#protectors of Illyria

[slutsofren]

would you mind writing a little ficlet (or hcs) of the batboys and reader taking care of their newborn?

ever since i read the oneshot where reader goes into labor, i've been going FERAL at the thought of the batboys being loving dads set in the hloc universe🥺🥺

but only if you're comfortable and if you want to!!! you don't have to do this if you don't want to, no hard feelings 💜

OOH THIS IS GOOD

okay so i should start with a blanket message. i, personally, do not have children, i do not know how to raise a child save for a cat who is my pride and joy. i do not wish to have a child in my life. with that being said i will likely get a lot of things (lol everything) wrong in more detailed ways but hey, that's why this is a fantasy fic right lol

as always, details under the cut!! i went for general attitudes towards your pregnancy in the high lady universe but if you want something a wee bit different just shoot on over an ask :> 🤍🌹

**i will not be posting this to ao3 so it is a ✨tumblr exclusive✨

cw: babies, a little bit of violence mentioned but nothing bad :>

Azriel

az was the first one to try and get you pregnant and yes, he was trying multiple times a day for it to take so when the little flutter first happened, he cried. big fat tears.

when the babe was born with dripping black onyx wings az had weeped, they all did

he began to take less spy missions that would keep him away longer than a few hours just to stay home with his child, at least until they would old enough yeah right

it would take him months before he was able to stay a single night away on a mission at which point you had to reassure him with multiple kisses that the two of you would be fine

he cared for you in every single way possible, physically, mentally, emotionally, and would do everything in his power to keep you both happy

you wanted a bath? absolutely, here is your bath but let him take the baby, no it's fine he wanted to hold them :)

there would be nights where the babe would wake and cry and az would jump up and immediately take to them, consoling their cries

you'd watch as az would gently murmur stories from memory, of a high lady who fought to the death for her lovers, stories of you

az always was and always will be the protector of your little family

Cassian

absolute loser of a daddy

he didnt know the first thing of being a dad and he sure as hell did not know how to care for one

all brawn and very little brain for baby 101

he was never sure if he wanted kids when he first met you but seeing you pregnant, seeing his family, he was satisfied with whatever the outcome may be

he once tried to give baby a dagger when they were still a toddler and if you listen closely you could still hear Rhys’ voice shouting “NO” from the mountains of Illyria

for the first few weeks, cass was afraid he was going to drop the baby so he avoided holding them at all costs, leaving it to az and you

it wasnt until you assured him it was going to be fine did he give in, only to immediately start crying when he realized this was his family. he had a family. everything he fought for was for this.

cass was a warrior and he was absolutely going to be the one who trained your babies how to kick ass like him

Rhysand

rhys always was and always will be the most hesitant of the daddies

it took him time to come to terms with your pregnancy only because he lost his first family so violently, he wasn't sure if he was ready for that step but he knew he wanted it with you

rhys was the one who would secretly take the babe under the cover of darkness outside to practice flying as a surprise for you all

knowing the childhood of your other mates, he did everything he could to ensure none of your babies would ever grow up in violence like them or be in want of affection

with that being said, he became much more violent towards members of his court of nightmares.

he was a high lord so he was often not home but he would be damned to let the disease fester and grow under his reign, and he would make sure none of your children would shoulder his burden

to him, rhys did not care if he was biologically the father of any of your babies but he would fight wars for them so they would never have to

#the high lady talks #anon ask #the high lady of cunning #acotar rewrite #rhysand #rhys acotar #rhysand x reader #cassian acotar #cassian x reader #azriel acotar #azriel x reader

[ae-neon]

Nesta Archeron // Pallas Athene

Nesta Archeron as the Goddess Athena

While I'm not the biggest fan of warrior Nesta

I think Athena fits her in a perfect way as she's not the goddess of the physical art of war but of strategic warfare. In the same way, Nesta's first and greatest weapon was always her mind.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, handicraft and is a protector of the city of Athens. In acomaf and acowar Nesta is largely motivated to work with the IC in hopes of saving as many humans (and Fae) as is possible. She also calculates the amount of boats needed to evacuate the populace.

Athena took the name Pallas after her friend who died when Zeus interfered in their sparring match, which distracted Pallas and caused Athena to fatally harm her. In a way this parallels the death of Clare Beddor, Nesta's friend who died when her name was given in place of Feyre's.

Athena is a bearer of the aegis, a powerful item capable of mythical levels of magic. In the same way Nesta uses the Dread Trove.

In many accepted versions, Athena is a result of parthenogenesis and has no mother, having been birthed fully-grown from Zeus's forehead. This can be paralleled by the absence and namelessness of Mama Archeron. As well as Nesta's emergence from the Cauldron, not just surviving its attempts to kill her but taking from the primordial power pool of the world itself.

In other versions, however, Athena is the child of Metis; Zeus's first wife and advisor and the personification of wisdom and council. Zeus fearfully swallows the pregnant Metis after it is predicted she will bear a son who is wiser than his mother and more powerful than his father.

Nesta, in many respects, is exactly that. Even able to rebuild the family fortune in less than a year by investing the money Tamlin offers. Paired with the knowledge and skill needed to calculate the evacuation plans. She also defies a High Lords' glamour as a human, advises Feyre to follow her heart and return to Prythian, sways the tide in the meeting of the High Lords etc.

Athena is often represented by snakes (medicine) and owls (protection and victory) many soldiers would be comforted by the sight of an owl over the battlefield. While Nesta is referred to as a viper and tied very closely to the winged people of Illyria, even saving a squad from the blast of the Cauldron.

Athena is also often associated with olive trees. In popular culture, olive branches are symbolic of reconciliation which is a prevalent theme for Nesta, especially with Feyre.

But Nesta and Athena also contrast in many ways. Athena is always aligned with Patriarchy and men.

She is Zeus's favourite child and allowed to bear his most powerful weapons including the aegis and lightning bolts despite the prophecy of her birth because she is not seen as a threat because she is a woman.

But in contrast Nesta is the most openly hostile towards her father, rooting him at the centre of her fear, anger and frustration despite his disability and circumstances.

Nesta is also very defiant and dismissive of the male authority and male figures around her with far less leniency than others grant to "nice guys" like Lucien, Cassian and Rhysand.

Nesta aligns herself more often with women and traditionally feminine but not "submissive" or performative traits. Her modesty is a choice and a shield more than a performance set to attract male attention or respect. Even her participation in the Rite ultimately boils down to her choosing to protect her friends more than to achieve something which would gain her love and respect from Cassian and other Illyrian males.

SJM's inconsistency and poor handling aside

Athena is Zeus's favourite child and patron goddess of the city of Athens not despite the ancient Greeks misogyny, but because she conforms to male ideals.

Nesta on the other hand, takes the power of the Cauldron for and by herself, she is often described as a queen and offered great power and titles associated with powerful men but rejects these not out of love for another but out of personal principle.

#pro nesta #how i adore her #nesta archeron #acotar #sjm critical #but not really #nesta deserves better #ae aesthetics #acotar ramblings #long ramble

[acourtofthought]

Have you read HOFAS (and any bonus chapters)? If so, what did you think about our ACOTAR characters and what it might say about their future books? If not, when are you planning on reading it?

I have!!

I have a few more detailed posts on why I believe what I believe but to summarize it, these are my predictions for SJMs future books:

It's interesting that 3 - 4 months after her HEA with Cassian, where she found her home in the HOW, her friends, her purpose with the Valkyrie, where she realized Rhys is her brother and had offered her kindness, where she ended her book visiting their fathers grave with her sisters who were smiling and beckoning at her to join them, that she's suddenly struggling to find her way (as evidenced by the exchange when she and Ember say their goodbyes).

To me, the biggest part of Nesta's life has always been her acting as Elain's protector and if Elain is no longer in the NC, having set off on her own journey with Lucien, I think that could be a big part of her sudden identity crisis. Possibly contributing to why she was so willing to part with the Mask, a bit of a reckless action. She could no longer help Elain so she turned and helped Bryce instead.

