#crafters coven

[goblinknits]

Pumpkin bags are back and for sale starting next week at the St. Louis Renaissance Faire

[kaoticrequiem]

Episode #23: You're On Your Way

Jesus. This episode was brilliant, everyone involved is a master crafter and genius artist, and I'm not even kidding. Spoilers under the cut.

Eursulon sneaking in a conversation with the Man in Black was amazing, and a brilliant play on Lou's part. I'm now convinced that the Stranger is working not just with Mirara but with the entire Coven. I loved Steel even more this episode, I am ride or die, I don't care that her classism is worn on her sleeve, she is so good. Suvi spilling everything was such an immense relief, and she _still loves Ame_, going to the end of the world to protect her. The whole awakening scene because Ame wants to protect and care for Toma and everything she does at the cottage, perfect. Daomai and Elsbeth and Mohe and Yagi, bless them all. The subtle level up, no less earned than Eursulon's. Eursulon's reunion. Ten minutes of laughing and weeping and praying she wouldn't die in his arms or that he wouldn't die in the ambush from the spirit-descended beasts.

I've relistened to arc 1 and what we have of arc 2 many times, and this story is so deep and rich and sumptuous that I'm going to be doing so for the rest of my life. Thanks to @quiddie and the rest of the WBN crew for this amazing work of art.

[jasper-pagan-witch]

Jasper Gets Mad About "The Goodly Spellbook"

Also, re: Coven Olvenwilde, FUCK THEM. Their spellbook is shit and appropriative, they're big on that whole fucking duality of gender thing, and they have some of the grossest fucking takes of all time. And this is coming from the Monarch of Cold Takes themself, so you know it's bad.

Here's an excerpt from the Two Polarities section on page 75 that made my eyebrow pop off of my forehead:

The cosmos is inherently balanced. It provides both light and dark, both life and death, both laughter and tears. For every yang, there is a yin; for every day, there is a night; for every active, outward, or upward action, there is a passive, inward, or downward reaction - and vice versa. Male and female, Sun and Moon, rich and poor, fat and thin, I and you, us and them - there is no one without the other.

And then on page 164, under the title Three Times' the Charm, we have:

Crafters' cosmology contains many triplicities: matter, magic, spirit natural, celestial, and ceremonial magic Goddess, God, and spellcrafter Maiden, Mother, Crone seeker, initiate, elder virginity, fertility, wisdom male, female, hermaphrodite birth, life, death past, present, future beginning, middle, end up, down, around in, out, throughout and so on...

Like, maybe I'm just a weird Gen Z kid (I say, as a 20-year-old grown-ass adult), but it's pretty tone-deaf to say that male and female are pure opposites and then say that they're actually two out of three genders (ignoring the fact that the term "hermaphrodite" is generally seen as a slur and the preferred term is "intersexed", which has been in use since well before this book was published).

Did I mention that the G slur is used more than the term Romani is? This book actively contributes to the exotification of Romani as "terrible sorcerers and powerful healers".

And I get it, this is a very specific Wiccan coven's craft that we're seeing a snapshot of here, but that doesn't excuse the fact that a good half of the spells written in here are derived from cultures that the very, very white members of Coven Oldenwilde have no business sticking their noses into. There are so many spells here derived from all kinds of cultures with no respect whatsoever for their origins, gods called down without any context of what they're actually like, and a weird obsession with purity as it's connected to the color white, which I'm sure my dearest mutuals have already torn apart enough of.

In the healing section alone, we have:

To Summon Strength's alternate variation, which has you create a mojo bag (which is NOT the same as a spell bag, let's be clear) and invoke a Welsh figure (Olwen) that some people believe to have once been a sun goddess. It also lists "Chinese magic" as part of the inspiration for this version of the spell, but I for the life of me can't figure out where the connection is.

To Induce Therapeutic Sleep, which is said to come from Greek and Native American magic but namedrops a Roman god.

To Break A Drought, which "originates" in Korean, African, European, and Native American magic, calls explicitly to invoke a Korean figure (Aryong-Jong) that the writers claim is a rain goddess. This spell's first line in the spell variations category is, "Stop a drought in deliciously Witchy fashion - strip skyclad, go adoors, and dance in the light of the full Moon amidst droplets from a water sprinkler." Don't do this, especially as the weather turns colder, or you will get sick because you're prancing around naked in sprinkler water.

To Heal Computer Eyestrain which claims to be "Romani magic" (naturally using the G slur instead, because we can't possibly see Romani as people, now can we? SARCASM); did I mention that this book cites Charles Leland for this spell? CHARLES FUCKING LELAND?

To Heal Wounds And Broken Bones is somehow derived from traditional European magic, "German variant", Voodoo herbalism, Irish magic, and Coven Oldenwilde's own practices. Did I mention is also calls for you to invoke Woden?

To Ease Childbirth somehow draws on lore from Ozark Mountain, Hawaiian, Filipino, Roman, German, Sumatran, Chittagong, Punjabi, and Sumerian cultures. It's a whole buffet and isn't even a fucking spell! It's just a list of superstitions!

And we can't leave well enough alone, can we? Because the final spell in the healing section is To Cure Mental Problems. Yes, It's just as ableist and bad as you think it is.

In conclusion, fuck Coven Oldenwilde.

I'm gonna go eat chocolate until I get sick now. Peace out.

[spicywhumper]

febuwhump 2024: day 24. "I'm doing this because I care about you" + @femslash-february bingo 2024: power imbalance + whump bingo: muzzled

series: crimson history - war dog // rating: explicit

trigger/content warning: stepcest, dehumanization (it/its pronouns used for a person), explicit sexual content, underage noncon*

* noncon because victim can't consent due to heavy conditioning

Joan smirks, the expression feels quite comfortable on her face, like her face was made for smirking and other subtle expressions.

Here’s the thing, she knows her wife. A woman that likes to appear stoic and cold, but deep down? Deep down, she’s soft and squishy. Under Jocelynn’s “I’m superior than you” mast, she’s weal. She’s a weal, pathetic little bitch. (She’s Joan’s pathetic little bitch.)

There’s nothing surprised by the fact that Jocelyn gave birth to a weak, pathetic little dog.

It is supposed to be much more stoic than It is, according to the notes she read. Colder, emptier than the woman who brought It to this world. Better than the woman who blessed Joan with a weapon in need to be shapened, a dog in need to be collared and leashed. It is supposed to have no emotions, moved by the instinct to please Its Master.  It is quite the obedient animal, but doesn’t behave quite like she expected It to.

Joan shouldn’t be surprised that a dog is still a dog and needs more attention than an actual weapon, an object that isn’t also a person sometimes. As well-trained as It is, a puppy is still a puppy. Young and needy. The pleasure of pleasing Joan isn’t enough, not yet, It still needs more than just the rush of being a good dog.

Without the armor, the perfectly crafter uniform of the best weapon the coven has, the dog looks quite young. Wek, somewhat small. Despite Its height and muscle mass. Without what makes It look like the leashed beast It is, Dog is just a puppy and a pathetic one at that.

Fucking annoying.

“Stupid puppy,” she slaps It, ignoring the sting made worse by the muzzle, head whips aside and stays there. Joan sits back on her chair, on her spot behind the desk. “Come here. Crawling, like my good dog.”

The Dog knows better than try to speak with the muzzle on, at least since the time Joan used a special little muzzle that covered and filled Its mouth. It falls on Its knees without hesitation, than hands, and obeys without sign of discomfort. It has learned how to crawl a little faster the more Joan makes It do it, as uncomfortable as it must be. The floor is cold and rough, Its knees are always bruised after she askes It to crawl or kneel.

