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sporr1 · 23 days ago

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HOTELCOMPARED (2)

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hangesdarling · 7 days ago

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odds paid – cho hyun-ju [5]

part 4 | THIS IS PART 5 | part 6

PAIRING. Cho Hyun-ju x fem!reader SUMMARY. You are a daughter of one of the VIPs. Your father allowed you to be part of the 37th Squid Games competition, especially the VIP betting. Will you take this opportunity for money, or would you let your goal lead astray for a completely different reason? CONTENT. squid game 3 spoilers, VIP!reader, morally grey reader, hide-and-seek, brief mentions of architecture, blood, violence, swearing, stabbing, wounds, features more of the side characters, some pov shift to hyun-ju WORD COUNT. 3.7k A/N. this originally belongs to part 4, but it’d be too long for the one-shot format. the tension is HERE

Architecture is frozen music.

You're pretty sure it was the German writer Goethe who said that. You remembered laughing internally when a classmate back in Theory class attributed it to Le Corbusier.

When Player 202 stabbed your shoulder, it came to you that Goethe wasn't a musician just because he had Wolfgang in his name and was talking about frozen music. You scrambled for the door and slammed it at Player 202’s face, reaching for that secret lock on the top left of the door. Some important details they kept from your previous plans. The man slammed a fist on the door upon the realization that his prey managed to work out a lock. And you laughed, because Goethe wasn’t a musician, but he was right about his claims about frozen music.

At some point, everyone in your undergraduate class hoped to be emissaries of liquid architecture, creating spaces that adapt fluidly to the needs of people. It sounded like a noble pursuit for young designers. But now, as you sit bleeding in this room, once a piece of your imaginative creativity, a structure to promote dynamic movement and teamwork, you wonder at what point it turned hostile. Just how many died here before, and how many will die here in the future, with your work of art permanently associated with death and the unfairness of the miserable lives they led?

You winced, terrified to fathom how deep the wound in your shoulder was, and more terrified by the thought that you'll end up bleeding and useless in this room while Hyun-ju and her friends were in danger. Probably being preyed upon by those vicious men in the seconds you were refusing to move.

You groaned, grumbled, and hit the door, but none of it helped. Slowly, you stood up, clutching the wound on your shoulder and hoping it was enough to stop the bleeding.

Goddamnit. Being stabbed wasn’t part of the plan to begin with.

You stopped hobbling and dragging yourself pathetically across the floor when you glanced up at the timer showing that you had less than fifteen minutes left. One by one, you fished out the keys you pocketed and began to work.

The most complicated part of an escape room was navigating rooms within rooms, figuring out which was north or west, and whether you crossed left or right. Then the confusion will start to mess up the players’ minds until they're desperately just walking through doors, hoping it was the right one. It’s a fatal trap, and it’s easy to walk into.

You were glad you took the time to memorize the third to fifth floor specifically. After all, the rooms are designed with increasing complexity: increasingly confusing paths, increasingly frustrating dead ends.

All you had to do was take the stairs between the fourth and fifth floor, turn right, descend on the nearest stairs leading to the floor above, and it would open the room directly across where Hyun-ju and her friends are. Along the way, you managed to elude the reds, bumped into terrified blue players, and watched them walk directly to the wrong rooms until it became an itch to your conscience.

When you neared that room, you immediately went for the door and listened for the small cries you’d heard before. You sighed in relief as you heard it, so faintly you could mistake it for a voice in your head.

You cracked the door open and checked the aisle from left to right before running directly across the next room. You wrenched the door open and went for the safety lock on the top left corner of the door, groaning deeply as you remembered the stab wound in your shoulder. You can't reach it. Not on that wounded arm.

But then you heard the lock click shut, followed by a voice you’ve only heard in videos, and sometimes in your dreams.

“Are you okay?” Hyun-ju asked, her hand leaving the safety lock as your eyes met.

You could've been dreaming by then. Probably passed out nine rooms away and dreaming that you made it to the room where she is. Where Hyun-ju is. With the woman you’ve only known for days from the other side of the screen, who gripped your heart and melted your fears like no other.

She spoke in Korean, unaware that you can just understand the language but can't speak it as fluently as her. You tried anyway.

“I’m alright,” you looked at Hyun-ju. Then to Geum-ja, Jun-hee, and the baby in her arms, their names finally registering in your head. You seemed to remember a lot after being stabbed, and it’s funny. But then you slid across the floor, the pain, exhaustion, and relief crashing all at once.

You looked up. Twelve minutes left.

“Every room has a safety lock,” you said when Hyun-ju crouched in front of you, observing the wound. Not very interesting first few words for the woman you’ve been dying to see, but you need to hurry. “I think I know the exit.”

They all looked at you. Hyun-ju's soft, round eyes grew.

“Where is it?”

On the next aisle, third door to the right, then a left. A room within a room.

If the plan in your head didn’t change.

“I need to make sure first,” you said, confronted by the need to stand up again. The room wasn’t that far, but you need to be more careful.

“Hold on.” Hyun-ju's hands wrapped around both your arms, securing you in place. You got lost in the scrutiny etched with concern in her face. You knew how soft her face was, but you didn’t expect it to be as angelic up close. “We need to stop the bleeding first.”

You nodded. She was right. You reached up for the red vest tucked in your pocket and handed it to Hyun-ju before she could offer her own clothing.

“Use this,” you said. Hyun-ju eyed the vest. “I… I stole it from a player.”

Hyun-ju only nodded, taking the fabric in her hands before carefully wrapping it around the wound.

“This might hurt a bit.” Her voice was so gentle that your heart ached. You tried not to look through her soft face framed by delicate bangs, her earring glittering like a fine piece of star on her ear. You whimpered as she tightened the makeshift bandage around your shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” you assured her.

She looked at you, truly looked at you as if she remembered something. “What’s your name?”

Despite your half a day of preparation, you didn’t expect a certain point where you'd be able to tell Hyun-ju your name. For some reason, you told her your childhood nickname. The one you used to call yourself when you were two years old and couldn't fully pronounce your name. It made you think of your mother.

Hyun-ju took your hands, “It’s nice to meet you, N/N.”

“You too.”

“I’m Hyun-ju.” I know. I know too well. “Are you sure you can walk there?”

You quickly nodded, reminded of how much time you were losing.

“Let’s go.”

Before you both left, you told Geum-ja to turn the safety lock on and established a secret knock only the four of you know. Three rapid knocks, two times.

Hyun-ju led the way outside, clutching your wrist as you both ran together. She wasn’t keeping you behind, or letting you get a little too forward in case anyone made a surprise attack from both sides. Being held so gently yet so firmly made your chest throb in some ineffable way, and messed your memory in rapid flashes. Hyun-ju followed your instructions: next aisle, third door to the right. It felt as if your plan was finally falling into place, but it was too early to celebrate because on the other side, two red players were waiting.

Player 333 and Player 124.

Hyun-ju dodged the knife directly aimed at her chest, gripping 333’s wrist tightly as they both crashed into the wall, knocking you head first to the side with the impact.

Player 333. Myung-gi. You remembered him from Mingle and saw him several times with Jun-hee. You listened closely to their conversations recorded in those videos and knew enough to figure out what their relationship is.

You had no interest in knowing anything about him further. All you had to know was he's bad news.

There was this crazy glint in his eyes when he attacked Hyun-ju with that knife, as if he was seeing her as something else but a person.

Player 124 emerged from the door, looking at you like prey with unhurried steps, taunting you with a singsong voice while brandishing his blood-stained knife. He quickly sliced a gash on your arm and called it pretty. You bit down on a scream. You had had enough of the assholes trying to kill you in one day. Your hand felt for the knife tucked at your back, and you didn’t hesitate to stab him deep in the thigh.

When Hyun-ju and Myung-gi both crashed on the ground, she lunged at him and stabbed him in the shoulder. He cried, stopping the next oncoming stab to his chest. Player 124 was wrestling you to the ground with the tip of his knife dangerously close to your throat, spitting curses at you and calling you a bitch for stabbing him when he's being so nice. You screamed as you felt a knee on your torso. He’s too forceful, strong enough to knock the air out of your lungs. The moment you let his wrists go, his knife would dig into your throat.

You’re going to die.

Amongst the cacophony of grunts and groans, Hyun-ju ran to you and knocked Player 124 away, digging a knife into his back before yelling at you to enter the room.

But you couldn't.

You can't leave her with those monsters.

Your head still spun from bumping your head on the nearby metal dumpster prop, and your hands were red and trembling from the force. You felt like crying.

Hyun-ju was helping you to get up when Player 124 retaliated and stabbed her in the leg.

She screamed, and that only fueled you to stand up and fight again, convincing yourself that the pain was just an illusion. Your throbbing head and shoulder wound was nothing. Especially when those monsters seemed so determined to kill both of you.

You kicked 124 at the face as hard as you could, but that’s when Myung-gi rose from where he was and lunged another knife attack at Hyun-ju, but this time, you won't let him. You wrapped an arm around Hyun-ju's waist and dragged her to the room with you, trying to slam the door shut with 333’s knife wedged at it. He was desperately trying to pry it open, shouting at 124 to get up and help him.

You and Hyun-ju barricaded the door with all your might, but there was no way you could keep them from trying to pry the door open.

Damnit.

“I know where 222 is!” you spoke through the door, hoping the information would bring him to his senses. You were serious about tracking everyone who neared Hyun-ju, and 333 didn’t escape your scrutiny. Prodding at his potential weakness might work. Even if it’s a lie. You repeated until the force behind the door loosened slightly. “She’s on the second floor…”

Then there was silence. Hushed talking. You finally heard a sensible conversation saying something along the lines of “we should check, we passed anyway,” and something about getting the hell out of there to treat their wounds. You flinched as one of them stuck a knife through the door, probably the one Hyun-ju dug on 124’s back, as if in warning that they'll come back for you if you lied about Jun-hee. Then their footsteps grew fainter as they went away.

