#no old lady saving desire present

[llondonfog]

Three sentence fic- Silver does not wake up after 7. Silver + Diasomnia family

[✐meme] three sentence fic meme | closed

Lilia visits him the most, as is to be expected of the fae that Silver had so benevolently called 'Father', though it could be said it is less of a visit and more of a vigil, a long-suffering wake that is only broken by the shamefaced intrusion of Sebek or Malleus to escort him gently for food and rest.

He had not thought that he would return to the Valley.

He had not thought that he would return to the Valley with his son in a glass coffin.

The servants murmur where they foolishly think they are outside of his sharp hearing; how gauche to have a human preserved within the very same garden that served as a memorial to the late Lady and her beloved husband, what could the Queen have been thinking when she allowed her grandson to desecrate the serenity of such an enshrined place?

They do not yet know. They do not know of the damage that their prince has wrought, of the shame he wears on his scales like a second skin, of the irreparable break of Lilia's heart.

For that matter, neither does the boy before him who lies in silent repose mere arms-length and worlds away, safe and sound within the bespelled confines of a gilded case. It's a beautiful sight, all delicate gold filigree around where crystalline glass hovers just above the pale blue cushioned slab, flourishing rose bushes framing the base of the structure— and it makes Lilia sick.

If one hardly knew better, it truly would appear that the boy inside was merely sleeping. His cheeks, though pale, bear a slight rosy tint to complement the smattering of sweet-scented petals scattered about his pillow. His youthful features are smooth, peaceful even. Lilia's fingertips twitch to reach beyond the glass, to smooth that silken hair, to scratch his claws against the boy's scalp in just the way he liked until he scrunched his nose and fluttered his lashes and mumbled in such aching fondness "Father, stop that—"

He remembers vaguely to breathe, his hand clutched and frozen over his chest as to plunge within and tear out the weeping, devastated organ.

But it wouldn't be there. There is nothing within Lilia Vanrouge's chest but a bleak, black emptiness, for the human that had stolen his heart lies before him, heedless to any desperate call to bring him back.

Sebek does not question the old fae as to why he simply does not seize the solution presented by the ancient stories and lift the glass from the coffin to gift his son the kiss of true love.

He does not need Lilia to confess the fear when he sees it blinding and raw in the fae's crimson eyes; he does not need Lilia to give voice to the terror that haunts all of their dreams.

He does not wish to hurt his mentor, Silver's father, in such a way.

It's the same fear that keeps Sebek from visiting as often as he should, and it's the same fear that festers like an open wound, oozing and blistering with rot, when he doesn't.

The fear that perhaps it won't be enough. The fear that perhaps, it wouldn't work— that Lilia, selfish in his desires to leave his son without saying goodbye, did not possess enough love to wake him from his slumber. That Sebek, harsh in his criticisms of Silver despite how fiercely he could find excuses to defend him in the same breath, cast too much of his own self-hatred and inferiority into the bond that they shared, spoiling it with a wretched taint.

It's almost funny— almost, that he cannot meet the closed eyes of a boy who loved them so much that he sacrificed all that he could to save their now crumbling family, their friends, the world. He has no doubt that if it had been any one of them in Silver's place, they wouldn't have even made it into the coffin before the human would have kissed them awake.

The silence of the garden feels like an accusation as he leads Lilia away into the castle gloom.

If the solution presents itself to Malleus, he disregards the notion almost immediately.

After all, if he has learned anything from this, what does he know of love? What does he know of the kindness that flows freely from Silver's calloused fingers, of the capacity for grace and understanding within those clear eyes? These are not things he has learned from the fae, possessive, dark creatures that they are— Malleus ought to know that most of all. This generosity of compassion did not stem from Lilia, but rather they have all been ungrateful benefactors of it, squandering his devotion on selfish desires.

Malleus' love would have built them the loveliest cage of dreams, would have hoarded them safely for eternity, away from the pain of sorrows, sickness, and death. Would that truly have been such a crime?

But Silver had seen his paper-thin excuses for what they were, had seen his prince for the lonely, miserable child he had never quite overcome but merely buried deep below layers of ice in the crawlspaces of his heart. Silver had loved him enough to challenge him, his brave, sweet, delusional knight— he had loved Malleus enough to believe that there was perhaps more to the dragon, that this desperate need to claim and control wasn't all there was to him.

If he had been right, whatever softness lay in Malleus' heart had withered with the roses by Silver's coffin.

It would be a mockery to Lilia if he were to go and seek the boy now, to attempt to gift him the kiss of true love when he had already gifted him the curse of eternal sleep. And how audacious, how presumptuous just like his altered self (which was a lie— dear Sebek liked to claim as much, but Malleus intimately understands the truth; the blot had found him willing and wanting, the perfect conduit for its purpose) to believe that over Lilia, over the boy's beloved father, could he possibly wake Silver from his slumber.

How ironic now, at the end of it all— it had been love that saved them. And with Silver silent and still, Malleus dreaded there wasn't enough love left in the world to save him in return.

#lettie's asks #twst spoilers #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland silver #twst silver #lilia vanrouge #twst lilia #malleus draconia #twst malleus #sebek zigvolt #twst sebek #diasomnia #lettie writes #i like how we all ignore the '3' in the three sentence prompt #AS IF I COULD RESTRAIN MYSELF WITH THIS PROMPT #anon you have wrecked havoc on my soul; please take this offering

[we-were-beautiful]

The Fox and The Hounds pt.1

A/N: Hello all, so this is my first time writing for anything from Acotar that I have gotten to a point that I feel confident enough to post It has been almost two years since I have really written anything so I might be a wee bit rusty, but I had the cute autumn court head cannon that I needed to get out of my head. Also no Beta here we die like men   

Eris Vanserra x Reader

Summary: Its autumn court tradition to give your mate a fox kit before your ceremony. after years of knowing the Vanserra’s a mating bond snaps between the Autumn Heir and a well known smoke hound breeder

Warnings: none

     Wind gently rustles the leaves of the forest surrounding the humble home in the forest, somewhere distantly a river babbles deep in the misty woods. By humble home it truly translates to manor nestled deep in the Forest. The sound of dogs barking breaks the peaceful silence around the home most days, and on occasion one could catch a glimpse of the sleek gray hounds darting throughout the property. 

     The L/N family were a well respected family within the Autumn Court. Thorne L/N  had made his name in court  as an advisor and counselor to Beorn in conjunction with the lucrative businesses  he ran on the side. However what the family was most well known for was their smoke hounds.The most well-bred and coveted hounds came from the L/N estate. Of his four children the only one who took interest in the dogs was his youngest Y/N. With seven hounds of her own Y/N was clever when it came to which ones should be bred together and what new bloodlines to bring in. Y/N quickly became one of the go to breeders in Autumn with pups from her stock being highly sought after.  While not the most traditional route for a lady of the court, Thorne allowed Y/N to keep up with it as it brought her joy and it kept her home under her mothers watchful eye.

     A small  yip can be heard as a red fox darts around Y/N’s ankles as she moves through the kitchen. Coming in from the kennels Y/N moves sluggishly; putting on the kettle and grabbing a cup to make tea. The fox yips again; this time nipping at her heel. The action however seems  to not have the desired effect; nonetheless Y/N moved about the kitchen to fetch the spoiled fox’s breakfast. Seeing the female grab the bowl the fox moved standing on its hind paws resting its front paws on the cabinet to watch the female prep its breakfast again loudly yiping when she wasn’t moving at a fast enough pace for the little creature.

     “Ginger.” Y/N hushes the fox and sets a bowl of food down on the ground. Ginger had been a mating present from her father to her mother when the mating bond had snapped. It is an old Autumn Court tradition for a Female to receive a fox kit from her mate or fiance before the ceremony. The foxes were seen as a token of good luck and served as a constant companion for a female in her home. The room is silent save for the soft click of her boots as she moves about the floor and the fox scarfing down food. She hadn’t planned on leaving the manor today so she found it fit to wear trousers paired with a cream blouse and a forest green vest with golden leaves embroidered into the fabric. The kettle lets out a screeching whittle from thee stove breaking the early morning quiet

     The female let out a yawn as she poured the boiling water into the delicate cup. The unexpected all-nighter was really starting to take its toll on her. One of the servants had roused her in the middle of the night. Bellatrix, her prized hound, had gone into labor. While this wasn’t her first litter it still took quite a bit of time and Y/N preferred to be there for her hounds just in case things went sour. Luckily for all parties involved things went smoothly and all 6 of the pups were healthy.

     Looking out the window the dark sky began to take on hues of purple and orange as the sun started to rise across the colorful Autumn forest. The birds slowly started to awaken  their song, joining the rest of the white noise of the forest. Y/n takes a hold of the delicate teacup, wrapping both of her hands around it savoring the warmth against her chilled fingers. Steam rose up from the cup dancing in ambiguous patterns as she took the first sip of the hot tea. 

     Y/N let out a sigh she knew she would have to go back out to the kennels soon to start feeding the hounds.  She could only hope that she would be able to take a small nap before her fathers visitors made their way to the estate. He might have mentioned who was coming, but if she was being perfectly honest with herself she hadn’t been paying attention. Knowing her father it was probably another advisor coming in for brunch before they would go out hunting with the hounds. Leaning against the counter, taking a sip of her tea, her sensitive Fea ears pick up on  the inhabitants of the manor slowly waking up to start the day. 

     The cook was the first person she had seen since she had been fetched last night and the older wood nymph jumped a little seeing the younger Fae leaning on the counter drinking a cup of tea. Upon seeing the new arrival Ginger started yiping again, going to wind around the Nymph’s feet. 

     “Lady Y/n I wasn’t expecting to see you here this early in the morning.” The nymphs comforting voice brings a small smile to Y/N’s face 

    “Bella her pups in the early hours, I was tending to her most of the night.” Y/N yawns out, gently setting the cup into the sink in the kitchen “I probably should get back out to the kennels to tend to the rest of the dogs before breakfast.”

     “Just make sure you are done and cleaned up before the High Lord and his family arrives.” Her voice is calm despite the news that she dropped on the poor girl's lap. 

      The High Lord and his family, that's who her fathers guest were. She knew that Beron and her father were close friends since childhood, but this was the first time in her 65 years that they would be hosting the High Lord of Autumn at their home. Typically in the past her family had always traveled to the Forest House for formal events and her father traveled back and forth for his work. The thought sent chills up her back while the High lord and his family had been cordial and friendly with hers; they still had a rather terrifying reputation, and some of his younger sons often looked at her like she was a piece of meat. She would dance  and converse with them at gatherings when approached but she clung to her father and brothers side the moment she could get away.

     “I forgot that High Lord Beron and his family were coming. Thank you for the reminder Aspen.” Y/n nods before heading towards the door to head back towards the kennels. This news ment she would have to rush getting the kennels ready for the day so that she could go get dressed for a meal with the high lord. Typically she helped the servants with the task regarding her and her family's hounds, she wanted to ensure that they were receiving the best care that they could. The hounds from this estate were prized for a reason. She had known that one of her hounds pups had been purchased by Lord Eris but she had been away from the court at that time with her mother visiting her mothers kin in the Hewn city. 

