#mait speaks

[give-me-malice]

tua S4 thoughts (mostly questions):

why was Jennifer just... in a squid?? that was never addressed???

why would.. why would the mix of Durango and marigold make a tentacle monster.. like genuinely why? like I get that ben's powers is tentacles but like what was with the whole body merge thing I thought it would be an explosion or smth??

also. why tf did hargreeves' wife make that shit in the first place???

and why tf did they choose to put five in a relationship with Lila??? it's weird enough they put Aidan in a romantic subplot with a coworker almost double his age but what possibly did that whole sequence in the subway even add to the plot?????

why was Klaus trafficked??? again what did this add to the plot??? why were there all these random ass plotlines in like the penultimate episodes????

on a similar note, why did they make Allison an absent mum and bring it up twice and then just.. it's not mentioned again... and where tf did ray go??

feel free to add any more because there definitely are more questions to ask

[albon-o-positive]

anyways with all the drama on the dash, let's just appreciate Yuki !! p9 and only pitted once and managed to do a 30 lap stint on mediums with a full fuel tank !!

[f1-birb]

little 🎧 for u xx

hi Mait!

Maybe then honesty need not be feared as a friend or an enemy

[runwhileyoucan]

Thinking about my rdr2 oc because I'm so cringe but free....

[usaigi]

In honor of Trans Visibility Day, Here a Peak of the Matt's Quinceañera One-Shot Coming Soon (Part of the Mexican!Matt AU)

Girls aren’t aggressive. Sure, youth is associated with rebellion, crisis, and aversion, but youth associated with aggression and violence is synonymous with boyhood. Which Maite Murdock isn’t. 

Despite the bruises on her knuckles and the cut on her lip, her lips taste like strawberry chapstick and her chipped nails are a peachy pink. She’s a girl. She is. 

Maite writes an essay about it after punching Donnie Walsh in the face, leaving him with a shiny black eye in retaliation for calling Mindy Davis a dyke. Walsh had called Maite a dyke countless times before, an incontrovertible insult, like calling a donkey an ass. But Maite had always refused to give Walsh the reaction he so clearly wanted, opting to act like the Virgen is calling her instead of humoring his dull-witted bigotry.

It’s different when it’s Mindy; she’s soft and gentle and smells like cheap vanilla body spray. She always offers to guide Maite not because she thinks she needs the help but because she likes to be close to her when they talk about the class reading. Mindy is passive, nonconfrontational, tears form in her eyes where fire rages in Maite’s heart. Maite doesn’t have many friends; not many people want to be friends with the psychotic blind girl with a crazy good aim. So she protects the handful of people who do tolerate her with the smoldering rage that burns inside.

The school’s principal, after giving her a stern talk about how this isn’t “appropriate behavior for a young lady” and threatening suspicious (or worst, mandated therapy) if her behavior doesn’t change, assigns her an essay as punishment. Maite wouldn’t care about being disciplined if it didn’t jeopardize her ability to get into college so she bites her tongue. 

Kind of.

You can take the girl out of the fight but you can’t take the fight out of the girl. 

So Maite, ever the rebel, focuses her mandatory essay on “feminity” according to the Riot grrrl subculture movement and the disarticulation-re-articulation of quote-on-quote “masculine characteristics in girls.” How certain behaviors and expectations were negatively used against women and how they reclaimed them to have adjacency over their oppression. 

The school’s librarian laughs and says she didn’t expect anything different when Maite proposes her thesis statement and asks for help looking for sources. A week later, Maite humbly and with all the grace of a lady taps her way to the principal office to hand deliver her essay. Fine, girls aren’t aggressive. But girls don’t need to take shit either.

[motorcop]

MILK!

At the end of a long holiday weekend, this supervisor has brought his troop to a building on the academy grounds know as "The Dairy" - the name speaks for itself, but as it is not a farm in the traditional way, here our young studs are given a command, they march orderly and in perfect sync to the "barn", take their place in a open milking stall, and the machines take over from there. A sonic device opens the special access panel on the front of their uniform, another device comes by and quickly cleans, sanitizes and dry's their "tools" while another apply's a long lasting lube and lastly, they are maited to the "milker". A high tech device inspired by cattle milkers of the late 20th century. At that point, their minds switch off, any training or programming updates are done, and 6 loads or 2 hours later, the machine disconnects, their minds snap back to reality and they return to duty....while passing the next troop on their way into the "barn"......

[archaeologicalnews]

2 golden tongues symbolizing 'flesh of the gods' unearthed in ancient Egyptian mummies

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered two mummies outfitted with golden tongues at the ancient town of Oxyrhynchus, bringing the total number of golden tongues found at the location to 16, archaeologists say.

During the Roman period (29 B.C. to A.D. 641), the Egyptians put golden tongues inside the mouths of some mummies so that the mummy would be able to use their tongue in the afterlife and because the ancient Egyptians believed that gold was the "flesh of the gods," Esther Pons Mellado and Maite Mascort, co-directors of the archaeological mission of Oxyrhynchus, told Live Science in an email. Mummies with gold tongues were thought to have the ability to speak with Osiris in the underworld of the afterlife. Read more.

