#this is in reference to vax appearing

[scriptmyworld]

we were so happy that day….

[critter-genfic-events]

Hurt/Comfort Fic Recs!

This week, we have thirteen hurt/comfort fics recced! Some emotional hurt/comfort, some physical whump, and sometimes combinations of the two. Check them out under the cut, and as ever, comment or kudos if you like them!

those that crawl and flutter towards the sun by vietbluecoeur (vietbluefic) (6163,Not Rated) Warnings: Major Character Death, Very Mild Insect Imagery, Mortality and Discussions Thereof, Sad & Gentle Ending Pairings: Jester Lavorre & Essek Thelyss

Essek has always been warned not to touch the creatures, called the in’luthin, "insects" with a lifespan of three days, but what harm is there in just looking? And anyways, when has Essek ever been one to listen?

Reccer says: From the very first words, this fic has such a luxurious weight to it. Some of the Mighty Nein appear, but this is definitively a story between AroAce Essek and AroAce Jester as bittersweet as the tags imply, only less bitter and more longing, and definitely, definitely sweet.

Spit, elbow grease, and a whole lot of gold by Multifandom_damnation (2006,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Ashton Greymoore & Milo Krook

The Nobodies dump Ashton off on Milo's table, and Milo does his best to fix him

Reccer says: Milo voices all of my rage at Ashton's treatment wonderfully. The fic also does a great job of managing the actual process of fixing him, along with all of the emotions involved as well

Philia, Is That You? by Professor_Rye (2034,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Yasha & Mollymauk

Yasha gets hurt protecting Mollymauk from assholes, and the Mollymauk helps Yasha make sure she's actually okay

Reccer says: QPRs my beloved

Crowned Teeth (or, An Offering Revoked) by fruitzbat (130570,Mature) Warnings: Frank depictions of PTSD/galley slavery Pairings: Kingsley Tealeaf/Original Character

Kingsley is mutinied against and sold into slavery halfway across the world. He breaks out, finds out the mutiny was the inside job to end all inside jobs, and makes his survival everyone else's problem.

Reccer says: I really, really like the way that this series explores different kinds of hurt and trauma, and how those kinds of hurt affect people's relationships and self-image. The first and second fics in the series are the most direct about the subject, but the third has a lot about what it means to lose a parental figure and complicated grief/trauma response stuff that I found really refreshing. Characters are messy and non-linear in their healing, and do their best to take care of each other. There's a lot of...I don't know how to say this, but a very no-bullshit look at the concept of the power of love that is this through-thread through the stories. Anyway, I really like them.

Trust by silversky (403,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Caleb & Nott

Nott is sick and delirious, but thankfully there is someone there to make sure she's okay.

Reccer says: the fic is very soft and warm

Scar Tissue by Belphegor (0,Teen) Warnings: scars, canon-typical violence, reference to main character death (and resurrection) Pairings: Scanlan Shorthalt/Pike Trickfoot

Sometimes surviving means learning to live with the scars that killed you. Pike knows a lot about that. Scanlan is still learning. (a little comics set a bit post-Campaign 1.)

Reccer says: Author here - sorry, I usually don't shamelessly self-plug like that, but I set out to write and draw post-campaign 1 hurt/comfort dealing with Pike's and Scanlan's different resurrection-related traumas, and I poured my entire heart into it. (turns out making comics is hard but totally worth it.)

I've Held You in the Plan by CitizenMocha (4015,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Vex & Vax

After all is said and done with the Apogee Solstice and its aftermath, Vox Machina free Vax from the Malleus Key. The twins are reunited. Rest, reflection, and a revelation about what happens next ensue.

Reccer says: Vex's grief is palpable throughout the entire fic, even as--especially as, actually--she's reunited with Vax. It's a heartaching yet triumphant look at what might happen when the events of C3 are all said and done. There's so many little details woven in that serve to make it pack even more of a punch ("Vax Speed" does so many things to my heart) and the dynamic between all of Vox Machina is wonderful as well.

The Night is Starting to Ache by CitizenMocha (3872,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Gwendolyn De Rolo & Vax De Rolo & Percy De Rolo

Set after episode 76 of campaign 3. It's the middle of the night and Gwendolyn is afraid to sleep.

Reccer says: I loved this glimpse of an older Percy as a loving, indulgent father doing his best to comfort his child.

maybe then my breath could embody by lunarblazes (1331,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Caduceus & Calliope Clay

Calliope and Caduceus have a fun bonding moment about the fucked up shit that happens when you leave home

Reccer says: There's so many little details I love in this, it's perfectly in character, and I love their sibling not-quite-comforting each other dynamic

a garden in the stars by wanderingBasilisk (2264,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Caduceus & Fjord

Caduceus stays back on the Nein's spaceship while the others run errands on a space station. When Fjord gets overstimulated from the crowds there, Jester brings him back to the ship and to Cad, who knows just what his friend needs.

Reccer says: It's very atmospheric (the description of the garden on board the Nein Heroez is So Evocative) and the familiarity and care between Cad and Fjord is so lovely and sweet. The time they've spent together and the comfort of a well-worn routine is apparent throughout the whole fic and comes together in the sweetest way.

Canities Subita: An Exploration of Self-Image by oversteepedearlgrey (1760,Teen) Warnings: Choose not to warn Pairings: Percy & Vox Machina

Percy hates looking in the mirror. He keeps his hair short and out of his face. He can’t wear his glasses during haircuts, and he certainly can’t be the one cutting it. It takes a creek, a bear, and a panic attack to find out why.

Reccer says: Percy is wonderful for hurt comfort, but I love the way that this is handling something that is more emotionally distressing than physically painful.

A Pirate's Bounty of Gold Doubloons by bluegreenamber (1823,Mature) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Pairings: Kingsley & Yussa

Kingsley hadn't been expecting any company today, especially not a powerful (and injured) elven wizard seeking refuge.

Reccer says: It's a really fun pairing!

Miles to Go by Crewe (3621,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

After a grueling battle, Vox Machina is hours away from the nearest cleric racing to get an unconscious Keyleth to Pike before poison takes its toll. Scanlan is hiding an injury to keep attention on Keyleth. It’s maybe a little worse than he expected.

Reccer says: Lovely fic where everyone is perfectly in-character, and the humour and tension are balanced just right, as are the worry and deflection (on both sides). Special mention to the Scanlan & Grog and Vex & Scanlan pairings, those add just the necessary acid-sweet icing on the h/c cake!

This is one of our weekly communally-generated gen rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. Please note that the summary and content notes are provided by the reccer, and may be different than what the author has provided. Please assume good intentions all around. <3

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring Yasha!

Then, it'll be clothes, time skip/future fics, and pranks!

Any fics coming to mind?  Well, then use this form to submit!

If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

[in-art-be-liv]

Reference by @adorkastock

"Contrary to popular belief, the gesture now known as 'finger guns' was not invented by Vax'ildan. Some people theorized it could be the doing of Lord DeRolo himself, as he is considered to be the inventor of the fire weapon, the 'gun', that inspired this gesture. But those who met the Lord of Whitestone know he's not the type to make silly gestures with his hands, especially mimicking the use of the dangerous weapon of his invention. No, surprisingly, witnesses account report that we have to attribute the first

appearance of this gesture to Keyleth of The Air Ashari, the Voice of the Tempest herself. [...] It might sound strange, but it shouldn't come as a surprise since Lady Keyleth was Lord DeRolo's best friend, and it's not hard to imagine that from a friendly jest between the two, the gesture came naturally to the Lady, as a friendly form of mockery.[...] Nevertheless, after the invention of the finger guns by Keyleth, it appears that Vax'ildan started making great and frequent use of it. This should come as no surprise since he must have been frequently exposed to it, as Keyleth's romantic partner. To Vax'ildan we can then attribute the popularization of the 'finger guns' and eventually justify why they got associated with Bisexuality (see chapter 4, where we discussed how Vax is the most famous Bisexual in Exandria)"

- The daring trails and tribulation of Sir Taryon Darrington

[justanotherhh]

blitzø x horses season 2, just for me (s1 here)

I definitely noticed some things that may have been in s1 already and I missed them, but hey, that's part of the fun of this particular treasure hunt! so without further ado:

(s2ep1)

We begin with banana horse, the legless horse who alternately lost them from eating too much sugar or in the pirate war

boy loved horses from the beginning

(s2ep2)

so much going on horse-wise in one sequence!

RIDING LESSONS (and the next day is a full moon so "Stolas??" -- makes it seem like they did meet up on that day and didn't talk through what had happened at Ozzie's at all and pretended it was all fine and just had sex... sounds about right) (also how did the lessons go Blitz?)

More doodles around the calendar, and also his own head on Verosika's body. many questions

had screenshots acknowledging the same posters from s1 are still hanging in the office, but no need to rehash what's already shown

that Blitz-stickman-poster? is new though? why is it so big?

