#Non-invasive vampire preservation

[kyelily]

Fun Modern Vampire Aesthetics/Ideas

Rocker/Pop Star: possibly a daywalker/half blood. Wears bright flamboyant colors, skirts, dresses, bodysuits, suits, a band tee and jeans, or next to nothing depending on where they're playing, and changes the color of their hair regularly. Wears ridiculous hats and sunglasses to the red carpet. Owns a record store that takes up a full block in NYC, with a secret basement that has signed/rare records. Was insanely popular in the 90s-2010s, but faked their own death to focus on small gigs. Plays small clubs around the world, feeds on people they can see/sense spiking drinks in the club. Non-lethal feeder, but had a bit of a wild phase in the 80s. Full left sleeve tattoo.

Park Ranger Vampire: lived through some of the worst periods in history, and just wanted to be in nature. Travels to every major wildlife preserve in the world, and only feeds on invasive species to keep the balance. Still has hope in humanity, but hates company. Only takes the night shift. Wears a ranger outfit when around anyone who would care, otherwise wears an ancient cloak that their only human friend tailored for them in the 11th century. Has cabins around the world, each filled with books from each era that they have weathered there. Every dwelling is fully off grid, with power being supplied by a nearby stream, or solar/wind energy. Tattoos and scars from every century.

Ocean Vampire: So insanely traumatized that they don't want to be around anyone or anything. Perhaps a mix between a mermaid and a vampire, they feed exclusively on illegal fishing operations, freeing sharks and dolphins and eating entire crews of terrified fisherman. Possibly able to be in the sunlight because of their mermaid lineage, but if not, they return to the twilight zone to escape daylight instead of returning to shore or finding shade. Alive for time out of mind, they do not communicate with words anymore and wear no clothing.

Journalist Vampire: Able to get anywhere and extract information from anyone, they are valued highly in their profession. They typically report on and photograph war, because their safety is all but guaranteed. They are like a ghost as well: any photographs or videos taken of them do not appear, so they are able to do their work in relative obscurity. They feed on anyone that they deem harmful, from business executives, to labor camp ringleaders, to neo-Nazi influencers. They wear whatever suits their needs at the current moment. They do not listen to music, they do not read, they just try to show the world anything and everything that is going on. MANY tattoos.

(Silly One) Professor (Energy Vampire): These vampires construct the most boring possible lectures in an attempt to sap the energy from every single student. Sometimes there are students who resist them, or are immune, which enrages them. Their fashion sense is if a Victorian child was stretched vertically, and they look ancient yet youthful.

[punjabcosmetologyclinic]

Why Must You Choose The Best Anti Aging Treatment in Punjab?

Maturity is a natural process that affects everyone, yet the physical indicators of age do not have to define us. The desire to preserve a young look has resulted in an increase in demand for anti-aging therapies globally. Punjab, renowned for its rich cultural past and technological developments, is no different. With the emergence of cheap cosmetology services, Punjab is developing as a hotspot for high-quality anti-aging treatments that meet a variety of demands and budgets.

Understanding Anti-Ageing Treatments

Anti Aging Treatment in Punjab includes a number of techniques that aim to diminish the apparent indications of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and sagging skin. These treatments range from non-invasive approaches like topical creams and serums to minimally invasive procedures like Botox and dermal fillers, as well as more invasive choices including facelifts and laser therapies. The objective is to renew the skin, restore suppleness, and give it a young sheen.

Why Choose Punjab for Anti-Aging Treatments?

Cutting-edge technology: Punjab's cosmetology clinics are outfitted with cutting-edge technology and equipment, guaranteeing that patients receive the most modern and effective treatments possible. These cutting-edge facilities allow for best results with little discomfort and downtime.

Expert Practitioners: The region's cosmetologists and dermatologists are extremely trained and seasoned. These specialists are up to date on the most recent techniques and trends in anti-aging therapies, ensuring that patients receive individualized and effective care.

Affordable Services: One of the primary benefits of choosing anti-aging therapy in Punjab is the low cost. Compared to many Western countries, the cost of these therapies is substantially lower, making them more accessible to a wider range of people while maintaining high quality.

Many clinics in Punjab take a comprehensive approach to anti-aging. To improve overall results, they promote a healthy lifestyle that includes nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being in addition to exterior therapies.

Popular Anti-Ageing Treatments in Punjab

Botox and Dermal Fillers: Botox injections temporarily paralyze muscles, which helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, restore volume to the face by plumping up regions that have thinned with age.

Chemical Peels: This therapy includes applying a chemical solution to the skin to exfoliate the damaged outer layers. Chemical peels may considerably enhance skin texture and tone while decreasing age spots and fine wrinkles.

Laser therapy is used to resurface the skin and stimulate the creation of new skin cells and collagen.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive technique that uses small needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulates the body's natural healing process and increases collagen and elastin production.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment: This therapy, often known as a "vampire facial," creates a plasma-rich solution from the patient's blood and injects it back into the skin. PRP treatment stimulates cell development and collagen formation, resulting in revitalized skin.

Choosing the Right Clinic

When choosing an affordable cosmetology services in punjab, consider the following:

Reputation and Review: Look for clinics that have received great feedback and have a strong reputation for producing high-quality results.

Qualified practitioners: Ensure that the clinic employs certified and experienced specialists.

Consultation Process: A competent clinic will conduct a thorough consultation to better understand your needs and provide the best treatment strategy.

Check to see whether the facility offers complete aftercare to provide the best possible results and to address any issues that may arise following treatment.

