#tsor

[carletes]

50 (meet cute) or 52 (Fake death/presumed dead)👁️👁️

"Where is he?!"

The bellow echoed throughout the camp. His Grace, Duke Sir Alex of Albon, winced, wiping the sweat from his brow; his face was still hot with blood: his own, the enemies', and–

"Where the fuck is he?!"

The thunder of Dawn's hooves pounding the earth drew closer. His Grace took a deep breath and stood, steeling himself for the most difficult conversation of his near four decades. He had a sense his partner was not far behind his Majesty, and while a part of his heart swelled at the prospect of seeing his beloved, on the whole, he was consumed with dread.

Alex emerged from his tent in time to see his old friend leap off of his mare, Dawn, and look around wildly. George was only a few paces behind, sliding off his own stallion—a gift from Alex—as well. He looked as wary as Alex felt. They locked eyes; Alex gave him the barest of nods, his mouth tight. George's bright eyes were shadowed with fear and exhaustion, almost certainly a testament to the grueling ride from Thameside to the north of Anglosax.

"Your Majesty," Alex called, his voice dry. Lando rounded on Alex, grabbing his shoulders, shaking him. His hands were trembling, his eyes wet, cheeks blotched with fury and desperation.

"Where-?"

Alex wordlessly steered Lando towards Carlos' pavilion, beside his own. The mood in the camp was despondent, nervous, and the presence of the king didn't help matters. No one even greeted Lando, anticipating his grief. Alex felt Lando wouldn't have registered any greetings anyway.

Lando broke free of Alex and rushed into the tent with a broken cry. Alex froze, taking another breath. He had been checking on Carlos every ten minutes. He had worsened every time.

"Alex," George murmured, seeking his Grace's hand. "How-"

But Alex just shook his head and pulled George into the pavilion. It was pungent with the scent of blood, oppressively hot from the raging fires that the royal medic had demanded be maintained throughout the pavilion. But his Majesty, even dressed for Anglosaxon late winter, didn't seem to feel the heat. He was at his husband's feet, gazing at the face of his consort, knuckles white from being so clenched. Alex could see the blood caked around Lando's fingernails; an old habit he had long since shaken, now returned.

Normally, he would have chastised Lando.

This was not the time.

"What happened?" Lando said, voice quavering, low.

"They targeted him," Alex said flatly, forcing unfeeling. "He charged into a group of them, took them all out, and then wheeled around to get back to us—but it was a distraction. Archers. All of them, focused on Carlos. They wanted him."

"I'll kill them," Lando said quietly. He ran a hand over Carlos' pale, bare foot. "I'll kill them. I'll rip them apart with my bare hands, I'll-"

"It's the fever," the medic, sitting beside Carlos said, head in his hands. "And infections. We're sweating the fever out, your Majesty. The infections are under control but- it's the fever."

Lando walked around the cot. He drew the blanket off of Carlos and took in a shaky breath. Carlos' torso was covered in gauze. His breaths came slow, shallow, rattling.

Lando pushed Carlos' hair back from his face and his own crumpled with horror at the terrible wound spanning the king-consort's visage, from the corner of one eyebrow, over his eye, across his nose, his left cheek.

"Goddess," he exhaled, his voice cracking, the steel in his voice gone. "Oh, Goddess. Carlos. Carlos."

"It is a miracle he didn't lose an eye," the medic said. "His Grace is to thank for that."

"I didn't get to him soon enough," Alex said helplessly. He hadn't realized George had an arm around him, keeping him upright. "Your Majesty. Lando. I'm so sorry. I- I only got there by the end, I didn't kill him quick enough-"

"You killed him quick enough to keep him from murdering the king-consort outright," George said quickly, pulling Alex into himself. "Hush, love."

"Will he-?" Lando began, but he couldn't finish the sentence. Instead, he sat down heavily beside Carlos on the cot, pressing Carlos' hand to his cheek. "Goddess."

"I- I don't know, your Majesty," the medic sighed. "The fever...his prospects are grim, Sire. It's a matter of will."

"Will," Lando murmured. His grip on Carlos' hand tightened. "Will. D'you hear that, my love? Do you hear that, Carlos? It's about how fucking stubborn you are. I know better than most how stubborn you are."

His voice was stronger now, purposeful, kingly. "You've passed that down to our children. Allegra, Carlos, Landon, Aurelia...our children, Carlos. I haven't told them anything yet. Because of how willful they are, because they're stubborn like you, because they'd have been here if they knew and then you'd have had to deal with our babes- our babes, Carlos!"

