#teaching Lian how to swim

[royboyfanpage]

I'm never gonna be over Donna's photo album actually

#hhhh #donna troy #roy harper #garth #wally west #dick grayson #the titans #I've been staring at Roy and Donna particularly for like... five minutes straight #they're so pretty #when the two hottest mfs in your friend group are dating #also obsessed with garth in these #teaching Lian how to swim #letting Roy shoot an apple off his head #and the fact he drinks from cans with a straw #and wally playing table tennis with himself is such a mood #I'd fs be doing that if i had superspeed #plus eepy dick

[queen-beefcake-sqx]

Out of every MXTX ship, beefleaf deserves a mermaid AU the most

Okay, okay. Hang on. Beefleaf does deserve more mermaid AUs, but I raise you one better - selkie AU. My brain is rotating this so hard. Consider this, anon:

Shi Wudu is heir to a massive fleet of commercial fishing vessels, and the largest supplier of seafood in the region. Shi Qingxuan is his adorable little sister who is wildly uninterested in the business side of things and just wants to wander the beach and collect seashells.

Except Shi Qingxuan is deathly afraid of water; as a child she fell overboard and almost drowned. Of course she was miraculously rescued and left ashore but has absolutely zero memory of her savoir. Shi Wudu always says he saved her from the water…

One day she finds an injured person on the shore. They’re incredibly beautiful, pale and inky black long hair, and horrifyingly naked, allowing SQX to see injuries that look like harpoon gouges. She’s no doctor, but sewing up a wound can’t be that much different than sewing up a ripped sail, right? Right! :D

He Xuan is Not Pleased at being woken up in this state. They’re defensive, silent, refuses to answer any of SQX’s questions or let her near their wounds. They speak without showing their teeth, eyes out toward the ocean. It’s only with extreme convincing that they allow her to sew them up and bring them a sailor uniform from the docks. They part ways as He Xuan insists on staying at the shore, searching for their “lost things”.

(Later, SQX hears one of the sailors got into a fight aboard one of the commercial vessels when a strange person climbed aboard the ship and attacked them. Like a monster from the depths, surrounded by billowing black hair like seaweed. Surely a coincidence, right?)

And because it’s beefleaf they just… keep running into each other along the shore, and eventually by the docks. Shi Qingxuan pries information from He Xuan a parcel at a time — his family is all gone, his home somewhere he cannot return to, rendered unlivable. Shi Qingxuan tells him about her life inland, her brother and his business, her love and fear of the ocean.

Of course there has to be a whole montage of He Xuan teaching her to swim. That’s a given.

And He Xuan seems genuinely soft at how much she enjoys the water, the freedom she feels in the waves as the breeze rocks her back toward shore. And he knows, quietly, that he’s in trouble.

Shi Qingxuan slowly shows He Xuan their little fishing village, introducing him to her friend Xie Lian, who weirdly tells her to be careful with strange people… but He Xuan is her friend, too! There’s no reason to mistrust him, hahahaha! Silly Xie Lian!

(If Hua Cheng makes knowing eyes at He Xuan over Xie Lian’s shoulder, SQX doesn’t notice it. Hua Cheng also lost all his family and wandered alone for a while, maybe they could be friends?)

(Author’s Note: Hua Cheng totally knows, because he’s a selkie too.) (The HuaLian selkie AU also writes itself and I’ll totally write a follow up post for that)

Shi Wudu is Not Happy with SQX’s new friend, and warns her to stay away from them. SQX pointedly ignores this and continues sneaking out to the beach while Shi Wudu is out at sea.

Eventually she mentions the incident from her childhood, and He Xuan is… strangely cold to her after this. Shaken, if she didn’t know them better. They ask if she ever wondered how her brother saved her from the waves. She doesn’t know, never bothered to ask.

And of course Shi Wudu is totally dismissive when she asks. Because it isn’t like he’ll admit what he did…

It isn’t like he’ll admit he saw her pulled ashore by a large seal, who hovered over her with jaws like it might bite down…

It isn’t like he’ll admit to firing the harpoon gun he always carried with him, spearing the creature he saw as a threat to his little sister...

It isn’t like he’ll admit to watching as the skin fell away — revealing a woman, struck dead by his impulsive actions — and collected it even as he bundled the woman in his boat and sunk her body to be reclaimed by the sea and those within it…

It isn’t like he’ll admit the skin hanging on the wall of his room in their home is the same one from that night, and the skin he found by his commercial vessel after the fisherman attack sits bundled in a chest at the foot of his bed.

The same skin He Xuan desperately wants back. Because they know Shi Wudu took it. They saw him fish it from the waters as his men fired harpoons on them. And now that Shi Qingxuan has told him so much about their business, he understands that the only boats out on the water were ever under Shi Wudu’s control. He dropped He xuan’s fiance back into the sea to be found by her lover. He overskimmed the nearby seas, resulting in less and less food every year for the selkies and mermaids, leading to He Xuan’s family’s starvation. 

But Shi Qingxuan knows none of this. No one will tell her. No one will rescue her from her ignorance. Instead He Xuan convinces her to take him to her house, because he knows the skin must be there. And of course Shi Wudu comes home as he’s in the middle of removing his dead fiance’s skin from the wall.

All havoc breaks loose. Shi Wudu is furious - he warned her, warned her to be careful of the stranger from the beach. He Xuan bares their sharp teeth for the first time before SQX, revealing themself to be a selkie. And with Shi Wudu’s harpoon gun in hand, he offers the choice - Shi Wudu can die or lose his sister to the sea, turned into a monster like them. A life for a life either way. 

Of course Shi Wudu dies. Losing SQX to the sea was never a choice. Everything leading to this moment was to keep her away from the water, away from the dangers lurking there. He Xuan leaves SQX there in the home, mourning her brother’s body, taking the skins with them.

… And it is a very, very long time before Shi Qingxuan visits the water again. Months, a year. But slowly she begins walking out to the waters again, sitting on shore where she met a beautiful person with a beautiful heart that was twisted by cruelty and trauma. She knows that now. 

And she visits every evening, religiously, sitting on the sand where the water barely kisses her toes and waits until the nights turn too cold to continue sitting.

And one early spring evening she falls asleep by the water, and wakes up to find an old tattered cloak draped around her shoulders, the same one she used to wear to visit He Xuan, the same one she left with them the last time before…. Everything…. And she catches sight of a seal diving beneath the water.

Of course she runs in. Of course she forces her limbs to remember everything He Xuan taught her, braving the icy waters to try to reach him. The waves pull her under, knock her about. Isn’t it ironic her brother’s sacrifice would be in vain? She really would let the ocean claim her…

Except again for a second time in her life she’s saved by a seal dragging her ashore, teeth latched onto her clothes and pulling until she’s breached the surface and gulping air. She clings to them, unwilling to let go. Refusing to let go, even as they try to squirm to the sea again.

And she tells them everything she’s felt for months, all the fear and the sadness but even more than that, the loneliness and ache for her friend. And she doesn’t beg them not to leave, but instead… take her with them. Let her come be with them. 

He Xuan doesn’t, that night. It’s many more reluctant visits, quietly rebuilding what was lost between them, before He Xuan sheds their skin again and wraps them both in it, walking them into the water. 

and I'm stopping it there because this got wildly out of hand. Anyway that’s it that’s my selkie AU. [bows]

#beefleaf #who dares me to write this after I finish my Calamity!SQX fic #shut up sadie #tgcf #tian guan ci fu #heaven official's blessing #he xuan #shi qingxuan #sadie writes fanfiction

[heloflor]

A few random personal headcanons about Cartman, Butters, and both :

1. Cartman doodles in class. I mean, we know from “Fractured but Whole” that he draws in a journal (regardless of the fact that the content of said journal is fucked up) + he seems to enjoy making visual representation of his schemes. So given how he doesn’t give a shit about school, he could definitely end up drawing to pass the time.

And the doodles he would make could depend on his mood or what’s on his mind. Like, when he was dating Heidi, he drew her or the two of them together; if he’s mad at Kyle or Tolkien or someone else, he’ll draw them being hurt or humiliated; if he’s thinking about a “get-rich-quick scheme”, he’ll draw himself and possibly Butters swimming in money.

    2. Butters knows how to do quite a few shady things due to his friendship with Cartman. He would know how to pick a lock, how to remove fingerprints/avoid putting fingerprints or even stuff like how to bury a body or commit arson etc.

Everytime he would nonchalantly show those skills to Stan and Kyle, the two would be floored by it, while Kenny would already know about those skills (and be worried about it). Also if Stan and/or Kyle question Butters about it, Cartman would back it up like “yeah, obviously he knows how to do that ! Do you have any idea how hard it is to carry a body by yourself ?” as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

    3. Kinda related to the previous one but Cartman would also willingly teach Butters random things just for the heck of it/because they’re friends. And by that I’m mostly thinking about how Cartman can play the harmonica (the “I hate you guys” song + his blues song from “Whale Whores”) and, in “Fractured But Whole”, Butters plays a song about being grounded in the tune of “I hate you guys”, giving off the impression that Cartman’s the one who taught him how to play the harmonica.

    4. The Stotch parents don’t like the Cartmans, especially Stephen. Between Liane having little to no control over her son (Stephen doesn’t understand how you can let your kid walk all over you) and Stephen seeing/hearing about Butters “getting gay” with Cartman (not helped by him projecting his insecurities over his sexuality onto Butters), the Stotches just can’t bring themselves to have a good opinion on the Cartmans.

Ultimately, they only let their son hang out with Cartman because the kid doesn’t really have any other close friends his age. And it’s not like they can stop Cartman anyways (thinking about the confrontation in the trailer of the Vaccination Special with Cartman immediately getting aggressive towards Stephen)

Oh yeah, and after the events of “Band in China”, the Stotches would not-so-subtly make offhand remarks about Butters having new close friends now and how he should hang out with them instead of Cartman. Butters, of course, doesn’t listen.

    5. 10 years-old Butters being light as a feather and sometimes Cartman carrying a pissed off Butters over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

(for example, imagine Butters yelling at some people who pissed him off but Cartman doesn’t have time for this and since Butters doesn’t want to stop, Cartman just grabs him, hauls him onto his shoulder and walks away with the kid flipping the bird to the people who pissed him off. Though Cartman would probably stop carrying him by throwing him onto the ground/randomly letting go, with Butters falling on his ass pretty hard : / )

    6. While pretty much every kid grows out of being touchy, with some specific exceptions like Stan and Kyle remaining touchy towards each other, Cartman continues to be just as touchy towards everyone even as he grows older.

    7. Something inspired by a youtube comment on a video that had Butters going apeshit (I think it was the scene from “Grounded Vindaloop”) : Butters as a teenager having huge anger issues and in general being out of control. Overall, he’d still be a sweet person when in a good mood but would be very easy to anger.

On that same note, he’d probably have little to no patience with bullshit since after dealing with abuse for so long he’s just done with everyone’s shit. His parents would have no idea how to deal with his rebellious tendencies (and would probably blame Cartman for it).

  In general, his relationship with his parents would be weird. Like, Butters is still afraid of punishment and still doesn’t want to get in trouble with them, but at the same time he would absolutely talk back and, if things get too heated and he gets sent in his room, he would either tell them to fuck off and run outside or get in his room and leave through the window.

Also, Butters still does love his parents. There was this one post about the idea of Butters eventually realizing that Stephen and Linda are messed up people who did want their son to be happy but had no idea how to be good parents, with Butters deciding to forgive them and still try to have a good relationship with them. I really like this idea, though I do feel that Butters would learn to stand up for himself and call his parents out on their behavior, partly for himself but also partly to help them.

  Ultimately, the main 4, especially Cartman and Kenny, would be the ones who kinda know how to handle him (not that well tho depending on how he feels). I could actually see Kenny being better at calming him down since he's better with emotions and empathy than Cartman (tbf, literally 90% of the characters in this show are better with empathy than Cartman). Stan would also probably try there and there since he and Butters seem to be good friends, but he would struggle too.

    8. A few bonus teen headcanons about the whole main 5 and cars since we’re at it :

- Stan would be the first to get his license, in a mix of him wanting to be able to go to town whenever and his father wanting to teach him (though in order to get Stan to help with the farm). Depending how much his family makes, he might get a car pretty early (and maybe Jimbo might help him find one ?)

- Kyle and Butters would likely be second, with their respective parents wanting them to learn essential skills. And since I think both families have two cars, both could ride pretty much anytime. Kenny wouldn’t be too far behind but wouldn’t be able to afford a car. As for Cartman, he’ll probably struggle to learn since he’s a stubborn asshole but eventually get his license. Like Kenny though, he can’t afford a car but could sometimes take his mother’s.

(note that I have no idea how much a car costs in the US)

- While both Stan and Kyle have their licenses, Stan tries to find random excuses in order to either drive Kyle or get a ride from him. Even after Kyle realizes what Stan is doing, he still lets it happen cause he’s not going to walk away from an opportunity to spend time with his best friend, even if just for a car ride.

- Kenny doesn’t usually ask for a ride because he doesn’t want to inconvenience his friends, but he never says no when one of the boys offers him a ride (unless he wants to walk alone while in his thoughts).

- Kyle banned Cartman from being in his car due to Cartman always letting bags of food around or being bitchy about the interior and the music choices. And since Stan often rides with Kyle and doesn’t want to hear the two fight, he rarely takes Cartman in. So Butters ends up being Cartman’s taxi.

- Oh yeah and as it turns out Cartman is fine with picking up his trash in Butters’ car. Cue Kyle losing his shit over this.

- I’ve read fics in which Cartman has like a big car to drive the whole main 5 and I love this idea (tho I don’t see it happen immediately because, again, money). Although the rest of the group probably wouldn’t like Cartman’s music choice.

- Speaking of which, Cartman having a playlist to listen to during drives and pouring his heart out singing. Depending of the songs, Kenny and Butters might join. Stan sometimes gets annoyed, sometimes likes the song and is fine with the singing, tho he’s cringing a bit. Kyle is mostly annoyed but doesn’t want to start a screaming match with Cartman where neither of them can leave. Sometimes, Cartman might sing badly on purpose to get on Kyle’s nerves, in which case Stan sides with Kyle in telling Cartman to stop being an asshole.

