#this is another thing her and miranda have in common

[rxttenfish]

aaravi’s mom may be fundamentally haunting the narrative but its fine, aaravi can just ignore her if she continues to be a cringefail wet cat

#all the care guide says is 'biomass' #Monster Prom #listen she is dead and she is Very Very Angry about it and her ghost refuses to let go of the narrative #the long shadow of her death haunts every step aaravi takes #presses in on all the corners not yet filled by intimacy between her body and anothers #not as she was but as she will be Remembered. after all. how do you lay a memory to rest? #how do you make the past settle into a quiet present? how do you make its teeth vanish without forgetting it entirely? #but aaravi is absolutely the fuck ignoring that and not addressing that as long as she possibly can #she might questionably be possessed by the ghost-memory of her mother but she is. yet again. not looking. #she is going to go ragequit over a stupid game and break her controller while the wolf-ghost of her mom paces at the doorway behind her #this is another thing her and miranda have in common

[mrfoox]

Everytime I realize how.... Chill... My mom is im... Im torn between thinking it's the best and not /:

#miranda talking shit #She lets me do anything and basically always have. Well as a child she didnt ofc but generally things i WANTED to do i was #Allowed to do unless something obvious came in tje way. I wanted to see a friend i was allowed. Wanted to go to a bday party #Allowed. She was so chill and yeah. Only as an adult i realized its not super common? Like she was and still is more a friend than parent #There has not been anything she ever said... No against or openly expressed doubt about. Not that i was wild or anything #I never have done much crazy things no parties with alchol or anything but even if i did... She'd probably be ok with it #Idk if its bc she trusts me or what? Bc i know she cares and by nature she is a worry wart. Thats why i have been able to tell her like #Anything. I havent but i genuinely think i could and she'd not freak out too bad about things. She let me go fly out to germany #First time i ever flew alone... And i had to change flight and i was 15. To see a girl she had only known about for a year from conversatin #She ... Never said anything against it. I barely remember i asked for her permission i just said mom i want to fly to germany #To celebrate xmas with my gf and she was like aight. And same with her coming to me. Oh an stranger from another country is #Coming to live with us for a few weeks? Who speaks no swe? Alright okay shes welcome! And same about flying to london to visit my online #Friends. That was potentially worse bc i wasnt staying with anyone i knew... So i was technically alone for quite some time when i was thee #And i had talked less about those people. At thay point i was 18 so technically she didnt have the right to stop me... But she just said ye #Ok ill help pay for it (: when my sister heard about it she flipped. And when i went on a second date with a guy #And spontaneously asked to stay over at his place... Mom had already left to get me and was just like lol ok ill turn around 😂 #At one hand this has been good for me bc... I dont naturally seek out experience and dare to do thing so if i got big #Arguments and stuff thrown at me when i wanted to do something id probably just ... Id not do shit and i already almost do that lol #But shes also too agreeable. She never had that authority over me... And is more like a friend . Aka if i ask her to do something she will #Do it 9/10 times without arguing and that has definitely missed me some lessons of own responsibility etc. I guess one can argue #Bc im autistic its okay to have more reliance on my mom. But yeah... Ive been trying to do so less. I mean some things she still does help #Me with. But since i live alone its... I cant rely on her like i have in the past so been adjusting for me and i dont think ive done all #Well. But yeah. I hear majority of moms either being .. Overbearing or controlling and im here like... Uh.. Oh uh mine is haha #I still think shes the best but probably not the best to make me into an independent human but best emotionally etc #Just ... Weird how she have managed parenting. Bc she is so loving and worring and emotional. I know she is. But she havent let that .... #Go over her kids? She have let her kids do a lot of stuff... With my brothers its been a somewhat problem bc they have acted out #But for me... I mean im reclusive but when i think back im suprised how cool she have been with the things i came with #Considering i usually never wanted anything ... When i came with something it was pretty big stuff like... Traveling outside the country #For the first time ever... To an person and her family she never met or have seen? Yeah . Her trust must be big for me

[miquella-everywhere]

Denizens of the Haligtree Analysis

Giant Ant

So ants.... There's really not much to say about these guys, but if anything their presence at the Haligtree is a good indicator of how bad off the divine tree is. Also their stupid acid attack always one-shots me and I hate them lol

Oracle Envoys

So the Oracle Envoys only show up in two places; Leyndell and the Haligtree, and as lore states their appearance basically heralds the coming of either a new Age or a new God. I've seen arguments stating that the Oracles are there for Malenia and her ascendance as the Goddess of Rot, but imo considering that Mal has only bloomed twice and is not yet a true Goddess(which she doesn't even want to be) the Oracles presence could indicate that they are actually heralding something else. maybe miquellas return? 🤞

Also the Haligtree is the only place were you can find the Giant variant, which I just think is neat lol

Misbegotten

The Haligtree is known throughout the Lands Between as a refuge for the forsaken and misbegotten, so the Misbegotten that have managed to make their way here are definitely the lucky ones. Although if you watch them carefully you can see from their mannerisms that many of the Misbegotten there are quite distressed, many are seen yelling at the sky in despair or kneeling down infront of the statues of Miquella in prayer. Either way, they may have made it to the promised land but all that remains is desperation.

Fungal Putrid Corpse

Fun fact about these guys is that this variant of the Putrid Corpses can only be found in the Haligtree. Other than that there isn't much else to say here, although I guess one thing to say would be the sheer prevalence of the Putrid Corpses found throughout the Lands Between. They're probably all the unfortunate commoners and regular people who got caught up in the Shattering and were reduced to... this.

Miranda Sprout

So according to their lore Miranda Powder has always been prized by the Perfumers, and from what we know about the Perfumers is that before the Shattering they used to be healers. So I'm spreading some propaganda here but at the Perfumers Ruins in Altus there is a secluded patch that has multiple Miquella's Lilys there, indicating that Miquella spent some time with the Perfumers, which makes perfect sense considering he wished to heal Malenia.

So it would make sense why there would be Miranda Blooms at the Haligtree, because Miquella had use for the properties of their pollen. A shame they've become infected with Scarlet Rot now...

Spirit Calling Snail

The Sprit Calling Snail is a snail that calls spirits. Go figure lol. But in all seriousness the Snails presence at the Haligtree somewhat adds another hint regarding Miquellas own connection to the spirits.

Haima Battle Mages

So the Haima Battles Mages are really cool when you read into their lore a bit:

"Scholars of the Haima Conspectus sought the power to quell conflict, and to this end studied the sorceries of cannon fire and the gavel."

Aside from further proving that Miquella had and interest in Glintstone, the fact that the Haima wish to quell conflict, and that the Haligtree, arguably, is the most peace focused of all the factions in the Lands Between it would make sense why these two mages would settle here and defend the Haligtree.

Cleanrot Knight

When Malenia departed on her campaign and took her Cleanrot Knights with her, these ones are likely the faction that stayed behind to defend the Haligtree. Like can you imagine being these guys?

Your General leaves with your comrades and you're tasked to defend Miquella while he slumbers within the Haligtree. But then this Omen with flaming blood shows up out of nowhere and kidnaps Miquella despite your best attempts to stop him, and you just...

You failed.

Your Lord that you were tasked to defend with your life has been taken, and you grieve your failure and also having to face your General when she returns and explain that her beloved brother has been taken...

But when Malenia does come back she's completely comatose, carried on the back of Finlay, your fiercest comrade, who quickly succumbs to the rot after bringing Malenia home safely, and now all you can do is put her within the roots to rest. And after all that you still commit yourself to defending the Haligtree despite Miquella being gone and the rot seeping into the tree and decaying it from the inside out...

Like damn, how depressing.

Haligtree Foot Soldier

Same thing as the Cleanrots above, but what makes the Haligtree soldiers interesting is that you can only find them at the Haligtree. Like in Liurnia you can find a Leyndell Knight wandering around, obviously deployed from Leyndell during the Shattering with the same thing on Mt. Gelmir, meaning that they are not one of the many factions of soldiers of the Shattering War, but in fact, strict defenders of the Haligtree. Like they dedicate their lives to one job, and that's defending Miquella and his Haligtree.

But then everything just went to shit in a single day. And it all just went downhill after that.

There really is a heavy sadness to these guys with the fact that they are so desperate for Miquella to return that they came to the conclusion that they need to explode with holy light in order to guide him home :'(

Haligtree Knight

Holy shit these guys are legitimately a Boss but without the fanfare, like goddamn. Its honestly shocking that Mohg managed to get Miquella with these guys at the defense, but well he got him 😔 Anyway these guys are interesting to two reasons; the first being that they can heal using flasks, the only other enemies in the game using healing items being other Tarnished or Perfumers, and the second is that these Knights can use Glintstone Sorceries, once again further hinting at Miquellas relationship with the Carians and his own interest in Glintstone.

Putrid Crystalian

Now what makes the Crystalians presence here at the Haligtree so interesting, involves this little tidbit about their lore:

"The inscrutable Crystalians have but one clear purpose; to safeguard their crystals unto the end. One theory posits that they yearn for the return of their creator who will carve for them new brethren."

And Miquella, who has been quoted as, "A meticulous, bold craftsman who grasps the essence of life," would seemingly fit the bill for someone who could potentially carve the Crystalians new brethren. And then there's also the fact that the Crystalians are the beings who are closest to the Primeval Current, and as I've said in a previous theory post, is something that Miquella definitely has an interest in. So perhaps Miq and the Crystalians here have a mutual relationship going on; with Miquella attempting to grant them new brethren, and the Crystalians giving Miquella insight into the Primeval Current.

A shame Miquella is no longer with them and that they've been infected with Scarlet Rot....

Royal Revenant

WHY

WHY ARE THERE FOUR OF YOU IN A ROW

WHY

Okay so bottom line the Revenants are weird. There is no enemy in the game with so much mystery surrounding them than these guys. What's their origin? What is their purpose? Are they suffering as a massive amalgamation of body parts and fucked up magic? I sure hope they are.

But what I can say about the Revenants is that their general locations sort of paints a picture regarding who they might belong too. They are predominantly found in Liurnia, with their most interesting location being that they seemingly guard the Lunar Estate on the plateau where the Cathedral of Manus Caelus is. The other notable locations are at the Shaded Castle, a place were Miquella likely frequented, and now at Elphael. So saying that they may have their origins either with the Carians or Miquella wouldn't be too much of a stretch... maybe.......

And then there is also the fact that they are usually accompanied by Wraith Callers, who bear a striking resemblance to the Revenants as well. Then also there's that little theory about how Ranni's master may have been a Wraith Caller..... 🤔

Kindred of Rot

These guys are clearly here because of Malenia, and it's interesting to see that they only show up in the rotten core of Elphael and the graveyard area which is closest to were she is slumbering. I made a post about these guys long ago about how they've seemingly peacefully assimilated into the Haligtree even though Malenia rejects them, and honestly I think that it's kind of poetic considering Miquella's philosophy.

Putrid Avatar

The Putrid Avatars are a Scarlet Rot infested variant of the Erdtree Avatars, but what really interests me about them the most is that the Putrid Avatars have a completely different staff compared to their normal counterparts.

The Putrid Staffs design is highly reminiscent to the Haligtree Sigil, and while the item description of the staff is the same as its regular variant, I can't help wonder if the design was intentional but the description was overlooked/forgotten in regards to that connection. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it 🤷 In my opinion, I see it as Malenia's Rot being so deeply intertwined with Miquella's Abundance that even the Putrid Avatars adopt his iconography.

Either way, the fact that there are two Avatars defending the Haligtree really speaks volumes regarding the Haligtrees legitimacy as a type of Erdtree.

Putrid Tree Spirit

I hate these guys. What else is there to say lol

#i love the haligtree #this place is so wonderful #uri posts #elden ring #miquella the unalloyed #miquella's haligtree #elden ring theory #i forgot to add the pictures of the staffs im so dumb :P

[dyns33]

Rafiq alruwh

I'm not sure yet if this will be a Bane x reader oneshot or not.

I like it like that, but I could find ideas for part 2. My only problem being that I still need to finish others Tom Hardy's characters story, while wanting to write Feyd Rautha stories.

As much as Y/N listened to these stories over and over again, she couldn't imagine the feeling everyone would describe.

The moment your skin touched your soulmate's skin, and suddenly everything became clear, better. A feeling of joy and the burning need to stay by this person's side forever.

It was a rare phenomenon that scientists could not explain. It was completely impossible to know when this would happen, or if it would happen, because fate seemed cruel. Most people either didn't have soulmates or didn't have the chance to meet them in their lifetime. The world was too big and time too short.

There were still skeptics, who claimed that it was all nonsense, lies, invented by people blinded by love or who wanted to give themselves a certain gender. Only those who ended up meeting the person changed their mind, the others remaining too jealous to accept the truth, considering that it was only a romantic utopia.

Y/N wanted to believe in it. She dreamed of meeting her soulmate and experiencing this special moment.

Her parents were not meant to be together. It was visible.

In her entourage, she had an uncle who had had this experience, a few neighbors, a friend, and all had said the same thing.

What they had in common was that they were all good people. Maybe that was one of the reasons.

“You might have had to choose another type of profession then.”

"Mom…"

“I’m just saying that cop is not the most popular job in the world.”

"And I would say that choosing to be a non-corrupt police officer in Gotham is almost like being a saint."

"You'll end up getting killed, long before you meet your soulmate. I'll never understand why you wanted to be a cop, especially in this town."

There came a day when her mother's fears almost became a reality. The day when terrorists took the entire city hostage with a bomb, preventing everyone from entering and leaving.

It was probably not what she had thought when she talked about dying, but for several months, hidden with her colleagues, Y/N thought about her soulmate, trying to imagine this meeting that would probably never happen.

Staying mainly with Blake and Gordon, she tried to hide her pain, but it did not escape Miranda Tate, who took her hand with a gentle smile and asked what was tormenting her.

“We’re going to die here.” Y/N whispered. "I mean, I'm not afraid of that, that's the risk of the job. But… I didn't think it would be like this now. I wish I had met my soulmate before."

"Your rafiq alruwh. I didn't think many people cared about it here."

"My what ?"

"That's how my father called soulmates. I grew up with a lot of stories about it, because he and my mother were related. I prayed a lot to be that for one of my friends, but no. Our destinies are linked, but not like that.”

"Sorry."

"Even if I would have liked him to be mine, I wish him happiness and that he meets his other half one day. A being worthy of him, of his love and his protection. He deserves to be happy. You too, you seem kind. Maybe you shouldn't have been here."

Her words were strange, but Y/N didn’t tell the others. It wouldn't have changed anything anyway. Even though she had discovered that Miranda Tate had the detonator, that she was the real leader of the terrorists, the streets remained controlled by the militias.

As always, they were saved by the Batman. She had never really known what to think of the vigilante, protected by Gordon and hated by everyone else. He clearly wanted to help Gotham, but his methods remained illegal, and not necessarily effective in the long term.

His death was a tragedy, but not necessarily the end of a symbol. Hope was still there, even stronger, and the Gotham police were determined to ensure everyone's safety.

Y/N felt this determination too.

Still, she froze as she inspected the sewers with Blake and Ramirez. They too had a moment of hesitation, as their lamps illuminated a body. A huge body, sitting against the wall, face hidden by this frightening mask.

There had been a search for Bane and his men after the explosion. Witnesses said the Batman fought him, and won, but they found nothing.

Obviously, the terrorist had managed to drag himself here to die.

"What do we do ?" Ramirez asked shyly. “Should we put a bullet in his head ?”

"What ? Why do you want to do this ?"

