#I haven't taken the generic in almost 4 years.

[picturejasper20]

Steven Universe as a character is someone who has been mischaracterized and flanderized over the years, to the point people who aren't into the fandom or haven't watched the show believe that mischaracterization to be a fact rather that a product that comes from memes and jokes

The truth is that Steven often fights in the series when it is needed, usually by fusing with someone else like Connie or Amethyst since he is still developing his powers in the original series. He doesn't cry when he has to fight back or defend himself, with exception if the person attacking is someone he considers a friend. Because, yes, for a 14-15 old teenager it isn't fun having to do something like that and it can be traumatic.

He also doesn't start to cry the moment someone refuses to change their mind or is being mean. He often isn't afraid to be sarcastic or call that person out. He didn't cry when Aquamarine mocked him in ¨Stuck Together¨ nor when Jasper didn't apologize for poofing Amethyst in ¨Crack the Whip¨

However, what we see is sometimes him blaming himself for not being able to help people that, more often than not, have been hurt by Rose Quartz, his mother, in some way. After Season 3, Steven fears a lot that he is going to become like Rose and he is going to hurt people the way like she did.

In general Steven deals with an Atlas complex in the show. He feels like he has to fix his mother mistakes and deal with ¨what she left behind¨ even when Rose wanted for him to be his own person as seen in the tape she left for him as it was revealed in the episode ¨Lion 4: The Alternate Ending¨.

Steven also defines his identity a lot for being to help other people and fix their problems. He believes that he has to be ¨useful¨ for others. So when he believes that he failed to help someone, that may lead him to think that he isn't living up to his ¨purpose¨ or that he is a failure as a person.

In reality, he isn't that much different from other hero protagonists from other animated shows. Those who are kind and emphatic and willing to listen to other people and give them a second chance if the person changes their ways. You probably like an animated show that has a protagonist like this. (Who was probably taken inspiration from Steven if the series came out after SU).

The main difference, i think, is that Steven goes a bit more than those protagonists do when it comes to listening to other people, understand their motivations and give them another chance if they regret their actions. A lot has to do with how he is aware that his enemies (usually gems) act the way the do because of the system they were born into rather ¨they are evil just because¨. He gets that their motivations come from the system that hurt them or lead them to believe that their actions are justified.

Another common mischaracterization is that Steven becomes super buddies with every person he helps...when this isn't always the case. There are some occasions that Steven shows discomfort around people who he has given a second chance. Just because he gives them a second chance doesn't mean that he immediately considers them close friends, maybe allies at best.

A good example of this is the gif above of Steven's interactions with White Diamond in ¨Homeworld Bound¨. White Diamond touches Steven very close to where his gem is- which makes Steven distressed since in his battle again White, she ripped his gem out to prove that Pink was still ¨alive¨. In most of the episode Steven shows to be very uncomfortable around the Diamonds and Spinel, to some extent. They bring him bad memories, which is the main reason he has been doing everything to avoid going to them to ask for their help until this point in Steven Universe Future. He even almost accidentally hurts White's gem by smashing her head against a pillar when she lets him control her to talk to himself. This being result of a intrusive ¨vengeful¨ thought.

I wouldn't say that Steven hates the Diamonds,but- he doesn't want to be their friend neither and wants to avoid in general because he feels nervous and bad around them. It's something like ¨I'm glad that you are changing but i don't want to be associated with you. Please, i would appreciate if you kept your distance from me.¨ dynamic.

On last point, Steven is someone who usually pushes his feelings down in certain situations and buries them down, which has led him to have strong emotional outbursts in bad moments. He usually prefers to ignore his own problems and take priority on others. Again, this comes a lot from his desire to be useful and be needed, making him trying to ignore how he feels about certain people and pretend that he is doing fine.

This explains why we don't see him lash out that much to others in the original series, and, why he feels so frustrated and angry in Future, since all that anger and negative feelings can't no longer be ignored as they used to and they are having a negative impact in Steven's mental health. This, of course, isn't meant to be seen is a healthy coping mechanism. It is in fact potrayed as something pretty self-destructive for Steven, as a huge flaw of his, that over time he comes to learn that it isn't the best way for him to deal with his problems.

These are some of the most common misconceptions i have seen about Steven's character online. I could go in more depth with some of them but i think the points should be clear enough. This could be considered a general analysis of how Steven is as a character and how he operates, leaving aside more specific things that can be covered in other posts.

#steven universe #steven quartz universe #steven universe future #rose quartz #su analysis

[f1version]

congratulations on the 1k!! it's well deserved

could i please request alex albon + ❛ i didn’t know where else to go. ❜

❛ who did this to you? ❜

❛ please don’t leave me. ❜

i apparently need some angst!

SAFE & SOUND ★ AA23

pairing: alex albon x driver! fem! reader

summary: you and alex have never had a good relationship as teammates, but for some reason you feel safe in each other’s arms.

warnings: angst, hurt/comfort, implied and mention of verbal and physical violence (non explicit, not between the pairing, reader explains what happened but nothing detailed), implied toxicity and sexism, anxiety, alex calls reader love.

word count: 1,4k

notes: this ended up being longer than i expected

general masterlist ★ 1k special

Everything hurts.

From the soft leather seats of your car to the speed in which it was being driven. Tears fell down your cheeks while those cruel words rushed through your head all over again. They will never stop, you repeated. But they had to stop, they had to stop because they weren’t true.

You should leave. F1 is not for women. Daddy’s money. Your wins were gifted to you. Cheater.

Every punch, every scream. Everything hurts because the cruelest people are the ones who don't see beyond the differences, the ones who only look for flaws. It seemed like safety was something you couldn’t afford.

It was 3:00 AM when you parked in front of an apartment building in Monte Carlo. You had only been there once 6 months ago, yet you managed to drive there as if it were routine. 

You don't even know why you drove there.

Your name was still on the list of people allowed to go up, even when he said he was going to do a new list and you were sure you wouldn’t be allowed anymore. You guessed he forgot, after all, Alex Albon was somewhat forgetful.

Alex.

You are in front of Alex Albon’s door, your teammate’s door. Questions finally start pouring into your head. Why are you here? What makes you think he will let you in? What makes you think he will help you?

You and Alex weren’t the best teammates, and it was mostly your fault. He took you by surprise with his kindness, he was as sweet and funny as it could get. He was sunshine and you were midnight rain; cold, unpredictable, pushing away every intruder who could throw away what you had been building since you were 4 years old.

Still, you were going to knock on his door at 3 in the morning.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

For five minutes and eight seconds, there was no answer, the wait was doom, it was a sign that you should turn around and leave because Alex was asleep. But he had always been full of surprises.

Two confused brown eyes meet yours, saying your name in such a tone. "Are you. What?"

"I didn't know where else to go" you speak quickly, nervous, the bruises hurt more then.

"I, Come in, let's talk inside"

In that moment a sigh of relief leaves your lips. Of course he would let desperate souls in his house at three in the morning.

The fake blond led you into the living room, where, with a soft motion, asked you to take a seat on the black sofa in front of you.

Alex sits next to you, concern in his pretty eyes. You haven't said anything since he opened the door. You always had something to tease him with, but only a small cry came out of you. You didn't even look at him, something was very wrong.

He calls your name, soft and caring. “Can you look at me?” You hear him say as you stare down at your hands. "Love, please tell me what's wrong, you're worrying me.”

Observing was one of Alex’s greatest qualities, that's why he froze. His gaze was stuck on the bruise of your left arm. On the way here, they had taken on a blueish color, they were painful, especially when you remember the reason why they were there to begin with.

“Y/n?” He says cautiously, scared to mess it up. "Who did this to you?"

Alex gets closer and suddenly you've never felt so vulnerable, so alone. Alex didn't want you here, it was almost four in the morning and he was in his pajamas while you were crying on his sofa, smelling of that goddamn drink someone spilled on you.

"Alex, I’m sorry. I, I know you must be tired," you say in a hurry, trying to get up. "I, I should go, everything is fine nothing, nothing happened."

Alex grabs your hand, looking up at you. "Love, please."

Somehow that’s enough to make you stay. His eyes, such pretty brown eyes drown in worry and sadness. You can't stand it. Seeing Alex sad was something only could bear within race weekends, when your focus wasn’t on him. But, yes, he always looked better smiling.

Alex sighs, "stay here, I'm going to go get an ice pack and some water."

You decided to look down, more tears filled your eyes. He was so good. Alex was a real-life angel in your eyes, and you never thanked motorsports for the things it had done for you until now. Knowing him.

When he came back, a glass of water made it’s way into your hands, calming the nausea and the nerves. 

“Love, can you turn around a bit? I need to see that bruise,” Alex states, you just comply. You knew that if you thought about it too much you would want to run away without looking back. This isn’t the strong, confident version Alex knows, this is some broken toy who has had enough playing. You didn’t want him to see you like this, you were afraid of breaking something that didn't exist.

But maybe it exists, that something. Maybe it’s just hard to spot what that is. Maybe it was all about the laughs, hugs, and soft touches on the get-togethers of the team and the grid. Maybe it was how he looked at you with those gorgeous brown eyes.

That maybe is what encourages you to open up, he wouldn't judge you. He could never.

"I, I was in a pub, celebrating the points from last week with my sister and,” you inhale sharply, "and at some point, she went dancing with her girlfriend and... some people, fans, they recognized me and they, they."

"They did this."

It wasn’t a question, it was a fact. The lump on your throat only allowed you to nod. Looking at Alex you recognized anger, it was something carnal and dangerous, something you hadn't seen before. It wasn't the adrenaline rushing through his veins after something went down on track. This was twisted, crooked.

"Love," He says, slowly. There's that nickname again. "Do you remember their faces?" He asks a few minutes later, tense. “What they were wearing. Something?"

"Alex,"

"We have to do something," he says, standing up abruptly. "This can't stay like this, you,"

"Alex," you interrupt him, "i know what I have to do, but not now, please. I just want, I want to rest, I want peace, I want… Please, let's not talk about this now and," there’s a confession hanging in the air, "please don't leave me"

Your watery eyes find exasperated ones, calming them within seconds. His newfound softness brought you peace. 

"Can I hug you?" The Thai murmurs, eyes never leaving yours.

"Yes, you can."

His arms wrap around your waist gently, doing everything to keep you from moving too much, afraid of hurting you. That made your tears fall inconsolable. You feel Alex's hands caressing your back, they are so gentle.

"Here, put this on the bruise," he says as he pulls away, extending you an ice pack.

"Thank you."

After that, there are twenty minutes of comfortable silence. You notice the music playing in the background, soft and relaxing, lo-fi, most likely.

Alex guides you to the bathroom, letting you shower away the anxiety. He even offers you a t-shirt and pajama bottoms that are just a little too big on you, but nothing wild. He brings snacks for both of you, giving you a sandwich and more water; you make a mental note of inviting him for dinner one day.

"Do you want," Alex says, breaking the silence "I, It doesn't matter."

"Alex," You call, sitting next to him, with your head almost falling on his shoulder. "It’s okay, you can ask."

“It's not what you think, I,” he smiled, “I just want to know if you want to cuddle for a while? Not in my bed, if that’s weird, but I can bring some blankets and pillows, it would be comfortable. I don’t think it would be weird, is it weird to you? We literally live together, you know, Williams. Agh! You know what I mean."

Your body moving closer to his silences his blabbering, your head resting on his chest, legs almost in his lap, a smile in your face. Alex puts an arm around you.

"Yes, that’s okay, really," you muttered. "And sorry."

"Don't apologize for coming, everything is fine I,"

“I mean how I've treated you,” you say and he makes a big ‘O’ with his mouth, then frowns. Is he confused? "I feel like I've been cold."

Alex smiles. "Honestly? I feel like it's just on race weekends, and I know why."

Now you smile. A grateful smile. No one had ever understood or tried to. You feel tears running down once again, this time of overwhelming gratitude. Alex kisses your temple. 

“You are okay, love, safe and sound, I promise”

#‎ “ ࣭⸰ ★ my writings ! #aa23 #alex albon #alexander albon #alex albon 23 #alex albon imagine #alex albon blurb #alex albon fic #alex albon fanfic #alex albon angst #alex albon fluff #alex albon x reader #alex albon x you #alex albon x y/n #alex albon f1 #f1 #formula 1 #f1 fic #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #formula one #f1 fanfic #f1 x you #f1blr #f1 angst #f1 2023

[minty-mumbles]

Linked Universe Survey 2023

The long awaited results of the survey. Sorry it took me forever, making graphs is hard.

There were 452 responses to the survey as a whole, which is almost double what we got last year, so thank you to everyone who participated!

