#Knights Point Lookout

[way337]

Knights Point Lookout｜武士角觀景台：Haast 公路必停海崖絕景～

《Knights Point Lookout 武士角觀景台》有人去過嗎？這次紐西蘭自由行規劃的還算Chill，只是這天從Franz Josef到Wanaka的路程比較遠，開車需要4小時，所以沿路開、沿途休息，所以跑了不少紐西蘭西岸景點，好比Ship Creek 船溪 、Thunder Creek Falls 雷鳴溪瀑布、Fantail Falls 扇尾瀑布等以及這篇要介紹的Knights Point Lookout 武士角觀景台，不起眼觀景台可以一覽Tasman Sea 無敵海景～ Continue reading Knights Point Lookout｜武士角觀景台：Haast 公路必停海崖絕景～

[theninthdoor]

݁˖⚘‧˚ pac || yes or no + short message/clarification ࣪˚࿔

🌷 think of a question you need a Yes/No answer for, take 3 deep breaths, ground yourself, and then pick one of the 8 options below. this PAC should give you a general idea of what the energy surrounding this matter is + what Spirit wants you to know and/or suggest you to do about it. 🌷 take only what resonates and leave the rest! if you feel like the pile you’ve initially picked doesn’t really apply or resonate with you, then don't force it. just really try to use your intuition + your discernment. and you can also, of course, pick more than one pile. 🌷 remember that this is all for entertainment purposes and that free will still exists. don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to or to make a pile/answer fit you situation, alright? 🌷 enjoy, my friends!

Pile 1 || ✧

cards: ace of pentacles, king of swords, Time for a Nap

Your answer, dear Pile 1, is Yes! This might require some more work going forward, and things might not be or go exactly as you have envisioned them up until this point, but the outcome should still be very positive! At the bottom of the deck we have the Eight of Pentacles and the Four of Wands, too, which suggest that your efforts will be rewarded (now or later), for sure, as long as you stay committed to whatever it is that you have in mind. New communication or clarity regarding this matter might be coming towards you soon, as well, so I would be on the lookout for that! At last, Spirit is saying that it's alright for you to relax now. Don't rush; don't fret; don't doubt. Things will work out for the best, as you will surely see. You're going in the right direction (action-wise, thought-wise, or both).

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Cat- names; C- names. Cambridge. UK. Harvard. Planning for college. Light brown hair. Green hair. Tan skin. Howard. H- names. Blue manicure. Red manicure. Ice. Snow. New books. Missing deadlines. Tabi shoes. Blue pajamas. Elf. Elv-. Long essays. Yellow flowers. Craving donuts or croissants. Bears.

Pile 2 || ✧

cards: ace of swords rx, seven of wands rx, Breathe rx

This seems like a No, dear Pile 2… Something about it is making me feel like your/someone's time has passed or other things have now gotten in the way of this, so the road is blocked. We have the Ten of Cups at the bottom of the deck, though, which, to me, is a sign that even if No is not what you were expecting to hear, it will still prove itself to be the best answer you could get. The future holds clarity and resolve. It's not so much that you're being denied whatever it is that you have in mind; it's more so like you're being redirected towards something better altogether. And, I think, the long-run is what you should be thinking of, not the past or the present.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Burgundy hair. Ginger hair. Ginger cat. Ginger. Spices. A new baby in the family. Younger brother. Losing or breaking an umbrella. Iris. Inez. Ingrid. Slovenia. Slovakia. Sweden. Norway. Royalty. S- names. Monet. Painting. Studying art. A- names. Y- names. Red brick.

Pile 3 || ✧

cards: knight of wands rx, nine of wands, Go The Distance

No for now; More likely in the future. - That is what I heard here. The timing isn't quite right for it to happen or for you to make a decision. Something tells me, too, that if the answer were to be Yes, you'd soon find out that it should've been a No instead. If this were to come to you right now, that is, it's likely that you wouldn't be happy about it, even if you think you would. Now, if you're asking about someone else, I feel like there's some sort of pause there. I see no activity; just silence and/or distraction - like the other person is looking away from this. So, basically: Now is not the time. That is our take away from this.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Elephant. E- names. Flowers. Garden. Spring allergies. Allergic reactions. Arguments with the mother. Light-colored hair. Throwing a lot of old stuff away, or wanting to. Planning for a tattoo. Saving money. Drawings of trees. Biology. Botany. Lakes. L- names. Lily. Leon-. Land-. Pisces placements. Elev-. Eleventh grade.

Pile 4 || ✧

cards: temperance, the high priestess, Why?

Your answer is Yes. There is some complexity to this issue, though, as the cards are suggesting a need to seek more information. Not only do I think you might need to reflect, by yourself, a little bit about this, but it may also be a case of you needing to talk to others and/or do some research about whatever it is that you're asking about here. If I were to put this energy into a sentence, it would be "Keep moving in this direction, yes, yet cautiously and slowly."; so, even if the answer is positive, you still need to be careful, in order to avoid mistakes and/or misunderstandings. The future just isn't as clear as the present, it seems.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Listening to Taylor Swift or reading articles about her. Red lipstick. Red manicure. Working at a beauty store. Hairdresser. Fish. Sushi. Fishing. Fire placements; Aries placements, in particular. Andrew. Andre-. Baby blue. Painting walls. Wallpaper. Buying decor or home appliances. The countryside. Get-together with friends. Date night. Plastic surgery. Dolls. Iv-. Hiv-. V- names. Vanya/Vania. W- names.

Pile 5 || ✧

cards: knight of cups, six of wands rx, Chaos and Conflict

Alright… this one is a solid Maybe. There are many pros and cons; many points in favor and many others against. Overall, there are a lot of conflicting energies at play here. If this involves other people, then your energy is not aligned with theirs, so whatever you want and/or expect doesn't reflect their current standing. You're not seeing eye to eye, and you, yourself, don't seem to be seeing things clearly. Within you, too, I think there's a lot of confusion surrounding this situation. You're just being misguided, somehow, either by your mind or your heart. Either way, though, I don't think this is anything too serious or final, and you should, eventually, find your way to the truth. If you asking about a decision you've been pondering on, then the answer is: Wait. As I said before, you are mistaken, somewhere or somehow. This direction you're going in might not be completely wrong - or else the answer would've been a No, I suppose -, but something about this isn't quite right.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: On and off relationships. Friendships ending. Betrayals. Starting new TV shows. Binge watching shows or movies. Film class. Critical essays. Bad grades. Red or orange clothing. New dresses or skirts. Cottage core. A very old pet. Grey fur. G- names. Phillipe/a. Fil-. Trish. T- names. Treasure. S- names.Tr-. Spain. Argentina.

Pile 6 || ✧

cards: death, ace of cups rx, Come To The Edge

Before I even pulled the cards here I heard "your friends are not being helpful" - yet I feel like the message might also apply to acquaintances, coworkers, etc., or anyone or anything you have been relying on a lot as of late, really. I feel you being pushed and pulled; being made to run in circles. Whenever you're close to your goal and/or to the truth, something else or someone else distracts you, and then you're back to the beginning. There's an element of immaturity and carelessness here, both coming from you and from around you, so I would, for sure, keep an eye out for that, too. Besides that, I also feel like you're only seeing what you want to see. There is much more to it, yet you're allowing yourself to be deceived and misled.

So, here, the answer here is not really a Yes, nor it is a No. I think the question, itself, is either pointless or misconstrued, so what you ought to do is take a step back and make sure you're using reason and being realistic. After you do so, then, I believe, you might find the right questions to ask (or realize you shouldn't be bothering with this matter at all).

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Going from PAC to PAC. Angel numbers. Social media lurking. Gossip. Frustration. Libra placements. Sagittarius placements. A- names. D- names. Lace. L-names. M- names. Bows. Coquette. Sis-. Sib-. Vancouver. Sol-. Son-. Kark-. Asia. Indonesia. Philippines. Northeast. Tornado. Mel-. Grains. Pink phone case. Yellow phone case. Small tattoos.

Pile 7 || ✧

cards: the sun, seven of pentacles, Come To The Edge reversed

This feels like a soft Yes, but a Yes nonetheless! I think things are moving in the right direction, as it is, so even if this isn't a clear Yes as of yet, it is likely to become one pretty soon. And, whatever it is that you're seeking, I believe, is likely to either come to you or become available in the near future; so this is like the energy is building up to it or maturing. - and 'Maturing', I think, is really the keyword here, and what you need to reflect upon! You also need to keep moving and to keep bringing positive energy into your life; stagnancy won't do it. Patience is also needed, as well as respect for Divine timing. If there are other people involved here, I feel positive in regard to that/them, too. Everything seems pretty nice, overall, and optimistic.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: Jo- names. Jasper. Buying crystals. Setting up an altar. Al-. Morocco. North Africa. Egypt. Family traditions. The sun. Sisters. Stars. Ancestors. Ancestor work. Baby names. Mother figure. Long dresses/skirts. Wedding. F- names. P- names. K- names. Kan-. Can-. Vials. Ven-. Bracelets. Virgo placements. Capricorn placements. New romantic interest or relationship.

Pile 8 || ✧

cards: eight of wands rx, king of pentacles, Treasure Island

This is not yet a Yes, but might be on it's way to becoming one! It isn't a No, though. It's just kind of a 'meh'… not even a 'maybe'. There's resistance here. Doubts. Questions. Lack of clarity, all around. I think what you are needing right now is time, first and foremost, dear Pile 8. You need time to think; time to make up your mind about some important things; giving others time, too. Instead of focusing too much on what you're inquiring about here and over-saturating your mind and/or the situation, take a break instead. Relax; do some self-care. You need to look at this matter with fresh eyes from now on, or you might miss the most important cues. Because, overall, the energy is positive, yes, but it could still turn into something less favorable if you push it too much or act on impulse rather than reason.

extra messages - don't have to apply; serves as extra confirmation: I accidentally wrote Pile G instead of Pile 8 for whatever reason, so the letter G might be very significant here. Also, you might find some extra messages in Pile 7, as I am feeling like the two are somehow connected. Grandmother's house. Tile floors. Italy. Sweeping leaves off the floor. Gardening. Cats. Baby pets. Vind-. Motorcycles. Old bus. Something inherited from the grandfather or father. Gold jewelry. Fol-. Jewelry on the right hand/arm. -in. 28. 8. 88. 33.

decks used || The Original Rider Waite + Wisdom of The Oracle

(Disclaimer: Based on current energies. All is alleged and for entertainment purposes only. None of the original images are my own - only the edits!)

[claymoresword]

The Queen And Her Knight | Chp: 7

Alicent Hightower x Knight Fem!Reader

Summary: Alicent Hightower against her better judgement, falls in love with her sworn protector. Can she bear to fight her feelings or will she finally just give in?

Wordcount: 4.2k

Pairing: Alicent x Reader

Warnings: power imbalance, angst, fluff, smut, fingering, g!p reader, dialogue heavy, mentions of alcoholism

Note: you asked and after a year i finally delivered! this one definitely moves the plot forward but i also managed to get carried away with the smut somehow lol. if you wish to skip it just keep a lookout for the asterisks

enjoy!

Taglist: @blackbirdv98 @flaiire1805 @alicentfangirl @memarrymilf @thegayassbit-ch @vantestark @hauntedfictionland @livinginafantasysposts @baddie-on-a-mission-xx @evolutionsglory @darthtargnister @dxrewclf @rozmrazaradelfinow @wlwfanfictionss @karsonromanoff

You hold up the crown for all to see. The aged relic is a circlet of valyrian steel, set with blood-red rubies. Although only few remained, the squared cut gemstones were still a captivating sight to regard nonetheless.

The crown was once worn by Aegon The Conqueror – it seems fitting that it now be passed down to his namesake. 

The dragon pit is engulfed in trepidation enough to stifle, as you gently place the crown upon Aegon's head.

It fits like a glove. A reassuring and altogether unsettling prospect.

“Let the Seven bear witness, Aegon Targaryen, is the true heir to the Iron Throne.” A declaration that rattles the silence. Your voice travels far, it ricochets off the towering walls and high ceilings.

You watched as the High Septon assisted the King back onto his feet before bowing at him in respect. 

Your hand firmly resting on the hilt of your sword as you incline your head the same way when Aegon glances at you.

As he shifts his stare toward his mother, Alicent performs a curtsey. Followed by the same from Helaena. 

Aemond holds his older brother's gaze for a moment before inclining his head in respect as well.

“All hail His Grace, Aegon, Second Of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord Of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.” The High Septon announces as Aegon turns to face the mass of people watching the ceremony.

“Aegon the king!” You call out, and soon the crowd erupts, loud bursts of shouts and claps, all celebrating their new king.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

While you stood in the dowager queen's bedchambers, your expression twists incredulously as Alicent endlessly fusses at your breastplate. Soon, moving behind you to fasten your white cloak.

“Your Grace, I can manage this on my own, truly.” You insist once more, feeling rather queer. A queen should not be tending to you, in fact it ought to be the opposite. 

Alicent remains determined, and stubborn.

“Hush.” She scolds, and you say nothing else.

“There we are.” She says, smoothing out your green tunic. After accepting the post as Lord Commander, you have since abandoned your own house colors. 

Even the breastplate you have chosen for today was a foreign one, no longer the golden kraken, now intricately carved with the sigil of House Hightower instead. 

Uncanny as it may be, you could not deny that it was beautifully made, and generally easier on the eyes compared to your old armor, it also fits far more comfortably.

You catch Alicent's eyes upon you, now suddenly feeling exposed, by the way she was observing your frame. 

Shameless and brazen; you can't help the way it stirs something within you.

“Alicent.” You snatch her attention abruptly, forcing back your amusement.

“Hm?” The dowager queen replies, lost for a moment. It seems she only realizes she has been caught when your eyes meet. A visible blush rapidly creeps up to her face in a way that makes your heart flutter.

“You seem to be eyeing me like a meal to devour.” You point out, causing Alicent to avert her gaze entirely from embarrassment.

Gods, how desperately you wish to kiss her right now.

“You look exceptional in green,” The queen utters, her hand slips up your forearm.

In truth, her admittance doesn't surprise you. 

Fascinating how she can be transparent one moment and entirely unreadable the next. 

This notion alone draws you in beyond reason. With Alicent, you are always acting on pure desire and instinct. 

She has completely enchanted you.

“Is that right?” You ask regardless, moving closer.

