#also i'm afraid that's my only true talent

[dudeshusband]

tbh. i feel like "smart" is all i've ever been to people.

[ingravinoveritas]

How did u feel with the age gap question was it pr or do u really think he meant it and this was the truth

This is referring to the question asked on The Assembly last night. I'll post the clip here, for those who haven't seen it yet:

A lot of what I felt while watching this was touched on in this incredibly thoughtful post from @body-face-words, so I encourage folks to give that a read. But I think for me, when it comes to Michael's answer, it's not a matter of whether he lied or told the truth. It's that his response was sweet, but it was also a version of the truth that sounded convincing because it needed to, because this was not a time or place where he could say what he actually felt.

I'm really not sure what people expected him to say, in all honesty, as he was never going to say anything that would make him or Anna look bad, and especially not anything that could potentially negatively impact the kids, so he instead gave a very perfect PR answer. This again does not come as a surprise because we know Michael has scripted his answers about AL/their relationship in the past, but I noticed how careful he was in his response, which seems to contrast with how off-the-cuff he normally is when discussing every other subject. Part of what so many of us love about Michael is how unfiltered he is and always has been, with the exception of how much he filters and edits himself when talking about Anna.

It also seemed like, at least from my perspective, that Michael answered the question without answering the question. What the girl asked wasn't so much about the age gap, but about AL being five years older than Michael's daughter Lily, and it would've been a perfect opportunity for him to mention her, or how the relationship with AL affected his and Lily's relationship. He could've talked about the falling out he had with her (and Kate) in 2019 once AL's existence/pregnancy came to light, and what has happened in the years since, or how Lily now gets along with Anna/her half-sisters. But instead Michael deflected from all of that and talked about everything while saying nothing at the same time.

It was also the things Michael didn't say that stood out as much as the things he did. In the entire answer to the question, Michael never once used the word "love." Prior to the show airing, I saw a lot of people online confident that he would say that he loves Anna, but he never did. He never praised her, never talked about the things he loves about her, or how glad he is to be with her. He never once mentioned her by name. The pivot and focus was on the kids, and there was a clear distinction made between how happy he is to have the family he does, rather than to be in the relationship that he is in. Michael's use of the phrase "very happy" was also identical to the wording of a comment AL wrote on Instagram the other day, which added to the whole "reinforcing a public narrative" feeling of his response.

I think what struck me most of all, though, was how somber and heavyhearted Michael sounded while saying how happy he is. It reminded me of the song "I Am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel, where the upbeat and cheerful music contrasts starkly with the fraught, angry lyrics. There was no sparkle in Michael's eyes when he said it, no enthusiasm for what he was saying (which is particularly jarring when we know Michael has the capacity for incredible enthusiasm), and his face never lit up while he was talking.

There was one specific moment (which is also highlighted in the body language post) where he seemed to visibly wince and the micro-expressions were in overdrive, and it immediately made me think of a moment from Good Omens:

Time and again, I have seen fans talk about Michael's micro-expressions as an actor and how he uses them to such devastating effect (especially in the role of Aziraphale). And while these two moments are not completely identical, the idea of ignoring how Michael uses those same micro-expressions in real life makes no sense to me at all. In this instance, what we're seeing could be either because he has put so much of himself into Aziraphale that we can now recognize those "Michael" moments...or it could be because in both clips he is performing, albeit for different reasons.

The difference between Michael when he is doing this vs. when he is being genuinely himself is made even more apparent by the question immediately following this one. Unprompted, he brings up David, and the change in his expression and demeanor is swift and dramatic:

Having the mention of David happen so soon after the AL question seemed to highlight so many things. I can't help but feel that David is a security blanket for Michael, something he hides behind when he is feeling anxious or sad or overwhelmed. I wondered if perhaps he was even already thinking of David while answering the AL question, which would explain why he named him so readily--as if his mind needed to drift to someplace else just to finish answering that question.

To me, this made it abundantly clear that David is Michael's safe place. Here was where we saw Michael's eyes sparkling. Here was where we saw him light up from the inside. And it was David he kept returning to and bringing up during the rest of the show in response to other questions. So if that doesn't speak volumes about where Michael's heart seems to be, I'm not sure what does.

So yes, those are my thoughts on Michael answering the age gap question on The Assembly. As always, this is just my interpretation, but I am glad to hear from my followers with your take as well. Thanks for writing in! x

[just-a-ghost00]

Their next move towards you and the connection

For this reading, you can ask about a crush, a future lover or even your FS. I'll be using the Golden thread tarot from Labyrinthos. I found the illustrations on Pinterest but the creator isn't clearly mentioned so I'm not sure who made them.

A floating island in a hand

This person might take some time away from you before actually coming towards you. They are unsure of their intentions and feelings. For some of you, this person needs to cut ties first with a previous connection, represented by the queen of pentacles. Whether they take some time to reflect on the connection or to solve personal issues, I feel like they will leave their next steps up to fate. This person, not knowing whether you are the one for them, will have this mindset of "if it's meant to be, it will be". They will not actively search for you but they won't actively avoid you either. They may receive signs from the Universe about your connection to guide them. If during the day, they try their best not to think of you, they will be reminded of you at night time and/or in their dreams. The truth is they are currently torn between putting an end to this connection and charging ahead. They are aware of your feelings and intentions for them but they're afraid of what this means to them. They are not in a good enough state to be mature enough to make a final decision. On one hand, they're afraid that they can't give you what you want or that this is destined to fail, but on the other hand, they fear losing a very precious and meaningful connection that only happens one in a lifetime. It's like they think "what were the odds that fate would put in my hands such a precious treasure?" but at the same time they think "am I truly worthy of it? Isn't it just too good to be true?". In short, I don't see much movement for now in this connection in the near future.

Cacti pointing toward the sky

This person has been wishfully thinking of you for quite some time. They may have dreamed of you recently which persuaded them to finally act based on their wishes. They may contact you in the near future but not without a great deal of fear. They may appear as defensive or disinterested when they do, when in reality they are just super nervous about your reactions. They may invite you to their work place for some reason or ask you to hang out with them. But this might take some time before it happens. I feel like this person is at a distance from you so you may be chatting online for a while before actually interacting in person. They intend on taking their time to get to know you better. They don't want to rush into a connection without knowing what they're getting themselves into. Though they are nervous and wary, they also have a great deal of hope that this connection is meant to evolve positively. I feel like this person hasn't had a great deal of luck in their love life and/or they've been single for a long time. They don't want to date just for fun. If they're with you, they want it to be for the long run so they will make sure that you're worth it first. You also may receive messages about this person through your dreams. Maybe you will dream about this person a few days prior to their invitation. I see this person offering you to be friends first. They may add you on social media and refer to you as their friend. I'm picking up on someone boasting about their new friend to their group of friends, like "look at what my bestie does, aren't they so talented?" lmao They might share your stories in their feed or mention you everytime they do something that reminds them of you. That will be a telltale sign of their interest for you.

Palm trees by the beach

I hate to be the bringer of bad news but for some of you this person intends to move on from this connection and cut ties with you. For others, this person is already in a relatioship with someone else. That may be true for those of you who were asking about a crush. For those who were asking about a future partner, this person is currently not in the mood to look for love. They may be struggling with depression at the moment. Their priority is to get back on track and learn to love themselves first. Similarly to the first group, there's a feeling of confusion and sadness. This person has to make a choice between staying or leaving a situation, a partnership. They are slowly but surely turning their back on love. With time, this person is going to move on. They might have to cross seas to be able to be with you. I also sense the energy of someone being fearful of the feminine. They might have mother issues or were badly hurt by a feminine in the past. So I feel like the outcome for this group doesn't look very positive for now. They're really afraid to love again. For some of you maybe this person isn't in a relationship but they were so badly hurt by the previous one that they just can't imagine themselves being with someone at the moment. And maybe they are catching feelings for you, however they were not ready for those. They're not ready to face what you mean to them and what you could be. If this person is truly meant to be with you, this is likely to take a long time before they do.

[thisgirlnamedblusy]

Story request

Reader is a maid to Donna, she is very much good at her job that's why Donna let's her stay. Little did Donna know is that Reader has mind of a psychopath and she is clearly very obsessed with Donna, she always looks at her from afar without Donna knowing and whenever she cleans her clothes she sniffing it to try and smell Donna's scent. Donna doesn't know because reader acts innocent all the time. Reader loves how timid and shy Donna is and is thinking some nasty stuff she would do to her in bed. One time reader couldn't take it anymore so she put Donna in her bed. Donna is afraid in what's happening. Reader then does all the nasty stuff she is thinking. Donna is not supposed to love it bit she does. Reader is very dominant, she does everything to please her lady. Their love making lasted for an hour, Donna is clearly exhausted but satisfied. Reader seeing Donna satisfied is very proud of what she had done. Reader then confess her feelings to her. Donna told her to stay with her forever. Reader kisses her deeply and they slept.

Note: Can you make it very naughty(only if it's okay with you)? Also their love making lasted for probation 7 hours(if you're uncomfortable about this it's okay). Not gn Donna

Smut plsss

Yess!!! Thank you for your request!!! I hope you like it and sorry about the language mistakes!!! :))))

Losing my mind

Pairing: Donna Beneviento x Fem Maid! Reader

Warnings: Smut, Minors DNI, dark themes, dark reader, Reader's POV

Word count: 6,897

Summary: I don't know if I'm in love, or obsessed...

N/A: Sorry about the language mistakes!!! Requests are open!!! I'm waiting yours!!! I love you all!!! :))

“Okay, you can stay...”

Those words still resonate in my head when I'm alone, when I think about what I'm doing here, why I was granted the privilege of having you so close to me.

Well, like everything in life, it was a coincidence. I was never a model villager, one who followed the rules of the benevolent Black Gods. I was always one step ahead of that stuff. Mother Miranda, the Lords, the village... Everything was nothing but the universe that surrounded my disturbed mind.

Rebellious, irreverent and problematic, that's how my family defined me. That doesn't matter at all anymore. Despite saying that I had no talent, saying that I would end up being one of the many concubines of the lady of the castle, that never happened.

As a cold and calculating person, I managed to ensure that none of those fates people talked about for me were true. None of their predictions came true because I, always determined to be right, to get those ideas out of their heads, specialized in a job just as boring, but with other objectives.

I was always clear that I was not a piece of meat for someone to use as they pleased, if anyone had to use someone, it would be me, even if it seemed crazy in a place like that. My face is innocent, my mind is not.

Perhaps that physical superficiality granted me the privilege of having a much better job than the rest of those who called themselves my friends. Castle concubine? Never.

Maid? Maybe, that didn't sound so bad, but not just any maid.

I liked risks, always putting myself on the edge of the abyss, risking everything recklessly, and that's what I did when I entered the forest, walking towards an almost forbidden place, the Beneviento Estate.

Showing up like that, without warning, claiming my right to work for one of the bosses was crazy, but I don't regret it.

Donna Beneviento, the youngest of the Lords, the most disturbed, the strangest, the loneliest. No one had ever seen her face. No one had been close to her without feeling the slightest terror. Of course, I've already said it. I was never like the others.

The smile graced my face when her dark figure appeared in the doorway. I was surprised I wasn't afraid. I didn't tremble when she appeared. Again, I came, I watched, and I conquered.

Despite the reluctance the lady in black had with me, despite telling me over and over again she didn't want a maid, in the end, she accepted. Insistence? No, not at all. She could strike me down with just a wave of her hands. Loneliness? It could be. Curiosity? Then we would have something in common.

Sometimes I think that I had very high confidence in everything I did, or maybe I tried harder to maintain that curious job. At first it could well have been like that, at first.

Cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, making tea... A boring job in a not so boring place. I definitely liked that job. I felt exactly how I wanted, alone, or almost.

The appearances of the lady in black were few, her words nonexistent. She only spoke through that sinister doll, never with her own voice. Dry orders, absurd rules and infrequent thanks, that was all my communication with her, at least the first few weeks.

But just when I thought my life could become normal, the opposite happened. Suddenly I saw myself going up to my room slowly, with my gaze riveted on that portrait, a portrait of the lady in black, with her face uncovered, with her beauty exposed to me.

I was never made of stone. I never denied my attraction to women, especially dangerous women, but that beauty... That went much further than other times. It could be the mystery, that small feeling of intrigue of not knowing how that beauty had been spoiled, of not knowing what was behind that black veil.

Curiosity little by little became obsession, the worst of my sins, the worst of my flaws.

“Here is your tea, my lady,” I said kindly, while the lady in black was studying a book on her desk.

My words bounced off the walls, as if the mansion itself was longing to retain them, as if it had been longing to hear a human being speak for too many years.

She, as usual, shook her head in gratitude. It could have been just another day, another empty interaction, but my hands were already trembling in her presence and my mind had been imagining her for days, near me at night, very close to me.

“Do you need anything else, my lady?” I asked politely, trying to sound like always, like the innocent girl I pretended to be. She turned her head towards me, puzzled by this strange behavior. Maybe it was too obvious, maybe not.

