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george-the-good · 5 months

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King George VI - Christmas Message (1943)

Once again, from our home in England, the Queen and I send our Christmas greetings and good wishes to each one of you, all the world over. Some of you may hear me on board your ships, in your aircraft, or as you wait for battle in the jungles of the Pacific Islands or on the Italian peaks. Some of you may listen to me as you rest from your work, or as you lie sick or wounded in hospital. To many of you, my words will come as you sit in the quiet of your homes. But, wherever you may be, today of all days in the year, your thoughts will be in distant places and your hearts with those you love. I hope that my words, spoken to them and to you, may be the bond that joins us all in one company for a few moments on this Christmas Day.

With this thought in my mind, I wish to all who are on service good luck and a stout heart; to those who wait for them to return, proud memories and high hopes to keep you strong; to all children, here and in the lands beyond the seas, a day of real happiness.

I send these words of Christmas greeting to all of you who dwell within the family of the British Commonwealth and Empire. I know you would wish me to send a message of hope to our gallant allies who fight with us, and to all who, in the loneliness of exile or the horror of invasion, look forward to our coming victory.

In this year almost passed, many things have happened, under God’s providence, to make us thankful for His mercies. The generous strength of the United States of America, the tremendous deeds of Russia, the endurance of China under her long ordeal, the fighting spirit of France re-born, and the flower of the manhood and womanhood of many lands that share the burdens of our forward march - all these have played their part in the brightening of our fortunes on sea, on land, and in the air.

Since I last spoke to you many things have changed. But the spirit of our people has not changed. As we were not downcast by defeat, we are not unduly exalted by victory. While we have bright visions of the future we have no easy dreams of the days that lie close at hand. We know that much hard working and hard fighting, and perhaps harder working and harder fighting than ever before, are necessary for victory. We shall not rest from our task until it is nobly ended. Meanwhile, within these islands, we have tried to be worthy of our fathers; we have tried to carry into the dawn the steadfastness and courage vouchsafed to us when we stood alone in the darkness.

This is not the time for a chronicle of our progress. But there is one landmark in the sombre, world-embracing battlefield which I hope and I trust may endure. Wherever their duty has called our men and women, they have gained new friends and come to know old friends better. They have learnt to share the burdens, and to read the hearts, of their neighbours; they have laid the foundations of new friendships between nations, and strengthened old ones formed long ago. As a result, there is springing up in every country fresh hope that out of comradeship in sacrifice shall come power to restore, and power to build anew.

I saw proof of this when I visited North Africa in the summer. I saw many thousands of men of the United Nations, united in action, in heart and mind and purpose. The only rivalry between them was in the service of a great cause; their only aim was the defeat of a common enemy.

In the same spirit of unity, men of diverse races have come together in the council chamber and round the conference-table: some to meet the stern, immediate demands of war itself; others to heal the wounds that war deals to all humanity - to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, mend the broken, and succour the poor. So, as we see the clouds breaking on this Christmas Day, we should take comfort from our faith that out of desolation shall rise a new hope, and out of strife be born a new brotherhood.

From this ancient and beloved festival that we are keeping, sacred as it is to home and all that home means, we can draw strength to face the future of a world riven by a tempest such as it has never yet endured. In the words of a Scottish writer of our day: ‘No experience can be too strange and no task too formidable, if a man can link it up with what he knows and loves.’¹

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1. From Memory Hold-the-Door, by John Buchan (Lord Tweedsmuir)

#King George VI #British Royal Family #1943 #1940s #WWII

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magnetoeisenhardt · 4 months

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Mandatory Disclaimer: Stories do not have to be morally perfect in order to be good or interesting. Stories do not need to function as a moral lesson for the audience. A fictional character doing bad things is (by itself) morally neutral. However, works of fiction reflect ideology, and it is worth examining and critiquing both the underlying ideology and the way a work of fiction engages with it.

Mandatory Disclaimer Part 2: Don't post the "The best thing you can do with power is give it away" comic here. I don't think it's a bad comic, but I think it's addressing the strawman (who does exist, his name is Alan Moore) argument that "superheroes are inherently fascist". That is a very stupid argument, but I think "there are inherently right wing aspects of some superheros" is not an absurd thing to say, and I don't think the aforementioned comic meaningfully addresses real critiques people have of specific comic book characters and stories. This critique is not about all superheroes. It is very specifically about Batman, and other primarily crime fighting heroes.

As a huge Batman fan, I've been wondering if it's possible to divorce Batman from very right wing ideas of justice. (As a hero) Batman's entire existence is predicated on the idea that criminals are a class of people to whom it is morally good to do violence to. I think a lot of arguments to and against this are made in bad faith, but the fact that Batman goes out and hurts "criminals" as the major component of his heroism actually does map onto right wing rhetoric about crime and punishment. Criminals do not have the same human rights as non criminals, and this is good.

I don't think diegetic arguments against this (Wayne Corp donates a bunch of money to charity; these criminals are ninjas/evil clowns/sewer mutants; Gotham would be even worse without Batman in it) meaningfully address the fact that the Batman story is constructed in such a way to create "inflicting violence" as the correct and moral response to a criminal. Additionally, as a street level hero, the criminals that Batman deals with are often committing the exact same kinds of crimes that real would be committing. We do see him fight run-of-the-mill muggers and drug dealers and murderers.

I do think Batman is more in the clear than other characters by virtue of his No-Kill-Rule, as I do think that we are still at a point where "breaking the law is not something that should result in being murdered" is a pretty radical statement. Additionally, there are stories that try to make Batman into a softer character, with more emphasis on restorative justice (DCAU Batman, for example). However, even these stories don't do away with the crime aspect all together. Violence is still an acceptable response to most criminals.

I also don't think most "Batman is actually the bad guy" stories actually do anything interesting or meaningfully address this problem. Most of the time, it's "Batman is usually good, but this time he's Gone Too Far", generic "authoritarianism bad" that feels like it could have been written about any character, "vigilantism is bad because it's breaking the law", or edgy ragebait.

Furthermore, even if the "violence against criminals is good" paradigm was portrayed as morally wrong, there's really only two options, which are to write Batman as if he is in the wrong, effectively ending him as a hero, or to somehow transition him away from being a crime-fighter, which would, I feel, render him almost unrecognizable. While I think a limited Batman series could end with Batman rejecting violence and doing something else, think the serial nature of mainstream comics means that Batman is bound to the status quo, and I don't think you can permanently change this aspect of Batman's identity and have him remain Batman.

#batman #bruce wayne #meta

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ye-local-simp · 1 year

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hiii!!! im nee to this blog and i just wanna say i LOVEE your writing!! i wanted to request lilia and malleus w a reader that is just like seele from honkai impact?? IF NOT ITS FINE!! IM NOT FORCING U!!! <33

[S/o like Seele from Honkai Impact]

[MALLEUS,LILIA]

Malleus:

-When he learns about your tough past, he feels sympathetic for you, humans aren't meant to deal with that kind of stress.