#South Park #SP #Eric Cartman #Butters Stotch #Flor talks #long post #yeah I just wanted to share a few random ideas #especially since I'm not really going to write much about this show past a few short oneshots #also almost no teen stuff because I'm not the biggest when it comes to aging up characters #especially when it's just for shipping #tho teenage Butters being unhidged is a thought I adore #(yes I like Butters being a piece of shit) #(he's allowed to destroy stuff given how much shit he has to deal with all the time) #the first 3 headcanons are probably predictable/obvious stuff but eh

[danny-chase]

Thinking about this spread again

Titans Secret Files #1

Image under cut

Image ID: A spread of "photographs" labeled "Repose A look at Donna Troy's photo album". Photos from left to right, first are three in a vertical series, the first showing Wally about to hit a ping pong ball, the middle showing a blur rush past the table, and the last showing him return the ball. The label reads: "Wally playing with himself. Hey - the camera never lies!" The next photo shows Dick sleeping in the arm chair as Roy and Garth talk in the background, Dick is smiling. Label: "Dick: So he does sleep sometimes..." Next is a picture of Garth and Lian underwater, Garth's hand hovering under Lian as she smiles at the camera, plugging her nose. Label: "Garth teaches Lian how to swim and gives me an excuse to play with my underwater camera." The next photo has Roy grinning with his tongue out and flashing a peace sign. Label: "Roy without a care in the world..." The next photo has a sullen faced Garth cringing while standing in front of a tree. There's an apple atop his head. Label: "...and Garth with only one." The last photo has the camera turned around, Donna smiles with her bangs blowing over one of her eyes. Label: "Self-portrait." End ID

#sobbing there all literally so cute #look at Lian and Garth I love them so much #crying because Garth would make a great dad but DC killed off Ceridian #and Dick looks so happy even though he's sleeping #ahhhhh he fell asleep in the presence of his trusted family/loved ones and *sob* #and of course Roy and Garth would end up doing something dumb like this #wally showing off by playing ping pong by himself is so funny to me #i miss them #i wish dc included these kind of things more it goes such a long way in humanizing the characters #sigh everything past the reboot has just felt like the characters aren't people and i miss these little moments #i would read a slice of life Titans comic in a heartbeat #Titans #Teen Titans #fab five #dc comics #donna troy #dick grayson #garth of shayeris #Wally West #roy harper #just like... they're friends they're family i love them so much

[rosethornewrites]

Fic: and sings the tune without the words, ch. 4

Relationship: Jiāng Yànlí & Jīn Zǐxuān, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī & Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín & Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan, Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji, Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian, Jiāng Chéng | Jiāng Wǎnyín

Additional Tags: Epistolary, Food, Music

Summary: An epistolary follow-up to “the thing with feathers.” Exchanged letters.

Notes: See end.

Previous fic in the series: “the thing with feathers”

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3

AO3 link

------------

Cheng-ge,

You’re the best gege anyone ever had! Lan Zhan told me you showed him the chili sauce to buy, and I remembered that time you took me all around the marketplace and got everyone to let us taste their chili sauce so we could decide which one we liked best, and this one made your face turn super red! I think I’d die if you hadn’t helped him buy it—the food here is so bland!

It’s super quiet in the Cloud Recesses, and you’re not allowed to run, which is weird, but everyone has this way of walking super fast which is kind of a cool skill, so maybe I’ll learn how to do that, too. Lan-xiansheng is being really nice when I accidentally break a rule, but I’m trying to remember so I don’t shame the Jiang sect.

They have a Cold Spring here and Lan Zhan and Lan Xichen took me to meditate in, and it really lives up to its name—I’m shocked it’s not frozen over, with how cold it is! But it’s infused with spiritual energy, and Lan-xiansheng thinks it might help clear out the resentful energy some. 

Some of the elders are researching curses in the Lan library, which is super extensive. I get to read whatever I want when I’m not in class and studying and practicing my dizi. So I mostly look for stuff on resentful energy since maybe I can find something that will help me get more memories back. Lan Zhan is looking up scores that might be more effective, too!

Lan-xiansheng wrote to Wen-zongzhu to ask about the healing branch, so please thank jiejie for the idea. Even if they can’t help, it’s good to look into all the possibilities. 

Lan Zhan’s father came out of seclusion briefly to meet me. Lan-xiansheng was surprised when he came out. I guess he wasn’t really happy about the betrothal because of Lan An’s love story. Apparently the Lans take love super seriously. 

I told him what I remember about my parents, and what I remember about me, and how much Lan Zhan has helped me. I told him if Lan Zhan finds his fated one, we can break the troth. I don’t know if he likes me, but he hasn’t said anything and he went back into seclusion, so I guess he’s fine with it. 

People are really restrained here, and so I’m really loud and stand out in comparison, but it’s so fun to hear the Gusu dialect. It’s adorable! Lan Zhan’s ears turn red when I say so, though. 

I miss you, and jiejie, and meimei, and a-niang, and a-die. Please tell them all I love them, and give my regards to the disciples and snuggle little A-Yu for your didi. 

Jiang Wuxian 

------------

Xian-di,

I also remember you pushed me off the pier that day and said the water would help cool me down. You’re lucky you were right, or I would’ve broken your legs! There might be new vendors since we did that, so when you come back to Yummeng, we’ll taste all the new ones, too. 

I heard there’s like 2000 rules or so, but I guess that’s why Lan Wangji was surprised we don’t have many. I can’t imagine how you can do anything, having so many rules to keep track of. How can you remember anything else? Anyway, don’t worry about shaming the sect: you’re Jiang and Lan-xiansheng knows you’ll act like one. 

That’s an interesting way to meditate. I read once that some monks use hot springs that way too. I wonder if we could use swimming as a way of active meditation. I’ll ask a-die. Then we can get away with going swimming and calling it training. 

I wish we had a big library like that, but books don’t do well in the humidity. I’m glad they have a lot of resources to help you. When I go to the lectures when we’re fifteen, you’ll have to show me all the best books!

The Wens are pretty clan-oriented so they might ignore the letter, but I hope they send someone. But even if you get your memories back, you’re still my didi, okay? I’m your gege forever, even after we cultivate into immortality. 

Qingheng-Jun is supposed to be one of the top cultivators of a-die’s generation, so I’m jealous you got to meet him. He better approve of you, even if you don’t wind up marrying Lan Wangji. It’s already obvious you’ll be friends for your whole lives. There are different kinds of love, right?

A-Die says each region has different dialects. Maybe someday we’ll get to travel and hear all the different ones. Make Lan Wangji talk in the Gusu dialect when he’s at Lotus Pier next so I can hear it!

We all miss you, too. The new disciples are doing well. Meng Yao is really smart, and the kids you were helping are doing well in their lessons and starting meditation and exercises. A-Niang said some of them were hiding food in their rooms like you used to, but they know they can go to the kitchens any time and so they’re getting better about it.

A-Lian wants you to find her a pretty doll while you’re in Gusu, if you can. Jiejie says to make sure you eat well—we can send you more chili sauce if you need it. She’s learning medicine still, and her golden core is getting stronger. A-Niang and a-die said to study well and do your best. 

Make sure to learn some Lan forms and teach me when you get back!

Jiang Cheng

---------

A-Ying is spending his first three month stint in the Cloud Recesses, and they managed to keep the chili sauce a secret until he got there.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #chen qing ling #cql #mdzs #jiang wanyin #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #wei ying #cql fanfic #cql fanfiction #cql fic #mdzs fanfic #mdzs fanfiction #mdzs fic #untamed fanfiction #untamed fic #untamed fanfic #my fanfiction

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Your Saviour ~ Yin Zhen x Reader

"Mum, I hate her! Scold her! Punish her!" the little prince tugged on his mum's sleeve, crying and complaining about the older girl that kept teasing him. "My dear, try to be understanding. Being a prince means you will have a lot to learn, and she's merely trying to make you learn, in a more practical way. Try not to hold it against her." she smiled warmly at him, hugging and stroking his hair as a way to pacify him. "But she's so mean to me, it's not fair! And she keeps beating me at archery and sword fight! And she always tricks me, calls me names and throws plums at me from the top of the tree!" the poor, teary-eyed boy tried to gain more pity from the only person who ever cared for him properly. "Maybe she likes you and she wants to see you succeed and become a better version of yourself. How do you think she will behave once you finally manage to beat her at something she's unbeatable at?" his mother asked, which made the prince stop his sobbing and look up at her with a confused expression. "She'll get angry, won't she? Doesn't everyone hate losing?" his voice was small and soft. "Perhaps it won't be an actual loss for her, but a victory." his mother, as wise as always, knew the girl and how witty and clever she was, so of course, she knew that having her around her son will prove to be beneficial to him in the long run. "I don't understand, mum..." he pouted, tugging on her sleeve once again, with a dejected expression. "Let's play a little game, my darling. Come to me once you decipher the riddle I just told you, and I'm sure you will be satisfied with your reward." his mother let out an amused hum, as the boy perked up, his eyes sparkling when he heard of a potential reward.  "Oh...Okay! I will do my best!" 

 Days passed, and no matter how hard he tried, Yin Zhen couldn't defeat Y/N at anything, be it archery, swordfight, poetry, literature, musical instruments, martial arts, swimming, running, tree climbing... It was as if she was an unbeatable Goddess, far above him, and the fact that she'd hang out mostly with the 1st prince and the 3rd prince didn't help it either.

It was a vicious cycle - He'd study and practice, he'd challenge her, she'd defeat him effortlessly, she'd taunt him, she'd go back to hanging out with someone else, and he'd grovel in self-hatred that he keeps being defeated by a girl. With each day, he'd grow more and more angry, the darkness covering his heart freezing over with a blinding jealousy. And what was worse is that she had everyone's favour! Why is she so special? She's not even a princess, just some noble girl whose father betrayed the Emperor and her mother died of an illness! All his brothers fawn around her! The Empress Dowager treats her as if she is her own precious granddaughter, and even more - His father, The Emperor, truly favours her intelligence and shrewdness! That's preposterous!

"I hate you, you evil witch! You're using magic! There's no way you can actually beat me at everything!" Yin Zhen threw his sword to the ground, looking up at the girl who towered over him with a few inches. "Would such a completely illogical explanation satisfy you after these pitiful loses? If yes, then sure, claim whatever you will." she shrugged, not sketching any expression on her face. "Come on, Y/N, give him a break. He's young, he'll learn someday. He's barely 8 years old." the 1st prince, despite the teasing tone and smile on his face, tried to take the girl out of there, so his little brother would calm down. "Would you have me cut him some slack? Yin Zhen, do you truly want me to go easy on you? To let you win? Sure, if that's what your royal highness would have, that is what I shall do. However, would there be any ounce of satisfaction in your heart, knowing you were LET to win, but didn't deserve it? Think it over and answer me that next time you decide to challenge me." with those words, something in his mind seemed to click, and he stopped challenging the girl altogether, focusing more of training himself, and more, his mind and heart.

He WAS strong and intelligent, but the barrier his ego and arrogance created was the reason he stagnated so badly. He finally understood, at least a little bit, what his mother and Y/N were trying to teach him, so through meditation and self-healing, he became the cool and collected 4th prince that everyone knows now. It was obvious that, with time, the short and frail 8 year old would turn out to become a tall and strong prince with the noble aura that he was supposed to have all this time. 

When he finally felt ready and confident in himself and his abilities, he sought out the girl once again, after ignoring and avoiding her, and he found her on the ground at the base of a plum tree, playing the zither, by the lotus pond, with a friend or a maid, and it was needless to say, shock was obvious in both of their eyes once their gazes met for the first time in ages, realising how much they changed it time.

She was gorgeous beyond imagination, her expression was demure and inspired trust, gentleness and kindness, the aura around her was vibing with confidence and nobleness, and her eyes were gleaming with brilliance and wit.  And yes...There was something off...Behind that wall of confidence and politeness, a little bit of melancholy was seeping, and only he could see it. Curiosity started brewing in his heart, and the wish to solve mysteries started bubbling inside him, and he wanted to grab her and make her spill all her secrets...But he knew nothing in life was that easy. 

  "Hello, Yin Zhen. We haven't seen each other in a while, have we? Since your older brother and mother were still alive, that is. Lovely days the past held, wouldn't you say?" it was difficult for the prince not to smirk in satisfaction, as now he could properly appreciate the cheekiness and boldness of her words and voice. "Yes, I would say it has been quite a while, My Lady. Enough for me to open my eyes and see the world as it is. I would have you to thank for that." what was this humbleness he was displaying, the girl wondered, as she raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Then, are you here to challenge me again? What would it be this time? I see no sword, no bow, no instrument, no riddle book in your possession...Could it be running you want to challenge me at?" she spoke nonchalantly, returning to strum her zither. "My Lady, that is no way to speak to the 4th prince!" her friend gasped in shock and horror, earnings mixed reactions from the two. "I shall speak to Yin Zhen in any way I please. He has yet to earn my respect. Besides...You should see the way I speak to Yin Zhi or the 14th prince. You could say I am being generous with this one." she hummed in amusement, as a trail of relatively new palace maids were eyeing the prince, giggling and gossiping. "I wonder how many times has he threatened to kill you so far." Yin Zhen shot right back at her, knowing very well how his elder brother could be. "I lost count after five thousand." she raised the sleeve of her dress to hide the amused and teasing smirk she had on her face. "Funny how a fatty like you could run away from him so many times." he teased her, wanting to reciprocate the taunting she'd do to him ages ago, but by the stiff reaction of her, and the loud giggles from the maids, it was obvious he was heard by unneeded ears. "You still haven't bested me in anything yet, Prince...Especially not intelligence, considering how obvious it is that you speak ill of those who care about you in front of the jackals and hyenas of the palace. Next time you decide to approach me, think before you act. It will spare the both of us enough troubles." the girl threw her zither in her friend's lap, before leaping to her feet and pulling him down by the neck of his outfit, until their faces were barely inches away. 

And then she left. 

And he stopped seeing her, once again, for quite a while... Until he went to drink some wine in the garden, and he spotted her walking by the pond, dangerously close to the water. Not that he feared for her life, she was a great swimmer, and yet...Her complexion seemed much paler than usual, and her movements looked lethargic. 

The gossips of the maid, calling her tons of names, seemed to plague his mind, as he realised back then that he was the one who ignited the fuel and gave them the 'right' to speak garbage of her. 

He was lost in his own world, thinking over about what he did and his mistakes, but he was brought back to reality when a splash was heard, and some loud gasps of horror, and that’s when he realised the girl fell in the pond...And she wasn’t swimming back to the surface.

What was going on with her? Did she...Faint?

