#blessing of zahra

[silenzahra]

Oh my GOD I totally wasn't prepared for this drabble... Oh shoot, poor Mario... Our dear boy truly needs to cry from time to time, he just carries so much in his heart 😢😢 I love the headcanon of him shutting his own feelings down as he always prioritizes everyone's wellbeing like the amazing hero and big brother that he is, but of course he's still human and can only take so much...

I really love how you described this scene between the brothers, big sis. Of course Luigi would be the one to see through his big bro's facade and offer his arms for him to take shelter in them... I'm so glad Mario has Luigi. He really needs someone who's just there for him, and of course Luigi is the person with whom Mario feels most comfortable being vulnerable. They truly are a blessing for each other ❤️💚

I remember seeing the art and feeling so sad for poor Mario, and of course your drabble has only enriched this wonderful piece. Heroes need to cry too and I seriously love this amazing combo of art and writing to give our beloved boy the comfort he needs ❤️

Y’know, we’ve seen Luigi cry a lot, but I don’t know if we’ve seen Mario cry. He deserves a good cry after everything he’s been through </3

[soulbrothershow]

The Garden of No Names

And it was said that there was a place beyond the city walls where wildflowers bloomed without permission, where music rose up from soil and feathers, and the sky bent low to kiss the ground. The people called it “The Garden of No Names,” for those who lived there had been stripped of theirs by the world.

They were the ones cast out: the drag queens, the burlesque dancers, the gender-magic makers and divine rebels. The misfits. The once-beloved children whose parents spoke their names only in whispers, if at all. They wore sequins like armor, lashes like wings, and their beauty was defiant.

The priests did not come here. The scholars did not visit. But on this day, Yeshua walked among them.

She came barefoot, clothed in royal purple, Her locs crowned with beads and prayer. Her eyes carried galaxies. Her hips swayed with the rhythm of the ancestors. And as She stepped into the garden, the music softened. The wind grew still. And the people turned to face Her—not with fear, but wonder.

A tall queen named Amani stepped forward, draped in emerald and gold, her aura blazing. “Why are You here, Holy One?” she asked. “They’ve told us we are too much. Too loud. Too painted. Too queer. We don’t belong in temples or scripture.”

Yeshua smiled. “Then perhaps scripture needs to be rewritten.”

Gasps passed through the garden like waves of breath.

She turned, slowly, looking each one in the eye—each one who had been rejected, mislabeled, or erased.

“You are not too much,” She said. “You are the excess of Heaven’s imagination. You are the overflow of divine artistry.”

A burlesque dancer named Saffron stepped forward, her body glittering in the sun. “But I’ve been told my sensuality is sin.”

“And yet,” Yeshua said, “you dance with the grace of angels and make joy rise in dry bones. Your body is not a battleground—it is a blessing. You do not tempt. You transform.”

One by one, they came to Her—some in gowns, others in garters, some trembling in silence. Some still healing from bruises—seen and unseen.

A soft-voiced singer named Eli said, “They said we would never be written into the Book of Life.”

Yeshua knelt before him and whispered, “Then let Me write a new book—beginning with your name.”

“But we have no names,” one said. “They took them from us.”

Yeshua rose and lifted Her arms.

“Then hear me now,” She said, “for I speak as one with the authority of the Most High Herself: You are not nameless. You are not forgotten. You are so known that even the stars know how to spell you.”

And with Her voice, She named them:

Amani, Light of Glory.

Saffron, Flame of Joy.

Eli, Song of the Sacred.

Nova, Star of Becoming.

Jules, Keeper of Color.

Saint Marlowe, The Tender.

Zahra, The Divine Dancer.

Each name was a crown placed upon the head of one who had once bowed too low. Each name was a resurrection.

And the people wept—not out of shame, but because they had never before been seen like this. Not merely tolerated, but celebrated. Not merely accepted, but exalted.

Then Yeshua looked at them all and said:

“You were never meant to fit inside their walls. That’s why you bloom beyond them. The Queendom of the Most High is not a cathedral—it is a garden. And you are Her wildest, most wondrous flowers.”

She twirled once in joy, Her robe swirling like nebulae. The drag queens twirled with Her. The burlesque dancers let their laughter rise. The misfits opened their mouths and sang the name they thought they’d lost: Beloved. Beloved. Beloved.

That night, the Garden of No Names became the Garden of Many Names.

The moon rose high. The stars danced.

And the Divine looked down and said, “There I am.”

Amen. Asè. And so it is.

[besaya-glantaya]

In an attempt to exorcise these thoughts from my brain (this movie has taken up residence in my soul), here is an incomplete list of the things I notice and love in Red White and Royal Blue.

1. Henry staring in utter disbelief at the frosting-covered whiskey tumbler Alex plops distractedly into his hand whilst pawing ineffectually at the mess all over Henry's shoulder. Comedy gold.

2. Nora pretending she doesn't know either of them and hiding her face as they scuffle in front the cake.

3. How Alex has Henry literally in his pocket while talking turkey.

4. During Henry's "what does it mean" crisis talk over The Kiss, the entire scene is dressed in bi flag colours. Nora is in pink, Alex in blue, with a purple poster in the background.

