#The Seeker and the Monk

[aura-whispers]

vibing in limsa

[n3rd-qu33n-ffxiv]

Glamours/Map Night: Level 1 Glams!

Tonight for our FC's treasure maps the theme was Level 1 Glams. I absolutely could not resist going as a monk in a wedding dress. Lalli hid her weapons and beat up SO MANY VEGETABLES with her fists and fancy boots.

Lalli also got a bit of a makeover. I'm in love with it and had to play with some of the light in mine and the wifey's (@luc1d17y-ffxiv) FC chambers. Our FC house is on the Primal - Exodus, Empyerum 5th Ward, Plot 60 if you want to come check out the rooms. Lalli's private chamber (which might be a shrine to G'raha Tia) is Room #006, and Astraex's gorgeous room is #007.

Omg, the colors... D:

And bonus! We got a final room and made over 600,000gil!

[valkariel]

Everything Goes On

Last miqo glam before going back to canonical au ra for 6.4 :>

Head: Moonward Veil of Striking - pastel purple Body: Hypostatic Tunic of Striking - pastel purple Hands: Darbar Gloves of Striking - pastel purple Legs: Replica Dreadwyrm Slops of Striking - pearl white Feet: Virtu Tantra Gaiters - pastel purple

Earring: Ametrine Earrings of Slaying Neck: The Emperor's New Necklace Wrists: The Emperor's New Bracelet Right Ring: The Emperor's New Ring Left Ring: The Emperor's New Ring

Main Hand: -- Off Hand: --

Fashion Accessory: -- Minion: -- Location: Ultima Thule - Ostrakon Tria

Shader: Faeberry Bloom

[juweldom]

So I have detailed backstories and head canons for each of my 3 characters in FFIVX. Last night I finished EW 6.50 on my Sun Seeker catboy, D’rhyl. Part of his story is the rebuilding of the D tribe that was nearly decimated in Ala Mhigo between the Mad King and the Garleans. So since Stormblood, he’s become the Nunh and has been gathering wives.

Last night the timing seemed about right for his first child to be born. And that led me to think about what each of the Scions would give his new baby girl.

So here’s the list. (Side note—D’rhyl is a monk main but also plays Red Mage, Gunbreaker, and AST. His tribe lives in the Peaks just outside of Rhalgr’s Reach.)

Gifts for Baby D’rhunlika:

- Alphinaud: A small painting of Dad (D’rhyl)

- Allisae: A large rubber blitzball

- Y’shtola: A sensory blanket with bold geographic patterns which studies have shown to develop mental acuity and curiosity in infants

- Estinien: A hair tie. (Bought on sale!)

- Urianger: A tarot deck

- Thancred: A fully adjustable front/back baby carrier harness

- Krile: Molding clay to capture Baby’s first hand and footprints

- G’raha: An illustrated children’s book of tales and fables of the Twelve

- Tataru: 12 outfits—one for each month 1-12 in the styles of the level 89 job gears (month 1 is monk, naturally)

I also thought about what all the leaders, friends, tribes, etc. would give but that’s a bit excessive to post, lol. As you can see, I’m completely normal about my characters. LMAO!!

[dracoangel]

Mandervillous Weapons

Melee DPS

Reaper | Samurai | Dragoon | Monk | Ninja

Tanks | Healers | Physical Ranged DPS | Magical Ranged DPS | Melee DPS

[autumnslance]

Level 80 across the board; still gotta finish Shadowbringers patches and then on to Endwalker! With the ability to soak some of the spare exp on some of these alts, even.

Paladin, Dancer (& Machinist), Ninja, Scholar, Summoner, & Monk. At least one of each role for the role quests, with a couple extras for funsies (& various weird reasons over time).

The Aiming glam is slowly becoming her "default" adventurer outfit, though I've a few other favorites. Especially now that she can wear a lot of Neo-Ishgard. Though right now pretty fond of the desert-y wear from Gyr Abania/Amh Araeng. The crafted Alliance gear lookalikes are also pretty nice, though dye channels and base colors can make me prefer one or the other.

Also looking forward to Castrum Abania getting duty support finally; I want to farm those original pink flowery weapons! The High Durium just doesn't dye the same (currently in Lotus Pink, which leans more purple, for that reason). Also ought to roll through Dohn Mheg a few more times as the Fae weapons are similarly dyeable versions.

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

I keep remembering that back in the congregation I most recently attended, there is an elder’s wife who is a rockhound for the scientific and aesthetic intrigue, but also believes in crystal healing… which, all things considered, is absolutely fucking bonkers.

