#How Partnership Concept Work

[wistfulwatcher]

finales + ava's (lack of) experience outside of deborah

[thelovehypothesis]

Between the Pit Walls and the Heartbreak

(part 2.1) (part 2.2)

Franco Colapinto x fem-engineer!reader

+3k words

a/n’s: full credit to @afterglowsainz go read their fic “don't smile” its amazingggg and so this is my take on the fic because I loved the concept and have two versions of part 2 for this! hope you like it.

warnings: angst!

Summary: Two hearts, one racetrack, and a love that no team principal can control. When love collides with ambition, can they find a way back to each other?

You stood at the other edge of the Williams garage, watching as Franco climbed out of his FW46 for what felt like the hundredth time that week. Every step he took felt heavier than the last, every glance between the two of you loaded with words left unsaid. It was different now, and both of you knew it. 

When Franco signed with Williams to finish the 2024 season, your heart became a battlefield of excitement and dread. You were his race engineer, the one who knew him better than anyone else on the grid, the one who stayed up late going over data with him, strategizing, and pushing him to be the best. You had been with him since F3, a time when your paths crossed because of your families. They had been friends for years, and your parents had pulled some strings to give you a chance to prove yourself as a young race engineer, even funding the early stages of your career.

At first, people doubted you. They thought you were only there because of your family’s connections, but you quickly silenced those voices. You stayed up late, crunching data, analysing telemetry, and refining strategies for Franco’s races. You weren’t just there by luck; you were good—really good. Your talent quickly shone through, and soon enough, bigger teams were offering you positions. You could have taken those offers, stepped into a more high-profile role, but you never did. You stayed with Franco.

Because you loved him. You had fallen in love with him.

It had started subtly—a glance here, a shared laugh there. You weren’t just his engineer; you became his confidante, his friend, and eventually, you found yourself falling for him. He looked at you after each race win like you were part of his victory, not just a cog in the machine. Your bond deepened as you moved with him from F3 to F2, and every time a team came knocking with an offer, you turned them down. They could offer you prestige, money, and opportunities, but they couldn’t offer you Franco.

He was the reason you stayed. Every lap he completed felt like your own heartbeat; every podium, every victory was something you shared with him. It was more than just work—it was love. 

But everything changed when he signed with Williams.

-The Call 

The moment Williams confirmed Franco as their new driver for the remainder of the 2024 season, everything changed. You had been publicly by his side for over two years, a relationship that everyone in the paddock knew about. Your love story wasn’t a secret—far from it. Fans followed your every move, your Instagram was full of pictures of you two at races, on vacations, and even behind the scenes in the paddock. You had been his race engineer since F3, and people saw your partnership as an unbreakable duo both on and off the track.

When you were reassigned to Alex Albon’s car, it wasn’t just a professional shift; it felt personal. The move should have been a tremendous opportunity in its own right—working with a driver as talented and respected as Alex was no small feat—but it was hard to see it as a win when it meant being separated from Franco. The paddock was buzzing with speculation about how the change would affect your relationship.

But the hardest blow came in a private meeting with James Vowles, the team principal. He sat the two of you down, his tone serious, and made it clear in no uncertain terms: there could be no personal distractions. He acknowledged the public nature of your relationship, but made it clear that professionalism first, always. There was no room for messy relationships that could compromise team integrity, that moving forward, there needed to be boundaries. Williams was entering a critical phase, and the last thing they wanted was for emotions to compromise performance.

James’s words echoed in your mind long after the meeting ended. “It’s nothing personal, it’s about keeping the team focused. We’ve all seen how relationships can become distractions in this sport. We need to keep things professional, especially now that Franco is in F1.”

You had expected some tension when the move was announced, but not like this. You weren’t just any race engineer—you had stood beside Franco for years, helped him rise through the ranks. Your love had grown through the late-night data reviews, the shared victories, the quiet moments after race weekends when it was just the two of you. To be told that this love, something that had been a part of your lives for over two years, was now considered a “distraction” was gut-wrenching.

Franco was the one who made the call, though. “It’s for the best,” he’d said, voice breaking just a little. You could see how much it hurt him to say it, how his voice faltered for just a second, but you also knew he was trying to protect both of your careers. He couldn’t afford to let emotions get in the way now, not when he was on the brink of making a name for himself in Formula 1. And you didn’t want to be the one to hold him back, either. So you agreed, even though it felt like your heart was being torn in two. You could see the conflict in his eyes, but the weight of the moment crushed any objections you might’ve had. You didn’t want to be the reason he failed to thrive in F1. And so, with a single nod, you agreed to end it.

It was a quiet breakup—no big fights, no yelling, just an excruciating silence that followed you like a cloud for weeks. You’d kept things under wraps so well that even the fans didn’t catch on immediately. But they were observant; they always were. It wasn’t long before they noticed the subtle changes. Your Instagram went private, the photos of you two celebrating F2 podiums together disappeared, and though you still posted about the races, the personal connection that had once been there was gone.

Speculation began to swirl in the background, but you never confirmed or denied anything. You let the fans talk, let the rumours grow, because addressing them would only bring more pain. And in the paddock, Franco became just another driver. Professional, distant, and cold in a way you hadn’t expected. You couldn’t stand it.

You threw yourself into your work with Alex, who was a consummate professional, always supportive, but even he noticed the toll it was taking on you. “You don’t have to pretend, you know,” Alex had said one evening after a particularly long debrief session. “It’s okay to feel hurt.”

But admitting that hurt felt like a betrayal of everything you’d tried to hold together. So you buried it deeper.

As the season progressed, the distance between you and Franco only grew. He was focused on his races, and you were determined to be the best engineer you could be for Alex. But no matter how hard you tried to push Franco out of your mind, he was always there. You saw him every day, heard his voice over the radio, watched him in the garage. It was torture, and you couldn’t escape it.

There were moments when he would catch your eye from across the paddock, and for a split second, it felt like old times. But then reality would crash down, and you would remind yourself that things were different now. You weren’t his engineer anymore. You weren’t his anymore.

And yet, despite everything, you couldn’t bring yourself to move on. You still loved him. The offers from other teams continued to pour in—teams that saw your potential, that recognized your talent. Mclaren, Aston Martin, even Mercedes reached out, but you turned them all down. How could you leave when Franco was still here? You had built your career with him by your side, and even though your relationship was over, you couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

But you knew it couldn’t last. Eventually, you would have to make a choice.

—The Wall Comes Down

It wasn’t until Suzuka, late in the season, that Franco finally broke the silence between you two. The garage was quiet, most of the crew gone, but Franco lingered by his car, his eyes darting toward you as if summoning the courage to speak.

“Can we talk?” His voice was low, tentative, and you wanted to say no, you didn’t want to have this conversation. You had spent the last few months trying to bury your feelings, to focus on your work and pretend that everything was fine. But the look in Franco’s eyes told you that he wasn’t going to let you walk away this time.

“We shouldn’t,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Please” he pleaded and you found yourself nodding while he guided you to his driver's room.

He didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I hate this. I hate that we don’t talk anymore.”

You crossed your arms, trying to guard yourself against the emotions surging within. “We don’t talk because you made that choice, Franco.”

His jaw clenched, a flash of frustration crossing his face. “It wasn’t my choice—it was the team’s.”

You shook your head, feeling the sting of unshed tears. “But you agreed to it. You agreed to break up with me like it was just another strategy call. Like we were something you could let go of as easily as a bad qualifying lap.”

“I did it for us,” he said, voice rising. “For our future. You know how cutthroat this world is—how many careers get destroyed because of personal issues. I didn’t want that for you, or for me.”

You stepped closer, lowering your voice. “Don’t lie to yourself. You did it for you. You were scared, Franco. Scared that if things went wrong between us, it would ruin your big shot in F1.”

He looked away, the weight of your words hanging between you like a wall neither of you could cross. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice softer now, broken. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I was scared. But that doesn’t change how I feel.”

“And how’s that, exactly?” you asked, unable to stop the bitterness from creeping into your tone.

“Look I know I messed up,” Franco said, his hands shaking as he spoke. “I thought breaking up was the right thing to do. I thought it would keep us both focused, but… I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend anymore.” He paused for a moment. “I still love you,” he said, and the words hit you like a punch to the gut. You had been waiting for them, hoping to hear them for months, but now they only made you angry.

“You can’t just say that and expect everything to go back to normal,” you said, shaking your head. “It doesn’t work that way.” You looked away, the pain of his words hitting you harder than you expected. “You made your choice, Franco. You chose your career over me. You can’t just come back now and expect everything to go back to the way it was.”

“I didn’t choose my career over you,” he said, stepping closer. “I thought I was protecting us both. I thought I was doing what was best for you. I know I hurt you. I know I made the wrong call, but I’m trying to fix it now. We can still be friends.”

“No,” you said firmly, taking a step back. “I didn’t need protecting,” you said, tears welling up in your eyes. “I needed you to trust me. To trust us. But you didn’t. And I..I…I can’t just be your friend, Franco. Not when I’m still in love with you.”

The silence between you stretched out, the weight of your confession settling in. Franco’s face fell, and for the first time, you saw genuine regret in his eyes.

“I didn’t realise…”

“You didn’t want to realise,” you corrected. “You thought it would be easier to just put distance between us, to make things ‘professional,’ but that’s not how feelings work. You can’t compartmentalise everything.”

He reached for your hand, but you pulled away. “I need space, Franco. I can’t do this anymore.”

For a long moment, neither of you spoke. Finally, Franco nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He looked at you, his eyes full of regret, and for the first time, you saw how much this had been hurting him too. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

He turned around and you watched as he walked away, your heart breaking all over again, but you knew it was for the best. Some things just couldn’t be fixed with a pit stop.

-The Offer By the time the season neared its end, you received the call you’d been avoiding for months. Red bull was offering you a position. They wanted you to join their engineering team, and the offer was too good to ignore. Prestige, a hefty pay raise, and the chance to work with another driver—a new start.

You took the job. You had to. Staying with Williams, staying near Franco, was suffocating you. And the moment Franco found out you were leaving for Red Bull? It broke him in a way you hadn’t expected.

-The End of the Season

The season wrapped up in Abu Dhabi, and the celebration felt hollow without Franco by your side. You watched from a distance as he soaked in the cheers from the crowd, the flashes of cameras capturing the culmination of a year of hard work. He had grown into a formidable driver in F1, and you couldn’t help but feel pride for him, even if you had been reduced to just another observer.

You had kept your distance for months, determined to stay professional despite how much it hurt. But as the night went on and the paddock grew quiet, you found yourself lingering. The afterparty was in full swing, but you couldn’t bring yourself to join in. Instead, you found a secluded spot near the pit garages, letting the sound of the distant laughter and music wash over you as you replayed the season in your mind—every moment you had spent avoiding Franco, pretending like your heart wasn’t breaking every time you saw him.

“Hey.” His voice startled you, pulling you from your thoughts.

You turned around, and there he was—Franco, standing there, his eyes filled with something you hadn’t seen in a long time. Regret. Pain. Love.

“I’ve been looking for you all night,” he said softly, stepping closer. He was still in his race suit, unzipped to his waist, a reminder of everything that had changed, and yet, everything that still felt the same.

“You found me,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. You hadn’t seen him this close in what felt like forever. His presence stirred up emotions you had tried so hard to bury, but here they were, bubbling up to the surface.

“I didn’t think you’d stay.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking uncertain, a far cry from the confident driver everyone saw on the grid. “I thought you’d already be gone.”

You shook your head, unable to find the words. There was so much you wanted to say, but where would you even begin?

Franco took another step toward you, his eyes searching yours. “I miss you,” he said, his voice breaking just a little. “I know I messed up. I thought I was doing the right thing, for both of us, for our careers. But I was wrong. I can’t keep pretending that everything’s okay without you. It’s not. I’m not.”

