#Splendor Spectrum One

[ace-disgrace-on-the-case]

There’s something I love about Battletech that I’ve only now figured out how to word, and it’s the way ‘Mechs are treated in the setting (capitalized that way because in universe it’s short for BattleMechs).

If you’re not familiar with this line of thinking, let me introduce it a moment. In short, one of the things that mecha as a genre does is use mechs because they’re human-looking. It lets you take mechanized warfare, something famously cruel and dehumanizing, and humanize it, making it once again about lone heroic actors that tower over the battlefield. That can do a lot of things in a piece: it can let you really understand the emotional impact, war-is-hell style; it can be vaguely propaganda-y/wish fulfillment, in the sense that it defies the idea that one person alone can’t make a difference; it can even be used to make combat a person-to-person backdrop for what’s really going on (you could do a rom-com with mechs pretty neatly I think…wonder if that exists?)

Battletech seems to have this line of thinking built into the setting. From a Doylist perspective, I can’t guarantee it was on purpose, but shut up we’re going off the Watsonian rails.

The setting goes straight into it with the view people have of MechWarriors, the class of soldier that pilots Battlemechs across the battlefields of the Inner Sphere. The setting (especially in older eras) treats these warriors as knights-errant, crusading about in massive suits of armor for whatever cause they believe right--even if that cause is a bit of coin. Chivalric orders at one point really did and occasionally still do within the Battletech universe, and (again, earlier on in the setting) mechs are often passed down through family lines, making these machines into a symbol. What that symbol exactly represents depends from MechWarrior to MechWarrior, but no matter what it means something to them. They have some form of relationship with what it means to be a MechWarrior. To be one of these glorious knights.

But then, as all things must, it all comes crashing down when faced with the horrors of real life and the real-life battlefield. 'Mechs aren't invincible, far from it; they certainly aren't disposable, but in addition to other 'Mechs (the "romantic" opponent all MechWarriors wish to fight) they are under threat from VTOL craft, planes, tanks, artillery, and even properly trained infantry. The glorious knight, striding across the battlefield...can very easily lose their lives to their own notions of splendor. Combat, both in lore and on the tabletop, is brutal, and 'Mechs even if they survive often come away with massive holes, missing limbs, and pilots bloodied and bruised even from the safety of the cockpit. To say nothing of those that don't make it home, their ammunition reserves sending them up in a fireball of death, their reactors purged in superheated steam that could leak into the cockpit and boil them alive, their cockpit itself blasted from off the 'Mech's shoulders and leaving them nothing but a fine red paste. BattleMechs are glorious, yes, but at the end of the day it's still war.

It's still war. And war is hell.

So despite having the appearance of being an empowering machine in-universe, we can actually look at the BattleMech as symbolic of the kind of thing that really happens to people thrown into the grinder of war--they die. And it's not pretty. No idealism can protect you from the barrel of a gun. And you are most certainly cheaper to replace than all your equipment.

The designs of the 'Mechs lean into this depersonalizing angle, too. Many of them are, in the barest sense, humanoid:

But even then, it's the vision of a human filtered through a much more realistic military-industrial complex than something like, say, Gundam. And on the other end of this spectrum:

...are 'Mechs that look nothing like the people they're supposed to represent.

Looking at this through the lens of 'Mechs as something used to tell a story about humans, we reach a conclusion:

You think this story is about you. It's not. War is hell. Meat is cheap.

And that's actually really cool of Battletech to be so thematically tied into itself like that.

[mindhealing]

Chasing Shadows!

Life can cast light and yet at the same time can cast shadows in your life and life experiences depending on which side of the fence that you are on, it means where you are mentally and emotionally, whether you are on the positive spectrum of life vibrating and projecting positivity, positive mindset, thoughts and emotions or on the negative spectrum, vibrating negativity, negative mindset,  thoughts and emotions. It's all in your hands and how life will not only show up for you but also how your life experiences will be. Life is paradoxical and intricate and the real value of life isn’t seen nor found in materiality or material things, it is found in the little things you take for granted because they are too mundane and simple for your mind to see them as miracles and magic of every day life and events of life, like the memories you create with family, loved ones and other people where you cherish time spent together, it's in the love you give not only to yourself but to other people as well, granting them their psychic space and also in the impact and long lasting effect you leave in the hearts of those people you have touched, those around you.

Materiality and material, things, possessions, properties and belongings can all be replaced, but those amazing things like the magical moments, smiles and happiness shared with family and loved ones, the laughter, and genuine connections shared with other people cannot be replaced no matter how hard you try to recapture those wonderful and golden moments again, once they are gone - they are gone. They are the treasures and good fortune that truly last. When you review your life and life experiences, events and circumstances, conditions and situations, challenges and problems, the struggles you had to endure in the course of your life, events of your life, reality and existence, you will see, know and understand and come to the realization that they were what shaped you into who and what you are today and not the material things and possessions that you have. People will only remember you by how you made them feel and what you deposited into their lives and life experiences.

They will remember the number of times you showed up for them, the way you made them feel and the emotions they had constantly around you like laughter and joy, and all the happy memories of fun and adventures they had with you, your kindness and kind gestures towards them, your support, patience, understanding and love.  Now imagine what you would feel like seeing how you are loved and cherished compared to chasing shadows and illusion in accumulating materiality and material possessions, properties and things. If you were to shift your focus and attention from thoughts of accumulating things and possessions to accumulating wonderful, amazing and exciting experiences that would last you a lifetime, imagine the joy and happiness, bliss and ecstasy that you would have and to top that all the meaningful connections that would come your way. Spend less time working and chasing the shadow of more money, always more and spend more time creating and investing in meaningful relationships, exploring the world in adventures of a lifetime, and simply live in the present moment because that all there is and will always be.

Don't make your life what you own, about materiality and material things, rather make it about how much you live and let live, how much you enjoy this life having fun and spending time exploring nature, it's beauty and splendor, majesty and bliss and see how nature brings you peace and calm, serenity and happiness and in that state and space everything changes. You have disconnected from your mind and it's attendant negativity, negative mindset, thoughts and emotions and are now connected to the divinity within you, your Higher Self which is your authentic self waiting to connect with you and show you the truth about yourself. It will lead you on the journey of self discovery and show you how powerful you are and that you are a Magnificent Being of pure Light and Love.  So take time to relax and let the power within you show you how to achieve your dreams and goals from a relaxed perspective and become the best version of yourself. Truth be told materiality, material things and possessions that you chase after and accumulate, obsess and stress over in this life ultimately holds little meaning and gain in the end.