     Eris was about the only one of Beron’s four sons that she could stand. In all her interactions with him he had been kind to her, chasing away his younger brothers when they were making her visibly uncomfortable. It also helped that the two of them both had a passion for the famed smoke hounds, so the conversation between the two had never been too dull. When the High Lord had announced Eris’ engagement to Morrigan; Y/n felt like someone had ripped her heart from her chest. It confused the poor girl, only 40 at the time, as to why she had felt like this. The two had never had anything more than friendly conversations at the balls and formal dinners that they had both attended. The pain in her chest had dulled when news had spread  through the court about the disastrous outcome of that short lived engagement.  There were unfortunate outcomes for her when the rumors spread about why Kier had nearly killed his own daughter. Most of these days Y/N could barely leave the manor without one of her parents or brothers escorting her; and even at formal events she was always under someone's watchful eye, just in case she might have gotten the urge to sneak off with a male. Not like she would do that anyway she was more than content to stay here with her hounds rather than go out and socialize with other females her age whose only goal in life was to marry up or with males who were only interested in what lies beneath her skirts.

     Y/N let out a scoff as she entered into the noisy kennel. Her Family owned 18 total hounds, seven were her own personal hounds, five belonged to her father. And her three brothers each had three. Y/n had bred most of the hounds in the kennel bringing in a fortune for her family; however with 18 dogs comes a lot of work that takes some time. Y/N rolls up the sleeves to her shirt as she walks over to the first kennel, one of her fathers hounds, gently clips the leash onto the collar before leading the dog out of its kennel and clipping it onto one of the tiedown points on the center walkway so that she can begin the morning process. 

     Far more time than she would have liked has passed before she gets to Bellatrix’s kennel .Even with the two servants assigned to the kennels the laborious morning process takes much longer than anticipated, especially after finding out that two of her brother's bitches were in heat. She would pick out two males later to stick in the kennels with them to see if they could yield another two litters. At the moment though Y/N is currently checking over Bellatrix and her pups while listening to the pitiful whines from the kennel across the aisle where the pups sire was housed 

     “Khalid, Quit your whining. I will bring you over in just a second.” She scolded the dog, Missing the kennel doors open and her help freezing as the newcomers walked in.  

     Five people walk into the kennels. Her father and mother lead the High Lord Beron, The heavily pregnant Lady of Autumn, and Eris into the kennel. Ginger and another fox quickly darted into the kennel playfully chasing after one another accidentally slamming into Y/N’s legs pulling her attention away from Bellatrix and her pups. 

     “Y/N” Come greet our guest.” Her fathers voice rang throughout the kennels which suddenly seemed far too quiet as if the hounds knew the power and importance of the individuals that had just walked in. Y/N however was surprised by her father springing up and turning to face the newcomers, well aware that she was not appropriately dressed for this situation. Her cheeks flush in embarrassment as she makes her way towards the group. 

    “High Lord’ Y/N drops into an awkward curtsy not used to the performing the action in trousers instead of a dress “I apologize for my state I must have lost track of time”

     The last thing Y/N wanted to do was bring shame to her father in front of one of his closest  friends and her plans were to be ready and dressed before they had arrived, but Beron surprisingly just laughed it off, much to everyone's shock. While Beron had a reputation for being cruel, he had treated her like his own daughter and had even been named her godfather when she was born should anything have happened to her parents. 

     “Well this is part of why we were coming, to visit your prized hounds Y/N, I had expected to find you here.” His deep voice rang throughout the kennel “ I am in the market for a new hound and word is going around the court that one of yours is expecting a litter.” 

     “Well my Lord you are in luck Bella had her litter last night. So I currently have six puppies that will be available once they are weaned. Would you like to get a quick look?” Y/N raises from her curtsy, giving the high lord a smile. Beron holds out an arm for her to take as she leads the group back to Bellatrix’s kennel. 

    “Now I wouldn’t pick one out just yet  as we don’t know what their personalities are going to be like just yet as they are less than 12 hours old at the moment. We can check back in about three to four weeks when they have started wandering away from mom. You will get the first pick of the litter of course my Lord.” Y/N prattles as the group looks on at the hound and her puppies. Another whine sounds from the kennel behind them reminding her of Khalid 

    “One moment.” she excuses herself, as her father and Beron start talking prices for the pup.”  grabbing the lead off the wall, she steps into the kennel clipping it on and walking him over to the other kennel. Quickly opening it and unclipping the hound letting him dart off towards Bella and his pups looking on  the scene like a proud father laying down next to Bellatrix, gently nosing one of the pups back towards its mother when it tried to wiggle away.  Latching the kennel shut Y/N turns to face the group again, watching her parents and the high lord and his lady talk. 

     “Do you breed your hounds outside of your family’s kennels?” Eris’ rich voice meets her ears pulling her gazes toward him. 

     The moment that Eris’s rich cinnamon eyes meet Y/E/C , It's like all the air is sucked from the room. The mating bond snapping into place, the gold thread connecting the two of them together. Y/N cant help herself as she involuntarily takes a step towards the Autumn heir, towards the one that the mother had deemed to be her equal. Eris, the cruel heir of autumn, was her mate. 

     “Mate.” The words came from Eris' mouth before he could even think about stopping them and the room went silent as all eyes went to the two of you.

#eris vanserra x reader #eris x reader #eris vanserra #acotar x reader #acotar #acomaf #acowar #autumn court #the fox and the hounds

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Faramir:

“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend: the city of the Men of Númenor; and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man, old and wise.”

Aragorn:

'Aragorn,' she said, 'why will you go on this deadly road?'

'Because I must,' he said. 'Only so can I see any hope of doing my part in the war against Sauron. I do not choose paths of peril, Éowyn. Were I to go where my heart dwells, far in the North I would now be wandering in the fair valley of Rivendell.'

Eowyn:

'Lord,' she said, 'if you must go, then let me ride in your following. For I am weary of skulking in the hills, and wish to face peril and battle.'

…

'What do you fear, lady?' he asked.

'A cage,' she said. 'To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.'

'And yet you counselled me not to adventure on the road that I had chosen, because it is perilous?'

'So may one counsel another,' she said. 'Yet I do not bid you flee from peril, but to ride to battle where your sword may win renown and victory.

Didn’t realize before that all of these happened on the same day, that’s some strong themes.

Eowyn wants: peril, battle, great deeds, renown

Faramir and Aragorn: I don’t want war and peril and glory, I want beauty and peace and love; I’m doing this because it’s necessary in order to protect and enable beauty and peace and love.

Aragorn and Eowyn’s conversation is frustrating because it’s simultaneously about the ethos of Rohan and that of Gondor at its best, and it’s about women and men. Insofar as it’s about women and men, Eowyn is right; insofar as it’s about Rohan and Gondor, Aragorn is right.

#lotr newsletter #tolkien #the lord of the rings #eowyn #aragorn #faramir

[manias-wordcount]

Great! So you are open for request!!

Um can I request a legend of zelda (botw one)

With Impa! x knight female reader (who's link's older sister) and in the battle of calamity impa thought that her s/o (they were dating) had died with the other champion because the reader were assigned to help mipha and thought the readed drowned but instead had a fairy friend to help to revive s/o from the gift the princess had given her.

So when link wakes up 100 yrs later the female night also wakes up with no memory and so when link and accidentally bumped into eachother to find the same location they run into impa who was absolutely stunned to see link and of course her lover alive and well.

But since the age gap the s/o just accepts the thought how they can never be together but tends to help around the village and help link to save hyrule...sorry if that's too long (the point I want it to be kinda angst seeing that they can never be in the same relationship so they both have to move on with their tragic ending.. if you want to add ib some flashbacks from the past with young impa and all that's fine just olease make it angst

A Different Time (Impa x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗮 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗲 :]

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

The way she holds your hand brings back terrifying feelings of love and happiness. And what makes it so terrifying is the fact that you know now they belong to a different time.

A much, much, much different time.

“When will you be setting out again?” Impa’s quiet voice does very little to break the still silence between the two of you, but it has you turning your eyes to look at her figure right beside you anyways. But no matter how many times you pray to goddesses you only know by name, the image of the woman everyone said you had fallen head over heels for does not sit in the old lady’s place. And she never will. “I heard the weather tomorrow will be dreary. Only the early morning will be spared by the rain.”

“Ah,” You hum, making a thoughtful sound at the newly presented information. “It depends if I could get Link to wake up on time. You know how he sleeps whenever we manage to score a real bed for the night. Though I suppose I’m not much better!”

You end your joking jab you and your brother with a light laugh. One that Impa shares with you, light and gentle. But once again, you’re haunted by this feeling of familiarity. That you had heard this sound thousands and thousands of times before. But you know you haven’t heard it as much as your heart tells you. Not the laugh that exists as it does now. A different one. One that belongs to a much, much, much different time.

A time you wish nothing more than to have the chance to go back to. 

It’s a constant desire. A burning one. And it comes out on nights like this. Nights where you and your brother visit Kakariko village to restock and regroup. In between restful periods of sleep on soft cots inside of warm inns, you and Link find yourself helping out around the village. Every you’re feeding animals, or tending to gardens, or fixing furniture, or fetching items. The Sheikah work you long, and they work you hard, but you don’t mind. You never do. They’ve shown you such kindness and such support throughout the early days of your journey. They’ve helped your brother navigate a land that feels oh-so foreign after 100 years of sleep. They’ve helped you find a reason to keep fighting. To keep protecting. They’ve even helped you and Link regain some of your memories. But in some ways, you wish they hadn’t even tried at all.

On nights like this, you climb up on the roof of Impa’s house. It used to take very little thought. Very little concentration. It seemed like something innate. Something that was almost second nature to you the first time you climbed her roof. You could pick out the strongest parts and avoid the weakest ones like it was nothing. You could do it all so with one hand as a torch occupied the other. And you could do it like magic.

 When you were just in training- years and years and years before knighthood- you remember just how skilled you were at climbing. Even though your memories are scarce, you like to imagine that there were some nights when you were young and didn’t have the weight of the world upon your shoulders, you would sneak out of your barracks and scale every single obstacle in your way just for a night out with your friends. You like to think Impa was one of those people you spent those nights with.

But everything changed when Impa caught you climbing her roof one night. You came apologetically- promising that you didn’t mean her any harm and that you won’t ever do it again. She asked you what you were doing up there, and so you told her the truth: you loved the view of the sky from her rooftop. You love how the moonlight hits it just right and how the stars seem to tinkle the best at that angle in this part of the kingdom. But most of all? You tell her how you know you must have missed the sky, and the moon and all its stars when you were trapped underground, sleeping for a hundred years.

So Impa asked you to take her with you the next time you climbed her roof. And when you asked her why, she said the answer was simple.

“Because I missed you too.”

Now, every time you climb her roof, you continue to do so with one hand. But this time, the torch sits in your mouth, clenched between your teeth as your other hand reaches behind you and secures the small, old lady on your back. You try not to think about the sudden flashbacks you get in the moments like this. Memories that try to bubble their way up your throat into your mind whenever you perform an action a little too close to the past. You try not to think about how you know you used to do this for Impa- the Impa you knew. But the one on your back is much smaller. Much lighter. 

She belongs to a much different time. It’s not one that you belong to too. Even so…

…it was still you who began to hold her hand every night after that.

It happens only when you both settled onto the roof and began to look up. You’ll breathe in the air of the night, and all it has to offer. You’ll hear the sounds of nature around you’ll drown yourself in their serenity. And then you’ll grab her hand. A light grip. A loose one even. As if you’re prepared to let her slip away. You’ve never once looked at her hands when you did this. Just like you never once looked at her face and hope for a reaction either. Just like she never once did the same. You just let her hand exist in yours.

