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dawneternal · 3 months

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Starfall Guest

✷ Azriel x OC

✷ Summary: Something unusual drops from the sky on Starfall. A messenger with a threat and a promise.

I wrote this for @starfallweek for the prompt 'Character A is a fallen star. Character B finds them.'

I'm not sure if I like it or not, but hopefully you do lol I know a tiny bit about Crescent City but I've never read it so none of this is supposed to be related to that/canon compliant:)

Calytrix is pronounced cal-uh-trix (meaning: star-flower)

✷ Listen to City of Starlight by Taylor Ash

✷ Word Count: 4.9k

✷ Warnings: None

✷ Ao3 Link

This year would be the first Starfall celebration at the River House. The view at the House of Wind was still objectively better, but it would be easier to wrangle Nyx here with all of the childproof wards built in. It would be a house warming of sorts, Rhys said.

They had spared no expense, setting up the back lawn with tables, chairs, blankets, trays of foods and star-themed decorations, bottles and bottles of champagne. All of it was beautiful. All of it was perfect. Rhys and Feyre leaned into each other, holding little Nyx between them as they gazed up at the night sky and waited for the stars to appear.

Still, Azriel could not help the ache in his chest. The chasm of loneliness, opened wide by the sight of all the couples curled up together. He sat alone, ignoring the dark clouds gathering in his mind. He’d let it catch up to him later when he was by himself. He'd let it consume him for a while and then pull himself together before morning.

The crowd around him let out a collective gasp as the first star fell, hurtling towards the earth and falling into the sea with a strange sizzling sound. It was different to see it up close and not from the view of the balconies. Closer, you could see a ring of stardust coat the surface of the water where the thing had landed. The churning of the waves spread the shimmering color further over the water, illuminated by the moon. The whole sea was gilded. Luxurious.

Azriel settled into himself, glass of champagne in hand, and watched the streaks of metallic light paint the sky. An odd sensation joined the longing in his chest, something akin to anticipation.

Like the hiss of a matchstick before the flame sparks to life. The glow of his siphons before a blast of power.

His shadows began to dart back and forth, as if they felt it too. He looked around for anything amiss, but everything was as usual. Party goers laughing and whispering and gasping, dodging the bits of star that fell on the lawn.

Azriel turned his gaze to the sky, squinting as he searched for something out of the ordinary. There was something unordinary there. One star, bigger and brighter than the rest, falling far slower than any star ever had. He watched as it dropped, blinking and flailing, surrounded by an aura of changing celestial color. He looked over his shoulder at Rhys and saw the High Lord watching the same object with pursed lips, clutching an awe-filled Nyx in his arms. This was something new.

When the odd light was in range, his shadows darted out to meet it. Azriel set his glass on a tray in the grass, preparing to stand.

A woman. A star. The shadows whispered in his ear. He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. But the whole lot of them rushed away again as if they hoped to catch her. He wondered if a person could survive that kind of fall. Then he broke into a run, weaving through blankets and bodies toward the sea.

“Azriel!” Rhys’s voice called to him, but he didn’t stop.

The grass gave way to sand then rock, the waves lapping gently on the shore and leaving glowing stardust behind. As he neared the edge of the water, he could see how limp the being was, falling with no resistance. They were too far over the water for him to reach, but he pulled off his boots anyways and tugged off his shirt in case he needed to go in. His shadows swirled underneath the plummeting body, but she fell through them like they were nothing. Her body hit the water with a sickening splash, a layer of glimmering color left behind just like the other stars.

Azriel paced over the rocky shore, waiting for a head to appear above the water, the echo of that splash replaying over and over as his heart beat against his ribs.

Then he heard the familiar snap of winnowing, and that shimmering being was kneeling on the beach a few feet away, hands braced before her as she choked and heaved. She looked like a piece of the night sky itself.

Her skin was deep blue, covered in swirls of gold and silver. Elaborately woven braids of deep violet draped over her shoulders, dripping ocean water over her naked form.

“Are you alright?” Azriel crouched beside her, pebbles digging into his bare feet. Closer, he realized that the outline of her body was transient, moving in a slow pattern like smoke floating through the air. She was not covered in stardust, but made of it. The ends of her braids flowed into nothingness, dissipating into the night as particles of violet.

She looked up as he spoke, bright eyes meeting his. They could have housed an entire galaxy in their depth. Indigo, purple, gold, and silver swirled like pools of water, flecked with stars. The shadowsinger found himself a little awestruck. His shadows enveloped her, looking for any more information to give their master, but they would only tell him the same thing as before. A woman, a star.

“I need to speak to the High Lord of the Night Court,” She spoke, her voice deep and raspy. It sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.

“Why?” His brow furrowed. She had nothing on her, no weapons, no magical items, not even clothes. But if she could winnow, she had other powers.

“Is this the Night Court?” She asked instead of answering, pushing off the ground and attempting to stand. Her legs were wobbly and she stumbled forward onto her knees once more. Azriel grabbed his shirt from the grass and held it out to her. She tried again and managed to stand this time, though her limbs trembled.

“What is that?” She asked him, staring at the cloth in his hand.

“You’re…naked?” Azriel swallowed, keeping his eyes on her and not the glittering curves of her body. The woman looked down and pursed her lips, as if mildly annoyed by this realization. She took it from him and slipped it over her head. She was much smaller than him, the t-shirt falling to her knees.

“I need to speak to the High Lord of the Night Court,” She said again, rising to her full height.

Rhys, it’s a woman. Azriel spoke into his mind, remembering his brother existed.

Enamored was not strong enough a word for what he was feeling. She exuded night in the same way that Rhys did, such cunning grace and soft beauty. All with a threat underneath. Rhys appeared with a snap, expression smoothed over into the mask of the High Lord. He studied the being before him with his hands in his pockets.

“High Lord,” The woman’s eyes widened and she bowed, braids falling in a curtain around her face. Her voice was like personified darkness.

Azriel and Rhys shared a look, wondering how she possibly recognized him.

“Please,” Rhysand said, and she straightened. “Are you hurt from the fall?”

“No,” She shook her head, taking a step toward him. Azriel tensed, hands curling into fists. “Please, High Lord, I have something important to tell you.”

“I’d rather you introduce yourself first,” Rhysand drawled, still studying her, “Forgive me, but I am finding this meeting a bit strange. You don’t seem to be from this…area.”

The woman nodded her head, and the brothers watched as her form changed. Her skin became solid, a rich shade of brown, free of stardust. Her hair remained violet but now appeared tangible, no longer flowing like a waterfall. In this form her ears were pointed like Rhys’s. She looked like another fae now, save for the galaxy in her eyes.

“My name is Calytrix. I come from a celestial realm. My father is King Izar and a few weeks ago he made a deal that threatens your court.”

Rhysand and Azriel shared another look.

Then Rhysand reached for Calytrix’s arm and they were winnowing. Calytrix squealed, reaching toward the High Lord as they fell through the air. Rhys's wings flared out and he caught her in his arms, slowing his descent toward the balcony. Azriel was close behind, and he could see Cassian and Feyre in this distance flying toward them.

Calytrix shoved away from Rhys when they landed, stumbling once more to her knees and drawing in deep breaths.

“Apologies,” Rhys said, shoving his hands into his pockets again, striding past her into the House.

Azriel grasped her arm and helped her up, ignoring the sparks under his skin as they connected. He followed the High Lord and led her into the dining room. Rhysand sat at the head of the table and gestured for her to sit. She took a spot beside him, looking a little more wary as she looked around the grand room.

The glass doors opened again and Feyre nodded as she entered, saying nothing as she sat across from the strange woman. Azriel and Cassian remained standing, the former beside Rhsyand and latter beside the High Lady.

“Princess Calytrix, this is my wife, Feyre,” Rhys gestured to his stony-faced mate, “Now please, continue your story.”

Calytrix’s gaze swept over each figure. She had become surrounded before it could even register, and she assumed that they had done this on purpose. The four of them stared at her, unrelenting.

“As I said,” Calytrix swallowed, “I came here to warn you. My father made a deal with a death god that threatens your court.”

“What deal?” Rhysand demanded.

He conjured a pitcher of water and poured a glass for each of them. Calytrix didn’t take it, keeping her eyes on the raven-haired man beside her. He seemed as though he wanted to trust her, but he was holding back. She’d anticipated this, and she hoped her idea would be enough for him to trust her.

“My father offered soldiers in exchange for territory in this realm whenever Koschei has gained control. Night Court territory.”

A jaw in Rhysand’s muscle twitched, the only reaction he’d allow to show. Azriel felt his stomach drop at the mention of Koschei. His blood ran cold.

“How has Koschei managed to establish contact with other realms?” He asked, voice firm.

“I do not know that, my Lord,” Calytrix shook her head, “Only that my father speaks to him through an enchanted object that he keeps hidden.”

“And why do you come here, princess? What do you gain from exposing your father’s secrets?” He countered, sitting back with his arms crossed.

She looked so small in her chair, draped in Azriel’s shirt. The shadowsinger remembered her body hitting the water and a thread of sympathy wound through his chest. But he kept his expression neutral and said nothing.

“I believe Koschei is using my father,” She said, averting her gaze to the marble table and the crystal glass before her, “A King in our realm tried to occupy land here before, but our types of magic are incompatible and it did not end well. I believe my father has sacrificed a great number of soldiers for no gain. He will destroy our kingdom and your court.”

