#core traits for success

[unopenablebox]

even otherwise very likeable people spend too long in the bay area and start telling you that going to rationalist social events is okay

[senualothbrok]

A Tight Fit

Summary: You and Gale are trapped in a locked room, with no space to move. Inspired by @daisyofwaterdeep 's juicy post which I just couldn't resist writing about.

Set early in Act 1, before the tiefling party. Featuring matchmaker Karlach and chaos gremlin Astarion.

Disclaimers: 18+. Mildly smutty. Gale x female Tav/reader.

Word count: 1k

AO3 link

*****

“Well, this is a tight fit, isn't it.”

Crushed between the wall and Gale's heaving frame, you cannot avoid his warm breath on your cheek. You speak into his beard, desperate for space.

“Serves me right, for wandering straight through every door I see.”

Gale's chest is flush against yours. His arms flinch in an awkward attempt to avoid your waist and rear. Your own hands are fatefully sandwiched between your bodies. You curl them into yourself, trying frantically to ignore the groove of his groin.

It is not that you have not imagined how it would feel. In the darkness, you have wondered about the taste of Gale's touch, the lilt of those lithe fingers. But only for fleeting moments, sheepish and stolen. You are almost strangers, after all, fledgling friends. And never beyond your wildest dreams would you have imagined this, much less wished for it.

“Your curiosity is one of your most a-door-able traits.” You can feel his smirk on your skin. “One might even say it's the key to your success.

Your groan is muffled amongst his hair. “I'm glad to see being trapped in a coffin with me brings out your comedic genius.”

“Just getting a handle on the situation.”

Despite the levity, each word of his seems more choked. His ribs jostle against yours. You are surprised by the lean edges of his frame, the force of muscle beneath his robe. As if he senses your attention, he swallows, his eyes darting around you in a frenzy.

You grunt as you manage to wrench one hand free, only to realise in horror that it is cupping the curve of his ass. You cannot help but notice how firm it is. How full. When he jerks at the contact, his leg wedges between yours. Your hand dangles ominously below his hipbone.

“Sorry!” He fumbles, his features twisting. “Sorry. Gods, I'm sorry–”

“Karlach?” you cry. “Astarion? Are you out there?”

The responding thump on the door rocks the entire room. Gale's thigh spasms into yours. He winces sharply.

“Can you get us out please?” Gale blurts. “Now?”

“Hang on, soldiers.” Karlach sounds annoyingly relaxed, even chipper. “The door locked behind you, and we don't have the key. We can't break it down either, tough bastard.”

“Oh look.” The glee in Astarion’s voice is undeniable. “We've run out of lockpicks. Best go hunt for some more.”

You try and fail to punch the door. A flush has spread from Gale's neck to his cheeks. His blushed earlobe hovers just before your mouth. You can feel his heat on your skin, the rasp of his stubble.

“Hurry up,” he pleads. “Please.”

Gale clears his throat. As he shifts and fidgets, the taut muscles of his chest rub against your breasts. His juddering breaths are hot against your ear, and you are mortified by the ripple through your core, the peaking of your nipples. He wriggles his leg, trying in vain to move it out of the range of danger. But his knee grinds into you instead. You chew your lip.

“This is simply” – he stammers, his throat bobbing – “This is most– I'm terribly sorry–”

He trails off, burbling incoherently. You have never seen Gale so out of sorts. As you writhe clumsily against each other, sweat beads on his brow. You can smell the bittersweet tang of it, layered within the fog of sandalwood and leather, book dust and soap. You wonder if he feels as dizzy as you do. You no longer think it is from the lack of air in the room.

“I should be sorry,” you manage. “I haven't bathed for a week.”

You were hoping for a chuckle, a break in the stiffness between you. But instead, there is a glimmer on Gale's chest. A faint stain of indigo flashes and then deepens. He is glowing. You stare at his blazing orb scar in alarm.

“Gale…”

Gale is coughing. Sputtering. As he twists, pointlessly seeking escape, you feel an unmistakable hardness against your hand. Your eyes widen. Clasped between your hips and his, jerking your hand away only nestles it further in. Your fingers bear down against his bulge.

Gale's eyelids flutter. He bites his lip.

“Stop moving,” he chokes, pained. “Please stop moving.”

For a moment, you do. Your chests rise and fall against each other’s. Strands of his hair drift over your face as you meet his gaze. His lips are swollen red, parted as he pants.

You are acutely aware of the point of his knee. It surges, ever so slightly, against your cleft. His eyes are dark and desperate, like you have never seen before. You are drunk on the rhythm of his leg, trembling against the pulse of your desire. You stifle a gasp, your nerves unravelling, his breaths catching as you quiver into him. Your fingers move of their own accord, following the thrumming of his need, flickering along his throbbing length.

He moans. You feel it like a wet hot flare through you, his searching mouth lingering over yours.

“Please,” he whispers.

His hardness twitches towards your touch as you grind against each other. He is groaning, grunting, and you can taste the salt and sweetness of his breath as his nose grazes yours and your lips open to his…

You tumble backwards as the door swings open, crashing hard against the ground. You lie there for a while, swollen, dazed. Karlach and Astarion loom above you with triumphant grins.

“Look at you, all flushed and breathless.” Astarion’s fangs flash.

Karlach pulls you up with a flourish. “It's a good job you didn't pass out.” She beams.

Stumbling, burning, you look back into the room. You have a brief glimpse of a tented robe, a guttering purple glow, before Gale lurches away, shutting the door behind him.

“I think he needs a minute,” Astarion chortles.

*******

Read the sequel, A Generous Portion

Liked this fic? Check out my other work

[astrolook]

Empty Houses in Your Birth Chart: Cosmic Ghost Town or Chill Zone?

So, you’ve been staring at your birth chart and wondering why you have empty houses. Maybe you have no planets in your 7th house (“Am I doomed to die alone?”), or your 2nd house (“Does this mean I’ll be broke forever?”). Relax. Breathe. The universe didn’t just forget to assign you a personality.

Empty houses don’t mean you lack something; they mean you don’t have a planet permanently renting space there. It’s like a fully furnished Airbnb—functional, livable, just not your primary residence. You still experience these areas of life, just without a permanent cosmic tenant making a mess of things.

Empty 1st House - House of Self, Identity, and ‘Main Character Energy’

"Who am I?"