And you try not to tell yourself that they’re still in the hands of the woman you fell in love with. The powerful girl in your snippets of memories. The beautiful woman that exists in your fleeting flashbacks. Because even if they do- even if it’s the exact person, the exact Impa, you fell in love with- it will never be the same. Because your Impa belonged to a much different time. A time that was robbed of you. A time that you long for. A time you should have cherished more.

And a time that you will never be able to return to. Never.

“Oh, yes… I remember quite a bit about you and your brother's sleeping habits when we were growing up.”

No matter how many times you sit underneath the moon and cry.

#impa #impa x reader #botw #botw x reader #breath of the wild #breath of the wild x reader #loz breath of the wild x reader #loz breath of the wild #tloz breath of the wild #tloz botw #legend of zelda x reader #legend of zelda #breath of the wild fanfic #breath of the wild fanfiction #legend of zelda fanfic #legenda of zelda fanfiction #loz #loz x reader #loz fanfic #loz fanfiction #tloz x reader #tloz fanfic #tloz fanfiction #x reader #xreader #fanfic #fanfiction

[quiet-nightwriter]

Heyyy ! So based on my last post people voted for a third person story. I only started to work on the first chapter and trying to sort all of my ideas for this story.

BUT !

I got the title AND the summary is done and here it is for you ! So, ladies and gentlemen (if there’s any) may I present you Shadows on the Trail :

At the age of fourteen, Josephine Harper fled her homestead, leaving behind a dark past and a trail of secrets in her wake. For two years, she survived alone in the unforgiving wilderness, her determination and resilience guiding her through the darkest of nights.

But fate had other plans for Jo when she crossed paths with the infamous Van der Linde gang. Saved from certain demise by Dutch Van der Linde and his band of outlaws, she found herself thrust into a world of danger, adventure and camaraderie.

Now, at twenty-eight, Josephine’s past comes back to haunt her, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed web of lies and half-truths she’s built to protect herself. As the gang rides again, old wounds are reopened, and Jo is forced to confront the demons she thought she had left behind.

In the midst of it all, she finds solace in the company of her longtime friend, Arthur Morgan. But as their bond deepens and feelings begin to blossom between them, Josephine is torn between her desire for honesty and the fear of losing the one person she’s ever truly cared for.

As the lines between loyalty and betrayal blur, Jo must navigate the treacherous waters of love and deception, knowing that the truth has the power to both destroy her and set her free.

#ao3fic #arthur morgan rdr2 #rdr2 #rdr2 arthur #rdr2 fandom #arthur morgan #fanfic #red dead redemption 2 #story #third person #writers on tumblr

[sokkastyles]

One thing that the Iroh is sexist crowd always brings up is his treatment of June. Honestly I feel like that's so stupid because it's obvious that was a writing flaw not an Iroh flaw. It was supposed to be funny, which I guess was the humor at that time (see "little girl" being used as an insult. Even Toph does it). We've come far enough to understand how problematic it is, but that segment was written to be comedic and was never a pattern of behavior for Iroh. It baffles me that people would assign the flaw of raging sexist to Iroh without understanding the context of the scene. It's never addressed in the show, and for a series that holds accountability in such high regard, if it were meant to be a flaw, I think it would be addressed. It's one of those early series inconsistencies imo. Iroh is a flawed person, but sexist in the present time? I don't think so.

I agree that it's a writing flaw, not a character flaw, and that we are not supposed to see Iroh as sexist.

It's similar to what I've said about Aang kissing Katara without her consent or Mai telling Zuko to never break up with her. We obviously are not meant to interpret these moments as problematic as they are, so it's less that Aang or Mai are "abusive" and more a flaw with the writing.

However, if people are turned off by Iroh because of it, that's valid, too. What's not valid is the way I've seen it used to try to insist Iroh is sexist in other ways, because he clearly is not. Namely, I'm thinking of the Azula doll discourse. People have tried to claim that Iroh got Azula a doll and Zuko a knife because he thinks boys should be tough and girls soft. The problem with that is that his whole relationship with Zuko is about encouraging Zuko to be kind and compassionate.

And you're right that his treatment of June does not fit with the rest of his character. There are a few other jokes in the series about how Iroh likes the ladies, but they are few and far between and none are as crass as the one with June. It's meant to be a joke, and it's a familiar anime trope, that of the lecherous monk. Obviously atla does the PG version, and Iroh is not a monk, but his characterization is similar to that of a Buddhist monk. He also has other traits of the lecherous monk archetype, such as a tendency towards hedonism. It's an old trope, but for examples contemporary to ATLA, see Miroku from Inuyasha or Shigure from Fruits Basket (who is not a monk, but like Iroh is a wise but silly and hedonistic mentor figure).

Iroh's character is quite the opposite of sexist in most ways, though. His narrative with Zuko is all about rejecting toxic masculinity, and realizing how he has to save Zuko because of what he did to his own son. He also does not seem to care a wink for Toph's lack of girliness or Aang's lack of manliness which other characters comment on (and even approves of Aang for choosing kindness over power). He's established as a character defined by compassion and a desire to help others. He also disdains toxically masculine characters like Ozai or Zhao, and tells Zuko derisively that firebending does not come from muscles. That line says a whole lot on Iroh's view on male shows of bravado.

In fact, I've said before that had ATLA been written today, Iroh might have not found a doll an inappropriate gift for either a girl or a boy.

#iroh

[mybodyisaflowerbed]

wip intro : mouth of the wolf, eyes of the lamb

“And I know, I know I am what I am / The mouth of the wolf, the eyes of the lamb / So darling, will you saturate?” [Rain - Sleep Token]

genre(s) •/ fantasy, romance, au of a contemporary universe.

target age range •/ 18+ only.

overall goal •/ at least 40k+, to be posted on ao3 as written (and potentially revised upon completion).

narrative •/ third person, multiple povs, present tense (past tense for flashbacks).

taglist (ask to be added/removed): none yet!

themes/vibes/tropes •/ love and what it means, finding beauty in the beast, loving those that society finds unlovable, lycanthropy as a mirror image of queerness, sexual and romantic desire (and letting go of shame and stigma around either), self-exploration and identity, learning to love oneself, finding the beauty in others, love on purpose.

content warnings •/ explicit sexual content (eventually), past unhealthy relationships, past child abuse, referenced suicide attempt, referenced homophobia, fantasy racism, violence and injury, vague references to past sexual violence, minor character death.

summary...

Summit Telon, disgraced bastard son of Marquess Stephen Telon, fell in love with Lady Cherry Lachlan at twenty-one. At twenty-six, with his lover’s wedding fast approaching, he throws his life away and leaves her behind. Fleeing to a tiny, ignored village in the southwest of Calayesin, Summit buries his past and takes up meager work in the village’s only antique shop.

When the highly superstitious and untrusting villagers inadvertently learn of Summit’s history, he is quick to realize their hatred for the Lachlan family and all its companions.

Beaten and left for dead in the woods as an offering to the hated monster within them, Summit doesn't expect to be saved by the monster himself. He certainly doesn't expect them to find love in each other.

Of course, life doesn't exactly care to meet one’s expectations.

the lovers...

• Summit Telon (he/him): A bastard child disowned by his noble father and the woman who raised him. Former paramour of Lady Cherry Lachlan. Always loving and always devoted, even when it hurts.

• Virtue Solace (he/him): A Werewolf living in the woods outside of the Village des Dents de Loup. Big and silent and always feared, no matter how gentle his hands may be.

others...

• Wisteria Journey (she/her): A vampiric Succubus and a collector of friendships.

• Cynthia Monroe (she/her): A human woman and the first beloved friend of Wisteria.

• Amethyst Babich (she/her): The half-human daughter of a Morrigan and advocate for the rights of nonhumans.

• Nubia Carras (she/her): A Kyonallagi and friend of Wisteria.

• Arbor Gatin-Verlice (he/him): A Dragonbound and a friend of Wisteria.

• Tobin Sweet (he/him): A human man and an old friend of Summit.

• Phaedra Myers (she/her): A human woman and an old friend of Summit.

with minor appearances by: Lady Cherry Lachlan (she/her), Clementine Jackson (she/her), Jameson "Jamie" Brandon (he/him), & Sariya Brandon-Singh (she/her).

---

masterpost + chapters coming soon!

IMPORTANT NOTES •/ this is an alternate universe for a series of contemporary roleplays between myself and my best friend (hence the modern names). as such, half of these characters do not belong to me - i have just been given permission to write with them. if you're reading this ceej ily :)

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #amwriting #my wip #wip intro #wolf mouth lamb eyes #hehehe...

[teejaystumbles]

The Last Unicorn AU anyone?? I saw a post that I can’t find anymore (and I did search my blog and favs but no luck, please let me know and I’ll link it) where Dream was compared to the Lady Amalthea and I couldn't shake it since.

I guess it can be a fairy tale setting or more like an apocalyptic modern AU but essentially I imagine it like this:

Roderick Burgess has captured all the Endless and Dream is the only one left. He hasn’t realized it at first because he and his family are not close, but the dreams of the sleepers have turned disturbed, people can’t die and madness and desire run rampage in the Waking World, destruction on their heels. Just imagine succumbing to delirium and then despair and trying to kill yourself but you can’t. It’s not nice. It’s hell. Dreams are the only refuge and even there, the madness is creeping in.

When Dream realizes that something is Wrong, getting no answers from his gallery, he sets out into the Waking World to find his siblings.

He reluctantly teams up with Johanna Constantine and her friend Rachel. They tell him that Roderick Burgess seems to be blissfully spared by all the terror and madness and is making a fortune off of other’s troubles. All who live at his mansion seem to be safe, but he does not share this safety willingly with many.

When Burgess attempts another ritual to capture the last of the Endless, Johanna, in a desperate attempt at saving Dream, uses a rare spell she found once and saved for a particularly nasty demon. She turns Dream into a human, and it is Not Good.

Dream is beside himself with anguish and terror, he can no longer feel the dreamers, his connection to his realm cut, but he knows it is crumbling more and more the longer he stays in this mortal body, only making everything worse for all humans, now that not even dreams are a safe place.

Johanna is convinced that disguised as a human he can now infiltrate Roderick’s mansion and free his siblings. She is also convinced she can turn him back. (She is in fact not entirely convinced but would sooner die than tell Dream.)

Dream hopes desperately that she is right, because he can already feel his mind slipping, being now influenced by the absence of the Endless like any other human. He goes along with Johanna’s plan because what else can he do, now? At least once they’re in the mansion they won’t have to worry about the side effects any longer.

Roderick Burgess invites them in when he sees Dream, almost as spellbound by his appearance as by the rare book Johanna presents him as a gift to get them inside. They take up lodgings at Fawny Rig and while Johanna shares her knowledge of the supernatural with old Burgess to keep him occupied and distract him from the otherworldlyness her friend is exuding despite being human, Dream searches the halls for any hint of his siblings.

Also living at Fawny Rig is one Robert “please call me Hob” Gadling, who has bought his way into Burgess’ favor with rare antiques and special services (he’s a bit of a mobster and mercenary). He is supposed to keep an eye on newcomers and when he spots pale, blue-eyed Dream, he has every intention of doing just that. Very thoroughly. From preferably as close as possible.