Alicent nods, her bottom lip set in between her teeth. The sight of her like this always drove you mad with the urge to ravage her here and now. 

The older woman instinctively slips her arms around your neck. It takes all of your control to only place a hand on the small of her back and nowhere else, trailing tender kisses along her jaw.

“Do you enjoy seeing me in armor, Your Grace?” You whisper. 

As you part her hair away from her neck, you allow your lips to meet the shell of her ear. Relishing in the way Alicent trembles at your touch.

“I do, very much.” She answers, and as you pull away, Alicent does quite the opposite, leaning in to capture your lips with her own. 

Open-mouthed and eager, she kisses you with enough fervor and passion to leave you aching for more.

You can hardly help the way your hand slips lower to squeeze her rear, pulling her flush against your groin.

Alicent gasps into your mouth at the sensation, now feeling the bulge in your breeches. 

She kisses you once more before pulling away, nuzzling her face into the crook of your neck to hide her flushed expression.

“Lord Commander.. you are being terribly indecent.” The queen's tone betrays a playfulness, one that exhilarates you.

“I cannot help it, my queen. You drive me half-mad with want.” You remark, as your hand slides up her back in a languid manner.

Alicent exhales against your neck. She pulls you in even closer, welcoming your touch.

“Be safe today.. return to me in one piece.” The other woman utters, you meet her brown eyes, warm and enticing.

“If the Gods will it, I shall.” Your response is likely less than reassuring, but the dowager queen does not say anything to confront this.

Alicent merely occupies herself by tracing along your features delicately with her thumb. Your eyes flutter shut for a moment, unable to hide the smirk that tugs at the corners of your mouth, basking in the attention she is giving you.

“Kiss me again.” You ask, and the queen moves to do exactly that, but a knock on the door causes Alicent to abruptly pull away, resuming a proximity.

The suddenness of her action nearly knocks the wind out of you and your smile quickly dissipates. 

It aches, in truth, having to sneak around like this. You mislike feeling like a dirty secret– the queen's mistress.

Or perhaps her whore.

“Come.” Alicent calls, she composes herself as she straightens out her gown. A heartbeat before her father enters.

Alicent's demeanor shifts in a way you have been privy to in the past. It appears effortless the way her expression sets impassively, her hands clasped firmly over her stomach.

Now she is queen Alicent, again. No longer the woman you had been kissing just moments prior.

Otto has his jaw tightened in a similar fashion, studying you in a way that forces you to shift uncomfortably, despite yourself. “Lord Commander, it is time for us to depart.” He finally utters.

You nod, reaching for your sword belt. “Very good, m’lord.” 

As you fastened the belt upon yourself, you observed as Alicent retrieved what appears to be a piece of parchment from her bedside table. The dowager hands it over to her father, whispering something to him that is intelligible to your ears. 

Even as you move slightly closer under the guise of arming your steel, you are still unable to make out the sudden, and evidently secretive conversation being had between them.

You vow to sate your curiousity and confront Alicent about this later; after you have successfully delivered terms to princess Rhaenyra.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

Your arrival at Dragonstone was expectedly greeted with nothing but asperity– the threat of blood shed felt imminent as you stood on the bridge.

Your army, alongside Otto's, staring down the few men who remain loyal to the Rogue Prince.

Rhaenyra Targaryen has evidently fashioned these men to act as her newly appointed Queensguard.

The notion of an agonizing death looms over all of you as her large dragon remained perched a few feet away. 

Syrax is silent– as if she possessed the capacity to understand the situation at hand.

You could sense the ground beneath you rumble every time the dragon took a breath, sending a never ending chill down your spine.

“You all are traitors to the realm.” Queen Rhaenyra declares, her late father's golden crown perched upon her head.

“King Aegon Targaryen, second of his name, in his wisdom and desire for peace, is offering terms. Confess Aegon as king and swear obeisance before the Iron Throne.” Otto pauses, and Rhaenyra only acknowledges the statement with a scowl, before a hardened expression takes over her features once more.

You observed as Daemon scoffed. His grip on his steel continued to advise you to keep a firm hold on your own sword.

“In exchange, His Grace will confirm your possession of Dragonstone. It will pass to your true born son Jacaerys upon your death.” The Hand offers, generous in any other circumstance– if it was not Rhaenyra's birthright that has been stolen from her.

“Lucerys will be confirmed as the legitimate heir to Driftmark, and all the lands and holding of house Velaryon.”

“Your sons by prince Daemon, will also be given places of high honor at court. Aegon the younger as the king's squire, Viserys as his cupbearer. Finally, the king in his good grace will pardon any knight or Lord who conspired against his ascent.” Otto finishes, and the rogue prince is quick to retaliate.

“I would rather feed my sons to the dragons than have them carry shields and cups for your drunken usurper cunt of a king.” Daemon sneers, yet you notice Otto's resolve, he remains unfazed, confident.

One you utterly lacked, in truth. You kept an eye on a second dragon, red and much larger than Syrax, orbiting the sky.

“Aegon Targaryen sits the Iron Throne. He wears the conqueror's crown, wields the conqueror's sword, has the conqueror's name. He was anointed by a Septon of the Faith before the eyes of thousands. Every single symbol of legitimacy belongs to him.” Otto claims, unwavering.

This works to agitate Rhaenyra enough, her Lord husband appears more than prepared to behead any one of you currently standing before him.

“Then there is Stark, Tully, Baratheon. Houses who have also received and are at present, considering generous terms from their king.” The Hand adds salt to an already gaping wound.

“Stark, Tully and Baratheon have all sworn allegiance to me. As have your House, y/n.” Rhaenyra states, addressing you directly, taking you by surprise for a moment before you found the sense to meet her hard stare.

As you remain silent, Rhaenyra continues.

“I understand if you don't recall, you were still suckling at your mother's teats when your father bent the knee.” The Targaryen remarks, whether intended as a jab to your pride, it matters not, as you refuse to feel it.

“But he swore his allegiance to me, nonetheless.”

You shift your weight from one foot to another, hand resting on the pommel of your sword. “I am not here on my father's behalf.” You respond curtly.

“Then who are you here for?” Daemon inquires, he quickly continues before you can conjure a reply.

“Are you so cunt-stricken by that whore you call your queen that you are willing to abandon a sworn oath? Where is your honor?” He taunts, and this time you do feel it, like a lance to the gut.

You open your mouth to respond, but Otto quickly interjects before things get the chance to escalate further.

“Grand Maester.” He calls, extending his arm. Maester Orwyle then passes him a piece of parchment, the same one that you had witnessed Alicent give to her father in her bedchambers.

Your confusion sets in once more as Otto bravely advances forward, passing the same parchment to Rhaenyra.

The queen, in her fury, snatches it from Otto, unfolding it to discover its contents. 

It was only then you noticed that it was not a letter– rather, an illustration. A page torn from a book.

“What the fuck is this?” Daemon curses, ironically sharing your sentiment.

Rhaenyra remained silent as she stared at the page in her hands, her expression still unreadable.

“Queen Alicent has not forgotten the love you once had for each other. She eagerly awaits your answer.” Otto utters, and your face falls once you recognize the tears that escaped Rhaenyra's eyes. 

A sinking feeling that you've been trying to set aside all day, re-emerges, inexplicably, you reach for your sword.

“She can have her answer now stuffed in her father's mouth, along with his withered cock. Let's end this mummer's farce.” The rogue prince hisses, as he unsheathes his steel, you immediately do the same. 

In the next few moments the noise of metal scraping against scabbard charges the air as the rest of your soldiers along with Daemon's draw their weapons.

“Ser Erryk, bring me Lord Hightower so I may take the pleasure of killing him myself.” The prince consort's command is broken by the sound of Syrax shrieking, flailing her body violently.

You flinch, but do your best to ignore the incessant pounding in your chest as you gripped your sword tighter.

Then, by a miracle, Rhaenyra subdues her uncle with a single word. “No.” She declares, Daemon is forced to set down his sword. He does it begrudgingly, and you slowly do the same.

“King's Landing will have my answer on the morrow.” The queen utters sharply before turning away, disappearing through her guards.

You stand frozen in place. 

Somehow, no blood was spilled today. The simple prospect of Alicent's care for Rhaenyra seemed enough for the Targaryen to forsake her own claim to the throne.

It appears you shall return to Alicent safely, as she asked. You should be relieved, and yet you feel nothing of the sort. 

The thought of the dowager queen welcoming you home, with a warm embrace, doesn't fill you with a sense of joy like it usually would.

It only makes you ill.

═══════════════════════════════════════════

Since returning to the Red Keep you had chosen to keep away, sequestered in your quarters. Only your thoughts and a flagon of strongwine to keep you company.

You realize that you ought to visit Alicent, assure her of your safety, but still, you couldn't bear it, not today. 

Endlessly replaying the moment in your head, Otto's words pollute your thoughts.

Alicent has not forgotten the love she once held for Rhaenyra, that much is evident.

So where does that leave you? 

You are no longer certain you even possess a space in Alicent's life, let alone in her heart.

She loves Rhaenyra, and you are only a mistress.

You wipe away your tears, it is no use crying, you are simply mourning a fantasy. Queen Alicent is beyond your reach, she always has been.

As you continued to lose the battle to your anxieties, you fail to hear the main door of your bedchambers creaking as it gets pushed open.

Alicent catches you throwing your head back as you emptied the contents of your goblet. Her expression displaying palpable concern as she approaches you.

“Why are you drinking?” She inquires, and you scramble to your feet, perplexed in the way she somehow managed to enter your chambers without you realizing it.

“Your Grace.” You address her, inclining your head as you propped your hand against the back of the chair.

Alicent appears taken aback by your formality, nonetheless she moves to touch your cheek, but halts immediately when she notices the way you recoiled.

“What is the matter?” The older woman asks carefully, studying you with such concern that it weakens your very being.

How could she possibly place you above Rhaenyra Targaryen?

“I was convinced that I was going to die at Dragonstone.” Your voice breaks.

“But you did not, thank the Gods.” Alicent utters in relief, she grabs your arm, still unaware of your true grievance.

“The only reason my men and I were spared was because Rhaenyra commanded it as such.” You state, pausing for a moment to steady your breathing. 

“and, she only did so because of you.” You accuse, and Alicent straightens her back, retracting her hand once more.

You mourn her touch, but force yourself to look into her eyes as you await a response.

When nothing comes, you decide to speak again.

“Do you love her?” You ask boldly, prepared for any response, but the one Alicent gives you is barely anything at all.

“I–” She stutters after a prolonged silence, and you scoff, moving past her to sit on the edge of your bed.

Alicent takes large strides after you, eager to explain herself. 

“Rhaenyra and I, we were children together, we did everything together. She was my closest friend.” The dowager queen starts as she moves to stand directly in front of you.

“Perhaps I was in love, at one point. But that was an entirely different lifetime, y/n. A life I do not even recognize.” She admits, and you finally look up at her.

Alicent tentatively wipes away the tear that managed to escape your eye. 

Despite yourself, your lips meet the palm of her hand as you hold it close to your face.

The dowager queen smiles.

“I am in love with you. Only you.” Alicent reassures, and your heart soars. Whether it is a lie to spare your feelings or a vulnerable truth, you are still thankful she cares enough to utter the words.

For now, that is enough.

“I love you too, so much.” You respond, still gazing up at her.

Alicent's auburn locks fell loosely down her shoulders like liquid fire. Her white nightdress, although modestly crafted, still managed to highlight every delicate curve and dip of her body.

She looks utterly breathtaking. 

The queen snaps you out of your trance when she leans down to meet your lips with her own. A searing kiss that immediately leaves you breathless.

Alicent whimpers softly as your tongue enters her mouth, overcome with an urge to feel her, you place a firm hand on her waist, guiding her to straddle your lap.

The dowager does so with no protest, her knees quickly settling in between your hips on the bed. 

Her core snug against your clothed groin, she feels so warm, so intoxicating.

*

Alicent grinds against your lap instinctively, causing you groan into the kiss. The queen seemingly overtaken with desires of her own, pulls away to begin trailing open mouthed kisses from the shell of your ear, down to your neck.

Your breathing quickens.

“Fuck– I cannot believe how perfect you are.” You say, and Alicent leans back to look at you. She does so comfortably with your firm hand supporting her.

“I am far from it,” She argues, and you are quick to shake your head in disagreement, guiding her close once more by the nape of her neck.

“You have no idea how ready I am to commit treason just to prove you wrong, my queen.” You remark, and the sound of Alicent's giggle fills you with hope for the first time in days, before she connects your lips once more.

**

As the kiss deepens your hand wanders the dowager's frame, almost like second nature, you slip it underneath her nightgown, feeling goosebumps form on her thighs from your touch.

You squeezed her rear, indecently causing Alicent to grind on your lap once more. Swallowing her gasp of pleasure as she does so. 

“Y/n..” She utters against your lips, urging you on.

Soon you glide your hand towards her inner thigh, inching even closer to her core. “Can I?” Your ask is met with an eager nod. Alicent kisses you again, harsh and wanting.

“Touch me.” She says, and you do just that, finding your way to her sex. You begin to add pressure with your palm, causing Alicent's hips to buck against your touch.

She is dripping for you already– meeting your touch desperately. As you continue to move your hand against her sex, Alicent's gasps and mewls grow louder, she results in burying her face into the crook of your neck.

“Gods–” You marvel, kissing her shoulder before prodding a finger at her entrance. 

The queen grips your shoulder tighter, nodding profusely as words continue to fail her. 

You take it as permission to enter her. Doing so with two fingers, your breath hitches at the feeling of her walls contracting deliciously against your digits.

You would kill to feel her do the same around your cock.

“Yes, oh, Gods–” Alicent pants as you continue to pump in and out of her. Less than a minute has passed and it seems she is on the verge of release already, muttering incoherently against your ear.

She squeezes your fingers once more, pulling an involuntary groan from you, she is so wet you can feel her dripping down your hand, causing you to nearly soil your breeches.

“Come, come for me, beautiful..” You coax curving your fingers inside of Alicent, and that is all it took for her to fall apart completely.

She climaxes around your fingers with a cry, the sight of her writhing on top of you was truly the most captivating thing you have ever witnessed. You cock pulses with need, straining painfully against the fabric of your breeches.

Alicent's chest is heaving violently as she meets your gaze once more, her eyes dark amidst her pleasure. 

“Thank you, for that.” She mutters before kissing you deeply, and you can't help but chuckle.

