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thedo0zyslider · 1 year

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so this post by @weaselishmcdiesel gave me some. ideas. happy grumbo tuesday

click below for gay people

It had started out as a simple meetup between friends, it really had. But the outcome of said meetup was defiantly more than a little friendly.

Grian had invited Mumbo over to his base, still eager to catch up with the mustached man after his return to Hermitcraft. The blonde had been buzzing with excitement since he woke up, unable to stay still for a second. He'd already had a reunion with the redstoner, and it was beautiful, but he hadn't seen his best friend in like, eight months! That was a long time, and Mumbo had yet to fill Grian in on his own adventures during those months. He'd heard plenty about what had transpired on Hermitcraft in his absence, it was time Mumbo recounted some of his own adventures.

Grian never really understood all of his friend's redstone talk, having listened to many over the years, but he'd grown to miss it. He missed Mumbo dropping by his base, ranting about whatever technical inconvinces that had fallen upon him that day while Grian listened, building as he listened to some of Mumbo's worse and most frustrated rants. It had served as bonding time for them, Mumbo learning to hand Grian whatever blocks he needed at the moment, since the taller was often ranting by his shulkers. Everything about those days had become familiar, a comforting routine that Grian had found himself longing for often in Mumbo's leave. Scar had stopped by for a few chats over the months, and he loved the brunette and his disney rants dearly, he really did, it just wasn't the same as Mumbo

He hoped, that by inviting Mumbo over, they could have one of those peaceful days again. Just with less angry ranting, and Mumbo preferably talking about the eight months away. The redstoner would probably have a few tales of how he'd been an absolute spoon, which Grian was very much looking forward too.

The two would have a different kind of meeting instead, one more passionate than peaceful. And it wasn't the angry kind of passion either.

Mumbo arrived around midday, and Grian was there to meet his friend almost immediately. Mumbo barely had time to put away his rockets before a small figure was running towards him. Grian practically ran into the other, with how fast he approached. Mumbo laughed, stumbling as he tried to keep his balance when Grian slammed into him. "HI MUMBO!" The blonde yelled, wrapping his arms around the taller's middle.

Mumbo returned his hug, arms coming to wrap around Grian's own torso. "You still miss me?" He asked through giggles, beginning to wriggle out of the embrace. Grian pouted slightly at that, but it was quickly replaced with a smile upon seeing Mumbo's face properly. His black hair was windswept from his short flight over, suit a little wrinkled and the corners if his eyes were crinkled up in joy. He looked quite nice like that, Grian had to admit. The sudden butterflies in his stomach could be thought about later, now was Mumbo time.

"Yes!" Grian squeaked, barely remembering that Mumbo had asked him something. "You were gone for eight months Mumbo, eight months! That's so long!" He turned his back to the redstoner, beginning to walk through the opening to his base. The taller followed him into his base with a few more giggles, the sound of Mumbo's laughter acting like music to the blonde's ears.

"Besides, you still haven't told me what you were up too during all those months!" Grian smirked, turning his head to look back at Mumbo. "We've told all about Hermitcraft!"

Mumbo blinked, before letting out a fond sigh. "Well, I guess that's fair." He said, seemingly preparing himself to tell quite a tale. "So..."

That was how the two spent god knows how long, just talking about whatever came to Mumbo's mind. They shifted all through Grian's base as they conversed, finally settling in a room the blonde didn't really remember building. Time became a blur, the duo enjoying some much needed time together as they sat and talked.

Grian wasn't sure how the next thing happened in hindsight. All he remembered was that he was teasing Mumbo about something he'd said, getting in the taller's personal space like he normally did. This time he'd apparently gotten too closer, now practically in Mumbo's lap where he sat.

Mumbo stared back at him somewhat awkwardly, blinking. Grian on the other hand was mortified, quickly scrambling away. He hadn't mean to make Mumbo uncomfortable and ruin the day completely.

A hand on his wrist stopped him, pulling him back. Grian looked back at Mumbo, slight confusion spreading on his face. The redstoner was looking at him, almost pleading for him to stay. Grian blinked in confusion, Mumbo moving closer. The position they'd ended up in was quite awkward, both of them shuffling into a more comfortable pose ad Mumbo wrapped him into another hug.

"Sorry about that.." Grian muttered, head gently resting on Mumbo shoulder.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong." His friend's voice was barely above a whisper, tone soft and comforting. "It's fine, really." He muttered, pulling back. Grian felt a wave of relief flood through him, watching as Mumbo sat back again.

They'd ended up in a arguably worse position than before. Grian was propping himself up off the floor, and Mumbo was now straddling him. The latter hadn't backed up much either and both their faces were very close. Grian's breath hitched slightly, watching as Mumbo's gaze wandered to his lips momentarily. His own gaze did something similar before meeting Mumbo's eyes again. Mumbo was looking at him almost needily, leaning in closer so their noses touched and breaths mingled together. Grian didn't mind at all when Mumbo leaned in even more, lips pressing against his.

He happily let Mumbo kiss him into the floor, the others tongue slipping into his mouth hungrily. He tugged at Mumbo's tie, loosening it, hands fumbling for purchase against Mumbo's suit. Grian's arms eventually came to wrap around the others neck, pulling them even closer. He whined when Mumbo pulled away, listening to Mumbo's amused huff as he tried to recapture the other's lips.

Lips were pressed against his neck instead, and Grian shivered at the sensation. He let out pleased sounds as Mumbo pressed kisses against his throat, trailing down to his shoulders as well, red jumper being moved off the side of his shoulder. Mumbo's suit jacket had ended up on the floor in the chaos of the moment, and he was now in an unbuttoned undershirt. A louder, more embarrassing noise escaped the Grian's lips when the taller bit down particularly hard, a bruise already beginning to blossom against his skin. He felt Mumbo smirk into his neck, counting to press even more kisses to Grian's skin.

The two were soon interrupted by footsteps sounding in the base, and a familiar voice ringing through the air. It was then Grian remembered he had invited Scar over as well, and the brunette was later as per usual. This was possibly the worst meeting to come late too after all.

"Grian? Mumbo? Where--oh my!"

Mumbo pulled away abruptly, face turning several shades of red when he saw Scar standing at the door way. He moved so he was no longer pinning Grian, now sitting on the smaller legs instead. It didn't help the situation they were in the the slightest, but it did give Grian some breathing room.

The blonde himself was flustered yes, but he could feel the smug look spreading across his face. Scar himself was also red, gaze glancing between the two of them in surprise.

"It's...not what it looks like?" Mumbo said awkwardly, even though it was absolutely what it looked like.

"I'll just erm, leave you guys too it!" Scar said, quickly shuffling out of the rom. Mumbo spluttered something above him, while Grian just laughed

"You could always join us, Scar!" He yelled after the man, giggling more when the sounds of rockets could be heard a moment afterwards.

"Grian!" Mumbo exclaimed, burying his head into the smaller shoulder with embrassment. Grian himself just kept giggling, content to lay there for a while. They could sort this out later, when he stopped wanting Mumbo's lips against his skin.