- He loves how cool, kind, sweet you are in general even to a fae everyone fears.

-And the fact that you give everyone a chance, even if they have bad intentions, your mind doesn't judge at first impressions.

-He also finds the fact that you can combine magical powers with a weapon fascinating.

-I mean faes could do that easily but for a human to do is amusing.

Lilia:

-So you had a tough past, he also had an eventful past including witnessing Malleus's and Silver's.

He likes how even though you are so much weaker, you try to protect people as much as you can.

-You are kind and he likes that, he has definitely met humans that were rude so to see you restores his faith in humanity a bit.

-It reminds him of when he was training silver.

-He also likes how determined you could be.

-seeing magic combined with a weapon isn't a first for him, but to see a human do it is surprising.

-It just makes him want to know more about you.

#malleus x reader #lilia x reader #twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #twisted wonderland fluff #twst scenarios #twst fluff #twst headcanons

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athanasius-symposium-of-writings · 9 months

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Cupid's Curse

Chapter Fifteen

Taglist: @gingermous @mt2sssss @dev-angeline @graciexmarvel @yawny0-0 @yumeillu @angel-bi666 @ahookedheroespureheart @stevenandmarcslove

Chapter Fourteen | Chapter Sixteen

Warning: trippy experience with powers, nsfw, reader sad (i promise not for long i swear! Maybe)

A/N: okay listen, listen I saw Desire, and like AAAAAA i love them they so dramatic tm lol plus sandman crossing over w moon knight is big bain to me

The shrine to Aphrodite is covered by a thin black cloth, the closet door is shut also covered by the dark veil. You do not wish to been ‘seen’ by her right now-- As if she could see you. If she did… She would have bedded you as her way to restore your faith in her power and her love. You turn over on your bed with your eye drifting close, breathing slowing, and soon you fall asleep.

When you open your eyes it is due to hearing the chirping of birds, not the bird sound that they make in this modern world, but the real chirping of birds. A fair warm breezes pass you, the soft crashing of waves upon a beach, the sun high and bright in the clear sky. You take a deep breath as you stand in the garden of your Goddess’ domain. Her paradise is where land, sky, and sea are all set to a perfect moment. Beautiful, as beautiful as the moment of her birth. A piece of Poseidon’s domain was taken when she rosed and her power burst to life. Her claim is absolute.

When you discovered this dream realm (for humans) it was when you slept the first night after the union of her heart with yours. Awaking here when her realm was grey and dull, lifeless and colorless. As you lived throughout the ages and your lovers gave their love to you, this realm once more bloomed like the red rose your Goddess’ loved so much. Seeing this realm also means your heart is hurt.

Yes, this is the place your heart sends you to mentally to restore the bond between Aphrodite and yourself.

Standing up before dusting off the sand off your peplos, it is depressing to wear this currently when you feel like shit.

Like you said from the beginning: this is both a blessing and a curse. Currently, it is a curse and after what you did with Lockley, you rather rid yourself of Love completely… Not true but you feel awful.

Your very being is the essence of what the Greeks define and believes Love is, ranging from a romantic view to the dark twisted nature of this emotion. The fascination with this secondary emotion, how it can never be truly ripped out of mortals no matter what they do to each other or themselves. It lingers, it can fester, it consumes and ruins; it never leaves a mortal or divinity's heart.

How it drives everything we do without us knowing it. The first emotion is taught to us by the embrace of the love of one.

Why else would every land have a deity (or deities) of Love both the emotional and mental aspects of this complex, yet simple drive within all creatures from mortal to divine? No one is safe from its grasp.

Though most only claim avatars of Love, in general, are simply creatures of lust.

A sex avatar– Debasing…

Though right now you feel like those words are true, that every insulting thing you called yourself is true, that you don’t deserve Steven. Oh, beautiful Steven… Steven deserves better.

For Steven, you will go against the desires of Mania, you only need his love– nothing more. Yet, that is always easier said than done.

Standing basking in the warmth and smell of home, of Greece when the air wasn’t so polluted and the beaches were clearer than they are nowadays. Her realm, your piece of a home long ago; out in the water is her shrine. A temple built on the very spot she sprung from the water bare and gorgeous. What she told you she did spring from the water, but it was painful as she became more and more alive as the sea foam she came from was turning into her very body; she was not as beautiful as the story goes. She was monstrous and when the first human gazed upon her, she took the appearance of what the mortal mind perceived as ‘beautiful’. As Greece grew and more ideals changed, so did she find her way.

Her form of beauty and her definition of beauty are shared with her believers: none however will match her beauty.

When you look at the temple, you are looking at want created her, as she form before she was the Goddess you love and miss every moment of your immortal life. Her smile, her touch, her voice; her poor Agape who she granted a gift you lost in touch with.

When you enter the usually silent temple bright but hollow, you find it dark. Not dark enough that you cannot see but dark enough that you do not wish to enter. You step back but the darkness rushes past you before engulfing your world.

Naturally, you raise your hand up to block your face, eyes squeezing shut as your head turns away. The world shifts and soon the darkness clears as the scenery is completely different and the scent of Aphrodite is gone– Replaced by the scent of peaches? The memory of summer cutting up peaches and the taste that lingers in your mouth and is shared in a kiss. Summer peaches.

Slowly your arms lower and eyes open to see yourself in completely red, a red like blood, and sit on some strange design.

"Welcome, my child!" A cheery playful tone echoes, "Oh? I see, you have my darling girl's heart." You turn around then around again and again until you are once more facing the chair. There stands a person in a black bodysuit with black feathers on the shoulders, a long v-line that stops midway down the chest. Skin like snow, eyes gold yet it could make gold look pale compared to those eyes, lips painted a dark red and forming a toothy smile. The cat ears are not what is expected to rest on lustrous blonde hair.

"Come, come, don't be shy. Your gifter wishes to see you."

Gifter? You walk forward, hands picking up the bottom of your robe and the pitter-patter of your barefoot against what feels like marble. The mysterious gorgeous figure smoothly like the finest silk sliding off the skin, they stand on heels and when you stand before this androgynous divine person.

The giggle and way they rest their arms over your shoulders, well-kept nails playing with the accessories holding up your hair. "Aphrodite, how you have changed dear. Or would you want to be called (Name)?"

You do not why or how but you are captivated by their charm, "I.. Who?"

"You silly one! Your name, shall I call you by your name?"

"No, I mean yes, who are you?"

They draw themselves away a step placing both hands over their heart, "Don't tell me you've forgotten your gifter!" Making a 'tsking' sound as they wiggle a finger in front of you, "That is simply unacceptable! After all, my power has given your dear Goddess her precious life and power."

You are even more confused which must be clear on your face because they roll their eyes and scowl.

"Desire, dear. I am Desire." Walking around you before pulling you backward close to their chest, "Where I touch, things want and need and love - drawn to their objects of desire like butterflies to a candle flame."

There is a story rarely told as most divine creatures often do not speak of anything stronger than them. In reality, there is an origin point, something older than the Gods.

The Endless. Beings of the certainties and inevitability.

