#tis but a snippet

[callsign-coolsquirrel]

Aristocats Au (Wip)

to that one person that one time you know who you are that said Price is O'malley from Aristocats,you have been living rent free for months

HErES THE REFERENCE PHOTO:

FINISHED VERSION: Here

[aroaceleovaldez]

i have suddenly become obsessed with a theme that HoO established but never proceeded to extrapolate on, which is:

You are Percy Jackson, and you have been swapped with a boy who was allegedly everyone's favorite person, but they have decided to replace him with you. They just met you. You stand next to his best friend and the people he's known his entire life. In his home. In his cloak. In his place. They stopped looking for him.

You are Jason Grace, and you have just found out you have a long lost sister who completely replaced you in her life with this girl you just met. Your lives and personalities are mirrors. She is you, living the life you were robbed of.

You are Annabeth Chase, and you have just become starkly aware that you have been inhabiting the void left behind by your best friend's long lost brother. You and Luke were just replacements for him. Now you have to look him in the eyes when he has nothing and know you took that life from him.

You are Piper McLean, and you have just found out your relationship is fake and built entirely on the memories of Annabeth Chase. You have been given a boyfriend when hers has been taken away. You have no idea how much of it is real or not but regardless you feel like if your relationship isn't exactly in their image that you have failed.

You are Leo Valdez, and you have just learned that you are the echo of your great-grandfather. You are not your own person. You just exist to be a mirror of him. A doppelganger. An actor and stunt double facing all the danger he never had to but wearing his face. To be there for his best friend decades later simply because he couldn't. You are playing a role. A seventh wheel and a pawn for a goddess who carefully sculpted your entire life for her own purposes.

You are Hazel Levesque, and the only reason you are alive is because your brother couldn't save your his sister. You are a consolation prize. An apology. Your existence here is misplaced in every way but you inhabit it anyways.

You are Frank Zhang, and you are a shapeshifter. Inhabiting your own body feels strange and clumsy when you could be literally anything at any time. You are anything and everything and live your life with the simple certainty of knowing exactly how you will die.

[larkwinged]

𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐒 𝐅. 、𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

PROFILE. a self-righteous knight who is too willing to throw their life away, and too eager to charge into battle. underneath their stubborn exterior, they are riddled with the pressure of upholding a family title that has long been lost to time.

FULL NAME. artemis elise fröhlich

PRONOUNS. they / them

GENDER. fem-presenting non-binary

AGE. early twenties

HEIGHT. 5”1

BIRTHDAY. november 12th

OCCUPATION. knight

AFFILIATION. knights of favonius

ELEMENT. pyro

CONSTELLATION. columba bellicosi

WEAPON TYPE. sword — “herald of the dawn”

Now stripped of its original purpose as a vessel to store all the memories of an ancient god king, this sword has been passed down in the Fröhlich family since the dawn of time.

Once wielded by the god of memories herself, this sword was blessed by the winds and presented as a gift to her youngest child upon the morn of their knighting ceremony.

“You, who represent the grace and bravery of humanity,” said the Queen, “take this and go. Become a pillar of hope to those wallowing in the darkness, and guide the lost onto a chivalrous path. You, the Dovewing Knight.”

And so, the first Dovewing Knight set out, protecting the people of Cairnfelle and standing tall as a beacon of hope, just as they were requested.

At the edge of the world, when the brilliance of Cairnfelle collapsed and the mountains crumbled, the sword found its way tumbling back into the hands of its previous owner to defend her honor, and upkeep her legacy until the final trumpet sang … announcing her defeat.

With no definite home, the sword lay in the ruins of its kin, preserved well by the Anemo Archon and his will — until the day it found its way into the waiting hands of the inheritor of an ancient title.

• demo music concepts. one two three

• ENG voice claim : keath ósk as cole seymour from yaelokre’s “meadowlark” project

• JP voice claim : marina inoue as armin arlert from attack on titan

CHARACTER STORY 1: eastward of eden

It is true that Artemis has long held resentment towards their older sister and past caretaker, Lilith. As a child, Artemis was refused of many things — including choosing their own clothes, partaking in certain activities, and having their own privacy. There wasn’t much they were allowed to do, and even the hobbies they enjoyed ended up ruined by Lilith’s excitement and pushy nature.