Your heart clenched at his words, but you had been carrying the weight of this heartbreak for so long that it felt almost impossible to let it go. “Franco, we—” You paused, trying to gather yourself. “We made a choice. You made a choice.”

“I know,” he said quickly, his voice desperate. “I know I made the choice, but it was the wrong one. I thought we could just focus on our careers and put everything else aside, but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t pretend like you’re not the most important thing in my life.”

You swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill over. “I thought I could handle it too,” you admitted. “I tried to be professional. I tried to focus on my work with Alex and push everything else away, but it’s been… it’s been hell.”

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking as he stepped even closer, so close you could feel the warmth of his body next to yours. “I thought I was doing what was best for us, for you. I thought if we stayed apart, we could avoid all the complications, but I didn’t realise that losing you was the biggest mistake I could make.”

Tears blurred your vision, and before you could stop yourself, you closed the distance between you and wrapped your arms around him. He pulled you into his chest, holding you tight as if he was afraid you’d disappear if he let go. You could feel his heartbeat against your cheek, steady and strong, and for the first time in months, you felt like you could finally breathe.

“I missed you so much,” you whispered into his chest, your tears soaking into his race suit.

He held you tighter, his hand gently stroking the back of your head. “I missed you too,” he whispered back, his voice thick with emotion. “Every day, I missed you.”

You pulled back just enough to look up at him, and in that moment, all the walls you had built up around yourself came crumbling down. The hurt, the anger, the distance—it all melted away, leaving just the two of you standing there, raw and vulnerable.

And then he kissed you.

It was soft at first, tentative, like he wasn’t sure if it was okay. But then, as you kissed him back, it deepened, all the months of pain and longing pouring into that one kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of everything you had been through together, everything you had survived. It was a kiss that reminded you why you had fallen in love with him in the first place.

When you finally pulled away, both of you were crying. His forehead rested against yours, his hands still holding you as if he couldn’t bear to let go.

“I love you,” he whispered, his breath shaky. “I never stopped loving you.”

You let out a soft sob, nodding as you wiped the tears from your cheeks. “I love you too, Franco. I never stopped. But we can’t just pick up where we left off. It’s been months. We’ve both changed, and... I’m still so hurt.”

Franco's face crumpled with regret, his eyes filled with desperation. “I know I messed up. I don’t want to rush anything. I just want to be with you again, even if it takes time. We can take it slow. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, just—please. I can’t lose you again.”

You shook your head, your heart breaking all over again, but this time, for a different reason. “Franco, I don’t think you understand. It’s not just about time or taking it slow. I’ve been trying to heal, trying to move on from everything. You hurt me, and I can’t go back to that place.”

He swallowed, his voice shaky. “But we can try—can’t we? We can figure it out together. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”

You looked down, your hands trembling as you tried to steady yourself. “It’s not that simple. I’ve accepted an offer, Franco.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “An offer?”

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself for the next words. “Red Bull offered me a position, and I took it. I’m going to be Max Verstappen’s new race engineer.”

The shock on Franco’s face was immediate, his body stiffening as he processed what you said. “Red Bull? Max’s engineer?” His voice was barely above a whisper, disbelief clouding his expression.

You nodded, fighting back the tears threatening to spill over again. “This is my chance, Franco. My career—this is everything I’ve worked for, and I can’t let it slip away because of what we used to be.”

His lips parted, but no words came out. The pain in his eyes was unmistakable, but so was the understanding. He took a step back, realising that he had already lost you, not because you didn’t love him, but because too much had changed.

“I… I didn’t know,” he finally whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

You swallowed hard, your throat tight as you spoke. “I didn’t plan for it to happen like this. But this is what I need to do, for me. I need to move forward.”

Franco stood there, silent, his eyes fixed on the ground as he tried to absorb the reality of your words. “So… this is it?”

You wiped away the last of your tears, your heart heavy but resolute. “I think it has to be. I’ll always care about you, but I can’t keep holding on to something that’s hurting me. You have your future, and I have mine.”

He looked up, his gaze searching yours one last time, as if hoping for a miracle. But when he saw the finality in your eyes, he nodded, defeated. “I understand.”

It was the hardest thing you’d ever done—walking away from Franco when you still loved him. But this wasn’t just about love anymore. It was about you, your dreams, and your future. And for the first time in a long time, you were choosing yourself.

Without another word, you turned and walked away, the sounds of the paddock fading into the background as you stepped into the unknown, leaving behind the man who had once meant everything.

But you didn’t look back. Not this time.

--- THE END ---

hope you liked it, part two is on its way.

Lots of love, Em!

[astroxrion]

I’m going to tell you how to come up with the millionaire ideas you’ve been begging to receive … based on Mercury in astrology⭐️

W.S.

Below 🥭🌙⭐️🧚‍♂️

Mercury in the 1st House

Millionaire ideas come from personal instinct and direct experience. Speak your truth, brand your identity, and trust that people buy from clarity. Execute by being visible, vocal, and bold. Share your story publicly and turn your name into a movement.

Mercury in the 2nd House

Big ideas come when you notice what people truly value but can’t access. Think tangible, long-lasting solutions. Execute by building slow, with stable systems. Package what’s practical and turn reliability into revenue. Monetize what holds real weight

Mercury in the 3rd House

You’re a natural idea machine. Million-dollar thoughts come when you connect concepts others miss. Execute by writing, teaching, networking, or creating info-based content. Monetize your mind by turning conversation into a business model

Mercury in the 4th House

Your ideas spark through emotional memory, family systems, or inner healing. Create from what felt missing in childhood. Execute by building intimate brands or businesses around home, safety, or nostalgia. Your legacy starts where your healing began

Mercury in the 5th House

Your genius is creative. Millionaire ideas come through play, performance, or art. When you’re having fun, you’re channeling gold. Execute through personal branding, entertainment, or bold launches. Build your empire from joy. Lead with flair.

Mercury in the 6th House

Your ideas scale when you solve real daily problems. Systems, schedules, health, and workflow are your genius zones. Execute by turning routines into frameworks or services. Precision becomes profit when you productize what keeps people moving.

Mercury in the 7th House

Big ideas come through conversation, partnership, or client insight. You spot gaps in relationships or service. Execute through co-creation, brand deals, legal-based offers, or consulting. Millionaire success comes when you lead through connection

Mercury in the 8th House

Your ideas strike when you dive into taboo, money, power, or psychology. You see what others fear. Execute through depth work—investing, transformation, intimacy, or hidden knowledge. Monetize shadows by turning them into strategy and truth

Mercury in the 9th House

Ideas land when you teach, travel, or expand thought. You’re here to globalize wisdom. Execute through publishing, coaching, or philosophy turned product. Your voice is your passport. Scale by spreading your beliefs far beyond the familiar

Mercury in the 10th House

Big ideas spark when you think about impact and leadership. You naturally create legacy-driven models. Execute through public-facing platforms, structured launches, and long-term planning. You’re here to turn strategy into empire

Mercury in the 11th House

You think like the future. Millionaire ideas come through technology, community, or collective needs. Execute by going digital, building networks, and disrupting stale systems. Vision pays you when you make it accessible and scalable

Mercury in the 12th House

Ideas arrive in dreams, symbols, and silence. You channel what others overlook. Execute through art, film, spirituality, or subconscious healing. Your path is ethereal but real. Turn your private inner world into something others can feel and follow

[feinzleclerc]

Senna's Legacy | Charles Leclerc

summary :: where you're Senna's daughter and carry on your father's legacy through your institute

word count :: 2.320 words.

The atmosphere in the paddock during the Brazilian GP was unmistakable. Maybe it was the tropical breeze, the green and yellow flags swaying in the wind, or the unmatched passion of Brazilian fans that always made history. For you, though, this weekend had an even deeper meaning.

As Ayrton Senna’s daughter, your name carried a weight you bore with both pride and responsibility. For years, you had been at the helm of the Ayrton Senna Racing Dreams Institute, a project dedicated to supporting children with dreams of becoming Formula 1 drivers by providing education, infrastructure, and opportunities in such a selective sport.

The Brazilian GP was always a golden opportunity to promote the institute’s work. This time, however, Formula 1 had organized a special visit to the project for some of the drivers. They would pay tribute to your father and see firsthand the impact the institute had on these kids’ lives.

It was Thursday morning, the perfect day for the visit since it aligned with the institute’s busy class schedule and fit the drivers’ agendas before the race weekend. You stood in front of the building, waiting anxiously for your guests. A large panel featuring Ayrton’s face and the phrase Dreams Start Here welcomed visitors. As the black cars began to arrive, you adjusted your blazer and took a deep breath.

The first to step out were Verstappen, Norris, and Hamilton, all enthusiastic and friendly. Leclerc followed shortly after. Dressed in his Ferrari gear and wearing sunglasses that accentuated his sharp features, he smiled as he saw you.

─ You must be the mastermind behind all of this ─ said Lewis, shaking your hand firmly but kindly. ─ It’s an honor to be here.

─ Thank you all for coming ─ you replied with a warm smile. ─ I’m sure the kids are even more excited than I am to meet you.

Charles chuckled, removing his sunglasses and hooking them onto his shirt.

─ Well, I hope I don’t disappoint.

As you guided them through the institute, you explained every detail, from the racing simulators to the classrooms where kids learned English, math, and engineering concepts. The drivers listened attentively, but Charles seemed particularly interested.

─ How many kids does the program support each year? ─ he asked, watching a group using the simulators.

─ Around 200 directly ─ you answered. ─ But with our partnerships, we reach thousands in underserved communities.

Charles nodded, clearly impressed.

─ That’s incredible. Your father would be so proud.

A lump formed in your throat. Hearing such words from someone who genuinely admired Ayrton always stirred deep emotions.

After the tour, the children had their moment with the drivers. Photos, autographs, and simulator challenges turned the day into pure joy, as if everyone had reverted to childhood. Yet, Charles seemed to stick close to you the entire time.

─ Can I ask you something personal? ─ he began as you both watched the kids play.

─ Of course ─ you said, curious.

─ What’s it like carrying Ayrton’s name? It must be amazing, but also overwhelming.

You smiled softly, taking a moment to gather your thoughts.

─ It’s a mix of both. The pride is immense, but so is the constant expectation. It feels like I always have to live up to his legacy. That’s why I pour so much of myself into this institute.

Charles nodded, his gaze locked onto yours.

─ Well, from what I’ve seen today, you’re doing just that. He would be immensely proud.

The sincerity in his eyes made you look away briefly, your cheeks flushing as a smile crept across your lips.

That afternoon, Formula 1 held a tribute to your father. A float shaped like Ayrton’s iconic helmet made its way around, and Vettel led a walk with the drivers along the circuit. Watching these heartfelt gestures left you in awe, proud of everything being done to honor him.

Later, a professional filming team arrived to record a special segment where each driver would give a speech about Ayrton. Since you had been invited to observe, you stayed close enough to hear every word.

Max Verstappen spoke of how Ayrton had inspired his generation. Lewis Hamilton, visibly moved, shared how watching Senna race had ignited his passion for the sport.

When it was Charles’s turn, your heartbeat quickened.

─ I grew up hearing stories about Ayrton Senna ─ he began, holding the microphone with confidence. ─ To me, he was more than just a driver. He was the embodiment of determination, courage, and passion. Today, I had the privilege of visiting the institute led by his daughter. What she’s doing is nothing short of continuing his legacy, but in a way that touches lives on an even greater scale.

He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd until they found yours.

─ Ayrton inspired generations to dream, and his daughter is ensuring those dreams have a chance to become reality. It’s an honor to be here and witness this.

