#i absolutely love her heavenly realm looks | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

seattlesellie · 5 months

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Reader getting a little embarrassed bc Ellie's strap won't fit?

Sorry of that's too much

perfect fit. ♡

screaming crying losing my mind. what a perf excuse to use “ill make it fit”

She’d be on top of you, forehead lightly pressed onto yours. You feel her pouty, somewhat chapped lips ghosting over your own, then lightly and delicately pecking the corner of your mouth. It’s one of your favorite types of kisses, makes you melt into the mattress, heavenly sigh, tremble within her touch. The warmth of her breath caresses your skin, a gentle zephyr of intimacy, of being so close. She looks at you so fucking intently, concentrated, fixated, scarred brows knit together and god, you love that little serious line that forms in between them.

The best way to describe her gaze, the most accurate one, would be to say that she looks at you as if she’s studying, genuinely attempting to take in every little gasp that you let out, eager to decipher every subtle nuance of your existencet, every single blink of your eyelids.

Ellie lowers her hand down from your cheek to the base of her strap on, caressing it upon your soaking, gushing slit. When you moan as a result of its bulbous tip hitting the hood of your clit, then your clit itself, Ellie smirks like an asshole. "I can just keep going like that if you want me to”, she whispers, meaning she knows she could make your pussy cum from just rubbing her cock all over its folds. You shake your head no, because as much as you know that it’s true, you yearn for her inside of you, for that intimacy of getting fucked deep with something she treats as if was her own. Ellie chuckles. “What do you want then, babe?” she coos lowly, continuously hitting that sweet spot above your clit that makes you whine, and her grunt.

You attempt to grab the back of her neck and bring her closer to you, to push her in somehow, but you’re too overwhelmed by everything, your hand ends up falling on the mattress and landing with a small thud. You whine, “Ellie…”, she smirks, moistening her bottom lip and slightly pushing the tip in, so it hangs juuuust a tiny bit away from being inside of your hole. “Inside?” she murmurs, never failing to add that teasing “yeah?” of a raspy coo.

You eagerly nod, she loves it when you do that — so fucking pliant, she stops you mid nod for a kiss that leaves the two of you breathless, tongues dancing a nasty, wet, sinful rhythm within the realm of your hot mouth. She leaves your lips with a loud smack. Your lips are swollen, a pout that kills, how could she ever concentrate on something else in her life?

She’d be absolutely lying if she said she didn’t have daydreams (and nightdreams) of your tight cunt stretched out by her cock, of seeing that pretty clit poking and peaking from the top of your pussy, of watching and taking in the sight of the stretch, the way it’ll slide up and down so easily because of how wet you get.

Unfortunately, Ellie did not take the tightness of yourself in consideration. She picked and packed a nine incher, deep blue and veiny, a bold choice, a goddamn cocky one.

You grab her sleek bicep and dent her skin with your nails, she hisses. You’re actually soaking, a pretty clear pool of heavenly nectar formed on the bedsheet, inside the seam of your ass. Your tiny whimpers are shaky and breathy and ever so desperate, egging Ellie on. “please…” you beg even under no command to do so. “Want it that bad?” teases Ellie, but with how desperate she has become, it sounds more like a plea, begging to please tell her how bad.

“need it inside, ellie, n-need you inside”

"Mhm", she hums softly, eyelids descending languidly, surrendering to the ecstasy of hearing your voice. “M’gonna fuck you” — god, you love it when she tells it like it is.

Pampering your cheeks with desperate, wet little kisses like raindrops, she pushes the tip in further, but… it won’t go inside. It’s blocked, your narrow hole begins to burn, redden, eyesight going out of focus, everything fading into a hazy abstraction. “Babe, it won’t…” she murmurs and attempts to fuck herself inside again. “Fuck, t'wont go in”

Your heart quickens its rhythm, a pulsating drumbeat beneath your chest, as you instinctively shut your eyes and, with a mix of embarrassment and restraint, gently bite down on your lip. You spread your thighs even further, attempting to somehow give her more space for movement, she pushes in again, you wince. “Owh, Ellie… owh”

You don't quite know if you're more embarrassed, or more pissed off. Your hole pulsates and yearns for a taste of her dick, but it hurts, and this feeling bubbles up inside your chest — This actual fear of disappointment, of not being good enough like her previous partners, of being or feeling too fragile, too inexperienced. You can't help but scan your eyes over her face, looking for a sign that will tell you that you're right, that you have disappointed her or worse, but before you manage to find it —

“Ffffuuuhck” she exasperates breathily. She strokes your cheeks with her thumb, a worried expression on her face. Her eyes dart over your form, muscles of her jaw tightly clenched. "Don't wanna hurt you", She murmurs and her voice is so sweet, "Can jus' use my fingers, yeah?"

“No, please" you sob, "I’m— fuck, i’m too tight!” your voice is a whine, an actual tear leaking from the corner of your eye, chin wobbling. Ellie’s so fucking torn because poor you, and she knows it hurts — she doesn’t want to hurt you, ever — but hearing those words fall from your lips… it’s hard not to buck her hips inwards and make you take it, miss “too tight”

“This is so… m'sorry” you actually sob, sniffling and avoiding her loving gaze, and maybe if you’d look — instead of letting your embarrassment wash over you and be a murky presence in your mind, your tears might have faltered. “S’not gonna fit”, your chest heaves. Ellie wipes a tear away — from your cheek, from the corners of your eyes, she considers comforting you, telling you to never apologize for anything, ever again, but she's sensible and rational and knows what do to next, to actually stop your tears from falling.

“babe?”, she huskily murmurs. You hum back, holding onto another choked sob.

“I’ll make it fit”

“Know I will”

#𓏲 ࣪₊♡𓂃 anon 🎀#ellie williams #ellie williams x reader #ellie x reader #ellie williams smut #ellie williams fanfiction #ellie williams x you

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lxkeee · 2 months

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I absolutely love your writing!! And don't get me wrong, I love Lucifer, but they way you write Azreal and the Eveningstar family lives in my head 24/7. The AU where reader ends up with Azrael is my absolute fav to come back to, along with the main series it stemmed from. I'd love to see more content of him in general. I've been driving myself crazy imaging a part 2 to the AU with Lucifer wanting to reconnect with reader and having this family unit with them, only to realize that he lost them completely when he fell and that they've moved one and found happiness without him. Very hurt/no comfort for Luci while reader finally experiences a returned unconditional love with Azrael.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

—ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE

Pairing: Azrael Eveningstar x Seraphim Angel! Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: hurt and no comfort for our short king

Notes: an alternate universe where [y/n]'s family is complete, Xavier doesn't have any daddy issues nor has any hatred for Charlie as he doesn't give any crap about her and Lucifer (well, he did at some point but forgave them), where it was simply the wrong person and wrong time. Where it was Azrael who is endgame. This isn't canon to the fanfic storyline, simply an au.

Additional notes: I LOVE IT WHEN READERS WANT MORE AZRAEL CONTENT OMG

CH. 1 | CH. 4 | NAVIGATION

They finally have done it. Hazbin Hotel is finally booming in business, many sinners are finally checking in and giving redemption a try.

Though, Lucifer cannot help but be nervous. Heaven or specifically, the Seven Virtues requested a meeting with him and his daughter and along with Vaggie, they wanted to talk about the hotel and also about his punishment.

Why wouldn't he be nervous? The last time he was in a meeting with them, they absolutely crushed his hopes and dreams and to add to the fact that his first wife, now ex-wife is part of the organization.

Lucifer doesn't know how to handle it, he's afraid of how he'll act once he sees her and the fact that Charlie told him about his son that he left her with. Absolute guilt.

He misses her, he misses [y/n] so much and he regrets how he treated her. He neglected her, abandoned her and their son. Even after all these years, his heart still longed for her.

“Dad? You okay?” Charlie asked worriedly, holding her bag. Currently, they are waiting for the portal to heaven to open for their meeting tomorrow. She noticed that her dad seems to be in deep thought, she knows what's plaguing his mind—meeting his ex-wife again and seeing his son for the first time. She too is nervous about what will happen when that moment comes.

“The portal seems to be taking a long time to open.” Angel Dust snickered and Vaggie elbowed him on the side, somehow both Alastor, Niffty, and Angel Dust wanted to join them. Leaving the hotel underneath [f/n]'s care, another overlord who joined the hotel.

“You're really complaining when you're not even invited,” Vaggie muttered before turning to look at Alastor, “I am even surprised that even you also decided to join us, how come?” Vaggie deadpans at Alastor and the taller demon just laugh, radio static filling the air, “Myyy~! I am merely curious what the heavenly realms looked like. Nothing more~” He grins, quite mischievously. Vaggie narrowed her eyes at the radio demon.

Lucifer sighs and shakes his head and gives Charlie a small reassuring smile, “I'll be fine, I'm just a little... Nervous.” he admits softly and Charlie nodded in understanding, placing a hand over her father's shoulder. She understands him, she too is nervous in seeing her half brother. Last time she saw him, he was giving her judgmental looks.

“I'm sure we'll be fine... Maybe this will be your chance to reconnect with them?” Charlie suggested, hopeful that somehow the two families can find a neutral area to get along with each other. After all, she always wanted an older sibling or siblings in general. She hopes that she and Xavier can get along.

Lucifer smiled, he too is hoping that this meeting will be fruitful and won't go so horribly.

A golden portal opened in front of them and they looked at each other, nodding as they finally took a step inside.

Heaven, is very bright compared to hell. Too much white, gold, and blues.

The crew looked at Lucifer, urging him to take the lead as he did come from here. Lucifer sighs, despite the nervousness, he decides to approach the pearly white gates of heaven. Standing in front of the counter of Saint Peter. The others are following him.

“Welcome to heaven, can I get your names please?” Saint Peter asked, opening his book. Lucifer sighs, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

“Lucifer... Morningstar...” Lucifer says, almost a whisper. Cringing slightly as he watched the Saint slam his book close, “Oh... Fuck!” Saint Peter exclaimed with a nervous chuckle.

“Um... I wasn't aware that you will be visiting today...” the Saint said with an awkward chuckle, Angel Dust just smirked while Alastor just grins, clearly interested in what heaven has to offer.

Charlie stood nervously beside Lucifer, unsure what to do next.

“Saint Peter, please grant them access. They are here for an important meeting.” a young masculine voice says, surprising the hell citizens. Turning to look at the gate and their eyes widened to see an almost exact replica of Lucifer—except for the eyes and height.

Lucifer's eyes widened and Charlie can be seen to become more nervous as the young man approached their group.

Saint Peter eyes widened, not expecting to see the young general today. “R-right. Please, come in.. heaven officially welcomes you.” Saint Peter says, opening the gates wider for the group.

Lucifer couldn't think, his ears ringing as he looked at the newcomer. Lucifer examined the angel's appearance—an almost exact replica of him and of course, he knows those eyes very well. The same [e/c] eyes his ex-wife has. The angel wearing a white military-ish uniform with gold shoulder pads, elbow length black leather gloves and knee high leather black heeled boots.

Charlie gave his hand a gentle squeeze in assurance, he squeezed it back, grateful for her support.

Alastor grins, not expecting a twist in the scenario.

The young man turned to look at them with a gentle smile, “Greetings, I am Xavier. I am tasked with showing you guys where you will stay for tonight.” Xavier says.

Xavier looked at his obvious half family from hell, before, he had anger for them but because of his mother's influence, he was able to manage his anger on them. But it doesn't mean he'll accept Lucifer and Charlotte his family, he already has his own family in heaven. He doesn't need them.

