#Persuasion ff

[not-poignant]

I get the feeling that UtB Efnisien would actually be pretty fucking protective of his omega friends or just omegas in general. Like, he already gets angry on their behalf sometimes as we've seen in previous chapters, which is pretty funny and cute since he's made omegaphobic comments in the past. Like I just get the feeling that Efnisien is all bark no bite when it comes to omegas and wouldn't be a danger at all to them and instead is just a danger to other alphas and betas. *cough cough* Kadek *cough cough*

It reminds me of how FFS was towards women once he was away from Crielle and her influence. Just like... really kind and considerate and not sexist in the slightest.

But I could be wrong, idk. You're the author so you're the expert haha.

Anyway thanks for reading my rambling x

Salutations anon,

I don't know yet because I haven't written it, but I actually kind of agree with you.

I feel like Efnisien will likely be a bit shaky at times, but ultimately he does kind of have a protective instinct and we've seen it in action re: him and trying to protect Gary re: his PACS. I'd really love to see that in action around omegas too, and I'm hoping this is the direction he goes in.

I suspect the first omega he meets will likely be either Mosk or Nate. I'm on the fence about Mosk, I think he could be a good friend, but we know he's not really Efnisien's biggest fan due to being so disruptive. Nate I'm unsure of. Flitmouse...hmm... Maybe? I'ts mostly just deciding who - and their personality will determine how Efnisien reacts. I think Nate could potentially bring out the worst in him, but Mosk and Flitmouse are less likely to.

To be honest, I think the first person we might see Efnisien start to get concerned for is - maybe - Faber. I'm tempted to put them in a one on one situation soon!

I do agree that Efnisien has like...this ability to be concerned for the welfare of others once he's allowed to be, in FFS we saw that with Mack, Arden, and just... like generally towards other people. This Efnisien has a lot to unpack, but I honestly think the sooner he can be around omegas, the sooner he will find it much easier to just see them as people!

But we'll see! :D

[thankyouivy]

Hiii! I am reading allllll your blurbs and ffs and god I adore your writing!!!!!

Could you write about Spencer Reid and reader (no sub! Or dom! dynamic If it’s ok) in their early stages of their relationship (at this point they’ve already had sex and he found out he’s totally obsessed with eating her out), and pleads for her to sit on his face but she doesn’t wanna do it at first cause she’s a bit worried she might hurt him? But he begs her so much he convinces her and well… the rest I’ll leave it to you! ;)

If it’s alright with you of course💘💓💕💖💗

i got you babycakes!!!

warnings: oral sex [f rec], face sitting, begging, hair pulling, cumming untouched, this is just pure smut.

———

Need - Spencer Reid x Fem!reader

“Please, sugar,” Spencer whispers into your ear.

He’s been asking you the same thing for the past few weeks, a fantasy of his that just won’t go away; he wants you to sit on his face.

Spencer is very into oral, specifically, eating you out for as long as you’ll let him. When you asked him about this, he explained thats it’s something called an oral fixation, he literally can’t get enough of it, which would add up, because you can count how many times the two of you have had sex without him giving you head on one hand.

(Evidently, all of those times had just been when you were too tired to go for an entire hour and just needed him inside you immediately, to which he had given you a little pout and then fulfilled your request.)

Whatever his reasoning is, eating you out gets both you and him off, and he wants more.

“Spencer, im just not sure about it, what if I hurt you?” You tell him. You’re straddling his hips while he’s laid out on his couch, you in a loose shirt and panties, and him in his work clothes, minus the tie.

“It’s completely safe if done properly, I did my research.” He reassures you, planting a kiss on your lips as he runs his hand up your back under your shirt.

“Research, huh?” You giggle at him, wrapping your arms around his neck. ��mhmm,” he hums and smiles into another kiss.

As you pull apart, he whispers, “please baby, I want to make you feel so good… wanna taste you,” his voice is breathy and his pupils are blown wide with lust.

You whimper and grind down slightly in his lap, desperate for a little bit of friction as his words shoot straight to your core. He groans at your ministrations and you can feel him getting hard beneath you through your panties. “I want you to take what you need from me… grind that pretty little pussy on my tongue until you cum in my mouth…”

You moan at his words, bite your lip, and nod your head frantically. Who knew Spencer could be so persuasive?

Ecstatic that he finally got a yes out of you, Spencer lifts you off his lap momentarily and helps you pull your panties down and off your legs, biting his lip when he sees you’re soaked.

You start unbuttoning his shirt but only get to about half before he gets to impatient and pulls your own shirt over your head, exposing your bare chest. He bites his lip and places a hot, open-mouthed kiss on your lips, and you can feel him, rock hard through his suit pants.

He flops back down onto the couch, pulling you with him, as he shuffles down a bit more, giving room for your knees to sit on either side of his head.

Slowly, you crawl up his body, until you’re hovering above his face. His hair is messy and splayed out across the leather of his couch, his shirt is half off one shoulder, and he is visibly salivating as he stares directly at your core.

Noticing you still look a little unsure, he gives you a little smile. “if I need you to get off, which is extremely unlikely, I will tap your hip twice, alright, sugar?” He asks, and you nod. “You’re in control here, if you want to stop, we will stop.” He assures you, and you can’t help but blush. Could he get any sweeter?

Feeling more confident in the situation and a little less nervous, you slowly lower your hips onto his face, putting as little weight onto him as possible.

Immediately he licks into you, grabbing your hips and guiding them further onto him. You let out a gasp and your hips stutter away from the pleasure momentarily before he pulls you right back into his mouth.

His tongue runs through your folds, lapping up your wetness, and you moan loudly. His tongue flicks over your hardened clit, humming in delight when he feels you become wetter. You whine, letting more weight settle onto him and grinding into the teasing, hands searching for something to grab onto, eventually grabbing his hair with one and the armrest of the couch with the other.

You were reduced to soft moans, little uh’s and ah’s leave your mouth as your hips stutter and your eyes roll back into your skull.

He begins licking into your opening while his nose ruts against your clit and you throw your head back and shut your eyes tightly, moaning so loud the neighbours can probably hear everything that’s going on, but you can’t bring yourself to care.

“F- uck! oh my god, Spencer-” You cry out, and that just spurs him on. His own hips are twitching, arching off the couch as he eats you out.

Heat is coiling in your stomach, Spencers name is the only thing reverberating in your head. Why were you ever against this idea again?

“Oh- Ah- god Spencer- you’re gonna make me- holy- sh- it!” You cry

Spencer moans against you as you chant his name, frantically humping his face as he sucks on your clit.

“FUCK! I’m cumming!” You scream as your orgasm hits you like a freight train. You yank Spencer’s hair and your hips spasm on his face as Spencer lets out his own whimpers and cries. His hips thrust upwards as his own orgasm reaches him and his eyes roll back into his head.

Your back is arched and you’re leaning over him as you catch your breath. For a second you black out and completely forget you’re sitting on his face, but once you remember you quickly lift your hips up and look down at him with a worried expression.

Spencer looks completely blissed out. He gently rubs his large hands up and down your sides as you breathe heavily, and licks your slick off his lips. He grins at you, lust still evident in his eyes.

“We are so doing that again.”

More of my stuff can be found here.

~Ivy 🪴

[novaursa]

I have a request. Rhaenyra has an older brother and they always thought they would marry. But after persuasion from Otto, Viserys betroths his son to Alicent. Him and Alicent do their duty and have children. Alicent loves him but his heart still belongs to Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra marries Laenor but her children suspiciously look very much like her brother. Alicent suspects he's been having an affair with her and an argument ensues. To keep the fic short like you want, the main focus of the story can just be their argument.

Bound by Duty

- Summary: When your father married you to Alicent, your heart remained with your sister.

- Paring: Rhaenyra Targaryen/male!reader/Alicent Hightower

- Note: The reader is the eldest child of Viserys I Targaryen and Aemma Arynn, and the older brother of Rhaenyra.

