#Sage hosted on cloud

[qbcloudies365]

Sage Cloud Hosting: Elevate your business with secure and accessible cloud solutions. Manage Sage accounting software seamlessly for better collaboration. Enjoy scalability, reliability and data security in the cloud. Experience the next level of efficiency with Sage in the cloud.

[sagehostings]

Future-Proof Your SMB: Why Sage Cloud Hosting Is the Smartest Move in 2025

Why SMBs Need Cloud Agility in 2025

The cloud computing market is projected to reach $793.8 billion by the end of 2025, and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) are at the forefront of this transformation. With tighter margins and growing operational complexity, SMBs can't afford to rely on outdated desktop software or limited local servers.

Enter Sage Cloud Hosting — the bridge between traditional accounting power and the modern, scalable infrastructure needed to stay agile.

What Is Sage Cloud Hosting?

Sage Hosting involves running your Sage software — such as Sage 50, Sage 100, or Sage 300 — on a cloud-based server managed by a third-party hosting provider. This enables secure, remote access to your Sage applications from any device, anytime.

Whether you call it Sage application hosting, Sage hosting services, or Sage hosting solutions, the goal is the same: streamline operations, reduce IT overhead, and enable growth.

The Competitive Edge of Sage Hosting Solutions

Here’s what makes Sage cloud hosting essential for SMBs in 2025:

✅ Remote Flexibility

Empower your team to work securely from anywhere — perfect for hybrid or distributed workforces.

✅ Automatic Backups & Updates

Say goodbye to manual updates or lost data. Hosting providers automate everything in the background.

✅ Bank-Level Security

Advanced encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication protect your financial data 24/7.

✅ Scalable Infrastructure

Add more users, apps, or storage in minutes — no new hardware needed.

✅ Reduced IT Costs

Eliminate the expense of maintaining on-site servers and hiring dedicated IT staff.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Sage Desktop vs. Sage Cloud Hosting

FeatureSage DesktopSage Cloud HostingAccessLocal machine onlyAnywhere, anytimeSecurityManual, limited to deviceAdvanced cloud-level securityUpdatesManualAutomaticBackupsUser-initiatedScheduled & automaticMulti-user SupportComplex setupBuilt-in collaborationIT MaintenanceIn-house requiredHandled by providerScalabilityLimitedEasily scalable

Who Benefits Most from Sage Hosting Services?

If you���re an SMB in industries like retail, construction, manufacturing, or professional services, you’ll see immediate ROI. Sage cloud hosting is especially valuable for:

Multi-location businesses needing centralized data access

Remote teams looking for seamless collaboration

Companies scaling quickly and outgrowing desktop limitations

CPA firms juggling multiple client accounts with security concerns

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Migrate to Sage Cloud Hosting

Making the move is easier than you think. Here’s how most reputable Sage hosting services handle it:

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Sage Hosting Provider

Look for providers with verified Sage compatibility, 24/7 support, and data centers that are SSAE-18 certified.

Step 2: Assess Your Needs

Decide which Sage version you need hosted and how many users will access it.

Step 3: Schedule a Migration

Your hosting partner will back up your current data, test the cloud environment, and set a go-live date.

Step 4: User Training & Access Setup

Each user gets a secure login. Basic training is often included to help your team adapt quickly.

Step 5: Go Live & Monitor

Once live, you’ll have real-time access to your Sage software — with performance monitoring and ongoing support.

Real-World Impact: SMBs Thriving on Sage Application Hosting

Case Example: A 15-employee construction firm in Ohio cut IT costs by 35% and doubled productivity within two months of switching to Sage 100 hosting. With real-time job costing accessible from field tablets, they streamlined billing and payroll like never before.

How to Choose the Right Sage Hosting Solution in 2025

Not all Sage hosting services are created equal. Use this checklist to compare:

✅ 99.99% Uptime Guarantee

✅ 24/7/365 Phone & Chat Support

✅ Compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR if needed)

✅ Scalable Plans for Growth

✅ Free Migration Assistance

✅ Data Centers in Your Geographic Region

Final Thoughts: The Future Is in the Cloud

The shift to Sage cloud hosting is not just a trend — it’s a business imperative. SMBs that embrace this transition gain the flexibility, resilience, and agility needed to survive and thrive in today’s digital-first economy.

With the right Sage hosting provider, you’re not just moving software — you’re unlocking new potential for growth, cost-efficiency, and innovation.

[myqbhost]

[anuragpandey8448]

The Importance of Disaster Recovery in Sage Hosting Solutions

Sage Hosting Solutions

In today’s digital landscape, businesses rely heavily on software solutions like Sage for accounting, payroll, and resource management. However, as organizations become more dependent on these systems, the risk of data loss, cyberattacks, or system failures grows exponentially. This makes disaster recovery a critical aspect of any Sage hosting solution. By partnering with a trusted Sage Hosting Provider, like Concisenext, businesses can ensure that they are prepared for the unexpected and that their operations remain resilient in the face of disruptions.

What is Disaster Recovery in Sage Hosting?

Disaster recovery is a structured approach to protecting, storing, and restoring critical data and systems following unexpected events such as hardware failures, natural disasters, cyberattacks, or accidental data deletion. When your Sage hosting solution is equipped with a robust disaster recovery plan, it ensures that your business can recover quickly with minimal disruption.

A reliable Sage Hosting Provider like Concisenext integrates advanced disaster recovery protocols into their hosting services, giving businesses peace of mind that their financial and operational data is safe, even during worst-case scenarios.

Why Disaster Recovery is Essential for Sage Hosting

Protects Against Data Loss: Losing financial data or customer records can have devastating consequences for any business. A robust disaster recovery plan ensures that your data is backed up regularly and can be restored quickly in case of an incident. Concisenext offers automated, secure backups as part of its Sage hosting solutions, eliminating the risk of permanent data loss.

Minimizes Downtime: In today’s fast-paced business environment, downtime can result in lost productivity, revenue, and customer trust. Disaster recovery solutions provided by trusted Sage hosting providers like Concisenext enable rapid system recovery, ensuring your Sage software is back online quickly so your business can continue to operate seamlessly.

Ensures Compliance: Many industries have strict data compliance regulations that require businesses to safeguard sensitive information and maintain recovery plans. A reliable Sage hosting provider like Concisenext ensures compliance by implementing secure disaster recovery protocols aligned with regulatory requirements.

Guards Against Cyberattacks: With the rise of ransomware and other cyber threats, businesses need to be prepared for potential breaches. Disaster recovery solutions ensure that even if a cyberattack occurs, your Sage data is protected and recoverable. Concisenext’s Sage hosting services include advanced security measures like data encryption and multi-factor authentication to further reduce risks.

Supports Business Continuity: A solid disaster recovery plan goes beyond data restoration—it ensures that your business can continue to serve clients and meet deadlines even in the face of disruptions. With Concisenext, you gain access to 24/7 technical support and resilient hosting solutions that prioritize business continuity.

Why Choose Concisenext as Your Sage Hosting Provider?

Concisenext stands out as a leading Sage Hosting Provider by offering top-notch hosting solutions combined with comprehensive disaster recovery features. Here’s why businesses trust Concisenext:

Automated Backups: Your data is securely backed up daily, ensuring you never lose important financial records.

Rapid Recovery: Concisenext’s advanced recovery systems enable quick restoration of your Sage environment, minimizing downtime.

24/7 Support: Their team of experts is available around the clock to assist with disaster recovery and resolve issues promptly.

Compliance-Ready Solutions: Concisenext ensures your hosting solution meets regulatory requirements, giving you peace of mind.

Conclusion

Disaster recovery is not just an optional feature—it’s a necessity for businesses relying on Sage hosting solutions. By partnering with a reliable Sage Hosting Provider like Concisenext, you can safeguard your critical data, reduce downtime, and maintain business continuity, even in the face of unforeseen disruptions. Secure your operations and future-proof your business with Concisenext’s reliable, secure, and disaster-ready Sage hosting solutions today.

[vibewithma]

Man of God

Modern Sinners Au!

Preacher Boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader

Friday rolled in slow and warm, sun slipping through the trees like it had nowhere in particular to be. You had your music low and your windows cracked as you drove Pops into the city. He gave directions the whole time like you ain’t been driving him.

