#and joy is rare currency in these trying times

[maximura]

[rjalker]

THE DOWRY by Guy de Maupassant

The marriage of Maitre Simon Lebrument with Mademoiselle Jeanne Cordier was a surprise to no one. Maitre Lebrument had bought out the practice of Maitre Papillon; naturally, he had to have money to pay for it; and Mademoiselle Jeanne Cordier had three hundred thousand francs clear in currency, and in bonds payable to bearer.

Maitre Lebrument was a handsome man. He was stylish, although in a provincial way; but, nevertheless, he was stylish—a rare thing at Boutigny-le-Rebours.

Mademoiselle Cordier was graceful and fresh-looking, although a trifle awkward; nevertheless, she was a handsome girl, and one to be desired.

The marriage ceremony turned all Boutigny topsy-turvy. Everybody admired the young couple, who quickly returned home to domestic felicity, having decided simply to take a short trip to Paris, after a few days of retirement.

This tete-a-tete was delightful, Maitre Lebrument having shown just the proper amount of delicacy. He had taken as his motto: “Everything comes to him who waits.” He knew how to be at the same time patient and energetic. His success was rapid and complete.

After four days, Madame Lebrument adored her husband. She could not get along without him. She would sit on his knees, and taking him by the ears she would say: “Open your mouth and shut your eyes.” He would open his mouth wide and partly close his eyes, and he would try to nip her fingers as she slipped some dainty (small dessert) between his teeth. Then she would give him a kiss, sweet and long, which would make chills run up and down his spine. And then, in his turn, he would not have enough caresses to please his wife from morning to night and from night to morning.

When the first week was over, he said to his young companion:

“If you wish, we will leave for Paris next Tuesday. We will be like two lovers, we will go to the restaurants, the theatres, the concert halls, everywhere, everywhere!”

She was ready to dance for joy.

“Oh! yes, yes. Let us go as soon as possible.”

He continued:

“And then, as we must forget nothing, ask your father to have your dowry ready; I shall pay Maitre Papillon on this trip.”

She answered:

“All right: I will tell him to-morrow morning.”

And he took her in his arms once more, to renew those sweet games of love which she had so enjoyed for the past week.

The following Tuesday, father-in-law and mother-in-law went to the station with their daughter and their son-in-law who were leaving for the capital.

The father-in-law said:

“I tell you it is very imprudent to carry so much money about in a pocketbook.” And the young lawyer smiled.

“Don't worry; I am accustomed to such things. You understand that, in my profession, I sometimes have as much as a million about me. In this manner, at least we avoid a great amount of red tape and delay. You needn't worry.”

The conductor was crying:

“All aboard for Paris!”

They scrambled into a car, where two old ladies were already seated.

Lebrument whispered into his wife's ear:

“What a bother! I won't be able to smoke.”

She answered in a low voice

“It annoys me too, but not an account of your cigar.”

The whistle blew and the train started. The trip lasted about an hour, during which time they did not say very much to each other, as the two old ladies did not go to sleep.

As soon as they were in front of the Saint-Lazare Station, Maitre Lebrument said to his wife:

“Dearie, let us first go over to the Boulevard and get something to eat; then we can quietly return and get our trunk and bring it to the hotel.”

She immediately assented.

“Oh! yes. Let's eat at the restaurant. Is it far?”

He answered:

“Yes, it's quite a distance, but we will take the omnibus.”

She was surprised:

“Why don't we take a cab?”

He began to scold her smilingly:

“Is that the way you save money? A cab for a five minutes' ride at six cents a minute! You would deprive yourself of nothing.”

“That's so,” she said, a little embarrassed.

A big omnibus was passing by, drawn by three big horses, which were trotting along. Lebrument called out:

“Conductor! Conductor!”

The heavy carriage stopped. And the young lawyer, pushing his wife, said to her quickly:

“Go inside; I'm going up on top, so that I may smoke at least one cigarette before lunch.”

She had no time to answer. The conductor, who had seized her by the arm to help her up the step, pushed her inside, and she fell into a seat, bewildered, looking through the back window at the feet of her husband as he climbed up to the top of the vehicle.

And she sat there motionless, between a fat man who smelled of cheap tobacco and an old woman who smelled of garlic.

All the other passengers were lined up in silence—a grocer's boy, a young girl, a soldier, a gentleman with gold-rimmed spectacles and a big silk hat, two ladies with a self-satisfied and crabbed look, which seemed to say: “We are riding in this thing, but we don't have to,” two sisters of charity and an undertaker. They looked like a collection of caricatures.

The jolting of the wagon made them wag their heads and the shaking of the wheels seemed to stupefy them—they all looked as though they were asleep.

The young woman remained motionless.

“Why didn't he come inside with me?” she was saying to herself. An unaccountable sadness seemed to be hanging over her. He really need not have acted so.

The sisters motioned to the conductor to stop, and they got off one after the other, leaving in their wake the pungent smell of camphor. The bus started tip and soon stopped again. And in got a cook, red-faced and out of breath. She sat down and placed her basket of provisions on her knees. A strong odor of dish-water filled the vehicle.

“It's further than I imagined,” thought Jeanne.

The undertaker went out, and was replaced by a coachman who seemed to bring the atmosphere of the stable with him. The young girl had as a successor a messenger, the odor of whose feet showed that he was continually walking.

The lawyer's wife began to feel ill at ease, nauseated, ready to cry without knowing why.

Other persons left and others entered. The stage went on through interminable streets, stopping at stations and starting again.

“How far it is!” thought Jeanne. “I hope he hasn't gone to sleep! He has been so tired the last few days.”

Little by little all the passengers left. She was left alone, all alone. The conductor cried:

“Vaugirard!”

Seeing that she did not move, he repeated:

“Vaugirard!”

She looked at him, understanding that he was speaking to her, as there was no one else there. For the third time the man said:

“Vaugirard!”

Then she asked:

“Where are we?”

He answered gruffly:

“We're at Vaugirard, of course! I have been yelling it for the last half hour!”

“Is it far from the Boulevard?” she said.

“Which boulevard?”

“The Boulevard des Italiens.”

“We passed that a long time ago!”

“Would you mind telling my husband?”

“Your husband! Where is he?”

“On the top of the bus.”

“On the top! There hasn't been anybody there for a long time.”

She started, terrified.

“What? That's impossible! He got on with me. Look well! He must be there.”

The conductor was becoming uncivil:

“Come on, little one, you've talked enough! You can find ten men for every one that you lose. Now run along. You'll find another one somewhere.”

Tears were coming to her eyes. She insisted:

“But, monsieur, you are mistaken; I assure you that you must be mistaken. He had a big portfolio under his arm.”

The man began to laugh:

“A big portfolio! Oh, yes! He got off at the Madeleine. He got rid of you, all right! Ha! ha! ha!”

The stage had stopped. She got out and, in spite of herself, she looked up instinctively to the roof of the bus. It was absolutely deserted.

Then she began to cry, and, without thinking that anybody was listening or watching her, she said out loud:

“What is going to become of me?”

An inspector approached:

“What's the matter?”

The conductor answered, in a bantering tone of voice:

“It's a lady who got left by her husband during the trip.”

The other continued:

“Oh! that's nothing. You go about your business.”

Then he turned on his heels and walked away.

She began to walk straight ahead, too bewildered, too crazed even to understand what had happened to her. Where was she to go? What could she do? What could have happened to him? How could he have made such a mistake? How could he have been so forgetful?

She had two francs in her pocket. To whom could she go? Suddenly she remembered her cousin Barral, one of the assistants in the offices of the Ministry of the Navy.

She had just enough to pay for a cab. She drove to his house. He met her just as he was leaving for his office. He was carrying a large portfolio under his arm, just like Lebrument.

She jumped out of the carriage.

“Henry!” she cried.

He stopped, astonished:

“Jeanne! Here—all alone! What are you doing? Where have you come from?”

Her eyes full of tears, she stammered:

“My husband has just got lost!”

“Lost! Where?”

“On an omnibus.”

“On an omnibus?”

Weeping, she told him her whole adventure.

He listened, thought, and then asked:

“Was his mind clear this morning?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Did he have much money with him?”

“Yes, he was carrying my dowry.”

“Your dowry! The whole of it?”

“The whole of it—in order to pay for the practice which he bought.”

“Well, my dear cousin, by this time your husband must be well on his way to Belgium.”

She could not understand. She kept repeating:

“My husband—you say—”

“I say that he has disappeared with your—your capital—that's all!”

She stood there, a prey to conflicting emotions, sobbing.

“Then he is—he is—he is a villain!”

And, faint from excitement, she leaned her head on her cousin's shoulder and wept.

As people were stopping to look at them, he pushed her gently into the vestibule of his house, and, supporting her with his arm around her waist, he led her up the stairs, and as his astonished servant opened the door, he ordered:

“Sophie, run to the restaurant and get a luncheon for two. I am not going to the office to-day.

[gamenu]

         "You'll need to learn about how currency works while you're here, Naira." He chides softly, laying out several bills and change between them on the table. "Humans and other species made this their means of exchanging goods and services. You might be lucky enough to barter for things you might need here, but it's very rare to meet anyone who will let you have something for free."

          Ironically, this would be the third time he's given a lesson on currency to someone else. Normally he might ask something in exchange for such use of his time, but she had already done so much repair work around the dorm and the Lounge that the scales were beginning to feel... unbalanced, if he had to put a word to it. So he said nothing about favors or payment, making sure that he had her attention before continuing.

         "After all, crafting requires materials, yes? And some things you might not be able to forage for. Or, and I hope that this doesn't happen, what if one of your tools breaks and you can't repair it yourself? A smith who knows how to fix fairy tools would certainly charge you, or refuse to work on it unless you could pay them. Berries and treats don't cut it in that regard, I'm afraid. And..."

          Azul clicks his tongue sharply, narrowing his eyes at her in complete seriousness. "You deserve to be paid what you're worth, Naira. If you decide to clear a debt from the goodness of your own heart, that's one thing. But you'll only be taken advantage of in the long run if you take every project for free. Much as it's useful, as your... fellow associate, it would be a shame to see you burnt out and upset."

                                                  -- @mostrohost

          The pout on her face was hard to miss. Not because Azul sought to teach her, but rather because she still didn't see a point to currency. Why perform a service for paper and metal, only to then use it to give someone else a service? Especially when they can just do the things for each other!

          Was it really that rare for Clumsies to just. . .do things for each other?

          Why are they so weird? The more Naira learns about them, the stranger they get. Despite her growing fondness, the confusion seems to be matching that in spades.

          Still, Azul is trying to do her a kindness. With this whole thing of exchange, maybe she should do something nice for him in return.

          So it's along with his initial questions that she nods. Naira is aware that people ask for currency for their things. It's why she prefers foraging. . .but he's right. Not all the time will it be available. And her tools. . .Naira loved her tools! Her first hammer was by far one of her greatest treasures. That feeling she got from finishing her first project, the joy she had when others told her 'good job'. She can't imagine her tools breaking, she takes such good care of them, the memories they hold! How they fit perfectly in her grip when she's working!

          Getting someone to fix them would be imperative to her. And. . .he's right. It would be easy for someone to take advantage of her in those situations. As well as taking advantage of her good nature and desire to just craft and enjoy what she does. While she's had burn out at least once here at NRC, she hated the feeling. All the fairy did was spend an entire day sleeping, and then the next in solitude until she could look at her projects again.

          Azul was trying to help prevent that, and that was very nice of him. Still, asking for currency for her work just felt so foreign and weird. It was going to be hard to do. Her wings droop in a mixture of confusion and mild worry. "So. . .wha' do you think I should do then, Azul? So I don't burn out?"

[strigwrites]

Prompt #25: Wizen (Gwendolyn)

I spent my enlistment scrimping so the coin I made could pay for my mother's peace of mind in my absence. It repaired shutters and storm-battered shingles, it kept her icebox filled (after it bought the icebox, itself), but it couldn't stop the creep of time that stole her youth so gradually, the realization struck remarkably late. It seems it was only overnight that she shrank in my embrace, a slight frame of skin and bone. Had she always struggled to her feet out of the recliner that way? Had she always been so fragile when my memory of her was so sturdy, so unflappable? I took account of the time I'd spent away and simply couldn't make it add up. Nevertheless, it was so: my mother the mortal, revealed to me like a cold slap across the face.

I had visions of building her the ranch she dreamed of, Eorzea's first and only horse breeder tucked in the supple hills of Vylbrand. I pictured this sun-baked woman forced to sea by circumstance allowed to finally feel the glide of flight not from a water-sailing ship holding her hostage, but from the warm back of a gentle mammoth inside her own fences. I wanted this more than I wanted my own life and I made my heart a shrine to Mother, I vowed to patch her through this ultimate gift that would surely undo what had been etched into her through the hardships she didn't deserve. I spent this currency in deeds of daring, I used it to propel myself harder and higher than my peers. It carried me into burning buildings and sinking ships, it cradled me when I bled out and rocked me through strange fevers and foreign ills. The coin from my heroics stacked, but the curse would not abate; the more I saved, the older she became.