“No, my love, I should be thanking you.” You insist, and Alicent cares not to argue at this moment. Her lips meet the base of your jaw, a confidence overcomes her when she touches your breasts before moving her hand further south, squeezing your cock.

She gapes at the sensation, with a look of palpable arousal that again, nearly causes you to finish right then and there.

“You are so hard..” Alicent remarks in awe, squeezing you harder, earning a guttural noise from yourself.

“Yes, all because of you.” You confer, and the dowager bites her lip to mask her delight.

The sight drove you mad, as it always does. Quickly grabbing hold of her nightdress, Alicent allows you to lift it over her head.

You toss the garment carelessly across the room. Alicent moans anew as your mouth makes contact with her bare and sensitive breasts. You begin licking and sucking as though your life depended on it.

Another shudder of pleasure nearly immobilizes the Alicent before she grips a fistful of your locks, harshly pulling your head back.

She ground her hips again, her weeping sex pressing down on your hard cock.

“Please, I want to feel it inside me. I want to feel all of you.” Alicent pleads, and the prospect alone makes you lightheaded.

You don't plan to deny either of you the pleasure any longer.

Alicent lets out a yelp in surprise as you flip your positions, placing her flat on her back as you quickly remove your tunic, finally fumbling with the laces of your breeches before removing them as well.

The queen's stare falls onto the large shaft in between your legs, she reaches out to touch your cock, but you quickly grab ahold of her hand, pinning it against the bed as you settle on top of her.

Alicent whines in protest, arching her back helplessly, causing your breasts to press up against her own.

“Please,” The dowager queen begs once more, and you smirk with a sense of triumph, in this moment, you truly believe that Alicent is yours to worship and love entirely.

“So impatient.” You tease, placing a chaste kiss against her cheek.

If Alicent aimed to respond, she was not given the opportunity to, as you thrust your hips forward, skillfully sheathing yourself inside of her. 

Alicent releases a strangled moan at the sensation, whimpering like a maiden as she grows accustomed to your size. Her nails dig into your back, she lifts her leg to wrap around your waist, inevitably pulling you even deeper inside of her as you begin to move your hips once more.

“Fuck– oh my Gods..” Alicent curses, motivating you to move harder against her, with every stroke, her cunt welcomes your cock eagerly. Squeezing your girth in a way you've never experienced before.

Alicent eagerly intertwines your hands, the intimate noises of your coupling filling the room. 

You groan with every thrust, feeling dangerously close to your release, you kiss her once before speaking.

“Alicent, I– I won't last much longer.” You admit, and Alicent moans at your words, anxious to witness your release.

“Don't hold back, darling.” She coaxes, letting her leg fall away from your waist, you pump inside of her again and then once more before pulling out.

Alicent continues to hold your hand as your entire body tenses, she watches your strained expression as you reach your peak.

She gasps as your seed spills onto her belly. 

Your breathing grows erratic as you ride out the shockwaves from your release. 

The feeling of Alicent's soothing hand caressing your forearm manages to coax you back to reality.

Alicent chuckles lightly as you collapse next to her, attempting to gain your bearings. 

The queen turns to face you, placing a lingering kiss on your stomach, before doing the same on your chest. 

You smile weakly, threading your fingers through her auburn locks, still feeling as though you are in a dream.

One you never wish to wake from.

“I love you..” You declare, just above a whisper.

Alicent beams, her thumb tracing across your bottom lip. “I love you too, y/n.”

[syndrossi]

Now I REALLY WANT something where Ser Thoren DOES rescue the boys and reunites them with Daemon earlier, largely because I want to see what happens when the Volentenes attempt to kidnap them while they're with their father.

Oooh, that WOULD be spicy, wouldn't it? I imagine the way it plays out initially is:

Ser Thoren brings them back up north to catch a ship to King's Landing.

Allard dispatches his men in search/pursuit of them.

After a week of failed searching (Crayne convinces Allard to keep it on the down low), Allard finally informs Rhea via raven that the boys are missing. She reaches out to Rhaenyra to have a raven sent to Daemon in the Stepstones and sends out ravens throughout the Vale to be on the lookout for the boys. Ser Thoren and the twins set sail from the Fingers.

Rhea rides south to Gulltown chasing a rumor about the boys, accident (or is it?) occurs just before Daemon arrives in Runestone for answers. Ser Thoren and the twins arrive at Dragonstone, as he wants the matter somewhat discreetly handled. Rhaenyra is here, just as in canon, and sends a raven to Runestone.

Daemon confronts Rhea, forces the confession, and this time the raven that reaches him isn't of the boys' kidnapping, but Rhaenyra's that the boys are safe in Dragonstone, which he immediately sets out for.

The big meet happens there, and Daemon and Rhaenyra fly the twins to King's Landing. There is much fanfare, but none of the urgency of Resonant, because the boys were never truly kidnapped. Viserys is pleased that Daemon's a father, but there's no "hand in the hearth" debriefing, so he has no reason to believe the boys are prophecy children. There is no 24/7 knight rotation, and boys are far less traumatized (though Rhaegar is still mourning Rhaella and Rhea) and Jon's not hurt.

Probably a few weeks pass without incident. The boys settle in, Daemon escorts them around the Dragonpit, though without success. (To Rhaegar's utter heartbreak.)

Daemon has no catalyst to set him after Volantis, so he's trying to figure out what to do now that he's a single dad. He also feels fairly safe taking them out into the city.

Meanwhile, the Volantenes + Jephyro are already aware of the new circumstances and have sailed into King's Landing to set up an attempt there...

Here's part one of an innocent outing in the city that may be about to turn into something quite a lot more dangerous...

x~x~x

"What about this one?" Daemon pointed at the clasp that had caught his eye—and clearly Rhaegar's—against the dark velvet that held the jeweler's various works: silver shaped into a dragon curled around a deep red garnet. "Do you have another?"

"Another, my prince?" the man repeated, before comprehension dawned. He looked between Daemon's two sons. "I could fashion a twin to it easily enough."

Daemon stole a glance at Jon to gauge his interest. His other son had proven himself to be less enthused about the finery afforded him in his new station. Allard Royce and whatever passed for clothing in the Vale were partly to blame for that, he presumed.

Jon's gaze was on a different piece, however, that of a silver wolf's head with eyes of smoothly-polished sapphire. It had no relation at all to their own house, better suited to the houses of the southern Crownlands and northern Stormlands who bore wolves upon their crest. But the longing in his face was clear, along with an undercurrent of sorrow.

He does not know to ask, Daemon thought with a familiar simmering anger at the reminder that his sons had spent their childhood being denied all that they were due.

It would not have been his choice, but boys formed all sorts of fascinations, and although wolves were no dragons, they were worthy enough in their own way. "Would you like that one, Jon?" he asked, reaching for the clasp.

He was immediately met with a grey-eyed stare so filled with uncertainty that his own heart ached. "It is a beautiful piece," Daemon said.

"I—" Jon swallowed, gaze returning to the clasp, then flicking up at the jeweler. "Could you change the eyes?"

The jeweler, sensing a sale, smiled encouragingly. "Easily enough. What suits your fancy, young prince? I have some emerald stones that could be fitted."

"What about the red stone in the dragon clasp? Do you have more of it?"

"The garnet? I do. I also have ruby, should that be more to your preference." The jeweler disappeared into his work room, emerging after a moment with a small cloth of both garnet and ruby gems, some rough and others worked, that he laid out on the table.

Jon looked between them. He seemed drawn at first to the ruby, touching a finger to it, but his mouth firmed with decision as he pulled back. "The garnet." He glanced at his brother. "So that we match."

"I shall have the modifications completed by tomorrow," the man said with a bow, before turning his gaze back to Daemon. "Is there anything else that you seek, my prince?"

"I have been told you have experience working with dragon scales."

The jeweler's expression brightened, this time with interest. "I do. I have done work for Princess Rhaenyra, and even Queen Alysanne herself, many years back."

His sons watched him with nearly identical expressions of curiosity as Daemon withdrew a thick red scale from his pouch, partly split by a glancing blow from one of the Triarchy's small ballistae that they lugged onto the shores of the Stepstones in hopes of a lucky shot before their inevitable destruction by dragonflame.

"What can you make of this?"

The jeweler took the scale from him with a hushed reverence, examining it from various angles. "I can shape it into smaller pieces and fashion a fetching pendant. Several, even. A gold setting would be striking, or--" He glanced at their silver-and-garnet selections. "Or silver, if that is more to your liking. If my prince cares to return in half an hour, I can make some sketches for your review for the pendant itself."

"Can you design one of a dragon's head?" Rhaegar asked. His look at Daemon held an uncertainty not unlike Jon's earlier. "We could have one apiece."

"The three heads of the dragon?" Daemon kissed the two heads within reach. "That feels fitting to me."

"I shall focus my efforts on dragon designs, then," the jeweler said with another bow, and Daemon could not tell if his enthusiasm was from the opportunity to work with such a rare material, or the growing purse he anticipated receiving.

Even if Viserys weren't cheered enough by his return and meeting his sons to see it paid directly from the royal treasury, Daemon had spent very little of his own allowance these past few years. There were scant opportunities in the wastes of the Stepstones.

It was getting past midday, long enough since breakfast for hunger to make itself known in the growling stomachs of growing boys. The taverns at the base of Aegon’s Hill catered to visiting nobles and rich merchants of the area, their fare a good deal finer than would be found just a few roads further south, near the harbor.

A royal visitor was not uncommon in these parts, though it still afforded them a quiet table away from the small pocket of knights well on their way to a drunken stupor not even halfway through the day. He would have numbered among them once, Daemon mused. Not the knight part, of course. But he had drunk his way through most of the taverns in the city in his youth, often dragging Viserys along. His brother had been a more exuberant drunk then, prone to wild capers he would not otherwise consider when sober.

I wonder if he might consider stealing away some night. Even a king could wear a cloak, and if any tavernkeep were to notice, he would wisely pretend otherwise. It would do him good to remember life outside those walls.

And it would scandalize Otto Hightower, which was reason enough in itself.

Daemon turned his attention back to the twins, both of whom seemed comfortable enough in the tavern, though he imagined they would not have seen one growing up isolated in the Gates of the Moon. “I take it Ser Thoren brought you to a few inns along the way,” he said.

“Only a few,” Jon said. “On the road north through the Vale.”

A carafe of wine was brought to the table, along with bread fresh enough from the oven to be steaming. Slices of cold meat and cheese were brought out soon after. Daemon limited himself to a single cup, and let each of his sons try a sip, taking in their mutual nose crinkles at the taste with fond amusement that turned faintly bittersweet. There were many expressions he had still to learn, to discover which emphasized their similarities and which their differences.

Each delighted him, though he had a special fondness for when they mirrored one another. It spoke to an extra bond between them that comforted him somehow.

A special treat of warm, gooey raspberries served in a bowl with a generous heaping of cold cream atop it had been sent to their table, and both his sons had eagerly devoured theirs before turning faintly envious eyes to Daemon’s own half-eaten portion.

“Is there anything else you would like to see before we return to the jeweler, and then the keep?” he asked once they had finished off his dessert.

[haru-dipthong]

My Utena Fansub Ep 2 (and Ep 1 rerelease)

Here's episode 2! A huge thank you to @dontbe-lasanya for their incredible efforts at editing my translation!

Also, episode 1 has been revised. I'll update the link on my original posts, but if you're looking at a reblog it will still have the old link. From now on, I'll be posting a link to a folder with all the episodes after each release, so you can easily find old episodes. You can find the new ep 1 and all other episodes as they release here:

Translation Discussion

Utena uses boku. There’s no way to convey this aspect of self-identified masculinity in english, so the translation needs to make up for it in other ways. One way I did this was the “Master” translation of 様 (sama), but this isn’t self-identified (in fact, Utena dislikes the use of 様). I saw a good opportunity to do this here:

まあ、一人部屋らしいから、クールな僕の趣味には合ってるよ。

I think I’ve got a room to myself. Kinda perfect for my bachelor lifestyle. (my translation)

I'm gonna have to be on the lookout in the future for other opportunities for Utena to gender themself masc!

-----

世界の殻を破壊せ... 世界を革命するために！

Destroy the shell... and revolutionise the world!

Other translations often translate this as "For the revolution of the world!" or "For the sake of revolutionizing the world!". I believe these translations are trying too hard to make explicit the function of ために to express purpose/aim. I think it's unnecessary - a simple "and" will do, because the fact that "revolutionising the world" is the point of "destroying the shell" is wholly self-evident through context.

-----

I didn’t have space to talk about the A-ko/B-ko translation or Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku in the first post, but there were some interesting decisions to be made!

かしらかしら、ご存じかしら？

My oh my, haven’t you heard? (my translation)

This was in important translation because it gets used so many more times in the show, and it needs to make sense in many different contexts. The shadow girls tend to echo their opening lines in their closing lines:

でも、勇者様、わざと負ける難しさをご存じかしら？ かしらかしら、ご存じかしら？

but, sir knight, haven’t you heard how hard it is to lose a fight on purpose? My oh my, haven’t you heard? (my translation)

The opening line needs to be able to be recontextualised from a relatively innocent phrase that signifies the shadow girls are gossiping, to a more sinister taunting of “the knight” for being naive (or, in the first episode, not knowing what they’re getting into).

I went with “my, oh my” for かしらかしら because it sounds a bit old fashioned and feminine, just like the Japanese. I originally had “have you heard?” but it didn’t sound nearly taunting enough when repeated in he closing lines.

-----

絶対運命黙示録

Certain destiny: the Revelation! (my translation)

Most existing translations have this as “Absolute Destiny: Apocalypse” or “Absolute Destiny: Revelation”.

黙示録 is the word for the Book of Revelation, from the Bible. It’s not just describing any apocalypse, but the Biblical, Christian Revelation. I think “apocalypse” has become more generic in modern English, whereas “Revelation” is decidedly Biblical. This also influenced some of the decisions to jazz up the rest of the song to emphasise the Biblical references.

The word 絶対 can means “absolute” as in “without question”, but “absolute” has other meanings besides this in modern English (e.g. “extreme”). I decided to go with “certain” because I believe the original Japanese is trying to get across the unquestionable destiny of the Revelation: “It’s absolutely going to happen”. Also, maybe I’m too online but I think “absolute” just sounds silly here. Online vernacular has made “absolute” an almost jokey word (e.g. “absolute unit”).

However, I did include the classic name of the song as the lyric at the end of the song before it goes into the syllable switching chant:

絶対運命黙示闇

Absolute destiny: Apocalypse!