“Take this left here nah, this one,” he muttered, hand waving out the window like it was guiding the car itself.

You smiled, biting your tongue. “Yes sir.”

You let him out at his old friend’s house, watched him do that slow shuffle up the walkway before turning to Doris in the passenger seat. She had her handbag clutched like it held secrets and prayers, lips pursed in anticipation.

“You ready, Granny?”

She smirked. “I was born ready.”

Next stop: the shop.

Y’all strolled through the aisles like it was a military operation Doris on a mission, you just trying to keep up. Into the cart went elbow macaroni, blocks of sharp cheddar, buttermilk, bags of flour, pounds of catfish, whole chickens, pork chops, sage, celery, sweet potatoes, marshmallows and more.

You blinked at the growing mountain. “Granny…you feeding the church or hosting a revival?”

Doris didn’t miss a beat. “It’s called preparation, baby.”

“Granny, everybody knows you can cook. You don’t have to compete with Sister Lorraine—”

Doris stopped dead in the spice aisle, turned to you like she just heard blasphemy. “You think David wanted to fight Goliath?”

You blinked. “Huh?”

She tilted her head. “Sometimes God gives you the stones to prove the fool wrong.”

You stared and she tossed Old Bay in the cart like it was one of those stones.

What she didn’t say and what you didn’t notice was that somewhere between the yams and the sugar aisle, she’d slipped red food colouring and cream cheese frosting ingredients into the cart. You clocked it at the checkout too late.

“Granny…” you sighed, watching the cashier bag the cocoa powder. “You really brought cake stuff?”

Doris grinned, all teeth. “Your red velvet could raise the dead. I just want folks to remember it before that Lorraine woman’s banana pudding clouds their judgment.”

You groaned but smiled. Deep down, you kinda liked being part of her legacy mission.

As you loaded up the trunk, a familiar low laugh rolled across the lot.

“Miss Doris?”

You both turned. There stood two tall, broad shouldered young men in faded hoodies and gold chains Elijah and Elias Moore. Smoke and Stack.

Doris waved them over like they were kin.

“Well if it ain’t the troubled twins!” she called, grinning ear to ear.

They laughed, walking up like they’d been summoned by heaven and gossip.

“You still callin’ us that, Miss Doris?” Smoke asked, leaning in for a quick side hug.

“You ain’t grown outta it yet,” she quipped back, patting his back. “This is my granddaughter, Y/N.”

Stack gave you a glance over and smiled, dimples showing. “Heard a lot ‘bout you.”

“From who?” you asked, lifting a brow.

They both looked at each other and smirked.

“Our little cousin,” Smoke said.

“Talkin’ ‘bout you like you got wings,” Stack added.

Your stomach flipped. You already knew who they meant.

Sammie.

“Lord have mercy,” you mumbled under your breath, grabbing the last bag and shoving it in the trunk.

Doris chuckled. “Mmhm. Y’all behave now. I got food to beat people with love this Sunday.”

“That’s a holy competition,” Stack said, tipping his chin at you.

You laughed, shook your head and slid into the driver’s seat while Doris said her goodbyes.

As you pulled off, you glanced in the rearview to see them still grinning and waving.

“You think they really troubled?” you asked.

Doris just said, “Baby, everybody troubled. Question is what are they doing with it?”

Back at home, the whole house buzzed like a beehive on sugar water.

Doris wasted no time putting everybody on assignment like it was the Last Supper and she was personally feeding Jesus and his disciples.

“Lenny!” she hollered from her recliner. “You head back to the city and get them fancy cutlery sets from the Dollar General the gold trim ones. Not the silver. Silver look cheap.”

Your dad sighed but grabbed his keys. “Yes ma’am…”

Your mama was already at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled, head tied, muttering ingredients like scripture.

“If I cut the onions now and leave the greens soaking overnight, we can be cookin’ by 2 a.m. sharp…”

Dawn was on the living room floor, wrangling Doris’s bob wig like it was trying to escape. “Granny, why it got so many pins in it?”

Doris peeked over her glasses. “That’s security, baby. That wig ain’t movin’ through praise and sweat.”

Dawn held it up to show you. “It’s been through war.”

You just laughed and kept bagging the groceries.

Then Dawn pulled out the aprons, fresh from her sewing machine, each with big bold letters on the front in gold glitter vinyl: Miss Doris Made It.

One for Granny. One for your mama. One for you. One for Dawn.

“Now we uniformed,” Doris said, nodding like this was an army.

Your job?

“Go pick up your Pops. And make sure he don’t stay out late talkin’ to them old fools.”

“Got it.”

Except… it didn’t go exactly like that.

You pulled up to the house and sure enough, there he was. Pops in a lawn chair with five other men, all in matching button downs and dad hats, drinks in hand, playing some version of dominoes meets poker you ain’t never seen before. They were yelling, laughing, slapping the table like kids who just got recess back.

You stepped up to him, hands on your hips. “Pops. Time to go.”

He looked up and smiled like he hadn’t heard a thing. “One more round.”

“Pops…”

“You can wait. Go sit in the car. We’ll be done soon.”

You narrowed your eyes but turned on your heel. “You better not be here past midnight or I’m tellin’ Granny you was out here drinkin’ ‘apple juice’.”

You slid into your car and leaned back with a sigh, phone in hand. You hit FaceTime and Dawn picked up immediately.

On screen, she was modeling Granny’s wig like it was couture.

“Girl,” you cackled, “why you look like you about to direct a funeral and star in the BET biopic about it?”

“Shut up,” she grinned, flipping the camera to show the apron. “But tell me this ain’t cute. Granny said she wanna debut it during offering.”

You were mid laugh when knock knock came soft on your window.

You screamed. Dawn screamed on FaceTime.

You turned.

And there he was.

Grinning like sin in sneakers Sammie, standing outside your car like he’d just strolled outta a dream and into your Friday night.

You unlocked the door with a sigh. “What in the left behind sequel are you doin’ here?”

He slid into the passenger seat smooth, settling in like he belonged there.

“You always this jumpy?” he asked, kicking his feet up just a little.

“You always sneakin’ up on girls like a villain in a Lifetime movie?”

He chuckled low, rubbing his palms together. “Nah. Only when they owe me.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Owe you?”

“Mmhmm.” He leaned closer, eyes glintin’. “I still ain’t got my gas money kiss.”

You rolled your eyes but your smile gave you away. “You really gon’ keep bringin’ that up?”

He shrugged, relaxed and grinning. “If the Lord bring it to remembrance…”

You shook your head. “You play too much.”

“And you like it.”

Silence settled for a moment, soft and comfortable. The street was quiet, the cicadas hummin’, his cologne floating easy between you.

“You look real cute when you bossin’ folks around, by the way,” he added. “Saw you earlier, hand on your hip like a deacon’s wife.”

“You stalkin’ me now?”

“More like… admirin’ from afar.” His voice dropped a note lower. “A very appreciative afar.”

Your cheeks burned and you looked out the window, but you were smiling.

“Mmhm. You want a kiss that bad, Sammie?”

He bit his lip, leaned closer, voice warm as butter on cornbread. “I want whatever you feel like givin’ me.”

Right then, your phone buzzed again. Dawn still on FaceTime, mouth open and shooketh.

“I’m still here!!!” she whisper yelled. “I heard everything!”

Sammie just laughed and leaned back, stretching out like he had all the time in the world.

Sammie leaned back in the seat, arms crossed behind his head like he had nowhere to be but right there, teasing you into sin.

On FaceTime, Dawn was staring at him like she was seeing a ghost in sneakers.

He raised a brow and smirked at the screen. “Hey Dawn. Heard you got yourself on house arrest”

“…Hey.” She blinked. “Boy. Not me.”

“I heard Miss Doris said you got one more ‘practice’ lie in you before she drag you by the ear to confession.”

Dawn sucked her teeth. “It was one time.”

“One too many.” He chuckled. “I’m prayin’ for your freedom, though.”

“You do that,” she snapped, but even she was trying not to laugh.

You cleared your throat and hit the end button real quick. “Bye, Dawn.”

