#interaction: ishtar

[sunlitmews]

"We are not necessarily against the Jedi as a concept, and once had warriors of our own kind in your ranks. It is that you are outsiders, not that you are Jedi." A sharp-toothed grin crossed her features as she waved a hand over her own tea-cup, the motion translating into the swirling of the liquid within. "You may call it by another name, but your path runs alongside the Path of Knowledge. They are different trees, yet share the same roots."

Though her brother may be more knowledgeable, Ish was not uneducated on the ways of the Force. Her people's connection to it may be more primal and focused on instincts, but that didn't mean they didn't understand. It called out to those that could listen, and that was something that the Cathar did well.

"You may see us as warriors, but that is not how we see ourselves. We wish for our cubs to never have to shed forbidden blood, but teach them to strike true if they must. Most prefer to simply be travellers, it is just that the universe is dangerous, and we won't leave our own undefended." No, they did their best to avoid war, but if need be the Cathar would not hesitate to protect their own.

Her answer was given with a wink, secrecy as natural to her as breathing. "That is intentional. We handle our own problems, and share our own joys with few. It keeps us safe." A shrug rippled through her fur, the movement one she had picked up through her travels. "Honestly, our world took advantage of the war. It distracted the slavers, and in chaos there is opportunity. The strongest rallied around the planet and outposts, and the trackers brought many back home."

Sharp teeth were shown in another, slightly feral smile, a clear reminder of the predatory species from which the Cathar had descended. "We know not to fight wars in the light, there are too many casualties. But those who travel can find many opportunities, and that is where we thrive."

"Yes, the Jedi do not have the best history with warrior cultures." It was a lesson he had learned early in life, yet one which still brought him great discomfort, especially after fighting the uglier half of two years with men cloned from one of the civilizations they helped destroy. The tensions between Mandalore and the Order were far before Obi-Wan's time, but the results of it were still devastatingly apparent. "I think my elders learned long ago it is best to keep our distance."

Because for a people who preached peace, the Jedi were an oddly territorial bunch.

Idly, he started gently tipping the cup as to make the tea—now bizarrely several shades of pink—swirl in on itself. And, for a moment, Obi-Wan let himself bask in how mundane their conversation was; just a vendor selling their wares and a customer caught in a sales pitch. Such a simple scene felt so foreign now, almost surreal and in some ways, off-putting.

"That is something of our image I hope to change; I don't want my people's presence to be seen as a challenge nor a warning." Attack dogs was what their criticizers had taken to calling them (and they weren't entirely wrong), no longer a symbol of unity, but one of bias and questionable interests. A group almost synonymous with the senate itself. "But thank you for the warning, I will make note of it for later."

As of now, Obi-Wan had little desire and little resources to actually put his plans into action. Most his focus was on Lothal, relocation, rehabilitation, testifying in court, arguing with the Council (which he thought he would be done with after relinquishing his chair) and the integration of people who had only known war into a peace time society, plenty of padawans included. But hopefully before he died, he would see their reach formally extended.

"I hate to ask, but I suppose it's my responsibility to, but how has Cathar fared these past few years?" The Separatist movement had not once ever showed interest in the planet, nor had the Republic due to their lack of ties and how far they were from major supply lanes, but such facts did not eliminate the threat of crossfire entirely. "Not much news escapes your star system."

[6ummyexe]

We aren't so different after all.

[eleanorose123]

A clash between the dark and the light (ko-fi) (insta) (redbubble)

Bonus:

[ry0ubakura]

ever since i learned of accessoryshipping i have not seen life the same way.

[justapalspal]

Me? Trying to wrap my head around the Ishtars again after saying I would be doing work? … I accomplished something! And am in the process of working out another thing! I deserve a break 😂

[likeadog]

its rare that anime only scenes have me like jaw drop but. that scene in battle city return to battle city pt 1 where marik in anzu's body confronts yami marik with the intent to push him off the building knowing full well he's going to be killing himself and then ishizu intervenes and then yami yugi intervenes still has me like. like god that scene is such a kick in the balls (positive) im still thinking about that

[randomnameless]

i know you said hopes had negative character development for the cast, but who do you think is better in hopes than in houses?