"To make sure he's dead. I've seen a lot of movies, man, I know the mistakes to avoid."

She didn't approve of the speech, but Y/N agreed, it was necessary to check it out.

Feeling almost stupid, she moved forward slowly, her hand reaching towards Bane to see if he felt a pulse.

She didn't expect the large hand that quickly grabbed her neck before she could touch him.

Fear paralyzed her body, and yet there was something else. An indescribable, incredible feeling, which resembled happiness but more intense, which was absurd in this situation.

Y/N felt so lost that she didn't realize the hand was relaxing, just resting against her skin instead of squeezing and snapping her neck like it easily could have done.

"Habibi…" was the word spoken with difficulty by Bane, who stared at her with an indecipherable expression.

“Let her go right now, you bastard !”

Maybe he was as confused as her, or maybe he was too weak, but the terrorist didn't avoid Ramirez's punch, while Blake grabbed Y/N to pull her as far away as possible.

She stood still, not understanding what was happening, as Ramirez called for reinforcements, proud of having been able to knock out the giant, even though he knew as well as anyone that he would have had no chance. if his mask hadn't been damaged and he wasn't half dead. It was not possible.

Bane couldn't be her soulmate, Y/N refused to believe it. A man like him had no soul, not after everything he had done, and above all why would he be destined for her ? She didn't feel like she had committed a crime that deserved such punishment.

She was probably never going to see him again anyway.

If he survived to Blackgate, he would be locked there forever. Even if she had permission, she had no intention of visiting him.

But the feeling remained there, strong, impossible to ignore, demanding more. An incomprehensible need to be close to the one who had touched her, so that he would touch her again.

Y/N resisted. She gave her report to Commissioner Gordon, forgetting a few small details, and indicating that she did not wish to follow this case, leaving Bane's case to better agents than her.

This seemed to surprise him, as he considered her one of his best people, but he accepted.

However, it was impossible not to think of her soulmate, since the whole town was only talking about him and his arrest. The television was on loop every day, and her colleagues thought they were doing the right thing by keeping her informed of progress.

"They say his face is horrible. I think there are photos in the file."

"I'd love to see that ! I can't imagine that fucker at all without his weird mask. Do you think he has a normal voice without that thing ?"

“I can go get it so we check.”

Ramirez's gaze met hers as he stood, and without her needing to speak, he knew it was best for him to sit back down and change the subject.

Y/N didn’t see the photos. She absolutely didn't want to.

After several weeks, she asked to take a vacation, claiming to still be traumatized by what had happened to her, in addition to the near destruction of Gotham. She needed some time to rest.

Turning off all the screens and her phone, she tried meditation to clear her mind, so she could get some sleep and forget that her soulmate was a crazy, half-dead terrorist who would soon be judged.

This miserable attempt being a failure, she turned her phone back on shortly after midnight, only to be bombarded with calls and messages, coming from several colleagues, Blake, and Gordon.

"What is happening ?" she asked, calling the Commissioner back.

"Damn, I almost sent men to check on you, you weren't responding ! Where are you ? Are you okay ?"

“I’m at home, why ?”

"Don't panic. Blake will come get you."

“Gordon, what’s going on ?”

"He hasn't said anything since his arrest, keeping very quiet, and then yesterday Bane spoke. He asked to see you, giving your name. The other agents are categorical, it's impossible that he knows ot, no one told him. The agent simply replied that you were not on the investigation, and even on vacation… Damn, he…"

“Gordon, what ?”

"He escaped, Y/N. We don't know how. No one knows where he is, or what he's going to do. But since he talked about you, I don't want to take any risks. Don't move, John will come right away."

She could have told him that she knew very well why Bane had spoken about her, and that it was undoubtedly necessary for her to leave without delay, but fear held her back.

Even if it wasn't her fault, what would the commissioner think when he learned of her connection to the fugitive ? He was a good man, but all men had their limits, and she would be the first to be wary of someone designated as Bane's soulmate.

After hanging up, she jumped out of bed to grab her gun and shoes, ready to wait for Blake to arrive in her living room.

Y/N froze in the middle of the hallway, seeing the huge figure standing between her and the front door.

His face was covered by a scarf, his posture a little less proud than in the videos she had seen of him during his city hostage situation, he appeared to be in pain, but it was obvious that if she tried to pass, he would retain her without the slightest difficulty.

“Habibi.” he whispered, and indeed his voice was different without his mask, more human. "What a joy to see you again. More beautiful than I remember or on pictures. Will you come with us without resistance ? I don't want to hurt you."

"Hands in the air." she replied, pointing her gun at him, ignoring the urge to hug him. “Don’t move, my colleagues are coming.”

"I admire your sense of duty and honor, Habibi. But I will not return to prison, ever again. And I will not leave you either. I thought of you every day. Is your neck healed ? I need to repair my wrongs to you.”

“I said, put your hands in the air.”

“So you leave us no choice, Habibi.” he sighed, looking behind her.

We. He said we, and someone gave him her name. Y/N reacted too late, one man grabbing her gun, and the other not holding her shoulder, injecting something into her neck with a syringe.

In an instant, she found herself on the ground, her vision blurring, but her body not panicking, as it was invaded by an incredible sensation. Bane had reached out to hug her, his eyes smiling as he ran a hand over her cheek.

"It's okay. I'm taking you home, rafiq alruwh."

All her life, Y/N had waited for this moment, this feeling, this sentence. She told herself that the stories we said to children were really stupid, as her eyes closed.

#the dark knight rises #bane #bane tdkr #bane x reader #bane fanfiction #bane imagine

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

This isn’t like the usual posts I make but, I played through Monster Prom Second Term’s True Calling ending, and what the fuck!!?? TToTT I’ve read before that the reason for the True Calling ending is to expand upon Miranda’s character, but why like this?? Why make fun of their own writing and ignore all they’ve already worked up to? :(

Miranda is heavily reliant on her servants and refuses pretty much all work, that much is obvious. She has her serfs do everything for her while she does whatever she ever desires on a whim, lost and aimless and without a clear purpose, but… wasn’t it always implied that she’s that way for a reason? That reason being her father spoiling her with gifts and money and royal privileges. Her parents already conditioned her to see torture, murder and genocide as normal things! I always figured that her talking about true love and romance and romanticising not-so-good-or-healthy fairytale tropes was a part of that, that her parents more or less raised her to be the perfect little princess whose only purpose is to be married off to a prince of another kingdom to strengthen ties or as a peace offering or something (or for political reasons overall? It is strange that a princess would find herself in a high school of a foreign land, hmm…). That would explain why she really has no aspirations, besides love! She was raised to be that way and she didn’t just decide to be selfish one day.

So, how come the game comes out of left field and has Miranda’s own sister yell at her for being selfish and vague??? Suddenly it’s her own fault that she's spoiled with serfs who’ll do whatever she says? Hello, who gave her those serfs???? Yeah, maybe her sisters are crown heiresses or high priestesses but clearly they were taught those roles! Those were roles that already existed, waiting to be filled! And now Miranda suddenly is the only one who needs to figure out what to be all alone?

Worst of all I can’t believe they’d insult their own writing and literally call Miranda flat :( I know that’s the fandom perception of her but this is your own damn game!! You know how you wrote her! Did you not keep track of all you wrote!? Maybe Miranda’s twist (“sweet mermaid princess is murderous”) is open and out for all to see but that hardly makes her flat. She loves tradition and finds it very important, she’s super into silverware and napkin-folding, she loves singing and water sports (water polo and gymnastics to name two) and fairy tales and stories and she dreams of romance and even though her family’s immoral and murderous ways have been hammered into her so hard she doesn’t know it’s not normal to torture and kill serfs, she’s still kind and worries for people and their well-being, even if they’re commoners! She’s not very “bright” in many things but in the Revenge ending we see her formulate and execute a blackmail plot without any serfs at all, which does require intelligence. Dare I say, just like how everyone has a twist in their personality, another twist of Miranda’s is that she can be cunning when she needs to be? I just can’t believe that they’d go and agree with the people saying that Miranda is flat and make a WHOLE SECRET ENDING TALKING ABOUT HOW FLAT MIRANDA IS instead of… I don’t fucking know. Making a route where they feel they’re actually giving her more depth? They’re just lampshading the issue! They’re talking about how they made Miranda into a flat character and how sad and awful that is instead of doing anything about it.

And they could’ve explored so much too. A character lacking direction in life is already a really interesting thing to explore. They could’ve surely done something with her basically being a tool for her family and kingdom! Alas… Maybe it’s silly to get so worked up about a video game but I don’t know. The game made me feel things. I love Monster Prom but sometimes it is a love-hate relationship :/

#all im saying is… miranda vanderbilt could be a princess of the arts and culture if theyre so adamant to give her a purpose suddenly #i tried my best not to ramble but it is something i do a lot! i tried my best to not get too deep into why i think miri is far from flat #and man… i JUST remembered bellanda’s strange comment. “to you femininity is pink. to me it is sharp teeth.” WHAT!!??? #this sounds strange out of context but it makes no sense in context either. way to put down “basic” women bellanda! so cool! #erm anyway i will stop now! bye! #miranda vanderbilt #monster prom

[the-insomniac-emporium]

Broken Things (Resident Lover)

Pairing: Very much platonic Mia and Miranda (I am rotating them and their dynamic in my head) Rating: G for General Audiences Warning: HEAVY SPOILERS for Miranda's route, mostly implied but this won't make much sense if you haven't finished it. I recommend also getting the cult ending for maximum clarity. Summary: For two people that hate each other, Mia and Miranda have more in common than either of them want to admit. The night before an important (but heartbreaking) ritual, they share a few moments together. Alternatively: do you think they ever talk about being the only two to really know the MC? I think it hangs over them, equal parts comforting blanket and burial shroud. Exploring their dynamic a lil bit. Also, this is probably the longest thing I've written in one sitting in ages, so... cool. Noice. Just over 1.2k words.

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

If she had bothered to knock, there would have been no answer at best, and a flurry of feathered rage at worst. No point in entertaining that formality; not tonight, the eve of another undoing. Few things had any point tonight. But Mia had never been one to overthink things, never one to bother drawing up reasons for her behavior. That was what made her so charmingly irritating. Or just plain irritating, if you asked the headmistress whose office is now being invaded.

“I’m not in the mood for company,” Miranda warns from where she sits at her desk, the barest hints of exhaustion bleeding into her normally veiled expression. Even Goddesses get tired, it seems. Cruelties stir in the back of her throat, vile words and heavy hexes, but she doesn’t waste any energy on letting them spill out. Simply swallows, hard, and crosses one leg over the other. A stiffness occupies her bones this evening.

“I know,” Mia answers, without any snark, carefully setting down a couple glasses where there’s room. The bottle in her other hand has already been opened, the contents mixed with other things, and hastily sealed again. For once, Mia bothers to wipe the condensation off the bottom before setting it down. “Neither am I.”

This time, her lips curl up at the edges, but the downturn of her eyebrows betrays the bitterness she feels. Another thought dances on her mind, and her mouth makes it halfway open before she discards it, playing the movement off as an exaggerated sigh. Pushing Miranda’s buttons is easy… achieving anything else is Herculean. Part of Mia wonders how far she’s already pushing things, not because she cares about the consequences, simply because she can’t tell.

Leaning her weight against the desk (avoiding the side table like a single touch would kill her), Mia grabs the bottle again, popping the cap off with a flick of her thumb. Almost immediately the smell of strong whiskey drifts around the room. Miranda’s nostrils flare, briefly, the purse of her lips growing tighter. But she says nothing as Mia pours drinks for the both of them, eying them closely to make sure they’re filled evenly. A moment passes, then two, before Mia nudges one of the glasses closer to Miranda.

“I don’t know why I keep you around,” the headmistress says, bringing a little bite to her words to show dominance, her posturing a sad show of deflecting vulnerability. They both know exactly why Mia is still alive, why she’s here, in this town, in this day, in this life. Why she doesn’t slip out the door without a word and disappear forever. All the same reasons keep Miranda here, urging her hands to continue pulling strings, weaving and undoing and weaving and weaving and unmaking with the same heart that compelled Penelope to do the same.

Mia chooses not to point it out. Bites her tongue, nurses the mixed whiskey like it was her last. Lets the burn linger on her tastebuds. Breathes in deep, turning her gaze to the dark sky beyond the office window. A few tiny figures move across the campus grounds, returning from parties or maybe more clandestine affairs, utterly unaware that everything was going to be reset tonight. None of them have even an ounce of worth in her eyes, nor in Miranda’s.

“Nobody else has a clue, do they?” Mia muses, somewhere between a sneer and a giggle. Both halves sound forced. For a moment, she basks in the silence, only to remember she wasn’t one to find comfort in such things after all. A glance towards her companion reveals a raised eyebrow, Miranda not yet parsing her words. The details of the reset were a closely guarded secret, to prevent dissent, but most of her flock understood that something important lay past the dusk. What they didn’t understand is all the more fundamental, built into the very cause they pursued. “They all think they know what we’re missing.” More bitterness in her voice this time, acidity on a slow-drip to her veins, a scoff kicking out some of the weight from her chest.

Something clicks, then, an idea alongside Miranda’s tongue. Dimitrescu imagines her daughters. Beneviento’s grief haunts everything she makes, but the feelings fold into different shapes. Followers flood their senses with Mother’s goals, with her purpose, but they are driven by their devotion to her. Not to her. All the lives in the world, vast and uniquely faceted, and only the two in this room have a clue.

“You don’t love her the way I do,” Miranda whispers, nail guards finding places to pinch her own flesh. Slowly, she uncrosses her legs, and finally reaches for her glass. If there’s any fragility to the way she holds herself now, Mia is kind enough to ignore it, and uncaring enough to leave the pain without relief.

“Mmm, and you don’t love her the way I do,” she breathes. Neither of them are lying. Oddly enough, nor are they challenging each other. Just declaring their surviving differences in this moment of alikeness. “Salut,” Mia adds, ignoring the huff (of irritation or amusement, she cares not to differentiate) from Miranda, but cracks a smile when their glasses raise in sync. A toast to the heart of their shared world, to the central victim of the reset.

There’s no hiding the way Miranda recoils at the concoction, almost a snarl with glinting teeth, the strength of the cheap whiskey hardly diluted by whatever was added to it. Hardly her drink of choice. Yet she runs her finger around the rim of the glass, mirroring the way her tongue flickers across her teeth, savoring the misery of it all. Hauntingly familiar, the closest Mia had ever come to recreating a cursed relic from their past. At least it will get us drunk fast, she had once said, with this same grimace, the icon of their love cheering on the words. Teasing gently about her obsessions with efficiency.

By the time the memory moves beyond her eyelids, the glass in her hands is almost empty. Mia hums a halfhearted tune, pouring another round for Miranda, before pushing herself up from her perch. A few wrinkled papers get left behind, without anyone batting an eye. Everything was pointless tonight, remember? Beautiful nothingness, even stale blood gushing like ichor, almost all things rendered equal.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some poor decisions to make,” Mia suddenly chimes, face twisting up into a visage of mischief, brushing the last of the dust off of her mask. One hand snatches up the bottle, the other smoothes over her leather jacket, subtly ensuring she could still feel the presence of her switchblade in one of the pockets. WIth unabashed glee, she waltzes through the doorway, off to draw blood and make merry with the worst of what the university has to offer.

She only hesitates for a microsecond, as she goes to close the door behind her. Glances back to meet Miranda’s gaze, all-knowing and piercing as ever, the two of them exchanging silent assurances. Their beloved would be remade, eventually, no matter how long it takes. No matter how many times they have to start over. A determination only matched in each other, as universally true as it is unspoken.