You give so much acquiring wealth and fortune, working long hours and shifts, obsessing and stressing over upgrades and deadlines, filling your life and space with things, possessions and properties you think and assume you need and which will bring you joy and happiness, a high and elevated status and class in society and the ultimate fulfilment of life. But when you eventually have it all, you find and discover that none of them will go with you when this life is over - they will all be left behind for others. Eventually what you have worked so hard to  accumulate, becomes someone else’s lot to enjoy at your expense. So prioritize your health and wellbeing above all else especially chasing the shadow and illusion of having it all, be grateful for all that you have and don't be desperate to have what others have or achieved at any and all cost. In the end its your happy memories and experience of this life that you take with you when leaving.

More to come.

[masterqwertster]

Braius in Daggerheart

Moo.

Ancestry

Firbolg

According to Daggerheart's Ancestry pages, Minotaurs are the more cow-end of the spectrum of Firbolgs, so Braius has a direct conversion. The Charge ability is essentially the D&D Goring Rush. And while I don't think Unshakable is the most suited to Braius, it's just a good ability to have since it's a 1 in 6 chance of not marking Stress.

Community

Orderborne

Braius is a paladin, dedicated to his oath(s), and (besides his newest faith in The Traveler) has served Lawful gods. He's got rules to how he lives his faith that push him to go above and beyond (once per rest when fulfilling one of three values you've recorded, use a d20 Hope die).

Class/Subclass

Divine Wielder Seraph -Spirit Weapon: A Melee or Very Close Weapon can fly from your hand to hit Close range and return. 1 Stress to hit an additional target with the same roll. -Sparing Touch: Once per long rest, touch a creature to clear 2 HP or 2 Stress Specialization-Devout: Roll an extra Prayer Dice and drop the lowest. And you can now using Sparing Touch twice per long rest Mastery-Sacred Resonance: When using Spirit Weapon, any matching die results are doubled. ex. two 5s count as two 10s

I was tempted to multi-class Braius with Bard, since he is multi-classed that way in D&D. But Braius does very well with the Splendor and Valor Domains, which do have cards that cover the high Charisma and Bardic Inspiration skills pretty well. Also, the only Bard Domain Card that Braius truly wants over anything he's got in Splendor and Valor is Deft Deceiver. A one card pull just doesn't justify the multi-class to me.

Domain Cards

I will say that for Braius's Domain Card set, there would need to be a card swap out at level 8+ for this full 14 card spread as I don't have an extra card for the Tier 3 bonus pull level up option. But it is still a doable build.

Forceful Push (lvl 1, valor)

A nod to both Braius's Hammering Horns racial ability and his Battering Shield, it's a push ability. On a successful Melee attack, push the enemy out to Close range, if it was with Hope, add a d6 of damage. And if you spend a Hope, you can make the enemy Vulnerable.

Mending Touch (lvl 1, splendor)

Some Lay on Hands healing. 2 Hope to clear 1 HP or 1 Stress. And once per long rest, you can boost that to 2 if you spend time learning about your target or revealing yourself to them.

Bold Presence (lvl 2, valor)

Some high Charisma shenanigans. Spend a Hope to add your Strength to a Presence Roll. And once per rest you can avoid gaining a condition using your bold presence. (Also, it's the kabe don card. Don't tell me Braius wouldn't try that for seduction)

Healing Hands (lvl 2, splendor)

Cure Wounds, essentially. Mark a Stress to Spellcast (13), where on a success you clear 2 HP or Stress, and on a failure only 1 HP or Stress. And you can only help the same target once per long rest.

Critical Inspiration (lvl 3, valor)

A little Bardic Inspiration of sorts. Once pers rest on a crit attack, all allies in Very Close range can clear a Stress or gain a Hope.

Divination (lvl 4, splendor)

Braius talks to his god, looking for guidance. Once per long rest, 3 Hope to ask a yes or no question about an upcoming event, person, place, or situation.

Support Tank (lvl 4, valor)

Once again, sort of Bardic Inspiration (or paladin Aura of Protection?). 2 Hope to let an ally in Close range reroll their Hope or Fear Die if they fail the roll.

Armorer (lvl 5, valor)

Braius was real proud of getting Truthbearer, fabled plate of Uther Vendrock, so a little extra armor power here. +1 to your armor score when wearing armor. And when you repair your armor during a rest, your allies also get 1 Armor Slot back.

Smite (lvl 5, splendor)

C'mon, it's Smite. The signature paladin ability. Once per rest, 3 Hope to double the damage and make it magic of your next successful attack with a weapon.

Full Surge (lvl 8, valor)

A small nod to D&D Bard's Jack of All Trades ability granting everything that doesn't have proficiency or expertise a bonus equal to half your proficiency. Once per long rest, 3 Stress for +2 to all Traits until your next rest.

Shield Aura (lvl 8, splendor)

A nod to paladin aura's helping protect allies. Mark a Stress to set an aura on one target at a time in Very Close range that makes it so that when they mark an Armor Slot, it reduces the damage by 2 Thresholds, and the spell ends if the reduction causes no HP to be marked.

Lead by Example (lvl 9, valor)

Another support boost, for 1 Stress when you've hurt an enemy, you can encourage your allies so the next of them to hit the enemy you hit activating this will clear a Stress or gain a Hope.

Overwhelming Aura (lvl 9, splendor)

More paladin aura, sort of. Spellcast(15) for 2 Hope on a success to make your Presence equal to your Spellcast Trait until your next long rest. And enemies must mark a stress to target you with an attack.

Unyielding Armor (lvl 10, valor)

Boosting up that legendary armor of Braius's. When marking Armor, roll Proficiency of d6s, and if you get a 6 in there, you don't have to spend the Armor Slot to reduce the damage.

At the End

I really do think Braius likes being a straight up Seraph. Valor and Splendor are great for his build with plenty of little boosters to act as Bardic Inspiration and such. And while he would truly love getting that Deft Deceiver card from the Grace Domain via Bard multi-class and Rally Dice are always great, it doesn't pay out quite as well as leaving Braius a pure Seraph.

[crysdrawsthings]

Okay, so some more yapping before I clock out from being annoying online

So, this whole deal with Ncharr in Numenor. Since I have obviously never written anything, because it would be too easy, here is some bullet points of notes regarding this whole thang. Leaving a tag for @aearyn as the timezone separated fandom friend and one of the OG enablers for this ship

So, truly and genuinely, Ncharr only went to Numenor because she heard about Sauron getting captured and she wanted to gloat. Took her some time to get there from the Far Harad where she was living at the time, so he was already on his Melkor worship grind by then. Time for gloating was, unfortunately, tragically missed

Sticks around and initially weasels to be a part of the court to live deliciously and enjoy the last bits of splendor Numenor can offer. Mainly hangs out with Miriel and entertains her with stories and singing

Is in the state of constant slow-brewing conflict with Sauron. Not due to moral stance or out of kindness, but because a) old workplace beefs; b) highly territorial eldritch horrors

Slowly but surely doki doki fall in love with Miriel to the point of coming clean about who and what she really is to Miriel's, likely, growing terror of now having two fallen maia duking it out over the rulership of Numenor (thankfully no, Ncharr couldn't care less)