"Blitzo's stuf Do Nut Steel!!" many references to the fact that Blitz cannot spell. in this one feat. More Horse Doodles

(s2ep3)

aw yeahhh this is the big one! Blitz cannot always spell the words "Lesbian" or "Straight"

Horses on the board:

Blue Cheese ("Gay, Top")

Sunbeam ("Lesbian, Top, Asshole")

Bong Water ("Bottom, Says He's Straigt But He Is Not, Bong Water Is Anti Vax." Blue Cheese's side hoe)

Kaboom ("Bisexual, Versatile," has had one night stands with all the other horses)

Slime ("Bottom, Doesn't Like Labels")

King Slut ("Bisexual, Versatile, Transphobic," open relationship with Blue Cheese)

Breakfast ("Lesbain, Bottom" "Lesbains In Love. Engaged!!" with Sunbeam)

According to the board, Blue Cheese, and then maybe Bong Water and Sunbeam (or Slime) are trans

"These are my OCs: DO NOT STEEL!!"

Also, Blitz has at least one erotic printed out photo of imps in horse-costumes making out. who knows how many others

(s2ep4)

Blitz can never read the room when it comes to horses

(s2ep5)

this has probably been true the whole time, but I only just noticed in this episode that Blitz' phone casing says "Ride Me" with an image of a horse and hearts

More horse doodles on the board. Another OC in the bottom right corner?

Cum (name, presumably)

[washed out point]

???

(s2ep6)

Blitz had a little horse teddy in his pocket that fell out during his fight with Fizz

Confirmed kink was developed early in life (at what point did Fizz find out)

(s2ep7)

Just this one as far as I'm aware, but man. it's a good one. his phone case makes an appearance as well

[aressida]

Dear Diary: The Vax Addicts Vs. The Anti-Vaxxers. - Aressida. 11.4.24.

"Dear Diary,

I have been reflecting on the ongoing debates and discussions surrounding vaccines today.

There have been claims suggesting that vaccines linked to long-term health issues, including the development of cancer, making it challenging to discern what is true and what is not.

Nevertheless, I believe it is crucial to acknowledge the existence of these alternative perspectives and engage in open discussions to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Unfortunately, the topic of vaccination has become polarizing, creating animosity, resentment, and hostility among family members and friends.

It is even more troubling to be labeled as an anti-vaxxer simply for having concerns and wanting to explore different viewpoints. But soon, these labels will be proven wrong by a profound revelation.

I only want what is best for both myself and my loved ones.

What troubles them even further is the realization that geopolitics often infiltrates discussions about vaccines.

It appears that information dissemination is influenced by political agendas, leading to instances where vaccine injuries are not properly reported by the media.

You see, this raises doubts about the transparency of information provided to the public.

Governments hold a significant responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens. However, the decision-making processes regarding vaccines have left many feeling disillusioned.

Some argue that governments aligning themselves with external organizations overseeing vaccination campaigns should be held accountable for their actions.

This lack of trust has strained relationships and created divisions within our communities.

Can you see where all this is heading?

You may be hesitant now, but being on the wrong side of history is something you will want to avoid. Trust me when I say that you should strive to live long enough to witness the truth unfold.

I want to emphasize that vaccines should be referred to as experimental gene alterations, rather than the traditional understanding of vaccines. They do not qualify as therapies either since the term "therapy" implies a benefit, which can be misleading.

When the vaccine was initially released, there was a wave of people who chose to mock and attack those who had concerns.

What they failed to realize was that this rollout was a component of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the wealthy and powerful. As a result, friendships and family relationships have become strained.

Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to grasp the extent of the danger they are in or the consequences of placing their trust in the wrong individuals or institutions. They need to see the reality and comprehend the extent of the betrayal they have experienced.

Rather than blindly accepting public narratives or political agendas, we should demand transparency and accountability from those in power. Only through open and honest conversations can we navigate these challenging times and work towards a more unified and informed approach to public health.

It is important to address concerns regarding adverse effects attributed to vaccines, such as the possible connection between vaccination and the development of cancer. We should remember that pharmaceutical companies create drugs because they cannot patent nature.

And, always remember that those labeled as anti-vaxxers approach this topic with compassionate hearts and a pursuit of justice.

Signing off for now, Aressida."

[captainofthetidesbreath]

The timer has started on how long it will take Travis THIS time to be parted from his evil cursed sword. To entertain us while we count the minutes on that, here's a bingo card: 36 items, all of which are located below the cut, you can grab your own card to play with over here at BingoBaker. Some notes:

"item stolen" include from other PCs.

"flower name joke" does not have to be in-character.

"triplets in one location" refers to Will's sisters. No, "they're all in Zephrah somewhere" does not count.

Reminder that if a character who is only listed as mentioned appears, the square is legal.

Caleb, Beau, and Vax do not have to be mentioned by name, but they do have to be clearly identifiable as the person(s) being referred to.

The sword is an NPC.

If you have any further questions, as always feel free to send me an ask. Keep an eye on my "#CritRole bingo" tag for any clarifications or last minute additions to the list. I haven't said this in a while, but I am happy to see your bingos, almost bingos, and any rows that you're hoping will happen tonight.

overnight in Zephrah

muffins

Chet crafts item

FCG's cigarettes

FCG stress break

hammer named

teleportation mishap

item stolen

flower name joke

Raven Tree visit

sword identified

sword not identified

sword attuned

sword confiscated

still in Zephrah

back to Marquet

back to Issylra

triplets in one location

dream / vision

Hishari discussed

Fanny Zed appearance

Nel appearance

Delilah mention

Caleb or Beau mention

Derrig or Will mention

Teven mention

Vax mention

Scrying

Arcana check

Insight check against NPC

Insight check against PC

Investigation check

Perception check

Religion check

Sleight of Hand check

Stealth check

[waltwhitmansbeard]

“Liam and Laura knew what they were doing and chose violence anyway.”

That they did. So… from now on, I will say “Vex’ahlia” instead of Vex lol

That said, same prompt as before?

19. opening up about their own struggles when they see the other's problems aight let's run this back. s2 tlovm again.

When they make camp, Vex is ready to pass the fuck out. She's still exhausted from the whole dying debacle, and fighting off those flying fire demon things in Pyrah didn't help the situation. All she wants to do now is huddle up near the crackling campfire and sleep until Grog's snoring wakes her in approximately three hours.

As she spreads out her bedroll and shoves the last of her gathered berries into her mouth, she sees movement at the entrance to the cave they've claimed for the night. Her hand flies to her bow out of habit, but even in this low, flickering light, she recognizes those antlers. She sets the bow down and frowns. Where is Keyleth going at this hour?

The others are busy chatting or getting ready for sleep or, in her brother's case, struggling with the Vestige that he can't seem to get off (another problem for another day), so Vex hauls herself up from the craggy floor and follows after Keyleth. She finds her sitting with her knees pulled to her chest just outside the cave, her circlet appearing gray in the silvery light of the moon. "It's freezing out here," Vex says, and Keyleth jumps, startled. "Don't you want to come inside?"

Keyleth shakes her head, resting her chin atop her knees again. "Not really in the mood to sleep."

Vex settles onto the hard ground beside her. "You know, it was pretty fucking cool how you turned into that giant fire beast. Not sure what that was all about, but it'll be useful all the same."

"Useful." Keyleth says the word with scorn, and Vex doesn't think she's ever heard such derision in her voice. "How many people in Pyrah had to die until I was finally useful enough to stop the slaughter?"

Oh. "Keyleth, you know what happened there wasn't your fault."

"Maybe not. But if I had been on focused on my Aramenté, on the path that I was supposed to be following, I could have been there earlier. I could have stopped it."

Vex lays a hand on her shoulder, which trembles beneath her palm. "You don't know that." Vex worries her lip between her teeth. "You know I studied dragons?" Keyleth nods. "My studies left me with an...ability, I guess you'd call it. A new sense, in a way. I know when dragons are near."

"Yeah, I remember, with Brimscythe."

"Well, I felt them approach, in Emon." Keyleth doesn't ask who she's referring to. "It felt like my head was exploding. Four dragons, all descending at once. The pain was so debilitating, I could barely tell Vax what was going on." She shrugs. "Maybe if I had, we would have been able to warn more people. Maybe if I had, Sovereign Uriel would still be alive."

Keyleth twists her head to frown at her. "Vex, we had seconds to figure out what was going on in Emon. You barely had any more warning than the bells gave us. There was nothing you could have done differently or better to save people."

"Exactly." Keyleth's eyes flick up in annoyance as she realizes the trap she's walked right into. "Keyleth, you got to Pyrah when you did. Before the rest of us, don't forget. You saved the people you could save. You did what you could. That's what we do. That's all we can do. Our best."

"It doesn't feel like the best," she says quietly. She rubs at her eyes with the back of her hand. "It feels like I failed."

"That's because you're a good person. It's kind of annoying, actually. You know you're the best of us, right?" Keyleth's eyebrows furrow. "You and Pike, I'd say. The ones who make sure that we're always doing the right thing, even when we're scared, even when we don't want to. I mean, fuck, the way you took off when my brother tried to ignore the danger in Pyrah? That's not the action of someone who failed, Keyleth."

And finally, Vex sees the hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Vex shoves off of then ground and extends a hand out to Keyleth. "Come on. Warmth and food, and you'll feel fine again."

Keyleth lets Vex pull her to her feet, and then, to Vex's surprise, she throws her arms around her. "Thanks, Vex," she murmurs. "You're a good friend."