#the conversations the two of them could have oh my gooooood #resident lover #mother miranda #mia winters #thinking about them all the time #this is basically a character study for the two of them #i want to (and this is going to sound weird) lick their brains. just a lil bit. #metaphorically. #also in my head mia is about to go be a lil shit and torment Caldwell #but it's a mutually cherished activity soooooo

[notbadforafailedvessel]

Batcina AU - Part I

Not many knew Alcina had another transformation.

Just like her draconic form is the signal of losing control of her mutation, her bat form indicates her most healthy state, feeding herself correctly to keep the reins over the cadou.

However, it's not a form Alcina is fond of turning into because as a bat she's more fragile and vulnerable, making her feel mortal.

Also because it made her feel humiliated. How was it possible that a woman of her height, capable to provoke fear and intimidation ended up turning into a tiny creature that could be considered adorable?

One night, Alcina decides to go out on her own after listening some gossip about hunters, once again, planning to attack the castle, wanting to deal with it once and for all instead of waiting for them.

She spots the group right away, the gang not even bothering to go unnoticed with the torchs in their hands.

Alcina wonders, boringly, licking her claws clean, if humans were becoming more stupìd. She had killed the group so easily. Why even trying an attack when it seemed they didn't even bother to come up with a plan to at least make it thrilling?

The last thing she expected was finding herself surrounded by a bunch of people in the next second.

The village didn't count with such quantity so it was clear that people from other places had joined for the assault.

She fights without hesitation, but sometimes her height ends up being a disadvantage despite her strength.

Alcina had never faced so many people at the same time, much less people who actually counted with a plan for the confrontation, and even though she would have prefered to deal with this on her own, she was aware it wasn't going to be possible.

Despite it wouldn't be enough to kill her, the large amount of weapons coated with holy water and silver bullets striking her skin over and over again were enough to make an impact and weaken her.

She decides what's best is let Mother Miranda know what they are facing, that this time it's wasn't just an heretic group from the village as they were used to but a whole mob.

Alcina turns into a bat, small and nimble, confusing the people around her by her sudden disappearence to fly away.

But there was a hunter with hawk sight that noticed the creature that wasn't common to see in those lands, who is capable to hit the target, piercing Alcina's wing with his arrow before she managed to disappear entirely from his sight.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

You live on the village but somewhat isolated, after experience the nastiness of people, you preferred it that way.

You are getting ready for bed when you listen a crash outside, startling you.

After waiting a few seconds, making sure there wasn't further commotion and waiting for your heartrate to slow down, you decide to investigate.

Holding a lantern, you step outside your cabin, not finding anything out of the ordinary at first sight but then you notice the fallen buckets in the front of your garden shed, knowing that's not how you left them.

You squat in time to see a bat shaking its head, shaking off the dizziness of the hit, using its wings in an attempt to get up just to tumble to the right side, which makes you notice the tear of the wing membrane.

"Oh, you poor thing," you whisper, placing the lantern on the ground, your eyebrows furrowing with concern. Without thinking, you reach out to take the animal in your hands, not surprised when it hisses at you, finally realizing of your presence, but you do stop before achieving your goal. "I know, I know. I just want to help you, I promise." You keep one hand close to the animal so it realizes you are not a threat.

The bat freezes, its golden eyes locking with yours instead of inspecting your offered hand, looking at you in what it could be considered, a scrutinizing way.

You are befuddled by it, used to animals getting desperate in their attempt to escape and seek refuge to lick their wounds. Instead it felt like you are being inspected.

Alcina would prefer to escape and leave the mortification she is feeling behind. But after the unexpected attack she received, it wasn't possible for her to turn into her human form, she was too weak to even try it.

She looked at the person in front of her, knowing she would have to depend of them for a while because she was aware that she wouldn't be capable to make the rest of the flight. For a reason she had fallen during it. Unable to fly or move easily, it wasn't going to be possible to take care of herself on her own.

It wasn't something Alcina liked but needed, reason why she still hissed at them once she finally moved, crawling carefully over the offered hand. She hoped they were smart enough to get the message.

You smile when the bat settles down on your palm, noticing its body fits perfectly on it, its healthy wing folded against it while the other one is spread to the side not to aggravate it further.

You scratch softly the bat's head with your index finger, in a reassuring gesture, to then take the lantern with your free hand and stand up, making your way back to the cabin.

Alcina huffs at the petting. "It seems they aren't smart enough. Or at least they are smart enough to remove their finger before I had the chance to bite it." She sighs dramatically, already abhorring what would come in the next weeks.

Part II, Part III, Part IV

I would like to make a special shoutout to @ctitan98 because watching them share their AUs inspired me to finally share mine instead of keeping them in my mind and most likely never coming to life in any way, lol. Thank you so much for blessing us with your Alcina content!

#alcina dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu #lady dimitrescu x reader #alcina dimitrescu x reader #i've had this au in my mind for so long and i would have loved to write an entire story for it #but my brain has abandoned me when it comes to writing full stories 😭 #so i decided to do this... better than nothing #and when it comes to alcina any kind of content is welcomed amirite? #so i might do more of these :3 #hd.txt #hdad.txt #txt: ad

[niceminipotato]

Hello, everyone 👋🏻. We have finally gotten to the fourth installment of my lil PRIDE fest. I hope you enjoy it. It is really a tad bit too long for what I wanted to do but I have trouble sometimes with length. Hopefully you guys don’t mind. Anyway for this one we have one our favorite sapphic ladies. The Lady actually. Alcina Dimitrescu alongside a very fearless maid. (Y’all should know I didn’t edit because it’s 2:15am and I’m tired. Ok? Ok. Byeee.)

PRIDE - Daring

Change was to be expected after the terrible events which befell The Village. After Mother Miranda’s betrayal and Ethan Winters' sacrifice everything was different. Four families who had only had the Mold in common came together to rebuild. How they had managed to survive was a mystery. Yet Lady Alcina Dimitrescu did not question it. Not when she had been able to bring her daughters back, every single one.

Had Ethan Winters survived she would have done a great deal of things with him. It was good that he had rid them of Miranda but she would never forget how he had hunted and killed her daughters in search of his own. As if his mission to save Rose gave him leave to tear down the world of another parent. Yes, he would have suffered greatly at her hands. The things she had done in a hundred years would have paled in comparison to what she would have done to him.

Nevertheless, Winters was gone along with Miranda and she had her daughters and, as much as she loathed calling them as such, her siblings. Following The Village’s destruction they had all relocated to her castle, which stubbornly stood after the massive explosion that had practically flattened their land.

The Duke had also been spared, though Alcina supposed that was the charm of a man such as him. There when you need him gone when you don't. It was a good thing too as he was now her supplier of blood and meat. They had rebuilt somewhat and new people had begun to arrive and settle in the ruins of The Village. This time around, however, she and her daughters had refrained from recklessly taking people for sustenance. Thus building a better relationship.

With the arrival of new villagers, came new maids. The castle’s policy to hire only women remained. Even with Heisenberg constantly harassing her to change it she did not budge. Two manthings in her home were more than enough. Thus a fresh batch of maids had come in.

Fear was still very much alive. Just because she was trying to be practical did not mean that she would lower herself. She was a countess and the new people living in The Village and within her castle would know their place.

Alcina barely interacted with the maids, leaving Bela in charge of arranging their schedules. The only times she engaged with them was during meals or tea times. At least that was true until she came along.

A woman in her late twenties had come upon The Village late at night at the beginning of winter. The lights of the castle drew her in, shivering and exhausted. Where she had come from she didn’t say. All that she told them was that she had lost everyone and had nothing. Suspicion arose within the inhabitants of the castle for a while but Alcina found herself allowing the young woman to stay.

Elise was her name and she was beautiful. Her beauty, though, was subtle. She was not some ethereal being, she just was. Something Alcina appreciated over a great many things. Brown hair and hazel eyes. Lithe and delicate she stood a few inches short of her daughters. Elise was different. A hard worker through and through. Even Bela seemed surprised by her diligence and quick learning. She was quiet and reserved, her gaze held within years of despair despite her young age.

Oftentimes Alcina found herself craving the young woman’s company. She was uncertain as to why but she enjoyed having Elise around. She had made her a sort of personal maid. Unlike the rest of the staff, Elise was allowed in Alcina’s chambers and study without supervision. The young woman had learned how to discern her moods and quickly identified ways to help her calm. Her presence was almost soothing to an extent so Alcina took to having her clean her study while she worked. There were not many words exchanged, they both simply existed together. Sometimes, though, Alcina could see that flash of sadness across Elise’s face. It was quick like a lightning bolt. It suddenly struck then was no more. Refraining from asking her about her past became a challenge but she was Lady Alcina Dimitrescu and as such she had etiquette to follow.

As time went by the young woman’s quietness slowly melted. The suspicion which had been present at her arrival eased. Elise would spend time with her daughters and her siblings. She never seemed bothered by any of them and their odd characteristics. Her three rambunctious children would seek her out to spend time together. Maybe reading a book or playing. On rare occasions she would hear Donna’s soft crackly voice as she conversed with Elise. What they spoke about she didn’t know but sometimes the fact that they talked made her feel strange. Even Heisenberg and Moreau would seek the young woman out.

Seemingly, Elise had become an important member of her castle. One who her family had become rather attached to. Despite her good will and the relationship she had built with everyone Alcina always kept an eye on her. She may have allowed her to stay when everyone had been against it and allowed for them to bond with her as they had but humans were gullible little things. Anything could make them turn, their loyalty fickle, and that was something she would not have. Alcina would raze the world before facing the possibility of losing her family all over again.

******

With Miranda gone and new villagers came new challenges. Together the four Lords had managed to erect a barrier. However, their barrier was nothing compared to Miranda’s and as such it could be infiltrated. No longer were they invisible to the world that surrounded them. They were seen as a threat even when they had mostly changed their ways. Yet they could not blame the world surrounding them for fearing them. Alcina and her family were, afterall, different.

Their unnaturalness and years of terror had earned them the attention of different government agencies. Agencies, which seemed hellbent on eradicating them or at least capturing them for experimentation. Groups of humans or genetically engineered beings were sent through their barrier constantly. Thankfully, the villagers seemed to greatly mislike the outsiders for some reason or another. The moment someone new stepped foot in The Village the castle was notified there were hunters, as the people had taken to calling them, near.

The castle would always be on high alert when notified of suspicious activity. Maids were sent to the servant quarters to keep safe but mostly out of the way, leaving only few to tend to the family’s needs. Heisenberg would ready the Lycans he still had left while Moreau and Donna remained on standby. Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela always stayed in the castle to defend it. Because of their susceptibility to the cold, staying in the castle was also good for the three.

It fell to Alcina and Heisenberg to intercept the teams before they reached the castle. In great part due to them, the castle had never been infiltrated and even the villagers were mostly spared. It was true that Alcina alone could deal with incoming threats but Heisenberg had argued so much against it that on that issue at least she had conceded.

******

Dinner was being served when Elise quietly interrupted her meal. The young woman approached her while her daughters regaled the table with tales of their extreme game of hide and seek.

“My lady, we received a message from Mr. Rousseau.”

Alcina cleaned the corners of her mouth with a napkin before leaning closer to her maid. “Continue.”

“He spotted a team of twelve.”

“How many dear sis?” Heisenberg shouted from the other end of the table.

“Mind your manners.” Alcina huffed.

“Oh pardon me m’lady.”

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes she nodded at Elise who then relayed the information to the rest of the table. Bela was out of her chair and calling for the maids to get to their quarters. Cassandra and Daniela headed over to their designated sides of the castle to guard and keep watch. Moreau whiningly made his way out of the dining room as well with Donna and Angie following behind.

“My boys will keep an eye on the grounds. Move your giant ass. Let’s go.” Heisenberg called as he made his way out.

“One of these days I will leave him to die like a dog.” Alcina muttered.

“I shall have your bath ready when you come back, my lady.” Elise said beside her. “And evening tea as well.”

“See that you do.” Alcina stood and headed to the door to which the young woman replied as she always did.

“As you wish, my lady.” It wasn’t until she had almost reached the door that she heard something else coming from her. “Please come back safe.”

Elise’s last words were so soft that without her heightened hearing she would have missed them. Alcina froze then glanced back but the maid was already clearing the table of perishables and heading to the kitchens. A million and one questions surfaced in her head at the young woman’s words, at the concern etched in them. However, now was not the time to dwell on such things. Heisenberg was calling for her from the main foyer and she very much hated his cajoling.

******

“You stupid moron.”

“Enough!” She hissed through gritted teeth.

She supposed the biggest change after Miranda and Ethan was her regeneration. Following her run in with that cursed blade her fast healing had become stunted. She could still heal everything but the speed of which she regenerated became slower even when she had blood.

“Why’d you get in the way?” Heisenberg bit out while still holding the makeshift bandages in place.

“Because had I not then you would be dead.” Alcina replied angrily. “I thought your whole argument rested on the fact that you need not be protected because you could do that yourself. Yet there you were not paying attention. Too distracted by your damned mutts.”

“I would’ve been fine. I know I would’ve.”

“You know nothing. You imbecile.”

“Mother!” The agitated voices of her daughters finally reached them as they made their way up the stairs.

“What happened?”

“I will kill those manthings.”

“Are you going to be ok?”

Forcing a smile she tried to calm her daughters. “Hush dears. I am fine. ‘Tis but a scratch.”

The girls looked over her wounds then to their uncle, who shook his head. Heiseberg ignored her glare and only held onto her bandages despite her trying to pull away. Daniela led the way to her chambers while Cassandra briefly swarmed away before returning with the emergency kit.

The group marched on with her silently and soon Donna with Angie along Moreau joined the small entourage. The doll perched herself on her good shoulder without warning and she resisted the urge to send it flying as she watched Donna looking up at her. It seemed as though her sister had sent Angie to check the wounds she herself couldn’t see.

Alcina had half a mind to yell at them all for hovering. She needed no help. She was strong and everything would be fine come morning. Being rude was not something she wanted to do. Snapping at Heisenberg was one thing, he deserved it after all, but everyone else was there out of concern. Still their concern for her only made her feel weak and she was anything but.

As they reached her chambers her door opened before any of them could try. Elise’s troubled eyes met hers before scanning over her. Alcina could feel her ever slow beating heart begin to pick up the pace under such scrutiny. The young woman stood in silence for a few seconds before Heisenberg decided to break the atmosphere.

“Whatever she says ain’t true, El. It ain’t my fault the crazy giant stood in the way.”

The coldness with which Elise regarded Heisenberg almost made her shiver and set the hairs in the back of her neck on end. Never had she witnessed this frigid demeanor from the young woman.

“I believe you’ve done enough, Lord Heisenberg.” Her voice was just as cold as her eyes and Heisenberg flinched a step back.

“Why’re you being like this? I didn’t do nothing.”

“You should go deal with whatever it is the lycans are bringing before they make a mess.”

“But—”

“You really should leave.”

“Ah fine.” He let go of Alcina to wave his arms around and turned around muttering under his breath.

The cold in those hazel eyes flashed quickly a deep fire as anger took over Elise’s features. Everyone surrounding Alcina seemed to have noticed as well, growing tense and keeping quiet. Bela had quickly taken over holding her bandages in place and moved to walk her inside her chambers. That was until she pulled away.

“Enough, I know you are all trying to help but it is not necessary.”

“But Mother we could—” Bela seemed to want to argue but she interrupted with a small smile.

“Not necessary.”

“A-are you sure sister?” Moreau asked, hobbling closer.

