#and the third one is wolf walker

[vikvyr]

a collection of jays ft friends as a sacrifice to the art gods so i can like drawing again

[waytooobsessedwithmcyt]

An au I've been thinking about the lore for for a while but still have no plot so instead of a story you get my ramblings:

(Not mentioned in this post but this au does deal with self harm)

There's two different types of gods, gods confined to one dimension and multidimensional gods. One dimensional gods aren't really important to this, but they involve ESMP s2 Joel, s1 Lizzie and Jimmy, Aeor and Exor, Santa Perla, etc.

The only really important ones in this au are the multi dimensional ones, which there are three types of. Watchers and Listeners like normal, but also a third type that's based on Gem's ESMP s2 character called Walkers. As the name suggests, Walkers can move between worlds to carry out the Watchers will.

There's three gods on the traffic smp, Grian is a rebel Watcher, Martyn is a Listener, and Gem is an escaped Walker. All Walkers are wolf hybrids because they're kind of seen as guard dogs to the Watchers, it's basically a cult to be honest.

Gem and Grian didn't grow up together, but after he ran away, Gem was assigned to keep an eye on him, and that's how she got on Hermitcraft. Grian pretty much took one look at her and said "is anyone going to get her therapy?" When Grian heard she was being put into the life series and that the theme of the series was basically the Watchers giving orders, he saw a chance to help her escape their grasp. The Boogeyman task was specifically made for her so see how evil they were, he didn't count on how good she was at following directions.

Martyn is a Listener, unlike Walkers, Listeners are completely separate from the Watchers. Martyn was sent to keep the life series chaotic for the purposes of making sure it ends and the people aren't stuck in the Watcher's world forever.

I'm honestly obsessed with the whole "existing just to serve other people" thing right now. For her entire immortal life, Gem was taught to completely disregard her own emotions, the idea of even considering herself, much less prioritizing herself is such a foreign concept to her.

I kinda want to rant about how Grian and Gem grew up more because they're so traumatized so if someone could conveniently send me an ask about that I would be forever in your debt /j (I'm going to make the post either way because this is my blog and I get to talk to myself on here)

[milkteaarttime]

Latte's New Hair!

Just a little short fic i whipped up of Latte's reason for growing her hair.

Thanks to @moosch for letting me reference Nameless!

The mundane clicks and clacks of the keyboard and mouse fill the med bay's rare silence. Latte is finishing her 12-hour shift with some charting, entering the necessary interventions she had completed, editing their charts, and updating wound dressing changes or evaluation results. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she softly sang. She typed up her handover notes while waiting for the oncoming shift nurse’s arrival to give them handover reports.

Two soldiers assisting a fellow private with a sprained ankle slowly strolled a few meters behind her. The trio of men sauntered toward the med bay exit. Their conversation turned from their favourite nurses to what kind of girls the men were into. Latte attempted to feign ignorance, not wanting to hear the juvenile locker room talk from the young men. But she did roll her eyes with mild disapproval, unknown to the three, who continued their callous topic.  

“Ohh Yeah, she's niceee. Called me ‘hun’ and ‘sweetie’ when she checked my shit.” the injured soldier proclaims as he describes his enjoyment in being called pet names by an older female nurse. 

“The blonde?”

“Yeah, man! With nice long hair, I like that in a gal.” the first affirms. 

“I getcha. I like 'em with long hair too.” the third soldier finally spoke up. 

“Short hair doesn't do it for me, it's too… Dude-like?” 

“Ehh, it's okay, but long is forreal better. Those high ponies or whatever they call it? Something for me to grab,” the second one crudely pronounces. The men laugh in agreement.

Latte’s face turns from a frown to worry as the soldiers chat. She reaches up, touching the layered, frayed ends of her hair—until the first one speaks again.

“Wait, nah, it depends on the style for me. A bob? Sure. Maybe even a neat pixie. I just really don't like those messy, shaggy, scattered types.” He shakes his head, 

“Looks like it’s burnt, uneven as fuck.” 

Latte freezes at the statement of disdain for messy hair layers. She takes out her phone and taps open the front camera. Using her phone as a camera, she turns her head at varying angles, observing her hair. It was roughly cut to get hair out of her face and for easy washing. It could be better, but it's okay. Right? It is better than looking burnt off. Right??

“Wait, guys. Shh! Look!” the third guy suddenly pipes up, pointing at Latte’s back when he notices her nearby. Latte hears them but pretends not to see, not wanting to engage with the men. 

“Oh yeah, wouldn't be into that–”

“No, dude, that's LT Walker’s girl. Shut up.” He cuts off his friend curtly, panic evident in his tone. But it seems like his friend is a tad denser. 

“Doesn't Hesh also like longer hair?” 

“I don't know, but she sometimes bakes treats for us when we get out here… And I’m not about to risk pissing off the Lieutenant! Let's skedaddle before she hears us.” 

The men shuffle out as fast as possible while helping their limping friend, leaving Latte to her thoughts.

She stares into her mirror that night, rubbing and twirling a lock of her messy hair between her fingers. Fluffing out the layers and analyzing the shape of her wolf cut. Her last cut was around a couple of months ago, and with her hair growing so fast, another trim was due. The layers are currently down to her shoulder blades, just a little longer, and she can tie it up.

After much contemplation and consideration, she sighs. She puts the thinning scissors back into their cover and steps into the shower. Opting to keep growing it.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

A few months later, Hesh stepped out of the shower and walked to his room. He greeted Nameless as he passed her in the hallway, watching her enter Keegan’s room before slipping into his room where Latte sat. She was visiting him for the night. While he rubbed the towel on his head, drying the water droplets off his scalp, he eyed Latte’s silhouette from the back. Observing her in casual civilian clothing after work and tapping her pencil as she sat deep in thought, working through the practice exam questions. Walking up behind her, he leaned down to kiss the top of her head and gently smoothed her ponytail, whistling, impressed at the speed of the hair growth.

“Oh hey, I didn't realize it’s long enough to be put up now.” He pointed out, feeling the texture of her silky black tresses.

“Any reason for the change?”

Latte smiled warmly at Hesh and looked up from her license upgrade prep, the conversation she had overheard from those immature soldiers resurfacing in her mind. She chuckled and waved the thought away, 

“Just trying something new, nothing else to it.”

[haletostilinski]

Best Teen Wolf Villain: The Ranking Part 1

Hey all! To round out the best teen wolf villain tournament, I'm going to give the rankings of how every character placed of the 32 villains included in this competition. How I'm ranking them is going by the rounds. So the villains that didn't make it past the first round are the lowest, then second, third round etc - within each round, they're ranked by how many or few votes they got.

So if a villain made it past the first round, I'll put their total votes just to see how many they got throughout the whole competition, and just for those who might be curious - but total votes don't have any bearing on their placements. So one villain might have gotten a lot one round and very few the next round, but have more total votes than the villain ranked above them because that villain got more votes the second round.

I know this ranking isn't full proof, but I'm just doing this for fun, so again let's not take it too seriously. This way just made the most sense for how each villain should be ranked. Also I will highlight a villains's vote count red to indicate that it was eliminated that round.

So, without further ado, the rankings! Part 1 😁

#32-#11

32. The Skinwalkers - 8 votes

(Round 1: 8 votes | Total Votes: 8)

31. Deputy Vargas - 12 votes

(Round 1: 12 votes | Total Votes: 12)

30. Tracy Stewart - 14 votes

(Round 1: 14 votes | Total Votes: 14)

29. Schrader - 17 votes

(Round 1: 17 votes | Total Votes: 17)

28. William Barrow - 19 votes

(Round 1: 19 votes | Total Votes: 19)

27. Violet&Garrett - 33 votes

gif credit: @wolfimagines

(Round 1: 33 votes | Total Votes: 33)

26. The Chemist - 41 votes

(Round 1: 41 votes | Total Votes: 41)

25. Meredith Walker - 43 votes

(Round 1: 43 votes | Total Votes: 43)

24. Tamora Monroe - 52 votes

(Round 1: 52 votes | Total Votes: 52)

23. Garrett Douglas - 62 votes

(Round 1: 62 votes | Total Votes: 62)

22. Brunski - 85 votes

(Round 1: 85 votes | Total Votes: 85)

21. The Mute - 91 votes

(Round 1: 91 votes | Total Votes: 91)

20. The Berserkers - 95 votes

(Round 1: 95 votes | Total Votes: 95)

19. The Anuk-ite - 110 votes

(Round 1: 110 votes | Total Votes: 110)

18. Donovan Donati - 134 votes

(Round 1: 134 votes | Total Votes: 134)

17. Deputy Haigh - 232 votes

(Round 1: 232 votes | Total Votes: 232)

16. Mr. Lahey - 10 votes

(Round 1: 153 votes | Round 2: 10 votes | Total Votes: 163)

15. The Beast - 26 votes

(Round 1: 169 votes | Round 2: 26 votes | Total Votes: 195)

14. Adrian Harris - 34 votes

(Round 1: 212 votes | Round 2: 34 votes | Total Votes: 246)

13. The Desert Wolf - 39 votes

(Round 1: 191 votes | Round 2: 29 votes | Total Votes: 230)

12. The Ghost Riders - 115 votes

(Round 1: 206 votes | Round 2: 115 votes | Total Votes: 321)

11. Victoria Argent - 125 votes

(Round 1: 263 votes | Round 2: 125 votes | Total Votes: 388)

[deputygonebye]

@lunarruled asked: 'You can't leave me'

"I Can't Live Without You" Prompts

Hackneyed conversations, neither fresh or funny, too often used and so bitter on the tongue. Repeated over and over like a broken record, scratched with its needle unable to move forward, the entire group trapped. Escaped from one hand of death but taken by another - flames behind their backs, glass and stone across the gravel, the CDC destroyed with a beloved friend still inside. A final choice made by Jacqui, rather be burned than eaten, Dale's RV proved faithful until it couldn't. Overworked and drained; stuck on the miles between the road and Fort Benning, the Geeks and the certainty of end. Scared little girl, Sophia did only what she thought was best. She ran into the woods. Past the trees, with the sunlight on her shoulders, crying and screaming, begging and praying. Searches commenced, Dale and T-Dog remained at the Winnebago. Ever proud soldiers, watchful of all, the rest went beyond the guardrail and into the thicket.

