#Octavia’s introduction!!!

[oros-ash3s]

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚⋆ Febuwhump 2025 ⋆˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*＊

Day 18 || “Living Weapon”

TW: Dehumanization

✧ ೃ༄*ੈ✩

Wren didn’t know true fear such as this. 

The woman before them was one they hadn’t met in person yet. Cloaked in shadows, her black-as-midnight cloak masking any features that would’ve left her distinguishable – easy to recognize. The fabric itself seemed to be made of a hoard of spiders, thousands upon thousands of shiny black arachnids overlapping one another, the creepy-crawlies running up and down the expansive material, stretching out and spindling away. The very image would’ve been enough to make them shiver on a normal day, much less while trapped inside a warehouse belonging to only Eden’s most dangerous.

Unlike the other foes they and Alastair were forced to face prior to this, the woman was unmatchable. She radiated power, the very sight of her shooting spikes of fear into every person present inside the room, commanding respect. She was a faceless figure of pure strength, of wealth. Even the air around her seemed to be cooler, tension thrumming through it, bending around her figure in waves.

She observed them carefully, eyes flickering over their trembling, fragile body, taking it in, calculating. Despite her face being covered, the cowl of her cloak jutting sharp black shadows across her cheeks, leaving only her mouth visible, Wren could just tell that she was watching them. There was something about her gaze, so pure and horrific, so electrifying, that froze them in their very spot. It was intense, powerful; any thoughts of resistance, of putting up a fight, dissipated as soon as it landed on them, seeming to stare straight into their soul. 

The look of the once fiercely-defiant rebel halting to a stop, eyes wide and terrified, morphed the woman’s deadly serious expression into a softer one, amusement quirking at the corners of her lips. “Not so strong, are you now?” She whispered, voice soft as velvet. 

Through the entire fight, all of Wren and Alastair’s struggle, she hadn’t raised her voice. It echoed throughout the room, despite the hushed tone, repeating hauntingly in their ears, a mere breath along their neck. There was something about the steadiness in her voice that was more horrifying than any of the unbridled rage they had faced in previous battles. This woman was level-headed, ready. There was no hesitation for what she was going to do to the two of them, no remorse. Just complete and pure indifference. 

They swallowed hard, fear stealing the sharply-spit retort from their tongue, silencing them. Months they had restlessly searched. They’d traced the states, not sleeping, not eating, a pure determination fuelling every single one of their movements. They’d given up everything for this very moment, and in an instant they regretted it. Fear overcame them, clawing at their insides, winding itself tightly around their neck, swallowing them whole.

They hadn’t thought this through. No, they hadn’t thought this through at all. 

“Thought so.” 

The smirk of her lips typically would’ve been enough to send them into a mindless rage, if not for the terror coursing through their veins, the fingers digging into the flesh of their arms, sharpened fingernails drawing blood. Muscular, brutish bodies flanked their sides, hands and arms wrapping around their torso, forcing them back, gripping them hard. The only satisfaction they received at this was the feeling of foreign blood soaking through their clothes, a sure sign of their momentary victory in the fight that had ensued only moments prior. They may have lost – but not without taking down a few with them. 

“792,” the woman called, facing into the shadows. “Come here.” 

Any success Wren might have felt, a small relief to the grim reality of their situation, instantly dissipated at the boy that dropped down from the darkness. 

He landed light on his feet, almost in complete silence. It was the movement of someone trained; competent. Someone that belonged within the ranks of the soldiers that were currently pinning Wren and Alastair back, pressing weapons into the soft flesh of their necks – warning. The boy even looked the part, dressed in the same green uniform as the others, a clone just like the rest of them. He was obedient, docile, just as they were supposed to be. He was perfect. 

And yet, he was entirely wrong. 

He stumbled forwards, the action stilted and unnatural, as if he was being commanded by strings, puppeted across the room. A sort of jagged silence still clung to him, not a peep escaping from his lips, even with the tenseness of his movements, evidence of the pain shooting through his limbs. He didn’t dare utter a word, following out the Master’s command in complete and perfect quiet. 

He knelt at her side, body curling in itself. It seemed to be robotic, a second sense, the way he moved. As if the obedience had been trained into him, head tipping forwards so quickly his chin almost knocked against his chest. The leader didn’t even have to ask, the routine one that they evidently had practiced numerous times before. It was mindless, an instant reflex. 

It was only now, with the lights shining down on him, a beam of white, pushing him into the spotlight, that Wren was finally able to see the boy in his true glory. 

Like all the other soldiers in the room, he was a bulky mass of muscle, hulking and intimidating. But besides for the uniform and silent obedience, that was where the similarities ended. This boy seemed to be foreign inside his own skin, the additional muscle rather awkward on his body, as if he was wearing a costume. Not like the others, who were well-accustomed to it, their bodies ones of true soldiers, trained down to the bone. This boy didn’t seem to be used to it, shifting uncomfortably, clothes too-tight. As if he had simply woken up like this, the drastic change leaving him disoriented and tense. He looked less like a soldier and more like a teenager on steroids, his very form unnatural and wrong.

His hair was chopped impossibly short, shaved down to nearly the skin. It wasn’t done in a gentle manner, small tufts of unruly black hair sticking out amongst the buzz cut, as if someone had held him down forcibly while they cut it, leaving a jagged mess as the final product. Not only that, but all of the visible skin peeking out from the constraints of his uniform was scratched beyond belief, marks that looked to be both self-inflicted and the result of another’s hands marring the surface, scars and whip marks alike snaking across. Veins bulged along his flesh, purple lines zigzagging across the surface of his skin, glowing faintly. Magic, flowing through his very blood, fighting to be released.

But none of these things compared to the sight of his face. 

A muzzle, black and chained, had been wrapped around the entirety of his lower face, gagging the boy. The silence that belonged to him now made complete sense, with the contraption wound across his mouth. The muzzle – a dog muzzle — dug into his skin, so tight that red lines of irritation had formed over his cheeks. And below this, a collar of the very same nature, fixed tightly around his neck, spikes digging into the soft, exposed flesh. The very sight made Wren shudder, a picture of pure horror. 

But even worse was who this faced belonged to.

As the boy glanced up, it was the swirling violet eyes of their best friend that met Wren’s. 

Wren choked on a sob, tears blurring their vision. A weak noise of protest escaped from their lips, opposite of what they had intended to do when they saw him again, all heroic and brave and fiery. They could not swallow their fear, not with the sight of Atlas before them, posed like some sort of pet, a lap dog.

It was seeing him like this that truly paralyzed them. The boy who had once been the epitome of strength, of resistance and power, who was now reduced to nothing, laid before them like a servant. It was enough to shatter them into a million pieces.

“Atlas.”

They gasped the word out, tears slipping down their cheeks, hot and salty. Months of searching for him, tirelessly looking, scouring every battle for that familiar face, the one that they would do anything to save, and he was right here. Yet he was not so much Atlas anymore, no recognition lying inside his features, his expression closed-off and cold, restrained. He didn’t spare them another glance, bowing his head again, eyes trained carefully towards the floor. 

And Wren was left to watch, helpless, as he knelt next to the very woman who had done this to him. 

The Master smiled, stroking the top of his head, the action done so almost lovingly. Wren might have once snarled and snapped at her, disgust flowing through their veins. But not now, not when Atlas allowed it, shaking as she touched him, ever so gentle. 

“That’s a good boy,” she murmured. “So obedient.” 