“Please follow me and keep up.” Xavier says, almost emotionless. It's a habit of his, it might come off as rude or cold to people he just met but he doesn't care. His mother is the angel of kindness, he needs to inherit her kindness instead of his father's pride.

The hell citizens just looked at him with slight nervousness—aside from the smiling one—before eventually following him.

Lucifer just stared at the back of Xavier's head, the golden halo shining brightly against his light blonde hair. He wanted to speak to him but words wouldn't come out of his mouth. He just follows in silence, his demon kind just looking at him in worry—except Alastor, who just gave him a teasing grin.

They followed him, it took a while but they finally arrived at their destination. A large white mansion with black and gold accents, surrounded by fluffy white clouds and trees. Sunflower and tulip fields decorating the front garden. [Y/n]'s favorite flowers.

“This is where you'll be staying so please, come inside.” Xavier says, the gates to the large mansion opening for them.

They admired the scenery, it is completely different from hell. Clean and tidy. Almost blinding to the eye.

They finally arrived inside the large mansion, completely in awe with its exterior and interior designs.

“Don't worry about the palace being too crowded, it's just me and my family living here.” Xavier explained, ushering them to follow him. Walking towards the supposed living room, they weren't able to see the large family portrait on the wall as it was mounted on a wall that they couldn't see.

“I am surprised we're staying somewhere luxurious this time unlike last time. How come?” Charlie asked and Xavier gave her a raised eyebrow before sighing.

“The guest rooms are currently full while waiting for new buildings to be created for the new souls. The seven thought it would be a good idea if one of them houses you guys.” Xavier shrugs before continuing to tour them around. Angel whistling in admiration.

“And this will be your room.” Xavier says as he showed Lucifer his room. The others are already settled in.

“Thank you.” Lucifer says, almost a whisper as he went inside the large luxurious room. Xavier nodded as he stood at the doorway.

“It's nothing, I'll get going now and if you need me, I'll be in the living room.” Xavier says before turning around to leave.

“Wait!”

Lucifer doesn't know what he was thinking, he just acted out on impulse. Xavier stopped, turning around to look at him with a raised eyebrow.

“What is it?” Xavier asked, looking down on him. Mom, why is he so small? He thought.

Lucifer gulped, clearly nervous, “Are you... My...?” he couldn't get all the words out as his ears were ringing.

“Son?” Xavier completed, crossing his arms to look at his blood father, “Yes.” he says flatly and Lucifer's breath hitched.

Xavier sighs, already done with this, “Look, I am going to be straight with you dear father of mine.” Xavier says flatly, Lucifer looking at the taller boy in front of him.

“Just because you're my blood father doesn't mean I want you back in my life, whatever you're trying to do. I don't welcome it. I couldn't care less about you or my half sister. Do you understand? So, stop. Don't give me and my family a hard time. You've done enough damage already.” Xavier says coldly, catching Lucifer off guard. The fallen angel's heart shattered at the boy's harshness.

“Excuse me, I still have work to do.” Xavier says as he quickly walked away. Lucifer nodded, almost robotic. He went inside the guestroom and cried.

Lucifer doesn't blame Xavier for acting that way. After all, he's a horrible husband and father to [y/n] and Xavier.

Dinner was oddly awkward, a tension between the three blood relatives. Xavier didn't join them, opting to only have a drink instead.

“Aren't you going to eat?” Charlie asked hesitantly as she sat beside her dad, Xavier didn't bother looking up from his golden holographic screen that came from his wrist watch, his other hand typing into the hair and into the hologram.

“I'll eat later.” Xavier answers nonchalantly, they can clearly see him texting his mom.

M: Don't be too harsh on them sunshine.

X: I'm trying.

D: Well you better try harder, kiddo.

X: 🙄

X: What time will you come home?

D: Late as usual.

M: Indeed, there are still many things to finish but your father and I will make it quick to join you for dinner.

X: Alright, stay safe.

D: Love you, kiddo. Goodluck lol.

M: We will, sunshine. Love you<3

X: love you guys too.

Xavier was grinning slightly as he texted some people, Lucifer assumed it was [y/n] and somebody else he doesn't know of.

Lucifer avoided Xavier after that, clearly heartbroken. Lucifer assumes the D and M profiles meant Mom and Dad and Lucifer assumed that [y/n] remarried and he can clearly see how happy Xavier is talking to them.

To shorten this all up, the meeting went smoothly. The Seven Virtues promised to fund the hotel and also asked for Lucifer's forgiveness for how harsh they treated him. Heaven took back his punishment and he can freely visit heaven anytime. Lucifer was able to find out that Azrael married [y/n] and she's happily married to the man. Though, she doesn't hate him and forgave him but she did make it clear that she doesn't want him back to her life and so did Xavier and Lucifer respected their wishes.

Finally returning back to hell, Lucifer was extremely heartbroken. He lost before he even got to start. But part of him is glad that [y/n] found a better man than him, someone who treats her better than him.

End notes: I got a little lazy at the end lmao.

TAGLIST:

#lxkeee answers #hazbin hotel #lxkeee updates #lucifer morningstar x reader #lucifer hazbin hotel #lucifer morningstar #lucifer #lxkeee hazbin hotel masterlist #hazbin hotel x reader #lucifer magne

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iliketangerines · 1 month

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So I have a headcanon that some places in outworld or just some places in the mk universe have celebrations like rio carnival- with the outfits and dancers- so hear me out- earth realm boys going to outworld for the tournament and there’s a celebration for the tournament going on and reader is the dancer- she’s all dressed up in what they wear ((which is really revealing but also absolutely stunning)) and sings heavenly. The song what is love gave by Janelle Monàe gave me this though- you should totally listen to you.

what is love

a/n: i actually love that song fr

pairing: gn!reader x kung lao, raiden, johnny cage, kenshi takahashi

warnings: none :)

you sit in the dressing room, mussing your hair and making sure it looked perfect for the event, and you apply a final layer of gloss on your lips

you inspect your appearance one more time, standing up to smooth down the dresses in your costume that barely covers your chest and rides up your thighs everytime you walk

but you don’t mind, and you wink at yourself in the mirror to give yourself a bit of confidence before exiting the dress room and wait by the sides of the stage

you can see everyone in there, Empress Sindel and her daughters, General Shao and his loyal dog Reiko, everyone which you’ve sang for before

but this time, you see the Earthrealmers, and you stare at them with wide eyes from between the curtains

they’re quite interesting, dressed different compared to everyone in the room, and it fascinates you

you’ve already seen Liu Kang many many times for different tournaments, and the god spots you peeking through the curtains and gives you a small nod

you smile in response before disappearing behind the curtains to wait for your cue to get up on stage and perform

you hear the music start to play, and you come from behind the curtains and present yourself, hands tracing up your body and lifting the material slightly

you take a few deep breaths and listen for the musical cue and start to sing, sweeping your eyes over the people in the banquet hall before settling your gaze on the Earthrealmers

you smile at them and weave your way through the crowd, singing high and clear, and they watch you enraptured by the way you sway your hips and make your way toward them

they’ll never be here for another tournament, and so you decide to give them a bit of a special treat, crooning at them as you tilt the head up of a man with a bladed hat

he gives you a cocky smirk and holds onto your hand gently and kisses the back of it, and you shoot him a wink as you continue to sing

your hand traces over the shoulders of their champion that you had seen earlier fight against Li Mei, and he flushes pink

you smile at his shyness, and he gives you a gentle smile

you walk away from him and approach another man dressed in purple and silver armor with brown hair, and he gives you a large smirk

you approach him, and he stands up holding out his hand for you to take

you take his hand, singing loud and clear, and he spins you in a small circle and gives you a small wink

you just trace his jawline as you move past him, sending him a small glance as you approach the final Earthrealm champion, a man with dark hair and red armor

he doesn’t smile at you, just gives a hard glare, and he crosses his arms as if sizing you up

you smile at him, singing out the last part of your chorus, and you trace his jaw and tilt his head up to look at you, leaning in close as you sing out the last part of the song

you can hear the banquet applause, and you see a slight flush color the man’s cheeks

it’s all you need as you prance away from the table and start your next song, making your rounds through the tables and giving the other guests a similar treatment

at the end of your act, you go back to the stage and finish off strong before giving a deep bow and going off stage

you give the Earthrealmers one final peek and find them staring after you, and you give them a friendly wave and disappear behind the curtains

you would haunt their dreams with your beautiful and haunting voice, always wanting you and needing more

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glorious-sunset · 1 month

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Location Names in LBFAD – Meaning and Significance

For English viewers, some of the location names in LBFAD (Love between Fairy and Devil) are given in Mandarin. However, the meanings of these names have deep significance that are lost in translation! Here are my translations and interpretations of these meanings.

Cang Yan Hai - 苍盐海: “Dark blue Salt Sea”

The hanzi (mandarin character) for “Cang” is the same as the “Cang” in “Dongfang QingCANG” (DFQC) and means dark blue. The colour dark blue is representative of the Moon Tribe, and may symbolise the night sky featuring the Moon (their emblem) and its reflection in the water of their Sea. Only members of the royal family (DFQC and Xunfeng) are seen wearing dark blue, embellished with gold (see image above). Other characters, such as Jieli and Xiao Lanhua (XLH) do wear blue but generally in lighter hues. Part of DFQC’s name (but not all, I will post more on this later) is named after the realm of the Moon Tribe, as he represents Cangyan Sea as their leader. The darkness of this imagery (and their better fashion and clothing! :D ) contrasts with the light and airy tones of Shuiyuntian.

The character for “Yan” is the same as the “Yan” in Lady Yan, the founder of the Moon Tribe, and means salt. Cangyan Sea is named after its founder to honour her establishment of their Tribe, and her name reflects the bitterness (saltiness) of her personal life experiences and her actions in response to these (I will post more on this later). “Yan” also symbolises the saltiness of the seawater in Cangyan Sea, and the harshness of the environment there. The people of the Moon Tribe work hard to survive, depending on fishing and hunting for sustenance. “Hai” means sea, acknowledging that Cangyan Sea is made up of many small islands surrounded by sea. The Moon Tribe also obtain many varieties of fresh seafood from the sea (and have better food than Shuiyuntian! :D )

Si Ming Dian - 司命殿: “Arbiter of Fate Temple”

This sacred place is named after the Arbiter of Fate, Siming (the title of her position), and hosts the sacred Tree of Destiny and Tianji Mirror. “Dian”, meaning temple (although subtitled as “Hall”), reflects the consecrated nature of this abode. The Arbiter of Fate, Siming, was in charge of the fates of everyone in the three realms, and took particular care to guide the destiny of XLH, whom she loved like a daughter, and upon whose fate the safety of the three realms depended.

Siming Dian is located in the most remote part of Shuiyuntian, and it can be supposed that Siming (and her predecessors) intentionally established their abode here to avoid Shuiyuntian politics and protect XLH’s secret identity. Fairies describe it as a miserable destination (ep. 1) and avoid visiting unless absolutely necessary. This remoteness and solitude allowed DFQC and XLH to peacefully coexist there for almost two weeks without being disturbed or discovered. Due to its north-facing aspect and remoteness, however, it does not receive much sunlight, making it difficult for the spirits there to cultivate and for XLH to recover after having her energy drained.

Shui Yun Tian - 水雲天: “Heavens of Water and Clouds”

“Tian” means sky/heavens and “Yun” means clouds, and from its lofty position high in the sky among the clouds, the residents of the Fairy Realm, Shuiyuntian, look down upon the mortal realm and the realm of the Moon Tribe, both literally and figuratively. They believe they are the top, most superior race, and have been actively trying to wipe out the Moon Tribe for generations. The fairies look down on XLH because of her origin from the mortal realm. But their views and opinions have been clouded by the propaganda circulated within Shuiyuntian, especially around members of the Moon Tribe.

