#this absolute tyrant of a creature

[xxmissrosearts]

A GLITCH.

He doesn’t get no props, but you do get to see his silly beans.

[redtsundere-writes]

Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen

Part 1: Ear Cleaning

King!SukunaRyomen x Servant!FemReader

Summary: You used to be just another servant among the army of humans operating under the command of the terrible king, Sukuna Ryomen. An ordinary human who only knows how to wash, clean and cook. Until one day, he notices something in you that you hadn't seen before.

Tags: MDNI. +18. Murder. Blood. Cannibalism. Sukuna Ryomen Is The Warning Itself. Nudity. Sexual Display. Vaginal. Fingering. Sometimes fluff, sometimes angst.

Word Count: 1936 words.

A/N: From popular demand, I'll post the fic here too. Enjoy! :3

Next →

Sukuna walked through the corridors illuminated by the dark sun that ruled among the kingdoms. His long, heavy footsteps made the marble floor rumble under his weight. His sharp profile, tattooed shoulders and large body, contrasted by the reddish sky of the cursed land, terrifying any small human who encountered him. He was a king who could control anything thanks to the terror that his large body and absolute power conveyed. He had the power on his hands to kill whatever and whenever he wanted like an omnipotent god, but he liked to watch his rats run from one side to the other to obey his mercy. It amused him to play with his servants to the point of making them cry, tremble or, in extreme cases, commit suicide. He had plenty of servants, so he could afford to kill as many as he wanted. The poor uniformed humans trembled if his dark eyes rested on them. They all tried to dodge him at all costs to avoid performing tasks that involved being near him, especially cleaning his ears. 

Being a monster with senses sharpened to the max, he hated having his ears touched, but it was necessary for him to clean them to have his five senses ready for any battle. He is not someone ticklish, but his ears are the most sensitive part of his entire body. He could clean his own ears himself, but what kind of almighty, omnipotent king would clean his own ears when others could do it?

His eyes navigated through the long and endless corridors of the terrifying castle where he lived with all his subjects. The king's home was a place where darkness, cold, and uncertainty dominated the atmosphere. Even though it was surrounded by luxuries, it felt more like a secret attic than a castle fit for a king. Silver chandeliers, red candles parading on the walls and furniture upholstered with exotic fabrics from around the world decorated each room that was commonly surrounded by portraits made by hundreds of artists who feared for their lives. 

His predatory eyes sought out the first poor servant that crossed his path. He heard the bristles of a broom being scrubbed against the floor. Sukuna spotted a small figure sweeping one of the guest rooms. There you were, humming a song softly from your childhood as you made the broom dance from side to side. You were so focused on your task that you didn't notice the king standing dangerously close to you. As you turned around, you suddenly bumped into his imposing body, giving you a mini heart attack. Dressed in elegant robes, gold rings on each finger and with a wicked grin on his face, he was looking at you as if you were a despicable creature he could get rid of in the blink of an eye. 

You are the youngest and most inexperienced servant in the entire castle. You had not been living there for more than two months, so your direct interactions with the king had been few. Sukuna saw you from head to toe. He remembered you perfectly from the day he met you. Your neatly combed pigtails with two white bows showed off your innocence, the corset accentuated your small waist and the long brown skirt covered your promising legs. He accepted it, you were cute. Other than that, you were a disgusting human like everyone else, but there was something about you that caught his attention. Sukuna didn't know exactly what it was that you had. For the time being, he would continue to treat you as you deserved for being a nasty rat. Immediately, you knelt before your majesty. Your head rested in your hands against the freshly swept floor, your fingers barely touching his feet because of the closeness. 

“Are you having fun?” Sukuna asked, sarcastic. 

“No, my king,” you answered quickly, avoiding making eye contact. 

Sukuna placed one of his bare feet on your back. The oppressive weight crushed you against the cold floor. You prayed inwardly that your bones wouldn't start to creak. You bit your lower lip and closed your eyes tightly to avoid letting out a moan of pain. Having satisfied his need to make the new maid see who her master is, he removed his foot from your agonized back. You took a deep breath to fill your lungs with air again. 

“To my room. Now,” he ordered without deigning to look at you before leaving the room. You remained on the floor, slowly catching your breath. A metal taste touched your tongue. You bit your lower lip so hard that it was bleeding. 

This was the first time he ordered something directly from you. Usually you followed Uraume's general instructions like everyone else. You sat up slowly to regain what little balance you had left. You followed him to his room as he had ordered. Your heart was going to burst out of your chest from how nervous you were. As your small steps echoed like a pleasant trickle in the gloom, the servants came out of their hiding spots to quickly sign you in. They wished you the best of luck and that you would make it out of his room alive. That only put more pressure on you. 

You entered your majesty's luxurious room. Your eyes were fascinated to see so many extravagances in one place. Crystal chandeliers, rugs made of exotic animals and gold decorative pieces. All the furniture was precisely designed to suit his majesty's tastes and everything was neatly arranged. Unlike the rest of the castle, his room was a museum full of expensive artworks that the average person could not even imagine existed. 

The great fearsome monster was reclining on a red satin-covered divan. His eyes were closed, his four arms crossed over his broad chest and his legs barely touched the floor due to his impressive height. You approached him carefully so as not to ruin his peace. Next to the divan was a wooden cabinet with all the necessary tools to groom him thoroughly.

“Clean my ears,” he ordered in a gruff voice, cocking his head over the rest for you to begin immediately. “You better do a good job,” he threatened you. You swallowed dryly because it would be the first time you would touch his majesty and if you did it wrong, the last.

You took out the necessary instruments to carry out the task. You knelt in front of his head. As expected, the king smelled exquisite. It was strong, woody, and addictive. His pink hair was soft to the touch, but you tried to avoid touching it so as not to muss it. You dedicated yourself to cleaning the outside of his ear with a swab, concentrating on the helix and the back of the ear. Your hands were delicate around his sensitive ears and the friction did not bother him because it was minimal and warm. Sukuna's body began to relax as time passed. If he didn’t focus, he could fall asleep. 

Sukuna felt a shiver run down his back as you stuck a small wooden spatula into his ear to remove the excess earwax that prevented him from hearing well. You carefully dug so as not to hurt him. You could feel his discomfort in the way he squeezed his eyelids with each movement you made.

“Let me know if I get too deep, my king,” you said with a shaky voice. 

“Just do your damn job,” he answered grudgingly.

You continued cleaning his ear little by little. The task was not as complicated as you thought, but you could not let your guard down with a king who can decide your fate with a snap of his fingers. After wiping the outside with absorbent cotton, you were finally done with the first ear. Sukuna was falling asleep until you asked him if he could lie down on his opposite side so you could proceed with his other ear. He did so with a grunt of annoyance, as he was very comfortable on that side, while the couch creaked under the weight.

You took a deep breath. All you had to do was repeat what you had already done, and you would finish the task alive. You watched mesmerized as Sukuna's tattooed chest rose and fell from his steady breathing. Sukuna let out a whimper as soon as you stuck the spatula in too far. You already felt your throat being slit for a simple mistake. 

“Be careful! Can’t you do something so simple?” He grumbled. 

You apologized immediately and continued on your task as you lowered your head in fear. “Damn humans,” he thought with a frown. As soon as your magic fingers touched his ear, he got over his anger and returned to the oasis of relaxation where he left off. 

Sukuna let out a yawn as soon as you finished. A proud smile of your own escaped your lips. You had survived your first direct order. You glanced at the time on the large gold clock hanging over the door. It was getting late, and you had to get back to the kitchen soon to help with the dinner preparations. You returned the utensils to their respective places and got up to politely leave the place. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” Sukuna asked you as he got up from the couch to move to his giant bed. “Massage my head,” he ordered once again. You nodded obediently. 

His majesty's bed was lined with the softest fabrics in the world. The silk pillows were engraved with the flags of the kingdom, the blankets were of pure wool and the mattress appeared to be made of goose feathers. Sukuna's heavy head was on your comfortable lap. Your soft thighs were softer than her own pillows. Your magic fingers massaged his temples in circles. You could hear him purring subtly like a contented kitten, even though he was physically not as cute as one.

Before long, Sukuna was fast asleep. Seeing his eyes closed and his light breathing, you decided to go with the other servants to continue your work. As soon as you got off the bed, he left his heat provider on his side. Before you could continue your way to the exit, you heard that terrible voice behind you.

“Who told you could leave?” You froze in place and turned to face him. His red eyes looked at you with disdain, more on the terrifying side. “Come here,” your heart did a backflip when you heard that command. 

More than an order, it ended up being a warning. He pulled you by the white apron to capture you in his four strong arms. The warmth of his body and yours merged, causing the temperature to rise between you. Your body began to sweat from nerves. You didn't know what his intention was with you. You had never been with a man like this before, let alone a tyrant twice your size. All worry disappeared from your mind as he began to stroke your body slowly, taking care not to scratch you with his long black claws. 

Slowly, you could feel on your back as his majesty fell asleep. Sukuna did not snore as you thought he would. He let out a fainter, quieter sound, it was almost like a kitten with a stuffy nose. His arms around your waist and shoulders, his heavy breathing and comfortable chest encouraged you to fall asleep. “His majesty's orders,” you thought so you wouldn't feel so guilty about falling asleep.

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Masterlist.

[brucewaynehater101]

The first planet that Tim and his life partners conquered, the planet that became the seed of the empire, was an accident.

The planet was ruled by a terrible tyrant, they were petty and cruel just for the sake of being cruel. They also liked to hold mock battles and gladiator fights that frequently ended with the winners getting eaten by half starved predator creatures. And the tyrant liked to also fight in the arena themselves. They would even hold their crown as the ultimate prize. They always cheated though and so they always won.

