#Travelling Domain Testing

[tvrningout-a]

IMAGES OF HELENA

" you think kindness doesn't exist, you fucking pathetic nihilist? how about you look into the big, beautiful eyes of a cow? what do you think now? asshole. "

pg. 1/∞

[coyotelip]

``|| ☆ starchaser microfic: proud & novel || @into-the-jeggyverse & @black-brothers-microfic || wc: 453

“Well, you must be very proud of yourself now, huh?” Regulus says to James with a lot of venom in his voice, dramatically opening the door and getting out of the car.

As expected, frighteningly black smoke is already streaming from under the hood. If Regulus were a mechanic, he would probably reach for the hood by instinct to check what had caused them to stall in the middle of nowhere. But Regulus is not a mechanic. He doesn't even have a license and doesn't like to travel by car. No, it's James Potter's domain to convince him to take this “short and fun” trip together to his brother's wedding venue.

But damn James Potter forgot to warn Regulus that his car is a huge experiment on wheels that James has been working on for the last three years. And this trip is his test drive.

Bloody James Potter and his bloody car that can't even make it a hundred kilometers.

Bloody Sirius, who chose a godforsaken farm in the middle of nowhere as the venue for his wedding. And who cares that it was actually Remus' idea and that the farm belongs to his mother. Regulus can't bear to blame Remus for anything. So bloody Sirius and his bloody wedding.

“Hey, but we just passed a gas station,” James says as he gets out of the car, too. Of course, he has a silly grin on his face, which doesn't match Regulus' mood or the situation at all. “I think there was a cafe or even a motel there. We can get some coffee and hot dogs, and I'll see what's wrong with my baby, okay?”

Regulus can only give him a look of hatred. Why in the name of all that is holy did he not turn James down on this damn offer? He could have comfortably spent those hours on the plane reading his new novel from his favorite series… But instead he spent two hours in James Potter's passenger seat listening to his pretend singing of “I'm in love with my car.” Yeah, James, we figured it out.

Seeing the skepticism in Regulus' eyes, James adds, “Or I can call Sirius and he can pick us up tomorrow morning, and we can stay in the motel for now, right?”

Indeed, the sun is already approaching the horizon, and their destination is still a few hours away. It's too dangerous to set off again. So Regulus frowns at the sign that can be seen in the distance in the wasteland.

“I swear, if it turns out they don't have more than one room, you're sleeping in the car,” he mutters under his breath, not sure if James will hear him.

[prisiidon]

WIP snippet of my Zora Xenomorph design where the head is inspired by a barrel-eye fish >:) major test of strength omfg. Zoramorph lore under cut if you haven't seen it yet!

The Zoramorph in botw/totk (insp from Xenomorphs/Aquamorphs):

• Located between the ocean twilight zone and midnight zone.

• Intelligent and primarily communicates through their own clicks on a frequency hard to pick up, (as well as screeching). The Zoramorph Queen’s hivemind telepathy has a hard time reaching this particular one though.

• While underwater, they have the usual xeno stealth, adaptability and speed while also dulling down their own bioelectric field, making them harder to detect unless they are nearby (dolphin or whale zora have a higher chance of detecting them further away)

• Echolocator with slightly improved Ampullae of Lorenzini, hearing and olfactory system than other zora

• Weakness: Since there’s no fire underwater, perhaps they’re weak to hydrovent blasts, sudden pressure change, or get weaker when out of water for too long.

• Like usual xenos, the zoramorph cannot be outrun unless you’re like a sailfish zora RIP

• If you mix acid and water, it pretty much combusts and boils. Since xeno blood is acid, it’ll be like bursts of boiling water when they’re underwater. Don’t swim through it! It may cause weapons to corrode.

• A favourite hunting ground when luring a zora is a large, dimly lit abandoned cavern system that was once a zora domain (underwater/airpocketed). They hide the exits.

• Tools useful as a distraction to flee would be aquatic plants/potions similar to puffshroom, muddlebud, dazzlefruit, bomb flower etc. Better if using an underwater bow with these. Also can be tripped out if pufferfish & dreamfish are used lol. (dolphins irl get high on pufferfish, dreamfish causes hallucinations).

• DO NOT GO OUT AT NIGHT. Common sense for zoras, as deep fish/seamonsters vertically travel to shallower waters to hunt at night. Zoramorphs may go higher up!

• Usual Queen, Drones, Warriors etc. Usual facehuggers and ovomorph eggs

• Facehuggers are like weird tailed crab-looking things that hide beneath the sand to latch on unsuspecting victims. These facehuggers are only in deep water.

• This one helped destroy a nearby zora domain but fuckd up the orders. He also cannot be bothered on occasion, and not as good at being as sneaky as the others.

• Another zoramorph colony hijacked his colony and killed their Queen, assimilating them into theirs.

• If it suits, they will cooperate with outside forces against a common enemy or in survival circumstances. This is very rare. But he would like to get back at the enemy Queen that took over, as his original Queen was nice to him :')))

• Ship sinkers

• Their semi-translucent heads look like shark skulls or barrel-eye fish underneath

[audreyscribes]

Ω PJO DEMIGOD HEADCANONS:

👟 Hermes: God of messengers, travelers, thieves, athletes, shepherds, commerce 🐍

author's note: I had a sudden idea about writing some headcanons Camp Halfblood demigods being claimed and what it's like for each respective god and cabin, followed by a small blurb afterwards. Thank you for reading and please like and reblog! The order is not in order of the cabin numbers. [PJO DEMIGOD HEADCANONS MASTERLIST]

When you get claimed, there's not much of a change. You were already put into the Hermes cabin like basically every other demigod who first appeared at Camp. The most immediate change is your sleeping arrangements. You're given a bed and your space is relatively yours. Even among children of Hermes, your personal space is yours and your siblings don't touch or rifle your things. Space and privacy is hard to come by in the Cabin, so your siblings honour that rule to give a semblance of peace. They even offer you a curtain to put on the sides of your bed to give you an illusion of space. 

I'd like to think that even as children of Hermes, they don't particularly steal or go through their siblings’ things. Whether this is because it'll prevent people from stepping on anyone's toes and make things more irritating in their cabin, whether it is to prevent you and your siblings constantly having paranoia, or simply an honour among thieves. Of course, siblings do as they do, take things but when told to give it back, it is immediately handed over or compensated. Hey, Hermes is the god of commerce too!

 Pranks and tricks galore. Even if you're not a fan of pranking others, you still learn tricks of the trade. No one is going to outwit a demigod of Hermes. Some siblings may just ask you to help them with their latest prank or ask for your input. 

Charisma and jokes are in constant supply. Even if you don't believe that you're funny or have a silver tongue, you do find a way somehow. Just gotta speak the right words to the right crowd after all.

There's a rite of passage or test for all new children of Hermes. You're tasked to steal something or pull of a trick. It doesn't matter what, but they give major points for theatrical, the risk, and the reward. If you feel especially brave, you can ask one of the Senior members of the cabin to give you a specific task. So far, the most infamous steal was stealing the jaguar head in the Big House. Good luck getting him away from Mr. D and good luck not getting your hand bitten. There's always points for effort, so don't worry if you don't pull of the feat...but if you do-

Given that your cabin is also for travelers of new demigods, you are taught the rules of hospitality and help those who come in. Even if the space is tight, you learn how to deal with it. 

Be prepared for being an unofficial (thieving) guild. With Hermes' domain, it sort of becomes something like that. The Hermes cabin, and the children of Hermes, inevitably become a source of information, odd jobs, know hows, and so much more.

If you have played Assassin's creed or seen of it, you know the tricks? You bet the Hermes' children know how to pull it off. Especially dropping into the pile of hay. It's sort of a rite for the Hermes' children to pull off that maneuver.

Parkour. Parkour. Parkour.

“Well, guess there’s that,” said Travis before he grinned, “Welcome to Cabin 11!”

“Again” noted Connor, “But this time, we’re going to give you a child of Hermes welcome!”

You saw the glint in their eyes before all of a sudden, there was confetti and sparkles exploding in your face. You flailed and coughed, before there were party poppers and people cheering, “Welcome to Cabin 11!!!” they all cheered. 

When the dust settled, Travis and Connor were on either side of you before guiding you to a certain direction. 

“Space might be a bit cramped,” said Travis, “But as an official child of Hermes, you have your own permitted and designated space.” 

“There’s some rules in place but basically, we have an honour code of thieves if you will” said Connor, “Which is your space is your safe space. No one gets to touch your bed, your things, or whatever without your permission.”

They shift you to your bunk bed space and noticed there were freshly placed pillows, comforters, and what have you. There was even a little shelf above your head for some things and a little round mirror. On the surrounding sides of your space, there was a curtain that created an illusion of space. 