Conclusion Punjab's cosmetology clinics provide a great combination of innovative technology, expert practitioners, and economical services, making it an excellent choice for Anti Aging Treatment In  punjab. Whether you want to smooth out wrinkles, restore face volume, or revitalize your skin, Punjab offers a wide selection of treatments to assist you accomplish your aesthetic objectives. Accept the opportunity to rejuvenate your youth and enhance your confidence with high-quality, low-cost anti-aging remedies available in Punjab.

[rokwarn20]

London's Youthful Glow: The Quest for the Best Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Introduction:

In the heart of London, a city that epitomizes sophistication and timeless elegance, individuals are embarking on a quest for a youthful glow that defies the hands of time. Among the arsenal of anti-ageing solutions, anti-wrinkle injections have emerged as a powerful tool in the pursuit of a flawless complexion. This comprehensive exploration delves into the vibrant landscape of London's beauty scene, focusing on the quest for the Best anti wringle injections in london and shedding light on why they have become a pivotal choice for those seeking to preserve a youthful radiance.

Understanding the Desire for Youthful Skin:

In a city that thrives on innovation and embraces global beauty trends, the desire for youthful skin is more than a superficial pursuit. Londoners, with their diverse lifestyles and dynamic careers, seek solutions that align with their individuality and the vibrant energy of the city. Anti-wrinkle injections, commonly known as Botox or dermal fillers, have become an integral part of this pursuit, offering targeted and effective solutions to combat the visible signs of ageing.

Precision in Targeting Wrinkles: The allure of anti-wrinkle injections lies in their precision. In London, practitioners skilled in the art of aesthetic medicine can strategically target specific areas prone to wrinkles. Whether it's crow's feet, forehead lines, or frown lines, the precision of these injections allows for a tailored approach, ensuring that each individual's unique facial dynamics are considered.

Minimally Invasive Nature: Londoners, known for their fast-paced lifestyles, appreciate the minimally invasive nature of anti-wrinkle injections. The use of fine needles reduces the risk of scarring and eliminates the need for extended downtime. This aligns with the city's ethos of efficiency and convenience, making anti-wrinkle injections an attractive option for those with busy schedules.

Natural-Looking Results: The goal of anti-wrinkle injections in London is not to erase facial expressions but to enhance natural beauty. When administered by experienced practitioners, these injections deliver results that are subtle, natural-looking, and in harmony with the individual's unique features. Londoners value the preservation of their identity while enjoying the benefits of a refreshed appearance.

Temporary Effects with Long-Term Benefits: Anti-wrinkle injections provide temporary results, typically lasting several months. This characteristic allows Londoners to assess the benefits without committing to permanent changes. Moreover, regular use of these injections can contribute to long-term benefits by preventing the formation of deeper wrinkles over time.

The Quest for the Best Anti-Wrinkle Injections in London:

Botulinum Toxin Injections (Botox): Botox injections are a cornerstone of anti-wrinkle treatments in London. Administered by skilled practitioners, Botox can effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily relaxing facial muscles. The treatment is precise, minimally invasive, and offers a quick solution with minimal downtime.

Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers, containing substances like hyaluronic acid or collagen stimulators, are widely used in London to restore volume and smooth out deeper lines. Popular for enhancing features such as the cheeks and lips, dermal fillers provide immediate and noticeable results.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: PRP therapy, also known as the vampire facial, is gaining popularity in London. This treatment involves using the patient's own blood to extract platelet-rich plasma, which is then injected into the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture.

Thread Lifts: Thread lifts offer a non-surgical alternative to facelifts, using dissolvable threads to lift and tighten the skin. This treatment is gaining traction in London for providing subtle yet noticeable results with minimal downtime.

Benefits of the Best Anti-Wrinkle Injections in London:

Immediate Results and Minimal Downtime: The immediacy of results is a significant benefit of the best anti-wrinkle injections in London. Many individuals notice a visible reduction in wrinkles within days after the treatment. The quick and straightforward procedure ensures minimal downtime, aligning with the dynamic lifestyle of the city.

Enhanced Self-Confidence: The smoothing effect of anti-wrinkle injections often leads to a significant boost in self-confidence. London residents report feeling more comfortable and positive about their appearance, and the refreshed look positively impacts their overall well-being.

Customized Treatment Plans: Far from a one-size-fits-all solution, the best anti-wrinkle injections in London involve a personalized approach. Skilled practitioners work closely with individuals to create treatment plans that address specific concerns and desired outcomes, ensuring each person receives tailored care for optimal results.

Proactive Approach to Ageing: Beyond treating existing wrinkles, the best anti-wrinkle injections in London serve as a proactive measure. By relaxing facial muscles, these injections help deter the formation of new wrinkles, making them an investment in preventing further signs of ageing.

Conclusion:

London's youthful glow is not merely a reflection of a city that never sleeps but a testament to the innovative beauty solutions embraced by its residents. The quest for the best anti-wrinkle injections in London is a journey that goes beyond the surface, encompassing a desire for self-expression, confidence, and a timeless radiance. As individuals continue to explore and embrace these transformative solutions, they are not simply engaging in a cosmetic procedure—they are participating in the city's vibrant narrative of beauty and individuality.

In conclusion, London's youthful glow is an ongoing story, with the best anti-wrinkle injections playing a significant role in its chapters. As residents pursue ageless radiance, they discover that the best anti-wrinkle injections are more than a beauty treatment—they are a key to unlocking confidence, self-expression, and a radiant, timeless allure.

[sometipsygnostalgic]

something I mull over when AT crops up on my dash is, I remember when people were miffed about the episodes in the future implying that all the kingdoms will eventually fall and much of what the characters have done are for naught and i think... well, that's the point. Humanity nuked itself and ended their world. The theme continues that all things end, and must change and revive themselves; nothing lasts forever. Not relationships, not love, and not kingdoms. A gentle fading away.