The cameraman lowered his equipment as murmurs of praise for Charles’s speech filled the room. Your heart raced, overwhelmed by the mix of emotions his words evoked—not only for being a Senna but for the way Charles had mentioned you so personally.

On Sunday, the stands at Interlagos were packed. The Brazilian fans were electric, and the energy was contagious. Before the race, Charles found you in the paddock, where you stood with some of the institute’s kids.

─ Ready to cheer me on? ─ he asked the kids in broken Portuguese he had hastily learned from a translator.

─ Yes! ─ they shouted in unison, laughing as they hugged the driver.

He straightened and turned to you.

─ I hope I can live up to the hype today.

─ Good luck, Charles. We’ll be rooting for you.

Later, at the post-race celebration, you were chatting with other guests when you felt a light touch on your arm. You didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was—the familiar scent of Charles’s cologne gave him away.

─ Can we talk? ─ he asked, his smile slightly shy.

─ Of course! ─ you replied, following him to a quieter corner.

─ I just wanted to thank you for this weekend ─ he began. ─ Visiting the institute and meeting the kids gave me a new perspective on racing.

─ I’m glad you enjoyed it ─ you said sincerely.

Charles hesitated, running a hand through his hair, clearly nervous.

─ Actually, there’s something else I wanted to say. Or, rather, ask.

─ Go ahead ─ you encouraged him.

─ Would you let me take you out to dinner? Not now, of course. But after the season ends.

His question caught you off guard, but the smile that spread across your face was answer enough.

─ I’d love that ─ you replied.

Charles’s grin widened.

─ Great. I promise it’ll be special—you won’t regret it.

─ I’ll be looking forward to it, Charles ─ you said, meeting his eyes as your heart raced.

[psychhound]

announcing spiritkeep: a therapeutic ttrpg

howdy all! some big announcements!!!

first, im nearing the end of my master's program, studying rhetoric and writing, games, and educational psychology. im about halfway done with my thesis, and figured it was time to make an announcement …

my thesis, entitled "designing ​spiritkeep​: therapeutically applied RPGs as a discourse community" is … about what it says on the tin :) in it, I look at the practice of TA-RPGs, which are TTRPGs run for the express purpose of inducing therapeutic growth. TA-RPGs are usually run by a clinician, like a therapist or counselor, or a certified therapeutic game master. my thesis is looking at the needs of therapeutic game masters as a community and asking … what do they need from TTRPGs that isn't currently available?

the thesis takes concepts from rhetoric, linguistics, game studies, literature studies, psychology, and more to ask the question … what would a TTRPG specifically designed for therapeutic use look like? i examine concepts like bleed, close to home characters, dramatic rehearsal, performative speech acts, fixed vs growth mindsets, information processing theory, and more. i also look at criteria set forth by current TA-RPG practitioners for what makes a good TA-RPG, and examine five current games against those criteria. then, i put together the research into a foundation for spiritkeep, a dedicated TA-RPG

spiritkeep is designed around the goal of helping teens and adults heal from complex trauma

that said, its perfectly suitable for a homegame as well, as long as everyone is on the same page and approaches it with the mindset of collaborative growth. all in all, it's still going to be a fun game and a good TTRPG!!

in spiritkeep, you play as a smalltown taskforce with the shared goal of restoring your currently struggling community to a thriving state. you go out on missions like finding resources, diplomacy with neighboring cities, researching ecological problems, and more, while you slowly make your town a better place to live. spiritkeep includes collaborative worldbuilding, a large assortment of playbook options like the Wayfarer, the Knight, the Ghost, or the Shepherd (all designed to hit where it hurts, at least a little!), and a brand new system inspired by PBtA, FitD, BOB, WoD, and more. while the game is designed around grappling with identity and learning how to grow, it can also get a bit tactical and crunchy!! the new dice mechanic makes you think on your feet with every roll

this announcement is also to say that i am beginning the initial crowdfunding of the game through itch. right now, im trying to raise funds to pay the fee to my school to make my thesis open access, meaning anyone can read it. then, remaining funds will go towards things like resources, consultants, art for the kickstarter, and everything else i need to get this project off the ground. ideally, ill be able to team with a publisher to cover the logistics of business while i can focus on the game itself. once the game is finished, there will still be plenty of playtesting, consulting, and other work to do. but!!! this post marks my first steps towards what has been my dream for years now

this sale is how im starting the funding process. it includes the zine preview of my thesis, covering my chapter outline and big concepts, and also my first TA-RPG: with breath & sword, a solo game to help players calm down from anxiety. both items have community copies available: please feel free to grab one if you can't contribute !!

questions, comments, or partnership offers can be sent to psychhoundgames @ gmail(.)com

thanks y'all!!! wish me luck!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[a-d-nox]

pac/pap: what practices do your spirit guides want you to do?

take what resonates leave what doesn't - nothing is 100% for you because these aren't personalized so please no angry comments or dms about what i am saying not being a good fit for you or that you "don't claim" just keep scrolling if that is the case. be kind, self reflect, and have fun.

last pac/pap: what’s grounding you and what’s growing?

return to the masterlist of pap/pac posts

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

pile one

i don't get the sense you are new to the spiritual practice realm. however, your guides want you to reconnect with your beginner's mind - slow down. stop consuming so much info and/or huge concepts. digest what you have read and sit with what you know. going back to a practice you used to do daily (like journaling, nature walks, and/or altar tending). go back to basics or relearning a tool (tarot, reiki, and/or energy work). getting out of your head and back into your who being. it's not just the mind that has to be sharp.

i think your guides miss you!! time for some spiritual reconnection - i mean it could either be with yourself, your guides, or someone physically present in your life of course. the main point is cultivating a sacred partnership. do some mirror work or heart chakra based self-love rituals. deepen your relationship with your guides like you would a best friend or lover: talk to them, leave them offerings, invite them in, etc. practice some heart-opening meditations or breath work.

you may be avoiding routines that feel "boring," but your guides say that's where the magic lies for you and your technique. you don’t need something flashy. you need rhythm. create a schedule - even if it's a loose one - do some cleansing, grounding, and/or gratitude work. stick with it even when it’s boring or you’re not "feeling it." bring your spirituality into your everyday, not just the ritual parts i just mentioned but the mundane parts too. washing dishes? practice a charm. walking? ground with the earth.

pile 2

your guides are gassing up your emotional sensitivity and intuitive gifts. you hold great wisdom through your feeling, not your force. so prioritize your emotions using water rituals, crying as release (that sounds crazy i know), intuitive journaling, etc. tend to your inner world before externalizing - your gut is an important compass.

pause the push. stop pushing through things that bother you. do a check-in: where is your spiritual will is being misused? are you forcing "progress"? practice spiritual surrender - everyone always talks about protection but what about taking all that armor off? figure out your motivation: are you being driven by ego, fear, or expectation? try out a "no effort" day: no rituals - just exist. let fate guide your day.

your guides are also asking you to break away from traditional and rigid spiritual beliefs - even if they are something you've created for yourself. so practice challenging spiritual "rules." practice honoring what feels real for you, not what’s "correct" by the community's standards. try something totally unorthodox: create your own spells, reject a common belief, challenge someone who claims to know all, etc. they want you to practice de-conditioning your spiritual life from authority - whether external or internalized - becoming your own guide.

pile 3

they tell me you've been dimming your fire either due to self-doubt, comparison, burnout, and/or people-pleasing. you’ve forgotten just how magnetic you are when you’re unapologetically you. so do some shadow work surrounding worthiness and visibility - where do you still shrink away from when being chosen? go dancing, dress up for yourself, or just speak more boldly. practice some mirror work or affirmations that are rooted in power and in not performance.

choice. a soul-aligned, heart-led choice. your guides are pointing to a decision you myst make: are you choosing yourself, or are you choosing comfort, fantasy, and codependency? more shadow work: where are you betraying yourself in the name of love or peace? marrying your masculine (doing/asserting) and feminine (receiving/trusting) aspects. another prompt that is coming to mind: what does it feel like to choose from desire instead of fear?

your guides tell me that you’re chasing someone else’s version of fulfillment or you're mourning a vision of yourself that never quite showed up. let go of your fantasies to make room for real joy. write down your old "dream life" or "ideal" vision, then burn it to clear space for what’s truly aligned now. shadow work prompt: what does joy feel like in your body - right now - not as a future goal, but as a present practice? open yourself up in general to joy - allow it to show up differently than you'd expect it to.

[linddzz]

I am slamming that validation button like a rodent wanting more sugar water so here's more mostly rough draft Jayvik.

A continuation of the nicknames fic. More science dorks being dorks, this time greatly featuring some seriously questionable boundaries between totally normal lab colleagues, and much more briefly featuring Viktor being so horny it makes him stupid. Also appearing is Jayce Talis, ADHD King and allusions to Viktor's past slut era. Both fics are a sort of preview chapter in the bigger thing @amahhi and I are working on!

Thank you to @avelera for planting the idea of platonically dubious scritches in my head, and for being a constant sounding board!

Rating: PG

Pair: Jayvik pre-relationship

----

It continues to be surprising, how not surprising everything is when it comes to Jayce.

A week into the partnership, and that initial bright thrill of something new has not dulled in the slightest. Nor has the perfectly ordinary, easy comfort that he feels with Jayce. The un-remarkability of this calm is what makes it remarkable. With Jayce, there is none of the discomfort of dealing with another person. None of the abrasive tension that arises when Viktor must face other people as distinct personalities which he must contend with, instead of the larger concepts of People. People as an idea have problems that he can solve, whose suffering he can reduce without any needs for interaction causing issues.

But Jayce functions outside of these issues Viktor often finds himself in. Jayce slots into a space Viktor hardly knew existed, like there had always been this jagged edge to him that, to his great surprise, was actually part of a puzzle that Jayce had the other half to.

Past experience would have him expecting that, with time, the shine would wear off. The glow would dim. He would learn all the little faults and human contradictions of Jayce and would grow to feel that jagged tension return. Spending hours upon hours each and every day for a solid week with him have revealed Jayce’s little foibles, yet not one has grown into a frustration. In actuality, Viktor has had nothing but further data points to add weight to his newly forming thoughts of destiny and its relation to himself and Jayce. For each little fault and lacking Jayce has, Viktor can help. He can, perhaps, be the puzzle piece that returns the favor to fit neatly into Jayce's life.

For example, Jayce can grow blind to his surroundings, his mind too caught in their work. Viktor had assumed that the apartment was in the state he first found it in due to an explosive force of arcane power. He still thinks that, but he has learned that this great force was not the struck gem amplifying and reflecting the kinetic force aimed at it to exponential levels, but Jayce himself. He often forgets his keys, or his mugs, or his pencils behind an ear, his goggles on his head, his tools, everything but his journal really.

It was the third time that he left his keys in the lab (on top of twice that he came in groaning that he had locked himself out of his temporary housing), that Viktor realized what the pattern was, and that he could provide a solution.

Jayce had more important things to focus his mind on, so it was both useless and counterproductive to adjust Jayce’s behavior or habits so he could track the little necessities of life. Fortunately, Viktor is well practiced on keeping track of what he needs to. It’s a skill that was refined when he first used it to avoid detection in the Academy, and then even further developed as Professor Heimerdinger’s assistant. When Jayce left his keys behind again, the answer was simple and obvious. They were already missing from Jayce’s person, so Viktor simply took them to the sort of establishment in the lanes that would never ask any questions, but would always make a perfect copy of any keys brought to them.

Jayce’s keys were neatly returned to him, and Viktor took no small delight in waiting for the next time Jayce smacked his forehead as they left for the day, realizing that he had once again locked himself out of his rooms, to reveal his backups. There was a brief moment, where Jayce stared at the keys hanging from Viktor’s finger, when he worried in a flash that this was not something a friend or colleague should do, that he had overstepped in some way. Then Jayce snorted with his grin, called Viktor brilliant if a little terrifying, but mostly brilliant, and everything was perfect.

