#Trouble Evocation

[arcadebroke]

[kanataueda]

[zanephillips]

Trouble Evocation (1996)

[dawndequiiln]

Hi Im Tori

Im a 20 year old Artist and Writer from my own Project that are in the process of making

Im still in collage btw

[gothgamergaara]

Fucked up and started reading the wretched of the earth. I don’t even go here anymore (academia)

[revolutionsingingintherainnn]

fangirling and finances 𓂂 𓇼˚｡ •

Summary: offical merch is expensive. the men who sell it are rich. doesn't mean i won't go in a rant about it.

✿ ln x desi!reader ✦

✿ fluff + humour ✦

masterlist ☾☼

monaco glistened in the mediterranean sunlight, a playground for the global elite. y/n, though, had another purpose. no need for the designer stores; she was tracking lando norris. she gripped her phone, praying she could take a photo if she managed to get close enough. her wardrobe? a much-worn "lando 4" t-shirt, a copy she'd bought from a street stall back home in india. official f1 merchandise prices would make her cry – genuinely, who could possibly afford those prices? seeing a known face by the casino square, y/n's heart leaped. it was him! taking a deep breath, she walked over, attempting to look as casual as possible. "mr. norris, may i have an autograph?" lando grinned, always the professional, and autographed her phone case. as he returned it to her, his eyes fell on her t-shirt. "cool shirt," he said, "but why not get the official merch? the quality is so much better." that was it. the floodgates opened. "are you kidding me? official merch is highway robbery! i could practically fund a small road trip around europe with the cost of one of your official hoodies!" lando blinked, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. road trips? he was more used to private jets. "uh-huh," he said, clearly not understanding the financial reality of budget travel. y/n was going strong. "see, a good official t-shirt will cost you about 80 euros, okay? that's, like, 7,200 rupees! i can buy at least five of these fake shirts for that kind of money, and they're not half bad! or, let's look at it this way, that's enough for, like, 140 big mac meals in india! imagine the food coma!" lando stared at her, confusion and fascination warring in his gaze. big macs? he lived in michelin-star restaurants. but she was so vivid, so evocative with her words; the sheer incredulity of her comparisons swept him up in their wake. "right," he answered slowly, "big macs. got it." y/n, unaware of his millionaire thinking, was only just beginning. "and those caps? don't even get me started! 40 euros for a cap? that's 3,600 rupees! i could buy a good pair of running shoes for that! shoes i could use to run away from those ridiculous prices!" lando, however, was undergoing some weird phenomenon. it was akin to "cuteness aggression," but rather than having the urge to squeeze a puppy, he simply wanted to continue hearing her. her furrowed brow, the frantic maths on her phone, the very universality of her money troubles – it was all oddly charming. casually, he suggested, "so, if money did not matter, what pieces would you most want?" y/n, without hesitation, recited her fantasy wishlist: a team polo, windbreaker, the limited-edition monaco hat, even the official team backpack. she listed the prices both in euros and rupees, not even catching lando's discreetly opening eyes at the sum. "and where are you staying?" he inquired, attempting to be casual. "how long are you in monaco?" y/n, still enthralled by her merchandise fever, replied eagerly, sharing information about her budget hotel and the last few days of her journey. lando listened intently, taking it in. "i'll… uh… i'll see what i can do with those prices," he replied with a small smile, well aware he wasn't going to negotiate with the official merchandise vendor. the next morning, an unassuming van arrived outside of y/n's hotel. a delivery man appeared, holding an enormous, unorthodox-looking package. on the inside, wrapped in tissues, were every item y/n had listed. the monaco cap, team polo, windbreaker, even the backpack. in a side pocket was stuck a tiny note, scribbled in pen: "look at the prices… adjusted ;) - lando." y/n gazed at the box contents, her mouth agape. she couldn't believe it. lando had actually… he'd listened to her rant! she messaged her friends immediately, telling them the tale in wide-eyed wonder, exaggerating the details just a little for dramatic effect. the question now was: what next? would this be an isolated act of kindness, or the start of something bigger? she had no clue, but she couldn't help grinning. this was certainly a vacation to remember.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

tf, why do i like this? dee, this is for you. anyways, i hope you like this! this is my prompt list, so y'all can select a number, give me a driver and i will write it as soon as possible! i also have a google form for a taglist if anyone's interested! you can sent in your requests here :)

taglist: @maketheshadowsfearyou ; @anamiad00msday ; @imlonelydontsendhelp ; @peterholland04 ; @justaf1girl ; @greantii ; @nocturnalherb16 ; @phobiccneel ; @winkev1 ; @alexxavicry ; @hiireadstuff ; @opastries81

[romaevelizz]

Far to Familliar

Severus Snape x Fem!Professor!reader

summary: New year means having to teach sixth years how to brew an Amortentia potion. Personally Severus most disliked potion having to endure the same smell, but this year he smells something different. A familiar smell but different.

warnings: cursing, small age gap(bout 5-6 years), hufflepuff!reader, Maverick is used as a last name(kinda self indulged ofc),

As the end of the first trimester approached, the atmosphere in Hogwarts grew charged with anticipation—and trepidation. For Severus, this marked the dreaded time of year when he had to oversee the brewing of the Amortentia potion. Known for its complexity and emotional fallout, this potion stirred up feelings and reopened wounds he preferred to keep buried. It was a notorious unit for both students and him, as it often led to the revelation of hidden affections and, inevitably, heartbreak.

Severus found himself seated at the long table in the Great Hall, his dark cloak enveloping him like a protective shroud. He mentally prepared himself for the chaotic lessons ahead, bracing for the inevitable array of disastrous attempts at potion-making by the teenagers under his instruction. He could still vividly recall the laughter, tears, and arguments that erupted whenever someone inadvertently exposed their deepest feelings for another through the potion's enchanting aroma.

What troubled him most was the haunting scent of Amortentia itself—an evocative mixture that, over the years, had become inseparable from his own memories of what he could only make out as love. He loathed the bitter reminder of his unrelenting feelings for a woman who had long since departed from his life. The whiff of that potion always transported him back to a time filled with both warmth and sorrow, forcing him to confront the guilt that lingered after her death.

