#Intelligent Capture powers process

[cece693]

May I pretty please request Hannigram with an SO that really likes biting things? Like they’ll just nibble on anything available, including themself or Hanni/Will

male reader if possible :)

Bite Me, Darling

pairing: hannibal lecter and will graham x male reader tags: self soothing mechanism, male reader bites things, Alana bashing, jack Crawford bashing, just everyone in general is against this relationship, innocent male reader, hannibal and will want to keep him this way

It was strange, how everything about him was normal on the surface but wildly unique beneath. The way he moved through life, unaware of the way people stared, was something that only a few people truly understood. Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter, for all their intelligence and their capacity for manipulation, had each found something in him—something pure and raw—that spoke to them in ways they couldn’t articulate.

You were innocent in the most innocent way. You didn’t know how to read people’s intentions, how to navigate the murky waters of deceit and pain that others swam in. You were a creature of quiet habits: chewing on pens, biting the corner of your sleeves, even nibbling your fingers. It wasn’t that you was anxious, but rather that this was your way of processing the world. You didn’t speak much, but when you did, it was with a tenderness that could disarm even the most hardened individuals.

For some, this made you seem almost too innocent for the likes of Will and Hannibal. They were two men who dealt with darkness constantly, who played in shadows. Hannibal, the brilliant psychiatrist with an appetite for blood, had found himself intrigued long before anything happened between them. How did such a pure soul even come to be? How was it that someone as complex as Hannibal could be pulled into a world where biting things wasn’t just a habit—it was part of who you were?

But that was the thing, wasn’t it? Hannibal was nothing if not a man who craved complexity, and you, with your simple yet peculiar habit of biting, had an allure that he could never fully comprehend. He wasn’t sure when the lines had blurred, when you had shifted from being someone he wanted to understand to someone he wanted to possess.

Will, on the other hand, was less of a mystery. He found your unspoken understanding of him soothing. Will was not a man who found comfort easily. He’d had too many years of running from his own mind, of balancing between the need for human connection and the heavy weight of his empathic gifts. But you were different. You never demanded anything from him. There was no need to over explain; no fear of rejection. You were there, and that was enough.

The three of them had fallen into a relationship that no one, especially not Alana Bloom or Jack Crawford, could understand. Jack, upset that you had a greater control over his 'asset' perceived you as a problem that needed to be extinguished immediately. While he couldn't force Will to break up with you, he began to use manipulative language more frequently, hinting that his absence was endangering the lives of people. But after a while, his words began to lose power.

"Will, you can’t just leave because he told you to," Jack would say, his voice thick with frustration. "We need you to solve this case. You're part of this team." But Will, unmoved, always told him he was tired and needed a break—as if killers would respect that and stop murdering until he felt better. Jack would then begin to retort how soft Will was becoming, as if that ever mattered when others perceived him as a madman.

Alana, on the other hand, was driven by something more personal. Jealousy. She had been drawn to both Hannibal and Will. Her feelings for them had never been simple or easy, but she had always harbored a belief that somehow, one day, they would choose her. Instead, they had chosen you. The idea of you, with your gentle biting habit, managing to capture the attention of both men—of all people—was enough to make her skin crawl with resentment. How could someone so abnormal and clearly dealing with childhood trauma have the audacity to step into their world and steal both her love interests?

She couldn’t help but feel that you didn’t deserve them. You weren't like her—you didn’t understand the complexities of their lives nor seemed to be able to handle the hurdles that came with it. And so, she set to work.

It started subtly. A conversation here, a comment there.

“Don’t you ever feel like you’re a little strange?” she would ask, voice light, as if it were a passing thought. “I mean, the biting…it's something you can't help, but don't you ever want to stop it? Be seen as normal for once in your life?"

At first, you had laughed it off, thinking nothing of it. But over time, the seeds of doubt were planted. You began to wonder. Was your habit of biting things wrong? Your lovers had never raised concerns, but it would be something they'll definitely keep private, perhaps a secret only shared between Hannibal and Will. You never thought that Alana's words were connived to break your relationship apart, your naivety something the woman had taken into account and used to her advantage.

So, you tried to stop.

You started small: you tucked your hands into your sleeves when your instincts told you to gnaw at the fabric, and you opted for straws instead of biting the rim of a glass cup. You made an effort—any effort—to keep your teeth away from Will and Hannibal’s skin, no matter how comforting that gentle pressure felt against them. At first, neither man noticed; after all, it was easy to dismiss as a passing mood or an unremarkable change in routine.

But after a couple of days, small signs alerted both of them to the shift. Will began to see you catch yourself mid-motion, your hand halfway to your mouth before you stopped and pressed it flat against your chest instead. Hannibal noticed the anxious flicker in your eyes whenever you realized you were about to bite down on your sleeve—or worse, on him—and yanked yourself away.

It was Will who first chose to address it. One evening, you were curled up in his living room, dogs scattered around you like living blankets. The space was quiet, the only sound the gentle snoring of a dog and the low hum of the overhead light. You were running your thumb over your bottom lip—an almost-bite—when Will finally spoke.

“Hey,” he said softly, “what’s on your mind?”

You hesitated, forcing a small smile. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

He studied you with those empathetic eyes of his. You knew he was reading more into your silence, but Will was nothing if not patient. “You’ve been distant,” he finally ventured, words slow and careful. “I don’t mind if you need space, but if something’s bothering you, I want to help.”

The sincerity in his voice tore at your heart. You wanted to confide in him, to say Alana made me feel wrong, and I don’t want to be wrong for you, but the fear of seeming weak or needy held you back. You simply shook your head and offered a reassuring pat to one of the dogs resting on your lap. “I’m fine,” you lied, hoping he wouldn’t push. “Just tired.”

Hannibal discovered your change in behavior under more intimate circumstances. The two of you were alone in his kitchen, the scent of simmering stock filling the air. He had taken your hand to guide you closer to the cutting board, demonstrating a particular technique for slicing vegetables. Normally, a casual closeness like this was an invitation for you to lean in, maybe press your teeth gently against the back of his hand or the curve of his arm—just enough to ground yourself in his presence. This time, you didn't lean in nor brought his hand to your lips.

Hannibal stilled, eyebrows lifting in polite surprise. “Darling,” he asked softly, “what’s wrong?”

Heat bloomed in your cheeks. You swallowed hard. “Just didn’t want to hurt you,” you offered lamely, though you both knew you had never caused him pain before. His dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully, but he released your hand without comment. You wondered if your face betrayed the unease you felt, because Hannibal’s expression shifted into something gentler, concerned. But he chose not to press you then and there. Instead, he simply carried on, instructing you gently with the knife work and occasionally brushing a reassuring hand across your back.

Though both men tried to give you space, their combined worry spilled over as time went on. Neither was used to seeing you so guarded, especially around them. On a chilly afternoon, the three of you gathered in Hannibal’s study—a routine that had become something of a tradition. Will sipped his whiskey quietly while Hannibal and you browsed through his impressive collection of classical music. There was a soothing air of comfort, and for a brief moment, your doubts dimmed.

But of course, it was Will who noticed your jaw moving—saw the slight shift as your teeth worked the soft flesh inside your cheek. He placed his whiskey glass down on the table with a muted clink before pushing himself out of the chair.

“Stop,” he murmured, crossing the room with purpose. His voice was gentle but firm as he stepped close to you. Without hesitating, he brought his hand to your chin, his touch warm yet insistent. “Open your mouth.”

You stiffened, instinctively pulling away. You shook your head, trying to avert your gaze from Will’s intense blue eyes. You didn’t want to show him. You didn’t want him to see the damage you’d done to keep from biting them instead.

But then, Hannibal appeared at Will’s side, his presence commanding. He didn’t say a word, but the look he gave you—equal parts concern and disappointment—made your shoulders slump in silent surrender. Unable to deny the weight of their worry, you parted your lips, letting Will tilt your chin just enough so both he and Hannibal could peer inside.

A faint gasp escaped Will as he saw the small puncture in your cheek, the fresh bead of crimson welling against your lower molars. Hannibal’s lips flattened into a thin line, and a flicker of displeasure darkened his gaze. In the grand scheme of things, it was a small wound, but it spoke volumes to them—volumes about how you had been coping alone.

Hannibal’s voice was low, edged with concern. “You’ve been hurting yourself to avoid biting us.” It wasn’t a question; it was a quiet statement of fact.

Will let go of your chin carefully. “Why?” he asked, his brows knitting together.

