#crow fragile dreams

[mewhoismyself]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52529302

This the first of my projects for the Fragile Dreams (Farewell Ruins to the Moon) 15th Anniversary event, under the prompt ‘Stars’!

Many thanks to @lunarhillfunland for being a wonderful event organizer!

[rivthewriter]

hello fragile dreams fandom how we feelin tonight? i offer you this crow art i did a while ago

[driftwoodwolf]

ruins

for the fragile dreams 15th anniversary project @lunarhillfunland

[bluecaeriart]

Fireflies

My piece for the Fragile Dreams 15th anniversary project I hosted this year over at @lunarhillfunland !!!! It's been such an honor getting to host another event like this for this fandom and with so many amazing people. This game has impacted my life in so many ways even 15 years later and I'm glad I got to dedicate another piece to it ₍՞◌′ᵕ‵ू◌₎♡ Please come check out everyone's incredible pieces and celebrate with us!!

[venomgaia]

recently revisited that seto sticker i did a long time ago, this time with a friend!

hoping when i open my new shop, i'll be able to sell some of these lil guys

[dazzlingskydreams]

Fragile Dreams 15th anniversary: Ferris Wheel!

A collaboration with Warwick (@sayanything on discord) who provided the inspiration for this piece. Crow sitting on top of the Ferris-wheel admiring the beautiful night sky with some friends! Thanks to @lunarhillfunland for organising this!

[n00dl3gal]

Definitions of Treasure - Fragile Dreams 15th Anniversary Collab (Theme: Maps)

Hello hello! This is my part of the Fragile Dreams collab hosted by @lunarhillfunland. I got the theme "maps" and decided to focus on the Merchant! Working on this was a lot of fun, I hope you guys enjoy! Read it on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53130829

The fireflies danced restlessly among the blades of grass, anxious as the Merchant stepped around them. Ahead, a campfire flickered. He had every reason to assume Seto was there. 

Fate was just; indeed, Seto sat, warming his hands against the fire. The Merchant bowed slightly in greeting, which Seto returned with a kind wave. The typical small talk began. Seto purchased some candy and sold an old slingshot in return. “Have you anything exciting this evening?” the Merchant asked eagerly. 

Seto shook his head, then paused. “Well, it’s not a shiny thing, but- hold on,” he said. He dug through the many pockets of his coat before pulling out a yellowed sheet of paper. “I found this. I think it’s a map of some kind? I was wondering if you could decipher it.” 

The Merchant took the paper and unfolded it. “Ho-ho!” he exclaimed jubilantly. “This isn’t just a regular map, it’s a treasure map!”

“Treasure map?” Seto echoed. 

“Do you see this ‘X’ here?” he said, pointing to the spot. “It marks a key location. Someone, perhaps several someones, had a great treasure they wanted to hide away for safekeeping. But to prevent forgetting where it was, they created this map as a guide. If you can find the spot the ‘X’ marks, the treasure is yours!” 

Seto smiled. “That’s great, but… I really should focus on finding that silver-haired girl. I don’t want to delay any further. You can have it.” 

“Are you certain?” Seto nodded. The Merchant clutched the paper to his chest as if it might disappear. “Thank you, kind sir! No doubt a treasure of this magnitude will be enough to wake my Princess!” 

Seto’s smile turned tight-lipped and strained. “I, uh, I wish you luck.” The Merchant bid him farewell and returned into the misty night. 

The Merchant opted to wait for the morning before beginning his search. The first step would be locating where exactly the map depicted. It was a rough sketch, with little in the way of definitive landmarks. The illustration was faded; the writing needed to be legible. It would be daunting to interpret. 

Nevertheless, the Merchant was not deterred. Even before his Princess entered her long sleep, he had traveled the streets of the city frequently. He had errands to run. Not once had he gotten lost. 

The map still offered a few clues. The winding lines could be paths. If true, they indicated it wasn't for an urban area. There were some circles of varying sizes outside of the paths. "Perhaps the amusement park," the Merchant mused aloud. "What do you think, dear?" 

The Princess did not stir. The Merchant was undaunted. 

The gate to Lunar Hill Funland creaked in the breeze. While he was loath to leave his Princess alone, the Merchant didn't want to spoil the surprise. He stowed her away by an abandoned food cart. The foliage disguised her pram and protected her from the sun. 

The Merchant studied the map as he wandered through the park. The circles seemed to be in similar locations to former attractions- the carousel and the Ferris wheel. The "X" was near what the Merchant assumed to be the broken-down remains of the teacup ride. He searched for a patch of grass or unturned earth; any sign that the dirt had been disturbed. He lamented not bringing a shovel. 

He got to his knees and looked under the ride. All he saw were the rusted mechanical parts. "Hey!" a stranger's voice called out to him. "What are you doing?" The Merchant stood and looked at the strangely-dressed figure. "Oh, I've seen you before."

