#but going in their ask to be rude isn't very slay

[tales-of-magic-and-chaos]

"No body cared about selfcest" Lol,just LOL most normal people finds it gross. If you don't then you're mentally ill,just like the sylki shippers.

Thank you for this in-depth psychological and literary analysis. It's really a relief to see such a display of media literacy and critical thinking in the age of today. And I was worried about people's inability to reflect on the purpose of fiction !

[smutinlove]

hi! how are you? can I make a request? so ive been imagining in my head how would jason react to reader going to the wayne gala with him? (for being more especific after jason introduce reader to the batfamily reader gets invited by jason's family to go to the wayne gala)

how would the batfamily treat her? how does Jason behave on gala nights?? sorry for so many questions lol

thanks for reading this <3

y'all are FEEDING THE DEMON inside me. slay

-not proof-read. has punctuation mistakes (probably. maybe.. idk)

•after a few embarrassing encounters (for jason HAHA) with his family, you were formally invited to have dinner with them. and dinner turned into an invitation to the wayne gala. pretty big, huh?

•at first, you were hesitant... but jason said he wouldn't go without you and you did not want that. so you went with him.

•i mean, it was one thing being with him. but his arm wrapped around you waist while he introduced you to everyone, calling you his, "girlfriend."

•and whenever he called you his girlfriend, he blushed and smiled.

•i mean, usually jason would be one of those "macho, no feelings/emotions need to be shown" kind of men. but when he's with you, it's a whole new genre.

•he's so gentle with you. your dress got stuck? he'll buy you a new one. hungry during the gala? he'll make you sit down and give you a plate filled with food. (his siblings said that he's so chaotic during gala nights... not true.)

•and omg, speaking of his siblings, they are so protective over both of you. if you hurt him, count your days. if he hurt you, that's a different book in general.

•dick is like an older brother, except he is so sweet and genuine. he knows everything about everyone. tim is like the nerdy but really chaotic younger brother. he's super smart, but also on the brink of causing an alien invasion and murdering everyone in the galaxy. but he's just a goofy little boy <3

•steph is such a girl's girl. she's so friendly and sweet. she's an angel, i swear. cassandra cain doesn't talk much. but she isn't untoward or rude to you. she just doesn't talk a lot. but she has said a few nice words to you.

•damien... that little minx is formal. but once you break down his barriers, he is just another child and child soldier. you and him bonded over your love for animals. he even introduced you to alfred the cat.

•now, papa wayne, the man, the myth, the bat. bruce wayne. he was very friendly. holy shit, this man raised amazing children. he deserves the world. he is very sweet to you, always making sure you're comfortable. he's like a dad to you. (i wish he was my dad)

•alfred, the heart of the bat family. he's formal too sometimes. but he's really nice. he's helpful and witty. he knows everything about every member of the bat/wayne family. if you want to see jason in diapers or when he was in an awkward teenage phase, ask him. he has pics of EVERY batfam member.

•let's just say that jason was raised by amazing people. and those same people adore you with everything.

jason is my pookie bear. he's just a big cuddly teddy bear and i love him for that

[sincerely-sofie]

Chapter 1 of Sofie Plays "Slay the Princess": The Hero and the Princess

Into the insanity.

[ Beginning ] - [ Previous Part ] - [ Next Part ]

I like that we have a little bird talon as our cursor! Fun detail. I'd like to use custom cursors in my own visual novels someday.

Awww! This line is going to come back to bite me, isn't it.

THERE'S VOICE ACTING?????? DANG IT. Now I kinda wish I waited to record myself playing through this game like a let's play... alas. We persist with a playthrough journal comprised of still images and bullet point notes :<

Asked the Narrator how a princess locked in a basement could be dangerous enough to end the world and now I just want to have a perpetual sleepover with the gal. At the very least, we can give her some company while she's down there. Right?

Asked the narrator for details on how she'd end the world and now he's calling me a sheeple. RUDE.

Question: Does the Princess have actual powers that allow her to enforce her will on others? Or is this just the Narrator being anti-princess? or anti-this-Princess-in-particular?

I INSTANTLY DISTRUST THIS MAN. He's going to gaslight me to heck and back, isn't he? He already is, I just know it.

Told the narrator I'm going to meet the Princess before I make any decisions about executions. I'm doubting myself so bad. Is he the manipulator here? Is he genuinely warning me against the Princess being the true manipulator? He sounds uber bitter and I want to know their history.

Narrator, honey, I'm glad you've got a bit you're committed to and all, but I don't want to meet someone new whilst holding the means to end them. Forget taking the blade, I'm taking my sweet time getting to know this poor woman.

Okay yeah the Narrator is 100% not a good guy. That last line made me question whether he was voicing the Hero's thoughts, but the tone he used while saying it makes me feel like he's just working really hard at applying for the role of Intrusive Thought #4 Understudy.

THESE DIALOGUE OPTIONS ARE KILLING ME. NOOOOOO DO NOT LIE TO HER WHEN YOU SAY YOU'RE HERE TO SAVE HER!!! THAT'S MEAN!!!!!

Told the Princess "Uh hi I think I'm here to slay you? Question mark?" and she responded with this:

The Narrator immediately followed up with the below. Go kick rocks Narrator. I want to at least be polite if I'm going to kill someone.

Can't decide whether the Princess is playing at the role of innocent victim or not. We operate on innocent until proven guilty laws here, though. So I'll act accordingly.

Just met the Princess and the Hero is INSTANTLY simping for her as the Narrator looks on in distaste. Straight up "HI WIFEY" nonsense. I like this couple.

Oh my word he's a dork. I love this character.

Told her about why I'm supposed to kill her and I'm 100% believing what she said. I don't care if she's going to sprout fangs and disembowel me with her teeth or anything, I adore this gal.

Oh no. She accurately read my thought process.

Okay so here's a theory: The Narrator really hates monarchies. Which is fair. But this seems very personal for him, and he keeps bringing it up, like the Princess deserves to die for the sin of her being a princess. Is this some kind of worldwide magic anti-monarchist government overthow situation? I know that's definitely not the case but I am grasping at straws to understand his motivation.

I asked her how she's been eating or drinking when I'm apparently the only person she's seen in a very, very long time, and she dodged the question, and the Narrator backed her up. This lady is 100% not human. The Narrator is itching to get me to kill her and is sweeping over what the Hero perceives as a plot hole, because from his perspective, he knows it isn't. She's not human. Jotting that down for later.

I told her that we could do the perpetual sleepover thing I mentioned earlier and I'm realizing how callous of a solution that is now that the Hero is all like "Yay I came up with smart solution! Win-win! Go me :D"

The Princess and Narrator both shot down the sleepover solution. Poor Hero.

The music just cut out. She's doing the anime mean girl thing where she examines her nails. I'm having regrets.

I'M STRAIGHT UP NOT HAVING A GOOD TIME ANYMORE, GUYS

On the one hand: I could lock her in the basement and leave without killing her with my own hands. But with the abrupt change in tone I am no longer confident that this woman isn't going to chew off her own arm like a coyote in a trap so that she can escape and do... whatever it is she intends to do. I'm not sure that's exactly ending the world. But I'm leery of it regardless. She doesn't need food or water apparently, so she likely wouldn't die if I left her alone down here, which just further cements the idea that she's going to do anything necessary to get out.

On the other hand: I could kill her directly, and try to be merciful about how I do it.

On the OTHER other hand, I could free her, but I no longer feel safe around this woman.

I've been staring at these options for so long guys I'm so worried about making the wrong choice. I know that the opening screen said there's no wrong decisions but like. STILL.

Okay, decision made. She's definitely taking the self-dismemberment route if I leave her here, and she's definitely coming after me the second she's out. I'd rather try to make this quick than go through the exceptionally frightening scenario I'm envisioning in my head. Hopefully she's nice about inevitably overpowering me in the subsequent struggle and stabbing me afterward.