Atlas did not move an inch, the perfect image of complete calm. As the master carefully pet the top of his head, speaking to him as if he were some creature, a mere child — no, an animal, something so very below her — he did not resist. He sucked in the same laboured, pained breaths, body shivering and trembling, face tipped towards his chest. 

But he did not move.

“Go on now, 792.” The Master whispered. “Kill them.” 

And as the words left her lips, Atlas did not fight against the command. He turned his attention back onto Wren once more, his expression twisted into something gruesome, rage etching across his features. It was as they stared into his eyes that Wren understood, the look in his eyes undeniable. It was the look of pure and indubitable hatred. And it was directed towards them.

Atlas pounced. 

TAGLIST || @febuwhump @ohagi505 @vesanal @aalinaaaaaa @fangedcinnamonroll @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl @seastarblue @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @iamheretohurt @corinneglass @melodxi @thebookishkiwi @lancedoncrimsonwings @sugaredparchment @cepheusgalaxy @fizzydreamz @robinshandhurts @ieppiq @nosebleedgirlpunch @sunflowerrosy @charlachan @cacophonyofwords

[whyeverr]

Tacking a birthday celebration onto this chaos was a choice, but to be honest, I never really know what to do for an adult birthday anyway. Community potluck and confetti — why not?

[ign1ted-ember]

Haiiii! >w<

My names Octavia, I'm a robot moth-girl and this is my deranged little blog. I'm from WA (Western Australia not Washington). I'm just a wee bit addicted to warframe (over 1000 hours in just 5 months 😵‍💫) I also love CYNTHONI but am always Happy with other music recommendations. I'm Also transfem, lesbian and have ADHD :3

@embers-1n-the-dark is my headmate Vixen's blog/horny sideblog HEAVY CONTENT WARNING FOR IT

Don't be afraid to send asks/dms I don't bite (unless provoked or asked to ;3)

WE DO NOT ANSWER DONATION ASKS ANY GAZA ASKS WILL BE ASSUMED SCAMMERS AND BLOCKED

TRANSPHOBES, RACISTS, HOMOPHOBES, ETC DO NOT FUCKING INTERACT

Below are the tags I use and any links I may wanna add

Here's the link to praise or degrade me and absolutely melt me lol :3

And now the tags

#ember's ramblings - the dumb shit I occasionally say

#warframe - things regarding one of my favorite games

#ember's shitposts - my stupid ass memes from my collection of over 11000

#ember's asks - asks people send me and the answers I provide to them

#Octavia irl - general selfies, tummy Tuesday, Gunpla basically just stuff outside my online presence

#gunpla - Gundam model kits and stuff relating to them

As of right now that's all I can think of but will probably edit this in the future for now welcome to my blog and enjoy your stay ^-^

[lyraoctaviawrites]

Welcome to the Octaviaverse!

This is the side blog for @lyraoctavia and I will be posting everything relating to my writing, artwork, music, games, etc here from now on. I thought it would be better to split the two to keep things more focused on the ridiculously expansive interconnected universe I’ve created over my many years as a human being, featuring literally dozens of ideas because I am a slave to my own creativity and my work is never finished. Sound good? Of course it does!

What kind of stuff do I do?

Writing: I like to write stories, usually fantasy, with epic, sprawling worlds, intricate magic, sarcastic and often completely ridiculous humour, identifiable characters with a ton of emotional development and campy ass villains who will entertain you so much that you’ll want to grind them into a fine paste with a large boot. However, I wouldn’t be adverse to also writing some slice of life stuff too. I am a certified Alice Oseman fangirl after all. I tend to not shy away from commenting on certain serious issues (e.g. abuse, death, self harm, attempted suicide) as well, so a lot of my works contain trigger warnings. However, I don’t enjoy writing explicit sexual content or stuff with a ton of blood and gore so don’t expect any of that.

Games: I am currently a game design student so most if not all of my game ideas are just that. Ideas. Ones that I will undoubtedly be crafting into the incredible experiences I know they have the ability to be. Most of my ideas are for platformers or RPGs with very little in-between and will all have, hopefully, perfect blends of story and gameplay. I personally hate when a story based game is bogged down by too many cutscenes, especially if the gameplay isn’t really that interesting so I’ll always try and strike a balance or find a workaround. My games all have amazing stories to tell but a story ain’t all a game is. Might as well make em fun first, right?

Music: I got a little less to say about this one. Most of my music writing is for my games that don’t exist yet, so I literally have hundreds of tracks just kinda sitting around waiting for me to use them. Sometimes I make other music but that’s rare. Most I’ve got for now are a couple remixes and the score concepts I’ve made for an animated series of Into the Phantasm (please gods let this happen, it would slap so dang hard).

Art: I draw cartoon characters and that’s about it. I am not a professional artist by any means, but my silly little guys can’t just stay sitting in my head forever, sometimes I gotta put ‘em on a page, even if I ain’t some modern Picasso.

Current WIPs

Into the Phantasm (epic fantasy 5 part book series)

Finished works

A Penguin’s Tale (stop motion movie)

News

The prologue of Into the Phantasm (the first three chapters) is available to read and the book 1 rewrite is going smoothly. Hopefully it’ll all be available soonish.

A new project is peeking its head over the horizon and may very soon be upon us like a mighty storm. For now, I shall call it Project Jeans. Stay tuned for more information.

[glassamphibians]

she’s so cool dude

[khufiya-khaufnak-antariksh]

So earlier today I introduced some of my WIPs to some new people, and I realised that many people might not be familiar with those two WIPs.

Kriya Petri: fantasy (with body horror & dystopian elements). Setting: A country called Fillor on a planet called Thuluke. In Fillor, to bind yourself to the one you love, you require a trinamate potion to seal the bond. 'Trinamate' is marriage (though that is a rather crude translation of the word). But to get a trinamate potion legally, the couple needs to be… acceptable. A man and a woman who plan to have at least one child. Yes, it's been 1000 years since the global apocalypse, but 'sufficient reproduction' is still a concern among the Filore people (plus it's a moral virtue for the Divine Monarchy, who reside on the cloudlands, with an iron grip on the institutes of Fillor). A potioneer wants to elope with their lover, but the pair is, let's just say, not acceptable. So what are they to do? The potioneer brews a trinamate potion on their own, finding the closely guarded methods & ingredients for the potion through who-knows-who, bunch of shady people. The potion explodes. The potioneer knows the punishment for something like this. They'll be condemned to Kaewoe (so will their lover, if anyone finds out), a realm so deep below the ground that it's close to the core of the planet. Kaewoe, where the mind & body are destroyed by the horribly high concentration of magic. Kaewoe, the names & lives & loves of all who enter it, all slowly turned to unknowledge. Good thing stealing identities is absurdly easy in Fillor! The potioneer wipes all memory of their crimes & love (or else the Thought magicians would know), flees to the city of Naebo. Their name is now Kriya Petri,

.

