own.

That was unforgivable when her future could hold so much promise, if she managed to seal the damn Wound.

"Ah," Ramein nodded, leaning back in his chair as he studied his cup, his expression thoughtful, "I'd never know," He lifted his head, damnably beautiful. "I don't suppose you wouldn't be too troubled if I give her an offer to lose her maidenhood to a more indulging man, then?"

The icy wash of jealousy slid in his veins, rising to the bait before recognizing it for what it was by his expression alone.

"Well," The Densanite nodded, as if the count had spoken, "She is no maiden, then."

"That was bait, Ramien."

"Is it? I found her a kind, lovely woman from what I recall in Kenabras. She would be a delight to spend a winter's eve if she enjoys warm, casual encounters."

Daeran knew he was pouting over the glass, glaring at what could be considered an almost friend. Or at the least, a former lover he parted on good terms with.

"Truthfully Daeran?" The other aasimar continued, "Not many do believe in those rumors. I'm afraid what gave you away was risking roses. I may not know the tentates of the Incorruptible lover of Desna, but giving a Shelynite one rose much less a war room full? It would be breathtaking cruelty for a prank. And seeing you here before me, hail and healthy with honor intact?" He almost looks abashed, almost. "I knew they weren't rumors."

"You’re a sadist," Daeran knew he was still pouting as he sipped his drink.

"I am caperious... and curious. When I say she is not your type, I don't mean the physical. I mean..."

"Everything else?"

"Daeran," He admonished brightly, "Are you voicing shame?"

The count found himself leaning over the table - Ramien was only a little shorter than him, but several pounds of muscle on him. For his gentle words, the man before him was a cleric, donning thick armor and heavy mace - he was loath to use them, but rumor had stated the aasimar’s rescue of others from demons within the burning city of Kenabras. "No. But I fear that your curiosity will not help the commander's reputation."

"No," He set his cup down, "It doesn't. Forgive my caperious nature but believe me in that I am being careful. I've counted the rounds of drinks our good men had and the good cheer they made. We're no worse a place to speak than the confines of your bedroom. Please, indulge me."

"All due for a summer's eve?"

"Because I like you, and I want you to be happy, and I don't think you've ever been so concerned for a lover you've taken. Does she make you happy?"

Ramien might refute it, but he spoke with a practiced ease of a politician, lacking all the unsophisticated sincerity that Kadira had if she had used the same phrase. If there was some iota of romantic affection for a memory, Daeran would have downed his wine, answer crassly, and go ... likely to his room. Alone.

Friendship, he supposed, came with its own thorns. "She's dour and seems besotted by Archons. A prig."

"Is she, though?"

Daeran closed his eyes, "No. She's... a contradiction, though. She endeavors a darling effort to exemplify goodness, it's really almost cloying, akin to grandiose stage performance. However, what makes her entirely genuine is her obliviousness to the social contract of charity. Kadirai so earnest, is so clumsy her in compassion, and so vehement when she encounters an obstacle of the bureaucracy and selfishness” He held back a smile, recalling her demanding where the money had gone in providing the soldiers, and how much of it had trickled into the pockets of officers. "She once grasped a thread that no one saw, leading to one of the men thrusted upon Garms to help organize the needs of the men. The said man was building his reputation among the more patriotic Mendevian aristocracy by buying lesser quality goods at lower units and skimming off the top for the officers."

"And what happened to him?" Ramine asked, and Daeran could see the steadying of shoulders. Such a crime played havoc upon the cleric, Daeran supposed. The free market behaves in ways that would befuddle a Desnanite.

"He was assigned to mass burial for two months," Daeran replied with a shrug, "She explained to me that putting him with the conscripted soldiers would do them no good, since they were bound to find out what he did, and death meant a loss of a warm body." He swirled the wine in his cup, "After those two months, he was allowed to return to his position but instead he asked to become a foot soldier." A quirk of a smile, "She showed him the cost of his ambition."

They listened to the carousel of the crusader for moments, and the count continued, "Which isn't to cause to care for her, one would think, but it's a part of the whole. I had my birthday two moons ago."

"You sent me an invitation," Ramien agreed.

"You never came," Daeran accused.

"It was morbid," The cleric shot back.

"It was," The agreement was bright, and Daeran's lips twisted into a rueful smile, "Morbid, callous, attention seeking, the ecdysiasts were positively pale. Even dear, darling little Ember was miserable, though I told not her to come. Soot wanted to go, you see, even when I told her the bird didn’t always have to be listened to. Her attendance diminished the depravity, of course.”

Soot, ever loyal, ever faithful Soot. He ought to hate that bird, but he didn't. Not when the not-quite-bird seemed to love that little elf girl so much.

"Of course. And Kadira?"