To this day, Lilith is unaware of the mental anguish she caused her siblings over the course of their entire childhood. However, in her own eyes, she has done no such thing, and has succeeded at being a “mother.”

Many citizens have told her, “My, you exercise much control over them,” and yet, she has failed to see the error in her ways. It is not entirely her fault, as she was forced into the role of a mother when she wasn’t ready for such a task. Even though she failed in many aspects of her parenting skills, there was one thing she has always truly succeeded at: caring deeply for her family.

However, no amount of love could undo the years of fighting and hurtful words thrown around between the siblings.

CHARACTER STORY 2: legacy

Long ago, in the days of yore, the archaic land of Mondstadt had been ruled by a monarch older than Decarabian. Her rule was rumored to last longer than his, and her birth is now nothing but scattered fragments along the wind.

When the Queen of the North Wind descended and claimed Mondstadt as her home, a mighty kingdom formed under her feet. Small huts grew to larger, firmer homes, and gargantuan cathedrals made of marble were erected in her honor. Trumpets blew, the wind howled, snow fell, and mountains as high as the heavens towered above humanity.

In later years, the prospering kingdom of Cairnfelle was officially born. Serving as a haven for travelers and poets alike, the kingdom sang with energy as it thrived under Queen Catalina’s guiding hand. The god of memories was exceptionally gentle, with a kind and compassionate heart that moved even the most stoic-faced men to tears. Her words were wise, her complexion glowing, and her promises true.

Cairnfelle, as much as it prospered, gained an enemy from a distant land. With no choice but to face the beast she prodded, the Queen set out to befriend the raging phoenix that had enough of her games. Ever the charming soul, the Queen did not have to do much to make the phoenix bow to her every whim, and before the citizens of Cairnfelle had the chance to acclimate to the visitor, the two were to be wed.

There is not much to say for the years in between the joining of two god kings and the fall of Cairnfelle, but this: Four inexplicably brave and virtuous souls were born from the two gods — four demigod knights who carved the way for the future of Mondstadt: The Four Archangels.

The Blair Family — the origin of the Fröhlichs, is no longer the raging flame of life it had once been, but a snuffed out ember of its former glory.

Only in passing on the titles of the Four Archangel Knights can the present day Fröhlich family hold tight to what was once a name feared and adored by all.

CHARACTER STORY 3: composition

Many questions have arisen over the years; all pertaining to a certain facet of Artemis’ composition.

“Is it a curse?” They’ve inquired, only to wind up receiving a simple, “I’m not even sure myself!”

However, that it is a small white lie they’ve grown to tell. In fact, Artemis is very much aware of the reason why they consistently find themselves on the brink of death and luckily make it out alive. It is because of the unique composition their ancestor, Lowen, was made of: pure and unbridled wrath.

The story goes as such: In the days of yore, when gods and monsters still yet walked the earth, a beast born of flame and rage took flight. They seared their enemies and allies alike, and roused the hearts of warriors all across Natlan. They utterly refused to lay their past life to rest. In doing so, they made a promise to their newfound family. The wrath that lived inside them was nothing but a blessing, and deserved to be passed on through their children, and future generations. And so, the endless wrath that boiled in their veins was passed on — consuming the lives of their children, and overtaking the brilliant flames that became their descendants.

To be a god’s descendant has always been an honor in the Fröhlich family line… Yet, Artemis — like the direct children of the god of wrath — see it as naught but a curse; For what blessing could bring about destruction and the devastation of any living being in one’s wake.

VISION STORY:

The blistering pyro vision attached to Artemis’ belt was said to be a gift from the gods, and maybe even a gift from the long gone god of wrath themselves.

What else are visions besides gifts from the gods? A tool to wield, and yet another curse Artemis must deal with.