She shifted in her seat, skin flushing as she said the next words, “And I have studied the Night Court extensively. I consider myself…a fan. I do not wish to see it destroyed.”

“How are you here?” Feyre asked, her voice soft, “If the magic is incompatible?”

“The gates are open on this night,” She said, “As the stars travel through the realms. And I come as a visitor. I won’t try to claim anything as my own.”

“What are they?” Rhsyand blurted, his eyes gleaming. The conflict was momentarily forgotten as the answer to his centuries old question came within reach. “The stars?”

“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for you, my Lord,” Calytrix smiled at his eagerness, “They are a mystery to us as well.”

Then she stood, ignoring the warriors tensing as she took a step toward Rhysand.

“I understand my words may be hard to believe,” She began, drawing herself up again to her full height, “I have read about the customs of the Night Court and I am prepared to offer a bargain in exchange for your trust. I believe this ordeal with the death god will harm my people just as much as yours. I have much to gain from your trust.”

“What bargain?” Rhysand asked, tilting his head to the side. His violet eyes locked onto hers, some familiar thread of magic seeming to sing between them. Like calling to like.

“If anything I have told you proves to be untrue, I will owe you my firstborn son.”��

Cassian coughed and Azriel’s eyes widened. He searched Calytrix’s face, but she was utterly serious.

“Princess,” Rhysand sputtered, “I hardly have use for your firstborn son.”

“Well I don’t have one yet,” Calytrix said, shifting her weight as she noted the amused half-smiles, “It would be a promise. I understand that these bargains are very serious.”

“I have a better idea,” Rhysand said, biting back a laugh, “If you allow me to, I can use my power to look into your mind and read your intentions.”

Calytrix went still. Her eyes shifted ever so slightly toward the shadowsinger, wondering if the High Lord would be able to see her admiration for his warrior. For the beautiful figure that had been stuck in her mind since he’d found her on the beach. Far more beautiful than she believed the people in this realm could be.

No one saw that glimpse, except for Rhysand, of course.

“I’ll make you a bargain,” Rhysand said, his expression softening. She was young, likely no older than Feyre or her sisters. She was brave to come here. “If you show me the truth, I will not intrude on any private thoughts.”

Calytrix nodded, lips pursed. She went stiff as she felt his onyx claws scrape against her mind, eyes shutting tight. Azriel winced, swallowing the impulse to comfort her. No matter his intentions, it never felt good to have Rhys search your mind.

The High Lord sorted through her thoughts, evidently hitting a sore spot when Calytrix let out a choked whimper. Rhysand pulled away, his face grim. It was not often he enjoyed that task.

“She tells the truth,” He announced. Calytrix heaved a sigh and slumped in her chair.

“Your father doesn’t know you’re here,” Rhysand said carefully, brow furrowing.

“No,” She chewed her lip.

“How can we keep you safe, then?”

“I…was hoping to stay for tonight,” Calytrix said sheepishly, staring down at her hands in her lap, “And then I’ll go back and tell him I was kidnapped. He’d never guess I would come here.”

“Don’t you need to go back while the gates are open?” Feyre asked.

“Not if you have an Astraeus Ruby,” Calytrix shrunk into herself. Rhysand stared at her for a moment.

“Indeed I do,” His lips twitched up into a smile, “You have done your research well.”

“I don’t like it,” Azriel spoke for the first time since the beach. All heads snapped towards him, reminding him that he was still barefoot and shirtless. Feyre's eyes flicked over him with curiosity. He kept his expression firm, unmoving.

“There’s too many variables. What if the King guesses where you’ve gone? What if he sends someone after you? What if Koschei knows you’re here? I don’t think you should wait.”

Rhysand thought he saw Calytrix’s shoulders fall, just slightly. As if the shadowsinger’s words disappointed her.

“I can’t go back tonight,” She swallowed hard, “I snuck out before the party began, but the gate is in the grand room and they would all see my return. The party likely won’t even end until tomorrow midday. I tried to put a spell on myself so Koschei could not track me, but I do not mind if you would like to check it over.”

“Will they notice you’re not at the party?” Rhys asked. Calytrix pursed her lips again and said nothing. They took that as a yes.

The room fell into silence, each lost in thought. Azriel was kicking himself for making his attachment known. He should not care so much for this star girl, so shy and yet so brave. But he was drawn to her, like a planet in her orbit.

“We’ll figure something out in the morning,” Rhysand said softly, “For now, Feyre will show you to a guest room and find you some clothes. You’re welcome to rejoin our party if you wish, or rest if you need it. And tomorrow,”

Rhys paused and flashed a wry smile at Azriel, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, “Azriel will give you a tour of Velaris.”

Azriel opened his mouth to protest, but Feyre was already whisking Calytrix away. The princess looked back at him with eyes alight and eager hope written clearly across her face.

So, he found himself nodding, offering her a small smile. And elbowing Cassian in the ribs as his brother giggled.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Azriel waited on the balcony, bouncing on his toes in an attempt to rid his body of nervous energy. He had been up early to meet with Rhysand, Cassian, and Feyre. The best they had come up with was sending the princess home with a way to contact them. If she needed some sort of evidence to aid her alibi, they would provide it.

Rhysand had checked over her spell and found it to be solid. No one would be able to track her. And since her father had no inkling of her plan, they should have a long while before he thought of searching other realms. Thus, she would stay for today and leave tonight at nightfall. Her tour of Velaris was the only gift Rhysand could give her for her bravery.

It made Azriel nervous, sending her back all alone with no protection, even if she insisted that she could take care of herself. Her skill with magic had admittedly impressed them all. But he was still worried and that made him wonder why he cared so much. He couldn't explain it.

The glass doors opened and Calytrix appeared, shaking the shadowsinger from his spiraling thoughts. She wore a Night Court outfit, flowy lilac pants and a cropped shirt with sheer sleeves. The colors suited her well, complimenting her hair and bringing out the warm tones of her skin. She had arranged her braids in a bun on top of her head, held in place with a piece of lilac silk. And Feyre must have gifted her earrings, sparkling amethyst tear drops.

Azriel found himself staring, gaze drifting over the curves of her body, her generous hips and exposed stomach.

“How do I look?” She flashed him a shy smile and turned in a little circle, ending with a flourish.

“Lovely,” Azriel breathed, his voice cracking, “You're a vision.”

He scolded himself internally one more time and cleared his throat.

“I thought we'd start with a snack and a coffee, how does that sound?”

Her eyes lit up, the stars and swirls glowing with excitement.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Azriel was a fool. He should have known from the first time she had locked eyes with him that he would never quite recover. The hold that she had on him left something behind that he would never be able to get rid of.

He was falling harder with every moment they spent together. Every tiny thing she revealed about herself knit into a story he was desperate to hear more of. Her eagerness to learn more about the night court, excitement over new things he showed her, her kindness to everyone she encountered. She seemed to trust him completely, blindly following him through the city.

He’d almost laughed when she pulled out a notebook and began taking notes in the cafe, writing down the name of the coffee and pastries he’d ordered. But he’d swallowed it down, not wanting her to think he was making fun of her.

She was as curious about his shadows as she was the city. Every time they ventured close, she held out a hand. Some of them shied away and some of them wound around her fingers. She told him that the feel of them was similar to running a hand through a nebula.

Next, Azriel took her to the aviary, drinking in her delighted laughter as she chased and studied the colorful birds.

“You don’t have an aviary in your city?” He asked, when they’d sat down for a break. Side by side under a willow tree filled with singing birds and fluttering wings. It was one of his favorite places in Velaris.

“Maybe,” She said, her gaze following the little creatures, “My father is very strict and protective. I don’t get out much.”

“I suppose that explains your eagerness to see the city,” He said, watching her as she watched the birds.

“How could I not be eager?” She smiled, “When the secret of the city was revealed a few years ago, the whole world had questions. Now I've seen it, and I might even be able to write up a paper and get it published.”

“You’re a writer, then?” Azriel asked. It made sense now, the grandiosity with which she described things. How desperately and diligently she wrote down every detail.

“Under an alias,” She met his eyes and he swooned all over again, “I spend a lot of time in our library since it’s one of the few places my father considers safe for me.”

“Do you know much about the Day Court?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. She looked back down at her notebook, suddenly shy.

His whole body itched with the desire to fly her to the Day Court right then. He would plant himself by her side as she skimmed every single book in the court and he would be sustained by her joy alone.

“Not much,” She confessed, “I must admit that my fascination with the Night Court has become a bit of an obsession over the past couple years.”

“They have hundreds of libraries there,” Azriel said, eyes twinkling. Her face lit up, as predicted. “You could spend an eternity there, I’d imagine.”

“With a friend to keep me cnompany, I suppose I could,” She dared to look at him again, letting her gaze linger. Her eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second.

Before he could register, she was standing, tucking her notebook back into her bag. It did not escape him the way her fingers trembled as she did so.

“Where next, tour guide?”

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Their tour definitely stretched a bit longer than what Rhysand had in mind, but Azriel could not bring himself to give her up. Calytrix did not seem eager to end their tour, either. At first the shadowsinger was certain it was only due to her research, but then she had worked up the courage to touch him.