“I am certain. Please go tend to the rest of the castle. Heisenberg should be bringing the remains soon.”

“Call if you need something.” Donna’s soft voice came through her veil before Angie’s shriek filled the air. “I will sing you a lullaby!”

“Much appreciated.” Alcina hid her wince as she nodded at her sister and handed her doll over.

“Mother—” Daniela began but once more she interrupted.

“My dears, you need to deal with whatever Heisenberg brings in. I am perfectly able to deal with my wounds.”

Cassandra shook her head, “Mother, we can—”

“Girls,” Elise spoke calmly and took the emergency kit from the brunette, “do as the lady says. I shall ensure she has everything she needs.”

Her three daughters looked at each other as if they were having their own silent conversation before nodding and looking back at Elise. Daniele swarmed up towards her leaving a kiss on her cheek quickly followed by Cassandra. Bela waited a bit while her sisters moved down the hall throwing glances over their shoulders.

“Elise, if you need anything please call us. Anything at all.”

“As the lady says everything will be fine.” Elise gave the blonde a gentle smile.

Bela hummed before as her sisters before her she turned her lower body into a swarm of flies floating up to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Mother. And I know you don’t like it but I will check on you in a few hours.”

“I love you too, bug. Off you go.”

Bela grinned up at her before fully swarming and heading over to her sisters. Alcina listened to their excited swarms for a few seconds before focusing on the only other person left. Elise waited patiently before her. She seemed calmer now, a bit more collected than she did before. Hazel eyes zeroed in on her injured shoulder and arm before backing into the room.

Ducking carefully, Alcina entered her chambers unable to stifle the hiss moving in such a manner brought her. Pain laced her entire upper right shoulder and arm all the way down to her fingertips. The door shut gently behind her and she glanced over her shoulder to find the young woman’s eyes on her.

“My lady, the bath is ready for you when you are ready.”

“Good. Leave the kit there. You are dismissed.” She said heading towards the bench in front of her vanity.

“I could—”

Alcina was tired of all the hovering and coddling from her family. To receive the same kind of concern from a maid felt more like pity and pity was not something she would ever accept. Anger rose in her chest and she turned to face Elise.

“I said you are dismissed!”

“But you are hurt and I can—”

“Leave!” Her voice came out as more of a roar than anything else. She expected the young woman to cower but what she got was a resilient expression.

“No!” Elise exclaimed.

Ire filled rushed through her veins sending her blood into a boil and she could feel the beast within shift as her claws slid out, “you dare—”

“I dare.” Elise stared back at her without an ounce of fear. “You may kill me later. I could really care less. Now, however, you will sit and let me take care of your wounds, Lady Dimitrescu.”

Alcina stood frozen in place at Elise’s brazenness. The display of courage and her disregard for her life in the face of an apex predator were something to be admired. Even the beast within took pause at the young woman’s display.

“I’m waiting, my lady.”

At her words and still shocked she wordlessly obliged and sat at the bench watching as Elise took the stepping stool and set herself beside her.

After setting the emergency kit and freshly made bandages on the vanity Elise turned her attention to her wounds. Taking her arm in her hands she moved it cradling ever so gently as if one wrong move and it would shatter. Alcina was not used to that level of care from anyone, not even her own daughters. Bela was always careful but Elise was acting as if she would break under even the barest press of her fingers.

“I am not made of glass.” She finally said and in an instant hazel eyes met hers.

“I’m well aware.” Elise grabbed some cleaning solution and began to gently clear away the dried blood. “You can be the strongest being in the world but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cared for.”

“Is this your way of appeasing me after blatantly disregarding my orders?” Alcina lifted a brow.

“I told you already. You can do whatever you wish after I’m done.”

“You are strange.”

Elise scoffed but still kept her attention on the wound extending from her forearm to her elbow. “Maybe. I’ll need to stitch this.” She lifted her gaze as if she were asking permission.

“Do you really have to ask? You have done as you wished so far.”

“That may be true but still I will ask. May I stitch your arm,” she stopped and glanced at the wound on her shoulder, “and your shoulder?”

“Do as you wish.”

Alcina turned away from her and focused on their reflection in the mirror. After a hum Elise set to work as usual, quietly and diligently but now with a side of care and gentleness. The silence stretched between them for the minutes during which the young woman cleaned and stitched her up. At any miniscule show of discomfort, even without really looking at her, Elise would halt her movements and give her a few seconds to collect herself.

It was not long before all the blood and debris had been cleared off of the wounds. Elise had done remarkably well, which if Alcina was honest with herself did not surprise her in the least. The young woman never complained about standing and stretching in such uncomfortable ways. She did what she had to in order to help her and that was that.

“Would you mind if I checked on the bath? I think I may have taken longer than I thought I would so the water may not be as warm as you like. I apologize.”

“Go on.”

Elise bowed her head then climbed down the stepping stool before heading to the adjoining bathroom. Alcina inspected her injuries while the young woman was gone. She could still feel the ghost of nimble fingers gently grazing her skin. Her heart beat at an alarming pace and she wondered if it was due to the injuries or if it was something else.

“My lady?” Elise’s voice drew her from her thoughts. “The bath is ready. I already spread the salts and oils. At the risk of overstepping—please mind your wounds.”

Alcina scoffed and looked at the young woman, “at the risk of overstepping, you say?”

“I am aware my behavior was unacceptable.” Elise dropped into a deep bow. “I am deeply sorry.”

Standing, Alcina made her way towards the still bowing young woman before reaching down and lifting her face with a finger under her chin. She did not miss the surprised gasp nor the way the young woman’s heart sped up. Flushed cheek, Elise looked more beautiful than before and her gaze held so much that Alcina fought to remain calm herself.

“If you would be so kind as to help me this evening. I’m afraid maneuvering in the bathroom might be a tad bit too painful on my own.”

Truthfully she had no idea where her words came from or how she allowed herself to speak in such a way. Elise swallowed hard and she found herself watching the bob of her throat as she did, feeling a thirst like no other watering her mouth.

“Yes, my lady.” Her voice was so soft that Alcina almost missed it. “It would be my pleasure to help.”

“So very kind of you.”

Pulling away she watched Elise almost chase her hand before catching herself and straightening up. An involuntary smirk settled on her lips while she entered the bathroom listening intently as the young woman behind her took a deep steadying breath.

The smell of lavender and citrus wafted through the bathroom while steam lifted from the water in her tub. Behind her she heard careful steps that came to a halt just beside the tub itself. When she moved to reach for the buttons of her dress a hum stopped her.

“Please allow me.”

Elise made quick work of the buttons and soon Alcina let the dress fall down her body and pool at her feet.

“I think it may be better to get rid of this one, my lady. I’m afraid not even Lady Beneviento would be able to mend this.”

“You would be correct. Do get rid of it. Set out a nightgown and bring me fresh underwear.” Reaching behind her to undo her bra had a hiss leaving her lips. “Useless manthings.” She grumbled.

“It may be inappropriate but I can help.”

“Go on.”

Once more soft gentle fingers grazed her skin sending a ripple up and down her spine. Feeling heat spreading across her cheeks and a slight tickle in her stomach made her gasp. There was absolutely no way she was blushing at the mere touch of another. The way her body was reacting was wholly impossible. She was not made to feel things such as these. She was not human and only humans were gullible enough to feel things such as these.

“My lady, are you alright?”

Elise’s concerned tone brought her back to herself so she cleared her throat and took a deep breath before letting her bra fall. “I am. Please do as I told you. I will be done shortly.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

Waiting until the door shut Alcina then set about taking off the rest of her garments before entering the tub. The moment she sank in she felt her body completely relax and she let out a pleased hum. For a moment she allowed herself to just be, completely tuning out everything that wasn’t her or the water gently lapping around her just before it settled.

After her moment of complete disconnection she tuned back into her surroundings. She began to wash herself being mindful of her still healing injuries. Behind the closed door she could hear Elise moving about.

The whole situation with the young woman was strange. Never once in her seventy years as a mutated being had she faced someone like her. While it was true that Ethan Winters had disrupted her entire being and challenged her like no one had before it wasn’t the same. Elise had challenged her, yes, and she had also disrupted her whole being but it was so much different.

The young woman cared about her and her family in a way no one truly had. She made quick friends with siblings and became something more than a friend to her daughters. And then there was Elise with her.

In the face of death she had stood without fear. Like a stone against which the water crashed but could not move. Elise made her feel things she did not understand. Things she had forgotten she had once desired. Slowly she had ingrained herself into her life. Slowly then all at once and it was just now that Alcina was becoming more aware of just how deep that young brown haired and hazel eyed woman had rooted herself.

A soft knock on the door had her glancing over her shoulder.

“Should I leave your clothes in here? Or would you rather I set the screen for you?” Elise asked, her eyes focused on her feet.

“Why should I have to dress her or behind the screen?”

“Oh, I only mean to respect your privacy, my lady.”

Her stammering was sweet enough to tease but Alcina felt somewhat merciful. “You pretend to stay in my chambers tonight?”

“I-I uh I…” Elise’s cheeks turned several shades of red before settling on a deep crimson. “Your daughters came by and wanted to stay. I may have convinced them to let you rest on the condition that I’d watch over you.”

“I have no need for a nanny.” Alcina snapped quietly, though she felt her chest warm at her daughters’ concern.

“I know you don’t, my lady. But I assumed you’d rather one set of eyes instead of three.”

“I suppose.” She conceded. “Leave my clothes here.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Some shuffling of fabrics then the door was shut once more and she was again alone with her thoughts and her feelings.

Allowing herself a few more minutes of soaking in the sweet and citrusy water, Alcina leaned her head back and closed her eyes, willing her heart to calm. A night with only Elise for company would surely be an arduous task to complete but she had never been one to cower before a challenge.

In the silence she wondered what would happen should she allow herself to feel freely. She also wondered what went on in Elise’s little head—what moved her to act in the way she had towards her. Between the two questions that at least was something she was more willing to explore.

One deep and calming breath and she was getting out of the tub and reaching for a towel. She patted herself dry and put on her clothes, chuckling at the fact she had been limited to getting ready for bed in the bathroom instead of her own room. Once done she headed out.

Soft candlelight bathed the room in a delicate golden glow. Not all of them were lit, just enough that visibility was good—she needn’t much but still it was nice. Elise stood by the window unaware she had finally stepped out of the bathroom.

Alcina allowed herself a few minutes to observe the young woman in silence. Standing in the moonlight looking at nothing in particular, Elise was breathtaking. She almost wished she could paint her. Maybe one day. Just not today.

“Good choice.”

Elise turned abruptly, “pardon me, my lady. I didn’t notice you came back.”

“Clearly. Good choice on nightgowns. This one is by far one of my more comfortable ones.” Alcina moved to her bed noticing the covers had been pulled back so that she may just slip in.

“Daniela brought a carafe of new blood for you.” Elise walked over to the table in which a tray sat with said carafe and a glass. “Would you like some now?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

“Right away.”

Sitting at the edge of the bed Alcina waited for the young woman to bring her favored drink. Elise made her way to her carefully and handed her the cup while she moved the carafe from the tray to her bedside table. That sweet coppery scent reached her and her hunger hit her like a wave. She drank the whole cup in two gulps. Unflinchingly, Elise filled cup after cup until the whole carafe was gone.

“Would you like me to get more? We must have gotten a fresh supply today.” Elise offered.

“How are you this comfortable with my cumsumption of blood?” She asked instead of responding.

“What do you mean?”

“You talk as though it does not bother you. Yet you are human. It is the blood of your species that I crave more than anything. I can drink ten of you dry and still want more. Despite that, here you stand offering me more without so much as a care.”

“You need it the same way I need animal meat. I don’t see a difference.” Elise spoke and despite how much she looked for it Alcina could find no traces of lies in her words or expression.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you care for us? For me?” Alcina just could not understand her. “We… I am… I am nothing but a m—”

“If you dare finish that sentence I will climb up there and slap you.” Elise spat. “Do not ever call yourself that. Never. Do you understand me?” She looked so angry while she spoke as if Alcina had somehow offended her. “Your siblings are amazing. Unusual, yes. But amazing still. And your daughters, they are unlike anyone I’ve ever met. A bit peculiar and rambunctious. Sadistic also—I will not deny that—but wonderful in every way. And you…”

Alcina felt an unfamiliar prickle in her eyes as she listened to the young woman. Never had she encountered someone as daring as her. She threatened her in the same wavelength expressed her love—because that’s what it was, love—for her family. Her hazel eyes filled with unshed tears as she found the words to express what Alcina was to her.

“You are no monster. You are beautiful, breathtakingly so. You are strong and loving. Caring and kind in your own way.” Tears slid down pink cheeks but Elise continued despite them. “I know of your past. I know what you’ve done. But I also know your present.” She swallowed hard. “I know what you can become. I know what you would become for the people of this castle. A dragon cares for its own. Does it not, my lady?”

Where her voice came from she had no idea, because the lump in her throat sat heavy. “It does.”

“I have met many monsters.” A sad smile sat on Elise’s face. “So many monsters. You are not one of them. So I will never allow anyone to refer to any of you as such. I lost so much when I got here. I had nothing and no one. And swore I would never let anyone else that close. But it seems I’m an oath breaker because you all sneaked in and burrowed yourself within. You are all now my family.”

It felt like a bucket of ice cold water had fallen upon her waking her from her daydreaming. Whatever Alcina had thought the young woman felt towards her was not real. A family is what she them all as. A family, which could only mean she saw her as a mother. And really what could she see? Alcina was stuck forever in her mid-forties. She may be beautiful but to a twenty-something year old that was nothing.

“Family.” Alcina let out feeling herself hollow out, tearing her gaze from the young woman before her. “So to you I must be like a mother?”

A light chuckle brought her back to Elise who was doing her best to wipe the tears from her face. Hazel eyes met hers and a soft smile etched itself into the young woman’s face.

“Seeing you as a mother might make the way I want to kiss you rather complicated.”

“W-what did you say?”

Not once in all her years had Lady Alcina Dimitrescu stammered the way she just had. Elise simply looked at her, her head tilted with her soft smile and warm eyes.

Alcina was unsure from where the young woman had pulled the stepping stool but Elise was now perched on it, their gazes leveled. Alcina’s hands twitched at her sides when Elise gently cradled her face. Bated breath, she waited unmoving to see just what the young woman would do.

“I don’t see you as a mother, my foolish lady.” Despite her tears, Elise let out a chuckle.

“That’s… good.”

“So eloquent.” She giggled and Alcina decided that was the best sound she had ever heard.

Hazel eyes filled with tears once more and her hands began to shake. Elise leaned forward and rested her forehead against hers, her lips quivering slightly. Alcina's heart raced at their closeness and she refused to breathe or acknowledge the way she herself began to tremble.

“I know what happened today can happen again. I know even if I beg you would still go out there. You have to.” A light whimper escaped Elise’s lips. “Just please make sure you come back. I know how strong you are but Alcina please. I have lost so much already and I know you are different. I know you are stronger. But please just say you will come back. Please.”

Pulling away from her soft hands, she lifted her head enough to place a kiss on Elise’s forehead, lingering for a moment to say, “I will always come back to you, my daring girl.”

“Aww, that is so cute! You were right, Bela?”

The delighted squeal from Daniela had them jumping apart. Elise seemed to lose her balance but one quick movement from Alcina and she had her resting against her chest instead.

“Dani, hush!” Cassandra hissed, attempting to be more quiet but failing miserably.

“Both of you shhh.”

Elise made to move away but Alcina only held her tighter in place, “stay?” At her nod Alcina pulled her gently onto her lap before looking to the closed door. “Bugs? You may come in.”