There are many and Chaos told you (Aphrodite) they are what grants many beings like us (the Gods) the power freely used as they wished.

You touch your head as Desire is humming in approval as you remember what Aphrodite learned.

"Father?" You aren't sure what to call them given they are well… Transcending gender fits them.

"Hmm, you know I thought that would sound good: a parental relationship but it just sounds off for us." Whispered like the dirtiest of secrets, "Gifter is better and has much more importance." Fingers dancing down your arm, your lungs breathe in deep then release it as Desire unlatches a clip holding your peplos.

"I almost couldn't find you, such a faint spark," You find yourself falling backward and they appear above you as your back hits the comfort of a bed. "Now why is that?" They place a thin long finger on your lips shushing you, "I know why, silly darling. That is why I am here after all!" Finger tracing the column of your throat.

"Why?" You gasp out as mere touch is… Is… Like her touch.

"Because the heart you deny is my favorite gifted and you humans need to stop limiting yourself." His hand wraps around your throat not squeezing through, "And I'm bored. So entertain me." Desire absolutely loves mortals, love how Desire influences everything.

Interweaving itself into anything or one with a passion to: work, create, kill, or die. Plus, he adores you and loves the union of Goddess to the mortal trope.

Also, there is the admirable and the annoying, you are edging close to annoying for Desire. Aphrodite was a favorite because she caused drama! He so loved seeing the messes she made, especially ones that got out of hand! Sure, they could understand that you are essentially not Aphrodite but his powers run through you and he expects a better performance to entertain him when peeks in.

You lay there drowning in the scent of summer peaches, kisses tasting of black raspberry, and the touch of silk.

Yet, you tremble in fear as your hand grips the sheets, tears running down those cheeks.

"My poor gifted, let it out. Your gifter will be here to take it all in."

The emotions rushing through you remind you of the time Aphrodite had you in her bed. You had cried, and grieved because you felt broken… Undeserving of her love because you didn't understand what love is nor could you reciprocate it— Or so you thought.

Her scent is the sea, her kiss taste of quince, and the touch of rose petals.

"Give me your all, there is nothing I cannot handle," They sit up, slipping out the top part of the bodysuit, "Show the brilliance of that borrowed heart."

You believe them, the sense of safety, craving to touch someone who will not be driven mad by your— Their— Power.

The glow of your eyes, hair, and way Aphrodite's mark on your chest; Desire inhaled the scent of the sea during the spring. Yes, his creation was crafted from sea foam because he merely wanted to make something. A whim. A fun girl that was close to their personality.

Desire is disappointed they have not slept with her but you will do. A pretty gem to grace his touch. Desire loves to indulge, it is part of his very being. Thus he wants you, a demigod, to bask in essence— The purest— Form of raw Desire.

"Where I touch, things want and need and love - drawn to their objects of desire like butterflies to a candle flame." These words were spoken to you by an entity.

Where you burn hot, Desire burners hotter; they engulf you like flames of Hephaistos' forge.

Comforting to be the one overwhelmed, drowning in the rush, granted a release no mortal could deliver.

There is sex but more… Flesh means nothing yet holds meaning. A vessel, a way to express art. It is strange for most of it you were essentially high while also possessed. It is a bit hard to explain.

There are tears as Desire brings out the pain of love, Gods, there is a lot of pain. Want is terrifying when not tempered.

Then comes the bliss, all the lust. When you are wild and free. Unbound and greedy.

Love is the release, the ultimate goal of a Love Goddess.

When you recall that moment… You felt loved. Loved, love the way Steven feels for you. Pure and with every part of his divided heart.

"Yes, show me."

Exposing, baring, stripped of the walls and years of self-imposed chains.

"Agape," Your avatar name, "Open your heart to me."

The recent memory, the one that weighs in your pretty heart is what Desire peeks into especially with all the pain laced in it.

You find yourself digging into the heart of Jake Lockley, digging to find the source of his agony! Even if it means giving in to temptation. The way Lockley buries his cock in your mouth is slow and gentle, but do not mistake it for kindness. No, he wants this drag out, for you to feel the soreness of your throat the following day, to remind you this is what you are denying yourself. He groans, a smirk that exposes his teeth, his hand gripping your hair and messing it up. Hips snapping forward nearly caused you to choke. Lockley's eyes are closed as he is brought to the heavens of lust. His heart… Guarded and cold, you wonder what sort of heartbreak did Lockley endure to cause him to become the man you currently are forced to deep throat. A heart you wish to give your love to but know better than to touch without a barrier, he is not Steven… Though you doubt Lockley could comprehend your love for Steven, how the heart within your body loves easily and can be enthralled and obsessive; you know… You can see the love he wishes to share buried deep into his guarded heart. Being the avatar and host to the heart of Aphrodite, you are a waking aphrodisiac in both the sexual and comfort aspect of the heart. You remain steadfast as you gave Lockley only a very satisfying, with a condom on, blow job. Though it doesn't cover everything, your lips and your saliva does touch his skin, to heighten the intensity of his desires enough to get him to cum faster. Your sympathy for broken hearts all too often gets you in trouble, you swear you will learn yet you keep making the same mistakes. Your whimper egging him on as holds you down to the base of his cock to swallow his seed— Though all you taste is the flavorless condom. Jake lets go of your head allowing you to slip away, your fingers pulling off and tying the condom closed. "Aw, ain't gonna at least drink it up for me?" Eyeing as you get up, fixing your skirt, and tossing the condom in a nearby mini trash container. He grabs a cigarette from the table, a cheap complimentary pack with some matches at the bottom for those who like to take a smoke after sex. You don't see the appeal outside of black-and-white movies.

Desire holds you as regrets, disgust, guilt, self-hatred are bleeding out of you. The memory is erotic but they can see clearly you resented yourself and the nature of being a being of Love. A mortal response, one they understand though they feel you are beyond such things. Your only task (outside of entertainment) is to indulge.

When the pain fades, your nose bleeds as you never fully unleashed the power of Aphrodite. No, the pain is twisted to and laced with pleasure. The mortal part of your heart, comforted by the essence you feared from the very beginning or felt you could never grasp.

He taught you to enjoy yourself, something you haven't been doing for many years.

Fear stilled you. Embracing your gift would mean consequences.Not indulging as you should be. Be Agape, be Eros, be Aphrodite.

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sepublic · 2 years

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Honestly, I just… Feel BAD for Belos at this point. He’s easily the most pitiable character in the entire show, Philip Wittebane has probably suffered more than anyone else, in a way that is 100% deserved, karmic, that he totally brought on himself and can’t blame anyone or anything else for. Belos has just been constantly wallowing in this cold bitterness for the vast majority of his existence, been defined by it; He’s like freaking Ebenezer Scrooge.

Philip’s so lonely and desperate for validation that it’ll make him act stupid around Luz as he latches onto her for validation, even as poor Luz cringes because she does NOT want this guy, she didn’t ask for him, but at the same time she has to humor Philip’s pathetic delusions for the sake of everyone else. Thinking you’re better than everyone else, that they’re all lowly and subhuman, is inevitably an isolating experience.