Over time, he had reconciled himself to the inevitable encounters with that familiar trifecta of scents—honey, apple spice, and ginger. Each element was a reminder of both joy and grief, binding him to memories he wished he could forget but could never escape. As he sat there, Severus silently cursed the potion, aware that it would once again peel back the layers of his guarded heart.

The sound of students talking around them echoed through his ears as he rubbed his temples irritably, “Everything alright Professor?” a soft voice asked. Looking up Snape's eyes meet the young Earthology professor's eyes, a concerned look in her eye her brows frowned. He watched her for a moment as she sat down to the right of him, moving her teal dress robs as she did so, once settled she pushed her curls out of her face turning towards him.

“Everything is just fine…” he drawled.

She hummed a small smile had pulled her glossed lips up, “You have to brew the Amortentia, a personal favorite I presume.” she teased.

He scoffed lightly, not in a rude way but humored. “You could say..”

“Well, I hope it goes well. Let me know if you need anything.” she offered.

He expressed his gratitude to her before they both returned to their meals. Severus found himself developing a genuine fondness for the new teacher. Though she had been at Hogwarts for some time, her youthful spirit set her apart among the faculty. The head of Hufflepuff, she was cherished by both her students and peers for her kindness and selflessness. Her capacity for empathy was something he admired deeply.

Severus realized he enjoyed her company more than he often admitted, and he hoped she felt the same. She had a way of gravitating toward him, and it was clear to her that they had formed a friendship. At first, Severus tried to distance himself, convinced that it was best for her. He remembered that day when Dumbledore had asked him to accompany her into the Forbidden Forest to gather a herb she needed for her class. It was during that outing that she had bravely confronted him, wondering if he held a dislike for her since he had been keeping his distance. Those few exchanged words had opened a door to understanding.

In truth, his avoidance had stemmed from a worry that he made her uncomfortable. But after that conversation, everything changed. They began to talk more freely, and soon, he found himself seeking her out for supplies and support, realizing how much her presence brightened his days.

There were moments when they would sit side by side, grading assignments together, and her presence brought a sense of comfort that was hard to describe. Conversations flowed effortlessly, often marked by shared knowing glances that spoke volumes, and a dry, sarcastic humor that only they understood. He cherished how she had a knack for calling him out when he was being unreasonable, as well as how fiercely she defended her students, even when they tested her patience just as much as they did his.

He still vividly recalled the first time she cried in front of him. Concern etched on his face, he gently asked if she was alright, and in an instant, she broke down. With her head resting against his chest, her body trembled with sobs, and he found himself instinctively wrapping his arms around her, holding her steady until she found her breath again. Afterward, he brewed her some tea and patiently listened as she poured out her feelings, offering a supportive shoulder and advice whenever she sought it.

He would always remember how she expressed her gratitude, her words wrapping around him like a warm embrace. Over time, they developed a deep understanding of one another that many would describe as intimate, revealing the strength of their bond in a world that often felt overwhelming.

Manirva would make points to call out their friendship that maybe there was more to it which he’d always brush off. Not because of her, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t have feelings for her. But he couldn’t confess when he smelled another woman in a love potion. He wouldn’t hurt her because he was guilty of being in love with another, and simply what if she didn’t feel the same? There he would simply have ruined a perfect friendship, he enjoyed her company too much to ruin their bond. Not to mention she was significantly younger than him, so why would she waste her time on a grumpy man? Manirva always rolled her eyes at the excuse she was an adult capable of seeing something good, somebody perfect and capable of giving her the things she deserved.

He Wished Manirva wouldn’t put ideas like that in his head, that he allowed himself to think like that. Cause in truth Manirva was right, she was perfect for him, she was extroverted and full of love, she pushed Severus in situations he deemed uncomfortable or not his scene. He’d let her to, god if it was anyone else he would never. He’d never teach students how to dance with another professor, he’d never make small jokes to amuse the people around him. He’d never ask for another’s opinion, or value one opinion as he did hers.

He liked that his dry sarcastic remarked could make her giggle, he loved the sound of her laugh. How her voice would get a bit higher and quicken when she was excited. He did admire her, her warm complexion matching her aura, how she always wore a beautiful smile, how her eyes always remained doe like, how she talked with her hands and body, how she was always so considerate of her students. He’d never admit it but she surprised him when she got upset for the first time at some 5th year boys disrespecting her and her class she scolded them, her voice stern but she never raised it. He liked seeing her like that. The first time she scolded him, his heart beat heavily in his chest he couldn’t help but grin which only made her angrier. How she scoffed glaring at him, soon to storm away.

“What are you grining about Severus.” A voice teased.

“Nothing mind yourself professor Maverick.” He spoke quickly turing his head away from her.

“Boo don’t be like that whatcha thinking about..” She asked again leaning on the table in front of them her body closer to his. God she smelt good, she always did. She wasn’t even that close to him but the smell of fresh vanilla, shea butter, and the strong smell of lilies as if she rubbed their pollen onto herself, She smelt sweet yet floral.

Turning to face her he said “Thinking about how many teens are gonna end up bothered and hurt by the potion they're oh so excited to brew.”

Her jaw dropped “Severus!” she pushed at him. he chuckled lowly “It happens every year also meant one last couple I have to separate in the halls.”

“That's terrible..” she spoke a smile still on her face, Severus only shrugged. The great hall soon began to empty, students headed towards classes. Y/n smiled at him before leaving herself, he watched her as she left her curls bouncing behind her, the satin rob gliding behind her.

As classes began student gathers around Severus as he began to brew the example for them. He wanted to walk them through every step to ensure they will do it correctly. He’d take his time answering questions as she walked them through, soon he’d have them start as he continued. Students would quietly talk amounts them selves asking their professor questions just for clarification. As he started to finish up, he smelled something sweet yet floral. It didn’t smell of honey, apple spice and ginger as it once did.