When the C4 came to the planet, it was an accident and they ended up as gladiators in the arena. Tim, as one of the smaller ones in the group, got picked to fight the tyrant.

Unfortunately for the tyrant, Tim is also a cheating cheater who cheats. And Tim was a better cheater than the tyrant.

The tyrant lost. They survived but their crown was now placed upon the head of the little bird who beat him and there were more than enough who were sick of his rule and willing to take advantage of his weakness that they would support this little baby ruler, at least long enough to figure out a real ruler.

But then it turned out that the baby was good at the job? And the baby's companions? consorts? were really freakin' strong.

Another tyrant on a different planet found out about the first tyrant's failure and laughed and decided to take down this little baby on this planet that they thought was weakened and that they would take the planet under their control and begin an empire.

Things...did not play out that way. Tim goaded the second tyrant into another trial by combat with the respective planets up as collateral. Tim won. Tim now had two shiny hats and two planets who needed serious overhaul to support its inhabitants rather than be centralized on now imprisoned tyrants. (Tim absolutely cheated but only his team could catch how he did it)

The third planet that came under Tim's control did so because they were being bullied by a different planet and their own ruling class had been wiped out and could they pretty please join for their own safety? And Tim said yes.

The bully was neutralized with some blackmail. And then there was a rebellion and the formerly bully planet joined the empire.

Then two planets caught up in a genocidal war ended up essentially being put in time out by C4 who were trying to set up some trade routes and the war was getting in the way of things.

And so on and so forth until Emperor Obi Wan Kenobi now had an empire of over a dozen different planets, an empire that is still growing.

I like that there's now background lore for how Tim acquires his first few planets! This does sound like the chaos and unfortunate situations that Tim ends up in as well as the ridiculous (but somehow works out) solutions he comes across.

I'm also vibing with C4 acquiring the two planets by putting them in timeout. I'm just imagining Emperor Tim going up the planets, saying "quit it," and then the leadership of these two planets is just thrusted onto him. He did not ask, but he'll make do.

I'm also curious if he has an informational packet, announcement, powerpoint, or otherwise for new planets that join.

[smileyoongle]

Pairing- VampireKing!Jungkook × Human!Reader

Genre- Arranged Marriage AU (Sort of?), Enemies to Lovers, Soulmate AU

Summary- Jeon Jungkook was known to be a tyrant, destroying anything and everything to get what he wanted. And this time, he wanted you.

A/N- Hi guys, this chapter is not essentially a chapter in the series. It is more like an explanation of the current world order in the series' timeline. Please remember, there is going to be no taglist for this series, so keep your notifications on. Okay bye :-)

The Exodus: Unveiling the Origins and Consequences of the Night-Walker Dominion

By Elara Claxon

July 14th 1324

Three thousand years ago, the world witnessed a cataclysmic event known as The Exodus. It was a day when Hell, overwhelmed by an unprecedented number of sinners, could no longer contain them. In an act of desperation, the Devil unleashed these tormented souls upon the Earth, transforming them into vampires. They emerged from their graves, giving birth to an era of terror and bloodshed. These night-walkers, driven by an insatiable thirst for blood, wreaked havoc across the world, decimating entire populations and forcing humanity into hiding.

For years, humans struggled to survive, constantly on the run, seeking refuge from their relentless pursuers. In the midst of this chaos, they began to uncover the weaknesses of these creatures and devise means to counter their strength. It was during this dark period that two self-chosen leaders emerged—Theron for the humans and Aristarchus for the vampires. These leaders, whose names have since become legendary, met in secret to negotiate a fragile peace.

At the time, the world was divided into thirteen nations. Theron and Aristarchus brokered an agreement to partition these nations based on mutual understanding, creating a semblance of order amid the chaos. For a while, this uneasy truce held, allowing both humans and night-walkers to coexist in their respective territories.

However, not all vampires were content with the division. A faction of them, hungry for absolute power, revolted against the established order. They waged a brutal campaign, overthrowing the human-controlled kingdoms one by one until only a single human nation remained. Today, the world is divided into twelve vampire kingdoms and one human kingdom, a stark testament to the aftermath of the great night-walker revolt.

To govern their expanding dominion, the monsters established a ruling council known as the Domini, composed of the seven oldest and most powerful night-walkers. These ancient beings, with centuries of wisdom and strength, assumed control over the night-walker kingdoms. They decreed that one vampire would be chosen as Emperor, tasked with overseeing all thirteen kingdoms. Despite this, the human kingdom remained autonomous, refusing to acknowledge the night-walker emperor’s rule.

The Domini also codified a set of laws and principles in a tome called "The New Order." This book became the cornerstone of vampire governance, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both the Primas and the Foundlings. Primas, the pure-bred who were awakened from the grave by Hell or some miracle, held a revered status. Foundlings, created from turned humans, were often treated as outcasts within their own society.

In recent times, tensions have reached a boiling point. The humans, determined to reclaim their lost territories and sovereignty, have incited revolts across the vampiric kingdoms. These uprisings have led to widespread destruction and loss of life on both sides. Cities lie in ruins, and the streets run red with the blood of humans and night-walkers alike.

The world now stands on the brink of another great upheaval. The delicate balance maintained by The New Order is crumbling under the weight of renewed conflict. As humans fight to regain their power and night-walkers struggle to maintain their dominance, the future of this fractured world hangs in the balance. The Domini, once thought to be the unassailable rulers of the night-walker kingdoms, find their authority challenged at every turn. The ancient treaties and laws that once held the world together are now mere relics of a forgotten era.

In this tumultuous landscape, the fate of humanity and night-walker-kind alike is uncertain. The echoes of The Exodus still reverberate through the ages, a grim reminder of the chaos that can ensue when the balance of power is disrupted. As both sides prepare for the battles to come, one thing is clear: the world as it once was will never be the same again.

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and may we never lose hope.

For information, or to report news, please find us at:

23 Shadowed Alley, Raven's Cross, Valoria

The Eyewitness Post | Keeping the Light of Truth Alive in the Darkest Times

[adventure-showdown]

What is your favourite Doctor Who story?

TOURNAMENT MASTERPOST

synopses and propaganda under the cut

Scherzo

Synopsis

Once upon a time...

There were two friends, and together they travelled the cosmos. They thwarted tyrants and defeated monsters, they righted wrongs wherever they went. They explored the distant future and the distant past, new worlds and galaxies, places beyond imagining.

But every good story has to come to an end.

With no times or places left to explore, all the two friends have now are each other. But maybe that's one voyage too many. Maybe they'll discover things they'd rather have left undisturbed... hidden away in the suffocating, unfeeling, deafening brightness.

Once upon a time. Far, far away.

Propaganda

It’s a great and fucked up dissection of the Doctor and Charley’s relationship, with a healthy dose of body horror (anonymous)

you will never look at the handshake emoji the same way again (october)

Really creative concept. Puts 8 and Charley into a situation where they have to confront their relationship and what they mean to each other while dealing with an incredibly engaging creature. I can't name an audio that suits the medium better and Ive been consuming Big Finish at an alarming rate. Also noises™️ (anonymous)

Midnight

Synopsis

The Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble go to the leisure planet of Midnight for a simple, relaxing holiday. However, life with the Doctor can never be that simple, and things go horribly wrong for the Doctor when he decides to go off on a bus trip to see the Sapphire Waterfall, starting with the bus shutting down. When a mysterious entity infiltrates the shuttle bus, no one is to be trusted. Not even the Doctor himself...

Propaganda

Midnight is amazing. So thrilling. The monster was human fear and it cost the life of two innocent women. (plus two men on accident, well, more or less) And we never know what the midnight entity was. Perfect. My absolute favourite episode. The best thing is that it tricks you into liking the passengers before it slowly, slowly turns that into horror of what they're capable of. Chills every time. (Plus it's totally what inspired among us if you ask me) (anonymous)

[backonrepeat]

Thinking about Gortash being shaped by his time in the House of Hope.

Purposefully mimicking Raphael's accent and manner of speaking, elegant, sophisticated, confident, to disguise his own working class roots and mingle with the Gate's upper class. Matching Raphael's demeanor, his posture, the way he negotiates his deals and flatters his clients. Even the theatrics, to an extent. Raphael is a consummate showman, and from him Gortash learns that presentation is key to manipulating people's perceptions to his own ends.

His views on sex don't differ too much from Harleep's, if Lady Jannath's note is any indication. Sex is just a tool, a commodity, currency that can be used to manipulate people and gain favours. He has no issues with selling his body, as long as the price is right.

As much as he hates the Nubaldin, he also learns from him. Each blow, each cut, each excruciating form of torture gets committed to mind. What worked, what didn't, how did each one feel. It's all knowledge in the end, and if he so wants it, it's his to use.

His own belief and devotion to Bane, God of Tyranny, his desire for absolute order and control, and lawful evil alignment could be linked back. Devil's are famously hierarchical creatures, who believe in order (in opposition to demons who embrace chaos), and the rule of the strong over the weak. Know who is a famous, scheming, sweet-talking tyrant in d&d lore? Old Hoof and Horns himself, Asmodeus, Devil in Chief.

Even his disregard of Karlach's optimism, generosity and good heart. The only truly "good" person young Gortash ever met was Hope, a captive of Raphael tortured for years for refusing to renounce her principles. Her sister Korilla, instead chose to serve Raphael and is thriving, free to come and go as she wishes, granted warlock powers by Raphael, living her best evil life.