At the young age of eleven, Artemis was sent out on their first escorting mission. It was their first mission given to them by Grand Master Varka, who was elated to test their strength and endurance. Not many were willing to accept an escort from a child — as was the case with the Fontainian aristocrat Artemis was talking their ear off to. However, the man said nothing, as the child’s directional skills were second to none. It was only when they hit a bump in the road that the man questioned Artemis’ capabilities as a knight.

“I should’ve known better than to trust a child!” He yelled, waving his fist in the air as he pushed them aside and ran off ahead by himself in the rain, leaving the young Artemis to fend for themselves amidst a hoard of abyssal monsters.

Although panic was steadily rising throughout their body, they forced themself forward — slashing at every monster with a shaky grip on their sword. The rain poured, sagging their clothes, and dragging their arms down to the dirt. The grip on their sword slipped, as did their footing, and they tumbled to the hard ground with a rough clash.

Their shoulder-piece scratched the bridge of their nose on the way down, and a thick line of blood began to spill from the open wound. A rifthound drew closer, baring its teeth and snapping its jaw as its claws outstretched, striking Artemis across the head. A clap of thunder sounded, and amidst the ringing in their ears, Artemis felt the weight of ten large wooden planks collapse on their back.

Even so, they shakily grabbed their sword, their nails digging into the wet earth, and began to stand. Their blood boiled as a wrath they were only warned about once crept up to the surface, prickling along their skin until it caved inwards, tugging at their ribcage and burning against their racing heart.

In a flash of white and gold, the hoard of rifthounds lay motionless on the grass, their bodies turning to dust as Artemis panted heavily. The wrath inside their veins bubbled, and their vision turned red. It was all consuming. It was destructive, and it was total annihilation. They struck down every monster seeping from an abyssal pylon until finally, they tore the pylon in half with nothing but their blade and their bare hands.

The rain continued to fall as they dropped their sword and collapsed to the ground in a heap of sore limbs and bloodied grass. Their eyes fell close for a moment — at least, what felt like a moment — and when they opened, a shining vision sat amongst the pool of blood left behind by their foes.

Indeed. The god of wrath, whose curse ran rampant in their veins, rewarded them with yet another “gift.”

𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀

• hobbies: When they are home in Dornman Port enjoying their days off, they like to wind down by practicing the art of crochet. Not only is it soothing to sit by a windowsill while the afternoon breeze filters into their bedroom, it is also a hobby their late mother held dear. By partaking in this hobby, they feel closer to their mother, and can preserve her memory longer. Another hobby is sports. Artemis can often be found playing with the kids in the port during vacations.

• beliefs: The Fröhlich family have always dedicated their lives to the protection of Mondstadt, and hold a firm worship to a god king who has long been dead. Although they have accepted Barbatos as their new savior, they still hold their original god close to their hearts. Artemis has naturally followed this belief and considers their worship of the god of memories their religion. During rough times, they find solace in a temple far north and meditate there for as long as they deem necessary. Once a month, they offer up a few of their most important memories— a ritual that has been passed down in the Fröhlich family for over 3000 years.

(This act of offering up memories is akin to the way some worshippers will offer animal sacrifices to the god they serve.)

• about — fate: Artemis is a firm believer that fate will guide the worthy and ultimately lead everyone onto the path they are destined to walk. However, they do not include the meddling of gods and higher beings into this equation. They believe that fate is its own entity and not dictated by the Archons nor Celestia. It acts of its own accord, and the gods are mere victims of fate, as well. Not even Celestia will be spared.

• about — death: Artemis believes that death is a stepping stone to a greater afterlife. Akin to their many family members, they believe that life is temporary, and death is eternal. When one dies, they are not truly dead; for they are shedding their mortal shell and accepting their true form, which is the soul. The soul will live on forever in the afterlife, while the physical body is nothing more than a temporary shell to house said soul. With this belief, the Fröhlich family does not fear death, but welcomes it with open arms— greeting it like an old friend.