No, it smelled of Lillies, fresh vanilla and shea butter.. The sweet aroma hitting his nose, Severus stoped blinking hard to collect his thoughts for he’d just stop talking in the middle of instruction. He glanced up noticing the sixth years still looking at him, too bad for going unnoticed. Severus quickly wrapped his lesson up, letting the student to work amongst themselves. Severus couldn’t help how fast his heart was beating, he was in love with her. He wanted to feel relieved, he was even but again where did her feelings lye?

The end of the day came pretty quickly, the lay period of the day being a prep for himself. As he walked though the halls he was stoped by Manirva and Albus “Severus would you be interested in observing Professor Mavericks lecture with us?” Dumbledore asked.

“Now why would I do that?” he questioned his brow raised, he was gonna go but didn’t wanna make it painfully obvious to the women that stood next to the headmaster.

“Oh come, Severus, it gives you something to do. Plus we both know you want to anyway.” she smiled at him.

He merely rolled his eyes at her playful comment as she impulsively grabbed his arm, her enthusiasm radiating like the bright autumn sun. When they finally arrived, a rich, earthy aroma enveloped them, a refreshing scent that had the power to soothe even the most troubled minds. Severus couldn't help but admire her classroom; it felt as if it had been tailored specifically for her vibrant spirit.

The structure resembled an intricate glass greenhouse, the walls primarily composed of crystal-clear windows that showcased a breathtaking view of the winding river and the majestic forest beyond. Sunlight filtered through, creating a warm, golden glow that illuminated the space.

Inside, the room was a beautiful tapestry of agriculture, each carefully arranged without a hint of chaos. Vines hung gracefully from above, their tendrils curling playfully, while vibrant flowers in varied hues added splashes of color to the serene environment. The ceiling, open to the sky, invited nature's elements inside, allowing birds to flit about and the gentle breeze to playfully rustle the leaves. It was a sanctuary of growth and life, reflecting her passion for the natural world and inviting all who entered to take a deep breath and appreciate the beauty around them.

Severus watched intently as she moved gracefully around the classroom, engaging her students with animated gestures and an infectious enthusiasm. She cast warm smiles at the professors seated in the back, momentarily breaking the professional atmosphere with a touch of friendliness. Unlike the customary robes she usually donned, she wore a stunning dress made of satin, a delicate shade that shimmered between cream and soft gold.

The dress featured long, fitted sleeves that hugged her arms elegantly, while the bodice clung to her figure with a tailored silhouette. As it cascaded down, the fabric relaxed and flowed, creating a gentle, flattering silhouette that gave the impression of ethereal movement. The neckline of the dress sat high, framing her face beautifully and stopping just at the base of her neck, while the back was artfully designed with a slight opening that ended just above the bottom of her shoulder blades.

This design revealed a glimpse of the tattoo that adorned her back, piquing Severus’s curiosity. He had often wondered about the size and artistry of it, a mystery he never dared to inquire about. He suspected it spanned a considerable portion of her back, possibly trailing down her arm, yet she had always kept it concealed beneath her robes until now. The dress accentuated her figure perfectly, hugging her torso down to her hips before falling away softly, emphasizing the graceful lines of her shape.

Her long curls, usually cascading around her shoulders, were swept back in a playful yet messy arrangement held together by a simple clip, allowing the full view of her radiant face. In this moment, she appeared both elegant and approachable, a striking image that captivated him as she continued her lesson, lost in her passion for teaching.

“You’re staring Severus.” Manirva whispered a smirk on her lips. He could hear Albus chuckle next to her.

“Quit it.” he hissed, causing the older women to giggle quietly.

The lesson soon came to an end student leaving her class as well as the headmaster and Manirva, the class room seemed to be still. Severus soon approaching her hands fidgeting behind his back.

“What keeps you, Severus?” She asked as the tall man walked towards her.

“Thought we would walk after.” he spoke.

Her eyes roamed over him, taking in every subtle shift in his posture as she noticed a tension in his shoulders that suggested he might be feeling nervous. Her head tilted slightly to the side, her curiosity piqued by the unspoken words hanging in the air between them. "That's all? You seem like you have something more to say?" she inquired, her voice laced with both intrigue and a hint of challenge, encouraging him to reveal what was clearly weighing on his mind.

She sensed an underlying tension in the air but chose not to press the issue. Severus, on the other hand, felt a restless urgency bubbling within him. His fingers itched to reach into his pocket, where the small vial lay hidden, and offer it to her. With a heart full of hope, he silently prayed that she would catch the faint, intoxicating scent that lingered around him. He yearned for the moment of recognition, convinced by Minerva's encouraging words that there was a possibility she could truly see him for what he was. Yet, the thought of disappointment loomed over him like a dark cloud; the very prospect of her not feeling the same way sent shivers down his spine, amplifying his anxiety. It was a delicate balance of hope and fear, one he could hardly contain as he awaited her response.

“Sev— You can talk to me, You seem bothered..” she spoke up.

He took a small breath “Smell this for me would you, need another person to see if the student made this right..” He lied holding a small vile out for her.

Seeing the potion seemed to make her nervous. A noticeable swallow came from her, her poster becoming more straight. “How come not ask Manirva? she’s more skilled in potions than I..” She was, she was nervous.

“Perhaps, but i’m here with you… I take your intellect into consideration.” He spoke carefully, his eyes still watching.

She turned her gaze momentarily, her eyes drawn to the delicate vial nestled in his hands, its contents swirling with a soft pink hue. Slowly, she leaned closer, her intent focus unwavering as she inhaled the potion’s fragrant aroma. It was clear to her that this potion had been crafted with meticulous care, each ingredient harmoniously blended. The scent enveloped her senses—a warm blend of rich sandalwood intertwined with the earthy notes of herbs, creating a symphony of fragrance that felt almost ancient.