The key was only for Jayce’s temporary rooms in the Academy housing, but Viktor could make another set once the apartment repairs were complete, even if it seems wasteful to have Jayce eventually move out of the building that Viktor lives in.

Jayce is also wonderful at taking notes for his work, but less skilled at going back to reorganize or refine those notes. His notes are exemplary, even with the little flair of him signing every single page, but it leads to problems.

These problems are their current struggle in the cramped space of their semi-lab at some odd hour of the night. Viktor stands and contemplates the board crowded with copies of Jayce’s notes, additional observations both have about that first successful arcane spell, and Viktor’s little chalked notes next to clusters of paper denoting what sections of an article each goes to. Behind him, Jayce is not exactly pacing, which would require repeating of one path, but he is in a constant state of muttering movement with occasional bursts of frustration over paperwork.

Because they can make a fully stable arcane frame that affects the gravity within the dean’s office, but that means nothing to the academy if it is not properly written and submitted for review. They are on their fourth draft of the paper, and the initial excitement over being published has dwindled with every draft that has been returned with Heimerdinger’s cheerful blue ink slashed across the pages. One of Jayce’s faults, Viktor is finding, is that he does not take such things gracefully. It takes the second set of revisions for Viktor to realize that pride is not the primary hurt that Jayce feels, but the thread of anxiety Viktor had seen woven through Jayce’s journal. The need to prove himself, and the fear of impending failure at every turn.

“How else do they want me to explain it?” Jayce groans, and Viktor does not need to turn around to know that the perfectly clean cut hair is likely sticking out in every direction.

“I was hoping the Professor would not have edited “crank it” so quickly out of the methodology.” Viktor muses. That was his greatest disappointment. “I am deeply curious on how he expects us to find half of the citations he has requested for this entirely new scientific field.”

“And when the Academy insists there aren’t more tomes on mage lore!” Jayce snarls.

“We will have to expand outside of the Academy in the future.” Viktor agrees, turning a little to once again look over the taped up pages of their latest draft and what blue marks are where. “However, I think a more concrete description of the runic array you conducted into the stabilizer may be our ticket past many of the other issues he has found.”

Instead of grumblings or more huffed complaints, a heavy weight thumps onto Viktor’s shoulder. He pauses, realizing immediately that it is Jayce’s head that has slumped against him, and Jayce’s impressive body heat against his back indicating that there is, at most, a few inches of space between them.

“I don’t know how.” Jayce groans, but it’s less petulant and quieter, almost fearful. “I don’t know how to describe what I did.”

“Hm.” Is all Viktor can say in that exact moment. He is, briefly, distracted by Jayce’s hair brushing against his jaw with the strong scent of some sort of…of fancy wood. It is not an unpleasant scent.

“Sorry.” Jayce mutters. “Sorry, I know you’re not touchy I just- gimme a second I gotta think.”

“That’s perfectly alright.” Viktor assures him. It is alright. Jayce is correct that Viktor is not nearly as tactile as Jayce is, but he is at this point well acquainted with Jayce’s propensity towards touch. His own lack of aversion or any other strong reaction to it was one of the earliest surprises in their partnership. “Take your time gathering your thoughts. This is a far less dire circumstance than that first stabilization was.”

“You told me there was no pressure then.” Jayce mumbles, already sounding a little less miserable.

“That is because I was lying.” Viktor hums, delighted at the snort he gets, and the way he can feel Jayce’s movement from the small laugh.

“Seriously V, I just remembered that night, remembered what the mage looked like and what all the magic looked like and I…did the same thing. But it wasn’t the same thing, because no one got teleported. I don’t even know if what I did was a spell.” Viktor thinks he can feel the resonance of Jayce’s voice through his core, spreading in waves from the point where Jayce’s forehead presses down at the top edge of his shoulder.

The distraction is not a true distraction however, because Viktor catches something in what Jayce is muttering. “You can remember how he moved, what the runes he summoned looked like?”

“I remember everything about that night.”

“Yes but-” There is something here. He has already seen Jayce's remarkable skill at memorizing things that Jayce deems worth memorizing. If Jayce says he can remember it, Viktor does not doubt it. “The order of them, could you remember that?”

The head on Viktor’s shoulder shifts as Jayce rolls it slightly to one side, but he doesn’t move it in the other to shake his head. It’s a contemplative movement. “Maybe…I think so. Let me...ok this is going to sound so weird but can I just uh, hang out here for a second? It helps me think.”

“By all means.” There’s something particularly marvelous about becoming a stabilizing agent for Jayce’s mind, he would be a fool not to agree to the opportunity. As Jayce calibrates himself, Viktor once again considers their paper, the problems it has given them. Jayce had moved the dial of the stabilizing framework like a conductor, with precision. Heimerdinger wants written out theories and explanations and citations, but what if they could instead find a formula. What if the precision of Jayce’s input could be broken down into components and quantified…

His free hand moves with habitual lack of awareness to where it would usually begin fiddling with his own hair, and it takes a few moments for him to notice the slight change in both texture and location of the hair he is rolling between his fingertips. Even then, he only notices because Jayce’s head becomes an even heavier weight on his shoulder.

“Ah, apologies.” He says, stopping the movement, thinking this might be a thing to feel awkward about. “Force of habit, it helps me think.”

“No, s’fine.” Jayce says, voice thicker in a way that is dangerous for Viktor’s higher thought processes. “It’s nice, actually. I don’t mind.”

After a second, Viktor continues. This time he notes the finer texture of Jayce’s hair. It’s very soft, sleek almost, with traces of the gel he uses to style it making sections of stiffness that crunch away under Viktor’s fingers.

“You smell nice.” Jayce mumbles.

A response to that requires some consideration. Viktor…considers.

There was a time, not all that long ago, where he would have leapt on someone with Jayce’s build telling him he smelled good while standing a scant inch away from Viktor. He would have assumed that the intent was for him to leap. Viktor is more discriminating than he used to be about sexual escapades, mostly because he began finding the nights spent on dalliances not worth the distractions, but even he can admit that if Jayce had put a head on his shoulder and told him he smelled good a week ago, Viktor would know exactly how to respond. It would have involved leaning back against that broad heat, turning lightly twirling fingers into a fist in Jayce’s hair, then gleefully seeing where things went from that point.

But now…

Jayce fits in like a missing puzzle piece. Whatever Jayce is, it is not one of Viktor’s brief encounters. Viktor would want to tell Jayce he didn’t need to get his apartment repaired, when Viktor lives much closer to the lab and things would be much more efficient if they lived together. Viktor can be wildly in love with this man in every definition of love that exists, but romantic or sexual entanglements (and if there is one, Viktor very much wants the other as well) often end. In Viktor’s personal experience, they ended before morning, and that was only considering the sexual entanglement. Heightened intimacy was desperately tempting, but it risked a greater end to the entire partnership. Even if nothing ever started, a proposition alone could forever poison what there already is.

Jayce is tactile in a very casual way. He flirts with everything that smiles at him for more than three seconds, and there has been nowhere near enough data for Viktor to calculate the risk of losing that side of the puzzle, or how much of a reward he would gain from taking that risk.

“Thank you.” He says eventually, slow and still considering. Then, because that feels incomplete and awkward, he adds, “I use soap.

Jayce snorts again, the head on Viktor’s shoulder shaking as Jayce’s body shakes with quiet laughter. Viktor knows he is shaking with it, because every other hitch up of Jayce’s shoulders causes a tiny sway forward, which bumps Jayce’s chest against Viktor’s back. Each of these millisecond bits of contact makes Viktor once again run through the considerations of risk versus reward in relation to getting his hands on that chest. Under the shirt. He would need both hands. There is an awful lot of chest, after all. Maybe both hands and his mouth. Definitely all three. It really is so much chest.

He takes the fantastic effort to rein his mind away from Jayce’s prodigious chest, even more effort to pull it further from contemplating the amount of shoulder matching that chest and what the rest of the torso probably looks like. There should be a response in kind to Jayce’s. A friendly compliment to return a compliment.

“Your hair is very soft.” He decides, as that seems safe as well as relevant to Jayce's compliment. Jayce’s silent laughter turns into some small hitched sounds that near a squeak, which means that Viktor’s thoughts are successfully pulled away from the sexual distractions, but only into the romantic sort.

“Thank you.” Jayce says with a dreadful mimic of Viktor’s accent, which only strengthens Viktor’s resolve to not take any uninformed risks that could lead to him losing this, “I use a leave-in conditioner.”

Viktor’s hand drops from Jayce’s hair, and he turns his head as much as he can to shoot a baffled look at the top of Jayce’s head.

“Why the fuck would you leave in a hair conditioner?” He asks, affronted. “Conditioner already feels dreadful. It’s heavy and slimy, absolutely horrendous.”

Jayce shoots up (which is a shame) so that he can lean around and give Viktor a look of equal outrage. “What does- Viktor it’s a different thing from- do you not use conditioner!?”

“Of course not. It feels terrible, I already said that.” Jayce makes a pained sound, and Viktor waves him off. “Enough of that nonsense. It is a waste of time. I have an idea.”

Jayce moves up next to him, facing Viktor with an intent eagerness. “What is it?”

“You are going to describe to me exactly what you remember. Each rune, each movement, as much as you can.” Another thought occurs to him, and Viktor snatches his cane from where it’s leaning on the board so he can turn to the inert stabilizing frame sitting on a table. “And I want you to dial in the stabilizer as you did in Heimerdinge’s lab as you do so. I will record everything. I believe there may be something we can measure, some sort of constant in the timing and the runes used, a way to-”

“We can make it an equation.” Jayce interrupts, breathless and awed, knowing what Viktor is thinking without Viktor needing to explain any of it. He so deeply wishes Heimerdinger had let them keep “crank it” in the paper. “Something concrete.”

“Precisely. The runes are instructions, a code. Perhaps the clockwise and counter-clockwise cycles of them are additional instructions. We can use your stable field as a baseline to begin working on a formula.”

“We can give them a solid theorum.” Jayce is already rushing to the stabilizing frame, even recreating the hunched over pose he had that wondrous night. “Okay, tell me when you’re ready.”

Any thoughts on conditioner or smells are gone. In the future, it will be as common as breathing for them to be drawn together when they need help thinking. Jayce’s head will always find Viktor’s shoulder, and Viktor will learn that playing with Jayce’s hair further settles his restless mind and channels his thoughts towards solutions. Whatever else there is, the most important goal to further all other goals of Viktor’s life is to keep the partnership. In the partnership there is the work, the thrill. The endless infinitesimal ways they fit together, two pieces destined to find the other. In the moment, Viktor takes up his notes and marvels again on the nature of fate, of probability, and of magic.

[ducksido]

Helloo! I've been binge reading ur work and GAHHH I LOVE IT SO MUCHHHH!

if its alright can I request a Lili De Rochefort! Reader (she's from tekken btw! )

With either the overblot bois or with the first years? (With Idia) if it's alright? ehehe ^^;;

lets go overblotters

Overblot Boys x Lili De Rochefort!Reader

General Concept:

You, the elegant yet formidable Yuu, are known across NRC not only for your refined manners and impeccable fashion sense, but also for your deadly skills in combat. Whether it's a magical duel, physical confrontation, or ballroom etiquette contest—you're at the top. Some call you spoiled. Others call you untouchable. Either way, you're fabulous.

Riddle Rosehearts:

At first, he thinks you’re infuriating. You're always late, you act like you're above the rules, and you gently refuse to bow to his authority—but in such a polished, refined way that it makes it impossible to punish you.

Until he sees you take down an enraged monster in one strike—in heels.

“You’re reckless! But… effective. I… admit, your talents are admirable. Just don’t flaunt them so… excessively.”