[ryin-silverfish]

Heart and Mind: An Analysis of Tripitaka

I've been wanting to write this since…since I came across some good ol' Tripitaka discourse in the LMK fandom ages ago. Couldn't remember the specifics, but as y'all probably know, it falls under the "Is him an abusive master" and people's strongly worded retort to that question.

On one hand, I dislike the "abusive" take because so often, it is an excuse to reduce a character to an 2D caricature for cheap angst purposes, and both JTTW and its historical context deserve more nuances than that.

On the other hand, I don't agree with some of the defenses either——that Tripitaka is Kind and Wise and The Virtuous Monk, Actually, and people who said otherwise just had their views colored by adaptations, or were ignorant westerners misreading the book.

Because trust me, Chinese readers absolutely have gripes with Tripitaka too, and sass him mercilessly.

We may have a better idea of the historical context, namely, the common usage and acceptance of corporal punishments, but quite a few of us don't think he's a good Buddhist either.

Instead, I'd like to focus on his allegorical role, and how it ultimately forms the basis for my interpretation of his character.

It is commonly acknowledged that each pilgrim represent an aspect of the enlightenment seeker: Monkey is the Mind, Dragon Horse the Will, Pigsy the Desire, Sandy the Determination/Ideation.

Tripitaka is either the enlightenment seeker as a human, or the Heart, the Compassion.

But how can someone represent Compassion when his behaviors don't look all that compassionate, when he seems to care more about what a good Buddhist looks like on paper than in spirit?

How can a compassionate man punish his disciple with a migraine spell and disown him twice, be okay with some violence but not others?

Well, to answer that question, I feel like you have to look at Tripitaka in conjunction with SWK, and what the monkey represents. He is literally the Mind Monkey, the boundless potential of human intellect, and that, by itself, is neutral.

In the word of one of the best poems in JTTW:

"He could be good; he could be bad; present good and evil he could do at will. He'd be an immortal, a Buddha, if he's good; wickedness would cloak him with hair and horn."

To put it simply, SWK is one's wits, one's problem-solving skills, the ability to discern good and evil on a cognitive level.

Whenever Tripitaka, the Compassion, is deceived, it falls to the Mind to see the opponents as they are, and take action to protect the human from harm.

But just as blind compassion without judgement can be exploited by evil, the reverse is true for a mind without compassion, driven solely by their own ambition and whims and practical knowledge.

The Mind knows that robbery is a crime, so these robbers deserve death, but has no idea how disturbing it is for a regular guy to witness six people being brutally murdered in front of him.

The Mind knows that abandoning your wife and family to become a bandit is shameful and unfilial, but cannot comprehend why the bandit's father may not want his son killed for these offenses.

The Mind knows right and wrong, but has trouble seeing the human behind those acts, and why one should care in the first place.

And to see what the Mind looks like without any of Compassion's restraint, one needs to look no further than SWK's "Second Mind", the Six-eared Macaque.

Just like how "Heart" sounds like a lame power for a character, Compassion isn't flashy, nor as useful in a strictly ultilitarian sense. In fact, having compassion makes you vulnerable. It hurts. And unscrupulous people will absolutely use it against you.

So why hold onto your weakness and wallow in it? The world doesn't need another sanctimonious wuss, it needs strong, clever people making hard sacrifices, ruthless, logical decisions! Tough up! Stop caring, and you'll never be hurt again!

Much like a certain crowd who think basic human decency is somehow political propaganda, perhaps, when SEM struck Tripitaka, he was trying to do the same thing.

Kill the embodiment of compassion, the sniveling, useless, fragile human that keeps holding SWK back. Replace him as the true Mind, the one strong enough to break all bonds and seize glory with his own two hands.

But without compassion, without humanity, one is no longer a whole person, and cannot reach enlightenment. In fact, just like how Buddha would only give the True Scripture to Tripitaka, if you are not brave enough to make yourself vulnerable, to suffer and feel other's suffering, you will never transcend it.

At best, you can have some pale imitations of the parts you have willingly shut out from yourself.

And that's what SEM does. He thought he could do it on his own, singlehandedly replace SWK and reap the benefits of enlightenment, but he is no Monkey Awakened to Emptiness.

He is just empty; cut off desires because it is base, cut off determined ideation because it is foolish, cut off compassion because it is weak, cut off the altruism and curiosity and creativity from the mind, and you are left with a grand total of NOTHING.

A shadow of a self, desperately clinging onto external validation and stolen stories, reading the pilgrim's travel paperwork out loud as if that would actually make the journey his.

Tripitaka needs to trust SWK and learn from him, because compassion, much like good intention, doesn't solve problems on its own, and mercy is not the same as enabling harm.

