#proper tagging is essential

[roosterbox]

To every fanfic writer (in any of my multitudes of fandoms) who has ever tagged their work with “Hurt No Comfort,”

Thank you.

No seriously, thank you.

This entire fucking year has been one clusterfuck after another for me, and it’s not over yet. I’ve been using a lot of fanfic for comfort, which seems counterproductive to my initial message, but hang on.

My heart and emotions are a lot softer than normal these days (which is saying a lot!), and all I want to read are happy endings. Fluff. Soft boys in love. You know? And absolutely nothing sucks quite as much as going into a fic expecting hurt/comfort, but having no comfort be found. Honestly with how vulnerable I’ve been feeling, reading too many of those might actually have broken me. There were a couple that were untagged that hit me pretty hard.

So… thank you, I guess. For tagging properly and considerately. I’m not reading anything with that tag any time soon, but still. Thanks. I appreciate you ❤️

[saturnniidae]

"I should've seen the signs" I feel like Stoick was basically reliving the way he lost Valka.

To him, after a lifetime of wanting nothing but to kill a dragon, Hiccup's suddenly and inexplicably changed his mind. To him, Hiccup saying he can't kill them is just like when Valka refused to and tried convincing others as well, then as a result was 'killed' by one herself.

To him, way Hiccup tossed his weapon and shield to the side then approached Hookfang while speaking about how dragons aren't what people think they are probably bares an uncomfortable resemblance to the way Valka put down her weapon and stared a dragon in the eyes and as a result was taken.

To him, attempting to do anything but preemptively defend yourself against a dragon will only end in tragedy, so he has to do anything he can to stop Hiccup before it's too late.

(And just like with Valka, he unintentionally escalated the situation by trying to protect Hiccup but only agitated the dragon, causing it to panic and react, inadvertently putting someone he loves in danger. again)

Stoick of course, wasn't acting rationally, but it makes sense when you think about how traumatizing Valka's 'death' must've been for him (and how much Hiccup reminss him of her); he watched her get taken, presumably killed, and couldn't do anything about it.

[animalinvestigator]

odaiba day celebration

[wilbursoothatepage]

Saw this post on twitter and I’m actually just so happy someone shares this opinion

It always felt like a publicity stunt with Dream than actually grieving and sure everyone grieves in different ways but this to me just didn’t look or feel that way. Especially with the fact that Dream wasn’t as close with Techno as Phil, Wilbur, Tommy, Sophie, Skeppy or literally anyone else. Also the fact that during some of the events held in Techno’s name, dream spent promoting himself instead of the foundation or the cause they were there for was so disrespectful and distasteful. Their whole relationship revolved around their rivalry and that was it…

If anyone was given the mantle then it was the Phil, Wilbur and Tommy but that’s just my opinion

[reanimationstation]

[spotsupstuff]

I've heard of height differences in relationships, but I've never seen one where the difference is in miles!

/j

love the two of them cuz they have Two different height difference situations and in both Sparrows is the shorter one

compared to Euros' puppet? he is 6 centimeters taller

compared to WHOLE Euros?

One Damn Pixel. beeg huband

[ravensonravens]

Photodump from the distant time of December 2023 (lol) when I was just getting into The Raven Cycle for the first time!!

Right before Christmas, I went with friends to dinner and the ballet, and I wore a Gansey-esque inspired outfit, because I couldn't wait to start having TRC fun and making content.

Already, this series has introduced me to so many wonderful people, and it reignited my passion to create. I'm SO excited to keep that momentum going.

Excelsior. 💖

(Bonus notes: I got a *mint* julep with dinner for PEAK Gansey-boy aesthetic. I think I'm *hilarious*.

And that mid pic is Gansey "Psspss"-ing Ronan at the Christmas market Celtic booth. 😘😂)

[randomwriteronline]

Across the perpetual twilight skies of the archipelago of Okoto streak six shooting stars: the Toa, ancient warriors imbued with elemental powers, crash upon the islands to reawaken the Great Spirit from the slumber imposed upon him by the jealousy of his brother Makuta. But much is buried within the prowling shadows, drowning in a forgotten past...

WELCOME TO MY BIONICLE G3 CONCEPT.

The idea was to keep G2's idea of a simpler universe while including as much G1 stuff I like as possible. Thanks to @cantankerouscanuck and @legend-as-old-as-time for letting me spitball ideas at them and figuring out stuff. As you can see from the inconsistent calligraphy THIS IS STILL A DRAFT, BUT I HOPE YOU CAN ENJOY.

