#excel to ods

[darcyolsson]

how it feels going to sleep knowing i dont have to watch a fuckass episode of 911 or doctor odyssey tomorrow

[crash-likes-cookies]

So for anyone interested in the differences of earliest DnD, I found this thread and made it visually easy to access.

(all credit for this goes to Adam Dray, check the link for the entire post)

[cuntyromero]

I'm going to see Oedipus at the old Vic tomorrow and it's got pretty mixed reviews so I'm hoping it's worth missing fencing for

[sun-marie]

Poetry can be so cool sometimes bc what took Lorraine Hansberry some 150~ odd pages to say only took Langston Hughes 12 lines and three rivers

[vulturevanity]

My stance on RPF is that you really shouldn't contact your muse about it. Like if it's gonna be written regardless of people's opinions on it then should exist with a 3-foot thick wall between the work and the people depicted in it. If you MUST you can ask people for their opinions on the genre in general but going up to anyone and saying "hey I'm writing stories about you specifically" sounds like a weird breach of personal boundaries

[malakkc-poetry]

Certificate of Excellence for my poem, Silent Angel

[huginsmemory]

If anyone was wondering in response to my tags about wanting to buy a loom myself for making the bill tapestries. Uhm. I ended up making a loom. So that I can customize it. Instead of buying one...

Ford deciding he needs tapestries of Bill in his house, and realizing he would likely need to make them himself (that is, if he did make them himself):

[utvarpcity]

just saw a neat little trio of sweden’s best bands live

[kissandtellus]

𝙰 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 & 𝙷𝚒𝚜 𝙺𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝

Synopsis: Prince Rafayel is tied down by politics and what is expected of him as the next ruler of Lumeria. But one constant in his life, his beloved Knight, is what keeps him grounded.

Warnings: MC is a female Knight, Tooth-rotting Fluff, AU.

Authors Note: Let me know if I should write other chapters!

The grand Castle of Lemuria was lit up by lanterns as the sun began setting in the sky. The Royal family was beloved, not only for their kindness to their subjects, but the power and safety they provided.

A young, handsome Prince was perched on top of a ladder in his study, painting a massive portrait. It was familiar past time for the young Prince.

As Prince Rafayel ascended the creaky ladder, his eyes fixed on the unfinished ceiling painting, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to weigh him down. A subtle shift in his balance sent alarm through his Knight, who stood vigilant below, her hands outstretched to steady the ladder.

"Be careful, Sir Rafayel..." She chided her young Prince, concern evident in her voice. Yet he, in his youthful naivety, only laughed it off, promising to be more cautious, all while not heeding a word of it.

Rafayel painted with enthusiasm, the colors from his palette swirling and merging with the strokes of his brush. He had grand ideas for his kingdom, ideas that he believed would help his people. The ceiling, however, was his canvas for an ode to his future. On it, he had painted the image of a knight and a prince riding a white horse, their bond of friendship and loyalty clear in the art.

His Knight watched with a small smile as the Prince painted. “You have been up there all evening. I think it’s time you come down.”

“I’m almost finished, I promise!” Rafayel replied with a grin, his focus still on the ceiling. “Just a few more touches, and then this magnificent piece will be complete.”

He continued to apply the final strokes, completely absorbed in his work. He wanted this to be perfect; there was a hidden meaning behind each detail in this painting. The knight represented him, the prince, and his knightly companion below was his beloved bodyguard.

“Did you hear the news about the upcoming masquerade ball?” He called out while painting. “I don’t want to attend, but Father insists I go, as the Crown Prince I cannot refuse. Plus, he wants me to find a suitable spouse…” His voice trailed off, and the sounds of his painting stopped for a moment.

The Knight felt her heart skip a beat but shook her head. “That sounds like the perfect opportunity, my Prince.”

Rafayel paused again, the silence a testament to the weight of his thoughts. "It is an excellent opportunity, truly. I could potentially find a spouse who could help me secure alliances. However - " his voice trailed off, "Father has already chosen them for me. It all seems so...forced. Love isn’t meant to be arranged or transactional." He sighed. "I want to find love in my own way. On my own terms."

Rafayel climbed to the closest peak to the ceiling with a thoughtful expression.

“But...” he continued, as if a flicker of an idea sparked in his mind. “What if... what if I did bring someone to the masquerade?” He descended from the ladder, a smirk on his face. “What if I brought you?”

The Knight nearly toppled the ladder over on her own, a tinge of pink spreading across her face. “My Prince that would be…highly inappropriate. Your Father would be furious.”

Rafayel chuckled, feigning the sudden feeling of being faint. He held his pallet and paintbrush tightly to his chest, his thin undershirt clinging to him. “Oh, my lovely Knight. Rescue me.” He chuckled, before throwing himself backwards off of the ladder.

His Knight gasped and released the ladder, barely managing to catch him in her arms, her knees buckling from his weight. “My Prince!”