SWK needs his master's guidance, because even at his most selfish and impulsive, he cares, and only by extending that care to others and accepting the vulnerability that comes with it can he truly mature and become awakened to the ultimate truth.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

One last bit of ramble: I feel like there is something to be said about Tripitaka's tendency to trust Pigsy, and how the pursuit of enlightenment is often derailed by worldly desires.

Unlike the demons they encountered, however, Pigsy is not the personification of mental obstacles that must be destroyed, because you cannot destroy bodily needs, nor the very human tendencies to slack off and avoid trouble.

You should stop listening to its advice, sure. Poke fun at it, absolutely. But what Pigsy represents is part of the human condition, just like every other pilgrim, and also something one must make peace with.

[thesirencult]

PAC : WHO IS IN LOVE WITH YOU ?

PILE 1

2 Of Swords, Ace Of Wands, The Hermit

Two people are interested in you or you will find yourself choosing between two people further on.

Who you choose will change the course of your life.

The first person feels new for you. They make you feel like you have a purpose. They talk about being in alignment with your goals and dreams. Don't get me wrong but they remind me of people who sell courses for a living and life coaches (no shade here, their tone reminds me of that and that doesn't mean they are scammers etc.). This person sees the glass half full and inspires you to go after your dreams. This may include leaving what you know behind and travelling with them.

The second individual is someone you don't see clearly. You may not even know who this person is as they have been isolating themselves for a while. There is another possibility though, that they are a "monk mode" individual. They are earthy and in touch with themselves but always seem to look at others from afar. They are addicted to "suffering" to make themselves better. I don't think this person talks to you or if they do it's sporadically and in a public place, like the gym. You could be their gym crush and you wouldn't even know. They like Batman.

PILE 2

10 Of Swords, Judgement

Your person will act as a catalyst to your healing. I'm saying "your" person because you will have a relationship with the person who is/will be in love with you.

Your heart knows who they are. They make you feel aligned and in touch with your heart center. This person appreciates your femininity and let's you explore your dreams while they take on the world for you.

PILE 3

Queen Of Swords, 8 Of Pentacles, The Hanged Man

They are a truth seeker. Whatever this person tells you, you know it's true. They don't lie. They are ethical and lawful.

They could work or are interested in a career as a layer, doctor or psychologist. Whatever they want to do requires them to look straight at the facts.

This person may not seem that romantic at first. Like the roses on the grey staircase, small actions are their thing.

They are very caring and focus on being a provider. Acts of service are their love language.

Something I find very interesting about this person is the fact that they are a great people reader. In their life they had to deal with people with very ill intentions and they've seen the harshest side of humanity. This has made them more spiritual and able to sit back and observe rather than judge things on face value.

PILE 4

2 Of Pentacles, Knight Of Cups

You were walking down the road when you caught their eye or entered the room or bumped onto them at the coffee shop. It doesn't matter how you met but when you entered their life they went to La La Land.

Dreams, fairytales, fantasies... This person has a lot on their plate. When they met you or when they will meet you they will feel as if you are the answer to all of their issues.

You are a dreamer and trying to find your footsteps and unique path. This person will see something in you and wants to take care of you.

They will be very romantic and treat you like you are a unicorn.

[sisterdivinium]

It’s tempting to think of Jillian as an atheist given her connexion to science, her confrontation with the church in s1 and simply as a counterpoint to all the religious characters around her. I’ve used the word for her myself in fic before, but I did it fully knowing that Jillian is perhaps the character who most wants to believe.

There’s an implication that she speaks from experience when she tells Kristian one doesn’t ever really leave the church…

… And her firm principle of proving faith and science can coexist shows she has no intention of dismantling faith in itself or the value people find in spirituality.

When Luther supposedly nailed his objections to that fateful church door, he didn't intend to shake the core of what faith actually is—quite the contrary, one could argue.

Neither is Jillian trying to destabilise faith in itself... The difference is that she just decided to build her own door instead.

The church might stand in her way, yes, but one could could make a case about how it is more due to their keeping of divinium than to the criticism she directs at Vincent on the subject of Hell and the subjugation of women. She might well believe it—or any part of her performance during most of season one, really—but her conflict with the institution lies less in the way of ideology than in matters of practical consequences.

Were it not so, wouldn’t she have been a little more resistant to her son’s visions of an angel? Why believe in a child’s prophetic drawings otherwise? Even if she by any chance didn’t consider the giver of those visions an angel, the very fact of taking a vision seriously would suggest some degree of fidelity to the very idea of there being something more, something else than the life we know in this plane of existence.

