#pick a preview

[seriously--fangirling]

Danny & Tim Stoker & Freefall

On the parallels between MAG 104 Sneak Preview and MAG 21 Freefall, particularly in relation to Tim.

Keep in mind that Jon assigned follow-up for this statement to Tim.

Immediately, both statements start off remarkably similarly. Both Moira and Tim describe the events they witnessed as disappearances. This would likely put Tim on edge as soon as he read this. Plus, as an extra pin prick to Tim, the name Robert would bring Robert Smirke (whose architecture is involved in Danny's "disappearance") to mind.

From Tim, we learn that Danny has various "obsessions" which last several months before he switched to something new. He's constantly involved in random things such as charity events and modelling. This is how he first gets into urban exploration.

From Moira, we learn that Robert is much the same. In fact, he first gets involved in skydiving as part of a charity event.

Of course, in both stories, the inciting incident happens along with Danny's and Robert's interests.

When it comes to relationships, Tim says he and Danny don't talk very often but are still very close. Danny always keeps Tim updated on his current interests. Moira sees Robert very infrequently and only gets the "occasional phone call" otherwise. She and Robert do still seem to care about one another very much.

After experiencing something horrifying, Robert and Danny each return to someone they love — the statement givers — clearly traumatized. Danny doesn't explain what happened; Robert does.

I have to ask, does Tim wish Danny had told him? If so, is it because he thinks it will help on his quest for revenge or solely because of a desperate need to know?

After seeing their traumatized loved ones, Moira and Tim both go to bed. When Moira wakes up, Robert is still there, having slept soundly. When Tim wakes up, Danny is gone.

Do you think when Tim read that Moira went to bed, he started mentally screaming at her that that was the wrong thing to do, thinking that Robert would be gone when she woke up since that's what happened to him? Do you think he's jealous of her for seeing Robert happier one last time before the terrible thing happens?

At the climax of each statement, Robert and Danny each initially seem to be alone until suddenly they are not. Both Tim and Moira are helpless to stop what they see, whether because of Tim's fear or because Moira was pushed down. Afterward, neither can explain what they saw.