She’d grasped his wrist and let out an excited sound when she’d laid eyes on the collector's section of his favorite book shop. Azriel swore his soul left his body. But then she did it again, brushing arms with him as they walked together. When he took her to the Sidra so she could dip her feet in the water, she grasped his hands for balance and didn’t let go for a long time.

Azriel felt like he was glowing. Like basking in her presence had woven his entire being with threads of her stardust. He would search the whole of Prythian for every Astraeus Ruby if it meant he had the chance to see her again. The looming goodbye tasted bitter, growing heavier as the sun reached toward the horizon.

“Have you had a good visit, princess?” He asked softly as they sat back on the balcony at the House of Wind.

They sat side by side again, legs dangling over the edge, almost close enough for their shoulders to connect. Only the anticipation of that touch between them.

“Are you kidding me?” She grinned, leaning her temple against the railing as she looked at him, “I’ve toured the entire city, met the High Lord and Lady, and I made a real Night Court bargain.”

“That wasn’t a real bargain,” Azriel’s lips twitched up into a smile, “He was being nice. If it had been a real one, you’d have a tattoo.”

Her eyes widened, flashing with something wild and determined.

“Make me a bargain,” She breathed, “I want a tattoo.”

“Is that a good idea?” Azriel’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Won’t your father see it?”

“Only when I’m in my fae form,” She said, grin growing with excitement, “Which only happens on special occasions. I’ll be so careful.”

“Okay,” Azriel chuckled, “What kind of deal can I offer you?”

Then she was quiet for a moment, staring at him. Deep in thought as the galaxies in her eyes whirled. Her smile faded and her breath quickened, and Azriel felt his own chest flutter in response.

“I want you to kiss me,” She whispered, eyes searching his, “If you kiss me, I’ll promise to come back next Starfall.”

Azriel’s heart leapt in his throat. This was probably a bad idea. Rhysand would never approve of it. The kiss, the tattoo, his lovesick stupor after only one day of knowing her. But he heard himself answer anyways,

“Yes.”

She leaned toward him, grasping handfuls of his shirt as his own hands reached to hold her face. They fit together so neatly, so comfortably. Calytrix leaned ever closer, tucking herself into his hold, and brought her lips to his. Her skin was so soft under his fingers, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones as he kissed her.

The bitterness grew to an ache, and then to a sharp pain erupting with sparks. A lump rose in Azriel’s throat as she tilted her head to kiss him deeper, lips brushing over his with such sweet reverence.

He had to give her up, send her back to the skies. This wonderful thing between them would cease. She made a sound against his mouth and he pulled back, frowning at the sadness written in her expression.

“What’s wrong?” He whispered, not letting go yet. She didn’t let go either, running her knuckles along his collarbone.

“I don’t want to go,” She croaked. “For so many reasons.”

Her eyes dropped from his face, pulling his shirt down farther to reveal the shooting star now inked on his chest. She released one hand and pulled down her own collar to see the matching tattoo.

“At least you have something to remember me by,” He smiled softly.

She shifted closer to rest her head on his shoulder, relishing the warmth of his body. They stayed like that until footsteps in the distance drove them apart. The High Lord appeared between the glass doors.

“It’s time to go,” Rhysand said softly, Astraeus Ruby in hand, “Feyre sends her regrets that she can’t see you off, but our son is throwing an especially spirited tantrum at the moment.”

“That’s alright,” Calytrix smiled as she stood, “But please, thank her for her hospitality.”

“Of course,” Rhysand handed her the gem, a blood red crystal that looked particularly delicate. Flecks of glowing silver danced inside it.

Calytrix pulled the scarf from her hair and shifted forms again, umber skin replaced by swirling cobalt dust. As she had said, the tattoo was never to be seen on her celestial form.

She said nothing more to Azriel, only held out the slip of purple silk for him to take. He grasped it with gentle fingers, rubbing his scarred thumb over the soft fabric.

“Please do not hesitate to tell us if you need anything,” Rhysand bowed his head, “We are grateful for your help and we will contact you as soon as we have decided our next move.”

“Thank you, High Lord,” She said, voice trembling.

She turned back once more to the shadowsinger and held his gaze as she placed the ruby on the ground. She raised her foot and crushed it under her shoe. Instantly, blue light burst from the shards and reached toward the sky in a wide beam.

In the last second before the light carried her into the night, her eyes widened, lips parting, as she stared at Azriel. A hand reached out of the beam but it did not reach him before the magic pulled her away.

Then both the light and the shards disappeared and Calytrix was gone.

Rhysand stared for a moment at the spot where she’d been, reminded of a similar moment so long ago. He glanced at the shadowsinger, cautiously, but Azriel was oblivious. He stared up at the stars, holding the lilac silk in his hands.

So, Rhysand said nothing, heart aching for this brother.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Azriel woke in the middle of the night to a snap, a flash of light visible from behind his closed eyes. He shot upright in bed, shadows darting out to assess the threat.

They found nothing, save for the folded note on his nightstand. The paper was deep blue, translucent and cool like the misty touch of his shadows. He opened it and found written in gold ink,

See you next starfall, my mate.

Your star,

Calytrix

#hides under a rock #starfallweek #starfallweek2024 #starfall celebration week #starfall #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #azriel #azriel acotar #azriel shadowsinger #azriel x oc #rhysand #feyre #cassian

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librosamarillos · 1 year

Text

passed down like folk songs

chapter 1: evergreen

Maegor Targaryen x OC

Also on Ao3

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Tags: hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, angst, mature themes, targaryen incest, violence, Maegor is a red flag himself, characters are ooc probably, MINORS DNI

After terrorising @heartstalked’s inbox with my blurbs as 🍼anon, here’s a fic based on all the breeding kink asks, but we’re gonna suffer first I’m afraid. Is this proofread? Nope. Is this just taylor swift inspired fic? Of course it is.

Dragonstone was not what she was expecting. Nothing like what she was used to in Starfall, surrounded completely by the beautiful forest. It felt cold and strange, but she held onto her father’s hand and kept walking.

Rowan wasn’t entirely sure why she was there, she was only eight, and children weren’t normally asked to join their fathers at their work. Her father, Lord Duncan Evergreen, was a favourite among Queen Visenya’s council, and was summoned to Dragonstone often. As Rowan glanced up at him, he looked a bit nervous. She wasn’t sure if that made her feel any better.

The Queen was one she was anxious to meet. She’d never seen Visenya Targaryen up close, only hearing her father’s tales of her. And of course the rumours around the Reach, about this strange family, flooded her mind, most of them about the Queen herself. Of her sternness, her coldness in comparison to her sister wife, Queen Rhaenys, that she was a witch and fed people that displeased her to her terrifying dragon Vhagar. It made her shiver. Although her father told her to pay no mind, she couldn’t help it.

House Evergreen was a small, but very wealthy house in the Reach, providing the kingdom with wood, honey and berries. Lord Duncan was the second son, his brother Lucas inheriting their house’s seat in Starfall, in the mountains. In the last year, he had lost his beloved wife, the Lady Edith. The loss of his wife affected both him and his only daughter, Rowan, greatly. His brother had offered to have her stay with them while he worked for the Queen, but before he left, she told him to bring his daughter with him.

And there they were now, making their way to the gate of the castle that looked so strange and foreign to her. It appeared so cold and distant. A loud roar startled the little girl, who clung onto her father for dear life, as a giant dragon flew above them, wandering in the sea. The great beasts didn’t fill her with wonder, they terrified her.

“It’s alright, my sweet, Vhagar is only hunting. You’ll get used to it.” her father’s calm voice reassured her.

Rowan could only nod, as she discovered her voice could not leave her throat. How often had her father seen the dragon up close that he was so calm? From the book he brought her on Old Valyria, she knew Vhagar was the name of the god of war, and from the stories she heard, Vhagar truly lived up to the name, as did Queen Visenya, she was sure.

As they entered the castle, Rowan let go of her father’s hand to fix her hair from all the wind. She knew they’d be lead to the Queen herself, and she didn’t want to make a bad impression. Her father smiled.

“You look lovely, do not fret.” he chuckled, patting her head lightly.

The guards lead them, not to the throne room, as she assumed, but to a smaller room, one that possibly held meetings. There, in the center of the room, sat the Queen. The gown she wore was much simpler than the one Queen Rhaenys wore when Rowan saw her, but she liked it best. When she imagined a warrior queen, the image of Visenya certainly fulfilled what she pictured. She stood tall, her silver hair in an intricate braid, her purple eyes stern, studying her.

“Lord Evergreen, welcome back to Dragonstone.” her voice was formal and deep, her eyes shifting from her to her father.

“Thank you, your grace, it is always an honour to be here.” he said, giving a small bow.

The Queen made her way to them, making Rowan nervously squeeze her father’s hand, which he gave a reassuring squeeze back.

“If I may introduce my daughter, the Lady Rowan.” he smiled, looking at his child.

“Your grace.” Rowan said shyly, giving a curtsy, as the Queen looked at her.

“I hope you enjoy your stay here Lady Rowan. Your father has told me you enjoy reading; feel free to go to the library any time you wish.” Visenya gave the young girl a small smile, as her face lit up.

“Truly? Thank you, your grace, thank you!” Rowan smiled, now at ease.