If she doesn’t admit the existence of a god outright, she at least lends credence to the idea that there is something. We might not be able to take her fully at her word in the scenes where she’s playing her part as a seeker of knowledge maligned by the Vatican, but there is some amount of truth to what she says. She might not have truly found Heaven, she might not be able to prove her portal actually leads there...

… But she most certainly wants to be right. For Michael’s sake, there must be something else, even if not precisely what has been foreseen by scripture.

And, even so, she finds worth in that very scripture she doubts.

Perhaps she’s being honest when she tells Vincent she likes the stories—there’s a lot of knowledge to be found in even the simplest of them to she who knows how to seek it.

Perhaps there’s an underlying attachment of hers to the Bible, a past she cannot really abandon. It’s not all that common for people with absolutely no ties to Catholicism to have something like the image of a saint as decoration hanging in the background.

Sure, there are other religious elements scattered in her workplace including a Buddha, but it’s a man who used to be an archivist at the Vatican she hires, not a defected monk or rabbi.

Yes, she will work with anyone who is equally willing to work with her. It’s not from the goodness of her heart as there is a component of selfishness in such cooperation—one to which she admits herself—but her attitude is also a testament to the openness she has concerning the results she might obtain. Maybe the OCS is right, maybe there’s a God and saints and Heaven and Hell…

It doesn’t really matter as long as there is something, something to work towards, something to seek.

Or it didn’t matter—while Michael was alive.

She has had her proof of there being more... And she has paid a high price for learning of it.

It’s a pity we don’t know what she would have done with this information. How do we react when what we believe is confirmed to be true but not in the way we expected or desired?

Whatever shock the nuns have experienced to their faith in this business with Adriel, the perversion of the power of prayer and all else they've survived during season two, Jillian is likely to have felt the very same blow right alongside them.

[book--brackets]

DragonLance: Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (1984-1995)

Once merely creatures of legend, the dragons have returned to Krynn. But with their arrival comes the departure of the old gods--and all healing magic. As war threatens to engulf the land, lifelong friends reunite for an adventure that will change their lives and shape their world forever . . .When Tanis, Sturm, Caramon, Raistlin, Flint, and Tasslehoff see a woman use a blue crystal staff to heal a villager, they wonder if it's a sign the gods have not abandoned them after all. Fueled by this glimmer of hope, the Companions band together to uncover the truth behind the gods' absence--though they aren't the only ones with an interest in the staff. The Seekers, a new religious order, wants the artifact for their own ends, believing it will help them replace the gods and overtake the continent of Ansalon. Now, the Companions must assume the unlikely roles of heroes if they hope to prevent the staff from falling into the hands of darkness.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (2005-2015)

While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (2023)

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?

Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger (2009-2012)

Alexia Tarabotti is labouring under a great many social tribulations.

First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire (2016-present)

Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children  No Solicitations  No Visitors  No Quests 

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.

But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.

No matter the cost.

Codex Alera by Jim Butcher (2004-2009)

For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies--elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal. But in the remote Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy--the Marat horde--return to the Valley, Tavi's courage and resourcefulness will be a power greater than any fury, one that could turn the tides of war...

The Belgariad by David Eddings (1982-1984)

Long ago, so the Storyteller claimed, the evil God Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe.

But that was only a story, and Garion did not believe in magic dooms, even though the dark man without a shadow had haunted him for years. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved - but did not know? For a while his dreams of innocence were safe, untroubled by knowledge of his strange heritage. For a little while...

Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers (2021-2022)

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.

But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.

They're going to need to ask it a lot.

The Once and Future King by T. H. White (1958)

Once upon a time, a young boy called "Wart" was tutored by a magician named Merlyn in preparation for a future he couldn't possibly imagine. A future in which he would ally himself with the greatest knights, love a legendary queen and unite a country dedicated to chivalrous values. A future that would see him crowned and known for all time as Arthur, King of the Britons.During Arthur's reign, the kingdom of Camelot was founded to cast enlightenment on the Dark Ages, while the knights of the Round Table embarked on many a noble quest. But Merlyn foresaw the treachery that awaited his liege: the forbidden love between Queen Guenever and Lancelot, the wicked plots of Arthur's half-sister Morgause and the hatred she fostered in Mordred that would bring an end to the king's dreams for Britain--and to the king himself.

Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong (2001-2012)

Elena Michaels is the world’s only female werewolf. And she’s tired of it. Tired of a life spent hiding and protecting, a life where her most important job is hunting down rogue werewolves. Tired of a world that not only accepts the worst in her–her temper, her violence–but requires it. Worst of all, she realizes she’s growing content with that life, with being that person.