Tim didn't see what actually happened to Danny. He saw the results: Danny's skin on the dancer who pretended to be him. Does Tim wish he knew exactly what had happened to Danny? Is he glad he didn't see it? I bet when he read about Robert's fear and how he screamed, Tim imagined Danny screaming as his skin is carved off.

~~~

Tim's always been good at hiding his trauma, though. We get no indication of his feelings about this statement, except...

We do know Tim put exceptional work into the follow-up for this statement. According to Jon, "Tim really outdid himself here, and [spent] almost a day combing through accident and incident reports."

[blossompigeon]

Uh oh bestie!!

[dumbingofage]

(december 27, 2025)

[confused-possum]

I am so happy for Kyle’s win. But it’s so hard to stay positive when I feel so certain that in the end if Kamilla was there she would’ve WON!

[enquire]

Riverside Trail

Finished up a color version of something I'm working on! Consider this a sneak peak?

Now where could they be journeying off to...

[xxplastic-cubexx]

https://www.instagram.com/share/BAypgwZd8v

I miss Fran lol. But there is certainly no lack of hairless cats on my feed

oh hello princess JELJALKJJALKJ

[skopostheorie]

Did that Friend quiz thing for Twitter but you can all try it too if you want. I fear most will be relatively easy though because I'm so insane on here

[sentientstump]

he's going through it

[pinceauarcenciel]

Preview of my piece for the lovely @kikisdeliveryzine to celebrate the animated movie 35th Anniversary! (suddently feeling old)

🎀 Pre-Orders are Open until March 31st! 🎀

※ Fanart: Majo no Takkyûbin © Studios Ghibli / Hayao Miyazaki

[deus-ex-mona]

when you’re trying to sleep bUT T H E .

[lynn-tged-posting]

tged webtoon ep 157 spoilers and thoughts but also a good amount of panel dissection that might be overanalyzed but i couldn't stop thinking about it so just let me yap okay it plagued me all weekend

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i am so serious when i say this entire episode gave me like. so much worry and anxiety over the characters that i made myself upset thinking about it . the only thing saving me is everyone's fun expressions in this and specifically this panel of javier

HES SO SILLY CUTE PLAYING WITH THE SUMMONS THEYRE ADORABLE EEHEHEHEHE

anyway . to the brainrot

i think this panel of lloyd turning his back to javier, immediately after telling javier to go on break for a while, was the first little indicator of "oh no" for me

it really worried me that he said this, especially when they've been working together so much on their journey, so this was tiny little moment of "oh boy whats going on,,," for me,,, idk if anyone else felt the same but i had a feeling i would Not be ready for this ep. and i was right i was absolutely not ready

and then we hit the montage of javier going around the estate and observing how much the land has changed, and i really loved that!! it was really heartwarming seeing everyone, smiling and achieving dreams and stability in a way that the fronteras hadnt seen in a long time (hell i was convinced "oh everythings fine nvm" 😭)

some of my favorite panels in that sequence heehee bayern and his kids this was really really sweet WAAAHH

JAVIERS EXPRESSION HERE WAS SUPER FUNNY TOO absolutely gonna use this as a reaction image

ALSO THIS STATUE OF LLOYD ADHAHAHAHAHDFAHA IM PRETTY SURE IT IS RELATED TO IF NOT THE SAME AS THE STATUE IN CPSM they do have different poses so it mightve had to be rebuilt or something but either way . lloyd statue where he's near naked for some reason in the middle of frontera estate. a wonderful center piece good work team

AND MY BABY BOY SOLITAS he finally managed to create something im so proud of him GOOD JOB BUD!! THE CARVING IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

it just hit me as im typing this that they also say "[project name] complete" not sure if this is a translation thing or if it's something they picked up from lloyd saying "construction complete" but if its the latter thatd be REALLY CUTE

also that panel of tordes by the mines he looks genuinely . satisfied and happy?? the guy punished to work for the fronteras for over 100 years is having a great time LMAO

AND THIS PANEL OF JAVIER

THIS MADE ME SMILE SO WIDE

it's really really pretty, and javier can see that. he can see that the estate has grown and changed into a strong and capable place, and he echoed this in the last chapter but it's really worth celebrating this. so many accomplishments, in so little time, with so much efficiency. frontera estate has been raised from the ground up and seeing it all accumulated was so so beautiful,,,

so seeing this panel absolutely devastated me

the contrast is STRIKING. all of the brightness and light and warmth of the street javier is in is only seen in partial rays streaking in. lloyd is alone, surrounded by books and in a darker corner of the panel. isolated, facial features unreadable and working by himself,,, refusing to see or ignoring all of the accomplishments behind him.