I think the next ACOTAR book will be Eluciens and we'll see resolution to the Vassa / Spring / Beron / Koschei / Peace Treaty plotlines. I don't think it will turn into a major battle, I think Elucien's arc will be that of stopping the threats and securing peace between the fae on the continent, the humans, and the fae in Prythian. I think that also closes out the ACOTAR series as we know it now, the one that revolves around the journey of Feyre and her sisters.

I think the book SJM has planned after that, the secret project she's excited to work on but won't say what world it's set in, will be the story of Miryam and Drakon and the Seraphim but set 500 years back. SJM said she imagines she'll feel emotional writing it because of who might show up and I'm wondering if that means we'll get glimpses of a younger Rhys, Cassian and Az, but also a look at Rhys's sister before her murder (I think it meant something that Az brought her up in HOFAS).

I think that story could also be relevant to future ACOTAR books because Miryam and Drakon are now in possession of the Cauldron. HOFAS did put the spotlight on the Cauldron in Prythian and in SF, a shudder runs down Cassian's spine as he thinks what might happen if it's awoken again. Giving us the backstory on the land where Miryam and Drakon reside with their people ties in nicely to possible future storylines.

After that I think SJM will move forward with her new series, one that is set the ACOTAR world but is no longer focused on Feyre's story. I think the new series will heavily involve Gwynriel, Mor / Emerie, and more of Nesta's journey and will further connect SJMS worlds with new crossover content.

I think we'll see the Prison lands being turned into Valkyrie territory with them gaining more female warriors as they work towards becoming an elite fighting unit of hundreds / thousands. I think Mor and Emerie might be the ones to oversee the land, with Mor ending up as a female descendent of Theia who can wield Gwydion and Az giving TT to Emerie (Nesta would be the general of the Valkryie but still remain living in the HOW).

I think the Valkyrie will be the defenders of the portal that exists there, protecting their world from outside threats, threats that I think will be drawn to Prythian because of the Cauldron and Merrill. I think Az will end up overseeing the Illyrian (the way Devlon currently does) and the Illyrian will remain the defenders of the portal that exists on Ramiel, with he and Gwyn either living in the townhouse or the cabin in Illyria.

And I also think we'll see a major battle at the end of that new series, with members of the IC / the Illyrians / the Valkyrie world walking and defending a threat outside their world, possibly teaming up with Bryce and Aelin. I feel there's a reason we were told that Nesta can move through time and space and that she'd use the mask to call thousands of the dead (with the added, "but not yet" in SF).

I think that Lucien and Elain will take up the High King role during these times, where they're not necessarily in charge of leading the battle so much as ensuring the peace remains across their own world between the different lands. I could also see Lucien helping Nesta destroy the mask at the end of it all. I think HOFAS makes it clear that Nesta will always be at risk for losing herself to it and as Helion has a connection to it, I think Lucien as his son does too. I also like the idea of Lucien and Nesta having a brother / sister bonding moment where she truly embraces him if he were the one to help her get rid of it once and for all.

Thank you for the ask, if you want you'll have to send an anon and tell me if you have any predictions yourself!

#elucien #pro elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #pro lucien vanserra #pro elain archeron #nesta acosf #crossover acotar #emerie acosf #emorie #illyrian #azriel acosf #acotar theory #gwynriel #morrigan acotar #rhysand acotar #miryam #valkyrie #sarah j mass

[bestepisode]

Vote on more episodes here!

Episode descriptions below the cut.

Eternity: A television actress whose career is in a slump tries to preserve her youthful appearance by becoming one of the undead.

Happy Anniversary: Angel tries to stop a lovelorn physicist from stopping time forever.

Underneath: Angel, Spike and Gunn travel to a surprisingly unusual hell dimension to free Lindsey and find out what he knows of the Senior Partners' ultimate plans. With Illyria's army defunct and her plans averted, the gang accepts her as a dubious ally. Wesley, volunteering to be her guide and mentor, falls slowly into depression and self-destruction. Meanwhile, the Senior Partners send a new, unstoppable force, a new liaison and businessman, named Marcus Hamilton, to find Eve, and Gunn makes an important decision in an attempt to protect his friends... and save his soul.

Judgment: Misinterpreting one of Cordelia's visions, Angel tries to help a pregnant woman and accidentally kills her demon protector. Angel tries to fulfill the dead warrior's mission and escort her to a tribunal to protect the woman's unborn baby. When the woman runs off, a desperate Angel visits a demon karaoke bar named Caritas and seeks help from the club owner - "the Host" - who can read the destiny of anyone who sings before him.

Ground State: In his quest to steal an artifact that may help him find Cordelia, Angel competes with a human thief whose body is electrically charged.

In the Dark: Spike and a colleague torture Angel in hopes of ascertaining the whereabouts of a ring that makes the wearer invincible.

Offspring: Darla returns to reveal that she's pregnant with Angel's child.

War Zone: As Angel helps a nerdy billionaire retrieve some compromising photos, he encounters a group of street kids defending against an invasion of vampires.

Shiny Happy People: While everyone else worships the beautiful woman Cordelia bore, Fred sees another side of her.

Reprise: On the eve of a 75-year review at Wolfram and Hart, Angel seeks a magic ring that will take him to hell to look for the firm's "senior partners."

#angel the series #ats best episode #atsr1 #allen francis doyle #angel btvs #cordelia chase #connor ats #wolfram & hart #spike btvs #fred burkle #lorne ats #charles gunn #wesley wyndam pryce #groosalugg #darla btvs #jasmine ats #illyria

[norwigianbluefairy]

Illyria's Eye-color.

Moon Goddess & Protector of Dreams.

Illyria belongs to the Night Court.

She is a resident of Hewn City, allowed access to the Library in Velaris at the request of Keir in exchange for his own right to visit the city.

This of course get's Rhysand's attention and the High Lord watches her closely through his son, Nyx, and his sister-in-law, Nesta.

The heir of Night realizes rather quickly who the female is to him, but due to the conflict between the two courts and Illyria's dark past, he tries to keeps it a secret from everyone.

Then Elain sees the girl in a vision, and despite Nyx's best efforts to hide his growing affection towards the silver haired girl, it becomes very evident to everyone what she is to him when Rhysand invites Illyria to celebrate Starfall.

"The Silver Snake will protect the moon and all the people sleeping beneath her silvery rays. She will emerge under the rain of dancing stars and the dead shall rise with her."

(I don't want to give away anything so this is all I'm going to add.)

~~~

Abilities

Illyria is known as what they call a Moondancer.

It means she possesses several unique abilities such as;

Dreamwalking - The ability to enter other's dreams, as well as create them. This also gives them the ability to create nightmares. They could create entire realms and trap people there, harm them and even kill. They are also said to hear the wishes and dreams of others through music; they create dreams by singing while woving or sewing.

Soulwhisper - The ability to see, hear and touch the dead. Also able to summon them in battle or absorb them for power or healing, which they could use on themselves or other people.

Soultwisting - The ability to cause soul-deep-pain by a simple touch of skin.

~~~

Personality

Illyria is known to have a peaceful, kind and gentle nature. She's very shy when faced with any kind of social situation, which is due to her extreme isolation through her entire life, and prefers to remind in the background rather than receive any kid of attention.

She loves to read, sew, weave and craft jewelry. She also finds great joy in giving gifts to others and bring them a sense of security she herself always lacked.

Despite all this, she also has a feisty, independent streak which shines through when she's doing something she likes or protecting someone she feels nees her protection.

This becomes very apparent to the Inner Circle when Illyria rushes without second through or any training to save a handful of people trapped away from the camp at Windhaven by a sudden snowstorm created by shadow beasts looking for prey.

She also really seems to enjoy the company of others despite her extremely shy nature and also seem to have some kind of charm that draws in the people around her.

I have been struggling for a while to choose which eye color that would fit Illyria the best, as it has to go with her personality and I kinda wish for it to match her abilities or her mate.

