#fio does stuff

[keranna-zerine]

May 27 - Day 3 Linger/Gaze

"So, Commander Dal'shula, huh?"

Keranna's eyes flicked up from where she'd been watching the wet clay on her wheel take shape between her hands to Pyraelia, who had — until that point — been observing the process of throwing pottery mostly silently. She knew better than to answer a leading question and kept her gaze fixed on the youngest Sunmote until she elaborated.

Pyraelia laughed, light and bright. It was a sound that fit her perfectly. "You look exactly like grandmother. No offense. He's a little scary but nice, you did look at him like Fio used to look at Xylaes, though. Not when she was being sappy, obviously, but you know what I mean."

"None taken, I was often compared to Aunt Sesara when I was younger. You were home when he delivered the furniture I asked him to make, I presume?" Her foot let off the pressure on the pedal, and the little table Talon had made for her held fast as the force wound down. The previous one she had worked on wobbled terribly — some of that a consequence of her work being slightly off center on the plate, but even when she'd gotten better it still struggled. "And like you look at Aerden any differently sometimes," her tone was teasing enough.

That flustered her younger cousin, her metal fingers clinked slightly more against the little Kiln Spirit she was turning between her hands the same way her elder sister could worry a teacup, "Aerden's nice to look at! And this isn't about me! I asked you first!"

It was her turn to laugh, bemused by the indginance she'd caused, "You did, and Commander Dal'shula is also nice to look at. I do not find him to be that scary, and I decided I needed a friend my own age. He's been quite kind to play along, frankly."

"You can also be a little scary, Kera. Maybe intense and intimidating are better words," Pyraelia waved her prosthetic hand as if she was physically waving the semantics away, "That's nice, though! Does Fio know?"

Keranna dipped her hands in her water bucket and used her apron to dry them off a little, removing some of the more stubborn slip as the conversation dragged on, "She hasn't asked, but it's not a secret that he and I spend time together on occasion."

"Okay, but you were the one who taught her — and me, kinda — that the best kept secrets are the ones in plain view," Pyraelia's face lit up a bit as her own words reminded her of something. "On that, I have a box of files from Dalaran about the family. Stuff from the University, spell patents, medical and tax records, that sort of faff. Do you want yours?"

Ah.

She smiled easily, beyond pleased that a lesson as important as that one had stuck. Some of those files would contain secrets she'd like to leave unknown for now, public records as they had previously been. There was a significant amount of information considered fully lost in the wake of Dalaran's fall, but Pyraelia had a keen mind for what would protect her family. Keranna kept her tone even and interested, "I would, yes. Especially if I am to more officially become the Lady Zerine with a full estate and titles."

"If you want to stay a little bit longer for tea I can go sort those and get out of your hair here, I know that's going to dry out too much if I talk any more," Pyraelia pointed at the half-formed mug their conversation had derailed.

That was worth lingering for, Keranna picked up her wet sponge and moved her foot back over the wheel pedal, "Tea would be lovely, I'll see you inside in an hour or so?"

Pyraelia set the little Klin Spirit back down on the drying table, turning it so it could watch the pot throwing process in her place, "Great! I'll make your favorite."

Keranna watched her depart the little shed with fondness — she was the best Sunmote.

@daily-writing-challenge/ @pyraelia / @fio-renze / @xylaes / @aerdendios / @talonoa

[sheepytina]

So people are talking about the artwork in Metal Slug games again

There's been a few posts going around talking about how weird the Metal Slug characters look in the mobile games, particularly female characters like Eri and especially fan favourite Fio.

This conversation comes up again every so often, but it's been reignited on Tumblr again this week with three new Metal Slug games coming onto the scene:

The recent re-reveal of the indie title Metal Slug Tactics from Dotemu, which was originally announced in 2021, during Summer Game Fest 2024,

The June 2024 Nintendo Direct shadow-drop of a revamped version of the former mobile game Metal Slug Attack as Metal Slug Attack Reloaded, and

The impending global launch of the Chinese mobile game Metal Slug: Awakening from Tencent Games next month (July 2024), which originally released in China and SEA in 2023.

Remember these three names, because this is what this post is going to primarily centre around.

However there's one version of this type of post going around that just posts artwork from Metal Slug 3 and MS: Awakening and doesn't adequately explain what the artwork actually comes from and why it looks the way it does, resulting in the confusion and bewilderment of many people who are less familiar with the Metal Slug series.

And so I decided I really need to throw my hat into the ring and see if I can dissect this and bring some actual facts to the conversation.

Look, it's not great. Basically, the stuff people are saying is indeed mostly true, but there's a lot of half-truths and even a few straight up lies being mixed into it. Such as how what the original Metal Slug games looked like is actually more complicated than people think, for starters.

Furthermore, one of the three games I mentioned actually looks really good, and oddly it seems to be the one with the least attention on it right now.

Now, because I'm me, this blog post ended up really long, long enough to have chapter markers, so please bear with me and stick around to the end if you can. — And if you don't care about the historical context, I'm happy for you just to look at the pictures too.

Part 1: The original NEOGEO Metal Slug games

So the main point of this conversation is that the classic Metal Slug games let the characters look weird and cartoony. That's a big part of Metal Slug's core identity, and this is lost in the recent mobile games.

(Of course I had to get a real CRT photo in here at some point.)

To define "classic Metal Slug" you can assume most people are referring Metal Slug 1 through to 3, i.e. the ones that SNK created before their bankruptcy in the year 2000. And most of all, that iconic character select screen from Metal Slug 2, X and 3.

As you can see, there's definitely a shift that took place here.

But hold on, Fio also looks pretty different on the arcade flyers, especially in her original debut in Metal Slug 2. So it's not exactly as clear cut at the cherrypicked images would suggest, but all the same there is still a distinct, extremely late '90s style to everything.

Metal Slug 4 and 5 also released for the NEOGEO system and are similarly loved by many, but were developed in the 2000s under the newly formed Playmore, aka SNK Playmore. I definitely agree with this sentiment that the "original identity" of Metal Slug was strongest in the early titles, and the artwork is the most noticeable reflection of that.

However, although it has little bearing on the conversation, I think it's important to clarify that this change to a contemporary anime style actually began in the early 2000s during the Playmore era of SNK. Like would happen with other SNK game series like The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown, things got weird for Metal Slug once SNK was reborn as Playmore, eventually becoming SNK Playmore.

Still, all the mainline Metal Slug games through to Metal Slug 7 and Metal Slug XX are still considered classics by fans. The problem for a lot of fans would be SNK's push into new markets such as pachislot and mobile gaming.

Which brings us to…

Part 2: The Metal Slug smart device games, and the Chinese mobile game market

Mobile games would prove a highly lucrative market for SNK Playmore, with hundreds of titles published for Japanese phones during the '00s. A few of these also made their way to more conventional J2ME devices in China. Eventually the mobile gaming market would move to smartphones, with SNK bringing games such as Metal Slug Defense and Metal Slug Attack to market in the 2010s.

This is the first mention of China in this post and it won't be the last. SNK's arcade titles had traditionally been extremely popular in the Chinese market, and with the mobile game market rapidly growing and a hunger for bigger games from beloved SNK series, a lot of interest had grown for SNK titles in this market.

This would result in a huge investment from Chinese companies, with a new joint venture acquiring a 81% stake in the company in 2016, leading SNK Playmore to announce a new shift in their strategy, and with that came a rebrand, once again to simply SNK.

This new identity signified a new era for SNK. This newly reignited SNK would move away from non-videogame markets such as pachislot, and focus more on console games and character licensing. This is the SNK that gave us The King of Fighters XIV and a new Samurai Shodown game.

But this is also the SNK that really doubled down on the Chinese and South-east Asian mobile markets.

This is where this conversation stems from. Games such as the tower defence mobile game Metal Slug Attack and many other mobile games in series such as The King of Fighters would be massive money-makers for SNK. Even the new Samurai Shodown game on consoles/PC would centre Chinese audiences with its first DLC crossover characters pulling from Ubisoft's For Honor and Tencent's Honor of Kings.

But when it comes to centering the tastes of the mobile game market, the big one that bugs people is Metal Slug: Awakening, a mobile game developed and published under license by Tencent Games, which entered beta testing in 2021 and released in China and South-east Asia in 2023.

Now this game actually doesn't have all that much to do with SNK besides the license. However it would be disingenuous of me to say that means it's insignificant to the series. We didn't get to this point out of nowhere out of all. Plus this game is set for a global release in 2024, so this game is for all of us to enjoy.

Although, is it really for all of us? The game certainly seems to plays like a real Metal Slug game, retaining the series' famous run 'n gun gameplay, which is more than you can say for most Metal Slug mobile games. But it certainly doesn't look like a Metal Slug game. The in-game graphics are a strange 3D interpretation of the original pixel art, and all the game's promotional artwork and splash screens look like this. Fio in particular straight up looks like a different character in these pictures.

It's not great. I'm not about to try and defend this. It's just that I really need to stress that it's really not a game targeted towards us.

To make matters more confusing for a lot of people not super plugged-into Metal Slug is that it's not even the only Metal Slug game in the news recently. Metal Slug Tactics had been missing in action since 2021, and all of a sudden it gets re-revealed by Dotemu in June 2024 but overshadowed by many other announcements during the Summer Game Fest period.