“Now we’ll let you get yourself settled and have fun!” the Stoll brothers said together before shoving your belongings into your arms, before quickly booking it. Everyone was snickering and you had a big suspicion. As soon as you dumped your stuff onto your bed, you saw something in the corner of your eye. You turned and came face to face with the mirror to see your face covered in clown make up and your hair had turned into a very different colour. 

You felt your face flush in embarrassment before anger filled you and then yelling. All the children of Hermes who were in on the prank immediately laughed, and booked for it with the Stolls, with you chasing after them.

“Don’t worry! It’ll disappear in an hour!” yelled one of the Stolls, but they were weaving in and around each other so fast you couldn’t tell which one was which.

 Soon enough it devolved into a game of ultimate tag and by the end of it you were all laughing.

[whencyclopedia]

Kon-Tiki Expedition

The Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947, led by the Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002), successfully crossed 8,000 km (5,000 miles) of the Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Tuamotu Islands on a balsa-wood raft. The aim of the expedition was to demonstrate that ancient peoples could have crossed the Pacific from east to west using ocean currents and so possibly populated Polynesia. The consensus of modern scientists, however, is that Polynesia was first populated from the west.

Heyerdahl's four-month crossing of the Pacific is one of the most famous examples of experimental archaeology, where theories are put to the test of physical realities. Heyerdahl wrote a bestselling book about this epic voyage, The Kon-Tiki Expedition: By Raft Across the South Seas, first published in Norwegian in 1948 and then in many other languages.

Heyerdahl & Tiki

Thor Heyerdahl was born in Norway in 1914. He studied zoology and geography at the University of Oslo, and, as part of his ongoing research, he and his wife, Liv, lived on the small island of Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas group in Polynesia in 1937. One night, Heyerdahl talked to an old man called Tei Tetua. As they gazed out from the beach to the vast Pacific Ocean, Tei Tetua mentioned that according to oral legend, a chief and sun god called Tiki had been the founder of the population there and that he had come from "a big country beyond the sea" (Heyerdahl, 14). Heyerdahl was struck with the idea that perhaps voyagers from ancient South America had indeed crossed the Pacific. Heyerdahl was also struck by similarities in the monumental sculpture and architecture of Polynesia and South America, and that the Inca civilization of Peru had believed in a sun god Viracocha, once called Kon-Tiki. Scientists in 1947 were not wholly agreed on who had first settled Polynesia. Heyerdahl proposed that settlers came from the ancient Americas. In this, he would be proved wrong, but the migration theory became less important than proving the physical possibility of sea travel over vast distances using only ancient design and materials. As Heyerdahl himself noted, "where science stopped imagination began" (Heyerdahl, 16).

Heyerdahl believed, based on sketches made by the first Europeans in South America, that the ancient people, if they had crossed the Pacific, would have done so using balsa-wood rafts, the craft they had used for centuries to travel up and down the coast. East-direction currents and winds would carry any raft across the Pacific, provided it stayed afloat. Heyerdahl was determined to build his own raft, but in order to prove long sea voyages had been possible in antiquity, the raft would have to be built without using modern techniques and materials. Heyerdahl now faced two groups of sceptics: those who thought his theory of migration nonsense and those who thought the idea of a raft crossing the Pacific suicidal. The Norwegian pressed on regardless and found funding from a newspaper on the promise of future articles and a lecture tour. The expedition was also bolstered by material supplies from other explorers and both US and UK military organisations, which were keen to test items like dried rations.

Thor Heyerdahl, 1951

Al Ravenna (Public Domain)

Continue reading...

[electric-shoop]

ok !! ok. so. i've never made a ttrpg before, i've barely played any, but.

here's A Diplomatic Gesture of Questionable Value Involving a Sheep That Has No Say in the Matter and a Traveler Who Mainly Just Needs the Money Too, a solo journaling ttrpg where you get to pretend to either deliver a lamb to a princess or to be a lamb. being delivered to a princess.

technically this has been extensively play-tested By Me, but i hadn't realized i'd made a ttrpg for months and was mainly just vibing, so if something seems off, it may well be i accidentally messed up while actually Formulating Rules, so feel free to lmk.

here's a google doc link, sorry, i know we don't like google.

alternatively, if you use Notion, you can go here and duplicate the site so it's in your own workspace. i think this works? i hope it works. (ignore the domain name, notion assigns these randomly.)

[i-am-vita]

☘️Opposite leaves of a clover🍀

One sided Shamrock x Oc Ghost Rose, Shanks x Oc Ghost Rose

👉 Masterlist, Ghost Rose OC Masterlist

⚠️⛔ If you are not up to date with the OP manga I strongly advice you to go right now! If you already had and relished in that single panel of the ☘️, by al means, please continue. ⛔⚠️

Finally got the brain power to finish something. How is already April? Where the year has gone to? February was yesterday, wasn't it? 😵‍💫

Moots and interested people I remember, hope this interest you: @fanaticsnail, @mermaniaa, @feral-artistry, @writingmysanity, @jintaka-hane, @gingernut1314, @sordidmusings, @short-honey-badger

Summary: You got the short stick in your crew and it's your turn to accompany the Phantom Captain to Marie Geoise, a place you despise, but also look forward to encounter with a certain Redhead whose attention you caught previously. Warnings: Harrasment I think? She hates him, but is attracted to him. My girl is a horny mess and I love her for it, but also have standards. Little regular canon violence. Suggesting themes. Expect: Phantom Pirates OC Crew Lore. Use of You, not Y/N. Consistent time tenses are for the ones who didn't have to test crappy visual novels for half a year.

The heavy doors of the palace closed in your face.

It was the farthest you could escort your Captain in the holy land of Mary Geoise when he was summoned by the World Government.

As the Duke Shostakovich of Ballroom Island, Eriksson was rarely bound to the world nobility's whims and was left to his own devices.

Having lost his original World Noble status when he escaped in his youth to discover the secrets of the world and became the Phantom Captain, it was a series of events, that included infiltrating Mary Geoise to make a deal with his estranged family to be given a noble title and lands in exchange of not killing them in their sleep... and maybe some trading deals for fancy goodies from exotic lands that other had no access to (we're family after all, why be enemies when we can be friends?).

It wasn't until he had turned the wasteland he was given in the Grand Line into a wealthy paradise of merchants that the Duke had gained back the interest of his former peers.

Trading through the seas was a tricky business that involved as much profit as losses, and yet, Eriksson had mastered the routes to a fine art. The Celestial Dragons were open to give him back his full World Noble status and rightful place at Mary Geoise if he put his trading routes to their service.

The secret Phantom Captain had sent them all to hell.

Still, from time to time, they would request him to ask favors, and Eriksson may or may not indulge them, depending on if he could obtain valuable intel from the visit.

This time you had got the short stick for the dubious honor of serving as the Duke's escort.

All Phantom Pirates, their Captain included, hated to set foot in Mary Geoise. It was a sick reminder of how futile their efforts could be sometimes. No matter the intel they release in the seas to fellow friendly pirate crews and revolutionaries, the corrupt marine officers they help Vice Admiral Garp to uncover, nor the amount of people they get to traffic out of slavery into safer lands; the Celestial Dragons remained in their sacred city, away from the cruelty they put into the world.

Worst so since, after your first visit, you found a reason to make your stay in the Holy City a little more… complicated.

A heavy set of boots echoed against the white paving stone.

He was doing it on purpose, letting you hear his approach, knowing you were helpless against his advances. A smug smile dared to crept on your face while you turned around to welcome the man that had set his eyes on you since the first time you set foot in his domain.

Your gaze traveled from the polished tip of those tall black boots, up to fitting breeches and a wide torso encased in a heavily adorned vest partially obscured by an elegant cape.

"Heir Figarland," you spoke politely, keeping your sight at the level of his cravat where longish locks of vibrant red hair were already visible.

"Lady Vera." A gloved hand took yours to guide it to a pair of familiar masculine lips. The  swoon worthy curtsy made a sigh escape your lips.

Finally, you dared to look up to the face of your current suitor. The strong, well shaved jaw and long braided red hair. The smile with a hint of cruelty and cold eyes that didn't belong on the face of the man who had been your lover not long ago.

They looked alike as two leaves of a clover, but Figarland Shamrock held no candle against Shanks' affectionate smile and warm countenance.

"You know I'm not deserving of being addressed in such a manner by you, My Lord," you pronounced submissively. It was the role you had to play in the presence of the son of Garling.

In the land of the Celestial Dragons, you couldn't be the Phantom Pirate’s First Officer. Just Miss Vera Rose, the beautiful, but from humble origins assistant and protegee of Duke Shostakovich that was not good enough to deserve the courtship of a Figarland.

"You would if it was within my power."