“Wait, wait, wa—” click.

You turned and Sammie was watching you with a look that made your stomach do a backflip.

“What?” you asked, trying to act casual.

“You jealous?” he grinned, voice dipping low and mischievous.

You arched your brows. “Boy, what?”

“Got rid of her real fast.”

You rolled your eyes, arms crossed. “She was bein’ loud. And rude.”

“Mmhmm.”

You shot him a look but he was already smirking again, turning the air into tension thick enough to cut.

It went quiet for a beat, but not awkward. Just slow, warm… charged.

“Can’t believe you still want that gas money kiss,” you murmured, shaking your head.

“Oh, I want it.” His voice was velvet. “But not ‘cause of the gas.”

“Oh?”

“I just like seein’ you flustered.”

“Flustered?” you scoffed, even as heat crept up your neck.

He leaned in, close enough to catch your breath.

“Yeah… right about now,” he murmured, and you realized he was only inches from your face.

Then his fingers gently touched your chin, tilting your head up not rough, not demanding. Just steady. Sure.

You blinked, breath hitching. He was so close now you could see the gold flecks in his eyes, the curve of that smug little smile.

You leaned in, just a little, barely.

And he grinned.

“Ain’t gon’ kiss you without consent,” he whispered, playful but sincere, voice dipped in reverence. “I’m still a man of God, baby.”

You froze, lips parted, caught somewhere between a curse and a prayer.

He pulled back like nothing happened.

“Be right back,” he said, already opening the door. “Gotta go fetch my uncle before y’all call search and rescue.”

And just like that he was gone, leaving the door swinging open behind him and your heart tap dancing like a gospel drummer.

You sat there in the driver’s seat, jaw dropped, breath stuck in your throat, heat creeping up your chest.

Man of God, huh?

Lord have mercy…

Taglist:

@cosmicautomatonshark @fanfictiononly4 @pinkpantheris @andthatsonmaryhadalillamb @sweetalittleselfish-honey @bleufu1 @fruitypatooties-blog

[w1lted-r0se]

level 1 headmate with kins , theme song , and special interests ? androgynous preference .

thank you for your time if you accept !

angel / oath ( she / he ) , host .

I’m really proud of this one, i hope you like it too!! @angelic-oath

Names: Ash, River, Sky, Lux, Halcyon, Echo, Sol, Vega, Nova, Wren, Sage, Orion, Phoenix, Lyric, Zephyr

Pronouns: they/them, xe/xem, ve/vem, ae/aer, glow/glows, star/stars, mist/mists, ray/rays, cloud/clouds, flare/flares, prism/prisms, dusk/dusks, neb/neb’s, com/comet’s.

Genders: Androgynous, Starrygender, Dreamgender, Mistgender, Lumigender, Cloudgender, Etherealgender, Nebulagender, Prismgender, Fluxgender

Age: 18

Roles: Mediator, dreamer, creative thinker, abstract problem solver, mood setter.

Likes: Abstract art, rainy afternoons, astrology, vintage synth music, surreal movies, wandering through forests, neon lights, lunar phases, glitch art, and the sound of distant thunder.

Dislikes: Strict routines, harsh criticism, overly bright lighting, loud sudden noises, unnecessary conflict, unbalanced aesthetics, and synthetic fragrances.

Faceclaim:

Kins: Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle), Yukine (Noragami), David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust era), Lain (Serial Experiments Lain), Wednesday Addams (Wednesday), and Tilda Swinton in pretty much any role, Black cat therian, Owl therian

Theme song: Space Song by Beach House, Youth by Daughter, Heroes by David Bowie, Cloudbusting by Kate Bush, Oblivion by Grimes, Venus Fly by Grimes & Janelle Monáe.

Special interests: Astronomy, experimental fashion, tarot reading, mythology (especially celestial and dream-related stories), glitch art, retro tech, sculptural installations, and curating playlists as an art form.

[googleitlol]

There was more I wanted to add to this but I didn't have the time today. I'll just post it another day cuz I rlly wanted to at least get this part out so enjoy! This time partly from Sun Wukong's POV!

Dove Masterlist

TW: Gore

Fire

You turn over in bed and let out a heavy sigh. It took longer than you wanted to get away from that crowd, no thanks to that damn ape. You would have thought they'd show more interest in Tripitaka, but seeing as the monks have a hall named after Guan Yin herself, you can still see why they were so persistent in their questions and requests.

Still, using your gift so frequently in such a short amount of time can take a lot out of you. It doesn’t help that having so many people surrounding you like that is something you are unaccustomed to. Or maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve seen so many people all gather like that, it wasn’t a common occurrence in the celestial realm. Sun Wukong didn’t make it any better, flaunting your gift like it was his own.