All locations in Shuiyuntian (Arbiter Hall, Fountain Palace, Yujing etc.) float in the sky, and its residents are immortal beings with the ability to fly and manipulate energy. The clouds in this heavenly ethereal paradise are also home to the magical Cloud Whale.

“Shui” means water, and the capital of Shuiyuntian (Yujing) is the place where the four rivers Xiao, Xiang, Li and Yuan converge, controlled by the Four-River Pearl tower. Many structures featuring water are seen throughout Shuiyuntian, such as Fountain Palace, the waterfall in Shuyu forest and floating water fountains throughout Yujing. The vast amounts of water are a lethal weakness which DFQC exploits in ep. 9 by destroying the Four-River Pearl. This creates catastrophic tsunami waves threatening both Shuiyuntian and the mortal realm, the flow of which the celestials are barely able to reverse with their combined powers!

Yu Jing - 玉京: “Jade Capital”

Yujing, the capital of Shuiyuntian, is named after the sacred stone Jade, which is rare and highly prized in both Cangyan Sea and Shuiyuntian. However, the rarest forms of Jade come from Cangyan Sea, such as the Magical Jade Firefly stone which takes 10,000 years to form in the cold temperatures of Northernmost Ocean. No wonder Shuiyuntian wants to conquer Cangyan Sea and exploit their resources! Changheng obtained the Firefly stone for XLH during his recent invasion of Northernmost Ocean.

The other jade artefacts in the series are also observed within Cangyan Sea. The holy token of the Moon Supreme, the magical Jade ring, is a sacred artefact made of rare jade. This ring is enchanted to protect its wearer from mental influences, including the mental and emotional effects of the one-heart curse. Jieli steals rare jade from the Spiritual Treasures Pavilion at Silent Moon Palace (claiming it is for XLH :P )

Shu Yu Lin - 淑玉林: “Gentle Jade Forest”

Also named for the prized stone Jade, it is possible that Shuyu forest has some jade deposits, although we do not see them. “Shu” means gentle, and this forest is so well-lit, open and safe that escaped celestial criminals from Haotian tower are able to hide there only briefly in ep. 2. A few demons are brought in for a day for the fairies’ examination, but otherwise no dangerous creatures are seen in this forest. This was a beautiful and idyllic location for XLH and Changheng’s fateful tryst 500 years ago! :D

What a contrast this forest is to the Dark Pine Forest in Cangyan Sea! The Dark Pine Forest is dense and dark enough to hide the most evil of schemers, Ronghao, his henchmen and allies prime among them! It is also used for hunting and dangerous beasts likely lurk within.

Hao Tian Ta - 昊天塔: “Vast Sky Tower”

Located within the heavenly sky realm of Shuiyuntian, this maximum security prison is so vast that XLH is able to float freely within the top tier in ep. 1, the walls of the tower being so distant as to be out of sight. The vast tower has many many levels separated from each other, to house its numerous prisoners, who are sentenced to lengthy terms spanning tens of thousands of years. They are immortals, so executing them would lead to them reincarnating. Therefore, they are imprisoned instead to eliminate potential threats to Shuiyuntian. Haotian Tower is beside Shuyu Forest, as XLH observes the High Council around the tower from there in ep. 1, and both she and celestial criminals end up there after escaping the tower in ep. 2.

Xuan Xu Zhi Jing - 玄虚之境: “Realm of Deceit”

The Xuanxu realm is the region of Cangyan Sea that 30,000 years ago, saw the downfall of DFQC and the 100,000 soldiers loyal to him and to the Moon Tribe. “Xuanxu” means mystery or deceit, and perfectly describes how both DFQC and his soldiers were taken off-guard by Lady Chidi’s sacrifice, which sealed the soldiers within the earth. DFQC describes these tactics as “dirty tricks” in ep. 2.

Prior to the arrival of DFQC’s 100,000 soldiers, he and Lady Chidi had already been battling each other for some time (days in the novel), during which time, DFQC had marked the back of Lady Chidi’s neck with Hellfire, and she had weakened him. Thus, after her sacrifice, Lord Dong and the combined Heavenly High Council were able to gang up on and capture an already weakened DFQC, separating his spirit from his body and imprisoning both within Haotian Tower and the powerful magical seal of the Haotian Matrix. Note that DFQC refuses to stoop to this level of (deceitful) unfairness in ep. 13 when he refuses to fight a Changheng who is already injured and disadvantaged.

Shuiyuntian again launch an unprovoked attack and invasion of Cangyan Sea in ep. 31, on the deceitful false accusation that Ronghao offers them. The Xuanxu Realm is the site where the gravely outnumbered women and children of the Moon Tribe try to defend themselves against this genocidal onslaught.

Yun Meng Ze - 雲夢澤: “Cloud Dream Lake”

Yunmeng Ze is the only realm for mortal inhabitants among the three realms, as both Shuiyuntian and Cangyan Sea are the homes of immortal beings. It is named for the bountiful lakes bordering its buildings and residences. These lakes are connected to the Oblivion River, which immortals can use to transport themselves between Yunmeng Ze, Cangyan Sea and Shuiyuntian (as our OTP do in ep. 26).

The mortals that live here are not aware of the existence of magic or immortal beings, or of the other two realms, thus their perceptions are “clouded”. And like a fleeting cloud or dream, their lives are brief and fleeting compared with the lives of immortal beings. Even time runs much faster within Yunmeng Ze compared with the other two realms. A few hours in Cangyan Sea or Shuiyuntian is equivalent to a few months in Yunmeng Ze. For immortals living out tribulations in the mortal realm, their memories of their immortal lives are absent during this time, thus their perceptions are also clouded and the life they live out here is like a dream in retrospect.

Lu Cheng - 鹿城: “Deer City”

It’s not clear why Lucheng, a city in the mortal realm, is named after deer, but perhaps its inhabitants enjoy hunting deer for sport or for sustenance :) In the novel, Lucheng is a city under siege, thus its inhabitants are prey, similar to deer.

Hai Shi - 海市: “Sea City”

Haishi was founded by Ronghao with the backing of Xunfeng 30,000 years ago for the purpose of refining evil qi to sustain Taisui. It is a thriving centre for commerce and trade, and its location beside the sea (for which it is named “Sea City”) enables efficient transportation of mercantile goods to and from other regions. Within Haishi are located Jieli’s shop, the Luifang Pavilion and the Soul transformation grounds.

Haishi is located outside the three realms of Yunmengze, Shuiyuntian and Cangyan Sea. The evidence for this is: a) Jieli’s shop contains many magical artefacts that are forbidden in the mortal realm of Yunmengze so her shop can’t be there. b) XLH visits Jieli’s shop in Haishi in ep. 2 and she wouldn’t have been allowed to (or able to) visit Cangyan Sea at this time so the shop can’t be there. c) Jieli had been enchanted by her parents to have the appearance of a member of the Moon Tribe, thus would not have been allowed to live and trade in Shuiyuntian so her shop can’t be there. d) Ronghao is based in Haishi and he infrequently visits Shuiyuntian, thus Haishi is not in Shuiyuntian. Being outside the three realms enables Ronghao to refine evil qi from the souls of both Fairy Realm and Moon Tribe members without the notice of either of these tribes.

Liu Fang Ge - 留芳阁: “Keep Fragrant Pavilion”

The Liufang Pavilion in Haishi is the base for Ronghao (the Master of Haishi) and Dieyi, and is a legitimate business centre. It is the cover that they use for their nefarious activities of refining evil qi from the souls of the dead and feeding Taisui, thus it is important that they keep the reputation of this centre ever clean and fragrant.

Xi Shan - 息山: Breath (of life) Mountain

Xishan is also placed outside of the three realms in a faraway and remote location, and is named for the many mountains in this region. Members of the Xilan tribe inhabiting Xishan had the unique ability to restore damaged and disembodied spirits and had powerful healing magics. The Goddess of Xishan, with the power of the breath of life, could even resurrect the dead. The character for "Xi" is the same as the "Xi" in Xiyun (XLH's real name) and means breath (of life). Thus part of XLH's name is the same as the name of her realm, just as part of DFQC's name is the same as the name of his realm. This is because they both represent their respective realms and peoples as their leaders!

The Xilan tribe alongside the Goddess maintained tight security over the ultimate ancient evil god Taisui, who could not be completely defeated but was carefully sealed away beneath Xishan.

Here is a link to my article: LBFAD is the most inspiring series I have ever watched and here is why…

All of my LBFAD articles can be viewed with the tag #lbfad reflections (hyperlinked) and the table of contents to these is here.

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ksfoxwald · 11 months

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I just started watching Love Between Fairy and Devil and look, normally I'm not into bodyswap - I don't hate it, I just feel neutral about it and have a low tolerance for secondhand embarrassment - but this one was so well done it completely sold me on the show? At first I thought Orchid was kind an annoying wimpy little crybaby, but then she swaps bodies with the Demon King and the actress absolutely understood the assignment and does the most complete transformation I have ever seen? Like Clark Kent to Superman times eleven. But the best part is that the audience's very first impression of the Demon King is actually Orchid in his body, and she is honestly kind of pathetic (I'm starting to love her for it though, and there's some layers to her character). So even after they swap back, it is impossible to take him seriously. He's all "I'm a powerful demon and I'm going to destroy the heavenly realm!" and you're just "lol okay babygirl have fun with that <3" 10/10 absolute perfection.

#love between fairy and devil

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dramavixen · 2 years

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Chang Heng: The Man Who Deserves to Be a Male Lead, But Absolutely Should Not Be One

(i.e., I found the opportunity to dunk on Ten Miles of Peach Blossom’s Ye Hua after spending far too long harboring a simmering resentment for that giant man baby)

**Spoilers for: Love Between Fairy and Devil and Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms

I was around 19 years old when I watched the renowned xianxia drama 三生三世十里桃花 (Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, A.K.A. Eternal Love or TMOPB for short). I was smitten with the worldbuilding and music, but especially with the male lead. To this day, Ye Hua holds the crown as one of xianxia’s most beloved characters. Not that he did anything super cool—unless you consider bawling over his dead wife revolutionary.

It was a couple years and many more dramas later that I realized I had been conned. Beneath the pretty tears and fantastic dubbing, Ye Hua represents an absolute disaster of a man, an apocalypse for the poor lady on the receiving end of his heart-eyes. How could I, a supposedly mature adult, have been so blind to his deadly flaws (ironic, given what he does to his wife)?

This epiphany blessed me with an instinctual aversion to the xianxia genre. Everywhere I looked, I could only see the shadow of Ye Hua within the male characters who took up his torch—none of these xianxia men are worth shit. And then I learned that the same often applies to xianxia women. All of them need an intervention.

So when Love Between Fairy and Devil’s Chang Heng graced my screen and started exuding extreme Ye Hua vibes, could you blame me for thinking “oh hell no”? I was not ready to get hurt again. Over the course of the drama, I learned to heal and love again, but because of a single caveat: Chang Heng is destined to never get the girl.

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The Walking Red Flag

As with all good science experiments, we need to establish the control element. Ye Hua will act as that today. What about Ye Hua is so unforgivable, yet allows him to remain as one of the faces of xianxia?

TMOPB was met with explosive popularity upon its release in 2017 and remains one of the most well-known C-dramas to this day. It’s not a reach to say that its success prompted the wave of xianxia dramas released in its wake, nor to claim that its influence inspired a new formula for the genre’s plot structure. It wasn’t entirely original in concept, but its impact on pop culture shouldn't be understated.