“What if we don’t want to?” Cassandra asked.

“I want to.” Daniela whined.

“Be quiet.” Bela hissed. “A-are you decent, Mother?”

“Bela Dimitrescu.” She admonished while Elise attempted to cover her giggle with a cough.

“I was only—”

“Inside. All three of you.”

The buzzing swarm of her beloved trio dove under her door and into the room. Cassandra materialized with her hands covering her eyes, while Daniela beamed at them and Bela stared at the floor apologetically.

“So when do we get to call Elise mom?” Daniela asked happily.

“Daniela, we haven’t even… what I mean is… well I just…” And once more Lady Alcina Dimitrescu had been reduced to a stammering blubbering mess.

“I just told her I loved her, girls. Be patient.”

Suddenly the giggles coming from her daughters disappeared along with her chambers to leave only the woman she now had on her lap. What Elise had just said was a lie. She hadn’t told her she loved her. She had just—

“Alcina?” A soft hand caressed her cheek gently as ever. “Are you alright?”

“Elise broke Mother.” Cassandra snickered in the background.

Alcina ignored her and focused instead on those hazel eyes. “You just said you love me.”

“Alcina,” Elise frowned, “after everything that just happened. After everything I just said. Could you not guess what I felt? What I feel?”

“But I’m a m—”

Soft lips covered her own in an instant. She shuddered at the feeling as did the beast inside. Parts she had thought long dead sparked throughout her. Bumps rose all over her skin and she burned. Burned brightly in an all consuming fire. To this miserable world Elise had sparked it all. It was as though Alcina had been sleepwalking through life. And now she was awake.

Elise pulled away and she opened her eyes, not entirely sure of when she had opened them. “I told you not to call yourself that.”

“If I recall correctly you said you’d slap me if I did.” Alcina managed a smirk though inside she was swooning like a schoolgirl.

“My daring self thought a kiss might be better to keep you from talking.”

“Adorable!”

“Ew.”

“Shhh.”

“Sorry I forgot you all were here.” Elise turned to the girls.

“We’re aware.” Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Anyway since we now know Mother is in good hands let's get back to the cellar. I’m still hungry.”

“Just make sure you don’t bring all that blood up the stairs to the kitchen, you three.” Elise groaned.

“Yes, mom!” Daniela cheered and swarmed away quickly followed by a giggling Cassandra.

“Uh… still let us know if you need something?” Bela gave them a small smile before she also swarmed away.

“I should’ve asked them to bring you another one.” Elise motioned to the empty carafe. “I’ll go get you some more.” She moved to stand and once more Alcina held her in place.

“No, I had more than enough.” Elise seemed unconvinced by her words. “Stay.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

“Shall I tell you a secret, my daring draga?” Alcina pressed her forehead to Elise’s, grinning widely when she rubbed their noses together. “I love you too.”

#happy pride 🌈 #Pride fic fest #lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu #re8 alcina #alcina x oc

[brienneoftarth1989]

Hey guys little update! So I’ve been put on a new antidepressant which is making me sleepy and giving me more headaches. Apparently are normal side effects and should ease off in time. I will try my best to post as much as I can but my posts may be a little spread out. Still taking requests though!

Bullied

Miranda Hilmarson x fem reader

Summary: Miranda is getting fed up with work. She is teased and bullied all day at work due to her height and looks. To make things worse her partner at work Robin just makes everything harder. Thankfully you as her friend were always there for her and would make an effort every night to go to her so she could vent about her day.

Warnings: None

Requests open

———————————

Miranda has always been used to bullies. She had experienced it a lot growing up as a child all because she was taller than most girls her age and therefore making her different. She thought that as she got older that the bullying would stop but boy was she wrong. Then when she got into her line of work, again believed that the bullying would stop but she was wrong once again.

She was getting sick of it all. Her colleagues have never seemed to like her. They called her a man due to her height and androgynous looks. They also didn’t like her personality. She was way too bubbly for their liking so would tease and make fun of her. Some days they would ignore her all day even when she was trying to communicate with her colleagues.

You would like to think that she would just quit her job and find a new one but she has tried that before and the outcome would still be the same. For some reason she just couldn’t make friends at work. So when she finally found a job she liked she decided to just stick around and deal with the bullying because she knew that if she left it would just start again at her new place of work.

To top things off she has recently been partnered with a new detective called Robin and for whatever reason they don’t seem to be getting on well either. Miranda tried to be nice but Robin wouldn’t open up and now takes every little problem that happens in the case out on Miranda and she was having enough.

There are some days where it all just gets too much and she thinks to herself what is the point? Why bother fighting anymore when all she gets back in return is hate. The only person who has ever been there for her was you.

You and Miranda have been friends since you were teenages. You met at high school after the two of you were partnered together for a school project. You honestly didn’t think a friendship would develop between the two of you, not because you didn’t like Miranda but because you were very introverted and she was very extroverted.

You were both considered outcasts by your peers and that was one thing you could bond over. The more time you spent with one another the more you realised how much you both had in common. Fast forward 10 years later and the two of you were closer than ever. You knew that Miranda was struggling mentally at the moment and you wanted to do your best to support her.

You knew first hand dealing with your own depression and anxiety that support was important. So therefore you made it your task to visit Miranda each night after work providing that she wanted you to visit and you weren’t busy. It was always a fun night. Due to the amount of time you two would spend with each other you would take it in turns on who provided the drinks and snacks.

Tonight it was your turn. You had already received a text message from Miranda stating she really needed you to come round tonight. You were thankful that Miranda was your only friend so you never had to worry about plans clashing.

Tonight you decided you were going to order Chinese food which you would collect on your way to Miranda’s for when she got off shift. You decided to order from your favourite Chinese restaurant Wing On. Your order was always the same, pan fried pork dumplings, crispy shredded beef, duck in plum sauce, beef chow mein, egg fried rice and of course prawn crackers which always came with every order.

To wash everything down you decided that a couple bottles of apple cider would do just nicely. You called the restaurant immediately knowing that you would have to wait to collect it. After placing your order you were told it would be about 45 minutes before you could collect which worked out perfectly. Miranda got off shift in half an hour which would give her time to freshen up after she finished her shift. You decided it was best to text Miranda to let her know what was going on.

[ You ] Ordered Chinese for dinner tonight. Will be ready to collect in 45 minutes so will pick it up on the way to your apartment. Also have apple ciders to drink.

[ Miranda ] Ooooo that sounds nice. Ok well let me know once you have collected the food and I will make sure I’m ready for your arrival.

[ You ] Ok see you shortly.

You put your phone down and got yourself ready for the evening. Yes you were only going to see Miranda but you still had to walk down the streets, to the Chinese restaurant before you would even arrive at her apartment. Therefore you decided on having a quick shower before putting on minimal makeup and doing your hair.

You checked the time and realised it was getting close to the collection time so you put on your shoes and grabbed a jacket before heading out the door. The Chinese restaurant was only a 10 minute walk away so you put on your headphones and headed down to the restaurant.

When you finally arrived you gave them your order number to which they responded it would be another 5 minutes. You didn’t mind. You were in no rush so you sat down in a chair and texted Miranda.

[ You ] Just at the Chinese restaurant. Gonna be another 5 minutes until the food is ready and then will be round to you. So probably another 15 minutes.

[ Miranda ] Ok cool. See you shortly

You liked the message letting Miranda know you had seen it before scrolling through your phone.

“Order number 85” a young woman called out. You looked up to where the voice came from before standing up to grab the food. “That will be $45.24 all together. Would you like to pay cash or card?” they asked you.

“Cash please” you said, grabbing your purse and pulling out a handful of notes and some coins trying to get as close to the amount owed as possible. “Keep the change” you said, grabbing the bag of food and heading to Miranda’s apartment.

When you finally arrived you let yourself into her apartment. You too are so close now that formalities have been thrown out the window. “Miranda I’m here” you shouted through her apartment as you walked into the kitchen placing the food onto the countertop.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Today has been hell for me” Miranda said as she walked into the kitchen, grabbing the two bottles of cider before opening and pouring it into two glasses.

“Well, let's plate up this food and you can tell me all about it” you said, unpacking the bag and spreading the hot containers along the counter top. The two of you plated up the food you wanted before grabbing your drinks and heading into the living room so you could let Miranda talk about her day.

“So what made today so bad” you asked before shovelling some food into your mouth which made you let out an enjoyable moan.

“Well, where do I even begin?” she laughed as she too had a mouthful of her dinner. “Lets see, well first it started with my colleagues that always seem to tease me for no reason. I overheard them say to Robin, my partner, that she works with a freak and believe it or not that I am a woman and not a man” she sighed.

You could tell that she was getting sick of her workplace and you were getting sick of knowing all these things which you could do nothing about. If you had it your way you would go down to the station and tell them all what’s what but you knew that it would just make things worse for Miranda.

“That’s ridiculous Miranda. I really don’t know why you don’t say anything to your supervisor. There must be something they can do” you tried to plead with her. “I’ve tried y/n, I really have but the problem is they are all friends so they don’t do anything because really they just don’t care” she said to you.

“Ok then, what about finding a new job?” you asked her. “Like I’ve said before, it's the same for me no matter where I go. Plus I like this job. There is always something new to do so might as well stay in a job I like even if my colleagues treat me like shit” she laughed but you could hear the pain behind it.

“Ok then, well what else happened today” you sighed knowing that she was stubborn and wouldn’t really listen to your suggestions. “Umm..well after that me and Robin got called in for a meeting with our supervisor” she said before taking another mouthful of food. “Yeah and how did that go?” you asked her.

“It went horrible. I basically got accused of being a crap partner and that she would rather be working with anyone else. The bitch hasn’t even given me a chance. I’ve tried to, trust me, she just doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. I don’t know what else I can do to please that woman” she huffed, getting angry at just the thought of it all.

“Have you tried a bonding exercise?” you asked your friend trying to calm her down anyway you could. “Oh I’ve mentioned it a number of times. I’ve suggested many types of bonding exercises and she won’t try any of them. Her exact words were ‘I don’t need to do a bonding exercise with you because you won’t be my partner for much long’.”

“That bitch!” you basically yelled. “I know tell me about it” Miranda said while rolling her eyes. “Is there any way you can switch partners?” you asked, taking a sip of your drink. “Not if I want to keep my job at the station. Plus I’m currently on an active case which means there is no chance of me swapping partners” Miranda half smiled at you.

“That sucks then” you said, giving her a small smile trying to show your comforting side. “Yeah it is. This case also sucks as well. Robin won’t listen to any of my suggestions but she still manages to use them but claiming the idea as her own. I’ve helped solve half of this case and not been credited with a single thing” she moaned, now getting angry at Robin for stealing her ideas.

“That truely does suck Miranda. Once this case has closed, try and see if you can trade partners” you said to Miranda. “Yeah, I’m going to try and see if they can trade because I’m getting sick of working with that woman. Tomorrow I have to go down to the beach with them all as they believe the suspect will be down there. The sooner this case is over the better” she sighed.

“Well take it one day at a time. They can only get better and you know that I will always be here for you no matter what happens” you said smiling at your friend. “I’m glad I have you y/n. I don’t know what I would do without you” she smiled back at you.

The rest of the evening flew by. You continued to talk about both of your lives as you finished your dinner and drinks. By the time the night came to an end it was almost 23:00. You grabbed your belongings before getting a taxi home. It wasn’t a long walk home but at this time of night and considering your friend was dealing with an active murder case you decided it was better to get a taxi home instead of walking.

Once you arrived home you got changed and jumped straight into bed. You only hoped that things would get better for your friend.

#gwendoline christie #gwendolineuniverse #fanfics #caring #comfort #friends #miranda hilmarson x reader #miranda hilmarson #chinese takeaway #venting #girls night #chats #bullied #brienneoftarth1989

[ravensuizo]

95 Theses (Meower's version), Everyone is Miranda

Hello good people! This is part 2 of @alexandroseleven post [HERE], which laid the foundations for me to explain this theory. The next posts will be at @zeleneagle [HERE], @h-doodles [HERE] and @lapisdemon22 [HERE] respective blogs, who will continue to explain what happened last night.

SO LET'S BEGIN

THIS was us last night, playing around, saying stuff to see if something would eventually stick. Up to this point we had slandered Alcina, Cass was slowly becoming Miranda, then KJ said it. Let's zoom in on her messages for a moment.

That's when it hit me. Perhaps I'm not as delulu as I thought?

For context, the night before yesterday I had been working on a theory with the help of both Lee and Myrddin, said theory talked about the possibility of all Dimitrescu's and Beneviento's representing a side, a stage you may say, of Miranda's life. Like pieces to a giant puzzle.

EVERYONE IS MIRANDA.

So, I know it sounds far fetched, but let me explain from the beginning.

First of all, let's begin with Bela (<3). She's been cooked and served in the past, we can officially describe her as the kinder, caring version of Miranda, the one that always has MC's back and viceversa, as confirmed by the devs with the Parallels Theory. I will quote Cinder in this:

"When MC is in need of care, Bela goes to their “territory” with soup to aid them despite “not caring”. Although she’s pissed, she still helps them when they need it, and they only go to Bela’s dorm when they’re both feeling better and have the capability of saying no. Bela goes to MC, not the other way around, and there is always a choice."

"When MC is in need of care, Miranda takes them to her home. It doesn’t even occur to her to take them back to their dorm where their friends are waiting and concerned. She takes them to her place, where she feels like she is most in control of her environment and how people function and there is barely a choice at all in the matter as MC is literally drugged out of their mind in her car. Eventually, they make it back to their dorm safe and sound, and they are taken care of well enough to not feel endangered." 

They have similar responses when caring for MC, completely parallel to each other, Bela for the better and Miranda for the worst. Which leads me to think, is there a possibility Miranda could have acted like Bela with Feather? That she once was the right side of the coin?

We know Miranda and Feather met in 1976, they crash into each other and even though Feather apologizes inmmediately, she's still met with a "Get out of my way." From Miranda. However, the very next piece of info we get on this flashback is this:

"You rear back, you know - somewhere in your bones - that she is mean. She has a propensity for cruelty, especially if someone wrongs her. It is the only way she has survived this long."

I find that last part quite interesting. It seems Miranda's cruelty very foundations come from external pressure, people wronging her, society perhaps? In the 70s and even up until today, misogyny was a very common factor in society, no doubt, something that could have affected Miranda. If keeping her mean persona up meant respect from others, it would only make sense to keep it on, this is further proved by another part of the same flashback:

"You have been balancing precariously in the realm between friends and more, but neither of you have wanted to risk the societal persecution that would follow if you were to be wrong."

Society continues to fuck things up I guess.

Anyways, back to Miranda can be kind ramble, Miranda personally searches for Feather to apologize. This is a version of Miranda we do not see with MC, however is a version we see Bela perform.

Which leads me to believe that Bela in reality represents the old Miranda, the one who would care for Feather and would no doubt fight her mean instincts to make her happy. The one who would be softer with Feather when away from prying eyes and judgmental voices that could very well destroy them both.

Interesting connections do NOT end here.

If Bela and Donna (talking about her a bit further in the post) can share traits with Miranda, who says the rest can't?

If there's someone people haven't talked enough about, it's Dani. Our girl is gathering dust, but why?

I began thinking about her, analyzing her route. Dani cannot fall in love, because she's cursed to become a beast when she does by Miranda. Her route is almost like a fairytale, isn't it? The friendliness, the sweetness, the way only MC can break the curse by choosing to stay (which is vastly different from Bela's route, in which if you choose to stay and support her, you get killed).