[seashelldom]

: ̗̀➛ 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄

pairing: tonowari x fem!reader na'vi

word count: 829

shelli's note. SFW angst; attachment issues

masterlist | part 1, part 2, alternate ending

Tonowari stared at the shell with confusion. Once that confusion subsided it was replaced with guilt and sorrow. He crouched down picking up the shell and holding it tightly in his hand. You would wish he would hold you tightly in his hand like he did with the shell, but it wasn't meant to be.

It never was. Maybe you knew this from the start? When did he become like this? You thought in your head. One thought coming from the other. Were you truly a poor excuse in a wife? And a nagging one at that?

Clingy, they said. Is it so wrong to cling to your husband? Wasn't it truly the way of things? You did love him with all your heart, but you would start to think that you were far too attached to him.

Maite?

Maite..?

"Maite!", said your mother as she brought you out of your thoughts.

"What's wrong?", she added.

"Ah, I'm sorry Mother, I've just had a stressed day," you replied in a fainter voice, including a small voice crack due to your depressing thoughts.

Your mother gave you a small smile before taking whatever you were working on out of your hands and setting it down on the table.

"Go rest in your marui, I'm sure Tonowari will be waiting for you there.", she said softly with a smile.

Ah, yes. You had to go back to your home with the person you least wanted to encounter. You still had not told your mother about this interaction with your mate, and that was why you made up fake excuses to stay in your Mother's marui for the time being.

You gave your Mother a smile and a respectful nod and stood up, saying your goodbye as you lightly walked out of the marui.

The night time was always a peaceful time of day for all, but not for you.

You trekked silently along the village, worrying about not waking anybody from their slumber. Once you reached your marui you let out a sigh and had a deep breath. Tonowari had to still be out with his companions hunting, right?

You walked in and were greeted by a familiar face, your mate. He sat along the bed you shared, sharpening his spear and focusing his attention directly on it. Oh, Eywa.

He stopped and raised his head taking a look at you. You shared eye contact, which was silent. Although, your eyes spoke volumes.

Both of you stayed like this for a few seconds before he reverted his attention to his spear once more. Although, there was a bit of guilt marked on his face, something you could not see.

You clenched your fist and let out a small sigh and spoke.

"Am I really this clingy and irritating to you like you speak of?"

Why would you say that? Eywa please help me, you thought. Maybe you should've stayed silent. But you continued.

His eyes quickly came to yours, with that same silent eye contact. He looked lost for words, this you could see.

"Please tell me that at least a part of this was real, Tonowari.", you spoke in whispers, holding back a tear.

"Speak Tonowari, please."

"You made a promise.", you continued.

These words shot daggers into his heart. He was so used to his quiet and loving wife. Why did he feel all this sorrow deep in his heart if he believed you were so irritating?

"I'm.. I'm sorry.", he spoke quietly.

"What are you sorry for?"

"For everything, for what I said. And for how I acted.", he said breaking the eye contact, for he couldn't bear to see the pain written all over your face.

He dropped his spear and stood up, coming close to you, so that both your waists were almost in touch. As he towers over you, you feel a wet tear rolling down your face. Not yours. His.

He raised his hand and stroked a piece of your hair gently.

"I don't know how to love you… but I'm ready to try.", he speaks.

"No. We're finished, Tonowari. You do not love me.", you reply, tears now visible in your eyes.

You get out of his grasp.

"I'm leaving.", you grab your things, clothes, anything you could possibly snatch in those 10 seconds. You spot your seashell on the table. The seashell he gifted you. Your disdainful gaze softened a bit at the sight, before you grabbed that as well. You shoved everything in a basket before going in front of him again.

"Please, yawntu, I will try and I will be better. I-", he said and you cut him off.

"Don't, please.", you winced a bit at his words. "Don't make this harder than it should be." You grabbed his hand, gently although you wish you hadn't. You placed a familiar seashell in his hand, and closed his finger, making his grab the seashell in his hand.

"Goodbye, yawntutsyìp."

"Goodbye, Tonowari."

shelli's note. sooo.. part 2 wasn't out as soon as i thought it would be. apologies, but finals has me in a chokehold. 💋 also, thank you so much for all the nice comments, trust i read every one of them :)

glossary. yawntu - beloved / yawntutsyìp - little loved one / maite - daughter

taglist. @shadowmoonlight0604 @illumi3 @ohh-to-be-a-frog @domino-x3-blog @neteyamforlife @queentheweeb @nervoussongcherryblossom @dopedreamobject @peachinsomniac @arminsgfloll @thehoneymushroomhealer @anangelwhodidntfall @tojisleftarm @koalalafications @isimpforfictionalppl @gg-trini @avatar4life @bellstwd @kgive @kirisimpster @johfaam @mrs-sullys-blog @zoexme @saltedcoffeescotch @hangezoes-wife @myh3artttt @ramdomhoe @versz @mortallyscrumptiousmilkshake @reallysparklychaos @awblessme @die4niyahhh @serenaaasworld @annna101 @lunamhm565i @zoetrope1997 @princessknight005 @hoziersfairy @depressedriches @kittenslovie @bewbz2110 @vilovedr @amiets2 @yukichan67 @drunkscientists @janelongxox @violet-19999 @spookymicrowave @peterbesteyyy @cryingwhilereading @moonpie3000 @mysticfoxphilosopher @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @ghostlyworld @vermilionzombie @peterbesteyyy @salyourpal @ichoosetotorment @banana-milkbread @defiance749 @pinkzalien