Visenya watched the young girl from the window, as she walked around with her father. She remembered how hard his wife’s death hit him, she imagined how much worse it would’ve been for the girl. It felt wrong to invite him to her council for so many moons at a time and leaving his daughter behind. Duncan Evergreen grew to be her most trusted advisor. She could even call him a friend, had they not been so bound by formalities. And from what she saw, his daughter was a little miniature of him. They both had the same auburn curls, freckled faces, bright green eyes and friendly smiles. She was his pride and joy, Visenya could tell, from the way he talked about her. She seemed like a sweet girl.

There wasn’t much to do for a child in Dragonstone, she had to admit, but if all her father said was true, Rowan would spend most of her time devouring the books in the library. There were no other children on the island, other than her own son, Maegor, who had no interest in anything other children seemed to enjoy. By last year, he started to use a real blade in his training, Visenya thought proudly. He was going to be a great warrior, she knew it. The maesters didn’t find him to be the most pleasant child to be around, so perhaps it would do him some good to make a friend.

Visenya thought back to King’s Landing. That’s where she should be, that’s where her son should be growing up. Surrounded by his future subjects and his parents by his side. She sighed. She knew this was for the best. Maegor was strong, she knew he could handle what life threw at him, but she was still inclined to shield him from pain as much as she could. He didn’t have to go through what she’s lived through her whole life. She wasn’t entirely sure if it was him she was protecting or herself.

Perhaps both.

She felt like she was being watched. Rowan, admittedly, was quite lost, all of the hallways appearing the same to her. It was all the same cold stone walls in her eyes, she wasn’t sure how she’d find her way around for six whole moons. For a while, she couldn’t find anyone, not a maid, a servant, a maester, nobody. It was starting to freak her out, when she had the feeling somebody was there. She froze, unsure of what to say.

“Uh… hello?” her voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes wide.

She nearly jumped when she turned around to see a boy her age standing behind her. How had she now heard him? He eyed her suspiciously, as if he was sizing her up. She calmed herself and blinked in surprise. She knew the Queen had a son, and this was definitely him. He truly looked just like his father, but he had his mother’s eyes.

She had briefly met his half brother, Prince Aenys, back in King’s Landing. The two brothers could not be more different. Aenys was cheery, welcoming and smiled freely and brightly, whereas Maegor seemed reserved, serious, even a bit scary.

“What are you doing here?” he asked sternly.

“I- I got lost. All the hallways look the same to me.” she admitted, feeling incredibly embarrassed in that moment.

“I see.” he said, as if he hadn’t thought this through, an awkward silence falling between them.

He was taller than her, wearing his sparring clothes, she assumed. He had his hair cut short, just like the King did. She wondered why he was not raised with his brother in the capital. The city was booming, there was always something to do, somewhere to go, unlike here. But perhaps the Prince did not enjoy the city? Rowan awkwardly played with the fabric of her dress, unsure of what to say, but luckily, he broke the silence first.

“You’re Lord Duncan’s daughter.” he stated, as it was clear as day.

“And you’re Queen Visenya’s son.” she replied, earning a nod.

“Prince Maegor.” he introduced himself to her.

“Rowan. My prince.” she replied, with a small curtsy.

“Mother asked for you and your father to join everyone for dinner. You should get ready.” he stated, pausing for a moment, remembering that she was lost. “Follow me.”

Before she could answer, he grabbed her hand and started walking, dragging her along with him. After a silent five minutes, they were somehow outside of her chambers. He let go of her hand, and she looked up at him in awe.

“How did you know these were my chambers?” she asked, her eyes wide.

He almost let out a scoff.

“I live here. I know which chambers they prepare for the guests. A man has to pay attention to what goes on around him.” he said, as if she should’ve known this by heart.

“Oh.” was all she could say, before biting her lip. “Well, thank you for your help, my prince. I’ll go prepare for supper.” she said, giving him a small shy smile, before disappearing into her rooms.

Maegor stood there for a moment, eyes fixed on her door, before returning to his own chambers to prepare for dinner.

Rowan quickly freshened up, pulling her hair free of the braid it was in and braided only the top half, twisting it into a bun. After some adjustment, she was satisfied with her work. She put on her evening dress and sat on the edge of her bed, playing with her rings nervously. Had she made a fool of herself in front of the prince? She hoped not. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, but she still felt ashamed of being lost and needing help the first time she met the only other person her age on the island. If he hated her, it would be a grueling six moons.

She truly pondered why the Queen resided here in Dragonstone with her son. If all the stories her parents told her were true, then it was Visenya that did most of the hard work during the conquest, thus, should she not be in the capital reaping her rewards? King Aegon and Queen Rhaenys certainly seemed to do so, the Queen basking in the glory of her fawning singers and poets, enjoying lavish feasts in her name, the most expensive dresses and jewels. Did their sister not enjoy such a life, was that it? Then again, she was the one most feared out of the three.

Rowan truly could not grasp how Aegon wed his own sisters. It was truly a disgusting thing to think about, she couldn’t imagine marrying her cousins, let alone any brother if she had one. She didn’t dare say a word though. That seemed to be the silent understanding, at least in the Reach. Although unnatural and gross, if one valued their life, they held their tongue. But that didn’t stop whispers. Her father explained it was custom to do such things in Valyria, as they wanted to contain the ability to ride a dragon within their own family, but that didn’t stop her grimace.

She thought back to the King. He was a formal man, barely acknowledging her, only doing so when he extended his condolences about her mother’s death. Queen Rhaenys, however, seemed warm. Too warm. She had opened her arms, looking at her expectantly, her pale violet eyes urging her to come in her embrace, which is what Rowan, albeit very reluctantly, did. She offered her words of comfort, petting her curly hair, while her husband looked fondly at them. Although Rowan should feel honoured that a Queen was comforting her like this, she felt uneasy. Her warmth felt empty, just like her words. Rowan decided she didn’t like her very much. Something within her said so, and it felt like a warning. So she thanked her, with a polite smile and kind words.

The Prince Aenys, who was quite older than her, at ten and six, also extended his condolences. Rowan felt at ease, enjoying his presence much more than the King and Queen’s. She did think it was quite funny that his parents gave him the same name as his mother, save for one letter. What a strange family this was.

She was glad her father worked for Queen Visenya. Although scary, Rowan felt quite at ease with her. Perhaps it was the fact that she paid attention when her father had mentioned her interests to her, when she made the generous offer of free range to the library. Or the fact that she didn’t sense any false niceties. And of course, her father trusted her.

Much to Visenya’s surprise, the two children became fast friends. She wasn’t sure how, but in just a few moons, you could not find one without the other. She was glad to see her son smile freely around his newfound friend, and the girl also seemed more at ease than when she first arrived at the castle. Indeed, she found the air lighter with another child here, although she did love the quiet solitude Dragonstone offered her.

She had become quite fond of Rowan herself. Duncan’s daughter was a sweet child, ever the proper little lady. She was like a sponge with information, no doubt just like her father. Visenya had offered to teach her High Valyrian, since many of the books in the library were not in the common tongue. She thought she wouldn’t have the patience for it, but in yet another surprising turn of events, she found it calming, especially when she needed a break from her duties.

This was one of those days. She asked Rowan to sit in front of her vanity, handing her a book on gardening, since the subject was familiar to her, it would make it easier to remember. The young girl clumsily read out to her, while Visenya tried to braid her auburn curls, which appeared to be the most challenging of the two tasks. But Rowan didn’t complain, just smiled at her with encouragement, sometimes letting out a tiny giggle. Visenya couldn’t help but smile as well.

Maegor was her whole world, but she often wondered what it would be like to have a daughter, a little girl of her own. She saw a lot of her younger self in Rowan. She remembered how much she loved reading as a child, how she loved her time with Aegon at the citadel. But she found no time for it between training, battle, war and conquering kingdoms. It wasn’t the first love that was taken from her. She glanced at the little girl in front of her, her focused eyes in the mirror. She wondered what it would be like to have a daughter like her. She didn’t think herself capable of creating something so pure and sweet. Her Maegor was born a warrior, she saw the wild, raging fire in him reflecting her own and his father’s from the moment he had opened his eyes for the first time. In Rowan all she could see was the spark of a warm fireplace, calm, safe, warm.

“Did I say it wrong, your grace?” she asked.

“No, no, in fact you’ve improved since last time. Have you been practicing with Maegor?” Visenya offered her a small smile.

“Yes, he’s been kind enough to help me out.” she beamed, happy to spend more time with her son.

It did them both good to become friends. It lifted Rowan’s spirits from the loss of her mother, and brought Maegor out of his shell. The maesters even told her of the young Prince improving in all his subjects, now that he had Rowan join in. He seemed to relax around her.

After another failed braid, Visenya sighed in defeat and began to let the hair loose. Rowan had told her that her father would help her braid her hair when she needed help, so she thought she could show her some Valyrian style braids, which proved to be difficult on wild curls.

She felt Rowan’s eyes on her. The girl had this peaceful aura around her, and her gaze felt knowing. Like she could see right through a person. Normally, this would have Visenya on high alert, but something about her made her feel safe. Like she wanted someone to see her. To understand her. That’s what Rowan’s gaze felt like, a quiet understanding. That was the thing between women wasn’t it? The silent knowing look. Something Maegor would never know of as a man.

She snapped out of her thoughts.