The drama’s primary selling point is the love story between esteemed goddess Bai Qian and Heavenly Crown Prince Ye Hua. Through a series of unfortunate events, Bai Qian loses her memory and powers, becoming the “mortal” Su Su. Ye Hua is the smitten deity who really, really wants to be with Su Su even though their relationship is strictly forbidden due to Reasons That Definitely Exist and Are Valid.

Dramatic irony is also at play. Bai Qian and Ye Hua are betrothed to one another long before they fall in love in the mortal realm, but are unaware that their beloved and their future spouse are one and the same person. Their love is essentially a fated relationship disguised as a wild goose chase.

Once Su Su “dies,” Ye Hua deteriorates into a lovesick shell of himself. His longing, guilt, and grief over her death have since established themselves as the picturesque representation of tragic elements inherent to the xianxia genre. Ever since Ye Hua did it, everyone and their grandmas think it’s the new hip thing to get their lovers killed and then cry over it.

Ye Hua could take one step into my house and I would kick him to the curb, install new locks, and file for a restraining order. I fear this man far more than I fear the typical drama villain. Because imagine what he’d do to someone he hates, if this is what he does to the person he loves:

I’ll give him a pass on some of his early flirting techniques, which includes shenanigans like injuring himself to elicit her care and attention and also sleeping in her bed without her express knowledge. (Off to a promising start, aren’t we?) He's a lovestruck fool, ignorant to proper methods to woo the ladies.

After Su Su takes an interest in him, he tricks her into marrying him. Fine, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But he doesn’t see anything wrong with marrying her while she’s unaware of his true identity. He doesn’t even pipe up about it after she gets pregnant. Meanwhile, Su Su marries him because she’s lonely and trusts that he’s someone who can always be there for her—you know, like a good spouse tends to be. He is not that.

Ye Hua thinks he can outsmart the heavens with his amoeba brain and tries to fake his own death so he can be with Su Su. He fails miserably.

Su Su finds out who Ye Hua truly is after she’s captured by his Heavenly Lord grandpa, who fully intends on punishing her for their relationship since she’s a “mortal” and easy to bully.

Ye Hua fears that openly expressing his love for Su Su will get her killed. To avoid this, he comes up with the ingenious solution of pulling the whole “I have to treat you like garbage to protect you” bullshit. Dearest Ye Hua, please name me one scenario in any drama where you saw this method working out well enough for you to try it for yourself.

For obvious reasons, Su Su starts doubting that Ye Hua truly loves her. This doubt peaks after manipulative female support character Su Jin accuses Su Su of pushing her off the Zhu Xian Tai (“Fairy-Executing Terrace”) in an attempt to kill her, a plot that results in Su Jin going blind. Ye Hua, in another effort to “protect” Su Su, personally digs out Su Su’s eyeballs as retribution—even though he knows that she didn’t do anything wrong, and even as she sobs and begs him not to do it.

Blind and abandoned, Su Su explores the palace every day through touch and commits its layout to memory. After giving birth to her son, she uses that knowledge, finding and leaping off the Zhu Xian Tai to kill herself.

She doesn’t die, of course. She regains her memories as a goddess, but is so tormented by what she endured that she decides to wipe away the memories of the entire relationship. Then they reunite and fall in love again, yada yada yada.

All of that content makes for great angst. I still need a tissue box or two to make it through the episode where Su Su throws herself off the Zhu Xian Tai. If anything, my frustration toward Ye Hua makes me cry even harder because goodness, the audacity of this asshole. He acts purely out of selfishness, desiring to keep Su Su at his side at any cost, even if she’s the one paying it. This isn’t to say that Ye Hua gets off scot-free. He also willingly takes punishments in Su Su’s stead and wants to follow her after she dies. But so what? Does his suffering reduce Su Su’s pain at all? Does that change any of what he does to her? And he doesn’t even get her eyes back for her afterward; she has to do it herself!

What makes Ye Hua truly irredeemable in my eyes is that he still ends up with Bai Qian. Her forgiveness is only natural, as her love for him exceeds her hate. That sounds romantic, but only if you ignore how he caused her enough pain for her to prefer death. And even if she forgives him, why does she have to take him back? Unless she so desperately needs a reason to jump off the Zhu Xian Tai again.

While I understand that the show is more marketable when the lead couple has a “happy” ending, it doesn’t sit well with me that that’s the end result for Ye Hua and Bai Qian. Ye Hua expresses remorse, tons of it; otherwise how could so many viewers readily forgive him? But it’s simply not true that once we show enough remorse, we should earn back the things and people we lost. Once some things are over, they’re truly over. If that applies to anyone, it should definitely apply to someone like Ye Hua.

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Wake Him Up Inside

And so we arrive on the subject of Chang Heng. Oh, Chang Heng. I see his tiny face and I just want to wrap him up in a blanket and feed him s’mores.

Chang Heng’s character shares many foundational similarities with Ye Hua: he crushes on someone while unaware that she’s actually his long-lost fiancée, has too many responsibilities, and struggles to balance those two problems. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the writers had Ye Hua in mind while creating Chang Heng. Every single word of wisdom he utters is a not-so-subtle jab at Ye Hua’s erring ways. It’s the sweet honey of vindication, I tell you.

Before he gets to that point of self-awareness, Chang Heng treads the same path as Ye Hua. He wipes Xiao Lanhua’s memories of him without her permission. He doesn’t dare reveal his feelings for her because that would be counter to his duties. Even after painstakingly creating medicine to help with her dysfunctional spiritual root, he ends up pretending that he never did such a thing. In his deepest subconscious, he believes his love for Xiao Lanhua is a weakness. The main difference between him and Ye Hua is that Chang Heng has the decency to distance himself beforehand, knowing that he is in no position to have a relationship with her.

Two things prevent Chang Heng from transforming into Ye Hua 2.0: 1) he isn’t the male lead and 2) Dongfang Qingcang’s existence.

Imagine a world in which Chang Heng is the male lead. When Xiao Lanhua is accused of being a traitor, he would almost certainly pull a Ye Hua move and negotiate with his brother. “I know she’s innocent, but I also know that you must punish her, so please just spare her life”—that type of thing. (The reason I think this isn’t just possible but probable is because later in the actual drama, he enthusiastically agrees to a plan in which he and Rong Hao would kill Xiao Lanhua’s body with DFQC trapped inside, and simply build Xiao Lanhua a new shell to live in. Bro, what the hell.) Because Chang Heng doesn’t fully understand how useless he is, that would be the limit of what he can do for her. He would seriously believe that he has no other choice in the matter.

But someone else is the male lead. When DFQC comes along to rescue Xiao Lanhua, there’s no compromise to be had. He’s taking her with him and that’s the end of it. I, for one, have never felt so validated as when DFQC beats Chang Heng to the floor and then just...walks away, like he’s making a stop at the supermarket.

DFQC: Are you going to save her? Or are you going to save your Shuiyuntian?

That someone can behave this way is a major culture shock to Chang Heng. How can someone just do whatever they want? What about rules? Watching DFQC whisk Xiao Lanhua away serves as loudest of wake-up calls: DFQC intends to put Chang Heng in his place, showing him that he does have a choice in the matter. But he can neither defeat DFQC nor abandon his responsibilities. Until he can overcome those obstacles, Xiao Lanhua will always be out of his reach.

While Xiao Lanhua sparks love in Chang Heng with her desire to protect him, DFQC is the one who makes him question his priorities. Exactly what should he be doing that he currently isn’t? How is it possible that he’s a god of war, yet can’t protect the one he loves?

Chang Heng realizes that distancing himself from Xiao Lanhua accomplishes nothing but forcing her further out of reach (proud of him for realizing that one because let’s be honest, we don’t love Chang Heng for his brain cells). He also has an extreme edge to him, so he hops straight over to doing the exact opposite, rebelling against the arbitrary rules of heaven, constantly trying to bring Xiao Lanhua home, and openly expressing his feelings for her. Later, even if it means becoming a mortal, even if it means letting her go to someone else, nothing is off-limits.

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The Fine Line Between Helplessness and Incompetence

A lot of xianxia plots depend on characters being helpless and subject to the fates. In my childhood memories, xianxia dramas commonly had at least one main character who was a low-ranked human or deity. Bullied and unable to fend for themselves, their journeys to improve themselves and protect what mattered to them were ones that touched and inspired people who could relate to their common identities. These characters aren’t given many choices in such situations, yet they consistently choose to fight back.

This zero-to-hero trope has become less convincing over time as the trend turned into telling the stories of “chosen ones.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, except now all of these dramas are trying to convince us that these gods with unlimited power are...powerless. They’re all hero-to-even-bigger-hero tales, if you will.

It’s not impossible for gods to be forced into making certain decisions, but it’s quite rare that a xianxia persuades me into finding it believable. If we look at Ye Hua again, he gets outsmarted by some random woman who's jealous of his wife. He also snubs Su Su to placate an old man. You’re trying to tell me that that’s the best a dragon crown prince can do? If I lived in the heavens, I’d live in fear of a revolution every day if those are the capabilities of my future leader.

When it comes down to it, Ye Hua is not helpless like our heroes of old—he’s incompetent. And it’s hard to sympathize with a guy who loses everything not because outside forces overpower him, but because he himself sucks major ass.

LBFAD, a drama where every one of the three leads is someone of super high rank, is the only xianxia in recent years which puts into perspective how huge power translates into huge responsibility, and why that pushes characters into feeling like things are out of their control. Be it DFQC’s and Chang Heng’s duties to their people or Xiao Lanhua’s destiny to save all life, it’s hard for any of them to decide when to give in and when to rebel against the heavy weight of destiny.

Chang Heng is a pleasant mixture of both helplessness and incompetence. Is it not endearing the way DFQC easily crushes him, yet he still goes flying into enemy territory proclaiming that he’s going to save Xiao Lanhua? I don’t know where his confidence is coming from and I don’t think he does either, but it’s heartwarming to watch him try and fail with flying colors.

When Chang Heng hops over to Cangyan Sea to bring Xiao Lanhua home without a solid plan, DFQC is again the guy to remind Chang Heng that he still needs to do better. Good intentions are a solid starting point, but are worthless if he can’t convert them into something practical.

CH: Xiao Lanhua, is someone threatening you? Do not be afraid. Tell me, and I will protect you.

DFQC!XLH: No one has threatened me, and no one has forced me. [...] I am also no longer the inconsequential lowly spirit that you all take me for, nor am I a traitor or a spy in collusion with the Moon Tribe. I can happily be myself. Compared to my days in Shuiyuntian, when anyone could step all over me, this is over a hundred times better. [...] Suppose that I go back with you. Can you guarantee that you will clear my name from collusion with the Moon Tribe? Suppose that your Lord Yun Zhong insists that he will not pardon me; would you dare go against him? Suppose that he uses that heavenly rule nonsense to ask you and force you; could you promise my safety? Suppose that anyone dares to harm me or blame me; could you reduce them to ashes?

Aside from making Xiao Lanhua understand that Chang Heng’s mainly just a pretty face, this interrogation forces Chang Heng to consider what’s at stake. Protecting Xiao Lanhua and following the rules are mutually exclusive decisions. His struggle to circumvent this issue isn’t trivial, seeing as it’s challenging his entire belief system. But he can either start questioning what he’s capable of, or let Xiao Lanhua get hurt again.

What stands out to me about this interaction is when DFQC also tacks on that Chang Heng “cannot even tell [her] something [she] wants to hear”; that he won’t even claim that he can keep her safe. Maybe I’m just that jaded, but his refusal to tell pretty lies is what I adore about Chang Heng. It’s a matter of life and death, and if he can’t promise her safety, he won’t. If he lies to her and to himself, then he could never become the straight-shooting Chang Heng we all know and love.