Note the slight difference here in the japanese. 闇 means darkness, and 黙示闇 isn't a real word, it's just a combination of "Revelation" and "darkness". The last kanji in the more common 黙示録 means "record" as in "the records of the Revelation", the Book of Revelation. While the meaning doesn't change much with the substitution of 闇, it makes the line feel a bit darker, a bit edgier, which made it feel appropriate to include the edgier classic name of the song here.

出生登録、洗礼名簿、死亡登録

Records of childbirth, records of baptism, records of death. (my translation)

Other translations have this as “birth records” and “baptismal registry”, which I think sound awkward. “Birth records” has too few syllables for the line of the song, and doesn’t sound poetical enough, while “baptismal registry” reeks of someone looking up the word in a dictionary and plopping it in without thinking about how it would sound in a haunting apocalyptic song.

もくし くしも しもく くもし もしく しくも

Revelation, Apocalypse Apocalypse, Revelation

The syllable switching chant is impossible to translate - doing such a thing in English just makes it sound silly. Since this line comes directly after the switch up with the original song name, I decided to use the synonyms Revelation and Apocalypse in an alternating sequence to give the same impression of a haunting, cult-like chant. I think this alone makes the decision to use the original song name worth it! Really happy with how the song has turned out.

[justmeinadaze]

Not Alone Part 2 (Medication)(Eddie X You)

A/N: This is what I mentioned writing the other night and is a part to this ask here.

I want to say that I have had so many experiences with medications since I was diagnosed with my mental health issues in 2016. I had watched it help people like myself after so many trials and errors and I've watched it hurt people to their core. I've been physically hurt to the point where I was vomiting and curled up on the bathroom floor. I've had pills that messed with my brain chemistry to the point a friend found me sobbing on the floor terrified I was going to die. All that fun stuff and to be honest the worst part was no feeling heard.

I would tell doctors how much pain I was in and they would tell me it was normal. After a couple of days I would tell them something wasn't right and I was told to give it more time. It wasn't until 2019 I finally found a doctor who worked with me and realized that my brain and stomach are extremely sensitive to meds and we have to start on the lowest doses first before moving up. Ive been on my current set of pills since then and it's changed my life.

Of course, mental health meds don't fix everything and I was suggested a vitamin that help with calming your mind. Yesterday, I took and what the reader feels about her quiet mind is how I felt. I didn't know what to do with myself. Honestly, I just wanted to be held and told everything is ok.

But yeah, my advise to you is trust your gut. If you want to take medication and notice somethings off voice your concern. If you don't like what a drug does or how it affects you, say something. DO NOT let a doctor walk all over you. If I've learned anything over the last few years, it's that all doctors are human and like humans...they make mistakes and can be assholes.

Warnings: Mentions of mental health concerns, details on medication symptoms (tummy ache, vomiting, change in personality, quiet mind), feels of "being a bother" More then anything this is Eddie taking care of you and him making sure you're ok. Mr. White Knight <3.

Word Count: 1579

“Ok and what should we be on the lookout for?”, Eddie asks as his hand remains intertwined with yours. 

The doctor you had just met at the insistence of your family heavily exhaled as your boyfriend asked him another question that seemed to annoy him. 

“Look, Mr. Munson, she’s going to be fine. This medication helps so many people to be relaxed and quiet their mind. At most, she’ll be so relaxed that you both will get a good night’s sleep. Now, I do have other patients waiting.”

As he begins to walk the door, the metalhead starts to follow before you grab his elbow and pull him back. 

“Stop it, freak.”, you tease as he tosses you a smile back. 

“Hey, I just want to know that you’re safe. I don’t like seeing you in pain or anything. I know your depression tells you no one cares but I do.”

Beaming up at him, you pull his lips to yours as he wraps his arms around you to hug you to his chest. 

***

“Y/N? How are you feeling so far, baby?”

It had been about an hour since you took the antidepressant the doctor recommended and Eddie noticed within 5 minutes of taking it your entire body language changed. You seemed…heavier…as if there was a weight baring down on you and folding your frame. 

His careful eyes followed you around the trailer as you silently grabbed a water bottle and sat cross legged on the couch to watch tv. The thing was…he could tell in your eyes that you weren’t really paying attention. You seemed to be looking through the tv instead of comprehending anything going on. 

“I’m…I’m ok.”

“Can you give me more than that, please?”, Eddie asked as he sat down beside you.

“I’m…calm. I don’t feel anything really. Like…I’m relaxed but…I kind of just want to curl up into a ball.”, you mumble raising another red flag in his brain. 

“Why is that do you think?”

“It’s going to sound dumb.”, you sigh as you hang your head. 

“Hey.”, he coos as his fingers lift your chin. “Nothing you say is dumb to me. I’m a freak remember?”

Eddie smirks at the sound of your laugh but even that sounds out of place. This particular metalhead was never a fan of medication. He believed it worked and helped people but in his experience it made things worse. His uncle once tried to put him on ADHD medication when he was a boy and promptly took him off it when he noticed his nephew’s personality completely change. In later years, weed helped calm him down along with his music and creating a campaign for Hellfire. 

You had told him once, you struggled with finding your purpose. Your family made you believe that paying bills and working a desk job is normal. It’s the only thing in realty that was attainable.

With him, he showed you a new world that you absolutely loved and encouraged you to try new things like writing or learning an instrument for yourself. Since you had started seeing him, you felt like someone cared and put you first, constantly making you feel wanted and seen. 

Throughout your time together, he watched a personality unfold that made him fall more in love with you every day and truth be told he was terrified that medication would strip that away but if it could help you be happy and achieve your dreams than he was open to the idea.  

“My mind…has never been quiet. As far as I can remember something’s been…buzzing around in there, you know? This…this scares me…I don’t know…what to do with the silence.”

Eddie’s heart cracks listening to your explanation as he pets your head and kisses your temple. 

“Well, sweetheart, things will never be silent with me as your boyfriend.”

Giggling, you crawl into his lap and melt into his embrace as he softly plays with your hair.

***

Three hours later the energy changed as you felt a pain in your stomach you had never felt before. Rushing to the bathroom, you threw up over and over again as Eddie held your hair back. 

“Everything’s ok, baby.”, he whispered before turning his attention to the phone next to his ear. “No, I don’t fucking care that he’s not there! Then give me another fucking doctor to talk to. My girlfriend hasn’t stopped throwing up in the last thirty minutes. I refuse to believe that’s fucking normal!”

“Look, sir, there’s nothing we can do about it over the phone and like I said with mental health medication, it is common for it to cause the symptoms she’s experiencing. After a while, they will go away.”

“What is ‘a while’?”

“Usually after 2 weeks, your body gets used to the—”

“Oh, hell no! You’re saying she’s going to be in this much pain for that long?! What about her job, her life, her fucking sanity!? Aren’t these pills supposed to help with the depression!? How does that help!?”

“Eddie…”, you cry as you try to reach for his arm to calm him down. 

“Listen, we have an opening for you to see her doctor tomorrow morning. Bring her in and we can take a look.”

“Yeah we’ll do that.”, he sasses before hanging up the phone. “Here, sweetheart. Drink some of this water and then we’ll go lay down ok?”

“I’m sorry.”, you sob causing him to grab a tissue to wipe your eyes. 

“You have nothing to be sorry for—”

“I’m causing problems. I’m making things difficult for you—”

“No, baby, No. Listen to me, Y/N. The only thing that’s difficult for me is watching you hurt like this. I knew that fucker wasn’t taking you seriously. I swear to God when we get in there tomorrow—”

“Please…I just wanna lay down.”

Nodding, Eddie careful lifts you and lays you in his bed, bringing the covers up over your frame. After placing a trashcan by the bed and the water on his nightstand, he crawls in behind you and pulls you into his arms, gently kissing your shoulder as he listens to your breath. 

***

“Alright, Miss Y/L/N, now I heard you were having some symptoms in regard to the medication and—”

“She’s not taking that bullshit anymore. Check her over and make sure she’s not dehydrated or needs a hospital and then you can fuck off.”, Eddie growled from his place in front of you like the protector he was. 

“Listen there’s no need for—”

“There’s a huge fucking need. She came to you for help and you just toss any drug at her without really speaking to her about her history?! You didn’t properly warn her about the side effects. Trust me, the most that happened wasn’t ‘a good night’s sleep’. She threw up half the fucking night and sobbed in arms. Do you know what that’s like?! Having someone you love being in pain and feel so fucking helpless?!”

The doctor cleared his throat as he sighed. 

“She said it calmed her mind but to an extent she didn’t know how to handle. You don’t just thrust someone into that. You have to ease them in so they don’t get overwhelmed. You should know that…or did years in medical school strip you have your humanity and common fucking sense?”

“Let, um, let me look her over here.”

Eddie’s intense eyes watched the doctor as he checked you out and you confirmed you felt better since you didn’t take the pill again for day 2. 

“She seems fine and one day on the drug won’t hurt her mentally. I recommend a day to rest and then she’ll be as she was.”

The metalhead, seemingly satisfied with his answer, took you in his arms and gently placed you on the tile. 

“I’m not trying to be a dick, doctor. She’s been through so much already and all by herself. Lord knows I’m not perfect but if I can help her I will. You dropped the ball here, sir, and I hope you don’t again.”

***

“Thank you.”, you murmur as your arms wrap tighter around him while you both lay in bed listening to the music and the rain outside. “For standing up for me. My family and doctors always treat me like I’m being overdramatic.”

“No, baby, you’re not. You deserve to be heard. My mom’s medication used to make her sick all the time and she would brush it off saying it was part of the process. I know they helped her with her pain but…”

“Will you help me look into maybe some alternatives? Something that can help me without changing or hurting me? Or maybe we can find a doctor that will work with me…”

“Of course, sweetheart.”, he coos as he kisses your forehead. “You’re not an inconvenience or a problem by the way. You say that a lot when you’re low. I really do like helping you and or taking care of you. You’ve always been there for me and I see how you are with other people including some that don’t deserve your kindness. You deserve to have someone help you take the reins from time to time.”

“What did I do to deserve you, Eddie Munson?”, you smile up at him. 

His chest vibrates as he laughs and grins down at you. 

“I don’t know. Probably some voodoo chant or dance or something.” 

##########

Eddie Asks

[capcollector]

Do you have any headcanons for your characters or companions you haven’t gotten a chance to explain in detail?

oh plenty. i feel like the things i’ve talked about or mentioned on here is barely scraping the tip of the iceberg. i have a lot of headcanons, lore, changes in my canon, even just like lil details or idiosyncrasies that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. i mean i have an entire original story set between fo3 and fo4 (fallout NOLA) that i’ve barely even gotten to explain the scope of.

i’ll take this ask as an opportunity to just talk about a bunch of miscellaneous details and lore pieces about my OCs (and some mentions of other characters). thank you for your patience on this i wanted to give it the time it deserved and i was busier than expected today. please feel free to ask for more elaboration on stuff i mention here if you want!

BUNNY

i’ll start with some prewar stuff about bunny. bunny’s parents weren’t exactly thrilled at her career choices. glad she was doing well for herself, but were concerned about hollywood life. and she always tried to assuage their worries, and her mother did become a lot more open to it eventually, but her dad never really seemed too pleased. he ended up dying prewar due to illness, and bunny struggled with the fact that it felt like he was never proud of her (to which her mother assures her, yes, of course he was. you were his only daughter. of course he was proud of you). however it was also during this incredibly vulnerable moment in her life that nate sprung a marriage proposal on her. and we know how that ends.

i’ve mentioned it a few times but bunny has a very deep love of TV/film, and it influenced her decision to go into acting after her modeling career took off (tho also ppl were just approaching her with small parts already cus who doesn’t want bunny santos in their movie). she wishes she could’ve gotten to write some stuff eventually, ideally some comedies. she also wishes she could’ve gotten to do some horror; she’s a thrill-seeker at heart and loves a good scare.

for more post-canon stuff: i always wanna do more with the bunny/deacon family. deacon hides it well but i know he’s worried/watching over her constantly when she’s pregnant. insists on doing things for her which is fine sometimes but also bunny is such a stubborn “i’ll do it myself” type person that it does get on her nerves sometimes, but she appreciates the concern. during that time and obviously after though deacon is also actively getting to know shaun better and just becoming more involved in his life. teaches him more basic survival things, about weapons, tries to understand shaun’s science/robotics interests even if he gets a lil lost with it. maybe even teaches him some spy techniques. and of course sleight of hand magic tricks.

LEON

leon never introduces himself as the lone wanderer. his intros are always like “i’m dr. leon nollette, but you can just call me leon” and it ends there. he always introduces himself as just a general physician since that’s typically what most people are looking for, and i’d say most of the time when he offers his services it is just general check-ups and care, but he does have experience all over the place. that said, his real field of expertise is in pediatrics and obstetrics. i think he felt like he had a duty to make sure kids grow up with a good and healthy life in the wasteland, especially after learning his mother died giving birth to him and then later losing his dad when he was still just a teenager.

another thing i haven’t talked much about is his first boyfriend, a brotherhood knight (well, in training when they meet anyway) named arnett. they met when leon had rejoined the brotherhood post-point lookout and was assisting as a doctor, and arnett came in with a minor injury from training. it’s the first time in a long time leon allows himself to really. want anything. allows himself to indulge. being with arnett feels good, it makes him happy. he looks at him through rose colored glasses, willingly looking away from problems bc he’s just so tired. but obviously we know leon snaps out of it soon enough, especially after his falling out with charon. arnett is a lot more critical of leon’s altruism, but is also easy to persuade bc he likes leon so much; he’s actually the one who helps him get to the pitt, though he doesn’t go with him and has to cover for him while he’s gone (the excuse being something along the lines of leon got a signal from his old vault and they needed to see him).

obviously leon breaks up with him after he decides to leave the brotherhood completely and arnett never really got over it. felt very scorned by leon. arnett ends up getting sent to the commonwealth and they actually reunite 10+ years later. it’s a good thing madison was already there to confirm leon’s identity cus arnett knew it was him and pretended he didn’t. later on in the story leon actually ends up bugging the prydwen for bunny’s group, but arnett comes in after he places one of the mics, and while he doesn’t notice what leon’s done, he starts (unknowingly) airing out their dirty laundry to the group listening in. arnett still has a soft spot for leon.

and just the entirety of fallout NOLA. i have so much i haven’t shared, so many characters and plots y’all don’t know about yet but i want some visuals to go along with things before i share them. so that’ll be its own post. just know a majority of leon’s friends are from there.