Welcome To The Real World: scifi, fantasy, surrealism, horror, tragedy

This one's in very early stages Inspired by Frankenstein Setting: The Great South Asian Rip in Reality, where physics (time & space both) is just completely twisted. The year is sometime in the 2070s. Sometimes it's the 2040s outside the Rip. Depends when/where you step out. Moh-maya, reality's very fabric & everything that keeps up the illusions that comprise reality, are very malleable in here. Main character: Kabir aka Moksh. A closeted Indian trans man who lives a double life, perhaps even a triple life. One in which he's a cis woman & a regular bright STEM student (STEM studies also include study of moh-maya). Another in which he's just some guy with good friends (the most authentic of his lives), where he goes by the name Kabir & uses moh-maya to present as his true self. If only temporarily. (it's painful, mentally & physically, whenever he has to revert to the female form). The third is some mad scientist bullshit, he's going by the name of Moksh among his fellow mad scientists & his main project is a moh-maya Frankenstein's monster that others can share their consciousness with, such that they can experience shape-shifting more easily & go where they physically aren't, do things they physically can't. Let's simply call it the 'entity'. Due to many reasons, creating this entity is pretty illegal. Hence the new name & collaboration with fellow shady people. the plot, put shortly: he starts doing vigilante justice w/the entity & then goes far & gets more & more consumed w/work & things go verrrrrrryyyyyy wrong despite starting with (dubious but) good intentions.

in this second one i neglected to mention the fact that you, as the reader, get front row tickets to the main character's spiral into madness & justifying murders thru the entity + the entity is a whole person & has opinions + a whole lot of other stuff, I DID mention that this WIP is in very early stages but holy fuck i could go on & on about it (just not in a way that can be packaged in a structured & sensible introduction)

[ay0nha]

Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds | Lucius Verus Aurelius

SUMMARY: "Your brethren trust you, you are the embodiment of redemption.” They spoke around Lucius, spewing anything in hopes of saturating his mind.  “Where is your image of hope? Where is the person who will relieve you of the grief you share with your people? Where is your Empress?"

PAIRING: Lucius Verus Aurelius x f!reader (arranged marriage for political reasons)

WORD COUNT: 2.4K

WARNINGS: canon-typical things, not much, mentions of alcohol, old-timey language, Google-accurate Roman empire things, dancing, arranged marriage, talks of lineage, angsty-ish, quotes from various people like Nina Simone and Octavia Butler sprinkled into dialogue,  etc. 

A/N:  I quickly wrote this in a few days with the amazing help of @astrd00. This is just sort of an introduction to my fic idea so apologies if it's a little boring. Arranged marriage trope sort of colleagues to friends to lovers. Let me know if you'd like to be tagged for future parts. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment it really helps me to keep going! More to come, enjoy!

The Latin translates to: a water drop hollows a stone, not by force but by frequent falling.

Everyone clung to the fog of death in the air with stiff fingers, unwilling to let their proof of newly promised freedom go. They celebrated in the streets, disregarding the savagery that occurred only months ago. The public enjoyed the amnesia, looking to Lucius not solely for responsibility but as a new object to place culpability. 

Yet, the heaviness permeated Lucius’ marrow. He hid it well behind the mask of authority. Even a sharp eye would miss the way it restrained him, intentionally ignorant of a flaw in their new leader.

It might have even been seen as a strategic move, a way to humanize the gladiator who seemed to defy the Gods. Strategy outside the arena was new, different from the portrayed brute that dusted his hands with sand. What lay in his palms now was similar to that of a child’s heart, beating rapidly with a not-yet-known burden of life. It was heavy and warm, begging for unwavering loyalty from its possessor. 

Lucius remained delicate with his hold, but the heart wanted more from him. Strength and honor would soon no longer suffice. It needed sustenance worthy of devotion and destruction. His eyes were steady on this phantom heart until those around him required his attention. 

“Emperor—” A magistrate repeated, voice raising enough to tease an echo. The new title sat heavily on Lucius’ shoulders, contorting his body into a position that mimicked Atlas.   “Our suggestion should not be taken lightly, it is for the prosperity of your Rome.”

Scrutiny wasn’t found in his tone or bitterness behind the remark but rather in genuine regard. However, there was an intention behind the ownership of Rome, a hint at the generational promise.  

“The public can wonder, speculate, but they do not see beyond the issue.” He continued, watching the twitch on Lucius’ face. “You may not like the mere thought, but gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo.” The magistrate paused, his words lingering. “How much longer until Rome is hollow once again?”

“This order is a fallacy.” Lucius finally made contact, eyes surveying those around him. “There is a need for trust, yes. And yet, you ask for deception?” 

“You misunderstand us, Emperor.” Another member of the senate spoke, hoping to alleviate tension. “There would be no deception in this union, only fortification of the reigning; an image for the people to find themselves in.”

 “Your brethren trust you, you are the embodiment of redemption.” They spoke around Lucius, spewing anything in hopes of saturating his mind.  “Where is your image of hope? Where is the person who will relieve you of the grief you share with your people? Where is your Empress?”

—

You smiled through the wine-fueled chattering of the ceremony, appeasing those who had just witnessed your union, but your focus moved beyond the conversation and revelry.  Above you was a darkened sky that mimicked night. Rain poured down, tempting you to fall prey to its numbing hold. 

The Gods are favoring your union, you were told when the sky opened. Divine intervention.  

But you knew the Gods were fickle, always testing your will against temptation. It was a test sent for you, one that an elaborate wedding and an emperor declaring your shared existence hid well. 

So you ignored the call of the humidity, being dutiful to your new role as empress. People bowed to you and nearly cried at how beautifully you paired with your new counterpart. Even as you sat on the marble throne beside Lucius you couldn’t deny their exactness. 

“Don’t worry, they’ll soon pass out from the wine.” You spoke softly, eyes ahead at your guests as you spoke to your husband. His grip on your hand fidgeted exposing his anxiety. ��

Lucius paused, determining if honesty was worthwhile. His self-awareness was enough to remind him how unfamiliar he was with the environment that consumed his senses. 

“It is for them.” You nodded ahead to the crowd. The room was hot from the amount of bodies swirling around.   “Remind yourself of this when their faith falters.”

Lucius looked at you, attention trained on your profile. Even with a soft veil over your features, you were so absolute. 

“I know my purpose here. You are still learning yours.” You continued. “All I ask of you is that when they falter you place your trust in our bond.”

“I will place it where it is due.” There was your gladiator. The defiance comforted you. 

“Those around you are untroubled by that; all they crave is to spit on the fallen. It doesn’t matter if you are one of them, they are quick to turn.” You sharpened. “Be careful; join the sinful and you will be remembered with spite and desperation.”

You spoke of hidden things, of politics that lingered like venom in the bloodstream of the empire. Lucius knew not to mistake your words for ulterior motives. You were direct in your vows to further his image of a new Rome, it was why you were chosen to be by his side. Your mind was clear. You read the room perfectly, unraveling every detail of what was inherited. 

“My legacy does not motivate me,” Lucius stated. His ears attuned to you and you only, enraptured in how deeply you spoke as if it was a common thought. “I will not look to them for fame.” 

“You will, conscious or not. And once you do, you will not be able to look away.” You smiled pitifully as though you knew something he didn’t. “Just as they watched you fight, you misunderstand the impact of what is before you.”

“You believe that little of me?” There was a swirl of censure in his chest despite the small smile pulling at his lips.  

“There is opportunity to win, but that is a fool’s goal—

“To win?” Lucius scoffed. “Even you have been mislead, then. Thinking that there is a conquest waiting to happen.”

“I do not wish to insult you.” Your thumb adjusted against his fingers. It was in your nature to be candid, but at times you placed your frustrations unfairly. You softened. “Your promise of growth will help amend this.”

Lucius wished to pull away from you. He needed to think, to be separated from the feigned festivities adjoined to love. This was love; love created not between two people, but shared by you and him for Rome. 

That was not to say you were birds of a feather. 

Your strengths were found in your experience. Although young, you were no novice to how to hold your chin high while delivering truths to the senate. You learned from your uncle, an official who raised you on the true meaning of government. You were clever. The public viewed you as such. You were of noble status and fit to stand before them. 