His other arm appeared from under his cape, a perfect red rose between his fingers. Its garnet petals almost hint purple in their dark intensity. Trying to keep your charmed state subdued at the gentlemanly gesture, you took the gift to inhale its sweet scent.

Shanks had given you a rose once too, not long after you had become lovers. It's hue a warm scarlett akin to the color you favor on your lips.

“Ladies like this kind of thin’, don’t ya? The flowers, the dancin’ and everythin’...” How sweet and out of his element he had looked, trying to act like the gentleman he thought you expected him to be.

A heavy contrast with his twin’s darker offering and confident standing.

Your captain’s warning of the existence of a man identical to the Redhead had not been enough to prepare you for the first time you crossed paths with Figarland’s heir apparent during your first visit to the city.

.

Keep looking ahead, walk exactly three steps behind the Duke to indicate your allegiance to the noble, don’t draw attention to yourself. You repeated in a nervous loop in your head while walking the pristine white streets.

Easiest say than done.

You were crossing through the elegant park leading to the palace entrance when so many things happened at a time that you still have a hard time recalling them correctly.

“What beauty have you brought with you, Your Grace?” teased sarcastically an affected voice from a group of nobles passing by. Gravy fingers pulled at the skirt of the frilly wine dress you were encased into, awfully close to your rear.

Panic fueled your arm to get rid of the invasive hand. A high pitched scream of help set off a powerful haki the likes you have felt in just one person before. Your own haki answered in kind. Two of your trusted knives, Bara no Toge, were in your hands in time to stop the sword going after you.

The clash of black steel dragged you back several meters. The presence was over you again before you could regain your ground. You ducked your head in time, though the blade managed to cut a lock of hair near your ear.

Your eyes found the person trying to decapitate you for daring to slap away the hand of a World Noble. The elegant dressed young man with fiery red hair stood frozen in front of you by a rapier pointed right at his carotid. His painfully familiar face twisted in unnatural disdain.

“Now, now, son, I told your father you needed to work on guarding your left,” murmured the Phantom Captain in a light conversational tone. His Conqueror Haki spreaded menacingly, the sharp point of his weapon dared to tease the delicate fair skin of your attacker’s chin.

Calculating crimson eyes looked from you to the man who, despite his apparent fall from sainty, still held the power of a Celestial Dragon and training of a God Knight.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Came an authoritative voice.

Well, fuck.

Watching Figarland Garling walking through the opened palace doors got you finally out of your shock as your attacker stood at attention and sheathed his saber.

“Ah, Garling, just a little lesson on proper manners,” explained Eriksson to the God Knight’s Commander, sheathing his own weapon too. You seized the moment to do the same and stand gracefully from the crouched position you had ended. “I wasn’t aware of the new local tradition of daring to put one’s hands on someone else’s protegees.” A sardonic smile adorned the lips of the Duke.

Figarland’s face turned an indignant shade of red, a vein aiming to explode at his forehead.

“You…”

“My fault, father, I overreacted against a Lady rightfully defending herself from a pig,” pronounced that so well-known voice in the refined accent of the nobles.

Interested eyes roamed over your figure. So distracted were you, lost in the sight of the young man resembling your darling friend, that you failed to react to the hand seeking yours to bring it up to his lips.

“Figarland Shamrock, My Lady.” The redhead introduced himself. His gloved fingers caressed absently your palm.

“Name ‘s Shanks, sweetheart, welcome aboard…” Echoed that same voice from your memories.

“... Vera Rose, My Lord.” You made a proper courtesy and tried to take back your hand from him, to no avail. Fingers binded yours like a steel trap.

“Lady Vera, you have amazed me. Few would be capable of such speed and grace against an attack of mine.” A spark of sincerity glowed in his steely eyes. “May I call on you during your visit?”

“So… how does that work again? If I wanted to… enjoy a lady’s company-” the hand on your thigh tightened playfully “- would I have to ask her entire house?” Shanks questioned, confused by the notion of a gentleman having to make a call to a lady.

“It’s a matter of speaking, and ladies don’t go around enjoying the company of men, you rake,” you answered, amused by the redhead’s antics.

Garling was livid at the audacity of his son daring to publicly call on to a lesser-noble’s guard. No matter the high regard, akin to a daughter of his blood, Duke Shostakovich held you. An underworld born like you could not dare to achieve a higher position than that of a concubine for a Figarland.

"Works for me," answered the entranced knight. Shamrock seized his hold on your hand to attract your figure towards him. His other hand landed possessively on your waist.

Indignation was a pretty acceptable emotion for a gentry miss, even those of adoptive low nobility. You nor the Duke needed to feign how demeaning such an arrangement was to finally get you away from the God Knight’s clutches.

If only.

.

The notion of self respect from an underling seemed to fuel Shamrock's interest towards you.

Next time you got the bad luck to accompany the Duke again, months later, the God Knight was there to welcome you and insist on his proposal.

And seas helped you, but despite your despising over everything he represented, what his kin constantly did to the world your crew aim to save, a part of you couldn’t help to relish in his attention.

Where Shanks was charming, full of fun and impishness that made you laugh for days, Shamrock oozed a gallantry that pulled at the strings of that young debutante full of romantic dreams you had buried at the bottom of your heart when you escaped from home.

You concentrated on the scent of the rose in your fingers to distract yourself from the current redhead invading your space to murmur in your ear.

“Have you thought of our arrangement, My Lady?”

The God Knight lips grazed the sensitive skin near your ear sending goosebumps through your spine.

“Every time you ask the same question, My Lord,-” you withdraw from his closeness and turn around “-yet my answer hasn’t changed.”

You aimed to walk away like other times, until a possessive hand surrounded your waist to land on your ribcage. Idle fingers daring to travel up, caressing the curve of a breast.

“I am not a man used to being denied, My Lady,” Shamrock pronounced threateningly to your ear before burying his face in your hair, inhaling your exquisite scent of wild flowers and sweet fruits.

You tried to convince yourself the unsettling feeling boiling in your belly was disgust. Yet, your traitorous body welcomed his nearness, allowing his front to fit perfectly against your back. 

"... But I am a patient man too,” murmured the God Knight over the pleasuring blush taking over your cheeks. “I always get what I want. Sooner… or later." His lips slid down until hovering over yours.

"Imma patient lad, sweetheart, no rush," murmured the young captain that first night he confessed his attraction to you, sealing it with a sweet kiss on your cheek.

Your free hand dared to tangle in Shamrock’s long silky tresses to bring him down into a hard, demanding kiss. You’re not one to back off from a challenge. Your rebellious side raised to the occasion, refusing to remain subdued to the God Knight´s insinuations any longer.

Figarland Shamrock was sorely mistaken if he believed you would play the submissive doe eyes mistress waiting for him in his chambers every night. Living in solitude in a remote state at the county, away from the prying eyes of the world nobility that would look down on you and relegate you to a slave standing. Something to play with and discard to their whims.

“You misjudge my character if you think I’m made to remain in a golden cage, My Lord,” you informed defiantly, relishing in the small whimper that escaped the redhead’s mouth when you interrupted the kiss.

Shank’s used to make that same sound every time you pulled at his hair. A dark part of you wondered which other similar sounds his twin would produce…

“Have a nice day, My Lord,” you taunted him before drawing yourself out of his embrace.

He watched you go away from him again, musing about how that lowly world could produce such an entrancing woman and be the one thing he wasn’t allowed to have.

.

Months later, At the Bathhouse…

“Berry for your thoughts?” came your redhead’s voice in that sailor-ish accent of his you recognized. You tightened your hold on him while nuzzling his neck.

Shanks could beat you in clinginess any day, but this time there was something different about the way you linger onto him.

How you passed your fingers all over his hair, feeling its short length and texture.

“I promise I put on those nut oils you recommended to Beck… sometimes.”

How you brushed your cheek over his, feeling his rough stubble, and kissed time and time again the scars of his left eye.

Like you needed a reminder of the unique physical traits that made Shanks himself.

Now, you laid comfortably over his chest, both floating on the warm waters of the bathhouse where you finally crossed paths after two years apart.

“Sorry, I zoned out,” you answered with a sleepy voice.

“That good, huh?” Shanks' smile turned impish.

Your eyes turned watery and suddenly you kissed both corners of his lips, like trying to absorb that smile for yourself. It’s the closer you have come to fully kiss him.

“Hey, sweetheart, what is it?” your lover inquired, starting to worry.

“... I’ve been to Mary Geoise.”

Of all reactions you expected from Shanks realizing you knew about his real lineage, him seizing you and scanning you up and down, like looking for injuries as you haven’t just got very reacquainted with each other's bodies, was not on the list.

“Did he…? Are you…? He wouldn’t fucking dare… Of course he would… That conniving son of a…”

“Hey, hey-” you tried to get him out of the panicked state he was getting in.