The thing is, there are several episodes exploring legacy, not just PB’s legacy, but also that of other characters.

Here is a conversation from the episode Astral Plane that may peak your interest: 

Finn asks if being born is the greatest act of creation, then is everything else just waiting for the end? Think of how the Candy Kingdom was born and will fall to its inevitable downfall. 

GGGG says that creating his society isn’t enough, he needs to protect it. PB protects her candy kingdom through a number of methods. She is obsessed with this task. 

Finn asks what it’s worth if the society falls apart. If PB’s society falls apart, then in her eyes, her life was for nothing.  That was her perspective at this part of the show.  

GGGG responds with action - immediately sacrificing himself in order to preserve his legacy.  

If we examine PB’s response to threats that propose the end of the world, sometimes they are a lot worse, like mounting up armed forces and getting into conflict. But inside and outside of those conflicts, she usually puts herself on the front lines. Like Something Big, or the battle against the Vampire King, or against GOLB, where she was prepared to handle the conflict herself, even if it seemed impossible and came at high risk of her death. And I think we should recall the episode Reign of Gunthers, wherein she was prepared to just... make bottles for eternity if it meant Gunther wouldn’t end the kingdom. Peebles will get her hands dirty and put herself at risk of death to protect her creations.    

But she’s also made several preparations for Future Ooo, that are leaked across the show - she is very determined to preserve her legacy even if Ooo goes KaBOOM, which is something she rightfully fears is inevitable. 

This is primarily seen in the episode “High Strangeness”. Peebles has created rocket ships to make new candy kingdoms across the galaxy. She feels bad for keeping this a secret, but she thinks Ooo’s going to hell, and this is the only way to guarantee that her “eternal empire” will live on.  

Then let’s look at the Graybles 1000+ future you propose: When we first see the future Candy Kingdom, it appears to have been destroyed. This would match up with what you said - PB never learned from her mistakes, and ended up going to a war that resulted in the CK’s destruction, leaving all of her work futile because everything still happens in cycles.

But, in the episode Graybles 1000+, while everything stays, it still changes. The candy kingdom is abandoned, not bombed out. Bubblegum’s society has not been destroyed - she saved it!!!

She saved the candy people by putting them in stasis, and running from whatever conflict was at risk of destroying the kingdom. And her sacrifice is she has to stay awake and find a new home for the candy people, while under threat from Gibbon and the Ice Thing, the latter who has kidnapped her in the intro. 

The poetry here is that Bonnie’s kingdom was unable to maintain itself in the state she wanted it to. She wasn’t able to keep her eternal empire. But she was able to keep her legacy going, to survive, and look after her people. And she did this by withdrawing. Instead of putting everything against the Pup Kingdom, and fighting a losing battle, she did something different and retreated. 

I also want to talk about her perspective in the finale, and in Obsidian. As of “High Strangeness”, it’s pretty clear Bubblegum thinks her kingdom is going to collapse no matter what, so she should make preparations for that day. She’s coming to terms with how it’s impossible to protect it forever, and trying to do so was driving her crazy.  After the finale, where she nearly died in the battle against GOLB, PB resolves to take another step back from the kingdom. It’s a leap of faith. She wants to spend her best life with Marceline, no matter how short or long  that time is.  In Obsidian, Marcie and Peebles think they’re going to die at one point, but they spent that time with each other. The songs “Monster” and “Eternity with You” make it clear that they have no idea how long they will last, but if they spend that time with each other, it will have been well done. And I’ll take from this that even though PB and Marcy might get tragically separated in the future, they’ll be satisfied for having lived together in the moment.    

So, Peebles taking a step back from her kingdom to work on her personal life goes along nicely with what you were saying. What’s the point of spending your entire life on a project that will inevitably collapse and leaves you dying alone and unhappy? Isn’t that a waste of time? Isn’t it better to live for yourself, even if it makes you feel like you have less control if a crisis does emerge? 

But this doesn’t mean the act of creation was pointless, nor that the act of maintaining the kingdom is wrong either. 

Bubblegum’s more extensive moral compromises, such as attempting to spy on everyone, and micromanaging her citizens, were wrong. It was trying to prepare for a threat that cannot be predicted or prepared against. She was constantly validated in this behaviour by Finn and Jake going missing in Lady & Peebles, or the fire kingdom hiding nukes in The Cooler, or the lich returning, or Peace Master making threats in Nemesis. But if she has to compromise so much of herself to look after the kingdom that the citizens themselves are struggling to live freely and are becoming scared of her, what is the point? She’s sacrificing her “humanity” when it might not do her any good in the end. 

Making soldiers and having non-invasive contingency plans, however, are a fantastic idea. Improving defenses, Saving as many people as you can without compromising your morals or their dignity. 

That’s what she does. And yes, she still takes some moral shortcuts, even at the end of the show. But she no longer does anything like in season 6, and is a lot better as a ruler for it - being able to make the decision to withdraw from an unwinnable battle in the late future, even if it means her people can’t re-establish their kingdom for hundreds of years. 

