#these two are going to have such a wonderfully complex dynamic

[swan2swan]

Every time Soyona pulls off a successful operation in a certain location, she purchases a gift from the place she visits (usually a blend of local coffee, if she can), wraps it in a blue ribbon, and sends it to Brooklynn's place of residence with a handwritten note along the lines of "Hope to see you next time".

[halque]

one thing azdick warrior #1 dustorange talked about is that azdick isnt built on a basis of devotion which is so so important to me. because it means there isnt this expectation of accountability for jpv in helping dick or saving dick yes azdick has an incredibly complex power dynamic turmoil going on which can complicate the relationship but it doesnt have the (often subconscious) dependence of dick on his partner to fix him or help him get better. and those pairings that do have that can be wonderful and wonderfully complex but the absence of that in azdick i think fully allows jpv to be a real and separate individual from dick which for me creates beautifully fun interplay between the two.. the reliance between them isnt the normal type of reliance for dick and his other relationships nor is it normal for jpv and his relations and obviously azrael isnt expected to help or support dick either URGHHH THEYRE SO GOOD

[slanky-here]

Reached Ch9 of AG, posting these tags in advance before I reach Rancid Gautier Man death

Playing Azure Gleam… very much adore the Lions and their dynamics with one another..

[good-to-drive]

Hi 👋.

What can you tell me about George and John relationship?

Hi anon! 

Before I get into it, I want to recommend this writeup of their dynamic here. “Maybe they just genuinely liked each other” is a wonderfully straightforward explanation, because while their relationship was complex and sometimes fraught (as were a lot of John’s relationships, as often happens for people with serious childhood trauma and a personality disorder) the two of them make so much more sense if you accept that they just genuinely liked each other. 

I think this is sometimes overshadowed because their relationship didn’t really have the “everyone in the world must witness the specialness of this connection to prove to ourselves that we matter” of John and Paul, but then, George was generally a bit more adapted than Paul and hadn't incurred the same kind of attachment trauma, so it makes sense that his relationship with John would be a bit quieter and less desperate. (No hate to McLennon, I love McLennon too. )

I know I can't give you a thorough overview, so I just want to hit a couple of beats. There are some very erudite and articulate people on this website who can give you a beat-by-beat breakdown of their relationship, but my general understanding is that it was a sometimes fraught relationship, but a loving one, and far too short. 

The conversation around their relationship is often dominated by the fight they had shortly before John passed (John was angry that George didn’t mention him more in his memoir), to the point that a surprisingly large number of people are convinced they never liked each other in the first place and would have been at each other’s throats for the rest of their lives. Which is weird, because John was very much in the process of letting go of that pain when he was killed, he just didn’t have the time. 

This post really opened my eyes about just how painful it must have been for John to feel forgotten. I’ve talked about this a bit before, but microdosing abandonment trauma to punish a child is extremely cruel, and it’s not surprising that being rejected or ignored was extremely painful for John even as an adult (as is true for a lot of people with BPD). We can say that John may have taken it a bit too personally that George didn’t discuss him more in his book, and also that it makes a lot of sense that he would feel that way and it’s impressive that he had the strength to recognize he was being triggered and push back on those enormously painful feelings to recognize that he still loved George. 

I also think – and I’m just tinhatting here – that it might have hurt a little to see George basically reinvent himself after he disengaged from their dynamic. By the time The Beatles broke up George’s self-worth and sense of normalcy were pretty much totally shredded, and I’m not saying being on his own was universally positive, but, like most people once they’ve disengaged from an unhealthy system dynamic, he did reestablish his identity based on his new environment, relationships, and feelings. This new identity might have looked to John like it had little to do with the group dynamic that they had shared, and that might make him feel like he didn’t matter in George’s new life. Having his impact (arguably) underrepresented in George’s memoir would just be the cherry on top. 

I do think there’s also a bit to be said about control, need, and possession between John and George, but frankly nothing beyond what’s typical of someone with John’s particular issues. I’m reading a book right now called I Hate You -- Don’t Leave Me about borderline personality disorder, and while I didn’t pick it up with John in mind, it’s definitely interesting to get this perspective on his relationships and just how much pain he must have been in for so much of his life. 

That deep, deep need and equally deep fear – and the resentment and anger that come with living with that kind of pain – do seem characteristic of how John experienced close personal relationships. George set very firm boundaries with him, and while I’m sure he admired John in many ways, especially as a young teenager, he didn’t ultimately give John the hero treatment or hyperidealize him in the way that others did. It was more like a younger kid thinking an older kid is super cool, and then slowly growing up and realizing that the older kid is just another kid, and maybe even kind of a difficult one. It’s tempting to connect that to George’s disillusionment with fame and gilded idols in general, but to be honest, I think realizing that super cool dude is just a dude is actually probably a pretty normal coming-of-age experience. 

But the love was still very much there on both sides. You can see that with how hard John worked to get past his own pain and trauma to forgive George for (unintentionally) hurting him, and maybe even to forgive George for setting boundaries with him and, in some ways, moving on from the life they shared and becoming a separate person. And you can see it with George’s ready forgiveness of John’s anger, how the two of them kept coming back together again after every stupid fight. 

They were both rather difficult men (I know I said George was more adapted than Paul and John, but, if we’re being real, that’s a very low bar) and I think they really must have cared about each other to weather each other’s difficulties. There was a strong bond between them not based on hyperidealization or a need for validation but just on genuine love. It’s unfortunate that they were fighting at the time of John’s death, but they were also mature enough to know that they still loved each other underneath the hurt, and I think that’s what really matters. 

[hrizantemy]

Hm, I've been thinking about the High Lords. When the IC, both in canon and fics, try to justify why they're the only people who should have the trove, or the book of breathings, or that Nesta should trust. How they are the most trustworthy option in all of Prythian/ the only dreamers or people who want a better world. But why? Over, maybe, Beron, I guess. And I they have personal issues (that they share much of the blame for) with Tamlin. But then, there are four other courts. Summer, Winter, Dawn and Day, as candidates, so why not any of them?

Practically speaking, the Day court would be the best candidate. The only reason Feyre broke through the wards in Hybern was because she had borrowed Helion's power. The only one who could, theoretically, break his wards, aside from her, is Rhys (if we take the strongest HL thing at face value) or someone wielding the Cauldron, in which case, Night isn't really any safer. Especially given that they have Helion come to ward the mask anyway, but, his own court probably has more layers of those wards, and perhaps other, more complex ones too, so it'd still be safer.