You took Shanks face between your hands to look at his eyes. Your redhead was not someone to lose it in such a matter or speak ill about other people. His warm crimson eyes were filled with fear, lost in a memory of blood and treason.

What had transpired between the twins in the past to deserve such a reaction from the most chill young man you’ve known?

[yandereonepieceimagines]

Hello!! I Love your writing!

I was wondering if I could request Yandere Black Maria if that’s all right? Maybe with a courtesan under her employment?

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

Thank you! I’m glad you like my writing! I also really like your idea. If you don’t mind, though, I tweaked it a bit so that she isn’t directly employed under Black Maria.

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Warning! Hint of NSFW Below!

Black Maria

You’d been in Wano for only a handful of months, a foreign face among the Beasts Pirates' pleasure hall. A stranger swept up in the currents of a land known for chaos and strength. You were no naive girl swept up by power, wealth or glamour. You’d chosen this path, and you knew how to navigate it. The truth was, you didn’t mind the work itself. In fact, you relished the freedom and money your own reputation and skill afforded you here. You could be selective, and you were- never letting just anyone into your bed, and only sharing your sheets with those whose company you actually enjoyed, or whose strength you genuinely respected. You sought out partners who could match you, challenge you, or simply offer a night where you could drop your guard almost completely. Rare, precious things for a woman who spent most of her life on the move. Alone.

There was power in being wanted, but you never let it turn into a cage. You had set your standards long ago. And you weren’t at all shy about enforcing them.

Even so, there was a restlessness that nothing could quench for long. Your blood ran hotter with the thrill of travel. Also of new lands and testing your strength against the world itself. Every coin you earned was a stepping stone to the next horizon, and you never let yourself forget that. Money was money, after all, and you’d learned long ago how to use your good looks as skillfully as your blade.

Kaido himself had, with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, given you a rare pass: work here, raise funds, share your knowledge and strength with the Beasts pirates in the time that you are here, then leave when you wished. No further strings, no debts. That kind of freedom was intoxicating in its own right. For now, you danced among the flowers of Black Maria’s domain, gathering whispers and riches in equal measure.

From the start, Maria’s attention felt different from the others. Her eyes followed you from the farthest corner of the hall, blue and burning, her lips curling from behind her pipe, her laughter low and dangerous. She was bigger than life. An absolute beauty and a terrifying monster all at once. Her touch gentle one moment, cruel the next. There was always an edge to her playfulness when she spoke to you, and her presence seemed to fill every shadowed corner of the hall. The other women joked about her possessiveness, but you quickly came to see the truth lurking beneath it. A hunger that was rarely satisfied, and a loneliness that no amount of celebration or power could mask anymore.

You never forgot that Maria herself had been the first to seek you out. Not as your boss, but as an equal drawn to your fire. You never truly worked under her; your arrangement with the pleasure hall was independent, so there was nothing improper about her requesting your company. In fact, it was the only way she could morally hire your services, and she had wasted no time, making the arrangements almost instantly the moment you set foot in Onigashima. She couldn’t keep her hands off you the second the opportunity arose. Though there was always a longing in her touch, a hunger for you to be hers willingly in a different way, one day.

It was flattering, in a way, to be so singularly desired by someone as infamous as Black Maria, and you didn’t mind indulging her. As long as it happened on your own terms. So when the shuttered hall was empty one night, her hair down, swords gleaming besides the bed, she reached out again as she laid beside your much smaller form. Her index finger gently trailed across your bare shoulder. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and silk, and for a brief, silent moment, you wondered if she would ever let you go at all that day.

"You’re planning to leave, aren’t you?" she asked, her voice smooth and deceptively soft. But her eyes glinting with something sharper underneath. You met her gaze without flinching.

"I am. I never meant to stay in Wano for long. I have places to see."

Maria pouted, her lips curving in a way that was almost childlike, but there was something dark hiding in her smile. "You could have more here. More than any coin. More than any fleeting adventure."

You shook your head, already feeling the pull of the sea beyond the country’s waterfalls. "I’m not made for cages, Maria."

Her expression hardened, horns catching the lantern light in a way that made her look almost mythical. "And if I told you I couldn't let you go? If I made you stay, just for me? Would you still run?" Her fingers tightened around your throat. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make your heart race and your instincts flare up in warning.

You could see it now. How she’d woven webs not just of silk, but also of affection. You wondered how many before you had mistaken her touch for something gentle, something safe. But you weren’t like most. You’d seen too much to be afraid, and she seemed to sense that, too. A glimmer of something akin to admiration flashing across her features.

She pressed her lips to your ear, her breath warm and her voice honey sweet. "You think Kaido's word has that much sway around here? I can be much more persuasive than him. I could give you the world if you stayed by my side. Or... I could break you just enough so no one else will ever look at you. Would you like that?"

For a moment, you wondered if you’d underestimated the risks of your little stay in Wano. But the fire in your soul was fiercer than the one in her wheel. You grimaced, lifting her fingers from your throat. For the first time, the chill running down your spine wasn’t from her beauty or her power, but from the ugly, possessive thing showing itself in her voice. It wasn’t exactly a game to her, not really, and it wasn’t only affection, either. That realization cut deeper than any blade, and left you more unsettled than you cared to admit.

You leave the bed and step back, putting a little distance between you, before getting yourself dressed. “I think I need some air,” you then say, tone light, but your eyes never leaving hers. “Don’t wait up for me.”

She watches you go, muscles taut beneath her flawless skin, knuckles white around her pipe. She could stop you, but she doesn’t. Maybe she knows it wouldn’t be so simple, not with your strength almost matching her own. The knowledge seems to electrify her instead of calm her, red lips twisting into a slow, hungry smile as you disappear into the lantern-lit corridors.

For Maria, the promise of a struggle only sharpens her desire. Power begets power, and your refusal, your resistance… These only make her want you even more.

[chasingbutterfliesintoeternity]

A very self indulgent, all the tropes, PJO/EPIC crossover/time travel fix-it plot

(Ithaca Saga spoilers ahead)

So I have another crossover idea (not the one I’m planning to write) that’s been living in my head, and it’s so self indulgent and ridiculous it was only ever meant for me. But post Ithaca Saga listening party, I want to write down my thoughts and share them for reasons mentioned in my previous post. I would also like to note that I have an unhealthy obsession with C-novels and this is part of the inspiration.

So this AU opens in the EPIC timeline with a very old Odysseus on his deathbed, thinking about his life and his deepest regrets: letting his crew die and never properly reconciling with Athena. And in true C-novel fashion, his regrets (and probably Athena’s) are enough let him be reborn and have a second chance to fix his life. So Odysseus dies and the next thing he knows he opens his eyes and he’s young again, standing on his ship sailing out of Troy and Eurylochus is telling him that they’re running out of supplies.

Meanwhile in the PJO timeline, Percy and Luke/Kronos are facing off in the battle for Olympus and as Luke decides to sacrifice himself Kronos lashes out one last by cursing Percy and throwing him backwards in time. Olympus is saved but Percy is missing and Poseidon isn’t happy with that result and finds a way to follow Percy through time. So now we’ve got a reincarnater meets transmigrater situation going on.

Back in the EPIC timeline, despite all his attempts to avoid it, Odysseus still has to resort to going to the cyclops island to find food. But now Odysseus is more careful and tricks Polyphemus into breaking guest right immediately before taking him out using archery or something. Unfortunately Polyphemus still finds their identity before he dies because some crew members start a war chant or something. Fortunately, no crew members die and Poseidon is a little distracted from sending more revenge than a storm because he senses forces intruding on his domain (Percy and PJO!Poseidon).

Anyways Percy gets yeeted onto the cyclops island after being flung through time and runs into Odysseus as he’s packing up supplies in the cave. Odysseus is immediately suspicious because Percy looks a lot like Poseidon and Odysseus is like 90% sure this is a mortal disguise and he’s being tested. Percy is also very on guard because he can sense that Odysseus doesn’t like him and tries not to reveal anything about himself aside from being lost and stranded, which doesn’t help this misunderstanding. Neither does the storm that follows them as they leave the island. Then Athena shows up and makes some cryptic comments to Ody about killing one son and picking up another. She equally cryptically mentions she’s not going to be around for a bit because she senses a disturbance in time and needs to check that out but treat the kid well and you’ll probably be fine.

Where’s PJO!Poseidon? Well unluckily for him he’s landed on the wrong side of the world. Luckily for Percy and Odysseus this means that EPIC!Poseidon is to busy heading that way to check out the larger domain intrusion to bother them and Percy calms the storm pretty easily. No mortal can pass Poseidon’s storm? Sure. But a demigod son of Poseidon is a loophole. By this point EPIC!Poseidon and Athena are both trying to track down PJO!Poseidon, but he keeps losing them. Not intentionally, he actually doesn’t know he’s being tracked and just haphazardly transporting from place to place because he a bit disoriented and has his powers dampened from travelling through time.