With perseverance, I earned a reputation to match the protagonist's name I'd given myself when Gemma Gardener needed to be left back in La Noscea: Gwendolyn Hightower, a knight's mantle, a moniker worthy of a paladin's righteous heart like the books I'd loved. It only took a few years for my ascending star to reach a burning zenith, but far below I continued to fall short. The costs of importing these four-legged creatures from the east was galling enough, but then came the land, the materials needed to feed and keep them, the veterinarian care for rare livestock. And then there were the hired hands who had to have familiarity with these exotic things, specialists in their own right, and they had the price tag to match. The hits just kept coming: the taxes, the tariffs, the equipment, the upkeep, and by the time I had it all added up in a notebook that looked as ragged as I felt, the death blow came. The coup de grâce was delivered in the form of the cost of caring for my mother, herself.

Try as I might, years of malnutrition and hardship could not be reversed by my devotion. The hard living we'd done had given her aches beyond measure, but she endured them with a stoic front until they formed an anchor of wasting that quietly dragged her under. I hired caretakers when she fell with the naive certainty it was only a temporary measure until she regained her usual strength. She hid her unhealing wounds, her swollen feet. The quilts she covered herself in masked the weight she'd shed, and the nurses complained only of her bitter tongue that even ailing health couldn't dull, a deceptive lucidity that belied the impending curtain drop. I couldn't have known -- could I? Or was it my own fastidious fixation with some stupid, symbolic gesture that made me blind to it? I held onto this fruitless drive to provide her with one last joy until it was wrested from my hands by death, itself.

It was with those empty hands that I took up a shovel and dug my mother's grave in the clearing where I once pictured handing her the lead rope to a gleaming black cob. When I still had hope, I read scores of books about the horses of the near and far east, from the rare Taishu on the miniature islands dotting the Ruby Sea to the proud Kathiawari warhorses of Thavnair, and even spent a summer in the stables of a Doman rancher after the liberation to prepare myself to help her. What do I do with these leavings now? Where does this unspent love go when the recipient ceases to exist? The neighbors who had watched me grow came to pay their respects, aunties and uncles who didn't look at me like a hero, but the wayward pirate child they helped to raise. You were her treasure. She was so proud of you, Gem. She didn't know how to say it, but you were the light of her life.

Brother Leon didn't arrive until long after the mourners emptied the yard, having traveled from overseas on leave from his tour. He read the eulogy he'd written himself on the voyage back while I emptied shovels of dirt over her simple wooden casket and cried the first tears I could muster since I heard the news. When the final scoop was laid into place, her neglected spirit's only caretakers held each other with one arm and shared a nip of whiskey with the other.

[myotherhalfsworld]

THE BEST MARRIAGE ADVICE EVER!

Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment, not a feeling.

Always answer the phone when your husband/wife is calling and when possible, try to keep your phone off when you’re together with your spouse.

Make time together a priority. Budget for a consistent date night. Time is the “currency of relationships” so consistently invest time into your marriage.

Surround yourself with friends who will strengthen your marriage and remove yourself from people who may tempt you to compromise your character.

Make laughter the soundtrack of your marriage. Share moments of joy, and even in the hard times, find reasons to laugh.

In every argument, remember that there won’t be a “winner” and a “loser.” You are partners in everything so you’ll either win together or lose together. Work together to find a solution.

Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. It’s usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak.Prioritize what happens in the bedroom. It takes more than sex to build a strong marriage, but it’s nearly impossible to build a strong marriage without it!

Remember that marriage isn’t 50-50, divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100-100. It’s not splitting everything in half, but both partners giving everything they’ve got!

Give your best to each other, not your leftovers after you’ve given your best to everyone else.

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone else’s. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Don’t put your marriage on hold while you’re raising your kids or else you’ll end up with an empty nest and an empty marriage.

Never keep secrets from each other. Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy.

Never lie to each other. Lies break trust and trust is the foundation of a strong marriage.

When you’ve made a mistake, admit it and humbly seek forgiveness. You should be quick to say, “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

When your husband/wife breaks your trust, give them your forgiveness instantly which will promote healing and create the opportunity for trust to be rebuilt. You should be quick to say, “I love you. I forgive you. Let’s move forward.”

Be patient with each other. Your spouse is always more important that your schedule.

Model the kind of marriage that will make your sons want to grow up to be good husbands and your daughters want to grow up to be good wives.

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone Else. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or vent about them online. Protect your spouse at all times and in all places.

Always wear your wedding ring. It will remind you that you’re always connected to your spouse and it will remind the rest of the world that you’re off limits!

Connect into a community of faith. A good church can make a world of difference in your marriage and family.

Pray together. Every marriage is stronger with God in the middle of it.

When you have to choose between saying nothing or saying something mean to your spouse, say nothing every time!

Never consider divorce as an option. Remember that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each .

Writer : Unknown

Credit: Stocksy United via Pinterest

#MarriageAdvice #LoveAdvice #Married #WeddingInspirationsandPreparations #love #pagibig #kasal #forever #forgiveness #couple #divorce #husbandandwife #relationshipmatters #MagAsawa

[silverneelsenmuseum]

Review: Lost in Random

The giant hand attack should collide with itself into a big clap attack that instant kills anything in the collision zone. Story’s great though.

 The first few hours in Lost in Random are the most excited I’ve ever been playing a completely blind playthrough of a game I just happened to pick out of my steam recommendations. The combat system is completely unique and the world is a joy just to explore. Every NPC is worth talking to, and every minute you want to just look around and gaze at the environment. But as I got further in, I just started to dread combat encounters and was a little picky with what side quests I actually pursued.

 LiR’s combat/card draw system is a fantastic concept. Every other implantation of real-time combat with deckbuilding rarely goes deeper into feeling like a card game than just having weapons and equipment represented as pieces of paper, that you might get randomly through some rouge-lite system. But in LiR you are firing at weak points and precision dodging attacks to actually draw a selection of cards from your customized deck. Then you toss your dice buddy to determine how many points you can actually spend on your cards. This first card draw and dice roll sets the tempo of the rest of the battle. You can play a weapon card that equips your character with brittle equipment that lets you directly attack enemies, or a hazard card that will let you place something on the field that will passively damage enemies for you. While the system of randomly drawing cards and having to manage your card’s costs are pleasant replications of table top TCG systems, what I found lacking was the actual amount of cards to experiment with, and synergies between cards. Most cards do have rewards for double-drawing them, weapons get a damage bonus and reset their durability, multiple bomb hazards in the field will set each other off, and buffs/debuffs have their timer extended. But there’s few real combo strategies to build, you wouldn’t be at much of a disadvantage for letting the game select your cards at random. The card pool also has “Cheat” cards that enable you to play higher cost cards more often but the more creative choices in this category are rendered irrelevant by the boring “0 cost draw 1″ and “1 cost, all other cards cost 1 less” staples you get very early in the game. The bombs and turrets are fun at first, but the reliable options of the higher cost weapons and high damage crystal-breaking debuff quickly become the best options at swiftly ending the repetitive combat encounters of  enemies that either slowly walk towards you or fire at you from a distance.  The feeling of progression suffers greatly as a symptom of the meager and unbalanced card pool, by the time I was halfway through the story I had perfected my deck and unlocked all the cards in the game for purchase, leaving the main quest and side stories only gameplay reward being duplicate cards or currency I wasn’t going to spend. For some side quests talking to the characters was it’s own reward, but when an NPC in the final town cried “Have you seen my missing book?” I kept following the main quest marker without hesitation.   The story itself and the performances of the voice actors is mostly worth fighting through the the repetitive combat encounters, but the final act was a bit too fast and predictable for me. I’ve purposefully given no details on the whole thing because I do think it’s worth seeing for yourself, but I have to get this off my chest: It was a bit shocking to me for a game that came out as recent as late 2021 would just have you beat the shit out a character you’re trying to call back from the dark side like you would any other boss. We’ve had enough RPGs about forgiveness and redemption where I shouldn’t be wailing on my sister with a hammer until her healthbar is depleted, immediately followed by a cutscene where she’s normal again. I don’t care if it’s derivative of other indie games I demand my ludonarritive to be harmonious instead of dissonant.

[tonkidenver]

Latinum conversion

LATINUM CONVERSION UPGRADE

LATINUM CONVERSION FULL

The conversion process produces ship parts for the Ferengi DVor as a.

LATINUM CONVERSION UPGRADE

So, if you need just a few G3 materials to finally upgrade that module or station component and don't want to wait for your refinery to produce it, consider converting a bigger batch of latinum as it will be worth more in the long run in terms of material output. About Us Stfc latinum refiningAbout Fleet Latinum Refinery Command Raw Star Trek. From 100 or more materials, your cost is 40% of your output (ie. at 1k and more every lat buys you 2.5 commons and is constant. between 100-999 the rate gets better the more you buy. Gold nanoplates exhibit 68.5 photothermal conversion efficiency and peroxidase-like activity, and AuNPTs (50 g mL1)/H2O2 (0.1 mM)/NIR (1 W cm2, 3 min) show excellent synergistic antibacterial ability and promote MRSA-infected wound healing in vivo. return to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun after all these years, and we hope that we were able to convert that joy into this standalone expansion. at 10k or more ship xp the rate remains constant at 50xp per lat. The screenshot from Excel shows the best guess given the data points I've given it. for ship xp the rate is different upto a bulk of 9999. Exchange Cardano to Bitcoin Latinum with beneficial rate using our website or app Fast transactions ADA to LTNM exchange with low fee Choice between. The TLDR version is that if you are trying to convert for 99 G3 materials or less, the cost of how much latinum it requires follows a different scale than if you were converting latinum for 100 G3 materials or more.įor the first scale, the latinum cost is computed with a logarithmic equation. I finally had enough of a data set where I plotted it out in Excel, and boy were the results interesting. So for the past few weeks, I've been filling my phone with screenshots of Latinum to Material conversion dialog boxes. The LTNM conversion factor has 6 significant digits.So the costs of latinum to convert into G3 materials (gas, crystal, and ore are all the same mathematically) for upgrades was weighing on me, because they seemed so inconsistent. The BTC conversion factor has 12 significant digits. The exchange rate for the Bitcoin Latinum was last updated on 11:17 PM from The International Monetary Fund. The exchange rate for the Bitcoin was last updated on 11:17 PM from Latinum is a rare silver liquid used as currency by the Ferengi Alliance and many other worlds. Bitcoin Latinum prices in other currencies are based on their corresponding USD exchange rates. The symbol for Bitcoin Latinum can be written with LTNM. Bitcoin Latinum price conversions on CoinCarp The current market price of Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM) is updated every 1 minutes and is automatically sourced in USD. Need to convert 1 GPL to USD Or 100 USD to GPL with accurate, real-time prices Try our Gold Pressed Latinum to United States Dollar currency conversion & calculator. The symbol for Bitcoin can be written with BTC. They can then be converted to Gold Pressed Latinum. Reversed rate: Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM) to Bitcoin (BTC). Your first step will always be buying Bitcoins or Ethereum with your credit card. This currency converter is up to date with exchange rates from 11:17 PM. Moreover, we have added the list of the other popular conversions for 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC). We are providing BTC to LTNM converter tool with real-time online exchange rate calculator. You can also bid higher or lower than the bid.

LATINUM CONVERSION FULL

In the last step, access the BTC /LTNM or LTNM / BTC to buy Bitcoin Latinum with ask price (buy price) or sell BTC at bid price, after a few seconds wallet Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM) will be full of coins. This page provides the exchange rate of 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) to Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM), sale and conversion rate. Go to Wallet / Deposit & Widthrawal section You will see the following icon. Selling 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) you get 2,606.91 Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM) at 11:17 PM. You can convert Bitcoin to other currencies from the drop down list. We have added the most popular Fiat Currencies and Crypto Currencies for our Calculator/Converter. BeInCrypto is currently using the following exchange rate 0. 0.5 Bitcoin is equal to 2,606.91 Bitcoin Latinum. The conversion value for 1 GOLD PRESSED LATINUM to 0 USD.

[retronamic]

Arcane Women's (Special) Love Languages

By "special" I mean outside the general love languages like physical touch or gift giving

Tw: Sevika testing your faith

Gender Neutral! Reader

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Г Vi |

- Vi is in general just a loving partner. They love everything about you, and absolutely can't get enough of you. You tell her multiple times that she reminds you of a lil puppy dog- I mean you're not far off. Just like a puppy, she loves cuddles, attention and biting...yup....biting.

- Later down in your relationship, you notice Vi started nipping at you every now and then. Like just out of the blue. Doing dishes? Expect her to sneak a chomp of your shoulder. Lying down watching tv? Boom! She bit your tummy. One time she snuck into the bathroom while you were showering a bit your butt. Let's just say she got a face full of loofah that day.

- You don't know why she does it honestly. I mean at first it was kinda annoying buttttt you got use to it since, one, she never bites to hurt you and if she does, she releases an avalanche of kisses on you to make for it (it always does work). And two, you find it kinda fun ngl.

- It's especially fun when you catch Vi trying to sneak up on you, and it turns into a chase around the house. "AAAahha Viiiii- Bad Vi hahahaha. Someone helpppaahahhaa *gasp* Put me downnnahaha-" You put up a good fight soldier, but be real you never stood a chance.