And like! He very easily COULD have companionship, he has an entire SOCIETY and its generations fawning at his feet. But he refuses it, because it doesn’t match Philip’s arbitrary criteria. It’s such a sad waste, really. He wants a playmate and best friend, but under a VERY specific set of circumstances, in his own way, and it’s just… As Eda said, you sometimes just gotta step out and make your own family with what you have, instead of waiting and expecting it; Even IF it’s technically destiny for Philip to have another human ‘friend’ show up.

Is that part of his unhealthy obsession with Luz? She’s a human who helped him back when he was Philip, and even after centuries as Belos, she still didn’t fail to return to him after all that time and effort. It could’ve fed his delusions that Caleb would do the same. Belos is a manchild who misses and longs for his older brother to take care of him like before, and he’s throwing a tantrum over the loss. He wants a replacement, but on his own specific terms, because any other way would acknowledge that he can’t go back to the way things were, and isn’t that something we can all relate to? But even as he does everything to keep things the same or restore them, perform damage control, it just keeps getting worse.

He’s so clearly insecure, needling Luz for approval and validation from a peer. He’s like playdough in the palm of her hands under the right circumstances, look at how she makes Philip feel self-conscious over his fit! He knows and suspects that the world has changed, he’s collected the human garbage over the years, no doubt as some twisted form of sentimentality. The false vision he gives the Coven Heads proves that he’s aware of modern architecture. But maybe that’s just a SURFACE-level change, right?

He’s “How do you do fellow kids” but also to humans because he’s realizing he’s out of touch with THEM too, he’s become so lonely his monstrous form is symbolic, losing for himself what he sought for in others; So yet another thing he’s missed, a specific definition of humanity, is gone too. Belos wants to be told he’s still doing the “human” thing correctly even as he becomes something very much not.

Philip just flips back and forth between so easily vulnerable in his desperation, to frighteningly dangerous and petulant when he doesn’t get what he wants after sacrificing and prostrating himself; It must be terrifying, being on the receiving end of someone who places so much faith and responsibility as a burden on your shoulders, the pressure! He really is like the Collector, more than he’d like to admit. And now that cursed mirror of his, reflected in a literal mirror, has taken everything from him; As did Luz, playing into Belos’ insecurities, it must be utterly humiliating.

All in a way he brought on himself, of course; He CHOSE to project onto poor Luz, convinced himself he was her Eda, her jaded older mentor who finds a kid to adopt and teach, even as she fills the emptiness in his heart left by his forsaken older sibling, lost to the wrong cause. She PLAYED him, how could Luz be so cruel, Philip feels so bad for his poor self and wants to curl up and cry! Eda sometimes acted a bit rash in wanting to impress Luz for her approval, but this…!

It’s like he’s being punished for opening up, exposing his own soft spots in the process to someone he expects to be tender with, and then shuts himself up again once hurt; Because NEVER again, he just gets more and more embittered and cynical, more certain of the world as this cruel place that’s targeting HIM specifically. He rejects humans and thus his own humanity in the process. First Caleb, then the Grimwalkers, now Luz…

And now, Philip’s back home, and it’s all changed, the original idyllic vision that he depended on. It’s all been for nothing. Philip has tortured himself with the transformations, the mutations, and it’s all for nothing. Everyone loves Halloween and witches now. His home is unrecognizable to himself, as is he. He’s gone from a human to a drop of green goop. He’s become the feared cryptid monster alluded to in bedtime stories, the one Caleb would’ve protected him from. Philip’s been through so much mourning and agony over Caleb, over his idyllic and nostalgic childhood. I can’t imagine the physical agony as Philip rebuilt himself, wanting to scream but not allowing himself to remain hidden.

At this point, I HOPE he dies; Not because I’m sick of his character. But because it’d be a mercy killing. With all of his pain and agony and unsustainable wishes, with the childish and naïve certainty that he’s right, leaping at the chance to be told he’s right, the worn-down feeling over the years… For all my scorn, I also feel sympathy for the devil. He’s like Senator Armstrong, despicable but also legitimately hurt, he just wants this stupid world to make sense!

I hope that in death, Philip Wittebane can finally find the peace he’s been searching for, the rest he’s agonized and longed for over lifetimes beyond what any human should endure, amidst the green, green grass of home. There just isn’t any other course for this sad, tormented soul, beyond some blissful ignorance and denial in his dying visions of Caleb accepting him in the afterlife, having made it to heaven after all thanks to Philip’s timely intervention, having been shown the light after all! He DID save Caleb, they can be together, are you proud of me Caleb…?

I fucking LOVE villains with very human grief and loneliness who also totally brought this on themselves and are just so desperately deluded and isolated in their denial, in their futile coping by throwing themselves against this unsustainable idea, just the most PITIABLE and pathetic fucker ever. Still clinging because they’ll have nothing left if they let go. Philip is a sobbing child, kicking and screaming and burping because someone was mean to him, hurt his feelings and took his favorite toy away.

The world is always revolving around HIM and HIS comfort, so Pip can’t comprehend how anyone could be mean to him because he’s like the Main Character or something. He can’t understand that other people have their own lives and needs and wants outside of him, as Caleb did; It drives him MAD. He can’t keep living like this, with this shattered innocence and realization, and hopefully Philip won’t have to anymore. Not by living denial, because that clearly hasn’t worked across centuries of trial and error, chances; But with ignorant death. What a disturbing dude, not just to us but even himself.

It’s funny. Philip convinced himself of a recognition of the self in the other (affectionate) in Luz, while desperately ignoring the recognition of the self in the other (derogatory) in the Collector, whom he’s spent more time with than anyone else. I suppose a kid who truly reminds himself of who he really is would be the worst, because seeing another Main Character like you just hammers in that you’re not THE Main Character if others are; You’re not special if others feel the same as you. Empathy is the worst idea ever to a racist colonizer, imagine.

#the owl house #philip wittebane #emperor belos #character analysis

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clocktowerechos · 4 months

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Factions of the Grand Alliance

"Our enemies are numerous, powerful, insidious, and dangerous beyond reckoning. Tis good we have friends just as formidable. I cannot fathom having to stand alone in such a galaxy." ~ Imperial Diplomat toasts his allies during a feast on Craftworld Ulthwe

The Brightest Night AU is a lot more clear with who it counts on the good end of the moral spectrum and who it doesn't. This doesn't mean people are perfect, but they're at least mostly good by nature and try to be better. The Grand Alliance is what stands of the "civilized" races of the galaxy, an united bulwark against the abyss that threatens to consume them all.