There was also a deep undertone of musk, an essence that hinted at secrets whispered and stories untold. As she breathed in, she caught a whiff of old parchment, soaked in ink, evoking memories of dusty tomes filled with forgotten knowledge. Her heart raced slightly as she looked at him, peering through her fluttering lashes, and her voice emerged like a gentle breeze, barely audible yet filled with sincerity. “I say the potion is perfect...” she murmured, the words hanging in the air like a delicate promise.

The two professors stood closely together, the warmth radiating from their bodies creating an intimate atmosphere. In the stillness of the moment, Severus could distinctly hear the rhythmic thumping of her heartbeat, a sound that seemed to echo and fill the space between them. He glanced at her, curiosity etched across his features. “What is it that you smell?” he inquired, his voice low and deliberate, as he sought to understand the sensations that intertwined them in this charged silence.

Her mouth opened slightly only to close for a moment. “I smell sandalwood, musk, mixture of herbs, and old parchment.”

Severus breath became still, his eyes never leaving her. He watched as she moved his hand causing the potion to go towards his nose. “Now tell me..” she spoke her face close to his, “What is it you smell Professor?”

“I smell vanilla, not fresh but sweet vanilla. I smell shea butter and cashmere, and lillie’s like the strong pollen that comes off them.” He spoke watching her expression. Her face seemed to stay still but the smallest twitch of her lip and how her brows raised was enough to show that she was just as relieved as he was.

There was a sense of relief between the two, a quiet relief. The fact the both had held back for so long just to realize they had feeling for each other. No, that they were in love with one another.

“So when were you going to say something..” She asked playing with her fingers.

Snapes brow raised “How could i have been so sure.. I didn’t want to ruin what we had if you didn’t reciprocate the feelings I hold for you.” He said.

She smiled a small snort coming from her “Severus, i fear i was very loud in the way i felt for you… You think all the things the words my actions were casual? just friendly?”

That made his stand up a bit straighter “ Well..” he couldn’t say anything because now that he thought about it she was right. He was just scared.

He covered his face with his hands out of embarrassment, his how could he have been so incompetent. He could hear he soft laugh, the feeling of her fingers peeling his hands off if his face. Greeting him with a warm smile, “Sev no need to be embarrassed, i’m just glad you feel the same.” she spoke out of relief her eyes looking over his face.

Her hands fell from his face to his chest, “May i kiss you?” he asked suddenly.

“Please do.”

His lips met hers carefully, his hands holding her face gently as he kissed her a soft groan leaving her as their lips met. Their lips moved in sync, the kiss anything but quiet he tilted her head back deepening the kiss. Her grip on his robes became tighter pulling him closer to her. Shifting his body he pushed her against her desk. For only a moment they pulled away admiring each other or a seconded. He lifted her a bit so she sat on her desk, his hands readying on the sides of her as she held his face while they kissed. Perhaps it was the heat of the moment, but as soon as her back fell against the wooden desk and things fell off, she really couldn’t care less.

Severus hands felt up her sides as he kissed on her neck, soft moans left her lips the beautiful sounds making Severus forget any self respect he had for himself in the moments. His grip on her dress tighten the sudden sound of buttons poppingcaused him to stop. His eyes met hers only resolving a look of ‘forget it’, so he did pulling her back up in the window behind them he could see her bare back. The tattoo she only seen the top of run down her spin and bleed off into flowers and vines. If he didn’t have any human decency he’d have her right then and there, she slowed her self to be vulnerable with him and that was something he’d never take advantage of.

The sudden knock at the door caused him to drop her leg and pull her up and off the table quickly, a whisper of reparo and her dress was fixed. Straightening them selves up as the door opened the came face to face with Albus and Manirva.

“Hello!— is there anything i could help you with professors?” Y/n choked out clearing her through of a sudden stutter.

The older professors shared a glance to one another a mischievous grin on the two. “Oh nothing Dear just came to see if you and Severus where going to come and join us for dinner.”

God was it already Dinner time, Severus though. They had gotten carried away with themselves. He watched as Manirva walked up to her her hands carefully fixing Y/ns collar and her thumb whipping under her lip.

“Seemes you made a mess of her.”

“Pardon?” the both said to her.

Manirva pointed to her lips “Have to say Severus never thought a dark cherry would look good in you.” she giggled turning on her heels.

The two younger professors looks at one another and needles to say they weren’t gonna get away with it, smeared lipstick, messy hair and rosy cheeks. Not to mention the mess of school work that had fallen from her desk.

shit.

“Well let you clean up, shall we be expecting you for dinner or are you both going to eat in Your Chambers?” Albus hummed and silly grin hidden under his beard.

“uhh- I think we’ll stay in, we’ll see you at breakfast.” Severus spoke up.

“Ahh, alright you two. Remember you both have class in the morning..” Albus said walking towards the door.

The door soon shut, the pair both groaning quietly for how badly they were just caught. The two weren’t ever going to hear the end of it.

[avelera]

hey, how do you think viktor would've reacted to jayce being the one in danger?

because it was consistently jayce who was in a position to be worried about losing viktor - firstly because of viktor's health (when he finally clued in that things are bad), then the explosion, then him being taken over by the arcane.

and even before that, viktor's kind of expecting/bracing for that kind of dynamic as well - he has health problems, so people are gonna pity or devalue him or whatever he was expecting from jayce.

if that got turned around and something happened that made jayce's life seem fragile and in danger i imagine viktor would be reallyy thrown off by the switch, but it's kinda difficult for me to imagine how it'd actually look

So that's such an interesting question, because I agree, we've rarely seen Viktor react to Jayce being in clear and present physical danger so it's hard for me to picture what that would look like as well.

That said, we do have several canon instances of Viktor protecting Jayce to pull on:

1 ) In the finale, telling Jayce to leave and get to safety so Viktor can defuse the Hexcore on his own. So from that, we can draw that if Jayce was in danger, Viktor would be a self-sacrificing idiot about it and throw himself on the grenade so Jayce could live. Especially if it was something Viktor felt at all responsible for to make him extra suicidal.