it's like he's falling back into old habits. that workaholism that kept him alive when he was only kim suho in korea. in order to survive, to keep up, to stay afloat, to stay ALIVE, you must keep working. go to the next project, the next problem, the next assignment, and everything will be fine. only then will freedom be yours to have. only then will you be free of this responsibility you bear for those you love.

but he really doesn't need to do that anymore! he has a whole estate of people who will follow him to the ends of the earth, because he's proven himself to be capable of protecting them. he has parents who love him, despite his changes, despite his past, who have grown to believe in him.

he has his beloved knight, who is waiting for him to call for aid. who only needs a glance or a word to lend a hand. who is waiting for him to come outside and just SEE all that he's done. to celebrate, to have peace. to enjoy home. to simply be at home, together.

"when will you be able to come here...?"

javier, protagonist that he is, sees all this light around, and it's peeking into this library that lloyd is in, wondering where the engineer is, but his nose is to a book. because he is working. and that's,,, scary to see. there's a level of distance already taking shape because of old habits, and i don't know if either of them realize it

and like you look at the panel javier is in one more time and you can see, there's kids playing as javier and lloyd! they even have matching hair, and the dog is colored exactly like ppodong. super cute! but it worries me that they're on opposite sides of javier.

said this earlier; this is probably an overanalysis and this probably means nothing. it really is a cute lil cameo of some kids in town! but the fact that they are split like this is eating at me. ppodong-dog is on javier-kid's side, when ppodong is lloyd's summon? and again, they're on opposite sides of javier, will they join back together and keep playing? lloyd-kid is ahead of javier-kid, will he run on ahead without looking back? it's so cute and yet it's making me anxious!!! am i overthinking???

anyway, this split and the two panels contrasting each other like this filled me with so much nervousness that i had to close my eyes and just breathe for a little bit

then we see arcos and marbella talking about lloyd and it's clear they're worried about him, still unsure of where these changes in behavior came from and yet accepting it nonetheless because god dammit theyre good kind people

and when we see lloyd he looks,,,

tired, and disheveled, and still only thinking about working on the next thing. he keeps going on too, like there's nothing currently wrong with this; he's probably used to it, handling everything without a moments rest. the count and countess even mention it at the end of the episode

and when he treats the formal frontera attire lightly and scurries off again, it's like a final nail in this sinking coffin. honestly, i think early lloyd probably would have said similar things to try and skirt the count's attention, but this scene in combination with lloyd being depicted as separated from lloyd, appearing exhausted from continuous work, as well as the following panels of lloyd leaving,,, it fills me with anxiety and dread.

face shrouded in the darkness of the hall, so his features are unrecognizable, just like the library panel. who is that? is it suho or is it lloyd speaking right now? where are you going, into that darkness by yourself, shying away from the light you've brought to this estate? you don't have to do this alone.

and this long, looming distance stretching between him and arcos and marbella. stretching further as lloyd marches onward and alone, working by himself, away from the moments of peace and celebration that his family and his estate bring. into the dark. it's a little haunting to me.

these panels did a really, REALLY good job at solidifying this growing degree of isolation that lloyd is putting himself into, intentionally or not (for lloyd and for the artist lol). he's getting out of reach in his desire to protect everyone, to complete this responsibility he gave himself for the estate.

it's almost,,, backwards? in a way? in the early webtoon, there's a panel where suho is shown trying to reach for a light in the darkness. he believed that if he kept working towards that light, he'll find a way out of this hell he's found himself in, and so everything would be fine. here and now, it could be that he still thinks that this is the case, when it's in fact the opposite. he's brought this light to the estate, but he's putting himself in the dark (and alone, at that) in an effort to reach for the "next light". i don't think he realizes it. this makes me really, really sad. jesus christ well done artist/adaptor

what is it all for if you won't even rest? if you won't turn around and look at all these people who need you around? and not need you as in doing work for them, but need you as in wanting to be with you, and cherishing you, and spending time with you, and simply loving you. yes, time is short and yes, fate is looming, but all this effort to fight those things is still making him lose this connection he has with the estate. he doesn't have to do this alone,,, he doesn't have work endlessly. take a BREAK LLOYD