#add to that existential angst over being in a human body #troubles with Burgess: why can I not see myself in your eyes?? #desperate love letter writing on Hob's part and Rachel as his wingwoman #and in the end Dream of the Endless saving one Hob Gadling who did everything to help him #and I absolutely love the last unicorn OK guys #so I'm not one bit sorry for this #dreamling #dreamling AU #hob gadling #dream of the endless #The sandman fanfiction #the last unicorn #the last unicorn au

[arc-misadventures]

good night, so I'm falling asleep right now, so I'll just leave this: "Dreams are the torment of the torn soul, not because of the hope of a better tomorrow, but because of the regret of a cozy past"

You’ve got too many asks in my Inbox. Gotta fix that!

You’ll probably dump a few more after I get ride of a few however…

Again…

Regrets Of A Past No More

“All hail the Hero of Remnant: Jaune Arc!”

They cheered, and hollered in joy as I simply walk towards the King, and his family upon their thrones high above all upon a pedestal of their own design. One that clearly states, ‘That all of you, are beneath me the king.’

Typical…

As I neared the steps of the throne, I kneeled before the man who called himself a king. A simple man by the name of, Jacques Schnee, King of Atlas, and Mantle. A king in name only; a king not by blood, nor sacrifice, but by money, and marriage. None of the makings of a good king.

So long as he lived, this kingdom was doomed to die with him. Such is the way of weak kings.

“Lords, and Ladies of the Atlasian Empire, I present to you the Hero of Remnant! A man who has saved us all from the emergence of the Grimm Queen!”

Now they will cheer, they always cheered at such simple words. It was no doubt that the king made a deliberate pause there because he knew how to gain control of the crowd. Then again, everyone found these shows powerful, awe inspiring, and enthralling to witness. Bar the one who had seen it time, and time again that was…

Vacuo, Minstral, Vale, Menagerie, and now Atlas; five kings with different faces, different voice’s, and same speeches every single time… Every damn time…

“Now, in thanks of his service to our great nation, we will be bestowing him a reward fitting of his efforts to save us, nay the world! For that is the only right thing to do for such a noble action. Is it not?!”

Now the nobles would cheer their cries of agreement, for what else were they to do? What else can they do?

“Don’t you agree so, Noble Hero?”

Silence was my only choice here, if I were to raise my voice in response I would be caught in some sort of trap his majesty was preparing for me. There was always a trap hidden in their words, and the trinkets they gave out; Land, wealth, sacred artifacts of the kingdom, there was a price to their generosity. What kind of price would I be forced to pay was the question.

“Ah-ha. Such respect the Hero has; Seeking permission before he speaks. How noble of you. Please, arise Sir Arc, and speak your mind.”

I stood to face him. His voice betraying the slight annoyance he had with me. I stared at the visage of an old man, nothing about him screamed royalty. A greedy man, yes, but a king? No, no not at all.

“If you believe it so your grace.”

A simple retort, no questions, no inclinations of desire, just simply stating a matter of fact as it were. One that annoyed him nonetheless, if the small twitch of his eyebrow displayed any sign of hidden emotions. The king was not a master in the art of hiding ones emotions before a crowd. Her majesty the Queen, Willow Schnee, one of true noble blood face was like a statue at all times, if it were not for the fact he stood so close to them, he would have never seen that subtle curve of her lips at my small jest at her husband. Perhaps things were not as well among the royal house as one was lead to believe.

Then again, are arranged marriages ever that well when all that is truly being married was power between two families?

“Well, for your heroic acts upon the battlefields that you have displayed in the defence of our great nation, and the countless lives you have saved in the process, I have found that there is only one gift worthy of such an act; The hand of my daughter, the Crown Princess, Weiss Schnee, in holy matrimony.”

My eyes widened for the briefest of moments, shock clearly displayed upon them as I looked to the king, and his joyful smile. My eyes wandered to the crown princess, Weiss Schnee to gaze upon her. She looked to her father with a shocked, and bewilderment expression. No doubt holding this a secret from her as to ensure that she would be forced to accept such an arrangement in front of the whole kingdom. However, the shocked expression across her face soon turned to one of joy, and dare say hope.

Despite how she may look, the Princess was a fighter, a warrior, and not some damsel in need of rescue. The Hero, and The Snow Angel, as they had called us, we spent much time fighting alongside one another on my journeys. So a bound of friendship, and trust was made. But, evidently to me, there was more than just a desire of friendship in her eyes.

“So, noble Hero, will you accept my daughters hand in marriage?”

He was offering more than his daughter, he was offering me the kingdom as well. The entire Kingdom of Atlas. For if I married, Weiss Schnee, I would become a king, a king none would dare face. A hero who would be king!

I gazed upon the Princess once more, before my head turned to stare through a window at the majestic snow capped lands of, Atlas. I stared at the land before me, drinking in its beauty, and the wealth of the people, and land before me. And, I made my decision then, and there.

“Your majesty, King Jacques Schnee, I humbly… refuse… I-I refuse.”

Cries of shock, and alarm echoed around me. The king’s expression broke, and a wild perplexed expression crossed across his face. Anger seemed to briefly flair before his face. He was no doubt a man used to getting his way, for a man to reject the world offered to him on a silver platter so easily, well, I doubt he expected, nor liked such an outcome.

But, he wanted me to marry into his family for the power I would bring to him. Not as a reward for my service to his kingdom. No, I was to be a pawn in whatever game he wished to play with me in. A sword to weld against his foes. A bargaining chip, and nothing more than that. So that was the price he wanted me to pay.

“W-Why do you say such things, Noble Hero? Isn’t my daughter not the right one for a being such as yourself?”

Was, May Zedong, Princess of Vacuo, the right one for him?

Was, Blake Belladonna, Princess of Menagerie, the right one for him?

Was, Ruby Rose, Princess of Vale, the right one for him?

Was, Pyrrha Nikos, Princess of Mistral, the right one for him?

Was, Weiss Schnee, Princess of Atlas, the right one for him?

Five Kingdoms, five princess, five choices, and no difference between them; Which one was right for him?

Atlas is a beautiful land, a land of good, and noble people. But, I never dreamed of a land of ice, and snow. I dreamed of a land, not a kingdom of lush, and fertile land, ripe for the harvest. I did not a dream of a castle, its walls high, and carved from stone, and surrounded by iron. I dreamt of a small manor, a plot of farm land besides it. The simple life I once had before I was declared a Hero.

And, as for Weiss… I stared upon her heart broken face as she fought to reign in the tears in her eyes. Her eyes blue as ice, and hair as white as snow. Skin as pale as white fur, and with the grace of a swan. She was a beautiful woman unlike any other I had seen, I could not dare deny it. But, as a wife? I could not see it, I could only see her.

i dream of a love that will not be. Of a love I had long since long lost. A dream of a past long since dead. But, one I desired above all else…

One that I will never again live…

“I have met each, and every, King, and Queen of the world your grace. Each of offered me, wealth, money, and their daughters as rewards for my efforts. And, I have denied them all. The right one for me your grace is…”

The words died in my throat, I couldn’t say them, and I wouldn’t say them to him, much less anyone for that matter. My head just hung low as dark thoughts swirled in my mind.

“Jaune…?”

A single voice broke me from my thoughts, one filled with despair, and a question upon her lips, and upon heart. One I could only smile weakly at.

“Find someone better than me, Weiss… Some one whole who can make you as happy as you deserve. Someone better…”

The king cried out to me as I turned to walk away. He would offer me something else, but I had no desire for anything he had to offer. Even if offered the crown open his head this instant I would throw it to the wayside, abandoning it to the passage of time.

All I wanted was to go home, and live out what remained of that broken dream of a simpler, better life…

#rwby #jaune arc #blake belladonna #pyrrha nikos #weiss schnee #ruby rose #may zedong #jacques schnee #willow schnee

[yaraaltroreboot]

Jujutsu Kaisen and SPY x FAMILY: Operation KITAN! 

Loid Forger/Twilight is called for a mission far from Ostania, settled in Japan; he takes Yor, Anya and Bond along, under the pretext of a "family trip" (taking advantage of Eden College's recess week, and that Anya needs to write about some activity held during that week). Taking a plane, they leave for Tokyo, where Loid intends to meet with Kento Nanami to get details of the mission, under the excuse of him being an "old friend with a special job opportunity".

On their way, they have a problem with the overcrowded streets, Anya almost losing her balance in the middle of the street when she follows a Fly Head, but being saved by Yuji Itadori; him, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo end up meeting the family there, and Gojo confidentially lets Twilight know that Nanami is waiting for him at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Another Fly Head lands next to Yor, and is quickly slapped to the students' surprise; when Loid questions her, she tells "she felt a mosquito nearby", to which Gojo replies 'they don't need to be secretive now about it'.

As soon as they arrive at Tokyo Jujutsu High, Twilight talks to Nanami about what happened; Nanami explains that both WISE and the jujutsu society will respect confidentiality and Twilight that the mission in question is to find missing undercover agents, suspected of being held hostage by a Curse User. Twilight is aware of the existence of curses, and confirms that Yor and Anya were able to see them, even though he wasn't (in his words, he's seen too much to doubt anyway); Nanami then hands him a pair of glasses that can help him with this, and guarantees that his family will be kept safe, even though he desired they were 'somewhere else than that place'; Yor, Bond and Anya meanwhile are welcomed at Jujutsu High.

Anya and Yuji quickly bond as he show her his room, her calling him "big brother" and discovering his "scary head voice", who complains about the child's presence. Masamichi Yaga complains with Gojo about letting civilians into the school precinct, even with Twilight and Nanami's explanation and promise to this being only for a day, but Gojo assures that they'll take care of everything and that the Forgers promised to keep the school location and any use of jujutsu witnessed a secret; Cathy, one of Masamichi's cursed corpses, ends up approaching Anya, Yuji defending her by instinct, knowing of its resistance. However, Anya is only impressed and asks if Masamichi "can make Mr. Chimera walk".

Megumi is annoyed with having to take care of Bond and take him for a walk during a patrol mission, deeming that Gojo gave him such a role due to his fondness for dogs, but after the dog has a vision of something approaching Megumi (even though he doesn't see who it is), he stands up to defend him; a curse emerges from the alleyway next to them, and Megumi defeats it with his Divine Dog, later theorizing that Bond can also see curses or at least sense them nearby, and thanking him for his help.

Meanwhile, Yor and Nobara go shopping, even with her being aware that there's possibly a curse nearby; when they are choosing clothes, Nobara admits that Yor has 'good taste for a housewife', which the woman finds rude for a "supposed lady". Once the two leave the store, Nobara comments on the "old-fashioned" ideals still present in society and that there is a lot of fighting to be done ahead, but as soon as one of her bags is stolen, the pickpocket is apprehended and immobilized by Yor, impressing Nobara, who apologizes for misjudging her in any way.

Back at Jujutsu High, Gojo introduces Anya to Maki Zen'in, Panda, and Toge Inumaki; the girl takes the opportunity to read all of their minds, being afraid of Maki and "quickly understanding" Inumaki's language; Panda invites her to "battle", but ends up getting actually punched after Anya reads Maki's mind and takes offense at her complaining about them "babysitting civilians". Everyone is impressed by the child's strength, and Anya becomes afraid of being scolded, but Panda reassures her that this was common in their education method. Gojo notices how seriously Yuji is taking his role as "big brother" by seeing the two training and playing together; he thinks about how he likes to see him taking these chances to "live his youth"; a phone call from Megumi interrupts his thoughts.