DFQC might be his inspiration, but Rong Hao being simultaneously Chang Heng’s best friend (potentially more; oh what could’ve been) and a foil to his character is an enormously overlooked dynamic. Rong Hao frequently tells Chang Heng that they’re the same type of people, that their love for their respective ladies is what corners them into making less-than-optimal decisions. Each time, Chang Heng’s instinct is to rebuff him.

RH: Because the two of us are the same. I have no choice. And you, ultimately, will also have no choice.

CH: You do not have a choice? You chose to conspire with my brother, to disturb matters, to catalyze the three realms’ largest war in the last tens of thousands of years!

Chang Heng’s newfound philosophy is that everyone has a choice. You may be dealt an awful hand, but you can still choose to play or fold. His friend’s decision-making comes off as foolish arrogance to him.

But Rong Hao is right in one respect. They are similar: if Ye Hua represents an alternate universe version of Chang Heng in which DFQC doesn’t exist, then Rong Hao is suffering a version of Chang Heng’s future in which Xiao Lanhua/Xi Yun sacrifices herself for the greater good, yet is forgotten by those she dies for. Chang Heng can remain optimistic because the person he loves is still alive and loved by others. Rong Hao is comparatively hopeless. He can only wait to witness the impending devastation before realizing that the harder choice is oftentimes the better one.

We will never know how Chang Heng would react if in Rong Hao’s exact position. But whatever he would choose to do, he would not absolve himself from responsibility by claiming that he had no other choice. The results may be out of his hands, but the initial choice is what he can decide for himself.

Chang Heng reminds me much more of traditional xianxia protagonists. Every obstacle they face only drives them to seek enough strength to change the status quo. While Chang Heng may never win against DFQC, he’ll keep trying. (Or he’ll convert him into a brother; that works too.) Everyone will say he doesn’t have a choice, but he wants one and he will get one. Ah, my heart is so full. I don’t want perfect characters. I want characters who strive to do better, especially in a world that pushes them down, and he suits that to a tee.

Meanwhile, Ye Hua over here blinds his wife due to...societal expectations? My god. He just keeps getting worse the more that I think about him.

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I’m Sorry. But At Least I Love You!

There always has to be an arc where the lead couple’s relationship splinters because one party draws back in order to “protect” the other. It’s accompanied by an intentional lack of communication, so the other person thinks that they’ve been left behind. Remember when this trope used to be cool? Yeah, I don’t either. Because it never was.

Ye Hua might have some fun with this, but LBFAD doubles it by making both the male lead and second male lead utilize this strategy: DFQC, in order to force Xiao Lanhua to fall out of love with him and spare her life in the process, and Chang Heng, who refrains from pursuing Xiao Lanhua in the beginning in order to keep her out of his brother’s view.

I’m tempted to be lenient in both cases. DFQC’s predicament is written well enough that he does seem truly out of options in that situation—every possible choice is wrong. He either breaks her heart and she survives, perhaps so he can explain his actions later, or he lets her die. Or, you know. He could communicate like she asked him to, and they could try to find a way out together. Instead she stabs herself. So you know what, no free pass for DFQC, but at least he makes up for it later.

(I have to get another jab at Ye Hua in here. When Xiao Lanhua commits suicide, she does it to save DFQC. It’s an act of love and sacrifice. Su Su literally seeks death out of unadulterated heartbreak and betrayal. Big difference there, huh?)

I mentioned that Chang Heng’s actions are out of responsibility, so it’s hard to fully blame him. At the same time, the reason Chang Heng can’t win over Xiao Lanhua is because he doesn’t act on his feelings until it’s too late. Simply “protecting her” is not enough: people don’t love others in the hopes of being protected. They love someone to walk alongside them through all the good and bad in life, together.

Chang Heng shines in the ending episodes. He still wants to protect Xiao Lanhua, but he also becomes the one person who understands and accepts her own desires. Knowing from experience that acting one-sidedly is but a temporary solution to a much larger issue, he listens to and considers what she wants. When the two tribes are on the brink of war and Xiao Lanhua doesn’t want to return to Shuiyuntian with him, even after learning of her lost identity as the Goddess of Xishan, he respects that. When, as Xi Yun, she confides in him that she’s pretending to not remember DFQC, he is hurt by how cruel she is being to him, but in the end chooses to understand her.

CH: Your life will truly be in danger this time, Xiao Lanhua. I absolutely cannot let you go back there.

XLH: Lord Chang Heng, are you really going to stop me? My lord, you are a god of war. I am merely a plant with a damaged spiritual root. If you insist on stopping me, then there is nothing I can do. But I will definitely not give in.

CH: You will die. Is that right? [...] You and Dongfang Qingcang love one another. You would rather pretend not to know him than to harm him in any capacity. Then what about me? How could you...how could you ask me to marry you and then personally send you off to die? Did you consider me at all?

XLH: Chang Heng...I am sorry.

CH: I do not want any of your ‘sorry’s. You clearly know that what I want is not for you to say sorry. Are you going to tell me that you do not have a choice?

XLH: That is not true. It was me who chose to live with the Goddess of Xishan’s destiny. Chang Heng, you are the only one who can help me.

Oh, Chang Heng. He’s come to his senses, but everyone he loves and respects falls apart. Saving DFQC from his dreamworld, bringing Xiao Lanhua back from the dead, sacrificing Xiao Lanhua, burying his best friend...what a rough schedule. Scratch giving him s’mores, he needs a drink or two.

Everyone in this drama grows into a better version of themselves, but Chang Heng practices the deepest empathy of any of them. To be hurt is to understand others’ pain, and he really does learn to understand.

---

Such is the beautiful tragedy of Chang Heng and his love for Xiao Lanhua. It’s bittersweet that Chang Heng knows to let go, but comforting to recognize that they’re better off not being together. Only with them apart can Chang Heng’s love stay as pure as it is.

Take that, Ye Hua. I’ll admit, I appreciate Ye Hua for showing me the perfect example of a guy that I should not even spare a glance at. Otherwise, Chang Heng supremacy declared; respectfully, please get that other man away from me.

#苍兰诀 #love between fairy and devil #三生三世十里桃花 #eternal love #three lives three worlds #scribbles*#chang heng has liberated me #i feel so free after finally badmouthing this guy after all these years lmao #ahem no hard feelings ye hua #you were a good part of my c-drama history

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victoria-daydreams · 1 year

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The Hare and The Tower

Chapter Eight: Wifely Duties

AN: Y'all I went on vacation and I'm not going to lie, this story was the last thing on my mind, but I'm back and on winter break so maybe I'll be able to squeeze out another chapter soon! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who support this fic.

Trigger Warning: age gap, vomiting

Word Count: 2.4k

Taglist: @dogmatic255 @amethystwonders11 @sidechrisporn @helloimlateforeverything @ladysindar @sweetwanderlust05 @newandykes @loveofvernonslife @stitchattacks @dariequeen @kishie8 @girlonfireice @snowymarvel1205

If you want to be added to the taglist just leave a comment.

Summary: A strange illness has stricken Jesmyn with no end in sight, until a visit by the maester changes everything.

Chapter Nine: Most Wondrous News

116 AC, Westeros

The first time it happened, she was peacefully asleep in her shared chambers. There was a chill in the morning air when she awoke from her deep slumber feeling sick. Jesmyn had felt strange since the week had began anew, but this particular day she just felt plainly sick. Groaning softly, she rolled over intending to nestle further into Otto, who she quipped as being her personal hearth. However, those plans changed the moment she shifted in bed, her stomach violently churning in protest to the sudden movement. Jesmyn scrambled out of bed and bolted for the chamber pot. She got up so fast, she accidentally struck her husband with the heel of her foot.

"Jesmyn?"

She fell to her knees, barely making it to the pot when she emptied the contents of her stomach, awkwardly crouched on all fours. She hunched forward, retching a mouthful of bitter, yellow bile. Suddenly, she felt her hair being pulled back and a strong hand rubbing her back. Jesmyn looked up momentarily, her vision was blurred from the water in her eyes, but she recognized Otto’s figure before returning to her puking. He whispered comforting words into her ear, attempting to soothe her as she continued to dry heave long after she stopped vomiting.

When finished, Jesmyn was left leaning over the bowl, gasping for breath. Her hands shook. Her whole body trembling as she took deep, slow breaths through her nose.

"Easy,"

A few minutes passed before she was able to sit up. Using the the corner of her sleeve to wipe her mouth, Jesmyn leaned against her husband who wrapped his arm around her and she looked up at him. A concerned expression dotting his features.

"What’s wrong, my love?" Otto asked, moving his hand to her forehead. “Have you a sickness?” he questioned, pressing his fingers against her skin.

“No, I'm fine Otto. Dinner just didn’t agree with me it seems," she replied hoarsely, swallowing a few times.

With her arms still shaking slightly, Jesmyn pushed herself to her feet, using a nearby counter to steady herself. Briefly, her limbs gave out on her, but Otto instantly caught and steadied her, his arm still around her waist.

"Let’s get you back in bed, and I'll stay—”

"No!” Jesmyn said firmly. “You’re The King’s Hand,” she reminded. “You have duties which you mustn’t abandon because I am unwell,” she stated, shaking her head.

"I woke up to the sounds of my wife retching into a chamber pot. That isn’t something I can ignore,” he insisted, his blue eyes pleading with her to let him help.

Jesmyn, however wasn't going to give in so easily.

“King Viserys needs your guidance, Husband. I'm fine, I told you its something from last nights supper," she reassured, despite the thought a having a day with Otto completely to herself sounded absolutely heavenly.

"Nothing that transpires in the realm is more important to me than your well being," Otto said gently, moving one of his hands to cup her cheek.

The tenderness and concern in his gaze was almost enough to shatter her resolve. Almost.

"There's no reason for you to stay and tend to me, Otto," Jesmyn said, desperately trying to convince him she was well. “I’m alright, truly," she added, taking his hand in hers. "How about this?” she proposed. “If I can hold down breakfast then you tend to your duties as Lord Hand. If I can't, then I promise I shall go back to bed," she promised, searching her husband's eyes as he contemplated the option.

"Fine, I agree, but you must promise me to take care," he stressed, staring reluctantly down at her.