#ik i just reblogged it last night but it wont LEAVE my head #it sent me on a whole grumbo spiral #shaking in my tims im srry if you didnt wanna be @'d weasel DFGDCFGH #ron.writing #grumbo #grian #mumbo jumbo #hermitshipping #this was a good warm up for my scarian fic ngl #someone in op's notes said grian invited scar roo and i. thought that was funny #a dash of mumscarian for you all #wondering if i should slap this on a03 #this wasnt supposed to be so long and wordy what possessed me-#mumscarian

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ruinedbybooksandanime · 2 months

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Hello again! Here is chapter two of my ACOTAR OC based story. If it isn’t obvious, Azriel is the future love interest. I hope you all enjoy! As always, I take any and all feedback! Thanks for reading 💕 (Also I’d like to say that I haven’t read TOG yet, I’m on Assassin’s Blade, and already changed a few things so it’s not copy paste, but if there are any similarities between Ravaen and Aelin they are unintentional.)

Summary: Knowledge is power and Ravaen seeks to get it. Luckily for her, she’s in a better position than she thought she would be.

Warnings: Abuse, a little drop of alcohol, subtle flirting (literally less flirting than alcohol)

Words: 4164

Part One

The Raven’s Claws

Chapter 2:

My fingers pluck the strings of the crystal lyre, the norse swirling around in my hand and the room. My voice meets the notes as I sing the tale I decided on today. I move in time with the music, my eyes shut as years of memory guides me, my hands, to create this melody. Nobody in Penrith moves or speaks, all of them focused on me. Even Ylla the bartender has stopped making drinks and I can feel her pitch black eyes on my back.

The song comes to an end, the final note echoing against the walls. It’s like the room was in a daze and once the last sound of that note ends, applause erupts through the bar. A small smile tugs at my lips and I open my eyes, take a deep breath, and stand. I turn around to bow slightly to the crowd of High Fae, all males of high standing or officials of the court. My eyes flicker to the bar, my gaze landing on the one thing that stands out.

An Illyrian warrior clad in black leathers leans against the bartop, his hazel eyes meeting mine. I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes but it’s gone in half a second. A blank look is on his face now like he’s bored and disinterested. I make my way off the stage, stopping to talk to a few males as they praise my playing and offer not so subtle flirtations. When I finally get to the bar, Azriel has disappeared but I know exactly where he’s gone.

Ylla smiles at me, her sharp teeth gleaming in the faelight. “Beautiful! You did good.” She turns to make some drinks, her hands moving quickly. Her speaking is guttural, her race of fae not used to using words but noises made from their throats. “Male fae went to room. He is cute. Very large. Wings are…interesting.”

I laugh softly, the sound filled with fondness. She’s a beautiful fae with her pitch black hair that’s so dark it draws in the light and her almost translucent pale skin. She turns and sits two drinks on the counter.

“He’s an Illyrian,” I say as I drag the drinks toward me. “They make fierce warriors and even fiercer lovers, if the rumors are to be true.” Ylla’s black eyes widen before they narrow on me, a smirk growing on her pink lips. “No, we’re meeting on business. Though I can’t say I won’t entertain the idea.”

“Naughty High Fae,” she giggles and waves her hand. “Drink on me. Have fun.”

I give her a wink as I pick up the two drinks and walking toward my private room. A few more fae males stop me on my trek but as they see the dual drinks in my hands, they only offer a few words before slipping out of my path. I carefully open the door to the room and see the spymaster sitting in one of the arm chairs. He stands as I enter, wariness written across his face even as he sees that it’s me. As I walk toward him, I use my power to throw up a ward around the room to keep any listeners from hearing our conversation. He tenses as he feels my magic.

“Relax, it’s just a silencing ward,” I say as I set both drinks on the small amethyst table between the two arm chairs. “There’s too many ears in the Hewn City.”

The shadows around his face curl through his hair before he nods. His eyes trail over me, that calculating look once again in his gaze. For tonight, I had chosen a black gown with jewels of all shades of purple decorating my skin. My hair is in a half up, half down style and gentle curls frame my face. I clear my throat softly which causes him to startle, seeming to have been lost in taking in my appearance. I come around and sit down in the other armchair and watch as he takes a seat once more.

“What is this place?” Azriel asks as he gestures around the room.

“This is my private hosting room,” the purple room, as I had told him to request when he needed to meet with me. “Many High Fae with big mouths like to have private concertos while they have meetings. It’s a good way to hear the latest who’s who.”

He doesn’t respond as he takes in the room, at the convenient location of the stage to the seating. He almost seems impressed at the room. I cross my legs, the slit in my dress exposing my thigh.

“What did you need me for, spymaster?”

“Rhysand wanted me to give you this,” Azriel pulls a folded piece of paper from a pocket in his leathers. “And ask why you haven’t made a move yet.”

I open the note and read it, a brow raising. “There are certain fae on that list that aren’t in the court right now. I’m debating whether to hit them first or those that are here while I find out more information. My father is having a meeting tomorrow with some of the targets and I’ll be able to glean who is the key players in this.”

Again, he’s quiet and when I shift my gaze from the letter to him, there’s an expression of confusion on his face. I follow where he’s looking and a shocked gasp comes from my lips. I quickly pull my dress over my thigh, over the huge purple and brown bruise that covers the backside of it. I want to smack myself for the stupidity of forgetting about it as he fixes those hazel eyes on me.

“Are you recovering from an injury? Is that why you’ve been taking so long?” Azriel doesn’t seem inclined to inquire any further than those two questions.

“No. I’m not injured and I’m not lying about my reasons for waiting,” my voice is completely flat, a muscle in my jaw tensing in annoyance. I sit Rhysand’s note down in my lap. “I don’t know if the High Lord realizes just how many targets he has given me. He wants this done before the next ball? That only gives me two weeks.”

Azriel’s gaze drops back down to my now covered thigh. “Rhysand wants this mess finished and cleaned up as quickly as possible. If you need aid, I can have one of my spys-.”

“No,” I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “Any extra hands will just make things more complicated.” I press two fingers into my temple, rubbing the growing headache away. “Are you staying in the Hewn City tonight and tomorrow?”

“Yes. I’ll be here for the rest of this week before making my way elsewhere. I have…business to attend to. Why?”

Business. I know what that means. A trip to the dungeons would confirm just who this business is with.

“I’ll gather the information I can from my father’s meetings tomorrow and meet you back here at the same time,” he nods his head, agreeing to my words. “If what I think is going to happen is correct, I can give the High Lord a list of those fae who are helping my father the most. He can decide if he wants them all taken out or just those pillars.”

“Alright,” Azriel crosses his arms. “Taking out the pillars of this revolt would be a good move to start with. But if someone comes along to take their place?”

“Then I’ll deal with them,” I stand to my feet, brushing the skirt of my gown. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As I turn to leave the purple room, I hear him also rise. He clears his throat as I get to the door and I pause, turning to look at him.

“You sing and play beautifully,” he nods his head toward the stage. “It caught me by surprise.”

A bashful smile crosses my lips at his compliment and the heat on my cheeks isn’t faked. “Thank you. Classically trained since I was a young girl. With knives and music…”

His own lips curve up into a smile, his head dipping down as farewell. It doesn’t surprise me when the shadows twist around him and he winnows away. I take my time returning back to the family estate, the cool air of the underground city chilling my bones. It’s late but there’s still many fae milling about. I keep to myself as I finally get home, the entire house oddly still. There aren’t even any servants in the foyer which I find strange but I don’t go seeking anyone out either.