What you lacked was a specific connection that Lucius brought to the people. He was one of them, raised humbly, hands worn from the earth’s harvest and war forced upon him. Lucius spoke well to them, building comradery with every way of life. 

“I would never ask you to compromise your beliefs. I know better than to think you’d behave.” You teased at his rebellion, hoping the guard that was up would calm. “Besides, a well-mannered lover is an offense.”

 “We are not lovers.” It was sterile in tone but revealed emotions long since buried.

“And we are not enemies.” You were quick, reading between his words to find the insult. 

“My lord!” A raspy voice begged for attention. “My lady!” 

You stood, bowing politely to the affluent man before you. He took advantage of the night; jewels adorned every finger that pulled at the elaborate fabric of his outfit. 

“It is time.” The rasp withered when he lowered to speak to you directly. His arms went wide as if inviting a hug, but he spun skillfully to face the audience. 

“Time?” Lucius looked to you. 

The man boomed over the forgotten rain. ““It is time!” 

Standing, you didn’t release Lucius’ hand. There was resistance on his end, wanting to remain sedentary and silent to wait out the rest of the night. 

“Our dance.” You answered to his wide eyes. Your guests cheered, clearing space. “It is customary to rise together and move as one. It will complete the ceremony.”

He rose at your words, not much of a choice otherwise than to follow. 

The fabric of your dress swam behind you, kissing the floor with each step toward the middle of the marble floor. The dress looked like water cascading down your body, hiding each bend and swell of your body. Yet, it highlighted something else, something deeper. It was subtle but powerful, like the way a garden seemed to breathe life into a space. 

“May the rain create a river to fertility.” The man held a contagious grin that spread around the room. 

Prosperity and posterity.  This is what they wanted. Lucius alone was not enough. The bloodline was more important than a single figure. It hadn’t needed to be discussed as it was the obvious forethought for your unification. 

The officials of the republic were more concerned about your fecundity and frame than the knowledge you held. It was a typical belief, one that you expected. Your fingers itched to bring your willingness to support the new decree to play and if this was your path to it, so be it.  

You remained clinical at the thought. It was a means to an end rather than something to be meditated on. The way Lucius hardened at the man’s words told a story from another perspective where the political became personal. You did not miss the ring on his pinky that rubbed against a new gold one. 

“Does the great gladiator know how to dance?” Your voice flowed to Lucius only knowing the opportunity rarely presented itself. 

The music shifted from something fast-paced to something more melodic that would encourage you both to move swiftly but attractively. You knew your words would hit a nerve, but it was strategic to motivate Lucius’ hesitant hands. 

“It is a back and forth. A push and pull.” You guided your hand to press against his palm, meeting together as if you were to pray. “Just like the arena, no?”

Lucius’ eyebrows pinched together. Not out of curiosity or frustration. He was genuine in his response. 

“Rarely is a touch this…subdued.” Soft.  

“Shall I spin you in circles, then?” Your painted lips were easier to see now that Lucius was close. He saw as they rose through your veil with the quip. “Disorientate you to the point of submission?”

Your arms weaved behind your back still connected to Lucius’. The dance was simple, one practiced as children. There were very few steps and wistful gestures that even the familiar still enjoyed. 

“Those are my only options? Coercion or blind fealty.” 

It left little room for interpretation or defiance. The statement came without hesitation but held pent-up sentiment veiled by familiar poise. You vetted his blank gaze for proper determination of his upset. 

It was odd to see Lucius so close, your memory had failed to cast such a strong light on him. Once overgrown hair had been trimmed to only curl at the nape of his neck. Dirt was cleared from every line of his face.  He was still rugged, but you saw through the exterior to find a boy.  

A boy who had been stripped of child-like wonderment and care. Instead, he held his broad shoulders high and an expression that lingered from his exile. Lucius’ skin perked every time your dress acted as a barrier between the two of you, a warning that whatever you offered had to be earned.  

“I do not ask much of you, Emperor...” You put it simply, knowing your worth and wisdom. You needed to be promised his word that against anything you would be beside each other.  “...so I will not ask again.”

“You are not satisfied with the trust of the marriage alone,” Lucius stated his question like an observation. “You wish I promise myself to you in ways which I may not be able to provide.” 

“Able or willing?” 

Your faces were close, noses mirroring each other as you turned on beat.  You could feel the warmth of your frustration start in your chest, only to spread across your skin as goosebumps.  

“The past and the future press so hard on either side that there’s no room for the present at all.” You spoke again before he could answer.  “You must decide where you belong.” 

The music returned to Lucius’ ears. Its melody weighed down your words, letting them settle deeply in his mind. His head spun with thoughts busy on reasoning.  Perhaps he was too guarded for his own good, but he’d gotten himself this far relying only on himself. He had held in a great deal. Often he felt he couldn't speak until the waters overflowed their banks and broke through the dam. 

Those around him garnered support, but this was different. You understood what freedom was; it meant no fear. Fear rolled right off of you. Fear was like a pet to you: something you picked up to get a better look at but that you soon grew tired of.

The music slowed coming to an end. Lucius removed his hands from your body but didn’t venture far. His calloused fingertips followed the seam of your soft veil to meet the laced end. Once there, he gently revealed your true manner. 

Your features were accentuated by an internal glow. There was no modesty in your gaze, it shattered any notion of strength. There was no insight into your emotions. What Lucius found was someone gifted. It was a marvel he hadn’t heard of you until you presented yourself as the wise option for him to marry. 

Although you ran in many circles, your name wasn’t whispered among the council. They didn’t believe beauty and wit could fit within the reach of a woman. Yet, here you stood. A new challenge to be accepted. Lucius resisted the urge to swallow quick breaths as if he were going to endure a blow from Viggo. His body agitated in preparation, but looking at you so wholly all he could muster was concession.

 “You have my word.”

[anthurak]

Sinsmas Theories of Varying Plausibility

So I thought I’d go over a few theories of what we might be seeing in Sinsmas, in order of how certain I am/how much evidence I can find for them:

First off, we have the scenes and lines from the trailer that haven’t heard yet, and thus really HAVE to assume we’ll be seeing them in the finale.

We have both Octavia’s “You don’t love momma and you don’t love me! You love HIM!” line, and this shot of her. Basically I think it’s a safe bet we’re getting both a big confrontation between Octavia and Stolas and likely a song from her as well, either a solo number or a duet with Stolas. While the latter might be more likely, I think the former option is particularly interesting, as it would emphasize Octavia growing up and becoming independent of her father.

Then we have these two shots of Andrealphus powering up looking generally pissed and what is almost certainly him about to crush Stolas and Blitzo. Now this is ESPECIALLY interesting after last episode, considering that Andrealphus basically got everything he wanted. So why exactly is he flying off in a murderous rage at Stolas (with Blitzo likely caught in the crossfire) NOW?

Well I think it’s a safe bet that Stolas and co. manage to actually get some kind of win over Andrealphus, and I mean a BIG win. As I’ve said in previous posts, this shot of Andrealphus has massive vibes of ‘bad guy who just got all his plans foiled and is flying into a sore-loser-fuck-you murderous rage on the heroes’.

Now what this 'win' might actually be is a bit hard to say at this point. It could be Octavia turning on Stella and Andrealphus? Or maybe some legal loophole that strips Andrealphus of the power he was hoping to get from Stolas? Maybe I.M.P. and friends tracked down Striker and beat a proper confession out of him that, while perhaps not exonerating Stolas, DOES strip Andrealphus of any right to take his power?