If you want to see the raw data, you can find that here. I had thoughts about the data, but compiling that into another post would be too much of a hassle. Feel free to send me asks about it though!

The rest of the post will be under a read more as it it large

Demographics

Other: Demigirl (4), Transmasc (3), Grey genderfluid, Unlabeled, Demiboy, Demiagender

Other: Omnisexual (4), Poly (2), Trixic, Abroromantic or Bellusromantic, Demisexual

General Questions

Other: Quotev, Discord, their own google docs

Other: Discord, Variations of "I haven't posted yet, but I pan to" and "I haven't posted my fics in ages",

Other: Wattpad, Deviantart, Discord

Other: Crochet dolls, Custom dolls, Roleplay blogs (2), Fan translations, Headcanons (2), Piano music

The purple section in the “Warriors vs Warrior” chart is supposed to read “Warrior.” I made a typo.

Favorites and Least Favorites

Selected Free Response Answers

im sorry warriors i just can't play your game (it is very very hard. i am stuck very early on in the game)

I love cats meow meow meow

was extremely tempted to put twilight for least favorite. unfortunately he is my favorite to write from the perspective of (he has taken over most of my wips. help) and that probably counts for something. WILD on the other hand. hooo boy how the hell do i characterize this gargoyle. why is he Like That. least favorite it is

Twiddy

very good fandom to be in :) everybody is very nice

It's a straight up crime that Wars lost the aesthetics poll so quickly. He has such a peak Link design with the best colors. Ugh I'm getting wistful.

FROGS. FROGS. FROGS. ALSO HAPPY PRIDE MONTH. FROGS. FROGS. FROGS. FROGS. FROGS.

I will fight Hylia herself and the next person who implies Twi can't handle spice. If we're going to lean into him being southern/Midwestern, which is an alright stero type for our rancher, please keep in mind the culture you're basing him off. The south and midwest can handle their spice, I assure you. Have you ever had authentic Louisiana gumbo? It will melt you tongue off. Or some good old fashion spicy fried chicken? I promise the real stuff has quite a kick. (In all seriousness, though. It's more important that you're having fun. And even I can admit the idea of Twi being an Ordonian who can't handle his spice is more than a little funny.)

I am an OoT Link edgelord and have been since early 2017. So, in September of that year, when an artist by the name of jojo56830 puts out a lineup of nine different Links and the Hero of Time is there – the oldest, no eye, Hero’s Shade armor? I saw that one sketch and just thought “oh this is gonna be bad.” Yeah of course he has the coolest design. By the way, it’s only a matter of time until Fierce Deity shows up in the comic and I have reason to believe it could be this current Dawn arc. Dawn … Dawn of a New Day … and who brought about the Dawn of a New Day? Fierce Deity. Twilight is recovering but still injured and what will happen if he falls again? Fierce Deity is coming and we need to be prepared. In this essay I will—

Remember that time when someone put the whole script of the bee movie in here? I’m not that dedicated, and I don’t have that time, but let us remember and hope someone else does it again this time. Cause someone is bound too. We’re all crazy enough to do it. Alright, love you and stay hydrated pls!

Hi! I joined this fandom really recent but i’ve always seen LU stuff on pinterest and elsewhere. Only recently have i actually took the time to understand the fandom and get back into LOZ stuff and i adore the characters and story! The more and more fanart, fanfics, and comics i see about the different Links the more i love them all. It’s such a pain to pick just one i like or one i don’t like because they’re all so unique. I love this fandom and hope to get more involved!! Have a wonderful rest of your day :]

Epona is an underrated queen

your mom

I really don't get why Zelda is called Artemis. Athena makes more sense???? It perplexes me

Anyone seeing this should check out Breanna’s E!Wild AU

Something something queer every Link into oblivion!

#linked universe #lu survey 2023 #lu wild #lu twilight #lu time #lu warriors #lu legend #lu wind #lu hyrule #lu four #lu sky

[emilyssky]

Chapter 14: This Is Me Trying

PAIRING: Lee Know! X fem!reader

GENRE(S): college au, smut, angst

WARNINGS: Mentions of violence and abuse, depression, self harm, eating disorders etc.. mentions of blood, swearing, smoking, smut [ dirty talk, oral; giving and receiving, choking, spanking, praising, degradation, pet names, sometimes Minho is a dick :)

SUMMARY: "Do you remember what you told me the first time we met?"

"What?"

"You said; Always leave people a little better than you found them" he looked at the floor with a small smile for a few seconds and then his eyes found mine. "You really annoyed me when we first met. I envied your optimism and excitement for life. But each time I saw you, I felt a certain thrill. You made me angry, you made me laugh., you made me feel everything. Something about you made me feel a little more alive each time. I know I fucked up and I know I'm an asshole but I'm also brutally in love with you."

Author’s note: I didn't really have any time to edit this but I wanted to post it anyway <3 SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER !!!!!!!

I love Christmas. Ever since I was a kid Christmas meant the world to me and my mom, and under any circumstances, she made sure I had the best time every year. It does feel a little weird that she's not here with me, but looking around the living room, filled with all the people I adore, I feel like I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Everyone is here. Changbin, Jisung, Jeongin, and Seungmin came late in the afternoon just as we had finished setting everything up. Felix and Emma cooked a variety of different foods and sweets, nothing too fancy but enough for a warm and cozy Christmas get-together between friends, while, Hyunjin, Chan, and I decorated the place by lighting up the fireplace, hanging a bunch of Christmas lights around the house, and doing everything that we could do in order to shower the house with the best Christmas vibe. 

We are all hanging in the living room, drinking and enjoying the food while low Christmas music plays in the background. We talked and laughed, and when the games started I found myself laughing like I haven't had in a long time, and it made me realize that if I got lucky in one thing it's meeting these people. Sitting here, spread across the living, on the floor and couches like we have no problems or responsibilities, like our lives are sweet and easy, simply enjoying each other's company, this is more than enough for me. 

He came late. He came after we had 4 bottles of wine, after many rounds of games, and after half of the food was gone. He entered the room and I was unable to focus on anything else, cause in my eyes he shined brighter than the Christmas lights around us. He wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes and gave an excuse for being late that I didn't bother listen, my eyes still taking him in. It's impossible not to notice the difference, something was up and I could tell just by looking at him. He greeted everyone, faking laughs and jokes before sitting down next to Jisung. Everyone went back to the previous conversation but my eyes stayed glued to him from my sitting position on the floor, noticing how his face dropped when the attention was taken off of him. His hands reached for the half-empty bottle of whiskey, purring himself a generous amount before leaning back on the couch. Jisung smiles, talking with the rest of them but I caught the way his hand touched Minho's, silently and gently.

The whole time, it felt like he was just watching us not really getting involved in any conversation, not really playing in any of the games, and barely interacting with anyone unless they talked to him first. He doesn't sing or dance when the karaoke battles begin, he just sits there, observing. His eyes are on me almost all of the time, not in any specific way, with no hint of anything behind them, he just looks at me as if he's watching a movie. 

I, on the other hand, am having fun. This feeling that comes with the company of these people, resembles the one of having a family, which I never really got to experience, not thoroughly at least. It feels nice and I'm happy. I allow myself for once to not let my thoughts drown me and lead me into a place of guilt and self-hatred, a place I visit quite often during holidays and any time that's considered 'family time'. It hurts to replay the very few memories I have of the time when my family was happily together, when my dad wasn't an alcoholic or abusive, and when my brother was alive. Days like these always hurt a little more but tonight I feel a little lighter. I drink and I dance and I laugh fully aware that he's watching my every move. I don't care though cause all I care about right now is having fun with my friends.

As much as I try not to pay attention, my mind is racing, going through all the possible things that could be going through his head right now and all the possible reasons he looks so out of it. One of the things that's giving away that something is up is the fact that Jisung has been glued to his side the whole night. As he talks and drinks like all of us, his mind is still on Minho, making sure he's staying close to him or touching him in some way. Not that Minho acts any different, clinging to his side as well. If Jisung moves, his moves, if Jisung talks he talks. The amount of whiskey that he's been drinking didn't go unnoticed by me as well, drowning glass after glass, like it's water. I've been holding myself back the whole night, choosing to have fun instead of dedicating yet another night with my friends to chasing Minho around. But, I can't stop myself. Not when he's looking at me like that every chance he gets, his eyes silently begging me, pulling me in. 

I lift myself off the ground, as the fighting between Changbin and Hyunjin about who won the last game continues. I feel Felix's hand touching mine, from his seating position. 

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"Just getting some water, you want anything from the kitchen?" 

"Oh, no, I'm okay." He lets me go.

His eyes are on me again, following me as I circle the couch to go to the kitchen. He's sitting in the corner of the couch, his hand with the glass of whiskey tight between his fingers, resting against the arm of the couch. As I'm walking past him, I let my fingers brush against his arm, in a smooth way, just for a few seconds before walking into the kitchen.

I leaned into the counter, my hands crossed in front of my chest, waiting and anxiously biting the nail of my thumb. Precisely 23 seconds later, he walks into the kitchen. He moves slowly, hands in his pocket and head hanging low. He stops a few feet away from me and lifts his eyes to meet mine.

I lower my hand from my mouth, my heart tightening at the way he looks at me. "What's wrong?" I dare to whisper and it's like my words break something inside him.

His shoulders fall, the muscles in his jaw tightening. "One of your hugs would be good right now." 

I open my arms immediately, not thinking about anything, or anyone else. He takes 3 big steps and throws his body on mine, burning his face in my neck and holding my waist like I'm gonna disappear. I close my arms around him, holding him like never before, and I feel my own body relax. This weird comfort that comes along with his touch shocks me every time, the feeling of familiarity and warmth that makes me feel safe is something that I've only ever felt with him. He doesn't say a word, he just breaths hard and we stay like that for some time, holding each other, my body leaning against the counter with his leaning down on me. This feels like a level of intimacy that we hadn't reached yet, much deeper than any kiss of touch we've shared only cause it feels so raw and open, something he rarely is with me.

"Minho... " I say his name with hesitation, and I feel his body twitch.

"I'm sorry, I'm so fucking sorry about everything." He mumbles, his face still deep into my neck.

"What are you talking about?" I try to pull back a bit, try to see his face.

He looks up, his eyes red and watery. "I'm trying.." He whispers so brokenly that I feel my own emotions building. 

"It's okay.." I touch the sides of his face,  feeling his jaw clenching and unclenching. I don't know what to say or do, I don't know how to act cause this is the first time I've seen him like this.

"I'm trying to be better, I'm trying to be good. A good friend, a good person, a good brother but I just keep fucking up. I can't control it, it's like I'm made to destroy anything good that comes into my life and for a long time I was okay with that, I was okay with being that version of myself cause all I had was myself." He speaks as if he was desperately holding the words inside for ages. "I have people I care about now," He looks me in the eyes. "People I wanna keep and I keep messing up." He stops, sucking in a breath. "You're important to me, you've been important to me since the night I met you and that's exactly why I didn't want you around me. People like me don't fit with people like you." 

I feel my own breath shaking, my eyes searching his. "D-don't say that." My hands slowly drop from his face. It hurts that he thinks so highly of me, cause he shouldn't.

"It's true." He nods several times. "But, baby you're light. My everything is attracted to you in a way I can't explain. " 

"So you care?" I let some of the excitement his words awoke inside me show on my face.

"Yes, I care." He rolls his eyes.

"Well, telling your sister that we're just friends when a few minutes before that you had me coming all over your fingers, is a really shitty way to show that you care." I joke even though it still hurts. It's scary to me how fast he switched, the way he looked at me, the way he spoke, it was like he was a different person.

His eyes squint, inhaling sharply through his teeth. "That was not one of my finest moments, I must admit." 

"Why did you do it then?" I can't stop myself from asking.

He stares at me, his face for once visibly vulnerable. "Cause I got scared." He says. "Cause suddenly you got too close to the real me and I got scared." It's almost like it hurts him to say the words, the truth.

"You don't have to hide from me Minho," I reply just as honestly. "I want you, all of you. I''ve been trying to get you to let me in since day one but every time it feels like I take one step forward and then three steps back."

"I know," His lips form a tight line. "I know and it's my fault but I can't stay away from you." My heart jumps a little at his words. "I'm fucked up and I don't know how to act around you but I simply can't stay away from you."

Our foreheads lock, his hands cupping my jaw and I don't breathe, I forget how to. "Then don't." My words make his eyes snap. " If you stay, I'll stay and If you try, I'll try but I'm not running after you. If you're not ready, I'll be your friend until you are, cause I'm not giving myself away to someone that's holding back from doing the same. "

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. "My friend? " 

"Obviously you can't handle me as more than that so...." I shrug, as his hands slide down from my face and rest on my hipbones lazily.