"I promise," she smiled standing on her toes to kiss his cheek.

~~~x~~~

It went on like that for nearly a month and a half, almost every morning she'd feel ill just after waking. Certain smells and tastes made her stomach churn. She would be fine one minute, then the next, she would run straight for the chamber pot. Gods, what the hells was wrong with her? Things that had never sickened her suddenly made her want to hurl. With every occurrence of her temporarily falling ill, she would dismiss it knowing it would soon pass, despite Otto's worried stare.

A new day had dawned in Westeros and the morning sun was high in the sky, bathing the solar of the Tower of the Hand in light. The only sound in the airy space came from silverware dragging against plates and the smooth flow of conversation between Otto and Jesmyn. They were both underdressed, Jesmyn in only a golden night dress and jade green robe which clasped together in the middle. Her hair, loose and tousled from sleep, had been tied in a plait. While Otto, was clothed in a white nightshirt also wearing a green robe.

"Alicent would like your company today," Otto informed, spreading some jam on his toast.

"Does she?" Jesmyn asked, before sipping orange juice from a polished chalice.

"She wishes to make up the time you two lost during your little quarrel,"

"I would hardly call our quarrel 'little'," she said, chuckling slightly.

The juice had barely slid down her throat when Jesmyn began to feel a familiar sensation which had been plaguing her of late. It was starting again. She inhaled deeply, attempting to ignore the sickness in her stomach. Placing her chalice down, she closed her eyes taking a few deep breaths. It wasn't working though, her stomach was pitching and roiling worse than the waves of the sea. Discreetly, she rested a hand on her stomach.

"Jesmyn?" Otto called, his voice snapping from her thoughts. "Are you well?" he asked, sounded concerned.

"Yes…" she answered slowly, her stomach clenching.

Fighting the constant ever present nausea which lurked in her belly since she'd started getting sick, was a slow, uncomfortable ordeal which she wholeheartedly could live without. The back of her throat burned as bile began to well up.

Otto frowned, "You don't appear to be," he countered, placing his utensils down. "Dear," he called, his voice strained. "I can see you're not feeling well. Please let me help you,"

Jesmyn opened her mouth to respond, but the queasy sensation became suddenly too much. Abruptly, she rose out of her chair, the legs harshly scraping against the floor. Feeling the hot bile rush up the back of her throat, she reached the pot just in time to purge her stomach.

"Jesmyn?" Otto called, his footsteps following his alarmed voice.

She felt his hand on her back, while his other, which was well practiced by this point, quickly grabbed her hair and held it away from her face.

He shook his head, "It's no longer up for discussion, you're going to see the maester today," Otto stated firmly, leaving little room to argue.

Which led to Jesmyn’s current predicament. Standing in front of the maester, she patiently waited for him to finish his examination.

“Do you feel any tenderness here my child?" he questioned, lifting her breast.

Jesmyn frowned slightly, feeling confused and uncomfortable as to why a breast examination is needed for a stomach illness. Although, now that she thought about it, her breast have been more tender than usual.

"I do Maester," she answered.

"And sickness, have you had any?"

“Constantly,”

"Any problems with food?"

"Aye, some of it makes me want to empty my stomach,"

The maester nodded along and she shivered as his hands felt her stomach and pelvis, before he told her she could get dressed.

She looked up as he approached her.

"Maester?"

"When was the last time you bled, Lady Hightower?"

"Pardon?" Jesmyn asked, her brows high

Momentarily, she was stunned by the question, but mentally shook free of her stupor. Confidently, Jesmyn was about to answer the week before, but stopped herself when she realized that couldn't be right. Her mind went over the dates and realized it was far longer. She couldn't recall. The last month was a blur. The maester smiled, as if expecting Jesmyn’s silence.

"Well, Lady Hightower, this should be a happy day for you and your husband,” he stated. "Congratulations my lady, you are with child," the maester informed, dipping his head.

"Child?" Jesmyn echoed, the word coming out as soft as a prayer. "Are…are you certain Maester?" she asked, her eyes beginning to water.

"Aye I am, I would say you’re some weeks in, at most. Maybe two months,” he said, packing his things. “Good day, Lady Hightower,” he wished.

~~~x~~~

“How are you feeling, Jesmyn?” Alicent offered her a cup of tea. “Father told me you took ill again this morning and he summoned the maester,” she said.

Sunlight poured through the window of Alicent’s personal chambers. The rays striking Jesmyn on the side of the face as she sat at table for tea. Due to her sickness, Alicent opted for the two of them stay indoors.

“I am fine,” she nodded, smiling weakly and accepting the cup.

“Are you? You don’t look it,” Alicent stated, blowing on her tea. “What was the maester’s diagnosis?” she questioned curiously.

Jesmyn could feel the back of her neck heat up. She was apprehensive about telling her friend she was carrying her father’s child. Alicent already semi knew too much about Jesmyn’s and Otto’s sex life as it was. She didn't know how Alicent would handle the news of becoming a step-sister. Jesmyn began to wonder if she should wait and tell Otto.

“Well?” Alicent said, her looking at her expectantly.

"I…I am with child,” Jesmyn informed, swallowing nervously.

Alicent froze mid sip, her body stiffening like a statue as she blankly stared at her. The only signs of life being her blinking eyes.

“What?”

"I'm pregnant." Jesmyn repeated, her nervousness compounded by Alicent’s reaction.

Alicent placed her porcelain cup down and stood quickly from her chair. Jesmyn’s heart sunk, she figured the news would be too much for her, they had only just rekindled their friendship. She raised from her chair as well, biting the inside of her lip in disappointment. The young Queen’s eyes bore into hers.

“Alicent?” Jesmyn uttered timidly.

In a few, short strides Alicent wrapped her arms around Jesmyn and hugged her tightly, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

“This is wonderful news Jesmyn!” she said happily. “I know you and Father have been for trying for so long!” she added excitedly.

“You're not angry?" Jesmyn asked hopefully.

Alicent pulled back from their embrace, her eyebrow raised.

“Angry? Why in heavens names would I be angry?" she asked in disbelief. “You’re going to be a mother, and I a step-sister!” Alicent said, a jovial laugh bursting from her. “Don’t you see, our bond will only grow stronger now!” she said, sliding her hands down Jesmyn’s arms and grabbing her hands.

“That is a relief,” Jesmyn said, exhaling deeply with a smile.

“How far along are you?” Alicent questioned, placing her palm against Jesmyn’s flat abdomen.

“The maester said two months at least,” she answered.

“Have you told Father?” Alicent asked, lifting her gaze from her stomach.

“No,” Jesmyn said, shaking her head. “He’s in a council meeting, Alicent. It would be foolish to disturb—”

Alicent gasped loudly, “Nonsense!” she exclaimed, shaking her head. “This is momentous, Jesmyn! I cannot believe you’re telling me first,” she said, chuckling with disbelief.

“I plan to tell him over supper,” Jesmyn informed. “I want to make it special and memorable, but I’m not sure how,”

Alicent took her hand in her own again, “Oh please, you must let me be of service,” she begged, a beaming smile on her face. “I want to feel useful outside of being a caretaker and mother,” she added.

