#something something love is knowing someone's greatest weaknesses and only using that knowledge to protect and care for them

[brackenferns]

Kaye steps into the knife to protect his true name 🥺

[crownofconvergencerp]

𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐒 𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑

malas pitch is a reaper of unknown age, as time is difficult to keep track of, strewn to the four cardinal directions in a thousand pieces- though he places ‘this lifetime’ as one tied firmly to the dock districts of destarin, where he’s peddled his services and parted the unlucky from their coin, secrets and lives for the past seventy-nine years- whispers, however, and his species alone, seem to imply a former tie to withermore and it’s dark, gothic courts. mr. pitch’s loyalty in the present day is notably connected only to coin, lust, and bloodshed in equal measure with only a singular exception, and his fondness for the criminal has made him a well-established and well-respected shadowy presence in the back pocket of a number of the… lower moral collectives around destarin. he is not without his kindness, though, as the old church he’s taken for his own and runs as a brothel is oftentimes the only safe haven some of his staff has ever known- and the closest thing malas himself has ever considered ‘family.’.

TW: sex work, death.

Malas is pretty sure he used to be somebody worth a damn. While his history is foggy, he knows he once walked grand gothic halls, rubbing elbows with the influential and powerful, trading favors and coin for influence of his own- that for a time, there was an honor in being a skeleton draped in robes, proud and sharp-beaked picking over the remains of those who were not as capable of playing the political game as those who held his employ. Yes, once upon a time, Malas Pitch was someone who’s word held weight, who’s will was followed and strength feared; who was so revered that he was no longer bound in the flesh of the man he’d died as- none would have dared tear him asunder.

And then he woke up in a basement, surrounded by necromancers unaware of what they’d managed to unearth in their meddling, unsure of what to do when old bones started moving without the whispers of incantation- but Malas supposes that even today, years later, he’s thankful for the meal. It took some time, relearning how to be whole, how to appear human to protect himself from the threat of destruction once more, and on top of all of that, the new existence of a city ungoverned by any court in the aftermath of the last delicious conflict he could remember- there was opportunity to be found, and much like the vulture who’s head he bore- he would set to circling the weak.

Destarin was a beautiful land of opportunity. There was always someone who needed… something. Oftentimes something as simple as a meal and a warm dry bed for the night was enough for most to insist they would find some way to pay him back, someday- and Malas would hold them to it. For most, it was coin when they were back on their feet, an exchange of some portion of their life force or magic- “only temporary of course…” in return for the meal he’d provided them, years ago. For others, it was knowledge, rumors, spells and incantations- there was power to be held by being owed favors, there was more to be gained by compounding them, and perhaps the greatest gain laid within the opportunity to sell that knowledge off to the highest bidder. Thieves guilds loved the taste of easy coin- and a grieving widower with loose lips loved to tell the workers in Malas’ care where he kept his wife’s jewels- word exchanged as capably as riches in the eyes of criminals, and it spread like wildfire, that the strange reaper in the old church knew things that were worth knowing- worth trading for.

For years he would build himself from nothing in the remains of the church on the docks where he first awakened, and among the people of Destarin, he would come to be known as Mr. Pitch, for the blackened markings across his limbs, and dealings in the things cast in the darkest parts of their fair city. Opinions of Malas tend to vary wildly- some regard him as a charming man with the willingness to put his neck on the line for those willing to make trades in the businesses he deals in- to others, he is little more than a blot on Destarin’s reputation, an unattached, ungoverned agent of chaos who’s loyalty settles only with the last person who paid his fees, but there is one thing that’s completely impossible to ignore, in the nearly eighty years he’s called the city home, his strange sense of altruism has kept any number of the less fortunate in Destin’s most ‘criminal’ district from a crueler fate with a spare bed, stealthy favor, or employ at the brothel he now runs- honest work and protection for those interested in taking on clientele or simply attending to the day-to-day operations of the place Malas and his people now inhabit.

In fact, it’s the brothel and those who work within it alone that seems to have his loyalty without the need for a tit-for-tat, something in Malas’ history insisting he and those who also found their work in the realm of sex and desire had a kinship beyond that of the drives of a reaper of the damned. It had been a young escort who filled him in on the years he’d missed in his odd stasis after all, and it would be several more seeking shelter from the rain not long after he awakened that would become his most trusted companions in the docks some nearly eighty years ago. It was easy enough to offer his magic and already building connections to ensure their safety, and to accept their help in making the abandoned church he’d called home into something more fitting of the title. It remains a respite for sex workers and their patrons alike, and while ‘client confidentiality’ surely doesn’t exist when the benefactor ensuring the place stays running sells secrets like his staff sell fantasies, plenty around the city are willing to overlook as much in the pursuit of pleasure.

His own loyalties outside of his ‘family’ may waver, but those with a loyalty to him ensure he operates largely unfettered, many attempts at retribution from those he’s helped swindle or con difficult to apply, when the already tangled web leading back to him is obfuscated by a stonewalling enforcer ensuring any angry visitor seeking the owner is sent on yet another frustrating wild goose chase through the city- only to return to the church after operative hours have long since ended for the day. History insists that things like Malas are monsters, and he has never once shied away from the label- but there are those who know better, that even among entities born for war and carrying the damned to the afterlife, softer kinds can exist- that ‘monster’ is in the eye of the beholder, and the lens Malas views the world through has always been somewhat warped.

There is a comfort in what he has now. A home, people who rely on him, and a business that ensures he’s never too far from the chaos and bloodshed his nature demands- but something lingers, the desire to once again be something more than what he is, to once more be something closer to royalty than an urban myth… an opportunity to do just that perhaps looming just on the horizon-though one has to wonder if there’s value in following nature, after so long knowing the kind of peace something he’s nurtured can bring.

WHAT ARE YOU...?

species: reaper of the damned. weaknesses: light/life domain magic is deadly, bound to his duty as a servant of death, controlled and bound via theft of his scythe, slain with another reaper's weapon, death wards. strengths: flight,drain/feed on souls/spirits/magic, immortal, able to reconnect severed/damaged parts, bonded to a scythe, compulsion. physical description: pitch appears to be something once-human, with four sharp incisors on the top and bottom of his mouth, green eyes that glow under the weight of using his abilities, and a set of massive, blackened wings, batlike on the underside, and capped with thick blackened feathers across the top- they are heavy bone, with a spiked ‘thumb’ capping the top and claws at the points- though these can be tucked away within his body seemingly at will. his hands, neck, and feet are permanently blackened, a fading gradient ending at the elbow, knee, and upper chest/lower chin, these points of his body are transparent when under heavy stress/exertion of magic, turning the same harsh neon green as his ‘magic’ seems to be in all capacities. in the rare event he is forced to take on a cycle, it’s made far clearer how “avian” he truly is, the skull of a vulture perched on his neck and taloned hands and feet instead of human features- though this is a fact that very few have ever become aware of, given the rarity of malas’ actual undertaking of a renewal cycle. additional info: pitch is an ‘odd bird’ among odd birds, typically dour and stoic, malas is a notably bright, charismatic, and friendly sort, in direct contrast, perhaps,to his name and reputation. Reapers of the Damned are warmongers and dark advisors to those history will color as monsters, rarely operating in the subtler arts such as information exchange and espionage. malas’ hazy past remains a point of confusion for himself and others, as any mention of a “malas” seems completely struck from any sort of history book he’s attempted to explore- and much of his present ‘defiance’ of his species’ norms both in personality and fondness for the living as well as his choice of work is certainly tied to his missing memories..

malas pitch is played by ringleader and their fc is spencer charnas

[magicsunwheel]

Why You're F#cking Amazing

Pick-a-Card

How to play: pick one of the photos below using your intuition. You can close your eyes and meditate for a bit or just take a few grounding breaths while thinking of the topic. Feeling drawn to more than one is fine! You might have messages in more than one pile

Pile 1 (x) Pile 2 (x) Pile 3 (x)

My pile numbers always go from left to right, then down to the text row (if applicable)

Pile 1

Cards: The High Priestess, Five of Swords, Seven of Pentacles, The Moon Rx, Five of Rods, Ace of Pentacles

You are so intuitive! You're either very in touch with your divine feminine or are working your way there right now. Something about you is severe in the most beautiful way. You can take things seriously when they need to and the way you command a room with just your presence is unmatched. Maybe you're also a tarot reader or involved in spirituality/divination in some way. Maybe you really like Pick-a-Cards.

Something beautiful about you is that you never give up on a fight, especially when you know the end is worth it. Your ambition is strong and you will fight for what you love and what you want. You are not weak-willed by any means.

This also makes you so unique! You work so hard and put so much labor into your love even if you know it will take a long time to come to fruition. The times that you feel discouraged by a lack of results are few and far between. If for some reason you do find yourself wistfully hoping for faster results or an easier path, you can easily remind yourself of why you started in the first place.

You might have moments where you think of yourself as sneaky or like you're hiding a part of yourself from others, like your true self would be too much for them. I'm here to tell you that your intensity is exactly what make you such a beautiful person! You thrive in competition and in adversity. It gives you a chance to show off your quick thinking and survival skills. Others look at you with envy of how you can make an opportunity out of seemingly nothing!

If you need help improving your self-love, Spirit says to stop comparing yourself to others! You are amazing and beautiful and unique all on your own! Throwing yourself into the fray to compete against others who are nothing like you will only fim your inner shine. And you really do shine! When I asked for a card about why you are beautiful, nearly half the damn deck flew out!

Sprit loves you and I love you so please take care of yourself and keep making those amazing opportunities to improve your physical surroundings. (I feel like you have a very clean room/home)

Pile 2

Cards: Nine of Rods, the World, King of Cups, Three of Rods, Ace of Rods, Two of Cups

Ahh the Loona pile!

Similar to Pile 1, but much more fiery! You are resilient! Taking time to collect yourself before pushing forward with a renewed sense of energy and purpose is such an amazing and useful trait. You maybe aren't as commanding of a presence but you have such an inner strength that no one can deny.

You got the World for the reason why you're beautiful! Maybe it's related to physically being very beautiful and possibly exotic-looking. You might have very specific features associated with a certain area of the world that stand out where you live. You also have such a wonderful understanding of the world and where it's currently at. Things can seem negative or like hope is lost but you still seek out the beauty and share it with others. You see opportunity where others do not and feel a sense of peace and connectedness with all of humanity. Wow!

Your uniqueness shines in your emotionality and compassion. You might be a natural born leader who makes sure to understand all under your rule. You lead with kindness and, most importantly, by example. You don't have any desire to use you position for ill-gotten gains. Power to you does not corrupt, it solely provides a tool for you to do good in the world and really make a difference in the lives of others, whether it's on a large or small scale. You are probably the kind of person who makes sure to give money to those who need it when you pass a begging mother and her children, or buying a homeless man a bottle of water on a hot day.

Your card for why you think you are not perfect actually came out quite positive. Maybe you don't have a very low self esteem, but I can see a few possible scenarios here. You might be constantly planning in your head, waiting and watching for the next move to take but never actually getting to the action part. Maybe you're planning for your future and have so much planned out that you're excited for, but haven't made the practical plans on how to actually get there. This could make you feel bad about yourself especially on days where you're reminded of others moving ahead in their lives while you're still planning. Visualisation is very important in manifesting your desired reality! If you are moving slower than others around you, remember that it is okay to not be where "everyone else" is. Life is not a race or a competition. Taking your time to get to where you need to be when you need to be there reminds me of the story of the tortoise and the hare. Quick does not necessarily mean better.

You can improve your self-love by creating! Using your creativity and passion to make something! Create art, whether it's physical/digital art, music, writing, inventing, anything that uses those creative muscles of yours. It doesn't have to be good! Just creating something will help burn up that excess energy you have that's trying to rush you somewhere. Self-expression this way can be a wonderful hobby even if you don't consider yourself as a creative person.

Your kindness really shines through. You care so deeply about the people around you and your spiritual team cares just as deeply about you. You are loved and watched over and protected by Spirit. Others around you also see your sparkle and appreciate and admire you, even if they don't show it. Know you are beautiful and amazing and bringing a light into this world that needs to be here.

Pile 3

Cards: Six of Rods, the Hierophant, Four of Rods, Six of Cups, Ten of Swords, the Hermit Rx

Damn, who are y'all!? You've got some mighty power and pull in this world. Maybe you're a public figure or have some kind of platform, like a social media with many followers. You could also be well-recognized within your field of study/work. Whoever you are, people see you and look up to you. They celebrate you and how amazing you are! Spirit loves this about you and you really shine in the spotlight. Your achievements deserve all this pomp and celebration!

You are naturally authoritative. People listen when you speak and take your words to heart. You might also be a religious person or someone who enjoys organization and the comfort of hierarchy. People will willingly follow you wherever you lead them because they trust you with all their hearts. "A merciful ruler" (lol) You hold your position with grace and dignity befitting a king or queen.

You are unique in ways the public recognizes, but we knew that already! You might be someone who likes to entertain and you throw the greatest parties and get-togethers. Maybe you've planned a wedding and everyone had such an amazing time! You know how to relax and have fun when the time for celebrating arrives. You can out down your guard and bit and let loose. Not many people with such responsibility can let go of the reigns like that, but you don't seem to hold on to control too tightly.

Your past might be a source of anxiety for you. Maybe you're worried that what you've done when you were younger will catch up to you and ruin what you've got going on now, but it's important to remember that the past is the past. It cannot be undone or wished away. Taking time to accept what happened and recognizing that you've moved on to bigger and better things is important here. Whatever happened, take time to heal your childhood wounds and forgive past actions.

Ending this cycle will bring much more self-love to your life. Old habits and patterns being out to rest is the way forward. It might be a painful ending and something you don't necessarily look forward to, but it is something that needs to happen to clear out old energy and welcome in everything new. You can't expect to move on if you're still repeating old actions or ways of thinking. It's time to set these things to rest and evolve. Leave behind what no longer serves you.

Your understanding of yourself knows no bounds. You've taken the time to inquisit yourself and learn all of the shadows that lie there. Self-reflection might be a favored pastime for you. Through this knowledge of yourself you are able to see truths that many struggle to see all their lives. Your light can cut through the fog if bullshit and see the true source of something. Use this knowledge of yourself to become the best version of yourself that you can be! I know you're already on your way there and it's amazing to see! Spirit is so proud of you and loves you so much!

[saphirered]

Saph I hope you feel better! I really liked the VM Snow White you just posted, but could you also please do the same prompt but with M9 boys including Molly? If you’re not feeling up to it that’s fine too!

Thank you! The meds are beginning to do their job luckily. I'm glad you liked the last one. I blinked, my hand slipped and now it's here. Prepare for some angst. Hope you enjoy! 😘

(Caleb)

Caleb had always known his past would come to haunt him. He was prepared for it. Prepared to take the hit, take responsibility for everything and he’d face his past be that with or without the people he loves. Part of him, once he got used to having these fools around, having you around, wanted it to be on his own, to protect them and protect you. To not have any more lives lost in the grand scheme. The people he loves becoming collateral would be unacceptable. But you had become collateral in the grand scheme of things.

When it became clear to his enemies he was a bit more attached to you than the others, they took this weakness and exploited it. They pushed his buttons before, using you as a tool, verbal bait even, but he never fell for it. His reluctancy to act on his feelings, to keep them to himself instead, were the very thing he hoped would keep those loose ends from latching onto you. His love is a curse, the objects of his desire always to be torn away from him no matter how hard he tries to prevent it. He’s lost you to that same curse. Not lost. Almost lost.

You’ve been cursed, your conscious mind separated from your unconscious body. Simple healing spells wouldn’t do the trick here. This curse holds no roots in the divine. He’s spent days researching and that much he could confirm. This curse would take an arcane approach. Something he prides himself in to be his specialty. Lucky you. Lucky him. He had the others bring all books, ancient scrolls and other sources of knowledge brought to him, along with a wide variety of components once he’d made a significant dent in the research matter, assuring him this would have the greatest chances of success.

It’s not the soft canopy bed with the plush pillows from the fairytales you’re placed on. Instead you lay on a wooden table, inscribed with all sorts of arcane sigils. Nor do you look like some angelic peaceful being. Your brow is furrowed in discomfort, your hands balled into fists at your sides. Caleb moves a brush against areas of exposed skin, painting symbols to match with precision and care, afraid to even make a single mistake, triple checking every mark. He speaks the incantations while incorporating the components varying from precious gems crushed and whole, herbs and incense. And then he waits. He doesn’t expect the effects to be immediate, often with these magics it is not and he knows that but that doesn’t get rid of the impatience and fear.

“How I long to hear your voice again. I know this will work but that doesn’t ease away the sliver of doubt. What if… What if… That’s what I keep asking myself. I know it’s stupid.” Caleb wipes an hand over his brow as he pulls up a chair and sits at your side, elbows leaning on the table careful to avoid any sigils just in case.

“It also faced me with the harsh reality that I held off telling you how I feel. It looks so stupid now in hindsight because what good did it do anyone. In the end you still ended up paying for my mistakes. I was stupid to push you away, try to convince you your own feelings were unreciprocated. I know I didn’t have you fooled in the slightest but to know I could have loved you, it makes me feel like I am to blame for wasting that opportunity and possibly shortening our time together. The thought of losing you before having given you my love will forever be my greatest regret.”

Caleb watches the muscle of your hand unclench and relax. He hears a deep intake of breath and staring at your face he’s met with your smile, one filled with love as he helps you sit up. All is good once more.

(Fjord)

Fjord’s drenched to the bone, out of breath, anger running through him like he’s never experienced. Still he’s unsure if his anger is directed at the one responsible for your eternal slumber or at himself for making a ballsy move that didn’t pay off in the slightest and in fact backfired in a worse way he could have ever imagined. He played a game of chicken with Uk’otoa and lost. He’d have been fine by letting someone else pay the price for him. Why should he care about some stranger becoming victim to the leviathan? The one who paid the price, became the victim to his actions didn’t end up being a stranger. It had to be you of all people hadn’t it?

Uk’otoa must have been watching his dreams, even his waking actions if that were possible and have seen his infatuation with you. When the leviathan threatened Fjord in another briny dream of his mentioning your name he had called bullshit. The snake had never been able to reach out to anyone it didn’t already have some kind of grasp on. Little did he know Uk’otoa had just that. Just enough of a sliver through him, and the Cloven Crystal to get to you.

So there Fjord sits at your bedside. You’re just as drenched as he is, hair dripping, skin glowing in the candle light of the room reflected off the water particles. Your lips are tinted blue, a redness around your eyes, your skin is cold. The sleep you’re in is a state of perpetual drowning and Fjord knows what it feels like, to drown. He can only hope you’re spared that pain. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to forgive himself if you are tortured like so because of his actions. Clasping your hand between both of his he runs his fingers over your knuckles. He bows his head. It still feels so wrong to not have you respond to his touch. So wrong.

“I want you to know that I am to blame for your fate. I’m about to do a very stupid thing to make it right. I know you’d tell me not to but I can’t sit by and watch you suffer like this. I’ve tried everything. I’ve begged and bargained. I’ve shouted at the skies but I got no reply. Everything comes up empty and I see no other choice than to do this. It might sound stupid but I came to ask for your forgiveness.” Fjord pauses. Usually he would have gotten a reply. He would sell his soul for just having you tell him everything will be alright. It’s a good thing he’s about to sell it for so much more than that. It’s worth it. It’s worth having you alive and well.

“I won’t ask for forgiveness for what I’m about to do because I will never regret it. I ask only you may one day forgive me for what I might become. I need you to know I love you and did, will do all of this out of love. That’s why I hope you’ll never see me again after I give myself to Uk’otoa. I can’t bare to watch that affection in your eyes being replaced by hatred, but most of all disappointment. I hoped to be worthy of your love and I will always regret never having truly experienced it.” Fjord’s voice cracks slightly. He studies your face, as if to ingrain every detail into his memory, as if he thinks he might never see it again.

“I’m afraid. I’m so deadly afraid.” Fjord whimpers pressing a kiss to the back of your hand before he lets go. He checks his supplies, taking out the Cloven Crystal, glaring at the orb intensely cursing the thing to oblivion. Coughs pull him out of his staring match with the crystal. Your body moves, leaning over the edge of the bed vomiting up brine. Fjord drops the orb and his belongings running over to you and helping you gather your bearings until you’re no longer chocking on sea water.