- Rating: Mature 16+ (just to be safe)

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff

The scent of burning wax mingles with the faint breeze from the open window, but the room is heavy with something far more tangible than just night air—the weight of unspoken accusations. You stand by the hearth, hands clasped behind your back, the heat from the flames licking at your skin, but it is not the fire that makes your chest tight.

Alicent’s voice cuts through the silence like a blade, trembling with restrained emotion, yet firm in her accusation. 

"How long has this gone on?" she asks, her brown eyes piercing into yours, her hands clenched at her sides. There’s no hesitation in her tone, only years of repressed suspicion finally breaking free. “How long have you and Rhaenyra been carrying on behind my back?”

You inhale slowly, feeling the weight of her words press against your chest. Her accusation isn't unexpected, but it still stings. It feels as though the walls are closing in, every inch of this chamber suddenly suffocating. You have always known this moment would come—Alicent has always been sharp, her eyes always watching, searching for cracks in the facade you’ve built.

"I don’t know what you mean," you reply, though the words taste bitter on your tongue. You avoid her gaze, looking instead at the flickering flames. It’s easier to face the fire than the truth in her eyes.

Alicent scoffs, her breath hitching with something that might be laughter if it weren’t so full of pain. “Do not lie to me. I am not a fool, nor am I blind.” She steps closer, her green gown swishing with every step, her hands trembling now as they reach out, grasping your forearm. “Her children... Rhaenyra’s sons. They look nothing like Laenor. But they look like you.”

You close your eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of her touch and the accusation that lingers in the air between you both. You want to deny it, to turn from the truth that burns in your chest, but how could you? You have always known the children’s resemblance would betray you, just as your love for Rhaenyra has always betrayed your marriage to Alicent.

Alicent’s grip tightens. “Do not insult me with more lies. I have seen the way you look at her, how you speak to her. It was always her, wasn’t it? Even when Viserys ordered our marriage, your heart was never mine.”

Her words are a dagger, twisting deep into your chest. You can hear the hurt in her voice, the years of loyalty, duty, and sacrifice she made for a man who could never truly belong to her. You force yourself to meet her gaze, seeing the unshed tears that make her brown eyes glisten.

“I did my duty,” you say quietly, but the words are hollow. “I married you. I fathered our children. I have been the husband I was expected to be.”

She lets go of your arm as if burned, stepping back with a sharp intake of breath, her expression one of betrayal, as though you had slapped her. “But you were never mine,” she whispers, the hurt cracking through her voice. “Not truly. Your body may have been here, but your heart… your heart was always hers.”

Silence falls between you both, thick and oppressive. The truth you’ve tried so long to avoid now lies bare before you, and there is no more hiding. 

“I loved her long before I loved you,” you admit, the confession heavy on your lips, each word like a stone thrown into a pond, creating ripples in the fragile peace that once existed. “When we were children, we thought—hoped—we would marry one day. But Viserys listened to your father, to Otto, and instead, I was wed to you.”

Alicent’s face hardens at the mention of her father’s name, but the pain in her eyes does not fade. “And you have resented me for it ever since.”

You shake your head. “No. I have never resented you, Alicent. You have been a good wife, a good mother to our children. But my heart…” You trail off, unable to finish, because the truth is too much to bear even for you.

“Your heart belongs to her,” Alicent finishes for you, her voice barely a whisper. She turns away from you, walking toward the window, her back rigid, her hands clenched at her sides. “You think I do not see the way she looks at you? The way she covets you? I may have married you, but she owns you.”

You can hear the bitterness in her voice, the deep-seated jealousy that has festered for years. It is the same bitterness that has always existed between Rhaenyra and Alicent, ever since your father took Alicent to wife. And though you wish to comfort her, to tell her that none of this was meant to hurt her, you know the truth would only be another wound.

“I never wanted to hurt you, Alicent,” you say, your voice low, strained with the weight of your guilt. “But Rhaenyra… she is part of me. She always has been.”

Alicent whirls to face you, her eyes blazing now, her composure finally shattering. “And what of our children?” she demands. “What of them? You have given me sons, a daughter—and yet, all this time, your mind, your soul, has been with her. What am I, then? Just a toy in your game?”

“No,” you say, stepping toward her, but she holds up a hand to stop you, her expression one of sorrow now, not anger.

“Do not come closer,” she says, her voice thick with unshed tears. “I have borne enough of this pain. The worst part of it all is that I believed… I believed for so long that if I tried hard enough, you would see me. That I could win your love.”

Her words twist something inside you, guilt sinking deeper, because despite everything, Alicent had always deserved more than what you could give. You stand there, unable to offer her anything but the truth, a truth that has always been both your burden and hers.

“I wish things were different,” you murmur, but the words are empty, and you both know it.

Alicent wipes away a tear, her face hardening once more. “So do I,” she whispers, turning away from you again, her gaze fixed on the dark sky beyond the window. “But wishes change nothing.”

As the silence stretches, you know this moment is a turning point, a fracture in the fragile peace you’ve maintained for so long. You have done your duty to her, to the realm, but in doing so, you have wounded the woman who now stands before you, a woman who will never truly have your heart.

And as you look at her, the weight of your choices pressing down upon you, you realize that no matter how much you have tried to balance duty and love, something—someone—was always going to be left in the shadows.

[thatblvckboyy]

I fear my post r gonna be like BP comebacks so here's a ff and I might delete this acc cuz of mental problems so if I do plz find another page

Kim jiwoong x male reader

Smut ff

You're a High School teacher at a very popular High school called Credarness High School and you work as a English Teacher. You also have a boyfriend named jiwoong and he is a Mafia Boss a hot one at that.

It was near evening time and you just finished making food as you would be sitting in the living room area marking your students English Exam paper.

After about an hour or so, your boyfriend jiwoong came in with a very musky and pleasurable scent as he would lock the door behind him and immediately walked over to you ,from behind and started kissing you out of nowhere, he did this for a few seconds.".my sweet little boyfriend has been so busy ... Why do you take a break ~" jiwoong said in a low and seductive tone" babe I have to finish marking these papers"

"It's Friday and you have the whole weekend and I promised you to behave" he said as he left tender kisses on your neck " babe stop! Let me finish this then you can have me all weekend "

"No can do I want you and now" with that he lifted you up from the sofa leaving the papers and pen on the table in the living room making his way to the bedroom with you in his arms held bridal style and layed you on the bed. After struggling to remove your clothes and his you were now bent over on the bed as he teased your hole with his dick before shoving it in "mmhh ohhh... Angry!! " you groaned gripping sheets as you felt his crotch fill you up with it's warmness

"See you always love my dick so why were you saying no" jiwoong said as he grabbed both of your arms pining them on your back"just relax.... And let it all out" he continued his rhythmic assault on your hole chasing his own pleasure enjoying the sweet solicit moans your pretty moans, music to his ears.When it came to jiwoong dick and his persuasive acts your body always submitted to him and his touch

Intense sexual tension in the air, nothing but the sounds of your flesh slapping against each other and your moans filled the room. There was Something about jiwoong bending you over and fucking the life out you, was just pure ecstasy. His hands on your hips digging deep in your skin as he his cock moves in and out of you hiring all those good spots.