But also, SNK themselves would, during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, reveal and immediately shadow-drop a revamped offline version of the Metal Slug Attack game called Metal Slug Attack Reloaded.

I actually saw a lot of people confused by this. People who remembered the initial 2021 reveal of Metal Slug Tactics and thought this was the same game. It might seem obvious to some of us, but if this is you, then I assure you, it's not the same game.

Although SNK seems to be downplaying this for some reason, Metal Slug Attack is a pretty old mobile game that went defunct last year, and this is a revamped version of it for consoles and PC that can be played offline without microtransactions. (An increasing trend I want to see more of!) The game is still very much a mobile game to its core though and you can tell.

But, look, don't worry, there's hope for us yet, in the form of a new game that many western Metal Slug fans have been excited for for many years. I've already mentioned it, it's…

Part 3: Metal Slug Tactics, a new tactical Metal Slug game from Dotemu and French developer Leikir Studio

I'm going to preface this section with a clarification of my stance on this. As a strategy game this doesn't exactly scream classic Metal Slug. However, a few people have been lumping this in with the mobile games and I think that's pretty unfair.

For starters, this game is oozing with personality and really looks like it's developed by people who truly understand Metal Slug.

Second, the artwork in this game is clearly a very different beast from what can be seen in Metal Slug: Awakening.

Obviously this isn't the same as the funny looking characters you remember from the in-game graphics of the NEOGEO titles. I still however feel like this captures the spirit of these beloved characters better than any of the mobile games have. This is definitely along the lines of Sonic Mania or TMNT: Shredder's Revenge in terms of attention to detail, and that's especially reflected by how the actual game looks and moves in action.

This is really my true agenda if I'm perfectly honest. Please don't sleep on this game. Even if you don't like tactics games, this is the one you want to keep an eye on if you want a true return to form for Metal Slug.

[givemethesleep]

*KICKS DOWN YOUR DOOR*

Congratulations! Wizard Game Brairot has TAKEN OVER and I blame you! Your wizposting has let me properly rediscover the joy of this game and is slowly healing my inner child!

For SDW: 2, 5, and 6

For whoever your main Pirate is: 3, 22, 25

HIIIIIIIIII <3 <3 <3 home from work and procrastinating editing so woe, sdw edgy ask meme upon ye Stephanie Dragonwhisper

2 - What's something about your OC that people wouldn't expect just from looking at them?

For a theurgist in her pristine white and green robes, its probably hard to believe that she was hardcore into the PvP scene in the arena! Most of her spare time between classes was spent taking turns with Suzie Gryphonbane blasting each other to a pulp. On top of this, she's also a skilled swordsman, mostly due to her travels with her adoptive parents, Zeke and Eloise, meaning lessons in Skull Island! So yes, she plays the part of the calm, collected, gentle theurgist when she has to, but SDW is violent and incredibly strong, both within a dueling ring and out.

5 - How far is your OC willing to go to get what they want?

I think a fun problem for SDW is that the only things she wants are things she physically cannot achieve whether she tries or not. For a time, all she wanted was to go back to Earth, to pretend none of this ever happened. But, due to the time disparities between Earth and the Spiral, there was no way she could return without spending the rest of her life in a lab. For a time, it was to become the Wizard, to take that weight off of their shoulders. But fate doesn't play that way. She cannot take the weight of the Spiral for them. She isn't strong enough. For a time, all she wants is her son back. But she knew the Drakes, watched the fallout of Malistaire's grief, and she knows better than to try. She's sick with a longing there's no remedy for.

6 - How easily could your OC be convinced to do something that goes against their moral compass?

Look. Listen. Okay. She's a member of the Council of Light. The backup Wizard, so to speak. And as a result, especially in her early days, she was complicit in a hell of a lot of stuff that she in no way endorsed. But she was young, and despite her shouting she was spoken over. The Council's decision to force the Wizard on without Dyvim is one of her worst moments as a Councillor. That was plain cruel. But she grows sick of that quickly and forces herself to be heard. She's angry and abrasive and challenges the Council on any and everything she deems unfair or immoral, advocating for the Wizard in their absence. She still fumbles, or is involved in decisions that go against her values, but it takes a lot for her to willingly consent to or actively do something she thinks is wrong.

As far as Pirates go, my pirates aren't p101 specific but I'm gonna talk about them anyway. He's not my main pirate but, at least for the book I'm currently writing, Fiorenzo Adathan is who we're following so for the next 3 I'll answer for him.

3- What is your OC's fatal flaw? Are they aware of this flaw?

Ohhhhhh boy. Fiorenzo is a coward. He is painfully aware of that. This man has not once stood up for himself, and bows to everyone else's will. He frightens easily, and is abused consistently by his incredibly unstable captain. He's aware of his cowardice for two main reasons - in running from his father, Fio forced his younger brother into being their father's heir, and a childhood of abhorrent treatment to form him into the cunning lord their House needs, and his cowardice meant that his lover, Adam, is taken hostage and subjected to a fate worse than death. And he could have done something to stop both of these things happening, but he didn't!

22 - What character alignment would you consider your OC to be?

Okay so like. I struggle with alignments because I always find it more complex and situational. But the simplest answer is probably Neutral Good, which is wild for a pirate. Neutral, because, while he does have a blatant disregard for the law, he does follow specific rules to the letter - mostly so Lenora lets him keep his head on his shoulders. And, despite his y'know. piracy. he values human life above all else and is less violent than most of the cast. But again. Good is subjective here i feel LMAO

25 - What is your favorite thing about your OC? Hehehehe. He's just. He has to do so much work on himself. He's not the worst version of himself but he has so many shortcomings that make his life worse, and impact the people around him negatively. And even when he DOES get Adam back, there's no fixing the blame on Fio. Just. Chewing on him. He's Not A Good Person.

[deerdeardarling]

Idr. If I've posted this before, if I have sorry I can't find the og post : P

Okay so, context of my Crown Tundra; with the reason why Fiona was sent out there was due to Leon getting notice that a sector of Rose's scientists* (a loose term due to. Everything.) are running the max den and even advertising it to trainers as raids even tho macro cosmos was/is under major crackdown

So with her pressing to fulfill her "champion duties" and Leon having to deal with everything up north, he reluctantly sends her south, but he also looks for someone to help with the "portals" that were mentioned in the reports. As well as trying to figure out Eternatus - and who’s the best person to deal with aliens? Prof. Burnet!! Who also brings along her field search assistant, Lillie; and Gladion; the only standing heir to the Aether foundation due to MC having some dangling connections with (side-eyes the type-null you get-)

Anyways long story short, Lillie meets up with Sonia, Fiona, and unexpectedly Peony (after Nia runs into the dens) at the raid dens, and all four agree to make a team so they can be granted access into the dens. They manage to get through the first few just fine, being able to send back the wild legends with Lillie’s knowledge of the wormholes. But during their first of the ‘bigger’ legends is when they start having problems; leaving Hop and both the wolves busting in to help! (Hop tells Soni and Fio that Zama was pacing so Hop agreed to join the both to the CT); and Lillie with eager interest, meets Hop!

With the two being research assistants they get closer; talking about their home regions, dexes, getting excited over kinda being on the same wave length - this is Hop's first researcher friend! he can't help but be excited!! (yes Fio is a little down and admittedly jealous- she's aware and hates it-) . Things were going good! Hop was a little questionable about Lillie with her knowing so much about the wormholes and ultra space - but, she is studying the stuff so she seemed alright!

Lillie however, the more time she spends with the two (Fio & Hop) the more she's aware that these are the most recent chosens.

And then Lillie gets reunited with Lunala. It's a different lunala from her Nebby in this universe; but the Lunala seems to recongize her and is happy to see her once it's called down. and that is what starts Lillie trying to kinda egg Fiona and especially Hop on trying to see if they've 'awaken' yet as chosens.

basically Hop increasingly gets on edge, it doesn't expand much but it's noticeable; since nither Hop nor Fio know what chosens are yet. rip Lillie she's trying without just blurting it out and sounding crazy - which she kinda does at the end! with each raid completed Lills gets more and more serious since she cna kinda feel how close they are getting to necrozma (which i havent decided if this is gonna be her necrozma or not... it might be???)

anyways they reach necrozma - im not sure how but i want to get Lillie and Hop alone as Hop questions what Lillie actually knows and Lillie tries to explain what chosens are and how Hop and Fiona are one (she's fumbling the bag-) Their arguing and Hop not listening to Lills lead to Lillie challenging Hop to a battle that builds up and turns into legend on legend fighting - Lillie's Necrozma vs Zacian. With Chosen Lillie riding atop Necrozma's back (head???)

damn this is making me realize the impact of Hop finding out what chosens are in kalos kinda a bigger thing. huh

anyways. uh yeah that's where Hop's and Lillie friendship (was it even a friendship in the first place?- it was-) takes just a straight nosedive. With Lillie leaving with Necrozma through a wormhole just as the rest of the group finds Hop.