The young Prince chuckled, holding the back of his hand to his forehead. “Oh, whatever would I do without you.”

The Knight stiffened her jaw but inhaled deeply. “Is this because I refused your proposal to the Ball?”

Rafayel held her hand gently, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity. "But think of it, sweet Knight, what better opportunity than this? We can disguise ourselves, not as our roles in the palace but as our true selves. We could dance, we could laugh, we could forget our responsibilities, even if just for a night."

He moved a little closer, his voice filled with youthful optimism. "Just imagine it, a night of freedom where Prince and Knight are simply two friends dancing the night away."

"And maybe," Rafayel continued, his voice soft, "I could even ask you something important." His eyes held a glimmer of hope, the unspoken question hanging in the air. He wanted to know her true feelings, to know if there was a chance that she felt the same way he did, beyond their roles and duties.

"My lovely Knight," he asked cautiously, "will you go with me to the masquerade as my dance partner? Not as Prince and Knight, but as Rafayel and his Beloved?"

The Knight wasn’t entirely sure how she ended up in this stuffy ball gown and fox-like mask over her face. The halls were crowded and only the finest fish were served, seeing as how Lemuria was a sea-side kingdom known for its Naval and Power.

As the orchestral sounds of a lively waltz filled the air, Rafayel extended his hand towards his Knight, a boyish grin on his face. He was dressed in a regal blue outfit, his mask adorned with feathers and jewels, a perfect counterpart to her fox-like mask.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. There was something so thrilling about being here with her, without the usual constraints of their roles, able to simply enjoy each other's company.

While he had the chance, he whispered in her ear, his warm breath on the cold metal of her mask causing a shiver to run through her, "I have yet to tell Father my decision about who will be my spouse. However, I would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do."

His grip on her hand tightened slightly as he maneuvered her around the crowded ballroom with grace, his eyes locked on hers, filled with unspoken feelings. This might be the perfect night for them to express all the things they'd never dared to before.

The Knight always considered herself to have two left feet. She stumbled a little, but Rafayel was a patient teacher.

Seeing her little stumble, Rafayel couldn't help but smile fondly. "It's alright, we can take it slow." He reassured her, moving with her at a pace that she was comfortable with. "Just follow my lead," he added softly.

He loved this, being able to guide her, to help her, to watch her smile as they danced together amidst the grand spectacle. His heart beat a little faster with the realization. Could tonight be the night he would finally be brave enough to confess all that he felt for her?

"Tell me," he urged, leading his Knight into a gentle twirl, "what would you do if you were in my shoes?" His question was open, leaving it up to her interpretation whether she thought of it as the prince, or as someone with difficult choices to make.

It was Rafayel's way of seeking her opinion, hoping to gain some insight into her heart, to see what she thought he, as a person, should do. After all, they had agreed to this night as an escape from their roles, to just be Rafayel and herself.

The Knight avoided his beautiful purple eyes. “I have to thoughts on the matter, My Pr-I mean Rafayel. I have sworn myself to celibacy as your protector. Love is not in the cards for me.”

Rafayel's hand, still intertwined with the Knight’s, gave a small, gentle squeeze. "You're here as my friend tonight," he reminded her, a soft smile on his face. "And as a friend, your thoughts on what I should do would be greatly appreciated."

As the music continued to play, he leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Besides, what if... what if the one I want to be with has always been here, right by my side?"

Rafayel's eyes searched hers, hoping to catch a glimmer of understanding. This wasn't just about the decision anymore; this was about them, a chance for them to explore their feelings.

"Let us forget about duty and obligations for a moment," he suggested, leading her towards the grand balcony that overlooked the kingdom. The night's cool air blew gently, carrying the scent of the sea and the laughter from the ball. He looked at her, a sincere smile on his face. "Would you tell me what you truly feel, My Knight? Tonight, as just two people."

As they stood on the balcony, Rafayel's heart was nearly pounding out of his chest. His eyes never left hers, waiting for her response. All around them, the party and its obligations seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, just Rafayel and his Knight.

"You're someone I trust deeply, someone who has always been there for me," he confessed, his voice low and filled with emotion. "But these feelings... they are different. I can't help but wonder if you feel them too. So, My Beloved Knight... what do you say?"

The Knight looks at the Prince, sees the desperation in his eyes. “My Prince, my feelings do not matter. My family have been servants of the Kingdom for generations. We cannot….”

Rafayel's face fell slightly as he absorbed her words. He knew about their history, of course. His heart, however, refused to give up so easily.

"My Heart, I'm not asking as your Prince," he insisted, stepping closer to her. "Tonight, I'm asking you, just as a person, if you see a possibility for us, beyond our titles. Love can transcend duty, can't it?"

He was aware of the potential complications, but he was beginning to believe it was worth fighting for.

"I can't deny my feelings for you. They've been burning inside me for so long. I don't know if it makes sense, but all I know is that when I look into your eyes, my heart leaps and feels so full."