Still, one way or the other they stay on good and eventually probably kinda romantic terms all the while Ncharr is, probably, being thr very epitome of "let's murder him, come oooon", "where is your rage queen" and related over the Pharazon situation

Ncharr might be on the friendlier end of the fallen maiar spectrum, especially after her prolonged vacation, but she is still a terrible eldritch being with a very skewed moral compass (or lack there of) and she is at best somewhat decent and at worst treats many of not all laws of gods and men as unhelpful suggestions

Thankfully for many she is living through her own downfall with her powers diminishing and fading, could be helped by certain ways, but otherwise she is living om a borrowed time and much of what she did with ease back in the First Age is tiring, painful or impossible. Sadge

As for the ultimate chain of event there are some options

[bodyalive]

Trisha and Steve, ph Joanne Savio, Courtesy TBDC

+

One of the landmark pieces that came out of that aesthetic, which celebrated the untrained human body, was Paxton’s Satisfyin Lover. In it, a large group of dancers simply walked, stood still, or sat on a chair. Jill Johnston wrote this now famous passage in The Village Voice:

And here they all were […] thirty-two any old wonderful people in Satisfyin’ Lover walking one after the other across the gymnasium in their any old clothes. The fat, the skinny, the medium, the slouched and slumped, the straight and tall, the bowlegged and knock-kneed, the awkward, the elegant, the coarse, the delicate, the pregnant, the virginal, the you name it, by implication every postural possibility in the postural spectrum, that’s you and me in all our ordinary everyday who cares postural splendor. […] Let us now praise famous ordinary people.

[Wendy Parron : Dance Magazine : Steve Paxton Obituary]

[edupunkn00b]

Meus ex Machina, Chapter 15: From This Day Forth

Edited public domain image of two hands reaching for each other, lit in deep blue and neon green.

Prev - From This Day Forth - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Distant history and some time later. Plus, Logan's time with The Muse revealed more than anyone expected.

WC: 2655 - Rated: T - CW: descriptions of treating injuries, the 'comfort' of hurt/comfort

“I do.”

Half-hidden by his wild auburn fringe, Luc’s eyes glowed. Not from his Power, not today. No, today Luc’s eyes glowed from within, the natural deep brown soft and warm and bathing him in love.

Janus smiled back at him, squeezing his fingers. “I know you do.”

Their nerves—and their focus—dissolved in quiet shared laughter until Patton’s pointedly cleared throat brought them back to their vows.

When Janus looked up, Patton smiled and inclined his head, his Illusioned officiant’s robes rustling with the movement. “And you, Janus Gates, do you take Lucas Hart to be your love, your husband, and your light from this day forth?”

Swimming in the gentle depths of Luc’s eyes, Janus nodded. “I do.”

~

Janus tossed his tablet onto the couch with more force than he’d intended. Luckily, it merely bounced twice and flipped over, deactivating the screen. His relief was short lived, though, and the droning news report made him almost wish it had cracked. 

Back straight, he perched on the seat beside it and forced a slow breath, giving his attention to the flow of dry, cool air in his lungs and the—

“Governor Aldi has called in three NatGuard divisions to quell the uprising at Humane Care—”

Patton clicked off the newsfeed. Janus fought to push down the molten lead bubbling up in his stomach but finally it burst out. “When will they ever stop? When we teach them a lesson?”

He smacked the table, the sharp sting doing nothing to calm the fire in his bones. Patton’s hot chocolate rattled against the pair of teacups set on either side of it and the force of his hand shook even the pictures on the wall. 

“Now, Kiddo,” Patton inhaled, exaggerating the movement and giving him and Luc a gentle smile. Luc leaned closer, fingertips brushing his sleeve. “Let’s all take a—“

“No! I will not take a breath!” He sounded precisely like Ro in one of his tantrums but he just couldn’t stop. “And I will not calm down and wait for the Powerless running the government to follow the arc of progress or whatever pacifying bullshit—“

“Language!”

“Papa Bear, it’s alright,” Luc said smoothly. The soft purr of the old nickname brought warmth to the elder brother’s cheeks but his expression didn’t change. He picked up his cocoa and watched the newlyweds with his lips drawn into a thin line.

Luc nodded slowly and reached over the coffee table, brushing Patton’s hand, calming him. “Let him get it out.”

“This isn’t simply some phase I will get past!” Janus nearly growled, jerking away from the other two. “We’ve been trying things your way for three years now and look where we are?” Arms flung out at his sides, he looked around their newly finished HQ. “We have to hide away behind a forest laced in tripwire because all the Powerless know how to do is hate us.”

He stood, shaking his head as he stared at the vidscreen, the latest atrocity playing out in full spectrumed splendor. “Maybe it’s time we used our powers for real change and made them stop.”

“Love?” Luc’s eyes were wide and he made no effort to hide the concern roiling through him.

Janus deflated, sinking back down and accepting Luc’s outstretched hand, bare skin intertwined with his own gloved fingers. “I don’t mean…” He gestured vaguely. “There just… there has to be another way.”

~

“Jan?” Luc’s voice was quiet, barely audible over the whine of the transport’s thrusters as they raced away from the Inn.

Eyes focused on The Muse, unconscious and strapped in his own seat, Janus shook his head.

Luc was completely silent until they’d landed at HQ and he waited until they’d gotten The Muse hooked up to a med bed before addressing Janus again. “Love, there’s nothing you could’ve—”

“ Nothing I could’ve done?” Luc stepped back, the full force of Janus’ rage seeping past his lowered voice. The final threads of his control were fraying and Janus… he wasn’t sure what he might do when they snapped.

Still, Luc reached for him, eyes dimly glowing. “Love, calm down. You didn’t know—”

Janus jerked his hand back, keeping an empty med bed between them. “I didn’t know what? I didn’t know Andrew would betray us? Or I didn’t know you would lead us right into a trap?”

“Wha—” Luc’s mouth moved like a fish and his hand flopped back to his side. “What are you saying?”

Tears swam in his eyes, sparkling in amber light as Luc wrestled his own emotions into control. Or manipulated his own tears. Sour, jagged guilt stabbed Janus’ chest at the thought. Was it his own conscious speaking?

Or Luc’s?

‘Re will be fine, you’ll see. He just needs a little calming, a little extra control.’ Luc had been so sure this outing would work. ‘He’ll have both of us there, both of us to keep him and everyone safe. He deserves a good birthday. He deserves to celebrate a little.’

Janus scrubbed at the blood staining his shirt, his gloves, the man’s final cries echoing in his brain. “What did he offer you?”

“What?” Luc acted like he hadn’t heard him.

Janus stared back, fighting past the buzz of alcohol singing in his veins. Plus gods knew what else that traitorous bartender had slipped into his drink. “What did he offer you? How much were we worth to you?”