ALFREDO & AVALON (doing them together cus they intertwine)

he’s from texas originally. he has no clue who his biological parents were; he was raised by a small raider gang from the region, and though they taught him how to survive, they also inadvertently created their downfall. alfredo ends up killing them after reaching a breaking point and wanting to get out. ends up becoming a notorious merc and bounty hunter in the southwest.

on the other side of things, avalon is born and raised in arroyo, and similarly longs for a sense of freedom. she’s directly descended from the vault dweller and chosen one and rejects ideas that she should act a certain way or should lead a certain type of life. she also leaves and becomes a mercenary, eventually being asked to kill alfredo, which led to their meetcute(?).

but it’s that similarity between them, alfredo being so unabashedly himself, that confidence from not caring that draws her to him. similarly, alfredo feels like no one’s ever understood him like avalon did. and in some ways i think that’s still true. even after their divorce, alfredo still misses her bad. still comes crying at the front doorstep begging for her back. there’s a lover in alfredo that even he refuses to acknowledge. clashes with the whole nihilist thing. more than anything i hope it’s clear how much of a hypocrite alfredo truly is.

they lived together just outside arroyo for awhile, but we know things fell apart. they got me researching and speculating on what NCR divorce laws are like. the courier job was for money, and we know where that ended up.

but despite it all, when avalon initially heard the news that he’d been killed, it still hit her like a rock. you don’t just throw away over a decade together, he was still part of her just as much as she is a part of him. and upon hearing he actually survived, it caused such an uncertain mix of feelings. but she doesn’t know why she’s surprised—he was unkillable for as long as she’d known him. for as much as she hates him, she doesn’t want him dead. she wants him to live with himself. and when she finally visits him post-game, when they finally come face-to-face for the first time in a few years, neither knows what to do. they approach each other cautiously, like one small move could send either running. but she carefully traces the wounds on his head, the bullet hole, the lobotomy scar. still can’t seem to die. she always liked that about him. resilient. she stays longer than she thinks she should, and on her way out alfredo tells her that he’s changed. that he still misses her. and all she can do is look back at the man who thinks he’s changed and say, “i hope so.”

as far as some more miscellaneous alfredo facts, he’s really good at general survivalist things. he’s memorized what plants are good to eat, what makes good medicines, how to make antivenom, etc. he’s a walking field guide. he also doesn’t hide his clear affection/preference for veronica over the other companions. if she gets knocked unconscious, he’ll carry her someplace safe and watch over her. anything for ronnie. also i just think about this moment between him and christine a lot.

ARISBETH

arisbeth left the mojave bc she learned her father was planning on giving her to the legion. her family’s trading caravan (run by her father, aunt, and uncle) had been no stranger to shady business practices. they did normal trading on the surface, but underneath also dealt in drug and organ trade. she’d started working on the strip 1) bc she didn’t wanna be a trader forever 2) to make extra money cus they were in financial straits at the time. when she overhears about her father’s deal with the legion, she learns that his reasoning boiled down to “it’s just business” which causes her to have an understandable breakdown, but she’s able to make a run for it before anyone can get to her (or even realizes she’s gone)

this marks a very stark change in her. she goes from a hopeless romantic to someone who sees relationships as something transactional. she vows to always have the upper hand. she becomes colder, a strong opportunist. she’ll do whatever it takes to stay on top, step on whoever she needs to just to get ahead, even if she has to kill. and she just keeps heading east to get as far from the mojave as possible, which eventually lands her in the capital wasteland…which leads to her involvement with burke and tenpenny tower. i’ll be making a separate post some time soon detailing my rewritten version of the tenpenny tower quest in fo3, but just know by the time aris shows up: alistair tenpenny is dead, roy phillips and the ghouls are dead, the residents are dead (if they hadn’t already left prior to the ghouls’ arrival), and only burke, gustavo, and the talon company reside there now. it’s the new HQ for talon company. she gets brought to burke cus she killed some mercs of his, and burke ends up instantly enchanted. and though she was initially 100% just manipulating him, she really does end up falling for him—for all his issues, burke genuinely treats her as an equal. cares about her input. will do whatever she says. and that romantic is still deep inside aris, whether she wants to admit it or not. she loves the princess treatment, she loves the luxury, she loves burke. but she also just loves the ultimate power she’s never had before.

[yoriichitsugikunii]

Chapter 11: The Faron Region

A night out patrolling goes wrong.

cw: Angst, original character death.  :( 

Michiko stood toe to toe with a blue hinox. The monster was just how the other Yiga described it, huge and with a putrid smell. She gripped her wind cleaver, the black hilt- wait, black handle? The hilt of my sword was originally red..” Michiko thought. The hinox sneered at her as it grabbed a boulder with ease and hurled it at her. 

Instead of moving out of the way or reacting, Michiko just screwed her eyes shut and prepared herself for the incoming impact of the boulder. When nothing happened, she opened her eyes and sat up in her bed. 

“It was just a nightmare.” She told herself as Michiko held her already aching head in her hands, panting from the adrenaline rush. She slowly raised her head as Michiko glanced over at the small bookshelf in the corner of her room — where she kept all the journals Einosuke gave her. Michiko got up from her bed and made her way towards the bookshelf. Grabbing the first journal, she flipped through the pages, looking for anything that mentions hinoxes. She has read through the journals before but it’s been years at this point that she last read them through. 

Was it some kind of premonition? A warning perhaps? 

Journal one was a bust but immediately after flipping through the pages, there’s a passage that catches Michiko’s attention from Ruko Kuni, Einosuke’s great great grandfather. Very briefly, she recalled the story that Einsoke shared about him. Ruko Kuni had become a blademaster at the age of fourteen after his mother died protecting him from a royal knight. 

Michiko doesn’t spend much time reading the initial  passage explaining Ruko’s mother’s untimely demise. It’s rather depressing to think that Einosuke’s great great grandfather lost his family at the young age of fourteen. Especially considering she just woke up five minutes ago. Closing the journal and placing it back on the bookshelf, she takes a deep breath. Michiko stared at the latest journal, realizing she hasn’t documented anything ever since she was promoted to blademaster. She grabbed the book as she headed to the kitchen to make herself breakfast. 

Hours later, after Ayame had cleared her, Michiko is suiting up for patrol duty, donning her new blademaster uniform and attaching Einosuke’s sword which was now passed down to her and on her way out, Sooga tells her that he’ll be meeting her at the Faron Region later. She walks swiftly through the rainforest, knowing it by heart after spending significant time around this area with Sooga. 

After patrolling on her own for a while, Sooga finally showed up with three other Yiga. 

There had been reports of suspicious activity around the rainforest so tonight everyone had their guards up and on the lookout. 

“Is it the princess or her knight?” 

“Based on the intel I received, neither of them. But a strong warrior.” 

“One of the chosen champions?” 

“No,” Sooga replies as he scopes out the hill from where they stood atop. “Possibly the princess’ advisor. She’s also a Sheikah and has the same abilities as us so we’re going to have to pay close attention and make sure we’re not caught in some kind of trap.”

Michiko chuckled and stated, “this kind of reminds me of the first time we met.” 

Underneath his mask, Sooga smiles at the memory of when he first met Michiko. She was anxious then, but definitely proved herself to be a fierce ally in combat. It dawns on him that that young girl a few years back is somehow the same brave woman who stood before him today. He looks over at her only to find Michiko staring off into the distance, eyebrows furrowed. The wind is strong at this altitude and he notices a few strands of hair blowing into her mask. His hand comes up to tuck the strands back into place, but snaps back before he even gets the chance when her body turns to face him. Michiko lifts her mask up to her lips and smiles at him before suggesting a plan of action. Sooga tries to ignore it, but he can’t help but notice what a beautiful smile she had. 

 “Lord Sooga. Lady Michiko.” A retired Yiga woman who was heavily pregnant approached them. Michiko and Sooga had been keeping close watch for any signs of the royal advisor or anyone of the royal family. Right now, she was reporting how her and her brother had narrowly escaped being caught by Royal knights when they were out chopping up some wood a few weeks ago. 

“Where did you see them?” The knights?” Sooga asked. 

The lady pointed to the north side which was basically surrounded by trees. “There. But my brother has fallen ill so I was out picking out some herbs for his medicine. And with me nearing my due date, and the knights randomly raiding houses, I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.” 

Michiko nodded to show that she understood the woman’s frustrations. “I understand. I promise you we’re going to make them stop bothering you.” She looked at the woman, who seemed to be in her late twenties. “You should head home. It’s too unsafe to be out this late and in your late stages of pregnancy. Do you have anyone to walk you home?” 

The woman shook her head and looked over at Sooga who was looking off into the distance to keep an eye out on any suspicious activity then looked over at Michiko. “No… my husband died not too long ago and if my baby is a boy, I’m naming him after my late husband.” 

Michiko looked over at Sooga, “Lord Sooga.” Although he had asked her for no more formalities when referring to each other, she couldn’t help but do so in front of others. At least for professionalism. 

“Yes?”

“I’m going to walk her home”

“That man that you’re traveling with, Sooga.. What's your relationship with him?” 

“Oh, we’re colleagues. We’re both in the same ranks in the clan.” 

She’s quiet as she walks, rubbing her stomach as if trying to soothe her unborn child. “He’s very handsome.” 

The lady caught her off guard as Michiko makes a confused face as they both walk and she notices. “Do you not agree?”

“No! No… he’s very handsome.” Michiko’s mind flashed back to when Yoshida asked if she was interested in Sooga. “I’ve just never thought about it.”

“Surely you’ve noticed in your time spent together.”

Michiko is at a loss for words from the woman. She wasn’t blind, Sooga was a very attractive man with a kind heart, wonderful smile, infectious laugh, and strong arms that could easily-

No! He’s my fellow blademaster! We practically work together everyday. I can’t think of him like that. Michiko thinks, shutting out those previous thoughts. 

Noticing her silent debate, the woman speaks up. “I don’t wish to offend you if you’re interested in him. He just reminds me of my late husband.” 

Michiko’s expression softens as she looks over at her. She looks solemn but smiles anyway. Michiko asks about her husband and she explains how they fell in love and his untimely demise. After a short twenty minute walk, Michiko watched as she entered her home for the night. The woman waved and thanked her before closing the door. 

It wasn’t too late by the time Michiko got back from dropping off the lady but the sun had just set. Other Yiga members had also joined in patrolling the area but they were keeping watch up on the hills. And Michiko rejoined Sooga. 

“How do you like Hyrule so far?” He asked. 

Michiko looked over at him. His posture looked confident but relaxed as his arms rested at his sides as he walked. Her hands clasped each other behind her back as she walked next to him. 

“I haven’t gotten to see Hyrule in its entirety but from what I’ve seen, it’s beautiful.” 

Sooga smiled from underneath his mask. “Perhaps someday you and I could visit Satori-”

“LADY MICHIKO!” 

A panicked voice called out to her as both Michiko and Sooga both turned to look and they saw the woman Michiko had walked home earlier running towards them. She basically collapses into Michiko’s arms as she holds her up. 

“Ms. Kochi? I thought you were home?” 

She hyperventilated as she tried to get words out, “my brother.. Royal knights! A- attacked.” 

Both Sooga and Michiko looked at each other. The woman sobs while holding on tightly onto Michiko’s uniform and she gently grasp the side of her face, as she lifted her eyes to look at Michiko’s mask. 

“You know where the hideout is, right?” Michiko asked and the woman meekly nodded. 

“Teleport yourself there now. We will go to your brother.” 

She nodded once again and teleported herself while Sooga and Michiko nodded to each other and raced off to her house. When they arrive, the knights are already long gone and the picket fence is slightly broken and they make their way inside. In the main entrance, there’s signs of a struggle. A broken vase lay on the floor, a picture of Ms. Kochi and presumably her husband was smashed. The glass was cracked and stained with blood. 

“You think they might’ve taken her brother captive?”

Just as Michiko asked, a loud thump made her slightly flinch and they both slowly creeped towards where the noise came from. A pained sob sounds out from beyond the door in front of them. They both look at each other and Sooga nods as Michiko pushes the door open and he instantly draws his blades. Inside, the scene is heartbreaking. 

The woman’s brother had received fatal wounds and he was slowly bleeding out. Even if they teleported him to the hideout to get help, it would be too late. 

The man clutched at his wounds as he glanced at Sooga and Michiko. “They did this to me because I refused to betray Master Kohga.” 

“Please tell me my sister is somewhere safe.” Michiko kneeled next to the man and gently took his hand. 

“Your sister is in a safe place.” She confirmed. 

The man tearfully nodded and closed his eyes, “thank you.” He whispered as he spent his final moments with Michiko and Sooga at his side. 

Michiko was thankful now more than ever that her mask was still on and that Sooga couldn’t easily read her emotions. 

Once they give the man a proper resting place, Michiko and Sooga walk through the Faron Region in silence. 

“Life is unforgiving.” Sooga mused after a while. 

Michiko silently hummed in agreement, not trusting that her voice would give away the fact that she had been crying. 

Sooga sighed in defeat. The night clearly weighed down on him as well. They teleported themselves back to the hideout and gently broke the news to Ms. Kochi. Her silent tears turned into loud, guttural sobs as she processed the news. Michiko held her in her arms and she let her let it all out, as the latter gently rubbed the back. She gradually calmed down and her sobs turned into quiet hiccups. 

Ms. Kochi placed a hand on her growing stomach. “Thank you for giving him a resting place.” She whispered before a footsoldier gently led her to a room where she’d be staying. 

As Michiko turned around to go to her own room, Sooga placed a hand upon her shoulder and removed his mask. 

“Michiko… After tonight, you know you can talk to me anytime. I’m here for you.” Sooga offered. 

Michiko removed her mask and looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity as a soft appreciative smile crossed her features. 

“Thank you, Sooga. I appreciate you.” 

He nodded once and started making his way towards his room, which was across her own. 

“Goodnight, Michiko.” 

“Goodnight Sooga.”

If you’d like to be tagged, comment down below or send me an ask. 🌷

Taglist: @swordsofdevotion @nottheheidi @starrveiled

[ipsl0re]

2024 in 52 games

I maintain a list of every game I complete- get to the point where I see the end credits roll.