You: “My dear Riddle, elegance and ability are meant to be admired. You wouldn’t hide a rose, would you?” Cue the vein popping on his forehead—and the blush right after.

Leona Kingscholar:

He was unimpressed at first. Another pretty, pampered noble? Whatever. But after you flipped Jack (literally) during a training demo, Leona had to reevaluate.

“Heh. You’ve got claws under that silk. Maybe you’re not as useless as you look.”

You: “Darling, I never look useless. You just weren’t paying attention.”

He smirks. Now he watches your every move—like a lion intrigued by a glittering blade.

Azul Ashengrotto:

Azul underestimated you once—and only once. You danced circles around him in a duel, humiliating him in front of the Lounge staff. Now he tries to get on your good side through… business.

“You know, I could offer you an exclusive partnership. We’d be quite the power duo.”

You: “Azul, I don’t sign contracts. I negotiate empires. But I’ll consider dinner.”

He's sweating—but also simping.

Jamil Viper:

You get Jamil. The act. The hidden sharpness. You recognize a fellow masked blade.

You both end up in a sarcastic, deadly pas de deux—matching in wit and intensity.

“You don’t trust easily, do you?”

You: “Neither do you. But you’re welcome to try and earn it.”

There’s a glint of mutual respect. Maybe even a smile.

Vil Schoenheit:

Rivals. Allies. Foes in fashion and finesse. You’re the only one who can match Vil in both looks and raw power—and he knows it.

“Try not to outshine me on stage.”

You: “Oh, Vil. I don’t try—I do.”

You’ve had full-blown beauty duels over lipstick shade choices. It’s intense. Epel watches from the sidelines like it’s a gladiator match.

Idia Shroud:

He didn’t know what to do with you. You’re like a video game boss—elegant, powerful, and terrifyingly pretty.

When you approached him in the lab, he nearly short-circuited.

“U-uh... p-p-please don’t kill me… Wait, why are you smiling like that?!”

You: “I just wanted to know if you liked this new outfit. You’re so cute when you panic~”

Now he refuses to open his door without checking the hallway first. You scare him—and he has the biggest crush on you.

Malleus Draconia:

You're one of the few people who treats Malleus like an equal—no fear, no reverence. Just elegance and charm. He’s intrigued.

“Most fear me. You don’t.”

You: “I’ve danced with demons, darling. A dragon? How refreshing.”

Malleus is enchanted. Literally. He offers to walk with you under the moonlight—and if anyone threatens you, they're ash.

[lovequeerblog]

Hello lovely aromantics, happy Aro Awareness week!

Have y'all ever had trouble explaining platonic partnership or queerplatonic relationships to other people? It's a concept that so often doesn't seem to compute for people who are only used to thinking about traditional romantic relationships. I've run into this time and again, even (and perhaps most importantly) with the people I've wanted to be in platonic partnerships with.

I've spent a lot of time parsing out how to define partnership in a way that is independent of romance, and gotten into two platonic partnerships along the way! (shoutout to having a literal PowerPoint on platonic partnership and using it to ask people out, I cannot believe this has worked for me but it has). I've posted the platonic partnership definition I've been working with on my blog (lovequeer) because I hope it will resonate with some of you, and maybe be that link you can point to when family members ask for explanations or you need a jumping off point for discussing what you want a given relationship to look like. Check it out here!

Are there other people who think about partnership like this? Am I missing things in my definition? I know there are other people doing platonic partnership too but I feel like we're all in our own little worlds. I want to see more dialog about how everyone is making these relationships work, because they're beautiful 💚

[youremyheaven]

A Basic Guide to Vedic Astrology

I think many of you are new to Vedic astrology, so I thought I'd give a little intro to some of the concepts, terminology etc

First and foremost, Vedic astrology dates back to 5000 BC - 10,000BC, which means it only takes into account Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the 2 nodes of the Moon, Rahu & Ketu along with your Ascendant. Outer planets like Uranus, Neptune, Pluto along with asteroids are NOT calculated as most of them were discovered only in the last 2-3 centuries.

A conjunction takes place when two planets are placed in the same nakshatra within 5 degrees of each other. Even if they are placed more than 5 degrees apart, so long as they are in the same nakshatra, they can to some extent be considered as conjunct (the effect will be less potent than an exact conjunction basically) BUT if you have Sun in Ashwini and Venus in Bharani, you DO NOT have Sun conjunct Venus in Aries, that is NOT how it works. Those two nakshatras have entirely different themes, mythologies, purposes, deities, planetary influences and lessons, how on earth can they be considered "conjunct"???

That said, wherever you have a conjunction in your chart will have a major influence on you. It is a very potent energy. Dont ask me if having Saturn conjunct Ketu in Ashwini makes you a Saturnian or a Ketuvian because that's not the point, its that those two planets have a specific relationship with each other in your context and to understand the functioning of one, you must look at the other (along with its placement, aspects etc etc)

There are 12 rashis, corresponding to zodiac signs and each rashi is divided into 2 or more lunar mansions called "nakshatras". If you've wondered why say Arieses all act so different, its because they're either UBPs or Revatis in their Vedic chart, contributing to vastly different personalities.

In Vedic astrology, we have the concept of 7 charakarakas all of which indicate a different purpose:

Atmakaraka aka the soul indicator. it is the planet at the highest degree and represents your soul/being. its your compass and points towards the calling of your soul

2. Amatyakaraka, it typically points to your career/profession and works alongside your atmakaraka. it is the planet at the second highest degree

3. Bhratrukaraka (planet at 3rd highest degree) points to relationships with siblings

4. Matrukaraka ( planet at fourth-highest degree in your chart) signifies your relationship with your mother or maternal figures. It represents the nurturing qualities within you and helps illuminate your connection to your mother or motherly figures in your life.

5. Putrakaraka (planet with the fifth-highest degree in your chart) reveals your approach to parenting and your potential for creativity. It provides insights into your connection with your children and your capacity for artistic expression.

6. Gnatikaraka (the planet with the sixth-highest degree in your chart) indicates obstacles and adversaries in your life. It reflects your ability to overcome challenges and confrontations, making it a valuable guide for navigating life’s hurdles.

7. Darakaraka (the planet at the lowest degree) it is associated with your spouse and romantic relationships. It uncovers the qualities you seek in a partner and offers insights into how you relate to your significant other. Understanding the Darakaraka can provide clarity on your love life and partnerships.

HOW TO STUDY NAKSHATRAS:

Read about the mythology behind your nakshatras. This helps shed light on its nature.

Look at your nakshatra's yoni consort. Read about what the yoni animal symbolically represents

Similarly, read about your nakshatra's deity, ruling planet, other naks under the same planetary influence etc

There are 4 purusharthas (aka motivations) in vedic astrology according to which nakshatras are classified. understanding the different classifications behind each nak helps us understand its nature better

similarly naks can also be classified by their ganas which describe the nature of these naks:

Deva = godly, Manushya = humane, Rakshasa = demonic

if you have a rakshasa gana nak, it does not mean you're a demon. it just points towards traits like selfishness, lack of generosity etc AND the person you are is sum of your whole chart, not just the gana of one nak, so don't beat yourself up

Naks are also classified on the basis of their qualities of which there are 7

they can also be classified on the basis of caste:

(all tables, pyramid etc by me so any mistake is mine oopsies)

4. Chart Ruler

The ruling planet of your ascendant sign is your lagna lord. If you're Mrigashira Rising, then your lagna lord is Mercury/Venus (based on whether your nak falls into the Taurus portion or the Gemini portion).

5. Navamsa or D9 chart

Look at your D9 after you've studied your D1 otherwise it'll feel like too much info you don't fully understand. Navamsa is consulted along with your D1/Birth chart. you can think of it as D1 promises certain things and D9 is if/how those things materialise. its like part 1 and part 2 of a story

I can't think of anything else that should be covered🤡but if you have doubts you can ask!!

I hope this was helpful!!

[lover-of-mine]

Okay, I've been meaning to make this post and I never make it, but I'm rewatching s1 and the thoughts are in my head so, what better time than now. Like, I made this point before but I never went into detail.

The thing with 911 and love interests and the way none of Buck and Eddie's love interests ever stood a chance, is because in order for you to make a relationship work on a tv show, you need to make sure your audience cares about both parts. Obviously, getting 2 mains together, madney or bathena, works very easily because both characters exist on their own, so you're already invested in all parties involved, it's a lot easier to make the relationship work because you don't need to spend time making people care about anyone individually, you're just making them care about the relationship. But then you have the issue of making people care about a relationship when one of the parties is only there to be a love interest.

So let's take Henren. For all intents and purposes, Karen only exists to be Hen's wife, so if they didn't put in the work Karen would be very whatever, because as viewers, our loyalty in most cases will be biased towards the character we see the most. And considering we are introduced to Henren already established, they are already married with a child, which another thing that makes people be less invested, not seeing how it happened, the odds are stacked against Karen, which is bad if the show ever decides to use the character more heavily. But the show introduces her in a perfect way to avoid that happening. For starters, we meet Eva first. And we meet Eva while Hen is making up problems that aren't really there because of the ghost of Eva. We have Athena state how bad for Hen Eva is, we have the conflict Hen herself is feeling, we have her lying by omission. And yes, the whole thing leads to something a lot of people view as unforgivable, cheating, but during that whole storyline, we are siding against Hen, because she is letting this idea of rescuing Eva is making her step out on her family, so we are taking Karen's pain, we are taking Karen's side, and that makes us care about Karen, and therefore we end up invested on them together. And something else is how this all happens while we are still getting to know Hen, so there aren't any preconceived notions of how a relationship for Hen should go.

And the show knows how to work that concept in, but when we are talking about love interests for both Buck and Eddie, is that every relationship is introduced with something that's gonna make us side with them and ignore the other person. Shannon never stood a chance because she was written to be fridged, but leaving Chris is an unforgivable act, Ali isn't around and she fundamentally can't handle who Buck is, Taylor is introduced as willing to hurt Buck's family, Ana isn't around and Eddie is literally panicking about that relationship and even before that, the Christopher of it all, him getting hurt, not wanting Eddie to date, makes it so we're not the biggest fans, Natalia was only interested in Buck's death and since we were watching the damage his death did to everyone, it makes it hard to root for them, Marisol just didn't exist for the audience at all, and Tommy's past plus the circumstances they get together aka Buck hurting Eddie makes it very 😬.

And all of these happened while Buck and Eddie's partnership is continuously shown as getting stronger, so the relationships are fighting against two main characters who have a strong relationship, so it is really hard to establish something that will replace the idea of Buck and Eddie because they're fighting against 7 seasons of partnership. The thing that makes buddie is time. It's everything that happened to them (I mean, the actual thing that makes them it is Christopher but that's a different post). So for a relationship to actually replace them, you need to separate them and then give the new relationship at least half the time buddie had to establish themselves. Audiences generally don't get invested in relationships they didn't see happening, and usually when it's this far into a show and there is another option of paring 2 main characters, it's really hard to make a character likable enough to replace that. People just generally don't end up caring for a character that only exists to be a love interest.

The show knows that, see the way Karen was introduced, so that makes the way they handle Buck, Eddie, and love interests that more pointed.

[astrosouldivinity]

Pluto in Aquarius: ♒︎

☼ How the transit will affect the 12 Houses ☉

⟡ This transit will occur from 2024 to 2044.

⟡ 𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎? ♾️

1st House: Self & Identity

⟢ Pluto in the 1st house will bring transformation to your self-concept and overall sense of self. During this transit, you could find yourself shedding old identities and stepping into your authenticity and personal power. You might also cultivate a stronger presence and increased confidence, which will encourage you to assert your needs and desires more intentionally. This process can lead to a redefinition of your goals and a renewed sense of purpose in your life.

