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our-lord-satanas · 1 month

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CERBERUS

WHO IS HE?

Cerberus, often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a mythical three-headed dog. In Greek mythology, Hades was the God of the underworld and the dead, and Cerberus was his faithful servant who guarded the entry to the underworld to prevent the living from entering and the dead from escaping. Cerberus was a powerful guardian and was feared for his ferocity and strength. In Satanism, Cerberus is sometimes seen as a symbol of protection, commitment, and devotion to the deity Hades. Sometimes Cerberus can also represent the underworld itself or the connection between life and death.

BASIC INFO:

Appearance: In Greek mythology, Cerberus is typically described as a three-headed dog-like creature with a serpent-like tail. He is often depicted with a black or dark-coloured body, and he typically has sharp fangs and eyes. Cerberus is often described as being extremely aggressive and fierce.

Personality: Cerberus is often described as being fierce, aggressive, and extremely protective of the gates of Hades. In mythology and folklore, he is often depicted as being loyal and faithful to Hades, but also as being quick to anger. He is said to always be alert and on guard, with a strong sense of duty and protection. He is also said to be a wise and powerful being, with immense strength and ferocity.

Symbols: three-headed dog, Bident of Hades, keys, cauldrons, chains and binding, Gates of Hades, fire, and torches

Guardian of: the Gates of Hades

Culture: Greek

Plants and trees: wolfs-bane, yarrow, mint, cyclamen, nightshade, lilies, mullein flowers, black oak tree, mistletoe, and cedar trees

Crystals: black obsidian, black tourmaline, black onyx, black rose quartz, black labradorite, black kyanite, and black stone

Animals: dogs, wolves, black snakes, and goats

Incense: dragon’s blood, frankincense, black musk, patchouli, myrrh, sandalwood, and vetiver

Colours: black, white, red, green, and purple

Tarot: Death

Planets: Mars, Saturn, and Pluto

Days: Tuesday, Saturday, Monday, Cerberalia, Hades Festival, Halloween, and New Year

Parents: Echidna and Typhon

Siblings: Orthos, Lernaean Hydra, and Chimera

Partner: none known

Companions: Hades and Zagreus

Children: none known

MISC:

• Triple head: Cerberus' most prominent symbol is his three heads, which symbolizes his triad of ferocity, devotion, and intellect. The three heads also represent Cerberus' connection to the trinity and the cycle of life and death.

• Chains: Cerberus is often depicted as being bound by a chain, which represents his role as a guardian and a protecter to the underworld. The chain can also represent his connection to the underworld and darkness.

• Dogs: Cerberus is described as a dog-like creature, representing his loyalty and loyalty.

• Snake: Cerberus is often depicted as having a snake-like form, with three heads and a snake body.

• Fire: Cerberus is often associated with fire and intense, fiery energy, due to his role as a guardian of the underworld.

• Keys: Cerberus is often depicted with a key or a pair of keys, which represents his role as a guardian of the underworld and its gate.

FACTS ABOUT CERBERUS:

• Name: Cerberus is named after the Greek word kerberos, which means "spotted."

• Role: it is said that Cerberus guards the Underworld gates, waiting at the river of Acheron to stop all who try to enter the Underworld.

• Description: a three-headed dog made up of lion, snake, and dog body parts, with flaming breath and sharp claws.

• History: he has been a part of Greek mythology since the earliest times, and has been seen as a symbol of protection, rebirth, and the protection of the soul.

• Lore: in some stories, Cerberus' three heads are said to represent past, present, and future, and his flaming breath represents the cycle of life and death.

• Relationships: Cerberus is believed to be the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, but is also said to be the child of Hades and Persephone.

• Abilities: he is said to have the ability to breathe flames, chew through metal, and see in the dark.

HOW TO WORSHIP CERBERUS:

• Start by addressing Cerberus with a respectful greeting, such as "Great Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, I am here to worship and honor you."

• Make an offering to Cerberus. There are many different types of offerings you can make, such as food, drinks, herbs, crystals, flowers, incense, or other small treasures.

• Sit quietly and meditate on your connection with Cerberus. This could include imagining an image of Cerberus, visualizing yourself in his presence, or engaging in prayer or conversation with him.

• Show your devotion and respect to Cerberus by performing an act of service or helping others in some way in his honor.

• End the worship session by giving a final offering and farewell and expressing gratitude for the experience and any blessings that were received during the session.

HOW TO PRAY TO CERBERUS:

To begin, you can address him by name and say something like:

“Great Cerberus, three-headed guardian of the underworld, I call upon you now to aid me in this time of need. I seek your protection and guidance as I traverse this treacherous journey. Please grant me your strength and wisdom and aid Me in navigating the twists and turns of the dark path I walk. I offer you this prayer as a sign of my devotion and respect. Hear my plea and lend me your power now.”

“Great Cerberus, I give thanks to you, who has granted me your protection and guidance. I am grateful for your strength and wisdom and the guidance you have offered me. I bid you Farewell for now, and look forward to meeting you again, Hail Cerberus!”

WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT CERBERUS WANTS ME TO WORK WITH HIM?

If your request to work with Cerberus has been accepted, here are some signs that you can look for:

• Sudden and intense connection or fascination with him or his symbol.

• A strong feeling of warmth or comfort when you think about him.

• You have recurring dreams about him or his symbol.

• Noticing that you are drawn to research, study, or contemplate his domain.

• You start to see his symbol everywhere you go or in places where you don't normally expect it.

• Vivid or lucid dreams about Cerberus.

• Recurring thoughts and images of Cerberus during your waking hours.

• You feel a deep sense of connection and affinity with Cerberus, even without having had prior contact with him.

• You find yourself drawn to learning more about Cerberus's symbolism and mythology.

• You experience unusual coincidences or synchronicities involving Cerberus.

If your request to work with Cerberus has not been accepted, you may notice the following signs:

• Receiving a negative or overwhelming feeling during meditation or prayer when calling upon Cerberus.

• Feeling a strong sense of rejection or resistance when trying to connect with Cerberus or his symbols.

• Experiencing unusual coincidences or synchronicities that align with a rejection or disconnect from Cerberus.

• Feeling uneasiness, anxiety, or irritation during rituals or spiritual activities involving Cerberus.

Overall you need to be respectful of deities denying your request.

OFFERINGS:

• Herbs and plants.

• Meat.

• Dog treats/food.

• Toys such as balls, frisbees, and plushies

• Water.

• Flowers and incense

• Bones and other relics associated with the Underworld and death.

• Homemade goods.

• Things that are precious to you, such as jewelry, clothing, or other special items.

• Money

• Gold or silver.

• Chocolate or other desserts.

• Honey or nectars

• Beer and other alcoholic beverages

DEVOTIONAL ACTS FOR CERBERUS:

• Caring for animals: as the guardian of the underworld, Cerberus is associated with animal life and protecting innocent creatures from harm. By providing protection and compassion for animals, you are mirroring the energy of Cerberus and honoring his role as a guardian.