His eyes were pleading as he gently took her hands in his. "I'm not asking you to betray your family or your duty. I'm simply hoping for an understanding. You're not just my protector, you're.. everything to me."

His voice wavered with emotion. "Can you... can you give me any hope?"

Rafayel's breath hitched as he leaned in closer, their masks nearly touching. "My Beloved..." he breathed, almost inaudibly, holding her gaze firmly.

He was on the verge of crossing a line, one that could change their relationship forever. It was a risk, but the connection between them was undeniable. And right now, all that mattered was her.

"Please tell me you feel the same..." he whispered, his voice laced with emotion. "Please, please let me know that my feelings aren't one-sided.”

[aliensunflower-fics]

My Recommended Fic List

So, I got this ask awhile ago, and since I have been re-reading a bunch of my old favorite fics as a way to cheer up after work I figured why not. This list will be long... and varied but mostly its older fics cuz idk there my favs. Now lets go:

Fashion Upgrade - By @soap-lady : Straight up one of my favorite fics ever, its fun, its creative, it never fails to make me laugh when I need something warm and wholesome after a bad day. Also go check out the rest of her stuff there's so much good okay like shes just a writing queen. Shes on AO3 I don't want to spoil you on her other stuff just GO experience it for yourself.

Ode To Decoy pt 1 / 2 / 3 - By @a-marlene-s : Ive always liked this short sweet little fic about Lila getting caught. Its Lila + class salt though so avoid if that's not your flavor.

EVERYTHING - By @unmaskedagain : They have salt, they have sugar, they have funny, they have crossovers. Like honestly they are a just a great writer with so much variety so go check out the masterlist I linked and I guarantee there will be something there you like.

@ravennm84 Is a writer on the saltier side but they have a wonderful selection of weird wacky tales from the salty but oh so well written Damning Evidence that sees Lila get caught in the best way to the 3 part Horror inspired Serafina other great fics from them include Marinettes Family Court Circus pt 1 / 2 and Of Moldy Bread and Cockroaches / Be Kind to Servers honestly its worth giving there blog a look.

@mochinek0 Is another writer with several beloved fics. They write a lot of Maribat and we love them for it. Ones to check out would be Blind Date / Bruce vs Gabriel just go check out there tag list of daminette for more.

Accidental Crime Boss Marinette - By @lady-literature : This is a wonderful idea and a wonderful little fic and I just... I just like it okay. Sadly I haven't read a lot of there other stuff... But I might after finishing this list considering how much I enjoy this one.

@nobodyfamousposts I love a LOT of there fics. They are one of the best when it comes to striking that sweet spot of calling out the show for some of its garbage while not getting so salty that you cant have fun lighthearted goodness. I have been looking for a masterlist of there work but cant find one so just go stalk there tags. I do recommend there Chloe's Lament Series 1 / 2 exploring how certain 'wishes' would backfire. Guardian Assistant Kevin is also a good one Miracle Queen Aftermath pt 1 / 2 / The 8 parter Burn the Witch series / The Wisdom Teeth Reveal / Kagami Vs The Wall of Faces / Resigning With Grace & Spite / I tried to give a lot of links cuz they have a lot of stuff

Kill Them With Kindness - By @luki-fanfic : Well written, good salt without going overboard. Just good vibes. I havent stalked there other stuff but if its anything like this fic its probably excellent quality.

Stephen Vladislav pt 1 / 2 - By @stormiclown : Adrien centered salt on the idea of finally giving Adrien his own proper rival. I like the idea of Adrien having a rival because its usually Marinette and this was just the right length to get those creative ideas flowing. Also just well written what more can you ask for.

Power Trip - By @storygirl000 : This was the first fic that made me go... Wait would it be more fun if Lila was actually competent? And that set me on the path to writing my own fics where Lila is more villainous and more capable. Its short, well written. Good.

Your Wish is My Command - By DemiGoddess28 on AO3 : A great 11 chapter fic looking into Lila's life if she were to win and get a miraculous wish. Its got sugary goodness for our protagonists and the class and salt for our dearest friend Lila.

LadyBugOut AU - By Miraculous-Content on AO3 : A 50 chapter fic made up of snippets and ideas. I found it really inspiring in many ways. I also love how it redeems Marinettes classmates showing how and why they were tricked but holding them accountable anyway its just... Good.

Juleka vs The Forces of the Universe - By goldenlaurelleaves on AO3 : For those of us not yet ready to accept the death of luka/mari we have this wonderful fic showing Juleka being the biggest wingman as she helps these idiots find there way together.

ChaoticNeutral on AO3 has there own Chloe's Lament fic as well as a Gabriel's Lament fic for people who need sweet salty of those two characters.

BroadwayCutie16 was Inspired by the person above and DemiGoddesses your wish is my command fic to write Lila's Lament fic going over Lilas failed wish. Honestly I always love these fics because there just so interesting and the way wishes can be taken and twisted is always a fascinating idea to me.