“Are your bags ready for King’s Landing?” she asked, earning a nod.

“Yes, your grace!”

“You seem excited.” she pointed out.

“I am. I miss the capital quite a bit.” Rowan admitted.

“And you’re sure you don’t want to join Maegor and I on Vhagar? It would be much faster.” she chuckled at how quickly the girl’s smile dropped.

Rowan, unlike most children, was terrified of dragons and did not regard them with wonder and awe. She’d get used to them, surely, on Dragonstone especially. She’d scold Maegor for teasing her for it, as her fears were within reason. Children regarded the dragons with awe because they did not know the terror they could bring. Rowan, like the good pupil she was, did know.

“I only jest Rowan, do not worry.” she offered a sympathetic smile.

The sun was gentle on their faces as they sat on the field of grass, the warmth of spring finally here. It found Maegor laying down, with his eyes closed, his encounter with his father in the morning still weighing heavy on his mind. It found Rowan carefully making a flower crown, trying to find the right words to ease her friend’s obvious pain that he was trying to pass off like it was nothing. Like always.

“You’re doing it again.” he stated, without opening his eyes.

“Hm? What?” she asked, averting her attention from the flowers in her hands to Maegor’s face.

“Staring off, trying to find a solution to a problem you didn’t create.” he stated again, as if it was so obvious he didn’t even have to open his eyes.

Rowan sighed lightly. Maegor knew her too well, it seemed.

“It’s not like that. I just hate how he makes such a show of it all. You’re his son too.” she admitted, furrowing her brows at the thought.

“I know.” he sighed. “I wish he would remember that as well.”

A moment of silence passed before Maegor sat up, crossing his legs.

“It was humiliating. His hand asked if I were to still follow Aenys in succession when he had children, and he just avoided the question. In front of the whole council! And then kept going on and on about taking Aenys with him everywhere to prepare him for the throne. How much more obvious does he have to make it?” he vented, pulling on loose strands of grass.

Her heart broke hearing the hurt in his voice. She reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“He’s an idiot not to see how capable you are. Everyone knows.” she said seriously while looking in his violet eyes.

“That’s treason, you know. Talking like that of your King?” his tone was serious, but a small smile was creeping on his lips.

“Weren’t you just making fun of me for sticking to the rules so much?” she asked teasingly, raising an eyebrow.

To that, Maegor let out a chuckle.

“I suppose so.”

Another moment of silence passed, something weighing heavy on Rowan’s mind.

“I don’t want you to be King.” she finally confessed, her eyes fixed on the flowers in her hands.

“What?” he asked, genuine surprise in his voice, as he dropped the strand of grass he was playing with.

“Kings never seem to be happy, not truly. Not the competent ones at least. And all I want is for you to be happy.” Rowan’s voice was soft as she spoke.

“And what if being King is what makes me happy?” he felt his heart flutter.

“Is that truly what would make you happy? Would it fill you with joy?” she asked, finally meeting his eyes, and for a moment, time felt like it stopped.

“Yes. I’d be the happiest on the throne, continuing my parents’ and my house’s legacy.” he said after a small pause, his voice serious once more.

Rowan nodded, her green eyes searching his for something. She then placed the flower crown carefully on his head. Had it been anyone else, he would’ve never accepted it, but it wasn’t anyone else. It was Rowan.

“If that’s what would make you happy, then I shall be your biggest advocate.” she said softly, with a smile. “I promise.”

He looked at her, wondering when he started feeling this way. Has it always been like this? Had her words and gentle smiles always made his heart beat this fast? He’d known her a year, and yet it felt like he’d known her forever. He felt his face get warm.

“…Thank you.”

taglist: @heartstalked @stupidocupido

#maegor targaryen #Maegor Targaryen x oc #Visenya targaryen #maegor the cruel

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a-world-of-whimsy-5 · 1 year

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And here it is! The list of noble houses for my Medieval! Ainur fics! I had to put some of the valar into the same houses (ex. Vána and Yavanna with Varda), but I hope this will serve. The first medieval themed fic should be up by next week.

House Ilúvatar Coat of arms: A green and gold flame upon a black field Seat: Ilmarin Region: Taniquetil Head: King Eru Ilúvatar I Heirs: Prince Melkor (Formerly) | Prince Manwë (current) Other members of the household: Eönwë |Urwendi | Ilinsor | Nornorë House Motto: To serve

House Starfield Coat of arms: A five petal silver rose within a circle of seven stars, upon a midnight blue field Seat: Starfall Region: Greengrove Members: Varda | Yavanna | Vána Other household members of note: Aiwendil | Arien | Ilmarë House Motto: Light and life

House Archer Coat of arms: A mounted archer on a dark green field Seat: High Tree Hall Region: Hunter’s Pass Members: Oromë | Nessa Other household members of note: Tilion | Alatar | Palando House Motto: Our aim is true

House Shield Coat of arms: A rampant brown bear on checkered silver and gold Seat: Stonehearth Region: Bear Wood Members: Tulkas Other household members of note: Lúsion | Makar | Meássë House Motto: Without fear

House Silverwing Coat of arms: A silver nightingale upon a white field Seat: Cedar Hall Region: Cedar Lake Members: Vairë| Estë Other household members of note: Melian | Lëa | Nielíqui House Motto: Patience and comfort

House Blackgrave Coat of arms: A set of silver scales with a raven perched on top of it against a white field. Seat: Blackgrave Region: The Haunted Pass Members Nienna | Irmo | Námo Other household members of note: Olórin | Silmo House Motto: With fair judgement and mercy

House Day Coat of arms: A black and silver hourglass on a pale blue field Seat: The Halls of Change Region: The island of Tol Eressëa Members: Aluin Other household members of note: Danuin | Ranuin | Fanuin House Motto: As ceaseless as time

House Alqualondë Coat of arms: A white swan ship upon a blue-green field Seat: Misty Harbor Region: Alqualondë Members Ulmo Other household members of note: Ossë | Uinen | Salmar | Ómar House Motto: By the strength of the sea

House Mahal Coat of arms: An anvil and hammer against a golden field Seat: Golden Forge Region: Almaren Members: Aulë Other household members of note: Curumo | Velindo House Motto: Ever industrious

House Ironwrath Coat of arms: Two crossed black war hammers upon a crimson field Seat: Angband Region: The Iron Mountains Members: Melkor Other household members of note: Mairon | Gothmog | Tevildo | Thuringwethil House Motto: A servant to no one

tags: @cilil @edensrose @floraroselaughter @asianbutnotjapanese @fictionfordays

#Medieval! Ainur #Medieval AU #the ainur #the valar #the maiar #the silm #the silmarillion #the silm au #the ainur au #noble houses of valinor #💫whimsy's shenanigans

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lilhawkeye3 · 3 years

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Diverse Westeros

3/? - The Martells

Previously: [The Starks] • {The Tyrells}

Dorne is the most isolated of the Seven Kingdoms, something that is a great source of pride to the proud region. This is also true of their population: Dorne hosts a great level of diversity that is not seen elsewhere in Westeros, partly due to its semi-autonomous privilege, and partly due to discrimination seen against its people in northern kingdoms.

The climate of Dorne is unique due to its deserts and dry mountains not seen elsewhere on the continent. There are several major river valleys that cut into the deserts and provide lush areas for farming, something that spread further as canals and irrigation methods were enhanced in the region.

There are four major ethnic groups in Dorne:

Stony Dornish: these are bronze skinned Dornishmen that mostly hail from the Red Mountains and can trace their ancestry back to the First Men. A closely guarded secret, but several mountain houses continued to upkeep Weirwood trees within their keeps to show pride to their ancestry. This is a common theme among the different Dornish races. However, due to their proximity with the Reach and Stormlands, there are some houses that have heirs of lighter skin and hair colors than most common Stony Dornish.

Salty Dornish: these are the Dornish that live along the coastline and are mostly a mix of Sandy Dornish and Orphans of the Greenblood. Thus, it is common to see many shades of brown skin and hazel or brown eyes. However, this is also continuing to grow with new populations from Essos and beyond. Dornish ships that come upon slaver’s ships at sea bring the slaves they retrieve back to Dorne and freedom in Westeros, which has led to an influx of New Dornish from the Summer Isles, Naath, Lhazar, and even the Jade Sea. In port cities like Godsgrace and Plankytown on the Greenblood, Starfall at the end of the Tourentine, and Wyl on the Wyl, small sections of the towns have become homages to the homelands of these refugees.

Sandy Dornish: these are the darkest skinned Dornishmen. Their ebony skin protects them against the harsh glare of the sun against the sands. These are the hardiest of the Dornish and include some nomadic groups that move with the change in rainy and dry seasons. Houses and clans can be told apart by the styles of their curly and wavy hair. Certain braids are only used by certain houses. The Sandy Dornish are also notable for their ceramics and glass blowing.

Orphans of the Greenblood: this smallest group are the lightest skinned of the Dornishmen, tracing their ancestry directly back to the Rhoynish refugees that fled Valyrian rule in Essos. They continue their riverfaring way of life on the Greenblood river in Southern Dorne and worship the Mother Rhyone. Most have olive skin and dark purple eyes.

The Martells are the royal family of Dorne. Descended from Andals like the Salty Dornish were, they merged with the Rhoynish under the marriage of Princess Nymeria. This leads to animosity from the Sandy and Stony Dornish and the internal politics of the region, with Stony like the Daynes always challenging power. However all agree: Dorne comes first.