I get to my room and begin to undress for a bath. I let my gown fall to the floor as I take the many pieces of jewelry off of my body. I know that come tomorrow night, I’ll have to put on that cold and deadly mask I was trained to wear from my childhood. A shiver runs down my spine and disgust swells in my stomach. I rub my face with my hand as I try to push those feelings aside.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

When I wake in the morning, the estate is still quiet. I glance toward the clock on the wall and see that it’s just after dawn. I reluctantly climb out of bed before I prepare for the day. I pick a simple sage colored dress and braid my hair into one long rope. It’s a bland look for me but simplicity is best with the work I’ll have to do today.

There’s a moment where I wonder if it’s worth it, if getting out of the Hewn City is really worth covering myself in the blood of others. But I remember that promise, that glimspe of the world outside that Rhysand had shown me. I close my eyes as I see those beautiful streets of colored buildings, the starry night above the sea. It’s not that I’ve never been outside of the Hewn City but the freedom from my family that he promises. I sigh heavily and make my way from my room to the dining room.

My family is already there, minus my older brother, so I take my seat after greeting my mother with a kiss to her cheek. My father is too absorbed in a report he’s reading to have even noticed my presence. I take it for a blessing from the Cauldron. I start to eat but keep the meal light so I’m not weighed down from food.

“Ravaen,” my father says from the head of the table, still reading his report. “With your brother out of the house, I expect you to sit in on the meetings I’ll be having today.” He looks up for just a moment, a sneer on his lips. “And I expect you to be on your best behavior. The fae coming today have sons that are of good standing. Sons you could marry down the line, since you failed at catching the High Lord’s eye.”

It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. If only he knew just how well I did catch Rhysand’s attention. I offer him a small smile as I drink from my cup of tea. “Of course father, as you wish.” My mother cuts me a look at the sarcasm in my words but I ignore it. “What are these meetings about?”

“Does it matter?” my younger sister, Zoe, cuts in. She twirls a strand of her brown hair around her finger. “You get to meet the fathers of the males you might marry. That should be your focus sister.” She drags her green eyes up and down my body and frowns. “You should go change. That dress makes you look insipid.”

“This dress makes it easier for me to move in. In case someone decides to test father today,” I shoot her a wicked grin to which she rolls her eyes. “Dear sister, don’t let the idea of being bred off to some lord’s son is what everyone wants.”

“It’d be better than remaining a club whore who sells herself for information,” she snarls and anger flares in my chest.

“You-!”

“Silence,” father’s voice raises just enough to cover mine. His temper is written all over his features. I swallow against the knot in my throat as his rage focuses on me. “Ravaen. You’re still going to that damned music bar? I’ve told you before that you’re not to go there any longer.”

I glare at Zoe before looking back at him. “I hardly frequent anymore, only when it’s to investigate for work. And I don’t ‘sell myself’ by performing music.”

“Maybe not but you damage the family’s reputation by making yourself a item to be gawked at,” he growls. “Flirting around with all those males will ruin our chances of finding you a husband. Now that you’re of age, it’s time for you to settle down.”

“Father’s right sister,” Zoe sticks her nose right back into our business. “But no one is going to want a used female like you. Especially after you were messing around with that lesser fae at your coming of age party.”

I don’t know why her words piss me off in the way that they do but pure and utter fury explodes from my chest. Darkness fills the room, my eyes glowing bright green as my power snakes across the room and throws her against the wall. Shadows and blackness seem to pull the light from the air as I rise to my feet. Zoe is trembling where she’s pinned, her own green eyes wide with fear.

“You need to learn your place Zoe,” I growl as I stalk around the table. “That lesser fae is twice the fae you’ll ever be. Lest you forget, he’s the High Lord’s spymaster and having his ear is a valuable asset.” I grab her face in my hand, my sharp fingernails digging into her cheeks. I can smell the acrid stench of piss as she wets herself. “Don’t forget who I am and what I can do.”

“That’s enough!” Father has risen from his seat and his own burst of power wipes away mine, but only because I let it. He’s behind me in a flash and he grabs my hair, shoving me to the ground. Zoe scrambles away and into our mother’s arms. “If anyone in this home needs to learn their place it’s you.”

Before I can even do anything, he’s winnowed us out of the dining room and into the training room. He shoves me again and turns to walk toward a cabinet. I don’t let fear come into my body as I see him pull a whip out of it. Defiance swirls in my eyes as he comes back over and grabs my hair again. He drags me to a wooden beam and throws me over it.

“Expose your back.”

“For what?” I hiss at him, glaring over my shoulder. “She needs to be shut up. Am I wrong? Is having Azriel’s ear not a blessing in disguise?”

“Not when you disobey,” his voice is flat with cold rage. “Expose your back. I won’t ask again.”

I bite my tongue, not wanting to infuriate his wrath even more. I turn away and carefully untie the laces of my dress, pulling it down to my hips before leaning on the beam. I don’t get the chance to prepare myself as he swings the whip and a cry leaves my lips. I can feel the welt burning as the whip comes down again. I don’t make a noise this time, my teeth sinking into my lip as I hold my wails back. 15 painful lashes later and he steps away. I pull the front of my dress back up to cover my chest, my cheeks wet from the tears of pain.

“Leave. I will call you when it’s time for the meetings.”

I hear his footsteps as he leaves the room and I finally allow myself to sag into the floor. I can feel the warmth of blood trickling down from those welts, my skin split in some places. No one comes to help me. Not my sister or my mother. Not a single servant. Alone yet again. I slowly climb to my feet, gritting my teeth as agony ripples down my spine. I stumble from the training room, dragging myself back into my bedroom.

It takes a long time for me to get back to my room, every shift of my muscles torture. It takes even longer for me to clean and dress my own wounds. Even with my fae healing, I know just from how wrecked my back is that it’s going to take days for me to properly heal. The dress I was wearing is stained with my blood so I change into a similar one that will cover the bandages wrapping my body.

I fall into my bed and wait for my father to call for me, exhaustion pulling at me. I receive a message from a servant around noon and drag myself from the bed, walking stiffly to one of the drawing rooms. Four men are waiting inside, excluding my father, and I fight to keep the scowl off my face as I see who it is. Every step is met with crippling pain but I can’t let them see any hint of weakness.

“Well, well, well,” Vyllen sneers from where he sits in a plush chair. “I’m surprised to see you here. Tired of fucking lesser males?”

I give him a ferocious grin, narrowing my eyes to a threatening glare. “How could I?” I look him up and down as I stroll past. “They fuck so much better than High Fae. Bigger too.”

He growls, his nostrils flaring. The other three males in the room are clearly stifling their laughter. “What do you know? It’s not like you ever let me get a taste.”

I laugh brightly as I stop next to my father’s desk. “I’d never bend over for trash like you.”

“You-“

He doesn’t get to finish as the door opens again and my father steps into the room. The four males rise to their feet, bowing their heads as he stalks toward the huge chair that makes his would be throne. My father sits down in the chair, his eyes not even looking toward me.

“Lord Thaes,” Kaen, a black haired lord, greets him.

“My friends,” my father addresses them as they sit back down. “How goes our efforts?”

“Well,” Neir, Kaen’s twin brother, says from where he leans back into the cushions of the couch. “Our associates are in a good place. The course we have for the ball is well on its way.”