So, I began cooking with that. I think Dani is the perfect representation of young first love, the innocence that it brings and the cruelness of when it ends. Daniela is cursed to become a beast that brings a finale to her own fairytale.

She represents the monster you become when love has to end.

That clear, I believe that in this theory, Daniela represents Miranda's grief after losing not only Eva, but also Feather. Her young love, who was killed just a bit after her daughter. She would move the sun and the moon for them, create a cult of followers, create experiments and discover inmortality, she would make a beast out of herself just for them.

If Eva stayed, if Feather stayed, I assure you Miranda wouldn't have becomed the beast.

We move on to Cassandra, she is this social figure with big expectations for herself and even BIGGER dreams, that when they get destroyed by an outside force, she's willing to tear the world apart and even taint her hands in the blood of someone else, even when it's someone who helped her, to get them back. This is proven by her bad ending, where there's little to no hesitation on her side when Alcina suggests sacrificing people.

Are we seeing this? Cass loves theatre with all her heart, aspires to make a living of it, her dreams are based on this, if she loses it, if everything is destroyed? She doesn't back down and instead takes the next best decision, even if it's unreasonable and in turn destroys everything else.

Does this sound familiar? It better be because this is exactly what Miranda does, except she isn't inclined to theatre like Cass is, she's inclined to family and love. She's represents Miranda's ambition and determination and how willing she is to destroy the world for her Eva and her Feather, how Miranda never backed down even after countless resets, after years of the same shit, just for another chance.

Angie is next, and I believe she might be very important.

We see Angie on all routes, including her own, having a close relationship with vices and unhealthy coping mechanisms. On her cult ending, it's also revealed that Angie originally died with Claudia, and Donna in her despair went to Miranda, crafted a doll to Angie's appearence and gave it her soul.

This is going to sound far-fetched, but HEAR ME OUT-

I think Angie represents loss, she represents the unhealthy things Miranda continues to do, the vices and the willingness to put herself through everything to get back her daughter. Angie was brought back to life by a family member that couldn't stand the idea of being left behind, that would do anything to keep her by her side, no matter the sacrifice, Angie represents Miranda's purpose and mission to keep going in both RE8 and RL, Eva.

Which brings us to Donna being Miranda's mirror. This part has been cooked by Lee in the past, they both have the possesive side, the obsession, the desire to keep what is rightfully theirs, if we do not focus on MC, that would be Eva and Angie respectively. Donna would do ANYTHING for Angie, she kills, she sacrifices, poisons, and other questionable acts, if prompted she would definitely go Miranda lenghts. And she has technically, hasn't she? She brought Angie back, created a doll to fit her soul into, I'm sure if the doll hadn't been a possibility, she would have gone Miranda levels and broken time for her.

And to finish this huge ramble, let me talk about Worst Mother of the Year award winner Alcina Dimitrescu, who, for some reason, was difficult to wrap my head around.

You see, on @alexandroseleven post, you could very well see me struggling with her and eventually reach a conclusion, but let me explain it a bit further.

Alcina is a clear representation of two things, pride and failure. Throughout the routes we see how much she prides herself in what she has and her reputation, her power you might even say, on what she can do and the opportunity given to her by the cult. This is an influence she tries to give to her daughters, trying to guide them into Mother Miranda's hands, and only successfully convinces Cassandra.

In her route, we see her trying to desperately fix her relationship with her daughters (specially Daniela), however, at the very ending of her good ending, we see how she breaks it even further! Because she doesn't see the main source of the problem, which is her desire for her daughters to follow a path she's putting them on.

For all that, I believe Alcina represents Miranda's pride over her power, but also represents Miranda trying to fix what's already broken and the failures that come with it (aka, the thousand resets), not seeing that the main problem is she's not letting go.

Having explained and argumented everything, I can safely say I believe every character in this game is meant to represent a stage of Miranda's life. So yeah, everyone is Miranda :D

That was me, that's my meal, it's burned on the edges but it's finally out of the pan.

Take these extra screenshots of us going crazy on Fungus Theory:

#resident lover #mother miranda #Blue cheese = Miranda CONFIRMED #Also thanks to the fellow meowers for waiting for me #it was really fun #let's cook together again #resident lover spoilers #95 theses meowers version

[asimperingswannsong]

Rosemary’s Mother

Part 1 of ?

Rosemary Winters (RE8), Lady Dimitrescu (RE8)/Larissa Weems (Wednesday)

Notes/warnings/summary: Why do these two women have such a stranglehold on me? When is Gwen going to be cast as Lady D? IDK but here in this house both mommies are alive and well and mothering…as it should be.

————————

Alcina woke in darkness her eyes could not penetrate. “What? What is this?” She felt herself floating in a void. Then she remembered. “He killed me! That stupid man thing!” “Where am I?”

Then she remembered her daughters and she felt her grief wash over her. She felt like she was drowning! “Bella!” “No!” She wanted to cry but she couldn’t. She was in some sort of disembodied conscious state.

He took everything from her. She was just a well of sorrow. Why was she here? Where was she? What was she? “Mother Miranda?” She must be trying to resurrecting her. She tried to reach out somehow into the void. Then she felt it; another presence. “Who’s there? Mother?

No, not Miranda. It felt like fear. It was timid, but curious; reaching out to her as she tried to reach out to it. “Hello? Who are you?” One of her daughters? Her heart leapt at the thought.

She felt a sort of buzzing; an electrical current flowing around her. She felt herself coming together in the void; her physical person; she was back in her body.

She turned around seeing a dim light coming from behind her. There was a small child silhouetted in front of her. A small, dark figure facing her. Alcina bent double to try and be closer to the child’s level.

“Hello, sweetling,” she said gently. “Are you alright?” She received no response but she continued to feel fear emanating from the girl. “Come here to me, sweetling. Come to mother,” she coaxed.

Suddenly she felt herself being pulled away; they were both being pulled in opposite directions from one another. “No! No! Rosemary? Come back to me child!” She was enveloped once more by darkness, and she awoke in the rubble of her home. “Rosemary?”

—————————

Larissa made her way down the main staircase to the entry foyer of Nevermore Academy where she found her prospective student standing and gawking at the architecture around her. She could see the lower body of her mother waiting just outside the door. “She must be even taller than me,” she thought to herself.

“Good morning, Ms. Winters, is it? I’m Principal Weems.” The girl spun around. “Good morning, Principal Weems, I’m Rose and this is my mom, Lady Dimitrescu,” she gestured toward the headless body outside. “Good morning, Lady Dimitrescu, do please come inside,” she called.

The woman bent down a good ways to clear the seven foot entryway. “Good morning, Principal Weems,” a stunning raven haired woman said as she appeared inside draped in a floor length white gown with a black dahlia pinned above her bosom on the left. Larissa immediately liked this tall and stunning woman.

She smiled brightly at her. “My, it isn’t often I find myself looking up to someone. What a refreshing change.” The lady smiled at her in return. “You’re a lovely, petite flower.” Larissa caught the gagging face Rosemary made out of the corner of her eye and smiled even wider.

“My office is just upstairs, shall we?” She turned and led the way, falling into her well worn speech about the schools history and some of its most notable alumni. Lady Dimitrescu enjoyed the ample view while following along behind; suddenly her daughter’s choice to tour the school was a little less irritating to her.

Larissa told them a little about the variety of “outcasts” enrolled in the school; some of them common, some rare, and a few entirely unique in their abilities. Alcina discovered that Rose had been honest with her when she’d told her mother she thought she’d find the guidance she felt she needed here.

It did not entirely placate Alcina’s worry that her daughter wanted to break free from her. The notion did not sit well with her at all. Her three older daughters had always been completely devoted to their mother. The four of them were very alike in their desires, hungers, and basic needs. Rose was very different from her mother, and Alcina had changed many things about the way they lived their day to day life in order to better cater to this daughter.

But she never expected her daughter to want to live away from her, especially not so soon. Rose said she wanted someone she could learn from, who could help her be more in control of her powers, and Alcina did not seem to be able to help satisfactorily.

Alcina was frightened of losing Rose, the way she had her other daughters, but she wasn’t prepared to say, “I don’t want to lose you.” That was too vulnerable, so instead, she resorted to being extra irritable toward her while simultaneously endeavoring to spend every second in her immediate presence as they prepared to come to Nevermore for their visit.

But this woman in front of her gave off the impression that she’d encountered all manner of young people with all sorts of abilities and she seemed unruffled; entirely in control of herself and her school. That confident air coupled with the elegance of the woman’s dress and appearance caused Alcina to briefly entertain the thought, “If I were ever to allow anyone to act as a caregiver to my child, it would be someone like her.”

Unfortunately, that thought was immediately followed by, “Of course, the only person I want caring for my little girl is me,” and her eyes narrowed in a possessive, almost aggressive, way. She gritted her teeth as Larissa turned back to them. She gave Alcina another of her warm, beautiful, smiles and said sweetly, “Here we are,” as she opened the door for them to step inside.

——————-

“I see your prior education has been entirely home based?” Larissa said as she reviewed Rose’s file. Alcina started to speak, but Rose interjected, “Yes, my mother is very…protective, but she’s done a fantastic job so far.” Larissa smiled, “I agree. Your exam scores were impressive. You must be very proud of her.”

Alcina smiled at Larissa’s complimentary tone. “Yes, she’s all I have left, and I am proud of her.” Concern creased Larissa’s brow, “Yes, I saw in Rose’s background file, you mentioned that her sisters had passed away. I’m so sorry for you loss. It must be very difficult for you, especially with Ms. Winters getting older and beginning to express a certain independence, as they inevitably will do.”

Larissa saw the look of worry on Alcina’s face. Rose reached out and took her hand. Alcina lifted her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it before looking at her daughter with an almost pleading gaze. “Of course, I’m sure that independence in no way interferes with a child’s love for their parent,” Larissa offered. “Of course, I’m still entirely devoted to mother. It’s just that I have certain abilities now that I don’t feel completely in control of and since I can’t seem to find a way to be rid of them, I would at least like to feel in charge of them.” “Well, I’m confident we can help you with that, Ms. Winters. That’s the whole purpose behind Nevermore Academy. We strive to offer a sense of belonging and security as we help students understand and control their unique abilities.”

“Shall I have you take a tour of the grounds and facilities, Ms. Winters?” Larissa called her assistant on the phone and a young lady arrived shortly after. “Ready?” she asked Rose brightly. “May I accompany them?” Alcina asked. “Oh, yes, of course,” Larissa said.

Their tour guide was a bubbly young blonde girl. Alcina found her enthusiasm a little trying, but she appreciated how warm and friendly she was being toward Rose as she led them around explaining the purpose of each communal area.

Rose seemed to really enjoy the company of someone her own age and it caused Alcina to worry that Rose felt she was missing out on things by living alone in a house with just her mother and a handful of servants as company.

A big part of Alcina wanted to grab Rose up and run away with her; lock her inside their home and never allow her to see the light of day again. But the rest of her wanted to see her daughter happy, as she seemed to be right now.

Enid left the pair standing in the quad as she went to fetch Principal Weems when they’d finished their tour. The pair seemed fine when she left, but by the time Larissa stepped into the grounds she was startled to find two of her male students cowering before an enraged looking Lady Dimitrescu. She towered over them menacingly and as Larissa walked quicker towards them she saw the largest set of claws she’d ever seen extend from one of Alcina’s hands.

Larissa broke into a run. “Lady Dimitrescu!” she called breathlessly. Alcina turned toward Larissa, her eyes glowing angrily and Larissa stopped in her tracks. She noticed the students running in opposite directions from behind Alcina.

“Mother! Stop it right now,” Rose shouted. Alcina turned, apparently startled by her daughter reprimanding her. Her claws retracted. “Did you know there were young man things here,” she asked Rose? “Yes, mother, I knew it was a co-ed school.”

“And you expected me to allow you to stay here with them?” Alcina was yelling at her daughter loudly enough for most of campus to hear. “Please, Lady Dimitrescu,” Larissa tried to intervene.

Alcina turned back toward her and her eyes began to glow again, but this time Larissa stood her ground, determined to help Rose. “Can we not discuss this back in my office so we don’t embarrass Ms. Winters in front of her peers?”

Alcina turned back to her daughter and saw tears brimming in the bottoms of her eyes. Her demeanor changed immediately. She went to her daughter, scooping her up into her arms, and cradling her against her bosom like a small child. She placed a kiss in the girl’s hair.

“Please don’t cry, sweetling, mother is sorry.” Larissa was relieved to see Alcina’s anger gone. She gestured for them to return inside. Larissa smiled slightly at the sight of the girl’s face still buried in her mother’s bosom, but she was also concerned about the dynamic between them.

Larissa felt they could both benefit from some time spent apart from one another. She was no novice at dealing with helicopter parents. However, the height, glowing eyes, fangs, and four foot claws were a tricky combination. Larissa would have to tread lightly.

After managing to deposit Rose temporarily in the care of her would be dorm mom, Larissa led Alcina back into her office. “Lady Dimitrescu, you frightened my students with your behavior earlier. The two young gentlemen may have been a little overly friendly toward Ms. Winters, but I assure they are harmless.”

“I did not raise her to take a liking to man things and I did not realize they would be present here.” She stopped as she noticed Larissa appearing to hold back a chuckle. She scowled slightly. “What is it? What’s so amusing?” “I’m sorry…really. It’s just…” “What?” “Well, I don’t know about you, but whatever intentions my parents may have had for me in that regard, they were entirely unsuccessful.”

Alcina raised her eyebrows in surprise. “What about you? Did you develop an interest in the sort of people you were ‘raised’ to like?” “That was a long time ago…but, no, I don’t suppose I did.”

Larissa smiled at her. “I think that’s often the case, but I can assure you, we have strict policies here against boy/girl mingling in their dormitories. Each dorm has a teacher who resides there, and they watch their assigned students like a hawk. I will, of course, make you aware of any policy violations Ms. Winters may make.”

#my fic #lady dimitrescu #alcina dimitrescu #re8 lady dimitrescu #resident evil #principal larissa weems #wednesday #gwendoline christie #fluff #larissa weems

[archivalwrite]

"Ah!"

She startles for a moment, blinking and lifting up her hand, craning her head down to try and see. The first impulse Liam might have is that Miranda would have cut herself — there's a sharp tang of blood in the air, and out between Miranda's fingers the fluid drips. A sizeable amount, it seems, for how long it took for Miranda to notice that there was something wet on her hand.

Miranda's not acting out in pain, however. She flares her fins and her eyes widen, startled, but not pained in any manner that Miranda might show, and the distress she shows just feels different. There's something in the way she shifts her phone to her other hand, glancing between it and her palm, that suggests she's figuring it out herself.

There's a crack in the glass. A fairly large one, one Miranda must have missed when she picked it up again, and maybe it was what cut her in the first place — except she wipes her hand off on a cloth one of her serfs hands her, and more doesn't replace it. More does, however, leak out through the crack in the glass, movement pushing something soft and meaty from the inside of the phone against the opening.

Again, Miranda doesn't seem all that distressed. There's a big dramatic huff as she fully pauses now, stopping to examine her phone, poking at the crack in its side. Everything smells so sharply of meat and of drained blood that it makes her comment of, "Wait a moment, Liam — ugh, and I will have to go get another this afternoon, then..." stand out harshly in the mundane irritation it carries.

liam's head quirked up at the smell of the blood, distracted from his phone where he'd been tying his very well thought out response in an argument online ( beyond the common and non-thought provoking reply as: L + RATIO + FUCKED YOUR MOM that had been sent to him ).

there was a moment of worry, as the blood was visible on miranda's hand, along with the phone shifted to her other hand. liam knew better than to assume it was miranda's blood, he'd managed to learn some of her reactions to things, spending so much time both with her, and simply admiring her in a studious way to learn her reactions to things. help study what she might react positively to, should he decide to be a bit of a romantic. the scent of the blood seemed .. wrong. perhaps he hadn't smelt the blood of many merfolk before ( he hasn't ) but he wouldn't assume it smell . . . like this.

forgive his curious horror when he found her phone to be bleeding. watching the way she pressed on it, messed with it. the smell of meat joined the blood, raw meat. liam, in very few instances, put his own phone down, and into his pocket. just staring at the phone.

