#Elain reference for myself

[deathsweetblossoms]

Elain Archeron’s Character Growth

I'd never once seen [Nesta and Elain's] hands sticky with blood and fur. (...) It wasn’t that Elain was cruel…Elain sometimes just didn’t grasp things. It wasn’t meanness that kept her from offering to help; it simply never occurred to her that she might be capable of getting her hands dirty. I’ve never been able to decide whether she actually didn’t understand that we were poor or if she just refused to accept it.

—ACOTAR

Getting Her Hands Dirty:

"“Don't forget that gardening often results in something pretty, but it involves getting one's hands dirty along the way."  “And torn up by thorns," I mused, recalling a morning this past summer when Elain had come into the house, her right palm bleeding from several gashes thanks to a stubborn rosebush that had pierced her gloves. The thorns had broken off in her skin, leaving sharp splinters that I’d had to pull free."

—ACOSF Bonus Chapter

“Enchanted gloves,” she read from the card. “That won’t tear or become too sweaty while gardening.” She set aside the box without looking at it for longer than a moment. And I wondered if she preferred to have torn and sweaty hands, if the dirt and cuts were proof of her labor. Her joy.

—ACOFAS

"Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king's neck as she snarled in his ear, "Don't you touch my sister".

—ACOWAR (thank you @tealeaves-and-rosepetals for this one)

Elain "Grasping Things":

“It’s their tradition, though,” Elain countered, her face still flushed with the cold. “One that they fought and died to protect in the war. Perhaps that’s the better way to think of it, rather than feeling guilty. To remember that this day means something to them. All of them, regardless of who has more, who has less, and in celebrating the traditions, even through the presents, we honor those who fought for its very existence, for the peace this city now has.” For a moment, I just stared at my sister, the wisdom she’d spoken.

—ACOFAS

Elain saw every single thing Nesta had done, and understood why.

—ACOSF

Elain Offering to Help:

A lady—that’s what Elain would become. What she was risking for this. (...) “I’ll do it,” Elain said, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders.

—ACOMAF

Cassian shifted in his seat. “So we track down the Dread Trove—how?” Elain spoke from the doorway, having appeared so silently that they all twisted toward her, “Using me.”

—ACOSF

But she hadn’t hesitated to come. When Feyre had offered to let her remain home, Elain had squared her shoulders and declared that she was a part of this court—and would do whatever was needed.

—ACOSF

Elain Accepting The Hand She is Dealt:

Elain, who would not eat, or speak, or do anything at all. Elain, who had somehow become the adjusted one.

—ACOSF

Elain, mourn as she might for the life she would have had with Graysen, had found a place, a role here. Tending to the gardens of Feyre’s veritable palace on the river, helping other residents of Velaris restore their own destroyed gardens—she had purpose, and joy, and friends: those two half-wraiths who worked in Rhysand’s household.

—ACOSF

Silver lined Elain’s eyes, but her voice remained steady, sure. “There was nothing that could have been done to save him, Nesta.” The words were kindling. Elain had accepted his death as inevitable.

--ACOSF

“It’s already ended badly. Now it’s just a matter of deciding how we meet the consequences.”

—ACOWAR Anyways she's perfect. She is everything. She is the moment.

#pro elain archeron #this is for the elain lovers for seeing our girl when nobody else can #inara rereads ac*tar #elain archeron #elain: so full of light #Elain reference for myself #reference: Elain

[vigilskeep]

Is the in-development Trevelyan nerd related to Arthur and Helena?

she could be!

she can’t be a full sibling to my usual trev siblings—usual trevs are white natural redheads, new trev looks more like her cousin sebastian vael (who my usual trevs are not related to, to be clear)—but anything else goes so i might keep the usual trevs as cousins on her trevelyan side or even half-siblings or stepsiblings as if they didnt have enough already. or something else who knows. i’ll make a decision on that when she’s finished stewing in my head!

#sorry she doesnt have a decided name yet #im sticking to arthurian so something classic like guinevere/elaine/morgana #im referring to her as gwen casually but circle mage trev as the lady of shalott is so good #anyway i am keeping her mostly to myself and beloved mutuals while she is in development before i release her into the wild

[wingedblooms]

Stone Mother

Spoilers for Bryce, Nesta, and Azriel’s bonus chapter below (yes, I read it; I couldn’t help myself). Don’t proceed if you don’t want any spoilers connected to hofas.

“Stone Mother” began playing, its rolling, thumping drums offsetting the wild, yet mellow, guitars. And then Josie’s voice filled the tunnel, sharp yet soaring, accented by Laurel’s sweet, clear backups. The sound was foreign, earthy—haunting. […] The wraith-like harmonies echoed off the stones, until the rock sounded as if it was singing. (Bryce, Nesta, and Azriel bonus)

-

But the music seemed to linger, like a ghostly echo through the caves.

And with each mile onward, she could hear Azriel humming softly to himself. The rolling, wild melody of “Stone Mother” flowed off his lips, and she could have sworn even the shadows danced at the sound. (Bryce, Nesta, and Azriel bonus)

Sarah felt it was important to describe Stone Mother in detail—wild and mellow and earthy. Haunting. Wraith-like. Ghostly.

My first thought (as you might expect) was of the divine trio: Mother, Cauldron, Fate.

“Three stones for the faces of the Mother,” Amren said upon seeing Nesta’s raised brows. “Four bones…for whatever reason the charlatans came up with that I can’t be bothered to remember.” (acowar)

I love how witchy this quote is about scrying, as it specifically refers to the three faces of the Mother (like a Three-Faced Goddess). It especially reminds me of the sister peaks and the Cauldron, which is a mother encased in stone.

The wild, mellow, earthy song flows off of Azriel’s lips long after he hears it. Wild, mellow, earthy. Now, let’s pretend to ignore the fact that Azriel listens very carefully to Nesta’s description of how she dealt with becoming Fae (why would that be, truly? who else would be dealing with that?). Who do those words remind you of?

Her gaze shifted to the carved wooden rose she’d placed upon the mantel, half-hidden in the shadows beside a figurine of a supple-bodied female, her upraised arms clasping a full moon between them. Some sort of primal goddess—perhaps even the Mother herself. Nesta hadn’t let herself dwell on why she’d felt the need to set the rose there. Why she hadn’t just thrown it in a drawer. (acosf)

Elain’s solid, dark wooden rose is next to a figurine of the Mother. Something wild, mellow, earthy—just like the third sister herself, a gentle gardener.

And the harmonies? They’re wraith-like. Just like Elain’s friends…

“Half,” Amren said, surveying my turquoise, cobalt, and white clothes. “Wraiths are nothing but shadow and mist, able to walk through walls, stone—you name it. I don’t even want to know how those two were conceived. High Fae will stick their cocks anywhere.”

I choked on what could have been a laugh or a cough. “They make good spies.”

“Why do you think they’re now whispering in Azriel’s ear that I’m in here?”

“I thought they answered to Rhys.”

“They answer to both, but they were trained by Azriel first.” (acomaf)

…who act a bit ghostly, walking through stone like shadows on the daily. If Elain is connected to that lovely darkness we see roaming around, she might bring us even closer to the Cauldron Stone Mother in the next book. Commands be damned.

#hofas spoilers #hofas #bryce azriel nesta bonus #stone mother #mother cauldron fate #elain archeron #nuala and cerridwen #lovely darkness #this is hinting how the crossover impacts acotar #elriel

[offtorivendell]

The Cauldron and its far reaching threads; who is susceptible to the puppet master, and how might it work?

Disclaimer: this is a massive crack theory that I have held off posting since June 2022, but fuck it I guess, let's go! This is not a shipping post.

As usual, I am absolutely NOT suggesting that anyone who is influenced by the Cauldron is inherently evil in any way. This is just a crack theory. If you can't interact respectfully, then please keep scrolling.

Spoilers: ACOTAR series to date, and massive character spoilers for River Song and the Ponds from Doctor Who (if you care about that) in part 2.

Part 1 - Cauldron Made Beings

This first section will be stating some of the obvious, as we know, per Amren in ACOSF, that Cauldron-Made beings are able to be influenced by the Cauldron, though the “how” is not yet clear. @wingedblooms has theorised extensively about the living bond that Elain Archeron may share with the Mother's crockpot, and I suspect that this bond may also tie (terrible pun, sorry) into how the Cauldron can exert control: by pulling the “bond” threads that connect it to its former inhabitants.

Cassian’s breath caught in his throat. “It was a fluke, Amren. Nesta didn’t make it on purpose.” Amren shook her head, hair swaying. “Nothing is a fluke. The Cauldron’s power flows through Nesta, and could use her as a puppet without her knowledge. It wanted those weapons Made, and thus they were Made. It wanted Rhysand to have them and thus the blacksmith brought them to you. - ACOSF, chapter 42

Finding the link would be basically impossible at this point, but I've previously mentioned that I wonder if the Cauldron's dark maker could be Koschei, or another death god/Daglan. To briefly rehash my thoughts: if there is a dark maker, it stands to reason there be a light maker, too… is it the Mother? Could Koschei be the dark mother that the Naga referred to in ACOTAR, as the terms “mother” and “maker” could demonstrate in-universe evolution of the same word? I've also previously theorised that Koschei may have been controlling the Cauldron through the King of Hybern/vice versa, and that is how the Elucien bond came to be, but this is not a shipping post, sorry!

As a quick aside, the above passage also makes me wonder if the Cauldron, or one of its hypothetical makers, wanted the Archeron sisters Made - it's something I've meant to post about, but I think Koschei has had a hand in things since Papa Archeron’s ship was lost at sea, at the very least. They are each a weapon in their own right, as Amren went on to state their powers match Rhys’ own. I know @nikethestatue has had similar thoughts. But I digress.

Look at the use of “bird in a cage” in the following passage, used to describe Nesta, which parallels nicely with Thesan’s use of decorative birds in cages as spies to listen in (thank you so much to @ladynightcourt3 for the first quote).

The amusement only grew, and Helion pushed a finger against his lips in mock warning. “Careful, High Lady. Even the birds report to Thesan here.” I frowned at the birds in cages throughout the room, still silent in Azriel’s shadowy presence. I threw shields around them, Rhys said down the bond. - ACOWAR, chapter 47

“Like calls to like,” Amren countered. “You were Made by the Cauldron. You may track other objects Made by it as well, as Briallyn can. And because you are Made by it, you are immune to the influence and power of the Trove. You might use them, yes, but they cannot be used upon you.” A glance to Elain. “Either of you.” Nesta swallowed. “I can’t.” But to let Elain involve herself, jeopardize her safety— Amren said, “You tracked the Cauldron—” “It nearly killed me. It trapped me like a bird in a cage.” Elain said, “Then I will find it. I might require some time to … reacquaint myself with my powers, but I could start today.” “Absolutely not,” Nesta spat, fingers curling at her sides. “Absolutely not.” - ACOSF, chapter 21

I think Nesta briefly (I hope, though who knows) became a puppet/shell for the Cauldron's puppet master - perhaps a death god such as Koschei, if @fawnandshadows is correct that he bastardised the Cauldron in some way, millennia ago (I think she's onto something) - and that's who we were seeing when she locked herself into her mind while scrying in ACOSF.