Summer also kept the book of breathings safe for about five hundred years with no issue until Feysand came along. Something tells me they'll be updating their security after that.

Now, of course, the natural reason is that the Night Court is the home of our main characters (the Archeron sisters) and the ruling body of the NC are their family, which gives them a reason to become involved in politics to being with.

But, that leads to more questions. The main ones, for me, being why aren't there more nuanced HLs.

Beron feels like he's there just to add an inter-court threat, y'know? He's as much of a cardboard cut out villain as Elain and Nesta were in ACOTAR, but more extreme. One of the courts, other than Spring, needs to be hostile to Night so their politics seem more complex than they actually are, while also adding a road block here and there. So they picked a court, and gave it a tyrant as a ruler before calling it a day.

I've mentioned before how good people can be the worst rulers, and bad people can be the best leaders, historically speaking. There's so much complexity and nuance in politics, especially in fantasy and fiction that create wonderfully unique dynamics that I feel are missing in ACOTAR. All of the rulers, barring Beron and Tamlin, are portrayed as good people by the narrative, and even then, in Tamlin's case, that's largely due to the NC's bias and refusal to see their own faults, but point out everyone else's.

There are even other ways to complicate the political situation, making it feel more nuanced and delicate, than adding a single land mine, a couple of relationship dramas, and high key valid concerns that just get brushed under the rug anyway, rendering them moot. Even if the High Lords are mostly good people, creating a complex political situation doesn't mean turning any more of them into villains (if we had even one more Beron, I might scream. They don't need to be obviously evil and well hated to make them bad people/political issues!). Adding personal vendettas going back farther than UTM, or interpersonal relationships would add complexity that would be difficult to navigate.

For example, I've been reading a Manwha called 'I became the Tiger's adopted daughter'. In it, a nation of divine beasts is ruled by four rulers, each governing lands in one of the four cardinal directions, with an absolute ruler that they all answer too. There are also two guys who work in more bureaucratic/judicial positions who have, arguably, equal authority to the four rulers (and maybe the absolute, I can't remember) and essentially uphold the law, and make sure the rulers do their jobs right. The reason this otherwise straightforward system seems to work, is their characters and interpersonal relationships.

The ruler of the Eastern Lands is the tiger, and the fmc's father. He comes off as rather cold, but I think might've had a relationship with the Absolute's younger sister before she died. Because of that, he and the Absolute seem to be on somewhat more casual terms than the other rulers, though she tries to remain impartial (and the judicial/bureaucratic guys are there to make sure she does anyway).

The ruler of the Sourthern Lands is young, and was born a Phoenix, which holds enough cultural importance that her supporters pushed to have the former leader ousted when she was still young, to place her on the throne based on her race of divine animal alone. She's young, doesn't really know how to govern at all, and struggled to look after her lands properly, leading to the divine animals living there suffering under her reign. Her heart is in the right place, though she doesn't take the initiative to learn how to govern properly, and tries to rope one of the judicial guys into walking her through it at every chance. She also demands special consideration for the struggles of her lands, despite it being her responsibility for a while at that point.

The ruler of the Western Lands is a wolf, who often visits other territories (mostly the Eastern lands) because he wants to avoid work. He can do it, he just needs to be forced into it. He's only the ruler temporary, since his brother, the former ruler, died and he needs to step in until his nephew is old enough to take over. He's intuitive, but irritating and somewhat childish (but in a more endearing way than the ruler of the Southern Lands), and dotes on his nephew often. He is knowledgable about his lands and culture, and seems to be ruling effectively, he just complains about it a lot, and comes across as immature and a bit of a slacker.

Finally, the ruler of the Northern lands is a snake who seems to have feelings for the ruler of the East, and sees the fmc (his daughter) as either her road to winning his heart, or an obstacle in her way. She stands up for her lands, but can prove difficult to deal with, given her conditions in negotiations often revolve around finding a way to worm her way into his good graces, or get time alone with him. Sometimes she tries to get into fmc's good graces, thinking that will win her dad over, but she sees through the snake's intentions. It also leaves the fmc distrustful of the snake, and protective of her father when she's around. The ruler of the Northern Lands often shows bias towards the Eastern Lands, likely as a way to win his favour.

All of these interpersonal relationships make the situation in each place complicated to navigate, but very interesting. None of them are evil, or villains, per se (except maybe the snake, idk yet) but can exist in antagonistic roles. The Absolute, especially, needs to be careful not to show too much favour to any given land, but does seem playful and mischievous at times, while others, she leans more towards murderous, if the situation calls for it.

We know how, UTM, Day, Summer and Winter rebelled against Amarantha, and had almost their entire lines wiped out, which is why the ones currently ruling those lands are those who weren't likely to initially have been chosen by the land. They weren't direct relations to their predecessors, but that's mostly, really, mentioned about Tarquin, rather than Kallias and Helion. Expanding on their goals, and lives before they were made into rulers would've been a good way to spice things up. Were the raised to rule as well, or are they completely new? If the latter, then did they take the initiative to learn? When? From who? How do their people feel about those who were, previously, nobles that had a decent blood relation to their royal family, suddenly being in charge? Were there disputes with other courts due to lack of experience, pushback from nobles and bureaucrats, and how well did they assimilate?

I love how, in A Place of Silver Silence, you give the Temple a position of power within Dawn. It adds nuance to it's government, making the situation, and by proxy, Thesan's position more complicated. He can't risk offending or earning the ire of the Temple, but he also has to maintain his own authority. Draw lines in the sand, if you will, so he doesn't turn into their puppet.

It would also affect other courts, who would have to take considerations not to offend the Temple, otherwise it might cause diplomatic or trade issues that even Thesan would struggle to avoid or remedy. It also gives other courts an opening to exploit, the way Rhys exploited the sanctity of a mating bond (in the Temple's eyes) to try and take Nesta.

Expanding on the leadership of each Court in this way also adds another layer of nuance and concern that needs to be taken. It adds layers distrust between Dawn and other courts, due to fear of the Temple's interference, despite Thesan's best intentions. It creates opening for foreign powers to gain influence in Dawn, should they do so through the Temple.