#WayneAngel - By Tired-Writing-Teach on AO3 : For us Maribat lovers. Its fun and lighthearted with some good gags and some light fluff.

Damian in Paris - By Lilliesandliveries on AO3 : A sweet Maribat series showing what would happen if Damian ran away from home and found himself in Paris and getting therapy.

How a Demon Commissions an Angel - By AlixAnonymous : Damian blackmails Marinette into letting him be her client so he can get his bros the best gifts, they end up becoming penpal buddies.

Mythomania - By LadyEnna_50 on AO3 : Proof that I dont hate Adrien or Mari/Adrien. In this fic Adrien's spine gets titanium plating and he sees just how bad Lila is hurting Marinette and does something about it.

The Contingency - By AbyssalGuardian on AO3 : SALT. Also Tim/Mari but even still I love the way this was written, the style, and some of the ideas just ugh love it. Its not for those who dont like salt so just avoid at your own discretion. Its about a chaotic Marinette done with her life running away to Gotham where she meets her true black cat, and gets her life back on track.

The String That Binds Us - By FaithAndATypeWriter on AO3 : Okay so is there any Mari/Bat fan who hasnt already heard of this one? Who cares its good, its cute, I love it. May the author be blessed with snacks.

The Great IKEA Game - By @batsandbugs : Okay again... I think every Mari/Bat fan has probably heard of this one already because its just that good and that popular. But who cares I am recommending it anyway. Don't read if your allergic to fun I guess.

If this list still doesn't somehow have enough salt for you then try @goggles-mcgee fics here is a link to there Masterlist. They are in a way a professional at salt and angst and they make you want to adopt Marinette and pop her in a blanket fort.

Honestly I could keep going but this list already feels so long for other great recs though I can link you to @jayphoenic who has some great Daminette Fic Recs and some Lila Salt Fic Recs!

Feel free to reblog this and add some links to stuff you would think I or others might like! Also lets just acknowledge how many talented authors the community has like wow.

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs Part 8

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 Part 7

It's almost Christmas and I have a long train journey so have another fic rec list!

Ode to a Conversation Stuck in my Throat by Leandra

In which Charles is a terrible wingman and Edwin fucks. I love fic where Edwin explores his sexuality and gets to be confident and sexy and Charles gets hit with the old Feelings Realization and this one pulls it off so well!

to say that which cannot be said by sulfuric

Charles has a lot of feelings about Edwin and decides to say it with flowers. I absolutely love the language of flowers and, honestly, decoding messages through flower arrangements seems right up Edwin's alley. Plus he deserves nice things! This fic is super sweet, the floracle is amazing and I really like how Charles' knowledge/ intelligence and general thoughtfulness get to shine here.

The Petition by khorazir

The demons of Hell commiserate after Edwin's second escape and decide to Organize. This is glorious crack with some excellent Hell worldbuilding. Does Hell have unions?? I loved the Solidarity and demonic breakroom. And I'm always here for Edwin as the Scourge of Hell. Also has wonderful fanart!

still my heartbeat with your bare hands by laiqualaurelote

Beowulf AU! Charles is hired to kill a horrible monster. I loved this historical/fantasy setting and the little snippets of mythology. The blend of Charles-typical speech patterns, modern slang and Old English was especially fun. The Author's Note also has some really interesting background info and has finally persuaded me to actually read Beowulf.

Super Effective Against Ghost Types by RoseGanymede95

Charles and Niko bonding, my beloved! During the Case of the Two Dead Dragons, Charles interviews Niko about Brad and Hunter and Gets Reminded of his own terrible former friends... This is a Niko PoV fic and this author is fabulous at capturing her voice and bringing the feels. Also in play: a shared love of Pokémon, Charles' Mood Ring Shirt and do the girls know how the boys died?? Canon and Netflix robbed us of these two spending time together and I loved Niko being gentle with Charles as he gets hit in the face by his trauma.

Love like fools by CasiHuman

This is actually a compilation of the author's Dead Boy Detectives comics (@technically-human on tumblr). Every single one is a delight; the artist is one of my favourites of any fandom.

When you are gone away by ghostinthelibrary

On the way to rescuing Edwin from the Fae, Crystal tells Charles about all the previous times this has happened. This is the latest installment of the Ministry of Supernatural Investigations series bringing Edwin and Crystal's backstory to life. I can't get enough of this AU (supernatural secret agents, basically) and we're also treated to oblivious payneland AND oblivious palasaki.

Knockout by e_va

Edwin worries about mysterious injuries Charles refuses to explain. Despite references to domestic/intimate partner violence, this one is sweet and Edwin thirsting after Charles while he's fighting is so funny to me.