His voice broke there, just momentarily. Lando paused and pressed his lips to Carlos' fingers, his palm, the king seeking strength from his consort even though he was in such a state. "Our babes," he whispered, and Alex felt like an intruder. But he wanted to bear witness. "I won't raise them without you. I won't. You are my companion. In all things. My love- mi amado," Lando said, caressing Carlos' face, fingertips lingering at the edge of the wound, stitched close, glistening with salve. "Te necesito, amor. Por favor..."

Lando stopped. He cleared his throat and sat up straight, still clutching Carlos' hand. "Well, I'm just as stubborn as you. You piece of shit. So you might as well not die."

The world stood still. Alex's breath caught in his throat. George's grip on Alex tightened. The medic looked up, his tired eyes suddenly keen.

But Lando just smirked, tremulous, tears streaking his face as Carlos squeezed his hand weakly and muttered, slow, amused, "Y-you're...w-orse..."

"Maybe so. I command you to live, you bastard."

Tears sprang to Alex's eyes as Carlos chuckled. Slow, choking, a little awful to behold—but still.

"Claro...mi rey."

[rinriya]

I'm shocked in a good way. It turns out that "The Sword of Rhivenia" by @theswordofrhivenia now has a remake! And you won't believe how awesome it is! I played the original game and it was good, but it felt a little rushed. But this version... oooooh, it's fantastic.

This version is incredibly thoughtful, logical, with a measured, calm narration. It introduces you to the various events, the world, the characters. Allows you to understand and feel your MC and everyone around them. Remake really developed IF into book with authors incredible ability to convey emotions. So, let me tell this in order.

The text itself became much richer with many details, clarifications and moments. The chapters are large, rich and emotional, immersing you in the author's world. You want to see every detail, understand as much as possible and uncover the secrets of this mysterious world.

Characters. They became the pillar of the world. Every single one. Now they are an important aspect of the story. Their feelings, emotions, experiences, fears.. you can feel them all. That was lacking in the old version. The author has an incredible talent for writing emotional scenes. I had goosebumps many times because I could imagine myself in character's place. And that's amazing. Kudos to the author for believable emotions. For showing real feelings without trying to smooth the edges. People and their feelings are complicated. Happiness is complicated. The world is complicated. I really like how feelings are shown, wounded hearts. Breaking people, who are gradually fading until they become an empty shell. I missed the complex themes in literature. I love how alive the characters feel. How different they all are. Especially in terms of relationships with each other. The chapter with choosing new ruler is the strongest example of emotional swings in my memory.

The main character. I know each player chooses traits and behavior of their protagonist, but I chose the kind and fair (I choose such character in every game lol). I think this is the canon behavior for a true ruler. And I was amazed at how much MC stands out from the others, even other pretenders to the throne. You feel in them qualities that make true leaders. You look at them, listen to them and you understand… yes, millions will follow them. They were born for this. Without any magic, ancient swords and prophecies, you feel this in the main character from the very beginning. Incredibly smart, collected, calm, reasonable. MC is always there when needed. MC will support, advice, correctly consider the situation from different sides. Thoughtful, will not make any rushed decisions. Diplomat. Kind, compassionate, understanding. Able to withstand any storms of life and hold others. MC is literally the lock that holds all links in the chain. Links that may crumble or become stronger. The throne for the protagonist is not a sign of power or some kind of political game, but an opportunity. The throne is an understanding of the heavy cruel burden of responsibility. And exactly that's what makes MC worthy. They do their best to keep the family together, they understand the burden of the King, they know how to forgive. They see new paths, think outside the box, is capable of trust and critical thinking. They are /heh/ defiant. They clearly separate the feelings and the duty. At the same time, MC is far from being an all-forgiving weakling, but they show strength not with blood, but with a confidently raised head and a firm word.

Summing up, my hats off to the author and I'm intrigued how this story will continue.

[kitkatgohard]

capture the beauty character: Isaak from the Shades of Red by @kuroyurivn

[buffster]

The Shroud of Rahmon (ATS 2.08)

This is part of my ongoing Buffyverse Project, where I write notes/meta for every episode in an attempt to better understand the characters and themes of the shows. You can find the BTVS list here and the ATS list here. Gifs are not mine.

Cordelia: Okay, two words I don't like right off the bat, "tomb" and "unearthed". People, you gotta leave your tombs earthed.

Let's keep focus here.

What the hell happened to Cordelia's head? Good lord. It's horrifying. What in the 1980s...Pretending Wesley and Angel haven't noticed for ten days is way beyond suspension of disbelief.

Another monster-of-the-week episode. The writer chooses to build tension by starting the episode near the end when everything's gone to shit. We see Angel drinking blood and Wesley in a holding cell.

Gunn calls Angel in because his cousin has gotten in over his head. He took a driving job on a heist and now thinks the vamp involved is going to kill him. Angel agrees to step in but asks Gunn to stay out of it. As the leader of his previous vamp-killing gang and no big fan of vampires, Gunn chafes under Angel's leadership. He shows up in his cousin's place, defiant.

