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johannas-motivational-insults · 3 years

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Jo’s Top 10 of 2020

I see lots of artists doing that thing where they post a piece from each month of the year... unfortunately my content creation isn’t necessarily consistent and it’s hard to track what month individual fic chapters were posted in, but I figured I’d do something similar and post my Top 10 pieces of content I created in 2020, what they’re about and why I love them. I actually did get a fair amount done this year thanks to the lockdown, but I’ve narrowed it down to these ten that I’d like to reflect on. (To be fair, I’m probably forgetting something huge. Feel free to leave comments if you think I passed over something important lol.)

10. Friendship in the Horde (meta): This is something I’d wanted to write for a while but finally got around to finishing in February. It’s basically a sociology paper lmao, an analysis of the social hierarchies and systems of the Horde. It was also a convenient excuse for me to gush about Catralonnie, an underrated (friend)ship. But honestly this was an important piece for me because I have always identified with the Horde characters way more than any of the rebels (other than Adora, who grew up in the Horde) and part of why is how they are in an unsafe environment and end up forming relationships that are helpful for survival but hinder them psychologically. And I think to understand the Horde characters and really evaluate their motives and choices you need to understand this first.

9. The Sting in My Eyes: On the surface this is just a run of the mill hurt/comfort oneshot, but it was a really important post-canon processing fic for me. I had a lot of feelings about Catra’s relationships with Shadow Weaver and Melog in season 5, particularly about how Catra must have felt really conflicted after Shadow Weaver told her what she wanted to hear all those years but in a way that felt unearned and out of the blue. It was really cathartic for me to write a scene where she struggles with those mixed feelings but has Adora and Melog to help her process them. And I had long associated the song the title is from with Catra and Shadow Weaver’s relationship, and the way she died trying to redeem herself really solidified that connection.

8. Hail Mary, chapter 6: This was supposed to be a short chapter mostly about the backstory between Catra and Scorpia in this au, with some Catradora yearning thrown in. It evolved into a massive, sprawling thing that is very atmospheric in terms of how the setting and vibes are described and how in the moment it feels. Hail Mary is like that sometimes but that type of narration is usually about football games rather than parties, so this chapter was a fun change of pace in many ways. It was really nostaglic for me to write too, the nerves of being a teenager at a party with your crush and how intense everything feels. And the Scorptra stuff really is delicious, it was nice seeing them have that conversation they never got to have in canon and truly make up, and the tiny sliver I added of Catra’s earlier history was heartbreaking in the best way. So this was not what I intended to write, but it turned out way better for it.

7. A Better Son or Daughter (AMV): I’ve done other Adora AMVs, but this one is really my iconic piece. The song is perfect for Adora, so perfect it’s on Noelle’s Adora playlist. The vid itself is a character study about Adora’s mental health struggles and the way she represses them, as well as a tribute to her resiliency and her eventual triumph of getting to a better place in her life. This is a song that gives me a lot of feelings and once I was making it about Adora it gave me even more, so this was a very satisfying piece to complete. I wish Noelle had gotten a chance to see it but oh well, maybe down the line.

6. Hail Mary, chapter 12: This is the chapter that much of the fic had been building to, Catra and Adora in conflict because Catra finally got the chance to be Adora’s hero and Adora shot her down. It’s painfully analogous to canon, both in terms of how (I suspect) Catra felt in Thaymor and Adora’s tendency to victim blame because she’s so pragmatic. There’s definitely some tones of Taking Control in there but Lonnie does a much better job of examining Catra’s psychology and needs than Glimmer did in canon (a writing error imo, Glimmer should have had more insight). Adora just wants to help but sometimes in her quest to do so she disenfranchises others, and this was a much needed look at that aspect of her character. It’s also an excellent illustration of what it’s like to play a peacekeeping role in an abusive household and how stressful it is trying to protect others while also protecting yourself.

5. Unstoppable (AMV): This is not my favorite Catra AMV I’ve ever done, but it might be the cleverest. The soundtrack is a song about mental illness masquerading as a song about being a bad bitch, which is basically Catra in a nutshell. The lyrics are incredibly fitting for her and her arc as it develops over seasons 1-4. The vid itself takes a hard turn in the interpretation of the lyrics, going from talking about how no one can stop Catra to how she can’t stop herself because she’s in such a terrible sunk cost fallacy spiral, and I think I got several death threats over that twist lmao. As someone who primarily deals in angst, there’s hardly a better compliment to be paid.

4. Demons, chapter 31: This one got real dark on me. The concept of this chapter was originally an examination of how comparing abuse can get really dicey but you also have to respect that other people have had different experiences from you and you have to be careful not to equate things or make it sound like you’re talking over someone else. I guess it’s also a bit of a look at how autistic people (like myself) will often explain why they can empathize so others know they understand rather than saying empty platitudes, but that can come off as insensitive or like they’re making things about them. I mean, in this case Adora kinda was making things about her, but she was provoked into it by a parade of comments insinuating she didn’t suffer at all, which was also unfair. Anyway it’s one of the more important Catradora fights in Demons and something I’d written bits of over a year prior, it was that important to the plot, but it also took a turn I was not originally planning. I finished the chapter when I was in a really bad depressive and self-loathing spiral and that bled onto the page, but it worked perfectly for Catra in this scenario... that push and pull of feeling like the world has hurt and victimized you mixed with knowing you’ve done some bad things yourself and feeling like you don’t have a leg to stand on when mourning the ways you’ve been hurt. It’s intense as all fuck but it’s excellent.

3. Hail Mary, chapter 11: Speaking of dark Catra content, this chapter... whew. It was really something else, to read and to write. I have written flashbacks in Demons that are more detailed and even include explicit violence but because those scenes are always in flashback form I never really got the chance to sit in the head of an abuse victim waiting for the other shoe to drop for an entire chapter like I did here. It’s quite different from the rest of Hail Mary stylistically and is both highly sensory and extremely internalized. It took me back to some terrifying moments in my own life so it was difficult but also extremely cathartic to write. It’s important too because it really sets up where Catra was at mentally heading into her big fight with Adora, and that chapter is in Adora POV. This chapter is ranked so high simply because it’s... polished, as @malachi-walker put it. It almost is its own story within the story and really noteworthy as a piece all its own.

2. Demons, chapter 26: This chapter is very similar thematically to Hail Mary 12, just based in the canonverse. It deals with one of the core (but highly neglected by fandom) conflicts between Catra and Adora, where they both need to feel like they can take care of and protect the other but also detest feeling weak or vulnerable themselves. It leads to Adora’s ego making Catra feel disrespected and Catra’s behavior confusing Adora and making her think she’s an ungrateful brat rather than someone who needs so badly to be needed, just like her. There’s definitely some power struggles in this chapter but finally they’re able to get to the heart of it and seeing them talk it out is so satisfying. Getting this chapter published was also important to me on a personal level because, like I said, this aspect of their conflict and relationship is rarely acknowleged for how important it is when really it’s one of the deepest conflicts between them in the series. It’s a scene I started writing pretty much as soon I knew I was extending the fic into something longer because I just needed them to have this conversation, so finishing it was so satisfying.

1. Satisfaction, chapter 3: This chapter took me a really long time to write, both in terms of time to get it published and time I actually spent working on it. It’s the crown jewel of a fic that’s really important to me and I had to get it just right, so I spent more time agonizing over every detail and rewriting things to get them absolutely perfect than I usually do (I’m a perfectionist anyway, but this took it to a whole other level). But in the end it was worth it, because this chapter is damn fine. It’s really hot, as you’d expect from a smut fic, but it’s also an excellent character study of how both Catra and Adora were affected by their abuse and trauma and the issues it raises for them in terms of sex and intimacy. Also, come on, we need more BDSM fics out there that focus on the actual point of it all (the trust involved) and promote communication and do the character work to explain why they might be into it in the first place.

BONUS (from December 31, 2019): One of my favorite pieces of 2020 technically came out in 2019, but I posted it on New Years Eve so most people first saw it in 2020. It’s an absolute banger of an AMV called I’m Not Jesus that’s all about Catra and Adora’s anger towards Shadow Weaver and their refusal to forgive their abuser. Funny enough this came out before Adora’s iconic “I will never forgive you” line, and Shadow Weaver definitely made things more complicated with how she went out, but I think the sentiment still applies.

#2020 recap #happy new year #writing #vidding #fanfic #spop #catradora #demons #hail mary #satisfaction #the sting in my eyes #a better son/daughter #unstoppable #i’m not jesus

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chuckling-chemist · 3 years

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((An alternate take where instead of a manakete cursed with a mermaid form, my LARP persona was a long suffering author isekai-ed into the LARP's fantasy world after the idea came up during a discussion why I'm not doing Hearth/light))

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It was an ugly sight. Blood – most of it teal, cobalt and olive, but some of it a distinct purple indicating they got a few hits in…

“Alright man,” his driver said, looking exclusively at Goro and not at the area around him, “good luck with these guys or whatever. Thanks for the tip.”...