“What!?” Luc crossed his arms over his chest, eyes brighter than the med bay’s lights. “You think I—”

Guilt and malice and rage swirled between them, cutting through the lingering dizzy haze. “I can feel your guilt, Luc. You know you can’t hide it from me.”

“Love, no…” Luc’s voice broke, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. “Please listen to me… You’re not feeling that from me, I swear! Here…” He slid around the med bed, both hands outstretched. “Jan, please… Take my hand, you’ll see. You’ll—”

“Don’t you dare touch me!” Janus pushed the bed back between them. “No, you just want to make this all go away and you can’t, Luc. You just can’t. He killed that man! And it’s because of us! Because of y—”

Too late, his mouth snapped shut.

“You really believe I could…” Orange flame for eyes, Luc shook his head, lips pressed together, a gash across his face. When he spoke again, his voice was low, an almost monotone, his words carefully enunciated. “Very well, then, Janus.” He blinked, slowly, bathing the room in cold darkness, then turned and left.

Rooted where he stood, Janus listened to Luc’s footsteps fade before they eventually returned, pausing just outside the med bay. Janus held his breath, waiting. Listening. 

There was nothing more to hear but the curt zip of a bag and the woosh of the front door opening and closing.

Luc was gone.

“Jannie?”

Janus had no idea how long he’d stood there before The Muse’s whisper pulled him back to that room. “Jannie, please help him.”

~

Jolted upright in bed, Janus swore when his grandmother’s repurposed album fell off the side and hit the floor. His dream—his nightmare—tightened its grip on his mind, claws sinking into flesh, The Muse’s plea wrapping tighter and tighter around him.

-”Jannie… Jannie…”-

He forced his eyes open and only then did he register the green lights flashing along the ceiling’s edge. The voice was no dream. -”Muse? What—”- He yanked back, blistering from The Muse’s thoughts.

-” Jannie, please help him !”-

He grabbed his gloves and a robe on his way out of the room and collided with Pat in the hall.

“I checked the breakers, I checked the shield,” he stammered, barefoot and clad in sleep shorts. “Everything’s working. I don’t understand—”

“He’s out in the hall.” Virge nudged them forward, pressing a tablet into Janus’ now gloved hands. “With Mac.”

Tears poured down The Prince’s face and he leaned close to Virge.

While Pat ran to the med bay, Janus watched the camera feed. Machina’s chair sat abandoned in center frame. The Muse’s lower half, writhing in a tangle of thorny vines, was the only part of him visible. Was Machina still inside? “Get him comfortable,” he ordered to Virge, nodding at The Prince. 

Pat returned, zipping up his jumpsuit, the largest medkit tucked under his arm. “I’m ready.”

“He’s trying,” The Prince whispered as they passed. “He just can’t help it.”

“I know.” Eyes closed and with one hand pressed to the wall for support, Janus reached out. -”We’re coming, Muse. Hang on.”-

~

With Pat’s help, he made it onto the elevator and down to the basement. He used the brief trip to stitch together a semblance of a shield, filtering what he could of the turmoil in The Muse’s mind. “I’ll need you to—”

-”Hurry, hurry, hurry…”- The Muse broke through. Why wouldn’t he just go back inside his room? Why had he even left? Had Machina somehow lured him out? He understood what the shield meant to him… didn’t he?

“I’ll get Re,” Pat promised, one arm still loosely wrapped around his waist. The other gripped the tablet and the med kit. “But maybe come back? He might need you.”

Janus nodded, less steady than he would have liked, as the elevator stopped and the door slid open. Machina and The Muse’s cries echoed down the stone corridor, amplified by the small space. They rushed out, Pat barely slowing to grab Muse, remembering just in time to leave behind the tablet before the shield fried its circuitry.

They stepped over the threshold and silence—near silence—fell over the hallway. The world that poured into The Muse’s mind—and relayed into his and The Prince’s—quieted.

Janus hated how his shoulders dropped, his jaw unclenched and he dropped to his knees in shaky relief next to the whimpering heap of blankets on the floor.

“Machina?” He jerked away from the touch, reaching for the closed door. -”Logan.”-

Machina froze, clinging to the thought.

-”Logan, you’re safe,”- Janus sent as gently as he could manage while fighting past the blocks Machina seemed to have instinctively put up. -”You’re safe now.”-

-”Muse isn’t.”- With a groan, Machina rolled and met his eyes, revealing his blood-and-tear smeared face.

Nodding slowly, Janus gently wiped his face clean with the edge of the blanket. -”He will be,”- he promised. -”Patton will care for him. As I will care for you.”-

Machina considered his words, bloodshot eyes darting between his and The Muse’s door. Finally, he nodded.

“May I?” Janus asked aloud, arms outstretched.

He nodded again and Janus lifted Machina up and into his chair. When he resisted leaving behind The Muse’s blanket, Janus simply placed it on his lap and tucked it up and out of the way of the wheels before rolling him into the waiting elevator and upstairs to the med bay.

~

Most of the blood covering his face came from his head and from gashes on his tongue, swollen arcs of bite marks driven in top and bottom. He helped him rinse with a saline solution from the med kit, humming quiet praise at his cooperation. There was more blood on his hands, along with fine strands of Machina’s hair twisted around his fingers. Patton guessed Machina likely bore bloody bald spots that matched the ones on The Muse’s scalp, too.

Just like Ro used to.

“He didn’t…” The Muse hung his head, wincing when Patton found a deep cut near the nape of his neck. “He didn’t mean to. And I…” His voice cracked with that same quiet shame.

“Oh, Kiddo… I know you didn’t want to hurt him. We all do,” Patton murmured and gently dabbed at the wound before reaching for the same skin adhesive he used on the bites in his mouth. “How… Kiddo, how did you…” He paused, letting his work to close up the wound distract them both.

Patton held The Muse’s hair up and away from the gash as the adhesive dried. His eyes wandered around the room. The Muse was dressed for bed but pastels and fresh drawings were scattered over the floor. Lots of them.

Most of the drawings featured Machina in his chair, dark stone walls behind him. Patton looked over his shoulder through the little window on the door. The backgrounds matched. This hadn’t been Machina’s first visit.

He focused on the rest of The Muse’s wounds and, as soon as the adhesive set, he urged him to drink some of the electrolyte. When The Muse finished his cup, he sat curled in the corner, knees hugged to his chest, shivering. Patton fetched the other blanket from his bed and wrapped it over his shoulders. 

“He opened the door,” he whispered, guessing—or, more likely hearing—Patton’s unvoiced question. “He came inside so I could hear him. I tried to stop… I did. I did.  I swear I did. I… He…” The Muse looked up at him, big green eyes swimming in tears. “He’s so lonely, too.” 

Nodding, Patton crouched next to him and opened his arms. The Muse carefully arranged himself in the offered embrace, tucking the folded blanket between his face and Patton’s chest. Patton hummed and stroked The Muse’s hair with gloved hands. 