“Excellent. What about your people, Landras? Last we spoke, you were having issues finding the…additive we spoke of.”

Landras’s eyes dart toward me but I make a show of acting bored and uninterested as I pick at my nails. “We’ll have to use a…alternative method. Unfortunately it’s just the wrong time of the year and those who have it aren’t willing to part with it.”

Each word is a piece of the puzzle that I am to solve. I let each sentence from the lords bounce around in my head. Additive definitely means some sort of poison since it’s season specific. There are quite a few poisons that don’t grow during this time of year so I need to narrow it down to what Landras would have access to. They seem to have plans for the ball and they seem to know the High Lord is going to be there, even though he’s never officially announced it.

“Lord Thaes,” Vyllen sits up, nodding his head toward me. “Not to question your decisions, but why is the lovely Ravaen here and not Brys? I thought he was working with us.”

My blood runs cold at the mention of my older brother and it takes everything in me not to look horrified. Just what has he gotten himself into? Brys is the only person in my family who ever had any sort of compassion for fae. My eyes dart toward my father at the same time his meet mine. A challenge. A threat.

“Brys is currently dealing with our allies in the other courts. He won’t be back in time for the ball. However,” his slithering gaze moves toward Vyllen. “Ravaen has found herself in the good graces of the High Lord and his…friends.” I keep my face still as he hisses the word. “She will be the distraction we need.”

“My Lord,” Vyllen scoffs at his words, looking at me with disgust. “Can we trust your her? After all, just last night my brother spotted her at Penrith with the shadowsinger.”

Shit.

“I don’t think you should trust her with our business. No matter how skilled she may be.”

My father’s stare doesn’t falter, his face as solid as stone even though I feel that cold rage emanating from his body. He didn’t know that I met with Azriel last night and I was hoping to keep it that way. I know I need to cover my ass and do it now before my loyalty comes into question. I let out a tinkling laugh, batting my lashes at him as innocently as I can.

“Come now, Vyllen,” I purposely leave off his title just to get further under his skin. “You asked when I arrived if I was done fucking lesser fae and yet you act surprised when I’m caught doing just that.” He bristles, teeth gritting together. “Pathetic. If you’re going to try and sever my father’s faith in me, think of something more clever next time.”

“Don’t worry about Ravaen, Lord Vyllen,” father intertwines his fingers together, leaning casually back into his seat. “Should she fail us or tell the shadowsinger and the High Lord about our plans, there will be retribution. Someone very dear to her will be punished for it. With their life.”

He doesn’t need to say his name for me to know exactly who he’s talking about. My brother has always been the only one in this family to have any sort of compassion for others and I owe him much and more for the way he took care of me when no one else did. If he’s threatening Brys, that means he’s not working for him like I thought. He must have blackmailed him just like he is me. My blood boils with anger but my gut rolls with nausea. I have to keep myself cool even as bile rises in the back of my throat.

I close my eyes for just a moment, shifting on my feet even though it causes the welts on my back to burn. When I open them, I look directly at Vyllen with an over playful smile. “Don’t worry, Vyllen. Azriel tells me all sorts of sultry little secrets when we meet.” I see all four of the visiting lords visibly cringe as I use his name so fondly. “I’m sure some of them will come in handy.”

“I’m sure,” Vyllen’s words drip with venom as he crosses his arms over his chest.

I turn to my father who is watching our interaction very carefully. “If I may ask, what is this plan exactly? Clearly you’re using some type of poison to harm the High Lord and his two lackys. Is it to kill them or weaken them?”

“That information shall remain within the few who know it,” he nods toward Landras who returns the motion. “You are to distract and give the High Lord’s Inner Circle the laced wine we will have prepared.”

“Kier doesn’t want his daughter harmed. He thinks he can still use her even after she debased herself,” Nier sneers as he glances at me. He clearly thinks the same about me.

“Kier is a part of this?” My brow raises in question.

“No. The spineless prick refuses to help us overthrow Rhysand due to his position as steward and his leadership over the Darkbringers,” Kaen shakes his head. “And yet he still wants us to deliver his daughter safely.”

“Enough,” my father waves his hand and silences the room. “Ravaen, you are dismissed.”

My jaw clenches as he tells me to leave just when I was getting some good information. There is no fighting the order though so I bow stiffly and leave the room. I hear Vyllen make a snide remark as the door closes but the blood is rushing so loudly in my ears that I can’t make out his words.

Time is running out; the thought of the ball being less than two weeks away is weighing down on my soul.

I need to get word to Azriel and my brother. And I need to do it fast.

#a court of thorns and roses #azriel #acotar #original character #story #azriel x reader

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halfmoth-halfman · 1 year

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Wait why the SJM hate? Honest question I had no idea she was a bad person?

ok so i've gotten quite a few asks like this and i'm gonna answer them all here. sorry anon, i'm using your ask as my little soapbox for a moment.

explanation under the cut- fair warning it's long and talks about racism, misogyny, abuse, and rape/sexual assault

this is also gonna be the one time and one time only i address this because i'm a CoD writing blog and (and i'm gonna sound mean here) google is free and if a bunch of people, especially a large group of poc (and more specifically black people), have said an author is problematic and you don't take the time to at least listen or do your own research on that author that's your own fault and willful ignorance.

for some of the other anons asking who sjm is: sarah j maas is an author most famous for her throne of glass (tog) and a court of thorns and roses (acotar) series.

for people who want to say i don't like her because i haven't read her book: i was, at one point, a fan of hers and have read every single one of her books.

sjm and her works are presented as ya and for a lot of people, much like how harry potter and jkr were for my age group, her books were probably their first pick up at around 13 and their first introduction to the ya fantasy genre, to ya romance, or to sexy scenes.

the problem is, her books are hailed as "feminist" titles, when all she does is romanticize these extremely toxic and straight-up abusive relationships between her characters as romantic. the moment the dark, broody love interest is introduced, the female mc loses all agency. (this isn't just an sjm problem, but she's who we're talking about right now)

(tw: rape/sexual assault/abuse/misogyny)

you're given a protagonist who's supposed to be intelligent/capable/able to take care of herself, but as soon as the male love interest (who you can tell sjm likes far more than the female mc) swaggers in, and become a part of the story. the moment the heroine starts to fall, she becomes a side character in her own tale: all of her motivations, her purpose, her desire are now only about furthering this broody mystery man with shadow powers and his ambitions. it may be said that they're equals, there might even be a few tender moments of false hope that the heroine is going to get her spot back as the main character of the book, but it's all a façade. she is and always will be subordinate to the male love interest, and every other man she comes across. and sjm has a big problem with making it clear through her writing that really, it was never the heroine's story in the first place, it was always the man's.