I don't know. This is why I need help. 😅😂

#acotar #acowar #acofas #acomaf #acosaf #high fae #acotar fanfiction #night court #fanfiction

[skrevel]

I have some thoughts about Rhysand I really need to get out so they stop bouncing around in my head. Also before I start this let me say that this is going to sound really critical but I don't hate him, it's because I want him to become the best version of himself. That's where this frustration is coming from and what I hope will be explored in the coming books.

Is he the most powerful high lord or not? Is he a good person or not? Because he says he cares for and protects his people but anyone born in Illyria or in the Court of Nightmares is basically on their own in these horrible environments. He says it's not that simple because of tradition and because people live so long that change is slow. Except when it comes to making Feyre high lady. 0 problems bucking tradition there. Yes that's one example but people are getting butchered and he says he's their protector. The Illyrian bastards and females aren't being protected (trust me I will get to the court of nightmares). Why not draw a very very harsh line when it comes to these abuses? If there was ever a cause worthy of extremely strick punishment the abuse of children alone should be enough. I do think in a future book the Illyrians will be addressed (at least I hope so) because I'm having a hard time imagining Feyre willing sending her son through the blood rite, next high lord or not.

The Court of Nightmares in particular I just can't find a good reason why it's still in existence. Especially after all the trauma that went down under the mountain. He's supposed to be the most powerful high lord so why does he need this cruelty curtain still? I know it has to take a toll on both him and Feyre. I understand there was a level of deception that went into getting Amarantha away from Velaris. But I would be so so so ashamed after all of it was done and I still let something like that exist in its current form. Why continue going there? Why continue this horrible facade that just causes horrible things to continue to exist? They all love Mor yet she still has to go and interact with her horrible family who abused her so badly? I have no doubt if she said she didn't want to go back there they wouldn't make her but why is that even an option?

All the people in The Night Court deserves to be protected and have opportunities to live in peace and safety like those in Velaris. Yet he doesn't lift a finger to protect them. Again I don't hate him, I want him to be better. We've seen him be a good and caring and protective high lord in the past. I need him to do that for all of his people.

#rhysand #rhys acotar #feyre archeron #feyre cursebreaker #acotar #acomaf #acosf #acowar

[thedeadthree]

back in your inbox again sorry lovely but 🖊🖊🖊 + illyria PEAS i rlly love her name 👁

HII AJ DEAR you are always more than welcome to pop into my inbox <3 WAHH ty ty her story, name and concept and design and everything of her means the world to mee!!!! ty ty for the ask!

SEND ME A 🖊 + I'LL GUSH ABOUT MY OCS

🖊 - oh the daughter of destiny my dear girl. her blood can be traced back to the time of the great empire of the dawn, as she is the descendant of the bloodstone emperor. the one who in belief was the bringer of the long night. so not absolutely not unas mother (and iovannas mother had foretold of her as well hehe <3) had seen of the birth of the child of prophecy, the eye of blood and the dragon of death, alluding to of course her heterochromia with one eye being a scarlet red matching her dragon ahzidal’s. And ahzidal having a dragons breath that was not of fire.... but a death miasma hence one of his names being the soulsiphon? her birth marked the summoning of the long winter, the death of the dragons.. and her and her descendants bearing the eye of blood will bring either salvation or ruin when the long night arrives.

🖊 - her mother iseul was the descendant of a scarlet emperor of the golden empire, who in the time of the valyrian freehold married a woman of an unknown house (that gives me IDEAS hehe <3 more ocs <3) and this is likely where illy had the natural inclination to be a dragonrider. her mom thwarted court life as long as possible taking to the seas under an assumed identity, which is where she would meet valarr. in seeing a prophecy, the same una and iovannas mothers foresaw, but with a sense it would be him to be the harbringer the father of this daughter of destiny. he uh..... annulled his marriage and left his wife and three children with a fourth on the way to fulfill the prophetic vision. for power or for reverence of prophecy or both who can say. after illy was born on lys, iseul sailed on her ship to vilemyr to the tower of myrwatch. the isle and seat of house ilmestys to hold a wedding for them (they had a wedding in lys but wished for one in westeros as well). UNFOORTUNATELY and much so, assassins attack the ship and she is fatally wounded. the ship is stranded outside of asshai by the shadow, and with her last breath she leaves the girl by the shore. illyria is found by nurellia and keeps a watchful eye on the girl until her mothers sworn protector, irus of norvos, finds the girl as this was her mothers dying wish. illy from there to age four would reside by the shadow. and strangely enough, not a soul bothered the girl! she would be found by irus at the side of her dragon ahzidal who would keep a watchful eye when the girl ventured into the corpse city. and that is how illy's origins began!

🖊 - following her harrowing-ish childhood, she was brought to vilemyr where she would be raised by irus and his wife (and valarr's older sister) vergelle. valarr was not to be revealed as the illy's dad for reasons reserved to be known by valarr alone ig nsakjns. and she was also brought to kings landing when vergelle was requested to teach the princess helaena how to understand dragon dreams (as she and her niece urgelle are both dragon dreamers!). she was childhood friends with aemond! illyria would leave westeros again at age six on the back of ahzidal. it is presumed that she sought out the three eyed raven if there was a three eyed raven that did exist in this time. when she returned to westeros in 129 ac she expected aemond to not remember her at all, and was surprised to learn he never did and in fact asked irus of her all the time when he and vergelle visited. they have been inseparable since. blah blah red string of fate blah blah twin flames and setting the world on fire for each other etc etc <3

#i could talk yalls ear off (as seen here WHEEEZE) about my baby girl and her history jhsn ajhsjk I ADOREE HER SO MUCH <3 #oc: illyria ilmestys #🌸: aj #jendoe #leg.asks #leg.ocs #leg.txt #THANK YOUUU DEARIE YOU <3 wahhhh this was the cutest to do! im for sure addicted to answering these its the funnest jksanaks #the ilmestys are known for not only being of high nobility in valyria and being dragon dreamers and sorcerers (namely shadowbinders hehe) #so the queen requested the lady vergelle (as urgie was like...... 3 askjnxjkasnk) to help her daughter understand dragon dreams #valarr's babies before illyria are as follows <3 : caerys / caesonia / urlyx (they/them) / and urgelle #those are her half siblings <3 thought she doesn't find that out until late sajnjnsj THANKS VALARR #urlyx is also the archon of whispers in the court of maekar hehe <3 they're the best and i love them <3 #the white streak in her hair is likely bc of her dad and one of her ancestors having valyrian ancestry and is merely a coincidence -> #and has little to do with her magic eye sjansj BUUUT it is a very inch resting coincidence that the strand is on the magic eye side <3 #ahzidal the archon my beloved askjynknak she was raised by nurellia for a bit and babysat by a dragon jahsnjs #shes so c*iri coded im yelling! i didn't realize that until i was writing the ilmestys timeline and then it HIT me sjnajnjs #though nurellia who is una's mother had raised her for a time (ish it was more like watching for her making sure she had a place to rest) #una and illy dont meet one another until the trial in the great hall at kings landing <3 and weren't much close following i think? #she was VEERY protective of the h*ightower babies and knew una wasn't just there to be a spymaster (her connection to iovanna double agent) #(though una goes ghost from the blacks after aeggy is hurt at the battle of rooks rest <3) #the grammar here is YIKES but aozjjzjx <3 baby girl ! #parent death tw #just in case <3

[ae-neon]

If Cass kill the male in the village where his mother is murdered, he should have kill the female too to end their misery.

Because Illyrian social system revilved around the Male. Male is their provider and we dont see women in illyria having career. So who will put bread in the leftover female and kid? Who will ensure their safety. Like it or not, not matter how bad illyria treat women, they protect their own family. Cause it is a humiliation for the Male to not protect their own female (from rape, taken as sex slave like Cassia mother happen to be, wild animal, extreme weather, cold but its fine to them to clipped the female wing).

Now the women lose it all. Their home, their breadwinner, their protector from further violent and damage.

Really, Cassian? With the poverty in Illyria, can other camp take this female in? The camp themselves is struggling to live and now they have more to feed. Imagine the newborn and children watching their home blew up, their daddy killed because a grown ass male cant conduct a proper investigation on his mother (even though he is part of the government and have DAEMATI High Lord) and now this male cant regulate his own emotion

Hello anon

TW for serious topics surrounding war, death and slavery

You're so right. In similar real world circumstances many women are known to kill their children and then kill themselves rather than face what usually comes next. Often it's rape, slavery and death especially for their sons.