Doran is the eldest prince. His dark hair and eyes are common among the Dornish, although his skin is paler than most due to the past decade spent indoors as a result of his loss of mobility from gout. Elia was the second child, with similar dark, wavy hair but more angular features than her brother. Oberyn is the youngest of the three, with similar hair but a violet ring to his dark eyes. His lithe figure is much like that of other Salty Dornishmen, however his bronzed skin is covered with inked tattoos collected in his travels throughout Essos and beyond.

Arianne is the heir to Dorne. She is the eldest child of Doran and his estranged wife from Norvos, one of the Free Cities in inland Essos and rich with Andal ancestry. She has thick, curly dark hair and dark eyes, however her petite frame is reminiscent of her mother. Quentyn and Trystane are her younger brothers, and both draw their figure from their father’s Salty Dornish roots with their coloration from their mother’s Andal ancestry (tall, lithe with strong jawlines paired with straight hair and brown eyes).

The eight daughters of Oberyn are known as the Sand Snakes. The eldest four are from varying regions and thus wildly differ in appearance. Obara was born to a brothel woman in Oldtown, although her thick brown hair and hazel eyes suggest Ironborn ancestry. Nymeria’s mother was a Volantene noblewoman, and her long, straight hair and violet eyes are a common feature of the “last children of Valyria”; her black hair and olive skin are from her father. Tyene’s mother was a septa in the Reach, but probably from the Westerlands originally due to Tyene’s golden hair and aqua eyes. She is the fairest featured of the group. Sarella was born to a captain from the Summer Isles, yet her kinky black hair and dark skin has her mistaken to be of the Sandy Dornish. Her hair is usually kept in tight braids, something she keeps when as Alleras in the Citadel.

The younger four Sand Snakes have the same biological mother: Ellaria Sand, a Sandy Dornish bastard of the Hellholt. Elia is the eldest and said to be a miniature Oberyn, with wavy black hair and angular facial structures. Obella’s dark eyes flash violet in the light, and she has kinky black hair and dark skin like her mother. Dorea and Loreza are the youngest and mistaken often as twins with their bronze skin and tight curly hair. The one difference is her eyes, with Dorea’s matching their father’s and Loreza’s matching their mother’s.

There are few surviving records describing Rhaenys and Aegon Targaryen, children of Elia Martell and Rhaegar Targaryen. Most remember Rhaenys to have Sandy Dornish features set off with the bright violet eyes of her Targaryen father, while young Aegon was known to have silver hair.

#diverse westeros #house martell #dorne #games of thrones #asoiaf #oberyn martell #elia martell #sand snakes #ellaria sand

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lordrethandus · 3 years

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Daily Writing Challenge 2021 Day 29

Monster ( @daily-writing-challenge )

World: World of Warcraft

Theme: Ruptured World - Zone of X

Any Death Knight worth their weight in saronite knows there will come a day when the living can no longer tolerate their existence, the day when this world of war and witchcraft have no further use for undying killing machines. Each and every one of them was a stark reminder of the most traumatic days for millions of people, and that wound may never truly heal until they're gone. The zealous teachings of the Scarlet Crusade seemed less extreme with each passing year; there were already fringe movements demanding their lands be cleansed of all unliving so their families could rest in peace. It will be a day of bloodshed and wanton violence, when the tension between remnants of the Scourge and the survivors of the Third War reaches a fever pitch and shatters forever. Or perhaps, centuries later, they would slip silently into the night, ridding Azeroth of their unnatural existence with but a whisper on the wind. Either way that day is coming.

But it is not today.

Rethandus stood along the beach of the Ghostlands, surrounded by the scattered ruined villages of the undead murlocs that once made their homes here. His frozen gaze rose to the rising moon, silently watching it hover and shimmer over the churning sea. The last of the Amber Glade ships retreated north along the coast, catching up with the fleets of both House Starfall and House Brightwind. His scowl remained persistent while he watched them vanish along the night ocean fog, giving him pause as he waited. The Ashen Verdict was ready to clash against the mightiest forces Azeroth may ever witness, leaving everything laid bare before the crushing will of Sargeras. All of Azeroth was ready to take a stand. Once the Warchief made the call to arms, the combined might of the Horde and the Alliance would descend upon the Broken Isles to stop this invasion before it began. But Rethandus couldn’t, and wouldn’t, be joining them. He was in charge of the contingency plan; if the main assault failed to contain the Burning Legion, and this war devolved into guerilla warfare -- as it so often did in the past, then it would be up to Rethandus and his small army of fellow undead to finish this fight.

The haunting bellow of his Horn of Winter groaned along the coast, booming through the accursed woods at his back and attracting the attention of the Ashen Verdict further up north. Out of the still ruins of Zaldrannar came his force of reckoning; twenty Death Knights would answer his call, as well as a regiment of risen ghouls, butchered Death Knight Elites still wearing the former Blackguard tabards, and mindless aberrations. Some of the paladins in the Verdict camp grew uneasy, watching what could easily be seen as another resurgence of the Scourge at their doorstep. The army of the damned stood alongside Rethandus, awaiting the order to follow him into the jaws of the Burning Legion. He looked over his shoulder to see Istrys riding a hulking undead yeti, who lumbered forward under her complete control.

He could barely see the Lord-Commander standing along the cliffs, gazing right back at him. Rethandus raised his frozen gauntlet high into the air, clenching his hand into a fist as their Val’kyr rose up into the night sky. Vesk glimmered like a dark purple beacon, floating silently in the air while her unholy power was unleashed upon the undead beneath her. In an instant they were connected, aware of each other’s thoughts and ambitions, crushed dreams and abandoned desires; they were a cohesive unit once more, not unlike their unwilling service to the Lich King. The thought of controlling others through the amplified power of Vesk didn’t sit well with him, but he had little choice. Only the hivemind mentality would keep them from buckling under the pressure of the blackened depths of the sea. A brief relapse of control and freedom was necessary.

The Lord-Commander slowly nodded at Rethandus, causing the Harbinger to straighten up once he returned his gaze to the sea; all of his underlings followed in stride, no longer in control of their own bodies. The tide struck his boots while they marched toward the umbral deep; they could not stop, compelled by the promise of rampant bloodletting and the chaos of battle. The water hindered their movement, but they would not be deterred. The army of the damned disappeared beneath the waves, taking full advantage of their heavy plate armor to anchor themselves into the soft ocean floor beneath their feet. Several paladins stared in awe, for the beach was now as vacant and peaceful as it was mere minutes before.

Rethandus filled his lungs and stomach with salt water to help combat the crushing weight of the depths. Despite the circumstances, it was surprisingly serene to walk along the ocean floor, occasionally seeing the silhouette of a fish dart away from his burning cerulean gaze. The march toward the Broken Isles would take days, so they couldn’t afford to waste time down here. The pressure from the pitch black water began to squeeze on their bodies, but none of them took notice. They walked around the wreckage of ancient ships, crossed the underwater chasms created by the Earth Warder, and steered clear from bottomless pits almost hidden beneath the inky darkness of the ocean’s depths.

At last they were alone. Alone to march forward. Alone to mentally prepare themselves for the destruction before them.

#dwc2021 #day292021

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starfallvalley · 3 years

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“A strange sound was heard during the night…”

Stardew Valley. An emerald paradise, caressed by the Gem Sea and nestled into a sleepy corner of the Ferngill Republic. The soil is rich, blessed by mineral-rich meteorites from long ago. Pelican Town rests in the crook of the mountain and sea, insulated from the world.

“There’s something fleshy bobbing around in the fluid…”

A newcomer moves to town, following the footsteps of their grandfather years ago. Something is off about them, but they are welcomed to the town nonetheless, even with their strange ability to know what every single person in town likes. Things settle back into their quiet rhythm.

“Part of the glass is shattered.”

The farmer is awoken with a start. Another gift from the stars has arrived on their farm, and it’s about to cause a whole lot of trouble…

Welcome to Starfall Valley!

Starfall Valley is a project I’ve had brewing for quite a while now. Stardew is one of my favorite games, and on a recent playthrough, I got a Strange Capsule on my farm—a rare event that releases a strange alien into the town. I wondered: what might happen if that alien were a little less passive? What if it broke out of its capsule to search for a new host, instead? And what if a particular farmer happened to be around at the time? That’s where Starfall begins. Pelican Town just got a lot weirder.

This AU is a combination of my own personal interests and musings about the world of Stardew. Imagine it as something akin to Monster Falls (for anyone who’s heard of that). I’ll be going through and writing up as much as I can about how the denizens of the valley and beyond react to their new reality.

A few notes: I’ll most likely end up changing characters around from their canon appearances (let’s face it, Stardew is not the most diverse game out there). I will happily take ideas/suggestions on this part. This includes Ginger Island. People far more intelligent than I have already expressed why this particular section of the game needs some serious work; I will do my best to ensure that I don’t fall into the same kind of neo-colonial mess that the game does. I am not an expert, unfortunately, so I may end up unsuccessful in that regard. I’m working on it!

Also, this is my first time actually running any sort of blog! It will probably be pretty simple and quite messy. It’s an experiment; we’ll see how it goes!