The comfortable and protective clothes are in a neat pile on Joan’s desk, all black and the darkest shade of crimson they can be, thick and warm. Only wearing underwear (also black and practical), Joan can see the bruises, the  marks and the scars she put there, proud swells on her chest. The Dog if arguably a work of art. Skin marked with punishments covering well-developed muscles of a killing machine.

It’s intoxicating.

She points at the spot between her feet, the Dog stops and kneels there, eyes castes down. Joan pats Its head, there’s a small noise form the back of Its throat, cheeks flush adnd it’s kinda cute. Anything she does gives her a reaction. It doesn’t matter if the kid is objectively the strongest person in the coven, a wizard that is in a whole other level. Joan has all the power over it.

“You’ve been a good puppy,” she says. “You deserve a reward,” she scratches behind Its ears, the Dog’s breaths a bit harder, shoulders shaking slightly as It hold back possible reactions. Joan holds It face and lifts, leans closer like she’d kiss It, and whispers: “It has been a while since the last time I taste you.”

The blush is more visible. It’s a little rare for the Dog to be flustered at all, It has been trained to not react at all. She likes when It does react, even if it’s just a cute blush.

“I’m doing this because I care about you,” it’s not even quite a lie, is it? She cares, even if not in the way she should. And those words seem to always make Dog trust her a little more. It nods. “Good, sit on the desk.”

It does, hands on Its thighs, the standard position. Joan’s not quite in the mood for foreplay, but she doesn’t pass the opportunity to bite and suck and leave marks down the Dog’s stomach. Warm and defined, stupid perfect. With a push that is gentle enough to make it look more like normal sex than whatever the fuck this is, the Dog’s laying on her back.

Joan takes off the boxer briefs, smirking at how gentle attention always gets her some reaction. Of course the Dog doesn’t get as wet as other women she touched (she’s not sure if it has something to do with Its hybrid status or if it’s how a part of It refuses to let this affect It. She wonders if the girl in the back of Its mind refused to let her body react to something she doesn’t want).

She hold Its thighs apart and wastes no time in going to work.

Really, if she’s not supposed to touch the weapon like this, then why It tastes so good? Inhumanly good. Alluring. And she’s sure that it’s part of being a hybrid. Creatures that feed off of sex energy need to be alluring, need to make you want sex with them, they’re built to be irresistible. Half-bred or not, the Dog is supposed to be attractive.

(Joan wonders if Jennifer tasted her.

Or if her daughter is stronger than her.)

Joan pushes her tongue into It, fucking warm, fucking tight, fucking delicious. Sometimes she forgets how eating pussy makes her own dripping wet, makes her clit ache, and with the Dog the experience isn’t different. Much less when even if the Dog is trained, Its breathing still changes and It gets wetter and wetter as she keeps going.

She hugs the Dog’s thighs and doubles her efforts, alternating between fucking It with her tongue, licking and sucking Its clit.

It really has been way too long since last time she had a full course meal with Its pussy like this.

[thefirstcourtesan]

Misha’s Replay Ratings Pt2

My first post was getting too long to keep editing and I was only on ‘H’, so I realized that I needed to split my post up into multiple parts. Specially since I will eventually have to go back and edit part with some of the books currently updating.

Link to Part One

Immortal Desires

Story: A (I thought the story was pretty solid, a little rushed in places, but I love a good vampire story and I love that this book balanced the supernatural elements and the romance. Plus, since it now won’t be a standalone, that being is intriguing instead of frustrating)

Art: A- (the art in this book is good but there is very little that is super unique, it borrows a lot from Bloodbound)

LIs: A+ (not only are Cas and Gabe amazing, they balance each other so well and the love triangle/rivalry is so well done)

Romance Scenes: A- (maybe because I committed to the love triangle, but while the romance scenes had a lot of emotion, they also seemed a little short and like something was being held back)

MC: A+ (I love this MC. She is feisty and brave, but also human. She mouths off to her mom and can’t pick which boy she loves more. She is thrust into a scary world and handles it well, but still feels like a teenager)

Friend Group/Side Characters: B- (the mom is great and I love Seth, but a lot of the other side characters are underdeveloped and the ‘best friend’ is a reused asset we barely interact with).

Villain/Antagonist: A (both for the big bad and for the real villains, the two coven leaders. I can’t wait to see where the story goes with him in book 2)

Paywall: D (the charm bracelet came into play a lot, which means that the book would be harder without it, and almost all the lore was paywalled. I feel like without diamonds, you would be missing a lot of the emotional depth)

Overall: A (This is such a fantastic book and I can’t believe it took me so long to finish it. I loved the setting, the characters, the romance, all of it.)

Previous Ranking: N/A

New Ranking:

IL: It Lives in the Woods

Story: B+ (the story isn’t bad, it is a well crafter horror story but I don’t like horror, so I had a hard time getting invested)

Art: A- (the background art and CGs are phenomenally creepy, but this book loses points for having the ugliest MCs ever)

LIs: B- (they are all fine, but underdeveloped and none of the really stands out. This is a group that feels like it was crafted primarily as a friend group and romance is an afterthought)

Romance Scenes: D (they are short and they don’t really have any depth)

MC: A- (honestly, this MC is an extremely traumatised teenager. It’s really hard to judge her, but she is mostly likeable, if underdeveloped)

Friend Group/Side Characters: B- (so the problem with the characters in this book is they are mostly LIs, even if they are written as a friend group, but it means the actual friend group is lacking.)

Villain/Antagonist: A+ (the villain of this book is actually great, it is a solid twist and the minor villainous characters also have their role to play)

Paywall: C+ (everyone can survive without diamonds, but you have to play smart. The lore doesn’t even really add much, even if you do pay for it. You can play this book without diamonds and mostly understand it, it is just harder)

Overall: B- (This book is fine, but it’s not my thing at all, and I wasn’t particularly invested or attached to the story or the characters. I do get why people love it though)

Previous Ranking: 39*/50 (I previously ranked ILITW and ILB together)

New Ranking:

It Lives Beneath

Story: A- (not my personal cup of tea and I felt like it dragged at times, which is crazy since the timeline is about a week, but the story is pretty solid)

Art: A+ (the art in this book is super creepy and detailed)

LIs: B+ (the LIs are decent, none of them are excellent, but they are all solid characters and add something to the story)

Romance Scenes: A (the romance actually does matter here and influences your relationship, including how your LI reacts to your love confession)

MC: A (I mean, this MC is a badass. She climbs out of a watery grave and kicks ass. I don’t love her the way I do some MCs, but she is definitely pretty cool)

Friend Group/Side Characters: B (so this book suffers from the “LIs your only friends” syndrome but it also has the world’s coolest little brother and his boyfriend, so it gets point for that)

Villain/Antagonist: A+ (creepy cult, rich people willing to do anything for power and a pissed off ghost who has every right to be angry. It makes for a pretty awesome combo)

Paywall: D+ (the lore is pretty important to the backstory and character motivations, plus all the collectibles and how it affects character’s nerve and their ability to survive. You can do it without spending, but it is harder and you have to play smarter and you would definitely miss stuff)

Overall: B+ (this is a solid story, even if it is not really my thing)

Previous Ranking: 39*/50 (I previously ranked ILITW and ILB together)

New Ranking:

Kiss of Death

Story: A+ (the start was a little slow, but when it picked up, it really picked up. It is an excellent mix of romance and action and honestly while the ending was predictable, it was set up in a way where I asn’t quite sure until the end.)