and by the end of the episode it's to the point that arcos and marbella have realized that that's not lloyd frontera. that's someone else. and gods their faces are DEVASTATING

eyes shadowed, irises blank and lost. they're not frowning deeply, but i can feel the upset layered in. is it disappointment or is it grief? i can't really say for sure, but man,,, man.

anyway yeah i hope u guys understand why this episode gave me anxiety LMFAO

i am so so so sorry for the overthinking/overdissection in this post but my brain started connecting things . whether or not they make sense or if it's just being nitpicky is impossible for me to see so. yeah take this however u will

i actually also briefly saw someone on twitter say that this wasn't in the novel? which is interesting and also a little scary i hope lloyd will turn out alright AHHH

i really hope next episode everyone will be alright ,,, please i cant take this much emotional twisting and turning im gonna lose my mind

see y'all next week or in the next shitpost,,, whichever comes first

[mermaidslabyrinth]

Personally I would love to hear about your potential SotSK OC and his daughter, whatever you’re willing to share👀

Thank you so much for the ask. Thank you for having interest in a character that I know I won't ever write for. But do cherish in an odd way.

So the show is supposed to be set in 209 AC (77 yrs after HotD and 89 yrs before GoT). I’m using my timeline/story for my guy. He would be 30 yrs old.

I, to the surprise to no one at this point, rambled. .....A lot. Like I gave an outline of them. Many apologies.

Daemon Dragonfyre (born: 179 AC)

Rumors say that since he was born within minutes after his great grandsire Daemon Targaryen died, that he is the man reborn. [Yes, Daemon lives that long in my story, trust me, he deserves it (derogatory)]. By the time Daemon was 16 he became known as the “Dour Dragon”.

Parents: Maegon Rivers {Changes last name to Dragonfyre upon marriage} and Ettienora Targaryen. (My OCs; Aemond's son and Rhagerys's daughter)

Rhagerys and Aemond are his grandfathers. By the time Daemon's story would matter, the two are of old age and have retired to live quietly on Dragonstone.

Siblings: Two older sisters. Jaehaera and Jaehaena Dragonfyre (born: 174 AC). Jaehaera married a Bracken. Jaehaena married a Blackwood (She becomes the mother of Betha Blackwood, future wife of Aegon V. So Aemond and Rhagerys are direct ancestors to Daenerys “Stormborn” Targaryen and Jon Snow)

Looks: Back-length, black hair with thick white strands in the front. Very pale lilac eyes. 6’4”. He has his father features. But a bit harsher. Here's how his hair looks:

Face claim: Crispin Glover [Alice in Wonderland; but he has both eyes]. He just fits how I see Daemon. A bit off but there's something about him. And Crispin plays mean/unstable so well in anything he's in.

Personality: Daemon is just…awful. He was an alright child growing up. Stayed to mostly to himself. Unless his sisters needed him for some game they were playing. He loves his sisters but he doesn’t like them. He rarely talks to anyone that is not his parents or grandfathers. He has quite the stubborn streak in him. He can be petty and arrogant. He does not forget a slight. He seems to take great joy in the absolute misery of others. He’s just a miserable man and makes sure everyone else suffers for it.

"Little" outline: When Daemon was 14 years old he left Dragonstone to squire for one of his older cousins. He traveled with his cousin to many tourneys over the next 3 years.

Daemon and Brynden Rivers crossed at the battle of the first Blackfyre Rebellion. Daemon was 17 and Brynden was 21. They were kin and on the same side. He was the one to help Brynden get back to full health after he lost his eye in the fight with Aegor Rivers.

A “spark” flared between them and a closeness was formed. Like an unhealthy attachment based solely on lust, their shared blood, and a hint of depravity. Let’s just say a bastard (asshole sense) recognizes another bastard. Unfortunately, one of them was a conniving bastard unto anyone that wronged him.

For a while Daemon was one of Bloodraven’s 1,000 and one eyes.

Within the year (196 AC-197 AC) Brynden felt he had to get rid of Daemon. He was becoming too distracting for him and his work. So he went to King Daeron II and had a marriage brokered for their young relative to the heir of House Whent, Lady Melony. An average House that would gladly accept the marriage of a Targaryen.

Daemon was upset. He was being sent away from King’s Landing. Away from Brynden. He became livid when Daeron II informed him it was actually Brynden’s idea that the marriage even came about. Daemon, of course, confronted Brynden with white hot rage. They argued, physically fought, fucked, just a real mess of how they parted. Nothing was fully settled. A festering wound left unattended.

It was an advantageous match for Daemon. He was the only son of a legitimized bastard and the 12th child of 15 children. He would have inherited nothing but his father’s last name and Valyrian steel sword, Dragonfyre [Hence the last name]. As much as he loathed the absolute idea of marrying so soon and being sent from Brynden, he also knew he was marrying “up” in a way. That any son his wife had would be Lord Whent someday.