[yandere-heaven-nyxie]

Cries of The Wretched Imposter

•Part 3•

Character mentiond: Zhongli, Venti, Raiden Shogun/Ei, Wanderer, Tsaritsa,

Barbatos wouldn't be hunting down an imposter if it wasn't because he was forced to, he couldn't do it. He does not wish to be a hypocrite, for he himselves had stolen the face of his own friend. Whenever he was forced to hunt them down, he misses the arrow purposely with a pleading look whenever you turn your face towards him.

'Please... Run and be safe.' he thought, he isn't one to be a tyrant. He could see that your soul is gentle, he grips his bow as it disperse into golden particles he doesn't want to harm anybody.

Zhongli, the former Geo Archon. His opinion to obey the Creator is absolute, he shall hunt down the imposter if they oh-so desired it to be. Yet he couldn't, it's like the earth rejected him. Not moving in his command and impale you, it bounced back at him. Whatever he tried, even throwing the meteorite at you but it simply fell onto him. He grit his teeth in absolute rage and frustration, like a dog bearing it's fangs toward the real owner whom it had forgotten.

Raiden Ei, The Electro Archon. She who turned a blind eye towards her people in order to achieve her eternity. To fulfill and gain the righteous bit of attention from her Creator, when the moment the Imposter Hunt Decree had been established. She could feel herself almost ''happy'

Hunting you down when she heard you had stepped foot into Inazuma, she thought she could execute you publicly and earn the glorious reward. When the dog finally showed it's claws, has it realised that it's useless.. As the Mussou Isshin inch closer to slice your neck, the lightning struck down her sword, making it flew away from your neck. The lightning wasn't hers, she saw how the sky darkens more, mists covered the entire land of Narukami it almost reminded them of Tsurumi Island.

"How dare you bare your claws towards our Divine Creator!" The Thunder Manifestation voice booms, a sudden huge void opened in front of you. The Golden Wolflord slithers out of it menacingly, it towers over every citizens of Inazuma. The Shogun looks up in mild annoyance, using her sword to slice through the monstrous being but it does nothing. Her electro power was no longer working, squinting her eyes as she tries again but only to get struck down by Teyvat's lightning. She grits her teeth is anger 'What The Fuck?!'

"Your power is no longer working, You who dares to harm the All-Creator." The Golden Wolflord growls as he speaks. It's little cubs helping you to get off the makeshift guillotine. The larger ones carrying you careful to not harm you with its claws, teleporting you away from them "Your traitorous acts shall not be forgotten, you who has been believing in white lies." The huffs and growls from the Golden Wolflord, the people shiver in fear at the threat.

°~🌙~°

Wanderer who longed to have a heart, was granted with one. He could feel it thump in his chest whenever you get close to touch him, he's eager to be touched by you. He lays his head on your lap, tangling your fingers in his dark violet hair. Humming a soft tune that lulls him to sleep in the comfort of your presence.

He will do absolutely anything for you, anything if it means by killing someone, even that thing that mimicks you. That Disgusting Wretched Worm that tries to mock his god.

°~❄️~°

The Fatui was in a move, they were desperate to find you. They have a different intention unlike other foolish creatures that always follows blindly like a sheep toward that.. Thing.. They have long known that the one on the throne was not you, Tsaritsa saw it with her own two eyes. The blood that spilled from a sword of a traitor, it was red. Tsaritsa at first, was in doubt. Hopefully the blood turns gold after it dried right?

No.. It didn't, even after a few days, after it oxidize.. It just turns brown, just like that of a human. The Prophecy of how the All-Creator's blood is the most purest and divine, wrecked her brain like a tsunami. The fact that the Prophecy never lies, it was a record hidden away from most. Only those who truly recognised the All-Creator shall be granted to have it in their hand. The record was written by Teyvat itselfs, no beings can alter nor can they destroy the record.

_________________________________

Tsaritsa, The Cryo Archon herself. Held you in her arms, she knows that it is undignified and she is basically disrespectful toward you but she didn't care. She wanted to drown herselves in your presence, truly it had an impact on her unlike that imposter. The way you held her in your arms, cradling her taller form to be lower than yours so that you can hug her more comfortably.

She glance past you seeing Nahida and Wanderer, the betrayal of her 6th Harbinger didn't mind her one bit since he was loyal to you. You are everything that she devoted on since the beginning, she will make that thing that sat on the overly tainted gold throne pay. For fooling the entire world.

°~🔴~°

All the people that wronged you, sat on their knees. Begging to be forgiven, begging for anything except of this. All of them from when they scorned, tortured and chased you like an animal, now all of them begging to be forgiven from such sin. Some even tried to kiss your feet but they were kicked away from doing so by Wanderer, "You dare lay your dirty mouth on our Creator, that same mouth that wishes to kill them?!" The people cried and wailed as they were denied to do so

No amount of tears and prostrate will forgive them of their crimes.

That imposter who wore your face, had tried to escape first but failed as they were grabbed by the neck and almsot turned blue. That thing cried and beg to be let go but it's all futile, they shut their fcking mouth when they received death glare from your true acolytes. Your familiars walks beside you, it glowered at the people with hungry eyes. Ready to feast upon the traitors.

The imposter was scared to the bone, trying to get away from Lieu and Daru. Failing to do so as they drag it by the ankle and devoured them like it's their last meal, eaten alive as their guts spew out and dirtying the ground. Though that wasn't enough.

Resurracting that thing back alive again, this time their face was different. It was like those common npc faces, they were yet again tortured by the Harbingers, one by one resurrecting after dying. The blood that spew out of them wasn't gold, it was red. Even after it darkens, it stays that way. None were changed. The people who witnessed this punishment, shall have it engraved in their brain. Tattoo it, that they have worshipped an imposter all along.

All while you were sitting up your throne, a gentle smile plastered on your face, The Cryo, Dendro and Anemo Archon by your side. They all didn't spare a glanced toward that thing, Tsaritsa stared down at the people, "You shall not be forgiven even for eternity. Even until there's no end, Your sins shall not be erased."

The Imposter, died cruelly and rightfully by your hands. Their last words were "Please... End me already." You granted it but not in a pleasent way of course. You may be gentle but sometimes, a heart does not mean it's the only thing that exists within you. You are after all capable of ending anyone if you desired.

None shall forget that either.

Teyvat cheered as the Imposter dies, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming. On this day, People shall finally open their eyes. To realize what they had done, 'They' who are so blind. Fools who are just so gullible to trust anything on their path without thinking even one single bit.

—The End—

This may be a bit too rushed but I have many new ideas for some reasons.. Again I'm so sorry!! But I hope the new upcoming stories will be more interesting.

Tags: @mulandi @bittersweetorpheus @akemisamui @erosdevil @shizunxie @ehe-te-nandayou @kalims @fauxizs

[kennediffed]

Burnin' For You

Description: After being stuck in one of the tighter safe rooms in the RPD after a run-in with Tyrant, Leon gets a lesson on how his body works from you

Content: EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD (MINORS DNI), Handjob, oral sex (masc receiving), little use of y/n, mentions of afab anatomy from reader, cussing, light hair pulling (afab receiving), like one use of "good boy", mentioned injury, Leon's a virgin, Leon was sheltered and never got "the talk"

this ones a bit of a short one, ngl. also this was not proofread at all, prepare for errors.

Word Count: 1,006

Masterlist

Request Here

AO3 Version Here

~ It seemed like hours had passed since you were both stuck in the safe room after the creature literally chased you both inside. Truth be told, this one was a little tighter than the other ones and you'd be lying if the distance between the rookie cop who found you and you wasn't awkward at all. You felt like it was moreso a walkin closet than an actual room.

The situation was this: you and this rookie cop, named Leon, were stuck in a police station during the middle of a zombie apocalypse, and this recent encounter against a monster in a trench coat and fedora left you with a deep wound in your shoulder that's since been patched up.

"its… kinda a tight fit in here, huh?" you finally spoke up.

"y…yeah" he laughed. "more like a closet than an actual room"

"well, we hopefully wont have to stay here for much longer, the monsters hopefully gone far away by now"

you shifted your body and immediately felt something hard prod against your thigh

"Leon?" you asked.

He looked down, growing flush from embarrassment.

"I-… thats… never happened before…" he groaned "well, actually, this only happens when I wake up but- ah… what am i saying… I'm sorry (name)"

You sighed before looking into his eyes.

"Leon… have you never had a boner before?" you asked.

He looked at you, absolutely bewildered.

"What's that?" he asked.

You blinked in disbelief. "okay, lemme rephrase this: have you ever gotten the talk?"

He still looked at you in confusion.

"oh my god… you dont know what sex is, do you?"

He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"n…no, the extent of sex ed i got was 'don't do it unless you wanna make babies'" he confessed.

"ah, abstinence only… that explains a lot then…" you exhaled before looking up into his eyes again. "good ol procreation not recreation talk… fan-fucking-tastic"

Silence filled the tiny room- errr, closet.

"do you… want me to take care of it for you?" you asked suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"what do you mean?"

"i need a 'yes' or 'no' Leon… Ill ask again; do you want me to take care of it for you?"

his brows furrowed in concern.

"(name) you have an injured shoulder, i dont want you overextending yourself for my sake"

You looked up at him, a look of frustration clearly on your face

"Lucky for you, you don't need two arms for what I'm about to do"

You got down on your knees, your face level with his clothed erection.

"do you want me to help you out with this or not?"

he sighed before looking into your eyes.

"alright…" he stated "I trust you"

You smiled.

"good boy~" you said before you started with your little lesson.

"Now this" you motioned towards his hardness "is an 'erection'" you proceeded to explain as you slowly unbuckled the belt on his pants and undid the zipper.

He gulped as you did this. "o…okay" he shakily responded.