© seashelldom 2023 ; all rights reserved ; do not translate, copy, claim my work as your own, or repost on another site.

[sushibatebue]

T S A W K S Y U L - sun lilly

Pairing: agedup!Neteyam x omatikaya!fem!reader

Words: 1k+ (7 min.)

Warnings: fluff, love confessions, mentions of mating, use of y/n, a slight insecure reader, wounds, bit of swearing, sexual thoughts, making out, jealousy

A/N: ok so I don't even know why I made this but I am completely obsessed with Avatar and Neteyam sooo why not write if I enjoy reading it sm? Btw English ain't my first language so there might be some wrongly written words, nevertheless I hope you like it!

Translations:

Oel ngati kameie - I see you

Paywll - water plant (used for medicine)

Maite - my daughter

"Sometimes two souls are matched by Eywa herself."

His grandmother once said, and that was exactly what crossed Neteyam's mind when he first saw you. You were both about 11 and he, alongside his brother were walking towards the healing tent after Lo'ak fell because of a vine.

And there you were, mixing up medicine with your new friend Kiri for the Tsahìk.

"You can't never get away from trouble can you child?"

Lo'ak scratched the back of his neck and sat down waiting for his grandmother to patch him up. Neteyam on the other hand found himself gawking at the new girl, with a tsawksyul resting on her ear, standing right in front of him.

She was beautiful, no, alluring. Everything inside him tingled when she turned her face to hand Mo'at a misture of plants and now Neteyam was wishing he was the one tripping over vine so that he would be cured by whatever was made by the girl's hands.

"Oh brother, this is my new friend Y/N."

Y/N Y/N Y/N, her name rang on his head like a song that never stopped musing.

"Oel ngati kameie, Neteyam." She held 2 of her 4 fingers to her forehead and dropped them, greeting Neteyam in the most unintentionall graceful way.

"Oel ngati kameie, Y/N"

He struggles to breath, the mighty warrior Neteyam was shaking because of a girl?

He knew his siblings noticed his flustered behavior, but he didn't care. He only cared about finding out everything about this Y/N, this behavior seemed to stay untouched for the following 7 years...

"Mama! I'm going to pick up some more paywll for the Tsahìk."

Your voice rang inside the tent you and your family lived. "Okay, maite. Just be safe and do not come home after eclipse, yeah?"

"Yup!"

You say as you walk out of your house, casually jumping to fasten your step. Teníu your ikran seemed to be already waiting for you and you immediately hop on top of him to sore in the beautiful sky, although you enjoyed being a healer sometimes you wished you could just fly across Pandora with no due time.

That was always on your mind but you cared too much for your people, who else would cheer up the young children while healing their swollen bruises, or patch up the hunters?

Well, someone else probably would but you like the fact everyone liked you, even the most sour kids.

While caught up with your own thoughts you fail to notice the na'vi in front of you preparing to make a clean kill on an animal.

"Oh shit-"

You bumped on the boy's back and he missed his target, something unusual for him. Him being no other than Neteyam.

"I am so sorry 'Teyam, I didn't see you- well I did see you but I didn't really mark your presence."

You ramble an apology to your friend and crush, hoping he could endure your stupidity, but the boy was barely listening to you if he was being honest, your voice was now a background sound while he discreetly admired your body and how your skin was glowing from the sun.

"It's all good Y/N, no need to tire yourself, I wasn't even interested in the kill." That was a lie. He actually needed that kill to bring home for lunch, but speaking with you was far more interesting than a meal. Plus, he made a promise to his parents to start courting you at the Hunt festival, not he didn't think to do it since forever but he just didn't have the courage. What if you rejected him and it made things awkward? He couldn't bare being apart from you.

"Oh, good then." You smile and your eyes wondered his body looking for wounds, a habit you seemed to pick up ever since you tasked yourself with healing.

"Come, you have a big cut right here, on your shoulder. I shall patch you up before it gets infected."

"Y/N, there is no need for that I am fine and it's not that big."

You looks at him with your doll like eyes and he immediately knows there is no way he can convince you to not patch him up.

You grab his forearm and he immediately took a deep breath, calming his body, or more so his cock. He did this everytime your hands were on him and he loved and hated when you patched him up because as soon as you were done with it, he knew he had to pleasure himself while thinking the most obscene things about you.