5. The soft "whoa" of the white house staffer, who walks into Nora's office just in time to hear her ask Alex: "How many guys have you been with?" She hesitates, stunned, and then looks as if she'd like the ground to open up and swallow her now, thank you very much.

6. His Royal Hardness making flustered small talk with the UK Prime Minister and the US President, while the FSOTUS goes in for a cheeky squeeze. You ridiculous, giddy, fools.

7. Ellen's exasperated "my son thinks he's a fucking comedian" look in reply to Alex's "The night is young, Ma" and his shit eating grin, before diplomatically, and very sensibly, removing the British PM from the vicinity of these two horny idiots.

8. Alex's warm and teasing delivery of "Are they known for their homosexual tendencies?" after Henry says he's "as gay as a maypole." Boy is smitten.

9. When Henry invites Alex to the charity polo match, his initial awkward nerves transition to fond derision when Alex's tells him, crestfallen, that he doesn't know how to play polo. Bless.

10. Henry on a horse. Very much in agreement with Alex on this one.

11. The interleaved editing of the polo match and tack room shenanigans. It reminds me strongly of the interlaced 'what if' scene in Steven Sodenburg's Out of Sight, which is executed at a far slower pace but delivers that same feel of two people being inexorably drawn to each other, almost as if events are fated to happen.

12. The lighting in the Paris cafe scene. God damn those are two beautiful men.

13. Henry's gleefuly bashful admission of innuendo in the Paris cafe. He's just given Alex his full Royal name, but its Henry Fox that's in control here and he's revelling in bringing every moment of his inner fantasies to life.

14. The heartbreaking disconnect between their two perspectives in the Paris walk scene.

That's some bullshit

It's my life

Doesn't mean you have to accept it

Alex has spent his life pushing defiantly against societal expectations. Henry has spent his life weighed down by them, isolated in a way that Alex only barely grasps.

15. I wish, with all my heart, that the fairytale political landscape of this movie was real.

16. The entirety of the morning after scene in the hotel room during the DNC is perfection and Zahra is the MVP. Matthew Lopez said he had no idea he was going to get that mini panic attack from Sarah Shahi and kudos to Sarah for that perfomance. Inspired.

17. How quickly and assertively Alex say "No" to Zarah's "would it make any difference if I told you not to see him again?"

18. The way Zarah says "Everytime I see you, it takes another year off my life." This phrase plays on loop in my brain during shitty work meetings.

19. The coming out scene with Alex and his Mom. A joyous balm for those of us who never got to experience that with our own parents.

20. Forehead touches. Ugh.

21. My brother in Christ, sharpen your knives Oscar, what did that pepper do to deserve that?

22. The catatonic state of sadness that Henry exists in after swimming away from Alex. My heart hurts.

23. The pride flags in the crowd outside Buckingham Palace. Again, can we all have this universe, pretty please?

24. The way Henry takes Alex's hand with such ease in public after the election win. If only Paris Henry could see you now.

[Exorcism sequel here]

[xialigreenleaf]

@dancingshores

[celestemona]

The kids (late teens/young adults) bring back their first boyfriend/girlfriend. How would the parents react?

Sorry Ren, no Kiyomi for the time being.

You'll be surprised by what I'll say now but Ren and Kiyomi are each other's firsts as Zahra and Hakim are

In this case, because Zahkim have been friends since they were children and are very attached to each other, it wasn't a total surprise to their family and friends when they started dating. In fact, it was quite natural! 💗 There were many congratulations, bets (Aryan, Isaar, Zahra's mother, and Sethos,) and ofc some cries, threats, and denying coming from Kaveh but generally nothing too extravagant!

Now, if you'll allow me to say, Princess Kaedehara received many courtships and confessions throughout her adolescence and beyond—there were even some brave hearts who dared to ask Kazuha for his blessing to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage (which he not so kindly denied). She is more interested in her own stuff than in matters related to the heart, y'know? 🤷🏽‍♀️

When she finally gave Ren a chance, you can imagine the shock that set in for everyone lol. Kazuha had always felt that Ren's feelings for his daughter were genuine, so he wasn't surprised, but still slightly taken aback because of her answer. Now both Mama!Reader and Ren would be genuinely surprised. Ren would be a step to faint, and Mrs. Kaedehara would be flabbergasted because her stubborn daughter had finally given in 😂

On the other hand, Heizou would congratulate Ren for the two decades of chasing his girl, and his mom would be dearly worried for Kiyomi's well-being from that moment. She knows how hard is to handle a Shikanoin hahah (but clearly happy for her son, too!).

Oh, and yes! Ren was also flirtatious and flirted with some girls in the places he used to go with his friends, but well… the heart knows what it wants, right?

I'd say that Cameron, Corinne, Haruki, Éveline, and Aryan will take a long time to introduce their respective partners… 💭 Cameron because he is always at the fortress, Éveline because she is quite introspective, Aryan because he's way more unapproachable than his twin. Parents here, mostly mothers, like to joke when they're gonna meet their in-laws tho hehehe. Boys get flustered so easy~

I'm sure Kazumi is quite the heartthrob 💔 his parents will only meet his future partner when he knows that they're the ideal person. Same thing with Hayato, although he is less of a flirt than his friend but more charming (?) Like father, like son.