“N-No...” She murmured hoarsely, almost silently, making me freeze on the wooden floor.

That mysterious, whispering, melodic voice, reached my ears to disturb me even more. It was the first time I had listened to it and I knew, to my dismay, I didn't want to stop doing it. But no, I couldn't let my obsession be seen, I couldn't stop being the innocent maid, her innocent maid.

“Okay, I'll leave then,” I said, lowering my head as a sign of respect, the respect she deserved. I turned around, ready to find a corner of the house to clean, a place where I could let myself be carried away by my thoughts, where I could think about that voice, her voice.

“Wait,” the soft, hoarse sound of that voice interrupted my walk and I had to take a deep breath to not get nervous, or rather, to not seem nervous. I composed myself in less than a second and turned around slowly, with that kind look that I knew how to fake that well.

“Do you want anything else from me, my lady?” I asked, slurring my words, feeling the blush creeping up my cheeks.

Maybe I hadn't chosen my words well but no one could blame me, not after hearing that beautiful voice. No, surely my disturbed mind caused me to misinterpret my own words.

“Come,” she ordered me, gesturing with her hand for me to come closer again. I nodded slowly and obeyed immediately, having complete control of my emotions, putting on that innocent maid face.

I got close enough for her perfume to enter my body again, like the few times I managed to get close enough for that to be possible.

Lavender, a beautiful flower, beautiful like her. I could get lost in a lavender field. I wanted to do it, just to live with her smell attached to my body, so my brain wouldn't forget it, so I could feel her close to me. I was rambling again, I had to stop it.

The lady sighed, as if she herself were confused, as if she didn't know what to say. I shouldn't be surprised. She had never spoken to me directly.

“Is the tea not to your liking, my lady?” I asked again, with a look of concern. I wish it had been like that, I wish I could have gotten so close again.

“The tea is fine, (Y/N),” she replied after clearing her throat and shaking her head. “I would like to ask you a question.”

A question. How curious. Since I arrived, Lady Beneviento, Donna, didn't want anything to do with me. She knew my name because I told her. She didn't show the slightest interest. That was something that tormented me, until that moment.

“Fine,” I said, smiling kindly, with my hands in front of my body, playing with each other in a subtle way, thus channeling my nerves, the sensations the lavender perfume sent to my body.

“You don't have to answer, but I would like you to,” Donna whispered, maintaining that mysterious tone, the look that her veil prevented me from seeing, but not intuiting.

“I will be delighted to answer, my lady,” I said, lowering my head again, showing her dominance over me, the superiority that she should have with a maid, with her maid.

She nodded slowly, playing with the tea spoon, pondering what to say, or what to ask. If she didn't know what she wanted to know, why talk to me?

“Why me?” She asked after a few moments of hesitation, making me take a breath and breathe deeply, in an effort to maintain the innocence on my face.

“Excuse me, my lady, but I don't understand you,” I said, curious and confused by that strange question, taking care of even the smallest detail of my voice.

“You are an excellent maid, (Y/N),” she responded, lowering her gaze, removing her invisible eyes from mine. “You cook well, the house is better than ever... Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted with you, you know, being here... But I can't stop thinking about the reasons a girl like you could have to work for me instead of going to the castle.”

Those compliments filtered into my ears, echoing in my mind again and again, almost ignoring the rest of her words. She was delighted with me, but she never showed it, maybe I should have learned to interpret her vague gestures and the Angie doll's words better.

“The castle?” I asked automatically, as if my own mind was giving me a hand so as not to spoil everything, so that my obsessive thoughts would not give me away. Donna nodded slowly again.

“All the girls in the village who want to be maids always go to the castle,” she murmured, pushing aside her veil a to take a sip from her cup of tea. Everything I saw only fueled my dark thoughts more.

Those lips, that pale skin, that woman in the portrait who came to life before my eyes, everything had to be reason enough for my breathing to become heavy. But I couldn't do it, I was her maid, her innocent maid, not the obsessive girl who thought about her every night.

“Well, I'm not like the most of people,” I said amused, with a smile that feigned shyness, that feigned embarrassment because my lady was talking to me. I was always good at pretending, but I didn't know how long I could keep doing it, how long my mask could stay on, having that lavender perfume so close.

“Aren’t you? Why?” Donna asked, curious, gesturing for me to sit in a nearby chair. “Explain yourself.”

I obeyed, sitting in that chair. I was so terribly close to her. Love and obsession are only separated by a very fine line and I didn't even know where that line was, for a long time.

“Well...” I murmured, not knowing exactly what to say, or what she expected me to say. “I never liked doing what others did.”

Donna nodded curiously, tilting her head, as if she were studying my gestures.

“That doesn't answer my question, (Y/N),” she said in a whisper, one that seemed dark, but was surely as innocent as my expression, as my expression was intended to be.

“Well, I...” I said, a bit insecure, trembling involuntarily, seeing myself cornered in my own trap.

“You're nervous,” she interrupted, bringing her body a little closer to mine, as if she had discovered the trembling of my hands, one that I tried to avoid, without success.

“A bit, my lady,” I admitted, much to my regret. It probably wasn't the nervousness she was thinking of, but it could serve as an excuse.

“You’re afraid of me,” the lady in black stated, resting her back on the chair, impatiently tapping her desk with her fingers.

“No, my lady,” I said immediately, removing that idea from her head.

Donna shook her head strangely as if she were thinking my words were a blatant lie. They were not.

“You will be,” she said in a hoarse voice, as if she were trembling, while she brought one of her hands to the black cloth of her face, moving it away so I could look at her.

My eyes widened as I contemplated her beauty, my mouth opened to say something as my memory fixed each of those features in my head. Beautiful, precious, dazzling, those were the words that came to my mind. No, that small defect on her face was not a reason to be scared, but the feelings that began to run through my nervous system were.

But I couldn't stay like that, I had to be innocent, I had to be good, her good maid.

“You're not running away,” she murmured strangely, removing the cloth completely and leaving it on the desk. “Have you been paralyzed?”

I shook my head, realizing this was nothing but a small trap, a test to continue being a maid, her maid. My cold and calculating mind had discovered it on its own and my breathing and trembling relaxed to demonstrate the truthfulness of the words I was going to say.

“Yes, because of her beauty, my lady,” I said with a sweet voice, revealing no other intentions than those of a kind and accommodating maid, although I didn't know if that was really what Donna was hoping to hear.

Her expression changed, as if she had heard something strange.

“Sei una bugiarda...” she whispered, with that darkness that accompanied her gaze. Fortunately, I was prepared for everything, I had been preparing for a conversation with her for too long. “Io sono orribile”

“Non è vero,” I said, bringing out my weapons, demonstrating how valuable I was as a maid.

“You know Italian,” she said, relaxing her expression upon hearing my clumsy and probably terribly mispronounced words.

“A little,” I answered proudly, under her attentive gaze, one that I could already see, one that I could already imagine, that I would no longer be that cold portrait on the stairs. “I learned for you, my lady.”

“For me?” She asked, blinking repeatedly, trying not to get lost in the confusion of your answers, or in your shy look, I didn't know exactly what she could be thinking.

I nodded, with that innocent smile on my face, sighing, indicating that my words were true.

“I like to do my job well, my lady,” I said proudly, to which she finally smiled. She let me see that beautiful smile, one that only appeared in my dreams.

“I've kept you enough, (Y/N), you should get back to your tasks,” Donna said, looking away from me suddenly, frowning, making my smile fade. Just thinking about not smelling that lavender made me sick, but I had to obey, I had to be good, good for her, her good maid.

“Fine, my lady,” I said politely, getting up from the chair and slowly walking away from the desk, repressing the temptation to turn around, to imagine her bright eye was still fixed on my body.

That night was horrible.

Now that I had seen her face, my obsession worsened. And not only had I been lucky enough to contemplate her beauty, but I had been able to have a conversation with her, a real one, a close, although strange, conversation.

As I tossed and turned in bed, I imagined what our future conversations would be like, if they would be about trivial topics, if they would simply be words of gratitude, if I would see that smile again.

My thoughts remained stable, thinking only of innocent acts, of quiet closeness, of simply staying close to that lavender perfume. I knew, I knew that it wouldn't stay that way, I knew what I was like, I knew how damaged my mind was, how that small attraction would lead to the most psychopathic obsession.

For a moment I thought about giving up, about running away from that house so as not to lose my mind anymore, but it seemed impossible. Just as my dreams had predicted, those conversations came, becoming a routine of seemingly empty words, but full of meaning for me.

Love or obsession, what a dichotomy. I didn't know where my limit was, what my real thoughts or feelings for Donna were, I just knew that they were there, that they had been hidden in my subconscious for too long. Love at first sight didn’t exist, but obsession did. So... Was I obsessed? Isn't love an obsession itself?

I should have learned that lesson in time. I should have stopped thinking about Donna at least for a moment and returned to the reality of my world. I was her maid, her good and innocent maid, who hid a demon inside her, a demon that would soon want to come out, and that I had to remain locked up.

But I was always weak to my own desires. My trust with Donna grew so much that I couldn't tell if I was truly serving her or worshiping her. Always keeping my subtle smile, always being the innocent girl she seemed interested in.

Love or loneliness? What was in the feelings of the lady in black? Was it possible that she thought of me in some way? No, it seemed unlikely, not at least in the way my mind strayed from the right path, stopping imagining what her kisses would be like, and starting to think about what her naked body would be like, about the marks that would be on her skin, in those places that my lips wanted to rest on.

The nights became a continuous nightmare, one that I didn't want to leave. My mind imagined places, scenarios in which I got what I wanted, in which our bodies hugged each other naked. I imagined what it would be like to feel her wetness, her arousal as she felt my touch worshiping her skin. I imagined her moans, surely soft and shy, like her. I wondered if she had ever felt that way, if some hateful person had been lucky enough to taste her honey.

Just the fact that this was possible made me burn with rage. No, Donna never had that luck, or that misfortune. She was shy. I was her only human contact, apart from her siblings.

Thinking, recreating in my mind those scenarios in which Donna begged for her release, in which my fingers curled around her body while the sweat covered my back, they were too powerful, so much so that I began to stop dreaming, to act.

Every night my hands traveled over my body, grabbing my clothes as if they were her delicate fingers, as if Donna were the one undressing me. Every night I murmured her name as I pleasured myself, with the image of her in my mind, with her beauty clouding my rational thinking, if there was any left.

Innocent on the outside, sinner on the inside. That was what my conscience was telling me after imagining those events, after imagining what it would be like to have that perfume on my body, what it would be like to scratch her skin while she writhed in pleasure under my gaze.

I was going completely crazy. So much so that I began to notice a lack of inspiration in my nightly binges. Even conversations like the ones we used to have weren't enough anymore. My head memorized each of her words, each of her gestures, but it was no longer enough.

Donna had become a drug for me, and that made my dependence on her grow to the point of spying on her, of looking at her through the crack in the door. Watching how she worked on her dolls, how she handled the porcelain between her fingers, wishing that material would be replaced by my skin.

Like a dangerous stalker, I became her shadow, one that traveled behind her wherever she went. Nothing could stop my obsession, nor my madness. Only her, only Donna could calm my fears, just seeing her act independently, oblivious to the fact that my eyes were watching her, could be a relief for me.

And then, it was time to do the laundry, another problem for me. The lavender perfume was always present in her clothes and I, desperate, obsessed, addicted to it, smelled it in a disturbing way, wishing to never forget that scent, to have it close to me. More nights of self-lust, more thoughts, more lavender, more stalking. That's what I became, sin itself, the complete opposite of what my smile represented.

“No, I couldn't drink any more,” Donna said amused, one night when the fire in the fireplace crackled as if nothing was happening. My innocent look was still on my face as I poured some more liquid into her wine glass.

“Come on, my lady, some more wine won't hurt you. They say it's good for the heart,” I said, kindly, blinking effusively and offering her glass, which she reluctantly took. That late-night talk, adulterated by wine, was the worst thing that could happen to my obsession.

“Is it? Who says that?” She asked, her voice intoxicated by alcohol.

“Me,” I said amused, pointing to myself, bringing my own glass to my lips, but not drinking. I wanted to stay awake, I wanted to see how Donna would behave if she lost a bit, just a bit of her usual shyness.

“You...” She murmured, with a suspicious but childish look at the same time, leaning back on the sofa in an awkward manner, thus revealing her incipient state of intoxication. “You say many things…”

“What things, my lady?” I asked amused, also settling down and raising my eyebrows.

“Lies... You know... Things about me being beautiful, and good...” Donna drawled, finishing her fifth glass of wine in one gulp, making a face of displeasure.

“That’s not a lie, my lady,” I said, maintaining the composure that I was beginning to lack. My gaze became dangerous when I observed her erratic gestures and her nervous laughter, her cheeks flushed with wine.

“Yes, yes, yes... Whatever you say,” she said, nodding comically, looking for the bottle with her hands, something that you prevented, pretending to worry about her.