Nanami and Twilight follow a curse trail, locating the Curse User hiding inside an abandoned building, and noticing him commanding several Fly Heads with what appears to be a Cursed Object; Nanami decides that they must retrieve it and seal it first, before the horde gets even bigger. However, they do not find the missing agents once they enter the building; the Curse User also disappeared, leaving behind a Fly Head that grows and deforms, the two having to put it down for good.

Gojo and Yuji meet Megumi in the alleyway, and Anya is happy that Bond is okay, before feeling her stomach rumble; the group decides to meet Nobara and Yor at a nearby restaurant, and also inform Nanami. During the conversation between Loid and Nanami (both using a somewhat coded conversation to not call any attention), Anya complains about the carrots on her plate and Yuji proposes to buy her a peanut ice cream if she eats it all (she reads his mind to confirm if it's true, and then accepts the deal). While Yuji and Anya eat their ice cream, Loid asks about the boy's parents, and he explains that he doesn't remember them, but that he had a grandfather that he loved very much; in thought, Loid reflects that if it wasn't for the fate that awaits him, Yuji could perhaps be a real brother to Anya. After everyone returns to school, Yuji and Gojo surprise Anya with an unofficial uniform (a surprise the two planned before leaving to meet Megumi), and Masamichi includes a uniform for Mr. Chimera.

Later, Anya enters Yuji's room and finds him snoozing; she climbs up the bed to cuddle up to him, as she did with Loid after being adopted. However, as soon as she lays her head on Yuji's chest, she finds herself in Sukuna's Innate Domain, the two finally getting to know each other and Sukuna calmly explaining knowing that she reads minds, being impressed by "how slow her parents are". Anya is startled by his presence, recognizing Yuji's "head voice", and reading his mind, she cannot understand the chaos of his words and plans, all thoughts tangled and overlapping each other; Sukuna laughs, commenting that 1000 years of absence gives anyone a lot to think and say.

Anya holds on to Mr. Chimera, dropping a bag of peanuts, which catches Sukuna's attention; he comments that it's the first time that someone has taken food to his Domain, she taking the opportunity to see if she can escape somewhere. With some difficulty, Anya climbs the pile of bones to the throne, Mr. Chimera falling and giving Sukuna time to appear in front of her. While eating, Sukuna comments on the usefulness of the child's telepathy, albeit a non-Cursed Energy-fuelled ability, and that he just wants to see if that's all she has to offer.

Anya then reads Sukuna's mind again, taking advantage of the proximity, and even among the various phrases and information, she hears that he plans to kill Yuji; this enrages her, along with everything else she heard about her parents, and makes her try to punch him, hitting one of the skulls in the pile of bones, getting nowhere near his foot. However, it is strong enough to destroy one of the skulls, causing a small landslide that knocks Sukuna backwards into the water, Anya clinging to him as she falls.

The girl begs him to "not kill her big brother", until she sees the shock in Sukuna's expression and the mess in his mind, which eventually calms down, him laughing out loud much to her surprise. After the laughter, Sukuna comments that he would certainly have destroyed her if he "took that fight seriously", and that she is a very interesting person, stroking her head.

Yuji searches for Anya everywhere, until he is called by Sukuna and appears in his domain; however, before starting any discussion, Sukuna covers his mouth and hands Anya to Yuji, her asleep and unharmed to his surprise. When he goes to ask what happened, Sukuna throws Mr. Chimera in his face, taking him out of the domain with Anya.

At night, during dinner, Megumi and Nobara scold Yuji for being careless and risking Anya's safety, but she defends him saying that “Uncle Suku/Suku-ji” was nice to her, which no one really believes; she says they played a lot of things like up, up and away and climbing, but Yuji can only think of Sukuna torturing him under these subjects. Anya is annoyed that they really don't believe her, 'just as Suku-ji said'. When asked if the king of curses told her anything important however, she almost spills out something, but then switches to a random fact about her father.

She then remembers the two of them eating peanuts and talking about some secrets; he even thinks that Anya could easily tell Yuji everything, including about the Binding Vow, but then she offers him her pinky to make a promise: she won't tell any of his secrets if Sukuna promises not to disturb Yuji and the others in any way while she is there. He chuckles at the girl's innocence, but accepts due to her providing him “some kind of food and a somewhat entertaining day”; mentally, he argues that he will allow himself to be kind to a child "just this once".

Loid then appears in the dining room with Yor, having bad news: his hotel reservation has been cancelled (thanks to some new evidence, Nanami and Twilight would be investigating the location further), so instead of just that one night, the Forgers would have to spend the week at Jujutsu High; Masamichi is visibly upset and glares at Gojo, who claims having nothing to do with it. Yuji then cheers Anya up by suggesting they have a "slumber party", and when Yor reminds Anya of her essay, he offers to help her with an outing.

The next day, everyone leaves with their goals: Yuji, Nobara and Megumi take Anya and Bond to see some interesting places to write about on her essay, and Loid and Nanami leave to find the Curse User; Yor decides to stay at school and try on the new clothes Nobara helped her pick out (and also to avoid attracting more attention). Soon both groups notice several Fly Heads appearing in various corners and through the air, more than the usual number found across Japan.

During a break in their tour, Yuji and Megumi notice Anya's writing isn't the best, but Nobara comments that at least the photos are in proper quality. Bond then has a vision where Nanami and Loid are surrounded by a Fly Head cloud and both of them and the agents are transformed into "something horrible" by being forced to eat them during the cloud's stampede. He dash by the streets and Megumi believes he smelled a curse like in the alleyway, following the animal and leaving Yuji and Nobara with Anya.

Loid and Nanami believe they see the Curse User among a crowd crossing the streets and notice a greater concentration of Fly Heads around a certain building's window. When they reach the person in question, the Fly Heads begin to gather, forming a cloud; Nanami then realizes that the person is just someone wearing the Curse User's outfit. Before they're reached by the cloud, Bond arrives in time to knock the two down, only to be knocked down himself by the cloud. Megumi then uses Rabbit Escape and his shikigami rabbits to get everyone away from there.

After a quick check-up, Twilight regrets not noticing the trap, but Nanami reminds him that the jujutsu world is as secret to people as 'his world'. Megumi then notices the Fly Heads returning to their previous position around the window, and the four decide to enter the building itself.

Walking together, Yuji and Nobara soon receive a message from Megumi to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious, while Anya is worried about Bond and her father; the girl then hears the Curse User's thoughts as he runs into Yuji and Nobara. She clings to the man and calls for help, yelling that she is being kidnapped.

Entering the building's room, Twilight finds the kidnapped agents, but as soon as he turns around, Megumi and Nanami enter, staring at another modified Fly Head, mutating and growing by devouring the other Fly Heads. Nanami says they once more must hurry and exorcise this curse before it gets strong enough to develop a Domain, and Twilight tells the agents to get out while they can.

In parallel to the battle, Yuji pursues the Curse User who manages to hold Anya and threatens her. Sukuna uses Enchain to rescue Anya, and when the Curse User faces him, he's immediately frightened by Sukuna's presence, getting to his knees and bowing, dropping part of “something”; Anya cries of relief by seeing him, even with him uncomfortable with the nickname "Uncle Suku". As soon as Nobara arrives at the scene, Yuji has already regained control and Anya tells her that “her big brother scared the bad guy”.

With the cursed object sealed away and the curse user "apprehended", the Fly Heads disperse and the modified ones lose all energy provided by the object. The agents thank Twilight and ask if he would like a ride back to Ostania to report at WISE. Despite the practicality, he refuses, explaining that he needs to “keep Operation STRIX going”, but at the end of the week he would return to their country. Once the men are gone, Loid looks at Anya talking to everyone, including Yor (who got a ride from Kiyotaka Ijichi because she was worried about Anya), and Yuji is embarrassed by how much she is defending and praising him; he is then relieved that even far from home, he has found reliable allies, and thanks Yuji for being a "good brother to Anya".

Three days go by and the Forgers spend most of their time at Jujutsu High, seeing the students' daily lives, Loid assuming his psychiatrist persona and offering his "services" in some classes, Yor admired with the weapons and training of the students and Anya spending more time with Yuji, watching movies and playing (and secretly leaving food for Sukuna).

On the day before the Forgers's return to Ostania, Yuji scares Megumi with Sukuna makeup (though not really), and tells everyone his idea of playing "rescue the princess" with Anya on the outskirts of the school; Gojo thinks it's a great chance to put the students' training to the test and Loid is relieved that at least no one from outside would come to witness that "shameful thing".

By dusk, everything is set up like a big obstacle course, and the students are ordered to "save the princess and punch the king of curses in the face", Yuji playing Sukuna (the real one complaining about how he is a terrible actor). Anya has a lot of fun with all the chasing, but she's a little disappointed that her dad isn't part of the "rescue". Still on role, Yuji demands that "Loidman" appears and face him like a man; with no escape, Loid takes another path through the obstacle course with his mask on, and Gojo and Yor appear in his path as "henchmen" to face him (this time with a sober Yor). At the end of the course, who arrives first among the students is Megumi, his dogs and Bond, who knock Yuji down and lick his face, removing the “tattoos” and “exorcising” the king of curses; Loidman arrives later and "rescues" Anya, everyone celebrating the "victory".

The next day, the family prepares to leave, thanking Masamichi for letting them stay and promising once again to keep Jujutsu High a secret. Anya however doesn't say a word the whole way to the airport, leaving Loid, Yor and Yuji very worried. When they arrive at the airport and buy their tickets, Anya finally speaks up, saying that she doesn't want to go; not without Yuji.

She cries and begs Yuji to come with them, saying that she would protect him, and Loid is annoyed by her tantrum. However, Yuji gives him a sign, saying he would talk to her; he then thanks her for her kindness, but explains that he needs to stay because of his own mission, and encourages her by saying that she is very strong and that "there is no one better than her to take care of the family". For a moment, Anya places her forehead on Yuji's open hand and holds it and he is surprised by something.

Once she joins her parents and Bond, the four finally wave goodbye to Yuji and the others, and board the plane. Yuji seems to be sad about the farewell, but when Nobara and Megumi approach, he turns and gives a similar “heh” to Anya's; when asked about the "bizarre expression", it is revealed that Anya saw Sukuna's mouth whispering to her that he knew she would try to lengthen their promise and that it would not work, but comments again that she is not "completely disposable", and she ends up reading a thought where he considers “stealing” her as an apprentice; with that, Anya clearly says that she would miss him too, which takes Sukuna by surprise.

With that explanation, Nobara and Megumi are shocked by the 'confirmation' of Anya's story, and Sukuna becomes very upset, devouring all the bags of peanuts left in his Domain, saying that he would never admit something that stupid; Yuji smiles with the whole situation, and seeing the plane moving away, he mentally promises Anya he'll try to live long enough for them to see each other again. Meanwhile, inside the plane, Anya sees everything getting smaller from the window and the Forgers relax, ready to return to their life in Ostania.

In the end, Anya gets an above-average mark for the interesting photos contained in her essay, even though her writing remains bad; in one of them everyone is having a picnic under a tree.