You then carefully pulled down the elastic on his boxers and watched his hardness almost slap his chest as it sprung out. He groaned as it was freed from the confines of his pants and looked down at you, lust filling his pupils.

"okay… now what?" he asked.

"well" you started, gently running your finger on the underside of his shaft, smirking when he groaned in response

"they dont go away easily.. you gotta give it attention, kinda like this" you wrapped your fingers around his length and pumped slowly, using his precum as a makeshift lube.

He whimpered from your touches.

"what is this feeling?" he moaned out.

"its called 'masturbation', dear rookie" you smiled

"h…how do you know this stuff?" he asked.

"books" you bluntly responded, continuing to pump your hand up and down, up and down, up and down.

his sounds were melodic to your ears and you giggled.

"do you like that, Leon~" you asked.

"you don't know what youre doing to me, (name)" he panted and you giggled again in response.

"do you want it to feel even better?"

he raised an eyebrow at you.

"you mean… theres more than one way to go about this?"

"of course, silly…" you removed your hand and readjusted yourself so your mouth was level with his hardened cock.

"do you trust me?" you asked.

he looked down at you "what're you?"

your mouth lightly latched onto the tip, sucking lightly as he hissed.

"oh fuck~" he whimpered.

you hummed as you took more and more of him in, bobbing your head slowly.

his moans continued as he struggled to figure out what to do with his hands before they landed in your hair. You giggled as you gently placed your hand on his thigh and licked the underside while it was in your mouth.

"ah- shit" his grasp on your hair tightened and you gasped as he grasped onto your hair. You kept going regardless.

"oh fuck~ fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…." he moaned "I feel like im gonna burst"

You removed your mouth from his cock, looking up at him gently.

"let it happen, its okay…" you shushed before going back to what you were doing.

"ah shit, fuck~ ahhh~" he whimpered before he let go, his seed traveling down your throat. Your gag reflex tried to kick in when it happened but you fought it, swallowing every last drop before removing your mouth.

"wow…" he said, out of breath before his eyes widened "uh you've got a lil… that… on your mouth…"

"cum" you said, wiping it off with your thumb and licking it before standing up.

you both noticed his erection hadn't gone away.

"its… still there.." he weakly laughed.

"I got another place you could stick that thing into, if youre interested of course~" you teased.

his ears perked up and you slowly started undoing your pants.

Perhaps you two could stay in here for just a while longer.

[lemmeurs]

okay. here is my 1600+ words essay on raphael. if anyone would like to adress anything from it, please do but keep it civil! i am so damn invested in this topic, i wanna hear everyone's thoughts

raphael rant

(DISCLAIMER: this essay was not written in order to justify Raphael as a character or any of his actions or intentions. i am completely skipping any point of morality, whether my own or just in general, i simply wanted to somehow try and write my feelings and thoughts down while looking at the whole thing from an objective point of view, analyzing the design of the game, the plotline and his whole persona and just.. idk i wanted to see whether anyone else felt the way i do because i have been going INSANE over this for the past few days)

hi. i have come here today to express my thoughts and feelings on Raphael the cambion and "his final act". this is being randomly and spontaneously written in my notes app so please excuse the absolute chaos that this essay will be (no i won't be rereading it, fuck it we ball) (CONTAINS BG3 ACT III SPOILERS!!)

first of all — i am so beyond devastated that he gets killed. and not just by anyone, he gets killed BY US. THE PLAYER. WE AS THE PLAYER DELIVER THE FINAL BLOW THAT ENDS HIS EXISTENCE. not only is that very upsetting (because come on, hot devil man, obviously i don't wanna kill him??) but it also makes me feel so.. awful. like, everything about this is wrong and i hate the fact that there is no other option.

because let's review the course of the story in the house of hope:

- we barge into his house unannounced, uninvited, while he is absent

- we invade his privacy by entering what's his own personal space (yes, i know he stole it from Hope in the first place but that is not the point here — whatever his devil business is, it's still HIS, you know?? like he is a devil, this is the kinda stuff they do and honestly? i didn't want to stick my nose into it. but obviously i did because tHe sToRy etc etc. but still, it was his own thing that basically doesn't affect the player in any way so TECHNICALLY you dont have to free Hope. you can, if your character's moral compass advises so, but it doesn't affect the main plot.)

- we then proceed to walk around his house freely, lie to his archivist in order to look at the stuff we're already planning to steal

- we meet his personal incubus whom then we have the chance to either use or kill (i fought Haarlep so that's the point of view i'm looking from at this here, in which case i also robbed their corpse) and we rob his safe. and his whole bedroom actually. we read his journals. we use his bath.

- then obviously we go and rob his entire archive which includes all of his most precious possessions

- upon stealing, we slaughter every single creature in his house, fighting our way through to get to Hope's prison

- we then kill the two spectators he has guarding her (they were probably super hard to obtain??) and we just. free his prisoner. because yeah, that is the right thing to do, IM NOT SAYING THAT'S WRONG, but let's say we skip morality for a second, let's just focus on the fact that we have no ulterior motives in freeing Hope. we just wanna mess with HIS business because why not since we're already ruining all of his plans.

- and then we have the audacity to try to leave before he comes back and act like we were never there while his entire house is turned to shit.

now let's look at this list again but this time keep in mind the fact that at that point, he hasn't done A SINGLE THING to us. like, he has never harmed us, he treated us with (let's call it) "respect" and politeness, he was fine with our hesitation towards his deal and was willing to give us time. he was never aggressive towards us, he was never "the enemy".

and now you can say - okay wtf is wrong with you, that man literally admitted his intention of conquering the worlds, enslaving all mortals and basically becoming the tyrant of all while also most likely stealing everyone's souls for his own pleasure.

yes, he did, and yes, that's bad. but just because those were his intentions does not give us the right to do all that shit to him AND THEN KILL HIM. AS IF WE HAD THE RIGHT TO SERVE JUSTICE HERE?? YEAH HIS PLANS ARE EVIL BUT IT IS NOT UP TO US TO DICTATE HIS CONSEQUENCES. HIS PLANS WOULD ONLY SUCCEED IF WE GAVE HIM THE CROWN IN THE END, SO JUST- DON'T?? LIKE DO YOU GET WHAT I MEAN. IM NOT TRYING TO JUSTIFY HIS ACTIONS OR INTENTIONS, BY ALL MEANS. i'm just trying to express how weird this all made me feel because not everyone decides to play as the selfless, lawfully good hero of all, protecting the world from all evil, ever! this is roleplay, afterall!

and them obviously he comes home. he is furious, as he should be. but mostly he's betrayed because, as weird as it may be, he trusted us. he admitted to growing "quite fond of us, in his own way". he thought we were some weird sort of.. acquaintances? friends maybe? (again, i know most of our relationship with him is mostly just him manipulating us but still, it's quite clear he wasn't expecting this betrayal) and we just barged in there and disrespected him in the worst way possible. so obviously he wants to kill us now and obviously we can kill him since he's just a boss in a game. and that's what we do. and then.. that's it. we're the good guys. we ruined a man's whole career because we needed one of his toys, murdered him in his own house and just left. and we're supposed to be the good guys.

i think the source of my problem is that Raphael is never introduced as evil. we don't meet him as the big bad villain that we know we'll have to kill at some point. i swear to god, at the beginning of act 3 i trusted that man way more than i trusted the Emperor and i was so close to agreeing to his deal just because i felt like i could trust him and he would keep me safe (for some reason, let's blame it on those wonderful eyes of his).

we meet him so early on in the game and he follows through all 3 acts, making it feel like he's gonna be some key character that will matter in the end - turns out, no! we were just supposed to rob and kill him. and that's literally it. talk about wasted potential.

when i first met him i got the "unofficial narrator" vibes from him, as if he was only supposed to seem intimidating and "evil" but you could sense there was so much more to him and i was dying to see how his story would unwrap. i was so ready for a redemption act, a plot twist, anything. man was i disappointed. because how cool would it be if he turned out to be a part of the "gather your allies" quest?? imagine having him as an ally and an ACTUAL friend in the end??

and don't even GET ME STARTED on what the orb in Helsik's shop shows you after you kill him. the fact that he's not even dead yet but ABOUT TO BE DEVOURED BY MEPHISTOPHELES. ABOUT TO BE DEVOURED. BY HIS FATHER. HE. WHAT. THATS THE ENDING HE GETS. and we are the ones that served it to him when he got RIGHTFULLY pissed at us for doing all that shit to him. and im supposed to just be fine with it?? i'm supposed to feel like this was the ending he deserved and i did the right thing??

god what i would give for a different way. idk. striking a new deal with him. saving him from Mephistopheles afterwards. REDEMPTION ARC?? ANYTHING?? NO? THATS IT THEN?

now i know that you dont HAVE to kill him, you can either agree to his deal or just ignore him and the house of hope altogether. but that just defeats the whole purpose of this character?? agreeing to his deal and giving him the crown at the end results in a pretty bad ending and ignoring him means that yeah, you don't have to kill him but you also don't get anything else from him anymore. like he has no other endings, just either death or his big evil plans. and for a game with so many choices and so much branching, it just feels almost weird that that's all he is there for. then why do we meet him in act 1? why does he follow through to act 2? (yeah, astarion, i know, but i cant help but feel like they could have put a completely different way to read his runes there if they didnt want Raphael specifically to help us) WHY ARE WE ALREADY SO USED TO HIM BY THE TIME HE PRESENTS HIS DEAL? if the whole hammer business is the only thing he's in the game for, then we may have as well been introduced to him only in act 3 during the whole Voss quest. but we knew him already and he felt like some sort of a.. friend lets call it? idk. this just does not make sense to me and makes me genuinely so sad.

as i'm writing this, it's the third day after ive completed the house of hope and i literally can not think about anything else. like my mind is just going on and on about this and i cant get over it!! im actually GRIEVING a fictional devil and i dont know what to do with all these.. thoughts.

so now i actually genuinely MISS THAT MF. I MISS HIM. GIVE HIM BACK. I WASN'T DONE AND NEITHER WAS HE. PLEASE PLEASE LARIAN I CAN FIX HIM—

okay i think thats it for now. idk i wrote this so chaotically i already forgot what i said and didnt say. im just. im feeling so many things. im so fucking sad and mad that this is how it ends. rest in peace hot devil man i will never forget you.