Art: B (some cool art mixed with a bunch of re-used assets. This is a book that relied more on story than visuals)

LIs: A (I refuse to go higher than an A for single LI a books, but I did love Vic and I loved the dynamic between Vic and MC. The tension, the longing, the miscommunication… I have a soft spot for the sad and angry lost boy type and male Vic definitely fits that 😂)

Romance Scenes: A+ (OMG. This is where the book shines. The romance scenes are great but the story also builds. One romance scene will be referenced in another. You lean things about the characters, the romance grows. There is tension and teasing and the diamond scene in chapter 18 had me feeling all kinds of things).

MC: A- (I thought she was a tiny bit bratty at times, but she grew on me. I do like the stubborn MCs, and she is definitely that).

Friend Group/Side Characters: A (While there wasn’t really a friend group, there were several strong side characters and Faith is a pretty kick-ass bestie. Plus book made me cry and it was because of my attachment to one character.)

Villain/Antagonist: B+ (As I said, the villain was obvious, but also not because I second guessed myself a lot. The motives were believable, but at the same time, it was kind of handle in a rushed way because the identity of the villain felt like the least important element)

Paywall: C+ (I think this is one of those “diamonds make it easier/better” books and I feel like a lot of key background stuff is locked behind paywall, but the diamond scenes were cheaper than most books and there was a lot of call backs to previous scenes, which I always love)

Overall: A (I really, really loved this book. It isn’t perfect, but it drew me in and I felt invested in the characters and the world and the romance. I was surprised by how much I loved this book)

Previous Ranking: N/A

New Ranking:

Laws of Attraction

Story: A+ (The story of these two books is excellent. In both case, the leaf up to the main case is done well. There is good pacing and balance between character development and story development and I was invested in the cases and their outcomes).

Art: B- (A couple CHs, but most of the art in this book is pretty basic. This is not a book that relies on art and it shows).

LIs: A- (I like both Gabe and Aislinn, they are great characters but the romance dynamic felt shaky at times, specially in book 2)

Romance Scenes: A- (This book is weird in that it was trying to balance the relationships with the one night stand mechanic and it affected how the actual romance develops.)

MC: A+ (I love this MC. She is confident, she is capable at her jon, she doesn’t hesitate. She is also definitely a mess on a personal level, but I am ok with that)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A (Book 2 brought this rating down slightly. I loved the side character dynamic in book 1. Beau and Gigi are treasures and the whole group worked so well together in book 1, but book 2 lacked that and I understand the plot reasons, but it still didn’t have the charm of book 1 and recurring members of the law firm barely did anything).

Villain/Antagonist: A (Book 1’s villain was better than book 2’s, but I like that this series balances their villains. There is the corrupt powerful figure (ceo, politician) and then someone in MC’s sphere who is aiding them, giving it a more personal connection)

Paywall: D (This book paywalls a lot. You will lose some cases, you will have to fight harder in the book one rankings and for your firm’s reputations, etc.)

Overall: A (I like this series a lot. It has one of the best actual stories and plot of any Choices series, as well as some truly likeable characters)

Previous Ranking: 8/50

New Ranking:

Love Hacks

Story: B (The plot is pretty thin, but it’s ok, it is supposed to be a slice of life sitcom and for what it is, it works)

Art: B (Nothing ground-breaking, but there are some cool features like the Dopey Cat game and Ben’s art, plus the Burning Sands backgrounds)

LIs: B- (None of the LIs are particularly ground-breaking, they are all decent characters but they don’t really stand out and are not particularly memorable)

Romance Scenes: C+ (The scenes in this book are super short and don’t really add much to the relationships).

MC: B- (This MC is very much a placeholder MC. She could be anyone. She isn’t even the clue of the group like in TF series. there’s nothing bad about her, but nothing interesting either)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A+ (The friend group is the best thing about this book. They are charming, they are zany, and the chemistry and hijinks work).

Villain/Antagonist: C- (While awful bosses and skeezy dude-bro co-workers are the worst, Martin and TJ are mostly just annoying and the conflict never feels high-stakes.)

Paywall: C+ (generally it’s not too bad, a lot of getting side characters together and you still succeed in many ways, but the first book does stuff like making you wear the opposing team’s colours to a baseball game which sucks and the diamond scenes are short and not particularly worth it. You also have pay to keep Leah around in book 1, which really sucks

Overall: B- (This book has its charms, mostly the characters, and it’s not bad, but it is not great either. It is just ok, but good for when you and a lighter read)

Previous Ranking: 24/50

New Ranking:

Most Wanted

Story: A (The story itself is solid, a gritty case with twists and turns and a pair of opposites forced to be partners).

Art: C- (This is really early Choices, so I will give it some slack. The art is jarring, like most early books, but there is nothing stand-out or unique to redeem it).

LIs: F (There aren’t any. There are characters who could be LIs if the writers had chosen, but we never get more than hints, even with Sam and Dave themselves)

Romance Scenes: F (Again, there aren’t any. Dave can kiss Alyssa Griffin, Sam can kiss Ryan Summer but the romances don’t go anyw where. There is no player choice in the final beach scene. The diamond scenes are also super short)

MC: B (Multiple POV books are not my favorite . This time I actually preferred Dave to Sam and if I’d had a choice, I’d have played as him the whole time and I never play as men 😂 but I did not particularly enjoy Sam and I at least liked Dave)

Friend Group/Side Characters: B (We don’t have a ton of interactions with them, but the interactions we have fun and the side characters have distinct personalities)

Villain/Antagonist: A+ (Honestly the villains were well done. The combination of the in-your-face villain of the psychotic serial killer and then the more subtle villain of the bad girl pretending to be something she is not and willing to kill to keep her secret, was actually excellent)

Paywall: A (I have played this book with and without diamonds and honestly, having diamonds just makes it easier. You don’t miss much, detail-wise, and it’s not like there is a ton of character interaction to miss anyway)

Overall: C+ (My ranking system really works against this book because I highly prioritise romance and this book doesn't have any. But it is also super short and boring, even if the story itself is well crafted).

Previous Ranking: 49/50

New Ranking:

Mother of the Year

Story: B- (This book is well written and I think it’s supposed to be heart-warming, but it’s just struggle after struggle and that is not my idea of a good time. It just makes me so anxious and sad).

Art: B (This book is basic, nothing really extraordinary art-wise, but most of the faces are new, so that is something)

LIs: A (The LIs are actually all pretty great. They are distinct characters and they all fit well into the story and have a natural place in MC’s life).

Romance Scenes: A (Again, these are pretty good. The romance develops well and you learn a lot about the LIs in their scenes).

MC: B+ (I struggle a little with this MC, I find parts of her character frustrating but I like what a good mom she is)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A+ (This is the book’s biggest strength. The side characters are excellent, our sweet daughter and Luz, and Alma who is very much in the running to the best bff in the whole app)

Villain/Antagonist: D+ (I am grading the villains in this book harshly because they are so one-dimensional. They are easy to hate, but they are all so over-the-top villainous. I get Guy is supposed to be like that, but Vanessa? She is a badly written villain, with no redeeming qualities and yet we can say we might be friends? Yeah, no.)

Paywall: C (You miss out on the memory wall, the custody suit is harder and the game will play on your heart strings by having you disappoint your sweet daughter).

Overall: B+ (This isn’t a bad book, it has many redeeming qualities, but it is a depressing book and it feels like a lot to get through.)