"Trust me," His voice drops just like his head. "I can handle you extremely well." And just like that the spark in my stomach lights up. A word of his, a look, a simple touch, and my body begins heating up. 

"That's not a very friendly thing to say." I tease ignoring the way his nose brushes against my neck, his lips barely touching my skin.

He chuckles, sending vibrations down my body. "Well, I wanna bend you over the counter and make you scream my name as you come around my dick, in the friendliest way possible." 

I seel my lips together suppressing a moan as I stare at him through my lashes, the heat in my belly growing along with his smile. 

"Let's go back, we've been gone for a while." I clear my throat, giving him a light push backwards.

His laugh fills the room as he bounces next to me with a cocky smile. "So we're friends?" He says the word like it's a joke.

"Friends." I nod, swallowing hard. And even though I know that it's the right thing to say, the more I look at him the more it feels like a mistake. 

He crosses his arms against his chest.  "Thank you for listening to me." 

"Of course." I nod, offering a sweet smile. I could listen to him talk for hours, almost as many hours as I could sit in absolute silence simply enjoying the sight of him. 

He glances at me from head to toe, capturing his bottom lip between his teeth. 

"Let's go." I make the first move, pushing myself off the counter and walking towards the exit of the kitchen. I hear him walking behind me and then I feel a short yet sharp slap against my ass, making me halt my steps.

He walks past me, with his hands lifted apologetically and a devilish grin. "Sorry, bestie." And then enters the living room going straight to his previous spot on the couch.

Everyone is still so heavily invested in the game to notice how flushed my face is as I also return to my spot on the floor next to Felix.

. . . . 

I wanted to play tough, I really did. 'Let's stay friends' I said and actually regretted it the second the words came out of my mouth, and as time went by I regretted it even more. 

Bro, his eyes. His eyes are on me from his seat next to Jisung the whole time along with a small smile, the type of smile that makes my toes curl. I try, so hard, not to look his way not to let his devilish glances get to me but turns out I'm not tough at all, actually, I'm soft as a fucking marshmallow when it comes to Lee Minho. Approximately 47 minutes have passed and I'm boiling, trying to contain myself as the fun continues. Everyone is almost drunk, the food and sweets have been absolutely devoured and we've played every single game in the book. This has to be my favorite Christmas in a long time cause I've always been a sucker for simple things, just me and my friends in a room full of beautiful Christmas decorations having the best time, that's all I need. Well, that and Minho pinning me against the wall and slamming his dick-

Nope. No.

Sefl control. That's what I need. And maybe some holy water.

"I must say this is an excellent way to spend Christmas." Chan looks around with a gentle smile. "I really love having everyone here, together."

"It does feel nice." Jisung agrees. "It feels almost like a family." His tone is slightly sad, his big eyes taking in the sight of us.

"Speaking of that," Chan clears his throat, his body straightening. "I have something to say."

"Oh no." Emma's face drops but Chan's quick to ensure her.

"It's nothing bad, quite the opposite actually." 

The way Felix straightens his posture as well, and how his face turns suddenly serious catches my attention.

"I-I'm-" He stutters.  "So, our school is planning a music competition in which the winner will be signed to a music label." 

"That's perfect!" I squeal, clapping my hands together.

"The thing is that the company that our school is working with this year is JYP Entertainment."

I feel my shoulders slowly dropping, my reaction the complete opposite of the reaction the rest of them have.

"JYP?" Changbin lifts his brows. 

"JYP as THE JYP that's one of the top 5 companies in the Kpop industry?" Jisung expression is shocked.

"Yep," He scratches the back of his head. 

"Oh, my god. That's huge!" Jeongin can't contain his excitement. 

Chan meets my eyes. "It is, besides the fact that JYP and team Wang are besties."

It takes a few seconds for everyone to connect the dots and then a loud group groan fills the room.

"Well, that doesn't necessarily mean that Jackson will get the spot." Emma tries to be positive, as always.

"No," Chan agrees with her. "And that's why in order to compete and win we have to be the best that we can be."

"We are already pretty good." Seungmin says.

"Musicly yeah, but considering that JYP is a Kpop company our stage presence is lacking." He explains. "And that's why I thought it would be a great idea to change things up a bit."

"What do you mean?" Minho's eyes narrow questionably.

Chan's visibly struggling, trying to find the right words, clearly unsure of what he's about to say and if it is even right or needs to be said but he speaks up anyway. "I was thinking,"

"WE were thinking," Changbin speaks up, directing everyone's attention to him.

"Yes, we were thinking of adding a few new members to the group, specifically people that can help us have a better stage presence, uhm dance-wise." He hesitantly says and my mind catches up immediately. 

Everyone goes silent, probably starting to catch up as well.  

"We think that Hyunjin and Felix would be a great addition to the team." Changbing finally says it, knowing that Chan will go in circles for a few more minutes.

Silence. Hyunjin and Felix are exchanging looks.  

"Besides the fact that they're amazing performers, we were playing around one day at the studio, and turns out their vocals are pretty good." Changbin goes on.

"And also Felix's voice is incredibly unique, I think it will be a perfect fit for us." Chan adds.

Still, everyone stays silent, looking around at each other, thinking.

"Well, I like the idea." Surprisingly Minho is the first to speak up. "I feel like Hyunjin, Felix, and I will make a good dancing team."

"And I think that Felix's voice will be great to have in our songs, it will for sure be our signature thing," Jisung adds.

Their words make Chan's shoulder visibly relax, his face lighting up.

"We completely understand if you don't want us to join, It's what you've been working on for so long and we don't wanna invade," Hyunjin says looking at the guys that still haven't said a word.

"No," Jisung says. "We've known you guys for a month and a half and I think we can all agree that we feel like we've known you for ages. If you can contribute to the team and help us win then I'm more than happy to have you along with us in this journey."

It warms my heart to see everyone bonding and growing closer and closer together.

"Same." Jeongin nods. "Besides, every time we recorded something, it always felt like something was missed or that it needed something more."

"Exactly and I trust Chan," Seungmin smiles. "If he says that it's a good idea then we'll give it a shot." 

"Great, " Chan's smile is bright as he claps his hands together, happy that everyone is on the same boat. "Well," He laughs awkwardly. "Welcome to the family." He turns to Hyunjin and Felix, who just smile.

"Yay!" I wrap my arms around Felix's shoulders, feeling him giggle. 

"Shots to celebrate!" Emma yells and everyone joins in screaming and laughing.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Emma asked several times if I was okay with her spending the night with Seungmin and even though I assured her that I was perfectly fine with it she still looked at me like a mother leaving her 10-year-old daughter home alone for date night. For some reason, all of them treated me that way. Chan asked me over 10 times if I wanted to stay here for the night, Hyunjin and Felix kept offering to go for drinks just the three of us when everybody left and Minho, well Minho couldn't stomach the fact that I didn't want him to drive me home.

My phone vibrated for the second time since I started walking back home.

"You can still change your mind you know." He singsongs in my ear.

"Nope." I stand my ground, happy that he can't see the smile that's forming on my lips at how persistent he is. How I secretly hoped he would be and how I secretly love it.

He groans playfully. "Stop being stubborn."

"Me protecting myself from inevitable heartbreak isn't stubbornness." I fumble with my keys, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder. I open the door and walk into the elevator.

"You're afraid that I'm gonna break your heart?" I can picture the smirk on his face without even trying. I think that we both know the answer to that question. It's always one that gets hurt, the one that gets completely and utterly heartbroken to the point that being in love ever again seems like torture. And I know that it's gonna be me. I already feel my heart breaking little by little every time something happens and I know that at this point it's inevitable. 

"I know you are." I smile at the ground as the elevator doors open reaching the third floor in a few seconds.

A throat-clearing noise makes my eyes snap upwards. My feet freeze. 

He smiles, his body leaning against the wall next to my door. He keeps his phone pressed to his ear as he answers. "I think heartbreak is poetic."

Silence, the dangling keys in my hands being the only sound filling the empty hallway.

"Heartbreak is tragic and painful." I hand up and he does the same.

"Yeah but worth it." He looks at me through his lashes, head hanging low with his arms crossed.

He looks soft. Softer than usual. Calm. "Some of them." 

His half smile widens. "For me, it will be worth it when you break my heart."

There it is. The knot in my stomach, the tightness in my chest, his words can make me a mess in seconds. 

I walk slowly, standing in front of him. "What are you doing here? How-" I chose not to comment on what he said.

"I drove." He offers me a tight smile.

 I stare at him, my expression straight and playfully serious.

Instead of answering he digs into his pocket, pulling out the set of keys I've given Chan. 

"That's creepy, you know that right?"

He bursts into a deep chuckle, his hand messing with his hair. "It's still Christmas and I don't want you to spend it alone."

I swallow hard.

"Minho," I say unlocking the door. "we argued on some boundaries."

"It's okay, I won't stay long." He pushes past me, entering the house before I do, already taking off his shoes.

I can't do anything other than shake my head at him, warmth creeping in. I close the door behind me, dropping my stuff on the small table next to the door. He takes in the space for a few seconds before settling on the couch and It hits me that this is the first time that he hasn't burst through the door to yell at me. I take my shoes off as well, suddenly nervous, and walk further into the small kitchen. 

"I'm fine with being alone," I say, pulling out two glasses. "Water?"

"Wine?" He crosses his legs and leans back on the couch, which suddenly looks smaller than usual.

I hold his gaze only for a few seconds, the tension in the air thick. "Sure." I swallow.

I set a bottle of red wine we had in the fridge and two glasses on the coffee table, before sitting down in the small space he's left for me next to him.

"Minho what are you doing here?" I turn to face him, popping my arm against the back of the couch and resting my head against my palm.

"I was driving home," He reaches for the bottle, opening it effortlessly. "And all I could think about is how beautiful you looked today. How you were genuinely laughing at everything Changbin did or said and how you ran your hands nervously through your hair every time it was your turn to play. I noticed that the only thing you ate was the chocolate-covered strawberries so it got me thinking that it's probably your favorite fruit and then I realized that; I don't know what your favorite book is." He fills my glass with a generous amount of the red liquid, before moving on to his. "Or your favorite movie. I don't know if you like your coffee cold or warm, I don't know if you sleep with a small light on or you like it completely dark. I know nothing about your mom or how you grew up to be this incredible human that you are."

I take the glass between my fingers. "I'm not incredible," I mumble. "Far from it actually."

He looks at me, his face open and relaxed. "You're the most incredible person I know."

My chest sparks with pain, it tightens. "It's because you don't know me well."

"I want to," He leans in, speaking with no hesitation. "I wanna know everything about you."

I can't hold his gaze for more than a few seconds, cause the more I look at him the more I wanna let the words pour out of my mouth and allow him to read me like an open book. Unravel all the damage and darkness that I kept hidden, and lay everything on the table for him to see. I want him to know me, but a part of me is still afraid, still scared to let him this close.

"This picture that you have in your mind, this idea of me is far from who I really am." 

His eyes take me in. "And who are you really?"

I take a deep breath, my mind searching for the right words but can't seem to find them, cause there are no right words, there's no right answer to his question, only the truth. "I don't know who I really am," I whisper. "But I know that I'm not incredible. I'm not someone you should think so highly of, I'm not someone who deserves to be so kindly treated and loved by so many. I'm a liar and I'm damaged to the point of no return and even if I try to show the opposite, I know me."

His face darkens and his wine is gone, with lips tight and a low voice he asks, "Who made you think like that about yourself?"

"I did." I answer with a sad smile. "A long time ago."

His hand reaches forward, tugging a piece of my hair behind my ear, his touch so soft and gentle that I bearly felt it. "I wanna know." His eyes, so big and bright, searching mine desperately and making my heart scream, scream in protest, going against my head, begging to be heard, to be seen and understood. "There's not one thing that you can say to me that will make you look less than the angel you are in my eyes." 

I scoff laughingly at his ignorant words. "We'll need more wine then." I drown my glass in a second before holding it in front of me.

He pours me some more. "How's your mom like?"

I love this question, so much that I could answer it a million times.

"My mom is the most amazing person I know," I smile. "She's warm and sensitive. She has this bright smile," I move my hand over my mouth. "that can literally light up the whole fucking room. That's my first memory actually; her smile. Everything about her is soft; her touch, her hair, the way she speaks and treats others, It's fascinating to see someone like her exist and go through life but at the same time it makes me sad to think how someone like her got treated so poorly by everyone around her, how hard everything was for her, and how broken she actually is."

His face softens, his smile small. "You seem to love her a lot."

"I adore her. She means the world to me." I wet my lips with some wine. "And even though I know that the feeling is mutual, if I was her I wouldn't love me."

