#if no one else got me i know the firebirds got me

[merymoonbeam]

The Other One

So I was just looking at this post by @livywoohoo

(this got deleted so dont mind me...posting again)

And in that post she posted a quote:

The other one, the Book hissed. Bring the other one ... let us be joined, let us be free. I slid the Book from my pocket, tucking it into the crook of my arm as I tugged the second half free. Lovely girl, beautiful bird-so sweet, so generous ...Together together together

I was like "I heard that the other one before". And I was right. Elain said it...about Vassa.

Rhys gave her a sharp look. But Elain said quietly, "The queen might come." Silence. Elain was staring at the unlit fireplace, eyes lost to that vague murkiness. “What queen,” Nesta said, more tightly than she usually spoke to our sister. "The one who was cursed." "Cursed by the Cauldron," I clarified to Nesta, pushing off the archway. "When it threw its tantrum after you ... left." "No." Elain studied me, then her. "Not that one. The other."

And you know what else the book of breathings says in that quote...

Lovely girl, beautiful bird-so sweet, so generous Together together together

Lovely girl Elain.

She is always described as lovely

Then Elain's face appeared over Mrs. Laurent's round shoulder. Beautiful—she'd always been the most beautiful of us. Soft and lovely, like a summer dawn.

"Feyre!" Elain's soft gasp scraped past my ears, and I blinked back the brightness of the fire to find my second-eldest sister before me. Though she was bundled in a threadbare blanket, her gold-brown hair-the hair all three of us had—was coiled perfectly about her head. Eight years of poverty hadn't stripped from her the desire to look lovely." (Acotar chapter 2)

Nesta met her sister's warm brown eyes. When human, Elain had easily been the prettiest of the three of them, and when she'd been turned High Fae, that beauty had been amplified. Nesta couldn't put her finger on what changes had been wrought beyond the pointed ears, but Elain had gone from lovely to devastatingly beautiful. Elain never seemed to realize it.

Beautiful bird- Vassa...firebird

"Firebird by day," Rhys mused, "woman by night... So she's held captive by this sorcerer-lord?”

A firebird. Burning as hot and furious as the heart of a forge. Vassa-the lost queen.

And what else the book of breathings says in that quote about its other half?

Bring the other one... let us be joined, let us be free.

So...together...they are gonna be free? Can we say the same about Vassa and Elain?

Maybe they are like Helena and Silene of Acotar? They both had 1/3 of Theia's power inside of them.

What if Vassa had the one half through her lineage and Elain got it when she was turned Fae? What if that's what Cauldron gave her?

[cyberlights]

Amulet Rant Time

Okie dokie Waverider is out and thus has concluded the series…so it’s time for a little…bonfire, we’ll call it.

Now don’t get me wrong. I still love this series and always will. I’ve been in the fandom since about Prince of the Elves. I literally have grown up with this series in my backpack from the moment I checked it out of my school’s library. I spent my first summer job paycheck buying all the books out at the time. This series holds a very special place for me.

I also understand that after Book 5(? I’m typing this out on mobile so I can’t verify), Kazu got very sick and lost a lot of his memories, which affected how he wrote Amulet and thus the rest of the story, so I’m not going to say he was a trash author.

There are just certain things that just…have not worked out post Escape from Lucien. And honestly, this is going to be more of a venting ramble than anything, so for the new readers coming in, take it with a grain of salt. You can still enjoy the series, fall in love with the characters, etc. That’s why we enjoy it.

Now I’m gonna do everything else under read-more so spoilers ahead.

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.

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We good? Okay, good.

I already stated that I give Waverider a 1/10. It actually is not my least favorite book, to be honest. (That “honor” goes to Supernova)

Trellis leaving the throne?

As others have pointed out, after Escape from Lucien it made no sense for him to just up and skedaddle. That boy was adamant he was going to lead his people. That’s what his whole plot was in the book, and him accepting more of that role in Firebird/the beginning of Supernova. Heck, they even pointed out that Gabilan, even though… voted in(?) as the new king was not doing a good job of it. Gabilan himself fully expected Trellis to take back the throne (albeit by force which is not really Trellis’ style). It felt very much like unnecessary step back from three books worth of development.

I can’t say much about Gabilan because while he did establish in The Cloud Searchers he wanted to be king, it didn’t feel right. Like there was nothing driven past that, that would say he wanted to be king. Honestly besides a tiny bit in Firebird he didn’t get as much character development as he should have, if at all. Which is why, if he was planned to take over from a while ago, probably should have had happened sooner.

Ronin and her Students

Speaking of introducing sooner, this is where I feel having a whole ‘nother two books would have helped the story, because this was just…so terribly executed.

I can’t tell you a single thing about her students except one turned into a turtle and another Cthulhu. I can’t even tell you anything about Ronin beyond her “I was right” mentality (and the mask, not sure why she was wearing a mask).

They all felt very shoe-horned in. I have no attachment to these characters, no real interest in seeing them succeed. They were brought in to fill a plot hole, while simultaneously making another plot hole in their wake.

Overall Problems with the Series

Genre Confusion

I think we’ve already established that Amulet would have been better off as a fantasy series than sci-fi. That is honestly my biggest problem with Supernova, was that was a giant Sci fi wedge in what was predominantly a fantasy series (I know we started more in Escape from Lucien and Firebird, but this is where I feel we veered too off course)

We honestly could have completely cut the sci-fi bit, changed a few things around between Escape from Lucien and Firebird, cut out most of Supernova -which yes, would have wrecked Navin’s sideplot, but there was different options that could have happened.

We don’t need the additional aliens/planets. Those characters could have easily just been Alledian on different parts of Alledia and we would have never known. We don’t even know what most of Alledia looks like because we’ve only been to a handful of places that predominantly look the same.

Which brings me to

Ikol and his Masters

I was so confused by the end of their story. They’re aliens but not. They were created by Silas but they have been around for eons. Everything was Made by Silas to Protect his Family. I just…*sigh*

It felt like they were beating the already dead piñata (pun partially intended).

Silas died in the first book. The consequences of his actions were established to be that he got a bunch of students killed and he ended up passing a huge burden onto Emily that should have gone to her mother. I don’t know why he had to be brought out as this.

Ikol could have very much remained a Chaotic Entity that thrived on the turmoil, his “masters” being a lie to convince Emily that he too was not in total control of the situation so he could slip her more into his control. We already know he likes collecting powerful stonekeepers who are vulnerable enough to fall sway to his side.

Heck, he comes back every 500 years to wage war with the elves and probably (should he have remained the entity) thought of it as one big game.

Having him turn into a somewhat malevolent AI that was just following orders to a T just…does not make sense to me. Especially if he was causing havoc with the elves for so long as implied.

Time-Travel

Okay honestly this is my biggest gripe with the later books.

We established, Books 4 and 5, time-travel was not possible.

All it does is send them back to interact with their memories. They don’t actually change anything about their lives outside the Void.

So having Future Emily and her son come back and save Present Emily throws all of the continuity out the window. And Future Emily’s little interaction with Ikol where it’s implied that they’ve done this over and over? Felt so weird after they actually dealt with Ikol. It felt like a useless little tag on that we ended up not actually needing. (Again, Supernova is my least favorite book for a lot of reasons)

Stonekeepers Good but Bad

*sighs again* Yes. This part would feed into the Problem of Too Many Characters Amulet has going on. But. We were not shown examples beyond our current group (Meaning Emily Trellis and somewhat Vigo) of good stonekeepers.