Previous Ranking: 35/50

New Ranking:

Ms. Match

Story: B (This book is cute, but the premise is pretty thin. I get that they wanted to balance the sex to love with the completion element, but the way they did it was flimsy. Enjoyable, but flimsy)

Art: B- (The art in this book is fine, except the MC hair options. Those are atrocious)

LIs: A- (I like cocky LIs with troubled childhoods, so of course I like Jack. He can be frustrating at times but he also had really good growth)

Romance Scenes: A+ (This book balances hot and funny and emotional all in one. There is a lot of depth in the romance scenes and the relationship builds in a natural way)

MC: B- (This MC bugged me a bit, with her attitude towards the competition and her lack of compassion for Jack. She acknowledges it herself later, so I will give her some credit, but I still found her a little annoying)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A- (This is a pretty good cast. A small cast, but,Maggie is a treasure and I really like both Drew and Veronica)

Villain/Antagonist: C- (This was not a villain, he was both obvious and not present enough and his motivations were shallow)

Paywall: B+ (I don’t think it was that bad. You win the completion regardless, you end up happy. You just don’t make as many matches and the storyline with the bar plus Drew and Veronica goes a little rougher)

Overall: B (This book is cute and it is an enjoyable read. Sometimes that is all you need. It is also a good use of the single Li dynamic) .

Previous Ranking: 13/50

New Ranking:

Murder At Homecoming

Story: A- (This was a pretty solid mystery story with lots of layers. The only real failing was the Perdita story that went nowhere, not even her disappearance since that motivated MC but the stuff with Kyle and Jeremy which was obviously setting the ground for a book 2 that never happened)

Art: A (The murderous April sprite was creepy as Hell and generally this book had nice art and great LI CGs).

LIs: A+ (I liked all three LIs. I felt they balanced each other well and they all had logical reasons for getting involved in investigating the murder and I liked the times the personalities conflicted)

Romance Scenes: A (These were the good, advanced the romance and built the emotional connection)

MC: A (I liked this MC a lot. They did a good job of fleshing out this emotionally scarred teenager who fuels her pain into helping others, trying to solve their problems because she couldn’t save her sister)

Friend Group/Side Characters: B (I adored Johanna Morgan and think she deserves the world, but this book does the “LIs are the fiend group” thing for the most and I get it, you don’t want your mystery crew to be too big. But it does work against the book in this category 😂)

Villain/Antagonist: B (I understood what they were they were going for, but I think they failed a bit with the execution and the villain went to crazed killer just a little too easily)

Paywall: D+ (There was a lot of evidence to pay for and without the evidence and the back stories, mysteries are harder to follow because you are missing information)

Overall: A- (I liked this book a lot more than I expected too. I think they did a good job with the Veronica Mark-style mystery. I especially liked how they never forgot that the characters were all human and that they were grieving and they had emotions get the best of them at times)

Previous Ranking: N/A

New Ranking:

My Two First Loves

Story: A- (I hate the Principal Jennings storyline, truly hate it, but otherwise I actually like the story in this book. The story of a teenage girl trying to figure out who she is and what she wants and navigating parental pressures, crippling loss, and complicated romantic feelings.)

Art: A- (This book is pretty basic but the boys CGs are well done and there are a few cool art moments)

LIs: A+ (I struggled a little with this because of the poor treatment of Ava, but I do genuinely like Ava and I think for all the poor treatment, she is a good character and Mason and Noah are fantastic and the teen romance drama is perfect).

Romance Scenes: A+ (The romance scenes in this are sweet, they deepen the romance and let you know more about the LIs, but they also do that high school romance well and that tension and hestiancy and pushing boundaries).

MC: A+ (I know this is a controversial opinion, but I love this MC. She is messy and dramatic and self-centred but she feels real. I adore her. She is one of my all-time favorite MCs).

Friend Group/Side Characters: B-. (This book doesn’t really have a group. The only friends are the LIs and even that is late game. But Mackenzie Price is a gem and one of my all time favorite Choices characters.)

Villain/Antagonist: B (This book really has two villains and Lauren is actually an excellent villain, because we all went to school with a girl like Lauren. Principal Jennings on the other hand was a bad, cartoonish villain).

Paywall: A- (There were a couple things that came up later, like Noah’s knife, but for the most part this story kept the diamond scenes to romance and outfits).

Overall: A (I like this book. Is it perfect? Nope. It mistreats the lone female LI and the principal plot is bad, but it is still a fun book with good characters and one that I can personally relate to and it makes me feel nostalgic and happy)

Previous Ranking: 3/50

New Ranking:

The Nanny Affair

Story: C+ (This series is basically a cheap romance novel crossed with a soap opera. At times it is entertaining, it is certainly smutty, but it’s not particularly good and there are times where the plot really drags).

Art: A (The art in this book is actually pretty great, from the smutty cut scenes to the CGs to the sweet pics with the twins).

LIs: D+ (I strongly, strongly dislike Sam Dalton, he grew on me a little in book 3 to the point where I no longer despised him but I do not like him. Not at all).

Romance Scenes: A+ (This book delivers on the smut. This book is super steamy, but there also plenty of heart warming diamond scenes, it is a good mix,p).

MC: B (I like that this MC has a career and ambitions but she also annoyed me at times, overall she is fine. A middle of the road MC).

Friend Group/Side Characters: B+ (The twins are darling. I would do anything for them. We also love Carter, Robin and Sofia. I even like Jenny. The problem is the friend group is weirdly patched together, like when we did become besties with Marisol?!)

Villain/Antagonist: D- (The villains in this series are all right. Sofia, Robin, Addison, they are all justified in being pissed off and are more interesting than Sam and MC but we are supposed to hate the:and there are more options to be awful to them than not.)

Paywall: A- (I was choosy with my diamonds and I don’t think you miss much other than smut and some family moments. There were a few times where diamond scenes gave boosts and made certain things easier, but I don’t think this series really hides much in diamond scenes except smut),

Overall: C+ (Honestly, this book promised smut and some cute kids and it does deliver, but since I hate the LI, the smut didn’t really do much for me and the story is meh at best.)

Previous Ranking: N/A

New Ranking:

Nightbound

Story: A- (The story had some serious pacing issues, but overall it was a pretty solid plot and good world building)

Art: B (A few creepy monsters but most of the art is pretty basic and nothing really stands out)

LIs: A (I like all the LIs, they are all unique from one another, with varied backgrounds and add to the main story)

Romance Scenes: C (There are a few deep emotional moments but this is the book that is known for the 30 diamond fake our and the diamond scenes also felt short and a little rushed),

MC: A- (This MC is pretty decent. One of the less irritating MC’s although not as memorable as some of the others. But I don’t constantly want to shake her, which is more than I can say for many MCs).

Friend Group/Side Characters: A- (The LIs make up the “main” group, but there are also the Graveyard shift gang, who are all delightful and enhance the story)

Villain/Antagonist: A+ (Thomas is actually a great villain: completely awful and terrifying, but with a backstory that evokes sympathy).

Paywall: D. (Between the 30-diamond fake our, the fate’s tears, locked most of the relevant information about the LIs behind a paywall and then final insult of having to pay to stay with your LI, this book is definitely a “pay-to-play).

Overall: A- (It took a bit to get into and it has serious pacing issues but overall it is enjoyable and there is some really interesting world building and some fantastic characters.’’)

Previous Ranking: 38/50

New Ranking:

Open Heart

Story: A (The series has some rises and falls and there were some decisions by the writing team that I do not agree with and glad they walked back, but over all the story is engaging and it builds well, it feels like a complete trilogy, with each book building on the last).