“You better not do what I think you’re planning with that orb or so help me Storm Lord, I will drown you myself.” Fjord can’t do anything but laugh despite the very real threat on his life as you pull him into your embrace.

(Caduceus)

Caduceus isn’t bothered by death. Death is part of life as much as living is. It’s inevitable. Every soul will move on, leaving its vessel for the earth, the fire or the wild things to bring forth something new. What does very much bother him are perversions of death, those who try to cheat death, upset the natural balance, maim and manipulate that what is and should be. He hates it with a passion and seeks to rectify it, return the world to that balance when faced with it. That’s where you come in. You much like him have a respect and understanding of life and death similar to his own. Very few people understand that. Very few people do not fear the end when they see it coming. You’re one of those very few people.

You understand Caduceus on a different level, in his sentiment and mannerisms while others may think him strange. Not that he cares if people do, you’ve been his filter in the big shiny new world past the borders of his grove. You’ve been his safety net, his grounding force, his safe haven when the world seems against him and he thinks his senses might be wrong. The Wild Mother must have gently blown her winds to bring you together.

That’s why it seems so wrong you’re affected by this darkness having taken hold over your body, leaving you in a state of not entirely alive nor dead. Resurrection has been futile as much as draining your life and allowing you to move to the care of the Wild Mother herself. You’re trapped and that’s why Caduceus fears what would happen should you die. He’s seen what this perversion of life and death has done to his home, the forests surrounding it and the creatures living in it. He’ll do everything in his power to prevent that from happening to you.

Caduceus has put your body through the typical burial rites and rituals, preserving what he can by using wards and the divine blessings granted to him by his goddess, sending her prayers of your recovery but you appear to be even beyond her reach now. He moves a damp cloth across your arms and face, brushing aside your hair, humming to himself until he’s done, moving on to clean the room around you, getting rid of the dust, placing things back where they belong and replacing the decayed flowers with fresh ones. Caduceus gathers his tea, preparing a cup for himself as he watches you.

“Can you show me how they’re doing?” The wind grows cold. He knew that would be the answer but still he could hope maybe that answer could change.

“Are they in pain?” The wind grows warm but then cold again. You were, but not anymore. It seems that the new wards he’s put up are doing their job. That’s good.

“Is there a cure?” The gentle breeze disappears. She doesn’t know then. This goes even beyond the goddess herself but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Caduceus will keep hope, though it is dwindling fast, for your sake he’ll have hope. He’s always spoken to the dead before and while you’re not really dead, there’s a strange comfort to something that feels so final.

“Hey. I’d ask you how you’re doing but that’s not gonna work now, is it? Don’t worry. You’re going to be fine. I know you are. You’ve managed to keep me alive with the others for much longer than I’ve been taking care of you like this. I think we’re going to be fine. I know you’re here but I still miss you. Calliope makes for terrible company watching things unfurl between the others. She’s too much of a hopeless romantic. You forgot to tell me the recipe to that special brew of yours. I’ve been trying to recreate it but I haven’t been able to. I think what I’m trying to say is, I could really do with having my best friend back. That’d be nice.”

Caduceus sips his tea, face devoid of his usual dopy smile. A sudden breeze hits through the window, blowing it open. A few lighter weight and loose items go flying but the thud of a heavier one is clear to hear. Caduceus closes the window and feels something solid hit his boot. It’s a crystal from the ones surrounding the grove. He picks it up, feeling the warmth run through it. The breeze directs towards you and he feels himself walking over to your body. The crystal calls to you and when it touches you your body runs with energy, pulsing, like you’ve been forcibly pulled back to this world. You look around eyes wide breathing heavy.

“Hey.” Caduceus smiles. “I made tea.”

(Mollymauk)

Maybe pretending you and him were some high born assholes was a questionable decision. Taking on an invite directed at the said people you were impersonating even more so, and stealing, sorry, borrowing without asking, some things from their summer cottage to swim in luxuries, an out right terrible idea when these people happen to be very well connected.

So when these fancy folk came back to the cottage earlier than expected, the two of you had grabbed what you could before making your grand escape, chased by their private guards until you lost them. A safe distance away you set up camp. Time to inspect your findings before returning to the carnival. Your eye for valuables had always been much more keen than Molly’s and your appraisals usually spot on. It was only natural he would let you do your thing but he’d still help you.

Particularly proud of getting some ornate jewellery box Molly had pried it open and revealed the jackpot. But of course you couldn’t just sell recognisable jewellery as is and you couldn’t keep such a thing on you very long. So of course you went to work, prying the stones from their settings. A particular necklace was giving you trouble, not even your tools being able to pry it out, you even broke one so you left that one for last.

The two of you had argued, eventually setting on just smashing the stone with the pommel of Molly’s scimitar, the broken gem still providing plenty of pay and not being as recognisable in peaces. So you held the necklace across a stone while he smashed it. When it did a spark hit, next thing he knew you were on the ground, your hands burned where you held the precious metal. At first he thought you were simply knocked out but when you didn't wake up he grew worried. Splashing water in your face, shaking you, lifting your legs, nothing got you to wake up so instead he carried you and the jewellery back to the carnival. Two days and still you didn’t wake up. It became clear this bloody gem was cursed when dark veins started crawling up your skin as the days passed.

Since this was technically on him, Molly took care of you. He makes quite a doting nurse when he wants to be but never without an inappropriate comment or two. It was quite strange to not hear you laugh at or scold him for these comments. Nevertheless he’d fluff up the pillow beneath your head, provide you an extra blanket when the night was cold, tell you stories, or simply the events of the day, the people who came to the carnival, some things he lifted from people’s pockets and so on. Molly has to say he’s ashamed to admit he’d got frustrated with your unresponsiveness or rather the fact you still hadn’t woken up and there was nothing the others could do for you. A healer would still be a week or so out.

“You know, while I’ve really begun getting used to these little one-sided conversations and your lack of judgement at some of my more terrible decisions I really prefer sharing them with you in the moment. I’ve gotten caught by the guards twice now and without you, Gustav is getting a bit sick of bailing me out. I miss our little flirtations. I miss your sometimes wrong opinions, though you’d say they’re proven facts. I miss your company. I think our time apart has given me time to reflect how much you truly mean to me and how much I need you in my life.” Molly leans on his elbow as he studies your face unmoving. You look so peaceful and asleep but he’d much rather get lost in your eyes when you’re awake.

“I laughed at you when you told me the most valuable thing in the world anyone could ever give another is their heart but I think I know what that means now. I’ll offer you mine if you will have it. So please, come back and make sure my head doesn’t get up too high into the clouds or I might just float away.” Molly leans back looking at the ceiling of the tent with a sigh. He’s pulled out of his mind by a snicker.

“A dramatic confession of love to the unconscious target of your affections? And you call me cliche.” Molly looks at your face, eyes still closed but smug grin clear on your face. He pokes your side making you jump.

“You are insufferable.”

[xehanortsreport]

For @khoc-week 2021, Day 1: Reference Sheet - reintroducing Spica!

They’ve changed quite a bit since the last round! So here’s the basics.

Spica Species: Dream Eater Home World: Twilit Bayou (Original World) Age: ~Late 20s Occupation: Deposed Princex, Summoner Relationships:      - Vindemiatrix (Demia): Younger sibling, rival      - Ansem, Seeker of Darkness: Partner, rescuer      - Xigbar (Luxu): Partner, mentor in Dream Eater research      - ???: A mysterious figure often crossed in Sleeping Hearts. Kind, and gentle. A friend, or perhaps an enemy? Weapon: Slumber’s Call (staff) Gender: Unassigned by tradition, goes by any pronouns

More on their backstory and personality below!

Twilit Bayou

Spica's world is set in a permanently foggy, misty, twilit bayou (hah). Constantly lit by gas lamps and settled by a society of disciplined, spiritual people, and ruled by Spica’s equally disciplined family, the mood is somber. The people are constantly in conflict with beasts warped and turned violent by the world’s natural “wild magic” that bubbles up from faults outside of the settled landscape. As such, a militia headed by the noble family is permanently employed to manage the beasts and are held in high esteem.

Similarly, another esteemed class are the summoners that run exclusively in Spica’s bloodline. Every ruler is expected to also be a master summoner--and for good reason. Dream Eaters, pulled forth from the Sleeping Realms by the summoners, are sent to help calm the wild magic afflicted beasts and make them easier to tame, or else be dealt with by the militia.The people of Twilit Bayou see the Dream Eaters as important godlike spirits, and in particular worship a special, very powerful Dream Eater that they summon during their Winter Solstice to purge their people of nightmares and put the beasts to sleep for an entire season.

Spica, at the time 15, the next in line for the throne and accomplished summoner with many lesser Dream Eaters, is one day called to prove their worth and summon the Dream Eater deity and prove themself worthy to ascend to the throne when it is their time.

Except...they don’t succeed.

Backstory

For a reason still unknown to them or those present, they mess up the summon, unable to bring it forth at all. Instead, Nightmares are brought forth, afflicting the people with sleep issues and the beasts unsettled and allowed to charge forth. The price paid by Spica was a worldwide shunning; shooed away in shame by their strict parents and seen as a portent of disaster by the townsfolk, they were kept in shameful solitude and privacy out of the public eye. Only a few servants, one a particularly funny entertainer for tired troops who taught them how to cope with humor, and Demia, Spica’s sibling, dared treat them with dignity and kindness.

Demia, though only 11 at the time, decided to cram their summoner studies into one feverish month, and then at the apex of the Bayou’s suffering, burst forth and summoned the legendary Dream Eater at an unheard of age, settling the beasts and bringing sweet dreams back to their denizens. Demia was miraculous. A genius.

Honorable, unlike Spica.

Spica was eventually sent to a boarding school, locked away as punishment and forced to restudy every lesson on summoning they had touched. Spiteful and envious, Spica used this time to work diligently to find a way to become a better summoner than Demia. They're able to summon many Dream Eater Spirits and Nightmares, and eventually traverse the realm of sleep itself.

Eventually, years pass, and during one of the winter solstice summonings, Spica manages to muscle their way to the front and snatch the summoning from Demia by summoning the Dream Eater deirt and merging with it in a never before seen ritual. It’s glorious, miraculous. Genius.

Blasphemous.

Unlike Demia, they are not praised for their innovation. Instead, they are once again persecuted, the kingdom prepared to get rid of Spica entirely. Demia, thinking in terms of sheer practicality and a mixture of wanting to save their sibling and not wanting to be shunned like Spica, made the split decision at the time of summoning to dismiss the Dream Eater with Spica still merged with it.

Floating scared and with seemingly no exit, they spent an unknown amount of time in the repeating dreams of lost worlds. This being pre-KH1, the lost worlds are not the same as those seen in DDD, but are a different set of worlds, some belonging to the Age of Fairy Tales that had been lost when that age had come to an end. To ease their loneliness and pain, they spent a long time among these worlds, learning snippets of what they have to offer.

They were able to briefly exit the realm by diving into the dreams of others, but this only lead them to live instead inside of the sealed world of another person’s dreams until that person’s sleep ends. It was disorienting, and uncomfortably personal at times, but a welcome distraction from the otherwise neverending repetition of the Sleeping Worlds.

Their grudge against Demia deepens while trapped, their bitterness expanding with no outlet. The weight of their anger and displeasure strengthened their power as a Nightmare, and thus disturbed the dreams of the humans they visit in their sleep. (One person, however, seemed resistant to these nightmares. Blond, blue eyed...a kind soul. Spica couldn’t help but be intimidated by their purity.)

Eventually, however, a rift they do not expect to see opens. It is as though another World has slipped, however briefly, into the Sleeping Realm, and a surge pulses  through the cracks. A man within a brown cloak emerged from a whirl of Darkness, seemingly confused but enthusiastic with the discovery...and then they lock eyes...or rather Spica’s eyes locked with the endless shadows underneath the hood.

Curiosity with curiosity.

After a few words of exchange, accusatory and then slowly, surely, excited, Spica introduces themself to Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, and their savior from the Sleeping Realm. Spica at first merely accompanies Ansem out of a feeling of obligation, exiting with him into the Hollow Bastion of KH1, and merely works as a hand to help him in his plot. During their conversations, however, unusual information reached Spica’s ears: someone searching for the very keybearer Ansem was working against. Someone seeking the legendary power of Kingdom Hearts, or perhaps the good will of a keybearer, to aid their kingdom.

A certain Vindemiatrix.

Having fallen in love with the mysterious cloaked being and swearing their life to both revenge and the pursuit of the greatest power a mage could posses, Spica formally aligned with Ansem, and then later the Organization, to keep Demia from helping the Keybearers, denying her and Twilit Bayou aid.

Instead, Spica, promised a portion of the power of Kingdom Hearts by Xigbar, another beau and co-conspirator down the line, their goal becomes the need to lock Twilit Bayou in an eternal cycle of sleep as "an apology" ...and as a sort of twisted protective measure and to prove that they have mastered their sleep magic once and for all. 

Personality Notes

     - They are highly intuitive, and quick to get defensive.

     - They speak in a Valley Girl-esque dialect.

     - Flippant and easy-going, the way a lot of “lazy geniuses” are. When they don’t know something, they immediately get defensive and swear up and down that they know. (They don’t.)

     - They get a lot of joy out of being the most knowledgeable person in a group and will often feel lost or aimless if they are unable to contribute in some way to a discussion.

    - They have a hard time accepting genuine displays of affection because of family issues. Still, they're intensely loyal to Ansem and Xigbar, particularly Ansem as he's the one who pulled them out of the sleeping realm. Ironically the “inability” of Nobodies to have “emotions” makes them trust the words that come out of Xigbar’s mouth that much more. Time will tell if that is a mistake.

     - Sometimes thinks they’re still sleeping; grounding techniques are needed.

     - Despite everything, their weakness is an honest heart. They can't help but lower their defenses when no one is interested in metaphorical dick measuring and instead just genuinely wants the best for others. They’ve wandered around the sleeping Princesses of Hearts' dreams before, as well as Sora and the Soras.

     - The self-reflection said encounters hit him with are often uncomfortable and they emotionally shut down before they can think about it too long.

[lochnessies]

@cockati3l the church isn’t ruling people from behind the scenes. even the devs confirmed that. the church in adrestia doesn’t exist, the church in the alliance is ‘toothless’ and nobody pays attention to them as said by lorenz, and the western church is in open rebellion against the central. also, when does the church control anybody in the game? nobody is forced to follow them and they even take on nonbelievers as staff.

once again, what corruption are you talking about? it can’t be what edelgard mentions in her speech because that’s been proven false.

it can’t be killing the western priests because they attempted assassination more than once, grave robbed, and attempted to kill students. not to mention are racist af

it can’t be changing history a little because in your own words “what the fuck so u want her to do?” humans killed her race when they found out the amount of power stored in their bones, blood, and hearts. at that time in fodlan’s history clans were fighting for power with the relics of her family and she had to find a way to broker peace as said by intsys: “seiros and co. meddled with history not in order to rule over humans, but to quell the flames of war and chaos as much as possible, and to also keep a steady balance about humanity.”

also yes, rhea was about to step down. she says so herself. even calling herself a “mere proxy” for byleth.

tell me how claude piggybacked off of edelgard’s war to further his own aims? the game tells and shows that he’s spending his time trying to just keep the alliance together.

she’s literally called the hegemon. there is no freedom under her rule. she centralizes all power onto herself and makes herself the supreme ruler. what she says goes and in order to achieve that result she murdered, lied, and stole.

she literally said “i have no regrets.” why? because she doesn’t. she may feel kinda bad about all the dying but obviously not enough to stop what she’s doing and find another path.

also her words about the followers of seiros are far from kind. she calls them “mindless” multiple times (even in her s-support). the faithful are forced to flee from her. people even lose contact with the believers in the empire, and it’s not even allowed to be one in the first place. not to mention in hanneman/manuela’s ending the church can come back but only under the empire’s supervision. so we have a state controlled church. look at all the freedom!

when does dimitri leave crestless people to get fucked? he literally talks at length that he believes that people with crests and people without need to work together and recognize each other’s strengths.

also the church isn’t the one behind the “crest system” (if you can even call it that since the way each house interacts with it is so different). crests/clans became noble houses because of their strength (aka the empire’s meritocracy in the beginning) and the strong aka crest bearers rose to the top bc in the 91 years it took to kill nemesis his elites had already started their own bloodlines and families. the nintendo interview says that rhea lied about the origin of the crests and relics bc she wanted the wars to end and the only way to have gotten rid of the crests humans had would be to genocide them.

with nemesis gone and the adrestian empire now in charge of the continent, a meritocracy started to form among the nobility. hanneman in his support with dorothea says this about the founding of the empire: “consider this. at its inception, the concept of nobility assumed that the greatest among the populace would rise to power. in my mind, i believe that those who value knowledge, those who strive for more, and wish to protect and guide their fellow man. however, in practice, nobility often serves to keep those deemed commoners down, segregated from those who, by chance, were born to a noble family.” this is also paired with ferdiand’s support with edelgard: “certainly, we must recognize the common folk who strive for greatness and attain it. but for those of us born into nobility, things are more complicated. from birth, nobles must excel. if we do not, we will be forced out of our houses. this environment breeds superior individuals, and they, in turn, recreate the rigorous environment for their own children. without that cycle, there would be no political elite guiding the world towards prosperity.” so from these supports we learn that the empire was founded on the idea of the strongest shall rule and they would be replaced if they didn’t reach a standard. however, over time, the nobility started to abuse this power of theirs and the idea of meritocracy was forgotten. which, ironically, is how it always works in the real world as well. that’s where the concept of nobles often bearing crests comes from. it’s comes from the empire not the church. and when faerghus and the alliance break off from it they kept the tradition. also, if you talk to rhea in verdant wind when she talks about zanado you can tell she hates crests. at the very least she hates the fact that humans have them due to how they were acquired. you know, through genocide. it’s also in the book of seiros that the reason the goddess left was because people were abusing crests and it saddened her and she went back to the blue sea star. so no, the church isn’t propagating anything. and they can’t force the noble houses to adhere to their religion so they don’t.

i’m not sure what you mean by “squander any rebellion”. i think you mean squash/stamp out? well the only rebellion we see in the game is from the western church and as i said previously, the priests were punished because they attempted assassination more than once, grave robbed, and attempted to kill students. not to mention are racist af. the church wasn’t the aggressor and only stopped the rebellions because they were dangerous and were also attacking innocent people. however, we do know that in crimson flower there are rebellions under edelgard’s rule and they are put down as well by the empire secret police aka hubert.

the devs also mention that azure moon was written to be a counter to crimson flower. and that is the route where dimitri has to learn to rely on his friends and work together with his people in order to usher in a bright future. in crimson flower edelgard berates people who lean on anybody else for support (all while taking some from byleth) and believes humans need to stand on their own two feet. in azure moon she says: “if after all of this you believe the weak will still be weak, that is only because they are too used to relying on others instead of on themselves.” to which dimitri responds: “yes. perhaps someone as strong as you are can claim something like that. but you cannot force that belief onto others. people aren't as strong as you think they are. there are those who cannot live without their faith... and those who cannot go on once they have lost their reason for living. you path will not be able to save them. it is the path of the strong, and so, it could only benefit the strong.” so yes, there is someone who represents human unity in the game: dimitri.

edelgard doesn’t make fodlan better. she’s the game’s hegemon (called this in three routes). there are rebellions under her. her people are starving (ashe says on cf), she attacked two nations she had no rights to, and defamed an entire race/religion.

crimson flower ends in flames and darkness. this is made VERY clear by the ending mural. unlike the others, which all show a very joyful scene; am has dimitri being loved by the people with archbishop byleth at his side, ss has byleth being held up in the crowd of people as it talks about how they are now the arbiter of every soul and mother of all life (which are the exact words used to describe sothis), and vw has claude talking with the people and the almyrans are visiting; which infers peace between the two nations. however in cf, we have edelgard standing on the flags of the nations she has conquered. she holds a napoleonic staff in her hands, and the mural portrays people with their heads bowed in obvious sadness and defeat. the biggest indicator that this is not an ending to be celebrated, but rather lamented, is the border. In all the other endings, the border is white and is accented by the color of the route. in cf you can see that the border is black. black and red: colors synonymous with evil or darkness. the epilogue also mentions rebellions against her rule that she has put down.