There was no time to think, as he slammed the cup on the table and rushed to the pond, jumping in to rescue her. His theory was correct, seeing as she was unconscious, so he started pushing on her chest, just as she did 12 years ago, when he fell in the lake and she saved him.

And then, he gave her the kiss of life, and as the miracle dictated, she jolted into a sitting position, coughing the water out of her lungs violently, before collapsing back in his arms. Yin Zhen hated to admit, especially after this near-death experience of hers, but seeing her being so soft, sleeping peacefully in his arms, was oddly fascinating, and his heart seemed to warm up, for some unknown reasons, even to him.  He hated that his mother died and he couldn’t ask her all the things he wanted to tell her, nor could he tell her the answer to the riddle that took him so long to understand, and yet, he was sure she’d be happy knowing that he matured and became the man he is now, no longer the whiny child from before.

He picked her up bridal style and brought her to her home, where her maid, whose name was Shi Lian, as she said, and he let her change in dry clothes and put her in bed, while he took off most of his clothes to be put out in the sun to dry, while he warmed up in front of the fireplace, waiting for the girl to wake up, while the maid was preparing chamomile tea and some snacks.

“Thank you for saving My Lady, Your Highness.” Shi Lian thanked the prince as she put the tray of tea and cakes on the table next to him. “She fainted and fell in the pond. She looks weak, what happened to her?” he asked in a serious voice. “Uhm...I-I’m not sure I’m supposed to say this...However...I worry for My Lady’s health and her...Predisposition of having incredibly unhealthy coping mechanisms and...She started eating less and less every day...I-I don’t know why, it happened so sudden...And she buried herself in more work than usual...Her being a Physician and all, I’d normally understand her work...But under these circumstances...” Shi Lian’s voice was sympathetic and worried, which made him immediately realise that it was his words that triggered it, along with the mockery of all the new palace ladies...He knew very well how gossips and rumours spread faster than the plague. “You’re...Not supposed to...Tell on me like that...” a weak voice murmured from the corner of the room, which indicated Y/N awakening. “My Lady, you woke up! Thank goodness you’re alright! The prince told me what happened...I was so worried for you!” the maid immediately rushed to her lady’s side, helping her get in a sitting position. “Your worries are misplaced with me...However, I must thank you, regardless. I appreciate your concerns for me.” Y/N sighed, looking down at her lap. “Oh, I made tea, and your favourite osmanthus cakes! Please, have some!” she was going to rush to give her the tray, only to be stopped by the lady. “Can you...Go for a walk? I’m fine, I can get up on my own.” Y/N nudged her with her words to get out, wanting to have a word with the princeling. “B-But, I-...Oh...! Yes, of course, I did have some errands to do! Please, take care, My Lady!” she bowed quickly in front of her and the prince, before leaving. “What a thoughtful girl...Always taking care for me, even when I don’t deserve it. She’s quite a catch, don’t you think? I bet you’d want her to be your maid.” the girl held a soft smile on her face, taking a sip of the hot tea. “You silly girl...You’re already skin and bones, and yet, you retort to starvation to stop the gossips from those low-lives. How much more foolish can you get?” his voice was serious, yet held sympathy concern, if you knew where to search for it. “To think you’d have enough sympathy in you to save someone you seemingly hate. I commend you, you truly grew up to be a fine man. Your mother would be very proud of you.” her expression, once again, held melancholy and nostalgia, and he was finally beginning to understand. “I don’t hate you. I never did. I was merely envious of your abilities.” he explained in a softer voice, making her chuckle. “Your mother told me how you’d go to whine to her how much you hate me. But hey, I’m glad that’s not the case anymore. I owe you mother a lot...So in turn, I owed you...But with time, I grew to see it in a different light, and I didn’t want to help you out of obligation, but simply because I wanted to see you grow. I hope I was able to help, in some way, despite my...Brutal teachings.” she hummed in amusement, eating one of the cakes. “I figured that out...It took a while, but I did. Mother hinted towards some things and told me to give you a chance and try to understand you. Once I stopped trying to win all the time, I realised that, instead of being competitive and win against others, I should first learn how to become the best version of myself. And once I did...I felt relieved. I suppose I should thank you for that.” he explained himself, and his words warmed her heart with happiness. “The only thanks is seeing you the way you are now. It wasn’t easy having to live with the reputation of being branded the traitor’s daughter, and then your mother dying so suddenly...The first prince died as well...Your mother too...So I let work and study engulf me completely, hoping that I could redeem myself by saving others, when I couldn’t save those I cared about. Pitiful, don’t you think?” she chuckled in self-deprecation, which made the prince turn to look at her with a frown on his face, before flicking her forehead hard enough to make the spot red. “G’ahh...That hurt...I guess you’re going to return the bullying that I did to you for so many years?” she eeped, more from the shock than the pain, lifting her hand to cover her forehead. “I believe you said you’re proud of the man I’ve become. What kind of man would I be if I were to actually bully you? Merely teasing you is enough to satisfy me.” he hummed in amusement, a side smirk making its way on his face as he got up, gingerly grasping her wrist, taking it away from her forehead. “Besides...I wouldn’t want to make you run away from me again.” he uttered as he caressed her face with one hand, bending down to kiss her forehead, where he previously flicked her. “You’re being surprisingly tender today, Yin Zhen. I must say, I quite like this side of you.” she put her hand over his, leaning in to his touch, her gentle expression resembling that of a spoiled kitten. “You’re not that different yourself, Y/N.”

It was then that Yin Zhen confessed his interesting in courting her, as despite not having a high rank, his heart belonged to her, and her alone, and since she knew her mind and heart have always been wandering to him, she accepted. Their dynamic was as unlikely as always, and sometimes, people thought they hated each other. The little firecracker that Y/N was resembled the calm before the storm, and she always did what she wanted, no matter what, which always seemed to be endearing for the prince who clearly condoned her erratic behaviour, yet looked out for her from afar, fearing her well-being. The palace was both the safest and the most dangerous place on the planet.

One day, as she went for a walk with her maid, she noticed up in the square pavilion, the Emperor, the Empress and the 4th and 6th princes, so clearly, at least out of obligation and respect, she had to go and pay her respects to them.

Walking up to them, she kneels down in greeting, hoping she wouldn’t have to stay for too long.

“My Lady! Please, take a seat. I must say, I thank you for curing my son of the illness that seemed to knock him down so badly.” the Empress extended her hand, motioning for the girl to sit down. Analysing the situation, she realised the Emperor looked angry, while the princes were solemn, sitting formally...And she hoped she’ll be quickly dismissed, as she walked right in the middle of something very important. “Last night, the Imperial Astrologers noticed a fluctuation in the stars - A possible bad omen. The Emperor is most concerned. Perhaps you have an idea that might help, considering your different thinking seems to help out the Palace all the time.” she continued, which made the girl smack herself on the face, mentally. “I...Am not as knowledgeable in astrology as I am in healing, so my opinion may not be exactly helpful...However, the stars have their own way of arranging...Perhaps praying would help...?” she tried to choose her words carefully, hating to talk when she had no idea about the subject in cause was. “Your Majesty, her idea may not be wrong. We could send someone to pray at Mount Tianchi? Your father built an observatory on Mount Tianchi for burning incense. He said his prayers were always answered on the mountain. It’s been over ten years since the court sent a delegation to pray on the mountain. Perhaps it is time for another one?” Yin Zhen explained his thoughts, which impressed the girl for his quick thinking and reasoning. “It is true, I have overlooked this ritual. But whom should we send?” the Emperor agreed, pondering as he stroked his beard. “Your Majesty, allow me to go on your behalf!” the 6th prince jumped in faster than anyone could blink. “It is a long way and you haven’t completed the tasks already assigned to you. Do you have time to go to Mount Tianchi?” Yin Zhen asked with concern for the mission that may be ruined by his over-zealous brother. “The 4th prince is right. The Emperor knows you want to help, but your current duties are far more pressing. You cannot just abandon them.” the Empress explains to her son why he couldn’t go, which made the 4th prince stand up and kneel in front of the Emperor. “Your Majesty, allow me to pray on Mount Tianchi for the people and the kingdom.” his statement made the Emperor smile at his son. “Very well! Go on my behalf and pray! Pray for my people!” the Emperor approved of his son’s suggestion. “If I may, I think that My Lady should accompany me. You see, Your Majesty, we have seen times and times she enjoys rare good fortune, and she is an incredibly skilled physician, should anything happen. I believe she could be our lucky charm.” Yin Zhen explained, which made the girl smile, knowing very well how beautiful the place is and how she wanted to visit it with him. “Hmm, yes, you make a good point, 4th prince. This isn’t a holiday, you know! This is a very serious mission and everything must be done correctly...I command you to pray beside the Prince for the well being of my subjects.” not the kind of responsibilities that she likes to have, but not much she can complain about. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall not fail you.” she kneeled in front of the Emperor, thanking him for his trust, and the next day, at the earliest hour, they were ready to go.

She brought light clothes with her, and wearing noble male clothing, as she would ride besides the princes, she jumped on her black horse and rode next to him.

“You look splendid, as always, Yin Zhen. Also, should I thank you for suggesting I come with you? Because that was one of the best things you’ve said in a long time.” she smiled tenderly at him, which he reciprocated with gratitude expressed in his eyes, but barely on his face. “I did promise I’d take you to see beautiful places, didn’t I? I am a man of my words.” he smirked slightly, looking ahead of us. “Hm...? I didn’t know Yin Zhi would come too. The 7th and 11th princes too? That’s a surprise...Ah, look at them, they look terrible...They don’t want to be here, do they?” she asks in a softer voice, hoping they wouldn’t hear. “The Emperor places great importance on this venture. We cannot fail.” his words seemed awfully enigmatic, which seemed to bubble anxiety into her heart. “Is...Something the matter...?” she whispered, leaning over to him, only for him to reach out his hand and pet her hair briefly. “Don’t worry over nothing. And even if something happens, I will protect you.” his confident smile made her raise her eyebrow questioningly, yet she bit her tongue and said nothing else, focusing on enjoying the ride.

The road was very difficult to pass on, especially the more rugged parts of the mountain, and unfortunately, while Y/N was perfectly fine, being used to riding, the carriage bumping constantly made her maid’s stomach upset, and in turn, had her jump out every so often to vomit.

“Y/N, the road gets worse up ahead. You know very well what I mean, don’t you?” Yin Zhi addresses the Lady he’s friends with, watching her jump off her horse to help her maid out. “...Yes, I understand the situation. We must arrive at a specific time, and there must be no delays. I’m sorry, Shi Lian. I wanted to see that beautiful place with you as well...But perhaps on another time, when we won’t be pressed by time. Will you be okay returning to the capital, waiting for me?” she strokes her maid’s hair gently, hoping she will be feeling better. “As you say, my Lady. I’ll wait for you in the capital. Please take good care of yourself.” Shi Lian’s words were brave and held much love for her Lady. “Thank you, dear, but you won’t have to worry about me. There are more guards here than the 6th prince can count.” Y/N giggled as she ruthlessly shamed the lecherous prince. “M-My Lady!” Shi Lian gasped, her eyes widening in shock at her words. “...She’s not wrong.” Yin Zhi smirked in amusement, tilting his head to urge her to return to her horse. “If you are so amused by my words, perhaps you could organise a reliable person to escort Shi Lian back to the capital?” she asked, a wide, sarcastic smile on her face. “Bring her this way.” his eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned around, guiding us to another carriage that will bring her back to the capital. After saying her farewells, she turned to go back to her horse, only to get disturbed by the 7th prince, whose annoying smirk wouldn’t get wiped off his face. “Most excellent. You gave that cold fish brother of mine the pleasure of helping someone.” he said in a sly manner. “My, you wouldn’t happen to be...Jealous, would you, 7th Prince?” Y/N tilted her head in a mocking manner. “You are much more enjoyable when sleepy, you know?” she chuckled, turning back to go to her horse, but before she knew it, her paramour was by her side, glaring at his younger brother. “Brother, what are you doing?” Yin Zhen asked, his eyes sharply scanning him. “I just wanted another word with the Lady. What are you worried about?” the 7th Prince mocked his elder brother with amusement. “I’m not worried. I just came over to remind you, the ceremony is going to be held soon. We cannot delay any further.” the 4th Prince warned his brother, who seemed aggravated by him. “You think I don’t know that?! I still want a word with the Lady...My Lady, you are very capable. A number of my brothers are quite enamoured with you.” he explainde, as if she was a nuisance, yet also, enjoyed taunting her...Yet he always failed. “Too bad I’m already being courted by someone, don’t you think? Although, I don’t think it should bother you, should it? I believe you may or may not despise me, for some odd reason I’m not aware of.” she shrugged, ignoring his protests as she followed her beloved and got on her horse, finally making it to the Mount, where it’s already summer.

The ceremony lasted for three days and three nights, and by the end of it, she had to regard how meticulously perfect everything was done by the 4th Prince, as she admired him working, and seeing that he was really the only prince doing anything, she got up and started helping him out as best as she could, which meant she could chat a bit about random things with said man.

Out of nowhere, droplets of rain started falling from the sky, which may or may not be an indicator that the omens were changing.

“Well, what do you think? I heard in some cultured rain was an indicator of good fortune.” Y/N plays on, carrying a smaller crate. “Superstitious. For the sake of conversation, you say a lot of weird things.” he scoffed, taking the crate from her hand and putting it on top of the one he was carrying. “And likewise, you do a lot of weird things...Like suggesting to come pray on this mountain and do a ritual. Don’t be a hypocrite with me, you know I always turn it on you.” she chuckled, helping him put down the crates in their rightful places. “Of course I know. That’s why I tease you.” in turn, he playfully tapped her forehead, chuckling at her tender expression. “Don’t make that face when others are around. It makes me want to kiss you. Who knows what others might think or do if they see you.” he looked around, scanning to see if anyone was watching, before stealing a quick kiss. “If you don’t want others to see, don’t be so sweet with me...Or, perhaps, choose the other approach and let’s go for a ride through the forest with me?” the Lady hooked her arm to his, and of course, he couldn’t turn down her suggestion.

If there was something she loved more than the satisfaction of saving someone’s life or learning something knew, was the feeling of freedom as they rode together, only the two of them, all their worries disappearing completely, at least for the moment. However, before they realised it, they got in the city as soon as the rain started pouring down hard, which forced them to dismount and seek shelter under some eaves, his cape draped over her head to make sure she wasn’t being as drenched as him, holding her close to his chest to keep her warm.