2nd House: Values & Finances

⟢ Pluto in the 2nd house will prompt a reevaluation of your core values and resources. This transit encourages you to confront issues related to materialism, stability, and self-worth. You may find that your priorities regarding financial security and personal values become a primary focus during this time. Additionally, this transit may inspire you to let go of outdated beliefs about money and possessions, empowering you to make more conscious choices that align with your true values and redefining what security means to you.

3rd House: Communication & Learning

⟢ Pluto in the 3rd house will intensify your communication style and stimulate transformative learning experiences. You may engage in more meaningful conversations, uncover hidden truths, or embrace new intellectual pursuits. For instance, you might explore new subjects that challenge your way of thinking, leading to a deeper understanding of both yourself and the world around you. This transit may also encourage you to express your thoughts with greater clarity and conviction, fostering deeper connections with others.

4th House: Home & Family

⟢ Pluto in the 4th house may bring turbulence or transformation to your home life and family dynamics. You might confront deep-seated issues from your past, working to heal generational trauma and break familial karmic cycles. This transit can also lead to significant changes in your living situation and overall independence. Furthermore, you may find yourself reevaluating your emotional foundations, fostering a deeper connection to your roots, and creating a more nurturing and empowering home environment.

5th House: Creativity & Romance

⟢ With Pluto in the 5th house, your creativity and passion will be unleashed and revitalized. You may explore new artistic endeavors, tap into your creative potential, experience intense romantic connections, or confront issues related to self-expression, playfulness, and overall personal fulfillment. Additionally, this transit encourages you to take risks in your creative projects or to pursue hobbies that bring you joy, leading to a greater sense of fulfillment, self-love, and authenticity in your life.

6th House: Work & Health

⟢ Pluto in the 6th house will encourage you to evaluate your current health habits and work environments. You may experience a transformation in your daily routines, resulting in improved health and a deeper understanding of your work-life balance. This transit may also prompt you to confront any underlying issues affecting your well-being, leading to more mindful choices about nutrition, exercise, and overall stress management.

7th House: Partnerships & Connections

⟢ With Pluto in the 7th house, expect transformative experiences to develop within your interpersonal relationships. Pluto will push you to address power dynamics, commitment issues, or deep-seated fears surrounding partnerships, potentially leading to stronger, healthier, and more authentic connections. This transit may also encourage you to reevaluate what you truly seek in relationships, helping you identify patterns that no longer serve you. You may be learning to set boundaries during this time as well.

8th House: Transformation & Shared Resources

⟢ Pluto in the 8th house feels at home here, intensifying themes of transformation, intimacy, and shared resources. You may experience significant changes in your financial partnerships or confront deep-seated issues around trust and vulnerability. This transit can also lead you to explore the deeper aspects of intimacy, pushing you to confront fears related to emotional closeness and dependency. Furthermore, these transformations can uncover hidden strengths and insights about yourself and your relationships, cultivating a greater understanding of what true intimacy and emotional safety means.

9th House: Philosophy & Travel

⟢ Pluto in the 9th house will encourage you to explore new philosophies, perspectives, and broaden your horizons. You may feel compelled to travel, seek higher education, or challenge your belief system, leading to significant transformations in your personal growth. This transit may also inspire you to question long-held perceptions, prompting a deeper examination of your values and worldview. Additionally, this period could lead to profound spiritual insights, helping you develop a more authentic understanding of your place in the universe.

10th House: Career & Public Image

⟢ Pluto in your 10th house will bring forth transformation in your career and public image. You may pursue ambitious goals, confront power struggles in the workplace, or redefine your professional path. This transit encourages you to examine your aspirations intentionally, allowing you to let go of any limiting beliefs that have held you back. You might find yourself stepping into leadership roles or taking bold risks that align with your true passions. Additionally, this transit may prompt you to reassess how you want to be perceived by others, leading to a more authentic expression of your professional identity.

11th House: Friendships & Community

⟢ With Pluto in the 11th house, your friendships, community, and social networks may undergo significant changes as Pluto reveals hidden dynamics. You may find yourself reassessing long-term goals and aspirations. This transformation could lead to new alliances or the release of toxic friendships that no longer serve your growth. This transit encourages you to seek out connections that resonate with your evolving values and support your personal journey. Additionally, you may find yourself drawn to groups or causes that inspire you to make a meaningful impact, embodying a sense of shared purpose.

12th House: Spirituality & Subconscious

⟢ Pluto in the 12th house encourages deep introspection and spiritual growth. During this transit, you may confront subconscious fears, heal past traumas, and explore various spiritual practices, leading to profound inner transformation. This period may also inspire you to embrace your creative expression and intuition, helping you access deeper layers of your psyche. As you navigate these transformative experiences, you could uncover hidden strengths and insights that empower you to release patterns that no longer serve you.

𝔁𝓸𝔁𝓸- 𝓚𝓲𝓴𝓲 ✨

𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 ♡ ♡ ♡

©𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎𝚍.

[fuckyeahisawthat]

who decides the future of hextech?

Hot take: I don't think Hextech functions like a scrappy tech startup at all. I know the Arcane writers have made this comparison themselves, but it doesn't really track with what we see in the show.

It's made pretty clear that Jayce and Viktor have at best limited control over what direction Hextech goes in. In a city that's hostile to and suspicious of magic, they need the continued goodwill of the Council, and the wealthy families who sit on the Council, for their work to continue to exist at all. And that shapes how Hextech develops.

For the first 6-10 years of its existence (however long you think the S1 timeskip is), Hextech consists of one (1) project: the Hexgates. A major piece of international transit infrastructure, utilizing a brand-new technology that no one knew was even possible a few years earlier, and requiring a massive financial outlay for construction years before seeing any profits. Frankly, taking that from the very first shaky proof of concept to a fully functioning piece of infrastructure in less than 10 years is astonishing. This isn't like inventing Facebook; this is equivalent to creating the internet itself.

An infrastructure project on the scale of the Hexgates could be entirely state-funded (and therefore state-controlled, answering to the Council). But from the dialogue and visual storytelling, I think it's reasonable to infer that Hextech functions more like a public-private partnership.

In the modern era, PPPs have come to be associated with privatization and neoliberal capitalism. But funding infrastructure development this way was common in the 19th century too, closer to the time period from which Arcane draws its steampunk-ish inspiration.

So who's picking up the tab? I think it's some combination of government funding from the Council and private funding from Mel Medarda and the Kirammans.

We see one other Kiramman-funded infrastructure project in the show: the Undercity ventilation system.

And, as we see in that case, what may seem like a purely benevolent investment for the good of the city as a whole comes with a very high potential for control. (And where do the Hexgate plans end up at the end of the show? In the Kiramman family vault, accessible only with the Kiramman key.)

The Kiramman family crest is all over Hextech at Progress Day. It's prominent on the stage when Jayce speaks, positioned as equal to his own House.

Cassandra Kiramman introduces Jayce's speech, and Jayce gets trotted around the Kiramman family tent like a show pony beforehand.

The Kiramman crest is also on the box containing the hexgems, which makes me suspect that the facility needed to process the gemstones is either owned or financed by the Kirammans.

Mel's influence is more subtle. There's no Medarda crest on anything associated with Hextech; once you learn a bit about Mel's relationship with her family, that is not surprising. But clearly Mel feels comfortable speaking to other investors on behalf of Hextech, without feeling the need to run it by Jayce or Viktor first.

I think this exchange implies that (1) getting additional, outside investors is something new that they haven't done to finance earlier rounds of Hextech development, and (2) Mel is planning ahead in case the Council doesn't like the direction Hextech is going next and they need to secure additional funding.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mel was the one who steered them toward shipping and long-distance trade as a marketable use for Hextech in the first place, something many of the councillors seem to have an economic stake in.

Throughout this whole scene with Jayce and Mel, the Hexgate model sitting on her desk is very prominent. It's the first thing we see in the scene; the color and lighting make it stand out; and it appears in the frame in multiple shots. It's the thing that's always there between them.

Mel and Cassandra Kiramman are also councilors, and along with Heimerdinger they are Hextech's main allies on the Council--3 out of 7. Jayce and Viktor really can't afford to piss off any of them...which gets complicated when they want opposite things.

At the time of Progress Day, Hextech is at a turning point.

This conversation implies that they have not had a lot of freedom to develop and build whatever they wanted in the years during the timeskip. It's an interesting reversal of the dynamic we saw from them in 1.02 and 1.03. This time Jayce is the one forging ahead, confident they can get what they want, while Viktor is the one pointing out obstacles. (This is also the first time we see Viktor's face post-timeskip and register how much sicker he's become, which...oof.)

Regardless of how much they talk about "bringing magic to the people," I think it's notable that both their little spiels focus on how these inventions would increase worker productivity. This is a presentation designed for people who are thinking about their bottom line. And they seem to expect that any new developments with Hextech will have to be given Council approval before they can proceed.

(I think all of this puts the Hexcore in a slightly different light, too. It's quite possibly the first Hextech device since Jayce's original prototype that they've built without thinking about the pitch meeting. It's not a single-purpose object with an immediate, obvious use. In the beginning, it seems to recapture some of that original sense of wonder and discovery. And Viktor built it. I can see how he would be protective of his creation even before things Got Weird with it.)

And then, of course, everything goes off the rails. The gemstone gets stolen; Jayce gets pulled onto the Council. And after that point, every new Hextech object that Jayce makes is a weapon.

Jayce and Viktor's arc can be read as a story about the hubris of scientists thinking they can control forces they don't understand and anticipate every possible consequence, or a story about their naivete in thinking they could keep their research somehow above politics in a world full of conflict. And it's not not about those things. But it can also be read as a story about how discovery, creativity, and people's natural altruistic impulses get constrained by capitalism, and how often innovation is only valued if it can be made to serve war or profit.

(As for who controls the future of Hextech after the end of the show? With Viktor, Jayce, Mel and Heimerdinger all gone from Piltover...Caitlyn, probably. A detail I would love to see someone use in a fic.)

[obsidian-pages777]

Asteroid Amor[Cupid], Asteroid Erato [Muse of sensual poetry, music & dance] in your Astrology Chart

Introduction

Check your asteroid placements through astroseek.com. The meaning of the above titled asteroids are mentioned in detail below. Check it out if interested.

================================================================================================

Asteroid Amor[Cupid]

Asteroid Amor (#1221) symbolizes love, affection, and how we give and receive love in a non-possessive, unconditional way. He is also the son of Aphrodite[Venus]. He is famously known for his profound love connection to Psyche. Amor is not about passion or physical love (like Eros) but rather the purer, spiritual, or idealistic aspects of love. Its placement by house in an astrology chart can provide insight into how and where these themes are expressed in your life.

Here’s an interpretation of Amor in each house:

1st House (Self, Appearance, Identity)

Amor in the 1st house suggests that love and affection are integral to your identity. You approach life with a loving and compassionate demeanor, and others may perceive you as kind-hearted and warm. Self-love is a significant part of your journey.

2nd House (Values, Money, Possessions)

In the 2nd house, Amor highlights a love for material comfort and a deep connection to your values. You express love through tangible means, like gift-giving or creating security for yourself and others. Self-worth may be tied to your capacity to give and receive love.

3rd House (Communication, Learning, Siblings)

With Amor in the 3rd house, love is expressed through words, ideas, and intellectual pursuits. You might have a gift for expressing affection verbally or through writing, and you value close, loving connections with siblings or those in your immediate environment.

4th House (Home, Family, Foundations)

Amor in the 4th house suggests a strong focus on love within the home and family. You may feel a deep affection for your roots and strive to create a loving, supportive domestic environment. Emotional security is essential for your well-being.