The Interstellar Imperium

The Imperium of Man as we would know it and the successor state to the Greater Human Dominion from before the Dark Age of Technology. Ruled by the God-Emperor Aurelian, they are far less totalitarian and xenophobic than in canon, their faith is far less fanatical and count abhumans and even some xenos as Imperial citizens. As demonstrated by his marriage to Isha. Instead of the glorification of a holy human form in a physical sense, they value the concept of Humanity as people who can work together towards a greater goal. They can be seen as a galaxy spanning Interex and have adopted their method of dealing with Chaos with mixed results. People are generally more aware and can protect themselves better, but those who do fall often fall faster and further than they otherwise would have. As the Horus Heresy never happened, the idea that betrayal can happen at any time from within while still present, it not all-encompassing. However, plenty of planets and forces have been corrupted, just never all at once in an empire-splitting civil war. Faith remains a pervasive aspect of life in the Imperium, especially Emperor still being alive who is able to put some top down power to reign in the worst parts of the Imperium at times.

The Mechanicum

The largest of Survivor States that rose after the fall of the Greater Human Dominion, they are the most heavily intigrated of them. As the Imperium in this AU operates more akin to a federal system instead of an autocracy, the Mechanicum retains enough independence to the point of never having been forced to integrate and become the Adeptus Mechanicus. Still steeped in their techno-mysticism, technological advancement is glacial at best and often just as restrictive in canon. While technology is still stagnant and they hold the lion's share, some technology remains available in M41 such as jet bikes and volkite weaponry (albeit expensive and rare). AI remains completely outlawed in Mechanicum space and they're constantly pushing against the Tau's utilization of it. Their worst tendencies have mellowed out, going from callously apathetic to just iron-plated dicks. Given the Imperium can rely on other Suvivor States, the Tau, and even the Kyn Leagues for some tech, the political influence they wield is strong but not overpowering.

Confederation of Eldar Craftworlds

Less arrogant and self-assured of their own supremacy than in canon. Especially after Eldrad Ulthran brokered a pact between the Craftworlds and the young Imperium to aid one another in the War of the Beast and then an impossible raid on Nurgle's Garden to free Isha. It was this Hail Mary sucess that formed the foundation of the Grand Alliance and the eventual marriage of Isha and Aurelian. In exchange for their aid, the Eldar repaired and upgraded the Astronomicon and shared anti-Chaos technology and measures to the Imperium. With the rescue of Isha, hope has been restored to the Eldar. While they are a long way off from being a "dying race", their population at least grows even at a tectonic pace. Although their corrupted kin, the Shadishari, or "Chaos Eldar", still vastly outnumber them. She is the most potent anti-Chaos weapon the Alliance have, able to use her divine power to cleanse corrupted worlds with her presence but even with the constant movement of the Celestial Court, she can only be in so many places at once.

The "Imperial" Aquilla (the Alliance Aquilla in this timeline) and its twin heads in this AU actually represent the Imperium and the Craftworlds, not the Imperium and the Mechanicum.

The Exodite Enclaves

Also known as "Medari", they continue their low-tech existence on Eldar Maiden Worlds. There is usually a singular, technologically advanced settlement on their worlds, meant as a space port for their Craftworld cousins and the Imperium, but even then the technology is heavily regulated. Exodites are far more prickly and selective when it comes to dealing with outsiders and are granted special rights upon their worlds that not even the Craftworld Eldar can ignore. They exhibit more Wood Elf-tendencies as well, favoring the use of Ghostwood over Wraithbone which they cultivate in Ghostwood Glades. While often relying on treaties of defense with the Craftworlds, they are capable of rousing "forest spirits" in the form of Ghostwood Dyrads, Ents, and Treekin. Not to mention the various dangerous fauna they keep, most famous being the dinosaurs their knights ride into battle.

The Tau Empire

The largest of the allied Xenos races, they were independent for several millennia, resisting the advances of both Humans and Eldar until they finally joined in M39 after a series of devastating catastrophes and a brief civil war that saw the Farsight Enclaves break away. Their caste system and loyalty to the Ethreals is the result of cultural traditions and social engineering; it's possible for a Tau to go against an Ethereal but those who do probably aren't welcomed in the Empire to begin with or often feel deep shame for doing so. They're genuinely well-meaning with their entrance into the alliance being the biggest boons in millennia, but they're coming to grips with the reality and the vastness of the galaxy as well as its dangers. They weren't stupid enough to trust the Dark Eldar with cultural exchanges, but the Drukhari still took their due with successive raids during their "Bloody Teared Years" leading to a huge amount of animosity that is uncharacteristic for an otherwise famously, levelheaded people. Their AI technology is still highly advanced and they do butt heads with the Mechanicum over it. They are technically immune from its anti-AI strictures but a close, covert eye is kept out of fear they might trigger another Men of Iron-like revolt. Most of the time though, the Tau don't really quite believe the scale and scope of the universe they're in, still somewhat sheltered by their relative youth.

The Leagues of Votann

Technically abhumans, they are officially classified as "Xenos Amicis" (aka Friendly or Allied Xenos) in Imperial and Alliance records for what amounts as galactic tax evasion as being counted as an abhuman Survivor State would involve a great deal more integration than what most Leagues are comfortable with. Not to mention the additional burdens Survivor States are expected to provide for one another. However, they're still happy to work with the other members of the Alliance, giving tech, resources, and expertise in exchange for goods and oaths of defense. The true nature of their Votann AI is a closed secret known only to the Emperor with not even the Mechanicum fully let in on it. Some have their speculation, but it is a "don't ask questions to answers you don't want" situation for everyone involved.

#wh40k #warhammer 40k #alternate universe #worldbuilding #imperium #craftworld eldar #tau empire #leagues of votann #adeptus mechanicus #eldar exodites

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mariana-oconnor · 7 months

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Thor Bridge pt 2

The Gold King has come to hire Holmes to prove his mistress (?) did not kill his wife.

That is a very strange statement.

"My love faded. If hers had faded also it might have been easier. But you know the wonderful way of women! Do what I might, nothing could turn her from me. If I have been harsh to her, even brutal as some have said, it has been because I knew that if I could kill her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be easier for both of us."

Are you... trying to excuse abusing your wife by explaining that you did it to make her hate you?

I don't think that argument is as sympathetic as you think it is.

"Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. [...] The whole world has proclaimed that she also is a very beautiful woman. Now, I make no pretence to be more moral than my neighbours, and I will admit to you that I could not live under the same roof with such a woman and in daily contact with her without feeling a passionate regard for her. Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?"

Yes.

"I do not blame you for feeling it. I should blame you if you expressed it, since this young lady was in a sense under your protection."

Holmes understanding the innate consent issues of employer/employee power dynamic relationships here and restoring my faith in the human species.

"I'm not pretending to be any better than I am. I guess all my life I've been a man that reached out his hand for what he wanted, and I never wanted anything more than the love and possession of that woman."

You know that it doesn't make it better if you say 'I accept who I am and who I am is a piece of shit,' right? You can't just brush things under the rug by acknowledging that they're bad. You've missed out the whole step where you try to be a better person. That's an important step. If you acknowledge that you're a piece of shit and then choose to remain being a piece of shit, that's actually kind of worse than if you hadn't acknowledged it in the first place.

And 'possession'? Please someone save that poor woman. He'll get bored of her in a few years as well and try to convince her to hate him by abusing her.