Partway through this year, I realised I’d surpassed my previous record for how many i can complete in one year (26), and decided, with the uncomfortable amounts of time I’ve had to fill this year, to go for an all-time max. That number reached 40 near the end of November, and a subsequent sprint brought me here: to a game a week, 52 completed.

Here’s the list, and below that, my top ten.

Bold- I recommend it.

Italics- I enjoyed it.

(honourable mention to all games in italics that didn’t make the top ten. It was close!)

Monster Roadtrip

Book Of Hours

Misericorde: Volume 1

Settlemoon

Cult of the Lamb

Fight Knight

Cureocity

Venba

Roboquest

Buckshot Roulette

Slay the Princess

Akin

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood

Minami Lane

Bad End Theatre

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Portal

Essays on Empathy

Kinitopet

Spiritfarer

Cobalt Core

In Stars And Time

Dicey Dungeons

Sifu

Pepper grinder

Mediterranea Inferno

Ender Lilies: quietus of the knights

Cassette Beasts

Borderlands: The Pre-sequel

Live A Live

Bloodless

Clickolding

Sunshine Heavy Industries

Artic Eggs

Bad North

Horizon Chase 2

I Am Your Beast

Midnight Ramen

Lookouts

Project Wingman

A Year Of Springs

Gravity Circuit

Disco Elysium

Gris

Children of the Sun

Awaria

Neo: The World Ends With You

Resonance of the Ocean

Ib

Serre

Detective Beebo: Night at the Mansion

Top 10:

These are not ranked- though I do have a favourite, as you’ll see.

1. Book of Hours

Only finally finished it at the start of the year after playing for four months- it can’t be accused of lacking in content! Hush House is vast and full of fascinating mysteries, both physical and historical. (It’s also very Cornish, which is fun.)

The gameplay cycle of reading, learning, classifying, and using the knowledge to read ever more complex tomes really immerses you into the life of an occult librarian. Once you’ve heard the secret histories: “well, there just doesn’t seem to be anything else worth hearing.”

2. Bloodless

There is little here that wasn’t meticulously designed. Genius combat that always keeps you on the back foot and insanely good art direction that works in tandem with the hyper-defensive combat to help tell a great story on the dynamics of violence. That makes it sound very grim and serious- and I can’t pretend that it’s not when it needs to be- but Tomoe is one of my favourite characters, the warrior idols plentiful side content, and the geography of Bakugawa just a delight to explore. There is so much here to love and it breaks my heart that so few people have played this.

Please give it a look.

3. Fight Knight

I didn’t think a game like this would be made- technologically (a 3D game in gamemaker? Are they mad?) or from a design perspective. It’s a collection of old school Zelda style puzzle dungeons, with grid based movement, a save system about pushing your luck, and combat that puts you into some kind of corridor fighting game? Also you punch people to talk. And… to do everything else, too.

Despite, or perhaps in some places because of all that, I’d also consider it the most epic game I played this year, with some really touching writing. Huh.

You won’t find anything else like it. On that note…

4. Artic Eggs

I thought a game like this would exist even less- a… Post? Pre? Apocalyptic setting where you fry eggs and all sorts of other things, for all sorts of people. And a dolphin. But I can’t say I’ve stopped thinking about it since frying my first egg: I mean, could you fry an egg on mount Everest?

5. Misericorde: volume 1

A visual novel, in monochrome, without a single decision, isn’t a great sales pitch. But when it’s a 10-hour tour de force of characterisation in a murder mystery set in a medieval yorkshire abbey- and with such stunning monochrome art & 104 tracks of incredible trip-hop… well, there are few games I can recommend more heartily.

6. Disco Elysium

Look, this game will (and has already begun to) shape the entire art of games. And for good reason! The twenty-seven voices in a certain double-yefreitor’s head (if i’m counting the ancient reptilian, limbic, and necktie right) have such incredible interplay, and would make interacting with the dullest characters and situations engaging. Not that such a crutch is ever used- every storyline and three-dimensional character involved in it is often painfully human.

Few games will get you thinking about so much in its world and ours.

Also, heads up: don’t pay for the game. The actual devs don’t get a penny from the sales any more.

7. Live A Live

If Disco Elysium is what happens when RPGs are focused into telling a very specific kind of story, Live A Live is what happens when one RPG somehow manages to tell multiple totally different ones. Every story brings something new, (except prehistory. Prehistory contributes nothing.) and by spreading its efforts across all these different narrative and gameplay conventions, Live A Live stands out as almost ten times the game of many of its contemporaries.

8. Ib

Ib doesn’t alternate between being cute and being a horror game. Somehow, it pulls off both at the same time. I don’t know how but I do know it makes for a very effective experience. Ib, Garry, and Mary have such wonderful interplay, and as you explore the galleries, solve the puzzles, and lay eyes upon the sheer variety of Guertena’s works, they all bring a lot of character that helps ground the frights and bring the humanity to the quiet moments.

I’ve already got four of the endings in this game, and no doubt i’ll be going back for the rest.

9. Slay the Princess

On the subject of many endings and paths (in the woods, at the end of that path…), a game that takes that to the extreme: in the form of another horror game, with just as much heart. With intricately branching paths, there’s so much to see and hear (Nichole Goodnight is stellar with everything from angry beasts to ascendant gods, and Jon Sims, well, he needs no introduction). It’s beautiful, it’s horrifying, it’s probably made me laugh the hardest of any game this year. It is a love story.

10. Detective Beebo: Night at the Mansion.

If you play anything from this year, let it be this. The best time loop game this year- and that’s even when stacked against Cobalt Core and fellow love story Slay The Princess. Private detective Oliver Beebo is a delight to see in action, whether he’s solving puzzles, reliving traumas, or being flirted with by a hot guy. It twists the established conventions of everything it touches in ways that are touching and new- a relationship that can be seen as five or as one, brief horror used to carefully set stakes, foreshadowing aplenty merged with a unique take on player and character knowledge, and utterly incredible characters that are allowed to unfold with unparalleled care- some more than once each!

Maybe it’s recency bias making me go this far- but gods, this is a high note to end the year on.

Try it! Give it one more chance.

[twistthescript]

PLEASE i need more childhood Mischa head cannons I'LL GIVE YOU MY LIFE 😭

There, there…

Ask, and you shall receive! Childhood Mischa headcanons part two:

- His mother would sometimes find him in obscure places (ie. Cabinets, the corner of a ceiling beam) and he would insist those were his lookout spots. As a good knight, it was his job to protect the household. (This was when he was like… 7. He and his friends made a story up about knights and he just kinda rolled with it).

- ^ He even had his trusty sword (the handle and metal bar from his mothers rolling pin).

- Tamara was a pretty seamless baker in his early childhood, but when she started working on uranium clean-up, she couldn’t keep up with it. The last time she ever baked solo was when she caught the bread on fire to the point it was scorched. Mischa still ate it. He began to take the lead in the kitchen.

- ^ He was temporarily made fun of for it. That change when he dared his friend to try to make some bread. It went well until they moved the board a little too much and got a face full of flour when it tipped.

- In school, Mischa actually did well, with grammar/english/writing being his best subjects. (And then he got to Canada and they became his worst).

- Mischa would always “spar” with the clothesline post that hit him when he was smaller, even going so far as kicking it every time he passed. One time he forgot he wasn’t wearing shoes.

- ^ Tamara laughed until she cried before checking in on him. (It’s still one of Mischa’s fondest memories of her, because it was one of the last times she ever laughed like that).

- Before Mischa was sent away, Tamara almost didn’t want to hug him because she feared the radiation she carried. He didn’t care and lifted her up in a bear hug anyway. Before he left, he kissed her on the cheek and told her the equivalent of “I love you, mama- my sunflower. Always find the sun- I’ll be there,” in Ukrainian.

Last one is bittersweet, but here’s what I have for you!! ☺️

[playgroundeyes]

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

𝓛𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂:

As we make paper aeroplanes out of all your broken hearts / render all our thoughts transparent, let your heartaches turn to dust

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GENERAL STUFF

Hi I go by February or Grey online (not my real name), my pronouns are he/him but I vibe with xe/xem sometimes too! I'm an Aussie and a leftist! I REALLY LIKE MCR BUT YOU CAN PROBABLY ALREADY TELL THAT I'm an INFJ I think if I remember right and uh yeah I really like my chemical romance <3 I'm also a minor

I have a few killjoy OCs, my kj name is Satellite Static

I'm the runner of @danger-days-gerard-daily !!

link to my masterpost of stuff that has happened in tmagp season 2 for each episode is here (mostly for myself to be able to find information quickly again without having to listen to the episode again, I hope it helps some of you too)

I'm an avatar of the webtrans and aroace

I also write on Ao3! you can find my acc here ‼️‼️

please please give me attention on there it's the only thing that keeps me alive /nsrs

INTERESTS

- MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE (I actually cannot stress this enough), pre split Panic! at the Disco, the young veins, Maneskin, The mechanisms, ls dunes, FOB, Bears in trees, Gerard way, Misfits, Green Day and PTV!

- The danger days universe

- the true lives of the Fab killjoys comics (mostly nat anthem at this point)

- The Umbrella Academy

- stargazing and collecting animal bones!

- UNHOLYVERSE (doesn't really deserve its own category but I love it sm that it does)

- Transformers (just seeing what happens here??? either way the premise is sick as fuck so)

- The Magnus archives and protocol!!! (CRYING)

- Homestuck! (Haven't finished it yet, no spoilers please)

- a whole bunch of podcasts honestly

- Dan and phillll

- Stuff I like but you probably won't find here: Stardew valley, minecraft, hollow knight, pokemon, bluey, Nimona, studio Ghibli, house md, stagtown, ghost eyes, moomin, Lookouts, point and click adventure games, the amazing digital circus, alien stage, everything is fine

EXTRA

I can't really think of anything extra to say right now, but if your interests are similar to mine feel free to interact or say hi!!

Also I use tone tags pretty often and appreciate it when others do to but not forced ofc

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

oh wait lastly no I don't ship real people, I respect that they have wives and kids and aren't there for people to be invasive about their entire lives (even if I may make the occasional post that may be very summer of like)

TAGS

#grey's thoughts - my random af thoughts and posts that I make

#grey's life stuff - like thoughts but just stuff about my life idk

#grey's art :3 - I wanna post art around here more often actually

#grey's saves - mostly for myself just posts that I wanna be able to find quickly

#grey's music!! - bandom and music related stuff

#grey's asks - answering asks (if we're close mutuals or if you ask me asks often you may have your own tag ehehehehe)

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #12: A Rescue!

Prompt: quarry || Master Post || On AO3

---

Hunting with a trio of carbuncles is a fascinating experience. Well, it’s really one carbuncle with two more mostly learning under her direction, but Aymeric’s point still stands.

Galette, of course, takes point: finest nose and aethersense on three continents, after all. Roksana slides after her, reminding Aymeric strongly of a seal moving on an iceflow, the faintest chime of her giggles echoing in the back of his mind. Amandina lay draped over his left shoulder, too big now to perch on it, humming something Aymeric was fairly sure he’d heard from Rereha a time or two as she snuck around. Aymeric, of course, is at the rear, ostensibly serving as lookout but more accurately just enabling.

Galette’s ears twitch, and immediately they all pause; Aymeric, mid-stride, very gently eases his foot onto the floor. Roksana’s ears and tails go flat, and now she really does look like a seal.

Ivar wanders out of the library, a piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth and slowly disappearing as he chews and swallows it. He pauses, then turns to stare at them.

Aymeric grins. The twins valiantly attempt to not giggle and are mostly successful. Galette just stares with all the gravitas of being the eldest sibling.

My family is so weird, Ivar grumbles, and walks past them towards the kitchen.

Says the pyromaniac, Galette mutters. Ivar’s tails lash out of the corner of Aymeric’s eye, but the ruby carbuncle, for once, doesn’t raise to take his sister’s bait.

Galette turns back to the matter at hand, peering into the library. Roksana eels across the floor to poke her head under Galette’s. Aymeric leans forward, as does Amandina.

Synnove sits her desk, head bowed and propped up by one hand, a faint frown barely visible on her face. She is tapping her stylus against the desk, tappa-tappa-tap-tap, and stacks of papers sits on either side of her.

It was mid-afternoon, and his lady had been grading papers since just after breakfast. This intervention is necessary.

Galette flicks her right ear, and Aymeric carefully eases his way into the library along the righthand wall. The heavy rug there is able to muffle footsteps, and the floorboards beneath it aren’t prone to creaks from large footsteps the way the ones to the left are. Another flick of Galette’s ear, and a breeze begins to blow in through the open window, further disguising the presence of anyone else in the room.

Amandina begins her humming again. Roksana, unable to glide along on carpet, belly crawls instead, following after Galette as they go opposite along the wall from Aymeric and Amandina.

Aymeric ilms his way along the wall, until the right angle turn that allows him to begin his approach from behind Synnove.

His lady is still tapping her style rhythmically, but the frown has become a sly little grin.

Oh, well.

He swoops forward, and Synnove pushes her chair back just enough to give him clearance to lift her without banging her knees or shins against the desk. His lady still lets out a playful shriek, and he settles her in his arms with smug satisfaction.

“My lady,” Aymeric says in his poshest voice, “you while the day away in shadow and labor, when the sun shines brightly and the flowers dance in the breeze. How dare you squander Hydaelyn’s gifts?”

Synnove laughs, her breath briefly punting out of her in a wheeze as Amandina tumbles from his shoulder to land in her lap with a Hi, Mommy! “Oh, woe,” his lady says in her best mimicry of him, “I am but a slave to the needs of my masters! Whomever shall save me from my labors and show me the joys of the wider world?”

She tilts her head up, green eyes twinkling, and Aymeric lowers his head so they may exchange a sweet kiss.

Have no fear, Mama! Galette says, hopping onto the desk, with Roksana after her. She pauses, taking a moment to reach down and scruff her baby sister to help her up. That done, she continues, I have found a brave knight to bring you to the sun, and all the glories that await!

Synnove turns to stare at her eldest, a wry grin ticking across her face. “Got some pastries from Red Rooster Stead, didn’t you?”

YES, now let’s GO.

Galette picks Roksana up—Roksana now almost too big for it, but the white pearl carbunclet obediently tucks her arms and legs and tails close to make it easier—and leaps down, trotting imperiously towards the door to make her way to the patio. Synnove and Aymeric both laugh, and Aymeric presses a kiss to his lady’s hair as he follows after, prize safely in hand.