Eventually EPIC!Poseidon decides to check on that pesky mortal who killed his son… and what do you mean he’s reached his homeland? So he goes spawn camps outside Ithaca, but when Odysseus and his fleet pulls up, his attention is drawn towards Percy, the second intrusion into his domain. Which leads to this encounter

“There you are! Of course you’re with the coward”

“Hey! leave my son alone!”

“Why are there two of you!?”

That last one is Athena, who’s finally tracked down the disturbance in the force.

So they’re all doing the Spider-Man meme right outside of Ithaca.

Anyways PJO!Poseidon convinces his past self that having a grudge against Odysseus isn’t worth it. Odysseus, who has already lived through this is probably darkly amused. But also very bemused at how easily he managed to get everyone home. Athena figures out how to get the PJO timeline seaweed brains home and everyone lives happily ever after.

[sf-libet]

p/ortal snz...

c/hell, who keeps silent all the time and is noted as abnormally stubborn. going through all these old test chambers and random bullshit old corporate infrastructure probably filled with dust and all of the intrusive vegetation of portal 2...

g/lados, an ai who absolutely despises her and spends the majority of her time trying to find different ways to torment and belittle her under the guise of testing, with that sultry robotic voice of hers and absolute control of the test chambers around them...

a/perture science, a facility dedicated to all manner of cockamamie science hooey from the 1950s onwards spread between various different domains, all for the purposes of frankly weird, dangerous, and pointless endeavors, in a world where science itself travels in wacky directions and realistically, anything is possible?

cmon. tell me they don't have a scientifically engineered sneezing powder to do tests with. tell me they don't have the human rhinovirus in a tube to spray at subjects. tell me g/lados isn't absolutely going to abuse that, just to get c/hell to make some kind of noise, to get some sort of response, to test exactly how stubborn she really is. get real.

[intimidaid]

WIKIPEDIA

Demidoll; Todoroki Isa as a Pro Hero

COSTUME

As pictured above, my hero costume consists of a few unusual elements. A skirt, for one, but also the pointe shoes and the thigh holster. This is because I ditched social conventions when designing my costume, opting for personalisation instead.

I did ballet for several years, so my feet are more used to movements in these shoes, allowing for more physical range and efficiency.

Similarly, a skirt is far more forgiving than pants, since the material will simply bend or hike up if I do a hard move, rather than stopping me. With this skirt, the only limit on my legs' movements is my own flexibility.

As for the goggles and the thigh holster, these are present to make up for my Quirk's lack of physicality. See, I can launch myself at high speeds, but I'm not immune to flies getting caught in my eyes, and I can start fires, but I can't handle the smoke and ashes going in my eyes. The goggles, albeit a little goofy, are important to my safety.

The thigh holster serves the same purpose; after finding out about Quirk-cancelling drugs, I was quick to start training with kunai and incorporate them into my costume. I'm not pumping with testosterone, and my frame is rather petite—a girl's gotta be able to protect herself even without her Quirk, right?

MOVES

!!! BASIC MOVES (Little focus required)

“Matter Shift” is a move that turns all of one kind of thing (ice, water, fire, anything I choose, within a chosen radius) into another kind of thing. I can choose booth aspects, like turning water into ice or wood into fire, as long as I know either the components or the location/dimensions of the specified (original) matter.

“Lumi”; a hip-high, semi sentient dragon made entirely out of blue flames (and thus invulnerable and immaterial). She shares my memories, and personality, and the intensity of my feelings affects the intensity of her (flames) and her feelings — if I'm really happy and she's angry, her anger will intensify. Lumi can be made larger without limit. Lumi doubles as a great housepet and hot water bottle.

!!! SIGNATURE MOVES (Medium focus required)

  “Attention Seekers” — Send out a Seeker each to track down the three closest enemies. If a Seeker reaches its target, it nearsights and slows them. Seekers are similar to Lumi, but not the same.

  “Traveler” — Lets me drift into invisibility and intangibility, unable to be affected or seen by people from the outside.

  “World Divided” — Create a Cosmic Divide that blocks vision, blocks projectiles, and heavily dampens audio. It costs more focus if the wall/divider is thinner, and is easier if the wall/divider is thicker. The length can be customized.

!!! ULTIMATE MOVES (High focus required, or is very powerful)

  “Matter Shift: Supernova” is a derivative of Matter Shift. It turns all of one kind of thing (ice, water, fire, anything I choose, within a chosen radius), into blue firework sparkles. Fireworks and explosions, more like. Requires little focus, as it only takes one second to use, but is very powerful.

  “Begone” — Teleportation of lifeless objects and/or living beings. Requires a lot of focus, especially if done with people and not lifeless objects (because one wrong move, one slight miscalculation, and they could instantly die). Additionally, Begone can be used to travel to entirely different universes. This is how, one day, while training Begone and testing the limits of it, I end up in a different universe.

  “Doll’s Domain” hurls a column of energy forward to a chosen enemy, pulling me and the chosen enemy into an interdimensional arena. Requires high focus (for however long it takes for either me or the enemy to be defeated), and is powerful. This interdimensional arena can take one of three forms (but I can't control which of the three it is, unless I use significantly/dangerously more focus):

“Doll's Domain: Omitted Omniscience” traps the target inside the Limitless. Once inside, the domain floods them with endless information, rendering them immobile. This is similar to what happens to Neito Monoma when he gains access to my Quirk during the sports festival.

“Doll's Domain: Artsy Palace” is a domain where my targets are hit with animation frames, forcing them to abide by the 24 FPS rule. Failure to follow the rule freezes up the cells in their body, disrupting their cellular structure and severely damaging them.

“Doll's Domain: Eye-to-eye” is a domain with nothing except a few pillars. It requires heavy focus from me, so if I use my Quirk for more than just maintaining the domain, the domain (and everything/everyone in it) could shatter, so I shouldn't use my Quirk for more than just maintaining the domain. On the other hand, the chosen enemy can't use their Quirk either, so it's a relatively fair fight with only weapons and hand-to-hand combat available.

[More about My Quirk...]

SUPPORT GADGETS

Bracelet with several fidget functions, as well as a built-in flashlight. Also rose gold to match my jewellery and be subtle.

Vibrating ring, to remind me to stay focused. Also doubles as a fidget ring, because the outer part spins. Rose gold, to match my jewellery and be subtle.

Outer ear earbuds, so I can listen to music (which boosts my focus) while hearing my surroundings and working. The earbuds can be tuned into hero work channels like regular ear devices, but stop working when I activate Begone (depending on if I teleport out of range of the radio channel), World Divided (depending on the situation), Traveler, and/or Doll's Domain.

We end up tweaking the earbuds to react to my fights and be similar to an announcer so it gives me more dopamine (and more focus because of the increased dopamine). So if I knock someone out it'll say “K.O.”, if there's only one villain left it'll say “One enemy remaining”, if I take down a whole group of villains by myself it'll say “Ace”, if my allies all become compromised and I take down the villains it'll say “clutch”, if I'm the only one left on my team and there's only one villain left on their team it'll say “sudden death”, etcetera — basically, it's exactly the Valorant announcer.

[cloakedsparrow]

Most of the Batpups are Half-Siblings AU

Wherein Willis Todd had mad rizz and is the biological father of not just Jason, but Dick, Cass, and Tim as well.

Mary and John were friends and coworkers who were romantically interested in each other but were reluctant to make a move. Mary was worried she’d seem unprofessional if she acted on her feelings. John couldn’t tell she was interested and didn’t want to risk making her uncomfortable by saying something. Mary met Willis while the circus was in Gotham and had a date with him after their show that culminated with Dick’s conception. John was very supportive of her after she learned she was pregnant and the two of them finally admitted their feelings for each other when she was helping him put together a temporarily solo act.

Sandra and Willis had met when they were both young and first striking out on their own. They would hook up whenever she was near Gotham and he wasn’t in a relationship. She honestly hadn’t thought to say anything to David Cain when he made his offer because a) her private life was none of his business and b) she’d slept with Willis enough times that she thought, what would be the odds she happened to get pregnant right before trying to have Cain’s child? She similarly didn’t mention having a kid to Willis because it wasn’t really any of his business.

They didn’t flaunt it or even bring it up in civilized company, but Jack and Janet had something of an open relationship prior to getting married. They always attended events together and knew they’d commit to one another eventually, as everyone assumed they would. As long as they were honest with each other and used protection, they didn’t hold any temporary infatuations against the other. Janet and Willis met at the library one day and the chemistry was there so they had a fun night together (the condom failed) without ever even exchanging surnames or numbers. When she learned she was pregnant, Jack knew he might not be the father, but they decided it didn’t really matter since he felt childcare was largely the woman’s domain anyway.