Zexion always found it curious how many rooms the Castle That Never Was had. So many of them appeared to lack a purpose…

The first time Nasir sees him, he assumes it’s a mistake. A trick of the light, the dark green clothes he wears emblematic of his status of a wind mage making the hair of the irritable boy Ike keeps around as a tactician have the barest hint of green itself…

Brylis rapped her fingers on the desk, staring blankly at the parchment taunting her on the desk. Before this whole mess, before she arrived…here so to speak, wherever here turned out to be…she wasn’t anybody terribly important. A friend, to some. A nuisance, to others. Not hated so much that a potential nemesis recognized her face, but definitely blocked on social media. Back when social media and Internet existed. Or she existed around them, so to speak. Toward the end, she even managed to amass a few friends through her writing. In the world of fans and hellsites, nothing much, but something to be proud of.

That was then. That was before the Incident.

The Incident was…well she wasn’t sure how to describe it. Memories were fuzzy from the time. All she knew for sure is a few months ago, she was complaining about someone complaining about something on social media, and now she was here. Here, with a capital H and a potential question mark at the end of the statement. In a world of elves, dwarves, Vikings, and the occasional furry wholly convinced they weren’t a furry despite the cat ears and tail. Something between fantasy and history, not quite reaching either side but certainly trying to stretch itself between both extremes. A world that got upset if she went by her real name, so insistent the name was something “mundane”, so she donned her online pseudonym and followed where her instinct told her to go, leading her to her current home, a simple thing in the snowy woods looking strangely like a three-dimensional home she once built in Terraria.

Sometimes thoughts and images came to her in her sleep, images of dragons, mermaids, and pirates. Whether these were images of another life, or simply her muse fixated on high fantasy because she’s in a high fantasy, she wasn’t sure. Though if it were the latter, she certainly can’t manage to do what she did in her old life and write it down. God forbid her muse, whether metaphorical or an actual fucking Muse in this universe, work with her.

With a sigh, she turned her attention away from the parchment and over toward the raging fire in the fireplace on the opposite wall. Above it, a pair of candy corn-colored horns shaped suspiciously like demon horns, hung like a hunter’s trophy. It hung just past the bone white masquerade mask, the mask owner’s smirk burning brighter than the fire. They weren’t the only two reminders of her old life in this room. Just the two most prominent. Instead of proper novels, the bookshelves were filled with tomes labeled things like Rexcaliber or Nosferatu next to blueprints for items she’d never have the technology to make. “The world is quiet here” was inscribed on the entry to the room. If she looked hard enough, she’s sure to find an insignia to whichever Keyblade Union this universe thought she belonged to. Who knows, maybe her own character will talk to her. This universe was full of unlimited potential.

“Unlimited potential for everything except the one thing I need to do,” she growled darkly.

At least, that’s how they worked in books. The writer ends up in their story and has to write themselves out. She read enough books to know that much.

It meant; however, she’d have to write it.

She glanced back down at the blank page. Its silence spoke volumes.

Brylis groaned, crossing her arms over the parchment to use as a headrest.

“I’m never getting out of here.”

#my writing #short story #writing #ocs #...self insert really #vague fantasy universe #nobody cares about your backstory #do you like references?#take GRATUITIOUS AMOUNTS OF REFERENCES

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superman86to99 · 3 years

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Who’s Who: Sam Foswell

(art by @donsparrow)

If you’ve been watching the CW’s Superman & Lois, you’ve heard the name “Foswell” a whole lot, usually in an exasperated tone. That’s the jackass who fires several Daily Planet employees in the early episodes, including Clark Kent and, most devastatingly, Whit, the heart and soul of the Planet. In the comics, Foswell plays a very similar role, with some slight differences that probably won’t make it to TV, like when he makes out with a satanic being masquerading as an angel and then transforms into a muscular demon (someone correct me if I’m wrong and that already happened in the show but I missed it, somehow).

And so, for anyone who might be wondering “Who’s Sam Foswell?” or “Which DC Comics does Sam Foswell appear in?” or other Google-able phrases that might lead people to this page, we present the definitive comic book history of this classic Superman supporting character (”classic” meaning “he was in the comics I read as a kid in the ‘90s”).

Sam first showed up in Superman #51 (1991), soon after a storyline in which a satanic being/nightclub owner called Lady Blaze steals the souls of Jimmy Olsen and Perry White’s son, Jerry -- who is actually the biological son of Lex Luthor, but should NOT be confused with Lex Luthor II (for one thing, Jerry never slept with a gooey other-dimensional being shaped like Supergirl). Superman manages to save Jimmy and Jerry from Blaze’s hellish realm, but only one of them comes back to life. Unfortunately, it’s Jimmy. I mention all of this because, after the death of his son, Perry decides to quit being the Daily Planet’s editor-in-chief for a while and cedes that title to long-time staff member Sam Foswell, who must have worked in another floor, because we’d never seen this guy before.

It’s pretty obvious right away that Perry would have been better off leaving a janitor or something in charge. In Superman #52, Foswell asks Clark for help using Perry’s computer and seems surprised to learn that those crazy Kent and Lane kids are working on a story together (they’ve been dating for so long that they’re already engaged). In Action Comics #665, he has to beg Clark to go from freelancer to full time staff member because he’s just way in over his head. Up until now, Foswell basically seems like a clueless grandpa running a major media outlet, but he’ll soon become far less adorable...

Clark’s full time salary must be pretty good, because in Superman: The Man of Steel #1, Foswell says the Planet is suddenly having money issues and fires some people. Among them is Jimmy Olsen, who literally just signed the lease on his first apartment, so excellent timing there, Sam. But hey, at least this means Jimmy’s concern that his new editor would “bust his chops” was unjustified! (Because he has no editor, because he’s unemployed.)

(Fun fact: That other girl Foswell fires is secretly the daughter of a DC hero, as part of a storyline absolutely no one noticed, which I’ll write about another time.)

Jimmy only finds out he’s been fired in Superman #57, and he tells Foswell he’s gonna regret it. I’m not sure what Jimmy meant by that, but it probably wasn’t “I’m gonna spend several months homeless and living in my car until a drunken bar owner takes pity on me,” which is what happened. Anyway, on that same issue Foswell says he’s gonna write an editorial praising the Eradicator, who was in his “murder criminals and forcibly turn the Earth into Krypton” phase. When Clark objects, Foswell not so subtly threatens to fire him, even though he was practically kissing Clark’s ass just the other day.

Foswell goes all “Mr. Slate from The Flintstones” on Clark again on Superman #58, this time because he thinks Clark overslept, like he does every time Superman has an early morning emergency. While at it, Foswell also gives Lois crap about some expense reports, leading to an adorable sequence where Clark kisses her at super-speed while she’s being chastised, without Foswell noticing. After going around firing and antagonizing people for several months, Foswell still seems baffled to learn that no one likes him in Adventures of Superman #481. Yeah, this guy’s not the most perceptive journalist ever.

Continuing his quest to become the most hateable Daily Planet staffer ever (not surnamed “Olsen”), Foswell writes an anti-Superman editorial in Superman #59 -- he says that if Superman really cared about Metropolis, he’d take over as CEO of LexCorp and create more jobs. Ironically, Foswell treats his own employees so poorly (the ones he hasn’t fired, I mean), that in Adventures #482 a bunch of them go on strike start heckling him... not very effectively, but it’s the thought that counts.

Perry comes back to the Planet in in Action #670 and the first thing he does is call Foswell and the other higher ups a bunch of idiots for mistreating their employees. Foswell goes back to being a regular staffer after that, but he’s so unpopular that they finally kick him out in Action #677. Foswell tries to get a job at Newstime magazine (the DC Universe’s version of Newsweek and Time) in Superman #68, but the owner, Colin Thornton, basically tells him to go to Hell... which is a spoiler of where this story is going.

This is where things turn really dark for old Sam. The next time we see him, in Man of Steel #14, he’s at the cemetery visiting his wife and son (or someone else he affectionately called “Little Geoffrey,” anyway) and thinking about joining them. Even the Babadook is like “damn, poor guy”...

And sure enough, in Superman #70 Foswell actually jumps off a bridge -- only for a beautiful angel to save him and promise that his fortunes will change if he “pledges himself” to her. Later that same issue, Foswell runs into Colin Thornton again and is offered a job as Newstime’s editor on the spot. Everything’s coming up Foswell! He even gets a smooch on the mouth from that hot angel!