At least you can finally get some rest and time away from the demon. Having your own room, even just for a night, is just what you’ve been missing. Even if you feel drained, at least you have the time now to keep to yourself for a long while and get some proper rest. Besides, you doubt the monks will be in your face as much tomorrow as they were today. You’ll feel better tomorrow.

~~~~

This night really was proving to be more entertaining than the Monkey King had hoped.

When his Master warned him not to show the old monk his cassock, he thought the man was just being paranoid. Never did he think the old man would be jealous enough to set fire to his own monastery! It’s actually hilarious.

After leading the two men away from the Dove drowning amidst those others that stayed in the monastery, the elder requested to keep the beautiful cassock in his own room for the night so he could properly admire it. Tripitaka was hesitant to agree to such a demand, so Monkey did on his behalf. How was he supposed to know their host had the potential to be an arsonist?

Luckily, Monkey King already has everything taken care of. Not needing sleep like the rest of his party, the Sage was already awake to overhear the elder ordering the other monks to set fire to the wing where their group was shown to their rooms. Monkey was quick to make sure his Master and his steed stayed safe, borrowing a cloak from a celestial friend to protect them from the fire. And with his master sleeping safe and sound, now he can have some… fun.

If these stupid people were so intent on setting everything ablaze, who would he be to stop them? In fact, why not help them?

The Great Sage hovers over the controlled fire, the bustling sound of feet thumping to and fro to feed it making him smirk. Pressing two of his fingers together, the demon begins to recite under his breath softly, his words cutting through the air swiftly before lifting his head to the fire. Taking a great inhale, Wukong blows out a great wind from his lungs, directly towards the fire. It took little time before he heard the screams, and he tries to stifle his laughter before outright bellowing as the flames spread to the rest of the monastery, growing out of control.

He falls back on his cloud, barking with laughter as monks run out of the building with blood curdling screams. Some have to be quickly put out, running with the fire catching their clothes. It’s too good! Did not one of them think this plot could backfire? It’ll certainly be the last time any of them ever try such a stunt with–

Oh, now this is interesting.

One figure runs back in, his companions shouting in protest as he ignores their calls. Does he not see that the monastery was now a lost cause? Is there something he left behind? Why else is he running back in?

Curious as to what could spawn such bravery, Sun Wukong follows the young monk back into the monastery, careful to keep back a few paces so as to not reveal himself. It wasn’t very difficult, the man seems laser-focused on whatever his goal may be.

It’s amusing to the King, the way the monk frantically ducks over collapsing wood and bounds over burning debris all while doing his best to cover his face to stop the smoke from breaching his lungs. Wukong strolls not too far behind, casually spinning his staff here and there as the man rushes around corners and weaves through the burning building. It’s a shame fire can be so harmful to those who aren’t immortal. Then again, it’s always fun to watch things burn.

The monk begins to slow, seemingly arriving at his destination. It only then makes Wukong realise he had been led to where the fire initially started, the wing his group was staying in. He ran like a madman to get here? But why would he… shit.

Sun Wukong forgot about the woman.

Her sleeping quarters aren’t protected by the cloak. The realisation strikes him just as the monk approaches her room. Just before he can open it, Wukong jumps into action, revealing himself as he grabs the man by his shoulder so he could turn the monk to face him. Before he can even make a sound, Sun Wukong lifts him by his shirt and holds him with one hand in the air. The young man yelps in surprise before screaming once he realises who the one holding him is. Seeing his face clearly now, the Sage also recognizes him as the monk who had first approached Dove before swarming her with the others. “Sneaking into the room of a woman this late at night?” Wukong raises an unimpressed brow as the man struggles to pry the demon’s hand off his garbs. “And they call me an animal.”

The man continues to squirm, clearly distressed. “You monster! Don’t you see we are all about to burn?!”

The King laughs. “Oh, I know you will. The woman? I’ve yet to decide.” He takes a moment to look back at the door, weighing his options in his mind.

The man stops in his feeble attempts at freedom for a moment to cast a look of shock on the demon. “Isn’t that your travelling companion?”

“Not by choice.” Seemingly unperturbed by his current predicament, the monk continues to pick at the King’s fingers. Wukong almost feels impressed by his persistence. “She did a kindness today, she doesn’t deserve to burn!”

“Seriously?! Then why do I deser– you know, actually, I don’t care.” Wukong mumbles to himself, glancing back at the room again. Why did he have to follow this stupid monk back to her door? If he managed to forget her, he’d have the wonderful gift of her absence in the morning. But if Master finds out he had the opportunity to help and chose not to, he may just recite that stupid spell until his head cracks open.

With a long and exaggerating sigh, the Sage sets the monk down. “How dare you remind me she was here. Now I have to stop her from burning.” His grumbles barely even reach the man before he kicks down the door to her room.

Stepping in, he takes a moment to take the sight of her sleeping form in again. Smoke fills the air, heat roasting the room with the flames just reaching her door frame, and she’s still asleep? Wukong didn’t expect her to be such a heavy sleeper.

Crouching down, Monkey King grabs her shoulders to shake her awake. “Hey, wake up.” He shakes her a few times only for the woman to slump back, unbothered. It’s like she’s practically dead. Is she? The King slaps her before quickly jumping back in preparation for her shock into consciousness, but it never comes. Huh. He gets back up to his feet to leave, Master can’t be upset if she just died in her sleep.

A loud snore stops his plan just as he goes to exit the room. Dammit. “Uuuuuggggggghhhhhhhh.” Sun Wukong groans, spinning back on his heel to go for the woman. When Guan Yin convinced him to help on this stupid journey, he didn’t plan on babysitting two incompetent humans. With a roll of his eyes, Wukong scoops the girl into his arms before exiting through the window. That other monk can find his own way out.

Now with the woman in his arms, Wukong finds a tree just far enough from the carnage to enjoy it. Letting the Dove down onto the ground, he sits back against the tree to watch in peace as hysteria infects those that still believe they can put out the flames. Their attempts are laughable, the King had missed watching such chaos unfold. During the years before his conflict with the Heavenly Court, there had been many villages he and his army terrorised, and watching fires burn buildings to the ground was always one of the best parts. There’s always such a heavy contrast between the screams of the damned and the melodic rhythm of the flames, dancing in every shade of orange and red.

Wukong supposes that now, the serene feeling in his chest comes from more than just a simple fire. He glances down at the woman lying next to him, her presence, while not as powerful as when she uses the gift, is no less welcome. The Monkey King could feel his heart steady, his mind quiet, and a sigh escape his chest as the feeling of relaxation encompasses him. Were it not for her snide comments and deathly glares– as well as the shackle on his head– Dove might be nice to have around. If she was always this passive, he’d actually enjoy her company. It would be a lie to say Wukong isn’t curious about the bird on this journey with them. Not a question he ever asks her can be given a straight answer. If it wasn’t for her hostile nature, he’d be more inclined to feed his curiosity and speak with her more, but that stupid circlet is already enough of a headache and he’d rather not add to it. He’ll give her points for cunning, it was admirable, if not for the fact that it was at his expense. Nonetheless, it’s nice to be in such a soothing presence without all the usual threats and jabs. Something rustles in some bushes only a few paces away, Monkey King sitting up immediately at the sound. His head snaps to the direction of the sound, his eyes meeting another’s, black and round, with barely any white visible. He looks to the small round ears barely visible in the dark cover of shrubbery and snout of a bear’s before frowning. Before he can investigate, the creature is gone, heavy footsteps lumbering into the forest.

A chase? This night keeps getting better. Sun Wukong jumps up to give chase before nearly falling onto his face, tripping. With a grunt, he lifts his head to look back for the source of his descent, finding the woman’s arms wrapped around his waist. His once excited expression drops, an almost silent growl rippling from his chest. “Even while unconscious, she thwarts my every move!”

Sitting back up, Wukong takes her arms in his hands before the girl tightens her hold, a small grunt escaping her form as she does. The King blinks, frowning for a moment at her twisted expression before looking back in the direction the creature had run. There was no sign of it anymore. With a heavy sigh, Wukong shifts to lay against the tree once more and continues watching the flames. It was probably just an animal running from the fire. After one last glance at the woman now holding him in a death grip, he turns his attention back to the burning building, occasionally looking over to the wing where his Master sleeps to make sure the area covered in that old cloak remains untouched by the fire.

~~~~

Yelling echoes through your ears. Children cry loudly, using the backs of their throats to let out blood curdling screams. Fire erupts from every house and shop, surrounding the village as a mass of bloody flames jump from building to building.

You trip, looking down only for your eyes to widen, the lifeless eyes of the little girl who lived in the house next to yours staring back, red coating her neck and pooling under her head. The sight nearly causes you to freeze in fear if not for the barely audible sound of metal colliding. The sound is a warning, and it's enough to get you to your feet.

The Eyes, they followed you. Golden and dull. They followed you home and they brought the demons with them. A rhythmic clink of metal makes your heart stop, each clash feels as though it shakes the ground, turning it from solid earth to sand. Turning, you see a shadowy figure, the Golden Eyes glowing as they approach.

As fast as humanly possible, you run, stumbling as you do. The clinking of metal follows, echoing through your ear drums, growing louder and louder. You clutch your ears and fall to your knees. It only grows louder. Eyes shut tight, you curl into the ground, tears staining your face as you weep. The Glowing Eyes sear into your mind as you beg it to stop.

Hands grab at your arms, not claws or talons, but hands. You just barely get back to your feet in time to be dragged along to find a way to safety. Another child, a boy, takes your hand. "Come on, we have to go!" At his words, you cry out, failing miserably to pry yourself away from his hands in a desperate attempt to get away. You’ve seen this part before, you can never unsee this part.

The boy pulls you along, looking around for anyone that could help. Someone who could—

"Jie!" You shout, your throat shreds as though the claws of the demon impaling the boy with his weapon tore into your neck instead. You stumble onto your back as a blade pierces through the boy. His eyes are pleading, his scream deafening as the blade quickly retracts, allowing blood to flow from the wound. You call out only to find your voice now gone, barely a strangled gasp. A hand grabs your arm, pulling you to your feet.

"Stop! Let go!" "Aagh! Son of a—"

Your eyes snap open to find the bright morning sun bringing about a new day. The smell of ash and cinders hang in the air heavily, as though traces of a distant memory linger in your waking life. It takes your eyes a moment to adjust to the outdoor lighting before you frown. Outside? But you went to your room before going to bed. When did you get outside?

“I pity your pillow.” A groan from under you makes your eyes bulge wide, the figure of the all too familiar Monkey King underneath you and rubbing his jaw and– why are you holding him in your arms?!

You shout, jumping back and up onto your feet as he remains nursing his jaw on the ground. “What are you… why– when did–” Your face flushes from embarrassment before your gaze lands on where the monastery was only a night ago. “What happened?!”

“Attacks me in her sleep and doesn’t even ask if I’m okay.” The demon grumbles, rising to his feet.

You feel your gaze harden. “What were you even doing? Why was I on top of you?!”

Monkey King stretches, walking past you and towards the remains of the monastery. “I was busy saving everyone last night. But don’t worry, I can just let you burn next time.”

This despicable little– wait. “Where’s Tripitaka?!”

“AAAAAAAAAAHHH–!”

“Sounds like he’s over there.” Oh, if only you had Guan Yin’s patience.

[qbcloudies365]

Cloud hosting includes hosting accounting, CRM, tax, Microsoft software, applications or data on virtual servers, providing scalability and flexibility through remote server infrastructure. It allows users to access and manage resources via the Internet, reducing the need for physical hardware and increasing reliability.

