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#the outcome of what i do has to be poetry
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Am I grateful for all the changes and growth that I've made while loving people? Yes. Am I still a little sore grieving the lost loves I've acquired in the processes of that? Also yes. Am I terrified of what will result of me if I lose the one that's currently changing me? Absolutely... Where was I going with this
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eff-plays · 8 months
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The way Astarion reacts depending on how you compliment him in the mirror scene (I have no interest in insulting him so I won't be covering that here, have fun though!) drives me fucking insane.
"I want to know what the world sees when it looks at me. What you see."
And you get two types of responses. First, your choices for compliments are
Strong, piercing eyes.
The creases when you laugh.
Pick the first, and he's pleased. "Go on," he says, sounding very seductive. You're giving him exactly what he wants, and he's encouraging it.
Pick the second, and he gets upset. He's an eternally young vampire, not your doting grandmother! You can do better than that. Even if you meant it as a compliment (I know my Tav definitely did), he doesn't seem to take it that way.
Your second options are
That dangerous smile.
The way your hair curls around your ears.
Once again, the first one pleases him, and he even praises your efforts. Very good. Now finish the scene and tell him he's beautiful.
But if you say the second, he gets exasperated. This is meant to be flattery, not poetry. Just tell him he's beautiful and we can call it a day, he says with a dismissive wave of his hand. He doesn't need to hear this crap, just tell him what he wants and fuck off.
Of course, it doesn't matter how you get to this point, and every dialogue option at the end of the scene nets you the same amount of approval. If you call him beautiful, it's +1. Call someone else beautiful, it's +1. If you ask whether he just wants shallow praise (aka don't call him beautiful), you get +1. So this is me pulling this out of my ass I guess.
I always choose to call him beautiful becuase 1) he is and 2) my Tav thinks so too and would oblige him if he asked for it that directly.
But I am obsessed with the different routes you can take to get to this point and what they imply.
Strong, piercing eyes and dangerous smile pleases him more outwardly, but doesn't actually affect the outcome. He's satisfied and confident with these compliments. They confirm what he's trying to project into the world, what he aspires to have and to be.
The creases when he laughs? The hair curling around his ears? Those are things he can't control, can't use against someone else. But he asked to be seen, and if this is what Tav sees, then what does that mean for him?
Why are they complimenting his laugh lines? Why are they speaking poetry at him? Why are they seeing things he has no control over, and why are they revealing them to him?
He doesn't want shallow praise. Questioning this nets approval, and giving it to him doesn't increase approval. What he wants is assurance that what he's trying to be is what the world sees, that he's in control.
And if you actually act as a mirror, point out the things unique to him that you see, he gets uncomfortable, because you're showing a reflection of someone he thinks he's not, of someone he has no control over. And that's scary, even if it's supposedly complimentary.
Because what's scarier than losing control?
But then, compared to how genuinely upset he seems when you insult him (I looked these up on YT for context), the laugh lines and hair curls are still accepted as compliments. So what does he think when Tav says these things?
They see past his piercing eyes and dangerous smile. They see something else that they like even more, things he's not aware of or doesn't appreciate as much. What does that feel like, to cultivate such a perfect image of oneself for the purposes of seducing and tricking others, and then be stumped when someone walks past all that and points out something entirely different that they noticed and found endearing?
Do you do him a favor, and tell him you see only what he wants to be? Or do you speak the truth, and show him what he actually is? Which one is better? Which one is worse?
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emmitaaa4 · 2 months
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“Elriel is too predictable! It’s boring & lazy writing!”
… 🧍‍♂️
My brother in Christ. You call SJM the fated mates author. Through 15+ books and 3 series she hasn’t diverged from that trope. Elain has a “mate”.
If an Elriel outcome is predictable, it’s because the author willed it so and therefore ✨wrote scenes✨ to ✨develop their relationship✨.
and by that i mean…
(long post ahead…. bear with me)
SJM wrote Mr. “I don’t need to resort to poetry” going all Azriel Allan Poe, flustered as he tells Elain “we are born hearing the song of the wind”. She wrote him uncharacteristically open & talkative, while when he 1st met Feyre he deferred all her questions to others.
SJM wrote that despite how different they may look, Elain does not balk from Az. She never has: from their 1st meeting she finds comfort in him, and he in turn notices her—she’s never been afraid of him, he has always seen her.
SJM wrote the 1st coherent thing to come out of Elain’s mouth in WaR to be “beautiful” as she beholds Azriel’s scarred hands. In turn, she wrote our gardener not minding imperfections on hers, for despite her lady-like conditioning, she prefers to get her hands dirty.
SJM wrote Az spending time with her in the sunshine: no forced conversation, no one hEaLinG anyone, just them both doing their own thing as a relaxed Az suns his wings. Just two pals comfortable with one another… which SJM foreshadowed in MaF through Feyre’s “Elain would likely cling to Az for some peace and quiet”.
SJM wrote Az and Cass both stilling at the sight of El & Nes, she wrote Az cutting in to set Elain up in her garden even as Feyre was about to do it, she wrote the mention that Elain was safe after the twin raven’s attack bc Az had stayed with her at the townhouse.
SJM wrote Azriel’s eyes churning as he looks at Elain and her too-thin body, before abruptly winnowing away, and we’re left with Mor looking at the spot where he left. Wonder what that was about (it certainly did not remind me of Rhys in TaR).
You know, Elriels are not just making stuff up and theorizing about the E/ucien bond cause we’re desperately pulling at straws…
SJM had Madja say “a mate would know if something is amiss”, then wrote a scene juxtaposing both Lucien’s and Azriel’s reactions/assessments of what was going on with Elain… and she had Azriel be the one to know nothing was “wrong” with her—no, she just had rare powers and needed to be heard, to be taken seriously. He didn't let her be misunderstood, for he was the ONLY one that listened to her, that took her visions/ramblings seriously right from the get go. And so he gave Elain the understanding she needed to free herself from the dream-like murky realm she was trapped in. Through it all, SJM emphasizes that Azriel also understands what it is like to struggle with rare, strange, prized powers in silence; what it’s like to be othered by them. I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again: she sees everything and he hears everything.
SJM wrote that “Elain had hoped that love would trump even a mating bond” and had her characters question the Cauldron in relation to Elucien *twice* (years apart!).
SJM wrote Az being the only one—in a room full of Made beings speaking of being Made—to notice that Elain was missing. A reassuring but empty statement by Cass that they’d get her back….but then it was Azriel that stated, eyes glowing golden, that HE would be getting her back, despite the girl’s own sister discouraging him & telling him he’d die. Hell, Feyre had this whole deliberation on whether she’d join him only after he’d say he’d go. His initiative.
The Hybern scene is too long to add, but this post and this theory break it all down brilliantly.
Yes, Az has sacrificial tendencies. Yes, he’d risk his life for loved ones in general. But we have never seen him this affected, and it is because SJM purposely used language to emphasize Elain and Azriel’s meaningful reactions to the other… despite it being wholly “unnecessary”
It is all intentional… lazy’s antonym.
SJM wrote the Truthteller scene. She emphasized the exchange, which left Cassian gasping and Rhys flabbergasted; it also left Feyre with a significant painting in her mind. It lead to Elain, aka “my God has answered me,” stepping out of a shadow to save her sister. Azriel, aka “God is my help”, indeed helped armed Elain so she could answer her sisters prayers.
SJM ended WaR with Elain’s smile literally lighting up Az’s shadows.
SJM had Elain’s thoughtful gift to him make his eyes the brightest we’ve seen—and by doing so gave us the most beautiful description of his earthy eyes, “the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald.” We have never seen Az so joyful & carefree throughout the entire series.
SJM wrote that Azriel beat Feyre to Elain’s side as she was looking out into the night. She wrote Elain stilling at the sight of a dashing Azriel—her throat bobbing—while Az “just moved towards her”.
SJM wrote the potato scene—“sit i’ll take care of it”—Azriel again being the one to respect Elain’s presence & contribution as he makes a room full of his “superiors” wait until Elain finishes tidying herself up (cause girlie wanted to look put together for a certain shadowsinger). Mor gapes, Amren smirks, Rhys talks of Az’s mom… all because of that surprising, singular behaviour from him.
SJM wrote Az making a joke at Amren’s expense upon noticing Elain’s discomfort; our girl’s shoulders indeed relax in relief. THE LIGHT RETURNS IN HER EYES.
SJM has Azriel staying up past 3am with Elain, listening to her speak of something she is passionate of.
SJM wrote Azriel spending an entire convo with his brothers looking out into the garden from the window (SJM mentioned it 4 times yet some still missed it).
SJM wrote Rhys goading Az for a reaction as he quizzes him on Lucien and Grayson; wrote Rhys realizing that Azriel did not want to know what Elain did with Lucien (in the case she did anything). She wrote Azriel nervously stuttering as he asks risks if they need to get the sisters a present… I wonder why.
And Rosehall… SJM wrote ROSEhall: cracktheory this cracktheory that, to the gwonriels I’d say we both know you wouldn’t say it’s irrelevant had SJM chosen to call his estate Tealhall.
~~~~
Keep in mind: SJM could have written those significant scenes and ultimately kept it PG: she could have chosen language that built up a profound platonic relationship.
Yet… in MaF she has Feyre comment that they would be good together—as in make a good *couple*. WaR roles in and they’re both dealing with the very public rejections they went through—but SJM had them build a quiet companionship in the background, while giving them a wealth of scenes of great significance for both their characters, and while using language like “she DEVOURED the sight of him” “he CRADLED her to his chest”. In FaS they are slowly but surely getting over their last loves, and SJM continues developing their connection.
And in ACOSF, in the book that supposedly “ended” Elriel…
SJM wrote Az following the sound of her laugh (😭). “ It’s just lust” PLEASE BFFR.
SJM chose to remind us—THREE times—of the Hybern rescue scene... then had Az tell Cass that he’d know, in his chest, if something happened to Nesta.
SJM had Az longingly stare at the gift Elain gave him every night for a YEAR—mind plagued by thoughts of her—made him so affected by her that he had reactions to every mention of her name in SF, so affected that it took Nes one look at them to notice his feelings, to reach out in comfort upon noticing the pain that keeping himself apart from to her caused him. As SJM said she would, Nes saw through his secret in ACOSF, still it is “his secret to tell, never hers”. After Solstice we are met with a grumpy Azriel, who lost the snowball fight for the 1st time in centuries (i wonder why…).
SJM chose to link his every secret back to his feelings for Elain, as per the bonus . Why does he stay up so late and wake up so early? He longs for Elain so much he can’t sleep. Why is he staying in the HoW? It is too hard to be close to Elain given their circumstances; he must physically distance himself from her. Why has he moved on from Mor after centuries? Elain. Why is he grumpy post Solstice? The argument with Rhys concerning Elain.
~~~~
Ultimately, SJM wrote for Elriel:
- Complementary imagery (flowers and death? light and dark blending together to form something new… DUSK, anyone?)
