#oracle's reverie

[arcadian-vampire]

[TLDR; calling people stupid isn't a very good way to get them to change their behavior.] [This is not directed at any specific person, rather it's a request for people to try to be polite.]

Hey. Can we discuss how generative AI is harmful without calling people stupid dumb morons for being unable to write essays? This is a common argument I see, and it's like ????? y'all KNOW essays are difficult, some people genuinely struggle with them, but they shouldn't be shamed for it.

Shame isn't a good motivator for change; instead of attacking someone's abilities, I think it's far better to educate them on the issues with generative AI (art theft, obscene power usage, etc), so they can make an informed decision on whether or not they want to support using it. If you're really set on the essay argument, you could provide links to resources that help people write. It would help encourage them to try doing it on their own.

Also, the way some of y'all word your posts about it makes me feel like you don't actually care about the topic that much, you just want to use the opportunity to be kinda mean. That's not very cool, and I'd like you to think about what you're saying and how it reflects your biases against people.

Why are people worthy of insults if they can't write an essay? What does that mean for illiterate people, for people with disabilities that interfere with their ability to write, for regular-ass guys that just find it stressful? Why do you think they're beneath you? You could so easily be just like them.

Anyways, in summary: You can make your point and not be mean about it. Calling people stupid isn't a very good way to encourage change.

[arcadian-vampire]

"several" I counted, it was um. sixteen. ✌️

hey so uhhh walking several blocks in 87° heat in a sweater and beanie after hardly sleeping last night was a Bad Idea, who would've thought! ^-^

[rebeccasreveries]

cassandra of troy aesthetic

greek myths masterlist

“Have I missed the mark, or, like true archer, do I strike my quarry? Or am I prophet of lies, a babbler from door to door?" (Cassandra. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1194).

“so they killed cassandra first cause she feared the worst and tried to tell the town… i regret to say, do you believe me now” taylor swift, cassandra

[stargaze-ren]

⚠️ Warning, Glitching Images ⚠️

I lied I indeed drew them again, a bit of lore never hurts anyone✨

[annikavelde]

{.969.}

.:ANATOMY:. Head: LeLutka - Ceylon Body: Ebody - Reborn Hair: VCO - Yumir Eyes: Suicidal Unborn - Incantation Eyes *NEW* @ The Warehouse Sale Arm: Psycho Byts - Infinity Arms Cat Ears: KROVA - MECHcat Ears Claws: Contraption - STLKR Claws Eyeshadow: Endi - Mara Eyeliner *NEW* @ Wasteland Eye Lines: REVERIE - Yae Eyeshadow - Liner A and B

.:CLOTHING:. Goggles: DAE - Punk Goggles Sword: The Forge - Helion Blade Mask: Psycho Byts - KAY-1NFC3ED Harness: Oracle - Rabid Harness *NEW* @ The Warehouse Sale Top: KROVA - Plastop Bottoms: KROVA - Thongbarian *NEW* @ The Warehouse Sale Leg Strap: MIWAS - Maria Leg Strap Bodysuit: Endi - Cyber Bodysuit

.:SCENE:. Background: PALETO - NEO24 Pose: Mirinae - Namu *NEW* @ The Warehouse Sale

[occknow]

[threeeyedprophet]

DEATH AS VESTMENT ... WEIRDING WOMEN

"all sworn to the Ways of Balance only see value in one thing, serving the Mother of all things, the True Mother: Death. for She is the great taker and giver."

— the first oracle st. gaius helen moheim, 10BN

THROUGHOUT THE AGES — from the first tales of kindred to the first demacian-noxian war — a group has always observed from the shadows, guiding the masses with a steady hand and heavy whispers. agents of balance and natural change, the Honoured Reverie Order, commonly known as the Reverie or the Sisterhood, is an ancient and adept organisation operating behind forces of ritual mysticism and enigma.

when hearing of the Reverie, it brings to most a certain shudder in their bones, a feeling of unknown circling the coven of women that results in primitive fear. it envelops them like a snake, squeezing the very soul out of its food. people fear what they do not understand, and as such, the Order has been deemed by most as odd witches bringing forth the second ruination. and quite honestly, who can blame their scepticism?

this group of mystics were seemingly born from the depths of void, surfacing after the catastrophic events of the rune wars like whispers in a fog; an order gliding through the burnt remains with promises to help the resurgence of the known clans and tribes, and guide their rulers to ensure the safety of the realm. for generations, these women acted as concubines, scientists, priestesses, mediators, mages – consistently infiltrating empires with overwhelming generosity, words so sweet it rotted the ears of those to which it was spoken:

‘we are born to serve.’

in truth, the Reverie was solely created to serve, but not mortality. at least, not entirely.

' CONCEPTION OF BALANCE '

how did the Reverie come to be? what gave rise to the birth of such an order? now, their origins are a truth not vividly remembered, victim like all things to time like sand slipping through one’s fingertips. however, from great access to the memories of past Reverie through the Mind’s Eye, the Great Order dawned from the gathering of devotees of Mask Mother in the camavoran continent of old runeterra, the primordial deity known now to the Sisterhood as the Great Mother. 

after witnessing the utter turmoil of the rune wars, it was decided by Her followers that true peace could not be trusted in the hands of mortals unburdened by divine foresight. a common Reverie axiom: “mortality exposes fragility in the minds of the transient, such that when introduced to mediums of polarity — mediums of immortality such as the world runes — the realms collapse into chaos and utter discord.” 

the Order believed that a mind bridled with finality could not think of anything other than this inevitability and would risk anything to oppose such, even disrespect the delicate balance of unfathomable eldritch forces. 

this outlook on the sublunary conceived one of many of the Reverie’s objectives: shield mortal kind from the disastrous and the odd, the divine and the weird. create an impenetrable veil of mysticism around former knowledge on the arcane. this objective was partially successful, aided by the erasure of most sacred history in the rune wars as most are oblivious to most eldritch beings of the realms and those that have an idea, are not aware of their full power.

‘ HIERARCHY OF WITCHES ’

i. the CLERICS are the figure heads of the Order, a council maintaining ultimate control of the entire order, and invoking almost unquestioned loyalty among the Parae Mother and Revered Priestesses. they represent Great Mother’s will and judgement, devising carefully crafted plans to be distributed and carried out by those of the Sisterhood. it is highly unlikely one can ever encounter a Cleric due to their heavy concealment to society and parts of the Order itself, as they do not exactly roam around the physical realm in flesh and bone.

by virtue of Mind’s Eye, the Reverie’s sacred limbo, Arcadia, is used by the Parae Mother to commune with the Clerics, having the strongest tie to them through blood oath. those (un)fortunate enough to be among the presence of these women find that they channel their spiritual forms through elemental means: the ripples in the waters, whispers in blaring winds, burning flames of unquenchable fire, quiet horrors of the shadows etc.

ii. the PARAE MOTHER possesses the strongest tie to the other voices, spirits and Clerics. she possesses the power to direct the Order in the physical realm with the strongest tie to the spiritual realm (besides the Sadə Tanrısı). the Parae Mother can be seen with strange ethereal and intimidating runic tattoos scribed onto her face, looking oddly ancient but eerily youthful.

such is her role, symbolising the work of the Great Mother, Mother Mask, guiding the Order through her grace and honor under the control of the Clerics. she subsequently holds the rites and memories of memorable Sisters who carried knowledge on the Sadə Tanrısı.

iii. REVERED PRIESTESSES have undergone the Rebirth and survived. they fill the role of advisors, faculty, historians, scientists and represent the general philosophy of order of Great Balance. general authority of the Order for most members and the outside populace. the Rebirth is a specific method used by the Order to access Arcadia.

