#~scales and skills~

[imperitvs]

Osian seemed to brighten up all the more as she declared she too had family in Daggerfort. "Well I certainly wouldn't say no to some company on the road once more!" He cheerily spoke. Isolation didn't have the same perks it once did, so he wouldn't mind a friend along the way. "I hope to head out in a week or so - would that be too soon for you though? After all, would you not need to prep the Jolly Goose for your departure for a bit? And Gale, of course."

Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing for his parents to meet Alaara too - even if only briefly. Another hand to shake in thanks for keeping their only son safe. Perhaps Rania would be more at ease for Osian to bring Calise to Waterdeep should she warm up to Alaara also... It was a small chance, but one all the same. Rania was rather difficult to be around at times for those who didn't know her quirks. A bridge to cross another day, it seems.

Osian finished up his meal and wiped his hands on a handkerchief before heading back out, brushing the crumbs from his robes. He kept the same style he did on their adventures, a shirt under a short-sleeved robe. But it was clear the material was new - a treat for himself. As well as to keep up appearances for the Centre.

"Oooh, courted, hm?" Osian raised a brow, hands behind his back as he tilted his chin up slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We have a little bit of time before we get there, I assume, if you wish to get it out of your system." Osian shrugged. With a newfound confidence came a thirst for gossip - now able to ask questions about it rather than just eavesdropping on drama. He didn't seem the type, it seemed a childish thing for such an 'elder' yet here he was, rather boyish in his mannerisms. "I'm glad it's close to the Jolly Goose though, I wouldn't mind having a proper look around. Put some visuals to the legend you put out there for me."

"Daggerford!" Alaara lit up considerably at the name. "Many of my clan are there, and my parents and sister certainly are. I could go with you and see them again, assure them I'm alright. They won't say it but I know they're still fretting over what all happened at the Gate."

And worry they did. Alaara could tell with each and every letter she got. And she got many. It was nice to be so loved and fretted over, but she also wished they could achieve peace again. Of course... she didn't mind at all that her sister had been softer toward her, and had been flowing in words of affection. It was something to relish in; it hadn't happened often in all her years. Tiri did of course love Alaara fiercely, she just stunk at showing it.

"We shall both commit to not becoming hermits and to writing often then," she said. When Osian clapped, Alaara inhaled a deep breath, readying herself for the next little adventure.

"Book Wyrm's Treasure... It's near the Jolly Goose and perhaps you'll be delighted to know the shopkeep is a mage himself. It's closer then Serpentil; that shop is all the way down by the Honorable Knight statue in the Trades Ward. I shall warn you though: I've a history with Rishaal. We courted many years ago. The break-up was messy. But time has wisened me and I suppose him as well; I stopped in not long ago and he looked upon me favorably enough. My new heroic reputation preceded me in good fortune."

[paintedcrows]

In my heart, Ford once went to an ice dimension and got Really Good at ice skating, and now he's absolutely insufferable about it.

[calitsnow]

[However, the world is more than simple warmth and light]

(Click for better quality)

[s0fter-sin]

mermay idea

mers keep their faces covered as a way to indicate social status and familiarity. warriors have intricate masks, handcrafted when they win their first battle and the more detailed a mask is, the more accomplished the wearer is. they're rarely shed and are only taken off for their closest kin and mates

warrior bull shark mer!soap seeing human!ghost, seeing his skull mask and immediately knowing he's a high ranking warrior; one to be feared going off the numerous scars covering his body

an ideal and worthy mate, so long as he can prove his prowess

so he follows him as he's deployed on a mission near the ocean and is smitten when he sees how ruthless and capable he is; bathing himself in his enemies blood. he keeps his distance, not wanting to tempt fate but ghost spies the tip of his fin cutting through the water

and he's nothing if not an opportunist; kicking the bodies off the pier to the waiting jaws below

but soap? all he sees is the first step in a courting ritual

and he has to come up with something truly brilliant to match such a glorious offering

on ghost's part, it's been difficult getting people to understand the depths of his dependence on his mask. price thinks it's something to overcome, gaz and other soldiers just think it's an accessory to help with intimidation

the few partners he's tried to have thought he was someone to "fix"; nothing more than an object, a notch on their belt to prove how "good" of a partner they were to put in so much work to make him better. it always leaves him feeling violated, more so than if they'd just taken his mask off outright. one night stands were hardly worth it either; scratching a physical itch but falling so short of the intimacy and connection he craves that he feels worse off than he'd started

when he finally meets the mer that's been hunting him across the country, sees the bright red mask so artfully hewn and attached to his face?

it's like looking at a reflection of himself

he might have finally found the understanding he's been searching for

[befuddled-calico-whump]

anyone who calls service industry jobs unskilled labor has never watched a teenager wrangle a burrito the size of an infant into one square foot of aluminum foil