“I think you have already drunk enough, my lady,” I commented amusedly, moving the bottle out of her reach, making her protest with a moan that I found amusing and exciting... No, I couldn't get carried away. Her condition was my fault.

“My lady, my lady...” She mocked, putting a finger on my chest and pushing me against the sofa. I laughed, surprised, but I let her act on her own. “Why so many my lady?”

“Because you are my lady, and I’m your maid,” I explained in a calm voice, sitting up, studying her state calmly.

“Oh, really? I thought we were friends,” Donna said, with an accusatory tone, completely distorted by intoxication. I remained thoughtful, trying not to react to those words as my body asked me to.

“Well, yes, we are friends, but above all, you’re my lady,” I said, with a calm tone, observing her erratic movements, her shy laugh that shook my nerves again.

Donna looked at me, her eye shining with alcohol, but with a strange expression, approaching little by little, crawling along the sofa until she was very close to me, so close that the delicious aroma of lavender mixed with the wine clouded my senses, again.

“I like that we're friends,” she whispered, too close to my lips, too close to allow me to think with any clarity.

“Me too, my lady,” I said, trying not to look at her tender, half-open lips, trying not to get lost in her closeness, in her intoxicating perfume, adulterated by the wine.

“If you say my lady one more time, I'll fire you,” she said with an amused voice, pushing me again. I remained calm, raising my eyebrows, but not moving.

“What do you want me to call you?” I asked politely, letting her hand travel to mine. Donna had a lost, lowered gaze, looking at everything and seeing nothing. Her warm hand passed through mine, her fingers played with mine. I couldn't think it was a dream, it wasn't.

“Donna,” she whispered, looking at me sharply, with a confused expression, blinking, as if she were about to lose consciousness.

“Donna...” I repeated, letting my intentions reveal themselves. She wasn't going to notice. I doubted she even knew where she was.

She was too drunk, and I was too in love, or obsessed, or both. Her confused face gave a small smile and her lips came dangerously close to mine, tempting me, making her have to pray to the Gods not to make that mistake, that much-desired mistake.

“I like the way it sounds…” She whispered, just before placing her lips on mine, just before her temptation stopped being so. It hadn't been me, it had been her. She was kissing me. My torment, my relief, my drug and my salvation was kissing me and I couldn't react any other way.

The smell of lavender mixed with the taste of her lips, with that touch of wine that made me regret that she was really acting involuntarily. Her lips were soft, heavenly caresses that mingled with mine, with my experience making up for her lack of it. A first kiss to be ashamed of, endless sensations, food for the thoughts of my disturbed mind.

She grunted, after a few moments that I wanted to be eternal, after some messy and clumsy kisses, but that seemed sincere, they seemed. Donna collapsed onto my chest, being held by my arms. As if those kisses hadn't happened, her body shifted in mine. Donna was drunk. She kissed you because of the wine, not because of her feelings. That phrase my conscience repeated was like a sharp dagger to my heart.

“Do you feel sick?” I asked politely, not mentioning what had just happened. She shook her head with another grunt, getting more comfortable on your chest.

“I'm… Sleepy,” she murmured, yawning, making it clear that none of those kisses were really sincere.

For once in all the time you had been in the mansion, your good side, your side lacking psychopathy, prevailed over the demon. No, you weren't going to take advantage of that opportunity, you couldn't do it. At least you had some humanity left.

“Come, let's go to bed,” I said, helping the lady in black to get up, to which she protested with more childish grunts.

That night I cried.

I cried for those kisses, for that impulsive act that Donna did involuntarily. Those kisses, the taste of her lips, the lavender, everything was so perfect that it seemed unreal, and in part, it was.

My mind had saved my soul from committing an atrocity, but the demon inside me screamed louder than ever. Only I had two options left: run away, or give up.

Neither was acceptable, but a third way appeared again in my thoughts, one that had the same voice as the devil, one that screamed at me to take what I wanted, to stop pretending to be the good girl and take out the light my true personality.

It was afternoon, so the clocks said. Donna had a hard day and I decided to leave her alone for the moment. It was the first time I failed to fulfill my maid duties. My mind schemed, plotting the best way to carry out my desires. The sensations of her kisses, the images my mind had created, all of it broke the last thread of sanity I had left. You should never have kissed me, Donna.

I walked quickly, following my intuition, following the steps I knew I had to take to find her. I grabbed her wrist, fighting not to hear her questions, or her protests. I guided her towards the bedroom, furious, letting myself be carried away by the evil inside me. I couldn't hear Donna, I couldn't tell if she was protesting or quiet. Her body was weak compared to my pulls. It wasn't difficult for me to drag her to the bedroom.

Once there, I closed the door and pushed my lady against the wall, cornering her with my body. Her eyes were scared and her chest was rising and falling quickly. She had no escape, she couldn't escape me anymore.

“(Y/N), what are you doing?” She asked with her voice broken by fear, by the change from my innocent look to an evil one, by the vision I had of the demon that had dominated my body.

“I'm sorry, but I can't take it anymore. You can kill me, fire me if you want, but you couldn't stop me from taking what I want...”  I whispered, getting closer to her lips, dragging the words, which came furiously from my mouth.

“What do you want?” She asked, trembling, cornered. I, (Y/N), a simple villager, had put a Lord on the ropes. Surely songs would be sung about me if I didn't survive.

“I want you,” I said quickly, wasting no time, throwing myself at her soft lips, enjoying them like the night before, knowing that the wine was no longer in them, knowing that both of us could feel everything that was going on.

It could be my imagination, but if you asked me, I could swear that she kissed me back, that her lips tasted mine the same way. It was a shame that my desire was stronger than those sensations.

Quickly, leaving no room for doubt, not allowing Donna to escape my clutches, I roughly lunged for the buttons on her dress, making them disappear under my experienced fingers. She just panted confusedly, not knowing what to do or what to say. She shouldn't want it, she shouldn't like it, but somehow, she did.

Her hands grabbed my face, bringing it closer to hers, pulling it until our lips collided again, more fiercely, without the feeling of not knowing if at some point she was going to get rid of me. She didn't seem to want to do it, but I didn't care, I kept working on her clothes, sinking into her neck, moving my body against hers, covering myself in lavender.

My leg landed between hers, causing her head to tilt back, giving me the room to push that dress of hers away from her skin, to reveal her pale, beautiful, naked torso to me.

I couldn't entertain myself, but still, I did, I stopped to contemplate her unmatched beauty, the softness of her skin as my hands brushed it. She trembled, but she no longer did it out of fear. Her eye was closed and her breathing was rapid, her body moving involuntarily against mine.

My madness was unleashed, but so was my desire, and so was hers. The kisses bounced off the walls, the hands wandered over her body, over my body. Feeling the softness of her touch on my skin made me want more, much more.

“(Y/N)...” Donna murmured, moving away from my wild actions, looking at me with an expression that I couldn't interpret.

Trying to silence the voices in my head, those orders that the demon was giving me, I gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her until she fell on the bed, crawling, as if she wanted to escape from me.

“You don't know how sorry I am...” I said, also climbing onto the bed, grabbing her wrists, putting them on either side of her head so she couldn't move. “But I have to do it…”

“Do it,” Donna said, with a firm, confident look, with her fists clenched and breathing hard.

I wasn't expecting that answer, I was confused, thinking more rationally, thinking that maybe I should stop following the delusions of my mind. But that look, her half-bare chest, her glowing skin, the lavender. Everything made me let her wrists go, just to caress her arms, to climb onto her hips while my lips devoured hers again.

Her hands, now free, traveled along my back, searching for the closure of my maid's dress, which soon gave way, with a growl from my lips, removing that fabric from me, the fabric that separated my body from hers.

Clothes flew across the room and I was about to thank the Gods that I was still alive to see what was in front of me. Her naked chest, her womanly forms that were not of this world and that were now at my mercy. My lips acted before my mind, traveling to her breasts hungrily, devouring, licking her flesh like a beast, like a predator that hunted her prey.

Like a chant I remembered from dreams, Donna moaned as my teeth made contact with her most sensitive spots. Her hands moved erratically over my body while mine had a clear goal.

The bottom of her dress gave way quickly, aided by a gentle movement of her hips.

Suddenly, my lady's shyness returned to her gaze, causing her hands to leave my naked body to cover her shame, that which was still hidden by her underwear. I blinked and took a breath, relaxing my dominant attitude for a moment and removing those hands from my target.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Donna, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” I whispered, very close to her ear while my hands moved hers, moving them to either side of her hips. She looked at me, as if in silent supplication. I didn't know exactly why she was pleading and I didn't want to know.

“(Y/N) I...” She began, interrupted by my hand on her mouth. No, I didn't want to talk. There would be time to talk, to die, to flee… Now was not the time, my body didn't want to stop, neither did hers, shaking her hips against mine, making me close my eyes from the contact.

“Shh, my Donna... I'll take care of you...” I said with a somewhat perverse whisper, but that made the lady nod, closing her eye while my fingers removed the black fabric that covered the last part of her naked body, that obvious humidity I imagined possessing in my dreams.

She didn't protest anymore, she simply moaned when one of my fingers had the courage, or the audacity, to run through the moisture lying between her legs, caressing her superficially while my gaze observed her gestures, the blush of her cheeks.

That made me smile, adding another finger to that lustful way, going deeper, savoring with my fingers the humidity of her folds, each and every one of the sensations she felt with it.

I tried to say something, something to accompany my gestures, something that would help Donna stop shaking, so she would stop fearing what was to come. I smiled again when I realized, when I knew that only I had come this far, that no one else had been able to enjoy that touch, that her body was mine, only mine.

I leaned down to kiss her slowly, while my fingers continued playing between her legs, gently making circles on her clit, causing my lips to vibrate with her moans.

“Wait, please,” Donna said hurriedly, pushing you away from her lips. I looked at her furiously, just when I believed that there were no longer any doubts, that I would be free to do as I pleased.

I didn't say anything, I just waited for her to speak, which she didn't do. She just looked at me with curiosity, with fear.

“I won't hurt you,” I said, thinking that maybe it would be her fear, that her fear of her first time was overshadowing the pleasure. “I promise.”

Donna shook her head, cupping my face in her hands, scratching my cheeks with her nails.

“Be gentle, I’m begging you,” she whispered to me, with her eye closed, with her nails damaging my skin, with the trembling of her body making mine move involuntarily, seeking the contact of my bare hips with her thigh.

“You are my lady, I couldn't be any other way,” I said with a cold, impatient voice, with a disturbed look that made her sigh in fear, letting my hand rest on her chest, pushing her roughly against the mattress. “Lie down and shut up. I promise you that you will enjoy it,” I ordered with the demon inside me guiding my dominant words. She nodded scared and that was more than enough for my hand to return to her wetness, for my fingers to continue gently stimulating her.

“But...” She murmured, squirming involuntarily with pleasure.

“Taci, Donna,” I said with a stern voice, pushing her body back onto the mattress. She looked at me with fear, with real fear, but her face relaxed, stopping looking at me, closing her eye to suppress her shame.

Before having to get more serious, before bringing to light all the desire I had to dominate her, I decided to take the step. I decided to gradually introduce the tips of my fingers into her, into her eager humidity, excited despite her doubts.

Donna grimaced strangely, surprised by the sensation, but not in pain, or so it seemed. Dark thoughts came to my mind again, deducing that just as I suspected, she was a human being with the needs of a human being. Yes, it was obvious that she had enjoyed her own body. It didn't matter if she denied it to me. I knew she did.

That made me moan, lunging at her neck, rubbing filthy on her leg as my fingers did their work at her entrance, sliding in and out of her, making her arms, erratic and trembling, embrace what they could of my body.

There were no more protests, no complaints, no fears. Only moans, only the wet sound of my fingers playing inside of her, running along her walls, enjoying that unique softness, the scratches of her nails on my back.

But, like lavender, that sensation had to be better, I had to feel it more, to taste it until my smell was confused with hers.

Devoting one last look to her expression, which betrayed the immense pleasure she was feeling, I moved down her torso, covering her pale, shiny skin with kisses, making her beauty mine.

The taste of her arousal was overwhelming, as was the movement of her hips when my tongue made contact with her skin. I wanted to drink her, eat her, devour her, possess her, make me her mine. My mouth moved furiously, eagerly, accompanied by her faithful moans, almost exhausted. My fingers didn’t stop moving, harmonizing with my kisses, with the caresses of my mouth on her folds, with those moans that I myself made when I felt all the essence of her covering my body.

Little by little, her body began to move in a different way. Her instincts had taken over, her release was close. Leaving aside my own desire, I focused on making her feel that way, on seeing that expression that I could only imagine, that I could only dream of.

An indiscreet moan, possibly audible throughout the mansion, let me know that the end had come, that her ecstasy was coursing through her body while a firm and curiously mischievous hand kept me in that place, as if she were the one who didn't want me to escape. She wanted me to continue with my kisses, with my caresses.