Art: B+ (This is not a book that people are reading for the art. The art is good but a lot of books have better art, the backgrounds are nice and the characters are attractive, but there is nothing that makes you go ‘wow’)

LIs: A+ (One of the best cast of LIs in the entire series, hands down. They are all distinct individuals with their own personalities and stories. Are there some writing imbalances and poor decisions? Hell yes, but these LIs are all excellent.)

Romance Scenes: A+ (This actually is one of those things that builds as the series went on. The book one romance scenes were good but by book 3, they were excellent and there is a lot of building on previous scenes and choices, the LIs you have romanced start making default romantic overtatures, which I always prefer)

MC: A+ (This is one of my favorite Choices MC’s ever, I love my sweet, emotional girl who has such a big heart and a desire to change the world. There are times where the MC is impulsive and frustrating but overall, I love her story arc.)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A+ (The side characters are one of the things that makes this series so special. Open Heart has a full, well-developed cast of characters and MC gets to spend lots of time with people other than the LIs and gets to build meaningful relationships and connections.)

Villain/Antagonist: A- (Each book has it’s own villains but the over-arcing villain is the medical system and all the red tape and limitations that doctors fact that sometimes prevent them from helping people in need and that makes for a pretty compelling narrative. So do jealous man-baby intents and ego-fed tech billionaires, honestly).

Paywall: B (This is one of those rankings that kept going down with each subsequent book because the first book isn’t really pay-walled in terms of the MC’s career but after MC joins the diagnostic team, things become a lot more locked behind diamond scenes. I do like that this is one of those books that often ties outfits to actually getting a bonus scene and overall it still isn’t as bad as many series are).

Overall: A (Is this series perfect? No and there were some definite poor judgement calls made by the writing team but overall it is really, really good and it has one of the best cast of characters of any choices book ever).

Previous Ranking: 25/50

New Ranking:

Passport to Romance

Story: C+ (I mean the story is exactly what it says it is, a travel blog. It is just not particularly interesting and there are no real twists.)

Art: B+ (This book was mid-Choices and it shows, but it does have a nice Sumire CG and it does a few cool things with the blog art, but nothing out of the extraordinary)

LIs: C+ (The LIs in this book are bland. I guess they are all individual characters? But none of that has that much personality to be honest.)

Romance Scenes: C- (The romance scenes are short, not particularly inspired and they don’t really give you a lot in terms of the relationships or character development).

MC: B+ (Do I particularly like this MC? No. But unlike some, she has a personality and I kind of admire her grifter nature.)

Friend Group/Side Characters: D- (The LIs are the friend group, are the first two chapters with Ahmed’s teammates, we barely interact with another character unless they are an antagonist and this group of LIs is not charismatic enough to do double duty).

Villain/Antagonist: F (The two main “villains”, Yvette and Elliott’s brother, are just two people trying to get people to live up to their responsibilities and vilified for it.)

Paywall: B (I mean there is a lot of blog content that is paywalled but the book does also offer a lot of rewards and bonus scenes for getting followers, so at least there is payoff.)

Overall: C (There is a level of ridiculousness to this book that makes it impossible to take it seriously and that makes it fairly entertaining. This is one of the most unhinged MCs, so it has that going for it, but overall it is not particularly good or memorable.)

Previous Ranking: 45/50

New Ranking:

Perfect Match

Story: A (It starts out slow but it builds up and there are a lot of layers to it. It is not my favourite genre but it is still a very well done story and it keeps you guessing the whole time)

Art: A (The art is really good, especially for the time. The CGs of Hayden and Harley particularly stand out).

LIs: A (This is a solid cast of LIs, the main three and the two they let you semi-romance, plus this book lets you be poly and acknowledges it, which is great. The LIs are all interesting, distinct characters, which is always nice).

Romance Scenes: A- (There is a lot of building off scenes which U like and layered romance reactions, as well as some deep emotional moments with each LI, but the scenes do often feel a little short)

MC: A (I do like this MC a lot, she has a lot of personality and is good at being the leader and I like where there are some default characteristics to work with, in this case, the fact that MC is a terrible cook. I am not as emotionally attached to her as some of my MCs but I do appreciate her)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A (This book has a little bit of the LIs are the main group, but there are enough other characters to balance them out and those characters are all delightful and the group dynamic is fantastic. Plus Dipper is the best girl.)

Villain/Antagonist: A- (Eros makes a good villain and Cecile and Rowan were both appropriately evil, but they lacked the emotional punch of some other villains. It was neat to see how often they managed to be one step ahead.)

Paywall: B (I have played this with and without diamonds. It is still very playable without diamonds, you just miss out on extra scenes and some tasks are harder. You do get a lot of value for diamond scenes as there is a ton of building onto other scenes, but it does that thing I hate where it makes you pay to have characters around, yes, in this case they’ll both join you later but the principle of the issue still applies).

Overall: A (This is probably the series where my opinion changed the most when I sat down and gave it a fair and balanced play through. Is it one of my top 10? No, but overall it is a very good series),

Previous Ranking: 50/50

New Ranking:

The Phantom Agent

Story: B- (The story did pick up at the end and the twist [that wasn’t really a twist] was well done, but the pacing wasn’t great and certain elements were dragged out far longer than they should have been).

Art: A (This book had some beautiful art and the backgrounds were all very nice).

LIs: C- (Single LI books live and die on the LI and this one was not great. There were a couple of good moments, but generally I did not particularly like Callum Gray and I found the dynamic with MC more annoying than anything else)

Romance Scenes: C- (The romance scenes have some heat but not a lot of depth and they don’t really build the relationships or expand Agent Gray’s character)

MC: C- (The only credit I will give this MC is that they are good at their job but since every line of dialogue made me cringe and I found them genuinely unlikeable, the competence doesn’t really affect my general opinion of them)

Friend Group/Side Characters: A (Normally, I take away marks for small casts but that is more when there are multiple LIs and they dominate the friend group. In this case, the main cast was only 3 characters and Vivian was the only one I liked. She was by far the best part of the book)

Villain/Antagonist: A (The Architect was a good villain, he had a solid backstory but had let his pain truly corrupt him, so he was never redeemable. The Contractor was also a great villain, with the twist and the personal connection. You had the villain who felt remorse and the one who didn’t and it was a good combination).

Paywall: B- (So this book did lock a lot of backstory and resolution behind a paywall, but it also had a lot of buildable diamond scenes and for the most part, the diamond scenes just made the tasks easier, which I always appreciate as a player as I hate timed choices. This book is playable without diamonds, it is just harder and you miss some character details).

Overall: C+ (I did not particular enjoy this story, but it did have some good elements and the story itself wasn't bad, just the main characters sucked)

Previous Ranking: N/A

New Ranking:

Platinum

Story: B+ (There is nothing new or exciting about this plot, this story has been told several times in Choice but this variation is decent and it flows well. I really love the pacing of this story and that each quartet is it’s own arc) Art: A+ (This book has original songs. Tons of them. But it also has some gorgeous art. I love the magazine covers at the end of each chapter). LIs: A+ (I love the LIs in this book. I love that they are each unique individuals with something to offer the story and MC, although Shane was done a disservice in terms of writing and screen time, I still enjoy him as a character. There is something for everyone with the romances in this book). Romance Scenes: A (The scenes in this book are good, if a little short, but they do a good job of progressing the romances and giving the LIs depth). MC: A- (This MC is frustrating at times [*cough* the vinyls] but generally pretty likeable and I actually like that we have an MC who struggles with feelings of self doubt and anxiety and most of the time, I was rooting for her). Friend Group/Side Characters: A+ (This is one of the best casts in all of choices. Fiona, Micah, Sadie and Hank are all treasures.) Villain/Antagonist: C- (At the end of the day, I think the music industry is the real villain, but it is not something that is executed well at all and none of the people who could be a villain are really villainous. I get what the writers were attempting but the execution is a miss.) Paywall: D+ (You miss out on a ton of fans and most of the songs if you don’t pay. This is a book where you have to pay to enjoy it to its fullest.) Overall: A (I love this book. It’s not particularly original but it is fun to play and it has one of the best casts of any book.) Previous Ranking: 9/50 New Ranking:

[kurisus]

Noragami reread: Volume 19 & 20 thoughts

On to the next batch of pain.