"I said to her that if I could marry her I would, but that it was out of my power. I said that money was no object and that all I could do to make her happy and comfortable would be done." "Very generous, I am sure," said Holmes with a sneer.

Holmes is best boy right here. I am living for this sneer. He is not letting this fucker pretend that he's a reasonable human being.

"When I had sworn—as I did—that she should never be molested again, she consented to remain."

So you had previously been molesting her? Is what you're saying. If I'm reading this right. The word has no doubt shifted in meaning since this story was written, but I'm still willing to bet it wasn't anything good.

"She knew the influence she had over me, and that it was stronger than any other influence in the world. She wanted to use it for good."

She really said 'here is an abusive, would-be adulterer who sexually harassed me and uses his power and influence to control and hurt people' and then went

✨I can fix him!✨

Oh, sweetie, no.

(Well, at least this is the story according to him)

"She believed and said that a fortune for one man that was more than he needed should not be built on ten thousand ruined men who were left without the means of life."

Well, she's not wrong about that.

...we had the address of Sergeant Coventry, of the local police, who had first examined into the affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a secretive and mysterious manner...

'Cadaverous'? Really? Must you go out of your way to insult everyone at every turn, Watson? You couldn't even think of an animal to compare this poor man to, you just went to 'yeah, he looks like a corpse'?

And your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, I know.

You wouldn't be so sure of that if you knew how he was going to describe you.

"Don't you think there might be a case against Mr. Neil Gibson himself?"

I really hope so.

A path led us through the pheasant preserves...

I have never read a more 'landed gentry' phrase in my life.

"I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o'clock. G. DUNBAR."

I do note that the note is not addressed to anyone in particular. Which seems like it might be important.

And Holmes agrees with me that not hiding the murder weapon is a dumb thing to do and therefore it's more likely to have been planted.

So far the only suspects we have other than the woman already in jail are the husband and Mr Bates who seems to really enjoy talking about how terrible his employer is.

The husband doesn't seem to fit, alas, unless this is a very elaborate double bluff, and we only had one of them the other day. Mr Bates doesn't appear to have a motive, but that doesn't mean he doesnt have one. He does seem determined to discredit the guy who wants Miss Dunbar set free.

#Letters from Watson #Thor Bridge #Sherlock Holmes #long post

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coraniaid · 4 months

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I think that "Buffy's friends and family often treat her very badly and say or do things to her that -- if they were real people -- would be pretty difficult or even impossible to defend" is a valid claim in as far as it goes. You can definitely find examples of Willow and Xander and Giles and Joyce acting in ways that I really don't think sit easily with the idea that the show wants us to believe that they care about her and have strong positive connections with her. I do think, pretty strongly, that that latter reading is the way the show wants to (and should) be understood, but I also think that it's worth acknowledging that often (either because of poor or hurried writing or because the show is prioritizing plot or metaphor over consistent characterisation) that the individual episode-to-epsidode writing is sometimes in tension with that.

Willow does frequently try to push Buffy into new romantic relationships she's not ready for instead of letting Buffy recover from her latest heartbreak; she did unilaterally decide to restore Angel's soul despite Buffy very much not asking for it or expecting it; she did push Buffy into getting a job while staying at her house rent-free; she did try to 'fix' Buffy's depression in Season 6 by using magic on her without her consent.

Xander does often talk to or about Buffy in ways that are weirdly possessive or judgemental (not just in Dead Man's Party and Into The Woods either, though those are perhaps the worst offenders); he did lie to her about Willow's attempts to restore Angel's soul; he does more generally often behave in ways that make me question why Buffy or Willow would want to be his friend at all (especially in Season 2).

Giles does have a habit of trying to control Buffy's personal life, often in deeply hypocrtical ways (for example, according to Giles Buffy can't even tell her mother about being the Slayer, let alone boys she's dating, and in fact she probably shouldn't be dating at all; but of course Giles can tell the first pretty girl he meets that Buffy is the Slayer with no problems); he did willingly participate in a conspiracy to drug her and rob her of her powers; he did abandon her and flee the country at the time she needed him most.

Joyce is worryingly quick to believe the worst of Buffy in the early seasons; she does react terribly when Buffy finally tells her about being a Slayer, and it's pretty clear she spends Season 3 at least still wishing Buffy wasn't one. (I think the Normal Again retcon that she had Buffy sent to 'a clinic' the first time she told her about vampires is almost impossible to square with the rest of the show, but yes, technically the show claims this happened as well.)

But the frequent follow-up claim of ".... and therefore Buffy should ignore these people in favor of Angel/Faith/Spike" (well, let's be honest, it's normally Faith or Spike, at least on the bits of Tumblr I see) is simply bizarre. The unspoken justification here has to be "because unlike her so-called friends, these characters would never hurt her or treat her badly", and that just ... isn't supported by canon at all?

I mean, what are we saying here? "Sometimes, Willow pushes Buffy into romantic relationships too early: this is very bad so, instead of being friends with Willow, Buffy should spend time with the people who canonically sexually assualted her?" "Xander sometimes lies to Buffy and gives her bad advice, so instead of hanging out with Xander anymore she should spend time with the people who worked with her enemies to literally try to end the world"? "Giles is sometimes very blunt about telling Buffy she won't be able to have the normal life she wants, so she should spend time with people who tell her she's not even fully human"? "Joyce once told Buffy she shouldn't come back home if she left without permission, so instead Buffy would be better off with people who once chained her up and threatened to torture and kill her"?

"Every bad thing a character I don't like does is canon and should be interpreted in the worst light possible, but sometimes (in fact: surprisingly often) the evil writers slander my favorite and pretend they did bad, out of character things that they would never do in my fanfics and we should not accept that this happened"?

Just a deeply unserious position to take.

#btvs

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kimdokja-real · 10 months

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Kim Dokja is not small and slender

The new texture of Unbroken Faith was unfamiliar to me. "Kuaack!" The demon screamed painfully as the ends of his horns were cut off. The second strike flew towards Tentacio before he could move. It wasn't just that the earl's story wasn't effective on me. My movements themselves were different from ordinary incarnations. The demon gritted his teeth. "A constellation? No way… this is impossible!" I wondered if I should borrow Messiah's Path again but I didn't need to use the 'quotation' against Bug Slaughter. There was a limit to the number of 'quotations' and I also needed to check my abilities without a story. First, I needed to adjust my stats. Let's see. [Physique Lv. 62 -> Physique Lv. 90] [Strength Lv. 60 -> Strength Lv. 90] [Agility Lv. 60 -> Agility Lv. 90] [Magic Power Lv. 62 -> Magic Power Lv. 90] [All stats have increased significantly. [A total of 116,400 coins have been consumed.] It was huge spending but it was worth it. [Your body is moving towards the limits of a human.] [A formidable energy has filled your body!] [All stats have reached the scenario limit!] My heart beat faster as if I had received a caffeine transfusion. The adrenaline level in my body increased sharply and my body became as light as a feather. My stats had an average level of 90. There was probably no one among the incarnations who had my stats. This was the only thing I could do as a constellation. "Then let's go." I relentlessly swung my sword

"I will invest three million coins into my strength, physique, agility and magic power."