You swallowed thickly, your hand hovering near your mouth in a subconscious attempt to hide the injury you’d just revealed. “Alana said it’s weird. The biting,” you whispered, your voice unsteady. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

A stretch of silence followed your confession, Hannibal and Will exchanged a look—a silent conversation filled with understanding and mild anger toward Alana’s interference. Will’s gaze softened as he turned back to you. “We told you before,” he reminded you gently, “you don’t have to hide this from us. You’re not hurting us—”

“—nor inconveniencing us,” Hannibal interrupted, stepping closer again. The resolute calm in his eyes steadied you. “In fact, we’ve grown quite accustomed to it, and dare I say, fond of it. Your habit is part of who you are.”

You glanced down, feeling the sting of tears threatening in your eyes. “I just…I didn’t want you to get sick of me, or to think I was some sort of burden.”

Will’s hand found yours, his fingers threading through with a gentle squeeze. “That’s not possible,” he murmured. “We miss it…miss you being comfortable around us.”

Hannibal placed a hand against your cheek, being mindful of your tender injury. “You never need to hurt yourself on our behalf,” he said, voice quiet but unyielding. “Any pain you feel—physical or otherwise—we’d much rather help you carry it, not watch you bury it inside.”

At those words, a sharp wave of relief pulsed through you, along with an ache of regret for having doubted them. You inhaled shakily, letting yourself lean just a fraction closer to Hannibal’s touch, feeling the stability it offered. Will eased his other hand around your waist, tugging you gently in his direction. Sandwiched between them, you could almost believe nothing else mattered.

“I’m sorry,” you managed, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. “I…I’ll try not to hide it anymore.”

Will’s lips quirked into a small, comforting smile. “No more chewing on your cheek,” he said, voice warm with affection. “You’ll let us help, right?”

With a hesitant nod, you felt Hannibal’s hand slide from your cheek to the back of your head, urging you closer until your forehead rested against his shoulder. He cast a glance at Will, who leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to your temple. Despite the swirl of emotions, you felt a gentle calm in their presence—a sense of being anchored.

[goodolddumbbanana]

[SWAP SUN AU]

So this au is kinda mixed with Emo Uncle Nexus.

To sum up, what would happen if Sun makes a deal with The Wither Some to save Nexus from his madness, and accidentally takes Nexus's role to be a bad guy.

"Look, we don't even need Nexus that much. He is a good vessel, but that is it. We can create something like him anytime we want."

"And w--why do you say this to me?"

"Because we need something from you, Sun. And that thing is more valuable than anything Nexus can provide."

"What?!"

" Don't you want him to be happy? Don't you want him to be safe, and have a chance to be his own person? I can help with that?"

"Wh-- I don't understand!? What do you want?!"

"We want to make a deal. I give you Nexus, freshly made, without any negative star power or wither storm infected.

He will be just as new as the day he dies, even more healthier, and less insane."

" And if I say yes you are just using that chance to hurt people, right? Like hell I believe you!!"

"No no.. please, we never intend to harm anybody. We just want peace, and friendship. For Nexus, we just ask you one tiny bitty favour."

"... What is it?"

"Just open a door for us, that is all that we ever want."

Anyway, Sun makes a deal, with very naive thoughts that no one will get hurt.

Nexus comes back, and gets his redemption arc.

(It is a very slow process, because Nexus is still very messed up in his head, he is just more stable and aware of situations. To sum up, he still has the intelligence and health of New Moon)

So they are happy, for a while, until the void comes to take his deed.

The door they mentioned before was actually inside Sun's head, and by Sun said yes to their deal, Sun has accidentally become a puppet for the Void.

And it happens very slowly that no one even noticed there is something odd about Sun. Not until too late.

Sun only wants his family to be safe so even when being a mindless puppet, Sun still doesn't hurt the celestial family and wants them to join him.

Moon, Solar, Monty, even Lunar has failed and is being captured and in the process of being controlled by the void.

Only Nexus escapes, and this all because the deal Sun makes. And now my boy, with a cripple leg, needs to rescue everyone with the help of Earth, Jack and Dazzle.

Boy very in distress after his redemption arc lol.

It will be fun

[himejoshiangels]

Duke Thomas fic rec list

I've scowered every tag relating to him, combed thru the 'duke centric tag' at least 8 times, this is what ive come back with, at least my personal faves

necessary reminders - duke pov, outsider pov, and some social media following duke as he gets used to his day job as a vigilante. flows really well, has a good balance of sad and happy, and gets dukes character rlly well

that which you cannot bear - THIS FIC WILL BREAK YYOU duke is kidnapped and its only down from there!! this is like, one of the first duke fics I read and it's still labeled as such in my mind. its well based, sooo cohesive plot wise, and stays completely in character w all its characters, especially duke, while exploring such an interesting facet of him > his tendency to self-isolate, insistence on being independent, and his stubbornness. sooo much good angst just incredible stuff while also staying hopeful and grounded. ALSO duke is an intelligent badass throughout the fic which is an important detail 2 me

signal, n. a divine act - same author as the last one, absolutely insane concepts are explored and its just so well written srsly it's like poetry. digs into some of dukes ideologies so well. if u like holy imagery??? kind of but not rlly?? ig you'll love this

this whole series is just so fucking incredible but something about my bodies made of crushed little stars I don't fucking know it messed w my brain chemistry, I've recced it b 4 bcs it made me cry but read the whole series, it's all duke centric and just so good. Saki writes bruce and duke in a way that fizzes u up w emotion and focuses on such unique facets of dukes character/dynamics and sleep well my little sunshine is soo cute and fun and soft >when earth finds the stars - bonus presignal duke and jason fic, balances being incredibly fun with a realistic zoom in on duke before we are robin. he's quippy and witty and always at the edge of his rope

not mutually exclusive - tired of bruce being kinda shoved into the role of dukes capital F father when that's not quite what their dynamic is? Then this is the fic for you!! Just good duke and Bruce interactions overall, it's sad and hilarious with just incredible dialogue and peak Bruce and Duke interactions

signals and symptoms - a classic sickfic and like one of my fave bruce bonding fic ever ever EVERRR!! really introspective abt dukes character and just so well done

even exchanges - some of u are gonna hate me for reccing an incomplete fic and esp one that doesn't look like it's gonna be finished anytime soon but even exchanges is so formative to my duke characterizationalong with portraying such a fascinating dynamic w him and his new family. it delves into his messy and angsty experiences pre-becoming the signal and is overall written like several subsequent punches to the stomach. promise ur gonna bitch and moan about this fic as much as I do

scientific method - extremely cute fic, watch Duke bond w the bats and slowly get more comfortable with them over time as they all tru to figure out what the fuck this guys powers are. Really fun dynamic wise, the dialogue is crafty and captures the familiarity between the characters. Really realistic about day to day vigilante life and how genius the bats truly are. really slice of life fluffy shit w some bonus sciencey stuff

turn my voice human torch remind people what I’m fantastic for - truly a classic, Duke invites cass to slam poetry night. short n sweet I LOVE BUMBLEBATS RAHHHHHH

tradition - pure duke n bruce ice cream fluff

meal prep - real sad angst one shot ft. alfred

occupational health and safety violations - duke pov reverse robins but it's way out of order

write about flowers (at a time like this) - duke and dick fic where they meet pre we are robin. yes I just found this one yesterday yes I'm absolutely obsessed. it characterizes him so well and understands his thought process and motives and UGHH just tune in yall

sidequest: the viper pit - WE ARE ROBIN DND JUMANJI

signals of fear and hope - duke centric reverse robins, caters TTOME specifically it's so fire

and now here are fics that arent duke centric but he's in it and in character/well written and now forced into the back of the room aka some of my general faves that feature duke

gotham aviary - the batman fic where he just adopts a bunch of em truly adorable like the cutest thing you'll read

I walk the streets at night (with monsters in my mind) - dragon fic, absolutely goated 10/10

fight, flight - cass centric but duke plays a big role, they mean everything to me

[authorjielin]

Poster V.3

With great pleasure, I present to you the first promotional poster for my illustrated story “Apocalypse 1984”, featuring in these dark colors the male lead inspired by Russell Adler. This story is essentially an expanded version set in an alternate context (for copyright reasons) of my fanfiction “America’s Monster.”

Here are some details:

The Setting:

Angels and demons have been locked in conflict since the dawn of time, meddling in human affairs. Angels aim to prevent chaos and maintain order, while Demons seek to free humanity from the chains of God. In this story, Angels are strict and disciplined beings, loyal to rules and duty. They operate in the shadows to ensure humans remain faithful to God. Demons, on the other hand, are rebels — both for better and worse — who urge humans to defy God, follow their own desires and will, and refuse to be subject to a higher power. Humans are unaware of their existence, as angels and demons easily conceal themselves among mortals.

Now, in 1984, the conflict between Angels and Demons has taken on even more subtle and darker tones, unfolding as a true battle of spies and secrets.

The Story (First Arc):

Apocalypse 1984 takes strong inspiration from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War — but with a twist of divine warfare. Instead of Perseus and his Soviet loyalists, demons take center stage. And replacing the CIA, MI6, and global intelligence agencies are the angels — Heaven’s elite covert operatives.