[bloodlust-1]

꒦꒷ Blood Bond ꒷꒦

Bound by blood, associated by marriage.

Gortash x fem Tav durge Explicit 18+

Chapter: 1

Summary: Bound by blood, associated by marriage. Dark Urge Tav, is not only chosen of Bhaal but also the chosen ruler of Baldur’s Gate. With Gortash as her hand-picked husband, Tav is forced to confront her troubled past. Memories long forgotten will resurface, tormenting her and driving a wedge between her and Gortash. As they engage in a dangerous dance of dominance, they struggle to strike a delicate balance between love and control. Join them on their tumultuous journey of discovering love in the most unconventional ways within one another.

No warnings. You know what you came here for.

"In Bhaal's name."

The last words whispered by Tav as she seized control of the world were not just words; they were a proclamation of her dominance. She reveled in her newfound power, relishing the fact that she was not only the chosen of Bhaal but also the chosen ruler of Baldur’s Gate.

Tav now had every ounce of power, every shred of strength, and every instance of manipulation at her command, all held within the grasp of her malevolent smile.

Enver Gortash, a man known for his unyielding control and unwavering allegiance to Bane, was not the most amiable choice, but he was undeniably the most competent. Together, they would co-rule with an iron fist. This was not just a decision; it was a declaration of absolute authority. The city belonged to her, and under her rule, it would bend to her every whim and desire.

A grand and opulent wedding was planned in Tav’s honor, but behind the facade of celebration lay a sinister motive. It was a calculated move on her part, a strategic maneuver in the treacherous game of politics.

She had no mercy about discarding countless suitors until she found one who could serve her ambitions without hesitation or remorse. Enver Gortash seemed to fit the position.

Nobles from distant lands were summoned to bear witness to the union between Tav and Enver, a marriage that would be sealed in blood and ambition rather than love. The event was destined to etch its name of history, for better or for worse.

Both tyrants anticipated that Tav would be revered as the lead figure over her king; after all, this was her kingdom, and she merely tolerated his presence within it.

The palace was adorned with deep crimson and bone-white decorations, creating an ominous atmosphere fit for a wedding. The dim light sparkled between the decorations’ blood-red crystals, casting eerie shadows across the grand hall.

Only the most influential figures of kingdoms attended, carefully selected by Tav. The dress code was a stark white for all guests, including Gortash, who stood at the altar, his dark eyes gleaming with anticipation as he awaited his malevolent queen to walk down the aisle.

As she made her entrance, the guests gasped in awe at Tav’s haunting beauty, her presence commanding the room like that of a malevolent goddess herself.

A tiefling she was, a creature of devil descends, her horns adorned with glittering red jewels that hung like stars, casting a sparkling reflection under the light. Her eyes burned with a demonic fire, a captivating beauty that was both terrifying and alluring.

The skin-tight dress was a deep, fiery red, with hints of white jewels that sparkled like ice, a mermaid-style gown that clung to her body like a lover’s embrace. Her aura asserted her dominance and power, a force that left all who beheld her in a state of awed terror.

As she walked gracefully down the aisle, her veil hung beautifully over her horns, that seemed to draw the very breath from the lungs of those who watched. The guests were not only scared of her, but hypnotized, their eyes seemingly unable to look away from the beauty and power that radiated from her very being.

This was Bhaal's chosen, a being of darkness and evil, and all knew that she would be a formidable partner in marriage, a bond that would be forever sealed in blood. Even Enver's eyes fell impressed at Tav's presence.

As she reached the end of the aisle, Gortash's sinister smile widened as he extended his hand, and she reciprocated. With a firm grip, he pulled her up the altar, their hands clasping together in a union that felt more like a shackle.

The priest cleared his throat, his eyes glinting with an unsettling tremble, “Man and woman are joined today in holy matrimony. Two bodies, one soul. A ceremony for the gods above and under to witness in the most joyous of days.” The words dripped with an ominous significance, sending shivers down the spines of the onlookers.

“Lady Tav and Lord Enver, may their blood twine together forever. Baldur Gate’s newest rulers. Bow in respect,” The crowd of guests then bowed their heads in respect, but it felt more like an act of submission.

Gortash could feel Tav’s dominance exuding over him. He knew that their power dynamic was destined to clash, yet he found himself bound to her in marriage. Despite what little Tav remembered of him, he calculated that this alliance would yield the greatest benefits for him. Tav, in turn, was nothing more than a strategic pawn in the game of matrimony, just as he was to her.

As Enver’s hands reached out to unveil Tav, she bowed slightly, allowing his hands to reveal the beauty concealed beneath the fabric. The sight of her unveiled stole his breath away, sending an unexcepted chill down his spine. It was on this very day, their wedding day, that Enver finally recognized just how pretty Tav was.

Tav clutched Enver’s icy hands tightly, feeling the cold seep into her own bones. As she gazed into his eyes, she realized just how real the wedding was.

For Tav, this was the closest they had ever been, and just by holding his hands sent a wave of uncomforting chills threw her.

Enver’s face bore a tapestry of scars, and Tav couldn’t help but recoil inwardly at the sight, in her mind she saw him as pathetic. Gortash’s visuals were not Tav's ideal, and this close proximity only accentuated the nature of his appearance.

His eyes were stained with dark circles, he was untamed, and a lack of grooming only added to Tav's lack of attraction for him.

Despite the ruggedness of his exterior, there was an undeniable allure in Enver’s physique. His body had a raw power and strength that Tav found most attractive. Yet, Tav found herself unimpressed still. At least he was smart in politics and ruling.

The priest held up the twisted blade of Bhaal. "By tradition of Bhaal, may their blood bond them." He handed the blade to Tav.

Tav reached out for the dagger and settled the blade on the opened palm of her hand; a sense of anticipation filled the air. With a wince, she drew the blade across her skin, feeling the sharp sting as it sliced open. Her blood trickled out.

She then handed the dagger to Gortash, who reciprocated the same actions with equal intensity. His frown mirrored Tav’s as he too felt the searing pain in his palm. The two of them stood facing each other, their eyes reflecting a mix of determination and seriousness.

Finally, Tav and Gortash joined hands, intertwining their fingers tightly. Their blood mixed together. In that moment, they became blood-bonded under marriage, their commitment sealed with pain.

Their eyes locked in an emotionless and piercing gaze, as if each was trying to unravel the other’s thoughts. Tav closed her eyes, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions coursing through her.

She leaned into Enver’s face, her heart pounding in her chest. The truth was, she did not want to look at his face as their lips joined, but she couldn’t resist the pull of the moment. As their lips met, a rush of sensations overwhelmed her.

Enver’s grip tightened around Tav’s waist, pulling her into a close-knit embrace that sent shivers down her spine. The touch was both gentle and possessive, igniting a fire within her that she struggled to contain.

A moment of excitement flowed through Tav’s veins as she did not expect Gortash to be so rough, yet there was an undeniable thrill in the unexpected intensity of his actions.

The crowd awed and clapped in submission as the couple joined lips. The main event was over and small sighs of relief could be heard ever too slightly within the crowd. The night was joyous as they celebrated their newly found marriage among the nobles. The facade they kept the night would last until the moment they lay in bed with each other.

~

Tav slowly unpinned the clips that held her luscious locks in place, allowing them to cascade down her back like a waterfall of silver. She stood before the mirror, her eyes locked on her reflection, and a smile spread across her face. She was finally in the palace, and she was ready to take her rightful place as the queen.

Gortash’s figure appeared in the reflection behind her. With an unfazed gaze, Tav reached for the brush and began to comb her hair, all the while acutely aware of his presence. “It’s not polite to hover, darling,” she uttered.

“It comes off rather desperate,” Tav added, her words laced with a hint of disdain as she addressed his reflection.

Gortash scoffed in a small chuckle. He too can play these games with Tav just as well as she could. His hands fell on her shoulders, it was cold and firm. His eyes stared into the mirror as he planted a soft trail of kisses down Tav's neck. "I was hoping you would join me in bed." His voice left his lips smoothly. Only hinting at one thing.

Tav drew in a deep breath, and with an uninterested tone, “We’ve already sealed our marriage in blood.”

"But not body and soul. Come - join me in bed, wife."

Tav playfully clicked her tongue in mock sorrow, “Has Bane not granted you the gift of your own hands?” Her expression held a mix of mischievousness and playfulness, “I want to make it clear that I will not be accompanying you with sex. If you touch me, I will not hesitate to become a widow on my wedding night.” Tav continued to brush her hair unfazed.

Gortash pulled back his hand, He spat back at Tav, "Wait until it's you, begging to be fucked." He took off his shirt and pants, only climbing into the bed in his underwear.

Tav couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Gortash’s annoyance. She gracefully undressed, revealing a striking red-laced bra and panties, complemented by a flowing laced robe with an elegant train that trailed behind her as she made her way to the bed.