So she left the Pack and returned to Toronto where she’s trying to live as a human. When the Pack leader calls asking for her help fighting a sudden uprising, she only agrees because she owes him. Once this is over, she’ll be squared with the Pack and free to live life as a human. Which is what she wants. Really.

[adventure-time-news]

As the Kickstarter campaign for Adventure Time: The Roleplaying Game enters its final 24 hours, here's everything that's been announced since the last time I posted an update.

First of all, the number of player character species that will be included in the core book has increased to 25. In addition to the 21 listed in the last post, you will now also be able to play as a shapeshifter, a gnome, a wolf person, or a breakfast person.

Next, we have a name for the fourth chapter of Quest for the Shadow Gems, the adventure book. It will be titled Tower of Night and it will take place in the Nightosphere and feature the Lich.

Next we have the newly announced list of subclasses. Pretty much every base-5E class has received a wizard subclass. Cryptozoic said about this decision "We figured that the traditional Wizard Class was more like Princess Bubblegum: a scientist of study who figures out how magic works and what it is. And everyone else in Ooo with magic powers is a Wizard, so we chose to make an abundance of Wizard Subclasses for the many other spellcasting Classes of 5E (plus a few others)." The subclasses are as follows:

Bard subclasses: Dance Wizard or Peace Master

Druid subclass: Grass Wizard

Fighter subclasses: Weapon Wizard, Adventurer, or Strongman

Monk subclass: Laser Wizard

Ranger subclasses: Hunt Wizard or Seeker

Rogue subclasses: Fortunetelling Wizard, Calculator, or Rebel Leader

Sorcerer subclass: Nuclear Wizard

Warlock subclass: Elemental Wizard

Barbarian subclass: Stretchy Powers

Cleric subclass: Auditor

Paladin subclass: Oath of Party

Wizard subclasses: Scholar of GOLB, Scientist, or Void Caster

Definitely a very wacky mixture of things. I like the idea of being a paladin to Party God. This also answers the question of how players could make a Jake-like character; it's a Barbarian subclass. There's also a shapeshifter species so we'll see how that factors into the whole system. As previously announced, there is also a totally new base class for princesses.

And finally I will rattle off the list of various other content announced alongside stretch goals. Death and Gunter have been added as Algebraic Allies (so the social media vote didn't end up mattering), the Time Room has been added to the core book as a location for adventures, six additional candy kingdom monsters have been added to the core book, and four "scoundrel" subclasses were also unlocked. It's not clear if those subclasses are included in the list above or if they are further subclasses yet to be named. And in terms of merch, the two main books will now have foil covers, additional item cards have been added to the Sweet Dosh deck, and some more pre-made character sheets have been unlocked.

The last two stretch goals are for the fifth chapter of Quest for the Shadow Gems (already surpassed at time of writing but not yet revealed) and the final dice set.

The campaign closes in 24 hours. Remember that backing a Kickstarter project is not the same as buying a product, and there is no legal guarantee that you will receive everything promised. But for now, Adventure Time: The Roleplaying Game is aiming for a March 2025 release.

[n3rd-qu33n-ffxiv]

For Ala Mhigo

(Probable Stormblood Spoilers)

My personal head canon for Z'itlalli was that she and her part of the Z Tribe are from Ala Mhigo, specifically just south of Ala Ghiri in the Peaks. She was born right after the Empire invaded, so she never got to experience a free Ala Mhigo. Her Tribe managed to avoid most Imperial engagements, but it was inevitable. She lost her grandparents and her mother to the Imperials soon after the birth of her only brother. She was raised by her father and her aunts.

(I love this picture so much)

When Lalli was around 17/18 years old, the Imperials found where her Tribe had been hiding and attacked. Separated and suffering from a serious headwound, she stumbled around Ala Mhigo for days before collapsing somewhere near the boarder of the Black Shroud. She was eventually found by Twin Adder soldiers, and taken to Quarry Mill for treatment. Lacking a memory of Ala Mhigo, her Tribe, and most of her short life, she decided to take up adventuring make some coin, and that's when she found herself on a carriage heading to Gridania with the twins.

Memory loss is probably a bit of a cop out, but it's how I explain her having no knowledge of Ala Mhigo and its people until the events of Stormblood when the Echo began to reveal to her bits and pieces of her past. Some of her Tribe remains near Ala Ghiri, but her close family resides in Rhaglr's Reach where they're an active part of the Resistance. She had family that were both in the First of Rhalgr and some that were practicing Red Mages, which is why she has found herself being drawn to the two disciplines.