“Get her out, Rhys,” Cassian demanded. “Get her out now.” “I can’t,” he said softly, his power a cloak of stars and night around him. “I— The doors to her mind were open the other night. They’re shut now.” “She doesn’t want it seeing her. Or us,” Feyre said, her face tight. “She’s locked it out, but also locked herself in.” Cassian’s stomach twisted. “Nesta,” he said into her ear. “Nesta, open your hand and come back.” Her breathing sharpened. The cold deepened. “Nesta,” he snarled— And the cold halted. It didn’t vanish, but rather … stopped. Nesta’s eyes flicked open. Silver fire burned within. Nothing Fae looked out through them. Rhys shoved Feyre behind him. She shoved her way back to his side. But Nesta’s hand continued to squeeze Cassian’s. He squeezed back, let his Siphons send a bite of power into her skin. She turned her head so slowly it was like watching a puppet move. Her eyes met his. Death watched him. - ACOSF, chapter 31

I think a similar situation - though more high stakes/urgent - could come to play in Elain's book.

Elain is a Seer with mystical powers that are potentially tied to the Void.

She may try to See through mist and shadow, and accidentally make herself known to Koschei or another death god/Daglan?

In ACOSF, Nesta warned her to “stay away from the Cauldron,” and even Azriel suggested there was a darkness to the Dread Trove that “Elain should not be exposed to.” This, of course, makes many of us think that Elain will go after the Cauldron in her own book.

Could Elain mistakenly Look too far and open herself up to the Cauldron's living bond? That being said, it could simultaneously be using at least Jurian and Amren as well, and we have no idea if Made Fae who haven't been inside the Cauldron, such as Feyre and Miryam, are equally susceptible.

Part 2 - Not Made, yet possibly susceptible

I have been wondering for a while if the Cauldron can somehow form bonds, or weave threads, between itself and anyone exposed to it - or a part of it, when it was separated and hidden in different locations - for extended periods of time, or perhaps crucial ages, like somebody's formative years?

His mouth tightened, and he swallowed once before he said, “Hybern was looking for the Cauldron back then—for the pieces of its feet. One was hidden at the temple in Sangravah, its power used to fuel its priestesses’ gifts for millennia. - ACOSF, chapter 14

What if Gwyn - or anyone else - who grew up in Sangravah, a temple that housed one leg of the Cauldron, internalised some of the magic (sort of along the lines of River Song having regenerative abilities because Amy Pond fell/was pregnant while travelling on the TARDIS, and everything that happened after she was born - being taken away)?

All the High Priestesses wore the billowing, artfully twisted and layered robes—though they certainly were far from matronly. Ianthe’s slim waist was on display with a fine belt of sky-blue, limpid stones, each perfectly oval and held in shining silver. And atop her hood sat a matching circlet—a delicate band of silver, with a large stone at its center. A panel of cloth had been folded up beneath the circlet, a built-in swath meant to be pulled over the brow and eyes when she needed to pray, beseech the Cauldron and Mother, or just think. Ianthe had shown me once what the panel looked like when down: only her nose and full, sensuous mouth visible. The Voice of the Cauldron. I’d found the image unsettling—that merely covering the upper part of her face had somehow turned the bright, cunning female into an effigy, into something Other. - ACOMAF, chapter 2

@wingedblooms has suggested that priestesses could be influenced in general because they worship the triple goddess/divine trio, which follows along with what Feyre hinted at when thinking about Ianthe, all the way back in ACOMAF; that they opened themselves up to the divine during their services (in a similar way to how I imagine Elain's Sight may function). That being said, it's hard to say whether the priestesses at Cesere, Sangravah and Itica are more susceptible than their colleagues from other temples due to their prolonged proximity to the Cauldron’s feet, but I suspect it might be the case.

Could they have a deeper connection, or a bond of sorts?

One that remains even when they aren't communing with the Mother or the Cauldron?

One that may be accessed by the Cauldron or its Maker, for such nefarious purposes as letting in enemies to a library sanctuary?

Gwyn is likely already a lightsinger - please see @silverlinedeyes and @merymoonbeam for some brilliant posts that cover the basics of the theory and then some here, here, here, here and here - but if not, or maybe in addition to that, what if she was "Made-adjacent," and so also able to be used as a "puppet" by the Cauldron/the being controlling it, and thus any threads it may share with others? If accurate, this would work for anyone who was born, grew up, and/or lived for a long time in Sangravah, Cesere or Itica. To clarify, I don't think that these priestesses could call to or search for the the Cauldron, as they are likely not true “kin” - as, say, the Archeron sisters are to other Made items - but I could always be wrong about that. Or is this what lightsingers truly are?

Alternatively, what if every Singer (shadowsinger*, lightsinger, or any other type) was capable of the silent song, or had Made/Starborn powers in a way, and/or could be used as a "puppet" by the Cauldron or its master/maker? It would explain how Azriel's shadows could be used by someone else, maybe Koschei, thanks to the hypothetical living bond between the Cauldron and Made beings? So Nesta, Azriel (whose shadows are potentially Made, if not himself), Elain, Feyre, Amren, Miryam, Jurian, Gwyn and a whole lot of priestesses besides...

Too crazy? Probably, but that's why theorising is fun!

TOG SPOILERS BELOW

* Another theory I know I share with others, but at least @ladynightcourt3 and @psychologynerd, is that Azriel's shadows could be Valg. What if Valg have a living bond back to their respectful Valg King? If @fawnandshadows is correct that Koschei/death gods twisted the Cauldron, could this be how? Valg magic?

#the cauldron #dark maker #light maker #acotar #acotar theory #elain archeron #nesta archeron #feyre archeron #priestess #puppet master #acotar 5 theory #acotar 6 theory #acosf #lightsinger #bird in a cage #koschei #koschei theory #death god #daglan

[olenvasynyt]

Similarities and Differences between Lucien and Azriel

Alright...Elriel vs Elucien.  And I am aware that this is a topic: this fanbase has very strong opinions!  I have strong opinions myself ofc.  But I am going to suppress my own personal biases and look at these characters from a logical, unbiased perspective.  And I’m not really going to talk about evidence that proves one ship is canon or anything like that, I actually will barely talk about Elain at all.  

I want to point out the similarities and differences between Az and Lucien because I think these will definitely come into play in the next ACOTAR book since it will most likely be Elain’s book and this ship war is probably going to be addressed (at least I hope)

Similarities:

Prominent Scars

Both have scars which is rare for High Fae, and the way they got these scars is very prevalent to their backstory.

2. Knowledgeable spies

They are both intelligent and sly and know a lot about Prythian because they’re both spies, Lucien was considered Tamlin’s spy / emissary.  They both seem to keep a lot of secrets even from the people they’re close to.

3. Childhood

Their history are similar.  Both were tortured by their fathers and brothers.  Their mothers might have been used against them in their youth to control them (Mommy issues for sure)

4. Found Family

They were taken in by their friends after a really traumatic experience—Rhys and Rhys’ mother took Az in, Tamlin took Lucien in.  And they developed a very strong loyalty to Rhys and Tamlin perspectively as their high lords but also their best friends.

5. Loyal but still speak out often against their HL

And both of them still say the issues they have with their High Lords.  Az is more confident with Rhys while Lucien is a lot more cautious with Tamlin especially after UTM and for good reason. 

6. Defending their loved ones

And they both have their moments of rash defensiveness, like Az choking Eris at the High Lord’s meeting when he insults Mor, and Lucien telling Amarantha to “go back to the shithole she crawled out of” in the first book.

7. Insecurity

And it’s hard to understand them because we barely got POVs from either but they both seem really insecure with themselves.  Az seems to think of himself as a monster he avoids looking at his scarred hands.  And Lucien blames himself for a lot of stuff, one of the most important things imo, Jesminda’s death.  It seems like they avoid a lot of parts of themselves.

8. Elain

And one of tne of the most important in this shipwar situation that makes them similar imo—that I never see anyone talking about—are the conversations they have with Feyre and Rhys perspectively.  In the Autumn Court Feyre and Lucien have a fight about Elain and the Night Court, and Feyre says that he is only tagging along “just so he can get what he thinks he’s owed,” referring to Elain his mate.  This is very reminiscent of what Rhys asks Az in the bonus chapter, “you believe you deserve to be her mate?”

And both of them don’t directly answer and say they think they’re deserving in fact they both address their mistrust/dislike: Lucien answers, “my mate is in my enemy’s hands” and Az says “I think Lucien will never be good enough for her.”

They are both very conflicted when it comes to Elain. Az is attracted to her to the point of infatuation, and he’s stuck on this idea of having love because both of his brothers found love and a mate but he hasn’t.  But being with Elain is forbidden and he kind of realizes he doesn’t have a plan laid out.  He knows all of this is wrong and kind of seems to think he knows he’s being irrational.

And Lucien has the mating bond and all of the emotions and attractions that come with that but he is sick of getting hurt.

He’s still thinking about Jesminda it seems like and he thought she was his mate so he’s already comparing the two females.  

And he also sees that Elain is not into it plus he feels like he’s being forced into it himself.

And I really think the differences between the two will come into play as well, and are probably more important when it comes to Elain and how both of these two males interact with Elain at this current moment in time.

Differences:

`1. Light / dark powers

The most obvious difference is their powers; Lucien has the power of the Day court and Autumn, so light and fire which is the exact opposite of Az’s cold shadow powers. A lot of people use that difference as evidence towards Elucien or Elriel being the next relationship.  But as I said before I just want to point out some other differences that aren’t about each of the two males’ potential with Elain but rather just a character analysis. 

2. Honor, heroism, and helplessness

Az is very much a white knight. He is a savior, a rescuer.  He has a reputation for saving females, including Mor, Gwyn, and Elain.  He kind of has a hero complex in a way at least from how I view it, mainly bc the reason for a lot of these complexes is the desire for affirmation, validation and a sense of purpose, which I think has Az written all over it.