He knew it probably wasn't the right thing to do, and he sometimes felt shame for having these thoughts about you but he couldn't help it.

You arrived back into high camp and dragged the boy to the healers tent, your second home.

You unwrap the paywll you picked up and immediately started working on your favorite patient.

His skin was soft, and his gaze was stuck on you, amazed by your concentrated face. He was always struck by how beautiful and graceful you were, and he knew he wasn't the only one who thought this. In fact, he heard everyday comments from other hunters on your beauty. But they don't know you like he does, they don't deserve you like he does. If he could choose when to take his last breath, it would next to you, just so he could take your devine scent with him.

"Y/N?"

His voice was a whisper now, hell, he could barely hear his own voice now.

"Yes, I'm almost done."

"Y/N, do you like anyone?"

Your freckles glowed and you avoided his eyes at all cost.

"Y-yes of course, I like everyone."

You say, trying desperately to cover up your massive crush on the boy you were healing. He couldn't know, not when he probably already has his mate promised, not when he basically see's you like a another little sister of his.

"Not like that. Like, is there anyone you would like to mate with? We're at the age of finding a mate..."

You felt sadness wash over you now, although you knew what he was saying is true, you didn't want to talk about mating. Not when the one you truly wanted to mate with was far from your reach.

"Maybe..."

The silent was scratching your skin in a very uncomfortable way and you were counting the seconds till you where finished with the cut.

"Who?"

His voice was stern and with a hint of jealousy, but he couldn't control it. You with someone else but him? Never.

Your silence was not helping either, not that he wasn't confident but you always seemed so distant and uncomfortable when he talked about love or mating, perhaps even sad...

"Is it Naran?"

You shake your head still not daring to look at him.

"Heatey?" "No, no Neteyam it's not-"

He grabs your thigh with one hand and your chin with the other forcing eye contact with his eyes, looking desperately for an answer.

"Who is it then?"

He was starting to get close, too close. You could feel his hot breath on your plump lips and his fingers gripping your thigh ever so slightly.

"Neteyam..."

You sigh, it was him you liked. It was him you loved but you weren't able to make yourself say it, not when he's so close and-

His lips connect into yours. It was sweet and perfect just like you imagined, maybe it even surpassed your expectations. You both start moving in sync like you've done this for your whole life but it was only the first time your lips met someone else's.

He licks your bottom lip asking nicely for permission to enter your mouth, now what started as an innocent puppy love first kiss, turned into a heated make out, both craving each other. Not that you didn't want it but you were question if you were doing it right.

After a rough minute you pull away, a string of spit being attached to your swollen lip.

"Say it Y/N. Please..."

He begged with faded eyes.

"You, you are the... I love you 'Teyam"

He absolutely despised when other girls called him Teyam, with their annoying squealing voice. But you... Eywa, you said it in the most pleasing way for a word to be spoken. All he wanted to hear for as long as he met you was just said in the most perfect way.

He kissed you again, wanting to be stuck in your mouth forever.

"I love you Y/N, I love you so much it's arduous to breath when you're not by my side. It hurts to walk when I know that at the end you won't be there greet me. I am madly in love you."

You huff a breathy chuckle not believing your dream has just changed to a reality.

He smiles still holding your heated cheeks.

"I have something for you."

Your ears twitch in curiosity, as he pulls out a neck piece, obviously made with tsawksyul. It was beautiful.

"Wow Neteyam..."

You admire the accessory, stunned by it's beauty.

"Y/N I was originally going to give this to you tomorrow, to ask you to be mate but I cannot wait any longer. When I saw you for the first time, you were wearing a tsawksyul on your hair. It was beautiful, you were beautiful. It became my favorite flower and my favorite material, everytime I see one I think of you, I guess that's why I love them so much, I see them all the time."

He looks down and takes a deep breath like he always wanted to say this, but took himself back everytime.

"I want you to wear this necklace so I don't have to see a tsawksyul to have your image on my mind. I want it to be backwards. I want to think of tsawksyul's when I see you."

Tears were threatening from falling off your eyes as you hug him and feel a grunt coming form him.

"Oh fuck, I'm sorry I forgot about your cut."

"It's fine, I can handle a cut. What I can't handle is your rejection."

He arched his eyebrow and you giggle softly to yourself.

"I would love to be your mate Ma Neteyam."

Ma Neteyam... He could definitely get used to this. In fact, he wanted to hear that every day.

"I love you."

He says again connection both of your foreheads while cupping your cheeks like he always wanted, like you always wanted.