At the very end of CT all of them go back up north to conclude the mission and also the start up of the star tournament. Hop meets Burnet and Gladion which gives him a little whiplash - Gladion mentions he had a call with his sister and very vaguely apologizes to Hop for the trouble she gave. Burnet on the other hand mentions how she's been talking with Sonia and Leon about Hop and she can't want to see what kind of professor he turns into! evne giving him a card with her number if he ever decides to take a vacation! (this opening the door for Hop to study abroad)

[xylaes]

Does he still have feelings for Fio? Does he plan on speaking with her anytime soon?

Of course he does, but having feelings for someone doesn't erase all the bad things that have happened. It's very complicated. It's not like they completely ignore each other right now, they just don't talk about any of the important stuff!

Her being a noble was always one of the big issues in their situationship, but now that she no longer is one may think 'well hey why don't they just pick up where they left off'? Doesn't quite work like that. Still lots of hurt lingering there.

Plus, she's in between chapters of her life and trying to navigate that, which seems like something better to be left to do on your own while not trying to figure out whatever the hell they are or they want. Now he's also in a similar predicament, although he's certainly better at adapting his ways as it's what he's been doing his entire life.

His focus right now is mainly on his son and the current war. Eventually he needs to find somewhere new to live, figure out what the hell is going on with her new magic, and generally figure out what he wants to do with his life. He has options now!

I've always loved the dynamic between the two, but we've put a terribly large barrier between them that will take some time to knock down. Anything is possible in the future, but for now it is what it is!

ty anon @fio-renze

[astralartefact]

Divine Fio Analysis Post The Gacha Dragon Roars

<<Prev: Divine Yudil Voice of Cards: Forsaken Maiden Spoilers!

Levania would be so proud of his little dragon girl q_q

You know the drill by now, yadayada probably not real deredere but i like doing these so here it is

As you might have noticed I have added a Dragon category of lines to the conspiracy board - which is of course very exciting in its lore implications! Because up until now Dragons and Watchers (/the only gods we know of) have been a thing of a certain other other franchise... So to see that Dragons are now a recurring theme in a Divine Costume Series... I wonder if these Accord Hints and NameDrops in the main story might actually lead us to a Drakengard 4...?

Both Yurie and Yudil already had dragon inspirations in their outfits (It's not really visible on his artwork but it's there in the model), but Fio kind of takes it to the next level in hers...

She has wings, she has a tail, she has horns, she's adorable! I always try to fool myself into thinking I recognize the patterns on the costumes (like here on the tail) from somewhere but as far as I could tell they make most of these from scratch (except for things like direct cross-over stuff)

This Divine Costume doesn't really have a crown for once - but she does have a third eye on her headband, which is a thing the Ivory Spirit also has in her mouth so take that as you will.

The shape of the design on her front (especially the two 'figures' in the middle looking at each other) reminds me of the card edges in VoC - but as I mentioned before they're not the same, they just remind me of them.

Fio is my atheist queen!! But the story we actually have to look out for is this one:

In classic NieR weapon story format the story is written in a way that reads one way until you get to the final story part and the story turns on you by revealling that actually this kind of sweet thing might be a little fucked up.

So this story was obviously written to be understood as Fio's PoV only to reveal actually it's not her, it's somebody else. So the question is of course who might that person be?

I mean is it a stretch to call the Cursed God that became the Mourning Mother a Goat? This is a Divine Weapon after all. And the story could - depending on S3 Story - actually fit with Fio. Because remember, different from everyone else Levania was stripped of all of his memories for some reason. What if him and Fio meeting (again) made this all happen somehow...?

It would be a first for a reinkane plot thread to be foreshadowed like this but idk, I'm just spitballing here!

[zuppizup]

Hi ! I'm the gal from the whole Fionn and Tio rant and I just realised I'm kinda hyperfixated on this whole thing and can't stop thinking about it so I need to go another rant but my notes app isn't enough for it because I need to feel like someone actually gets it so here I go :

• Callum gets really petty about it and kinda just rubs it in their face whenever Fionn and Tio decide to do something couply around them .

• Callum , Rayla , Soren and Anabelle demand to be marked as the matchmakers when the two of them get married because obviously but Callum puts up a fuss about being announced head match maker because he was the one who guessed it first.

• Tio calls Fionn Fio.

• Callum becomes sappier and slightly cringy the longer he's a dad and he frequently teases Fionn and Tio and just randomly decides to go on tangents about all the times he noticed one had a crush on the other .

I legit love this! Run with it. Nonny!

I kinda have this hazy idea for teenage Tio, struggling to find her place. Feeling a little isolated for being one of the only halflings in Katolis and doubly so for just the general isolation that comes with being a member of the royal family.

Wanting to prove herself, to show shes able to do stuff on her own and she's not getting handed opportunity just because of who her parents and uncle are. She wants to learn magic, too, but not from her Dad.

She and Rayla buttheads a bit, and ultimately, Amaya and Janai offer to let her stay with them for a few months... which turns into nearly a year. Callum and Rayla go to visit obviously but they can see she's trying to figure out her place and Janai and Amaya are wonderfully supportive of her (even if Rayla suspects she lets Tio get up to more mischief than either of them admit), so they acknowledge that's what she probably needs there and then.

Tio does come back to Katolis with a wealth of knowledge and life experience as well as understanding for the privilege and difficulties that come with being a princess.

And maybe things are just that little different between her and Fionn than when she left, and she realises she missed her more than she thought she would.

[missizzy]

A Game Novice's Baldur's Gate Log, 42 1/2 Hours In: A Course or Two Settled Upon

Masterpost

(Note: this will definitely contain spoilers for all I've played through, and probably quite of a bit of the later stuff I've also seen.)

I think this game has officially now become my new fixation. I may even write fanfiction for it. I'm still not completely ruling out getting a new computer to run it better; my current one is showing signs of going, but it could probably last a least a couple more years. Except I'm not one hundred percent sure I could carry my current savefile over, and I don't want to abandon this playthrough. We're probably switching to Fios when it becomes available in our neighborhood (currently moving through the city towards us), which may yet help...

After taking down the goblins last week, this week started with the tiefling party at camp. Except I already know what's going to happen when they hit the road towards Baldur's Gate, which unfortunately made it kind of sad to go through and talk to them at the party, all full of hope and relief, having no idea how far from passed the danger is. The one of them who didn't want to party was all too right.

I was also made sad when I had to turn down Lae'zel. So far I've actually avoided asking about her looking at me differently, since I've seen her make a pass at Tav in response, but at the party, trying to talk to her at all had her hitting on Sara. Who I still think does find her attractive, but even if it wasn't for Gale, I'm not sure she'd be willing to sleep with someone who'd tried to kill her only the previous night, mercifully intended or not.

At one point, I even thought Astarion was propositioning her, which would have been really surprising, considering his general disapproval of her, and also his getting mad earlier in the day when she said they shouldn't use the Ilithid powers. When he hastily specified that he was looking for sex with someone who wasn't Sara, I'm sure he meant to insult her, but she was just relieved!

It was all worth it, though, when I got to Gale. He chose then to tell Sara about Tara, whom I really want to see now; that's one character where I haven't, though I've heard she will at least show up if you play as him. I was getting anxious and even quicksaving when I chose further conversation options, but it all ended well. Gale made clear his interest, and also explained about worrying about setting the bomb off, which made Sara feel a lot better. Further insecurities may still plague her until the next part of that tale in Act 2, but that night she got to go to sleep still dreaming of him, which is probably the best she's felt going to bed since the mind-flayers first took her.

The next day, of course, started with the conversation with Halsin, and the presentation of our options of heading for Moonrise Towers overland, or through the Underdark. I actually went looking for online advice on that one, especially concerned about getting the companion's arcs done, and promptly read about the possibility of in fact doing them both. Given I've missed enough of the game for my characters to still only be level four, that sounded like an especially good idea, and on the advice I saw, I chose to head for the Underdark first.

I'd already learned from going through Priestess Gut's quarters about the entrance in the temple, and I found it without too much trouble, at least once I stopped trying too hard. Heading in with Shadowheart, as well as Gale and Astarion, I heard her immediately comment about how beautiful a place it was, and she was right. The devs crafted a stunning underworld of dark passages, crystals, mushrooms, and creeping sounds that I immediately wanted to see more of.

Poor Shadowheart, however, wouldn't get to explore much of it with us that day. Barely had we wiggled out the underground temple's back window when we got attacked by a mini-Beholder and some unpetrified drow, and the resulting battle left her spells so drained I ended up swapping her out for Lae'zel. Who showed some of her own knowledge of the place, and I've now spent our second day down there traveling with the both of them. It's the first time I've had both of them in the party at the same time, and wow, they were certainly chatty with each other. Also hostile, but that's one dynamic that's already been intriguing me for how it could ultimately go.

It has mostly been battling things so far, bulettes and hooked horrors and slave-catchers and similar monsters. (The last made the mistake of calling Sara a bleeding heart. Got rid of any qualms she might have had left about making him bleed.) We also found the storehouse with the elevator I currently don't really know how to fix, and the sussar tree which I nearly went crazy trying to get bark from, but I did get it in the end. We've also made contact with the Myconids, and I actually would like to meet their sovereign.