Hyun-ju stabbed 333 at least two times, but failed to kill him because she saved you from 124. She knew you would have died in front of her if she hadn’t. She looked at you earlier, the way you looked at her when she just stood unmoving at the last round of Mingle. That same terrified look seemed to say, “I’m losing her.”

Hyun-ju immediately closed the door and twisted the safety lock above.

She slumped on the floor next to you, groaning at her badly bleeding leg. You pressed your forehead on the wall, stabilizing yourself, thinking of a sheep herd crossing in a straight line across a country road. Damn headaches.

“You okay?” Hyun-ju carefully touched your shoulder, which had grown numb because of the gash.

“”m okay, it’s alright,” you winced, removing your vest. You folded the fabric vertically in three and offered it to Hyun-ju. “For your leg.”

“But your arm…” she whispered.

“It’s fine, it stopped bleeding.” It hasn’t, you can feel it trickling beneath your sleeve. You pointed to her leg and said, “That stab was deep. Take care of that first.”

She accepted the fabric, almost hesitantly, as if the extended kindness was new to her.

“Thank you.”

Frankly, you want to nurse her wound yourself, to brush your hand against her warmth just to feel that she’s alive, she’s real, she’s the woman you’re willing to take another stab for, but your architecture experience doesn't cover anything about first aid. With a swimming vision, you watched her hands wrap the makeshift bandage around her wound with expertise. You hoped it was enough to stop the bleeding.

Hyun-ju brushed a hair from her brow, glancing at the clock above the exit. Barely six minutes to get out of there.

You checked the room on your left and found the exit drawn with a huge rainbow. It was empty. The relief was palpable. When you told Hyun-ju, you finally saw her smile.

“I need to get Ms. Jang, Jun-hee, and her baby,” she announced, wincing and bracing herself on the wall to stand up. You placed a firm hand over her arm, gripped it a bit too desperately.

Stay.

“I’ll go get them. You stay here,” you forced yourself to say. You were never the courageous type; you don’t give two shits about saving anyone but Hyun-ju. But she needed this. She needs her allies back, or she'll get herself killed trying to get them back.

You stood up, but it was Hyun-ju's turn to pull you back. Hopefully pull you back to the right senses too.

“Don’t. The reds could still be outside.”

“I don’t hear them.”

“You’ve helped us enough. I’ll take it from here,” Hyun-ju said firmly. That gentle assertiveness you loved about her. It felt like a blanket wrapped around you, telling you that everything's alright and you’re safe.

But instead of succumbing to that comfort, you said, “You won’t go that far on that leg.”

Hyun-ju took a glance at her leg. Your blue vest had considerably darkened around her wound. The bleeding might be worse than you thought.

“You don’t have to shoulder this, N/N. They're my responsibility,” Hyun-ju tried to reason one last time.

You knelt close to her, looking at her soft eyes edged with the hardness she endured in this world.

“They're not,” you said rather coldly. “Your responsibility is getting out of here alive. Beat those remaining losers and go to Thailand.”

She was about to protest when you continued, “But I know how important they are to you. So I’ll bring your friends back no matter what. Hold those keys and don’t open that door unless you hear our knock.”

Hyun-ju can't speak. You don’t want her to feel powerless but she should think of herself for once.

You touched her shoulder.

“Do you understand me, Hyun-ju?” Her name felt right on your lips. She nodded solemnly.

And for the first time, you cracked a smile.

“It was nice meeting you.” You unlocked the door but before going out, you tossed a hair tie to Hyun-ju. Instead of usual rhinestones, yours were lined elegantly with small diamonds. It was your favorite. “Tie your hair.”

You gripped your knife and went out to retrieve Hyun-ju's friends, wishing you could see her again with that hair tie to know if it suits her.

Hyun-ju hated waiting. She knew it was necessary, but it didn’t stop her from feeling useless at that moment. Just waiting, praying that her comrades were safe and hoping rescue would come at the right moment before it's too late.

But she trusted you. In some way she can't currently explain, she trusted you. Aside from her friends, you've shown her kindness she didn't feel like she deserved. Leading her to the exit, saving her from those monsters, and now saving her friends, too.

It didn't feel right. Hyun-ju doesn't know how she deserves that.

Several times, she was tempted to wrench that door open and get the three of you back to safety. Four minutes have passed, and so far she has only heard footsteps and screams; any step closer to that door meant danger.

But when three minutes dropped into two, Hyun-ju finally made up her mind. She will come to get you. You were right about how badly her wound was, but she can manage. She still has her hands, she can use them to fight, she can–

Then someone knocked on the door, right above her outstretched hand that was about to open it.

Three knocks, two times.

Hyun-ju turned off the safety lock and opened it as fast as she could.

There was Geum-ja, Jun-hee, and her baby, unharmed but terrified. But you weren't there.

“Where's N/N?” Hyun-ju asked right away after pulling her friends to the safety of the room.

Geum-ja hesitated, meeting Jun-hee’s eyes, both figuring out how they could break the truth to Hyun-ju.

“She lured a red player away from us,” Geum-ja finally spoke, her voice shaky. Jun-hee’s baby cried persistently in her arms. The timer has dropped to less than one minute.

“I need to get her,” Hyun-ju whispered, staring blankly. She reached for the door, but screams emanated from the other side of the door as if a man was being stabbed right across their room.

“There's no time,” Geum-ja pleaded, firmly holding onto Hyun-ju. She shielded the door and tried to meet Hyun-ju's eyes and get her back to reality.

She can't go back now. Death awaits outside the door.

Hyun-ju let a tear slip down her cheek. She thought of Young-mi crying for her help, she thought of you who had the same terrified eyes when she first saw you burst into their room and into her life with a wounded shoulder. She can't save Young-mi, and she allowed you to go alone, well aware that your life was on the line. Hyun-ju felt culpable. She could've stopped you and gone instead, she could've held Young-mi’s hand tighter. But she didn’t.

At that critical moment, Hyun-ju felt her regrets worming through her core. But she can still save Geum-ja, Jun-hee, and her baby. She had set it in stone that she would risk her life protecting the remaining people in her life.

Hyun-ju was silent as she helped Jun-hee stand up and ushered Geum-ja to follow her to the room on the left. The room leading to the exit.

Ten seconds left.

Hyun-ju fished out the keys from her sweater and inserted each key into their designated slots, and opened the door, soft yellow light spilling out of the room along a congratulatory voice.

As they entered, the announcement spoke: Player 120, Player 149, Player 222, pass.

Geum-ja and Jun-hee noticed that Hyun-ju hadn't spoken since, not even when they were led back to the dormitory. She would look at her hands, or whenever the door opened as guards led successful players in, as if waiting for you to walk through and take the empty spot beside her.

Don’t do anything foolish.

You repeated it in your head, not for yourself but for Hyun-ju. After leading Geum-ja and Jun-hee to the exit, it was true that you lured a red player away from them and barely escaped, if not for your good memory of those doors.

In less than a minute, they will reach the room where Hyun-ju was and make it to the exit. You remembered how Hyun-ju helped save that man in the first game with five seconds left and prayed that Hyun-ju won’t endanger herself the same way just to find you. Because you are safe now. Bleeding, but safe.

When the timer ended, the guards easily found you and took you immediately to the facility clinic. The clinic was sterile and in mint condition, the wordless circle guard who carefully treated your wound certainly knows their thing. The pain subsided within minutes, and you were led back to your room, where you continued to watch the live broadcast.

You zoomed in on the view of the players, bloody, dejected, and barely talking, only finding relief when you saw Hyun-ju safe with her friends. The stab wounds you took didn’t feel so bad after seeing them alive.

Your mind was finally at rest for at least two hours, regaining the sleep you lost while a guard occasionally comes to your room to check your wounds, or bring you medicine and food. You found leisure in watching the live broadcast on the wide TV across your bed, following Hyun-ju with your eyes wherever she goes. That’s when you begin to notice her limping on her injured leg. The injury may be worse than you thought. It marked another short-lived comfort you have in that island. Hyun-ju was alive and safe for now, but what about the fifth game? The sixth? Her allies were dwindling in number and growing considerably weaker by the minute. Jun-hee just gave birth, and her priority was protecting her baby. Geum-ja was sitting alone in a faraway bed with a blank look on her face after finding out that her son, Player 007, had been eliminated. Player 456 was slumped near his bed, at the edge of his wits, and as unpredictable as a ticking bomb. Player 124 and Player 333 were nursing their wounds, shooting daggers at other players, and sometimes in Hyun-ju's direction.

You sat up in bed, closed your eyes, and accepted that this won’t be the end of your efforts to keep her alive. You’ve already come this far, and you'll go farther if that means Hyun-ju will go home.

Carefully, you checked your bandages and took the prescribed painkillers, pocketing one of the wound ointments in your trousers.

You put on another pair of fine clothes, turned the televised broadcast off in your room, and went out.

It’s 8 pm and you need to see the Frontman.

likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated, sweethearts <3

taglist: @sukunasthighmarkings101

#cho hyun-ju #cho hyunju #cho hyunju x reader #cho hyun ju x reader #cho hyun ju #hyun ju #hyun ju x reader #hyunju #squid game #squid game x reader #squid game x y/n #squid game x you #squid game s2 #squid game season 2 #squid game s3 #squid game season 3 #✂ rem writes____✍︎

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durtblog · 5 months ago

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thewulf · 1 year ago

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Teaching Trails || Azriel

Summary: Request - can i request a teacher reader x azriel where she's Nyx's teacher/tutor and feyre or rhysand asks az to pick him up since they're busy and he swears he falls in love on sight seeing reader be so sweet on Nyxie and how comfortable Nyx is around reader? just something sweet and fluffy and maybe a super nervous az when reader notices him at the doorway?? You can decide the rest. love your work!