- AND plot altering scenes
- AND chose to liken them to one another multiple times
- AND genuine moments of companionship that slowly bloomed into something more…
… Is it so insane to believe that maybe SJM spent so much page time and effort building connections & common ground between them because she intends for elain & az to find peace and quiet within one another?
Or idk, maybe it was all for shits and giggles… and if it was i salute her commitment to the shits and the giggles🫡
Either way, it is the opposite of lazy writing…
It’s SJM’s world & words, and we are just reading them.
P.S: This was all just typed on my cell phone from the top of my head… yes remembering all this is probs concerning, yes I am obsessed. Please correct me if I got anything wrong.
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f1bordeaux · 9 months
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If You Cared (Part 3) | mv1
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It's been years since you've indulged in a vacation. What better time is there than summer? Your family, the beach house in Italy-it seems perfect. But, for things to be just like good old times, your family needs to invite his. So of course you are having mixed feelings as the boy who broke your heart re-enters your life like nothing happened. Warnings: None Pairing: Max Verstappen x Reader Word count: 2.5k Poetry style | Story style A/n: Part 3 has arrived! I rewrote this about a million times so I kinda just gave up lololololol It isn't proofread sry next chapter will prob have smut in continuation to the end of this chapter? I haven't decided yet. I'm hoping to finish this series by Saturday because then I go on hiatus for 3 months so look out! As always, let me know if you wanna be in a continuation tag! Part One|Part Two|Part Three|Part Four|Part Five
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When Max woke up the room was dark-pitch black almost.
All he could see was the turquoise glow from the pool outside, thanks to the glass patio door. He studied it for a while, watching the water idly float around, watching trees sway in a soft wind. It looked tranquil. It looked calm. For a moment, he almost fell back asleep, tucked in the corner of the couch underneath two or so blankets. Then you moved.
He almost jumped, completely forgetting that you had been sitting on the couch, too. As fate would have it, you had also fallen asleep, curled into his side with your arms around his waist. One of his hands rested on your back, another one on the top of the couch. He hadn’t even realized. Now that he did, however, he felt a little warmer, his heart felt a little fuller, his smile grew a little wider.
Max reached for his phone on a couch cushion nearby. The time was two-almost three-in the morning. He could only assume that the two of you fell asleep during family movie night and nobody had bothered to wake either of you. He was grateful for that.
Over the past four days, the two of you had grown incredibly close-inseparable even. After his apology, the days were spent falling back into the familiar rhythm you’d built as children. Everything you did, you did together. Chores? Apparently dishes were a two-person job! Mopping the floor? Two is better than one! Grocery shopping? It can be done twice as fast with two people! Even when it came to seating arrangements you and Max were together. In the car, at a meal, at a game around the table, on the couch for movies. If Max was there, you were there. If you were there, Max was there.
You rustled a little, aiming to get more comfortable in your sleep. Max waited until you stilled before slowly picking you up and laying you back down. He placed a butterfly kiss on your forehead. If you had been awake, a blush would be painting your cheeks red in seconds. Instead, you just nestled deeper into the blankets. Max smiled, turning on his heel and carefully sliding the back door open.
The cold air was refreshing, it was like a jumpstart for his lungs. He inhaled sharply, sitting down on a patio chair. His mind became occupied with plenty of questions, with plenty of memories, with plenty of possible outcomes for this summer. What would become of you two once you parted ways? Do you remember that time the two of you built a fort in the living room, and your parents let it stay up until the following summer, and when you came back it was still up? You two would be ok in the end, right?
“You should tell her, Max.”
He spun around, surprised at the sudden voice. Mia approached him, taking a spot on a lounge chair next to his. “What?” He spoke, voice raspy.
“Luca told me.”
“Luca, right.”
Mia nodded, bringing her sleeves up to her eyes. She sipped on a glass of water. “Do you love y/n? Or is this a joke to you? I mean it obviously started that way-”
“It’s not a joke.” He sighed. “I do love y/n. I swear I do.”
“What’s to come after this then, hmm? When you go back to Monaco and she goes to New York, what happens then?” Mia’s voice grew increasingly loud. Max’s eyes shifted from her face to the back door. Your figure was still curled up on the couch, but there was no way to know if you were awake or not.
“I don’t know, Mia.” He stood up, turning to go inside. “All I know is that I love her.”
“You loved her as a kid and you still left her.”
“Mia that won't-”
“Did you really change or is this just you trying to fabricate a lie once again?”
He tried to speak, to voice his opinion without waking you. “Will you let me-”
“You should stop getting so close with her. I can almost smell your bad intentions-”
“Mia!” He yelled, voice bouncing off the walls and echoing through the yard. She looked at him with wide eyes. “I’ll figure it out.”
With that he walked inside, noticing your movement on the couch. You sat up, rubbing your eyes similarly to how Mia just had. “Max?”
“Hello, beautiful. Let’s go to bed, ok?” He reached out a hand, one that you hesitated to take.
“Why were Mia and you outside? Why did you shout her name?”
Max just shook his head, opting to pick you up bridal style. You smiled, tucking your head into the crook of his neck. Sleep toyed with your body, pulling at your eyelids and weighing your limbs down. Your sister walked inside as Max began to walk up the steps. You didn’t see it, but he gave her an apologetic look. She returned one of anger, one of dread. Dont fuck this up or it’s over for good, she was telling him. I know, he wanted to say. Trust me, I know.
Max walked you up the stairs, his body heat providing a comfort no blanket ever could. He pushed your door open and laid you down before pulling your sheets over you. His hand came to your hair, brushing a few strands away from your face. You looked so delicate laying there. He could break you in seconds. He hated knowing that he had that power over you.
With a small kiss goodbye to the cheek, he was standing, ready to go into his room and try to fall asleep on his own cold, lonely bed. You hand caught his wrist, though, stopping him in his tracks. “Stay.” Your words were so quiet that he almost didn’t hear you. “Stay, Max.”
He swallowed thickly. Through your closed door, he could hear Mia’s footsteps as she wandered down the hall and back to her bedroom. Was she right? Was this wrong? Would this just lead into another heartbreak at the end of the summer? Would you always hate Max unless you were dating him?
“Y/n I-”
“Please?”
He crawled over you, his chest pressing into your back. The two of you didn’t last long like that, however. You rolled over, curling into his body. His arms wrapped around you, his hands meeting at the small of your back. “Thank you,” You whispered.
And you swear he said, “You’re welcome, my love.” As you fell asleep.
-
You woke up alone, an indentation in the spot beside you as the only evidence that Max had once been there.
You begin to wonder how long ago he left your side. Did he leave as soon as you fell asleep? Did he leave a little while ago? Did he leave somewhere in between? You smiled as your hand touched the spot on your duvet where he was. It was still warm.
“Good morning!” Your mother beamed as you walked down the stairs. Max and Luca sat at the kitchen bar, your mother and Max’s stood behind it, cooking up some sort of food. “Sleep well after your slumber on the couch?”
“God, you should have seen how you and him were cuddled up.” Luca gagged. “Disgusting.”
You smacked the back of his head as you passed him to sit next to Max. “You’re seventeen, not twelve, Luca.” Max smiled at you as you took your seat. He ran a hand across your thigh before pulling it back. Your skin missed his touch almost immediately.
“Yacht today-sound good with you three?” Sophie asked.
“Always.” Max added, raising his glass in the air. “We haven’t been on it yet this year.”
Luca sighed. “My dad and I have been working on it. A few tweaks here and there. We’re confident now that we can take it out and not get stranded.”
“Awesome.” He responded.
“Better grab a few emergency flares just in case.” You said, your mother sliding you a glass of coffee and a carton of creamer across the bar. “We all know Luca isn’t the smartest of kids.”
He stuck a middle finger up at you, to which you returned.
Going on the yacht meant there was only one possible destination. There was an island off the southwest coast of Elba called Pianosa. A small, secluded, rocky beach named Belvedere beach called Pianosa home, and it was also where your family would spend their day. It took about three hours to get there, and you all would normally stay until sunset, arriving home in the late hours of the night. You have plenty of fond memories surrounding the trip. When coming home, everyone would fall asleep except for you and Max who would sit by your father as he navigated his way home. Sometimes, when it got boring watching him, you two would run around and play in the hot tub. This year, you hoped, would be no different.
“So, you and Max.”
“Stop it, mom.” You sighed, walking shoulder to shoulder with her. The boat was a few feet away, and Max was already on it with your dad, Luca, and Victoria’s husband as they lifted heavy coolers and bins onto the deck.
“What? It looks like things are going well for you two.”
“They are, but I’m not getting too invested. He’s gotta’ go back to Monaco and I have to go back to New York. Those two places are very far away.” You stepped onto the dock. “Not to mention we have very different lives.”
Your mother just shrugged, placing one foot on the boat and accepting a helping hand from your father. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll find a way to be.”
He reached out a hand to you. “She’s a woman of wisdom, darling.”
You scoffed. “Apparently everyone is.”
The yacht took off quickly after you all boarded. You sat alone in the lounge on the second floor. You could feel the wind on your face as the boat sped up. It was refreshing. You’d missed the yacht. You’d missed a lot of things about Elba summers, you realized.
“There you are.” Max walked down the stairs behind you. “Why are you alone?”
“Just needed a breather.”
“Are you ok?” He sat down on the couch next to you, a worried look on his face.
“Yes.” You laughed. “I’m alright.”
The trip went smoothly. You and Max hung out in the lounge the whole time. At one point, Victoria and her husband came down with their two children. The six of you talked the whole time. Victoria spoke of motherhood and how amazing it had been. You all reminisced, too. She reminded you of birthday parties and summer outings. She reminded you of girl nights and bedroom sleepovers.
Once the boat ported, Luca was the first to jump off the side, nearly missing a rock. Of course your mother scolded him. What was a family trip without Luca getting in trouble? You and Mia tanned on the front of the boat until lunch on the first deck. You slid into the booth followed by a dripping wet Max. His hand was cold as it touched your thigh before pulling away-the same as he did in the morning.
“Stop, you’re cold.” You swatted at him as he scooted closer to you. “Max! Stop!”
He laughed before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his shoulders. “So whiney.”
After eating, everyone took a quick breather before jumping back into the water. Mia went to continue tanning, you stayed seated on the first deck. Max stayed with you, too. And you were sure that a good conversation could happen but of course, Luca was there so all that was said was nonsense. At one point, Max and your little brother got in an argument on whether or not white was a color or shade. How intelligent.
“Jump in with me.” Max begged.
“Let me get in through the ladder first then I’ll jump in.”
He shook his head. “That’s wimpy. Jump.”
“Max-”
“Jump.”
You would never win this argument. So, hand in hand with him, you and Max jumped off the edge of the boat. The water was freezing. You began to worry about having a heart attack. It was a serious worry, ok? You spent the rest of the afternoon floating in the ocean, sometimes with a raft and sometimes on Max’s back. You played stupid games with Mia and Luca, you showed Victoria’s kids how to build a ‘good’ sand castle, you pushed your father off the boat-life was good.
