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The revelation of Nuala's tragic death is still heart-breaking (┬┬﹏┬┬) Caladan's little ray of sunshine cannot survive the cruelty of Giedi Prime（；´д｀）ゞ. Looking forward to the mini-stories about Gurney and Nuala *(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭*ଘ. And their ship name... Nurney? Gurnuala?

“Did you love her, Gurney?” “The way a flower loves spring,” Gurney says, “but winter will always come.” He shakes his head. “It was a song that could never be completed. The guilt you feel in your heart, small lady, I feel in mine, too. In a way, we both failed her.” “All we can do now is avenge her,” Eurydice says, “and this planet.” — Eurydice Atreides & Gurney Halleck, Chapter 38, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle

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It is the ballad that Gurney Halleck had written for the twins upon the day of their birth, then would sing on multiple occasions. It is a song that inspires joy.

Gurney had vowed to sing it again when the twins reunited.

Oh, there were twins with eyes so bright, One had green like the Earth's delight, The other had eyes as gray as the storm, Their gaze held a powerful form, ♫ Green eyes like the Earth, so calm and serene, Gray eyes like the storm, wild and unseen, Twins of Caladan, a sight to behold, Their eyes, a tale of stories untold,  ♫ Atop the hills, they danced and played, Their eyes reflected Caladan's shade, The land they loved, the land they knew, Their bond's as deep as the ocean blue,  ♫ Green eyes like the Earth, so calm and serene, Gray eyes like the storm, wild and unseen, Twins of Caladan, a sight to behold, Their eyes, a tale of stories untold, ♫ Through laughter and tears, they faced the day, Together they stood, come what may, Their eyes, a mirror of the world they knew, A bond unbreakable, strong, and true, ♫ Green eyes like the Earth, so calm and serene, Gray eyes like the storm, wild and unseen, Twins of Caladan, a sight to behold, Their eyes, a tale of stories untold, ♫ So raise a toast to the twins of old, Whose eyes reflected Caladan's mold, May their spirits forever roam free, In the land of Caladan, by the deep blue sea, ♫ In a land of Caladan, twins they did dwell, One with eyes green like the Earth's sweet spell, The other had eyes gray like a storm's great might, Reflecting the planet, shining bright, ♫ Green eyes, gray eyes, twins of Caladan, Eyes like the Earth, eyes like the storm's wild stand, Their bond's strong, their spirits' alive, In the land of Caladan, they thrive, ♫ Through valleys and hills, they roamed with glee, Their eyes reflected the land's beauty, Twins of Caladan, a sight to see, In their eyes, Caladan's soul is free, ♫ Green eyes, gray eyes, twins of Caladan, Eyes like the Earth, eyes like the storm's grand plan, Dancing under the stars, laughter in the air, Twins of Caladan, a love so rare, ♫ So raise a cheer for the twins of Caladan's tale, Whose eyes reflect the land without fail, In the heart of Caladan, they find their grace, Twins of Caladan, shining in their place… ♫ — Chapter 38, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle

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This particular conversation between Paul and Delphine is the perfect example of telling me you are an unreliable narrator without telling me you are an unreliable narrator. We'll see if Delphine's true intentions and motives are to protect the Atreides.

“Loyalty to her family,” Paul muses, “over the Order.” His brow tightens. “This is an oxymoron, Delphine. You’re telling me to trust my sister, but also not to trust in my own blood.” “Blood runs thicker than water, but both feel the same when your eyes are closed,” Delphine says. “So, don’t close your eyes.” — Paul Atreides & Delphine Navarre, Chapter 37, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle

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On the day of ascending as the new Baron of Giedi Prime, the greatest gift that Feyd-Rautha has ever received is witnessing the brutal bloodshed by his Baroness in his name. But things take an abrupt turn.

Looking upon Eurydice now, he finds himself taken aback, and awestruck by her. How could a creature of such ruthlessness come from House Atreides? She has always belonged here on Giedi Prime, Feyd-Rautha thinks. She has always belonged to me. Only I can stand in her storm. Only I can see in the eye of her wrath. — Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Chapter 36, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3.

Original art by spitblossoms

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Our girl Eurydice amazes her hubby with her violent heart and blood oath (*/ω＼*) Althea who? Althea got five minutes to seduce Feyd and then Eurydice turned Althea into a bloody mess. Feyd’s velliväri successfully defended its territory.

It was more than senseless violence. It was not a Harkonnen act, Eurydice consoles herself. I did it to protect him. He was in danger, so I did what I had to in order to keep him safe. Althea was my enemy, she was a threat…she would have done worse to him than I have done to her. And he has seen enough pain. — Eurydice Atreides, Chapter 37, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3.

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I am slowly digesting the audiobook version of Dune 1 by Frank Hebert and it is truly amazing, both the narration and the writing. Shame on me, for eluding the book for so long. (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

This very last paragraph of Chapter 3 makes me feel a rare humane and soft side of the Reverend Mother and gives a subtle hint of the true mother of Lady Jessica. I am aware that the identity of Lady Jessica’s mother has been debated following the alleged “notes” from Frank Hebert but this paragraph could be supporting evidence.