“We shouldn’t be alone, Papa Bear.” His whisper was muffled against the blanket. “None of us should.”

This close to the door panel’s red lights, The Muse’s curls took on an orange glow and Patton swallowed back a sob. 

“I know, Kiddo. I know.”

~

“Thank you.”

Janus thought he’d imagined Machina’s quiet whisper but when he lifted his head he was met with the other man’s steely blue eyes. “Wasn’t going to leave you there,” he muttered and raised a cup to his cracked lips. “Go slow.”

Machina made a face and pulled away, moving his tongue in his mouth like a foreign object.

Janus nodded and waited, cup at the ready. “You bit your tongue. You’ll absorb the stitches in a few days. Well, if…”

He sipped from the cup then chuckled dryly. “If I wasn't a Powerless, you mean.”

“That’s not how I would phrase it, but, yes…” He tipped the cup again, nodding when Machina took another long drink. “We’ve only used it on…”

“On Remus?”

Cup frozen mid-air, Janus stared at him. The Muse’s old name sent a spark through his veins, Ro’s prepubescent voice calling after his brother, filled with playful indignation.

‘Remus, stop! No fair! It’s my turn to be the dragon!’ 

The cup shook in his hand and he set it down before he spilled it on Machina’s bedding. “Where did you hear that name?”

Machina shook his head, mouth working for a moment before he shrugged. “I—I… In my head? It was… it was just there.” He blinked and shuddered, face twitching.

His breathing stuttered, eyes squeezed shut as panic and shame gripped his mind. Machina shook his head and flailed in the med bed, tugging away the blanket and tangling his stumps in the sheets.

-“No, no… None of that… Stay here with me,”- Janus sent and spoke, gripping his shoulder. Finally, he lay back, hand twisted in the blanket. Still, his mind swirled with images he could not have witnessed himself. -”That’s The Muse’s past… Not yours.”-

Janus smiled when Machina finally met his eyes. “There you are,” he said aloud and offered more of the electrolyte. “You need it. Between the blood loss and…”

He finished the cup and took three sips of the next before shaking his head. “I…” He let out a little puff of air and looked away, guilt thick and sour in his scent. Janus returned the cup to its spot on the bed tray and waited.

“I heard another name… Well…” Dozens of names in The Muse’s voice echoed in his mind and Janus pulled back, throwing up a weak shield.

But not before he caught one final name.

Machina grabbed his sleeve and pulled him closer. “Who’s Lucas?”

[gerarddevillefort]

@seductres

On this beautiful turn of the path, flowers, varied and robust in their presentation and basked in sunlight, appear more beautiful than ever to M. de Villefort. Barely the man to appreciate these little things in his life, he had to give them their due from time to time. Weak and frail, they would cling to their existence and spend their strength to present the kind of splendor that would attract others. This always made him want to reach out for them and pull them out, nestle their beautiful heads in his palms, dooming them to death. More often than not, though, he left them be. Not for any sentimental value, but simply out of practical notion that their beauty lasts longer when they are left to live. Here and now, these were not his flowers, and a beautiful sterlitza danced in his hands, displaying the full range of its colours, while the man holding it was walking down his path with an expression of boredom on his face. He was waiting for someone, and despite his calm appearance, he was beginning to feel frustrated. Where was that woman when he needed her? It is the precise time of their meeting and yet he was alone when he entered the park, and he was forced to be alone when walking up and down the paths.

A tinge of anger reflected on his face – am emotion that was most common to him, and a lot of the time, the only one he would feel, aside of boredom and ambition. Now, aside of anger of missing his wife when she should be present, in his opinion, he was also feeling dull. To complete and fulfill his usual emotional spectrum, he only needed an ambition.

Another pass near flowers, and his eyes catches something far more beautiful and usually more long living than flowers – a woman of unusual beauty. All alone she walked with a strict, slightly melancholic face, which intrigued Villefort. It was rare to see a woman make so much effort to appear beautiful and yet not even seem to enjoy the attention it would grant her, and for the crown prosecutor, it presented an interesting challenge – could he see what mystery lies with this strange girl. Approaching her in a way that seemed almost natural, he smiled at her, with his eyes gaining no warmth from this expression. - My apologies, mademoiselle, if I intrude upon you, but you seem to have been here all alone for quite some time. Perhaps, there is anything you need help with?

[radical-revolution]

Coming Home: And Understanding The Divine Reflection

When we turn inward to analyze the data that nature presents to the mind.

By penetrating below the senses,

We find not a world of solid, separate objects but a ceaseless process of change----

Matter coming together, dissolving, and coming together again in a different form.

Below this flux of things with “name and form,” however,

We find something changeless: an infinite, indivisible reality in which the transient data of the world cohere.

We may call this reality Brahman: the Godhead, the divine ground of existence.

This analysis of the phenomenal world tallies well enough with contemporary physics.

A physicist would remind us that the things we see “out there” are not ultimately separate from each other and from us;

we perceive them as separate because of the limitations of our senses.

If our eyes were sensitive to a much finer spectrum, we might see the world as a continuous field of matter and energy.

Nothing in this picture resembles a solid object in our usual sense of the word.

In examining our knowledge of ourselves, we make a similar discovery.

Instead of a single coherent personality, we find layer on layer of components---

Senses, emotions, will, intellect, ego---

Each in flux.

At different times and in different company,

the same person seems to have different personalities.

Moods shift and flicker, even in those of us who are emotionally stable;

Desires and opinions change with time.

Change is the nature of the mind.

When we observe this flow of thoughts and sensations,

We are drawn to the question“Then where am I?”

The parts do not add up to a whole; they just flow by.

Like physical phenomena, the mind is a field of forces,

No more the seat of intelligence than radiation or gravity is.

Just as the world dissolves into a sea of energy, the mind dissolves into a river of impressions and thoughts.

A flow of fragmentary data that do not hold together.

We learn about this not through logical conclusions but personal discoveries,

When we explore the mind,

testing each level of awareness by withdrawing consciousness to the level below.

In profound meditation, we find, that,

When consciousness is so acutely focused that it is utterly withdrawn from the body and mind,

It enters a kind of singularity in which the sense of a separate ego disappears.

In this state,

the supreme climax of meditation,

We discover a core of consciousness beyond time and change.

We can call it simply the Self.

But it is beyond any kind of description or label.

It is an "All revelatory" experience.

We acquire deeper knowledge through revelation and epiphanies.

We see the Divine presence in our everyday reality.

Singularity presents itself in all of it's diversity.

Being displays it's splendor and grandeur in infinite variety.

A deep sense of completion, peace and bliss is experienced.

We know that we have come home,

Finally.

We know that this world of phenomenon is a reflection of Divinity itself.

And we know that we were never separate,

We are One with it.

Be Blessed and Be Happy

[captastrophe]

Flores, pulchri.Ver indomitum.