- And sometimes out of the blue, you like to return the favor. On rare occasions, you bite her back. Like that one time you bit her back on the neck andddddd....things ended quite differently than you expected ;)

Г Sevika |

- If there's one thing Sevika lovesss is fucking with people. Like sure, alcohol, sex and cigarettes are cool butttt have you truly felt all the joys of life if you haven't purposefully messed with someone.

- Sevika likes to mess with you in numerous ways, she doesn't do it to piss you off, she knowssss not to cross that line. More or less, she does it to watch you get either confused or to poke the bear a bit but not wake it up, yk?

- Sometimes she would ask the dumbest questions, obviously she knows the answer to but she just can't get enough of the "Wtf did you just ask?" face you make when she does. "Hey baby, don't you think it's dumb that countries go broke. Like if you're a nation with your own currency...just make more and boom problem solved. Like what do you meannnn you're broke?" .... Just hearing her say that, you started to question whether should have flirted back the day you met, cause whoooo the fu-

- "Well I meannnn inflatation isss a thing Sev, and nooo it's not as simple as print more mone-" "Well...inflatation is dumb" That's it. You spent the next thirty minutes explaining to her the concept of inflalation and shit and it wasn't until she cracked and chuckled a bit, you realized she was fuckin with you the whole time.

- "Wowwww Sev, ugh you're so annoying, you know that? No no no kisses, you made me spend at least a god damn hour explaining this shi- *Mwah* Go awayyyy ahhahaha" It's so hard for you to stay mad at this woman.

Г Grayson |

- Grayson does have some of the general love languages has her dominant ones like physical touch ansd acts of service. But there is one odd thing she does for people she especially loves- nicknames.

- Yup, nicknames. You never pegged her as the type since in general she is a serious, by the book person, so you were kinda taken aback when she called up her "little dandelion" like ma'am what did you do to deserve thatttt (imagine her voice saying that....imma fold in two on the spot)

- She gives you different ones every now and then, she likes to spice it up every now and then. And she normally comes up with them according to your mood or what your wearing. "Little snap dragon" when your mad or annoyed, or "Rosebud" when your in something red, or "Dew drop" when you need some cheering up. (I'm pulling out all the cheesy ones)

- You sometimes give her some nicknames too, as a way to reciprocate the gesture...but yours need some work. Let's us say call her "Pookie Butt" is something she's never gonna let you live down.

Г Ambessa |

- Ambessa isn't an overly affectionate person, in terms of cuddling and being touchy. Though she loves being close to you and having you near, she's not one to snuggle up to you so easily. But overtime you both found a way for you two to be touchy without making Ambessa unconfortable... play fighting.

- Tell me, no TELL ME that this woman wouldn't pick you up and pretend like this is the WWE... I'll wait.

- Now when she does this, she is veryyyy mindful of the size and strength difference, she knows that she can easily break your spine if she isn't careful, you find that both terrifying and exciting.

- Most of the time, you intiate the play fights, normally ends with you fake begging for mercy as you're thrown over shoulder and she walks over to the bed to drop you on it to do her "finishing move". The weight crusher.

- This is where she just plops on you, which throws both of you into a giggling fit as you try to worm your way out while swearing revenge.

Sevika prompt brought to you by my dumb ass friend @slendy-io4. And yes I think inflatation is dumb

And no I didn't proofread cuz I'm lazy asf. Enjoyyyy my lovelies!!!!!

[shushiyuii]

Here is a writing request! I hope you have fun with it! You can put noms in if you want to! :D : Giant warden hybrid Wilbur lives very deep underground and is very lonely. He meets a lost avian hybrid named Phil and decides to help him out of the cave system. When they get out Wilbur is sad that Phil has to go. Phil then decides its time to adopt another child and brings Wil with him home to a surprised Techno and Tommy.

AAAAAA I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! THANK YOU ANON! I DID HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH IT and may also have gone a bit crazy with it? lol

(I didn't include Nom's in this story but if you ever wish for a part two with noms or anything i'd be more than happy too!)

Warnings: Injury, (Maybe some heavy subjects such as a child being lonely)

Words: 2.6K+

He doesn’t remember his younger days; he honestly couldn’t be sure who he was or how he even came into existence. One thing for sure was sounds, the tapping of a spider’s legs, creepers occasional hissing, skeleton’s bones rattling and a zombie’s growls.

It was always so dark, he’d seen the light of lava, sometimes even the light of day but the sky was always so high, so out of reach. And he couldn’t quite fit into the cave systems to find a way, so he was stuck.

He’s alone, he hates it. It’s too dark.

…

Phil flew high above the clouds in laughter, it’d been a while since he’d gone out on an adventure. Well, if you counted a much-needed mining trip of coal, iron, and such. But it was nice to be out of the house for once, especially with the kids out of the way.

Not in a bad sense though, he loved his kids but sometimes things were so busy he couldn’t keep track of things. Raising a toddler and a somewhat crazy child is well chaotic.

His two kids, Techno and Tommy. Techno had been adopted by Phil a bit early on, when Phil first met his now-wife, Kristin. He found Techno on the streets of a village, trying to fend off bandits. Phil’s fatherly instincts kicked in, a thing he’d always had and couldn’t help but take the boy in. Much to his reluctance.

Techno grew up with Phil and is now a very healthy and happy 11-year-old, and then there’s Tommy. The most recent member of the family, his little bundle of joy of about 3 years old, Techno found it odd being an older brother, he still does but he copes.

The feeling of his feathers swaying, his hair blowing, him having to attempt to keep his hat on every second, he missed this feeling. He was glad he just managed to find a babysitter since their mother was currently out on ‘business terms’.

…

The vibrant blue sky, below the loving shades of green passing with every flap of his wings. He wondered if his wife was watching over him, with her being a god and all.

He was happy how life was currently going as of late, he only hoped that fate had a good future ahead of him.

He shook himself out of his thoughts as he finally arrived at the destination. He had been well prepared for this trip; it was a mine that he’d been wanting to adventure for ever so long. He could tell there was something about it, something special.

And judging by the vibrant minerals just shining from the sunlight of the entrance, something told him there was more than just iron and coal in this cave, perhaps something more valuable, diamonds.

…

He wasn’t sure how long it’d been, but it had been a long time, he had quite a bit of iron, coal. But not only that gold and emeralds, a valuable currency. He wouldn’t have to worry about mining with the number of minerals he now had. Not only that but diamonds could be used to create powerful weapons.

He knew Techno would be happy, he’d always loved shiny things. Probably due to his Piglin features. And he could make Kristin some beautiful jewellery. It made him happy to say that his family was going to be good for a good while.

…

He picked up different noises, it was odd to hear such things. He could hear strange padding noises, perhaps some creature moving? Not only that but he heard the breaking of stone, which was a rare sound in his caves.

It was somewhat crazy to think something else could be coming closer to him, to hurt him. He knew he was strong not he didn’t even know If he was as strong as the outside monsters.

He wasn’t sure how he came to be in this world, he was always so alone. But sometimes the vines would speak to him, telling him of things like a place called the surface, which was colourful and bright.

…

The breaking of stone could be heard again, it only got louder and louder every minute. Whatever was making those sounds had found him and was coming for him. His antennae twitched anxiously; he was scared he didn’t want to die.

His claws bared as he readied his sharp teeth, he scanned for wherever the sound was coming from and waited to attack.

…

He panted as he broke at the stone, it’d been a while since he’d done so much mining, he was much out of shape. He had no idea where he currently was, he was long lost in this cave with no way of finding his way back. Despite the torches, he had no lead to where he came.

He was now trying to mine into the walls, hoping to find another branch of the cave that would finally lead him to a way to the surface. After the struggles of breaking through the wall for however long, he finally found another branch of the cave.

Big mistake as the first step he took into this cave, there was a loud crashing sound. Something had tried to hurt him, and he barely dodged it, the ceiling of the cave barely supported the impact, rubble falling from the ceiling.

He readied his sword for battle as he ran to behind a rock for cover. Something that caused that impact was definitely big, like strangely big. Not only that but the cave was one of the darkest caves he’d ever seen, the only light being from his torch.

He had no idea of where if he was honest, he couldn’t even tell if he was hiding properly. Anything could creep upon him at the current moment, it was oddly quiet, the only sound being his heartbeat.

…

He heard a strange growl behind him, it scared him with how deep and shallow it sounded, definitely a monster. Hesitantly he turned to the right, and right there was the monster staring right at him. But the monster flinched back when Phil turned around, the bright light in the monster’s face.

It seemed to hurt its eyes as he held his eyes and stumbled back in pain, from what he saw he saw about four eyes, antennae, and dark greenish-blue skin, with some light green bioluminescence that reacted to light. It appeared to be a Warden, a creature Phil had read about.

A creature of great mystery, one that mostly relied on sound, one that could communicate with plants. It was an odd creature, but the thing is about this Warden. It had a set of hair, not only that but it looked a lot more humanoid than what he’d seen drawn of the creatures.

It looked rather young too… No! No fatherly instincts! Monster?...

…

He winced in pain and stepped back from the strange being, he hadn’t seen light in quite some time. This thing was nothing like he’d ever before. He had never seen such a strange light. It hurt. This thing was strong if the creature had that then it could definitely kill him.

It came prepared.

“Hello?” it spoke. His eyes dilated as he scanned for the light, he saw it move around. He could see the creature’s confused features. It seemed almost scared itself, not only that but concerned. Something he wasn’t quite familiar with.

He was surprised by the fact that he could understand the creature, it was an oddly familiar language. “Hello?”, he replied with hesitance. He was scared that the monster’s features would change, and the creature would attack him.

“Oh! You talk? Good, because I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding!”. The creature made a strange sound, but seemed relieved and happy? Laughter?

“Sorry about the light, I didn’t realise it’d hurt you, my name is Phil. How about you?”

“What’s a name?”

“Oh? You don’t have one, well I guess a way to describe it would be a sort of title, something people can call you to identify you from others!”.

“… I don’t have one?”.

…

The creature- Phil had come closer, more friendly than before. No weapons, a smile. The once bright light is now dim, more adjustable.

“Well, if you don’t have a name. How about we give you one?”.

“Okay…”.

“Hmm… You look like a.. A Wilbur!”.

“Wilbur?”.

“That’s your name! Wilbur! Do you like it”.

“It sounds nice. I like it!”.

A name? It sounded nice, it made him feel unique, different from others…

…

“Well, Wilbur. Do you think you could help me?”, “How?”. “Well, you see I’m kind of stuck here. I don’t know my way out.”.

“Where do you want to go?”, “The surface.”.

…

“The surface?”, “Yeah! I need to get home!”. “Home?”, “Yeah, it’s where I live with my family!”, “Family?”, “A group of people who are very important to me, I have to get home or my sons, I don’t know what will happen.”, “Okay. I’ll help.”.

Wilbur lent his hand, confused Phil just stared at it. But Wilbur just ended up scooping up Phil and standing up, wandering through the caves.

“So, you live in these caves?”, “Mhm”, “Aren’t you lonely?”, “… Yeah…”.

“How old are you?”, “I don’t know, they say I’m a youngling…”.

…

Phil’s fatherly instincts kicked in, a kid on his own in a fucking cave system? No fucking way. He had no choice; his mind was already made up. This kid was now his, he now wanted nothing more than to smother this boy in the love he never had, care for Wilbur. Like how he met Techno.

The two ventured the caves for a while, surprisingly no mobs. The two at this point had spoken for a while and gotten to know each other a small bit, Wilbur seemed fairly interested in his family too! So, it made him happy to think that he’d achieved a new son!

But he spoke a little too soon, a loud bang frightened Wilbur. Wilbur jumped back and dropped Phil from a height. Phil landed with an oof and looked back at Wilbur who was now crouching in fear, immediately he ran over to comfort the boy despite his aching leg.

“Hey, hey. Wil, it’s alright, it was just a creeper.”. He ran his hand over the boy’s own hand, “I-I, it was loud...”, “I know, I know. But it’s okay! It’s not gonna hurt you anymore mate! I’ll protect you!”.

…

He released his hold on his eyes and looked down to Phil… Protect? As in guard him? Phil’s eyes were enough to reassure him, it brought him comfort despite the small time of knowing him, he’d never known such a kind person before.

He picked up on a sound, the tugging of string. Phil didn’t seem to hear it as he was concentrating on him. He looked back to see a skeleton aiming an arrow at Phil. Scared, he quickly brought Phil to his chest as the skeleton shot the arrow.

Phil screamed but immediately calmed as he heard the arrow hit the ground, realizing that Wilbur had only been protecting him. He smiled and looked back furiously at the skeleton.

He reached for his sword and despite his aching leg, wiggled out of Wilbur’s hold and sliced the skeleton in half, its remains turning to dust and bones. He looked back to Wilbur, “You okay, mate?”.

“I’m fine! How about you? You’re walking differently.”. “Ah, I’m fine mate. My leg just hurts a bit!”. “Hurts? As in pain?”, “Yeah? Wh-“.