• Protecting nature: Cerberus is a guardian of nature and the underworld, so doing acts to protect and preserve natural environments aligns with his divine energy. This could include planting trees, picking up litter, caring for gardens or parks, and exploring ways to reduce pollution and environmental damage.

• Meditation and prayer: taking the time to meditate and pray to Cerberus is always a great way to express devotion and connection. Sit quietly and focus your attention on him, imagine his presence and image, or engage in conversation with him.

• Rituals and ceremonies: creating your own rituals and ceremonies to honor Cerberus and his power is another meaningful way to show devotion and respect. Consider creating an altar to him or performing a spell to petition him for guidance or assistance in your life.

IS IT SAFE TO EAT OR DRINK AN OFFERING I GIVE TO HIM?

Consuming offerings given to Cerberus is not recommended because he is a powerful gate keeper of the Underworld and a guardian of the dead. His energies are also incompatible with human consumption, as he is not aligned with the human energy of life and death but rather the energy of protection and power over the Underworld. Consuming offerings given to Cerberus may disrupt the connection with the deity and cause an imbalance in energy. It is always better to avoid consuming offerings given to Cerberus.

#fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #fypage #fyppage #tumblr fyp #satanism #satanist #deity #deity work #deity worship #occult #greek mythology #cerberus

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lostacelonnie · 2 months

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Hi welcome back! God i feel that life has been wild lately so i totally understand. Oh hey no worries ive been in a boat too of like. Man i really want to do this thing but my energy just isnt there. Yikes i hope you enter a stage of having more rest time soon. 8 exams? What the hell thats too many. Baking is a fun hobby i love to partake in that one myself. I like to make sweet breads & such. & its good to have a hobby to like. Pull yourself out of your head when stuff like school gets to be too much. Having to exist in public unfortunately means people will sometimes try to talk to you when you just. Want to go about your day. That is surprising but i also went to school with mostly a bunch of pricks who were awful people so. Had to look up what gran canaria is but it sounds like a nice place id love to visit sometime. Clearly schools work on fae rules. I will save for ruan mei i swear. After i pull archeron. I got black swan with the free pulls i had saved so im hoping to nab archeron. I instantly fell in love with her. Very nice clara supremacy she is so good. One day ill have her on main. I think i stopped at tb 60 so i can work on a few characters but the artifact grind hates me. Oh that sounds real interesting i cant wait to see it play out i just finished the bit where cocolia turned bronya & took the one herrscher at uh. Ch 3 end? Oh i know that one! Catarina my beloved she's so stupid i love her. Easily one of the best protags in recent memory. Dunmeshi is real good so far ive been enjoying it & seeing my girl marcille animated is everything i hoped for. Love my favorite fail girl elf. Im caught up on penacony & still dont understand the racist sparkle thing. Might be i wasnt fully paying attention at the time though. Seele confirmed for best girl by all herscherrs. Oh she must have a good amount of lore im excited to read that. Oh so thats what that means okay. Kinda love that it sounds fun. & more good natured than when people here say that about america. Good luck on surviving i believe in you!

HI THANK YOU!!!! god it really has. and the weather here has been so gloomy recently that i have no energy to do anything even if i have the time. the horrors are endless but we stay silly. and thankies once again!!! i MIRACULOUSLY managed to not fail anything so were all good. unfortunately this month is also already packed but luckily its stuff i more or less either know [polish] or like [geography]. and two of the teachers i disliked got fired AJDKFJG. history guy for offering to raise students' grades if they go around spreading konfederacja [a polish extremely far-right party] flyers and that math teacher who couldnt count for saying hitler was a good person. just another day in a polish school, i guess. but both of our replacement teachers are very cool so we're so back. god yeah totally!!! not only do i have something to do for a while but i ALSO get to eat at the end. literally a win/win situation. yeah that Is annoying but as i mentioned its luckily not as common over here.... and ouhggh pain. gran canaria is VERY beautiful but id also like to visit the other canary islands someday...... the carnival on tenerife is one of the, if not the biggest, ones in spain so thatd be fun to see as well. i only missed the celebrations on gran canaria by one day which was quite annoying but oh well. GOD YEAH. im still convinced School Air is a thing bc i simply cannot explain so many things without that assumption. GOOD LUCK WITH BOTH RUAN MEI AND ACHERON!!! im also saving for acheron hehehehe. strange woman and a mei expy so shes a must pull. and also congrats on the black swan!!!! i agree clara is just. cracked. she has carried me through this game and she continues to do so. tho sim uni gold and gears is kinda beating my ass ngl. since i only have the nodes that require full cognition range left to do. oh absolutely fair, i did that for a while and rn am doing the same but with tl 65. but i DID manage to finallyyyyyy max out wolfie's skills the other day so thats done. i do want to get one better artifact for her but i have chars im prioritizing a bit more. and same the artifact grind hates everyone i think. planar ornaments are much easier to grind imo or at least I Personally have much better luck with them than with cavern of corrosion stuff. but that may also be because i genuinely enjoy doing sim uni so it doesnt feel like as much as a chore as coc. AND OH HAVE FUN THEN!!!! the wendy arc, ironically, is the event that kinda butterfly effect causes Literally The Whole game. CATARINA IS VERY FUN YEAH i look forward to finally continuing that.... and dunmesh as well......... oh and with the sparkle thing afaik its much more prominent in the chinese version because. now dont quote me on this because I Do Not Speak Chinese but i have heard that when talking to aventurine, she uses an Actual Chinese Slur Against Romani People. which. not cool. but yeah its somewhat of a strange issue and ive seen a lot of different opinions from both sides so tbh idk where i stand on the whole thing. SEELE 🔛🔝!!! and dw im Working on the summary but ive also realized how much time its gonna take me to write down All Of That so please give me some time i promise ill get it done asap but ah. and yeah its very fun!! i generally feel like a lot of polish humor [ESPECIALLY online but irl as well] isnt quite as. Patriotic as that of the us. but to each their own adjfkjs. AND THANK YOU o7!!!!

#i also just lost an 11h long noita run yesterday which was. painful.#but ive been having more fun than i thought i would with honkai part 2 #asks #pen pals

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hydez-oc · 1 year

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I’m still having trouble naming 💔

I think their first name should be Valentine because it’s unique and on-the-nose enough for a fashion doll but it doesn’t sound silly/it’s an actual name. However now I need a last name

Acheron (Greek)- ominous meaning, but also, might not go w/ the rest of the vibe plus if it were an actual fashion doll we’d have to wonder if people would pronounce it correctly (I’m pretty sure the “ch” is a “k” sound). Plus it doesn’t sound too natural w/ Valentine, it doesn’t sound BAD but it sounds like I’m just listing names

Bancroft (English)- pretty, fits the vibe, but the meaning is not ominous or dark at all. Fits well with Valentine

Hellebore- Idk about this as a last name, it could be a middle name certainly but it doesn’t sound like a last name? Like it sounds good w/ Valentine but in general it doesn’t sound like a last name.