Which of course brings us to this shot of Blitzo and Stolas. Which, as I’ve said in previous posts, has ALL the hallmarks of a ‘these characters are about to die and get saved at the last second by someone else’ reveal. Whether it be Octaiva, Loona, or perhaps someone else…

That someone of course potentially being Vassago, which brings us to our second category of ‘stuff I have a good hunch on’.

See, while Vassago had a very prominent introduction last episode as basically the ONLY Goetia actually on Stolas’s side, he also didn’t get the chance to really help Stolas in any way. Which I have a feeling is setting Vassago up to have a more important role next episode.

Like I think it’s easy to imagine Vassago tracking down Stolas and winding up actually being quite helpful and even vital in getting him in contact with Octavia, which of course in turn creates some VERY interesting/spicy conflict with Blitzo, especially if Vassago ends up able to be MORE helpful to Stolas than Blitzo. Not to mention I imagine Vassago is a VERY likely candidate for saving Stolas and Blitzo from Andrealphus.

Which of course brings us to all the Stolitz drama which I am fairly certain we are FAR from done with. As in, despite ending on a cute note, Blitzo and Stolas didn’t actually RESOLVE or even communicate on any of their real issues, and in fact are even CONTINUING a number of trends that destroyed their relationship in the first place. Such as Stolas going straight to self-sacrifice for Blitzo or the fact that the power-imbalance between them is now essentially just reversed and in some ways even MORE pronounced.

Basically, Stolitz is by NO MEANS out of the woods yet and this seemingly cutesy ending could easily be a fake-out for things falling apart next episode. Most notably, Stolas grappling with the fact that he just threw away EVERYTHING, most notably his DAUGHTER, for Blitzo. Which could easily make things VERY dicey for these two next episode, especially if Blitzo proves unable to help Stolas getting in touch with Octavia, which would only be FURTHER complicated if Vassago shows up to prove much more helpful in this regard.

Really, the issue of Octavia is something that could very well break Blitzo and Stolas apart (seemingly*) for good next episode. As in, we may very well see Stolas being forced to essentially choose between his daughter’s safety and happiness, or his being with Blitzo. And as much as Stolas absolutely LOVES Blitzo, I think we can all agree he would probably choose his daughter of Blitzo.

And the best part is that as much as Blitzo LOVES Stolas right back and would be absolutely torn apart by this decision, he would still one-hundred percent UNDERSTAND Stolas’s choice. After all, he’s a father too.

Finally, and this is admittedly more of a ‘fingers-crossed, something I’m hoping for’ idea more than something I can point to any specific evidence for…

But I am seriously hoping that LOONA winds up being the surprise MVP of the episode through her friendship with Octavia. As in, Octavia metaphorically and/or literally slams the door on Stolas, and it’s ultimately Loona who brings her around. Basically representing a follow-up to their scene together back in Seeing Stars.

Like more than any of the hackneyed ‘wholesome sisters’ headcanons that the fandom has pigeonholed them into by now, I think this would be where a friendship between these two has some FASCINATING potential. For example, what if Loona brings Octavia around not by convincing her to ‘forgive’ Stolas, but rather simply convincing her that it’s not worth burning that bridge. Something that Loona may well have personal experience with herself.

Basically, while the other stuff is what I think might happen, the Loona and Octavia focus is what I’m HOPING will happen.

--

To clarify, as I have stated in all my other theory posts on Stolitz potentially not being together at the end of the season; I fully expect that Blitzo and Stolas WILL in fact get together by the end of the series. Instead, this is theorizing on the show essentially saying that Blitzo and Stolas don’t work as a couple right now, and end the season not together, though still on good terms as friends.

[amalthea-13]

Stolas and Valentino

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, and other forms of abuse. If you cannot handle this post, I completely understand. Please scroll to save your mental health points.

Introduction

Hello all, if you're here you know who I am. If not, it is I, Amalthea, the Ultimate Stolas Kinnie and Stan. Back at it again, being forced to defend Stolas purely because people cannot read. This essay may be long so buckle the hell up ya'll.

I want to make it clear; I have no desire to discuss this topic. I have no desire to have to spoon feed to literal adults the narrative of this show.

I have no desire to explain basic logic to a a fandom that should be mature enough to dissect a piece of media beyond the surface level.

Despite my love for literature and media analysis, this entire fandom has exhausted me of any desire to continue refuting the same damn arguments. If you need context please check my reblog to a post accusing Stolas of being a Sexual Abuser here. Play nice in the comments and do not antagonize the original poster. Play nice, I mean it. Be rude to them and I find out you follow me? You will be blocked.

This essay will be discussing the differences between Val and Stolas. I want to note that I am not going to feel good while typing this. If I cut points short and you want to expand on them in a constructive way, please do reblog and add on. I can only do so much.

Stolas And Blitz's Dynamic and Agreement

When it comes to these two, many people get it twisted as to what their actual agreement is. So I will be taking Stolas's direct words from Murder Family. I want to note that Stolas and Blitz are implied to have been discussing the terms of this arrangement while I.M.P. was still functioning. Meaning prior to the agreement, Blitz got free access to the book for at least a month or more without any obligation to Stolas physically.

All of these things matter because many people like to imply the agreement is all Stolas's fault, when in actuality they have been discussing this arrangement and it's terms for at least a month.

The arrangement is as follows, these are Stolas's exact words;

Stolas: Then, let me keep it simple: Once a month, on the full moon, you return the book to me, followed by a night of…paaassionate fornication~ Aaand you get to keep it all the rest of the time, hmm? Sound fair, my little Imp?

Many people have misconstrued this to mean Stolas will withhold the book from Blitz and hang his power over Blitz's head. This cannot be further from the damn truth.

We find out during Full Moon that Blitz was able to come and go as he pleased within the arrangement and still keep the book from an interaction he has with Moxxie;

Blitzo: Well, it's the-- first of all, fuck you. It's the Full Moon, I got to meet up with Stolas tonight. Felt like dressing up a little since it's been a few months since I've been inside of his feathered ass.

Moxxie: A few months?!

Blitzo: Yeah, the bird started giving me more ways out of our monthly fuck-sesh. He'd be all like "Oh, Blitzy, I know it's the Full Moon tonight, but you don't have to come if you don't want to, Blitzy", so I've just been taking breaks from having to plow his feathered ass into his fancy ass mattress.

Note Blitz's language here because it matters. Firstly, both Blitz and Moxxie note Stolas has let Blitz get away with this for several months. Mind you, Blitz has had the grimoire the entire time and maintained ownership of it, even after the events of Seeing Stars when Blitz lost the grimoire to Octavia.

I.M.P. has remained functioning the entire time despite Blitz not fulfilling his end of the agreement. So while through Blitz's lens it may have felt like Stolas held power over him, Stolas never in any regard implied he would or ever did utilize the power he had over Blitz. Therefore, no, you don't get to paint Stolas as a sexual abuser when he actively is not participating in that behavior.

If when I was a child, I accused my parent of harming be, but there was no active physical harm going on, I cannot call that abuse just because I feel like my parent might hurt me.

If someone is eyeing me in a bar, but makes no attempt to bother me, touch me, or come into my space, I cannot accuse them of sexual harassment just because I feel uncomfortable.

These examples are different, but there are specific definitions to the words "abuse" and "sexual harassment", there is specific criteria for both because they are serious crimes.