A/N: Ahhhh I loved writing this. Idk I just picture Nyx as a sweet bubbly 5/6 year old in this. Adored writing this!

Pairing: Azriel x Female Reader (Night Court Reader)

Word Count: 5.0k +

TW: Use of Magic (fluffy!!)

As you stand at the edge of one of the many expansive terraces of the House of Wind, the air around you is crisp, the sky a clear, deep blue above the sprawling city of Velaris below. This majestic residence is perched like an eagle's nest atop a solitary mountain and commands a breathtaking view of the Night Court. Its beauty a sure giveaway to ancient power and elegance. Yet despite its grandeur there’s a poignant isolation to it. Especially for young Nyx, whose days are spent within these walls that soar closer to the stars than to the streets where other children play.

Inside the palace is a labyrinth of ornate halls and vast chambers. Each room a masterpiece of art and architecture designed for gods rather than a playful child. The echo of Nyx’s laughter often bounces off the high ceilings. A reminder of the solitude that accompanies his royal upbringing. He is a small but vibrant figure roaming the endless corridors exploring shadowed corners and hidden nooks. His solitude veiled by the splendor surrounding him.

It's during one such quiet evening as the horizon painted a watercolor of twilight hues that Feyre brings up her growing concern to Rhysand. They are in their private chambers. A place where the masks of High Lord and Lady can be set aside. Where vulnerabilities can be voiced without the weight of a crown.

"Nyx needs more than just us. He needs more than this palace," Feyre starts with her voice steady yet filled with an urgency that draws Rhysand’s full attention. "He’s missing out on normal interactions. The kind that happen away from royal duties and ceremonial greetings. He’s a child. He should be learning through play, through friendships formed in mud and laughter. Not just in state rooms and formal gardens."

Rhysand’s expression is torn. As a father he yearns for Nyx to have every happiness the world can offer. But as a ruler the thought of his son, so precious and so exposed, wandering beyond the enchanted safety of their home is daunting. "It's dangerous, Feyre," he counters. His voice laced with a protective edge. "The world isn’t always kind, especially not to those of royal blood."

"But isn’t it more dangerous to raise him in a bubble? How will he learn to lead? To understand his people, if he only ever sees them from a balcony or at formal events?" Feyre’s hands gesture emphatically. Her eyes alight with passion. "We need to let him explore, Rhys. We need to let him be a child. Not just a prince." Their conversation stretches into the night. Debates entwined with silent contemplations until a resolution begins to dawn much like the first light over the Sidra. Rhysand’s fears don’t dissipate entirely but his love for Nyx and his trust in Feyre’s instincts lead him to a concession.

"Alright," he says finally. A reluctant smile breaking through his concerns. "We’ll find him a teacher. Someone who can guide him, teach him, yes, but also someone who can take him beyond these walls. Let him learn about life. About our people through his own experiences. Not just through stories and reports."

Feyre’s relief is palpable and together they set out to find the perfect candidate. The search is exhaustive with candidates from across Prythian and beyond interviewed. They seek not just an educator but a guardian of sorts. Someone who understands the delicate balance of nurturing a child like Nyx. Someone who can foster his curiosity and protect his spirit.

The search for a tutor for young Nyx was not a decision taken lightly. Within the ornate conference room of the House of Wind, Feyre, Rhysand, and other key members of the Inner Circle—save for Azriel, who was away on duty—gathered to commence the rigorous interview process. The room was filled with an air of solemnity as each candidate presented themselves. Their credentials scrutinized not just for academic excellence but for a deeper understanding and alignment with the values of the Night Court.

Mor, with her keen sense of people, led the questioning. Her bright eyes missing nothing. Cassian injected moments of levity lightening the mood with his humor. While Amren's piercing gaze seemed to delve into the very souls of the candidates searching for sincerity and resilience. Each member of the Inner Circle brought their own perspective ensuring that the chosen teacher would not only educate Nyx academically but would also nurture his emotional and cultural development.

Then you entered the room. With a demeanor both warm and composed you introduced yourself. As you spoke about your educational philosophy making sure to emphasize experiential learning and emotional intelligence the panel was visibly impressed. Your background in educational psychology coupled with your years of experience teaching in diverse environments highlighted your capability to adapt and thrive in any teaching scenario. More importantly your genuine passion for fostering young minds resonated deeply with Feyre who nodded appreciatively at your thoughtful answers.

Throughout the interview, your approach to education which focused on developing both the intellect and the heart of a student was clearly aligned with the Night Court's ideals. You spoke of the importance of understanding each student's unique needs and adapting lessons to fit those needs. Even suggesting outdoor classes and cultural excursions that would allow Nyx to learn about his heritage in a tangible, engaging way.

As the interviews concluded and the candidates departed the room buzzed with discussions. It was clear to everyone that you stood out not just for your qualifications but for the gentle strength you exhibited. A trait they all deemed perfect for handling the sensitive nature of their prince's education.

When the decision was made Feyre personally reached out to offer you the position. The joy and excitement in your voice as you accepted was palpable. Aware of the immense responsibility of teaching the heir of the Night Court you were nonetheless thrilled by the opportunity to make a significant impact in a young child's life.

As you prepared to step into this new role your heart was buoyant with anticipation. Not just for the challenges ahead but for the chance to contribute to shaping a future leader of the Night Court. The trust placed in you by such revered figures was not just an honor but a truth to your life's work and passion igniting a fervent desire to start this new chapter.

In the heart of Velaris away from the towering isolation of the House of Wind you spend a delightful morning with Nyx at one of the city's lush public gardens. The day is warm. The gentle buzz of the city a distant backdrop to the laughter and learning that fills the air around the two of you.

You laid out a picnic blanket under the shade of a towering silverleaf tree. The spread covered with books, sketchpads, and an assortment of colorful pencils. Today's lesson is about the flora and fauna of Prythian. A topic that has Nyx bubbling with excitement and curiosity. As he sketches a butterfly that landed briefly on the edge of your blanket you explain the role of pollinators in the ecosystem, delighted by his insightful questions and the meticulous care he takes with his drawing.

"Nyx, do you see how the colors of its wings can tell us about its environment?" you ask as you were pointing to the delicate patterns that mirror the blooms around you.

"Yes!" he exclaims. His eyes lighting up with understanding. "It’s like camouflage, right? They blend in to stay safe from predators!"

"Exactly," you reply. Your heart swelling with pride at his quick grasp of the concepts.

The lesson shifts seamlessly from science to history as you guide Nyx through the stories of the Night Court. Each tale woven into the landmarks visible from your spot in the garden. Nyx listens, rapt, as you tell him about the ancient fae who once walked these paths. The battles they fought and the peace that now thrives in their stead.

As the morning progresses Nyx's natural curiosity leads him to a question that makes you pause. His small voice tinged with genuine wonder. "Why don't you have wings like my mom, dad, Uncle Cassian and Uncle Az? Like that pretty butterfly?" he asks. His head tilting as he regards you thoughtfully.

You smile softly, touched by his innocent inquiry. "Well, not all fae have wings, Nyx. Just like not all flowers have thorns," you explain using an analogy you know he'll understand. "Each of us is unique with different abilities and gifts. It’s what makes us all special in our own way."

Nyx nods considering this. "I think it’s cool you don’t need wings to fly. You have books and stories that can take you anywhere," he decides with a wise look crossing his features that makes you chuckle.

"That’s a wonderful way to put it, Nyx. And remember, we all have our own ways of soaring," you say ruffling his hair affectionately.

As you begin to pack up the day's learning materials you lean closer to Nyx with a conspiratorial whisper. "Tomorrow, we’re going to do something special. We'll join a class with other children your age. You’ll get to play and learn together with them," you tell him watching his face light up with sheer delight.

"Really? I'll have friends to play with?" His voice is filled with excitement. His earlier thoughts about wings forgotten in the anticipation of meeting new friends.

"Absolutely," you assure him sharing in his excitement. "It’ll be a lot of fun and you’ll make lots of new friends."

Nyx's eyes sparkle with anticipation as he begins to imagine the possibilities. "I'm going to tell mom and dad all about it tonight!" he exclaims already planning out his evening conversation. "And I’ll tell Uncle Az too. He likes hearing about my adventures."

The mention of Azriel, whom you've only heard about through Nyx’s enthusiastic stories, adds an interesting layer to your perception of the mysterious figure. "That sounds like a great idea," you respond, amused, and intrigued by Nyx’s affectionate mention of his uncle. "It seems Uncle Az is quite the hero in your stories."

"Yeah! He’s really cool! He can disappear like a shadow and is always on secret missions," Nyx says. His admiration for Azriel evident in his wide eyes and animated gestures.

The day ends with Nyx bouncing along the path back to you classroom chatting animatedly about all the things he hopes to do with the other children. His excitement about sharing his upcoming school day with his family, especially with his beloved Uncle Az, whom you've yet to meet but feel like you already know through Nyx's tales, fills the air with joy.

Your heart warms at his enthusiasm knowing that these new experiences are exactly what he needs. As Nyx sketches another flower with his small hand moving confidently you know these moments of joy and anticipation are as precious to him as they are to you, nurturing not just a young prince’s mind but also his spirit. The connections he's building with his family, with you, and soon with his peers are shaping him into a thoughtful, well-rounded individual, ready to explore the world with confidence and curiosity.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon casting a warm, golden light through the windows of your classroom the day's adventures wind down to a quieter, more reflective pace. You sit in a cozy corner of the room on a soft, plush cushioned area you've set up specifically for reading. Nyx nestles beside you as his energy from earlier now softened into the gentle tiredness of a day well spent. In your hands a beautifully illustrated book about the legends of Prythian opens to a page where the heroic deeds of ancient warriors are painted in vivid colors.