" ahh I'm honan cum babe"With one final thrust his spilled his seed in you" ahhh! Oh yeah so gooood" he laid on top of you, the warmness of his seed was such a good feeling.He laid on the bed and pated the space next to him "come here babe I wanna cuddle you"you willingly obeyed and went and laid on his chest" remember you said I'm yours all weekend so finish those papers tomorrow and then we can some fun okay"

"What! Come on not fair you're always in control I wanna be in control too" you whined

"What would you even do if I gave you the slightest bit of control... Huh" he chuckled as he caressed your back "come on just one day babe please" you begged even though you always loved bottoming you wanted to feel what it's like to be in control "just sleep, I'm tired" he yawned

"Babe.... How about we go to.... " before you finished your sentence you heard him snoring " asleep already.... I guess I'll tell you tomorrow " you said as you yourself began getting sleepy and eventually fell asleep

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Never Hijacked!Peeta Fics Masterlist (8)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 /

Created: April 25th, 2024

Checked:---

After the Quell-SkyLark89 (ff)  Summary: Katniss and Peeta are both rescued by the rebels at the end of the Quarter Quell, resulting in various changes in their story. Begins with alternate "Catching Fire" ending. But He Sees Her Now-oh_wellau (ao3) Summary: Small drabble of how it would have gone had Peeta not been hijacked after he's rescued. Carefully Forgotten-TheSpectrumSings (ao3) Summary: "I should have known something like this would happen. They know that physical torture wouldn't be enough to break either of us, not anymore. We are too used to it. But this? I never imagined this. Not because I underestimated the Capitol's cruelty, but simply because it was unthinkable. He had loved me so long, I had almost taken it for granted. That his love would always be there, no matter what torture either of us was put through.---Peeta isn't Hijacked in the Capitol. Instead he is forced to forget Katniss, and Katniss has to deal with the idea that The Boy With The Bread that she once knew so well, has no idea who she is. Keep Fighting-omgg8764 (ff)  Summary: When Peeta's is rescued, he arrives back at 13 free of Jacker venom, and still in love with Katniss. They are then selected for an elite team designed to destroy Snow, but so is Gale. Katniss only loves Peeta, but Gale won't give up. One and Only-PeetaMellarksGirl (ff) Summary: Post mockingjay No hijacking-A take on how post mockingjay would’ve went if Peeta had never been hijacked.  Quiet Plans That Change In the Night-The Fly and the Lion (ff)  Summary: Katniss is in love with Peeta - losing him has made it clear. When he miraculously reappears at rebel HQ, the couple is forced to weigh their relationship against everything the war represents, knowing things might not turn out they way they dream. The Boy with the Bread-WinterRose02 (ff)  Summary: "Miss Everdeen, it's the things we love the most... that destroy us." President Snow wanted to be true to his word, that's what he always strives at doing; being right. But when his plan to hijack Peeta proves futile he's starting to rethink his choice of words. This is what I believe to happen if Peeta was never hijacked. The Ending We Never Got-livestockjudge (ff) Summary:What if Peeta was never hijacked? What if he was just plain and simply tortured by President Snow. We all know the happy reunion we were expecting, but never got. 

The Sharp Edge of Memory (Persuasion)-titania522 (ao3)

Summary: "Even if by some miracle I did survive and he did not - if I did not follow him to the grave from desperation soon after - I would live my entire life trying to solve the puzzle of how to get him out." What would have happened on the beach during the Quarter Quell if Finnick had not interrupted them?

whisper in the dark-towersofsilver (ao3) Summary: Freedom was an abstract concept in District 12. You couldn’t preach freedom if you died of hunger, if you were too exhausted to do more then head down into the mines every day, but Peeta deserved this freedom. After all he’d been through for her, she would make sure of it. - or five times that peeta and katniss call one another by an endearment and the one time they talk about it, a canon divergent au in which peeta isn't hijacked spanning until post mockingjay for our everlark babies

[royal-wren]

hi!! would you be open to sharing some of your experiences with worshipping the kharites? how have they impacted your life? i'm interested but there's so little information surrounding them. thank you so much :D

Ah hell yeah! I'll jump on any chance to talk about them!

I love the elder Kharites so much, sure I honor ALL of them but the first three are the ones directly in my life, and the third to have a statue on my altar. My main go-to with them is every art that has to do with writing, those that really eat up poetry and storytelling in all forms. They're givers of joy, grace, beauty, and eloquence, and the ones I lean on most for my own writing more than anyone else in company with two that they're in the retinue (staunch companions) of Hermes and Aphrodite. I feel like I might be the odd one out on my tendency to lean on them with H and A over the Mousai and Apollon, but it's just what feels most right for me. I can't dream of it being the latter when in my mind the five in question embody what grips and makes writing special while also being patrons of the arts.

To put it into perspective and why I went from honoring, to actively worshipping and now being their devotee and crediting them with every piece I make:

Bacchylides, Fragment 10 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (C5th B.C.) : "Truly the skilled man [poet or artisan] prospers in golden hope, whether he has won honour from the Kharites (Charites, Graces)."

Pindar, Nemean Ode 4. 6 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "If that man with the Kharites' (Charites', Graces') favour haply bring forth the heart's deep mood to live upon the tongue."

Pindar, Olympian Ode 14. 1 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) : "Whose haunts are by Kephissos' (Cephisus') river, you queens beloved of poets' song, ruling Orkhomenos (Orchomenus), that sunlit city and land of lovely steeds, watch and ward of the ancient Minyan race, hear now my prayer, you Kharites (Charites, Graces) three. For in your gift are all our mortal joys, and every sweet thing, be it wisdom, beauty, or glory, that makes rich the soul of man. Nor even can the immortal gods order at their behest the dance and festals, lacking the Kharites' aid"

From their theoi page: "The character and nature of the Charites are sufficiently expressed by the names they bear: they were conceived as the goddesses who gave festive joy and enhanced the enjoyments of life by refinement and gentleness. Gracefulness and beauty in social intercourse are therefore attributed to them. (Horat. Carm. iii. 21, 22; Pind. Ol. xiv. 7, &c.) They are mostly described as being in the service or attendance of other divinities, as real joy exists only in circles where the individual gives up his own self and makes it his main object to afford pleasure to others. The less beauty is ambitious to rule, the greater is its victory; and the less homage it demands, the more freely is it paid. These seen to be the ideas embodied in the Charites. They lend their grace and beauty to everything that delights and elevates gods and men. This notion was probably the cause of Charis being called the wife of Hephaestus, the divine artist. The most perfect works of art are thus called the works of the Charites, and the greatest artists are their favourites. The gentleness and gracefulness which they impart to man's ordinary pleasures are expressed by their moderating the exciting influence of wine (Hor. Carm. iii. 19. 15; Pind. Ol. xiii. 18), and by their accompanying Aphrodite and Eros. (Hom. Od. viii. 364, xviii. 194; Paus. vi. 24. § 5.) They also assist Hermes and Peitho to give grace to eloquence and persuasion (Hesiod. Op. 63), and wisdom itself receives its charms from them. Poetry, however, is the art which is especially favoured by them, whence they are called erasimolpoi or philêsimolpoi. For the same reason they are the friends of the Muses, with whom they live together in Olympus. (Hes. Theog. 64; Eurip. Herc. fur. 673; Theocrit. xvi. in fin.) Poets are inspired by the Muses, but the application of their songs to the embellishment of life and the festivals of the gods are the work of the Charites."

It certainly doesn't help that so many of the gods I focus on and are most important to my personal worship directly have them in their retinue or are their companions in the sense like the Mousai and the Horai where it's more an equal footing kind of thing versus what it's like with Hermes, Aphrodite, Apollon, Athene, Artemis, Dionysos, Hera, Hekate, and while it isn't noted anywhere, I can't see it in any other way than Hestia's inclusion as one of the trio leaders of festivities with Hermes and Dionysos and the Kharites embodying mirth, cheer/excitement, and festivities.

The best way to devote yourself to them and my go-to when I'm down and don't have the energy or focus and willpower to do much more is to do something for myself that will bring joy, comfort, and elation in their name. Hedonism and doing your hobbies go a long way with them.

Further reading:

The Graces in Ancient Greek Mythology

The Graces by Louis de Jaucourt

The three Graces, or the allegory of the gift published by Denis Vidal (also here if the other link dies)

Pausanias tries to visualize the three ‘Graces’ of Orkhomenos in Boeotia by Gregory Nagy

The Three Graces: Cosmic Harmony in Scève's Délie by Joan A. Buhlmann

The Three Graces: Composition and Meaning in a Roman Context by Jane Francis

[patozori]

Bayonetta | one piece ff

just an idea!! not sure if i should make it into a full ff, female, bayonetta inspired [y/n] role in straw hats: Strategist

Skills : use of twin pistols + ones in heels, very acrobatic, intelligent good at collecting information and creating battle strategies. Manipulations, and persuasion

background: was thinking she could be related to Robin, as they would have similar personalities. Would be met/join the crew during the filler arc G-8, she would have been a respected and admired strategist for the marines, was sent out from HQ to teach the marines in G-8, Luffy would have met her during his disguise as a chef, seen her strategizing and would have hinted at the idea of being a pirate, would be agaisnt it. But during the Straw Hats escape, she would have been taken hostage and then persuaded to join luffy

lmk ur thoughts if i do decide to go with it ill probs write it in chapters ??? im not sure yet

[hand-picked-star]

The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the heart | Chapter 15

I am not very good at writing ffs. I even read ffs very selectively. But it was an attempt of me to participate in the 13th-anniversary arshi fiesta.

