Tumgik
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
“James Baldwin, The Art of Fiction No. 78”, An Interview by Jordan Elgrably
14K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
Nothing could break her the way her children could, it seemed---and as she had died, the bar had been raised quite high. Still. She knew that she had done Lyon wrong. She knew that her defence was weak, fragile. Insufficient. Inadequate. None of this had been supposed to happen, but her plans had come undone---fate had not unfolded the way she would have liked. The spindle that she had lost her grip on had unspooled, but everything had slipped out of her control.
There had been no sense of peace for her. The cut had been too deep. And it had been left to fester, there had been no healing. The silence and the peace of the woods had rejected her, there had been nothing for her to escape to. The serenity of nature had not sheltered her when she had needed it the most. She had travelled down the road of grief for such a long time that she had been beyond hope, but she had still wanted to try. Alas---she had been out of time. Out of good moves.
And Lyon had paid the price for that. Even then, such a long time ago, he had been too eager to shoulder the burden of responsibility. It had worried her then, and it seemed like this concern had not evaporated when she had. He had been supposed to go out into the world she had been hiding from. He had been supposed to go into a life where light filled every corner.
Tumblr media
Sharp teeth dug into her lip, almost drawing blood. '' I truthfully don't know how to engage in a conversation like this myself, Lyon. And, ah----I've never been good at talking. For me, the simplest thoughts are sometimes hardest to phrase, '' she responded quietly. Honestly. It was not simple for her. She was a terrible liar, but that was because her tongue was made from lead rather than silver. '' And no, there's nothing you have to apologise for. Quite the opposite, I expected you to be angry with me. ''
Tumblr media
it was good to see him. that surprised lyon; enough so that he began to feel his heartbeat again. his body has now settled into this newness. he had faced hells of his own making and of others making, he almost died in an explosion, fought against dragons (rather futilely, for he was no slayer), fought against the mere memory of ur now and all the worst humanity had to offer from alvarez. and yet, he was here. with ur. he did not want to fight.
fighting was rarely ever his first instinct, only when it was forced upon him by circumstance did he choose it. he was an inquisitive type. lyon first wanted to understand what he did not. in the years since he last saw ur, he spoke more languages, ancient ones too, and has read many, many more texts than even the child version of him could have imagined. it was knowledge he wanted. always. it was all he needed.
Tumblr media
"yes...it is good." that was no lie. "whether it was a miscalculation of the spell or some outside influence, i am happy it happened." this made the fact that ultear was alive and a free-ish woman all the better. his mouth twitched into some sort of smile at that, remembering the quite frankly, rude words he once spoke. the audacity of youth. lyon didn't have that now. he didn't want to bombard her with questions as he might have done yet he also didn't want to talk about himself. he didn't know what the play was to make her not feel incredibly overwhelmed. there was no real way of handling this, was there? perhaps a crack at honesty may help. "...i don't know what to say, to be honest, ur. should i .... crack a joke? apologize? ask you questions?" he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "what .... do you want from me, here?"
5 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Photo
Tumblr media
8K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Photo
Tumblr media
#006:  BROKEN DREAMS.   an original and free template.    credit not necessary but appreciated.   if you’d like to support me,  you can donate through payhip or buy the premium version on deviantart,  or you can buy me a coffee.   :     𝙳𝙰   /   𝙿𝙷   /   𝙰𝙻𝚃.  
404 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
sometimes         it is that         simple         : to survive         this blood-drenched crawling         wailing life is not possible         and neither is         blinking through scars         into a beaming sun without forgetting         start with simple: living         is not possible         without life
— Rosamond S. King, from All the Rage
214 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. A common saying, but one that had truth to it. Ur---Ur who had mastered the art of freezing things---just wished it was not true to this extent. Lyon should have been allowed to find more peace of mind. She did not think that had been possible for him, and guilt surged within her veins once more. She should have done better---for him, but that had not been possible at the time. In some way, the deck had been stacked against them.
Tumblr media
She rubbed her wrist as if she tried to smoothe out the faint little scar that had remained there from moving debris, all those years ago, right after Deliora had devasted Gray's hometown. It was strange how that scar had stayed. How she was not allowed to forget some things. There was another scar on her left knee, and that was the one she loathed. A reminder of the collapse.
'' It has been longer for you than for me, I'd wager, '' she said as she forced herself to keep her voice smooth and calm. Getting too emotional would mean to risk being emotionally manipulative, and she did not want to do that. '' . . . but it is good to see you, Lyon. ''
This much had to be allowed, right?