When everyone was asleep on couches and chairs, your father pulled the boat away from the island and began the return to Elba. Max and you were together-of course-in the hot tub. You were exhausted, the sun had done a number on your body. The bubbling water and warm temperatures in the hot tub made it hard to keep your eyes open. Plus, the sun was down now, so it was relatively dark.
“I had a lot of fun today.” Max said.
You hummed, eyes closed as you leaned your head back. “Me too.”
“I always have fun around you and your family, so thank you.”
You opened your eyes, lowering your head to look at him. His hair was messy, his face was red. He looked tired but he still somehow looked so good. He only thought the same things about you. “You’re welcome around us anytime.”
He began to move closer to you, body cutting through the water. You watched him intensely as he came to your side. His eyes flicked between your lips and your eyes. You could feel his breath on your cheek. What was this? What was he doing? Why were you allowing it to happen?
His tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip. “You’re so pretty.” He whispered.
“No,” You shook your head. Hopefully your sunburn was masking the blush that was darkening your cheeks. “I look disheveled.”
“You always look good, y/n.”
It was your turn to avert your gaze from his eyes to his lips. They looked so plush, so full, so warm. You wondered if they felt the same as they did all those years ago. Max’s hand came to your neck. His index finger skimmed your jaw. His eyelashes fluttered shut. You found yourself mindlessly following suit. Before you knew it, those warm lips you were wondering about were on yours. He was soft, careful with the way he handled your skin. His other hand came to hold the opposite side of your face.
He pulled away after only a few moments. “Y/n I-”
“Max-”
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask or anything I don’t know why I did that-”
You lifted your thigh to slide onto his lap. His eyes were wide as you wrapped your arms around his neck, elbows resting on his shoulders. “Do it again.”
“What?” He whispered.
“Kiss me, Max.”
He swallowed hard, adjusting how he was sitting in the hot tub. “Absolutely.”
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mirabel-on-a-bicycle · 9 months
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Here's the thing about the royal family not fully understanding that Wilhelm and Simon were *truly* in love though.
And subsequently, why Wille's coming out to the entirety of Sweden was so so powerful: them not knowing, or simply refusing to acknowledge this, no matter how many times he tried to tell them, actually gave Wille a much higher edge over everyone trying to cover up the scandal, even if he didn't realise this at first.
Every single person had a misunderstanding that this was something he wanted. That they were doing him an obvious favor by helping him cover it up, preparing a speech for him, threatening him whenever he got sidetracked. Or at least something he'd see sense in once he got past that "hormonal driven teenage tantrum" and understand that covering it up was the best course of action. Of course he wouldn't bring the other boy and his feelings into all of this. Simon was just an experiment right? Who'd go so far as to sabotage themselves to bring justice to someone they didn't even love and care about?
And this. this exact misassumption was what eventually brought them all down in the end.
Take August for example. If he had secrets and lies as his weapons and to keep his crimes in the dark, Wille had the truth. A whole truth bomb in the palm of his hand, all this time. And no matter how ballsy Wille was trying to be in that "I'm gonna slowly ruin August's life" mission of his, he was still fighting fire with fire. He only won when he clashed against August as an exact antithesis of him in that coming out speech. August's whole plan was doused only when Wille spoke the truth and refused to play along with his games.
I mean really, had he not done this, what would've happened at worst? August would've.. gotten voted out of being rowing captain?? Maybe he would suffer a bit then, but would it really matter in the long run? August knew that, and so did Wille, deep down, but he ignored that part and instead convinced himself that he was at least doing something to make himself feel better.
Because honestly?!
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August never understood, or even cared to! He'd pretend to be sorry whenever needed and go right back to being where he was if needed, as long as he was gonna be king. The moment August actually. genuinely lost to him was when Wille did something not out of hatred for August, but out of love for Simon. And when he did, without having August in his mind, but the person he loved and cared about, he made it impossible for August to go anywhere from there on. It wasn't revenge, it was reconciliation that finally got him. (And simultaneously saved Wilmon's relationship too, for that matter 👀)
This has such poetry in it btw?? I can't properly explain it, but it does remind me of atla and Zuko's arc in a way. How there's a whole world of difference between his firebending when it's fueled by rage, and when it's fueled by wisdom, focus and harmony within the elements. The difference in outcome is so visibly there when the motivation is switched, and when Wille has love and understanding and bravery in his heart instead.
The whole time, the entire Hillerska staff, student body, royal court and royal family and tHEIR ROYAL FAMILIES- *deep breath* WERE AFTER MY BACHCHA had anticipated Wille to lash out for having his royal image tainted and getting at odds with his family but the fact that he'd do it on Simon's behalf never even crossed their brilliant little minds. They had equiped themselves, sure, but never for this >:) Because for all their brains and strategising, no one had actually sat down and thought for once that Wilmon were actually in love. There was a power in it that no one had anticipated.
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xxnghtclls · 6 months
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Sukuna in genral....what is to like about him? isn't he a very evil character?
Yeah well he‘s evil, silly, he likes to eat, he‘s honest, faithful to his word (well if the outcome is good or evil that doesn‘t matter here), he‘s fucking intelligent, he‘s wise, HE‘S PROBABLY INTO POETRY HELLO?, means he‘s probably quite literate, he‘s strong, he has a tummy mouth, he has thighs, he has four arms, a fucking beautiful face, an even prettier NOSE, beautiful eyes, nice tattoos, he can do magic tricks, he doesn‘t lie (as long as you don‘t equal his deceiving manners with lying 🌝), he‘s a fucking god, he‘s probably (pretty surely) good in be- I mean he probably has a good taste in food, too.
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illuminatedquill · 7 months
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Sabine x Ezra/Anakin x Padme:
It's Like Poetry, It Rhymes
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I'm already falling I couldn't help it, didn't think of the risk I got a problem, problem when I look in your eyes You're mine and you know it I'd still do it even if we were cursed Won't you be my problem? It's okay with me if it hurts - BANKS, Under the Table
George Lucas has a phrase that I always come back to regarding his work: "It's like poetry, it rhymes."
He said this in reference to Luke's battle with Vader in the Emperor's Throne Room aboard the second Death Star. During the climax of the duel, Luke faces the same choice his father did so many years ago.
And Luke chooses differently. Instead of killing Vader, he tosses aside his weapon and chooses to stop fighting. He wins the battle without violence and claims the mantle of Jedi Knight, which helps Anakin return to himself fully and turn on the Emperor.
For this post, I'm using this phrase to another interesting similarity within Star Wars: the relationship between Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger having echoes of the doomed romance of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala.
There's no way that Filoni is not aware how he's setting these two up.
Sabine, clearly, has resemblances to Ahsoka's former master; it doesn't surprise me that Ahsoka immediately cut Sabine's training short after the Purge of Mandalore.
Sabine is messy, angry, reckless, impulsive, and obviously depressed after experiencing so much trauma in her life. Despite her efforts to keep up appearances that everything's fine with her, we can tell in the Ahoska premiere that she still keenly feels the loss of Ezra and her family.
Anakin was the same way. We know his story; I won't re-hash it here.
Because of Sabine's inability to reflect on her problems - much like Anakin - they tend to influence her decisions. She can't focus on what needs to be done, versus what she wants to be done.
Love versus duty. The age old conundrum.
She should have destroyed the map to Thrawn. She didn't. She could not face returning to a galaxy without Ezra Bridger in it.
Anakin prevented Jedi Master Mace Windu from finishing Palpatine because he wanted the knowledge to save Padme from death.
Anakin's decision, I also want to remind, led to Padme's death being realized. In doing what he did to prevent it, he ended up causing it to come true.
Sabine's decision to save Ezra . . . well, we've yet to see how Filoni plays this out. But I think there might be a similar outcome here; some sort of consequence for Ezra due to Sabine's actions.
The galaxy - both times - shifted on its axis and began to spiral towards darkness. The Empire rose. Thrawn returned.
The seeds of darkness have already been planted in Sabine. Her decision to hand over the map to Baylon was a failure of temptation. And once you go down the path of the dark side, it's incredibly hard to turn away. Yoda told this to Luke and he failed to heed his advice until it was almost too late.
Lucas, with Luke and Vader, had them face the same dilemma in their respective journeys to show how different their choices would be and how their characters, despite being so much alike, were ultimately different.
So Filoni, with Sabine and Ezra, is - at least in my point of view - doing the same. He's going to have these two reckon with what Sabine did only for them to choose differently than what happened with Anakin and Padme.
We never really saw Anakin and Padme reconcile after his fall. That's the tragedy of their relationship.
But with Sabine and Ezra, there's still hope. They can choose better and not end up cursed like their predecessors.
For one, Ahsoka is literally right there. I'm uncertain as to how much she knows about the reason for Anakin's downfall but if she does know (or Anakin's Force ghost reveals it to her) then she's perfectly armed with the knowledge to make sure Sabine doesn't follow the same path.
Sabine and Ezra also have much more of a personal history with each other. Their foundation is built on stronger material than Anakin and Padme's. There's a lot of trust and respect and love already built into it.
But, admittedly, Sabine's actions threaten to unmake that relationship. I've talked about it before in a previous post; that she could end up losing Ezra due to her selfishness.
And that's not even mentioning the reactions from Hera. Hera, thinking of her son, Jacen, and her desire to raise him in a galaxy not at war. Now it's being threatened by Thrawn's return.
All because of Sabine's need to save Ezra.
I really don't know how, but I'm excited to see Sabine and Ezra work it out. Because we've never seen a proper redemption arc in Star Wars. Anakin was redeemed, yes, but he died shortly afterwards.
Sabine has to put in the work to make up for what she did. She's already started on the path by staying behind with Ahsoka instead of going home with Ezra, but being open to the Force now means that there's only more trials and temptations ahead.
I can't overstate how worried we should be for Sabine. She messed up so badly before being able to tap into the Force. And now she has it.
I know she's on the path to set things right but that temptation will never go away. It will only be amplified, going forward, and I'm sure that there will be more opportunities for abuse considering the inevitable conflict between Thrawn and the New Republic.
And then there's Ezra, of course. Her desire to keep him safe.
Because he wouldn't sit on the sidelines, even if he wanted to. Sabine's actions, like it or not, have involved him in ways that he cannot understand. He'll be at the center of this fight.
I expect Sabine is going to experience some troubling visions soon. I'm thinking similar to what Luke faced in the cave on Dagobah, or even what Anakin saw during his encounter with the Mortis gods.
There's nowhere to hide anymore now that she's stuck on Peridea.
The Force, I'm sure, is going to have a lot to show Sabine about herself that's been hidden away. I hope she's ready.
Much as I want to see these two together and living happily, it can't happen until Sabine and Ezra work through these issues together.
Because if they can't, well . . . we've seen how that story ends.
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miyuhpapayuh · 10 months
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fourteen
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Back in front of the blank canvas, she deeply sighs.
What to paint?
She'd been sitting here for the last hour, wondering the same thing.