Phil was cut off when Wilbur brought him back to his chest, standing up and continuing their adventure to the surface. Being sure Phil was secure in his hold, not wanting to bring any more pain to this man.

…

A bright light could be seen in the distance, “Hey Wil! I think that’s the surface!”. Wilbur looked over in the direction of the light, he winced slightly but his eyes adjusted as he made way to the light.

Once they were outside, Phil took a good breath of fresh air. Wilbur copied, confused as to why and surprised with how fresh the air felt in his lungs. It was refreshing.

“Wil! We’re outside! Thank you so much!”

“It’s nothing but…”

“Hmm, what’s wrong?”.

“Where do I go now?...”

“We can go to my place if you want, you can meet Tommy and stuff.”.

“Really?”.

“Of course, Wilbur!”.

Phil then flew upwards and directed Wilbur to follow him, along the way Wilbur would get distracted by the views and greenery. Phil was more than happy to wait for the boy.

Now that he thought about it, he had a clearer view of Wilbur, who was definitely a lot more humanoid than he first thought, perhaps he was a hybrid of sorts? Only time could tell.

But at the break of dawn, Phil arrived home as was greeted by a worried Technoblade running towards him, a Tommy trying to follow behind him, wanting his father’s hold.

“Techno! Tommy! Are you guys okay?”. “Dad! Where have you been?”.

The worried words of his son and the rambling of his toddler were enough to make him scoop them up in his arms and cover them in kisses. Which seemed to cheer the two up.

But all hell broke loose when Techno stared up at Wilbur, he stood in front of Phil to protect him. “Who are you?!”, “Techno! Calm down! This is Wilbur! Your brother!”, “Brother?! Really Dad?!”, “Yes really”.

…

Despite the reluctance, Techno grew used to his new sibling, so did Tommy who seemed to really like Wilbur. Not only that but Kristin was more than happy to have Wilbur adopted into the family, and that’s how Wilbur joined the family.

… Bonus …

“Bitch!”

“Oi, don’t use those words, Tommy!”.

Tommy was now about 5 years old, a very clingy 5-year-old. One who never left Wilbur alone, not that Wilbur hated it, he loved his younger brother a lot. It was just sometimes he could be quite annoying.

“Wilby! I want cuddles!”. His antennae twitched as he closed his four eyes, pinching his nose to be as dramatic as possible and let out a long sigh, “Finee!” he dragged out. Tommy’s excitement as he ran to grab blankets was more than enough to make him smile.

Wilbur sat down against the wall as Tommy dragged pillows and blankets against the floor, the things being double his height and dragging behind him. Then made his way to throw the pillows at him and attempting to climb onto his lap.

He failed multiple times, “Wil! Help me!”. Finally with the help of Wilbur’s claw he adjusted and cuddled within Wilbur’s hold.

“Tell me that story again!”, “The one about the civilization and the brothers?”, “Yeah!”.

Wilbur laughed, “Okay!”.

Within 5 minutes of the story, Tommy had fallen asleep, so Wilbur changed to a simple lullaby whilst playing with his baby brothers’ hair. Something precious, something he’d always protect.

“Got room for one more?”, Techno stood there in his crowned PJs, who seemed barely functioning, his blanket and pillow dragging behind him. Usually, he’d never do such a day but today seemed to be an exception. “Of course Tech!”.

The three then fell asleep together.

…

“Awwhh! Look at them Phil!”, Kristin whispered as she peered into the room of her son’s bedroom. Phil giggled, “I know! I’m glad I have such a good family”.

Within the palm of her hand, he laid. Thankfully for them, Kristin was a giant, so the house was already pretty adaptable for Wilbur. She placed a kiss on his forehead. “Love you, hun!”, “Love you too!”.

[katsidhe]

You were fishing, so I will oblige you (also I'm really curious) - board games for those double date nights?

Fishing?? Me? Nnnnever! .......anyways here are some board games headcanons

Lucifer wants to rub his strategic brilliance in everyone’s face, most importantly Michael’s. He is dead serious about playing every game perfectly. 

Sam, naturally, is implicitly required to match that energy. Sam’s strategies are based nearly exclusively on beating Lucifer: he is sometimes rewarded for winning, and, more crucially, he does not want to be accused of lackluster effort. Plus it’s fun to succeed at something. 

It’s very rare that Lucifer will retaliate against Sam for strategic choices, unless he’s in an exceptionally bad mood. Fair play is fair play. Accordingly, Sam takes a certain spiteful joy in doing anything he can to piss Lucifer off in-game. Which isn’t to say Sam is totally safe: cheating, not trying hard enough, or making an exceptionally stupid move are all punishable offenses.

Michael has tunnel vision on playing the “right” way regardless of what the other players are doing, which means his plans, while optimized circumstantially, are extremely inflexible, utterly predictable, and dreadful in games involving a lot of variation and player interaction. 

Adam.... is very uncomfortable with the energy we’ve created in the studio. He barely understands the rules, gets stressed out by competition (not to mention by Sam and Lucifer in general), and is more than happy to come in fourth place. 

Lucifer wins 85% of strategy games, followed by Sam at about 10% through sheer grit, and Michael at about 5%. It’s a cold day in Hell when Adam wins. When luck is involved, things even out a bit, but Lucifer is always the odds-on favorite. Which is probably good for everyone, because Lucifer definitely cares the most. 

Terra Mystica: Lucifer plays as Chaos Magicians (likes spamming favor tiles) or Cultists (ditto for religion). Depending on what Lucifer chooses, Sam plays as Engineers or Nomads, generally with the goal of expanding his buildings as quickly as possible in order to ruin Lucifer’s towns. There is a lot of hate-drafting going on here. Michael generally picks Darklings (priests ftw!); Adam has only ever played Witches, and he’s keeping it that way, thanks. 

7 Wonders: Sam focuses on blue buildings and hate-drafting the science buildings that Lucifer wants. Lucifer prefers science and military to the slow slog of construction. Michael really likes getting all the resources in the early game, but the guilds he wants to build late game are inevitably snatched up before he gets them. Adam... is dreadful at this one. He just tries and often fails to complete his wonder. 

Monopoly: finally a game Adam is halfway decent at! Michael refuses on principle to trade with either Lucifer or Sam, and usually winds up dead last because of it. Adam has the distinct advantage that everyone is willing to trade with him--which means that Adam is, for once, a favorite for at least second place, generally ending up fighting it out with whichever of Sam or Lucifer managed to survive long enough. Sam and Lucifer have the nasty inclination to make high-stakes trades (involving, shall we say, bodily harm); Michael usually makes token protest on the grounds that involving non-game currency is cheating, which Lucifer overrules. 

Catan: same trading dilemmas as Monopoly, but Adam is disinterested enough in the strategy that he winds up last anyway. Sam goes for Largest Army and development card wins, which work better for him than flat strategy due to the increased element of luck; Lucifer goes for Longest Road. 

RISK: Sam’s gambit is nearly always to try to cultivate an alliance with Adam. This is situationally successful, but often Adam would prefer to be left out of it, thanks. Michael and Lucifer, naturally, ally with no one. 

Evolution: Michael goes for an all-herbivore build and gets surprised and frustrated every time when he runs out of plants. Lucifer and Sam both run highly optimized carnivore builds--Lucifer is focused on taking apart Michael’s defenses, and Sam has at least one intelligent carnivore to try to screw over Lucifer. Adam sticks to one species the entire game.  

Coup: Michael is usually dreadful at lying, so the few times he manages to pull off a bluff shock everyone. Lucifer is unsurprisingly adept. This is probably Sam’s worst and most frustrating game--it’s more or less impossible for him to get away with a lie while Lucifer’s still in, and that restricts his options severely. Adam sometimes pulls off a few wins because Lucifer doesn’t know him all that well. 

Diplomacy: Lucifer likes lots of games, but Diplomacy might be his favorite. He goes for the long con, every single time.

Sagrada: What Michael chooses whenever it’s his turn to pick. He likes playing solitaire with windows, okay?? 

Twilight Imperium: What Sam chooses whenever it’s his turn to pick, because it’s the longest goddamn game he can think of. 

Pandemic: Adam chose Pandemic once, in the vain hope that a cooperative game would make the Sam-Lucifer-Michael trifecta more bearable. It... did not.  

Candyland: What Adam chooses whenever it’s his turn to pick. Everyone, including Adam, loathes it; Adam takes perverse joy in this. 

[cybernaght]

Guardian rewatch: episode 12

We start the episode in the Snake Tribe territory, which is supposedly still somewhere within the confines of the Dragon City. It is baffling that it took citizens of this place so long to figure out that there are mysterious beings and demi-humans living among them, it truly is.

While the scene is mostly centred around the conflict between Zhu Hong and her tribe, and the ominous warning of the war brewing, it also does a really lovely joy of showcasing, yet again, the fierce loyalty not only she, but Guo Changcheng have to the SID. This boy remains the most precious muffin of a human.

At the SID, Sang Zan is learning to write under a loving watchful eye Wang Zheng. The once fierce and ruthless warlord is now the softest archivist. On a separate note, I am not sure how good of an archivist he might be considering that he is evidently illiterate.

Anyway, it’s heart-warming to see those two happy together. I sure hope nothing terrible happens to them in the future.

Our actual power couple, on the other hand, have done a full reversal into the relationship they had in the beginning; only it’s somehow even worse now. Shen Wei, who properly messed his cover up during the last adventure, has his guard up as he is being questioned in relation to a case. Zhao Yunlan, who grew to see this man as a friend and partner, is no longer amused by secrets, nor intrigued by them. He is now furious at their existence, upset at what he must perceive as lack of trust on Shen Wei’s part.

Shen Wei serves Zhao Yunlan a cup of tea with a side order of avoidance, hoping that by ignoring the subject of himself it will go away.

When in the previous scenes together they were always across the desk from each other, or next to each other, leaning in closely, body language open, there is now a rift between them. It’s awkward; neither of the men want to be here, but their needs are the opposite to each other, and neither of them are willing to back down.

Shen Wei goes on explaining in great detail his connection to the case and to the victim, despite Zhao Yunlan’s attempt to change the subject with a very unsubtle, “your body surely recovered fast”. The latter then proceeds to stubbornly talk about Shen Wei’s archaic ways, which earns him an incredulous “Are you even listening to me?” from the professor. The incredulity is wonderfully misjudged, considering the circumstances.

“I only want to hear you tell the truth”

We rarely see Zhao Yunlan open and vulnerable. I can’t off the top of my head remember him ever being open and vulnerable with anyone who is not Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan operates on false bravado, aggressive charm, weaponised smiles. But with this man, he purposefully lowers his guard. I trust you, he seems to say, and I always have. Why can you not trust me?

Shen Wei gulps.

He then continues talking about the case, which is the last straw for Zhao Yunlan, who explodes, smacking his palm hard on the desk.

Shen Wei startles, looking hurt. I just… don’t understand what he was expecting. Once again, this is a man who, from Shen Wei’s perspective, has unmasked him on the first day they met. This is a man who has been poking and prodding him for weeks. And I get that it is hurtful when someone you care about does not respect your boundaries, I do, but truly honestly hoping that the same someone will just accept the relationship terms that have never even been discussed is a little bit unrealistic, especially when Shen Wei is not divulging anything.

Shen Wei is bad at communicating. Which is, I suppose, not news to anyone.

“It seems that Chief Zhao still hasn’t given up on suspecting me.”

“Not suspicion, but lack of understanding.”

Zhao Yunlan is trying very hard. He is trying to close the rift between them: by pulling the chair over next to Shen Wei’s and settling down on it, by reminding Shen Wei how much they have been through together, by telling the man that he is being perplexing. Shen Wei, on the other hand, has raised his barriers all the way back up, smoothly explaining that he is just a normal man who ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has got a polite smile playing on his lips, his mask fully in place.

Zhao Yunlan does not even pretend to have believed Shen Wei, he gives up on the conversation with a dejected “Fine, forget it.”

He makes his excuses and pulls his phone out to make a call to Wang Zheng to check up on the rest of the team. Just as that happens, the SID gets attacked by the magical sound waves, and Zhao Yunlan sprints into action.

Shen Wei calls after him, and then asks to come with. Considering they have just spent some very awkward time together, more or less fighting about Shen Wei lying an awful lot, Zhao Yunlan would be well within his moral rights to reject help. He doesn’t, however. Even now, the trust he has in Shen Wei  - in his good intentions, in his friendship - is unwavering.

At the SID offices, Tan Xiao is using his sound device to get past the two ghosts energy beings, and break through the safety measures protecting the Hallows. In other news, apart from being susceptible from curses or poisons slipped through the letter box, the SID HQ also does not have anything that might stop a human from breaking into it. How those people survived for this long is a mystery.

A point of complete diversion from me: I am currency watching a contemporary drama entitled To Dear Myself. It’s about young professionals in Shanghai who get their lives broken in about ten different ways; Zhu Yilong’s the leading man; there will definitely be a lengthy think-piece on it here. But the reason I’m bringing that up here is that it also has Chen Weidong, the actor who plays Tan Xiao, as a contextually neurodivergent rich boyfriend of one of the protagonists.