Hey, you guys know how 3D horror games will use 90 degree angle blind corners in order to facilitate jump scares? I think I just realized visual novels use line breaks to accomplish the same goal, and I'm scared to progress to the next line.

SHE IS GOING TO CHEW THROUGH THAT ARM AND I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE ASAP.

I CALLED IT I CALLED IT I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING CALLED IT SOMEBODY PICK UP THE PHONE BECAUSE I CALLED IT AND NOW I NEED 911 ON THE LINE

Oh cool beans! Reality warping! Let's gooooooooo

Yeah no she's definitely got reality warping abilities. I figured that if she doesn't need to eat or drink she wouldn't be able to bleed to death after losing an arm, so I closed the door behind me... and it locked.

Decided to try and wait her out while she lurks in the shadows and now we're LARping Sans and Chara as I fall asleep.

I chickened out and entered the dark to confront her. It went very well for me!

Oh... I don't like that title.

See you guys in the next chapter! I am scared :)

[hendrixthepolitesnake]

💕when they visit you 💕 (humans)

(this is some headcanons yes the reader is black and it does mention some yandere behavior and the word nigga or the n- word I'd you don't know I am Black I just wanted to say that like I said before this is from my Wattpad account which is asexual panbitch)

Giyuu: He came back to that same place close by where you live and at the time you were cooking a meal for him because you knew he was going to come back plus you just wanted to thank him for helping your village he always had that emotionless look in your eyes but in reality he felt really happy on seeing you made him feel things he's never felt before he honestly couldn't stop staring at you while you were talking to him he was really thinking that you didn't notice like come on your a handsome/pretty man who wouldn't want to look at you (slay💅🏾) but at the same time he felt comfortable around you needless to say you both had a good time especially the food you cooked he was amazed by it his future husband can cook ("yes I do the cooking yes I do the clean"- ok I'll stop)

Shinobu: She asked if you could help out with the patients at the butterfly mansion (so she could keep an eye on you) and you begin a kind and helpful person you decide to volunteer everything went great you guys talk and helped other patients but something happened while you were treating a patient and he was being a creep towards shinobu look at her up and down and her being uncomfortable he noticed this and got up look the dude dead in his eyes and said "It's rude to look at a woman like that you better fix your eyes before I smack the shit outta you" he got scared and fix his eyes real quick (black momma mode m/n💅🏾) shinobu felt that love tingle sensation she knew were the right one for her she plans to kill that man for even looking at your beautiful skin and eyes you told her that you were glad that you could help and left but not without giving her a hug she wished you could stay like this then you said your goodbyes and left(she definitely killed that man 💀)

Misturi & Obanai : You decide to have a sleepover with the two due to the gifts they have been giving to you in which you appreciated it they seem very nice especially misturi her personality is quite cute and Obanai 's he's kind a asshole but in reality he likes you very much misturi made a lot of food to eat in which you noticed Obanai wasn't eating and you asked misturi why he isn't eating misturi said that he doesn't like showing his mouth in which you told him he's handsome no matter what in which he took it off looking away from you put your hands on both misturi and obanai' s face and told them that they are perfect they way there are and misturi Begin misturi got emotional because she was treated bad due to her big appetite and her hair but you were different they both thought so they hugged you while you comforting them after all that y'all had fun ate dango and talked they both got tired so you picked them up and took them to there room you soon left after leaving a note (well m/n you just made these yanderes obsession even worse💀)

Uzui: This zesty ass nigga would stalk you like man every were you went he was suddenly there I mean you've met his wives they were really nice (definitely wasn't planning if they should get you the same outfit like theirs 😀 and your ring size ) plus they visit the diner you work at (only to see you of course ) it was very nice to see them your the only waiter they'd allow to serve them honestly uzui would say that you are✨ flamboyant ✨and a perfect husband but he just had to get you to marry him he was gonna do it no matter what you say have no choice you will marry him and that's final~(Flamboyant!👨🏿‍🦽)

(Part 1)

[winters-mistress]

goodnight moon

"Here." Geralt says, passing Ciri a cup of water. The girl with red cheeks takes it greatfully, gulping down the cool drink, feeling it drip down the corners of her mouth and slide down her chin. Geralt grins at her, ruffling the messy hair that's fallen out of her braid, that honestly isn't a braid anymore. There's maybe a quarter of what once was when she and Yennefer had started that morning, and she looks all the more comfortable to be wild in the rugged turrain.

"You, Princess, are a sight to behold." Jaskier says, lolloping over with his lute in hand, the strings still echoing after his jump down a tree he had been dozing in that afternoon. "A true witcher Princess if I've ever seen one. Your story will he sung for decades."

"Don't sing, bard." Yennefer says as she glides over the twigs towards their little camp. "You'll allert a beast with your warbling."

Jaskier splutters. "Ah! How rude, my dear, if anything I will sedate a striga before it rips the witcher's chest to shreds. My dear Amelie always said I had the most soothing voice." He finishes with a flair, strumming his strings to make his point.

Yennefer scoffs, reaching close to the fire to pour herself a brisk cup of tea with the last of the hot water. Geralt keeps his eye on her as her hand goes near Cirilla, although in truth he knows he has nothing to fear. If Yennefer had her magic, then perhaps, but that part of her is just as empty and hollow as it was that afternoon in Nenneke's temple. The mage is a mage no more, simply a tutor to the child and under his brisk observation. Very, very brisk observation.

As the afternoon draws to a close, he and Ciri practice forms before they go skulking off into the frozen forest to see what they can scrounge for supper. They probably won't have more than a couple slim boars or winter berries, but anything is better than the snakes they had made a thin soup out of a couple days ago. Jaskier had vomited, and Ciri still cringes at the memory of the sour, bitter taste.

Their dinner is thin, only a couple of birds is all either of them had the energy to slay. Geralt is exhausted from the whole debacle of keeping his girl safe from Yennefer at all times, let alone thinking if ways to keep them all safe from Cirilla's threats and missionaries. And Ciri knows better than to push him when he's set on something, so she follows his lead and swallows her pride and does what he says.

Their dinner is meager, their sleep is disturbed by an east wind, and they wake the next morning cold and slightly covered in a dusting of snow. The foursome quietly pack up their belongings, an uneasy silence between them, as Gerand and Jaskier finish tending the horses and Yennefer and Cirilla finish rolling the bedrolls and packing the bags.

"What's it like?" Ciri's voice is quiet, she's cold and exhausted and just wants to rest, just wants some peace. But she needs answers to, ones that Geralt had always been too close to her to ask.

"What's what like?" Yennefer's voice is just as frigid as the cold air around them.

"Being a mage with no power." Ciri's voice cuts the air like a blade. Yennefer freezes. "I didn't let you kill me, so your demon deal didn't work. You slitting your wrists in Kaer Morhen didn't work. You just bled out until Vesemir stitched you up. You mutter elder speech but nothing happens, so you're still hollow of power. What's it like?"

Yennefer doesn't respond, she hopes that Ciri will let it go, but those piercing emerald eyes barely even blink as she waits for her answer. She shifts uncomfortably, the only person other than her to have archived that was Tissaia.

"Hard." She begins. "I envy you. So much it hurts, to feel the magic pulsing around you, it's an aura. I wish so badly for magic, to regain what I deserve. But trying that only made me a villain, and lost me you and Geralt. An old friend once told me that what is lost, is lost. And that we must forge a way forward without it. So that's what I must do. Teaching you, it's the only way I can think to move ahead in this life. But other than that, I don't know how."

Ciri is quiet for a moment. "I hated you when I found out what you were going to do to me. Hated how you betrayed and manipulated me. I don't think I'll ever forgive you for that, I don't think I can forgive anybody that betrays me. It's exhausting having it happen again, and again, and again. Everybody either wants to use me or wants me dead. So it's always going to be between us, what you did. To me and him." she nods at the witcher, who is staring at them with big golden eyes. "But although I will never forgive, or forget, it's useless you trying to teach me if I'm resentful and closed off. So, I'll try to move forward, but I cannot forget, Yennefer. No matter what you do or how you do it, even if you kill every army who wants me blood, take the head of everybody coming for me, even if you take down the wraiths, it'll always be there."