Better like in better writing, or better as in I appreciate them more?

Without a doubt, I'd say Felix and Sylvain who are better in Nopes than their FE16 versions, and in a way... Rhea herself, thanks to having more screentime when she isn't PTSD'ing lol

Call it chauvinism, but Sylvain in Nopes was scrubbed out of everything that made him... unlikable/feel flat in Houses.

His sob story about people only wanting to fuck him for his title/crest really felt... straight out ripped from some High School AU, with John McChad acting like an ass because the only girls who want to date him are interested in his situation as a heir of his dad's big company, and not because they love him. Yay. Great. Perfectly what I'm looking for in my medieval fantasy game where you whack people with swords.

Add to that the focus on crusts being the supposedly only reason why people are lusting over him - and not because, hey, you're a member of one of the most important noble houses in the Kingdom - to play in the general "crust bad" orchestra that can lead on the Supreme path, and the fact it's never ever adressed, and we have... this, which completely, to me, hides the other parts of Sylvain's character - like being someone who thinks outside of the box and resolves to lessen the reliance on his relic to defend the border by... creating a situation where they'll be no tension at the border, aka, a peace with Sreng.

Now, Sylvain works so well in Nopes partly because all of his "wah ladies only want my penis because i'm rich :'( " is erased, so we see a character who takes his duties as the heir of Gautier seriously, assists his Lord and friends and bring "new ideas" to help everyone. Sylvain, under his frivolous appearance and behavior, actually thinks and learns and suggests a lot of things that are quite useful, a bit like a "what if Sain wasn't only interested in courtship, but was raised as a future lord and had insight and suggestions on what to do". So sure, it's not as quirky and memorable as John McChad's sophomore year of school, but it fits better, imo, in the FE series.

As for Felix, well, it's more or less the same, his entire "duh boar bad chivalry bad and stupid - but wait no don't die and i'm sorry to have hit you dad i liked you but I was too busy playing the tsundere that I never got to say it to you before you died" schtick felt... old and annoying in FE16.

Sure, Felix can have his own, personal feelings about Dimitri being a hidden boar, but Felix is also the only heir of Rodrigue, and will become the next Duke Fraldarius, aka the second most important person in the Kingdom after the King himself, and the one tasked to protect it. Should Felix completely ignore his feelings and do what is expected of him, or take his role seriously? No, and Nopes has him give some "boar this, boar that", but Felix isn't a petulant 16 years old who wants to be "edgy" anymore, Felix is the next Duke - something he never shied away from, especially in his FE16 paralogue! - and has to start learning the job, thinking about Faerghus in something else than small jabs thrown at Dimitri and how to protect its people and second the King.

Heck, Felix's support in Nopes with Dimitri where Dimitri confesses about the ghosts, where Felix tries to carry him, the more or less cutscene where the general feeling is him saying to Dimitri he can count and rely on them... Given how FE16's Felix was written, even in AM, I can't see it happen before Rodrigue's death... and yet, in AG, Rodrigue is still alive (his optional death doesn't change those scenes), so when FE16's Felix realises there were more important things to do to help both his friend and country and dad but he only noticed it too late because he was too busy... being edgy, Nopes has him drop the edgy act (not completely drop it though, else it wouldn't be Felix anymore!) and act (lel) as his FE16 self, but only, without needing his dad to die first.

As for Rhea...

Having more screentime seriously helps, just like being allowed to talk about non plot relevant things with someone else than Billy or about Billy, I gushed a lot about the Nabatean paralogue, but it depicts her relaxing with her family (pissing on the "u r the only person i can talk to myself not the archbishop" pandering shit from FE16 even if FEH pissed on it first) and making tiny baby steps at apologising and confessing part of her guilt (for something completely stupid like Seiros the Warrior "borrowing" Cichol's shield to gift it to Willy!) to a member of her family.