Is it just me, or does this lowkey slap? 🤭

Anyways I hope you guys liked it! (And lmk if you want a part 2, perhaps with some smut)

🫶🏽

[torukmaktoskxawng]

60 with Lo'ak x reader? I put in 1-101 on a generator and this came up three times so i think it's a sign PFFT

it just feels right for lo'ak to have this with someone, kind of like Ronal and Tonowari speaking with their eyes basically!! reader can be omaticaya or metkayina , whatever you deem fitting :)

#60: In Sync/Wordless Conversations

Pairing: Lo'ak x Fem!Metkayina!Reader

Warnings: Language, fluff, time skips

Na'vi Words: olo'eyktan - clan leader, tanhì - bioluminescent freckle, marui - home, sem'pul - father, maite - daughter, nivi - hammock, skxawng- moron, nantangtsyìp - dog (Earth animal)

A/N: Oh, hell yeah I love this sort of prompt. Wordless Conversations is definitely my love language. Do I love it because I'm terrible at vocally expressing my feelings and crave for someone to know me inside and out without prodding me for words? Shut up and lemme cope.

He had always struggled with saying what he meant, and he always said things he didn't mean. In his youth, he was Jakesully's troubled son, someone who wasn't Neteyam, the firstborn golden child. Being second in everything, Lo'ak couldn't live up to so many expectations being Toruk Makto's son, and so his communication skills were shit, to say the least.

Lo'ak knew Y/n would one day be his mate simply because no one understood him like she did, and she understood him without even asking.

From day one, when he first saw her emerge from the waters of Awa'atlu, their eyes met, blue on yellow, he knew he was done for. Those eyes stared into his very soul and read him from the inside out. He wasn't sure if it was even possible to keep a secret from her. During their very first interaction together, when Tsireya had properly introduced the pair, Lo'ak couldn't hold back what he was thinking, no matter how hard he tried to keep it to himself. One look from Y/n, and he was spilling his newly found secret, "Beautiful."

Day one and Y/n could See Lo'ak in ways that no one, not even his family, could see.

~~~

It was safe to say that Lo'ak could See Y/n, too. After he had called her beautiful, their interactions were cute, shy, and flirtacious. Y/n would help Tsireya, Rotxo, and Ao'nung teach the Sully children their ways in between her chores. Nearly every time she walked up to their little group, Lo'ak is the first to spot her, and every time he grins and calls out, "She's back!"

"I am. And how are you, Lo'ak?" She rolled her eyes, despite smiling.

"Same as yesterday. You didn't stay away long," his grin was attractive, fangs sparkling in the sun, and looked as though he knew the secrets of the universe, "You just can't get enough of me, can you?"

"Please make him shut up," Ao'nung snarled under his breath, addressing it to only Neteyam who stood beside him.

~~~

Even before learning the sign language, Lo'ak was able to See Y/n. While Tsireya is using hand gestures to speak to the Sully kids in the water, Y/n spoke to Lo'ak with her eyes. They swam close together, weaving through the coral reefs as they explored the sea life around them.

Lo'ak had reached out to touch a particular fish that glowed green, but one glance in Y/n's direction beore he had done so made him pause.

She didn't move her hands or even shake her head to tell him 'no'. Her eyes, staring through Lo'ak's soul, said what he needed to know. 'Stings.'

He moves away from the fish, swimming closer to her instead, eyes bright and eyebrows raised in her direction. He was smiling with his eyes, and even through his eyes, he was grinning. 'Worried for me?'

She rolled her eyes in response, and his own crinkled as his way of laughing. He didn't miss the way her ears darkened a shade of teal.

~~~

Payakan was his Spirit Brother and Lo'ak would defend him, even against a mighty olo'eyktan like Tonowari. However, even Y/n knew when enough was enough, fearing her clan leader more than Lo'ak did in that moment of stupidity. From over Tonowari's shoulder, Lo'ak caught Y/n's gaze, and with one look, her ears pinned back to emphasize the warning, Lo'ak closed his mouth.

~~~

Quaritch had grabbed Y/n by the throat and all Lo'ak could see was red. He lashed out, hissing and baring his teeth, struggling against the orange cuffs. He was so preoccupied with insulting the Recom with every bit of foul language known to Na'vi that he nearly missed Y/n's eyes flicking in his direction, her second pair of lids wiping away the salt water that was her tears. Lo'ak noticed, anger slowly calming as he stared back at her. It was obvious she was afraid, and much like how you would try to appear smaller when calming a scared cat, Lo'ak did just that. He stopped struggling against his restraints, closing his mouth to hide the fangs away. Ears resting in a more natural position, Lo'ak made sure to keep Y/n's beautiful eyes on him. His gaze softened once she slowly began to calm herself, eyes blinking slowly as she caught her breath. Lo'ak smiled at her and nodded with encouragement. 'Do not be afraid.'

After they escaped, Lo'ak gathered her in his arms. Gently cupping both sides of her face in his hands, he stared her down with one glance, 'Okay?'

She nods, sinking into his embrace and hiding her face away in his chest.

~~~

With one tilt of her head, his tail swayed in response, betraying his thoughts as he watched the way her smile twinkled and their eyes met again. The tilt of her head was pointed in the direction of the jungle behind the village, and after the communal meal, Lo'ak found himself following Y/n there, without a verbal invitation needed.

She was leaning against a tree, facing him when he broke through the heavy foliage. Expectedly, he waltzed over to her, eyes never leaving hers as she tilts her chin up to follow his height. They stood so close now, sharing the same air as the sky darkened and the fauna around them began to glow, igniting both Omatikaya and Metkayina tanhì like constellations. Lo'ak knew what she wanted without ever saying a word. Leaning in, he did what she had asked and kissed her.