[aylen-san]

The Last Sunset of the Western Isle

Epigraph

"Not all who fell were evil at heart. But those who turned from the light rarely find it again." — From the Tales of the Last Days

CHAPTER I: A Shadow over the West

Many years had passed since Númenor was gifted to Men, and the glorious isle that crowned the waters of the Great Sea rose above the storms in unparalleled majesty. Its cliffs gleamed at dawn like sentinels guarding the border between sea and land; its mountains, clad in pine and laurel groves, pierced the clouds, and its valleys drowned in fragrant flowers that never faded throughout the year. Sunlight filtered through the canopies of ancient trees, playing in drops of dew, and the light breeze carried the scent of the sea mingled with flowers and resin. Númenor’s harbors rang with the chains of silver anchors, and ships with pennants like the wings of giant birds crossed the seas, bearing gifts to every corner of Middle-earth.

The Men of the West lived under the blessing of the Valar, and the wisdom of the Eldar was with them. Their houses shone with marble and precious wood, their libraries held the songs of the stars, and their crafts were skillful as if wrought by the Maiar themselves. Their days were long, as if time itself slowed for them, and in their speech rang the music of the ancient world. But the heart of Man is a fragile vessel, and even in the hour of greatest glory, doubt may take root. Subtle and hidden, like shadow beneath gold, it may grow even in the noblest souls.

In the days of Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, thrice-praised in victory, the pride of the Númenóreans soared higher than the clouds. He was great in body and spirit, with a gaze that pierced the horizon, a voice that bore command, and hands strong as the roots of oak. He raised towers on cliffs, temples on peaks, roads through impassable forests. His banners — purple with the golden sun — fluttered above cities, and his name rang in hymns and the blades of victory. He gathered under his crown all lands his ships could reach, and no mortal realm could rival the power of Númenor. And when word came from the East of Sauron, lord of the land of Mordor, wreathed in smoke, steel, and terror, Ar-Pharazôn was not afraid. He deemed that shadow trifling, and turning to his counselors, declared:

— No mortal dares call himself lord while I yet live.

Equipping a great host and a fleet like a moving city on the waves, he set foot on the shores of Middle-earth. The sky darkened with the number of sails, the wind howled in the rigging like war-horns, and the ground shook beneath the boots of thousands of warriors. Their armor gleamed like moonlight, and their spears were sharp and flawless as intention. The peoples of the East fell to their knees, not daring to meet the gaze of the army that came from the West. Sauron did not come to battle: he knelt, veiled in submission, and in chains was brought aboard the flagship — a mighty ship with a prow carved like an eagle with outspread wings — and carried to the white walls of Armenelos, the proud capital of Númenor.

But Sauron rose not in wrath. He bowed — and smiled. His chains were light as spider silk and did not bind his spirit. Beneath the crown of humility hid the sting of darkness, sharp and unseen as the needle of a poisoned thorn. Those who looked into his eyes forgot who stood before them. They saw not a foe, but a strange wanderer, whose knowledge was deep, whose speech refined, and whose manners rivaled the greatest sages. He spoke softly, his word like honey poured into silver cups, and his voice like a brook murmuring in forest shade. He did not raise his hand, but every gesture was dignified. He did not command — he suggested. He did not compel — he persuaded. He did not threaten — he stirred thought.

He did not utter the name of Melkor, but he sowed the seeds. He spoke of death — not as a curse, but as an unsolved mystery, a fundamental injustice of fate. Why, he asked, are mortals granted reason, valor, and love — but not immortality? Why have the Valar closed the gates of the West? Why is Aman — the land of light and immortality — forever hidden from Men? His words were warm and sincere, as if he himself suffered from these thoughts. And the people listened. Those who once scorned fear and doubt began to ponder. Those who believed in the Valar began to waver. Those who once saw Sauron as a prisoner now viewed him as a philosopher.

And Ar-Pharazôn listened. He, mighty and sovereign, felt no fear of Sauron, yet something in the words spoke to the depths of his soul. Despite his victories and the crown that shone upon his brow, within him dwelled a longing, voiceless as the murmur of the surf at night. He saw his finest warriors die, his counselors age, the flowers in his gardens wither despite all skill of the gardeners. And though he was in the prime of strength, he knew: his hour would come. And he desired no end.

One evening, Sauron reclined in the gardens of the royal court, beneath the shade of trees brought from Aman in ancient days. Flowers gave off a gentle fragrance, fountains murmured with the crimson light of sunset, and birds sang in tongues now unknown even to the Elves. He gazed westward, at the thin golden line where the sky touched the Great Sea, and beyond which lay Aman. And in that hour, when shadows grew long and the last light touched the petals of the flowers, a strange sorrow came into his eyes. Perhaps in his soul — if still there lingered a spark unconsumed by the Eye — there whispered: "What if the path had been different?" But perhaps it was just another mask.

And Ar-Pharazôn, great and glorious king, felt something unknown enter his heart. He, once unshakable, now wavered. And without knowing, he yielded to the counsel of the enemy. It was no command, no decree, no summons — but a surrender of spirit. He let doubt in. And in that moment, the last hesitation in the Dark One’s heart vanished.

Then Sauron decided: there would be no peace for Númenor. He knew — the seed had fallen into fertile soil. He would break their greatness not by sword, but by word; not with fire, but with shadow. He would not stand at the head of armies — they would go where he directed on their own. For no mortal dares defy Melkor and live. And though his hands held no blade, his words would be sharper than any sword, and his silence — more terrible than any threat.

And the sea, eternal witness to fate, kept its silence. In its depths, the waves were already gathering.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65331838/chapters/168097138

[meushell]

100 Ships Prompt Challenge

What am I getting myself into?

This is, admittedly, going to take a long time.

The Basic Rules…

• Each prompt is to be paired with a different ship. Different combinations are allowed. • A canon character can only be combined with an original character once. • Cross-ships are allowed. • Platonic/Familial Friendships are allowed, but I cannot use / and & for the same set of characters. • Combining with other prompts/challenges is allowed.

Details here. (Goes to Dreamwidth.)

I am adding…

• I am allowing myself to combine ships and prompts into one story. Basically, as long as it’s AO3 tag worthy, I think it counts. Unless I missed it, the challenge doesn’t specify either way.

Who will be my most shipped character? Probably Malek. 😂

Who will be my most platonically (shipped isn’t quite the right word since that has other implications) combined character? Probably Jacob Carter.

Who will show up the most in general? Probably Malek again.

What will be my er, most unique ship? Well, now it is Sam Carter/Egeria/Yosuuf/Garshaw/Per’sus’ Host/Per’sus. Can it get stranger? Yeah, probably.

The Prompts

I will link to the fic as I go, naming the relationship/friendship. Some fics may include other ships.

Narim & Lantash • Sam Carter/Narim | Lantash • Narim & Schrödinger • #29 – Bone 🦴 • #86 – Shadow 👤 • #97 – Bittersweet 🥲

Egeria/Per’sus • #78 – Leather 🪢

Martouf | Lantash/Rosha | Jolinar/Pete Shanahan • #69 – Flirt 😉

Sam Carter & Martouf | Lantash & Malek & Aldwin • #19 – Wine 🍷

Liandra/OC Female Tok’ra • #79 – Liberty 🆓

Per’sus’ Host/Cordesh • #21 – Rhythm 💞

Ocker/Ren’al • #46 – Pearl ⚪️

Delek & Ocker • #91 – Seafoam 🌊

Sam Carter/Delek • Delek/Martouf | Lantash (one sided) • #13 – Blue 💙 • #87 – Lemon 🍋 • Warnings: MCD, Rape, Aliens Made Them Do It, Rape Recovery/Aftermath, Suicidal Talk, Survivor’s Guilt, Break Up/Make Up

Sam Carter & Pete • #16 – Neon 🟩

Sam Carter/Martouf | Lantash/Delek • Malek/Per’sus • Sam Carter & Per’sus • Jack O’Neill & Delek • #18 – Blush 😊 • #06 – Lust ❤️‍🔥 • #84 – Crystal 💎

(Last prompt to be Determined. I’m still writing this one.)