@happysharkintensifies put it best in this post:

It was never her story in the first place. It was his. She no longer makes decisions or takes initiative for herself; it's now for him. It's no longer about her mission or goals or desire; it's now about his. It's no longer about her struggles or pains or hardships, it's now about his. And it's not just her story that's stolen from her. Her personality, character and strengths are wittled away as well. If she's competent and skill at something, then she'll suddenly have the rug pulled out from beneath her by a man who inexplicably outclasses her. If she's confident, well-spoken, and respected, then she'll suddenly become tongue-tied, flustered and condescended to by a smirking man who's somehow more witty and eloquent than she is. If she has ambitions that don't immediately revolve around men or relationships, then she'll suddenly have her mind changed by a man who'll make her forget and discard her goals in favor of his. If she's disinterested in, or indifferent to men, she'll suddenly become infatuated with and softened up by an excessively attractive man almost instantaneously. And, worst of all, if she confronts him for his gaslighting/manipulation/violence/abuse, she'll suddenly find her anger and will crumbling as the story and narrative excuses and forgives him for his misdeeds. Worst of all, she'll be forced to admit that she's wrong."

and to especially add on to that last point, in the acotar series, feyre (the golden white woman) is raped and sexually assaulted by both of her love interests. and when it happens at the hands of rhysand (sjm's favorite brooding love interest) it's described and romanticized as an act of protection- he's doing this for her benefit, and it's not allowed to be brought up in a negative light because he's assaulted her for her own good. the amount of times women in her series are abused/gaslit/manipulated/killed and it is framed as romantic because she's either in a relationship with the man doing it or because he "likes" her is quite frankly disturbing and is a shit message for her majority teen fanbase who are reading these books and solidifying that same stupid rhetoric we all heard as kids that "if a boy hurts/bullies/is mean to you that means he likes you".

there's also the trope she seems to favor in her books of "only good (and mostly white) girls get to keep their powers".

good girls put their man first. they're modest and humble. they need to be saved by a big, strong, brooding man with a dark past. they would never wear revealing clothes and are so so scandalized when they have to be paraded around half-dressed for a plot point. they only fuck when they have to or are forced to because any sort of sexual agency is immediately looked down upon by their man and god forbid they disappoint their man. they're often mistreated by any man they meet and will take the abuse and thank the man for the treatment because they're a good girl.

they're not like other girls, the bad girls.

bad girls are too independent. they're too strong, too proud, too into their looks. they need to be put into their place. how dare they be seductive, wear revealing clothes, sleep with whomever they want.

@ekileh puts it well in this post:

feyre is the literal holotype of a good girl. she puts everyone else, especially her male partner, before herself. she is a little more selfish at the beginning of the books, but she undergoes a lot of character growth by acowar/acofas. in acowar i think it makes her compelling because she’s so recklessly brave that it almost sets her allies’ efforts back (it’s almost a mistake!) but everything always works out for her. but by acofas, when she’s wearing herself to the bone doing charity work, she’s become a martyr. she also is forced into wearing sexy clothes (by rhys) and they don’t do anything sexual until there’s, of course, only one bed. she’s so OP her powers eventually get nerfed for plot reasons (nesta, elain, and other side characters need a chance to shine, so feyre gets pregnant, shielded, and now has a baby to protect so she probably won’t risk herself unless anything threatens nyx), but her powers are still there. she still has control and agency over her powers. she’s just choosing not to use them or put herself in harm’s way because she’s now a mother. nesta, amren, and aelin are bad girls because they are selfish, proud, difficult to get along with. we don’t know much about amren’s sexual history but we know aelin cockteased rowan for months, and nesta made her way through velaris and jumped right into bed with cassian—not for love, but for a distraction—once she was confined to the house of wind. (i know feyre claimed her one bed moment with rhysand was for a distraction as well, but she wasn’t really in the same place as nesta where sex was an active self-destructive coping mechanism for her. and she later admits to rhys she was lying about wanting distraction to protect herself.) and yeah amren and aelin gives up their powers for the wars and nesta gives up her powers for……a wider pelvis. because bad girls can only be redeemed by sacrificing their power. good girls will gladly sacrifice their power and lives, but they are always spared. bad girls may offer their lives too (as amren and aelin did), but even if their lives are spared they never get to keep their power like good girls do. (and of course OP men always get to keep their powers.)

(tw: racism/homophobia/ableism/abuse)

before we get into this next part: i am black, more specifically a queer black woman living in america.

it's no secret that sjm's books are severely lacking in diversity. there's the illusion of diversity with the "dark" brooding love interest and his gaggle of equally broody assholes- the slight tan, or golden bronze, or light olive skin meant to placate readers looking for more representation. and sjm knows this, so she gives them a setting and culture that's a poorly picked apart and reduced version of real life non-white cultures without any care of thought.

and what representation people of color do get in her books are almost the same as most other popular fantasy novels (looking especially at you, game of thrones):

they're the dark-skinned savages, the uneducated and violent

they're the conquerors, the people who have been harassing our straight white girl main and ethnically ambiguous faves and need to be put in their place

they're the former servants or slaves who are rising against their oppressors but aren't doing it in a polite or kind way the mc's deem fit so their often valid points are immediately dismissed

they're the beautiful, strong seductresses who are in the way of the perfect white mc getting with her dark, broody man so they must die, often in an unnecessary or extremely violent manner

sjm says she supports the black lives matter movement, says that there is diversity in her books, and then in the same breath will prop up and praise art for her books that blatantly whitewashes what few characters of color there are, she will give the excuse that it was her publishers who lightened these characters skin without her knowledge because, of course this character who she's never described as anything other than tan with european features is actually supposed to be a character of color,

she will use the death of a real black woman murdered by police as a way to promote her next book (link)

it is exhausting and unbelievably hurtful, to have to watch as an author (especially a non-black author) who has shown no respect towards her black characters or any of the real cultures she boils down to basics for her books praise herself and let her fans praise her on having diversity in her books, blatantly and carelessly use a movement meant to bring to light and discuss the violent ways black people are murdered at the hands of the police to promote herself and her books where black and characters of color exist only to be killed and black and poc women are fridged for white pain.

it is also hurtful as someone who is a part of the lgbtq+ community and disabled to have to sit through books that contain things like:

this woman identifies as lesbian, but she's going to be in a love triangle with men and will suffer unbelievable amounts of sexual abuse and violence at the hands of men so her lesbianism will disappear because sleeping with men is her trauma response

all bisexuals are threesome sex fiends

magical cures for disabilities because how dare someone not want to be "normal"

it's not abuse if it was done for your own good followed by the outrageous lengths sjm goes to in order to redeem male abusers and rapists like rhysand, and tamlin, and eris to the point where some of them get the best happy ending but then violently murder all female abusers in the most horrific ways

look, at the end of the day, sarah j maas is a popular author. she writes (imo) mediocre books that are really only for white women/teens/young adults to live out their tall, dark and handsome mystery magic man fantasy. but she's famous, and more than happy to let her fans speak over any valid criticisms black and people of color have brought up over her writing, and her acts as a person.

she will never go away, most likely never change or acknowledge or take responsibility for things she's said/done/written, her fans will probably never care or give a shit about these problems, and as long as people continue to support her and buy her books she won't give a shit either.

all i can do is curate the content i consume to ensure i don't have to see or deal with her or her writing.

if you're a fan of hers- fine, you do you. i know there are people who i'm sure are perfectly nice individuals who are fans of her and i'm sure there are people of color who enjoy her books- that's entirely up to them. i'm not going to go around telling people to not read her books, or go into spaces for her fans to scold people over their like of her. If you want to read her books and support her despite the harm she's caused and the criticisms poc have spoken about, that's on you and i have little respect for you.

i know i sound mean in some of this, but this is my blog and i'm sure there are hundreds of other blogs out there ready to sing sarah j maas's praises. so, if you're a fan of hers and don't want to see criticism of or any type of negative feelings towards her or her books, i am going to politely suggest that my blog is not the place for you.