And wow. Yeah. They're friends. Who would've fucking guessed? She hugs Keyleth back. "We're in this together, remember? Gotta have each other's backs if we're not gonna be devoured by a league of murderous dragons."

Keyleth chuckles, and then they go back inside the cave, where the rest of their friends talk and laugh and sleep.

[thevalleyisjolly]

Critical Role parties ranked by mothers’ names

They might be sung or unsung heroes of the land, but the real question is, how well do they all know each other?  For example, what are their mothers’ names? 

Introduction

Results reflect the number of named mothers in each party divided by the total number of known mothers in each party.  “Known mothers” refers to mothers of PCs who are confirmed to exist.  In order to be a “named” mother, their names/titles must be stated in an episode of Critical Role.  Supplementary books and comics are for now excluded, although to my knowledge, this does not change the results in any substantial way.

If a character does not have a mother or mother figure (e.g. FCG, Molly, Kingsley) or does not know/remember who their parents are (e.g. Fjord, Yasha), those parents are not counted as known mothers here because it was not possible for the characters -much less the party- to know who they were/are.  At the same time, if a character does know who their parents are but it is never established whether any of those parents is a mother (e.g. Pike, Grog), they are not counted as a known mother/mother figure in the party total.

Additional notes:

Mother figures who are not formally related to party members are considered as known mothers if the characters acknowledge some type of parental/familial relationship with them (which does not equate to a mothering or a positive relationship).  Currently, this is only relevant to two PCs, Yasha and Orym.  With Yasha, the Skyspear is counted as a parental figure, although she did not consider the quality of that relationship to be mothering or positive.  With Orym, it is unclear whether he considers Nel (Derrig’s wife) to be a mother figure, although we do know that they had a good relationship and it is likely she also occupied a parental role in his life as Derrig did.

FCG, Molly, and Kingsley are unique cases of characters who came into existence under very particular circumstances.  While FCG is certainly a sentient person, he has no memory of his early years and relationships in Aeor, and they don’t appear to view their relationship with Dancer as a parent-child one.  Molly and Kingsley, on the other hand, were pieces of Lucien’s soul who became their own persons and who emphatically did not identify with or as Lucien.  Therefore, while Lucien certainly had parents, they are not counted as either Molly or Kingsley’s parents.

If party members share a mother (really just Vex and Vax), that mother only counts as one known mother for the party total and is not double-counted.

Party rosters are as listed on Encyclopedia Exandria.  This does mean that Tiberius is included for Vox Machina.  One-shot characters (Derrig, Lieve’tel, Bertrand in the case of Vox Machina) are not counted as part of the official party roster, even if they are referred to as party members in the game.

A huge shout out to Encyclopedia Exandria in general, which was a really great resource in researching the familial relationships of each character and what has come up in-game!  And now, let’s get to the stats!

Vox Machina - 6/6 (100%)

Grog - unknown Keyleth - Vilya Percy - Johanna de Rolo Pike - unknown Scanlan - Juniper Taryon - Mariya Darrington Tiberius - Penelope Vex and Vax - Elaina

The ones who started it all!  Perhaps thanks to Scanlan’s speech, Vox Machina gets a perfect score, with six out of six known mother/mother figures being named in-game.  With Pike and Grog, while we know that both characters had at least one father, we do not know the gender of their other parents, and they are therefore not counted as known mothers here.

Bonus fact: If we exclude Tiberius, Vox Machina would still be batting at 100%.

Mighty Nein - 7/7 (100%)

Beau - Clara Lionett Caduceus - Constance Clay Caleb - Una Ermendrud Essek - Deirta Thelyss Fjord - unknown Jester - Marion Lavorre Kingsley - not applicable Molly - not applicable Veth - Ashlee Smyt’hh Yasha - The Skyspear

The Mighty Nein also get a perfect score for known mothers, with seven out of seven known mother/mother figures being identified in-game.  Since we do not know any of Fjord’s or Yasha’s birth parents, they are not included as known mothers in the overall count.  Similarly, neither Molly nor Kingsley have applicable parent relationships.

Bonus fact: If we exclude the Skyspear (and her inclusion is extremely tenuous), the Mighty Nein is still at 100% when it comes to known mothers.

Bells Hells - 2/5 (40%)

Ashton - unnamed mother Bertrand - unknown Chetney - unknown Dorian - unknown Fearne - Birdie Calloway Fresh Cut Grass - not applicable Imogen - Liliana Temult Laudna - unnamed mother Orym - unnamed mother; Nel?

Bells Hells is where it gets complicated!  Out of five known mother/mother figures, only two are named, giving Bells Hells a total of 40%.  As stated above, FCG has never defined his relationship with Dancer as one of parent-child, and we do not know who Bertrand, Chetney, and Dorian’s parents are/were.  We do know that Ashton, Laudna, and Orym are all stated or shown to have a mother, although we do not know their names.  On the other hand, the mothers whom we do know have certainly made an impression as big as that red moon in the sky!

Bonus fact: Since it is not clear whether Orym also considered Nel a mother figure, she is excluded from the official count.  If she were included, she would raise Bells Hells overall total to 3/6 (50%).

Conclusion

While both Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein have a perfect score, Mighty Nein arguably has the edge over Vox Machina in terms of just having more known mothers to name.  The Mighty Nein also have the meta advantage of coming after C1, with the cast meme-ing the hell out of “What’s my mother’s name?” and making it an actual in-game icebreaker question.

Very understandably, Bells Hells has had fewer episodes than either Vox Machina or Mighty Nein at this point, so we know a little less about them.  However, it is worth mentioning that we do know a fair deal about the relationships that Bells Hells have with their families, even if we don’t know the names of their parents, and that the impact of those relationships have been markedly felt by the PCs and their personal arcs.  Someone who never appears in the narrative but their presence is felt by what grows around them, y’know?

And now, it’s only right to close with an acknowledgement of the adventuring mothers from within these parties whom we most definitely do know and love: Vex, Pike, Veth, Beau and Yasha (if they did end up adopting), and of course, Fearne <3  

[slightly-more-awake-salamander]

Yesterday there was a far-right protest outside the Dail (Irish parliament) acting as a blockade to prevent people from using the street and politicians from leaving the building. Thirteen people were arrested. People were decked out in Irish flags and chanting slogans like "Ireland for the Irish" and "Ballybrack says no" (a reference to the fucking evil response there was to housing migrants in the area). It was a vile mix of anti-vax spear shaking, racism, and transphobia a This all is happening just days after Posey Parker, queen of the Terfs, held a rally.

Central to the ""protest"" was a non-specific effigy of a politician hanging from a gallows, likely influenced by the 'Hang Mike Pence' gallows of January 6th, surrounded by pictures of politicians from across the spectrum. Because currently this wave of Irish fascism does not have a rallying point, no one has stepped up to lead them or take advantage of the bubbling far-right. But someone will. It may be the Irish Freedom Party, it might be Gemma O'Doherty, it might even be Renua, but it is no longer an option to just sit back because 'fascism happens to other countries'.

It is here, it has always been here, and we must fight back.

[timaeusterrored]

Cyberpunk OC ask game questions, aaaahhh!!

For both Vincent and Vax: 4, 9, 16, 21 please? :D

Hello Lovely thank you for the asks❤️🥰

4. What Tarot Card from the major arcana would you associate them with?

Vincent- The Moon- The Moon is a card of illusion and deception, and therefore often suggests a time when something is not as it appears to be. Perhaps a misunderstanding on your part, or a truth you cannot admit to yourself.

Vax- Judgement- This card is referred to as a time of resurrection and awakening, a time when a period of our life comes to an absolute end making way for dynamic new beginnings.

9. Which of the nine alignments are they?

Vincent: Neutral Good: A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others.

Vax: Neutral: A neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. She doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos.

16. How would you describe their style?

Vincent: Definitely more chill and laid back, baggy clothes, comfort over style. He has a Jean jacket he wears everywhere. His hair always tied away from his face for convenience. Stuff like this❤️

Vax: wears more black and such for stealth missions and work, easy to move and blend in with crowds. Cargo pants galore as well, and on a casual day, sweats and a tank top. And for Afterlife stuff maybe a bit more biz casual

21. Do they have a favorite spot around NC?

Vincent: Pacifica. He loves being near the beach and watch (his whole aesthetic and nickname is Mermaid). It’s where Kerry takes him for a birthday date and Johnny throws him a big party there with beer and a fire all that.

Vax: Little China. It’s where the Afterlife and Toms is. And his penthouse where he lives most of the time with Kerry. And Vik’s clinic. He basically grew up in Watson with Vik so it just makes sense

[thebrokencrescent-blog]

📆 08 jul 2023 📰 Is ‘Long Vax Syndrome’ A Rare Covid-19 Vaccine Side Effect? Here’s What’s Known ✍️ Bruce Y. Lee 🗞️ Forbes

Don’t overreact to this news. But researchers are longing to find out more about how people’s immune systems may in rare cases overreact to the Covid-19 vaccine. There have been reports of what’s been dubbed “Long Vax Syndrome” in some people who’ve gotten vaccinated against Covid-19. It’s being called “Long Vax” not because the vaccinators used a particularly long needle but because the symptoms that have developed have resembled some of those seen with long Covid.