[valkariel]

Princeling Rosette

» Glamour Backlog «

Princeling (left) Head: Alexandrian Mask of Striking - default Body: Augmented Lunar Envoy’s Jacket of Striking - default Hands: Gordian Gauntlets of Striking - aldgoat brown Legs: Augmented Cryptlurker’s Hose of Striking - snow white Feet: Edenmorn Thighboots of Striking - ink blue Ears: Edenmorn Earrings of Slaying

Rosette (right) Head: Edenmorn Eye Mask of Striking - default Body: Rinascita Jacket of Striking - grape purple Hands: Panthean Gauntlets of Striking - aldgoat brown Legs: Edenmorn Hose of Striking - snow white Feet: Shadowless Sabatons of Striking - default Ears: Eternal Dark Earrings of Slaying

Main Hand: -- Off Hand: --

Fashion Accessory: -- Minion: -- Location: Faeberry Atelier

Shader: Faeberry Studio

[nekohime19]

Mini Mac # 47 : Monkey in the doghouse

Wukong has a plan. It's not his best plan.

Wukong was fuming with anger. His blood was boiling with repressed rage. He longed to let it go. To let it explode. But he held on.

Winter had just begun to peek from its slumber when the pilgrims reached the kingdom of Bhiksu, re-named the Young Master City by the villagers. Many things were odd in this city. It was strangely empty and young boys no older than a few years were kept in geese coops. Wukong didn't like this. Everytime something was amiss, it meant some fiend was causing chaos beyond the scenes. He saw more troublemakers in this journey than he ever saw in his entire life. He swore to take vacations after this. Because even for him, who was the master of chaos, it was beginning to be too much.

They soon learned that those boys were sacrifices. Apparently, the King was sick, touched by an unknown disease, and his father-in-law made him believe that 1,111 young boys hearts would lengthen his life.

Wukong wanted to beat this so-called father-in-law to a pulp. As a King, protector of a tribe, protector of pups, he found this revolting. As a father of two cubs, he found this to be the cruelest thing someone could ever do.

“Did we get them all?” Asked Wukong as he secretly carried the young boys out of the city. He made a flurry of clones to help him. Macaque was on his shoulder, ears fanned out to localise all the babies.

“Yeah, that was the last.”

Wukong sighed in relief, he looked down at the darling boy snuggled in his chest and smiled. He brushed aside the bangs falling on his forehead and gave him to his clone. Geez. Having cubs of his own really made him soften up with children.

Macaque and Wukong got back to the rest of the pilgrims.

Bajie was running after Savage, the lil devil stole some pieces of fruits, she was old-enough to eat something else than milk. Savage jumped on Sanzang and hid in his neck, she looked up at the monk with puppy dog eyes.

“Aw, come on Bajie. She can have a little snack, no?” Cooed Sanzang as he patted the lil devil.

“Master, she's manipulating you.” Huffed Bajie as he regained his breath. Savage was a fast one.

“But the piece she took is so little.” Argued Sanzang as he looked at the tiny crumb of peach Savage was holding.

“It starts with the crumbs and it ends with her devouring our entire stock.” Replied Bajie.

“She wouldn't eat our stock Bajie, she's too tiny for that, aren't you?” Cooed the monk as he took Savage in his hands. “I say you can eat that crumb.” Savage chirped in delight while Bajie grumbled about “niece privileges.”

Meanwhile, Rumble was nestled in Ao Lie’s hair. The dragon-horse mane was one of the fluffiest around when the monkeys weren't here, and Rumble, as a bed-seeker, claimed it as his personal bed when the arms of his dad weren't avaliable. Ao Lie didn't mind. More often than not he would answer Rumble's mrrps with his own set of odd noises.

Wujing was settling the camp and folding their clean laundry, he perked up when he noticed the two monkeys.

“Everything went alright?” Asked the river demon.

“Yeah… We still have to confront the King tomorrow though.” Answered Wukong, he will not let that poor excuse of a King slaughter children like that.

The confrontation with the King did not begin well. As expected, the father-in-law was a demon in disguise, Wukong recognized him at one glance. The demon told the King that Sanzang's single heart would replace the 1,111 young boys hearts. Wukong gritted his teeth, he disguised himself as Sanzang to fool the demon, while the true Sanzang along with Macaque and the cubs were hiding behind a pillar.

Wukong plan was simple, really. He’ll cut open his belly, fool those people with numerous hearts and then grab the demon to beat him and reveal his true appearances. He didn't account for his daughter to chirp like mad the moment he put the knife on his belly. He had hoped Macaque would take the cubs and prevent them from seeing this, but, really, his daughter was just too slippery. Wukong, disguised as Sanzang, turned towards Savage. He tried to look reassuring.