We get a fun moment as Angel impersonates Jay-don with typical comical swagger. A human security guard, a human driver, two demons, and a vamp are attempting to steal The Shroud of Rahmon from a museum for cash. Wesley and Cordelia's research reveals the Rahmon was a demon with the power to make people crazy. The Shroud caused chaos in 1803. Its power seems to mimic vampirism...it takes issues and amplifies them. Gunn and Angel's tension explodes, the security guard's nervousness goes into hyperdrive...

We get some development on the Kate/Angel plot. Kate confronts Angel with a cross, which is laughably puny. He tosses it and grabs her, demonstrating that she really has no power over him and he's over the attitude. But she still comes to the museum as soon as she learns he's involved. I'm assuming Wolfram & Hart is behind her continued employment. What police station is going to allow an officer to devote all their time to one obsession? Angel bites her and tells her to stay down, saving her life from the demon thieves. The moment complicates her feelings further as she grapples with his saving her.

Angel is ultimately able to fight the power of the shroud and destroy it, and in the process Gunn demonstrates that he does trust Angel even when it looks messy.

We end on an Angel with awakened bloodlust.

Character Notes:

Cordelia Chase: The shroud seems to feed her self-obsession. She's staring at her teeth and stealing pretty necklaces.

[thesaviorsofrobloxia]

“Why isn’t he answering...?”

[kuroyurivn]

Currently working on Chapter 4 and redoing some earlier Chapters! Hm? You actually got the job at the Art Store? Nice! Let's hope your Coworker is nice...

[bugwashere1031]

Some sketches i made for the characters of my book! Young Favian, young Fyre and an untraumatized version of Fyre

These are my own little scrimblos and im proud of them

[rozzywell]

They make me soooooo sooooo ill

[8xlewis]

few things, about gladiator 2:

1. half naked paul mescal in short shorts fighting, secretly nice pedro pascal in fancy attire and eyeliner kissing everybody's hands, and ravi in his own gorgeous simplicity have changed the trajectory of my life forever

2. the costume design is IMMACULATE.

3. low-key love medieval war in film

4. AMAZING direcotry, cinematography, colour grading, MUSICCC and sound design in general

5. DENZEL WITH EARRINGS

6. weird asf monkeys

7. once again, just for good measure, naked paul mescal

8. THE FUCKING STORYTELLING

I have disliked war films for as long as I can remember, but this might be the best movie I have ever watched

[carletes]

[with effusive apologies and compliments to OP]

When the prince had come to, every one of the Heretics was dead. Prince Carlos had been distraught. He was distraught.

“My friends,” the prince whispered, and - horribly - his eyes were filled with tears. Lando stood to sit on the chair beside him, his cards forgotten. “Dead. For no reason. Senseless. And I- their horses were good horses, but one of them was lame, and the others killed. It was me and Betty. And she is small, she can’t- I could only burden her with two of my friends. I walked alongside her. I do not know how we got there, but we arrived at the nearest village.” 

He hadn’t known he was injured. He only realized it when the village healer took charge of him and sent the local guards to retrieve the other bodies. 

“I couldn’t even bring them somewhere safe myself,” Prince Carlos said, and he sounded hollow. “I- failed them.”

“You didn’t fail them,” Lando whispered urgently, touching the prince’s shoulder. “You did what you could.”

“And I still do not know how,” the prince replied. “And yet, it happened: the Rising Sun, my people began to call me. Rising in the face of adversity. Brilliant as the sun before it. So they say.”

“So they say,” Lando murmured. Prince Carlos smiled a little, but it, too, was a nothing-smile.

[chapter 4 of tsor]

they'll make such a hassle & they'll build you a castle, then destroy it when they're done

tonya harding — sufjan stevens

[carletes]

carlos sr having the support of the norris family, hiberia and anglosax are trully in alliance now

AJGLKJAKLGJAGJA NOT ADAM_NORRIS_PURE_ELECTRIC OH MY GOD i need to reread my own fucking fic, BROTHERS-IN-LAW OF TERROR!!! literally obsessed, the world isn't READY for the United and Most Serene Realms of Anglosax & Hiberia 😭😭😭

[rinriya]

Goosebumps goosebumps goosebumps

[heartbeetz]

For people who don't follow me on main (most of you) I DID end up watching KR2000 (the 1991 movie). And it was just as bad as I expected it to be if not worse. 👍

[kuroyurivn]

What a nice fanart! 0///0

capture the beauty character: Isaak from the Shades of Red by @kuroyurivn

[thesaviorsofrobloxia]

”John…?”

[kappaology]

another her.