SJM is kind of insane for structuring most of Illyria in stationary camps? That's just not how societies work. Long term settlements are permanent and built to last. I think Illyrians are supposed to be somewhere between Spartans and Mongolian but SJM puts no effort into any of her worldbuilding so who knows.

In any case, Spartans had permanent structures. They lived in a city state with a stable and established government which regularly intervened on every aspect of their lives from birth to education and marriage. Every young man had to serve in the army and train from childhood and slavery sustained most of their economy.

Mongols were nomadic, they moved around and didn't tend towards fixed towns or cities. they lived in clans, most everyday things were handled by the community. Their government was largely decentralised despite having a Khan. Child soldiers were illegal and raiding and herding sustained most of their economy.

These two cultures cannot be ambiguously blurred just because they are both warrior cultures. And the one thing they did have in common sjm denies the Illyrians: women were important; they were legally and culturally respected.

Sjm's Illyria cannot exist. It has nothing. It means nothing. It is just savagery for the sake of trauma porn and fetishisation of poc men.

#anon asks #anti sjm #acotar worldbuilding #racism in fantasy #sexism in fantasy

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter - Sunday, December 5

Giles: Yes, well, I, uh, I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, I, in fact I... well, I encourage you to, to always, uh, challenge me, uh, when you feel it's appropriate. You should never be cowed by authority. Except, of course, in this instance, when I am clearly right and you are clearly wrong.

~~I Only Have Eyes for You~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Rumor Has It (James Bond crossover, Buffy/James Bond, NR)  by pprfaith

Childhood's End (Teen Wolf crossover, Buffy/Derek Hale, NR)  by pprfaith

We'll Meet Along the Way (Buffy/Spike, NR)  by Hannah

Fragments of Faith (Faith/Buffy, M)  by scaetterling

King of the World (Buffy/Spike, T)  by apachefirecat

Daddy's Little Vampire (Buffy/Spike, R)  by SzmattyCat

We'll Meet Along the Way (Buffy/Spike, G)  by Cosmic Tuesdays

[Chaptered Fiction]

You're My What? Complete (Stargate SG-1 crossover, Faith/Buffy, T)  by MercurialMagpie

i'm a wreck (when i'm without you) Chapter 3 (Faith/Buffy, T)  by little_brown_songbird

Buffy's Father Chapter 40 (Stargate SG-1 crossover, Joyce/Daniel Jackson, T)  by Vidicon666

Letters Chapter 12 (Faith & Tara, T)  by BuffyBot3000

Death Is Buffy's Next Big Adventure Chapter 68 (HP crossover, Buffy/Tom Riddle, T)  by Sharie1

Flash Back Chapter 14 (Hellsing crossover, Cordelia/Xander, M)  by Razial

Chain of Ascension Chapter 4 (Buffy/Xander, E)  by GraeFoxx

but i never thought i'd live to see it break Chapter 5 (Jenny/Giles, T)  by titleoftheperaltiagosextape

Rest Stop Chapter 5 (Faith/Buffy, E)  by SheaMcK

The Slayer's Protector Chapter 22 (Buffy/Angel, M)  by OtherCharacterNut

Purpose Is But The Slave To Memory Complete (Buffy/Spike, NC17)  by Touchstoneaf

You Can't Fight Fate - But You Can Piss Him Off Chapter 15 (Batman crossover, Faith, FR13)  by Hermionetobe

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: BTVS “Every Outfit” “Teachers Pet” part 2 Xx  by whatshisfaceblogs

Artwork: The Kiss, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, May 21 2002  by snakeliciousbaby

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 Review  by riley lynn

[Reviews & Recaps]

Rewatch: Buffy season 3  by charlottenewtons

I've never seen Buffy until I watched episode 7 of season 5 ten times in 17 hours  by Dr Jess Eggy

I've now seen the first 4 Seasons and 7 Episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Episode 7 Season 5 Twelve Times  by Dr Jess Eggy

[Fandom Discussions]

Season 7 Rewatch - Discussion on The Killer in Me  by debbicles and Stoney

Independence/strength, are they overly tied to being single?  by flow, vampmogs and Stoney

Reactions to the past and responses to trauma  by Stoney

This scene… this episode… the sadism of Angelus has no limits  by Richar_16

Normal Again is one of the most underrated episodes  by geetwo_g2

Ben/Glory  by northeastbalancer

Dawn - A surprise?  by Minoman92

In honor of Amy Acker's birthday, what are some of your favorite Fred/Illyria moments  by moviephil4315

The world  by northeastbalancer

Drusilla & Angel  by NikkolasKing

History question  by Reviewingremy

This being a primarily Angel fan site are there any members that root for Spike in Destiny?  by TigerJean

Between Giles and Wesley, who would you want as a mentor if you became a demon hunter?  by edd6pi

My ultimate btvs hot take  by comradesummers

I do think that the only reason spike had to assault buffy as the catalyst for his redemption is...  by froggierboy

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

Read Julie Plec's Buffy the Vampire Slayer spec script  at lets-steal-an-archive

Meet Old Woman Buffy in This Preview of Buffy The Last Vampire Slayer  at Bleeding Cool

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter Join the editor team

#buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #ats

[gear-project]

So you have done a summary of the canon character endings for XX and how those endings lead into accent core plus. I was wondering if you can do the same for the accent core plus endings and how they lead into the future games if you haven't already done so.

Kliff Undersn_____: His story in AC+R is a flashback to just prior to the final confrontation with Justice, but he would later encounter his son Testament a few years later in 2180 before his death.

Axl Low _____ : His time-slipping caused him to run in to Slayer and Panonika in New Delhi at one point, and this event eventually gave Axl a "hint" about his powers being somehow linked to his subconsciousness.  But not long after he would end up being "trapped" in the year 2192 post-apocalyptic Babylon and would run in to Bedman only to be rescued by I-No.

Jam Kuradoberi _____ : While at first she went back in to the Bounty Hunting business alongside Bridget, she found it was much more lucrative to run her own Foodcart, though she did get to rebuild a smaller version of her restaurant, it got destroyed YET AGAIN (the cause was never explained).  In frustration, she took a break for a while, only to run in to Jack-O' by sheer coincidence.

Zappa _____ : Zappa was unable to find a medical solution to his supernatural problems, but his run-in with Crow Kuruwaba gave him an opportunity to apply for working with the Government and begin his investigations in to supernatural activity.  As a result, he created something he would later call the "Zappa Scale" and has been using it to "avoid" Information Flare events ever since.

Chipp Zanuff _____ : After settling things up with Slayer, he promised to finish the training that his Master Tsuyoshi had passed on to him, but at some point around 2183 he ran in to the girl Erica Bartholomew who coincidently was the "elected" President of the United States.  She was being attacked by Assassins, but Chipp intervened.  After that whole problem was resolved, Chipp decided to travel to South Africa, where he ran in to Answer who picked a fight with him.

Answer lost that fight, but as a result gained a friend in Chipp and the two would go on to build their own country: Eastern Chipp Kingdom.

Dizzy _____ : After having a serious conversation about her future with Testament, Dizzy decided to finally move in with Ky now that he had secured a job as Police Commissioner of the International Police... of course, not long after this, things happened, and Ky ended up becoming the High King of Illyria due to the Conclave's involvement.  Dizzy, meanwhile, had to go in to hiding, despite her relationship with Ky (along with her son, Sin).

Anji Mito _____ : He was responsible for sealing I-No away as a favor to "That Man", but because of Baiken's feelings on the subject, he decided working with That Man wasn't such a good idea.  Instead, he decided to head back to the Japanese Colony and oversee things there while keeping an eye on Baiken in the process, as her "bodyguard".

He wouldn't been seen for a while after this, but he was in contact with Baiken when she was involved with the later Colony incidents.