Its the love and grief that makes me whole by eunoise

One of Charles' killers comes to the agency for help after he himself is murdered. Apart from the deliciously dramatic irony of that premise, I enjoyed Charles (somewhat) processing his trauma and the client trying to (finally) do right by Charles. It's also set in the Codependency World Cup Extended Universe so Charles fraught relationship with his ex-bestie/crush Mark also gets spotlighted. Recommended!

Luna Moths by thegirlofthorns

Very cute fic about Edwin coming to understand his physical feelings for Charles. I loved the luna moths/butterflies imagery and Edwin being very Edwin about being in love. Just lovely characterisation all round.

It's part of a series also featuring Kiss Me & Repaint Me featuring Charles going all out on "fripperies" to make sure Edwin get the first time he deserves. Lovely.

practise your passion on me by junosbraindump

Niko persuades Edwin to go clubbing as part of a scheme to make Charles jealous. And guess who happens to be at the club?? Minor catwin and and the payneland is cute.

Show Me My Silver Lining by GoodFrith

Charles comes home early to find Edwin torturing himself. This one's sad and emotional and touches on grief, guilt and self-harm/destructiveness but Crystal and especially Charles are amazing friends and the hurt/comfort is excellent.

The Case of the Decade of Despair by Rizandace

In which Edwin and Charles broke up a decade pre-canon and Edwin still ends up in Hell. Sad and interesting concept featuring misunderstandings and supernatural meddling but an eventual happy ending.

A Steady Anchor in the Open Sea by Mayarenerose

Edwin wakes up in the office and doesn't know where he is. Listen, I'm weak for Temporary Amnesia, OK? And this one has an existential threat for some extra angst.

A Short History of Almost Something by dear_monday, two_ravens

Missing scene from the superb fic Wunderkammer that covers the Sex Pollen-esque Incident they Never Talk About... Intense and frustrating almost payneland.

Lucid Dream of Hands on Me by tragedy_machine

Edwin gets hit by a lust spell and refuses to let Charles help out... At first. Fuck or Die culminating in Sex With Feelings for the win!

In the Name of the Law by Hse11z5

(Regular) Police Detectives AU! DS Charles Rowland gets transferred to a precinct in the countryside just in time to join the hunt for Becky Aspen and develop a massive crush on his boss, DI Edwin Payne. Interesting to see the boys as living adults with responsibilities and workplace politics but essentially the same job? And I loved the boys getting to know each other in this one.

lovesick girls by ObsessedWithFandom

Palasaki fic! In which Niko and Crystal's first date does not go to plan... I love seeing cool, confident characters fumble with their crushes, so Crystal attempting to ask Niko out was adorable. But be warned! There's also a feels sneak attack and references to childhood neglect, but also Hurt/Comfort and sickfic.

I might do another Christmas themed rec list closer to the time if people are interested? You guys have been sharing festive fic at an impressive rate! ❤️🎄🎅🎁

@tumblerislovetumblerislife @avoiceofnerat @guardianspirits13 @shazziez @khorazir @tessaaaaa @tw0-ravens @nuttersinc @sameen-shawv @ghostinthelibrarywrites @whatthehorsedoicallthisblog @neurodivergent-fangirling @many-gay-magpies @dear-monday @extremely-eager-reader @atariakana @colourmornings @herebehunters @littlepocketuniverse @overlord-of-chaos @fairandfatalasfair @laiqualaurelote @every-moment-a-different-sound @bibliomancer7 @c-rowland @nobledragonflying @a-pale-jewel @tragedy-machine @acediscowlng

[dekariosclan]

*kneels at your feet* Oh great Gale-guru, knower of all things wonderful and Dekarios, I beseech thee—

Would you happen to have any good cozy and/or comfort fics or drabbles that you’d recommend? I’ve been having a weird time with work & personal life lately, and would love nothing more than some sweet scenarios with our bestest boi

May my cold, “dead” hands soon be able to shake yours in gratitude. 🔮

No kneeling required here! Especially when you bring me an ask that is the equivalent of Karlach asking Gale for book recommendations 🥰☝️☝️☝️ The joy! The excitement! Only instead of it being Gale poring through all the books in his tower, it’s me poring through my blog to highlight all the wonderful fics and writers. Happy to oblige!

@senualothbrok - Has an outstanding collection of Gale fics which I highly recommend checking out! Writes Gale x FemaleTav/Reader perfectly. For cute comfort, I recommend Content and Nocturnal Postulations.

@ceremorph0sis Wrote this adorably sweet one-shot, post-epilogue, featuring married Gale x FemaleTav.

@ode-to-fury Crafted this Pure Gale Fluff with post-epilogue FemaleTav x Gale. There’s even a cameo from everyone’s favorite Tressym!

@rosieofcorona Beautifully wrote this very very soft and sweet fic, All We Do Not Say, with an early romance Gale x FemaleTav.

@sorceresssundries Has written many excellent pieces, including some of the best poetry this side of the Chionthar. Here she gifted us with a joyfully teary wizard cuddling by the firelight. Gale x MaleTav’s first night in Waterdeep, post-wedding.