Also, a hero complex isn’t all about rescue and “damsels in distress”.  It is all of these other things:

good at saving people, very perceptive and sympathetic

A need for validation

dismissing their own needs and neglecting self-care

difficulty accepting help

feeling overwhelmed and drained

emotional and psychological burnout

low self-esteem

resentment

fear of abandonment and rejection

guilt over perceived mistakes

issues with overstepping boundaries

I'll make another post about it but I think it's an important.

You can try to analyze this from a psychological viewpoint, like Az was abused and suppressed when he was young, he was locked away and could not help his mother until he was empowered by his Illyrian heritage and shadowsinger abilities and got out of his father’s imprisonment.  A lot of these rescues are because of this job but Az seems like the person who is honorable and would help these females anyway, even if his high lord didn’t blatantly order him.

Lucien has a similar history: he also didn’t have power over his father or brothers, he was helpless when it came to helping his mother. But he reacts differently to this trauma.  He is a lot more helpless. 

Lucien is a gentlemen and very good hearted, and again, he can be rash and he does defend his loved ones, (helping Feyre UTM, going to find Vassa and get help from the other fae territories) but most of the time he is very careful with the moves he makes.  And I don’t want to say he’s selfish because he has done plenty of very selfless things, but sometimes his trauma really drives his decision making.  You can see this with Tamlin in ACOMAF: he tried to help he tries to stand up to Tamlin a few times, but imo his trauma from Beron and seeing his mother being abused really influenced his actions and made him cautious.

3. Trauma from losing loved ones

There is a key quote from Lucien and Feyre’s conversation in the Autumn Court which really just defines how Lucien interacts with people especially Elain.   Lucien was saying he wants to see Elain “just once.  Just—to know.” And Feyre asks him “to know what” and he says “if she’s worth fighting for.” (Chapter 12 Page 114 ACOWAR)

I remember reading that for the first time as someone who fell in love with Lucien from the moment I met him and being like… “ooh 😐 damn.  That’s a little selfish lulu why aren’t you trying harder.” 

And in the bonus chapter, Az says to Rhys that he doesn’t think that Lucian deserves Elain as a mate because he probably just sees Lucien as a coward, he sees how Lucien interacts cautiously around Elain and he’s probably sees him as a coward. He’s frustrated and he doesn’t understand why Lucien is so cautious with his mate because he doesn’t know his history and trauma. 

Lucien is sick of losing people.  He has lost so many of his loved ones.  He has lost Jesminda, he technically lost his mother because most likely hasn’t been allowed to speak to her in centuries.  He’s lost Andras, and he just recently lost Tamlin.  He lost his eye which isn’t a person but it’s a loss still.

Jesminda seems to influence a lot of his decisions when it comes to Elain.  He does not talk about her a lot but in a way he does, you can tell he thinks about her constantly, even if it may have been hundreds of years.

Lucien was expecting a mating bond to snap with her.  He thought that his mate was murdered. 

And he seems very selfish in this conversation with Feyre but it totally makes sense why he said he wants to see if Elain is worth it.  He is sick of losing people.  He’s just like… “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

4. A supportive network

Azriel has had his own losses but he has a lot of people around him.  He’s got all of the inner circle who have supported him and loved him for centuries.  His mother is also alive and there are hints that he goes and visits her.

I think Lucien has a supportive network now with the Band of Exiles, but he lost so many friends and loved ones and allies along the way. He is constantly moving around, loving his spot and finding another one, while Az got a very stable home.

5. Revenge and serving justice

And another thing is, revenge.  Az has a lot more of a need for revenge it seems like.  He wants justice to be served.

When he got out from his step-brother and father’s imprisonment, Rhys isays that what he did to them was so horrible that he struggled looking at him for a while after.  And Az really wants to kill Eris for what he did to Mor, and the only reasons why he holds back are because he believes Mor is more deserving of that revenge and because of his High Lord and High Lady since Eris is a very important ally to the night court right now.

Lucien doesn’t seem to think about justice being served.  Justice has never been served in his life and he thinks it never will.  

He doesn’t seem to have a need for revenge.  He was rude to Feyre in ACOTAR in the beginning which was totally reasonable btw. She murdered and skinned his best friend of course his reaction is bitter hate.  Plus he was losing a lot of hope with the curse.  But he kind of got over it pretty well and Feyre became friends.

And in ACOWAR he encounters his brothers—who tortured him in his youth and held him down and forced him to watch his lover butchered, and also rooted for his torture UTM.  And we don’t really see any need to get his revenge for any of that.  Power came into play in the ACOWAR winter court situation bc him and Feyre were overpowered so they ran instead and that makes sense.

6. Running 

Lucien has a habit of avoiding problems.  He and Feyre ran in Winter (I know their powers were low but still), he ran from Autumn to Spring after Jesminda, he ran from Elain in a way to go help find Vassa.  In ACOFAS when he and Feyre fight on the winter solstice, he left instead of staying.  He just doesn’t want to invest because again, he’s sick of getting hurt.

And maybe not all the time but sometimes Az seems like he runs ahead with his eyes closed.  He bottles up his feelings but he explodes sometimes when he gets too invested, like with Mor and Eris and with Elain in the bonus chapter.

Comparing these two characters is pretty important in the future books, since we will get POVs from both, discover more of their story, and see how this whole shipwar thing ends up.

#elucien #elriel #lucien vanserra #azriel shadowsinger #elain archeron #acotar #tiktok video summary #This is a summary of two of my old TikTok videos lmao I felt like posting them on here

[arcadekitten]

With the new year on the horizon and 10 completed games under my belt, I thought it might be fun to go through some projects that didn't make the cut and I ended up shelving for one reason or another! (It's only like, 2 of 'em but still)

The first is a game about Theodore and Zapara. While Tricks N Treats was my first finished + published RPGmaker game, I originally started testing things out with RPGM shortly after Cemetery Mary's release. The following game was meant to take place in the CM universe.

It was my first time using RPGMaker & it shows. It was also being made in VXAce, hence why proportions are so different from all my current projects. VXace uses 32x32 tiles whereas MV + above use 48x48. Trying to work within these limitations was a bit tricky for me

The (gif) footage you see above is all that exists of the game now(I didn't even screen record LOL). Back when my old laptop kicked it the files for this game went with it and I never cared to back them up. I don't consider it a hard loss though as by that point I had already moved on to bigger more polished projects and I didn't see myself returning to it any time soon(or at all).

The plot of the game was that Theo woke up in the night to hear Zapara leaving their apartment. When he goes to look for and finds her, she seems to want to avoid going back to the apartment for reasons she won't share. By the end of the game she confesses that she had a really realistic nightmare and she's scared if she goes back it will come true. Theo reassures her that he would never let her nightmare happen in reality, and so the two go back together. In the morning, we see Crowven texting them. They're making plans to go out to a club, when Crowven asks if his cousin can come along--tying it into CM.

I think if I made this game, it would've been cute, and maybe I'll even do something with the premise for a larger game, but I don't see myself trying to start this as a solo project again.

The next game that was shelved from when I was learning Unity & Adventure Creator. Patrons had seen previews it! I started this game as a tool to help me learn the programs, and it got shelved when I felt it was no longer teaching me but instead adding weight to my back.

Unlike the previous game, this is a game I COULD see myself starting again--probably using the same method I'm using for WISHMAKER in RPGM. This game is called "Dreary Elaine", and it's a bit interesting!

(ignore the reference PNG of Elaine here HAHA) This game, like WISHMAKER, is a point-and-click adventure game, where you play as the titular Elaine as she delivers party invitations to her neighbors.

The thing that makes Dreary Elaine interesting is that it is actually an offshoot of my other work! Mary Anta is a character that exists in the fictional world of Noisrev. Dreary Elaine is Mary's favorite childhood book series. A fictional world within a fictional world!

As I said above, this is a game that has the potential to come back one day--I'm just not currently sure when. But exploring the Elaine-verse is something that always appeals to me and who knows! Maybe I'll represent it more in my work going forward.

I think that's all for now? I hope it was fun to read through and I'm excited to have more (finished) games and art for you soon! ❤️

#cemetery mary #? #theo #theodore #zapara #elaine #arcadekitten #arcadekitt3n #art #my art #cain

[aho-dapa]

A personal rant on Nesta and Elain’s relationship and how I feel about it

TW: tbh this is a very personal rant for me given that my perspective on life informs how I see these characters (mostly Elain) neglect, abuse, parentification, fucked up family dynamics basically

For framework of this post, I'm anti sjm, anti IC, and pro character nuance even when it comes to the IC

Yknow, reading ACOSF was actually so difficult as someone who really wanted to see more nuance in Nesta and Elain’s relationship

I hate that Feyre actually used Elain’s packing of Nesta’s old home behind her back as a weapon against her, that it reinforced Nesta’s isolation

I hate that we never really understand what happened between Elain and Nesta before this moment, just that somehow someway Nesta was at fault and Elain was ‘justly’ hurt by Nesta, I hate that we, as readers, never even get the possibility to decide for ourselves

I hate that when they do finally talk to each other it’s this:

Elain: “I know the circumstances got your coming here were awful, Nesta, but it doesn’t mean you need to be so miserable about it.” (In reference to Nesta literally being confined to the House of Wind after getting evicted unjustly by the IC, in which Elain was willingly used against Nesta)

Nesta: “You tell yourself there’s nothing that could have been done because it’s unbearable to think that you could have saved him, if you’d only deigned to show up a few minutes earlier.” (In reference to Elain not being able to save her father and implicitly shaming her for it, noted, this is also a response to the above which matters)

Like, the fuck??

Where was the build up to this moment? Where was the reason?

For one, it’s so gross of Elain to invalidate what Nesta is going through, and is also gross of Nesta to place that blame on Elain

It’s just fucking gross all around

And I would have been okay with it, if it was fucking resolved by the end of that huge ass book, but it’s not

They don’t even talk about it, just a small joke and a truce at that ball, and they don’t even talk about the actual painful shit they said to each other

A personal note on this topic:

I’m gonna be honest, I like Elain (to some extent) even though we don’t know too much about her. All I know are these things, she’s someone who was taken care of from a young age, and relied on Nesta and Feyre basically like how a dependent would.

And tbh, out of all the sisters, despite relating to all of them in some way, I feel like what Elain’s going through is connected to my life more personally despite it not being written from her pov. Elain has all the typical signs of a golden child. Loved and cared for and seen as a the best child but also infantilized. She’s so fucking infantilized at every fucking turn.

(TW: A personal note about abuse and neglect) I had the strange dynamic of being both the scapegoat and the golden child to my mother, whenever it suited her, I was shown off like a trophy to my extended family but also was treated like the poison that was causing my parents’ marriage to fail.