“Wouldn’t you like it if we spent out life like this? Away from the capital, away from the Emperor and so many rules...And we can just be free and do as we please.” she spoke out her heart’s desire without even realising. “As long as you’re by my side, I don’t really care what we do. Although...What you say wouldn’t be bad.” he declared, and thankfully, the rain soon stopped, so they were able to go back.

By the time they got back to the party, dusk started falling, and as soon as they started strolling along the covered walkway, so they returned to their rooms, as the rain started falling again.  As they changed in comfortable clothes, in their own, separate rooms, the 4th Prince told the Lady he was going to be out, with his brothers, for some tree in the Plumflower Garden behind the observatory.

She went to sit out on the porch, reading a book as she let the rain and wind relax her, thinking of the next day and the journey back home. The storm, however, didn’t stop throughout the night, and because of loud it was, Y/N couldn’t fall asleep, so instead, she smiled, feeling content with the beautiful sound of the rain.

Y/N heard a soft knock on the door, and the handmaid, Yun Mo, walks inside and she speaks softly, asking if she needs anything. Y/N asked the beautiful girl if the princes are still outside, and as she heard, they were outside, drinking, very much drunk.

“Ahh, Yin Zhen said they’d be drinking tea. I should see this as a new code I must learn. Very well, I’ll go to them and see if they’re okay. Could you please prepare some soup for their hangover?” Y/N asked, putting on a coat over her nightgown. “Yes, of course, My Lady. Please, excuse me.” she bows gracefully, leaving the place, only for Y/N see the faint light of a lantern. “Hello? Who’s there?” Y/N frowned, only hearing the rain hit the ground, holding tightly the dagger that Yin Zhen gifted her some time ago.

She slowly walked to the wall beside the door, extending her hand and pushing the door open. Peering outside, she notices pools of spilled blood that belonged to the lifeless guards...Killed by the figure in black holding a knife in his hand. Keeping her composure, she snuck behind him and thrust the blade in his neck, holding one hand to his mouth so he won’t alert his allies, and stole his sword.

However, other assassin saw her and yelled out for his peers, which made her bolt for the side door, as fast as she could.

“RUN MY LADY!” the soft voice of the handmaid echoed throughout the place as she tried to delay the assassins. “HELP! ANYONE! IS ANYONE HERE?!” Y/N yelled out, running until her legs couldn’t hold her anymore, and she stopped to gain her breath, only to see a pile of dead guards bleeding onto the earth, the sickly, metallic smell of fresh blood assaulting her senses.

As the assassin caught up to her, she took out the sword from the scabbard and parried all his hits, only to deliver the finishing blow. However, that wasn’t the end, as three more started appearing. She killed another, and ready to strike the other, she heard the cry of someone behind her. Quickly dodging a strike, she looked back to see what happened to the 3rd assailant, only to see her beloved Yin Zhen with a sword in his hand, his eyes cold and clear, clearly, no sign of alcohol intoxication.

“Yin Zhen! Thank goodness you’re okay! The maid said you were drunk and I got worried...But seems it’s not the case. What IS going on?!” she asked, struggling to breathe properly as she tried to fight back her fear. “I don’t know yet, but we have to go.” he spoke quickly before he picked her around the waist, leaping deftly onto the roof, like superhuman. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.” he muttered, seeing as other assassins started chasing them. “Is everyone dead...?” she whispered, fearing the answer. “My men have cornered some of the assassins.” he explained, looking left and right to spot his enemies’ moves. “You...Came back...To save me...?” her eyes widened in shock hearing that he was risking his life for her. “I promised you I’d protect you at all cost, didn’t I?” his confident smile seemed to bring courage into her heart. “There’s a small side door in the courtyard up ahead. It leads into the forest...But we must lose them first.” she explained her strategy, and he seemed to agree, as he turned around, picked her up properly and sprung in the other direction. “Did you just...?!” she gasped, realising he was drawing the assassins off in the opposite direction so she could come back and escape out of the kitchen. The darkness concealed their movements, and sooner than later, the assailants lost their track, and they managed to return safely to the kitchen, and through the other side of the door, into the forest. “Yes, I did. Are you hurt?” he asked, concern obvious in his voice. “No...I’m okay. Thanks to you...And you seem okay...Ah, what about the others?” she gasped, realising that it wasn’t only them around. “It’s fine. I already sent people to the local garrison, reinforcements should get here any second. We just need to wait.” just as he said that, an arrow pierced the air, slamming barely a few inches from her face, making her squeal in fright. “No good, no good, no good!” she whimpered, only able to stare at the arrow in front of her, her knees weakening, barely able to stand up. “You were supposed to be our lucky charm, darling.” Yin Zhen tried to joke to ease up the tension, but the arrows kept whistling above their heads and the strain of carrying someone was taking a toll on his body and strength. “Put me down, Yin Zhen! You can’t go on for much longer! ...You go ahead, I’ll keep them at bay until reinforcements arrive. You are the Prince, if anything happens to you, there will be hell at the Palace. You’re more important than I am.” she wiggled in his grasp, which only annoyed him. “Don’t be stupid. But you’re right, we’re not getting anywhere. I’ll go deal with them, and you stay here. Don’t complain, there’s no way I’m leaving you behind.” he puts her down gently, drawing his sword and swiping an incoming arrow out of the air, charging into the tree after the hidden arrow. “You’re impossible...” she muttered, taking out her sword and trying to keep back the other assassins that were trying to catch up with him. “Y/N, RUN! NOW!” Yin Zhen never screamed...It meant business, so she didn’t complain, even though she saw how many assassins caught up to them. “BETTER STAY ALIVE!” she yelled back, bolting to find the reinforcements.

She started running through the forest, until suddenly, she got roughly pulled back by the hair, and she fell to the ground with a squeal. Looking up, she saw one of the assassins, his blade in his other hand, so she quickly drew her dagger, cutting her hair to release herself, then dug it deep into his neck.

“My Lady!” she heard a familiar voice, and she realised it was Minister Fan Wencheng, the person Yin Zhen must have sent to get help. “Yin Zhen is that way, he needs help! Fast, go!” she yelled sharply at the army behind the minister, and thankfully, the large contingent of armed men seemed to reassure her. “Save the Prince!” the minister “Thank goodness you arrived when you did!” she sighed, falling to her knees, hearing the enemies retreat. However, the last arrow sent wasn’t heard by her, despite going in her direction... “To think you’d be careless at the very end. Be more mindful, my brother would go crazy if he saw you dead.” another familiar voice scolded her playfully as he deflected the arrow with his sword. “Thankfully, you’re always there to save the day, Yin Zhi.” Y/N chuckled weakly, turning around to look at him with a relieved expression painted on her face. “Are you hurt?” he asked, crouching and helping her stand up. “No...No, I’m fine, don’t worry about me, worry about your brother.” she grasped his hand, holding it tightly, the anxiety of not seeing Yin Zhen getting the better of her. “He’s fine, I’m sure of that. He’s too stubborn to die. Come one, I’ll have someone escort you to your room.” he petted her hair, but she only frowned, refusing. “Thank you, but I can’t leave this place without seeing him. I’ll wait.” and so she does, and as soon as she sees the man dresses in gold, she rips herself from his brother’s hold and runs towards him, throwing her arms around him. “That’s the kind of greeting I like to see.” he chuckled, stroking her hair reassuringly. “You...You...Honestly...Let’s go back. I have to treat your wounds.” she stopped herself from saying something harsh. “You can curse me all you want when we get back. I know you’re restraining yourself.” he hummed in amusement, only feel her form weaken in his hands, and he realised he fainted from a running fever. “...Stop worrying about others and worry about yourself too, sometimes.” he shook his head, picking her up and walking towards her room, by the physician’s place. “Go get checked by the physician, I’ll look after her. You don’t want her to see the cuts on your face, do you?” Yin Zhi smirked at his younger brother, getting water and a towel to put on her forehead, to get her fever down. “Thank you, brother.” he nodded, leaving for the physician’s room, seeing his other two brothers getting treated.

Not long passed until the girl woke up once again, feeling better, despite the weakness of her body and the burning fever. As she tried to get up and open her eyes, a pair of gentle arms help her, giving her a glass of water.

“...Is there...Really no one else...?” she asked, realising that, if he was here, her maid truly sacrificed herself to save her. “...Unfortunately.” he nodded reluctantly, making the girl close her eyes, hanging her head. “That’s insane...But...I’m relieved. I kept thinking that...It could have been Shi Lian in her place, and dread overwhelms my heart. I knew what happened...But I didn’t want to admit to myself that such a kind-hearted, selfless woman could stop living, just like that...And I thank her upset stomach for driving her away from this place.” Y/N raked her fingers through the length of her hair, slightly surprised at the fact that it wasn’t as long as before, and then she recalled the events of last night properly. “I understand, your feelings are complicated. That’s how emotions usually are, unfortunately. That’s why I tend to stray away from them. You used to as well...But not anymore.” he pointed out, sighing. “What about the other princes?” she asked again. “They’re both wounded. All three of my brothers are now in the physician’s room.” hearing that, she let herself fall down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. “Thank goodness...I feared the worst. But at least they’re alive. They may not be agreeable, but if they were to die...I don’t want to imagine.” she dragged her hands down her face, groaning at the horrible things that happened, before an eunuch ran into the room, desperate. “3rd Prince! The 7th Prince is threatening to kill the doctor! You’re the only one who can stop him!” he explained vigorously, as the 3rd prince held a solemn expression. “Number 11 will recover from his wounds, but 7 may never walk again.” as soon as she heard that, she jolted out of the bed, running to the physician’s room, scanning all the three princes and their conditions, the light of the candles being the only way to illuminate the room. “Let me see.” she walked by the 7th prince’s bed, and he only scoffed, taking off the blanked from his legs for her to examine. “I see...The situation isn’t great...I heard the physician saying you may not walk again.” she muttered, only to feel a strong hand gripping her throat. “What would you know?!” he growled at her, his eyes holding anger and sorrow. “I know you’re upset...I can’t do miracles, but I can promise I will do my best to save your legs. Will you trust me?” she asked, looking at the prince, who was gritting his teeth. “Whatever. I don’t have many options anyway.” he sighed, leaning back on the bed. “If you’re not satisfied, there will be enough Imperial Physicians back at the capital.” she explained, realising he wasn’t looking at her anymore. “Fine.” he nodded simply. “I will go tend to the 4th and 11th princes’ wounds since they are easier to treat, and then...?! Hold up, what the hell are you doing here?! This plant is barely effective for stopping the bleeding...And you mixed Ginko seed for that? Ginko increases the risks of bleeding, you imbecile! ...What is it...? Ginseng root? You do realise he has a problem raising his legs, not his cock, don’t you?! And this...This is to relieve the pain from a woman’s blood moon! You know what? Do me a favour and get the hell out of here, before I kill you. No, actually, I need a lackey, stay here and do what I say.” Y/N went through all the plants and mixtures on the table like a hurricane, scaring the soul out of the poor physician, which only seemed to serve as entertainment for the rest of the princes. “Yell again, and you might kill the poor man with your threats. Not that you aren’t right, per say. However, instead of running around in your nightgown, still damp from the rain, I’d suggest you go change in something...More fitting.” Yin Zhi suddenly appeared into the room, putting his coat on her shoulder, snickering at her firecracker behaviour that usually appears when it comes to work. “Hmm...Yes, I suppose you’re right. I was so worried, I completely forgot how I was dressed. I’ll be back in a second.” she looked down at the light, short dress she was wearing, her cheeks flushing slightly from the revealing outfit, only to return, wearing Yin Zhen’s old breeches and shirt. “Are those my old clothes?” the 4th prince asked, barely able to stop himself from laughing. “Yes. Your mother sent them over to me a while ago. As you know very well, I stopped growing a while ago...And you didn’t. Practical clothes, I’m telling you.” she tried to ignore him, so she wouldn’t focus on the teasing, but on her work. “Then come over and treat my wounds.” he smirked, leaning back and taking off his coat, revealing the cuts on his chest. “Hmm...I see. You, go get me chamomile, I need to treat the inflammation and make sure the wounds don’t fester. Likewise, I need marigold ointment, horsetail...And milk of the poppy, a needle and threat to sew up wounds...Towels, warm water...What are you standing there for? Go on, do something! Chap, chap!” she clapped her hands to hurry the man as she took the hot chamomile tea, soaking a handkerchief and gently wiping Yin Zhen’s wounds. “Were the circumstances different, this would have been incredibly endearing.” he peered into her eyes with an amused smirk on his face. “Say that when we get home and you’re in perfect health, got it? I’m still mad at what you did.” she muttered, biting her lip. “Why is your hair shorter?” with a hand, he stroked the length of her hair. “...I realised this morning I had split ends. Cutting helps with faster hair regeneration, the same as trimming plants helps with growth.” she explained, almost as if she wanted to believe so herself. “And your hairstylist was one of the assassins. Tell them to give your money back, they did an awful, non-symmetrical job.” Yin Zhi mocked her, which only made her glare at him, taking out the sword sheathe and hitting him with it. “You’re the worst, Yin Zhi!” pushed him back on the chair, before turning back to treat the 4th Prince. “I thought this was a place of healing, not one of damage.” the man chuckled, only for the girl to scoff. “You’re unscratched, don’t bother talking. The only thing you’ll ever wound is your ego whenever you talk to me. Now, leave, I’m busy.” she waved her hand dismissively towards him, and he left, not without more thrown witty comebacks. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me.” Yin Zhen chuckled, kissing her forehead. “Tell me that at home, please. Right now, I’m incredibly worried about the Emperor’s reaction to this mess.” she sighed, finishing up her paramour, before turning to quickly fix up the 11th Prince. “What’s the worst that could happen, I wonder?” he asked enigmatically, making her shudder. “The end of the world, if he would so desire.” she murmured, getting up, and taking everything closer to the 7th Prince’s bed, observing the wounds and cleaning them, treating them, bandaging them and stitching up some of the more shallow ones.

She continued the treatment all day without fail or rest, only remembering to eat when given food on a plate, and then, they had to leave back to the capital. Y/N rode again besides Yin Zhen, the road back to the capital much more quiet than the one the other way back, both of them deep into their own thoughts to speak more than basic concerns.

When they arrived, as soon as Y/N spotted Shi Lian, she jumped off the horse and engulfed the maid into a tight hug, telling her how happy she is to see her, and making sure she doesn’t say a word, until they go back home, away from anyone’s ears.