It’s kind of surreal seeing him here; there’s only been about two years between the filming of those two shows, but he looks so different. Oh, and, he is very  good as well.

Back in the world of Guardian, we see Sang Zan shaking off the sound attack and attempting to stop Tan Xiao. He does not succeed as such, but manages to pull a string which activates the Indiana Jones-style set-up with loaded crossbows. It’s very silly; I kind of love it.

While evading the arrows, Sang Zan flings the Awl up in the air, Zhao Yunlan catches it. How close is the University to SID? He took about five minutes to get here! The chief gets a barrage of premonitions which include Zhu Hong knocked out in the future, as well as in the present, and a little sneak-peak into the Disaster Wedding incident.

He then proceeds to pass out into Shen Wei’s slow motion embrace.

There is nothing wrong with this. This is beautiful.

Shen Wei checks on Yunlan briefly, but Tan Xiao goes on the offensive, which deserves him: a) a shot of dark energy right into his chest, which flings him across the space, b) the meanest of Hei Pao Shi’s death glares. This is the moment Tan Xiao earns an uncharacteristically rough treatment he’s going to get at the end of this episode.

She Wei carefully places unconscious Zhao Yunlan next to the wall, calling out his name. We can only presume that the lab has a second exit, as Tan Xiao manages to get away despite the two men currently being more or less in the doorway.

An indeterminate amount of time passes, and Zhao Yunlan wakes on the sofa, Da Qing in human form miaowing at him, his team and Shen Wei nearby. The team goes into a full debrief mode: Wang Zheng reports that she is generally able to repel sound waves, but was taken by surprise; Da Qing and Lin Jin speculate about the shield being affected by the waves as well, since an apparent Undergrounder managed to get through it.

Zhao Yunlan notes that the sound waves ability seems to be doubled, and used for both attack and suggestion. He notes that the powers can be numerous, while grinning conspiratorially at Shen Wei.

Shen Wei quietly despairs. He probably genuinely thought that this conversation was truly over. He takes a few seconds to come to terms with Zhao Yunlan actually teasing him about him maybe being an Undergrounder, before composing himself and stating that compound abilities don’t actually exist.

Da Qing, who doesn’t necessarily pick up what this conversation really is about, but does note that *something* is up with those two, comes to his own conclusions, asking Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan to stop flirting.

Lin Jing comes up up with this.

“Comrades!”

Thank you, Viki subbers, for notifying the audience that the word “Comrade” is also a slang for “gay”.

Lin Jing springs to his feet, saying that he needs a sample test of a human consciousness - presumably to create that clever brain chip of him which would make one immune to the wound wave powers. Zhao Yunlan very theatrically feigns a big scary headache to see whether Shen Wei would volunteer to take the test in his stead to spare him the pain. It’s an underhand move, but it works nonetheless.  

We briefly return to the Snake Tribe, or, more specifically to Zhu Hong’s Fourth Uncle asking whether she is still mad at him, while she is forcibly restrained and bound to a pillar. What is it with this show and binding people to pillars? In reality, the one bound to a pillar is actually Guo Changcheng, which the Fourth Uncle doesn’t pick up on even through Xiao Guo is not actually wearing the clothes Zhu Hong arrived in. Zhu Hong springs the trap, plies her uncle with the same wine, and then goes to regroup with the others, leaving Xiao Guo behind for the time being, because, I guess, it makes more sense for Zhu Hong to be alone when she gets hypnotised later in the episode.

Honestly, it’s easier to not think about too much about this scene, so let’s return to the main characters.

Lin Jing is just finishing the experiment on Shen Wei, who is lying on the lab bed in his undershirt, seemingly asleep. I would assume that Shen Wei has gone into some kind of a meditative trance to try and affect the way his own brain works and emulate the human activity. He does not stir when Zhao Yunlan walks over, and call him.

“Shen Wei? Professor Shen?”

Having received no response, Zhao Yunlan leans in to…

... Count this man’s eye lashes? Admire the effects of his skincare routine?

Oh, no, sorry. Here’s the excuse.

Thank you, Guardian, for this moment.

As Shen Wei wakes up and rises, he lets Zhao Yunlan know in no uncertain terms that he did see through his ruse.

“You don’t have a headache anymore?”

This snaps Yunlan out of gazing at Shen Wei with barely contained lust to pretend that his head indeed still hurts. Considering that Shen Wei does not look concerned, and knowing that Zhao Yunlan’s health and well-being is his number one priority in life, we can conclude that he did know that a headache was just an excuse to get Shen Wei out of his shirt check Shen Wei’s brain activity. Our professor collects his things and leaves with a brief goodbye.

Lin Jing is staring at the readings, checking that the computer has worked properly. Noticing that something is wrong, Zhao Yunlan asks, “Did you see live pornography in his head or something?” Not that I blame his for his mind being the gutter, but also, wow Zhao Yunlan’s mind is in the gutter.

Lin Jing dismisses the idea of mind reading as a whole, and shares his findings that Shen Wei’s consciousness was unwavering, like a dead man’s. Unfortunately for Shen Wei, whatever it was that he did to appear human has not worked well at all.

Zhao Yunlan smirks.

Outside of the SID building, Shen Wei is still frozen in place, contemplating his future actions as he is thumping the Pendant of Pining.

“Should I tell him after all?”

Yes, Shen Wei, you should.

“If I tell him, will that put him in danger?”

I am afraid the the good ship Zhao Yunlan Being In Danger sailed the day Zhao Yunlan became Lord Guardian and Chief of the SID.

(Am I again getting unreasonably frustrated with a fictional character of a show that aired several years ago? You bet I am.)

What follows in the episode is a brief interlude of Zhu Jiu being horrible to Tan Xiao, and making inappropriate comments about him and Zheng Yi. We also learn some of Tan Xiao’s backstory, which expands on his character and explains that the reasons he felt so protective of the little girl was because she reminded him of a sister he once had.

Back to SID offices.

Zhao Yunlan is doodling Shen Wei and the Envoy as he tries to reconcile the two in his mind.

It does sound like he still has doubts that the two are the same person, despite the overwhelming pile of evidence that made him draw to this conclusion in the first place. If anything, it is quite surprising that it took him this long to figure out that the enigmatic mysterious handsome professor and the enigmatic mysterious handsome Envoy are the same person. It is also curious that he seems to think the Envoy is much taller.

Da Qing watches his friend’s mental agony in absolute bewilderment.

Very shortly, they will get a ping for the sound wave energy from somewhere close to Zhu Hong’s home and rush to the scene to find that Zhu Hong has, indeed, been put under mind control, as she attacks Chu Shuzhi.

Here’s another piece of fight choreography for me to tear into.

Okay, good things first. I really like that the actors are doing their own fighting. Jiang Mingyang is generally looking good in combat, and his reactions continue to be on point. Gao Yuer is very flexible, and her kicks are great.

The fight itself however, is another example of the time/money constraints.

The opening punch is… fine. They do lock arms for a split second, which indicates that Zhu Hong properly swung that in rather than stopping the energy, but they are also out of distance, so safety-wise that’s okay-ish, and at full speed it looks alright . But the way Lao Chu is sticking his thumb out and then wraps that around Zhu Hong’s wrist just gave a full body shudder. This is how one gets they thumb dislocated (which I have never done myself, but I hear is very painful) and/or gives their partner a nasty bruise. For anyone out there who needs to hear this, if you ever perform a fight, please tuck your thumbs in line with your fingers and avoid hurting yourself and others. Doing otherwise adds nothing apart from a small but completely avoidable risk of injury.

Then there is this kick-punch-kick combination.

The three moves in isolation are good, but they don’t flow together, at all. I think, and this is pure speculation, that the sweeping punch in the middle was actually meant to follow the previous two moves, then the kick would come next, leading into Chu Shuzhi restraining Zhu Hong. That first kick (which is the same as the third kick, shot from a different angle) just does not belong there as a follow-up to the two punches. I can speculate that it was cut there because it looked cool - which it does - but it also sacrifices any hope this fight had for coherent storytelling.

Then there is a capture and a swivel, very similar to the finishing move used in Zhu Jiu/Sang Zan fight in episode 11. Zhu Hong gets pressed against the tree, and the team shows up to sedate her and bring her back to the headquarters.

Tan Xiao and Zheng Yi watch this scene unfold at a distance, as Zhao Yunlan appears behind them. The SID chief calmly lets Tan Xiao know that he’s been abandoned by Zhu Jiu, and the other man offers no resistance to being captured.

The narrative brings us to the boxing ring, introducing us to it as Zhu Jiu’s energy farm, and then briefly cuts to SID, where Chu Shuzhi realises that they have not retrieved Guo Changcheng. The puppet master springs into action, leaving Lin Jing to wonder since when his friend is so protective of the rookie. If he paid attention, he would have noticed that Chu Shuzhi was protective of the rookie since day one.  

We then move to the interrogation of Tan Xiao, which is happening in the hospital set, with Zheng Yi tucked into the hospital bed, even through it was never established that she would need medical attention, and, considering that she would have no issues walking out of the hospital very shortly, she clearly does not. Here, we see some more flashbacks, detailing Tan Xiao and the girl’s backstory, the abuse she suffered, and the bond the two forged. The young man is admitting to all the crimes he had not committed to protect her, and Zhao Yunlan is honestly moved. He sounds almost regretful when he lets Tan Xiao know that he will still be persecuted for his crimes.

Right on cue, Hei Pao Shi portals in.

Zhao Yunlan greets him with a customary “long time no see”, but the most acknowledgement he receives from Shen Wei is a side-eye which does not even focus on his face.

In fact, the Envoy is doing as much as he can to avoid even turning to Zhao Yunlan. He simply announces his purpose to the room in general and teleports Tan Xiao away. It’s easy to see what he is doing. In Shen Wei’s mind, the less communication he has with Zhao Yunlan as Hei Pao Shi, the better are his chances to separate his two personalities in the eyes of the other man. That said, showing an abrupt and uncharacteristic change of behaviour is the opposite of suspicious.

Even Da Qing notices the change Hei Pao Shi.

“Lao Zhao, what did you do to upset him? You used to do small talk, not anymore?”

Zhao Yunlan smirks, replying that he knows the reason why. He then notices the little girl crying, and goes to comfort her the only way he knows how, with a lollipop. When that does not work, he gestures for Da Qing to leave with him, and returns with a familiar black cat and an adorable “ta-dah”. It’s so sweet it makes my teeth hurt.

As this is going on, Hei Pao Shi is being his glorious over the top avenging self. For one, he is actually floating above Tan Xiao, which I don’t think he ever seen him do before. He then proceeds to throttle the young man, lifting him in the air and throwing him back on the ground.

He does so in order to shake the sound wave equipment out of him, sure, but it is easy to assume that Tan Xiao also brought the Envoy’s wrath onto himself by his misguided attempt to hurt Zhao Yunlan earlier that day. It’s deliciously petty; we know that the best way to earn Shen Wei’s ire is by threatening his companion. And, to be fair, Shen Wei had a bad day: this is as good a way as any to get some of that ancient anger out of his system.

As Hei Pao Shi realises that the man he arrested is a simple human armed with some clever technology, and the real homicidal Undergrounder is the girl he is protecting, so does Zhao Yunlan. Even miles away, even when they are having arguments, their analytical brains still work in sync. And, as plot twists go, this one is neat, albeit not entirely unpredictable.

Unfortunately, realising that the girl is dangerous, brings along a realisation that Zhao Yunlan left his friend in her care. He rushes to the hospital to check on Da Qing, finding the ward empty. If this was Zhu Jiu’s plan all along, it’s a good one: having access to a brainwashed SID member would also spell easy access to the headquarters and the Hallows - which is exactly where Zheng Yi leads Da Qing, taking the Hallows and leaving the Yashou to go into a berserk mode as he imagines or remembers Zhao Yunlan/Kunlun saying “I will abandon you”

Next up, episode 13: The Disaster Wedding.

——

Notes.

Every time Shen Wei lies my brain supplies me with Why You Always Lying song. Every. Single. Time. Which means I sing it a lot around the flat, to my partner’s great chagrin.

Whoooo boy and I thought the Episode 10 recap was the crackiest one I’ve done.

[sakuatsutingz]

hi merry christmas/happy holidays bubs ! can i req kenma, bokuto and atsumu with their s/o on christmas? tysm !

hi merry christmas !! currently as i write this rn christmas is an hour away and im staying up all night so ya ,, letS GO — jamie

merry christmas bb <33 AND THESE CHARACTERS YES - bri

kenma, bokuto, and atsumu spending christmas with their s/o

masterlist here

request or talk to us here

kenma

he probably doesn't care much for the holidays

just thinks of it as any other day

and usually just gets kuroo a present and calls it a day LMFKANJDJS

but seeing you get excited over it

he would genuinely try this year

decorations, presents, all of it

would participate in the christmas event in his game to try to get something you would like

watch him buy you the rare currency in the game as a gift

maybe even some super rare skins too !!

then he would give it to you even if you don't play the game often

would obv teach you how to play a new game in christmas eve <33

“merry christmas baby, i love you.”