Melrose- it’s a Scottish name and the meaning doesn’t relate to the vibe but it has Rose in it

Chrysanthemum- a little on the nose and most people associate it w/ Christmas and not with death even though that’s the flower language meaning. Maybe could be shortened to Chrys? But that still looks/sounds a little weird

Grimm- well, you know how it is. Sounds weird with Valentine

Wolfe or Wolfbane- Wolfe sounds better but doesn’t go w/ the theming (theme is vampire-oriented). I suppose “Wolfbane” doesn’t help that but it also looks more like a last name

#i suppose since dracula is a wolf that's not like.. OPPOSED to the vampire theme #but it's not what most people think of

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alfilodelacerodistro · 2 years

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CD Acheron "Anti-god, Anti christ" (Veins full of Wrath Prod) $9.900 (en San Pedro de La Paz) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChS-FomgZ5p/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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kenneth-carson · 2 years

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PA Stands For || Hen

@trip-downtheriverstyx

Ken needed a job.

The horror.

Well, he needed two jobs but in order to go get the second job, the job he actually wanted, he was going to need to get the first job. The first job being something that would make his mom happy. This meant it needed to be something that would give him insight to the town! So, what better place than Town Hall? It was right there in the name. And wouldn’t you know it, the Mayor themself was looking for a personal assistant! How perfect!

One resume, cover letter, head shot, a few emails, and a phone call later, there he was! Sitting outside the Mayor’s office waiting to get interviewed. It felt weird but kinda exciting, too. He had never applied to a job before, had never thought he would need to. It was so cute, all the stuff normal people had to do just to get paid to do stuff they didn’t want to do.

When the door opened and his name called, Ken looked up, confused.

“Yes?” he asked, then- oh! He stood up, hand outstretched toward the person. “I mean, yes! Hello, it’s nice to meet you!”

(outfit)

#title: (pa stands for)#ch: (hades acheron)#(hen)

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bdrpmemes · 6 years

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Cruella: You must know, you've always known, that in my heart I'm a tyrant.

Hades: I'm reasonably sure you don't have a heart.

#ch: cruella de vil #ch: hades acheron #meme: incorrect quotes #source: outlander #q.

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pompadourpink · 2 years

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Salut! I hope you are having a good day :)!

I was wondering if you had any advice on how to guess pronunciation by reading?

Like I can usually guess pretty accurately with most other languages… but I very rarely am correct when I read a french word for the first time and try to pronounce it.. I just can’t grasp the "This is probably pronounced this way" by the spelling in French

I would call my French pronunciation pretty alright when I have heard the word spoken before, but, reading it is always just ..?For me it is kinda like when you see a name you have never heard before in a book and make up your own pronunciation and then one day you hear it and are just like "whomst?"

Merci :D! Thank you for your time!

Hello Acheron, I am thank you!

It would be hard to cover everything in one post but essentially yes, there is always a rule. I actually intend to read out loud the first paragraphs of books and explain the reasons behind pronunciation about once a month when I start the Youtube channel! But let's illustrate with an example in the meantime.

Take the letter C.

If it's followed by E or I, it will be pronounced SS: Céréales, Citron.

If it has a cedilla (Ç), it will be pronounced SS: Glaçon.

If it's followed by A, L, O, R, or U, it will be pronounced K: Camembert, Clafoutis, Compote, Crevettes, Curcuma.

If it's followed by H, it will most likely be pronounced CH (Champagne), unless the word has Greek roots; in that case, it will be pronounced K (Chianti). If you haven't studied Ancient Greek and can't make an educated guess, you will have to learn this (thankfully short) list.

Feel free to explore my pronunciation tag; please let me know if there's anything missing from my posts and I'll be happy to take care of it.

Hope this helps! xo

#ask #pronunciation

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izolyn · 2 years

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alchemy stars ch 2 ending:

Navigator: Charon didn’t make it out...At least we'll have his wisdom to keep in our hearts... Vice: Yeah, we'll always remember Charon, the Acheron Ferryman. He'll live on in our hearts alongside Illumina Squad Captain #1. Navigator: what's an acheron ferryman Vice: Oh that's what we call Charon because he used to a train dispatcher so he can summon a train at...any...time... Vice: Vice: THAT ASSHOLE HE'S NOT DEAD

#this will be an alchemy stars tag at some point maybe #i like how you see charon and he LOOKS like some gloomy edgelord dude #with an appropriate name and title for it too #and then it turns out he's just a theatre major

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elegyofthemoon · 18 days

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oh sweet now i can cry harder on kyoden

#they released 'experience the path vol 2' for hsr ost :)#i was listening to it before off pompoms workstation on yt but now :D #wait maybe i shouldve put this on side.#meh :D #OOOO IT HAS RANDO ACROSS THOUSANDS OF KALPAS... AND... AND MONODRAMA #i actually really like sparkles ost lmao its so fun to listen to lmao #love that they put mei I MEAN ACHERON as the album cover :)#i should-#OH MY GOD ITS MEIS BIRTHDAY .....#ok well i guess i will go offer the reserve energy to building her #i also wanted to play more of ch 19 in honkai too today but idk if i have time T _ T #maybe tomorrow ! belated #avil plays hsr #oh yeah i can also cry about argentis trailer ost T _ T i miss him where are you beautiful knight #i think there was an option to ask argenti to come take a photo with you bUT I WAS LIKE T - T ARGENTI.......... I LOVE YOU BUT I ALSO REALL #WANT MY FAMILY PHOTO W THE ASTRAL EXPRESS #oh this is tangenting off to god knows where #anyways ! good morning LKAJSDHFL

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fireemblems24 · 3 years

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Chapter 16 Battle

Below is my random thoughts playing Ch 16. I may or may not have gotten embarrassingly emotional playing a certain route.

I'm playing all 4 routes as my "first route," so please no spoilers beyond this point.

Crimson Flower

As much as I'm absolutely dreading killing Rodrigue and Ingrid, I'm going to relish taking Cornelia out.

My very first move this battle - Felix kills his father. RIP Rodrigue. (Felix used the Crest of Fraldarius first, then crit him. Damn, I hope he's nicer to Ingrid).

Rodrigue and Felix's battle dialogue though :(

Oh, God, Ingrid's chosen to fight for Dimitri till she dies. I'm surprised how upset I am having to fight her. I mean, I always liked Ingrid, but I think I like her more than I even thought I did.

Linhardt just said "is any of this worth it?" Me too right now, buddy, me too.

Time for Felix vs Ingrid. She dodges his bow, then hits his ass with her batallion on EP. I'm proud of her.

God, you have no idea how happy I am that Ingrid called Felix out for betraying everyone - that she didn't forget Glenn. Because, I mean, Felix IS fighting for the team that killed his brother.