Spring, in all its splendor and unbridled grandeur, unfolds across the land like a painter’s oeuvre, vivid, alive. The ambiance is permeated with the pleasant scent of cherry blossoms, their petite petals—soft whispers of pink in a spectrum of hues—scattered like nature’s confetti upon cobblestone paths, sloping rooftops, and picturesque gardens. Hanami, Japan's beloved flower-viewing tradition, sweeps through the country like a gentle breeze, inspiriting all into its embrace. It's a celebration, a ritual, a momentary pause in the incessant march of time, where humanity gathers to beheld the fleeting beauty, a poignant metaphor for existence's ephemeral nature.

Along the riverbanks, beneath the canopy of blossoms, people wander in pairs and small groups, their cheerful voices mingling with the rustle of petals moved by the wind. They are pilgrims in this transient place, reveling in the brief respite from life’s demands, their hearts enlivening by the simple joy of being present. Among them, Inoue walks, autumn-hued hair catching the sunlight, a few courageous petals alighting upon her like nature’s own adornments. They cling to her as if enchanted, emphasizing her elegance in a way no artifice ever could.

As they stroll, the path leads them to a modest kiosk, its quaintness almost whimsical. It's laden with brightly colored flowers, their pigments so intense they pulse with life. Some are unfamiliar to her, their shapes and hues exotic, as if conjured from a dream. Inoue pauses, her gaze lingering on the blossoms, her curiosity piqued. She turns to her companion, her smile radiant, so luminous it could rival spring itself. “Kurosaki-kun, can we stop here for a minute?”

Kurosaki Ichigo wasn’t one for spring, but even he could admit there was something surreal about the scene before him. The air was thick with the scent of cherry blossoms, petals drifting lazily through the air like tiny pink snowflakes. The whole thing felt too picturesque, almost staged, like one of those overly sentimental dramas his sisters liked to watch.

Yet, despite his usual indifference to things like this, he didn’t mind. Maybe it was the way the light caught Inoue’s hair, turning it into molten amber, or the way she smiled—bright, unguarded, like she belonged in this moment more than anyone else.

At her words, he blinked, following her gaze to the small flower stand tucked between the trees. The blooms were vibrant, unfamiliar—some he recognized, others looked like they belonged in another world entirely.

He scratched the back of his head, glancing from the flowers to her expectant gaze. "Yeah, sure. Take your time." The words came out casual, but he found himself watching her instead of the flowers, as if waiting to see which ones would catch her interest.

Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand why people got caught up in the beauty of spring.

@vulpinexi

[santoschristos]

True Love is measured in transformation. As true love is alchemy. Like chemistry, their meeting leaves them both forever altered and they can never go back to who they were before they met. They are forever changed and change isn't always easy and rose tinted glasses. Change is growth, friction, reaction and above all growth pains. True Love is not just sweet and tender, which of course it is, It is also passion, heat and burning desire, what burns must endure pain. And the pain is a major catalyst for change. True Love is not black and white, It is a myriad of colors and hues like a kaleidoscopic splendor of various emotions ranging through the entire emotional spectrum. True Love changes our lives and shows us our true colors. True Love forces us to become authentic and transparent, It shakes off anything that is not true to the soul. Every pattern, program, belief and anything out of alignment with who we truly are as a soul is challenged, brought to the surface and transmuted into something pure, something new, altered, yet at the core being more true to the self than ever before. True Love forgives and allows the entirety of our being so we feel comfortable revealing our shadows and stand naked in the light of love. Shadows which aren't always pretty, but they call out for our love and integration. True Love embraces the shadows and holds space for them to become part of the whole. True Love is beyond unconditional, it is divine. It loves without agenda and it transforms the pain of expansion with tender love and care. True Love is alchemy, it's spiritual, it is yin and yang flowing in and out of one another in a unified field creating a third energy beyond the two lovers, True Love is destruction and creation. Dark and Light. It is Shiva and Shakti, True Love is tantra, Sexual alchemy. True Love is transformation. - Ulf Haukenes “The Lovers” by signum.noir

[moonlit-fox]

The Stillness of yellow

to color the world yellow, to expect splendor and light, but is yellow not grey when stripped of its height? to paint within lines, but with only one hue, Is it not like bleeding through the lines. when you’re told to subdue

to color just one, is it not a deception a lie that hides the full reflection the sky is not yellow It’s gentle, it’s blue the grass is not yellow It’s rich, it’s green the clouds are not yellow it’s soft, it’s white too, and yet, their beauty is pure in the quiet light so why, then, must we paint the world yellow when it’s already perfect colored in every hue

yellow is the color of splendor the color of happy, the color of hope the warmth of sunshine, the ideal scope but its beauty, you see Is not in the hue but in what we construe.

are you truly happy when your heart is torn are you happy when you’re left feeling worn can you feel joy despite having not won or do you just wear a mask, pretending it’s fun

you can color the world yellow but it will only make it dull for no world is whole when color is forced under control can’t I be sad can’t I be mad can’t yellow just be special without feeling so bad

must I always paint the world yellow when so many colors are waiting to show to feel the full spectrum to live with all hues and let each emotion be honest and true

[templeofvengeance]

Considering we're ending the spooky season... How do you feel about witches using the moon's power for their witchcraft?

"The outcast mages, drawing upon the moon's light and night's splendor to powers their magics. At one time they were revered as a source of healing and wisdom, pushed instead to the fringes of their societies, vilified as nothing but spiteful crones. I confess to a kinship."

So many words to say: There are good witches and bad witches-- and a whole spectrum between.

"The ones that use the moon's blessings for wicked ends, who don't respect the power they draw upon, are more worthy of my Knight's punishment than most. Marc has a few interrupted rituals under his belt. Those get messy."

[nisafari]

The Majestic Beauty, The Graceful Movements And The Elegance Of Peacock...

Peacocks, with their striking beauty and elegance, are often considered the epitome of ornamental birds. Their vibrant plumage, which displays a spectrum of rich hues, along with their unique courtship dance, make them a fascinating subject to explore. This article delves into the majestic beauty of these incredible creatures, focusing on their vibrant splendor and grace. Exploring the Vibrant Splendour The peacock, also known as the Indian peafowl, is renowned for its vibrant plumage, which is predominantly a rich emerald green and sapphire blue, interspersed with patches of gold, red, and other hues. 

The tail, or train, of the peacock is perhaps its most striking feature. Comprising of elongated feathers, each adorned with a pattern that resembles an eye, the train can span up to six feet in length. When displayed during courtship, the feathers fan out into a majestic semicircle, creating a visually stunning spectacle. The iridescent colors of the train are not due to any pigmentation, but are a result of the intricate structural characteristics of the feathers, which refract light in various ways to produce the array of colors. This vibrant display is not merely for show, but serves as a critical aspect of the peacock's mating rituals, with the size, color, and quality of the display reflecting the health and genetic fitness of the male. Visit https://nisafari.com for travel guides and discover more destinations. 