Just as expected, the next day they were called at the Hall of Mental Cultivation as the Emperor slowly reads a memorial, while everyone kneels on the floor, not daring to speak until spoken to. Obviously, the news of the 7th Prince’s condition reached his ears, and now he’s dead set on finding a culprit, believing that one of the brothers must be the one. The silence was so deep that was feeling everyone with dread.

“What happened to my nice ceremony? Could it be that Heaven is displeased, and so seeks to punish me?” the Emperor hurled the memorial to the floor, as everyone waited for the raging storm to hit. “Your Majesty, the ceremony had already been completed. What happened afterwards was the act of a traitor, not Heaven’s doing. I failed to protect 7th Prince. I take responsibility for it.” Yin Zhen took the blame, which made the girl’s mind shriek. “It IS your responsibility! He is a cripple because of you!” the Emperor threw the memorial at his face, which hurt the girl more than it hurt him. “Your Majesty, the 7th Prince may still be curable! With the help of the Imperial Physicians and modern, western medicine, we may find a way to help him walk again! In the mean time, the culprit must be found. An attack on the princes is a direct attack on you!” Y/N tried to shift the Emperor’s rage from Yin Zhen to her, and it seemed to work, for he slowly turned his head towards her, his glowering eyes making her heart beat faster with fear, and for the first time in her life, all the honors she had bestowed by his grace seemed to disappear, as she seemed like nothing more than a stranger to him now. “They were wounded. You, however...You, as a revered physician, failed to help him and give me false hope. From now on, the role of Imperial Physician will be taken away from you. You are free of your duties. This has nothing to do with you anymore, you may withdraw.” the Emperor spoke coldly, making the girl drop her jaw to the floor in shock.

It took a few seconds to compose herself, as she felt as if the skies fell on her, crushing her completely, before bowing and rushing to the Prince’s room, going by his side, looking at him with a stern expression.

“Do you still trust me to get you better, Prince?” she asked, trying her hardest not to cry.  “If not you, then who else? Why ask?” he frowned, forcing himself in a sitting position. “The Emperor took away my rights to practice medicine, however, I promised you something, and even if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to keep my promises.” she explained, rushing to arrange the myriads of ingredients she prepared. “You’re risking your life for a stupid promise you may not even be able to keep. Why?” he looked at her in shock and curiosity. “A few reasons. One, because I promised, and like Yin Zhen, I like to believe I’m a person of my word too. Secondly, because it will keep bugging me if I know I didn’t try everything I could to help you out. And thirdly...If the Emperor finds out I was able to help you walk again, I might get back my practicing rights, and he will stop being angry and blaming Yin Zhen.” she explained with a tired sigh, sitting on the side of the bed. “I know you hate me, but I don’t hate you.” she muttered, getting back to work  “You’re an idiot, you know that, right?” the 7th Prince looked at her with a dumbfound expression. “Go ahead and do whatever you want. I’ll make sure nobody tells a soul. It can’t get worse than not walking, anyway.” the usually grumpy prince gave her permission to work on his legs as she saw fit. “Thank you, Prince. I’ll do my best.” she nodded, long absorbed into her work. “...And I don’t hate you.” he murmured with a sigh, looking away. “Hmmm...? Is that so? If yes, then I thank you for clarifying.” she smiled softly at him. “I did tell you before, didn’t I? You’re different from most of the women in the Palace. They are other wretched and vile, or soft and quite, but neither have any personality or ambition, other than marrying, being well-off and having children to ensure their positions. It’s pitiful.” he sighed again, the usual grumpy expression on his face. “So...You were jealous on Yin Zhen, then?” she asked, not sparing him any glance yet. “Sort of, but not only. I remember when I was very young, you’d always be around the 1st Prince...And your friendship with the 3rd and 4th Princes continued nicely since then, even now. I wanted to have someone so reliable and interesting, like you by my side...A friend, you could say.” the Prince explained himself, which made the girl pat his head gently, giving him a smile. “If you want a friend, I can be one for you. However, let’s focus on getting you better first, shall we?” she encouraged him, and he seemed thankful. “...Thanks, Y/N. I won’t forget it.” day in and day out, she stood by his side, trying everything in her power to save him, only remembering to take care of herself when the Prince or her paramour would make sure she is taken care of.

However, after just over a week, the Emperor found her in the Prince’s room, still doing what a physician should, and he grew angry, ordering for her to be thrown into the Hard Labour Camp, and to be beaten as a punishment, until the 7th Prince protested against his father’s order said out of anger.

“Father, please don’t punish her! She wanted to help me. No physician was able to do as much progress as she did. Look, I can get out of the bed and stand by myself!” the prince explained quickly, rushing to get out of the bed, yet his legs were still wobbly as he was standing, and collapsed. “Prince, I told you, no fast moves. Take it easy, we have to properly prepare the muscles for effort.” she caught him, carefully helping him sit back on the bed. “See, Father? She knows what she’s doing. Please, don’t take her away, I don’t trust other physicians to take care of me.” the prince smiled reassuringly at his anxious father, who seemed to ease up a bit. “...I see. I may have too rash in my decisions before. You are correct, I have never seen a more dedicated healer, and I see that there is still hope of you being able to walk again. Very well, Y/N, you can have your position back. Please continue taking care of my son, my Lady.” the Emperor nodded at the girl before leaving the place. “...Hallelujah!” she let out a deep breath she had no idea she was holding before falling on the ground, relief soothing her soul. “You saved me. Thanks.” “You silly woman, you never know when to stop, do you?” Yin Zhen suddenly walked inside the room, scooping her up in his arms.  “I don’t...But do you?” she retorted automatically, almost as if she didn’t even realise. “It wouldn’t be fun if I did. Thanks, brothers, for defending this idiot. She constantly needs taking care of.” Yin Zhen chuckled, taunting his beloved, while his younger brother, despite his grumpy disposition, scoffed in amusement. “Do a better job at it, then. Now go already, I need to rest and you’re bothering me.” he shooed the both of them out of his house, and they could finally do something they wanted, no responsibility on either of their shoulders.

They walked together to the lake, laying down in the bed of flowers, under the wisteria tree, and holding hands, the prince heard the girl sigh in content, then tilted his head to look at her soft, relaxed visage. He admired her beauty for just a few more seconds before leaning down and panting a kiss on her lips. Instead of opening her eyes, she smiled and brought her arms around his neck, pulling him down to kiss him with more fire and lover, finally happy that their problems were over, at least for now.

“I’d want to say you are uncharacteristically bold today, but we both know that would be a lie.” he hummed in amusement, leaning on his elbow. “You can’t blame me. I freaked out after the Emperor’s punishment, but now we can sit back and relax...And I can properly spend time with you. I didn’t even have time to properly say how worried I was for you that night...I was worried out of my wits when you made me leave you.” she sighed, caressing his face, looking at him with an expression that showed mixed emotions. “I told you I would do anything to keep you safe. Thankfully, nothing too grave happened. I suppose all that trauma you instilled into me when training was worth something.” he teased her, which made her stare at him in disbelief, before chuckling at his silliness. “I-I didn’t traumatise you, come on!” she grinned, flicking his forehead, just as he’d do to her. “I did complain to my mother that you’re treating me horribly.” he smirked, which only made her dramatically sigh. “At least it was worth something!” she mused at him, which, in turn, made him kiss her forehead. “It was thanks to you that I was able to protect you. And it was thanks to you that I was able to answer my mother’s riddle and receive the reward for it.” he confessed, holding her hand and intertwining their fingers together. “What was the riddle? And the reward?” she asked, blinking in curiosity. “She asked how did I think you would react once I finally beat you in a challenge. At first, I thought you’d hate me, as I used to hate you...But then, I came to realise that you wanted only the best for me.” he explained his feelings from over 10 years ago. “Ah, yes, I remember. It hurt seeing you throw tantrums, but I knew you’d come to your senses sooner or later. I always had faith in your.” she smiled like a proud kitten. “I know now. Which comes to my reward...Which is your love and trust for me.” came Yin Zhen’s confession, which made the girl blush softly. “You’ll be right there. I have loved you for a long time. My younger self wouldn’t have believed this would be her future. I’m sure she’d be as happy as I am now.” she pulled him down to kiss him again and again and again, overthrilled to be able to spend quality time with him like that. “And I opened my eyes and heart, and here I am, pouring all my love to you and you alone.” he reciprocated the kisses with just as much fire and passion as her. “So...Care to tell me again how endearing you find this little firecracker~?” 

#legend of the phoenix imagine #legend of the phoenix x reader #legend of the phoenix #legend of the phoenix yin zhen #legend of the phoenix 4th prince #yin zhi #yin zhen #6th prince #7th prince #11th prince #legend of the phoenix yin zhi #yin zhen x reader #yin zhen imagine #legend of the phoenix yin zhen x reader #legend of the phoenix yin zhen imagine #imperial physician reader #imperial china

[alecmagnuslwb]

Inked

Writer’s Month 2020 Day One

Read on AO3

The door swings open right on cue just like it has at three o’clock on the second Tuesday of every month this year.

Jason looks up from where he’d been sketching at the front desk when the little bell above the door chimes and he hates to admit he freezes for a moment. Roy Harper looks good, really good. He’s cut his hair since the last time he saw him for his monthly tattoo in July and it gives Jason a whole new view to admire.

The shoulder length red tresses are gone his hair now shaved down on the sides and a little longer at the top. Jason likes it, it gives him a view of Roy’s strong neck that had previously been covered. Roy lifts an arm running his hand through the top of his hair as he gives Jason one of those big beaming smiles he always seems to sport. The movement highlights his biceps which are blissfully exposed due to the oppressive August heat of the city.

He slips the beat-up grey trucker hat in his hand on his head backwards once he reaches the desk leaning on it with his strong exposed forearms.

“Hey, ya Jaybird. Ready for me?” he asks that grin still on his lips.

“Always,” Jason says closing up his sketchbook.

Jason moves back a bit so that he and Roy aren’t practically nose to nose. Not that he doesn’t want them to be nose to nose it’s just that they aren’t there yet. They might never be, he’s not really sure what’s going on between them if he’s being honest.

Jason and Roy have technically known each other since they were teens, back when they were Robin and Speedy the children of two of the most known superheroes in the world, but Jason made a choice to hang up the pixie boots before he graduated high school for his own mental  and physical health and Roy chose the same after his first round in rehab had nearly killed him.

After that their paths had diverted. Jason had gone to art school and promptly dropped out a year later to pursue art on his own terms. Roy had attempted an engineering degree, but his mind was lightyears ahead of anything any college could teach so he’d flunked out for not doing his assignments properly ever.

Then came a dark year for both of them, a year that no amount of therapy will every completely wash away. Jason had hit rock bottom with is career and his estrangement from Bruce for choosing a world outside of vigilantism came to a violent head while Roy hit his own rock bottom at the end of a needle.

It took years of failed relationships, bad decisions and hard work for them both to pull themselves back up out of it all, only ever really hearing about each other’s struggles through the gossip grapevine that is Dick Grayson.

Eventually Roy made his way back to Star City. Upon finding out he had a daughter he had gotten truly sober and stable for the first time in his life with the support of his dysfunctional super family. He made amends with Oliver, primarily through Dinah’s stubborn insistence they work it out, took to single fatherhood in a way he’d never taken to anything so quickly and got a job at a florist’s shop giving himself a peaceful place to spends his days that allows him to tinker with every new invention he can in his spare time without the stress of making exploding arrows to fight crime at night.

Jason had had a similar path. He and Bruce still rest on shaky ground and he’s fairly certain they always will, but he’s good with his brood of siblings again and putting his art expression into something as permanent as tattoos has been therapeutic.

Moving to Star City for Jason had been a whim. He needed out of Gotham, he’d saved up enough to start his own shop to truly make a name for himself, but he couldn’t do it in a city that was swimming in Bats. Dick had been the one to suggest Star, at the time Jason hadn’t thought anything of it. Had just assumed he was sending him to a town that still had the comfort of rampant vigilantism, but with the advantage of being on the other side of the country from anything with the name Wayne slapped on it.

Ever since Roy came walking into his shop, Bat Tats a name he 100% chose to piss of his adoptive father, eight months ago on Dick’s suggestion Jason thinks maybe his overbearing brother had ulterior motives. That maybe there’s a reason Dick is one of the few people who understands why Jason and Roy have become so close.

So here they are now two former sidekicks with their fair share of daddy issues and trauma doing a little bit better in every aspect of their lives every day and finding a friendship in one another Jason’s come to treasure.

“No Lian today?” Jason asks as Roy moves on autopilot to his usual station to take a seat.

Roy shakes his head taking off his hat and throwing it on the wall ledge behind him.

“I love that little girl more than anything, but keeping her sitting still and entertained for an extended period of time can be a struggle, especially when she knows she could be playing outside,” he says chuckling. Jason smiles remembering some of the previous months when she had tagged along and the way Lian had twirled around on a swivel chair asking Jason a million questions and briefly running into one of the brick walls when she spun a little too hard. “Don’t need her distracting you so much you end up accidentally inking me with something that looks like a dick.”

“Lian is no distraction, trust me, she’s a delight,” Jason responds with a smile as he sets up his station. He means it Lian is a ball of energy with a smile like her father and wit far greater than most adults Jason has met. Roy is far more of a distraction, his tattoo in April which had been on his bare chest had nearly killed Jason. “And if I was going to tattoo a dick on you there would be nothing accidental about it.”

Roy full out belly laughs and Jason loves the sound.

“Speaking of dick’s,” he says as he rolls up his chair to Roy’s side snapping on his gloves. “You sure you don’t want that Nightwing tattoo? It’s a best seller.”

Jason tilts his head up to the wall where proudly, because Dick framed it the ass that he is, is the Nightwing symbol with a gold plate below it reading #1 bestseller. If Jason didn’t like paying his bills he’d probably stop offering it, but the last three months has seen a surge in his popularity since he and Babs essentially stopped an apocalypse on their own and Jason has found himself with at least a dozen requests for the symbol every week.

“Not a chance, I will not take part in fluffing Grayson’s ego, I refuse,” Roy says before gesturing down at his body. “This body is temple now.”

Damn right it is, Jason thinks eyes lingering a little too long at the body in question. Long enough that he’s pretty sure he’s been caught so he clears his throat not meeting Roy’s eye as he loads up the tattoo gun.

He doesn’t see Roy smirk as he stretches out his arm for Jason and he definitely doesn’t notice how Roy watches the white streaks at the front of his hair fall over his eyes intently as he bends his head to get to work.