Lastly, this AU contains a lot of themes of transformation, magic, and probably many furries. It will also be very queer.

With all that out of the way, welcome once more. I hope you enjoy your stay. And do keep out of the back room of the library.

<<<MASTERPOST>>>

#stardew #stardew valley #starfall valley #I'll probably use the tag 'starfall au' for this blog to eliminate confusion!#we'll see how things go #granted idk if there are other fandoms with similar names so. oops #starfall au #intro post

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toxicigueel · 2 years

Note

starfall isles and light?

thank you!

Starfall Isles - Favorite piece of trivia you learned on the site?

oh god thats a hard one *immediately forgets every piece of trivia ive ever learned*

i guess itll count,the fact that hatchlings were presumably going to have different poses:

https://www.deviantart.com/neondragon/art/Ridgeback-Dragons-325071240

https://www.deviantart.com/neondragon/art/Guardian-Dragons-114887495

Light - What flight did you choose and why?

i've been in more flights than i haven't so ill go through each of them in order:

shadow - og flight, just thought it was edgy and dark n cool. wasnt there for long

lightning - going thru a huge technology/retro tech phase, most of my dragons were themed off computer viruses at the time, so it felt like a fitting choice

fire - my partner was in fire and encouraged me to join them, plus i'm a bit of a pyromaniac and just really love fire + the banner and aesthetic always felt super cozy to me. the community was great and it's one of the flights i still feel an allegiance towards

arcane - tbh i can't remember my exact motivations for moving to arcane at the time? i like the neon-y aesthetic and eldritch horror shit that came with it but the people in it were amazing, i was really involved w the dom scene at the time and it was gr8, i really miss it

wind - after my prev account got sniped i wasn't too sure what flight to join when i signed up again, but i picked wind cause i wanted to start a new clan that embodied that carefree, free spirit type stuff. i wasn't there for long either tho, i got kind of tired of it really fast

water (current) - most recent so i remember the backstory behind it the most, i wanted to join water cuz my specific cocktail of mental illnesses pulls me really close to the whole, secretive/mysterious/closed off vibe. its kind of hard to put it into words really but its why i felt attracted to joining. i wanted to have a subclan of fucked up undersea prophets speaking false visions and stuff, i let it go a long time ago but i still love the concept, plus i love deep sea creatures n shit so thats a bonus. it doesnt have any bearing on my lore anymore but i feel incredibly well at home here and i can't see myself leaving any time soon (plus we kick ass at dom, i love it)

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sounds-of-the-spiral · 7 years

Audio

All copyrights of this music belongs to Kingsisle Entertainment.

#w101 #wizard101 #audio #music #khrysalis

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dragonoffr · 7 years

Text

Ask me things!

Basics

Dragonhome - What’s the meaning behind your username?

Sea of a Thousand Currents - Why did you join Flight Rising?

The Ashfall Waste - What’s your favorite part of the site?

The Windswept Plateau - Have you gotten friends of yours to join FR?

The Southern Icefield - What’s your favorite flight?

The Tangled Wood - What’s your favorite FR deity?

The Scarred Wasteland - When did you join Flight Rising?

The Sunbeam Ruins - What’s your favorite lair aesthetic (doesn’t have to be your own)?

The Shifting Expanse - Do you exalt a lot of dragons or do you keep them?

The Viridian Labyrinth - Do you have a favorite familiar?

Starfall Isles - Favorite piece of trivia you learned on the site?

Lore

Earthshaker - What role(s) do your progens play in your lore (if they do at all)?

Tidelord - Does the element of your dragons’ eyes matter to you in lore?

Flamecaller - How do you determine jobs for the dragons in your clan?

Windsinger - Does your clan interact with other users’ clans and does that impact lore?

Icewarden - Does FR’s official site lore play into your own?

Shadowbinder - Do you have any lore about how your dragons view exalting? If so what is it?

Plaguebringer - Do you keep lore if a dragon already has it or do you change it to fit your clan?

Lightweaver - What’s the story behind your clan?

Stormcatcher - What catches your eye in other people’s lore?

Gladekeeper - Do your dragons’ names follow any themes/patterns and if so does that play into their lore?

Arcanist - Do you like writing lore or reading it more?

The Beastclans - Is there an antagonist in your lore? If so, who?

Breeds

Fae - Who’s your random progen?

Mirror - Who’s the progen you made?

Guardian - What’s your favorite starter breed?

Tundra - What’s your favorite breed?

Pearlcatcher - Is there a breed you like the pose of one gender over the other?

Ridgeback - What’s one breed you could never go without having in your lair?

Snapper - Is there a breed you like the hatchlings better than the adults, and if so what breed?

Spiral - Do you make breeding pairs for a specific outcome?

Skydancer - Do you like to make mates match?

Bogsneak - How often do you impulse buy dragons?

Imperial - What’s one breed you just don’t like for whatever reason?

Nocturne - Do you collect gen 1s?

Coatl - Which dragon breed has your favorite lore, regardless of how much you like/dislike how they look?

Wildclaw - Do breeding cooldowns frustrate you?

Flights

Light - What flight did you choose and why?

Earth - Do you have flight ambassadors? Why or why not?

Shadow - If you could change flights for a single day and go back to your own after, what would you switch to and why?

Plague - What region of Sorneith is your favorite?

Water - Do you want your dragons’ eyes to match their colors, and if so does that impact what dragons you keep/breed?

Ice - What’s your favorite flight aesthetic (if you have one)?

Fire - What are your thoughts on dom pushes?

Arcane - What’s your favorite thing about your flight?

Nature - Do you like finding newbies in your flight?

Wind - If you were to summarize each flight into three words, what words would you use for which flight?

Lightning - What’s your favorite familiar from your flight?

Customization

Primary - What are your favorite gene combinations on dragons (primary, secondary, and tertiary)? Share your faves!

Secondary - What’s your proudest gene project, if you have one?

Tertiary - If you have a dragon with poorly mixing colors, what is your preferred tertiary gene to try and compensate?

Apparel - Do you prefer to dress your dragons for their roles or what you think looks best on them?

Accent - Have you ever seen an accent/skinscent/skin that you wished existed for another breed or gender?

Skinscent - What is your favorite skin, accent, or skinscent?

Skin - What’s your least favorite skin, accent, or skinscent?

Original color wheel - List your top five favorite colors and why.

Color wheel expansion - What’s your favorite gene and color combination (i.e. orca glimmer)? Share a dragon with that combo!

Scrying Workshop - What is your dream dragon?

Trading and Socializing

Forums - What’s your favorite forum game and why?

Coliseum - Do you like to do coliseum?

Fairgrounds - What’s your favorite Fairgrounds game?

Auction House - We’ve all done it, what one thing did you not notice a misclick while selling that still haunts you to this day?

Marketplace - Are you saving up for any big purchases right now?

Crossroads - Do you ever check in on dragons you’ve sold to see how they’re doing?

Dominance - Have you ever bought fodder, only to get attached and keep it?

Trading Post - Have you made friends through or because of FR?

Festivals and Events

Crystalline Gala - Do you like to participate in the holidays?

Trickmurk Circus - Do you hoard elemental currency after the events are over or do you sell it off?

Mistral Jamboree - If you have elemental reps, do you dress them in their element’s holiday apparel?

Wavecrest Saturnalia - What’s your favorite elemental familiar?

Greenskeeper Gathering - Have you ever gotten an elemental egg?

Brightshine Jubilee - What was the first elemental holiday you ever participated in?

Thundercrack Carnivale - Are there events that you participate in on FR outside of the official festivals and events (secret Santa, trick or treat, etc)?

Flameforger’s Festival - What do you do to prepare for an event?

Starfall Celebration - What’s your favorite elemental holiday?

Riot of Rot - Do you have any retired items or familiars that you want to come back for a holiday?

Rockbreaker’s Ceremony - Does your flight do anything to prepare for events, if so what and do you participate in that?

Week of Welcome - What do you think of the change in registration windows?

Night of the Nocturne - What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever gotten in an event?

#fr #flight rising #flightrising #fr ask meme #flight rising ask meme #this sounded like a fun idea #not dragons

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hitodama89 · 7 years

Text

I saw this interesting looking ask meme about Flight Rising stuff, but instead of using it as it was actually intended I just answer all the questions without anyone having to send me asks.

Ask me things!

Basics

Dragonhome - What’s the meaning behind your username?

hitodama89 is just the name I use everywhere I go.

Sea of a Thousand Currents - Why did you join Flight Rising?

I had some friends who had already joined and they seemed to have good time, so I just jumped in, too!

The Ashfall Waste - What’s your favorite part of the site?

Bestiary and collecting familiars.

The Windswept Plateau - Have you gotten friends of yours to join FR?

My brother and mother, hahah! Neither of them are all that active, though.

The Southern Icefield - What’s your favorite flight?

Water. <3

The Tangled Wood - What’s your favorite FR deity?

I would love it if the deities were a bit more active part of the game... But as it is I like Arcanist a lot.

The Scarred Wasteland - When did you join Flight Rising?

2014-10-13

The Sunbeam Ruins - What’s your favorite lair aesthetic (doesn’t have to be your own)?

I freaking love Egyptian looking dragons! =0 Haven’t seen a whole lair full of them yet, though.

The Shifting Expanse - Do you exalt a lot of dragons or do you keep them?