But really, ouchies. First we have the resolution of the covenant (or trial by pledge)--and if you weren't around for that month-long wait, it was AWFUL. A month of speculating about Daikoku's odds because how good could his luck be if he belongs to someone with notoriously bad luck? Also a month of speculating about Yukine's fate, and his past, and generally being miserable. It was a TIME.

Anyway, the trial resolves with no one dying on either side, and since the rules weren't super clearly outlined, I'm relying heavily on what the official translation states to draw my conclusion. Basically, Amaterasu says the trial judges the actions of Bishamon, Yato, and Yukine. Assuming respectiveness, I think the order is key. The first trial, for Bishamon, found her in the wrong. This is in line with what everyone else says about her decision to name Nana--it's objectively risky to brand herself a traitor to hunt the crafter, and treasonous to attack a bunch of gods simply for being in the way. Even though her motivations make perfect sense.

Contrast this outcome to Yato and Yukine, both of whom were dragged into this mess and did what they could. So my personal theory is that's why the trial panned out the way it did. I could be totally misinterpreting it! But since we'll likely never get an explanation, that's what I'll go with.

I know there were some complaints that no one did die, but on a reread I kinda disagree. Tsuyu isn't a super plot relevant character, but that's my point. Noragami rarely kills off its characters, and each death has huge ramifications. Tsuyu's permanent death would accomplish...what, exactly? Plus she's a plum spirit, not a proper shinki. She shouldn't die in the same way as them.

Furthermore, Yato says "your shinki are not a set of dice," aka something to be gambled with. In gambling, you don't lose your dice, you lose your money or chips.

Anyway Yukine's reaction to being freed makes me want to blow up. He's suffering from mad PTSD, but still takes the time to let Yato know how grateful he is that he was there. Crying and sobbing.

The Kunimi chapter is a fun time. Except for the part where he talks about death being the end of memories. That was not fun.

The birthday chapter is everything to me but it also makes me want to wither away. I'm forever upset about Bishamon and Kazuma not being there, although Take and Kiun is the funniest possible replacement.

And then we get to chapter 75, which always makes me want to blow up. Adachitoka returned from hiatus and dropped this absolute banger of a chapter on us-- it's all about the ways in which love ruins the dynamics of near and far shore, tied up with Yato finally deciding to go after his dad. Sobbing etc.

In the following volume, we see a flashback of Yato explaining Father's origins to Amaterasu, followed by his vow to defeat him. He's thinking, as he says this, that it's the end for them both, and he will fade away too. In general Yato does a lot of musing on his own mortality in this volume, since just after this he sadly realizes he won't make it till spring. Blowing up once more.

Hiyori also does some musing on her own mortality this volume, after Tenjin talks to her about what Kazuma said. Kazuma wants to be loved in a human way, and it has ruined him. Tenjin again chides Hiyori for being too involved with the gods, and she wonders what would be better--if she forgets Yato whether she lives or dies, it'll be like they never met at all. SO SHE HAS TO REMEMBER HIM, RIGHT?! RIGHT?!?!?!?! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING

Still don't entirely remember what trash dad was doing at her house, but fuck him.

Yato naming Kazuma is just really sad on all levels. Neither of them wanted to do it but they're left with no choice, so they nip at each other the whole time. Despite this, Yato empathizes with Kazuma's tragic life, and notes that it's similar to Yukine's. Because they've been two different types of hafuri this whole story, but they have a lot in common too. Is anyone else clawing at the walls?

Discord reactions:

[ravenwitch45]

Thoughts on a scenario where several members of low-class demons (i.e. - imps, hellhounds, baphomets) make a covenant with Heaven similar to humans making devil deals?

They'd be like 'reverse-witches', trading away their lives for the powers of an angel & becoming practitioners of the 'light arts' - stronger, smarter, & excellent fighters + crafters that are far more powerful than what is natural for their standing in Hell's hierarchy.

Could you foresee every demon in the rest of Hell, from fellow low-borns to Sinners to Overlords to demon royalty, taking it badly or some other reaction?

That's a very interesting idea. But I have to admit it's really sad at the same time.

I mean I understand why they would, the amount of awful treatment those demons get is awful so I get wanting to fight back, but also, them givig there lives away to angels, the same creatures who see them as dirt born trash, and have no problem killing them during extermination, it's just... sad. In there effort to gain power to free themselves, they trap themselves under more people who see them as nothing.

I mean at least with Striker, while he uses Angelic powers to fight, it's not connected to any deal, he is fighting for himself and his beliefs, (And Stella for some reason but fuck her) whether or not there right at the end of the day doesn't matter. It's still a insult to all systems who want to bring him and everyone like him down.

These Light Art sages I suppose are just angelic puppets, who knows what would happen if they died, what awful fate would await them at an angels whims.

Don't get me wrong I find the concept interesting. But it's also sad if you look at it further. I could see many demons reacting badly, but not all of rage of the lowerclass having powers. Some sad that in effort to free them all, they have doomed themselves to just another high up chain of command...

[sleepymarmot]

Had my first real roleplaying moment of Necrom in the Anchre Egg Mine quest.

If I were on my main, I would have gone for the default feel-good choice. She's a master crafter from the Covenant, she values prosperity and skilled work in the trades very highly. And I know that this particular canon is not very cynical, and so the demands of the workers will probably be fulfilled.

Jon, though? He saw the workers get almost destroyed by the cynicism and greed of a faceless organization, and he told them to get the hell out while they can.

[tipsycad147]

What Kind Of Witch Am I?: A Guide For Beginner Witches To Find Their Path

If you are just starting your witchcraft path, it’s completely normal to feel in the dark about what practices exist and which of them resonate with you. You may feel overwhelmed or feel that you identify with a specific kind of magic but you are not ready to fully commit to it. The truth is that there are countless kinds of witches and choosing just one path might feel challenging.

If you are struggling to find your path, a good starting point is to think of it as your witchy identity, as a way of living or experiencing your power. 

Ask yourself: what rituals or practices do you feel most drawn to? What elements do you rely on for your rituals? What inspires you to practice? The answers to these questions may narrow down the options for you, but there are a few other things you may want to consider before committing.

First of all, be mindful: take into account that certain practices are enclosed in specific cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds and, as such, they should be honored and respected. Some examples are voodoo or candomblé: they are not meant to be practiced outside the cultural community that they are associated with. Before stepping into a new practice, do your research and make sure it is not a closed practice, that is, that you don’t need to be either initiated or born into it.

Also, remember that you can choose between being a solitary practitioner or a coven witch, as well as a Pagan witch or a secular crafter whose practices are framed in a religious environment. Finding your way through belief systems and types of practice can take time and patience. Be sure to make an informed decision and to choose what feels the best for you.