[Your total stats have grown abnormally!]

[The coins you invested have allowed you to cross the stats limit of the scenario.]

[A fuller probability will release some of the stat constraints for this scenario.]

[The growth of the stats value compared to the invested coins will be randomly adjusted.]

A tremendous amount of sparks jumped from my body. It felt like my muscles were tearing and growing bigger. There was the feeling of my bone density changing and a terrible pain came over me.

"Cough…"

I had put it off until now due to the poor cost to value ratio but there was no other way.

[Your mind can't cope with your evolving incarnation body.]

[The exclusive skill 'Fourth Wall' is activated!]

[Your incarnation body is evolving to a new level!]

Since the early scenarios, the 'overall stats' didn't have a big influence on combat. It was because stories, stigmas and skills had much more influence.

In addition, since the number of coins per level after level 100 was exponentially larger, it was more advantageous to buy a skill using the same amount of coins. Now the situation was different.

[All your stats have exceeded 200!]

[Your incarnation body can handle a bigger 'status'.]

I needed a strong body, not a powerful skill.

[Your agility has reduced the air resistance.]

[Magic power is opening up the blocked bloodstream.]

A huge amount of coins was transforming my incarnation body.

[Your strength is causing an explosive change!]

Thankfully, I couldn't see Cheok Jungyeong next to me. The moment my transfer was complete, the acrid odour of blood stung my nose. I was greeted by the grisly sight of dead corpses belonging to Constellations and Incarnations strewn about on a vast plain.

This sight was more than enough to dampen one's spirit, but I was relieved to see it, actually. It was far more advantageous to start this scenario later than the others, as that would lower the odds of running into powerful Constellations that had entered here beforehand.

['Probability of the 2nd generation' is active within the relevant area.]

[A portion of your skills have been unlocked.]

[A portion of your overall Stats have been restored.]

Along with the crackling noise, I felt my shoulders grow just a bit wider, while my height grew, too. I had been feeling really constricted for some time, but now, it felt like I could breathe a bit easier.

[A new Hidden Scenario has arrived!]

#kim dokja #he enhanced his body physically #he enhanced his body physically to go save his 'woman' kim dokja is such a man #since yoo joonghyuk was in his female form then #he could be as muscular as yoo joonghyuk #also he grew taller wiki says 184cm same height as yoo joonghyuk #just wanted to put this out there #since it seems many people forget this #also just for my ref #orv #omniscient reader's viewpoint #orv spoilers #dokhyuk #joongdok #dokjoong #i get the size difference in dokjoong and joongdok #but canon says it's different

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acourtofthought · 10 months

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Don’t feed people delusions Elain is not fit to rule any court, both of Feyre’s sisters have done absolutely nothing to deserve that title be real 😂 she can be a lady beside someone who is ruler though!

Hello! I'm a little torn with the way I want to respond to this anon but I'm going to stick with facts rather than giving in to the feisty side of me that's begging to take center stage.

In the TOG series, SJM took a 19 year old girl who had been running from her birthright for over half her life and turned her Queen by the end of the series. A 19 year old who was an assassin and about as far away from court politics as you could get.

And made a hundreds of year old Fae warrior who worked for someone in a position of "power" her "consort."

In the Crescent City series, SJM has taken a party girl who had done nothing of real importance in her life prior to the start of the books and is turning her into the savior of all, a true descendent of the Starborn Fae. I don't know exactly what will happen by the end of the series but Bryce is already more "special" than she probably deserved for what she had been doing.

Tamlin never wanted to be High Lord:

I never expected—never wanted—my father’s title. My brothers would have never let me live to adolescence if they had suspected that I did. So the moment I was old enough, I joined my father’s war-band and trained so that I might someday serve my father, or whichever of my brothers inherited his title.” He flexed his hands, as if imagining the claws beneath. “I’d realized from an early age that fighting and killing were about the only things I was good at.”

He actively turned his back on learning how to be a ruler yet low and behold he was made High Lord (only for the time being I think). He's obviously not fit to be a ruler considering he gives f*ck all concern for his people right now.

In the ACOTAR series we have a 19 year old human queen who is queen simply because SJM decreed it so yet we have no proof of what she'd done to earn that title.

Elain has been noted as observant from book 1 and raised in a household where her mother raised Nesta on political aspirations. She didn't need to focus on Elain for those lessons for Elain to absorb the information and observe her mother and Nesta's behavior. She grew up surrounded by the political games too. She has been noted to enjoy taking care of people, something which started in book 1. In book 2 we're reminded she can convince anyone to do anything with a few smiles. She's noted to enjoy making friends, talking to people. In ACOFAS Feyre is left amazed at the wisdom Elain spoke and her observations over what something meant to the people of Velaris. In SF Cassian is impressed with how much Elain saw and observed. Elain has actively gone out to help the people of Velaris and she found a way to get humans to safety during the war. There are hints of her being loving and kind, a gentle soul who grows beautiful things (but as Rhys said, can get her hands dirty if necessary) and we know Spring in general has fallen into disrepair and it's people need hope and faith and someone to believe in. They also currently believe Lucien complicit in the lies Feyre told. Elain, who can convince anyone to do anything with a few smiles could be someone they follow and believe her when she restores his good name.

Can Elain lead an army or command generals? Probably not but could Elain help restore a people's faith and become their figure head? Why not if SJM wills it as so. And if Lucien were by her side, he could easily help her navigate. They would be a team just as Rowaelin were however Elain could still be given the title of power.

I'm not quite sure what it is about theories that confuses you. Maybe you'd prefer I use an ACOTAR hypothesis tag? We don't have one of those so unfortunately that's not the way to have a post seen but regardless, I'm not claiming anything as fact. My theory is simply my guess as to what might happen and will only be proven wrong or right when we get the next books. So I'm allowed to "feed" people delusions theories all I like. They can agree, disagree, keep it on the back burner just in case but what no one should be doing is coming into anyone's blog and telling them they're not allowed to come up with their own ideas of what could happen.

I'm not smarter than anyone in this fandom. I don't have SJM insider info. But by now, I'd like to think most followers understand that I'm not pulling my theories out of my ass with nothing to back them up and I also have read enough books by SJM to know that the females are the ones who are meant to shine. I am taking things that are actually in the book to build these ideas so you claiming I'm delusional when the text supports it as a real possibility is quite confusing to me. Could I be wrong? Definitely. But there's enough that if I turned out to be right, we have thinks to look back on and say, "ohhh! Those were possible hints!"

#elucien #pro elain archeron #elain archeron

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ashersmut · 1 year

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Dragon Guardian Jack au

[Jack]

I was brought back into the world for a reason. My spirit followed the wind to the island of Berk where dragons saw and welcomed me as one of their own.

Therefore, I will fight to protect them as long as I exist.

Seven generations later, Hiccup is born. Jack watches Valka with her newborn from outside the Haddock home.