Includes setting, characters, and a rough timeline of events.

For slightly more specific ramblings, check out this thread here.

SETTING:

Okoto - Archipelago connected by strands of land/sand/reef/etc. used to be a singular island/continent before a large chunk of it sunk into the ocean. total of 7 islands connected by strands of land/sand/reef/etc, six forming a sort of circle with one in the middle, each with a different environment. submerged but still inhabitable chunks make up the parts of a ring-shaped village.

Taisl - used to be a super volcano that blew up, many ground level pools opening onto magma. lava is harvested to make safe terrain for planting crops or building structures; occasionally cooled plots are sent off to other islands to facilitate farming.

Gaisl - huge seaside swamp, divided in many ponds and gulches. villages are built on stilts or mangroves; the waters go from shallow to extremely deep in only few steps, caution is needed. diving and rice farming main sources of food.

Onuisl - completely uninhabitable above ground, lush underground flora. bioluminescent funghi and stones provide plenty of light; diet consists of bugs and tubers. villages are split off in large caves connected by ever expanding tunnels.

Leisl - massive jungle, the archipelago's breathing lung. trees big and sturdy enough to build villages on them; underbrush too lush to walk through. mostly hunters and gatherers. flying lemurs are the main alternative means of transport.

Poisl - rocky canyons containing a large desert. villages carved into the sides of mountains; even with the twilight can't go around at midday for excess of heat. main means of transport are horned lizards, agriculture happens in carved out oasis.

Koisl - mountain range diving straight into the sea with jagged cliffs. sparce vegetation, southern position; villages have high snow walls for insulation and mostly hunt to survive. snow moles aid with foraging and transportation even in blizzards.

Voisl - aka Island of the Mask Makers. religious center of Okoto. the city of the mask makers mostly survived the cataclysm, though a further off portion of it was left in ruins - people from all villages can be found here. temperate climate.

Iniri - underwater city. inhabitants are partially amphibious: they can breathe underwater but the salt damages their lungs so they need prolonged exposure to fresh air. some portions are set up in air pockets within cliffs or undersea caves, or in artificially created air bubbles - mostly for specific cultivations.

CHARACTERS:

Great Spirit (Ma Ui? Takamu? Nameless?) - god of the sky, light, world. fairly "human", feels emotions very deeply and understands living beings very well. generally sympathetic to the struggles of mortals despite being so distant from them and with a gentle demeanor. ineffable body, unpercievable under normal circumstances. mask like in this post

Bohrok: iridescent beetles associated with the Great Spirit, carriers of departed souls - wings shaped like a G1 Hau. they can act as the GS's "body". their gentle buzz lulls Manas Crabs to sleep

Makuta - god of the shadows, animals, plants. based on G1 Makuta from books 1-3. more properly a "spirit", not alive, doesn't understand sapient living beings as a result. puts GS into a coma - allegedly out of envy (wants to be worshipped like his brother, villagers are ingrates), in truth out of love (cannot feel pain but knows GS does, wants to protect him). loves his family so so much

Manas crabs: enormous crustaceans associated with Makuta, nature's best shields and weapons. usually hibernating. can be incredibly gentle despite their terrible appearance and strength

Ekimu - mask maker and protector of the Mysteries of the Stars (reads both the future in them and the past in the fires of his forge), main religious figure of Okoto. mask makers are capable of ascending villagers to Toa by bestowing masks of power, which are made by infusing one or two elemental powers into the mask. reading the coming on the Toa [Mata] in the stars and the great dangers they would face, Ekimu made the golden masks for them and hid them. is a guide and mentor to them

Lhikan - previous protector of the Mysteries of the Stars, lead the Toa [Metru] much like Ekimu does for the [Mata]. several characters including Ekimu look up to her and try to live by her example. read the coming of a few catastrophes in the stars and attempted to call the Toa [Mata] to no avail, thus bestowing masks of power upon six the [Metru] and leading them to find a way to handle the coming crisis. mother of Jaller and Vakama (adopted) and bonded with Krika, daughter of Makuta. Dies to protect Vakama

Takua - Ekimu's apprentice mask maker/protector of the Mysteries, currently struggling with both, and leader of the Chronicler's company. more interested in current tales, often runs off to the other islands to meet up with his friends. the toa [Mata] keep finding him places he is NOT supposed to be and need to save him all the time