Flowers were always a favorite, but she was in the mood to try her hand at something else.
Maybe someone else.
Dipping her paintbrush into the deep brown paint, she sighed again and let her mind wander, while letting it dance across the canvas.
Halfway through, she pulls back and smiles at the outcome, feeling more smitten than she ever has before.
Turning the music up just a bit louder, she continues on, filling the blank space with her newest subject.
Once she was done, she sat and marveled at her work, placing her fingers over the fine detailing and smiling to herself.
Oh, Leon.
She'd painted him in five different ways, each one more strikingly beautiful than the last.
Never had she sat and painted a man in such vivid hues of brown, blue and orange. With such emotion, such thought.
“Wow,” seemed to be her favorite word to describe moments that involved him. This one was no different.
She loved Leon. She was in love with him. No doubt.
He was just as in love with her, if not more.
She clouded his mind just as much. So much, she was his permanent muse for every piece of poetry he'd written over the last month.
Her hair.
Her smile.
Her scent.
Her eyes.
Big and brown,
Full of wonder,
Of love,
Of life!
Her wit,
Her charm,
Her spice,
Her warmth.
All wrapped in mocha,
Kissed by a thousand suns.
Curves that would make a blind man crash.
A sharp tongue that would make the most confident man crumble.
A heart of gold.
Skin made of silk.
A goddess, for real.
Meeting each other back in her love lair, the pair exchange their heartfelt gifts, neither of them ready for how it tugs on their hearts.
“You wrote me a poem??” She gushes, holding the orange envelope to her chest. Her twinkling eyes made him smile extra big.
“I did! You painted something for me??” He asks, staring down at the board, neatly wrapped in deep green paper.
“I did! You wanna open yours first?” She excitedly asks, making him tear right into it.
His surprised gasp, coupled with his shocked expression, does her in. She was hoping to god that he liked it, at least.
“Zora.. wow, this is so… wow!” He stares at the canvas, struggling to find the words that express how breathtaking it is.
“Do you like it?” She asks, shifting her weight.
“I love it, mama. Absolutely. I— I've never been painted before. I don't think anyone's ever even sketched my face! It's so detailed and wow.” He repeats, making her blush.
“I told you, you're my prettiest subject,” she smiles, “I've got a whole sketchbook full of your face.”
The way he looked at her could've melted her right into the ground.
“Read your poem, sweet stuff.”
“Okay,” she says, her voice coming out small.
Pulling the paper out, her eyes linger on every word, her heart beating double-time at his sweet, sweet words.
“Ohh, you just love to make me cry!” She laughs through her small tears, wiping them away with the back of her hand.
“You like it??”
“Hell yeah, boy! This is so sweet! I love the way you talk about me.”
“Like I can talk about anything else,” he says with a shake of his head. “You cloud my brain, woman. I wrote like five different poems about you.”
“Like you're any better! Got me drawing and painting you.” She stares at him wide-eyed.
“You're so talented, baby.” He coos, pulling her into his arms finally, wrapping her up in his warmth, while he feeds on hers.
“So are you, handsome.” She rubs the back of his head, kissing his forehead as he hugs her tightly to him.
“Our anniversary is in a couple days.”
“I know! Six months!” She gushes.
“It's crazy how time flies, huh?”
“Well, when you're having so much fun, it does tend to slip on by.”
“I made reservations, but I cannot tell you where. It's a surprise.” He says, snickering at the look on her face.
“We gettin’ all gussied up?!”
“Hell yeah, baby! Pull out your best dress and we gon paint the town orange.”
“Aw, you are so cute!,” she frowns, pecking his awaiting lips a thousand times.
“I know, lucky me.” He bashfully smiles, hugging her waist tighter.
“Now I'm gonna stress until Friday, tryna figure out what to wear!”
With the chilly air that late October brings hanging in the air, Zora was contemplating on 86’ing the dress idea altogether for something more practical, knowing how much she despises the cold.
“I have faith that we'll be able to pull something together.”
“Yeah, I probably won't be wearing a dress, though. It's a lil too cold for that.” She laughs.
“Yeah, I didn't even think about that,” he chuckles, "I just know that's your go-to. But, I know you're gonna look absolutely stunning! That's a given.”
“If it's possible, I love you even more.”
“Ah, my heart grows ten sizes with every glance your way. Every word you say,” he presses another kiss to her lips, dipping her back into her heap of pillows.
“Such a way with words,” she giggles, halting the wandering hand before it reaches the hem of her t-shirt.
“It's not over yet,” she mumbles, matching the frown he sported.
After summer ended, so did their free time. They were lucky if they got to see each other on the weekends, due to preparation for the holiday season.
The warehouse Leon worked at seemed to have a million pre orders for a variety of the new gift items they advertise, keeping him at work almost overnight, sometimes.
The pub had been jumping still with all the changes Linda made, including a complete renovation of the restaurant, which included an actual dance floor, an ole-timey jukebox, and a larger dining area and bar once she knocked out a wall.
Zora had started pulling longer hours, while Linda was in the process of expanding their team, which she didn't mind, but she'd never been so tired in her life.
At the end of days like that, the pair were lucky if they hit their own beds correctly, before having to jump right back out of them the next day.
And with their impending anniversary right around the corner, on top of it being the first one they were gonna go all out for, Mother Nature paying her a visit couldn't have come at a better time. 
But she was on her way out the door!
“I know,” she laughs, “that's how I feel, too! I'll be clear in like a day or so, though.”
Moving his hand back to her knee, he smirks. “Just in time for the festivities, huh?”
“Yeah, I may have an extra surprise for you, too.” She bats her lashes at him.
“Oh?”
“Maybe,” she smirks. “Maybe not.”
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Friday dragged its feet and the couple's nerves along the way, knowing they were ready to detach themselves from their jobs without thought.
As if teleporting to her apartment, he opens the unlocked door like she requested through text, immediately getting an earful from him as he heads down the hall.
“Now, Zora, you know how I feel about unlocked doors.”
“Leon, you were like five seconds away. Nobody was gonna get me.” She says, staring at him through her vanity mirror while she applies her lip gloss.
“Still. I've got a key for a reason. Let me use it.” He says, before leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead, running his hand over her freshly pressed and still billowy hair.
“You look beautiful, as always. I like your hair.” 
“Thank you! I rarely wear it like this ‘cause it's so hard to keep up with, but I was missing it and it's a special occasion, and this qualifies as my something different.”
“Checked it off your own list?”
“Yeah, why not!”
“Why not.” He smiles, agreeing with her.
She smiles back, before standing to her feet to face him, both of them cracking up at the 360 they give each other.
“See? I had faith in you and you did it, Jean.” He pokes, twirling her around. “You look damn good, baby.”
A cropped white top and high-waisted, wide-leg distressed jeans was a pretty basic outfit, which is why god invented cardigans. An orange and pink one did just the job at setting her outfit off.
“I didn't find it until last night, don't be too proud.” She sighs.
“Woman, please. Point still stands, you put it together like only you can.” He flirts, wrapping an arm around her waist, their faces just a few inches apart as they gaze at each other.
“Every chance you get, for real.” She pokes back, making him suck his teeth, planting a kiss on her lips still.
“You already know it, sweet stuff.”
Taking a step away, she looks at him again. An orange beanie pulled over his low-cut and his beard was full and shiny, begging her nails to play with it, which she’d definitely ended up doing.
His green leather jacket, black sweater and jeans combo was doing so many things to her, as was the heavenly scent wafting off of him.
Vanilla? Bergamot??
“Whatever you're wearing, always keep a bottle near.” She speaks, earning a smirk from him.
“Yes ma'am.”
“You look so good, baby.” She compliments, moving back into his hold.
“Thank you, mama.”
“Mhm, and thank you for six bouquets of poppies! That was the cutest thing ever.”
“Anything for you,” he kisses her again, before looking at his watch. Right on time.
“You ready to go?”
“Absolutely.”
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The Petal Café was one of the newest, fanciest restaurants in town and Leon made quick with getting reservations, thankfully bypassing the huge waiting list.
“This place is so beautiful!” Zora squealed for the millionth time, making him laugh and squeeze her hand from across the table.
“I'm glad we made it, cause that waiting list is a year out, now.” He says with a shake of his head.
“What?? That is wild! Let's hope the food lives up to its hype!”
“I know, right. Everything looks really good, though.”
The waiter comes over and sits their drinks down, before taking their food orders and leaving them alone again.
“I'm certain we said it already, but happy anniversary, doll face.” He says, going back to squeezing her hands.
“Happy anniversary, baby. Best six months I’ve ever spent with anyone.”
“Same here, you’re one of my best friends.”
“Really??” She asks, squeezing his hands back now.
“Absolutely! It’s been an absolute dream getting to know the world is you, and to experience life with you is just as dreamy.”
She was thankful that she went light on her makeup, cause she knew it would’ve been ruined with him and sweet words.
“Oh, Leon,” she frowns, “you're the epitome of a dreamboat. When I say I love you, I really mean it. I don't think I can say it enough.. but thank you for showing me what actual love feels like,” her voice cracks near the end of her sentence.
A soft smile covers his lips, as he's keeping his own tears back.
“It's my pleasure showing you what you deserve, Jean. That'll never end.”
Knowing she was gonna cry, she beckoned him to her with her pointer finger, pressing her lips to his, giggling against them as her tears fell down her cheeks.
Pulling away to cup her face in one hand and wipe her tears with the other, he laughs as she reaches up to wipe his own tears away.
“Nique was right, we are sappy.” He points out, making her shake her head.
“Don't let her hear you say that, we'll never live it down!” She exclaims, making them fall into a small laughing fit.
“I love you, Jean.”
“I love you too, Avery.”
After indulging in the well worth it cuisine, the pair move their party to the expansive bar, which happens to sit right beside a huge flower garden, a few orange and yellow roses sitting the closest to them.
“How'd you know about this place?” Zora asks, sipping her rum.
“Eryn told me about it, actually. Saw an ad about them opening a location here and gave me the details. As soon as I heard the name, I knew we had to come here.”
“Aw, you know me so well!”
“I better, ‘fore somebody try and take my job.” He cracks, making her laugh and lean into him.
Any opportunity to wrap his arm back around her, he'd take it. Pressing another kiss to her face, he goes back to sipping his own glass of rum.
“Nobody could ever do such a thing, baby.”
“Touché, sweet stuff. Nobody holds a candle to you.”
Two more drinks and it was time for them to move their party back to the privacy of her apartment.
As if teleporting back to her front door, Zora pulls Leon inside and sits him down on her bed, before disappearing into her bathroom.
“I'll be right back!”
“Whatchu hidin’, baby?” He slurs, a wicked smirk crossing his face at the thought of what it just might be.
“A surprise!” She giggles from inside the bathroom, making sure everything was sitting the way she needed it to— not that she'd have it on long, anyway. But still.
Slipping out into the hallway, she pulls her hair up into a sloppy bun before strutting back into her room, where he sat with his jaw in his lap.