Daemon moved to the Riverlands with his wife. They had twins within the year (198 AC). A boy, Trystyn and a girl, Alys. Their children took the last name Whent. Daemon did not ignore his children but he also did not make any effort to really get to know them. Daemon and his bride had no more children. Many figured it was because that the women of House Whent can have fertility issues. But it was because Daemon found pleasures elsewhere. Mostly with very fair haired, quite pale men.

Trystyn, who is very kind and just, marries a Piper and goes on to have five sons and six daughters. He is the ancestor of Catelyn Tully and to her children with Ned Stark. [There is a theory online that Alys and Aemond’s son married a Whent and is an ancestor to the Starks, so I went with that]

So for the next 14 years (198 AC-212 AC) Daemon stayed in the Riverlands being a cold husband and indifferent father. Then, in 212 AC, he and Brynden’s paths crossed again. [Rhagerys and Aemond have been dead for 10+ years by then]

The wedding tourney at Whitehall was happening. Daemon took his wife and two children, since they were invited by Ambrose Butterwell to celebrate his second wedding to a daughter of Lord Frey. While there a second Blackfyre Rebellion tried to start up by Daemon II Blackfyre.

Upon seeing Brynden after 14 years away from him, Daemon still had a passion for the man. Also a vitriol hatred. Not the best combination. He greeted his old “friend”, introduced his children, and very sarcastically said that he was blessed with them because of Brynden.

Daemon, sent his family back to their home [I am unclear where House Whent was before being granted Harrenhal in 233 AC] and traveled back to King’s Landing with Brynden. They talked and kept it formal. Though, there were glances and intimate touches. Neither went further. But it was quite obvious both easily could have. All one would have had to do was just give the word. And they would have came together once more.

While in King’s Landing, Daemon ingrained himself with the new king, King Aerys I. He was able to charm him with bonding over books and stories that Daemon grew up hearing from his father and mother. Daemon was even able to enchant Queen Aelinor with his “sweetness” and wit.

Once he was able to secure the favors of both king and queen, Daemon enacted his revenge against Brynden. He went to the Queen and “plead” his case. He went on about how he had such a sweet daughter and how he feared that an awful man would marry her. That he would feel so much at ease if he could find her a honorable, decent man. …Like Brynden Rivers. Daemon laid it on quite thick about how such a good, magnanimous man Brynden was. How such a capable Hand he had been to Aerys I for the past four years. That if his daughter could marry such a man like that he would feel a heavy weight off of his heart.

Well, the Queen heard his words and they tugged at her heart strings to hear how much he truly cared for his daughter’s future. Within a week or two King Aerys I called Brynden to his chambers to have a private word with him. The king told Brynden that he had decided that Brynden was to marry Daemon’s young daughter, Alys Whent. Brynden kept a placid face upon the news and stoically agreed.

When he left the King’s chambers he immediately went to Daemon’s. Daemon was patiently waiting.

Little Blurb Brynden glared down at Daemon. His one red eye practically glowed from the fire dancing in the fireplace as it illuminated the room. “You would do that to your own daughter? To have her marry me?” A slight snarl curled on Brynden’s lips. “It would be a loveless marriage. She will know nothing but sadness.” Brynden lightly shook his head. He relaxed his tone the best he could. He had to try and get Daemon to see reason. “She will suffer.” Daemon stared up at Brynden from where he sat. Very slowly, the absolute smuggest grin a man could produce appeared on his face. “But so will you.” He lowly answered. *Insert insane passionate hate sex here*

I don’t know where those two go after that. Still figuring it out. I could see them reigniting their lust fiiled relationship during Alys’s marriage to Brynden. Their relationship is basically this:

And idk how he became such a git. But I can’t see him any other way now. Just know Daemon is a bastard man that did not care who he hurt to get his petty revenge. I mean, he uses his own daughter for a slight done to him 14 years prior.

And one might wonder, why does Brynden not rid himself of Daemon for good? Make it seem as if there had be an “accident” of some sort. Because, and Brynden would never admit to it not even under torture, he cares for Daemon. On the verge of loving that dreadful man (probably one reason he’s drawn to him).

Daemon is just obsessed, psychotically possessive of Brynden. And in love with him in his own deranged way. But would never admit to it.

The two songs I associate with Daemon are: Forsaken - Korn & Disturbed I Don’t Care - Apocalyptica

Daemon and Brynden’s song: Poison - Alice Cooper