Would that mean she would have confessed about the rez Sothis plan to Seteth earlier on? I... don't know, don't think so, and we don't have enough interactions between the two.

Compared to FE16 where she is an oyster until Billy turns green and Seteth nags her again and again and again, here she willingly makes the first step to apologise... sure, it's for something silly and not, resurrecting their mother, but it feels like a small progression (tiny baby steps) from FE16 where she has to be reveal stuff due to forced circumstances.

I also like how it sort of teases (or maybe that's just me lol) Seteth realising that Rhea still misses days long past to an unhealthy degree (tfw too much nostalgia), or just, having to remind her twice that those days are gone. Would he later realise her strange nostalgia hides something more deep, and ultimately her wish to "return" to those days by resurrecting Sothis?

idk, it's fuel for HCs and AUs, but for what it's worth, this paralogue and Nopes in general help flesh out Rhea more than what FE16 does, aka tying 80% of her mentions/appearances to Billy and Sothis.

(hell, in Nopes, she finally has lines with Flayn!)

[hydrogen-jukebox]

knowing that steven universe has a bunch of symbolism associated with ishtar makes you view so much of the show differently

[sennenpharaoh]

Recommend romantic candidates: Malik?

"That's... the good one, right?"

"I haven't really talked to any of the Ishtars since I returned and to be honest... I'm not sure if they know I've returned on my own volition. Would have to see how they take my... return before anything..."

[manneatcrs]

tag dump: ishtar

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( interactions )

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( musings & about )

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( headcanon )

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( aesthetic )

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( desires )

ishtar *:･ﾟ✧ at her glance there is created joy. power. and magnificence ( faceclaim )

[hearts-of-cards]

@iarethedj Asked:

Hands Malik a bag of things he'd probably enjoy. Makeup, nice scents to wear, rings and bracelets and various other goods. Just don't ask how they were obtained. "I believe this is customary for today?" -Touzie

"Wow, you really put a lot of thought into things that you thought I might enjoy." Gifts and a date? Tou is really in the running after his heart isn't he?

Don't worry; he wouldn't dare ask where Tou was able to acquire any of these things. He already has a pretty good idea, actually.

[sunlitmews]

"Cubs are extremely frail, I have seen many lost in my time. Dozens of little ones. But this will be the last time I see it, this time I will be going with them to the new life." She was looking forward to seeing home once more, as was Coal.

The cub's chirp was impossible to mistake for anything other than thanks as he took the root, giving the Jedi's hand a small nuzzle and bonking it with his head as payment. With the transaction made he returned to the others, showing them his prize and beginning to divide it amongst them.

Coal, who had been silent up until that point, growled slightly at the cub, which was met with an apologetic mew as the youngling handed over a large stick, getting the fur on the top of their head mussed for their troubles. His eyes met Obi's shortly after as he smelt the stick, checking for quality. "Can't let the cubs forget the elder tax."

With the treats in hand and everyone seated the cubs seemed much less wary, beginning to come a little closer, mewing amongst themselves in between bits of glow-root.

The elders both smiled a little at his question, and Coal chuffed slightly. "They have entered their journey, they must only kill their father."

Grey nudged Coal at the comment, knowing how it must sound. "Coal, he does not know our ways. Do not make it sound so sinister." Eye contact was made with Obi, even as she purred slightly to help calm the cubs. "Journey-cubs are on the cusp of adulthood. They have entered their trial, each one must prove themselves and best their journey-father, then they are considered fully grown."

The lack of names did not seem awkward to them, the secrecy of these missions being second-nature by now, so they did not even mention the pause, simply moving on in conversation as if nothing happened. "There was another warrior who should have been here, to help guard the cubs should things not go according to plan." Grey did not elaborate on why, not wishing to bring up such matters in front of the cubs.