2 ) Defusing Jinx's bomb in S1. In that, I think we see the clearest example of how Viktor acts under pressure when there's a threat to himself and Jayce. Like the finale, it doesn't involve Viktor trying to make an escape (his disability probably would have trained him out of such impulses by making it prohibitive for him anyway BUT, in theory, he could have thrown the grenade away and tried to get cover). In this, I think we see a lot of what Viktor is made of: when in danger, he will look for an intellectual solution and he will rely on his skills. He will not try to distance himself from the danger. He locks in, focuses, and defuses the bomb, thus saving them both. And he makes the decision in a split second. He's very cool under pressure, no flailing, he was ready for his mind to be enough to do the work or to die trying, which is also resonant with his finale attempt to save Jayce.

3 ) Even if you go back to how he rescued Jayce from his suicide attempt in 1.02, you see Viktor is cool under pressure and doesn't freak out or flail. He uses his mind and his wits to distract Jayce from the edge with a quip and then gets Jayce focused on absurdities to distract him (asking if he's "interrupting" and calling him egotistical for signing his notes clearly baffles Jayce and distracts him from his problems) and then engages Jayce with the things he cares about. Viktor is literally defusing a bomb there with his mind, just by focusing on what he's good at. In this case, talking about science to get Jayce focused on other things and, eventually, give him hope.

4 ) In general, when Viktor is doing something dangerous, he tends to try to protect Jayce by removing himself. For example, in S1 his frequent "disappearances" are certainly evocative of things he wants to spare Jayce from knowing about. He keeps Jayce out of the Hexcore experimentation. He doesn't tell him about the Shimmer hidden in his cane, or about Sky's death, which are both things that could get Jayce in trouble too.

6 ) I'd say that Viktor refusing to go on stage with Jayce was also a (misguided) attempt to protect Jayce, either from his association with a partner from the undercity that could tarnish his image, or more likely IMO, from an uncharismatic and visibly ailing partner (as Viktor sees it) who struggles on stage and could have damaged the image of their research if he flubbed the presentation. Viktor is not a natural public speaker like Jayce is and he knows it.

6 ) I would even argue that Viktor leaving Jayce after awakening from the Hex Cocoon was a subconscious attempt to protect him. Jayce had obvious injuries Viktor could have healed, but if Viktor knew deep down that healing = assimilation, and assimilation was what the Hexcore wanted, he might have fled the room before he could give in and thus saved Jayce (and the world).

7 ) Finally, we have the be-all, end-all of Viktor's attempts to save Jayce: Wizard Viktor literally visiting countless timelines not to save the world, which could easily be done by just not saving Jayce when he was a child, but specifically to find a universe where Jayce lives, finds Viktor, creates Hextech, and eventually convinces Viktor to defuse the Hexcore with him and save the world by showing him how much he loves him as he is.

So we have the wizard in the snow moment as a physical example of Viktor saving Jayce and what that looks like, but we also have the implication of these countless timelines to draw a conclusion, which is: Viktor would use his intellect to find a combination of circumstances that saves Jayce (and the world, I guess) from himself, putting himself through what is visibly years of toil, trying combination after combination to save him.

The conclusion I draw from this is that Viktor saving Jayce uses his intellect and he optimizes obsessively when able until he finds the exact right combination, even if it puts him through what might have been a living Hell. He also, again, removes himself from the situation when Jayce is in the pit, because he knows that Jayce needs to undergo this pain so he can better understand younger Viktor and get through to him, in order for Jayce to avoid an even greater pain later. Viktor is focused on the long game and uses his mind to achieve it.

TL;DR I think we can conclude that Viktor when saving Jayce from danger would be cool under pressure, would optimize to hell and back if possible, would rely on his intellect and skills almost entirely, and would be self-sacrificing to a fault. Unless it involved public speaking, then he'd probably uses his mind to find any other possible solution. He would also remove himself if he thought that would be better for Jayce. Viktor thinks long-term but is able to act quickly so long as there is an intellectual solution, and he rarely if ever relies on a physical response, most likely because he's been trained out of seeing that as an effective course for him by his disability.

Just my two (or, err, seven) cents!

[vintagerpg]

In 2023, I covered Rogues’ Gallery, a supplement that is, for my money, one of the very worst in the 2E D&D era. It does have one good quality. Not a redeeming one, really, but an interesting one: it is the first D&D product that I am aware of that used loose leaf for something other than monsters. Now, again, this was totally squandered by using it on utterly boring NPCs. But the concept was intriguing.

Here we have Treasure Chest (1994), a collection of 16 adventures printed on 32 sheets of loose leaf. Each page has an illustration — the DM sheet usually has a map, the player sheet something useful to the scenario, usually a view of an important object or scene, a la Tomb of Horrors. The flip side of the DM sheet crams everything needed to run the scenario into a single page! The reverse of the player sheet is a little under-utilized, usually presenting a brief info box and some rumors. Even though that bit underwhelms, this is an excellent experiment in form.

Results are kind of mixed, to be honest. Some of the art is neat and evocative. Some…highly cringe. Pretty much all the art involving photography troubles me, though I like the ones involving modeled landscapes and buildings. In terms of substance, the one-page format enforces brevity — most of these are little more than a single adventure location and some loot. Yet they seem somehow more than the Lairs books — a lot of them use their space to get surprisingly strange (particularly love the rug with a spiral staircase depicted in the weave that is actually a gate to a labyrinth). All of them invite the DM to extrapolate and improvise. It’s a neat product, one with much more potential — folks should rip it off!

[camfusedly]

Why does this fantastic trans visual novel only have 23 reviews on Steam??

Breathless Winds is an island-fantasy visual novel that mostly focuses on an impending metaphorically-ecological magical disaster, with a strong romance side plot centered on a pre-transition trans girl protagonist. The art is GORGEOUS, the artist has a really distinctive and evocative style.

This is the CG where I fell in love with Lantana

The worldbuilding is also very good and immersive, and the writer does a great job doing something that I don’t think is required in a branching visual novel, but I still appreciated, which is making all of the different routes be operating in the same reality—problems that crop up mainly to serve one route will appear in another as well, but with different focuses that make it fresh. Characters’ personalities are very consistent whether they’re acting as a love interest or as a supporting character or even an antagonist.