[felassan]

Ghil Dirthalen: 'Interview with John Epler || Dragon Age: The Veilguard {Marketing Spoilers}'

(Before deciding whether to watch this video, please note the spoiler warning in the title and in the video description below. ^^ also the segments of the video I mention below are not to do with DA:TV!)

Video description: "Welcome, welcome! I was honored with being able to go to the Veilguard preview event earlier this month, and I got 20 minutes of John Epler's time to ask him questions on the upcoming game! Epler is currently the Creative Director for Veilguard, but has been with the series for ages now. Near the tail end of the video, I do ask questions about some details of the game that were released in marketing so far, so please keep that in mind!"

[source]

Segment:

Ghil: "Kind of in the background doing a lot of heavy lifting in the fandom is a Tumblr user called Felassan." John Epler: "Yes." Ghil: "And they're actually a very good friend of mine. And I know that they would just be overjoyed if I asked to your face, is there any chance that we can get a Last Court just out, back out into the wild?" John Epler: "Last Court - the problem, I would say I don't actually have a great answer to that one, largely because that's not, that's not fully ours, that's owned by another company, so."

also

🥺🥺...

Also also,

DA Theme Park Ride also mentioned!! a glorious day. (cailan voice)

(you can find out about the Dragon Age Theme Park Ride Odyssey here, i promise it's better than gettin high)

[thatdeadaquarius]

Soon.

☆

With a puzzled squint, you could see the adeptus was running over what you said in his mind, trying to parse out the meaning. Xiao then threw his head up out of his slight bow, almost glaring at you, “There is no task nor person more important than guarding you, my Lord. I will stand guard, worry not about my state.”

Nodding to you, he abruptly turned on his heel to shift to the side of the entrance to the mansion, his spear tall and ready. You’d have twitched a smile at him if you could, as you're sure he’s gotten a little more comfortable with you than when you first officially met. You’re also sure from meeting Zhongli just once in person that he’d have a small heart attack if he saw some of Xiao’s informal behavior.

But you’re glad he hasn’t, the more relaxed they are, especially considering your form, the better.

You duck inside, though the ceilings are so raised that you don’t have to go that low surprisingly. Huh, it was nice to be anticipated in a building usually sized for human heights. Wow. You’ve really reached the point of casually calling yourself inhuman.

…well, to be real with yourself right now, it might actually help to get more accustomed to that in case you’re never human again.

You also put that possibility back into the vault at the back of your mind.

☆

HEY I live, again,

I had a big life update what with my sib graduating grad school (getting their masters degree) at the same time we both moved like 2 states over from our home state 😅

and unfortunately, i wasnt able to get my monster of a sequel out in time to post it remotely to get it out to you guys while i was afk

(as i havent had wifi/free time consistently in like 2-3 weeks)

which, phew, im finally able to be settled in one place enough to write again, and have enough time in the day to not be dealing wiht my apartment to write ToT

i hope you guys arent too mad at me! (or have forgotten me?? sobs)

also.

i hear Natlan's coming out. 👀

I don't think it'll be out before i post the full (3 chapters total planned) sequel, but just in case, disclaimer-

🪄I am not to be held liable for not writing about Natlan bc it wasnt out yet woooo🪄

anyway, yeah its also taking a bit bc i wanna post the completed thing all in one go, over the course of like 3 days or so, that way u guys can actually look forward to the next little chapter in a reasonable amount of time lmao

well yknow, if anyones still reading this or my blog lol

happy summer you guys! I hope u all are having a good one so far, esp those of you in school, heart going out to yall fr <33

Catch you on the flip side (ao3 side?)✌️

Safe Travels,

💀♒

If you wanna join a taglist, DM me what for! "Pspspsss, please tag me for [All SAGAU posts, Only SAGAU Language AUs, diff fandom, etc.]!"

(If you ever wanna drop, just DM me! "No more taglists/[specifically this AU/fandom] please!")