Unfortunately, Foswell’s new “angel” girlfriend is actually the satanic Lady Blaze in disguise. This is leads to “The Blaze/Satanus War” saga (starting in Adventures #493), in which Blaze tries to invade Metropolis by teleporting demons through Foswell, since his soul belongs to her. In Action #680, she convinces Foswell that Superman wants to kill him for firing his pal Jimmy, so Sam fully gives himself to her and becomes a big, muscular demon creature (whom this blog dubbed “FosHELL”).

In Man of Steel #15, Superman is told that the only way to prevent Metropolis from literally going to Hell is to kill Foswell. This seems like it’s setting up a big heroic sacrifice scene, which would have at least given the character a dignified end, but nah. Instead, Superman ends up teaming up with Blaze’s evil-but-less-evil-than-her brother, Lord Satanus, to defeat her.

Once Blaze is taken care of, Satanus restores Foswell to his dweeby human form in Superman #71... but only because he now owns Sam’s soul and thinks he might be useful some day. Oh yeah, and Satanus is secretly Foswell’s boss, Colin Thornton! So he owns the guy in both the earthly and the satanic realms.

I guess his new demonic master never found a use for the guy, because this storyline was the last time we ever saw Sam Foswell... until he was brought back by a TV show in 2021. And he also got new art by our own Don Sparrow!* At last, everything really IS coming up Foswell. Until the show kills him off to bring back Perry White, anyway.

*Foswell fanatics can see Don’s full artwork without that pesky logo in our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/51941393

#superman #superman & lois #sam foswell

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notgalaxii · 4 years

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Another Another Cinderella Story || Part One || Diavolo x Fem!MC

Hey guys! I'm sorry this one took so long for me to put out, I was so busy this week! I got a job and I just finished my virtual training but I was working on this with every free moment I had!! This will be part 1 most likely out of 3. Thank you all so much for reading and continuing to request amazing ideas such as these!!

Request Prompt: A Cinderella Story with Diavolo and a Fem!MC.

Word Count: 1.9k

“You will not be attending the event, MC. Powerful demons will be swarming the castle and I can’t have my eyes on you at all times,” Lucifer’s words echoed through her head like her footsteps echoed through Purgatory Hall. After Diavolo had extended an invite to MC and all of the demon brothers to go to a masquerade, Lucifer had shut her down. He shut down what would probably be the best night of her life in the devildom. He shut down the mere possibility of her enjoying herself, looking better than she could have ever dreamed of, swaying with a beautiful stranger in her elegant ball gown. He shut down the possibility of her smile illuminating with the light flickering off of the chandeliers. She had stormed off to go find someone else who she knew wouldn’t be going to the dance so that she could vent. MC knew very well that Lucifer was just looking out for her, but she didn’t know whether it was because he cared or because Diavolo would have his head if his exchange student was eaten. Sometimes Beelzelbub would try to reassure her that Lucifer really does care, but is too prideful to admit it.

“MC? Didn’t think you’d stop by here, I half expected you to be in a gown right now,” Solomon’s cocky smile played on his lips as he opened the door.

“Lucifer didn’t let me go,” she brashly elaborated. A glimmer of shock seeped into his eyes before he pulled the door open just enough for her frame to slip through. MC immediately slumped onto the nearest seat once entering.

“What was the noble excuse this time?” Solomon teased as he sat on his bed across from her, “Place your bets now, ladies and gents, does it have to do with Diavolo’s displeasure? Or, would it perhaps be about the tasks Diavolo assigned you?”

“Powerful demons will be swarming the castle and he can’t have me in his sight at all times. Oh, how disappointed Lord Diavolo would be if he finds his precious exchange student eaten by a demon! Lucifer would have to give him extra foot rubs after that, obviously,” MC mocked in her best posh tone, “What about you? Why aren’t you going?”

“Too many demons I made a pact with are there and a few of them can’t stand each other. As much as I would love to see that go down, I would unfortunately be roped into the middle of it,” he sighed deeply.

“Funny, I bet you would’ve absolutely adored causing some chaos at a noble event,” MC snickered as she crossed her legs. She had always known Solomon to be extremely mischievous. Just about every time he had used his powers around her, it was either to just “see what happens,” or to purposely mess with someone. However, there had been a few times where he’s gotten her out of some pretty sticky situations with his magic.

“There’s still a way, of course,” a playful smile reached up to Solomon’s lips, twisting the corners.

“Bingo,” MC chuckled, “I was waiting for you to say something like that.”

“And this way involves you actually being able to go without Lucifer on your tail,” one of his eyebrows quirked in her direction.

“Oh? I’m listening,” she leaned in closer to him as if it would help her pay attention.

“What better mask than an entirely new face?” Solomon inquired.

“You shady bitch, I love you,” a bright smile stretched across her face. Solomon stood up and held his hand out to her for her to grab. When she did, he guided her over to a shelf full of spell books.

“Satan let me borrow this book, there’s a spell in here that will completely change your appearance for the next five hours. This means that when the clock strikes midnight, you’ll be back to your current form,” he elaborated, flipping through the pages of a large, dark green book.

“This is nice and all, but I don’t even have anything to wear-”

“Leave that to me too, I’ve spent enough time with Asmodeus to know how to make someone look good,” Solomon chuckled before putting his finger on a specific passage, “ Here it is, are you ready? I’ve never used this spell before, but I’m sure I can do it.”

MC contemplated her choices for a moment. She knew that if it was Solomon casting the spell, there was almost no way that she could get caught. The only possible way she could think of was not being able to scurry out of the castle before midnight hits. Potential consequences of her actions raced through her head. MC knew better than to defy Lucifer but he was so irritating. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d be livid if he found out.

Yet, what would happen if he didn’t find out? What would happen if she spent the night glissading across the ballroom floor, arm in arm with a handsome or perhaps beautiful stranger? She could have the night of her life, but it all depended on how much attention she paid to the time.

“Do it, Solomon. I’m ready," MC abruptly blurted after a few moments of silence. The next thing she knew, she was being enveloped in a waft of black smoke. It swirled around her vehemently, growing thicker with every ancient word that slipped Solomon's tongue.

Once the smoke began to settle and fade away, MC looked down at her hands. Her skin tone was a few shades darker than usual, her nails resembling long and sharp talons. Trailing up her arms, she saw the wavy lilac hair cascading down her shoulders like a mystical waterfall.

"That turned out better than expected, you look beautiful, MC" a small, cocky smirk creeped its way back up onto Solomon's expression.

"Thank you, is my face any different?" MC quizzed. In place of a reply, he gestured to a mirror near the door. Her face was indeed different. Her eyes sparkled a vibrant and almost intense green, her lips were slightly fuller than previously, her nose a bit smaller. They were the smallest changes but when they were all put together, she was a completely different person.

Without warning, the smoke had returned to swirl around her body yet again, this time leaving her head peeking out. It left a crimson red ball gown to wrap her torso, coming down in a sweetheart neckline to show off her collarbone, the skirt slightly flaring out at her hips. The fabric was light and airy, allowing her to move with ease.

"You gonna turn a pumpkin into a carriage too, fairy godmother?" MC teased.

"No, but we are going to do something with that hair," Solomon scoffed, pulling the hair tie off of her wrist and beginning to take her hair into sections. He parted the top half of her hair up, twisting it into an intricately braided bun. Before letting her look back into the mirror, he pulled out a few strands to dangle in the front.

"Tricks from Asmo?"

"You could say that," he smiled, placing a hand on her lower back, "Alright, get out of here and have fun. Set an alarm on your D.D.D. okay? 23:50 pm, get heading out when it goes off."

MC nodded enthusiastically and thanked him for his support before grabbing a mask he had summoned. It was a bit of a trip to the castle, taking thirty minutes off of the spell. She had only been to Diavolo's castle once before, it was when she made her pact with Asmodeus and Solomon used his magic on her for the first time. Diavolo was quite the character in her eyes, although she hadn't known much about him besides that Lucifer was his little lap dog. He was charming, certainly, and seemed pretty kind for a Demon Prince. She thought it was special how he wished to construct a path between all three realms. After all, that path is what gave her the opportunity to make new friends and learn about new cultures.

The large, elegant piece of architecture was indeed swarming with demons, just as Lucifer had predicted. They were all dressed head to toe in formal attire, a few letting their horns, wings, and tails come out. MC carefully put her mask on and fixed her posture before striding into the house. Not many demons shyed from giving her strange looks. Large, crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, illuminating the faces of all of them, especially one in particular, Asmodeus. Oh no.

“Oh, hello there!~ I haven’t seen your face in the Devildom before, who might you be?” his sweet voice chimed with seductive notes lingering in the air. MC noticed the way his sunset gaze deepened immediately. He was trying to charm her, and she couldn’t let that happen. Asmodeus’ powers never worked on her and he would be devastated if they didn’t work on this random stranger.