"I understand." Yennefer's voice is dry. "And I'm sorry."

"I know you are." Ciri stands with her things in her arms and walks towards her steed. Yennefer watches her go.

"Come on, Yennefer. We must make haste if we're ever going to have warmth in our bones again." Jaskier huffs, walking towards the woman as she stands there staring at the girl.

"I'm coming, bard."

[shmowder]

long time listener first time caller 🫣

for the oc event: i’ve been rattling this idea around in my head for a little while of a nurse-type assistant character

her name is Jucika ✨ she can help you out by preparing medicine with gathered herbs and can turn bandages and tourniquets into more useful and effective materials. she can also assist in healing and assisting the bound with medicine and items You have to gather, but as the days progress there is more and more of a risk of her getting ill, and if she becomes ill she will no longer be able to assist you.

she’s a little bit weird and unsettling but she’s lived in what is essentially a convent her whole life so you can’t fault her for that. she’s in town because she’s mostly interested in burial traditions, deathbed care, hospice care, etc. and she studies different traditions. once the plague hits her goody-two-shoes nature compels her to stick around and help where she can.

she means well but for some reason u cant help but feel like she knows exactly when and how u will die (she doesn’t, she doesn’t even have any kind of supernatural abilities, but she will tease you by making you think she does)

she also loves 2 annoy dankovsky. she can’t help it. she lovesss being a dick to him cause he always reacts poorly and he can’t piss her off too badly bc he needs her around to help out. if u piss her off too bad she WILL stop helping you so watch out. she doesn’t belong to any specific faction - she’s a solitary person doing what she can to help. she’s just a weird little guy, single and ready to mingle in this crazy world while TRYING to hold you to some semblance of a moral standard.

She's just a weird little guy. She's just a little bit of a freak it's cool. She's just built like that. But oh, watch out :)

That detail about her stopping to help you if you were even rude one (1) time is absolutely amazing.

I can already picture the swarm of reddit posts complaining about how unfair this is and the game should have some leeway or give them a warning that being mean to her will cause this. Complaining how this is bullshit and now they have to replay the entire day just to suck up to her, how this is ruined their no savescum run.

A character that's controversial with the playerbase and sows chaos, a wildcard amidst the speedrunner community who pray every day that she isn't ill yet so they can get the premium medical items from her.

A character that looks evil, acts unsettling but is a actually a nice goody two shoes inside. Except that she tolerates no bullshit or rudeness, I love her. Slay Jucika, slay indeed.

Her design is very beautiful and in tone with her personality! The contrast between her pristine clean nun outfit and the dirtiedd medical apron. The knowing smirk on her face in the first image!

Maybe she likes to annoy Daniil because he also tried to recruit her into working under him (with no payment or nothing to boost, just the promise of fame) like he did with the Haruspex after meeting him?

Like he just was dismissive, you know how doctors treat nurses. Telling her to report to him as if he was her superior simply for being a doctor, only for her to put her foot down and make it her mission to annoy him each and every time he comes asking for help afterwards, taunting him for resorting to the nurse when a big capable doctor like him couldn't handle the situation or lacks the knowledge.

I adore her, go girlboss go! Also i really love her deep red lipstick, very few people and character designs can pull that off yet she does it so seamlessly. Iconic.

[kismetrose]

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐏𝐂 𝐛𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟓: 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐌𝐲 𝐆𝐌 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐏𝐂 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝! This can happen when a GM assumes that a player's smitten with an NPC but hasn't asked to be sure. In this case, the GM is trying to give the player what they think they want: a much closer relationship with the NPC. The player might not be showing major signs that they're annoyed, especially when their 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟 doesn't want to be rude. Or the player could be giving plenty of signs that they're sick of the NPC but the GM isn't seeing or heeding them.

This can happen when the 𝐺𝑀 is smitten with an NPC. Since they're impressed with and delighted by the character, it's easy to assume the players are, too. Having the NPC tag along offers the GM more chances to enjoy the character and win the players over. The trouble is, the GM may not consciously realize how attached they are to the NPC or how unamused players are. Consider it like having a crush: their perception is skewed so they only see the best in the character and it's easy for misunderstandings to occur.

When a player feels stuck in this scenario, it may be tempting to have their character verbally or physically attack the NPC in-game. Hurting or slaying the character will have to make it clear they're not wanted and put the matter to rest, right? And a blow-up will be cathartic and clear the air - what could go wrong? It's understandable that a player wants to express their frustration, but this route can easily lead to arguments and grudges. Instead, there are two key ways to circumvent this problem.

𝐈. 𝐆𝐌𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐧

First, as a GM, you should be checking in with players regularly about what they enjoy and what might be bothering them. You don't have to do this every single session, but once every few sessions is a good rate and can keep problems from festering. If doing this face-to-face is too awkward, try sending asynchronous messages between sessions (texts, DMs, etc.); this will give them time to think before they respond and some distance so they feel less pressure as they reply. If you don't get responses that way, end a session a little early and ask then.

If or when a player expresses negative feelings about an NPC, honor that. They get to feel how they feel, even if you don't agree with their estimation. Trying to argue with their view or change their mind will probably go poorly; it will seem like you're refusing to hear or heed them after they worked up the courage to speak with you. Doubling down on the NPC's importance and keeping them around is likely to make the player feel like their input doesn't matter, and that will become a grievance they hold onto.

𝐈𝐈. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐮𝐭

Second, if you feel this way as a player, don't let it continue for long. It's okay to give the NPC an honest try and reserve judgment for a time. It's also nice to be polite to the GM, but if you aren't having fun, try to let them know sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to get it out peacefully.

If you're feeling very upset, write out your response and let it all out - don't censor yourself or stop until you feel done, but 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. Keep it to yourself, sleep on it, and then edit it so it's brief, focused, and respectful. You can ask fellow players to read it and suggest things or find a friendly online forum where you can post anonymously and ask for feedback. If other players agree with your concerns, you can add that to your message or ask them to send their own.

Either way, try to send it to the GM within a week and give them at least a week to respond.

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

You can try something like this:

[Dear, Hey, or whatever friendly greeting works best with that person] [GM's name],

I appreciate you running for [me or us] and I want you to know that. I've been enjoying [insert something specific about the campaign here] a lot, and I'm looking forward to more.

But I've also been having trouble with something in-game and I'd like to work with you to resolve it. I really haven't been enjoying interacting with [NPC's name], and it feels like they're around all the time. I'd really like to [have them removed from the game, see a lot less of them, see less of them for a while] and focus on [a story arc, a location, other characters]. Can we please work on making this happen soon?

Thanks for reading this!

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

If the GM doesn't respond and/or the situation doesn't improve, then you should bring it up at the table calmly during a break or after the session: "I've asked not to deal with this character [as much, at all] but [nothing's changed, things have gone back to now they were, I still have to interact with them more than I'd like]. I'd like to talk about this with everyone so I can have more fun moving forward." If the GM persists beyond this point, you may have to leave the game to be rid of the NPC, but that is probably better than being disregarded. Generally speaking, no gaming is better than bad gaming.

Whatever side of the situation you're on, remember: everyone deserves to have fun, be included, and feel respected. A GM can get attached to an NPC just as easily and strongly as a player, and that doesn't have to be a bad thing. When disagreements arise, it's best to work together on a solution everyone's okay with. Taking a little time and effort to communicate can go a long way.

[pythagoras180]

Genuine question so I hope this doesn’t come across as rude: why do you like Zoé so much?