♡the beloveds♡

@karmawonders / @0rah-s / @randomnatics / @glxssynarvi / @nexylaza / @genshin-impacts-me / @wholesomey-artist / @thedevioussmirk / @the-dumber-scaramouche / @chocogi / @fallen-starr / @areaderofbooks / @devilangel657 / @esthelily / @justinsomniachild / @nanithefuck / @questionotmystopit / @chinuneko / @silvers-tongue

@karmascreeches / @yomilyy / @0rah-s / @idontknowwhatimdoingbutweball / @blackstar-gazer / @voidsgarden / @a-gay-piece-of-paper / @oxyotl / @thefirstonetoeverlikemeback / @kurayamioterasu / @randompersoninyourworld / @byakuren100 / @lemonade7255

[space-writes]

Leshanna backstory time!!! i've been waiting so long to get to this lil conversation~

[plaintext in alt and under the cut]

“My fathers don’t know I dropped out,” she said. “But I…it’s not just that. I’ve been avoiding them since before I left Cyvanil, and the last time they saw me, I…I looked very different.”

“How different?”

She gave him a weak smile. “About as different as you looked before you became the irritating man you are today.”

“First off, I’m a charming man, and you know it,” Zander said. “And secondly—what do you mean you didn’t tell them you were choosing womanhood? I know Oraladhel is a little different to Invereid about these things, but I thought—”

“I didn’t exactly do it on purpose!” Leshanna shoved to her feet, pacing before them. “I had it all planned out—my announcement, the ceremony…I was going to change under the starlight at midwinter, like a real damiri! And then one morning I just…woke up like this!” She gestured down at herself with a frustrated flick of her hands.

“Woke up like…” Zander’s eyes widened. He dropped his voice to something of a stage whisper. “Leshanna, the only people that happens to are witches.”

Valloroth taglist: @cherrybombfangirlwrites @reininginthefirewriting @memento-morri-writes @foxboyclit @lawful-evil-novelist

@at-thezenith @morganwriteblr @fayeiswriting @serenanymph

@sam-glade @viscerawrites @thegreatobsesso @flower-reads @the-inkwell-variable (ask to be +/-)

[softodettes]

"Patience is a virtue," Xaden murmured. His nose traced against the underside of her jaw, and a few fingertips dipped underneath the hem of her sweater, teasing the bare skin of her back.  "I think you robbed me of any virtues I had left a long time ago." Xaden snorted, his exhale tickling her skin, and Violet couldn't resist the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

[emotionalandroid]

Zhengxi and Guanshan snippet

This takes place during Jian Yi and He Tian's absence in highschool. It's an unattached scene, where I have a poke at Zhengxi's character as an ace/demi gay guy:

High school is about dating and experimenting and Zhengxi gets his fair share in, just by dent of being there. 

Towards the end of second year he settles enough to become slightly approachable. He has his first kiss with a girl from Band and it’s fine. Kissing is nice, sort of, or okay anyway. She's a good friend, so when she asks to go out he agrees. Why not? 

Hanging out is good, sharing interests, holding hands. Kissing is fine too, if not terribly exciting, but the groping is less so. It makes him feel cold and unreal and like he’s outside of his own body. Sex is absolutely off the table, so she breaks up with him after six weeks. It's fine. He feels fine about it and they stay good friends. A couple of other girls have a go at him, but he’s better at turning them down before anyone gets unrealistic expectations.

By contrast, the one time he and Guanshan have a drunk-tired makeout session, it’s fucking hot. It’s just kissing, but holy shit! Rolling around on the floor, pinning each other down, thighs slotted between legs, hard planes and soft skin – Zhengxi is fucking flying. 

They only do it the once and don’t ever have a go at trying anything more. They work well as friends because their taciturn natures match and their sudden explosive tempers and low tolerance for other people’s nonsense keep things fun. But it’s pretty obvious that they’re both too emotionally blocked and aggressively temperamental to get involved romantically. 

The experience does make him wonder, not least when he catches himself zoned out staring at lips and arses. It’s kind of a giant pointer that he might be more attracted to guys after all, no matter how studiously he avoids thinking about Jian Yi these days. In the end he settles on just not thinking about it whenever possible. He isn’t interested in dating anyway. He’s not attracted to other people in that way. 