His perfect eyebrows come together. "Why?"

I move the wine around the glass, memories, and flashbacks clouding my mind.

"My father was the complete opposite of my mother. He was cold and distant, always giving us the bare minimum when it came to fatherly love. He was always working or doing stuff alone. Jogging, reading, cooking, he always preferred to be alone." I pause, suddenly aware that I have his full attention, and take a few more sips. "It was after his mom's passing that everything changed. He began drinking and experimenting with drugs."

The change in his expression is visible, his sharp inhale barely audible.

"I think you know how that goes, so I will not get into the details." I force a low laugh. 

"Yeah, please don't." His eyes dark, sad almost. He takes my hand in his, examining my fingers as if it's his first time seeing them, and then starts to play around with them.  

"I never liked my father, " I continue, my focus still on how he plays around with our hands. "And as I grew older and things kept getting worse and worse, I started to hate my mom for it," I admit for the first time out loud. "I couldn't understand why she wouldn't leave him, why she wouldn't choose us over him."

"Us?" He questions, his voice careful and quiet.

My chest feels like a hundred pounds yet warm at the same time as I say the words. "I had a brother."

I noticed the way his gaze faltered, and his hand stopped moving over mine.

"His name was Jax," I try to appear lighter than I feel. "You would have liked him. He was a year younger than me and we were quite inseparable. He was everything I wasn't and I was everything he wasn't, in a way that we made the perfect pair. He was strong and incredibly smart, always there to do the right thing or say the right thing. He was full of energy, super active and athletic and I was well, the opposite." I laugh.

"Let me guess," He mused with a light smirk on his full lips. "You were a troublemaker, quick to break any rule, extremely fun and hyperactive yet most people would refer to you as closed off and quiet. You were the type of girl that was seeking adrenaline through the pages of books or the scenes and dialogues of old movies, chasing that rush that real life couldn't offer you, the type of rush that made your heart beat faster and your mind travel far away. You were ambitious but always thought that you were not smart enough to follow your dreams that seemed bigger than those of the people surrounding you yet deep down you always knew that you were meant for more."

My mouth hangs open, his words leaving me speechless. My heart full, my mind a mess. "You're by far the most annoying person I've ever met you know that?" 

He looks rather amused. "Is that why you're blushing?"

I turn my head to the side, burying my mouth into the small glass. "I'm not, shut up."

"You are but I'll let it slide, please continue." He motions with his hand.

The atmosphere is lighter yet the air inside my lungs is still tight. "It was Christmas actually, We came back from a family dinner at my aunts' house that was of course a disaster. My dad was completely wasted per usual, and I remember them fighting so hard in the car that Jax had to put his headphones over my ears because I almost started crying, I was 14 and he was 13. My dad had this weird thing about driving, he loved driving, and despite how much he would drink or what drugs he would take he would always go on those late-night drives. It helped him clear his head in a way. At times he would ask us to come with and back then we would take anything that we could get from him, any type of love and affection. But things had gotten a lot worse, my father was abusive always drunk and high to the point that both of us were so afraid of him."

 This is the first time I'm telling this story out loud, the first time I'm being completely honest about what happened. Even Chan doesn't know the whole truth. I pause, and Minho is quick to notice my discomfort. I curl into a ball, my knees close to my chest as if that would make me feel any less exposed.

"It's okay." His hand touches my knee. He feels so different tonight like something changed between us, something about him is softer. 

"My mom was upstairs, locked in her room. I was screaming, begging him to let me go, telling him that I didn't want to go with him, that I was scared." I feel my throat get tight. "He wouldn't listen, he was pulling me, his hands digging into my skin. He had never hurt me that much before. " I feel shivers down my back, the memory still an open wound.  "Something about that night felt different. The way he was acting, I'd never seen him like that and it scared me. I knew that something was wrong."

"He said-" I stop, the lump in my throat growing. "He said that if I didn't go with him, he would take Jax instead and he wouldn't come back." The words rip out of my throat. "My screams must have been way too loud 'cause Jax came running down the stairs, my mom still nowhere to be seen. Jax was always so protective of me, always ready to take the punches for me and this time was no different. It took one look, he saw my face and he stepped forward immediately, insisting on taking him instead. My father looked at me, but I was frozen, completely consumed by fear, my body still hurting and all I wanted to do was disappear." I met his eyes for the first time since I started talking. "I didn't say anything. I let the fear speak instead and I let him take him." My tears stared silently making their way down my cheeks. 

His hand found the side of my face, his thumb brushing the wetness of my skin. "Baby-"

"The call came early in the morning," I sniff. "They found the car crashed against a tree a few minutes away from the house, both of them dead."

I break down, his hands are around me in a second. "I let him take him, I gave him away even though I knew." I sob silently, my hands gripping his shirt. "I was supposed to protect him, it was my fault-"

"Hey," He pulls back, holding my face between his hands. His eyes, narrowing, roaming all over my face. "Don't say shit like that." I try to pull away, shame showering me. "Look at me," His tone demanding, low and sharp yet his face soft and gentle. "You were a child. You were both children with parents who failed to protect you, there's no way you could have possibly known what would happen. Please baby don't- don't do that to yourself."

"The look on my mother's face," I shake my head. " I can never get that out of my head. I was crying for days, begging her for forgiveness and she would whisper that it wasn't my fault, that it was hers but I could never escape the guilt."

He leans back taking me with him, my head against his chest and his hands playing with my hair. I let the sound of his heart calm me down, burying myself deeper into his arms, and as the seconds go by I find myself thinking that I could get used to this. This feeling of safety, the warmth of his body, the way his breath tickles the side of my head, and the way his fingers toy with my hair, brushing my skin occasionally. It feels addictive and powerful, yet peaceful and softer than anything I've ever felt. 

After a few minutes, I find the strength to continue. "I couldn't face her. I became such a difficult kid, I shut her out and turned to things like partying and drinking to cope. We rarely spoke about it, every time she would try to talk to me I would turn her down. I was selfish and such a brat, all I cared about was myself and my own grief, my own guilt, and my own mistakes. My mother was strong enough, she went through her grief by herself and came out stronger. She started working again and she fell in love again. She moved on, and that was something I couldn't do, I still can't." 

I pull myself away from his arms, sitting up straight. "I was going down the wrong path, I was losing myself day by day and my mother didn't know what to do. " A small smile creeps into my lips. "And then I met Chan. First day of college, he was the first person that spoke to me and somehow he forced himself into my life without me even realizing it. We became one, we were inseparable to the point that he went everywhere with me. He became close to my mom and the rest of my family in no time. Since his parents were not supportive at all of his dreams he knew that the minute he decided to give up law school for music he would be on his own and I tried everything I could to convince him to do it. When he did, both my mom and I felt this sort of responsibility or you could say protectiveness over him." My smile grows. "My mom says he reminds her a lot of Jax and it's true, he is a lot like him. Chan saved me, in every way. I wouldn't be here without him. He might say the opposite but it's not true, and I hope he knows that."

He sighs, looking at me with the softest smile I've ever seen him wear. "People save people."

"I hate always being the one getting saved." I whisper. 

His eyes stare into mine. "You're not, you're saving a lot of people without realizing."

I doubt that. 

Silence falls between us, a few moments that our eyes speak words our mouths can't and we stay like that looking at each other. I take everything in, everything about him, everything that he has become to me in such a short period of time and I know that despite everything he's done, none has made me feel the way he does. I'm attracted to him in every possible way and no matter how hard I fight it, it keeps pulling me back in. The way he looks at me with those eyes, the way he touches me, the way he speaks, his existence as a whole brings me to my knees. 

"Well," I sigh. "There it is." I break the silence. "And also I like my coffee hot and black with no sugar and it needs to be completely dark for me to be able to sleep."

His eyes light up, his whole face switching. "You're fucking incredible." He beams, leaning closer to me. He takes my jaw between his two fingers. "Please, don't put yourself down, what happened wasn't your fault and please trust me when I say that; you deserve the entire world." 

I look deep into his eyes, his face inches away from mine, his breath my breath and I can't help but whisper. "I don't want the entire world."

He smirks, his hand finding the back of my neck making my stomach fill with excitement and then he kisses me.

#lee know x reader #kpop fanfic #kpop smut #kpop #skz smut #lee know smut #stray kids x reader #lee know fanfic #lee know series #lee minho #kpopfanfic #leeknowskz #skzimagines #stray kids #skz imagines #skz x reader #stray kids lee know

[happynowyo]

Reflection, part 4

Fandom: Six of Crows

Pairing: Kaz Brekker x Shadow summoner!OC

Warnings: Kaz Brekker and everything that goes with him

Word count: 2,1k

Tag list: @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy, @valkyrie05x, @parabatai-winchester, @footydais, @valeridarkness, @igakc , @winstonthecow22

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Her first week in the Slat was so quiet and nice that Jess had the deceptive impression that she had been living here for many months already. She managed to fit into the routine quite easily, though she kept a certain distance from everyone around her because of Kaz's unspoken request. To him, it was just a job. One of many others, though special enough. So he kept Jess out of any of the Club's activities, but generously allowed her to be there as an observer every night.

She was similar to Matthias in that role, and he was basically the first one who Jess encountered most often, in the deserted kitchen or the living room in the quiet afternoons, while the rest of the Crows and Dregs ran countless errands for Brekker. The day before, Nina had locked herself in the bedroom with Jess with the company of a fine bottle of wine and they had talked literally until morning, passionately recounting the things that had worried and troubled them in these past few years. When Nina talked about Matthias, her eyes lit up so obviously that Jess swallowed her surprise and all questions about how he had coped with his beliefs that all Grishas should be recognized as a mistake of nature and killed.

The stern Fjerdan intimidated her with grim evaluative glances and the silence with him was so dense and physically palpable that it reminded Jess of the rare moments when her father had punished her with such silence and she had become extremely uncomfortable even standing next to him. But Matthias brewed the best coffee in the Slat and proved to be contradictorily curious. Jess thought that was Nina's beneficial influence, though she didn't go into details about their complicated relationship.

— Kaz let slip that you escaped from the Little Palace. Were you a Grisha?

Matthias found her after breakfast, taking the clean plates from her without further question to wipe them dry. His voice sounded wary, but Jess appreciated the first steps taken toward her, so she tried to show reciprocal benevolence by shaking her head gently, though she was almost certain that Kaz had told Matthias such details on purpose.

— Grisha's abilities come from birth and remain with them until death, even if we don't use them for some reason.

— So it's true, isn't it? Can you do magic stuff like Nina, too? Trick someone else's mind and control their heartbeat?

Jess knew that hiding something from the Crows would be an extremely difficult task. She was going to be living with them for a while and she wanted to believe that they would be able to make some sort of connection. To be on good terms. The last thing she wanted was to be in isolation again, where she could trust no one and had to constantly look over her shoulder, drowning in the pitch blackness of anxiety. Matthias, with his crystal blue eyes, looked naïve and curious, but Jess remembered that he had dragged dozens and dozens people like her to execution before.

— I have certain powers, but no, I'm not like Nina.

— I've heard that Grishas get sick when they give up their powers and hide them. That it's a punishment from the gods for ignoring their gift. Is this true? — Matthias seemed genuinely positive, not about to reproach or condemn her for who she was born to be.

— My grandmother used to say the same thing. I haven't met Grishas like that personally, but it sounds likely. I know your culture raised you differently, but many people do perceive our powers as a miracle and a special gift. Which is funny, since Grishas have been training for centuries only to die in the Fold.

Sadness seeped into Jess, threatening to turn into regret over Aleksander's sins, so she chose to change the topic to how Matthias was adapting in Ketterdam and what exactly he was doing for Kaz while he was trying to convince himself that he didn't stay here because of Nina.

Her next personal encounter with one of the Crows came the next day, when Inej caught her on her way back from some shopping. The Wraith was given her nickname rightfully. Her footsteps were completely inaudible, and her appearance made Jess twitch reflexively for a moment .

— Kaz wanted me to keep an eye on you. Why did you go out to the city alone?

If Jess hadn't known they'd only met each other a few days, she would have thought that Inej was really worried about her. But she just shrugged her shoulders and nonchalantly shoved a large bag of groceries into Inej's hands, since she'd decided to stop hiding on the rooftops and keep her company for the walk.

— I didn't know that the Slat was supposed to be my prison with required permission to go in and out from Saint Brekker, — Jess' lips parted in an amused chuckle, though she knew she really should have been careful. — I haven't been gone more than twenty minutes. I thought you were on a mission. What did the boss have in mind for you today?

— Looking for some information, nothing new, — Inej answered vaguely, stepping first into the building that had become her true home in the last couple of years.