This has included headaches, major fatigue, blood pressure issues, and abnormal heart rates that have lasted days, weeks, and potentially even longer. The long and short it, though, is that the number of reported “Long Vax” cases have still been far, far, far, far fewer than the number of reported long Covid cases. Nevertheless, any potential real side effect of Covid-19 deserves a long, hard look by real scientists who really understand this area.

It’s been tough to study this syndrome in large part because the number of reported cases has been so low to date. A pre-print posted on medRxiv back on May 17, 2022, did describe what happened to 23 patients who had reported seemingly nerve-related symptoms that began within a month of getting vaccinated against Covid-19. The patients ranged in age from 27 to 71 years with the median age being 40 years. All but two were women. None of them had any evidence of previous neurological illnesses.

However, after getting vaccinated, all 23 experienced funny sensations—funny as in pins and needles and not ha-ha funny—that were quite severe on their faces or limbs. Nearly, two-thirds (61%) had experienced POTS, as well as heat intolerance and irregular heartbeats. Now, in this case, POTS doesn’t refer to the cookware as most people have experienced cookware at some point. Instead, POTS here stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This is a medicalese way of saying abnormal drops in blood pressure and lightheadedness (hence the word orthostatic) and increases in your heart rate (hence the word tachycardia) when going from you go from a lying position (meaning what you might do on a bed rather than what some politicians do a lot) to a standing one (hence the word postural).

[axvoter]

Update on Esther Demian (Western Metropolitan) and Mehdi Sayed (South-Eastern Metropolitan)

Two readers have been able to shed light on mystery candidates Esther Demian and Mehdi Sayed. I couldn't find anything about them when I wrote my entry on independents standing for the Legislative Council, nor had a couple of other election reviewers. But here we go!

Both Demian and Sayed are standing as ungrouped independents—i.e. they will appear in the furthest right-hand column on the ballot in their respective regions and you can only vote for them if you vote below the line. I will review them in turn.

Esther Demian (ungrouped independent, Western Metropolitan)

I'd like to extend a big thank you to the reader who messaged to let me know Esther Demian has been campaigning on Facebook. She has been campaigning through her personal profile and, in brief, this is some really cooked stuff. In fact, it's not immediately clear to me why she is not running for one of the cooker parties as she is espousing their rhetoric and even reposts a UAP video approvingly.

Your initial impression, based on the video currently at the top of the page, might be that she is mainly focused on small business, lower land taxes, and some sort of fear that property owners are losing their rights and lands. Right-wing small government stuff yeah? But keep scrolling and it's clear how extreme her views are.

Demian is clearly trying to hook into the organisational networks of cookers that exist on Facebook. She peddles a range of conspiracy theories, some of which are more subtle than others. She urges voters to vote in pen—this refers to a conspiracist paranoia about votes in pencil being secretively changed (the VEC explains that they use pencils because they are more reliable). She shares material with disinformation about vaccines. She shares material about the "Great Reset" conspiracy theory. So on and so forth. Keep clear of this one!

My recommendation: Give Esther Demian a weak or no preference.

Mehdi Sayed (ungrouped independent, South Eastern Metropolitan)

Another big thank you to a second reader, who was leafletted by Mehdi Sayed and sent me a photo of his How To Vote card (see bottom of the entry). It's very enlightening. He also has a Facebook profile.

Now, Sayed is interesting, because the impression you would gain from the Facebook profile is that he's a social activist interested in refugee rights. His HTV likewise lists support for refugees as a priority, as well as acting on climate change, acting on cost of living issues, and helping low-income families and small businesses. It seems like harmless stuff. I might have given him a lukewarm favourable review...

But! There's a crucial detail on the HTV.

Mehdi Sayed recommends his voters send their preferences to, in order, Lyndon Samuel (4th candidate, Liberals); Morgan Jonas (lead candidate, Freedom Party); Manju Hanumantharayappa (2nd candidate, Liberals); Matt Babet (UAP). Oh dear. Oh. Dear.

Some serious red flags, those. Morgan Jonas is one of the most prominent covid cookers, notorious for leading anti-lockdown, anti-mandate, and anti-vax protests and being chummy with people who espouse other extreme ideologies. Matt Babet is the twin brother of federal senator Ralph Babet and they've been at the forefront of the UAP being a grievance machine for angry people without any coherent policy to speak of. So, in light of this, my politest interpretation is that Sayed has seriously flawed judgement. You can probably infer my less polite interpretations.

My recommendation: Give Mehdi Sayed a weak or no preference.

Lastly, here's Sayed's HTV:

[moonstrider9904]

Songs in a Tavern

{previous} {next} {series masterlist} {ao3}

Pairing: Percy x Female OC

Summary: After being tricked into visiting a new tavern, Percy’s sights land on a peculiar elf he’s never met—but his joy will be overshadowed when the name Whitestone appears on the news.

Word count: 5.2k

Tags: Fluff, very slight notes of angst, alcohol consumption, vomit due to alcohol, foul language, some references to sex.

Songs: fall of the magister, evensong

The gunslinger’s features formed a question mark on his face as he looked up at the rustic building before him, his feet glued to the ground as his friends carelessly walked past him.

“Why do I not know this place?” Percy spoke up before the other three went inside.

“Because your nose is always too glued to your studies when we offer you to come,” the half-elf Vax responded with arrogance.

“Uh-huh,” Percy said, his voice riddled with suspicion. “And why are we at some tavern and not at the new black powder provider…”

He trailed off, answering his own question.

“There is no new black powder provider, is there?” Percy facepalmed.

“Honestly, Percy, the fact that you even have to ask,” Scanlan chuckled as he smugly pranced himself to the porch of the tavern. “For all your wits, it was really easy to trick you.”

“Hell, it was easier to trick you than Grog,” Vax added.

“He just called you stupid,” Grog chuckled as he pointed a large finger at Percy, who swatted him away.

“Will you stop talking!” Scanlan jumped up and down. “I want to drink and get wasted and hopefully see that cute new performer while I’m at it.”

“Try to keep it under control,” Vax patted the gnome’s back. “We’re trying not to get banned from this one.”

“No way we’re getting banned, have you seen the way she looks at me?” Scanlan smirked as he combed his hair back with his hand. “She wants a taste of the Shorthalt, I tell ya.”

The gnome cut himself off as the other three men looked at him, their gazes riddled with doubt. Their tense silence was replaced by the start of music coming from inside the tavern, a mellow guitar melody that would soon pick up its pace accompanied by a delicate female voice.

“Op! That’s our cue,” Scanlan cracked his knuckles and opened the doors. “Follow my lead, boys, for tonight, we drink!”

The four of them walked in, with Percy pacing slowly at the back of the group, admittedly not entirely satisfied with the situation. He could think of better ways to spend an evening than watching Scanlan make a fool of himself chasing after a poor girl he was trying to bed.

The tavern, at least, seemed nice. It wasn’t too full, it didn’t house the lowest scum of Emon. It was decent; Percy would gladly live with that for a while.

Their ears were filled with the sound of the singer’s beautiful voice, and as Percy was distracted registering the details of the tavern, his concentration was hindered by Scanlan’s immediate calling.

“Alright, that’s my girl right there!” He went to stand on one of the chairs to catch her attention.

Singing as she was, her voice never wavering from the notes she so perfectly hit, her lips formed an amused smirk as she sang while she rolled her eyes at the hopeless gnome who insisted on getting her attention—of course Scanlan didn’t have a chance with her.

“She’s playing hard to get, lads,” Scanlan went on. “Giving me the thrill of the chase.”

“Right,” said Vax, skeptical. “I’ll get us the first round.”

And once he sat down, Percy finally looked upstage at the singer who’d caught everyone’s attention, and his green eyes widened behind his spectacles at the grace and beauty he witnessed.

She was beautiful. He could obviously see why Scanlan was so attracted to her, but then again, Scanaln would bed anything that moved.

She was a half elf, though it seemed she was more magical than the average, and she was not tall, rendering her soft, curvy body far more endearing.

But this woman had a mystical quality when she was on stage, her voice ringing in her listeners’ ears like an ethereal strand of magic as it harmonized with the guitar in the background, blending with the sounds of laughter and chatter from some of the other tables living their best lives that night at the tavern.

With her skin a light lavender tone, she stood out amongst everyone in the tavern; her long hair, growing from a midnight blue and fading into the same light purple towards the tips, fell down all the way to her hips in gracious waves that bounced delicately as she moved.

“Now are the days of wine and gilded arms! Now are the days when magic is reborn! Seal off the breach, the evil is no more Once and for all, victory is ours.”

And under her right eye was a mark of what seemed like a drop and a crescent moon in a pale yellow color that didn’t contrast much with her skin—it seemed too intricate to be a mere tattoo.

“Darkness, never ever rise again Darkness, never ever rise again…”

Percy was staring at her when Vax set down a pint of ale in front of him, his lips slightly parted as he watched the singer’s movements while she sang, listening to every word that left her in a hauntingly beautiful voice. He felt it stunning him, washing over his skin waves of chills that seemed to dance with her music.