Romance plotlines I think take a backseat to the fantasy adventure, but they’re very fun and enjoyable. The romance is very much a bisexual dream, with two men and two women with equally weighty plotlines. Two of the love interests are also trans (one man and one woman), which made my little t4t heart extremely happy.

I have A LOT of thoughts about the trans representation, which, again, is not the main plot. Thoughts below:

I’m a sensitivity reader for trans representation, and as someone with that experience, I was pretty shocked because this visual novel pulls off something that I’ve never seen any other narrative do before. Namely, writing long-term about pre-transition with a high level of empathy and compassion.

My advice to writers whose projects show up in my inbox is usually to not set scenes in pre-transition because writers tend to have a lot of problems there. But reading Breathless Winds has taught me that writing about pre-transition is not the problem—the problem is the level of compassion.

Breathless Winds has this compassion in spades. Where many works would get caught up finding edginess in the contradictory nature of pre-transition, Breathless Winds is concerned with Poppy’s inner world and her mental health. Where many works would have her be “walked in on” wearing dresses and use that for humor or conflict, Breathless Winds allows Poppy to experiment in private and come out when she’s ready. Where many works would treat her upcoming transition as something that disqualifies her from romance, Breathless Winds’ romantic options all validate Poppy’s real gender even when she’s pre-transition.

Maybe this is because that my pre-transition days are 11 years in the rearview mirror, but I’m kind of shocked that it never even occurred to me that a romantic fantasy for a pre-transition person is something that could/should exist. I love that this exists not just for pre-transition people (or people unable to transition, etc.), but also for those of us who have transitioned, to imagine a compassionate fantasy for the ways we used to live our lives.

I do just want to advise the reader that Poppy is misgendered and deadnamed by the narrative by necessity, so if that would be troubling for you to read, I would say consider this one carefully.

I also thought that they did a great job with the portrayal of Prince Valerian, a trans man (who transitioned a long time ago in the plot), to be A+, chef’s kiss. I may be biased, but I thought that his route was the crown jewel (ha ha) of the routes, and I’m really glad I did it last.

Valerian performs an impressive "asserting dominance while short" maneuver

While not a big part of Valerian's route, a struggle that pervades his relationships with other men from his country is that even though they gender him correctly, there's a sense he will never be in the "boy's club." This subtle nuance in many relationships between cis and trans men is such a real phenomenon that a lot of writers writing about trans man characters don't explore, and I was impressed to see it here. (It's more common to see writers only interested in overt, misgendering transphobia.)

The writer also did a great job avoiding another pitfall many writers fall into, which is sort of “damseling” the trans man character and exploiting (what a writer might presume to be) his “natural” physical weakness—Valerian is portrayed to be as physically capable and powerful as the other male characters, and a worthy adversary.

If you want to do all of the routes, my recommendation for route order would be to do Gallardia’s route first, then the girls, and then Valerian last. Just a note that outside of picking the route, all of the choices are “for fun”, so don’t stress about your choices! I did Rue’s route first, which had a bit of a goth, downery vibe, and I was like “Oh god, I’m picking bad choices,” but no, that’s just the route, lol.

If you are interested in visual novels or fantasy or romance at all, I really recommend playing this game and giving it a review on Steam!

[unlawfulgames]

SOOTY BEARDS IS OUT! Come get your dwarves and your beard oil! Help us slow fund a physical release! https://plusoneexp.com/pages/sooty-beards

What is Sooty Beards?

A setting zine about a fantasy dwarf-hold crossed with a decaying American coal town. People are leaving and things are falling apart. If something doesn’t change–if things can’t change–it’ll become a ghost town soon.

Sooty Beards Features:

8 Run-down urban and wilderness areas complete with “What Used To Be Here?” And “What’s Here Now?” tables to bring out the weight of ages.

8 Strange, Dual-Statted Creatures to populate your dying coal town with, whether your game uses d6 or d20.

Dozens of quirky, narrative items to discover, from screaming lanterns to steampowered ballistic sportballs.

A “Why Did You Even Come Here?” table to give your characters quick, easy, and miserable motivations for visiting the crumbling city of Vesallberg.

More than 20 evocative pieces of art and a beautiful map of Vesallberg by Charles Ferguson-Avery.

CREEPING DEPRESSION

Instant talking canaries! Just add booze!

A glossary of useful terms to get you speaking like a native ‘Berger in no time.

A supplemental bonus book with d66 backgrounds for Vesallberg locals, compatible with TROIKA!

What People Are Saying

“An evocative portrait of community decay in the form of a TTRPG setting -- the troubles of these dwarves in their failing mine resonate strongly with the concerns of the modern day. Bleak in the best way. One gets the sense that this text is just the tip of the Vesallberg, as it were; hints lurk throughout that there is much more going on beneath the surface. (What is up with those *cats*?)”

- Dr. Mac Boyle of The Maniculum Podcast and Marginal Worlds TTRPG

The Creators of Bridgetown have done it again. They’re created a grim, nay whimsical–nay grimsical – setting that makes me wish I could grow a beard.

– Asa Donald of Backwards Tabletop

Ah, Vesallberg, miserable rock, “titanic triumph and miscreation”, a dying city stripped of resources, but full of beards (and the ecosystems within them). A wonderfully horrid place to visit, from the Slag Hills to the Deep Delvings. Come for strange misadventures among the Koljar Dwarves, Big Folk, and Scrawny folk. Stay for the deep, dark, hilarious writing; the whip-smart Politics(™); and the amazing illustration. Once you arrive you may never be able want to leave.

—Adam STATION, An Infinity of Ships, Make 100 Bastards

"How do you communicate background and lore in an RPG without it becoming a slog through a textbook? Quotes, cool tables, beautiful maps, and evocative art. This book makes it easy to picture the dwarf-hold of Vesallberg!”

-Joshua McCrowell of His Majesty The Worm

“This is like Veins of the Earth but with more life and less crunch. I really dig it!”