a Reverie Sister must consume a poison known as the Mournborn, derived from a carefully alchemically crafted and potent herb hidden from runeterra, which allows one to reach a state of being that causes the body to reach a near death-like trance, between the plane of living and dead. when under the poison, the blade of payne is placed between the brows to focus the Third Eye. if the Sister survives, this trance allows her to access the memories of other Revered Priestess before her, called the True Sight, a daughter of the ability of Mind's Eye. once it's confirmed she's successfully ‘sought’, she will be branded with the Rune ‘death-seeker' on the newly transitioned chest.

iv. ORACLES work in the same position of the Revered Priestesses but serve as seers that see certain outcomes of presented plots. most Oracles primarily taught the art of prescience have some sort of oracular gift from birth, however, the rare few are runetologists capable of manipulating runes in order to predict certain timelines and threads of fate. even so, none can actually manipulate the future or fiddle with the threads of time. such is said to only possibly be done by the Sadə Tanrısı.

v. KEEPERS are the Sisters responsible for safeguarding eldritch information and runic technology, often representatives of the Order and mediators. they otherwise find ways of stabilising the disturbed cycle of death, prioritising the balance of life and death and symbolise the chaotic nature of Great Balance. all rites concerned about disturbed balance concern the Keepers.

one can be recognised by the Rune of Pandemonium on the left palm, primarily used to sift the soul from the body and determine whether a resurrected being has their soul intact or is flesh without mind. another indicator of a Keeper is the Rune Eye. Keepers are primary users of Vox Imperium and Mind's Eye, needed in their processes of detection.

vi. the ADEPTS are the agents, spies and/or concubines of the Order. they hide in the shadows and do their work behind the lines for the Order. some are taught the ways of the Oracles and Keepers in order to gather certain information for the Order.

“there lay a saint hidden between threads of space-time, an oracular being caught within the mysticism of the hereafter whilst standing fixed in the centre of the wise ouroboros: the Sadə Tanrısı.”

‘ THE MORTAL BORN FOR DEATH ’

SADƏ TANRISI is a term used primarily by the Reverie, an old ur-nox term translating to ‘the one who sees the Way’. Sadə Tanrısı, or, known to the Reverie as the Great Daughter, is a prophesied figure meant to be the bridge between life and death, chaos and order, karma and vengeance, the embodiment of Balance.

glimpses of this figure was first seen during the last phases of the rune wars, where one of the first Oracles tore her Mind’s Eye through the veil of space-time to see what she described as a three headed shadow: one a lamb, one a wolf and the other a maiden carrying ‘eyes so full of depth yet possessing maddening void’.

the Maiden in the Oracle’s vision carried the first known sightings of the symbol of Rune Eye, a symbol representing a Sister’s tie with chaotic nature and her Mind’s Eye. this vision is presently recognised in Reverie spaces as the Sign, the first among many prescient signs of this figure. however, it was disregarded due to the rune wars, the Sisterhood focused on seeing that the wars came to an end. it was after the rune wars and the starting of the rebuilding civilisations, did this figure become recognised as paramount.

oracular visions had begun plaguing the first Parae Mother after the Sign: visions of a Maiden in unquenchable fire, a raging white inferno capable of scorching both living and non-living into deafening void and non-existence.

from then on, it was known. for if the Parae Mother, she who saw all things in the wraith flesh of the Great Mother, had seen such then it was to be without question. Her, the Great Daughter's soul would be weaved with the most pristine threads of eldritch unknown, built on archaic forces that surpasses mortal comprehension. a Sister in the flesh of man but Eye crafted from Mask Mother herself, just like her siblings Kindred. a Deity stuffed into a girl.

[vividviolentviolets]

❀ Just call me your little flower ❀

Open for anons and DMs!!

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆

This is my anonymous public diary. I write here mostly the things that come to mind, including (but not limited to):

* reveries of my soulmate;

This blog is particularly dedicated to my soulmate. In anticipation of meeting him, I daydream about him a lot <3. He’s a specific person, not some vague bunch of traits I want to meet in some random guy. No, I want to meet him. Although I allow his persona in my head to shift (like imagining my darling with different personalities, tastes, and worldviews) because, really, none of us are static, I still realize there are certain core details about my lover that can’t change. If they did, he wouldn’t be him.

Nevertheless, I’m open for new connections. Although I only daydream about him being my partner, I’m actually bisexual. Not bi-curious. Bisexual. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a girl filling her inner void by dating other people — this bastard (<3) is taking forever to appear in my life. I’m lonely, and bored, and overflowing with love; it’s spilling out.

I believe in Universe, I believe in our love and I believe that fate will cross our paths. If not — I’ll cross them myself.

* maladaptive daydreaming;

I struggle with maladaptive daydreaming, which means my fantasies are so frequent and vivid that I can’t control either when I imagine things or the impact they have on my life.

Of course, I have different kinds of recurring daydreams (complex worlds vs short scenes; 70+ characters in one universe vs only 5 in another; daydreams about my own characters vs daydreams about characters from media, etc), but I don’t have a desire to write them here.

* tarot and divinations;

I speak with Universe and my own intuition through cards and oracles. And since I am a part of the Universe, my intuition is its voice. My worldview is actually pretty complex, maybe I’ll write about it later.

* somewhat provocative posts;

I am an adult. I’m a woman who goes through intense ovulation every month. I daydream about my lover all the time. Combine all three, and a new horny post gets uploaded — but that’s not the main focus of my diary.

* low-effort emotional posts including rant, vent and jokes;

* occasional poetry;

* fandoms I’m interested in.

𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ Tags:

❀ little flower’s soulmate ❀ — posts about my soulmate or reposts that reminded me of him.

❀ little flower’s divination ❀ — tarot, oracle, occasionally witchcraft.

❀ little flower’s interests ❀ — fandoms and/or media.

❀ little flower’s poetry ❀ — my poetry.

❀ little flower’s reveries ❀ — maladaptive daydreaming and fantasies.

❀ little flower’s desires ❀ — craving for sex and obsession, nsfw.

❀ little flower’s melodies ❀ — song/lyrics posting.

❀ little flower’s murmurs ❀ — my sweet little nonsense. jokes, rant, vent — all at once.

❀ little flower’s fascination ❀ — other wonderful things.

❀ little flower’s petals ❀ — my photos.

[ikeas-gayest-table]

the haunting reverie

Pairing: Lune/Sciel, Sciel & Everyone, background Gustave/Canvas Verso

In which: Gustave sees another day. Verso wonders whether this will finally be the end. Maelle discovers something new. Lune finally feels something other than bitter hope. And Sciel... Sciel thinks she might have seen this before. (Alternatively; Sciel is a bit of an oracle, on accident.)

I FORGOT TO POST IT. but uh. hehe. sciel-centric longfic let's go!!! come join along for the ride if u love sciel :)

[uzumaki-rebellion]

"King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 11

Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

"They're calling me, back to the stars

Deep out of space, they're calling me

Back to the stars

They found peace in the ocean (peace with the pain)

Now they guide my way, guide my way…"

Meshell N'Degeocello—"Virgo"

The Royal Talon Fighter approached the opening of Warrior Falls.

Okoye and Ayo scanned a twenty mile radius before flying over the valley of gushing water walls to the other side.

"Kumkani, I've found the hover bike…"

Ayo glanced over at the king who sat in a pensive position behind her. Okoye flew the aircraft lower to the base of the Falls as N'Jadka stood next to Ayo and looked at the viewscreen that projected the image of a broken hover bike floating in an undertow where it was caught between two boulders.

"No signs of Queen Yani," Ayo said with a soft tone.