Even in your post discussing the place of the Temple in other Courts, you mentioned the importance of trade in Summer, and how it would matter more to Tarquin than the Temple's desires. This would show that merchants and trade companies would have more influence in Summer's politics than they would in other courts, and given their importance, it would force other courts to exercise more caution when handling Merchants who are from/trade with Summer. If those merchants have enough influence, they could force Tarquin's hand when it comes to certain policies and relations. Merchants also make for good spies, which adds a layer of distrust.

These are the kinds of complex, nuanced political situations that I love. Ones that feel like you're navigating through a maze filled with tripwires and laser alarms, trying to take note of everybody's needs while prioritising your own court's. It's incredible, and I can't wait to see more of it.

This is such a rich and layered analysis, and honestly, one of the most compelling critiques of ACOTAR‘s political structure I’ve read. You’re absolutely right—the IC’s claim to moral and strategic superiority is presented in canon and fandom as an almost given, but when you look at the actual world of Prythian with a critical lens, their logic quickly unravels. The Night Court-centric worldview is inherently flawed—not just in its self-serving bias, but in its disregard for the nuanced political and historical potential of the other courts. And that’s the real tragedy of the series: the potential is there. It’s just never meaningfully explored.

Let’s start with the idea of trustworthiness and power. The Inner Circle consistently claims the moral high ground, often to justify unilateral decisions that affect all of Prythian, such as the control over the Trove or the Book of Breathings. But what’s left unexamined is why they believe themselves the most trustworthy—beyond the fact that they’re the protagonists. This presumption sidesteps any meaningful engagement with the other High Lords, who, while imperfect, have proven themselves in ways the Night Court hasn’t. Helion, as you noted, lent Feyre his power without coercion or posturing. Tarquin kept the Book of Breathings secure for centuries without issue. Kallias’ rebellion cost him his entire court, and yet we’re never given any meaningful insight into how that sacrifice shaped his rule. And then there’s Thesan, who literally houses his kingdom’s version of a theological and bureaucratic watchdog within his court. None of these men are cartoon villains like Beron, nor are they irredeemable or incompetent—but they’re treated as less competent by default.

Your comparison to “I Became the Tiger’s Adopted Daughter” is brilliant. It demonstrates how layered, personality-driven politics can enrich even a straightforward power structure. Prythian could’ve done the same—seven High Lords with conflicting motivations, alliances, ancient histories, personal feuds, and court-specific interests. But the narrative flattens them, either by villainizing (Beron, Tamlin) or sidelining (Tarquin, Helion, Kallias, Thesan) them in favor of the Night Court’s moral monopoly. Imagine if instead, each court had a political identity: Dawn’s religious authority and internal theocracy, Summer’s economic diplomacy and trade dynasties, Day’s scholarly secrecy and magical innovation, Winter’s cultural aristocracy and bloodline purism. You could create entire plotlines out of the frictions between those philosophies—especially in a post-Amarantha world where every court is scrambling to rebuild and reassert itself.

And Beron—you nailed it. He exists as a plot convenience, a villain to make the other High Lords look “good” by comparison. But in reality, this is lazy worldbuilding. Why not create a character who’s corrupt but beloved by his people for bringing prosperity? Or one who is utterly rigid and lawful to a fault, causing massive diplomatic issues but never breaking his kingdom’s own moral codes? Villainy in politics is far more compelling when it’s ideological, not just abusive. Not to mention that if all antagonism stems from one person, it places no real pressure on the protagonists to adapt, compromise, or grow.

You also made a crucial point about post-UTM politics. Why was the fallout of Amarantha’s rule never given more weight? If Tarquin, Helion, and Kallias weren’t originally meant to rule, what were their qualifications? Were they second sons? Bastards? Scholars? Revolutionaries? Did they have to put down civil unrest when they took power? How did their courts react to these sudden changes in leadership? What does legitimacy look like in Prythian, anyway? These are the questions that could’ve made each court feel alive and rooted in its own internal logic—not just an aesthetic (snow, sunshine, sand, etc.) or a mood board. Instead, they’re treated like factions in a video game with a couple of lines of lore and then forgotten.

And you’re absolutely right about A Place of Silver Silence—what makes Dawn compelling there isn’t Thesan being good or bad. It’s the balance of power between him and the Temple. It’s the way religion exerts political force, the way his progressive leanings are curtailed by institutional forces beyond his control. That’s realpolitik. That’s what makes the world feel lived-in, dangerous, and real. In that world, mating bonds aren’t just romantic—they’re tools of leverage and warfare. Belief systems matter. Cultural taboos matter. And it opens up incredible possibilities for storytelling. Like you said, Rhys exploiting the Temple’s belief in mating bonds to get Nesta is more than a dirty trick—it’s a political one. What happens when a belief system is weaponized? What happens when personal relationships get wrapped up in religious diplomacy? That is the kind of storytelling that sings.

Summer, as you pointed out, could be ruled less by a High Lord and more by economic stakeholders. Imagine if Tarquin is constantly pulled between merchant guilds, ship captains, old noble houses, and foreign investors. His court isn’t weak—it’s decentralized. The threat to him isn’t betrayal or rebellion, it’s the quiet erosion of his influence by people who control ports, goods, information. You could spin an entire arc around one of his major trade partners being secretly aligned with Hybern, and his court slowly becoming complicit in treason without realizing it. And he’s not evil. He’s just overwhelmed. That’s the kind of nuance the IC never has to deal with.

Ultimately, you’re right—ACOTAR politics feel more like table settings than the messy, powerful mechanisms they could be. And that’s a shame, because Prythian is so ripe for it. What you’re describing—the layered complexity, the unspoken alliances, the grudges that last centuries, the balance between faith, wealth, power, and loyalty—is exactly what makes fantasy politics great. And it’s not even that hard to do. As you’ve laid out, even small additions to personal relationships or court-specific pressures can open entire veins of story. I would love nothing more than to see this richness brought into Prythian, whether in canon or through fics that aren’t afraid to let the IC not be the center of every moral and strategic decision.

[dronarryfest]

What an incredible first week of dronarry! Here is the roundup of all the amazing works we’ve shared so far. We’re giving you the Sunday off to catch up if you haven't yet! And we want to send a huge THANK YOU to our wonderful readers for all the comments and kudos you’ve been sending. Keep them coming and stay tuned for week two!

[FIC] Some Nights || E || 23k || by @thecouchsofa

Ron fucks up his Silencing Charms in the dorms one night. Then Malfoy does. The rest, as they say, is history. 