edelgard’s role in the story is that of nemesis 2.0. someone that is manipulated by twsitd and is fed false information to lead her to finish what nemesis started over a thousand years ago - the extinction of the nabatean race.

another massive red flag is what the devs have said about crimson flower being the supreme ruler route. “edelgard in "crimson fower", or rather known as the, "supreme ruler (hegemon) route" is something we honestly meant to be much more difficult to enter.” (they were talking about why it is harder to enter cf than ss). let’s focus on the word ‘hegemon’. the direct definition is ‘a supreme ruler.’ in another interview they mention the ‘hegemon’s path’ which is a chinese philosophy that goes along with the mandate of heaven that the devs have said that they based cf off of. there is a rule of the mandate of heaven: the right to rule is only granted if the ruler cares about his people more than he cares about himself, and if this is not the case, then the people rise up to overthrow the tyrant. we know for a fact that edelgard is this ‘tyrant/hegemon’ because she is called this in the game.

the devs have also said: “due to all the previous titles in the series, the thought/impression that the empire = antagonists is left upon the playerbase. when you think about the "empire", you usually get some sort of "bad/evil" image, i think. and as for the story, it really feels like it started from the romance of three kingdoms, but we force them all to take part in school life. In other words, a period in which there was peace must exist, before starting the fires of war. and because of that, someone evil (villain) has to exist, and so we had the empire bear that burden.” this interview also blew the common argument pro-empire fans had of fodlan not being at peace at the start of the game. they said themselves that the three countries were at peace. even the game states at the start that ‘these three ruling powers now exist in relative harmony.’

also even if other characters did some things wrong that doesn’t suddenly let her off the hook for her actions just like her’s don’t nullify theirs. if she wanted to peacefully change how things worked in her nation then fine. i don’t care. however, she invaded two other independent nations in order to change their systems and put them under her control. that isn’t morally gray no matter how you spin it. it’s tyrannical.

actually it was humans as a whole who fucked up the earth first. the agarthans are a race of humans that have been around for over a thousand years at the start of the game. when the goddess sothis came down from her home on the blue sea star she arrived in fodlan and took on a form that resembled humanity and lived among them. she used her blood to birth a race of children called nabateans. in the beginning, these two nations lived in harmony.

sothis and her children helped the humans advance their technology and weapons over time until the humans’ hubris grew to the point that they began to wage war on each other and eventually the goddess herself - the one who gave them the technology to do so. as confirmed by seteth, (who was there during that time) some of the weapons they used in the war are also seen in the game, such as the missile of light that destroys fort merceus. so basically, it was a ye olde nuclear war that almost completely destroyed the land and the humans. during this, a faction of humans left the surface to live below ground. they built a city called shambala and officially became known as agarthans. back on the surface, sothis used her godly power to try and heal the earth. however, due to the incredible damage done by the weapons, so much of her power was used that she fell into a deep sleep to try and recover. so no, sothis didn’t fuck shit up. it was the arrogant humans that took her kindness and decided they wanted to try and kill each other with it.

yes, dimitri and claude do have the rest of fodlan under their command at the end of the day. however, they way they achieved this was nothing like edelgard’s. they had no intentions of starting a war to unite the three under their rule. dimitri was given the alliance (the round table came to an agreement and willingly became part of faerghus) and when he kills edelgard the empire is now, by default his whether he likes it or not. same with claude. he defeats the empire which by that point had taken the kingdom. both are now without leadership and he doesn’t even stay. he fucks off to almyra. edelgard on the other hand started the war to put all of fodland back under her rule. it’s not comparable.

[moonctzeny]

Cygnus

pairing: royal!ten  x fem!reader x villain!doyoung

genre: angst, smutty elements but not anything too much

word count: 4,8k

warnings: ‘forced’ marriage, mentions of death, blood, stabbing (not too descriptive I promise), manipulation

summary: “When your father, the king, gets brutally assasinated in his royal quarters, you realise how big of a threat the opposing Indigo kingdom really is. In order to further protect both your kingdoms, prince Ten proposes a unification by proposing to you. Amidst your duty as his queen and your inappropriate meetups with your royal advisor, Doyoung, you’re not sure where your heart really belongs”

a/n: This fic has a lot of referencing of the past. Just to clarify: if a part is written in the past tense and is inside the separators, it’s y/n recounting past events

requested by/written for my dear French Anon ❤️❤️ I hope you like it 🥰

------------------------------------------------------

The starry night spreads like a veil over the kingdom. Your kingdom, ever since your head was adorned with a veil of your own. The moonlight, pale and bright, illuminates all the stories of the night. From the mothers that kiss their children goodnight, praying that the impending war doesn’t find them in their adolescence, to the whispering silhouettes of the King’s traitors, plotting with the opposing kingdom to overrule his reign.

Like the weeping willows of your royal garden, you sit alone in the dance hall’s balcony, gazing at the sky’s unknown that always felt so comfortable to you. How dull and drab you must look, even in the ornate gown you were in, amidst all the decorations and joyous music of your wedding’s one year anniversary. Maids, peasants, guards- they all congratulated you on your happy marriage, wishing the queen a long life of prosperity. Even Sirius, the prettiest diamond in the sky, seemed to shine like a spotlight for tonight’s celebration.

“y/n? It’s time for our royal dance.”

You recognized the silky voice to be that of the King’s, your longest companion other than the stars. In spite of all of your misery, Ten, the man you swore to hold in weakness and in health, till death do you part, was someone you valued deeply.

You first met the prince in your early teens, travelling to his neighboring kingdom with your father. He was still a young boy, bothered with the blemishes on his face and excited to play with the snow covering the windowsills of his room. The only person who could relate with the insecurities and troubles of an heir like yourself.

“Why are the peasants hungry while we throw away most of our food?”

"Why does the Indigo kingdom want to declare war on us when we both have enough wealth to live on?"

 "Do you think that when we grow up, we will become just like our parents?"

The prince was thoughtful and gentle, a pacifist in the wrong position. Talented in the arts, in dance, in anything that is as beautiful as he is.  

His beloved subjects do not know it, but the nickname Ten, was given to him by you. 

It was probably the third time you met the prince, excited to spend time with your only friend just a day before your 15th birthday. He had been bugging you over what you wanted from him as a present, the beautiful jewelry and dresses his father gifted you seeming too impersonal to him. You shook off his offers, insisting that him being there with you, in your castle’s terrace, was more than enough. 

You were gazing at your beloved stars and he was gazing at you, rambling on and on about the celestial objects in the sky.

“And what star is this?”, he asked curiously, eyes reflecting the constellations and sparkling in the night. Chittaphon, unlike the countless teachers insisting astronomy for a princess was useless, was endlessly entertained by your knowledge and always thirsty to learn more. His finger was pointing at Deneb, one of the brightest stars of the night sky.

“This star is part of a greater ten-star constellation, Cygnus”

“Cygnus?”

“It means swan in greek”, you explained and he squinted his eyes cutely, trying to find the resemblance to the bird.

“According to greek mythology, Phaethon, the son of Helios the sun god, demanded to ride his father’s sun chariot for a day. Unfortunately, he 

was unable to control the reins, forcing Zeus to destroy the chariot with a thunderbolt, with Phaethon drowning in the river Eridanus where it fell. Phaethon's lover, Cygnus, dived into the river for days on end to collect Phaethon's bones, in order to give him a proper burial. The gods were so touched by Cygnus's devotion and deep grief, that they turned him into a swan and placed him among the stars.”

Chittaphon, intrigued by the story, stopped plucking out the roots of the grass you were sitting on, and decided to lay his head comfortably on your lap. His hair looked so pretty that you couldn’t help but run your fingers through its softness, the intimacy making your heart skip a beat.

“That is my greatest fear”

You were so lost in your contentment that you’d almost miss his whispered confession. Placing your hands on his cheeks carefully, you turn his face so that he looks at you, and it takes everything in you not to lean down and kiss his pout away.

“Hm?”

“What if, when I finally take the reins of my father’s kingdom, I end up ‘drowning’ as well? What if I’m too weak to control them and someone stronger than me decides to destroy me?”

With a sigh, you look back up to the sky. As an only child and therefore sole heiress, the worry of leading a kingdom was the main cause of your night scares as well. You were just teenagers, still figuring out yourselves, but Chittaphon wasn’t some ditzy child. He didn’t care about the lushes and gold, he wasn’t power hungry. His idealism and ethos were admirable, and you felt safe knowing that when the time comes, he would be your ally.

“You’ll make a great king one day”

He smiles up at you, his happiness lighting up the night sky. He always shone the brightest.

“You really mean that?”

“I do. And if you don’t, I promise to collect your bones and bury you properly”

He laughed heartily at your joke, and you continued to braid his locks, counting the freckles on his face until your heartbeats synced with the other.

You just laid there, thinking the prince had fallen asleep in your arms, when he spoke again.

“I don’t know how, but one day I’ll gift you those ten stars. And it will be the best birthday present you’ll ever receive”

That’s how you got through adolescence, holding on to Ten’s promise, and dreaming of whatever life might offer you. And life seemed to be gentle on you, up until a couple of years ago. Up until the incident.

Ten takes your hand in his, rubbing your knuckles tenderly with his thumb, and leads you to the dance hall. The skin is scabbed and rough from you compulsively scrubbing it every time you take a bath. You’d watch the water endlessly run through your fingers, yet no amount of soap could flush the memory of the deep red of your father’s blood staining them.

It was a Friday like any other, a walk in the royal gardens at 6 and then your waltz dance class at 7. You replayed the new choreography over and over in your head, drunk in your instructor’s praises and wanting to show off. Skipping the steps of the stairwell leading up to the king’s room, you wish you had taken a jacket with you. Goosebumps started appearing on your arms, both from the cool night breeze and something else you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

Your father was the reason you started waltz lessons. “One day you’re going to marry a man to queendom and you’ll better be able to keep up with me on our father-daughter dance”. You’d just giggle and tell him you had plenty of time till that day, you were just stepping on your twenties, no reason to step on a dancefloor too! But alas, one dance recital from Ten and your father was sold on the idea of getting you to take some lessons. You chuckled to yourself. Come to think of it, your father just really loved Ten.

You reach the heavy door of his suite, opened by just a slice. While there was light coming from the room, illuminating the hallway you were standing at, there was no one guarding it. You found it a little strange that the guard’s huge frame didn’t block your way from your father like he like always did, yet you were happy. Your father always acted colder to you around him.

“Dad, dad, look what I learned toda-“

The sight of his cold, lifeless body brought you to your knees. The cause of death was obvious, with the dagger shoved deep inside his guts, but if you asked anyone in the kingdom, they’d tell you he died from a bad heart. He loved heavy food, and alcohol, the meals suited to a king. No one other than a select few could know that the king was assassinated in his own bedroom.

But that was not your only secret.

You don’t know how, but Ten has managed to finally drag you in the middle of the dance hall. Your shoes clack against the marbled floors and the music brings you momentarily back to the now that you want to escape so badly. The music sounds familiar, you think, and you stay still for a second, trying to identify the song.

Your king brings you closer, one hand steady on your waist, the other keeping your fingers intertwined. He hums to the tune and looks at you with those eyes, those dark eyes that always hold a certain sadness in them. And when he starts to lead, it finally hits you that this is the song you got engaged to.

It was Ten’s idea, actually. With the rumours of a murder travelling to the neighboring kingdoms, including the Indigo kingdom making statements of invasive strategies against you, a form of alliance was clearly needed to be made. 

He showed up to the royal conference room, all dressed up and holding a bouquet of red roses. You could hear his heart thumping as he approached you, his hands sweaty and clammy when he held yours.

“My queen, there is no denying our kingdoms are in a crisis”. His familiar voice was comforting to you, yet the words seemed too formal to be leaving Ten’s mouth. “The Indigo kingdom has indirectly declared war on you. They are powerful, especially with the weapons they possess. And their men are notorious to be ruthless and as cold as ice.”

You gulped visibly, your mouth getting dry at the thought of your people getting as violently killed as your father. Looking at any place possible other than his eyes, you wondered why he took the time to pay you a visit, just to point out the things that you were already more than worried about.

“My kingdom has great soldiers, skilled and apt in martial arts, yet they miss one thing, one thing that your peaceful kingdom can offer mine. Your servants love you, my queen, and they are willing to do anything for you”. He stops and takes a breath, handing you the bouquet he had been holding in his other hand. “I know I would”

The sweet scent that hits your nose matches his sentiment, yet the glossiness in his eyes -that you finally picked up the courage to face- told you things would get bitter soon.

“Are you suggesting we form an alliance for the war? Our kingdoms might be on good terms now, yet our predecessors used to be enemies for hundreds of years. There is still a lot of mistrust weaved in the hearts of the people.”

“I know”, he said, his voice breaking lightly. A thorn from the bouquet pricked your skin as you saw him fall down on one knee, a drop of blood falling from your finger as a teardrop stained your face. “That’s why I am asking for your hand in marriage. Let our kingdoms become one”

You were the one who said ‘I do’, yet the decision was already taken for you. Your whole life, in fact, was painted right in front of your eyes, hues of marsala reds and hunter greens. Hues like the ones Ten put on his palette almost every night before you go to sleep.

You and Ten had never slept together. He insisted that it was never his intention when marrying you, and he’d completely respect your boundaries. You’d be lying to yourself if you said you hadn’t had a thought of laying with him, as you helped him remove the drying paint off his fingers every night. You couldn’t ignore the twitch of your sensitivity as he saw you changing into your silk robe and nightgown, nor the heat of your face when he called you beautiful. His pretty voice was made for begging and teasing and singing out moans. With his flexibility and core strength, you could only imagine what he’d be like in the bedroom. Just the image of his feline eyes looking up at you from between your thighs sent chills down your spine.

That being said, you always felt a bit annoyed by his chivalry as he slipped through to the guest room to spend the night. Through his proposal, he had ridden you of the chance to choose your other half, doomed you to endless nights of loneliness and a cold half of the bed. He should’ve at least taken responsibility.

Not even the guards could know that the two of you didn’t share a bed, the alliance holding on the thin thread of facade you played out for everyone. Sweet kisses in the breakfast room, fake smiles and the silent mourning of your freedom. But that wasn’t your only secret.

You see a hand tapping lightly the velvet shoulderpads of the King’s suit, causing you to halt your dancing. A man, about half a head taller than Ten, successfully steals his attention from you.

“My king, may I steal the lovely queen for a dance?”

Kim Doyoung.

Tall, nice-mannered, lethally handsome. Your father’s trustiest advisor ever since he turned 18 and one of the most respected men in the castle. If the king is the jungle’s lion, then Doyoung surely is a jaguar, attacking his enemies unexpectedly, emerging from their blind spot. He is also your secret.

Kim was the one who found you crying over your fathers body, notifying the knights of the murder since you had no voice to scream for help. He offered you a shoulder to lean on during your grief, while helping you manage the kingdom in your inexperience. It was inevitable to come closer to the man you spent countless hours with at the royal meetings, who you wined and dined with daily, who led you through your duties and made everything make a little bit more sense.

The attraction you felt for him however, well, that was on you. 

It started one night, warm like this one, when the diplomatic settlements with a new kingdom took way too long to figure out, and the pair of you were stuck in his personal office at the early hours of the morning. 

Your hair was a frizzy mess, eyebags darkening the thin skin of your under eyes and all you could focus on was the ink slowly spilling from the metal tip of your pen. And Doyoung, though hardworking and diligent as always, showed the signs of exhaustion as well, stretching his neck from side to side to release the tension.

A crack from his joints grabbed your attention, or rather his skin that was glowing in the limelight. 

He was wearing a beautiful silk shirt, the fabric matching his rich stature and highlighting the delicate lines of his body. His collarbones, sharp like him, peeked from the buttons he had been unfastening, one by one, all the while keeping his eyes on yours.

Your mind wandered under his stare that did nothing short of stealing all oxygen from your lungs. Every slither of your bare skin that landed on it was starting to burn up, and you assumed that’s what his touch must feel like as well. You imagined unbuttoning the rest of his shirt yourself, giving his shoulders a little massage to help him relax. You’d run your hands down this torso, marking it lightly with your fingernails, until you felt that little line of hair right over his pelvis.

The thought is too sinful, so you return to the document in front of you, yet all of your concentration dissolves when the advisor suddenly places the back of his hand against your forehead. His touch is cool and refreshing against your hot skin, yet the proximity only raised the temperature of your body more.

“My queen, you look exhausted. Have you been sleeping properly since the… incident?”

You wince at the memory and shove it down your subconscious again, shaking your head as if the dark thoughts would just brush off of you.

“Not really. I keep tossing and turning. I lay on my bed and I just feel so- so lonely.”

Immediately realising how suggestive your words sound you put your hand over your lips, but Doyoung removes them, taking your raised hand in his and kissing the top.

“My duty as your advisor is to rid you of your worries, my queen. Apparently, I’m not doing a good job, so tell me”. You let your eyes fall on his plush lips, holding your breath as his sweet talk leaves them. He mouths the next words against your wrist, and you can feel every movement of his mouth against your sensitive skin. “What can I do to relieve your stress?”

You can’t stop staring at the smoothness of the junction of his neck so you leave a light layer of your lipstick on it, the pink hue against his pale skin reeling you back to reality.

“Advisor, this is not right”, you try to excuse, “I cannot allow myself to take advantage of your duties like that”

Your eyes stay glued on his neck, and you watch as his Adam’s apple bobs in a chuckle. He guides your hand, that is still in his grasp, and boldy places it over his thigh, your pinky finger grazing against a hardness that is most definitely his-

“Can’t you see what you do to me? What does a man have to do to be yours for the night?”

And that’s how he ended up tangled in your sheets every night, sneaking in your room silently so that the guards don’t notice him. 

“It’s been one year, huh?”

You smell the citrusy after notes of wine in his breath, his lips slightly stained by the liquid. He looks just as addictive as the alcohol he consumed tonight, covered in the silk fabric that he loves so much.

“Have you been drinking again?”

“What else am I supposed to do when I see my queen dancing with that bastard?”

“That bastard is your king, yet you talk so lowly of him”

“And that king is your husband, but you were moaning my name on your wedding night”

You had changed into a white nightgown, the ivory dress discarded on your bathroom’s floor. The beads that were delicately weaved into the wedding gown sure were heavy, but that was not the reason you felt so suffocated in it. You had to sit there for hours, resenting everyone who made a toast for the husband and wife. The celebrations seemed endless, the wine abundant, their laughs maniacal. Your wedding ceremony was the image of luxury and opulence, yet you felt so poor.

Your feet led you to his room on their own, swollen and cut from all the dancing in heels. When Doyoung saw you, angry and choked up with all the injustice you felt, he offered to do what he was the best at. Distract you with his touches, his wet kisses, his sweet nothings. 

A pang of guilt ran through you the moment your back hit the wall, his body trapping you between the cold surface and the overwhelming heat of his body. You wondered if Ten was still sleeping in your newlyweds’ suite, if he was pretending that he dozed off, what he was thinking. You knew you were selfish for only thinking about your feelings, as if you were the only one forced into this marriage. But then Doyoung’s fingers danced on the hem of your dress, and your mind would go blank with lust.

“This is wrong”, you said out loud, a statement directed mostly at yourself rather than Doyoung.

“You coming here?”

“This. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to come this close to you”

“Divorce him”

You blinked back at him a couple times, trying to register what came so nonchalantly out of his mouth.

“Out of all people, advisor, you know exactly why I can’t”

His hand slid upwards, following the heat of your core, yet his fingers never touched where you needed him most. Small indentations were formed on the softness of your thighs, caused by his rings, and you wished the marks would stay forever. The shirt he wore as his sleepwear was oversized on his small frame, the iris tattooed on his shoulder peeking out from the fabric, as if it flowered on his skin.

“Out of all people, my queen, you know I can give you so much more than him”

As if knowing you’d argue with him, he started to nibble the skin on the middle of your neck, forcing your voice to bubble out muffled and weary.

“But advisor-“

“Say my name”

He let the pad of his finger fick your clit, and you moan “Doyoung” out, the name addictive on the tip of your tongue. So you say it again.

“Doyoung, I need you”

You felt his grin clearly against your skin, you wetness dripping on his fingers and covering his rings. His next words came out with a gravelly sound:

“I might hurt you, my queen”

Your whole life was laid out in front of you, from the wedding ring that weighted down your finger, to you laying on your royal deathbed, looking back at a lifetime that was never really yours. A linear progression to unhappiness, but you hated straight lines. 