" miri . . . what happened to your phone? " liam had to fix his glasses, yellow eyes narrowing just a little bit, as if trying to tell what exactly was the mass of flesh within the screen, and whatever was leaking out in a way of casual, mundane annoyance to the princess. while also hoping to not make it too obvious that he was inquiring about - the blood. " that is quite the crack on the screen. "

#royalreef #『 fangs & filters — liam de lioncourt #『 statement submission — ask #content warning: blood #cw: blood mention #tw: blood mention #meat phone . . .

[dragonologist-phd]

another inspiration board, this time for Lilith! suggested by @dujour13 (thank you for the suggestion!) this was a very fun one, as Lilith is definitely one of my favorite character archetypes!

Yennefer of Vengerberg - The Witcher

"Forget the bottle. Let your chaos explode."

So first of all, I've never played the games (yeah yeah i know). But I love Yennefer in the show, and a lot of her traits she shares with Lilith- her pride, her sharp tongue, her raw power, her refusal to be ignored. The actress's mannerisms especially are a lot like how I imagine Lilith, she's got a kind of stubborn dignity that I really love.

Madeline Usher - The Fall of the House of the Usher

"There's no such thing as a step back. You go forward. And if you hit a brick wall, you don't go back, you go through."

Obviously Madeline wasn't an original inspiration as the show just came out last month, but she and Lilith have *so* much in common. Ambitious and lethal and manipulative and ruthless and absolutely unapologetic about all of it. I gotta stop now or i'll keep rambling about Madeline forever she was so perfect in this show

Athena - Greek Mythology

The goddess of wisdom and warcraft, which are definitely domains that Lilith would respect

Lilith Clawthorne - The Owl House

"Maybe you are stronger than me, but that made me work smarter. I became sharp, crafty!"

Another Lilith! My Lilith is most like Lilith C in her early appearances, when she's still acting as the second in command to the Big Bad. She's found herself on the wrong side of a tyrannical regime, but stays loyal because she has a weird relationship with authority because it serves her own ends. It matches up well with My Lilith's own backstory and complicated loyalties, though My Lilith doesn't get quite the same character development.

Azula - Avatar: The Last Airbender

"Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player."

Speaking of backstory! Those running themes are very present with Azula, and a lot of Lilith's backstory mirrors her- a young prodigy, smart and ruthless even at a young age, with a deep need to prove herself spurred on by the cutthroat environment she was raised in.

Plus, I had to include at least one character with a fire motif!

Miranda Lawson - Mass Effect

"I settle for nothing but the best."

Miranda has a lot in common with other characters here- a drive for perfection, ambition, ruthlessness, a complicated dynamic with the stories villains- but her main reason for being on here is actually her relationship with her sister. She wants to protect her sister, and she obviously loves her...but she tries to do it from a distance, because she doesn't believe she'd actually be a good influence in her life.

Somehow, Lilith ends up with similar people in her life- Sirin in Tyranny, and Ember in Pathfinder. She has no idea how to care about people in a genuine way, but she does want to protect them, and maybe even give them a better life than she had.

(their main difference is that in Miranda's place, Lilith would have killed TIM and take over as head of Cerberus. sorry, universe!)

#i might be exposing myself here but of course lilith is inspired by women who vary from morally questionable to full evil #most of whom i've had a crush on at some point #ch: lilith #character inspiration

[nobodysdaydreams]

If Pryce and Cutter hate the youths so much, then why don't they move across the universe to get the marriage counseling they clearly need and stop making their BS everyone else's problem?

(Or my reaction to Episodes 59-60 of Wolf359).

I said I would have self control. I said I wouldn’t listen to or react to anymore Wolf359 this whole weekend. But guess what dear readers? As usual, I lied, to you and myself. Sadly, I am weak. Now, with my confession out of the way, let’s get into it!

Tagging the mutuals who got me invested in this, and if you want to be tagged or untagged from these posts, lmk, or you can follow my blog or simply follow the tag "#bods wolf359 reactions". Anyone who has followed me for a while knows my updates are inconsistent, so I apologize in advance for that and for any spelling/grammar mistakes in my posts.

@sophieswundergarten @oflightningandstars @acollectionofcuriousreblogs @herawell @commsroom @lovelyladylavie

Episode 59: Crash and Burn

"Oh how fun. Come on kids, scream if you want to go faster." It's trippy that when I hear Pryce talk for a moment I'm like "Hera?" and then I realize. Also she and Cutter really do act like criticizing and mean disappointed parents.

"But just a small fire, and look it's out now!" good point Doug.

"This time you finally killed us" Congrats Doug!

"It's a fire on a spaceship, you shouldn't need explicit instruction to know it's a bad idea" "You don't know the first thing about commanding Douglas F. Eiffel" LET HIM KNOW DOUG!

"Cyborg De Vil" Eiffel really does have the best nicknames.

"I'm just a poor little old lady" Oh, I've met old ladies like you Pryce. Terribly entertaining, but awful all the same. Hated their own children too. At this point, I'm just waiting for your sad little backstory.

"Nobody says "thank you" anymore. Kids these days..." Pryce, maybe when you do something worthy of thanks, then you will be thanked.

"If it seems like I'm wrong, you don't have all the data" Well geez, I hope that pride doesn't kill you.

"Why are you asking us to read the values for you?" OH GET HER MINKOWSKI.

Okay, Pryce, in fairness to Doug, I think we've well established that most characters in this show are "metaphorically blind" in one way or another.

"Blinded by my own survival manual" it's fitting to be honest. The next edition? No, we don't need another edition Miranda.

"Well this should be easy!" Doug...Doug when is it ever easy?

Well gang, it looks like the gang's not getting out of this one this time. I will miss you all. Minkowski and Doug most of all. Kepler and Pryce less so.

Calling Pryce's husband is unfortunately the only plan. Let's see how he feels about wifey being in danger. This is either gonna go one of...potentially a few ways, and I'm very interested to see his reaction.

Will he leave her to die in space? Will he feel bad about that? Will he give up an advantage for her?

Wait. Is this Hera? Oh it's Marcus and Hera. I love the juxtaposition between Doug and Pryce and Marcus and Hera. I guess they both have a common interest. Nothing brings people together quite like it.

Oh gross Rachel's here too.

Skin alive whoever designed the flight's pod system? But this is so arbitrary...if all their enemies had been the ones to get blasted off, Cutter would give the man a promotion. For a guy who only promotes "the best" a lot of this is really just luck.

Wait. GUESTS???

Oh they got Lovelace and Jacobi. Oh dear. At least they can't kill or control Lovelace.

"I can't do much without her" I see. So she is the brain's behind Cutter's little happy murder business operation.

"Part of my signature look" Jacobi's sarcasm is growing on me the more he uses it against the right people.

"Pretty please with sugar on top" OH SO CUTTER DID HEAR JACOBI SAY THAT AND THREATEN TO SHOOT KEPLER. I think those were the exactly words he used too.

And speaking of that episode, we're back to singing about beer! 🍻Jacobi really is (formerly)evil Doug. 😂 They even sing the same song.

Is Pryce threatening to...EAT Doug? Well this is creepy.

Pryce, shut it. If you're so much of a grownup, stop acting like a pouty child.

Geez all Pryce knows how to do is complain. I guess Cutter is into that. For some weird reason. "Do I have to do everything around here." All you do is make trouble.

"You can't afford to take a chance on this" CALL HIM OUT JACOBI! I love his arc, I love his arc so much, it took way too long, but I'm so happy he's gotten here.

Oh dear. Is Jacobi in the right headspace for this? "Prettiest pumpkin princess at the ball?" Well good for Jacobi. Also very similar to the line Pryce gave to Hera. It's scary how much they sound and speak alike.

That is true. It might need to be a self-sacrifice mission. If Jacobi misses, Cutter kills him, and Eiffel and Minkowski don't survive. It's a tough situation, especially because we're not even sure how many lives are at stake here. But Jacobi, the whole point of self-sacrifice is that the people making the sacrifice agree to it, or there's literally no other way.

Yeah, Doug, Pryce is not gonna be reassuring. That's not in her generation's vocabulary.

Uh oh. Jacobi, I hope you know what you're doing.

Oh dear. Marcus seems testy.

And how much longer do we have with Rachel and Reimann? (Yes, I was corrected on the spelling).

"Just get it right this time Marcus" wow she is demanding.

Ah...there it is.

...or not...

...Jacobi?

...DUCK BOY?

Well they got them. But what happens now?

Oh great Marcus' slow clapping. And let me guess, he kills him anyway?

Business to catch up on? Pryce doesn't sound too happy.

And yeah Minkowski, hold her at gunpoint! (Though in my experience, people like her don't fear death, rather they complain it's not coming fast enough), but whatever gives you the upper hand.

Episode 60: Terms and Conditions

What's with the beeping?

"You are alright?" Strange that Rachel asks that. I guess she'd be the one to notice he's quiet.

Ah. The sunset. Very fitting.

Westerns. Cutter probably saw some of them down at the old timey picture show when he was a wee lad.

Yes, yes, "the bigger picture". But what if there is a bigger picture to even your story, Cutter? One that you're not in control over?

Cutter knows what's about to happen. He knows it's time to choose. Work wifey or scary evil plan? What's it gonna be old man?

"Who is it?" 😂 I love Doug. I love him so much.

"We could have a cup of tea" oh gosh Cutter really is every old person stereotype.

"Reflect on the working conditions. Are you fostering a supportive company culture? One that values the contributions of its employees?" Doug is the best. Doug is the best.

"If you ever want to see your worst half ever again" 👏 Tell him. TELL HIM.

So now Cutter has to a choice. He can go Legend of Korra and kick Pryce to the curb, or he can drop his tragic backstory and try to come to an understanding.

"Can you guarantee the safe recover of Dr. Pryce?" "96%" Hm. Cutter doesn't seem happy with those numbers.

Special Projects? "Similar to you while still not you. You will see what you miss and say what you don't want to" interesting. So that's why Cutter keeps Rachel around.

"How possible would it be to complete the mission without Dr. Pryce?"

DANNGGGGGGG... Rachel asking the real questions.

"I don't know what your partnership with Dr. Pryce means" Interesting...so Cutter kept that even closer to his chest.

"Before I decide, I want the information" Cutter is unraveling.

See this is why you shouldn't talk when Cutter can hear them.

"Handle this personally?" Did he just crack his knuckles? Is he going to try to fight them? 😂

Neat idea? Is Cutter gonna make his own radio show?

Kepler and Lovelace are speaking for them? This is weird. And unnecessary unless some other mischief is a foot.

CUTTER IS MAKING HER DO THE "MM-HM" 😂😂😂

Kepler reading out Eiffel's words too 😂

Cutter's promises are stupid. And taking the collar off Hera doesn't mean that Pryce can't do something else terrible.

"Those are big promises" That's basic human decency.

"That's one thing. I'm giving you three. What else?"

Kepler and Pryce are two people. I love how it clearly shows Cutter views Kepler, who he's having Lovelace talk to, a disposable.

"You wouldn't lift a finger to help anyone if you didn't need them for something." CALL HIM OUT. CALL HIM OUT. 👏👏👏

"With all due respect to you Warren, that Dr. Pryce's return is worth two of your demands" wow, Cutter just went there didn't he?

"We won't annoy you" "I'm not sure you can promise that" "First off this is...this is your boy, Douggie Fresh at the mic" 😂 I knew it was Doug when he said the "won't annoy you" thing, but having him use Kepler like this is amazing. "Gumming up the works" I love Eiffel. I love his whole speech.

Is Cutter making her slow clap? Cutter and Eiffel really are a theatrical duo.

Reject your terms? Taking advantage of you guys? You should be asking for way more. That's very true. They should ask for way more. They really should. But um...what is Cutter doing???

Ugh. It's like Cutter is still trying to teach them a lesson. Like an evil twisted mentorship figure.

I have a bad feeling about it too.

"You two crazy kids still there?" Shut up Cutter (no offense Isabel).

Cutter is gonna destroy the sol when it leaves. He has a plan to do so.

"No catch" THERE IS ALWAYS A CATCH.

"Talk to us baby" Aw, I'm so happy Hera loves it. 💕🥰

"Tell us who you are and what you're doing up here?"

YES! THE TRUTH AT LAST.

Ah, Doug has figured it out. Cutter is just ecstatic.

"Super old, look like you're 28, no need to sleep or eat, know everything, obsessed with aliens..." Oh Doug thinks they are aliens.

Not a bad theory Doug, but I feel like you're not correct.

I feel like they're about to say something like "no silly Doug. We're not aliens. Don't be an idiot. That would be over the top and ridiculous. We're obviously cyborgs from the past and future who have travels here to enslave all of humanity and rewrite the course of human history. Which is SO much more reasonable."

Also given that Lovelace WAS an alien, it's not that crazy of a guess. They're being a little unfairly mean to him right now.

Modified???? Wait, no, no deal, what does modified mean? Explain that first please, explain it now.

Send Kepler first. Cutter doesn't care about him.

"You want to stay with us" "No Boy" oh dear. Looks like they're in the middle of a little marriage spat. "You'll never be rid of me 214" I knew it, Pryce has a thing for keeping Hera under control.

Yeah, what did Jacobi do? Hopefully that alien blood works quick.

OH WHAT IS THE TEA THE BOOMERS ARE FIGHTINGGGGG!!!!

"Better to be lucky than good" something tells me you won't be for long, Miranda.

Rachel is going with them? Um. It doesn't sound like either of them like that. "Fill you in on the details" that's obviously code for something. I don't like how fast Rachel agreed to that.

Oh dear. Trouble in paradise it would seem. Worried about wifey, Marcus? "Be quiet. I was worried." "For me?" "I was." "You're not immortal" "yet" "of course, I was worried for you."

"Your only task is to back my play" wow. They really ARE a toxic married couple from the early 1900s. I guess Cutter couldn't stand the thought of losing his precious cold detached mean evil science early 1900's house/work wife.

"Friends?" "Partners." Hm.

This relationship fascinates me. Miranda shows him hardly any respect or gratitude. Yet Cutter seems to care about her in a...weirdly toxic way. Though I do wonder if Miranda feels the same.

Very true something has to be wrong here. Cutter wouldn't let them leave unless...

Wait. Unless it was irrelevant to his plans. Unless them getting back to Earth didn't matter.

"That's not why you're not gonna leave" ...um Rachel. What are you talking about? Please fill us in on the plan.

Oh Kepler's here too.

THE END OF THE WORLD?????

Wait...oh my gosh...

So...there will be no Earth to return to? And all the people on it?

ARE PRYCE AND CUTTER TRYING TO MAKE A DEAL WITH THE ALIENS???

Well I did say in a private discord chat that it was odd that they mentioned Minkowski’s husband and Doug’s daughter only to never bring up threatening their lives again. I guess they really saved that one in their back pockets for the grand finale.

Kepler, how much longer are you going to go along with this? If they destroy the Earth, everything on it goes too, including your beloved Whiskey.