As someone who grew up disabled, not able to walk, I also relate to that depression Papa Archeron inevitably has, despite whatever we want to say about canon and neglect

Elain likely took care of him, while both Feyre and Nesta took care of her

Tbh, the sisters’ dynamic is messy and complicated, and I’m not gonna trust sjm to write it well at all

But growing up as a disabled person, not being able to make choices for myself in my own care, I can understand where Elain is coming from

From the beginning by Feyre, Elain is casted in the light of childlike ignorance and while not entirely blamed for it, is also never confronted about it. Elain is doesn’t know that she’s not doing enough for Feyre and this likely forms resentment with Feyre later on. That’s understandable.

As a kid, I grew up stable enough to have what I wanted and then had to live through poverty when we lost our house. The transition in mindset is one I wasn’t one I immediately took to. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t go out to eat, no one ever sat down to explain our money situation, and even though we were definitely going through it, it was expected of me to understand that we couldn’t do certain things

So I would innocently ask for things out of our budget and ask for expensive food without realizing, and would get blamed for the guilt my mother felt for not being able to provide for me as she wanted to. I learned to never ask for what I wanted, and it’s still something I'm learning to deal with whenever I buy something or need help

I mention this all to say that Elain does similar things in the first acotar book. She asks for something out of the budget and she asks for things without malice, merely because she wants something and thinks Feyre can give it to her

Feyre never says that they can't afford it or that she needs to buy new boots for herself, she doesn't explain this to Elain and Elain is never given the chance to say, "Oh, I didn't realize."

She's not allowed a moment of growth, she's stagnated in her childlike responses to things both because of the narrative sjm wanted to tell and because of Elain's dynamic with her family.

I don't even think Elain understands money and how it works (neither does sjm but that's a different point). It's possible she sees the deer, the fur, something new and something that they could sell in the market for, and thinks they might have enough for something she wants

It's a mistake I made so commonly in my childhood, that Feyre's resentment actually breaks my heart

That's what makes Nesta's protectiveness over Elain feel both like care and shackles

(Something sjm tried to address but did so fucking poorly, like usual)

Later on, when their wealth is restored, Elain goes back to the familiar easily, likely because she never truly got to have the mental transition both Nesta and Feyre had (and her father was actively hoping for this to happen so he was likely excited about this as much as Elain)

I also want to point out want happened in ACOSF between Elain and Nesta. I mentioned in another post the Elain likely (mostly her unconscious inner child) sees Nesta as a mother figure. That Nesta likely was the one that took care of Elain when they were younger more than her mother. Nesta likely gave Elain the kindness of her mother, the attention of her father, and Feyre was too young at this point

So I think it's understandable why she's lashing out in ACOSF to Nesta, because it's that realization that the person who's been taking care of you your whole life, the one who you can go to and lean on and not be judged by, can no longer take care of you

To some extent, Elain realizing Nesta is going through hell, she has to face losing another parental figure and her first reaction is likely to cling onto that relationship even though it's unhealthy for both of them

Its like a child asking why their parent can't take of them, isn't that their job?? Except Nesta isn't Elain's mother and never should have been put in that position

Elain reacts in indignation and anger and hurt because that's what a child does, and Elain is going through this now because she's never had the chance to before, now she's being forced to

She has to grow up and she's petulantly digging her heels in

On the note of ACOSF, in the scene where she and Nesta talk (where I pulled those quotes from the beginning from), Nesta is not in the right head space at all to deal with Elain and what she's going through

Nesta is just point blank not able to do it. Mentally, she already feels like someone undeserving of love and is a horrible person. She's deteriorating and Elain just comes up and acts like she's not dying inside.

(Fuck sjm btw for doing this to Nesta)

In fact, Elain can see that Nesta is miserable but says she should basically be handling it with more grace. Which, is fucked, but it is something that is commonly told to literally anyone going through shit and by people not willing to be sympathetic to that

(It could almost be internalized misogyny because women are expected to deal with things gracefully or 'in a manner befitting a lady' but that's another discussion for another day)

What I want to point out in this discussion is how Nesta interacts with Elain because we honestly can't for sure know Elain's POV (despite this whole post projecting on her because sjm doesn’t give us enough for me to satisfactorily understand the character she’s writing after nearly FIVE books but whatever. Skill issue I guess)

A note on how they view each other and how they talk about each other in ACOSF:

This is honestly like?? Just a thing, but the implication is that Elain is pampered here, she wouldn't do this or that. It's framed as a bad thing, especially since at this point the stairs are representative of Nesta’s freedom being held hostage and Elain just gets to come and leave without consequence.

From Nesta's POV:

Someone had brought Elain here, since there was no way in hell she had climbed those ten thousand steps.

She stopped a few feet away. As if holding herself back from the embrace she might have given.

Like Nesta was some sort of disease-ridden leper.

Like, again, this comes from a distorted view Nesta has of herself, not helped by the IC at all. It's likely that Elain just know how to bridge the gap between them that has formed.

Elain had been the ghost then, too thin, with her thoughts turned inward.

Somehow Nesta had become the ghost.

Worse than a ghost. A wraith, whose rage and hunger were bottomless, eternal.

Elain had only needed time to adjust. But Nesta knew she herself needed more than that.

It was always that way between them: Elain, sweet and oblivious, and Nesta, the snarling wolf at her side, poised to shred anyone who threatened her.

In ACOSF, Nesta and Elain have switched places from ACOMAF when Elain was honestly going through it. Regardless, both of their mental states have been used to gain high ground with each other in this fandom and I'm like, not going to do that, that's not the point.

Rather this comes back to my previous point. Nesta has had to take care of Elain, likely as a mother would. It's the resulting parentification Nesta has endured.

This is also... Like yes, needing more or less time to adjust in general, especially to a traumatic situation, is morally neutral. What makes me pause of the self woe is me of Nesta saying she's worse than Elain in nearly every way. This is a result of her mental state. But it's also not helpful to either herself OR Elain. This instead puts Elain on a pedestal, in her own box.

WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE: going hc now but, with how Nesta was groomed by her own mother, it wouldn't surprise me if Nesta also 'parents' in this way towards Elain. Except Elain gets to be everything Nesta didn't get to be in the eyes of her mother; perfect, beautiful, gentle, demure, a lady. Elain, to Nesta, deals with her own grief more respectably than Nesta, which is likely an external expectation placed on her from a young age.

There is also the idea that Nesta has more patience and gentleness with others than herself.

Elain had accepted his death as inevitable. She hadn't bothered to fight for him, as if he hadn't been worth the effort, precisely as Nesta herself knew she herself wasn't worth the effort.

Another comparison Nesta makes between herself and Elain. Except there's also this element of protection to it. Often, Nesta is willing to be that 'wolf' to protect Elain, the innocent and oblivious. But again, this also places expectations on Elain, that box her in.

"...Go back to Feyre and your little garden."

Again, with how Nesta essentially views Elain's grieving process. But instead, I'd say this comes across more as a twisted mess of Nesta's own unresolved feelings towards her father and also equating herself as him. He was their father, and in many ways Nesta played that role for Elain. When she hates her father, I suppose in some ways, she is also hating herself in this moment.

The unsaid said here is also Nesta's survivor's guilt. I think it's not far fetched to say that (presumably) just like Elain, she wanted to save her father and she wanted to 'be early' to help him.

"She's not getting any better. She's not even trying."

This is also likely Nesta acknowledging that they've split. In ACOTAR through ACOWAR, it has always been Nesta and Elain, Elain and Nesta. But in ACOSF, Nesta feels betrayed by Elain because of Feyre's actions. People hate the IC and Rhysand for Nesta's imprisonment, but this is also a product of Feyre using her authority and deciding Nesta's bodily autonomy with her own 'goodwill' in mind.

And Elain famously has always had a little garden. But it's also an isolation from hurt and pain, it's a place of comfort, and it's always been a place where Elain belongs. This time, Nesta is saying that Elain belongs there (despite whatever Elaim could want).

This could also reflect Nesta’s bitterness about being trapped.

Nesta shot to her feet. "No."

Now, this is what Elain says about Nesta. Which tbh, is understandable for her POV. This is after Nesta says those quoted words to her. But this is also ultimately a result of no one acknowledging the pain and honestly disgusting thing they've done to Nesta. Elain expects that Nesta will get better in an environment that's actively worsening her mental state. The reasons why Nesta does 'get better' is always connected to something outside of the House of Wind with Gwyn and Emerie. The library, despite being close, is not the same as the HoW, so it makes sense that Nesta would go there to escape.

Elain remained in the doorway, her face pale but her expression harder than Nesta had ever seen it. "You do not decide what I can and cannot do, Nesta."

... "You will not go looking for it."

I think this is honestly this crux of their dynamic. Nesta is the 'mother' and Elain is the 'child' despite them actually being sisters. Nesta tells Elain what to do, as a parent would would their 'power' over a child. Except Elain is rejecting this.

This is... a dynamic that is honestly just done a major disservice by sjm. Neither of them acknowledge anything in a meaningful manner and none of them resolve anything at all. ACOSF establishes dynamic poorly and does an even poor job of doing honestly anything about it. Nesta instead is beat down so much that she just breaks down and accepts it. And Elain doesn't grow in any way either. Instead, because sjm and her characters do not actually acknowledge the reality of the conflicts they have, Elain just comes off as more childish and spoiled, which is like, also horrible for her character. A clown show is what this whole series is.

#anti sjm #elain archeron #nesta archeron #pro elain #pro nesta #pro elain archeron #pro nesta archeron #papa archeron

[morallyinept]

A full transcribe of MAX PHILLIPS' dialogue/lines from the film BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS.

Includes full dialogue, and dialogue from any deleted/additional scenes available.

I've created this as a point of reference when writing for Pedro's characters, and I hope you find it useful. Even if you just want to read the dialogue. 🖤

FULL MASTERLIST OF PEDRO CHARACTERS DIALOGUE

☝🏻Dialogue has been fully transcribed by myself using reference to original scripts (if available), audio subtitles and using my own two ears. Therefore, mistakes can be made, however I have tried to be as fully accurate as I can. If you spot an obvious mistake, please kindly let me know. Where audio is not clear, I have marked with *inaudible* Scenes are separated for ease of reference.

FULL SCRIPT DIALOGUE:

Hey Evan! 

__________________

Question. What do we sell here? 

No, Michael. We sell dreams. 