5th House (Creativity, Pleasure, Romance)

Amor thrives in the 5th house, emphasizing romantic love, creativity, and joyful self-expression. You may experience love as playful and fulfilling, with a desire to express affection through artistic or romantic pursuits.

6th House (Health, Work, Daily Routine)

In the 6th house, Amor brings love into your daily routines and work life. You may show affection by helping others or creating harmony in your environment. Acts of service are likely your love language, and you may care deeply about the well-being of those around you.

7th House (Partnerships, Marriage)

Amor in the 7th house emphasizes unconditional love in partnerships. You are likely drawn to relationships that are equal, respectful, and supportive. Love is a central theme in how you connect with others on a one-to-one level.

8th House (Transformation, Death, Shared Resources)

In the 8th house, Amor highlights deep, transformative love. This placement suggests intense emotional bonds and a focus on shared intimacy and resources. Love may feel transformative, helping you evolve emotionally and spiritually.

9th House (Philosophy, Travel, Higher Education)

Amor in the 9th house suggests a love for exploring higher truths, spirituality, or cultures. You may express affection by sharing philosophical or spiritual ideas and feel a deep connection to love as a universal, expansive concept.

10th House (Career, Reputation, Public Life)

With Amor in the 10th house, love and affection may play a significant role in your public life or career. You may be recognized for your compassionate nature or for bringing harmony and love into professional settings.

11th House (Friends, Community, Aspirations)

Amor in the 11th house highlights love for friends, communities, and shared ideals. You value group harmony and may work toward bringing love and affection into collective endeavors. You likely view friendship as an essential form of love.

12th House (Subconscious, Spirituality, Secrets)

Amor in the 12th house suggests a deep, spiritual connection to love. You may express affection privately or feel a strong connection to unconditional, universal love. Solitude or spiritual practices may bring profound emotional fulfillment.

================================================================================================

Erato [Muse of lyric poetry, dance and song]- One of the Nine Muses

In astrology, Erato, associated with the asteroid #62 Erato, symbolizes creativity, inspiration, erotic poetry, love, and romantic expression. Named after the Greek Muse of lyric poetry, her placement in the houses of the natal chart reflects where and how you experience and express your artistic and romantic creativity.

Here’s an interpretation of Erato in each house:

1st House (Self, Appearance, Identity)

Erato in the 1st house suggests a strong connection to artistic self-expression. You may naturally exude creativity and poetic charm, inspiring others with your personality and how you present yourself to the world.

2nd House (Values, Money, Possessions)

In the 2nd house, Erato emphasizes a love for beauty and art in your surroundings. You may use creativity to build your resources or express affection through tangible and material means, like art or gifts.

3rd House (Communication, Learning, Siblings)

Erato in the 3rd house highlights poetic and artistic communication. You might excel in writing, lyricism, or speaking in an emotionally evocative way. You could also share a close, inspiring connection with siblings or your immediate environment.

4th House (Home, Family, Foundations)

With Erato in the 4th house, creativity and poetic sensibilities flourish in your home life. You may express your love for family through art or create a sanctuary filled with inspiration. Family traditions may involve storytelling or artistic expression.

5th House (Creativity, Pleasure, Romance)

Erato thrives in the 5th house, enhancing romantic expression, creativity, and artistic talent. You might be drawn to creating art or poetry inspired by love and pleasure, and your romantic relationships may feel particularly lyrical or expressive.

6th House (Health, Work, Daily Routine)

In the 6th house, Erato brings artistry and inspiration into your daily routines or work life. You might find joy in creative problem-solving or use art to promote well-being, such as through therapeutic practices or workplace innovation.

7th House (Partnerships, Marriage)

Erato in the 7th house emphasizes poetic and artistic connection in partnerships. Romantic relationships may feel like a source of inspiration, and you could attract creative or artistically inclined partners who share your passion for beauty and expression.

8th House (Transformation, Death, Shared Resources)

In the 8th house, Erato takes on a deep and transformative tone. Love and creativity may be expressed through exploring profound themes such as intimacy, regeneration, or the mysteries of life and death, inspiring art and connection on a soul level.

9th House (Philosophy, Travel, Higher Education)

Erato in the 9th house inspires creativity through exploration and higher learning. Travel, philosophy, and spiritual pursuits may provide artistic and poetic insights, leading you to create works that reflect universal truths or cultural themes.

10th House (Career, Reputation, Public Life)

With Erato in the 10th house, your artistic or poetic talents may play a significant role in your public life or career. You could be recognized for your creativity, especially in fields involving the arts, teaching, or public speaking.

11th House (Friends, Community, Aspirations)

Erato in the 11th house connects creativity and inspiration to friendships and group activities. You may find artistic fulfillment through collaborative efforts or work toward bringing beauty and innovation to your community.

12th House (Subconscious, Spirituality, Secrets)

Erato in the 12th house suggests a deeply intuitive and spiritual approach to creativity. Your artistic expression may be inspired by dreams, meditation, or hidden emotions, thriving in solitude or through introspective practices.

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+Free E-Guides on New Moon Manifestation and Gem Stone for Life Path

[stardustizuku]

Sometimes I see people talk about how sad or upset they are that kagehina ended up in different teams.

Usually said, because it means they’ll never play on the same team. That their paths are now diverted. Or that them as a “set” is over, no longer a “setter and spiker” and those titles now belonging to someone else.

And it makes me want to scream.

Kagehina were never meant to be on the same side of the net. Never. And thinking they should misses the entire point of the series.

Don’t confuse yourself, despite it all, Kagehina at their core, are not friends. They’re not partners; nor are they teammates.

They are rivals.

Their bond that transcends logic, their bond that allowed them to be The Freak Quick Duo, and perform the Fast Attack - wasn’t born from partnership. It was rivalry.

Kagehina is the thesis, shall we say, of Haikyuu.

Haikyuu, at it’s core, it’s not about winning a volleyball match. It is, and always will be, about playing volleyball. That’s what it is most interested in. Showing characters loving, falling in love and playing volleyball.

Don’t get it twisted, there’s nothing more important to Haikyuu than this idea that playing Volleyball is fun! Hinata himself, is the concentration of that idea.

But, in the first episode, a fundamental truth is revealed in Kitawa Daichi’s match, that Hinata Shouyo internalizes all throughout the series: If you want to keep playing, you have to keep winning.

Kageyama says it best himself “Only the strong remain in the court”.

This is why winning is important.

In other animes, winning is either a way for the main character to prove their own ideals, or for the anime to reinforce it’s own premise. Think about Kuroko No Basket, where winning against the Miracle Crew is more or less a way for Kuroko to prove their way of playing basketball is fundamentally flawed. That you cannot play basketball with one person. You need a team.

In Okiku Furikabute, winning is a way for Misahi (and Abe) to prove that he’s a skilled player.

Even in places like Free! Winning a race is a way to prove one person right, and the other wrong. That certain ideals are flawed, or that a particular outlook in life is lacking.

In Haikyuu, however, it’s different.

Winning is a way for everyone to keep playing.

While yes, they also use winning and losing to prove an ideal right or wrong - in particular the Shiratorizawa match comes to mind, in where Ushijima’s worldview of “fertile land vs the concrete” resonates with one of the core themes seen in Haikyuu - it’s one that is used less so than other animes. Mostly because (again aside from Ushijima) worldviews aren’t meant to be proven right or wrong. It’s not that Hinata or even Karasuno’s worldview or ideals should prevail: They’re all simply different ideas. Different strategies to keep winning. And losing doesn’t mean that the ideas are forever lost, or lose validity. It means they need work.

(Oikawa’s ideals are proven valid, and worthy of consideration. It is not a flawed idea what makes him lose, it’s simply a matter of the ball falling in one side of the net. Nekoma’s match is nothing about ideals, it’s simply about making Kenma admit he’s having fun in a match. Losing is not about flawed ideals or lack of talent, it boils down to a single fraction of a second mistake).

This is further proved by the fact that, at the very last Karasuno match: they lost. They didn’t become the idea, or worldview that dominated the nationals. Because that was never the story that Haikyuu was interested in telling.

Winning here, is not the point.

The point: Volleyball.

I have never seen a sports anime that is so in love, with its own sport.

Not the fictional version of the sport, mind you, in ways that perhaps Kuroko no Basket or Grappler Bakki would. That is to say, taking the original concept of that sport, and stretching it and distorting it to ridiculous lengths (which, btw, doesn’t mean the author themselves doesn’t love the sport - but that they’re way more fascinated with telling outlandish stories with building blocks they adore).

Haikyuu, though, loves volleyball.

It loves the adrenaline of running across the field to receive a ball, it loves the sweat, the heat, the burn in your arms when you receive, it loves the jumping and the blocking, and finds pleasure in the thrill of the win.

That’s why it’s able to suck you in. You’re seated at the edge of your seat watching frantically the ball, hoping it doesn’t touch the ground - in the exact same way I know playing real volleyball feels like.

So, while worldviews and ideals exist, that’s not the center of the story.

Volleyball is. And particular, this thrill and need to keep playing it.

Winning is framed, not as ideas winning over the other, but a means to an end. That end being, a need to keep playing.

Haikyuu is so in love with its own sport, with volleyball, that the worst possible outcome isn’t to lose but to stop playing.

Okay, not really.

Haikyuu is about the love of the sport - but it’s more broadly about passions (and how the manga is passionate about the sport).

About how we fall in love with things that bring us joy, and the lengths we would go to keep chasing those passions.

Tsukisima is a great example of it. His character arc revolves around finding passion and love for the sport. That's why I love the tsukiyama’s “pride” scene.

It asks, “why would you care about something? Why would you wanna put your all into a hobby, when you know it may get you nowhere?”

Tsukishima keeps thinking about volleyball as “just a club”. Something not worth caring. Why would you, when volleyball may not become your career? You can put your all into it, and still your effort won’t be enough to land you on the regulars?

And the problem here isn't that Tsukishima thinks of it as “just a club”. (We find out in the epilogue that Nishinoya didn’t go pro. To him, volleyball was just a club, and never a long term thing. Which is not framed negatively. In fact, it’s very much a positive framing. He may not have gone pro, but he carried volleyball in him as he explores the world).

It’s his inability to admit that he cares. Because admitting he cares, that he wants to be good at it, be a regular, and keep playing, means being vulnerable. It means the probability of (just like his brother) being benched. It means accepting that “giving it your all” might not be enough.

So, he asks:

Why would I “give it my all”, when it might not be enough? When we could still lose?

To what Yamaguchi answers, “pride”.

It means, “because if you go home, knowing you could have won and losing because you didn’t try, is embarrassing”.

It’s not embarrassing to care, or try to be good at something. In fact, trying to act like you don’t care or giving a half-hearted attempt when you care, is the embarrassing part.

Haikyuu encourages you to continue pursuing your passions. Not because you might win. Not because there’s a greater meaning to winning, or being the ‘best’, or the top number one. No.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t win, what matters is that you keep trying. That if you love something, you keep doing that. That no matter what you do, you do it because you genuinely wanna keep going.

It also says that, whatever you’re passionate about, ‘winning’ or ‘keeping it with you’ may not look the same. Some characters went pro, some didn’t. Some play it in their free time, some become teachers, other influencers, some other physical therapists, etc.

It’s all about following your passions, whatever form they may take.

But, in particular, Hinata Shouyo’s life itself revolves around volleyball.

To him, the worst possible outcome is to stop playing.

That’s why, up until his last match, losing was the worst thing that could happen. Because losing meant to stop playing.

Winning doesn’t mean something, aside from the ability to keep playing.

Or as Kageyama puts it in the very first episode, “only the strong remain in the court”.

That becomes the mantra that rules Hinata Shouyo’s life.

And here’s the thing that makes Kagehina the core of the story:

Haikyuu never assumes that an opponent will forever exist.