[marshallpupfan]

Character Spotlight - Boomer

Every now and then, I like focusing on another pup, and now's a good time as any to give some spotlight to our latest villain pup, Boomer!

Naturally, I didn't know what to expect when I first learned about this character. In fact, for the longest time, none of us had any idea if he was even going to be a pup. It took many months to get our first glimpse at him, which was through a toy found on a UK website. Said merchandise, however, didn't look so flattering, and so many of us were really hoping he'd look much better in the cartoon.

Once I finally got a chance to watch some Rescue Wheels episodes, I found myself really liking the character. Much like Claw, I quickly became a fan! Indeed, I'm happy to say his cartoon model turned out much better than his toy, and truth be told, I think he looks really, really cool! And despite being a baddie, I felt Boomer had plenty of charm to him, too. He even managed to get some genuine laughs out of me, which I certainly didn't expect. Even his little mischievous chuckle gave the character plenty more likeability. There's just so much about Boomer that I either like or really like!

Compared to the other pup introduced in Rescue Wheels, I personally found him to be a lot better than the newcomer to the team, Roxi. This is just my opinion, and I mean no disrespect to anyone who likes her... but there's just not a whole lot about Roxi that I find to be enjoyable. In fact, she's basically what you'd expect from a kid's cartoon that often tries to play things so safe with characters like her. She's always so happy-go-lucky, everyone unabashedly loves her, and of course, she's perfect or near-perfect as possible. She even played some Pup Pup Boogie with the pups at the Lookout, and of course, the cartoon couldn't resist telling us how amazing she was at it... despite that being her first time playing it. I had a conversation with someone over on Twitter/X about this very thing, and we both agreed that a perfect character is a boring character. And to me, that's Roxi to a T.

And while a lack of perfection is expected from a villain, especially one from a cartoon like PAW Patrol, it's his flaws that, to me, make him far more interesting than the often-so-perfect Roxi. He's a skilled monster trucker who's good at what he does, but his imperfections can often lead to some interesting scenarios, which in turn make him a lot more entertaining to watch. It's one of the many reasons I find Marshall so appealing, compared to the other pups on the team (especially nowadays). Imperfections, to me, can make a character a lot more interesting and, at times, fun.

And in my opinion, Boomer's indeed a fun and interesting addition to PAW Patrol. He easily became a highlight to me... not just of Rescue Wheels, but season 10, in general! I'm legit a fan of the character, and I even put him in my top ten list!

And it's sad knowing that, at this point, I may never see him again. I know Rescue Wheels hasn't premiered in the United States yet, so many of my followers haven't seen much of him at all at this point. However, all six missions have aired in both Canada and the UK, and I've seen them now, so for me, Rescue Wheels is over. Unlike Roxi, who has a chance to show up if we get another episode akin to All Paws on Deck, we likely won't see Boomer again unless we go back to Rescue Wheels... and how likely is THAT to happen? I'm still waiting for the cartoon to give us another Rescue Knights mission so I can find out what Claw's up to. It's been a few years now, and I'm still waiting.

At this point, all I can do is hope Boomer will pull a Sid and Arrby and show up in episodes that don't involve Rescue Wheels. Will he? It's anyone's guess right now. I'd like to think he will, but it's been forever since we've seen other villains, such as The Copycat and Ladybird. Will Boomer disappear along with them, too? I certainly hope not.

As always, I've no idea what the future will hold, so who knows if we'll see Boomer again at some point down the road. Whatever happens, I'll certainly remember the pup. Here's to you, Boomer; you're pretty great in my eyes, and you'll always be my favorite monster trucker. If I could, I'd get that selfie with you in a heartbeat!

He likes his fans to cheer his name, and so I shall!

Boomer! Boomer! Boomer!

[steddieunderdogfics]

Idk what the rules are for nominating a work You were part of for the themed Mondays, but for the last two summers, I (SSLeif) have been working with Rambling_Company and Elle-dubs on a Steddie piece called Lake Kane, which has been completed.

Lake Kane is an AU of the summer of '85 where Steve, Robin, and Eddie all work as fire lookouts in a national forest, while strange (Russian) things start to happen.

I am only tempted to nominate it for the tech theme because it was made for Podtogether, so has a podfic, and radios are DEEPLY important to the piece- radio is the primary way the three communicate with each other all summer (plus it incorporates a bunch of the Actual Canon season 3 emphasis on radio as well with Dustin and his cerebro, and in geneneral we just had to think through tech availability at that time and in that environment super hard as we were working on it- from the ability for Eddie to record music he was working on, to whether his guitars were going to work, to how they were playing music when they were by themselves, to how the actual like tools and tech that a fire watch uses are different contemporarily than they were in the '80s, and of course the whole thing is based on a video game, sort of), to the point where the text of the fic is actually mostly in script format, with all the action and narration etc being things like ambient sound, sound effects, and conversation being had between the towers through their radios. It's kind of almost epistolary in that way.

No worries if it's not chill to rec a fic you were part of, but it seemed to super fit the theme and because of the format, it's unlikely to ever get a huge reception, which is fine. However, I'm very proud of the work we did, so here it is, if you would like it/this is acceptable.

https://archiveofourown.org/series/4303225

Lake Kane by Elle_dubs (avril_o), Rambling_Company, ssleif

@do-what-the-knight-tells-you @omg-elledubs-things

Rating: Teens and Up

25,160 words, 2/2 chapters

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Tags: Dustin also makes a cameo, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, alternate season 3, Podfic & Podficced Works, Screenplay/Script Format, Alternate Universe - Fusion, no graphic violence yet, not that we see, but there is implied violence and evidence of animal death in part 2, multivoice podfic, Embedded Images, Embedded Audio, Radio Play Format, Underage Drinking, Marijuana, Podfic Length: 2.5-3 Hours, references to animal death, Getting Together, Coming Out, The Party makes a cameo, Murray makes a cameo, Podfic, Natural Disasters, But just a little one, References to Canon-Typical Violence

Summary:

It’s the summer of 1985, and construction of the New Mall expected in Hawkins has been delayed. Steve Harrington, newly graduated, newly cut-off, needs a summer job. Hargrove is still in town, so Steve’s absolutely not going to lifeguard this year. Eddie Munson gets caught that one-too-many’th-a-time, and Hopper makes it clear he needs to find some gainful employment, ideally elsewhere, and Hop does not want to see Too Much of him this summer, Or Else. Robin Buckley needs a summer job, ideally something that lets her do college prep work at the same time… And the forest service is having trouble retaining fire lookouts in this one… mysterious… stretch of woods. . A Stranger Things/Firewatch AU

Thanks for the rec!

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was Fics that focus on technology.

Know a fic that deserves extra love? Submit through our asks or the submission box!

[slushie5544]

Chapter 3 of A Doofenella Story: An Unlikely Nemesis

While trapped and forced to listen to the neverending tales of his nemesis, Perry only had one thing on his mind.

'How the hell did I get stuck with this idiot?'

4.5k words

“Behold Perry the Paladin, for I, Heinz the Mad Scientist D, have concocted my new latest serum of the stickiest substances known to man, or as I call it. Stuckygloo! Heh, get it? Because it’s sticky which is also a play on being stuck and then glue is also super..”

This was going to be a while, Perry thought to himself as he stood there letting the older man monologue about his newest concoction. He wasn’t quite sure when this became a routine for both of them; to be completely frank with himself, he barely even remembered how long they had been going back and forth like this now. It could’ve been multiple months by now had it been a few years at this point. Regardless, he lost track after probably the fifty-ish explosion from one of Heinz’s sabotaged plans.

“-..For You see Perry the Paladin when I was just a wee boy, believe or not I used to have beautiful locks that would’ve left even Rapunzel envious, no not that made up princess! You see.. that’s a whole other backstory about..!”

Oh god, he’s still going on? With a silent sigh, the trapped man looked up at the ceiling, only partially listening to the other’s tragic backstory. His eyes were narrowed boredly, but he didn’t bother struggling against the trivial bounds and instead started wondering: How the hell did I get stuck with this idiot?

Standing at the edge of the kingdom, Perry unraveled a scroll that had his mission with a very vague hand-drawn map of large landmarks to be on the lookout for when traversing through the forest. Above the sketched outline, were the familiar cursive writings of his superior.

“Congratulations Squire Percival, you have honored and served the GWCA well for many years. After much thought and consideration, we as the council of the secret guild are proud to bestow you as an official knight of the Woodland Guardians. Hereby, your sworn duties are not only to protect the kingdom but to uncover and put a stop to whatever lurks in the dark woods.

As today is your first time out on the field, our covert scribe, Carl has gathered and tagged all recent and old reports of the mysterious landmarks roughly marked below. However, many of the archives had been lost mysteriously. As part of the W.G, your first quest is to document and become familiar with the unknown land. In your satchel, we have also left you the tools and guides to aid you in your journey. Good luck Sir. Perry and good luck.~ Commander M.”

Sir Perry, the official title bounced through his mind multiple times as he read the message over and over. A smirk crept on his lips Sir Perry the Knight, it had a nice ring to it he thought while wrapping up his scroll and trading it for an empty black covered journal and a compass in Daliah’s satchel.  Swiftly, and in one movement he used the stirrups to hop onto her saddle, taking a deep breath he shut the face-covering and gently nudged his steed into the uncharted woods.

~~~

Despite not having a clear plan, their traverse through the thick shrubbery was a breeze for the duo. They had started southbound from the kingdom, with every few meters he’d mark a tree with a turquoise paper tag that he would tie onto a branch and then write down the direction they were headed in his book.

Dahlia trod slowly but with purpose, as she weaved between the thin birch trees, her ears swiveled around on his alert, but her head was low as she sniffed the air with loud snorts and huffs. She wasn’t afraid of these parts like the other horses in the kingdom’s stables; though to be fair this mare was far from a domesticated pet, and she wasn’t just some trained animal aiding the guild. These mysterious parts were once her home, there had been a time when she could roam the woods freely and live her life wildly.

It had all been stolen from her in just a single night when her home was destroyed, everything had turned to ash and rubble as large burning trees separated her from her family never to be seen again. After escaping the suffocating heat, Dahlia was left trotting aimlessly trying to find her loved ones. However, instead, she was met by true monsters. Monsters that literally dragged her from her life and imprisoned her in small wooden rooms. The type of beasts that shackled and abused her when she didn’t obey. They left a permanent scar across her flank which was the worst and yet the best day of her life since arriving in this prison. That day she met the teal-haired man who hopped over a fence as tall as him to shove the monsters off her. He didn’t receive a broken nose and multiple abrasions to his body just to leave empty-handed though--- it seemed this also caught the attention of a certain elder who had been scoping for recruits.

He took care of her to the best of his ability, taking her out regularly while tending to her wounds and malnourished diet. After some months the mare was back to her health and while the two shared a definite bond over time, it was clear that she still yearned to be free; Perry understood this all too well. Months turned into a year and Daliah (despite his many objections, about naming a wild horse, his family convinced him to either pick a name or deal with Ducky Jr, Momo the Horsey, Horsea, Neighbert, or even Trottingham.), had finally recovered fully and was running laps around the kingdom’s orchard. Her gallops were full of excitement and glee, with every few clops she hopped in the air and whined with joy. However, with every pull of her reigns when they got too close to the woods, Perry could feel her tense and notice her contemplating as she stared into what she used to call her home.

Releasing her had been the right thing to do, she deserved to be wild, like she was born to be. Little did either realize how much the knight and horse had in common. Born to be wild, yet destined to be part of something much greater limiting their true freedom. Perhaps that was one of the reasons the two grew so close. 

~~~

The sound of rushing water broke Perry out of his thoughts as they neared a large stream of water that led to the flowing river. Looking down at his compass the river was flowing west which he scribbled into his book before leaving a tag between two large boulders. Jumping down from the saddle, he figured now would be a good time to stretch and investigate what was upstream,  it also gave Daliah a moment to get some water and eat; she would catch up eventually. Lifting his faceguard he clicked his tongue, to which the mare whinnied and trotted off in the opposite direction while Perry walked eastwardly along the rocky riverbank. 

Even with its slow flow, the river was full of life, with the calm waters weaving gently between large stones and boulders sitting in the shallow waters. Some were even stacked into mounds with moss growing between the cracks. On top, a few of the formations were frogs that croaked out and hopped away when the knight approached, looking into the clear waters he saw the amphibians swimming along with a multitude of large fish going the same direction as him.

Looking down at his compass, Perry noticed the embankment was turning him slightly northern while remaining more leaned eastward. While following along the shore he took note of the different plants that sprouted nearby, with a slight sketch next to the description.

‘It seems cattails and pickerel weeds grow in abundance the more I travel upstream. According to articles about flora and wildlife; both have many edible benefits** including resourcefulness in tools.

Both contain very versatile parts when dried, from the stems used to weave hats and baskets to the roots and seeds being useful for alternative flour. Even the leaves of the plants are edible raw and cooked.

*Remember to bring some home for Linda’s cooking.’

Closing the journal, Perry looked up at the sky to see patches of sky through some of the large branches overhead. He could hear the singing birds chirping from every direction as they hid between the rustling leaves that shook from the tree’s arms from the gust of wind that blew by. Taking in the fresh pine smell, the man exhaled with a deep sigh as he continued his walk.

Despite the serenity of it all, the knight refused to stop for too long and continued up the stream for a few more kilometers. To his left (North) he noticed the shrubbery becoming much denser as bushes gradually grew taller, it was such a minuscule change that anyone without a trained eye would’ve missed it. With a raised brow, Perry looked back to see Daliah was still nearby chomping down on nearby flora, he wanted to test something.

Without directing his full attention solely to the woods, he turned on his heels to walk in the direction he came from. At times he caught glimpses at the brushes and swallowed back a gulp as he reopened his journal and jotted down a small note.

‘They’re moving? Moving Northeast causes plant life to grow subtly, but upon traveling back Southwest it rapidly goes back to normal. Possible red herring? Will report more about anomaly as I travel deeper into the woods.’

Soon after closing his journal, Perry reverted to walking upstream along the shallow shores. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried to focus on continuing his path along the river shore the teal-haired man couldn’t shake this festering annoyance that itched the back of his mind to turn back. There was something about those bushes, every other second his eyes darted toward the shrubbery that continued to taunt him by flowing casually with the wind. The pink and white flowers were such a vibrant contrast to the naturally dim surroundings, even on parts that weren’t touched by the limited sunlight the flowers were just as bright

Was that… Vanilla?