 Grace of Peacocks Beyond their vibrant colours, peacocks are also known for their grace. The peacock's courtship dance is one of the most elaborate and elegant rituals in the animal kingdom. The male fans out his train and ruffles his feathers, creating a shimmering spectacle. He then turns around and presents his back to the female, shaking his tail feathers in a rhythmic pattern, producing a rustling sound that is believed to be part of the attraction. This dance, combined with the peacock's regal carriage and fluid movements, makes for an unforgettable sight. Their grace is also evident in their flight. Despite their large size, peacocks are capable of flying, and they do so with a grace and agility that is quite remarkable. They typically roost in tall trees and take flight at the first sign of danger, gliding through the air with their long tails trailing behind them.

 #peacocks #majesticbeauty #gracefulmovements #elegance #nature #peacockfeathers #birdlovers #peacocklove #vibrantcolors #beautyofnature 

 In conclusion, the majestic beauty of peacocks lies not just in their vibrant and iridescent plumage, but also in their graceful movements and elaborate courtship rituals. These remarkable birds, with their flamboyant displays and elegant demeanor, never fail to captivate observers. Whether it's the stunning visual spectacle of a peacock's fan or the rhythmic rustling of its dance, the peacock is a testament to the incredible diversity and beauty of the natural world.  

[iuteamstarcandy]

[TRANS] IU ‘Palette’ Album Introduction and Song Introductions

ALBUM INTRODUCTION

Using small moments to make pretty paints, ‘this right now’ of ‘IU’ is densely filled.

The 4th full-length album of "IU" [Palette] is out!

IU’s fourth full-length album [Palette] has finally been released.

Starting with the first pre-released song "Through the Night", out on the 24th last month, IU lived up to her name by setting a record of ‘Perfect All-Kills’ one after another, starting with the first pre-released song “Through the Night”, followed by her second pre-released song, “Can’t Love You Anymore” with musician ‘OHHYUK’ who is of the same age as her.

IU’s fourth full-length album, [Palette], a new album released in a year and a half since her previous one, is her first full-length album in more than three years and just like the album name ‘Palette’, it contains a variety of music styles and stories, rather than specific genres or styles, as we can guess from the two pre-released songs.

IU’s fourth full-length album [Palette] allows us to discover another transformation of singer IU and the musical growth of producer IU as she worked hard on this album. In addition, in this album, she meets the best musicians of generations and genres such as Lee Byung-woo, Son Sung-je, G-DRAGON, sunwoojunga, OHHYUK and Sam Kim, expanding her musical spectrum, while coloring all her songs with the sensibility of IU and her unique delicate tone and lyrics, making it impossible to determine the musical limitations and colors of the album.

“In the moment when I open my eyes to the dreams I drew that became reality,

another new colour is added to my palette…

This moment is a dream I earnestly drew someday too.

I’ll turn this moment today into pretty paints and continue to draw my dreams’

- 2016 IU Concert ‘One Two Three Four’-

‘This right now’ of ‘IU’ is filled with pretty paints made of the small moments of the 10-year-old artist or 25-year-old ‘Lee Jieun’ and what kind of painting she will complete on this white ‘Palette’ with these new music and paints, is up to the listeners who have been waiting for her new album for a long time.

SONG INTRODUCTIONS

01 이 지금 (dlwlrma)

Composed by Kim Je-hwi

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Kim Je-hwi

A pop jazz track that shows off a brilliant chord progression, this song was composed by Kim Je-hwi, who showed great chemistry with IU several times, including in “Through the Night” and “Heart” and the lyrics are written by IU. It's a song with the lovely message that nothing else but right now, here, we are amazingly shining and beautiful.

02. 팔레트 (Palette) (Feat. G-DRAGON) (TITLE)

Composed by IU

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Lee Jong-hoon

Rap Making by G-DRAGON

This is a sensuous, yet cozy synth-pop R&B track of a genre that ‘IU’ has never tried before. It seems different from “Twenty-three” which was released two years ago, and calmly talks about “IU” herself. Having truthfully and boldly solved the confusion of two completely opposite sides co-existing in “Twenty-three”, IU is no longer confused this time and clearly points out what she likes and says, “I know myself a bit better now.” Moreover, with G-DRAGON featuring on this song, the song is not just about IU as an individual, but about the age of 25, or the beauty and splendor of youth. The sincere, soft and friendly message harmonizes with the soft synth sounds.

03. 이런 엔딩 (Ending Scene)

Composed by Sam Kim

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Lee Jong-hoon

This is a R&B ballad track that boasts perfect harmony with vintage piano sounds and lyrical orchestral melodies. The melody of genius artist Sam Kim, who expresses emotions and sensations at the same time, meets the lyrics and vocals of IU, to create a completely new style. This is a song that describes the saddest moment of breaking up in love, which is easily relatable to men and women who have suffered a breakup, as the ending scene of the movie they made together.

04. 사랑이 잘 (Can’t Love You Anymore) (With OHHYUK)

Composed by Lee Jong-hoon, IU, OHHYUK

Lyrics by IU, OHHYUK

Arranged by Lee Jong-hoon

The first official collaboration between IU and Oh Hyuk was selected as the second pre-released song of IU’s fourth regular album and received great public attention even before its release due to the unique charm and chemistry of the two artists. In the song, which is an R&B track with minimalistic instrumentals, IU and Oh Hyuk participated in the lyrics and songwriting and by exchanging realistic and sensuous lyrics and melodies, they expressed the tense conflict between a man and woman who have lost the spark between them. As the Track Producer, the song’s completion was improved further with the involvement of composer Lee Jong Hoon, who also composed IU’s debut song “Mia”, along with “Not Spring, Love, or Cherry Blossoms”, “Leon” and “Twenty-three”.

05. 잼잼 (Jam Jam)

Composed by sunwoojunga

Lyrics by sunwoojunga, IU

Arranged by sunwoojunga, Seok Chul-yun

This is an electronic synth-pop track with a lively sound, like telling a joke. It was composed by the charming artist, sunwoojunga, who is coveted by all musicians and also composed a variety of music like “SPRINGIRLS”, “SOONI”, “It Rains” and so on. Also, IU and sunwoojunga worked together on the lyrics. It is an attention-grabbing song with a cynical and actually mournful contemplation about love.

06. Black Out

Composed by Lee Jong-hoon

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Lee Jong-hoon

As you would notice from the title, it is an indie pop track with a strong smell of alcohol. A serious guitar solo, which is completely contrary to the playful bass and rhythm, becomes an ironic and attractive killing part to the song. Basically, it seems like nonsense, but when you think about what it was like when each of us got drunk.. “Sigh, it was even more serious..”