~~~

It wasn't their first fight, but for Lo'ak, everything with Y/n felt like the first time. They had been mated for three years up until this point, three years of gaining more tribal tattoos, being one of the Metkayina, and lying in a hammock that was meant for two with the most beautiful woman in the world.

He couldn't remember what the fight was about, but between his pride and Y/n's stubbornness, it was safe to say that both of them could have easily been the cause of it. After the argument, Lo'ak left to cool his thoughts. He had already said some things he didn't mean (as always, it was still a bad habit) and struggled to say the things he wanted to say. He couldn't bare to stay any longer knowing he could do something he would sincerely regret. After a few hours to relax and recollect his thoughts, he returned. Y/n was still in their marui and didn't bother looking up when he entered. She keeps her head facing away from him and purposely pinned her ears back. 'No, I don't want to talk to you.'

He understands clearly. Trying his best not to touch her, he pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear and left to go hunting with Ao'nung, Rotxo, and Neteyam. He had stayed in his parents' marui that night.

After he returned the next morning, Y/n was still there, though her posture had definitely relaxed and her mood had shifted. She stood up and moved out of her husband's way so that he could get what he needed to be ready for the day. When he turned to leave again, she cleared her throat. Right, how could he have forgotten? Lo'ak turned on his heels and fit himself in front of his wife, planting a parting kiss on her lips and reveling the smile she bore as he left.

~~~

Almost every night it was like this, their little girl begging to stay up late because all her older cousins get to.

"Sem'pul, can I please stay up with you?"

Her eyes were even bigger than Tuk's when she was that age. Lo'ak was ready to give in until he saw the way Y/n looked at him behind their daughter's back, "Of co-- Actually, maite. I just remembered how I'm not feeling well and should probably get some sleep."

"Oh, no! You have to rest, Dad! I can tuck you in."

"That would make me feel so much better, baby. Thank you."

Y/n smiled with her eyes, nodding with approval as she moves to join the two in their family-size nivi. Lo'ak was nearly smothered with the little girl nestled in his chest and the woman pressed comfortably at his side, but he wouldn't want it any other way.

~~~

Ao'nung's son? With Lo'ak's daughter? Hell fucking no! What is that skxawng thinking?!

Lo'ak makes one step toward the son of the olo'eyktan only for Y/n to step in front of her mate, keeping his line of sight strictly on her. She stares up at him with half-lidded eyes and a sweet -if not amused- smile. Both smile and eyes now had soft wrinkles in the corners, and her hair wasn't as dark as it used to be. But, like before, time with Y/n was always like the first time, and nothing had changed except for their age and the fact that Ao'nung's son wished to court Lo'ak's daughter!

The thought brings anger back into Lo'ak's eyes that Y/n quickly stamped down with a glare of her own, her amusement forgotten in replace of forcing her husband to sit down with just one look. Kiri had watched the scene with amusement, muttering "Walk him like a nantangtsyìp, Y/n," loud enough for Lo'ak to hear it and snap his teeth at her.

At least Ao'nung was just as displeased as Lo'ak was when he found out about it. Finally, they agreed on something. However, everyone knew that Lo'ak was wrapped around his baby's fingers, and eventually, he welcomed the chief's son into their family after his daughter exclaimed, "I want what you and Mom have!"

He couldn't argue with that.

[give-me-malice]

idk if it's just not crossed my dash, but I haven't seen a single person talking about the fucking far right riots taking place in the UK......

[albon-o-positive]

I miss her (red bull reliability issues)

[f1-birb]

I'm so curious (albon-o-positive) xx 🌿

also no. 9 for the Spotify wrapped!

idk what to tell ya bud, idk if it's the vibes or if I thought you might just like them

1, 2, 3

song no. 9 was better off without me by Matt Hansen

[beautiful-basque-country]

Hello!

I have a question about Basque names, and I'd like to hear your opinions.

In school (in the US), I had a classmate with a name from the Basque language (with the spelling slightly changed to match English spelling - as far as I can tell, it was pronounced the same). She said that, although her parents had no strong connection to Basque culture, they thought it was a beautiful name and liked the meaning.

I was wondering - do you think non-Basque people using Basque names is offensive/cultural appropriation, or do you think it shows appreciation for the language and culture? Does changing the spelling or pronunciation change your opinion?

Kaixo anon!

Again, I'll speak solely from my perspective and my opinion can't be understood as the same most Basque people have.

For me giving your child a Basque name - with or without having a connection with EH - is perfectly fine, almost a celebration of our culture: our names were prohibited for decades, so it's cool that now they broke out our borders and there are people with Basque names all around the world.