Over roots and weeds, Shane and Rick led the group. Neither too far nor so close - barricaded by pride and unspoken frustration, the strength of their relationship tested with every step. As though something laid between them and refused to move, burdensome and another cross to carry. Survived so many years, so many memories, Shane hadn't ever had so many arguments with Rick. Constant, over the smallest of things, Lori in a corner that did little to ease matters. A third voice to add to the tension - harsh and cold - always to defend but never to listen. It was a battle that Shane fought alone. Without armor, his flesh painted by the pains, his eyes, silently, if only for Kyleigh's sake. The sole person who gave him the chance to be heard; to hold his love in her hands, his kisses on her lips.

Angered by being ignored, disregarded, tossed aside, Shane dared to act on his plans to leave. Rather be alone than face the reality of his station, to go away would kill him, but it was better than what was had. Already had he lost the support of the group. Already had he lost his place as leader - shared with Rick but then suddenly stolen entirely, usurped. Already was he named dangerous. Unable to stand it anymore, with his blade dripping still in the blood of Walkers, the once-living who found eternal peace in a house of God, a little church, Shane prepared himself to go. Without goodbyes, without the heartfelt tears and lengthy embraces, without seeing Kyleigh. One final time; no farewell kiss, no whisper of her name, no declaration that would last until forever, beyond them both. It would've hurt too much.

A last disagreement between he and Lori finished, sharp words and adored family interwoven together, a promise of leaving, only when her voice was heard did Shane turn around. Soft around the edges, no more the wolf than the woman, afraid and almost desperate. A command and lover's plea, Shane looked to the ground before his eyes rose to meet Kyleigh's. Slowly, to drink her all in before they parted, shamed to have been caught so soon. There was no reason to lie.

"I'm only trying to make things easier, Ky."

Shane remarked, firm and without delay. "This ain't gonna be easy on anybody, least of all me. I'm the one who loses you. "

"There ain't no story. Ain't nothin' else to be said - I don't belong here. Been the odd man out for a while now. Just took me some time to notice."

"It's for the best." Shane mumbled, low and deep in his throat. "You'll be alright. The group, they'll look after you. Rick, he'll keep you safe. You're capable, you've always found a way to survive. Just... don't... don't do nothin' stupid, Ky. You live, you understand me?"

[littlemissmartha]

Lizzie makes a "brownie" in her pants

[Disclaimer: This is a fictional ageplay fantasy for consenting adults. Spankings are for consenting adults only. All characters are over the age of 18] Lizzie loved baking with Mum. Earlier today, she'd helped Mum bake a batch of chocolate brownies for the village fete. Lizzie loved brownies, and as they were cooling on the countertop, she couldn't resist taking one. After all, Mum had said she could have one. But once she started, she couldn't stop herself. She ended up wolfing down three, and licking the chocolate off her fingers. So yummy! Hopefully Mum wouldn't notice. After all, it was a large batch and there were plenty of brownies left. Lizzie went into the living room to play a game on her console. But while she was gaming, her tummy gurgled, and she felt an uncomfortable cramp. She shouldn't have stuffed herself with brownies! After all, ever since she started her new medication for her behaviour issues, she'd been having some bowel problems. Lizzie got up and made a beeline for the bathroom. Unfortunately, her temperamental bowels decided it was too late. With a wet squelching fart, she made a "brownie" of her own - in her pants. It was a warm day, and the smell of her poo immediately perfumed the air. Lizzie panicked. Could she get changed, shower and put her clothes in the wash before Mum noticed? No such luck. Mum came in, and sniffed. "Did you have an accident in your pants again, Lizzie?" There was no point denying it. The smell was obvious. "Uh, yeah," she said, blushing bright red with humiliation. "I'm sorry." "You shouldn't have eaten three of my brownies! I only said you could have one," Mum chided her. "This is your third accident in the past week, young lady. Your father and I will have to put you back in nappies." "You can't do that!" protested Lizzie. "It's not fair." "Life isn't fair, missy. Come on." Mum dragged her recalcitrant daughter by the arm to the bathroom. "Clothes off," Mum ordered. "Can't I get cleaned up and shower in private?" pleaded Lizzie. "If you're not mature enough to use the toilet, you're not mature enough to shower on your own," said Mum firmly. "Clothes off, before I take them off for you." It was useless to argue. Lizzie stripped naked, discarding her soiled white knickers and denim shorts on the bathroom floor. Meanwhlie, Mum ran a bath. "First, we need to get the worst of the poo off your bottom. Bend over," Mum ordered.

Lizzie bent over, revealing pale buttocks streaked with poo. Mum wiped Lizzie's bottom thoroughly with baby wipes, which were, at least, cool and soothing. "Pee-yew! That's a really stinky mess," Mum commented. "Now, into the bath." Reluctantly, Lizzie got into the bath. Despite the embarrassment, the warm water was pleasant and comfortable. Mum scrubbed her down with a scrubbing-brush. If she forgot the embarrassment, it was strangely nice, having someone do all the hard work for her. Then it was time to get out of the bath. Lizzie initially wondered if she'd gotten away without a spanking, for once. But that hope was soon dashed. Mum had, of course, just waited to spank her while her bottom was wet. "Bend over and grab your ankles," Mum instructed. She began smacking Lizzie's bottom with the wet bath brush. Lizzie yelped, bit her lip, and after the fourth swat she gave in to her impulse to cry. When Lizzie's bottom was cherry-red from the spanking, Mum applied some talcum powder and a nappy. Lizzie's cheeks were burning red with humiliation, but she let it happen. It wasn't like she had a choice. Besides, as weird as it might have sounded a few years ago, it seemed like an increasing number of girls her age or older were being put back in nappies, these days. She wasn't the only girl in her class who'd been prescribed medication for "behavioural issues" by Dr Walker. And a lot of those girls seemed to be having accidents at school. Some had been abruptly transferred to a special school. At least she was on a lower dose than some of her friends. For now. Mum patted Lizzie gently on the bottom. "Now, next time you need to make a "brownie", you can do it in your nappy, sweetie. No more rushing to the bathroom." Lizzie smiled wanly. It was embarrassing, but maybe this wasn't so bad. Somehow, she felt that everything would be okay.

[musicalcastingideas]

Team Starkid Does Into the Woods

Narrator: Lauren Walker

She's the iconic narrator Molag in Firebringer, if I want anything narrated, I'm calling her.

The Baker: Corey Dorris

I've been on the Give Corey Dorris A Lead Role train for a while (even though I'm very new to Tumblr) so this was easy for me. Also, is "A father who's not the best person but is trying his goddamn best" describing The Baker or Bill from TGWDLM?

The Baker's Wife: Bryce Charles

I'm so hyped for her to be the star of Team Starkid's next show, and I need to hear her sing Moments in the Woods.

Cinderella: Lauren Lopez

I don't feel like I need to explain this one? The vibes are just correct.

Jack: James Tolbert

I've only seen him in Black Friday and like 2 seconds of NPMD but he has such a sincere earnestness to his performance, I think he would be a great Jack.

Jack's Mother: Rachel Soglin

She's my favourite exhausted mother in Trail to Oregon, this is the same part but meaner and without an idiot husband falsettoing in a wagon with a floor window.

Cinderella's Stepmother: Mary Kate Wiles

(She's in Working Boys so she counts as Team Starkid) She has a wonderfully dry delivery and while in Spies Are Forever, she uses it for a Jaded Hero character, I want to see her use it for a truly cruel character.

Florinda and Lucinda: Angela Giarratana and Jaime Burns

Both wonderful comedic actresses who would definitely make these relatively small parts very memorable.

Little Red Riding Hood: Mariah Rose Faith Casillas

Is this just an excuse for a (albeit not as direct) third "Corey is Mariah's Father" casting? Yeah, kinda. But also Mariah is amazing in pretty much any part.

The Witch: Jaime Lynn Beatty

This feels so obvious. Her physical acting, character work and amazing belt are MADE to play the Witch. I am always open to constructive criticism except for this one.

Cinderella's Mother: Brittany Coleman

According to the Team Starkid Wiki, she's played this part in the Baltimore Centre Stage production, so she not only would obviously slay this part, she HAS already slayed this part.

Wolf/Cinderella's Prince: Joey Richter

Hmm, who do I get to play two parts, one who's supposed to be creepy and one who's supposed to be irresistibly sexy? I dunno. Anyway, Joey Richter has such amazing range, he plays skeevy villains like Mcdoon (the bandit king) in Trail to Oregon and Wiley in Black Friday , but also is so hot and charming as Ethan in Nightmare time and as Owen in Spies are Forever. Don't know why I bring that up now.

Rapunzel: Kim Whalen

Soprano Queen, actual princess. Also, I want her and Curt to play an actual couple

Rapunzel's Prince: Curt Mega

Not to fall into the Internet Wife Guy Trap but Curt seems so in love with his wife and I think he would be so good as the prince who would do anything to be with her (God please don't pull a Ned Fulmer Curt I swear to God). Also, if you haven't seen him and Joey do Agony for Shitty Broadway, please go watch it, it's amazing.

[measureformeasure]

@lesbiancassius' january reads

@goosemixtapes did this and i'm a thief so i'm doing one too.

books (well like one book and a bunch of plays)

Through the Woods, Emily Carroll - a beautiful horror/folk tale graphic novel. recall seeing the 'the wolf only has to catch you once' art from this book EONS ago and was kind of jumpscared by it reappearing. i put an e hold on this for a course i dropped last semester and just ended up reading it now when it came in

Switch, Isobel Williams - Williams asks the yet unasked question of what if Catullus was about rope bondage? and the answer is 'you can do a lot of fun translations about it'. yes, maybe there are safety scissors in my closet now...do not look at me

If We Were Birds, Erin Shields - jesus fucking christ can Erin Shields write a play. A staged version of Philomela and Procne's story and like the third play I read this month for acting class

Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman - I am admittedly never a non-fiction reader but I found this book really interesting. I had seen @ chthonic-cassandra recommend it and I'm very glad I got around to reading it.