The protagonist, female, — inspired by Bell — works as a spy under the command of one of Heaven’s most feared agents: Malachia, the Angel of Death. Ruthless, brilliant, and deeply loyal to God, Malachia is so feared by his enemies that they’ve named him God’s Monster. His appearance recalls Russell Adler (with a mysterios black scar on his face, inflicted by a demon — most likely), but with a supernatural edge. Malachia possesses a unique and terrifying power: through direct eye contact, he can enter a target’s mind and manipulate their deepest, most primal emotion — fear. He weaponizes it, conjuring nightmarish hallucinations so intense they don’t just break the mind — they burn the soul. Prolonged exposure can kill the victim from within, leaving behind nothing but a hollow corpse. To keep his ability under control, he never removes his sunglasses, unless he has to.

The twist? (You probably already know it, if you like Cold War and have read my fic) The protagonist is not who she believes she is.

She’s actually a Demon — one of Devil’s most devoted, once destined to become his queen. But after a betrayal by one of her own kind, she was captured by the angels and subjected to a brutal reconditioning process. Her identity was rewritten — by Malachia himself — turning her into a tool for Heaven's war effort. Now, unknowingly, she’s being used against her own people. Her knowledge of demonic runes, languages, and strategy makes her invaluable to the angels — especially in a world where Demons communicate in a symbolic script Angels can’t decipher.

But when fragments of her old life begin to resurface — shadowy memories of a mysterious consort, a name she cannot speak but feels but feels burning in her blood — everything starts to unravel. Terrified of losing control over their most valuable weapon, Heaven gives Malachia one final order:

Replace the last piece of her memory. Erase the Devil… and take his place.

He must make her fall in love with him. And in doing so, ensure her blind, unshakable loyalty — not to the Devil…

but to him.

[paintedlight1]

Zenith Au: Alpha: The Dark Clone of the Zeniths

Background and Creation:

Alpha is a carefully crafted contingency plan by Tilda, the former leader of the Zeniths if Beta—who had shown signs of independence and a growing sense of morality—might threaten the Zeniths' plan. Beta, though created to be Aloy's “perfect” clone, had a deep capacity for empathy and a genuine desire to help humanity. However, Alpha was designed to be the opposite: ruthless, power-hungry, and devoid of any moral compass. Tilda’s vision for Alpha was clear: a perfect weapon that embodies the Zeniths' ideals and surpasses them. Alpha’s strength, intelligence, and lack of ethical constraints would make her a formidable leader, capable of controlling the other Zeniths and ensuring their vision for the future remained intact. Alpha’s psyche, however, was shaped not just by the Zeniths’ technology, but by Tilda’s own personal history and ambition. She is a reflection of Tilda’s cold pragmatism, and unlike Beta, Alpha does not hesitate to manipulate, deceive, or destroy anyone who gets in her way. Like Beta, Alpha’s body is a marvel of genetic engineering, enhanced with Zenith technology. However, she has been modified to be even stronger, faster, and more intelligent. Her tactical mind is far superior to Beta’s, making her an unrivaled strategist. She can analyze and predict her enemies' moves with terrifying accuracy.

Her mind, however, is a far more dangerous weapon. Alpha is manipulative, cunning, and delightfully sadistic. She sees people as tools to be used, discarded, or broken—whichever serves her interests. While Beta was guided by a sense of what was right, Alpha had no such moral compass. Her obsession with power, control, and domination drives every action, and she takes pleasure in playing with the emotions and fates of others. After the tragic capture of the Gaia Gang, Alpha takes control of their transformations, using Zenith technology to twist their minds and bodies. Each of the original members��Erend, Kotallo, Zo, Alva, Varl, and Beta—are now mere puppets under her command. Alpha, using her psychological prowess, relishes in the idea of turning Aloy’s friends against her. She doesn’t just transform them into cold, superhuman machines of war—she bends their wills, breaking down their identities and remaking them as loyal, unfeeling soldiers. But she doesn’t stop there. She uses the process as a form of psychological torment—torturing the memories of each individual to further mold them into instruments of her vision.

:3 (Happy 'late' Christmas)

[greek-mythology-utmv]

Dust

Species/Figure: Ophiotaurus

Pronouns: he/it/they

Danger: Formidable (4/6)

Power: Strong (3/6)

Magic: Decent (2/6)

Height: 5’9”/170 cm

Abilities: Venomous fangs, constricting grip, tail can switch from skeleton to normal snake tail, power of prophecy

Diet: Omnivore, preference of meat.

Personality: Cold, quiet, observant, and sharply intelligent.

Story: As the legends go, slaying and burning an Ophiotaurus will grant you the divine gift of prophecy. As such, the species is rare and hunted near to extinction, often being on the run for their entire lives. Dust and his brother, Barren, had grown up on the edges of society in a desperate attempt to evade capture— though they could only run for so long. Geno, led by Reaper, captured the two and mortally wounded Barren in preparation of the sacrifice. Dust, enraged, broke its restraints and killed his brother to prevent Geno from gaining the divine gift, goring Geno in the eye and wing in the process. They then fled, leaving his brother’s body with Reaper and Geno, which they buried instead of burned. As such, Dust only gained a half-piece of prophecy, hints and flashes of the future, but no more. Haunted by its actions, they wander the desert in search of the two monsters who wronged him— at least until they catch sight of Cross, whom a fascinating shard of prophecy compelled Dust to follow. He now lurks behind Cross and Killer, close enough that they know someone’s there, but far enough that they don’t know who…or what.

[e-r-a-n]

Eran.

— the last surviving follower.

— chosen by the Victim.

— the future God of Life.

— magic is easier for her.

— she is eternally grateful to Darke. She will not be able to fight with him, even in the event of a conflict.

— in the future, she will conquer territories.

— she likes to have her hair stroked.

— in the future, she will definitely fight with the Chosen One.

— can see Victim in dreams.

— she loves his last remaining costume of his people.

— can remain quiet even when seriously injured.

— can stay without food for a long time.

— has a psychological trauma associated with the death of relatives.

— hates almost all deities.

— she will not be able to betray a loved one.

— she loves golden juice.

— she will definitely take revenge on the God of agriculture.

— she does not know how to show love.

— she will be able to restore the balance.

— at first, no one knows about the existence of her state.

— she can heal a person's moral state with her aura and save them from depression.

— the more acute the emotional state, the faster she can heal the spiritual state of another person.

— until the last moment, she was afraid to go into the territory of death.

"once she becomes a deity, her appearance will be transformed.

The Dark Lord is the God of death.

At the moment, he has vast territories located in the Northern Hemisphere. He has dark magic. He talked a lot with Victim. He is the second god after life. Appeared when the first creature died. He tried to protect the follower of life, but he couldn't because of the sudden attack. He remained without emotions and feelings, put a barrier for other deities to enter his territory. Does not trust any of the deities after the death of Victim. Trying to restore the balance of life and death.

He also sees how many people have left to live. He can speed up this process, but not increase it.

Victim is the God of Life.

One of the most senior gods, who had huge prosperous territories. He was located in the Southern Hemisphere. Life flourished on his land. He gave his people the power of healing, which made them almost invincible. After Victim was overthrown and accused of being a heretic, his people were exterminated. Only Eran survived. Alan created him when the first creature appeared.

He liked to wear a white cape decorated with gold patterns.

The Orange King is the God of power.

He borders territories with the Chosen One, the Dark Lord and almost the entire Central Bank. He did not participate in the extermination and was neutral to such a decision. He communicates normally with almost everyone. He often visits Gold and Violet. Uses a staff that has incredible power. He can easily control ordinary people, capture their minds. He can read their minds and choose their fate. A cruel but intelligent puppeteer and manipulator.

Red is the God of animal husbandry and agriculture.

He borders territories with the entire CG and is a member of it. He actively participated in the extermination, destroyed a large number of refugees, including Sister Eran. He has the features of a wildcat, as well as very sharp claws. He was chosen by the past God of agriculture. After the fall of the God of Life, his vegetation fell, as did crops and livestock. Red blamed everything on karma from Victim and began collecting the bodies of the dead followers of the God of Life to use them as fertilizers, because their blood and wings are capable of all living things. The archives were sold to the God of Wisdom. A pendant is his accessory attached to his ear.

— has hatred from Eran.

— has little fear of the God of Death.

Alan is the God of time.

This deity lives by himself. He has one small continent in the middle of the sea. There are no followers and no religion, he communicates in all languages. He created a Victim and can mentally contact all the gods, read the thoughts of any creature. It is unknown when he appeared.

The Chosen One/Chous is the god of war.