The Guardian Council that ruled over most of Alledia for centuries? Corrupt.

Silas? Self serving. (Despite being called hero numerous times, we were not actually shown anything he did besides stopping the rampaging stonekeepers back in The Stonekeepers Curse, and even then we weren’t actually shown, just told he did it.)

The Elfking(s)? Corrupted by their stones.

Most of Alledia in the early books respect Stonekeepers enough to kinda hold them in reverence. But we’re not shown anyone (beyond a couple panels of someone building stuff) notable enough to say Yes. Stonekeepers good. Anyone else who is mentioned is “Yeah, they were good, but they listened to their stone and turned into a rampaging monster” (Honestly Gabilan has more of a point here)

I get that’s why Ronin and hers were introduced, but they were introduced way too late into the series for it to feel that there could be some sort of balance.

Emily is one big outlier too here. She’s good but because she feels she has to be and has been told she has to be. Firebird honestly put a nice spin in this because we do see her fall. But Supernova kinda nixed that development sooooo.

*cough*ThisiswhatOCsarefor*cough*

Conclusion

Now those are the biggest ones that have bugged me for a while in addition to the new stuff from the new book. @motherstone has already touched upon multiple times some of the other issues that I tend agree with (go check them out, their art is amazing and I love their ideas. Also looking forward to their rewrite!)

Is there some technical issues with the books as well that bug me? Yes. (The later books are very over saturated in comparison to the older ones and it kinda shows, and I believe that Motherstone already touched upon the “smoothification” that started taking place about book 4/5, and there were quiet a few panels that felt very unfinished in the later two books)

Am I sad to see the series end? Yes. But Kazu at least finished as best he could to the end instead of half assing it or completely dropping the series altogether, and I can respect that.

Do I already have my own post-book 6 AU that I’m willing to ramble about at the drop of a hat? Also Yes. (May also heavily be influenced by some OCs)

Overall, I enjoyed Amulet enough to see it through the end. Books 3-5 will remain my favorites. I still will cherish the characters that we got. Amulet is probably the first thing that actually got me into interacting with Fanart and Fandom, so I’d say it’s a pretty big part of what developed me. And for the newbies. Hi! I see you! I look forward to seeing what you do with the series!

See y’all around!

(And btw, if you drop something in my ask box, I’ll apologize in advance if I don’t get to it. I tend to forget I have one)

[thehomebodydiaries]

homebody diaries .001.

(ft. salem's hand)

i need a fucking car.

i am so tired of paying for and using someone else’s car. i’m grateful that they’re letting me use it. but if i’m gonna keep paying for repairs and gas, i’d like it to be going to my car. i can’t tell you how hard it is to save for a car when i am taking care of someone else’s too.

i did have one, for ten years. drove a firebird as old as me. it sat in the driveway for a year before i finally agreed to sell it. $600. i would’ve demanded more for all the work i’d had done on it, but i mean… who am i kidding? it didn’t run anymore

there’s a “shift bid” at work right now. basically what that means is each person picks three potential shifts out of a list of, like, fifteen possible choices. whoever has the best scores for the month (customer surveys, break adherence, boring call center corporate nonsense, etc.) gets their first, second, or third pick. it’s kind of annoying, because the office is already pretty toxic, and it feels like everyone is looking to see who fucks up first. plus, i’m content with my schedule, i would like to work 10am-7pm (instead of my current 1pm-10pm) but as long as i keep my friday/saturdays off, i’ll be fine.

(note: i would like it to be documented that i here have some unkind things written about some people i know and have opted to leave it out of this online post on the off chance that i become the main protagonist in an alice oseman novel.)

i think my anxiety is getting worse. i think people at work are like… fucking with me. but, like… why would they? i don’t know, i just can’t shake the feeling that everybody wants to see me fail. it’s also getting hard for me to leave the house. i keep thinking about all the horrible things that could happen: the car crashes, the choking hazards, skin cancer, being stalked, etc. my eating is getting pretty bad again too. weed helps more than i thought, but i’m on a bit of a break right now. today is the first day and i’m already buggin’, thinking everyone hates me and my therapist thinks i’m a joke and i’m not worthy of any of my friends and i can’t even finish a cup of noodles or keep up with my own fucking book club.

i’m trying to just focus on my scores at work to think about something else. i write my book in the notepad when  i can. it’s good to have a project. i just wish i didn‘t second guess everyone’s intentions between bouts of inspiration.

anyway. i’m checking shit off of my list as fast as i can, but i’m only one little guy, and i don’t exactly have a lot of help - izzy is such a life saver when he can spare his time to run errands for me though. i’m trying to keep a rewards system going too. i got my second mystery box from the dreamland elf series, and it was the same one i already have. such a bummer, but i’m sure it’ll make someone pretty happy at a thrift store or something.

not much else to say. i’m drinking disaronno and trying to make a budget but i don’t know how spreadsheets work and i’m high and i’m gonna make a link.tree and a sorting quiz for my discord server.

[cwritesforfun]

Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!Reader: Fake Marriage, Real Feelings

This is based on a conversation between Dimitri and Nikolai from Season 2 Episode 7. EXCEPT, in this, you’re the Sun Summoner and the firebird is one of your friends, not your love interest.  Y/N = Your Name & Y/F/N = Your Friend’s Name *** lines from the show are in italics & I do not own the lines from the show or the plot ***

Masterlist

Nikolai’s POV

I leave Y/N and walk with Dominik Vertov, my friend, and commander in the First Army. Dominik asks, “When was the last time you parted with your compass?”  I answer “The Sun Summoner means a great deal to me and Ravka. She needs it more than I do...Don’t look at me like that, I want her to be happy. I hope someday, when this nightmare is over, she can be.” He replies “It’s a fake marriage with real feelings. It’s almost comical. Almost.” I reply “Just don’t tell her, will you?” He smirks and replies “Of course not, dear friend. But you should share it before someone else steals her heart. She is the Sun Summoner and with that comes adoring fans and possible lovers.” I reply “It also means potential threats.”

Y/N’s POV

After I destroyed the Fold, I couldn’t believe all that had happened. Did I really destroy it? Is the Darkling really dead? Did I really kill Y/F/N? 

Y/F/N told me with her dying breath to tell Nikolai about my feelings for him. She told me it was obvious how much we cared for each other. I don’t believe he likes me for me. 

I open the compass and I start following it. Nikolai told me that it doesn’t work like a normal compass. It takes you where you want to go and where your heart wants you to go. I want to see Nikolai. We make it back to the base and I can see Nikolai’s outline. The compass really worked. I stop walking and Nina asks “Hey, what’s wrong? Your heartbeat is weirdly fast.” I answer “I just... I have to see Nikolai and tell him how I feel.” She replies “He loves you back, don’t worry. Deep breathing will do wonders. Do you want me to lower your heartbeat to make you calmer?” I answer “No I’m fine.” Inej says “If the Sun Summoner feels this way about a crush, there is no hope for any of us.” Nina replies “Pft there is hope. Believe me. Go on, Y/N, you got this.”

We walk up to everyone and they go over to the Crows. Nikolai sees me, does a double take, smiles, and runs over to me. He picks me up and swings me in the air before I realize what is happening. He places me back on the ground and says “Sorry... I ... I’m just glad you’re alive and here.” I smile and before I can respond, someone pulls him away. He is the King after all and he is needed elsewhere. 