Just like being a "sexual abuser" has specific criteria that needs to be met in order for it to actually be sexual abuse. The user I responded to accused Stolas of abusing Blitz, but unfortunately for all of you I had to recently refresh on my sexual harassment training for my job and therefore I am well acquainted with the topic and what the legalities regarding it are.

I want to remind everyone, that Stolas and Blitz are not in a formal business relationship. Stolas isn't Blitz's "boss", but an asset. That's all Stolas is, Blitz is still the boss of I.M.P.

For a baseline definition lets establish the type of sexual harassment Stolas is being accused of which is quid pro quo sexual harassment as defined the Department of Administrative Services; "One party forces the other party to offer sex in return for recruitment, promotion or salary raise within the first party's powers, and threatens to demote, cut the salary or even fire the second party if rejected. In Latin it means “this for that”. This is usually the most blatant kind of sexual harassment. This occurs when employment decisions are based upon an employee’s willingness to grant sexual favors in exchange for working benefits such as promotions, increases, preferred assignments or punishment such as being demoted or fired. This type of harassment, typically involves a harasser who has authority over the victim. According to federal guidelines, a single “quid pro quo” advance may be considered harassment if it is linked to an employment benefit."

This is the definition of "quid pro quo" sexual harassment and is a very real issue. I will try to be graceful and faithful to this definition throughout this essay. If I do anything you deem unacceptable or inappropriate, please DM me or comment and I will have no problem holding myself accountable for that.

Now the main thing with "quid pro quo" sexual harassment is the person being harassed needs to be forced into the situation.

Question 1: Was Blitz forced to sleep with Stolas for work-related benefits?

Based on the canon of Helluva Boss, no, this is fundamentally untrue. Firstly, Stolas and Blitz only slept together when Blitz wanted to as noted before;

"He'd be all like "Oh, Blitzy, I know it's the Full Moon tonight, but you don't have to come if you don't want to, Blitzy", so I've just been taking breaks from having to plow his feathered ass into his fancy ass mattress."

Blitz's own words. He was allowed to come and go as he pleased within the arrangement dependent on his own consent and comfortability.

The second major thing with "quid pro quo" sexual harassment is that the person is threatened with some type of punishment and or consequence for not complying.

Question #2: Did Stolas ever threaten Blitz with his status or ever utilize it against him in relation to their arrangement?

Again, based on the canon of Helluva Boss there is no substantiative evidence to prove Stolas ever threatened or held his power over Blitz's head.

The narrative goes out of it's way to show us this is all Blitz's interpretation of their relationship, something that is not set in reality as displayed in how Blitz views Stolas during his Bad Trip.

While Stolas is in a position of power, he never exercises it.

On top of that, within I.M.P. Stolas is merely a resource, not a "boss" over Blitz. The companies policies, pay, and schedule are not dictated by Stolas.

Therefore, these two do not fall into the realm of criteria for this type of harassment, but I will set that aside.

Power Dynamics in Stolitz

When it comes to the power imbalances within Stolitz, I want everyone to know I understand why people feel so passionately about the dynamic these two have.

It isn't quite a boss and employee relationship, but it is someone with power being in an arrangement with someone else who doesn't have access to the same resources.

However, I need us all to remember these men are both close to their 40s and had ample time to decide whether this agreement was worth pursuing or continuing.

I ain't saying it doesn't have it's issues, but I do worry many of you are projecting your personal traumas onto these two.

Stolas is not the boss who hurt you.

Just like Blitz isn't the person who abandoned me or hurt me, hence why I can sometimes be hostile towards him.

Neither of those things should cloud our judgement and or analysis of the show.

I'm sorry for what happened to you that you feel this strongly on this topic, but your lived experiences and hurts cannot be applied to everything.

Just like my divorce related trauma is not applicable to Octavia and Stolas, your lived experiences with an awful boss are not applicable to Blitz and Stolas.

Many times within the show Blitz makes it clear this was his choice. He chose to sleep with Stolas and chose to pursue a prolonged arrangement with him.

Putting aside the circumstances of Murder Family, Stolas and Blitz had been discussing the arrangement and terms for roughly a month before Stolas proposed what he proposed.

Blitz was already planning to pursue this venture of his own free will and volition, regardless of how you want to analyze the situation. He used the grimoire that entire month and therefore, he was already planning to have something with Stolas, the terms just had not been set.

None of us were in the rooms when the terms were discussed, but conversations were had and therefore, Blitz is complicit in this arrangement, he was willingly complicit by utilizing the book and entertaining the idea with Stolas.

This is a staunch difference to a "quid pro quo" sexual harassment, and is just two adults with resources exchanging them for favors. As Stolas said it's simply favors for favors and no one is getting punished for not complying.

As much as Stolas is guilty for taking advantage of the arrangement, Blitz is just as guilty as noted by my mutual @yasmiralotta 's post Blitzø 👏 and 👏 Stolas 👏 both 👏 used 👏 eachother 👏 to get 👏 what 👏 they 👏 wanted. This essay details the way they BOTH utilized one another.

I have no desire to break it down any further than that.

Vox and Angel

Discussing Valentino and Angel is a difficult subject for me. Just due to how- graphic and explicit the situation really is. However, if people want to keep making false equivalency's between him and Stolas I will have to explain what Angel and Val's dynamic is.

As of right now, we do not know the exact terms of Angel and Val's agreement. What we do know is Valentino is Angel's boss and dictate's what Angel can and can't do on studio grounds.

We know within the show that Angel's work conditions are beyond deplorable.

Firstly, he works 16 hour shifts.

Secondly, he is physically abused for not complying with what Valentino wants.

Lastly, Angel is bound to Valentino for the rest of his afterlife. Therefore, he is under Val's control.

Angel is often physically and sexually abused for not complying with Valentino's orders.

This is the actual definition of quid pro quo sexual harassment. More specifically Angel has to perform a certain way or he gets physically harmed. Even when Val says he wants to go to the Hotel to kill Angel, Vox stops him because of the optics regarding it and offers to call in the lowest earners to supplement Val's need to kill someone;

Vox: Well, lemme call up the lowest earners this month. *walks to TVs*

Valentino: Ohh, you know me too well. *chuckles and blows smoke*

Val keeps his employees in place based on their numbers. Don't perform well? Well you're either going to be abused sexually OR killed. That is someone exercising their authority to an extreme degree.

Angel's daily life involves some type of sexual abuse.

Conclusion

I apologize for not- expanding more on Val and Angel, but I do think my point is made pretty clear.

Stolas and Val are NOT the same.

Stolas is by no means anywhere NEAR as cruel or vindictive as Valentino is.

Angel becomes paralyzed with fear if Val's even upset with him.

Blitz openly insults Stolas to his face and walks out alive.

In a room where fire is surrounding him, Angel could only worry about Val being mad at him.

In situations where Stolas needed help, Blitz was able to reject him and handle his daughter.

These are vastly different situations and therefore should be given that respect. Dislike Stolas, love him or hate him, I don't care.

However, making stuff up about Helluva Boss with no research and or analysis is actually asinine.

Amalthea out!

[spotlightlowlife]

aging hazbin hella confusing

As we know, Stolas who seemed every bit the powerful sugardaddy on introduction, who we know to be royalty and immortal, was placed at the same age as Blitzø at the start of this season.

They're in their mid 30s and imps age like human.

It makes sense that the immortal leaders don't care to see 'lesser' demons who they don't really respect as anything other than workers in the industry, but at what point was Stolas who was an innocent child the equivalent of 5 minutes ago to them seen as an adult?

Goatia may be the workers of the royals and that's why he was given privilege and responsibility early but how often do sins and goatia meet up with one another?