Dick was too young to remember his parents’ wedding and everyone considered him John’s kid, too, so no one at the circus thought to mention it to him.

When Sandra realized Cassandra was her daughter, it still hadn’t occurred to her that she might be Willis’ child.

Janet and Jack never told anyone that Tim might not be Jack’s biological child, including Tim, and they were married so no proof was needed to put Jack’s name on Tim’s birth certificate.

Jason was too young for Willis to tell him about any of his youthful hookups before he died. It never occurred to him that the man might have other children.

None of the batpups had any idea that they shared a biological father.

After Red Hood made his big reveal, Bruce ran some fo his blood to confirm it was Jason before allowing himself to get his hopes up. He was initially too stunned (and heartbroken) at the knowledge that it truly was Jason, to pay any attention to the other little dings the Batcomputer made.

Some time later, while organizing his files, Bruce notices that Jason's file had a mark for several first-degree blood relatives that shouldn’t be there. When he checks, he finds out that in addition to proving Jason's identity, the Batcomputer had matched him up to Dick, Cass, and Tim. He runs the tests again, just to be sure (because what are the odds). Again, it says they’re biological half-siblings.

He does a little investigating in the hopes of being better prepared to answer some questions for them when he tells them, but Sandra Wu San is the only one still alive to speak to. No one at Haly’s Circus will tell him anything other than how beloved each of the Graysons were and are. Janet Drake kept excellent records when it came to travel logs, business proceedings, and Tim’s health to education, but nothing that could possibly tell him how Tim came to be.

Eventually, he decides (after Alfred threatens him) that he has to tell them the truth.

Dick hops on his bike and heads straight to Haly’s because they’ll tell him anything they wouldn’t tell Bruce. Mr Haly does end up telling him about his parents, although he never knew Willis’ name. Dick is reminded that his parents loved each other as much as he remembers and that this doesn’t change his memories with them.

Cass contacts Lady Shiva to meet her and demands to know everything she can tell her. Then she kicks Shiva’s ass because she could have never met David Cain. She could have been raised with her little brother. She could have protected her little brother. She doesn’t know what (if any) official records she has, but she starts introducing herself as Cassandra Todd instead of Cassandra Cain afterwards. David Cain breaks out of Black gate to leave her a note that she’ll always be his before returning to his cell.

Tim has no one left to ask about it, but he knew Janet much better than Bruce, so he goes over everything the older man had, to see if he can glean anything from it that Bruce couldn’t. Unfortunately, Janet didn’t leave any answers behind so he’ll never know how she and Willis Todd ended up having a kid together. If this is after Bruce adopted him, he keeps the name Wayne and if it’s before, he still accepts the name Wayne afterwards.

Jason had seen Willis’ little black book, so he’s not surprised to learn the old man got around back in the day. The only thing that truly bothers him is Tim being his little brother. Assaults and murder attempts against said little brother aside, Jason knows his dad hadn’t met his mom yet when Dick, Cass, and even himself were conceived. However, Tim is just young enough that it’s hard to say if Janet got pregnant just before or after they started dating. He goes back to his old neighborhood to try to find answers. No one can tell him the exact date his parents met or when their first date was, but all are convinced that Willis loved Catherine and would never have cheated on her.

Jason will just have to hope that’s true.

Afterwards, Dick invites each of his (now blood) little siblings out for Batburgers. They decide not to say anything about Dick or Tim’s parentage publicly since they don’t want people making assumptions about their mothers, but they’ll tell their friends.

[leaslichoma]

I've been fascinated with the Aztec god Xolotl recently.

Xolotl (pronunced Sho-lo-t followed by an L like sound that doesn't exist in the English language) was a Mesoamerican god associated with many things, including fire, lightning, disease, deformity, twins, the Mesoamerican ball game, death, dogs, the planet Venus as the evening star, twilight, shapeshifting, and monsters. Xolotl was the twin and sometimes companion of his more famous brother Quetzalcoatl. Xolotl was thought to guide the dead in their journey through the underworld, and to guide the sun through the underworld each night. Xolotl is usually depicted as either a dog anthro, a man with a dog head, or a dwarf skeletal jester. Xolotl is usually depicted missing eyes. Xolotl seems to have been feared by the Aztecs and especially hated by the Spanish, but I have a more favorable view.

Some of the most prominent myths about Xolotl involve the story of the fifth sun, or how the current world was made from the previous, destroyed one.

The first myth involves the recreation of humanity. The tales differ as to whether Quetzalcoatl was responsible, Xolotl was responsible, or if it was a collaborative effort. The humans of the fourth world were destroyed, and humanity had to be brought back. To this end Xolotl and/or Quetzalcoatl traveled to the Aztec underworld, Mictlan and met with its king, Mictlantecutli. The god(s) asked to gather the bones of the previous humans so they could be created anew. Mictlantecutli. Mictlantecutli gives them tests but later decides against letting them gather the bones. Xolotl and/or Quetzalcoatl fall into pit, breaking the bones in the process which is why people have different heights. The bones are later resurrected. The versions of this tale differ as to which god went to Mictlan and whether they did tests for Mictlantecutli or simply stole the bones.

In the second myth, the gods are sacrificing themselves in a fire to create a fifth sun for humanity because the previous one went out. They choose Nanahuatzin, a poor and humble god with syphilis and some relation to Xolotl to become the moon; and Tecciztecatl to become the sun because he is wealthy and strong. However, Tecciztecatl is unable to throw himself in the fire when the time comes, so Nanahuatzin becomes the sun instead. Tecciztecatl is sacrificed after and becomes the moon (and also the man on the moon), but has a rabbit thrown at his face which is one explanation for the rabbit people sometimes see.

Later, Xolotl is the last to be sacrificed to the new sun. In some versions this is because he was the executioner for the previous gods. However, in some tales he refuses to sacrifice himself. Xolotl begs and cries until his eyes literally fall out but this does nothing. Xolotl transforms to escape Ehecatl who has been executing other gods to make the sun move. Xolotl at first transforms into a corn plant with two stalks, then an Agave americana, and finally an Axolotl amphibian. But he was still caught in the end.

What I find most interesting about Xolotl is his relation to disability. Since deformities are among Xolotl's best known domains, he could be considered a god of disabilities as well. Xolotl is also a god of monsters, and it's worth mentioning that the Nahua word "Xolo" which his name is derived from and means monster, is used for both mythological monsters and those with physical abnormalities, much like the Latin word "Monstrum". (I think in literature analysis the themes of monsters as outcasts could be explored more) In many, perhaps even most historical (and unfortunately even modern) societies the attitude towards those with disabilities has been very negative. In the Aztec world twins were considered unnatural, and sometimes one of them would be murdered shortly after birth. Wikipedia mentions an speculation by Eduard Seler that resonates with me: that Xolotl represents the murdered twin who dwells in the underworld while Quetzalcoatl is the living one who is cherished in the world of light.

Another connection with Xolotl and disability is that he was sometimes depicted as a jester with dwarfism. It's relevant the jesters around the world were often disabled. European court jesters were known for having the freedom to criticize and mock royalty, and were sometimes selected from the intellectually disabled because they could not be held responsible for what they said. Additionally, the Spanish during the colonization of the Aztecs sent some Aztec jesters to Spain, who were described as humpbacks.

This is what I find most interesting about Xolotl, that he is a reflection or shadow of society. Historically Xolotl was often considered a sinister god, but when society is itself sinister who is to be believed? My view of Xolotl is more favorable. The god of the disabled is feared because the disabled are hated. Xolotl is the outcast, who is hated and feared yet has done no wrong. Xolotl is the murdered twin, who looks upon the world of light and life, from a place of darkness, the world he was not given, never had the right to enjoy. He is the god who is looked upon with disgust due to his role in hardship, yet is the only one who stays with you through that hardship the entire time. Xolotl is the disabled child, who is called a child of shame and hidden away in some institution to be forgotten by their more privileged relatives. Xolotl is viewed with contempt, but his domains are just as necessary to the universe's function as any of the more handsome gods. The janitor, who is viewed with contempt and disgust yet whose works are vital for society.

The "evil twin" Xolotl, misunderstood twin and hound of Quetzalcoatl who lives in the world's shadow, watching the world of life and guarding the light of the sun through the underworld.

[mythicamagic]

Chambers of Gold - Chapter Two

Summary: "Oh and one thing, Lumine."

"Yes?"

He stared at her as if starving. Molten heat in the eyes and teeth biting down inside his cheek. "Make absolutely certain to come to me while resonated with my element. Geo suits you best, after all."

Zhongli x Lumine short fic, available to read on Ao3.

-------

Zhongli’s summons arrived in her teapot a few days later. Lumine wasn't sure how the sealed letter and package appeared on her nightstand but she strongly suspected Tubby of sneaking them into the room while she'd been asleep. 