It all finally got us up to level five. Gale now being able to cast counterspells and fireballs has already come in handy. So has both Sara and Lae'zel being able to attack twice per turn, though I've had to remember that they can now. If I do eventually move back to the risen road and start going that way, I want to at least be close to level six. I'm pretty sure the first thing we'd get to then would be the Githyanki creche, and I've seen how hard a dungeon that one is to crawl through.

Of course, to continue where I ended up involuntarily leaving off today, I'll have to figure out how to get past the exploding mushrooms without provoking a reaction from them strong enough it made the game crash!

[icharchivist]

Yeah, I just saw the bonus story.oh well, in for a penny -

I do hope Ragazzo gets redeemed as well! It seems they're setting him up for that and hell, I'll pat him on the head all he wants!

Tikoh continues to be really cute and I like her a lot. Cupitan, too. Their friendship is very cute. And I like how Cupitan is a genuinely good person with human doubts and fears, especially considering her upbringing. I just like how she's written. She's not overly perfect, but she is very kind

Lavirita is a secret MVP for going along with Fio's ploy tbh. I know he got paid for it, but still. He's a man of his word, if nothing else

WHAT DO YOU MEAN FIO'S FATHER IS ALIVE

I guess I was wondering why he had a unique sprite, but still

It's a bit maddening that they only really explain the event's name at the very end, even if it was kind of heavily implied before

Anyway, I hope it gets a continuation soon so we can murder these old men!

ahah welcome back ;D

And yeah super agreed on that!! they're really setting him up for it and i truly hope we can take care of him and nurse him back to health :( he deserves so much better than what has happened to his life so far. I'll pat him on the head as well as much as he wants.

and god yeah super agreed. Tikoh is really an interesting character to me because she does really balance this kind and sweet healer but also bloody angry and revengeful behavior very well. But meanwhile she takes care of others and is really sweet with people around her. Cupitan is really interesting as well to me. She is extremely emotive and can be a total mess about her feelings because she lets them overcome her, but it's also super refreshing? there is a trend in fiction of removing this type of embarassing, unstable feelings, while with Cupitan, it furthers her characters a lot. It has her be earnest at all time. I wouldn't say it's always "honest" because she can lie to herself when her feelings hurt her so bad, but also, that's super interesting to see just how much something that is so positive can end up hurting her this bad? And on top of that i really like what she brings to the MS story because all of those kids have been heavily fucked up by their past, and all of them are being as tough as they can, and Cupitan being able to express her emotions and feel their emotions, end up also really grounding back that, actually, their situation is really fucked up!! She's very human and emotive in a way i find really refreshing, and that also helps humanizing the people around her. She's not perfect, but i feel like also the fact her flaws comes from her greatest strength, and the way her emotions are framed to be a powerful thing, whenever those are destructive or helpful, is really a nice take i rarely see, personally, due to how tropes tend to want to have the characters "toughen up" and stuff.

Lavirita is totally a secret MVP for this. He's a man of his word and his word is money and he keeps money close and everything. I really like him? He's a scoudrell but he knows what he wants and he stands by it, which makes him interesting as kinda this loose canon who could be an antagonist as well as an ally as long as it pays well. He's a fun lad.

AND TEE FUCKING HEE. I will ALSO murder Fio's father. Setting up his own death to manipulate his daughter, meanwhile Fio spent her whole life destroying herself for revenge for a man who set her up like this??? oh i'm SO going to kill him. And also he burnt down Kolulu's village and killed all of her adoptive family so it's more reason to have him on the shit list.

Yeah, they really set up Marionette Stars as a saga so this is a first entry type of story. I do look forward to what they'll do with it!

and same as you, i hope we get a continuation and i hope we get to kill those old men as well. fuck them.

Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts <333 take care ;D

[friendandphoe]

okay the formatting on this is gonna be a lil weird bUT!! have this figuring it out/something to last revamp that’s been sitting in my brain for the last few weeks @ahbonjour @museumlad @creativeskull95

There’s no way in hell she’s ever looking Professor Keelson in the eye again. “I’m sorry,” she croaks for the thousandth time, and finds a tissue being pressed into her hand.

“Quite alright, my dear,” Professor Keelson says soothingly, leaning back in his chair with his hands folded over his round belly. “Wipe your face, now, there you go. I’m — well.” And he rubs the bridge of his nose, just under his round wire glasses. “I can’t say I wasn’t expecting this, unfortunately.”

She nods numbly, ice trickling down her spine.

You ruined everything.

“I’m sorry,” she tries again, because it’s all she can think to say, but the professor waves her off with a weathered hand and pushes himself to his feet, leaning heavily on his cane as he makes his way to the mini fridge he keeps under the bookshelves.

“Now, now,” he says, almost scolding, and pulls out a clementine, a bar of chocolate, and a bottle of water. “Don’t you start that with me, Ms. Ochoa. This is not the first time I’ve had students crying in my office, I daresay it won’t be the last.” And he sits heavily back down in his chair, setting the snacks in front of her. “Eat, drink. Now, I won’t press on what’s been troubling you, but you know, these tired old eyes of mine do still catch a few things here and there, and I have seen you — well. I don’t like to use the word struggling, but you know, perhaps it is a bit more apt than anything else I could think of.” And she knows he’s looking at her, knows those beady black eyes well, but just focuses on unwrapping the chocolate bar as quietly as she can.

What makes you think we want you around?

“You’ve had a rough time of it, this year.”

It’s not a question, but she still finds herself nodding confirmation. “I don’t know what happened.” She says hoarsely, and reaches for the water bottle.

Leave us alone.

“I’ve been wanting this for years, I worked so hard to get into this program, I just—” and she has to press her mouth shut to keep the lump in her throat from escaping.

Leave us alone!

“Some… stuff. Uh, came up, I guess.”

They sit in silence for a minute, then softly: “The human mind is a wonderful, confusing little thing.” Professor Keelson says. She dares a glance up at him, finds him — thank god — staring out his office window. “It tends to block out anything unpleasant we might not want to hear, and often that negativity will build and build and build until, one day, the weight becomes too much to bear.” He sighs and scrubs a hand through his short white beard, messing the hairs out of their orderly style. “And then we must face the unfortunate truth that sometimes what we thought we wanted is, in actuality, not at all the path we should be taking."

She drops her gaze back down to her bouncing knee. “Is it stupid?” She blurts out, watching her leg blur under her rising tears. “I just — this is a good school, a good program, and I’ll have so many job opportunities when I graduate—”

A weathered hand stretches out across the desk, just reaching to where her pinky would've been. “And yet,” Professor Keelson murmurs. “It won’t make you happy.” He sits back in his chair, looking every inch the benevolent Santa Claus his students know him to be. “And given how miserable you’ve been this year, Ms. Ochoa, I daresay your ultimate happiness is worth far more than any graduating job offers.” His smile drops for a half-second. “Though I can’t say I won’t be sorry to see you go. You’re already one of my best students, you know.”

You're an embarrassment to my name and reputation.

A wet little giggle chokes out of her throat, and she wipes down her face one more time. “Don’t tempt me, I’m half-considering staying,” she admits. “Even with all of this.”

“Ah, but if you do, what sort of state will you be in once you graduate?” Professor Keelson says, raising a bushy brow. “All you young folk are the same. You’re young, you have that wonderful, limitless energy, but you must learn to take care of yourselves now, while you have the space to do so. Won’t do you any good to drive yourselves into the ground every night when you’re my age, you know!” He looks at her appraisingly, then smiles wide. “And you know, my dear, there’s great strength in being able to admit you were wrong. I’ve always admired people who are strong enough to chase their dreams instead of following the easy path. Do you have an idea where you’re going, yet?”

Don’t ever come back here, you little— 

“There’s a performing and visual arts conservatory,” she says hesitantly. “River Park, downstate. They’ve got really good photography and filmmaking programs, and, um.” She pauses, unsure how to explain how right it had all felt when she’d been reading about it online. “Well, I have an interview on Wednesday, so.”

Professor Keelson’s smile widens. “River Park! My partner studied illustration there, years ago when we were both young. You’ll do wonderfully.”

She can’t help but feel like his faith is ever-so-slightly misplaced —

I didn't want you.

— maybe it’s just the existential crisis talking, who knows —

Do you understand me?

— but she can’t quite bring herself to argue against the sparkling excitement in the professor’s eyes. She lets him press another chocolate bar and tissue combo into her hand as he shuffles her out of his office, with strict, cheerful instructions to come see him before she leaves for her interview.

You were a mistake.

Tuesday night comes in the blink of an eye; she’d barely dumped her meager wardrobe back into the suitcase she’d kept under her bed and her sticky notes are still haphazardly slapped to the wall above her desk. She’s not exactly sure where the time went — it’s not like she went to any classes. Or ate much. Or was sleeping, really. Granted she did try, but the third time in the same night she woke up sobbing because her blankets had twisted around her leg, trapping her in an all-too-familiar heat vortex—

window won't break it's too hot it hurts to breathe window won't break it's so fucking hot she can't think window won't break but it'll slide get out of this goddamn heat get out get out crunch fuck ow hurts hurts ow fuck hurts her toes shouldn't be ow fuck fuck fuck pointing that way hurts hurts fucking hurts can't feel her knee fuck fuck where's papá—

— she kind of gave up. She doesn't even bother pulling out her shitty, half-broken headphones to try and watch something on Netflix to try and pass the time, she just lays in bed and listens to Rebecca softly snoring five feet away. The ceiling is infinitely more interesting than anything else she could’ve been focusing on, anyway.