They sort of give the impression of knowing one another well but at what point do those who are thousands or millions of years old see the likes of Stolas as their peer?

Why is there a job that needed doing by a 30 something?

Though they have tried to build an 'all will be revealed' plot for Octavia and whatever important role this teenager born to a teenager will play, why now? Wouldn't the groundwork of what needs to be done in hell have been covered millenniums ago?

At the same time, we have a leading, very casual plot where hell has no issues other than an oveepopulation problem that's in hand, over in hazbin with the very infantalised Charlie who is over 200 years old?

There is nothing that screams maturity about her, in her appearance and certainly not in her attitude, if she was an actual teenager it would fit, how is her aging slower than someone who doesn't have a human parent?

Charlie has nothing to do, no expectations placed upon her, she follows a pipe dream which is actually a big deal but nobody cares, it's not a case of nobody cares to stop her because of who she is, nobody gives a crap about her, she means nothing.

Though maturity comes with exposure and in the case of hazbin our chances of seeing the sins outside of fellow nothing to is do sin Lucifer are slim so we won't see them interact, so far we have seen Charlie just be the silly little girl anywhere she went who isn't to be taken seriously. She is beyond a pushover, she is entirely impressionable.

It's like Charlie being so childish is a way of dismissing her the daughter of the big boss with her own show, the parent show at that to the sidelines, but Stolas who's importance is well established then inflated for a ship was de-aged without thought.

It's almost like aging these characters so recently was set up to fail because why weren't they born sooner? The child of the first human woman and someone with an important role in hell and it's activity. Still the investments in these characters is like night and day.

[sunshine-tattoo]

Helluva Boss season themes

Season 1- character introductions/ basic plot points

cherubs

DHORKS

stolas's crush

blitz's trauma with fizz

loona's backstory

Season 2- Love (romantic or platonic)

fizz and Ozzie coming out as a couple

stolas telling off stella and divorcing her

fizz and blitz reconciliation

loona having friends rather than needing a boyfriend

Millie becoming blitz's best friend

Blitz and Stolas romance

Season 3 (?)- Family

m&m baby

moxxie confronting his mob family

Blitz confronting Cash and reconciling with barbie

Octavia learning more about the Goetia family and reuniting with stolas

stolas confronting Paimon

Andy using stella and Octavia for his own power

Stella backstory

[warwickroyals]

INTRODUCTION - DRAMATIS PERSONAE - FAMILY TREE - LOCATIONS - PART ONE

BEWARE! The following information might make the events of this narrative REDUNDANT! (AKA SPOILER WARNING)

PRINCE HENRY, DUKE OF GLENCAIRN (1787 - 1840)

The third son of King Louis II, and father of King George. Unlike his elder brothers, he was soft-spoken and tender. An amateur composer and dramatist in his adult years, Henry’s life was turned on its axis when he became second in line to the throne. He died of a fever just six months after the birth of his much-adored son, the first male-line grandson of Louis II to be born in over thirty years.

LADY IMOGEN LONGFORD, later DUCHESS OF GLENCAIRN (1806 - 1881)

The mother of King George and Princess Octavia of Glencairn. At the relatively late age of thirty-one, she left her native England to marry the Duke of Glencairn. Following her husband’s death, she was vocal in her belief that her son George should come before the children of King James I and Queen Caroline in the line of succession. Her relationship with her children was strained and often the source of public controversy, but she remained—doggedly, unapologetically—at her son’s side until her death in 1881.

PRINCESS OCTAVIA JANE OF GLENCAIRN (1838 - 1902)

The only sibling of George, the pair were inseparable as children but drifted apart as they grew into adults. Often jealous of her brother’s inheritance, the relationship broke down when George refused to accept Octavia’s choice of husband. Although the pair later reconciled, Octavia never married. George was devastated when Octavia died alone in 1902.

LOUIS II (1757 - 1817)

King of Sunderland from 1802 - 1817, and grandfather to George. Sunderland’s second monarch, Louis II is largely known for establishing sovereignty and resisting efforts to turn Sunderland into a Prussian puppet state. In 1807, he changed the family name from Hohenzollern to Warwick, inspired by the country’s largest city. Though a successful king, he was harsh towards his children. His fearsome anger sent reverberations down the Warwick family tree.

LOUIS III (1782 - 1850)

George’s Uncle Crown, Prince Louis William Thomas became king in 1817. Holding the throne for an impressive thirty-three years, Louis married twice; one wife he loved and cherished, the other he despised and tormented. His only child, Prince Frederick, died after a long and harrowing struggle with tuberculosis. George was born in the last decade of his uncle’s life and their relationship was distant but cordial. George would remember Louis III as a large and gout-ridden man, always roaring with laughter.

PRINCE FREDERICK JAMES (1806 - 1835)

The only son of Louis III and his beloved first wife. Prince Freddy was everything his father was not: tall, dashing, and popular. Although expected to be a great king, his life was cut short by tuberculosis, the spectre that haunted North America throughout the 19th century. Freddy’s death sparked the succession crisis of 1835, prompting a mad scramble from his aging uncles to marry and produce an heir.

JAMES I (1785 - 1857)

The second son of Louis II, James I succeeded to the throne at sixty-five years old, the oldest monarch in Sunderland’s history. James married the flighty and insecure Caroline of Mecklenburg-Stralsund at fifty-three, by then having had 11 children with his mistress. A reformist politically, James’s short but eventful reign is today overshadowed by interpersonal drama. He was cruel to his nephew George, who in turn despised his Uncle Lennox and prayed for his death.

PRINCESS CAROLINE OF MECKLENBIRG-STRALSUND, later QUEEN CAROLINE (1812 - 1869)

The tormented wife of James I, Caroline hailed from a microscopic German state and spoke little English when she arrived in North America. Upon marriage she be Her marriage produced five children, but only one, the future Louis IV, survived infancy. Over the years Caroline grew shrewd but also paranoid and possessive of her delicate son. She served as regent during Louis’s minority, the only woman in Sunderland’s history to rule from the throne. While competent, Caroline was decisive as Queen Regent, being dismissed by George and his family as Karoline, das kindermädchen.

LOUIS IV (1840 - 1860)

George’s sickly and vacillating little cousin, as the son of the Duke and Duchess of Lennox, Louis immediately supplanted George in the line of succession. Sheltered and constantly ill, Louis deifed expectations by outliving his neglectful father, becoming king at just sixteen years old. Upon reaching majority in 1859, Louis flung himself into a scandalous and ill-advised marriage with Rosalyn Brair, an American commoner from South Carolina. Louis’s health deteriorated throughout his reign and he died aged twenty, but not before defying expectations again and declaring his estranged cousin his heir presumptive over his infant daughter.

[styxxsyringe]

How's the hight chart coming along??

pretty good, tho it's just octavia, vivica and krank - it's supposed to be for an introduction post for my new twitter account!

hey let's all be one base color and not tell octavia....

[utilitycaster]

re: the top 5 books ask, here's what I didn't include but all of this could go on this list.