SUDDENLY IM SCREAMING NSNDJSBAJHD I LOVE HIM

he usually orders takeout for christmas food lmao

like maybe kfc but if hes feeling giddy he orders ✨mcdonalds✨

would def cuddle with u when ure done celebrating and kisses ur cheek in the most random times <3

bokuto

mans goes feral on christmas

this is h i s holiday

still genuinely believes in santa

and would try to stay up til 12am to see him JSJJS

but he ends up falling asleep at around three hours before midnight gn

i find that so endearing anyways

would be ECSTATIC for every gift he receives

“BABE DID YOU GET ME THIS ?? I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THIS IS SO RAD”

“kou ,, thats just gift wrap.”

laughs so hard thats not even ur gift for him

this christmas u got him a sweater !! because he looks adorable in it !!

boy is filled with JOY

kisses u fully on the mouth <3

he would wear it until the end of time BDNDNNDNSNDJ

at the same time he got you like ,, a hundred presents because thats how much he fucking loves you SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE HIM REAL 🥺🥺

full on makes out w you in excitement GOD DAMNFJDJEJD

he will not !! stop being !! so clingy !! for the entire day !!

but u still love him and i mean ,, its christmas so who are you to ruin his happiness <3

atsumu

sigh

where to even start with this man

theres this headcannon where the miya family is RICH AS FUCK so ill just go w it <33

you guys basically dont stay up until midnight ,, you celebrate in the morning !!

and atsumu woke up earlier than u did today but didnt get off the bed

he wanted to still cuddle u even in ur sleep OSBDBANDBAJNSJD i am not okay

when you woke up his hair was tickling ur neck so you woke up w giggles and atsumu is over the MOON

like he gets to wake up early on christmas AND hear ur giggles first thing in the morning ??

he is basically that excited to see u awake 🥺🥺

“mornin’ princess.”

AAAAAAAAAA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A i am weak for this pet name

so as mentioned earlier, he has a rich family so atsumu got u so much presents and he would always insist for you to open them first instead of his own presents <3

lets say he got u both matching keychains and u are just like aww 🥺🥺

BUT THATS NOT THE ONLY THING HE GOT U

mans got a fully planned date for u both on christmas !!

i am proud to say i am married to this man — jamie

so u got him a tshirt w a little vball logo printed on it and he immediately goes 🥺🥺🥺 because he still cant believe he got to be with someone who understands his passion like you !!

“princess, thank you so much.”

atsumu is willing to make you happy not only on christmas day, but for the rest of ur lives together and you just cant wait for it <33

[solastia]

Love And Lies | 3

Pairing: Kim Seokjin x F!Reader

Summary: You are a simple maid. When your lady and dearest friend need help escaping an arranged marriage with King Seokjin so they might be together, you do the only thing you can - take her place. 

You followed behind the man who introduced himself as Chancellor Namjoon Kim, listening to him halfheartedly as he explained that while that was his official title, he was more of a Jack-of-all-trades and preferred calling himself the King's right-hand man.

You smooth your hands down your gown, hoping it was grand enough to disguise the commoner wearing it. You’d changed for supper, something that Eleanor had told you was common for people at court. According to her, depending on the person they might even change outfits as many as three or four times a day! The nobility were a ridiculous bunch, you sniffed derisively to yourself. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for the maids that had to care for all that clothing and the laundresses that cleaned them. Two times a day - not counting your sleeping gown - was extravagant enough for the likes of you.

The ensemble that you had now made you feel like a fairy princess of legend. You were a shimmering cloud of pink and white as you glided along the stone floors. The dress was pink velvet lined with white silk, along with white ermine fur on the edges of the sleeves and bottom of the gown. The bust was embroidered with silver thread and decorated with glistening pearls. You were also very happy to note that the top was much more modest this time around, though not by much. Eleanor had let you pick the jewelry yourself, so you’d settled on a simple strand of pearls around your neck and tiny pearl earbobs. Your hair was left loose and free of any painful and tedious styling with the hot iron.

Truthfully, you rather liked this dress. The fabric was soft to the touch and very comfortable. You even liked the little slippers that matched. When you asked Eleanor why she was letting you wear something like this, she had told you that your previous ensemble had been to impress the King, and this one was to appeal to the man. It was an odd statement considering that your goal was to not appeal to him, and she’d seem rather conflicted saying such a thing. You wished you’d had the time to question her further, but the Chancellor had shown up before you could.

In the end, it wouldn’t matter if you looked rather pretty in your outfit because you knew that eventually, he’d move on to the other women. You had literally nothing of interest about you to keep royalty interested. After all, what could you speak to him about beyond stain removal techniques and how to haggle for the best prices at the market?

Chancellor Namjoon opens a door and ushers you inside, seeming to not notice or mind that you hadn’t even been listening to him talk this entire time.

“His Majesty will be with you in a moment.”

He nods and leaves briskly, closing the door behind him. You take the chance to look around, your mouth falling in awe as you take in the rows and rows of scrolls. So this was a library! You had heard of such things but had simply chalked it up to the fancies of nobles, but this was truly amazing. Beyond the scrolls, there were even parchment tied together filled with writing and little sketches. A few were even covered in decorated leather, something that boggled your mind. Books! You had never thought to see one in your life.

You adored the family you worked for, of course, but not a single one of them had any use for reading and writing. Eleanor could write a little, mostly her name and a list of things she needed that looked like badly designed inkblots. Jungkook was a little better but mostly relied on drawing things out. You remembered the departed Duchess had a slanting script that was like beautiful art to your young eyes. She’d taught you how to read and write before she’d passed, but you rarely got a chance to use that knowledge. You never had anyone to write to and the Duke saw no use for books.

Your hand trailed reverently across the hard leather of one of the bound pages, wishing you had the freedom to peer inside.

“Do you like to read?”

The voice startled you, and you gasped and turned with your hand on your chest.

“Goodness. I’m...sorry, Your Majesty.”

His smile was kind, but his eyes looked like he was laughing at you. “It’s quite alright. So, do you?”

“Hmm?” You hummed softly, distracted by the way his now silver tunic made him glow like an otherworldly being. “Oh, read?” You smile sheepishly, forcing yourself to focus on the conversation and not on his lips. “I don’t get to very often, but I like stories.”

He seemed pleased with your answer, gesturing towards the book. “We got this one from a visiting Monarch years ago. Livres des merveilles du monde. It’s about a merchant named Marco Polo who was an adventurer for a while and traveled through the Orient. I was certain I was going to grow up and conquer the world someday when I first read this.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Ah, the bane of my existence. Responsibilities,” he says dramatically, obviously trying to make you smile. “You may borrow it if you like. I’m not certain if it will be riveting enough for you, but you’re welcome to it. Or anything else here, during your stay.”

He picked up the book and handed it to you, his grin growing as he watched you cup it in your hands and stare at it in awe. A whole book!

You smile up at him genuinely for the first time, your smile wide and beaming with joy. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m not certain I’ll have time to finish it since I read so very slowly, but I thank you for the chance.”

He nods, his cheeks pinkened slightly. He gestures with a hand towards a table in the corner.

“I have some warm wine and honey pastries if you’d like to join me. I thought we might have a chance to get to know each other a little more before we have the pressure of an entire room watching our every move.”

“Oh...yes, that will be...tense” you gulp and sit as gracefully as you can in the highbacked wooden chair.

His smile is soft and kind as he pours you a drink. “I suppose despite your status you’re not quite used to court life. Your father mentioned you preferred staying home.”

“Yes,” you stuttered nervously. “I found I was more comfortable tutoring at home rather than being fostered out. I’m afraid the one time I tried, I found the group of ladies rather spiteful and begged Papa to come home after only three months.”

Which was a true story. Eleanor had been sent to the Duchesse Aline Villeneuve - the King’s very own aunt - to learn how to run a keep and other “women’s arts” not long after her mother had passed away from a sudden illness. According to Eleanor, she had been horribly bullied by the other ladies in the Duchesse’s care and she “hadn’t cared to make friends with such vain and heartless wenches, anyhow.”

Personally, you had rather fond memories of that summer, as with Eleanor away you’d had the freedom to do as you pleased and you’d even made a new friend for a few months - a village boy with the most annoying laugh you’d ever heard but had been sweet and fun. The two of you had been inseparable for the entire summer until one day he didn’t show up to the stream you often met at. You still thought of that boy from time to time and hoped he was doing well. You never did learn where he disappeared to.

King Seokjin nods in understanding. “Unfortunately, it’s not going to be much better here. Gossip is practically a form of currency, and whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter,” he rolls his eyes and sits back in his chair, bringing up a mug of steaming spiced wine to his lips. He gulps and sighs, setting the cup back on the table.

“And in your case, it will be twice as bad as you are...well…” he coughs lightly, his cheeks blushing once more. “A high contender to be Queen?”

You sputter on the drink of wine you’d just taken, trying to hastily wipe any spilled droplets before he sees them.

“Yes...err, I am...that.”

“So,” he says loudly, slapping his hands onto his thighs. “I mostly wanted to set aside some time right now so you can tell me things you like to do. I’m afraid I have to live my entire life by a set schedule, so if I had some ideas for my courting days with you that would help greatly.” “Oh,” you smile mischievously, “Yes, I imagine it must be difficult trying to balance so many suitors. Romantic sailing on Monday, serenading on Tuesday, kissing in a dark alcove on Wednesday...”

“You have no idea, “ he groans, only to still and gape at you in astonishment. “You’re making fun of me!”

“I would never, Your Majesty,” you drop your eyes to your lap, still smiling despite the way you were internally smacking yourself. This wasn’t home, you had to curb your tongue.

He squints at you suspiciously. “I have a feeling you would and will. You have some spirit hiding under that demure stance, don’t you Lady Eleanor?” He cocks his head and looks at you with an expression of pleased wonder.

“Perhaps, Your Majesty.”

“I think,” he begins softly, his tone making you lift your eyes to meet his. “In private settings like this, you may use my first name.”

Your eyes widen incredulously. “Oh, I couldn’t!”

“I can order you to if I must,” his smile is playful, even while his eyes are staring at you intensely.

“I...alright. Thank you...Seokjin,” you respond quietly and no doubt with crimson cheeks.

“There. That wasn’t so hard. And...I liked hearing it.”

He stands up and offers you his hand. “It’s time to head to supper. I can escort you as far as to the hall, but I have to go to the high table without anyone seeing you with me. Don’t want them to see you entering the dining hall on the King’s arm; that would make you a target for the harpies,” he winks, linking your arm in his. “You can send a list of activities we can do together later.”

The walk down the hall is too short, but you’d enjoyed the feeling of his strong arm encasing yours and the occasional sneaky peeks of his beautiful side profile. He releases you as soon as the noisy dining hall is close enough to hear.

“I must leave you here, but I look forward to speaking with you on the morrow. I’ll have someone bring the book to your room tonight.”

“Thank you, Your M…” you begin, only for him to raise an eyebrow at you daringly. You glance around you for eavesdropping servants and sigh. “Thank you, Seokjin.”

His beaming smile is worth your embarrassment. “Well done, lambkin. Be sure to try the custard tarts, they are the best!”

He waves and strides off, leaving you to find the waiting Jungkook and be escorted to your seat. Something pricked at the back of your mind, however. Lambkin? Why did that seem so familiar? Perhaps you were just overwhelmed. You shake your head and focus on the elegant supper in front of you as you find Jungkook waiting just inside the door, and he gestures for you to walk ahead of him. You can tell from the way his jaw is clenched he’s dying to ask you about the meeting, but there is no way to subtly speak to him at the moment.

The dining hall was brimming with people and you praised Eleanor for being the sort of noble who kept to herself, since the chances of anyone knowing her here were incredibly low. Your seat is incredibly close to the high table - in fact, it was directly above you. A few more steps to your right and His Majesty would be getting crumbs and wine on your head.

You’re not brave enough to look at him yet, though, and decide to look around for your “competition.”

Your table seems to be where they are all located, judging by the way most of the women gathered around you meet your curious gaze with measuring looks of their own. Most of them turn away after a few seconds, obviously dismissing you as not a threat.

One girl that looks similar to Eleanor all the way down to her bouncing curls grins at you playfully and waves at you with the chicken leg in her hand. You nod in answer, adding a slight smile as you decided she seemed nice enough.

A regal brunette meets your eyes with a quirk of her eyebrow, blatantly looking you up and down. Her lips thin and she pointedly turns away with a sneer, clutching her silverware almost threateningly. Alright, she will not be someone you want to know.

Directly across from you is a redhead and you snort, coming to the realization that His Majesty literally has every color of the rainbow to pick from for his bride. Variety is the spice of life, you suppose. This woman seems very disinterested in everything around her, however, focusing on her meal and only interacting with servants to refill her goblet.