💭 Came for the filth stayed for the feels. And the filth. Scorching hot, funny as fuck, got me curling my toes so hard my whole leg cramped. - emsuemsu

💭 This is so incredibly perfect, like the smut is perfect but Harry’s cluelessness and excitement is amazing and Ron just rolling with the punches…needless to say I’ve already read it more than once - marebear723

[FIC] Hear Me Out || E || 5k || by @rainstormradish

“I know this is all just a big joke to you,” whispered Draco, his lips inches from Ron’s ear, his breath on his neck, his hips pressed against him, Merlin, “but I need you to fucking commit to the bit here, Ron.”

💭 I am burning UP. i love how distinct each of their characters are. And the tension???? God, they’re all so sexy. - lostinyourcostellation

💭 Scorching hot! Absolutely love this premise & the way you carried it out here felt sooo good. Wonderfully done :) - thestarryknight

[ART] Signing The Forever Bond || G || by @digthewriter

No fanfare adorned their sacred moment, no gaze of a world eager to witness, for they sought not the spotlight's glow but rather the quiet dance of shared hearts. And some paperwork.

💭 I adore long hair Dronarry! What beautiful patterns and color, and I love their comfortable closeness and contentment. adore long hair Dronarry! What beautiful patterns and color, and I love their comfortable closeness and contentment. -schmem_14

💭  This is so gorgeous! I'm obsessed with ALL the details. Bearded Draco! There isn't enough Bearded!Draco content, honestly. - sleepstxtic

[FIC] Permanent || M || 14k || by @citrusses

"Harry's always been fixated on older men. Have you ever noticed that, Ron?” Granger asks. “Have I ever noticed—Hermione, we’ve lived with the bloke for years! He doesn’t bring them home much, but I’m not blind. I see who he’s shagging.” “And David, an older man, tells Harry ‘Saviour Complex’ Potter he needs him to save the world?” “He didn’t stand a chance,” Ron agrees. “Fascinating,” Draco says, in a strangled voice.

💭 I love this so much. I can't wait to reread it. What a gorgeous fucking fic with beautiful, agonising detail and introspection. - TheGoblinMatriarch

💭 Omg I don’t want to be that person BUT I COULD READ 300K OF THIS it was brilliant! - Moonflower_Rose

[FIC] These Foolish Little Games || E || 8.5k || by @schmem14

Thanks to a falling out between Harry and Ron, Draco can finally get together with Harry, have the most spectacular and inappropriate office sex, and enjoy Weasley-free weekends out. Life is perfect. So why does he have the nagging feeling he should get the estranged best friends to patch things up?

💭 Incredibly steamy, love the setup of a Ron/Harry fight and Draco’s scheming ❤️❤️❤️❤️ - citrusses

💭 yesssss - i am always here for the under the desk shenanigans. Lol at how easily they convinced Ron. There was no hope for him 😂 - MaesterChill

[FIC] Edging into His Heart || E || 5k || by @chelsiewhitlock & diplobeanz

Stuck on a long stakeout, Draco has reached the end of his patience with Ron Weasley's rule. In an effort to make the best of the situation, he decides to push the boundaries and past the edge of propriety. Shenanigans ensue.

💭  THIS is the Draco Ron dynamic I’m here for 😍 this story was fucking hot, and that tantric spell thingy oh, my… 🥵 - schmem_14

💭 wowww the dynamics you have going on here!!! 100/10 will be thinking about forever.  - fluxweed

[FIC] People Are Boring || E || 14.3k || by @starquestingfordrarry

“Alright, what’s your terrible news?” Draco braces himself on Harry’s desk. “Weasley’s hot.” “You’ll have to be more specific, there are a lot of hot Weasleys.” Draco makes a strangled, groaning sound in his throat. “The Weasley. Weasel. Weasel-by. Your Weasley.” Harry’s heart jumps to his throat, and his stomach drops to his shoes. “Ron’s back?”

💭 THAT.WAS. DMCJSKDKCJDH. I was excited, my heart ached at one point, I cried, then screeched, this really did have it all 🔥 - Jaqie

💭 So softly angsty then so tender then so sexy. This dynamic just works beautifully, and your Ron is 🔥🔥🔥 - gr8k8

[snowswan-royalehigh]

My personal thoughts on Remarried Empress

Hi there! I'm not going into an too much of an in-depth analysis, so please take my words with a grain of salt. I'm going to focus on Rashta's past.

Rashta is a very well written character, she's shown to be naive and innocent, with underlying layers of cruelty and a character development towards greed which is wonderfully executed. However, the fandom refuses to allow her to have nuance to her character.

When the webtoon and novel start off, we already know Rashta is somewhat portrayed as a villainess, and during my first readthrough, I also wanted to sucker punch her in the face. (I would be publicly executed by Sovieshit) But when I reread I realized how much nuance I missed, and some nuance the fandom ignores entirely.

We start off knowing Rashta is a runaway slave. Which already starts us off on a generally sympathetic note, because we can tell she's had some form of a bad life prior to becoming Sovieshit's concubine. We know she has an annoying habit of speaking in third person, she's a crybaby, she's incredibly controlled by her emotions, she lacks critical thinking skills, and she doesn't even know how to read or write.

Rashta is incredibly easily manipulated, she shows that with her interactions with Sovieshit and especially Duke Ergi. Duke Ergi influences almost all of Rashta's moves, such as the Christmas tree wedding dress, which was a huge embarrassment. In defense of Rashta's lack of knowledge, she was a slave. How was she supposed to know about how these things, when she had spent her life, being forced to clean, with no hope of escaping. She hadn't even done anything to become a slave in the first place, she was made one so her father wouldn't have to pay for his crime. She was uneducated as can be. Reading and writing at that time was only for the highborn.

Rashta is confirmed to have had a lot of love for the idea of her children, and she carried that baby to full term. Imagine how mortifying it was when Lotteshu showed her that corpse. (How the hell did he even get his hands on the corpse. We should be focusing on that a lot more) So could we really blame her for running away, Alan abandoned her as well, and Lebetti always treated her like trash.

Rashta undergoes a corruption arc because of the people around her. Navier remarks in her head that Rashta has no one good around her to inform her, in the webtoon.