Inej held herself aloof and rather professionally, but Jess managed to melt the ice between them with lemon cakes and herbal tea brewed in the Suli tradition, as well as her own honesty about the terrifying things she had seen before in the Little Palace and while visiting military settlements with other Grishas. Experience had told her, correctly, that nothing brought people closer together as much and as quickly as shared traumas. Inej, tearfully talking about the Menagerie, earned Jess' respect almost instantly.

After she had left, Jess expectedly had another nightmare waiting for her. It started out so well that it looked like her real past. She was in her father's study, beside a huge elongated desk, drawing a map of Ravka according to Aleksander's instructions. Shadows stretched lazily along the walls to the ceiling and looked more like puffs of loose smoke, something her father had remembered to point out to her, reminding her to focus better on control. He said it so often that Jess heard his voice in her head many times, even after their classes.

Aleksander was there and she could feel the warmth of his smile, as well as the tangible touch on her shoulders in the form of an approving gesture. She had relaxed enough, and that's when the first terror shaked her. The nightmare crept into her memories as an ugly shadow, taking any light from the room and distorting Aleksander's facial features, bringing her back to that forest. To his screams, to his commands and to the massive pain. To his regret that she was too weak to really be his daughter. Even years later Jess didn't know what hurt her more — his cruel words or the searing, lingering pain by the darkness that had slipped inside her body and deprived her of air, ripping her skin through. Her father always calmed himself at the sight of the first blood, but now, in the midst of the nightmare, it wasn't meant to be.

The clammy fear didn't leave her even after she awoke. Her hands were shaking shamefully and Jess was suffocating in the stuffiness of her bedroom, so she stepped out onto the porch leading to the small backyard. Someone from the Dregs had dragged a nice white bench here, better suited to stand outside a fancy coffee shop, attracting tourists with full wallets. And that's where Wylan found her, unabashedly holding out a cup of tea. His outstanding and too readable facial expressions remained visible even in the night's semi-darkness, his eyes running across Jess' face and his lips pursed in dangerous anticipation, as if he thought she was bound to chase him away.

— Kaz said you had nightmares. You were screaming in your sleep. I guess it's silly to ask you how you're feeling, isn't it?

— If Kaz Brekker is so attentive, why doesn't he talk to me about it himself? I haven't seen him in a few days, — Jess managed to get her emotions back under control and softened the harsh phrase towards the end. She carefully took the cup and nodded appreciatively, dabbing her fingers on Wylan's arm to sit him invitingly on the bench beside her. — I'm fine. We all have reason for nightmares, don't we? No one in the Slat had a good life or we wouldn't be here otherwise.

— What do you usually see in your dreams? — Wylan's question sounded muffled, and his mind had already shifted, tossing up an image of his father. Goosebumps ran down his skin at the same second, giving away his former fear, and he wondered if he would ever be able to get rid of that terrifying reflex. No child should ever have to react like that to his own parent.

Jess knew very little about Wylan. Just some things Nina and Inej had told her. He was amazingly good with substances that could be detonated, had an eye for Jesper that was quite mutual, as was their endless flirting, and was excellent at music, judging by notes Jess had spotted in his room through the ajar door. Nina had mentioned that Wylan had run away from his family, and because of that Jess felt a special sympathy for him. Sometimes even life on the streets or being among ruthless cruel thieves and murderers was better than being under the family wing.

— My father, — the answer came out before Jess could even decide whether she should give away any details or it was better to keep her secrets from the Crows. If she had to run again soon, there was no point in making any friends here that she would have to leave behind.

The weight of the truth was really heavy for her more than ever, and she could feel in her gut how her hope for a peaceful future had crumbled. She could fool herself all she wanted with the rumors of the Darkling's death that were still circulating in Ketterdam, but there was a nagging sense of foreboding under her skin that she couldn't shake off. They really did have a connection.

Once, when she was eight, Aleksander had given her an enchanted pendant when she'd begrudgingly refused to let her father go back to the war. The Fabricator had worked on it so that the silver chain with its decoration in the shape of a small bird, remained completely black, as if it had been made of pure darkness. Her father had said that it would stay black as long as his pulse was beating, that he would always come back to her as birds flew back to their home nest. And she believed. She still believed and that's why she never had the courage to look at the chain kept in the silk pouch at the bottom of her suitcase. Jess still didn't know whether she wanted to see the black or the silver.

— I'm afraid that he'll come back for me. I'm afraid that part of me wants him to, because I'm still attached to him. No matter what - that's what he said, and now it seems like a real curse, — a sad smile flashed across Jess' face, but quickly disappeared behind her cup with another sip of tea. Her heart felt heavy at the admission of her weakness, but she was comforted by Wylan's presence in the moment. — Do you have something similar with your father or have you already managed to jump to the next stage and free yourself from his influence?

— Mine never took care of me. No breakfasts together, no walks, no affectionate words or hugs. He had no part in my upbringing, though he liked to punish me for something he alone saw some sense in. So, I didn't have anything to hold on to. Maybe I was a little luckier in that regard.

Jess had trouble being tactile, but at that point she could clearly feel someone else's pain, and she was sorry that it was her nightmares that indirectly caused Wylan to return to the troubled subject. Damn Kaz Brekker, had he sent Wylan to her? So, coping with the rush of anxiety, she took a deep breath and touched his knee fleetingly as a sign of mute support.

— We don't get to choose our parents, but we can surround ourselves with those who treat us much better. You're doing pretty good with Jesper, aren't you? That gives me hope.

#six of crows #shadow and bone #kaz brekker #kaz brekker imagine #kaz brekker x fem!reader #kaz brekker x reader #inej ghafa #nina zenik #wylan van eck #kaz brekker x oc #aleksander morozova #the darkling

[jpitha]

Just a Little Further 26

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

*six months later*

It's been half a year, but I can't believe we're already on our third ship! High Line took two months instead of the one that Omar first promised, but that was because he and his crew were getting use to the process and how best to refurbish the ships. Then after that I made the decision to refurbish the food tugs, but those were (relatively) easy. New thrusters, some strengthening of the cargo containers and a few brand new ones and that was it. Once that was finished the food deliveries increased over 30%!

You would not believe how much cheaper, more abundant food improves one's legitimacy. As soon as that was finished and the food rolled in, almost all of the last grumblings about me coming in and "declaring" myself Empress died down.

I couldn't wait, and we took High Line out for a quick spin around the system after it was completed. Omar asked to be in control for the trip and since he refurbished it, I let him. While Omar was looking through the Builder archives, he found plans for a starship's control chair. It was kind of line a small version of my Throne, or the Builder chairs back on the Reach. From the chair, a Builder can interface with the ship and control it, almost like how AIs are ships back home.

I asked Starlight, River and Ocean if they wanted to come along and see what we did to their ship. The whole time they looked around in wonder and surprise at the work we did. Starlight said it felt like a new ship and River marveled that we were able to add so many features to it.

I didn't tell them about the wormhole generator. I don't know why. Maybe I still think we need some kind of secret surprise.

Really though, I couldn't do what I'm doing now if it wasn't for my fellow Builders and our staff. Ava is my second in command and handles most of the interactions between us and the institutions here at the Reach. Bank, Security Team, and Maintenance Crew; she works with them to bring their needs to my attention, and then we work out a solution together. She still tends to be a little more... aggressive than I prefer, but she knows who is Empress. She makes me more assertive and I'm able to cool her down. I think we work well together.

Um'reli has dug deep into the Builder systems here on the Reach. She's working out how much work the old Builders did day to day to make the Reach run so smoothly. When I told her that the Nanites say that it was a full time crew of 10 she believed me. It's a lot of work. There's still only the 4 of us, so we still can't run at full capacity, but she's got the fire suppression systems up and running, the environmental systems are much more efficient and even the gravity works better. We're operating with a power surplus now! I asked Omar build another reactor for the Reach and soon we will have power to spare.

Omar, he has taken over as my shipbuilder and is really growing into the role. When we were on FarReach, printing was just a hobby and his main role was ship's battery, but here he's become a master printer. Between the database we got from FarReach and the existing Database on the Reach, we have more than enough plans to make anything we need. He even worked out that Reach of the Might of Vzzx used to have defensive batteries! He found the hardpoints and has been using downtime on the printers to make new laser batteries. We don't know where the original weapons went, so we're just going to add Starjumper class laser batteries to the existing hardpoints. We're so large and will soon have such a power surplus that he says running the huge laser batteries should be no problem. That should help hold off anyone who comes to pay us a visit.

Speaking of visiting, I haven't told anyone, but I unlocked the Gate last month. With two ships and the laser batteries almost done, I figured it was safe to unlock the Gate.

I'm anxious to go back out and visit the Wilds and see if we can figure out what happened. I don't think I'm ready to admit to the others yet, but I'm also excited to visit other Starbases and planets as Empress and see just how much of this side of the Galaxy is happy to see me. Waves and smiles for everyone happy to see me, Starjumper laser batteries for those who aren't.

I'm kidding about the Starjumper laser batteries if people aren't happy to see me. I don't think I want to restart a war of conquest, do I?

These days, I spend a lot of my time on the Throne, just watching things. I find it soothing to sit here and just... feel the world go by. Things are running so smoothly, and the people legitimately seem pleased that we're here and working, I like to, I don't know, absorb the vibes?

It's just after breakfast and I'm settling down for a day of reports and presiding over a few small disagreements when a chirrup interrupts my reverie. I glance over and... It's a signal from outside the Reach? I extend my senses into the local space and I feel...

Activity from the Gate. Someone is coming through.

"Ava, Um'reli, Omar! We've got a ping from the Gate. Someone is coming though!" I'm excited to tell everyone.

Omar is less excited. "What? Okay, Reactors to 200%, defensive batteries online, sound general alert.." I can hear hooting in the background. Omar insisted on activating the old alert tones and we have been sending out messages reminding everyone to listen to them.

"Omar, Omar! It's just someone coming through. Do we really need to get ready to shoot them?"

"Uh, yes Melody? We have no idea who it is. I didn't even know the Gate was unlocked. Did you do that?"

"Yes, I did it a month ago. I figured we were ready for visitors then. I'm so excited to see who is coming to visit us!"

Over the mental connection, I can feel Ava, Omar and Um'reli staring at me.

Uh oh.

Um'reli sounds exasperated. "Melody, we are at least a year away from unlocking the Gate. We have some defensive lasers sure, but we don't even have the new reactor online and we have two small ships now. Two. If that's a human dreadnought, we'd be utterly outmatched. What were you thinking?"

"Um'reli be nice, I'm sure Melody was just so happy about our progress she wanted people to come and see it and see her." Ava jumps to my defense.

"It's still something she should have run by us first. We could have given her more insight to our actual readiness..."

"She is the empress Um'reli, and besides, what's done is done. Now we have to get ready for our new visitors. Melody, have they come though yet, do we have a visual on them?"

I'm looking out into the system and I see the ship. It's... huge. It's way larger than anything we know about on this side of the Galaxy. It doesn't look like a Starjumper though, it's the wrong shape.

"It's through. Here, I'll send you what I see through the long range scopes. I toss the visual feed over to them. Um'reli is as confused as I am, but Omar has a sharp intake of breath and Ava swears.

"What is it Omar? Do you recognize the ship Ava?"

"I do, but I wish I didn't. That's the Vengeance of Lavinia. It's the flag carrier for Venus." Omar sound disgusted.

Ava sounds downright angry. What the hell are they doing out here?"

Um'reli zooms in on the image and tries to enhance to get more detail. "It Looks like FarReach didn't succeed in keeping us quiet like she wanted though. Clearly someone told them we were out here and they're coming to say hello."

I don't know much about Imperial Venus, I grew up on Meíhuā. From what I understand and what Omar explains while Ava makes a face, they took over governance of the Sol system about a decade ago. They mostly control the inner planets. The High Mars Cities are the borderlands, and from then out is the OPA, the Outer Planet Alliance. They're a bunch of small starbase city-states that pool their resources together to hold off Venus. It's been a back and forth for the entire time that Venus has claimed sovereignty.

Venus came out into the colonies to throw their weight around a few years back, but they got massacred at Parvati, and they caused trouble over at Sarbase Picaresque. This was all years before we left. A group of residents and a faction of AIs kicked them out. I think a colony ship was involved too? I wasn't living there then, I've heard all this information second and third hand. But, since then, they've stayed in the Sol system and dialed down the anti-AI rhetoric. Nobody is pleased to see them when they come visiting.

Still, it was visitors. Guess we should see what they want.

"Maybe they have people who want to come join us?" I try to sound hopeful. I don't think it worked.