A03 writer Tal_Art details loving reassurances between married Gale x MaleTav despite (or because of?) a kitchen catastrophe in Cooking Time. As an added bonus, Tara has some Opinions.

@bakuliwrites Serves us smooches & cuddles in this Gale x gn!Reader fic, featuring Gale in everyone’s favorite outfit (ok, MY favorite) the purple jammies 💜🥹

@littleenglishfangirl Provides a happily married Gale x gn!Reader/Tav fic. Treats us to a description of Gale’s grey streaks which is just *chef’s kiss* perfection.

———

As always I have to add the disclaimer that I am SURE that I missed other amazing writers because there are so many in this community so please, if anyone can think of others to add to this list I highly encourage you to do so!

[lackadaisycats]

Hi, magnificent Tracy! Congrats on "Stratagem"! Speaking of which: Mordecai lists off some chess strategies. I tried to google these strategies, but found information about only a few of them. Can you please share some info/links on the sources where it's possible to read about these chess strategies if they're real ones? Thank you in advance!

Thanks very much! All credit to the crew and the VAs who conjured it into existence! We went down quite the rabbit hole researching chess strategy and historic chess games for this, trying to keep it relatively aligned with the time period. At one point we even reached out to a St. Louis-based chess master looking for advice. (I guess the subject header of our attempted email correspondence - "Sir, we need your help for our angry cat cartoon" - was a non-starter for him, though.) In the end, we compromised on something in-between historicity and proclivity for silly names. Some of the strategies Mordecai rattled off are real things - Hammerschlag, for instance. Some are odes to real things. Dave C. stumbled on the Fried Fox, which is a real sort of attack in chess, and came up with Poached Penguin. Some are allusions to grandmasters of the past, like Savielly Tartakower, who wrote books on playing chess, and was generally a big deal in the chess world in the 1920s. Fable wanted to make sure we fit the very excellent word zugzwang in there somewhere. How could I resist? And there are a couple we just fully made up.

[serpentface]

A kulustaig bull, the distinctive cattle landrace of the highlands.

Kulustaig have striking differences to other native cattle found across the Imperial Wardi claimed territory. Their aurochs ancestors were domesticated in a separate event from those found south of the Inner Seaways, and the broader cattle population kulustaig derived from may have trace bison genetics. The progenitors of this landrace were brought south across the Viper seaway by the ancestors of the contemporary Hill Tribes, and were gradually shaped into the kulustaig in adaption to the high altitudes, mild but dry summers, and cool/snowy wet seasons.

These cattle are mid-sized and stocky in build with large, broad faces, most distinguished by curly manes and 'beards' and thick, V-shaped horns. Genetically undiluted kulustaig are almost ubiquitously black, white, and/or gray, though breeding with other cattle has introduced a greater variety of coloration in contemporary stocks.

They are adapted to higher altitudes, having larger hearts and a bigger lung capacity than comparable lowland breeds, and grow thick, curly winter coats that allow for superior resistance to seasonally cooler temperatures. They can maintain condition on less food and lower-nutrition grasses than the average cattle, and are excellent instinctive foragers. This particular quality makes them attractive for crossbreeding efforts with cattle stock of the dry scrublands in the south of Imperial Wardin, though most of their other traits are highly unfavorable for hot, low altitude environments, and scrub-kulustaig hybrids with idealized traits are rare (and highly sought after as studs).

These are all-purpose cattle that can adequately fulfill roles as meat, draft, and dairy animals, though the latter role has the most importance in day to day life, and they show the most selection for milk production (though are not as high-yield as pure dairy breeds). Their meat is mostly lean and somewhat gamey, as they rely more on thick winter coats than fat stores to manage cold, and the vast majority subsist entirely on wild grasses and forage.

Most kulustaig have fairly calm, gentle temperaments, and accommodate well to human handling (it is not uncommon for cows and geldings to be passively ridden by herders otherwise traveling on foot). Their herds have strong, well defined, and stable dominance hierarchy structures, which reduces actual fighting and lends to them being more easily managed by their human herders. In most traditions, the dominant female in each herd is regarded as blessed by and belonging to the agricultural goddess Od, and will not be milked or slaughtered (this untouchable status is often maintained even if the cow's rank in the hierarchy is displaced, though traditions vary).

Bulls are almost ubiquitously given personal names by their owners (the honor often belonging to a family or clan's matriarch, who is generally considered the owner of the herd and other familial assets), while other traditions vary between just the bulls and dominant cows, personal favorites, or entire herds receiving names.

These cattle are of tremendous importance to the peoples of the highlands (particularly tribes and/or individual clans living above the river valleys, who fundamentally rely upon them for subsistence). They provide much of the meat and dairy that the core diet revolves around, and are the greatest measure of wealth within the highlands. Non-native cattle can be commonly found in parts of the highlands in the contemporary (and may be bred in to impart unique qualities to established stock, such as improved milk production or fattier meat), but kulustaig are typically prized above all the rest. These cattle are often a source of great pride for individual clans, and one of few agreed upon markers of shared identity and pride for all of the collective Hill Tribes.