“I want it to hurt”

Doyoung brings your body closer to yours, perhaps way closer than the etiquette allows, his hand on your lower waist sliding as near to your ass so as not to raise suspicion. He dips his head forward in a way that makes you think he’d leave a tipsy and careless kiss on your lips, but he whispers in your ear instead.

“Why haven’t you left him already?” The question is bold, especially between all these people, especially in the celebration of the wedding he asks you to break off. “I thought you said you’re mine”

“I am, but-“, your head moves towards the king’s direction, whose eyes are boring holes through the pair of you. You feel so small under his stare, suddenly feeling dirty. 

“He doesn’t even love you” 

There is a weird feeling bubbling in your stomach when you finally make eye contact with Ten, all his forms in which you’ve seen him through the years running in your mind. The innocent boy who became your best friend, the uncertain teenager who became your first love. The empathetic king, the mourning friend. The dependable spouse.

“But you do”, Doyoung concludes incredulously, his right eyebrow raised. It’s as if he tied together the pieces of a big jigsaw puzzle, the disappointment and anger and determination all trying to fit in his handsome features.

A hand draws your body away from Doyoung quite aggressively, and you quickly realise it’s Ten who has caught up with you. He intertwines your fingers together, pulling you into your previous dancing position but something is different this time.

“Times up. My wife’s too precious of a gem to let go of for longer”

Doyoung scoffs lightly, but hides it with a small bow to his king, leaving the two of you alone like he was asked. The tension between you and Ten is so thick it felt like all the lies you’ve told your kingdoms liquified into a thick substance that’s suffocating you now. His fingers are digging in your hips, in a possessive manner that’s a first for him, and he takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Do you ever think of me when you’re having sex with him?” 

The question catches you so off guard that you ungraciously step on his feet, wobbling on your heels until he helps you find your balance. 

“Why would you ask that?”

Now, you weren’t trying to play clueless, you know Ten is smart. You see the way he studies you and Doyoung, how he catches your secret glances, the electric touches. He surely has figured out where you sneak off every night and whose cologne you reek off the next morning. What you don’t understand, is where all his dislike for your advisor stems from.

Ten just chuckles bitterly, letting a puff through his nose, with a face of almost disgust when he looks at you.

“I don’t understand why I feel this way. I don’t understand why I care about you when you’re plotting with him against me. Why I feel jealous every time I see his filthy hands on you, or why I still think you deserve better.”

Plotting against him?

You’re left with a mouth gaped open, his harsh words both hurting you and confusing you as his voice gets even more strict than before.

“I thought maybe if I asked you to marry me you’d slowly distance yourself from him. I thought that maybe, just maybe, you reciprocate a handful of all the things I feel for you. But you still stay by his side, hanging from his every word”, he says it all in one breath and his eyes are watery when he addresses you again. “How can you sleep soundly next to me when you’re fucking the man that killed your father?”

A buzzing sound rings in your ears and you realise that you’re one breath away from falling apart.

And just like that, everything makes sense.

Why Doyoung was the first to find your father’s body, why the assasination seemed like an inside job. His sudden romantic interest in you and his pleas to have him as your king instead.

The indigo flower that decorated his body.

Ten shakes you a little, worried now at your sudden stiffness and the loss of blood from your face. He didn’t expect this reaction from you, didn’t expect to see your body shake with anger like this. You seem even more shocked than he was when he found out about Doyoung’s true nature, but, aren’t you the advisor’s accomplice in the plot of his overruling? 

“Wait, all this time- you didn’t know?”

Ten’s eyes widen as his body jerks forward, and you barely manage to catch him in your arms. A woman’s shriek resonates in the dance hall; the musicians halt their playing with a scratchy sound of the strings that stretch out of tune. And then you see the blood, staining the marble floor under Ten in small drops. You also see Doyoung emerging from behind him, with a maniacal look on his face, and a dagger in his hands. 

All hell breaks loose. The unarmed guests scream in fear, urging outside the dance hall in flocks. Glasses of wine shatter on the floor, women leave their heels behind in their hastiness to save themselves. You see the knights running in your direction, creating a shield of protection for you and the king, yet you notice that not all of them have gathered around you. A good part of them stand next to Doyoung, his face distorted in a mischievous grin. The extent of the betrayal in your kingdom shocks you, but when the first knight launches forward with his sword, you know you need to get Ten out of there immediately.

Throwing Ten’s arm over your shoulder, you drag him with difficulty all the way to the balcony, desperately trying to mute out the shrill sound of swords clashing in the process. You manage to bring him to safety, laying him down carefully in the same spot he found you in before, his head on your lap. After unbuttoning his shirt, you inspect the stab under his ribcage, and you swallow a scream at the sight of the deep wound. The most you can do is rip a big piece of cloth from your skirt, tying it up tightly around his waist, and wait until the fight is over. 

You see clear drops falling on his face that is turning sickly pale and you realise you’re crying. Holding his face between your hands, you get reminded of those days you went starseeing, of those moments of absolute peace with him that you wished would last forever. His body is cold and the cloth is turning burgundy, but he has the most tranquil smile on his face as he looks up at you. 

“Stay with me, please”, you sob over his rigid body, hugging it tightly as if his existence will just slip right through your fingers. “Live with me, and I’ll gift you all the stars in the sky”

[luminousrider]

Sharing my interview because, for the first time ever, I actually don’t hate it sdfjdhkfsd

Altena stands outside the gates of Garreg Mach Monastery and looks over at her wyvern with a nervous smile. Butterflies flutter in her stomach as she looks up at the grand cathedral in front of her and she wonders if she would have been enrolled in a fancy school like this growing up if her life had taken a different turn.

Her mind hasn't stopped turning since she met Leif and learned about her biological family. Suddenly things began to click into place. The feeling of being out of place that loomed over her growing up. The way no one seemed to have any stories about her when she was a baby. Why she was given the Gae Bolg instead of Arion.

She hoped that knowing the truth of her heritage would shake away any doubt she held about who she was. That she would find herself in the knowledge that she is Njorun's scion. But it only forms new questions.

Altena doesn't know who she is. She's a princess, a lancer, an heiress. But whose? Her love of Thracia, of the land she grew up in and its people, and her very blood clash within her. The peninsula is being united and rebuilt but can Njorun and Dainn unite in her heart?

That's why she's here. She's stepped away from Thracia to clear her mind and discover who Altena truly is. With the stubbornness she's inherited from her mother and the skill with a lance she's developed from her fathers, Altena embarks on a journey.

This time, the story will follow her own path. She's in control of her destiny now.

After leaving Peaches–she knows the name sounds awfully silly now that she's no longer a child–in the stables with the other wyverns, Altena makes her way to meet with her interviewer. She sits across from a monk who smiles and opens a notebook. 

"Altena, right?" the monk asks. "Is there a surname?"

"No," she answers but fumbles her way through an amendment. "Um, actually, it's Claus. Altena…Claus." That name feels foreign in her mouth. It's as though it should belong to someone else. But it's her name. It's the name she was given when she was born and now it's hers again. 

"Alright, Altena, I just have a couple of questions for you. Don't worry, it isn't graded or anything. Just a way for us to get to know you a little bit better. It's more like a thought exercise. So, what would you say are your greatest strengths?"

This isn't really what she expected but it's simple enough. She was raised in the sky with a lance in her hand.  Her strengths are the same as any proud Thracian’s.

“I am the wielder of the holy lance Gae Bolg.  It’s been my destiny since I was just a girl.  I’m a wyvern knight of Thracia and I have experience leading my own battalion to protect my homeland.”  Altena smiles as she speaks of Thracia, of her home.  It’s a land and a people that she loves.  Even after everything she’s learned Travant has done to her, she still holds his love for their country close in her heart.  “Thracia deserves the very best and I hope that by studying here, I can come one step closer to being that for her.”

“Wonderfully put!”  Altena notices that the monk interviewing her is quite cheerful and she finds herself smiling along with them.  It’s impressive that they are able to summon this amount of pep and cheer so early in the morning.  “And the foil to that, how about your greatest weaknesses?”

She blinks.  It’s such an odd question.  A weakness is something to hide lest it be exploited.  In a fight, a weakness is looked for to take advantage of and overwhelm a foe.  Arion knew her weakness and used it to stop her from killing Fa–Travant.

“I have been told I am not ruthless enough.  And Father was always scolding me for being too stubborn.  We butt heads quite a bit.”  She doesn’t notice that she’s just called Travant Father.  It’s a habit she has been trying to break but it’s much harder than she anticipated.  She owes it to Leif to try her best.  Leif brought her the truth.  As much as it hurt and as much as it turned her life upside-down, she’s glad to know it.

“Excellent!  Welcome to the Golden Deer House, Altena!”

Altena opens the door to the outside and a new page in her story turns.  She’s no longer a pawn for ambition–for either half of the Thracian peninsula.  She is simply Altena.

All that’s left is figuring out exactly what that means.

[noteofnaught]

The Fallacy of the Source of Dante's Power

但丁力量之源的谬论

The Fallacy of the Source of Dante's Power

英文翻译依旧是Deepl。

有问题跟有意见请告诉我。

欢迎提出各种意见及讨论

The English translation is still Deepl.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

All comments and discussions are welcome!

在谈论这个开始的之前，有必要讨论一下但丁战斗的理由。

在《DEVIL MAY CRY THE SACRED HEART》中有一页是这样的描述的：

Before talking about this beginning, it is necessary to discuss the reasons why Dante fought.

There is a page in 《DEVIL MAY CRY THE SACRED HEART》 where it is described as follows：

【那个时候第一次，但丁意识到了。

作为恶魔的父亲保护了人类世界。

所以才站在恶魔的大军对面。

拥有母亲的影子的

翠西也像母亲一样庇护自己的身姿。

但丁意识到了。

这不是仅仅为了复仇而战斗，而是失去所爱之人悲剧再次发生的战斗。

有想要守护的想要拯救的存在，这才是他的战斗真正的理由。】

In English, please refer to the text on the chart.

————————————————————————————-——————————————————————

我们在DMC5中但丁与尤立增也能看到类似的对话，可以说这是但丁第一次在游戏里面直接用台词表达自己战斗的理由。

We see a similar dialogue between Dante and Urizen in DMC5, and it could be argued that this is the first time Dante has used lines directly inside the game to express his reasons for fighting.

看起来像完全不一样的台词，但表示意思是相同的。

不想失去的东西，必然也会是想要保护的想要拯救的东西，就是因为不想失去才想去保护才想去拯救。同样，正因为体会过失去，才更加不想再次重温那种失去的瞬间，所以才如此拼命去战斗去变的更强。

可这只是但丁的战斗的理由，而并不是他力量之源。

至少并不是他在DMC1《解体真书》中自叙的力量之源是一回事。

It seems like a completely different line, but the meaning is the same.

What you don't want to lose is inevitably what you want to protect and what you want to save. Likewise, it is precisely because one has experienced loss that one does not want to relive that moment of loss again, and that is why one fights so hard to become stronger.

But that was Dante's reason for fighting, not the source of his power.

At least not the source of his power as he describes it in the DMC1 "True Book of Disintegration".

恶魔者，无心也。

简而言之，他们无法理解爱情的含义。尤其是那份思恋他人的晦涩，与想要守护某个人的冲动——诸如此类复杂的情感，是身为魔族的他们所没有的东西。

恶魔们内心里充斥着的，只有践踏弱者，挥洒欲望的残暴之心，与对目光所及之物深不见底的憎恶。这才是作为恶魔，想要在魔界生存不可或缺的美德。而越是拥有强大的负面情绪，就越是能够成为那个世界的支配者。这就是恶魔们的处世之道。

但是，我认为，这种缺乏对爱情认知的精神构造，正是恶魔最大的弱点。不论是在身体机能还是智慧上都优于人类的魔族，之所以迄今为止都无法占领地上世界，就是因为他们轻视了那坚强勇敢，只为正义而战的伟大之心。

当对于某个人的爱在一瞬间爆发，并随即转变为愤怒的时候，人类强大的精神便能发挥出无与伦比的力量。而生来就没有感情的恶魔，不管付出多大的努力，都只能使用这股即使被称为是魔力之源也不为过的力量的一半而已。

正是因为如此，在两千年前，拥有洪荒之力，能与神明并驾齐驱的魔帝穆图斯，才会被我的父亲·魔剑士斯巴达打败。父亲心中所充斥着的只有人类才拥有的那份温暖，最终伴随着正义觉醒。也正是这抹温柔，让他得到了恶魔原本所没有的，守护除了自己以外其他人的力量。若魔帝明白这点的话，他就一定能想到自己无法战胜斯巴达。若魔帝能够理解正义之心，他就一定不会对人类界展开侵略。换言之，只要我与我未来的子孙还存在于这个世界上，那么穆图斯的野心就永远不会得逞。

被吾狩猎，恶魔皆泣也。

但是，没有心的那些家伙是不会流泪的。在感情达到顶峰时流泪的这种行为，是拥有一颗会为别人着想的心的人类的特权。也是身为人类的证据。若此物泪流满面，那么它就不再是恶魔了。

因此，我将店门口的看板做了一些改动。便利店的新名字是「Devil Never Cry」。还记得之前某人从正门闯入。由于那个时候的骚动，以至于地面上留下了烧焦的痕迹，所以稍微改装一下也并不是什么坏事。

虽然改了名字，但本店所受理的业务没有改变。要是有人卷入了什么棘手的事件，记得给店里打电话。对了，打电话的时候别忘记说暗号。

除此之外，接电话的人可能会是其他的人类。要是因为对方元气的声音就忘记要委托的内容而闲聊起来的话，我会很困扰哦？这可是曾经只想着要复仇的我，好不容易找到的，人生中新的搭档。

看来今晚也要忙工作了。我打算沐浴着温柔的月光，用出门约会的心境完成这份委托。

下次再见。

The demons are also heartless.

In short, they cannot understand the meaning of love. In particular, the obscurity of longing for someone else, the urge to protect someone - such complex emotions - are something they do not have as demons.

What they have in their hearts is a brutal desire to trample on the weak, and a deep-seated hatred of all that they see. This is a virtue that is essential for a demon to survive in the demon world. And the more powerful the negative emotions, the more they can become the rulers of that world. That's the way demons deal with the world.

However, I believe that this spiritual construct, which lacks the knowledge of love, is the greatest weakness of demons. The reason why demons, who are physically and intellectually superior to humans, have not been able to take over the earthly world so far is that they despise the great heart that is strong and brave and fights only for justice.

When love for someone explodes in a moment and then turns to anger, the human spirit is capable of unparalleled power. A demon, born without emotion, can only use half of this power, even if it is called the source of magic, no matter how hard he tries.

It was for this reason that, two thousand years ago, the demon emperor Mundus, who had the power of the flood and was on a par with the gods, was defeated by my father, the demon swordsman Sparda. The warmth that filled my father's heart, which only humans possess, eventually accompanied the awakening of justice. It was this same tenderness that gave him the power to guard others besides himself that the demon did not originally have. If the Demon Emperor had understood this, he would have been able to think that he could not defeat Sparda. If the Demon Emperor had been able to understand the heart of justice, he would certainly not have launched an invasion of the human realm. In other words, as long as I and my future descendants exist in this world, the ambitions of Mundus will never be fulfilled.

Hunted by me, the demons all weep.

But those without hearts do not shed tears. The act of shedding tears at the peak of emotion is the privilege of a human being who has a heart that thinks of others. It is also evidence of being human. If this thing sheds tears, then it is no longer a demon.

Therefore, I made some changes to the signboard in front of the shop. The new name of the convenience store is 'Devil Never Cry'. I remember when someone broke in through the front door. There was such a commotion at that time that there were burn marks left on the floor, so a slight modification wasn't a bad thing.

Although the name has been changed, the business that the shop handles remains the same. If anyone is involved in any difficult incidents, remember to call the shop. Don't forget to say the code word when you call.

Other than that, the person who answers the phone may be another human being. I'd be troubled if I forgot what I was entrusted with because of the genki voice on the other end, wouldn't I? This is the new partner in my life that I've managed to find after a long time of thinking only about revenge.

I guess I'll be busy with work tonight too. I'm going to finish this commission in the gentle light of the moon and in the same frame of mind as if I were going out on a date.

See you next time.

————————————————————————————-——————

【父亲心中所充斥着的只有人类才拥有的那份温暖，最终伴随着正义觉醒。也正是这抹温柔，让他得到了恶魔原本所没有的，守护除了自己以外其他人的力量。若魔帝明白这点的话，他就一定能想到自己无法战胜斯巴达。】

从这段话里面可以看出但丁认为“守护他者”的力量是凌驾在“守护自己”的力量之上的，当然，无法保护自己的人同样无法守护他者。这种朴素的真理已经不再需要重复的解析。

所以，也可以解读为但丁认为拥有两种力量的斯巴达比仅仅只有一种力量的蒙杜斯强，而蒙杜斯入侵人类世界是不正义行为。

在DMC1中显然还没有一个世界分为两个世界的这个事情，所以也就暂时不存在那种类似于，本身有人找到某个地方在那边生存，因为战争被迫离开了，而在千百年后被迫离开的人回来并要求复国，都在那里住了千百年的人当然一百个不愿意，导致发生不可避免逆转流血事件。

自然也没有为了让人类活下去，逆反了自然规律，从而引发身份的逆转带来理想的覆灭痛苦。

毕竟历代对魔界的恶魔入侵人类世界这个问题上，显然是存在自然规律，而且是无法避免的，斯巴达无论怎么封印，都拦不住，能够拦住只是实力非常强那部分而已，当然能拦住那部分对人类而言已经好的不能更好了。

人类绝对不会侵犯魔界毕竟还是建立在，人类并不知道魔界的存在以及人类脆弱的肉体无法抵抗恶魔。当然如果找对正确的关键词，也许魔界的恶魔就会人类杀成保护动物了呢。

不过这个并不是本文的重点，所以在此跳过吧。

但丁是否拒绝力量呢？在DMC3的漫画中阿卡姆曾经询问但丁难道不渴望得到力量为母报仇吗？但丁当时是没有任何回答的。

可以肯定但丁肯定想要保护自己的母亲，那么如果自己太弱那么自然是无法保护母亲的，肯定要变强的，变强就意味着需要力量，强大也许有很多种，但需要跟恶魔战斗的话，那力量显然必不可少。

所以又怎么会不想要呢？如果不想要那不就意味着他并不想要能够保护母亲的力量吗？他想要母亲保护他吗？

至少但丁为什么没有回答，这不是此文想要讨论的东西，所以在此跳过。

[The warmth that filled his father's heart, which only humans possess, eventually awakened with justice. It was this same tenderness that gave him the power to guard others besides himself, which the demon did not have originally. If the demon emperor had understood this, he would have thought that he could not defeat Sparda].

It is clear from this passage that Dante believes that the power of "guarding the other" overrides the power of "guarding oneself", and that, of course, he who cannot protect himself cannot also protect the other. This simple truth no longer requires repetition.

So, it can also be interpreted that Dante believes that Sparta, with its two powers, is stronger than Mundus, with only one, and that Mundus' invasion of the human world is an act of injustice.

In DMC1 there is apparently no such thing as a world divided into two worlds yet, so there is no such thing as, for the moment, something like, per se, someone finds some place to survive over there, is forced to leave because of a war, and after a thousand years the people who were forced to leave come back and demand restoration, and of course the people who have all lived there for a thousand years are a hundred times more reluctant, leading to an inevitable reversal of the bloodshed.

Naturally there was no reversal of the laws of nature in order to keep the humans alive, thus triggering a reversal of identity bringing the pain of the overthrow of the ideal.

After all, successive generations of the demons of the demonic world invaded the human world on this issue, it is clear that there is a law of nature, and it is unavoidable, Sparta no matter how to seal, can not stop, can stop only the very strong that part of it, of course can stop that part of it for the human race has been good can not be better.

The fact that humans will never invade the demonic world is, after all, based on the fact that humans are unaware of its existence and that human flesh is too weak to resist demons. Of course, if we look for the right keywords, perhaps the demons in the demon world will be killed by humans as protected animals.

But this is not the focus of this article, so let's skip it here.

Does Dante reject power? In the DMC3 comic Arkham once asked Dante if he didn't desire the power to avenge his mother. Dante had no answer at the time.