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The jade hued lace teddy hugged her figure like a second skin, holding up and framing her voluptuous body in the best way possible.
“Wow.” His eyes traveled up and down her frame, as if he was savoring this moment.
Here she was, standing in front of him in his favorite color, and all he wanted to do was rip it off and take her in every way possible.
“I take it that you like it?” She speaks, pulling him out of his trance, his gaze now on her face.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, girl. I love it.” He responds, reaching out for her hand and pulling her to stand in between his spread legs.
His strategically placed kisses made her giggle and softly push his face away.
Sticking his tongue down her throat, he pulls her flush against him, groping her fat ass with his big hands. Her left leg finds its way over his right one, soon straddling him altogether.
Licking a trail from the corner of his mouth to the sweet spot on his neck, her fingers work to remove his jacket, dying to have full access to his broadness.
Next to go was the sweater, ultimately making her lose her mind. He'd been hitting the gym pretty hard and boy was it doing him some good.
“So damn fine,” she moans, pushing him back onto the soft bed, reaching underneath herself to undo his belt buckle, biting his earlobe as she slides a hand inside his pants.
He grunts in response, assisting her in pulling his clothes away until he's in nothing but a pair of briefs that were already being tugged on.
Pulling them away, she swings over his lap backwards, now facing the rounded mirror on his dresser. She smiles at her reflection and wraps her hand around his dick, softly jerking him.
His groans fill the air, especially when she bends over to stick her ass in his face and drool all over him, sucking him like she had a point to prove.
Mesmerized by the jiggle in her hips and ass, his hands reach out to slap each cheek, eventually slapping the wet spot between her thighs, making her inch away, an audible gasp leaving her full mouth.
“Come back,” he rasps, pulling her hips back in his direction to rub his thumb over the steady-forming spot, his head falling back into the pillows as her tongue swirls around his sensitive tip.
“God dammit, baby,” he moans, sending another fire smack to her ass. Taking him to the hilt, they both groan as he hits the back of her throat.
He wishes she could've seen how wide his eyes were as she holds him there for a few moments, and does it again, and again, moaning all on him and making his toes curl.
“Fuck… I'm cummin’, Zora… fuck,” his hips jerk upward as she milks him for every single drop, giggling once she releases him.
Pulling her back on his face, the seat of her lingerie was pulled to the side and his nimble fingers played in her wetness, making her bite her lip and grind against his hand.
“Fuckin’ soaked,” he grunts, sliding his middle fingers into her, reveling in the sweet moans that fill the air as he curls and pumps them into her gspot.
“Shit, right there,” she breathlessly moans, dragging her nails up and down his stomach.
“Right here?”
“Yes, I'm g-gonna cum!” She gasps, throwing her head back once his fingers begin jabbing at her spot, making her gush onto them in no time.
Wasting no flipping her onto her back, he pulls the lace away from her body, kissing every inch of skin he came across on the way.
Hooking her legs around his waist, he glides into her and grunts at how wet, how snug, “fuck I could bury myself here, you feel so fucking good.”
His slurred praise hits her ears, while her eyes are stuck in the back of her head as he thrusts into her so deeply. Her hands find his chest.
“Oh my god,” she whimpers, “so d-deep!”
His lips find her neck, as her body clings to his. Her breathy moans hit his ear.
It had been so long since they'd found themselves in the moment, which made them savor it now for all its worth.
Declarations of love and affection leave their lips, as their peaks get closer and closer to erupting. Sweat blanketing them like a second skin.
“Cum with me,” he groans, as he ground his hips into hers, making them see stars at the same time. The cry that left her lips made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Blissed out, they lay still entangled as the aftershocks pass through their bodies. Dazed smiles cover their lips.
A second wind comes sooner than later, sending them into their next position of the night. Both of them facing the mirror as he hovers over her, spreading her thighs to glide right back into her.
One hand is splayed across her chest to pull her flush against his own, the other planted firmly into the bed as he pumps into her, mumbling shit in her ear that would make her blush if she were able.
Both of her hands were rolled into the sheets, trying her best to throw her ass back onto him, but those lethal strokes are nothing to play with.
“Fuck me,” she helplessly whines.
His breath tickles her skin, his kisses along the back of her neck make her shiver. “Just like this?”
“Yes,” she breathes, “yes!”
Speeding up, he crashes into her sweet spot so precisely it makes her cum in an instant, a heavy sob leaving her mouth as he continues.
Her hands found both of his wrists, as she was desperately needing something to hold onto.
“S-so good, Leon! Please don't stop!”
“Fuckin’ you all night, baby.. all night.” He smirks, pulling his hand back to smack her ass.
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“Ooh, she's being loved properly. Look at that glow!” Nique teases, just as Zora spots their table.
“Hey, y'all.” She greets her sisters with a hug and kiss, before taking her seat beside Nique and kissing her cheek.
“Hey, lover. How's life been?” Neoma pokes fun, making Zora roll her eyes.
Not being one to post much about her relationship on her social media, besides a few pictures here and there, Zora felt compelled to make a dedication post for their anniversary and her sisters, of course, found it and left all types of crying, heart and kissy face emojis in the comments.
“I should be asking y'all that.”
“Let's talk about you first, though.” Lovita redirects just like an older sister does.
“Life's good, lemme lone,” she mumbles, still “mad” at them.
“Oh come on, we went wild in the comments, but we're done now!” Neoma pleads.
“Yeah, promise!” Nique adds.
Zora looks at her oldest sister, raising an eyebrow. Lovita sighs and shrugs. That was as much as Zora was gonna get from her, since sorry is not in her vocabulary.
“Fine. Life is beautiful!” She smiled, making them reciprocate.
“We've seen! You two are too much,” Lovita frowns, over the moon happy for her littlest sister.
“How was your anniversary?!”
“It was the sweetest day. Not like, every day isn't just as sweet, but he sent three bouquets of orange poppies to my job and three more to my apartment. We had already exchanged gifts a few days before, being too excited to hold onto ‘em. He took us to the Petal Café, and y'all! It's the prettiest place I've ever been in! The best food ever! There's a garden next to the bar! It was so me. He's such a hunk.”
The chorus of aw’s commences.
“How much did you cry?” Neoma and Nique ask.
You know what! Too damn much,” she answers, laughing at herself before they could.
“Such a big baby, oh my gosh!”
“I know, ugh. He's just so… wow.” She smiles again, shaking her head.
“Yeah?? We pickin’ out baby names, yet??” Nique squeals.
“Girl, no. I made sure I stocked up on my birth control. No babies… yet.” She purses her lips together for a second, watching their expressions shift, but before they could lay into her again, she re-redirects the focus back onto them.
“But, what about y'all! How's everything?!”
Nique jumps at the chance to tell her best friend just how head over heels she is, to which she outwardly gushes.
“Since we made it official, I met his mama and he met mine— she loves him— he's been showing up to my office with lunch, sometimes it's hand-prepared!! Y'all know I love a man that can cook!”
“Food be good, don't it?!” Zora asks, the smile on her face is too bright.
“Girl, if you see me gain a lil weight, don't say nothing! And if you see him gain a lil weight, you heard me the first time,” she snorts, “cause he's just as fed. Baby got an appetite the size of Texas.”
“You did tell ‘em you loved a man who could eat.” Neoma points out, making her blush.
“And eat, he does.”
“Dominique!” Lovita yells, her jaw dropping.
“What??! He does eat a lot! Sometimes, it's me– hell, most times, it's me.” She covers her own mouth, high-fiving Zora with her free hand.
“I knew it,” she laughs, pointing between Neoma and Lovita, “you two owe me money because what did I say??”
“Y'all bet on me?!”
“No, they bet on you. I knew you'd have him that boy in the palm of your hand before the end of the year and they bet on it taking a little longer.”
“What, y'all ain't think I still had it in me?” She asks in faux outrage.
“Girl, you been celibate for like a year or so, I ain't think he was really gon affect you like that. But, I shoulda known after that phone call I heard.”
“What call??”
“Man, Nique was on the phone with this man, talkin’ his ear off about her job and Ron big stupid ass had done something else that she had to undo, and Darnell was telling her about how he was gon come up there and stomp a hole in his ass if he didn't get it together, cause she was way too important to be doing favors for the incompetent. Nique got to giggling, and I knew it was over. I ain't never heard her sound like that.” She finishes, blinking dryly.
“Yeah, I had nothing better to do, obviously. It was a very funny conversation.” She adds.
“Ne, you've always been so nosy. Maybe you and Nique are related.” Lovita jabs, making Zora laugh.
“Anyway, Nique please record the fight when it happens ‘cause Ron been needed an ass whoopin’. But seriously, you two are adorable! I knew it was coming once he called you his baby. I'm so happy for you.”
“Thank you! I'm so happy for me, too!” She laughs, fanning her red face.
“Neoma, you sharin’ next?” 
She smirks. “Craig is a dork, for real. He's so funny, so smart. So stubborn, Jesus. So fine,” she sighs. “He drives me insane, but boy do I love it.”
“Always the one for challenges, lord.” She shakes her head. “But, as long as everything is going good, I love it for you.”
“Thanks, sis. We're not a couple yet, but we're getting closer.”
“Take your time, girl. If it's meant to be, it'll happen.” She assures her older sister.
Their hands join in the middle of the table for a sweet squeeze, before everybody's eyes dart over to Lovita, who's yet to share.
“Do I have to??” She asks.
“Yeah, what the fuck?”
“Okay, okay! But y'all cannot judge me.”
“Girl, what did you do?”
“Remember that night y'all slept over after the game day we had?” She asks, watching them nod in response.
“Well..”
Smirks decorate their faces as she gets ready to spill what they'd already seen coming.
“Clyde and I had sex, that night and I swear I've been in love with that man ever since.” She sighs.
“In love?” Neoma repeats.
“Yes. In love. I love him.” She spells it out for her younger sister, while she slowly blinks back at her.
“Girl, I know that feeling. That's how I felt the morning after me and Leon had sex.” Zora says, shaking her head. “I was done for.”
“Really? I felt like I was going crazy, at first. Like I woke up a little before he did and just kinda stared at him like, “you have fucked up, cause now I love you.” It was wild!”
“Literally such a wild feeling, I agree.”
“Wow, y'all makin’ me miss my man.” Nique snorts, internally giddy as hell that she gets to call him that.
“Aw, her man.” Neoma coos.
“Stop it,” she laughs.
“But, ‘vita,” Nique starts, “we would never judge you for how you feel. Sex is such an intimate experience, I'd be afraid if you didn't feel more than you already had about him.”
“Yeah, I know.” She sighs, “I know.”
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” she smiles, picturing his face in her head. “Nothing’s wrong. He's perfect. Realistically, of course.”
“Yeah?” Zora asks, beaming for her sister.
“I can't stress it enough. He's sweet, funny, well-rounded.. he's a hard worker, might be a lil rough around the edges, but so am I. We don't clash at all, it's always so refreshing to be around him. And my goodness, that man is so damn fine.”