[mortalcoilrp]

TIMELINE

2020-2117: The rise of aggressive officials in powerful countries facilitate escalating conflicts in most parts of the world. Technology becomes more and more advanced and new laws create a "big brother" atmosphere wherein citizens in many countries are so monitored that privacy is minimal. 2100: The construction of New Venice is officially begun to preserve and move the old Venice, rapidly sinking due to increased global warming and rising sea levels. 2118: A coalition of fae bureaucrats reveal their true nature to the public, tired of hiding. It's clear that some of their number are interested in power, though many wish to help against the growing environmental disasters and global warming. The mass glamour suddenly collapses, revealing daemons and ichor to humans. Reactions from humanity vary; some are amazed while others fear them. Terrified of being watched by these mysterious "new" creatures, many humans begin to destroy more invasive technologies. 2119: Not wanting to be singularly exposed, the fae courts reveal the existence of vampires and wargs, intending to bring the species together in a way that will overpower humans or at least lead to balance. An uneasy coexistence is established since so many of them are revealed to be in positions of power. The technological destruction movement gains more and more traction among humans who are anti-supernatural, believing that they are being watched, while other humans believe it's more advantageous to use them to the opposite effect for spying on their enemies. 2127-2128: A plot between heavily anti-supernatural humans launch weapons of mass destruction into areas known to have large numbers of supernatural people in an attempt to eradicate them. With the sudden drop in their numbers, which were already a minority compared to humans, and loss of many powerful members of non-human species, non-human species in many countries are thrown into chaos. In many places they are systematically exterminated and kidnapped for experimentation. "Witch" burning practices are revived. 2130: Some supernaturals, especially those in less affected areas, reorganize and retaliate with their own methods of destruction. Many resources are intentionally destroyed to prevent humans from creating technology that can rival or incapacitate supernaturals, making their powers more valuable. The violence is especially prevalent in continental areas where initial destruction most prevalent and people must fight for survival; people begin moving towards the coast when they are able. This also causes some areas to break out into more violence as species try to stake their claim on emptier areas of land. 2150: By this time the global network has reached its end and communities are much more isolated, giving pause to the massive violence as depleted civilizations rebuild. Countries and borders as we know them in 2020 have disintegrated and shifted drastically. 2190: Technological progress has resumed, albeit more slowly due to loss of resources and knowledge, this time with more supernatural influence in places where they are accepted. New Venice has grown massively in size and has a huge supernatural population where much of this is taking place. Advancing areas of the world begin reconnecting, this time with a much more mixed population. 2199: Heavily human / anti-supernatural powers, some religiously fueled, are attempting to resume the persecution of non-human people. 2209-2217: More supernaturally friendly areas, which have been attempting to intervene for a while, decide to fully commit to war. New Venice, led by a vampire prime minister, is part of this. The war drags on for years. In 2214, New Venice begins to draft citizens, both men and women, for the cause. 2218: The war reaches stalemate when the main powers, near the brink of total destruction, essentially reach a stalemate where ceasefires are agreed upon but no side technically surrenders. The Prime Minister of New Venice is now human and offers the gift of supernatural technology in exchange for human-centric powers to see their value and stop their extermination. 2220: Present

[virtuissimo]

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (Review)

Roanhorse has effectively cemented herself as a visionary in indigenous futurism with her rich world-building, her casual commentary on the powers that be, and even her dynamic and lovable characters, but I think it’s perfectly clear that this is her debut novel. She definitely gets lost in the sauce plot-wise towards the end, and there are several points where the potential for improvement is obvious. Nonetheless, she’s got me rearing for the next book already, and I will definitely be following this series.

This is the kind of book where I really think you can get the most out of it if you go in blind with very little prior knowledge of the book, and it really is a good one. I encourage yall to give it a go. If you don’t care about getting a little more detail, I’ll go into a spoiler free section.

No Spoilers

Okay, first thing I’ve gotta talk about is the setting. First off, it’s AWESOME. The setting is about 6? 7? years after an apocalypse. The explanation for it is really organic and it informs a lot of how the book proceeds.

Idk if this counts as a spoiler so it’s in its own paragraph, but basically the apocalypse was a series of natural disasters around the world plus a major flood that drowned out most of the continental U.S. except for a few walled off city states. The walls are specifically and emphatically NOT the ones that the Trump administration is gunning for—Roanhorse dismisses that quite quickly. These walls were ones that local communities decided to put up, and they are made of beautiful materials that have cultural significance for the Dine.

My favorite thing about the setting is the societal organization. Dinetah is a really interesting place because of the ubiquity of Dine people & culture, but also because Roanhorse obviously has a lot of really interesting thing to say about what apocalypse means to a people that have already had their apocalypse. They already had foreign invasion and genocide, they already had their numbers chipped away to a shadow of its former size, they already had their land destroyed beyond recognition. So what does it mean when in apocalypse destroys the society that destroyed yours? I think Roanhorse’s answer is that it did more good for the Dine than bad. They are freer and safer in an apocalypse, even DESPITE the presence of monsters everywhere.

One thing I really liked about her approach to Dinetah was the use of language. To quote a journal entry I wrote about this book: “Roanhorse makes creative use of Dine words and language. There is no glossary, and sometimes there isn’t even an in-text translation. English speakers are forced to pick up Dine words with no life preserver just as so many non-English speakers are forced to do the same in our world.” Most of the concepts, like clan powers and ghosts and monsters, have a Dine word attached to them, and you learn to recognize them as you read. She doesn’t remind you of their definition either: you either paid attention the first time it came up or you’re screwed! It was just an interesting stylistic choice, and I enjoyed the experience.

Another note about the setting that I love: I LOOOVE the references to the other citystates. I think one was New Detroit? New Denver? And there was a Mormon citystate (when I read that I screamed) and there was one called Aztlan (!!!!!) which was very exciting for me. I have complicated feelings about Aztlan because I think most people who live in this post-apocalyptic citystate would probably not be indigenous Mexicans but rather americanized mestizo Chicanos who think they have an inherent claim to the land just because they colonized it first, but I think as an indigenous author I can trust her to develop a nuanced view of Aztlan and what that means for Mexican Americans (especially consider the fact that she had several sensitivity readers mentioned in her acknowledgements). I really hope we get a chance to explore those in future books.