Except maybe her portfolio. Which. She hasn’t really. Looked at.

She’s so fucked.

Still, she drags herself out of bed nice and early at 7 am Wednesday morning, beating her alarm by the customary 4 minutes, and actually manages to gather the energy to sift through her remaining clothes to dig out something — well. She doesn’t really have anything “nice,” per say, but she does have an oversized sweater that’ll pass as a dress once she puts on some makeup and a belt and ties her hair up, and that’ll have to be good enough.

You show up to my door looking like that?

River Park is going to laugh her right out the door.

Everything she might need is already shoved unceremoniously into her backpack — wallet, keys, wrist brace, student ID, laptop, flash drive (in its place of honor in the tiny pocket), knee brace, fruit snacks, water bottle — but her eye catches on her DLSR just as she’s finished tying the laces on her most comfortable boot, and she hesitates. She hasn’t really looked at her portfolio much recently — she knows she’s got some old pictures from Manhattan, and maybe some from various campus events that might be good, but it’s been a little hard to go out and take nice shots when she’s been drowning in depression soup for the past four months. Four years. Whatever. Either way, she doesn’t have much to show for herself, and inspiration hasn’t really hit lately.

But River Park is — well, she has no idea, really, she hasn’t seen it in person yet, but the photos online are gorgeous, all glass-and-brick buildings framed by forests and gardens. Very much a college town, from what she can tell, the campus map isn’t really a map so much as a general directory pointing out which buildings were associated with the conservatory, but there was something that felt weirdly homey about seeing those pictures. Maybe it was the layout of the buildings, maybe it was the way they described their classes and professors, maybe it was just the simple fact that everyone in those pictures was genuinely smiling, but she’d gotten this weird, longing ache just below her collarbone that had made her close down all her other college-related tabs and email River Park’s photography and filmmaking department.

Something feels good about that campus. And maybe, if she gets there a little early, she can—

You don't get to come into my life and — and ruin everything I have here.

It’s only seven forty-two. Her interview’s not until one, and the train ride downstate should only take an hour. She’s got time.

Which is how she finds herself knocking on Professor Keelson’s office door, DLSR hanging around her neck, about two hours earlier than she’d been intending to be there, praying to who and whatever might be listening that he’s actually in and she didn’t just horribly fuck this up like she’s been fucking up, oh, who’s to say, just about everything she touches these past few months.

You’re not a part of this family. You never will be.

“Come in, come in!” She hears just beyond the door, and she cautiously peeks in to find the wizened old professor crouching over his printer, staring at it suspiciously as it slowly spits out some document. “Hello, dear. Wasn’t expecting you this early!”

I think you should leave.

“Sorry,” she manages, hovering in the doorway. “I just — change of plans.”

Professor Keelson nods, collects his papers, and creaks over to his desk. “Yes, very good.” he agrees, shuffling the papers into two piles. “Take a seat, I promise I won’t keep you very long. You look nice, by the way.”

She sits, already relaxing in the warm familiarity of Professor Keelson’s overstuffed office. Maybe this is why he’d wanted her to visit before she went, just to make sure she wouldn’t vomit on the interviewers. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re very welcome. Now,” he says, stuffing one pile of papers into a folder. “These are all your important documents: transcripts, transferable credits, disability accommodations, et cetera. Pardon my overstepping, but you did seem a little, ah, frazzled, shall we say? Last you came to speak with me and I was almost positive that you wouldn’t have thought of pulling the paperwork together.”

Which is absolutely true, she hadn’t, and she can’t even bring herself to feel insulted that he’d assumed she wouldn’t. “Thank you very much,” she says, trying desperately to seem calm and cool and collected and not crush her very expensive, very precious camera in her white-knuckle grip.

A mess. You're a mess.

Professor Keelson’s face crinkles into a smile. “You’re very welcome. You’ll be happy to know that, since you’ve already completed all your core classes and general requirements, all of those credits will easily transfer between the schools. There may be a class or two you’ll have to make up, but you should be able to jump right in with your major-specific classes. Now, this,” he says, folding the other papers into an envelope. “Is your letter of recommendation. I’ll put it in the folder with everything else, but I wanted you to know that you had it.”

Oh, fuck, she might start crying again. “Professor—” she starts, but he’s already slid the folder across the desk to her.

“Ms. Ochoa, if I may.” Her mouth snaps shut, and he continues: “Our time together has been short, yes, but you have been one of my favorite students to ever come through these doors. Barring your obvious intelligence, passion, and work ethic, you’re also relentlessly kind, despite everything you’ve gone through.” His gaze fixes on her cheek for the briefest of moments, tracing over the lumps and bumps of her scars, but his eyes are as soft as they’ve ever been. “I don’t presume to know your history, but I know bits of your present, and the person I’ve seen would make a valuable asset to any school she goes to. If you approach your new classes and projects with as much determination as you did mine, I’ve no doubt your new instructors will be as proud of you as I am. I let them know as much.”

 ...

She numbly takes the folder, desperately blinking back tears. “Th-thank you, sir.” She manages, thick in the back of her throat. “I-I’ll do my best.”

Professor Keelson takes up his customary position, hands laced neatly over his belly. “You will.” He agrees, smiling. “Now, you should be heading out soon. I’d hate to make you miss your train, especially if you want to get there early.”

“Yes — yes.” And she gets up on autopilot, sliding the folder into her backpack as carefully as she can manage. “Thank you. Thank you so much, professor, I can’t — I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

She’s halfway out the door when she hears him call: “Ms. Ochoa, one more thing?”

She turns.

The professor smiles benevolently at her from his chair. “Don’t give up on yourself before you’ve even gotten started.”

And with that, she’s on her way.

Get out.

So, update: maybe deciding to take her portfolio pictures on her way to her college interview was a stupid idea, but to be fair, a lot of her stupid ideas have worked out pretty decently before, so. It’s fine.

Probably.

She definitely doesn’t almost miss the train by snapping shots of the mostly-empty station, but in her defense, the morning fog hadn't quite dissipated yet, and the spooky air of possibility that the tracks had been extending and disappearing into was just begging to be captured. And she absolutely doesn’t continually hop seats throughout the hour-long ride to get different angles of the seats, the blurry towns and roads whizzing past, or even a couple of self-portraits here and there. It’s not like there are people around for her to bother, anyway, so it’s fine. (Probably.) It’s a little hard getting a satisfyingly dramatic shot of her staring out the window, but she thinks the one where they’re passing through a tunnel and she’s locked eyes with her shadowy reflection might be a winner. She won’t really know until she opens them up on her computer, which will probably end up being just before the interview, with her luck, so. Who knows, she might just be wasting her time and battery life.

It’s the most fun she’s had in a while, though.

And. Fuck, maybe it makes no sense, but she's still got that feeling in her chest. It's creeping up to her ponytail, at this point, tugging on the ends of her curls, ordering her to pay attention.

Capture this.

It's important.

Last time she felt like that, she won an award, so. Y'know. Fuck her if she's going to ignore it.

She cuts herself off when there’s ten minutes left in the journey, just to be sure she’s not scrambling to put herself together as she’s pulling up to the station, but ten minutes, it turns out, is both much longer and much shorter than she thought it’d be. Just enough time to run down the list of all the possible ways this could (and would) go wrong, but not enough to steady her racing heart before the train’s slowing down.

You're delusional. This isn't one of your little fairy tales. This is — it's not going to happen.

Don’t give up on yourself before you’ve even gotten started, she remembers, taking one last breath to steel herself, and swings herself up onto her feet and out the doors.

The station is nice enough, but not terribly different from the one she’d started in besides being a little cleaner, so she shoulders her backpack and makes her way down the stairs and into the town proper.

Which.

Wow.

Maybe it’s just a seasonal thing, maybe not, but all the buildings she can see are draped with hanging lights, and even the curving street lights have extra strands hanging over the sidewalks. She almost wishes she’d scheduled her interview later in the day, just to be able to get a shot of those lights against the dark sky, but contents herself with snapping pictures of the incredibly aesthetic sidewalk and shops. She spots an art supply store with a cheerful blue door sandwiched between a movie theater and an apartment complex that frames up nicely, and there’s a coffee shop with swirling, festive winter-y designs painted on the window with pots of poinsettias framing the corners that’s a — no pun intended — picture-perfect paragon of coziness. She stops maybe a little too long to zoom in on the red leaves and flawless paint, making sure to keep the actual inside of the shop out of focus, because as cute as the beanbags and mismatched armchairs are, she doesn’t really feel like going in to ask if it’s alright for her to take pictures of the small handful of people both in front of and behind the counter.

One last shot of the poinsettias and she moves on, turning her lens to the last few, dying flowers in their garden beds, then to the display window of a bookstore that proudly announces its support of the LGBT community with various painted flags, then to the churning river that cuts through the town and the elegant bridge that arcs proudly above it.

There’s not a lot of people walking around right now, but she can definitely see kids around her age up the street, chatting and laughing amongst themselves as their breath puffs out in front of them. A cute dog bounces over to say hello before its owner tugs it away with a sheepish smile, and even without their leaves, the trees interspersed along the sidewalk stand tall, proud, and lovely.