“He is very handsome. I believe we all lucked out like I said we were gonna! Sounds like I'm owed some thank you’s.”
“Zora, do not ruin this sweet ass moment.”
She rolls her eyes and grabs the champagne flute from the table and tipping it toward her lips for a sip.
“Wait. What kinda gifts did y'all get each other??”
“Oh, he wrote me a poem and I painted him.”
Their eyes widened.
“What??”
“Aw, you painted Leon!?”
“You painted?!”
She smiles wide at their reactions, shaking away the urge to burst into tears.
“Y-yeah, I painted. It's been a few months since I've painted, but really, it's been so long since I've actually been motivated to do so. Y'all know that relationship of mine just drained the life out of me and everything I loved to do just vanished. And, I'm finding the purpose for it again. In something and someone else. Y'all should've seen his face when he unwrapped it,” she smiles like he's right in front of her, “it was priceless.”
“Wow, I'm so proud of you, Zora.”
“Aw, thanks,” she frowns, wiping the lone tear that fell.
“Oh, don't start crying. We’ll be here all night!”
✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿
Having a few more days of freedom, Zora and Leon get back together for another sip and paint, with another spin to it.
Nique had given her the idea to make Leon the subject for Zora to paint. And of course, this sounded like some fun and some trouble. Well worth both, she already knew.
“Okay, so you're actually my model, today.” She says, taking in his raised brow.
“Really? That's cool! You need me to pose?” He asks, beginning to flex his muscles and make her laugh.
“Yeah, actually! Hold on,” she stands up from the couch and heads towards her dining area for a chair, pulling towards the middle of the floor.
“Okay, come sit.” She says, patting the chair.
He strides across the floor in a show for her, which she appreciates, more giggles leaving her and he kisses her forehead before sitting down.
“The cutest man, ever.”
“I know,” he replies.
Sauntering into the kitchen for a stool, she pulls hers up to her easel and sits, looking to her left to make sure she's got all the supplies she'll need.
Peeking out behind the canvas, she eyes him but keeps the request on the tip of her tongue.
“What you keepin’ from me?” He asks, eyeing her suspiciously.
“Uh… don't think I'm crazy..”
“Who's sane?”
“Leon,” she says, sighing to herself.
“Zora, come on. What is it? You want me to pose like The Thinker? Huh? Something more interesting, perhaps?”
“Yeah, way more interesting.”
“Okay, throw it at me, baby.”
Pulling her head back behind the easel, she swirls her paintbrush in the clear water, letting the request fall from her lips.
“Strip.”
A few moments go by with nothing but silence, and just as she's about to poke her head back out, she catches sight of his shirt being flung over her head.
Pants next.
“These too?” He asks, making her peek back out, staring at the hand that's hooked in his briefs. She deeply sighs and shakes her head.
“You can keep those on.. for now.”
Enjoyyy!
Ch 15
@thegifstories @sheabuttahwrites @honestpreference @ghostfacekill-monger @soufcakmistress @blackerthings @abeautifulmindexposed @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @mauvecherie-writes @cecereads209 @blowmymbackout
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celestialtarot11 · 6 months
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Channeled Messages from your person!
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Hi everyone! Thought I’d do something different and get sticky notes in the form of songs from your person! Tarot cards included :) Choose an emoji for your pile.
Pile 1: 🐥
Pile 2: 🦋
Pile 3: 🔮
Pile 1: My lovely pile 1’s, it seems like this person is watching you from a distance. Depending on your relationship status to this person, please take what resonates. If this is a creep, please know I am not supporting anything dangerous. This person seems to want to know how you’re doing and where you’re at in life. I don’t think you two are talking, this person is reserved and is watching your social media if you have. They are curious about you, and how much you’ve grown without them. There may be a lot unsaid between you two, I heard spill the tea. So maybe there were arguments, or rather nothing was said. It was left silent as a response. This person has a lot of growing to do and maturing, I think they compare themselves to you and your journey in an insecure way. They feel insignificant next to you, or thinking of you. It’s coming from a place of lacking self worth and love. This person needs reassurance and validation, which they can give to themselves. My pile 1’s its not your job to mother this person, please understand that. This person does have a soft spot for you, but there’s a lot of wounds to be worked on. They are not really at a place of looking within, they are projecting onto you. They do see you as a lovely, like a rose is what I heard. You unfold beautifully with all you know, and you are emotionally receptive and kind. Is very specific. This person may read poetry, or like poems. They have a smooth way of talking too, they might try to sweet talk you a lot. Unfortunately, there’s wounds they are running from and it’s important they heal that. This person places you on a pedestal and is wishing for a positive outcome, but isn’t taking any action. There’s a lot of confusion and mysticism associated with your connection, and in their head they are thinking of a way to get to you, but in reality is not able to take action. Even though the song lyrics below use feminine gender terms, please know you do not have to be a female for this to resonate! There you go pile 1’s! Take care always.
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Stickies Below:
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Pile 2: My pile 2’s! Hi! This person definitely wants to say hi to you. They are sending you lots of spiritual messages just to make sure you are aware of their presence. I don’t think there is communication, again with pile 1. Maybe you felt drawn to pile 1. This person is wanting to take action towards this connection, but is afraid their words will hurt you. Not that they have anything hurtful to say, they are afraid they will be misunderstood. This is more of a wound they have, or maybe there was a disagreement that happened recently and they are afraid to reach out. They could be putting on a mask that they are alright, and they’re nonchalant. But in reality, and spiritually, they are keeping up with you very much. You may feel this persons energy a lot. They know if they talk to you it would be in your hands. Meaning, your choice to accept what they say, and if you want to even listen. It scares them, having little to no control. This person knows your spiritual gifts help you and are strong, they feel like there are things they don’t understand about you. You’re an enigma is what I heard. They try to know you, but there’s an air of mystery. It does not help with the anxiety they feel. Not that its your fault, this person is wanting to bring clarity but is self rejecting themselves. They are drawn to you like a magnet, and they can’t help but feel like they are in a trance when they think of your connection. ‘’I heard you liked the bad girls honey, is that true?’’ Lana Del Ray- Video Games. This person thinks you’ll like them if they put on this nonchalant expression, bad boy vibes. They don’t have to be these specific gender terms! They just think a rough exterior is the only thing that makes them cool, when there’s so much more to them. They like impressing you. And they really do, they want to be everything, but is struggling to feel like they are everything. There is some authenticity here, so I don’t believe this person is superficial. They acknowledge their fears, and they know its there, but want to handle it better. But right now, they aren’t sure how to navigate them. That’s all my pile 2’s, take care and stay hydrated.
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Stickies below:
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Pile 3: Hi there lovely pile 3’s! This person has very specific messages, in fact what’s strange is I lost what I originally typed here. For some of you this person could be long distance and wants to send you a message but keeps deleting them. They’re hesitant and shy to speak about their feelings, but they want to. They just needs to find the courage to do so. They are set on you, but need to find the bravery to send this message. For others, this person and you could be in a group and they want to approach you to talk one on one, but they feel weird. Weird in a way like this, ‘’I want to approach you, and ask to talk but I don’t want to single you out. I know you don’t like that.’’ This person is sweet and kind, they want to acknowledge your boundaries. They don’t want unnecessary attention from the group you’re with, even though people can tell something is going on between you two. There’s a lot of people you could surrounded with, so this person may have a hard time finding you, or getting you alone. They want to get to know you and share their feelings for you. This sounds like a crush. There’s a lot of soulmate energy here as well, and comfort. So you two could get along great already, and have already had one on one conversations. But they want it to go deeper in a romantic way. Take what resonates and if you don’t want anything romantic, you don’t have to take it! For this pile I felt called to take 4 cards, so here you go. Take care pile 3’s.
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Stickies below:
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Hi! For the Mary Oliver poetry prompts, could I ask for: 17 Barbie and Wanda? (or another fem couple, if you prefer another one :)
Hi!! Thanks so much for the prompt! <333 It’s my first attempt writing a ghost-ish story, and I really hope you like how it turned out.
#17. And what does this have to do with love, except everything?
After everything that happened (or didn’t happen) in The Land, finding out that ghosts do exist hardly fazes Barbie.
Pearly and translucent, Wanda drapes herself across the stained ceiling of the Kentucky motel. She reclines like she’s just barged her way into Barbie’s apartment and made herself comfy on Barbie’s sofa, as she did a thousand times in life.
“I shouldn’t still be here, you know,” Wanda says.
Barbie folds her arms across her stomach, gazing up at her. Wanda’s voice has a strange echoing quality, as if she’s speaking through a metal tube, but it’s still her voice—low and vital, warm and a little scratchy.
“I know.” She doesn’t say anything else for a while. A TV blares from the room next to hers. Wanda flicks her eyes sideways in silent, withering disapproval, and it’s so dear and familiar that Barbie wants to cry.
Instead, she rolls over on the creaky mattress and opens the drawer of the nightstand. “I have something for you. Before you…go. Will you come down here, please?”
Wanda drifts down to join Barbie on the bed. Crossing her legs, she looks at Barbie expectantly. Barbie unfurls her fingers. A black tube of lipstick winks up from her palm. She unscrews the top, revealing the bright pink shade. “Tacky flamingo, or something. I thought you’d like it.”
“Oh, you gorgeous thing. Come to Mama.” Eagerly, Wanda stretches out pale fingers. They pass straight through the little tube. She makes a face. “Yeah, of course that wasn’t going to work. Anyway, it’s spectacular. Thanks, Barbie-baby.”
“Don’t.”
“Hm?”
Her heart thrums in her chest so hard it hurts. “I’m sorry I—I mean I tried too, I guess, and I hope it showed in the things I did, but—I wish I’d told you before.”
Wanda stares at her, one eyebrow raised. “Now you’re making me nervous, honey. Told me what?”
Barbie swallows hard, and says, “That I love you.”
And Wanda—her wonderful, witty, quick-talking Wanda—is speechless.
As morbid as it is, confession is easier in death. How could Barbie flinch for fear of rejection when the worst outcome possible is already in the past? She has already mourned over Wanda’s grave. But even being so keenly aware of that, the silence that descends between them still punches into Barbie’s gut.
Then Wanda says softly, “Hey.”
She drifts forward, like smoke prompted by a breeze. The cool planes of her hands cup Barbie’s cheeks. Eyes slipping shut, Barbie reaches out with her own hands, seeking an anchor that only comes in the form of a chill over her palms.
“I love you, too.”
Wanda’s kiss is water in the desert, winter after the harshest summer.
Barbie drinks her in, savors her. Then, slowly, painfully, she pries her fingers loose. The air grows warm. Barbie opens her eyes to catch the last wisp of Wanda’s smile, before she is gone.
Barbie wipes the scorching tears from her cheeks. Wanda’s final words echo inside her skull.
After all, there could be no haunting without love. And without love, there could be no letting go, either.
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deniigi · 1 year
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Cody-Centric Fic Recs
Name of the Game - esama
There's a new Dark Sider on the battlefield, one who has it out for Cody's General.