Pewku - "mascot" of the mask makers and the Chronicler's company. incomprehensibly old crab who likes to help: carries around tools for the mask makers, brings letters across the island, and accompanies Takua and friends on adventures. best girl no questions asked

Toa [Mata] - fall from the stars, G1 personality/powers/genders. the original Toa team, with a vast mythology to accompany them. answer to Ekimu. unclear how many times they've been summoned - their memory is erased when each crisis is handled and they get sent back up to the stars. they become aware of this twice and absolutely hate it. designs based on Mata. Protectors of the Sky/Great Spirit

Tahu: Mask of Shielding - same power as G1.

Gali: Mask of Breathing - can breathe through anything, be that water, smoke, or other.

Onua: Mask of Strength - same power as G1.

Lewa: Mask of Levitation - same power as G1.

Pohatu: Mask of Speed - same power as G1.

Kopaka: Mask of Vision - same power as G1.

Toa [Metru] - turn from normal villagers to Toa, masks bestowed by Lhikan. answer to Lhikan and Krika (adopted by her). older friends of the Toa [Inika]. enter a trance on Voisl from which they contact and later train the Toa [Mata] - end up sealed in statues during it, aging slower. turned werebestial by Chirox, giving them a werebeast transformation on command later on (design middle ground?). possible gender changes. Protectors of the Continent

Vakama: Mask of Invisibility - same power as G1. apprentice mask maker and chosen successor of Lhikan - his masks will later be bestowed upon the Toa [Inika].

Nokama: Mask of Translation - same power as G1. apprentice translator, studied in secret the language of the Great Spirit.

Whenua: Mask of Brightness - same power as G1. apprentice record keeper, studied in secret all of the Toa-adjacent mythos.

Matau: Mask of Illusion - same power as G1. athlete and racer, known for his successes in the arena's games.

Onewa: Mask of Coercion - same power as G1. sculptor and carver, known for the care for details in all of his works.

Nuju: Mask of Telekinesis - same power as G1. apprentice astrologer, slowly abandoned fortune-telling in order to try and understand the Great Spirit's inner machinations instead.

Toa [Inika] - turn from normal villagers to Toa, masks bestowed by the [Mata]. Jaller is Lhikan's child - gets her mask. during the cataclysm managed to unite their elemental powers to allow Iniri villagers to survive and became amphibious themselves. trained by the Toa [Mata], who disappeared* when they were needed - Jaller, Kongu and Nuparu still sulk about it. designs mostly based on Mahri. possible gender changes. Protectors of the Ocean

Jaller: Mask of Sonar - same power as G1.

Hahli: Mask of Adaptation - same power as G1.

Nuparu: Mask of Stealth - same power as G1.

Kongu: Mask of Linking - connects to other minds, reading them and sending simple messages.

Hewkii: Mask of Gravity - same power as G1.

Matoro: Mask of Resurrection - same power as G1.

Hannah: Jaller's crab rescued from Pridak ages ago, has since grown much larger than G1 to the point where the [Inika] can ride her into battle. she and Pewku will have a summer wedding. i make the rules and the rules say the domesticated crabs are lesbians.

*trying to use their powers to save the continent triggered a "reset protocol", sending them back to the stars. They became aware of their coming amnesia and tried to fight to remain, but in vain.

The Chronicler's Company - the weirdest kids available. often left on their own or thrown to the Children of Makuta. bond with the Toa [Mata] as they are the ones to first find them and are often saved by/guiding/helping/following them, growing fond of the [Metru] and [Inika] as well. their masks were made by Takua to help them with things they struggled with. {could become Toa after a proper bestowing of the masks by Takua once he becomes a mask maker himself. Protectors of the Archipelago}

Kapura: Mask of Need - {Magnetism powers: attracts and/or repells anything horizontally.} male.

Macku: Mask of Focus - {Lightning powers: creates lightning bolts from residual electricity.} female.

Taipu: Mask of Thought - {Psionic powers: reads and influences minds, creates psychic blasts.} female.

Tamaru: Mask of Botany - {Jungle powers: controls all plantlife, influencing growth and decay.} female.

Hafu: Mask of Welding - {Iron powers: manipulates iron and steel, even in tiny percentages.} female.