Now, imagine this situation from the point of view of Rashta. You just saw your supposed dead child with an obvious great amount of trauma via your whole childhood, and now, the emperor, an incredibly powerful man, has proposed to become your lover. He's going to give you protection, and most likely save you from your horrible life. Everyone forgets the power dynamic of these two. Rashta is the lowest in society while Sovieshit is the highest. What terrible consequences would Sovieshit's pretty ass conjure from rejection? Even the webtoon remarks that it's like a fairy tale.

Navier and the rest of the nobles are her enemies, because of how she was raised. She actually started off the webtoon looking up to Navier, and seeing Navier as someone she could basically worship, and believed that Navier would act as a motherly figure although she was greeted with Navier's justifiable pettiness although Rashta didn't know what she was doing wrong.

If Rashta was the protagonist everyone would be gushing about her, because she is manipulative, but so is Navier. The people around Rashta fail her, when she could've been so much more, and she has so much underutilized potential. Rashta would've been incredibly hyped up for kicking Navier out, and Navier would be seen as cold hearted and self centered.

TL;DR, Rashta is still an antagonist, but she is not a straight up villain. She's complex, and she's more human than any other antagonist. She's only hated on for being the 'other woman' and the fandom acts like she seduced Sovieshit for the funsies.

(Fuck Sovieshit, all my homies hate him!!!))

[dimonds456-but-only-hlvrai]

Can I just say I love the shipping scene in HLVRAI? Like, I've never been in a fandom where it's been this CHILL before. Each ship has appeal and could actually work (unless you're intentionally being weird about it, but I haven't really encountered those people, this is personal experience here), and it's just so-!

Frenrey is wonderful because they're both silly, if those two met under different circumstances you KNOW they'd be friends, and it can be about forgiveness and healing. I love that.

Freelatta is great because Tommy and Gordon always have each others' backs, and those two will see each other through thick and thin.

Sodashipping is delightful because Darnold and Tommy just click SO WELL, they have a lot of common interests outside of soda, and you guys who give Darnold a dog as well as so correct about that omg.

Darzen is really fun because these two have never once interacted in canon but so easily could have. Like Forzen probably had to go through that area to progress as well, what hijinx would they get into?

I don't see Gordon and Forzen being shipped just the two of them often (shoutout to hlvrv, that was unexpected but really fun), but that's another instance I could also see. They're polycule a lot of the time, which hell yeah.

Tomrey is awesome because of the pre-established friendship between Benrey and Tommy, how even down to the final wire Benrey didn't really want to hurt Tommy. Outside of shipping their relationship is just wonderful.

Darnrey is also fun in that regard. Gamer partners.

Benzon as well. This one really depends on your interpretation of canon but it's always fun when it pops up again. The history between those two has so much potential. I don't personally ship this one but it's always fun to explore.

Another I don't have the name for but Darnold and Gordon. Orang. And just the unconditional support from Darnold- wonderful.

Frenreylatta is just delightful. Like you take all the best parts of frenrey, tomrey, and freelatta and put them in a blender and you get pure wholesomeness. I fucking love this one. Absolute winner. And I also really love how usually depictions of this one don't hide the part parts, either, but it's still a generally more supportive relationship overall. Five stars.

Frenreylattarnold is also just *chef's kiss*. Darnold just brings a vibe to the group they don't otherwise have. It simultaneously makes it more chill and more chaotic.

Again I don't know the name, but add Forzen into the mix and you have a really fun, complex dynamic of people who just love each other. I'm so fucking here for it.

I know I'm missing some but AOUGH

I can't not talk about my favorite ship here, though. Boomer sweep. Boomer wins. Every time boomer pops up on my feed I get so fucking happy. Chaos grandpas who fucking love and support each other SO unconditionally. They work through their trauma together while committing crimes. The stark contrasts between them also aid wonderfully to their dynamic, like how Coomer doesn't like video games while Bubby is a speedrunner. They each have their own lives but they want to spend them together. NO I'M NORMAL DID YOU KNOW THAT I SWEAR I'M NORMAL-

Gubby's a fun one, too, and from my understanding that one's a rarepair. But yeah, putting Bubby's firey personality next to Gman's calm and collected one creates a lot of fun opportunities, and helps explore the differences between Half Life and HLVRAI Gman in more in-depth ways. It's always fun when it pops up again, I love it. (Shoutout to catloki for this one.)

I don't member the ship name but adding Coomer in there is also really fun. Chaos grandpas take over the world together <3

I haven't seen Coomer and Gman being shipped individually before but I could also see that one. Coomer would be able to simultaneously meet Gman where he's at while also encouraging him to step outside his comfort zone, and also probably being a terrible influence on him gGFDHSJAKGF.

All this to say I'm not really a shipper. These guys could be just friends and I'd be okay with that, which I guess lends itself to the RTVS crew and how well they all stepped into character. Everyone just has dynamics with each other, that come out naturally, and makes it easy for us to really see where each relationship could go.

I just fucking love this fandom.

[townofcadence]

🦁 my favorite ships

@bishopinblue // RP Community Asks 🦁 my favorite ships

This one is a hard one to be honest! I don't really look for ships so much as interesting interactions and dynamics to play with, and honestly I value all forms of relationships and how they impact my characters differently. Everyone brings something unique to the table that helps the character grow!

It feels like a cop-out answer, but genuinely, every interaction with substance develops my muse and their perception of the world. I feel like trying to name all the ones I enjoy would be an unwieldy list xD

So I'll say for the two of us, I ADORE Lafayette and Jace being friends like we've talked about, and Jace's chipper and happy-go-lucky attitude with Laf being timid but putting up with him always sparks joy. I also adore the idea of Laf being concerned about Jace and his intentions initially, but then the friendship developing and Jace kinda being someone that keeps entities from messing with Laf too much.

And Artair and Rachael? MWAH. What a fun dynamic!!! I find Rachael so wonderfully complex. And Artair's overprotective nature and desire to help causing some friction? That's fascinating to see in action, but also the fact that for Rach it's strange to have someone who cares like that. Their relationship has a special place in my heart!! I love the thread with the frog and you better believe I'm cherishing every interaction so far !!!

[onepiece-polls]

One Piece Shipping War - Round 2 Side D

MiShanks art by @oz-gauze. Check out the original post here.

Propaganda under the cut.