That said, if you choose a Basque name, be sure to know the correct spelling and meaning (if there's any). I don't care if parents change the spelling to fit their mother tongue's pronunciation rules. Basque has its own rules, and if you're not going to respect them why on earth would you choose a Basque name? If people can pronounce Schwarzenegger and Tchaikovsky they can assume that Maite sounds My-te and not May-te (just an example).

Regarding the meaning, same thing. Some parents find the meaning on a baby name site or some random blog and call it a day. Euskaltzaindia offers valuable online resources about Basque names for everyone interested.

So in a nutshell: if you're gona give your child a Basque name, great! But remember Basque is a living language and not some sort of fantasy. I assume parents interested in Basque names are actually interested in them - origin, meaning, pronunciation - beyond their uniqueness and exotic sound. If they're too complicated to pronounce in your mother language, maybe you should choose other names before

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

In honor of me watching the Eras Tour (again) Demi and Maite absolutely go to show together. they dress up and spend the night just scream singing along with each song. I can't decide what Era Maite dresses as, probably Midnights. Though there is a strong argument for Reputation- as it is one of my favorite Eras

For your consideration: they go to at least the three New Jersey shows, different costumes each night

Night 1, Maite is fearless and Demi is folklore in honour of this gif (might do another version now that it’s on streaming 👀)

Night 2: Maite is rep and Demi is speak now

Night 3: Maite is midnights and Demi is 1989

(If they go to anymore shows, maybe a day they both go as Red, or where they get to dress each other as their own favourite eras)

[silverbridge-harbor]

Celebrimbor's Letter to Durin IV

A Tengwar Analysis

ayyy first time doing something like this, so it might suck but lets goooooo

My credentials are here.

In Rings of Power s02e02, Celebrimbor sends a letter to Durin. The first thing to note is that it is written in the "full writing" Beleriand style, where vowels are written as separate characters instead of diacritics. This is correct for second-age Elven writing in Eriador. Points there.

When I watched the episode, I was expecting this to be Sindarin, but it is actually English, transliterated phonetically. This means they are using a phonetic English full mode based on the Sindarin mode of Beleriand. Tolkien had a couple of these, but as far as I can tell, they came up with this one themselves. But it was done a bit...oddly.

First off, here it is as plain Standard English™, in ASCII:

Durin IV, I humbly request your attendance in Eregion, that I might present a new offer for the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Despite your recent misfortunes, I believe your ears are best suited to listen to this proposition. My people are in your debt, and I...

Okay, mostly ASCII. But anyway, this is what the letter says. No need to obsess over it and spend several hours dissecting it and writing a deep analysis.

...Unless?

Lets number the lines.

Now, lets go through it line by line, phonetically. I will be using the Quenya names for the tengwar given on Amanyë Tenceli.

1: Durin 4,

Not all that much to say yet. Note the doubled stem on the first tengwa, Ando. This is comparable to the ornate first letters in illuminated manuscripts, and does not change anything. It looks a bit like a friend we will meet in a moment, though, so it was worth mentioning.

They didnt use a dot or ring to mark the 4 as a number, but since its a single digit below 10, no big deal.

2: ai hambly rikwest yór (I humbly request your)

So this suddenly became a mess. But, actually, not really; remember, this is a phonetic transcription, so strictly speaking, anything goes, as long as it sounds right when you read it back out.

The first thing I noticed was the tehta on the last word, the rightward hook. That is the O-tehta, used to mark a consonantal tengwa with a preceding or following O-vowel...something a full mode is specifically supposed to not be doing. Here, it is over Anna, which also represents an o in the Beleriand mode. So I figured it was standing for a lengthened ó, but in a weird way similar to how diphthongs are written. Then I saw the same tehta over Úrë on a later line, and realized: the way to lengthen a vowel in the Beleriand mode is to use an andatehta. This is usually the E-tehta, which looks like an acute accent. Here, they simply swapped that out for the more interesting looking O-tehta. I havent seen this before, but I like it. Sauron did something vaguely similar, using the O-tehta in the ring inscription to represent U-vowels in the Black Speech.

Lets talk about those ys. That tengwa is Ára, which is used for a consonantal i, in words like iâth and iorhael. Basically, think of it as a J in Latin. (I am having trouble digging up my old source on this, but the transcriptions on Eldamo seem to agree with me.) The point is, as a consonant, Ára fits perfectly for "your", but doesnt really make sense for "humbly". The Beleriand Sindarin mode already has a vocalic y, using Silmë Nuquerna; it represents a vowel we do not even have in English, so there would be no conflict to simply repurpose it for this. Ára was an odd choice.

3: itendins in eregion, (attendance in Eregion,) 4: dhaet ai mait prezent i (that I might present a)

Here it gets weird. The first i on line 3 and the last on 4, both Telco, both represent what was originally a. A few things could be happening here.