“H-hi! I’m sorry to be so abrupt, but I-I need to use the restroom,” MC sputtered out, but it didn’t seem like Asmo was taking no for an answer. She was now locked to him.

“Your voice sounds so familiar. It’s very soothing, you know? Come, doll. I’ll escort you to the restroom,” he coaxed her with a warming smile. Knowing she wouldn’t win the battle of trying to run away from the Avatar of Lust without upsetting him, MC nodded in agreement.

Asmodeus guided her to the restroom and left her off at the door before giving a small wink and fading into the mass. She sighed with relief and walked into the restroom. Taking a glance in the mirror, MC re-evaluated her situation. Now she knew that her voice would still be the same, she wasn’t able to know anyone at this masquerade, and she still resembled a human, she felt like this wasn’t such a good idea. The brother’s most likely wouldn’t protect her if she got in a trifle, now that she lingers on the thought.

A knock on the restroom door broke her thoughts. After sorting herself out, MC did her best to maintain her composure as she walked out. Even more demons were giving her looks this time around, a few of them even mumbling about her as she walked by. Asmodeus probably started to talk about the encounter to some of his “fans,” as he calls them.

Time began to run itself down the drain as MC consumed a few drinks and chatted with the passing strangers that prompted a conversation with her. Asmodeus made his way back to talk to her at one point and even tried to dance with her, but she was still scared of him finding out she couldn’t be charmed so she politely declined.

“I’m a little bit too tipsy, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t want to step all over your toes,” she chuckled. Asmo understood, surprisingly and it wasn’t long before he wandered off to try to charm the next beautiful face he saw walking by. A few moments later, yet another hand tapped MC’s shoulder, beckoning her to turn around. She half expected it to be Asmodeus, but it was instead Barbatos, Diavolo’s poised butler.

“Lord Diavolo has requested for you to be his first dance partner of the night. Please, follow me.”

#obey me shall we date #obey me diavolo #obey me fanfic #obey me fic #obey me headcanons #obey me lucifer #obey me satan #obey me #obey me asmodeus #obey me leviathan #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphagor #obey me mammon #obey me solomon #obey me simeon #obey me barbatos #obey me diavolo x reader #diavolo x reader

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sormikbigbang · 4 years

Text

Masterpost

We’ve come to the end of the SorMik Big Bang 2019! Before we move on to the master post for 2019, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to all of you. It has been a wild ride and us mods couldn’t thank our participants enough for being such lovely people to work with. There’ll also be a feedback form the participants can fill in! The link will be distributed through email and shared in our discord server. We would like to know how you think about us and how you would like us to improve through our feedback form!

If you missed your chance this year, don’t worry, we’ll be back again in 2020! Do stay tuned for some exciting information on where this event will be going next year!

Without further ado, here’s the master post for all entries of SorMik Big Bang 2019!

Masterpost

(Announcement: Not all artists/writers have posted their works yet, so this masterpost will be updated gradually as they post until everyone has posted.)

As Soft as Feathers by Kagaminekupcake | Art by Melly Mel (still yet to be posted) & KimmySnacks

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: Two kingdoms lay near one another, and with the queens sharing a friendship, they thought it only natural to continue the friendly relations through their successors. Prince Sorey and Prince Mikleo grew up, therefore, spending their summers together and sharing memories over the pages of dusty novels. However, upon Sorey’s near coronation, Selene informs Mikleo that she plans to betroth him to a princess of another land. Mikleo argues heatedly with her before storming out of the castle, but he was never seen afterwards. All Sorey could find in the rain was his circlet- a prized possession he knew Mikleo would never leave behind. Maybe the swan he discovers in the forest in the following days can give him a clue as to where Mikleo has gone…

Fanfic still yet to be posted by Dola625 | Art by mallowkey

Ranting: General Audiences

Summary: Luvdisc love fortune has set its sight upon a pair of childhood friends who need just an extra push with tons of water, a sunset and of course Mikleo and newly smitten Luvdisc.

La Fragilité Des Grues en Papier by Naminette | Art by Kinsdura

Ranting: Mature

Summary: Was it possible that his mother's tales were true? A sacred mountain where the Kamis' sanctuary lay. Away from the human world they lived in. Wings adorn their back, divine beings that were one with nature. This is were Mikleo place was, where he would be safe and happy. Until years after a plague broke into the village in the valley and a young human had no choice left but to seek the gods' help without knowing how it would change Mikleo's world.

Everything you left behind by Strikedawn | Art by Retto

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: After his uncle's death, Mikleo is forced to run away from his office for the weekend and tend to Camlann, Michael's old manor and his own childhood home. The house has seen better times-- Mikleo definitely won't be able to sell it like this.

(Does he even want to?)

But his uncle's metaphorical ghost isn't the only thing within those walls. There is Lailah and Zaveid, who have made of Camlann their house as much as Michael did. There is Sorey, with his lovely smile, his pure intentions, and his love for the decrepit house. They are everywhere in the house, making it theirs, making Mikleo feel... things. Mikleo definitely won't be able to sell the house like this.

(But then again--does he even want to?)

Demons, Mysteries, and Feathery Celestialness by Sage | Art by Oliver Niko & Vonderer

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: Sorey is a cop. When his current case turns out to involve elements both demonic and angelic, he suddenly finds himself both in over his head and with a new partner. Neither he nor the angel Mikleo are particularly happy to be saddled with each other. Can they work through their differences to solve the case?

Moon Phases by Melly Mel | Art by Raine

Ranting: General Audiences

Summary: "The Sun has long fallen in love with the Moon and has done everything in his reach to conquer its heart, but the timid and stubborn Moon has always rejected it, afraid of these feelings. Time will teach that one cannot simply ignore such a strong and true love for so much time."

A story that tells how Sorey, the sun prince, falls ill for love after so many years trying to conquer the love of Mikleo, the moon prince, who’s not willing to believe him and misunderstand everything.

Fountain of Youth, the Elixir of Eternal Life by MegumitheGreat | Art by ZYO

Ranting: Explicit

Summary: At Lailah's request, Sorey and Mikleo take a break from their adventure and go through Pendago Shrinechurch's library. Coming across a legend titled "Shelanoir's Forest", they find themselves trapped within its pages and living the roles of the characters inside.

Resonance and Resistance by Eachainn | Art by Illium

Ranting: Mature

Summary: After eight years apart, Mikleo is more than ready to pick of the threads of the hopes and dreams that they had left drop when Sorey had left for Pendrago. But things are rarely that easy, especially when the Shepherds are involved. After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a Shepherd in possession of a good resonance must be in want of a seraph.

A Sormik Regency Era AU

Chasing Dreams by RoyalDelirium | Art by Mewnia

Ranting: General Audiences

Summary: And this is where their tale begins, they did not really know what would await them out there, but they had dreams to chase and questions to answer. As long as they were together nothing could escape their grasp.

The Best Tour by Spectrum-sanctuary | Art by ArdentKnight & Unko (still yet to be posted)

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: In the archaic city of Ladylake where there are more canals than brick pathways, boats called gondolas are the major mode of transportation and location of work. The most renowned of these occupations are those who guide tourists around the romantic and historic marvels of the city while rowing the gondolas, the gondoliers.

Seventeen-year-old Mikleo is among them, renowned for not only being young but also graceful and skilled with the oar. When he meets the newly-arrived student Sorey in the city, his usual life among the waves and ruins transforms into a tale of adventure and excitement... and perhaps even love.

The Gang Crashes a Party While in Drag by Pengiesama | Art by Nami & Minstrels

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: Sorey and the crew investigate reports of a black market trafficking ring, and zero in on a particularly nasty noble at the center of it all. Luckily, said noble is opening his chateau to host a masquerade – the perfect opportunity to get close. Unluckily, the Shepherd’s fame has spread wide, and Sorey needs a disguise to make sure he’s incognito.

This is achieved by the obvious solution, and that's to disguise him in a dress and pass him off as Rose's sister. What could possibly go wrong?

Sir Sorey and the River Dragon by Treya-barton | Art by Kishi

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: Sir Sorey is a curious, gentle knight from the kingdom of Ladylake ruled by a fair and beautiful Queen. One day she is approached by a village with news that they are being plagued by a dragon that is blocking their access to a river they use for trade. Sir Sorey is sent on a quest to investigate this dragon in order to resolve the villager's dilemma.

The Benefits of Being Impulsive by FortunesRevolver | Art by Aimi

Ranting: General Audiences

Summary: It had all started out of sheer spite -- Sorey’s own bizarre desperate need to prove to his grandfather that he wasn’t that impulsive. Really, if he really wanted impulsive, Sorey could be impulsive. Or, maybe, somewhere deep down, he’d just wanted to talk to the really, really pretty boy sitting by the pool with stunningly white hair who just happened to be holding a copy of his favorite book series ever.