He borders the territories of Dark, King and Yellow. Across the ocean, the same with Alan and Red. He also actively participated in the extermination, killed most of the followers of life in his territories and Dark. He used to have wings, but Dark cut them off to him as punishment, because he is still dependent on scarlet. Relations with the CG are neutral. After the fall of the god of life, the death rate in his state jumped sharply, and the birth rate decreased. He also believed that Victim himself was involved in this. He destroyed archives and, in principle, the state of life.

— afraid of the god of time[Alan], since he has never seen him and does not know anything about him.

— afraid of the god of death after punishment

[toaarcan]

I feel like Makuta's efforts in 2001-2002 should've been more about corruption than destruction.

(Obviously, there's some conflict there with the original intent that Faber and Bob and Alistair had vs. what Greg eventually made, 01 Makuta embodies the destructive aspect of Lego play, whereas it takes until 2005 for Greg to settle into the "Scheming Satanic archetype who eventually wins" version. But Makuta was also a metaphor for cancer, so it still kinda works.)

Most of the Rahi are big, scary monsters that destroy things, but it feels kinda silly that this guy keeps sending out the giant giraffe tigers to murder the people he intends to be his brain cells when he's done.

So like, instead of being just destructive, have him use Nui-Rama extensively as a means of capturing Matoran for the purposes of corrupting them. This is why there's one in Ko-Wahi during Kopaka and Matoro's journey to Ko-Koro, despite bugs typically not liking the cold and the Rama being native to much warmer climates. Makuta is making them go well outside their natural range to capture more Matoran.

The others are more like siege weapons, designed to force the Matoran into the open to make them easier to snatch. Additionally, make more the Rahi capable of transmitting the mask infection like the Nui-Jaga kinda do with their venom. With hindsight we could also say "Make the Kraata more present from the off," but I'm focusing just on what moving parts we had at time of release for now.

The Bohrok, then, primarily serve as a better means of displacing the Matoran. They destroy settlements and environments, but they don't actively attack other creatures unless those creatures try to impede them. A Tahnok is more inclined to nudge a Matoran out of the way of whatever it's going to torch next than turn the flamethrowers on them. And even the most persistent annoyances are more likely to be assimilated than destroyed. Also, Matoran that do end up get Krana'd are likely easier for Makuta to snatch up and infect.

The Rahkshi in 03 are more of a panic button. The Toa of Light is approaching and Makuta really does not want this to happen. We later find out that the Brotherhood were so afraid of even the possibility that an Av-Toa could exist that they almost tipped their hand about their goals early with the raid on Artakha. In 03, it's just that Makuta is afraid for his spell of shadows.

His reticence to release the Rahkshi, "Must I release those who should never see the light of day?" is because the Rahkshi aren't like the Bohrok or the Rahi that he can directly possess. They're intelligent, thinking beings that are intensely malicious. They will kill Matoran for the hell of it. Sure, they can spread the infection themselves, and he can directly command them, but left to their own devices, they will kill people, and he'd rather avoid pointless deaths.

And then in 08 we get to see the final form of what the infection does to a Matoran, with the Kra-Matoran being fully corrupted. The Shadow Leeches don't function differently to the Kraata they were evolved from, they just work faster, and do the whole process in an instant. And then instead of a fuck-ugly bird, the key to saving them is the Avohkii, and the tension with that is that Takanuva's partial infection has diminished his ability to use that power. He has to either expunge or make peace with the darkness before he can truly tap into his mask again. Maybe some of the Shadow Matoran, more heroic types like Radiak and Kirop, are easier to free, but with Gavla, who gets totally lost in the sauce, he needs to be either completely clean or fully balanced inside to help her.

[vyriadurav]

(Edit: using this as a pinned post about all my books for now in lieu of another one. This was formerly for International Lesbian Day but now is a one stop shop for all my books) For starters, consider checking out

Catnip Amazon | Itch.io | Alternative Ebook Sellers | Audiobook For all his life, Sol has believed he's only worthy of affection as long as he's useful--and he intends to prove his ultimate use by restoring a colony on Venus as a new home for his friends and lovers. But upon arriving, he realizes there's more here than he bargained for. For one, the resident artificial intelligence wants to make friends with him. For another, the nanites want to completely change his body... and in the process reveal her true self. Stuck (or perhaps blessed?) with a new form, she must find out what it means to live, to be loved for who she is rather than her work. Catnip is a cozy space exploration novel about a trans woman's journey to find herself and what it means to be loved for who she is, with the help of her polycule and a lesbian AI. If Sci-fi isn't quite your speed, you can also check out

The Hatchling Amazon | Itch.io | Alternative Ebook Sellers

Sarric dreamed of dragons all his life; such flights of fancy captured his imagination at a young age and sustained him through the cruelty of the hunters that ruled the isolated mountain town of Rivermist. One day, a real dragon appears before him, dazzling him with her beauty and an answer to the unease that's afflicted him for as long as he remembers. He's eager to take what she offers--but the greedy hunters, driven by tales of treasure hoards, will do everything in their power to destroy her. The Hatchling is a fantasy about a trans woman's journey of accepting her identity and her new found family.

If you want something a little spicier, consider reading Wyrmheart Itch.io exclusive

A mage without home or family seeks to establish a legacy for herself so that her name might ring out through the ages.

An assassin is charged with striking at the heart of a draconic cult that surely hides some greater evil.

Wyrmheart is a story set in Maria Ying's Those Who Break Chains universe and tells the story of trans women making their way through life in this fantastical world.

You can also take a look at my Patreon where I am currently writing several things, but primarily

Forged in the Light of New Stars

Forged is a t4t lesbian isekai story about a closeted trans woman and a repressed, rotten egg (in the trans sense) who find themselves transported to a vibrant, magical world filled with advanced technology, mysteries to discover, and most importantly: a place where they can their truest selves. Follow Gwen as she strives to take control of her life, to be the woman she's always known she could be, and find true happiness.

Follow Brian as he struggles to cast off the chains that his family has bound him in, to undo the bigoted messages they poured into him constantly, and find out, deep down, who she truly is.

Watch them fall in love with each other and with the mystical world of Tellara and all the new friends they make along the way. See them uncover secrets about the connection between Earth and Tellara and their purpose as travelers between worlds. Magic, alchemy, and queerness collide in this otherworldly journey.

[jcmarchi]

How Has AI Transformed the OCR Landscape?

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-has-ai-transformed-the-ocr-landscape/

How Has AI Transformed the OCR Landscape?

OCR technology has proved to be a transformative solution for document editing and management. Whether it’s business, finance, education, or other sector, OCR has made its mark, simplifying content modification. However, traditional OCR methods carry certain limitations that raise a question mark on their capabilities. Factors like low-resolution images, complex fonts, and damaged texts highly impact their performance. Also, these solutions often fail to decode handwritten notes, leading to poor recognition outcomes.

As a response, AI-powered OCR solutions have emerged, offering exceptional precision and speed. Given this background, this article will delve into how AI has augmented the OCR process. Also, we will present the best AI-driven OCR PDF to Word converter to let you set a new definition for data digitization.

AI technology in OCR

AI technology has initiated a paradigm shift, promising to address and overcome the traditional constraints of OCR technology. As this emerging technology has made strides in other sectors, it has also impacted and improved the text recognition process. With the inception of artificial intelligence, OCR systems are not only recognizing text but have become more adept at grasping its nuances and context. Let’s explore how AI has influenced the OCR and charted the course for a smarter, more seamless future in data processing:

Improved Text Recognition Accuracy

AI-powered OCR systems use Deep Learning algorithms to analyze and spot text with remarkable precision. These algorithms are trained on vast datasets containing diverse text formats, which lets them recognize a wide array of fonts, styles, and even text superimposed on noisy backgrounds. This extensive drilling not only helps them identify characters and words but also understand the document context. This enhanced accuracy is crucial for various use cases, from automating data entry processes to making historical documents digitally accessible.

Handwriting Recognition

Handwriting recognition is one of the most significant advancements by AI in the OCR field. Traditional OCR systems often fail when faced with the handwritten text due to the wide variety in individual writing styles, strokes, and legibility. However, with the integration of AI and machine learning algorithms, OCR technology has significantly evolved.

AI-powered systems are trained on extensive datasets that include a diverse collection of handwriting samples. Through this excessive training, they come to identify patterns, nuances, and characteristics unique to each handwritten text.

Intelligent Character Prediction

Traditional OCR systems encountered difficulties when tasked with recognizing characters that were distorted, blurred, or poorly visible. However, AI-fuelled OCR technologies mark a significant leap in overcoming these challenges. These innovative systems contain advanced text correction algorithms leveraging deep learning and contextual analysis.

This approach enables them to make educated guesses about distorted, damaged, or partially obscured characters, intelligently predicting which character will be the most suitable in this context.