As you read aloud, your voice smooth and soothing, Nyx's eyelids begin to flutter gently. You notice his weary smile as he listens. The adventures of the day transforming into the adventures in the pages. Gently, almost instinctively, you begin to caress his hair. Smoothing it back from his forehead in a tender, rhythmic motion. It's a peaceful scene, the kind of simple, heartfelt moment that often goes unnoticed in the bustling life of the Night Court.

Unknown to you his Uncle Azriel stands at the doorway having arrived to pick up Nyx. He pauses there, a silent observer, taken aback by the tranquility and warmth of the tableau before him. His task had been simple. He was to retrieve Nyx and bring him home but the scene he encounters tugs at something deep within him. A longing for such unguarded peace.

Azriel watches as Nyx's breathing deepens, the sweet child drifting closer to sleep with each gentle brush of your hand. Your care for Nyx, so natural and affectionate, strikes a chord in Azriel. He's seen many facets of life. So many forms of relationships and bonds but the simplicity and purity of this moment resonate with him profoundly.

He remains there at the threshold hesitant to interrupt the moment. He was captivated by the gentleness of your interactions with Nyx. The world he usually inhabits—one of shadows and secrets—feels miles away from the soft warmth of this sunlit room. In this pause Azriel realizes that his task isn't just about escorting Nyx. It's about respecting and appreciating the sacred, everyday magic that people like you bring into Nyx's life.

Eventually though the story comes to an unfortunate end, and you close the book before looking down at Nyx to see him fully asleep. A contented expression on his young face. As you carefully consider how to wake him Azriel finally clears his throat softly announcing his presence.

You look up, startled slightly, your eyes meeting his for the first time. There's a moment of mutual acknowledgment. A silent appreciation for the scene he's just witnessed. An understanding that while your worlds may be different the care you show to Nyx bridges them beautifully. Azriel steps into the room. His movements gentle as he did not want to disturb the serene atmosphere you've created.

"Thank you for taking such good care of him," Azriel says quietly. His voice carrying a warmth that surprises even him. "He obviously treasures these moments with you."

"You're welcome. It's truly a pleasure teaching him," you reply with a warm smile. Your eyes reflecting genuine affection for Nyx.

As you gently wake Nyx his eyes flutter open gradually clearing as they adjust to the presence of another in the room. When he spots Azriel standing quietly by the door a bright, sleepy smile spreads across his face. He quickly scrambles to his feet, excitement replacing any remnants of sleepiness.

"Uncle Az!" Nyx exclaims. His voice filled with delight as he runs into Azriel's open arms. Azriel catches him effortlessly before lifting him into a warm hug. They share a moment, uncle and nephew reunited, their easy laughter filling the room. You grin recognizing him as the infamous Azriel in Nyx’s life.

Then as if struck by a sudden realization Nyx turns back towards you with a look of proud excitement lighting up his features. With a firm grip on Azriel's hand he pulls him closer to you and announces, "This is Miss Y/N, my favorite teacher ever!" His voice carries through the room filled with genuine admiration and joy.

Azriel's gaze shifts to you. A slight tension beneath his calm demeanor as he processes Nyx's enthusiastic introduction. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, his voice steady but softer than usual, a subtle undercurrent of nervousness mingling with his words.

You smile warmly, extending your hand in greeting. "I've heard a lot about you, Azriel. Nyx tells me you're quite the hero," you say. Your tone light and inviting.

Azriel takes your hand and for a moment his usual composure falters under your gaze. He's momentarily taken aback not just by the warmth of your smile but by the unexpected impact of your presence. She's beautiful, he thinks, and kind... The realization that he's slightly awestruck surprises him. He finds himself momentarily lost for words.

"And I've heard you've been learning about heroes in your lessons with Nyx," he manages to say his voice carrying a hint of warmth that rarely surfaces. Nyx obviously pleased with the exchange claps his hands excitedly.

"Can we all walk back home together?" Nyx asks looking up at both of you with hopeful, bright eyes, “Please!” He adds in for good measure as if you weren’t going to immediately say yes to him.

"Of course, Nyx," Azriel responds after looking to you for confirmation.

You nod, gathering your belongings, and the three of you step out into the cool evening of Velaris. As you walk Nyx fills the air with chatter about his day seamlessly weaving together his two worlds with tales of butterflies and ancient warriors. Azriel listens with a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. His initial nervousness easing as he's drawn into the simple joy of the moment. His thoughts linger on you, intrigued, and unexpectedly moved by the genuine connection forming between you, Nyx, and himself. A beautiful end to an enriching day.

As the three of you begin your walk back through the twilight streets of Velaris the usual calm that Azriel embodies seems to waver slightly. He is typically a figure of stoic composure, his presence both commanding and elusive shadowed by the mysteries of his duties as the Spymaster. However, today, as he walks beside you, something is distinctly different.

Azriel's steps are measured. His usual fluid grace tempered by a hint of uncertainty. His glances towards you are quick, almost cautious, as if he's trying to decipher an unfamiliar script. The conversation flows easily around Nyx's enthusiastic chatter about his day but each time you turn your attention directly to Azriel a subtle tension flickers across his features.

"You really have a wonderful way with Nyx," you say hoping to bridge the gap with kindness. "He's always so excited to share what he's learned with you."

Azriel nods. A slight flush visible beneath the dusky hue of his skin. "Thank you," he murmurs as his voice is softer than usual. "It's... it's good to see him so happy. You do a lot for him."

The simplicity of your interactions, the easy smiles and gentle teasing you offer to Nyx, resonate with Azriel in a way that is both heartening and unnerving. He's unaccustomed to feeling this way—unsettled yet drawn in, eager yet shy. His hands though normally steady and sure whether wielding a weapon or a shadow clench slightly at his sides betraying his internal struggle.

As Nyx runs ahead a little, bursting with energy as he recounts another part of his day, Azriel takes a moment to compose himself. He glances at you again. This time holding your gaze a moment longer than before. The vulnerability rarely seen by others is palpable now as it was a quiet admission of his nervousness.

"I'm... not usually this unsure," Azriel confesses quietly almost to himself. "But there's something about these moments…. seeing Nyx so at ease with you. It's more comforting than I anticipated."

Your response is a gentle smile, one that acknowledges his admission without pressing further. It's a smile that seems to say you understand that the quiet spaces between words can be filled with kindness, not just silence.

The rest of the walk continues with a softer ease. A budding respect forming amidst the shared glances and the fading light of day. Azriel's initial nervousness slowly ebbs away instead replaced by a quiet appreciation for the unexpected warmth this evening has brought into his usually guarded world.

As the three of you approach the grandeur of the House of Wind, the towering structure casts long shadows over the cobblestone paths. It’s presence as awe-inspiring as it is imposing. Nyx who was still bubbling with energy despite the day's adventures, rushes ahead. Clearly he was eager to recount his tales to Feyre and Rhysand. You pause at the entrance. The vast doors open as if welcoming back its prince.

"It's been a wonderful day, Nyx," you say, giving him a soft hug. "Don't forget to draw that butterfly we talked about!"

"I won't, Miss Y/N!" Nyx promises. His voice echoing slightly in the vast entryway. He turns and dashes inside as his laughter lingered in the air.

You turn to Azriel with a smile gracing your lips. "Thank you for letting me share part of your evening. I should head back home now."

Azriel’s expression shifts. Concern etching his features. "It’s getting late," he observes while glancing at the skies, now painted with the deep blues and purples of dusk. "Please, allow me to walk you back to your home. The streets can be less than forgiving at this hour."

You pause appreciating his concern but ready to reassure him of your safety. "That’s very kind of you, Azriel, but it’s no worry. I know these streets well," you say as you turned to make your way down the path.

Before you can take more than a few steps a subtle but firm presence stops you. Looking down you see one of Azriel’s shadows has stretched out across the path in front of you almost playfully barring your way. It's a gentle unspoken plea that catches you by surprise echoing Azriel’s silent wish for you not to go alone.

Azriel takes a step forward. His gaze earnest. "I would truly feel better if I could ensure your safe return. Please," he adds. A rare hint of vulnerability in his voice that you hadn't expected.

Seeing the genuine concern in his eyes and touched by his quiet insistence you nod to him with a smile spreading across your face. "Alright, Azriel, if it means that much to you then I’d welcome the company," you agree. The warmth in your tone matching the softness in his eyes.

"Thank you," he replies visibly relieved. He quickly steps inside to ensure Nyx is settled and returns to you with a more relaxed demeanor ready to accompany you.

As you and Azriel begin the walk back to your home the streets of Velaris are bathed in the gentle glow of the stars and softly lit lanterns casting an enchanting light over the cobblestones. The atmosphere lends a serene backdrop to the conversation that begins to unfold between you.

"You know, Nyx speaks so highly of you," you start by breaking the initial silence with a warm tone. "He's always so excited after spending time with you. You must have some exciting tales from your duties."

Azriel chuckles softly. A sound so serene that it seems to dance in the night air. "Nyx has a way of making everything sound more thrilling than it might actually be. But yes, there are times when my duties hold some... intrigue." He pause, as if weighing what to share. "Mostly, I'm just ensuring that the court and our lands are safe. It's not always as adventurous as Nyx might depict."

"And what about when you're not cloaked in shadows and mystery?" you ask genuinely curious about the man beside you beyond his role as the Spymaster.

A hint of surprise flickers across Azriel's face. Surprised yet pleased by the interest you’re showing in him. "I enjoy solitude, usually. Reading, training... Though I have a fondness for sword making. It’s a craft that requires precision and patience much like my usual work but with a more tangible, creative result."

"Sword making? That’s fascinating," you remark smiling at the thought. "It must be rewarding to create something so intricate and vital."

"It is," he agrees. His voice softening ever so slightly. "And what about you? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

You nod before reflecting on your simple pleasures. "I love hiking and just watching nature. There’s something peaceful about observing the natural world. Just seeing how it exists so beautifully without any need for interference."