It was alright.

This was nothing but an act.

Pa wasn't going to be hurt.

But Savage was one stubborn monkey, she refused to back down. She paced a lil before rushing towards Wukong and climbing on his shoulders. She clawed at his cheeks in frustration. Clearly not understanding why her Pa was pointing a knife to his belly.

“No, Sav. Baby. This is alright.” Mumbled Wukong, quietly enough to not be heard by the rest of them.

“There is something on the monk's shoulder.” Noticed the fake father-in-law.

Savage looked at the disguised demon. And somehow, she must have made the connexion that he was the one responsible for this, she growled at him. Wukong was about to reassured her and hide her form view. But then Savage eyes glowed bright and a laser shot out of her pupils. It hit the demon and broke his disguise.

Wukong was at the same time very proud and very confused. Savage just chirped in satisfaction.

“Huh, good job baby!” Congratulated Wukong. He broke his own disguise and took his daughter in his hands. “You did good, yeah. And it's your first power!!! That's something! My girl is growing! Look at you being all tough now.” Cooed Wukong, Savage appreciated his pets and leaned in his touch.

It was rather easy to convince the King after the demon's disguise was revealed. The pilgrims were able to resume their journey peacefully. At night, after Macaque put the cubs to bed, he turned towards Wukong and glared at him.

“You and me need to talk.” He growled with barely restrained anger.

Wukong gulped. He was in trouble.

Both monkeys went to an isolate place. Macaque mentioned for Wukong to shrink, which the sage did without complaints.

“Look Mac, I know you're mad because I was going to be hurt and all, but it was for the-” Macaque didn't let him finish. He punched him square in the face.

Yeah, maybe he deserved that.

“IN FRONT OF THE CUBS!?” Shouted the black-furred monkey. He began to pace, throwing heated glare at Wukong every now and then. “You were going to cut your belly in front of the cubs!?”

“I thought you would shield them and-”

“What if Savage saw you huh!? What if you didn't stop and she saw her own father cut his belly open!? Did you think of this?”

Wukong winced and withered at his mate's glare.

“I'm sorry… I didn't… I thought…”

“No you thought nothing! I already told you when you cut your head to face the fake Daoist that I didn't want you to hurt yourself like that. And now you do it again? I don't care if your immortal Wukong I don’t want you to-” Macaque stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Promise me you will never do this again.”

Wuking gulped, he stood up and walked towards his mate with a lowered tail. “I promise.”

“If you break this promise, I swear I'm gonna beat you to a pulp myself.” Growled Macaque.

Wukong hugged him from behind, Macaque didn't hug back.

“I promise, moon.” The black-furred monkey softened at the nickname, he patted Wukong's arms reassuringly.

“You're still in the dog house buddy.” Added Macaque.

+ cut scenes

Bajie *watching Mac drag Wukong away* : Oh this is karma 🤭

Sanzang : I will pray for his soul 😔

 

Wukong *doing something reckless that will harm him*

Savage : not on my watch 😡

 

Fun fact : Savage was glued to Wukong for three days after that. Rumble too, even if he didn't see clearly what happened he still feel his sister distress over their Pa.

+ I did some doodles of the cubs

But Like first time I ever tried to draw digitally, it's so hard 🫠

Ch1 / Previous / Next

[behindthesoul]

Constricting Bonds

Shang Tsung x gn!reader

Masterlist

Characters - You, Liu Kang

Summary - In the shadowed tapestry of a world where love and darkness entwine, a soul finds itself captivated by the allure of a man steeped in shadows. You, a seeker of light, surrender your heart to a figure whose essence is shrouded in malevolence. As your love blossoms in the moonlit garden of forbidden desires, an impending storm brews on the horizon.

Or - you’re upset your father says no to you dating.

Word Count - 1136

Warnings - none

A/N - Thanks to @zodiacqueen0123 for giving me this idea. <3

“I need freedom now, in this beautiful and mysterious world.”

– Tsunku

I’m A Lady Now!

Sometime in the forgotten, distant past…

Liu Kang’s new era brought many changes; the biggest being his new and very much unwanted godhood. Seeing familiar names with unfamiliar faces took a long time to get used to. He found much comfort in one constant: the sound of a bird. He listened to their cries each morning, sometimes accompanied by his friend Geras, or by a nice cup of tea.

Today he finds himself in an unfamiliar place, walking in a field of trees and enjoying whatever songs the birds decided to sing. It clears the mind and allows him to have a moment of relaxation from his ever so tiring job as Earthrealm’s Protector.