"As have I," the Merchant replied. "You live around this park, don't you?"

"Yeah," the stranger confirmed. He tipped his hat in salutation. "Did you lose something?"

"No. I'm actually trying to find- well. Before I say anything more, would you mind looking at something?"

"I guess," the stranger said slowly. The Merchant handed him the map. "Huh. Is this for a scavenger hunt or something?"

The Merchant nodded. "Indeed. Seeing as this is your home, I was wondering if you could determine if this is a map of the park."

The stranger studied it for a moment before shaking his head. "Don't think so. I know this place too well. And if there was anything buried or hidden here, I would've found it by now." He handed the map back. "Good luck, though."

The Merchant thanked him, folding and tucking the map back into his coat. The stranger tipped his hat again before backflipping away. What a curious individual. 

So the treasure was not at Lunar Hill. At least this narrowed the possible locations down. The Merchant found his Princess and began his search anew.  

He decided the next location to search should be Azabudai Station. The circles on the map might represent the domed ceilings. It would be a bit of a hike, but the Merchant did not fear the journey. He had made it before. 

Taking the Princess in her pram down the stairs was difficult. Still, he maneuvered them down without incident. He left her secured in a rusted-out ticket booth.

Light shimmered down from the dome, casting shadows over the broken turnstiles and benches. Not far from the entrance stood twin pillars. The Merchant regarded the map. The circles aligned. 

With a quiet cheer, he dashed towards the spot marked on the map. He bent down, searching for anything out of the ordinary. With the limited light, it was hard to see anything strange. He ran his hands over the tile floor. One shifted under his palm. A loose tile! He dug his fingers underneath and heaved it upwards. Pushing it to the side, he revealed-

"Treasure!" he exclaimed, pulling the box out. It was coated in a thick layer of dust. He brushed it off. Scribbled writing on top read Property of Suki. 

A pang of guilt wracked the Merchant. This was someone else's property. Somebody else's treasure. He shouldn't take it. Yet nobody else was around, and his Princess was so sick… surely they wouldn't mind. 

He opened the box. 

The Princess did not stir as the Merchant unveiled the first of his spoils: a plastic ring, won from a gachapon machine. The crude drawing of two smiling girls similarly resulted in no response. He elected not to show her the rotting food. But the silence at a sparkly hairpin worried him. It wasn't too different from the usual baubles he brought, though, so perhaps she just didn't care for them. 

He dug out the last treasure. "What do you think, Princess?" he asked quietly. The silver pendant dangled from his fingers. It caught the fading sunset light and glimmered. 

The Princess stayed silent. 

The Merchant wanted to weep but simply sighed. He put the box's contents back inside and placed it back under the loose tile. "We'll find the right treasure soon, I'm sure of it," he reassured her. He stood straight and took her pram. "Soon, I'll see you smile once more, my Princess. I promise."

He guided them back upstairs and into the setting sun. 

[shalvis]

using screenshots and official art to figure him out better

[nightstargalaxy]

[talesofesther]

an hour found

Lucanis Dellamorte x Rook

Summary: ❝If I have lost an hour this night, it is only to Rook. But lost is wrong. It is an hour found. An hour more clear than any other.❞

A/N: I wanted a deeper look into this sweet moment. <3

Masterlist

Nearing midnight;

It was quiet in the Lighthouse, the slice of the fade the team called home mimicked the night of the world outside and brought an air of calmness and peace. Everyone was already mostly asleep, or at least they should be—maybe Bellara was still up in her workshop, but she'd be calling it a night soon.

Everyone, except Lucanis. The resident assassin sat on the library's couch, a book in his hands and a half-full coffee cup on the center table. Hints of exhaustion showed on his face, on the dark circles under his eyes, but he was still skeptical about sleeping for too long. At least he'd ditched his vest, choosing to wear only his pants and button-up shirt to chase a resemblance of comfort.

The words from the book he tried reading blended together from time to time; he'd read the same page thrice over now. The soft hum of the astrolabe above him almost lulled him to sleep. Almost.

Until he heard a noise: the distant click of a door opening, and then the soft steps of socked feet coming closer.

Lucanis looked up from his book. It was Rook coming down from the stairs leading to her room. Her eyes were half-lidded, and she wore a sleepy smile on her lips. Lucanis felt his heart jump and stumble inside his chest, fingers gripping tighter onto his book. For some reason, his cheeks grew warmer the closer she drew.

"Rook…" The word had taken a softer, more gentle tone every time it came out of Lucanis's mouth lately, something akin to a breath of relief each time he saw her.

She smiled wider, walking up to him until she could sit right beside him. But Rook waited still, waited for Lucanis to meet her gaze and give a small smile in turn; only then did she make herself comfortable with him. It didn't go unnoticed by the crow how she was willing to respect his time alone if he so desired.