His rebuttal was so weak too. "You don't understand." No shit, Sherlock, that's why she asked.

Shit, Ingrid's dead :( that sucked.

God it felt good to kill Cornelia after that.

I really am not ready for Fhirdiad. Ingrid and Rodrigue were hard enough. I'm so not ready for Dedue and Dimitri.

But I think this is my last Crimson Flower level until I'm ready to play the last two back-to-back? I don't know about that. I may just want to get the next chapter over with.

OMG Felix was my MVP. His "motivation" is maxed out after killing daddy and Ingrid and preparing to off Dimitri. That's so cold blooded.

Silver Snow

Time to kill criminally underused dragon lady.

A rare sight - Lysithea having to hit something - twice.

Ok, so does my CF team suck? Or is there a steeper difficulty curve because it's shorter? CF Ch 16 wasn't hard, but everyone in SS is easily killing everything. Like this level is a legit joke to my SS team, but in CF I at least had to be cautious.

You know, I've talked about my SS!Ferdinand before, but my Lysithea and Sylvain are also both absolutely terrifying.

Oh no, Lorenz! He was one of my core SS units 😭(before he betrayed us).

Didn't people say he comes back if I kill him with Byleth or something? Not sure I need him anymore.

Should I? Just? Kill him? Because I can? Or be nice? I'm not even sure killing him with Byleth will work.

Anytime the enemy uses that firey wagon batallion and it misses it's so funny.

Oh, man, Lorenz was told fight for the Empire or die? He sounded so sad about fighting Byleth. I can't not try to spare him after that. Not sure if this is going to work.

OMG OMG IT WORKED! I don't have to kill him!!!! I can't, not after learning he thought he'd die if he didn't join the Empire.

This is the first chapter Ferdinand has actually been dancing. And the second I unleash him, double crits against an armored night. Man is bloodthirsty.

"Defeat boss" when the boss moves and is on a dragon sucks. Because every level is always and forever - route enemy.

Annnnd . . . . that's it. Killed everyone but Ladislava and only Bernie and Anna used their turns, so now it's just a matter how picking who gets the kill.

For the record, Linhardt got the final blow. I always feel bad making him kill, but he needed the experience points so . . .

Seteth just prayed for his enemies 😭

Verdant Wind

I already have Lorenz, so I don't have to "kill" him with Byleth this time.

Oh, wow, Ferdinand's on the map. Didn't see that at first.

Even if he wasn't an enemy commander, I'd kill him. Kill 'em all is just too much fun. I'm also less upset about killing him than I thought I'd be. I thought he'd be a much bigger deal than he actually is. He's a good boi and all, but I'm just not emotionally attached, and I thought I would be.

OMG, Claude. He's like - naw, just kill Acheron. He's a nuisance.

Acheron is really a meme though. He show up in some paralogue (I don't remember) and yeah I don't think we're supposed to take him seriously.

I find it mildly amusing that every noble who sides with Edelgard in the Alliance and the Kingdom either a.) have lands close to the Imperial border or are b.) the corrupt nasties.

Man, I even danced Lorenz so he could reach Acheron and no unique dialogue.

Lysithea is dumb. She one-shotted Ladislava.

Sometimes I think I forget just how hot Claude is.

RIP Ferdinand. At least his dialogue didn't make me feel guilty like Ashe or Ingrid did. His motivation was just inflating his own ego and his petty one-sided rivalry with Edelgard. He grows into a better person if he's recruited.

It's funny the last man standing was the Lorenz replacement lol.

Lorenz was my MVP, seems fitting.

Azure Moon

Alright, so a few people seemed hyped to see my chapter 16 reactions, and nothing worth hyping happened in the other routes (sans killing Rodrigue and Ingrid, but I've already made my feelings known about that). So it's got to be something in AM, but I kind of expected that.

Why does Rodrigue get dialogue, but I don't get to use him as a unit 😔

My AM gameplay every. single. time. Have Dimitri draw as much aggro as possible. End turn.

OMG.

😭😭😭😭😭😭

HE'S BACK.

OMG, Dimitri knows he's alive now. I can't.

OMG he got so hot. That hairstyle is much improvement. And those scars. And he's so tall. I forgot just how tall he is.

OMG he's going to be in the Monastery again. I'm spending every single fricken Professor Point tea timing him.

And all his supports. I finally get to see his A supports. 😭😭

He's got new quotes and everything 😭😭

Dimitri and Dedue fighting side-by-side again. 😭😭

It's been like since December when I last saw Dedue. 😭😭

And his first level up got like 6 points, including speed!

His "I will Break You!" quote is INTENSE.

Oh, right, Lorenz. I'll try to kill him with Byleth. Should be easy. My AM!Byleth is a pegasus knight so.

Lorenz's battle quote is so much more polite than Ferdinand's. I know I want to do a "kill em all" but I just can't after hearing Lorenz say that.

I am DYING to see what Dimitri and Dedue's dialogue is, but it's 12:13am, and I still haven't showered, and I gotta get up at 6am for work 😭😭

OMG lol looking at these. Everything else is so organized and AM's is just crying emojis and Dedue gushing.

#StanDedue 😭😭

#fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem 3 houses #fe3h #fe16 #😭😭#dedue molinaro #my boi is back #and he's okay #and hot

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sunnydaleherald · 3 years

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, November 10 - Wednesday, November 12

Giles: I-I-I was just working on... (knocks over a few books) Buffy: Your pickup lines? Giles: Um, in a manner of speaking, yes. Buffy: Then if you wouldn't mind a little Gene and Roger, you might wanna leave off the 'idiot' part. Being called an idiot tends to take people out of the dating mood. Xander: Hmm, it actually kinda turns me on.

~~02x02 - Some Assembly Required~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Self Love () by badly_knitted

Buffy, Spike, and the Witch of the Acheron River (Buffy/Spike, T) by sandy_s

What You're Made Of (Spike/Xander, T, Devil May Cry xover) by madimpossibledreamer

given the temperature you're running (Willow/Giles, G) by smolsicky

35 days (Willow/Tara, G) by danverspotsticker

the horrors of monogamous matrimony (Jenny/Giles, T) by The_Eclectic_Bookworm

She Speaks Snake (Buffy, G, Harry Potter xover) by Buffyworldbuilder

Confidential Eternal (Willow/Tara, T) by Laragh

Please Help Me (Wesley, Illyria, G) by danrdarrenc

With Arms Wide Open (AtS Ensemble, G) by danrdarrenc

I Dreamed A Dream (Buffy, Willow, unrated) by danrdarrenc

On My Own (Xander, Willow, unrated) by danrdarrenc

White Horse (Buffy/Riley, unrated) by danrdarrenc

An Eleventh Hour Change (Lindsey/Eve, G) by OveliaGirlHaditRight

Spike's NSFW Alphabet (Spike/Reader, E) by ynyseira

lipstick and leather (Faith, M) by RattyCatty

Little old ladies and 50 cats (Tara Maclay/Buffy Summers, T) by Stranger_In_Town

Wedding dance confession (Tara Maclay/Buffy Summers, T) by Stranger_In_Town

Honest (Tara Maclay/Buffy Summers, M) by Stranger_In_Town

Found (Tara Maclay/Buffy Summers, T) by Stranger_In_Town

The Slayer in Japan (Buffy/Agel/Spike, E) by 2vampiresarebetterthan1

Reservations (Buffy/Giles, T) by froxyn

Álterum Latus ad DISSEPTUM (Buffy, T, Multiple xovers) by ArielSchnee

This Year's Boy Ch. 9 (Xander, M) by KyliaQuilor

[Chaptered Fiction]