It’s faint, gradual, the new song Liu Kang hears. Contrasting to the birds’ out of key cries, the voice is soft and tiny; qualities he’d give to the voice of a child. The song is beautiful and Liu Kang is surprised to realize it’s one he’s never heard of before. His legs move slowly so as to not interrupt the song and the person who’s singing it. Soon, he approaches you, the small child singing.

“You sing a beautiful song,” he starts, smiling apologetically when you jump, startled. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard it.”

You’re silent, unsure of what to say, if you should say anything at all. Liu Kang speaks again in an attempt to ease your nerves.

"I'd surely remember a face as distinct as yours. You seem out of place. Are you lost?"

You shake your head and continue to stare at him. Liu Kang takes in your appearance: dirty, tattered and torn clothes; a frown that makes his heart hurt. He decides to ask another question in hopes you’ll finally answer him.

“I do hope your parents are around. You should not be out here alone-”

“I don’t have any.” You interject. You stand and dust off your clothes before turning around and walking away. Not wanting a child walking off alone, Liu Kang calls out after you, a rare moment where he speaks before thinking.

"I know a place where you can find refuge, away from the chill of the outside. Warm meals, a shelter, and even clothes are waiting. You're welcome to join me." He extends a kind hand out to you and gives a faint smile. “Forgive me, I’ve gotten too far ahead of myself. I am Liu Kang, may I have your name?”

You’re silent for a few moments more but you do eventually say your name. The strange man in front of you repeats it, testing your name out on his tongue. You finally take his hand. Walking off into the distance with a stranger isn't smart, but you didn't have anything better to do.

So, thus began your relationship with Liu Kang, raised by him and the monks at the Wu Shi. You were trained under many watchful eyes, conditioned to become the best possible warrior. Your proximity to Liu Kang could prove deadly should the wrong person discover your existence - he had to make sure you could defend yourself. It wasn’t long before he learned you weren’t an average child. It took hundreds of years for you to resemble a teenager, hundreds more to reach adulthood. You obviously were not of Earthrealm, yet when asked (questions which forced him to reveal his godhood), you had no knowledge of other realms like Outworld. You were brought to Outworld once and only once; for a Mortal Kombat tournament. He kept you hidden with only Empress Sindel knowing who you were.

Outworld was beautiful, its vibrant colors having an almost psychedelic effect on the brain. It made you feel at home. You suffered through the heartbreak of outliving any friends you made over the years. But Outworld was a place where aging slowed, you felt much more comfortable forming friendships with its residents. It was frustrating how Liu Kang would never let you go. It is far too dangerous to let you go alone, and I prefer you stay in Earthrealm were his favorite excuses. It was the main source of tension in your otherwise peaceful father-child relationship.

“I don’t understand why I can’t visit - just this once!” You remember saying to him. Liu Kang was nursing a cup of tea in his hand. He lets out a barely audible sigh and turns to you, white eyes boring into your skull.

"I have my reasons for not wanting you in Outworld. I truly wish you would understand that my answer is no."

“Name one.”

Another sigh. "Beloved,” - a nickname he grew to love calling you - “I've faced the dangers of Outworld firsthand—the treacherous landscapes, the dark forces that lurk within. I wish to shield you from the perils I've known, the violence that stains its soil, and the political quagmire that engulfs the realm. It's not just my wish; it's my duty as your guardian to ensure you're spared from the harsh realities of a world that I know too well."

You roll your eyes and huff. “I think you’re exaggerating. Sun Do was so beautiful and the festival was lovely. Aside from a small pool, everyone was friendly. What perils do they face?”

“Your eyes have only seen the festival that preceded the tournament. While Outworld has seen a golden age under Empress Sindel’s rule, it does not mean the realm is danger-free.” He does have a point, you have never seen a normal day in Sun Do, but you refuse to back down. You can twist it into furthering your own point.

“You’re right, so allow me to visit Outworld so I can see a normal day. You taught me to defend myself! I’ll be fine.” Liu Kang opens his mouth to respond but you interrupt him. “Besides, I am an adult. I only ask your permission because I cannot open a portal myself…please, I’m begging.”

As silence envelops both of you, he meets your gaze. There's nothing left for you to say; you simply hope he'll give in.

And he does.

“I will send you to Sun Do and you will head straight to the palace to greet the Empress. Wherever you go, I will make sure you’re accompanied by guards. “You visit for a few hours, then you come back to me.”

Your eyes widen and you have to stop yourself from screeching in delight. You hold your composure as best as you can and smile. You hug Liu Kang tight and he returns your embrace. He rubs your back and frowns, though you can’t see. You mumble something but he chooses not to hear; too occupied in his own thoughts.

“My child, just what am I going to do with you?”