I think she’s nice and yay gay rep but she really comes out of nowhere and just feels like a Marinette clone to replace Chloé so fans would stop asking about her failed redemption and stuff

Again, you’re entitled to your opinion and there’s things wrong, just curious

Let's start at the very beginning. I knew absolutely nothing about Zoé going into "Sole Crusher", and I first watched this episode in German dub without subtitles. So I had no idea what was going on. I honestly thought that this new blonde girl was Chloé's cousin or something. Then I read in the summary that they're half-sisters, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was interesting to make their familial connection so much closer than expected, as I don't really see cousins as close family. And then I read that Zoé was the result of Audrey having an affair, and I was shocked, but also really respected the writers for having the guts to add something like that in. Maybe this is just because I haven't watched/read too many stories, but Zoé is the first time I've seen the affair child of such a bad person being portrayed in such a positive light. It kind of changed my view in a way.

I like that Zoé is so sweet, but also a little snarky sometimes. This is just my opinion, but I like that personality. You call her a Marinette clone, but other people have also compared her to Chloé, Adrien, and even Lila. I think at some point in the mixing process, she would have just become an original character, don't you?

When she became Vesperia, I really liked that she had value outside of just the Miraculous. Other heroes would often just use their powers and that's that. Doesn't make them look that unique. But Zoé used to acting skills to taunt Queen Banana into releasing Ladybug, and then tricked Chloé into accepting the Magical Charm. I feel that that gives her uniqueness. I'm a bit disappointed that this hasn't really been utilized since, but it's still something. And no offense to Queen Bee fans, but she made Venom look lame. I only saw it as cool after watching Vesperia paralyze the gigantic gorilla.

In "Transmission", Zoé is the only one being a good friend to Marinette. She doesn't partake in the party, and later goes to check on her when nobody else thinks of that. That made me respect her even more. And obviously, Kitty Noire slays (Blaqueminette is a better name though).

In "Deflagration", I like how she doesn't stand up for herself, but is fearless in protecting Marinette from Chloé. I think that solidifies how good of a person she is. But I was super disappointed to see that she wasn't Sole Destroyer like the leaks indicated. I mean, the name even fits her better. But I guess that idea is too cool for this show.

When I read the leaks for "Adoration", I initially didn't like it. I thought, "This doesn't further Zoé's character, it's just a plot device to push Adrienette further. Zoé deserves better." But after actually watching the episode, I ended up liking the confession. The way they did it was very sweet.

I think the only episode I have a problem with her is "Collusion". First, she has exactly one line, which just feels weird. Second, she says that Andre is a good man deep down, despite him hurting God knows how many people during his corrupt political career. This connects to a larger issue I have with the show, where they portray it that if you're forgiven by one person, all your past actions no longer matter, even if this person isn't the one you hurt most. But this episode is pretty much Zoé's only L in my book.

I understand that not everybody likes Zoé, and I don't expect them to. Honestly, I think her character and her introduction to me was just a perfect storm. I don't think this will change minds, but maybe it'll help you understand my point of view at least a little bit.

[ryansjane]

For the drama ask: 7, 12 and 13

7. if you could change the ending of a drama which one would it be?

oof, there's so many! let me choose a drama that I actually loved bc one that I don't is kind of the easy way out lol. I'd change the ending of 3 will be free so ter isn't killed & mae's trauma isn't provoked just so she can rescue the main three characters. I'd have shin kill his father bc it's much more meaningful & powerful this way, and I'd also have him move permanently on the island with mew & neo instead of going back and forth. also mae & ter would leave the country and heal peacefully together :)

12. an actor/actress you want to see in a lead role

what a loaded question! I'll get it out of my system, yes of course I want to see off in a main role in a show that isn't bl, isn't an ensemble cast & is actually good bc all of his non offgun related roles never take off & it's pissing me off lol.

the next obvious choice is mond, but this one I honestly feel even more strongly about bc this man is literally one of the most beautiful men on earth AND talented as fuck & he literally gets nothing but crumbs from gmmtv.

lay talay bc he's kinda dropped off the surface of the earth lately & I think that's a crime, my dream would be for him to join gmmtv even though I doubt they'd give him a main role, but at least I'd get to see more of him :(

give drake a new main bl please, I can't believe he ate the most ever in my tee yet bc the writing of it was shit it flopped & since then he's gotten no other good role ever, like... fucking rude 😠

fluke pusit bc he's literally so fucking good I love him, and if he got a main bl role he'd 100% become huge, I can feel it!

lastly for the actors or we'll be here forever, we have earth pirapat & first, who are both actors I've loved for a long ass time but I've kinda lost some interest for once they became caged into their current ships. I like both ships, especially firstkhao, but I feel like since getting with their ships they've completely lost their identity as individual actors, and in my opinion it's a generalized problem with the new generation of gmmtv ships, but it especially bothers me for first & earth bc I KNOW how amazing they are & feel they could do both ship work AND slay some individual works.

as for the actresses, we all know they're all so fucking underrated & I stan literally every single one of them, but also bc there's much less of them than male actors, they often get main roles more easily, so I don't have as many to mention.

firstly there is jennie, who is always put in side roles but would actually SLAY a good romcom! also it would be incredible representation to have a romance with a trans woman who's not played by a cis actress (*cough* the fallen leaf I'm looking at you *cough*)

then there's ciize who just deserves the spotlight imo. she's adorable, seasoned & a good actress, and I think she'd make for a very new type of female lead in dramas that I'd really love to see!

lastly there's the love of my life, lookjun. technically she got a main lead in the jungle which gives me hope for the future, but it was an ensemble cast show so it doesn't count. I want her in a full show bc I think she's amazing & has the charisma to carry it!!! (also pls she's literally had 3 wlw side ships now GIVE HER A GL!!!)

13. popular actor/actress you feel nothing for 

literally almost all of them LMAO. I'm not a big fan of zee & nunew, I don't really like jimmy from gmmtv for some reason, I don't like mew & gulf AT ALL for obvious reasons & I don't care for mile & apo bc I didn't watch their show. there's many more but those were out of the top of my head.

xxx

participate in the ask game :)

[the-sparkling-diamond-satine]

Whose the serious one when grocery shopping and who likes to toss random things in the cart? cordeliq/anya

Fun pairing! :)

Anya is definitely the serious one. She plans their meals, makes the list ahead of time, and budgets the money. She doesn't trust Cordelia unsupervised with the money. I'm not sure Cordelia would often be tossing random things in the cart though. I think she finds grocery shopping to be very boring (and the worst kind of shopping because you don't even get clothes out of it). Also Anya already has her favorite snacks on the list so what is there to add? Cordelia definitely gets hungry while they're shopping though and opens something early to eat in the store and Anya gets very nervous about Cordelia "consuming the merchandise" before they've paid. Cordelia points put that they're going to pay but Anya finds this to be rude.

Throuple thoughts you didn't ask for but occurred to me so I wanted to share for Buffy/Anya/Cordelia: I think Buffy would be the chaotic one putting everything in the cart. Anya would ask Buffy what she wants from the store ahead of time but Buffy can't remember until she's there looking at it so Buffy is constantly adding random last minute things to the cart. They're things she definitely will eat, but that's not the way this is supposed to work according to Anya. Buffy also tends to wander off. She either doesn't return and they have to go find her or she comes back with something that she got distracted by like free samples, or a cake iced to look like a flower or a cat, or a meal kit for something like dirt cups (and then Buffy and Cordy have to explain to Anya that it's Not Actual Dirt). Despite being opposed to last minute cart additions, Anya always caves on these purchases because they're neat (remember that time she was in awe of chex mix and wanted to know if they were hand woven snacks? she's the biggest fan of food that Looks Cool.)

Cordelia has more fun if Buffy is here to create chaos. She causes trouble now too but Buffy always starts it. Anya also always caves and lets them buy whatever they want because, though she didn't find the random items herself, Cordelia decides that she wants them too and now it's two against one which is Simply Unfair also Anya cannot resist their pouting. Anya tries to stop this madness by insisting every week that this isn't in their budget and Buffy needs to give her a list ahead of time though Cordelia and Anya both know that Buffy will be very grumpy after slaying if she doesn't have her snacks so they let her get away with it. Anya starts secretly budgeting for Buffy's grocery shopping impulsivity though she tells no one because she doesn't want to encourage it.