"Our friend clearly felt you would be able to help, should things go sour. Ideally we will simply have to sit until the twins arrive… and of course keep the cubs mostly quiet."

One of said cubs had been slowly inching closer and closer to Obi-wan, and now was gently rubbing at his leg with a glowroot-stained cheek, occasionally bonking his leg with their head. Large amber eyes looked up every few headbutts, as if impatiently waiting for something.

"Elders Grey and Coal, understood. I am sorry to hear you died." Obi-Wan followed behind and noting the lack of furniture in the room, opting for a large stone playing the part of a stool rather than taking a chair. Regardless of the lack of surface area, he still sat with his legs crossed over each other. "I hear your people are unfortunately susceptible to such illnesses, especially your younglings."

A small smile pulled at his lips as a youngling with sparkling wide eyes pulled at Elder Grey's loose robes and he did not need to understand their language to know what they were asking for.

"You're in luck, I do have some sticks with me." Quite a bit of them too. They had to be ground into a powder to make tea and while Obi-Wan usually preferred his drinks strong, glow root apparently tripled its caffeine content when boiled (something he only discovered after drinking about four cups in one day and ended with him more paranoid than productive). Which meant he only used a pinch at a time, resulting in a drawer just full of stacked full with it.

Still telegraphing his movements, Obi-Wan unbuckled his travel bag and fulled out a handful of misshapen root. Also in his bag was wispy strands of cotton moss and the only receipt he'd ever received from the shop. Coincidentally, it was also the only one he'd ever asked for and for his efforts, been given a loose piece of scrap paper which resembled a faded grocery list and a mess of scribbles at the bottom. It looked enough like a signature, but something else told him it was a swear.

"I didn't know the twins were old enough pilot," he spoke, hand still held out as he turned his attention back to the elders. "With how—"

Another spectacularly awkward pause. Not knowing the Cathar's name had never been a problem until now.

"I assumed they were quite young. May I ask what purpose I serve if you have a ride out of here already?"

[thefirstknife]

I accidentally checked an item on Ishtar that isn't available yet because I wasn't sure what is and what isn't and luckily for me it's not lore with any spoilers about the plot which is why I'm going to show it because I will never recover emotionally or physically from this. Because I've spent years wishing for this interaction to happen. Literally personally wrote it as well, that's how much I wanted this to happen. And now it did.

Afterlight

Again I don't know when this will be available in-game, most likely act 2 or maybe 3. But I am in complete shambles. Peach has been such a niche little lore-only Ghost character and then they slowly mentioned her a few more times leading up to TFS and in TFS and now this. And in her original lore, she was such a cool presence and made a reference to how she should do what Sagira did and steal someone's Guardian, so after Immolant I became utterly obsessed with the idea that she should meet up with Osiris and become his Ghost. Or at least his buddy. Because she's so similar.

And well.

*bursts into tears*

Also all the little details.

"Best part of having been inside the Traveler? I've got an argument to win."

Referring to the original lore where she had an argument with another Ghost about the nature of the Traveler.

Osiris learning stasis as well as strand. Her showing up on his shoulder. His "You're not-" (Sagira) (I'm on the floor).

"This is the start of something beautiful." PLEASE.

[kujakumai]

On the subject of being good with children, which characters do you think WOULD be good babysitters?

YUGIOH CHARACTERS AS BABYSITTERS, RANKED

TOP PICKS:

Seto Kaiba runs an entire company dedicated exclusively to safely entertaining children, and unless his parks are getting continually sued I believe he knows how. Your kindergartner is not only safe with him but will probably leave knowing how to play chess and write in C++. He may allow them to play with knives, but only if they're 9 or over, plus he has all the emergency numbers on speed-dial.