The Penelopiad (play), Margaret Atwood - read this for acting class. don't ask me for an opinion i am just delighted to do Odysseus drag.

Passion Play by We Quit Theatre, a linocut zine of improvised erotic Bible stories...I mean what more is there to say than that.

I also read Problem Child by George F. Walker but that was just miscellany for acting class.

articles (i will just list the hits because i read like five million articles this month)

“The Slaves Were Happy”: High School Latin and the Horrors of Classical Studies

The Body in Question: Looking At Non-Binary Gender in the Greek and Roman World

Reflections on a Starved Decade, Charlie Squire (content warning: this is about an eating disorder. it is also really, really good)

Transition, Akwaeke Emezi

on my nightstand (tbr)

Enter Ghost, Isabella Hammad (started this - already quite in love with Hammad's prose)

catch up on the Thebaid readalong I've barely started

Winter Harvest, Ioanna Papadopoulou (I want to read this so bad and the cover looks SO sexy on my nightstand and yet I keep not opening it)

Roaming, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki

Elektra by Jennifer Saint but only because I have book club.

finishing Ellen McLaughlin's Greek Plays

very slowly picking at a French translation of Madeline Miller's Circe I picked up at a secondhand bookstore the other day

godsong?? will I finally fucking read max goosemixtapes' godsong??? who knows but I want to I really do

[camillemontespan]

insignificant [drake x camille]

I thought I'd write a Drake x Camille fic after months and months of no writing. This is old school Drake x Camille. It felt nice writing them again!

@irisk12

@sophxwithers

@katedrakeohd

@mom2000aggie

@kingliam2019

@saivilo

@moonlightgem7

@jovialyouthmusic

@burnsoslow

@sirbeepsalot

*********

***************************************

‘I am dreading this, Drake,’ Camille groaned. ‘Why does it have to be a whole weekend?’

Drake Walker let out an exasperated sigh. ‘Because Olivia is an asshole, that’s why.’ 

The two of them were trudging through the snow behind the group. Liam, Hana and Maxwell were ahead, all laughing and joking. It was Drake and Camille, the two unwilling participants, at the back. 

They were spending the weekend at Olivia's castle in Lythikos as part of the suitor competition. Camille had never been before and so far, she was out of her comfort zone. New York had cold, bitter winters, yes. But Lythikos was another level.

‘She hates me,’ Camille continued, stomping her way through the heavy snow. ‘I know all the suitors have to do this but I just feel like she’s going to make my weekend a living hell.’ 

‘Welcome to my life, Montespan,’ Drake said through gritted teeth. ‘Everyday with Olivia Nevrakis is like Groundhog Day.’

‘Oh, are you Bill Murray?’ Camille quipped, her tone lightly teasing. 

Drake stopped in his tracks and gave her a withering look. ‘Hey. I am obviously Andie MacDowall.’

Camille burst out laughing. Drake felt his heart skip a beat at the sound. He liked making her laugh even though he shouldn’t. 

Stop it. Stop enjoying this. 

‘Alright, come on Andie,’ Camille crowed, taking Drake by the arm and pulling him along. ‘We should catch up with the others.’

‘Oh joy..’ Drake muttered. 

**************************

Lythikos Keep was a fortress of solitude.That was all Drake could say about it. Most people would say it was a medieval castle that held centuries of rich Cordonian history within its walls but for Drake, it was as cold and empty as the woman who lived in it. 

Olivia Neverakis was very tall and slender with skin like porcelain. Her red hair hung down her back in waves and her eyes were blue and catlike. Everything about her was intimidating and that was exactly how she liked it. 

She showed the group to their respective bedrooms, leaving Drake and Camille until last. 

Hana, Maxwell, Kiara and Penelope were to stay on the fifth floor. Madeline and Liam were to stay on Olivia’s floor which occupied the top of the castle. 

 Drake was expecting to be housed in the dungeon but clearly, Liam had spoken to Olivia before she had any ideas. His bedroom was on the third floor opposite Camille’s. 

‘I thought the two Americans would like to be near each other,’ Olivia explained, her eyes focusing on Drake. ‘Since you have more in common.’

Camille frowned. ‘Olivia, that’s not fair on Drake, he’s Liam’s best friend-’

‘It’s fine,’ Drake interrupted. ‘I’m used to Olivia’s hospitality.’  He cast a glance over at Camille, who was clenching her hands into fists.  ‘That doesn’t mean you should put up with it though.’

Camille looked up at Drake. ‘Drake, you shouldn’t be putting up with it either.’ 

Olivia’s eyes flashed. ‘Are you insulting my hospitality, Camille? If you like, you can stay in the dungeon. I can easily ask my servants to move your things-’

‘Don’t talk to her that way,’ Drake cut in, his voice like ice. 

Olivia raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re awfully protective over her, Drake. Anything to tell me?’

Drake’s chest puffed out as he stared at Olivia with narrowed eyes.

He had grown up with her and he knew how she worked. Everything to Olivia was a game and she always had to come out on top.

Her one weakness was Liam. 

Everyone knew she was in love with him, including Liam himself. But she would never have him. ‘The she-wolf of Lythikos’ was what some people called her and Drake didn’t blame them. 

‘I’m just saying that since it's her first visit here, she should be near her friends,’ Drake bit back. ‘That’s all.’

‘Drake, we’re friends!’ Camille protested. ‘We can be hall mates.’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘God, you’re so.. Peppy. Right, wine and cheese downstairs in fifteen minutes. Don’t be late.’ 

‘Whereabouts downstairs do we meet you…?’ Camille asked but trailed off as Olivia was already strutting away down the corridor. 

Camille sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘Fine, we’ll just find our own way through this fortress of solitude then..’ 

Drake held back a smile as he picked up her suitcases  - yes, she had brought two suitcases for one weekend. ‘Come on, Montespan,’ he said, ‘open the door.’ 

Camille blushed. ‘I can carry my own things, Drake.’

‘I know,’ he said, ‘but since hospitality is at such a low bar, I figured I should at least help you.’

Camille giggled and opened the door to let them both inside. 

Drake put her suitcases down on the floor and turned to face Camille. ‘So, meet you in the corridor in fifteen minutes?’ 

Camille gave him a mischievous look. Drake looked at her warily. He knew that look already. He'd seen it whenever she shared a dirty joke with Maxwell or gossiped with Hana. 

‘What the hell are you planning, Montespan?’

Camille reached into her handbag and brought out a hipflask. ‘Fancy some whisky?’

Drake blinked, staring at the hip flask in her hand. She shook it so the liquid sloshed inside, full of promise.

‘Hell yeah,’ Drake finally said, his voice coming out like a croak. 

Camille grinned and opened the hip flask. She passed him it and as he took it, their fingers brushed gently. 

Drake tossed his head back as he took a long sip. The whisky burned his throat. God, it tasted good.  He passed her the hip flask back and she took a swig, not once tearing her eyes off his. Drake stared at her, his eyes boring into hers. 

‘You surprise me, Montespan..’ he murmured.

Camille shrugged, giving him a shy smile. ‘Let’s stick together this weekend,’ she said softly. 

Drake took the hip flask from her and sipped from it again

I’ve got you, kid.’

************************

Drake didn't like wine. 

Tonight's event was wine tasting, canapes and cheeseboards which Drake also didn't like. A cheeseboard was NOT a dessert option! 

He stood beside Liam as they sipped red wine from crystal glasses. 

‘I appreciate you coming here, Drake,’ Liam told him warmly. ‘It’s nice to see you being social.’ 

Drake grimaced. ‘Someone’s gotta look out for Montespan.’ 

Liam looked from Drake to where Camille was sitting talking to Hana and Maxwell, as she always did. ‘Looks like Hana and Maxwell look out for her too,’ he replied wistfully. 

Drake swallowed and took a long sip of his wine. He always had to be careful with what he said in front of Liam. He couldn’t let Liam have an inkling that Drake sort of, maybe, kind of liked Camille. 

It was fine though. It was just a small crush. He could push it down and then he would get over it. 

Drake watched Camille as she talked to Hana and Maxwell. She was focusing on what Maxwell was saying, her eyes trained on him, smiling as he continued speaking. When Camille spoke to you, she made you feel like the only person in the world. 

It was just a crush. 

***********

Later that evening, the group settled down by the fire for drinks. Olivia made sure that she sat beside Liam, giving him her utmost attention. 

Camille settled down beside Drake. Their legs grazed as she moved beside him, making Drake feel like he was on fire. 

Or maybe that was just the fire beside him. 

‘Having a nice time?’ she asked softly, giving his shoulder a nudge with hers. 

‘Now I am,’ Drake said before he could stop himself. He turned bright red as soon as he said it. 

Camille smiled. ‘Good, I’m glad.’ 

Their eyes held for a long moment until the sound of Olivia clearing her throat broke their gazes. 

‘So Drake..’ Olivia said, her voice wheedling. ‘How’s Savannah?’ 

Drake felt his blood run cold. He hadn’t been expecting to hear his sister’s name ever since she had disappeared. Savannah had tried so hard to fit in with Olivia and Madeleine but it had never been enough. She had been gone for ten months and Drake had no idea where she was. 

‘None of your business, Olivia,’ Drake muttered. 

‘Charming!’ Madeleine cut in, her voice lilting. ‘You going to let him talk to you like that, Livvy?’

Olivia narrowed her eyes at Drake as she held her wine glass in her hand. ‘No I’m not. Watch how you talk to me, Walker. You’re a guest at my castle this weekend, I demand respect. I know that’s hard for you but this weekend, just try it.’

‘Liv, enough..’ Liam muttered. ‘Please just be nice-’

‘I am being nice,’ Olivia interrupted. ‘I’m asking him about Savannah.’

‘And I’m telling you it’s none of your business,’ Drake said cooly. 

‘Who’s Savannah?’ Camille asked. 