There was a moment of silence and I closed my eyes, catching my breath. The sight of her body, of her chest rising and falling quickly dispelled my evilness. It wasn't regret, but it was a wish to give her an explanation, for her to know why. I gave her one last kiss on her wetness and climbed up her body, settling next to hers, not daring to look at her face.

“(Y/N)...” The lady sighed, moving my face to meet hers.

“I love you,” I said, with a sad tone, with a regretful tone but at the same time satisfied, proud of having made her feel that pleasure. “I'm sorry, Donna, I'm in love with you.”

“Why are you sorry?” She asked, snuggling into my chest, tired, drowsy from her release.

“Because I made a mistake and you will never be able to forgive me,” I confessed, with eyes full of tears, knowing this was the beginning of my end, although really, my fears were not letting me see the reality of the situation.

“I won't forgive you if you abandon me, (Y/N)” she said, with a pleading eye, looking at me with a different face, one I had never seen before, one... In love?

“Do you mean...?” I asked a bit confused, also tired from passion. She nodded, intertwining our fingers.

“Yes, I love you, (Y/N), I love you and I don't want you to leave, I want you to do more things like this to me, I want you to live with me, not be my maid, I want you to stay with me, forever.”

My lips didn't wait to hear more. They kissed her deeply, showing how happy it made me not to have made that mistake, showing that with her, my sanity would return to my heart.

[thenightfolknetwork]

So, i was supposed to be an arcane nexus. The 7th son of the 7th son, my birth was supposed to 'bring about the restoration of my clans magical talents'. Only it didn't happen, and kept not happening for 20 years. My family thinks they got the math wrong and its gonna happen when i get my magic. But i recently figured something out Im trans. Meaning i was never the 7th son, im never going to get magic, not my dad's anyway. How do i tell him. I don't think he'll have a problem with it. But basically having to tell him he's gonna have to go make me a little brother, because i found the math error is gonna be really awkward.

First of all, congratulations! I hope you can find time to celebrate this moment of self-discovery and to delight in all the wonderful things yet to come as you embark on your life as a trans person. I understand that this throws your family's plans rather into disarray, but it's also rather affirming, in its way. The magic you “ought” to have inherited recognised your true gender before you did!

How you handle this really depends on your relationship with your parents. You said you don't think your dad will have an issue with your gender identity, which certainly makes things easier. There is plenty of advice out there on the matter of coming out to one's family. If you're not sure where to start, your local library will likely have some helpful resources to get you started.

On the magical side of things, I'm afraid you're quite right in thinking you probably won't be blessed with magical ability any time soon. If the inheritance calls for sons then sons it must have. However, as your own experience aptly demonstrates, magic responds to reality in a far more holistic sense than the merely biological.

You are not a man. You know this of yourself, and while your biology may have caused some confusion on the matter up to this point, it was not the whole story. Magic responds to the whole story.

As such, your parents need not scrabble around trying to have another child biologically. They might adopt a seventh son instead – and that son need not even be a child. In fact, there are some individuals who offer themselves up for adoption for a fee, fulfilling prophecies or magical inheritances to whoever makes them the best deal.

If your parents are considering that avenue, I recommend they secure the services of a solicitor with plenty of experience in liminal contract work. Look for any firm that advertises themselves as “good folk”, “honest neighbours” or similar.

You aren't responsible for the expectations other people place on you. Concentrate on celebrating your new identity, and leave the rest to your parents. After all, it was their failure of imagination that got them into this situation. Being trans is hardly as unusual as all that, and if they'd really wanted to secure the family's magical future, they could have given you a little brother as a fail-safe.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[lutawolf]

My Personal Weatherman and the D/s element Ep 7

If you haven't read my other commentary on this show, you can find it here.

Ahhh, I'm so excited for this show. I've been looking forward to it so much. Yoh sweet baby is till watching Segasaki on his show. Aww... "I could watch his face forever." This miscommunication is crazy, but these two really love each other so much.

Yoh really does have an awesome friend in Minnie aka Manju.

Segasaki worrying that Yoh left again. This is a jealous Dom, but that's because he isn't secure in what he has. I've said countless times, there are no bad emotions, only bad reactions. Yoh knows there is something wrong, but he doesn't know what. He wants to fix it, and he is hitting all his usually submissive ways, but they aren't working.

Omg... I can't tell you how many times I watched that side eye from Segasaki as Yoh goes to removed the bag. This is very much a Dom fed up with his brat. 🤣🤣🤣

Yay! Flashbacks from Segasaki's point of view! He is extremely observant. Interesting that he at first negatively viewed Yoh, even though he himself admitted that the people he was surrounded by were shitty.

Segasaki is arrogant, but not unkind. He observes, makes judgment calls, but isn't afraid to re-evaluate. That is actually a good thing to look for in a Dom. You don't want a Dom that is indecisive, nor one that can't admit when he's made a wrong call.

Like I said, kind but arrogant. "You're really talented." I can smile much better. He isn't saying that Yoh didn't capture him right because he clearly admires his talent and tells us that his drawings were so good. It's that he saw something about himself to improve.

He carefully cultivated what others saw, but Yoh saw through this. Knows his small little flashes of facial features. When I say that D/s couples really do watch each other this closely, we do. Remember, our relationships revolve around a lot of nonverbal communication. Each wanting to instinctively please each other, though in different ways. Each needing to anticipate the other's need. Verbal communication also needs to be good, but that's always why we often write guidelines. It helps us communicate our needs. However, you have to remember that this D/s relationship happened organically, so the verbal communication isn't there yet.

Side note, most Doms hate showing vulnerability to anyone other than their submissive. I do on here because I'm pretty much anonymous and this place is my therapy. In real life, though, I'm not very good at showing vulnerability even to my submissive. Though I've gotten softer since my kids.

There is that arrogance again. No one was worth showing his true feelings to. Got me questioning myself when people call me arrogant. But damn, I melted when he asked Yoh not to leave.

The famous curry. We're finally going to know the story. OMG, but I love how natural they both are in their positions. They might not understand their feelings towards each other, but they understand themselves. Segasaki's face as he eats the curry! I'm dying. And you can not tell me that Yoh can read all of Segasaki's facial expressions but didn't recognize Segasaki's facial expression this time? Segasaki covers himself well by bringing up the congee.

Segasaki goes right into commanding Yoh. Telling him to put the curry in Tupperware, and he'll be the only one eating it. He better not touch it. Yoh instinctively obeys. The way he taps Yoh's forehead and tells him, "This is mine." Damn, Yoh, how did you miss that? You is cute and you is stupid. Segasaki happily eating the terrible curry says everything.

Ahh, Segasaki rubbing Yoh's head. Bestowing a reward. The way Yoh's eyes literally twinkled due to it. Absolutely fucking adorable.

"I came all the way here for you. Go ahead and take a good look and draw." When they talk about Segasaki's face when he asked if he really looked like this. Who called it peeps? Who called it. "Draw more. If it's the depths of my heart, as long as it's you, then I don't mind." And there is that Dom intensity and possessiveness.

And back to present day with rain crashing down outside. Segasaki goes looking for Yoh, but can't find him.

OMG, the roof scene is everything. "Without you, I can't breathe." The kiss, that Yoh didn't even think of denying Segasaki. The fact that Segasaki cried because he thought Yoh left. Ugh. We have to watch this again.

I think this is my favorite episode. Yoh is so excited because Segasaki apologizing because he never has before. Nope, Segasaki is apologizing for trusting him and ties him up. Dead. This is the best.

Normies who might be thinking that Yoh is scared. Please note, other than saying "hold on, wait." He offers up no further struggle. Our little coconut is confused and maybe a little scared because he doesn't know why Segasaki is acting like this, but he isn't scared of Sagasaki or what he is doing. There is a fundamental comfort and trust there, hence the no struggle. Remember he is a brat, if he wants to struggle he will. Remember the last episode where he threw a fucking fit? As far as Segasaki doing it without asking, well remember their relationship has an in place agreement of Segasaki having total control. Yoh knew that Segasaki was controlling and a tyrant when he made the agreement. But let me say this, in real life there should be a safe word in place even in these types of relationships. Again, though, this is an organic lifestyle relationships, so we were lucky we got the agreement.

I'm so excited about the next episode!!! Why must we wait! Ahhh. Hope you guys enjoyed! 💜💜💜

[blooming-dahlia]

Could I request MC!reader giving a rockstar performance for the VDC contest? Rockstar as in their singing and performance blew everyone's's socks off. I'd like to see Pomefiore's reaction (emphasis on S/O Rook).

Especially at the end of the VDC while they're super disappointed they didn't win, at the same time they explained it felt like they were truly living and alive.

(Song sung: Empire by Shakira)

Having Fun Is More Important Than Winning [Pomefiore, Rook Hunt x MC!Reader]

╰ At first you weren't sure if you really wanted to participate in the VDC. You knew that if you won by some kind of miracle, NRC would count it as a big success.

╰ Yet you were afraid of Vil's reaction. After all, he and his team had been preparing for this event for a long time already, and you were always there supporting them during the several hours of intense rehearsals. How would the boys feel if, out of nowhere, you jumped on the stage and surprised them with your solo performance?

╰ Finally, you realized that you had nothing to lose. For such a long time you had wanted to show others what you were capable of, but there had never been a chance to do so. The members of the Light Music Club were the only people aware of your talent, and they even insisted that you should perform at the VDC.

╰ “I'm sorry, Vil.” You whispered to yourself and then, after fixing the strand of hair that had fallen across your forehead, you made your way towards the stage.

╰ Everyone fell silent when you started singing somewhat uncertainly, while your friends were watching the whole performance from backstage.

╰ Vil didn't think it was anything but a terrible joke. The song was especially slow and boring. He didn't say that you can't sing at all, on the contrary. The thing is, there's no way you could win a contest like VDC with your depressing ballad.

╰ Epel, on the other hand, seemed to be enchanted by your vocals, he also admired you for your bravery. He thought he could even do a solo performance just to annoy Vil a little.

╰ Most impressed, however, was Rook. So far, he thought Neige's performance before yours was the best of the evening. But then you took the stage and stole the show with your voice. Rook had been interested in you for some time already. Once he discreetly asked Vil for your Magicam account and seemed a bit disappointed when he found out that you didn't have one yet. That's why he took pictures of you from behind, like a typical stalker. But this time, no picture on the phone screen could make him feel as emotional as watching you perform live.

╰ And then, you surprised everyone again. This time, when the chorus hits and in the span of only one minute, you're no longer a non-magical NRC student from another world. You are a true rockstar.

╰ The crowd was loud, much more than you could ever expect. But it didn't throw you off balance. In fact, it only boosted your confidence. The way you hit higher notes made everyone scream even louder.

╰ “Is that NRC's student from another world? The magicless one? I've never heard anyone sing so GOOD in my entire life!” Someone in the crowd could ask.

╰ Meanwhile, the whole backstage was screaming your name in awe, Ace and Deuce being the loudest ones. Even Vil smiled a little when you moved to the chorus, obviously satisfied with the sudden change. “And that's how you make an excellent show.” He said to himself in a proud tone. Epel simply nodded, surprisingly able to hear Vil's words through all the noise.

╰ And then there was Rook. He didn't shout or cheer. He just stood there and watched you, his mouth slightly open, but not a word could be heard. His focus was only on you performing. Even Vil and Neige were no match for you, Rook thought. To be honest, it was unusual for someone to be better than those two. Maybe you had no magic in your veins, but your voice was enough to enchant some people. And Rook Hunt was definitely one of them.

╰ After your performance, you simply bowed and left the stage. You didn't go backstage because you were afraid your friends would be disappointed and upset with you. You just stood outside the stage, nervously waiting for the contest to end.

╰ Royal Sword Academy has just been announced as the winner of this year's VDC contest. You should have expected this, but you were still a bit disappointed. There was no way Vil wouldn't be mad at you for ruining NRC's chances of winning.

╰ You couldn't see their faces, but you could imagine Vil gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, while everyone else just stood there in disbelief, trying not to cry or break anything backstage. Except maybe Rook, who was probably pleased with Neige's win.

╰ The said blond-haired boy standing right behind you surely wasn't something you expected to see when you turned around. He just stared at you with a sympathetic look on his face. You were confused, but quickly managed to get a few words out of your mouth.

╰ “Aren't you happy?” Only a few people knew that Rook was a big fan of Neige, and somehow you'd made it into that group. It was obvious that you would think he would be happy about this turn of events. But there was something about him that seemed off.

╰ “I would be lying if I said I wasn't pleased, but tonight I was suddenly struck by Cupid's arrow and someone else has stolen my heart and soul, Mon Ange.”

╰ A slight blush appeared on your cheeks. There was no way he was referring to you, was there? But somehow, deep down, you really wanted to believe that it really was you. “Oh, really? And who might that person be?”

╰ Rook chuckled, and before he could say anything more, the other two members of Pomefiore approached you. Epel quickly began to praise your performance, while Vil just stood there, his expression rather displeased. But it wasn't because of you, he was obviously upset about losing the VDC.