During his school days, Isaar took a girl he was dating to dinner with his family. They all got along well and the dinner was great despite Cyno's horrible jokes <3

Quentin is too busy being in love with his best friend's mother sorry 😭😂 Lyney laughed so hard when he found out about it HELP! His son is quite the character but he also feels sorry for Quentin because he knows that is never happening lmao

[megamagimugi]

My very, VERY dear Mugi. Where do I even begin to express how much your art, and you, mean to me? From the beautiful, BEAUTIFUL pieces you made for my first fic "Anything for him," which was a complete surprise and had me smiling the widest smile ever, to this same week with the absolutely STUNNING piece you made for the first anniversary of my Dream Team fic "Keeping you warm," which has now become my phone wallpaper... both our friendship and you as an artist have grown so much and I just couldn't be happier and prouder 💖💖💖

I've told you many times and I'll keep saying it: your art is a true wonder, my friend. A gift for the eyes, a complete delight to watch. I don't exaggerate whatsoever when I say I want to print and frame it because it's THAT awesome. And I can only be incredibly honored and grateful that you've graced me with it so many times and brought to life many of my ideas in your wonderful style, including my beloved girl Violet. I'm so blessed 🫂🫂🫂

And of course, I'm MORE than blessed to have you as one of my best, closest friends. I freaking LOVE chatting with you! Just hearing from you always brightens my day, and just so you know, you're helping me a lot to boost my confidence 🥰 And I also love it when we're a little bit silly together 🤭💖

It's a complete honor to have met you, dear Mugi, and that I can be so lucky to see the awesome masterpieces you create and give them, and you, the love and praise that you deserve 💖

Oh hi female Luigi Zahra!😁

Okay, I'll be honest. I didn't expect to get one of these from you since, y'know, we tell each other nice things just about all the time😂 Very much appreciated nonetheless, as all the other times have been🫂

Even if I'm just repeating myself at this point, I still want to make this clear. You mean to me more than you can possibly imagine. It's a connection so deep and strong I have only felt a similar one maybe once before in my life, with a former best friend. I can't believe I now have someone else I can classify as such, after all these years.

When I say you're the real Luigi to my Mario and I can only wish I had had you in my life earlier, I 100% mean it. In fact, I've never told you this because it's a little embarrassing but sometimes when I read fics about the Mario Bros. where they're being particularly sweet to each other, at times I can't help but be reminded of you and me😆 You always make my day better and it's thanks to you I'm not so lonely anymore🥰 You have helped me in so many ways.

Which is why I couldn't be happier and prouder myself to hear that I've been successful in helping you boost your confidence. That's great! Everyone deserves to be self-confident, but you deserve it the most <-totally not biased😛

Oh yes! I, too, love goofing around with you a bit, and to me making you laugh is one of life's greatest pleasures😁

And of course, thank you for your unwavering support of my art. I'm so glad you've loved every piece I've drawn for you, that you've been enjoying my ongoing comic and basically every piece I've posted so far. Your reblogs are always such a delight to read. I can't possibly thank you enough.

You know what? I actually do feel a lot better about my art now, after reading so many people's kinds words. Why am I not surprised that it was you whose words finally broke the metaphorical camel's back? Overall it was definitely a team effort though!

Thanks for everything, my dear friend!❤️

Have a good old M&L hug:

[merwgue]

ITS HERE, HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE MY WHOLE NEW ASS COURT AND YOULL READ THE FANFIC, THIS IS JUST A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON AB THEM🥹

The Zephyr Court: A Kingdom of Wind and Spirit

The Origins of the Zephyr Court

The Zephyr Court, known in their native tongue as Mahkamat al-Nasr (محكمة النصر), is one of the oldest and most mysterious courts. Nestled in the Nafas Desert (صحراء النفس), an expansive land where the sands stretch endlessly beneath a sky painted with perpetual twilight, the court was founded over ten millennia ago by the prophetess Al-Nasira. She is revered as both the creator of the court and the mother of its people. Legend has it that Al-Nasira, blessed with powers bestowed by the gods, harnessed the winds and shaped the first oases with her breath.

Under her guidance, the first inhabitants of the desert learned how to live in harmony with the harsh elements. They understood that while the wind could be their greatest adversary, it could also be their strongest ally. The desert gave them life, and in return, they devoted themselves to protecting it. Thus, the Zephyr Court was born—an empire forged from the sand, wind, and unwavering spirit.

The People and Culture of the Zephyr Court

The people of the Zephyr Court are deeply spiritual, bound by their belief in Nasreenism, the worship of Al-Nasira and the elemental forces that govern their world. Their society is built on principles of hospitality, generosity, and respect for nature, particularly the wind, which they view as a manifestation of Al-Nasira’s presence.

Despite living in the desert, they have developed intricate systems of water conservation, agriculture, and architecture that allow their cities to flourish within the arid landscape. Their sprawling capital city, Zahra al-Sahraa (زهرة الصحراء), or the Flower of the Desert, is a stunning marvel of stonework, with tall minarets, domed temples, and lush gardens that seem to defy the dry surroundings. Every street and building is intricately designed to catch the wind, allowing cool breezes to flow through the city. The air is always filled with the sound of the wind, which they believe carries the whispers of their ancestors.