Oh, also: there are no white people in this book. Like, none. They reference them in vague terms, but I don’t think there was a location or scene that had a white person even in the background, and there were certainly no speaking parts for white people in this book. So basically I loved that. I do that often in my own writing but it’s so rare in mainstream fiction. There is a family that is not Dine in the book, but they are a large black family. With regards to the writing of the black characters: I noticed that her physical descriptions of them sometimes had words that I’ve seen on lists of What Not To Say About Black Characters (comparing skin color to food, particular words used to describe hair, etc.), but I flipped to the author bio and she apparently is black as well as indigenous so I guess my concerns weren’t really relevant lol. One of these characters is also gay, and I thought his characterization was a little bit weird, but it’s fine I guess.

Now I haven’t seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I’ve read a spinoff from the same universe and have heard enough about it to see the obvious inspiration that Roanhorse took from it. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course; Buffy has a very particular energy where it’s fantastically easy to get invested. Maggie Hoskie as a hero is easy to love, and even as someone who doesn’t typically like lengthy action sequences, I found the fighting scenes thrilling. However, at the same time Roanhorse commits some of the same mistakes in writing her female protagonist that Joss Whedon so famously introduced into the mainstream, and there are a few times where it becomes difficult not to roll your eyes.

As I’ve seen other reviewers note, Maggie as a character is very reliant on the men in her life. She describes early on how her life was saved by Niezghani, an immortal godlike monster slayer, and his presence in her thoughts influences nearly every decision she makes throughout the novel. Some people have a problem with this; I personally think this is a fine set-up. The author takes great care to show how unhealthy her relationship with Niezghani is. Even when Maggie is talking about how great and powerful he is, how she should be grateful that he even gives her the time of day, we as a reader can tell something is very wrong with their relationship from the very beginning. I don’t really like the direction Roanhorse went with Niezghani (I’ll get into that in the spoilers section I guess), but I thought this relationship as a premise was fine.

I think where she slipped up a little was in putting her relationship with Kai, a mysterious and charming medicine man who helps her on her investigation/quest/whatever, as the center of the story. I guess technically we’re not certain about this since the whole series isn’t out yet, but I think it’s safe to assume this guy is endgame. The whole first half of the book is spent getting to know Kai, which I think is fine because he is a great character and truly charming. (I’m always suspicious of “”charming”” type characters because more often than not the author makes them annoying and presumptuous.) He actually seems to care about the things that are happening, he doesn’t make assumptions, he understands boundaries, and his kindness is genuine. I like Kai, okay, he’s great. BUT I think that spending so much time with him instead of ruminating with Maggie some more was a mistake.

I can understand WHY roanhorse did this: Maggie is someone who is very wrapped up in her thoughts, and 9 times out of 10 her thoughts are really fuckin depressing. I just think that a lot of time was spent characterizing Kai when it could have been done in less time and more efficiently.

The main thing about Kai is that his skills as a medicine man are very mysterious, and Maggie becomes curious very early on about the nature of his abilities. The answer to her questions, though, aren’t given until very very late in the book. In fact, we don’t understand everything about his medicine man secrets until like 10 pages from the end. I think this is way too late. First off, we don’t get to see him in action very much, and the way things go I really wish we had. Second, Roanhorse just wastes a lot of time in the beginning and crams a whole lot in the end. From a world-building perspective these sections are really cool and fascinating, but plot-wise it’s extremely inefficient that we learn about Kai in bits and pieces like this, especially since all of his secrets kind of come out one after the other all crowded at the end. I don’t know if she got the right balance in that tradeoff.

Another critique I’ve seen people have is that all of Maggie’s problems AS WELL AS the solutions to her problems revolve around the men in her life. I did think it was strange that Maggie was essentially the only major female character in the whole book. There was Rissa, but she was a minor character and didn’t have much agency in the plot. I would say that Maggie did have agency, and the way she carries herself both in conversation and in action both suggest that she is making her own decisions independent of male influence. I see where these critiques are coming from, though, and I agree that more of her story should have been herself rather than obsessing over these men.

Minor spoilers I guess: One scene that I think most socially conscious people rolled their eyes at was the decision to create a plot point where she had to get all dolled up in a sexy outfit because Reasons. And then people had that weird Oh My God So Hot moment that we are all so fond of (/s). Annoying tropes like that rear their ugly faces from time to time, but this is the only one that really irritated me.

Yea. I mean. It’s a good book. I think yall should read it. As I’ve said, the worldbuilding and setting is awesome, the characters are super cool, the action is cool and Actually let’s just get into the spoilers.

SPOILERS

Coyote was one of my favorite characters. I think Roanhorse may have wanted him to be a morally gray could-be-either-side type of character, but I really saw him as a straight up villain just because he never actually did help them in a way that didn’t backfire. I love reading him though; the sheer chaos that he brings to every scene really appealed to my gayer side. I don’t know if this is an aspect to him that is commonly seen in folktales or something, but I did think that he was a little over the top creepy about the sex stuff though. When he said that shit about Maggie jacking off to Niezghani I was just…ok he’s crossin some Lines here. Also he was constantly making Kai and Maggie uncomfortable sexually, so I don’t really get why they were always so willing to trust him. Still, he was SO interesting. Whenever he showed up I was instantly enthralled.

One thing that got on my nerves a little was that from the very beginning, it was very clear that Kai and Maggie being endgame is a given. Don’t get me wrong, Roanhorse put in the work to make them seem like a really organic and natural couple. And I guess it’s kind of respectable that she didn’t try to pretend like it wasn’t gonna happen, cuz we all knew. But I think it was a little annoying that EVERYONE, including Tah and Longarm and Grace and Coyote and Kai and EVEN MAGGIE at times were basically of the attitude that they were just biding time until they eventually hook up one day. She really didn’t have to do all that; I liked them as a couple already!