Kopeke: Mask of Volume - {Sonics powers: quiets and/or amplifies any sound on command.} male.

The Children of Makuta (concept by @cantankerouscanuck) - main minor villains, one for each island + one wandering "pup". not evil, necessity makes them act otherwise. genuine family dynamic, love their parent very much - though Krika has been ostracized due to apparenly deserting them in favor of the [Metru], Lhikan, and Jaller. based on the G1 Makuta specimens: appearances based on mixes of animal species (which ones pending), all embody different aspects of animal nature cranked to the max and distorted

Antroz - dominance, territoriality, leadership. female. Taisl

Mutran - constant evolution, perfectionism. male. Gaisl

Icarax - raw strength, muscle power. female. Onuisl

Chirox - poison, vampire/werewolf infective bite. male. Leisl

Gorast - loyalty to the pack, rejection of all else. female. Poisl

Vamprah - hunting, starvation driving to madness. female. Koisl

Spiriah - indiscriminate destruction, aggression, fear. male. wandering "pup"

Krika - rearing young, protection. female. Voisl

Nidhiki - incarnation of disease, born of residual energy from an ancient supernatural storm. an artificially pure being - oozes possible imperfections out of his body which turn toxic for "imperfect" things and creatures such as Literally Everything Else. gender irrelevant. formed in the bowels of the continent, essentially on Makuta's lap: since the god couldnt feel pain he began reaching upwards to seek things that could react to him and infected the entirety of the continent as well as the Great Spirit. a Schopenauerian will-to-live type of character - mindlessly pursues his own continuation for no reason other than perpetrating his existence

The Barraki - a small group of highly intelligent sea creatures. once prowling alone along the coasts of Okoto, now bother Iniri and are constantly fought off by the Toa [Inika]. brutal and cunning but honestly just trying to live. genders irrelevant. in an Honest To God Polyromantic Relationship - get really mushy with each other even in combat situations. it's both sweet and weird

Pridak - mix of various shark breeds. leader of the bunch, most aggressive and protective. so many sets of teeth that its frankly overkill. his first concern is always protecting the pack and providing enough food for his mates, but also he holds a grudge on Jaller for once adopting his lunch

Kalmah - mix of octopus and squid. tactician of the bunch, awaits the right moment to strike. naturally produces lots of offsprings/clones asexually. usually sends the little ones to charge first and intervenes then if the going gets tough, sometimes attacking but also dragging the others to safety

Ehlek - mix of various eel breeds. berserker of the bunch, fast and anxiously unpredictable. can generate electric shocks from his spikes. a complete and total mess: lashes out in a frenzy but then retreats fearfully under bigger mates

Mantax - mix of stonefish and manta ray. Trap-setter of the bunch, patient and with fast reflexes. lays in wait on the ground before snapping upward. his ability to camouflage makes him hard to spot and leaves many enemies unprepared

Takadox - mix of shrimp and anglerfish. hypnotist of the bunch, the smallest and nimblest. changes colors in hypnotic patterns and glows in the dark. being so tiny makes him extremely fragile, so he tends to hang out on the others backs

Carapar - mix of various crab breeds. muscle of the bunch, near indestructible and terribly strong. claw power second only to Manas crabs. very jealous, beating any other crab-like being that appears as a potential mate-stealer

Fabled Mask Maker - a figure of legend, generally considered a hoax; Voisl is said to be named after him. the only mask maker known to try ascending to Toa via the Mask of Energy, which he made by combining only the purest parts of all six elements (a la G2 Mask of Ultimate Power): was a fine hero for a short time but ended up unable to withstand his own power, causing a supernatural storm which dug huge craters all over Okoto and whisked him away. his full name was cancelled from all records so he could not be idolized and mask makers made it sacrilegious for themselves to ascend to Toa (avoidable via a loophole found by Lhikan to allow Vakama's ascension - since he is still an apprentice he can technically be considered not a mask maker, thus regularizing the process). {appears to Takua in forge visions; Takua will refine his craft and make the Mask of Light, successfully becoming a Toa}

(Any similarities with fan-character Voriki are to be considered coincidences in order to preserve Voriki's status as "collectively owned" character of the community, free from claims.)