Their culture is rich with music, art, and poetry. The people of the Zephyr Court believe that poetry is a divine language, and it is said that the winds themselves speak in verse. Their poetry often reflects their reverence for nature, love, and the ever-changing cycles of life.

---

Powers of the Zephyr Court

As descendants of Al-Nasira, the people of the Zephyr Court have inherited the ability to commune with and manipulate the winds. However, only a select few possess the full extent of wind control and elemental magic, known as the Ruh al-Nasira (روح الناصرة), or the Spirit of Nasira.

Wind Manipulation: The most powerful members of the court, typically the ruling Sultans or Sultanas, can command the winds at will. They can summon gentle breezes or fierce sandstorms, shaping the desert and protecting their lands from invaders. This power also allows them to move with the wind, traveling swiftly across the sands.

Spirit of the Winds: Those gifted with the Spirit of Nasira can tap into the wisdom of their ancestors, using the wind to communicate with the spirits of the past. These individuals serve as spiritual leaders, often acting as Oracles of Nasira, offering guidance to the court through the voices carried on the wind. It is believed that only the most pure-hearted and devout can hear these whispers.

Stormcallers: While most wind manipulation is gentle, some have the ability to call upon the fiercest storms. These individuals, known as Stormcallers, are both feared and respected, for they hold the power of destruction in their hands. Their role is to protect the court during times of war or crisis.

Healing Winds: The Zephyr Court also has a long tradition of wind healers, who can use the breath of the wind to cure ailments and injuries. It’s said that these healers can channel the wind’s vitality into the bodies of the sick, restoring them to health. The Temple of Winds houses many of these healers, who are sought out from across the realm.

---

Morality and Beliefs

The morality of the Zephyr Court is closely tied to their belief in the sacredness of the wind and their reverence for life. Their laws and ethics are built around these core principles:

1. Harmony with Nature: They believe that they are stewards of the land, meant to protect and honor it. Taking more than one needs, or destroying nature for personal gain, is considered a grievous offense. In the Zephyr Court, every drop of water is precious, and the balance of nature is always maintained.

2. Generosity and Hospitality: It is said that in the Zephyr Court, no door is ever closed to a stranger. Hospitality is considered one of the highest virtues, and refusing aid to someone in need is a serious breach of morality. Guests are treated with the utmost respect, and a shared meal is considered a sacred bond.

3. Strength through Unity: The court’s people believe that they are strongest when united, whether it is in battle, trade, or simply in their daily lives. Tribal divisions, while present, are rarely allowed to cause real strife, as they understand that survival in the harsh desert depends on their collective strength.

4. Warrior’s Honor: While the Zephyr Court is largely peaceful, they are no strangers to war. Their warriors, known as the Fursan al-Riyah (فرسان الرياح), or Knights of the Winds, are bound by a strict code of honor. They fight to defend, never to conquer, and take no joy in bloodshed. A true warrior is one who seeks peace.

5. Freedom of Spirit: The winds are free, and so too should the people be. The Zephyr Court believes strongly in personal freedom—freedom of speech, freedom to love, and freedom to follow one’s own path. Arranged marriages, for instance, are rare, as the court believes that love should flow naturally, like the wind.

---

History of the Zephyr Court

The Zephyr Court has seen its share of glory and hardship. At its peak, it was a center of learning, culture, and trade, with caravans crossing the desert to bring goods from distant lands. Al-Nasira, after founding the court, ruled for 200 years before ascending to the heavens, leaving her descendants to carry on her legacy.

The Golden Era: During the Golden Era of the court, they established themselves as mediators and diplomats between other courts. Their ambassadors were known for their wisdom and patience, often helping to broker peace between warring factions. Their University of Winds became renowned as a center for philosophy, medicine, and the arts.

The Sorrowful Drought: However, their prosperity was not without its challenges. Over 500 years ago, the Zephyr Court experienced the Sorrowful Drought, a 20-year period where no rain fell, and the oases began to dry up. During this time, many of their neighboring courts turned to war and conquest, while the Zephyr Court struggled to survive. This era of hardship is remembered in their culture as a time when the court had to rely on their spiritual strength more than ever.

The War of the Sands: After the drought ended, the court was attacked by a coalition of rival courts, jealous of the Zephyr Court’s recovery and wealth. The War of the Sands was a brutal conflict, but the Zephyr Court ultimately emerged victorious due to their superior knowledge of the desert and the powers of their Stormcallers. This victory solidified their status as one of the most powerful courts in the realm, but the scars of the war still linger in their culture.

---

Festivals and Celebrations

1. Rih al-Tahara (The Wind of Purity): As previously mentioned, this is the most sacred festival of the court. During this week-long event, citizens purify themselves spiritually and physically, offering poems and prayers to the wind. It's also a time for community, where families come together to renew bonds and offer forgiveness for past grievances.

2. Laylat al-Riyah (Night of the Winds): On the longest night of the year, the people gather under the stars to celebrate the Laylat al-Riyah. This is a night of storytelling, where elders share the ancient tales of the court’s founding and its heroes. The wind is believed to be especially active on this night, and many people claim to hear the whispers of long-lost ancestors.