The letter was an absurdly formal invitation to meet with him at Taishan Mansion. His request included that she come alone and to please bring the clothing he’d provided. Lumine squinted at his fancy script. It felt a little odd to her that the instructions stressed she ‘bring’ the clothing and not ‘wear’ it. Wasn’t that the purpose of a gift like this?

Thinking about it for a moment though, she wondered if he was being considerate- her suspicions confirmed once she’d opened the gift and unravelled the beautifully made hanfu. Glittering gentle gold and cream silks felt divine under her hands. An exquisitely made silver hair ornament fell out from the material, and Lumine couldn’t help but smile at it. Little hand-crafted falling stars hung from one end via trailing threads.

Lumine flirted with the idea of disobeying. Maybe she’d show up in his domain wearing farmer's scruffs- Electro flowing through her body rather than almighty Geo. 

Ultimately she decided against it. Too much was riding on this opportunity for her to kill the mood right away. If he was interested in another hookup in the future though, maybe she could fool around with him a little then. Testing a God’s patience sounded like it could be fun. 

—------------

Taishan Mansion had been unlocked a long time ago during her travels through Liyue. Defeating the enemies waiting inside was an easy feat these days, and Lumine stepped over the fallen pyro Fatui agents without a word. They disinterested, proving they were nothing more than apparitions guarding the domain's treasure.

Instead of Talent Books though, Lumine sought a greater bounty. A stairway she'd never seen before opened up, descending into the floor near the great petrified tree at the far end of the chamber. Adjusting her pack slung over her shoulder, Lumine walked down the steps. She kept her gait even and slow, trying not to show any eagerness even as her blood heated with excitement. 

She’d dressed in her usual adventuring gear, leaving Paimon behind in the teapot with some of their friends. Her explanation for her absence was that she was to endure ‘strict private teaching’ from Zhongli, and since the training was so ancient and secret, no onlookers were permitted. Paimon had kicked up a fuss, complaining and making the reasonable argument that she could learn this ‘ancient training’ too alongside Lumine, but Xianyun had bailed the Traveller out of a lengthy argument by launching into a tirade about how the youth of today didn’t respect tradition. By the time she’d finished, Paimon hadn’t wanted to push the issue anymore. She just pouted and made Lumine promise to try ‘getting it over with as soon as possible.’

Xianyun had given her an overexaggerated wink behind the fairy’s back. 

Lumine pushed the thought out of her head, trying not to imagine Cloud Retainer and Madame Ping gossiping about her liaison with Zhongli. Hot steam had begun wafting up the stairs, wrapping her in a heady, slick embrace. Sweat had dotted her forehead by the time she’d reached the bottom of the lengthy stairs, noticing that the room that awaited her opened out into a huge bath that could’ve passed for a hot spring.

The temperature of the bath was undoubtedly warm, but instead of water rippling inside- liquid gold shimmered, the light from the lamps making it ebb and flow with a rich shine. It was impossible to see the bottom of the pool and gauge its depth. 

Lumine frowned, noticing a table off to the side. Another sealed letter sat upon it, along with a small branch of peach blossoms sitting tastefully to its side. 

Breaking it open, she skimmed his elegant script. 

‘Please enjoy yourself with a lengthy soak in the bath. The properties within won’t harm you, but take care not to swallow too much of it. The gift may be worn once you’ve finished.’

Rolling her eyes, Lumine sighed. Removing her pack and shaking out the beautiful hanfu to lay it out over a nearby chair, she began to strip. Shaking off her boots and sliding down her undergarments, Lumine shoved her dress down and set aside her gloves. Hesitating for a moment as she beheld golden waters, Lumine removed the flowers from her hair, carefully putting them down on the side of the pool. 

She then lowered herself to sit on the rim of the ceramic tiles, sliding one leg in to gauge the depth. The liquid clung to her flesh when she lifted her foot back out, giving it a full layer of gold that glittered as if imbued with tiny stars. 

“That's new,” Lumine mused, happy with the warm temperature at least. 

Knowing Zhongli wouldn’t do anything to hurt her though, Lumine decided to just get it over with. Lowering herself fully into the huge bath, she squeaked as her feet were unable to find the bottom. Sinking until she was completely submerged, Lumine quickly kicked, breaking the surface of the liquid. She tread ‘water’, swimming over to the corner and finding the floor rush up to meet her, allowing her to sit in the shallower area. 

Looking at her arms and finding them coated in shimmering gold, Lumine flexed her fingers. The consistency wasn’t thick when held up for inspection in the lamp lights, so she didn’t look like a blob monster. It ran off her skin and hair more or less like water but the golden glimmer remained like a sheen of wet scales. 

All of it- from the incense burning off in the corner of the room next to two double doors where she was sure Zhongli was awaiting her- to the chosen garment and specific liquids and herbs he must’ve used to make up the properties of the bath, it all served as a nostalgic reminder of Morax’s staged funeral and the lengths he’d gone to. 

Instead of feeling frustrated, Lumine relaxed into the bath, in no hurry. Zhongli was a very purposeful man. If he was going to such lengths just for them to fuck, it made everything feel more special. Important to him. And that was a dangerous line of thinking to go down when this was just a one time thing. 

Or a…two week thing.

Letting the golden bath soothe her stiff muscles, Lumine sank into its heavenly warmth with an indulgent sigh. She bathed herself for a little while, until it felt as though whatever minerals the liquid possessed had well and truly sank into her hair. 

Climbing out of the pool and drying herself with a fluffy white towel that had been provided, she eyed the hanfu warily. Hoping she wouldn’t blunder putting it on too much, Lumine clad herself in the luxurious silks, inwardly purring at the whisper of heat they provided. She noticed that no undergarments had been included, and while this was probably Zhongli’s way of showing courtesy to her, Lumine shrugged, deciding to go without. Not like she’d need them for long anyway. 

Finishing up tying a sash around her waist, she found that the double doors had slid open, beckoning her closer.

Padding barefoot over the tiles, Lumine fussed with her towel dried hair, wincing a little. No comb had been provided for her to slide the hair ornament into her short blonde locks, so she held it like an awkward passenger. 

She sucked in a hard breath upon stepping into the adjoining room. Smooth dark wooden floors spread out before her, housing a room full of towering golden brown shelves stacked full of scrolls, books and antiques. It was practically a maze, each stack of winding shelves becoming its own cosy alcove with the addition of padded chairs, cushions and lamps lit all around the room. Flowering plants that she’d never seen before sat on some of the shelves, along with teapots and weathered, hand-crafted items. Lumine arched a brow at what looked like an iron hand-rake and trowel having pride of place on one shelf. 

She wanted to keep snooping at the hoarder's paradise but kept walking, looping around shelf corners to carry her further into the heart of the room. Heavy, coaxing energy could be felt now, sliding through the air lazily like rolling smoke from a pipe. 

Who Lumine found in the centre of the room was unmistakably Morax. Not Zhongli. 

It wasn’t the golden horns sprouting from his head, nor the dark-brown traditional garb that exposed his marked hands for all the world to see that separated the two men in her mind, or even the tail trailing down to the floor beside him, scales gleaming in the fiery glow of the lamplight. 

Their postures were different, the way he held himself when he acknowledged her presence. Zhongli would’ve raised his chin and smiled warmly. Morax beheld her with a flicker of golden eyes that fixed on her face and did not move.

She waved somewhat lamely. "Hi there."

"You look resplendent."

A blush kissed her cheeks. She gestured to the hanfu, forcing a smile. "You have good taste. I was going to show up in scruffs just to see your reaction, but these clothes are too lovely to ignore like that."

"I can assure you, scruffs or otherwise, you would still be every bit as alluring as you are now."

He said it evenly, like he were simply stating a fact rather than trying to compliment her. Lumine bit the inside of her cheek, secretly finding it endearing. 

Zhongli shifted, and even the movement of his arm was graceful and poised as he gestured to the circular table he was sitting at. 

“Have you eaten?” he asked, voice a rich cadence. 

Lumine swallowed, suddenly starving. “I…had some breakfast. I didn’t want to be overly full before-” she broke off, pressing her lips together. A strange sense of shyness pricked the hairs at the back of her neck. 

He lifted a cup to his lips, gently blowing away the steam. “I see. You should drink some tea at least, and enjoy some of my humble offerings. I haven’t cooked in a long time.”

Ah, there he was again. Lumine relaxed, noticing a very Zhongli-like smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. She moved closer, noticing a comb resting on the table beside him.

Golden eyes glittered as he gestured for her to sit nearby, and she debated whether to sit like a distinguished young woman or just allow herself to relax. Ultimately, she decided to try loosening up, taking her seat and allowing herself to smile when he flicked his clawed finger and prompted a glowing jade teapot to levitate closer, pouring a generous helping of tea into her cup.