-David Schiduan of Technical Grimoire

“Welcome to Vesallberg, the Phoenix of the Wetlands™! … How’d that sound? Too corny? It’s too corny, isn’t it. Oh, that’ll send ‘em running away even faster. Stupid, stupid…!”

-Dent Pigiron, Newest Head of the Visitor Center

From the Team

From Furtive Goblin

Like most of my projects, what would eventually become Sooty Beards started as a half-joking mashup of X and Y shared with my friend John. In this case the “X” and “Y” were “Khazad-dûm” and “a dying coal town”, which turned out to be the magic words. For the next year he and I threw ideas back and forth and built the doc up, but soon I found myself in my first ever leading role with final say on what our team did. A fun idea became my first test as a game designer. And if you find yourself interested in picking up a copy of your own then hey, thanks for helping me pass.

From John Gregory

Just like Bridgetown, Furtive Goblin came up to me and said “Hey, I’ve got an idea!” And I responded, “I shall assemble The Team.” And, well, once again some of the Very Vilest Viziers have come together to give you something weird and bleak, a mix of dark humor, social commentary and dwarves being dwarves. Pulling from somewhere between my Appalachian coal-town ancestors and Furtive’s literal experience living under a rock, I’d like to think we’ve made something that will speak to that yet burning coal in your soul.

From Tony

I had 2 people message me asking if I could help Furtive get a zine published. I was already interested and then… they mentioned beards. At one point they tried to give me a “developer credit” but really Furt, John & Charlie did all the work and it’s beautiful, grimm & whimsical all at the same time. Each level of design layering on the next, to create something more than the individual parts. At the end of the day, unlike Vesallberg, I think people will flock to this project because of the earnest love that the creators have for what they have made, and each other. It’s great to be the 1st fan of a project, but it’s just as good to be the 3rd fan.

Follow Up

If you have additional questions, would like to schedule an interview, set up a time to play with us, or have any other questions please feel free to reach out via email to Tony@PlusOneExp.com

[theoutcastedartist]

"Evocation" Page 6 (ShadowLightAU)

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Tags:

#ShadowLightAU

#shadows&lightsau

#shadowlight comic

WOO!!! THE SHADOWLIGHT COMIC IS OFFICIALLY BACK BABYYY! I missed the goobers very dearly and I'm glad I can finally return to get this story's train back on track 😎✨

I think the kids should have some fun before trouble comes a' knocking (more like breaking down the whole damn door and grab you by the neck oop-)

[jbk405]

Mickey 17 was definitely an experience.

The question of replacing dead/injured people via clones, and the ensuing dehumanization of the expendable copies, is not new ground for science fiction. But they did a great job showing the mundanity of the whole process, and the universal crumminess of the society that would make use of this.

They may be colonizing a new world, but these people don't live in all-white pods facing blank screens and eating food cubes. They live in dirty, cramped, worn cubbies doing manual labor, and eating recycled food that is icky (and not just weird).

It's definitely evocative of the real-world when we see that the evil people in charge aren't Machiavellian manipulators who are on the verge of founding a new empire. They're morons who are dragging all the rest of us down with them, and their new society is going to collapse in a matter of years since they're fundamentally incapable of sustaining it. But that doesn't mean they're not dangerous.

The only story part that doesn't hang together for me is just why Mickey 18 is so different from all preceding Mickey's. He's assertive, aggressive, and I'll even call him a bit of a dick. And it's such a stark contrast to Mickey 17. Dialogue does indicate that there have been variations before, but they were all variations on the same theme of the original Mickey. They never tried to break out of their role on the ship, never tried to get revenge on Timo for getting them in trouble with a loan shark originally, etc. So why did 18 suddenly leap to violence and revenge at every opportunity? I'm not saying he's wrong, but nobody ever mentions anything being different about this process, so....I dunno.

Unless we're saying that the religious nuts were right that multiples don't have souls, and since 17 was still alive when 18 was printed he was made without a soul. Because if that's the direction we're going, I think the rest of the film didn't get that message.

[creature-wizard]

"This thing will let in the Bad Spirits!" O RLY tho?

Anytime someone asserts that doing or owning some thing will get you bothered and tormented by any kind of spirit or entity, you should stop and ask yourself where the evidence for this is.

For example, it's often asserted that Ouija boards are portals that let in malevolent spirits, with an occasional anecdote about someone who was allegedly tormented by said spirits after using a Ouija board.

While these anecdotes can be extremely evocative, it's important to remember that they are just anecdotes, and they don't really say anything about what's happening on a broader scale.

Consider: Ouija boards are produced by Hasbro and sold in toy stores. If they were as likely to let in malevolent entities as people claim, they wouldn't be a commercially viable product. The reason Hasbro can sell them to people is because the vast majority of buyers do not have bad experiences.

The same goes for tarot cards - some people assert that they let in malevolent beings, but the reality is that thousands of people own and use tarot cards without any kind of problem.

Some people assert that depictions of fairies will let in the Fae - but millions of people own all kinds of fairy art and knickknacks without encountering any trouble.

If someone told you that they had just watched a popular children's fantasy movie and that demons torment them afterward, what would your first thought be? Would you just assume that this movie must be extremely dangerous, or would you remember that millions of other people watched the same movie and did not experience demonic attacks, meaning that this movie is probably not to blame?

There is no broad evidence to suggest that anything is very likely to let in malevolent entities. If some people perceive they are suffering from spiritual attacks after engaging with some fairly commonplace thing, it would seem that they are extreme outliers. (And I think it's more likely that such people actually suffering from mental illness and/or severe religious indoctrination than from real spirits.)

[thewertsearch]

(Strobe warning)

Hi Sally! Congrats on reaching cascade!! I made you a drawing of your kidsona on your quest bed, I gave both your sonas some classpects that I thought fit you (also I don't know what a Kali is and google wasn't helpful so I just made a python joke oops._.)