Guanshan gets around though. He has this wild reckless side to him that craves some kind of hard tether, like a live wire that needs to go to ground. The grounding takes the shape of drunken hookups and it seems to work for him, although Zhengxi has his reservations sometimes. It seems like more of a pressure valve thing than an actual working solution, but what Guanshan is looking for won’t be available as long as the spectre of He Tian is still messing with his heart. Not that Guanshan will admit to anything of the kind.

Zhengxi conveniently avoids making any comparisons to his own situation.

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

More about Lena's re-traumatization during the rising of the Black Ajah in 3.01--

Under the seanchan, and her suldam, Lena was forced to weave battle magic against her sisters. It still tears her apart.

But now Lena's sisters are the ones weaving attacks against her, and they do so of their own volition, even with glee in their eyes, laughing as they kill and slaughter Lena's family.

She hears Kara pounding against the door, her warder's desperation to enter the fray, to be at her side, but Lena herself... she is numb. She cannot bring herself to throw death against her fellow aes sedai again-- but she can protect.

Everything she would have hurled at her enemies, once upon a time, she now channels into the shield she erects between the Amyrlin and her attackers.

The carnage taking place in front if her feels like the seanchan all over again. The blood and debris and the screams brings her back to the battle on the coast, and the moment she destroyed the seanchan fleet, eliminating the warriors and suldams, yes, but also her fellow damane, who were as enslaved as she.

When Lena wakes after the battle, its to the echo of the perished damane in her ears. No matter what comfort pours from Kara's lips, her touch, her gaze... nothing can chase away the weight of her perceived culpability.

In Lena's eyes, someway, somehow, the black ajah connects back to the seanchan, and therefore, to herself. She should have known, should have seen, should have suspected. But she hadn't... and thats her fault.

[goneinsecondsxo]

tuesday snippet

ty for the tag @pretentiouswreckingball <3

this is from the next chapter of 'tis the damn season (which has somehow ended up double the length of all the other chapters)

Chapter 6

James has done his best to ignore his feelings for Regulus. He’s also done his best to ignore the fact that tonight, he and Regulus will be sharing a bed. It’s been inevitable ever since Marlene first suggested the idea of making the garden lights an overnight trip. Every time James gets a message in the group chat with a link to a cottage, he scrolls through the photos, trying to figure out which bed might be theirs. Which one he’ll end up in with Regulus, the warmth of his body heat radiating under the blankets, the smell of eucalyptus on his pillow, a half-drunk peppermint tea on the nightstand. The cottage Marlene actually booked has five bedrooms, and James has memorized each one. Sitting at the table now, he finds his mind drifting again to what it will be like to sleep in the same bed as Regulus—just sleeping,  of course—not sleep with him. Although, James has been thinking about that the past few days too. Head drifting back to thoughts of how his lips felt, the slide of his tongue, what his skin might feel like under his hands.  Since accepting his feelings for Regulus, they’ve only grown more intense with each passing day. It’s as if everything he’s felt has been caged behind his ribs, just waiting to spill out.

np tags: @just--vi @arviyya @disgruntedlybored @messrsrarchives @galaxostars and anyone else :)

[redo-rewind-if]

You'd really think MC would be used to all the weird shit going on in their life by now but I guess not. Rip to them I guess. 🤷‍♀️

[magistralucis]

it's not like I really needed to visit you anyway ( ˶•̀ _•́ ˶) [Trazyn/Orikan snippet]

(Excerpt from the second chapter of Viridian. Set during a past sequence, the major turning point of their relationship - Trazyn invites Orikan to his home for the first time, and Orikan agrees hesitantly, not knowing what wonders await him in Solemnace. At this time he's running hot and cold towards Trazyn, about 90% tsun and 10% dere, though this will change soon. 😌

This is one of the only SFW passages I could quote from the chapter fhhghghg)

————

Orikan gazed at him warily under the veil as he approached, noting the lord was dressed more ceremonially than the usual. "What do you want?"