3. Nasira’s Ascension: On this day, the court remembers the ascension of Al-Nasira to the heavens. It is a day of feasting, music, and wind dancing, where the people celebrate the life and legacy of their founder. The festival ends with a grand procession to the Temple of Winds, where offerings of incense and flowers are given to the goddess.

---

[silenzahra]

MY LITTLE GIRL IN MY BESTIE'S STYLE I LOVE HER SO MUCH AAAAAHHHH

Boma, you drew her so cute and cheerful and lovely!!! I can't get over her squishy cheeks and her happy expression 🥹🥹🥹 Thank you so much for this, bestie!!!! I couldn't be happier that you love little Violet so much 🥹🫂💜

Also!! Daisy with abs is a big YES 👏👏👏 And I love your version of NES Peach! She looks so pretty and cool at the same time 😎💁‍♀️🩷

here’s what I call “my brain refusing to focus on anything remotely academic” sketches

btw @silenzahra I LOVE VIOLET

[peaches2217]

My dear friend, your writing is so special to me! You were the first one to open my eyes to Mario and Peach as a... very active couple, if you know what I mean 🤭 And this was thanks to Plateau which was the very first fic I read from yours and that still remains as one of my favorites! The way you write them, the passion, the tenderness, the trust, just 👌👌 Chef's kiss, my friend! You see their relationship in a very deep and special level and this shows in your wonderful writing.

I cannot fail to mention The Door as another one of my favorites, because Daddy Mario pampering his pregnant wife is a must and I still melt just by remembering this beautiful story 🥹 As for Untarnished, I still need to catch up with that one (shame on me 😅), but I've enjoyed what I've read so far and I'm sure I'll love the rest! 💖

And what can I say about the way you write the brothers. So natural, so spontaneous, so full of teasing and tons of love! I'm probably not the first nor will be the last to mention Summer rain and Zio as two of your BEST works ever. Also, and as a personal addition, I love that you make them speak Italian from time to time. Simply because it's a language that's very similar to mine and I love reading the sentences in Italian and understanding them right away 🤭 You make me feel all the way more connected to our beloved boys! ❤️💚

And last but not least... Peaches, you are an amazing person and friend. You're always there, ready to cheer everyone up and support everybody through tick and thin, and you're just so fun and understanding and kind! You're an essential part of this community and nothing would be the same without you 💖 I feel so lucky and blessed that I can call you my friend! And again I have to thank you for helping me so much when I lost my old blog 🫂💖

Please, keep being you. You're amazing and wonderful and loved just the way you are 🫂🫂💖💖

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Zahraaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—

God, this has made my day!! Take your time catching up on Untarnished. So much has been happening in my life that Chapter 5 is taking a Very Long Time. 😅

Such high praise from such a talented writer has me floored. I’m so, so happy you enjoy my writing!! And I’m so glad to be your friend. I love you, Zahra! 🫂🫂🫂🫂

[3linaturabi]

يا يوسف الزهراء، في كل نفس أتنفسه لك دعاء

هذا العالم ميت بغيابك سيدي

يافارس الحجاز تفضل علي بنظرة مني إليك

قبل ان يتوقف هذا القلب للأبد

دعني أعيش سيدي في ظل نورك

حيث العدل والأمان والسلام

سيدي ياصاحب الزمان

-علينه ترابي

O Yusuf al-Zahra, for your return I pray,

Ya Aba Saleh, without you, the world fades away.

Ya Faris al-Hijaz, come before my eyes close,

Before this heart beats its final repose.

Ya Mahdi, let me live in your blessed light,

Where peace and justice shine ever bright.

-Alina Turabi

[bberetd]

Hello, my beloved bestie AND incredibly talented artist 😁 You know I'm a BIG FAN of your art and I absolutely ADORE your style. The way you draw Luigi??? I could EAT him UP and you know it 😌 And your Luaisy is my MOST FAVORITE in the entire universe!! You always draw them so cute and silly and so in LOVE 🥹🥹 And I also adore how you wrote them in your beautiful fic "Miraculous shelter"! You only make my love for them GROW 💚🧡

And what can I say about you as a friend. You're freaking AWESOME, you've helped me A LOT, and saying that I LOVE our chats and sharing our love for Luaisy is a complete understatement. I feel that we're connected in so many ways, and you always make me laugh so much! I couldn't be more grateful and blessed that you've become one of my closest friends 🫂💖

Keep being your absolutely AWESOME self, my dear bestie!! 💖

…….

Zahra I can always count on your words to make me smile like an idiot

WHEW where do I even— ZAHRA 🥹🥹🥹🥹 you’ve always been one of THE biggest supporters of my art and I don’t know if I’ll ever have the proper words to thank you enough. Hell, I’d say your constant support and love is one of the contributing factors to me improving at the speed I did. And the fact that my Luaisy is your favorite??? It’s like, THE highest praise coming from someone who loves it as you do. Literally as I’m typing this I’m finding the motivation to come up with stuff with them right now 🧡💚

gonna deflect the praise onto you and say that I love how YOU write Luaisy, SO MUCH. I neeeeeeeed your Luigi like oxygen, my friend, you don’t understand. I’m not kidding. ISEKAI ME INTO THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM RIGHT NOW-

ahem. If you’re gonna talk about Miraculous Shelter, than I MUST bring up “A Lonely Flower” cause my GOD Zahra??? That might’ve been the most peak Luaisy moment in your writing, AND fan fiction in general. Auughhhh I just can’t stop smiling thinking about it 😩😩

HARD agree on our connection, it’s so special and I cherish it and you deeply, dear bestie ♥️♥️♥️ keep being you as well!! I love you muchooooo

[silenzahra]

Hey Zahra! I know I haven’t read every fic of yours yet but from the ones I did I thiiink I gotta go with “Biggest Fears”, “Keeping him warm” and “Anything for him”.