Propaganda for Iceburg x Paulie:

"I find the 'IcePaulie' ship in the "One Piece" fandom particularly compelling, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, the two characters involved, Iceburg and Paulie, are wonderfully complex and engaging. Iceburg, as the mayor of Water 7 and president of Galley-La Company, is a serious, highly respected figure whose calm and composed demeanor grounds the duo. On the other hand, Paulie, one of the company's top foremen, is known for his strict moral code and boisterous nature, which provides a perfect contrast to Iceburg's character. What I appreciate most about the 'IcePaulie' ship is the potential for dynamic interactions and growth that arise from these contrasting personalities. The calm, collected Iceburg and the more hot-blooded Paulie provide a balanced character interaction, which can lead to interesting conflicts or heartwarming moments of mutual understanding and respect. Moreover, their shared commitment to their work within the Galley-La Company serves as a common ground that bonds them together, further enriching their relationship. In conclusion, the 'IcePaulie' ship, to me, is about more than just a potential romantic or platonic relationship. It's about the exploration of two distinct characters, their individual quirks, values, and the unique dynamic that forms between them. This interplay of personalities and the potential narrative arc their relationship could follow are what make the 'IcePaulie' ship truly captivating to me."

It's one of my fav ship not including the big 5 so 👉👈 It's really damn adorable and romantic, like just paulie being extremely overprotective and iceburg just loving him more everytime. And how they deal with the others shenanigans (that they love)

Propaganda for Shanks x Mihawk:

They had a massive battle at one point, when mihawk showed up on that island where shanks was relaxing shanks convinced him to get drunk with him very easily, also in the war of the best mihawk just flat out said he refused to fight shanks

Goth swordsmith & Golden retriever

Two of the most badass characters in the whole series, cat/dog energy, the fact that Mihawk specifically sought Shanks out to show him Luffy's bounty??, also Mihawk leaving the fight because he didn't sign up to fight Shanks??, I love two middle aged man who are somehow friends AND MAYBE MORE lmao

They’re so funny to me. Like seriously goth Mihawk and happy chaotic Shanks. I just think they could be so good together

Rivals to lovers -- Powerhouses -- Introvert and extrovert -- Mihawk wears red and has black hair while Shanks wears black and has red hair like ✨Color schemes✨ -- SAME BIRTHDAY YOU CAN'T CONVINCE ME THEY DON'T CELEBRATE IT TOGETHER

They are rivals. They are besties. They are so friggin gay for each other. It's DILF love.

what if we were both swordsmen but you lost your arm to save the future king of the pirates so i have remained SOOO bitter about it but then find out the kid u saved has a promising swordsman so im less bitter so i go drink with you and you force me to ditch my wine for booze but it works because you care about me despite my solitary life so we remained long distance bfs and think about each other constantly. is that something

Mihawk being a recluse but going out of his way to visit his bf regularly is proof enough

[hergrandplan]

Hey Nina 💜,

🍒🍑🍍for the writer's asks

Hey Sophia 💜

🍒 What’s your favorite character dynamic to write? (Can be romantic or platonic, specific or general!)

Already answered this in an earlier ask, but another dynamic that i love (love love love) is a little... needy Wille. a little "i'll die if you don't touch me right now" and "please simon". and of course paired with Simon who is ready to give him the fucking world

🍑 If you could make a connection between your favorite character and another work you care about (whether a crossover/fusion or a wonderfully “pretentious” literary reference) what would it be? How would it work?

Okay I have no idea how this would work so don't ask me that but I'll often be listening to a musical and then briefly think "huh wouldnt this be a fun fic" with musicals that would not work as wilmon fic. Like ... idk waitress. Because every time I hear "You Matter to Me" I need Wilmon to sing that to each other BUT there are some major issues with that namely that one of them needs to be pregnant (though... idk maybe they just adopted the kid with their abusive husband ? but then why do they need to go to the doctor?) and two, Jenna and Pomatter don't actually end up together. Because Pomatter's wife is a genuinely sweet person

Another musical I'd love to cross over with is les mis. Wille is Marius, Simon is Eponine.

But the problem with musicals is that they have genuinely complex and really fucking flawed characters sometimes (pretending to be your bully's best friend after he dies to gain sympathy points... for instance) and though I love complicated and messy fics, I am always scared of writing those myself for fear of writing them too problematic. but that doesnt mean i dont think about it.

🍍 What kind of AUs do you like? Are there any AUs you hate or just generally have beef with?

There's no AUs that I actually hate, I'm not the biggest fan of Omegaverse AU and especially not when certain. words. are used but I understand those words are part of the genre so I'll simply not read it. Other than that, I'll literally read any AU you throw my way but in terms of Young Royals, I love a little Alternate Meeting AU (and many more but that's just the first thing I thought of). OH and obviously an exes to lovers post-canon. fuck i want them all

fruity fic writer asks <3

[jewe1some]

Updated Book Bingo 2025

An update for @batmanisagatewaydrug's book bingo!! 3 books to account for my binge this weekend, plus something I just hadn't added yet.

New progress: published before 1950 (Doctor Faustus), historical fiction (The Odyssey), and bookseller or librarian rec. (The Guncle)

I'll start with a quick review of Doctor Faustus, which I don't have a picture of because I read it from my anthology textbook:

3/5 ⭐️

It's clear to me after reading Doctor Faustus why Shakespeare stood the test of time, and lesso Marlowe. It was very fun, and Marlowe certainly has a lot of fun himself writing the dynamic between Faustus and Mephistopheles, but all of the characters lack any real depth. It's mostly spectacle and very little actual substance: Faustus in this just makes a deal with the devil because he's bored. Still, was absolutely not a waste of my time.

Review:

5/5 ⭐️

A 5/5 that I truly do not give lightly. I have read a lot of novels that market themselves as queer fiction in the past year that have frankly been slop. It's insulting and it feels like the main draw is that the main characters are queer, and then there is nothing of actual substance in the story. I was nervous this was going to be another one of those, but "The Guncle" is anything but.

It's profound in its exploration of loss. I found my heart being torn out at multiple points, yet it is also charmingly funny and witty. This book actually has some of my favorite prose I've read in a hot minute, which is something I am picky about. Read this book. If I can recommend anything I've read so far this year, it's this.