I might be wrong about certain aspects of that age and era, but it's a fantasy, so why not? I don't own Arnav and Khushi and the story is purely fictional and has no relation to any living or dead. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT

Chapter 15

"Is that you, Khushi?" Khushi was out to buy some fruits from the farmer's market when the voice startled her. Turning around, she found Lavanya Kashyap and two other ladies she didn't remember the names of, all dressed to the nines. Khushi was surprised to find them in this neighborhood.

"You don't mind me calling you Khushi, do you? We are friends, after all," Lavanya said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"No, it's okay, Ms. Kashyap. What are you doing in this area? I suppose you don't live around here," Khushi replied, trying to keep her tone polite despite the unease she felt.

"Oh, actually, we have a farmhouse not far from here. Didn't Arnav tell you that? We spent last summer at that farmhouse," Lavanya said smugly, watching Khushi's discomfort become visible on her face.

"Oh, I didn't know that." Khush tried to mask her surprise and discomfort with a polite smile.

Giving Khushi a triumphant smile, Lavanya continued, "Come, Khushi, join us for a coffee. There's a coffee shop nearby that sells excellent coffee."

"I have to decline. I need to go home."

"Oh, Khushi, come on. Just one cup," Lavanya insisted, her tone a mix of persuasion and challenge.

Khushi couldn't deny any further and went with them. In the coffee shop, Lavanya jumped in to order.

"Let me order the coffee for you. It's actually Arnav's favorite. Last summer, we used to come here all the time."

Trying to keep her uneasiness at bay, Khushi only nodded her head. While they were sipping coffee, Lavanya started talking about useless town rumors, in which Khushi had no interest whatsoever. She got lost in her thoughts.

Why is Lavanya always trying to hint at a more intimate relationship between her and Arnav? But Arnav didn't say anything like that. She had to ask Arnav for more details, she thought to herself.

Suddenly, Lavanya informed them that she was going to use the powder room, and Khushi noticed a limp in her right leg that wasn't there at the party. When Lavanya came back, Khushi asked her, "What happened to your leg?"

"Oh, I accidentally cut my thigh on a loose nail at our dining table."

"Oh, poor thing, now you'll have an ugly scar there. It's such a nasty cut," one of the girls said sympathetically.

Lavanya's eyes shone with something Khushi couldn't quite recognize. With an air of confidence, Lavanya said, "Oh Pam, at least I'm glad that now I'll have a scar identical to Arnav's, even if his is on the left thigh."

Khushi's ear started ringing, her face flushing as she looked at Lavanya. Her mind brought up a flashback.

Her hand shot out to grip his thigh as he sat on his knees. His hands held her by the waist while she hooked her legs across his hips. In the throes of passion, she liked to keep her hand on that particular thigh and gently caressed the raised scar residing there with her thumb, in a futile attempt to keep herself grounded, while he drove into her deeper and harder.

Khushi cleared her throat and tried her hardest to gather her composure.

"What are you trying to achieve, Lavanya, by telling me all of this about Arnav? If anything happened between you two, it's in the past. It doesn't matter anymore," Khushi said firmly, trying to assert her boundaries.

"Nothing. Just trying to break your illusion that you think you can keep a man like Arnav."

"What do you mean?"

"If you think you can hold onto a man like Arnav for your whole life, you're only fooling yourself. Come on, think, Khushi. Why did he marry you? He probably befriended you first. But you weren't someone he could sleep with, without marrying you, right? So, he did and brought you here to London, away from your family, so that he can do anything he wants. Do you really think he's planning to go to India and settle down with you there? Huh?..... You're only fooling yourself."

"At first, I really thought you might be his friend and knew him quite well. If that's your opinion of him, you didn't know him at all." She got up and never looked back at them. She went straight home and promised herself never to think about Lavanya and her lies again.

But that was easier said than done. To distract herself, she prepared Arnav's favorite dishes, which brought a huge smile to his tired face. However, Khushi's smile vanished when he said, 'We need to stay here for six more months, Khushi.''

"Why?"

"Mr. Kashyup got an important case, and he wants me to assist him with it. It's a huge opportunity, Khushi. It will end in more or less six months. Then we will go to India, okay?" Arnav told her, squeezing her hand.

But Khushi's mind drifted to Lavanya's words despite her unwillingness. She kept wondering if Arnav was stalling, if Lavanya was right. She shook herself free of that thought. She kept chanting in her overthinking mind 'I love him and he loves me.' over and over again.

"Hey, do you want to attend tomorrow's party?"

"No, these parties are boring. And you'll be working anyway."

"Hmm". Arnav chuckled.

"Will Ms.Kashyap be there?" Arnav caught the jealousy in her voice. "You've never told me about the nature of your friendship with her," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I didn't, because there's nothing to tell," Arnav laughed, then added, "By the way, you look really cute when you're jealous," he said teasingly.

"I am not jealous. "

"Yeah, of course not."

Of course, she was jealous, insecure, and confused. Her mind was a tumultuous storm of emotions. Doubt gnawed at her heart like a relentless predator, threatening to tear apart her foundations of trust.

For a couple of days, Arnav was tense and in a terribly foul mood. She asked him about it, but he didn't say anything specific. One Sunday, when the doorbell rang, Khushi opened it to reveal a beautiful woman, probably in her late twenties.

"How can I help you?" Khushi asked politely.

"Oh, hello, does Arnav Singh Raizada live here? I want to talk to him," the lady said pleasantly.

Arnav noticed their interaction and approached them.

"Khushi, please go inside. I'll take it from here," Arnav said gently.

Dumbfounded, Khushi did as she was told without any objection, but their voices kept coming back to her ears.

"How dare you come to my house? Leave now," Arnav said in a hushed voice.

"Please, Arnav, just listen to me this one time. I won't disturb you after that," she pleaded.

"That's 'Mr.Raizada' to you and I don't want to talk to you. Stop following me," Arnav insisted firmly. "I don't want be rude but I will if you don't listen to me. Don't create a scene here."

After coming inside, when she asked him about it, he simply ignored the topic, dismissing it as unimportant.

Then a very unusual thing happened. One day, as she was returning from the market, Khushi saw Arnav coming out of a house. He was looking down and didn't notice her. When Khushi turned to look at the house, she saw the lady standing at the door, looking at Arnav with sad eyes. Khushi's heart twisted, foreseeing an impending doom.

Arnav was very quiet during dinner, lost in thought. Any attempt at conversation was futile. Seeing her concerned expression, he hugged her tightly, kissed her, and promised to explain what was bothering him in a couple of days. Khushi simply nodded in response.

But Khushi, consumed by curiosity, went to the house she had seen Arnav leaving the previous day. Unable to contain her intrigue, she asked the nearby vendor whose house it was.

"Oh, that's Mrs. Raizada's house. Mrs. Raizada and her daughter live there," the woman continued, her voice tinged with sympathy. "Oh, poor lady, her husband left her, and then she had to raise that child all by herself... Ma'am, are you alright?"

she struggled to breathe amid the torrent of emotions flooding her. She fought to control herself as she rushed home and locked herself in their room. They say when the pain is too much to bear, you can't even cry; your heart turns to stone. As Khushi laid face down on the floor, her cheek pressed against the cold wood, she felt the anguish permeate every fibre of her being. Every inch of her body trembled with the anguish of realization—the betrayal by the man she loved, the deception hidden behind smiles and promises.