"What are you doing up this late?" Lucanis inquired, closing his book and setting it aside. She deserved his attention much more than the Orlesian romance tale he'd been trying to read.

Rook hummed, leaning back on the plush couch and allowing her shoulder to rest against Lucanis's. "Disturbing you."

The crow would be able to hear the smile in her words even if his eyes weren't locked on her; it stole one from him, too. He hesitated, all too aware of the warmth of her body against him. "Disturb is not… quite the word I'd use."

"Oh?" Rook raised a brow. One of her hands sneaked toward him and found his own. "And what word would you use?"

Lucanis looked down at their joined hands; Rook's fingers traced the faded scars on his knuckles and the back of his hand. Lucanis couldn't help but hold on to her. "Calming, maybe," he whispered. It was all so new, so fragile. Never in his life did he have something, someone like Rook. She was his first… everything. And it scared him, while at the same time, it made him want to drown in her presence.

His heart beat heavily inside his chest, near painfully. Lucanis raised his gaze only to find Rook much closer. He mapped the lines of her face with his eyes, following the curve of her cheeks, the slope of her nose, until he reached her lips. Lucanis's breath caught in his throat. His forehead touched hers, their noses almost bumping.

It was all intimate and tender, a moment tucked far away from the problems of the world, where only they existed. And he wanted to—oh, how much he wanted to just give in. But Lucanis felt his lower lip wobble with uncertainty and hesitation. Not because there was any doubt, no. But because his life had never been truly his; because a year filled with isolation and torture still haunted his dreams; because he loved her too much already, and it terrified him.

Rook saw it in his eyes; she had this way about her that always managed to break through his walls as if they were mere paper under the rain. And she smiled.

Lucanis felt faint with her love. He could crumble when, instead of pulling away, she took hold of his cheeks; her fingers brushing the area under his eyes, and she placed a lingering kiss between his brows.

He felt selfish as he raised a hand to close around her wrist, pushing the palm of her hand further against his cheek. Lucanis closed his eyes, gulping heavily. "I'm sorry. You deserve bette-"

The words stumbled and halted before he could finish, the culprit for it being Rook's thumb that came to rest above his lips, shushing him with a gentleness that felt almost foreign for the crow. A gentleness that came only with her.

"I've heard these words from you more times than I'd like to count," Rook's voice remained quiet and soft, so as to not break the moment. She held a pause, waiting until Lucanis opened his eyes again. "Why would you believe such a thing, Lucanis?"

The look on Rook's face made it seem as if his reoccurring affirmation of her deserving better than anything he could ever be, was as absurd a claim as saying Assan doesn't deserve his gingerwort truffles.

In the back of his mind, Lucanis knew that no answer he gave would ever convince her. So he relented, blaming it on the late hours of the night as he surrendered himself completely to her open arms.

Lucanis ducked his head, hiding the vulnerability that had begun pooling on the lower lid of his chocolate eyes. And Rook pulled him to her, arms circling around his shoulders as she allowed Lucanis to all but lay on top of her.

If the crow indulged in the warmth of her body for a few minutes longer that night, no one needed to know.

Maybe, in time, he'd learn to believe himself deserving of the happiness her mere presence brought to his life.

── ⋅ ஓ ⋅ ──

When Lucanis came back to his little room in the pantry, he reached for the aged paper on which he had scribbled down his routine for the day.

Right at the end of it, with an all too adoring smile on his lips, Lucanis added a final note; If I have lost an hour this night, it is only to Rook. But lost is wrong. It is an hour found. An hour more clear than any other.

⋆* ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

Lucanis' taglist is open, let me know if you'd like to be added. Or you can follow @talesofesther-library and turn notifications on to know when I’ve posted a new story/chapter.

Thank you for reading this little story. Feedback and reblogs are literally what keeps me motivated to continue posting here, so I’d appreciate it if you could take some time to reblog and comment. <3

You do not have permission to repost, copy, or translate my works on any platforms (even with credit), please respect.

[angelqueef]

needy | john price

you have a nightmare in john’s lap while he works. he comforts you as always, but he has unnamed plans to keep you safe.

a/n: mdni | i was so high when i started writing this and when i woke up i realized it wasn’t half bad lol so here u go

cw: yandere!john x innocent!reader, gn reader (doe is used twice), pet names used (baby, bub, girlie, angel) romance, fluff (?), no smut, mention of orgasm, john is kinda creepy, but he’s so hot, possessive/obsessive behavior, i can’t write scary stuff well, he wants to kidnap you, barely proofread

you’re straddling john’s sturdy lap, mouth nestled in the dip between his neck and shoulder, wetting the skin. you’re passed out from the three orgasms he’d given you (with just his fingers) minutes before. he pets your head with one hand while he types, holding an unlit cigar in his mouth, just tasting the tobacco.

you heat up. it’s slow at first, not warm enough for him to notice. but then there’s tiny beads of sweat pricking your forehead and nape. you’re frowning, deep breaths turning shallow, you’re whimpering, low and frightened.

john tears his eyes away from the monitor, leaning back to look at you properly.