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Codywan; pre-slash, sith!Obi-Wan
Of Warnings (Ignored) - Trixree
“Listen to me, Kote. Are you listening? Because it is very fucking important that you listen to me right now,” 17 says. He would seize Kote by the chin and make him pay attention, if 17 was looking to get bit on top of all the other pain his body is gifting him with.
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Codywan; Cody is a little shit; Alpha is longsuffering
Bonding Rituals - blackkat
Cody smirks, tilting his head. “Sounds like Fox has a date,” he says, and Rex is suddenly, vividly reminded of the fact that Cody and Fox are batchmates. Something must have gone wrong with the cloning process there, because that much asshole in one batch should be physically improbable. For a moment, he almost feels sorry for Fox.
Then he remembers that Fox yelled at Fives last time they ran into each other during an escort mission on the front, and decides that he actually doesn’t.
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Fox/Obi-Wan, Rex & Cody, Pranks and Practical jokes
sunshine and the shade of poetry - Petrichordiam
 "Sorry sir, but I don't think we've met," Cody said, turning up the friendly customer service representative levels by two points.
 To his delight, there wasn't really any visible change in his general's expression. "Have I neglected to leave an impression on you over the last several years?"
 "I'm not sure you want an honest answer to that question, sir."
===== The war comes to an abrupt end, and everyone around him begins the long road to recovery and discovery. Cody, on the other hand, just needs to find a new job.
Unfortunately, he has no idea what to do next.
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Codywan; Rex & Cody, Coruscant Art Scene, Romance-writer Cody
*And because I am shameless, some of my own fics:
girlboss, gatekeep - deniigiq
Captain Gregor immediately leans his chin on his palm and smiles at Fives. Fives smiles back. He does not perceive this action to be the threat that it truly is.
“That man’s going to kill him,” Jesse says with his neck craned as far as it will go.
“Yep,” Kix agrees solemnly.
“You never know,” Echo says. “He’s squeezed better outcomes out of worse odds.”
(Fives decides that he's going to join the illustrious, mysterious, and oh-so exclusive Commanders Batch, and he's going to start by becoming besties with Commander Cody. Rex cannot stop this trainwreck but he can certainly watch it happen in slow motion - and occasionally he can offer a word or two of advice.)
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background Codywan; Fives & Cody; Rex & Cody, Cody & Command Batch; hijinks and shenanigans
they're neutral - deniigiq
Retired Commander Cody moves into a new neighborhood and becomes furious at the way a nearby roundabout is treated as a dumpsite. He installs a giant Jedi Crest fountain dead in the center of it and accidentally creates a safe place for the diasporic Jedi community to worship.
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light codywan; Cody & Wolffe, Cody & Rex, Home Improvement; Community Development
the time when stars align - qigiined
Lord Vader stands before Cody with a ruined body and asks him between puffing, hissing breaths, how he has found the latest therapy.
Cody explodes.
Never before did he realize how hopeful he was that he would soon die. Never before has he felt so helpless. The only natural process he could depend on has been snatched from his fingers. He is again a young man. His accelerated aging factor has been ‘cured.’
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Codywan; Force-Ghost Obi-Wan; De-aging; Treason
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gale-sized-hole · 4 months
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Well, since the IGN interview is still apparently a hot topic of discussion, and because I never know when to keep my mouth shut:
Ask yourself if you’re speaking from a perspective of someone who’s gone through the whole game to romance Gale, or if you went into it with the intent to romance Gale with full knowledge of what his deal is, and then consider how it might be different if you went into gameplay with zero foreknowledge. Of course people who don’t have the hindsight (or the advance, spoilered perspective) are going to think it’s annoying that they need to give up magical items. The majority of people playing this game who aren’t on tumblr or TikTok or wherever are guys who, when they’re not so busy beating their dicks over Shadowheart, are simply going to think it’s annoying. They think the “try my hand at poetry” line is cringe.
That being said, it’s worth it to consider interviewer bias, too. The interviewer led with calling him annoying, and probably edited the final article to reflect their own attitude! Or not! I don’t know. But it’s worth considering.
And on that note, the Larian answer to those questions involved mentioning different permutations. And that’s because narratives rely on sacrifice to have an impact! That’s the entire point of character arcs! Gale just happens to have one ending of many that involves a literal sacrifice. But in the end, no matter which ending you get, Gale - just like every other companion - sacrifices something, and that either results in growth or loss. Even in the good ending, the non-ascended one that most Galemancers want (including myself, by the way), he has sacrificed! He went from introducing himself as “Gale of Waterdeep” to calling himself “Gale Dekarios.” That’s a sacrifice in and of itself.
I just don’t think anyone is saying that the best possible outcome for Gale is to kill himself. And if you don’t agree with the game developers, cool! You don’t have to agree with me either. I just have my thoughts on what ultimately makes for a narratively satisfying end, and know that while everyone has their own versions of that, there are some beats that’ll always get the strongest emotional reaction. Perhaps that’s what they meant by best. Perhaps not. But at the end of the day, they’re not forcing you to play it that way. You can and should do what you want. And examine your own reactions to the material along the way.
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silurisanguine · 8 days
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15 lines of Dialogue game
As ive been away for the weekend, not sure if anyone tagged me with this but saw it open tag so here we go. Tagging @vorchagirl @despicablediet and anyone who'd like to do it! 15 Lines of Dialogue Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well! Since i've written the most with Seren Jones, I shall pick her for this!
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1 -"Maybe I am, but there isn’t anything left in this universe worth staying for. Whatever is in the next universe has to be better than this one Barrett, it has to. I can't bare to stay here any more, not without him, not when I could have done it so differently."
2 - "Cora… she was there, saw her dad die…She hated me, blamed me for not saving him. After the funeral, Lillian took her and that was the last I ever saw that wonderful twelve year old. I realised then I had no reason to stay in my universe as everything i loved had been taken from me. I hoped maybe another would give me a second chance. To fix things..to try again…
…That’s why I do this.”
3 - "I came here the first time with no preconception of what I’d find. I was in awe at the location, just as you are now. But what I learned here has guided my hand in relation to how I see the Artifacts, how I see Unity and the Starborn. Anyone who wants to complete the Artifact collection, needs to know the full story for themselves.”
4- "Now you see how dangerous this place is, and this is just the start. The Starborn Guardians here have lost all empathy, all compassion, their humanity in pursuit of their cause. They have nothing left in their existence except to stop anyone else reaching the Temple. …I sometimes wonder what is the point of their existence before I wipe them out of it for good.”
5 -”You washed them clean. I can say one good thing about Lillian in that she gave you the chance to do that. You’re not the same man, Sam.”
6 -”They makes me smile every time I come back here. But I’m not entirely alone, the fish there get a view unlike any other.” She pointed to the couple of little fish swimming in their tanks, sitting right at the edge of the massive view screen. “If you don’t mind taking care of them for me, they’ve been a good little crew, never complained once.”
7 - "I've never met you before. Until today I'd never met a single pirate here." That was the truth, if a little stretched Seren thought.
8 -"All this, this universe is a nightmare. I've been to so many variations and… You… everyone here is so different, so wrong. It’s like Unity decided to show me the worst outcome possible just to make me appreciate who I’d - what I’d lost.”
9 -"Neat trick, have to remember that next time I'm in a hell-hole universe."
10 -"Sorry, Sam, just picturing you over Vlad’s head brought on images of you in ballet tights and…yeah, sorry, I have too much imagination.”
11 - "Yes, justice, Delgado. See that’s behind most things I do now. In this case justice for those your fucking coloured coded Spacers have harmed- have murdered. It’s interesting really how far I got here without anyone realising who I really am... I wondered why no one noticed the SIN of my ship. Even Jess surprisingly. It was a gamble using it of course…But no one ever clocked that I was flying the Razorleaf."
12- “Until I knew for sure you felt the same way I did, I wasn’t sure how to really act around you. But now I know, expect more of this, Sam Coe.”
13 - “You know I would! I mean she called me darlin, you know that makes me melt.”
14 - "…He always said he was bad with words, yet he could say things that were like love poetry to me, that would dazzle me. He was so open with his feelings when he trusted you. Funny, absurd sometimes and he cared deeply and loved passionately. He was an amazing father and I-"
15 - "I've no idea. Being Starborn didn't exactly come with a manual."
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cousticks · 12 days
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hii question here!
not that sure about my knowledge of BEAST; did Dazai destroy other universes?
omg hi sorry this took me so long to get to! i've been distracted all week </3
anyway... i'd say "destroy" is a strong word? we don't exactly know how the other universes ended (other than somewhere in them, oda has to have died), but we do know that there were several other universes before the BEAST universe we know and loathe. it was not the first universe dazai created with the Book. he created countless other permutations of the world with different variables changed to try and create an outcome in which oda was able to live and write his novel.
however, considering the ultimate purpose was for oda to live? i'm assuming he rewrote the book each time oda died, thus "ending" the previous book universe, as to the best of my understanding only one can exist at a time (someone correct me on that if i'm wrong!). so you could say he destroyed them, in a sense. More Book mechanics under the cut!
here's Dazai's explanation on how the Book functions in the novel:
"Dazai replied brightly, as if reciting poetry. 'Yes, but 'whatever you write becomes real' isn't exactly how it sounds.' The Book is more or less the origin of this world. In this Book you'll find an infinite number of potential worlds that can branch out into an infinite number of different paths depending on the choices made and conditions set. And the moment something is written on a page in the Book, a world tailored to what was written is 'summoned.' The potential world inside the Book and the real world change places.'"
'"'Simply put, the term world refers to both the single physical reality that exists outside the Book and the infinite possible worlds that are tucked away inside the Book,' Dazai explained nonchalantly as if it were common sense. 'This world is a possible world. In other words, it's merely one of infinite worlds inside the book.'"
"'But reality is still reality. This world holds just as much weight as the outside world. The fact that the Book--which is something like the world's origin--exists in this world as well proves as much. But this world's Book is a drain, so to speak. Orders from the outside world can rewrite this world or even destroy it..."'
"'You two must defeat every one of them [various organizations after the Book] and protect this Book at all costs because if they write something, this world will be overwritten and cease to exist."
From the BEAST light novel, approximately pages 146-147, give or take.
If I were to condense his explanation as well as what I know from the main story: The Book of the original, outside world can create countless sub-universes OR change its own reality. Within these sub-universes, the Book which exists within them can only sustain its own sub-universe, and if it is edited, it will rewrite it's current state and erase that existing world to create a new one. That's my understanding, anyway.
So to answer your question to the best of my understanding: BEAST!Dazai definitely destroyed several of these sub-universes to create the one BEAST takes place in, as he rewrote the sub-universe Book each time.
Tysm for giving me something about BEAST to ramble about!
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Happy STS! What are some common forms of entertainment for regular, non-noble people in your world?
Thank you for the question! As per usual, I will be sticking to Kishetal for this one, and more specifically the region around Labisa. These are just a few of the things that common people might do for fun! Common people find a number of ways to entertain themselves.