Aldwin/Delek • #32 – Chocolate 🍫

Cordesh/Jaydin/OC Male (Per’sus’ previous host) • #56 – Flame 🔥

Janet Fraiser/Sam Carter/Martouf | Lantash/Malek • #54 – Rainbow 🌈

Sam Carter/Martouf | Lantash • #98 – Honey 🍯

Delek & Ren’al • #20 – Nude 🦶🏻

Julian Bashir/Lexington • #49 – Electric ⚡️• A DS9/Gargoyles Crossover Ship

Gabrielle/Xena • #88 – Mystic ✨• A Xena & Stargate Crossover

Delek/Thoran • #99 – Candy 🍬🍫

Per’sus & Egeria’s Clone (OC) • #43 – Yellow 🌼

~~

#01 – Adamant 💪 #02 – Snow ❄️ #03 – Lion 🦁 #04 – Spark ⚡️ #05 – Amber 🟠 #07 – Bronze 🥉 #08 – Mint 🍃 #09 – Arctic 🌨️ #10 – Black 🖤 #11 – Moonlight 🌖 #12 – Sunlight ☀️ #14 – Navy 🔷 #15 – Tea 🍵 #17 – Twilight 🌄 #22 – Brown 🟫 #23 – Linen 🧥 #24 – Ember 🔥 #25 – Thistle 🌼 #26 – Cherry 🍒 #27 – Orange 🍊 #28 – Vanilla 🍦 #30 – Harlequin 🤡 #31 – Cadet 👨🏼‍✈️ #33 – Peach 🍑 #34 – Lead #35 – Cream #36 – Sand #37 – White #38 – Crimson #39 – Pink #40 – Ocean 🌊 #41 – Dove 🕊️ #42 – Platinum #44 – Earth 🌎 #45 – Midnight 🕛 #47 – Frostbite 🥶 #48 – Pumpkin 🎃 #50 – Purple #51 – Coral 🪸 #52 – Salt �� #53 – Crow 🐦‍⬛ #55 – Cloud ☁️ #57 – Red #58 – Ash #59 – Rose #60 – Slate #61 – Green #62 – Ruby #63 – Olive 🫒 #64 – Lipstick 💄 #65 – Spice #66 – Grey #67 – Denim #68 – Rust #70 – Sunset 🌅 #71 – Sable #72 – Desert 🌵 #73 – Jade #74 – Sage #75 – Buff #76 – Jet ✈️ #77 – Plum #80 – Metal #81 – Sepia #82 – Lavender #83 – Scarlet #85 – Chestnut 🌰 #89 – Silver #90 – Coffee ☕️ #92 – Lime 🍋‍🟩 #93 – Punch 🤜🏻 #94 – Pickle 🥒 #95 – Champagne 🥂 #96 – Copper #100 – Gold

[journeythroughjourneytothewest]

Chapter 23 Recap: Tripitaka does not forget his origin; the Four Sages test the priestly mind

With all four pilgrims now having been “awakened to the suchness of all things,” the begin this chapter “free from the fetters of dust” and thus proceed westward “through countless green hills and blue waters; they saw wild grass and untended flowers in endless arrays.” They travel like this for an entire year, until one late evening in autumn the question is brought up as to where they shall spend the night. After some bickering between Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie over who should haul the luggage, the Monkey King reveals to the former marshal that the horse Tang Sanzang is riding is “originally the son of Aorun, the Dragon King of the Western Ocean,” and that Bodhisattva Guanyin had “appeared personally to take off his scales and horns and to remove the pearls around his neck. It was then that he changed into this horse to carry Master to worship Buddha in the Western Heaven.” Zhu Bajie, however, is unconvinced; he had “heard an ancient saying that a dragon can breathe out clouds and mists, kick up dust and dirt, and he even has the ability to leap over mountains and peaks, the divine power to stir up rivers and seas. How is it that he is walking so slowly at the moment?” Sun Wukong but declares that he’ll make Bai Longma move swiftly, and so “shook his golden-hooped rod once, and there were ten thousand shafts of colorful lights! When that horse saw the rod, he was so afraid that he might be struck by it that he moved his four legs like lightning and darted away,” not slowing until he had run “all the way up a mountain cliff.” “As his hands were weak” Tang Sanzang had been unable to restrain Bai Longma, but the terrified monk did manage to stay on the dragon-horse’s back. His new vantage point also allows him to see “several stately buildings” in the distance.

The other three pilgrims are quick to join their shifu, with Sun Wukong expressing surprise that the monk “didn’t fall off the horse?” After some more bickering Tang Sanzang suggests that they might ask for shelter at what at the distance appears to be a small village. Yet as the Monkey King’s “Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils” allow him to see the truth of the world, he’s able to tell that these structures were “covered by auspicious clouds and hallowed mists. He knew then that this place had to be a creation of buddhas or immortals, but he dared not reveal the Heavenly secret.”

Upon reaching the buildings, Tripitaka is quick to dismount and tell his disciples, especially Sun Wukong, that they must “behave with circumspection” and wait for someone to come out so that they could “request lodging politely.” They wait for a long time without success, and so an impatient Monkey King leaps up from where he had been seated at the foot of a gate and runs inside. There he finds three hallways adorned with all kinds of riches, as well as a “middle-aged woman who asked in a seductive voice, ‘Who are you, that you dare enter a widow’s home without permission.” Sun Wukong is so “taken aback” that he can only tell this woman about the pilgrim’s mission and their request for shelter in a murmur. This seemingly rich and wealthy widow invites the party in with a smile, and it is only after receiving her permission that Tripitaka, Sha Wujing, and Zhu Bajie enter. Zhu Bajie in particular is interested in their host, and keeps shooting her “furtive, wanton glances.”

After exchanging greetings and moving into the main hall, the pilgrims are served tea in white-jade cups. Their host then tells the pilgrims that Her “maiden surname is Jia (Unreal), and the surname of my husband’s family is Mo (Nonexisting).” She goes on to tell them that after her in-laws died, she and her husband had inherited an ancestral fortune of “more than ten thousand taels of silver and over fifteen thousand acres of prime land.” They also had three daughters before her husband died, but mother and daughters are now left in a state where they have “no other relatives…to inherit our vast property and land…We are delighted, therefore, that the four of you have arrived, for we four, mother and daughters, would like very much to ask you to become our spouses.”

Tripitaka is immediately struck “deaf and dumb” at hearing this proposal, and remains silent no matter how much the widow tries to tempt him with descriptions of her vast wealth or her daughter’s intelligence and beauty. Indeed, such words but make the Tang monk act “like a child struck by lightning, a fog smitten by rain. With eyes bulging and rolling upward, he could barely keep himself from keeling over in his chair.” Zhu Bajie, however, “could hardly quell the unbearable itch in his heart!” Finally, the pig asks his shifu how he could “completely ignore what the lady has been saying to you,” to which Tripitaka “gave such a hostile shout that Eight Rules backed away hurriedly. ‘You curse beast! he bellowed. ‘We are people who have left home. How can we possibly allow ourselves anymore to be moved by riches and tempted by beauty?”

The widow but giggles at this show of anger and proceeds to engage in a short debate with the Tang monk over whether it’s better to “leave home” as a monk or “remain at home” as a citizen. Tripitaka does allow that it is “undeniably a good life” to “enjoy riches and glory; you have things to eat, clothes to wear, and children by your side.” And yet, as he states through poetry, only those whose minds are enlightened won’t have to face the “rot [of] age, one stinking bag of flesh!” The widow grows “terribly angry” at hearing this, and further insists that even if Tripitaka had “received the commandments and made the vow never to return to secular life, at least one of your followers could become a member of our family.”

Intimidated, Tang Sanzang first asks Sun Wukong to join the family as a husband. Yet the Monkey King proclaims that he’s “been completely ignorant in such matters since the time I was young,” and suggests that Zhu Bajie stay instead. For all his staring, the former marshal refuses. Tripitaka finally asks Sha Wujing to follow the widow’s wishes, but the sand monk declares that he would “never engage in such perfidious activities!” A now thoroughly angered widow “quickly walked behind the screen and slammed the door to the rear. Master and disciples were left outside, and no one came out again to present tea or rice.”