“angel,” he murmurs. you don’t respond, sobs and groans escaping you. you’re shaking against him.

he takes the cigar out of his mouth, leaning forward to put it on the desk. he returns to you, hands rub up and down your waist, “c’mon girlie, wake up for me, havin’ a nightmare.”

(you’re running as fast as you can through the dense forest, branches are reaching out to grab you. the hard edges scrape and cut your waist and arms. you try pushing them out of your way, but you have no strength. your limbs feel dead—heavy and weightless at the same time. you cry out, falling. you’re crawling against the wet forest floor, boneless, looking back to with wide eyes to see the giant humanoid creature inching closer to you, sharp toothed smile and wet translucent flesh getting clearer in your view. it lunges toward you—)

you shoot up with a whimper that felt way louder in your dream, looking around wildly. you cling to john. “wh- i-,”

“shh, shhh, there you are,” john says, deep voice vibrating in your chest, his breath warm and smokey from the unlit tobacco. he rubs the palm of his hand from your forehead to your curls, fluffing them gently. and smiles softly, crows feet crinkling. “spooked me there, bub. you okay?”

his smile is even, calming. but the fronts of his brows turn up just slightly. he’s worried about you. his little doe.

you make eye contact, still panting but your frightened eyes have rested slightly. “i don’ know,” you say sleepily, “was so scared.”

you squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head, like you’re ridding yourself of the dream. john chuckles at this, you look so cute trying to erase what happened in your subconscious.

“my poor baby,” he presses his lips at the base of your neck, keeping them at your pulse, not kissing, just reveling in the way your heartbeat flutters and beats like a little drum. he murmurs into your neck. “it’s okay now. i’m here, i got you.”

you nod and cling onto him. you’re sniffling, but your breaths slow as you inch yourself as close to him as possible. the tension in your body softens as his words absorb in your mind.

john’s heart swells. he can’t help but feel sick with himself for liking you in this state. you’re so fragile for him. he hates seeing you frightened of course (he wants to climb in your mind and maim whatever got you scared like this), but the feeling of being needed by you—only you—makes him melt. you make the usually gruff and hardened military man somehow feel like plush and honeyed cotton when you nuzzle into him and whisper nothings about how badly you need him, treating him like he’s the next big thing since oxygen.

he wraps his burly arms around you real tight, picking you up. you lock your ankles around his waist. “bed time?” you ask.

“mhm, bed time. you’re all tuckered out, huh?” he locks eyes with a smile he only gives you: all good, all knowing, all powerful. it’s moments like these where he nearly feels like your god. your saving grace.

you nod, “thank you for being here, needed you.”

john shivers at your words. he places you on the bed, so gentle you barely notice your body weighing on the mattress. “you’re welcome, angel. i’m always here. and i’ll always keep you with me,”

he knows you think he’s being metaphorical when he says this, you crack a drowsy grin and close your puffy eyes. you think him innocent, loving, gentle. and he’ll be those things for you. but he has no intention of letting you go, his sweet little doe. too much has been taken away from him. he has to, wants to protect you from this cruel, unforgiving world. he lays down next to you, his heavy body dipping the bed so much that you automatically roll into him. he keeps a heavy hand on your waist.

“i’ll never let you go,” he whispers, hushed voice laced with a darkness you’d never hear. the back of his hand trails up and down your warm cheek until sleep takes him, and he’s at peace for once.

[saturnbeknownst]

an aventurine analysis—(most of) the references in his character.

i thought i'd compile this information on here in case someone else might be interested in this!! enjoy!! if i missed anything, do let me know in the comments. ⁠♡♡

aventurine's light cone is called "inherently unjust destiny". an "inherently unjust destiny" refers to a situation or outcome that is fundamentally unfair or biased from the start. it implies that the factors determining one's fate are intrinsically unequal, leading to inevitable injustice. this phrase is often used in discussions about societal structures, where certain groups might face systemic disadvantages that predetermine their outcomes, regardless of their actions or efforts.

the name kakavasha means the cry of a young crow in sanskrit.

kakavasha was born on the kakava festival, held by romani people on may 5-6.

the name aventurine is based off the aventurine stone, which represents opportunity and luck.

aventurine's banner is called gilded imprisonment, which refers to a situation where an individual is trapped in a seemingly comfortable or privileged environment, but in reality, their freedom and autonomy are restricted. this term is often used to describe scenarios where the outward appearance of luxury or advantage masks the underlying lack of true liberty or choice. the concept can be applied to various contexts, such as relationships, employment, or societal roles, where the benefits or status conferred upon an individual come at the cost of their freedom or well-being.