Beer halls (beer is the drink of commoners, as opposed to wine which tends to be more high class or else reserved for special occasions) are very numerous and form one of the main hangout spots for commoners of all ages. Throughout Kishetal, beer has traditionally been brewed and sold by women. Labisa alone has 19 beer halls, all but one of which are run by women. These halls typically serve five varieties of beer along with various food items.
Aruhakishar/Akishar: (Aruha- Dry, Kisharu- Beer) Unadulterated, typically plain beer, this sort of beer is the basis for the other varieties. These vary from brewer to brewer and can differ greatly in terms of strength, flavor, color, etc. This tends to be the cheapest option. Ishkishar: (Isha- Sour/Bitter Kisharu- Beer) Aruhakishar typically with the addition of various herbs, nuts, and even minerals. This beer is typically seen as invigorating, good for lifting the energy and strengthening the resolve against wicked spirits. Few people drink this casually. Wakishar: (Wawa- Sweet, Kisharu- Beer) Similar to the above but rather than the addition of herbs to promote bitter and sour flavors, this variety of beer is typically sweetened with the addition of various sweeteners, most often date syrups, honey, and fruits like fig. These tend to be the most well-liked variety of beer and fall in the middle when it comes to price. Olikishar/Olkishar: (Oli- Blood/Red, Kisharu- Beer) This variety of beer is similar to Wakishar but is flavored specifically with the addition of red fruit, like pomegranate, cherry, and various mountainous berry, giving it that crimson appearance. Some beer halls may add other additives to increase this sanguine appearance. Depending on the quality, this may be the most expensive variety of beer sold at a hall. Ihikishar/ Ihiki: (Ihi- Giggle (haha), Kisharu-Beer) This particular variety of beer is not sold in all halls and tends to be the most expensive, and is viewed among the common folk as more of a treat. This beer can be any of the above with addition of the treated oil of the magical Kasikur plant, also known as jit(from a Forestfolk word). Drinking jit mixed with wine may cause various effects, most commonly a slight high, similar to cannabis. However the use of jit is highly regulated as its magical effects, when consumed in sufficient amounts can have dangerous and bizarre effects.
Storytelling, relating tales of Kishetals history and of the various happenings of the outside world, takes a very robust place in the lives of Kishite people of all walks of life.
Temples often put on performances, mostly reenacting the exploits of legendary heroes. Typically these events are free though a donation is expected. The most extravagant of these performances may also include shows of sagecraft, some of the only magic that common folk are exposed to.
Poets and bards are likewise quite ubiquitous, performing on street corners or else found in the beer halls, competing for the attention, and appreciation of their audiences.
Poetry battles and rhyming contests, in essence thinly veiled battles of insults, are common spectacles and the best poets may even earn some degree of fame amongst their peers.
Gambling with dice or on the outcomes of fights are also quite common. Thiefs dice is particularly common among the enslaved population of Labisa as it only necessitates small gambles.
Suru was on the deck arranging some sort of game atop a wooden crate. " Come down here, Ninma." He called up to her.  Ninma shimmied down the mast and sat at the makeshift table. The crate had on it a pile of dried figs and two dice carved from bone; two of the sides were painted red, one blue, one black, one yellow, and one remained white. " What is this?" Ninma asked, inspecting one of the dice. " Something to distract us while we wait. Narul and I used to call this thief’s dice, no idea what it is actually called. I borrowed the dice from one of the crew. We used to play it in the slave quarters, don’t know if you ever played it up in the palace, doesn’t seem like it. The rules are simple. We take turns rolling the dice. If you get blue, you take a fig. If you get red, it becomes my turn. If you roll yellow, you must put a fig back in the pot. If you get white, you can take one of my figs, but if you get black, I can take one of yours. The game is over when someone rolls a blue, but there are no figs in the pot to take. Back home, we used the money your father gave us at festivals, but I respect you too much to take all your money, princess." He grinned.
Hunting for small game like birds and rabbits is popular among rural populations, though not so much among urban ones. Though, rat-catching is not unheard of among young and adult alike in certain parts of Labisa and other large cities.
Duels, or more accurately brawl matches with sticks and fists, are not at all uncommon, though technically illegal. When such fights do break out, they attract much attention, and typically, much gambling. The city guard, at least under Hutbari, does little to stop this and may even join in on the wager.
Wrestling, boxing, foot races, competitions of skill with slings, and other similar physical activities are popular, and may take place at just about any time. For those rare few that know how, swimming in Lake Shebali is a fun bit of leisure, though not always entirely safe as the depths of the lake can be dangerous. Dance and music are common as well, perhaps most famous is Storm Step. This style of dance theater is almost entirely non-verbal and rather is dependent on facial and bodily expression. The dances are performed on hollow wooden platforms, producing loud thundering sounds, thus giving the style of theater its name. Unlike most styles of theater in Kishetal, Storm Step is entirely dominated by women, and more often than not pairs of sapphic lovers. In some instances entire troupes may form polyamorous unions.
I could keep going, but I think that gives a good picture for now. Let me know if you would like to know more!
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Hello I hope you have good day
Can I request a Nikolai x reader x Zoya where it can be mutual pinning where Nikolai & Zoya are together already.
More details Like where the reader has crush on them but doesn’t say anything due to not wanting to ruin the relationship while it could be like everyone knows that they like each other and are like why don’t they just get together already vibes but the reader denies it since they are conscious since they don’t believe it .
So they go confront the reader since they’ve been avoiding them after the incident about finding out they like them and they go comfort them about it. It could have the king of scars vibes if it’s okay as well can the pronouns be he/him
Perfect- Poly! Zoyalai x male! reader
Okay, hi! Second poly! zoyalai request to come out and the longer of the two I've written so far, and nonnie, I hope you like this one, it was a blast to write!
Based on your asking that he/him pronouns be included, I went ahead and wrote this fic in third person, which I hope you don't mind!
Fic type- this is fluff but there's a bit of yearning
Warnings-none
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“It’d be easier to know whether or not they liked you back if you’d just ask them,” Tolya said pointedly as he found Y/N, sitting on one of many couches in the library. He was reading a poetry book, a volume that Tolya had read enough times to be able to recite every single poem in it by heart. 
“Perhaps I just like taking the mantle of the lovesick fool,” Y/N suggested, smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “I could make an argument that every palace needs one, but I wouldn’t want to bore you with the specifics.” 
Tolya scoffed as Y/N closed the book and stood. “Well, if every palace needs at least one, we’ve got two too many,” he said. “Are you due for a shift on the guard?” 
“Zoya and I took the morning shift," Y/N said. "Nik let me take the afternoon. Been a bit sick lately."
“Your heart will only grow sicker if you continue to pine,” Tolya said pointedly, grabbing the book from Y/N as the two moved to leave. “Seriously. People have died from broken hearts, from too much time spent yearning for romance. I have every right to be concerned.” 
“I’m not heartbroken,” Y/N said, pairing it with an easy shrug. “You won’t lose me, Tolya. Stop worrying.”
Tolya shot Y/N a look, the thought behind it clear as day. Stop being so destitute in the regard of your own emotions, it said. Tell them. It can't go terribly based on how they look at you when you're pretending not to notice.
“Worrying isn’t good for the heart, either,” Y/N said, though he knew that it would not stop his best friend from doing so. “I’ll handle it.”
“You handle these things by ignoring them,” Tolya said, holding the door open and allowing Y/N to step past the threshold and into the hall first. “You’ve been in love with them for three years now. Everyone sees it. Stop trying to ignore your feelings.”
“Why on earth would I do that when it’s what I do best?” 
Tolya scoffed and spitefully set a quick pace as he walked with Y/N back to his room, where the rest of Y/Ns day would likely be spent in quiet contemplation and enjoyable solitude. 
-
Y/N spent the next several hours reading the books on his shelves, journaling to recount the days minute, slightly bland events. He reread old entries from old journals with soft smiles. He read the realizations of the feelings he held for Nikolai and Zoya, tried to still his heart and ignore the feelings that never really did go away even as he willed them to. 
Part of him had known that there was a possibility that Nikolai and Zoya loved him, but it was just too unbelievable. It didn’t seem realistic, didn’t seem like he would’ve been so lucky as to have that outcome, so he ignored that possibility. Y/N ignored the way that it set his heart off at a mile a minute, ignored the heat that ran to his cheeks when he thought it over.
Y/N startled at the sound of a knock on his door, successfully having been pulled out of the reverie in which he'd found himself.
Zoya walked in first, wearing the blue dress Y/N had seen her in earlier in the day during their shift together, hair let down and laying in beautiful ringlets on her shoulders. She was an effortlessly beautiful person, and it’d been impossible not to notice it since Y/N had fallen in love with her. 
Nikolai walked in alongside her, wearing his usual kingly outfitting, blonde hair glinting in the sunlight, easy, assured smile on his face. He’d always been effortlessly handsome, and everyone, including Y/N, took notice to that.
“Enjoyed the day off?” Nikolai asked.
“Yeah,” Y/N said with a laugh. “Read, reminisced, nicked a few sweets from the kitchens. Grand day, really.” 
“There’s something we’ve been meaning to talk to you about,” Zoya said, clearly interested in skipping the pleasantries. “Tolya just about threatened us. Genya thwacked Nikolai over the head with the hardest pillow she could find.” 
With Zoyas last sentence, Y/N let out a laugh. Like clockwork, both Zoya and Nikolais hearts gave a funny little flit, a flit they’d been experiencing since they’d fallen in love with each other and then with Y/N. 
“We’ve—” Nikolai began, pausing for a moment. “We’re in love with you. Both of us. We’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you and there just was never a good time because life got in the way tremendously and everything has been chaotic lately. We would’ve told you sooner but—”
“We’ve been arguing about how to tell you for nearly six months,” Zoya said. “It’s fine if you don’t feel the same, but it was going to eat us alive if we kept it from you.” 
Y/N, feeling shock fill him from head to toe, only blinked surprisedly. Zoya and Nikolai both watched him, saw him run a hand through his hair as the couples words hung in the silence. 
“You don’t—”
“I love you both too,” Y/N said. “I’ve been in love with you for a while. I’ve been trying to figure out how to say it but I just couldn’t. Never really did find the words.” 
Nikolai and Zoya both sighed in relief, grins spreading across their faces. 
“Well then, mind if we join you?” Nikolai asked. “I do find myself curious as to the book you’re reading. Don’t think I’ve ever seen it in the library.” 
Y/N laughed. “It’s my journal, you idiot,” he said. “And yes, you can join me. I would rather appreciate the company and the excuse to ring up for dinner.” 
Nikolai and Zoya didn’t need anymore confirmation, joining Y/N easily and ringing up for dinner for three shortly thereafter.
The three of them talked, the conversation coming easily, the quips and the jokes and the looks that’d turned from longing into loving ones. All of it was perfect, and sometimes, Y/N would go on to think that that night must’ve been too good to be true, even as the relationship progressed and he fell deeper in love with his partners then he’d ever thought possible.
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