╰ You just sighed and turned to him. “Look, Vil. I know you are disappointed that we lost, I am too. But hey, at least we had fun, right?” You hoped to cheer him up a bit. Vil's eyes widened at your words.

╰ “Yes, I think you are right. Maybe I was a little too focused on doing this to win rather than for fun.” You could see that he was ashamed of himself, especially since he saw during your performance that you were doing it to finally get your talent noticed, not to win the way he wanted.

╰ “Oh, do not be so ashamed, Roi du Poison. You have done an excellent job. Our performance was magnificent and it was all because of your incredible charms!” Both you and Vil side eyed him, knowing perfectly well that he still preferred Neige's performance.

╰ But then Epel spoke and suggested that you should perform with them at the next VDC. This took you completely by surprise and made you tear up a little. Your friends finally saw your talent.

╰ “Why not? When I was on stage I felt like this was my place and definitely one of the best experiences of my life. And I couldn't ask for anything more than to perform with you.”

╰ Vil smirked and fixed his hair a bit, while Epel's face lit up at your answer. Rook just nodded in satisfaction and bowed to you in a gesture of respect. This was an evening you'll never forget, even if you finally return to your world, leaving Twisted Wonderland for good. But now all you want to do is spend some time and have fun with your friends. Especially the blond-haired hunter, whose compliment meant more to you than any other person's in the world.

Thank you for requesting!

[starryriize]

hi hiii i love ur writing!was wondering if you could write some drabbles abt xikers as ever after high characters <3 have a good day/night!

xikers as ever after high characters

〔 members 〕 all! 〔 pairing 〕 none 〔 genre 〕 fluff? 〔 rating 〕 everyone 〔 content warnings 〕 none 〔 word count 〕 1k+

〔 summary 〕 not much just which ever after high characters correlate to xikers!

〔 author’s note 〕 ahhh the way ever after high was my entire childhood!! 🫶🏼 this took me forever i'm so so so sorry :(( i hope i did your ask justice 🧚🏼‍♀️ (also if you see some parts longer than others- i ran out of things to say)

🫧laur’s taglist: @leehanascent @cherrycolaberry @hyvelxve @bro-atz

melody piper ! minjae

⤷ melody is the daughter of the pied piper and it only makes sense that minjae is exactly like her!! she’s always making cool beats and performing her best on stage. unfortunately, she doesn’t get a lot of screen time and her popularity comes from her performances. melody is exceptionally good at applying creative ideas to any situation!

ᝰ the best stage performer, minjae, is always tearing up the stage and getting the audience excited!! he puts his members in the spotlight before he lets himself shine. it’s obvious that he gets more energy when performing especially with his friends! don’t underestimate him because he’s also incredibly smart. his leadership skills shine when his friends ask him questions about anything!! minjae gets teased, but his friends know there’s no one else they’d rather want as a leader :((

ashlynn ella ! sumin

⤷ everyone knows the story of cinderella and her daughter coincidentally has a shoe addiction��but more than that, she pursues her story but falls for someone that she’s not supposed to be with. she’s a natural leader with everyone drawn to her kind aura! it’s not just her looks that are because she is quite knowledgeable on many subjects, hence why she runs her own shoe business.

ᝰ i think sumin is similar in most respects. he likes fashion which always adds to his charm. i feel like he’s “quirky” but in the sense that he often thinks outside the box. his creativity is also evident in the style he performs! you can tell he also genuinely cares and loves his members just like ashlynn <33

c.a. cupid ! hyunwoo

⤷ cupid was a monster high student but she got curious and decided to see what ever after high was like! she’s popular for having a podcast on how people can find their true love, but her crush is already interested in someone else. she’s often overlooked because of her good lucks so people assume she doesn’t have a lot to offer besides her visuals.

ᝰ like cupid, hyunwoo sometimes wishes that people would stop overlooking his talent as an idol just because he has a “kdrama face.” he’s much more than just a visual and he knows that! him and cupid put others first before themselves. he’s an amazing singer and you can tell he has a genuine kind soul! don’t overlook him because he’s handsome :((

madeline hatter ! jinsik

⤷ she’s always finding new ways to entertain her best friends and she always loves to go on new adventures with them! madeline is often misunderstood as she tends to speak in riddles, and she’s expected to have a happier outlook. she wants to help everyone and she, most importantly, supports their dreams! she isn’t afraid to be the odd one out but she stands by her friends!

ᝰ i think jinsik is as entertaining as madeleine! whenever his friends want to pursue something, he’s supportive in the cutest way. if anything, he’s just as eccentric as the people of wonderland, always letting his curiosity get the better of him. yechan is assertive in the way he can read the room and make jokes to liven up any situation! his friends are lucky to have him <33

raven queen ! junmin

⤷ now raven queen was known for being outspoken, wanting to follow her own destiny- and junmin strikes me as the type to believe in that too. she refused to be defined by the expectations of others. unlike her mom, she places friendship and being herself over trying to fulfill her destiny.

ᝰ junmin doesn’t like to be defined by the expectations of others as well. he’s able to speak for himself and values his friendship like raven! similarly, he’s a go-getter, determined to show his skills as an idol to the world. i feel like he has doubts (who doesn’t) but he has his group to lift him up!

lizzie hearts ! junghoon

⤷ lizzie hearts, the daughter of the queen of hearts! she places family above all things, and it’s evident when she speaks about her mother. sure, her mother is strict at times but she knows that her mother is just trying to protect her. lizzie also loves wonderland dearly, and she happily takes her friends into wonderland to show them around!

ᝰ the king of my heart, junghoon, reminds me of lizzie because they’re both talented in every aspect. he has the kind of manners that you would see in a royal family, not to mention that he also has similar humor to lizzie! most importantly, he cares for his family and friends, not wanting them to worry about him too much- just like lizzie.

farah godfairy ! yujun

⤷ farah is a ball of sunshine! whether it’s noon or midnight, she tries her best to grant wishes! it’s obvious that she is consistently putting others before herself, and there’s the lingering fact that she doesn’t have anyone to grant her own wishes. farah gets a lot of attention for her skills, and she always smiles as she grants wishes! it makes her happy to see others happy :((

ᝰ in more ways than one, yujun puts others before himself. it’s clear in how he makes sure that other members get attention and he livens the mood by making fun! i think he also “grants wishes,” but more so for his fans. he performs his best for his fans because it’s all worth it to hear the cheers of joy from the crowd. like farah, yujun keeps his friends close <33

briar beauty ! seeun

⤷ briar beauty is the party girl! she’s always somehow incorporating fun into serious situations. whenever she plans a get-together, she always invites everyone and loves to make sure her friends get their fair share of the spotlight! she does have a few worries about her future because she often feels that she is just doing what is expected of her and not what she wants. however, briar does go for what she wants, whether it’s for better or for worse. if it’s what’s good for her, she goes for it!

ᝰ in the same way, seeun likes the spotlight! he knows he looks gold in whatever he wears and does. being an idol is hard work and i feel like he gets down when he doesn’t perform at his best. luckily, he has a good friend group like briar! his friends never hesitate to lift him up and make sure he knows that it’s okay to have flaws. the expectations of society is not what should define him. similar to briar, he recognizes that life is for living and having fun while being true to yourself! 

apple white ! yechan

⤷ the main character is apple considering that she’s somehow at the center of everything. although, this also means that she has quite the ego. she puts herself first, but she values her friends more than people think! apple white is loyal to the point where she was willing to go against her mother to prove to her friends that she truly wants the best for them :((

ᝰ i think yechan is similar to apple white because they’re both loved by their friends. yechan thinks of others and it's noticeable in the way he pays attention to his friends <33 he works hard to prove that he's not just the maknae! he gets lots of praise for his stage presence but he’d probably say it’s because he has confidence!

kitty cheshire ! hunter

⤷ kitty is a tease…like hunter but both of them love watching people go through their dreams! hunter likes to play tricks on his friends and so does kitty! not to mention how they have similar smiles! she may be mischievous but she also deeply cares about her friends.

ᝰ hunter reminds me of kitty in the way he cracks jokes and their matching smiles! i think he makes jokes and laughs a lot, but when it goes too far, he’s immediately apologizing. like kitty, he truly cares about his family and friends so he’d want to help them fulfill their dreams!

🫧join laur’s taglist!

[choicesficwriterscreations]

February Creator of the Month: Noesapphic

Each month, CFWC highlights one of our talented fanfic writers or artists, and this month’s creator of the month is the lovely @noesapphic!   The writer is selected at random. More info can be found on the navigation page. Past COTM's can be found here.

Quick Links:

Tumblr Blog Masterlist

How do you want to be known on Tumblr? 

Noe is fine, really!

More below...

1- When did you start playing Choices? What was the first book you played? 

I started in 2018. I was bored in a friend's house and fighting good old insomnia when I saw the app and tried it for funsies. The first book was 'High School Story'. 

2- When and why did you join Choices fandom?

I joined around late 2018 early 2019 and I had just left my community in Amino because the admin had gone full puritanical dictator and I was curious about Tumblr.

3- How did you pick your blog name? 

It was simple: my nickname is Noe and I am a sapphic (aka lesbian). It's a no-brainer, really. 

4- Pull up the first post in your archive, and tell us about it!  

It was a reblogged quote. I related to what it said and I reblogged it 

5- Do you write fanfiction, create fan art, or are you one of those really gifted people who do both? 

I write fanfiction. God did not grant me art skills I'm afraid. My fingers are too fat and my pulse is terrible. 

6- How long have you been creating for Choices and for any other fandoms?

I've been creating for fandoms as long as I can remember. I've had a really troubled life, so creating stuff helped me. As for Choices, I've been creating stuff since 2019 

7- What is your favorite Choices book, and what is your favorite Choices book to create for?

Without a doubt, Desire and Decorum. The first book is simply a masterlist and its characters are so well-written, and everything about it just draws me to it. They definitely botched the other books, but it will always be in my heart. I also enjoy creating for other historical books and books that have similar themes 

8- Share your first Choices fanfic or fan art that you posted with us. Do you still like it, or would you change it if you were creating it today?

It was a set of headcanons of Mr. Sinclaire and my MC, Celestine, finding out that they're going to be parents. While my spelling is terrible, I wouldn't change a thing. The engagement I received was such, it drove me to write for more. I haven't stopped creating since. 

9- What your favorite piece of fiction or art that you created? 

It's no secret for anyone who pays attention to my blog: my au, The Cursed Heiress, is probably my best creation. It's complex and a juggernaut of lore and history, and has all I've ever wanted in a fic and book in it. Although a close second is my Tudor AU, For Love and Duty. I simply love the 'arranged marriage' trope 

10- Do you have a fic/art that you didn’t expect to be well received, but it was? What about one you expected to do well but found it could use a little more love?

The second part of a one shot, A True Man, was probably one of the most difficult to write, and with a very traumatising and important theme. I was 100% hoping anon hate telling me to delete it, but found instead that the people ate it up! It has now 30 notes (which is A LOT for a small fandom like the D&D one) and now that I reread it, I'm proud of what I created and the message I wanted to send, which resonates with happenings of my past and experiences. 

11 - If you could write only angst, fluff, or smut for the rest of your writing life, which would it be and why? 

Definitely angst. There's something so cathartic and relieving as letting out those emotions you can't express out loud without being locked up for being unhinged, and it has helped me understand myself many times. Also, smut is def something that I can't physically write 😅 

12 - Do you ever recognize yourself in any of your MCs or in your writing?

There are small parts of me in every MC. A fragment of my past. Something of their lore that I went through. Something I aspire to be. Something I wanted to be once. I like to think that every writer leaves a part of their heart and soul with each character they create. 

13 - What element of writing/art do you struggle with most?

Ooof, where to begin. I think the hardest part is to just write. I can go on for weeks looking at my turned-off laptop and goof off on Tumblr. But when I do write, the 'boring' parts or writing a character that I am not familiar with or that there isn't much info about can be challenging. 

14 - Do you have any neglected work you really want to finish?

Oof, where to begin, lol. My modern AUs, The Viscountess and Plan B. There's also Your Most Ardent Admirer and For Love and Duty. There's the fix-it fic series of the Blades LIs. Profiles of my MCs from several series. And also fic ideas that I want to create, but don't know where or how to start it. Woe is me indeed 😭 

15 - If someone you know in real life (who isn’t involved in fandoms) asked to see your work, would you let them? If yes, what would you show them first? 

Depends on the person. I would be very, very picky. I did show some parts of The Cursed Heiress to two trusted friends. But I wouldn't be against showing my mom a few chapters of The Viscountess… Unfortunately, she does not speak a word of English and I am terrible at translations, so it's wishful thinking, lol. 

16 - Are there any writers (published authors and/or fanfic writers) who influenced your writing or art? Are there any artists that influence you?