Trazyn beamed back at him, manifestly joyful. "I am soon to be the Overlord of Solemnace."

"Congratulations?" Trazyn had not previously spent time at Solemnace, as far as the Diviner knew, nor was Solemnace especially known among the Nihilakh. Orikan had no idea what he was going to do there, nor what kind of demesne he would shape. "About time you acted your age. Became responsible."

Whatever he was up to, it was about a decade overdue. Trazyn's two older brothers had ruled their own realms almost as soon as they'd come of age, yet the lord archivist had waited close to his thirtieth year to take up his inheritance; an act of supreme sloth, or perhaps hubris, since merely surviving to that age was a privilege denied to many necrontyr. "You'll miss my whimsy when it's gone, I'll warrant." The overlord chuckled, and Orikan gave him an incredulous look. "The man I am will not be so affected by material differences, as hard as it may be to believe. But why not see for yourself? My palace is still being built, but would you care to visit me at Solemnace when it's done?"

"I neither care nor care not!" Orikan huffed - but deep down, he was intrigued. It helped that around that time he had moved up significantly within the Sautekh court, and his anxiety had increased alongside the honour, as if he'd been forced to creep above thin ice. Suddenly going abroad for a while seemed like a fair idea, even just for a breather, for his dynasty was a vicious one and he liked to plan ahead.

But for that to happen Solemnace must be finished, and moreover, Trazyn had to be serious about wanting him there. And while he'd softened towards Trazyn, he did not fully trust him, not half as far as he could throw the overlord. For two seasons Orikan's lack of faith persisted - until one clear day in the heart of springtime, he was greeted by a messenger at the temple gates. Not a cryptek, but a Nihilakh groundskeeper, who walked with undaunted pleasure at the new grounds he'd been given to keep. In his hands he bore a small golden box, and as soon as Orikan saw it he knew the promise was kept, for engraved on top of it was none other than Trazyn's sigil.

Inside it he found two scrolls, a map of Solemnace and an invitation in the lord's own hand. The palace was finished and Trazyn's household had moved in, it said, and if Orikan could spare a decan to visit the overlord would be most honoured. The letter specified nothing else about the nature of Solemnace, which Orikan's heart tried to spin into distrust: it was never for no reason when a noble requested a cryptek's attention. Perhaps, under the guise of leisure, Trazyn wanted his advice. Wanted to sweeten Orikan up for a favour, or simply to show off his riches. Perhaps Trazyn wanted his fortunes read, or that of his people - which Orikan would not be able to do, and would rather die than to admit it and be humiliated. But then again, maybe Trazyn didn't care about those things. It hurt his pride to acknowledge it, but Orikan had little appeal as a true seer in Gheden, for the Nihilakh already had one of those. They might want to see how I measure up against the Yyth Seer, he thought, and heaved a sigh. The Nihilakh never seemed short of anything, not in wealth nor their chronomancer sects, nor the grim head of the Yyth Seer spinning prophecies unknown to outsiders.

He was exhausting himself. If existing next to Trazyn was a headache, he could not even fathom how hard being in Solemnace might be.

But Orikan was no coward. He mulled over it for one day then responded yes. Whatever awaited him might be bad or good, but rejecting a good-faith invitation would definitely not help his standing with the overlord. Besides, Trazyn had made his efforts hard to ignore: the letter itself was beautiful, handwritten on peach-tinted parchment and gilded at the edges. (Trazyn only happened to be the finest scribe among the Eastern dynasties, after all, and perhaps among all necrontyr.) If Orikan was to refuse the intrigue he'd have to write back, and he really did not want to do that, good penmanship had not been a priority at the temple and his handwriting was genuinely very terrible and he did not wish to be mocked. And so, with great reluctance, Orikan gathered together his finest attires and left the following week for Solemnace.

It turned out to be the best decision he'd ever made for himself.