The conversation flows naturally from there. The earlier apprehension melting into a mutual appreciation for each other’s hobbies and life outside of official duties. As you talk Azriel’s steps seem to synchronize with yours. His presence an incredibly comforting shadow by your side.

When you finally reach your doorstep the city around you has quieted even further. The only sounds being the distant murmur of the Night Court's nightlife and the gentle rustling of leaves. Azriel pauses, standing just a bit closer than before. His usually guarded demeanor dimmed under the starlight.

"Thank you for allowing me to walk you home," he says. His voice sincere and gentle as if reflecting the calmness of the evening.

"It was my pleasure," you respond, finding yourself reluctant to end the conversation. "I enjoyed our talk, Azriel. It’s nice to see the person behind the shadows."

He smiles. A true smile that reaches his eyes making them sparkle with a rare lightness. "I did as well. More than I expected. Perhaps we could do this again, maybe take a hike together?"

"I’d like that," you agree. Your heart light with the promise of future conversations, of shared paths both literal and metaphorical.

"Good night, Miss Y/N. Take care," Azriel says as he steps back ready to meld back into the shadows from which he came.

"Good night, Azriel. And thank you… for everything tonight," you call after him. A smile still playing on your lips as you watch him disappear into the night. The connection between you both stronger and sweeter for the shared walk under Velaris’ starlit sky.

In the days that follow Azriel finds himself inventing reasons to visit your classroom or accompany Nyx to his lessons more often than strictly necessary. Each visit, purportedly to check on Nyx’s educational progress or to discuss scheduling with you becomes a cherished opportunity for him to engage in brief, yet meaningful conversations with you.

Each encounter, ostensibly casual, subtly deepens his affection and admiration for you. He begins to notice the small details: the way your eyes light up when discussing a new teaching method, the gentle patience with which you guide Nyx through difficult lessons, and the enthusiasm that bubbles up when you talk about your nature hikes. Azriel who was typically reserved and composed finds himself drawn into your world of vibrant enthusiasm and heartfelt dedication.

One afternoon as Azriel stands somewhat hidden by the doorway of your classroom just like he did that first day he met you observes a particularly touching scene. Nyx, having mastered a particularly tricky spell, turns to you with a triumphant grin. You laugh, your joy as vivid as the sparkle in Nyx's eyes. He swears your laughter seems to light up the room.

Watching this Azriel feels a warmth spread through him. A warmth that has little to do with the sun filtering in through the windows. It’s in this simple, unguarded moment that he realizes his feelings for you have deepened beyond mere admiration. He's not just falling for your kindness towards Nyx but also for the genuine spirit and infectious joy you bring into every interaction.

As he steps away from the doorway with a thoughtful smile playing on his lips Azriel knows that what he feels is something profound and undeniable. Your spirit which was so vibrant and full of life calls to him in a way that no one else ever has. And as he walks away with his shadows trailing behind him he’s certain of one thing. He wants to explore where this connection might lead not just for Nyx's sake but for his own heart’s as well.

After ensuring that Nyx was safely back at the House of Wind you begin to make your way back towards your home. The day's light is waning casting long shadows that stretch across the cobblestone streets of Velaris, adding a mystical allure to the city’s evening charm.

As you step forward, the sound of your footsteps is a soft echo in the quieting city. You're lost in thought pondering the pleasant interaction with Nyx and looking forward to the solitude of your evening walk home. However, before you can get far you hear Azriel’s voice calling out from behind you.

“Wait, please!” His tone carries a blend of urgency and hesitation that halt’s you in your tracks.

You turn around surprised to see him approaching quickly. His usually composed demeanor replaced by a slight breathlessness. The shadows that always linger around him seem to pulse in sync with the heightened beat of his heart.

Azriel catches up to you. His expression earnest. “I just wanted to ask properly,” he starts, his voice steadying as he meets your gaze. “Would you join me for a hike this evening? There’s a trail not far from here that’s especially beautiful in the evening light. I think you’d really enjoy the views, and...” He pauses before taking a breath reassuring himself, “I would really enjoy the company.”

Your smile deepens, touched by his sincerity and the vulnerable way he presents his request. The softening of his features and the hopeful look in his eyes paint a picture of a man stepping beyond the shadows that define him.

“I would love to, Azriel,” you reply warmly. Your voice filled with genuine excitement. “It sounds like a perfect way to end the day.”

Relief washes over Azriel’s face. His usual stoic mask giving way to a rare, genuine smile. “Thank you,” he says as if a weight was lifting from his shoulders. “Shall we meet at the edge of the city in half an hour?”

“That sounds wonderful,” you agree already anticipating the quiet beauty of the trail and the shared moments ahead.

As you both part ways to prepare for the evening hike the anticipation of the upcoming adventure brings a new spring to your step. Azriel turns back once more watching you walk away, his heart lighter. He realizes just how much he’s looking forward to exploring not only the natural wonders of Velaris but also the potential of a new and blossoming relationship with you. The thought brings that rare and hopeful smile to his lips. One that he carries with him as he disappears into the shadows to ready himself for the evening.

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ivesambrose · 2 years ago

Text

ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴛᴀʟᴇɴᴛꜱ

1. 2. 3.

╚══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╝°❈°╚══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╝

If you feel lost, aimless, overwhelmed or unsure in regards to yourself this has found it's way to you at the right time.

Personal Readings

Masterpost

Thank you for the tip! 🌹

Picture 1

A lot of you are burnt by your own ambitions and a need to prove something. You quietly wonder if you're even passionate about anything anymore or you are but do not what to do, where to start so you end up spacing out and procrastinating. Likely you were made to believe that if what gets you excited and happy doesn't automatically put you on the map and bring you money in traditional ways then it's practically useless.

You have in a way put yourself down consistently due to these external projections.

Of what I'm picking up on some of you are passionate about the following :

- Dancing

- Fitness

- Makeup

- Music

- The occult

- crafting something intricate such as designing jewellery or curating them

- A select few might be into taxidermy, herbology and even archeology

- A combination of the above, some of you have your own allure and might want to get into modelling, styling, dancing and design. You want to express yourself freely including your sensual as well as spiritual and esoteric side.

You want to be known but you want to stand out, with your accumulated power you want to guide others too, make them feel less alone and more understood and yet you want to be an enigma and mystery. You do have a strong potential to be a muse to many.

Your hidden talents:

- Something that is coming through significantly that it is something from your past/childhood/early teens that you had to sacrifice/were made to sacrifice even if you cared for it deeply and wanted to nurture it. It makes you bitter to this day because you were naturally good at it.

- Some of you should definitely consider working for animals especially birds. You have a gift to heal and develop empathy with them.

- Some of you can end up being excellent bakers and decorators.

A lot you can find success in the entertainment industry, media, running your own business and being your own boss, you have excellent leadership skills and determination it's just that you haven't gotten the chance to explore that side of yourself yet.

The advice here is to only look back at the past to pick up what you had left and walk ahead. Become your friend and ask your own subconscious to show the way, trust me you will be shown when you least expect it.

Picture 2

You simply love to learn and acquire knowledge. You could have specific subject(s) you're drawn to or you don't even like limiting yourself to that. You'd rather be an eternal student. I wouldn't be surprised if you were drawn to picture 1 or 3 as well. You have a thrist that sometimes almost feels insatiable.

You are rather intellectual and often give very sound advice. Mainly cuz you are highly self aware and very intuitive.

Regardless of anything else, you seek inspiration and adventure above all. You do tend to get bored with just one thing easily.

Of what I'm picking up on, some of you are passionate about the following:

- Learning, experimenting, teaching and innovating. Again this could be any topic or multiple. Could be something as literature and academics or physics or could even be cooking or carving wood. You could even be here educating people about Gothic architecture or the human anatomy. Or all of this. You're not meant to confine yourself.

- A lot of you seek travel and adventure. Even be passionate about extreme sports.

- Languages and culture.

- Some of you want to try and do everything, experience different things and don't want to niche yourself down. Your passion can simply be experiencing your life to the fullest so you have wisdom to give and stories to narrate and memories to look back on and trust me, that is more than enough.

Which quickly brings me to your hidden talents because you're supressing quite a few:

- Some of you can be excellent astrologers or even astronomers.

- A lot of you can read into symbolisms real. You can be a gifted psychic too if you aren't aware already.

- You can be really good at sports like archery, fencing, MMA etc

- Creative direction, photography is also coming through.

- You're very good with your words, whether it be in writing or speaking.

You are rather mutable and a very poised individual too, you can easily influence the people you come in touch with. Some of you can be good speakers, representatives or the face of a brand. Whatever you do, you end up being very good at it whether you like it or not.

The advice is to simply continue what you're doing, you're not as lost as you think you are. Keep making connections and continue being yourself instead of trying to make yourself small and fit in or follow trends or the algorithm.

Picture 3

You feel like a misfit and an outsider so much so that being passionate about anything worries you because you may end up looking a fool, not being good enough or not being disciplined enough.

You carry a lot of anguish in you mainly because you had to focus on things that were expected of you or because you had to survive so you might feel like you're good at many things but not great or could be great at something but you don't necessarily love it.

You're an interesting group here because you haven't even allowed yourself to feel excited about things.

What are you truly passionate about? I see nature, authenticism, a slower, softer life. The word passion itself feels too intense and deliberate for you.

You simply want to experience a life that doesn't feel like you running on a treadmill till your knees give out.

I do see there's an innate desire in you to help others, be it people or animals or even a dying plant. You want to find your peace and bring some of that peace in others lives too. Your energy feels like a walking into a warm cabin in the woods during winter with freshly made dinner waiting.

Hidden talents you have ample, a lot of them are based on learning and perfecting with practice :

- Cooking, experimenting with different herbs. I do see some of you have the potential to start a small business that involves food.