Math and Physics: Wonders of Numbers (Clifford Pickover)/Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman (Richard Feynman)/The Elegant Universe (Brian Greene) were all awards or graduation presents in middle and high school; one is a bunch of wild math puzzles, one is a (very funny) memoir of a legendary physicist; and one is an exploration of a then very hot theoretical physics theory, and it's interesting to consider how all of them shaped me.

why I as a math/physics person am also an avid meta writer:Hyperspace (Michio Kaku) and How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy (Orson Scott Card) - Kaku is a physicist as well but writes for the layman, and Hyperspace is about extradimensional physics but also provides a huge list of fictional explorations, which is why I'm pairing it with How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. Look I cannot vouch for Card as a person given the Mormon Homophobia but this book was absolutely formative, I read it very young (not long after Ender's Game, actually), and I do recommend pirating it because I inherited a great deal of my understanding of narratology and good writing from it, and it introduced me to some of my favorite less problematic writers. These books also serve as "introduction to a billion fucked up sf short stories I read in high school"; just copy down every fictional work they mention and read as many as you can.

Medicine, healthcare, neuroscience, and the human element: The works of Oliver Sacks/The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (Anne Fadiman)/The Checklist Manifesto (Atul Gawande) - I think I would not have been as happy as a physician, but I also think had a few things gone slightly differently in my life (notably, having a high school bio teacher who was competent and whom I did not detest) I might have been pushed in that direction, and as I'm in other more peripheral spaces in healthcare, these are still very important books in terms of how I think.

Cookbooks: How to Cook Everything Vegetarian (Mark Bittman) and Salt Fat Acid Heat (Samin Nosrat) - I'm a pretty good cook and Bittman's is the first cookbook I owned as an adult (I am not vegetarian but I was in my first ever apartment, as I keep kosher and therefore having two sets of dishes and buying kosher meat was prohibitively expensive as a grad student, at least if I also wanted to like, go out for drinks or pizza on occasion). Salt Fat Acid Heat is much more recent but I think that's what really freed me from needing cookbooks and instead thinking about cooking more by experience.

Childhood formative books, especially in fantasy: A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears (Jules Pfeiffer)/The Phantom Tollbooth (Norton Juster)/the general works of Diana Wynne Jones, Ellen Raskin, and Elizabeth Enright. A taste for the weird/mythical/fractured fairy tales.

Teen/Adult formative books in sf: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Susana Clarke)/The Belgariad (David Eddings)/Wild Seed (Octavia Butler)/Old Kingdom series (Garth Nix)/I, Robot (Isaac Aasimov)/The City and the City (China Mieville) - teens and adulthood formative books in sf and fantasy. The lessons learned here, in order, respectively: find the intersection of mythology and academia and if you're doing pastiche do it impeccably; if you're not original, be funny and kind to your characters (still throw rocks at them but treat them as people); with that said be original and as weird as you fucking want; write a woman who is incredibly good at what she does and build a deeply compelling world around her; no really write a woman who is incredibly good at what she does and build a deeply compelling world around her and also stupid puns are okay; get weird, play with genre, and don't hold your audience's hand.

[chaifootsteps]

What’s wrong with Octavia? she’s the literally the only good character in the show, a lot of fan can relate to Octavia, who hasn’t been in her shoes? she has the best introduction imo her playing moody goth music while walking through the corridor in the amidst of her parents fighting is so good. Shes the only character I legit feel sympathy for. They hate her because she’s female, and worse she’s getting in between the shitty wattpad yaoi but also I think it’s because the VA barret weed Wilbert (mean girls and heathers) has been very quiet, she’s the ONLY ONE out of all the vas in both shows to never go to cons, do signings, do livestreams, or hang out with SH or viv. Like Kesha, viv must’ve bugged tf out the Barret to the point she wants nothing to do with the character

It's nothing short of astonishing how little is wrong with Octavia versus how hated she is by the crew. Literally the first we ever see of her, she's a tiny frightened child calling out for her parents because she had a nightmare where she couldn't find her dad. She's still just a scared, neglected kid and these people treat her like the devil because she inconveniences Stolas. It's fucking vile.

[whencyclopedia]

Roman Women in Business

Roman women faced legal, ideological, and cultural limitations in several areas of their lives; deep-rooted traditions regarding the role of women in the Roman world resulted in pre-conceived views which saw women characterised by weakness in judgement and mental incapacity.

The statesman Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), in a speech to the Roman Senate in 195 BCE, stated that Rome's ancestors were unwilling to allow women undertake any business, even private business, without the authorisation of a guardian because a woman was compelled to be permanently under male authority, whether that was the authority under the potestas of her father, the manus of her husband, or guardianship known as tutela mulierum.

Guardianship

Tutela mulierum was the guardianship of a woman who was able to own property in her own right (sui iuris), that is, independent of paternal authority or a husband's manus (a marriage where her property was given over to her husband). The guardian's function was to protect any money or property the woman may have inherited. The guardian did not administer the property, but he had to endorse major legal and financial transactions on the woman's behalf. For a period of time, there was also a certain category of guardians known as tutores legitimi; these guardians were typically the woman's nearest relative in the paternal line and exercised more effective power. In a worst case scenario, this power was also open to misuse and could see estates be effectively frozen for the benefit of guardians themselves. The practice of tutores legitimi was abolished by the Roman emperor Claudius (r. 41-54 CE).

In 9 CE, Emperor Augustus (r. 27 BCE to 14 CE) introduced the law ius liberorum, which released freeborn women who had given birth to three children from the guardianship of tutela mulierum. Part of Augustus' political, social, and moral reforms, this law was intended to encourage marriage and reproduction. The introduction of this law also indicates how the tutela mulierum was seen as sufficiently restrictive for its removal to be considered a significant incentive for women. Modern scholarship notes that, in a sense, 'guardianship' was arranged in a manner by which a woman's property transactions could always be checked by a male, usually a relative by blood or marriage, even when she was technically independent.

Due to the dangers of childbirth in ancient Rome and the high infant mortality, fertility rates needed to be high, and women indeed had several pregnancies in an effort to establish a family. We can assume that a good number of freeborn women fulfilled the criterion of having three children, although we cannot know exactly what those numbers were.

There are mixed scholarly opinions on Augustus' ius liberorum, some modern scholarship suggesting that this law was a watershed in the emancipation of women, whilst opposing scholarly opinion suggests that women in the Roman Republic were already enjoying an emancipation and that Augustan law actually offered a legal recognition to what was in fact social practice. Certainly, this legislation had the potential to grant greater legal and financial freedom to a broader group of women, allowing them to deal with their property as they chose. This privilege constituted a significant legal innovation in that previously the only women free from this guardianship were the Vestal Virgins, Augustus' sister, Octavia, and his wife, Livia Drusilla, by special grant in 35 BCE.

However, despite these innovations, many women remained under guardianship. The late 2nd-century Roman jurist Gaius (130-180 CE) stated that the argument that women were weak-minded and subject to deception and therefore should be overseen by the authority of guardians is specious rather than true. He argued that there appears to be no worthwhile reason any woman should be in guardianship after reaching the age of maturity. Gaius remarked that women of a legal age conduct business in fact themselves, and in some cases, the guardian might give his consent only for form's sake (Inst. 1.190).

Several factors were playing an important part in increasing the economic power of woman in Roman society: the weakening of paternal power (patria potestas), the changing emphasis on tutela mulierum through legislation, and marriage 'cum manus' being replaced with 'sine manus'. A woman who had married 'cum manus' would come under her husband's power; this was similar to patria potestas in that she was in the postion of daughter to her husband. Marriage 'cum manus' entailed transfer of the woman's rights of her property and administration to her husband. On his death, her rights of succession were equal to her children. Marriage 'sine manus' saw the wife remain under the authority of her father. 'Sine manus' meant that she kept her original familial ties and through them her right to succession from her father. The woman also kept her own property, and she remained in this type of marriage, legally independent from her husband.

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