“And useful, you shall be,”

~~~x~~~

"Dear me," Jesmyn began, setting her tablecloth down. "I might need to have stitches loosened in my gown, this meal has left me quite full," she joked.

It was later that evening, once again her and Otto sat across from each other in their private dining chambers. Candles were lit, servants were coming and going, carrying wine and food until she dismissed them for the night. Jesmyn took another sip of her wine and then refilled her glass. She held the wine carafe up to Otto and raised her eyebrows, and he lifted his glass.

"I’m amazed your stomach has been agreeable for supper," he said, as Jesmyn got up from her chair. "Did the maester give you something to calm it?" he asked curiously, his eyes following her.

"He did," Jesmyn answered, filling her husband’s glass.

"And?"

"Fortunately, this illness is temporary," she informed, drawing the pitcher back and setting it down.

"Keep it simple," Alicent's voice echoed in her head.

"Good, good," he replied, covering her hand with his. "What remedy did he give you?" Otto asked, stroking his thumb across her knuckles.

"Tis excellent news, Husband,” Jesmyn answered, smiling at him. She took his hand and pressed it against her belly, spreading his fingers out. “I am with child,” she announced, laughing lightly.

He stared at her, shocked for a moment before his face spread into a large smile. His happiness shining in his eyes making Jesmyn’s heart soar with delight.

"You're pregnant?" Otto echoed, a broad grin covering his face.

"I am," Jesmyn confirmed, mirroring his expression.

Otto hopped up from his seat and within a blink of the eye, Jesmyn felt herself being lifted up into the air and spun around in a circle. Warm laughter filled the air and when he put her down again, Otto cupped her face and descended his lips on hers for a kiss. His arm rested on the mid of her back as he pulled her closer to him. A soft moan came from Jesmyn as their lips moved in perfect sync.

Otto withdrew from her lips after a few moments had passed, peppering with kisses all over face. Glancing up to meet his stare, Jesmyn’s cheeks flushed at the intensity of his gaze.

"I’d suspected," he began, his lips against hers as he brought his forehead down on hers. "I recognized the symptoms, but I didn’t dare hope," he continued, his voice shaking with excitement "We're going to have a baby," Otto finished, kissing her happily.

"I will bear you a son who is the spitting image of his father," Jesmyn promised, and her husband’s hands found themselves on her stomach once more.

"There is no need for such promises," Otto said, gently rubbing her abdomen. "For I will love the child if it is either a son or daughter," he whispered softly.

Chapter Ten: Leave it to The Gods

#house of the dragon x reader #game of thrones x reader #otto hightower x reader #black!reader #black!oc #game of thrones imagine #game of thrones oc #house of the dragon oc #game of thrones fanfiction #house of the dragon fanfiction #otto hightower x oc #got x reader #hotd x reader

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jailforwriter · 10 months

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Hey, good lookin'!

Greetings and salutations, fellow word-arranger! I see that you also enjoy the art of reshuffling letters until they spell out cool stuff. That sounds like a pretty solid basis for a friendship, hmm...

This is a little nook for all things writing! It covers everything from tips and book reviews to the very backbone of society (memes, duh). The aim here is to build a nice community and foster friendships and support and all of that good stuff. Writing can be pretty lonely, so let's make it a little less so!

About me

Hey, I'm Alai. I'm a queer Venezuelan girly, mid-20's, looking to become more active in the writeblr community. Some of my other interests include philosophy, Greek mythology, all sciences (I have an Honors degree in Laboratory Medicine!) and everything to do with the Classics.

My focus is on fantasy and queer romance, but I'm open to all sorts of genres and do very much read other stuff on the reg. Also really into Sci-Fi, Thrillers, Horror and Literary Fiction.

Most of my work is novel-centric, but I also love reading short stories and poetry and cannot resist a good out context quote lol.

Lover of all things character-driven and morally ambiguous, pyrrhic victories, interpersonal drama, tragic losers doomed by the narrative, and the liberal use of Catholic Guilt™️ as literary garnish.

I'm an only child who once heard that sharing is caring, so please hit me with your best WIP and let's chat about it! We can even hold each other (accountable so we can get it DONE).

WIPs

The Paradox of Nonchoice (Adult Fantasy/Romance)

Summary: Nahia is an angel who, after years of studying human culture and behavior in the heavenly realm of Zion, is finally sent to Earth on her first assignment: to grant the deepest desire of the first person she meets. With the support of her mentor and sisters, along with a promise to reunite with her mother should she succeed, the stage is set for God's newest angel to carry out His word. However, when Nahia learns that her ward – a disillusioned handywoman by the name of Rory – wants something she isn't altogether prepared to give, the indentured angel must decide whose orders to follow: if God's, or her heart's. Note: there's a TON more to this plot, I promise!! But unfortunately, any particulars I may give would constitute an absolutely gargantuan spoiler lol. Tropes: soulmates, forced proximity (kinda if you squint), co-workers to lovers (squint a bit more just trust me lmao), absolutely rancid sibling dynamics, mommy issues, daddy issues, crisis of faith, Everything Is A Lie Nothing Is Sacred, loser women cringefailing, "ah, you're one of them queers", The Catholic Church. TWs: religious trauma, suicide, violence, blood, slight body horror, France (mentioned).

Will be looking for betas and feedback very soon, so please stay tuned! Updates to come on this blog. If anyone's at all interested, any sort of engagement would be very welcomed and appreciated :)

Happy writing!

#writeblr #writing #wip tag #writing community #writeblr intro

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edgarallennope · 9 months

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Hey. I want to say I loved that analysis you wrote about Crowley becoming gradually more bitter and spiteful against heaven and god. And I wanna ask you. What do you think about Crowley's relationship with God in particular? I mean, looking from afar, he looks suspicious towards heaven and god, but I do think he views these two entities in different ways. For him Heaven is pretty much the same as Hell, but painted as nice guys. But God? I don't know, I think the hole is more deep.

ABSOLUTELY I think the hole is more deep. Tbh, I hadn't intended for the meaning of that post to be about an anger and bitterness that was specific to God and Heaven, I meant more in general, perhaps including humanity, but...it makes sense. I'm thinking specifically about his reaction to the crucifixion, his 'oh, yeah, that'll do it', his cold resentment of the human choice, but he knows that was Heavens doing (Aziraphale's line on policy decisions). Similarly, The Spanish Inquisition, something that made book!Crowley drink for a week solid, likely happened without any heavenly influence, but still happened in Her name.

I think a large part of Crowley's resentment towards Her is those who claim to speak for Her, and those who stay fiercely loyal to Her with no input. The Archangels, the more overzealous humans, the Metatron. Eventually, Aziraphale too.

I have been thinking heavily on a scene from Season 1 since seeing Season 2 and writing that meta. it's when Crowley and Aziraphale are sat on that bench in Tadfield, drinking wine, and Crowley asks him;

"Do you think She planned it like this, all along?"

To which Aziraphale says;

"I wouldn't put it past Her."

At the time, I didn't think too much about these lines, but now I wonder how Crowley meant that. The immediate thought is, or at least was for me, that "ah, of course She meant for it like this all along, how ineffable! Classic Her!"

But now I think, similar to the realm of the two exactly's, they both meant very different things.

I think Crowley asked it meaning "This is so typical of Her, to not speak to anyone and to forge Her solutions from pain and heartbreak and death. It's ridiculous. Even by forging our own side, we're still playing Her game."

And I think Aziraphale answered it meaning "Of course she did! She has had a plan all along, and it means everything is going to be okay! That's how she plans everything!"

Crowley doesn't have that blind faith, that level of trust. He still speaks to her, we see that in Season 1 (one of my FAVOURITE favourite scenes), but he doesn't expect an answer. A far cry from the angel we meet in S2E1 who works very closely with upstairs. He asks Her, desperately, to show him a Great Plan. It is not something he'll take for granted, or take on trust, never again. It's something he knows he can't have, and I think that will never stop hurting.

I do believe he still has a very distant affection for Her, despite everything. Despite the fact he can't understand Her. He knows that She isn't to be understood. That She Herself is ineffable. I think his anger, his bitterness, is reserved for the people who believe they can understand her. For the Archangels and humans who follow her will blindly. For Aziraphale, who expects a system as corrupt and blind as Heaven to be fixable because She made it.

Crowley is an optimist, a character trait that I regard as his most tragic. The book says as such, and goes on to say that he knows that the universe will always take care of him. The world, the one he had a hand in making. Not God. Crowley understands that the world has expanded far, far beyond Her reach. God cannot cure the sick and save the dying. God cannot prevent war or famine or pollution or death. God cannot save Crowley when his bosses decide he must be punished. It's not that I think he hates her, not really. He understands what She is, and he mostly accepts it. He knows he can't rely on her, and that it's not because he's a demon. He knows that nobody can anymore.

#this is so long and rambly im so sorry #but i have so many thoughts #good omens #good omens season 2 #good omens spoilers #good omens meta #good omens analysis #crowley

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antiquatedsimmer · 10 months

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My Dearest Mother,

It feels as though only a few days have passed since I bid you farewell, and yet every new development serves as a painful reminder that you are no longer here to witness it. My heart aches, knowing that you could not be here to meet Eddy and embrace your precious grandchildren. Though I am aware that you watch over us from the heavenly realms, my longing for your physical presence remains.

Eddy has been an absolute blessing in my life. After you departed, everything seemed to unravel, and the hardships we endured weighed heavily on my conscience.

When I look upon our children, I am filled with apprehension about what lies ahead. Silas, our strong and resolute boy, possesses great determination and steadfastness in his work. However, I sense a lack of passion for the toil that Eddy embraces so fervently. Yet, the thought that brings solace is that once Edward and I depart from this world, Silas will inherit a wonderful home and a piece of land to raise his own family. He shall never have to endure the hardships of hiding away in a meager hut, as I once did. Although he may be a challenge to teach and mold, I have faith that he will find his own path.

However, it is when I gaze upon Lucile that a sense of anxiety befalls me, dear mother. It seems only yesterday that she was but a newborn babe, and now she blossoms into a beautiful young lady before my eyes. I fear for her future, for the day will come when Lucile shall stand as a grown woman. It is my duty to plan ahead, to ensure that she is not left behind or unprepared for the world that awaits her.

Silas may have a secure home, but Lucile cannot forever remain in the shadow of her brother. Her birthday approaches swiftly, prompting reflections on the conversations I shared with Edith regarding her daughter Josephine and the steps taken to prepare her for the future.

Though we lack the material wealth bestowed upon others, I am resolved to do whatever it takes to ensure that Lucile's happiness equals that which Silas shall find. I refuse to subject my children to the daily struggles that Edward and I have endured. They deserve a better life.

Oh, Mother, I carry your wisdom and love within me always, guiding me through the challenges that lay before us. May your spirit watch over us as we strive to create a brighter future for our beloved children.

With undying love and determination,

Helena Stoker Doyle Harrington

#ts4 #decades story #decades challenge #decades legacy #ts4 historical #helena doyle #doyle legacy #helena #lucile doyle harrington #diary entry #decade: 1890s #decade: 1890 #legacy story

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sifeng · 2 years

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Love Between Fairy and Devil (苍兰诀) - Eps 1-8 Review

A very early review because this drama is definitely... something! There is an intense division in the popular opinion of this drama, some absolutely love it, others think it is dumb and childish. Personally, I think that despite its obvious issues, it has a lot of merit and deserves a lot of the hype.

Characterization: considering there has only been eight episodes, and there are 36 total, it makes sense that none of the characters have really had to develop or change dramatically. However, the initial characterizations of our main 3 (Dongfang Qingcang, Xiao Lan Hua and Chang Heng) are very solid, and clearly set their personality, goals and morals. Personally I love the characterization of Xiao Lan Hua. These “cute” type female leads can very easily become annoying and unnecessarily stupid, but Xiao Lan Hua, though innocent, kind and not the most intelligent of celestials, is by no means dumb nor annoying. She has extremely strong morals, generosity and kindness, and has the ability to think for herself - ignoring the celestial propaganda about the demons because she knows Dongfang Qingcang has been kind to her. Dongfang Qingcang’s characterization stability is a little weaker, but this is made up in how he is evidently beginning to feel and understand emotions. As we see him do no evil (except burning 2 people to save Xiao Lan Hua in like episode 2), it’s hard to imagine just how cruel this man is. The lack of information about his reign of terror also makes it difficult for the audience to understand why he is so desperate for Xiao Lan Hua to work her magic on the leaf of Chi Di Nü Zi. But, to an extent, I get the mystery behind his background, it allows us to see him as Xiao Lan Hua sees him, without the prejudice of knowing how evil he was. Chang Heng is also a very solid character. He is someone who is selfless and puts the stability of the universe and the happiness of others ahead of his own well being.

Pacing: This drama is very fast. With so much to go through and only 36 episodes, it makes sense. But, despite the fast pace, it doesn’t feel rushed. This drama hits the sweet spot, where you really want to keep watching and keep watching (I watched all 8 episodes in a row), but don’t feel like too much information is being thrown at you. However, there are certain moments that feel very undeserved, or out of nowhere. For example, when Rong Hao discovers Xiao Lan Hua is Shen Nü. Why did he suspect her anyways? And if he suspected her, why doesn’t any of the other celestials? The ambiguity of Rong Hao and Chi Di Nü Zi’s characters are a plus right now, but I can easily see them being plot holes if the show only ever gives them random shots with no explanation. But I doubt that...

Worldbuilding: Out of the past few xianxias I have seen, this drama does world building best in my opinion. Unlike some shows that throw way too much information at you in the first few moments, this drama gives you very little in the beginning, and only begins to reveal page by page the intricacies of this universe, which leads to the binge-ability of this drama (I really want to figure out who is who what is what!) Plus, this world feels so unique and fresh. Part of this is the costuming and CGI, part of this is its look into the business, bosses, different parts of the heavenly realm. One of my biggest complaints about the heavenly realm in other shows is how empty it seems, this show actually fleshes out the realm, showing the lives of the lowly and the rich.