The RM may have had a tough time with the Gom Jabbar trial with Paul, knowing all too well the path lies ahead for the Atreides. For her blood daughter and grandson. Still, as the RM said earlier in this same chapter:

“Jessica, girl, I wish I could stand in your place and take your sufferings. But each of us must make her own path.” “I know.” “You’re as dear to me as any of my own daughters, but I cannot let that interfere with duty.”

Duty. What a heavy word. The four-letter word that seems to drive all of the characters crazy in the spiral of control and vengeance （−＿−；）

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It is the OG Dune but it may also be the Dune-divergent EIOB with Paul, Eurydice, baby Hektor as the future of House Atreides and the Imperium \(//∇//)\

DUNE art by Aditya Damle

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Althea thought she had the upper hand but she was wrong. Not only Feyd, but his vallivari also lives up to her blood oath. They protect each other. Sooo sweet ლ(╹◡╹ლ)

The woman now regards him with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “And what do you make of your Atreides bride?” she inquires, her voice dripping with subtle provocation. “I’d kill for her,” Feyd-Rautha says, his voice openly harboring a dangerous edge. “And I’d gladly kill you for attempting to bait me.” —Althea Navarre & Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Chapter 35, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3.

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Same Feydice vibes ☠️❤️‍🔥🗡️🩶

The Addams Family (1991)

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Thank god the Giedilith phrasebook comes into rescue. Now we can speak the Harkonnen way ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

It is a blessing to have such a devoted author to this fan fic.

Eurydice tilts her head up, brushing her nose against his in featherlight affection. “Amein vut mir,” Feyd-Rautha murmurs. Eurydice exhales softly, a shiver coursing through her body as she presses her cheek against his own. He holds her closer, his arms a protective shield around her. Once more, the world fades into oblivion. There are only the two of them to be found within this hapless void. “Don’t try to die for me again,” Eurydice says. “What a glorious way to die.” “I forbid it,” Eurydice says, pulling back so their eyes can meet once more. “Promise me you won’t try anything moronic like that again.” “Moronic, velliväri?” “You made an oath to me,” Eurydice says, her hands raising to cup his jaw. “Make me this promise, too, that you will live for me.” Feyd-Rautha threads his fingers through her hair, toying with them. “Always.” — Chapter 33, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3.

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The Giedilith phrasebook finally arrives!

Giedilith Language

I have been working on the actual language for Giedilith for EIOB. Fun fact, in the films the language is described as Harkonnen, which, yeah, checks out. They would be narcissistic enough to name their language after their name. But I truly loved the visual of Giedilith. Lilith also means belonging to the night and is associated with biblical themes. And I love secret meanings. So, here is the language! It is a work in progres and I will update it periodically, but otherwise here ya go! ;)

Naroth zelkrin mevithin roshivvak?

Would you let me have you?

Velliväri.

Black cat.

Vilshantarum.

House of Conquest.

Agvárok / agvárok'd.

Fuck / fucked.

Ranakthas.

To become.

Amein vut mir.

I love you.

Vyro’zeth.

Undying.

Umbral.

Steadfast.

Zelkrin lothariv devil.

Let us escape together.

Väritin kullak.

Black flower.

Shantarnetil.

City of Dreamers.

Agvárokas veltro.

Fuck off.

Iltira ranakthas.

To become stronger.

Amein dhav thir.

I cherish you.

Vilinaroth roshen.

Would you dance with me?

Mevithin vilshantarum.

House of love.

Naroth Giedilithas?

Will you speak Giedilith?

Vut mir angor.

Love conquers all..

Zelkrin varanthar.

Let us explore.

Värihaumé.

Black Forest.

Shantarus olom.

City of secrets.

Agvárokathas.

To make love.

Ranakthas zedil.

To become wise.

Amein shal grethir.

I adore you.

Vilshantarum kaezil.

House of warriors.

Iltira naroth envel?

Would you sing for me?

Amein zelkrinathil.

Let me be with you.

Väritin roshviel.

Black sunset.

Zelkrin tharúl.

Let us dream.

Shantarus vaerdel.

City of the lost.

Agvárokar shadil.

Intense passion.

Ranakthas ilithia.

To become free.

Amein zelkrinah ralthas.

I want to be with you forever.

Vilshantara zelshad.

The conqueror’s house.

Iltira zelkin árla?

Will you dream with me?

Shantarus vilamor.

City of the poets.

Zelkrin veratha.

Let us discover.

Agvárodil zelshar.

Passionate heart.

Ranakthas zelanthil.

To become one with nature

Amein shantarus ralthil.

I cherish the city.

Iltira zelkrin shadathas?

Do you desire passion?

Amaranthine zelkrin veratha olathin kiröthas.

Let us embark on an eternal journey under the fiery sky.

Värisol zelkrin verilína ránarithas ärurivil.

In the sunset of love, we shall embrace each other under the black rays.

Shantarus zelkroth shanahrin athilidin zalathin.

In the city of the brave, courage and honor shall prevail forever.

Agvárodil zelsharär vilrothas ilkarathin shrikrin.