Tav's full lips shined along with her big silver eyes. Her tail swayed gently as she gazed down at him with a soft expression. Gortash found Tav incredibly attractive, though the feeling was not reciprocated, at least not for now.

Tav deliberately averted her gaze from Enver’s face, instead focusing on his muscular physique. His chest and abdomen were covered with a trail of hair that gradually thickened as her eyes traveled downward. Her lips parted slightly, forming a soft gap as she remained silent, simply gazing at him.

His eyes caught her gaze as it trailed down his body, and he squinted at her reluctantly. “Please, indulge yourself if you like it so much,” he growled teasingly in a low mumble. Despite still being annoyed with her, he made an effort to maintain a conversation.

Tav climbed onto the bed, crawling on her hands and knees to accompany his side. Her body lay elegantly on the bed in her own softness. Tav's hand reached out for his face; His stubbled cheek prickled her skin and she dragged her nails gently down his face.

"Such a good husband, listening to your wife. Good choice." Tav laced sensual words, "A waste of space you were until now. My chosen, My- " Tav brought her face closer to his and purposely exhaled her heat against his lips teasingly, "husband." Tav pulled away suddenly and smiled tauntingly, "Good night."

She turned her back from him, taking her robe off before finding herself under the bedsheets. Tonight would be no intimacy between the couple. Only lust, manipulation, and taunts. Gortash knew Tav was a completely different woman, he had to start all over with her.

It only made him want her praise more.

Next part here

Any Thoughts? Comment 👇🏼 I love to engage!

[spacebarbarianweird]

Hi, saw your Archfey warlock headcanons and since I made a foul mouthed elven durge who was a great old one warlock can I have some headcanons for Astarion x Great Old One Warlock? Wrote that the eldritch patron relies on her making blood offerings for their pact.

I am playing the Great Old One Warlock in one the DnD campaigns and I am a sucker for Lovecraftian Horror! Couldn't resist to write it!

There is a list o Great Old Ones you can choose as your patron. Ghaunadaur, Dendar, Zargon, Kezef, Moander. All equally ancient, evil and insane.

Masterlist

Headcanons

Astarion x Great Old One Warlock!Tav

Your patron is a mysterious entity whose nature is completely alien to the fabric of reality.

Unkillable and utterly insane.

An eldritch abomination.

You have been cursed with the pact when you were a child.

Something saved your life and made you a warlock.

Erasing your memories in the process.

You have no idea who your patron is.

What is the price of your abilities?

And what will happen to you once you are in debt?

You were cast away from your home.

"You reek of unimaginable horrors," the elders said. "Begone!"

You want to suppress your magic, you don't want to use it.

But here and there you have to protect yourself.

And the creature you belong to grants more and more spells for you to use.

Phantasmal Force, Dominate Person, Summon Aberrations...

In exchange, you lose your sanity.

The madness grasps your mind and forces you to do awful things - murdering, torturing, and using the most disgusting spells on people you love.

By the time you are kidnapped, you've become a hermit, barely speaking to anyone for ages.

"You have this aura of desperation," Astarion notices, trying to get past your guard.

"No way," you bitterly chuckle.

But you like having someone by your side, to forget madness at least for a night.

The patron casts nightmares upon you forcing you to see the Abyss and dimensions so terrifying a mortal mind can't apprehend it.

One night you wake up restrained in Astarion's tent.

The vampire looks terrible, he has burns and bruises, and his hand is broken.

You attacked him in your madness and he barely survived.

"Now you tell me everything. Everything you know," he orders.

You want a break-up. You can't let him die from your hands. He won't become a sacrifice to your evil master.

He brushes it all off. He will help you. You are in this together.

But you need to find who is your master.

Astarion teaches you Abyssal - the language of the evil deities and demons of the Abyss.

"I actually was thinking to summon one of those evil bastards to set myself free. But the language is so profane and cursed I never dared to use it."

You fear to see your master. You have been looking for answers all your life but you know you won't like them.

You make a treaty with Rafael to betray the Emperor but once you try to sign the papers with your blood, the devil refuses to keep the deal.

"You are already bound with the force I don't want to have anything in common. Cazador's profane ritual is just fae magic in comparison with your servitude."

But you can't allow the Emperor to control the Absolute.

You summon your patron, spewing words in Abyssal.

The world around you disappears.

You are floating in the primal darkness.

And you finally see it.

Your master.

Zargon.

The Devourer in the Depths, the Invincible Tyrant.

You aren't told the reasons, the purpose. It's all beyond your comprehension.

You are given the powers to save the world from Mindflayers, but it comes with a price.

Zargon the Returner is back to the Prime.

With you as its loyal devotee and priest.

You lose yourself to madness.

You remember who you are. Who you were. But there is nothing left of the person Astarion fell in love with.

You are someone utterly evil, someone he can't even recognize.

"Are you even the one I loved?"

You force him to stay with you. You can do it as Zargon's warlock.

You stripe Astarion of his freedom, his free will, making him your consort and forcing him to see the horrors you at your patron's orders.

He runs away. At least once a year. You let him do it before sending one of your slaves after him.

"It's not real you. It's not you"

Decades pass and the cult of Zargon spreads through Faerun with its unholy rituals.

Astarion still hopes the person you once was is locked somewhere. He just needs to set you free.

Even if it means challenging the Great Old One.

--

Tag list

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[darkdemeter]

NOT FOR SALE

✘DARKSIDERS FILED CLIPPINGS | Horsemen x Female Watcher!Reader

NOTES 🗯️ ↳ Ha! I forgot that I posted this clipping on AO3.

────────────────────────

As a keen observer over the Horsemen, it is your duty as their watcher to keep them in line. To ensure that the siblings don’t meddle in causings of trouble. That nothing that they do conflicts with the Council’s standard beliefs.

But half the time, it’s them that watch over you. After all, you are rather comparable to War in regard of your age, even noted as maybe being younger than he is. And because of your lack of experience in the realms beyond the Council, it’s not entirely surprising that an encounter with the demon trader, Vulgrim, is an advance taken as something of an offence. His arrival had been hauntingly forthcoming, springing up from the serpent hole with a vigour of green mists that reek of the foulest smells the void has to offer. Humans were fortunate that the smell of souls was something beyond them – an invisible odour – however that fortune didn’t extend to beings like yourself and that of the demon before you.

“Greetings, Horsemen,” he purrs wickedly with a bow of his horned and cowled head. “It has been quite some time since we last… exchanged business.” A wide, lipless mouth full of fangs contort into a gruesome grin and his beady eyes shrink further into a thin fashion of perverted intrigue. His taloned hands clink together with a merchant’s contemplation. The plotting thoughts of a bargain and demise.

The Horsemen in your so-called charge each have a past’s moment of reflection with their own dealings with such a loathsome creature, and each of them held little to no absolute soft place for the trader. “What do you want, Vulgrim?” Death finally rumbles beneath the pale shell of his mask, amber eyes narrowing suspiciously. “I merely heard your approach and thought it best to lend my wares… for the right price, that is.” Vulgrim’s answer is nothing but trouble, his tone is low and venomously tricky, laced in a cocoon of self-gain and hungering profit.

Then his eyes turn to you fully and his attention is absorbed. With a noise akin to a feral infused growl, he reaches a hand forward, finger just catching the fainted wisps of hair atop your head. His nose – or the hole where one should be – drags your scent inwards. “Your Watcher would most certainly do,” he coos with a dark, throaty chuckle, fingers rapping against his worn and bony palms. “That scent… so young… so spectacular!”

You shrink away behind the Horsemen just as his clawed fingers attempt to reach for you again, to curl around you and drag you forth into his grasp. Both Strife and War can feel the intensity of your shadowed form quivering behind their backs. “She’s not for sale,” War says with a hardened glare and snarl. Strife then interjects quickly with a tilt of his head, “And that’s a whole new level of creepy, man.”

The soul trader appears to sigh in his agitated disappointment but is swift to conceal it. “Very well, be puppets to the Council at her hands, but that is not my concern. Now, I trust you have… other souls to trade then?” “For information of the demon tyrants,” Death attends to clarify sternly before any form of transfer can be complete. Vulgrim nods with an exhale passing the decayed gums between his fangs. “Of course.”

With a confirming nod, you watch the whirlwind of souls come to, their screams are hollow and faint at first before they’re consumed by the merchant, his hunger a sight that churns the pit of your stomach awfully. To think of those souls, be them the innocence of humans, the holy of angels or the evils of demons; all are absorbed into the maw of Vulgrim.

“The troublesome band of demons you hunt passed through this barren wasteland only days ago. They make their way to their den… to slumber… to regain themselves before their next traversal.”

Fury steps forward with a pearly glare, the steel tip of her heel buries into the crusty dirt beneath her unspoken threat. Her hand is idle, but it looms dangerously over the hilt of Scorn. “Where is this den?”

Vulgrim rumbles deeply and the sound echoes to the point it shakes you, and you fearfully dare to peer between the towering shoulders of War and Strife, only for your eyes to meet Vulgrim’s. His grin is still present and terribly wicked. “Are you sure she’s not for sale— aggh–!”

Vulgrim claws at the coiled chain wrapped around his neck and that threatens the thread of his own soul, Fury’s temper flaring behind her growl, “The den!” “Fury, stand down,” orders Death. His sister scoffs at the order but eventually relents and Vulgrim tends his fingers to the assaulted area, like a mangy hound licking its plague-infested wounds.

“Not too far from here. A day’s ride that a-way.” He points in the direction of East before he gauges the Horsemen’s reactions. Indeed, none of them were flinching in their resolve. You were nothing of a trading chip. Unsellable. With a less formal exchange of farewells, your group ventures in the direction Vulgrim directed. You feel his eyes on you as you pass, a whimper trembles in the chasm of your hollow throat when you hear him sharply inhale again, fingers snagging hold of the shadow curls of your hair, but not for long before each of the Horsemen make to unsheathe their weapons upon him, he’s quick to slink some distance away from you.