Slayer _____ : Taking Anji's advice, he decided NOT to retire just yet, but he did decide to take a break from being active.  He settled in Illyria in secret, and had several men working under him act as his eyes and ears so he could observe the Conclave and Pope from a distance.  Later, Bedman killed one of his subordinates, and it was also around that time he decided to look in to Zato's resurrection.

He was also responsible for passing on that information to Faust, despite their connection being tenuous, he felt Faust deserved closure.

A.B.A. _____ : She was last seen 'temporarily' working for the P.W.A.B., but has since gone missing.  Where she and Flament Nagel went is still unknown.  Most likely though, she is still trying to find a way to give him a humanoid body, despite his desire to remain a weapon.  She is also looking for her creator, the real Paracelsus.

Johnny _____ : After things calmed down with Dizzy, May, and Testament, Johnny continued to further his underworld connections and expand the Jellyfish as an organization.  He would later have to put his plans on hold for May's sake, since she began developing a periodic headache (symptoms of Ki Overflow syndrome).

Millia Rage _____ : After witnessing Eddie's "death" she was forced to run away from the P.W.A.B. Robo-Ky units, but she continued to pursue the ones who stole Zato's corpse (as a favor to Venom) and tracked down their whereabouts to nearby Harden Fortress (VastEdge events).  Due to the situation, she was forced to arm herself with guns and deal with heavily armed bounty hunters, but she was able to relay her findings to Venom and confirm what the Conclave had done with Zato's body.

She would later have to play a ruse and meet up with Venom under false pretenses, but this was all overshadowed by Zato=ONE's revival from death.

Robo-Ky _____ : Funding and support for mass production ceased, and so the only Robo-Ky to remain ended up running away from his makers and settling in a small town within Illyria's borders.  He ended up doing small jobs for self-maintenance, and while he wasn't well-respected, he was at least content with living among humans.

May _____ : She learned a bit more about her past connection with the Japanese people from Ky, but was still unconvinced.  She was upset with Johnny for avoiding the issues around them (he was actually trying to resolve a lot more than she knew).  But after the incident with Dizzy was cleared up, things finally settled down for a time... though May would later develop symtoms from an as-yet not known disease connected with her past.

Eddie/Zato=ONE _____ : His corpse was taken by the P.W.A.B. and used as part of the Conclave's experiments involving Revival magic developed from Dr. Faust's research.  The end result was that Zato's body had been dead and in preservation for nearly 6 years, but once he was revived, his soul became a blank slate, save for the last memories he had of Millia.

Testament _____ : Despite his objections, Dizzy left the forest for good, and so Testament was left to his own devices.  While he hated humans, he understood Dizzy's determination to change his point of view by setting out on her own.  His encounter with the "then dying" Eddie reminded him of the distant past, and his connection to his father Kliff.  Despite everything, he decided to stay in contact with Johnny as a precaution for future events, while keeping an eye on the P.W.A.B.'s movements from a distance.

Baiken _____ : Baiken decided to let Anji be her "protector", even if it didn't mean much to her exactly... but Anji's ominous warning that "That Man" was "too strong for her to deal with", left a bad taste in her mouth.  For the time being, she would lay low among the colonies and out of sight from the police, investigating any possible place the Gearmaker might have been... though she wouldn't have much luck until a certain incident started in Miyabi, the largest Japanese colony.

After that incident, she would encounter the enigmatic Ninja, Answer.

Venom _____ : Having settled his affairs with Millia Rage, he decided to act like a proper Leader of the Assassins.  So proper in fact, his subordinates gained a lot of respect for him, and his brutal methods continued on for nearly 6 years.  After having picked a fight with the current P.W.A.B., he felt he needed more political influence... his next goal would be to take over the United States Government!

(Venom's activities would later be thwarted by Chipp and Gabriel in the Butterfly and Her Gale novel!)

After having lost his chance to control an entire nation, Venom was stuck with doing small-time work under the P.W.A.B. for a time... that is, until Millia supplied him with some unsettling news: Zato was alive!

Bridget _____ : While he did work under Jam's restaurant for a time... his uncle came by to tell him some unsettling news... his twin Brother had left the family home and had gone missing.  Bridget set out to go after his brother, but has been missing ever since.

Faust _____ : Faust wasn't able to get as much information out of the P.W.A.B. as he had hoped, and so he ended up going back in to hiding for a time... though, a certain "incident" in May of 2184 had him run in to a then-pregnant Dizzy who was now IN LABOR!  It was short notice, but Faust was able to help deliver the baby safely!  (Faust wouldn't know it, but that child would later be known as Sin Kiske!)

Faust also went on to save the life of Erica Bartholomew when she was attacked by assassins and wounded by one of them.

Sometime later, he was contacted by Johnny concerning May's sickness, and also given some new information regarding the whereabouts of Zato=ONE, said to be a key witness to events in his past!

Potemkin _____ : After the P.W.A.B.'s underground activities were silenced, Potemkin returned back home to Zepp.  Sometime later, the Assassins tried to incite a war between America and Zepp, and it was Potemkin's job (as per usual) to protect the President at all costs... though he did end up getting in to a fight with Chipp Zanuff under a misunderstanding.

Rather, Chipp had gotten stronger than their last encounter, and so Gabriel decided to challenge Chipp directly, only to defeat the ninja on his own...  Potemkin was not surprised at all by these results, but was still concerned for his nation's wellfare.

After Erica resolved the incident and the Assassins were dealt with, Chipp left to resume his training.

And while Zepp was still monitoring things around the world, it would be a while yet before they got directly involved with another incident.

As time passed however, Potemkin recieved unsettling reports of two strange entities: Ramlethal Valentine, and a mysterious being known as Bedman.

I-No _____ : Her story was put to an end as "That Man" utilized Anji Mito's talents to seal up I-No for the time being... and while I-No was upset concerning this, she had no time to ponder it.  That is, until she was unsealed once more by "That Man" sometime later, and given a NEW mission.

This mission would be to secretly Assassinate the Valentine known as Ramlethal, and also investigate any potential changes in the timeline.

She would not be very successful for a while (even having to fight Sol once again)... that is, until a certain Axl Low fell in to her "net".

Justice _____ : While her final memories took place in AC+R (just prior to her death in 2180), half of her memories were transferred in to a new body... this body was given a new name: Jack-O'Valentine.

Jack-O' was forced to lay low and keep hidden for nearly 8 years after the death of Justice... and it would be some time yet before Jack-O' would accept her 'past self'.

Ky Kiske _____ : Ky settled up his rivalry with Sol, but later decided having Dizzy under his protection was the best for both their goals.  And while he wasn’t given much leeway, his reputation would later put him under the eye of the Conclave.

Sol Badguy _____ : After things calmed down with Dizzy, and I-No was no longer an issue (due to Anji’s meddling), Sol settled up with Ky, drawing an end to a chapter in their rivalry (fall of 2181).

After this, Sol continued his work as a bounty hunter for a while... though, around the end of the year 2184 (just four years since they last spoke), Dizzy contacted Sol with some vague information regarding Ky being depressed and in a bind.

Not sure what was going on, Sol travelled back to Europe where Ky and Dizzy were staying, only to discover that Dizzy now had a son!

But more shocking than that, was Ky’s disheveled state.... he was much slimmer than he’d ever been, and a shell of his former self.

Sol couldn’t bear to see Ky depressed such as he was... and the only solution he could think of, was to knock some sense back in to Ky with his fists!

After some fighting, and knocking Ky down repeatedly, Ky revealed his problems to Sol... he asked Sol to adopt the boy Sin, and keep him under his care!

Sol wasn’t exactly prepared for this... but knowing what kind of person Ky was, and the burdens he was under, finally made sense...

It was then, that Sol decided to take Sin in as an ersatz, “son”, and raise him better than Ky ever could as a father.

Or, at least that was the plan... Sin grew up much faster than Sol expected, and his personality was very different from Ky’s as well... not to mention the “Gear” powers growing inside him...

Still, they would continue as Bounty Hunters for the time being... until they were attacked by Valentine’s Servants: The Vizuel, only to be rescued by a certain Fox named Izuna!