- Gardening and farming

- Painting

- Tattooing (this is coming through because it can be very therapeutic for a lot of you)

- Perfume making is also coming through as well as skincare.

- pottery and sculpting, crocheting etc

- reiki, medicine, physical therapy etc

- divination

Think of a life that's a bit more laid back a career that makes you feel less on the edge.

You've already been running on the validation of people who think you're dispensable or your worth is tied to something outside of you that you can't even find meaning in.

The world needs more souls like you.

The only advice is to be more compassionate with yourself, you're not running a race even if people have constantly been reminding you of it, there's no finish line. The only truth that matters is the story you tell yourself, over and over again. It will come to pass. Continue being. Continue creating instead of wondering about the how. You've figured out many things in your life, let life sort this out for you.

#free readings #tarot community #divination community #pick a card #PAC #pick a pile #pick a card reading #psychic readings #spiritual community

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fatehbaz · 1 year ago

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Some updates from the past twelve-ish months:

-- Late 2022: Portland and its mayor (Wheeler) started a major push to ban "street camping". Headlines in major media outlets also described "Portland's first sanctioned mass homeless camp" and how "Portland moves forward with $27 million plan to build mass shelters". In December 2022, Portland-area authorities used the so-called "aggressive landscaping" tactic, installing hundreds of hostile architecture boulders to prevent sitting/sleeping. Also in December, homeless advocates and Disability Rights Washington advocates attempted to halt Spokane's (Washington) clearing of a major camp for hundreds of people, and a federal judge sided with advocates to put a temporary restraining order on the sweep.

-- January 2023: Even in the immediate aftermath of historic cold as far south as Miami and Monterrey, sub-freezing temperatures across the Deep South, and sub-zero-Fahrenheit blizzards sweeping North America for a week or longer around Solstice/Christmas 2022, convenience stores "in Texas, California, New York use classical music to shoo homeless".

-- By March 2023: "Portland Mayor Wheeler unveils first location for city-run homeless camp".

-- April 2023: San Francisco and Mayor Breed announce a major "five-year plan" costing over 600 million dollars "to cut the number of unsheltered homeless in half". (Not a plan to put people in homes or find stable housing, but just to technically put them under the roof of shelter, keeping them out of sight, therefore qualifying them for the strange designation of "the sheltered homeless".) At the same time, San Francisco opened a "long-term homeless shelter on Treasure Island", pushing homeless people onto an isolated island mostly composed of concrete and asphalt.

-- Summer 2023: In May, the city of Phoenix (Arizona) began its project to clear and eliminate its largest homeless camp, known as the Zone, a refuge for hundreds of people. During the record-breaking heat of the summer of 2023, Phoenix cleared the camp systematically, block by block. At the beginning of September 2023, as "Phoenix breaks heat record as city hits 110F [110 degrees Fahrenheit] for the 54th consecutive day", the city cleared the block of the camp where most seniors and the elderly lived.

-- January 2024: About one week ahead of winter holidays (Solstice/Christmas), the City of Edmonton pursued plans to sweep 130 homeless encampments as part of what has been described as a "shocking" eviction plan. In January, the city was clearing camps amidst sustained deadly severe weather, during a polar vortex event with temperatures of negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime highs of negative 25F. When a court case presented by Coalition for Justice and Human Rights tried to slow the sweeps, a judge sided with them and shut down the evictions.

-- March 2024: Florida's governor signs a new law. NPR describes: "law that seeks to move unhoused people off public property altogether and into government-run encampments".

-- April 2024: The U.S. Supreme Court begins hearing a case from Grants Pass (Oregon) with major implications and potential to incite nationwide "banishment race" and "homelessness crackdown". Lower courts have previously said that city policies (like Grants Pass, Boise, and others) were "cruel and unusual" for fining and/or jailing people for sleeping on public land if no adequate accessible shelter is available. But now?

#my writing i guess #tidalectics #carceral geography #debt and debt colonies

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theresattrpgforthat · 2 months ago

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Do you have any recommendations for library or book themed ttrpgs?

THEME: Library / Book Themed TTRPGS

Hello there! Most of the games I found this time around were solo games, although I think there's one or two that can be played multiplayer. Without further ado, let the recommendations begin!

The Librarian's Apprentice, by Almost Bedtime Theater.

Infinite, ever-shifting, and sometimes dangerous, the Library exists in the space between worlds and times. Among the many who call it home are the Librarians, and only those who truly understand it may join their ranks. You seek to do so.

The path of a Librarian’s apprentice is a long one. Your current task is designed to test your skills at traversing the Library and finding information. Retrieve the six documents requested by your Librarian before the day is out and you will have completed one more step on your journey.

Good luck.

Using the Firelights System, by Fari RPGs, The Librarian's Apprentice contains three brochures, called volumes. Volume I is the game rules & character creation. Volume II contains the bestiary, as well as the oracle for locations, events & secrets. Volume III has more oracles, this time for NPCs.

As a solo journaling game, this is a story you can follow at your own pace, using dice and a deck of cards to generate new and unexpected moments that your character will have to navigate. If you love the limitless feeling of inter-dimensional libraries, you might like The Librarian's Apprentice.

The Sealed Library, by Sealed Library.

“How DARE you and the rest of your barbarians set fire to my library? Play conqueror all you want, Mighty Caesar! Rape, murder, pillage thousands, even millions of human beings! But neither you nor any other barbarian has the right to destroy one human thought!” ― Sidney Buchman

The Sealed Library is a solo journaling RPG played with a deck of cards, a tumbling block tower and a notebook/scroll.

You are the sole surviving librarian of the greatest library in history. It sits in the centre of culture for an ancient land, now fallen to invaders. They pillage and raze.

The library has been barricaded and you are under siege. What important texts can you move down into the vaults and seal away forever before the barricade breaks?

What will future generations discover inside the Sealed Library?

The Sealed Library is not designed to have a happy ending. Wretched & Alone games rarely are. No, what you play to find out is instead how your ending arrives; will it arrive in a sudden, painful attack? Or in a slow, painful wasting away as the invaders whittle away at your resources? If you play with a Jenga tower, you'll likely meet the first kind of end; if you just play with some dice and a deck of cards, you'll likely meet the second.

Reference Hopping, by Calenmir's RPGs.

"Reference Hopping" is a solo journaling one-page RPG where you play as an intern of the Multiversal Library Network. Since today's most urgent tasks are distributed across 15 different branch locations, you'll need to travel between them via reference hopping.

To play this game, you need a very specific book - a dictionary. You use word association to direct your travel. In order to hit specific targets, you need to find connections from some specific words provided in a list; each target word includes a description of the location's architecture, and task your librarian character is expected to accomplish, If you're a big fan of wordplay or word games, you might like this one.

Duelists of the Pages, by StarshineScribbles.

Duelists Of The Pages is a game where you use your books to create duelists. And then pit these duelists against each other!

This game is suitable for 2 or more players. And each player only needs a book and a bookmark to play.

Players pick a book and swap bookmarks. The other player fills in the { } with numbers and returns the bookmark to its original owner. The player then picks a page from their book and uses the numbers given to generate their duelist.

Players then set their duelists against each other! Either in a tournament or round-robin format!

A great little game to play with another person, and you get a bookmark out of it! It looks like you can play this with just two people, but you can increase the size of the party if you like!

Arcanacademia, by Ostrichmonkey Games @ostrichmonkey-games

Arcanademia is a no frills Forged in the Dark game where you play as a member of a Department at a Magical University. You and your colleagues will embark on all manner of magical hijinks on your journey to the top.

Sabotage rivals' projects, wrangle magical mishaps, court favor with the eldritch Administration, and maybe get some grading done.

Competition is fierce and weird and it takes everything you’ve got to get the funding and resources you really deserve.

Arcanacademia isn't solely library-focused, but being about academia, I have a feeling you'll be hitting the books fairly regularly. You can play anyone from an undergraduate student to a tenured professor; with unique abilities attached to each class. Since the game advertises itself as no-frills, I'm assuming you create the lore yourself. I think the game is still on sale, so now is a great time to check it out!

Ex Libris, by Argyx Games.

EX LIBRIS is a solo roleplaying game that lets you experience an adventure by following the course of a novel from your bookshelf. Randomly generate a Hero from the text, then play through a series of scenes as you progress to the end of the book!

Ex Libris uses a novel of your choice to set up a character by using words found in the book to create a character, and dice rolls to refer to which pages you'll end up flipping to next. I'm personally curious about whether or not you could switch up the dice or add extra ones for a larger book.

The instructions for this game are fairly short and sweet. I think Ex Libris is a good option for someone who only needs a little bit of guidance to let their imagination soar.

The Bookshelf, by Lin Codega.

The Bookshelf is a game about taking the time to organize your books, remember their value, and rewrite a story based on the stories you have already created. If you have toys, photos, or magazines, you think about different merits and continue the narrative.

At the end of your bookshelf you can choose to write another part of the story, put your writing aside, or pass The Bookshelf --and your own story--along to a friend. Perhaps they will add to your story or write a new one themselves.

Half roleplaying game, half meditation exercise, The Bookshelf allows you to re-explore your book collection and pick out little tidbits. You can also use other parts of your bookshelf; little tchochkes, photographs, newspapers.. to flesh out the story or poem that you create as you go.

Also check out…

The Third Library, a micro-setting by ehronlime.

The Breathing, by Fistful of Crits.

If you like what I do and want to leave a tip, you can check out my Ko-Fi!

#books #library #tabletop games #game recommendations #indie ttrpgs #dnd #indie ttrpg #asks

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lesmana-enterprise-ltd · 4 months ago

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Casa Amani : a Midcentury Home in Copperdale (NO CC)

SPECIAL EDITION: Casa Amani is reviewed and architect approved by Jakarta based architect and urban planner, Alyssa Wibowo.