aventurine's quest is called “all the sad tales,” which could refer to “All the sad Young Men” by F. Scott Fitzgerald—a collection of short stories. i've summarized all of them below:

The Rich Boy an upper-class man, Anson Hunter, is emotionally distant and incapable of deep love. despite several relationships, including a significant one with Paula Legendre, his arrogance and fear of commitment leave him alone and regretful. Winter Dreams Dexter Green, a working-class young man, falls for the beautiful but fickle Judy Jones. he builds a successful life in pursuit of her, only to realize later that she has married and lost her charm. the story reflects themes of unattainable dreams and disillusionment. The Baby Party John and Edith Andros take their daughter to a children’s party, where a minor conflict between kids escalates into a physical fight between their fathers. the story highlights adult immaturity and the fragility of pride. Absolution a young boy named Rudolph Miller struggles with guilt and strict religious expectations. after confessing a minor sin, he receives harsh punishment from his father, leading him to question morality. the story serves as a thematic prelude to The Great Gatsby. Rags Martin-Jones and the Prince of Wales a wealthy woman, Rags, is pursued by a mysterious and seemingly noble man, who turns out to be an imposter. the story critiques social pretensions and the illusions of high society.

The Adjuster a woman named Luella, who believes she deserves happiness without effort, is advised by a psychiatrist to embrace life’s hardships. the story explores self-delusion and personal growth. Hot and Cold Blood two men reflect on a failed business venture and how their differing personalities—one cold and calculating, the other passionate—led to their downfall. the story examines human nature and success.

The Sensible Thing George O’Kelly, an ambitious but struggling man, is rejected by his love, Jonquil, due to financial instability. after achieving success, he returns to her, only to find their love has faded. the story mirrors themes of lost innocence and changing emotions.

Gretchen’s Forty Winks a husband, Roger Halsey, feels neglected when his wife, Gretchen, prioritizes her beauty sleep. His jealousy and insecurity lead to comedic misunderstandings, revealing the absurdity of marital tensions.

in the cn dub, aventurine's quest is titled “dance in the slaughterhouse,” which refers to “Dance in the Slaughterhouse,” a novel by Ed McBain. [spoilers ahead] in this novel, detectives from the 87th Precinct investigate a snuff film, uncovering a dark network of violence and sexual exploitation. as they track the killers, they face corruption and danger, leading to a tense and gritty conclusion.

when we switch to aventurine's pov in the penacony quest, it's is called danse macabre. the "danse macabre," also known as the "dance of death," is an artistic and literary motif that emerged in the late Middle Ages. it depicts the universality of death, illustrating the idea that death comes for everyone, regardless of their social status or position in life. the motif typically features skeletons or personifications of death leading people from all walks of life—such as kings, popes, peasants, and children—in a dance toward their graves. the danse macabre serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the transient nature of earthly life. it was often portrayed in murals, prints, literature, and music. one of the most famous representations is the fresco in the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents in Paris, created around the early 15th century. this theme became particularly popular in times of plague and social upheaval, reflecting the widespread presence of death and the shared human experience of mortality.

— on a similar note, when we switch to aventurine's pov, we see a question right under danse macabre. the translation is “Quo Fata Ferunt?” which literally means, “Whither the Fates Carry (Us)?” the motto appears on Gibraltar’s coat of arms, granted by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs in 1502, before the British took control of the territory in 1704.

eidolons:

eidolon one; prisoner's dilemma: it is a game that demonstrates why two people might not cooperate, even if it's in their best interest. in the game, two players are arrested and interrogated separately. each has two choices: to cooperate with their partner by staying silent or to betray their partner by confessing. the outcomes are:

if both stay silent, they get a light sentence.

if one betrays and the other stays silent, the betrayer goes free and the silent one gets a heavy sentence.

if both betray, they both get moderate sentences.

the dilemma arises because while mutual cooperation yields a better overall outcome, individual incentives lead both to betray, resulting in a worse outcome for both.

eidolon two; bounded rationality: it is a card game that simulates the decision-making process under constraints. in this game, players must make choices based on limited information, time, and cognitive resources. the aim is to replicate real-world scenarios where individuals cannot consider all possible options or outcomes. the game involves making trade-offs and prioritizing certain actions, reflecting the concept that people use "bounded" rationality rather than perfect rationality when making decisions.

eidolon three; droprate maxing: droprate maxing is a strategy used in games, particularly in those involving loot or collectible items, where players aim to maximize their chances of obtaining rare items. this involves optimizing various factors that affect drop rates, such as choosing the best locations to farm, using specific equipment or bonuses that increase drop chances, and repeating actions that yield the best rewards. the goal is to make the most efficient use of time and resources to get the desired items as quickly as possible.

eidolon four; unexpected hanging paradox: it is a logic puzzle involving a surprise event. for example:

a judge tells a condemned prisoner that they will be hanged at noon on one weekday (monday to friday), but the hanging will be a surprise. the prisoner won't know the day until the morning of the hanging. the prisoner reasons:

- if the hanging is on friday, they would know by thursday night, so it can't be friday.