Later, I find myself standing looking up at Nikolai’s ship. I miss our travels and all of the pure joy we had out there. I also miss sleeping in the same bed as him and just having him to myself away from all of Ravka. I hear “You’re cute.” I turn, see Nikolai, and I ask “What did you just say?” He answers “I said you look like a fruit.” I ask “What does that even mean? It makes no sense.” He replies “I guess not... so what are you doing over here by my ship?” I answer “I guess a part of me misses when we were up in the air or on the water just traveling. Life seemed easier up there. I was so happy.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and says “You just destroyed the Fold. You should be happy and rejoicing right now.” I reply “Yeah, but it doesn’t... did you hear that Y/F/N died?” He nods and pulls me into a hug while saying “I did. I’m sorry to hear that.” I ask “Do you want to know what our last conversation was about?” He answers “Only if you want to share it.” I answer “It was about how obvious it was that I liked you and how I should tell you how I feel. I know we started this whole fake marriage thing and it was political. It’s not just political for me anymore. Nikolai Lantsov, I really like you.” He pulls away from me and asks “Are you serious?” I answer “Dead serious.” He replies “That’s pretty serious. Dominik said something similar to me before he died too. He said that you and I were in a fake marriage with real feelings. I just didn’t believe him when he said you liked me.” I reply “The compass led me to you. I think that shows how much I care for you.” He smirks and asks “Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to find you and the compass took me directly to you? It knows what the heart wants.” I wrap my arms around his neck and joke “Are we about to kiss right now?” He wraps his arms around my waist and says “That was very forward of you. We haven’t even been on a proper date.” I reply “We just destroyed the Fold and the Darkling. I think we deserve a kiss.” He smiles and leans in. I lean in the rest of the way and we kiss. 

Masterlist

[ryoryeonggu]

I came across a post about Mal Oretsev being portrayed well as “a former soldier” and it suddenly hits me. The things that I haven’t understood yet at that time make more sense now, but I’m not sure I’m able to express them clearly.

As I remember, the OP said something about the soldiers (especially those who have been trained and been one since they were a child like Mal) being “mission-minded”, they “don’t have time for romantic gestures” so the way they show their love is how hard they focus on tasks and work on the mission for their loved one’s benefits. (That’s why I can understand some people see other people be the better match for her because those people in question either has very long life experience or grows up in the different upbringing, which makes them have different ways to cope with stress or show romantic gestures, like giving flowers or gifts; meanwhile, Mal is about using his words - very solemnly, he basically pledged his loyalty and devotion to Alina, and his actions).

And that’s what Mal does in this season. The way he emphasized not just once about the importance of finding the Firebird, destroying the Fold, we can see his growing frustration when things went off the rails. Then he found out the truth about the identity of the Firebird, knowing that he had to sacrifice his life; ironically, he is the one who urged others to the direction of killing him as quickly as possible, the fastest way to gain Alina more power, to destroy the Fold, to complete the mission, for HER. With his restlessness, and even growing to distant following every next episode of season 2, we could barely see him relax or even smile much (as well as the fun Malina banters in ss1 we adored so much) since things got heater and heater. Being with Alina possibly is the only moments he let himself loose, allows himself to be in peace in the middle of the battlefield, to be slow, to be gentle, that's how their intimate scenes were portrayed. But also it’s the reason why we saw him constantly try so hard to pull away from her, “because if I let myself feel a thing, I’d never find the Firebird - the one thing you need.”

Let’s get another example is that Zoya Nazyalensky. She is a soldier. She had no interest in romantic relationships and even showed a lot of eye rolls at the whole “we betraying our countries for love” between Nina/Matthias (and the whole concept of love in general). She remained being fixed on her goal - saving and fighting for Ravka. She was clearly distressed at the loss of her family, but she didn't let it show clearly and continued appearing to be strong so she could get things done for the sake of her country. Then there's Mal, who was dumped traumas after traumas, then had to witness the love of his life be engaged to someone else, but he put all his feeling aside everytime to do the right thing, to protect Alina. Despite different motivations and purposes, Mal and Zoya also have a lot in common about their mindset and their manners, shutting off their emotion and their pain for the greater good, constantly and restlessly moving forward to “fight for what matters most to” them. For Zoya, it’s Ravka, her country. For Mal, it’s Alina. BECAUSE SHE’S HIS FLAG, SHE’S HIS NATION.

[iding-rollercoasters-in-posts]

do my followers care if i stray slightly from my gimmick to give a trip report? its still rollercoaster themed so im doing it.

i had a six flags america day! it is technically my home park but i rarely go because i dont know anyone who really likes it(the sfa experience). the last time i went was over a decade ago, and i wasnt a rollercoaster person then, so these were all new credits for me! i went with my partner, who came into town for my birthday (it was on the 9th) and my brother. today was the first day of fright fest, but all that stuff didnt actually start until after dark- we got there shortly after opening and nearly everything was a walk-on.

they renamed the mind eraser to skywinder, i didnt know that lol. i skipped out on that (its an slc can you blame me.) and batwing because the whole laying down aspect kinda intimidated me. someday soon!

heres a brief review of the others, in the order i rid them in:

firebird: woof, this one was a headbanger. i was very determined to try and keep my head steady but i was still getting slammed back and forth into the restraints. i think its got a fun layout tho! if this had different restraints we’d get along fine, im sure.

roar: ive heard so many bad things but i actually really liked it. not sure what else to say, i just had a good time!

ride of steel: definitely not the smoothest hyper ive ever been on. ive seen a lot of folks say the helixes are boring and i definitely agree, but the rest is pretty fun, with nice pops of airtime on the hills.

the wild one: this one was just boring honestly. there was also a really painful transition at one point that had me go ‘ow!’ out loud. i did enjoy the helix at the end, at least.

joker’s jinx: this one was closed earlier in the day so we went on it in the latter half in the day, when a lot of people started coming in for fright fest and actually had a line, though it wasnt too bad. not sure what else to say again, it was great. (also i loved how our ride op just gave a casual ‘bye’ when she hit the launch.) if i have to complain about anything, the corkscrew was a little rough and you come to a pretty painful stop before pulling into the station, really wish that was a smoother stop.

ragin’ cajun: this one also had a line. im not usually a wild mouse person, but this one was just a lot of fun. my partner said they wouldve marathoned it if not for the line! it also gets points for the gator theming, because crocodilians are my favorite animals.

[hrodvitnon]

The gang is playing 'never have I ever'.

Maia: Oh, I got one! Never have I ever been someone else's first time.

Basically all the Titans put one finger down.

Ling: Jeez, really? Pretty intense for a first time.

Goji: I know right??

Ling: You say that like it's happened multiple times.

Goji: Understatement of the century. Especially with guys, shockingly.

Mothra: Can you blame them? I know I can't.

Maia: But like- practically speaking...

Goji: This again? If I didn't know better, Miss Simmons, I'd think you really like talking about my-

Ilene Chen: Here I thought we were going to aspire to be normal for at least an hour...

Whilst they argue about what constitutes as normal on Infant Island, Vivienne takes note of a certain firebird tapping his fingers quickly in regards to this subject and being very uncharacteristically silent. She gets a devilish idea when it's her turn.

Vivienne: Never have I ever had my backdoor virginity taken by Godzilla.

She says this while looking directly at Rodan. He looks like he wants to rip her throat out in that moment.