Exasperated at their loss of food and shelter, Zhu Bajie starts berating Tang Sanzang, as the monk had “ruined all our chances by the way you spoke! You could have been more flexible and given her a vague reply so that she would at least have given us a meal.” Yet soon Sha Wujing and Sun Wukong are encouraging the marshal-turned-pig to stay, as “you will no doubt be given a huge dowry and a nice banquet to greet the kinsfolk, which all of us can also enjoy.” This is also apparently the first time the sand monk learns of Zhu Bajie’s history as “the son-in-law of Mr. Gao of the Old Gao Village.” Sha Wujing and Sun Wukong continue to encourage their swinish companion to accept the widow’s offer, but Zhu Bajie keeps refusing, and even states that “Each one of us is tempted, but you only want old Hog to be embarrassed. The proverb says, ‘A monk is the preta [in Buddhism a restless ghost incessantly tortured by hunger and thirst] of sensuality,’ and which one of us can truly say that he doesn’t want this?” The former marshal then declares his intention to graze Bai Longma and pulls the dragon horse outside. Sun Wukong, sensing mischief, tells Sha Wujing to keep Tang Sanzang company while he follows the pig yaoguai. Tripitaka allows this, but asks the Monkey King to not ridicule Zhu Wuneng. The monkey pilgrim agrees, and changes into a red dragonfly to go after the wayward swine.

Believing he had given his shifu and fellow disciples the slip, Zhu Bajie chases Bai Longma to the back of the house, where he finds the widow and her daughters admiring some chrysanthemums. The girls slip inside the house at the sight of the pig yaoguai, but Zhu Wuneng is able to make his case to the widow, telling her that even though he is “somewhat ugly,” he would make a good husband as he “can work quite diligently.” The widow tells him that if “there’s no great inconvenience, we’ll take you,” but she needs to discuss the matter more with her daughters first. Zhu Bajie then leads Bai Longma back to the front of the house, but he’s beaten there by the Monkey King, who heard the whole exchange and immediately tattles on the pig yaoguai, though Tripitaka “did not know whether to believe him or not.” The monkey goes on to hint to Zhu Bajie that he knows what the pig did when he comes back, which puts the former marshal in a quiet mood. Yet his embarrassment is accompanied by the widow and her three daughters Zhenzhen, Aiai, and Lianlian welcoming the scripture pilgrims into their home, their beauty so great that “Tripitaka lowered his head and folded his hands in front of him, while the Great Sage became mute and Sha Monk turned away completely. But look at that Zhu Eight Rules! With eyes unblinking, a mind filled with lust, and passion fast rising, he murmured huskily, ‘What an honor it is to have the presence of you immortal ladies!” The widow then asks the pilgrims which one of them “shall be betrothed to my daughters,” and Sha Wujing tells her that Zhu Bajie will. The former marshal protests and says they should “discuss the matter further,” but Sun Wukong states that there’s nothing to discuss since Zhu Wuneng had “already made all the arrangements with [the widow] at the back door, and even call her ‘Mama.’” The Monkey King continues to force the issue even while Zhu Bajie continues to protest, and even “caught hold of Eight Rules with one hand and pulled at the woman with the other, saying, ‘Mother-in-law, take your son-in-law inside.” The former marshal is hesitant to go but does eventually follow the widow, while the rest of the pilgrims are treated to a vegetarian dinner and guest rooms to spend the night.

After being led through numerous “doorways and chambers with tall thresholds, causing him constantly to stumble and fall,” Zhu Bajie finally makes it into the inner chamber of the house. There, the widow tells him that she’s yet to decide which of her daughters to give to the pig yaoguai as a bride, as she fears that whatever choice she makes will leave the other two girls offended. Zhu Bajie suggests that she “give them all to me,” as this will spare her “a lot of bickering that can destroy the harmony of the family,” that its very common to “have three or four concubines nowadays,” and that as he had “learned how to be long-lasting in the arts of love,” even if she had “a few more daughters, I’ll gladly take them all…You can be assured that I’ll render satisfactory service to every one of them.” The widow, however, states that his plan is “no good.” Instead, she tells Zhu Bajie to take her large handkerchief and “blindfold yourself…I’m going to ask my daughters to walk past you, and the one you can catch with your hands will be betrothed to you.” The former marshal agrees to this plan, but soon finds that he “could not grab a single one of them.” He’s soon left “Fumbling and tumbling around…sitting on the floor with a bruised head and a swollen mouth.”

The widow tells the complaining pig yaoguai that her daughters weren’t intentionally evading his grasp, but that each was deferring to the other “so that each may take you.” Zhu Bajie proposes that the widow marries him instead if her daughters are unwilling, but she suggests instead that the former marshal try on the silk undershirts that each of her daughters had made, and that he will marry the one whose shirt fits him best. Zhu Bajie agrees, and even declares that if they “all fit me, they can all have me.” Yet no sooner had the pig yaoguai tried on the first undershirt when “he suddenly fell to the floor. The undershirt, you see, had changed into several pieces of rope which had him tightly bound. As he lay there in unbearable pain, the women vanished.”

In the meantime, the rest of the pilgrims wake up and discover that “all the noble house and buildings had vanished…for the truth of the matter was that they had all been sleeping in a forest of pines and cedars. Tang Sanzang and Sha Wujing are panicked at this turn of events, but Sun Wukong is able to quickly assure them that the “women of that household happened to be some bodhisattvas from somewhere, who had waited for us to teach us a lesson. They must have left during the night, but unfortunately Zhu Eight Rules has to suffer.” And indeed, they find a slip of paper on an old cedar tree that show who these bodhisattvas were and why the pig yaoguai was punished for “loving things mundane.” The group also soon hear Zhu Bajie crying for Tang Sanzang to “Save me, please! I’ll never dare do this again!” Even though Sun Wukong suggests that they not “bother about him” and that they should “leave now,” Tripitaka says that though “Idiot is stupid and mischievous…he is at least fairly honest, and he has arms strong enough to carry the luggage. Let’s have some regard for the Bodhisattva’s earlier intention, let’s rescue him so that he may continue to follow us.” And so, not knowing “what sort of good or evil was in store for the Idiot,” this chapter concludes.

[the-universe-in-our-mind]

DAY 2 OF FLUFFTOBER: Family, Friends, Loved Ones

Ship: Maïa x Félix x Rime (+ Anisa and Sage)

Words: 910 words

“Rime, I am telling you that if you finished the cocoa powder without telling me, I will murder your ass!” Yelled Maïa at the deer boy as she started opening up all the kitchen cabinets.

For a few seconds, Rime’s blood turned cold. Was he the one who finished the cocoa powder this time? Don’t get him wrong, usually he would be one to bite back, arguing that it wasn’t a big deal (which, for every other day, wouldn’t have been one) but tonight was different.

It was their annual dinner party with him, Maïa, Felix, Sage and Anisa. It was the third year this was happening and it was their turn to host and make sure to have food for everyone. Anisa had been impressive when she started first while Sage was left with needs of improvement… But these dinners were still oh so important to them. It was a tradition, a moment where they didn’t had to think of their busy life, a moment where they just could be a couple of friends, a family just enjoying themselves with good food. And it couldn’t be clouded by an important piece of the meal missing.

Yet, Rime knew it wasn’t him. Which made him let out a small sigh of relief.

"Don’t accuse me like this, I would have told you so if I had finished it." He replied with a slightly insulted pout and Maïa let their head out of the frame of the door, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Well, let’s see all the times you didn’t told me and we had to make emergency trip to go get ingredients." She counter-attacked and Rime gasped.

"So rude to me. And shouldn’t it be your responsibility to check on all the ingredients before planning something, idiot?" He replied, biting back.

"Rime, I swear, I DO NOT have time for this! Just tell me where is the cocoa pow-" Maïa started but got interrupted by a smallest and anxious voice.

"It was me. I… forgot to tell you. I’m sorry." Said Felix, a guilty look on his face.

Maïa turned to him and, at the sight of her second lover, she closed her eyes and took a breath before opening them again, putting a calmer face.

"It’s fine. Next time, just tell me. So I can plan ahead." She said and Rime scoffed.