Anyways, two autistic gf's x one adhd gf my beloveds <3

[msfbgraves]

Knights and Pawns

Nights to remember (part 2)

How many feckin LaRussos are still alive? Some, at the very least must have snuffed it in the Italian wars, yeah?

Right, fuck, Terry. This is exactly what they want. But forgive him for being a little testy when he's forced to make conversation through a heat. It's rude, if nothing else. They could have called the whole affair off!

Maybe he's making a mistake. Just slay the whole lot, what does he care. He has nothing to prove to Don LaRusso, or his son, or his whole damned famiglia.

Except of course, he's never going to get a look at this inner sanctum again if he does, and he needs to get his bearings enough to get a sense of them.

No sign of Mrs. LaRusso, of course, she's attending to the boy. Fat lot of good that'll do them, he's seen as much with Mammy and Mandy. He'd never seen his sister that undone and he didn't ever want to see it again. She was wailing, and he's never felt so helpless, and potentially, the little one is feeling much the same. Not his problem, but. Not an omega around to soothe him now, or so he imagines. Alphas and betas, the lot of them.

Well, let's have a look then.

First there's the Don. Then, his brother. Vincent, or is it Joey? He'll have it found out later. Beta, and ditto wife. Lawyer, him, but she is no less cunning.

Then there are the siblings. Luigi, Alpha, and dumb as a brick. Vanessa, Alpha, and pretty observant, but far too loquacious about it. Michael, and that's the dangerous one. Unobtrusive, polite. Effectively using his older brother as a smokescreen. Betas- they have an easier time strategizing, and this one is taking full advantage. Daniel then, the youngest and their lottery ticket. No wonder, four pups is about as much as you can ask of a beta wife, when it comes to childbearing. After the loss of their Katie, Da let it be, and Mammy was never quite the same even then.

But the rest starts to dazzle him. There's at least two other Tonys, a Tessie, another Louie. He has no idea whether this Kenny is a cousin or a friend. Who the hell is Judy, anyway. She seems very...preoccupied withDaniel. Not that he cares...

Yeah, right. Holy Mother of God and all the Saints on a feckin cracker. He's losing it. He's absolutely losing it.

And there's others feeling that too, huh? More distant cousins, presumably. Well, they make Mickey Barnes look subtle, and the fella's dying a thousand deaths. Terry can't stand that Michael's piercing eyes. What is he looking at him for, anyway. There's some Carlo or Laura LaRusso sitting right there, plotting to get to that kitty as Terry and the Don are trading tales about nothing. Terry can smell it. So can the Don. So what is he playing at? What is that bastard playing at?!

He makes it halfway through the veal until he stands up. “You ought to see to your son, Don LaRusso,” he says curtly.

“Mr. Silver, my son is -”

“See. To. Him.” Terry hisses. “And get these people– get them out. We can do this another time. I can have you at the Black Stallion if you prefer.”

The Don says nothing, merely sits his eldest Alpha back down with a look.

“So this is how you judge our welcome, Mr. Silver?”

He walks around the table. “This isn't about me,” he says. “And if you can't agree with me on that, Don LaRusso, we have nothing left to say.”

A few sharp words in Italian, and the room empties. “Not you, Miguele, Vanessa,” he says. The beta uncle stays as well.

The Don stands up. “Mr. Silver,” he says. “My Daniele regretted not being able to meet you tonight. I would like to extend an invitation on his behalf.” A curt look to his brother. “Saturday next?”

That is never enough time to get the logistics right. “He's unlikely to be well so soon, Mr. LaRusso.”

“My Daniele is a hardy boy,” the Don says.

“Still. I would not like to inconvenience him more than necessary.”

And now the Don genuinely smiles, extends a hand. “Bene.” He nods again. “Bene. I will tell his mother to expect you Saturday, three weeks from now.”

Terry shakes his hand as the beta uncle slaps his back. “What did your Mama call you, then?”

He smiles. “Terry.”

“Awright, Terry,” the brother says. “You better get your ass outta here until you die of blue balls, you dumb fuck. I didn't think you'd last through the first course.”

The son, Michael, smiles as uncle hands him a twenty.

“I think your Alpha boy's outside jerking off, Terry,” Vanessa quips. “Poor bastard.”

“Yes, I owe him a pint.” He gives a short bow. “Don LaRusso. Give my compliments to your wife.”

The Don merely nods. “Excuse me,” he says. “My son will see you out. Vanessa, we will join Daniele.”

The beta son waits while Terry gets his hat and coat. He stops Snake and Dennis joining them with the wave of a hand. Comes at him, gives him a smile.

“If you hurt that little one,” he says. “I will cut you. In your sleep.”

Terry laughs. “Yes, I'd suspected you would try.”

“No,” Michael says. “Louie will try.” He nods his head.

“Goodnight, Mr. Silver.”

It's only outside, with the front door closed behind him, that Terry throws his head back to get the faintest whiff of that sweet, desperate smell.

Soon, little one.

For now, he claps Mike Barnes on the back, ruffles Snake and Dennis' head.

“How about that pint, then, fellas?”

[rodthomaswriting]

The Prince and the Tower

Once upon a time, I was in a tower.

And one day, there came a brave knight. He did not introduce himself. "Tell me about yourself," he said.

"I know how to embroider-"

"Me too!" he shouted.

"I know how to cook, and-"

"Me too!"

"And I'm quiet. Which is a good thing."

"Yes, this is where we differ!" he said.

"I'm supposed to be a princess," I said.

"So, you're not one," he said.

"What a rude thing to say."

"'Supposed to' means it's not. That's just true."

"Are you going to kiss me?"

"Heavens, no!" he yelled.

"Then why are you here?"

"There's more to you than that," he said.

"Are you here to save me?"

"Yes, I am."

"Take me down from this tower," I said.

"No," he said.

"I want you to go away."

He smiled. "Very well."

I watched him climb down with ease. I dreamed of the knight often the following days. Sometimes, he smiled. Sometimes, he frowned. Once, he spoke to me.

"It's alright to cry," he said. "I do it, too."

He did not reappear for years.

He entered, not bowing.

"You're not supposed to be here," I said.

"Why?" he asked. "Says who?"

"Your questions bother me."

"They are supposed to."

"SEE! They are supposed to and they do! It doesn't mean they're not!"

"That's different," he said.

"No, it isn't!"

"... I suppose. You don't have to be fair, you know." He showed me his freckles. "Come into the sun."

"No. I can't."

"You can," he said, "but you're not supposed to. Your hands could be rough from work, but they feel just the same."

"No, they wouldn't."

"They feel things just the same."

"Oh."

Secretly, I wanted him to stay. But he often left all the same. I wanted to call for him.

"Can I ask you questions, sir knight?"

"Yes."

I asked him, "Who are your parents?"

"I haven't got any parents."

"Everyone has parents."

"No."

"Who is your king?"

He said, "There is no king."

"There has to be a king!"

"Why?"

He was handsome and smarter than me and stronger than me. I didn't want to kiss him, either.

"You're pretty for a boy."

He frowned. "Don't say that. But," he smiled, "I like to think so."

"Sir knight?"

"Yes?"

"Who taught you to slay dragons?"

"Well, if you can believe it," he said, "you."

"Me."

[writefightandflightclub]

Hi luna 🌜

So I finally got caught up on ride or die. And I read the last two chapters like an hour ago. I needed some time to gather my thoughts.

So is it weird I kinda dislike Santi a little bit? But reader too? Im just here thinking everytime reader had a second to think what she should do. If to get away from Santi or go to him just to go to him and I'll be like girl pls. Jfkdkdkdkdkdk *me in my mind shouting at reader*: GIRL LOVE YOURSELF!!!!