#anon #moth answers #answered #anti-sjm

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darklove9314-blog · 1 year

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All Fanfic Projects and An Announcement for Some of My New Ones

So as most of my followers know I love writing fanfiction and I’ve been obsessed with writing primarily ACOTAR fanfiction. Well I thought it would be fun today to announce all my projects and my future ones that are now in the works as well. Spoilers for SJM Books.

Current WIP That are Now Published on A03:

-Symphonia (Nessian family fic/ACOTAR Next Gen Fic)

-The Song in the Shodaws (Gwynriel fic)

-Fire on Fire (Nessian Forbidden Romance Fic. This will be where I will post updates for my Nessian Forbidden romace story I started on Tumblr)

-She is the Sunlight (Jesminda and Lucien’s love Story)

-Hearts Set Aflame (A Nessian fanfic where Nesta and Cassian are sent to the Illyrian mountains to keep Nesta safe from the queen. This is also a ACOSF Rewrite of sorts.)

-Toxic Queen (A Nessian AU fic where Cassian hates the Archerons for what they did to his family and sets his sights on seducing Nesta to get back at them, but ends up falling for her instead.)

-How Can You Mend A Broken Heart? (A Feyre, Nesta, and Elain centered fanfiction set at the end of ACOWAR where Rhys dies instead of being brought back to life by the High Lords, and the sisters try to find their own ways of coping with all they have lost.)

-As Bright As The Dawn (A Collection of ACOTAR/SJ,M prompts that I mostly post on Tumblr.

-In A Sky of A Thousand Stars (This is what I think will happen in House of Flame and Shadow/ My ACOTAR/CC Crossover)

-Shadow and Flames (This fic is basically a Nesta, Cassian, and Azriel Fic where they partake in Nesta’s fantasy.)

-The Everlasting Spring (An Elucien Fanfic where Elain and Lucien have to work together to not only save the Spring Court, but find out that there is a bigger threat that they hadn’t expected coming.)

Future Fanfics That I’ve Started Working on That The First Chapter will be Released soon.

-Burn for You (A Nessian Fanfic that centers their time together during ACOMAF-Pre ACOSF.)

-Fire and Ice (A Eris centered Fanfic where Eris goes to the Winter Court to try and make allies amongst some of the Winter Court Citizens and finds something unexpected there.)

-The Truth in the Silence (A Fanfic centered around Mor and Emerei’s relationship as well as an emotional healing journey for Mor.)

-Days in the Sun (Helion and The Lady of the Autumn Court’s love story)

A Flame in The Night (An ACOTAR/TOG crossover Fic where Nyx fand Rowaelin;s daughter in order to bring peace amongst their parents two courts are placed in ana arranged marriage)

A Tale of Two Courts (A Rhys/Tamlin centered fic that tells the events of the night that broke them apart and made them despise each other.)

Future fics that are planned, but have no set release yet.

-Wanting was Enough (This Fic is going to be set after the events of Symphonia and will mostly center around Melody as she tries to navigate through the events at the end of Symphonia.)

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bewires · 3 months

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WIP game

Rules: In a new post, post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it!

Tagged by @knoepfchen

I don't really have a lot of active WIPs anymore, I've been in a writing slump. I also don't have a WIP folder, I have a bunch of random documents spread through different platforms, but let's see.

the not-wedding best man fic (top gun)

beware the woman under the water (TOG fairy tale AU)

choose your own adventure (TOG, sadly on hiatus)

Book of Nile 5 times (TOG, haven't touched it in years)

Second Chance (original, sequel to Heart First, completed first draft awaiting editor's notes)

id driven romance novel (original, very new project)

tagging @polarcell @gallifreyburning @raedear in case you haven't done this already!

#tag game

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acourtofthought · 11 months

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First Kiss

This post will contain spoilers for the TOG series. The following are the words exchanged between various pairings prior to their first kiss in SJMs books. Some are endgame while others did not last. Tamlin / Feyre - "Time goes faster when you're drunk on faerie wine" "I'm not drunk" "They're starting again" "I want to show you something better" "Here" "What is it?" "What are they?" "Will-o'-the-wisps - spirits of are and light." "Come to celebrate the solstice". "They're beautiful." "Dance with me, Feyre." "Really?" "Really." "Feyre." "Feyre." "It's almost dawn" "What?" "I'm thinking I might kiss you." Celaena / Dorian "And how's your present?" "Oh, she hid under my bed, then in the dining room, which is where I left her." "You locked the dog in your dining room?" "Should I have kept her in my bedroom, where she could ruin the carpets? Or in the gaming room, where she might eat the chess pieces and choke?" "Perhaps you should have sent her to the kennels, where dogs belong." "On Yulemas? I couldn't think of sending her back to that wretched place!" "Well?" "You left the ball without saying good-bye" "I'm impressed you got up here so quickly - and without a pack of court ladies hounding after you. Perhaps you should try your hand at being an assassin." "I'm not interested in court ladies." Yrene / Chaol "I knew another woman who lost as much as you. And do you know what she did with it - that loss? She hunted down the people responsible for it and obliterated them. What the hell have you bothered to do all these years?" "I might not have battled kings and shattered castles but I am the heir apparent to the Healer on High. Through my own work and suffering and sacrifice. And you're standing right now because of that. People are alive because of that. So I may not be a warrior waving a sword about, may not be worthy of your glorious tales, but at least I save lives - not end them." "I know." "Yrene, I know". "Please" "Don't go, I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "I meant none of it." "I was spoiling for a fight and - I meant none of it, Yrene. None of it. And I'm so sorry." "A kernel if it must have been in you, though." "I meant it about myself. What you have done Yrene, what you are still willing to do...You did this - all of this not for glory or ambition, but because you believe it is the right thing to do. Your bravery, your cleverness, your unfaltering will...I do not have words for it, Yrene." "Please, Yrene." "Perhaps it makes you feel better about yourself to associate with meek, pathetic, little people like me." "I do not....You know I didn't mean it." "Do I?" "You know it, damn you." (Reading the light in her eyes. The tone. The witch was tricking into walking. Coaxing him to move. To follow) Feyre / Rhys - "Did you think I would go with him?" "I heard every word between you. I knew you could take care of yourself, and yet" "And yet I found myself deciding that if you took his hand, I would find a way to live with it. It would be your choice" "And if he had grabbed me?" "Then I would have torn apart the world to get you back." "I would have fired at him if he had tried to hurt you" "I know" "One thought in exchange for another, not trained involved please." "I'm thinking, that I look at you and feel like I'm dying. Like I can't breath. I'm thinking I want you so badly I can't concentrate half the time I'm around you, and this room is too small for me to properly bed you. Especially with the wings" "I'm thinking that I can't stop thinking about you. And that it's been that way for a long while. Even before I left the Spring Court. And maybe that makes me a traitorous, lying piece of trash, but - " "It doesn't" "We should go to sleep" "You're shivering so hard the bed is shaking" "My hair is wet" "No expectations, just body heat" "Your finger...is very cold" "You cruel, wicked thing." "Didn't anyone ever teach you manners?" "I never knew Illyrians were such sensitive babies" "Greedy - first you terrorize me with your cold hands, now you want...what is it you want, Feyre?" "What is it you want Feyre?" "I want a distraction" "I want - fun" "Then allow me the pleasure of distracting you" Nesta / Cassian "Who and what I prefer is none of your concern" "Nor is - " "You haven't answered my first question. Or are all thsese other questions a diversion?" "What's it to you?" "More questions" "No, I haven't." "Why should I have bothered?" By the time I came of age, I was surrounded by low-born brutes and bastards. I'd rather use my own hand than sully myself with theirs." "Who." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Did someone hurt you." "Would it change anything if someone had? Would it make you see me differently, treat me differently?" "It'd make me hunt them down and shatter every bone in their body" "You don't know me." "Why bother?" "I'd do it for anyone" Or possibly people are counting the following as their first kiss since the above only led to Cassian kissing her jaw: "Get up." "Get up." "You're too heavy." "I can't - he's coming -". "Go" "Go!" "I can't, I can't". "I have no regrets in my life, but this." "That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta." Aelin / Rowan "You said that things had changed - that we'd deal with it." "I'm not going to ask you for anything you're not ready or willing to give." "Aelin, you deserve better than this - than me." "Don't tell me what I do and don't deserve. Don't tell me about tomorrow, or the future, or any of it." "What do you want me to tell you, Fireheart?" "Tell me that we'll get through tomorrow. Tell me that we'll survive the war. Tell me - " "Tell me that even if I lead us all to ruin, we'll burn in hell together." "We're not going to hell, Aelin." "But wherever we go, we'll go together." "Just once," she aid. "I want to kiss you just once." "That sounds like you're expecting not to do it again." "I know the odds." "You and I have always relished damning the odds." "Even when we're apart tomorrow, I'll be with you every step of the way. And every step Elain / Azriel "I..." "I was coming to leave this on your pile of presents. I forgot to give it to you earlier." "Here." "You put them in your ears, and they block any sound. With Nesta and Cassian living there with you....." "No wonder you didn't want me to open it in front of everyone." "Nesta wouldn't appreciate the joke." "I wasn't sure if I should give you your present." "It's beautiful." "Put it on me?" "I should go". "Yes" "Yes" Does anyone see where I'm going with this? The couples that became endgame shared in fairly deep conversations before their kiss. Were they always being 100% honest with themselves? Definitely not, especially when we know Feyre was still trying to deny what she felt for Rhys at that time. But they still shared more than polite, surface level conversations. They were somewhat raw and made themselves vulnerable to one another. Was the build up to Feyre and Tamlin's first kiss romantic? Absolutely in a very Hallmark kind of way but SJM isn't that sort of author. If two characters are not dealing with something that has emotional depth or if they're not fighting before their kiss than chances are not good that a couple will be endgame. Her romances feel heavy and intense to me, not sugary and sweet. She could take things in a completely different direction in the next book, rewrite the way Elain and Az are around one another or create sides of the characters personality that we've yet to see. But I would bet that the way Elain and Az are currently written as individuals and together means they won't be happening.