Art by MegumitheGreat (Their writer wasn’t able to get to finish due to personal reasons, but still asked MegumitheGreat to post their art anyway because it’s so cool!)

Trust, Betrayal and Beyond by Sabi | Art by Mikleohno

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: A long time ago, the country was separated into two factions: the Lotus faction and the Lily faction. Both factions had opposing ideals, which resulted in a war that lasted for decades. The war finally ended when the Lotus faction killed the Lily faction’s leader, thus bringing peace back to the land. Our story takes place a century later, focusing on Mikleo, the prince of the kingdom, who is doing everything he can to repair this country, as well as his new servant, Sorey, whose background is shrouded in mystery.

Eyes on the Horizon by Oliver Niko | Art by Siciel

Ranting: Mature

Summary: Mikleo is a nobleman kept captive for the magic he possesses. Sorey is a pirate, his crew determined to grant freedom to those with said magical capabilities.

The two are brought together not by this alone, but also by their similarities; the goal to do whatever it takes to protect Rolance's people from its corrupt emperor, and find the truth behind their missing mothers along the way.

The Color of Twilight by Luneath | Art by Succu (still yet to be posted)

Ranting: Teen And Up Audiences

Summary: “Ever since that day, Sorey has been looking for something. Desperately, yearningly, painfully. It's like chasing after a dream that’s hiding underneath his eyelids, almost there but not really. Just within reach, but could never be grasped fully. It’s like running after a figure — a blurred one, tinted blue, who owns half of his soul; his heart and his life. But he can’t remember. He knows, but never for sure. He just feels his heartstrings being tugged, but never to where or by whom. The more he tries to make sense of everything, the more he realizes it would hurt more to never find whatever’s — whoever’s gone. The only thing that gives him hope is the writing on his palm, tattooed in elusive curves that makes him feel warm and safe and nostalgic and a little like breaking. What’s written there, the meaning and the purpose — he doesn’t understand it at first. Not until some time. But even then, he swears he’s going to find whatever it is. And when he does, he’s never letting it go ever again."

[A Kimi no Na Wa (Your Name) AU featuring time travel, fluffy angst, switching bodies and switching lives, plus true loves and true names.]

Fanfic still yet to be posted by Miranda | Art by Okke (still yet to be posted) & Narain Yuna

Ranting: Explicit

Summary: Clergyman!Sorey x Non-Believer!

Mikleo The heavy wooden doors opened and closed with an echo throughout the chapel, all but empty save for the decorative lanterns with the names of the twelve apostles lining the pillars leading up to the alter, the hand-carved plaques in the right-wing hallway depicting the Stations of the Cross of the same number donated by the generous family, and the overwhelming but whole-fully welcomed presence of Him which he felt.

Sorey loved getting to do this-- well, he loved pretty much every aspect of his stay here as part of his training, but this was probably one of his top favorites: waking up to the early morning sun and say his morning prayers, picking some berries from his little garden as part of his breakfast before freshening up, and coming down to the church before Gramps arrived to start the day. He wasn't sure what made him want to say another morning prayer in the chapel when there was no need whatsoever. Perhaps it was simply just seminary habits or wanting the chapel to feel less... big? Lonely?

Or dusty?

He chuckled at the thought and shaking his head, and joyfully continued to walk towards the alter. Thinking back to his childhood, it use to be a dark green stone like the rest of the flooring. In it's place now was a white marble with gray veins scattering sparingly here and there. Gramps wasn't sure who thought it was a good idea, and Sorey didn't really pay it much attention.

As he approached the alter and began to kneel, pulling out his mini prayer booklet from his pocket, the front double doors opened and closed yet again. Hm, strange, Sorey thought for a moment. Normally Gramps doesn't come in this early since traffic from...

When he turned around to greet the wise old man who practically raised him from birth, Sorey was taken aback to see a young man with long dyed hair, faded black skinny jeans, and a somewhat revealing white and blue sweater with a v-neck that fell to show the side of his collar bone. Wait, was it dirty...?

It could've been the way he seemed to hold himself together-- just barely and could hardly seem like he wasn't shaking. It could've been the way his eyes, a deep blue from this distance, almost pleaded for mercy and safety. It could've just as easily been the way the light hit his unblemished face, his aquamarine tresses...

Sorey knew, deep down, that he would never forget this moment. Someone or something must have whispered something to his heart or to his soul that day, to never let this memory go.

Fanfic still yet to be posted by Mogseltof | Art by Lynxlantern & Ammerynth (still yet to be posted)

Ranting: Mature

Summary: Since he was young, Sorey’s been friends with the curious, withdrawn sailor everyone in his seaside town avoids. Now he’s an adult, struggling to find material for his research, but his withdrawn friend has recently been made captain of his ship, and Sorey is offered the opportunity he’s been looking for -- the chance to get out of his town and see the places he’s actually researching. But Sorey has another reason to want to be out on the sea; they say there are mermaids in the waves, and Sorey has to know if his memories ring true, or if he imagined the boy in the river so many years ago. However, the voices of the dead sing loudly from the deep, and the captain is hiding something that may get them all in trouble.

We hope you enjoy the masterpieces made by our talented participants! See you again next year!

#Sormik #sormikbigbang2019 #toz #tales of zestiria #masterpost #sorey #mikleo #fanfic #fanart #mod post

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hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger · 5 years

Text

ASM v5 #24/825 Thoughts

TL:DR version: Undeniably the most gripping issue of this year, this run, possibly this decade, possibly of post-OMD Spider-Man and possibly that I’ve ever read.

Seriously I was getting looks on the train reading this because my facial expressions were contorting with fear, joy, alarm, confusion and just utter attention to what was going to happen next.

Does gripping mean best?

No.

But there isn’t much wrong with this issue beyond it being a little lacklustre considering it is technically the 825th issue of Amazing Spider-Man and the fact that Mysterio is regarded as a challenge even by Ravencroft standards. Preeeeeeeeetty sure CARNAGE would be more challenging there Spencer.

But really those are nitpicks, even the former point as the next issue will be the big celebration.

Everything else in the issue stuck the landing.

Now you must forgive me as this post will be more of a list than I’ve been doing in recent ‘thoughts’ posts. This is because I prefer to write these posts ASAP after reading the issues but unfortunately I read them on the train home then had to head off for work straight after meaning I didn’t have time to write this until now, which is the day after. Consequently my memories aren’t entirely fresh and I’m going off bullet points I jotted down before hitting the sack. With that said...

· The MJ scenes were shipperiffic. I’ve long thought the idea that Spider-Man reels from seeing a vision of MJ dying (as opposed to actually fridging her) would be potent drama and this issue delivers on that. It’s tragic yet romantic and there are some just plain romantic scenes if the former ain’t your bag. It also helps Spencer, who is possibly the best writer to explore Peter’s psychology since DeMatteis or Straczynski, get into Peter’s head a lot. In this issue he almost literally has everything play out in Peter’s dreams. Or sort of anyway.

· Ottley on art continues to crush it although, sacrilegious as this might be, I actually think Ramos drew Centidemon better

· Speaking of Centidemon...he’s....sooo...creepy....and...scary. I obviously knew of the guy before reading his early appearances but...there is something of the early creepiness that Venom invoked wrapped (gEt iT????) in Centidemon.

· I did see him eventually harming Mysterio (but not MURDERING him Jesus Christ!) coming but it was still done well. You could feel the tension, the creepy way he was being almost caring almost sympathetic. There was a Ramsey Bolten-esque cruelty in how he pressured Mysterio into damning himself.

· Centidemon continues to intrigue. Unlike the Menace, Spider tracer killer or any of the mysteries of Slott’s run, Centidemon is outright compelling and I don’t think it’s merely due to his implied OMD connection. We are getting clues and hints about who he is, the biggest one being in this issue. The speculation game is fun!

· Centidemon is scary because he seems obsessed with Spidey and knows him intimately, for example his penchant for nicknames (which he’s derisive of). It almost seems like he doesn’t want to kill or hurt him but is almost infatuated with him. When you combine that with how his new name, ‘Kindred’ it opens up so many possibilities. Could he somehow be Uncle Ben (kindred as in blood family), some aspect of Aunt May (as in family, she is clingy to him), Gwen (she’s dead and could view her and Peter as kidred spirits, lovers), some aspect or in fact the REAL Mary Jane? (similar deal to Gwen but maybe this is pre-OMD MJ) or perhaps it’s some aspect of Peter himself, like pre-OMD Peter!