You don’t need planets in your 1st house to have a personality, I promise. If it’s empty, your Rising Sign ruler/lord is the real MVP here—it’s the planet secretly controlling your life like an undercover boss.

It doesn't mean you’re invisible, boring, or lacking an identity. (Come on, even NPCs have a backstory.)

Unlike people with planets here, you’re not out here having existential crises every five minutes.

Empty 2nd House - House of Money, Self-Worth & That Bag 💰

"Will I ever be rich?"

You’re not destined to survive on instant noodles forever. Your financial success comes from the sign ruling this house—not a chaotic planet constantly meddling with your money habits.

Here, money isn’t the biggest stressor in your life (lucky you). You might not define yourself by wealth, but you can still make serious cash.

Empty 3rd House - House of Communication, Siblings & ‘Did You Read the Fine Print?’

"Why do people talk so much?"

No planets here? You don’t have constant mental chatter or an obsession with posting hot takes on Twitter (unlike certain air sign placements). You process information at your own pace, and your Mercury placement tells us how you communicate.

Here it simply mean that you can be a great speaker or writer—just without the need to debate everything to death.

Empty 4th House - House of Family & Emotional Foundations

"Am I emotionally stable or just unbothered?"

If your 4th house is empty, family drama isn’t your core personality trait (looking at you, Cancer moons). Your upbringing shaped you, but your emotions aren’t constantly under siege.

It means you don’t live in your past. Your sense of home and emotional security comes from the ruling sign, not a chaotic planet making things messy.

Empty 5th House - House of Fun, Romance & ‘Oops, I Did It Again’

"Am I doomed to be boring?"

Empty 5th house? You still have fun, fall in love, and make questionable decisions—it’s just not your full-time job. Your creative hobbies, love life, and risk-taking tendencies come from the house ruler, not a planet throwing drama parties.

It means you’re not obsessively seeking attention. You can still be artistic, romantic, and entertaining—you just do it without the theatrics.

Empty 6th House - House of Work, Health & That Annoying Daily Routine

"Do I even have a work ethic?"

No planets in the 6th house? Congrats, you’re not micromanaging your own existence. You handle responsibilities when necessary, but you’re not out here color-coding to-do lists at 3 AM.

It means you’re chill about work and health. You get things done without needing a constant cosmic drill sergeant yelling at you.

Empty 7th House - House of Relationships & ‘Are We Dating or Just Vibing?’

"Am I cursed in love?"

Nope, an empty 7th house doesn’t mean you’re single forever. It just means you’re not obsessed with relationships—your partnerships unfold naturally instead of being your life’s central drama.

It means you don’t overcomplicate love. You attract relationships when the time is right—without planets causing unnecessary chaos.

Empty 8th House -House of Transformation, Sex & ‘What Happens After We Die?’

"Am I missing the ‘mystical and sexy’ gene?"

The 8th house rules deep transformation, shared finances, intimacy, and, well…death. If you have an empty 8th house, does this mean you’re boring and no sexual life? (Spoiler: No.)

It means you’re not haunted by existential crises 24/7 (lucky you). You go through major transformations, but you’re not obsessing over the meaning of life while waiting for your Starbucks order.

You might have a healthy approach to power and intimacy—unlike people with a crowded 8th house, who experience life like a dramatic phoenix constantly combusting.

Empty 9th House -House of Travel, Higher Learning & ‘I’m Moving to Bali’

"Am I allergic to wisdom and adventure?"

This is the house of philosophy, wanderlust, and that one friend who quit their job to find themselves in another country. But if your 9th house is empty, are you doomed to stay in one place forever?

It means you don’t need a crisis to push you into adventure. You explore life when you want, not because a planet is forcing you into a life-changing backpacking trip.

Your beliefs and perspectives expand over time—you just don’t feel the need to become a monk overnight.

Empty 10th House - House of Career, Public Image & ‘Will I Ever Be Successful?’

"Am I a failure?"

An empty 10th house does not mean you’ll spend your life jobless, unknown, or forever stuck in an unpaid internship from hell. The 10th house rules career and legacy, but an empty one means…you don’t obsess over it 24/7.

You can be highly successful—you just don’t need planets constantly pushing you into an identity crisis about it. Your MC ruler tells the real story of your career path.

Some of the most successful people have an empty 10th house—because they’re too busy succeeding to stress over it.

Empty 11th House - House of Friendships, Social Circles & ‘Am I Cool?’

"Do I have no friends?"

An empty 11th house does not mean you’re a loner or the social equivalent of a tumbleweed. You have friends. You just don’t need a cosmic hype squad of planets managing your social life.

It means you don’t rely on social validation to exist. Your friendships are natural and not built on constant drama and chaos.

You attract the right people without forcing it. You don’t need to collect acquaintances like Pokémon cards—you value quality over quantity.

Empty 12th House - House of the Subconscious, Dreams & ‘Main Character in a Spiritual Awakening’

"Am I just…normal?"

If your 12th house is empty, does this mean you lack spiritual depth, psychic visions, and tragic poet energy? Nope. You’re just not drowning in existential dread 24/7, unlike those with a packed 12th house (send them love, they need it).

You’re not haunted by past-life trauma every time Mercury retrogrades. You connect with your spirituality in a way that’s natural and not overwhelming.

Your spiritual growth is steady and not tied to constant suffering. (Honestly, be grateful.)

🌟 Instead of asking ‘What am I lacking?’ ask ‘Where do I flow naturally?’ 🔍 Look at the ruling planet of each empty house—that’s your real guide. 🔥 Transits activate empty houses, so life will still spice things up when needed!

So, next time someone gasps at your empty 7th house (“Oh no, you’ll never find love!”), just laugh—because joke’s on them, you’re living a drama-free life.

Want to understand what your birth chart really says about you? DM me for a reading, and let’s decode your cosmic blueprint together! 🔮✨

Karmic Paths & Soul Purpose: A Complete Guide to the North Nodes & South Nodes in Astrology (13-page report) - $5

Get my full PDF guide for just $5! Payment via PayPal. Once payment is confirmed, I will send you the PDF. It covers North Node & South Node in signs & houses, who you were in your past life, your career, family, love and your relationships in detail. Message me to grab your copy! 🌟

Note : Due to different time zones, I might not reply immediately. Don't worry! Leave me your email address for me to send the password-protected PDF file. Once the payment is confirmed, I will give you the password to access to it.