"Fantastic. Delightful! Joyful. A perfect guest if not co-hostess. And at the end, when we were both drunk to the edge of alcohol poisoning, she looked at me so earnestly and asked if I was enjoying myself." Daeran was very grateful Ramien did not ask the same question at that point, but allowed him to continue. "I think that began my sincere fondness for her."

"And your attraction?"

"Ah, when her tits were near spilling out at the festival that Deskari so rudely interrupted." Daeran said with a smirk that quickly softened, "Though in all honesty, not long after we arrived to deal with a situation down south, we discovered a warm water spring with its own waterfall. The commander slipped into a pond, naked and breathtaking, indulging my day dreams. She looked at me with such skepticism and disappointment when I declined to join her, calling it a lark."

The cleric's interest was held back, hands folded in his lap, though his curiosity was plain on his face and in his question, "And why didn't you? The cold doesn't bother kin like us."

"Ramien, I was turgid as a stone." He found himself saying quietly, "I'm only brief in her description for the comfort of this conversion. We’re both hot blooded men, are we not?"

The laugh that escaped Ramien warmed Daeran, though it caused some of the crusaders to look their way. As Ramien struggled to compose himself, the count raised his cup as he leaned closer to the cleric. "Before, or after the roses?"

"After."

Still chuckling, Ramien placed his hands on his thighs before standing up. "My friend, I thank you for piquing my curiosity with such titlation, but I should consider turning in for the night."

There was a silent, pregnant pause in the air. Daeran supposed it was a test as much as an offer. After all, the silver blue eyes were bright with interest and the memories between them were sweet and sinful. On that summer eve, Ramien smelled of wildflowers and tasted like the salt of the sea, the other aasimar's mouth impossibly warm.

Instead, Daeran sighed, "Good night, Prelate. Perhaps you would join me and the Commander for tea before we traverse forth against insanity?"

"Tea prepared by a Shelynite?" There was a slow, agreeable smile on the other man's face. "I'd be honored, Count Arendae. I wish you good night."

Though the two men left the inn into the starry cold of the city, the Prelate returned to the Inn. The count returned to the Citadel, where a drowsy commander who smelled of sweet oakfire and roses, who tasted of honey, and whose mouth was soft and gentle wasn't expecting him, even though he would go to her.

Each and every time.

#commander x daeran #daeran arendae #wotr

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thebathatter · 2 years

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Tommy Shelby x OC

Summary: This might just be the most interesting boring party Tommy Shelby has ever been to.

Authors Note: This was written for @notyour-valentine 1k Follower celebration using the prompt "An inappropriate giggle" which is so cute! I hope I managed to do this prompt justice. I went a little to hard so I hope its not too long. This is like my second fic ever but I had a lot of fun writing it and I hope y'all like it! Sorry in advance for any mistakes you encounter bc no beta. Anywhoo Once again Congratulations on such a huge milestone! Enjoy!

p.s I named her Lucy bc I had "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" on repeat lol

A Funny Girl

Thomas Micheal Shelby was a man of many talents, he was rather good with words, a natural leader, and a savvy businessman, seemingly all one needed to successfully run a company and intermingle with England's high society. Oh, how wrong he was, for all his many talents Tommy Shelby has yet to master the deplorable art of small talk.

Attending parties has suddenly become an integral part of his job. Charity parties, dinner parties, company parties, derby parties, the whole lot of them all the same high and mighty lords and those cowards from the cavalry and decorated upper-class ladies talking about everything and nothing. Granted they would once in a while say something with some merit but the instances were few and far in between, and it certainly was not worth the side glances he would get from the men or the overwhelming sound of the ladies giggling and not so subtly commenting on his bachelor status.

“I certainly think that is a cause worth supporting, don't you think so Mr.Shelby?” a high-pitched voice shook him from his thoughts. Shit! What is this woman's name Lady Beabroke? What were they talking about? Better to just go on with it

“Of course, noble indeed. Where would I need to inquire about donating?” he asks politely hoping his voice does not sound as dazed as he felt.

“Why I believe Lord Walker’s secretary handles all their donations isn't that right sir?” Lady Beabroke continues addressing the well-dressed plump man standing across from them.

“Ah yes, my niece! I am afraid she is late again as I have not seen her but once she makes an appearance I will make sure to point her out to you Mr.Shelby we are very grateful for any contribution, children are the future after all.” Lord Walker says a deep chuckle all proud and smiling way too much for someone as serious as a Lord. If Tommy still believed in Father Christmas he might have mistaken Lord Walker for him.

Tommy politely excuses himself for a moment to walk towards a waiter holding a tray with champagne glasses hoping the alcohol would hold him over until dinner, he doesn't make it 3 feet before he is ambushed by pearls and giggles.