N'Jadaka's jaguar suit swarmed around him and he tapped the opening of the circular floor exit. He dropped eighty feet and splashed into a deep plunge pool of cold black water. Below the surface he scanned for signs of life around the bike before dragging it onto land. A flash of pink caught his eye and he lunged for it in the water.

Yani's walking shoe. It was drenched and unmarked, unlike the damaged hover bike. She had to have fallen trying to fly over the giant falls. He quelled the rise in panic in his demeanor. She was alive somewhere. He willed it.

Okoye's voice broke through his reverie, loud and clear inside his face mask.

"There are no other traces of anything. That is a good sign," Okoye said.

N'Jadaka dove below and searched underwater. Yani had a strong body. If she were injured somewhere he would find her. He scanned for her kimoyo beads thinking they may have been snapped away from her wrist, but there was nothing.

Breeching the surface he leaped onto the land and surveyed the surroundings. Okoye and Ayo dropped down from the gravity tracking beam. Aneka stood watch over the Talon Fighter. High above, stinger aircrafts circled the sky.

"Kumkani…here…" Ayo said.

Footprints in the moist earth. He recognized the pattern of her sandals. The king gave a grateful sigh of relief. His wife was alive and somewhere out there searching for God knew what. It wasn't like her to disappear like that without telling him where she was. He stared at the height from which she fell and all the dangers that could've swallowed her up. Was she under the influence of something? Did someone…or something lure her away? He remembered the panther cubs he couldn't see back in Ekuqaleni. Did they trick her into coming here?

Worry knotted his brow.

Wakanda was still a wondrous and mysterious place to them both. Anything could've happened to her.

"Come on," he said.

They followed Yani's tracks until they came upon two more that were bigger compared to hers. They made deeper impressions in the mud and directly faced Yani's footprints. Men. She followed them willingly because there was no sign of struggle in the area.

They scanned and tracked until the ground changed into grasslands and decomposing leaves. The grass was so thick like shag carpet that it didn't even bend to give an indication of what direction they went.

"They're gone…can't find anymore markings," Ayo said, crestfallen.

"She's gotta be around here somewhere. Let's spread out for a mile and check in," He tapped his kimoyo bead, "Aneka, contact Dr. Chidubem discreetly and have him flown here in case the Queen has major injuries."

"Yes kumkani, right away," Aneka said in his earbuds.

N'Jadaka shook out his arms and charged into the mountain forest on high alert.

He had to find his wife and return her to his side.

Warm balmy water cascaded all over Yani's body as she stepped through the birth waters. The entrance of the oracle's cave hummed and vibrated and the sounds made her jumpy. Passing through to the other side led her to the tranquil natural pool of glowing turquoise waters with steam rising from it.

"You made it Queen Yani."

Yani recognized the voice of Jabulile.

The woman was dressed in a long green robe like the men that brought Yani there. She was alone and holding a folded royal blue robe.

"Please bathe in these waters, from head to toe. I will help you put on this robe when you are finished," Jabulile said.

"Where are the other two women that were with you?" Yani asked.

"With Nolwandle…the oracle. They are waiting for you in the interior of the womb. Please kumkanikazi…bathe."

Jabulile turned her back to give Yani privacy as she willingly stripped down. She dipped a toe in the water first, and it wasn't too hot. Submerging herself, she gave into the heat and liquid comfort. The water smelled like sweet perfumes and tingled all over her skin. Dunking her head below, she quickly rubbed herself down. The water reflected against the ceiling and walls of the cave. She noticed inscriptions written in a language other than Wakandan, with pictographs depicting waves and sea creatures painted with neon blue paint. Some images were carved into the walls and looked older and eroded in some places. The bandage on her wrist fell away, and so did the dull ache of pain she carried since the Falls.

Stepping out of the pool, Yani looked for a towel.

Jabulile turned around and unfurled the robe she carried.

"No need to dry yourself, put this on quickly…here, I'll take those bandages for you. Follow me this way please…"

Yani trailed behind Jabulile. The light source used to illuminate their way couldn't be pinpointed by Yani. The cave floor was soft black sand that didn't seem to belong to that particular ecosystem. Her robe swished at her feet and stuck to the wet parts of her body, contouring itself like a designer dress. They walked through a purple mist that swiped across her skin like spiderwebs breaking across her face and body. She waved her hands around only to find that it was a sensation only…nothing was on her skin.

Her eardrums throbbed with the pounding of the drums…no…they couldn't be drums. The two young women who had drums were too far away to emit the sound she heard right then. Yani tuned in closer and realized the sound was a heartbeat, as if the cave was a living thing pumping its heart in a soothing rhythm.

Strange.

Yani walked a normal rate of speed, but her body felt like it was slowing down.

"We are almost there Queen Yani," Jabulile said.

Jabulile's voice sounded far away, the way it would if Yani were deep underwater listening to speech high above her head. Her heart thumped faster and she inhaled air through her mouth to calm down her fear.

They reached a narrow opening where the two women Yani asked about, Khanyisile and Nolwazi, stood watch holding torches. Both women smiled, relief evident on their faces.

"Go through there and you will find her," Jabulile said.

The passageway was dark and had only enough room for one person to pass through at a time.

"By myself?" Yani asked.

All three women nodded.

"Do not be afraid Queen Yani. Mama Wati protects you," Nolwazi said.

Yani shook her fingers and stepped past the women into the foreboding passage. Darkness swallowed her and she heard her own breathing speed up. Claustrophobia threatened to paralyze her from moving on, but she swallowed thickly and mustered the courage to keep walking, even as her shoulders hit the sides of the unseen walls. Step by step. Inch by inch. Yani staggered through thirty yards of pitch black until her cone and rod cells worked again to detect light and movement ahead.

Her eyes adjusted.

A woman with skin the color of freshly made Jamaican black castor oil sat crosscrossed on a bright green rug with painted sea turtles and stingrays. Her hair was wrapped in a large seagreen headwrap and her neck was heavy with seashell necklaces and sun-yellow glass beads. She could've been thirty, or she could've been seventy, it was anyone's guess with Wakandan people. They aged gracefully and seemingly slow. Bright eyes the color of glowing jade in the center and dark amber at the edges peered at her with a welcome kindness.

"Queen Yani Udaku of the Black Panther Tribe…and the unofficial adopted daughter of the River Tribe…I welcome you home. Sit…right there…in front of me," the Oracle Nolwandle said.

Yani crossed her legs on the long green rug facing the oracle. Nolwandle sat and stared at Yani's face until the young queen squirmed her hips.

"You look the way my emissaries said you did…youthful and full of energy. Very beautiful. The king loves beauty I hear," Nolwandle said.

The oracle's unnatural jade-powered gaze pierced through Yani's defenses of trying to appear stoic and queenly. Sitting in front of her made Yani feel like a young child chatting with her grandmother.

"King N'Jadaka's energy can be felt all throughout the kingdom. He carries his ancestors well. They are strong on the other side. The king is on his way now to retrieve you. I can feel his worry over you."

"I don't want him to worry," Yani said.

"There is apprehension in your voice my queen. Mama Wati wants you to be at ease here."

"It's hard…I don't know what to expect…I don't know what to do…"

"Ease…my queen…breathe in deep…"

Yani inhaled and Nolwandle urged her to do more. Behind the oracle, a small fire burned inside a stone fireplace. To the oracle's left side was a wide opening in the cave that led to a river of water not found on any Wakandan map. A pile of stones held another fire that lit up the roof of the cave leading out into the open water where other large mountains touched one another leaving gaps for water to flow past. Part of the walls shined like the sparkling emerald water reflecting shimmery images dancing on the walls. The interior felt dark, warm and mysterious and the waterway hinted at sunshine and an upperworld.