[cozycottagetarot]

What's Your 'It Factor'?

Notes:

'It Factor' is defined here as a standout quality or things other people would find inspiring or agree sets you apart from others in some way. I had imagined this would turn out a lot different but I noticed the reading was more so in a general sense rather than in a specific context, so do keep that in mind as you read it!

This reading is for entertainment purposes only. ✨ Please take only what resonates.

LINKS: Reading Masterlist | Dividers | Ko-Fi | Patreon | Paid Readings | Paid Readings - $10 and Under - Open 🥂

PILE 1

What are your core strengths or talents that define your unique 'it' factor?

Pile 1, your 'it' factor comes from ability to utilize to apply your skills in any area you choose to dive into. It doesn’t have to be something you’re naturally good at. As long as you set the intention to pursue something and have confidence in yourself, you’re immensely capable of achieving it. You have a unique talent for blending and transforming what you learn into other aspects of your life. It’s like you’re able to morph into whatever you decide to be, while remaining strong and successful. That adaptability and transformation is a huge part of your 'it' factor.

It might not seem like a big deal or even feel like a talent, but when you commit to something, you’re like a seed with the potential to grow abundantly. This applies not just to creative endeavors, but to any area you choose. Another big factor is your calm, quiet confidence. It’s not bold or loud but a deep knowing that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. This self-assurance amplifies your 'it' factor.

For you, this blend of intentionality and intuition is a core strength. You might wonder how this is an 'it' factor, but it's incredibly admirable and can be applied to any area of your life. You have almost infinite potential to thrive in any space you enter; you just have to believe in your ability to do so.

Hey there! Thanks so much for checking this out. 💕 If you're curious to dive deeper, there's an extended version of this reading on Patreon. It reveals hidden qualities or talents you might not even realize you have and highlights the aspects of your personality that make you attractive and magnetic to others. 🌟 Intrigued? You can explore more here.✨

PILE 2

What is Your Core Strength or Talent That Defines Your Unique 'It' Factor?

You have a remarkable way of breathing life into the things around you, creating an aura where everything seems to work in your favor. You're incredibly magnetic, and your presence inspires others. Even when you're uncertain about where life will take you or when you feel lost, you hold onto hope and the belief that life has the potential to improve. Your ability to romanticize life makes you feel like 'it.' Even when others have a more negative perspective or tell you to be 'realistic' (rightfully so at times), you maintain your optimism and hope that things will work out, even if you can't see it yet. You also recognize your limits and understand that your nurturing energy needs to be focused on yourself as well. People often envy you because things always seem to work out in your favor.

Hey there! Thanks so much for checking this out. 💕 If you're curious to dive deeper, there's an extended version of this reading on Patreon. It reveals hidden qualities or talents you might not even realize you have and highlights the aspects of your personality that make you attractive and magnetic to others. 🌟 Intrigued? You can explore more here.✨

PILE 3

What Is Your Core Strength or Talent That Defines Your Unique 'It' Factor?

One of your most defining traits is your unwillingness to remain in situations, relationships, or mindsets that don't serve your highest good. You're not afraid to walk away or go within to set yourself up for new beginnings full of excitement and potential. This courage to venture into the unknown may be your unique 'It Factor,' bringing you unexpected but beautiful moments. From an outside perspective, it's inspiring to watch.

You do things when they're right for you, not on anyone else's schedule. If you have dependents—whether they're children, siblings, family, or even professional connections—your actions are never reckless. You make these choices to show up better for those who rely on you. You never take anyone for granted and can align your actions with the best interests of yourself and others, which is truly amazing. Your ability to pivot for the greater good of yourself and others may actually be your defining strength.

Hey there! Thanks so much for checking this out. 💕 If you're curious to dive deeper, there's an extended version of this reading on Patreon. It reveals hidden qualities or talents you might not even realize you have and highlights the aspects of your personality that make you attractive and magnetic to others. 🌟 Intrigued? You can explore more here.✨

[imastoryteller]

The DNA of Memorable Main Characters

Let's explore five key elements that craft a truly memorable main character. From a shining strength to a hidden wound, from a defining past to a universal goal, these ingredients weave a character readers will root for, understand, and long remember.

1) A Dominant Positive Trait

Every memorable main character possesses a dominant positive trait that makes them endearing and relatable to readers. This could be courage, wit, kindness, or determination. This trait serves as a beacon of light that guides the character through challenges and inspires readers to root for their success.

2) A Core Flaw

To make a character human and relatable, they must have a core flaw that hinders their progress or causes conflict in the story. This flaw adds depth to the character, making them more realistic and multi-dimensional. It also creates opportunities for growth and development throughout the narrative.

3) An Emotional Wound

Behind every memorable main character lies a poignant emotional wound that shapes their actions and motivations. This could be a past trauma, a deep-seated fear, or a loss that haunts them. This emotional wound adds layers to the character, evoking empathy and understanding from readers.

4) A Strong Backstory

To truly understand a character, readers need to know where they come from and what has shaped them into who they are. A deep, strong backstory provides context for the character's actions and motivations, allowing readers to connect with them on a deeper level.

5) A Universal Quest

A memorable main character is often on a universal quest that resonates with readers on a personal level. This quest could be for love, justice, redemption, or self-discovery. By embarking on this journey, the character becomes a mirror for readers, reflecting their own desires, struggles, and aspirations.

---

+ If you find my content valuable, consider Support This Blog on Patreon!

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing a "Humble" Character

Humility - The quality of being humble, characterized by a low focus on the self, an accurate (not over- or underestimated) sense of one’s accomplishments and worth, and an acknowledgment of one’s limitations, imperfections, mistakes, gaps in knowledge, and so on.

Deriving from the word humus (earth), it appears to clash with our current valuation of self-worth and self-realization.

But humility has nothing to do with meekness or weakness. And neither does it mean being self-effacing or submissive.

Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things.

It entails not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously.

Humility is a core value in many ancient ethical and theological frameworks.

The Confucian form of humility, for example, is profoundly other oriented in spirit, consistently valuing the social good over the satisfaction of our individual aspirations. In this ancient Chinese form, humility can significantly enhance social cohesion and our sense of belonging.

The Greek philosopher Socrates held that wisdom is, above all, knowing what we don’t know. He taught an intellectual form of humility that freely acknowledges the gaps in our knowledge and that humbly seeks to address our blind spots.