#spy x family #jujutsu kaisen #operation KITAN #fanfic #crossover #idea #sxf #jjk #yuji itadori #anya forger #loid forger #twilight #yor forger #yor briar #bond forger #nobara kugisaki #megumi fushiguro #ryomen sukuna #satoru gojo #kento nanami

[child-of-hurin]

Another thing about Erendis and Aldarion that absolutely gets me is how Erendis seems to reflect about their falling out majorly in terms of gender. We have her famous speech to Ancalimë in the Unfinished Tales:

Thus it is, Ancalimë, and we cannot alter it. For men fashioned Númenor: men, those heroes of old that they sing of – of their women we hear less, save that they wept when their men were slain. Númenor was to be a rest after war. But if they weary of rest and the plays of peace, soon they will go back to their great play, manslaying and war. Thus it is; and we are set here among them. But we need not assent. If we love Númenor also, let us enjoy it before they ruin it. We also are daughters of the great, and we have wills and courage of our own. Therefore do not bend, Ancalimë. Once bend a little, and they will bend you further until you are bowed down. Sink your roots into the rock, and face the wind, though it blow away all your leaves.

And in The Nature of Middle Earth* we find this bit:

As Erendis said later, [the Númenóreans] became a kind of imitation Elves; and their Men had so much in their heads and desire of doing that they ever felt the pressure of time, and so seldom rested or rejoiced in the present. Fortunately their wives were cool and busy – but Númenor was no place for great love.’

Aldarion's only gendered comment on this conflict is when he tells his father:

I will go from this misenchanted isle of daydreams where women in their insolence would have men cringe. 

But otherwise he doesn't seem very invested in or aware of the war of the sexes: in fact, he famously changes the laws of Númenor to allow Ancalimë to be heir, and part of his motivation is framed as a desire to strike a blow against Erendis. Erendis is much more insistent (and insightful) on seeing their domestic problems through the lens of a systemic social issue.

OTOH, Aldarion does see their domestic problems as fundamentally tied to the social norms, and reflected on the social sphere. When Erendis sends Ancalimë to attend his ascension to the throne but refuses to come herself, he says:

‘Not for this, at least,’ said Aldarion. ‘It is far below my hope of her. She has dwindled; and if I have wrought this, then black is my blame. But do the large shrink in adversity? This was not the way, not even in hate or revenge! She should have demanded that a great house be prepared for her, called for a Queen’s escort, and come back to Armenelos with her beauty adorned, royally, with the star on her brow; then well nigh all the Isle of Númenor she might have bewitched to her part, and made me seem madman and churl. The Valar be my witness, I would rather have had it so: rather a beautiful Queen to thwart me and flout me, than freedom to rule while the Lady Elestirnë falls down dim into her own twilight.

It's not that he's wrong; it's just that this is his fantasy, not Erendis's. In the tale until that point, whenever they clashed, she withdrawed. Aldarion here doesn't remember that, or realize that they're playing very different games! Erendis is striking on the personal, intimate, domestic sphere; Aldarion's domestic sphere IS public and political (and how else could it be, being the prince and heir!).

The general feeling I get from reading this tale, honestly, is that both Erendis and Aldarion have extremely accurate insights and valid points about the stifling social norms they're bound to... and yet, at the same time, that none of those things were more responsible in their domestic unhappiness than their own personalities and unwillingness to compromise ⚰️

#*update: this bit is grossly misquoted in the Fall of Númenor #my dear friend @anghraine provided me with the original passage from the NoME so I'm putting it here instead #the mariner's wife #unfinished tales #númenor #erendis #aldarion #that quote of aldarions ALWAYS strikes me when i read it because i'm always like.... why did you think she would do that dbhnjf #she literally has never clashed in public with him before... the times when she felt offended or scorned she just #retired to her parent's house fhdd #i agree it would have been awesome -- but it's just a fantasy #erendis expecting aldarion to be penitent is a little less bizarre bc he has been so before #but he had been on the verge between annoyance and repentance and it was her show of vulnerability that tipped him over #not her coldness! though i guess she doesn't know that #anyway i LOVE the mariner's wife!!!!!!! #disaster marriage i'm so here for them <3

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

It curls around his mouth, seiðrcræft. He cannot explain it save to say it is sweet as honey and fierce as floodwaters. He is not Saruman, there is no magical voice or wizard’s spellcraft in this. Nay—it is more, moving around what already exists in a man’s mind to suit Gríma’s needs. He cannot create something new, unlike Saruman, but he can work with what is present. 

If a man, for example, believes Gríma to be guilty of oath-breaking and taking up with Saruman, Gríma cannot create a new thought that declares Gríma innocent of such charges. But, he can work with the existing insecurities about living up to a father’s legend or the soft, slowly growing resentments about undue burdens he shouldn’t have to carry as a cousin seems to tarry, never fulfilling his duties as he promises to. Gríma cannot plant a thought of love in the mind of someone who hates him, but he can help them to a new perspective wherein that person is able to see similarities and not solely differences.

And oh gods, is it ever fascinating what shapes people’s thoughts come in, what they can be transformed into.

He remains with the king another little while weaving words, as he feels necessary. Théoden is wrapped in a tapestry the threads of which are the king’s own creation—Gríma merely the one at the loom ordering them. An eighth of a candle burning before he takes his leave and tells the guard that lady Éowyn may return, if she so desires. The king had nothing of any import to relay, senility is a painful thing to witness. 

Gríma jests, ‘never grow old, that’s my advice.’ 

The guard laughs.

#I might rework #what makes a kynge #so this is the set-up #Grima: I am here to medicine the king and to undermine his sanity. #Eomer: sorry what was that last bit you said? #Grima: ..... nothing #grima wormtongue #lotr #lord of the rings #writing

[riallasheng]

I don't remember if I already asked one. 🤷‍♀️

How about Wasted Potential for the character ask?

Thanks!

You had not, and I thank you most happily for asking!! ^_^

Wasted potential, huh? this one's gonna be fun! XD

Fireball: Venus in the Century 21 / TV21 comics is the easy one, as she (like most of the female characters, sadly) basically was non-present in the comics. Which is an absolute crime because I ADORE how competent, calm, and capable (and kind!) Venus is.

BUT ignoring that for the moment to instead look at the show proper... Lt. Ninety I think. He was a TON of fun, I loved how he bounced off Zero and the XL5 crew, and the few times he got to be in the spotlight were absolute gems. (also, only Bereznik character in any of the SHOWS and one VERY old unofficial interview said that he and Penny were cousins! Which I totally made use of for my fics XD I can't FIND the darn interview again though, and I'm not even sure if it was audio or text, it's been so long. )

======

Stingray: Rather like Venus, Marina and Atlanta got written out of the comics (although Marina at least got a fairly long running solo comic in the Lady Penelope comics!) so honorable mention for two wonderful characters who done got done dirty.

In the show PROPER.... Phones. No debate. Oh my giddy aunt I love Phones so much that he became the KEYSTONE member of my 'T.I.A.M.A.T. War time destruction crew' for fics that I sadly don't think can be recovered. He's as laid back as Virgil, but he's got SO MUCH HEART. Gentle, kind, level-headed (only member of the Stingray cast with people skills....) and fiercely protective of those he cares about. The guy was a MERC (which is freaking awesome! Imagine if instead of the 3 dream episodes we'd gotten flashbacks to 'before Stingray'! Show us Phones finding out about the WASP operation getting ambushed by Bereznik forces in South America!! Show him managing to save Troy and the two becoming friends! ) He's also damn smart. He apparently was a high school or college drop out, yet still managed to become a WELL KNOWN communications and hydrophone expert, then graduated as a Lewie from the WASP Academy (which is basically college courses for naval officers) in a YEAR. That is really impressive!!

He balances hot headed impetuous Troy (and Atlanta... and Commander Shore) beautifully, always willing (and ABLE) to pull his skipper out of whatever he's gotten them all into this time. We don't get to SEE it often, but he's a skilled mechanic (Emergency Marineville should have been HIS episode dangnabit), and it's implied he's also a decent cook. Both of which are VERY much the opposite of Troy (Mr. I could set a pot of water on fire and can't tell an oven from a radio). He isn't a super genius like pretty much every tech character has been since Supercar... he's... more a jack of all trades who happens to excel at sound related matters.

I like that he has no DESIRE to be in the spotlight, in fact he seems happier in Troy's shadow... but I do wish we could have seen him get to be kickass a bit more often. He DOES get to be a bit more of a badass in the comics and annuals (Troy gets his hot headed butt captured in Bereznik and Phones just battles his way in to rescue him! In Marinevill Traitor (last comic story for Stingray) Troy gets framed for a bunch of shit and goes AWOL and Phones eventually catches up with him and HELPS HIM prove his innocence! There's a comic about... halfway? through Stingray's run where a (Bereznik it's implied) assassin tries to kill Phones and Phones KICKS HIS ASS.

======

Lady Penelope: hmmm.... Richard Lyon I think. He gets to do SOMETHING in the first Penny Novel (Cool for Danger) but outside of that he borders on a cameo, which is too bad because he comes across as a rather interesting character, and we always learn a lot about Penny herself and her past when he's around.

TAG Penny: not sure I have one here. ^^

======

Thunderbirds: TinTin and Grandma get honorable mentions for the once again absolute CRIME of being written out of the comics. Seriously, comics, why must you have done that?! i love so many of your stories and characters but still!!! In the show proper. John. Poor John. I know WHY it happened (heck, I even can understand it) but he was still such a fun character with what little screen time he got. As dry in wit as Scott, SNARKY as all hell, a communications expert, a bit shorter of a fuse in temper than most of the Tracy boys (not as short as Alan, but not as laid back as Scott and Virgil) and also a bit impatient and VERY stubborn. He's smart, well AWARE of the fact that he's smart, and at times seems like he doesn't like waiting for others to catch up with him. He cares deeply and feels strongly about things, and is VERY honest and forthright. He doesn't mince words, just says what he thinks clearly and plainly, no word games. He really only got cameos in all media until TAG, but we do get to see and learn a lot about him in Danger at Ocean Deep and honestly his snark, impatience, and just... EVERYTHING really made me fall in love with his character - there's a reason he's been my second favorite of the bros since I was a kid XD

TAG: Hmmmmm... still only on my first watch through of the series, but I'm gonna go with the Mechanic. I think he had the potential to be quite interesting and he (like EOS) just kinda... seems to vanish and not be used much after Season 2? ...Also I STILL think there is a MASSIVE wasted opportunity to have had him be KYRANO. I mean he SEEMS to be an adult instead of a teen/young adult (to me at least) and the way the Hood was controlling him to threaten the Tracy family could ahve been a cool evolution of the TOS AND it could have carried the Kayo / Hood interactions forward out of S1 and added a new dimension! Auuuuugh. Just. IT COULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING!!!