Review:

4/5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved it, especially getting to understand the references and allusions many other great works have made towards it. Odysseus is a wonderfully complex character, and it's clear why this story still speaks to all of us to this day. It's also an incredible study into Ancient Greek sensibilities, and the way that they thought. I almost wish it ended with Penelope and Odysseus's reunion, but it's hard to say. The book starts and ends with Telemachus which might read as a coming of age, but spends most of its time with Odysseus and his journey to his self-made home. Being an ancient text, it's unfair to assert that it must have a through line with one of these two stories, but it does make the poem feel like it abruptly ends when it reaches its final pages.

Oh and I'm counting this as historical fiction because when it was written down originally, it took place in Ancient Greece's mythological past. It's part mythology, part history: it's believed that the Trojan war has some real historical basis.

[ordinaryschmuck]

Good things that happened today:

Finished Season Two of Parks and Rec. It's a season where the writers REALLY felt like they got a firm grasp on the characters, their dynamics, and HOW to write them in the future seasons. Really liked how they played around with the idea Mark and Anne NOT really being good for each other despite how happy they were, Andy became MUCH more of a lovable doof who tackles possums and is the most loyal person to Leslie in the entire department, and the building relationship between April and Andy is great. I love that they don't brush aside the age difference between them, as it's acknowledged but everyone agrees that it's nothing too heinous. Now, there's some sitcom BS in the final episode between them, but...what'cha going to do?

Saw a dog rolling in the grass of the apartment complex I live in...She was a cutie.

Got GOOD boneless barbecued chicken for lunch today. Felt like I was owed.

Pet a dog. He got a haircut and a little America bow...Cutie.

Saw the first episode of Phineas and Ferb revival. Honestly...the show looks like it's off to a good start. NOT a fan of brushing aside Doof's little redemption arc in the finale, but I'm currently in denial as I hope it gets addressed SOME point in the future. Plus, it definitely sounds like the voice actors are all showing their age as voicing these characters again sounds like a strain for some of them. Maybe they'll get better in the future, but they could also easily get worse. For now, the jokes are still great, the characters are still wonderfully written, and I did get a LITTLE emotional near the end there. I'm positive this will at least be a GOOD season for Phineas and Ferb.

Finished a comic page and started some decent cinematic stuff for another...I'm having fun.

Good things about me:

I'm determined.

I'm smart.

I'm getting better.

I'm doing better.

I'm a good worker.

[lady-hammerlock]

So back in the day... (a quick search informs me it was 1994) there was a little point and click adventure game called Beneath a Steel Sky. I wasn't a gamer at the time so I didn't play it then, but I did play it later and fall in love with it. I bonded with a previous romantic partner over it, we commissioned art of it, and I bought and played it again when it was re-released for Android/iOS.

It has only recently come to my attention that a sequel, Beyond a Steel Sky, was released in 2020. How I didn't find out about it over the last four years is a fucking mystery but it probably has something to do with how fucked the last few years have been, both on a global and personal scale.

Why should you care?

Because Beyond A Steel Sky is beautiful. I know I have a lot of followers that appreciate a good story-based game, and if you miss the old style of point and click then this does a wonderful job without having quite as much trial and error or wonky logic as a lot of old point and clicks.

It also has the following:

- The setting is a part post-apocalyptic, part dystopian Australia, with a lot of Australian in-jokes for the Aussies and an interesting setting for everyone else.

- Positive representation for plus-sized women and women of colour, most notably Australian First Nations.

- A great sense of humour, both in terms of how you solve problems and just general dialogue.

- The ability to cause absolute chaos and fuck around beyond what is just required of you to progress the story.

- A surprisingly deep and thought-provoking story (I should warn that the first game was light-hearted until about 80% of the way through when it suddenly became much more dark and horrific. The sequel does something similar but is a bit more gradual about it.)

- A great dynamic between the two main characters. Is it a romance? A bromance? Whatever you decide it is wonderfully complex, incredibly codependent, and both heart-warming and heartbreaking at the same time. It should be noted that it is not quite canon, and it is definitely not going to be to everyone's taste considering it is Human/AI and considering some of the things that go down in both games, but I am shipping it so hard right now and absolutely fascinated by the possibilities.

- Neil Newbon. He plays a baddie and is as fabulous as always.

- A robot that writes poetry. And has some of the best lines in the game. I just love Tarquin okay?

- Joey. I know I already listed his dynamic with Foster above, but he is such peak blorbo to me right now that he is his own entry. I mean look at him in one of his many bodies here. Don't you just wanna hug it?

Friend shaped.

To be fair the games aren't perfect. I think you can still play Beneath on GOG, but it is definitely a product of it's time. The character animation in Beyond isn't great, but the art style is cartoony enough that it isn't too distracting.

Now, for the reasons I'm making this post. Obviously I want more people to find and fall in love with these games. If you're into them already, great! Come scream about them with me. If not, the sequel is on sale on both Steam and Playstation at the moment for only a few dollars.

I am also opening up fic requests specifically for Steel Sky right now because there are 0 fics on A03 at the moment. 0. I need to change that. Anything Foster/Joey will be an immediate yes (even if it's Savior Joey) but I will be open to other prompts as well.

[spaceorphan18]

I agree with you about Finchel; they make more sense as a high school romance, that was really the time when they could have helped (and did help) each other to grow. After high school though, they don't really work as a couple. What they want from life, how they want to live their lives, isn't compatible. That might be controversial to say but in my opinion even RM's reported original plan for how the series was going to end supports that; they would be really back together (and last) only after Rachel had achieved most of her career-related dreams and Finn had gotten over his insecurities. I understand why lots of people like the "opposites attract" type of relationship, but most of the time that doesn't work too well long-term. But all of that said, I don't dislike them. I like early Finchel, and I don't mind them in season 2-3. I just think their relationship was more suited to be a high school romance, like you said, and I like them better as "exes who are always going to be thankful for the relationship they had because it was beautiful and meaningful while it lasted but they understand why they had to go their own ways".

And I think you have written a very quick interaction between Jesse and Blaine in the The Sims fic.... Or maybe it was in another story, I don't remember it now. I would check but AO3 is currently down! But that's why I had mentioned it.

Nonny. First of all. I went back and read The Addiction - and it still cracks me up. And it makes me want to play the Sims again.... It doesn't really have Jesse/Blaine interaction, though. I'll have to make sure a future fic has some of that fun dynamic!

Anyway... I really agree with what you've said about Finchel!

Yeah, I actually have a lot of thoughts about Finchel! And, it's kind of complex, as it's not coming from a place of like or dislike, just evaluation.