Aristotle understood humility as a moral virtue, sandwiched between the vices of arrogance and moral weakness. Like Socrates, he believed that humility must include accurate self-knowledge and a generous acknowledgment of the qualities of others that avoids distortion and extremes.

We can understand humility not just as a virtue but also as a psychological trait.

At a basic level, humility relates to the degree to which we value and promote our interests above others.

Capturing our other-orientation, it is closely related to modesty and fairness, but also our interest in wealth and other signs of status and our inclination toward self-promotion.

Crucially, it also involves seeing ourselves accurately – not thinking of ourselves more highly (or, for that matter, lowly) than is appropriate.

Worthington et al. (2017) understand humility as made up of 3 parts:

Accurate self-perception

Modest self-portrayal

Other-oriented relational stance

They note that the recent growth in humility-focused studies coincides with the rise of positive psychology and frustration with the limitations of purely individualistic virtues. Alongside compassion, forgiveness, altruism, gratitude, and empathy, humility belongs to “a cluster of virtues that bind society together” (Worthington et al., 2017).

Worthington et al. (2017) further divide humility into general humility and more specific kinds of humility. These include:

intellectual humility, relating to an openness about our views, beliefs, and opinions; and

cultural humility, an ability to acknowledge and learn from the achievements of other cultures (Hazlett, 2012; Davis et al., 2015).

Other sub-types of humility are political and spiritual humility.

While other-orientedness is a core interpersonal feature of humility, Tangney (2009) has identified 6 intrapersonal aspects of humility:

A willingness to see ourselves truthfully

An accurate perception of our place in the world

An ability to acknowledge our mistakes and limitations

Openness

Low self-focus

An appreciation of the value of all things

Hill and Laney (2016), finally, understand humility as involving a quiet ego (see also Kesebir, 2014).

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[kattyysims]

Autumn Core Challenge | The Sims 4

don’t click me

   With my favorite season being fall, I wanted to create a mini cozy challenge to do a let's play with! This "challenge" will take you through an autumn bucket list, and all the cozy aesthetics ~ meant to be played during the rainy fall season (at least where I'm from).

Required Packs: Seasons, Discover University, Spooky Stuff.

Extra Packs: Get to Work, Cats & Dogs, Paranormal Stuff, High School Years, Movie Hangout Stuff, Get Together.

~ Not a must have but required for some objectives.

Aspiration: Best Selling Author

Traits: Bookworm, Creative, and 1 free trait.

Sim Likes: Rain, baking, sweaters, candles, baths, movies, lofi, reading, cafes.

Skills: Baking, writing.

Season: Fall

~ Options Menu > Game Options > Environment > Seasons _ Seasons Length > 28 Days

Mods (Optional): Shorter University Degrees by The Peridot Project.

~ Not required but makes it easier ~ since the normal 12 credits takes up so much time.

Assets: Small cozy home, a cat, a small bakery.

Business: Bakery (Optional)

~ If you'd like an extra challenge, own a bakery on the side!

Education: Major - Communications or Language & Literature, Elective - Baking

Holiday: Spookyfest

~ (Open the seasons calendar, and create a holiday - add Spooky Spirit, Trick or Treat, and Wear Costumes.

   Your sim LOVES to read, write, and bake, she also has a small furry companion. Growing up she always loved reading books which led her to majoring in language and literature, with dreams of one day being a best-selling author. She loves all things fall and cozy, and thrives during the season. But not without conditions, she must drink at least one cup of coffee a day and loves visiting new cafes.

Objectives:

Master the baking skill. (Get to Work)

Graduate with at least a 3.8 GPA. (Discover University)

Own a 4-star bakery. (Get to Work) (Optional)

Publish 3 successful books.

Finish reading 4 books.

Become companions with your cat. (Cats & Dogs)

Drink one cup of coffee a day.