TO BE CONTINUED IN GUILTY GEAR 2: OVERTURE!

#GG Expanded Timeline #GGXXAC #Accent Core

[illyrianwingspans]

Do Not Go Gentle: Hopeless

Link to song: Hopeless by Halsey

Synopsis: Some fresh air and a little bad news for Feyre and Rhys. 

TW: Mentions of dark thoughts and abuse. Please read with caution. 

Ao3 Link

Chapter 19: Hopeless

“Okay, so this button here is my calendar. It’s all colour coded by level of importance so I ignore the stuff that doesn’t matter and prioritize the things that need my absolute focus.”

Rhys had been teaching me little things here and there about the tasks I’d need to do while working for him, despite the fact that I hadn’t agreed to anything yet. He was meticulous about everything, organized his life to the very minute.

“So what’s this box here in green?”

“That’s Cassian’s appointment with me today. He says it’s to look over possible changes security codes in the building, but I know it’s just to whine to me about his salary being lower than Amren’s.”

“Okay, and this one in red over here?” It read: Extremely important lunch with extremely important person.

“That’s our lunch date tomorrow, darling. Can’t quite miss that, can I?”

I slapped Rhys on the arm and he chuckled before setting his laptop down and heading for the kitchen. He came back with two mugs of coffee, and I thanked him quietly before he sat down next to me.

“I wasn’t told of this lunch date. What’s the extremely important matter we’re discussing?”

Rhys smirked. “Well, we have a few items to go over for your contract, and I need your signature for official documents and the such. Are you ready to sign on at Night Industries?”

I took a sip of my coffee, glancing up at him over the rim. “I guess you’ll find out tomorrow.”

“Tease,” he said before rifling around some more on his laptop. “Have you got a CV prepared?”

“I’d love to give you that, but it’s pretty blank. And my references wouldn’t quite answer if you called.” Andras, for obvious reasons, and the CEO of Spring Corp, for other obvious reasons.

Rhys shook his head. “Sorry, that was a stupid question. Nonetheless, I am looking very forward to it.”

I sighed and lounged across the couch, the very same one that Cassian sat upon last night before flipping the table during our absolutely failed attempt at playing a peaceful game of Monopoly. “Don’t you have better things to do?”

“Don’t you have better things to do than asking me that question over and over again?” Rhys replied as his fingers tapped away at his keyboard.

“Well, there are a few movies on Netflix that seem to be calling my name, but I’m sick of television.”

Rhys jammed his finger on the enter button, and the sound of an email sending filled the room before he closed the top of his laptop. “Let’s go for a walk, then.”

I raised my eyebrows. “A walk?”

“Fresh air. It’ll do us both some good.”

I looked down at the clothes I was wearing, old sweatpants and a hoodie. Rhys only rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen you in worse, darling. Come on. Let’s go.”

***

The park in Velaris was still gleaming with rain from yesterday’s showers. Gravel crunched beneath the sneakers I wore, still muddy and damp. Rhys didn’t seem to mind as his gaze wandered to the river flowing beside us. In the park, others had gathered despite the overcast clouds threatening to unleash their wrath upon us at any moment. We’d driven over and parked the car a few miles back, and walked in silence amongst the sounds of city life surrounding us.

“Do you come here often?” I asked quietly. We’d settled on a bench looking out upon the water before us. Dog-walkers and joggers passed by, just another blip in their daily routine, seemingly so mundane in such an overturned world. Well, overturned for me, completely and perfectly normal for everyone else, though I knew it wasn’t fair to make that assumption.

Pain wasn’t exclusive to one person. Suffering was a whore, and fucked over anybody in its wake.

Rhys said, “I used to.”

“Before?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened?”

He blew out a breath and shrugged. “Lots of shit happened. I can’t even keep track of it all anymore.”

To keep our minds on something lighter, something better, I asked him, “I know you say your employees are your family, but what about the rest of it? Parents? Siblings?”

He chuckled at the first bit and ran a hand through his hair as the wind picked up and whipped at our clothes. “My friends,” he corrected, “are family first, employees second.” He paused for a moment, then continued, “My parents and I had a house on the outskirts of the city, but my mom wanted us to live in Illyria. Her and I moved there after she got pregnant with my little sister, to my dad’s utmost frustration. He finally came to join us when my sister was born, and we lived there all together for a little while until he had to go back. My mom refused to join him.”

“They didn’t get along, I’m guessing?”

He shook his head. “It wasn’t the best of pairings, to say the least, but they understood each other. And underneath all of it, they loved each other.”

It made me think of my own parents. How everything had gone to shit so quickly after my mother got sick, how my dad fell apart in the aftermath. I didn’t remember her, my mother—but I remembered the fallout after her, of which I still sheltered myself from all these years later.

“Where are they now?”

He exhaled sharply through his nose. “About fifteen blocks away from my house.”

“They live so close by and you’ve never mentioned them?”

“I visit them every week. At the cemetery.”

Oh. Oh, gods. I was a horrible person. “I’m so sorry, Rhys.”

He shrugged. “House fire.” A few seconds later, he added, “A freak accident.”

We were quiet for a few moments longer, and I said, “My mother died, too. Cancer.”

“I’m sorry.” Talking about death hurt the most, because what else were we supposed to say to each other? How do any words even attempt to fix the burning voids within us stemmed from their absences? What truly stung, though, was that my mother never even held a true space within me—I did not know her, I only knew the aftermath of her disappearance.

Rhys stood from the bench and wandered over to the river’s edge. He leaned over the ledge of the metal railing, staring down at the thrumming waters, below, and sighed. I took up spot next to him, our biceps pressed together, and the warmth of his touch grounded me despite the cold around us.

I stared at him as he stared out across what seemed like a vast, endless being soaring in front of us. And the lingering pain on his face, clouded with memories unknown to me, was enough for me to say, “You know, this goes both ways. I can talk to you, and you can talk to me. Whenever you need.”

Rhys dragged his gaze away from the Sidra and wondered, “A thought for a thought?”

“What do you mean?”

“I say something on my mind, then you say something. Like a trade.”

My nails dug into the skin around my thumb, a nervous habit I’d never seemed to drop, and winced at the tearing skin. “Okay.”

“I’m thinking that sometimes I want to wipe this whole city off the map so I can start over, and buy us a little more time. I’m thinking that I was an idiot to ever let Hybern sink its teeth into my company and fool us all. I’m thinking that for the rest of my life I’ll be trapped under their thumb, that I’ll be trapped under that bitch and all the havoc she caused my people and I.”

I could only focus on that slip of information. Trapped under who? What woman could’ve caused the agony shining on Rhys’s face, so blindingly painful that he winced at her very memory?

At the question on my face, Rhys only added, “There’s a bit more to the story about my history with Hybern.” Looking upon the peaceful scenery before us, it seemed like a shame to poison it with our misery-soaked words. “It’s for another time and place.”

Maybe it was because of the jagged pieces of truth that he offered me, but it filled with a sort of courage and recklessness that had me quietly murmuring, “I’m thinking that I must have been a fool in love to allow myself to be shown so little of Spring Corporations. I’m thinking there’s a great deal of information and secrets and shady bullshit I wasn’t allowed to see or hear about and maybe I would’ve lived in ignorance for the rest of my life like some fucking pet.

“I’m thinking,” the words choked up in my chest as Rhys’s gaze softened, full of concern and empathy, “that I was a lonely, helpless person, and I fell in love with the first person that showed me a shred of kindness. Of safety. I think he knew that—maybe not entirely, or actively, but he wanted to be that person for someone. A protector, a guardian. And that may have worked for the person I was before. But maybe not for the person I became. Not after…” I couldn’t breathe those words yet. Not after I shot those two people, not after life had gloriously and marvellously fucked me over completely. And though the words were selfish and hateful despite everything he’d done for me, they were a beam of truth I’d kept far, far down in my withered soul, tucked away even from myself.

I’d been gone merely two weeks, and I was already shitting all over his name. I was no better than him, no better than the angered man who’d done everything to keep me subdued.

“That was five. I owe you two thoughts.”