· The fact that Kindred is in fact someone who BECAME a demon but wasn’t one originally also sheds some light onto the mystery. It eliminates Mephisto but does open up the possibility that Kindred may have masqueraded as Mephisto...or....got Mysterio to do that for him...Re-reading OMD Mephisto does seem...a little off model. And demons in the Marvel universe have pretended to be one another before.

· We also learn he can project things into Peter’s dreams, make him see what is happening. Now in fairness this could be a non-demonic ability. A telepath could maybe do that. But it’s also very demonic. Of course if Kindred became a demon...that doesn’t preclude the idea he already had powers before dying...

· Finally Kindred references something Peter did. This is obviously written to invoke OMD in reader’s minds whether or not that’s actually the case remains to be seen. But it could mean so many things. It could mean OMD or his role in Gwen’s death or his ‘original sin’ with Uncle Ben, or his lying to Aunt May!

· Another enticing element of the mystery comes in the form of the two psychiatrists showcased. We get a passing reference to Beck’s old doctor, Doctor Winhorst who isn’t an established character to my recollecton. He must play a role in this mystery some how, perhaps as simply a red herring. Then we get the current psychiatrist for Beck. A man I can’t name because we never see his face, it’s either off panel or obscured by shadows. That can’t be a coincidence. Perhaps it was another short red herring, someone meant to trick readers in this issue into thinking he was Centidemon before the reveal that he wasn’t. But I don’t think so, not from the way he’s framed and how we get his POV. What’s more intriguing to me is that from what little we see of his face he resembles Dr. Ludwig Rinehart. For those who do not know Dr. Rinehart was in fact a disguise used by a villain more than once in Spider-History, notoriously way back in ASM #24 where he tried to trick Spidey into revealing his identity. The villain in question just so happened to be...Mysterio! Could it be Mysterio didn’t fabricate a new identity but stole it from a real man we’re finally meeting???????????????????

· Speaking of Beck this is a great time to be a Mysterio fan. Between this story and Symbiote Spider-Man he’s getting some great character exploration. I love we’re actually finally addressing Guardian Devil. I don’t exactly begrudge Slott for just ignoring that story, but it was unrealistic that Mysterio could’ve faked his death. Moreover it is his most ambitious scheme in Marvel history and his most notorious story, casting a long shadow in Spider History. And associationg Mysterio with Hell is at this point part of a tradition in his own history. I mean my God we even reference him doing it back in the truly obscure Webspinners #1-3!!!!!!!!!!!!! Could’ve believe that! Also I love Spencer might be throwing shade at Slott for just glossing over Guardian Devil.

· Mysterio’s character in general was explored quite nicely. He comes off as funny yet also sad and sympathetic. I love how Spencer presents a possibly plausible explanation for Mysterio’s condition (even though we readers know it can’t be true) and has Mysterio himself almost believe it. Also I’m sure Mysterio will be back. He’s got a movie coming out so he won’t be dead permanently. In fact I expect him back within this run.

· Switching gears a bit, I like how Spencer acknowledges that what Peter went through in Hunted would affect him, that he would need time to heal. It’s not okay in comics to traumatize characters then gloss over it, but if a comic on some level acknwoeldges healing will or has happened then it’s okay most of the time. For example with time and MJ’s support Peter could recover relatively quickly from the events of Hunted. We saw his pain last issue, we saw MJ there supporting him, helping him to heal (as happened in KLH) and then in this issue we acknowledge between issues he’s been different, he’s been healing. It’s part of how Spencer tries to be psychologically true to real life even within the relative realism of super hero comics.

· That being said all the talk about dreams and in reference to MJ makes me wonder in fear that he and MJ being back together is just an illusion of some kind, something that will be used as a rug pull.

· If I didn’t mention it before Ottley is scoring touchdowns with the art this issue.

Not only does this issue get a recommendation from me but my highest one at that.

P.S. Oh and that Absolute Carnage prologue page was pretty creepy in a good way too!

#Spider-Man #Peter Parker #Nick Spencer #Amazing Spider-Man #Ryan Ottley #mjwatsonedit #Mary Jane Watson #Mary Jane Watson Parker #mj watson #mysterio #quinten beck #Mephisto #Kindred #Absolute Carnage

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bedlamgames · 5 years

Text

No Haven 0.861

To say this update scaled way, way out of what I had originally planned is quite the understatement to put it lightly.

Download links can be found on the No Haven page. Patch notes can be found under the break.

If you don’t have RAGS and you need a copy to run it there’s one on the help page here. If RAGS has never worked on your system despite the help page suggestions then it might be worth trying with one of the alternate players. There’s also improvements on there to the RAGS player that can also help with performance.

Update notes under the break:

-New assignment to allow a safer way to dispose of slaves. Going yourself gives a number of potential options along the way to both change up the rewards, change the risk, and give the chance for some roleplay if you fancy. Each of these options has its own set of crit/succ/fail/disaster outcomes effectively making each one a mini-assignment in their own right. I've also added many alternate vignettes in those outcomes when referring to specific races you encounter with common, uncommon, and rare versions to make the world seem bigger and more varied. Going to try to do more of that in future.

-New mechanic where certain slavers and bed warmer slaves will if they have the right traits, your reputation is on the Alluring path, and other checks like morale if they are a slaver are met then they will force a sexual encounter with you. These encounters will have increasing consequences depending on how often it happens. (Note: If you are already a puppet-leader or are forming a line every night either of those will disable this one.)

-New encampment role in the head slave.

-Expanded and reworked the starting race bonuses. Every start now has six new favoured and five unfavoured selections of which can be traits, assignment types, regions, other races, and attire (Kreen are missing one unfavoured due to leaving a space open for planned content). Includes every currently playable race and subtype even the ones only available usually in scenarios or with a promoted slaver. Some races have other special bonuses like the old additional gold or supplies.

-Due to this there are now more options of races to outcast into that replace your current set of bonuses as before.

-To reflect the reworked starting bonuses I've expanded the Ori'Nek, Akir, Amazons, Marlsune, Kitsune, Lizardman, Asanei, Drow, Draki, Draenei, Kreen, Fancy, Harpy, Trolls, and Cathayan lore pages.

-Lizardmen now get Perceptive by default and some other races have also had some traits added and/or altered.

-New commission for Wrapped in Webs. An alternate cum splattered version will now be used for Nethemir slaves. Also used a crop for a new Nethemir portrait start.

-New commission for Raid High Elven Dwelling. Will be also used for a new portrait to replace the old High Elf Sentinel one. The clothed and unclothed versions will also be used for High Elf female slaver and slave examines respectively.

-New commission to be used for Scout the City and Drider examine. Option in the preferences for a more zoomed in version for those that don't want the full spider-gal experience.

-New commissions with No Haven specific design for both Trolls and Abyss Trolls. Will replace the examines for males and females, used for male and female/futa starts, and due to this I've removed some of the old portraits along with moving some of the traits around.

-New commissions for Seduction of the Light, with an alternate version for the Akir examine and a new portrait start.

-Can now start as an ooze as standard with three playable options. Includes a patron provided one with a new aspect. Oozes now come with a racial (though I do mean to add to this in a later update).

-Now there are three female demi-angel human choosable options. Includes a patron provided one with a new aspect, a lore page, and not one but two different commissions for her.

-Due to the change of the reworked starting bonuses Fallen can now choose their heritage for all genders, while there now more male Demi-Angel options than just humans. These are mainly placeholder images for now until I can work out a way to get so many varied portraits done in a way that's both affordable and doesn't bore the artist(s) rigid with repetitive variations.

-Other new patron funded content in slavers can now force a sexual encounter with you based on your reputation and their traits, virginity tracking being partially unlinked from the Innocent trait, a new fae start, a new drow start, a new unique drow, and a new unique werewolf guy.

-Being Beloved will protect for getting more feared while being Dreaded will protect you from being more liked. Made some more adjustments so that while being feared is still easier to lose the fall will be less harsh when messing up assignments compared to say them being your bed warmer or walking around while wearing something super slutty. Being Popular or Beloved will be far less likely to get onto the obsessed over path. Same for Feared or Dreaded for the being disliked path. Failures will be less likely to cause changes than before. Being Liked or Popular will be less likely to switch over to the Respected path.

-New playable Fancy, new playable Nethemir, and two new unique slaver Succubi. One of which has her own specific lore page.

-Thank you to the patron requested the new Demi-Angel as now she has a new commission to replace her portrait and examine for when she loses her aspect.

-The biomancy reward Lago'Mae unique no longer requires you to have a guard, and has her own new nightly flavour text to reflect this. She also now has specific art to reflect her status as a unique.

-With the reworked starting bonuses Shun the Other has more effects than it does before making other races less effective than they would normally.

-Dominated and Obedient now override will checking for the purposes of assignments so high or low it will still be good for you.