In fact, Percy was so awed that he didn’t bother to notice when Grog took his pint of ale and drank it after chugging down his own.

“He’s smitten,” Vax said.

“I think he’s dead,” Grog grumbled, though he couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Hey, Percy, you still in there?”

“Close his jaw, he’ll drool onto the table.”

“Can I try punching him to see if he reacts?”

“You guys do know I can hear everything you say, right?” Percy spoke up, still looking at the singer.

“Well in that case, you look like an even bigger idiot than Scanlan,” Vax teased.

Percy tore his gaze from the singer to look over at Scanlan, who had left the table to stand closer to the stage to try and simp better for her, and she wasn’t even looking at him.

“I highly doubt that, Vax’ildan,” Percy replied with confidence.

When her song ended and the cheering and applauding filled the tavern, the lovely singer smiled brightly at her audience as she thanked them. It was natural for a performer to make eye contact with as many points of her crowd as possible, leading her gaze to finally land on Percy.

And it stayed.

It was something out of a fairy tale for Percy, the whole gazes meeting across the room scenario, and yet, he realized he was smiling at her, and it grew wider the longer she looked at him. From the stage, the singer kept looking his way, her smile seemingly also growing as her cheeks adopted a faint shade of pink, her demeanor further charming the crowd before her, a crowd oblivious to the fact that someone among them had sparked her interest.

Percy didn’t speak, he didn’t look away, he simply kept his high spirits, fueled by the charm of the singer who had caught him looking at her and smiled back.

“Oh, fuck,” Vax said. “Percy, no—”

“Percy, snap out of it,” Grog added.

Sighing, Percy looked at his two counterparts with a serious gaze. “What?”

“Quit gawking at her like that,” Vax chuckled.

“I’m not gawking, I’m merely interacting,” Percy replied, nonchalant. “It would be rude of me not to acknowledge her when she is smiling at me, but of course, neither of you know manners nor class.”

“Percy, you dumbass,” Grog said.

“You complete dumbass,” Vax completed. “That’s it? A girl smiled at you and you’re already planning a wedding?”

Percy rolled his eyes at the two.

“I mean, she is purty,” Grog looked at her as she prepared to sing her next song. “But… she’s a little too purty for ya, no offense.”

“She’s just being nice,” Vax talked over Grog. “I’m sure she smiles at countless idiots during her day, I can assure you she isn’t planning dates with every single one of them.”

“GUYS! GUYS!” Scanlan ran over to the table. “She looked at me while she was singing! You should have seen it, she totally wants me, I don’t think I’ll be going home with you guys today after all—”

“You were speaking of idiots?” Percy smirked over at Vax.

“You wanna fall down to his level?” Vax retorted.

As the singer took her spot at the center of the stage once more, she looked over at Percy again, and delicately, she opened her mouth to speak.

“I’d like to welcome the new faces we have in this tavern tonight,” she said while a handful of claps and cheers echoed her. “Make yourselves at home, boys.”

She didn’t want to single him out, knowing his three friends had been there many times before, and somehow, Percy knew that. It made him like her more, intriguing him further on who she was, why she was so kind…

Her guitar began to sound again, announcing her next song, all while Percy watched. It took her a while to acknowledge the rest of her audience as well, inevitably bringing a few gazes in the direction she’d been looking at, all of them wondering who could possibly have caught her attention.

“Hold up,” Scanlan frowned. “Why was she looking at you?”

“Oh, don’t dwell on it, Scanlan,” Percy replied.

“Um, I’m here making an idiot of myself—”

“As per usual,” Percy smirked.

“-and all you have to do is sit down and she’s already talking to you from the stage?” Scanlan slumped in the chair. “I wanna be mad at you, but damn. Talk about having a way with the ladies, you didn’t even lift a finger.”

“Want me to show you my ways?” Percy added with sarcasm.

“Maybe Percy’s advantage is he isn’t being a creep,” Vax said as he waved at one of the waiters, requesting a second round of ale.

“And he’s taller and better looking than you, Scanlan,” Grog teased at the gnome.

“Size doesn’t matter—”

“I beg you not to finish that sentence,” Vax interrupted Scanlan.

While the half-elf and the gnome continued bickering and the second round of ale arrived at the table—Percy made sure to grab his pint before Grog could claim it—he let his eyes wander around the tavern for a moment, realizing how cozy it actually was. People of different backgrounds were there, some simply drinking, others enjoying snacks or even a full meal, and others simply sat to enjoy the beautiful voice that entertained them, almost as much as he did.

And once his gazing was done, Percy looked back at the stage to find that her gaze was already on him, and as she looked away, a little smile curved her lips as she continued to sing.

Percy chuckled to himself; she was most endearing.

“I think I’ll send her a drink,” he said.

“Percy, no,” Vax said.

“And why not? Surely it can’t hurt,” Percy gestured at the waiter. “A drink for the lady, on me.”

“You’re wasting your silver,” Vax crooned.

“You must realize, Vax, that I care very little what you say on the matter,” Percy smirked.

Though Percy would hesitate to admit it afterwards, more hours went by in that tavern than they’d ever spent in a single night; usually by that point, they’d already gotten into a fight with others at the bar or gotten kicked out for making a mess, but that night, Percy was compelled to merely sit and listen to her sing, albeit with an arguing Grog and Vax in the background slowly getting drunk.

Luckily, the night seemed to end before anything catastrophic could happen, and Percy was just about to exit the tavern with a wasted Scanlan in his grasp when he turned around for one last look at the tavern.

Pleased, he smiled when he got a look of the singer receiving the drink he’d sent to her, which she’d been saving for the end of the performance, and she didn’t drink from it without herself looking one last time at the handsome new face that had delighted her with his presence that night.

“Percy, help me hold the door open, will you?” Vax slurred, somehow maintaining himself on his feet despite clearly being drunk as well. “I need to get Grog out—”

“Fuck!” Percy cried out just as soon as Vax was taken over by the weight of Grog, whom he was forced to let go if he didn’t want to be dragged alongside him down the tavern’s stairs. Grog rolled down them, unaesthetically, until he reached the ground with a loud thud and remained steady there, sleeping as though he were a baby.

Vax sighed. “Now we gotta drag him back to the keep.”

“I’d ask to use Scanlan’s hand if he weren’t so wasted as well,” Percy commented.

“We’ll make do,” Vax rubbed his temples as though willing himself to sober up. “Fuck, distract me or I’ll puke. Tell me what you liked about that singer.”

“I thought she was out of my league,” Percy remarked in spite.

“Do it or I’ll barf all over your pretty coat.”

Percy laughed as he went to one of Grog’s sides, helping him get up on his feet enough to wrap his arm around his shoulders while Vax took the other side, helping him walk.

“I’ve never seen anyone like her,” Percy began. “Or heard a voice so beautiful as hers. She has to have some sort of magic, I’m sure of it. Her ears aren’t pointing upwards like a regular elf’s, not to mention, her skin is light purple—that’s a color more often seen in the southeast of the continent, not around Emon. And that mark beneath her right eye, I wonder if it might have something magical as well.”

“Huh, I never thought your rambling would help,” Vax commented, admittedly feeling he could walk better.

The streets of Emon were unusually calm and quiet that night, and given their current state, Percy was grateful for the lack of crowd. He still wasn’t used to the late night life—just how long had they been at that tavern? Delivery boys from pamphlet publishers were already setting up to distribute the day’s current events, and as Percy observed them, he noticed they were just a bit more frantic than the usual news of Emon demanded.

One of the delivery boys caught sight of them and ran up, a pamphlet already secured in his little hand.

“Extra!” He yelled out. “Today’s volume is a big one!”

“Wish I knew what you meant, kid,” Vax said, a smile appearing on his lips the way it did whenever he’d interact with a youngling. “I don’t think we have enough spare hands for that right now, though.”

“You might want to get out of the big one’s range,” Percy added. “He’s bound to spit up any time soon.”

The boy grimaced at the remark whilst Grog let out a groan, clearly not holding up well. As if on cue, the boy’s name was called out, and he made his way running back to his group, accidentally dropping one of the pamphlets on the ground in front of Grog before he was nowhere else to be seen.

And as Percy’s gaze found the pamphlet’s front page, his curiosity getting the better of him, he felt the euphoria of the night dying in one disheartening thud.

Whitestone offering applications for migration!

Apply now for a chance to work par with Lord and Lady Briarwood!

“Percy…” Vax said.

At that moment, Grog began to struggle momentarily before spilling an unattractive load of vomit over the pamphlet. While Vax groaned out in obvious disgust, Percy felt some of his own tension dissipating, though the bitterness of reading those words would remain with him.

“Thanks, Grog,” Percy said quietly and began to move forward again, being mindful of not stepping over the puddle.

“Percy—”

“It’s of no consequence, Vax,” Percy cut him off. “Thank you, but no good will come of discussing it here.”

“Is there something you want to do?”

“Of course you won’t listen to me,” Percy groaned to himself.

They walked silently a few meters, once again finding themselves in a deceitful peace now clouded by what they’d just read.