TIMELINE

Ages past but not forgotten: basically mythological times. Includes creation of the universe, first coming of the Toa, the Fabled Mask Maker, tales about the children of Makuta, and subsequent tales of the Toa. might also include tales of non-[Mata] Toa teams

Nidhiki is born: trickles of raw energy from the Fabled Mask Maker's last storm create him, and begins slowly rising from within the unfeeling entrails of the continent to infect the Great Spirit

Lhikan becomes Protector of the Mysteries

Anguish in the stars: the Great Spirit, in pain from the disease, reaches out to Lhikan through the stars to warn her and ask for help; she attempts to call the Toa [Mata] but is unsuccessful

The disease spreads to Okotans as well, infecting the [Inika]

Choice and ascension of the Toa [Metru]

Travels across the Continent: Lhikan and the [Metru] set out to investigate the threat to Okoto and figure out how to call the [Mata]. Along the way the injured [Metru] are turned werebeastial by Chirox in order to survive Nidhiki's disease and taken in by Krika, who joins their quest after Lhikan is unable to dissuade her from following them

Nidhiki's defeat: the [Metru] manage to snuff him out, but his final attack towards Vakama leads to Lhikan's sacrifice

The disease ebbs away; the [Metru] and Krika look after the City of the Mask Makers

The Plan: Makuta, learning of the pain his brother went through, begins thinking of how to prevent him from going through it ever again - coming to the idea of putting him in an eternal sleep and starting to enact his plan with his children, minus Krika

Imminent catastrophe: the [Metru] read in the stars that signs of a natural cataclysm that will strike the continent are slowly becoming more and more prominent. Still reeling from Lhikan's loss and doubting their abilities, they decide to attempt the Calling of the Toa [Mata]

The Calling: the [Metru] manage to reach the [Mata] in their slumber via trance. It becomes however apparent that, while extremely powerful, the Toa are unprepared for life: the [Metru] thus train them, slowly being encased in a strange material the longer they spend within the trance. Realizing their situation, they accept their fate and instruct the [Mata] to handle the current crisis first and free them only afterwards

Mild success: properly trained, the [Mata] - with help from Krika and the [Inika] - manage to contain most of the disasters Makuta is trying cause a distraction with in order to put his brother to sleep. As their violence and danger increases, the [Inika] are bestowed masks of power and become Toa

The Cataclysm: in an ultimate effort to enact his plan, Makuta causes Okoto's super volcano to explode, triggering a chain reaction that shatters the continent and sinks entire chunks of it into the sea. Overwhelmed by the sheer size of the situation the [Mata] attempt to contact and free the [Metru] through the Calling ritual, but their intentions are misinterpreted and they are whisked away to the stars again: alone and with no chances of keeping Iniri afloat, the [Inika] use all of their elemental powers to turn themselves and the inhabitants amphibious and disappear into the ocean. The site in which the [Metru] wait as statues is buried by the rubble of Voisl being cut off from the continent

Makuta manages to put the Great Spirit to sleep; the sky becomes a perpetual twilight

Adjustment: in a period of roughly one hundred or more years the archipelago of Okoto and the city of Iniri slowly reach a tentative stability, although the Children of Makuta become more hostile and the Barraki begin their relationship and attacks. Krika continues to search inconsolably for her children

Ekimu becomes Protector of the Mysteries

Contact and preparations: fighting through his slumber, the Great Spirit reaches out to warn that he will attempt sending the [Mata] so they can awake him. Ekimu thus creates their Golden Masks and hides them across the archipelago for them to find, but the Children of Makuta break them apart and hide the pieces all across the different islands

The Coming of the Toa: season 1. The [Mata] crashland on their respective islands, meet the various characters, fight off the Children, form a proper group dynamic, and recompose their golden masks. Ends with Mutran dragging Gali into the ocean in an attempt to have the water pressure crush her, but she is saved by Hewkii, Hahli and Matoro

The Underwater Citadel: season 2. on land the [Mata] split, with Tahu and Pohatu going in the sea to try and find Gali. She has been taken by the [Inika], who explain to her and her brothers their shared past and shed light on their amnesia - while also fighting off the Barraki. Ends with all nine Toa and the inhabitants of Iniri finding a way back to the surface

The Tale of the Continent: season 3. meanwhile, Kopaka, Lewa and Onua return to Ekimu for guidance: he and Takua direct them to the ruined part of the City, now sacred ground prowled by Krika, where they manage to find and free the [Metru]. They too shed light on Okoto's past and the [Mata]'s amnesia with their stories. Ends with the nine of them and Krika reuniting with the other [Mata] and the [Inika]