“Keep them. For another time.”

We both looked at each other for a moment, wind off the briny waters ruffling our hair. Rhys murmured, “Suriel used to do this thing at our appointments. Rate my mood on a scale.”

I nodded my head. “I did that, too.”

“I feel like a solid seven, today,” Rhys said. “You?”

I debated it for a few brief seconds, then admitted, “Four.” Better than yesterday, but still not enough.

“Okay.” He tucked my hair behind my ear, and it felt so natural I didn’t even blink at the gesture. “How about I cook some Mac and cheese for dinner tonight. Would that bring you up to a five?”

I only grinned, the slightest curve upwards of my lips, and said, “Four point three.”

***

We sat before the TV, bowls of macaroni and cheese in hand, watching the news. Nothing really exciting—preparations for the upcoming city summit, a shooting in the east end of town, a puppy parade for the local shelter. Rhys told me about the dog he had when he was younger, a loyal German Shepard he adored—but ultimately had to give away after it literally chewed through a wall. It took all of Rhys’s strength and will to keep his father from shooting it.

When we were done, Rhys and I brought our bowls to the kitchen, and I filled the sink up with soapy water to wash the dishes. He did so much for me, carved too much time out of his day for my sake, that it was the least I could do. Despite my protests, he still stood beside me to wipe them dry, our elbows grazing whenever I passed him another rinsed plate. The townhouse was quiet, peaceful with only the soft hum of the TV behind us, that I wasn’t even surprised when it blared Breaking News and ruined the moment.

Rhys shut off the sink and I wiped my hands on a nearby dishtowel before we quickly meandered back to the couch before in the family room. The news reporter was saying words, words that didn’t even make sense—

Then he was there, right there on the screen, as though he fucking knew I was watching him.

Everything else around me disappeared as the CEO of Spring Corporations said, “Thank you for joining me today. Unfortunately, the information I have to share isn’t good, and it breaks my heart to announce that my fiancee Feyre Archeron has gone missing.”

Distantly, I knew that Rhys already had his phone out, probably dialling someone from the Inner Circle to find out what the fuck was going on. I couldn’t listen, couldn’t even think about it as he was standing there at the podium of Prythian Police Station. Cameras flickered and flashed as he paused, then said, “Her location is currently unknown, and she was last seen at Spring Corporations, a safe location she was told to stay until after the scene of our apartment had been cleared, the day of the second attempt on her life. The security footage we gathered shows her being carried out by Cassian Noctis, a current employee at Night Industries.”

“Shit,” Rhys was muttering beside me, “shit, shit, shit—”

“He is currently in custody. His apartment was searched, but Feyre still remains missing. If anyone has any information upon her whereabouts, I beg you to please call the info line on your screen.”

I didn’t think I was breathing. How had they gotten Cassian? When? How come we weren’t called the second it happened?

“Feyre, if you’re seeing this by some miracle,” his voice was thick with tears, and I nearly vomited all over the hardwood floors as his eyes practically bored into mine. “I love you. I swear to all the Gods I will do everything I can to get you back.”

My fingers, with a mind of their own, reached over to the remote and turned the screen off.

“We need to go. Right now.”

Rhys was saying something else, so many things, but I was spinning.

It’s like I could still feel him. I could still feel each and every claw of his control, of his anger—they pinned me to where I sat.

Even from afar, Tamlin held my head under the water. I was drowning. I was screaming for air, but he shoved me into the deep end and let the waves crash over me.

“Feyre, we need to leave.” I didn’t realize he was kneeling before me, his eyes filled with desperation. I didn’t feel Rhys’s arms around me as he lead me to the townhouse entrance. As he fed my arms through the jacket and slipped a scarf around my neck, sunglasses in my pocket. We got into his SUV and he careened it down the street and into the city.

But I was drowning. Consumed by the water. Consumed by the flames in my mind, the towering inferno trapping me. The flames or the fall? Those words played in my mind over and over again as streets passed by in my peripheral vision.

“I’ll go back.” The words escaped my lips before I could stop them, emotion creeping up my chest and searing my throat as my vision blurred. “I’ll go back, Rhys. It’s okay.”

“Don’t take his bait. Let us figure this shit out before making any decisions.”

“He’s never gonna stop,” I breathed. “I can’t keep letting him destroy you guys. I won’t.”

“It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than this to destroy us, Feyre.” He tore into the parking lot and jammed on the breaks when he slid into a space. “Put your glasses on, cover your face with your scarf, and hood up.”

I did as he said automatically, and he came around to my side of the car, equally concealed as me, before we sped to the front doors of the PPS. There were press and cameras everywhere, but I kept my head down, trying to follow Rhys’s tugs on my arm forward and into the station. The yells and raucous was sealed off as soon as the doors shut behind us.

Mor was instantly there, despite the cops’ protests, and Rhys snarled, “Why the hell wasn’t I called?”

“You were called as soon as we knew, Rhys, which was about ten fucking minutes ago. They’ve had him all afternoon without telling us. We thought he left early.”

“Where’s Azriel?”

“On his way. Cassian hasn’t said anything. Amren’s finally in there with him, but we’re not saying a fucking thing.”

“We didn’t do anything wrong, Mor. They’ve got nothing on us.”

“They do until we say otherwise. If we want to clear ourselves, we need to tell them everything.”

Everything. I knew what everything meant. Everything was every bruise, every scar and every cut on my body at his mercy. Everything meant all of me, surrendering my shrivelled soul.

After all they’d done for me, I couldn’t think of anything else to help them. Show them what he did to me, or waltz right back into my prison in chains for the rest of my life.

Mor and Rhys were arguing, and didn’t realize when I stepped up to the counter, peeling off my hood, my glasses, and said, “My name is Feyre Archeron and I’d like to speak with whoever’s in charge of this case. Alone.”

#dngg #acotar #acomaf #acowar #a court of thorns and roses #sjm #sarah j maas #acotar fanfic #acotar fanfiction #feyre #rhys #feysand #feyrhys #feysand fanfic #feysand fanfiction

[evanescent-system]

Our system

We are a trauma based system, from severe and prolonged childhood abuse. We are *not* professionally diagnosed, as we are not in a safe place to even begin to attempt receiving a diagnosis

Bella ~ Host

Jean ~ Primary protector

Amy/Illyria ~ Protector

Belle ~ Little

Carrie ~ Trauma carrier

Charlotte ~ Persecutor/protector

Dani ~ Spiritual protector

Darya ~ Spiritual protector, non-human alter, mermaid

Diamond ~ Little

Elowyn ~ Trauma carrier, non-human alter, ghost

Elsie ~ Spiritual Protector

Genna ~ Protector

Kitty ~ Little

Lilianna ~ Little

Lydia ~ Caregiver

Sarah ~ Trauma carrier

Wanda ~ Protector

#Dissociative identity disorder #Dissociative #trauma system

[melethh]

regret and forgiveness

( takes place in the good!Gal and evil!Morgron route. The elves have returned to the Eldar Wood. Galathil has stripped Morgron of his dark magic and for the most part the years since then have been peaceful.)

Galathil smiled fondly when he heard footsteps once more behind him.

“Thor, I thought you were headed to—bed..” Galathil’s voice trailed off when he saw who really was standing behind him. It was not his grandson returning for one last story. He was met with a shock of red hair and a face he thought he had far more time to avoid. “Morgron.”

“Brother.” Morgron greeted, pressing his lips together after the word. Guilt lived in his eyes.

Galathil was known for his warmth. The songs spoke of sad, yet kind eyes and a soft, fatherly voice. The king beloved by the wood was described often as the very essence of how grace could dwell within mourning. Galathil had become known as “The Merciful” for his actions. Some meant it as an honorific and some meant it as an insult. Despite all these descriptions, Galathil’s gentle expression hardened into murderous intent at the sight of his brother.

“You dare call me that?” Galathil hissed, rising to his feet. He stood at his full height. It was rare for him in these times, but he would afford Morgron no weakness. His grief was not for his brother to see.

“You called me brother when you purified me.” Morgron replied, wringing his bony hands together.