Sales is… seduction. And when you seduce, do you say I have a 401k? Or I floss? No. You say, I love you. Because people make decisions from the heart. You want to sell a bunch of useless crap to fat losers in Alabama and bored housewives in Iowa, feed their dreams. Convince them. Their lives can transcend the pointless slog of being human. Give them hope. Open their eyes to something… bigger. Sink your teeth into their poor, pathetic lives, and give them life. And better abs. 

Our goal for this month is… one million dollars in sales. It’s aggressive, yes. I’m confident we can hit it. And if we don’t, Ted and I have already agreed we’ll be forced to kill all of you. 

__________________

Thank you, Gerry. 

Are those the employee files I requested? 

Listen, Amanda. I know you and Evan have a history, and I know that you care about him. 

Sure, sure, sure, tell you what. After I settle in, you and I can schedule some one-on-one and get to know each other. 

Hey, buddy! Just had a little HR talk. Thanks, Mandy, we’ll circle back round. 

Long time no see, am I right? 

Listen, Evan. I know you and I had a little falling out. But as far as I’m concerned, water under the bridge. Ancient history. ‘Cause it’s all about the company now, right?

Knew I could count on you. 

__________________

We’re going to get this place lean and mean, Theodore. We're gonna need to separate the meat from the talent. We’re gonna- 

Evan, Evan. Slow down! What’s up now? 

Ted, call security. 

Evan, this isn’t some way of stalling on the Fallowcite presentation, is it? 

We’re counting on ya, slugger. 

__________________

Dave, right? 

I hear you're the guy to talk to about office pools. Company’s sports zsar. 

Oh yeah? 

Oh, nonsense. Morale is vital to the health of any company. And you make an important contribution. Let’s pop into my man cave and you can give me the Vegas tips on NBA playoffs and dirt on upcoming events, you know, man stuff. 

__________________

Oh gosh, buddy, that hurts my feelings. I'm sure Amanda is great in a crisis, but don’t you think this call is more suited to 911? 

I just devoured her… fabulous Osso Bucco! Who knew she was such a demon in the kitchen? Absolutely open another bottle, as long as it’s red! 

Do I hear banging? On your end, I mean. There’s no banging happening here, yet. 

It’s Evan calling to tell us he’s absolutely crushing the Fallowcite presentation for tomorrow. Do you wanna talk to him? 

Sorry, buddy, you’re stuck with me. 

I think you better focus on your own problems, bro. But I’ll give Amanda your best. Actually, I’ll give her mine. It’s better. 

Where are we, is the more pertinent question?

You… have beautiful eyes. 

Don’t I know it... 

__________________

Ted. Ted, Ted. Let’s not be hasty. Andrew finished the job, but Evan laid down the groundwork. Look at this poor fella. He was just passed over for a promotion, he slept in the supply closet and he smells like a dead worn hooker. He’s just having a rough patch. Let’s give him a pass on this one, ‘kay? 

__________________

Poor, poor, Elaine. All ginger and no joy. 

Yes, you do! I want you… ssh. 

You all are. 

__________________

Corporate was threatening to shut down the entire branch, I simply presented Ted with an alternative. 

After your little stunt in college, the only school that would take me was this university in Romania. But it turns out, it had a very unique MBA programme. Whole new paradigm in business management. 

That is the worst part of this job! Firing people.

It’s true, Amanda. You gotta start working on your stubbornness if you wanna be a part of the team. 

Is that so? 

Oh. Okay. Well, show yourselves out. 

Bye, gang.

__________________

Oops. 

Oh no, no, no, no, no. I need you to learn how to delegate. 

Not if you kill them first, people. Learn how to take the initiative if you don't want me to micro manage! 

No, it’s a balancing act, to be sure. 

Well don’t worry about it. It’s mostly marketing. 

Still, a good manager knows when his staff is getting overextended. Be a dear and call downstairs for me, would ya? 

Yeah feel free, make yourself at home. 

Who am I going to get to stock the supply closet now? 

Ehh. I’ll make more. 

Not in the slightest. 

Oh honestly, guys. Did you really think it was going to be that easy? 

Oh come on! You think I'd attempt to take over this entire company without consulting Legal first? 

Amanda? A private word with you in my office, please. 

Hey, remember when I did this to your girlfriend in college without using supernatural powers? 

Evan, you can go home for the day. Frank. You can die. 

__________________

Oh, hey pal! I was just about to turn your girl and fuck her on Ted’s desk. 

Sorry, hahaha, my desk. 

Amanda. You need to focus on your job. HR is going to be swamped with all the new hires we’re going to need. 

My management style is effective! And refreshing. 

Evan. Do you remember what I said we sell here? 

Yeah. That was bullshit. We sell fear. 

Our customers are afraid. Afraid that life is passing them by, which to be fair, it is. And that is why you are perfect for this place, because you are a coward! 

You were afraid to tell Amanda you love her because of why? Because you work together? Because she earns more than you? 

You didn’t even have the balls to quit when this incompetent turd passed you over for the guy you hate most on the face of the earth. You are so afraid of life, haha, that you actually want to be sales manager in this shit hole! 

We are trying to have a conversation! 

And I’m not gonna change you. That’s right. I’m gonna keep you alive and stuck in this pathetic, pointless job from now until the day you die. 

This suit is bespoke! 

Sharing the desk with the photo printer whilst I stay young with the woman you love, immortal at my side! 

Yeah. Yeah. That’s the way it works. 

__________________

FULL MASTERLIST OF PEDRO CHARACTERS DIALOGUE

#max phillips #pedro pascal #PPCU #pedro pascal characters #max phillips bloodsucking bastards #bloodsucking bastards #max phillips dialogue

[drinkingcoffee-inthedark]

Unrequited

Part 6

Pairing(s): Azriel x Reader, Lucien x Reader

Warning(s): Angst, PG13 Romance

A/N: So, So sorry this took forever! I hope y’all enjoy even though it’s late! There’s going to be like 2-3 more parts until this is done.

You and Azriel sat in an uneasy silence for what felt like hours. He was wringing his hands while you picked at nonexistent lint in your dress. Your whole body felt ice cold even as you stared into the roaring fire that Azriel had lit in the hearth. The flames danced in your far-away eyes as Elain’s words rang in your ears.

‘Whore’

You clenched and unclenched your hands in succession to get the blood circulating, desperately trying to generate heat to your extremities. Your foot tapped against the wood floors as you bounced your leg, trying to soothe yourself.

‘Be careful, sisters’

Elain had warned them. Warned them about you. That you were going to steal their men. Just as Elain had felt you’d done to her. You knew it was ridiculous. She had no claim to either male. The thought of your friends being warned about you- about your character- had you suddenly flushing with anger. You heaved out a breath through flares nostrils and rose you your feet.

The fire that had done nothing to warn you was now blazing hot, and you were suffocating. You kicked off your shoes and paced the length of the living room for several laps, feeling Azriel’s hazel eyes boring into your skin. You gritted your teeth and turned on your heels, ready to pace another lap, before the Shadowsinger called to you.

“(Y/N)?” His deep voice sounded hesitant, shaky. It wasn’t often that you heard him take that tone. You hesitated for a moment, before sagging your shoulders, and turning to face him.

He was on his feet, standing in front of the couch, and looking at you cautiously. You’re gaze refused to meet his, and you stared at the floor.

“(Y/N).” He said again, this time sounding more sure. He took a step towards you, the floorboards of the cabin creaking, and you finally met his eyes.

You let out a long, shaky breath, and took a step closer to him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” He cocked his head curiously.

“For getting me out of there. For bringing me here.”

He took another step towards you.

“Of course. She was way out of line.” He practically hissed.

At the mention of Elain, you cast your eyes downward again. You didn’t really believe her words, but they stung none the less. You were just hoping your family didn’t believe them.

It really wasn’t a big thing, being intimate with two partners. Or sometimes even more than that. At least, it wasn’t a big deal with Fae. Mother knows how many fae Helion alone had romantic trysts with.

Humans, however, were less open. Less free. Less understanding, and far more judgmental. And the Archeron sisters lived the majority of their lives as humans.

“It’s not true.” Azriel’s voice lulled your from your thoughts. “What Elain said. It’s not true. Not one bit of it.”

You looked at up at Azriel, his face open and genuine. It nearly made you weak in the knees. You typically didn’t care too much about what people thought of you. But you couldn’t bear it if Azriel thought so low of you.

“I- I never thought that of myself.” You told him, “But I can’t stand the thought of you.. of all of you,” you quickly corrected, “thinking that way of me.”

He looked bewildered at your admission, his eyebrows scrunched together rather endearingly.

“(Y/N), no one would think that of you.”

“Then why did it cause such a scene at dinner?” You countered.

“I think they were more shocked about Elain referring to sex as fucking,” his joke was even toned, unsure of whether it would ease the tension or make it worse.

You stared blankly at him and he sighed.

“(Y/N). No one thinks you’re a whore.” He wrinkled his nose up at the word, “You’re an adult. Lucien and I are both adults. Consenting adults. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know that!” You snapped. “But it feels wrong to have had sex with you when you’re mated, for cauldron’s sake! And it always felt wrong to have sex with Lucien while I’m in lov-” you cut your tangent off and your eyes grew wide at the reality of what you’d almost let slip.

You prayed to the Mother and the Cauldron that Azriel hadn’t heard, but you knew he had at the stunned expression on his handsome features.

He took another step towards you, and was now directly in front of you. Any closer, and you’d be touching.

“In love with who, (Y/N)?” His voice was commanding, but you wouldn’t answer him. Couldn’t.

“Who?” He was practically pleading. “With Lucien?” He asked.

You shook your head slowly, your shoulders tensing, as you felt like the world was going fall out from beneath your feet.

It was now or never.

Part of you hoped it would’ve been never.

“No. Not Lucien.” You said.

“(Y/N). Who.”

“You.” You and Azriel let out matching breaths that you didn’t know you were holding in.

“I’m in love with you,” You repeated. “I have been since the day we met.”

Azriel’s face, normally so stoic and serious, was practically glowing. He huffed out a shallow laugh, before breaking out into an all-out grin. The pure, true gleam of joy and adoration in his eyes nearly brought you too your knees.

You never considered, never let your self dream, that maybe Azriel felt the same way. That he-

“I’m in love with you too, (Y/N). Since that day in the triage tent that you stitched up my wounds and made me whole.”

You choked back the surprised sob that nearly erupted from your throat at the sheer combination of disbelief and ecstasy that tugged at your very heart. You knew what he said. You’d heard it. You almost believed it. But you had to be sure.

“But Gwyn-” You started, before Azriel cut you off.

“Gwyn was chosen by the cauldron. You are chosen by me. It’s always been you, (Y/N). It will always be you.”

And at that- you believed.