Khushi laid frozen, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. What she had seen felt like a cruel betrayal, yet her foolish heart clung to the slimmest hope, yearning for a different explanation. She wanted to believe that there was a misunderstanding, some plausible reason that would erase the sting of what she had witnessed. But how could she dismiss the image burned into her mind, the undeniable reality she had seen with her own eyes? It felt like her heart and mind were at war, each pulling her in opposite directions, leaving her torn and uncertain about what to do next.

In those moments of solitude, Khushi felt the echoes of Ratna Singh Raizada's pain, understanding the depth of despair that must have haunted her. But amidst her turmoil, Khushi vowed to herself that she wouldn't follow the path her late mother-in-law had chosen.

A doorbell interrupted Khushi's thoughts, prompting her to rise from the floor and answer it. She prepared herself to face him. To her surprise, it was Samuel, Nani ji's servant. He explained that Arnav had called to inform Nani ji about a sudden dinner party he had to attend, which meant he would be late. Concerned for Khushi, Nani ji had sent Samuel to escort her back to their house.

Khushi sent Samuel away to inform Nani ji that she couldn't come due to a headache and reassured him not to worry about her. She retreated to the bathroom, taking a scalding hot shower and scrubbing her body until it turned red. After changing into her nightgown, she moved to the living room to wait for Arnav.

As she waited, her mind involuntarily conjured an image of Arnav and Lavanya kissing passionately in a beautiful hall, surrounded by applauding well-wishers. Khushi wondered why her mind was fixated on Arnav and Lavanya instead of Arnav and his secret wife. She couldn't rationalize this obsession, fearing she might be on the verge of losing her sanity. Perhaps, she thought, this was the moment when Arnav would find it easy to leave her without any guilt, if she turned insane.

Around midnight, Khushi's reverie was broken by the jingling of Arnav's keys as he entered the house. He stood silently, observing Khushi—his beautiful wife with red-rimmed eyes and a disheveled appearance. Without hesitation, he approached her, gently cupping her face with both hands.

"Khushi?" His voice tinged with panic, Arnav's eyes searched her body intensely for any sign of injury. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Khushi removed his hands from her body, causing Arnav to recoil in hurt and confusion.

"I want to go home."

"What?... Why? "

When Khushi didn't say anything, he gently took her hands and softly tugged at them. "Come on, let's talk, okay?"

"What's the purpose of talking if you're going to lie to me or hide things from me anyways?"

"What are you talking about? I've never lied to you."

"Okay, then tell me what happened between you and Ms. Kashyap?"

"Really, Khushi? You're thinking about Lavanya. Again? It's very late. Let's go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow."

"No," Khushi's tone halted his movement.

He sighed, "There was nothing between Lavanya and me. We were friends, and then we weren't anymore. She wanted to marry me, but I didn't. So, I rejected her."

"Tell me the truth, Arnav."

"Khushi..." his voice tinted with frustration.

"We were friends too and I wanted to marry you but you didn't. Was it like that?" she whispered.

"Have you gone mad? I wanted to marry you. Those situations weren't the same."

"Did you want to marry me because you can't sleep with me without marrying me, like you did with Ms. Kashyap? If there was no serious relationship, why is she so obsessed with you? Why is she so hell-bent on proving that I am nothing compared to her? Do you have any answers to that?"

"Did lavanya tell you that? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"And what about your secret wife?"

"Secret wife? What the hell are you talking about? Listen, I don't know what she told you, Khushi. But you aren't thinking clearly right now. You need to calm down."

"NO!! You lied about sleeping with Ms.Kashyap. You hid your secret wife. If you had nothing to hide, then why didn't you warn me about anything before meeting Ms.Kashyap? And every time she meets me, she tries to make me feel so insecure. I don't know why she gets under my skin so easily."

She continued, almost hysterically, her emotions raw and overwhelming, "Did you lie because you wanted to see her behind my back? And at every party you attend, she's always there, isn't she? Why would she be at a work party that's unrelated to her profession if you're not giving her attention?.... How foolish of me !!! I've been tormenting myself, imagining what you two might be doing at those parties for days and there's a secret wife that I didn't even count on."

She saw his beautiful face contorted in pain, and her words dried in her throat. His pain shouldn't have mattered to her, but it did. She still loved him so much, against all reason. Minutes later, his features hardened, his jaw clenched and she witnessed his face morph into anger, concealing his hurt.

"Did you really just say that I go to those parties to fuck her?" His voice was dark as he whispered those words in a menacing low tone. Veins bulged on his forehead and his fists clenched dangerously. Khushi watched in silence as he stormed out the way he had come in, slamming the door behind him. This time, Khushi's tears came crashing down, shaking her small frame as she sank to the floor.

<previous> | <next >

@arshifiesta @featheredclover @phuljari

[lycomorpha]

Dusty's field notes and sketchbook

Flora of Kreet: Dust root

Found in volcanic habitat nr research outpost on Kreet, moon of Anselon, Narion system

Largest plant species in area, 2-2.5m tall, other small scrubby plants/grasses visible, all appear red

Single stem forms a loop - emerges, puts out aerial roots leaning in direction of growth, reconnects to ground

Small needle-like cauline leaves arranged in threes at intervals along whole of stem

Incongruously colourful pod (could be to attract seed-spreading wildlife?) in cerise pink and turquoise

Pod is source of fibre, intricate tiered surface texture

Stem and roots have a rough, peeling or wrinkled texture

Are these huge looping stems individual plants, or is each part of an even larger underground whole? Is the structure we see above ground only there to spread seeds from its pod, or is it perennial? So many questions, no time to dig for answers.

Video game botany: the flora of Starfield

Alternative title: "People got me games and now here I am with even more botany nonsense lol." I have many video game botany things I want to do, and not enough time. So for BG3 and Starfield, I'm just sketching as I go and making field notes as if I was out with the botanists IRL. Dusty's field sketches for Starfield, notes from druid Tav in BG3. First up...

~

Dust root

The first plant I came across in Starfield. I wonder whether the dust root plants we see above ground are many individuals or each parts of a mostly-subterranean whole. Some plants on earth rarely emerge above ground and most of their life cycle happens out of sight. I've read about at least one plant that even flowers underground. So maybe dust root is like that and just puts up these loops when it's time to go to seed? Their brightly coloured seed pods seem so incongruous compared to every other plant around. So maybe the colour attracts fauna that eat and spread seeds.

~

There are things I love in Starfield (botany, Andreja, ship-building) and things I do not (why TF can I not give Cora Coe books??, needing to run soooo many mods, the persuasion omfgs.) But it's game with botanical/entomological opportunities, so I'm in.

Dusty and dust root. They'd probably smile if they weren't about to be jumped by a Kreet stalker, little baskets won't let people botanise in peace FFS

[ohtobealady]

Quiver

(Here is my belated contribution to the Cobert Winter Fanfic Exchange. Thank you to @bella-caecilia for organizing it. My prompts were Quiver and "I didn't mean it." I used the dialogue as inspiration. It works as a bit of a companion piece to Ch 4 of Le Langage des Fleurs. This is also posted on FF dot net.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She rubbed the lotion in, making small circles against the heel of her palm. Robert was talking behind her, by the bed, and she glanced up to him in the mirror and suppressed a small laugh. Oh, sometimes he wound himself up so tightly over the simplest things—cinema starlets not excluded. 

“And did you see the layers of paint she was wearing?” he was saying, pulling back the bedsheets and agitatedly sliding in. “Like a piece in a gallery.”

Cora’s laugh came out in a huff. “Oh, Robert, don’t be unkind. I think she’s beautiful.” She stood from her chair, and was pleased she felt no lightheadedness. She smiled. “Besides, it must be quite invigorating to know of one’s own sex appeal.”

“Nonsense. No one can be that sure.”

She rolled her eyes as she also climbed into bed beside him, noting that she did so with ease. She wasn’t sure if it had been the small glass of wine, or the powder Baxter had given her before dinner, or perhaps if it was simply a trick of her mind, but the aching and fatigue that constantly plagued her was absent in this moment, and she would cherish it. She’d use it. 