“Oh, Mr.Shelby I am so glad you were able to make it tonight” says Lady Owen the organizer of the event, her husband is a betting man, and never seems to have any luck with the horses.

“Yes Mr. Shelby you’re a delight indeed” Lady Madison continues in an overly sweet voice almost making him cringe “ Why you should've brought your darling brothers! I would love to meet them, rumor has it they're as handsome as you!” Both women break into delicate practiced laughter.

“You lovely ladies are too kind,” he says, giving them a side smile. It must have the right effect as both women seem charmed enough.

A loud laugh interrupts whatever intelligent conversation the women were about to regale him with next, which causes them all three to turn towards the entrance of the grand hall.

“ I am fine, it's just a little water sir! I needed a shower anyways ” a female voice says just as a young woman in a green dress walks into the hall with a waiter holding a small hand towel up to her which she gratefully takes. She is more or less dry, her exposed arms are littered with droplets and he notices her trendy bobbed hair is slightly damp as she rubs the towel up and down both of her arms, the whole time smiling and giggling at herself.

“Ah that must be Lord Walker's niece,” Lady Madison says “Heard she is quite a… funny girl, she comes from America you see”

“Uncle!” she excitedly yells once she spots him among the crowd attracting everyone's attention “Oops excuse me that was loud! As you were everyone” she continues walking to her equally smiley Uncle who embraces her in a bear hug before looking her over and laughing once again both seemingly finding it hilarious that she showed up to this high-class party in such a state.

“Americans never change, do they? So loud! Also, look at her dress, it almost hits her knees how indecent!” said Lady Owens judgemental voice quipped sounding incredibly scandalized “Oh my she’s coming this way”

Indeed she was. The young woman was merrily making her way toward them this time with a small folder in her hand.

“Good evening! You must be Mr. Shelby, my Uncle has told me a good deal about you” she said offering her hand for him to shake. He was at a loss for a second as he’d often heard ladies don't shake hands but recovered quickly and extended his own gently shaking her smaller hand. Her skin was soft yet not without a certain roughness to it, definitely not an idle lady that sits all day for tea and gossip and her grip was firm and full of confidence, she's done this before then. She made eye contact with him the whole time offering a sweet smile, her gaze was soft and relaxed. He was not used to not seeing people with their guard up and this girl was an open book, it almost startled him to see someone bare it all without a care in the world.

“Thank you so much for inviting us Lady Owens, it's a lovely party” she turned to the hostess politely.

“I was beginning to think you would not show up Ms.Walker '' Lady Owens replied tensely, pointedly ignoring Ms. Walker's gratitude “A little more and you would've missed dinner. Would you like to use the upstairs to freshen up?” Ah, there it was the unique passive aggressiveness of the upper class.”

“I am truly sorry for my lateness it's too easy to get turned around in a city like yours and don’t worry about me Lady Owens I’m sure it's not the first time your guests have seen wet hair with this dreary weather you have here in London,” she says with a polite smile Good save Tommy thinks she was not rude but she did not take it on the chin either. Ms.Walker turned back to him and took a breath to start speaking when she was rudely interrupted by Lady Owens

“As I was saying Mr.Shelby your eyes are truly magnificent isn't that right Lady Madison”

“Why I do believe they the bluest I have ever seen”

“That is very kind of you, My Lady” Tommy replied, wondering if he was starting to feel embarrassed.

“See Mr.Shelby I have a daughter, she’s a bit younger than you but she's a pretty thing, very good background and very obedient” Lady Owens continued

“All of this is terribly interesting Lady Owens but in order not to waste more time,” Ms.Walker started “Mr.Shelby my uncle has instructed me to give you more information regarding our foundation it can all be found in these documents along with our office address here in London I would love to take you on a tour of our facilities so you can make an informed decision on whether or not you decide to partner with us”

He admired the way she politely took over the conversation and enjoyed Lady Owen's baffled look at being so suddenly stopped mid-conversation handing him the folder she turned to the ladies and said “Well ladies I won’t take any more of your time you can get back to your obedient daughter and Mr.Shelby's dreamy blue eyes” she looked at him and winked teasingly before gracefully walking back to her uncle.

“Well she is certainly forward, isn't she? Modern women, no wonder they can't find suitable husbands I heard they call them charity girls” Lady Owens said scornfully

“Charity girls?” Lady Madison asked suddenly very intrigued at the chance to hear some new gossip

“Oh, I can barely make myself repeat it,” Lady Owens said, putting her jeweled hand to her chest seemingly steading herself “You know working girls Mary? Well a charity girl does what working girls do without charge”

Lady Madison gasped and held her hand to her chest “Oh my”

Both had seemingly forgotten Tommy was standing there with them utterly bored of their little exchange. He turned to see Ms. Walker standing next to her uncle talking to Lord Madison who seemed to be charmed by her, both exchanged a couple of laughs before Madison nodded and he shook hands with her Uncle presumably making a deal. Working girl or not, she is good at her job.