"Breathe…yes…deeply…slowly…"

Nolwandle reached behind her and lifted a bundle of herbs tied with bright white string. She tossed them into the fire and it sparkled and puffed out dark blue smoke.

"Breathe daughter…yes…deeper still…allow the smoke to enter your lungs."

"Are you drugging me…it feels thick in my chest…" Yani gasped, clutching her throat.

"I am opening the path for us to travel. Mama Wati will partially lift the veil for you to receive the message meant for you…"

"I can't breathe…I'm having a hard time…oracle! Help me…I can't!" Yani choked out.

"The message is coming, daughter. Mama Wati has opened the veil…"

The unseen presence of an entity larger than the cave itself came first.

It its wake was a pressure, like an ocean's weight of water pressing down on Yani's body, threatening to flatten her. The pressure in her ears changed too. She clutched at her throat and yet Nolwandle remained calm, her lips moving but no sound coming out.

The presence wrapped itself all over the cave and a roar thundered in Yani's ears. She looked toward the placid water outside and a mammoth ocean wave rolled toward her in slow motion. Yani couldn't move, her lower body locked to the ground helpless and unprotected. She could still mover her head though.

"Nolwandle!" Yani shouted.

Yani glanced at the oracle again and the woman's head fell back. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her mouth stayed wide open. Yani whipped her head to brace herself for when the wave would hit them, but it was gone. The opening was covered in a tranquil water barrier that made the outside scenery look blurry, fluid, and dreamy.

"Yani…"

A voice behind the water barrier came out of the oracle's mouth. Confused, Yani looked at Nolwandle again. Her mouth stayed agape and frozen in that position.

"Yani…JaJa's wife…"

Yani heard the voice come from the oracle, but it sounded like it was behind the water barrier too, as if it bounced out to use the oracle as its frequency to the human world. The queen rose from her seated position and walked toward the barrier. The shadowy outside world was there, rippling behind the veil.

Two figures walked forward.

Yani held her breath and waited until they stood before her. One was older and the other younger. Her breath hitched in her chest and she stumbled back, unable to believe her eyes.

The younger woman had fiery brown eyes and big ginger hair that crowned her head like a giant sunburst. Yani recognized the same freckles her son had. The older woman was shorter with an exquisite face etched with wisdom that matched the younger woman. Her hair was looser in texture and had faded streaks of light brown mixed in with white that was cornrowed in four thick braids going straight back. Yani knew right away the two women were related. Long pearl-white tunics shrouded their bodies.

"You know who I am. Don't you?" the younger woman said.

Yani nodded.

"Califia Stevens Udaku…N'Jadaka's mother."

"Yes…this is JaJa's great-grandmother, Nana Jean."

"Hello, ma'am," Yani said, instantly genuflecting to them both.

Nana Jean laughed and Califia joined her. The older woman held up a hand.

"We are family baby, you don't bow to us," Nana Jean said.

The presence pushed down on the cave and the water barrier vibrated, blurring the women from Yani's view.

"Califia!" Yani shouted.

Their images shimmered back into view seconds later. Yani wiped frantic tears away from her eyes, so terrified her mother-in-law and great-grandmother-in-law had vanished. Califia held her hand against the barrier. Yani raised hers to try and touch it. The cool blue kinetic liquid would not allow them to connect.

"I wish I could comfort you, Yani. Mama Wati has warned us. Bast is awake inside of my son. I'll have to speak quickly before we lose contact," Califia said.

Yani was spellbound by Califia, the woman's beauty staggered the imagination. She carried a vibrant charisma that was like N'Jadaka's times ten. No wonder Prince N'Jobu stayed away from his home and defied a nation. Califia was priceless.

"You're going to conceive a baby who is so important that they'll have the power to split the world into pieces in the future. I apologize having to sound so cryptic but I'm breaking so many rules to be here with you. I took what I could decipher from the realm of time in the spirit world with my limited understanding. Although I'm an ancestor now, Bast still shrouds us from telling humans too much."

"When?" Yani asked.

"Soon...two or three years at most from what little I could decipher from the time threads. A man is also coming there who will challenge my son for the world. I need for you to survive the war they may wage—"

"More war? In Wakanda?"

"War all over the world. You're the key to preventing their battle from consuming JaJa. If anything happens to that baby or you…my son will burn the world down and the future will become bleak for everyone on the planet even more than it is. Your baby must survive at all costs in order to claim their birthright and keep Wakanda secure years from now. That child will turn the nation into an empire. No matter the cost, it must happen!"

Califia stepped closer to the veil, unable to penetrate it. Her voice came from behind Yani through the oracle's mouth, but Yani focused on Califia's face.

"My son has lost too much in this world. I don't want him suffering again if I can warn you. I couldn't come to him because Bast would block me directly, so I had to come for you through Mama Wati," Califia said.

"I understand. I'll do all I can to protect our baby."

"Not just the one to come, but Riki and Joba too."

"Riki and Joba? What's going to happen to them?" Yani yelped.

The cave vibrated with the force of an earthquake. Califia and Nana Jean glanced behind them. Worry clouded their faces.

"Nothing will happen if you can prevent it," Califia said.

Nana Jean became agitated and looked over her shoulder again.

"We should leave now, Cali…Dayclean is coming," Nana Jean said, grabbing Califia's arm, pulling her back from the veil.

Califia gently patted her grandmother's hand, stood her ground, and locked eyes with Yani.

"Joba and Riki will be the ones to help the baby become what she needs to be in order to rule the future. But that future will face turmoil if none of them live once a foretold prophecy begins at your pregnancy. When Namor returns, be ready Yani. This is all I have to give you," Califia said.

"Namor," Yani repeated, searing the name into her mind.

"You must stay away from him…you and the children—"

"Califia!"

The booming voice of a distraught man flew out of the oracle's mouth making Yani jump. He appeared next to them in a long white tunic.

N'Jobu.

N'Jadaka's father.

Seeing N'Jadaka's parents together knocked Yani's knees. Never would she have dreamed of seeing them alive and looking so well from the other side. N'Jobu turned his kind eyes toward Yani.

"My daughter…Yani…you shouldn't be here with my wife or Nana Jean. Certain knowings belong to Bast, and only her. What you have heard is forbidden knowledge to that existence there. Your life must be lived with my son and grandchildren in ignorance," N'Jobu gently urged.

Califia shook her head and challenged her husband.

"No! I won't let that happen this time. Our son deserves happiness. Too much was stolen from him and I refuse to let anything be taken from him again. I don't care if I have to go against Bast or any other god to protect them."

N'Jobu put his arms around Califia. Her voiced raged from the oracle's open throat. N'Jobu's somber tone brought levity to Yani's predicament. Califia had gone above and beyond from the ancestral plane to reach her family. Her love bled through the water barrier and cloaked Yani with its comfort and legendary warrior spirit. Her willingness to defy gods was a trait Yani hoped she could live up to for her own babies.

N'Jobu gently scolded his wife.

"You have stolen free-will and burdened our daughter with fear and more confusion. That isn't fair to Yani. Now she will worry about our family needlessly," N'Jobu said.

The cave vibrated with the presence yet again. Mama Wati's collusion was weakening. N'Jobu held his wife lovingly as Nana Jean watched over them both.

"We must go back my love…please. JaJa will live a glorious life…"

"His children—"

"—will live out their destinies, whatever they will be, without interference from now on. Let them be…let them have their own lives. We are always here for them as a comfort and a reminder that life doesn't end at death."

"Yani," Califia said, still reaching for her daughter-in-law.

"You see death for us? Me and the children?" Yani asked.