“Your chambers are beautiful,” was all she could think to say. 

“Thank you. I try not to excessively hoard too many artefacts and ancient texts as the people of Liyue should be allowed to behold their own land's history, but I can't help but stubbornly hold onto a few.”

Lumine bit her lip, hiding a grin as she looked at the shelves towering around the room. Try, being the operative word. 

“I'm sure the people forgive you,” she said, bringing the teacup to her lips and allowing her eyes to do the talking while they laughed with mirth over the rim.

Zhongli’s lashes lowered, looking much more rumpled and decadent with his hair down. He smiled freely. “Heh, I wonder.”

When he encouraged her to fill her plate, Lumine did so, mindful not to overeat no matter how gracious he was being. She got the distinct feeling he was not stalling for time, rather, this meal was much like the bath- part of an elaborate ceremony only Morax was privy to. Perhaps all of it was for his pleasure alone, and it satisfied something primal in him to see her cared for before they went to bed.

Lumine’s suspicions were confirmed somewhere between the 5th or 6th mouthful of food, when she suddenly noticed he was leaning forward from his chair. Blinking, she lowered the Char Siu before it could touch her mouth- only to feel his claws comb through her damp blonde locks. 

“May I attend you?” he asked, a low rumble hiding somewhere behind his usual tone. The golden comb glinted, catching the light. 

Feeling daring, Lumine continued eating, practically dismissing him. “After. You’ve set things up very nicely so that this all going as you’ve liked. I don’t mind it, but let me catch a breather.”

He chuckled richly, and she could’ve sworn his tail flicked back and forth under the table. “Of course. Please, forgive any sense of urgency or eagerness on my part,” Zhongli sobered slowly, regarding the extensive feast he’d laid out before them. “It’s a funny thing, wanting the attentions of another. It’s been some time since I've felt thus. I simultaneously want you to try the persimmon pastry, the soup dumplings, the Hunan sea bass freshly caught this morning for you- and the honeyed pork, and to even break out the wine-” he took a breath like he’d been giving an impassioned speech, though his cadence had never once rushed. “But I also desire your hair in my fingers and our bodies to meet at last. Such impatience is…a novelty,” he quietly mused.

Lumine inwardly winced, feeling a stab of sympathy. He looked genuinely lost. 

“It’s not a bad thing to feel eager,” she encouraged, reaching out to squeeze his knee under the table. “It’s actually quite flattering, I promise.”

Ageless attention flitted back to her, and Zhongli smiled. When she gestured for him to join her, he began reluctantly piling food onto his plate, and Lumine wondered if they were breaking some sort of dragon-like tradition by eating together. 

To keep the conversation going- and Archons know- Zhongli did so love to talk, she asked how he prepared each and every dish. He happily launched into a detailed explanation of seasoning, marinating, balancing sweetness and savoury, down to the pinches of ginger or salt.  Lumine listened to how he’d controlled the temperature to get the crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside texture of certain dishes- how he’d even prepared jook for her in case she simply wanted a taste of home comforts. 

All of it spoke to his lengthy preparation and regard, not just for her, but for doing things right. Zhongli never did anything by halves. 

Before she could feel too full, Lumine pushed away from the table and took his hand. Claws brushed the sensitive skin of her wrist and she suppressed a shiver.

“Take me to bed, Zhongli.”

He seemed briefly surprised, before something affectionate warmed his expression. He glanced at her teacup and noticing it empty, finally grasped her hand and rose smoothly. 

“It seems you’ve become quite eager yourself.”

His full height loomed over her, and Lumine couldn’t help but marvel at their height difference. 

I’ve been waiting for a long while. I just hide it better than you.

She followed him, keeping up with his long strides and minding his tail- fingers tightening in their grip on his warm hand when he led her to a large wooden door with an engraving of Liyue’s mountains on it. A Geo symbol flashed in the air once, before the door slid open. 

Zhongli’s calloused palm squeezed her once, leading her inside. When the heavy door slid shut once more behind them, it thrummed with a dull sense of finality. 

The contract was in motion.

[dandelion-blues]

Hold Fast, Captain.

A Percy Jackson and Pirates of the Caribbean adventure!

The Prince of the Sea.

Oh! the dead dare to dream.

The cursed sought to claim,

If only the red blood would remain.

You dare touch the Storm’s chosen,

The one crowned by black roses.

Yo ho! A pirate may lust,

But will never earn his trust.

So pretty, the pearl of the sea,

Singing the siren shanties.

Drown in the depths of his eyes.

Oh! He'll be your demise.

Yo ho! Dancing till dawn,

The Hero won’t be treated as a pawn.

Oh! Lavish him in your riches,

To evade swimming with the fishes.

~~~

Many a pirate felt the calling of the sea in their very blood. They felt the sea salt air thicken as the waves crashed against their wooden vessels. The clear sky seared into their being.

Oh, it was the calm before the storm, they knew. Something was coming. For the Goddess of the Seas called her fish back, leaving the pirates blessed by her domain without their meals. It was her way to protect all those of the sea and send a message to thee. Only a fool would choose to ignore it, lest they wished for their death.

Their dreams filled with a young man, his face never clearly seen, but had the eyes not of a man but of the sea. Oh, blessed one of the seas.

“The Prince is coming,” the Goddess whispered in their dreams, to all those traveling on her waters. Her voice like the very tides. Ebbing and flowing in a soft crescendo. But in her voice held power, a power that spoke of a Goddess with many depths. A low symphony to her hidden trenches, deep and dangerous underneath the crystalline voice of her shallow shores.

Oh, Goddess of the Mirror World. Calypso, the Goddess of summer tides, the sea’s storm and might, the rescuer of the souls lost at sea, and the final judge of all those who dare journey her seas! Don’t mistake her for the daughter of Atlas, for she is more powerful than thee. She is this world’s Goddess of the Seas!

~~~

Dark eyes open. He swallows deeply, his voice but a whisper amongst the ship’s rocking waves, “The Prince is coming.”

Jack Sparrow, captain of the Black Pearl, looks to the horizon. Somehow, he knows he's in for something grand once again. He’ll survive this trial, this test, from the Goddess of the Seas. He knows he can.

For now, though, he’ll be drinking his weight in rum to forget the coming storm.

Notes:

Here's a little snippet of this idea that I've had on the backburner for a while now, but I finally decided to write.

I honestly really love this! And there really needs to be more Percy Jackson and Pirates of the Caribbean crossovers!

Also, I am fully headcannoning Captain Jack Sparrow as Aroallo!

"...my first and only love is the sea." ~Jack Sparrow.

[ranger-jahen]

Your OC as a Deity

hello!! I believe I’ve been tagged by 87% of my mutuals at this point for this game. Cx I explained it more in-depth in this post, but basically, Im not able to complete the quiz for Jahen because his personality test results either don’t make sense or aren’t available in the quiz’s answer selections.

but when I made that post, the wonderful @themightynine-nine commented and asked me what kind of god I thought Jahen might be, and I disregarded the formal quiz and just put something together of my own accord. ^u^ so thank you so much for that nudge! I thought it was so sweet.

Jahen would be a god whose domain encompassed "The Open Road." a less powerful deity in the grand scheme of things, but also someone who has a lot of things sort of unexpectedly fall within their influence.

He would be a benevolent deity, so I'd imagine most people would pray to him for something like safe travels or swift paces. but he'd also be immensely important to wanderers, people who don't have a home of their own to go back to, or people fleeing from one place in search of a better life elsewhere.

There would be a complexity to his powers and hints of the untamed sides of him, like unexpected twists and turns or the forces of nature, wild growth and wind and rain, away from major towns or cities, but there would still be a certain steadiness and call to hope and endurance underneath. if someone were lost, either on a real, physical road, or perhaps lost in a more spiritual sense, such as wandering planes after death unable to find their way home, he'd be a good one to pray to in order to retrieve or guide them back to familiar paths.

I also think his powers could be called upon in a more vengeful way, such as deliberate misguidance, keeping someone lost, or troubles befalling someone out in the open where there's little help to be had. but i think if someone were praying for that kind of outcome, there'd have to be a reason for him to follow through that didn't go against his better nature. he'd be far more likely to act maliciously towards someone if they themselves were villainous in some way. and he would do more for compassionate prayers than vicious ones if he was acting of his own accord.

I’d like to tag @goldenflowers and @rivereverie and if you haven’t done it yet and want to! c: I did include the quiz link up top for the regular version. xD but also if you wanted to just write something up like this version, I’d be stoked to see that too!

@themightynine-nine - perhaps you'd enjoy doing the freehanded version as well? :3c (no pressure!)

legit anyone who sees this though and wants to try it out I am giving you big cheers