“Did you call me brother when you tried to bring my family and your people to ruin?” Galathil asked. “Did you call me brother when you command Gongoras to invade your homeland? Or when you tried to have me killed? Or when your armies tore through your kin and your nephew was slaughtered?”

Morgron was at a lost for words. He had not expected this from Galathil. The last time he saw his brother he had been recovering from the removal of Malice. They had rarely spoken then, mainly because Morgron was too weak, but Galathil had meticulously cared for him. For a moment, as his older brother dabbed a cold cloth against his head, he thought they were elflings once more. He thought he was in that blissful time of their lives. Morgron had broken his ankle once. No matter how much the nurses chased him off Galathil always returned to make sure he was okay, that he had books he enjoyed, and sang songs to amuse him. That was the Galathil Morgron had expected to meet when he returned to the Eldar Wood.

Nonetheless, Galathil was enraged by his presence. He dare say he looked vengeful.

“I’ve never regretted anything more.” Morgron admitted. “I’m sorry.” Galathil’s eyes widened, but not with surprise. If anything he grew even angrier than he had been before.

“You think that means anything to me?” Galathil asked, a mirthless laugh trailing on his words. “You think I want your worthless apology?”

Suddenly, newborn trunks of trees emerged from the ground. The branches lengthened and wrapped themselves around Morgron’s wrists and pulled his arms a part. He gave a painful cry as his feet left the ground and he was left to dangle there in the clearing. The moonlight did little to mask the powerful magic of the wood burning in Galathil’s aura. Morgron had always known his brother was the wood’s chosen protector and now all the anger and grief both the trees and the king felt was pouring into him. The whites of Galathil’s eyes had nearly disappeared and become consumed with the gold color of his bloodline.

“I don’t want your regret.” Galathil hissed. “I want my son back!”

Terror flooded into Morgron’s eyes as he saw branches from the Grand Oak reach down around his brother. They shot forward with the intent to impale Morgron. He had shut his eyes tight as he waited for death to come, but there was no pain or much a sound. Just before they pierced his skin, they halted. Morgron forced his eyes open and saw his brother had his hand outstretched. He was shaking and tears were streaming down his cheeks without pause.

“I want to kill you so badly.” Galathil admitted, his voice cracking. “You’re the source of my worst suffering. Nothing father ever did compared to the hell you put me through—and I had thought you were the one person I knew who would never abandon me. Mother left, but you never did. Not until—not until I failed you.”

“Galathil..” Morgron whispered.

The branches released his arms with care so that his feet met the ground with ease. Galathil fell upon his knees and palms as sobs wracked his form. The Grand Oak withdrew its threatening branches, but Morgron could hear its deep, weathered voice ringing in its head. He was not beloved by the woods so when a tree spoke to him he knew it was important.

“Have care, son of stone. Vengeance may not be in my nature, but protection is.”

Morgron nodded to the Grand Oak before he knelt down in front of his brother. He placed a hand on Galathil’s shoulder, but his brother flinched away and fell back.

“Don’t touch me!” Galathil exclaimed, shoving himself back across the ground. “Don’t think because I can’t bring myself to kill you that I forgive you.”

“I don’t expect your forgiveness.” Morgron said.

“Then why are you here?” Galathil asked, casting back his haunted gaze. “What possible reason could you have to torment me on such a perfect night as this?”

“I—I didn’t know when I decided to come…” Morgron sighed, using the back of his hand to push unyielding tears from his eyes. “Your grandchildren are beautiful.”

Galathil said nothing. He turned his eyes back to the ground as his hands shook in his lap.

“Galathil.” Morgron began. “I know my apology means nothing to you. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I needed you to know that there is nothing I regret more than Halthin’s death.”

“I do not care-“

“I loved him.” Morgron interjected. “You know I did. I love them all.”

“Oh, yes. That is why you kidnapped Hawthorne and erased everything he knew of his family. You turned him into your puppet and made him believe he was unwanted by his father. I will never forget the hate in his eyes when I woke to him holding a knife to my throat. I had thought I had my son back, but you turned him into someone else. Your armies murdered his beloved.” Galathil said. Morgron listened intently. “You loved your niece when you allowed for Gongoras to send an assassin to kill me? You loved Illyria when said assassin shot her mother? You loved her when you stole her childhood!” He was screaming now. “She never got to be an elfling! She witnessed winter within her first century! Her mother was gone and her father a shell of his former self! So now if you’re going to apologize then I want to hear an explanation. So let me hear it? Did Ramsey’s death really drive you so far to destroy my happiness so thoroughly?”

Morgron had not expected Galathil to demand his reasoning. Without Malice feeding his worst instincts, he knew that his actions were petty. In their youth, Galathil would often do this to the particularly malicious foes they had faced. He would give them an opportunity to argue their case. Sometimes they elicited pity, but more often Galathil was able to strip them of their righteousness and leave them quaking in their guilt. Morgron never thought to be on the receiving end of this, but it seemed his grief had not changed this part of his brother.

“Where do I begin?” Morgron asked, his voice catching.

“Start with father.” Galathil commanded.

Morgron gave him an incredulous look. “You’re—you’re angry about father?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Morgron exclaimed. “Of all the awful things I have done to you, it is father’s death that you demand reasoning for?”

“You asked me where you should begin and I said with father’s death.” Galathil snapped. “Do you really believe you have a right to weigh your sins against each other right now?”

Morgron sat back on his heels, defeated. “You know exactly why I killed father. He executed Ramsey on false charges. He did it because—because we both know I was the one he considered his heir. He was terrified I would marry a human bastard. For as long as I can remember, he manipulated every aspect of my life. He made me into his perfect heir, but when I found love he couldn’t let me have it. That’s why I killed father. I killed him for Ramsey and for everything he’s done to us.”

“Oh poor little princeling.” Galathil jeered. “Your papa was mean to you.”

“Galathil—“

“You don’t realize what you did when you killed father.” Galathil began. “Our father was no good man, but he was a strong king that Gongoras’s father feared. When you cut his throat, you let the humans in on a secret we have kept for centuries. Humans never considered elves engaged in petty political squabbles. They thought we were above that. Only when Gongoras realized we weren’t perfect beings did the idea of conquest hold merit in his ambitions. An assassin would never have entered our wood if father hadn’t been murdered in his bed by his own son. Now…finish the tale. Why did you desire to exact your vengeance upon me so badly?” Galathil asked.

“I did it—because I knew what you had done. Father commanded you to capture Ramsey and you did.” Morgron said.

“The evidence against him as damning.” Galathil argued.

“You were his lapdog and you know it. You only annoyed father in small ways, but ultimately you always obeyed him in your desperate desire to gain his approval. Only after Ramsey’s death did guilt compel you to tell him that he meant nothing to you as a father. But even once you became king—my thirst for revenge wasn’t quenched by father’s death. Malice constantly reminded me that it was you that brought Ramsey back to die. He told me that I would be a better king. He made me believe this kingdom deserved a king like me. Which led to our—our senseless rebellion.

“I had tried to turn Hawthorne against you even then. He was loyal despite the lies I fed him. I made him believe you were disappointed in him as an heir because I wanted you to feel the pain of your first born’s betrayal. I didn’t succeed until after I lost the support of my kin and allied myself with Gongoras. Once I had my perfect heir, the Eldar Wood had been vacated. You know what happens once Hawthorne arrived at the sanctuary.”

“Was it worth it?” Galathil asked. “Did my actions really warrant all this suffering?”

“No..” Morgron confessed. “Galathil, please. Just let me apologize to Illyria and Hawthorne. I will leave you be if you wish it, but I need them to know that I regret what I did.”

“You will not even look at them unless they wish to hear your apology.” Galathil stated. “Morgron…I wish I could forgive you, but I’ve lost so much and despite a century’s passing I cannot bring myself to see you as my brother. But…I will give you the chance to earn my forgiveness.”

(I’m out of steam. thanks @fallenidol-453 for looking over it. and @tiredlandy @capree-sun i hope yall like an OS drabble )

#my OCs #my original drabbles #our sanctuary #galathil #morgron