Expansive Language Support

The outdated OCR approaches possessed the capability of analyzing only the English text. This significantly posed trouble when it came to other languages, thus restricting the exploration of foreign content or datasets.

However, advanced OCR systems have developed a nuanced understanding of linguistic patterns, character shapes, and the specific features of various writing systems. Whether you are dealing with Chinese, Arabic, French, or any other language, these AI tools will enable quick text identification with minimal errors.

One-Click PDF Conversion

Modern OCR solutions have revolutionized document management by introducing the one-click PDF conversion feature. This feature allows you to transform PDF documents into editable Word formats swiftly, eliminating the need for complex conversion processes.

With just a single prompt, you can convert intricate reports, vital documents, and extensive research papers into Word documents. Modern OCR technology also ensures that the layout, formatting, and even the images of your document will be preserved.

Choosing an AI-powered OCR PDF to Word converter brings a suite of advantages. Let’s explore the key advantages of adopting an AI OCR tool:

Enhanced Accuracy

As discussed above, AI-powered OCR systems leverage advanced algorithms to improve the accuracy of text recognition. By accurately interpreting a wide range of fonts and handwriting styles, they reduce the chances of error and inefficiency.

Minimized Manual Data Handling

AI-driven document processing minimizes manual data handling. It cuts the costs otherwise spent on human labor and also speeds up workflows. Further, the AI-powered OCR tool allows for quicker decision-making and frees up staff for strategic work, boosting operational efficiency and data accuracy.

Multimodal OCR

An AI-driven OCR software can recognize and process text from a variety of sources, not just scanned documents. Whether it’s images, PDFs, audio, or even real-time video feeds, AI-enhanced OCR can recognize text, expanding the scope of document digitization.

Batch Processing

Most OCR tools, like Wondershare PDFelement, are capable of processing multiple documents in one go. Batch OCR is particularly useful for businesses dealing with large volumes of data. Such advanced functionalities optimize efficiency, allowing for the quick conversion of entire libraries of documents into editable formats.

If you are looking for a great OCR PDF tool, Wondershare PDFelement is a top choice. The platform stands as an all-inclusive PDF editor that houses powerful functionalities. At the heart of its impressive features is its OCR capability, transforming the text recognition experience.

Apart from this, PDFelement features an AI assistant, Lumi that interacts with your files. Its AI toolkit also includes the Rewrite, Proofread, AI-Detect, Summarize, and Translate features.

How to Convert OCR PDF to Word Using PDFelement?

With a single prompt, you can activate the Convert feature, streamlining the entire OCR PDF to Word conversion. Here is how to make it possible:

Step 1: Open the PDF file and navigate to the “AI Sidebar”. Choose “Chat with AI.”

Access chat with AI PDFelement

Step 2: Enter “How to convert PDF to Word?” in the chatbox.

Enter conversion prompt PDFelement

Step 3: PDFelement AI will provide the steps about converting PDF to Word in the software, together with the possible functionalities you may need. Click the “Convert PDF to Word” feature.

Access convert tab PDFelement

Step 4: In the popup Convert window, click the “Settings” button to set the OCR options.

Convert PDF to word settings

Step 5: After set the OCR option, click “OK” to start the process.

Ocr settings PDFelement

Traditional OCR approaches are effective for text recognition, but they are not without flaws. They often fail to capture text from low-quality images or decipher complex languages and handwriting. To fill such gaps, AI-powered OCR solutions offer a ground-breaking alternative.

In this article, we analyzed how modern OCR tools like PDFelement provide enhanced accuracy, security, and efficiency in document conversion. Embrace the future of document digitization with PDFelement’s AI-powered OCR technology.

[bazookaboi]

AUTISM CREATURE RANT [PART I]

@copperpipes I summon thee. 

So! This is the first official large rant I am going off about with my version of the TBH/autism creature/yippee whatever you call this lil dude by. 

School is quite meh right now so I couldn’t focus or write this nearly as well as I wanted to. I should have done more triple checking. >:(

Ok, um, let’s get started.

WHAT IS (my version of) THE AUTISM CREATURE?

The Autismus, also known as the TBH, yippee or autism creature(s) is an extraterrestrial genus known for its distinctive behaviour, hunting methods and high intelligence. This genus contains a few species adapted exceptionally for their corresponding environment, But today I will be focusing on one particular specimen; the Autismus niveus niveus, also known as the TBH-A1. 

(I may change the scientific name later… I’m still deciding.)

Oh, and if you are wondering what the “A1” on TBH-A1 means, it’s a way of calling them that I have developed so that I don’t have to say their long scientific names every single time I want to refer to an Autismus species. the A=species and 1=subspecies. TBH is what you can call the Autismus genus in general, as I said before- not referring to a specific species in particular. So, for example, there are TBHs like TBH-A2, TBH-A3, TBH-B2, TBH-C4 and so on.

Well then, back to the TBH-A1:

BODY PLAN:

As you can observe in the drawing of TBH-A1, It’s body is bilateral with symmetrical sensory organs. 

It has an endoskeleton, because it is way more efficient than an internal or external exoskeleton for its way of life. An exoskeleton would be much heavier and lacking in mobility compared to an endoskeleton, and although it would provide the body with better protection, the TBH-A1 needs to be lightweight and agile to capture its prey quickly.

For this same reason of weight and agility, it walks in a digitigrade stance with all four limbs, meaning that it moves around on its phalanges (toes) with the rest of its foot lifted. This also helps with stealth.

Its olfactory organs are separated from its airways, with two hidden nasal cavities found near the middle of its facial disk, and two breathing holes located on the back of its head. Its front-facing pair of eyes and single mouth are visible on its facial disk.

The TBH-A1 has serrated retractable claws. There are four of these on each “paw”.

Its head is large relative to the rest of its body, due to its large sensory organs and powerful jaws/muscles for detecting and catching prey.

HABITAT:

The planet that the TBH-A1 lives on is quite cold in general, but the part that it lives in particularly is really quite freezing, with subzero temperatures. Due to this, TBH-A1 has developed various ways to maintain the heat needed to survive: 

I] The TBH-A1 is an endotherm, meaning that it produces and regulates its own body temperature. This is necessary for their hunting and living style. Although ectotherms with proper antifreeze proteins or antifreeze chemicals in their organism would also be able to survive, they would have a significantly lower metabolism than an endotherm. The exposure to cold would naturally lower their metabolic processes, and they wouldn’t need to burn as much energy as an endotherm to keep warm, who in turn, would need more, but this would ultimately make an ectotherm slower and less active, which wouldn’t work for the TBH-A1. It is an active hunter that needs to be strong, fast and agile enough to take down its prey, even if it is an ambush predator.

II] It has Two thick layers of fur/feathery structures all over its body. The outer “guard” layer is waterproof and acts as protection against the cold, damp, snowy weather. The inner “insulation”layer is thicker, more closely spaced, and retains body heat. 

III] As for how it’s huge eyes are protected from the cold; they are covered in a thin layer of oil that lubricates them- preventing icy air from drying them out, and providing a barrier against wind and small ice particles from reaching their sensitive surface and causing damage.

IV] Below its coat, its skin is black, similar to a polar bear or artic fox here on Earth. This skin colour better at absorbing and retaining heat. Plus, its coat is translucent, only appearing white due to the scattering and reflection of visible light, and could allow for it to absorb more of whatever little uv radiation it receives.

V] TBH-A1 has rough, thick, fatty pads on its “paws”. These are surrounded by fur/feathers (I don’t know what to call them since they’re a weird mix of both and neither,) and their fatty design makes them able to not loose heat as easily as other tissues. The “paws” also act like natural snowshoes; being large in size and having special webbing between their digits to make the surface they come into contact with even broader.

—————

If any of this doesn’t make sense anatomically/realistically to you, please, don’t be shy to tell me about it, and why, if you want to. Any constructive criticism is highly welcome. It helps me improve my creatures. Also because I wish to expand my knowledge as much as possible in this life, and I enjoy feedback. :]

Forgive me for any grammatical errors. TwT

[what-about-zaladane]

The "Big Four": Why Mercury Deserves a Spot Next to Your Sun, Moon and Rising

The three pillars of modern astrology, after you get past Sun sign astrology, are your Sun, Moon and Rising sign (which I have complicated thoughts about -- but more on that later).

Sun: Your core self, ego and identity

Moon: Your emotional landscape, habits, and inner needs

Rising (Ascendant): How you interact with the rest of the world. How others first see you.

But to me, these "Big 3" leave out a very important part of the human experience: cognition and mental processing. Without it, I believe we can't capture the full complexity of who a person is at their most fundamental, and why they make the decisions that they make.

Why Mercury?