She’s got that weird ache in her chest again — stronger this time — that indiscernible pull that draws her to stay, and she puts her camera down, puffing out a shaky breath.

What made you think we want you here?

“It doesn’t matter.” She tells herself sternly, leaning up on the sides of the bridge. “It doesn’t matter unless you get in.”

Speaking of. She pulls her phone out of her pocket, fully intending to double check the email she’d been sent with instructions on where to go, but her eye catches on the time.

Twelve forty-six.

So. Maybe not the best idea to go gallivanting around a campus she doesn’t know, especially when she has an extremely important interview to get to, but even as she’s scolding herself, she knows the pink flush in her cheeks isn’t just from the cold, and she’s got more energy now than she’s had in months, so.

Worth it.

Thank god E.A. Archer Hall is straightforward enough to find; Google Maps tells her it’s a seven minute walk in a mostly straight line from where she is on the bridge now, which she just about manages even though it’s cold and her stump is starting to ache. The building is emblazoned with the name right on the side, so it’s impossible to miss, but she needs a keycard to get in, and somehow she thinks her current school ID isn’t exactly going to fly here.

But someone, somewhere, is smiling on her, because she’s only just gotten to oh, shit before a tall woman with vitiligo and long box braids strides towards the door, pushing it open.

“Alejandra Ochoa?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she says as smoothly as she can behind her chattering teeth, and the woman smiles.

“You're right on time. Come on in, let's get started."

[doueverwonder]

okay hear me out: So, my Northern Ireland oc Fiachra (or Fio) is either Ireland or Scotlands kid (I haven't decided yet). Whichever way it was, he was born, and all of the British isles went 'we are not raising another child' and went 'oh!! he just!!! appeared!!! how strange!!'

But anyway, he's one of their kids but he's raised as their baby brother bc none of them feel like the responsibility of being a parent rn. (England is gonna try to pull this with Sealand in a few decades, won't work that time.) My eventual point was Fio does stuff like

N. Ireland, sniffles: I love being an uncle but, my they grow up so fast!

Canada, USA, Australia, & New Zealand: .... we're older than you

[kschmidts-a]

❝ and, um, do not eat these. these will make your little hearts stop and you'll choke to death on your own vomit and everyone will be so, so, super sad. ❞

kate schmidt, the prettiest dealer from the murder capital of the country. always reaching for the stars. determined to claim her place among them. a deep dive into the mind of the loveable former academic alpha bitch & ex high school hustler who survived and finally made it out. what happens next and why can't she move on?

independent & selective blog for kate schmidt from netflix's fear street series. heavily headcanon based, crossover friendly. affiliated with @prettydead & @mysharxna & @ha1fm00n / @spellmaens & @sunxsin & @redemptioninterlude & @chrissycunningham. penned by FIO, she / her, 29.

carrd. memes. ziggy. multi. guidelines below the cut.

001. for the sake of my sanity, i’m remaining mutuals only! i’m very open to interacting with all kindsa muses, but i can't follow everyone back. i just wanna avoid forgetting & getting overwhelmed.

002. no minors please!! this is a 21+ blog, please respect that!

003. this is a safe space. i will not tolerate any bigotry and toxicity. i want to reiterate that homophobia, colorism, racism, islamaphobia, antisemitism, transphobia, and hatred of any sorts will earn an immediate hard block, no exceptions. we are way too grown to be misbehaving.

004. while the nature of the fandom does have darker themes such as: death, violence, drugs, alcohol, i will not write the following: inc*st, s*xual assault, extreme violence, explicit sexual content.

005. in terms of SHIPPING, i'm all about chemistry. i'm always willing to try stuff out with mutuals, so just hit me up and we'll figure something out!

006. my work schedule is kind of crazy, but i do my best to keep everyone in the loop when i’m going to be off the grid. that being said, please be patient with me!! i have adhd so chances are i forgot and i’m not avoiding you, so feel free to nudge me with a message! 007. when it comes to MUTUALS, if i break it, i will be soft blocking. i ask that you please do the same!! if i soft block you, please do not refollow, multiple refollows will result in a hard block and i really don't want to resort to that.

008. CREDIT! header made by @ha1fm00n & dash icon, post banners & promo by @villainsrph & icon border by @ferriscommissions! and i didn't think i had to say this, but all headcanons, character work, replies, etc. were written by me. i have worked hard at developing my muses, so please respect that and don't steal. inspiration is always good, it's always the one, but straight plagiarism & theft isn't it. so please, act grown. if i see any theft / plagiarism, i will immediately hard block.

009. my hi everyone! my name is fiorella, but i go by fio. i'm 29 and i've been on and off the rpc for way too long. i'm super duper stoked to write with you!! if you wanna reach out and talk or plot or just yell at me ab fs/anything you can hit me up for my discord!!

[hinge]

Hinge presents an anthology of love stories almost never told. Read more on https://no-ordinary-love.co

[givemethesleep]

idk if i should have put this on the post butt i figured it could get kind of long lol… are the people being experimented on just humans or other creatures(idk if that’s the word you would use) too? if it’s other creatures, do you have any idea if you’re wanting different races to react differently to the testing or have different end results?

also for the immersive things: idk if they’re neglected in other places but i love it when there’s fantasy foods and like holidays discussed, or i guess culture in general. i can’t remember what i read but it had like a little encyclopedia at the end that explained more about foods mentioned and the history of holidays that were mentioned! i really enjoyed being able to read more about it. i think that sort of thing would be great, especially if you’re putting little snippets up just to give things more context.

you're amazing thankyou for the asks i'm feral about you!! Not gonna go too deep into anything too nasty but under the cut there's vague gore mentions and cannibalism mentions below!

The experiments are all sorts!! Humans, such as Fio's partner Adam, are the main focus of the trials involving the removal of body parts to create realistic synthetics, hoping to eventually create what are basically fantasy androids to act as spies and soldiers. But elves, orcs, the iilae/amrat/evira (sometimes collectively called 'beastfolk' or beastmen' to various levels of displeasure) and miscellanous animals are also being subject to these treatments!! If an uncanny human gets spotted, well, that's fair - humans are aware, for the most part, of their behavioral patterns. But a bird, or a rabbit? They (hypothetically, at least) would be much harder to spot.

The the thinnest upper crust of the human countries and a majority of the Sterkyyn (or Mana Elves) display excitement about these experiments, and the ability to spy on yout enemies without putting yourself in harms way without the blood on their concience of a living spy killed in action, though paranoia in these ranks is also increasing. For the Sterkyyn, they think it their right to understand the ways of magic and mechanics and, due to their extensive legislation and powerful position of the map, they are able to hoard knowledge and advancements from the further reaches of elven civilisation while keeping these horrendous experiments hidden. Of course, rumors get around, but by the beginning of the stories very little is truly known about what is going on in the Inner Sanctum, and whether or not these godless creations are already leaking into the world.

Fantasy foods and holidays!!! This is such a good idea - I haven't read a book with a feature like that in some time but I totally know what you're talking about!! If there's interest I'd love to talk about some of the holidays, especially around the times when they would occur! The one's I'm working on at the moment are the Kyyn-specific festivities, tied into the elven creation myths!! Each sub-species of elf are descended from one of the mother godess' children, who all left her overbearing presence and changed the world around them to make a life for themselves and their descendants. Each group celebrates separately with different traditions, though most species practice some form of ritualistic cannibalism on these days!! Givokyyn and Dravkyyn practice this year round with some specific rules about who, when and how flesh should be prepared and eaten, though the practice isn't looked down upon by anyone but a select group of Sterkyyn and the humans - and even then, the sacred rites are rarely witnessed by humans.

While I'm certain there'll be some fantastic harvest festivals to talk about and even a handful of recipies to try out at home, no one quite does an "independance day" like a rural Givo village... I'm adding a sort of Traveller's Guide to my worldbuilding bible for stuff like this, as well as plants and their properties that don't exist here on Earth for future posts and to slap on the end of the stories!!

Thankyou again so so much for the ask I'm loving this <3333

[starfellforestss]

What's Yuuto and Fio's relationship like?

It’s very sweet, honestly! Maybe a tad awkward at first, since Yuuto’s never really been good with kids, and he’s pretty nervous the first time he’s asked to babysit Fio. Because he knows how protective Toni is of her, and Ayano too, and “oh Maria, if I upset this kid my life is over, isn’t it?”— Meanwhile, Fio’s just excited to make a new friend! Toni talks about Mister Yuuto all the time, so she figures he must be amazing! If Toni likes him, Fio does too! (As if Fio doesn’t initially like everyone she meets anyway.)

There’s probably a point where Yuuto thinks he’s lost Fio and absolutely freaks out, but he very quickly finds her wandering around in his lab. Fio doesn’t really understand all of the robot stuff, but she thinks it’s super cool, and she wants to learn! Yuuto’s a little surprised, since he’s not super used to many people being that genuinely interested in his work. His nervousness subsides from there, and he starts teaching Fio about everything he’s working on, even explaining how to do some of it in the simplest terms he can. Fio loves hanging around Yuuto, and she does her best to understand his work. It makes her feel very smart when she’s with him! Sometimes she’ll draw robot designs, and Yuuto will make them for her.