There are many paths you can choose from based on the elements that you use for your rituals and how you experience witchcraft. The cool part is that you can learn most of them by yourself.

Kitchen Witch

Rosemary, basil, thyme… If cooking is your love language and you feel grounded the moment you step into your kitchen, you could be a kitchen witch. There are many ways to work your magic into your dishes: from stirring your tea with intention to cooking with specific herbs and ingredients to obtain a desired effect. 

Hearth Witch

Along the same line, if you love to protect your home with amulets or use your housework time to meditate while you clean, maybe you are a hearth witch. You can prepare natural cleaning products and set up an altar in the corner where you spend the most time. Flood your living-room with herbal scents to make your guests feel content. This path is perfect for anyone who loves spending time at home and enjoys household tasks. This path is the sweet spot between being a homemaker and a magic maker.

Green Witch

If, instead, you feel drawn towards nature and love to be surrounded by it, there are many ways in which you can include natural elements in your craft and become a green witch. Green witchcraft is practiced with plants, herbs, flowers and wood. Once you are on this path, you connect with the spirits of nature and embrace their power. 

But what if you live in a city? Well, you might find it hard to connect with nature in an urban environment, but you can visit parks or work in your garden, with the occasional visit to a small countryside town. You can also fill your house with plants and crystals, and even grow your own herbs to feel closer to nature.

Blue Witch

However, you may spiritually connect with nature in different ways. For example, if you live close to a body of water and you dedicate time to cleaning around the shore, or if you feel empathy with its pain for polluted waters, you may gravitate towards water magic, that is, be a blue witch. 

Try meditating around a river or lake and feel its energy. You can even move on to bringing it some offerings and asking it for permission to take some of the water with you. You can use it in your rituals and spells: they don’t need to be complicated, start with baths or even keep it around when manifesting. If you feel that having it around boosts your power, you may have found your path.

Divination Witch

But, sometimes, our craft path does not start at home or with nature: it starts when we find a beautiful tarot deck or astrology book, and that’s completely fine: maybe you are a divination witch. With a good share of meditation, practice and patience, you can start a conversation with the Divine. Sounds fun! And it is, but takes a lot of discipline and studying. Also, It is important that you know the limits of divination and work within them. For more information on this, you can refer to our previous blog post How Do I Know If Being a Divination Witch is the Right Path for Me?

Urban Witch

Although some practices can be tied to specific locations, living in the city can be advantageous if you identify as an urban witch. Power can be found in every element because everything carries energy. 

You can go big and work with the energy of masses, cars, and streetlights, or keep it small and just start your day with a cup of intentioned coffee. Spice up your drinks with a dash manifestation and use your lunch break to connect with your guides at the park while you let the sun cleanse the quartz you usually keep in your pocket. Being a witch is not always about big rituals and focuses instead on mundane, quick, and short spells and practices.

Eclectic Witch

There are many other kinds of crafters: cosmic, artist, tech, crystal, and so on. If you don’t feel comfortable with just one path, you can always adopt an eclectic witch style. Being an eclectic witch means you can pick and choose different kinds of practices and beliefs. 

The choice is yours

Essentially, you do what feels right for you. Of course, it’s important to make sure you feel confident in your skills. Practicing without solid knowledge can and will result in some sticky situations. Just be sure to research and self-assess before trying something new.

All in all, remember that a label is just a label and you can tailor your labels to your practices and experiences. At the end of the day, labeling or not labeling your craft is your choice.

Ultimately, identifying and naming your practices is useful to find like-minded witches or researching on your own, but you don’t have to let names limit you. 

For example, a blue witch does not have to be constantly dipping their toes in water, just as a kitchen witch does not need to be a professional chef. Also, keep in mind that your path is not written in stone and what serves you today may not do so tomorrow. If you find out that the path you initially chose is not for you, switch it up, experiment until you find yourself. Later on in your journey, you can even mix and match practices, experiment intuitively and, most importantly, enjoy your craft.

Let us know in the comments if you have already decided what kind of witch you are or if you prefer to keep your practice unlabeled!

Sources:  Italian Folk Magic Rues Kitchen Witchery, by Mary-Grace Fahrun

[goblinknits]

My final time sensitive knitting project for the Christmas season is finished! The other glove is wet blocking as I type this.

[likeastarmuses]

Twyla Mae Mooney

Age: 31 (July 2)

Sexual orientation: Bisexual

Pronouns: She/her

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina

Primary occupation: Makeup artist/costume designer

Secondary occupation: Crafter

Personality traits: Eclectic, generous, fanciful, loquacious

Accent/dialect: Southern

Favorite song: Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

FC: Margot Robbie

Twyla is an established makeup artist and costume designer in Los Angeles who works in a niche of cosplayers, drag queens, and other performers. Though she has spent the last five years working in Hollywood, she was born and raised in a trailer park in the outskirts of the small town of Asheboro, North Carolina. An only child, her mother died when she was quite young and she was left with her dad and an extended family of mostly men. She did, however, connect with her grandma, who was a classic movie star in the 1940s.

Twyla's grandmother taught her everything there was about Hollywood and inspired her to enter a career in the beauty industry. After high school, Twyla went to junior college and got her degree in cosmetology, working at a small salon in Asheboro for much of her early twenties. She began posting her artwork on social media and also opened an online shop where she sold handmade jewelry and other accessories, both of which gained her a small following online. Once her grandmother died, she decided to leave North Carolina in pursuit of a career in California, wanting to follow in her grandmother's footsteps.

Personality-wise, Twyla is a fast learner and even faster at thinking on her feet. She has been guilty of rambling and at times, lets her energy get the best of her; her bubbly personality can be a bit overwhelming and sometimes even annoying for other people. It comes from being from a small town where everyone is hospitable and certainly meddlesome. Twyla loves exercising her creativity and has never been one to shy away from colors in her work, which is why she works in such fun and imaginative niches.

AUs [Horror]

From Rags to Retched: Twyla has made a deal with the devil and must do his bidding in exchange for fortune.

Wouldst Thou Like the Taste of Butter?: Twyla is a witch part of a man-eating coven.

Please, I'm A Star: Twyla's shortcomings culminate to a Pearl-like slasher episode where she wields the ax.

[written-by-pyrolitheus]

♡ Skelewitchy ♡

Part 1: Aurelia

Our phones were both on the cafe table, face down. Our toes touched under the pressed-together hems of our skirts. My date looked at me in that special way I desired only in other women. For once I was glad my youth was long gone and with it, any embarrassment that may have spoiled the moment.

"Your complexion is perfect. Like. So good."

"Thank you darling," I replied, trying to hide my rising level of pride. I wanted to tell her about the hard work that went into making that face, but it was not time yet. There were things I was not ready to share, ancient things that would be revealed if and only if we decided to go steady.

I made a point of taking the check and, later, offering her my arm and walking her home. She stopped at the doorstep and turned towards me, dropping her eyes to linger on my lips before raising them back to my eyes and very clearly willing me to kiss her. It's funny thing, having a soul and a skull and no brain. Other people's thoughts can leak in sometimes.

I smiled and looked down to keep up the pretense. I hoped I was not lying to myself that this pretense was only temporary if she liked me as much as I liked her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked coyly.

"Kiss me, Aurelia?"

I did. It was the ultimate test of this face, and it passed. She liked it. She made that very clear.

"C...Come inside?" My dear woman was still breathless. “Come upstairs, come to bed?”