~~~~~

Alys Whent (Born: 198 AC)

Parents: Daemon Dragonfyre and Melony Whent.

Siblings: Trystyn Whent, Heir to House Whent. (Older twin). Daemon did not name them. He told his wife he did not care what she chose for their names.

Looks: Back-length, black hair. Dark violet eyes. 5’9”. She has both her parents strong/high cheek bones. Her father’s jaw and nose. Her mother’s sweet, big eyes and smile.

Face Claim: Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things). She has that sweet but strong vibe to her.

Personality: Such a sweet girl. Alys grew up happy enough. She is kind and charitable. She is willing to listen to others' woes. She can also be playful and gets the giggles easily. But she can also sit quietly by herself and work on her embroidery or play the harp. She has always dreamed of marrying a gentle, honorable man. Someone to almost be like the knights of the stories she heard growing up. She’s like a mixture of Rapunzel from ‘Tangled’ and Lady Amalthea from ‘The Last Unicorn’.

Alys is 15 when she marries Brynden in 213 AC. They live in King’s Landing. She went from having a neglectful father to having a neglectful husband. Though, Brynden did spend time with her at times, just not enough to where Alys felt truly wanted by him. The times were usually meals, or a scheduled walk in the gardens, or, if Alys was able to convince Brynden, a nice quiet day where they would spend the majority of it together.

Alys was quite lonely. Not too many people wanted to befriend the Bloodraven’s wife. They figured her to be one of his 1,000 and one eyes. That she would spy on the ladies of the court by pretending to be their friend then report back to her husband what she found out. Alys was eventually able to make friends with Aelor and Aelora Targaryen. But when Aelor died (217 AC) and Aelora committed suicide (218 AC), she was alone once again.

When Maekar came to the throne in 221 AC, Alys was 23 and Brynden was 46. Their marriage was still unconsummated. Brynden saw with a new king, that maybe he would dissolve their sham of a marriage. But fate had other plans.

Daemon had come back to King’s Landing. He was bringing his sister Jaehaena's youngest son to become a squire for Aerion Targaryen. While there he could see how miserable Brynden was when he inquired about the marriage of his daughter and him. It pleased Daemon. While alone with Alys, whom he hadn't seen or written to in those eight years, Daemon severly chastised her for being unable to complete such an easy task of consummating her marriage. Just get her husband to lay with her once and then the marriage cannot be undone. Daemon left his daughter’s chambers but not before he made sure he had upset her quite a bit.

It wasn’t until late in the evening that Brynden got word at how distraught his wife had been. How she had locked herself away in her chambers and refused anyone to enter. He, begrudgingly, went to her chambers to see if he could calm her. He, at first, just stands a distance from her and tries to tell her that she needs to stop or she’ll make herself sick. He asks why she is in such a state. When she told him she had quite the talk with her father, Brynden asked her what words he had said to make her feel such a way. Alys did not just tell Brynden of what her father said that day but how he had been since she could remember.

Against his better judgment, Brynden went to his wife and comforted her. One thing led to another and they finally consummated their marriage.

Later, when Brynden made sure Alys was asleep, he left to go back to his chambers in the Tower of the Hand. Upon entering them he saw a figure standing by the fireplace. It was Daemon. And that smug smile that he had those 8 years ago was back. He did not even try to hide that he knew where Brynden had been and what he had finally done.

*Insert more insane passionate hate sex here*

That’s all I have to that point. I do know that Brynden develops a fondness for Alys. And she goes from thinking she loves Brynden to absolutely loving him. It becomes an amicable marriage after that.

Brynden and Alys do have children. I’m just unsure how many. Since he does get sent to the Wall 12 years later in the year 233 AC. So they can have a few. And I love giving my characters a lot of kids.