Mercury rules how we think, process, and communicate. It is the superego to the Moon's id and the Sun's ego. (I don't have a clean Freudian metaphor for the Rising, sorry.) It translates our internal motions and worlds (Sun and Moon) to the external (Ascendant). Without considering Mercury we risk ignoring that very crucial bridge between our motivations and our actions. No other planet has this level of foundational role in our psyche -- other than the Big 3.

Mercury helps you process and articulate your emotional needs (Moon)

Mercury helps you understand your own core motivations and desires (Sun)

Mercury impacts how the Rising sign is actually translated to the world -- after all, thinking (or lack thereof) is fundamental to making decisions on how and where to act.

How Mercury Fits In the Big 4

Imagine a two-dimensional axis:

If we consider Mercury (thinking) and the Moon (feeling) as opposites on one axis, and the Sun (internal drives) and the Ascendant (external actions) as opposites on the other, we start to see a workable framework for balancing the respective powers of the "Big 4" in a chart. As I like to call them:

Sun: How you want (motivation)

Moon: How you feel (emotion)

Rising: How you move (embodied expression)

Mercury: How you think (cognition)

For example, we might consider how dignified or debilitated a given planet is, and then we can see where along each axis a native might fall.

That's all mostly incidental though -- what I really care about is incorporating Mercury into the core reading of the chart as a balancing agent between the other three.

With Mercury, we have a richer, more nuanced framework. We can see how the energies and motions of the other chart objects are integrated and expressed via the processing of Mercury -- the integration of inner and outer worlds.

A note on sect doctrine and traditional importance:

A fair point to raise is that traditionally (hellenistically?) the Sun and Moon are considered important due to their centrality in sect doctrine, while the ascendant is critical due to setting the planetary rulers for each house. I'd argue that Mercury also has a soft signal of importance -- it is the only sect-neutral planet that can be a native of either. I'd argue that this points to its utility and function as a "bridging" energy between two diametrically opposed halves (the day and night sect; the inner and outer psychological words)

A Quick Example: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn has:

Gemini Sun: Restless, observant and clever. Motivated to gather data and make sense of the world. Performs intelligence as allure.

Aquarius Moon: Emotional glass walls -- she watches, analyzes and retreats. Needs emotional freedom but fears it. A coolness to this placement.

Leo Rising: A sparkling icon, a force of expansive personality, a walking light source. Projects warmth, sensuality and confidence to everyone around her.

But the addition of her Gemini Mercury shows how she takes her Big 3 personality (charismatic, emotionally complex, and deeply creative) and filters it through her deep intellectual curiosity, wit, and remarkable communication and negotiation skills. Without Mercury, we don't have a clear window into how emotion and personality are translated into words and actions.

Mercury is how her Sun learned to articulate itself.

It's how her Moon kept intellectual distance from the pain.

It's how her Rising crafted a language of seduction and softness.

Mercury-Moon-Sun-Rising: An Active Feedback Loop

I'm borrowing here from my limited knowledge of psychological systems theory, so forgive me if I mis-step.

With Mercury in place, we can model identity as an adaptive feedback system rather than a static map.

Moon triggers feelings -> interpreted by Mercury

Mercury builds narrative -> energizes or inhibits Sun motivation

Sun expresses intention -> channeled through Rising action

Rising behavior leads to experience -> which re-informs and triggers Moon

Loop complete. When you're well-integrated, the cycle hums along. When you're fractured or "unhealed" one part hijacks the loops or shuts down the others. That is the client story every chart is showing.

Try It Out Yourself!

Try reading your chart with Mercury as part of your core system. You can ask yourself some questions:

How do you process what you feel? (Moon)

How do you think about and negotiate your desires? (Sun)

What story do you consciously tell when you step out into the world? (Rising)

That's Mercury. That's cognition as a bridge.

A Quick Note on Rising Sign

I disagree with the idea that your rising sign is solely "your mask" or affects only your 1st house. In fact, your rising sign is the key to the rest of the chart -- how sign rulership over every house clicks into place (especially in the Whole Sign System). I'm currently writing up a post about my problems with the Rising Sign and my suggestion that we expand our view into a Rising Archetype, divorced from a single sign and instead incorporating all 12. More later! :D

[authorjielin]

One of the panels from the first book chapters. Malachia (inspired by Adler) and another angel (inspired by Hudson) are engaged in a heated discussion. The female protagonist walks in just as the angel with his back turned says the line.

My illustrated book “Apocalypse 1984” is essentially an expanded version set in an alternate context (for copyright reasons) of my AdlerBell fanfiction “America’s Monster.”

Here are some details:

The Setting:

Angels and demons have been locked in conflict since the dawn of time, meddling in human affairs. Angels aim to prevent chaos and maintain order, while Demons seek to free humanity from the chains of God. In this story, Angels are strict and disciplined beings, loyal to rules and duty. They operate in the shadows to ensure humans remain faithful to God. Demons, on the other hand, are rebels — both for better and worse — who urge humans to defy God, follow their own desires and will, and refuse to be subject to a higher power. Humans are unaware of their existence, as angels and demons easily conceal themselves among mortals.

Now, in 1984, the conflict between Angels and Demons has taken on even more subtle and darker tones, unfolding as a true battle of spies and secrets.

The Story (First Arc):

Apocalypse 1984 takes strong inspiration from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War — but with a twist of divine warfare. Instead of Perseus and his Soviet loyalists, demons take center stage. And replacing the CIA, MI6, and global intelligence agencies are the angels — Heaven’s elite covert operatives.

The protagonist, female, — inspired by Bell — works as a spy under the command of one of Heaven’s most feared agents: Malachia, the Angel of Death. Ruthless, brilliant, and deeply loyal to God, Malachia is so feared by his enemies that they’ve named him God’s Monster. His appearance recalls Russell Adler (with a mysterios black scar on his face, inflicted by a demon — most likely), but with a supernatural edge. Malachia possesses a unique and terrifying power: through direct eye contact, he can enter a target’s mind and manipulate their deepest, most primal emotion — fear. He weaponizes it, conjuring nightmarish hallucinations so intense they don’t just break the mind — they burn the soul. Prolonged exposure can kill the victim from within, leaving behind nothing but a hollow corpse. To keep his ability under control, he never removes his sunglasses, unless he has to.

The twist? (You probably already know it, if you like Cold War and have read my fic) The protagonist is not who she believes she is.

She’s actually a Demon — one of Devil’s most devoted, once destined to become his queen. But after a betrayal by one of her own kind, she was captured by the angels and subjected to a brutal reconditioning process. Her identity was rewritten — by Malachia himself — turning her into a tool for Heaven's war effort. Now, unknowingly, she’s being used against her own people. Her knowledge of demonic runes, languages, and strategy makes her invaluable to the angels — especially in a world where Demons communicate in a symbolic script Angels can’t decipher.

But when fragments of her old life begin to resurface — shadowy memories of a mysterious consort, a name she cannot speak but feels but feels burning in her blood — everything starts to unravel. Terrified of losing control over their most valuable weapon, Heaven gives Malachia one final order:

Replace the last piece of her memory. Erase the Devil… and take his place.

He must make her fall in love with him. And in doing so, ensure her blind, unshakable loyalty — not to the Devil…

but to him.

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Historical Fiction Book Bracket: Round 1A

Book summaries and submitted endorsements below:

Mischief & Matchmaking series (Don't Want You Like a Best Friend; You're the Problem, It's You) by Emma R. Alban

Gwen has a brilliant beyond brilliant idea.

It’s 1857, and anxious debutante Beth has just one season to snag a wealthy husband, or she and her mother will be out on the street. But playing the blushing ingenue makes Beth’s skin crawl and she’d rather be anywhere but here.

Gwen, on the other hand, is on her fourth season and counting, with absolutely no intention of finding a husband, possibly ever. She figures she has plenty of security as the only daughter of a rakish earl, from whom she’s gotten all her flair, fun, and less-than-proper party games.

“Let’s get them together,” she says.

It doesn’t take long for Gwen to hatch her latest scheme: rather than surrender Beth to courtship, they should set up Gwen’s father and Beth’s newly widowed mother. Let them get married instead.

“It’ll be easy” she says.

There’s just…one, teeny, tiny problem. Their parents kind of seem to hate each other.

But no worries. Beth and Gwen are more than up to the challenge of a little twenty-year-old heartbreak. How hard can parent-trapping widowed ex-lovers be?

Of course, just as their plan begins to unfold, a handsome, wealthy viscount starts calling on Beth, offering up the perfect, secure marriage.

Beth’s not mature enough for this…

Now Gwen must face the prospect of sharing Beth with someone else, forever. And Beth must reckon with the fact that she’s caught feelings, hard, and they’re definitely not for her potential fiancé.

That’s the trouble with matchmaking: sometimes you accidentally fall in love with your best friend in the process.