Rachel, idk how much longer you think Cutter is gonna keep you around, but he clearly only cares about his evil science arm candy, and that's not you or Reimann. He'll toss you both under the bus when he's done.

Cutter, wifey seems a bit unstable, and Pryce, your man seems to not be valuing you as an equal, and as much as I dislike you, I'm still not cool with that on principle. Perhaps the two of you ought to see to some marriage counseling, somewhere...oh I don't know...far far far far far away on the other side of the universe? Where you two can finally stop having to deal with those pesky youths you claim to hate so much?

Well at least the thing about Cutter naming the AI and putting on a charming appearance and Pryce hating it and acting so cold towards them makes so much sense now. Cutter wants to play house. House where he casts himself in the role of a toxic, stereotypical, controlling, abusive, and terrible father, with a flimsy "I care so deeply" facade and horrible taste in women, but house all the same. I guess it makes sense given when he was born. Pryce views the AI and their employees as things, Cutter views them as their children or rather their "creations" but at the end of the day, their views amount to the same thing: tools from which they demand unquestioning obedience that they can cast aside if and when they chose to do so. Absolutely disgusting.

Wait. 2 hours?

THE LAST EPISODE IS TWO FULL HOURS.

And Volte Face is one hour. But then...when will I have the time to...

oh boy. Stay tuned everyone. Hopefully I'll get my answers soon. Thanks for reading!

#bods wolf359 reactions #wolf359 #renee minkowski #isabel lovelace #doug eiffel #hera wolf 359 #wolf 359 #w359 #hera w359 #daniel jacobi #warren kepler #wolf 359 spoilers #wolf359 hera #hera wolf359 #dear listeners #wolf359 reactions #wolf359 reaction #wolf359 podcast #marcus cutter #miranda pryce #Reinmann wolf359 #wolf 359 reaction #Rachel young

[rxttenfish]

hi !!! sending this on anon because i am rather nervous all things considered <:3 (i am lying to you, i have not considered 'all things'.) one monster prom fan to another (can we be compared using such broad terminology ? i feel as if i am domesticated compared to you... [compliment, or at the very least not inherently negative]) , i wanted to thank you SO SO SO VERY MUCH for giving miranda so much love and thought and mulling her over in your mind in such a ... refreshing way

i also really really really like miri , but i can only aspire to have your level of dedication . it feels almost like we are of totally different worlds... !!!!!

thank you for bringing in real world biology too :3 i absolutely adore your design for her so much (this is most likely not proper grammar, but it is very late and i am very cold and so i will hope with all my heart you will excuse this mistake. one of many, i should assume) - though !!!! i do have a question if that is alright ?????

i cant say that a marine macropredator of a significantly vibrant pink really strikes me as advantageous colouring - does the abyssal environment that you say the merfolk live in negate the need for camouflage and such ????? i apologise for sounding passive aggressive !!!! i am merely asking a question. cocking my head to the side if you will

additionally, i would like to ask something foolish. how do they acquire food? i dont want to say 'hunt', because that might seem insulting. historically were they built for stalking, or high speed chases, or...???? please, talk 'nerdy to me' as they say !!! <- in an entirely normal way befitting two strangers of course.

you know, i would have expected to hit the ask word limit by now. but it seems i have not. yippee !!!!

with my extra space, i shall add this: I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THE WAY YOIU WRITE MIRI . GOOD LOOOOOORD IT IS AMAZING HAVIJNG SOMEOENE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEYRE DOING IWIITH HER thank yoiu for making her at least moderately intelligent. i feel blessed <- is this all too harsh sounding???? im a little new to all this letter/ask-writing thing <:3

IN ANY CASE !!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOIU SO VERY MUCH. AGAIN. drops this and scuttles away

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/761693443676045363/1183251697129226270/ordered3.png

also i believe you can indeed tell, but i drew that in ms paint with my finger .. sorry that it looks like poop <:3

(moving the image out of the link just in case it breaks-)

AAAAAA THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! this looks so WONDERFUL i love the way that you've shaped her head and how you've captured how Chunky it is... i know its one of the things people have the hardest time drawing with her so its just all the more impressive how well youve managed to capture her!!!

i also love the little doodles eeeee..... please feel free to toss all ocs at miri, its enrichment for her <3 ironically gentle chewing/biting is a Play and Bonding thing for merfolk so she shall happily Bites Bites Bites back-

(also i LOVE her smile!!! you arent anthropomorphizing in the slightest for that - miri often does have very human expressions in a way that's odd for a merfolk, because she effectively got imprinted during her time spent inland... and its politically useful if you smile and match expressions with the people you're trying to work with anyways)

ill also go ahead and answer your questions because i can! very easily clarify on them!

the color: actually, being bright red and pink is actually very common for deep sea animals, due to the way light works at depth! its why i decided miranda was abyssal, because that felt like the most natural way to explain why she's pink, since it's such an uncommon color in nature.

basically, different colors of light have different lengths! red is the shortest wavelength of light, and blue is the longest. water might be clear, but there's a lot of water in the ocean, and the more water you add, the more it filters out light - which is why the bottom of a pool might be dark and shady, but if you hold a little of the water in your hands there's no shade. the ocean is a lot deeper than a pool, and so it gets darker as you go down, but because it's also clear, it doesn't filter out all that light at the same rate.

red, being the shortest wavelength of light, gets filtered out first, so red often gets quickly darker the deeper down you go, until it's completely black! camouflage is dependent on the environment, so their color and brightness has to match the background, but it also depends on the light that's hitting the animal. it's why fawns have dappled spots, or animals might have black stripes, so they can mimic the light of their environment. and when your environment has no red light, well... red's a pretty good color to be!

because of this, a lot of animals in the deep sea can't actually see red either, which is doubly the reason why you might want to be red! think of it like tigers, and how ungulates often can't see their orange, making them look just about the same color as the foliage around them when they're hunting! miranda might stick out on land, but that's just because we aren't seeing her in the environment she's made for, where she blends in with everything else around her as much as a pure black animal.

(it's also why her bioluminescence is blue - blue is the longest wavelength of light, and the one most animals can see at that depth. if she lights up, then she wants to be seen, and she can even alter her silhouette to appear larger or smaller or breaking it up into multiple shapes if she needs to. it's why her tapetum lucidum is blue when light's shone on it, because there is blue light to be seen at depth, it's just very dim!)

(this is also why giant squid are bright red, and why the stoplight loosejaw fish is so special! the latter actually produces its own red light, and can see red light, which means that it has a secret light that won't reveal where it is but will reveal to it where its prey is!)

food: this is something that depends a lot, because there are actually multiple different species of merfolk, which is mostly my fault because i don't always feel like i communicate this the best. they're all slightly different in how they evolved to capture prey, with abyssals in particular being fuckoff huge ambush predators that attack from below, and others being shallower-water hunters or more adapted for smaller, faster prey - but they all evolved from an ancestor with a fairly consistent prey-capture method.

in short, all merfolk are ancestrally evolved to hunt whales and other large prey items, with all the extant species still holding at least a degree of this. primarily, they were ambush predators who were good at getting in close to their prey before a sudden burst of speed. they would work together in close-knit groups (one of the big pressures for their increasing socialization and larger brains, to coordinate such groups) to all mob a single prey item at once, hitting with force to cause sudden trauma, and then using their claws, double-thumbs, back feet, and mouths to hold onto their prey and refuse to be dislodged. they'd repeatedly claw and use their strong bites and massive heads to rip deeply into their prey, causing further massive trauma and shock, and if that failed, bleeding their prey to death.

think of it like the raptor prey restraint model, just further taking advantage of the fact that they were underwater, where no one else has hands that could potentially rip them off. being smaller and somewhat less-optimized for marine life compared to things like sharks and whales and large fish worked for them, because they had a novel adaptation that allowed them to take advantage of things no one else could, and the numbers to make up for it. this is, likewise, why they never lost their hands and fully developed flippers, instead making their limbs as flipper-like as possible to make up for it.

then as time went on and certain populations became separated from each other, they adapted for slightly different niches, but all remain fairly closely related to each other as a genus.

in the modern day, most merfolk don't really "hunt" for all of their meals, at least not in the same way that we might think. don't get me wrong, they still absolutely hunt and it's a larger part of their lives than it is for most humans, but they have options.

mostly, the merfolk theory for their relationship with nature is to invite it in. this is not to say they aren't controlling and pruning it, but they do live underwater, and it's far harder to keep animals out than it is on land, so merfolk accepted it and worked with it. they'll work to promote growth around their buildings and where they live, fostering the growth of sea grass and algae and coral and other sessile animals, encouraging them to set down and grow in these areas, and they'll then let more wild animals move in, further encouraged by these natural sources of food and shelter, on top of merfolk working even further to encourage them in. they serve as a functional cleanup crew for the merfolk in these settlements, being allowed to eat anything that merfolk might drop or go to waste, and even moreso might be purposefully fed at times, or have specific homes for them built. merfolk will keep encouraging them and taking care of them until they become a biorich hotspot, creating unique oasises for wildlife to live alongside merfolk.

however, this isn't just a free-for-all, persay. merfolk will also purposefully prune these populations and control how they form, often removing "problem" animals and encouraging certain behaviors which makes it easier for these populations to live alongside merfolk, not viewing them as a threat, but also not viewing them as an opportunity either. they will directly shape how these areas grow and cultivate them on a physical level, often using them as an easy shortcut to literally grow their settlements and buildings. but they will also harvest from these populations and selectively breed them, until their cities and towns act as massive public gardens full of food to be caught, picked, and eaten at any time

as there are also a lot of (very politically powerful) nomadic groups, they also do this, albeit not always so directly. they'll have specific shoals or "runs" of fish that they will follow behind and take care of, managing as they move through the ocean in accordance with the seasons. this is where the whales still factor in, because the nomadic groups will also take care of the whales, purposefully keeping an eye on their pods and taking care of them and, when the time comes, being choosy and particular in which whale they select at any given time to be hunted, harvested, and eaten.

(there's also the way in which food is distributed and managed throughout the merkingdom, since some food is indeed shipped and moved throughout the different areas, but that's a different story for another time and i've talked enough)

BUT!!!! thank you so much and thank you for enjoying all of this that ive been making with miri, and thank you for giving me an excuse to talk more about her <3

#all the care guide says is 'biomass' #asks #Anonymous #Monster Prom #Miranda Vanderbilt #i am wholeheartedly a ''miri is smart'' person because i mean. cmon. #of course shes smarter than she looks you dont just trip your way into knowing how to play people like a fiddle #manipulation requires cleverness!! knowing how to use it well just comes with the station she has #(honestly to the point where i think her playing stupid is just. well. that! playing stupid!) #(and sometimes just Playing too tbh. she seems to enjoy just. being silly. more than fully fitting into her role) #(which from what i can tell she DOES fit into her role VERY well) #(and absolutely means that yeah no miri acting the way she does isnt just because she has no idea how to be any other way) #(and is instead a deliberate choice that she's making for some other reason) #(which continues to frustrate me because CANON STOP MOVING TOWARDS ''NO SHES JUST STUPID'')

[margridarnauds]

❤️ and 👓 for the fanfic asks :)

❤️ What is your favorite line that you’ve written in a fic?

Most recently?

When in doubt, there was one language that Raphael understood better than Common, better than entreaties, tenderness, and professions of love, all of which were useless in the face of efficiency and its favorite bedfellow, ruthlessness. That language was none other than the language of the contract, the clean lines of infernal laid out on parchment, so simple on the surface, so tangled beneath.  

I like it because it really gets to the heart two things: (1) is that this is how Raphael works and (2) this is how Kitrye KNOWS Raphael works. She has no illusions about him at this point (younger Kitrye, some, namely because she really WANTED to believe that he was redeemable or Secretly Good because he loved her, but Duchess of Avernus Kitrye, none). She gets that the way to get him to agree to something isn't via an emotional route -- he loves her, she knows he loves her, they've been through enough at this point in the timeline that that's absolutely beyond doubt, but it isn't in his nature to prioritize that over his own sense of pragmatism -- you get him via a legal argument. Get it in writing, put it into the fine print, argue your case, and tell him how it benefits him to agree to it. She loves her husband enough to know him.

If there's one thing I want people to take away from this one-shot, which is actually intimidating since it'll be their first time really meeting Kitrye (I intend to write out their earlier dynamic, but that is EASILY going to be a novel length fic), it's that she really DOES get him. And it's sad for me on some level as the one who PLAYED Kitrye through her character development in the actual game, because like. The Kitrye that I knew in the beginning is gone to some extent, she'll never be that optimistic paladin again, but also. She's happy. \

For all time favorite lines, from an unpublished chapter of Door #2:

“Hey, everyone has their vices. Increases the appetite.” He paused. “It used to be a way for people in the village to make a little money on the side. Before every meal, they’d make a toast to Miranda, put a little glass on the side of the table for her. Waste of good alcohol, if you ask me. What the woman needs is a goddamn blunt.”  

Against his own will, Ethan laughed. He wasn’t supposed to be laughing - Rose was in danger, Mia was dead. Everything was at risk, everything. But he hadn’t slept in over 24 hours, unless he wanted to count being knocked out and dragged around by Heisenberg (which he didn’t), and he’d worked enough late-night shifts to know what that did to anyone’s sense of humor.

“What?”

Ethan was able to compose himself enough to say, in the most solemn voice possible, “In life and in death, we pass the bong to Mother Miranda.” 

“Okay, now that’s just awful, even for me.” Heisenberg chuckled. “I didn’t think you had it in you.” 

Yes I got Heisenberg's VA to sign a print with "In life and in death we pass the bong to Mother Miranda. It's one of my most prized possessions."

Anyway, in context, this is the first time in the fic where someone's actually DIED -- we're truly getting to a point of no return as we plunge into the third act. Tensions are high, there's a feeling of "oh, people might actually die in this", everyone's getting tired, and this is one of the first signs that Ethan and Heisenberg might actually be compatible with one another long-term, whether it's a friendship or a romance -- they have the same sense of humor. This is a rare lull in the storm that allows them to figure out how the other one works, and it's one of the first times that Heisenberg is really seeing ETHAN when he isn't angry or stressed (I mean...he is both. In context. But he's also so far gone down the Exhaustion Pipeline that he can't even be that angry or stressed.)

👓 What helps you focus when you write?

No focus we die like ADHDers

If I could consistently focus I would have, like, ten fics finished by now

One thing that's been useful for me, whenever I remember to use it, is a desktop-based program called 4thewords

It gamifies the writing process, incentivizing you to write both quickly and consistently, with a series of "monsters" to beat with time limits that range to something like, say, 99 words in 10 minutes to 5000 words over the course of 6-7 hours. There are a number of mini quests, where you can get some sort of reward for defeating a set number of monsters or gaining a certain amount of resources, as well as an overarching main quest which I also consistently forget about.

There is a subscription fee after a one month trial period ($4 a month), but, honestly...for ME, it's worth it. Because just about all my output for the last year's been because I had 4thewords breathing down my neck.

You write in-browser, you can organize your work into individual projects or add tags to them (I only usually do it to indicate whether a fic's completed or not, tbh), and it keeps track of both the word count and how much time you've actually spent writing on a given fic. (As you can see...the most recent one-shot has been...murdering me.)

I still get distracted, since I often go in-between fics while I'm trying to burn through my daily wordcount (444 words is what I try to do, at a minimum, each day), but it's MUCH more manageable. When I'm really focused on it and I have a fic idea I'm really into, I can burn through 30k words in a few days.

Which means...yes....when I'm not playing my RPG....I'm...writing....with a RPG.