Today’s tattoo is a simple one. A small date that’s just a few days away to be added onto his ‘Lian forearm’ as they call it, alongside her name, the word for daughter in Navajo and a handful of little drawings Lian herself has proudly designed. The date marks his fifth year of sobriety, the day he decided to be there for his little girl for the rest of his days.

They chat while Jason works, Jason trying to ignore the way Roy’s scars feel warm under his fingers at every pass. Roy gives an update on Lian as back to school nears and Jason updates him on the weirdest tattoo requests he’s had the past few weeks. His personal favorite being the 82-year-old grandma who’d come in requesting a tattoo of a lion’s head that her grandson designed.

Roy chuckles as Jason finishes up getting the materials to wrap up the new ink.

“Well she sounds cool as hell, any chance she’s willing to take on new grandchildren?” he asks.

“I asked, she said she could direct me to some equally as cool friends since she’s already got 13 of her own,” Jason chuckles as he finishes wrapping up. “All done.”

He pulls away with a smile snapping the gloves off and throwing them in a nearby trash can. They walk back up to the front together, Roy paying and tipping him way too much like he always does.

“You’re absolutely worth it,” Roy says when Jason tries to wave off the excessive tip. Jason’s breath catches, the context isn’t remotely what Jason’s dumb gay brain is thinking, but it feels loaded anyways.

Jason brushes it off best he can. “If you say so,” he shrugs.  

“I do,” Roy says back instantly not missing a beat. Jason’s about to ask him if his tattoo streak is going to continue next month, but Roy beats him to it.

“I know we usually have a monthly date here and I do plan to keep that up, Lian has a killer new idea with a lizard wearing a top hat,” Roy says a little nervousness in his words. He reaches up adjusting his hat, a nervous tick Jason has picked up on over the months, it’s a little thing most people would overlook, but no matter how much time passes his training from Bruce is always there telling him to watch every little move and tick of every person he encounters. “But I was thinking we could have another date before that, you know not here and not you giving me a tattoo. Maybe over dinner?”

Jason’s eyes drop down to Roy’s at that quickly looking away from where he’d been watching him play with his hat.

Evidently Jason is quiet for far too long because Roy starts to fumble the hat around even more.

“Obviously if I’ve read everything wrong all these months then we can just act like this never happened and call it nothing more than a friend hang,” Roy rambles. “Or you know just let me die of embarrassment for a few more minutes and we’ll only ever see each other inside these four walls.”

“No,” Jason says finally snapping out of his shock that Roy just asked him out. “I mean yes, yes I’d love to go to dinner with you on a date.”

Roy puts his hat back on properly and smiles that big smile of his again.

“Great, how about Friday? Lian’s having a sleepover at Dinah and Ollie’s, so I’d be all yours for the evening,” Roy says, there is a little bit of implication in his words, months of built up charm and light flirting via friendship slipping in.

“Friday works for me,” Jason replies easy with his own smile no doubt as big as Roy’s.

#my fic #writersmonth2020 #jayroy #jason todd #roy harper #fun fact idk if i like writing jayroy but i've commited to three fics for them this month so i'm putting them out there #30 more days to go

[quin-weasel]

Champions at the beach (Frontline and Support)

I don't have a list of champs on me, so if I forget a few, that's why.

Tank:

Ash: She's relaxing on the beach. Laying in the sun.

Atlas: Trying to convince Lex to get ice cream with him.

Torvald: He entered the sandcastle contest. He wants to make the largest one.

Makoa: He always at the beach. He's reading some news stuff.

Fernando: Fernando is there to pick up some dudes and look good while doing it.

Barik: Sandcastle contest. He's gonna win it.

Khan: There to keep Lian safe and shout profanity at all the nonhumans

Terminus: There cause that's just where he happened to be

Ruckus: crushing sandcastles for giggles.

Inara: She is sitting in the water, where it's a foot or so deep, letting the waves roll over. (Momnara version: She's trying to teach Pip to swim)

Support:

Furia: Trying to have at least a little fun. Maybe swimming some. Sunbathing.

Jenos: He stayed inside.

Grohk: He let's people bury him in sand for funsies.

Grover: Trying to plant trees in the sand.

Seris: Telling people on the beach how they'll die. That's her idea of fun.

Mal'Damba: He is there for his snake. Who wanted to swim a lil.

Ying: Summer fun means beach time. She's showing off and being badass.

Pip: Trying to attract hunks to him. Then he goes to Lex and asks if he wants to get some lemonade.

#paladins cotr #pcotr #paladins champions of the realm #paladins

[mwritesink]

Current masterpost of my MDZS AUs/WiPs

the ones made with @mrmissmrsrandom

Hozier AU

Title: Serrated

Main AU point: Mo Xuanyu lives, he and Wei Wuxian are both in Xuanyu’s body. 

Main Pairing: Wei Wuxian/Mo Xuanyu/Lan Wangji

Other fun: Jiang Cheng/Ouyang OFC, Xuanyu acting in his role as uncle to Jin Ling, Domestic times, quiet times, interpersonal relationship contemplations, spirit possession, fun with switching who’s in control when, B/D elements, Bottoming from the top, 

Potential triggering content: Victim self-blaming, evidence of gaslighting, canon typical violence and gore, characters with PTSD and addressing the causes of said PTSD 

Modern AU

Title: Soldered

Main AU point: what it says on the tin. Tattoo artist!Mo Xuanyu, Ex-Undercover Investigator current composer!Wei Wuxian, Professional Musician!Lan Wangji

Main Pairing: Wei Wuxian/Mo Xuanyu/Lan Wangji

Other Fun: Everyone Lives! except for one guy, Aromantic!Nie Huaisang, Painful Lan Xichen/Jin Guangyao, Mama Lan appears, media agent!Lan Xichen, autistic!Lan Wangji, Domestic threesome moments, jokes that tie to Hozier AU, D/S elements, Jin Sect as a political family, Assassin!Xue Yang, Chief of staff!Jing Guangyao, Politician!Jin Guangshan, Prosecuter!Jiang Cheng, Family Court Lawyer!Jiang Yanli, Men’s fashion designer!Jin Zixuan, tattoo shop owner!Nie Mingjue, the “except one guy” is not Jing Guangyao

Potential triggering content: characters with PTSD and dealing with the causes of that PTSD, Self-harm, kidnapping, character death, family dysfunction everywhere, guns, assassination

Therapy AU

Title: Release

Main AU point: Lan Wangji met Mo Xuanyu before Xuanyu was sent away from Koi Tower

Main Pairing: Lan Wangji/Mo Xuanyu

Other Fun: Mo Xuanyu thinks Wei Wuxian is Lan Wangji’s dead wife for the longest time, Sad dad!Lan Wangji, Strong D/S and B/D elements, Bottoming from the Top, Validating feelings, Widower-ish!Lan Wangji, Badass!Mo Xuanyu, Lan Xichen tries to shovel talk, painful Lan Xichen/Jin Guangyao

Potential Triggering Content: paranoia, demonic cultivation has negative mental effects, after effects of gaslighting, Trust issues, kidnapping

Sprouting AU

Title: Clemency

Main AU Point: Jiang Cheng takes in Mo Xuanyu right after Xuanyu is thrown out of the Jin Sect

Main Pairing: Jiang Cheng/Mo Xuanyu

Other Fun: Xuanyu gets to be an uncle to Jin Ling, adventures in Lotus Pier, angry Uncle!Jiang Cheng, Teaching Xuanyu how to swim, Jin Ling tries to set up romance tropes

Potential Triggering Content: after effects of gaslighting, discussing Jiang Cheng’s torturing of people, negative effects of demonic cultivation, trust issues 

Mysteries AU

Title: N/A

Main AU Point: Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries mash-up

Main Pairing: Jiang Cheng/Mo Xuanyu

Other Fun: Communist Cabbies!Xuanyu and Cheng, Dorothy Williams!Wen Ning, Dr MacMillian!Wen Qing, Miss Fisher!Wei Wuxian, Jack Robinson!Lan Wangji, first times, potentially taking place in Melbourne?, late 1920′s

Potential Triggering Content: violence and murder

Fierce Corpse AU

Title: N/A

Main AU Point: Post novel Wuxian makes Xuanyu into a fierce corpse

Main Pairing: Mo Xuanyu/Lan Xichen

Other Fun: 5+1 story structure,Wen Ning and Mo Xuanyu friendship

Potential Triggering Content: canon typical violence and gore

Reversal AU

Title: Shadows on the Side of the Road

Main AU point: Lan Wangji dies at the first siege at the Burial Mounds instead of Wei Wuxian

Main pairing: Wei Wuxian/Mo Xuanyu

Other Fun: Found Family, Granmother!Sanren, SPOILERS FUCKING EVERYWHERE, Jiang Cheng/Mo Lian (Mo Xuanyu’s mother), wandering bard!Wei Wuxian, A-Qing lives, Xiao Xingchen lives, Song Lan lives, Xiao Xingchen/Song Lan, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian patch up their relationship earlier, sonion!Sizhui, weird dad!Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen/Wen Ning (don’t ask... or rather ask, and be prepared for an essay), Wen Ning and Mo Xuanyu friendship

Potential Triggering Content: Demonic Cultivation has negative mental effects, Survivor’s Guilt and related trauma, negative after effects of solitary confinement 

The ones that I think about on my own

Exalted AU

Title: N/A

Main AU Point: on the tin. Exalted Mash up

Main Pairing: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian

Other Fun: personal self indulgence, translation of MDZS characters to exalted types, posted about details a little while back,

Potential Triggering Content: canon typical violence for both sources, corpses, War,

Bones AU

Title: N/A

Main AU Point: Mash up with the series Bones

Main Pairing: Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian

Other Fun: Forensic Anthropologist!Wei Wuxian, Federal Agent!Lan Wangji, long suffering administrator!Jiang Cheng, Disciple trio as interns

Potential Triggering Content: dead bodies and murder

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #my ideas #fanfic ideas #notes and stuff for mental organization #maybe #I'm never mentally organized

[intothelazarus]

this 1,631 word thing here is my novel. jk, jk, no but really its basically a novel. trying to cram all of sara’s life into one thing was very hard to do. i cut short and out lots of parts, believe it or not. it took me like three days to do this, lol. anyway, this is long overdue but here it is. this is my baby, sara. all of the details including laurel were worked out with megan, laurel’s mun and our amazing admin. thank you for all of your help. and thank you all for coming to my ted talk. enjoy the read, hehe. it’s a long one.

TW: Death & Violence

Biography

It was a snowy Christmas day in New York City and slightly older sister, Laurel, was not happy with her parents. They were supposed to be home opening presents, yet here they were in the hospital on Christmas morning welcoming their newest addition to the Lance family. Baby Sara was born to Quentin and Dinah Lance Christmas morning. Sara grew a happy kid. She played with her sister all the time (along with the occasional fight), attended dance classes and had this pet canary that her father bought her. Sara loved the bird but it drove everyone else crazy. The yellow canary was a part of their lives for quite a few years before Sara accidentally let it out of it’s cage and her sister’s cat ate her.

Sara never forgave Laurel for her canary’s death (although it was really Sara’s fault for letting the bird out anyway). This bitterness turned the young girl into a pretty rebellious teenager. Her trouble making ways often got her into tricky situations and often put her at odds with her father. She dated a lot of “bad boys”, much to her father’s chagrin, from whom she learned many things like how to hot-wire a car. Sara got into a lot of fights with her bullies, often with her sister’s help. The frequent occurrences of harassment created behavioral issues in Sara and caused her grades to drop, worrying her parents. This led to her father teaching both Sara and Laurel how to defend themselves.

The time she spent learning to fight with her father left an influential impact on Sara’s life. She went off to college and majored in Criminal Justice. She wanted to become a detective and although she spent most of her four years away partying, Sara managed to graduate on time. She returned home to celebrate her accomplishments with her family however, she was invited out on a boat trip with friends from college. She figured she’d have all the time in the world to be with her family so she didn’t think twice about saying yes to the trip.

Sara said goodbye to her family and headed off to celebrate with her friends. She was having one hell of a time but was somewhat nervous about the storm that developed. Her friends assured her they were fine so she shrugged it off. Out of nowhere, the yacht sank and Sara was pulled under, causing some of her friends who survived to believe that she had drowned. However, Sara managed to swim to the surface on the other side of the wreck and was marooned on a piece of the ship for days.

A few days after their boat sank, Sara was found by a ship called the Amazo, who took her on board but they imprisoned her in a cell. Days later, the crew dragged Sara out of her cell and were going to take her away, but were stopped by a grey haired man who took Sara to his quarters instead. This man introduced himself as Dr. Anthony Ivo. He told Sara he was going to save the human race, and asked if she would join him. Anthony explained to Sara that he was looking for a serum created by the Japanese in World War II called Mirakuru (Japanese for Miracle) which could increase muscle strength, enhance senses and regenerate cells, but the submarine sank somewhere in the chain of islands nearby. For the next year, Anthony protected Sara from the cruelty of his men and taught her many skills in the fields of biology, chemistry and technology. After her near-death experience and her time spent with Dr. Ivo after being rescued by him, Sara became more apathetic and cold, more technology and science savvy. She assisted Anthony in torturing his prisoners, though only because she was secretly terrified she would be the next test subject. However, Sara still felt a sense of loyalty towards Anthony for saving her life, no matter how cruel he became.

Sara went with Dr. Anthony Ivo and the crew of the Amazo onto an island called Lian Yu via a plane in search of the ship wreck. However when they arrived on the island, Anthony became extremely violent killing his crew members and guards in search of the Mirakuru. Sara freaked when he turned on her but she managed to get one good punch in knocking him out long enough for her to escape. She ran giving herself as much distance as she could from Anthony and spent at least a year on Lian Yu trying to avoid being captured when she was found by a strange woman. Although strange, this woman was mesmerizing and Sara didn’t turn her down when she offered her protection and a roof over her head.

What Sara didn’t know was that this woman was part of this secret organization called the League of Assassins. Its purpose is to hunt down and kill people deemed a danger to society and the world at large. The woman took her to this city called Nanda Parbat where Sara trained with the League and became an assassin herself by swearing her allegiance to them. When Sara was told to “choose a new name”, she chose “Ta-er al-Sahfer” which is Arabic for canary, reminiscent of the canary her father got her when she was ten. Soon after she was recruited into the League of Assassins, Sara became a cold-hearted killer, assassin, and proficient warrior becoming more capable, headstrong and confident. At some point during her four years with the League she and the woman became lovers. Despite this, Sara never forgot about her family and still cared deeply for them, but became afraid to reveal the fact that she was alive, fearing that they’ll reject what she had become.