Okay but plot-wise, I have to say this, but Roanhorse REALLY got lost in the sauce there. The final battles were so complicated, and there were actually 3 different scenes that felt like they could be the final battle but then there was more (the battle where Rissa got gutted, the Niezghani versus Maggie fight, and the Black Mesa battle). I feel like she couldn’t decide on a conclusion for book one and just threw all that in there for good measure. In any case, it made the last third of the book really messy and unfocused.

I think she also had too many Reveals. Like, Niezghani revealed Kai’s identity, Kai reveals his true intentions, Coyote reveals his plan, Maggie reveals her counter-plan, and Coyote reveals the circumstances of her nali’s death. TOO MUCH. It was all so cloudy and confusing towards the end, especially with regards to Coyote’s plan. First of all, I didn’t really understand what his plan was on first read, and I ESPECIALLY didn’t understand why he took the time to explain it to her. Second off, I didn’t understand Maggie’s counterplan (I don’t think it’s explained in too many words?) and I ESPECIALLY didn’t understand how they planned to have Kai survive. (Now that I’ve had time to think about it I suppose it’s related to his fast healing situation probably, and they just decided to murk him and see if he was actually immortal or whatever the fuck.) Also Kai and Maggie had that whole conversation about their love life right in front of Niezghani………messy as fuck and also is this really the time?????

One thing I really liked about the beginning of the book was that Maggie was such an unreliable narrator when it came to Niezghani. Like, it was pretty obvious that he’s garbage from the beginning, but Maggie just idolizes this man and you have to like scream into the book WHYY??? But the only way that she’s able to idolize him that way is that he presents himself as a mentor, as an authority, and maybe not so much as a caring figure as much as someone to look up to. He is, if nothing else, RESPECTABLE. But when he finally shows up in the Maggie v Niezghani fight, he is not respectable. He is overtly cruel in a way everyone, including Maggie, can see. He is overtly manipulative. He is overtly uncaring and honestly terrible. But this portrayal of him is SO MUCH LESS NUANCED than it was at the beginning of the book. I wish Roanhorse had had the guts to make him more complicated. To make him ACT apologetic or ACT like a mentor, but to make him a hypocrite. That, to me, would have been much more interesting. I understand that trauma informed a big part of the reason Maggie trusted him in the first place, but I wanted to meet the smooth and enchanting man that Maggie fell in love with but all I saw was this horrible person who never even tries to hide how horrible he is.

Of course, as this is just the first book, we don’t really know what is to come. Since Niezghani is just chillin under the dirt, I think we can assume that he’ll be back. Nonetheless, I’m a bit disappointed that he was pacified/restrained at the end of this book. I kind of hoped that after this confrontation, Maggie would have an epiphany about all the shit he put her through, and then in following books he would be the main antagonist. They would have various run-ins, but only in the final book has she truly built up the strength to get her comeuppance. Or something like that. I just wanted Niezghani’s role to be stretched out is all. I wanted her arc of truly unpacking all of that mess to be over the course of several books, not just one novel in which she’s also distracted by her budding romance with Kai and also the monster stuff.

So yea. It’s a good book. There’s problems, as I’ve clearly stated, but honestly a lot of them come across to me as rookie errors. This is her debut novel, and I don’t think it’s that weird for her to use these tropes in ways that I as a reader don’t care for. However, I definitely think that the pieces are there for her to make excellent use of her setting and characters and pull together a really energetic and thrilling series. Looking forward to returning to the Sixth World!

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

Character Names in Eleutherophobia

Since I’ve had a few people ask me about the character names in Eleutherophobia, I figured I’d run down the whole list.  These names are approximately in order of appearance in my various fics.  To be clear: this is not crossover fiction.  These are supposed to be nods to these characters, not the characters themselves.  Bearing that in mind, in approximate order of appearance:

Day the Earth Stood Still

Essa 412: a yeerkanization of “Boy 412,” the main character of the Septimus Heap series.  In my opinion, the second best treatment of the impact of war on children ever written into a modern fantasy series.

Leslie Burke: the deuteragonist of Bridge to Terabithia.  The character always reminded me of a younger Rachel, so I chose to give the name to the bearer of Rachel’s death.

Anne Shirley: the main character of Anne of Green Gables, who often goes underestimated for the extent to which she is a tough, complex, socially awkward heroine written in 1908.

George Little: the younger brother of the title character of Stuart Little.  Mostly named because I wanted to give David a last name that implied cowardice without being ridiculously obvious about it.

Lost World

[Steve] Carlsberg: the not-quite-antagonist of Welcome to Night Vale.

Akira 

Dr. Miranda Franklin: named for Miranda of Dr. Franklin’s Island.  Kind of a pun on my part: the plot of that book involves one of the main characters involuntarily turning into an anaconda. 

Jennifer Murdley: titular character of Jennifer Murdley’s Toad, one of the books in Bruce Coville’s Magic Shop series who learns the very hard way to love herself. 

Mrs. [Hannah] Gruen: Nancy Drew’s housekeeper.

THX 1138

Joey Costello: the deuteragonist of Tangerine, a story about two boys who have very different sets of troubles with their respective older brothers. 

Dr. Pendanski: one of the incompetent counselors from Holes by Louis Sachar.

Jodi O’Shea: far and away my most pointed literary allusion.  Jodi is a minor character in The Host by Stephenie Meyer, a book which I love (except for the extremely problematic ending, but I’ll get back to that). The Host is essentially a love story between a yeerk (Wanda) and a human (Ian) whose entire plot is driven by consent negotiations.  It’s about Wanda and Ian wishing they could be together but knowing they never will because they can’t be without violating the right to consent of the yeerk’s host, Melanie.  Melanie, meanwhile, is in love with a different guy... Who can’t be with her either without violating Wanda’s right to consent.