“If it’s all over the pamphlets, people will be talking about it for days,” Vax said lowly.

“I’ll manage,” Percy said, his voice almost a growl.

“Well, at least know that Grog did what he could to avenge you,” Vax’s comment was meant to bring Percy’s spirits back up.

But all it did was remind Percy of what he had to do, as black smoke began to emanate from beneath the collar of his shirt.

*

Mornings would always be long after a night like the previous one; she’d sung for more hours in a row than she bothered to count, but often a cup of tea in the morning would suffice if she wanted to soothe the ache from working her voice so much.

She already knew what Anvor would say about it.

Aurora walked down the stairs still dressed in her nightgown; after how late work had finished the night prior, she hadn’t even bothered to braid it, and she was aware she looked like a mess. She hadn’t even had anything to drink, except for the cup of wine that had been sent to her by that handsome new stranger.

She began to grin to herself, wondering if perhaps she’d see him again soon.

Her headspace became occupied by a different cloud when she reached the bottom of the stairs. The house was little, and the windows were open on that bright and sunny morning, in which quite the fuss seemed to be going on in the streets. Aurora recognized more chatter than usual, which wasn’t odd once in a blue moon, and though she never bothered to listen to whatever they were shouting out, sometimes the words flew themselves into her ears without her willing.

And just as she was hearing the words “Whitestone” and “Briarwoods” Anvor emerged from behind the wall and headed for the front windows, slamming them shut in hopes of mitigating the buzz from outside.

Aurora remained frozen at the bottom of the stairs, recognizing that an attitude that brash was foreign in her adoptive father.

The large man leaned over the counter, sighing out in frustration as he turned around and finally spotted Aurora perched and watching him intently. He huffed and soon let out a chuckle; she reminded him of a little bird whenever she did that.

But he didn’t bring himself to speak and, silently, Aurora took her gaze to the kitchen table where golden slices of toast, jam, and butter lay arranged beside a jug of juice and a kettle of steaming hot water, along with a pamphlet lost between all the items.

“Pa?” She finally spoke up. “Is something up?”

“Nothing to bother you with,” Anvor replied, forcing his robust features to soften if only to keep Aurora from any worry.

But she knew him better than he knew himself, and there was little chance she’d let something as tense go by unspoken. Aurora walked over to the kitchen table and took a glass, pouring herself a generous glass of that sweet orange juice he’d prepared.

“I can see the pamphlet, you know,” she said as she took a seat. “You didn’t make much of an effort to hide it, and I heard what they were saying.”

“It’s nothing but a load of bad news,” Anvor still leaned over the counter, his eyes tense as though they were reliving his darkest moments. “I pity and pray for the people who will go there.”

He was running his hand over his ashen gray beard until he forced himself to snap out of it and bring his dark green eyes back to Aurora, who still watched him closely, taking little sips at a time from her juice.

“We dislike Whitestone for reasons not unknown in this house,” she spoke, her voice soft. “But why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me everything?”

“It’s a hunch I won’t bother to explore now,” Anvor walked over to the table and took a seat in front of Aurora, reaching a large hand out for the kettle as he poured a cup of spearmint tea with honey for her. “Drink up.”

Aurora chuckled. “I knew it.”

“You sang for a long time last night,” Anvor gave a hint of a smile. “You sounded great, you really did. But I don’t want you overworking yourself, that was—”

“The one condition for letting me perform, I know,” Aurora completed.

“You’ll do less time tonight,” Anvor said. “If I keep you there for hours on end, people will start to think I’m exploiting you.”

“Since when do you care what people think?” Aurora teased before taking a drink from her tea. “Mm, this is great.”

“Aurora,” Anvor raised a brow at her.

“I’ll do one hour and a half tonight, forty-five minutes each half with an interlude, and I’ll finish early,” she said. “Sound good?”

“You’ll do one hour,” he said. “It’s either one hour the next two days in a row, or one and a half and you rest the day after.”

Aurora’s gaze wandered over the table until she smiled at a piece of toast that seemed to be calling her name. She took it and coated it with a thin layer of raspberry jam she’d made a few days prior, one of her favorite recipes, and finally looked up at Anvor.

“One and a half hours today, and I’ll rest tomorrow,” she said. “I’d like to finish early, like I said.”

“Why?”

“It’s a full moon,” she said as she bit her toast.

“Ah,” Anvor acknowledged. “Is it a full moon again already?”

“Yeah, it’s gone by fast,” she said. “I’d like to spend some more time with her to thank her.”

“Well then, you do you so long as you’re taking care of yourself,” Anvor drank from his orange juice.

“There’s a lot to talk to her about,” Aurora smiled. “Also, is it me or did we have a fuller house last night? It seemed like we did from upstage.”

Anvor let out another sigh. “We’ve picked up some new regulars along the way.”

Aurora tilted her head. “Shouldn’t that be a good thing?”

Anvor chuckled. “Yes, it should. So long as they don’t make trouble.”

It only felt reasonable that Anvor wouldn’t want his tavern trashed, especially not within the first couple of months of her performing in it.

Like anyone who worked at a tavern in Emon, Aurora would have a fairly relaxed day, mostly full of doing house chores and running errands to make sure the tavern would keep running smoothly and have everything in supply. She knew how it all worked; she’d been managing it since she was a teenager insisting on helping out her Pa with his work. He’d been reluctant to let her help out with the management, but she’d proven herself more than capable.

Getting him to let her sing was a different story, one that made Aurora chuckle every time she remembered it.

But as lighthearted as she tried to make her day be, the news about Whitestone offering citizens of different kingdoms and villages lodging, education and work within their walls.

Logically, only a village with a shortage of population and labor would recur to such measures, which Aurora found wasn’t a good sign, not after Whitestone had hardly been heard of for years after the great raids.

People had mixed feelings about it on the streets. While there were definitely crowds willing to sign up for their chance at a life elsewhere, there were some whose features tensed when the subject was brought up, particularly those among the higher classes. All Aurora knew was that she’d be among the latter; she couldn’t see herself happily making plans to go to Whitestone.

It was being talked about everywhere.

She tried not to pay much attention to the news for the rest of the day, especially considering the fact that the moon would be full that night. It called for happiness, gratitude, fulfillment, things that wouldn’t be possible if she continued to focus on her past. The day went by quicker than she expected, which only meant it wouldn’t drag in boredom while she waited for the night to arrive, and with it, a new possibility.

Granted, not every customer returned two nights in a row to a tavern, especially not one whose first time it had been previously, but Aurora still had hope.

But during her first round of singing, she didn’t see the stranger there. She didn’t even see the charmingly idiotic, hopeless gnome that appeared to be somehow related to him. The crowd was filled with familiar faces who loved to hear her sing, but the mysterious, handsome man with white hair, bright green eyes and fine clothes and round glasses was nowhere to be seen.

Aurora had hoped that he’d arrive during the second half of her performance, but she had no luck either.

By the time she was done, she tried to hide how disheartened she was and gave Anvor the sign that she was leaving before she headed out the back door. All covered up with her favorite long, cozy gray sweater, she felt the cool night breeze was a blessing on her skin.

In the sky, the full moons were already rising, both floating close together and illuminating the night with their ethereal magic. Aurora smiled and took a deep breath of the night air she loved so much before walking down the alley and reaching the front side of the tavern. She’d return home to her set up in the backyard; it was small, but it always sufficed for whenever she wanted to spend some time with the larger of the moons.

As she recited her intents in her mind, barely having paced a few meters away from the tavern, Aurora only managed to lift her gaze just before crashing into someone much taller than her.

She wobbled back, and it wasn’t until a pair of strong hands stabilized her and kept her from falling that she let the truth sink in as she saw the bright green eyes in front of her shielded by round glasses, eyes who seemed just as surprised to see her.

He bashfully let go of her, and his features seemed to soften as if he’d been frowning all day and only managed to relax until then.

Meanwhile, her eyes seemed to gleam like the moons. “It’s you…”

The man scoffed, a smile forming in his lips. “I didn’t expect I’d run into you here.”

“Me either,” her features lit up. “I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you at all tonight.”

“I’m afraid that was the initial plan,” he answered with a hint of a sigh. “But between us, this day has been tiring and I need a drink.”

“Well, the tavern's right here,” she said. “Make yourself at home.”

He was about to walk past her, to continue on his way and leave her to her own business when he stumbled in his own steps and faced her again.

“Is it possible you might know whether the most recent news is being discussed in there?” He spoke with a grim edge to his beautiful voice.

“You too, huh?” Her features softened in sympathy. “I haven’t liked hearing it over and over either. As far as I know, the subject’s not even being touched in there either, so you should be safe from all the gossip.”

“That sounds excellent,” he smiled softly at her as he felt his tensions slipping from him.

Aurora brightly grinned back at him, and as the breeze seemed to cool between them, their gazes met, and he only then noticed the pale gray of her eyes and how it looked stunning against her lavender skin.

“I loved hearing you sing last night,” he muttered.

Aurora’s cheeks began to glow a deep pink as she continued to smile widely at him. “Thank you… I’m so sorry, you’re only just catching me now at the end of my performance. I’d like to go in for a drink with you now, but I told the owner I’d be heading home.”