04 film: Scott, Virgil and Gordon. You literally could replace EVERY ONE of their scenes by having one of the other characters doing it (Jeff and John mostly). Hell it's actually a bit confusing which one is which. (Actually there were rumors that originally Jeff was missing / killed by the Hood and Jeff's role was SCOTT'S, explaining his much more active role and why he was DRAMATICALLY younger and... I kinda would have liked to have seen that)

======

Captain Scarlet: (At least the Angels aren't written out of the comics all that much! Plus they had their own rather fun solo run over in the Lady Penelope comics). Hard pressed between Grey and Magenta, and gonna go with Grey just becuase I love him in Winged Assassin and afer that episode he just... basically cameos, i think he only really gets lines again in Manhunt and he only SHOWS UP in like 12 episodes in total, most of that non speaking cameos. :/ (although I do have a point of umbridge with his and Green's bios. ...both say 'newly formed WASP' when Wasp was formed sometime in 2040. That is NOT newly formed. Also Stingray makes it clear that the sub is still fresh and untested and Phones and Troy are refered to as her first crew, so Grey being Stingray's original captain doesn't... work. (Which is sadly a bit of an issue with more than one CS bio. ...Dianne has a funny one as a result of a mixup that had the CS bio writers thinking TBs were set in the 2020s, as Dianne was TRAINED by a 'retired' Penny... even though the two are only 3 or so years apart in age.)

New Captain Scarlet: ooooo another tough one. ....I ADORE nOchre and nGrey and wish they'd gotten more screen time and narrative focus! nHarmony was also fantastic and just tons of fun whenever she was on screen. I guess I'd probably go with nOchre if I had to choose just one. She's this fiesty little gung-ho rambo and I love every second she's got on screen (Harmony and Grey are in REALLY CLOSE COMPETITION THOUGH)

#myladykayo #ask game #fireball xl5 #stingray #lady penelope #thunderbirds #thunderbirds are go! #captain scarlet #new captain scarlet #TWO IN ONE DAY EEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[redwolf17]

Liveread: Persuasion, Chapter 2

Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the  disagreeable prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted.

So our first impression of Mr. Shepherd is that he is NOT down to have any hard conversations. Nope, no thanks, he'll just drop hints (not even outright statements, HINTS) and let Lady Russell handle it. Also, impressively bad judgment call by Mr. Shepherd, who apparently thinks Lady Russell can work miracles with Sir Walter. Uh... about that...

Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it much serious consideration. She was a woman rather of sound than of quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles. She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour; but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter’s feelings, as solicitous for the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what was due to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be.

Lady Russell is reasonably smart, but not a good head in a crisis. Really needs time to think. And she's torn between integrity/honor (Sir Walter must pay the debts) and snobbery (preserve Sir Walter's delicate ego, he is a baronet, after all).

She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of good-breeding. She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and consistent—but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of those who possessed them.

While Lady Russell is a snob, she's a "nice" snob, and that undermines her usual good sense. She's quite different from Sir Walter and Elizabeth, who care only for themselves, but she shares their obsession with rank.

Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and consideration under his present difficulties.

Ok, so I missed this entirely on my first read. I did not pick up on Lady Russell being "only" the widow of a knight, and thus below Sir Walter in the pecking order, and I also did not notice that Sir Walter was an "attentive neighbor" and an "obliging landlord" to her. Again, while Sir Walter is a massive tool, this is a hint of chiaroscuro that shifts him from irredeemable demon to petty jackass. Weirdly, I'm getting vague Darcy vibes, or rather the distorted version of Darcy presented by Wickham:

... Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable—allowing something for fortune and figure.”

At any rate, Lady Russell is determined that Sir Walter cut back his spending (retrench is such an odd word) and sets herself to making it happen.

[Lady Russell] drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations, and she did what nobody else thought of doing: she consulted Anne, who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her in marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted to Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne’s had been on the side of honesty against importance. She wanted more vigorous measures, a more complete reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of indifference for everything but justice and equity.

Oh, quite a lot going on in only a few sentences here. We get a reiteration of the fact that Sir Walter and Elizabeth don't give a damn for Anne's insights, even though she lives with them and is intimately affected by the economic crisis bearing down on the family. We also get a little more characterization of Anne via her changes to Lady Russell's budget proposals. Unlike Lady Russell, Anne puts much less importance on rank and consequence; she cares about "honesty against importance." Whatever snobbery exists in the Elliot-Russell group, Anne has less of it; paying off their debts quickly and properly matters more than anything else.

“If we can persuade your father to all this,” said Lady Russell, looking over her paper, “much may be done. If he will adopt these regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle. What will he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families have done, or ought to do? There will be nothing singular in his case; and it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering, as it always does of our conduct. I have great hope of prevailing. We must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the feelings of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father, there is still more due to the character of an honest man.”

Again, holy crap, how much debt is Sir Walter in? SEVEN years to pay everything off? It really, really sucks to be the tradespeople trying to scrape by while the baronet is making payments on an installment plan.

Next up, another line I missed- Lady Russell notes "many of our first families" have similarly faced money problems. Lady Russell is quite sympathetic or neutral, but I suspect the narrator/Jane Austen is far less sanguine about the nobility running up debts by living way beyond their means. Also love the idea that "singularity" matters when it comes to suffering, feeling like an isolated failure versus simply yet another person facing a common problem.

Last thing I want to point out is the emphasis on Lady Russell being firm about how honesty > pride. I'm a tad hesitant how to read this, however, given that while she rightly says more is due to "the character of an honest man" than to the "feelings of the gentleman"... I don't recall if that really holds up with her later treatment of Captain Wentworth and William Elliot.

This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding, his friends to be urging him. She considered it as an act of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with all the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short of it. She wanted it to be prescribed, and felt as a duty. She rated Lady Russell’s influence highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial which her own conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more difficulty in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation. Her knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of both, and so on, through the whole list of Lady Russell’s too gentle reductions.

Oh, sweet summer child. Anne mistakenly thinks Lady Russell's level of influence on herself is indicative of her level of influence over Sir Walter and Elizabeth. And Anne wants to just rip the band-aid off, thinking that since Sir Walter and Elizabeth will pitch a fit regardless, they might as well lose everything, not just half of everything, whereas Lady Russell is being very gentle and generous. Uhm... about that...

How Anne’s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little consequence. Lady Russell’s had no success at all: could not be put up with, were not to be borne. “What! every comfort of life knocked off! Journeys, London, servants, horses, table—contractions and restrictions every where! To live no longer with the decencies even of a private gentleman! No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such disgraceful terms.”

God forbid Sir Walter suffer the least reduction in his status and luxury. Real prize, that one.

“Quit Kellynch Hall.” The hint was immediately taken up by Mr Shepherd, whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter’s retrenching, and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without a change of abode.

Does Sir Walter also owe Mr. Shepherd money? Is that what that means?

“Since the idea had been started in the very quarter which ought to dictate, he had no scruple,” he said, “in confessing his judgement to be entirely on that side. It did not appear to him that Sir Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house which had such a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support."

Ha, Mr. Shepherd just IMMEDIATELY latched onto the idea, with the excuse of "oh, you brought it up, not me, I'm just agreeing with YOU, my good sir."

"In any other place Sir Walter might judge for himself; and would be looked up to, as regulating the modes of life in whatever way he might choose to model his household.”

The appeal to the ego is, of course, the one that succeeds. In another town, Sir Walter can live more modestly without anyone knowing how he used to live; versus all his neighbors noticing if the Kellynch Hall way of life is suddenly an iota less extravagant. Except... presumably, all the tradespeople in town are already pretty well aware of his debts, and fleeing town is gonna be noticed.

Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was settled, and the first outline of this important change made out. There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in the country. All Anne’s wishes had been for the latter. A small house in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell’s society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her ambition. But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something very opposite from her inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.

Anne's ego is wayyyyy less than that of Sir Walter and Elizabeth. She wants to stay in her neighborhood, with her social circle (small as it is) regardless of the "shame" of being seen to downsize from Kellynch Hall to some other house. But of course, Sir Walter and Elizabeth won't have it, and don't care for her opinion on the matter.

Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred. It was a much safer place for a gentleman in his predicament: he might there be important at comparatively little expense. Two material advantages of Bath over London had of course been given all their weight: its more convenient distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell’s spending some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction of Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been for Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.

LOL. London has high society, clubs and gambling and luxuries everywhere, and there's no way Sir Walter would be able to resist. Mr. Shepherd may be a bit of a chicken, but he's not an idiot.

Now, wait a minute, though- Lady Russell's first choice was Bath? But I thought she cared about Anne's happiness?

Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne’s known wishes. It would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in his own neighbourhood. Anne herself would have found the mortifications of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter’s feelings they must have been dreadful.

Oh, okay, so Lady Russell loves Anne, but not enough to put her first, huh. I'm curious whether we're supposed to agree that Anne would end up disliking the "mortifications" more than she anticipates. Given how much misery she endures already in the family, I suspect living in a smaller house wouldn't crush her, not compared to the ongoing family bullshit.

And with regard to Anne’s dislike of Bath, she considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising, first, from the circumstance of her having been three years at school there, after her mother’s death; and secondly, from her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only winter which she had afterwards spent there with herself.

Oh, screw you, those are perfectly good reasons to hate Bath! Associating it with the death of her mother is really painful! And as to that second bit, I'm side-eyeing it extremely. What winter was that, the one right after Lady Russell forced her to give up Frederick Wentworth? 🤔 Because yeah, being in Bath after her mom's death and again after being persuaded to give up her betrothed is a nasty, nasty combo. I'd hate Bath too!

Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must suit them all; and as to her young friend’s health, by passing all the warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided; and it was in fact, a change which must do both health and spirits good. Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits were not high. A larger society would improve them. She wanted her to be more known.

My sympathy for Lady Russell is vanishing at breakneck speed. Oh, YOU like Bath, so of course Anne is going to be forced to go there, because YOU know what's best for her. Gee, why is Anne so secluded and in such low spirits? HMMMMM. And "be more known" with who, good people that would treasure Anne as she deserves, or people of rank who would just be giving her more Sir Walters and Elizabeths to endure?

I just realized I've been excerpting almost the whole chapter, so let's sum up the next couple paragraphs. Sir Walter is very sheepish about letting Kellynch Hall, too proud to, god forbid, advertise the house, and in short, is only willing to rent it out if an angel descends from the heavens to ask the honor of being his tenant. God this man is useless.

How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! Lady Russell had another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter and his family were to remove from the country. Elizabeth had been lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted.

Lady Russell/meddling is apparently the secondary ship of this book. My opinion of her continues to sink. Maybe I'm being unfair, since she's sort of in loco parentis (god knows Sir Walter isn't doing any parenting) but still.

It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned, after an unprosperous marriage, to her father’s house, with the additional burden of two children. She was a clever young woman, who understood the art of pleasing—the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch Hall; and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of caution and reserve.

I'm slightly confused- is Mrs Clay a widow? She has to be, right? But it doesn't say so outright... huh. Weird. At any rate, Mrs Clay is apparently amazing at sucking up to Elizabeth Elliot, and Lady Russell does NOT approve of the friendship. Now, if Lady Russell is suspicious of Mrs Clay being such a suck up, that's perfectly reasonable, but if her ONLY objection is the class issue... that's a horse of a different color.

Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and seemed to love her, rather because she would love her, than because Elizabeth deserved it. She had never received from her more than outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance; had never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry, against previous inclination.

Okay, this is kinda funny. Lady Russell is just determined to love Elizabeth despite her being such an awful human being, and Elizabeth is giving her almost nothing in return.

She had been repeatedly very earnest in trying to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to all the injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth the advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in vain: Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs Clay; turning from the society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her affection and confidence on one who ought to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility.

Lady Russell gets a few points for trying to push Anne's cause with Elizabeth, but I can't help but notice we have no idea whether or not Anne would like to go to London. Elizabeth never takes Lady Russell's advice, no matter how good it is; she has the strength of her own (bad) convictions, whereas Anne is more malleable and willing to be persuaded. And Elizabeth is only too happy to ignore and slight her sister Anne for the sake of Mrs Clay, a neighbor.