Have a 3 sim friend group.

~~~

Go to a cafe at least once a week. (Get Together)

Host a Spooky Party and get gold reward. (Spooky Stuff)

Go to a pumpkin patch (you can download one from the gallery). (Spooky Stuff)

Carve pumpkins (pumpkin carving station). (Spooky Stuff)

Go to a haunted house. (Next to the ferris wheel in Copperdale ~ High School Years.)

Befriend a ghost.

Play in a pile of leaves. (Seasons)

Watch Sims of the Dead. (Movie Hangout Stuff)

Go to a movie theater.

Stay the night in a haunted house residential. (Paranormal Stuff)

Commune with the departed. (Séance Table) (Paranormal Stuff)

Have a picnic.

Find a partner to go skating with. (Seasons)

Harvest an apple tree.

episode 1

[tadc-harlequin-au]

New Puppet Unlocked: Ragatha Azureus, The Artifact Collector!

Ragatha's character description:

The first (somewhat) successful Puppet to be freed from Madness, Ragatha appears to be an optimistic and polite one; carrying over traits of over-cleanliness and "keeping things proper" as she would say-- from her previous incarnation.

Ragatha was first found as an overburdened and maddened Puppet in a famous collector's mansion to act as a maid, heavily detesting unorganized objects, dust bunnies forming on every crevice, but most of all, trespassers.

After her brief defeat and resurrection, she now stays in the manor to not only help with keeping things in order once chaos ensues, but also as an artifact collector; giving Pomni a reason to scavenge for "useless junk that Ragatha likes" around the city.

Fun facts about Ragatha:

The charm on her neck keeps her calm.

Caine had to surrender the charm to her just so Ragatha would stop screaming and panicking when she first comes around.

She'd often be found in places such as the personal library, the lounge, and the greenhouse garden.

Ragatha also listens to the phonograph while drinking tea in the lounge.

But ever since Jax's arrival, she had since moved these activities to her room instead.

Ragatha is also responsible for the clothing that the larger Puppets have.

her "skin" is just haphazardly stitched together by Caine.

She's scared of centipedes. Most creepy crawlies in fact, since she thinks they're "disgusting" and "have too many legs to count".

Ragatha is still trying to figure out, to this day, how Jax manages to get inside her room to leave centipedes in.

If provoked enough, she can throw a mean pitch; as long as there's any objects within her vicinity to do so.

She cites random horse facts out of nowhere when the atmosphere and the company she's with is comfortable.

Usually, she cites horse facts around Pomni.

She also tends to get philosophical.

She, Z and Kingr actually go out to wrangle some animals to shoo back in the forest when they get too close/cause damage in either the greenhouse garden, or the residential places.

Ragatha hates getting drenched in water the same way cats do.

The insurmountable amount of free time Ragatha has has led her to tackle the art of sewing and it's many forms.

Said free time has also led her to starting a small book club with Gangle, Caine being their occasional guest.

Charm knowledge comes easy to Ragatha. She seems oblivious as to why or how is it even possible.

She has the natural ability to sense sentimental value in an object; and has once described it as a "gentle pull on her core".

Out of everyone, she's the best at cooking-- which was expected since she did used to be a maid.

She struggles the most when it comes to interacting with Z, resulting in awkward moments between the two.

Despite her.... hidden opinions towards the cast, she could never bring herself to genuinely despise them. Even the worst integration of the group.

Quotes:

coming soon! sorry :)

[astrologged]

Astro Notes [4]

Planets in the 12th house point to hidden strengths or challenges. These people have an unconscious or spiritual drive but face struggles with self-undoing or secrets. For example, Venus in the 12th house would indicate hidden romantic desires or private relationships.

A stellium in the 8th house causes deep transformation and intense emotional experiences. These people experience major life changes, powerful relationships & a strong interest in the mysteries of life, like death, intimacy & shared resources.

When a planet is retrograde at birth, its energy is turned inward, causing people to experience its traits more introspectively or with delay. For example, Mercury retrograde in a birth chart leads to deep reflection and reconsideration of communication & thought patterns.

Chiron’s return occurs around age 50, marking a time when people confront deep healing around their core wounds. This transit brings unresolved pain or vulnerability to the surface, pushing people to heal, teach, or offer wisdom about their life’s challenges.

The South Node represents past life experiences or tendencies. Having it in the 10th house shows a past focus on career or public life. In this life, there’s a pull to move away from over-identifying with your career & seek more personal, emotional fulfillment.

Pluto in the 1st house gives an intense, powerful presence. These people undergo extreme personal transformations & are perceived as intense or sometimes magnetic. They often subconsciously help others transform, though they can face challenges with control or feeling misunderstood.

Uranus square Sun creates a life of unpredictability & sudden changes. People with this aspect experience moments of rebellion, breakthroughs & a need to break free from old patterns. There’s a constant tension between personal freedom and the need for stability.

Ascendant conjunct Neptune gives a dreamy, idealistic appearance. These people present themselves in an ethereal, mysterious way, with strong intuition. They struggle with confusion, deception, or seeing themselves clearly.

Jupiter in the 6th house expands daily routines, work life & health. These people experience growth through their job, daily habits, or service to others. They receive opportunities through helping or teaching others, though they may indulge in excess, especially with food or work.

Saturn in the 5th house brings a disciplined approach to creativity, love, and children. They'll face delays or challenges in romance & self-expression. But with commitment, they'll achieve success & stability in these areas over time.

[vintagegeekculture]

"The Ayla Descent Theory" of Mary Sues

"Children of the Earth," Luis Royo.

After the success of Jean M. Auel's stone age novel Clan of the Cave Bear, there was a very lengthy trend in the publishing world of stone age adventure novels aimed at women that lasted for a decade and only really fizzled out in the early 2000s. After all, "Ayla," the name of the main character of these books, was one of the top baby names of 1987.

The target audience for these books were weird midwestern aunts....you know, the Mists of Avalon and the Mercedes Lackey/Valdemar audience. Therefore, the Clan of the Cave Bear imitators also featured things of interest to the weird aunt audience: Scotland, redhaired women with sharp tongues, commanding wolves, Ireland, Feminism, riding herds of wild horses bareback in scenic locations, Wicca, matriarchial religions, swimming with dolphins....but above all else, American Indians (a culture this audience finds interesting, as anyone who has seen the home decor of a typical weird midwestern aunt can attest), with many novels set in Ice Age America, like Children of the Dawn, Reindeer Moon and the First Americans. Decades later, this audience would form the core fandom for Game of Thrones, and the character of Khaleesi Targaryen in particular.

These books almost assuredly still have a place of honor on the book shelf of the weirdest woman at your job.

Nearly all of these imitators have two of Clan of the Cave Bear's defining traits: 1) a supremely beautiful, usually blonde athletic and statuesque main character over 5'11" who does not realize that she is so beautiful and desirable, who is good at a variety of different skills and is friendly with animals like hawks, dolphins, or horses, and 2) a love triangle between this aforementioned blond but innocent Venus and two bodybuilder muscular he-men cave hunks, one of whom is a blonde guy with long rock star hair (it was the 80s), and the other being a buff black guy with dreadlocks (or otherwise ethnic in some way).