Hiroto Honda babysits his niblings on the regular. Can warm a bottle and change a diaper. A level-headed and practical guy. He’ll be fine as long as his friends don't drag him into a horrible game-themed deathtrap. Don't ask why that caveat exists.

Rishid Ishtar is safe, experienced, has dad energy, however he will crumple like wet paper at the first sign of conflict re: ice cream for dinner / no bedtime / blood-soaked cross-country quest for revenge / an extra episode of cartoons over the screentime limit.

Ishizu Ishtar would make a great babysitter. I don't really have a quirky joke here she just would.

"MAYBE"S

Jonouchi used to watch his little sister and I think he'll do about as well as any other teenager you're paying minimum wage, and with a lot of earnest enthusiasm. Your child will be fine at the end of the night, though they will probably have eaten some junk food and played a T rated videogame.

I do not think Atem would know what to do with a baby, and may panic about it, though if you have an older child he will be happy to offer a rousing speech and some deep-voiced mentorlike advice while teaching them to play board games. Not a bad choice, just try not to leave him with anyone under seven.

Yugi knows zilch about kids and often appears a little annoyed by them. Same general rules as Atem--do not leave him with a baby, but he'll probably just teach an older kid to play shogi or something.

Mai Kujaku will put the kid in front of the television and order pizza while she paints her nails. Honestly, though, what more are you paying her for?

Listen, I love Anzu. I do. She’s smart, driven, and big-hearted, but she is also sort of short-tempered and impatient, and patience is like 90% of child-rearing. Please do not ask Anzu Mazaki to watch your children. She WILL say yes because she needs the money, and she WILL go into it with optimism and gumption, and yes, both she and your child will both be in one piece at the end of the night, but it will be clear from both of their frazzled expressions that she lost most of her sanity an hour in after the fifth "Why?"

DEFINITELY NOT

Ryou Bakura would in theory be a perfectly good, if kind of spacey, babysitter, but you cannot trust him to remain Ryou Bakura, and the other guy is definitely not someone you want anywhere near your children.

I don't think Marik Ishtar has ever interacted with a child for very long and the number of people he talks to that are even his own age is in the single digits. And he is definitely not getting spat on or dealing with any bathroom stuff. I'm not saying he can't figure it out but the learning curve is going to be steep.

I have to put Yami Bakura here in principle and yet for some reason I think it wouldn't go that bad? I mean he definitely doesn't care about the safety of your child. And he may enlist them to the armies of darkness. And he's not cleaning anything up. But he's like, a weird socially awkward over-the-top guy? And children love those? Honestly I think they would both have fun. For at least an hour until everything goes horribly wrong.

Please do not summon Zork Necrophades to babysit your child.

[peerlessscowl]

The mask that she had donned to give herself the strength to stand up to him cracked, and with it he found himself cracking as well. Her confusion, her hurt - she said she didn't understand, that she didn't believe that it was he who had been cruel, but where else might that hurt have come from than by his actions, done deliberately?

"You want me to look at you..." Though it was a question, he kept his tone carefully flat, lest she answer, and truthfully. Where a moment ago he couldn't, his own frustration skittering about his mind in buzzing insect fashion, now Raven found that he didn't want to, now knowing what he would find.

As the pieces of the conversation obscured everything surrounding them, it became clear that if he turned to her he would see the face of someone that needed him.

No, worse. Someone that wanted him.

It was not necessarily foreign to him, the burden of obligation bound by chains of affection, but when it had just been he and Lucius there had been the history of understanding, their lives so intertwined that the separation had been more of an amputation, and with all of the chronic illness that came afterward, the phantom pains of the missing arms in the night to wrap or be wrapped in.

But where Lucius had been as constant with him as his own heartbeat, this was different, and he had not that constancy that might have allowed him to bear host to someone else's comfort, the safety of their heart.

Better to cut it out at the root, before the flower rots. Isn't that what had happened, in the nursery those months ago? He couldn't remember, at this point that day merely pinpricks in his mind of her fingers against his.