Califia clutched at her temples and her mouth twisted into a horrid grimace. She appeared to be full of pain.

"Bast is jumbling up my mind…she's stealing the future threads from me…" Califia wailed.

"Califia!" N'Jobu cried out, grabbing her by the waist to keep her from falling.

A dark foreboding shadow loomed over them behind the veil in the shape of an enormous panther stalking tiny prey.

Bast.

"Forgive her Bast! Please!" N'Jobu shouted.

Bast's dark shadow scattered and floated away. Califia closed her eyes. Yani did the same as something slithery, warm, and invasive cleaved to her temporal lobe. The words of warning Califia gave her were plucked from her gray matter one by one until nothing was left. Yani struggled to grab onto anything, her brain synapses crackling with electrical impulses to store and hide any morsel. She was able to hold onto two words, and only because she sensed a benevolent shield from Mama Wati to allow her to grasp onto anything her mother Bast had culled from her mortal skull.

"It's gone, all of it. I can no longer see it," Califia said in a defeated tone.

Yani blanked out mentally as Bast swiped her mind clean too.

Nana Jean cradled Califia's face and N'Jobu nuzzled his nose against her cheek, comforting her. Soft footfalls from behind Yani captured her attention.

"Mom, Baba…"

N'Jadaka strode into the cavern with a shocked expression. Califia perked up and clung to N'Jobu's arm as she gazed at her beloved son.

"JaJa…your wife is fine. I needed to see her to tell her…." Califia glanced around trying to remember her thoughts.

N'Jadaka reached for Yani and pulled her into his chest.

"Thank the gods you're safe," he huffed into her hair. He kissed the top of her head and rocked her in his arms.

"I'm sorry I tricked you…I had to come. Your mother needed me."

N'Jadaka faced his parents. Their eyes shined bright with love for their only child. N'Jobu held Califia's hand.

"Nana?" N'Jadaka said, stepping closer to the water barrier to see his great-grandmother.

Nana Jean grinned. She swelled with pride at seeing her great-grandson as a grown man.

"Look at you… so big and handsome like your father. You did everything to hold onto our bond…my sweet great-grandson," Nana Jean said.

Pressure popped in Yani's ear. N'Jadaka experienced it too and winced like her.

"Leave here quickly son. You two aren't meant to be here like this. Your mother has been forceful as usual," N'Jobu said.

The water barrier rippled and the images behind the veil began to cloud and fade.

"Watch over each other, JaJa…love one another at all times," N'Jobu said.

N'Jadaka rushed the barrier and called to his mother. Califia gazed at him with a mixture of adoration and longing.

"Mom, why did you come to Yani?"

Califia's gaze fell upon Yani. The presence in the cave began to lift. N'Jobu tugged on Califia and Nana Jean to follow him back from where they came.

"Bast stole the memory from me, JaJa. I had it and she took it away. Yani, whatever I told you, hold onto it. I may never get to reach out like this again, but I want you both to know I tried my best to make life there good for you," Califia said. She gave N'Jadaka a winsome smile. "Take care of each other JaJa. We love you," Califia said.

Her voice sounded weary.

"Mom…Baba…wait…"

"We must go back, son. Feel us in your heart as always," N'Jobu said.

Nana Jean pressed her forehead against the barrier. N'Jadaka lined his forehead with hers and pressed against it.

"You have done well, JaJa. We are here with you at all times," Nana Jean said.

Califia blew Yani and N'Jadaka kisses and the water barrier snapped into a blurry whirlpool of foamy water. Yani turned to look at the oracle. The woman stayed in the same odd position with her eyes closed and mouth open.

"I soon come, Mama…Baba…"

A soft childlike voice came out of the oracle's mouth. It sounded like a toddler just learning to speak. It gave Yani chills, but not as much as seeing her body still sitting crossed legged in front of Nolwandle…with N'Jadaka sitting right next to her in the same position. Yani glanced back as a loud rumbling whooshing sound reverberated around them. The water barrier transformed itself into another mighty wave. It moved backward in slow motion beyond the mountain barrier. A strong force knocked Yani in her solar plexus and she gasped, finding herself punched back into her corporeal body still sitting cross-legged and staring at Nolwandle. The oracle's head fell forward and she closed her mouth, exhausted from the ordeal. Perspiration dotted her forehead and soaked her clothes. Her once glowing jade eyes had become a delicate dark brown since Mama Wati released her as a vessel.

N'Jadaka shook himself back into their side of the veil. Tears rested on his lids and Yani moved onto her knees and hugged him.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" Yani said repeatedly.

"It's okay. I found you and you're safe. You left for a good reason if my parents and great-grandmother sent for you."

Nolwandle shifted to her knees and bowed her head low to the ground, holding her folded hands toward N'Jadaka.

"I beg your forgiveness, kumkani. I was directed by Mama Wati that your mother and great-grandmother wished to see the queen. I am a mere servant of the divine. My intention was not to maliciously trick you or your wife but to service the needs of your ancestors," Nolwandle said with fear laced in her tone.

N'Jadaka looked Yani over.

"Did you hurt yourself? You fell didn't you?"

"Yes," Yani said. "I may have fractured my wrist, but it feels better."

"I sent for Dr. Chidubem. He's on his way here to look you over."

Yani turned to the oracle.

"Thank you, Nolwandle. I appreciate everything you had to go through to help me."

"Blessings to you, Queen Yani. I pray that the message you received is one that will please you and prepare you for what is to come."

Yani shook her head in disappointment.

"I'm afraid I made this journey for nothing and your body suffered needlessly. Bast took away my memory of the message. Mortals can't know the future."

"Baby, it's okay," N'Jadaka said trying to soothe her depressed mood.

"I have been instructed to prepare the queen's body by Mama Wati."

"What are you going to do?" N'Jadaka asked.

Nolwandle stood and shuffled over to the fire where she lifted two wooden bowls. She brought them to Yani and placed them on the rug. She pulled a small stool out and planted herself in front of the queen.

"May I?" Nolwandle asked, pointing to Yani's damp robe.

Yani nodded and Nolwandle opened it wide revealing the queen's nakedness. Lifting a brush from the first bowl, the oracle painted a ring of blue waves around Yani's belly button that soaked into her skin like a tattoo marking. She then switched bowls and painted a different ring of twisty swirls in light green around the first ring.

"There. When you return to your honeymoon time, rub oil over them every night. The color will soak into the pigment of your skin deeper. This is your talisman, Queen Yani. Mama Wati has marked you as one of her own. When the time comes these markings will reveal their true intent. Walk out of this womb of the world with your purpose intact."

Yani clutched the oracle's hands.

"I heard a voice come out of you…a young voice…a child."

"I can only transmit, not translate what is for your ears only, kumkanikazi," Nolwandle said.

Yani's lips turned down in disappointment.

"It was our baby," N'Jadaka said.

He stroked Yani's hand. She stared at him.

"My parents came to me after their funeral ceremony…that time I was late coming to the repast at your lake front home…when we were apart. My mom said I had a child coming that I had to show a lot of grace to because she would need it. I felt the energy in that voice when I heard it, Yani. That was our child…speaking to us."

Yani trembled and lowered her head, the knowledge unnerving her. To hear her baby's voice before she was even planted in her womb or even born yet astounded her. The child called to her.

I soon come.

Yani slumped into N'Jadaka's arms and cried. All her fear and worry about the journey to Warrior Falls jolted her emotions. His parents loved her. Watched over her and their grandbabies. His great-grandmother knew who she was and came to bear witness in defiance of a deity. She wept and her husband held her in his warmth and understanding.