I do know that their last two are twins, a boy named Brynden and girl named Shiera (They go on to marry one another as well). They are born the year after Brynden gets sent to the Wall. So he never got to meet them physically in person. When he becomes the Three Eyed Raven he visits the twins in a raven form and in their dreams. Shiera even names the raven ‘Phantom’ and keeps a window open in her chambers for him. So he can come and go as he pleases. She even has him on her shoulder from time to time as she walks the grounds of Harrenhal.

Alys does move to Harrenhal with her children once Brynden is sent to the Wall. In the year 252 AC when Brynden goes missing, she is beyond devastated. And that’s when Alys starts to be visited in her dreams by Brynden. To Alys, this proves that he is still alive. She starts to light a candle and set it on a window sill in one of the high towers. So when Brynden returns he can find her. Many think she has gone mad. Since she talks about Brynden as if he is with her at all times.

That’s all I have for Alys. She was thrust into a position she should have not been in. And she did her best to adapt to it.

The two songs I associate with her are: Not Pretty Enough - Kasey Chambers Titanium - Jasmine Thompson

Alys and Brynden’s song: Unknown/Nth - Hozier

That’s for sure all I have. …it’s more than I thought I did. 😅

[thelonelyshore-if]

just a little preview of what i'm working on during my break today <3

[ssspringroll]

ok. Hi.

[ataleofcrowns]

Preview for X's Route in Chapter 11

[mcgrillzdumpinc]

sharing another preview of my jinmao fic to celebrate making it to chapter 5!!

“I didn’t know you could make mistakes with your medicine,” Jinshi says.  “Your products are usually of superb quality.”

             Maomao feels a bit tizzy under the praise.  She holds up a few of the usable products.  “I did make some good ones.  This one is an antipyretic.  You will likely experience some fevers, so I made it to be easy on the stomach.  These are all analgesics, but this salve can’t be used until your skin heals over.  And this is the anti-inflammatory drug I’m very proud of!  It took a lot of trial and error to get the ratio just right, because otherwise I would make a pill that doesn’t keep its shape or it’d be too bitter to swallow.  But now it’s perfect.”  Maomao holds up the small box with gusto.  “Oh!  You will be needing these soon, so please excuse me,” she says as she climbs over him.

             Some nobles’ beds are accompanied by a set of drawers, typically placed behind the pillows.  Jinshi has one of these, and she places several of her usable medicines on top, lined up so she will be able to immediately tell which is which.  She pulls out a few sachets of herbs from her robes and places them more towards her side of the bed, for easy access.  She moves to get out, but Jinshi catches her by the sleeve.

             Maomao sits on her knees.  “What is it?” she asks.

             He looks up at the medicine, then at her.  “You’re…working very hard.”

             “Of course I am.”  She always gives it her all when she dedicates herself to something.

             His hand moves from her sleeve then, cautiously, around her hand.  She allows the hold, relaxes her hand so her fist isn’t pressing up against his palm.  He seems at a loss for words.  Maomao really wants to get back to her salvage pile.

             “Thank you,” he eventually arrives at.  Jinshi offers her a shy, abashed smile.  “It’s easier…knowing you’ll be by my side.”  As he says these words, an intangible force seeps from him, an invisible fog that fills every space between them and cloys at her hands, her face.  She doesn't know what to call it, but she has felt it, time and again, when Jinshi looks at her like he looks at her now.

            He leans in, a request, an invitation.  She stays still, her hand wrapped by Jinshi’s.  He kisses her, careful, against the corner of her lips and, when she doesn't object, on her mouth proper.  Inexperience shows itself in the clumsy way he tries to prolong the kiss, a desperate press that doesn't get him anywhere, so she decides to teach him something she learned during her so-called courtesan training.  An easy technique, meant to tell a customer, ‘kiss me more’.  She slots her lips around his bottom one, guiding it past her gums and between her teeth.  She sucks and bites at his lower lip, careful not to hurt him, and he responds eagerly, following her every move and instruction with enthusiasm.

            A knock comes at the door.  Maomao hurries away from the alluringly soft mouth and back to her pile of medicines.  Jinshi, hanging his head, calls to the visitors, granting them entry.