Final plan: with all the Toa reunited, the [Mata] decide to face Makuta and defeat him to reawaken the Great Spirit - hoping to bargain the possibility of staying in Okoto instead of being sent away again - in the main temple of Okoto. The Children of Makuta catch wind of this and rush over to stop them, bringing with them a number of Manas crabs

Confrontation: while the [Metru], the [Inika], Krika and the Chronicler's Company (and later a Bohrok swarm) fight off the Children of Makuta and the Manas crabs, the [Mata] struggle against Makuta himself. Uniting their powers they manage to wound him, prompting them to almost kill him much to the panic of his children and the danger of Okoto at large - only the just awakened Great Spirit is able to stop them, knocking them out just before they can start delivering the fatal blow

Bargaining: the [Mata] awaken in a dream, for the first time mask-to-mask with the Great Spirit. After a moment of awe and confusion (in which the Great Spirit explains the need for balance, and so for Makuta to live - though he won't forgive him for all of this, not yet), the [Mata] defensively tell him that they refuse to lose their memories and loved ones again, willing to fight him for it. The Great Spirit simply smiles kindly at them, and the dream slowly fades away

Respite: Tahu awakens with a start near the Mask Maker's forge, his worries soothed when Ekimu reassures him it's only been a few days. The Children of Makuta have left to tend to their parent, Iniri has started a reintegration with the archipelago, the [Inika] and the [Metru] are listening to the [Mata]'s tales from the Chronicler's Company, and Tahu's siblings are likely waiting for him by the beach. When the Toa expresses anxiety about the future Ekimu calms him again ("To live is to struggle, but that does not mean that we must spend each second in strife. For now, let's enjoy this peace as though it were endless") and sends him off to the rest of the [Mata] with a smile. Ends with the [Mata] having a nap cuddle pile on the sand, enjoying the sun shining upon the shores of Okoto once again.

[starglitterz]

"xiao?"

your voice is deafening in the quiet, shattering the peaceful silence between the two of you, yet to the last remaining yaksha it is the most pleasant sound in the world.

"yes, dove?"

moonlight filters through the open window, bringing with it a cool breeze that makes you shiver and press closer to him. though to many he is pitiful, burdened by karmic debt and carrying the weight of his past sins, you find his presence to be incredibly comforting, and his warmth now is far from unwelcome.

"are you ever... lonely?"

you hesitate to finish your question, teeth scraping your bottom lip when you bite it as if to prevent the final word from escaping. saying it out loud makes the possibility so much more real, and you're not sure if you really want to know the answer.

"..."

there is no response. xiao feels how you stiffen in his arms, muscles tensing with concern that you may have hurt his feelings or offended him by assuming the conqueror of demons experienced such trivial mortal emotions. truth be told, he is considering his answer, desiring to give you the most honest one he can, for that is what you deserve after opening your heart to someone as stained by the past as him.

"yes. and sometimes it is almost overwhelming."

xiao begins, and the melancholy blossoming in your chest at his reply is simultaneously soothed by his voice. the gentleness of his tone would probably be impossible to comprehend for those who saw him daily, as his softness was reserved for you alone, and he did not particularly care about how rough others perceived him to be.

"but..."

he falls silent once more. xiao prefers not to look at the past, but now he finds himself musing over the other yakshas and mourning their fates. though he used to be ready to welcome death with open arms, grateful for his suffering to be over, things have changed since then.

"it has become easier to bear ever since i learned to love you."

others may take xiao's words at face value and believe that he loves you only out of habit, like you were constantly by his side until he was forced to figure out how to love you. but you know better. xiao learned to love you by learning to let his walls down, that being vulnerable isn't showing weakness, that opening yourself up to the possibility of being hurt provides a fountain of opportunities and love to flow.

"i'm glad."

a smile curves your lips, and you twist in xiao's arms to press a kiss to his jawline before tucking your head into the crook of his neck once more. the stars dance across the blanket of the midnight sky outside, twinkling effortlessly, burning themselves up to give beauty to the darkness, and you are here, safe with your lover.

"i love you, xiao."

perhaps in the grand scheme of the universe the two of you are insignificant, but for now that matters not in the slightest, because:

"and i love you too, dove."

©starglitterz 2022. do not plagiarise, repost nor modify in any way – reblog / follow if you enjoyed!