Love, love the part in “Anything for him” where Mario brings Luigi back. It was such a heartwarming moment. Also, loooooooove that Mario jumped out of the painting to protect Luigi but also at the end when Luigi realised that Mario was scared that he returned the favour.

That being said, yes, I love protective Mario, so “Keeping him warm” was an obvious choice as well hehe.

“Biggest fears” what can I say? Vulnerable Mario with Luigi comforting him is my absolute jam. The comfort in this one was one of the sweetest I have ever read. I really love it so much.

I’m so glad I got to meet you here and I’m so glad we became friends. I know I’ve said it before, but you are one of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met.

I love you (platonically)! <3<3<3

OMG Stripet!!! 😭😭😭 YOU'RE SO SWEET WAAAAAAHHH. First of all I'm so sorry for my late reply, but please know that your ask has made me incredibly happy and put the biggest smile on my face 🥹🥹🥹 Thank you SO MUCH, dear friend 🫂🫂🫂

I'm so happy and honored to know that these are your favorite fics of mine!! OMG, I swear reading about yor favorite parts of "Anything for him" has brought back so many memories of the time when I was working on it and how much I LOVED writing precisely those scenes!! 🥹🥹🥹 Mario being so worried about Luigi that his love for him literally made him jump out of the painting despite King Boo's magic, oh gosh, how I ENJOYED writing that 😍😍😍

As well as the entire chapter 3! Awww I'm so glad that you loved the moment of Mario bringing Luigi back so much 🥹🥹🥹 And of course, Luigi would also do anything for Mario, especially seeing him so scared of King Boo which is a personal headcanon of mine (I believe Mario would be at least a little bit scared of King Boo at first, since he couldn't fight him on his own as he didn't have the Poltergust 3000). The title "Anything for him" can be read in both directions and I wanted to make that clear in this fic as both brothers literally do anything to protect each other 🥹❤️💚

Anyways, sorry for the rambling 😅 Your words really brought me back to that time and I love it!! And I'm beyond honored that you love this fic and these specific scenes so so much, dear friend 🥰🥰 Thank you so much for letting me know!! 💖💖💖

Hehe, I'm a big fan of protective Mario as well, so it makes me so happy you also love "Keeping you warm"!! 🥰🥰 This fic has gained so much relevance lately as it's received not just one but two amazing fanarts that I just LOVE so much, and I'm over the moon because it's also one that I just LOVED writing 🥹🥹 I'm so honored and grateful and ELATED that it's among your favorites!! 🫂🫂🫂

And gosh, "Biggest fear" has also been getting so much love lately, and again I owe it to the amazing fanart it's gotten 😭😭😭 That one literally made me cry while I was working on it, my friend. I remember needing to take some moments here and there while editing it because I was moved 🥲🥲🥲 So, seriously, knowing that you love it so much and that you find the comfort so sweet here means the entire freaking world to me. I can never thank you enough for your support and love to this fic and it makes me so happy that you enjoyed it so much 🫂🫂🫂

Awwww Stripet 😭😭🫂🫂 I'm also so so glad that we met and became friends!!! Gosh, I'm just so lucky and blessed, and I thank life every day that I met you 🫂🫂🫂 You're so sweet and kind, and I also can't get tired of repeating it over and over again 💖💖💖

Thank you so so SO much for this ask, and for your support, and, just, for being you. I also love you (platonically) very very much!!! 🥹🥹🥹💖💖💖

[silenzahra]

Okay, so not only I get a BEAUTIFUL Luaisy drawing by my BEAUTIFUL Luaisy queen in my inbox... but also a yassified version on a reblog????? YES, my friend, I'm afraid you're gonna have to pinch me because this is dream after dream come true 🥹🥹🥹 And you're SO RIGHT, it was certainly a privilege to be the first one to see it and I'm beyond HONORED, what did I ever do to deserve you, my beloved Luaisy reina!!! 👑🥹💖

I could never stop praising you, you deserve every last bit of it 🫂🫂🫂 And 100% agree about the outfits!! OMG you know I'd be there if you decided to bring them back again in the future 😍😍😍 They just suit them so well!! Someday I just HAVE to write them wearing them, I swear (with your permission, of course 💖).

They look AMAZING 🥹🥹🥹 How could I not love it!!! And the "Boma + Zahra Mootiversary" in the corner, oh my GOD 😭😭😭 My heart is SO MELTED. Now I love it even more 💖💖💖

They're so cute and happy and gorgeous 💚🧡 Happy belated mootiversary, Boma!!

ZAHRA!!!