I exalt a lot. That is right now my main income in the game.

The Viridian Labyrinth - Do you have a favorite familiar?

Psywurm!

Starfall Isles - Favorite piece of trivia you learned on the site?

I love the idea of Podid Town. =‘‘‘D It is mentioned in one of Tomo’s trivia questions.

Lore

Earthshaker - What role(s) do your progens play in your lore (if they do at all)?

They are the dragons that formed the clan.

Tidelord - Does the element of your dragons’ eyes matter to you in lore?

Well, it just means that they were born in the respective flight’s area.

Flamecaller - How do you determine jobs for the dragons in your clan?

I just think what would suit their looks and possible nature.

Windsinger - Does your clan interact with other users’ clans and does that impact lore?

Nowadays not too much. When I first started I got quite a lot of dragons from my friends and those dragons have a few sentences worth of lore about their origin.

Icewarden - Does FR’s official site lore play into your own?

I try to keep it in mind when designing stuff for dragons.

Shadowbinder - Do you have any lore about how your dragons view exalting? If so what is it?

It is a religious event where the exalted dragon is physically send to serve under the clan’s deity. Usually it is a great honor, but I have some dragons that don’t see it solely as a good thing.

Plaguebringer - Do you keep lore if a dragon already has it or do you change it to fit your clan?

I keep it in some form.

Lightweaver - What’s the story behind your clan?

There isn’t really one. =‘) My progens met each other, hung out together for a while and decided to form a new clan.

Stormcatcher - What catches your eye in other people’s lore?

I am pretty lazy at reading long stories and stuff. I like it when things are clear and compact and don’t contradict official lore too much.

Gladekeeper - Do your dragons’ names follow any themes/patterns and if so does that play into their lore?

It depends on who named them. If it was someone outside my clan the name can be anything, but dragons born within the clan usually have names that doesn’t mean anything irl. Certain families also have their own themes.

Arcanist - Do you like writing lore or reading it more?

Reading, I guess. Writing tends to be a pain in the ass.

The Beastclans - Is there an antagonist in your lore? If so, who?

Not really. My clan haven’t had any incidents with Shade and they don’t have enemy clans or anything.

Breeds

Fae - Who’s your random progen?

Marus.

Mirror - Who’s the progen you made?

Carran.

Guardian - What’s your favorite starter breed?

Guardians, but I really do like them all.

Tundra - What’s your favorite breed?

Pearlcathers. Though I tend to handle their nature a bit differently than what has been written about them in the official article.

Pearlcatcher - Is there a breed you like the pose of one gender over the other?

Many, actually, one of them being Imperials. The pose of female Imperial is pretty but a bit difficult to work with.

Ridgeback - What’s one breed you could never go without having in your lair?

Guardians and Pearlcathers.

Snapper - Is there a breed you like the hatchlings better than the adults, and if so what breed?

Not really. Hatchlings are cute and I would even love to have some permababies, but there isn’t really anything that would look a lot better as hatchling than as adult.

Spiral - Do you make breeding pairs for a specific outcome?

Very rarely. Usually I just buy individual dragons and at some point realize that some of them would produce nice babies together.

Skydancer - Do you like to make mates match?

Once again very rarely.

Bogsneak - How often do you impulse buy dragons?

Never really. I am darn picky with my dragons which isn’t all that good considering how poor I am, too, hahah. That’s why my lair is so tiny.

Imperial - What’s one breed you just don’t like for whatever reason?

I know it’s a cliche but Snappers. They are okay and I would never wish to see them for example disappear from the site, but they just are a bit too non-dragon looking for my taste.

Nocturne - Do you collect gen 1s?

Nah. Still poor af.

Coatl - Which dragon breed has your favorite lore, regardless of how much you like/dislike how they look?

Guardians.

Wildclaw - Do breeding cooldowns frustrate you?

No! I’m a patient person.

Flights

Light - What flight did you choose and why?

Water, because that’s my favorite element.

Earth - Do you have flight ambassadors? Why or why not?

No. Tbh I find them pretty boring as nearly every clan tends to have those.

Shadow - If you could change flights for a single day and go back to your own after, what would you switch to and why?

I would love to visit Plague to see what the heck they do to make their dom pushes so devastating. =‘D

Plague - What region of Sorneith is your favorite?

I love the nature of Windswept Plateau.

Water - Do you want your dragons’ eyes to match their colors, and if so does that impact what dragons you keep/breed?

It is not something I require from my dragons, but of course in some cases (Spirals and their huge eyes) it might affect my decisions.

Ice - What’s your favorite flight aesthetic (if you have one)?

Thiiiis was asked already.

Fire - What are your thoughts on dom pushes?

They are cool communal events! Too bad Water is pretty bad at them. => But we try our best!

Arcane - What’s your favorite thing about your flight?

I have never met a single rude or otherwise annoying person in Water.

Nature - Do you like finding newbies in your flight?

Naah; why would I..?

Wind - If you were to summarize each flight into three words, what words would you use for which flight?

Ggggh too much work.

Lightning - What’s your favorite familiar from your flight?

Maybe Seaweed Scavenger.

Customization

Primary - What are your favorite gene combinations on dragons (primary, secondary, and tertiary)? Share your faves!

Poison or Ripple, Toxin or Peregrine and Smoke or Runes.

Secondary - What’s your proudest gene project, if you have one?

Maybe Uppo. He has gone through way too many genes but now he is finally perfect.

Tertiary - If you have a dragon with poorly mixing colors, what is your preferred tertiary gene to try and compensate?

I just leave tertiary to basic if I can’t make it work at all.

Apparel - Do you prefer to dress your dragons for their roles or what you think looks best on them?

A mixture of both.

Accent - Have you ever seen an accent/skinscent/skin that you wished existed for another breed or gender?

Hmm, don’t at least remember.

Skinscent - What is your favorite skin, accent, or skinscent?

Accent: Magic Erosion. It just makes Lienn so pretty.

Skin - What’s your least favorite skin, accent, or skinscent?

Some trypophobic things that make my skin (haha) crawl. Haven’t taken down their names because why would I?

Original color wheel - List your top five favorite colors and why.

Teal, robin, abyss, pistachio aaand any blue/green. But what “why”? =‘D I just like them, that’s all there is.

Color wheel expansion - What’s your favorite gene and color combination (i.e. orca glimmer)? Share a dragon with that combo!

Haven’t spend too much time thinking stuff like this, but abyss Crystal is pretty badass.

Scrying Workshop - What is your dream dragon?

Don’t have one. It’s better for poor to not dream too big. =‘D

Trading and Socializing

Forums - What’s your favorite forum game and why?

Doodle the dragon above. It made me draw last year more than anything else.

Coliseum - Do you like to do coliseum?

Well, no, but I do it anyway when I need to.

Fairgrounds - What’s your favorite Fairgrounds game?

I hate them all. XD Or yes they are alright, but there is so little variation that you have to grind all of the games long enough to make you hate them if you plan on getting anything out of them.

Auction House - We’ve all done it, what one thing did you not notice a misclick while selling that still haunts you to this day?

I sold one of the Fox Rat familiars for treasure instead of gems. It still hurts.

Marketplace - Are you saving up for any big purchases right now?

For once no, I’m not!

Crossroads - Do you ever check in on dragons you’ve sold to see how they’re doing?

Yes I do. =D More often than you would think.

Dominance - Have you ever bought fodder, only to get attached and keep it?

Yup!

Trading Post - Have you made friends through or because of FR?

Naah. I’m not good at making friends.

Festivals and Events

Crystalline Gala - Do you like to participate in the holidays?

Of course! Gotta hoard me some new items.

Trickmurk Circus - Do you hoard elemental currency after the events are over or do you sell it off?

Neither, I just stack away the stuff I have and use it next year.

Mistral Jamboree - If you have elemental reps, do you dress them in their element’s holiday apparel?

Wavecrest Saturnalia - What’s your favorite elemental familiar?

Maybe Fire Sprite just because it was such an achievement to even get one of them.

Greenskeeper Gathering - Have you ever gotten an elemental egg?

A couple times. Never hatched one though, as I have pretty rotten luck.

Brightshine Jubilee - What was the first elemental holiday you ever participated in?

Riot of Rot. Back then I thought it was Riot OR Rot.

Thundercrack Carnivale - Are there events that you participate in on FR outside of the official festivals and events (secret Santa, trick or treat, etc)?

Yeah I took part in Secret Santa last Christmas!

Flameforger’s Festival - What do you do to prepare for an event?

Rest from Coliseum so I have what it takes to grind there during the festival.

Starfall Celebration - What’s your favorite elemental holiday?

Our own WaveSat.

Riot of Rot - Do you have any retired items or familiars that you want to come back for a holiday?

All the first year big apparels! I have no idea why they were so perfect but nearly everything after them have been pretty unusable for me. Also Light Sprite, haha.

Rockbreaker’s Ceremony - Does your flight do anything to prepare for events, if so what and do you participate in that?

During the already mentioned WaveSat we do some stuff, and I try to help as much as I can (which isn’t a lot though).

Week of Welcome - What do you think of the change in registration windows?

Good that the site can handle regular windows now!

Night of the Nocturne - What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever gotten in an event?

I won some boss familiar in a raffle once. It was the best.

#meme #flight rising

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