Six years later, Sara left the organization and returned to Starling City when she found out that her family was in danger. Under the vigilante moniker ‘the Canary’, a translation of her League name, she stayed to protect them, before she was forced to leave due to the League following her, trying to bring her back. She was eventually released from the League of Assassins by her lover. She came back to Starling City and revealed to her family that she was indeed alive. Her parents were so grateful to have her back home however, her sister Laurel felt probably the exact opposite. She was pissed at her sister and Laurel blamed Sara for everything that happened to their family over the past several years.

Although their relationship started off rocky, Laurel eventually came around. They spent a lot of time getting reacquainted with one another as well as sharing stories from the past six years. Both sisters had changed tremendously, especially Sara. She was more quiet and reserved than ever before, being haunted and burdened by her traumatic experiences and warrior lifestyle. Sara, not being able to give up all of her old ways, decided to continue as a vigilante in secret while working her way up the police force. She was promoted to Police Corporal and about a year and a half later, she was promoted to Lieutenant all while continuing her work as a vigilante.

One night, while out as the Canary, she came into another vigilante going after a guy that was causing a lot of havoc in the city. Sara figured why not jump in with an assist. Being the Canary, she felt totally at ease and had complete confidence in herself. That would leave Sara feeling a bit reckless and a little cocky to the point where she had gotten careless. She let herself get distracted, shot and killed in the process. Sara was buried in her once empty casket from several years ago when they were first led to believe that she was dead.

Almost a year after her death, Sara’s corpse was dug up by her sister and taken to Nanda Parbat. When Sara returned home from the island, she told Laurel many stories about her time there including ones about the Lazarus Pit. It’s a pool of regenerative waters that allowed the user to heal themselves of any wounds, or even prevent aging to a certain extent. Well, at least that’s what she was told. As it turns out, the rumors were true. As soon as Laurel had Sara resurrected using the pit, she went after everyone, but was restrained. Sara was, in short, a monster. Laurel contacted a magical friend of Sara’s who performed a ritual to restore Sara’s soul to her body. She was soon happily reunited with her family.

Even after Sara’s soul was restored, the side effects of the Lazarus Pit remained for a while. She became extremely aggressive and bloodthirsty to the point of being unstable and unpredictable. Sara was so horrified when she nearly beat someone to death that she almost quit her job as Police Lieutenant. When the effects finally started to wear off, Sara became far more humane, optimistic and moral, seemingly having become against killing her enemies in general. She then decided to continue as a vigilante but with a new identity. Thus the White Canary was born.

It’s been about a year and a half since Sara’s resurrection. She’s been promoted to Police Captain down at the precinct and still goes out at night as a vigilante. The details of her death are still a little fuzzy to her and even now, she doesn’t know that Laurel knows about her work as a vigilante. Sara is very outspoken and she knows how to have a great time, she’ll more than likely drink you under the table. Beneath her cold exterior, you’ll find a kind-hearted young lady who is very protective of her family and friends.

Little Tidbits

She loves to party and is usually upbeat.

She’s a dog person; she likes them dumb and loyal.

She loves horror movies and Halloween is one of her favorite holidays.

She started off as a vigilante originally called the ‘Canary’ as opposed to ‘White Canary’.

#nehqsintro #sorry this is soooo late #and long lol #tw: death #tw: violence

[herwitchinesss]

annual list of books i have read this year

(i’m already doing my favorite reads of the year in instagram posts, so look out for those instead of my usual bold = favorite that i do; if you want to know about a specific book or if i have it available to lend out on eBook or give to you via Audible, send me a message! xo)

1) Mrs. Zant and the Ghost by Wilkie Collins 2) Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier 3) DC Bombshells Vol 3 by Marguerite Bennett 4) The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir by Josh Kilmer-Purcell 5) The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena 6) Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi 7) The Devourers by Indra Das 8) A Good Idea by Cristina Moracho 9) The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski 10) The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan 11) Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson 12) A Word For Love by Emily Robbins  13) The Strange Case of the Alchemists Daughter by Theodora Gross 14) Ahsoka by EK Johnston 15) Gwenpool Vol 2 by Christopher Hastings 16) Spell On Wheels by Kate Leth 17) Hi-Fi Fight Club by Carly Usdin 18) Beauty Vol 1 by Jeremy Haun 19) American Housewife, stories by Helen Ellis 20) 10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac 21) Imprudence by Gail Carriger 22) The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian 23) Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman 24) Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Kuehn 25) The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney 26) Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds 27) The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay 28) My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix 29) Crash Override by Zoe Quinn 30) Forest of Memory by Mary Robinette Kowal 31) Belle: The Slave Daughter & the Lord Chief Justice by Paula Byrne 32) Invincible Summer by Alice Adams 33) Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray 34) The Trap by Melanie Raabe 35) The End of Everything by Megan Abbott 36) A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas 37) Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling (re-read) 38) The Girls by Emma Cline 39) I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest 40) The Likeness by Tana French 41) Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch 42) A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler 43) The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck 44) Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch 45) Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong---- and the New Research that’s Rewriting the Story by Angela Saini 46) In the Woods by Tana French 47) The Mothers by Brit Bennett 48) Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 49) Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal 50) The World Is Bigger Now by Euna Lee 51) Hope In the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit 52) Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch 53) The Psychopath Inside by James Fallon 54) Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney 55) iZombie vol 1 by Chris Roberson 56) The End of the Affair by Graham Greene 57) The Book of Joan by Lidia Yuknavitch 58) Mercury by Margot Livesey 59) The Witches of New York by Ami McKay 60) The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey 61) Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller 62) Caraval by Stephanie Garber 63) Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace 64) Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor 65) The World According to Star Wars by Cass R Sunstein 66) Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero 67) The Sleeper & the Spindle by Neil Gaiman 68) Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley 69) The Runaways by Brian K Vaughan 70) Monstress Vol 1 by Marjorie M Liu 71) Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage 72) November 9 by Colleen Hoover 73) The People We Hate At the Wedding by Grant Ginder 74) How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett 75) Mosquitoland by David Arnold 76) Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll 77) The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue by Mackenzi Lee 78) Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian 79) Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian 80) Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian 81) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 82) Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood 83) The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson 84) How To Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather 85) The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia 86) You’re Never Weird On the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day 87) One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus 88) Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery (re-read) 89) Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris 90) Lost Stars by Claudia Gray 91) The Mistletoe Murder & Other Stories by PD James 92) Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 93) I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman by Nora Ephron 94) Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo & the Battle That Defined a Generation by Blake J Harris 95) We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson 96) Dear Mr You by Mary-Louise Parker 97) Carry On by Rainbow Rowell 98) The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant 99) Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt 100) Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth by Warsan Shire 101) Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela 102) We Could Be Beautiful by Swan Huntley 103) Girl Walks Into a Bar... by Rachel Dratch 104) Bloodline by Claudia Gray 105) Romeo & Juliet by David Hewson 106) Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng 107) You Don’t Look Your age... And Other Fairy Tales by Sheila Nevins 108) The Regional Office Is Under Attack! by Manuel Gonzales 109) Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce 110) The Color Master: Stories by Aimee Bender 111) The Inseperables by Stuart Nadler 112) Rani Patel in Full Effect by Sonia Patel 113) Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple 114) Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto 115) We Were Feminists Once: From Riot Grrrl to Covergirl, the Buying & Selling of a Political Movement by Andi Zeisler 116) Beast by Brie Spangler 117) Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham 118) Ways to Disappear by Idra Novey 119) The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald 120) Dare Me by Megan Abbott 121) Eleven Hours by Pamela Erens 122) Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett 123) Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor 124) Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde 125) The Briefcase by Hiromi Kawakami 126) The Fever by Megan Abbott 127) Illusionarium by Heather Dixon 128) Life After Life by Kate Atkinson 129) Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson 130) The Dinner by Herman Koch 131) The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters 132) In the Country by Mia Alvar 133) Putin’s Russia by Anna Politkovskaya 134) You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott 135) The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura 136) Jackaby by William Ritter 137) Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson 138) Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 139) Rain by Amanda Sun 140) Norwegian by Night by Derek B Miller 141) The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco 142) Iron Cast by Destiny Soria 143) Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty 144) Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn & David Leviathan 145) The Long Way To a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers 146) What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami 147) People of the Book, Jewish Sci-Fi/Fantasy anthology by various authors 148) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, re-read 149) Exit, Pursued by a Bear by EK Johnston 150) The Bear & the Nightingale by Katherine Arden  151) The Nature of a Pirate by AM Dellamonica 152) Ink by Amanda Sun 153) More Than This by Patrick Ness 154) The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson 155) A Daughter of No Nation by AM Dellamonica 156) Lucky Us by Amy Bloom 157) This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper 158) Child of a Hidden Sea by AM Dellamonica 159) Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín 160) Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick 161) The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy 162) Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 163) Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly 164) Candide by Voltaire 165) After You by JoJo Moyes 166) Pocket Full of Posies by Angela Roquet 167) Snow Flower & the Secret Fan by Lisa See 168) English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs 169) The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close 170) DC Bombshells vol 4 by Marguerite Bennett 171) DC Bomsbells Vol 5 by  Marguerite Bennett 172) DC Bombshells Vol 6 by  Marguerite Bennett 173) The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe by CS Lewis re-read 174) Breakfast At Tiffany’s by Truman Capote, re-read 175) The Love Artist by Jane Alison 176) Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling, re-read

#booklr #books #reading #2017 reads #reading challenge

[beanston-blog]

2019 aspirations

Thich Nhat Hanh says that we are “rivers”. We look the same, but our contents always change. What appears to be “us” is also shared with the rest of the entire universe. All the atoms that make our body and all the thoughts that make up our mind have come from somewhere else.

With that in mind, I was thinking - how do I reach towards being a better help to other beings? Well, firstly, everything needs to be built on top of the Dharma teachings, then everything else will be grounded and firm. So I’ve decided to fixate all my life decisions on the training of the Six Perfections (Paramitas): 

How to develop Generosity?

I will endeavor to build my career and set it in the right direction. My goals this year is obviously to graduate (Dec), get an internship (July?) or pass my interview for the grant (Mar?). 

But my longer term goals also include building and widening the skillset that is needed for me to make a change in this world. I am not settling simply for a small help - I want my help to be able to reach the world. If I am truly not this small person here, dear Bodhisattvas, please grant me the wisdom and ability to help so many other suffering people out there.

Such a skill-set would firstly include the ability to learn comprehensively and quickly. At the very moment, I am researching into neuroscience, as well as a community of learning-specialists, and I am starting to form my strategy. I hope to streamline such an efficient method of learning that I will be able to make it very easy to be compatible with the rest of my lifestyle. I don’t learn just for a test, I learn to help people - and I want to be able to remember every single detail that will make a difference to people’s health and lives.

A second needed skillset is to communicate incisively and build deep rapport. Incisively, because “medical communication” requires a sharp, resource-intensive communication to retrieve all possible medically-related details from a patient. At the very same time, I want to be able to build deep rapport, so that I will be able to connect to the hearts of patients as “a person who cares”, not one of those cold, ruthless, burned-out doctors. But I also understand that human psychology is where people want different shades of the same thing - and I’ve come to understand the different modes that people demand rapport in various psychology books as well as in Neuro-linguistic Programming. On top of that, I will be bringing this understanding to improve my patient-doctor interactions in hospitals.

The third skillset that I want to have is to develop wisdom and foresight. The reason why I have especially focused on this is because I have a mission that I want to bring to the world. I want to bring in all the “alternative forms of medicine” and rebel against the world’s "scientific elitism”. I do not regard things as magic - I only regard them as things where their mechanisms have yet to explained. I want to be part of the rebellion that is quietly forming in quite famous areas - the top specialist-hospital in the US, Mayo Clinic; the UCLA’s integrative medicine; Australiasian’s nutrient/environmental-medicine; Mindfulness circles; growing TCM-medicine fusion in China and Korea; and so on.

The fourth skillset I want to develop are the skills to run a business and also learn how finances work. I realized that if I were to rely on a government body, such as a public institution, it will be absolutely fruitless due to the lack of incentive. Furthermore, just today, A*STAR announced that an army leader is heading them, which obviously puts their emphasis (funds included) on defense technology instead of other things. This is not the kind of shaky ground I am going to rest my feet upon. So I definitely must learn how to build a business of my own, or at least learn the know-hows. I also want to be able to work with finances, so I am currently reading books on investments, and also getting some tutorship from close friends.

How to develop Discipline, Diligence and Endurance?

The most important thing I need for Discipline is awareness. Of course, awareness can only be built as a habit. That much doesn’t need to be reiterated. 

But discipline in the sense of vigor, of pushing through my comfort limits, of being consistent - I am going to push myself to reach for these things by pushing myself to meet goals such as:

Increasing my aerobic capacity with swimming/running - I aim to be able to run a marathon again this year.

Strengthen my core and progress through body strength with Yoga

If time/money permits this year, I will pick up some form of comfort-breaking sport such as BJJ (brazilian jiujutsu).

I will attempt to fast in order to strengthen my mind against cravings and whatever the emotions and mind tells me.

Many other things.

How to develop Wisdom and Stability?

Master Jing-lian said that if we are able to reach a particular stage of meditation, we will gain the wisdom to be able to never have a dilemma again. She said that all our decisions will be imbued with wisdom and we will never make wrong choices. Therefore, I will strive to be able to reach such wisdom.

I find that making decisions are a very crucial thing in this life. Every single thing is a decision - and if we do not have enough wisdom, it becomes a gamble. We make good choices and wrong choices. But life is so damn short. Every choice we make also affects other people. If I want to be a light onto this world, to be able to influence the lives of many people, then I need to know that “with great power comes great responsibility”. Every single decision cascades down, and every decision has to be precise and right.

As a doctor, this becomes even more crucial. One wrong medical decision can cut away a patient’s life. One wrong medical decision can cause the team to fail. One wrong social decision can cause riffs in the team. One wrong decision can ruin your life.

But at the same time, we make wrong decisions all the time. Sometimes the circumstances are out of control. Not sometimes, but most of the time. Life is never smooth. And that’s where the role of Stability comes in.