Robert was still going on and on—about what now, she didn’t follow—as he rolled to switch off his lamp. And then, just as he had rolled to his left, he rolled just as swiftly to his right to press a kiss to her cheek. A kiss good night. A quick kiss. Right at the corner of her mouth.

And she melted at it. 

Oh, she missed him. She yearned for him. And it wasn’t because they hadn’t lain together in weeks, six or even seven—far longer than a month. No. It wasn’t merely that. It was because who knew? Who knew how much longer she’d be able to love him in that way?  How much longer would their lives be free of the shadow she knew was lurking just behind her? How much longer would she even exist?

Cora drew in a breath, and she let herself roll towards him.

Her lamplight allowed her to study him, all his curves and lines she’d studied so many nights before: his closed eyes, his lips he moved slightly as he yawned and pressed his mouth, his jaw and chin and his silver stubble. She began to work to commit it all to memory again—images she could have forever, moments she could keep. But then…but then, would that be so? She felt her throat tighten at the abrupt thought she’d spent so much time trying to keep at bay: Did the dead have memories? 

Stillness, then. Gravity. Was this—Was this all she had left of him? Just these few precious moments? 

This was it.

She lifted her chin to loosen the knot choking her. She tried to convince herself she wasn’t sure what her condition was, for she wasn’t. She knew well-enough her symptoms—the constant fatigue, the chest pains, the breathlessness and dizziness and dyspepsia…the sudden, drastic weight loss—could be true of any number of illnesses. Couldn’t they? No. Even her earnest persuasion to believe otherwise failed her. She was no fool. She knew she was ill. Very ill. And her husband did not. 

She looked at him still. She watched the way his breath came in and out evenly beside her, unaware of her thoughts. He was unaware of so much, which was just as Cora wanted it. She wanted to treasure it all. She wanted to savor the beauty of what her life had been–her life with Robert. There were only a handful of hours of their life here before they left for France, and then their life would be different–irrevocably changed. 

She’d tell him after Marseille. She’d have to. 

She heard his small exhale of breath beside her, and she watched the way his chest rose and fell. It made her heart ache. So, much like a pilgrim paying homage, she touched at his shoulder. She touched at the collar of his pajama shirt. And when he didn’t move, she traced a soft fingertip along his throat. 

No. She did not feel lust for him. She did not feel need as she sometimes did, warmth growing deep in her core. No, only yearning.  

He hummed, and he opened his eyes. 

She smiled back at him when he smiled coyly at her, for she was sure he knew what she meant. He understood the secret language they’d created between them in these three decades together. He understood what she meant by her small touches, and by the way she pushed herself ever closer to him. He watched her as she did so, and behind her ribs, her aching heart beat wildly. 

Cora lifted her chin, and she kissed him. Her lips felt the stubble she’d adored, and she let her lips linger at his jaw. His hand, as it always did, went to her arm, and he tugged slightly. Just as he had understood her, she, too, understood him. Her own body flush with his, she slowly rose to rest her weight upon her elbow and she hovered very near his face; and she looked at him.

His tired expression was half-hidden in the shadow made by her head and hair, the lamplight glowing behind her. But tired as he was, he also looked happy. His mouth was relaxed, his lips were parted, and the knot that she’d loosened in her throat quickly tightened again. 

He was beautiful. Every curve, every line…everything. And she loved him. 

She loved him. 

Her chest ached more acutely, and drawing in a deep breath, she pushed herself to him again, and she kissed his lips, feeling his fingers tighten further on her arm. Then, as he lifted his head more to meet hers, she felt him rush to deepen their kiss.

It surprised her, how eager he was, and she sighed in her throat before he broke away.

“You aren’t too tired?” he whispered, his voice low, and she shook her head.

“No.” 

“Lie back.” He shifted himself, and Cora did as he asked of her, nestling herself down into the bedding as he moved to cover her. 

“Are you certain–” Robert nodded at her voice, silencing her; he kissed her mouth and then cheek and then neck. “You needn’t take over completely,” she tried again, but this time Robert shook his head against her. 

“It helps to begin this way.” His voice was in her ear as he kissed her jaw.

She nodded, knowing what he meant.

“Yes,” she amended. She nodded again. “I—“

But she stopped, her thoughts beginning to whir too quickly as he kissed her body. As he palmed her breasts. As his fingers touched and pressed in places that made her breath catch. Still, they whirred, but they weren’t of pleasure. They weren’t of him. They were of herself: Did he feel how much thinner she’d gotten? Did he feel, too, how swollen her tummy? Did he feel how unattractive she felt herself to be? 

No. She reminded herself; no. She loved him. She felt well just now. She couldn’t squander it. She loved him. 

She trembled as she fought against her compulsions–the part she played when they laid together. The other her, the woman six months ago, would reach between them and feel for him. She’d maneuver her fingers inside of his waistband and then around him, to where his aging body still hardened for her. And she would hear him exhale against her. 

But she couldn’t seem to, and she hated herself for it. 

Her hands went instead to his cheeks, the backs of her index and middle fingers stroking the stubble there. And then his hair, where she wove them into the soft, gently graying waves. 

“Touch me,” he said against her ear, and her stomach flipped. “Darling.”

She closed her eyes, and she pushed a hand between them, but slowly. Slowly feeling the fabric of his nightshirt. Slowly feeling the drawstring of his waistband. Slowly feeling the soft, smooth skin of his body–and her lip quivered. Love. So much, so much, love.

“I did worry.” His voice was huskier, breathier, and Cora swam in the headiness of the moment.  

She whispered, “Worry?” and kissed his jaw. His cheek.

He nodded, and she felt his small smile against her lips. “That I wouldn’t be up to snuff.” He kissed her, softly. Soundly. “That my age would be against us.”

“Oh, darling,” she sighed, and kissed him again, and again. “Our age,” she corrected him. And then, she pulled away, slightly, so that she could see him better. So she could see his eyes. And her voice wavered when she spoke. “We’ve grown old together.”

“Yes,” he laughed, appreciatively, and pressed his lips to hers. “And together we’ll grow older, still.”

It was a lie, her nod. “Yes.” Her eyes prickling with tears, her throat tightening, and her heart aching, she pushed the lie from her chest as her husband kissed her breasts through her gown. “And together we’ll grow older, still.”

[arcielee]

Interview With a Writer

Thank you so much @dragonwanker for allowing me to pick your brain on this wonderful story and allowing me to continue this series! 💜 As always, Interview With a Writer is my ongoing series of the talented souls on Tumblr and ao3, and their brilliant writing!

Dividers by @saradika 💜

Name: dragonwanker

Story: The Commune [on ao3]

Paring: modern Aemond Targaryen x Female!Reader

Warnings: 18+ MDNI. AFAB reader, she/her pronouns. This fic contains dark themes such as; descriptions of depression, manipulation, coercion, noncon/dubcon, and incest. Please mind the tags for each chapter.

So, when did you start writing?

Oh, just in September this year! I wrote my first fic and published it then, it’s called “Warm Me Up” 😊 But I’ve been obsessed since it aired last October and I’ve read miles of Aemond fanfic especially!

I’ve always been like a day dreamer, who needs a fantasy to escape to. I didn’t think I’d be any good at writing and avoided it for so long, but then I felt inspired and brave and thought I’d give it a shot. Fanfic really helped me last year when I had a pretty bad time mentally and I thought if someone would enjoy my stories like I’ve enjoyed so many others, I’d be happy!

What made you decide to start writing in English? Do you have any advice for budding new writers where English is not their native tongue?

I think I decided to write in English since I only read fanfics in English, there really isn’t a community in Swedish. Most Swedish people have high enough English literacy to read in the language, and being able to read and write in English opens up to so much more content. As for advice; I’d say read read read! Even if it’s just fanfics, there is so much talent among ff writers and so many lovely pieces to chose from!

I don’t think I would have been able to write without having read so much fan fiction in the last year honestly! I only ever read books in Swedish, or really boring text books and academic articles in English. So, reading has really helped me understand the tone that I enjoy reading in. And helped me understand how to describe and paint a picture for the reader.

I’ve had some time to practice writing in English though, I did both my bachelors and masters in English, but the papers I wrote in school were all boring academic papers.