It is certain that Dante wants to protect his mother, so if he is too weak then naturally he can't protect her, so he must become stronger.

So how could he not want it? If he doesn't want it, doesn't that mean he doesn't want the power to protect his mother? Did he want his mother to protect him?

At least why Dante doesn't answer that is not what this article is about, so I'll skip it here.

保护这个词多少带点未雨绸缪的意思在里面的。

保护一般意义上，是指尽力照顾，使自身（或他人、或其他事物）的权益/生命不受损害，需要在其受到损害之前被保护起来在里面。在伤害已经无法挽回，只能尽力保住剩下的能够延续与存活，就像文物古籍、快灭绝的动物。并不是伤害已经发生完，而是伤害正在发生，还能抢救或者预防之后的伤害。当然已经彻底损害的东西是无法再去保护的。保护他者的性命前提是，他者还活着而不是死亡。而且也享有一个共同点，那就是以受害者/事物的生命、延续为其第一要务，其他行为都需要服务这个要务。

The word protection has a more or less proactive connotation to it.

To protect in a general sense means to try to take care that one's own (or another person's, or something else's) rights/life are not harmed and need to be protected in it before they are harmed. Where the harm has been irreparable and one can only try to preserve what is left to be able to continue and survive, as in the case of heritage antiquities and animals that are going extinct. It is not that the damage has been done, but that the damage is happening and can be saved or prevented later. Of course what has been completely damaged can no longer be protected. The protection of the life of the Other presupposes that the Other is alive and not dead. And also enjoy a common point in that the life, the continuation of the victim/thing is its first priority, and all other actions need to serve this priority.

这两种无论从心态还是出发点是不一样的。一个更注重于生命/伤者，所以当灾难/事情的时候他第一个反应就是应该要去帮助那些人，也可以说这样的人理智还在线，一个则被愤怒冲昏头脑，不顾眼前急需拯救的人也不顾自己性命与其他人的性命，想去击杀敌人，后者击杀敌人的欲望与冲动即便在让其冷静去救人，他脑子里面想也不是，我应该要去救人，而是我要将敌人杀死。

他们都会愤怒，但一个行为是保护他者，拯救他者，另一个通常是杀敌，如果是战争片，后者会安排其家属或者父母家庭被敌人伤害过，又或者是她本人被欺骗，他加入的原因不是救人，他是来复仇的或者是其他缘故。

去救人与还是击杀这是完全不同两种反应，这种不同反应直接关系到他们内心的想法。

These two are not the same in either mindset or starting point. One is more focused on the life/injured, so when a disaster/thing happens his first reaction is that he should go and help those people, and it can be said that such a person's reason is still intact, while the other is overwhelmed by anger and wants to kill the enemy without regard for the people in front of him or for his own life and the lives of others. I should save people, but I should kill the enemy.

They are both angry, but one acts to protect the other, to save the other, the other usually kills the enemy, and if it is a war film, the latter will arrange for his family or parents' family to have been harmed by the enemy, or for her to have been cheated, and he joins not to save, he comes to take revenge or for some other reason.

Going to the rescue versus still striking out are two completely different reactions, and this different reaction is directly related to their innermost thoughts.

在2018年发售的《古墓丽影：暗影（Shadow of the Tomb Raider）》中，主角劳拉·克劳馥在面对因为东西被拿走引发巨大灾难之中，她无视那些被洪水淹没的人并没有打算去挽救他们，而想拼命去追击敌人。

在这里劳拉内心充满对敌人的仇恨与愤怒，她的情绪与思想没有任何一丝去考虑眼前那些即将被大洪水淹没的人，虽然口中全是为世界着想，却一点都不去想眼前这些明明可以挽救的人也应该去拯救与保护他们，去挽救他们。当然也可以说她在逃避。

但她一开始去探索那些古墓也并不是为了阻止什么邪恶的阴谋，而是她只想解开父亲留下的谜团，他的搭档反而渴望能够多拯救一些人，正因为出发点与动力不一致导致行为也并不一样，也出现剧情中他搭档对她非常愤怒。

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, released in 2018, the protagonist Lara Croft, faced with a huge disaster caused by something being taken away from her, ignores those who are flooded and has no intention of saving them, but instead tries to go after the enemy.

Here Laura's heart is filled with hatred and anger towards her enemies, and her emotions and thoughts have no regard for the people who are about to be flooded. One could certainly say that she was running away.

But she doesn't start out exploring the tombs to stop some evil plot, she just wants to solve the mystery of her father's legacy, while her partner is eager to save more people, and it's because the starting point and motivation are not the same that she acts differently, and it also appears in the episode that her partner is very angry with her.

而在《鬼泣 巅峰之战之战》这款手游中但丁与格里芬战斗，可是在最后让其逃脱了，同时导致了城市遭受严重的破坏，城市充斥的大量恶魔，无数居民生命不是已经受到威胁就是在被受到威胁的路上。

回到自己事务所的但丁并没有考虑先去拯救街道上还活着的人，让他们撤离到安全地方去。而是与劳拉一样满脑子想要追击敌人把东西抢回来。显然挽救城市居民并没有在他当时脑海之中。当然但丁一开始也并不是奔着要守护群众才去拿水晶的。

Dante fights Griffin in 《DMC Battle at the Top》, but lets him escape at the end, causing serious damage to the city, which is flooded with demons and has countless residents whose lives are either already threatened or on their way to being threatened.

Back at his office, Dante did not consider saving the people still alive in the streets and evacuating them to safety. Instead, like Laura, he was filled with the desire to chase down the enemy and get his things back. Obviously saving the inhabitants of the city was not on his mind at the time. Of course Dante didn't start out running to guard the masses before he went to get the crystal.

而在DMC4中但丁也做过类似的行为，在屠佛那不可控制要被大量恶魔入侵的时候，他也并没有选择先与翠西一样疏散那些无辜群众，先保证他们的安全再去击杀教皇他们。而在DMC4中但丁也并不是为了拯救度佛那人民而行动，而是他也在争夺阎魔刀。

在DMC4小说中他也正面承认，他根本也没拿工作当成一回事，是带着度假般的心情的。

当然但丁的性格问题也是需要考虑， 在DMC3漫画赠送角色设定中。

【刹那主义，享乐主义在内心深处，对于既不是恶魔也不是人类的自己抱有劣等感。不是多么的爱惜自己，把自身性命当儿戏，鲁莽敢干。】

And in DMC4 Dante did a similar act, when Tuverna was uncontrollably about to be invaded by a mass of demons, he too did not choose to evacuate those innocent people first, as did Trixie, to ensure their safety first before going to kill the Pope and the others. And in DMC4 Dante is not acting to save the people of Tuverna, but he is also fighting for the sword of Hades.

In the DMC4 novels he also admits upfront that he doesn't take his job seriously at all either, and is in a holiday-like mood.

Of course the question of Dante's character needs to be considered, too, in the DMC3 manga giveaway characterisation.

[Shaktivism, hedonism at heart, a sense of inferiority to himself who is neither evil nor human. Not much of a lover of himself, treats his own life like a child, is reckless and daring].

对于但丁形容里面似乎带点他这个人比较鲁莽，那么对于村庄被恶魔袭击，地上还躺着还能挽救的普通人，没有选择先去尽力挽救那些人，而是非常愤怒想去提刀杀敌，又因他本身就憎恨恶魔，所以无论是性格还是他的动力上导致他做出那样行为都是合情合理。

当然这些只是作为一个参考，说明一开始的出发点或者说动力不一致导致行为与思维方式也有所不同。并不是说他们就是完全不在乎人命，而是站在角度与动力、感情会影响他们行动。

这开始他战斗理由之间产生矛盾。

正如DMC5中但丁对父亲不满与自嘲，复仇。

Dante's description seems to suggest that he was reckless, so it makes sense that when the village was attacked by demons and there were ordinary people lying on the ground who could still be saved, instead of trying to save those people first, he was so angry that he wanted to kill them with his sword, and because he hated demons himself, both his character and his motivation led him to act in that way.

Of course, this is just a reference to the different starting points or motivations that led to different behaviours and ways of thinking in the first place. It's not that they just don't care about human life at all, but the perspective and motivation and feelings they stand for can influence their actions.

This begins to create a contradiction between his reasons for fighting.

As in DMC5 Dante is discontent and self-deprecating towards his father and revenge.

在这里但丁自述魔力之源是【当对于某个人的爱在一瞬间爆发，并随即转变为愤怒的时候，人类强大的精神便能发挥出无与伦比的力量。】

这就让人产生疑问，对一个人爱爆发为何就随之转变愤怒呢？你爆发爱意然后就愤怒你爱的对象吗？难道不应该充满怜爱之类的吗？那这个愤怒对象必然不是所爱之人。那会在什么样情况下，对所爱之人爆发了爱意并随之转化成愤怒？

如果要设想这样的场面，那么很自然其实会想到就是自己所爱之人被伤害的场景，从而让我们无比愤怒想要杀掉伤害他们的人。

但这是DMC1但丁所说的话，而DMC1故事实际上就提供了这个答案，在过场动画中，是可以看到但丁爆发对“母亲”的爱，并随之转化为对蒙杜斯的愤怒，也说出那句台词“母亲的仇”。

Here Dante describes the source of his magic as [the unparalleled power of the powerful human spirit when love for someone explodes in a moment and is then transformed into anger].

This begs the question, why does love for someone explode and then turn into anger? Do you explode with love and then become angry at the person you love? Shouldn't you be filled with compassion and love? Then the object of that anger must not be the loved one. Under what circumstances, then, would love for the loved one break out and turn into anger?

If we were to imagine such a scenario, it would be natural to think of a scene in which the person we love is hurt, which would make us angry enough to want to kill the person who hurt them.

But these are the words of Dante in DMC1, and the DMC1 story actually provides the answer to this, as Dante is seen in the overworld animation bursting with love for his "mother", which translates into anger at Mundus, and the line "Mother's revenge ".

而在《Precious Tears》这本书中可以找到一个参考。

A reference to this can be found in the book Precious Tears.

一道闪光向着呆住的但丁袭来。

但那时，但丁的眼睛被染成了深红色。

就像激情燃烧的火焰，就像释放黑暗波动的恶魔。

魔帝发出的闪光，受到了世间不同的力量的反弹，极大地改变了轨道。

A flash of light came towards the frozen Dante.

But then, Dante's eyes were tinted crimson.

Like a fire burning with passion, like a demon releasing a dark wave.

The flash of light from the Devil Emperor was met with a rebound of different forces in the world, greatly altering the orbit.

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而在下一页

And on the next page

从身心深处释放出魔力，但丁将其自身变成了魔人。

从地上跃起，飞向无限广阔的黑暗天空。

在那深红的眼睛里，只映出魔帝的暗灰色的身影。

Releasing magic from the depths of his mind and body, Dante transforms himself into a demon.

Leaping up from the ground, he flew into the infinite expanse of the dark sky.

In those crimson eyes, only the dark grey figure of the Demon Emperor was reflected.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

从DMC1场景与这些描述中，可以看到这是一种情绪爆发与宣泄并转化为魔力，同样描述在DMC2小说中也有描述，DMC2小说中兽首能力就是一个将情绪转化为魔力，而看到过去记忆并感受到巨大情感洪流的但丁同样回复了魔力，这个转化过程是相同的。

可是这种情况并不是保护，而是因为失去其应该“保护”/“所爱”的对象，从而爆发的对敌人的愤怒，就像一些新闻里面，失去孩子的父母看到伤害自己孩子凶手，就会变得无比愤怒并不顾一切冲过去。

恶魔是不是都不能理解这种感情呢？虽然不能就此断言全部都是，至少蒙杜斯肯定是不会理解。固然这种状态下的人有着强烈的情感加持，能够爆发出非常恐怖力量，但情绪激动或者过于激烈的人是处于一种并不理智的状态，也就是难以自控、或者说失控，但这并不是要讨论这个代价是什么。

From the DMC1 scenes and these descriptions, we can see that this is a kind of emotional outburst and catharsis that is transformed into magic, the same description is also described in the DMC2 novels, where the beast's head ability is a transformation of emotions into magic, and Dante, who sees the memories of the past and feels a huge flood of emotions, also regains his magic, this transformation process is the same.

However, this is not a case of protection, but of rage against an enemy because of the loss of the one he is supposed to "protect"/"love", just as in some news stories where parents who have lost their children see their child's murderer and become overwhelmed with rage and They are like parents who have lost a child, who see the murderer of their child and become so furious that they rush over to him.

Are all demons incapable of understanding such feelings? Although it cannot be said that they all do, Mundus at least certainly does not understand them. While it is true that people in this state have strong emotions added to them and are capable of very terrifying outbursts of power, the emotionally charged or overly intense person is in a state that is not rational, that is, difficult to control, or out of control, but this is not to discuss what the cost of this is.

如果我们重新再看一次这样的事情。

他是在保护吗？

不是，因为被保护对象已经死亡。

那么他这样的行为是什么？所爱之人躺在地上已经死亡，他说出母亲的仇并愤怒冲去敌人。

是的，他是在复仇，而不是保护。

If we look at something like this again.

Is he protecting?

No, because the protected object is dead.

So what is he doing by acting in this way? The loved one lies dead on the ground, he speaks of his mother's revenge and rushes in anger to his enemy.

Yes, he is taking revenge, not protecting.

也可以说因为害怕失去，但是当我们害怕失去一个人的时候，首先感觉是恐惧而不会是愤怒。因为很恐惧这个事情发生，为了不让这个事情发生反而会很努力，所以看起来很愤怒。但在游戏中但丁的台词是“母亲的仇”，所以完全切断这种可能性。

One could also say that it was out of fear of loss, but when we fear losing someone, the first thing we feel is fear and not anger. It seems angry because there is a great fear of this happening and a great effort to keep it from happening instead. But in the game Dante's line is "mother's revenge", so this possibility is completely cut off.

而这一句【当对于某个人的爱在一瞬间爆发，并随即转变为愤怒的时候，人类强大的精神便能发挥出无与伦比的力量。】

是在他复仇的时候，是他愤怒的时候。是爱的力量，但是失去所爱而爆发的愤怒的，想要复仇的行为。

通过感情的爆发出无与伦比的力量这是真的，而这份情感是人类的这也是真的，但丁渴望保护他者吗？至少他肯定渴望保护他的母亲。这句话与他DMC1中行为所展示的并不是【保护】而是【复仇】他这种感情爆发与他认为这就是力量之源。确实如同DMC5中对叛逆的解析。

是复仇之力，而不是保护之力。

And the phrase [When love for someone explodes in a moment and is then transformed into anger, the mighty human spirit can exert unparalleled power].

It was in his revenge, it was in his anger. It is the power of love, but the anger that erupts from the loss of what is loved, the desire for revenge.

It is true that the outburst of power is unparalleled through emotion, and it is also true that this emotion is human. At least he must have longed to protect his mother. This statement is consistent with the fact that his actions in DMC1 demonstrate not [protection] but [revenge], and that this outburst of emotion is the source of his power. Indeed as in the parsing of rebellion in DMC5.

It is the power of revenge, not the power of protection.

当然但丁杀死蒙杜斯完全就是因为私人仇恨，蒙杜斯入侵人类世界不过只是这个问题上一个添头，或者说增加更多的正当性。蒙杜斯不入侵人类世界，但丁就会打算放过蒙杜斯吗？

显然并不会，毕竟为母亲报仇可是但丁人生目的。在DMC5中但丁认为杀死与人为敌的恶魔是他的使命。

但有人被恶魔伤害了，你去杀死那个恶魔，不一定你是在保护那个人在拯救那个人，因为那个人可能就已经被害或者需要的是先送往医院急救，而不是击杀眼前的伤害他的人，但有一点确实很明确的，如果选择去追击/追杀那个人伤害人恶魔，那你肯定帮了那个人受害者对恶魔进行复仇。

从另一层意义上来说，但丁是确实是为复仇而生的。

Of course Dante kills Mundus purely out of personal hatred, and Mundus' invasion of the human world is just an add-on to this issue, or to add more legitimacy. Would Dante have been prepared to let Mondus go if he hadn't invaded the human world?

Obviously not, after all, avenging his mother is Dante's purpose in life. In DMC5 Dante sees it as his mission to kill demons who are enemies of man.

But when someone is hurt by a demon and you go to kill that demon, you are not necessarily protecting that person and saving that person, because that person may have been killed or may need to be taken to hospital first rather than killing the person who hurt them, but one thing is clear, if you choose to go after/hunt the demon who hurt the person, then you have definitely helped that person's victim to take revenge on the demon.

In another sense, Dante was literally made for revenge.

可这就像一个谬论，明明是因为不想失去，可是他这种感情爆发却是因为失去才爆发的。也许他希望能够保护自己母亲，不失去自己家人，可他却以为家人复仇为人生的目的。

但在DMC5中但丁至少开始真正意义上去进行保护的行为，起码他确实在游戏开头选择自我牺牲让尼禄离开争取时间。在系列漫长的时间中，他确实开始靠近他想要的东西。

But it's like a fallacy that it's clearly because he doesn't want to lose, but this outburst of emotion he has is because of the loss. Maybe he wants to protect his mother and not lose his family, but his purpose in life is to avenge them.

But in DMC5 Dante at least starts to act in a real sense to protect, at least he does choose to self-sacrifice at the beginning of the game to allow Nero to leave to buy time. Over the course of the long series, he does start to get closer to what he wants.

想要保护家人也是需要自己家人还存在世上为前提的。

但也许问题也正出在这里，尼禄是维吉尔的孩子，如果但丁并不承认维吉尔是他的兄弟，那么尼禄自然也不会是他的侄子，毕竟他都不承认自己的兄弟，那么兄弟孩子又怎么会是他的侄子呢？

To protect your family, you need your family to be alive.

But perhaps that is where the problem lies. Nero is Vergil's child, and if Dante does not recognize Vergil as his brother, then naturally Nero cannot be his nephew either; after all, if he does not recognize his brother, then how can a brother's child be his nephew?

[chaosprince-apollo]

I find it poetic that in some ways Iroh's greatest defeat is ultimately his greatest triumph.

Like I'm not talking directly obviously. We know he was considered to be a great general and after his defeat he was ridiculed and broken because of the death of his son, he had no real place in his own nation due to his failure and outside of his nation he is a war criminal which he is undeniably aware of and he regrets because he knows he wasn't the good guy and his son died in vain. He may act like a buffoon at times but we know and the people in the avatar kingdoms know he is extremely capable and an expert stratergiest (a testament to this fact is people are wary of him and he STILL manages the convince them he's harmless even when the KNOW he's a dangerous man.)

Now to get to my point about why it becomes a triumph. Simple. It's his big turning point or his first big turning point. This failure and subsequent ridicule breaks him away from the expectation of being a great general. Breaks him away from being a model of what a fire nation soldier should be. Iroh is shown to always be a caring father and I truly believe he knew he was doing wrong but that he also loved his nation and the firelord (his brother) and wanted to bring glory/honour not just for himself but for his son. Failing at Ba Sing Se was a blow sure but if he'd succeeded a) more people than had already died would have and being enslaved by the fire nation. b) he'd have never become the man who became one of the cities protectors c) he'd possibly not have been the one to be with Zuko during exile and d) certainly wouldn't have been someone helping protect the Avatar.

Now I say this is one of his turning points because it's also extremely obvious his relationship with Zuko is his other important factor as to WHY Iroh is such a nuanced and well fleshed out character. There's no way Iroh WOULDN'T love Zuko, but his failure and death of his son drives Iroh not only to adopt Zuko as his own but also to understand that Zuko's mission is wrong and is the road to ruin.

Iroh has first hand knowledge what being on the wrong side gets you. He's also one of the only people around Zuko that acknowledges he is literally a 13 year old child (when exiled, 16 during the show) the gaang also make acknowledgement of this but considering they themselves are like 12-15 approximately this acknowledgement doesn't have the same impact as GROWN ASS ADULTS thinking it's okay for the firelord (a powerful force) to fight agni kai against a 13 year old and then exile him for having....an opinion? Like honestly do these people actually know what the agni kai was about and just accept that or are they told Zuko did something terrible...which like even so pretty poor form here y'all (anyway I digress clearly from my point but I have FEELINGS and probably there are other people with in the fire nation that have enough empathy and critical thinking to know that what happened to Zuko was wrong but my point remains) Uncle Iroh is one of if not the only ADULT character that seems to actually be shown as thinking Zuko is a child with feelings instead of that he's dishonoured his family or that he's evil.