His fingers twitched.

He narrowed his eyes, and he turned, drawing to his full height, forcing the cracks in his mask back together as he turned to look her in the eye for a moment before turning back to his door.

"Perhaps it's as you say. I'm just tired." A pause. "It was...a long journey. We should rest. I'm...sorry."

The door closed in between them slowly, and with the final click of the latch as their goodnight, he found his weight too much to bear, and Raven allowed himself to lean back and slide to the floor.

Every time she thinks that she knows what he will do, what he will think, Ishtar is proven hopelessly wrong. She waits for his anger, for that unfamiliar cold to dismiss her once again. Neither come, and she realizes then that she has misunderstood, but what?

Her head shakes once. "I don't... I don't understand."

It would have been easier if she had been right, if he had met her with the hatred she deserves. It has been a precarious game that she has played, letting those moments shared linger longer each time, knowing that each one would make her guilt easier to forget, the truth harder to tell. For him she had forgotten her guard, and in her fear that he had finally stepped past it, she has cornered herself.

Though he does not look at her, Ishtar finds she cannot look away from him. This feeling she remembers well, the rush of trying to set something to memory before it is gone. She wonders if he will haunt her too, once he has discarded their time together in favor of better things. Of women raised to be gentle, who are not chained to ghosts.

Ghosts whose fingers have crept under her chin, have tightened impossibly around her neck and pressed against her lips. Ghosts who do not want her to have this, who seek to silence her in death just as they had in life.

"You won't look at me."

Her voice wavers, catching on her every emotion. She wants him to-- terribly, hopelessly-- as if there is even a chance that he may see something there that is not wretched.

"You say I have done nothing, that it is you who has been cruel, but I..." the hold on her throat does not relent, hard enough now that warmth begins to prick behind her eyes. "I cannot pretend to believe you."

[hellosweetart]

Ever so kindly inquiring if you have any lore on Yan Luo, Zoth, and/or Chaugnar? :3c

I'm not good at telling stories but I'll do my best.

Chaugnar

Chaugnar is one of those beings in Astral Circle who make deals with humans in exchange of their souls. While he isn't fond of humans, he does not hold a grudge against them and prefers to contact them only during the 'soul business'. Since his profession is focused on occultism, he grants the said human to possess their chosen supernatural power for a week, and after that, their soul will belong to him. His relationship with the Astral Circle neighbors are not that too jolly nor that close unlike his counterpart Arnold. He is a stern, reserved half beast who prefers to mind his own business.

Yan Luo

Yan Luo is one of the most popular beings in Astral Circle due to her beauty and elegance, much like her counterpart, Mia. But unlike the human teacher who is known to be kind and humble, Yan Luo is cruel and arrogant. She pretty much likes to flaunt how can she easily take human lives in one flick of her finger. Speaking of humans, she has a great disliking towards them and would love to make them suffer if they unluckily come across her. Because of this, she is considered one of the most feared beings in the human world. (alongside Abducius, Xezbet, Barbatos, Exael, Teutates, Ah Puch, Ishtar and Izanami)

Zoth

Zoth is a common ritualist you would see and meet in any local Astral Circle markets for a living. Unlike Chaugnar and Yan Luo, he loves to interact with humans and prefers not to kill them, even though he is always thought to be homicidal. (Thanks to his giant axe) He is the complete opposite of his human counterpart; while Izaack is very conscious about his appearance and has that charming smile that would make any person swoon over him, Zoth doesn't mind what he looks like, nor can charm anyone. In fact, he embraces for who and what he is, and is considered the most approachable, laid-back resident in the Astral building. Quachil likes to hang out with him when her father is out busy hunting.

(I hope you like the stories I've just made, even though they may not make any sense, lol but I'm still glad I posted this. Thank you for reading! )

(Also! I may sketch more nightmare counterparts for fun. It helps me relax. Its my kind of therapy.)