I'm curious at the last bit, "who ought to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility." Is that Lady Russell, or the narrator speaking? I'm getting shades of the Emma + Harriet friendship, which the narrative of Emma does not approve of, although Mr Knightley admits Emma did "improve" Harriet somewhat, but also filled her head with wild notions beyond her class/station/realistic prospects. Hrmm.

From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell’s estimate, a very unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion; and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot’s reach, was therefore an object of first-rate importance.

Okay, so, a little credit to Lady Russell, she's not pleased about the rank, but Mrs Clay's character is a bigger concern. Although we're not told why, beyond the fact that she's a suck up, so... the jury's still out on that one.

Overall I liked this chapter, which continues to set things up and establish several of the most important characters. No particularly impressive quips, but you can't have every line be an all time classic, so that's alright. Ditto the lack of romance thus far; I think it's important we get to know Anne somewhat before we find out about the whole Frederick Wentworth trauma.

#persuasion #persuasion liveread #Anne Elliot #lady Russell

[unchataparis]

A Review of Passion

The episode with the long-awaited returned of Lady Noire and Mister Bug. This could be great fan-service and plot continuation all in one.

Alya doesn’t believe that Marinette is in love with Chat Noir. I don’t either. It just feels like she’s trying to avoid her feelings by fixating on completely irrelevant targets.

“Marinette, you find yourself a new, unavailable crush just when Adrien seems interested in you. Aren’t you running away from your feelings a little?”

The animation of Marinette looking down but lifting up her eyes to look at Alya was so smooth. So personable.

I don’t like Adrien’s sudden change of heart either. The way he’s speaking Marinette’s name around the house paints his love as a hyper-obsession rather than any genuine feelings. Yes, Adrien could just feel very strongly, he is a person who like to feel things at 200%. But this is such as whiplash change after four seasons of the same old thing.

Both Adrien and Marinette woke up really early. I wonder what’s the symbolism of this.

Adrien being completely blind to the tension might be the funniest thing this episode. Love how they’re both fighting for the right to take care of him. 'Bout time people are fighting to love him rather than abandon him.

And here, we remember Nathalie has martial art training.

Again, Nathalie reminds the audience that whatever ‘pure’ intentions Gabriel had to start out as Papillon has ended with the madness he now dons Monarque’s cowl with. I can’t remember everything from Season 3’s Stormy Weather 2 episode, but Nathalie mentioned feeling deep affection for Adrien, Gabriel, and heavy sorrow for Emilie, which inspired her desire to gain Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous. Now, it seems that any affection she has for Gabriel has disappeared. Nathalie capitalises on the fact that she’s here for one thing and one thing only: Adrien’s safety. Nice. I would definitely be concerned about Adrien’s safety as well. And it’s time Adrien has someone on his side.

It’s debatable if they’re both wearing Miraculous, because Gabriel has experience but Nathalie has been out in the field, but in hand-to-hand combat, with only their bare fists in civilian forms, Nathalie would win, even with paralyses legs.

Gabriel hits back with the argument that “Everything I do is for Adrien’s happiness” and Nathalie responds the blunt truth, that all Adrien needs to have for his happiness is an available father. Adrien has no idea both Gabriel and Nathalie are still tangled up in the very-present issue of Emilie. Adrien appears to have moved on and completely accepted Emilie’s death/disappearance, he made inferences that he’s okay with Gabriel pursuing Nathalie in both Stormy Weather 2 and this episode. To bring Emilie back now would be to traumatise him.

And now Emilie has left recordings. Which were conveniently absent for the first four seasons.

Oh, dang.

Yeah, he’s dying.

And this gives Nathalie plausible reason to want to continue helping Gabriel. Because he’s right, Nathalie can’t be saved, maybe Emilie won't be saved, and now Gabriel is dying too. Adrien will be left alone if Gabriel kicks the bucket.

It’s great that Adrien is immediately making plans on confessing to Marinette. Moved faster in a quarter of an episode than Marinette did in five seasons.

They keep adding new lore? In Season 1, Emilie was guessed to be in a coma due to some illness, in Season 2 and 3, hints of Peafowl-related mayhem were bought up, in Season 4, the issues of Sentibeings became available, and now they were all on a safari together? What is going on? I cannot piece all these broken parts together.

I’m going the assume the latest version of the lore is the one the writers are now following.

So Gabriel, Emilie, and Nathalie has all been searching for the Miraculous for sometime. None of their reasons are clear yet, but Nathalie’s is especially obscure, seeing that she’s not part of the family. But Emilie has wanted Gabriel to stop searching for them long before all this catastrophe happened. She knew she was going to die, or be out-of-commission of some sorts, which was why she recorded her videos. But Gabriel never honoured his wife's wishes, his Miraculous-obtaining goals simply switched targets from the original aim to saving Emilie.

Aw. That’s so innocent, Adrien going to a parental figure for advice on love.

These stills are so awkward, the lightning doesn’t match up and the heads looks superimposed on. This looks like those bad fan-made edits. Nathalie literally looks like her head was pasted on a stock-image body. Why does the clothes have so many wrinkles.

“No, it will be okay. Don’t worry about me, Adrien”, Nathalie says. Lying to Children 101.

“Emilie, I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do anymore.” Do what’s right. When you don’t know what to do, do what’s kind and what is good.

Love Tikki’s absolutely zero faith in Marinette.

Huh, this is the first time Monarque was spoken to by a Champion he personally knows. Both Lila and Chloé has called to Papillon before, made offers, demanded powers, but Nathalie is the first person to explain his own feelings back to him.

And it’s a Mega-Akuma this time, Monarque is placing a lot of faith on him.

Giving Nathalie the power to create her own ability. I’m excited to see what she comes up with.

This is a weirdly well-rendered box.

Ohh, she’s created her own weapons kit!

Safari looks really good, making it onto the list of best-dressed villains alongside Style Queen and Chat Blanc. 

It’s never referred to, as they can’t waste a single moment, but I wonder if Nathalie felt relief and awe at being able to move so freely and easily again.

Pretty much the entire class has Alliance rings. The only people that don’t are Adrien and Marinette, self-explanatory, and Ivan and Mylène, as a protest against technology? That Akuma alert is very useful. Parisians get to know immediately.

Everyone in Paris picking up an Alliance rings seems like a Chekov's gun.

What are they learning, that is not collège-level maths.

Love this tiny detail that Marinette’s stall-door is the only one that's locked.

Safari’s powers are cool, but I am so confused about the power scale now. Is Monarque bearing the weight or is Safari just able to handle six Miraculous powers on her own?

Both Manipula and Safari used Miraculous powers as part of their inventory. I guess the writers really want to emphasis how the ball is now in the other field, what once belonged to Ladybug is now being fired back at her.

This scene made me gasp, that was really cool. This is the best way Chat Noir has used Cataclysm in some time.

And it’s Ladybug out of commission for once.

That was a really good chase scene. Hasn’t seen action like that since Season 1.

I love how Chat Noir will trash-talk even an arrow.

Ladybug has all the brains but Chat Noir has all the confidence. These two need to realise they’re still separate people, they don’t need the other to function.

“I’m sorry. Without you, I fail.” No. Terrible message to send, horrendous message.

This was pretty clever. For most episodes of Miraculous, I can still spy another route the hero could’ve taken, some way they could've gotten out and the only reason why they didn't is to adhere to the plot. But, here, Chat Noir really was pushed into a corner.

There you go, baby. You’re thinking.

Season 2 finale vibes. Love that the first thing Marinette notices is the absence of her Earrings. Her instincts always goes towards protecting those.

Adrien actually proposes the possibility of using a Wish. But Marinette is right. Not only would wishing for something mean nothing, there'll be a terrible price to pay.

Oh, they did not waste time.

“My suit has a really weird influence on you.” Lmao.

“There’s nothing else to destroy. All that’s left is her suit.” Rip her suit off.

They would not have been able to defeat Safari if Adrien didn’t realise that was Nathalie.

For some reason, Mister Bug keeps getting items of extreme convenience. He wants a mirror? He gets a mirror. He needs an excuse to go to the Agreste Mansion? Ta-dah! Must be his straightforward way of thinking influencing the Miraculous.

That’s right, assert yourself, baby boy.

I just happened to be walking by and decided to help.

Animation error, Tikki’s eyes are brown.

This episode explains why Nathalie can't help out anymore, she gave her all in one last push. And the episode gives an opportunity for Lady Noire and Mister Bug to shine once more.

#miraculous #passion #marinette dupain-cheng #ladybug #adrien agreste #chat noir #tikki #alya césaire #gabriel agreste #nathalie sancœur #review #season 5

[capricorn-0mnikorn]

📖Persuasion📖 by Jane Austen: Listen- & Read-Along, Chapter Two

Chapter One discussion Starts Here.

Correction: in the synopsis of Chapter One, I said that Sir Elliot is a baron -- he’s not. He’s a Baronet.

Audio of Chapter Two (@LibriVox), Read by Karen Savage (~ 11 minutes), or Read by Moira Fogarty (~ 12 minutes)

Or: Chapter Two Audio Read by Karen Savage at YouTube

Text of Chapter Two, at Project Gutenberg

Synopsis:

Mr. Shepherd, Sir Walter’s lawyer and economic advisor (financial lawyer), turns to Lady Russell to work out an budget and debt repayment plan for the family. And Lady Russell does something no one else has thought of: asked Anne for her advice. And though Anne had some influence on Lady Russell’s conclusions, she couldn’t persuade anyone to go with her solution completely. Finally, however (in part, by prompting Sir Walter to think it was his own idea), they convince him to move out of Kellynch Hall, and rent it out, while he, Elizabeth, and Anne move to Bath (Anne hates Bath; Lady Russell thinks Anne is just mistaken about that).

Also, we are introduced to Mrs. Clay, the widowed daughter of Mr. Shepherd, who has firmly installed herself at Kellynch Hall as Elizabeth’s New. Best. Friend, much to Lady Russell’s dismay, because she can tell that Mrs. Clay is getting all the love and affection that should go to Anne, instead.

Passages that stood out to me:

She was a woman rather of sound than of quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles. She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour; but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter's feelings [. . .] Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and consideration under his present difficulties.

I simply love how Jane Austen can give us a smart, kind, character who is still  something of an antagonist to Anne, but who remains sympathetic throughout.

I wish more modern fiction would do that. Disney’s Encanto almost did that last year, with Abuela. But the writers just had to give her an angry streak, that Lady Russell doesn’t have, so that Abuela came across as “being mean.”

Put a pin in this bit -- keep an eye on it:

There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in the country.  All Anne's wishes had been for the latter. A small house in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell's society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her ambition.  But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something very opposite from her inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.

Because this is the starting point of Anne’s character arc.

I’m going to use “I love” a second time in this post, because it’s true: I love that Austen chose the word “ambition” to describe Anne’s desire to never leave home, and never to seek out any people beyond her neighborhood. The irony is like a squeeze of fresh lime juice and black pepper in the stew.

Again, if I were to do a modern-world retelling, I’d have the family move to a gentrified, touristy, city.

Move on to Chapters Three and Four 👉🏻

#📖Persuasion📖 Read-Along #Chapter two #Jane Austen