A Fairy Tale, They Say - Part 1 (of 2) and Part 2 (of 2) (Buffy/Spike, T) by eurydice72

Amnesia Ch. 1 (Ensemble, T) by Warped_Alignment

Map of the Stars Ch. 1-3/18 (Buffy, T, SG-1 xover) by gracerealized

Full of Grace (Blood on Our Hands) (Buffy/Angel, T) by calenlily

Buffy’s Seven Drunken Nights CH. 1/5 (Buffy, Dawn/Spike, T) by steeleye

Easy Banishing Spells (For Two Practitioners) (Faith/Tara/Willow, E) by wellthen

What You Do Afterwards: Season Two (Cordelia/Doyle, Ensemble, G) by myheadsgonenumb

The Haunting of Buffy Summers Ch. 2 (Ensemble, T) by buffyversefanfiction

Blood Lust and Love Bites Ch. 1 (Spike/Reader, E) by jeromemonaghan

Moments that Make You: The Hero and The Princess 58 (Doyle/Cordelia, G) by myheadsgonenumb

The Road To Redemption Ch. 6 (Faith, G) by JoeNobody

The Pull of Darkness Ch. 13 (Buffy, Faith, Spike/OC, T) by tvdspnlover

Call and Remember It Ch. 1 (Angel, Dawn, G) by Empire of the Words

These Violent Delights, Chapter 32 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Touchstoneaf

A Slice of Spike's Unlife, Chapter 4-7 (Buffy/Spike, T) by Joan963z

Kintsugi, Chapter 7-9 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Grief Counseling

He's Not My Boyfriend, Chapter 13 (Buffy/Spike, T) by DarkEternity96

What Goes Around, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, E) by celtic_goddess

Death Wish, Chapter 34 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Sigyn

Hung Up, Chapter 13 (Buffy/Spike, E) by kats_meow

The Darkling, Chapter 84 (Buffy/Spike, E) by OffYourBird

Flickers, Chapter 18 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Dusty

American Girls, Chapter 4-5 (Buffy/Spike, M) by sweetprincipale

Walking in the Sand, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Axell

Time After Time, Chapter 6 (Buffy/Spike, E) by MissLuci

What They Knew and When They Knew It, Chapter 12 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Dorians Kitten

Reordering the Universe, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Touchstoneaf

GTFO, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Girlytek

Lucky at Cards Ch. 8 (Ensemble, T) by dogbertcarroll

Álterum Latus ad DISSEPTUM (Buffy, T, Multiple xovers) by ArielSchnee

The Worlds At War Ch. 1-13 (Buffy, T, Harry Potter xover) by Sharie

What do you mean I'm Magical Nobility? Ch. 12 (Xander, M, Harry Potter xover) by KnightofTempest

Every Life I Save You CH. 1 (Buffy/Spike, E, The Sentinel xover) by TemariGrace

The Vision (Buffy/Spike, unrated) by myrabeth

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: One wallpaper and Three fic banners () by teragramm

Artwork: A couple of cute Giles drawings! () by unemployedlibrarian

Artwork: just standing in the way () by HedgehogBeeblebrox

Artwork: Buffy () by arcturedraws

Artwork: Spike () by momomorada

Artwork: Dark Willow & Xander () by artsying-ifer

Artwork: Harmony () by miniimegs-art

Artwork: Spike & Dru () by pier-monsters

Artwork: Faith () by Megan Levens

Artwork: Xander and Cordelia () by arcturedraws

Artwork: Principal Snyder () by geezozz

Artwork: "School Hard" () by tmcarlee

Icons: Giles Icons () by casualstigmata

Video: Spike & Buffy | The Promise () by raggeddypond

Artwork: Willow & Tara () by gentBevs

Artwork: It’s crochet Spike, and he’s wearing a coat! () by GWhizKatlifa

Artwork: Andrew & Spike () by icantnameanimals

Artwork: Graduation day part 1 () by bradtholym

Artwork: Graduation day part 2 () by bradtholym

Artwork: Spike and Nikki () by MonkeyOnYourMomsBack

Fanmix: Spike spotify playlist () by monsenz

Video: “Spike/Buffy - Lost On You” () by DarkEleni

Video: buffy & spike || I never felt the same () by EndlessDayDreamz

Video: spikeXDarkwillow bad guys () by Théo

Video: Drusilla (BTVS) - Christian Woman () by LadyGreensleeves33

[Reviews & Recaps]

“Everyone’s talking to me, but not to each other.” by yetanotherbuffyblog

PODCAST: S05E13 "Blood Ties" - The Key (S05E13) by Buffy Boys

PODCAST: Smashed (S6.09) by Still Pretty

PUBLICATION: Episode 91 Unleashed by Rewatching Angel

[Fandom Discussions]

William, Cecily and "Fool for Love" () by GillO

Drusilla, Mines, Convents and Cockernee () by GillO

Random Thoughts on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Dark Age (Season 2, Episode 8) by cassidy5002

Little things about ATS that I love by illyriashade56

Dating Willow Headcanons by council-of-readers

So in the last week and a half I’ve binged through the first three seasons of Buffy by 283livesforone

I feel like I always think I prefer Xander and Cordelia, but then... by oveliagirlhaditright

eason two Buffy fucking smacks by endlesslyunamusing

I’d remembered “Pangs” being racist, but hoo boy by jupitermelichios

Vampires from btvs and tvd by livlepretre

What the story line would be like if there was a real blending of tvd and btvs by livlepretre

How much is the Buffy Multimedia License Worth and How Much Did it Gross? by EvaWolves

Actor/Actress who doesn't get enough credit for their performance of a supporting character in Buffy by Willdon231

How the women of the Buffyverse would care for a s/o with ptsd by prose-for-hire

my favourite thing about Angel’s speech in Epiphany by laufire

We should talk about Harmony by amazighbuffy

Okay, for fuck’s sake, I knew this was coming, but an accident? by three-blogs-in-a-trenchcoat

As if I couldn’t love Stacy Abrams even more by buffyfan145

Spike overstayed his welcome by intoxicatedfandom

Stacey Abrams is queen but we're going to have to part ways on Spuffy by intoxicatedfandom