His heart leaped in his chest as the smell disappeared as quickly as it hit him. Narrowing his eyes the man came to a full stop and slowly turned his head so he was facing the hedges that were now as tall as him.

This wasn’t normal!

Finally having had enough, Perry went against his better judgment and trekked up to the woods, which practically barricaded itself off. The leaves were long and pointed, sprouting in different directions while bunched together, making it difficult to even look into the large shrubs.

Was that flower always there?

Strangely, with every gap the man found it was quickly replaced with a blooming white flower that matured in seconds turning the five curved petals into a light pink cluster at the end of the thin branches. 

How intriguing.

Unsheathing a small blade from his holster Perry took a nearby stem and sliced it off with a swift cut.

‘-RRY..!!'

The echoing shrill in his mind only lasted for a split second but the sound and sheer panic in the muffled voice made him jump back. While trying to catch his breath, Perry could feel and hear his heart pounding heavily against his chest. Looking over his shoulder and to his sides it seemed he was the only being who had experienced the horrid sound, with birds chirping once again and Daliah in the distance waiting for him by the river like nothing just happened.

Just need a minute to sit, that’s all.

Making his way back to the river the knight slid off his gloves and only his helmet to refresh himself by splashing cold water onto his face. He had hoped it would be enough of a shock to alleviate his pounding head, but it was to no avail. He squinted down at his reflection in the shallow pool, not daring to blink until his eyes burned and his vision became blurry. Finally giving in, his chocolate brown eyes closed as he took a deep inhale and then splashed his face one more time

This is absolute madness!

Standing back up, Perry threw his helmet back onto his head and stormed up the tall hedges which now towered over him by double. What was he so worried about? He had heard about much weirder happenings in these woods and was prepared for any harrowing experience thrown his way. He hadn’t spent a multitude of years of training and fighting his way up the ranks to be warded off by a bunch of flowers!

With a roll of his eyes, the man grabbed the small stock he had cut from the bush and rubbed the leaves between his fingers. The greenery was leathery to the touch and looked glossy under a ray of sunlight. While twirling the stem of the plant he took a small whiff of the flower only to grimace at the normally sweet aroma.

Vanilla?

His head started to ache once again as that half-shrill tried to make its way back to the front of his mind. This time he sat next to the bush as he put his free palm to his forehead under his helmet. However, his moment of recovery was short-lived when a raspy voice spoke up from behind him.

“Ya know, if you keep plucking and sniffing every flower you don’t know you're probably going to get yourself sick.. Oh please! Put your sword away, if I was going to do anything I would’ve already. Are you even aware of what you’re holding? Oleanders are one of the most toxic plants out here! Just touching the lea-...”

Fluttering to the ground, the plant was forgotten as the knight swiftly turned around and took out his long blade to wield at whoever snuck up behind him. His teeth were bared while he glared up at the taller man who raised his wooden hands in the air and stared back with wide midnight-blue eyes. While the other continued rambling, Perry looked the peculiar man up and down briefly--not paying any mind to whatever he was yapping about.

He wore a tattered tunic with the neckline of it barely being held together by stands of string; the sleeves were rolled up past his elbows which Perry could see the left prosthetic connected by his elbow, while the other was hidden more up his sleeve. Around his midsection over his shirt was a thick woven fabric partially tucked into his patched-up breeches. The brown trousers just barely cut off below his knees, though it was hard to tell if it was because of how small the pants were or how tall the man was.

Even while slouched over the man, towered over the knight which made him think it was likely both reasons. His narrowed eyes shifted back to his face and he started to tilt his head only now taking in his features. Disheveled brunette hair stuck out in multiple directions; he wasn't even sure where it even parted, it was just a conglomerate mess! His nose was hard to ignore, with small bumps at the bridge, which he was all too familiar with; not to mention how it awkwardly pointed out from the center of his face. And those eyes, they were somehow the most expressive part of him--aside from his endless chattering; the dark blue orbs were wide and .. were they sparkling?

Figuring he wasn’t a threat Perry lowered the weapon from the other Adam’s apple, but his glare didn’t falter. This didn’t seem to bother the stranger in the slightest as he continued talking and somehow ended up talking about the process of photosynthesis.

Was this some sort of distraction?

He looked at the hedge to his left, the tops of the bushes were just a couple tantalizingly inches inches too tall for him to look over; even when he tried to hop on his tiptoes. This was getting him nowhere, and he needed to start reporting back to the guild before it got late. With exasperated sigh Perry rolled his eyes before shoving past the man to head back to the riverbank where Daliah waited for him.

“Hey! Where are you going? I haven’t even told you about how the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell!”

Once mounted onto the horse, the paladin took another glance in the direction he left the man to wave him over. He might be annoying, but Perry still had a duty and the least he could do was bring the lost civilian home to the kingdom.

However, it was as if the stranger had vanished into thin air. Not a trace of another being was left behind, only the rustling of the bushes settling back to their normal height.

Just don’t think too much about it! It’s too early to lose your mind already!

With a whistle, Dahlia started her trek back to the kingdom, but all Perry could think about was trying to ease the irritating rash that was slowly forming in his hands.

What was that plant called again?

“.. anyways! That was how we got chased out of a town by a borzoi named Rapunzel. Which by the way, totally not my fault that the owner and half the town was dragged by its hair!”

Blinking back to reality Sir Perry tried to tune back in with whatever side tangent the alchemist was wrapping up.

Maybe now he could get on with his grand scheme.

“Anyways where was I going with this? Oh right!! There had been a point when I had the best hair in the kingdom! Sometimes Mother would even braid them back with flowers and… er.. You know what, t-that’s unrelated sorry! Heh, geez I’m getting parched from all this monologuing! Do you want some water, Perry?”

With a shake of his head, the knight shrugged his shoulders and tried to yank his arm out of the concocted binds for his hands to be rubber-banded back to his chest.

“Oh right! It seems like you are still in a sticky situation over there! Oh come on now don’t look so GLUE-m! Oh oh, I got it! Stay Adhesive soldier! Ha! Get it because it sounds like at ease solider an-!”

If the knight could groan he would’ve by now as he leaned his head back against the wall behind him. Nearby he saw a wooden platter with a clay pitcher that Heinz had set down on a table littered with scraps of paper and half-created trinkets. Some of which he either recognized as past ‘-inators’ as the scientist proclaimed them to be, or writings that were unintelligible from this distance. However, he could tell the large cursive letters of his nemesis from a mile away.

He never would admit it, but it always impressed the younger man how neat the other’s penmanship was despite being one of the clumsiest and scatterbrained people Perry had ever met. Even more interesting was his ambidexterity, despite having both of his hands limited to wooden digits, it never seemed to affect the scientist’s craft; he could be sketching out a whole invention while writing the notes simultaneously. Even while he was talking it was sometimes a wonder to watch how his fake limbs bent and turned while he was enthralled in a story.

Perry vaguely remembered when Heinz briefly mentioned something about a magic spell that allowed him more control over the prosthetics, but he refused to elaborate any more on them. Any follow-up questions were met with tidbits about his creations to get back on track for once. Not that the knight cared about the miscellaneous details of the man, it was merely an observation he noted and remembered it was a delicate subject to bring up.

“..ok! Ok! I swear I’m done now! Back to my beautiful hair! One day I was to my favorite candy store and-..”

Here we go again..

He had expected many things when given this position. Possible geographical discoveries, maybe a ghoul or two that had to be defeated, or even a fantastical sidequest that involved faes and other beings he had read so much about What he hadn’t anticipated was the nuisance of a stranger he met all that time ago to be the root of all the mysteries that plagued the woods.

It was his first couple of weeks on the field when they crossed paths again. After numerous complaints of market stalls being robbed in the dead of night, the only traces of the perpetrator(s) were large footprints leading back to the woods and a black cloth snagged on one of the nearby trees. Perry took it upon himself to get to the bottom of it.

Much to his surprise (and his disappointment) though the search hadn’t lasted very long. He had barely made his course past the woods entrance when he spotted a familiar hunched-over man hauling a large brown sack over his shoulders. When the two made eye contact this seemed to send the other into a panicked fumble as he tried to turn back and attempted to drag the bag behind him. He hadn't gotten very far once the duo caught up, Perry stopped Daliah in front of the suspect.

“For crying out loud! I swear you knights are always trying to find ways to show off your silly little ponies! You could’ve just told me to stop..”

Rolling his eyes the knight lifted his faceguard, this at least got the man to stop for just a moment as he tilted his head and then pointed a wooden finger at him.

“Hey wait a minute!! You’re that guy who was sniffing and playing the oleanders! Did you ever get your hand checked out, it looked like it was already reddening when I saw you. I meant to give you something for it, but you just left! It’s rude to just leave while someone is tal-...”

Oh my god not again.. Seemingly having the same thought, Perry sighed in annoyance while Daliah huffed, digging her front hoof into the ground. The stranger put his hands up, dropping his duffle revealing mostly scraps of metal, wooden tools, and.. nuts? Most of which had been reported to be stolen.

“Yeesh! I was just making my way home.. So if you don’t mind I’ll just be going around and- oh come on really?”

Quickly the hermit turned around to pick up his contents, Perry noticed the shabby black cloak he wore with tears at the ends. Once the individual picked up his luggage, he had tried to step around the knight, but  the younger man maneuvered his horse to the side ultimately blocking the other from running. 

“Come on man, what’s your problem? I already told you where I’m going!” Perry raised a brow and gave a pointed look, “Oh! This stuff? Well, er.. Alright alright! So you caught me! For I, Heinz the mad genius have concocted the perfect plan to overthrow the ‘so-called great royal family!’ I  just need time to put it all together and..”

This was getting us nowhere! Finally, jumping down from his horse, Perry marched up to the man who was too busy rambling about his plots that he barely had a chance to react to the iron fist before he was uppercutted. The punch had just enough force to not only make Heinz let go of the bag but also send him backward until he lost his footing and landed in the shallow rivers with a loud splash.

“Ughh.. So I’m guessing they sent you here? Figures as much.. Just wait you wait, Mystery Man! One day I will have my comeuppance and you all shall rue the day you cross The Mad Alchemist Heinz Doof!! Curse you!!!”

Had Perry known that second interaction would lead him down a path of constantly being on Heinz’s case and thwarting his (albeit petty) schemes; he’s not so sure he would’ve been so proud and overzealous when reporting back to his superiors. Maybe he should’ve just anonymously given the sack to the guild and they could’ve handled it, but of course the knight had to prove he was worthy of true missions.

Little did he realize those missions almost always involved the obnoxious scientist no matter how large or small the anomaly was, he was always somehow behind it all and it was up to Percival the Honorable (as some of the other members called him) to stop him.

So here he was, trapped in the confines of his armor boredly glaring at the alchemist who was finally done with his onslaught of backstories. Perry vaguely remembered something about how a kid named Doger (?) accidentally got gum in his hair and Heinz had to get some of his hair trimmed so now he wanted everyone to have something in their hair so they had to be cut as well and live with the same embarassing haircut, or at least something along those lines.

Overdramatic much? Alright, time to get out of here!

After a minute or two of shifting his arm around he had finally freed his hand from the stuck gauntlets. The scientist was still preoccupied with wandering his home to even notice the knight taking out his sword in order to reach the pitcher of water nearby. Just barely managing to get the sharp end through the handle, Perry quickly lifted his weapon so the water sloshed out and onto his armor, which turned Stuckgloo into a mushy goop that slid to the ground.

The clanging of the pot hitting the floor had the scientitst quickly turn around to see the other just barely putting his armored glove back on. His sword was sheathed back to his side, and  fists tightened with one foot infront of the other.

“Huh, guess I should come up with a waterproof version of.. ACK-!”

Heinz hadn’t even finished his sentence when his feet were swept from underneath him and all the potions he had been holding flew into the air. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Perry standing kneeling over him with a smirk. He tried to move his head to the side, but instead, Heinz was stuck only staring at the ceiling and that smug grin on his nemesis’s face. With a grunt, he tried to move his arms, but they too were glued to the floor.

‘You want some water with that?’

The alchemist rolled his eyes at the comment, “Har Har Har! Very funny! You made your point and thwarted me! Now help me up will, y-” The knight stood up and started making his way to the door, “Hey hey! Wh-where are you going!? Get back here! You can’t just leave me on the floor like this! CURSE YOU PERRY THE PALADIN!!”

< Part 2 Part 4>

[sarasalandhistory]

How I Would Rewrite TotK

I had some problems with TotK when I played, but I overlooked some issues with the story and plot because I liked the game. After replaying it recently, I did realize there would be things I would change if I could, and these are them:

Firstly, I mentioned in a recent post that my major pet peeve is that people don't know Link in Hateno, Lurelin, or around Hyrule, but logically they would. Masterworks confirm that Link is a well-known figure, and Zelda mentions that he accompanies her as her guard across Hyrule. That is my first change. Either people know Link off the bat, or there is a reason Link isn't recognized outside of Lookout Landing. This could be as simple as a dialogue option with Purah that could say that 'until things are more handled, it would be best that people don't know that the princess's knight is back.' They have something like this with Traysi, who mentions that Link shouldn't cause a scene by telling Penn or anyone who he really is while working for her. Also, included the option being recognized thanks to the Champion's Leathers. Link wore his old tunic so much, it wore out, so we can assume that was his main gear for years. He's not wearing it, it'll be hard to recognize him if you aren't friends. Simple.

Be more clear about Link and Zelda's relationship at this point. I ship them, and I can tell they're in a relationship since we have Zelda's heated looks and Link outright saying he has someone special to Ashai. Heck, it ends with him bridal carrying her to a field filled with forget-me-nots. In the last game, Zelda is stated to be in love with Link and Link wants to defeat Ganon to see her smile. Why are they still teasing us? This is the last game with this iteration of Zelink, and they took a torpedo to every other ship in Wilds Era (RIP), so why not be open about it? Don't tease, just do. God, this is why I'm doing a visual novel based on this pairing.

Make the past more in-line with what was built up in BotW. Rauru and Sonia could still be king and queen, this could even be the founding of Hyrule, but make it overly confusing. You can just have the Zonai be the reason, the old Hyrule became a technological giant and that's why they were so important. Make the Secret Stones more of their own, like having them be Hylia's tears. Also, just say that Sonia was a descendant of Hylia instead of just hinting at it. I would also make Ganondorf responsible for the missing Sheikah Tech.

And that was the main things I would change about ToTK