(Side note, I know he calls Azula crazy but I also don't think he thinks she's actually evil either but he has no way to help her and even if he tried there's no way in her current mind set she'd ever listen. She wants to be strong and powerful and whilst she's incredibly smart she can't tell she's being manipulated because she's only ever gotten by on manipulation herself and being rewarded for that so it's difficult for her to see her father doing it to her. It's really enforced into her that her brother is weak and worthless because he doesn't have it in him to be like her. In her mind Iroh isn't just a failure as a soldier, he's a failure because he stood by Zuko. Why would she listen to someone so weak and stupid.)

So in conclusion after several tangents. Iroh's failure to take Ba Sing Se ultimately leads to his role in it's liberation and the defeat of the fire nation under firelord Ozai. His defeat helps put him on the side of the people and the avatar and gives him chances to make amends for his true failures (besieging the city in the first place leading to deaths including his own son and the failure to bring a stop to his younger brother's ambition and cruelty)

Another tangent fuck sorry, it's being a little while since I've watched and I'm thinking of things as I type and I am totally aware I might be missing stuff or misremembering things or that maybe I just have a different interpretation of certain events or characterisations. ANYWAY Iroh as the older brother was the one in line for the throne and Ozai tried to convince Azulon that Iroh was weak using Ba Sing Se as the reason (Azulon's reaction to this is entirely unfair, and it's hard to feel empathy for his fate at the time of his death even if, like other people of fire nation royalty, he has potential not to be a FUCKING COLOSSAL WANKER.) [Also a pause here to say there's a solid 11 to 12 hours between my thoughts here cause my friend called for me to pick her up from somewhere cause she finished waaaaay earlier than we were expecting so coherency who knows her lol]

I think the point I was making essentially comes down to Iroh's defeat leads Ozai to confront/try to reason with Azulon that Ozai would make a better firelord than Iroh (whether Ozai was wrong or right is a matter of perception ultimately) Azulon didn't like this and demanded Ozai kill Zuko, which I actually don't remember clearly but I looked at the wiki to jog my memory and it says that's what happened. Which was my point earlier about being a wanker, and sure maybe it was actually going to be some kind of test a la abraham and isaac etc but of course he got murked and also like firelords tend to have this follow through of becoming batshit at some point. Or at least the last few the precede our boy Zuko certainly have questionable levels of empathy for anyone outside of their immediate family and even then ... anyway who remembers Zuko's scar? Anyone, anyone at all. Yeah....

So Iroh defeat = Ozai trying to usurp the throne = Azulon's piece of shit death to Zuko demand = Azulon gets murdered, sorry assassinated = Ozai usurping the throne anyway (although I'm not sure Iroh really fought him on that at all? Someone please clarify) = Ozai being firelord when Zuko spoke up = the whole agni kai business = Zuko having his face burnt by his own father and told he's weak and is given a frankly impossible task = Iroh watching on and feeling shame, disgust, guilt, and honestly I ultimately think he felt fear for Zuko and fear of having to acknowledge more than ever before that his younger brother and even the nation he loves are on the wrong path and that power isn't worth the amount of pain and suffering caused, like I'm sure previous to this he knew, he had to have known because we know how incredibly intelligent Iroh is, and we also know he is part of white lotus (which again someone might have to tell me a timeline on that because the white lotus thing seems to have being going on a while so was he white lotus during the ba sing se seige? The first one I mean? OH THOUGHTS BUT I'LL COME BACK = Iroh and Zuko's pirate adventures uh, I mean Zuko tries to capture the avatar and Iroh drinks tea = Iroh having to watch Zuko struggle at an impossible task to regain honour he never actually lost = Iroh being a scheming old man to achieve the goal of giving Zuko a loving father = Iroh going on the journey with Zuko to befriend the gaang = Iroh participating with other white lotus members to liberate ba sing se = leading to help the downfall of an oppressive regime = Zuko taking the throne in a state of empathy and acceptance.

Like let's be real. Even though Iroh probably would have made a formidable firelord he possibly wouldn't have become the Iroh we know even though that man would have been in there and whilst he'd have remained a role model to Zuko it may not have had the same impact as the journey they DO share.

Okay I know I had more thoughts regarding white lotus things but this is so long and it's midnight and exactly 0 people will read this

Anyway I love Iroh thanks for coming to my Ted Talk

(Any mistakes are because my brain just dumped a bunch of thoughts and proofread absolutely nothing)

[life-rewritten]

The Gifted Graduation Series: An Ode to Pang and Wave’s love

As much as I try hard not to fangirl in this blog, and try to focus on just analysis and theories when it comes to this show. This time  I can't help it, when it comes to this show I always wonder if I should call it a Thai bl? Or if I should just accept that it isn't and move on, but then they give me these two's interaction, and then I'm a mess screaming there's no way Gifted is not a BL series. You don't need kisses or explicit confirmations of love between two men for a show to be a BL for me; I call Great Man Academy a BL and it's a gender bender, but it's still a BL for me. Why can't I do the same with Gifted the series? Because honestly the love of Pang and Wave may not be canon / confirmed as a romance, but for me, there's nothing else to explain it? I've tried using the oh they're best friends who are soulmates line, but like that's even more of a reason why they're in love, it's not like they get mirror images to other BL couple scenes right? (but then we get the earphones sharing thing which was the same as Sarawatine in 2gether the series, PhuKao in oxygen the series), it's not like they're proclaiming out to each other how much they'd die for each other? (but then we have Wave going to sacrifice himself with a virus that could potentially kill him and take away his powers just so Pang stays safe and then Pang doing the same in order to protect him), it's not like they tell each other every day how much the other person means to them (but then you have Wave saying he's so stupid for never giving up on Pang) and it's like wait for what? This has to be love, this has to be romantic love, I can have many best friends, but I don't think I'd lean close to their face inches from kissing and say that I would gladly give everything, my life, my ideals, my hopes and dreams just so they can stay by my side forever maybe its cause I'm a lousy friend who knows? 

But when I see that kind of soulmate, passionate and unconditional love my brain goes into overdrive. These two are made for each other if they were a boy and a girl (in this heterosexual forced society we're in) this would be the ultimate power couple heck we'd have seen them already make out by now multiple times. So let me just have this okay? Let me just write an ode to one of the greatest ships in NON-Thai BL history, and let me explain to you why The gifted series is a BL to me even if Pang and Wave don't end up on the rooftops telling each other how in love they are. I'm fine with that, in my head, they've already passed that stage and are lovers,  on their way to defeating evil and saving the world and staying together for the rest of their lives. Let's begin

Let's look at episode 10-11 in the Gifted Graduation before I keep on writing essays about these two's dynamic—the Virus.

THE VIRUS

You know what Pang and Wave have is special, and obvious when even the villain who is a psychopath can see that Wave is Pang's weak link. Supot threatens the other students, so they don't hide Pang's whereabouts, but he ensures that he gives a long side-eye to Wave, he smirks like he already has a plan for him, like he already knows what's about to happen, like he already understands that Wave is no longer the Wave in season 1 who'd sacrifice everything to ensure he's safe and his powers are still intact, but Wave is now Pang's 'friend', the Wave that will sacrifice everything even if it means he's hurt for Pang. And low and behold Supot confirms this with glee later on. It wasn't even a possibility for Wave to betray Pang. For Supot it was a done deal, that he had found a way to secure Pang under his control. That reason was Wave.

REASONS FOR WHY WAVE TOOK THE VIRUS:

Because he can't betray Pang, that's an apparent reason. But it's more than that; at this moment Pang has shown that his idealism for the better world is a failure, he ended up doing the opposite and actually was the cause of Supot taking over the school system and being the messed up dictator that he is. Pang is the person who set his plans in motion. Wave should be furious, should be doubtful, should be tired, but no, one thing stays the same. He won't give up on Pang no matter what. Don't get him wrong he is furious, doubtful and annoyed, he even shouts to Pang this episode that he's so stupid for never giving up on him, for always wanting to save him, for always wanting him to be right. And if you know Wave who is the very optimum of knowledge and logic, him choosing to go against everything that is presented in front of him just to keep on believing in Pang is insane, his undying love and loyalty for Pang can't be broken. And he knows it, and he laments about it, but you know what he's okay with it as long as Pang is safe.

Because he was guessing how Pang was feeling after everything that happened. He could already see what happens next; Pang would be so exhausted, mentally and physically drained, and probably on the verge of giving up and choosing to end all his hopes and beliefs. He knew precisely how Pang would feel, so he took drastic measures, the only thing that could bring Pang up to his feet was if someone he cared about was hurt or in danger of being hurt by Supot. He took the Virus so Pang will get up and stop moping and hiding and do something. He believed that what they had would cause Pang to switch on and be determined to help again. It was the only way he could do that. And for Wave, Pang's spirit, idealism, and optimism were more needed than his own potential. Pang was his most trusted hope for the future, so he gave everything to ensure he didn't lose that. 

Because he trusts Pang will find a cure. Because it's Pang. No matter what they've been through because Wave believes so much in Pang's potential and power, he knows that they'd be fine. It doesn't matter how many times they've failed before, it doesn't matter if the world is cruel and manipulative, it doesn't matter if people betray others, and change their philosophies, because, for Wave, Pang is his rock, Pang will keep fighting for what's right and one day he'll win because he's right. Wave has watched Pang fail and fail time and time again, but he always believes that as long as they're together, they're still hoping, and they still care, they'll be fine. Because Pang showed him why trust and unity are worth it. That's why in episode 4 he doesn't get shaken by Time betraying them he's just like, but we'll win. Because Pang is to him, his winner, if Pang cares and fights for it, Wave will be okay, and he'll be cured again. Because it's Pang, Pang will end up saving the world, and the gifted and Pang will be proven right. That's why although he feels stupid, Pang is the only thing he can't let go of in his mind otherwise his world would crumble; he'll be broken down, and his hope will be shattered, and he doesn't want to be that way like he was in Season 1. For him, Pang is his strength, so giving up his powers, his life, or his logic doesn't faze him because he'll be okay if Pang is still fighting for him to be. 

THE REASON FOR PANG’S UNWAVERING FAITH

Let's look at what Wave is to Pang because I've already been repeating over and over again what Pang is to Wave (his strength, trust, hope etc.). Before we do that, let's analyse Pang's relationships when it comes to his idealism for a better world. His anchors should I call it, the people who make him still want to fight for a better world etc. 

His friends/colleagues: From season 1, Pang got to be close to everyone, he became a leader for all of the gifted students in his year. He was the one who managed to convince them to fight for what's right. He had them as his team supporting and holding him up, and as we see in season 2, their hopes become frail, they become weak, and they can't keep up with their optimism as the world seems so dim and bleak. His friends trust and hope in him is what makes him determined to be a good leader. It's because of protecting them that he also gives into Supot this episode (after Wave) because he doesn't want them hurt or controlled in that way. They're his bargain chip for Supot. And luckily we see that because Pang is now weaker and controlled by Supot they've taken on the role to ensure that his vision for the world comes through, they've decided to trust no matter what in themselves and him to make sure his hopes comes through. 

The students in danger: For Pang, he's the reason why Supot regained his control, and it kills him inside, so he gives up to protect everyone. Pang cares so much about what's right, and people. Equality for people is why he started his fight for a better system, and in this season seeing students be used as lab rats for a virus was very unsettling for him, it's because of this he trusted Supot because he had a way to cure them. The students are his source of determination. he wants to protect everyone and ensure everyone is safe. But now it looks like he's failed with that. However, I don't think, so he probably is still determined now he has Wave by his side (haha) because they're still being used and that's not okay to him he's just secretly looking for a new way to save them.

Grace, Third and Time:  The next people that make him want to fight and stay true to his vision is the new generation of gifted who he's come to have to protect as well. Grace, Third and Time represent Pang, Wave and the other gifted students, like Pang they're determined to do what's right, they're optimistic. They don't care about the system, they are willing to fight and advocate for justice and equality. And they look up to him so much, he's their idol because he's inspired them to take on the system and fight for their beliefs. That's why we see them continue to keep on finding ways using their potentials to keep this vision alive. Grace doesn't care about adults, she really appreciates and is grateful for Pang for fighting for all the students, she's seen her friends (and thought one was dead) be used as experiments for this messed up system so yes she believes and wants Pang to be right. And Time started of doubting Pang's ideals, but now he also sees that Pang was right Supot is insane and evil, so he's even more determined to protect and help Pang to defeat Supot. Third likes doing what's right so he also believes in Pang because he can see for now that what Supot is doing isn't right. The new generation of gifted students is more determined now to keep Pang's vision, especially when they now know that change is possible. I'm sure Grace has already convinced Pang and Wave of a new secret way to ensure they have their vision come through, we just won't find out until the end when Supot is blindsided. 

WAVE PANG’S FLOAT AND ANCHOR

And then finally there's Wave: See he has his own category for Pang's anchor. Wave is Pang's most needed anchor. He represents Pang's determination, loyalty, and faith in a better world, just like Pang's unwavering loyalty to his idealism for change, Wave returns that back to Pang, he's literally the symbol for Pang's anchor to his idealism. He's his biggest mission accomplice, his anchor when things seem stormy (the person who grounds him and wakes him up from giving up, so he starts finding a new solution, he's the person who reminded Pang of who he was when he lost himself and his memories at the end of season 1, he's the person who's the most loyal to Pang this whole season no matter what happens and he's the person who is determined to believe that they will succeed and fuels Pang with optimism). 

He's his float when Pang is drowning, he's the person who reaches out to Pang as he finally wants to fall and give up, the person who gets Pang back up because of his actions, the person who Pang thinks of first when he's being controlled or tempted by Supot, he's Pang's moral compass, a reminder to stay true to his path, and to keep fighting. 

Wave is everything to Pang and more, he's Pang's truest source of hope and light when everything feels dark and impossible. He's also Pang's strength. And that's why Pang runs to him every single time it's time to do something for the mission (Wave thinks he's just a tool but he doesn't understand how much Pang needs him to just be there). And because of his knowledge as well he's Pang's guide, and logic because sometimes Pang can get too up in the clouds and so he needs someone to bring him back down. Wave does both, he calls out Pang when he's too selfish and dreamy, and he pulls Pang up when he's being too pessimistic and hopeless. He's Pang's steadfast anchor no other person will do. He's his helper, his person, his confidant, his advice and his brains, no one else.

THE FATED PAIR

But there's also a fated/destined vibe with these two. They're fated to be together. Because in Gifted Graduation there's the fated pairs, two people opposite and partners who want to bring a change to the world. We have Supot and Yuth, we have Chanon and Pom, we have Wave and Pang, and we have Time and Third. The similarities between the fated pairs is another post, but its there on purpose, and so is their different paths/changes that occur in their dynamics. Wave and Pang are the most robust destined pair. One of the teams has the brains, information, the logic and the other has the idealism, the idea, the vision, the hope—each pair start of trusting each other, loyal by default and sacrificial as well for the other. 

For Supot/Yuth: Yuth believes wholeheartedly in his friendship with Supot, he stays hurt and abused so that his dreams and his revenge for Supot's death isn't wasted, he refuses to give up on his vision because he believed it was also Supots. So he's delighted, and over the moon when he realises that Supot is alive, and he thinks its a sign that they'll win. So these two represent Wave and Pang's loyalty and belief in each other. The only issue is, Supot is a psychopath, unfeeling when it comes to his goals, so he ends up destroying his friend out of petty jealousy and also greed and ego. 

Chanon/Pom: Chanon had hopes and ambition to push Pom to become a great teacher, to fulfil his biggest dreams, Channon was Poms inspiration and source of hope. Pom was Chanon's confidant and partner in crime. So they represent Wave and Pang's push, and inspiration to each other, except Pom, betrays Chanon when the world seems like its crumbling down. Chanon crosses Pom for revenge because of being traumatised by the world/Supot. Their trust and hope in each other are damaged. But Pang and Wave's is never going to be damaged. 

Third/Time: Our newbies, they also start off being under each other's skin but automatically becoming each other's best friend, once Third gets his hope of becoming in the gifted program (because of Time's fight for it), he's grateful and loyal. Time is also appreciative for Third because he does what's right, but also he provides information (through his potential) to help their group survive. These two are just starting, but they represent the origins of Wave and Pang, that uncontrollable fate pulling them together to be a team no matter what. That destiny that ensures they find each other even if they hate each other to automatically start saving the world together no matter what. 

WAVE AND PANG: PERFECTLY MATCHED

So Episode 10-11 Pang may be shattered right now with hope. Still, all the people he's inspired, all his anchors and reason for fighting are about to help and bring his vision back, and they'll finally show him how right he was to fight for them. How helpful he was to them and how he really did save all of them despite failing time and time again. But the funny thing is, it's Wave who's right there by his side as he's broken down. They're both right now sacrificing everything for each other. 

Wave is holding Pang up as he is being under the director's control; he's the reason why Pang hasn't yet given in to evil because he's his moral compass in his head whenever he is being forced to do so. Pang and Wave stop each other from evil by just being there, they just need to show up by each other's side for them to want to trust and hope again that things will be okay. They save each other time and time again. 

They're each other's opposite; teaching what they need to know, perfectly matched to help them improve from their flaws, Pang teaches Wave to trust and be more open to caring about others than himself, he pushes his walls down to believe again in feelings. Wave helps Pang be grounded and come back to reality, to look after others properly and to be selfless and be a good leader. They're logic and emotions a perfect match.  

See why this is a BL? Why I'm shipping these two so hard. It's enviable to see what these two have formed. It makes me so jealous but also so giddy and just grateful that we have a couple like them despite not being stated as one. For me, these two are in love, these two have a bond that is unbreakable, and these two are soulmates destined for each other. They're the power couple who will save the world time and time again as long as they have each other, as long as they save each to other and as long as they keep on loving each other. As much as I couldn't analyse anything else this episode but these two, I will say that I don't believe these two have given up on their vision, they're probably secretly up to something, or they'll be pushed back to their hopes and idealisms next episode when they see all their peers fighting for them to trust again. As long as these two are together, they'll be fine. And so will the ending of the show, Supot will be defeated, he just doesn't know it yet. 

[jaskiersvalley]

Oh my god im the anon with the cuckoowitcher ask. I've been running around all day trying to have a few quiet Moments to read! I really loved it thank you so much. I've been reading all your lovely Storys but I have to say I have a Soft Spot for cuckoo Jas. Thank you for responding and writing something so sweet. Still love your writing and it still helps a hell a lot! Lots of love! Hope to see much more

Some people get stuck in my head and you, cuckoo Jaskier Nonnie, are one of those people because you’re always so polite and sweet. So while I may not have more cuckoo Jaskier stories at the moment, I wonder whether you’d like something else. There’s a lot of warlord Geralt going around, with Jaskier offered up as a tribute. But has anybody ever considered warlord Jaskier before?

It had started off as a side gig, Jaskier would always be adamant about that. He had wanted to be a bard. Sing songs, witness adventures and maybe be adored by the masses, that was his grand plan for life. Unfortunately, being a travelling bard didn’t pay well and people weren’t as quick to laud him as Jaskier had hoped. However, according to Redanian Secret Services, he was in the unique position to help them gather intelligence. So, on the side as Jaskier collected materials for his greatest works yet, he also picked up intel on armies, prisoners, relationships between factions, species and kingdoms. It was quite eye opening.

The only problem with it all was that Jaskier wasn’t stupid. He could see where wars were brewing, what allegiances were being forged. And, really, Jaskier thought he could do so much better. The information he was returning back to Redania wasn’t being used in the best way possible. So Jaskier started tailoring the information to ‘help’ them along. He had also managed to make friends with a few of the other intelligence officers, namely Valdo and Priscilla. Between the three of them, they had quite a spread of information and spent many a drunken night gossiping over maps, discussing how they would solve the problems of the continent.

One thing led to another and suddenly Jaskier had more than two fellow spies at his beck and call. Somehow he’d ended up with the loyalty of the dwarves, Zoltan and his crew being quite helpful. Then Filavandrel and his elves entered a truce with Jaskier, followed by Triss Merigold and a handful of sorceresses. It was haphazard at best but word travelled. And suddenly Jaskier was being approached by the Redanian Secret Service not as a spy but as an equal. They wanted to trade information and Jaskier almost laughed. Except, after Redania came Nilfgaard, offering riches in exchange for information and good relations. Not like Jaskier had an army or lands or anything like that. Did he? The dwarves and elves had their own regions, Redania was trying to save face that their own officers had done a better job of keeping the peace. Well, there was no harm in keeping on good terms with Nilfgaard, they had been the thorn in the continent’s side for a while. Maybe by being friendly, Jaskier and co could actually help settle issues.