Immolation-o-gram by hrasherpix

Discussion of 1.01 "Welcome To The Hellmouth" by Jodast

What if? by tarasamber

Fashion from Sunnydale - Buffy Summers by Puppet

If you were allowed to write an episode of Buffy or Angel..... by Tank1978

Would Buffy have seen through Jasmine? by Tank1978

Kate, what are people's thoughts on the character ? by BtVS fan

Reacting to Reactions - BtVS Season 3 by flow and others

Reacting to Reactions - BtVS Season 1 by Stoney

Reboot thoughts with Stacey Abrams by KingofCretins and others

BOOM! Buffy The Vampire Slayer #19 - CBR released spoiler by BAF

Why do people try to retcon Buffy's love confession to Spike by Dora

Joss Whedon Angel episodes, why not as good by BtVS fan

Is Buffy still remembered today because of its cast of very PRETTY girls fighting monsters? by

Cordelia? Why? by newraistlin613

Stacy Abrams on Spuffy vs Bangel by madmaximus17

Does anyone know why they switched actresses for the Nikki Wood character? by robocopt850

A line from Fredless possible foreshadowing?? by theHeronda1e

For those who watched once more with feeling during the 2001 premiere... by lilithsbrat

If you could add one f*ck to the entire show, where would it go, and who would say it? by Cia1313

Joss Whedon has responded to Stacey Abrams!! by Kindofaddictedtotv

How not to think that Cordelia's character has taken the wrong direction after Birthday episode ? by CangelFrance

The Prom question by NewShinyThings

Anya and Xander by NewShinyThings

Why did they stick Buffy with an annoying roommate ? by NewShinyThings

Just noticed something to add to the Fuffy pile by TypicalPsychology6

Connor and cordelia made me question finishing the show by kingozon

Do you guys consider “Angel” a cult series? by jh86351

Who's your favourite small-role demon? by sadtran

Does anyone else think Kendra/Bianca does not get enough appreciation for her lovely looks? by EvaWolves

I hate Cangel, it's a slap in the face to the fans who fell in love with Bangel. by jdpm1991

How did you react to the BuffyBot? by jdpm1991

The ending of “Grave” is so underrated by LunchThreatener

Unrealistic string of victories at every hellmouth? by Bowtie16bit

In appreciation of Drucilla by eternallnewbie

Dead Man’s Party by how-far-weve-come

Comics Question (Angel/Buffy) by Morrtyy

Start charging! by MmeMiseria

I’m showing my roommate Buffy. by callthefruitsquad

Joyce is REALLY bothering me as a mom. by tidblgr10

Why/how do people hate Xander by greyeyedtrix

Fourth season shippers? by newraistlin613

The roots of Buffy's depression by MarzipanBingo

Buffy Fans of Reddit! I require your help! by colourlesstt

How do you feel about the writers giving Buffy a same-sex relationship by LunchThreatener

Warren was such wasted potential as a person by The810kid

Willow / Tara / Oz by Siorray

Does anyone else think Riley was one of the worst characters on the show? by Abisnailyo

that old gang of mine makes my blood boil by Majora2305

Anyone else love Buffy and Xander's heart to heart scene in Seeing Red. by moviephil4315

What was Dawn's relationship with Angel? by AbhiMary00

Joss Whedon Angel episodes, why not as good by Btvs fan

Anyone else noticed that Angel became Boreanaz in season 3? by jdpm1991

Why was Buffy the only one forced to get a job in s6? by jdpm1991

Why is Jonathan in The Trio? I don't get it before s6 he was never on bad terms with Buffy. by jdpm1991

The homophobia parallels with Joyce continue by TypicalPsychology6

Regarding Connor by NDita

Reference(s) you don’t understand? by wannabestuck

My least favorite part about Season 5 is that they lied to Fred's parents about what happened to her by jdpm1991

Angel/Spike in season 5 Destiny by Nataliee099

Unpopular Opinion?? I really like Cangel by jcs050607

Has the Hellmouth changed location over the years? by MonkeyOnYourMomsBack

Connecting the dots... by leilaali01

My favorite ship is a tragedy and I both love and hate it! by amazighbuffy

This doesnt even make sense by amazighbuffy

Buffy the Vampire Slayer LGBTQ+ Headcanons by casualstigmata

So far funniest thing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer by johnsspacesuittight

Charisma Carpenter chimes in on the Buffy/Angel/Spike debate by madmaximus17

Sam Finn setting off my gaydar like whoa by FrostWarmed

No wonder Buffy went to Spike, NO ONE was there for her except for Tara by jdpm1991

Should Hank Summers had been killed off before the show to explain Buffy's lack of father figure? by jdpm1991

Watching Angel for the First Time by iamdew802

How everyone treats buffy is bs by elaerna

Buffy’s dream in Surprise *season 2 spoilers* by inkcakeandtelevision

Anyone else think Spuffy in season 6 is kinda gross? by LunchThreatener

Whistler by RaphaelemArchangelum

Anyone else think that the monks altering their memories for Dawn actually made Joyce a better mother by thecleverest1

Xander and Anya. Odd couple by AstridDante

Faith an overrated character? by AstridDante

‘A human being in pain has nothing to do with your job.’ - Your thoughts by Arge101

If each of the main Buffy characters were dogs, what kind of dogs would they be? by lemiller96

Was it ever explained how Walsh recruited Riley and the others? by LightBlueSky55

I'm very glad "The Gift" was not the end of the series by jdpm1991

Buffy's room is too big. by GuitarTest

The order of Taraka was just..... by eternallnewbie

What did you think of where Buffy ended up in the comics? by LightBlueSky55

Apparently there was a cancelled spinoff with Giles called "Ripper". by GuitarTest

Unpopular Opinion: Willow is the Funniest on The Show by SirchT

Stupid vampire question. by rmarkham

#btvs #ats #buffy the vampire slayer #angel the series #fan fiction #fan art #meta

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ladymdc · 5 years

Text

The Seventh Circle

I don’t usually do a lot of fic promoting, however, since this is a joint endeavor with my amazing fren @dismalzelenka, I’m going to do it 🙃

Pairing: Nathaniel Howe x Reyna Cousland AND Anders x Adrestia Tabris Rating: Explicit (will have canon-typical violence & probably smut) Word Count (at the moment): ~2,900 Chapters: 1/? Summary: Run if you can. Madness has filled the silence. Do not return to this place.

[A modern w/magic AU where the Wardens & darkspawn are a myth, a bedtime story parents tell their children. However, an incident in the Western Approach sends Reyna Cousland and Adrestia Tabris on a search to uncover a truth lost to time and secrecy before it's too late to stop events from spiraling further out of control. Reyna belongs to MC & Adrestia belongs to Diz.]

We’ll be tossing updates up on Ao3 (here) whenever the muse strikes us. CH.1 is under the cut for funsies.