In the passionate heart, a flame of desire burns brightly and fiercely.

Ranakthas zelanthilán zelmirithas ilárlar ázirathin

To become one with nature is to feel the wind whispering through the olden trees.

Amein shantarus ralthilínä zarokril shanralin vazentin.

I cherish the city where every corner holds a story waiting to be told.

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Disclaimer: I wrote this post as an enthusiast for Dune: Part Two (2024) and the ‘seductively sick’ portrayal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Any other thoughts or comments are welcomed and appreciated! TL;DR: The aesthetic choice of Feyd’s blackened teeth aligns well with the widespread custom in ancient Vietnam — a sign of beauty, maturity, and even brutality. Read more below. Original photos belong to their respective owners.

Teeth blackening in Dune: Part Two (2024) through the lens of Vietnamese culture

One thing that mesmerizes me about Feyd in the 2024 Dune movie is his blackened teeth. Not only does this provide an impressive physical appearance for Feyd, but it also reminds me of a long-lost fashionable custom in my home country.

Original inspiration. As far as I know, the film crew creatively invented this aesthetic for the movie from the inspiration of the black mamba (a type of venomous snake in sub-Saharan Africa) and images of geisha with black teeth. Similar to folklore and legends, other countries and ethnicities also dyed their teeth black with their local traditional recipes.

Vietnam-specific. Particularly in Vietnam, teeth blackening was once a popular aesthetic choice for both commoners and noblemen. As teeth blackening was a sign of elegance and decency, it was prevalent for Vietnamese women to adhere to this practice. This custom was deep-rooted as early as 400 BCE and grew so profound as an indicator of being ready for marriage or fierce on battlefields. Side note, Vietnamese people would not dye their teeth black until they came of age; it was indeed a statement of maturity.

A clash between the East and the West. It is also hilarious that until the early 20th century in Vietnam, white teeth were regarded as barbaric; only animals, savages, and evil spirits would have white teeth. During this time, one may casually make a sarcastic remark about pretty girls with white teeth such as “Oh you’ve got a pretty face but your teeth are as white as doggo.” On the contrary, in the eyes of the French colonists, the locals had impressive straight teeth but those were “as black as sewer pipes”.

Cannibalism? In some online discussions, internet users theorize that Feyd’s blackened teeth may indicate cannibalism. This fan theory is reasonable enough, because during World War I, to curb the abuse and bullying from the larger and stronger Moroccans and Senegalese mercenaries to the smaller Annamese counterparts, a French officer spread the rumor that black-toothed people were cannibals and could devour two legs in just an hour, terrifying the African mercenaries and bringing peace to the Annamese ones.

How to? So, without the privilege of wearing an Invisalign filled with black dye like Austin, how did the Vietnamese dye their teeth? In short, one must generally undergo the following stages to dye their teeth black: mouth sanitization, red dyeing, black dyeing, polishing, and maintenance, which on average took around three weeks. It was reported that the first teeth-dyeing session would rather be physically painful due to swelling mouth and lips, stinging sensation of the dyed teeth, and strict dietary restrictions (e.g., refraining from fatty and hot food, smoking).

On another side note, I don’t know exactly what the food that Feyd chewed in the early morning attacking Sietch Tabr and degrading Rabban, but to maintain the sheeny stylish black teeth, ancient and older Vietnamese often practiced betel nut chewing.

Dear Dune fan fic writers, please consider adding this long-lost social custom into your fics; multi-cultural representation would be greatly appreciated and respected.

Please let me know if you want me to delve into greater details of the teeth blackening tutorial in Vietnam. I may do a part two on this for my lovely Feyd and Vietnamese culture if you guys are intrigued!

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Christoph

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Craftsmanship in the Dune universe is a whole new level. Your daggers are both jewelry and personal statements. Like, daggerista?

Pretty daggers not a want but a need...

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How did Eurydice and Feyd originally flirt? By sword and verbal sparring in their shared dreams since they were mere child.

Dream after dream, Eurydice can feel his desperation enhancing. It is reflected in his touch, manner he has begun to bend, and the guttural sound of his throat when faced with defiance. He is a man about to break, she thinks each time, and yet somehow he always returns to her whole. — Eurydice Atreides, Chapter 10, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3. Original artwork by Maéna Paillet.

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The Feydice sexual tension in this chapter is just palpable. While I am a smutty reader, sexual tension is hotter than actual sex.

“You won’t always escape,” he says into her neck. “I will find you. Just tell me where you are, who you are.” Eurydice feels the water slow. The vision around her eyes starts to fade. She recognizes what is happening. She can feel his grip on her tighten, recognizing that she is once again slipping from between his fingers. This is the way of it. “Tell me,” he growls against her ear. “I don't think I will,” Eurydice says. “You haven't won yet.” — Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen & Eurydice Atreides, Chapter 10, “Echoes in Our Blood” by @vulpine-spectacle on AO3.

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Looking forward to modern AU fics where Feyd has this gorgeous blond hair and a diverse array of cute facial expressions like this (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)

Austin Butler: done with the entire universe - a series