[Jack]

Gods…another one. He’s so small. I almost feel sorry for him.

Valka turns her head, as if she hears a voice. She looks directly at Jack, who stares back with disbelief. The winter spirit hides quickly, making an escape to the sky.

[Jack]

Thats…that's impossible. I've been invisible to mankind for centuries. That woman. Who is she? I need to speak with her face to face.

That night, Jack leads a dragon raid to have Valka captured. He brings her to the secret nest of the great Bewilderbeast. The winter spirit sits upon the Alpha dragon like a king, looking down upon his hostage with curiosity.

[Valka]

You...I saw you earlier today. Who are you?

[Jack]

I think we have a lot to talk about. Let's sit down and have a cup of tea.

The two of them sit down to talk, while drinking hot tea.

[Valka]

These creatures. I've never seen them up so close before, but this one (Cloudjumper) is gentle, intelligent, and beautiful. They all are.

[Jack]

This woman's soul reflects my own. Perhaps that is why she can see me and others cannot.

You're different from the rest of them.

[Valka]

I've always felt like an outsider on the island. I tried everything to stop the fighting, but it was impossible to reason with Stoick. I just wish the generations of bloodshed would come to an end.

[Jack]

For the first time, I felt like I made a mistake. I escalated the conflict between dragons and humans, and I need this woman's help to change history.

Do you wish to go back to Berk?

[Valka]

I don't know. I worry about my family…my son. But I do not miss the fighting. This home of yours is peaceful, and I wish to learn more about what you do. Would you care if I stayed for a little while?

[Jack]

You may stay for as long as you want.

Ten years later. Valka has decided to stay in the sanctuary. She and Jack work together to rescue dragons from hunters, and they take turns watching over the sanctuary when the other is gone. She still thinks of her family often, and she worries about her son.

[Jack]

If you're thinking about your family, you're welcome to leave.

[Valka]

It's been far too long. What would Stoick think? The person I am now, my ambitions…they conflict with the traditions of Berk. I'd be dead to them whether or not they already believe I am.

[Jack]

Perhaps, but I have faith that one day, we can restore peace between dragons and mankind.

[Valka]

People are not so easily changed. You and I were born different.

Besides, I can’t afford to leave this nest. Not now. These creatures need me.

[Jack]

You have the heart of a mother and the soul of a dragon. That's why I've always admired you.

[Valka]

I'm a terrible mother. I fear my son would resent me, knowing I've been away all this time.

[Jack]

I'm sorry, Valka. I should have never brought you here.

[Valka]

No. It was my decision to stay. I should thank you for your hospitality and the knowledge you've given me.

[Jack]

And I'm glad to have you as an ally and a friend. If there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know.

[Valka]

There is one thing…

[Jack]

Hmm?

[Valka]

I may as well stay here for the rest of my life, and I'm content with that. But…if something were to happen to me, would you please watch over Hiccup?

[Jack]

Of course. I will make sure nothing happens to him.

----

An idea I had that's been sitting in my drafts for a while...something to give Hiccup and Jack some more history. I may or may not illustrate this at some point? I'm a pretty lousy writer so please excuse the strange writing format.

#hijack #hijack au #frostcup #frostcup au #jack frost #hiccup haddock #valka haddock

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comradekatara · 2 years

Note

what’s in the gaang’s youtube history 📺

aang likes videos of people doing impressive skateboard tricks, video game speedruns, heartwarming videos titled smth like "WATCH THIS TO HAVE YOUR FAITH IN HUMANITY RESTORED", unlikely animal friends, cats being silly, puppies running around, comedy sketches with high production value, and whatever else 12 year old boys watch on youtube (lego??? minecraft??? pokemon??? i .... don't actually know)

katara is addicted to youtube almost as much as she is addicted to twitter. she watches so many longass videos on social/political issues and then tweets the creators about how one hour and forty three minutes into the video they stated an opinion that she personally disagreed with, and she demands an apology. she also loves elaborate makeup tutorials that she would never even bother to attempt to replicate (but she likes to think that maybe one day if she gets invited to the met gala, she now has some looks to choose from)

sokka's youtube library is extremely eclectic. he can't stop clicking on videos titled shit like "intro to particle physics" just to watch the entire thing and be like "why did i watch this i knew all that already." but yknow. he just had to make sure. he's a big fan of chris fleming, and he's made all his friends watch "gigi the christmas snake" multiple times. he's gone down a lot of rabbitholes in his day, but his personal favorite side of youtube is the videos of chemical reactions, especially the ones that end in an explosion.

toph occasionally enjoys listening to longass video essays about obscure topics, but mostly she just listens to podcasts. she’s also partial to this one video that’s just the sound of a chainsaw revving on a 10 hour loop, and she plays it at just the right volume that her parents will be like “what’s that awful noise?” to which she innocently responds “i don’t hear anything” and they’re like “oh no you must be able to hear it, it’s so annoying” and toph’s like “are you sure? it sounds normal to me.” she tries this on katara once, but katara gets so frustrated that she just yells “oh wow didn’t realize you were blind AND deaf” and that leads them to get in a very violent brawl in which toph’s nose is nearly broken, so she decides to limit this particular gambit to the company of her parents only.

zuko exclusively uses youtube to watch cute animal videos. otherwise, he's terrified he'll accidentally click on something that might potentially radicalize him, since he read somewhere that the algorithm was designed to do that, or worse, direct him to one of those content farm generated animations of elsa getting a c section, which is apparently also a concern. frankly, the internet scares him, and he tries to avoid it as much as possible.

suki watches npr tiny desks, kexp live, lofi hip hop anime beats to relax/study to, and best of vine compilations. anything on youtube that isn't music or shortform comedy simply does not interest her.

to boost her platform, ty lee decides to go on a reality show. she pretends to be a vapid airhead, but is actually very subtly manipulating not only the other contestants, but also the crew. she walks away from the whole experience with double the number of instagram followers (she already had a sizable amount) and a huge bag. anyway, azula goes through a phase of obsessively watching a lot of clips from. that

mai is indebted to the guy who reuploaded all the “patti reviews exotic animals” videos after they got taken down from the original channel. her favorite youtube video of all time though is nathan fielder thin watermelon. she rewatches it at least once a week

ty lee’s youtube history is just meditation playlists and also the goriest true crime stories she can find #justgirlythings <3

yue loves the artful simplicity of those animated tedx videos. they’ve led her down a lot of really interesting research rabbitholes. she promised katara she’d stop sending them to sokka though after he spent the next month telling her about nothing but eel mating habits and lesser known facts about genghis khan

iroh only uses youtube to watch recordings of tea ceremonies and isn’t even aware that there are other types of videos on the platform. ignorance is truly bliss

jet exclusively watches videos with the word “callout” in the title. the longer and more contrived, the better

#kyoshialone #asks #the gaang and #modern au #i guess #this ask was really hard because my knowledge of the content on youtube is very limited lmao #clearly i shouldve asked my brother what kids his age are into before trying to answer this

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