- if it's thursday, they would know by wednesday night, since friday is ruled out, so it can't be thursday.

- by this logic, they rule out each day, concluding the hanging can't happen at all.

despite this reasoning, the prisoner is hanged on a day they don't expect, making the hanging both surprising and logical.

the paradox arises because the prisoner's logical deduction leads to a conclusion that contradicts the judge's initial statement.

eidolon five; ambiguity aversion: it is when people prefer known risks over unknown risks. in simple terms, if given a choice between a bet where they know the exact odds of winning and a bet where the odds are unclear, most people choose the one with known odds, even if both bets might have the same potential payoff. this happens because people feel more comfortable and secure when they know what to expect.

eidolon six; the stag hunt game: it is a game that illustrates a situation where cooperation and trust between individuals lead to better outcomes, but there's a risk involved. for example:

two hunters can either hunt a stag (deer) together or hunt rabbits alone.

hunting a stag requires both hunters to cooperate; if they succeed, they both get a large reward.

hunting rabbits can be done alone, and each hunter gets a smaller, but guaranteed reward.

if one hunter goes for the stag and the other hunts rabbits, the stag hunter gets nothing, while the rabbit hunter gets a small reward.

the game shows the dilemma between choosing a safe, smaller reward (hunting rabbits) or risking cooperation for a larger reward (hunting a stag). it highlights the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving the best outcomes.

achievements related to aventurine:

when we witness kakavasha's story, we get the achievement "Sibyl, what do you want?" the phrase "Sibyl, what do you want?" originates from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land," specifically in the epigraph at the beginning. the full epigraph, translated from Latin, is:

"For I myself saw with my own eyes the Sibyl at Cumae hanging in a jar, and when the boys said to her, 'Sibyl, what do you want?' she replied, 'I want to die.'"

this passage references the Sibyl of Cumae, a prophetic figure in Roman mythology who was granted immortality by the god Apollo but not eternal youth. as a result, she grew older and more withered over time, longing for death as a release from her endless, decrepit existence.

the epigraph serves to set the tone for "The Waste Land," a poem that explores themes of decay, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a fragmented, modern world. the Sibyl's desire for death reflects a sense of despair and futility, which resonates with the broader themes of the poem.

how is this related to aventurine? well, for one, kakavasha's life revolves around death. it would surprise nobody if all he knew at this point would be death. he has been granted a life that could be described as a 'dream' by many, but for him, quite like the Sibyl of Cumae, it could only be a curse. his loss of innocence is also expressed in this line.

upon defeating aventurine's boss, we get the achievement "she replied, ‘i want to die,’" which is a continuation of the previous achievement ("sibyl, what do you want?"), and the sibyl's response, and in this case, also aventurine's.

combat abilities/traces:

(technique) the red and the black: “The Red and The Black” is a novel by Stendhal. [the paragraph summarizes the red and the black, so spoiler warning.] it follows Julien Sorel, a poor but ambitious young man in 19th-century France. he becomes a tutor and has an affair with Madame de Rênal, which forces him to flee to a seminary. later, he gains favor with the aristocratic Marquis de la Mole and begins a passionate affair with the marquis’s daughter, Mathilde. when his past is exposed, he attempts to kill Madame de Rênal, is arrested, and sentenced to death. in prison, he rejects his past ambitions and accepts his fate. Mathilde mourns him, while Madame de Rênal dies of grief.

— peaceful calm: refers to a state of deep tranquility and serenity, where there is an absence of stress, agitation, or disturbance. It's a feeling of inner stillness and relaxation, where both the mind and body are at ease. In this state, one may feel grounded, clear-headed, and free from worry or tension.

— still water runs deep: the latin "still waters run deep" is a proverb with latin origins that suggests that a calm and placid exterior often conceals deep thoughts, emotions, or complexities beneath the surface. it implies that individuals who appear quiet or reserved may possess significant depth, wisdom, or intensity that is not immediately apparent.

— pouring rain: i am still a bit confused about this, but there are two possibilities. it could refer to “In Red Earth and Pouring Rain” by Vikram Chandra, a wounded monkey avoids death by telling an epic tale. His story follows Sanjay, a poet in colonial India, as he navigates love, war, and rebellion. Meanwhile, modern-day characters in California explore identity and belonging.

the other possibility is that it refers to the rain that fell on Sigonia-IV on aventurine's birthday.