Setting: 1850s England (mid-Victorian)

Historical fiction, romance, mid Victorian, 1850s, series, adult

Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory (The Carstairs Affairs #1)

Endorsement from submitter: "Spies! Crossdressing! Drama! Action! Romance! The only way these historical spies can capture the villains is to pose as a married couple next door - only they dont have any lady agents available… Men must wear dress to save the country!"

Borrowed from the Secret Intelligence Service cipher department to assist Briers Allerdale - a field agent returning to 1920s London with news of a dangerous anarchist plot - Miles Siward moves into a 'couples only' boarding house, posing as Allerdale’s 'wife'. Miles relishes the opportunity to allow his alter ego, Millie, to spread her wings but if Miles wants the other agent’s respect he can never betray how much he enjoys being Millie nor how attractive he finds Allerdale.

Pursuing a ruthless enemy who wants to throw Europe back into the horrors of the Great War, Briers and Miles are helped and hindered by nosy landladies, water board officials, suave gentlemen representing foreign powers and their own increasing attraction to each other.

Will they catch their quarry? Will they find love? Could they hope for both?

The clock is ticking.

Setting: 1920s London

Historical fiction, spy novel, romance, mystery, action,1920s, adult

[emma23]

The unseen heart:

Duke Leto astreides x reader

If you want to support me, check this out 💕

https://ko-fi.com/settings?tab=profile

————————————————————————

The quiet corridors of Castle Caladan echoed softly with the distant crash of waves against the cliffside. Y/N walked cautiously, her head slightly bowed, eyes cast downward as usual. She had long accepted that she was, by all standards of the noble court, invisible. Her life had been spent in the shadows, her heart yearning for a love that would never be reciprocated — or so she thought.

Leto Atreides, the Duke of House Atreides, had always been beyond her reach. A noble leader, a striking figure, and the ruler of one of the most powerful houses in the galaxy, Leto was everything Y/N was not. She had admired him from afar, quietly longing for the impossible, and always aware of her place. Her affections were safely hidden, she believed, protected by her unassuming presence.

Until now.

It was a routine visit to the castle library where Y/N often lost herself in books, the only place she could escape the overwhelming reality of her insignificance. She was deep in thought when a low voice, warm and smooth like the distant tides, interrupted her.

"You spend a lot of time here."

Y/N startled, almost knocking over a stack of books. She spun around, her breath catching in her throat as she found herself face-to-face with Duke Leto Atreides himself. She swallowed, trying to maintain composure, though her heart hammered wildly in her chest.

"I— I enjoy the quiet," she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Leto’s dark eyes studied her, a faint smile curling his lips. "So do I." His voice was soft, but there was something in his tone — something more than casual interest.

Y/N’s mind raced. Surely, this was just a polite conversation. He couldn’t possibly be… no, she shook the thought away before it could fully form.

Leto stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I’ve seen you many times, you know."

Her stomach dropped. Seen her? That didn’t make sense. She had always assumed she was unseen, unnoticed, and certainly unworthy of any attention from him. She took a small step back, unsure of what to say, but Leto’s voice stopped her.

"Why do you look so surprised?" he asked, amusement in his tone.

"I— I didn’t think… that is, I didn’t realize..." Y/N stuttered, flustered beyond words.

Leto chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent warmth through her. "You didn’t think I noticed you? Or perhaps, you thought I wouldn’t."

She blinked, her mind scrambling for a coherent response. "I didn’t think I was worth noticing," she whispered before she could stop herself.

The smile faded from Leto’s face, replaced with a serious, almost pained expression. He took another step closer, and now they were standing so close she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

"You’ve always been worth noticing, Y/N," he said softly, his voice full of sincerity. "I’ve watched you for a long time. Your kindness, your intelligence… the way you carry yourself. I just…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I was waiting for the right moment to tell you."

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat. Was this real? Was Leto Atreides, the man she had admired from afar, telling her that he had feelings for her? She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

"You’ve captured my attention in a way no one else has," Leto continued, his gaze never leaving hers. "And I can’t stop thinking about you."

Y/N’s pulse quickened, her mind reeling. This couldn’t be happening. This had to be some kind of dream. She blinked rapidly, trying to process his words.

Leto reached out, gently taking her hand in his. The simple gesture sent a wave of warmth through her. "You don’t have to be shy, Y/N. Not with me. I choose you, now and always."

The room felt like it was spinning. She wanted to say something, anything, but her voice seemed to have abandoned her entirely.

"Tell me," Leto said, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. "Do you feel the same?"

Y/N swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. "I— I’ve always felt this way," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I didn’t think…"

Leto smiled again, a soft, genuine smile that made her feel like she was the only person in the universe. "Then we’ve both been waiting far too long, haven’t we?"

Before she could respond, Leto closed the small distance between them, gently cupping her face in his hands. His lips met hers in a kiss that was tender yet filled with all the passion they had both kept bottled up for so long. Y/N felt like she was melting, her knees weak as her body leaned into his, finally feeling what she had longed for.

The kiss deepened, and the world around them seemed to disappear. There was only Leto — strong, gentle, and hers.

Hours later, they lay together in the dimly lit room, their bodies entwined beneath the soft sheets. Leto's arm draped protectively over her, and Y/N felt a peace she had never known before.

Leto's voice was a low murmur in the darkness. "You’re everything I’ve ever wanted."

Y/N smiled softly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "I can’t believe this is real."

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "It’s real. And it’s just the beginning."

Y/N turned to face him, her heart full. "I never thought someone like you could love someone like me."

Leto smiled, his eyes full of affection. "Someone like you deserves nothing less than everything."

Y/N blushed, her heart swelling with happiness. And for the first time, she truly believed it.

[one-of-many-journeys]

Day 14

Cauldron Tau

The fight had been so tough, and I was so relieved that we'd all made it through alive, that I almost cheered. Then I remembered what we were fighting. Zo gasped in grief and ran to Fa's side, despite its deadliness in battle.

That, I couldn't understand. Varl stopped me from saying something stupidly insensitive, but Zo heard enough. I think she thought I was being patronising, which I guess I was. She knew; she had no regrets, only despair at her shattered faith. She didn't mourn her god, but her conviction. I asked if she wanted to leave, but she said she had no home to return to, not for long.

Zo wants to understand what's really threatening her people, but remains skeptical of my ability stop it. All I could do in the moment was show her the way forward. If she was ready for the truth, she'd have to follow.

As in any Cauldron, its core processor raised up into the chamber with its defenses destroyed, but when I moved to override it, I could tell something was wrong. Soon after triggering the procedure, purple lightning crackled from the core, out through the node and along my spear, igniting my muscles in spasms of pain. Just like in Thunder's Drum. The last person who tried to expel Hephaestus from a Cauldron core was Ourea, and she hadn't survived the process.

Hephaestus spoke, its voice booming through the chamber and cutting through my Focus feed. Even deeper, as if competing with my own thoughts, somehow louder, but slowly fading in intensity as the override procedure carried on. The usual threats, the usual fear; hatred, most of all. Hatred of humans, the perceived enemy of Hephaestus' precious machines. I held on. It can only have been the presence of the master override that saved my life.

Driven from the Cauldron, Hephaestus' intelligence fled the site, re-entering the global network connecting all Cauldrons.

If I ever want to capture it, I'm going to have to lock it in one place. Gaia would be able to help me, just as soon as I captured Minerva, purged its highly-advanced malicious code, and re-merged it with her. Somehow. At least it didn't seem like Minerva was working with Hephaestus. If she was subject to the same emotional reasoning, I could use it to my advantage. Minerva's was the only signal that I was able to pick up from Latopolis. Maybe it wants to be found.

With the Cauldron overridden, my Focus received new override codes for the local machines, though nothing that could help with Hephaestus' new Apex models. Some of the overrides were corrupted as well, so I'll need to gather more data from those machines before I can piece the code back together.

Without Hephaestus to lock us out, the rest of the facility opened up. With a little further exploration, we found the entrance. I've never seen a facility meant for humans attached to a Cauldron before.

Soon after we entered, Minerva revealed itself. It seemed to be hijacking the facility's automated intercom, speaking in the same voice I'd heard emanating from gene-locked hatches and other ancient systems. Robotic in nature, but its words weren't mere protocol. Minerva wanted us out.

Inside, the facility flickered to dim life, certain systems still operational enough to register the presence of people. A voice announcement, uninfected by Minerva, announced the place as a 'Regional Control Centre'. I remembered the term from data about Gaia's design. These places were meant to be manned by the humans of the new world, taught by Apollo. Each Control Centre was meant to exchange data in a global network, just like Hephaestus and its Cauldron network. It made sense that Minerva would choose this place to hide out, as it once served a similar function as part of Gaia.