Of course, Antonio absolutely adores it when Fio tells him all about the time she spends with Yuuto. Though he does get a little thrown off guard one day by Fio randomly declaring that she wants to be the flower girl at their wedding.

[lidoshka]

I follow you on Deviant Art and I discovered my favorite Voltron fanfictions thanks to your fanarts. How did you find them? I loved, among the others, "Where the light doesn’t reach", "Eternal Night", Discordiansamba's ones and "Desideratum": do you have more suggestions? We could do an exchange of fanfiction reviews if you want. I like long, well-written stories with Keith as a main character, space worldbuilding and deep emotions. With the Galra Keith trope also.

 You started reading Voltron fics because of me? Really?! That’s really cool!

ヾ|*ﾟ∀ﾟ*|ﾉ

Ahh! Yeah, I totally agree, we need more fanfic recs… in the last few months I’ve been doing art for other fandoms, so I haven’t checked new fics, but I do have some I like here so I’ll start!

Now, I don’t think any of these fics is longer than Eternal Night, but they are still cool, I also added some info of what I remember from each fic:

cobbled glass by ShirosRedKnight (SweetFanfics) One of the first things Keith learns about himself is that he is different. AU where Keith was always part of the Blades of Marmora and the Paladin's of Voltron come looking for the Red Paladin.

[Keith is galra but looks human] [can’t remember any pairing]

It's A New Start Series by Darkscales In which Keith, raised Galra and forcibly drafted into Zarkon's army, escapes from the Empire and proceeds to steal (then subsequently become adopted by) the Red Lion.

[Keith is very galra] [can’t remember any pairing]

 your sharp and glorious thorn by arahir

To end the war they inherited, Keith marries the King he lead an army against

[Sheith] [mostly Keith POV] [Keith being galra but still human-looking]

 Collision Course by winterysomnium Keith gets adopted by the Galra empire rebellion, basically.

[Keith being galra but still human-looking]

 Secret of the Blood by exclamation AU version of season 2. When Keith and Shiro were thrown from the wormhole, they crashed by the Blade of Marmora headquarters and were captured. When the Blade reveal the secret of Keith's heritage, Keith must decide if he can trust these people... and if he can trust himself.

[Keith angst] [can’t remember any pairing] [Keith is galra but looks human]

 The Blade of Memory by exclamation (ß same author as previous one!) Kan has no memory of his life before he was found injured and adrift by the Blade of Marmora. When he comes across a slave that seems to be the same species as him, he decides to rescue him. But saving Matt broke a number of the Blade's rules and helping Matt further would mean going against Kolivan's orders.

[Keith angst…ish] [can’t remember any pairing] [Keith is galra but looks human]

 hound by story_monger (is there any rec list that doesn’t include this one?? XD) Keith has a lot of practice being alone; you might almost say he's good at it. When he finds himself seriously injured and stranded on an unknown planet, he knows he's not alone there

[Keith angst] [can’t remember any pairing] [Keith POV] [beign galra is not part of plot]

 baby, you're a dark star by Thesis When the Lions are separated from the castle, hurled out of the wormhole into distant corners of space, Pidge still finds Allura within an hour. Then Shiro, alone, injured, delirious, asking if they've found Keith yet. They force him into the healing pods and get back to searching. They find Lance, they find Hunk. But they don't find Keith for sixteen months. And now that they have, Shiro is starting to think - maybe he didn't want to be found.

[Sheith] [Keith is galra but looks human]

 Insomnia by GriffinRose They reunite after the Wormhole Incident all in one piece. Mostly. But some scars can't be seen. Keith can't sleep, no matter how hard he tries.

[mostly Keith POV] [being galra is not part of plot��or was it?]

 nothing can breathe in space by idrilka The truth is: what Keith wants or doesn’t want won’t bring Shiro back. The truth is: nothing can breathe in space. (Or: the story of how Keith and Shiro come together, come apart, and come together again.)

[Sheith] [Keith angst] [being galra is not part of plot…or was it?]

 The Heat Was Hot and the Ground Was Dry by justheretobreakthings A glimpse into Keith's year living in a shack in the desert.

[Keith POV] [Keith angst…ish] [has a Spotify list on the last chapter] [can’t remember any pairing]

 Small Heart, Made of Steel by inkfishie The fight with Zarkon, the battle with the Galra fleet, the crash; It came back in small measures. Keith finds himself stranded and alone.

[mostly Keith POV] [Keith angst] [survival stuff] [being galra is not part of plot]

 For Everything a Reason by flyingisland

In Keith's life, the only true absolute was that everyone would always leave in the end.

[Sheith] [very Keith angst] [Keith POV]

 these old bones by achievingelysium

He’s always been fascinated with dinosaurs. Keith isn’t entirely sure why—maybe it’s because their footprints are still here, even after so long. Maybe he’s hearing the echoes of history calling for him. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because he sees himself in those old bones. A Keith character study told in three parts.

[Keith angst…ish] [can’t remember any pairing] [being galra is not part of plot..or was it???]

 The Long Way Back by fio As a gladiator, and now Champion, Shiro has given up hope of ever returning to Earth. But when his captors deliver his 'prize'—an omega, a descendant of both Galran and Altean blood used by the Galra to breed with the strongest aliens they capture—he's offered a chance to escape. There's just one catch: Shiro has to get him pregnant to do it. [Sheith] [it’s 40k words] [smut but I can’t remember in which chapter] [Keith is very galra]

 The Faeries' Midwife by zjofierose the line between dream and nightmare, between asleep and awake, has always been a hazy one for Keith. Voltron makes it all that much worse.

[short] [Keith angst] [can’t remember any pairing]

 Sands and Stars by Neyasochi Keith’s no stranger to shit going sideways, but mistakenly assaulting and robbing a crown prince is definitely the peak misfortune of his considerable criminal career. Suddenly in the custody of the royal guard and slated for a swift and unceremonious execution, he figures his short life is over. Imminently. But then Prince Takashi offers him an alternative.

Part 1 of the Bond and Blade Series

[Sheith] [slow, slow burn] [mostly Keith POV] [Keith is galra but looks human] [It’s medieval!au-ish babe!]

 familiar voices and careful hands by bobtheacorn Keith hesitates, then lifts a hand to pat Hunk's arm. It's awkward returning the comforting gesture, but it seems to help Hunk calm down so Keith is glad that he does it. He keeps reaping the rewards of reaching out to the people he cares about, even if small things are the only ones he can manage right now, and he can't help feeling grateful.

[can’t remember any pairing] [team bonding] [keith angst…ish]

 i never meant (i only wanted) by ADyingFlower It's a lot farther to Arizona from Washington D.C. than he thought it would be. The sun beats down on his scalp and dark clothes as he travels the roads of national highways, occasionally trying to hitchhike when he could. Not often, though. His soles burn into his feet, but he doesn’t dare stop.

[Keith POV] [Keith angst] [being galra is not part of plot…or was it???]

+

Well, that’s my fav ones about Keith... I didn’t add any WIPS nor any of Discordiansambas’ cause you know those ones already, but just like you I also like long stories with lots of worldbuilding, angsty stories... I love stories where they explore what being a galra hybrid means to Keith!

[hyperion-moonbabe-art3mis]

Virago 21. Strength of Spirit

Summary: Y/N was sent to the ground after spending five years in the Skybox for stealing medical supplies and murder. How will she deal with her new environment and learn to survive on earth? Will she crack under the pressure of becoming a leader of the 100 or will she embrace it. 

Post Date: 10.30.20

Word count: 2.2k

Based off: 02x10 “Survival of the Fittest”

Pairing: Bellamy Blake x Reader

Masterlist

100 Master List

The next morning you woke up to find Lincoln and Bellamy preparing to leave, “Hey,” Bellamy says leaning down to you.

“Hey,” You respond getting up. “You ready?” You ask.

“Yeh, we’re leaving in 10,” He responds as you stand up.

“I’ll let you get ready. Just be careful, okay?” You say.

“I will,” Bellamy says starting to walk away. 

Before you knew it you felt yourself pulling him into a hug. Neither of you said anything and stood there, for what felt like minutes. Soon enough, Bellamy pulled away as he needed to finish preparations. You watched as he and Lincoln walked off into the forest, hoping you’ll see him soon. Only a few minutes the rest of your group pack up and head back to Camp Jaha. 

After you settle back into camp, Kane tells you to go into the meeting room to wait for the grounders to arrive to talk about the war strategies. You reluctantly listen to him and go to wait. You stand next to Octavia as we waited for the grounder troops to arrive. Once they walked in you could feel the tension and the uneasiness between your people and the grounders.

“Quiet down,” Kane says as he enters the room, and then gestures for Indra to walk further into the room.

“Don’t worry. My shock baton’s got your guys back,” The guard next to Octavia and you says.

“How about you stick it up your ass instead?” Octavia says back.

“I know we don’t have a lot in common. But we do have a common enemy...and a common goal. And for us to reach it, to get our people out of Mount Weather...we need to work together,” Kane says before speaking some words in the grounder language. “Our survival depends on you sharing your knowledge of this world,” Kane continues before you notice Murphy shoving a grounder. Catching everyones attention in the room.