Cattle raiding is a near-ubiquitous practice (both as a practical resource acquisition, and a less immediately lethal method of settling larger disputes than open warfare), and most cattle will be branded with a mark identifying their owning clan as a method of dissuading theft (often futile, particularly given cattle marked as belonging to certain wealthy clans may be especially prized). Nose rings are commonly used to assist in the handling of bulls, but have secondary protective functions that lend to their common use in even the most docile of cattle. Rings are usually blessed or have spells woven into their making as a supernatural barrier against theft, or against malicious (or at least devious) mountain spirits such as tiirgranul (who take pleasure in frightening cattle (and their herders) and are known to cause stampedes) or wildfolk (who are known to sometimes steal or curse cattle when offended, or just bored).

The word kulustaig derives from the common word 'taig'/'taigr', which refers to cattle in the contemporary languages of both the Hill Tribes and Finns, and the 'kul' root (heavily antiquated and not used in contemporary speech, most commonly recognizable in the name of the kulys plant), which has connotations of hardiness/robust qualities. The name would have derived from complimentary descriptions of the animals as 'the best and most robust of cattle'.

[il-predestinato]

hello beautiful elle

since it is going to be a long 3 months without our boys could you please recommend some fics that you liked? cause i really like your writings and how realistic they are and i wanted to get some of you suggestions for the break!

love you loads

Thank you, lovely anon, for your very kind message! 🥺 I must admit I have fallen behind in reading fics. I am sure I am forgetting some excellent Lestappen fics/writers, but these are some of my all-time favourites!

Lestappen Fic Recs:

And in the end I will seek you out amongst the stars by mandzilkos (@geeeooorrrge) - rating: G, 22k words

Soulmate AU where you see in black and white until you meet your soulmate, and the world goes back to black and white after your soulmate dies. This is ALWAYS the first Lestappen fic that comes to mind whenever anyone asks for a recommendation, and it is probably my all-time favourite. The fic that inspired me to write Lestappen, if I'm honest.

getting half of you just ain't enough by shybear_styles - rating: E, 20k words

The friends with benefits story that spans the 2019 season. The only thing better than amazing smut is amazing smut with feels. For sure a top 5 fic in the Lestappen fandom for me. Also, this author is simply amazing in general and you should read all of her fics! I haven't given up hope that she will return one day and write more Lestappen. 🤧

you feel the mornin' feel by shybear_styles - rating: M, 3.3k words

Remember that time Sebastian Vettel asked Charles, "Is he [Max] pretty?" And we never got an answer because Charles descended into gay panic? Well, worry not! We get an answer in this fic.

Monaco Malaise by ProngsfootxJily (@cupidskissx) - rating: E, 8k words

Rivals with benefits, takes place after the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Yes, this one is delicious smut but also a character study. Both of them are written so well, and it leaves you begging for more. Don't forget to check out the equally amazing sequel! (Don't worry, I have been relentlessly harassing her to write the sequel's sequel.)

algorithm by Anney (@badboy-george) - rating: M, 17k words

In a world where F1 uses simulation-based compatibility tests, five times Max doesn't find the right partner and the one time he does. Black Mirror ("San Junipero" and "Hang the DJ") vibes in the best way. Another one of my absolute favourite fics. If you've read any Lestappen fics, you've probably read "Every Other Sunday." This one is simply a masterpiece by the immensely talented Anney; definitely check out her other fics!

panem et circenses by Anney - rating: E, 13.2k words

Wow - simply devastating, haunting, an ode to these two as drivers, set in a dystopian future AU. The world building is absolutely incredible, but at its heart is such a beautiful story of love and hope. This one doesn't get enough recognition. (TW: implied non-con, not between Lestappen.)

Unlearn by wantinghopingwriting (Tazza1993) (@lightsoutfullhearts) - NR, 45k words

This is another all-time favourite, a must-read. Fake/pretend relationship to lovers multi-chapter story that is ever so satisfying; both of them are so well characterized. Set in a parallel-ish 2022 season. I really cannot recommend this one enough.

the edge of what can be loved by Ledger_m (@the-last-jedis) - rating: T, 13k words

The third wheel fic from the perspective of Max and Charles' various "Steves." It's funny, heartwarming, and everyone on the grid is nosy as fuck.

Charles Leclerc vs Red Bull caps by Ledger_m - rating: T, 6.4k words

Charles is the hero we all need, as he goes on a mission to get rid of all of Max's stupid Red Bull caps. This is REQUIRED reading! Kami is a genius. Go read all of her fics.