#anti e/riel #antielriel

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pearblossommina · 1 year

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ToG Read-A-Long, Crown of Midnight, day 8

Wow!

(The dog is okay! Thank god!)

If there’s one thing that could make me like Chaol again, it’s the fact that he stopped at nothing to dive into a hellish dimension to rescue Fleetfoot.

Obviously I need some more detail about fae and what they are and why humans might fear and hate them.

If we’re going by ACOTAR rules, faeries never seemed to be all that different from humans, and the fear just stems from a centuries old war that might have carried with it a prejudice through the generations.

We kind of got a glimpse of the wider world in this story, but we haven’t really encountered fae or tales of their wickedness yet. But Celaena herself calls it “the monster unleashed” or whatever, so maybe they are worse than ACOTAR faeries, or maybe, she’s just been hanging out with humans too long and has internalized that self hatred. But I think she stands a good chance of teaching the world that faeries are just like humans, especially since she was able to mask herself as one and build all these vital friendships.

I dunno

I just hope that they don’t all start to hate her for something she can’t control.

RIP ARCHER

you were awesome until you killed Nehemia. If you’re gonna come between me and my princess, you gotta go, I’m sorry.

Still rooting for the Celaena dark path, even if it’s not what Nehemia wanted. Sometimes the darkness is the light, smh

Okayyyy

So she’s a Demi-fae

Chaol is being pretty sweet about it, honestly

(This is a more emotional breakup than the one she had with Dorian)

I don’t like how he gets to decide what to do for her, though. Like maybe ask her first, before you promise your dad you’ll un-abdicate and go home?

Well I guess it’s decided. In the next book we go to Wendlyn. Even Elena told Celaena not to worry about Wyrdkeys, or about King Whatever.

I wonder if Wendlyn’s king and heir will get names or if they’re gonna be vague unnamed characters, too 😩

Dorian and Chaol are fighting again

Boys

Please

Give it a rest

Celaena is going to fight for the rebellion, a promise to her best and truest love of all time, Nehemia, who died so violently, and came back from the dead so peacefully, and then left again to give her all these mixed up emotions.

(I love you Nehemia!)

(I hope we see you again, someday!)

I can’t beleive she’s leaving without Fleetfoot! (😭)

We are lingering so much on this last day, lol

Another breakup scene with Chaol and Celaena

What did she whisper to him - I wonder?

So she was secretly Aelin Galathynius!!!!!!

I’m very excited

(Girl)

Does she even know? Or does she have to discover it herself?

I feel like she had so many parts where she was like no one knows what happened to her. No one knows if she’s even alive or dead…

(I was like, she’s alive, she’s important, she has a faerie boyfriend and I’ve seen lots of kinky fanart of him) (I didn’t seek it out lol)(I just like to look at sexy nsfw faeries and everybody who draws ACOTAR fanart also draws TOG fanart) (lol)

I literally thought these books were about faeries, lmao, I did not expect the bait and switch of book one and two. But I was thinking maybe we were in a Feyre’s book/Nesta’s book type of deal. I was like we have to get through this weird worldbuilding and SOON we will go to the faerie realm

I CANNOT WAIT

TO GO TO THE FAERIE REALM

LET’S GOOOOO

#tog read along 2023 #crown of midnight #this series is shaping up to be excellent #I can’t wait for book 3 #xoxoxo

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nikethestatue · 1 year

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What is your opinion on the themes SJM portrays in her books, like the whole good triumphs over evil, through love all is possible, court of dreams, I am not afraid, etc. Do you like it? I enjoy them fine but I sort of wish she also explored more interesting themes like most authors do about human nature, nature of love, self destruction, dualities, etc (like common classic ones). Personally I find it more compelling when authors explore themes that aren’t necessarily sunshine and rainbows. I think it’s interesting that people praise SJM for not shying away from complexity and darker stuff but compared to other works I’ve read she’s a fairly black and white author that tells classic tales of a hero who is good and a villain who is bad. Yes her characters often have more “grit” than other happy go lucky YA types, but they’re still ultimately good morally. This isn’t a knock against SJM because I do enjoy her hopeful themes and I think it’s sweet she wants to convey these things to her readers. Sometimes I wish she just mixed it up a bit you know. But maybe that’s just not her style. (I also suspect all her books going forward are going to be rom-com-ish.)

i am actually very much of the same opinion--i wish for MORE darkness. More trials. I think in her quest to make sure that everyone's got their HEA, she sometimes forgets about the characters that she originally wrote.