Acting: now, I have to be honest. I thought this show would be terrible, mostly because I did not trust Wang Heidi’s acting at all. He was terrible in Miss The Dragon, like to the point where you just laughed when he appeared. He’s not really that good in this either BUT at least you can watch without being completely taken out or bursting out in laughter which is huge improvement for him! The scenes where he was pretending to be Xiao Lan Hua were actually okay!! I’ve always maintained the opinion that Yu Shuxin is one of the most underrated actresses in the industry. People think she’s not good because her line delivery is, shall we say, unique, but in believing she’s a poor actress simply because they dislike her voice, they cannot hear how clear her words are, how she can easily control her emotions and how her mood is always clear in her voice. Acting wise she always adds little details that really show off her understanding of both Dongfang Qingcang (when she is in his body) and Xiao Lan Hua. She makes Xiao Lan Hua so adorable, someone you want to cry for when she cries, someone you want to laugh with when she’s happy. There are moments when she does overact a little, making Xiao Lan Hua almost caricature like in moment, but overall, I think she’s doing amazing. Zhang Linghe is pretty okay as Chang Heng. The scene where he crossed Xiao Lan Hua’s name off his list did make me feel sad, but overall, I don’t feel like he’s made this character particularly engaging (not to say the character isn’t engaging, he is, just mostly because the writing is good).

Romance: The main CP is really growing on me. Chemistry wise, they are actually pretty great. I’ve seen videos of them doing interviews and variety shows and clearly they are friends, which really makes these early scenes so enjoyable because Xiao Lan Hua and Dongfang Qingcang are also friends. I really can’t wait to see how this relationship progresses, because it’s already very clear how cute they are. The switching bodies trope is actually sooooo funny because of how Xiao Lan Hua misinterprets his actions, so it doesn’t feel old or boring at all. Xiao Lan Hua and Chang Heng (FL and SML) grouping is also very cute, and so sad. The innate tragedy of their situation makes the relationship so interesting, and I think they have pretty good chemistry too! The second CP between Rong Hao and Chi Di Nü Zi is very exciting to me because they both seem like crazy people!

Costumes: while I am not a huge fan of some of the costuming aesthetically, overall, I really appreciate how the designer managed to make such a new, different style for the celestials, while maintaining a classical style for the humans. I do think the fact that all the young celestial fairies wearing the same thing makes the idea of costume design kind of redundant, but I appreciate the spectacle! Personally I love Dan Yin in the fairy dress, while Xiao Lan Hua looks better in other styles. I totally get why the designer put them all in the same dress (to add a sense of continuity) but personally I wish Xiao Lan Hua’s wardrobe was slightly different to show her different personality and class.

CGI: The CGI is amazing! The CGI for the heaven palace, Si Ming’s house, the place where they went to see the sunrise, the prison are all absolutely gorgeous. But the most impressive scene has to be when Rong Hao and Chang Heng were in the painting together, that was absolutely gorgeous! I used to think Love and Redemption was the best xianxia for CGI but this drama just took the number 1 spot.

Overall: If you can get through the acting and are a xianxia fan, I would 100% recommend this! A really different drama no matter how you look at it, and I would say you should at least try it even if it sounds unappealing (I thought it would be terrible and look at me now!)

#cdrama #Love Between Fairy and Devil #cang lan jue #苍兰诀 #Esther yu #Dylan wang

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lowlylux · 9 months

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I am a Sinner (You are a Saint)

Chapter Seven | The Case Begins

Ship: HeiKazuScara

Rating: E

Status: In Progress

Word Count: 4.5k

Description:

“You shall be cast out of the heavenly realm indefinitely.”

Kunikuzushi feels arms grab his own as he is forced to his feet. He struggles, keeping his eyes on his mother only. “Mother! Don’t let them do this!” The guards continue to drag him away, even if it is a struggle. “Mother!” He knows the gate to the human realm is growing closer to him. The more time passes, the less chance he has to escape. But the divine never back out of their decisions…never. He looks to his mother one last time, hoping that she at least looks at him. But her gaze refuses to meet his own.

When he is finally cast out, the air rushing past his entire body, he could only visualize his mother’s pained expression.

He has never felt so alone…

Ao3 Link

Scaramouche quite likes the mornings before work. It took some time to get used to it, as the season began to warm, the hours became far more predictable. Heizou will leave first, his shift starting close to sunrise and ending far past sunset to the point where it becomes a point of contention between Kazuha and Heizou. Half of the time, Kazuha’s time at work is minuscule, starting around the same time as Heizou, but ending around noon. While Scaramouche does not understand fishing, Kazuha tells him that the time he leaves is the most optimal time to work. The rest of Kazuha’s work schedule, being two days of the week, causes him to be gone for close to eight hours as he deals with the shop Beidou owns. So, it’s not surprising that Scaramouche thoroughly enjoys the moments he has with the two.

He can tell immediately when the two are awake, as music begins to ring through every speaker in the house. At first, when Heizou started to continue his ‘tradition’ as he would explain it to be, Kazuha would apologize. After all, it can be quite surprising to wake up to music being blasted suddenly before the sun has risen. But, he has learned to enjoy it, even beginning to sing along with some of the songs that Heizou puts on every day.

Even if he didn’t like the music, it’s not like he can hate what comes after. Heizou and Kazuha work together in making breakfast, making something usually quite good. Sometimes it does end up being inedible, but that seems to be the truth of life at this point.

Scaramouche genuinely enjoys the energy the two bring in every morning. It’s a common sight, seeing the two spinning around as eggs cook, singing along to some song about a girl hoping an unnamed man isn’t falling in love with someone else. It brings a smile to his face when either party pulls the other into a kiss with nothing but smiles plastered onto both of their faces as they do so.

And sometimes he just stares at them when they do so, enamored by the idea of another person caring for him the way these two care for eachother. He loves the way these two look at eachother, as if no one exists other than them, sometimes wishing he were offered the same courtesy. He is aware of the fact that he is so close to his wish, yet too far to actually make a move. So he is stuck in a standstill, a bystander that is forced to watch as the things he cares about move further away until he inevitably loses sight of them.

Because that, as he has unfortunately come to the conclusion of and has absolutely accepted, is his destiny.

●•·•●

“Sir, what are we doing here?” Sanada asks, nervously glancing everywhere in the abandoned warehouse. Heizou is already scrunching up his nose, the dust so thick that if he’s not careful, he’ll start sneezing and be unable to stop.

But he had to stay, even if it genuinely doesn’t make sense. Other than the initial revelation that the murders are connected, every other lead has gone nowhere. So, it feels as if he needs to follow every lead until the end now.

Heizou has always told himself not to care about cases emotionally. If he doesn’t get invested, he doesn’t obsess over everything. If he doesn’t get invested, he doesn’t break if the case goes cold. But, unfortunately, he does have emotional stakes when it comes to this case. He doesn’t want to imagine the expression on Kazuha’s face if the case turns cold.

He doesn’t want to tell Kazuha that the case is turning cold.

Yes, there have been murders, that is a reality that is scaring the people of Inazuma to an unfortunate amount. But the truth is, they are no closer to finding the person behind all of this than they were months ago when they realized it was a serial killing. Honestly, Heizou has started to think he might need to get Scaramouche on the case. The angel may not know everything about humans, but these serial killings don’t seem to be quite human.

“Sanada, do you believe in the paranormal?”

Sanada stares at him for a moment, clearly confused, before awkwardly laughing. “Are you joking right now?”

“Perhaps,” Heizou says, eyes gliding over the dust filled warehouse, knowing that there won’t be anything, but still holding out hope. “But if we can’t figure out an answer, why not blame it on a ghost? Or maybe even a demon?”

“Unfortunately, those don’t exist so we still have to do our jobs.”

Heizou does laugh along with Sanada, even if he doesn’t agree with him. But, he does live with an angel so maybe his perspective is a bit skewed. Nonetheless, he doesn’t really want to think of any possibility of a non-human perpetrator. He already has enough suspects on his mind right now, and adding the idea of someone who can evade detection due to being something paranormal is not something he wants to think about.

Heizou takes one more look around, his eyes stopping at a strange sight, barely noticeable. In the corner, there is a puddle. Normally, that would not be a cause for concern, however there are no visible holes in the ceiling and even if there were, it hasn’t rained in weeks.

He kneels, trying to decipher exactly what he is looking at, but is completely unable to. The floor is far too dark in color to try and find out a color, and it is not like he can touch it. Doing so would disrupt the scene, and if it is blood, it would destroy the evidence. “Sanada, do you know what this is?”

Sanada kneels down as well, his eyes narrowed. “Not really. It’s probably nothing.”

“Yes well, I’m calling it in.” Heizou says, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll have someone from the station come down and take a sample so we can test it.”

“Heizou, it’s probably water.”

“And we’re investigating a serial killer,” He says, practically snapping at his partner. “We had information that the killer could be using this area, and found a strange substance during our investigation. This could be something big.”

“I’m telling you, it’s just water,” Sanada says, already reaching out for the puddle.

“Sanada-“

But Heizou was too late. Sanada’s hand comes in contact with the puddle before he lifts it, showing that there is no strange coloration on his hand. Many would believe that it was water, but Heizou is still partially skeptical. “See? Water.”

“I’m still calling it in,” Heizou says, shaking his head at his partner’s actions. “Don’t touch anything else and give me a minute. Lots of things resemble water and I want an actual, science based answer. And get your hands washed, touching that was moronic Sanada.”

With that, Heizou turns around, his fingers gliding across his screen as he begins to dial the number belonging to Sara. However, he is unable to make the call. The first thing he realizes in that moment is that he’s on the ground. Pain erupts from the back of his head, causing his vision to blur. Black crowds his line of sight, moving like a kaleidoscope. He looks up in shock and confusion, staring at Sanada.

But Sanada looks at him blankly before raising a stray plank of wood and bringing it down on Heizou.

●•·•●

Kazuha likes his job, he really does. Yes, the customers get on his nerves…constantly…but the ability to be around Beidou is nice. Kazuha will always be well off, his family made sure of that, but he will forever be available to work for Beidou. He owes Beidou his life in a way, and no amount of shifts to help her stay in business will repay her.

Obviously she insists that the time she spent taking care of him was not a waste, but he doesn’t always believe her. She was younger then he is when she took him in, certainly that must have caused her to miss out on opportunities. When you’re taking care of a traumitized pre-teen, you lose a part of yourself. Beidou put her life on pause just to make sure Kazuha had a semblance of a normal childhood, and he will be forever grateful.

After work, he has always enjoyed driving home. Since he and Heizou live further out from town, it’s a pretty decent chunk of time that Kazuha has to be alone with his thoughts. After his shifts with the shop, it is always dark, giving him a wonderful experience to just look at the work around him. Usually, as long as the weather permits him, he opens his window, listening as the wildlife continues to thrive around him.

Pulling up to his home, he cannot help but pause. Behind the house is a light, weaving through the trees, flickering in an uncoordinated manner. When he gets to the yard, Kazuha feels his gaze stay settled on the individual causing such light, unable to take his gaze away.

Scaramouche is laying on his back, wings splayed out. His hair creates a halo as he lifts his hand, light weaving through his fingers in a delicate manner. Shapes are created, reminding Kazuha of the age when he would create shadow puppets. But, these aren’t like the shadow puppets he created as a child. These are carefully crafted, filling the sky in a way no man-made light could even allow.

The light pierces through the clouds, almost as if it came from them. It’s brighter than whatever Kazuha has ever witnessed, yet warmer than the sun. Even standing ten feet away, he can feel the warmth coming from the angel at this very moment. But, he cannot help but think the fact that his face is flushed at the sight of Scaramouche is also a small culprit to that warm feeling.

“Did you know that we can never see our own light in the angelic realm?” Scaramouche’s voice is soft as he speaks, as if he is just as enamored with the beauty he is creating in this moment. “Shadows are unable to form, so while we know we can produce light…we never see it.”

“It’s beautiful,” Kazuha mutters, reaching out for a beam. He doesn’t know why, but something in his mind just wants to touch it.

The beautiful light stops abruptly as Scaramouche grabs onto Kazuha’s wrist. His grip is gentle, but firm as he stares at Kazuha in shock. “You can’t touch that!”

“Why?”

“Angels developed that ability to battle demons, it’s one of our only means of offensive power. If you touched it…” Scaramouche trails off. He realizes that he is still holding Kazuha’s wrist, jerking away immediately as if Kazuha has some illness. “If you touched it, I doubt it would be a good outcome.”

“Then I won’t touch it.”

Scaramouche looks like a weight is lifted from his shoulders, sighing in relief that Kazuha isn’t attempting to be idiotic at this moment. “How was work?”

“Good actually,” Kazuha says with a smile, happy that Scaramouche doesn’t look as stressed. He hates it when the angel is upset, especially if it’s caused by him or Heizou. “No one even attempted to rob the place today.”

“Why humans steal is a mystery.”

“Depends on what they steal,” Kazuha says. “Food could mean they need it. A boat though? Probably someone wanting to make a quick buck.”

“And humans can just sell things like that without things being checked.”

“It’s much harder to do, but yeah,” Kazuha says. Scaramouche shakes his head disapprovingly before his look of annoyance shifts into that of confusion. The familiar sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoes throughout the air, obviously bothering the angel. “Heizou isn’t supposed to be home in another hour…”

Scaramouche looks at Kazuha for a moment, his eyes widened. “That's not Heizou…”

Kazuha’s heart drops as his breath gets stuck in his throat. He doesn’t remember telling Scaramouche to stay where he is, but the moments as he gets to the front are blurry anyways. He remembers seeing Scaramouche stay out of sight, but watching intently as Kazuha greets the newcomer.

Sara has always been a fairly nice woman. She is a bit of a stickler for the rules, which makes her a thorn in Heizou’s side, but she is genuinely a good person. Heizou, with all the grievances with how his superior completes her job, he never calls her a bad person.

She shifts uncomfortably when Kazuha appears, obviously expecting him but seemingly at the same time not wanting him to show up. “Kazuha…”

“Sara, what’s going on?” Kazuha asks, straight to the point. It is never a good thing when your boyfriend’s superior shows up at your door, especially if your boyfriend is connected to the police.

“…Detective Shikanoin and Detective Sanada went to investigate a potential lead for an ongoing case this morning. After a few hours of attempting to contact both of them, we grew concerned.” Sara starts, staring at Kazuha as if he is going to implode at any minute. “Upon arriving at the scene, neither Shikanoin nor Sanada were anywhere to be found. But, the vehicle they were using was still at the scene.”

Kazuha stares at her for a moment, his mind racing at all of the possibilities. “What are you trying to tell me right now?”

Sara straightens her back as she looks at Kazuha in pity. “Both detectives are currently missing, and we have no clue where they could have gone.”

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master list

#fanfiction #lowlylux #genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #heizou #kaedehara kazuha #eventual smut #fallen angel au #kazuha #modern au #heikazuscara #kazuscarahei #scarakazuhei #scaramouche

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