Anyways I loved the last chapter specifically when they were fighting after fucking and how she said that bc she isn't a mission she's basically not worth it. And when she said his love wasn't enough and she regretted her words. And I thought she SLAYED there. Omg like it's just I actually think those were the right words to describe their situation. Bc Santiago telling her he loved her really wasn't enough. Bc she wanted more things she wanted a future with a husband (him) and kids and a quiet lovely life like she mentioned at the beach and I think he needed to hear that. Doesn't matter how hard and rude it sounded. Sometimes telling someone u love them ISNT enough. Actions are needed. And if Santiago isn't okay to leave the army when she already left it. Then like yeah idk I don't think they will be compatible.

I'm not sure if this story will have a happy ending and even tho the characters were giving me a twitch in the eye I absolutely loved it and my friend which I was telling her about the fic she said: babe 36 messages? . And I was like girl you need to know about this fic I needed to rant. Ridkdkkrkrkfkdkd

Also also fun fact when Frankie popped in and reader knew he was probably naked I actually snorted. That was funny to me.

And look I adore this fic but sometimes Santi and reader make me want to rip my hair out. Going in going out going in going out like DECIDE WHAT YOU GUYS WANT PLS. okay I hope this isn't me being to whiny. I really do love the fic and I can't wait to read more.

Also the fucking in the bathroom was hot too 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣

Thats all. Again, love the fic 🩷

Lola! Hi lovely! 👋 ☺️🧡

Aww thanks so much for reading and for this glorious ask!

Okay, let’s get into it… Yes! You said you disliked them their actions in this chapter. I think that’s so important to highlight! What’s happening for them right now and how they’re handling it is definitely not aspirational. I defo didn’t want to romanticise arguing and yelling, so if it came across uncomfortable then I guess that’s maybe… good?! 😆 I hope that we can still be rooting for them to get to a healthier place even while they’re still being flawed and so very human, but I totally agree that this one is rough and they’re not handling things in an ideal way. I think they’re trying but they don’t know how (yet?). What I like about these two is that they both mess up. They’re both imperfect. There’s no one place to lay the blame. They both love hard and they both hurt. We’ll see if they can figure out a better pattern (or not!) by the end of the series, but you’re so right. This is not the best moment for them… but in a way, it needed to happen because things needed to be said, and for right now this was the one way they could find to do it!

Aww I love that you enjoyed the scene at the beach, thank you! Some truth bombs were definitely dropped and I really feel for both of them here. It does seem right now like they won’t be able to figure it out! That maybe they kinda sorta shouldn’t! But we’ll see how it all turns out 👀 😅

Ohmigosh and thank you for sharing with your friend about the story!!! 🥹🧡🥹🧡🥹 That makes me so happy! 36 messages?! 😀🧡😀

Haha! Frankie is a goddamn gem, I always love when he makes an appearance. AND in the nude too 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’m so glad there was a little laugh in there amidst all the angst and frustration.

And look, I totally get you! I want them to MAKE UP THEIR DAMN MINDS TOO. There are definitely things blocking them, some of which they’re already aware of and some of which are maybe more unconscious. I think it’s frustrating for them too! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for them but ey, who knows where this is heading 😝🤣🙈

Thanks so much for this! 🧡

[jules-and-company]

so now that i’ve made the post on my positions, now begins the hogwarts legacy tag !

so i’ve switched between houses a long time, but i’ve found my love in slytherin

i’d just like to introduce the character i designed for the game : Jude Kelliwic’h (did i steal the last name from kaamelott ? yes)

headshot like she’s going to jail (she would, with all the crimes she’s committing) :

she used to wear this (left) when she arrived, for comfort, then she wore a white jumper with her green tie (that i accidentally destroyed. 🥲), and she finally switched to something that was comfortable and slytherincore (right) :

About her :

she was born and lived on the outskirts of london, in a small muggle village. half-blood, her mother was a suspiciously good gardener, and her father had always insisted that they tell jude nothing about magic unless it shows in her, so that if she’s more muggle than wizard, she won’t be expecting something grand all her life. the scar on the brow comes from an accident with a dog when she was 7 (hence why she has personal beef with every blackdog of the highlands). also what is it with slytherin girls and white hair i keep seeing it everywhere on y'all's OCs (they are beautiful slay queens) ; jude's hair isn't actually white WHITE, but extremely blonde. also you can't really see it there but her eyes are green (am i predictable ? yes). finally, around fifteen, it started to show, and she received the letter. and instead of being mad at her parents for keeping it a secret, she went upstairs, locked herself in her room for five hours, and when she came down, she had a plan. she told no one of that plan, but when fig came to seek her to take her personally to hogwarts before the school year, and the events that ensued, even if they were tragic, made her estatic. because that's the plan. becoming someone.

cold stares and unforgiving eyes, a satisfied smirk always waiting to show when she wins, straight nose giving some edge to her too-roundy-for-her face, an eyebrow always ready to arch along with a judgy stare-down, long hands with callous skin from all the work she's doing bare-handed, blonde, almost white hair carefully twisted to fit in the low ponytail decorated with the family heirloom coming from her muggle grandmother, green everywhere, she's so proud of belonging to the house of sly and ambitious ones.

A world unknown ? she's going to make it hers. powerful magic ? enemies will be out of her way if they wish to see tomorrow unscathed, or alive. she's the human embodiment of "it's not over until i win". studies until 4am, "i am the smart one", the library is her second home (after the slytherin common room), she will not let go of books until they are imprinted into her brain ; after all, she lost so many years already. trains her most powerful curses on every threat she sees, from blackdogs to trolls, mercilessly. using ancient magic brings a feral smile to her lips, she loves nothing more than summoning thunder during a duel ; every trace she meets, she feels it entering her very being, and feeling even a tiny bit more powerful after that gives her the motivation to continue going above and beyond.

she could be the villain, honestly, if it wasn't for her heart. she has a rule for the services she's giving : if she likes you, she 'll do it for free. if she doesn't respect you, she'll ask you for money. if she hates you, not only is she gonna ask for your money but she will also be as rude as she possibly can (can and will say "he/she/they deserved it" if you talk about a loved one dying/getting hurt doing something stupid/mean). and...i think at least 75% of the players love sebastian sallow, and so do i (he is SO FINE. and for what.). he piqued her interest during their first duel at hecat's class, she started to like him when he showed her his immense trust by showing her the undercroft. he is the only one she never lied to about the ancient magic. there is something about him that tells her she can put her trust in him. for other slytherins, ominis is intriguing to jude (she won't let him yell at her though, told him he could put his threats away real quick when he caught her coming out of the undercroft), but since he's sebastian's best friend, she's willing to be friendly. with imelda, it was a rivalry at first, jude having none of her shit when she accused her of cheating on the broom races, but they warmed up a bit when they realised they had the same taste for ambition and glory. midly annoyed by garreth weasley and his antics when they cost her points ; is most likely out of all hogwarts students to say "fuck you" to leandre prewett everytime she sees him and loves to hurt him emotionally. and that little hufflepuff she just met in care for fantastic beasts class ? she barely remembers her name for now but no one touches her, that's a rule. so, not so much of a villain.

it's jude motherfucking kelliwic'h, and she knows you'll remember her name that way.

[briarworthandoleander]

Being a Rider isn't just about controlling a monster and having it do your bidding. It's about creating a bond. A bond deeper than just rider and steed, one that connects through the soul. It's Kinship. You're able to bond with almost all the monsters in your facility in some way, right? It's no different than that. Or like the bond between a Hunter and their Palico or Palamute. Or even Cohoot.

I'm not trying to stand here and change your stance on Riders. You're completely free to your opinion. But we're not all like you think we are.

And what exactly do I think you are? To be clear; I do not go out of my way to bond with any of the monsters in my care. I have to be incredibly delicate handling them because if I get it wrong - I could die.The juvinilles in my care do “bond” to an extent - but that’s because I have become the parental surrogate, and with maturity that bond is broken very easily. We do not ever attempt to tame monsters.