Drake closed his eyes. He hadn’t told Camille about his sister. He hadn’t wanted to open up like that. Unburdening himself seemed like more trouble than it was worth. 

‘His sister, of course!’ Madeleine said. ‘Come on, Camille, you’ve been spending so much time with Drake, you didn’t know about her?’

Camille frowned and looked down at her wine glass. ‘No..’ she said quietly. 

‘Wow, I guess the two Americans don’t really know each other after all,’ Olivia quipped, running her finger along her wine glass. 

Drake stood up abruptly. Without a word, he slammed his wine glass down on the table and strode away from the sofa area. He pulled open the French doors that led outside. He needed air. He needed to get away from this situation. 

****************************

As soon as Drake stepped outside, he realised that he hadn’t taken his coat or scarf. It was fucking freezing. Snow covered the ground and it was still falling. 

‘Fuck it,’ Drake muttered. He strode through the snow, bracing himself as his boots plunged through. If he caught a cold, fuck it. He could spend a few days resting in his room at the palace, excused from social events. If he died from hypothermia, fuck it. He would be dead. 

He kept walking until the snow felt heavy against his legs. Without one last fuck left to give, Drake slumped down on the snow and breathed out into the cold night air. 

It was so dark. The stars above him twinkled in the sky. Looking up at them, he felt insignificant. That wasn’t new but at least, in the grand scheme of things, everyone who looked up at the stars felt insignificant. Under the milky way, everyone in the world was insignificant. Even Olivia Nevrakis. 

Drake sighed. He thought about how quiet and despondent Camille had sounded when she realised she didn’t know who Savannah was. His heart tugged with guilt. 

Camille was a woman who wore her heart on her sleeve. She cared deeply about people. She was an open book, always talking about feelings. If she wasn’t so beautiful and kind, Drake would have avoided her like the plague. 

But he hadn’t avoided her like the plague. No, Drake had looked after her. When Liam was busy with the other suitors, Drake spent time with Camille. He would go out of his way to talk to her, see her, tease her. By being Camille, she had pulled Drake in and now he was in her world. 

Camille wasn’t insignificant. 

***********************

‘Drake.’

He looked up to find Camille standing over him. She was bundled up in a coat and scarf, her breath thick in the air. 

‘Montespan? You should be inside-’

‘No, YOU should be inside,’ Camille interrupted. ‘Don’t let Olivia get to you! Come back inside and sit by the fire with me. We can talk. You’re not wearing a coat or scarf, you’re going to catch hypothermia-’

‘Fuck it..’ Drake droned, his voice monotone.

Camille stared at him for a long moment until she nodded, seeming to make a decision. Drake watched as she pulled her scarf from her neck. 

‘Montespan, what are you doing-’

She sank down to her knees and wrapped her scarf around his neck. It was warm from her skin and it smelled of her perfume. Notes of jasmine and musk. 

‘I don’t want you getting sick,’ Camille said quietly,’ and I don’t want you feeling bad.’

Her eyes fixed on his. Drake swallowed, unsure of how to react to how close she was, how intense she was. She had never been this intense with him before. 

‘Olivia’s a bitch,’ Camille went on. ‘So is Madeline. They had no right to bring up your sister. I don’t know what happened with Savannah but it’s clearly a painful topic for you. But you should not be outside in the snow. You don’t belong out here, you belong with me.’

Drake started at her words. ‘W-with you?’

Camille bit her lip before smiling weakly. ‘We said we would stick together this weekend, didn’t we?’

Drake felt his heart sink. Of course. She wasn’t being all romantic. She was being his friend. 

It’s just a crush. 

Camille held out her hand to him. ‘Come back with me?’

Drake looked at her for a long moment. She was silhouetted against the moon which cast a silver glow over her. She looked even more beautiful than ever. He studied her, taking in everything about her. How her mouth quirked up at the corners so it looked like she was always smiling. He thought about her as a person. How she tried so hard to be kind to everyone, including him. How good a person she was. How genuine she was. 

It’s not just a crush. 

He gestured up to the sky. ‘Actually, do you wanna look at the stars with me?’ 

Camille blinked, not expecting Drake Walker of all people to ask her to look at the stars. 

‘Uhh, sure..’

She sat down beside him, letting out a squeak as her ass settled on the snow. Drake let out a laugh. ‘Montespan, did you just squeak?’

‘No!’

‘You did! You sounded like a mouse!’

Camille covered her eyes with her hands. ‘Oh god, get me some more cheese!’

Drake grinned at her and the two of them slowly became quiet, looking up at the stars. 

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my sister,’ Drake said, his voice breaking the silence. ‘I should have.’

‘You don’t owe me anything, Drake,’ Camille replied. ‘It’s your business.’

‘Yeah but you tell me everything..’

Camille visibly swallowed. ‘Not everything..’ she whispered. 

Drake wanted to ask her more. What did she not tell him? What was inside that mind of hers? 

Before he could speak, Camille pointed up at the sky and let out a squeal. ‘Oh my god, Drake, a shooting star!’

Drake was alert now. ‘What?! Where?!’

‘In the sky, you idiot!’ Camille teased, playfully hitting his shoulder.

Drake turned red. ‘I meant, where in the sky, Montespan!’

Camille laughed and rested her head on his shoulder without warning. ‘You missed it,’ she said softly, ‘but it was beautiful. I’ve never seen a shooting star before. I should make a wish.’ 

Drake was afraid to move. He didn’t want her to move either. 

‘Whatcha gonna wish for, Montespan?’

Camille giggled. ‘For you to call me Camille.’

Drake let out a surprised laugh. ‘No chance.’

‘One day you will.’

Camille stood up, shivering now. ‘I’m cold,’ she said simply.

Drake sighed and dragged himself to his feet. ‘I suppose we should go back in,’ he muttered. ‘Because it’s so fun at Olivia’s castle.’

His voice dripped with sarcasm. 

Camille pressed her lips together to hold in laughter at how dry he was. Together, they began to walk through the snow. Drake breathed in the scent of Camille’s scarf, feeling warm. 

‘Aah!’ 

Camille skidded. Drake caught her by the arm, pulling her into him so she didn’t fall. They remained pressed close to each other. Camille’s hands gripped his elbows. 

‘I’m a clutz..’ she muttered. 

‘Easy done,’ Drake murmured. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest and he hoped she couldn’t feel it. Slowly, they broke apart but Camille’s hand travelled down his arm to take his hand. 

‘For safety,’ she said assertively. 

Drake felt his heart leap in his chest. To cover his surprise, he smirked. ‘Sure. For safety.’

They held hands as they trudged through the snow, Camille’s delicate slender hands in Drake’s bear paw. As they got closer to the castle, they walked slower and slower. 

‘Wanna just hang out here just us?’ Drake asked, half joking, half hopeful. ‘I’m good at camping, I can find us something to build a tent-like structure, burn some wood..’

Camille laughed and squeezed his hand. ‘As fun as that would be, I kind of want my bed.’

They were close to the castle now. Stopping, Camille looked up at Drake and gave hish hand another squeeze. ‘We stick together, remember?’

Drake smiled softly. He reached out to unwind Camille’s scarf from his neck. Silently, he wound it around her neck, making sure it was knotted comfortably. His fingers grazed her collarbone. In a moment, Camille’s hand reached up to grasp his wrist, keeping his fingers in place on her skin. Their eyes remained fixed on each other. 

‘I’ve got you, kid,’ Drake told her. 

It’s not just a crush. 

[warningsine]

In 2015, we asked Rushdie to share some books that have shaped his life and work.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

"The Devil comes to Moscow and, of course, makes trouble, accompanied by a cat shooting six-guns and an associate who disappears when he turns sideways. But he also assists a writer, known as the Master, who has been writing the story of Christ from the point of view of Pontius Pilate and, in despair, has burned the only manuscript. But, the Devil says, manuscripts don't burn. And there the book is, unharmed and intact. One of the greatest Russian novels. Stalin didn't like it."

The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut

"This is a real delight. Among its leading characters are a certain Winston Niles Rumfoord who, along with his dog Kazak, accidentally enters a 'chrono-synclastic infundibulum' and gets stretched out across space and time. There is also a Martian invasion of the Earth, and Salo, a messenger from the planet Tralfamadore stranded on the moon by a spacecraft malfunction. After that the Tralfamadorians distort the whole of human history to get Salo the spare part he needs. (The Great Wall of China is a message from Tralfamadore and so is the Kremlin. Draw your own conclusions.)"

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban

"An unjustly forgotten novel that is utterly unlike anything else, a portrait of a world after a nuclear holocaust — the explosion of the '1 Big 1,' written in a brilliantly fractured language in which a bomb appears to have exploded as well. Folktale and science fiction blend in this portrait of a devastated world trying once again to become, and Riddley Walker's riddles may contain the secrets which, if unlocked, will provide the key."

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

"Carter's sensual, erotic retellings of fairy tales and folk tales — her 'wolf stories' — blend Snow White, Red Riding Hood and Beauty (of the Beast) into shape-shifting creations that are Carter's own. In these tales a girl attacked by a wolf can love the wolf or even become a wolf herself; the beauty can be beastly too."

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo

"A short hypnotic novel which Jorge Luis Borges thought to be one of the best books ever written in any language, and which Gabriel García Márquez claimed to have memorized, and which, he said, unblocked his imagination and allowed him to create Macondo, the world of One Hundred Years of Solitude. A man named Juan Preciado is told by his mother on her deathbed to go to the town of Comala and find his father, Pedro Páramo, and get what he is owed. Juan Preciado embarks on the journey and as he nears Comala falls into a nightmarish world that may be populated entirely by ghosts."

The Non-Existent Knight by Italo Calvino

"This is a fable, set at the time of the emperor Charlemagne, about an empty suit of armour that believes itself to be a knight and keeps itself going by willpower and strict adherence to the rules of chivalry. It's one third of a trilogy of fantastic fables jointly known as 'Our Ancestors.' The others, The Cloven Viscount and The Baron in the Trees, are just as good."