You practically launched yourself into Azriel’s arms. He didn’t even flinch before he had his arms around you, pulling you close. His lips met yours and it was almost as if you could feel literal sparks flying. The Shadowsinger kissed you deeply, drinking in the taste of you. Your head was spinning at the sensation.

Azriel cupped your cheek with his scarred hand, and snakes his other arm around your waist. You moaned softly, and swiped your tongue across his bottom lip. He quickly granted you access and you greedily explored with your slick tongue.

His hand made its way down, and he squeezed your ass, making you yelp quietly. He pulled away and laughed breathily, making you giggle.

“(Y/N)…” Azriel began, but he was cut short by his shadows, which scattered frantically around the room. Black, smoke-like wisps flew out in all directions, bouncing off the walls of the cabin.

Azriel’s eyes went wide and he gasped.

“What the fuck is happening!” You asked him, your eyes wildly following the shadows.

“I..I don’t know,” Azriel admitted, his voice wavering.

And just as quickly as his shadows began swirling, they came to a screeching halt. The Shadows seemingly froze in place as you and Azriel shared bewildered, if not slight cautious looks. The Shadowsinger kept as still as his wisps of darkness, and you could practically see the gears turning in his head behind his eyes.

“Have they ever done that before?” You dared to ask.

Azriel just shook his head.

“Never.” Was his terse response as he slowly made his way to the window of the cabin.

The Illyrian Warrior reached to pull back the curtain, when the front door slammed open, nearly coming off the hinges. Azriel moved swiftly, getting ready to attack the intruder, but stood down quickly at the sight of his brother.

Rhys nearly tumbled through the doorway, violet eyes scanning the room wildly. The normally cool and collected High Lord was frantic. The look on his face had Azriel instantly on high alert, and the hair on the back or your neck stood up.

“Something is wrong.” Rhysand said. “Horribly wrong.”

“What is it?” Azriel asked, nearly as panicked as his brother.

“The Cauldron. In Cretea.” He said, “We need to go. Now.”

*

@lahoete @percyjacksonspeen @inpraizeof @honestlywtfisgoingon @azzydaddy @positivewitch @thesillyyogourt @cmay25 @a-little-disguised @rachelnicolee @azriel-luvr @blurredlamplight @mis-lil-red @buckysimp101 @nightcourtwritings @dragonstoneprincess 

@tell-me-a-poem @feiwelinchen @mich0731 @introvertedmouse @megsy-chicken @loulou0101 @bookish-dream @alexboshallex @tsofo26

strikethrough = tumblr won’t let me tag. sorry!!

#acotar #azriel #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fanfiction #azriel spymaster #azriel x reader #lucien vanserra #azrielxreader #lucienxreader #lucien x reader #acotar x reader

[nightcourtreader]

Can we stop saying that the acosf bonus chapters centers around Elain when that is not the case what so ever.

It’s Azriel’s bonus chapter. SJM refer to it as such. I have seen an Elriel refer to it as “Elain’s bonus chapter” and that’s just fucking crazy. Yes Elain did feature in the first half of Azriel’s bonus, but elain wasn’t the only character besides Azriel in this bonus chapter.

A lot of people like to disregard the second half of Azriel’s bonus. Gwyn also featured in the bonus, can we start calling it Gwyn’s bonus chapter then and start stating that Gwyn was the center of it? Especially since SJM used the same sentences for mates in the acotar series & CC series in the bonus chapter in regards to Gwyn and Azriel?

That bonus chapter was written specifically for Azriel. To me, it was obvious a set up for AZRIEL’S love interest. SJM specifically brought attention to Azriel’s bonus chapter in a live and said she left bread crumbs through out it. It has some significance, the author wouldn’t want to put emphasis on it otherwise.

The connotation between Azriel and Elain was so negative in the bonus chapter, it was obvious that the bonus chapter showed how unsuited the two would be with each other. Then you get to the bonus chapter with Azriel and Gwyn and it’s so much more positive. The first half of the bonus was obviously not meant to be in a good light, not in terms for Elain’s character but in terms for a relationship between Elriel.

The bonus also showed us AZRIEL’s mental state. It just gave more insight of him. That’s the whole point of the bonus.

So no, Azriel’s bonus chapter is not centered around any other person besides Azriel himself. We got the insight to be in his head & his thoughts. No one else’s. If SJM would have given Elain a bonus chapter and Azriel would have been in it, no one would have said that that chapter centered around Azriel and start labeling it “Azriel’s bonus chapter”. It would’ve been just hers.

In feysands bonus chapter did they speak about Elain? Absolutely. Yes, Rhys said let’s focus on one sister before we deal with the other. But they also spoke about BOTH Elain AND nesta. Which only took up like 3 pages of a 9 page bonus chapter. The rest of that bonus chapter, feysand talked about the pregnancy, Feyre talking about nightmares and paintings, Nyx, Rhysands last name. Majority of that bonus was about feysand. It was not centered around Elain. It was centered around feysand.

Yes, both bonuses mentions elain and features her in it. But no, acosf bonus chapters are not centered around her. If SJM would have gave Elain a bonus chapter then yes, that bonus would have been centered around her since it would be coming from her pov, but she didn’t get one.

And acosf is not centered around Elain either. I saw claims of that as well. A lot of people, myself included, thought that Elain was going to be seen more since her and nesta were suppose to have such a close relationship in the beginning of the series, but once you read acosf you can see that’s not the case.

Half the time Elain was in acosf, honestly it was nesta insulting her. Calling her a dog, loyal to whoever fed her. Saying she finally grew claws and becoming interesting. That Elain was nothing but a doll to dress up. Saying Elain was always oblivious to things. Nesta and Cassian both saying how the black gown in the CON was such an ill suited thing for Elain to wear. Elain being cut down about helping to scry even if she stated she wanted to and then Azriel not saying it to her face. But nesta made it clear that she didn’t Elain doing it to her face. Then Cassian thinking Elain lied about tending to the gardens in the early portion of acosf.

I just don’t think Elain really contribute much to the plots in acosf, because she wasn’t really there on most plot points and I think SJM made it clear Elain wasn’t right for the night court. It can be very intentional on sjm’s part that Elain is less in acosf because of that. I might be wrong about saying it and it has been a while since I read acosf. But to me the major plot points for acosf were of course nesta’s personal healing journey, the valkryies, the dread trove, Briallyn/the blood rite/the illryians, Cassian becoming a courtier, other worlds/daglan, nesta’s death magic and death weapons, feysands pregnancy, the deal with eris. And majority of those plots, Elain wasn’t really a part of them.

I think it was intentional SJM didn’t but Elain more in the limelight of course. Since it’s nesta’s book and all, but I just think that Elain isn’t in acosf as much as some people make it out to be. Because honestly, based off what we got in acosf and without the bonus, and with SJM said it was obvious who the next book is about. I would still think it’s Azriel. It’s my opinion, I could be wrong 🤷🏽‍♀️. You may think differently. But it’s not a lie when people state that Azriel was in acosf more than Elain was.

Elain lives in the river house with feysand. If it was in feysands pov of course we would have gotten more Elain. But nesta, Cassian, and Azriel all live in the house of wind. A place were they all train & where nesta goes into the library to work. You can see why Elain was featured less in acosf since nesta, Cassian and Azriel weren’t really around her much.

And now, nesta is more close to Cassian, Azriel, Emerie and Gwyn than she is to Elain so Cassian, Azriel, Emerie and Gwyn were the ones who showed up the most in acosf besides nesta, cassian and feysand.

To me, there was a clear divide between Elain and the IC. Yes acosf makes it clear that Elain is not fit for the night court but I just don’t see it as a major plot point for acosf, more like it’s a major plot point for Elain’s book whenever we get it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

#acosf #azriel bonus chapter #feysand bonus chapter #nesta acosf #elain acosf #gwyneth berdara

[hrizantemy]

the questions I now have to live with since I've read acotar. Haven't read the book in a while and I don't plan to for the sake of my own sanity 😭 so sorry if this doesn't make sense

Did Feyre even earn the wings she uses? Why the fuck did rhysand allow her to even be able to have them ?? I would be so offended as a woman who had her wings taken if a human turned far was able to just summon a part of myself that I lost.

Why was there a inner circle again? They were all useless

Did Feyre even earn the title high lady or have any power?

What was mor's role again?

Why should I be scared of the tiny creature who can't access her powers but is trapped in a fae body. How exactly is she a threat?

Why do people say that bat boy deserves better? Last I checked Nesta had zero power over bar boy, wasn't harassing him and didn't trap him in a house or mock him to the point of a breakdown. Yes she was mean but that doesn't excuse the fact she was abused by higher authority and treated like an object.

Why didn't the high lords not team up and attack Rhysand? I would have declared war on him if I were the rest of the high lords. Plus the other half of his court who hates him wouldn't mind.

The same questions I’m asking myself everyday I think about this book. I’ll try and answer some of it though !!

1. The Illyrian culture, where wings hold significant symbolism and are a part of their identity, is deeply ingrained in their society. For Feyre, a human-turned-faerie, to possess wings without earning them through the traditional Illyrian rites or experiences is at least in my perspective appropriating their culture. It disregards the cultural significance and the struggles Illyrian women face with having their wings clipped. Feyre, as a human, comes from a different background and has not endured the same hardships as Illyrian women. Rhysand, as Feyre's partner and a powerful High Lord, holds significant influence over her abilities and development. Granting her wings without her earning them could perpetuate unequal power dynamics within their relationship. It suggests that Feyre's empowerment is dependent on Rhysand's decisions rather than her own agency and efforts. While the decision to give Feyre wings may have been made with good intentions, it’s viewed as problematic due to its implications regarding cultural appropriation, privilege, power dynamics, disregard for traditions.

2. In history, an "Inner Circle" typically refers to a close-knit group of individuals who hold significant influence and power within a particular organization, government, or social circle. The Inner Circle is often composed of trusted advisors, confidants, or allies of a leader or authority figure. Despite being portrayed as a close-knit group, there are instances in the series where members of the Inner Circle experience internal conflicts, disagreements, and tensions. This lack of unity can undermine their effectiveness as a cohesive team. The Inner Circle contributes less to the group's overall objectives or face fewer consequences for their actions compared to others. The Inner Circle's decision-making process is inconsistent or questionable at times, leading to outcomes are illogical or unsatisfying. In conclusion Sarah J. Maas doesn’t even know why they’re there because like Nesta and Elain they were meant to be flat characters.