I think you are people of a certain lifestyle who do things a certain way, and when asked as to why I would not become a Rider I have to provide answers.

I do not wish to be a Rider nor contribute to Rider Social norms because I’m deeply concerned about the ecological effects from egg poaching and monster taming. I worry that taking the eggs will disrupt the wild monsters and their way of living which could effect the land. 

An example being that if one was to take too many carnivore eggs from a certain biome, the residential herbivore species population (often Aptanoth) would grow and begin to starve other plant eating species, and with a lack of plants other species would begin to suffer. Worse still - it could lead to a boost in invasive carnivore species picking off the surplus of food; the likes of Deviljho and Bazelguese, and I don’t think I need to explain why we don’t want a sudden growth in their numbers.

I also think the same can be said of Hunters - we’re constantly at the point of getting the numbers wrong and someones actions leading to an ecological nightmare. It’s happened many a time and I am aggravated by it horribly. Let us not forget that slaying all the herbivores in the area means that carnivores then starve and are made to wander further than their natural habitat in search of food - which can then afflict the surrounding areas and mean more monsters starve. 

There are too many conflicting things around both lifestyles, and that is why I became a rescuer - so I could keep a balance as best I can.

I am deeply worried and troubled by both Riders and Hunters, and despite having been a Hunter myself, I like to think I do better as a Rescuer.

I also think it a bit rude to compare Lynians and Canynes to monsters. Both choose to do as they will when it comes to living aside us, whereas a monster is raised from an egg to do the same - and I wouldn’t say the monster has much of a choice in that.

- Leo Briarworth

[gwen-ever]

Until My Last Breath (Prologue)

Summary: When Smaug arrived, he not only killed the dwarves of Erebor, but he also destroyed the lives of the few who survived... whether he did it on purpose or not.After a hundred years, a part of Thorin's past will come back to haunt him in the form of a dwarf who last knocks on the door of Bilbo Baggins' house, resurrecting old grudges and the pain of a life no one wants to talk about. Geira, daughter of Geiri, is anything but an open book, an exiled who no one wants around, a warrior who has no one to fight for, but only an oath she must fulfil.

Relationships: Thorin x FemaleOC

Rating: M

Warnings: none.

AO3 LINK: HERE

Note Number I: English is not my first language, I have a wonderful beta @lathalea <3 (i am so much greatful you can't even imagine) but maybe I will mess up few times.

Note Number II: The Story takes place during the quest but there is a whole backstory that starts since Thorin's childhood so there are going to be a lot of flashbacks. THEY ARE NOT IN A CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER so the whole back story could be guessed but will be explained later in the story.

Note Number III: I will mix up the book events and the movie events, fixing what where (from my point of view) some mistakes were made. I have decided to do so simply because there are some lacks of infos here and there and so many lost possibilities in some actionless time, as happened in Mirkwood and Laketown.

I am blood of your blood, and bone of your bone, stone of your stone

I gift you my body so it can fall instead of yours.

I give you my soul so it can  wait for yours in the Great Halls.

I lend you my voice so it can order your commands

I present you my sword so it can slay the ones who wish to harm you.

No other dwarf will be mine, no other dwarf will own me,

no one will sleep next to me, no life will come out from the womb of mine.

No one I will serve over the crown, over the Seven Stars, over the Father of all fathers, over the King of all Kings.

I offer myself to you, until the end of times, until the mountains soar to the sky,

until all the blood dries, until the fires of Mahal’s forge blaze high.

Until my last breath, until my last glance, until my last blow,

until the last time my hands touch the rock our Father gave to us,

my life is yours and your wish is mine.

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The house of Bilbo Baggins was more crowded than usual that evening, and the owner was more than a little disconcerted: not only had his peace of mind been disturbed, not only was his larder completely, utterly, depleted, but his kitchen, indeed his whole house, was overrun with dwarves! Thirteen dwarves! Plus a wizard he had met in the morning whom he barely knew and had marked the door with a rune, thanks to which his guests had recognised the Hobbit's dwelling. Truly, Bilbo Baggins did not know how to begin to drive them out, he had been trying since the first one (Dwalin, if he remembered correctly) had walked in through the round door, obviously without being heard by any of them.

Crockery, knives, pots and pans, everything had begun to fly from one side of the room to the other without ever stopping. He tried more than once to stop them, without ever succeeding! At that moment his Took blood was more useless than a fork when eating soup. In fact, his Baggins blood had gotten the better of him, leading him to accept the situation with no small amount of annoyance, including those black strokes on his yellow walls and the fragments of food scattered on the floor. Oh, not to mention his good wine, totally gone! It had taken him hours to sort out his pantry between days before and now all his food, all his tomatoes, all his wine, all his cheese, everything, gone, vanished, and it was not even the time for the spring solstice party yet!

And now, or in heaven's name, now Gandalf had even had the courage to tell him that he would have to get used to them! To all of them! To the twelve dwarves in his kitchen! And what on earth did the wizard mean by saying  that he would have to put up with them forever!

Annoyed, he began to walk down the corridor arguing with Gandalf and putting his hands on his hips.

"I don't understand what they are doing in my house!" he shouted, raising his voice.

The wizard didn't reply, but a small voice behind him did and before he knew it his entire set of porcelains was in the air.  His cutlery was being knocked over his table. Knife blades were being dulled by their rubbing against fork handles, and before he knew it, in time to the music, his entire kitchen set was flying through the air.  Oh no, no no no, not that chair, no, not that plate, no not that other plate! No, stop, please!

His pleas were soaring through the air, as if they were leaves on a wind, as were his dishes. And Gandalf sat smoking his pipe on a chair with an amused smile while all this happened before his eyes. Bilbo ran to the kitchen to put an end to this madness, but as soon as he did so, he noticed to his surprise that all the things that had been flying over his head until just now were neatly stacked on top of each other on his kitchen table.

He blinked, several times adjusting his braces, unable to believe his eyes.

The dwarves seemed highly amused by his reaction, and began to laugh, until three knocks on the door brought silence and an icy air that he could feel all the way down to his hobbit ankles.

"He is here," Gandalf said.

From the doorway a short while later another dwarf entered and it didn't take him long to realise that he was different, very different from the others who had entered his home moments before. Every single beard turned to face the newcomer as he walked inside.

Bilbo didn't know who it was and he didn't even really care, no one would enter his house unannounced, no one.

But he couldn't admit that his blood ran cold in his veins as soon as that dwarf started talking to him and asking him all those strange questions. What did he mean by axe or sword? Did he really believe that a hobbit like him had ever picked up either weapon? Who did he think he was? He could not hide his confusion at the last statement of the so-called Thorin Oakenshield.

"He looks more of a grocer than a burglar," he joked.

It was all too absurd for Bilbo's poor hobbit ears, all so surreal! His life, monotonous and lonely until a few hours ago, was now changing, he could feel it in his bones, and he could not understand if it was a good thing or not: he had always dreamed of adventure when he was a young hobbit, but now it was different; the walls of his home were so comforting and safe, every object was a certainty for him. His life was there and he would never leave it, no sir!

Calmness, however, continued to reign for a long time, during which the largest of the dwarves, with a long red beard, went to his kitchen and with an almost surreal care began to prepare a soup. Thorin Oakenshield sat down at the head of the table and was soon joined by the oldest of the dwarves who had entered his house, Balin, and two of the youngest, the two brothers Fili and Kili.

They began to talk in low voices, in a calm and quiet tone, just like everyone else in his house. It seemed absurd, but at least he was able to sort out some of the leftovers that had been left behind in the kitchen back in his own larder and eavesdrop, even if he didn't want to (it was rude) on some of the conversations that various small groups of dwarves were having. The ties of kinship were quickly understood, as was the realisation that Thorin was not really just another dwarf. No more plate was flying, no more song was being sung, but not out of fear, out of respect.

He turned his head, watching the almost regal profile as he spoke to the bear who came into the house first, but he could not hear what they were talking about, the fact was that their faces were dark, and Dwalin's eyes moved insistently over him.