For the published ones, Holly Black and Cassandra Clare have probably been my biggest help. Leigh Bardugo is also a newer inspo, and Spanish author Laura Gallego got me into fantasy, and anonymous author Bebi Fernández's raw and brutal prose have helped me find my voice. I have now bought George R.R Martin's Game of Thrones, looking for new sources to grasp. 

As for fandom-wise, the very first writer to inspire me unfortunately hasn't been active since the pandemic, and despite our differences, @hellospunkiebrewster 's writing and essays got me into Regency and its history. My thriving years were by her side, and I'm grateful of having had a great fandom friend and hyper. The most recent ones are @missameliep my amazing fandom mom (te quiero mami 🥰) and some pieces by @princess-geek 's writing have inspired me to expand my horizon. 

17- Which one of your stories would you most like to see as a movie/series? 

The Cursed Heiress, definitely. I think that my messages would resonate with many people. There's also The Viscountess: many people should see the messages Nicole, Anne and others have, and for what I have planned (and have been stalling out of laziness 🫣) would put things into perspective for many minorities and certain groups that are neglected by society and governments alike.  19- Do you write original fiction or create non-fandom art? 

I am now at the outlining stages of making The Cursed Heiress an original novel. I tried many times to make my own novel, but always dropped it. But now that I've been for years with it, I feel like this might be the one project I dreamed of publishing one day. It's tough and scary, but I'm loving the ride so far. 

Also, I have tried my hand with poetry, but it didn't have engagement and felt like talking to a wall, so I now feel discouraged. But if someone out there is interested, lmk 👀 

20-  What other hobbies do you have?

Apart from literature, I love make-up, skincare, cooking and making gifs and videoedits. I also love travelling and discovering new adventures and learning as many languages as I am capable. I also love listening to music. Basically anything that has to do with the humanities and art, I'll take it. Also, I am very invested in modern royal gossip. I know, not very republican of me… 🫣😅 

21 - What’s your favorite emoji? 

Apparently, the one I use the most is 🫡🫶🏻👀. Heh, sounds like me, lol 

22: BONUS - tell us anything you’d like (if you want to).

____

Two reminders to both creators and onlookers alike: 

Creators: making content is NOT a race or a chore. It's something you make just because, and share it with the world. If you don't enjoy it, it's not worth the effort. 

Onlookers: I know how much you may love X thing, but remember that behind that art, fic, etc, there's a person with real feelings, real life and that is taking off free time to make something. Enjoy it, reblog it (please, reblog the stuff you love) and if you don't like it, filter the tag, block and move on. It's really that simple. 

Also, happy Valentine's Day AND Black History Month to the black creators of Choices! You're awesome and we love you ❤ sending you love 🥰 

[becauseplot]

Hi hello yes more thoughts about this hgduo pre-canon, hunger games/wars au(??) because my brain is rotating them at incredible speeds. (Obligatory cannibalism tw because yeah the lore do be like that.)

Bad originally finds Cellbit while the kid is trying to use a dagger to carve up a body to eat---key word trying. Bad stands back and watches him struggle for about thirty seconds before speaking up: "You're holding that wrong." (The kid jumps about two feet in the air. "WhhUH---") "Also you're not supposed to carve with a dagger, silly. You should really be using a knife. Here." And Bad passes him one of his hunting knives.

Bad mentally dubs Cellbit "Dagger-Kid" because he doesn't know Cellbit's name. When Cellbit later admits he doesn't know his name either, Bad officially dubs him "Dagger-Kid" or "Dagger" for short. ((For the rest of this I'll be calling Cellbit "Dagger")) ((Also I'm not 100% on this name yet but we'll see.))

I should note that I also think it would be funny that every time Dagger does something notable or reveals a new quality about himself, Bad tries to give him a new name. Like, they scavenge a piece of chocolate off one of their victims and Dagger loves it, so Bad tries to suggest, "Oh oh! What if we called you 'Sweets'! Or 'Chocolate'? 'Coco,' maybe?" all of which Dagger (playfully) rolls his eyes at. Bad rotates through nicknames regularly, but Dagger personally sticks with the first name Bad gave him.

Dagger was on his own for two months before he met Bad. He is injured and half-starved and utterly exhausted. The first time they make camp together, Dagger promises he'll take the first watch, but he nods off before even Bad can fall asleep. It's the first time Dagger has felt safe enough to truly relax, so his body just crashes. He sleeps for twelve hours.

This one's honestly more of a general qsmp headcanon I have but it goes here too: Bad teaches Dagger how to throw knives (for combat) and how to do knife tricks (for fun). Current-day Cellbit still remembers how to do the tricks, and he'll often use them as a way of fidgeting when he's thinking---with a pen or pencil instead, though.

One of Dagger's natural talents is stealth. He's not as quiet as Bad, but he's definitely good at it; his cat-hybrid traits definitely lend him a hand here, too. It's the main way Dagger survived before meeting Bad, stealing supplies out of camps while people were sleeping.

Bad, being a demon, doesn't need to eat, drink, or sleep as much as mortals do, and certainly not as much as a teenage boy. To him, it only seems practical that he gives himself smaller portions of their rations, or takes longer nightwatch shifts. But Dagger (who can scarcely imagine ever being not hungry or not tired, much less at the same time) is still grateful and feels somewhat indebted to Bad, even after Bad explains.

Dagger (a cat hybrid and a little more than a bit messed up) bites to show affection. Usually Bad's arm. Any normal guy would be injured by the force of Dagger's bite---Dagger doesn't really seem to understand that not-biting-hard is an option---but Bad doesn't really mind it.

(The truth is that deep down Dagger really wants to hug Bad, but he knows Bad isn't a very cuddly person, and yeah Bad might give him a hug if he asked but he's too afraid to ask so all that affection stays bottled up until it rises rises rises and he just doesn't know what to do with it anymore and it needs OUT---)

Bad thwacks Dagger upside the head with his tail whenever Dagger is being a "little rapscallion" and eventually Dagger starts retaliating. His tail isn't as long or flexible as Bad's but he definitely does try.

Bad has a lot of stories to tell. Some true, some made up on the fly. He's always liked telling stories, and Dagger is a captive audience. He learns Dagger loves mysteries, and suddenly, all of his campfire stories are about spies, and detectives, and red-string cork boards and espionage.

The thing Dagger fears the most is that one morning he'll wake up and Bad won't be there because Bad decided Dagger slowed him down and thus abandoned him. He thinks about this near-constantly. (The thing Bad fears the most is that one morning he'll wake up and look at Dagger and start caring like he used to a long, long time ago. He does not think about this at all.)

[shalomniscient]

ARCHIVE ENTRY #1: FAFNIR [HSR]

"That casino owner? She's nothing but trouble. If you ever think you're winning with her, think again—because the house always wins." - Ten Stonehearts, Topaz

◆ Name: Fafnir ◆ Title: Avaricious Embracer ◆ Owner of the Gnitaheath Casino ◆ Path: Nihility ◆ Type: Fire ◆ Rarity: 5*

Fafnir is a fanmade character in Honkai: Star Rail. The owner of one of the most famous casinos in the universe, she attracts both adoration and detestation. A Scion of Long, Fafnir has lived many long, long lives, and yet through them all, one thing remains constant: the gleam and glitter of gold is always her singular calling.

◆ Appearance Fafnir is a tall woman with short, black hair and yellow-gold eyes. There are streaks of yellow in her hair, located near the base of her horns which are gold in color, resembling a ram's horns. She also has a long, serpentine tail covered in black scales and adorned with more golden accessories.

Fafnir wears a neatly pressed, tailored black suit jacket with delicate gold embroidery on the cuffs that resemble scales, accompanied with black slacks with a similar design along their length. Below this, she wears a dark grey dress shirt, paired with a light-colored tie embroidered with gold thread. She also sports round, yellow-tinted glasses with a gold frame, and wears black, semi-palm gloves with the same golden embroidery.

◆ Combat Mechanics

Basic Attack: Buy-In

"Place your bets, please." Deal's Fire DMG equal to x% of Fafnir's ATK to an enemy.

Skill: All or Nothing

"C'mon, why don't you put some skin in the game?" Deals Fire DMG equal to x% of Fafnir's ATK to a single enemy and inflicts a Gnitaheath Marker.

Ultimate: The House Always Wins

"Looks like it's time for a payout... mine, of course." Removes 1 buffs from all enemies and deals Fire DMG equal to x% of Fafnir's ATK, and simultaneously consumes all Gnitaheath Markers on enemies, dealing an additional Fire DMG equal to x% of Fafnir's ATK. Detonation also triggers the effect of Gnitaheath Marker, but restores HP to all allies instead of only the ally at lowest HP.

Talent: Risk Premium

At each turn of an enemy who is affected by Gnitaheath Marker, the enemy takes DMG equal to x% of Fafnir's ATK. The DMG taken by the enemy is then converted into an equivalent amount HP, and is immediately transferred to an ally with the lowest HP. Gnitaheath Marker lasts for 2 turns. Gnitaheath Marker is considered a debuff. At E1: Gnitaheath Marker is consider Fire DoT.

Technique: House Edge

"Time for a blood game?" When entering battle, there is a 120% base chance of the enemy with the highest HP to be inflicted with Gnitaheath Marker.

◆ Voicelines

About Topaz...

"Little Miss Topaz, my favorite IPC agent! Her assignments bring her to my doorstep more often than not, and it is always refreshing to see her. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to convince her to step into the pit yet, unlike that colleague of hers. Hm, no matter. I quite enjoy our conversations away from the pit as well."

About Aventurine...

"Detestably card sharp, he is. He'd never take a gamble he wouldn't win—so I suppose we are two birds of a feather, in that regard."

Added to a team with Dan Heng - Imbibitor Lunae...

"My, my, a Vidyadhara? And a High Elder, no less... this will be interesting indeed."

Hobbies...

"Sometimes, when I feel particularly bored, I like to stroll across the catwalks above the pits. There's something particularly, hm, gratifying, about watching the going-ons of the pit. Someone may be winning, and someone may be losing, but in the end... well, the true winner has been decided long before they bought in."

Chat - Heritage...

"You wish to know about my heritage as a Scion of Long? I'm afraid there isn't much to tell. Many eras ago, my first incarnation was a follower of the Permanent Lord, and was bestowed the ability shared by all Scions. Hm? Others like me? ...I must disappoint you again, for they are no longer here."

Chat - True Form

"My true form? Heh... such a bold request. How about we play a game of blackjack, and if you win, I'll indulge you."

Developer Notes:

Fafnir is inspired by the dragon (or worm) of the same name in Germanic legend and folklore.

Fafnir's title, Avaricious Embracer, is a nod to the translation of Fafnir's name from Old Norse as 'the Embracer'.

Fafnir's color scheme is generally black/gold/yellow. The yellow-gold color of her eyes and the hints of yellow in her appearance are intended to convey her primary character trait of greed, since yellow is the representative color of greed.

Gnitaheath is the name of Fafnir's lair in the legends.

Fafnir is a Scion of Long, but not a Vidyadhara. I may expand on the lore of her 'lineage' through her stories at a later date.

Fafnir's Talent, 'Gnitaheath Marker', is named after casino markers; interest free, short-term lines of credit given to players by the casinos to encourage playing, although they are also expected to be promptly paid back.

Fafnir's true form is about the size of adult Drogon, from Game of Thrones.

Fafnir's kit is designed to be somewhat reminiscent of her character: someone who gives nothing, and only takes. I tried to give her kind of a life-steal mechanic similar to the one in PTN, though I'm not too sure how well it worked out, LOL.

I can't think of a character similar enough to how I envision Fafnir to add as a reference, and I can't draw for shit so my saving grace is once again Picrew. This isn't 1:1 how Fafnir looks like, as I picture her as having a skin tone more similar to Kaeya's (and my own), but alas, my Picrew options were limited. Nonetheless, this is the closest I can get as of now, so enjoy (?) one smug, bastard scrooge woman:

picrew link: https://picrew.me/ja/image_maker/6324

UPDATE: my absolutely amazing showstopping talented mutual @e-hibiscus drew fafnir and it is truly THE MOST amazing thing i’ve ever seen and is 1:1 exactly how i picture fafnir in my mind, they’re a super amazing artist and writer and i’m truly honored to be their moot !!

THAT’S HER !! THAT’S THE STINKY BASTARD DRAGON WOMAN !!!

[ledalasombra]

My not so normal little sister

Chapter 2: Family is much more than blood

“ Time is a funny thing, did you know? The future becomes the present and the present becomes the past. Time is always dynamic…" Ladybug looked at her friend, Bunnix, before replying.

"My presence here is already altering our timeline. The more information I have, the greater the change. We know how dangerous messing with the timeline is...."

"That's true. But I also know that sometimes changes are necessary to keep the universe in balance. It was necessary to bring you here today, because if the league of assassins has access or greater knowledge about the Miraculous, the result is much worse. Take care of yourself, mini Bug." Bunnix smiled slightly seeing her friend walk towards the portal, holding her by the shoulder before she left. "Before you go, keep in mind two things: family doesn't depend on blood and you'll lose a lot if you don't go after yours..." Ladybug looked at her not understanding what she was talking about, frowning slightly, but before she could ask what it was about, Bunnix continued "and remember forgiving is not just good for the other person, but for your happiness as well. When you think all is lost, use these two pieces of advice I'm giving you. This will help you to move forward. You have a life, put your happiness ahead a little.”