(thank you @roxirinart for pointing out this possibility!!) for the 'pouring rain' reference, if it's not referring to anything deeper, it could refer to the act of 'making it rain'—a phrase that means throwing out cash in the air, usually at strip clubs, but it's sort of a slang nowadays for indulgently spending large amounts of money in a lavish or extravagant way, which fits the way his skill is a slot machine hitting the jackpot and how he 'makes it rain' in his ult as well. the pouring part could simply be to emphasize how much money it is (instead of 'drizzling' rain it's 'pouring' rain, which just means it is constantly raining, so a lot of money), or could be a reference to 'when it rains, it pours'—when one bad thing happens, other bad things tend to follow/come with it—which certainly fits how aventurine went through a massacre (in the rain) and proceeded to live a whole life of horrifying 'misfortunes' afterwards.

(shield) fortified wager: a "fortified wager" generally refers to a bet or gamble that has been strengthened or supported in some way. the term isn't widely used, but in this context, 'fortified' suggests that the wager has been enhanced or protected—perhaps through additional safeguards, resources, or strategies. for instance, in gambling or sports betting, a "fortified wager" could mean a bet that has been bolstered by better odds, insider knowledge, or some form of assurance, making it a stronger or less risky bet than it would have been otherwise. it might also involve combining bets or using betting strategies that minimize risk.

blind bet: it refers to a forced bet in poker (and some other card games) that players must place before they see their cards. it’s typically used to ensure there’s money in the pot right from the start of a hand. there are usually two types of blinds in poker:

small blind: a smaller bet placed by the player to the immediate left of the dealer.

big blind: a larger bet placed by the player two seats to the left of the dealer.

these blinds rotate around the table, ensuring everyone contributes over time. the players who place the blind bets are at a slight disadvantage since they must bet without seeing their cards first, thus the term 'blind.'

leverage: it is the ability to influence situations or people so that you can control what happens.

hot hand: it is a phenomenon, previously considered a cognitive social bias, that a person who experiences a successful outcome has a greater chance of success in further attempts.

bingo: it is a game of chance using cards on which there is a grid of numbers, a row of which constitute a win when they have been chosen at random. bingo is one of the most popular forms of low-priced gambling in the world.

[yokumirumerafan]

Could you do one where the kny characters have been gone for a mission for what felt like eternity (1 week) and the second they come back Y/N jumps to them and gives them a hug and a kiss and says how much they’ve missed them

🌸 KNY Characters Reacting to Reader Hugging & Kissing Them After They Return From a Week-Long Mission (That Felt Like Forever)

🔥 Kyojuro Rengoku

He steps off the crow-taxi like "YEAHHH! I'M HOME!" And then suddenly—

“KYOOOJJUUUROOOO!!!”

You're sprinting full speed, tackle-hugging him mid-air. He catches you with the biggest grin and spins you around like a Disney movie.

“AHAHA! My love, you missed me that much?” “Yes, you dramatic flamehead!! ONE WEEK WAS TORTURE.”

He plants a kiss on your forehead with a burning warmth that melts your soul. He's just as clingy as you, whispering how your hug is better than any victory.

❄️ Giyuu Tomioka

He quietly returns at dusk, covered in scratches, eyes heavy— And suddenly you launch yourself into his chest, sobbing “I missed you so much…”

He freezes… slowly wraps his arms around you like you're fragile sea glass, and mumbles:

“I missed you too. Every day.”

You kiss his cheek and he stands there stunned, looking like a glitching PS2 character. Later, he buries his face in your shoulder and just holds you all night, not letting go.

🌸 Shinobu Kocho

“Oh? What’s this? Did my darling sprout wings just to fly into my arms?”

You jump her the second she appears at the Butterfly Mansion gate—she pretends to be surprised, but her fingers are already gripping your waist tight.

You kiss her nose, and she turns pink behind that teasing smirk.

“A week apart… how dreadful. I suppose you’ll have to make it up to me~”

Spoiler: she missed you more than she lets on.

⚡️ Zenitsu Agatsuma

He screams when you jump on him:

“W-WAIT IS THIS A TRAP?? AM I DREAMING???”

You squeeze him tight, kissing his cheek rapidly like a love-starved chipmunk. He’s sobbing instantly.

“I WAS SO LONELY!!! I WROTE POETRY ABOUT YOU!!! MY HEART NEARLY GAVE OUT!!!”

Expect clingy Zenitsu attached to your leg like a koala for 3-5 business days.

🐗 Inosuke Hashibira

You hug him? He screeches like a feral raccoon.

“OI!! WHY ARE YOU CLINGING TO ME?!? WAIT… NO NEVERMIND, DO IT AGAIN.”

He freezes when you kiss his forehead and whisper “I missed you.” Goes stiff for a second, then suddenly BURSTS into a dramatic pose:

“OF COURSE YOU MISSED ME, I AM AWESOME. NOW CLING TO ME FOREVER.”

His heart's thumping so loud you can hear it. He’s SO proud and flustered.