N'Jadaka tied the robe back around her and guided Yani away from the oracle. Her wrist felt a little tender, but the pool water helped her endure the slight discomfort longer.

"You go through first," N'Jadaka said when they reached the dark passageway again.

Yani walked through with assured steps. She was proud that she completed her task. Even prouder that N'Jadaka's amazing mother reached out for her, trusting that Yani would heed her words one hundred per cent without hesitation. She waited for the king to join her out of the passageway and they met Okoye and Ayo waiting for them with the three women emissaries.

"Thank you, Jabulile, Khanyisile and Nolwazi," Yani said.

The three woman bowed low to her and N'Jadaka. They passed through to the outside and the two Uyakhusela's greeted them.

"Peaceful journeys to you both," the men said in unison.

The Doras walked ahead of them and N'Jadaka clasped Yani's hand tight and kept them in one spot out of earshot of their security. He exhales softly.

"I'm blessed and happy you got to see them…speak to them."

"Is Bast furious?" Yani said, ready to shrink back into the forest if the goddess set a bush on fire or struck her down with a plague.

N'Jadaka touched his chest and closed his eyes.

"Displeased. But not with you. Mama Wati is her daughter and they have to deal with their family squabbles on that side of the spiritual plane," he joked.

He touched her wrist and looked it over.

"Does it hurt when I touch it?"

"Not as much as before."

"Crazy girl," he teased

He tapped his kimoyo beads.

"Aneka, come get us. You have my coordinates," he said.

"Dr. Chidubem will be arriving soon," Aneka said.

"We'll meet him halfway," he said.

N'Jadaka brought Yani to an open clearing and the Royal Talon Fighter lifted them up high into air. They flew for an hour and stopped halfway to their destination when a quad stinger arrived ferrying Dr. Chidubem to them. He took Yani to the back of the Talon Fighter and injected her wrist with nano bots that stitched her fractured wrist back together. She swallowed painkillers to dull down a fading ache. Dr. Chidubem's short graying locs reminded Yani of Baba Z.

"You'll be good as new in no time Queen Yani."

"It wasn't as bad as I thought," she said.

"Hairline fracture."

They thanked the doctor and bid him farewell after he pumped Yani full of vitamins and electrolytes for good measure. It didn't take long to get back to Umbono Lake and their peaceful houseboat.

Alone once more, N'Jadaka pampered Yani, feeding her a hearty lunch and insisting that she rest after a long warm shower. He rubbed almond oil on her scalp and slathered fresh cocoa and coffee butter all over her naked form, paying special attention to the new markings on her belly. She slipped on a bikini afterward.

"That paint is like ink," Yani said, rubbing her shiny belly.

N'Jadaka made them tea and snuggled with her in their loft bed. The boat gently rocked with the small wind currents. Intense relief rested her husband's body as he held her against him tight. He had been frightened without her being with him. That man could face any evil killer or terrorist without blinking an eye, but not having her near was his only true weakness.

She caressed his face.

"We heard our baby," she said.

His eyes glinted with unshed tears.

"We did," he said.

"We'll have to prepare—"

N'Jadaka took his index finger and held it over Yani's lips.

"I don't want you thinking about anything but getting well and resting. We have a honeymoon to enjoy and I want to live it up without prepping for another baby."

"What? This coming from the man who gets aroused simply thinking about putting a baby in me every time we make love?"

N'Jadaka gave a sly cheesy grin.

"Yeah…I want to make another baby…but…actually hearing the voice of my future daughter reminds me that we'll have four kids to raise. Thinking of it as a hypothetical was cool, but shit switches up when you hear your child's voice. Damn…like my daughter spoke to me. Half of her is still in my nutsack and the other half is still in your ovary…that shit is crazy. Yo, Ma…the fuck? We livin' in wild times girl."

N'Jadaka laughed and his eyes became shiny with the wonderment of it all.

Yani's gaze darted away from N'Jadaka's well-meaning focus. She saw things through the oracle that regular people would never experience. Gods, ancestors, and spiritual realms could come and go in her new world. She heard the voice of her baby, and the unborn child sounded confident and sure. A little girl, too. A girl who would grow up loved beyond measure by her parents and siblings. Something had to be very special about her if Mama Wati permitted her to speak to them from the other side. And just maybe, it was the reason Califia felt it so urgent to seek out Yani without Bast's permission.

Was this how Mary felt when the archangel came to her and said she would birth Jesus?

Yani shook her head at the sacrilege she skirted with her heavy Christian upbringing. Who was she to compare her unborn baby to Jesus. Thee Jesus from the bible.

And yet…

A goddess came for her and opened up a holy realm for Yani to speak to the dead and to also hear an unborn baby. This was the stuff that prophets wrote in holy scripture. Was she not a child of Mama Wati? Wasn't that what the oracle said?

God put her on the path to have that baby with N'Jadaka.

Yani stared out of the window at the water. A slight pressure on the back of her head toggled something loose in the deepest recesses of her mind.

She remembered two things from Califia. Two things Mama Wati hid from Bast in Yani's mind to keep it from totally slipping away.

Prophecy.

And a name.

Namor.

Yani put everything together quickly. Their unborn daughter had to be fulfilling a prophecy Califia had come to tell her about. But the name? Namor. It felt familiar in Yani's gut, and it most definitely gave her a shudder throughout her body thinking about it. A residual reminder of its importance maybe…or a warning. Something hidden and sticky in her mind would not let her forget that name. It sat on her tongue inside a tightly closed mouth. If she just mentioned the name to N'Jadaka, maybe he could help her figure out the meaning of it. N'Jadaka stroked her cheek.

"I can see you fretting about something from the cave," he said.

She nodded, knowing she could never hide anything from him. Not even her private thoughts. Her emotions welled up deep inside. She witnessed a profound gift and it still lingered over her.

"Baby…don't cry. That shit messes me up when you do."

Her lips trembled and she shut her eyes tight.

"Your mother was so beautiful. And your Dad…he was so sweet and kind, so royal…and your Nana…she loves you all over," Yani said.

N'Jadaka broke out into a delighted smile, even as happy tears leaked from his eyes.

"I'm happy for you, Yani. I wished they could be here to meet you, and Mama Wati made it happen. A part of me even thinks Bast let it happen because, trust me baby, Bast does not play."

"She seemed so angry to me."

"Or maybe she needed you to feel that anger out of love to leave well enough alone. This world we live in now, nothing is ever what it seems on first glance. All of this was your journey Yani. Do with it what you want."

"I remember only two things your mother told me. I want to say them to you. If you don't want to hear them because Bast may act out, I'll respect your choice."

N'Jadaka gathered his own thoughts by gazing out at the water.

"My mother told me I was going to live a long and glorious life. That means that you and our children are with me because that is my blessing. Nothing can change that if she said it," he said.

Yani rose from lying on his chest and held his hands in hers.

"Do you want to know the words and what I think they mean?" she asked.

"Tell me."

"Prophecy. I think our daughter is going to fulfill the prophecy of the River Tribe. It only makes sense as to why Califia would do what she did to speak to me. She wanted us to get ready for her. That baby has to be special, destined for some greater purpose in the future."

"I'm down with that. Mom did ask me to be ready for her before."

"Okay…the next thing. Namor."

Yani studied her husband's face carefully. His eyes seemed to bulge in their sockets when she said it, and his entire frame went rigid.

"You know that name," Yani said.

"My mother said, Namor?"

"Yes."

N'Jadaka stared through Yani as if he was watching something of great importance play out.

"Who is that person?"

"A mutant I met some time ago. A dangerous person who rules an empire under the sea," he said.

The word "empire" tipped something in Yani's mind, but it shambled away before she could hold it for closer introspection.