Solace 20:19

Reyna Cousland placed her sunglasses in the center console and got out of the vehicle. The estate was lovely in summer, lush and beautiful. She couldn’t deny it, but the beauty felt bitter and false as she took it in.

She opened the back door to let Acheron out then wordlessly led him up the flagstone path to the manor. At the dark walnut doors on the veranda, she paused. She just needed a moment to brace herself. To prepare for what she was about to face.

Inside, the foyer was well lit and immaculate. A circular table sat in the middle of the open area. On it, there was a large bouquet of dark blue flowers interspersed with olive branches—a play on the colors of their house.

Pride.

It was a double-edged weapon, just as able to drive one to succeed as to destroy them.

When she looked up, she found her father standing in the doorway to the breakfast nook. His eyes were a stormy grey. Calm, yet powerful; precisely contained—never show weakness or fear.

Conquered By None.

“Reyna,” he said, absently scratching Acheron’s ear. “Take a walk with me.”

Reyna nodded stiffly and followed after her father. He led her outside then along one of the lanes lined with trees heavy with plums ripe for picking. Her father didn’t make any effort to converse until they were well away from the manor.

“I don’t want you to transfer,” he abruptly declared.

She had already decided to walk pride’s razor edge and told her father as such. “It has already been approved. I leave in two weeks.”

Her father came to a halt as his expression grew bitterly resigned as if preparing himself to be stuck on some quarter.

“I had it on good authority that General Howe—” her lip curled up with disdain of its own volition, “—was going to send me there to add insult to injury. This way, I control the narrative.”

There was a long silence. Her father stared down the lane, his eyes far away.

“What happened should not affect your career,” he said eventually, turning to look down at her. “It had nothing to do with you.”

The betrayal had been so exacting and deeply personal that she could barely bring herself to think about it.

“It has everything to do with me,” Reyna told him. “I am a Cousland.”

“True.” A slow smile curved his lips. Then it vanished, and he glanced away.

But Reyna saw it, the sudden lines of tension around his eyes.

“So, the narrative; what do you need me to do to help offset—” he flicked his hand dismissively at his side, “—everything?”

Reyna blinked. “I don’t need you to do anything,” she said in a tight voice. “Did you really think I was going to distance myself from you? A Cousland always does their duty. You taught me that. You did your duty, and now, it’s my turn.”

Her father nodded thoughtfully. The sunlight catching his hair, silvered with age.

“You know, just when I think I couldn’t be more proud of you, you prove me wrong.”

Her throat tightened so much it was hard to swallow. She managed to tip her chin down in acknowledgment.

When she was a little girl, Reyna had thought he was cold. However, as she matured, she realized he wasn’t unfeeling. Her father felt things; he just did so privately.

In that regard, they were alike; driven by emotions, but never allowed them to dictate. The head always won out over the heart. At least, until General Bryce Cousland was court-martialed for insubordination and suspended without pay for five years.

Then everything changed.

While she composed herself, her father made a convincing job of admiring the blooming hydrangeas. Reyna knew he was proud of her. She never questioned that. But being reminded of it as she tried to be his steady rock in a sea of shifting alliances was overwhelming.

“Come,” he said, briefly placing his hand between her shoulder blades when she stepped up next to him a moment later. “Let’s finish our stroll through the gardens before your mother decides to hunt us down.”

“Did she also assume I was going to cast you aside like some black stain on my career that I couldn’t wait to expunge?” she asked dryly as they began walking down the return lane.

The corner of his mouth twitched faintly. “She didn’t. I believe she just wanted the satisfaction of being present when I was proved wrong. Thank you for allowing myself to be spared further embarrassment.”

Reyna smiled then. Truly smiled for what felt like the first time in months.

Her father chuckled. “In my defense, neither of us have handled this exceptionally well, and I’m unaccustomed to you being—angry.”

Through it all, her father had appeared unaffected. If Reyna had been less angry herself, she might have believed it, but their personalities were basically the same. Which, oddly enough, left her uncertain how to address the strain that had asserted itself between them. But there was an instant comfort she found in learning that it was all misplaced, that he had simply felt as lost as her.

“Likewise,” she said. “I wasn’t sure how this conversation was going to go when you asked me to come home to discuss it.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s just easier to discern what is going on in your head when we speak face to face. And we’ve avoided the general topic long enough.”

“I agree. I shouldn’t have tried to talk about it over the phone. I just didn’t want you to hear about my transfer from anyone else and misunderstand. Obviously, that backfired.”

“That is on me, not you,” he said as they began to ascend the large stone steps up to the patio.

Reyna’s mother was setting the small table in the breakfast nook when they stepped inside. Her parents stared at one another for a moment, then her mother arched a single blonde eyebrow.

“It is as you said, Eleanor,” he allowed drolly.

A slow cat-like smile graced her mother’s lips. “Welcome home, Reyna,” she said, stepping forward to give her daughter a quick hug. “Lunch is almost ready, I’m just finishing up the chicken.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Not at all. It’ll take me ten minutes, tops.”

Her father nodded. “Alright, then I’ll be right back,” he said. Then he turned and walked out of the room. Her mother’s blue eyes glittered knowingly before exiting through the adjacent door leading to the kitchen.

Reyna shrugged inwardly before taking a seat. At her elbow, she found today’s newspaper. Something twisted inside her as she read the headline on the front page.

CONTROVERSIAL DRILLING RIG IN ABYSSAL RIFT TO BEGIN OPERATIONS IN EARLY AUGUST

‘Rift Platform 52’, or ‘P-52’, is expected to launch operations on Saturday, August 6th, according to a press release by Antonius Faber, CEO of OFT Enterprises.

This venture is made possible thanks to Orzammar based Paragon Branka Kondrat’s revolutionary structural engineering research. This state of the art drilling facility, the most advanced of its kind to date, is affixed to the cliff-side of the Abyssal Rift using massive caissons and a carefully threaded steel cable suspension system. It is roughly the size of a 15-story building and will deploy three separate drilling units to depths of up to 5,000 meters. P-52 is expected to reach oil reserves that have remained untapped for centuries due to the unstable landscape of the Western Approach and widespread environmental toxicity located within the Rift itself.

While few would question the wealth of resources finally available, Ferelden concerns on the matter initially went largely unheard until King Cailan Theirin and Empress Celene Valmont established the Great Orlais-Ferelden Oil Alliance earlier this year.

In exchange—

Reyna heard footsteps and looked up as her father reentered the room.

His eyes flicked from hers down to the newspaper. He stared at it for several seconds, then sighed.

“For once, I’m not mentioned.”

Reyna nodded, keeping her expression carefully closed as she quietly seethed.

On the surface, increasing oil imports from Orlais at a lesser cost in exchange for military support in the hazardous environment seemed to make good sense. However, production sharing agreements were horrendously advantageous to the host country. The host country did not need to make a significant amount of investment for exploration or production activities because the oil company carried all operational and financial costs and risks. Then, if that weren’t enough, the host country gleaned knowledge, technological advances, and expertise through the agreement.