Godzilla: Hah, good one. Happened to more people here than you'd think...

Rodan: Fuckin dirty move, Viv.

Vivienne: I expect to hear everything you can remember about this later.

Rodan puts down one of his last two fingers so the only one up is his middle finger. Mothra and Shimo put one down as well. Then, Kong tries to sneak down one without anyone noticing. Andrews does, however.

Andrews: No way. When??

Kong: Three days ago...

Goji: Mhm~

Goji winks at Kong while the ape avoids eye contact.

Ling: Who's turn next?

Goji: Oooh, no. Someone's lying...

He stares directly into Ghidorah. The hydra glares daggers and snarls back.

Maia & Vivienne: No fucking way.

Goji: Put it down, Ichi.

Ghidorah: Fuckin assholes.

Goji: Yes, yes I did.

Ichi: You know, it wouldn't be nearly the literal pain in the ass it is if it wasn't for that fucking knot!

Goji, faux shock: Gasp. That's not what I heard when it happened.

Maia, snuggling up to San: If it's any consolation, you're braver than I am. And it gave me good reason to pamper you after the fact!

San, happy purring: It did~

[Rodan and Kong cuddle with their respective mates, seeing as something similar happened with them. Ichi and Ni scowl at the lack of cuddling they get, look at the Chen sisters.]

Ilene: No.

Ling: You're both hot, but...

Ni: Grrr... okay, here's one. Never have I ever gotten pegged by a human!

Rodan, lowers finger: Heheheh...

Ichi: ...why are you looking at me like that?

Rodan: First off, because it feels REALLY good, so I ain't about to complain. Secondly, give it a try. I'm sure it'll make things much friendlier if you bend over for the Bone Doctor, if she's willing. Be careful though. She bites.

[Rodan proudly shows off the claiming bite marks on his neck. Ichi and Ni stare at Vivienne in vague fear. Vivi stares at them, unblinking, sipping her tea.]

[shirohige-pirates]

Birds of a Feather

CisFem Reader x Marco

CW: Violence, blood, language, adult themes and scenes. 18+ only

Summary: Life has not been kind to you. After a string of bad relationships, you're a little jaded and a little depressed in all honestly. The worst day of your life seems to be the turning point, but the roller coaster ride that follows could either throw you soaring free, or have you caged forever?

Tag List: @clumsyraccoon

Chapter 26: Ivan-Cause

You gave Marco a quick kiss before exiting the SEL and heading up into the office. You’d both agreed to trade off who drove, so that neither car would accidentally sit for too long. You had a lot to talk to Ivan about, and the only thing that weighed on you as you took the elevator to your floor was where to start.

Once you got off the elevator, you were greeted by Buggy, peering from over the top of his cubicle. You could see the questions in his eyes, and you gave him a soft smile even as you handed off a cup of coffee from Sanji’s café. Despite not getting to bed until later than you would’ve preferred, you were both up early, and decided to celebrate your first Monday living together by treating your respective offices to coffee.

“What’s up Bugs?”

“You got dropped off.” He says, taking the coffee with a quiet thank you.

“Were you staring out the window or something?”

“No, well, no not really, but you’re usually in earlier on Mondays and I was worried. I wasn’t staring, I just saw. It’s a flashy car.” He takes a sip. “But it’s not your Firebird.”

“It’s not, but it is a really nice car.” You admit. “Nice driver too.”

Buggy chokes on his coffee, sputtering a moment and mopping up the small mess quickly. “The vet?”

You nod. “Yes, the vet… His name’s Marco.”

Buggy’s eyes nearly fall out of his head. “You already know his name?”

“Buggy, we’ve gone on a couple dates, of course I know his name!” You huff.

“Well, yeah, but you didn’t even say The Mechanic’s,” he emphasizes the title in a snobby voice, rolling his eyes, “name until like, months into it, and I don’t know that the one business man even had a name.”

You put a hand over your face, hoping that there weren’t any obvious signs of embarrassment scrawled on it. You knew Buggy wasn’t nearly as oblivious as he tended to act, but having him toss your own insecurities about names in your face like this was a bit much.

Names just had an intimacy as far as you were concerned. Maybe it was just a hangup you’d learned from your family, who tended to use titles and surnames almost exclusively, even amongst one another.

“Is Ivan in?” You question in a long-suffering tone.

Buggy nods. “Got in before me, he’s been in the office with the door closed, but no one else is in there.”

You give Buggy your thanks, and go over to the desk nearest Ivan’s office, handing out the other coffee to Bon-chan.

“Bon-bon, how’s the boss?” You question, pulling Ivan’s and your drink free from the caddy.

“Ah, thank you, thank you.” He says, taking a drink before answering you. “Ivana was busy busy this morning, but she did say to let you in if you needed it. I think you have some good news?” He prompts, giving you a delighted knowing look.

“I shouldn’t be surprised you all would catch on so fast, but yes. I do have some good news. News I want Ivan to know first, for one, and from me before anyone else.” You assert.

“Goodness, you make it sound like you’re getting married.” Bonclay teases and your jaw goes slack.

“No! No, not y-. Not at all. We’re just… I’m just…” You sigh and set your head down on the desk. “You heard nothing.”

“I heard nothing.” He agrees, patting your shoulder lightly before you turn and go into Ivan’s office.

You knock before entering, hearing Ivan call you in before you press the lever style handle down with your elbow, using your hip to open the door to avoid spilling the coffees you had. Ivan was in lady mode, looking over some paperwork, intently enough she was using her glasses like she was supposed to.

“Hey mom,” you say, setting down a coffee and taking a sip of your own.

“Ah, this is a pleasurable meeting, not a business one.” Ivan replies, looking over the frame of her glasses and smiling. “The vet, he is nice, no?”

“He is.” You agree. “And you know him already. Have known him, I imagine, for longer than I have.”

She considers things for a moment, nodding her head before taking a drink. “You’re a smart one. You sorted out the underbelly of our operations quickly, and then you operated in a way that made it look like they didn’t even exist. Knowing you knew, but opted not to say anything, I let it be. It is the same with Pops’ boys.”

“Except I didn’t know.” You point out.

“Not until you knew.” Ivan replies. “You sorted it out on your own, and you came across one of them on your own. I didn’t even so much as hint at their involvement, above board or otherwise.”

You start to say something and then stop, taking another sip and nodding. “Point made.” You’re quiet for a moment before continuing. “He’s… staying at my place.”

Ivankov freezes in place for a moment, before slowly setting the paper work down, taking off her glasses, and folding her hands together before looking at you. You aren’t sure what to say, or if you need to wait for Ivan to say something. This is the first time in your life where you’d gotten this kind of reaction out of her.

“He was kicked out from the mansion?”

“… No.” You answer. Suddenly you feel like you’re twelve, fresh off the docks and caught by the scruff of your neck like a cat again. “I didn’t want him to go home, so he’s brought over some clothes and amenities, and is… staying… over.”

“Interesting.”

You open your mouth a couple times and close it. Ivan’s tone is mostly neutral, but you’re not sure if the hints of amusement in it are truly amused, or on the verge of protective anger. “… How so?”

“You and Marco had something in common, in that you both tended to politely keep people at quite the length. I understand why, for both of you,” she explains, waving away the need for details and returning to her paperwork. “But it is interesting to me that you’ve opened up to one another so completely, and so quickly.”