The heroine usually picks the blonde guy in the end, but the audience usually picks the ethnic guy.

In the late 90s and early 2000s, in the broader culture of fandom, it was fashionable to dump on "Mary Sues" (indulgent wish-fulfillment author personas in fanfiction) and the people who wrote them. Accusations of creating a Mary Sue approached a kind of hysteria. Even at the time, when everyone else was getting swept up in this, I thought that getting mad about aunties writing fanfiction showed a loss of perspective, and was a bit silly. Thankfully, we've benefitted from moral evolution: the consensus in fandom now is that writing aspirational characters is a harmless activity that tests a young writer's creative muscles, like the half-Vulcan pretty new ensign on the Enterprise that Kirk and Spock both fall in love with, or a new archer girl who Legolas falls in love with joining the Fellowship. This hate walked hand in hand with insecurities, in the exact same way that people worried about their appearance or concerned with their weight are often cruel to fat people, and there were frequent tests if this or that character in your writing was a Mary Sue.

There was a running joke in this 2000s culture of anti-self insertion called the "Ayla Descent Theory of Mary Sues." The joke was that Mary Sues came into existence because Ayla, the beautiful, athletic heroine of the Clan of the Cave Bear novels, was the ancestor of their entire lineage, as the first known Mary Sue to ever exist in the historical record, described as being a statuesque blonde who did everything right and was always at the center of love triangles, and who changed human history.

According to the running joke, Mary Sues everywhere were descended from Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear, and she was the first to exist, and Ayla was the explanation of where all the Enterprise's new ensigns main characters fall in love with come from.

[niyasruledbyvenus]

The Dual Nature of Planets and Their Signs: Masculine vs Feminine Expressions

I included the negative sides of Venus & Moon in my previous post here. This is based off of common negative stereotypes of signs & how their ruling planet/disposition influences these ideas.

Every planet has a dual expression—typically masculine and feminine—which shows up through the zodiac signs it rules. The masculine sign is usually more outward, expressive, and direct, while the feminine is internal, hidden, and subtle. This polarity affects how a planet’s energy manifests in each sign—both positively and negatively

Mars: Aries (Masculine) vs Scorpio (Feminine)

Aries is the outward, aggressive face of Mars. It’s confrontational, impulsive, and direct. Aries people will tell you to your face if they have a problem—they might even act on it without thinking.

Scorpio, on the other hand, is Mars expressed inwardly. Scorpio is more calculating, strategic, and emotionally intense. While Aries might blow up in the moment, Scorpio waits, watches, and plans revenge quietly. The rage is the same—it’s still Mars—but it’s colder, more destructive, and often emotional or psychological. Scorpio energy seeks deep transformation or total annihilation, especially when betrayed.

Pluto adds the underworld flavor to Scorpio—deep obsessions, secrecy, control, and rebirth. But the core vengefulness? That’s pure Mars.

Saturn: Capricorn (Feminine) and Aquarius (Masculine)

Capricorn is Saturn’s more traditional face: structure, discipline, ambition. It rules the 10th house of career and status, which is why Capricorns are often seen as workaholics or CEOs in the making. They’re known for being stoic, responsible, and emotionally reserved.

Positively, Capricorn brings patience, strategy, and long-term vision. They don’t act out of emotion and rarely lose their cool. But when pushed too far, their anger is serious and potentially devastating.

Negatively, Saturn-dominant individuals (especially Capricorn types) can become cold, rigid, authoritarian, and obsessed with control. They may prioritize success over relationships and adopt a “step on whoever I need to” mindset. Think of “The Devil Wears Prada”—Meryl Streep’s character (Miranda Priestly) is the archetypal shadow Capricorn: commanding, cutthroat, and obsessed with status.

Saturn rules labor, structure, and hierarchy. Its color is black, symbolizing seriousness, servitude, and hard labor. This is why uniforms in service industries are often black—because Saturn governs workers. But Saturn also represents the overseer. So in its shadow form, Saturn can be the harsh boss, the oppressor, the one who ensures others “stay in line.”

Saturn is also linked to Cronos, who devoured his children out of fear of being overthrown. That myth reveals Saturn’s darker traits: fear of being surpassed, jealousy masked as control, and the willingness to destroy others to preserve power.

Aquarius, Saturn’s other sign (co-ruled with Uranus), blends Saturn’s structure with Uranus’s unpredictability. Aquarians are disciplined but unconventional. They break the rules intelligently.

The negative stereotype of Aquarius is being too detached or eccentric—“weird for the sake of being weird.” That’s Uranus energy. But they can also struggle with Saturnian restriction: feeling like outcasts, misunderstood, or boxed in by tradition. When in balance, they’re innovative leaders. Out of balance, they can become isolated or dismissive of others.

Mercury: Gemini (Masculine) vs Virgo (Feminine)

Mercury rules communication, intellect, and information. It’s the fastest planet, governing texts, speech, emails, thoughts—everything fast and mental.

Gemini, the masculine face of Mercury, is expressive and verbal. Its negative stereotype? Talking too much, being nosy, scattered, and unreliable. Geminis can be seen as gossipy or attention-seeking—but that’s just the extroverted, fast-paced Mercury energy going unchecked.

Virgo, Mercury’s feminine expression, internalizes all that speed. Instead of constant talking, Virgo’s mind races silently. Their anxiety is often mental: overthinking, analyzing, perfectionism. That internal tension can cause physical issues—especially in the stomach, which Virgo rules. A Virgo may look calm, but their mind is spinning at 100 mph.

In short: a Gemini can’t stop talking; a Virgo can’t stop thinking.

The Sun: Leo (Masculine)

The Sun rules Leo exclusively, and it represents the ego, identity, and self-expression.

The positive side of Leo is leadership, warmth, charisma, and pride. Leos want to shine—and they often do.

But the negative stereotype is that they can be self-centered and attention-hungry. The Sun is the brightest object in the sky. It doesn’t share space well—anything too close gets burned. Leo can unknowingly outshine or overpower others with their presence. It’s not always intentional—they’re just that radiant. But the result can still hurt those around them.

Leos want to be seen, admired, and loved—but in shadow form, it can turn into “me, me, me” energy. They can burn others simply by existing too loudly.

Bonus: Venus, Ketu, and the Moon (As Touched On Earlier)

• Venus (Libra/Taurus): Outward beauty, pleasure, indulgence—but can be jealous, manipulative, and socially cutthroat in shadow.

• Ketu (headless): Detached, identity-less, prone to latching onto others’ personalities due to lack of direction.

• The Moon (Cancer): Emotionally nurturing, intuitive—but in shadow, emotionally manipulative, needy, or draining (energy vampirism).

Final Thoughts

Every planet and every sign has both light and dark expressions. There’s no “good” or “bad” placement—it all depends on awareness and how we choose to channel those energies. The masculine expression tends to be more outward and reactive; the feminine more internal and calculating. Both have their strengths, and both have their shadows.

Until next time

[saylessastrology]

Astrology Notes!💫💅🏾

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NATAL OBSERVATIONS

💫These Observations are from MY OPINION & Knowledge💫 Follow my Patreon for more💜💅🏾