If You Don't Play, You'll Never Win by antimonyandthyme (@antimonyandthyme) - rating: T, 4.1k

Post 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Max wants to take their relationship further; Charles... doesn't. Oh my God, where do I begin to describe how much I love this fic. The language is beautiful, both of them are so well-written, and I feel punched in the gut over and over again in the best way. The ending (well, the whole thing) is so damn satisfying.

all's well that ends well (to end up with you) by stylestappen (@stylestappen) - rating: G, 3k words

Max has a meltdown in the cereal aisle (yes, the cereal aisle) at 3 am when he realizes he is in love with Charles despite the latter's questionable taste in cereal. Dani has an absolutely wicked sense of humour! (Although I don't understand what she has against cocoa puffs 😭.) She also wrote a banger of a Lestappen soon-to-be teammates fic, so make sure to check out her profile.

Max Verstappen: Spotify Extraordinaire by frnndtorres - rating: G, 26k words

Max makes Spotify playlists for the grid. Fluffy, funny, care-free, liberal use of nicknames, with a healthy dose of feels between Max and Charles. A really fun read.

i love the way your green eyes mix with that malibu indigo by altissimozucca (@altisssimozucca) - rating: G, 11k words

Max and Charles spend summer of 2020 together in Malibu and try not to fall in love. Spoiler alert: they fall in love. I feel the urge to explain something: When I first started reading Lestappen, there were less than 250 fics in their entire tag (yeah I know, we are currently close to 3000 fics, which is insane). From 2019-2021, we truly lived off crumbs. So trust me when I say that we owe so much to altissimozucca, who wrote something like 40% of the fics in the Lestappen tag and nearly single-handedly kept us fed in those days. It's so hard to pick one of her fics to recommend, so make sure you check out her profile for more!

#803442 by altissimozucca - rating: M, 1k words

Max and Charles celebrate the end of the 2019 season in a hotel room. So soft, so fluffy, so satisfying.

Bruises by eefiplier - rating: E, 5.1k words

I think of this one as THE Lestappen smut fic. Oh my God, it's 5k words of amazing established relationship smut with all the feels. A classic. I can read this one over and over again.

outside the box by playclock (@endowataru) - rating: M, 6.1k words

Max falls in love with Charles' driving... oh and Charles himself too. They are ultra competitive idiots who are madly in love. There aren't enough established relationship fics out there, but this one is simply amazing. And don't forget to check out this author's profile for additional Lestappen fics. I promise every single one is a banger!

i made it link by link by purpleglasseswrites (@f-ferrari-forever) - rating: M, 4.2k words

Charles and Max try to be kinky, but who are they kidding - they are far too vanilla for that stuff. 🤣 This one is so sweet, and don't forget to read the sequel!

One man's trash, another man's treasure by AzziNow (@track-terror-apologist) - rating: T, 4.2k words

Charles turns into a raccoon and terrorizes everyone except Max. (Well, he terrorizes Max too... slightly.)

Call it madness, call it love… by AzziNow - rating: M, 3.5k words

Ferrari auctions off Charles for charity. No angst, just fluff. Alpha!Max/Alpha!Charles. So I confess that I never read A/B/O fics. There's nothing wrong with it - just not my cup of tea. But I really enjoyed this one. Al has such a chaotic sense of humour.

it all reminds me of you by grandprix (@grandprix-ao3) - rating: E, 3k words

Secret relationship Lestappen with flashbacks. Oh the yearning, the desire, the smut - incredibly satisfying. I must put a plug-in for this author's other Lestappen fics as well. Never misses - make sure to check them out!

burning you into my mind by thightattoos - rating: E, 4.1k words

Porn with feels and possessiveness. You cannot ask for anything more. I must have read this one a dozen times.

an evil plan or two by witchee_writer - rating: T, 5.2k words

Max and Charles are roped into a plan to get Brocedes back together; they come to a few realizations along the way. The only thing better than a Lestappen fic? A Lestappen AND Brocedes fic!

Fine Line by empireoffclouds - rating: NR, 7k words

One of the more light-hearted enemies to friends to lovers fics. I absolutely adore their dynamic here - it's snarky, warm, but also so them. The incomplete sequel is also a super fun read.

Into Darkness Of Thought by flamingosarepink - rating: T, 1k words

After the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, Charles thinks Max isn't coming back to their shared space.

steal softly under castle walls by untouchableocean - rating: G, 521 words

Max gets home late from Milton Keynes and Charles has already fallen asleep. Short, tooth-rooting fluff of the best kind.

Zoomies by greeny1710 (@maxlambiase) - rating: E, 2.2k words

This one is just hilarious. A (mostly) naked Max walks into Charles' team Zoom call during the COVID lockdown.

...and many, many more that I'm sure I have forgotten! 🙈 You can also check out my AO3 bookmarks (the first few pages are pretty much all Lestappen fics).

Please remember to leave kudos and comments for these amazing writers. The talent in this fandom is absolutely incredible. They all deserve so much recognition. Happy reading!

[malakkc-poetry]

Certificate of Excellence for my poem, Silent Angel