"So I get a scolding and he gets nothing? I can’t see how it’s fair to me." Rime sneered and Maïa stuck their tongue at him.

"It’s because I like him more.” They teased him, knowing how it wasn’t true.

Sure, their relationship had been a difficultto figure out and to get used to but they couldn’t imagine their relationship without him at this point.

Rime still pretended to act all offended as they went back to the kitchen, sighing. They had to figure out something else… And they had no clue what.

It’s when the silence kept on going that the two boys grew worried. Felix was the first one to break it.

"I’ll go get some at the market now." He said as he stood up to grab his coat.

"Don’t bother, darling, you won’t make it in time. I’ll just… figure out something else." They tried to speak calmly but it couldn’t fool the two boys.

With another sigh, Rime entered the kitchen with Felix following closely, joining them. They could see them trying to think hard for a solution yet still have no ideas.

Rime put a hand on their shoulder, pressing it in a tentative of calming them down a bit.

"Felix will go grab the cocoa powder. I’ll help with the cooking since you clearly need help. We’ll figure out the rest after." Rime said, still in his arrogant voice but Maïa could clearly hear the concern and care behind it. They look at both their partner, Felix nodding in the back and Maïa smiled.

"Are we sure Felix even knows what the cocoa powder looks like?" She teased.

"O-Of course I know! Who do you think I am?" Felix riposted, his cheeks a bit red as he knew he was clearly not the best at cooking and things of the sort (which is why Rime took the cooking position, for everyone’s sake.)

Maïa took a deep breath before nodding.

”Fine. Let’s do it."

And they went to work, Felix quickly heading out to the market for the missing product and Rime and Maïa going back to cooking, Rime making sure to follow every instructions Maïa gave him, permitting himself a few snarky comments here and there because… well, he’s Rime. And he knew it would probably help them destress over it, knowing how much they wanted this to be perfect.

Luckily for them, Sage, as usual, had gotten into a fight, which made Anisa and him late. Which gave just enough time for Felix to quickly come back with the cocoa powder.

The dessert was in the oven when Anisa and Sage arrived, all three greeting them at the door.

The meal was great and the food was, as Sage said, the best he had in a while (which only encouraged Rime to brag a bit about how he helped, earning himself a hit from his partner Maïa, as a reminder that they did the most of it). They laughed, they smiled, everything was fine. It felt again like these family dinner, where food truly brought everyone back together.

[livingasaghost]

okay @permanentreverie did this in honor of book lovers day (aug 9) so here i am being obnoxious and sorting my favorite books based on genres bc i'm procrastinating editing

put it under read more because i'm annoying and this is longer than i thought it'd be ahjflksd

classics:

les miserables by victor hugo

1984 by george orwell

a midsummer night's dream by william shakespeare

hamlet by william shakespeare

the crucible by arthur miller

the great gatsby by f scott fitzgerald

contemporary romances:

red white and royal blue by casey mcquiston

with you forever by chloe liese

everything for you by chloe liese

beach read by emily henry

happy place by emily henry

a very merry bromance by lyssa kay adams

crazy stupid bromance by lyssa kay adams

love, theoretically by ali hazelwood

the love hypothesis by ali hazelwood

not in love by ali hazelwood

let's talk about love by claire kann

roomies by christina lauren

the hating game by sally thorne

fantasy:

tower of dawn by sarah j maas

kingdom of ash by sarah j maas

a court of mist and fury by sarah j maas

a court of silver flames by sarah j maas

the starless sea by erin morgenstern

a storm of swords by george r.r. martin

a feast for crows by george r.r. martin

wizard's first rule by terry goodkind

temple of the winds by terry goodkind

prince's gambit by c.s. pacat

kings rising by c.s. pacat

a discovery of witches by deborah harkness

jade legacy by fonda lee

the dragon republic by r.f. kuang

babel by r.f. kuang

every heart a doorway by seanan mcguire

the magician's nephew by c.s. lewis

priory of the orange tree by samantha shannon

strange the dreamer by laini taylor

sci-fi:

the host by stephenie meyer

nona the ninth by tamsyn muir

graphic novels / comics:

monstress by marjorie liu & sana takeda

check please by ngozi ukazu

the boy the mole the fox and the horse by charlie mackesy

heartstopper by alice oseman

lore olympus by rachel smythe

fence by c.s. pacat & johanna the mad

heart of gold by eliot baum & viv tanner

the prince & the dressmaker by jen wang

historical fiction:

cloud cuckoo land by anthony doerr

the book thief by markus zusak

literary fiction:

evenings & weekends by oisín mckenna

henry henry by allen bratton

a little life by hanya yanagihara

piranesi by suzanna clarke

malibu rising by taylor jenkins reid

if we were villains by m.l. rio

the invisible life of addie larue by v.e. schwab

real life by brandon taylor

s by doug dorst

horror:

house of leaves by mark z danielewski

imaginary friend by stephen chbosky

night film by marisha pessl

don't let the forest in by c.g. drews

middle grade:

magyk by angie sage

a kind of spark by elle mcnicoll

sir callie and the champions of helston by esme symes-smith

holes by louis sachar

the mighty heart of sunny st james by ashley herring blake

new adult:

loveless by alice oseman

obsidian by jennifer l armentrout

masters of death by olivie blake

alone with you in the ether by olivie blake

angelfall by susan ee

the sunshine court by nora sakavic

the king's men by nora sakavic

vicious by v.e. schwab

queenie by candice carty-williams

hell bent by leigh bardugo

nonfiction:

into the wild by john krakauer

it was vulgar and it was beautiful by jack lowery

the last lecture by randy pausch

what i want to talk about by pete wharmby

furiously happy by jenny lawson

ace by angela chen

blood sweat and chrome by kyle buchanan

refusing compulsory sexuality by sherronda j brown

the great divorce by c.s. lewis

the cancer journals by audre lorde

the dark interval by rilke

inverse cowgirl by alicia roth weigel

translated works:

the memory police by yōko ogawa

vita nostra by marina dyachenko

the strange library by haruki murakami

young adult:

the mask falling by samantha shannon

check & mate by ali hazelwood

i was born for this by alice oseman

the hunger games by suzanne collins

just listen by sarah dessen

ignite me by tahereh mafi

the unexpected everything by morgan matson

save the date by morgan matson

tash hearts tolstoy by kathryn ormsbee

neverworld wake by marisha pessl

the spirit bares its teeth by andrew joseph white

compound fracture by andrew joseph white

the wicked king by holly black

short story collections:

the tangleroot palace by marjorie liu

what is not your is not yours by helen oyeyemi

the late americans by brandon taylor

filthy animals by brandon taylor

seven empty houses by samanta schweblin

[pearlsongfromstuff]

Fauchereve

Sexuality Headcanon: Pansexual! People are just pretty

Gender Headcanon: Agender, doesn't really understand the concept (He/They/It/Dream/Cloud)

A ship I have with said character: Ok, I know y'all want me to say Salo, but liiiiiike, my favorite Reve ship I have is with an OC I have, his name is Sword hdjdjdjdb He's for one of my AUs, and technically hes not an OC, he's Sage from Dtalia2 gehdjdb but basically, in this AU, called Pi, there eas a host in-between Vanya and Italy so some of the arcana were gone because they were fused with outsiders that went to get that host back. So since he half the arcana are gone, he needs more arcana for when Italy and the others arrive, so he goes to the Dreamscape and finds some of the arcana that World would normally find in Dtalia2. One of these being Sword, who takes World's spot and they're so cute and I love them and bdjdjdbdbdb

A BROTP I have with said character: World and Reve BEFORE the Milly and Bianca situation, so in Jane's route? Please, I need more friendship time

A NOTP I have with said character: NOT WORLD AND REVE AFTER JANE UGH DHDHDBNSBS Don't ship them plsssss plsssssssssss

A random headcanon: Reve can purr! And Reve's concept of love is very strange, he can feel romantic love, sure, but it's not like the average kinda love. Basically, all his relationships, I feel like, are very platonic and his relationships that he wants are more QPR than anything. He does cuddles and kisses tho, drives him up the walls in the best way possible

General Opinion over said character: Silly motherfucker with his arms in the air