“Yeah… we uh… that is…”

“Did you sort out on whose boat that you arrived here?”

“… Yes.” You tilt your head. You were aware that Ivankov was at the center of a lot of threads of information, but you have to admit you’re a little surprised about how well she’s keeping pace with everything.

“My dear child,” Ivan begins, reaching across the desk and taking your hands in hers. She always did this when she had something exceptionally important to talk about. “Did you tell him about your biological family?”

You could feel your stomach knot. Technically, you’d never even told Ivan, but given how the conversation was going, you were quickly understanding you never needed to.

You nod. “Just last night.”

“He stayed, and drove you into work this morning. That’s all I need to know.” She assures you, patting your hand before leaning back. “Marco has always been a kind soul, in the years I’ve known him. Fair and firm, slow to anger, and able to let go of such rage even if it rose up within him. He played his role on the ship well, and has transitioned into his role with the end of the great pirate era.

“Healthy in heart and head.” She returns to her paper work, giving you one more assuring smile. “I would have supported whoever you decided to trust, but of all the people I know on this island, I cannot see a better choice.”

You sit there quietly for a moment, sipping your coffee while Ivan works. She doesn’t shoo you out, and after a few long moments, you break the silence to ask the one question still gnawing at your brain. One you were certain you knew the answer to, but you wanted to be sure.

“You knew all of it, didn’t you?” You question.

Ivan pauses again, leaning back a little. “It took me a couple years, but yes. I knew what island you came from, and I knew what was happening there. That was enough, but one time - just once, mind you - I saw you go into your room. You were so painfully careful about keeping it a secret, I doubt anyone else ever saw.” She admits. “Such knowledge will never pass my lips, of that you can be sure.”

You sink into the chair, a strange and powerful sense of relief turning your muscles and bones to mush. It wasn’t just the relief of not being alone in the knowledge of who you were, but it was also the feeling of acceptance. Ivan knew and not once, in all those years, did she treat you one way or another because of it.

And the knowledge of the Library would’ve been far more useful beyond just what you did to help.

“Thank you.” The words are quiet. Firm, but fragile at the same time. A weight of years behind them and the tremulous shudder of relief all at the same time.

“As unnecessary as it is, you are welcome.” Ivan responds, eyes on her paperwork more than anything else. Whatever it is that has her busy today must be pressing, but she’s still giving you as much of her focus as she can spare. “It is all about freedom, child. All of it. How they lived, how we operate, what we hope to achieve, and what was left unspoken between us. It is no good if your decisions aren’t your own. As much for me, as you, as Marco - even Buggy shouldn’t ever feel coerced into action.

“Much as he may need the occasional kick in the backside to be prompted into it.”

There’s a moment of silence, and then Ivan sighs a little, shifting before your eyes from a woman to a man. Simultaneously sillier in this form, he was also usually more serious too.

“If the impossible should happen, and he brings you sorrow, I shall give him my most powerful wink.” Ivankov asserts, before giving you a big grin. “And you can tell him so!”

You laugh. “I’ll be sure to warn him,” you promise, standing up and coming around to Ivan’s side of the desk, giving him a hug. “Thanks, dad.”

“Of course, little stray, of course.” He says, patting your back.

[hondagirll]

@dollsome-does-tumblr tagged me on my top 9 books. I need to stress how HARD this was to choose only 9. As someone who (checks my GR) reads an average of 75 books a year, this was incredibly stressful but I did it. This are my top books that I come back and re-read, year after year, some decade after decade.

The Queen's Thief by Megan Walen Turner: Our first introduction to Gen, love of my life and the most unreliable narrator I have ever met.

Persuasion by Jane Austen: Second chance at love? Indifferent family members? Anne who thinks Wentworth is completely and totally over her and Wentworth, who thinks he is completely and totally over Anne except she's the sole focus of his attention every time they meet up? HERE FOR IT.

Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace: It is really hard to pick one from the series, the last six books I usually re-read in one go but I love Betsy's junior year if only for the herbarium project shenagians - "THERE WERE NO FALL FLOWERS TURNED IN! NEVER, IN ALL MY TEACHING YEARS!" Incredible.

The Firebird by Susanan Kearsley: You have to read book #1 first but this sequel is my favorite (and I love books 1 and 3 a lot!). So many characters and storylines and I adore the setting. At 500 pages it's one of those books you can just sit down and spend a entire day getting lost in it. Which I do no matter how many times I re-read.

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh: Re-read this back in July and this historical romance novel still holds up. Such a great love story. Also nice to see Wulfric meet someone who isn't afraid of him, his ducal title and his quizzing glass.

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery: I first discovered Anne when I was 10 or 11 and instantly recognized she was a kindred spirit. That feeling hasn't changed over the years. That said, I had a hard choice choosing between this one or Rilla of Ingleside, because I love Rilla so much as well. This one won out 'cuz it the start of Anne and her story but Rilla was a close runner up.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell: Don't get me wrong, I love North and South and the romance, but this monstrosity of book depicting small town (white) life back in 1800's England I love just a smidge more. It's got everything - family, step parents, young love, charismatic older men, secrets and gossip. Lots and lots of gossip. Seriously. This book is little old ladies gossip central station.

Long May She Reign by Ellen Emerson White: Final book in the President's Daughter series and my absolute favorite. Meg is one of the toughest fictional characters I have ever met and I am in awe of her and her strength. Plus, she's the President's daughter which is its own strain to bear.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn: I know people have *opinions* on the show but let me tell you, when I first read this book twenty years ago it imprinted on my soul like a little baby bird. Colin and Penelope forever! Always!

tagging @queenofattolia @ladytharen @acehardy @mrgaretcarter @librarianmouse @stars-inthe-sky @hmsharmony @waywardted and whoever else wants to do this. I know I have more readers on my dash!

[greywolfheirs]

malkolai + mal meeting madraya and mal a nervous mess

Send me Malkolai prompts!

Today I present another fic of questionable quality. Tomorrow? Who knows! (Also, I love your prompts, so don't feel bad about sending them!)

Anyway yeah I never read the Shadow and Bone series so I don't know much about madraya but I hope this still manages to fit in canon? If not, consider it an AU lol.

***

“Are you absolutely sure this is a good idea?” Mal asked, his thousandth question in so many hours.

For the thousandth time, Nikolai responded with a reassuring smile. “Yes, Mal, I’m sure.”

“I just want to remind you that I have no real family titles and I’m not even the Firebird anymore,” Mal pointed out, adjusting his collar nervously. “I’m a nobody.”

Nikolai stepped forward and fixed the collar. “And I’d just like to remind you that you’re a hero to the world. But even if you weren’t, you’re the one I chose to spend the rest of my life with, which means you’re not a nobody for long. You’re definitely someone to me.”

Leaning forward more, Nikolai captured Mal’s lips in a soft kiss. His shoulders relaxed, as if that one act reassured him more than any words had. It sent a thrill through Nikolai, knowing that he brought comfort to his boyfriend.

No, fiancé, he reminded himself.

That was the whole point of this: announcing Nikolai’s engagement to the queen mother. Mal had proposed to Nikolai on the deck of the Volkvony weeks earlier. It could never be an official marriage, of course, with Nikolai needing alliances more than air, but it was the one that mattered. Still, Nikolai felt it important that his mother know, lest she have a more public reaction later on. She hadn’t spoken to Mal more than in passing, so it was also an opportunity for Mal to meet her. Hence the nerves.