[emi1ll]

Ninjago dragon rising s2 (maybe spoiler idk)

IS THAT FUGIDOVE

HOW DID RIYU GET THAT BIG??

Who was kreel OHHH IS THE YUNKYARD LADY

LLOYDDDDD !!!

Autism (this is about Zane)

What is fatigue

Is it just me or did Arin’s voice changes

Master Wu jumpscare

OMG CINDER

It did sound very silly

SUBSCRIBE!

This might not end well

Cinder vanished or smth

Ok I’ll continue in like an hour (it took like 10 minutes)

CINDRR ))))

The blood moon is coming 🗣️‼️‼️‼️

Idk bagels

Is that cinder or the ninja

OMG PERcivallll

EUPHRASIAAAAAAA HIIIIII :33

OMG GI EYLDFIRE OE EJATRHRR YOR NAME WAS SORRY I DONT REMEMBER DRAGON RISING NAMES THAT MICH

Sora one of my fav trans icons

It’s ok Arin it would happen to me too (it’s the scene where they are interrogating some kind of serpentine)

ARIN GOT HAPPY WHEN HE SAW PERCICAALL BUMBLEBEEE SHITPOJNGNDNJJ 😭😭

HE SMILED AT ATIN OMHH

EUPHRADIA ONH EYAY

Oh no CINDER AND TAD AND THE FURRYS AND JORDANS

OH SHIT VANDALISM

CMON EUPHRASIA YOU CAN DO THIS ‼️‼️‼️

Ion nooo colon ruphtaidaaaaaa nooooooo what are guy doing what oh okay

And very very bad..

Arin camouflages a bit with the coukoud kingdom

THE GUYS SCARED FSCE HFJSHR

A language that looks evil 😱😱

Who is that oh is that guy. I don’t remember his name

YOU CURSEDBTE WORMS?

Gross.. but kind of awesome gross

Who is the forbidden five

Arin why are you standing like that are you gay

Ok that was my fav thing i have wrote in here

A bit too late

Shut up lesbian (jordana)

It does look pretty real

CINDER

ELEMENTAL MÁSTER OF SMOKE FROM SEASON 4 MENTIONED 🗣️‼️‼️‼️

Oh shit

SHATTERSPIJ??

OH NO WYLDFIREEE

He certainly can stop all of you

This reminds me a bit of morro when he appears for the first time to the ninja

Oh shit he hurt her bad AND ALSO ZANE

CMON ATIN

Is jordana and cinder going to have some kind of rivalry

WHAT ARE TO Even thinking about Lloyd

Lloyd talks to himself

HETA THE FUCK ID THAT DREGON EHAT

Oh is this again

Why does he always huh what is that dragon

I love Kai and wyldfire (not in a ship way

Yep there will be a rivalry between cinder and jordana

Yay Nya and Lloyd uhh sibling thing. Idk how it’s called but it’s hermandad ok

It’s wykdfire I KNRE IT WAS HER

WHERE DID THAT TENTACLE COME FROM

Huh what is that

They are so fucking gay. This is about Cole and geo

Cole come back your children and husband miss you

OKG CLOYD KNGXOM

NOOOOOO GET GE FUCK OUT OF HEREEE GEOO AND YOUR CHILFRTRNNIOOOOOOOOO

What a weird way to befriend a dragon

Huh who is that

Oh yay they passed the tests

DHSJHDHS

Hi rontu and heal

They came all the way here to beat geo? Unexpected

NOO BONZLE

Omg coleerrr

COLEERRRREREEEEEEEEEEE YOU CMAE NOT KIKE MY BIOLOGICAL DAD THAT NEVER CAMD BACK YAYYYYYYYY

GAYYYYYY GAYYYYYY GAYYYYYSYAYRUUDIJ

Ohh they are EREALLYYYYYY old

Is bonzle hiding something

Ok I’ll continue this later

Why does Zane have a doll of the frog man

Was that master Wu

Yay gay people

ONG GEO AND COLE HOLD HANDS

WHAT IS MASTER WU DOING IN THIS STORY. ANOTHER THING HEHASNT TOLD THEM YET

Is this a coming out allegory (bonzle)

OH SHIT SACRIFICE. Even cinder and jordana didn’t seem to like that idea

RGALT

WHAT THE FUCK THIS IS JAY WALKER

Oh cool a serpentine

HUH THE ADMINJSTATION

A NINDRODI

Mf always has to fucking shut down couldn’t you wait for the third season so you could sacrifice

Oh never mind he is alive again

I thought it was going to explode with them inside the mech

OH SHIT THE COOUD KINGDOM

That dragon is too bright

Oh shit wild mask warrior

ZNAE SHUT THE FUCK UP

YOU TOO LADY I DONT REMEMBER THR NAME IF

Why did cinder smile like that

GET DOWN MR PRESIDENT !!!

Huh what’s going on

OH SHIT ARIN LLOUD AND NUA FELL FRON THE BIUNTY

Lloyd shut the fuck up

WHAT THE FUCK SHY IS RIYU FKYING OR SMTH

Oh just nktingness

KAI ARE YOU FUCKIGN STUILOD

Are they gonna fall

Yes they did

BOUNTEY DESTROYED !!! FOR LIKE THE 8TH TIME

OH SHIT THE WOLF WARRIORS ARE NEAR

Oh shit WHAT DO YOU MEAN CURSED

HURRY UP

Eher taking too long HOBSHIT. I JNEE SOMRTHING BAD ESS GOIG TO HAPPEN

THE WAY THEY ALWAYS FORGET JORDANA IS CRAZY FHSJRHE

Ok shut up

NOO BONZLE

EUPHRASIA GT OUT OF HERE!!!!! LELASEBvvvvv! (Not in a neg way)

OH SHIT THE FORBIDDEN FIVE ARE THER

Girl the mech thing kinda gives you away

OH SHIT JORDANA

Hurry up ARIN

OH DAMN

WHAT THE FUCK IS RHAT ARINS PARENTS

Oh it wasn’t it was Lloyd and Nya

TOGETHER WE EIL RISEEEEE

GANDELERIA THAD THE MAGICISN NAMR

NOOOOO BONZLE ID A SOELL AGAIN

Oh shit the forbidden 5

OH SHIT CONDER DESTORYED THAT THING THAT KEPT HI IN HERE

Cinder shut te fuck up

Oh shit man

WH IDOES JAU HAVE SOME TYPE OF DRSTON

Zhongshan the FIGHT SCENES ARE SO GOOD???

NO KAII

Oh shit man what even is your name

Idk what Zane just said but ok

EUPHRASIA AND AANE YOU CAN DO THIS

OK EUPHRAISA ITS JDJT YOU YOU CAN DI THIS

SHE COUDL DO THIS y AYYYYY

OH FLASHBACKS

WHATTHE FUCK DRSGON RISING TRCHNIWUE WITH NYA

Ok can we skip the lesson of the episode

OH SHIT EHY DID HE DESTROY HIS sword o THEVISION

WHAT DI YOU MEA MN DONT WORRY ABOUT MEVVV KAI?????

Shh wyldfire shhh

Why did they fucking vanish

OH MU FCIKING GOD

A lot can happen in like 2 weeks

Where the fuck are they

NOKT IS ONE OF THE FORBIDDEN FIVE

Oh shit

What is going on with jordana bro what the fuck is that face

YAYYYY COLE AND LLOYD HUG I love the brothers

Now HES THE WORLDS HERO””” 😭😭😭

Cole supporting his trans daughter yay

Kai again get this guy out of here (literally)

Ok that’s the end of dragon rising s2 bai

[darlingbardling]

𝄞𝄢 T H E R U N A W A Y B R I D E : bio ⭑.ᐟ.ᐟ

❛❛ Do you understand the violence it took to become this gentle﹖ ❜❜

Name: Sabreena Bree Heartleaf Age: 24  Pronouns: She/Her  Alignment: Neutral Good  Birthday: July 9th Race: Asmodeus Tiefling  Class: College of Lore Bard 

𝄞𝄢 Backstory (TW ; grooming + abuse)

Bree Heartleaf, known lovingly by her parents as their ‘little songbird’, was born under the tattered canvas of a big top circus tent. Her mother was a tightrope walker with the grace and stature of a ballerina, and her father, a clown with the heart of a poet, raised her not in a house, but in a caravan that traveled from town to town. 

She grew up surrounded by tamed lions and elephants, bearded ladies and contortionists, the circus troupe becoming her family. By the age of two, it had become clear that Bree’s talent did not lie in tightrope walking or juggling while reciting soliloquies, but in music. By the time she turned thirteen, she could play up to ten instruments with ease, her voice too big and powerful for her little body. It wasn’t long before the little pink tiefling had her own act in the circus. 

One day, the circus had traveled all the way to Baldur’s Gate, a city that glimmered like gold in the sunlight. The first show had been a success, the one after that an even bigger hit. By the third night, even the nobles from the upper city had come to listen to the musical genius of an adolescent hellion. 

At the end of the show, a strange and wealthy man approached the manager. He asked to hear the young girl perform again. The manager refused at first, until he was offered a purse with a sizable amount of gold inside. That night, Bree did a one-woman show for the strange man, from playing all the instruments she could, to singing whatever song came to mind, to even tap dancing. Once the performance was over, the wealthy man gave Bree a standing ovation, then asked to meet her parents. He told them that Bree had a remarkable gift, and that he wanted to take her under his wing and give her the life and education that she deserved. No more living in cramped, dusty caravans. Her name was destined for the marquee, starting at the Oasis Theatre right there in Baldur’s Gate. 

Her parents agreed without question, and without Bree having a say in the matter, she was left in the care of the wealthy man while the troupe continued their journey to the next city. For the next few years she lived with this man, learning history, politics, and music theory. She learned how to harness her musical talent into the form of magic, and from there learned that her singing could do more than tug heartstrings. Bree thought that eventually she would grow to like her wealthy benefactor, to trust him just like her parents had. But she couldn’t. There was something about him, a darkness that lurked underneath his polished, benevolent surface. 