Tumblr media
evidence-based. yes. that was something lyon was still rather infamous for. it was nice to know that habit was ingrained long before he was desperate, measuring the ice husk — no, it was not a husk, it was her. was this always a fact or was it born of desperation? he was, again, no longer sure. it would depend on how much consciousness his teacher had when she was ice. that was something he both needed to know and it was knowledge that he should absolutely not have. why was it the same decisions that continued to haunt?
Tumblr media
besides. he could still do the math and facts add up all too easily for lyon. she probably knew enough about what he had done; his hand in the unmaking of her last choice — for she did not reach out to him on purpose. she was pushed into this. shame gripped his figure yet he disguised it with a raise of an eyebrow — a false casualty to this encounter — "i originally thought she might be connected to you, but dismissed it as the name is popular. i should follow my instincts more."
he didn't need her to tell him that; she was freed of her obligations to him. he should not be bitter. lyon was a better person now, he had to be. he attempted to uncurl himself, breathe out and let the chill pass on by. "hello, all the same, ur. it's ah ... been a while."
5 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
On one of the many tracks that made up her mind, Ur found herself wondering if killing her sister would mean that the Church would stop with their insistence that she was a saint.  Perhaps, perhaps not. It was a little tempting either way, but she set the thought aside as she beheld her first student. The kid that she had adopted, about twenty years ago. One thing was quite apparent---Lyon was no longer a scrawny kid, advertising his skill at making grilled cheese.
( The thought almost caused hysterics, but she managed to breathe past that. )
In some ways, ways that could not be put into words, she had dreaded this reunion more than most others. Lyon, she supposed, was the one her 'death' had toppled into the worst crisis. And she had not gotten to say goodbye---Gray had had at least that much, not that she thought it had helped him much. And Lyon had deserved the goodbye just as much, but nothing had been fair---or according to plan, that day.
Tumblr media
She ran a hand through her hair, blue eyes never leaving Lyon. She would not need Ice Make: Eden to cut through this unpleasant awkwardness, she thought. Words had never been her forte, but she would have to say something. She wished Adina had given her a fair chance to prepare for this, but Adina had always been one to swim in sink-or-swim scenarios. And her older sister knew that if Ur would wait until she felt that she had prepared a sufficient statement, years would pass.
Coughing twice, she cleared her throat and managed a tiny smile. '' Dina is usually trustworthy, but I know you're an evidence based person, '' she said quietly. '' It was a surprise to me as well. ''
there was never a time more than this moment that lyon has felt the CLOSEST to ice. the chill he used to find comfort in wrapped itself around his chest in a frigid squeeze. his heart seemed to be going too fast it felt slow, just as the air left his mouth. no amount of forewarning (and there was NOT a lot) could have ever truly prepared him for this moment. he only knew his mouth closed when he swallowed the nothing in his throat.
before lyon was ur. who was ice. ice that he melted. but it wasn't some believable ice sculpture — she was breathing. and looking at him, too. he wondered if she was as caught off as he was.
Tumblr media
this was lyon vastia — his wits were about him. he was quite good at math, thank you, so the truth was apparent right away. ur has been alive for some time. her clothes were her own style, not rushed at all, her sister (she so was the right feldt, afterall) set him up like this. that took planning. ultear must know, too, because how wouldn't she? did gray know, too? was lyon's trip to galuna really worth that much resentment? how could he possibly face her now, as a man, with that shadow looming over him? was he even allowed to be upset because of that?
"...ah." lyon forced something like a word out of his mouth. he cursed himself inwardly and shook his head. "forgive me, i ... it takes a lot to believe at first, even if adina gave me some warning." there was nothing to truly warn about this situation and he hoped they both knew it.
@icehaloed
Tumblr media
5 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Note
pluck - from iceshrouded
pluck, sender plucks something out of receiver’s hair.
Love was strange, was persistent. It was gentle, maybe, but if it was, it was gentle the way that frostbite snuck up on you. Soft footed, velvet touched---but able to cut so very deep. She was familiar with frostbite. She was less familiar with love. She could just recognise it, but she never dared to push at it too much. It could fall apart. She could not risk that. It was too precious, too fragile.
Like an ice crystal.
Solomon's approach, too, was always quieter than people would expect. He was quite big, after all. She turned her head to look at him, a smile appearing on her face. It was a nice autumn day, a perfect day to prepare the garden for the oncoming winter. '' Hey, '' she said as she leaned against her shovel. '' The ground's not yet frozen, that's perfect. ''
He laughed---a deep, rumbling sound from deep within his chest---as he crossed their garden with half as many steps as it would take her to accomplish the same before one hand cupped the side of her face as the other fussed with her hair. Then, he let go and a leaf, orange gold and perfect, fluttered away on a breeze. She smiled, resting her head against his arm for a moment.
@iceshrouded
1 note · View note
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
WHAT TYPE OF VILLAIN ARE YOU?