When Temeria took umbrage at Jaskier’s meddling, it was one hell of an awkward moment because Redania, Nilfgaard, elves, dwarves and even Aedirn joined forces to quiet the unrest. Which was a turning point of sorts. Suddenly, every kingdom great or small came knocking on Jaskier’s door. He’d returned to Lettenhove because home was home. The steady stream of well wishers and ambassadors was, frankly, embarrassing. Jaskier had a hard time keeping up with everything.

Then there was the matter of Kaedwen. They were trying to be fiercely independent and up in arms. It just wasn’t going to do and, for the first time in his life, Jaskier asked his newfound allies if anyone was willing to raise arms against the threat. Unsurprisingly, Nilfgaard was down for a battle or two but they were joined by the elves. Redania offered medical assistance while the dwarves and trolls helped with supplies. It was all rather anticlimactic, an army marching to Kaedwen, only to be greeted by a white flag.

Not all battles were so easy though, sometimes factions arose, Cintra was being a royal twit and the war fought with them and Skellige was brutal. In the end though, they were defeated, Queen Calanthe had to admit defeat. Despite this, they weren’t prepared to roll over and play nice. In an attempt to display might and dignity, they sent the most extravagant offerings to Lettenhove. It wasn’t riches, no silks, no finery or gold. Instead, they had captured the most difficult of offerings. A witcher.

He was trussed up in his own silver chains. Silver for monsters as witchers had been known to say. It was a warning from Cintra, they had caught the most feared of beasts, the monster designed to kill all monsters. They wouldn’t bow down to a warlord, no matter what the kingdoms thought and did. The witcher was tied to a horse and made to walk behind it though a shuffle was a more apt description.

Jaskier stood in the hall of Lettenhove and watched as the half starved wretch was shoved to his knees in front of him. A hungry witcher was a weak one, much easier to subdue and manage.

“A gift, from Cintra,” the messenger had declared and stepped away with a bow.

Approaching the witcher, Jaskier ignored how every eye seemed trained on him, hands on swords and prepared to leap to his protection. Rather than pay them any attention, Jaskier sank to his knees in front of the witcher.

“Hello,” he offered. There was no response, the witcher’s head was bowed, whole body tense, trying to exude disdain and an air of threat. Up close, Jaskier could see the fine tremors through muscles though. He stood up. “Please pass my thanks to Cintra, I accept your fealty and this offering. Though I would request no more live tributes. Or dead ones! Gold, silks, food and shared knowledge is more than enough. Court dismissed.”

Nobody moved for a moment. “Everyone out!”

Jaskier stood next to the witcher who hadn’t moved throughout the exchange. As soon as they were alone, he was crouching down, tugging at the silver chains.

“You poor thing, how could they treat you like that.” Gradually, the witcher was freed from his bonds and as soon as he could, he had Jaskier’s own dagger at Jaskier’s throat. “Harsh,” Jaskier observed, “but fair. Can we save the killing for after dinner though? I have always found having a full stomach helped with most decisions.”

He didn’t expect the witcher to waver, the dagger fall from his hands and for him to collapse on the ground in a dead faint. It seemed that springing on Jaskier had really been the last of his energy. What a waste.

Needless to say, there was no killing after dinner. Jaskier learned that the witcher was called Geralt, he’d been to Cintra to collect his child surprise but Queen Calanthe had different ideas. Trapped, Geralt had been helpless to do anything which was how he’d ended up becoming an offering to a warlord.

That had Jaskier laughing. He wasn’t a warlord. If anything, Jaskier was a failed bard and a very bad intelligence officer because he thought he could do better than those he worked for. It wasn’t his fault people were pledging their allegiances to him or that he had to ask if anyone was willing to help deal with a threat to the peace that he was bringing to the continent. No, Jaskier wasn’t a warlord because he helped bring new rules to kingdoms and enforced them. Oh shit. He was a warlord. His parents were going to be so pissed off when they found out.

“I think they already know,” Geralt had interrupted Jaskier’s internal panic. “You might have been the last person on the continent to find out.”

“But I didn’t mean to become one.”

“I didn’t mean to become a witcher. Destiny is a bitch.” Geralt had shrugged. “At least you get to choose who you will speak to from different kingdoms. Is Emhyr over the fact you won’t talk to him yet? That you picked some general of his army as a representative”

Jaskier rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward grin. “I mean, I just figured the Emperor of Nilfgaard himself wouldn’t want to deal with me. So I picked someone who would and who I liked. Then I heard of what Emhyr’s like and just decided I liked my pick better.”

Over the course of a week, Geralt ate and rested, gaining back his strength and resilience. Jaskier admired from afar, astounded by how quickly his witcher seemed to bounce back. Not his witcher. Geralt didn’t belong to anyone. Even if Jaskier quite fancied the idea.

“You’re free to come and go. I’ve set out a new law that’s making its way round the lands. Witchers are to be lauded and appreciated for their hard work,” Jaskier said as he stood, facing Geralt by the stables. His witcher was ready to head out on the Path again, hopefully it was going to be a little easier for him from now on.

“Thank you.” The thing was, Geralt sounded so earnestly genuine. “I was wondering, could you keep something safe for me until I return?”

An unusual request but Jaskier would help if he could.

“You’ve been a wonderful guest, even if your arrival wasn’t the most wholesome one. I’ll keep anything safe for you.”

He didn’t anticipate Geralt leaning in to kiss him chastely. “Keep my heart safe. I’m leaving it in your good care.”

The bastard then had the gall to hop onto his horse and ride off without a backwards glance. Jaskier was going to tell him exactly what he thought of that tactic when he came back. Until then, he would treasure Geralt’s heart, even if he didn’t have time to officially give his own in return.

[rpmemesbyarat]

RP meme from Werewolf: The Apocalypse "Kinfolk: Unsung Heroes" Introduction & Ch.1

"I have normal human fears and frailties, despite my faith."

"I’m terrified I won’t be there when they need me, that I won’t be able to give fully of myself to save them when the time comes. And the price of my failure, for them, would be too high."

"It was like nothing else mattered, nothing else could fill my eyes like the sight of him."

"Now, of course, I realize I was in shock at the time clammy skin, disorientation, that sort of thing."

"That night misted over my senses; even now, it seems more like a vivid dream than anything else."

"I had to watch. I couldn’t turn away."

"That night, I saw I had to protect him. He needed me, and it’s just as simple as that."

"Let’s just say what I know has come in handy."

"The best folks give the most of whatever they can."

"Think about it — would you like to go through childbirth every nine months from age 14 to 50?"

"We’re human beings, dammit!"

"I’ll always do anything I can to help, even if I’m royally pissed; I don’t expect thanks or money, either. But it would be nice to get some respect."

"I'm not alone in saying that I hate being patronized."

"Give an inch, they’ll take a mile" is what some of them think about us."

"The rhetoric a lot of them use sounds like the same crap bigots give when trying to “justify” why women and minorities shouldn’t have equal rights."

"Just once, I’d like to feel like an equal, a partner in all this."

"Ever think about how hard things would be without us?"

"I see by your scowl that doesn’t satisfy you."

"Think of it as normal family responsibilities, magnified a thousand times."

"It’s practically medieval!"

"I mean, it looks like such fun to turn into a wolf."

"There are connections like you wouldn’t believe. Completely outside the law, these people can get dirt on the opposition, perform b&e without leaving a trace and provide muscle no other boss can beat. All they ask is some capital, some boltholes and a little legal cover. Sweetest deal in the world!"

"What do I think about it? Imagine what it’d be like for someone to call you and say you’d missed out on a million dollars because you got one wrong number on the lottery ticket."

"Some are too caught up in the things of humans —chasing after money to have what advertisers insist they can’t do without, living their soap-opera lives and not seeing what the world is really all about. I pity them."

"There is sweeter revenge than death."

"I laugh with joy thinking how your heart will burst should you ever have to face him in battle."

"It’s a great honor to be who I am, who we are. But it’s scary, too."

"Families can quarrel, snarl and cut one another to the quick, but in times of trouble, they’ll stick together."

"God, Allah, Gaia, the Great Spirit or whoever gave us this job, so we have to do the best we can with it."

"Blood also fetters our lives in hatred as well as love, I’m afraid to say."

"I’m not saying this is a fact, but if she was abused, it might explain some things."

"I’m sorry, I can’t quite imagine a moment of sensual passion with someone I don’t love, much less hardly know!"

"In other words, it’s the connections that’re vital, not the money or the mileage."

"Many have wealth, but not all; lineage, not money, is most important."

"That’s a heavy price to pay in a harsh world."

"Self-sacrifice is also important."

"Sacrifice comes in terms of emotional costs, too."

"It’d be pretty stupid for me to become a gun-toting mercenary, for example."

"To put a positive spin on all this, I guess I’d say it’s nice to be needed."

"I admit I don’t really understand what it is or when it’ll be, but many’s the Irish tale where a small oversight wreaked terrible disaster."

"So I got online and made a few phone calls and tried to get the “truth” in as many forms as I could."

"The word “family” has come to mean a lot more things than the 1950s concept of mommy, daddy and two perfect children."

"Raising children is no bed of roses, either."

"Kids love to test their parents and see just how far they can push and still get away with it."

"There’s no way this could be easy."

"Some days, I have to bite my tongue, and that does get old."

"I was just too stupid and blind to see it."

"I always felt like I was split, alone, part of something I couldn’t name."

"Listen, you have no idea what it’s like to watch someone you love slowly lose her mind."

"There are some, well, bimbos."

"You know, the ones that like to control CEOs and topple careers."

"Here, try a piece of this chicken gizzard. I get ’em real cheap down at the butcher shop. No one else seems to want these extra parts. I grill ’em with a little barbecue sauce and honey mustard. Delicious! Thanksgiving’s always the best time, though. Then there’s turkey necks for the takin’!"

"Our families are pretty big, and we figure even the most distant cousin or friend of a friend’s part of the group."

"I’m sure you know, working with people all the time, how far thanks and a friendly smile go when you’re dead on your feet. It’s like the sun’s come out on a cloudy day."

"I mean, some of that stuff is long outdated!"

"It’s more a matter of belief and pureness of spirit, if you ask me."

"The Network also has a lot of splinter groups that organize among youth, educators, environmentalists and so on."

"The Network also has a lot of splinter groups that organize among youth, educators, environmentalists and so on."

"We’re steadfast and steady, yet vibrant and alive, warriors, artists, writers, musicians beyond compare."

"I don’t know if we can save them, but we won’t give up."

"To be tested and accepted by the greatest warriors in the world — no greater honor can we ask for."

"Think of us as the tiny little parts that hold a machine together. Maybe it could function without us, but not without a lot of wear and tear on the system. You get my drift."

"If leader seems weak, I test him. He shows strength, I stop."

"They’re the ones who are causing all the problems by rebelling against the people in charge. They need to settle down and just be content with what they’ve got, if you want my opinion."

"Why should I worry? It’s a clear day. Traffic’s light, but walking’s fine. You get to see where you’re going. I’ll hit a little town ’fore dark and trade a song or story for some food and a piece of floor."

"Revolutions are intolerable and inexcusable."

"The aristocracy attained their positions for a reason, for only the most worthy were chosen to lead, after all. If the

lower classes overthrow the aristocrats, anarchy is the sure result. One need only look at history; Can the Russians truly say their lot improved after they murdered the Romanovs?"

"History has always been a beloved subject to me."

"I pity those souls, displaced by fortune, who are ignorant of their heritage. How can one know who he is without knowing where he comes from? A man — or woman — is the sum of all who came before."

"Money is not the issue; many great families lost their fortunes, yet retain their nobility."

"It’s a poor teacher who doesn’t learn from her student; in this way, the knowledge of both increases."

"Dreams, of course, are the pathways of our souls; here rest our secret desires, fears and hopes."

"You doubt me. You don’t speak against me, but I can see your heart is dubious."

"There’s no greater glory than to serve the destiny of the universe."

"The lacerations looked exactly like the work of sharp teeth, deep into his flesh."

"I won’t go s’far as to say there’s undying loyalty, but we do have a lot of respect for each other."

"Were I as capable as my ancestors, I’d kill you now and never spare a second thought."

"No atonement can replace those lost children."

"Thus far, we have been lucky, but it’s just a matter of time before someone we don’t want sneaks in. It’s not that I want to close ranks by any means; I just wish we paid a little closer attention to who came in from the cold."

"Yeah, yeah, I know you think we’re a dime a dozen. I’d like to believe we’re a little more special than most."

"We’ve built too much for a rotten apple to spoil it all."

"I don’t believe this guy; it seems almost too perfect to be true!"

[ladyopinior]

FATE: THE WINX SAGA – review

Fate: The Winx Saga is a teen drama inspired by the animated series Winx Club. The series is aimed at an audience of young adults and features a darker story than that of the cartoon (Wikipedia). In order to watch the show, you have to have to leave out of the picture most of your previous knowledge about the Winx Club. Although the show is inspired by the cartoon version, it is clear within the first few minutes of the first episode that most of the events do not match the Winx Club’s story. Now, I know that a lot of people are angry and disappointed at the fact that both Flora and Tecna do not appear in the show, that The Trix are nowhere to be seen, and that the story does not correspond with its source of inspiration. However, I think that this adaptation has potential (this will be discussed later on) - although it can bit a little bit cringy at times. Like it was said before, Winx club is merely the source of inspiration for this show, but that does not mean that Fate: The Winx Saga was going to follow the original storyline step by step as it was. If we take Winx Club as our object of comparison, I do think that the characters are fairly well matched, although some of them are lacking certain characteristics (and being honest, I am still salty about what they did with Stella):

Bloom, for example, has the same personality traits as the Original Bloom. First, let’s recap Winx Club’s Bloom’s personality: Bloom started off as an insecure girl at the beginning of the series because of her ignorance of her true origins and her strange, yet surprisingly potent powers. Later on, as she learned more about magic and herself, she grew increasingly curious about her past and whom her biological parents are. An escapist by nature, she has a tendency to run away when things get too hard or confusing for her, and can also be impatient and stubborn, with a short temper. Bloom was also impulsive at times, which led to some very bad experiences for both her and her friends. Her greatest strength and greatest weakness was her status as the guardian of the Dragon's Flame. While the Dragon Flame made her arguably the most powerful fairy in the Magic Dimension, it also consistently drew numerous enemies to her such as the Trix, Darkar, Valtor, and the Ancestral Witches. Despite her flaws, Bloom still has a heart of gold. She cares for all of her friends, allies, and families (both adopted and biological) deeply, and is always willing to help and fight for a good cause. She has shown herself to be selfless, caring, brave and a true capable leader. Bloom is tough when needed to be and always lends a helping hand to people in need (Wiki). Now that we have checked Original Bloom’s personality let’s compare it with Fate: The Winx Saga’s Bloom: she also has the same insecurities as the original Bloom - also caused by her lack of knowledge when it comes to her true origins and the fact that she is a changeling (Aisha tells her this in Episode 1). In this show we see a Bloom that is willing to learn more about her powers and magic, and that is also curious about who her biological parents are. She is also an escapist and has a tendency to run away when things get too hard or confusing for her - this is told in Episode 1 when she tells Aisha about how she lost control and nearly burnt her parents alive “Every night after that, I… I snuck out. I was so… scared that I’d hurt them again… that I slept in this… creepy-ass… warehouse near my house until Miss Dowling found me”. In this case, it is also her status as the guardian of the Dragon’s Flame that attracted the Burned Ones to her. This Bloom is also impatient, stubborn, and has a short temper. Bloom was also impulsive at times, which led to some very bad experiences for both her, her friends and the rest of students at Alfea - her decision of freeing Rosalind and letting her recharge her powers weakened the protective barrier and allowed the Burned Ones to enter Alfea risking all the teachers and student’s lives. The Original Bloom is said to be selfless, caring, brave and a true capable leader, however we can say that this Bloom is overall selfish and thinks about her interests first instead of worrying about the consequences of her acts. Although it is still too early to assume that she will be a good leader, we can’t deny that she is brave, tough and caring towards her friends and parents. Overall, I am happy with this Bloom: she matches the original one’s personality pretty accurately and in terms of physical appearance she does resemble the Original Bloom.

Now Stella… Dear God, what did they do with her… I know I said that Fate: The Winx Saga was not meant to follow the original Winx Club, but I did expect the characters to at least have the same personalities. This is where I am most disappointed. The Original Stella is said to be proud and self-centered, Stella also cares deeply about her friends and family, not just herself. She will stick to the people she loves and do anything to keep them safe. Stella is not always seen wearing a smile on her face, but she does crack jokes to cheer her friends when they are depressed. Basically, Stella has a cheerful and optimistic personality. Besides that, she is totally obsessed with fashion, which clothes look best on her, and which dresses match her face the best. Stella often gives fashion advice to people in Alfea, but this advice is often not taken well. She would rather flirt with Brandon than study and do work, which sometimes annoys the other girls. The most intuitive of all the members, Stella likes to match make but has often had problems with understanding why her friends do not always like getting set up. However, despite her intuitions, Stella can be rather oblivious at times. She was sent to Alfea to become a stronger fairy, but this did not mean so much to her, though she did effectively become a fully accomplished fairy and a powerful one by fighting the first three season villains with the Winx. She uses her magic for anything, but she mostly wants to help her friends as deep inside she is a generous and helpful girl. Although she might disagree with her friends, Stella is very supportive and protective and will not hesitate to help them. She learns to accept that love and friendship are far more important than royalty, fashion, and shopping. Sometimes she hides her true personality because of her upbringing. In short, her cheerful exterior masks great sorrow (Wiki). Well… Where do I start analyzing Fate: The Winx Saga’s Stella… I guess I will take a shot at the similarities first. This Stella is proud and self-centered - which the original one was - and she does like fashion (although I would not label her “obsessed” with it) and gives advice to Alfea’s students… kind of… she mostly critics their outfits - specially Terra’s. Like the original one, Stella was sent to Alfea to become a stronger fairy and rehabilitate from the incident that took place the previous year (meaning that she had to retake the first year again) - in Winx Club, Stella accidentally destroyed the potions laboratory but it is not stated what happened exactly; in Episode 5 of Fate: The Winx Saga, Stella tells Musa the truth of what happened the previous year - that her magic is erratic because of her mother and that that day she lost control and blinded her best friend unintentionally. And that’s about it in terms of similarities… This Stella is dependent on Sky, her ex-boyfriend (still angry at the fact that there is no Brandon, and still creeped out by these two being a couple in the past) and seeks his attention all the time. The Original Stella is the most intuitive of all the members, but to be honest I do not see that trait in this Stella. This Stella is not shown to be a helpful girl nor someone that wants to help her friends, at least not until the end of the season when she tells the others that Bloom deserves to know her truth and that she supports her “I have an opinion. Everyone in this damn suite is so black or white. Bloom is a pain in the ass, but she deserves to know who she is, not the stories the faculty is telling her. Now we can worry about being right, or we can help our friend. Which is it?” (Episode 5). Stella is not a very supportive nor protective friend and only cares about herself… and Sky, and we do not get to see that cheerful exterior the Original Stella showed. This Stella is full of sorrow and sadness, and sometimes this eclipses any other trait she might have. To be honest this Stella is just a bitch most of the time and treats the rest of the people in Alfea like her mother treats her. However, if I put aside the Original Stella for a second, I do think that this version of her can be quite enchanting: she has all the characteristics needed for a great character development in this series, in fact, you can see some change in her towards the end of the season.