-The Pyromancer aspect has been improved. Now it works as before and has the additional effect where Unhinged and Elementalist: Fire will no longer count as negative traits for that slaver.

-New general order to allow you to prefer to recruit inexperienced slavers. Also comes with new results on the Standard Scour recruitment assignment.

-There's now a chance for your reputation to improve when you level the encampment up.

-Fallen skin colours now reflect their heritage so no more fair skinned orc fallen for one example.

-All the fully embedded hypnotic mantras now have a value.

-Updated the troll skin colours to reflect the new look.

-Updated the portrait collage with some of the new ones.

-Centaurs now mostly use the Horned One name generator.

-Legion now have properly demonic names.

-Sissies should now also have the gender lock preferences.

-The denial mantra can now also remove defiant and stubborn. For all mantras slowed down the final embedding a bit.

-Having a slave bedwarmer requires you now to have at least one guard.

-Added Flat Chested as an option for females and sissies in full custom.

-Added a check in the rare case of no-race characters being generated

-The disaster for Pursuit of Arrogance now has an appropriate chance to leave some corruptions.

-Attempted fix for slaves being correctly limited in how many that can use them per night based on role, training, etc.

-Fix for Elementalist: Water slavers not getting the option to take Tentacles on level up.

-Fix for the Reduce ass biomancy option only existing for the shorter races.

-Fix for Life in Coiled Tentacles having placeholder text on the altered crit with beastmaster version.

-Fix for certain larger races not getting mounts when I'd added some special variations for them before.

-Fix for events going mad with generosity.

-Fix for your character not getting the descriptions from beautiful and the like.

-Fix for the Promoted Icewyld harpy having the Carakarr portrait.

-Fix for the cock sucking mantra wiping a lot of the target's description.

-Fix for flying on Cutprice Roses only reducing the time reduction by one day.

-Fix for the Spiritual Leader getting stuck if they would be permanently removed such as by dismissal.

-Fix for Adherents of Pain gaining Resilient again from the various corrupted armours.

-Fix for Cumsluts gaining slutty from advanced lesbian training.

-Fix for encampment role slavers who do some healing and then go back to being a slaver while still being in their role.

-Fix for slavers being removed/wounded and legging it on Toll Bridge.

-Fix for Scout the Deep Mountains checking the old corrupt trait instead of Depraved.

-Fix for submissives gain sub again from escape attempts.

-Fix for being able to just cancel out of the leadership challenges.

-Fix for biomancy not taking account for supported assets, bimboborn, and so on like corruption does.

-Fix for certain encampment roles not clearing the slave's blindfold like they should.

-Fix for Driders and Oozes still being counted as Monsters in terms of adding Disasters on Tyrannical Legacy.

-Fix for the unique matriarch from Sable Masquerade missing her substantial cock.

-Fix for reputation from encampment level ups up not showing.

-Fix for on levelling up getting the wrong kind of tentacles.

-Fix for when you get Cumslut getting an Obedient with the wrong abbreviated trait description.

-Fix for the denial mantra morphing into the bimbo mantra.

-Some text fixes.

#No Haven

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the-reason-to-sail-home · 7 years

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✨CS Fairy Tale Prompts✨

As promised, here is a collected list of (50+) fairy tale, fantasy, and mythology prompts. I’ve also included a handful of smutty prompts and hearty helping of dark fantasy prompts for CS Halloweek. Feel free to use any of these for anything, and if you do, I’d appreciate it if you link back to this list! Happy writing!

General Fairy Tale Prompts

Killian is an apothecary, Emma is the woman who tracks down the rare and dangerous ingredients for him.

Character A has vowed to kill a dragon, unbeknownst to them that their lover, Character B, is really the beast they’re hunting.

Pirate Killian follows his map to where treasure is sure to lie. Instead, he only finds the humble cottage of a poor woman living by herself.

The fictional character that person A has fallen in love with steps out of the pages of a book, running away from something disastrous happening in their own world.

Write about the forbidden love between two very different mythological creatures (ie; fairies, nymphs, humans, mermaids, etc).

Character A is an unhappy siren who has fallen for their latest prey, Character B, the only person who is unaffected by A’s charms.

Emma is a messenger that continually runs into sailor Killian as they travel across the world, her by land, and he by sea.

Emma is a Robin Hood type character protecting her village from the Pirate Jones who wishes to plunder it.

Alternatively, Emma is tired of her stifling life in her small village and stows herself away on a pirate ship in hopes of finding adventure.

An evil witch has princess Emma locked in a tower, but little does Emma know, the witch has a pirate locked just the room below her. During one of the pirate’s escape plans, he and Emma meet. (Possible Rapunzel AU?)

Character A is a fortune teller who sees themselves in Character B’s future.

Emma disguises herself as a princess to steal from the prince’s treasury during his ball. Everything goes according to plan, except, you know, the part where she falls in love with him.

Character A is immortal and character B reincarnates over and over and over again. Sometimes they fall in love, sometimes they don’t.

The village leaves character A behind as a sacrifice to the god/dess of the forest, character B is the god who finds character A, beaten and neglected.

Character A is a chess master who is enlisted to teach the royal character B how to play. Character A soon surpasses their teacher.

This also works with music, swordsmanship, and other things where mastery can be taught!

Killian is a map creator who needs an escort to give him as he marks down uncharted lands. Emma just happens to be the best in the land.

Killian and Emma are the demon of evil and the angel of good. They have a fierce rivalry with each other, trying to bring lowly mortals to their respective side.

Princess Emma discovers a secret library within the depths of her castle run by a strange librarian, Killian Jones.

Character A falls in love with the palace gardener, Character B.

Write about a masquerade ball. Emma and Killian could be royalty, spies, castle servants, thieves, guests, military officers, knights. The dynamics could be neat on this one.

Spooky Fairy tales

Emma is the youngest and most powerful of three witches. One day, Killian stumbles upon their home as an overnight guest. He teaches her that she can use her witch powers for good. (Based off of Barbara Picard’s story, “The Third Witch”)

The Spirit of Death, Emma, taunts and follows Killian Jones as he escapes her grasp countless times, up until the day he doesn’t.

Emma is a witch living on an enchanted island by herself, Killian is the sole sailor who washes up on her shores.

Killian finds himself wandering into an abandoned castle, haunted by the princess who died there.

Emma is the necromancer that Killian hires to bring his deceased brother back from the grave.

Killian finds twelve ghost princesses dancing in the forest, and somehow, has caught the attention of one of them.

In the middle of the night, Emma finds that stone statue in her palace has come to life: the likeness of Killian Jones, a deceased naval captain.

During one of this sea voyages, Killian meets and falls in love with a woman he finds floating in the water. It’s only after they part that one of his crew tells him that Emma Swan has been dead for over a hundred years.

Character A is a plague doctor, Character B is on their deathbed.

Hook is lost in the Dark Woods of Neverland, and Emma is the queen that reigns over them. If he wants to make it back to his ship, he’ll have to go through the queen first.

Emma is spirit of death/temptress/etc who takes the lives of men by sleeping with them. The only men she doesn’t want to kill is the only man she really wants to sleep with.

Zombie Snow White!AU except the character in a sleeping curse has started to decay and when woken by TLK, never truly comes fully back to life.

Emma Swan is a fallen angel who takes out her rage on a spiteful pirate, but little does she know, there’s not she can do to him that he hasn’t lived through already.

Killian is the necromancer in charge of bringing Princess Emma back to life, but for some reason, he can’t bring back her life, and instead, only relive her memories in his own mind.

Emma grows up alone on the streets selling matches with her imaginary friend, the ghost of a dead boy who died in slavery.

Prompts based off of specific fairy tales

Beauty and the Beast AU: Person A is the only person alive who doesn’t see person B’s cursed appearance. Person B has no idea that they don’t appear as a beast to person A.

Cinderella!AU where Killian and Emma are both commoners crashing the king’s party in hopes of finding true love. The one who gets left behind has a seriously harder time finding the one who got away.

Cinderella!AU where Pirate Killian steals a princess’ pair of glass slippers and gives them to his first mate, Emma. They’re a perfect fit.

Peter Pan AU where Emma has secretly been growing up and turns to Pan’s enemy to help get her off of the island. She much prefers her life as a pirate to her old one as a lost girl, anyhow.

Prince Killian of the Sea loses his favorite ring (or other beloved object) on shore and goes above land to find it. Emma, thief extraordinaire, helps him find it and steal it back. (Based off of Barabara Picard’s, “The Coral Comb.” )

Royal Killian finds Emma, a stranger without her memories. They fall in love, marry, but when Killian discovers that she’s actually a fairy, he has to choose between her happiness and their marriage. (Based off of Barbara Picard’s story, “Count Alaric’s Lady”).