"More like spy on us." Omar said darkly. "Melody, I'm going to go against my usual stance on you using your Voice on people. These folks need to be told how we do stuff here."

I can feel Um'reli nodding. "I agree. We don't want them to start anything, but like don't lead with Voicing them. If you did that, they'd probably try and run and we'd lose any advantage we have. Play it cool. Be nice, be welcoming. It's not like we couldn't use more Builders. If folks are coming out because they want to come out, we should welcome them."

"But they're from Venus, Um'reli. Don't forget how they treat AIs." Ava is unusually firm. Venus has a strict policy of not recognizing AI sapience. It's stupid really. AIs have been recognized as alive and sapient for nearly two thousand years in Human space, for them to come out of nowhere and say that they're not is ludicrous and treated that way in Colonial space. It's almost a joke.

Almost.

We can't turn them away, we simply don't have the firepower. "Omar, let them know we're not defenseless. Free the defensive lasers but don't target the ship. The are probably scanning the heck out of us, they should see them come online."

When Omar releases the lasers, I can feel it. 6 different batteries energize and tell us their readiness. Wow, I don't know if this is something new Omar added, or something he tied into old systems, but it's so... intuitive to use them. With a thought, I can swing them around, aim and point them, and... yes, if I were to pull there, they'd fire. Neat. After moving them around a little, I swing them off to the side and set them to follow our commands. If Venus wants to start something, we can bring them to bear relatively quickly, but Um'reli is right, we do need more builders. If they're just shuttling volunteers because FarReach told all the AIs and none of them will have anything to do with me, then we should be nice.

Radio contact. We're being signaled. "Uh, Reach of the Might of Vzzx? This is Vengeance of Lavinia. We'd like to speak to... Empress... Melody?"

They're reading from notes. Their comms officer sounds so unsure. I decide to answer myself and lay it on thick.

"Good morning Vengeance of Lavinia. This is Empress Melody Mullen the First, Empress of the Holy Imperial Systems. I hear your call and am replying. How may I assist?"

"We are requesting docking permission and to be able to come aboard for a goodwill exchange as well as to deliver some volunteers from our side of the Galaxy who wish to sign on with your work over here."

Interesting. They say they have volunteers. It's not like we don't need more Builder help.

"Be careful, Melody." Ava is right.

"But, don't turn them away just yet." Um'reli is right too. Ugh do they want to do the talking here? I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions. I check on the docking ring. High Line and Sun Dancer, the two ships we were able to refit are next to the dock the FarReach used, I'll put them there.

"Vengeance of Lavinia you are cleared to dock at umbilical X45, I shall note it on this image I am sending your way. Additionally it shall be lit as you pass by. After you dock a welcome party will meet you at the umbilical."

"Umbilical X45 confirmed. See you soon, Reach of the Might of Vzzx. Vengeance of Lavinia out."

Well then. Guess we had better go meet them.

"Okay everyone, we're on. Let's go gather some folks and go see them."

Ava, Um'reli and Omar disconnect from their chairs and come out. "I swear to you we're not ready for someone like Venus coming, but here they are so I guess we're going to have to be ready." Um'reli looks around. "Where is City?"

Sound of the City bounds up the stairs. "Here, Builder, what do you need of me?"

Um'reli smiles. "Hello, Sound of the City. Please gather Starlight, Ocean, River, Vaaqo, and yourself. Dispatch a runner to Sep and ask them to bring a few security guards too. Make sure you have your Builder uniforms on and they're clean and neat. We have visitors."

City bows nervously. "Of course Builder. I shall fetch them at once." There is a pause while they try to figure out what they can get away with. "Who is visiting?"

"It's a group of people from our side of the Galaxy. They're a different... faction than we were and we always haven't been... friendly? We're willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, but make sure everyone knows to keep watch on them."

Another bow "Builder. I go!" and Sound of the City bounds away. I'm so happy we are able to give them a job. They're still young so it's only part time, but they bring me happiness every time I see them. They really are becoming a vital part of our retinue. They're just so energetic! I hope they stay with us.

I pick up my rifle from next to the Throne and examine it. I do get a chance to go to Sep's Security office and get some range time in now, but it's never enough. Omar has programmed the Security Office's printers to make rounds for me, so I don't have to conserve, it's just that there are only so many hours in a day. But, I feel good that I can still do the things that Melody likes to do. It helps ground me and reminds me that I'm more than an Empress.

I sigh to myself, check the rifle to make sure it's loaded and safe, and then click it to my back. It's weight is reassuring. While we walk down the steps, I get myself ready. The crown and wings come out, but I keep them subtle for now. I make my heels a little taller but keep my working outfit on - no gown today. It's still royal blue and still sharply cut, but I just look like the head Builder I am instead of all full Empress.

As we reach the docs, Starlight, Ocean and River are there already. They were probably over in the drydock working on the third ship so were close by. At our approach, they all bow low.

"Empress, Builders. It is always a pleasure to see you."

I incline my head. "Starlight, Ocean, River. We have guests coming."

They look at me and blink. This was unexpected.

"O-of course Empress. We shall welcome them warmly. Who is coming?"

"People from our side of the Galaxy. They represent a different faction than us, so we're wary about their visit. Still, we shall receive them. Just, be on your guard."

They bow again. "Always Empress. We have learned that about Builders."

Huh. Cheeky. But not wrong. I decide to let it slide.

City bounds up out of breath. "I have alerted Vaaqo and Sep, they shall arrive shortly."

"City, take a moment and catch your breath, they're not here yet." Ava looks concerned. Sound of the City is so eager to help that sometimes they run themselves ragged. I think we all fuss over City just a bit because they're still a kid, but I remember being a teen and so eager to prove myself.

After a short time, Vaaqo arrives with Sep and they bow. Behind Sep is about a dozen security guards, all with clubs and energy weapons. Vaaqo speaks first. "Builders. What is it you need of us? Your runner mentioned visitors?"

I smile warmly and nod. "Yes. people from our side of the Galaxy have come through the Gate and wish to visit. They are from a different faction than us originally, so be wary, but let us welcome them. Sep, have your people set up around us, visible, but not part of the welcome party. Clubs can be seen, but let's keep the firearms behind their backs for now."

Another bow, and Sep gestures to the guards and they set up like I asked. We have a semicircle of guards a bit away, and the rest of us are a few meters from the umbilical.

As we finish setting up, I hear the whir and hum of the umbilical coming out to meet the ship.

After a few tense moments, there is a hiss as the pressures equalize and the umbilical opens. Immediately, silently, 6 troopers walk out. They're wearing glossy maroon armored pressure suits polished to a mirror sheen They're so glossy the coloring of the pressure suits looks like it has depth. I can see all of us distorted in the reflection of their faceless helmets. They're holding battle rifles, but they're aimed down and I can see they're safe and they have little decorative tips on the end - that's a nice touch. Shows everyone that they can't shoot them without extra effort. Looking closer at the rifles I'm shocked.

It's the same model I use.

That's not standard issue. My rifle was a special order. I can feel it's weight on my back, reminding me.

The troopers line up, three to a side of the umbilical and stand there at attention for a moment, and then a woman walks confidently out.

She's not wearing a pressure suit, but she has a very elaborate uniform on. It doesn't look like our Builder uniforms, but it's of a similar ilk. Professional, Military, it's short sleeves and form fitting, with pockets and folds and places for medals and ribbons. Her uniform has plenty of both. It's the same maroon as the troopers, but there's a pure white sash from her left shoulder to her right waist. On her waist is a sidearm - hmm, that looks like a custom version of a very fiddly - but accurate - pistol and is very well taken care of. She's wearing maroon pants tucked into highly polished black riding boots that click on the floor of the dock. On both of her shoulders are a gold fringe. She's wearing a cap at a rakish angle and peeking underneath I can see that she has very close cropped blond hair.

Is that a tattoo I see around her collar?

She is standing there with a smirk all casually professional and extremely cool. She looks like she is in charge through sheer charisma. She looks as if nobody would dare question whether she was in charge.

Swallowing and hoping I don't look too awkward, I turn up the crown and wings and take one step forward. "Welcome to Reach of the Might of Vzzx. I am Empress Melody Mullen of the Holy Imperial Systems." I gesture to my side. "This is Ava Williams, Omar Adel, and Um'reli Desmen, my Builders." I turn to the other side. "This is Starlight on a Moonless Evening, The Smell Of The Ocean, Rapid River Roaring, Sound of the City, Sep and Vaaco. They are part of my retinue and assist with day to day operation here. We welcome you."

She inclines her head slightly then stands up straight and salutes sharply. "I am Archduke Helen Raaden of Imperial Venus, second to the crown prince of Venus and third in line for the Venusian throne. I come with a contingent of Venusian soldiers and citizens as well as a small group of volunteers from throughout Human space.

We come as friends on a goodwill tour, and wish to extend our most sincere greetings to her Imperial Highness and make a personal offer from the Emperor to give assistance in any way we can." When she finishes her pronouncement she winks at me.

Oh no, she's so hot. What am I going to do?

Part 27

#humans are deathworlders #humans are space orcs #humans go on adventure #humans are space oddities #sci fi writing #writing #humans and ai #humans and aliens #the k'laxiverse #jpitha #just a little further

[afeelgoodblog]

#036 - The Best News of Last Week - April 18, 2022

📚 - Now I really wanna start a "Banned Books Club"

1. Pink Floyd have reunited to record their first new material in 28 years, a protest song against the Ukraine war.

David Gilmour said the song was a show of "anger at a superpower invading a peaceful nation"

Hey Hey, Rise Up! features David Gilmour and Nick Mason alongside long-time Floyd bassist Guy Pratt and Nitin Sawhney on keyboards. But the song is built around a spine-tingling refrain from Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk of the band Boombox.

2. Major solar breakthrough means energy can be stored for up to 18 years

Dr Kasper Moth-Poulson and his team have found a novel way to store solar energy. In 2017, scientists at a Swedish university created an energy system that makes it possible to capture and store solar energy for up to 18 years, releasing it as heat when needed.

Now the researchers have succeeded in getting the system to produce electricity by connecting it to a thermoelectric generator. Though still in its early stages, the concept developed at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenberg could pave the way for self-charging electronics that use stored solar energy on demand.

3. Homeless 17 Year Old Living Under Bridge Who Surrendered 4 Month Old Puppy So It Would Be Taken Care Of Reunited With Dog

A homeless teen who surrendered his dog to a Mississippi animal shelter because he couldn’t care for her has been reunited with his dog. We’re told the teenager has a place to stay now and was scheduled to reclaim Jada and take her to their new home Friday.

“He left Jada there with a bag of dog food.” - This broke me. He's homeless, doesn't even have a tent anymore, and he still has dog food.

This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation ❤️

4. Book banning efforts are inspiring readers to form banned book clubs

Book banning -- or at least, book banning attempts -- appears to be having a resurgence. The American Library Association recorded 729 challenges to library, school and university materials and services in 2021, the most since the organization began tracking those attempts in 2000.

And while attempts to remove those books from library shelves or classrooms haven't all been successful, the efforts themselves have garnered interest in banned books from readers across the country.

That was the impetus for the Banned Books Book Club. Nicole Cardoza, the company's founder and CEO, said that young readers had increasingly been asking for resources on how they might engage with books being targeted for removal.

"This conservative pushback is actually generating a lot of interest in books that might not be something the average student is being exposed to otherwise," she said.

5. Wildflower believed to be extinct for 40 years spotted in Ecuador

A South American wildflower long believed to be extinct has been rediscovered.

Gasteranthus extinctus was found by biologists in the foothills of the Andes mountains and in remnant patches of forest in the Centinela region of Ecuador, almost 40 years after its last sighting.

Extensive deforestation in western Ecuador during the late 20th century led to the presumed extinction of a number of plant species, including Gasteranthus extinctus – the reason scientists gave it that name.

6. Wildlife Sanctuaries Welcome Lions, Tigers Rescued From Circuses

Four Bengal tigers and four lions have been rescued, after much of their lives were spent in circuses and tight living quarters, as part of two rescue operations. They will now live in wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa.

In the case of the tigers, two of the Bengal tigers had been part of a circus, but the traveling circus operators asked a local farmer in San Luis, Argentina to watch after the animals temporarily. But the circus never returned. The tigers later had two cubs, and the big cats spent over 4 years together in a metal train carriage.

7. ‘Historic’: global climate plans can now keep heating below 2C, study shows

For the first time the world is in a position to limit global heating to under 2C, according to the first in-depth analysis of the net zero pledges made by nations at the UN Cop26 climate summit in December.

Before these pledges it was more than likely that at the peak of the climate crisis there would be a temperature rise above 2C, bringing more severe impacts for billions of people. Now it is more likely that the peak temperature rise will be about 1.9C.