🐉 Tanjirou Kamado

He’s literally glowing when he sees you running toward him.

“Y/N!! Are you okay?? I’m so sorry I was gone so long—”

You silence him with a tight hug and a soft kiss. He holds you like you’re the most sacred thing he’s ever touched.

“I missed you too. Every moment.”

He won’t let go for at least a solid hour. Might cry a little into your shoulder. This boy loves hard.

🧨 Sanemi Shinazugawa

He tries to act grumpy when you jump into his arms like

“Oi, stop bein’ clingy—!”

But you kiss his scarred cheek and say "I thought about you every night."

Dead silence.

This man short circuits and buries his face in your neck to hide his flustered red face.

“I thought about you too, dumbass.”

He holds your waist tighter than anyone ever has. Doesn’t let you walk on your own the rest of the day.

🐦 Muichiro Tokito

He blinks when you crash into him, squishing your face into his shoulder.

“Y/N?”

You nod, murmuring, “I missed you so much…” And give his nose a lil kiss.

He goes quiet. For a long second. Then—his arms wrap around you slowly, tightly, protectively.

“I missed you too. I kept thinking of your smile.”

You just made this cloud boy’s whole year.

[itslouisan]

More Q!Philza headcannons:

You guys seemed to like my Philza hc and well guess what? I have WAY MORE of them to share so let's go! Some of them even focus on the obscure colourzas or the deities in his hardcore world!!

• Q!Phil doesn't necessarily adopt anyone he finds, but he does show to need or like to comfort others, creating a scenario in my head where Phil most likely pays attention to eggs that were more abused such as Tilin, Juana Flippa and Pepito in the early days due to seeing just like Tallulah, Tommy and so on, they needed a better caregiver.

• I already mentioned how he doesn't necessarily see Q!Cellbit as a son, but I can view him going to Cellbit's castle to talk about occultism and sometimes lend a helping hand with Richas or any problems Cellbit might deal with

• He does take good care of his appearance for events and such, but in day to day basis he looks for more comfort than style, plus optimizing for clothing that is better for combat wise than looks

• Knows how to speak enderman and pigling language bc Ranboo and Techno taught him

• Knows flower language because of Tallulah knowledge in it

• old. Like REALLY old, around centuries or so, after all he's been into wars, empires and so much, clearly showing in canon he has a lot of experience in things that happened centuries ago

• Due to being old and into a lot of battles, his hearing is very fragile, top it with autism and you have him avoiding crowded places and anything loud.

• Blueza (blue variant of Philza) has a liking towards staying in the ocean monuments and is the cousin of Purpleza and brother of Redza

• Redza has anger issues and tends to need Blueza to calm him down so he doesn't burn everything to the ground.

• Pinkza LOOKS and MOST of the time IS sweet but piss him off and mess with Yellowza and he will get violent.

• Colourzas duos:

Blueza + Redza

Yellowza + Pinkza + Orangeza

Greenza + Purpleza

Blueza + Purpleza

• Phil definitely has a Antartic Empire flag hidden away somewhere in his house

• Every morning he would go to the memorial Chayanne and Tallulah made and throw potatoes, gold and a jar of fresh blood for Techno

• Has a couple of piercings such as in the bottom part of the lips, nose and tongue (he got them to match Techno and Tommy)

• DEFINITELY used the old slipper to teach a lesson or two to Tommy

• Not only has nightmares with DSMP and hardcore, but sometimes has Dreams where he connected directly with Mumza

• Has in the back of his hair some black hair due to Mumza possession in the past which affected his hair

• Has braids in his hair around 6 for people important in his life (not only his children but people in general):

1- the longest is for Techno

2- two of them are intertwined to symbolize beeduo

3- the 3rd shortest is for Tommy

4- the 2 shortest are Chayanne and Tallulah

• Smokes sometimes to release stress but stopped when he adopted the eggs.

Well that's it for the day, hope you liked it my crows

[venomgaia]

ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS, my stop on the Fragile Dreams train has come!

The bright and beautiful tomorrow is here! And for @lunarhillfunland's 15th anniversary bash, I bring to you all the theme: Hide-and-Seek!

An amusement park has so many fun hiding spots...but who is hiding? and who all is being found?

This may be my stop, but It's been an honor to get to be back to come along on this ride! Stay tuned over at @lunarhillfunland for more posts from all our excellent artists~ I hope everyone will show some love 🩵

[dazzlingskydreams]

Fragile Dreams 15th Anniversary: Storybook!

My final piece for the Fragile Dreams 15th Anniversary event! I blended elements from Crow's pirate book with events from Lunar Hill to represent how Crow might be imagining things playing out in his head! The more fantastical elements are to the front, while the reality is focused in the background with the Ferris Wheel. Thanks again to @lunarhillfunland for organising this wonderful event!