3. In many fantasy narratives, characters earn titles or positions through specific trials, accomplishments, or displays of skill. Feyre’s ascension to High Lady lacks clear, earned qualifications or achievements traditionally associated with such a prestigious title. Throughout the series, Feyre makes decisions that are morally ambiguous or controversial. Feyre's journey to becoming High Lady is heavily influenced by her relationships with other characters, particularly Rhysand. She is overly reliant on Rhysand's support and guidance, raising questions about her ability to lead independently and make tough decisions without external assistance. Compared to other characters in positions of leadership, such as the High Lords or Ladies of other courts, Feyre's experience and training may appear limited. Although Feyre possesses certain magical abilities, such as the ability to manipulate and control different types of magic, her powers are relatively limited in scope compared to other characters who wield vast and diverse magical abilities.

4. She’s a bisexual leaning lesbian who sleeps with men but hates it and uses her brother/fuck buddy to prove to another man he can never have her while being jealous that her brother/fuck buddy has a mate that she things “doesn’t deserve him” that’s her role and we’re supposed to route for her I guess.

5. Because her eyes swirl silver and she drinks blood???

6. Because that bat boy dick makes people delusional I swear it has to be good.

7. Tarquin needs to send them back the blood rubies and gather allies and then destroy their court and let them be invaded and court destroyed. Sound familiar? Yeah.

I’m so sorry I got tired and lazy through like half of this !!! 😭😭😭😭

#anti acotar #anti acosf #anti inner circle #anti feysand #anti rhysand #anti cassian #anti azriel #anti amren #anti morrigan #anti nessian #pro nesta #nesta archeron deserves better #please someone #how are people still reading this book #stand up !!

[buttoncup]

To the dumb Elriel who blocked me because having a polite civilised conversation above their maturity level, it would've been a lot better to have shown me those facts you so plainly say are within the text to support your argument...and yet you ran off scared because those facts you spoke of aren't real. They're not Canon and they are meaningless when you put what's written right in front of you. Eriels go on and on about years of build up and then run away when we ask nicely to see it...because they know there isn't any that suggests or confirms endgame.

Oh Elain looked down and MAYBE was looking at Azriel's hands ooooor she was looking at his siphons...we don't know. But elriels do, she said she found his hands sexy.

Elain and Azriel have so much behind their relationship it literally happens off page! So who needs another 800page book about them getting together if it's already happened??

We Gwynriels give Gwyn all of Elain's attributes???? Really?? Is that why I see art of Elain with daggers and swords, read about her becoming a spy and warrior when SJM wrote her having an aversion to getting her hands dirty or bloody??

Az doesn't consider Gwyn a friend.... yeah well that little excerpt happened in the bonus chapter HALFWAY through acosf you dumbass. He's been talking to Gwyn a lot and sure it's off page much like all that romance thats been going on in gardens hey??

Or the worst take about the conversation is that Gwyn can't think or be depicted in a sexual way because of her SA?? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! oh Gwynriels are sick to support that ship because Gwyn thinks of her assault everytime she sees Az.... DO YOUR EYES WORK?? I have to reign myself in when I'm debating with an Elriel and I haven't for a while trust me, but to hear them refer to Gwynriels as "not real people" blew my mind.

If you can't have a civilised discussion without becoming aggressive after being calmly given the real facts then I'm glad you blocked me as I have an answer for everything, I don't have to make it up, or twist characters personalities to suit a narrative to fit a ship thats more than likely not happening. But you knew that already, hence why you skittered away, just like Az's shadows when he's around Elain 👍

#rose necklace #gwynriel #pro gwynriel #pro gwyneth berdara #gwynriel supremacy #gwyneth x azriel #gwyneth berdara #azriel berdara #azriel x gwyn #gwyn berdara #antielriel #anti elriel

[acourtofthought]

For the Elucien Fans

Who really want an Elucien book

Every time anything is released, this fandom goes wild.

SJM wears a Bambi sweater? Elain's book is next!

Az gets a Bonus in SF and CC? Az's book is next! (Even though both the SF bonus chapters revolved around Elain, even though Tharion had a bonus but people still theorize Ruhn and Lidia's romance will be the main romance in CC4, even though Lucien had his own POV in the actual ACOTAR series yet people still think Az will have a book before him).

SJM places the copy of HOSAB on top of a book about flowers? Elain's book is next!

A HOFAS teaser is revealed and it has both Nesta and Az? Az's book is next because she's drawing our attention to him!

But CC is not the ACOTAR series and SJM at one point drew our attention to the Elucien setup in ACOWAR, made a big part of the first third of the book about Lucien trying to get to Elain and the second third about him helping her through her depression yet some still think Az will get his book before them.

In an IG Live, SJM said when you get to the end of Silver Flames, you'll know whose book is next. Not when you get to the Az Bonus Chapter, not when you read CC3. When you get to the last book in the ACOTAR series.

Yes, she she said she's excited to write Az's journey but a side characters journey starts well before they have a book in her world (i.e., Chaol's journey started in book 1 of the TOG series, Cassian's journey with Nesta began from the moment they met in ACOMAF, Lucien's journey has been ongoing since ACOTAR. etc).

Crescent City isn't the ACOTAR series. They don't market it as such, there's no reading guide that tells you the order you need to read ACOTAR and CC books in for them to make sense.

Yes, she did say CC will set up future ACOTAR books but, we have no idea which "future" books she's referring to as she's often talked about not knowing if she'll be able to stop after the remaining spin-offs she's contracted for. I could be wrong but I'm almost positive she didn't say it will set up for the very next ACOTAR book after SF. She once said her initial plan for the spin-offs hadn't changed so she could be telling us that her plan for Elain and Nesta's story remained the same and CC3 now opens doors for what happens after she closes out the main story of the Archeron sisters. She could be telling us that once the threats on their world are resolved, then there will be a new threat introduced (that new threat dealing with those outside their world). And Az being a focus of CC3 could simply mean that when it is time for his story, that's the direction it will be headed but it doesn't mean she's ready to tell his story before she closes out Elucien's story and the issues with Koschei, Beron, Spring, etc. At the end of the day, CC3 is still Bryce's book and I don't imagine it will heavily set up for Az's even if hints are dropped. Just like hints have been dropped for both Elain and Lucien's journeys way back when.

We kind of knew that with Bryce arriving in Prythian and the Asteri (in CC2) saying they've trying to find their way back to the planet their brothers and sisters were living on in order to get revenge it already set up future ACOTAR books. And that was directly addressed in SJMs Live HOSAB spoiler interview. She said that yes, now the ACOTAR characters will be concerned that if Bryce can find her way into their world that means others might be able to as well.

But that doesn't mean SJM is going to end CC3 and start ACOTAR 5 after Bryce's arrival and departure from Prythian. That wouldn't make any sense, not when you consider how SF left off.

I hate this fact about myself but I am probably a good bit older than most in this fandom. Sometimes I feel a bit embarrassed as I realize it seems an odd hobby to have when I'm probably not in SJMs target age range but what that does mean is I know a few people who have never read the Crescent City series and don't plan to. I know those closer to my age who don't follow SJMs Instagram or follow posts on TikTok or join groups in FB. The majority of the fandom is younger and many do engage in online groups, her IG, etc but there are some outside that target age group (and maybe even some within it) who read ACOTAR and that's that. My oldest child's friends father is an ER doctor and he's read the ACOTAR series but hasn't dug any futher into the Maas Universe as he waits for the next one to be released.

He knows nothing of Bryce. He knows nothing of the Az bonus from SF or the Az / Nesta bonus that's going to be released with CC3 or Az's part in CC3. All he knows is that Nesta's story ended and the remaining plot related questions we were left with were "what about the peace treaty?" "What about Beron allying with Koschei?" "What about Spring and Tamlin?" Even the Illyrians weren't much of a focus at the end of SF because Gwyn and Emerie were laughing about it saying they'll be angry for decades and Cassian said they wouldn't be ready for battle training for many years. He has no idea that Az and Gwyn had the hints of a mating bond introduced in the bonus, has no idea that Elain and Az almost kissed (he thinks she's ending up with Lucien though). Literally, the end of SF has Eris saying the things they need to be worrying about are Beron, Koschei and the treaty.

So imagine if he picked up the next ACOTAR book and it was talking about a traveler from another world having landed in Prythian with the focus being on Az and TT and whatever was discovered in CC3. He would be completely confused.

Also, there was a sense of urgency surrounding Koschei, Spring, Beron, and Vassa in SF. CC3 picks up 6-9 months after that. If an Az book were to take place 10 months to over a year after SF then does it seem realistic that they've just stopped worrying about Koschei? That they no longer are worried about Vassa being taken back or the fact that they said they needed Springs forces to be ready yet have done nothing about it? That the bad guys have just been casually waiting around in the background putting their evil plans on hold so SJM can first address time travel and the Illyrian plots?

To me, it still makes more sense that that SJM would begin the next ACOTAR book shortly after SF, resolving the major issues that were left open ended, then segue into the events of CC3 which would lead us into ACOTAR 6 and anything related to time travel and others worlds.

It makes less sense that she would have introduced the Vassa and the destruction of Spring storylines in ACOWAR, the Elucien bond in ACOMAF, remind us of how they are still issues in ACOFAS and ACOSF ("tell my Vassa I'm waiitng", "You've been trying to bring Tamlin back for awhile but he's barely improved", "We need a strong ally, we need the Spring Courts forces") then delay them yet again in order to first move on to a plot that, while very subtly hinted at in SF, is really being introduced in an entirely different series.

At some point, doesn't it start to feel just slightly ridiculous to keep pushing Tamlins arc and Spring to the side? Vassa's arc to the side? The Elucien bond to the side? Lucien's father reveal to the side?

I could definitely be wrong, I own that. However, I do think there's some logic in what I'm saying and that could mean that Az playing a major part in CC3 still doesn't guarantee him the next ACOTAR book the way some are claiming. All it guarantees is that at some point, the information introduced for his storyline will eventually be addressed. If SJM introduced Lucien and Elain's storylines way back in book 2 yet still haven't resolved them 2.5 books later then there's nothing preventing her from the doing the same with Az, introducing his storylines but not resolving them until a book or two later.

#elucien #elucien book #pro elain archeron #pro lucien vanserra #elucien supremacy

[viridianevergarden]

You’ve probably posted about this before but I haven’t seen it…I am interested to hear an Elriel take on the “something sparked in just chest” line from the acosf bonus chapter. That language has been used by Sarah to describe the feelings between mates multiple times in her books. Why is this time different in your opinion?

Hi Anon, this is actually a really good question.

So as an elriel, I do know that my opinions might seem hella biased here but I’ll try to keep a neutral standpoint and be 100% honest with my thought process.

I actually haven’t posted about this whole sequence or this specific line yet so this will be the first. I might as well cover the whole thing.