“Oh, no worries,” he replied. “There will be other nights, I assume?”

“I’ll perform again the day after tomorrow,” Aurora said. “Now that you’re here, I’d change that, but the only reason I was able to perform for as long as I wanted to tonight was that I promised I’d rest instead of overextending.”

He chuckled softly at her, the sound dazzling every nerve of her body.

“I understand,” he said.

“Although… I’ll still be at the tavern,” she said. “If I’m not performing, I’m usually cooking or at the bar, in case you want to stop by.”

He chuckled again in response, his green eyes meeting her gray ones. “I’ll see to it that I can.”

“Great,” she blushed.

“May I know your name?” He spoke cautiously, as though not wanting to overstep.

But Aurora only kept smiling at him, her eyelashes batting unintentionally at the tall man.

“Aurora,” she spoke.

His own smile seemed to widen and soften as if he was being soothed by knowing her name.

“Charming,” he said. “I am Percival… or Percy, whichever you prefer.”

She looked as if she were in a dream. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Percival.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” he said as his gaze drifted downward until it landed on the choker around her neck, a light gray band decorated by an intricate white gem carved into a shape that resembled a leaf.

“Is this moonstone?” Percy reached out to touch it.

Aurora felt her heart would leap out of her chest. “Y-Yes, it is.”

“It looks lovely,” he smiled at her as he retracted his hand.

She looked away, bashful, giggling softly while she did nothing to try to hide how flattered she was. In return, Percy found her demeanor as endearing as he expected it would be, and for a moment he couldn’t believe she was real.

Aurora met his gaze once more, her eyes wide and warm, dreamy as she looked at him.

“I should probably head home,” she said. “Though I hope to see you soon.”

“I hope so too, Aurora,” replied Percy. “Will you walk home by yourself?”

“Yes, it’s not far from here,” she reassured him. “It’s safe, I promise. You go into the tavern and try to have fun, will you?”

“If you’re sure,” he said. “Good night, Aurora.”

“Good night, Percival,” her voice was equally enchanting, enough to soothe him for days to come, haunted by the adoration with which she spoke his name.

It was harder for her to move away from him than she would show, and even after walking away, she would look over her shoulder at him, while Percy wanted to wait outside the tavern until she was out of sight.

It wasn’t enough not to see the other; Percy felt he didn’t quite want to enter the tavern anymore, and on the other hand, Aurora didn’t quite want to return to her home so soon, for it seemed the two would rather spend the night talking away underneath the light of the moons.

Thank you for reading!

[your-turn-to-role]

Thoughts on vax and gilmores relationship being a more casual flirtation in the animated show?

honestly i don't see too much difference in the way they flirt between the show and the campaign? like, yeah it being a different medium will change things somewhat, but nothing has pinged my "oh that's different" sensors when it comes to vaxilmore

if i had to guess what this is referring to, it's the fact that they haven't really had any deep emotional conversations yet? but even in the campaign, they only had two of those they actually roleplayed out, the breakup scene and the one in 73, neither of which have happened yet in canon, the rest liam just went "and i tell him everything that happened"

which, granted, hasn't appeared in the show yet, but they also haven't had the time? both times they've been to gilmore's so far they've been on a tight schedule, there wasn't a chance to sit down and talk about their life, and so far nothing's given me the indication that they wouldn't, if there was time?

the downside of the animated show is they have so much to squeeze into so little time, so it has to be incredibly fast paced and either cut a lot of stuff or leave it to implication

but vaxilmore at this point in the campaign was something they'd been dancing around for years, both very aware they were into each other but never acting on it, vax would flirt with gilmore bc he enjoyed doing so and bc it got them discounts, gilmore would be incredibly soft with vax and hard on the business side, all of which we've seen animated

they would frequently go on walks or into gilmore's back room and just talk about life for hours, because as different as they are on the outside they understand each other incredibly well, but if they weren't in the middle of fighting a dragon or on the run from guards, i could definitely see those talks happening with what's been set up in the animated series. granted, we haven't seen sherri yet, so gilmore also has less ability to step away at work, but i'm sure we'll see it eventually (and honestly i do love the way sunil malhotra plays gilmore, i think he does incredible justice to the character)

honestly that second scene, where vax is so clearly in love with both gilmore and keyleth at the same time in the same place was a very accurate and concise way to get his whole dilemma across, and i look forward to seeing how that goes down in the show

but yeah, i'm happy with it

[missizzy]

New Fic: The Dark Gem of Byroden

Neither Vax nor Vex had been back to Byroden between when they walked away from their mother's grave and when they got the invitation to the newer, grander version of the festivals Keyleth has heard Vax talk about in the past.  The ones he and Vex apparently never thought very highly of.

Not that you'd have guessed that from the way he's behaved today.   Vex, like a proper Baroness, is showing up fashionably late tomorrow morning, so it's only him and Keyleth tonight.  They are being shown ever aspect of the midsummer festival up close and personal, and he, who grew up with the basics of all this already, has appeared interested and asked questions the entire time, always thinking up ones when Keyleth has struggled to.  This isn't the first time she's thought he's becoming a good diplomat faster than she is.  She's starting to feel a little bit proud of him.

And this part?  Where he's agreed to compete in the beauty contest, because Joli,  the woman holding it, begged him to?  When Keyleth's heard him talk about how he could never like the beauty contests, for multiple reasons, possibly including that his mother lost one when she was young to a member of a more prosperous family whose hands had been unroughened by work?  These townspeople don't even seem to realize how much that is from him.

But here he is, up on the rickety wooden platform someone hammered up only two hours ago, standing alongside Joli, three dazzling young women named Ressa, Milla, and Jann, an older, even more beautiful one (in Keyleth's opinion, anyway) named Maiana, a dashingly handsome young man named Dodos, and an even handsomer white tiefling named Jig.   He's in his armor, nicely cleaned and polished these days, mostly in black as he's always preferred, but his boots are far shinier than she's ever seen them be.

Keyleth only knows so much about what a beauty contest even includes.  It seems to include a bit more than them showing their looks, which probably would've been pretty boring anyway.  

It starts with them all declaring what Byroden means to them.   Keyleth really likes Maiana's answer.  She's the only one of them who was there as an adult when Thordak attacked.  Vax has spoken about how devastated and broken the remains of both the town and the people had looked to him and Vex the short time they'd been there, and she refers to that.  But she talks more about she and the other survivors did everything they could to take care of each other as they worked rebuilding a town everyone dismissed as lost.  "We worked to keep everything and everyone living," she says.

"To me," she finishes, "Bydroden is a place and a people who will never go away, no matter how much we are burned.  We are always there with each other, for each other.  You know, this town is nothing like it was before Thordak came, and I've seen changes come in recent years that make me think in ten years, it'll be nothing like it is now-except for what I have just said.  May that never change.  May we, those that live in this little location, always be Byroden."  By this time Milla, Jann, and Jig are crying, and Keyleth can tell Vax is close to it.

And he's up next.  Keyleth tries to smile up at him as he's asked the same question, though she doesn't know how he's going to answer it without drawing attention to the fact he hasn't lived here since since he was ten.

Indeed, he's silent for a moment, eyes deep in thought.  Then he says, "For most of my life, I'm afraid Byroden was the place my sister and I lost.  It was the place we hadn't had the choice about leaving, and wished we were back in the entire time we lived with our father in Syngorn, but by the time we finally had to courage to leave him and come back, well, it felt like it was too late.  We felt like we couldn't stay then; it's...hard to explain."  Or maybe he just doesn't want to.   Keyleth certainly would never ask him to.

"We were told when we were young," Vax continues, "that people don't leave Byroden.  Except, perhaps, for the few people who do, and when we were younger, Vex and I assumed we were just unlucky enough to be among those.  But the more I've thought about it, especially since I've found other places I have to call home, the more I think it's true in a way we didn't even think of.  I still feel like I've got the rocks and the fields and the Gladepools with me, and even more than that, I have all the feelings of love and fellowship and belonging that I took for granted for the first ten years of my life, and have learned to value since.  

It gives me strength, now, to see Byroden doing so well.  My home is now a place called Zepyrah, my sister's a place called Whitestone.   But a part of me will always belong to this town, and Byroden is the foundation of who I am, something I am always thankful for."

It's the second answer in a row to get tears out of people, including the young blonde dwarven woman sitting next to Keyleth, who introduced herself as Cinna.  "Such a big heart," she hears her sigh.   All around her, she's sure, there are people falling in love with Vax the same way she did-still does, in moments like now.

The other contestants give nice, pretty answers to the question, too, but none that could really compare to Vax's or Maiana's.  The younger contestants look relieved when Joli announced, "And now the contest really begins!"  One by one, each of the contestants is paraded around the stage, with opportunities to preen or flex muscles or swish hair as they liked.  Dodos whips his shirt off and gets an enthusiastic reaction from much of the audience, Cinna very much included.

None of them can do anything for Keyleth, not even Maiana-except, of course, for Vax.  He keeps his clothes on, but lets his hair flop a little, and surely Keyleth isn't the only person in the audience who's feeling a bit swooney when he smiles.  He gets a "Nice," out of Cinna, and some indignant part of her thinks that silly girl should have given him more appreciation than that.