"I think those two things are connected somehow. I wish Bast hadn't wiped everything away in my head."

N'Jadaka stood and cracked his knuckles. His concentration lingered outside. The sky was a beautiful azure with not a cloud in sight. He glanced back at Yani.

"Namor's name can't be spoken outside of us, Yani. I'm upholding an agreement that King T'Chaka made with him thirty years ago."

"You've met him?"

"I have. He looks human, but he has wings on his feet and flies. His strength is ten times of any human and he can breathe underwater and on land. He and his people have killed thousands to keep their existence hidden. They also have vibranium."

Yani jumped off the bed.

"How?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka sat back down on the bed and Yani planted herself next to him.

"Well, it fell from the sky. Apparently a chunk of it broke off hitting our atmosphere and some of it landed in the ocean near where he is from. They call themselves the Talokanil. Namor's true name is K'uk'ulkan. It means Feather Serpent God in their language. He and his people have powers that…well, just imagine every person in Wakanda having the powers of the Black Panther. That's how powerful they are. We don't even know how many of his people live down there. I've got enough problems dealing with motherfuckers on land, I don't need no shit starting with an unknown entity like that. Hell, there might be more mutants down there with him."

"That's it then. That's what your mother wanted me to know. Namor and our baby are tied together somehow."

"I hope to Bast they aren't. We don't need that smoke coming our way. Humans I can deal with. I've whooped alien ass and plenty of warlords…but Namor. I will continue to act like he doesn't exist."

He wiped the creases in her forehead away.

"Don't worry your pretty head about nothing Yani. We make the future we want, especially with that new little one waiting on us," he said.

He sounded confident. Yani believed him. He rested the side of his face against hers.

"If my mom is aware of Namor then I will be vigilant in keeping him far from Wakanda. Nothing can harm us if my mother and great-grandmother are looking out for us."

Yani touched her stomach. She and N'Jadaka traced their fingers on the colorful blue and green designs.

"How about we call the three munchkins we already have?" he suggested.

Yani tapped her beads quickly, yearning to see her royal brood. She leaned into her husband before the children's images popped above her wrist.

"I'm truly so sorry I scared you," she said.

"It's over and done with. I have you back. We're good, Yani."

"Hi Mama! Hi Baba! Look how Auntie Twyla did my hair today," Sydette said, twirling around showing off her artfully braided hair.

"She did mine too!" Joba chimed in, touching the braided tips of her long tresses.

"Looks nice, girls," N'Jadaka said.

Riki stared at them with a grumpy look on his face. His hair was braided in the same style as Joba's and Sydette's.

"You don't like your cornrows, Dumpling?" Yani asked.

"Auntie always does our hair all the same. A prince should have a different style," Riki grumbled.

Sydette ran her fingers over his hair that touched down to his shoulder blades.

"It's getting so long and he's mad because his friends said he looks like a princess," Sydette teased.

Riki rolled his eyes.

"I like your hair long, Dumpling," Yani insisted.

"Baba's hair is long too," Joba said, trying to encourage her brother to like his braids.

"Mama, what's that on your stomach?" Sydette asked.

Yani looked past her bikini top, forgetting she was resting in a swimsuit.

"I'm trying out some body art," Yani said.

Sydette looked at Yani's stomach and then waved her hand at Joba and Riki.

"Go get your sketch pads…you both left them on the desk," Sydette said.

Joba and Riki scampered off and returned holding up their separate sketch pads.

"Mama, look," Joba said, "your body art looks like this," Joba said.

"And this," Riki said with surprise in his voice.

Yani and N'Jadaka looked at the pictures closely, then stared at one another.

"When did you make those?" N'Jadaka asked.

"Yesterday," Joba said.

"Before we went to Umama's suite," Riki added.

Joba's picture, drawn with the careful flourishes she was known for doodling when designing her fairy garden looks, was an exact match of Yani's blue body waves. Riki's drawing was close to a perfect match of the green swirls of the outer ring.

"Have you drawn anything like that before?" N'Jadaka asked them.

"Is something wrong?" Joba asked, sensing the odd tone of her father's voice.

"No, I'm just amazed that you both created something like this so similar to Mama's marking."

"The green lady showed us how to do it," Riki said, looking over his own design on his mother's belly.

"The green lady?" Yani asked.

"Yes, Umama took us to the museum yesterday," Joba said, "We had our sketch books with us. Riki and I saw her sitting on the floor in front of a painting we were trying to copy with our new art pens, and she showed us how to make this instead," Joba said.

"Why do you call her the green lady?" N'Jadaka asked.

Joba shrugged. "She had on all green…and her eyes were kinda green too. She said that the waves and swirls are symbols used to represent the ocean in Birnin S'Yan…that was the painting we were trying to copy. It had a big ocean wave. Umama wanted us to see it since it's a very famous painting in Birnin Zana. It's called "The Mother of Waters" and was made in 1546. See?"

Joba swiped the image of the oil painting for her parents to see.

"Holy Bast," N'Jadaka said.

Yani covered her mouth. She recognized the wave. It looked exactly like the one that rolled into Warrior Falls. The one that brought the water barrier and allowed Califia to see them.

"Well, that is some amazing work you two. Sydette did you sketch anything?" Yani said, trying to move the conversation elsewhere. Riki and Joba began to look concerned about their sketches and the way their parents looked at them.

"No, I was trying my hand at photography. Umama let me wander and practice lighting and shadow techniques. She was my subject for most of my pictures. I have some very nice ones she wants to frame."

"That's super cool, Sweet Pea," N'Jadaka said.

"Can't wait to see you all," Yani said.

"Will we get to wear body art too?" Sydette asked.

"Maybe," Yani said.

"We'll call you guys back in a couple of days, okay?" N'Jadaka said.

All three children nodded and blew their parents kisses before winking out. Yani stood in front of N'Jadaka.

"It had to be an avatar. There's no way the oracle could've been in Birnin Zana yesterday. Sydette didn't say that she saw anyone and no Dora would let a stranger approach our children like that," Yani said.

"I wouldn't put it past my mother to try and reach our children. They were meant to know these symbols too."

"They didn't seem scared at all."

"Not until they read our body language and the tone of our voices," he said.

N'Jadaka pulled back the covers and helped her get into bed once more.

"More rest for you," he said.

"Everything will be okay, won't it?"

"It will, baby...it will. No god would bring us this far and let us lose what we have now."

Yani accepted his doting on her for the rest of the night. She closed her eyes and knew she could face anything with Califia Stevens Udaku in their corner from the ancestral plane. Tucking Namor into a faraway nook in her memory bank, the Queen of Wakanda slumbered well.

And so did her husband.

Chapter 12 HERE.

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[acronym-chaos]

Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls) ID Pack

[PT: Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls) ID Pack].

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom. End ID].

Names

[PT: Names].

Ambrose, Arcane, Astra, Beckon, Chaos, Daedalus, Dante, Daze, Delirium, Eclipse, Eira, Elara, Elowen, Evander, Galen, Gaze, Hesper, Hex, Idris, Ilara, Imbroglio, Indigo, Ira, Kaleido, Lysandra, Maelis, Merle, Morrigan, Nebris, Nocturne, Nyx, Obscura, Oren, Penrose, Peregrine, Phantasm, Query, Raine, Reverie, Riddle, Salome, Shard, Valen, Viridian

Pronouns

[PT: Pronouns].

Cha / Chao / Chaos, Cry / Cryp / Cryps [Cryptid], Ey / Eye / Eyes, He / Hex / Hexes, Mind / Minds / Minds, Shift / Shifts / Shifts, Sig / Sigil / Sigils, Spi / Spira / Spiral, Tri / Trick / Tricks, Vo / Voi / Void, Wa / Warp / Warps, Wi / Win / Wink

Titles

[PT: Titles].