I know it’s no longer the 25th (for you, but it is for me sO THIS STILL HALF COUNTS) but…

happy…

happy…

HAPPY MOOTIVERSARY 🥳🎊

my goodness, and what a year it has been. I have the privilege of being besties with one of the most passionate and loveliest writers in fiction, and I’m still genuinely in awe, like?? you’ve absolutely enriched my tumblr experience with your headcanons, stories, reblogs, but most importantly, your presence. you have an energy that draws people to you so easily, and it’s very evident that I’m not the only one that feels it ;) I love you SO much it’s insane.

I’m gonna give you space to put your reactions becauuuuuseeee… well, remember when we were talking about a certain doodle that involved two certain people in two certain outfits that we both wanted to see more of? (and then I realized I’m the one who has to make my own art happen 🧍🏾‍♀️)

:)

my mootiversary gift to you! something about spinning his princess in the air, huh?

🧡💚

BOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKJSFHGOUHBDFJIPVDOKAESDGFHDKJXNVDCSIPKPASFDJGBHOJSPÑWIKFBS

Oh my God, my VERY DEAR bestie, you know what it's been like to wake up and find this in my inbox??????? Do you have any idea how MUCH you've made my day just as I woke up??????????? 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

First of all: OF COURSE it still counts!! The good thing about living in different time zones is that we get more time to celebrate 😁 Days start earlier for me and finish later for you, so the longer the fun, the better!! 🥳👏💃

HAPPY MOOTIVERSARYYYYYYYY 🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊

Gosh, my dear bestie 🥹🥹🥹 Now you are the one who's making me cry. Just 😭😭😭 It's such an HONOR that you see me this way, my beloved friend. I'm beyond touched and elated, you're SO SWEET 💖💖💖 I didn't get to mention it in the ask I sent you, but the privilege is all mine, like... I get to be besties with you??? One of the BEST artists in this site, AND one of the best, funniest, friendliest people I've ever had the luck of meeting??? I'M SO LUCKY. You, my friend, are a true DELIGHT, and just seeing you on my feed is enough to make me smile and feel genuinely happy. Your presence is a gift, and I'm not exaggerating whatsoever when I say that MANY TIMES you've made my days, especially when I was feeling down. I owe you so much, my beloved Boma 🫂🫂🫂

And... with this ask you certainly did it again, my friend 🥹🥹🥹 Of course I remember the doodle, and of course I remember the outfits we both wanted to see, and of course...

... I have to...

SCREAM

Did I REALLY get a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL, Luaisy drawing by my BELOVED and INCREDIBLY TALENTED bestie and FAVORITE Luaisy artist in my inbox??????? Am I really not dreaming???????? Am I really THIS lucky????????????

THE BABIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

BOMA, THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH they look so HAPPY and are so in LOVE, and they're having so much fun dancing together, and they look so PERFECT 😭😭😭😭😭 I LOVE THEIR OUTFITS SO SO MUCH. Daisy's dress is so GORGEOUS and she looks PRETTIER than ever, and Luigi??? LUIGI IS SO HANDSOME. That shirt and those shorts fit him SO WELL. BEAUTIFUL MAN AND BEAUTIFUL WOMAN AND BEAUTIFUL COUPLE. HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU FOR THIS GIFT??????

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY DEAR BESTIE. My day has barely started and you've already made it 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

I LOVE YOU 💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡💚🧡

[moonlitminaret]

Happy WBW! What is the gossip in your world like, surrounding the events and characters of your WIP? What are people saying? What are people not saying?

Well, hello once again, dear traveller. Tis lovely to see you here again indeed. And since you are back for more world-building lore, then how can we not indulge you ever more~? ;)

🫖 Worldbuilding Wednesday | Gossip in Zumar

In Zumar, nothing stays secret for long—not pregnancies, not pomegranate prices, and certainly not the peculiar goings-on at the corner tea shop.

Leila She’s the centre of the swirl. “Madame Zahra’s protégé,” they say, but everyone knows the girl comes from the old Shayra line. Her mother vanished without a trace. Her grandmother was the trace. Her aunt Haifa’s always off in the hills, chasing wind and leaves. So when the kettle sings by itself and the tea tastes like memories you forgot you had, everyone just nods and pretends not to notice.

Except Leila’s isn't the only one tongues wag over.

Nesma, with her skirts too loud and her laughter louder. “That girl’s nose is sharper than her tongue,” they mutter—half in admiration, half in fear. She knows everything, often before it happens. If she’s walking by with a basket of lemons and a smirk, someone’s about to have a very bad day. Or a very interesting one.

Warsame, the baker with hands like poetry and a heart full of sugar. No one kneads dough quite like he does—or listens the way he does, quietly, patiently, like every story is a secret ingredient. Some say his cakes can fix a broken heart. Others swear his honeyed rolls are cursed—because once you’ve had one, no one else’s will do. Still, he’s a mystery. Never says much. But if he ever does speak up, you’d better listen.

Ka’ele is the new wild card. Too charming, too casual, and far too curious about things that shouldn’t concern him. Some think he’s a drifter. Others suspect he’s something more, especially since he started fixing things around the tea shop unasked. And who gave him permission to flirt with our Shayra, hmm?