There's a talent part, too.  Milla and Jann both sing.  Jig lives up to his probably chosen name.  Maiana breaks out a fiddle.  Vax is one of the two contestants who ends up showing off his skill with daggers.  Ressa, a short, compact girl, is almost as impressive with them as him.  Dodos is equally good with a crossbow.

The next and last part of this Keyleth does know about, because here Vax asked for her help.  So as soon as Dodos leaves the stage, she rises to her feet.  "Trying to be a last minute entry, m'am?"  Cinna cheerfully asks her.

"No, of course not," Keyleth says hastily.  "I just need to help Vax with his fancy stuff."

"Oh, but you should," the dwarf tells her.  "I think you're prettier than any of them-except maybe Milla."  She's looking at Keyleth with enough admiration to make the druid blush.

"I think you're pretty, too," Keyleth tells her, and she kind of does think so, the way her hair and beard curl about her round head and strong jaw.  Her earrings help; Keyleth has no idea if the emeralds are real or not, but they sure do sparkle.

"You think so?"  It's a little scary, how much she perks up at that.  It makes her look almost shiny-and prettier.

"Yes, I do.  I really have to run, excuse me, please."  She keeps from stammering this time, at least, as she flees.  

The backstage area is mostly just an empty space surrounded by curtains.  When Keyleth pushes her way in, two of the women changing into their fancy dresses whirl around in alarm, and Ressa yells, but Vax hurries over.  "It's fine, it's fine, she's with me," he says, ignoring the glares for both Ressa and Jig.  He's already changed into the deep green silken tunic and silken pants Korrin had insisted he pack, even though neither he nor Keyleth thought there was going to be any occasion for his wearing them.  They may be the most elegant, expensive things he's worn in his life.  It even makes his armor look far finer when he straps it on over the tunic.

But it looks paltry next to what everyone else is donning.  All four women have grand, flouncy dresses that put Keyleth's grandest mantle to shame.  Milla is wearing stones Keyleth suspects are real that gleam like stars in her dark hair, Ressa is framed with a small cloak of deep blue feathers, and Maiana has put her long hair into elegant braids and entwined them with the nicer-looking of the the Gladepools flora-her dress isn't as fancy as the other three, but it might not need to be.  Dodos is in perfectly polished armor and a rich cloak and boots, and Jig is in a bronze-colored jacket, undertunic, and knee-high boots that make him gleam from the neck downward.

Vax must see the doubt in Keyleth's eyes as she looks around.   His hands are extra gentle as they take hers and raise them to his head.  "I said just now I was still of Byroden," he says, "and I am, but I'm of Zepyrah too.   I'll go out there clad in the armor of the Raven Queen but everything else of my new home, and anything from you I'll bear with pride.  I don't know if I'll even break out the wings for this; I am giving you that flight over the town tonight and that's my priority there.  Let them judge me however the hells they want."

Once again he could make anyone fall in love with him, just for the heart with which he speaks.  Only this moment, safely ignored by even those around them, is for Keyleth alone.

She sets to work.  Vax lets her put his hair as she likes, keeping it mostly loose but dividing it into three sections, each of which she topped with leaves.  His armor she adorns with lilies, such as the ones she spotted growing in the Gladepools earlier that day, and she tucks a snowdrop into the tunic's high collar.  The tunic's bottom has room for a few more flowering vines-just little white blossoms that almost look like they're sprouting straight from the piece of clothing.

A little prestidigitation especially helps clear the dust from his boots.  By this time the contestants are starting to go on stage, and they can hear Jig getting oohs and ahhs from the audience.  Ressa follows him out, yelling her praise of everyone in Byroden.  Then it's Vax's turn.  He turns to give Keyleth a kiss, whispering, "Get back to your seat if you can.  I'll pick you up from there," and heads out.

Keyleth doesn't have too much trouble getting back to her seat, but it takes long enough that Vax is finishing up his final promenade and joining the others where they're lined up at the back of the stage. Scarcely has she sat down when Cinna's asking her, "Did you put the flowers on him?  You're a druid, aren't you?"  When Keyleth nods, she grins, looking between them, and says, "If he wins this year, will you compete next year?  I'm considering competing myself one of these years, but you could be quite the competition."

She seriously considers if for a moment.  She supposes there's a good chance they'll ask her, if they return here next year.  "I don't think this would ever be my thing, but maybe I could do it once, if they asked me."  

Last out is Maiana.  If asked who she thinks will win this thing, Keyleth would say her.  Especially when she kind of floats across the stage, and when she pulls one flower out of her braids and tosses it into the audience, half the crowd goes nuts trying to catch it, and the other half is nearly as loud in their cheering.  "Thank you, Byroden!"   She can barely be heard over the crowd.  "Bless you all!"

"And now," Joli says, when Maiana has joined the others, "it's time for our judges to decide which of these beautiful, talented individuals will be deemed the finest in Byroden!"  More cheers, and despite herself,  Keyleth finds her heart quickening in anticipation.

The five judges have been sat off to one side, and now all eyes turn to where they've gone into a huddle.  Within a couple of minutes, it appears that two of them, a human and a halfling, have gotten into some sort of dispute.  As the two judges visibly get into each other's faces and grow loud enough Keyleth can almost make out their words, Joli starts anxiously looking between them and the contestants.  The low-cut top of Milla's dress is starting to slump slightly, and she's awkwardly scrunching herself up to try to keep it up, while Jann has a hand clamped to her shoulder to try to help.

Keyleth turns to Cinna and softly asks, "How long does the judging usually take?"

"It can vary a bit," Cinna replies, her eyes fixed on the judges, "but this is a little unusual."

After several more very long minutes, Joli finally hops off the stage and goes over to the judges.  There's maybe another minute or so, where the two arguing judges just glare and her, but at least she can talk with the other three, and then one of them appears to talk to her at length.  "Hey," Keyleth hears Cinna say, "I think that's Angus Beckfort.  Why is he on that panel when Milla's wearing his stones?"

Then she turns back around and announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that the winner of my little contest will get an extra title.  They will officially be a  announced crowned as the Gem of Byroden at the artisanal presentation right here in an hour's time!"

The audience's reaction probably isn't what she was hoping for.   There aren't just boos, there are angry shouts.  Cinna exclamation of, "Are they really just going to give it to Milla?!" is probably what a lot of people are thinking.  Including both Dodos and Maiana up on the stage, of the dirty looks they're giving her are anything to go by.

Vax is the only one on stage who is still smiling.  He even throws Milla a reassuring look, before stepping foward, and being the first contestant to speak.  "Then I am sure it will be a crowning worth seeing, whichever of us wins it.  See you all in an hour."

Out his wings spring, and a moment later he's got Keyleth scooped up and they're soaring together up in the air.  One look at his almost laughing face, and she just has to kiss him.  It's only when she hears the roar of the audience that she even thinks of the show they're putting on.

When they part, she looks down.  Some look delighted, some irritated, and some amused, but they're rising too fast for her to really tell more than that.  Though she does get a good look at Cinna, who's jumping up and down a little as she claps.  The other contestants are all clapping too, although Jig is laughing almost too hard to do so.  One of the lilies falls off them, and multiple people fight to catch it, just as they had Maiana's flower.

"Do you think you just won the contest?" she whispers as they rise even higher.  The city is starting to spread before them, now, though it's getting dark enough that the colors are fading outside the lit torches.

"Maybe," he chuckles.  "But that doesn't matter.  The rest of this day we've been theirs, and we're probably going to be again once we go back there.  But this hour is for us."  And they turn, and start flying towards the Gladepools, which Keyleth knows he's wanted to take her around for longer than they've had time for.

She lights up one of her hands as they approach the city walls, taking another look down in delight.  "Don't suppose we have time to look for that boggle?" she asks playfully.

"Unfortunately not," says Vax, "but we'll see my and Vex's favorite pool, the one we even went swimming in, and we can probably even reach the top of those rocks I always wanted to go climbing on-though I suppose they'll turn out to not be as high as they've been in my memory.  And we should also have at least a few minutes more to float and stargaze right before we go back; the stars should be out by then, right?"

[nanierose]

My hot take of the day is that, after Tiberious left, the only person in VM who was a noble was Percy. The guy is a literal prince and spends most of his life vastly wealthy. He was going to be someone who idly passed his life away in privilege before the Briarwoods happened. Vex and Vax, while their Dad was upper-class, spent most of their life in poverty til they met VM. They hated their time in Syngorn, which was at most 6 years, and as it seems they were kept away from upper-society for the most part I feel like that's not enough to warrant being classed as nobility. There's a reason Vex is stingy and Vax became a rogue. Keyleth also arguably doesn't fit. As far as I can tell, while it does seem the candidate for Headmaster has been in her family for two generations, the title goes to the most gifted druid, it's not hereditary. Also it appears her tribe are very much non-materialistic and their way of life isn't split into a class system. Therefore she also doesn't fit the bill and it's probably why she hates being referred to as such. Grog, Pike and Scanlan have no connections to nobility and are more akin to lower middle-class and working class for Scanlan. The makeup of VM and the M9 is more similar than people think.