[dorkfruit]

i'd do anything for love (but i won't do that)

full resolution

[lazyveran]

i think the thing that makes azula so impressive beyond just her raw skill and power at firebending is that the majority of the time she ensures she's never alone when fighting others. like sure, she'll duel when she needs to and whip ass at it, but more often than not she's strategically placed allies around her. mai and ty lee, the dai li, backup soliders and fire benders - she never refuses assistance on egotistical terms. and she really has every right to, i mean her fire is blue, that puts her in a league that no one else touches. yet that ego doesn't translate to her battle tactics

azula operates with personal arrogance, and tactical humility. i think thats one of the reasons she's such a terrifying opponent

[dailyfigures]

One Autumn Leaf ; The King's Avatar ☆ Good Smile Arts Shanghai

[mintjeru]

there is no better advertisement than one of your favorite artists drawing art for a fandom you're not a part of. and by that i mean i finally caved and started reading the orv webtoon

open for better quality | no reposts

[imperitvs]

"You don't have to scream during sex, no. Don't be performative for the sake of it; that would be lying."

Unprompted Ask || Always Accepting

"Are you speaking from experience there, my friend?" He chuckled before shaking his head, holding his hands up. "You don't have to answer that. I have been hanging around the others too much I think. Hiding in your tent from all their explicit talk didn't save me, it seems."

A pause. The urge to gossip rising.

"...But have you had to fake it before? With your acting prowess I'm sure no-one was the wiser."

[fandomwave]

Pardner and I have been working on a canon divergent au and also I wanted to play around with fuckin hair construction :3 Top left is Atem/Yami and how he looks to Yuugi, Top right is classic flavored Yuugi Bottom is how Yuugi looks to everyone when Atem/Yami is driving (Minus the eye on most occasions. Sometimes you get lil a mindcrush. As a treat)

[fisheito]

i just love how consistent kuya is in that we can recognise him based on his shoe style like. those are his thick heelies those are kuya's no other old man wears those booties

[misternibbs]

oh yeah I have this. meow :3

[hanakihan]

UUUUUGH so anyway really quick ruler salieri A3 look that I wanted to mirror count’s but yea

since in my eyes ruler salieri is convergence of actual salieri as a caster and avenger salieri, this look is supposed to mirror his late life in a way?

Rant under if you’re interested in details

- multiple detached clawed hands reflecting how he put his hand on everything in music world, detachment reflecting how later in life he was unable to create anymore. two of them holding misericordia, the one avenger salieri uses as a remnant of bad fame clinging to him, other one hands conductor baton is form of a needle

- all the threads coming out of his neck (in fact are strings used in instruments) and ties and bows is both a ref to wailing exterior, attack patterns and him being heavily restrained after rumors started, as well as loss of mental stability and autonomy in hospital

- mix of white/red and black/gold is self explanatory ig

- tried to go into classic opera vibe and palette mixed in with your classical biblical stuff hence why pure white (his restored reputation in recent years) gradients to dripping blood/charred black (the false rumors forever plaguing him), also more references to wailing exterior with its red wings because yknow gotta feed that biblical portrayal ig

- pendant moved closer to neck like in a portrait because he has sentimental attachment to it

- half of face and neck is covered in blooming bloody flowers as a final stage of suicide denial/proof, the mourning and blooming of life in one go

- absolutely not noticeable but on his neck he has those fancy red gemstones (in his case blood) neck accessories that imitate blood droplets, plus all the blood strings from his neck to keep it all together as well as providing control over hands

- absolutely forgot (as usual lmao) but he’s supposed to have a faint shattered resemblance of a halo which is basically that one rainbow effect diamonds give when under light

- he absolutely floats here around being civil and rather nice until he isn’t and his NP is literally creates a local marble which is basically an opera hall with orchestra and he pretty much does what humanity did to him (I honestly idek after all the shit he went through man deserves to be sweetly aggressive while also being support focused ruler???)

[girlbob-boypants]

You know Jade having a helm where wings cover her face/"eyes" is really interesting given her current hypothetical position in the lore.

The Jade Light was the ultimate death sentence. A finality of judgement. And its often said (at least here in the USA) that justice is blind. To the point where Justice is represented as a woman with a blindfold.

But Jade's helmet wings open up.

And the Orokin are as corrupt as they come.

[one-flower-one-sword]

well I know what you want from me you want someone to be your reflection, your bitter deception setting you free won't you come and dance in the dark with me? show me what you are, I am desperate to know nobody better than the perfect enemy and I know what you want from me you want the same as me my redemption, eternal ascension setting me free

for @bladesmercy's fic The Fear of Falling Stars