What the hell, this is so cool! I really like the buildings you picked out for LOCAH - I had a lot of trouble getting them to look right, back when I was designing the background for my alchemy session. You knocked it out of the park.

It's a really evocative scene, and I like the ambiguity of it. Perhaps Sahlee's delivered a mortally wounded Sally to her Quest Bed, in a manner similar to another Light Player we've seen. Or, perhaps Sally isn't dying yet, and is instead plucking up the courage to reach for godhood herself, before it's slipped from her hands forever.

After all, that Radio Lance that Sahlee's holding looks awfully sharp, doesn't it?

Also, I'm not even sure if this was intentional, but it looks to me like Sally was doing some rubber-duck debugging before the current crisis began. Maybe something went horribly wrong while she was working on her Quest...

[globalrebrand]

Happy Valentines Day! with Crewel

Warnings: Reader is wearing a dress and heels, no pronouns used.

A/N: Fluff, fluff, fluff!

Divus didn't do platitudes. And he certainly didn't do cliches.

As a bachelor he was bold, daring and highly nuanced in his airs. Something like love wouldn't change that. He insisted it wouldn't. You two would remain in love but retain that flavor that made you individuals. You didn't have kowtow to tradition, and certainly not a contrived artificial event like valentines day.

Divus was inclined to ignore the day entirely. But then...the ballet in the capital of the Queendom of Roses was a reviving a performance you had mentioned to be your favorite. He simply had to surprise you with tickets and, then! Your favorite ballerina was coincidentally slated to open the season on Valentine's day, so naturally no other night would do.

And well, after the show you would likely both be hungry....and if you were already dressed up for the ballet why not find and equally sumptuous place to dine after? He happened to know an incredibly excellent restaurant, intimate and small, built in the conservatory of an old city manor that had since been converted into a private members club, of which of course your handsome new beau was a member. Only twelve seats in the entire restaurant and an absolutely earth shatteringly delicious prix fixe menu. Oh! And it just had the best Lambrusco, he'd been trying to source a bottle for you for months but the supplier kept a tight lock on the distribution. That settled that then. Obviously, no other restaurant would do.

Well dinner and a show, or rather a show and dinner was a bit traditional, but Divus knew you'd be delighted, regardless. You weren't as prideful and stringent about such matters even if you too had some quite opinionated stances on style and taste as well. And he's proved himself right when he made you privy to his plans and you'd replied with a giddy squeal over the phone. "I know just what to wear!" you'd said. And he was eager to see what you'd come up with. Then you'd followed with, "I didn't think you were the type to care about Valentine's Day?" and you were right. He wasn't, but while Divus wanted to assure you this was a one time thing that happened to be the result of many happy coincidences, he couldn't bring himself to correct you. "I thought you knew better than to judge a book by it's cover." He replied. You merely chuckled and reiterated you excitement.

With the plans made, the event lingered over you both, a distant date which only grew in anticipation with your shared enthusiasm as it grew nearer. Though he pried and probed casually about your outfit choice you kept your lips sealed. To the shock of no one, Divus also wasn't a fan of surprises but he found in this one instance it didn't bother him as much as it usually might. With you, he was learning a lot of about himself and what he did and didn't do.

Now that the long awaited evening in question was upon you, Divus waited for you on the steps of the theater. He was having trouble keeping his smile at bay and while the urge to light a cigarette came upon him he let it go, knowing you'd chide him for it. Well that and he didn't want anything to take away from the aroma of the flowers he'd procured for you. Red roses would entirely a bridge too far, he'd never recover from the shame of being so horribly ordinary, so he'd chosen a suitably stylish arrangement of blush, white and burgundy peonies, orchids, ranunculus, sweet peas and amaranthus, sweetly bundled with pink ribbon.

He was looking the wrong direction when you called his name. Glancing over his shoulder he almost dropped your bouquet at the sight.

A pale pink overcoat, draped open to expose your dress: a red silk slip evocative of vintage lingerie. It hit at your mid-thigh exposing pretty legs, drawing his eye down to your shoes, elegant pair of red kitten heels.

He was speechless. All he could do was draw you close with a arm around your waist. You invite him in your space and caress his jaw lightly with a gloved hand. "Well...? How do I look?" You attempt to pull away but Divus doesn't let you.

"You took my breath away" He admits, enchanted. The platitude spills from his lips before he can stop it.

"Are these for me?" You point to the flowers.

"Who else but you?" The grin on your features has a matching expression growing across his features. He hands you the bouquet and you cup a ranunculus and inhale. The cliche of flowers on valentines day isn't lost on him, but Divus is finding it very hard to care as he takes in your precious expression, wind bitten cheeks and sparkling eyes.

The sound of a bell chimes outside the theater. 15 minutes to show time.

You make idle chatter as Divus ushers you up the grand stone steps and through centuries old carved bronze doors.

"You know, I didn't think you'd care at all for valentines day." You tell him.

"And why's that?" He questions. A little test he's sure you'll pass. You know exactly why.

"Well I thought you would probably think its sappy and horrible cliche. Which it is! I agree, but well...I suppose I'm just pleased that you do. That is to say, you do care about valentines day." You punctuate your statement with a squeeze of his hand as if to say, 'this is nice.'

"I wouldn't if it wasn't for you." He confesses a few minutes later as he pulls your coat from your shoulders and throws his fur (an all black mink) overtop and hands it to the gentleman at the coat check. He likes the image of your things together. They just make sense.

"Well thank you. It couldn't have been easy fighting with your pride for my sake." You tease lightly.

Hardly, he scoffs. Then softer, he says "it was as easy as breathing."

You feel your cheeks warm.

"We should get to our seats." Divus adds, his tone its normal controlled baritone but when you peek at him, you can see the bright blush on his cheeks as he adjusts his tie, almost as if he too were taken aback by his candor just moments before.

In that moment you decide they were wrong. All of them about Divus. He was as caring, thoughtful and kind as the best of them.

And in that moment Divus decides he was very very wrong about platitudes, cliches and admittedly, wrong about Valentine's day. They all certainly have a time and a place when he's with you.