[SPOILER WARNING] Eventually Ian resolves this love quadrangle by putting Wanda inside a human (“Pet,” and don’t get me started on that name) who has been a controller for so long that she has forgotten how to exert her own conscious will.  Wanda and Ian presumably do the horizontal tango using that host instead, AND THIS IS TREATED AS A HAPPY ENDING.  Jodi O’Shea also meets the same fate as Pet: Jodi has forgotten how to feed herself or move on her own, so her own husband decides that they should just put her yeerk, Sunny, back in her head.  Sunny claims that Jodi is brain-dead... But Sunny is also strongly motivated to lie.  (There are also implications that Jodi’s husband becomes romantically involved with Sunny instead, a plot which is so horrifying it deserves its own blog post.)  Most importantly, all the main characters are really happy that these poor hosts are vegetables.  There is an entire subpopulation of humans who have become entirely dependent on their alien slave masters for survival... and this fact is treated as the solution to all the characters’ problems.  It’s celebrated.  And, yeah, both THX 1138 and Ghost in the Shell contain some pretty pointed commentary from me on why I find this ending to be so deeply unfortunate.  [END SPOILERS]

Ghost in the Shell

Mary Lennox: the main character of The Secret Garden, the first book without pictures I ever read on my own. 

Rose Rita: main character of The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring, and arguably one of the first genderqueer characters to make it into a children’s fantasy novel.

Margaret White: the antagonist of Stephen King’s novel Carrie, obsessed with preserving the innocence (and thus the dependent ignorance) of her teenage daughter.

Sophie Hatter: main character of Howl’s Moving Castle, who does in fact make her own clothes.

[Mr.] Broxholm: the titular alien from My Teacher Flunked the Planet by Bruce Coville, one of the most awesome and profound children’s sci-fi novels I have ever read.

Anita Psammead: a nod to The Five Children and It by E. Nesbitt, one of the first ever fantasy novels written for children. 

Miss Zarves: the teacher from Sideways Stories from Wayside School who doesn’t exist, because she was accidentally assigned to teach on a floor that was never built.

Nikto 770: nod to the code phrase in Day the Earth Stood Still (the original movie, not my fic).

Kit Rodriguez: the deuteragonist of the Young Wizards series, known for his passion and tendency to care deeply for others.

Aristotle “Ari” [Mendoza]: main character of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

Dante [Quintana]: main character of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

Gabriel “G.T.” Stoop: the main character’s mentor in Hope Was Here.

Elijah Springfield: a teen detective from the Veritas Project series.

Lydia [Bennett]: supporting character from Pride and Prejudice.

Nick Adams: a recurring Ernest Hemingway character.

T.J. Avery: next door neighbor to the Logan family in Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.

Cecily Tallis: the narrator’s older sister (and unwitting victim) in Atonement by Ian McEwan. 

Maybeth Tillerman: one of the main characters in Homecoming by Cynthia Voight, a book that critics like to describe as “the anti-Boxcar Children” for its unflinchingly realistic portrayal of childhood homelessness.

June Boatwright: one of the protagonist’s mentors in The Secret Life of Bees.

Caitlin Somers: a Judy Blume character from Summer Sisters.

Alex Morales: main character of The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer.

Cooper-Trebond: shortening of “Alanna Cooper of Trebond” the name of the main character of Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness series.

Jesse Hauptman: the protagonist’s stepdaughter and mentee in the Mercy Thompson series.

Timmy Dugan: lesser-known real name of WWII comic book hero Dum Dum Dugan, sidekick to Nick Fury and Howling Commando as part of the Marvel universe. 

Luke Castellan and Chris Rodriguez: two of the supporting characters from Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  I wouldn’t say that Luke Castellan is the first meatsuit I ever fell in love with (despite him being basically a voluntary controller and also a human dumpster fire), but I would say that he made my tendency to care too much about meatsuits in general about 1000 times worse.

“Cornelius”: okay, this one is in fact a crossover—that’s meant to be Tyler Durden, main character of Chuck Palahnuick’s Fight Club. He’s a schizophrenic, lonely guy who goes to support groups for various traumas that he never actually survived (usually under the fake name Cornelius) because that’s the only way he knows how to connect to people. 

Odette: the protagonist of Swan Lake and several subsequent adaptations, including Mercedes Lackey’s awesome The Black Swan.

Rod Allbright: another character from My Teacher is an Alien, because I love that series. 

Officer Nice: a nod to the song of the same name by Vio-Lence, one of my few non-literary allusions.

Gerald “Jerry” Cruncher: a guy who works as a porter (and remover of bodies) in of A Tale of Two Cities. 

Paul Edgecombe: main character of The Green Mile, a deeply conflicted prison guard who gets cast as Pontius Pilate in a modern-day gospel retelling.

Kate Malone: narrator of Laurie Halse Anderson’s amazingly powerful novel Catalyst.

Mae Tuck: matriarch of the titular immortal clan from Tuck Everlasting.

Annie Hughes: one of the main characters from The Iron Giant.

Kirsten Larson: one of the first characters from the American Girl series, an immigrant from Sweden who struggles to acclimate to the United States.

Adah Price: one of the co-narrators of The Poisonwood Bible, a disabled polymath who loves palindromes and puzzles.

Iris Chase: a society lady and heiress from The Blind Assassin, which chronicles family dysfunction and its unique impact on women over several generations. 

Dawn Schafer: part of the enormous rotating cast of protagonists from The Babysitters’ Club series, and one of my favorite characters as a kid.

Henry Case: main character of the genre-creating cyberpunk novel Neuromancer.