Aisha is one of the characters whose personality does not bother me too much, and I do see similarities with the Original Aisha. Winx Club’s Aisha is extremely opinionated and open minded. She is as intuitive and when asked to, gives practical and pragmatic advice. She is also a talented dancer, athlete and speaks many different languages. Aisha gives practical advice and always provides a shoulder to cry on. She continuously shows this caring nature throughout the show, comforting Musa after her conflict with her father, and calming Flora's nerves when she experiences qualms about her feelings for Helia. However, besides the other girls, she might even be the most sensitive of the crew. She has also been shown to be rather stubborn and impatient, something that can get her into trouble by making her hold grudges and jump to conclusions. This could be the result of her isolated upbringing growing up, as she didn't really have many friends, making her come off as a little anti-social at times when she first appeared. Over the course of the seasons Aisha lost her tomboyish side possibly due to her opening up to the Winx and Nabu, but yet she still loves sports and still determined and energetic (Wiki). The Aisha from Fate: The Winx Saga is highly opinionated and she does not shy away from telling the rest her thoughts. She is also quite judgmental when meeting new people: in Episode 1 she helps Bloom end the call with her parents, they engage in a conversation about why Bloom’s parents do not know she is a fairy and when Bloom tells her that the idea of being a fairy is ridiculous, Aisha asks her if she has never read Harry Potter, and the conversation follows like this: B - “Please. If you knew how many hours I have wasted taking Sorting Hat quizzes…” // A - “Ravenclaw?” // B - “Sometimes Slytherin, yeah” // A - “That explains the lies then” // B - “Hm. Let me guess. Gryffindor [silence] Explains the judgment”. She is intuitive, tries to help as much as she can while being truthful (even if sometimes she ends up hurting people) and gives advice - sometimes uncalled for. But, unlike the original one, this Aisha can also seem a bit meddlesome at times. Like the Original Aisha, this one is also sporty and is shown in the series - she goes swimming every morning. Now, what I miss the most in her character is the lack of background… we know the Original Aisha is the princess of Andros, but we know nothing about this Aisha - Who are her parents? Where does she come from? What worries her? Also, we never new why the is unable to control small masses of water… we are just shown that she has trouble with it and that’s it, no more development for her. I think we should have been given more information about her and not just shown the same four traits of her personality all the time.

The next one is Musa and being honest I don’t know what to feel about her. I am not bothered by the changes made but at the same time I am (being honest there is just one change they made that deeply bothers me)… For example, the Original Musa was a fairy of music and now she is a mind fairy - a fairy who feels other people’s emotions (Wikipedia). This is not a big deal, Winx Club’s Musa was able to feels nature’s emotions thanks to the sounds it made and was very in tune with her musical side, this Musa is also linked to music but in a different way - she uses it to scape her overwhelming surroundings - and she is also able to feel emotions, it’s just that instead of natures’s it’s people’s. I guess what bothers me the most is that the Original Musa was Asian and this one is not, I do not get the need to change that about the character… I have nothing against Elisha Applebaum, the actress that plays Musa, but why couldn’t they cast an Asian actress instead? It would have brought more diversity to the show. Now that I have that out of the way, let’s focus on her personality. Winx Club’s Musa loves music, dancing, singing, and playing all instruments, but her favorite instrument is the concert flute, the first instrument she ever learned to play. Musa usually plays amazing music but plays best when she is alone by herself in Alfea in a quiet spot. Despite being the most tomboyish of the Winx, she is perhaps the most emotionally vulnerable, and she balances this by putting up a tough front. Surprisingly, Musa gets the best grades of her friends, as mentioned. Her emotional weakness is the result of her mother's death and her father is far away. She is also a bit of a loner and had a crush on Riven, but they do not admit they like each other until the end of season two when they had their first kiss, which then starts dating (Wiki). When talking about Fate: The Winx Saga’s Musa I feel like we should first address the elephant in the room… no, there is nothing going on between this Musa and Riven, in fact, they’ve had like two interactions in the whole show - I can’t say I am mad about this, we all know Winx Club’s Musa and Riven had a very toxic relationship so maybe this is a good move for this adaptation, and also, Sam seems to be good for her. Now, this Musa has said since Episode 1 that she used to dance and that she loved it just like the Original Musa, but unlike her she doesn’t seem to play any instruments. However, she likes to listen to music alone by herself in her room or a quiet spot. She is also emotionally vulnerable and puts on a tough front. Just like Winx Club’s Musa, this Musa’s emotional weakness is the result of her mother's death which she tells Terra in Episode 6 after she asks her to help Sam ease the pain he is feeling after having been infected by a Burned One: T - “You can’t just run away. He’s in pain. And dad’s trying, but—” // M - “Please just leave me alone” // T - “I know you care about him” // M - “That’s the problem. I can’t feel it. I can’t feel somebody I care about die. Not again” // T - “What? … Musa…” // M - “My mum died last year, Terra. And I was with her, and I felt it, the moment it happened. I felt everything she felt. That’s why I can’t talk about my family, and that’s way I can’t be with Sam now. I can’t feel it. Please don’t make me feel it again”. One thing we don’t know about is wether she gets the best grades out of the group because we have never seen her study. Also, we know that she hates not being able to fight along with the Specialists and she is bother by the idea of having weak powers. Being honest, I am not disappointed with this Musa, in fact, I quite like this character but there are a couple of things I would like to know: once again I would have loved to see the moments she shares with the rest of the group because I can only remember her being open with Terra, maybe if they had included a couple of scenes of her bonding with the rest the friendship would have made more sense. I also wish that in season 2 (if they make it) they focus more on her, she has great potential to expand her powers… maybe let her fight with the rest of the fairies and the Specialists, getting to know more about her family and background, and also giving her more bonding time with other members of the group and not just Terra (but I get why they chose her to be her closest friend, I mean, she is her roommate and is dating her brother).

Now, now, now… let’s talk about probably the most “controversial” character: Terra, not Flora but Terra. This the character that people where most disappointed with when the trailer was released, mostly because she is not Flora. Now, another elephant in the room: a lot of people who had watched Winx Club did not like the idea of having a plus sized character, especially when it was supposed to be a Winx. However, I think it is a great move including a plus size girl - the show being inclusive in this aspect is showcasing that anyone can be a Winx, because your size does not matter at all with the strengths you may have, so I approve this change, I applaud it. Another thing that disappointed fans was the fact that Terra is white - now, we don’t now Flora’s ethnic because it was never stated in Winx Club but many people believe that because of her skin color she had to be Latina… I don’t know about this because Miele, her sister, is white so… I guess you can believe what you want in this case but taking into account that Miele is white, and that Terra is just a cousin then the change made there it’s not that horrible (except that it narrows down the diversity in the main cast of the show). Also, another thing that left audiences speechless was that Flora was in fact mention in the show, but as Terra’s cousin “Shocking. Earth fairy called Terra likes plants. It’s a family thing. I’ve got this cousin called Flora” (Terra in Episode 1), I guess everyone though that the producers making an adaptation from an already existing show would mean that at least the names of the main characters would remain the same, but clearly that was not the case. All of that being addressed, I am still going to compare Terra with Flora, mainly because they are supposed to be “the same” person. So, Flora is shown to be a very calm, soft-spoken, caring, sweet, shy and genuine girl who loves plants and vegetation of all kinds. Being interested in experimenting with her plants, Flora became the potion master of the group who specializes in brewing and creating remedies and medicines from the uses of her magical plants. Due to her gentle and caring personality, Flora is strongly connected to nature and loves helping people. She is shown to have a sensitive personality to the point where she would instinctively care for her friends as well as her plants when they are in distress. Flora is the most mature member of the Winx as she possesses a deep sense of love, peace, happiness and tranquility. However, it is shown that Flora has an insecure side to her personality as she would have problems believing in herself at times. Her insecurity would sometimes cause her to hide most of her feelings to the point where she would have problems expressing them. Flora is one of the most diligent student at Alfea and is cautious of her actions. Although she has a kind-hearted side, she at times gets very angry at her enemies which can cause her to act quickly and show a more aggressive side of herself. As an older sister, she is shown to be quite overprotective who often forgets that people do mature and can protect themselves. Miele often has to deal with this side of Flora whenever the latter suspects a mission to be too dangerous. In this case, Flora has demonstrated some level of ignorance as this attitude tends to hurt Miele's feelings (Wiki). If you have read Flora’s personality, then you would have realized that Terra is just the same. Literally, there is very little I can add here… both of them are very calm, soft-spoken, caring, sweet, shy and genuine girls with sensitive personalities; both of them love plants and vegetation of all kinds; both are interested in experimenting with plants and their properties and creating potions; both love helping people; both have shown signs of insecurity and would have problems believing in themself at times. Terra’s insecurity would also sometimes cause her to hide most of her feelings to the point where she would have problems expressing them. Terra also shows quick responses when it comes to protecting her friends and herself and becomes more aggressive. I guess the biggest difference between them would be that Terra is insecure about her body, in Episode 2 this is clearly seen when she is unable to change in front of the rest of her friends. Overall, I do like Terra, in fact, I think is the best character of them all. I literally have no complains when it comes to her. I declare myself a big fan of Terra.

The next character I am going to talk about is the new addition to the Winx World: Beatrix, who is supposed to embody The Trix in one person. Beatrix is an air fairy who can manipulate electricity (Wikipedia). Now, we all know that The Trix are a trio of witches who act as the main antagonists of the Winx Club series. The group is made up of three direct descendants of the Ancestral Witches, the most powerful and evil witches to have ever existed. They focus on what they are best at: acting maliciously and joining forces with the darkest villains the Magic Dimension has to offer (Wiki). These three witches are Icy, Darcy and Stormy and if my interpretation is correct, Beatrix would have the “looks” of Darcy, the evilness of Icy and the powers of Stormy, however as it was said before she is an air fairy which means that she can manipulate many aspects of the weather spectrum, so her actual powers can be a combination of Icy and Stormy’s. I still don’t know if she is evil or not… I mean, she helped Rosalind but that’s because she saved her when she was a baby so… I don’t know, we’ll see what happens with her in season 2 (if we get one). What we know about her is that she is a troublemaker, and she does not hesitate to kill if it’s needed. She is also a very powerful witch, powerful enough to temporarily damage the protection veil placed by Luna (queen on Solaria) upon Aster Dell and also powerful enough to control other people with electricity. Although we don’t have enough information about her or her background, I think she is a great addition to the adaptation and I’m hoping to see more of her.

Now that I have these characters out of the way I would like to talk about the plot. I actually watched the show trying to forget any knowledge I had about the Winx Club - which was not easy because I breathed Winx when I was a child, and after getting pass the fact that the storylines are completely different, I actually found myself enjoying the show. The plot is definitely a lot darker than Winx Club, but I guess it’s normal, after all this is aimed for young adults and not kids. As I said at the beginning of this post, I do think the show has potential: the plot is interesting and by the end of the show you find yourself seeking answers to all the open questions left. For example: Who is Rosalind and what does she want from Bloom? Why did she take her to Earth? What is going to happen between Stella and her mother? And Sky and his now-I am-not-dead-but-you thought-I was father? And what is going to happen with Silva? What is going to happen to the students of Alfea with Rosalind as Headmistress of the school? What is this war - mentioned by Rosalind in Episode 6 to Farah Dowling - that is about to come? Is Headmistress Dowling really dead? Will we be hearing more about blood witches? Who sent the Burned Ones after Bloom? And many more. I also think that having the Burned Ones as the monsters of this season is a great throwback tho the end of Winx Club’s season 1: if you remember in the war between The Trix and the Magic World, the three witches invoke the dark army to fight for them - these creatures are made purely of dark magic and slightly resemble the Burned Ones, although I am aware of the fact that they are not the same - Burned Ones are zombie-like figures that appear to be able to infect others by cutting them, in addition to possessing superhuman speed and strength.

I have to make a comment here, and that is that I think that the storyline was way too rushed, although I get that there’s so much one can show in 6 episodes of 40 minutes each. Still, I would have liked them to cut down the horny scenes between the characters and showed us more scenes of the main characters backgrounds, their stories, etc. I guess what I missed the most in this series was the friendship that characterized Winx Club. Although by the end of the first season the five girls are friends (in Episode 6 all of them go with Bloom to California to tell her parents that she is a fairy - emotional support - and stayed a few days there, and when they came back to Alfea they did it together laughing and smiling while reaching the school’s entrance), most of the journey that allowed the girls to reach that point was not shown - specially how they get along with Stella and the moments they shared prior to her leaving Alfea at the end of Episode 4. I would have liked to know the moments they shared, because all we got was the same bitchy Stella doing her own thing while the rest shared their moments, so when Stella tells her mother in the car “You could’ve let me say goodbye to my friends” I was left deeply confused and thinking ‘what friends?’… It was a missed opportunity and if there is a season 2 I would like them to show the moments the girls share and how their bond strengthens. Overall, I did like the show and would like to have more seasons with more episodes - 6 were not enough for me. I hope that, if the show gets picked up for another season, that the producers consider focusing more on the girls’ friendship and their stories. I also would like for the Winx to transform like Bloom did and that their wings improve (honestly Bloom’s wings were cool but a little bit meh, I actually think the trailer’s wings were better).

And that’s all my beautiful people, my review on Fate: The Winx Saga.

(Fun fact: Fate in Italian means fairies).

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Al-Qadeer— The Powerful— on one occasion in the Quran. Al-Qadeer is the One with complete power. He is the One who decrees; He simply says, Be! and it is.  Al-Qadeer needs no means to do anything!

The Powerful, The All-Capable

Qadeer comes from the root qaaf-daal-raa, which points to four main meanings. The first meaning is to have the power to accomplish, to be capable. The second is to measure, to distribute something, or to make manifest. The third is to decree or ordain and the fourth is to prevail.

This root appears 132 times in the Quran in 11 derived forms. Examples of these forms are yaqdiru (“he has power”), qaddarnaa (“we have decreed”), al-qadr (“of power”) and qaadirun (“is Able”).

Allah ‘azza wajal refers to Himself with the nominal qadeer 45 times in the Quran, of which one mention is Al-Qadeeru, The Powerful.

Linguistically qadeer, qaadir, and muqtadir are all derived from the root qaaf-daal-raa and all of them demonstrate that power is established as an attribute of Allah and that He has absolute Power. He is the One who is capable of doing everything, who has perfect power over the creation, who measures everything with perfection, and who is the One who decrees all that was, is, and will ever be. His ability combined with His infinite Knowledge makes Him Al-Qadeer and Al-Aleem!

Al-Qadeer Himself says: . . . Allah is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent [Quran, 30:54]

. . . Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent [Quran, 67:1]

… If He wills, He can do away with you, O people, and bring others [in your place]. And ever is Allah competent to do that [Quran, 4:133].

Power and Mercy

Al-Qadeer has the power to replace a whole nation with another one in whatever way He wants. With His power He can make large pieces of the earth lifeless and at the same time grant or withhold great amounts of possessions from whomever He wills.

Just as the power of His punishment is unparalleled, so is His power to grant mercy to His sincere slaves. As a reward for their patience, certainty of faith, and trust in Him, Al-Qadeer uses His power to help His servants out of difficulties.

We find beautiful examples of His power in saving Ibrahim ‘alayhi sallam from the fire, Yunus ‘alayhi sallam from the belly of the fish, Yusuf ‘alayhi sallam from the well, and the other innumerable moments He helps, relieves, saves, and comforts His servants throughout their lives.

How Can You Live By This Name?

1. Know that everything is predestined.

How often have you been upset because you’ve lost money, possessions, or a job? Some even respond immediately by asking, Why me? What did I do wrong?

Remind yourself in good and bad times of the following powerful hadith and let it increase you in tawakkul (reliance) upon Al-Qadeer at all times! The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Know that even if the whole community were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you. [At-Tirmidhee]

Cure your heart from rancor and envy by believing that all affairs are by the decree of Al-Qadeer!

2. Be content.

Follow the pious predecessors by striving to be content with the decree of Al-Qadeer. This means that you realize that everything that happens to you is pre-destined but also that you try to not feel any bitterness when you are tested.

Rida (contentment) is the praiseworthy station of not only recognizing, but also being pleased with the decree of Allah. Don’t ever let your love for Al-Qadeer decrease when something doesn’t go your way! Contentment is the greatest door that one enters to Allah, It is the source of tranquility for the worshiper and paradise on earth. Whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise in the Hereafter [Ibn Taymiyyah]

3. Pray istakhaarah.

Whenever you have a decision to make, no matter how big or small, consult Al-Qadeer and ask Him to choose what is best for you and your deen, in this life and in the Hereafter, by praying the sunnah istakhaarah prayer.

4. Say alhamdulillah.

It’s easy to say alhamduilliah when good happens to you, but we should also praise Al-Qadeer when we go through hardship. Next time you are tested, say alhamdulillah from your heart and mean it, and inspire others to do so!  Alhamdulillah ‘alaa kulli haal – all praise belongs to Allah in any case or siltation, no matter what He decrees!

5. Express your need to Al-Qadeer.

By nature we love those who are competent. For example, when you are weak you desire the protection of someone who is strong. Know that Al-Qadeer can make everything happen by His Power, so ask Him. Seek refuge in Him for protection, ask Him to cure your heart, and know that there is no limit to His power.

Only Al-Qadeer is able and fully capable to give you a way out of every difficulty. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not. [Abu Dawud]. So increase your istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) by saying astaghfirullah.

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Qadeer we know that Your power is perfect.  Adorn us with patience and contentment with your decree and help us inspire others to do so. Help us to turn to You and to consult You in big and small matters, and enable us to seek Your forgiveness in abundance. Ameen!

[carewyncromwell]

What would you say is each of your characters’ greatest strength and most fatal flaw?

Whew! This is gonna take a while...

Carewyn Cromwell

Strength: Empathy. She's never had trouble putting herself in someone else's shoes.

Weakness: Perfectionism. Carey-bear has WAY too much trouble asking for help or even being open with others about how she feels, and because she's under the impression that she both can and therefore should meet her ridiculously high standards for herself, when she falls short, she berates herself endlessly.

Jacob Cromwell

Strength: Passion. For as brilliant of a mind as Jacob has, when he is behind something or someone, he's with them 150%. It makes him incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable about his diverse schools of interest as well as deeply loyal to the ones he loves.

Weakness: Rage. Jacob has never learned how to control his temper in a constructive manner, and so when he loses it, he goes off the friggin' deep end and can be shockingly violent in the name of protecting the ones he loves or in the heat of anger or grief.

Erik Apollo

Strength: Fearlessness. Erik is rarely afraid or intimidated, and even if he is afraid of something, he's brave enough to face it down without question or hesitation anyway.

Weakness: Pride. Erik doesn't handle disrespect or condescension gracefully -- he won't hesitate to either physically or verbally smack you around, if you do.

Anastasia "Ana" Read

Strength: Intelligence. Ana is a very worldly person despite her introverted nature, thanks to how many books she's read and how deeply she's studied multiple subjects.

Weakness: Romanticism. It took a very rude awakening right before her wedding to Charlie Copper to realize how much she'd idealized her absent father John Read her entire life, putting him up on a pedestal and blindly making excuses for him just because of how much she wanted him in her life.

Farid Sikander

Strength: Compassion. Farid strongly believes that no person or creature is inherently evil or undeserving of love and understanding, so he won't bat an eye before rushing to take care of someone else, whether they're some random stranger or a fire-breathing dragon.

Weakness: Pacifism. Farid forgives grievances committed against him way too easily, and it's made it so people have walked all over him in the past, knowing he'll accept any inconvenience they might put him through just to keep the peace.

Jackson Knightly

Strength: Natural charisma. Jackson has always been able to charm others, but it's not superficial or skin-deep -- it comes from his genuine understanding of what makes people tick and his sincere desire to see people happy. He's just a nice person to be around: amiable and outgoing, but sincere and respectful of others' feelings.

Weakness: Capriciousness. Jackson is ruled by his whims and prone to get swept up in his own flights of fancy and with his emotions, making him jump recklessly into decisions or even retaliate cruelly against those who have hurt the ones he loves.

Bartholomew "Bat" Varney / Robert Harker

Strength: Levelheadedness. For as much crap as Bat's had to endure, he always has been able to keep himself from lashing out at the world or drowning in self-pity, and he's always been able to find a way to be of use somehow, even when he only played second fiddle to someone else.

Weakness: Detachment. This guy has a lot of trouble expressing negative emotions and so -- rather than blaring it all out or venting it constructively -- he prefers to compartmentalize his feelings and put them up on a shelf rather than make decisions with them or worse, simply slink off to be by himself without a word rather than confront the issue straight-on.

Rudolph Ollivander

Strength: Lust for life. Ru is completely fascinated with the world around them and never fails to drink in every little minor joy there is.

Weakness: Insensitivity. My kelpie kiddo is prone to react with condescension and disdain to anything they don't like, and they won't give a damn if your feelings are hurt by that.