[stellarsightz]

“All that I've been taught // And every word I've got // Is foreign to me” — Hozier, Foreigner’s God

Aka "nooo dont grieve the life you spent running away from everything and wish you could go back to that life of uncertainty, where you constantly wonder if you can survive another day, rather than stand in the middle of a civil war which has nothing to do with you, you're so cool and sexy you're literally the mythical hero of a land where everyone detests your kind ahahahh"

A silly drawing of my Bosaltmer Dovahkiin, Baltana :))

I fiddled with her design a little, aka i added a different facial tattoo (which mirrors Lynwallyn's because hehe they're twins)

-> a companion piece to this older drawing of Lynwallyn

(Alternative version under the cut; possible eyestrain warning)

[nerosdayinanime]

Sanemi & Giyuu were about 16-17 when they both individually went on an undercover mission in the Kaze no Kuni capital city, they henged/disguised as fake personas Kazura (vaguely derived from kaze, wind) and Nakuu ('to lose')

Kazura is supposed to be darker skinned + two-toned eyes like that of Kazan no Kuni descendants & is sensible and confident but lazy, Nakuu has a hairstyle + facial shape from Mizu no Kuni & an outgoing enthusiastic and pretty sly personality

Giyuu put some particular effort into his disguise and really got into the character he was playing up, he also had fun with it where he could- and thats how he met Kazura. i dont have or really want specifics of why where how or such bc it ruins the imaginative bit of it ig? but while they were on the mission they were meeting up, they both knew the other was disguised but neither pried about it. they fell in love a bit, however it means, but as Nakuu's namesake they were never going to last. it was a mission and when it was done they would leave for home and never meet again.

but then they did :)

at 19 sanemi and giyuu had a political marriage arranged(forced) by Kyogo being a greedy fuck and wanting more trade from the Tomioka, in both the Happy & Broken marriage paths giyuu's the one who notices sanemi acting the same way as kazura in some ways and realizes the two are one in the same. In the Happy marriage its a thought that brings a smile to his face and a jest about how they fell in love twice, in the Broken marriage its only twice the heartbreak after the apathy sanemi regards him with and the loneliness that consumes him

[ereborne]

WIP title game! I was tagged by @goingsparebutwithprecision Thank you! This is a very fun game even if some of my titles are especially silly rn

RULES: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

I'm only listing the ones I've worked in recently, because otherwise this would be shamefully long

where'd the ancient space-monk keep his armies (Star Wars)

do it my damned self (Call of Duty)

it's a small explosive device (Star Wars)

lay-on-the-floor-and-scream dot excel (Star Wars)

head-bomp (Marvel, tower)

backflip, faceplant (DC, batfam)

He has a sword. (Leverage)

refractive index (DC, YJ)

definitionally someone else's problem (Star Wars)

'No pressure tagging' is I think such a useful phrase. @zahnie, @acountrygirlsfun, @piratefalls, @lynne-monstr, anybody else who wants to play?

[dutybcrne]

Me, vibing: Now that I have finished the event, perhaps I can do things now-

My brain: Remember that one episode in Teen Titans? Where Robin gets a faceful of hallucinogenic gas?? And hallucinates his greatest enemy and obsessively pursues and attempts to fight said hallucination of his enemy to the point where he’s incidentally injuring himself and the resulting stress on his brain from it all damn near kills him??? Yeah, what if that, but Abyss magic or Fatui heckenings- 

[oceanxveiined]

Special Dish: Sea God’s Catch

Base: Sashimi platter

❛❛ The fish and garnishes seem oddly cut, but nonetheless the meat is chilled, tender, and its fragrance holds a sweet zest to it and an odd hint of spice from the side made to go with it. With Danae’s usual lack of culinary skills, it seems she must have put lots of practice into this. And been a bit overeager in her efforts, the overwhelmingly hearty portion considered. Your expression seems to fluster her. “What?! A proper meal’s good to keep up your strength! So eat up! Wh–you want to share it?! I...ugh, fine, I’ll help you finish– ❜❜

[lit-in-thy-heart]

tentatively opening a google doc from september 2021 with the beginning of the third instalment of we are bound together by delicate stems...

[thatmivy]

I fall asleep to playlist of RT's longer videos, and there's something so special about waking up to the end of Bioshock Infinite, hearing Courtney and Troy's beautiful rendition of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Idk if I have the words to truly encapsulate how much I feel in that quiet moment.