When Bree turned fifteen, the man informed them that they are to be wed, and she to be his bride. The wedding was only a few months later, and just like that Bree had become this man’s wife. 

It was then that her husband’s sheepskin had been shed, revealing the wolf underneath. He was cruel, selfish, controlling— he wanted Bree all for himself, like a songbird in a gilded cage. Bree tried to run away every chance she got, but none of her attempts were successful. 

Until now. 

𝄞𝄢 Read below for the first chapter of the fanfic I wrote about her⭑.ᐟ.ᐟ

(TW ; implied abuse + suicidal ideation)

This is the farthest Bree has ever escaped. 

The drawbridge is only a few meters away, flanked by glittering blue slates of water. The bustle of the Lower City reaches her ears like music, punctuated with the tromping cadence of Steel Watchers marching along the cobblestones. 

Bree pulls the hood of her cloak further up her head, ensuring her horns are obscured from view. Her long, forked tail remains tucked in a pair of trousers, curled up against one leg to keep from sticking out. Although many tieflings have flocked from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate, seeing one in the Upper City is not a common occurrence. Even so, that alone isn’t enough for people to take note. It is actually her complexion that always seems to turn heads. Unlike most of her fellow tieflings, who have skin tones that range from flesh-colored to dusky purple or infernal red, Bree’s is a pink that resembles the petals of a blushing rose. Her hair, a lush, verdant green, does not help either in her need for anonymity. If they were to come looking for her, her unusual appearance would be enough to set them on her trail. 

When she finally reaches the drawbridge, her heart rabbits with anxiety. Surely someone has noticed her absence by now. It doesn’t happen often that Bree gets more than a handful of moments to herself. She is able to bathe and use the restroom alone, of course, but there is always a handmaid or two waiting on the other side of the door. It had been the best performance of her life, feigning an illness that was so bad she needed more than the few minutes she was usually allowed in the bathroom.

Morning sickness, she had told the handmaid between theatrical retches, I’ll be out in just a moment! 

It had given her enough time to tie every towel and piece of linen she could find into a makeshift rope. It had given her enough time to locate the drawstring pouch filled with gold she had stashed under a loose tile in the floor behind the toilet. It had given her enough time to enchant the toilet paper roll with the Magic Mouth spell, and to give it instructions to continue her horrid retching every time the handmaids called for her. It had given her enough time to unlock the window, to tie the end of the rope to one of the lion-shaped feet of the bathtub, and to rappel down the side of the building like a dashing hero. It had given her enough time to land (ungracefully) in the bushes and slip out through the side gate, blessedly undetected by the guards that patrol the mansion’s perimeter. 

She crests the bridge with a bated breath, certain that a pair of hands will leap from the shadows at the very last moment and seize her. Bree can see it now, how they would drag her back kicking and screaming, at least until they grew tired of her fighting and cast a Sleep spell on her. She would then wake up in her bed, back to the horrors one would call home, back to the drawing board to devise yet another escape.

It has all happened before, that same tired play. 

But Bree has never made it this far before. 

She takes the final step off the bridge and exhales.

Perhaps she has been blessed by Tymora, the goddess of luck, herself. 

The Lower City is far livelier than its quieter counterpart. The streets teem with people, a newspaper hawker screeches about today’s headline, a flutist busks for copper pieces, and children wind through the throngs with wooden swords and shields, pretending to be adventurers. There’s so much more color and noise and light. It reminds Bree of a time before she lived in Baldur’s Gate, a time with memories she keeps locked away in the deepest part of her heart. 

As she ventures further, she tries her best not to stop and marvel at the different landmarks. Bloomridge Park and its sprawling expanse of grass and concrete, the Blushing Mermaid and how part of the tavern is the bow of a pirate ship, white sails fluttering in the breeze, the Szarr Palace seated on the Lower City Central Wall, just as enigmatic as its owner. Bree’s favorite of them all is Sorcerous Sundries, a hulking magic shop with a stained-glass dome for a roof. It reminds her of a Fabergé egg, ornate and delicate. She has never stepped foot in there before, but she has heard that Lorrorokan, one of the greatest wizards in all of the Sword Coast, runs the establishment. 

As much as Bree wants to go, she knows that she doesn’t have much time. She needs to get down to the harbor. 

How ironic it is, that the only chance she gets to explore the city she’s lived in all this time is when she is trying to leave it for good. 

Nearing the Grey Harbor Docks, Bree’s attention is caught by another busker. It’s a golden Dragonborn, sawing away at a violin as citizens flick coins into an open case. She realizes with a start that it would do her some good to have an instrument on the journey. Her magic is much more attuned when playing an instrument, much more focused. If she had the stories and songs to back it up, she could call herself a bard. But alas, Bree has about as much life experience as a newborn foal taking its first steps. 

Nevertheless, it would be good to have something. Her own violin, one of her prized possessions, had to be left behind with the rest of her things. It would have drawn suspicion if she were to try to stow it for her escape. 

“Excuse me,” says Bree before she can change her mind. 

The Dragonborn eyes her warily as they continue playing. It is a simple, upbeat tune that Bree isn’t familiar with. “Do you mind? I’m working.”  

“I can see that. I was hoping I could buy that violin off of you.” 

The Dragonborn stops their song long enough to bark a laugh. “You want me to give you my livelihood? Please. Unless you’re going to drop a coin my way, get lost.”

“No, not give. Sell.” 

The latter gives her an exasperated look. “Look lady, I don’t know what rock you crawled out from under, but as a musician this is kind of my thing. This is like asking a painter to buy their brush.” 

Bree sighs, she really doesn’t have time for this. Her right hand reaches to take the leather glove off of her left and wiggles the large sapphire ring on her ring finger. The obscenely large gem catches a wayward ray of daylight as she holds it up, making it sparkle. 

The Dragonborn’s eyes nearly pop out of their head. “Seriously?” 

She holds the ring as if she were tempting a hungry dog with a juicy steak. “It’s all yours for the measly price of one violin.” 

The Dragonborn takes the jewelry in two pinched claws. Their scaly brow line creases at the weight of the gold band. Yellow eyes flick back up to appraise the tiefling. “I can’t tell if you’re mad or just downright stupid.” 

“Maybe a bit of both,” she replies with a shrug. “Do we have a deal?” 

The musician regards her for a long moment before huffing incredulously. They pick up the case, empty it of coins, and place the violin inside. Bree leans in to examine it. It is a standard model, its wood finish scraped in a few places and the chin rest discolored with use. The strings appear newer, thankfully, and the bow is well-kept. The case is made of peeling leather, the inside lined with a red faux velvet. Yes, this will do just nicely. 

She snaps the case shut and gives the latter a toothy grin. “Pleasure doing business with you.” 

“Oh no,” says the Dragonborn as they drop the sapphire into the breast pocket of their doublet. That little piece of jewelry could afford a thousand violins. “The pleasure is all mine, miss.” 

Bree locks the case and uses the shoulder strap to sling it along her back. The  plan had been to pawn the ring off when she ran short on coin, but this felt far more fitting. She didn’t want any reminders of the life she once had, especially not one that weighed heavy on her finger every day.��

Grey Harbor Docks are not much farther, a steep incline leading down towards the water. The air grows chillier with the descent, the scent of seaweed, brine, and fish guts baked in the heat assaulting the senses. Bree beelines down the wooden stairs to the first boat she sees, which so happens to be an old, dingy cargo ship. She approaches on the shiphands as they carry an unmarked crate up the gangplank.

“Is this ship ready to disembark?” 

The shiphand drops the crate among the others and regards her with a quirked brow. He looks as if he hasn’t had a proper bath in months. “Aye, miss. This is the last bit of shipment.” 

“Where are you headed?” 

“Waterdeep. We’re hoping the seas calm enough for the trip to only take a few days.” 

She knows of Waterdeep, the City of Splendors. On a map, it doesn’t seem too far from Baldur’s Gate, but the city is far enough and big enough for Bree to get conveniently lost, at least until she can hop onto another ship. A little bit of hope flits into Bree’s heart. “How much gold to add a little more cargo?” 

He gives her a once-over, noting that the only things she carries are a violin case and the clothes on her back. “Depends on the cargo.” 

  Bree gestures to herself. “I promise I won’t take up much space, I just need to get out of the city.” 

The shiphand frowns and crosses his arms over his broad chest. “You a criminal?” 

“I’m not that interesting, I’m afraid.” She offers one of her self-deprecating, but charming smiles. 

“Ah, a runaway then.” He nods as if in understanding. “Listen, if you can make yourself small and look after yourself, I’ll let you on for fifty gold.”

A steep price, but Bree thinks it’s worth it for a new life. As she reaches for her coin pouch, a particularly strong gust of wind blows from the water and pushes the hood of Bree’s cloak back. Before she can scramble to pull it back up and hide her bright green hair, a man shouts her name. 

Horror is like a shard of ice piercing her heart as she looks in the direction of the voice. Three familiar men stand just above the docks, dressed in fine mage robes. Wicked smiles paint their mouths, like predators having finally spotted their prey. 

It looks like Tymora isn’t on her side after all. 

Bree turns on her heel and runs. 

The men thunder down the way, shoving past clusters of people. Bree reaches the end of the little pier, leaping the small distance between it and a docked fishing boat. She is not particularly athletic, and nearly capsizes the boat as she scuttles across it and onto the next pier. The fisher, a halfling woman who had been taking a nap, tumbles into the water with a loud curse. 

“Sorry!” Bree calls behind her as she stumbles up to the main street. She runs along the winding railroad tracks used for the Steel Watch Foundry’s minecarts, and ascends the steps leading to the Water Queen’s House. The outdoor temple is stunning with its gold and cerulean tiles, long stone pillars enveloped in ivy flanking a large saltwater fountain. In the center, a bronze statue of the goddess Umberlee sits. The image of the Bitch Queen is as beautiful as she is terrifying, accompanied by three snaking eels that spill bubbling water from their mouths. Bree runs past all of this, ignoring the Wavemother servants that try to stop her, her heart lurching at the sound of the men gaining on her. 