In the actual fairy tale, the only way they can stay together is if their love for one another is true.

Killian is an artist who is thrown in the royal dungeons for not accurately painting the king. Princess Emma sees him and they begin a forbidden love affair. (Based off of Barbara Picard’s story “The Blackbird’s Song”).

Princess Emma must pick one of many suitors to marry. Prince Killian is on his way to be considered, when an evil witch turns him into a dog. Princess Emma finds the dog. (Based off of Picard’s “The White Hound”).

In the original fairy tale, the prince has 2 minutes at midnight on the night of the full moon to talk with his full voice. This is how the princess realizes he’s actually a man and not a dog.

Emma grows up playing in the forest, where she continually meets a mysterious woodland man, Killian (as a wood nymph/faun/fairy/elf/etc), but the second he leaves her side, she loses her memories of him. She returns to the forest, though, because her heart knows she has a reason to. They grow closer up until the day her step-mother/grandmother makes her marry someone else. (Based off of Picard’s “The Faun and the Woodcutter’s Daughter”).

Is the fairy tale, the faun comes to the daughter’s rescue on the day of her wedding, but ultimately she saves herself.

This story also works genderswapped. Perhaps Emma is the wood nymph/fairy and Killian is the Harbormaster’s brother.

Snow white!AU: Character A is a mercenary hired by the queen to kill character B. They stumble into each other and form an unlikely team. Ultimately character A just can’t kill character B.

Prompts based off of mythology

A fic based off of the story of Greek astronomer, Endymion, who has a love affair with the moon goddess, Selene.

A fic based off of Hades and Persephone, where with Emma or Killian is the ruler of the underworld.

A romance between the goddess of the sun and the god of the moon.

Alternatively, the goddess of the land and the god of the sea.

Character A declares to the heavens that they won’t ever fall in love. Aphrodite sees this as a challenge. They stumble into character B the next day.

A mortal falls in love with a god/dess and goes about the strangest ways in getting their attention and favor.

King Midas!AU: Everything character A touches turns to gold, everything except character B.

Emma is one of the huntresses of Artemis. After being scorned by love before, she swears off men. On one of her hunts, she meets a sailor who makes her change her mind.

The gods in olympus think Character A would be great for character B. The two mortals can’t figure out why they keep running into each other, but it’s really because of a plan that’s a bit more...divine.

Killian Jones has spent his entire life at sea fearing the storms, but he has never considered loving them, especially not the goddess who makes them.

Smutty Fairy Tale Prompts

Royal person A has taken notice to the way person B stares at them as they work about the castle.

Character A is a sculptor for the royal family and gets well acquainted with the body of the prince/princess.

A couple in a forbidden love affair escape to the enchanted woods to consummate their love.

A couple separated by distance can communicate with a magic mirror. Character A just doesn’t account for character B accidentally “stepping in” when they pleasure themselves, but they realize they can have some fun.

Who doesn’t love a good femme fatale?

Princess Emma has eyes for her protector and intends to have him.

This is a fairly general, common prompt, but I felt I should still give credit to a fic that has already done exactly this: Frustrated, Princess? by YouSaidWho on Ao3.

A pair of strangers share a passionate night together, only to find out character A is the royal and is actually in an arranged engagement to character B.

#captain swan #cs halloweek #cs prompt #cs ff #if these give you any ideas you'd like me to add to the list #by all means shoot me an ask or a message

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calmgrove · 4 years

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Phil Shaw’s Shelf Isolation 2

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis many of us have resorted to fiction for consolation, distraction and information.

Myself, I have generally avoided harrowing dystopian tales, inventive novels about conspiracies, and books about personal tragedies — there’s enough of all this in real life which I can access through print, social and broadcast media.

Instead I have gone for more optimistic fiction, whatever ends in what Tolkien dubbed eucatastrophe, the upbeat ending, instead of the catastrophic conclusions where hearts hang heavy and melancholy pertains.

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⬆️ Medieval PPE, ancient and modern

Largely that has meant children’s fiction and fantasy. I am steadily working my way through Maria Sachiko Cecire‘s fascinating Re-Enchanted (University of Minnesota Press 2019), subtitled The Rise of Children’s Fantasy Literature in the Twentieth Century, finding insights on every page about the positive nature of modern fantasy along with some of the less salubrious aspects that rear their head — anglocentrism, imperialism, racism, and sexism, for example. While I have recently questioned the charge of escapism sometimes levelled at these genres (indeed at literature in general) I was grateful to have the chance to consider the other -isms in more detail.

But for now, let me consider the current Covid-19 buzzwords that are going the rounds — social distancing (‘physical distancing’ is perhaps better), self-isolating, contagion and pandemic — and relate them to a few novels I’ve read over the years (links are to review-discussions).

First, social distancing and self-isolation aren’t new. Robert Carse‘s The Castaways: A Narrative History of Some Survivors from the Dangers of the Sea details several who were (usually) forcibly separated from fellow humans, many literally ‘cast away’ on the open ocean or marooned on an island. But it can also happen that one can become isolated (the word is from Italian isola, an island) somewhere landlocked. This is the case with the protagonist in Robert C O’Brien‘s famous Z for Zachariah: in this meditation on solitude the lone survivor of a nuclear holocaust, holed up in a mid-Western valley in the States, finds her refuge hasn’t insulated her from an intruder who, remarkably, seems to have avoided death from radiation sickness.

The main character in Agatha Christie‘s Absent in the Spring is also, after a fashion, forced to self-isolate and in so doing does what many of us may be contemplating, how long will this last, and when it does what does the future hold? Yet her isolation comes not from a nuclear winter but from the lack of a train connection, being sick at heart a result of soul-searching, not infection. The titular character in Philippa Pearce‘s Tom’s Midnight Garden goes into quarantine with older relatives to escape being infected by his brother, who has contracted the very infectious measles virus; the story is set in 1958, ten years before a measles vaccine was available in the UK. Still, he’s curiously reluctant to return home once the danger is past.

Corona typewriter, Book-ish café, Crickhowell

We’re social-distancing now to avoid a particular contagion, obviously. I read Albert Camus‘ La Peste many years ago, before I began reviewing, but that’s apparently one of the go-to novels flying off the virtual bookshelves at the moment, along with Boccaccio’s Decameron and Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year. But there are other significant fictions about plague of one kind or another.

I called P D James‘s The Children of Men a disturbing dystopia, a “critique of totalitarianism masquerading as a benevolent despotism, of privilege assuming it has a right to power, of religion distorted into the worst forms of superstition.” Sound vaguely familiar? Though the main events occur in 2021, crucial to the plot is the sudden drop to zero of male sperm counts around the world in the year 1995, through no known agency (though most likely due to a virus, I suspect). The author’s centenary is celebrated this August, so if you’re unfamiliar with her work this might be a good place to start. A future pandemic which also creates infertility is a trigger for Eifion Jenkins‘s future dystopia If You Fall I Will Catch You, set in the years following 2084 (aptly, 100 years after the date chosen for Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four).

You’ll have realised that my title is a not so covert reference to Gabriel García Márquez‘s novel Love in the Time of Cholera which, though I haven’t yet read it, includes a play on words (cholera in Spanish is cólera, which can also translate as passion). I have however read his novella Of Love and Other Demons, which includes a girl bitten by a rabid dog. Though she survives she infects many others with a whole range of passions, mainly because of the fact that, as well as recovering from rabies with no ill effects, she is somehow perceived as strange, as different, as abnormal and therefore some kind of threat to society, to religion, to propriety.

A different kind of pestilence rages in Rome at the conclusion to Henry James‘s novella Daisy Miller, namely malaria, caused by a mosquito parasite and sometimes called ‘the Roman fever’ (which is also the title of one of Edith Wharton’s short stories). However, the contagion in Michael Crichton‘s The Andromeda Strain is due not to an earth-borne virus but to an extraterrestrial micro-organism from a meteor crashing into a returning spacecraft. On our planet’s surface it attacks humans by clotting their blood, causing instant death. It also mutates…

Before you get too freaked you might like to smile at my recreation of PPE for medieval quacks, or reread the titles in Phil Shaw‘s Shelf Isolation 2 (photo above) in sequence. I tried something similar to Shaw’s artwork on Twitter, and if you’re at a loose end you might like to try your hand as well — though probably with more success.

Emotionally weird

It reads

“Emotionally weird, I shall wear midnight behind the scenes at the museum.” Hunted down, Titus awakes, changing planes in strangest Europe. “The Secret of this book? Understanding English place-names of giants. How to stop time? Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Books in the time of coronavirus In the midst of the coronavirus crisis many of us have resorted to fiction for consolation, distraction and information.

#books #contagion #don&039;t panic #dystopia #self isolation #social distancing #speculative fiction

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