07. 마침표 (Full Stop)

Composed by Son Sung-je

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Son Sung-je

This is a ballad track with a fresh combination of piano, string, flute and clarinet. It is also notable that from the start to the end, there is no fixed BPM (speed) and the performers and vocalists freely perform the song. Son Sung-je, a detailed artist who is already well-known for his high-quality music in the jazz scene, composed the song. Like a long suffering from the ache of a wisdom tooth that was suddenly pulled out, one resolves to put an end to all this, though it is still heartbreaking. With the restrained sounds of someone trying not to wail, it makes the song sound even sadder.

08. 밤편지 (Through the Night)

Composed by Kim Je-hwi, Kim Hee-won

Lyrics by IU

Arranged by Kim Je-hwi, Kim Hee-won

This is a folk ballad with an acoustic sound that goes well with the lyrical guitar melody and IU’s voice. Composer Kim Je-hwi, who has already collaborated with IU several times for songs like “Heart” and “My Old Story”, together with ‘New Face’ Kim Hee-won, participated in the songwriting and IU participated in writing the lyrics, showing off another great chemistry. It was released as the first pre-released song of IU’s full-length album last month and is well loved by listeners for a period of time for its delicate emotions, a unique characteristic of IU-type ballads.

09. 그렇게 사랑은 (Love Alone)

Composed by Lee Byung-woo

Lyrics by Lee Byung-woo

Arranged by Lee Byung-woo

This is a classic ballad that allows you to sense artist Lee Byung-woo’s experience with only the first three notes of the guitar. It is a wonderful conversation between the two artists, which brings out a tense atmosphere with almost 5 minutes of just one guitar and one voice. In fact, the recording each time is a ‘one-take’, which shows how hard both sides tried to collaborate for the recording. This is the only song on the album that IU did not participate in writing the lyrics, as Lee Byung-woo composed, wrote the lyrics and performed for the song.

10. 이름에게 (Dear Name) (TITLE)

Composed by Lee Jong-hoon

Lyrics by IU, Kim Eana

Arranged by Lee Jong-hoon, Hong So-jin

The song, which boasts the largest scale in both length and composition in the album and has been chosen as the second title track, is a pop ballad track with a magnificent sound that reminds you of the song "Secret," the first track of IU's second full-length album. The beautiful string melody unfolded under the direction of Korea's unrivaled string arranger Park In-young and the so-called ‘IU Band’ members, who always show fantastic teamwork at IU's concerts, performed together as if performing live, and the voice of IU that penetrates the grand sound without a single backing vocal. The comfort conveyed by that sole voice is so strong that it can reach anywhere. Lee Jong-hoon composed the song and IU collaborated on the lyrics with Kim Eana for the first time.

Translated by IUteamstarcandy

Source: Melon

[rsdesignsravit]

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[lemonsoday]

Hi guys so I made a fake cover for one of my oc stories. I'm just now realizing that it doesn't quite fit the vibes of this current excerpt but I promise it makes sense with more context 💀 I thought I'd post something to go along with it and so here's the prolog chapter!

Any feedback or comments are appreciated 🫶

PROLOG

Every star in the sky is that of an ancestor looking down from the land beyond mortals. The names of those still residing in the memories of generations to come are the names belonging to the brightest stars.

As time goes on and memories twist and turn through each person's account, the people behind those names slowly turn to ash, leaving behind hollow gods — mere figures in legends and prayers. A long time ago, one such star existed. The founder of the kingdom high upon the mountains, Hua Xinyang, shone with splendor never seen before in the northern sky. Never obscured by clouds, he was Yujun's symbol even long after his physical body had been devoured by dirt and worms. But he too, would disappear one day. When a dark void appeared in the spot where his star would have shone, Hua Xinyang, although still remaining in the hearts of his people, was truly pronounced dead.

Ever since then, the two other gods who watched over Yujun alongside him, were rarely ever seen again. They said that one secluded himself in his realm in the depths of The Abyss, while the other, crushed by grief, hid away in his garden and never dared to cross any form of life again. Even though their stars still existed in the night sky, their absence made it no different from the death the people of Yujun had experienced just moments before.

That was 500 years ago. Yujun has moved on from their grief and the kingdom has learned to live on without their Tri-Deity. Today, their names are only uttered in respect; for the small fragment of history that people are still able to remember. However, whatever happened before, in between, and after that brief moment in time was a mystery, one that would never reach their descendants because nobody who lived through it was around to tell those stories anymore.

But there was somebody who lived, unbeknownst to anyone besides himself and the gods who had disappeared long ago.

One day when the descendant of Hua Xinyang took in a boy from the south of Yujun, Xiang Yulan, who'd laid dormant in his Silk Pavilion for years, felt that something was out of place within the mortal world. After a distanced observation of the child, the link between them only became clearer. However, he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Bai Ming who'd disappeared from the eyes of all beings — living and dead — suddenly returned to check on this "disturbance." Something wasn't as it should be with Hua Beifang's boy, and as time went on, Bai Ming's suspicions, although believed to be illogical even by himself, seemed to be proven true. The child had memories of the past; the deities' past. He wasn't sure whose memories they were, but they were certainly more accurate than the myths being passed around as the trio's history in the current day.

As a god of the underworld, truth be told, Bai Ming was unnerved by the occurrence. The boy was an anomaly to the cycle of life and death. His duty should have lead to him killling the boy to restore all that is natural, but due to his own personal desire, he could not bring himself to do so.

By the time Hua Xinyang perished, he, Bai Ming, and Xiang Yulan each had their own skeletons in the closet. However, whatever the latter two were hiding was an open secret compared to the events that Hua Xinyang hid away, even from Xiang Yulan.

Despite the shining image of brotherhood that the people of Yujun saw Bai Ming and Hua Xinyang as, Bai Ming couldn't care less about the secrets that the founder had. For what it's worth, if they were to disappear just like their owner, he still would not have felt as if he'd lost something important. On the other side of that spectrum, there was Xiang Yulan. The death of the founder was a secret that he was hiding in itself, one that he was hiding from Xiang Yulan specifically. At least that's what the moon god believes. He didn't know why his companion would do that, but he knew that he must've been keeping something from him, something big, something... awful.

When the boy entered the picture, Xiang Yulan thought that he could be the key to the puzzle. So, he sought after him. He waited for the moment he'd be able to take him as his contract disciple. He always watched him, but never interfered. Without realizing it, he'd watched him grow up.

Bai Ming was aware of this. The revivification of the moon god was a surprise, but, at the start, it was a welcome one. He and Xiang Yulan's relationship had strained after the founder's death, so all he could do was look after him from afar. It was once he'd grasped the other god's true intentions that he finally stepped in. The moon god had no obligation to listen to him, as the death god had no obligation to stop him. But Bai Ming wanted something too, and he was willing to destroy whatever legacy they'd left behind as a trio in order to achieve it.

When the two couldn't reach an agreement, it was settled that from then on, the moon and the waters below were enemies. How people would remember them now was unimportant, because at that point, neither of them had anything to lose.