This place could have been amazing, a place of learning and collaboration between Gaia and her human progeny. Instead, its empty, half-dead. Undiscovered for all these years.

Before I could explore the Control Centre any further, Minerva cut the power. Fortunately, the emergency lighting kicked in. Unfortunately, it was a very ominous red. Minerva's threats didn't stop either, but unlike Hephaestus and Hades, it had no killer machines to throw at us, just some flashing lights and distorted noises. It might have been enough to any other tribespeople—even Varl and Zo were put off by its tactics—but not me. I told Varl and Zo to stay put while I climbed up an elevator shaft into the main floor of the Control Centre.

I found the facility's main data centre, a ring of server racks still in good condition despite their isolation. A spidery arrangement of cables hung down, converging on the main server node below. From what I could pick up with my Focus, the room above was some sort of holographic theatre that housed the primary interface to access data stored below. That's where I'd find Minerva.

Unfortunately, it locked the door at the top of the stairs, so I was forced to find another way up. I kicked in a ventilation hatch and crawled out toward the scent of fresh mountain air.

Outside, I scaled the side of the mountain, gripping at frozen waterfalls and the stalactites of old cascades. I spotted Plainsong below in the distance, and thankfully the fighting seemed to have ceased as a new day dawned. I hope the Utaru are okay.

Climbing higher, I found another way into the room I sought, dropping down on top of the domed roof of the holographic theatre. Minerva's protests followed me, and I could sense the fear in its frantic mechanical observations.

As soon as I tried to access the theatre's console, Minerva retracted it, and the interface sunk down through the floor and sealed itself over. I had no choice then but to try and communicate with it directly. Unlike Hades and Hephaestus, I could see no reason why Minerva's programmed directives would mark humans as an enemy. It was Minerva's capabilities that allowed Gaia to deactivate the Faro machines and build signal towers across the world to communicate through a global network. Now it was stuck here, unable to communicate, cut off from that vast network, and suddenly saddled with the capacity to feel alone.

So I asked it if it remembered the way things used to be, before the signal, before it took refuge in this place. It did, and its voice changed, warmed; the jagged red lights on the wall smoothed over calm. I told it that things could be that way again, that it could fulfill its purpose as part of Gaia, but then it asked me if it would cease to exist. And I didn't know for sure, but I thought so. I hoped so. This, whatever happened to it, was never meant to happen. It was a mistake, and not to correct it would be too dangerous to permit. It was a perversion of Elisabet's design, a tool forged by an unknown enemy.

It was a curse.

I told it the truth. Fortunately, Minerva seemed to take this as a positive. An end to its existence meant an end to its loneliness, its sadness. Maybe it knew that it wasn't meant to exist like this, separate from Gaia, mutated from a cryptographic engine facilitating network protocols to an feeling being. It could feel its own wrongness.

Minerva agreed to the merging process. I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't. It released the console, and I inserted the Gaia kernel into its data capsule port. I next activated the master override , detaching it from my spear to insert alongside the kernel. From there, I was able to interface with Gaia's utilities. It still recognised Minerva, thankfully, and by issuing a series of rollback procedures I was able to revert Minerva's code to its condition before the signal mutated it, though I had to revert it further still to get it into a state that was interoperable with this earlier version of Gaia.

The master override purged the malware now separated from its host, and after initiating a security scan from the Gaia kernel itself, twice, I felt things were safe enough to proceed. With all systems reporting the all-clear, I activated Gaia's boot sequence.

She appeared in a burst of light. Yellow, as she was in her original form back in Elisabet's office at Zero Dawn HQ, when she represented herself as a processor core. Before she took on the form that Elisabet designed for her. Gaia smiled at me, and I gave a cautious smile back, still half believing that this too would prove to be a trick. It was Sylens that tipped me off about the kernel's location, after all.

But no, Gaia reacted as if she saw me, here and now. She greeted me as Dr Sobeck.

I didn't know how to say it. I could only stutter, but Gaia took the matter into her own hands, scanning my Focus. I could feel the connection as it initiated; she projected pieces of my past onto the theatre wall as she reeled through over fourteen years of footage in moments.

Of course, I knew that this was an earlier version of Gaia who wouldn't remember presiding over the Earth for centuries—wouldn't remember trying and failing to create the world three times over, let alone creating me—but I still hoped there'd be a way to restore her memories. Back when I first watched Gaia's message left for me inside Eleuthia-9, I thought I would be able to repair that version of Gaia, like healing a person who was sick. Instead this was like...winding back time and pulling a younger version of that person into the present. One who was missing so much knowledge. Until now, this Gaia didn't even known that Elisabet was dead.

I wonder, what was her last memory? How violent did it feel to wake up nearly a thousand years in the future? Maybe not at all, for a machine.

All I could think was that I had woken her up here, in this mess, to fix it, just as her older and more evolved self had done to me.

For all the times I'd dreamt of this moment, I'd never pictured it clearly. I'd never thought it through, just concentrated on getting here.

The entirety of my past ingested, Gaia called me by my name, which made things a little less awkward. She said that she was still initialising, still booting up, and that the process could take some hours. I figured there was plenty for her to sort through, between re-integrating herself with Minerva, quashing any latent remnants of the malicious signal, getting up to speed on the last thousand years, and sorting through the data I'd given her. There was a whole bunch of stuff on my Focus scraped from Cauldrons, machines, and other ancient facilities that weren't in any human-readable form, but I'm glad I hung onto it all. Gaia will be able to make sense of all that machine-speak.

Before re-entering her boot sequence, Gaia connected to the Control Centre's systems and restarted the power, unlocking doors throughout. There wasn't much I could do to prepare Varl and Zo for meeting her, so all I said to Gaia was to take it slow with them, at least at first.

Varl was in awe, but Zo was wary, still confused. At least Varl didn't start calling Gaia 'Goddess' or anything. They greeted one another, and I explained that Gaia was still waking up, so to speak, and ushered them out. There'll be plenty of time for them to talk to Gaia later, hopefully after I've spoken to her and got some answers of my own. I hope she can make sense of the data I uncovered at Gaia Prime and from Hades. And Latopolis, from those strangers and their Specters.

Gaia and I agreed that this place would make a good base of operations. It was meant to serve as just that for the people of this world, giving them oversight of the whole region. Once Gaia is up and running again, this could be the first Control Centre back in at least semi-intended operation.

Getting ahead of myself. There's a lot standing between me and that future. For the moment, I was exhausted. A quick look around the facility and the technology it offered, then I'd find a corner to curl up and sleep.

The main area of the control centre was meant to be a meeting place for its occupants. There were kitchen facilities, shelves meant for food storage, and a common table. Space for far more than three. I could see the circulators in Varl's head turning, and I decided not to outright forbid him from inviting others. I trust his judgement.

Alongside more seating areas, there were containers spread with old soil. That got Zo thinking, or at least gave her something familiar to put her mind to. A bit of mulch and new world seeds, and this place could be looking like it was meant to, apart from all the rust and mould. Zo didn't want to talk about Fa.

The doors ringing the common area were still locked up tight. Gaia told me that there were parts of the facility she still couldn't access. Due to the degradation of its systems over the centuries, power storage and usage was inefficient. It was the best Gaia could do to divert what she could access from the Cauldron repair bay, but with her current processing power, it wouldn't be enough to get the whole facility up and running. She was still breaking in, stretching out; getting used to this new, limited body.

Varl and I headed downstairs, returning to the server room underneath the holographic theatre to see what data and equipment we could scrounge.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much. A huge portion of the space had been taken up by Minerva and her bloated, malware-infested code. With the rot removed and re-merged with Gaia, they together took up a fraction of the space, giving Gaia plenty of room to grow and amass knowledge. Compared to schematics of Gaia prime, this facility is tiny, but once Gaia has access to her old global networks, maybe she'll be able to spread to inhabit other Control Centres as well. The more I thought about the logistics, the more I realised how little I really understand of how Gaia functions beyond an abstract level. Not for much longer; besides, now that she's awake, Gaia will know what to do. From here on out, I follow where she leads.

I hope she knows how, despite her lost memories.

I found a good spot to hunker down inside a storage room off the main data centre. Most of the crates were empty, meant to hold whatever it was that Gaia's collaborators were meant to store. There was some equipment inside, mostly defunct electronics. Good for parts and not much else.

It was the warmest spot I could find, right under a buzzing strip of light. Gaia's still working away on her systems; strategising, I hope. I need to talk to her as soon as she's ready, finally get some answers.

That fight against Fa really took it out of me, especially with these lingering injuries. I probably could have benefited from staying in Stone's Echo a little longer, though it wouldn't have done the Utaru any good. Plainsong would be a cinder pit of supplicants by now if I hadn't moved when I did. I was exhausted, in pain, but overwhelmed with hope for the first time since All-Mother mountain opened its door to me.