Less than an hour later, they were at a small dining table. The former queen was at the head, with Nikolai and Mal on either side of the table. Although stiff, Mal had gotten through introductions and it was going smoothly.

“Madraya,” Nikolai said as they began their second course, “I’m afraid I wasn’t entirely honest about my reasons for introducing you to Mal.”

The man in question stiffened more, and avoided Tatiana’s eyes as she replied, “Do tell dear.”

Nikolai cleared his throat. “The truth is, he and I have gotten closer than ever these past few months, and…and we’ve decided to marry.”

Tatiana blinked, fork poised midair. “Oh.”

“It’ll be a small ceremony, not announced to the public,” Nikolai rushed to clarify. “It’s just—well, to be frank, he’s the love of my life and I couldn’t bear to be with anyone else.”

Mal relaxed fractionally at that, directing a small smile towards Nikolai, who easily returned it.

“I didn’t realize—well I suppose congratulations are in order.” Tatiana said awkwardly.

“Thank you, mother,” Nikolai said, relaxing entirely. But it was a little early for relief.

“Of course, you’ll have to find heirs,” the queen mother added conversationally. “Although it’s good you can’t produce one together.”

“Sorry, why’s that?” Nikolai asked.

“Well not only is he a commoner,” Tatiana began, causing Nikolai’s heart to sink, “but he’s got Morozova blood in him.”

“Well, yes, but it’s not like it means anything anymore,” Mal clarified before Nikolai could respond.

“Well, it might mean something down the line,” Tatiana corrected. “Especially since it would taint the Lantsov bloodline.”

“Taint?” Mal asked, echoing Nikolai’s thoughts. “Morozova’s been dead for ages—and one man’s actions don’t define his ancestors.”

“Well, yes, of course,” Tatiana reassured him. “But he’s got Grisha in the family.”

“Madraya—” Nikolai began, but Mal was already reacting. Fuck, this wasn’t ending well, was it?

“I’m sorry, are you still caught up on Grisha?” he demanded. “After all they’ve done for you?”

“Mal,” Nikolai warned.

“Well, it’s not as if everything they’ve done has helped,” Tatiana said with a laugh. “The only reason we needed the Sun Summoner was because another Grisha caused problems.”

“And the actions of the few tell us about the Grisha as a whole?” Mal was getting angry now, instigated by the mention of Alina.

“Of course not but your ancestors are a part of that few aren’t they?”

“Mother, may I remind you—” Nikolai’s voice was entirely ignored.

“Did my sacrifice not make up for those mistakes? Or would you prefer it stay permanent?”

“Why, that is an utterly outlandish question to ask! Of course I appreciate your actions for our country and that you managed to survive them.”

“Yet you still speak against Grisha as if their lives are worth—”

“Alright!” Nikolai shouted, slamming his fist on the table to get their attention. “I think that’s enough debate for the night. Shall we move on to lighter topics? Or will both of you manage to behave?”

Tatiana sniffed and went back to eating. Mal looked sheepish despite the fire still blazing in his eyes.

The dinner finished just as awkwardly, although the atmosphere was entirely changed. Mal managed to give the queen mother a formal goodbye without instigating anymore argument but Nikolai could tell he was still enraged by the set of his shoulders on the way back to their quarters.

“God, that woman,” Mal muttered once the door was closed and he began to undress. “Can’t believe I ever cared what she thought.”

“You cared what she thought?” Nikolai asked, surprised.

“Yeah, she is your family,” Mal pointed out. “Suppose I didn’t make for a good impression.”

Nikolai hummed. “Suppose not.”

“Sorry about that,” Mal said, settling his arms around Nikolai’s waist.

Nikolai shook his head. “You were right to be angry. She was acting ridiculous.”

Mal looked relieved at that, and leaned in to press a quick kiss to Nikolai’s lips. When they pulled away, Nikolai couldn’t help himself.

“Now how about we try our damndest to make an heir with a ruined bloodline?” he said.

Mal rolled his eyes and huffed a laugh. “You could just ask me to take you to bed like a normal person.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Nikolai responded cheekily.

Mal’s response was to push him until he fell into the bed. It was probably supposed to be insulting, except that the follow-up was some very delightful kisses and a wonderful night together. So Nikolai let it go.

[crimsonblackrose]

.

he has take out packets of a red sauce on his bed side table a can of beer in his bed, a bottle of beer on the bedside table and a bag of chips I don't recognize in the bed.

Robby's picture on the fridge has him wearing glasses and smiling and shows that he was in the 2010 championships

Fried baloney for breakfast with ketchup

I spy a poison cd

The amount of beer outside of his bedroom...

I think that's about 8 sitting around. One open on the counter, 2 in a six pack on the counter, 2 sitting right next to him and maybe 3 in the container at his table.

His table has wheels.

That's a big bag full of empty beer cans...so maybe he at least recycles? 😂 (I know he doesn't because I think it's the first thing Miguel tells him about)

He has at least 3 mystery spices one of which is jumbo and 2 on top of the stove.

He owns a coffee maker and a knife block which for season 1 Johnny surprises me since it looks like most of his food is take out or like super easy.

I have no clue what he's watching but maybe someone else will recognize it

Miggy lives in 109

His Boss's name is Mike and possibly doesn't pay him.

The shops:

Kyler (his friends call him Ky) owes Miggy's grandma pepto and Johnny a pizza which he drops and the lady finishes off (forgot her name).

He has the powdered coffee mate creamer, which is generally sugary, which means he doesn't take his coffee black.

Buys the cheap further reduced red sticker meat.

Iron Eagle with an RC cola and whisky? I don't know what he poured in, a jack daniels?

Daniel gets Miyagi advice via flashbacks, Johnny get's Chappy advice via movies.

His number is 555-0197 (from the tow truck paper)

The LaRusso Auto he goes to that the Pontiac Firebird is taken to is the Sherman Oaks location

Johnny canonically doesn't have a phone, (I literally watched him call Mike and then forgot he had a phone. 😂) how'd he get home after his car got towed?

He takes a taxi to LaRusso Auto... so he must've gotten home eventually.

I always forget the bonsai pin Sheila wears.

The bonsai come with watering instructions.

Johnny tossing the bonsai aside (a very pretty one btw) always hurts my plant loving self, but I did realize that two people literally watch him do it, so I'm pretty sure that bonsai will get saved.

I wonder how Daniel talks about that meeting because he's so sincerely delighted by it and other than like bro-ing with Anoush and Louie really kind about the whole thing.

The guy who gives him the keys is not the guy who raises his rent later.

Johnny has at least 4 trophies in his box.

[adverbian]

Tag Game

Tagged by @voluptatiscausa and @kotias! ❤️❤️

How many works do you have on ao3?

19!

What's your total ao3 word count?

81,653. Less 2,655 for BooB Omens (the bad porn crack fic collaboration).

What fandoms do you write for?

Good Omens, entirely and completely.

Top five fics by kudos:

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Crowley’s been giving Aziraphale space to adjust to being on his own, finally free of Heaven. Now, a gorgeous American philanthropist has started hanging around the bookshop. Has Crowley left things Too Late? (Spoiler alert: There’s a very happy resolution.)

Is This Desire?: A smutty, sex-pollen meditation on desire and consent.

O You and Me At Last: News of one of Aziraphale’s past admirers has Crowley feeling a little… possessive.

one more river (and that's the river of jordan): They are alone now — they are free. They are both nervous, but eager, newlyweds. (My very first posted fic ever!)