For example, a man is the mountain rock of a community. A father is the rock of his family. There are roles in society and I want to be able to cultivate Stability in that way where I will not be daunted by the slightest thing anymore. As a doctor, when decisions are going to fall on me - either by colleagues, a team, or a patient - I cannot afford to falter. I won’t become just a rock - I strive to become harder than rock, vajra as heck. 

This is how I see the six perfections applied to daily life. This is why I will never forsake the world. I must walk right in, even if there is a burning inferno. If I am unprepared, that is exactly why I must do this. I don’t mean this theoretically, I want this to become my life itself.

I want myself to live on in the minds of people, helping them even as far after I am gone from this world. Just like how Einstein, Gandhi or Martin Luther King are never forgotten names. Even if they do not remember my name - I want to live on in changing the lives of people. I want to make an impact, a sustainable impact, on medicine.

Hard, yes. Idealistic, yes. But impossible? That’s something that shouldn’t exist in the vocabulary of a Buddhist.

[wikitopx]

There are International Theater Curriculum Vitae Examples. This post will help you solve the problem. Read the following.

Updated March 14, 2020

Resumes are a more popular choice than CVs among job seekers in the U.S. But if you’re looking for work in certain fields or outside of the United States, curriculum vitae are more commonly used.

How do CVs differ from resumes? For one thing, they’re typically at least two pages long, or longer. CVs also provide more information than resumes. In addition to your work experience, you should list a more in-depth account of your educational background, including any theses, dissertations or papers, plus awards, honors, grants, scholarships, teaching experience, publications, presentations and speeches, research, and any other achievements.

If you’re preparing a CV for an international position, you’ll also need to include a few things that you typically wouldn’t include in a resume or CV for a job in the U.S. For example, it’s common in international CVs to list personal interests, including hobbies, and citizenship status.

Actors and other theater professionals should consider preparing a curriculum vitae instead of a resume, especially when applying for work outside of the U.S. Keep in mind that performers may want to invert the usual format for curriculum vitae, listing their skills and experience before their education. Casting directors who are reviewing CVs are likely to be most interested in performers’ skills and abilities.

Finally, because TV, film, and theater are visual mediums, performers can break the rules about not including a headshot on the CV. (However, you may also choose to include your headshots separately.)

1. International Theater Curriculum Vitae

This is an example of an international CV for a theater professional.

International Theater Curriculum Vitae

JUDY JONES 111 Amity Road Brisbane, QLD 4444 Australia [email protected] 000.123.4567

SKILLS

Accents & Dialects – American, English, Chinese

Dance – Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Tap

Performance – Improvisation, Articulating Clearly, Communicating Through Physical, Non-verbal Expressions

Sports – Bicycle Riding, Horseback Riding, Swimming, SCUBA (certified), Skiing/Snowboarding, Ice Skating, Skateboarding, Marathon Running

Team Skills – Taking Direction, Working Collaboratively, Providing Constructive Feedback

LANGUAGES English, Mandarin, some local dialects

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies/Drama Studies UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, Australia

Minor in Mandarin Language

Graduated summa cum laude

PERFORMING EXPERIENCE

2018

Promoted to series regular in TCS 5's drama series "Lifeline."

Appeared in feature film, “Candyland,” as Rosemary Lee.

Performed in Toy Factory Productions Ltd's "TiTouDao" for one month, held in the New Drama Center, directed by Goh Boon Teck. Role: Swee Lian, Kim Kee, Ah Dui, Narrator, Siew Kin, Dancer.

2017

Guest-starred in TCS 5's drama series, "Lifeline."

Appeared in feature film, “Hobart,” as Anne Marie (speaking role.)

Appeared in feature film, “The Beach House,” as Mrs. Pete (speaking role).

Performed in "A Little Night of Drama" at the Inauguration Ceremony for the opening of the New Drama Center, directed by Goh Boon Teck, Toy Factory Productions Ltd.

2014 – 2016 Employed as performing artist in Singapore Armed Forces, Music and Drama Company (SAF MDC), contributing as dancer, actor, anchor host, director, and drama instructor.

Supervised all junior artists, developing and leading orientation and various training sessions for dozens of new performers.

2013 – 2014 Majored in Drama Studies at University of Queensland, taking courses in Theater Survey, Performance Concepts, Movement for Actors, Advanced Acting and Scene Study, and more.

Co-wrote and performed in award-winning university production about Pauline Hanson's political campaign, “Pauline: One Nation.”

Wrote and performed in “Southern Belles,” “Hightown,” and “Last Night at the Party.”

Performed in “A Collection of Misfits,” “John’s Birthday,” and “Shakespeare’s Lover: 12 Scenes.”

2012 – 2013 Took courses in Theatre Studies and Drama at Victoria Community College, including Shakespeare Today, Set and Sound, and Community Theater.

Assistant stage manager in production under Dramaplus Arts, script by Jonathon Lim and directed by Roger Jenkins.

Performed in multiple VCC productions, including Hal Halden’s “Minuet” and “Scenes from the Diner.”

Wrote and performed in several scenes for student showcases.

AWARDS

University of Queensland Drama Department Award, 2014 Awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in performance and writing.

Jane Best Award for Outstanding Three-Act Play, 2014 For “Pauline: One Nation.”

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Lead Instructor, Queensland Improv, 2014-Present

Develop and lead improv program for adult learners, teaching basic and advanced techniques.

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Citizenship: Australia

Interests and Hobbies: Photography, Painting, Design, Tai Chi, Yoga

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[rosethornewrites]

Fic: and sings the tune without the words, ch. 3

Relationship: Jiāng Yànlí & Jīn Zǐxuān, Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī & Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn

Characters: Jiang Yanli, Jin Zixuan, Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji, Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian

Additional Tags: Epistolary, Food, Music

Summary: An epistolary follow-up to “the thing with feathers.” Exchanged letters.

Notes: See end.

Previous fic in the series: “the thing with feathers”

Chapters: 1 | 2

AO3 link

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To Jin-gongzi,

I sincerely apologize for the delay in writing back. A-Xian had an episode, like the one you saw, but he was unconscious for two days and very frightened and confused after he woke. I had a letter started before that occurred but am writing a new one now. 

I am glad you like Zihuang’s design. When a-die took me to the luthier, we discussed the various options available for both sound and decoration. Since my practice instrument was a shoo konghou, they recommended I choose the same, but the fong shou design called to me. 

I decided on the mother of pearl instead of a precious metal or jade because I liked the shine of it, but also for another reason. Before A-Xian fell ill, he and A-Cheng always brought me lovely shells they found while swimming in the river. They used to compete with each other to see who could find the most diving. So the nacre reminds me of them. I don’t know if A-Xian remembers this—perhaps I should mention it to him. 

I confess I am still a little distressed over A-Xian’s episode, so I apologize if I go off on tangents.

As a result of my childhood illness, I sometimes have dizzy spells. Largely it is under control, but Healer Kang said that improving my core might also improve my health. I’m happy that I can find a way to contribute to Yunmeng Jiang even with a weak body. I agree that there should be more avenues available to young cultivators who may not be able to fight monsters—if the sects encouraged such disciples to utilize their cultivation to heal or engage in other activities that would enrich the sect, it would only strengthen the sects!

Cooking is an activity I quite enjoy, and I would be happy to serve lotus root and pork rib soup sometime when you visit. My soup was the very first thing he remembered, actually. When A-Xian first came to us, he was scared and so malnourished, and I always cook it for him and A-Cheng, especially when they’re sick or troubled. I’m happy cooking it for him meant so much to him that it broke through his amnesia. 

Your suggestion about handstands was something I tried. It was very difficult, and I was so involved in trying to do one that I forgot Lan-xiansheng was coming to give me a music lesson. It was so embarrassing to be caught, as I was a little disheveled. But he smiled—I think he almost laughed, even, especially after I explained. 

He said your idea is sound, but I will need to work my way up to an actual handstand. For now, he showed me several exercises I can do to work on my muscles, and recommended I do the arm motions of sword forms with a light practice wooden one. I can move to heavier ones as my strength increases, and eventually I will be ready for handstands. Thank you for the suggestion. I am glad I can speak of this with you. 

I was unable to find a konghou score in our library, but I can write to Lan-xiansheng to ask if there is one in theirs. I, too, enjoy that song, though there’s a sadness to it, since it’s a farewell song. I may not be at the level where I can play it yet, but it is good to know what music you like. 

One of our cooks is from Lanling, but not near the capitol. I asked her about those dishes, and she knows them and will be happy to prepare them next time you visit. She’s also willing to teach me how to cook them! She cooked up basi pinggou for dessert once A-Xian recovered, even, and we all very much enjoyed it. It’s so sweet, and the texture is very pleasant. A-Xian and A-Cheng competed to make the longest thread of sugar.

Yunmeng cuisine is indeed known for its spice—but never take food from A-Xian, since he goes overboard with the spices. He dumps chili oil on everything, except my soup which he insists is perfect. 

I am very fond of re gan mian (hot dry noodles), and I like pianpiya (Hubei duck) which you might enjoy since one of the dishes you mentioned is a duck dish. As a dessert, I am very fond of sweet doufunao (tofu brains/pudding). 

A-Lian was a gift from the lotuses, our beautiful lotus meimei. A-Xian’s illness changed quite a bit for us. A-Niang became protective of him, and she started talking to a-die more. She also decided that we should seek orphans and street children and educate them so they may become cultivators, if they have the capacity, or take on a trade. She’s also made it her personal mission to rescue women enslaved at brothels so they might also be able to be educated and learn trades. Our family has grown, as has our sect, and we’re all very happy. 

I think a-niang is happy to have found more purpose, and to have reconciled with a-die. They had deep misunderstandings, I think. A-Xian’s illness forced them to talk, and things are much better now. 

I am including some of the rose petal candy you enjoyed with this letter. I hope it finds you and your family well.

Jiang Yanli

  To Jiang-guniang,

Your gift of rose petal candy is much appreciated. 

I am sorry to hear of your brother’s illness; you obviously care deeply for all of your siblings, so I have no doubt it was distressing for you. When I was there, he passed out for no more than a ke, which seemed from the reaction of everyone to be more typical. Yu-furen mentioned he was attacked and fell into a coma for weeks. It is quite understandable that you are distracted. Is he recovered?

The choices behind your konghou are interesting. I have not engaged in music beyond a rudimentary grasp of the suona as a pursuit of the six arts, but perhaps I should refine my skills and consider music more carefully. As you stated, we need not limit ourselves to the sword as cultivators. 

As such, I agree with you on pursuing cultivation for healing and perhaps the arts. I wonder if cultivation could be utilized in the visual arts, as well. I tried to speak of it with fuqin but he seemed disinterested and called the idea “quaint.” I believe it is a good idea—no one thinks the Lan quaint for pursuing musical cultivation, and I have heard a branch of the Wen sect is known for its healing cultivation. In fact, you might look into them, though I don’t know what branch it is. 

It sounds very much like you have used cooking almost as a healing art for the benefit of your brother. I wonder if, like with medicine, qi can be infused in food somehow. Maybe not for healing, but for other things like comfort. I have never considered this before, and I am enjoying this discussion. I may research it in the library here, but I would like to know what you find if you look into it as well. Regardless, your cooking sounds powerful on its own. 

I had not considered the status of your body, which you mentioned was weakened by your childhood illness, and I am relieved you did not injure yourself in the attempt. That is a very real consideration if you push your body too much; I once tried one of the more advanced Jin sword techniques before I was ready to and wound up hurting my shoulder. I’m glad Lan-xiansheng prevented any harm from coming to you. 

I will see if there is a konghou score for it in the Jin library, but it could probably be adapted for the konghou by a musician, perhaps with different levels so you can start with a simpler version and then progress as you improve. That’s usually how I learn footwork and sword technique. I’m not sure if your sect trains the same way. 

Your description of your brothers eating basi pinggou made me smile, as I do the same thing. It’s part of the fun of eating it when it’s hot. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it, and I hope you also enjoy the other dishes when you get to try them. 

Some of our cuisine is spicy, but I can scarcely imagine eating something spicier than Yunmeng dishes—your brother must like strong flavors. 

I have been living in Koi Tower my entire life, but somehow had never gone to the kitchens before. The cooks were very startled to see me. I asked about the dishes you mentioned, and one of the cooks was familiar with Yunmeng cuisine. She cautioned me that the spice can be quite strong but can be adjusted to taste. In Lanling, our doufunao is salty, so I was surprised it could be a sweet dish. 

The cook kindly made a small bowl of it and allowed me to watch the preparation. She used ginger in the syrup. It was a little strange at first, since I’m used to it being a savory dish, but it was quite good. I asked if the kitchen would consider occasionally serving it for dessert with dinner and making it when you and your family come to visit, and they were amenable. 

I don’t quite understand what you mean by “a gift from the lotuses,” but it is not my place to pry. Yu-furen stated she was Jiang Wuxian’s adopted sister, so it makes sense that she would also become your sister upon his adoption. 

Yu-furen’s idea about orphans and street children seems sensible, especially given your brother’s past. Some gentry may be concerned about elevating the status of such children, though. She may face criticism for this, and for the other. I know a-niang hates prostitutes, but I don’t think it’s their fault if they’re slaves. What else can slaves do but obey? Rescuing them seems just. 

Your parents’ relationship has turned quite positive, and it seems good for you and your siblings. 

I am including some of my favorite malt candies in several flavors, and enough that your family can try them as well. My favorite is the date walnut candy. I hope you enjoy them. 

With best regards,

Jin Zixuan

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Jin Zixuan is a little jealous that Jiang Yanli’s family is so happy and his, well, isn’t. He’s also tentatively fascinated by their discussion of cultivation, and a little mad that his shitty father won’t discuss it with him. He’s also aware of why his mother hates prostitutes but is not willing to say so. 

From fan-created maps, it seems Lotus Pier is in Hubei province, so I used several dishes from there as Jiang Yanli’s favorites. Doufunao is called tofu brains but is a kind of soft pudding tofu. In Shandong province it would be made with savory flavors, but in Hubei it’s made with sugar. Cantonese cooking apparently uses ginger with it, and the recipe I found also does. I also found a recipe for date walnut candy that looks divine. 

Also, apparently the suona is popular in Shandong province, but also kind of sounds like the mating call of a peacock and I just couldn’t help myself. Music is one of the six arts young gentlemen would be expected to have some proficiency in, so it makes sense that he has at least rudimentary competence. 

Jiang Yanli upped the ante by sending him the candy he noted enjoying. And Jin Zixuan is not one to be outdone, so of course he sent some back, and enough for her siblings to boot! This is a matter of pride!

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