Metaphysically speaking, this is because at the time that Haikyuu started Volleyball wasn’t popular. Finding someone who would like or want to play volleyball wasn’t easy. Furudate’s explicit purpose for writing Haikyuu is to get more people to play Volleyball.

Because sometimes, you don’t have anyone who to play with.

Most sports anime focus on the idea that “playing together” means playing in the same team. This is for two main reasons.

Number one, things like basketball football or baseball are popular enough that you’ll always have someone to play against. Grab a ball, make up your own rules and you can play basically anywhere with anyone. Volleyball though…In my personal experience, it’s super hard to convince someone to even agree to a friendly net-less training.

And second, the way that they operate is, that the only true way to meet your equal is if you make such a great team that by playing together you always win. You’ll always have people who will want to beat you, so the only way to ‘play together’ is by being in the same team.

Haikyuu is different.

From the moment it starts, there’s this idea that finding an opposing team is the hardest part of it all. Unlike most animes that assumes there will ALWAYS be a more powerful person, and you’re always the under dog, Haikyuu never takes for granted a powerful enemy to play against.

Hinata starts, with no one to play volleyball with.

In Haikyuu, “no one to play with” means “no one on the other side of the net”.

It doesn’t mean ‘I don’t have a team’, it means ‘I don’t have someone to play against’.

What Hinata always needed, was not someone to play in his team. It was someone to play against.

His poor receives are because of it.

Short story: Back in my HS days I played volleyball. I had a friend who was just as crazy about volleyball as me. We would spend hours playing 1v1. Because of that, my receives were really good. The one thing you practice in a 1v1 is receives.

But Hinata never had someone on the other side of the net to help him practice that. Because he never had anyone to play against!

In the early episodes, this is framed as a problem of not having a team. It is presupposed by Hinata that once he has a team that will be solved.

But Kageyama comes in and says ‘no. Your problem isn’t that you have a bad team, it’s that you’re bad at the game’.

For the record, he is right. Hinata is terrible at receives, which is a basic component of the game.

“Only the strong remain in the court” is reframed as the biggest issue. To keep playing, you need to be good. Hinata needs to be good to keep playing.

That’s the basis of most of Haikyuu. All the way to the nationals.

He comes to the conclusion that, if he wants to keep playing he has to be the best. Which ends with the self-destruction scene of him getting a fever. He was so obsessed with winning, that he forfeited his well-being, which caused him to lose. To stop playing.

The moral of it all, at the end, is that you keep trying. You have to keep trying to best yourself, and continue pursuing what you love. That you take those failures and keep going, all while caring for yourself.

It’s no longer “be the best”, but more “be the best version of yourself”. Keep challenging yourself and keep trying to win. But if you don’t win, you take those failures and think of a way to win next time.

Losing is not the end of the world, but a chance to better yourself.

Which is a very sweet message.

Then Kageyama’s backstory comes in, and you realize that this was always a story about these two.

Kageyama’s side of the story talks about the opposite.

If Hinata’s story is about how not being strong enough is a frustrating and lonely path, Kageyama’s is about how being too strong is also a lonely path.

What happens when you have reached all your potential? What happens when you hit a ceiling, and you want to keep going?

Yes, part of his story arc is about how his loneliness is caused by an inability to connect with others. Demanding too much from others, and never giving up control. It’s about his ‘selfish’ style, that demands from others and refuses to accommodate people who may be less talented or have other priorities.

And while, yes, part of that issue is ‘fixed’ by Kageyama being more open and flexible when it comes to playing styles - Hinata is a huge part of his arc (as is Kageyama to Hinata’s).

Hinata is the only one who would follow him. He’s the only one that would race him, who would play 1v1 for hours.

Because he’s the only one who matches his passion.

It’s even highlighted in this scene, where Kageyama acknowledges his selfish play style that demands from others as much as he demands himself - and rather than turning away from it, Hinata embraces.

In whereas Hinata very bluntly tells him that, said play style is undeniably cool. That his passions, his drive and his desire to control the court (a control born from wanting to play more volleyball) is not a flaw. But it’s instead something to look up to.

Because it matches Hinata’s own passion and drive.

Kagehina were never meant to be in the same team, at least not in the long run. Because, what it is shown at the very last part of the manga, is that to keep playing you don’t need to be the strongest. You don’t need to win.

What you need, is to find someone to play with. Someone to play against.

As long as you find someone who’ll want to play, for as long as you do, as long as you find someone as passionate as you for that which you love, you’ll always be able to keep playing.

Haikyuu is about passions, yes. But first and foremost it’s about passion for volleyball specifically. A game that cannot be played alone.

What kagehina represents in the last chapter is “keep playing”.

If Hinata’s story was about how “keep trying to be the best version of yourself, because if you do you’ll get to keep playing”.

Kageyama’s is about how “keep playing even alone, because someone even better will come along, and you’ll get to play for even longer”.

Kagehina were always mean to keep playing. But if they’re on the same side of the net, if they’re a team, then one day will come when they’ll win everything together. And eventually, like Kageyama did in middle school, hit a ceiling they can’t overcome.

But if they’re competing against each other, then they’ll always keep chasing after another. They’ll become even better by constantly challenging one another. By always trying to one up the other, by always trying to win against an opponent of equal passion and drive, they’ll become stronger. Together.

By being rivals, by being on opposite sides of the net, they’ll keep playing.

Forever.

Kagehina were never meant to be teammates. Being partners is too shallow of a connection to people as driven as they are. They need to be rivals. Always pushing each other to become better, to be stronger.

Because that’s what Haikyuu is about.

It’s not only a story about passions, and what we’ll do to chase after them.

It’s about how that passion can be at it’s most powerful, when you get to share it with other people.

It’s about how losing can be as rewarding as winning, when you get to keep playing.

It’s about volleyball, and how addicting it can be to keep playing “one more time”.

[mythicmanuscripts]

Hi! I can't get Aegon out of my head and I was thinking:

He has a hard week ahead, full of meetings, important nobles arriving at king's landing, public appearances and even a ball maybe. Wife knows he's insecure and she promises him he'll be rewarded if he behaves and keep up all the rules.

And he is outstanding. He does everything and more. People even comment about it between themselves, surprised at him. Of course he's looking forward the reward, but mainly he wants wife to be proud of him, and it's so lovely to see him do his best to do everything right.

I can only think about the smile making his face glow when wife says she's so proud of him and grant him his reward.

I love this anon!! Everyone else look!! Take notes!! We can have happy Aegon on occasion!!! Also I am sorry in advance I went WAY off topic at the start but I promise this concept is actually there!! I just couldnt stop writing the background stuff because himbo sub!aegon is one of my favourite things we talk about.

This isn’t too explicit but there’s definitely some NSFW vibes and also very clearly sub!Aegon so I’ll put a cut in just to be safe :))

So firstly, I think this works better if you only married him after he became king? Maybe he was always supposed to marry Helena but then once he rules for a few weeks his mother realises she needs to find him a wife that will take control and guide him.

So needless to say when he first marries you he’s not exactly excited because his mother has all but spelled out to him that he’s marrying someone to control him.

But then he gets to know you and he’s so shocked by how you seem to really like him and you’re kind and you listen to him and most importantly you never ever make him feel stupid. The first time you praise him he literally bursts into tears because it just means so much to him.

For the first few weeks of marriage you actually just try to form a friendship with him. You want him to know you care, and you want to actually form a partnership with him and not just blindly do whatever his mother asks of you. I think the most important thing is actually just speaking as bluntly as you can? Aegon can't stand how everyone seems to be dancing around him with how they speak.

About three weeks after your marriage you walk into your shared quarters (that neither of you actually sleep in yet) and find aegon on the bed, waiting for you. You're supposed to try for an heir again, as is required but you're tired and he always looks so emotionless so instead you simply walk in, pour a glass of wine and say, "Your mother would like us to give her an heir tonight, but she's a cunt so I can't really be arsed to make her pleased with me."

He bursts out laughing when he hears this and asks for a glass of wine. You end up just sitting together and chatting and Aegon truly cant believe he's had someone who could have been his closest friend and confidant for weeks and he didnt even notice. Aegon has never had a friend before, ever. Almost instantly he's in your shared quarters every night and requesting your present not to warm his bed but just to chat.

That's when you realise how well Aegon functions when he's being guided? When you ask him to do things and he does and then you praise him he's in a good mood the entire evening. You start looking for excuses to find things for him to do. You start to ask him for specific wines or treats for the following evening just because you know he'll get it and when you thank him he will smile so wide it's adorable.

Very quickly you fall into a dynamic when you're very clearly in charge and Aegon loves it. He starts to ask you for advice or how things work and every single time he's shocked when you don't belittle him.

When things do get sexual again, he's the submissive and he truly loves it so so so much. Gone are the days of going to brothels. He doesn't even think about it anymore. How could he? He has the most lovely wife.

(Sidenote: I think aegon LOVES to call you wife? Not in a mean way but because he just loves that you're his wife and he wants to say it over and over. He'll greet you with 'good morning wife' or 'morning my lovely wife' and so on, he just loves it. Occasionally you'll respond with 'yes husband' and he always just BEAMS at you when he hears it).

So anyway this is my very very very long winded way of saying that he's loves having a partnership with you and being married to you and he always wants to help you and please you.

You start to ask some members of the small council about upcoming events and plans so that you know what to expect and how to help them with Aegon. At first they're confused, but very quickly they realise that Aegon will do all of his duties to perfection if they tell you about it beforehand (eventually you just get added to small the council but not immediately because Allicent fights against that tooth and nail).

So when you hear about all the upcoming events and appearances for this week, you know you're going to need to have some chats with Aegon about it because he hates this sort of thing. The little shit actually pouts when you tell about an upcoming ball. You have to grab him by his hair and make him kneel before he finally relents and promises to actually show up for the ball and not just spend the night at an inn.

You know all his reluctance stems mainly from insecurity, so you're gentle with him when you tell him about all the events. Maybe this is the first chunk of events after you and him became close? As a result he's never actually gone through all this with you actually at his side before.

You offer to attend everything with him, not just the ball as is required. You can barely even finish the sentence before you're being tackled to the bed and thanked over and over again. Suddenly he is much much happier about all the events, cause his wife will come with! Not only that but because everything is formal he'll get to see you in pretty dresses.

Needless to say, people are very very confused during the first event because Aegon is behaving like a completely different person. Sure he still rolls his eyes on occasion and cuts people off, but as a whole he is kind and respectful and listens to people and doesn't even drink whatsoever never mind get drunk.

Every time he does something that he knows is following the rules he’ll glance back at you like he’s trying to confirm that you have indeed seen how good he’s being and of course you always respond by smiling back at him and it never fails to lift his mood.

And yeah part of it is because he wants to be rewarded and part of it is because he wants to avoid punishment but honestly mostly it’s just him wanting to feel like you’re pleased with him? Sure the rewards are great but absolutely nothing will ever come close to seeing you smile at him because he’s done well.

At the end of every day he kneels for you and tells you about what he did and all the ways he ensured to follow the rules. You know all of this already of course, because you were with him the entire day, but you always ask him to recite everything anyway because you know how happy it makes him. Once he’s finished, he crawls into bed and lays against your chest.

For his reward at the end of the week, maybe you arrange a little breakfast in your private quarters? You wake him up by gently palming him through his undergarments until he’s hard and leaking and only then does he wake. When he does wake, his only reaction is to smile and mumble something that you think was supposed to be thanks before nuzzling closer to you and opening his legs. He’s your darling, your play thing, and he’s well are of it. He doesn’t question you whatsoever, lets you do whatever you want with him.

It’s only after he’s cum that you call the servants in to bring the food. He spends the morning curled up like a very pleased cat on your lap while you hand feed him breakfast and little treats.