In contenti e in allegria: Completely shameless PWP, honeymoon in Paris edition. With 69, galettes, and cheering from the peanut gallery.

Do you respond to comments?

Oh gosh yes! I love to say thank you and generally flail.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Oh gosh. I don't write much angst; my soft heart can't take it. I guess Revolver, a double drabble set in the late 1960s, ends with unresolved pining: "Aziraphale loosened the knot of his tie slightly, and swallowed. He wasn’t actually certain he could withstand The Firebird, not with Crowley so close. Maybe the be-bop had been the lesser evil, after all."

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Oh lord have mercy. I think nearly everything I've written has been deliriously happy in the end, because of who I am as a person (and the fact that I started writing fic because I actually could not stand the heartbreak of S2 for one more second without losing my entire mind; I was genuinely not okay).

Set Me As a Seal Upon Your Heart is probably the longest, happiest, most glowing ending.

Confiteor may have been the biggest relief.

Do you get hate on fics?

I have gotten exactly zero so far. People have been so lovely.

Do you write smut?

I write a lot of smut. I have.... 3 T-rated works, 4 M-rated works, and the rest are E.-rated. I'm actually surprised it's 3 T-rated. I thought it was 1. I guess I wrote a couple of non-smutty drabbles.

Craziest crossover:

Lololol there is a very smol Lord Peter Wimsey crossover in a footnote to one more river. That is so far the only crossover.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

If I have, I'm blissfully unaware <- same as two prev....

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not yet, although I got (and said yes to) a request to translate Da Pacem, a sestina about Aziraphale and Crowley stealing hours to meet under cover of darkness to plan their resistance (and perhaps to engage in... other activities).

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Other than BooB Omens, no! (Which was an extremely loose and wild collab that just kinda happened one evening; I spent all of like 15 minutes writing a deliberately stupid paragraph.) I would love to collab more!

All time favorite ship?

Aziraphale/Crowley, always. I do not know why, but they have taken over my entire brain in a way that nothing else ever has. And I was there for Picard/Crusher, Mulder/Scully, and Buffy/Angel, which were a lot.

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Hnnnng I really want to write one followup to the Auprès de ma blonde timeline, but it's so so patchy and poorly developed as of the last uh six months.

What are your writing strengths?

I am told that I am good at multi-sensory smut, and humor, and that there is a smoothness and flow to my writing.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I do not know what I am doing with any sort of complicated plot! So far, the most plot I have ever managed was a very very simple and short-lived apparent love triangle in Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. I am trying to write more of a plot for a fic containing Leonardo da Vinci, but that WIP has been superseded by Event Fics for the last few months. It will happen!

Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

Sure? I can almost do it if it's French (as long as I am allowed to look things up). (French friends, privately tell me how bad did I fuck it up in Auprès de ma blonde; I will sneakily fix it. I am sorry that I did not know you when I was writing it or I would have asked you to beta-read it!)

First fandom you wrote in?

Ahahahahaha, Baby-Sitters Club, if you count handwritten fic in a notebook that never saw anybody's eyes but my own. We're talking original-era BSC books here.

If you mean posted on the internet.... it was Good Omens.

Favorite fic you've written?

Oh gosh. I cannot pick just one.

Is This Desire? is probably the one that I feel the most accomplished about.

O You and Me At Last has what might be my favorite smut scene.

Exsultet was probably the one that took the most effort to write -- I still have a completely-different alternate version in WIPs that is getting closer to seeing the light of day.

And my newest fic, Gibraltar May Tumble, is probably the most I have ever had to trust the process while writing; it started out so larval and had to go through a whole metamorphosis.

Gosh I don't even know who to tag that hasn't already played. Er, @onedappercat, @wingsofopal, ???

[genyathefirebird]

⭐️ End of year questions ⭐️

Thank you to @mekana47 for tagging me in. I was feeling a little down-in-the-dumps since I haven't written a lot (arbitrary I know, but compared to the last few years), but these questions were nice and turns out I am proud of what I've done.

Tagging in @ongreenergrasses @strangesmallbard @melodious-madrigals @aphroditestummyrolls @lttrsfrmlnrrgby if you want to play and anyone else who has been writing and arting and crafting!

What is your favourite thing you created?

the ties that bind us - my first fic of the year and a fun splash around in magic realism in the world of The English where Cornelian Whipp sees threads of destiny and we follow as she finds love and revenge. There was a lot in the show’s costume design and fashion at the time that I got to read around but it was really sparked by Emily Blunt's delivery on her lines about there being magic.

Which work are you proudest of?

I try to sing a melody (your way) - a Piranesi fic in the voice of the House. I wanted to play with a setting-voice for a long time and the House was the perfect sandbox and I got to walk a few more halls and staircases before reaching the roof to look down on all its infinite kindness

Is there anything you are proud of that you achieved this year?

love, the armour saints wear - this one is a Grishaverse fic. Genya is a fascinating character and this is where I got to put the young Tailor under a microscope and explore her as the asset others view her as. As a treat I also threw in a splash of the ongoing tussle between the verse's most dysfunctional mother and son. Baghra is hilariously fun to write.

Did you explore anything new this year? (A new way to be creative, a trope you didn’t write before, or an idea you hadn’t thought of earlier, etc.)

I committed to submitting an original short story to a lit magazine (which has now shut down). Touch Of The Sun was a coming-of-age sci-fi about a young girl Asha and life living underground on a sun-scorched Earth. It was fun to write for a different purpose, but now I'm not too sure what to do with it. I will be writing more original pieces though.

Which work gave you the most difficulty?

keep me searching for a heart of gold - La'an, oh La'an, you know sometimes you come across a character you share a little facet of personality with, or more than a few? Anyway, this has stalled a little both because of its angst and also because of writer's block, so I guess we're both in this time loop.

What was your biggest creative challenge this year?

Boring, but I've not been well so trying to find some free time to sit down where I have motivation and energy to write has been The Challenge. It's meant I've had to change my habits (easier than I thought) and also try to be kinder to myself about not-writing (harder than it should be).

Which work brought you the most joy?

we can't keep meeting like this - funnily enough, it's a bit of a mirror to I will share your road, the Andy and The Doctor fic I wrote a while back, in that she repeatedly meets another long-lived acquaintance… Death. Bashed this one out fairly quick and I like the way I wrote their recognition-to-friendship. It was also fun plotting out their meeting points across time and a map.

Which of your works do you think people should check out?

Anything you want! The mix of fandoms and genres and concepts continues to grow.

Do you have creative plans for next year? Is there anything exciting you’re currently working on?

I have two upcoming fics in my Genya the Firebird series. One is the multichaptered story and a twist on the Firebird tale, and the second is a tooth rottingly sweet but angsty one shot. I want to write the first draft in full before I post anything which is why it may be some more months.

Lastly, any words of wisdom or anything else you would like to share?

Nothing revelatory but 3 things that have helped me this year…

1) If you're not happy with your writing or fic goals, change them!

2) If you want to write something, write it because your first audience is you!

3) If there's a story type or a trope that you enjoy, remember you're never limited to writing it once!

Happy New Year and hope 2024 brings you much enjoyment for whatever you're working on! 💜💜💜

[possuminabathtub]

✍️💌🎨

✍️

Ideal writing set up? Sitting at my desk or on my bed, sometime late at night (but I’m not too tired), the vibes are right, maybe a candle burning and some rain, but the house is silent, I’ve got my writing tab and my playlist open and nothing else (if I have a social media tab open no writing gets done), the clicky keyboard sounds are divine and I am in the zone.