Madame Zahra, meanwhile, plays the fool—eyes twinkling, always two steps ahead. The enigmatic former apprentice of Leila's grandmother is more legend than presence. Blind as a bat yet with the sharpest inner eye any seer has ever had. She appears only briefly, just long enough to pass a key, maybe a warning, never quite a blessing. The townsfolk whisper about her as though she still lingers in the rafters, but she’s long gone, leaving behind puzzles in porcelain and a silence that echoes through her ink. Whether she vanished, retreated, or planned this all along, no one can say. But the fact remains: she left the shop—and its secrets—in Leila’s hands, ready or not.

And the gossip doesn’t stop there.

Kareema, the jewel merchant with henna-stained hands and eyes sharp as broken glass, is starting to stir whispers around herself. She’s been seen entering guild halls more often than her own shop, and the Merchant Guild has taken notice. Some say she’s brokering a deal that could shift the town’s balance of power. Others think she’s shielding a certain young Shayra in quiet ways, ways only someone with deep connections and deeper pockets could manage.

And as for the guilds, well then. There’s something brewing there as well. The Merchant Guild is restless, especially now that the tea shop’s influence is returning. The Apothecaries’ Circle is suddenly interested in “non-traditional remedies,” and there’s even talk that someone’s trying to revive the old Night Market, though no one’s naming names.

As for the townsfolk? They simply watch. They sip their tea. They whisper to one another that something is changing in Zumar. That something old and powerful seems to be waking up. But no one wants to say it too loud. Not just yet, you see.

For the magic is shifting. And the tea leaves are restless. While Zumar is shifting, and underneath everyone's very own feet.

And someone—perhaps Leila, perhaps all of them—is going to have to answer when it calls.

[tabutesakina]

The Years That Never Were — And the Truth That Was Buried

What if the biggest lie wasn’t about time—but about truth?

Some believe that nearly 300 years of history never happened.

It’s called the Phantom Time Hypothesis—a fringe but fascinating theory that claims the early Middle Ages were forged by emperors who wanted to rewrite time itself. According to this idea, the years between AD 614 and 911 were fabricated so rulers like Otto III and the Pope could claim they were living in the year 1000—fulfilling prophecies and forging legacies.

Most historians dismiss it. And maybe they’re right.

But it poses a deeper question:

> What if history was written not to preserve truth—but to erase it?

And what if the erasure wasn’t just a European fantasy?

But a reality that began the moment the Prophet of Islam (Peace and Blessings be upon him and his Purified Household) departed this world.

Islam After the Prophet: The Real Phantom Time

The Messenger of Allah didn’t just leave behind scripture—

He left behind a legacy. A clear succession. A declaration made at Ghadir Khumm, witnessed by tens of thousands:

“Of whomsoever I am the Mawla, Ali is his Mawla.”

But while the Prophet’s body lay unburied…

another gathering took place.

Saqifah.

And from there, Islam was rewritten—not by revelation, but by committee.

The Umayyads and Abbasids understood a dangerous truth:

Controlling the past means owning the present.

So they authored a version of Islam that served thrones—not souls.

---

Phantom Time vs. Phantom Religion

The Phantom Time Hypothesis claims years were invented.

But early Islamic history saw something even more subtle—and more sinister:

Missing events. Missing sermons. Missing voices.

The event of Ghadir, buried beneath silence.

The attack on the house of Fatima Zahra (SA), erased from public memory.

The usurpation of Imam Ali’s (AS) right, reduced to political debate.

And figures like Abu Huraira, who emerged from obscurity to become prolific narrators—conveniently shaping doctrine in favor of power.

This wasn’t history evolving.

It was history being engineered.

---

“Sahih” According to Whom?

The six “authentic” books of Sunni Islam were compiled generations later—

not by witnesses of revelation, but by men in courts where the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) were hunted.

Hadith weren’t authenticated by the Prophet’s family.

They were filtered by those aligned with power.

Meanwhile, narrations from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) or Imam Baqir (AS)—direct heirs of Prophetic knowledge—were marginalized, if not outright erased.

Lady Fatima (SA) was silenced.

Imam Ali (AS) was called “fourth.”

The martyrs of Karbala were turned into a seasonal ritual—

their revolution flattened to folklore.

---

But Shia Islam Remembered

While empires distorted, Shia Islam preserved.

Through chains of narration built on trust.

Through scholars who lived in exile.

Through poetry whispered in the dark.

Through mothers who passed down the names of the Infallibles when books were burned.

Shia Islam didn’t survive because it was convenient.

It survived because it was true.

Because truth, even buried, knows how to rise.

---

If 300 Years Could Be Faked by the west…

Why is it unthinkable that Islamic dynasties faked a version of religion to justify their rule?

If rulers could fabricate time to crown themselves kings,

why wouldn’t caliphs fabricate hadith to crown themselves righteous?

If people believe Charlemagne never existed,

why not question the erasure of Ghadir?

Why not question a version of Islam that elevates Muawiyah…

but silences Fatima?

That celebrates conquest…

but forgets Karbala?

---

The Truth Still Echoes

History was rewritten.

But not by God.

And now, centuries later—

it is being rewritten again.

Not by kings. Not by clerics.

But by seekers.

By hearts that feel the fracture between politics and purity.

By voices that say:

> We remember.

We resist.

We return.