Casa Amani – A Midcentury Jewel in Copperdale

Perched atop a serene hill overlooking the misty waters of Lake Copperdale, Casa Amani is a masterfully restored midcentury modern retreat that effortlessly blends natural tranquility with sophisticated design. Originally constructed in 1964 by Lesmana and Sons Co. , this home was thoughtfully renovated in 2024 by Lesmana Enterprise, preserving its original soul while introducing warm, modern comforts for a new era.

With its flat rooflines, expansive glass walls, and natural stone detailing, Casa Amani exemplifies midcentury architecture’s love for harmony between structure and landscape. Inside, the earthy palette and rich wood tones create an atmosphere of warmth and calm. From the handcrafted stone fireplace to the built-in shelves lined with books and records, every corner tells a story.

The red-toned blinds filter Copperdale’s golden hour light, casting soft shadows on heirloom rugs and polished teakwood furniture. Large floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors in, allowing the surrounding pine forest to become an ever-changing backdrop.

A Home Designed in 1964, with the Comforts of the 21st Century.

Lesmana Enterprise approached the renovation of Casa Amani with deep respect for its 1964 midcentury roots—preserving its architectural charm while reimagining it for modern living. The exterior was subtly refined to harmonize with the forested landscape, while the interior was thoughtfully updated with warm wood tones, renewed midcentury furnishings, and contemporary comforts. Every detail, from the lighting to the layout, was carefully planned to meet today’s aesthetic while honoring the timeless soul of the original design.

Carefully Planned Living Quarters that Blends with Nature

The living quarters were reconfigured with intention, offering a layout that suits the needs of a small family. Communal spaces like the open living and dining area encourage togetherness, while private corners and a spacious bedroom ensure comfort and quiet. It’s a home that balances nostalgia with functionality—perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat with room to grow.

Outdoor Living, Elevated

Casa Amani’s outdoor spaces are designed for both relaxation and year-round enjoyment. A heated swimming pool invites quiet morning swims or moonlit dips, while multiple balconies offer sweeping views of Lake Copperdale and the surrounding pines. An intimate outdoor fire pit area creates the perfect setting for cozy gatherings, storytelling, or simply unwinding beneath the stars. Thoughtfully integrated with the natural terrain, the exterior is as much a retreat as the home itself.

Currently listed at §160,000, Casa Amani is more than a home—it’s a lifestyle of slow living, mountain air, and curated peace. Whether you're a writer, a creative soul, or simply a Sim who craves a break from the noise of San Myshuno, this hilltop haven offers a timeless escape.

Technical Information

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Via SFS : Download

Note from OP

Hi there! OP here. Apologies for the late upload! Casa Amani takes a long time to carefully plan and build, taking into accounts realistic layouts and interior. Enjoy the build!

#simblr #lesmana-enterprise-ltd #download #sims 4 #sims 4 aesthetic #sims 4 screenshots #ts4 simblr #sims 4 no cc #sims 4 build #showusyourbuilds #sims 4 cc #midcentury #sims 4 house build #residential #30x20

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reasonsforhope · 2 years ago

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Humans are so cute. They think they can outsmart birds. They place nasty metal spikes on rooftops and ledges to prevent birds from nesting there.

It’s a classic human trick known in urban design as “evil architecture”: designing a place in a way that’s meant to deter others. Think of the city benches you see segmented by bars to stop homeless people sleeping there.

But birds are genius rebels. Not only are they undeterred by evil architecture, they actually use it to their advantage, according to a new Dutch study published in the journal Deinsea.

Crows and magpies, it turns out, are learning to rip strips of anti-bird spikes off of buildings and use them to build their nests. It’s an incredible addition to the growing body of evidence about the intelligence of birds, so wrongly maligned as stupid that “bird-brained” is still commonly used as an insult...

Magpies also use anti-bird spikes for their nests. In 2021, a hospital patient in Antwerp, Belgium, looked out the window and noticed a huge magpie’s nest in a tree in the courtyard. Biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra of Leiden-based Naturalis Biodiversity Center, one of the study’s authors, went to collect the nest and found that it was made out of 50 meters of anti-bird strips, containing no fewer than 1,500 metal spikes.

Hiemstra describes the magpie nest as “an impregnable fortress.”

Pictured: A huge magpie nest made out of 1,500 metal spikes.

Magpies are known to build roofs over their nests to prevent other birds from stealing their eggs and young. Usually, they scrounge around in nature for thorny plants or spiky branches to form the roof. But city birds don’t need to search for the perfect branch — they can just use the anti-bird spikes that humans have so kindly put at their disposal.

“The magpies appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest,” Hiemstra said.

Another urban magpie nest, this one from Scotland, really shows off the roof-building tactic:

Pictured: A nest from Scotland shows how urban magpies are using anti-bird spikes to construct a roof meant to protect their young and eggs from predators.

Birds had already been spotted using upward-pointing anti-bird spikes as foundations for nests. In 2016, the so-called Parkdale Pigeon became Twitter-famous for refusing to give up when humans removed her first nest and installed spikes on her chosen nesting site, the top of an LCD monitor on a subway platform in Melbourne. The avian architect rebelled and built an even better home there, using the spikes as a foundation to hold her nest more securely in place.

...Hiemstra’s study is the first to show that birds, adapting to city life, are learning to seek out and use our anti-bird spikes as their nesting material. Pretty badass, right?

The genius of birds — and other animals we underestimate

It’s a well-established fact that many bird species are highly intelligent. Members of the corvid family, which includes crows and magpies, are especially renowned for their smarts. Crows can solve complex puzzles, while magpies can pass the “mirror test” — the classic test that scientists use to determine if a species is self-aware.

Studies show that some birds have evolved cognitive skills similar to our own: They have amazing memories, remembering for months the thousands of different hiding places where they’ve stashed seeds, and they use their own experiences to predict the behavior of other birds, suggesting they’ve got some theory of mind.

And, as author Jennifer Ackerman details in The Genius of Birds, birds are brilliant at using tools. Black palm cockatoos use twigs as drumsticks, tapping out a beat on a tree trunk to get a female’s attention. Jays use sticks as spears to attack other birds...

Birds have also been known to use human tools to their advantage. When carrion crows want to crack a walnut, for example, they position the nut on a busy road, wait for a passing car to crush the shell, then swoop down to collect the nut and eat it. This behavior has been recorded several times in Japanese crows.

But what’s unique about Hiemstra’s study is that it shows birds using human tools, specifically designed to thwart birds’ plans, in order to thwart our plans instead. We humans try to keep birds away with spikes, and the birds — ingenious rebels that they are — retort: Thanks, humans!

-via Vox, July 26, 2023

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ivorybranch · 17 days ago

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One Face, Two Names: The Thematic Connections and Foils of Revenant

With how coy FromSoft was about sharing any details regarding them, right up until release, Revenant and Executor stood as the most anticipated and intriguing Nightfarers for a great many people, myself included. In addition to their sheer mystique, this was also largely thanks to their designs appearing to imply some relation to various critical lore elements. Of course, we now understand these characters to have fairly minimal ties to the greater narrative and lore of Elden Ring, which may be surprising and disappointing for some. However, their thematic connections both to each other and to Elden Ring's central concepts run deep, and in keeping with the theme of synthesis, by reading them in conjunction, the individual components are elevated into something greater than the sum of their parts.

This focuses on analyzing the story and themes of Revenant. You can find the follow-up, focusing on Executor, here.

(I know Nightreign has been out for over a month, but still, a spoiler warning that I'm going to discuss the entirety of Revenant's Journal/Remembrance storyline. I do highly recommend experiencing at least the final scene for yourself first, if only because it’s one of the most stand-out parts of Nightreign's narrative. You can view the full questline here. Additionally, you can read her Journal entries here.)

From our first glimpse of Revenant, I was incredibly excited about how overtly her design elements alluded to some of the game’s most deeply significant lore. Her hair being styled in narrow, parallel braids in front and a single larger braid behind clearly evokes Marika and, by extension, the Dominula Celebrants who wear their hair in imitation of her. Similarly, the figure on the back of her lyre also strongly resembles many depictions of Marika. That her hair is white brings to mind the jarred shamans, as well as Rakshasa, commonly speculated to have been a shaman, in part due to her hair and eye colors. In addition to this, Revenant's bridal veil, flower crown, blue shawl/cape with gold embroidery, and general silhouette all very strongly echo the Celebrants, whose festival revolves around a sacrificial blue-garbed maiden, and is overtly inspired by real-life fertility festivals. Dominula is also lush with flowers in a myriad of colors, of a kind only otherwise seen in the Shaman Village, save for the jasmine-like flowers at the roots of the Haligtree; blue, however, is consistently associated in Elden Ring with matters of spirits, death, magic, and night, making Revenant’s particular flower crown, and general color scheme, even more conspicuous.

Then, there is the matter of Revenant being covered in medallions bearing the “nine-pupil” motif, the ring of circles around a central circle; I refer to it as such here because folks most commonly associate it with the eye of the Fell God of Fire, and indeed it is seen prominently all across the Rauh-style architecture of the Giants’ Forge and the Divine Towers, but it is also present, with varying numbers of “pupils,” in many other places, including the Verdigris Discus, the Miquellan Knight's Sword, the trim of Godrick’s mantle, and, as it happens, the accessories of the Celebrants. Given the clear significance of this symbol, as well as Dominula's relationship to Marika, the shamans, and the Godskins, and in light of Revenant's spirit-calling abilities, I was sure she would tie into the deep lore of the Lands Between. As it happens, she does not.