Marinette woke up startled, trying to orient herself from where she was. She tightened the sheets with her fingers, letting her breathing return to normal, startled at the sound of her Kwami's voice.

" You need to sleep, Marinette." Said a thin voice lying beside her on the bed. She was going to the hospital the next day and was so nervous that just thinking about it, she couldn't close her eyes.

"Easy to say but difficult to do Tikki." She took a deep breath " I'll check some emails and then I'll try to sleep again. I'm nervous, anxious, tired…"

"I know, but it's going to be alright! Don't worry about it."

"Yeah, I really hope so Tikki. We have no way of knowing really ...." she replied as she scanned the emails, stopping at one where the last name caught her attention. It had been more than three days since Peter had given her the name of the boy who was Janet Drake's son, and after a little investigation by her friend (an investigation she is even afraid to ask how it was done), she discovered that there is a chance that she was changed in the hospital." Tikki, is it just a coincidence that my client has the same surname as the boy who could be my brother?" She asked after a while, looking at the little Kwami in front of her.

"Coincidence or fate? Her soul was chosen to be Ladybug. Luck is with you… you just need to know how to use it." The little kwami smiled "You can only know if you ask, don't you think?"

She thought for a few minutes weighing the pros and cons reading and rereading the email in front of her.

From: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

To: ceo_timdrake@we.com

Subject: Absence

Hi, how are you? It is a pleasure to receive your contact email!

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I will be away for a few weeks and will not be fulfilling/accepting any requests. But don't worry, as soon as everything returns to normal, I'll be contacting you personally and, if there's still interest, I'll be scheduling an appointment.

I hope you stay well!

Sincerely,

MDC

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

From: ceo_timdrake@we.com

To: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

Subject: Re: Absence

MDC,

I hope it's nothing serious and that you can recover as soon as possible. I'm a huge fan of your work and I believe you are one of the best fashion talents of this century.

I look forward to your health improving.

My greetings,

Timothy Drake

----‐----------------------------

Marinette looked at the email again and decided that she needed to at least try. Years ago she stopped trying to understand how the universe worked, accepting the chances that were handed to her. Fate works in different ways. She took a deep breath, sat up comfortably and wrote the guy an email.

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

From: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

To: ceo_timdrake@we.com

Subject: Information and doubts (curiosity)

Monsieur Timothy Drake,

How are you? I hope you're well. The reason for my contact is for a personal question, which has nothing to do with my work or yours.

Forgive my total intrusion and indiscretion, but your surname is familiar to me. Are you by any chance the eldest son of Janet Drake? If this is being too rude of me, please disregard this email.

Sincerely,

MDC

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

Tim sighed heavily as he stared at the scream in front of him. He has always considered himself a person with a high intellect with an ability to understand and correlate data very easily. He has always considered himself a great detective, looking at different types of information, analyzing different situations, and despite his constant ability to stay awake for a long period of time, he hardly ever let anything slip out of his knowledge. However, upon receiving an email from his favorite fashion designer, he was surprised and a little intrigued. How did she know his parents? His curiosity got the better of him when he decided to answer the email and try to understand what that strange question was about. He finished the coffee he was currently drinking, checking the time on the computer in front of him. He had a meeting in an hour and his secretary would surely come to let him know. He read the email again before starting to type.

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

From: ceo_timdrake@we.com

To: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

Subject: Re: Information and doubts (curiosity)

Dear MDC,

You can call me Tim since that's what everyone normally calls me.

I am an only child and yes Janet and Jack Drake were my parents. Did you happen to know them? I confess that I was surprised and confused by this question.

Awaiting return.

Regards,

Tim

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

Marinette could barely contain herself in bed, waiting anxiously for an answer. She decided to get up and make some tea, as she was still within the allowed time to eat before being admitted to the hospital. She set out her cup and a soothing tea while she waited for the water to heat up, when she heard the notification of incoming messages in her cell phone. She picked up, seeing the response and opening the email almost immediately. She poured the water into her cup, taking it to her room, already picking up the computer that was open on her email, formulating a response that wasn't confusing and inappropriate.

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

From: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

To: ceo_timdrake@we.com

Subject: Re: Re: Information and doubts (curiosity)

Tim,

I believe that before starting any explanation, a proper presentation should be made. My name is Marinette Dupain - Cheng and although I grew up and lived in Paris all my life, I was born in Gotham.

I haven't met them personally, but I have a rather intriguing question. I hope you understand that what I will share with you is confidential and personal, just like my name. I believe that if it were not for the situation currently presented, I would not be disclosing such information. Therefore, I would like nothing disclosed here to be commented on. I'm trying to believe that with the reputation you have in the business, information that was passed by a close friend of mine, and NDA documentation already signed in advance, we don't have a problem with breaches of confidentiality.

On the day of my birth my parents were traveling and they visited Gotham. On the same day, a little earlier, there was an attack by some villain with hostages which apparently led to a large number of people being hospitalized. I don't particularly have details of what happened, but from what I understand, the hospitals were full and our mothers ended up sharing a room while they were in labor. The two gave birth to girls with dark hair and blue eyes, however of the two girls only one survived. For health reasons and some necessary tests, I ended up discovering that my parents are not my biological parents.

A friend from New York and I started an investigation to find out what happened and that's when I came across your parents' names. I'm sorry if I'm being a bit vague, but all the information I have will be sent to you as an attachment. Understand, I don't want anything from you or your family other than wanting to understand what happened over 20 years ago.

If you don't want to get involved with this situation, I understand. It's a bit complicated and I believe that not everyone involved wants or will try to help me solve this case.

I hope you understand my side. The attached documents can be found at the hospital.

Regards

Marinette

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

When Tim decided to reply to the message, he didn't expect that, after a few minutes, he would get an answer. When he heard the incoming message signal and read its entire contents, the young CEO nearly fell out of his chair. He opened the submitted documents and, to be sure, looked at the hospital documentation. It took less than 20 minutes for him to confirm that the documentation she was presenting was genuine. It was all right! He had a sister and no one told him. He must have been five, almost six when she was born, but there is no record of her anywhere in the house. His parents wouldn't hide something so important! Tim took a deep breath, squeezing his temples with his fingertips. Was it too much to ask for a late afternoon without any problems?

"Tam? Could you bring me one coffee? I'm trying to sort out some issues and it would really be nice to have a cup at the moment..." He heard the confirmation on the other end of the line and went back to analyzing the information in the documents he received and decided the best start would be to request a DNA test and, if so, look for the nurse who attended to the two families. He was still in disbelief that his own parents had hidden his sister's birth. Although, who he wanted to fool, he knew Jannet and Jack Drake better than anyone and he knew that yes, his parents would hide information like that.

He spent a few minutes thinking about what to do and the implications of what was said. She must have been switched at the hospital and there's a chance she's his sister. But how? Reluctantly, he looked at the email, rereading it completely, until he resolved to respond.

-----

Marinete was already in his bed, in her apartment, lying down and trying to sleep. She was thoughtful looking at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep! She had so much going on at once that she felt lost. Fate always knows where to direct things. Was that what Alix tried to warn about following her family, what she felt and knowing how to forgive?

"family doesn't depend on blood and you'll lose a lot if you don't go after yours... and remember forgiving is not just good for the other person, but for your happiness as well. When you think all is lost, use these two pieces of advice I'm giving you. This will help you to move forward.”

Marinette stared at the ceiling for a few minutes thinking. She has always considered herself a person with a great ability to understand different situations and assess everyone's side so as not to be unfair. She ran her hands over her face, glancing at the clock on the table beside her bed that read 00:30 in the morning. It had been almost forty minutes since she had sent the last email to the person who could be her brother and she didn't know if she was right to just dump everything to the guy via email. She looked to the side seeing Tikki and Plagg hunched over each other exhaling in frustration until she heard a message beep on her cell phone. She looked at the phone opening the email as soon as she received it.

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

From: ceo_timdrake@we.com

To: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

Subject: doubts

Marinette/MDC

While I'm ecstatic to know who you really are (believe me, I've been crazy about this information for a while) I'm simultaneously shocked and not knowing what to think. I confess that I was not aware that I had a sister, much less that she apparently passed away. I was very young and I don't remember very well what happened at the time.

I will look for the nurse and try to understand in my own way what is happening. I am as lost as you are and I hope we can understand the facts that led to our present. First, I suggest that we do a DNA test to be sure whether or not we are brothers. Please don't take my words and think it's a matter of mistrust. However, I must emphasize that the question itself is very delicate and it would not be prudent to assume something so important as true.

Really, I'm speechless and still trying to understand everything you told me. Technically, I'm the only family member alive and finding out that I might have a sister is shocking to say the least. I hope you understand my side, because after more than twenty years finding out that my parents had another child and I wasn't even aware of the event is a little worrying.

I await your return so we can try to move forward with the situation.

Tim

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

Tim read the email several times before hitting send. He was sure he couldn't take her word for granted, but he also didn't want to sound rude and simply say he distrusted the person who greatly admired the work. He had or had a sister and it didn't get out of his mind. He started doing a general check on the life of the person who could be his only blood family starting through her social media and then would check her entire history. He wasn't considered one of the best detectives in the world for nothing.

After about twenty minutes of looking at social media, Tim can see that Marinette was a very beautiful woman, she undeniably had her mother's features and, in a way, could say that she would pass for her sister very easily because they looked alike. She had friends in a high social circle, studied for a few months in New York, where she has work contacts. She was undeniably a charismatic person and much loved by people who frequented her social networks and had great admiration and respect for her parents. He smiled slightly at the knowledge that she had a different childhood from his.

Taking a deep breath, he slumped against the chair as he ran his hands through his hair. He saw his secretary enter the room to remind him of the meeting he was supposed to go to and that he had no mind at the moment. He got to his feet, turning off the computer, not hearing the signal of new email arriving on his cell. He walked to the room where he would have the last board meeting of the day.

After getting out of yet another one of the many useless meetings he attended, Tim headed straight home. He would thoroughly research the whole thing, starting with the night of his sister's birth. He quickly left his things in his room, heading straight for the cave, where it would be easier to do research. He had about two hours before the whole family showed up.

According to the death certificate, his sister's name was Mary Hellen Drake. Marinette wasn't such a far cry from Mary. He opened the email again to check the documents Marinette had sent when he realized there was an email he hadn't checked. He opened it immediately, checking that there were two documents attached, opening them in the background as he read her response.

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

From: mdc@mdcfashiondesign.com

To: ceo_timdrake@we.com

Subject: Re: doubts

Tim

I understand exactly what you mean and, again, I must stress that I have no interest in taking part in anything concerning your family other than knowing everything that has happened in the past. I have no resentment towards your words. Really, I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only one with misgivings on the subject.

My parents and I took the DNA test in 2 different laboratories, getting the same results in both. I am attaching the results in case you want to contact the laboratories. Trust me, my head is full of all the information. My parents are devastated, not knowing what happened to their biological daughter and worried about how I'm coping. They're trying to pass themselves off as strong, but I know it's hard. The pain in their eyes is visible and I haven't even had the courage to tell them that I started investigating what happened in the past. In short, they don't know about your parents, the nurse, your sister's death certificate or you.

Regardless of how this whole story will develop, I appreciate your attention and patience in the face of this whole issue. As I said in my initial contact email, I am taking a leave of absence due to illness. I'm going to have surgery tomorrow, so I won't be answering any kind of contact for the next few days. I'm sorry to have to throw all this information at you and just disappear, but I believe that fate must have given my life a little push right now. And who am I to ignore that?

Jokes aside, I hope we can work things out so to speak. As an only child (so far) I must say that while I'm excited about the development of all this, I'm also a whirlwind of positive and negative emotions, but I'll leave it to resolve later...

If all goes well, we'll talk at another time. For now, I will leave my personal phone number (+33 01 XXXX XXXX). Feel free to send me any message, but again, I won't be responding anytime soon.

Stay safe!

Marinette

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

As soon as he finished reading Tim felt a little lost in a mixture of despair and depression. If she was his sister, she was sick and he didn't even know what it was about. It had been more than two hours since she'd sent the last message, it was dawn in France and he didn't want to risk waking her up. He took a deep breath and decided to compartmentalize the information. Initially, he hacked into the labs' system, seeking her clinical results so he could match them to his DNA. As soon as he finished downloading the data, he left the computer doing the comparison between the data in the background as it would take some time to finish.

As soon as he got the computer working, he looked up her data from the Paris hospital systems and, after a while, was able to find her chart. She was due to go into surgery in a few hours to remove a brain tumor and the extent of her danger was not yet confirmed. He stared at the screen in front of him, as he heard the audible confirmation of data comparison.