At the head of the table and directly at your elbow is the one that you can only assume is the Princess. She is incredibly pretty, you have to admit. Her dark black hair is mostly loose and cascading about her in waves. The sides have been pulled back and secured with a large golden hairpin the size of a dagger with little jeweled flowers adorning it. Her dress is strange yet beautiful. Silk or satin, if you had to guess. The top was lavender and embroidered with flowers and some sort of serpent that vaguely looked like a dragon. The bottom was nearly peach-colored and consisted of the same decorations. Her features were sharp and sculpted, with high cheekbones and a thin nose. She looked exotic and lovely, but it wasn’t until her smile blinded you that you realized she was beautiful. She met your eyes with a twinkle in hers, reaching her delicate hand up to point at herself.

“I am Hosook. You?”

“I am Lady Eleanor Rose D’Aily, Your Highness,” you answer slowly, assuming that the way she was squinting while you spoke was her concentrating on your words. Perhaps she was learning the language still.

“You for him too?” she asked with a wave behind her at the high table.

“Yes, I was brought here for the King. I’m sure you’re a much better choice.”

The Princess smiles her understanding and waves away your compliment. “Too...ugg,” she grunts, obviously failing to find the word she wanted. She chose instead to flap in the general direction of King Seokjin like she was shooing away a fly.

“You...aren’t attracted to His Majesty?” you ask in a hushed voice. How could anyone not find him the most beautiful being to ever walk this earth?

She sticks out her tongue, “Reminds me of Haraboji...uh...Grandfather?”

You sputter a laugh which you know is too loud, but you can’t help yourself as Princess Hosook giggles with you. You feel yourself being watched and glance up to lock eyes with the very man in question. The King looks down at you curiously, his lips tilted in an amused smile as you can’t stop your giggles. Suddenly, he winks at you and you look away quickly as your laughter dies down into a shy smile.

“Oh,” Princess Hosook says slyly, clucking and patting your hand with a grin. “I see now. You nice, make pretty Queen.”

“Goodness, it’s not like that at all. We just met,” you rush to explain, your excuses being waved away yet again.

“I like…” she waves between the King and you. “Nice together. Uh...need more words,” she grumbles quietly, biting her lip.

“I could help, if you like? I helped my Lad...err...my Ladies Maid learn how to read and write.”

Her smile was beaming as she nodded her head in agreement. “Yes. Need be better to deal with them,” she nods her head towards the gaggle of noblewomen surrounding them.

“I understand. I have to wait to hear which days I need to spend with the King, and then we’ll set aside some time for us!” You smile kindly at the Princess, who grins back and attends her meal with much more gusto now that she had something to look forward to. You sigh and quietly thank the powers that be for making some sort of friend to get you through this, and one that you were able to fall back into your natural state of submission with. It would be easier to explain any lapses in your behavior if you were just a mere Duke’s daughter shadowing a Princess, rather than being with the other women who were basically your equals and expected you to be just as much of a spoiled prat as they were.

The meal comes to a close (and you were amazed that you only caught yourself staring at His Majesty less than five times), and Jungkook is back at your elbow to escort you to your rooms. As you accept his helping hand, you feel someone tap on your shoulder. Princess Hosook flicks her eyes up and down Jungkook with an exaggerated waggled of her eyebrows. Her hand goes to her chest and she mouths something that you assume is complimentary. Jungkook’s eyes are huge as he tries to follow what’s happening.

You giggle and slap his arm. “She thinks you’re handsome.”

“TAKEN…” he squeaks, “I’m taken. Sorry..uh...lady...majesty…”

“Always pretty ones,” Princess Hosook sighs and waves goodbye with fluttering fingers, disappearing with her own small army of attendants.

You continue to laugh quietly as Jungkook begs you to stop. You pause just before leaving the hall and catch the King’s eye right before he leaves for his own apartments. He smiles and shallowly bows, and you watch him until his broad shoulders disappear from sight.

“Sis,” Jungkook mutters quietly as he herds you back to your hallway. “You can’t…” he sighs. “I’m sure you think he’s handsome and he seems to be nice to you, but you can’t be with him. You remember that, right? You’re not who he thinks you are and he’d find that out if you were to marry him. I am literally stealing a potential bride from him, and the moment he finds out, he can kill us all.”

“I know, Jungkook. I’m not an imbecile.”

“I know that, but you’ve never been courted before. I forgot about that and now I’m worried that you’re over your head.”

You sigh and loop your arm in his as you walk. “I suppose I forgot that he’d be trying to win me over as much as the rest, at least at first. I might have let the sweet words and smiles affect me, but I promise Jungkook, I’ll remember. Besides, I saw the other potential brides. I am no match for them. The novelty of someone new will fade in a few days, and I pray that we have the deed to the keep no later than a month. Then, I will tell him that I don’t think I’m a good match for the Kingdom and we can be on our merry way.”

He sighs wearily and tugs you close for a quick hug. “I know, I trust you and your judgment, I just got worried. If he does anything that makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel compromised, let me know. I don’t care if he’s the king, I’ll throw down my glove.”

“You’ll not duel the King, Jungkook. Go seek your bed, brother dear,” you say with a tiny smile, pushing him away from you once you reach your room. “Tell Eleanor when she comes back from the kitchens she can go straight to her room. I won’t bother her tonight because I’m so exhausted from all this excitement I’m going to fall asleep the moment my head hits the mattress.”

Jungkook grins, a look you really don’t want to identity lighting his eyes. “Will do. Sweet dreams, sis.” He stomps off and leaves you to close the door to your opulent apartments.

You yawn and observe the room as you undress, leaving the layers of clothing across a chair to be taken care of the next day. The room was spacious and absolutely gorgeous, decorated in lovely shades of robin’s egg blue, white, and gold. There was an entire room just for clothing, one for washing, and yet another whole room for your ladies maid - something that Eleanor had seemed suspiciously excited about. You worried that she was going to try yet again to seduce her love now that she had a new sort of freedom without her father about.

You crawl onto the giant golden bed and arrange the blankets over you as you fight off another yawn. A full belly and an overwhelming day full of excitement seemed to be all your poor body could handle. Another yawn and you drift off to sleep, visions of warm brown eyes and smiling lips filling your dreams.

A/N: 

1. Yes, that is Hoseok. He’s a pretty princess today. 

2. I don’t really like using the term “exotic” but since this is a historical and being done from the viewpoint of a person in the middle ages, it seemed fitting. 

3. Oh, look at that totally huge and obvious hint to the past. Hmmm....

[whereflowersbloom]

Shadows and thorns

Part VII

Do not tell lies save it’s absolutely necessary. This was something that John Constantine insisted upon, drilled into his protégée’s head from an early age. When Queen Arella passed away due to a difficult childbirth, but she insisted on delivering the babe in her womb, defying the odds. The least Constantine could do for the poor woman was stay true to this word and protect the child. A man is only as good as his word is what his old friend, Lord Giovanni Zatara would say. It was truth that bred honor, his honor was indeed questioned in some circumstances and honor was the greatest currency the men in the Azarath had. And Constantine trusted Rhachel heeded his words as her guardian, as he had raised her to fulfill duty with honor and pride.

He had his suspicious. She had grown particularly quiet. She engaged in hushed conversations with her new Lady-in-waiting when they think John is not looking. But he did not anticipated this event. The crown Prince of Nanda Parbat asked for her hand in marriage. John knows Rhachel is an old and untamed soul, gentle and fierce, both exist in her, she’s intelligent and fair-minded but he also knows she has much more to learn of the cruel world. He did what he had to do to ensure the safety of their beloved homeland.

"Are you planning to accept it?" She asked with anxiousness in her voice, breaking the glassy silence that formed around them. John kept striding furiously around the her chamber, his face is marred with worry lines. He hasn’t uttered a single word. He remained silent, fists clenched, trapped between two choices: Wallace West or Damian Al Ghul. The Prince of Shadows.

John Constantine stiffened a little, the expectancy in the air took him by surprise and once again, he couldn’t assimilate the events, how in the seven hells this happened on his watch, those amethyst eyes of hers were scrutinizing him silently. His protégée was a free spirit, with deep roots in Azarath, firmly planted and not easily uprooted, he had let her go one day but leave her here with those poisonous vipers. Observing Wallace West, the young Lord wasn’t attentive to his betrothed at all. He had not expected Rhachel’s blossoming relationship with the Crown Prince of Nanda Parbat. Not Westlands. That sly and proud child.

“How did it come to this? How did you two meet?” John’s strong voice rumbled between the four stone walls, and for a moment, she thought time stopped. Her future was in the air, whether John would break the betrothal to the West heir and accept Damian or refuse it. She wasn’t certain. But she sensed his agitation. Her guardian constantly said do not tell lies, but John didn’t understand what brutal honesty looked like. Not like she did. He had not felt a heart like Rhachel.

“Prince Damian?” Rhachel nervously licked her lips then asked softly. Constantine could see the wheels working in her mind, and he’s sure she considered for a solid minute, lying to him. Instead she simply shrugged her shoulders and attempted to sound casual. “We met a few times, and we danced at the feast.” She was falling for him when she saw him at the royal stables and whispered those words to her, when she asked her for a dance at the banquet; it was the first time she didn’t feel so alone in the world, and when they spoke, drowning in his velvety voice, professing his affection for her, she felt her legs go weak. Damian. Heat accumulated on her cheeks.

“You are to marry Wallace West, that’s was the arrangement.” Constantine took a deep breath and tried to reason with the young girl. Truly, he cared for her, he feared for her safety, her heart breaking, she was a gentle soul. Ra’s could use her powers for his personal advantage, for his own desire to conquer more lands. They were in such a particularly worrisome predicament, to say the least. 

“What of my choices? Do I have no say in this?” She demanded boldly for the first time in years and regretted the words the instant she said them, but she had too much pride to take them back. She did know she had to marry Wallace West. She learned that in this world being a royal meant privileges but they came with inevitable obligations. A world where harsh realities knocked a little girl’s dreams of gallant knights out of her head and filled the aching emptiness with lessons about politics and duty. She had a kingdom to think about...but Damian had promised to find a solution.

John was looking at her the way he did when he discovered she had left the tower to play with Garfield at the market town. Lady Zatanna feigned innocence, she didn’t know about their little trip. It was a disapproving stare, filled with exasperation and just a hint of lividness. "Who you wed has always been my decision.”

Hot tears stung her eyes. She could not remain calm any longer. “Your decision?" She cries out, digging her nails into her palms so she wouldn't sob. She wished Lady Zatanna was there because she would never deny Rhachel’s happiness. "How can it be your decision when I am the one getting married? Shouldn't I be able to choose?” But you don’t her mind whispered. You are the last daughter of Azarath, yet what you want does not matter. It took her several beats to perceive how the gilt-wood dressing mirror was weekly shaking, her powers manifesting. She sat in the edge of the bed, a brief moment to collect her thoughts. Concentrate.

Constantine sighed as he sat next to her quietly. Bullocks, he would kill for more wine. He breathed in, filling his lungs with fresh air and exhaled slowly. “Love, you are my responsibility. You are the daughter I never had.” She was his daughter in many ways, not in the blood ties but in the one that mattered. The older man gazed affectionately at the young woman, she wasn’t a little girl anymore, counting in his head all the times she made his temper explode with her occurrences and rare disobedience, influenced by that servant boy, Garfield no doubt. How hard would be to say goodbye when the day comes.

“It’s not you. I don’t trust them.” John’s quiet for a beat, staring pensively at the dressing mirror. The Crown Prince seemed to be a good man, and word has never reached him of the man being nothing other than clever, an expert rider, a talented swordsman, and a beloved Royal. Ra’s however was another story, hearing to shocking and blood-curling tales about what he did to Lord Wayne. Rhachel would not share his unfortunate fate. No. He assured softly, cupping her chin in his hand. “I am simply advising you to choose wisely.” Frankly, no man was worthy of Rhachel. The mystic Azarathian flower that blooms once in hundred years.

“Then trust me, when I’m choosing Damian.” Rhachel spoke solemnly, sight fixed on him. John raised questioningly his brow at the absence of titles, absurd formalities in his humble opinion. But it made his chest tighten. Damian. Not Prince Damian. His fingertips traced her jawline in silence. He wondered if he could take the word of this Al Ghul prince. Zatanna would confirm it.

“You win, love.” Constantine conceded, shaking his head, then his strong arms surrounded her thin figure protectively. “Try not to destroy entirely Ahsan Manzil palace.” He teased, pinching her pale cheeks, an amused smirk on his lips and hers formed a lovely smile for him. Her tender orbs full of promising hope and intense emotion. She was happy. Beaming with pure joy.

"Princess Rhachel Al Ghul" She teased in a whisper, beginning to take a liking to it, and her guardian only laughed.

Notes: I have no idea when I’ll be able to finish this chapter because it’s filled with important conversations and a new character but here’s half of the chapter. Constantine and Raven 😩😩😩😭😭❤️

I apologize for taking such a long time but i have a lot to research and study for thus chapter and the future ones, but don’t worry there will be a damirae moment in the second part.

@alerialblu @chromium7sky @niahti @xaphrin @ravenfan1242 @barnowl48 @calixddm101706 @artemis20 @mangakabk @maxisanchez666 @bluuesunset

[lovemesomesurveys]

What’s the last vegetable you ate, and when did you eat it? I had spinach in my homemade egg and cheese mcmuffin yesterday. 