Parvana Weera: a tough, outgoing young woman whose struggle to keep her family safe during the American invasion of her home in Afghanistan forms the main plot of The Breadwinner.

Raven Madison: main character of Vampire Kisses, who spends a little too much time in her intense fantasy worlds and not quite enough connected to reality. 

Mr. [Bob] Grey: pseudonym used by the creature also known as Pennywise the Clown and simply “It” in several of Stephen King’s novels.

Ms. [Mary] Logan: mother of the main character in Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, because I love that book.

Karana Nicoleño: although Karana, the main character of Island of the Blue Dolphins, doesn’t technically have a last name, her tribe is historically referred to as the Nicoleño.

Total Recall 

Vicky Austin: main character of A Ring of Endless Light, a book about coming to terms with dying—and about the many complex shades of victim blaming that can occur in light of unquantifiable tragedy.

Samuel Cornick: roommate to the eponymous Mercy Thompson of the bestselling Patricia Briggs series, a werewolf-doctor who continuously struggles to find meaning in an excessively long life and one of my favorite characters of all time.

The Thing from Another World

Seth Clearwater: a minor character in Eclipse, one of the youngest werewolves of the Quileute pack.

Captain William Nasland: one of the more obscure characters to hold the title Captain America; retconned into the role following Steve Rogers’s “death” in 1945.  Acts as both a hero and a villain because he has a well-intentioned but also closed-minded idea of what Captain America should be. 

Allison Chapman: main character of Sharing Sam, K.A. Applegate’s lesser-known novel about teenage basketball geeks who back their way into understanding the life, the universe, and everything.

Simon Grace: one of the main characters of the Spiderwick Chronicles.

Giselle Villard: one of the main characters from the Mystic comic book series who is awesome, tough... and more than a little power-hungry.

As far as I can tell, that’s it for the character names in Eleutherophobia.  I mentioned here why Marco’s last name is Alvarez and Cassie’s is Day in my series.  There are a few dozen other allusions as well (Tom and Bonnie bastardizing the “tears in the rain” speech from Blade Runner, Cassie quoting the epigraph from Home of the Brave, several nods to Remnants and Everworld and The One and Only Ivan, Marco making jokes about Lost World and Alien) and obviously all my fic titles are from classic sci-fi movies while all my song nods are The Best of 1990—2000, but as far as I know that’s it for allusions. If there are any that I missed, or that you’re still wondering about, let me know and I’ll happily clarify.

[endreal]

AU where everything's the same except that, unlike their invasive European cousins, native vampire species are primarily pollinators 🌺

#agender #queer #noninvasivevampirepreservation (they/them, okay to reblog except for creeps)

[mortalcoilrp]

FACTION: PACTUM SANGUINE

"REAL GODS REQUIRE BLOOD” SUBPLOT

The Pactum Sanguine is essentially the high society of the vampire world, existing since ancient Greece. Members support each other with business dealings and assistance with survival. The society is actually quite non-aggressive; through grudges and rivalries are common among its members, violence is rare (aside from the occasional duel) and members are governed by a strict code of honor.

There is no formal government within Pactum Sanguine. Instead, each family chooses its representative, who then acts as the family’s voice in meetings. Traditionally, decisions of Pactum Sanguine have governed vampire involvement in human affairs, though it has historically lacked the internal order necessary to push a unified agenda on any but the gravest threats to vampires.

Arranged marriages are common among its members who wish to preserve bloodlines. The Books Pactum contain information about vampire history as far back as can be traced, though not all of it is necessarily accurate – and is very western-centric. The most famous is the Book of Bloodlines, which contains vampire family lineages through the ages. Families must provide proof to be in the book. The older the bloodline, the more respected the family – though in reality it's quite hard to prove who was here first.

INNER WORKINGS

Each family has its own traditions, particularly their own way of presenting a representative. For some families, it's simply inherited, for others, it's elected, and for still others, more elaborate rituals are constructed: the first vampire born after a blood moon, for example.

The Pactum has been engaged in a power struggle with the Xolotl bloodline for years since the arrival of the previous family head from the Americas. This has only escalated since the marriage of the current leader, Scilla Cavalieri, to a human, and her subsequent conquest of the New Venetian Mafia.

MEMBER FAMILIES

Once the site is open, members will be able to reply to the appropriate thread to add their own vampire family.

CHERNYAK: Slavic (modern day Russia—Belarus), est. 12th century. Originally settlers and traders, their aristocratic expansion (and survival) is sourced from gluttony and carnage. The anglicized spelling was established sometime in 14th century, as part of commercial strategy and brutal invasions on Western territories. They've kept their fangs sunken on publishing and press since the 18th century, and would rather drain it all than let go of such power and control. Within the Pactum, they're known for full reactionary and inflammatory ideology stating the absolute superiority of vampires over all others species, a hateful sentiment towards the working-middle class and vile behavior towards the non-European families. Their name is used as a verb for reprehensible actions, or an adjective for immoral things.

XOLOTL: Mesoamerican, est. 14th century. Founded in the Aztec empire; later spread throughout Central and South America. A sprawling family with several branches and competing ideologies, united by shared ambition. The previous leader of the family, Simón de Zárate, arrived in Europe at the close of the 18th century and rose to power within the Catholic church, establishing deep institutional roots that benefited the family financially and politically for centuries. The Xolotl are known for their (relatively) more liberal attitude among the old bloodlines and strategic alliances with humans. Under the leadership of Simón's daughter, Scilla, the family (never fully welcomed in the Pactum) has taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward the Pactum's authority.

ROSTER

CHERNYAK REPRESENTATIVE: Louis Kernauk (NPC)

XOLOTL REPRESENTATIVE: Scilla Cavalieri