But that did help me articulate myself and get my point across, something that I think might feel challenging when writing in a second language.

Where did the plot for The Commune come from?

Since I am new to writing, I thought I’d explore writing something darker (also cause Halloween was just around the corner hehe) but wanted it to be different from other stories I’ve read.

I studied politics in uni and was very focused on nationalism, identity and national identity. I think theories surrounding those concepts, like Benedict Anderson’s theory on ‘imagined communities,’ inspired me to write something about a secluded community, and then I thought of a cult.

And the idea works ‘cause Aemond (in canon, I mean) was brought up in a religious family, and I felt like the Seven would be fun to explore more, especially since the story takes place in a modern AU of Westeros.

And his personality really reflects other cult leaders, like Jim Jones (I used Jonestown as a bit of an inspiration for The Commune). Aemond is highly intelligent, calculating, persuasive, knowledgeable about the Seven, and authoritative.

Can you expand a bit more on your interpretation of Aemond. What drives him? Why is he the way he is in The Commune?

I’d say the trauma from losing his eye as a child drives him greatly, and that has both good and bad consequences. Like in canon, he utilises that when studying, and it’s implied that he is extremely intelligent, which I’d say is a result of his tedious work. The need to prove himself drives him greatly.

I also think he has a inferiority complex as a child that develops into a superiority complex as he gets older and praised for his amazing work in school.

So, he takes a natural role as the leader within The Commune (I mean, he’s the mastermind behind it) since he believes that he’s superior to everyone else, even those older than him (with more experience in life or in research). That is where the idea that he could be the father reincarnated comes from; his incredible intellect and how sure he is in everything he does.

Was there anything in specific that inspired your Reader portrayal?

I felt like some of us needed a relatable depressed girl whose too tired of her meaningless job to fight the manipulation.

But I guess I drew a lot of inspiration from real life, and having battled a bit with mental health issues, I utilised that. I wanted the ending to be a bit ambiguous; so that we don’t know if she chose to stay or if she was “brainwashed” into staying. So, she needed to be displeased with life from the start, otherwise she wouldn’t want to leave her career.

Plus, cults often pray on people like her: depressed and disappointed in life. So it felt fitting 😊

Do you think your Reader complements Aemond?

I’ve thought about it and in a twisted way, yes, I think she compliments him (or his delusions haha). He uses his scar and the trauma he went through as a child as a way to manipulate his followers, and having the girl who (he thinks) wronged him by his side as a devoted partner helps him further reinforce his agenda as this outer worldly leader!

That’s one more thing that drives him marrying her: he thinks she’ll help in his selfish goals of gaining more power.

So really, she complements his end game.

Were there any other characters in your story you enjoyed writing?

Oh yes, I loved writing Alys and Helaena! They’re only the two other real ‘actors’ in the story but it was so fun exploring how their characters would translate onto this dark, modern setting.

Helaena being depressed in King’s Landing and finding solace in the country where she can pursue a life without the stresses of modern society felt realistic to the way I interpret her character; someone who craves connection to nature (actualised through her fondness of insects) yet gets pulled away from that and thrust into the chaotic mess that is the Targtowers.

And Alys being this highly intelligent PhD student in phytotherapy; having vast knowledge on plants and ancient healing practices! Gets charmed by the young and confident political science student (Aemond) who promises a better life under a brand new philosophy.

Do you think you will do a sequel to this story? Or a new piece you might post?

Hmmm no, at least not at the moment! I like the way it ended and feel like I don’t have anything else to add that would elevate the story… but if inspiration strikes I’m not opposed to the idea!

I’m currently writing a series called ‘Rumours’ that I think people who enjoyed ‘The Commune’ might like; it’s not a dark!fic but there’s plenty of angst and drama 👀

Do you have a personal favorite fanfic you'd like to share?

I am beyond excited for more of @theoneeyedprince Tom Bennett story ‘As the World Burns’ and @humanpurposes modern!Aemond story ‘It Will Come Back’

[amoremagnificentbastard]

OC Smash or Pass!

Tagged by @gilded-glitter! Not entirely sure who else has been tagged but I'll tag @bardic-inspo, @sniickerdoodles, @astarionfreak, @socalledfreethinker, @brain-rot-central, and @cinnamontails-ff.

Rules: include physical descriptions or pics, and propaganda. the “other” label can be used for “sexuality misalignment” (ie: oc is femme and you’re gay, vice versa or you aren’t into smashing but a specific thing you wanna do with them like perhaps hug or study them under a microscope idc).

Meet Diana Kismet, human Selûnite cleric (and Chosen).

Facts:

Height: 5'5"

Age: ~22

Gender: female

Pronouns: she/her

Sexuality: TBD??? I don't think she's straight but I'm not entirely sure what she is yet. She's definitely attracted to at least one man, though.

Pros:

Honest -- not in a blunt, mean way, but if you ask her a question she will be sincere and earnest in her response. (This becomes a con if she's like this within earshot of the wrong person.)

Empathetic -- it's easy for her to put herself in someone else's shoes and figure out where they're coming from.

Great listener -- gives you her full attention when you talk to her and really tries to internalize what you tell her, because if it's important enough for you to share, it's important enough for her to remember.

Persuasive -- not in a manipulative way, but since she listens and figures out where someone is coming from, it's easier for her to talk someone she cares about down from doing something stupid.

Loves physical affection -- hugs, hand-holding, all of it.

Cons:

Naïve -- she has spent her life surrounded by people that want the best for her and loved, supported, and (to her detriment) sheltered her. She's not unaware of Toril's problems, exactly, but it's not until the tadpoles that she realizes just how genuinely terrible and unkind people can be.

Lack of confidence in herself -- before the tadpoles, she held a clerical role with certain scripts she could fall back on and a fairly vocal goddess calling the shots. When it comes to important decisions, she hesitates to speak her own mind and defers to others. (Again, she feels safe to do this because she's always been surrounded by people who care about her.)

Impressionable -- easily influenced because again, she never had to keep her guard up before the tadpoles, and again, she'd rather let someone else make the decisions.

Very firmly set in her ways -- she likes her routines, and it takes a heck of a push to get her out of her comfort zone.

Shuts down when she's angry -- it takes a lot for her to get to this point, but piss her off enough and she won't even talk to you until she's calmed down.

If you answer "Other" I'd love to see why in your tags, but no pressure!

[jennyandvastraflint]

Xena Reactions S2Ep18

Xena wants foooood!

Gabrielle wants to go shoppinggggg XD

Oh they'll kidnap Gabrielle aren't they

She bought a scarf for two dinars

AAAAH. THEY KIDNAPPED GABRIELLE

Gabrielle 🤝 Jenny Getting kidnapped :(

"Because I killed her, Xena" OI DON'T MAKE HER THAT ANGRY

Xena is ready for a fightttt

Who even is this guy... Am I supposed to know him? He seems to know about Draco and Callisto

Dude, stop damaging the stalls. You're gonna pay for all that

"What did you do with Gabrielle" Attack dog

He's delusional

"You got thirty seconds to tell me where she is"

Oh this guy is fucking annoying. Stab his guts. Slice open his balls.

OH SHIT. IS SHE ALLERGIC TO THE OIL.

I wish this show had no men in it

NOOOO XENA WANTS HER WIFEY BACKKKKK

uhhhh... Why is there a portrait of Gabrielle...

Ew this is disgusting. DON'T SELL WOMEN TO GROSS MEN.

Ahdhdhdhd SHE LOOKS AT THE COCK OF THE STATUE

URGH FFS... Can dudes stop being like that to women

"I don't respond well to threats. However, I find pain quite persuasive..." 😂

SHIT IS SHE GOING BLIND. Yup

Key between the boobs 👀

"No but I'm in a hurry and you'll be my eyes"

"And she's not going to like this forced marriage thing"

STOP INSULTING HER!???

"I CAN'T I WON'T" "Hungry, my queen?" "Oh a few grapes..." XD

Well... Blind for life? I mean, Gabrielle can be her eyes

"That must be one friend..." 🏳️‍🌈💕

"You commanded respect" "No, I commanded fear"

Oh no...