A Gaze That Pierces Worlds, The Chaos-Bringer, The Dream-Warping Demon, The Eye That Sees All, The Master of Madness, The Master of Manipulation, The Mind-Breaker, The One Who Warps Reality, The Oracle of Oddness, The Reality-Bending Trickster, The Triangular Tyrant, [Pronoun] Who Bends Boundaries, [Pronoun] Who Lives Between Worlds, [Pronoun] Who Spins the Web of Chaos, [Pronoun] Who Twists the World

[ID: A purple thin line divider shaded at the bottom, End ID].

Requested by anon!

Also tagging: @id-pack-archive

[arcadian-vampire]

Hozier concert tonight 🤩

[dblackthorne]

WITCHPURGISNACHT

Wicked Witches & Warlocks gather at the summit's mount

Abyssal valley agape aglow with embers of Hellmouth

Lucifer laughs upon the howling winds that take them high above

Pyre cast shadows madly dancing demons, incubi, succubi, satyrs and nymphs

Underworld adjoined this unholy Sabbath's night, sublimely evil sights!

Riding the stanchions of Hellish embrace, Dragons swirl amidst the Storm's face

Ghastly forms from darkness rise, by candlelight the ghoulish rites!

In the name of The Mighty Beast, we dine upon the sacrificial feast!

Spells and incantations, Words of Power echo across the land infernal!

Nocturnal reverie, diabolic debauchery, dreams and nightmares made reality!

All Hail Satan, horns held high, lightning strikes across the sky!

Cards & boards, bones & stones, the oracles point to Halloween!

Haunted caverns speak foreboding secrets in ghostly whispers forbidden

The bell resounds forevermore through forest amidst the chanting phantoms' shade

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Witchpurgisnacht" is an acronym for Walpurgisnacht. Each line begins with a letter thereunto.

[theresattrpgforthat]

hi!!!! do you know of any poetry based/centric ttrpgs? solo or for more players!

THEME: Poetry Games

Hello friend, so I’m going to drop a few games that help you write poetry or use poetry creation tools, but I also recommend checking out lyric games! Lyric games are written such that reading them alone is a form of play. This means that reading these games is often an experience in itself, meant to evoke emotion in a similar way to the experience of reading poetry. It’s a movement within the ttrpg sphere that I’ve only heard of, but the conversations I’ve been witness to concerning lyric games is very intriguing.

Now, on to the recommendations.

No One Dies Alone in Revolution, by Robin Rudd.

No One Dies Alone In Revolution is a single-player poetry-writing ttrpg in which you play as an empyromancer, interpreting flame and smoke to identify each new revolutionary soldier's patron saint, all past martyrs of the cause, and composing the prayers they will call out in battle.

This game uses a deck of cards, a dice, and an associated oracle to tell the story of the saints who died, and the prayers you will write in their honour. This is a creative game deeply steeped in ritual, and I think it makes the poetry-creation process feel quite natural. The lines of the prayers have rules depending on the cards you draw and the dice you roll, determining metrical feet, details that must be included, and the emotions the prayer is meant to evoke. If you want a game whose emotions bleed out onto the page, you want to try this game.

Gentleman Bandit, by allison arth.

They call you the Gentleman Bandit, because no one knows your name. They call you a monster, a villain, a dealer of death.  But they don’t know you.

Not your Heart, your Poet’s Heart filled with rage or filth or the expansiveness of True Love; not your Grieving Heart loosed over a chasm, making a sound like the sorrow of wolves as it plummets toward wet river stones, cracked bones left to bleach.

In this writing-focused RPG, you personify the eponymous Gentleman Bandit to write a 13-line poem you'll leave for the dead — and the ones who discover them. Card draws guide the content of each line; optional dice rolls add poetic devices to further shape the experience and ratchet the difficulty.  Using a deck of cards, you consult an oracle to determine the theme and topic of each line of your poem. There are optional requirements you can include in your poetry creation, such as writing in meter, applying a rhyme scheme, using double meanings, or using words from a diction list. Your final poem will also help you determine your next poem, as you can compare your hand to different poker hands.

This game also has a multiplayer option, if you are playing with multiple people, and two successors: Moonblind and The Swallowtail. There's also the Gentleman Pirate supplement, for fans of Our Flag Means Death.

Reverie Cycle, by Caro Acersion.

Reverie Cycle is about a group of isolated individuals, each shunning their own troubles and trials. They record their waking thoughts in their journals, reflecting on the world around them. But at night, their dreams — poetic, sensory, abstract — blur and blend with each other, creating a shifting, liminal state of overlapping worlds. The poetry of these dreams cascades and reappears, and eventually tumbles into their waking world as well…

Reverie Cycle is a play-by-poem roleplaying game — it uses poetry as a form of play, and play as a form of poetry. You don't need to consider yourself a poet to play, but by the end of the game, you will be.

This is a game about dreamers, asking for help in overcoming obstacles they are afraid to acknowledge when they are awake. It’s also an online game, with instructions for setting up the game over a private chatroom, such as Discord. The game also comes with safety emojis that you can use as you play, allowing you to react using a shorthand that signals to the players that something about the current play needs to be changed without breaking the through line of messages. Character creation involves answering a number of playbooks for your character, and assigning their unique touchstones that show up in their dreams. If you want a collaborative poetry experience, I recommend Reverie Cycle.

Care for Hecuba, by Hy Libre!

These games are born from caring about helpless tragic characters. Hecuba, Medea, Semele, Medusa-- these are monstrous, vulnerable women whose function in the story is to gravitate toward an inevitable death. By playing these games you are caring for them, because Euripides and his contemporaries are dead and somebody needs to.

These games borrow tools and expectations from poetry, but they're all "playable". You might interact with them by just reading, or by asking a friend to play them with you, or changing them to be "playable" in a way you like, or by saying "Hmm!" and moving on.

These games have the rules written as poetry, and their modes of play may occasionally also bleed into your daily life - eripedes’ favourite game tells you to ‘clean your fucking room’, for example. This is possibly also an example of a lyric game, because it feels like you are playing it as you read it. The games feel very intimate, so if you want an intensely personal experience, consider Care for Hecuba.

[reveriereadings]

🌸Welcome to Reverie Readings🌸

Hi loves, my name is Sophia Reverie. I created this profile to reconnect with a passion that’s been close to my heart for almost a decade. You can access my offerings here!

A few years back, I was offering readings and healing sessions professionally full-time. My business did really well, but like many who do this kind of work, I eventually felt burnt out and needed to take a step back. I realized how important it is to rest and replenish, especially when you’re pouring so much of yourself into holding space for others.

In my readings, I blend multiple tools (tarot, oracle cards, intuitive channeling, pendulum and more). This allows me to really explore your path (questions) and really share what’s most needed in that moment. I’ve always followed where the inner call leads me, and right now it’s guiding me to share my insight and energy again, for however long it’s needed.

Right now, I’m in the middle of a big life transition, and this space feels like a way for me to both support others and ground myself in something I love.

Outside of my intuitive work, I’m a huge gamer. Some of my all-time favorites are the Persona series, The Witcher, Skyrim, and Animal Crossing. I’m always open to new suggestions if you’re into that world too. I’m also a musician and I love creating sound healing experiences for people. Music has always been one of my biggest loves—it’s where I go to heal, express, and reconnect.

Thank you for being here. I hope my readings bring you clarity, peace, or even just a small reminder of your own inner wisdom. Feel free to reach out with any questions, or just to say hello.

With love, Sophia Reverie 🌙