Let’s start with reading the whole piece:

So Azriel woke up. It’s the morning after solstice, the morning after the slap in the face that was the “You will stay away from Elain” line. Instead of taking the necklace back to the jewelers on the square, he decided to descend the steps of the House. To the library.

Given the context of the initial line before the “spark” line, I think that Az was feeling some type of relief that Clotho agreed, essentially saying “yes, I will give it to her. She will be happy to have it, she deserves it.” (Kind of like an “oh thank god” moment.)

A spark of positivity to Clotho heeding his request at his insistence of giving it away. A spark of positivity in someone else having it. A spark of some mixed emotion rather, perhaps? It was definitely an emotion, but it’s been kept vague for us to determine. We don’t necessarily know if it is indeed positive or negative. Hell, we don’t even know if Az knows. (I’m thinking he doesn’t given it’s his POV and it’s referred to as “something”)

I personally don’t think it was romantically charged or magical in any type of way. I don’t think it had anything to do with the lightsinger theory either, at least not this specific spark line. Not with the current context.

Now this may seem far fetched but I think that Azriel came down with the intention of giving the necklace away, namebombing Gwyn in the process because she was the first person he ran into immediately after the fiasco. Of course she’d be the first person he thought of who just so happened to live in the library.

But even then, Azriel didn’t truly care who got the necklace, so long as it was taken off of his hands.

Observe:

“Look, I…” Az searched for the words, his voice becoming quiet. “If there’s another priestess here who might appreciate it, give it to them. But I’m not taking that necklace with me when I leave.”

He just wanted the necklace gone. Away from him. But you may ask, well why didn’t he just return it to the jewelers then?

If I put myself in Az’s shoes, taking into consideration how he sees himself and how he generally is, my thought process would be something like this:

“I’d rather someone have it than no one.”

“At least someone could put it to use.”

“I don’t want to return it, it’d be a waste.”

If I took that necklace back to the jewelers, I’d feel worse. It’d be humiliating. Not to mention the idea of, “if she doesn’t want it, and it hurts me too much to keep it, perhaps someone else could find better use for it.” That’s what it was, I think, that motivated him to give it away.

And so he did.

He left the library thinking of her reaction to getting the necklace and her eyes lighting up. Because it made him feel better to know that someone else would feel joy in receiving the gift with no strings attached. Thats why he explicitly stated that he wants the gift to be anonymously given.

And this small detail that I see a lot make note of:

“Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly.”

When anything is described with the words “glow” and “quietly” together, I think of a soft glow, and a soft glow is typically something of comfort or provides comfort.

The image of someone’s joy in receiving a gift that he’s at a loss to do with comforts him. Gwyn or not, I think it’d be the same.

As for this particular spark line being related to other SJM couples in the ACOTAR universe as well as ToG and CC, I’m aware of its presence in all series. I’m aware of its weight that it holds and what it has eluded to before.

However…

This is a bonus chapter.

This is a bonus chapter from a limited edition version of ACoSF that cannot be bought anymore— that was then available to US only.

Most casual readers are unaware of this chapter’s existence. I know I was unaware until I stumbled upon ship discourse online. I read the books by myself then got online to see the fandom.

I was wondering “why ship Azriel with Gwyn??? That’s so random.” So I literally had to search online for this chapter after seeing mentions of a bonus chapter. I read it off of a google doc 😂.

Here’s the thing. Since this is an exclusive bonus chapter, SJM would not set up a whole new ship in it. Not to mention it’d seem rather sudden given what little moments we’ve seen of Azriel and Gwyn in each other’s presence that were worth the page space.

And also the specific “he wouldn’t go so far as to call Gwyn a friend” comment in the chapter. I don’t think anything’s been set up. That supposed spark, I think, was just to show his mixed emotions about giving the necklace away.

And if it was in fact romantically charged, why put it in such an exclusive bonus chapter? I think it should’ve been a pivotal moment for all to see.

So that’s my current state of thinking. If I dawn upon anything else I’ll probably post about it and reblog this. I know I am most likely going to post about Az’s Shadows and their behaviors, at least what I think on them and how they revolve around Mor, Gwyn, Elain and music. Same thing with a Thing of Secret, Lovely Beauty. I’m still confused about that. Theres a million different takes for that.

But I hope this gives you some sort of answer that at least made sense? Lol.

#acotar #pro elriel #azriel shadowsinger #azriel #elriel #gwyneth berdara #That blasted necklace lol #I don’t hate Gwyn #I actually love her #but I just don’t see the chemistry some of you see

[thexcount]

Acotar HOT TAKE. Bc prythian is like recoloured Great Britain I present to you all LORE ACCURATE/ AREA ACCURATE ACCENTS!!!

Feyre: London/Cockney Dialect

the mortal lands are literally on the bottom and kinda where Feyres village is on the map SO SHED HAVE A VERY ENGLISH ACCENT. It’d be thick and she’d use alot of slang.

Nests and Elain: London BUT THE POSHER KIND.

Because they were richer? for longer? I think they’d have that Rosamund pike sound, but it’s still abit cockney because of their time in the smaller village.

TAMLIN: WELSH OR BRUMMY.

THE SPRING COURT, STRETCHES ALL ACTOSS THE MIDLANDS WHICH INCLUDES WAYELS!! He’d be Welsh!! Mid Welsh.

Or! Because he sucks so bad and the spring court stretches along that whole point if we imagine him being somewhere in the middle of it all, he’d be a brummy.

LUCIEN: South Yorkshire accent

It’s abit of a stretch but the idea of a Yorkshire accent on Lucien is very funny and I’m well into it. It’s kinda where the autumn court is on the map.

RHYSAND: Scottish / Inverness Scottish

The whOLE OF THE NIGHT COURT. IS IN SCOTLAND. HOW CAN YOU TELL ME, THAT HE IS NOT ScotTISH!!

HYBERN: Ireland

Do I really have to explain myself it’s Ireland.

Anyway here’s the reference I used to figure out the accent locations I’m here to advocate for British Acotar and if the series comes out and they’re American I’m rioting.

#acotar #a court of thorns and roses #feyre #rhysand #tamlin #Lucien #elain archeron #nesta archeron #also please no spoilers I’ve just started the third book

[ofduskanddreams]

You're Lucky I Love You

For @areyoudreaminof <3 The prompt: Canon Elucien. Teasing. "You're lucky I love you."

—this fic contains a shameless reference to What Lies Inside, I could not help myself nor will I apologize—

Elucien ✦ Rated G ✦ 814 words ✦ on AO3

Elain breathed a sigh of relief as the door swung shut behind her. After spending the last six months on an extended visit to Vassa and Jurian to see the newly rebuilt palace and the now not-so-newborn princess, Elain was grateful to be back in her own house. They had arrived home this afternoon, but she’d gone straight into a debriefing with Balthazar and the other court’s emissaries about a potential exchange. 

It felt amazing to be home.

She’d missed the sun-warmed limestone walls, the weathered wood floors, the grove of citrus trees in the back garden, and the sprawling bougainvillea climbing around their front door. Having known them for over a decade now, Elain had gone into the trip aware that they wouldn’t get much time alone, but she hadn’t realized how much she’d come to take it for granted since she and Lucien had moved to the Day Court.

Quiet evenings with Lucien as the sun set and painted the kitchen golden—that was what Elain had missed the most. At the moment, however, her mate was nowhere to be seen.

“Lucien?” she called into the house. There was no reply. She couldn’t hear his heartbeat. That was suspicious. 

Elain decided to check the garden, though she couldn’t imagine what he would be doing out there alone.

“Lucien?” she asked into the slightly sea-salty breeze blowing inland from the bay. 

The flagstone path was warm beneath her bare feet.

“Are you out here?” 

He wouldn’t have gone to his father’s palace without telling her… and she couldn’t recall him mentioning any other plans.

Then she heard… panting?

 She didn’t know what else to call the rapid and shallow breaths she was picking beyond the grove, near the back corner of the walled-off acre that was her haven. 

Elain took off at a furious pace, brushing past the flower and vegetable beds and through the stand of citrus trees.

“I can hear you,” she made no effort to disguise the ire in her voice. 

It had been six months since they’d had a nice evening just the two of them. She’d been looking forward to it from their second week in Scythia onwards. Even though it had been years since they accepted the bond, she still had needs. Obviously Lucien had enthusiastically sated some of those needs while they were abroad, but Elain missed the simple domesticity of their life here. And now he was off doing Cauldron knew what?!

Elain emerged from the trees. “Lucien—” 

She stopped short. 

Lucien was crouching on the ground, pointedly not looking at her. His white shirt and tan trousers splotched with rust-colored mud. The same colored mud that coated the limbs of the gray puppy whose head he was stroking. 

“Lucien Daanan Spell-Cleaver. What in the Mother’s name is going on?”

Ducking his head, Lucien murmured under his breath and the surrounding air stopped shimmering, the sound of his heartbeat filling Elain’s ears.

“You know I love you with everything I am, right?” 

Oh, the guilt in his voice was quite apparent.

“Lucien.”

“She tried to dig her way out of the garden just now, I was figuring out the best way to stop it from happening again,” he said sheepishly, gesturing to the rather obvious hole in the earth along the back wall. 

“She?”

“Eris came by earlier?” 

“Eris came by earlier, and?”

“This is Safira,” he scratched behind the puppy’s floppy ear and her tongue lolled. Lucien cleared his throat. “Apparently Cinder—the alpha of Eris’s pack of hounds—had a litter while we were in Scythia. He… uh… summoned Safira right before winnowing away. You know how Eris is—always minimizing anything he does that could be considered nice. He, quote, ‘didn’t want this one because his pack was already too large and she was the runt’ so he, quote, ‘figured that, after almost four-hundred years, I could handle the responsibility of having a smokehound of my own.’”

“Did he now?” Elain tried to make the words sharp and stern but the puppy—Safira—was looking over at her with pleading silvery eyes, kneading the ground with her large paws like she was trying to contain her excitement.

“Yes? Look, Elain—my love, my sunshine—when I was a boy, I spent every spare moment with Eris’s smokehounds and I always dreamed of having my own.”

Now both of them were looking at her with imploring eyes and Elain had already known where this exchange would conclude so she let out a long sigh, striding over to kneel beside him.

“You’re lucky I love you,” she withheld a huff of laughter, stretching out her hand for Safira to sniff. 

The hound rewarded her with a slobbery lick. Elain couldn’t help her smile. 

“Does that mean we can keep her?”

Elain did laugh then, “Yes, I suppose we can. Welcome to the family Safira.”

✦ ✦ ✦

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