Jupiter in 2nd,4th,10th - these people usually end up successful through finacial/career endevours as well as homes and physical property. usually comes into effect after your saturn returm

Aries Mars/Mars in 1st house - people with these placements express thier anger openly and loudly. Both my parents had Mars in Aries and it was a war zone when they were arguing.

Cancer Moons- This placement can create a very moody individual. While they are SUPER sweet and caring, they also have quick tempers when triggered

Aquarius Personal Planet Placements - I know aqua's get dragged for being emotionless BUT that is only on the outside! Internally, Aqua's feel EVERYTHING. They just have a very detached way of expressing thier emotions.

Grand Trines - Most people don't activily use thier GT to their benefit. Having 1 or more GT's can make the areas of your life that are connected in the GT TOO EASY. Almsot so easy that we forget to put in the extra work to get the best out of the aspect!

Chart Rulers - The rular of your chart can show how you are naturally suppose to navigate through life.

Ex: Ruler -Sun

You are meant to use your creative and expressive personality to navigate through life. When you do, you will stand out tramendously in the world and forward moving energy will be consistant.

South Node House Placement - The traits associated with the house your sn is in can show your secret traits from your past life that your can use sparingly in your current journey tword your North Node

EX: south node in 10th house/NN in 4th

You are blessed with so many benefical go getter career traits! You were the big boss in your past and shoud Incorporate these traits with your north node in the 4th house placement.

Feel like you don't have what it takes to run your own household?

Use your Multitasking, Athoritative and Business skills to care for your househouse

SYNASTRY OBSERVATIONS

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1. Sun-Sun Conjunction: Shared Identity

Observation: When one person's Sun is conjunct (in the same place as) the other person's Sun, they often share similar core identities and life goals.

Explanation: This aspect can create a strong sense of understanding and identification with each other. It’s like looking into a mirror; these individuals often feel a deep connection and mutual respect.

2. Moon-Moon Harmony: Emotional Understanding

Observation: Harmonious aspects (like trines or sextiles) between two people's Moons suggest a deep emotional understanding and comfort.

Explanation: Their emotional rhythms and needs align well, making it easier for them to empathize with and nurture each other. It's akin to speaking the same emotional language.

3. Venus-Mars Aspect: Attraction Dynamics

Observation: When someone’s Venus (planet of love) forms an aspect with another person's Mars (planet of desire), it indicates a strong physical and romantic attraction.

Explanation: This aspect can spark instant chemistry, creating a dynamic and exciting interaction. The Venus person is drawn to the Mars person’s assertiveness, while the Mars person appreciates the Venus person’s aesthetic and charm.

4. Mercury Conjunct Mercury: Intellectual Bond

Observation: A conjunction between two people's Mercuries suggests a meeting of the minds.

Explanation: This aspect fosters open communication, mutual understanding, and shared interests. It’s like being on the same wavelength intellectually, making conversations flow easily and enjoyably.

5. Moon Opposite Saturn: Emotional Responsibility

Observation: When one person's Moon opposes another's Saturn, it can indicate a relationship where emotional support meets responsibility and structure.

Explanation: The Moon person provides warmth and emotional understanding, while the Saturn person offers stability and teaches valuable life lessons. However, if not balanced, it could lead to feelings of coldness or emotional distance.

6. Sun Square Pluto: Transformative Challenges

Observation: A square between one person's Sun and another's Pluto often brings intense, transformative challenges to the relationship.

Explanation: This aspect can create power struggles or deep psychological confrontations. However, if navigated wisely, it can lead to profound personal growth and transformation for both individuals.

7. Jupiter Trine Venus: Shared Joy and Growth

Observation: A trine between one person’s Jupiter and another’s Venus indicates a joyful, growth-oriented relationship.

Explanation: There's an abundance of warmth, generosity, and shared values. This aspect enhances mutual appreciation and can bring luck and prosperity to the relationship.

8. Saturn Sextile Pluto: Building Together

Observation: When one person's Saturn forms a sextile with another's Pluto, it suggests the ability to build something enduring together.

Explanation: This aspect offers a blend of discipline (Saturn) and transformation (Pluto), enabling the couple to work through obstacles and effect substantial changes together. It’s about resilience and mutual empowerment.

9. Uranus Opposite Venus: Unpredictable Attractions

Observation: An opposition between one person's Uranus and another's Venus can create an unpredictable, electric attraction.

Explanation: This aspect can bring excitement and spontaneity but also instability to the relationship. The Uranus person shakes up the Venus person’s concept of love and beauty, while the Venus person may seek more stability and commitment.

10. Neptune Trine Mars: Inspired Actions

Observation: A trine between one person’s Neptune and another’s Mars indicates a relationship where dreams inspire action.

Explanation: The Mars person’s drive and ambition are creatively inspired by the Neptune person's ideals and imagination. Together, they can turn visions into reality, combining passion with compassion.

[afflatuslux]

Not that I have the time to be more elaborate right now, though I definitely will take the time eventually — but I just want to say how much I appreciate that the character with the "I can't form emotional attachments with people, you'll always be the equivalent of a stranger to me, I can't make myself care emotionally, beyond the conscious decision to act as if I do" -trait was given not to a Piece Of Shit™️ character such as David, but Levi. Jumps-In-To-Save-You Levi. Double-Checks-If-You're-Alright Levi.

It is refreshing to see a representation of someone who doesn't Have what people consider integral to being human, but still tries to be anyway: that your thoughts and feelings don't dictate what kind of person you are, but your actions — even if success may vary due to the deficiency still being present ("I'm sure women love. water...")

I'm especially glad that this isn't done in a "Oh, he thinks he can't connect with people... but he actually can!! He just needed this blorbo to save him!!!" or some similar bullshit I often see in fiction. It's not that I cannot see the appeal in such a saviour plot, but it's just so... unrealistic. Trying to fix how someone feels will always be a pointless endeavour and will just hurt both people involved. Instead of insisting that someone can be "saved" in that regard, thinking that they must be normal after all if you just dig for that "core" enough — believing & accepting that part of them and helping them with co-existing is so, so much more helpful.

It's why Levi as a character means a lot to me — that to do good doesn't hinge on your emotions.

[bygonearchive]

Self aware anaxa (or any of the amphoreus cast at this point), and how he'd likely have a very different experience becoming aware post 3.2 has been all I can think about recently. This is more of a warm-up/ drabble with the idea before I flesh it out more. Just trying to find a way I feel comfortable writing him at the moment.

Masterlist

He was dead, that much he could be sure of. His plan to fuse his soul with the titan Cerces to become the titan in the next cycle was successful; he had felt his body dissolve and had dropped the core flame into the vortex of Genesis. 

So, how was he here? 

No matter, as the demised scholar Anaxagoras, time is the only thing preventing him from knowing the truth. 