I think Finn and Rachel were actually very sweet in Season 1 and really didn't mind them in Season 2. I think they both did get something positive out of the relationship. Rachel got validation that she was worth loving from someone outside her sphere, while Finn gained knowledge that he could be more than the labels that were bestowed onto him. They did help each other grow -- and grow up into the people they'd one day become.

That's the thing about relationships that I think sometimes is missed in media. And this goes to friendships and other kinds of relationships beyond romantic ones -- that people come into our lives and sometimes those people only stay for a short time, but their impact can effect us for the rest of our lives. And even if it is a short time, it doesn't mean it wasn't meaningful or worth going through.

By Season 3, I think it's apparent that Finn and Rachel's story kind of ran its course. (Even if the writers/RM did plan to bring them back together one day...) Rachel was always meant to go out and live in a big city and be on Broadway. And she needed to have someone who could not only keep up with her, but not feel threated by her level of success. Her star was going to always shine bright, and I just don't feel like Finn was ever fully going to feel comfortable living in the shadow of that.

Meanwhile, Finn's story is one that (like Will - whom he's modeled after) it's okay to come home and stay tome. I actually really liked the idea that Finn would have flourished in a small town, and realizing that it has worth and that he can do good things. Something Glee struggled with -- was the idea that you can be more than just a huge Broadway star. You can teach in a small town and have it be fulfilling and meaningful. Rachel would have never been happy on such a smaller stage. But it would have suited Finn wonderfully.

So - at the end of the day (Jesse aside) I just think their stories were going in two different directions. But the impact they had on each other was always meaningful. And I actually like that aspect of Finchel.

[monk-of-figaro]

Fanfic: Dissolution (by seventhe)

I found this story on Archive of Our Own. At 27,174 words, it's a lengthy read, but extremely well worth it.

That is, if you don't mind some twincest content.

Yeah, to be clear:

⚠️ WARNING: THIS STORY HAS GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF SEX BETWEEN EDGAR AND SABIN ⚠️

In fact, here is the author's description of the work, warnings included:

The death of a king, the future of a country, and the bond between two brothers: the story of how Edgar let Sabin go. [Further warnings/labels: Incest (twincest). Questionable consent (dubcon). Explicit sexual activity (cocks). Underage participants in said explicit sexual activity (the twins are 17). Badtouch. This story rolled in a pile of wrong.]

Do NOT read this story if any of that makes you uncomfortable. I will not respond to any comments about the morality of writing, reading, or sharing dubcon, and will be very trigger-happy with my use of the block button. You have been warned.

Phew, if you're still on-board and haven't been scared away, you'll find that what I actually want to talk about isn't the seggsy seggs. Truthfully, the graphic parts comprise only about one-fifth of the work (I literally calculated).

Instead, I want to talk about the wonderfully expressive writing, the fascinating world-building, and the amazing humanity with which the author portrays the brothers.

The story - which is told mostly from an Edgar-centric viewpoint - takes place immediately after their father, the former King of Figaro, dies, and ends on the fateful night of the coin toss. In this narrative, there is a little over a week between the two events, during which we observe the dynamics at play that gradually build up to the conclusion where Sabin leaves the kingdom.

I don't feel qualified to write about the author's prose. It's incredible. It's full of evocative and imaginative metaphors that give an incredibly realistic sense of "life" to the story - oftentimes using metaphors that directly relate to the character themselves.

For example, take this line:

[…] Edgar’s heart sank in his chest, clenching with emotion, as if a giant set of pliers were trying to pull it from his body.

The author deliberately and frequently uses metaphors related to tools and engineering when conveying Edgar's feelings or thoughts, which give them an extra layer of realism; it feels like Edgar is feeling these things.

Additionally, they make it a defined trait that Edgar often approaches problems and situations through the eyes of an expert engineer; things like political dynamics and interpersonal relationships are viewed as complex machines, and if he could understand all the inner workings and pieces of these machines, he could make the adjustments necessary to fix what is broken.

Edgar is portrayed as thoughtful, careful, and protective, if not a little manipulative. He's reeling from the weight of rulership now placed on the twins' shoulders - and slowly realizing that it's a weight that he'll need to shoulder alone. But this is not done with malice; he genuinely wants his brother to be happy, and can see in real time the way in which staying at the castle is breaking Sabin to his core.

Conversely, Sabin is portrayed as emotional, explosive, moody, and yet unwaveringly dedicated to his brother. He's a person who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and while we see almost none of the easy-going, affable goofball we get in FFVI, this depiction still feels very in-character for him. His world has been upended: his father has died, he's heard (and believes) a rumor that the Empire is behind it, the Figaroan chancellors are quickly trying to move onto successor business, and he feels the tightening chokehold of the golden shackle around his throat. Sabin is a no-nonsense man of direct action with a strong sense of justice, and he's expected to suppress all of these traits just to maintain the charade of pious devotion to the very ones oppressing him. It's no wonder he's so angry.

And yet Sabin is adamant, even up to the moment of the coin toss, that he won't let Edgar do something "selfless and noble"; even in his own darkest hour, he won't abandon his brother. Edgar - finally seeing the pieces of this machine click into place - knows that Sabin won't leave if he thinks it's Edgar's idea. He also realizes that Sabin is desperate and broken enough to fall for this bit of subterfuge; had Edgar tried the coin toss earlier, Sabin may not have been… well, emotionally shattered enough to agree to what's honestly a pretty flimsy justification for deserting his brother and seeking his freedom. It breaks Edgar's heart to do so, but he prioritizes his brother's happiness over his own. Urgh, it gets me every time. 🥺

All this, and I haven't even talked about the world-building! Interspersed throughout the story are unique details that hint at the author's vision of the society and culture of Figaro. I don't want to give too many details away, so I'll just list the ones that stuck in my head with as little context as possible:

Desert fever (connection to FFIV!)

Customary week of mourning

The symbolic offering to the dead

Lillies

The world that they present - the version of Figaro they present - is something I find delightfully fascinating and imaginative. I'd love to know more of their ideas, read more of their stories that expand on the life and history they imbue into this desert nation.

I don't know what else to say. This is one of the best fanfics - hell, one of the best pieces of fiction writing in general that I've ever read. It feels like a pinnacle example of how to write compelling and believable characterization, as well as building an authentic and captivating culture for a fictional world.

Thank you, seventhe, for the amazing story. ❤️