“Come along, little tiefling!” One of them shouts, the glee of the hunt evident in their voice. “The more you run the worse your punishment will be!” 

Bree is surprised they haven’t started casting spells. Usually a Hold Person or Suggestion spell is enough to stop her in her tracks. But this time, they seem to relish in the chase, as if they know they will catch her eventually. Her stomach roils with sick at the thought. 

The inside of the Water Queen’s House is an open chamber with an octagonal dais seated in the center. More Wavemother servants pray around it, their shimmering robes as iridescent as a merfolk’s scales, their singing like a siren’s song. Behind them, an archway reveals a balcony that overlooks the Chiontar. 

Bree barrels into the chamber, startling the women mid-song. They watch in surprise as she sprints for the balcony, screeching to a halt once she reaches the stone balustrade. Down below, the sea broils, foam-capped waves slapping against an escarpment of jagged rocks. 

“Shit,” pants Bree. 

“End of the line, sweetheart.” 

She turns to face the three men. She does not know their names, all she knows is that they are her hunters. They have been for a long time. To them, this is just a game of cat-and-mouse, a game they get to play every few months or so. It excites them every time she tries to escape. 

One of the men, a half-elf, takes a step forward, blocking the path of the staircase that winds down to the river shore. “That was a neat trick you did, using Magic Mouth to fool the maids.” 

“I aim to please,” snipes Bree, her voice like poisoned honey. 

“Too bad we caught on, eh? You have nowhere to run now.”  

“Barrel-sharp, the wit on you.” 

The half-elf winces, clutching his head. Bree can’t help but grin. Her Vicious Mockery has always been her nicely-concealed dagger, even though she is unable to use it often. 

“You bitch,” he takes another step and raises his hand, fingertips crackling with blue energy. Shocking Grasp, most likely. A realization dawns on Bree then. Before the men had always been instructed to bring her back alive and unharmed. Perhaps this time, they just needed to bring her back alive.

Her legs begin to tremble. No, she can’t go back. She won’t. Her fingers itch for the violin at her back, but she knows she’ll be struck down before she can even retrieve it. And even if she were to manage it, her magic alone is no match for three powerful sorcerers. 

They approach her, the air ripe with harmful magic. Bree turns and clamors up and stands on the balustrade. “Hold it right there,” she growls, “or I swear to the Gods I will jump.” 

“Go get the Wavemistress!” Shouts one of the Waveservants to another. “Quickly!” 

One of the other mages, a half-orc, holds his hand out in supplication. “Hey now, let’s not do anything rash.” 

“You’re just having another episode,” says the half-elf placatingly. “Get down and we can—” 

“— No. No! I am not having a fucking episode. I would rather die than go back.” 

“Do you hear yourself? You’re not thinking straight. Get down at once before we make you.” 

Despite her anger that burns blindingly-hot, her mind has never been clearer. If she had to go back, it would be her corpse they would be returning with. 

They must see the shift in her, for they throw out their hands, magic swirling around them in a maelstrom, their mouths opening to begin the incantations. Bree lifts her arms— as if she were unfurling long, heavenly wings— and falls back.

Wind whistles in her ears, her hair whips against her cheeks. She watches as the mages peer over the balustrade, their figures growing smaller and smaller as Bree hurtles towards the water. Her body does not hit the sharp rocks, but instead the waves. It is like crashing into a stone wall, the icy water shocking her as it fills her mouth and nostrils. Death hadn’t come like Bree had expected, and now her body fights instinctively to survive. Adrenaline ices her veins colder than the Chiontar, and she tries to swim up to the surface. But her clothes are too heavy, the ends of her cloak tangling in her legs like seaweed. Her lungs burn and scream for oxygen, and her limbs feel unlike her own as they thrash for any kind of purchase. It is not long before the edges of her vision begin to grow dark, the blackness consuming everything until only pinholes of light remain. 

So this is how I go, she thinks. Not with a bang, but with a sputter— like a candle burning down the last of its wax. As the adrenaline is leached from her body, Bree is left with a numbness that settles deep in her bones. She had expected to feel terror, to feel some kind of regret, but all she can feel in this moment is… peace. Relief. At least she wouldn’t have to suffer any longer. No longer would she have to startle at every wayward shadow. At least this way, she will be free. 

Maybe Umberlee will use my bones for jewelry, Bree muses, or to pick the kelp from her teeth. At least my death would mean something. 

There is no fight in her anymore. Her eyes grow too heavy to keep open. And as they finally slip shut, a bright flash of violet light paints the back of her eyelids, gone just as quickly as it came. She does not notice it though, for her consciousness has already slipped away, drifting like flotsam through the dark.

[sleepym0ths]

All in Good Faith

Chapter Two

 “Abram! Wake up, you have school today!”

Those words jolted Abram up, and for a brief moment, he forgot where he was. 

His mind tricked him into thinking he was back in the abandoned warehouse. He could almost hear her yelling, feel her hits, her hands yanking at his hair.

Stephanie's voice brought him back to reality.

“Abram! Come eat breakfast!”

Abram smiled, quickly got dressed, and hurried down.

Renee was sitting at the island, and Stephanie was sitting across from her.

“What did you make for breakfast today?” Abram asked Stephanie, he still felt weird calling her “mom”. 

Stephanie didn't seem to mind. She’d even given a nickname for Abram to call her.

“Waffles are on the menu, as well as eggs,” Stephanie smiled and handed Abram a plate stacked with two waffles and a small pile of eggs.

“Thank you Steph,” Abram smiled and started eating, “Did Renee leave for school already?”

“Yeah,” Stephanie replied, still smiling, “I will be driving you to school today, you're starting middle school today!”

Stephanie had been eagerly anticipating this day all summer. It almost made her insufferable. But her enthusiasm was contagious, and Abram couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement himself.

After Abram finishes breakfast, he grabs his backpack from the couch. He and Stephanie left the house, heading out to the school.

The middle school wasn’t anything special, just a simple brick building with the occasional bush tucked against the sidewalk and walls. The inside was equally plain. White cinder block walls ran throughout the school, broken only by a green stripe stretching the length of the hallways. The front foyer stood out as the only exception.

A mural of a wolf covered the entire back wall; the only break in the art was more halls. The left wall held the reception window and the doors to the front office, counseling center, and nurse’s office. The side led to the gym, with an auditorium door beside it. 

In the center of the foyer, a table was set up with counselors distributing schedules. Each counselor had letter groups printed on signs in front of them, accompanied by stacks of schedules. Abram walked over to the group that contained W and stood in line, waiting for his schedule. 

Upon his turn, the blonde haired counselor smiled at him.

“Hello, can I have your name?” 

“Abram Walker,” Saying his new last name felt strange.

Abram was happy he had Stehpanie and Renees last name, but he couldn't help but think about his birth name--Nathan's last name. Wesninski and Walker, two contrasting sides of Abram’s life. One good, one bad. All the names in between them felt like a blur, the only one he remembered was Alex.

“Found it! Here’s your schedule.” The counselor handed Abram a piece of paper.

“Thank you,” Abram looked down at, his first class was German with Oli Weller in room 216. He stepped out of the line and scanned the area, trying to find where the 200-wing classrooms will be.

It took Abram a few minutes but he eventually found where he needed to go.

The classroom was vastly different from the outside. The lights were dimmed, and every few row had an array of different colored flags covering them.. One was red, another was black, and the third was yellow, the colors of the German flag. Additionally, some of the tiles on the roof even had paintings of which Abram speculated were famous buildings.

The walls were covered with posters in a foreign language, each one displaying a different caricature or landmark. There were a few flags on a bulletin board, accompanied by posters that held grammar rules.

The desks were arranged in groups of four, twenty-four desks total.

A man sat at a desk neatly tucked the door. He had a very gruff appearance, a beard that was very well kept and muscle that proved he worked out often.

He looked up as Abram entered the room.

“Last name?”

“Walker,” The man hummed as he scanned the paper in front of him.

“Table two, welcome to class! You can call me Herr Weller,” He briefly smiled at Abram before greeting the next student as he walked off.

Abram found his table and sat down quickly. Three other students joined him in the group–A boy with glasses sat to the left of him, and two girls who looked identical to each other, though only one of them wore glasses.

A bell rang and Herr closed the door, smiling at everyone.

“As I told you all while walking in, you can call me Herr Weller, or just Herr.”

╴╴╴╴╴╴ও ₊˚ ·̩͙。

Abrams' next class was Social Studies with Talia Ju. The room was plain, with bright overhead lighting and a few scattered history posters. The desks are arranged in pairs, forming neat rows.

The teacher, much like the room, was unremarkable. Her black hair and tanned skin reminded Abram more of a model than a teacher. She didn't smile at all, which Abram observed and tucked away.

He sat three rows back from the front of the classroom. Next to him sat one of the girls from his previous class. 

He was able to observe her more in the light. The girl had curly untamed hair that was the color of red roses, and her face was covered in freckles. 

She looked over at Abram and a look of recognition entered her eyes.

“We have german together,” She smiled, “I never introduced myself, my name is Lola!”

“Yeah, we do. My name is Abram, it's nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you as well!” Lola smiled at him.

Mrs. Ju clears her throat and the room slowly silences.

“You will call me Mrs. Ju. I’m your social studies teacher. Now, let's go over my rules.”

Abram zoned out to the sound of her voice as she droned on about her rules.

╴╴╴╴╴╴ও ₊˚ ·̩͙。

The art room was one of the most colorful rooms Abram had ever been in, rivaled only by Renee's room at home. Each ceiling tile was painted with different designs. The walls were littered with various art pieces, and the back wall had a mural of a river scene with a rainbow, only broken by a few windows. The desks were replaced by tables with two chairs on each side. The tables were obviously old, each one covered in paint specks and pencil marks.

The teacher, Alix Donnet, was very lively and expressive. Her brunette hair matched perfectly with her dark skin and her dress was filled with color. 

Abrams desk mates were loud, likely because they knew each other from elementary school. Although he didn't mind the two boy's noise, as long as they weren't screaming in his ear.