What was your last Facebook notification for? Notifying me someone added a photo to a group I’m in.

What bands have you seen live? Several because a few of the concerts I’ve been to featured a few bands, which was cool. I don’t feel like listing them all.

Tell me an interesting fact about your mother: She wanted to go into the marines, but unfortunately life happened and her plans got put on hold and ultimately never happened. That was her dream. :/

What do you think is the most important thing to happen to you before the age of 13? Uhh. The accident I had at 7 months old that made me a paraplegic and changed my life forever?

What were you super against as a young child but aren’t anymore? Scary movies. I love ‘em now.

What are your plans later today? Stay in bed most of the day sleeping, watching TV, scrolling through Tumblr, watching YouTube, and checking my social medias. 

Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? It’s the weekend and that’s all I’m doing ^^^. 

Who do you talk to the most? My mom.

What are some things you do regularly that make you feel old? I feel old because of how I feel, health wise.

Who is your best guy friend(s)? I don’t have one.

Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? I’d like to be a little tanner.

If you had a tiny scar on your face, would you get it removed or just keep it? I do have some tiny scars on my face and I just let them be. 

Have you had an x-ray in the past year? Yes.

Do you think your first love still loves you? He never did.

What is something that is “going right” in your life? I’ve been going through a really hard time the past month, actually.

When did you feel ready to start dating? I thought I was when I had my first boyfriend at 16, but nope.

When was the last time your pet bit you? If you don’t have a pet, have you ever been bitten by someone else’s? She’s never bitten me.

Where were you the last time you made out? I think it was in his car. It’s been several years now since then, so I’m not quite sure.

When was the last time you cried tears of joy? I’m not someone who tends to cry for that reason.

How do you type your sad smileys? :(

Do you have “decorative hand-towels” that cannot be used in your house? Nope.

What was the last soda you drank? I had some Coke to take my medicine earlier. 

What was the last thing someone made fun of you for? *shrug*

Have you ever had any type of surgery? Yeah, a few.

Should kids be allowed to get tattoos/piercings without parental consent? Uh, no.

Who was the last person to hit on you? It’s been a longgg time since that has happened.

What was the last thing you decided not to do, that you were supposed to? I was supposed to make a phone call yesterday.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to tell someone? Hm.

What do you put on hot dogs? On the very rare occasions I had a hot dog I just put ketchup and mustard.

Ever fallen in the shower? No, thankfully.

Do you think that things will get better? I can’t see that right now. :/

Have you ever legitimately saved a person’s life? No.

What’s your favourite book genre? Murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. 

Have you ever walked out of a movie at the theatre? Once. I honestly don’t remember why, though.

Do dogs like you? Yes.

Would you say that you project an air of authority? Ha, no.

Have you ever jumped off a high dive into a pool? Nooo.

Do you use one towel when you shower or two? (one for hair, one for body) One.

Have you ever been to one of the great lakes? Nope.

Who do you know that had a baby recently? A few people on my Facebook.

Do you like Usher’s songs? Yeah, I like several of his songs.

When was the last time you went to a waterpark? Never. I don’t do waterslides. 

Have you ever ridden a train? Nope.

What do you eat your French fries with? Ranch.

Do you have family problems? No family is perfect. 

What’s the last food you ate that was stale? Hm. I don’t recall.

How do you like your grilled cheese? Cheesy.

What is the most challenging meal you have ever cooked? The only thing I cook is ramen, which isn’t challenging at all. I’m so not a cook. What was your favorite thing to do as a little kid? I lovedddd playing Barbies.

Have you ever been close to drowning? No, but that’s a fear of mine since I can’t swim so even with floaties or an inner tube I don’t feel safe.

Have you ever had a panic attack? Many times.

Do you like doing housework? No.

Would you ever get implants? No.

Do you own a robe? Nope. I have a Snuggie, though.

Do you have a little sister? What’s her name? Nope.

Do you like crust on pizza or do you cut it off? No, I just eat the top layer of dough on the pizza. 

What was the last song you listened to? I don’t remember.

Have any of your family members been to jail? No one in my immediate family, but some extended family members have.

Is there anyone that you feel you still need some closure with? Not anymore.

Can you remember when you first learned how to read? Not exactly.

What event in your life has transformed your personality the most? I’m sure my accident had a big impact.

Have you ever had any teeth pulled? Yes.

Do you still want to be what you wanted to be in elementary school? Noo. Back then I wanted to be a teacher, but that changed when I got to like middle school.

What’re some TV shows that you would like to get into? I have a list of new shows I want to check out, but I have yet to get around to. Oh, I did start this new show on Freeform called “Cruel Summer” that just started last week, though.

How would you feel if you were drafted for the military? I can’t due to my physical disability.

What is your favorite Queen song? I like Bohemian Rhapsody, Under Pressure, We Will Rock You/We are the Champions, and Another One Bites the Dust.

Do you know how to use any foreign currency? I’ve never had to.

Been kissed by someone who you knew was “bad” for you? You could say that.

Ever taken an at-home pregnancy test? Nope. Never had a reason to.

When was the last time you were at a loss of what to do? The past few years. Now.

What did you do on your favorite date with a guy/girl? I loved going to Starbucks and then wandering around bookstores with Ty.

What’s a movie you have seen in the theater more than once? There’s several, like the big ones I’m really excited about and into such as the Marvel movies.

What is the reason you’re still alive? My family.

Have you ever had sex in someone else’s bed/bedroom? No.

Do you ever brush your hair before you go to bed? Not usually.

Have you ever had a dream about sleeping with a celebrity? (You don’t have to give details.) Maaaybe.

Has anyone ever told you that they needed you? Do you think they meant it? Yes, I’ve been told that. I think they did feel that way at the time.

How did you feel when you woke up today? What was the first thing you thought about? I haven’t gone to bed, yet, but I always wake up feeling shitty.

Do you still tell your parents that you love them? Yes.

Have you ever said “I love you” to someone you weren’t going out with? Well yeah, it’s not something you just say in the romantic sense. I love my family and tell them so.

Would you date someone with a physical disability? Yeah. I have a physical disability.

Think of the last person you had sex with. Do you think they’ve slept with anyone else since they last slept with you? I’m a virgin.

The last time you dyed your hair, what color did you dye it? Red.

Think of the last time you went out to eat. Who paid? My mom.

Do you save at least 15 percent of your income? I try to at least.

Do you ever go on Reddit? If so, what are some of your favorite subreddits? I’ve Googled things that led me to Reddit, but I don’t go on there specifically.

Were you ever a flower girl or ring bearer in anyone’s wedding when you were little? Nope.

Are your parents in good health? Fortunately, yes.

Have you ever been a caregiver to a sick/disabled relative? Nope. I’m the one who has the caregiver.

Is there any type of medicine you can’t take? For what reason? Well, I can’t take pills unless I can crush them.

Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas? What do they look like? My pajamas are also what I wear during the day, which are leggings and graphic tees. 

Do you have any interesting pillow cases? I have a Michael Myers throw pillow, a couple other Halloween (the holiday) themed ones with skeletons and stuff on ‘em that I’ve had up since last Halloween, a Star Wars one, and a body pillow with giraffe print.

If something on your body hurts, which part is it most likely to be? My back, stomach, neck.

Are you more afraid of spiders or bees? Spiders, but I’m afraid of both. I’m afraid of ALL bugs.

Have you ever worn fake nails? If so, what did the last pair you wore look like? No.

Is Russian or Native American history more interesting to you? Various topics in history are interesting to me.

[whmguidetoffxiv]

A WHM's Guide to Inventory Management

There's a lot of stuff to collect in Final Fantasy XIV. And I mean A LOT. Even for a veteran player, keeping a decluttered inventory can be a daunting task. Let me walk you through some of the basics of your inventory and some of the tools you can use to make space for that one special item you've been tracking down for weeks.

This is your inventory. Well, your inventory and a retainer's. You've been gathering this stuff as you adventure along because hey, it has to be useful, right? right?

Well, not always. Let me break it down for you.

Here's the same pic, but I've broken your collection down into categories. (This is the default when you use the 'sort' option; you can customize this in the menu I'll show you in a bit.) First is your armor and weaponry. Now, normally this will default to your Armory Chest, but after a while that gets clogged up and prevents you from changing classes. There's an option to fix that, which I will also show in a bit.

Second is your Consumables (food/pots) You'll get a lot of these early on, but because their effectiveness is based on a stat up to a certain limit, they lose their effectiveness the higher level you are. The exception is pots like Antidotes, Echo Drops and so on; those will clear certain debuffs, and I do recommend having a few on you at all times.

Next is your consumables (gear/equipment) You'll find your Materia, Dark Matter, and things like Fish bait. Unless your Materia looks like what's in the photo, it's not worth holding onto. Some of it resells well on the marketboard, but a lot of it can just as easily be sold to a vendor. You CAN meld it to your gear if you want, but because of the insane XP buffs it's not really worth it because you'll outgrow your gear before the extra stats really matter.

Then there's your crafting items, and what's likely going to be taking up the bulk of your inventory. It's a bit tricky to delve into here, but for the most part you should only be carrying the items that you use as a crafter, or are very hard to find. (check the MB price for an item; if it's expensive, and I'm talking like 300k+ expensive, it's hard to find.)

Then there are Housing items; it's pretty easy to get an apartment, which can be decorated any number of ways. Again, most aren't worth holding onto unless you want to use it. Remember; The Market Board is your Friend!

We're going to jump over to my Retainer's inventory for the next category; Vendor currencies. You'll pick up any number of these as you reach the end of an expansion pack and unlock raids. Each raid has a currency that you can use to buy special gear, weaponry or items; I would only hold on to these if you're a glamour nut (like me) or there's a particular mount/minion/whatever that can only be bought with the currency. The exception, of course, is the current end-game currency. (That would be the armor of antiquity, as of ShB) Use them to get gear to strengthen your secondary classes so they aren't completely left in the dust.

Last is the miscellaneous stuff; gardening soil, sparklers, and the like. They have their uses (unless it's the Indigo Star) so it's up to you to figure out how to use them.

So now you know what's in your inventory; what do you do with it?

Remember that option menu I told you about? You can find it here. (Character Configuration--> Items) Here you can choose how your inventory is displayed, whether or not to send new armor/weapons to your armory chest or your inventory, and how the sorting system breaks down.

Next, let's take a look at the tooltips for your items. I'm using a weapon here because it has the most information. It's important to know if the item is Untradeable. That means you can't trade it to someone else or sell it on the marketboard; you can only discard it. This tends to be stuff like Legendary weapons or special items received in dungeons; Those will have a blue or green background, and usually aren't dyable. Only keep them if you plan on tossing them in your glamor dresser or saving them for another class. You'll note the logos in the top right; when those are yellow, you can put the item in question in your armoire or glamor dresser.

You'll also see the shop selling price. If you're going to put something on the MB, it should not be below that price. Otherwise, you can just have your retainer sell it.

Let's get to the meat of the subject; managing your inventory. If you right click on an item and click 'search for item' this menu will pop up showing where that item is in all your inventories. For example, I have Mhiachi matter in three different places. It should not be in three different places.

You can also click 'see recipes using this material' to see if something is a crafting item you need or not. If nothing pops up, it's likely a special vendor currency. I recommend using either the Lodestone or GarlandTools to look up the item outside the game to see exactly what it does.

So how do you clear out your iventory? Well... Start with how many inventories you have. You have your most basic inventory, which has 124 slots. These should be the items you use every day and need constant access to. (Pots, food, crafting items, ect...) Your Key items and crystals are kept in separate tags, so you don't need to worry about those.

Your Chocobo Saddlebag should be your 2nd; stuff you may not need RIGHT THIS SECOND, but good to have on hand. (items for relic steps, items you can normally carry only one of, ect...)

If you hired a retainer, they should be the ones holding your extra crafting items, your rare items, and your vendor currencies. You get two for free with your subscription, and you can pay an additional IRL fee to have more retainers per month.

Keep in mind that 90% of the items that pass into your inventory can easily be re-gathered or purchased on the marketboard. An item will tell you if it's special, and most of the stuff you'll find pre-ShB won't stand up to the lastest, in terms of consumables. If you're ever in doubt, check GarlandTools or the Lodestone, or just ask someone!

One more tool to know about is Desynthesizing items; this unlocks after a certain level in crafter quests, but it allows you to break down unwanted items to a base component and some crystals. I recommend turning in items like these to your Grand Company first, to build up seals. But this is a good alternative if you're maxed out on seals and just want to get stuff moving. (Or need crystals.)

Ultimately, how you sort your inventory is up to you; do you plan on becoming an Omni-crafter, or never picking up a hammer at all? Are you going to level every single class? Maybe only a few? Are you hunting rare items to sell on the marketboard and make a profit? Your inventory management is going to be based around that.

Try picking a time once a month to go through all of your inventories and ask yourself, 'does this spark joy?' 'do I need this or was I saving it for something?' If not, you can probably sell or toss it. You might find a weapon you set aside, only to come back and realize you've already out leveled it. You might need three nagxian silk for something, only to do a search and realize you already had two.

Best of luck on your quest for inventory Zen! See you around Eorzea!