Once dinner was served Thomas found himself sitting next to Ms.Walker and after a toast to the king they started to eat, chatter filling the large hall.

“So did she get the date?

“Excuse me,” Tommy said as he turned to look directly at her

“Lady Owen’s obedient daughter. Did she land a date with your magnificent blue eyes Mr.Shelby ?” The last sentence was said in a fake London accent, gaudy and posh imitating Lady Madison. Tommy did not know how to react. No one in these events ever spoke to him so casually or in such a direct manner before.

“No” he finally replied

“Shame” she responded “you know when she first started talking I thought she was trying to sell you a dog”

That made Thomas almost choke on his champagne. She just says whatever comes to mind eh? he thought.

“I mean good background and very obedient. I was thinking about a greyhound or something. Guess not, just her human daughter” she turned and smirked this time her eyes were mischievous. It reminded him of the look Finn gave them when he would think no one knew he was smoking cigarettes in the garden.

“But hey I am a modern woman, I drink, I smoke, I dance the Charleston, no chance of finding a husband with pretty blue eyes for me”

“You heard that” his brows furrowed. For some reason, he felt a tinge in his chest at the thought of her taking what those old hags said about her seriously.

“Oh they never say anything you are not meant to hear at these parties” she replied calmly smiling back at him “It only serves as a reminder that my life is more fun than hers”

He had never really thought about it like that. Money always meant freedom and power but fun? No, fun had never really crossed his mind.

“It almost makes me feel bad for Lady Owens” she continues

“Why is that?” Tommy started now engaged in the most entertaining conversation of the night.

“Even though she is a literal charity girl I doubt she’s had a good lay in a while”

Thomas' couldn't help but snort before his face fell “I am sorry you had to hear that. It's none of their business”

“Don’t trouble yourself about it Mr.Shelby it's not like you said it” She said calmly “Not the first time and not the last time someone will call me that I can assure you, the upper class is an uptight bunch but seeing them scandalized is always very entertaining”

“You got that right, love” he replies going back to his food “Call me Tommy”

“I’m Lucy,” she says and he turns around to find her already looking at him. She smiles sweetly and he finds himself returning it. Her cheeks blush a little, must be the champagne.

“A toast to my lovely wife” Lord Owen's booming voice is heard from the head of the table “Who organized this lovely evening and whose big heart encourages us to give to those most in need”

Everyone raised their glass before Lord Owens continued “And of course, we must include my wife’s fellow charity girls who are always willing to help her spread joy and kindness.”

Lucy turned to look at him immediately they managed to hold it together for a second before they dissolved into laughter. Lord Owens was significantly confused and his wife was going red in the face either in anger for their inappropriate reaction or her husband's seemingly innocent comment having a double meaning he was ignorant to.

Quickly composing herself Lucy spoke first “I deeply apologize, Lord Owens. Mr. Shelby is more charming than I gave him credit for” she motioned to him placing her hand on his arm gently ignoring the scandalized and judgemental stares from the ladies sitting across from them.

Lord Owens most definitely already under the calm fog of alcohol simply smiled “No apology needed Ms.Wilson. We were young once too”

Once dinner was through the guests started to slowly dissipate as their cars were brought towards the front.

“Well Tommy I thank you for a truly entertaining dinner” Lucy spoke as they both waited for their cars away from the rest of the guests

“You should be thanking Lord Owens and his charity girls” Tommy replied while lighting a cigarette feeling rejuvenated as he inhaled the smoke tasting the tobacco. His reply coaxed another pretty laugh from her, shoulders shaking with mirth. He stared at her lips, the rouge that lay on top of them almost gonet but they seemed soft and that cheerful smile that decorated her soft features creating a very alluring picture.

“Tommy?” she called. Shit, she caught me, he thought. Her mischievous eyes were back and seemingly hypnotized him as he barely registered her movements as she took the cigarette from his mouth and brought it to hers gently inhaling as she looked directly at him. She exhaled and then moved to put his cigarette back in his still-open mouth. Lucy then proceeded to caress the side of his face before bringing him down to her height to gently kiss his cheek.

Tommy looked deeply into her eyes when she pulled back still holding his face. “What was that for eh?”

“Charity,” she said teasingly before caressing his face. She started making her way to the front when he grabbed her hand. “See you around?” he asked, suddenly nervous, not sure why. Lucy squeezes his hand before saying “Not if I see you first” giving him one last wink before joining her uncle.

Tommy takes his cigarette from his lips and catches a glimpse of a slight lipstick stain around it where his lips had just been. He lets out a slight chuckle as he looks at the starry night sky.

A funny girl indeed.

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