Mr. Alix didn't do an introduction like Abrams other teachers. Instead she had her name up on the board, along with what the classroom rules were.

╴╴╴╴╴╴ও ₊˚ ·̩͙。

Abrams' next class was just as boring as his social studies class. The room was unremarkable, with only a few math posters on the walls. The desks were positioned in groups of five, with six groups total. Her lights were dimmed, which gave Abram a sweet relief from the bright lights of his other classes.

The teacher, Zuri Weller, was an older woman, though not much older than his German teacher. Her last name gave away her relation to him. Abram assumed either sister or wife, but he wasn't sure. 

She wore khakis and a cardigan, and her glasses hung from around her neck. He was too excited for her class to start to pay attention to his table mates. Mrs. Weller’s soft, velvety voice reminded him of Mary--how she spoke before they ran, or when she was in a noticeably good mood.

╴╴╴╴╴╴ও ₊˚ ·̩͙。

The bell for lunch startled him out of his thoughts.

Abram had zoned out while doing the work Mrs. Weller assigned.

Getting to the lunch room took forever, as the entire school went to lunch at the same time. Though the student body wasn't massive due to the fact Abrams state had five middle schools everyone still seemed to walk so slow.

The lunch room was large and noisy. There were a few teachers standing around, likely supervising lunch. The walls were plain, save for the ever-present green stripe. 

The line moved at a steady pace and before Abram knew it, he was sitting down eating lunch. 

Lola and her twin sister joined them.

“Abram, this is Jade, my twin sister!” Lola smiled brightly.

“How come only one of you wears glasses?” Abram spoke before he could think about what he was saying, “I’m sorry, spoke before I thought about what I was saying.”

“You're fine! I don't mind talking about it,” Lola laughs at Abrams panic, “I was in an accident that affected my vision.”

Abram nodded, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

The three of them talked until the sound of the bell rang through the cafeteria.

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

Chapter Two is here ! its been on AO3 for like a while now, i just forgot to post it here. The link to ao3 !

[haletostilinski]

Best Teen Wolf Character: The Ranking Part 1

Hey all! To round out the best teen wolf character tournament, I'm going to give the rankings of how every character placed of the 64 characters included in this competition. How I'm ranking them is going by the rounds. So the characters that didn't make it past the first round are the lowest, then second, third round etc - within each round, they're ranked by how many or few votes they got.

So if a character made it past the first round, I'll put their total votes just to see how many they got throughout the whole competition, and just for those who might be curious - but total votes don't have any bearing on their placements. So one character might have gotten a lot one round and very few the next round, but have more total votes than the character ranked above them because that character got more votes the second round.

I know this ranking isn't full proof, but I'm just doing this for fun, so again let's not take it too seriously. This way just made the most sense for how each character should be ranked. Also I will highlight a character's vote count red to indicate that it was eliminated that round.

So, without further ado, the rankings! Part 1 😁

#64-#41 -

(Also, sidenote: We had *one* tie this whole competition, much less than with the ships competition.)

64. Violet - 13 votes

(Round 1: 13 votes | Total Votes: 13)

63. Natalie Martin - 14 votes

(Round 1: 14 votes | Total Votes: 14)

62. Araya Calavera - 16 votes

(Round 1: 16 votes | Total Votes: 16)

61. Ennis - 19 votes

(Round 1: 19 votes | Total Votes: 19)

60. Jennifer Blake - 20 votes

(Round 1: 20 votes | Total Votes: 20)

59. Donovan Donati - 24 votes

(Round 1: 24 votes | Total Votes: 24)

58. Paige Krasikeva - 26 votes

(Round 1: 26 votes | Total Votes: 26)

57. Kali - 27 votes

(Round 1: 27 votes | Total Votes: 27)

57. Nolan Holloway - 27 votes

(Round 1: 27 votes | Total Votes: 27)

55. Victoria Argent - 32 votes

(Round 1: 32 votes | Total Votes: 32)

54. Brett Talbot - 35 votes

(Round 1: 35 votes | Total Votes: 35)

53. Corrine - 45 votes

(Round 1: 45 votes | Total Votes: 45)

52. Josh Diaz - 56 votes

(Round 1: 56 votes | Total Votes: 56)

51. Aiden - 60 votes

(Round 1: 60 votes | Total Votes: 60)

50. Marie-Jean Valet - 66 votes

(Round 1: 66 votes | Total Votes: 66)

49. Corey Bryant - 68 votes

(Round 1: 68 votes | Total Votes: 68)

48. Rafael McCall - 70 votes

(Round 1: 70 votes | Total Votes: 70)

47. Tracy Stewart - 74 votes

(Round 1: 74 votes | Total Votes: 74)

46. Adrian Harris - 75 votes

(Round 1: 75 votes | Total Votes: 75)

45. Dr. Geyer - 76 votes

(Round 1: 76 votes | Total Votes: 76)

44. Mason Hewitt - 118 votes

(Round 1: 118 votes | Total Votes: 118)

43. Meredith Walker - 121 votes

(Round 1: 121 votes | Total Votes: 121)

42. Gabe - 122 votes

(Round 1: 122 votes | Total Votes: 122)

41. Ethan - 129 votes

(Round 1: 129 votes | Total Votes: 129)

[fandom-space-princess]

Best Things I Read This Year

per the title. I made it through more than one book a week this year with time to spare! in no particular order, here are the ones I enjoyed the most:

SFF&Horror:

Linghun - Ai Jiang. novella, fantasy-horror, ghost story.

The Butcher of the Forest, The Siege of Burning Grass - Premee Mohamed. fantasy and science-fantasy. her work continues to impress me. Burning Grass in particular was excellent (it was a finalist for the Ursula K. Le Guin prize this year) and imo not nearly enough people read it. bleak as hell, but an incredible examination of the effects of war on the vulnerable, and what it takes to hold true to pacifist convictions in the face of unrelenting violence.

The Voice That Murmurs In the Darkness - James Tiptree Jr. aka Alice Sheldon. scifi, short story collection. classics.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune, When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain, Into the Riverlands, Mammoths at the Gates, The Brides of High Hill - Nghi Vo. fantasy. these are technically a "series" but you can truly read them in any order. and you should. they're wonderful.

The Bog Wife - Kay Chronister. gothic horror. kind of understated for my tastes, but not bad.

Good Night, Sleep Tight - Brian Evenson. horror, short story collection. occasionally as clever as it thinks it is.

Road to Ruin - Hana Lee. science-fantasy a la Mad Max. this one was just kind of a bop. I'm not normally here for this much romance and/or pining, but the setting was so much fun. I was into it. excited to see where the next book goes.

All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Fugitive Telemetry, Network Effect, System Collapse - Martha Wells. scifi. oh murderbot, my beloved murderbot. i binged all the way through these twice and then read NE a third time for good measure. my LIFE for the anxiety-riddled asexual aromantic robot that just wants to watch its shows in peace. and every one of its ridiculous friends.

The Wings Upon Her Back - Samantha Mills. science-fantasy. young girl gets recruited into her city's militia in service to her mecha god. parallel narrative: the same woman, much older, experiencing social rejection and cult deprogramming. this one was also slept on by too many people, it was great.

Jewel Box - E. Lily Yu. fantasy, short story collection. banger after banger in here.

Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions - Nalo Hopkinson. sf&f, short story collection. everything she writes is a gift.

Fiction:

We the Animals - Justin Torres. I can't believe it took me so long to get around to this.

Grand Slam Romance vol 1 & 2 - Ollie Hicks, Emma Oosterhous. graphic novels. magical girl softball teams experience intercontinental dyke drama. i am so happy i read these. they are SO SILLY and i needed that.

Nonfiction:

Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right - Jordan S. Carroll. this is less a book than a hundred-page bound academic paper, but it was incredibly worthwhile. discusses the ways in which sff is historically and currently used as a battleground to determine who gets to imagine the future, and who that future is built to include. the footnotes gave me a ton of further reading suggestions which i hope to get around to next year.

The Jewel-Hinged Jaw: Notes on the Language of Science Fiction - Samuel R. Delany. this book was critical in establishing SF as a meaningful subject of academic criticism in the 70s. 10/10 no notes. i am forever grateful for the fact that I live in a world with Samuel Delany in it.

Notes From An Island - Tove Jansson, with paintings by Tuulikki Pietilä. delightful.

Poetry:

You Bury the Birds In My Pelvis - Kelly Weber

Philomath - Devon Walker-Figueroa

Forest of Noise - Mosab Abu Toha

Calling a Wolf a Wolf - Kaveh Akbar

Can You Sign My Tentacle? - Brandon O'Brien (who has been named poet laureate for Woldcon in Seattle next year. I'm REALLY hoping I get to hear him speak more extensively while I'm there.)

We Contain Landscapes - Patrycja Humienik (this one isn't out for a few months yet but if you have the opportunity to pick it up once it's available it's worth your time.)

The Kingdom of Surfaces - Sally Wen Mao. listen. listen. SWM is maybe my favorite modern poet. this collection was stunningly well conceived, cohesive, lovely, painful. i have her book of short stories on my "tbr++" pile and I can't wait to get to it.

[hxzelwallflower]

ooc.♡ˎˊ˗ Because my brain won't SHUT UP about it, I have a "Walking Dead" verse for Eileen now. Since I'm only half way through the third season I'm not gonna' dive into it too much, so here's some crumbs.

Spud is fully grown in this, a massive twelve foot sentient fungus expect she's infected, and refuses to venture beyond the grove in which her and Eileen use to live before walkers invaded. Though she's the one that chased Eileen out of her own land she couldn't bring herself to kill the one dearest to her, no matter how dangerous a fully grown fae is. The only keepsake she has is the little bow Spud use to wear on her lil' cotton ball tail when she was little, now tied around her neck like a choker.

She's a lone wolf, refusing to stick with survivors fearing she'd just slow them down because her choice of weapon differs from firearms. An iron baseball bat, and a half broken pool stick for close combat range. Her left shoulder is in constant pain, even more when she got shot by one of Daryl's hunting arrows during a wave. Needless to say that's one arrow he'll never get back.