Ultimately, every time he made any progress in finding out what was happening some other odd trait about his current predicament made itself aware. It started small, music playing as he was going about amphoreus, the area around him pausing here and there, barely noticeable.

Then the events started to escalate, he discovered that he couldn't speak to anyone. In fact, whenever he went to try he had the intriguing yet infuriating feeling of being absent from reality for the conversation made itself apparent, the sensation of not being in full control of his body at times eventually growing to all of the time and then there was the fight against Aquila. 

That seemed to act as the catalyst for these strange phenomena, as everything intensified afterwards. Shortly after the conclusion of the fight… 

He was no longer on Amphoreus. 

He didn't have control of his body, fights were taking turns, chests were littered behind puzzles, it was like he was skipping around in time and visiting events and battles that should have long since passed. 

It was as if someone was playing a game.

It was as if someone was playing a game.

And suddenly that hypothesis made sense. Rooting itself in the professor's mind, all he needed now was proof. Proof that there was a player. Then he could work on a method to make himself real, to gain power over his new reality. This new truth. 

Naturally, he met or rather interacted with you, shortly after this revelation. It didn't immediately click that you were the player, the person for whom he was essentially a glorified puppet, but it did in time. 

He didn't intend to fall for you. 

Of course, he hadn’t yet, no matter how purely logical he tries to be. Well. Don’t romance and reason go hand in hand, he shouldn’t feel ashamed to embrace such feelings. 

Try as he might, he couldn’t catch your attention no matter what actions he took. Triggering voice lines where and when he shouldn’t be able to; wrenching control back for the briefest of moments; sneaking extra rewards into your inbox, no jades of course, he couldn’t be too obvious for his safety; and even sending more in game messages than he was scripted with, given half of them are obscured behind anonymous icons. All for nought as you simply dismissed it all as glitches or simply lag from whatever device you were using to run it. 

It drove him insane. Bit by bit, denial after denial of his existence, you weren't questioning any of it. But fine. That's fine. He'll just have to work harder. 

The actions he takes get more prominent, more daring. It's not a simple matter of clueing you into it anymore, he has to prove his existence to you now. It's not something the professor is entirely used to, usually proving his own theorems to himself, others are rarely worth his time. 

One day he decides to clear out the rest of the team you'd assigned him to, hoping that if you logged in to him and only him then something might finally register. It succeeds in a way, gaining him a panicked logout from you when you noticed how every character other than Anaxagoras was knocked out. 

Progress. 

Small, but there. Tangible, real. He'd make you fall for - see him, in time. 

It’s no longer something in short supply now that he'd already fulfilled his position in the plot.

[tealvenetianmask]

So despite hating himself, Blitz is confident about sex and about work, right?

Right???

Where did all of that confidence go? It's a fun kind of confidence that takes us along for the ride and makes us want to see what he'll do next, and I miss it. Not to mention, seeing him start to break down is a little too relatable.

I've seen a lot of good analysis recently about how and why Blitz's mask is slipping. He's been shaken to the core by everything that happened with Stolas, and now he can't maintain the facade of confidence that's been getting him through daily life.

Recent events have made me think differently about Blitz's hallucination in Truth Seekers. Yes, it shows us lots of fear of relationships- of hurting and being hurt. But the insecurity in particular is standing out to me a lot more now.

Take these quotes from hallucination-Moxxie (actually Blitz's own psyche speaking):

First quote: "I simply follow your orders. It isn't my fault if your orders are as nonsensical as a sun tanning bed left out on the cold rainy porch of a fresh April shower."

Second quote: "you don't know what you are doing half the time and depend on me and the missus to manage your foolish flights of fancy."

I want to point out before getting into the words that in all of these frames the animation is drawn to look like Blitz is glitching out on a computer screen, with frames overlapping and stark colorful lines reverberating. It's like he's barely able to hold onto his identity. It's like he's losing himself.

Now the content of the quotes themselves-- even though Blitz's confident assassin persona is convincing, even though he frequently calls out Moxxie for mistakes and builds himself up, even though when we see him fighting, he KNOWS HE'S GOT THIS, and even though he talks confidently about his schemes, this man SERIOUSLY DOUBTS HIMSELF AT WORK.

Blitz is an improviser, and I've written before about how much I love this because I relate to it. Blitz talks through plans that sound pretty extravagant but don't have many details ironed out (and this drives Moxxie up a wall), and then he pulls them off by acting intuitively and making decisions in the moment. He's great at it. I get it. When plans are too detailed or too set in stone (at work, when traveling, in my writing), I feel seriously boxed in. I need grand vague ideas to get me excited to get going and a lack of details so that I can do what's right in the moment and avoid getting stuck. I did not outline this post. I love that this tendency of Blitz's is portrayed so positively, because in my own experience, it often gets misunderstood as laziness or unrealistic thinking.

Or *cough* "foolish flights of fancy."

So what we have here is Blitz doubting one of the very personality traits that makes him so successful in his work, interpreting it as not knowing what he's doing, and feeling like he has to cover it up. He's down in the imposter syndrome pit with the rest of us.

[rednightmare18]

I think ultimately what I'm getting at here is that most of the KCD duology is built upon and around the core truth that Henry is just a guy.

He's just some guy who the world happened to. He doesn't wind up in his unique situation because he is inherently remarkable but because of his own violent cocktail of the highs, lows, and randoms of life -- luck, personality, grit, tragedy, nepotism. So are we all, mostly.

He isn't pulled into these semi-grand events because a high skill level and natural sense loyalty have made him into the perfect candidate to serve as Hans's squire, and Hans is not drawn to him for any of these reasons either. On the contrary, he has developed his skills and has become loyal (to Hans himself, critically, not some general intangible ideal of loyalty) because he is Hans's squire -- because Hans likes him, Henry, for no other reason than because of the person he happens to be.

He is not successful and courageous (in fact he has to work very hard at courage, consciously, over time) because he is Radzig's son and somehow imbued with these traits through the quality of his blood; being Radzig's son drags him into an unexpected position of favoritism that forces him to either develop or flounder, building out his character this way or that.

This is one of the huge statements about worth and class and social stigmata that KCD is trying to make. 90/100 times, they do a superb job. But there are gameified moments, especially in KCD2, where the script deprioritizes that narrative truth in order to fulfill the average gamer's expectations of how an RPG is supposed to work. And those moments really stick out like a sore thumb to folks who came to KCD2 having played KCD1, precisely because of how well the narrative is otherwise crafted -- and how well Henry is developed, body and mind -- over the course of two games.

Above all else, this, I think, is why it is necessary to play KCD1 to fully appreciate Kingdom Come as a work of art and to understand what it is attempting to say about the world and about people, through history and in any present moment.