As with all the Nightfarers, Chloe Northerncroft seems to have hailed from outside the Lands Between. The prestigious House Northerncroft are known for their mastery of puppetry, and their patron is the esteemed, elderly Edgar Northerncroft, who doted on his young granddaughter, Chloe, wishing for her to seek the happiness she deserves; he expressed this in a message described as “hurriedly scrawled,” likely implying that it was written just before passing away. Chloe owns a life-size doll, crafted by Edgar himself; it is modeled after herself, and wears the same dress and basic medallions as her, but is otherwise adorned in a manner highly evocative of the Lands Between. She has named it Daphne. When the storm of the Night falls upon the Northerncroft estate, its power induces violent madness in at least one member of the house, a man of unspecified identity, but presumably Chloe’s father. He brutally bludgeons to death a woman, then Chloe herself, the girl's blood spattering on the doll Daphne, who awakens afterwards, not truly possessed by Chloe's spirit, but imbued with her lingering will and vengeful resentment, animated in part by the power of the Night. Thus, the Revenant is born, the cursed, composite echo of a sacrificed innocent and a cold vessel, driven to “avenge her disgraced lineage.”

Now, while the presentation of Daphne/Chloe's story is superb, the gruesome final cutscene in particular, it isn't quite the lore insight many expected. Really, Revenant's story seems to have absolutely no relation to Elden Ring at large; at least, at first glance. But the themes of her story ring out clear. A young girl abandoned and brutalized by those she was born to, her life forfeit at the whims of an indifferent preternatural force, leaving her bereft of all but her yearning for revenge, a duty that defines her very being. A nascent sprout who should have epitomized the potential of life, reduced to naught but a cold, ashen phantom. Whether Marika, Melina, Millicent, Anri, Shanalotte, the Forlorn, the Milfanito, Anastacia, Maria, Yharnam, or any number of other characters, variations of this refrain have played out time and again throughout FromSoft’s stories. The indignities and acts of violence inflicted upon women, falsely justified in the name of order and systems of power, is one of their most enduring themes. However, Revenant's tale bears yet further, more specific connections to the themes of Elden Ring.

First, it is worth acknowledging that, in the Lands Between, the art of crafting puppets and dolls is almost exclusively associated with Liurnia; Ranni’s own doll bodies were an immediate point of comparison when Revenant was revealed, and the same manner of Marionettes as the Iron Menial originate in this land. It is, incidentally, the very same land most associated with magic and spirits, and even hosts a number of the notorious, wraith-infested enemies known as Royal Revenants. One such enemy serves as the boss of Daphne’s final Remembrance, a representative manifestation labeled as “Contaminant.” Though it cannot be definitively stated what royalty these revenants originally belonged to, be it that of Leyndell or Liurnia or even Eochaid, their nature as former aristocracy cursed by vengeful souls paints a clear parallel. As in the mythologies of real-world cultures, particularly the very same Celtic and Nordic regions which hold noteworthy prominence among Elden Ring’s inspirations, these revenants present as those condemned to death, yet returned to life for the purpose of wrathful, even feral, retribution.

Returning to our Revenant, she is often found sitting on the balcony overlooking the entry hall, poised beneath the looming portraits of Godfrey and Radagon, king consorts to Marika. Even the girl's posture is notably similar to Marika's in her own portrait, found on the balcony's other side. I previously made mention of Dark Souls II's Milfanito, and even well prior to the game's release, at least one keen-eyed individual observed comparisons between Revenant and the Shrine of Amana's ethereal singers; the use of music to quell or call the dead, the nearly-identical injuries, and the Milfanito's own overt parallels to the shamans all position Revenant within a deeply significant metatextual legacy. This persists into her Journal Questline, where she must retrieve a “Blade of Night Fragment” from one of two Nightlords; its description notes how its “dark substance slowly spreads, as if to restore the lost portion of the blade, or to sharpen the existing blade beyond its natural properties.” Put another way, it seeks to either complete itself, or to ascend to a greater state. Quite reminiscent of a certain hero who became lord, and a shaman who became god. As it happens, it can be obtained from defeating either Gladius, a fiery wolf, born with three heads due to a mutative aspect, once loyal to a fearless warrior, or Fulghor, a bestial champion of storm-clad gods, whose attire and aesthetics are highly reminiscent of certain factions known to worship divine beasts and sacred light. Regardless of whether or not either Nightlord is truly connected to Radagon or the hornsent, the thematic allusion being drawn is clear: Revenant's character is intended to be read within the context of Marika. And there is no aspect of Revenant and Marika's stories that overlaps more clearly than their shared thirst for revenge.

Edgar Northerncroft is described as the “patron” of House Northerncroft, though given he bears the name, it's likely he is indeed also the patriarch; I would suspect the terms may have simply been conflated, but the word used in the Japanese text is obviously relevant here, and I cannot speak to that. However, what is particularly of note is that he shares his name with Elden Ring’s own Edgar. That Edgar is a Banished Knight, and castellan of Castle Morne, having explicitly been granted stewardship of the location by Godrick. He resides there with his daughter, Irina, who possesses some unclear connection to Hyetta, prospective Finger Maiden to the Three Fingers and the Flame of Frenzy; notably, a Frenzied Flame village sits very close to Castle Morne, and in the 1.00 text, Shabriri himself was stated to have been exiled to the Weeping Peninsula.

In spite of these ties to Frenzy, Edgar is the steadfast keeper and protector of his castle's legacy, which heavily revolves around the Grafted Blade Greatsword, the weapon of an unnamed “revenger” who, in the wake of his country’s ruin, slew an entire clan of warriors; there is ample reason to suspect this was Elemer, but that is its own tangent. This unique term comes up several times in the game; the Grafted Blade revenger, the Revenger's Shack in Liurnia where the Frenzy-addled Edgar himself ends up, the rot-afflicted dragon Ekzykes being a “Dragon Communion Revenger,” and the hornsent revenger among Miquella's followers. In every case, these are individuals whose kin and clans have been slaughtered, who have been left with nothing but despair and hatred, or so they believe, and have subsequently become consumed by a vengeance that eclipses even their own self-inflicted demises. In this way, they thus serve as foils to Marika, herself a “revenger” in essence. The genocidal crusade she sends Messmer on is long-delayed recompense for the potentates’ butchering of her shaman kin. And, as with the other revengers, her hatred consumes her, blinds her to that which she still has, and drives her to seek retribution even against those merely kindred to the true transgressors, fomenting prejudice and perpetuating the violent cycle of sin and causality.

Revenant herself is yet another “revenger,” but hers is the story that, at last, deviates from self-destruction. She does not abandon her purpose; as she reminds the Duchess with her gifted Crown Medal, “with strength comes the burden of duty,” and as we are reminded by Marika and Radagon’s Scarseals, “solemn duty weighs upon the one beholden; not unlike a gnawing curse from which there is no deliverance.” And indeed, within Nightreign’s OST, the track that plays as the blood-spattered Daphne steps out into the night, clutching Chloe’s portrait, is titled “A Girl’s Solemn Wish.” Rather, Revenant faces her true nature, purges the Night’s corrupting hold on her, and finds new resolve to fulfill this duty, to honor this wish, all through the aid of her newfound family; in particular, the Recluse, whose own narrative heavily emphasizes her theme of motherhood, and indeed, this is what she acts as to young Daphne. This is what the Nightfarers come to all be to one another, and what comes to form the core theme of Nightreign’s narrative: family. Through these bonds, closure and healing is to be found, the likes of which eluded Revenant’s fellow revengers, save one. Though never referred to with that term, Diallos, youngest of the esteemed House Hoslow, seeks revenge for the death of his dear companion, but ultimately finds true solace in tending to the Living Jars of Jarburg, themselves the vestigial legacy of Marika’s own butchered people, the spirit-attuned shamans. A familiar tale to that of Daphne, no doubt, and one amplified now in parallel to her own journey. One must walk the path of vengeance with a clear mind, conscientious that such is but a righteous mission, and that only in embracing new bonds can the wounds of sorrow heal.

This use of the same central theme, or the same design or name or motif, across different stories, such that the stories come to inform and recontextualize one another, is perhaps the most recurring and crucial aspect of From’s storytelling. Another example lies with Irina herself, a blind young woman from Castle Morne, who seeks to become a Finger Maiden; Dark Souls III features its own Irina, all but identical in nature, save that “Morne” here refers to a renowned apostle of the church she serves. In this same vein, Bloodborne features its own Edgar, an agent of the highest echelon of that world’s own dominant church, fought within the depths of a nightmare realm steeped in Bloodborne’s version of Frenzy. And, of course, Bloodborne also has its own Doll, a sentient echo of the iconic Lady Maria, shamed by the foul legacy she was complicit in, sacrificing herself to bury the sin. Revenant’s story, of a patriarch unable to save his brutalized family, of a man lost to violent frenzy, of a girl who takes the form of a doll to remedy the wrongs of the past, threads neatly into these precursors, and indeed, it evokes the story of Elden Ring even more clearly. Though the reason for her Lands Between-esque attire yet remains unexplained, in truth, the reason matters little, for the real answer is that Revenant is a mirror, cracked such that her story reflects a myriad of scenes at once.

Just as at Castle Morne, a girl is brutally bludgeoned to death, and the patriarch Edgar is not there to protect her from one driven mad by a cosmic force, naught surviving the night but a will of pure resentment and revenge. Just as in Liurnia, a doll is possessed by a girl's spirit, driven by her desire to right a deep-rooted injustice, marked by a curse. Just as in Enir-Ilim, a girl survives her slaughtered kin, even as she herself dies and is reborn in their blood, walking away with a heart set only to wax wroth and wreak revenge, and the girl's vengeance will require a vessel. But, just as in humble Jarburg, one who was once a vengeance-seeking scion confronts the nature of their self, discovers the strength and purpose of a new family, and escapes the tainted and bloody cycle they so easily could have fallen prey to. “On that night, the doll understood – the young girl wished to live. And with that understanding, the doll found her purpose.”

#elden ring #nightreign #from software #revenant #marika #dark souls #bloodborne

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