“Mr. Murphy. Apologize to that man,” Kane says.

“For what?” Murphy asks. “He was the pne who came at me,” Murphy says.

“Two days work detail,” Kane syas.

“Work detail? I just told you I didnt--”

“Care to make it three?” Kane interrupts and Murphy thankfully walked away yet the grounder kept speaking to him. Murphy could handle it and threw a punch at the grounder causing a fight to break out through the entire room. You and Octavia quickly worked to try to break it apart but it didn’t seem to work.

Soon enough you were able to settle the fight. Since Kanes little spiel didn;t seem to work every cleared out and the grounders went to train outside.

“Impressive...aren’t they?” Kane says to you and Octavia as you two walked up to watch the fights. Octavia had that same look in her eyes as you did, that you wanted to fight and train like them. “What doesn’t kill them...makes them stronger,” Kane says.

“I am,” Octavia walks to Indra after she says something in her language. You assume she asked whos next. 

“We’re supposed to train together. Right?” You ask following her and standing next to Octavia. You knew you wanted to get in there just as bad as Octavia. 

“Only warriors train here,” Indra says coldly.

“I saved your life,” Octavia says looking at Indra.

“And now i’m saving yours. Both of yours,” Indra says before speaking to her people. Octavia walked off clearly upset that Indra wouldn’t let her fight. You noticed as Kane made rounds to the guards shooting guns and decided to watch them. Kane tried to offer a grounder to shoot a gun before Indra interfered. 

“Guns keep them alive. It’s like they’re afraid of them,” Kane says as the grounders go back to their training.

“They are. Legend has it if a grounder picks up a gun, even to shoot another grounder...Mount Weather will wipe out their entire village. Can’t have your blood supply defending themselves. Right?” Octavia says from the sidelines.

“If we don’t arm them...we can;t win,” Kane says.

“Like hell we can’t, “Octavia says getting up from her seat and walks away.

“We don’t know enough about these people,” Kane says.

“She sure seems to,” the guard besides you says.

“More that you guys,” You say.

“What can you tell us?” Kane asks turning to you.

“Not as much as Octavia can tell you,” You say before following after her.

“Hey,” You say catching up.

“Hey,” She says.

“I know you want to get in there as bad as I do,” You say sitting on the sidelines.

“Yeh, if only Indra would let us,” Octavia says as you watch them. 

A few hours pass and you spend time unpacking your stuff from the trip. Soon enough you hear a knock on you door and open it to find Octavia. 

“I’m gonna make Indra let me train. You in?” She asks holding out another machete to you.

“Hell yeah,” You say grabbing the machete and following her outside. Just as you made it outside you noticed as the grounders were about to leave. Nothing stopped you and Octavia from getting in their way.

“Time for two more?” You ask as you meet up with Indra.

“Step aside, sky girls. We’re hungry,” Indra says.

“Make us,” Octavia says.

“Fio, Penn. Give these girls what they want,” Indra says before moving out of your way.

You watched as one of the men approached you and the other to Octavia, “Let’s do this,” Octavia says as you both prepare to fight.

You quickly go in for aswing with the machete Octavia gave you as she does the same. The man blocks your swings and grabs your arm. He pulls you towards him and knocks you with his head, sending you backward. But you weren’t gonna give up that easily. As you gathered yourself you notice Octavia being thrown to the ground.

“Hey, are you gonna give up that easily?” You say as you notice the man turning away from you as Octavia gets up.

“They want more? Oblige them,” Indra says.

The man starts to run towards you and swings, you ducted quickly and knock him in the back of his head with the blunt side of your machete. The man quickly turns around and elbows you in the face sending you to the ground. 

“Indra. Stop this,” Kane says trying to intervene. Indra ignores Kane’s request and says something to the men.

You and Octavia get up and take quick jabs to your respective sparing “partner”. The man fighting you barely budges. He takes you by the leg, picking you up, and tosses you away from him, into the muddy water. Even though you could feel pain in every body part, you muster every last bit of energy you have and charge at the man. Only to have your legs swiped out from under you. The man doesn’t hesitate one moment to kick you further away. As you try to gather your strength again, Indra interrupts the fight for both you and Octavia, stopping them from continuing.

Kane tries to help you up but you just shake him off, “I’m fine,” You say struggling to get to your feet. He then goes and helps Octavia up. 

“What are you two trying to prove?” Kane asks as the three of you head inside the Ark.

“What doesn’t kill you...makes you stronger,” Octavia struggles to get out. Kane takes Octavia into medical, but you continue down the hall to your room.

“Y/N, you should get to medical,” Kane says yelling after you down the hallway. You just continue to walk, ignoring him.

“Please, if not for me. At least yourself,” Kane says now closer to you. You turn to face him and silently let him know that you’d go. He walks with you into medical and you sit down on a cot. He doesn’t hesitate one moment to take care of your wounds. Not feeling up for a fight, you let him.

“Y/N...I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more. That I didn’t visit more. You know why we had to float--” Kane starts.

“Don’t finish that sentence...You know I completely understand, but you also know the reason I’m still mad,” You respond. Before Kane could respond he was called by one of the guards. The nurse continued to tend to your and Octavia’s wounds. 

“What do you want?” Octavia says. You look up and notice Indra was standing above you two.

“You two fought like children today. All aggression. No thought, no defense. Always leaving yourselves exposed. Revealing your next move before each strike.

“Ok. We know. We got our asses kicked. That should make you happy,” You say.

“It does. Because neither of you gave up. Strength of spirit like that is rare, especially in two people. It must be guided,” Indra says intriguing both of you. “Do you know what a warrior’s second is?” Indra asks.

“An apprentice,” You respond.

“I can make both of you great warriors. Octavia and Y/N of the sky people...if you’re willing to do what it takes to train with me. I can only have one second, so you two must decide between eachother who takes the spot. I will train the other but not as my second,” Indra says.

“What’s in it for you?” Octavia asks.

“First lesson: never question me,” Indra says clearly waiting for a response. 

You look at Octavia, “You can be her second,” You say.

“Are you sure? Thought you’d put up more of a fight?” She asks.

You turn to her and take her hands into yours, “This is meant more for you than me. I want to learn to fight more than anything, and I know you know that. But you...you are meant to be a second, not me. You can give this your full attention, whereas people are looking to me for our next move,” You say. “I’m willing to train with you but let Octavia be your second,” You say looking to Indra as you notice her walking out.

“I’m in,” Octavia quickly says.

“Good. We’ll start tomorrow. Both of you,” Indra says before walking out. You and Octavia look at eachother and smile, finally knowing that you two got what you wanted.

As soon as you were done getting your wounds tended to you walk back outside with Octavia and take a seat at the chairs. You watch as Indra cuts off a piece of meat that she and the grounders hunted.

“Eat. Get strong. Only then will we win this war,” Indra says holding the plate out to the people on our side. 

Kane walks forward, “Thank you,” He says before taking the plate from Indra. Everyone else quickly gathers to get food as Kane approaches you and Octavia.

“You two did this,” Kane says sitting next to you.

“You’re welcome. Don’t blow it,” Octavia says as you sat silently.

“The boar put up a better fight than you two,” One of the grounders says to you and Octavia before handing you two a plate of food.

“I see you two are making friends,” Kane says as you take a bite of the boar.

“What do you want from us?” You ask finally speaking up.

“What do you thinks gonna happen...once we get your friends back? For now, we have a common goal. But one day, this war’s gonna end. With them,” Kane says.

“Just get to the point,” Octavia says.

“We know so little about them. You two have earned their respect. I need you two to be my eyes and ears,” Kane whispers.

“You’re asking us to be spies?” You ask annoyed.

“I’m asking you...to look out for your people,” Kane says.

“I am,” You say before getting up and heading into the Ark.

As you were getting ready for bed you heard a knock on your door. You open it to find non-other than Kane. “What do you want?” You ask standing in his way.

“May I come in?” He asks. You reluctantly move out of his way and let him in. “I just wanted to check on you...just make sure you’re ok,” He says quietly.

“Like you care,” You say sitting in the seat at the table.

“I do, Y/N,” He says.

“You didn’t care enough to check on me back in space. So why now?” You question.

“You know I had a lot of responsibilities,” Kane says.

“That clearly took precedence over your BEST FRIENDS daughter. But you’re chancellor now and look at you. Finding time to talk to me. How ironic,” You say slumping into your chair.

“Y/N…” Kane says clearly upset with himself.

“No. I’m done with the excuses. It’s too late to put the work in now. So here’s the deal. I will listen to you as the Chancellor and I will be there for meetings. But past that, I don’t want to hear anything about you trying to be my father figure after abandoning me all those years. You got it?” You say leaning towards him.

“Ye--yeah,” He says quietly. You sit there for a few awkward moments before he gets up and leaves. 

“Just know Y/N. I will always be here for you now if you need it,” He says and closes your door.

A/N: Octavia and Y/N finally got their fighting moment. And more into Y/N and Kane’s relationship. BTW i never edited this bc i was lazy, so sorry for all the mistakes Thanks for reading!

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[hinge]

Hinge presents an anthology of love stories almost never told. Read more on https://no-ordinary-love.co