In the Classical mode, for Quenya, Telco is a carrier mark, with no sound of its own. Additionally, the A-tehta can be dropped where it can be assumed, because it is both the most common vowel in Quenya and the most complicated tehta to write. Because of these two facts, a lone Telco can be read as an A-vowel. But this is a different mode for a different language. I hope this isnt what they were going for.

They may be using Telco to represent Schwa. This fits perfectly for these two occurrences, and several other lines, but I would expect it to also be used, for example, in "hambly" above and "av" below.

It could be an indeterminate vowel, essentially meaning "figure it out yourself". This seems feasible, to me; this is the default in many languages, including Khuzdûl, and the letter is being written to a Dwarf, after all. But also, the letter is being written to a Dwarf, by an Elf. This is a diplomatic letter. An indeterminate vowel seems a bit too...casual? for this context.

The ae diphthong in "dhaet"/"that" is a bit odd too, but it might be based on IPA [æ], the vowel in "that".

5: nú ófir fór dhi dwórvz (new offer for the Dwarves) 6: av khazaddúm. (of Khazad-dûm.)

I appreciate "khazaddúm" being run together like this. Fun fact: the hyphens in names (like this and "Gil-galad") are for our benefit only; they are not used when writing with the Tengwar (at least as far as I have ever seen, but I cant afford the really good sources like Vinyar Tengwar and Parma Eldalamberon).

Also note the use of Quessë for kh. This is very strange. First, the Beleriand mode does not use tengwar from the quessetéma (fourth column), except for Wilya, so this use of Quessë was added for the show. Secondly, the Beleriand mode already has a tengwa that represents this sound: Aha (or Harma).

However, Aha is usually romanized as ch, instead of kh. It may be that the transliterator was working from a character table, saw "ch", assumed it to represent [tʃ] (as in English) instead of [x], and decided to repurpose an unused tengwa.

7: dispait yór ryisint (Despite your recent) 8: mysfórchinz, ai bylyiv (misfortunes, I believe)

Ope, here we go using Ára as a vowel again.

Wait...what? Why are you using Ára, which you are already using as a Y-vowel, with the Y-tehta? Treating that as a diphthong like ai, it turns out as yi. What is this? Is this supposed to be like "Kyiv"? Is this even still the same person as the first half?

EDIT 2024-09-03: Skimming over this again, they did indeed use Aha here to represent [tʃ], the English value of ch, and I totally missed the connection. I guess I was distracted by this yi business. Anyway, this shows that they were at least aware of Aha, and most likely did see it labelled as "ch". I am okay with the idea of reassigning it, as it is in one of the three primary témar in the mode, and English does use [tʃ] vastly more than [x]. But, as mentioned below, Hwesta is used for [x] in Gondor, so I would have simply borrowed that, rather than arbitrarily assigning Quessë. That might be slightly anachronistic, though.

Also, @tragedykery in the replies has pointed out that the vowel /iː/ can become the diphthong [ɪj] in certain situations in Celebrimbor's accent (thanks :D), which may have been the intent behind the Ára diphthong I interpret as yi. This also fits well with ae representing [æ].

9: yór yrz or best sútyd (your ears are best suited)

"OR"??? ...Okay, I see what happened here, actually. Anna looks like ɑ (and its name even starts with an A), but in the Beleriand mode, it actually represents an O-vowel. This one was most likely just a proofreading slip.

Gonna have to put Ára up on the high shelf soon, though. You know, the high shelves? The ones who have seen the light of the coat trees.

10: tú lysin tú dhys (to listen to this) 11: propizyʃin. mai pyipil (proposition. My people)

Here they used Hwesta to represent, presumably, [ʃ]. This is another repurposed tengwa from the quessetéma. This one, however, does not already have an equivalent in this mode. Fair play.

Incidentally, Hwesta is directly adjacent to Aha on the chart, and is itself used to represent [x] in the mode of Gondor.

"Pyipil" is very strange. But then, so is "people". And so are people.

12: or yn yor det, ind ai (are in your debt, and I)

This is the last line, with the bottom cut off, but I think this is right, looking at the line weights. Featuring the return of our friend "or".

Vocalic Ára aside, "yn" is very interesting, because "in" has already shown up, way back on line 3. I really do wonder whether they had two people on this.

Also interesting is "yor", without a long vowel. This one is definitely just a simple proofreading mistake.

Overall, I would say this is...decent. Again, it is a phonetic transcription, and it is 100% legible. From that angle, mission accomplished. I do wish they had written it in Sindarin, or, failing that, defined a more comprehensive and consistent Beleriand English mode to work from.

And of course, this still absolutely puts Shadow of War to shame.

Finally, here is the full actual text of the letter, in the Tengwar, according to the character mapping of the Free Tengwar Font Project. I have absolutely no idea how Tumblr is going to respond to this. For science :D

                                            

Ah. Looks like thats the same Unicode block Tumblr uses for their own custom characters. So its probably not worth it to try to get Tumblr to use a Tengwar font, because it would break other stuff. Should be able to paste that mess into a compatible text editor and look at it there, though, so I will leave it in.