Looking back at TOG, and at CC, I thinks she did it much better in both of those series, as opposed to ACOTAR.

Aelin truly did some terrible things, and she was grey and she went through hell. We knew that there would probably be HEA, but the journey to that end was difficult and painful. Aelin lying in a coffin in that mask, tortured so extensively that she had new skin all over her body is pretty intense stuff. Her relationship with Rowan was uncomfortable at times, though eventually, beautifully rendered.

In ACOTAR, it feels like SJM is ....scared? She is scared to make it painful. She is scared to make any of them be questionable or grey. Rhys was fantastic in the beginning BECAUSE he was so interesting and so malevolent at times. Feyre truly suffered, and was faced with terrible decisions. By ACOWAR, the need to make them all saintly really started to show and for many, Feysand, unfortunately, lost its appeal. They were TOO happy. The trials were too predictable. SJM killed Rhys and for WHAT? For half a page? Feyre cried. She asked others to wake him up and they did. That's it. That was the extent of the drama.

Where was a terrifying bargain that Feyre needed to strike with some entity to bring him back? Where was the sacrifice? SJM literally just repeated exactly the same thing that she did with Feyre's resurrection.

I think you can do hopeful and you can do HEA, but it shouldn't be so predictable. Like we all knew that Nessian will squabble a bit and then be together. That's it. Like how many scrying sessions do we need? And if you are gonna kill Cassian, then kill him for real!! And then have Nesta use her Power of Death to fight for him WITH Death and claw him out of it. Not just be 'haha, jokey jokey, I was hardly even in danger!'

it's still is a fantasy book. Let's see some more magic and fantasy which are difficult to overcome. I think it all boils down to really poor bad guys in ACOTAR. They are not scary. They are barely evil. No one understands their motivations. Therefore, the fight is never very genuine. Hybern? Come on. He guy barely raise his head and died in the same book. Amarantha had potential, but was again killed at once. ACOSF didnt even have a villain.

CC, i think, is a more interesting book, with more complexity than ACOTAR. SJM's obsession with Rhys isnt doing her any favours.

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faerie-fire-fantasy · 1 year

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the old guard sequel has been filmed and is coming in 2023, but you're SO right... it should have been out far earlier, AND we definitely deserve a spin-off TOG series based on the Tales Through Time anthology or something. netflix is horrible at cultivating franchises. :///

i didnt know that that's really exciting news!!! i havent read the graphic novels tho i really need to, i love the characters and want to get to know more about them!!

but i definitely want more movies as well because i am gay and charlize theron is hot as fuck

#faerie fire #faerie fire answers #the old guard

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a-malady · 1 year

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Eulogy to a Dead God

Journal of Jerico

A creative writing piece about beginnings, endings, and in between.

Is it odd for someone like me to keep a journal? A record of one's own thoughts is a useful tool. Sentience is taken too lightly sometimes I think. I think, therefore I am. Sometimes just Being is taken too lightly.

I wonder at how large it all seems. Are all worlds like this or have I simply gotten lucky? How large it all is, and even as a manifestation of the universe itself, how small I seem.

This world is strange. The last was nothing like it. Fewer people, though I'm seeing more and more. They seem to be settling in, spreading out. I do not know if they even notice me. I do not know if I want them to. I'm sure the next world will be just as large.

So many ruins dot this world. I wonder who built them. I am certain I was the first to arrive, but they were here before me. Perhaps they simply always have been. Many things begin ruined. Restoration is a skill that takes time.

There is an old story about children who played a game at the end of the world and became gods of the next. Gambling as the remains crumble around you. I wonder if I am like them.

Before can be hard to remember. I know that it was there, but what was it like? When I try to Know there is nothing but static. I wonder if there are others who only hear static instead of memory. I wonder if we know what each other forget.

I do not know that I believe in Death any more. Too many tales of what forms they take, who they chase. My own immortality has yet to be disproved. Many people here die all the time and seem no worse for wear.

There is another story about children who simply appeared one day near a lamp post. Became kings and queens, then disappeared. It is said they came back once again as children. To live a full life and simply have time rewound… I cannot imagine.

The days grow longer. At least, I think they do. Whole seasons seem to fly by, and I hardly notice. Sometimes I awake covered in snow, roots twisting around me. Sometimes I hear singing in the woods.

Perhaps it would be better to let the forest take me. A cairn above me, the earth below. If I wake up, I wake up. If I do not… Does it count as being buried alive if you cannot die?

The grave is built. I have yet to decide if I will use it. Perhaps it doesn't matter. This world is so steeped in Death it does not seem to phase its inhabitants. I do not know that it would change me either. Perhaps I am already a ghost of a god. Perhaps I always was.

There is a story about a boy who was simply born… different. He grew, and eventually they thought he died, but he had simply become energy. Heard they got him back all right. Heard he had so, so many who missed him.

There was once a boy born with so much magic in his veins, that eventually he simply dissolved. Became something like me I suppose. I wonder if he too would have rather just faded.

A tree has grown over the grave. Life, in the place of death. I wonder if it will become completely overgrown eventually. I wonder if anyone would remember. I wonder if the forest will forget my passing, and the singing in the woods will finally quiet. Leave no stone unturned they say.

Perhaps Death has simply forgotten about me. He seems to care not for the other people here, through they simply receive shortened visits instead of none at all. I think I miss it.

It seems I am just drifting. Nothing to do, seeing everything but now interacting. For the most part, just lonely. Someone who is alone does not have to be lonely. Someone who is lonely does not have to be alone. I am both, I think.

There once was a town on the edge of everything. One could have amazing luck if they simply focused, bending situations to their will. One person always had to hold it there however; to remember everything exactly as it was, or face the disappearance of everything. They were well cared for, but unable to do much else in that state. A necessary sacrifice, to hold the town together. They look around at every tiny thing and think, "Even this? Even this?" I wonder if they are still there.

The forest grows on, uncaring for any woes. The trees strengthen and flourish, and my tomb is swallowed. I doubt any would attend to it, should they discover my resting place. I have not attended it. Why should they?

It is said they once were a duo, a tale of clay and stone. One the god of constants, his twin the goddess of change. It is said that they rarely got along, being so opposed. I would welcome a companion, even as an enemy.

It is said that the god went on and hated as he grew, so he chose not to. Constantly remaining a serious child, he chose not to grow up, not to keep his youth but to stave off the change of age. It is futile to spurn the wheel of time. It is the one thing not even gods can do.

It is said that the goddess fell in love with a mortal. The one hiding together that town at the edge of infinity. One doomed never to move as her world faded around her, the other stuck pining for someone she would never even be able to converse with. It is said that they would both sit together, cross legged at the edge of that town.

I wonder if it is possible to love someone in passing. To see a stranger dance in the rain, and fall for them, if only a little. To see the hustle and bustle of life and believe? To read a story, and wish you could have known them?

So many stories, so many absent. So many missed.

Tell me a story Lamb.

Of course Wolf.

One day there was a man who played god. Or perhaps a god who played man. Either way, a pretender. Then, one day, he died.

That was a good story Lamb.

Thank you, Wolf.

#I wrote this in one night as a lore piece for my minecraft server #the short formatting is because of that #one paragraph per page #you don't realize how short minecraft book pages are until you're trying to write one #writing

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