[alfredosauce50]

GASPS I’ve probably written more than 10K at this point but not everything is gonna make the cut.

This has been the hardest chapter I’ve ever written, not just conceptually, but emotionally and mentally. Thank you all for believing in me, because I finally know what will be going into the final cut ❤️

[save-the-villainous-cat]

How about some villain x hero but unrequited love because I woke up today and chose PAIN. (If you can, thank you. Also LOVE your work)

The hero raised an eyebrow and their face mirrored nothing more than disgust.

“What did you just say?” they asked. Their voice had turned cool, was touching freezing territory that not even the villain was capable of reaching.

“I said I love you.” The hero tilted their head slowly, studying the villain as if they were a new species they wanted to pin to their wall. They raked through the villain’s hair roughly.

“You love me,” they said.

“I do,” the villain answered. Something was severely wrong with the villain. They could feel it in their heart, in their bones. It was spreading and vile and dangerous. The villain was attracted to this, they were attracted to the hero’s condescending gaze and hatred. They were attracted to that feeling of being loathed.

“And that leaves us with what, exactly? Your wish that I say it back?” The hero let go of their hair and walked around the chair they had cuffed them to. They let their nails scratch over the villain’s sensitive neck, making goosebumps rise all over their body. “You’re even more pathetic than I thought if you think that I could ever be interested in you.”

“Ouch.” The villain looked at them, looked into their deep pupils. For as long as they could remember, they had pushed away those thoughts of loneliness and desperation. They had tried everything to make themselves feel loved and cared for.

But eventually, they knew they didn’t deserve it. They didn’t deserve affection and they didn’t deserve to be happy. How could they? Their list of sins was long enough to make a pen run out of ink.

“Look at you. Unwanted. Untouched.” The villain wasn’t sure why they were drawn to the hero. Nor why they found it attractive to be degraded. But maybe it didn’t matter what kind of attention they got. Maybe attention itself was more important. “Is there even more to you than that? Isn’t this all you are, all you’ve ever been?”

“I still want you,” the villain whispered. Because they did and they wanted to be happy, they wanted to live a good life with someone who loved them.

“You’ll never have me. You’ll never have anyone besides your miserable self. I can imagine that’s enough torture already, don’t torture someone else with your presence.”

The villain didn’t know what was worse: the fact that the hero was right or the fact that they still loved them.

[softodettes]

"I'm going to grab a coffee… do you want your usual?" The usual was a medium chai latte. Violet remembered calling it chai tea once when she a child, the way the chain coffee shop near her house had it listed on the menu, until her dad had gently corrected her and told her chai and tea meant the same thing in different languages, so she was technically calling the drink tea tea. She also remembered Xaden laughing heartily when she told him the story early on in their relationship. Both memories made her heart swell with fondness—fondness she shouldn't be feeling, at least for one of those memories.  "Sure." 

[jamiesfootball]

Word Game Wednesday

Nature

Roy sighed. It sounded fonder to his ears than he'd intended. Fucking Jamie Tartt.

"Oi," he called out. Jamie stopped jabbing his keys into the side of his poor Aston Martin long enough to look up. "You're going to crash your fucking car, in the state that you're in. Come on, I'll give you a lift."

Jamie didn't need to be told twice. He bobbled over in an exaggerated jog and flung himself into the passenger side of the G-Wagon before Roy could finish stowing his baggage.

He squawked when Roy reopened the passenger side door. Roy grabbed the duffel off his lap, walked back around to toss it next to his own.

He wasn't a cautious driver by nature - more cautious than Colin, but so was everyone in the fucking world - so he blamed the part where he'd spent the past two days feeling like all the stuffing was getting pulled out of him on the fact that when he pulled out into traffic with a little more speed than intended, his arm shot up to brace Jamie steady in his seat.

Roy felt eyes staring at him.

He ignored it.

After a few minutes, when the intensity of the scrutiny felt like it had dimmed, Roy risked a look at his cargo. Jamie, slumped low in his seat, blinked drowsily back.

"I had the weirdest dream back on the bus."