. . .

That's it for this week. Until next week, You can follow me on twitter. Also, I have a newsletter :)

Subscribe here to receive a collection of wholesome news every week in your inbox :D

#best news of last week #pink floyd #wildlife #banned books

[yonemurishiroku]

I couldn't sleep last night and thought about pjo x mcga, that's what came out of my thoughts.

1. Helga, — pyrokinetic and cryokinetic, [Freyr, — a cross between fire and ice, Loki, — the God of fire and the ice giant jotun].

Her fire power was awakened when the girl was little... and well, this is a really bad story, Percy left a terrible scar on his entire arm.

It turned out much better with ice, — Hagit just froze a glass of juice.

2. Percy was 20 years old when Helga was born and that night, having decided to have one-time sex With attractive strangers, he was completely drunk.

He was 29 years old when he died, and Hagit — 9 years old when she was orphaned.

3. Percy, with the help Cabin of Hecate's house, hung his daughter with all possible amulets and protections, so none of the Scandinavians got to her.

Chuika was telling him something bad, so Jackson was playing it safe.

4. About Percy's death. He was protecting his daughter from the earth giant, unfortunately he was mortally wounded and died a few minutes after the victory.

His soul was taken by Valkyrie, a little Hagit passed into the custody of Sally and Paul.

5. Helga's full name, — Helga "Hagit" Astrid Jackson.

6. In the case of Loki, Percy is treated with a touch of distrust and suspicion in Valhalla, after all, he is Loki's lover, a Alex ... well, they have a very difficult relationship at first, he is the lover of her negligent mother and besides, the amazing father of their common child, [Alex is also jealous of Hagit, little Jackson very lucky with mortal parents], But over time, their relationship improves a lot and Percy is a Mom friend for Alex. [Percy immediately guesses today's pronoun and Alex's gender, they are having hen parties together].

In the case of Freyr, the general attitude towards him is normal ... but Magnus ... well, the poor boy is very uncomfortable, but this is only the first thing then friendship begins between them again, Percy Mom friend as with Alex, he understands very well the individual characteristics of Magnus, as a child of Freyr, for example, that he likes light healthy food, open spaces, sunlight and light clothes, and they also take care of horses together.

[Damn, I almost forgot about Sam!! she and Percy immediately had a good relationship, she believes that Percy is very similar to her mother, she also feels sorry for Hagit because she herself was orphaned in early childhood and left in the care of her grandparents, they take care of horses together with Magnus].

7. Helga, — Genderfluid she's usually a girl, but she has boyish days.Percy of course supports your child.

["I got both a daughter and a son," 'you're like a very delicious ice cream, vanilla with chocolate chips" he jokes].

he immediately guesses the gender and pronouns of Hagit.

This, along with the Magnico nation, ignites a fire in the middle of the cold Antarctica where i didn't know humanity's passion could melt even the eternal ice.

I haven't read MCGA so I can't contribute much but holy your commitment is outstanding---

#bravo to the PJO x MCGA crossover #pjo #hoo #toa #yone rambling #percy jackson and the olympians #heroes of olympus #trials of apollo #percy jackson #loki (mcga) #mcga #pjo x mcga #pjo crossover #mpreg percy #tw mpreg #freyr (mcga)

[supersonicsteaktacular]

Some thoughts on Miraculous Ladybug in general under the cut. Don't peek if you haven't caught up because i will be discussing season 5 including the finale.

Apologies if this is an incoherent read, i'm just writing as i think, this is just going to be a total mental vomit.

Ok so i had some complicated emotions when watching the finale. It was great in a lot of ways. We had some of the best fight scenes that miraculous has ever had and some undeniably cool moments, but i can't help but feel a little let down?

I think that's partly because of how long it's taken to get here. To call the pacing in miraculous glacial would be an understatement. Nothing much happened to shake up the status quo of Ladybug and Chat Noir fighting a villain of the week for like 4 seasons. Almost everything was world -building up until Gabriel got his hands on the miraculous.

So we had a story that was going slow suddenly going at a breakneck pace in season 5. Suddenly after 4 seasons of nothing happening, everything happens at once. Gabriel is coming out and fighting the heroes personally, Ladybug and Chat Noir are making plans that very nearly beat him and Gabriel gets wounded in a way that puts a timer on the plot. Things now HAVE to start moving faster.

In addition, the love square dynamics change for the first time in the show. It took 5 seasons to do what everyone wanted since season 1. Everything was exciting again!

And then they kinda blew their load on the first jerk??

Gabriel quickly went back to his villain of the week plans, the changes to the love square came and went within the first half of the season and ended up settling on the end of the love square with the least exciting dynamic?

It's pretty telling that the Love square is the most popular hetero ship on Ao3 in terms of number of fics. It has something like 10'000 more fics than the next most popular hetero ship. The love square is exciting in a way that no other ship is and there are people more eloquent than me on here that will wax philosophic as to why that is.

So it's a tradegy that nothing really changed with the love square until 5 seasons in, and then those changes were over in a flash. Flipped Ladynoir was gone in a few episodes, Marichat fucking burned twice as bright but a half as long and poor Ladrien never got a chance. Now i do like Adrinette but it's just a typical high school romance once you take away all the rest of the love square stuff. It's cute, but guess what? So are all of the other ships that i like. They took away what made the love square exciting enough to write 35'000 fics about.

So just about the only things left by the halfway point of the season to look forward to is defeating Gabriel once and for all and an identity reveal.

And NEITHER HAPPEN.

Gabriel actually ends up winning in the end. He gets to make a wish. In the final scene i was literally saying to my screen "WHERE'S THE CATCH??" but apparently there isn't one? Turns out all that pontificating about how a wish cannot be made without a huge sacrifice was for nothing. Maybe there will be a catch but we'll have to wait and see, and who knows how long we'll have to wait to see that plot point come to fruition.

And of course there was no identity reveal. In fact Chat Noir just flat out doesn't participate in the season finale. Let me repeat that. THE AGRESTE DOESN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE FINALE OF THE AGRESTE SAGA. You deserved so much better than being locked in your schrodinger box Adrien. You absolutely should've been there to deck your father in the face.

Sorry if this has come across as a whole bunch of complaining and salt. I just needed somewhere to reconcile my own thoughts. At the end of the day i really do love Miraculous. There's a reason i've been invested since season 1, there's a reason why i've always looked forward to new episodes releasing and why i've spent the last year desperately trying to avoid spoilers. It's clearly has something special even if i can't quite put my finger on it.

#miraculous ladybug #mlb #mlb season 5 spoilers #ml confrontation #ml recreation #confrontation spoilers #recreation spoilers #ml spoilers #ml season 5 spoilers

[evendale]

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged in this by the lovely @once-in-a-blue-moon-rising. Thank you! 😊 It's nice to revisit my fics, it's been a while.

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

23

2. What's your total Ao3 word count?

1,014,041 words. Yikes 😂

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Most of my works are in the La Casa de Papél fandom. Before that, I was in the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries fandom. I also have a handful of ficlets in the fandom for the Stormlight Archive books by Brandon Sanderson.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

My top 5 fics by kudos are all in the LCDP fandom, and they're all +100k words.

Number one is 'The White Queen', a Regency romance AU. It's got almost double the amount of kudos than the second-highest fic.

'Personal Relationships', a canon-compliant AU.

'Back to Galicia', a movie star second chance AU.

'Safe House', a witness protection program AU.

'Tell Me What You Like', a collection of canon 'fill the gap' smutty scenes.

5. Do you respond to comments?

I used to 😅 I used to love spending a lot of time writing elaborate and personal responses to comments, and I in fact met several of my best fandom friends through comment conversations! However, over time I just simply didn't have the energy for it anymore. There are still a bunch of super lovely comments on the last chapter of my last fic that I really should have responded to, but I simply don't have the mental space. I do feel bad about that 🙈

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't write angsty endings. I love angst in the main fic, but I'm committed to HEAs :)

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Probably 'The White Queen', where I spent about 50k words describing just how happy they were 😂

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I've had a few nasty comments, but they're absolutely nothing compared to the vast sea of incredibly kind, lovely, and supportive comments I've gotten. I've been very lucky.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

My earlier work is almost entirely smut 😂 It's funny to see my later fics evolving into containing more and more plot, and less and less smut. I wonder how my readers felt about that 😂 The smut is explicit, but I've always tried to keep it tasteful.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I haven't written any crossovers yet. I'm usually obsessed with only one piece of media at a time :)

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yes -- I discovered a few years ago that one of my LCDP fics had been stolen and put on Amazon for money! It took ages to explain things to Amazon (because I didn't own the characters) and to get it taken down. It was a very icky feeling.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes, I've had several requests from people who wanted to translate my fics into Russian :)

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, and I don't think I could. I love to brainstorm about plot with a friend or beta reader, but I couldn't actually share the writing process. I'm too much of a control freak 😅

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

If we're only looking at the first 2 seasons of LCDP, then Serquel. However, the subsequent seasons partially ruined them for me, so maybe I'd better choose Phryne and Jack from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

My only unfinished fic on AO3 is 'Tell Me What You Love' in the LCDP fandom, but that's more a series of vignettes that I kept open in case I wanted to add more. It wasn't really meant to have an ending. That said, I don't think I'll ever add to it anymore.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue, I think. I also think in general I'm a clear writer who gets to the point without too many flourishes or detours.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

For a long time, I felt like I couldn't come up with any kind of original plot, but I think I got better at that over time. I'm still pretty bad at descriptions, though. I just want to get to the action and dialogue, and I forget that my readers are not in my head and can't see the characters or surroundings like I do :D

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I wouldn't include more than a few words of phrases sprinkled through the dialogue.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I was all of 26 when I first discovered fanfiction!

20. Favourite fic you've written?

That's such a tough choice 😅😅 If I absolutely have to choose, then I think 'The White Queen'. I was really just writing the exact fic that I wanted to read myself with that one. I had so much fun with it, I was so inspired that the chapters literally flowed out without any effort, and I got the most amazing response to it from the fandom. It will always be extra special to me 😊

I'm not tagging anyone in particular, but if you see this and want to do it, consider yourself tagged! :)

#fanfiction

[tofufei]

tagged by @circumference-pie for a 5 things that make you happy meme <3

1. Friends! I am someone who is rather terrible at keeping in touch with people and I've been trying to take a bit more initiative and put more effort into maintaining relationships, and it's going pretty well I think...?

2. This is very vague but I haven't felt that disconnected from reality lately. I dunno if I am moving forward in life, but I do feel like I am moving and don't feel stuck, so that's quite nice.

3. I finally got a diagnosis I've been actively fighting for for almost a year and got meds to try out! Hard to say yet if they're working or not, but they give me hope :)

4. This list needs more silliness so: genshin impact! I've been having lots of fun lately with getting a bit more into the technical gameplay side of things and optimizing my builds and teams. And just talking about the game in general in the genshin thread in lyh <3 (Also this probably means nothing to you, but I finally got my Ayato who I've had since last March and was on a very cope build to over 200CV tonight and wow does this feel good. He gave me a lot of grief xD)

5. I'm starting to see the appeal of bubble tea. I never disliked it, but beyond the classical black milktea variant, the boba here oftentimes has neither tapioca pearls nor tea nor milk which just made it overpriced glorified softdrinks. I have found a new boba place recently that makes proper bubble tea and have really enjoyed it. I'm excited to try out more flavors.

Thanks for tagging me, I might or might not have taken this a bit too seriously, but it was really nice to think about things that make me happy. Tagging @intyalote @seeorseem @flamingears and @crossant-creachure if you feel like playing! AND tagging both @fwoopersongs and @llonkrebboj to make up for my indecision.

#it's not an #ask meme #but i think that's my tag for stuff like this? #also i deleted it from the main post bc it's just too corny #but in my heart one bullet point still only just says ''hal'' :p #well turns out tag is not ask meme... but what is it then

[citrus-cactus]

On Hobbies: Productivity and Prioritization, Discipline and Dissatisfaction

This is going to be a topic that may feel like it's coming out of left field, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot recently and honestly I'm looking for a little feedback here, since I feel pretty stymied at this point and I think it would do me some good to talk it out.

I'm a hobby artist with a full-time job. And other hobbies. Who often gets ideas for her hobby art. A LOT of ideas. It is pretty much a guarantee that I will have a list of approximately 5 things I WANT to create at any given time... but because my rate of artistic output is so slow, what usually ends up happening is that of those 5 things, I'll create one, and gradually lose interest in the rest. But not to worry, because the reason I lost interest in the old things is I've had 4-5 NEW ideas in the meantime! So then I make a new list. Rinse and repeat: 5 more ideas. One piece of art that makes it through the gauntlet of creation. Etc.