Tim saved all the documents he found in a protected folder so that no one would see. In a mixture of nervousness and anxiety, he opened the program checking the genetic markers and the conclusion that indeed Marinette Dupain-Cheng was his biological sister.

[safetycar-restart]

Do you take George asks? Idk if I’ve ever seen him mentioned here before but after today George is going to need something very soft and tender and praise heavy.

I’m imagining a D/s au setting with George beating himself up about the result to the point that his Dom just ties him up and sets out to distract him with praise and overstimulation.

Feel free to ignore this if you don’t enjoy George!

(Also is 🦅 taken?)

Hi anon! Yes I do write for George! We tend go through phases where a couple drivers are requested a lot and then someone else will take their place, so there hasn't been much George lately but yes I absolutely do write for him! I write for all drivers except a couple that I have stated in my pinned post :))

Also, yeah 🦅 is open and I'll add it to the claimed list for you, however this means that you must send at least one Logan ask because you're stealing his brand so it's only fair. Anyway, on to George!

At first you have no idea what to do, because Lewis has a podium! But only because George made a mistake and ended up in the wall. Lewis deserves to have his dom congratulate him and watch him on the podium and scene with him after if he wants. But George needs you.

You see Lewis first, because George hadnt made it back to the garage by the time Lewis arrived at the podium. You don't even get to hug Lewis, the moment he sees you he immediately says 'go to George I'm fine, I'm happy. Go to George, please.'

You don't question him any further, going back to the garage to wait for George. And yeah Lewis was right it was the right call.

Poor George is so broken when he sees you. He throws his helmet in the direction of his trainer and runs over, falling into your arms and crying before you even have time to hug him back. You just hold him, understanding that George needs to feel this before you can start trying to make him feel better.

Eventually he stops crying and kinda just deflates into you, letting you take all his weight. You run your hands up and down his back, pulling away enough to press a kiss to his neck and whisper to him that he did all he could and that it’ll be alright in the end.

You wish you could get him away from prying eyes immediately, but you know he’ll have to talk to the media. So you agreed to George doing two short media interviews while you clear him skipping the debrief with Mercedes. You don’t have to put much work into that though because the moment you spot Toto, he’s immediately telling you to take George back to the hotel and that he’ll handle everything else. You can tell Toto is angry, but he knows better than to show that anger to George (mostly because he’s afraid of what you’d do to him).

After the media, it’s straight to the hotel for George. And I think he’d need the scene instantly? No time to get him showered and changed, no time for dinner or snacks. He can’t do anything, can’t even stop shaking. You need to get him into subspace and then you can guide him through everything else that needs to get done.

I love the idea of tying him. It just stabilises him completely, makes him feel so grounded and safe. You just tie his arms and legs, tying him so that his legs are crossed and his arms are behind his back. It’s not the most comfortable of positions, but that’s the point. You need him out of his head and in the moment.

That’s when the praise and edging starts. Maybe he doesn’t get to cum until he can repeat the praise back to you? At first he can’t, convinced that all the things you’re saying about him aren’t true. But slowly you break him down, edging him and getting him closer and closer to that floaty headspace he can let himself go.

You know he’s where you want him when, through tears, he can repeat the praise back, calling himself talented and beautiful and a good sub.

Then he gets to cum.

I also think that maybe after you’ve cleaned him up, you tie him again? Just give him a nice chest harness that he can wear for the rest of the evening. It helps keep him in a comfortable sub space.

[asherloki]

Here’s an idea for a fluffy Sherlock fic/ os / blurb!!

Like imagine you get rejected by your crush and you come back to Sherlock’s flat and tell him what happened and he is shocked because he finds a lot of beautiful things in you (maybe even lists them in front of you) and like he can’t comprehend who wouldn’t be infatuated by you aaaaaw! Sorry I am a big fan of friends to lovers trope hehe!

The right one

Bbc Sherlock

Fluff

I came back to 221b after a long tiring, and perhaps a sad day. After entering I saw Sherlock playing his violin, he's been swamped up with work lately. So violin keeps him cool. I put my bag in my room and then stood behind him. He had no clue, I thought. But then after he finished playing his instrument he said without even turning to me, "did you like it?"

Then he turned to me and smiled.

"How did you know I was here?" I enquired I was absolutely sure he didn't see me coming.

"I'm not an idiot" he said politely "I saw you coming from the window."

I mean obviously, this is he the smart one and I the dumb one. He was standing to the window ofcourse he saw me coming.

"Well, that's true" said I and my facial expressions changed to how it was through the day, a little sadder.

"What's wrong?" He enquired, putting his violin back.

"Nothing to be bothered, I'm okay." I replied trying hard to smile for him.

"No no, do tell me" he insisted sitting on his chair. I thought, I should talk to him about it so I sat on John's chair and said, "I had a crush you probably know ".

"Yes from your university I presume."

"And how did you know that?"

"Easy, you check out yourself in the mirror before going to university more than usual, even when you go out with your friends group you don't check yourself out that much, and you always wear the dresses that looks best on you for university. Also when you return you always smile and blush to yourself, even sometimes you daydream and don't even listen to what I say."

Well now that's an elaborate deduction I thought.

"Yes, from there, so I confessed to him, about I may have been liking him". I said.

"And?"

"He used to flirt with me you know, used to say things I needed to hear, used to always be kind and be extremely flirty, I thought he liked me too."

"What did he say?" Sherlock asked impatiently.

"That those were nothing and he doesn't sees me that way, may be it's called rejection."

Sherlock and I sat in silence. A long moment of pause then he sighed and said, "why did he even flirted if he didn't feel anything?"

"I wish I knew."

"Who's this guy?"

To this I looked at him because I knew this is going to be awkward, "my.. um... My professor."

"Your WHAT?" He literally jumped from the chair to hear it.

"But don't worry he's young and ... Not much older."

"I wasn't thinking about age I was thinking about how could a professor flirt with their student and then reject like that."

He has a point though

"right but it's done now. Leave it okay."

"No, I mean how? What's not good in you, what's there in you to not to like?"

His questions made me think too, what could there be good in me?

"Like what?" I asked.

"Look at yourself, you're... I'm a man of cold reasoning and I'm unaware of everything that has something to do with emotions but you, you're beautiful. You're talented, you're writings and paintings. All of that. You're kind, I guess you've given me some of that that kindness too. I've felt more light recently, and most importantly" he paused before saying it, "my days were so dark, there was only night, with few of my friends shining like stars but you, you came as the sun, you turned my dark lifeless nights into day." He said with such passion that my mouth fell open.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Yes, you heard me, and I... I have always been afraid and have been away from Human emotions and now I know why, because when the right person comes, you can do anything, you can be anyone, even I, Sherlock Holmes, couldn't help but feel, feel affection for you."

I was stunned, what? This man felt so much and kept quiet?

"Why didn't you tell me you feel that strongly for me?"

"How could I? You're young and beautiful, you must choose someone of your age."

"You said age doesn't matter "

"Yes, not to me but I thought maybe to you it does." He said. I got up and walked towards him, cupping his face I said, "when it comes to you nothing matters, only you do."

I saw a his Lips curving into a smile and I felt a tear fell from my eye. I knew, at that very moment, that, no one will ever be able to love me, the way he does. Ever!

[miyooree]

I know this is random and not a writing ask but I'd like to know about what you think about the Lovebrush heroine.

An overall analysis would be nice, I don't mind if it's really short or really long. And you're free to ramble on any topic as you please ranging from which LI she's suited best with or the her behavior in different routes. Basically a rambling review.

If you don't have the time, feel free to take all the time you need or ignore this altogether.

Thank you for the question, anon. It's very intriguing and refreshing indeed. I'll try to share my opinion and what I think about the MC of Lovebrush Chronicles in this post.

MC Analysis !

Well, I have seen many discussions in the LBC fandom regarding the MC. Some say she is nice, well-written and actually has a likeable personality whereas some say she is dislikeable, too sassy and what not. Honestly speaking, I think the MC is... Alright. She's neither the usual self-insert, pining over the LIs, changing her personality to please the boys type-MC, nor is she a badass God-tier has all the male LIs obsessed with her, groveling at her feet type MC. She is just... A normal artist (with a complicated background). And I find that nice.

The thing I like the most is that she actually has a background or a backstory in this game, unlike the other MCs who are usually a normal person in the world; no talent, no personality, no likes or dislikes and they have been randomly chosen to a "special" place all of a sudden. But in Lovebrush Chronicles, the MC achieves her seat at the school, stumbles upon the Otherworld whilst trying to save her friend (we all need a friend like MC), unravels the secrets, and fights against her own damn guardian just to protect that land! She has her inner values and her priorities are set right, and that's what makes her stand out, I think. I hope that makes sense lol.

Also, which LI fits the MC best is a tricky question. Their relationships are somewhat vague at an early stage like this since the game just dropped like a month ago lol. But, I think, Ayn or Alkaid go well with the MC. I know, I'm not a huge Ayn or Alkaid fan, I'm a Clarence fan by heart. But frankly speaking, MC and Clarence have a stark contrast in their personalities. Clarence, the stern, organised, diligent and workaholic senior might not be so compatible with the laid-back, snack loving, artist. But are they adorable together? Absolutely. Is there potential between them? Of course, the relationships are all vague at first so that they all can fit with the MC – that's the main reason behind otome games, the mc must be able to date whomever they like.

But, in my opinion, Ayn's sassy, tsundere-ish but secretly soft vibes flow the best with our MC. They both have their own values, they're both caring (Ayn? Caring? Yes he is, he is just too "It's not like I'm doing this for you! >///<" to show it lol) and I think they click well together.

. . . That's only my speculation, don’t mind me whslsbsmd. You're free to love whomever you like.

Furthermore, I have never been a big fan of Cael, but his relationship with the MC is the most intriguing. A person appointed by MC's mother to look after her child when she leaves the Earth, ain't that endearing? Of course, it is. But the way he raised her, cared for her, while also keeping her in the dark from the secrets of his past is so amazing. Truly. I get it, Cael kept his word to keep MC safe, but she is growing up, she will ask you about the truth, man; what's wrong with spilling the tea? Mayhaps he was afraid MC wouldn’t like him anymore ~ lol jk jk. I just love their dynamic.

Overall, I think the MC for LBC is pretty neat. She can be a bit sassy and annoying with her roasts and choices at times, but hey, at least she isn't a pushover like the other MCs we see in the otome games. True neutral, for real. Anyway, that's it for my brief analysis. Thank you for reading this, I'd love to answer more of these questions, they're really interesting! :)

[littlelodell]

Truly, truly rambling. Pay attention to the world.

It's early the morning where I am, and I've been awake since even earlier. I tried to go back to sleep, but I've been wracked with worry. I'm trying to work something out, or to not work it out. To not turn it over and over in my mind but to find a different center, a heart, a spirit, a compassion. I made a mistake, or left something undone - nothing immoral or unethical just. I really dislike my job. It's a necessary inconvenience. I should feel lucky. It's not a great job. But it pays in American dollars, which come in handy. Not many dollars, but mostly enough. More than many other earn, but less than many. Life in this western city is expensive, and I have children to support. I have a daughter who is...mad? Disappointed? I can't pay for the college she wants to go to, and neither can her other parent. She's talented and extremely intelligent. I hold two ideas, feelings, concepts, at the same time; I've failed her. I've been a good parent. Both things seem true.

I have a lot to grateful for, but I also have worries. I'm afraid I'll lose this dumb job with no retirement plan available to me before I find a better one. I'm afraid my kid won't find a place to go in the fall - that she will flounder, or worse, emotionally. I don't have the bandwidth to help her. Her other parent is mentally ill, with periods of stability that make one forget they're not stable. Which is almost worse than being constantly unreliable. I'm lonely - all my friends here were work friends from pre-Covid and now are scattered all over this vast, isolating city. The others were lost in the divorce, or have left for greener grass.

For some reason, I've been watching Near Death Experience videos recently, which I don't believe are real - I believe people have had experiences, but that it's likely a neurological phenomenon. Or maybe not. What do I know. So many people who tell their stories, and people who comment, seem done with this life. Those that have "died" and come back feel deeply they now have renewed purpose, which is so beautiful. There's nothing like that feeling. PURPOSE. But the focus is on the next world. But me? I mean, it's awful here, don't get me wrong. But it's the only world we've got. The only life. I love it here. I really, really love it here. Have you been outside? Marvelous! I have so many books yet to read. I literally just read Pride and Prejudice this year for the first time. Mind blowing.

Maybe I feel like I don't have a purpose. Or I'm just lonely. Or I'm not doing enough, or I'm not enough or I've wasted my life, my talents. I don't feel sorry for myself. But I am frightened, and I miss people. A small part of me knows that I'm not completely alone. That I have a lot to offer the world, and my kids, who are really wonderful people. That I understand, what I think is actually the most important thing, to me, anyway. To pay attention to the world, the person in front of me, the snail creeping up the wall, to love it, to love it, to love it.

Now I gotta shlep my kid and carpool to school and go to work.