"Lady Gabrielle" THE GUY COMING OUT-

Boobrielle- did they push her boobs to be bigger?

Her braid and hair looks pretty tho

Hmmmmm I don't like this

Oh they'll fall

XENA. SHE JUST DROPPED HERSELF

She's fine(ish)

Urgh this dude is getting on my nerves

PLS HER WRIST GOING LIMP. GAY

Yeah they're really pushing her boobs...

"Have you ever been in love?"

"a certain someone" oh he's queer isn't he.

"Now you know how I feel" XENA.

"Those aren't pleasant memories for me" SHE'S HAVING PTSD MOMENTS MY BABYGIRL

Gabrielle my love

"Cold hands" he's dead.

"Because all the men I get serious about end up dead" shfhshss

THEY WANT HER TO FUCKING DIE??? URGHHH

Xena climbing a wall blind ✌️

SHE TOSSED THE SHAKRAM

"Is your friend really worth all this?" "I'd die for her" Average lesbian relationship idk what you mean

Yea he's trying to pull the alpha male shit

Shfdhdhd the propped up king

Ough and Gabrielle tied up

"Give us a sign" Blergh. Xena will fucking murder him

"Your deadness"

Urgh leave Gabrielle ALOOONEEEEE

"You're right, this place is crawling with guards"

UARGHHHH!!! STOPPPPP

"She and the king are to be cremated" NUGHH Xena is so worried for her gf

Noooo, the guy realised she can't see

She's fighting by ear...

ARGH SOMEONE HELP GABRIELLE

"GABRIELLE HANG ON" "xena" STOPPPPPP

"GABRIELLE GABRIELLE GABRIELLE"

THEY'RE HUGGING AND CRYING

"I have that growing in my garden" shdhfd

GABRIELLE GENTLY TILTING HER FACE AND CLEARING HER EYES

"now that's a sight for sore eyes"

From a disability rep point I'd appreciate them not treating blindness as a THE MOST HORRIBLE FATE EVER

Awww he actually learned something...

"I think I'm gonna PRETEND to be good for a while"

AHAHAHAAA I CALLED THE GUY IS GAYYYY XDDD

"Can you courtesy?" 😂 I mean she learned for pretending to be Diana, didn't she

"I hate you. In a good way" 🏳️‍🌈

[bethanydelleman]

Asks about my OTPs

Pick your top 10 OTPs without reading the questions, then answer the questions after you've made your list (I will do my top 10 Austen OTPs)

Catherine Morland & Henry Tilney

Fanny Price & Henry Crawford

Elizabeth Bennet & Fitzwilliam Darcy

Harriet Smith & Robert Martin

Caroline Bingley & Sir Walter Elliot

Elinor Dashwood & Edward Ferrars

Marianne Dashwood & Colonel Brandon

Emma Woodhouse & Jane Fairfax

Eleanor Tilney & her laundry Viscount

Sir Walter & Himself

1. Do you remember the episode/scene/chapter that you first started shipping 6? – When Edward comes to Barton and makes fun of Marianne's love of dead trees.

2. Have you ever read a fanfic about 2? – Yes, my favourite is Fanny: A Mansfield Park Story by Amelia Marie Logan, and I've written severa, including one full length novel.

3. Has a picture of 4 ever been your screen saver/profile picture/tumblr screen saver? – Nope! Always my kids these days.

4. If 7 were to suddenly break up today, what would your reaction be? – This actually happens in FF quite a lot, people are always killing off Brandon early into the marriage and leaving Marianne with a baby. It makes me sad, let Brandon be happy! He's only 37 when they marry he probably has another 20 years at least! (Honestly, since Brandon has survived to his age, Marianne actually has a higher chance of passing away since she's the one making babies).

5. Why is 1 so important? – Because they are so uncomplicated and happy. Just two very cute people making a cute marriage and I would defend their ship to the ends of the earth.

6. Is 9 a funny ship or a serious ship? – Um, it's a whole joke that Austen didn't reveal a new character because the new viscount made a laundry list that Catherine found. But I love Eleanor so much that I do seriously want her to be happy.

7. Out of all the ships listed, which ship has the most chemistry? – Henry & Catherine, Harriet & Robert I think? I may be a bad judge of "chemistry".

8. Out of all your ships listed, which ship has the strongest bond? – Elinor & Edward, I'm always surprised how sure they are of the other's love in spite of of all the obstacles.

9. How many times have you read/watched the 10’s fandom? - I honestly don't know at this point, I read Persuasion once as a teenager and I didn't like it but I LOVED Sir Walter. I've watched all the adaptations (including 1971) and I've read/listened to the book multiple times now.

10. Which ship has lasted the longest? – Sir Walter & himself obviously, that's been going strong for 54 years. I hope it continues until his death at 93. All the others are new pairings.

11. How many times, if ever, has 6 broken up? – The only Austen couple to break up and get back together is Anne & Wentworth, so zero for Elinor & Edward.

12. If the world was suddenly thrust into a zombie apocalypse, which ship would make it out alive, 2 or 8? – Huh, Fanny & Henry or Emma & Jane? They both have a sickly member, which is not great for their odds... Emma is smart but often distracted which would be really bad but Jane is a devoted learner.... Henry would "improve" his estate with zombie moats... I'm voting for both Fanny and Emma don't make it and Henry Crawford & Jane Fairfax find their second true pairing together.

13. Did 7 ever have to hide their relationship for any reason? – Colonel Brandon is attempting to hide his regard out of respect for Marianne and that's why I love him so much.

14. Is 4 still together? – Yes, eating walnuts and petting "her" little cow. Man they are cute!

15. Is 10 canon? – Yep! Though a bunch of the others aren't

16. If all 10 ships were put into a couple’s Hunger Games, which couple would win? – I'm going to put my money on Colonel Brandon, who will do anything to save Marianne. He would be the Katniss and she is the Peeta.

17. Has anybody ever tried to sabotage 5’s ship? – Yes, Mr. Elliot has been trying to prevent Sir Walter from marrying again so he can inherit the baronetcy. He almost succeeds!

18. Which ship would you defend to the death and beyond? –  Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, they are the only couple I can't bring myself to break up in fan fiction.

19. Do you spend hours a day going through 3’s tumblr page? – Um, none? I end up seeing Elizabeth & Darcy stuff no matter what, I have tags on the lesser known Austen characters.

20. If an evil witch descended from the sky and told you that you had to pick one of the ten ships to break up forever or else she’d break them all forever, which ship would you sink? – That is hard because these are my favourite, but I guess Emma can marry boring Knightley instead of having a torrid enemies-to-lovers affair with Jane Fairfax...

I'm not big on chain letters. Thank you @firawren for the tag, if anyone wants to try go ahead!

[twopoppies]

https://www.tumblr.com/twopoppies/716681136315809793/people-are-getting-carried-away-with-anxy-with-it

He’s focused on what the man is saying in any case? Like the stretches people contort themselves in to make any woman of a certain age/weight/race in his proximity someone he is sleeping with is actually insane. And what is romantic about this interaction at all? Crazy how men of all ages and persuasions interact with women of all ages and persuasions all the time in non-romantic ways because it’s a normal part of society. And Camille is engaged ffs 🤦🏻‍♀️

I know. It’s all so ridiculous.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Can you suggest any romances where both the hero and heroine is a virgin?

Yeeeep!

Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster. Steampunk-ish, he's a werewolf in charge of protecting the heroine. I'm fairly sure they're both virgins; in this series, werewolfitude can be passed through bodily fluids, so he's very "no touch" about it all.

In Want of a Viscount by Lorraine Heath. This is kiiiind of a spoiler, because the hero does not in fact tell her he was a virgin at the time, but. They were both virgins lol. I mean, he'd really done everything but.

A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone is a poly series--there are 6 leads and two core relationships, and MMF main ship and a significant secondary FF romance. Everyone in the MMF relationship is a virgin.

Her Lessons in Persuasion by Megan Frampton has a virgin hero and a virgin heroine. It's a cute historical romcom!