A short while later Bombur returned with the soup, handing it to Thorin, and in the blink of an eye the groups of dwarves in his house were grouped together again, sitting around the table. He wasn't invited, that's normal, there's a meeting in a house and the owner of that house isn't invited! Not that he cared, of course not, the apple he was putting in the basket in the kitchen was certainly more interesting.

But he couldn't help but listen.

"What news from the Ered Luin, did they all come?" asked the older dwarf.

"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms," the voice of Thorin spoke, setting off a round of small laughs and joyful murmurs.

"And what do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?"

A long wait ensued in which Bilbo swore he could hear the heart of every single dwarf in the room beating wildly.

"They will not come,"

The dwarf's reply was sharp and decisive. Disconsolate murmurs rose from his dining room that only increased in volume and quantity when he spoke again. "They said this quest is ours and ours alone,"

They began to talk in low voices, in a calm and quiet tone, just like everyone else in his house. It seemed absurd, but at least he was able to sort out some of the leftovers that had been left behind in the kitchen back in his own larder and eavesdrop, even if he didn't want to (it was rude) on some of the conversations that various small groups in that group were having. The ties of kinship were quickly understood, as was the realisation that Thorin was not really just another dwarf. No more  flying plates, no more singing songs, but not out of fear, out of respect.

A coughing noise, however, stopped the murmurs and caused Bilbo to turn to the table from behind the kitchen wall as well, distracting himself from his chores. Gandalf settled into the small chair and began to search the sleeve of his grey robe.

"This indeed, it is not entirely true," he explained as he slowly pulled a long wooden pipe from his sleeve. "There is someone else who has yet to arrive," the sorcerer explained, barely looking Thorin in the eye.

For all the pipe weed in the world, again?

The dwarf at the head of the table stopped sipping from his goblet of ale, giving him a sidelong glance but remained silent. Instead, the dwarf named Gloin spoke, crossing his arms over his chest. "This means yet another division of profit, all of which should have been agreed upon first." he muttered.

"Agreed, this matter should have been dealt with weeks ago," Dori pinned, pulling himself up.

Gandalf did not even look up at the elder dwarf, adjusting the tobacco in his pipe.  "My decision was made after our meeting in the Ered Luin. And Master Gloin, I think that our member does not wish any of that gold in that Mountain."

"Who is it?" grunted Dwalin suspiciously, looking up at the wizard who lit his pipe with his fingertips.

Bofur chuckled under his big black mustache, puffing an avalanche of white smoke from the side of his mouth. "Another burglar?"

"A burglar for the burglar," Fili grinned at the back of the room.

"A burglar made for the burglar," Kili added and their banter invited the murmurs from just before. This time, however, they were louder, more confused, as was his hobbit head.

A torrent of questions flooded the room as they all asked questions of the wizard, who, bewildered, tried to answer; only Thorin's intervention put an end to the commotion created, shouting warnings in their native tongue. Then he turned to the sorcerer himself, glancing at him.

"The questions that have arisen around this table are fair," he began earnestly, "I have not been informed of any others, none of this was a part of the bargain, Gandalf."

Gandalf smiled with the side of his mouth taking a puff of his pipe. "I was told to find the fourteenth member of this company and so I did, the addition of a fifteenth should not be an unsolvable problem."

"As I said it wasn't in the agreements and last minute clauses at a time like this are not convenient, not at all," retorted the dwarf bringing silence again.

Bilbo looked at the dwarves, clouded by the smoke from the pipes and the warmth of the candles around the table. They looked at each other's hands or watched Thorin in silence, not uttering a breath.

Gandalf put down his pipe and crossed his arms on the table, moving slightly closer to the dwarf with long raven hair.

"I assure you that my choice was not taken lightly, and if I had thought it was right a few months ago I would have reported it to you back then. But it was not possible," Gandalf lowered the tone of his voice even further. "You must trust me on this."

"Is this person crucial to what we must accomplish?" he asked quietly, looking straight into his eyes.

The wizard murmured a small "yes" between his lips, nodding his head slightly as he continued to look the dwarf lord straight in the eye.

Thorin said nothing, watched the wizard for a few more seconds before letting himself go off the back of his chair and then he took a sip of ale from his mug again. The conversation had ended in a few simple sentences, yet Bilbo noticed how the wizard continued to look at Thorin insistently.

Gandalf brushed his gloves around his hands with his fingertips dropping his gaze downwards for a few seconds before turning his head back towards him.

"Bilbo, my dear fellow," he called to him in a manner far more cheerful than his face was capable of showing. "Let us have a little more light".

----/////----

A snort passed her lips.

She was dreadfully late, which she hated from the bottom of her heart; and she hated the fact that she was going to a strange house of a Hobbit whose identity she did not know, although after all those years she had become accustomed to being in the homes of strangers quite often. Perhaps the real reason for her stomach clenching was not whose house it was but who she was supposed to meet in that house and the reason why she was going to that house. Because when she would see them again, all of them , it would not be pleasant or easy.

Far from it.

She didn't even think it would ever happen, nor did he want it to happen again.

She slung her sack over her shoulder as she climbed up the little dirt road, passing funny grass-covered houses by the round door: if it had been daytime, a riot of colours would have accompanied her path and perhaps, for a few minutes, she would not have thought about the imminent meeting.

She would have stopped for a few brief moments on that bench next to the path and sat there for a short while, perhaps lighting her pipe or watching those very peaceful people go about their simple business. Watching them do simple, mechanical things, perhaps in another life she might even have stayed in such a place, in peace, with someone. But no, too many years had passed, she had seen too much, heard too much, and she would not be able to live like that, not there.

Suddenly, a faint pale light caught her attention: she approached it and, with a thump in her heart, recognised the rune that the sorcerer had traced so that they could all see it. She reached the garden and climbed the small steps that led to the round green door. She ran a hand over her leather bodice and gathered in her heart all the emotions she could possibly feel.

Hatred, fury, pain and anger, so much anger.

She gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the voices she could hear through the door.  Taking a deep breath to calm her already jangled nerves, she knocked, hearing a great commotion and excited voices from inside.

The door suddenly opened, and it was the sorcerer himself who filled her field of vision: he broke into a rather smug smile, proud to have been right for the umpteenth time.

He knew she would come at last.

She had met him only a few weeks before and he was exactly as the rumours said. Gandalf's every move was studied and planned and, who knows why, everything corresponded to the plan he had devised; how every cog in that mechanism worked was a great mystery. Yet for that, she could not but admire him.

So, after he had silently nodded his head, she entered the cosy, warm house that smelled of good food and wine and was lit by the soft light of candles; she followed him into a corridor and the smell of ashes and moss entered her nostrils, as well as that of processed tobacco and malt. In a few steps she found herself in front of a small room where, around a table, were crammed all the others who, as soon as they glimpsed their new guest, assumed the most surprised and astonished expressions she had ever seen. Their faces turned pale, their beards seemed to stretch to the floor, and none of them dared say a word. Only one of them stood up so fast that he knocked over the stool on which he was sitting, irate.

"What is she doing here?!"

The rumble of thunder rumbled through the room and like a thunderbolt it brought to light old hidden shadows, old whispered words, broken oaths.

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You're blood of my blood, bone of my bone, stone of my stone,

I embrace your body to let it protect me

I take your soul and forge for it a place next to me in the Great Halls

I take your voice which I will hear above all others

I take your sword and I present you my shield which will protect you from my enemies.

No other dwarf will be yours, no other dwarf you will serve,

no one will  keep you company at night, no life will come out from you.

No one you will serve over me, over the Seven Stars, over the Father of all fathers, over the King of all Kings.

I offer myself to your hands until the start to the end, until the skies fall on the ground,

until all the bones crack, until the  fires of Mahal’s forge blaze high.

Until my last breath, until my last glance, until my last blow,

until the last time my hands touch the rock our Father gave to us

my desires are yours, your pain is mine.