💌

Favorite trope? Living weapon is my go-to, something about the dehumanization and violence and lack of free will in the experience of life, it just gets me. But a much less explored trope (if I can call it that) I truly adore that I see sometimes from living weapon stories, or even whump in general, is the witnessing of someone else’s pain, whether it’s finding a recording, or seeing it, or even seeing the scars and permanent damage and recognizing it, it’s something about the acknowledgment of pain, the act of being seen and perceived (and sometimes loved and cared for despite the horrors), it gets me every time and I don’t know if that’s an actual trope, but it’s something I love.

🎨

If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?

The very first scene that comes to mind is one from the early chapters of Souls, and I’ve lamented the fact that I can’t turn my fic into a show or movie because the image of Firebird towering over the injured and nearly dying Captain America after he’s been pulled from the river by the Winter Soldier, as he’s being defended by the Winter Soldier, her metal wings spread wide in a display of terrifying lethal rage, all of them muddy and bloody and angry and fighting for their lives. I love that scene, the imagery it brings to mind, and to see it in any form of art would be a gift like no other. (I kid you not, I have genuinely lamented about the fact that I cannot manifest a tv show out of my fic, bc the cinematic masterpiece that would be Firebirds wings? The framing and the cinematic shots portraying her as an Angel of war and death, the memory chair as her halo? Unparalleled)

[samthepotterhead]

I thought I was only gonna make a review at the end, as this is a standalone, and I wasn't super into it at first, but this chapter has been the most thrilling so far. which is a pity since it's only a flashback chapter. but even in this chapter, it feels like I'm reading an introduction still. there is so much worldbuilding still going on and I'm still a little lost and every sentence has five lore words, so I have to look into the glossary every 2 secs. I do have to admit that might also be bc I know zero south-east asian languages. but I'm also having a bit of a hard time with the world itself. I thought this was gonna be high fantasy but it's kind of sci fi too?

on a positive note though, I do like this chapter for its action scenes. it's giving auror/order duty and crows mission/heist. I generally have this weird thing where I have to imagine a fantasy magic story is set in a world that I already know well but like an au or future version /in this case), in order to motivate me lol. I imagine the theonite world as a modern grishaverse, it also makes sense bc of the "races" and the elemental magic for the most part. it's essentially about tidemakers and misaki is a corporalnik too (more heartrender than healer) and there are two inferni in this scene including robin, and elleen (who is kaelish "coded") is something akin to a sun summoner (the holographic thing she can do is really cool) and koli is a materialnik etc. to me it fits even more than it did with the grishaverse as a wizarding world au. also, they call misaki shadow, like hello wraith. but at the same time they are basically superheroes, especially with the firebird symbol printed on robins back. (I also just realized the misaki flashback plot is basically the plot of miraculous ladybug?)

to summarize, I'm a nerd (and autistic) and just like to know the ins and outs of a magic world and dislike stepping into a new one. so, interesting that I chose to read a fantasy standalone this time... I guess I just wanted to try it out. I feel like its gonna leave me unsatisfied though. but we'll see.

also very interesting to me is that this is called adult fantasy, since I can't see much of a difference to YA yet. I do see how GOT and e.g. the grishaverse are different, but that's also bc one is high fantasy and the other one is idk, something else. so far in this book there is as much gore as in the grisha books (think soc and oomen's eye), and even as in hp if I recall correctly. I think it's generally funny that hp is considered a middle grade series bc by dh it's at least YA. also, in this book the protagonist (or one of the two) is literally a 14 year old. and misaki is an angsty teenager in this chapter, they even have a romance trope. it also makes me kinda angry bc I recently saw a post about how YA writers are just too bad to write adult fiction and it's so untrue?? of course there are badly written YA books, but so are adult fantasy ones? and not to mention those two series again, but hp and the soc and kos duologies are objectively well written? ok, not objectively maybe, but a lot of people would agree. and I am well out of the main YA target group, I'm in my mid 20s and I honestly still love those books (even if I haven't read any new good series in a while). I mean reading YA at that age does say something about me, but still... ok, rant over.

anyway, I'm starting to enjoy this book even though the writing style is not teribbly great imo (not bad but it could be better), but I hope the main story gets a bit more exciting in a bit. I personally would've put this chapter right at the beginning. btw, I really can't tell how far I am in this book bc I'm reading it as an ebook (as it seems not to be available in europe in english, only off of amazon u.s. with really long delivery), but I feel like I've been reading this quite a bit.

[startrekfangirl2233]

🎶let spotify predict your 2024!🎶

shuffle your on repeat playlist and the first twelve songs represent your 2024

Thanks for the tag @sailor-aviator!

January: INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow) by Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow

I told you long ago on the road I got what they waiting for (I got what they're waiting for) I don't run from nothing, dog Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low (Bitch, I ain't runnin' from nowhere)

February: Good Girls by CHVRCHES

Good girls don't cry And good girls don't lie And good girls justify, but I don't Good girls don't die And good girls stay alive And good girls satisfy, but I won't

March: Firebird by Galantis

Under the stars awaken to the sound of a firebird Under the sky, half-naked, oooh oh oh oh Under the stars awaken to the sound of a firebird

April: Set Me Free Pt.2 by Jimin

This one is in Korean so I'm going to use the translated lyrics

Look at me now (Me now) I won't hide anymore, even if it hurts Going insane to stay sane Raise your hands for the past me Now, set me free-e-e

May: Charlie Be Quiet! by Charlie Puth

I'm not making the same mistake Won't be putting my heart on display I'll just water my feelings down I'm not going out looking dumb Telling all my friends how you're the one

June: Somebody by Dagny

Don’t remember the words I know how I felt Is this trouble again? I never felt like this with somebody I never thought I'd feel like I do I never felt this close with somebody Somebody, somebody but you

July: Memory by Kane Brown & blackbear

I wanna live life fast, I don't know how to slow down I wanna get high, I don't know how to come down Help me now, I'm runnin' on empty And I don't wanna be a memory

August: AMYGDALA by Agust-D

This one is also in Korean so I'm using the translated lyrics

I don't know your name, your name, your name Travelling to memories I don't know your name, your name, your name Come on, let's erase them one by one, yes, one by one

September: My Universe by Coldplay & BTS

This one is also in Korean so I'm using the translated lyrics

I fly to you every night (Fly) Forgetting that it's just a dream I meet you with a smile (Meet) Never ending forever, baby

October: STAY by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber

I do the same thing I told you that I never would I told you I'd change, even when I knew I never could I know that I can't find nobody else as good as you I need you to stay, need you to stay, hey

November: MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT by Elle Duhé

In the middle of the night In the middle of the night Just call my name I'm yours to tame

December: Wanted - String Mix by OneRepublic

Yeah, I just want to be wanted, oh I could use a little love sometimes I just need to be needed, oh Like to know I'm crossin' someone's mind

This is giving a weird mix of looking for love and finding the freedom to be myself.

No pressure tags: @desert-fern @horseshoegirl @dakotakazansky @sarahsmi13s @teacupsandtopgun @roosterforme @thedroneranger @cherrycola27 @callsignspark @mak-32 @beyondthesefourwalls @roosterbruiser