In summation, the host country— Orlais —would reap endless benefits and profits from this groundbreaking endeavor.

Ferelden would be guaranteed access to cheap oil, and nothing more. This was a fact her father had bluntly relayed to some reporters at the persuasion of his lifelong friend, Rendon Howe, who then used the souring tide of public opinion in the matter to motivate King Cailan to call for his court-martial. It succeeded.

Predictably, Rendon was promoted to take his place.

Reyna rolled her jaw and forced herself to set aside her sudden rage.

“It’s fine, Reyna; I shall live on,” he said, crossing the room.

“We shall live on,” she corrected.

“Precisely.”

There was a pregnant pause.

“I have something for you,” he said, then reached into his pocket and withdrew two metal, half-inch bands inlaid with runes.

She looked up at her father in astonishment.

He smirked, then held out his empty hand to her. “As you said, it’s your turn.”

“I can’t accept that.”

“It was always going to be yours someday,” he said, then beckoned with his fingers to encourage her along.

At that, Reyna swallowed down the rest of her objections and let him help her to stand; Acheron perked up from where he was doing a rather good job at blending in with the wood flooring.

“Part of why I asked you here today was to tell you that I’m resigning from the service,” he told her, slipping the bands onto her left arm.

“When did you make that decision?”

“When the verdict was handed down. I was just waiting for the news cycle to die down. None of this was supposed to be about me.” He began to precisely situate one on her forearm just a couple inches from her elbow; the other was dangling from her wrist like an oversized bracelet.

“It was about Ferelden, and I did right by her,” he said. “That is all that matters.”

Reyna slowly nodded. She understood the implications behind the decision. Going along with it all would be as good as admitting wrongdoing.

Once in position, the bands resized themselves to her perfectly where they would remain unless she went in to have them reset and removed. Reyna could tell there were enchantments woven into the silverite to prevent her arm from chafing and to keep it the ideal temperature.

“Can you feel it?”

Now that he mentioned it, Reyna could recognize a presence pressing against the outside of her forearm. “I can tell I’m connected to it, but I can’t tell how to make it do anything.”

“It takes some getting used to. You’ll just have to practice.” He took two steps back. “Curl your fingers in one at a time, starting with your pinky, and you’ll be able to separate it out better.”

Reyna took a deep, even breath and did as instructed. As her thumb curled inward, she felt it.

The semi-translucent, iridescent blue field flickered to life for a half-second, then vanished.

Her father smiled proudly, and Reyna could feel the pressure in her cheeks and eyes as she struggled not to cry over it.

She knew what it looked like in its full corporeal form. A modernized replica of the shields their ancestors used to carry back in the Dragon Age. It had been a gift from the late King Maric Theirin when her father was knighted for exceptional services to the Crown. In that alone, it was priceless, and yet astronomical amounts of time and effort and magic went into making the one of a kind device.

She parted her lips to speak—

“Don’t thank me, and I won’t…” he trailed off and waved a hand.

Reyna exhaled; part relief, part amusement. “Deal.”

“Good,” he said, shoulders dropping as if he had also found the entire conversation emotionally draining. But then her father put his arm around her and pulled her in for a quick, slightly awkward half-embrace.

As if awaiting this cue, her mother breezed back into the room to begin serving lunch: garlic bread and caprese chicken avocado salad with a balsamic reduction. Reyna’s mouth quirked at the corner when Acheron dug in. It always did. Without fail, he happily ate anything her mother put in front of him.

Later, Reyna would sit in her West Hill apartment and think back on the meal. In that moment, they had all but forgotten what had happened. The only deviation from the thousands of other meals they’ve shared in that room was the bands were affixed to her arm instead of her father’s. Where they should be.

Reyna idly traced the runes wrapped around her wrist.

All this time, she had been supportive but distant, trying to separate out her own personal turmoil over the matter so her father wouldn’t carry that too. He had done so anyway. Penance perhaps for negatively affecting her career, one he knew she didn’t even want even though Reyna had never admitted it.

At least, they managed to set things right. It was far past time, but neither of them were much good at talking about how they felt.

“I think we should stay at the manor until we leave,” she said suddenly.

Acheron barked, stump waggling, and Reyna reached for her phone.

It was a strange feeling, to move back into her childhood home. A home she loved and would someday inherit to become Lady of the Manor. A fact that made her painfully aware while she was an heir, she was not a true heir. No matter what she did, the Cousland name would die with her.

Reyna tried not to think about it.

Instead, she read, ran with Acheron, and cooked with her mother. She practiced activating the shield, which was like strengthening a part of her she hadn’t known existed and had muscle atrophy as a result. Reyna and her father even discussed potential ways she could excel in her new post, to climb rank despite the looming expectation that she stall out or quit.

When Reyna left, it was as if she’d be back the next day. Goodbyes were another thing they weren’t very good at.

The flight was uneventful, as was settling into her new place in Valemont. A two-bedroom, 1.5 bath duplex with exactly one parking space designated as hers behind the home, which was all she needed.

There were some incredulous looks when 2ndLt. Cousland provided her identification at the gates of Griffon Wing Army Base the following Monday, but Reyna ignored it. Then she parked her new jeep and slung her bag onto her shoulder before dropping Acheron off for training on the local wildlife. And now, she made her way deeper into the facility in search of her office.

As she rounded a corner on the third floor, she allowed herself a quick glance around, taking in the layout. Reyna stiffened when she saw him. Seeing her certainly hadn’t seemed to surprise or upset him.

He’d been waiting for it.

Howe simply leaned back on his heels and studied her, his eyes bright as they swept over her in a rapid catalog, lingering a moment on the band visible around her left wrist. Nothing about him had changed since she’d last seen him, and yet she could feel the weight of everything that had in the air between them.

He hadn’t tried to contact her.

Not once.

Whatever they’d been had never been defined. Not friends, but something that had mattered enough for Reyna to feel a growing well of hurt as she blankly met his stare. Not that it mattered.

None of it had ever mattered.

Eventually, Howe looked down, and his lips thinned. Then his posture shifted slightly. There was something he was trying to communicate to her, and her grey eyes flicked over to the plaque on the door he stood nearest to.

316 2ndLt. Nathaniel Howe

Her mouth twisted derisively. Of course, their offices would be across the hall from one another. She should have expected it.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Howe twitch, and his expression harden.

Reyna turned on her heel and entered her office.

She set her bag down and went to the window. The Western Approach was a sea of unstable, shifting sands, rocky ridges, and strong, howling winds. On the horizon, P-52 sat in the middle of a steel web. Without a doubt, this office was also chosen to remind her how she got here.

She should be enraged, but she couldn’t summon it. She hadn’t realized how powerless she was to fight her circumstances until that moment.

People did not believe in facts. Order and truth could be tarnished.

She didn’t know how to rise above it, but she would still try.

She sank into the chair at her desk and went to work.

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