“Ah, ah,” Strife tuts gruffly, finger plucking at the trigger of Redemption. “As we said, Vulgrim… she’s not for sale.”

Death’s words were meant as a warning to be heard once. If the Horsemen so much as found him leering at you again, then they’d have a less civil encounter the next time. For their little watcher, a silent ghost of them, is not for sale.

[redtsundere-writes]

Would you consider continuing sukunaxservant? I’m in love with that au 💗💗💗

🥺👉👈 I beg

Hiya! Since you guys and Wattpad ate up my King!Sukuna x Servant!Reader one-shots, I decided to turn it into a series on Wattpad and AO3!

The first 4 one-shots (Ear Cleaning, Ribs, Blood Bath and Eyes on Me) will be included, but they'll be longer and better. So if you like any of those caught your attention, please check out the full version :) Thank you for the support!

Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen

PICK YOUR FAVORITE!

AO3 or Wattpad?

CHAPTER 1 PREVIEW! ↆ

Sukuna walked through the corridors illuminated by the dark sun that ruled among the kingdoms. His long, heavy footsteps made the marble floor rumble under his weight. His sharp profile, tattooed shoulders and large body, contrasted by the reddish sky of the cursed land, terrifying any small human who encountered him. He was a king who could control anything thanks to the terror that his large body and absolute power conveyed. He had the power on his hands to kill whatever and whenever he wanted like an omnipotent god, but he liked to watch his rats run from one side to the other to obey his mercy. It amused him to play with his servants to the point of making them cry, tremble or, in extreme cases, commit suicide. He had plenty of servants, so he could afford to kill as many as he wanted. The poor uniformed humans trembled if his dark eyes rested on them. They all tried to dodge him at all costs to avoid performing tasks that involved being near him, especially cleaning his ears. 

Being a monster with senses sharpened to the max, he hated having his ears touched, but it was necessary for him to clean them to have his five senses ready for any battle. He is not someone ticklish, but his ears are the most sensitive part of his entire body. He could clean his own ears himself, but what kind of almighty, omnipotent king would clean his own ears when others could do it?

His eyes navigated through the long and endless corridors of the terrifying castle where he lived with all his subjects. The king's home was a place where darkness, cold, and uncertainty dominated the atmosphere. Even though it was surrounded by luxuries, it felt more like a secret attic than a castle fit for a king. Silver chandeliers, red candles parading on the walls and furniture upholstered with exotic fabrics from around the world decorated each room that was commonly surrounded by portraits made by hundreds of artists who feared for their lives. 

His predatory eyes sought out the first poor servant that crossed his path. He heard the bristles of a broom being scrubbed against the floor. Sukuna spotted a small figure sweeping one of the guest rooms. There you were, humming a song softly from your childhood as you made the broom dance from side to side. You were so focused on your task that you didn't notice the king standing dangerously close to you. As you turned around, you suddenly bumped into his imposing body, giving you a mini heart attack. Dressed in elegant robes, gold rings on each finger and with a wicked grin on his face, he was looking at you as if you were a despicable creature he could get rid of in the blink of an eye. 

You are the youngest and most inexperienced servant in the entire castle. You had not been living there for more than two months, so your direct interactions with the king had been few. Sukuna saw you from head to toe. He remembered you perfectly from the day he met you. Your neatly combed pigtails with two white bows showed off your innocence, the corset accentuated your small waist and the long brown skirt covered your promising legs. He accepted it, you were cute. Other than that, you were a disgusting human like everyone else, but there was something about you that caught his attention. Sukuna didn't know exactly what it was that you had. For the time being, he would continue to treat you as you deserved for being a nasty rat. Immediately, you knelt before your majesty. Your head rested in your hands against the freshly swept floor, your fingers barely touching his feet because of the closeness. 

“Are you having fun?” Sukuna asked, sarcastic. 

“No, my king,” you answered quickly, avoiding making eye contact. 

Sukuna placed one of his bare feet on your back. The oppressive weight crushed you against the cold floor. You prayed inwardly that your bones wouldn't start to creak. You bit your lower lip and closed your eyes tightly to avoid letting out a moan of pain. Having satisfied his need to make the new maid see who her master is, he removed his foot from your agonized back. You took a deep breath to fill your lungs with air again. 

“To my room. Now,” he ordered without deigning to look at you before leaving the room. You remained on the floor, slowly catching your breath. A metal taste touched your tongue. You bit your lower lip so hard what it was bleeding.

FULL CHAPTER ON WATTPAD / AO3!

[rukkako]

Yknow, back in the day of around 4??? 5 months ago??? i was playing warframe like every other day, when, upon finishing this one grineer extermination, I recieved this weird transmission. Something about a "candidate" being "ready". While I was heading to extraction I came across this one enemy marked by a red dot, so, without thinking much about it, I killed him and mercy'd him. I remember thinking "damn. My nova prime is so cool" while I looked at her absolutely demolish this random grineer's liver with her parazon. It was only when I returned to my orbiter that I was made aware of what I had just done. I had created him. Coheg Rott.

I didn't know what was happening; who was this man? Why did he have my nova's little bow on his shoulder? Why was he so unbelievably fucking stupid? I stood there, maw agape, listening to Coheg telling me about how I had "taken his arms and his legs but that was no more" and how he "lived and killed, killed and lived" and how he now had a "SECTORRRRRRRRR" and I remember thinking "oh boy. I hope this isn't that much of a problem."

Coheg then proceeded to take my fucking shit every time I went to earth. He took my money. He took my void traces. He even took my rare mods. And every. fucking. time. I had to listen to his stupid ass voice. Telling me how he "was the boss now" and how "Sectorrr… is… mine…!!!! sectorrr!!!! yes!!!!!! sectorrrrrrr!!!!!!!"

I hated Coheg. I grew to absolutely despise him. I had now a bastard, ugly, stupid child taking my lunch money every time I dared go to earth. It was devastating really. I didn't do anything about it for months, and during that time my hatred and contempt for him grew. So I started hatching a plan.

I had to take him down. I couldn't stand the idea of having created such a creature. A tyrant with the brain capacity of a goldfish. So I wised up (watched a bunch of youtube tutorials on liches) and I learnt some stuff. You have to kill his thralls. You have to keep stabbing him in the gut. You need to find out the correct mod order. You want him to have a good weapon like the Kuva Nukor or the Kuva Bramma, and not something like a Kohm.

So I started my mission. I went into his territories. I killed his slightly less ugly children (you're telling me this guy FUCKED?????) and I started stabbing him repeatedly. And getting those requiem mods, oh, it was QUITE the god damn pain, but it was worth it. All to see my bastard son Coheg retort and twist in pain and scream in fear and rage. It filled me with a satisfaction unknown to me up til then.

So I kept. on. doing it. Each time he ran away and each time I relentlessly followed him. He managed to get to sedna. During my travels, I met some kind strangers that stuck with me and helped me take my bastard son Coheg down, them also dealing with their own paternity problems.

And so the moment came. I finally stabbed Coheg three times with my pointy arm weapon and he fled to the proxima region. It. Was. Time.

I equipped my nova. She started this, she had to finish it.

He wailed and screamed and yelled. But he went down in no time.

And I was about to vanquish him… when I remembered.

"This fucking sucker has a Kuva Kohm."

And I realized that, during all that adventure, I'd started to… become used to his fucking raging stupidity. That if I killed him, I was gonna… miss him.

So I didn't.

He follows my orders now. Sector ISN'T his now. And my Coheg nightmares are over.

What's the lesson here folks? Always check out what weapon someone is gonna give you before sleeping with them. Also, I would make an absolutely dogshit abusive mother. So I guess I'm not having any children in the future.

Thanks for reading. And for the last time: Fuck you Coheg. (Affectionate)

[richincolor]

New Releases - Tuesday, May 14, 2024

We missed one title last week, so we wanted to make sure to highlight it this week.

Perfect Little Monsters by Cindy X.R. He Sourcebooks Fire

Someone has murdered the queen bee of Sierton High School. All the dead girl’s friends are suspects. And each one has a reason for wanting her dead.

Ella Moore was the most popular girl in school…and also the most hated. When she’s murdered at her own party, there are too many suspects to count--and too many people who think she deserved it. The police’s prime suspect is the new girl, Dawn Foster. She was the last to hand Ella a drink on the night Ella died. Plus, all of Ella’s friends with a motive for wanting her dead are more than willing to implicate Dawn.

But Dawn refuses to go down without a fight. She’s determined to clear her name. As she delves deeper into the past, she discovers that Ella and her friends had enemies, and someone is out for revenge. She must uncover the truth before the police arrest the wrong suspect and before the next person dies.

Now on to the many books for this week:

Blood & Fury (Chaos & Flame #2) by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland Razorbill

A single kiss set Chaos ablaze.

Picking up months after betrayal transformed Darling Seabreak into the long-lost Phoenix and every House regent into their empyreal form, Darling struggles to make sense of her destiny as a legendary creature. How can she, an orphan with no family, be the one to reunite the fractured houses and bring about peace, if she can’t control the magic of her new Phoenix body?

Talon Goldhoard, still in love with Darling but wounded by her betrayal, is tasked with ending the vicious war that his family instigated. With the Phoenix reborn, Talon is hopeful that the bloodshed will end swiftly. Instead, the kingdom grows more fraught, with the threat of violence ever present – especially from dark, conniving forces within the walls of his own House Dragon.