I wanted to, but she didn't know yet. She still thought I was a regular and complete human with flesh and everything. That meant her forwardness was not really consent to fuck me.

"Not yet," I whispered, and we kissed again.

I stepped back and waited to be sure she was safely inside before turning away to walk home in the midnight starlight. There was a time when I was afraid to walk alone at night as a woman, but there are certain threats that simply aren't a problem for skeletons, and I could hold my own. I had for centuries.

At my home, I closed all the blinds, drew the curtains, locked the door, and unlocked the mahogany wardrobe I made long ago when I was still fully human. I peeled my face off of my skull and set it on its rack next to my other silicone faces. Then, I peeled my carefully crafted hands off of my carpals and phalanges and put them in their drawer. This face is the one, I thought. It is so much easier having a dating life as a skeleton in the modern world with advanced prosthetic materials freely available online. This particular mask was the best I had ever made, and it showcased that I had finally mastered the art of human faces. My crafter’s soul soared nearly as high as my heart with the night's successes.

I turned my mind to my next challenge: find a way to ease Cynthia into the truth, and a way to help her see past what her kind thinks of mine, if she would let me.

Part 2: Cynthia

"You were right, OMG, you were SO right!" I said.

"Of course I was right, Cynthia," my twin said, "but what was it about this time?"

I laugh-snorted and rolled my eyes.

"About Aurelia! Her lips tasted like silicone," I explained. I hoped I wasn't blushing. "She has a silicone face so she is definitely one of the Ancient Coven witches, wearing one of those new face-face masks."

"Then we had better prepare the spell."

"I...um..."

"What is it?"

"Weeelllll..." I didn't know how to say I wanted a third date, but I really wanted a third date. I real-real liked her, not just "seduce you so my sister and I can use the magic in your living bones to seal the demon portal" like her.

"Spit it out."

"What if we just asked her to help us? Maybe she would know another way. I mean, she is Ancient by definition isn't she?"

"Don't tell me you've fallen for her."

I shrugged.

"You have had ONE date!"

"No! Two dates!"

My sister rolled her eyes and I opened my mouth to protest before realized how it would sound and closed it again.

"The Ancient Coven were and are demon worshipers. That's how they became living skeletons instead of dying natural deaths in the first place, remember?" “Ugh! Of course I remember,” I glared at her.

All witches were super aware of the Ancient Coven, which was way worse than the evil lawn gnome stories parents make up to scare little kids because the Ancient Coven is real and lawn gnomes are just plastic. But, Aurelia didn’t seem anything like the stories.

[lightnovelbtt]

Light Novel MMORPG: REBIRTH AS AN ALCHEMIST LightNovelBTT

ABOUT For the sake of his family, Ren embarked on the popular VRMMORPG, COVENANT, that used real-time in-game currency. But being a mediocre player who only knows how to gather information, he was put in a supporting role.

As the game explodes in popularity and every multibillion-dollar company invested in the game, things have turned for the worse for Ren. Due to the amount of information he gathered, the cheats, secrets, quests, and bugs he discovered, he was silent in fear of selling the information to the other guilds.

But given a second chance, he went back in time when his father was still alive and COVENANT was just in its starting phase.

This time . . . he wouldn’t be that guy on the side who gathered information from day in and day out for ten years.

Equipped with the games knowledge he accumulated, he will become . . . an Alchemist!

Chrono Mage? Djin Master? Summoner? Necromancer? Chaos Lord?

What good are those?

Sure they’re powerful and rare classes and sought after by guilds, but it’s the alchemist who forged artifacts and concocts rare items and potions that gets the most coins at the end of the day!

It was better than being a blacksmith or a crafter! Plus, he could use all sorts of magic without limit to race and class!

It was the ultimate class! And no one even knows it!

Nguồn bài viết: https://lightnovelbtt.com/novel/mmorpg-rebirth-as-an-alchemist-7367

lightnovelbtt #manga #novel #lightnovel

[littlewolfkoneko]

18+ server

English speaking

A great & fun place to meet people & make friends!

A safe space for all without judgment!

*Cosplay/Fandoms

*Coven

*True crime

*Mental health awareness and help

*Little space

*200+ roles to choose from

*Active VCs

*Events & Broadcasts starting soon!

*BDSM/Kink friendly

*LGBTQIA+ welcome (most family memes are a part of the alphabet mafia)

*History & Mythology

*In server games

*A whole gaming zone where you can find teammates or play with other members of the family

*Daily check ins

*Daily reminders

*Daily questions

*Friendly staff

*the opportunity to partner your server with ours

*A big family

*Systems welcome & loved

*Everyone is verified to be 18+ before they have access to the server

*A safe space for all

*Non-judgement zone

*Strict rules against unnecessary drama

*Music

*Art/writing/books

*Daily prompts for the writers & artist

*weekly prompts from the musicians & singers & crafters

Please come show us some love🥺🥺🥺🥺

And maybe stay awhile🥺🥺🥺🥺

https://discord.gg/X9Tq796

[catsidhesilvieside]

Hello lovelies :D Decided to create an alt blog for FFXIV~ Because I, too, am addicted to gpose/screenshots and OC backstories!

I am Silvie, AKA CatSidheSilvie. I started FFXIV (my first and only FF game!) mid-ShB when I was expecting my second child, so I had a TON of insomnia and physical restrictions and ended up spending all my extra time playing. Then, my maternity leave overlapped with EW's release, meaning I got to power through it with a sleeping baby on my shoulder. Nowadays I can't play quite so much, but I still am on daily after the kids go to bed and think that'll be the norm.

My main is Wyra, a purple miqo on Sarg. She is 90 on all battle classes except BLU (working on that now) and is approaching 90 on crafters/gatherers with Alchemy and Botany already maxed. She is a RDM main/SMN secondary.

I am the founder of the Casual Coven CWLS on Aether and am part of a static formed through that. We are currently casually progging P2S. Yay, sewage horse.

I have 7 alts, mostly for art and FC room-decorating purposes (I am not capable of fantasia-ing Wyra since I'm too attached ahaha).

Wyra has a whole long backstory (two, actually -- one WOL version and one non-WOL!) and I keep a word doc on my headcanons because I have nothing better to do. This'll be a place for me to post things like that without a twitter character limit :'3

Shipping is pretty minimal and very average. I think WOL/G'raha is pretty cute but also lightly ship my WOL with Y'shtola. I do some romantic gposes of my husband's and my characters, also.

Apart from leveling alt after alt, playing in gpose, and keeping track of backstories, I do my own art sometimes and will post that. I'm open for commissions but haven't really done much for FFXIV yet, so that info is available upon request.

I'm okay with light PG-rated RP, but am clueless since I've only ever RPed before through art :'D Feel free to submit a message addressed to a character and you'll probably get a response doodle.

I will be creating character profiles on my sidebar next, so look forward to it if you're into that sort of thing :'3

[aishimiku]

Coven Lissandra Cosplay, League of Legends 🌟 Costume & props by @aishimiku Cosplay Commission for Ms. Jisu K. from Korea. 🌟 Open for Cosplay Commissions : aishicosplay@gmail.com 🌟 Gallery : aishicosplay.deviantart.com Instagram : aishimiku  #coven #lissandra #costume #cosplay#fabric #costumemaker#madeinthephilippines #leagueoflegends #game #cosplayer#armor #gamer #evafoam #cosplayer#handmade #airbrush #clothing#geek #crafter #therpf #thereplicapropforum #craftyourfandom https://www.instagram.com/p/CYzw9evvOAV/?utm_medium=tumblr