Tumblr media
Then Let Me Be Evil
You never wanted to hurt anyone, but the world never gave you a choice. You did the best you could with what you had, but every innocent mistake you made was held against you when it counted, every crossroads led you down the wrong path no matter which way you went. No matter what you did, the odds were stacked against you. It wasn't fair, and you are sick and tired of being told what a monster you are for things out of your control. Well, fine. They want a monster? YOU'LL GIVE THEM A MONSTER!
2 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
actions speak louder than words non - verbal / action prompts from yours truly. (add a "swap" to swap the sender/receiver in the prompt (or just do it manually).)
back, sender gives receiver a back hug.
beckon, sender beckons receiver closer with a finger.
blood, sender cleans blood off of receiver.
book, sender helps receiver get a book from a higher part of the shelf.
care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick.
catch, sender catches receiver by the waist after they bump into each other.
choke, sender saves receiver from choking by giving them the heimlich.
cold, sender places their jacket over receiver's shoulders.
cry, sender wipes tears off receiver's face with their thumbs.
dance, sender sticks a hand out to receiver and invites them to dance.
dip, sender skinny dips in front of receiver and invites them to join.
dog, sender's dog pulls them in receiver's direction.
drive, sender drives receiver somewhere in their car.
drag, sender drags receiver into a room and closes the door behind them.
draw, sender draws receiver like one of their french girls.
face, sender turns receiver's face towards them.
flower, sender gives receiver a flower.
footsie, sender initiates footsie with receiver under the table.
forehead, sender presses their forehead against receiver's.
grab, sender grabs receiver's wrist to stop them from leaving.
jump, sender jumps onto receiver's back.
kiss, sender kisses receiver.
link, sender links arms with receiver while walking.
massage, sender offers receiver a massage.
patch, sender patches up receiver's wounds.
piano, sender teaches receiver how to play the piano.
pin, sender pins receiver's hands behind their back.
pluck, sender plucks something out of receiver's hair.
press, sender presses receiver against a wall.
propose, sender proposes to receiver.
quiet, sender gestures for receiver to be quiet.
rest, sender rests their head on receiver's shoulder.
serenade, sender serenades receiver with a song.
sign, sender walks into a sign and receiver sees.
size, sender measures the size of their hand against receiver's.
shoes, sender removes receiver's shoes for them.
sun, sender rubs sunblock onto receiver's back.
tattoo, sender gives receiver a tattoo.
tie, sender helps tie receiver's tie.
tuck, sender tucks receiver's hair behind their ear.
umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.
warning, sender presses a knife against receiver's neck as a warning.
zip, sender needs receiver's help to zip up the back of their dress.
5K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
Pablo Neruda, from “Tonight I Can Write”, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
1K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 7 months
Text
Tumblr media
Natasha Trethewey, from Thrall: Poems; "Mythology"
8K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 8 months
Text
when The National wrote "You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you, I missed you twenty-nine years" they really knew huh
926 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 8 months
Photo
Tumblr media
James Wright, from “A Blessing”, Above the River: The Complete Poems and Selected Prose
7K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 8 months
Text
Tumblr media
Zbigniew Herbert, from The Collected Poems: 1956-1998; “Three Poems from the Heart”
Text ID: living—despite / living—against
4K notes · View notes
icehaloed · 1 year
Note
“So uh — do you like it?” He was nervous, but it was a different cheese this time with his signature dish. He wanted to try something new but also with change may come dislike. And Lyon needed to be good — it was unacceptable to be anything else. “And please be honest, I need honest feedback.” - childhood days hehe
he had opened the windows, too. ur noted this, almost absentmindedly. she did not enjoy that she was . . . like that, right now. or on other days, too. she did not like being unable to bring herself to leave her bed on some days. she did not like that on those days, too much weight rested on her apprentice. but it was how it was. she could not . . . she was not even sure if healing was possible, for her.
Tumblr media
even if she healed, her daughter would be dead.
even if she healed, solomon would be gone.
she adjusted the blankets that covered her legs, then she looked at lyon. '' i will tell you my opinion, don't worry, '' she said and it was . . . not really a lie. a lot of food tasted bland, these days. which was actually an improvement---food had tasted like ash, right after. but this was difficult to explain to someone as young as lyon. she was never fully certain if he truly understood what was wrong with her. she had tried to explain, but some things were difficult to explain. she had never had adina's easy way with words. but even if all food tasted bland, she still had textures she liked better than others. that was really what she was going by when lyon asked for feedback. '' . . . thank you, lyon. you are . . . a good kid. ''
and far too comfortable taking on too much responsibility. maybe she would get to talk to him about this once she felt a little better.
6 notes · View notes
icehaloed · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media
happy ten years of writing ur to me!
3 notes · View notes