As Chaos reigns, Talon and Darling must find their way back to each other – not only to survive but to save the kingdom. Can Darling harness the power of the ancient magic that runs through her blood to bring about a new peace? Or will the fury that House Dragon fueled for a hundred-year war be too strong to break?

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur Feiwel & Friends

Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.

1506, Joseon. The people suffer under the cruel reign of the tyrant King Yeonsan, powerless to stop him from commandeering their land for his recreational use, banning and burning books, and kidnapping and horrifically abusing women and girls as his personal playthings.

Seventeen-year-old Iseul has lived a sheltered, privileged life despite the kingdom’s turmoil. When her older sister, Suyeon, becomes the king’s latest prey, Iseul leaves the relative safety of her village, traveling through forbidden territory to reach the capital in hopes of stealing her sister back. But she soon discovers the king’s power is absolute, and to challenge his rule is to court certain death.

Prince Daehyun has lived his whole life in the terrifying shadow of his despicable half-brother, the king. Forced to watch King Yeonsan flaunt his predation through executions and rampant abuse of the common folk, Daehyun aches to find a way to dethrone his half-brother once and for all. When staging a coup, failure is fatal, and he’ll need help to pull it off—but there’s no way to know who he can trust.

When Iseul’s and Daehyun’s fates collide, their contempt for each other is transcended only by their mutual hate for the king. Armed with Iseul’s family connections and Daehyun’s royal access, they reluctantly join forces to launch the riskiest gamble the kingdom has ever

Save her sister. Free the people. Destroy a tyrant.

It Waits in the Forest by Sarah Dass Rick Riordan Presents

Unlike the other residents of the small Caribbean Island of St. Virgil, Selina DaSilva does not believe in magic. With a logical mind and a knack for botany, Selina used to dream of leaving the island to study Pharmacology—until a vicious, unsolved attack left her father dead and her mother in a coma.

Now her guilt over her mother’s condition keeps her tethered to the island, relegated to conning gullible tourists with useless talismans and phony protection rituals. But when one of those tourists ends up at the center of a string of strange murders, the truth that Selina has been denying can no longer be there is evil lurking in the forests that surround St. Virgil. Another thing that can’t be avoided? Selina’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel, newly employed at the local newspaper and eager to put his investigative skills to use.

Desperate to put an end to the killings and claim justice for Selina’s family, these two former lovers race to find answers. But evil bides its time. And as long-buried feelings and long-hidden secrets about Selina’s family’s past begin to reveal themselves, only one answer remains—and it waits in the forest.

Thirsty by Jas Hammonds Roaring Brook Press

It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut.

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

10 Things I Hate About Prom by Elle Gonzalez Rose Joy Revolution

The best things in life come in pairs. Peanut butter has jelly, Taylor has Selena, and Ivelisse Santos has Joaquin Romero. They are not only next-door neighbors; they’re platonic soulmates. Ive gets Quin like no one else.

At least, she thought she did before Joaquin shocks her by revealing that he wants to ask Tessa Gordon to prom. Tessa freaking Gordon. The same Tessa Gordon who spread the rumor that Ivelisse started the infamous Second Grade Lice Outbreak. Why her?

Tessa and Joaquin are a match made in popular kid heaven. The head cheerleader and the star of the baseball team going to prom together makes more sense than Joaquin and Ivelisse—a member of tech crew—would. But just because it makes sense doesn’t mean it should happen.

To make matters worse, Joaquin wants Ivelisse’s assistance planning the grandest, most elaborate promposal Cordero High has ever seen. To win the queen bee over, he’ll have to go bigger than any of their peers have ever gone. Ivelisse would rather wrestle a bear than wingwoman Joaquin.

But with senior year coming to an end and their paths diverging, she’ll take all the quality time with Joaquin she can get. So, she swallows her pride. At first.

True Love and Other Impossible Odds by Christina Li Quill Tree Books

College freshman Grace Tang never meant to rewrite the rules of love. She came to college to move on from a grief-stricken senior year and to start anew. So she follows a predictable Attend class, study, go home and visit her dad every weekend. She doesn’t leave any room in her life for outliers or anomalies.

Then, Grace comes up with an algorithm for her statistics class to pair students with their perfect romantic partners. Though some people are skeptical, like Julia, Grace’s prickly coworker, Grace is confident that her program will take all the drama out of relationships. That’s why she keeps trying to make things work with her match, a guy named Jamie. But as the semester goes on and she grows closer to Julia, Grace starts to question who she’s really attracted to.

In award-winning author Christina Li’s YA debut, Grace will have to make a choice between the tidy equations she knows will protect her from heartbreak or the possibility that true love doesn’t follow any formula.

Road Home by Rex Ogle Norton Young Readers

This final, essential chapter in Rex Ogle’s memoir trilogy recounts being forced from his home and living on the streets after his conservative father discovered he was gay.

When Rex was outed the summer after he graduated high school, his father gave him a choice: he could stay at home, find a girlfriend, and attend church twice a week, or he could be gay―and leave. Rex left, driving toward the only other gay man he knew and a toxic relationship that would ultimately leave him homeless and desperate on the streets of New Orleans. Here, Rex tells the story of his coming out and his father’s rejection of his identity, navigating abuse and survival on the streets.

Road Home is a devastating and incandescent reflection on Rex’s hunger―for food, for love, and for a place to call home―completing the trilogy of memoirs that began with the award-winning Free Lunch.

The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood Wednesday Books

1863, Pennsylvania

War doesn’t scare Jerusalem—she’s a Saint. Thanks to powerful demigod-style reflexes, endurance, and strength, she’s fearless. And ever since the Confederates declared civil war, partnering with the vampires who benefitted off slavery, she and her battalion of Saints are essential to the Union army.

Jerusalem herself had been enslaved by a vampire, escaping North only after her family was murdered. She knows the enemy better, hates the enemy more than anyone in her battalion, and has been using it to her advantage since she joined the war a year ago. More than anything she wants revenge, but if she can help Black people gain freedom and equality without having to steal it for themselves like she had to, then all the better.

But she never expects to have to team up with a vampire to do it. Alexei is one of those handsome, arrogant Ancient Vampires. But he’s on the Union’s side, and in the year they’ve known each other, has never done anything but prove he’s on hers.

Together, they set out to change the course of the war and take down the vampire who destroyed everyone Jerusalem loved. But for her, it’s about more than justice.

It’s about killing a god.

This Night Is Ours by Ronni Davis Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

It’s the longest day of the year, and eighteen-year-old Brandy Bailey has just received the worst news of her She’s been accepted to a top nursing school, making her mother overwhelmingly proud.

The thing is, Brandy wants to be an artist. She knows all the risks of chasing her dream. She’s heard them from her mother over and over.

On top of that, Brandy’s annoying classmate from high school, the startlingly handsome Ben Nolan, is catching his far-fetched dream of being an actor. Why does he get to be fearless while she has to be practical? Ben is the last thing Brandy wants on her mind, so of course today is the day he decides to glue himself to her hip. Now his perfect face is right there in the cacophony crashing through her head.

Spinning in too many directions, Brandy’s emotions clash with the flashing lights at the town’s summer carnival. Can she have one extraordinary night before everything changes?

[rhaenin-time]

I worry that someone will capitalize on HotD by adapting The Anarchy into a historical fiction movie/show.

There's so much potential there: Empress Matilda fighting to be queen regnant in her own right — with her bastard brother (one of the most powerful and respected lords in the kingdom) as her right hand man. Versus not just her cousin, but his queen consort, Queen Matilda. Whom at one point, when Stephen was captured, was leading the cause on her husband's behalf.

That's right, Matilda vs. Matilda. One fighting for her own power, another for her husband's. To be forever compared and contrasted as the good woman and the troublesome one. At one point not only heading their causes against each other, but negotiating with each other when each takes their highest ranking male hostage.

It would be fascinating to explore how these two women were treated differently, are still treated differently.

Even though a Queen Regnant was unheard of, there was also no law against it (sound familiar?) Which meant that she was subjected to misogyny in a lot of insidious, "It's not because she's a woman; it's because she's a BAD woman," kind of ways. People would point to other reasons to obfuscate their true objection. You know, because that's how the patriarchy works.

One of my favourite examples is when Stephen's faction argued that, because her mother spent so much time at a convent as a young woman, that actually made her practically a nun. Which meant she had not been eligible to wed and therefore Matilda was a bastard with no claim to inheritance — even though not only had her father willed the throne to her, but no one objected to the fact that her father had given lands and titles to many of his actual bastards.

Empress Matilda was held to incredibly impossible standards. Not just by the people around her, but by historians. I mean, before her first husband died, she ran the Holy Roman Empire not just as his regent but later as dowager empress to stabilize the transition. She was, for good reason, confident in her abilities and for that, probably the word most associated with her is "haughty." She eventually stepped aside for her own son so her faction could make a truce with Stephen — who would remain king but adopt her son as his heir above his own trueborn sons (a + point for Laenor/Rhaenyra there). And still in her old age, people would come away from interactions with her saying she had tyrant vibes.

So why am I worried?

Because in the name of doing a 'feminist' adaptation, they will absolutely make it the story of two Matildas who were secretly and impossibly best friends when they were younger and all they want is PEACE! Queen Matilda didn't even want the throne dammit! She just went along with her husband like a good woman. She just listened to the Church after that! Empress Matilda didn't want to fight for her throne! It was all her bastard brother, Robert Of Gloucester! He just wanted to be able to rule through his sister!

Women are peaceful creatures! If only men would listen to them! But not too much and they definitely shouldn't demand they be listened to.

Feminism!