The problem right now (one of them) is that I have a LOT of ideas I don't want to let go of right now. Things that have been in my brain (on my list) for MONTHS, in some cases a YEAR, because I think they are things that should exist in the world, and they are things that I (at least, in theory) still want to create. Some of these are still on my list because they are much larger projects than what I usually attempt. These things would be a good experience for me, get me outside my comfort zone, force me to experiment, etc. And yet, I'm not actively working on any of them. Most I haven't even started. And new ideas are (still, always) banging on the door, begging for attention. My desire to chase those new and shiny things is (still, always) high, but my ability to actualize any idea, old or new, in a manner that would allow my art-drawing brain to keep up with my idea-generating brain, is low. I simply cannot keep pace.

And the last part is normal, it's fine, and is theoretically where taking stock of priorities comes in. But right now I'm at the point where I almost find it impossible to prioritize these big, hefty projects. Every one of those that have been on my list for forever and that I don't want to let go of are hard. And I almost always end up prioritizing the quick, easy, shiny, new ideas over the long and difficult ones. Quick and easy gets you likes and reblogs now. Long and difficult (and not related to the fandom I'm currently known for, or any fandom, period!) may result in the same (or most likely less!!!) engagement, much, much further down the road. I hate that I've become this way-- chasing that dopamine hit of people liking/reblogging the things I post on this website (and feeling a little resentful when they don't). I really want to wean myself off of this unhealthy behavior. Which is another reason to work on the slow, difficult things... even if I go through all that effort and ultimately no one gives a hoot (...right???).

So anyway. This is my long-winded dilemma: wanting to create (certain) things but currently lacking the discipline to really put in the work for the lack of short-term reward, and feeling stuck and dissatisfied as a result. So my question to any creative-types still reading is this: Is this something you struggle with, currently or in the past? What steps have you taken to try to overcome it? How can I, as a hobby artist whose idea-brain is writing checks her artistic ability can't cash, break down what feels like an insurmountably large workload into something more manageable, and feel like I'm making progress toward my artistic-hobby goals again, especially given the success-is-tied-to-likes mind poison outlined above?

If you have any advice here, thanks in advance.

#just writing this out helped but would still appreciate any insight :) #perfectionism is also a factor here #perfectionism murders progress #vent post #the cactus speaks

[sharp-teeth-and-wide-grins]

intothewildsea asked : 🎊 (if u can't pick one favorite then maybe top 3 muses?)

munday meme - multimuse edition. / @intothewildsea -- accepting

My favorite muse changes all the time, I couldn't even choose my top 3 lmao. So I decided to compromise and do top 4! (not including my other blogs).

Sean (He's one of my longest muses and I think because he was taken away from us so early and how attached I was to him makes him my fave. He's also a good icebreaker muse, he can adapt to multiple personality types).

Hewlett (One of my newer muses, but I'm really attached to him and I find him super complex. i think there's a ton of potential for different plots with him in his main verse alone! He can create a lot of interesting dynamics).

In my ocs: Cassie. (I find myself relating to her a lot in my life stage at the moment yet I strive to want to be like her in certain ways. She is actually really complex under the soft exterior. I like Lydia and Eleanor and I couldn't really choose between them, but Cassie at the moment. Lydia is interesting for complex dynamics, since she almost always has two separate lives in those dynamics with her spying generally. I haven't written Eleanor much, but she has an outside perspective that can be interesting. With her journalist profession and how she'll interview almost anyone, she might seem a bit boring and repetitive with her interactions, but I need to branch out more with her).

Evie. (My longest muse on here, before Sean. I have really developed her over the years. I don't write her as much anymore, but with her verses and such, I think Evie is really unique from the rest of my muses. I really like writing her, especially with how logical and unemotional she tries to be, but ultimately fails at lmao. She's also one of my strongest muses on here).

#asks #intothewildsea #( ooc ) #( thanks sm for sending this in!! )

[not-poignant]

how does it feel to be done with (the main) fae tales verse as far, as far as writing goes? is mallory and mount going forward or do you have other plans? :o

It still doesn't really feel real honestly! I don't think it will until like we all get to experience the end of the canon together? Right now I kind of feel like I'm in a holding pattern. :D

I felt sort of sad that it was ending a while back, probably a year ago. And then I felt kind of relieved too, because The Ice Plague has had...a lot of teething issues re: dropping popularity and just general engagement (it's still good! But it's just...it will never be like Game Theory or The Court of Five Thrones, and book 3 will never be like book 2 and that wasn't like book 1).

I've been doing Mallory & Mount worldbuilding but I actually haven't written anything yet and I don't think I will for another couple of months, which doesn't bode well for launching M&M straight after Fae Tales. Because I'll need a buffer of chapters for that story. Realistically speaking I'll probably have to maintain the Patreon with a Gary/Efnisien omegaverse AU, while I write buffer chapters.

Some of the lag is just that the worldbuilding is much more complicated (new days of the week, new names for months, new names for currency, new values of currency, inventing an entirely new language, drawing a world map, etc.), and some if it is that I just actually think I need a break from really intense, complicated writing.

Some of it is also just fear that it will do badly. Logistically in 2022 the Patreon does increasingly worse every single month, and it's been that way for 8 months. By the time Fae Tales is finished, I think I'll be looking at a year of downward trending (after 7 years of only upward trending). It's quite a blow, even though there are understandable economic reasons for it, and it has me questioning if this is even sustainable. It can be hard to...motivate yourself to write or commit yourself to a story that will take 4+ years to write properly, or months of really intensive worldbuilding, when it might be 4 years that are better spent elsewhere, y'know?

Like I think the story and characters are good, but are they good enough? I don't know. I won't know until I write it, and I am not motivated or inspired to write it right now. Though I will say certainly part of that is simply that I am still writing big wordcounts. I wrote 38k last month, most of it on FFS, and I've written 19k this month already, most of it on FFS and Smoke in Autumn. FFS is the most word hungry story I've ever written.

Tbh I had to also take a pretty big hiatus (like a year) between Court of Five Thrones and The Ice Plague, so I'm not entirely surprised this is happening. Some of this is certainly burn out, I may actually need a break from that level of writing (I can write 5 chapters of Falling Falling Stars in the time it takes me to write one chapter of The Ice Plague - and FFS is like...3 times as popular lmao). I really enjoy writing complex narratives, characters, and politics, and original worldbuilding, but it is more effort, and Fae Tales has been going for nearly a decade. Maybe I just need some breathing room before launching straight off with another half decade commitment!! aslkfjsdaka :D I'm sure that's a big part of it.

Incidentally my worldbuilding folder for Mallory & Mount currently looks like this:

As you can see, I have been working on it pretty recently! Though I've taken a little break this month. So even if I take a break from it, I'll probably still be thinking about it and working on it in the background. I am almost certainly going to do early release re: Mallory & Mount - i.e. it goes up first on Patreon, and then it goes up on AO3 2 weeks later.

Whatever the case though, I'll still be writing something! I actually wrote 500 words of the Efnisien/Gary fic last night after busting out 4,600 words on the next FFS chapter sdslkajfsa the writing always continues, even if I don't know exactly what I'm doing with it.

As for the end of the Fae Tales canon, I think early August will be...Feelstown lmao. It's so soon!

#asks and answers #fae tales verse #fae tales #the ice plague #game theory #the court of five thrones #mandm #mallory & mount #pia on writing #pia on patreon #i don't want to say income influences my decisions here but it absolutely does #mallory & mount is still appealing because it will be entirely original #which means i can also potentially put it on wattpad and royal road #which *allows* me to advertise my patreon there #it also means i may be able to properly publish / edit #which is such a trial for game theory #so mallory & mount could potentially solve some problems #it just has to be GOOD #and of course #i don't know if it will be #they can't all be winners asdflkafdslak

[rostomanologist]

New to your characters, so it's your pick! 1, 3, 4, 19.

oah thanks for asking!! ig ill go with all or most of my gw2 chars, theres not rly much of them :) ill also leave the links to them in text so you can get acquainted a bit (though i post very little info about them, sorry. i should make a roster)

1. What was the first element of your OC that you remember considering (name, appearance, backstory, etc.)?

i usually come up with the name or personality/backstory concept first but for most of my gw2 ocs everything started from appearance :D except for one, i think? i've recently made a new plant boy and haven't shown him here yet but he started with the "i want him to be puss in boots inspired and also wear a hat" concept and only then appearance and name, as i struggled with both

3. How did you choose their name?

fantasy name generator/behind the name + "yeah this sounds pretty oh fuck its taken"

exception: naohiro. his surname, fetch, was suggested by my gf and actually has a reference to irish mythology and mayhaps i can say eina astera is an exception too. i struggled with choosing her name and just made almost first what came up to my mind. and thought it would be fun to give her surname like the copy from human tradition

others r under the spoiler!

4. In developing their backstory, what elements of the world they live in played the most influential parts?

HMMMM.

pheanois: tyria's freedom of movement, maybe? :D he's literally an adventurer mostly

noereen: the revenant lore. i love mists, i love their story flexibility, i love legends concept and their connections with, um, hosts. noereen has a long and quite tragic story tied tightly to her profession; she roamed through mists for years, suffered from mallyx influence and her life as a revenant is mostly a test of her willpower

caeinthe: wyld hunts! i adore this element. basically, cae is a failed valiant, she fucked up her hunt and that made her life a menace

naohiro: problems of human society in tyria, i think. bro was a thug rebelling against the queen and nobility (not a separatist tho)

eina: none for now, she's mostly a draft of a character, though some details are closely connected with wyld hunt (she's a valiant) and mesmer's lore/mechanics(?), as she's a duelist in some kind. also i know elona and kralkatorrik play big part in her story

19. What is your favorite fact about your OC?

pheanois: he had a love triangle back in the days that is based on fukin last shadow puppets music videos. and it turned catastrophically bisexual and homoerotic

noereen: she was bit in the side in mists by a monster and this nearly killed her but she survived and now thinks she has a cool scar. also i love the fact that she has been a menace most of the time but finally got therapy

caeinthe: despite being an asocial disaster, she has a friend, an inquest. and this friend released her from the jail in the grove though she absolutely didn't mind being there lmao

naohiro: he has a lot of soft spots! he's a tough man, strict and disciplined and a fukin assassin BUT also very affectionate towards kids and animals, can deal with them perfectly and isn't afraid to show them love

eina: she made herself a surname copying from humans and unironically thinks she now sounds extra sick and exquisite with it

#damn a lot of text again #im so sorry for this #i love infodumping lmao #i also was kinda bored at my classes so had all the opportunities to write this ehehe #ask game #my ocs #not art #pheanois #noereen #caeinthe #naohiro fetch #eina astera #also im not sure if i got the 4 question right so im sorry lmao

[3vocatio]

heyo!!!

i wanted to ask - do u know if there is any place where i can like. read all of the main story (both modes)?

because like... if im being honest, i cannot get myself to keep playing the game (main story wise) it's genuinely so hard to level up and get good enough cards to keep progressing without having to use a million glow sticks and a dream. i'm very interested to know about the new characters & just generally everyone's stories as well...

i do not, unfortunately! :( i've seen many people attempt to post or stream the entire story in public, but their videos always get taken down by solmare shortly after. your best bet would be finding a drive with every lesson recorded.

i've been thinking of doing just that as well--two weeks ago i began streaming for my friends who either haven't read obey me, or are just getting back into it after years. i wasn't unsure if i should bother recording everything or not for safekeeping (or to let my friends go back and read), but since you brought it up i'll give it more thought.

i also know that your wish is to see the story for yourself, but if anything, enjoying obey me from the sidelines even when you aren't actively in the fandom is just as valid! the writing up throughout season 3 is iffy, and i really don't know what they were thinking for season 4... but if there's one thing you can safely rely on, it's the fandom sharing the most important parts of the stories.

to some extent, it's almost better if you consume it that way if you don't want to become aggravated by the tragedy that is the writing consistency overall. again! i know that you'd like to see the story for yourself, so i'll be on the look out for anyone who does that sort of thing. i'm sure there are videos and streams on youtube and other platforms somewhere, though. best of luck to you, raaz!

#﹒❝ birdsong #raazberry #(ok tbh im aware that theres definitely still ppl who stream every lesson but i know for a fact that it's extremely difficult #to even get through hard mode) #a complicated thing..! i understand that solmare wants people to honor their privacy policy though #but still >:( i wont forget how they took down sim's first birthday #when back then we thought that we'd never get reruns of events ever again--ESPECIALLY birthday events #sighhh but anyways. that's that!