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oshiawaseni · 10 months

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Trails of Love Hori's been paving down in the build up for the series' ending

Part II: Decoding the love story being told through other characters

Part One | II. KamiJirou | Part Three ->

.•° ✿ 5. "I̥̰̟͈̣̮͑̑͐̓̌z̴͉̙̲̋͗͌u̶̫̝̒̊̐Ocha" ೋღ

Oh look, time to defeat the raid boss of BNHA: IzuOcha. (I wrote this meta in March, and after reading it now, I didn't feel I needed to change anything, but I added a small bonus section at the end. Hope you enjoy!)

I have a lot of things to say about why Ochaco was never meant to be the one... but I'll try to stay concise and on topic with regards to this meta. Ochaco appears set up as Izuku's love interest from the get-go, but is that really what Hori wanted to do? I'll be taking a dive into their themes and in part three of this meta, I'll be explaining why the answer to that question has been a resounding: NO!

When I compared the feedback Ochaco got from Aoyama, Toga and Mina about her having a crush on Izuku for wanting to be like him, to Izuku, who didn’t get any feedback for all the times he did the exact same thing and copied Kacchan, it felt very unfair.

See what I mean? It is completely unfair. And this was such a hard topic for me to navigate and answer for the anon at that time. But then I did some thinking.

Compress, Gentle/La Brava, Kamijirou and finally Kirimina (which came as a pleasant surprise, and for me, cemented Hori's intentions with all of this)... all of these characters have been written to highlight various things about BkDk's relationship.

Then, there is Ochaco's admiration of Izuku and she always gets told it's a crush, and it's so weird of a plot to begin with. This very one-sided "crush" also felt out of place with the rest of the themes going on. I eventually realised maybe we had been looking too closely at the admiration issue all along. By attempting to explain the meaning of the tree and why it's different from this other tree, we didn't see the forest it's connected to and that there was actually something bigger going on that Hori had been crafting.

Scale it back and you’ll see: It’s not that Izuku didn’t get his own feedback about his feelings for Kacchan in the various ways he shows he wanted to be like him, but Ochaco’s conversations with Aoyama and Mina and Toga were his feedback!! It was one of the biggest AHHHHHHHHHHH SO THAT'S WHY pin drop moments I've ever had.

No one was calling him out, because they didn't need to! Calling out Ochaco for that behaviour was all Izuku's same behaviour needed!

Chapter 15 is the first time Izuku displays this behaviour of wanting to be like Kacchan. In Chapter 48 Izuku trains his movement after thinking of "Kacchan and the others". His movement mimicking Katsuki's is first noticed by Iida in Chapter 52.

We spent so much time worrying what the difference is between Izuku and Ochaco’s admiration, but we tackled the problem all wrong! In fact, we didn’t need to tackle it at all.

Because not only did Ochaco’s crush sideplot serve as a red herring to veil the real love story going on from the average reader, it was also used as another tool to highlight it.

In chapter 58, Izuku showed off his new movement style and everybody, even Katsuki, noticed it was copying the way Katsuki moves. The fact we get another Ochaco shot of her watching Izuku mimic Katsuki really does add credence to the theory that she noticed Izuku's feelings because he's also copying the person he loves. And if their logic was true for her, then why couldn't it be true for Izuku too? Izuku's mimicry being such a non-issue for 1-A was surely done on purpose for us to see this hypocrisy one day: That her mimicry gets called out as love by everyone, but everyone sleeps on Izuku's own mimicry simply because it's between two boys.

Our take away was never meant to be “what’s the difference between their admiration/love”, but simply that Izuku was both wanting to become like and inadvertently becomes like Kacchan because he loves him so much and a way to keep Kacchan close to him was incorporating both his attitude and movement style into his own.

Hori was linking the two concepts of mimicry and romance together with commentary from Mina/Aoyama/Toga while having Izuku do this EXACT THING they were talking about, with Katsuki, right in front of our damn salad!

Because what other characters noted about Ochaco's behaviour... Izuku was also expressing towards Kacchan. (Hori even brought it up again in DvK2 just to remind *everyone* that Izuku is very conscious of doing the exact same thing as Ochaco)

Even if Ochaco later reveals their logic to not be true FOR HER (which I wholeheartedly believe in. BkDk+TogaChaco end game LETS GO), we know for sure this logic has absolutely been true for Izuku. And the feedback Ochaco got also fits Hori’s framework of;

Bkdk -> are the actions

Other characters -> are the words for their feelings and actions.

Ochaco never was a raid boss to begin with... she only had the appearance of one. All to get BkDK through to the finish line.

Ochaco talking about "putting the All Might doll away" here used the same verb as "shutting her feelings away" and her scene instantly jumps to Izuku looking at his black whip - a quirk he has also "put away" behind a locked door that represents OFA. Black whip is a quirk which emerged from the feelings he has for Katsuki, that Izuku has also had to "put away" because what happened to him was so traumatic. I think Hori wanted us to see their two stories of "locking something away" were actually the same in essence, and it wasn't just black whip itself that Izuku had to lock away, but also his feelings for Katsuki... because we lost Izuku's POV towards Katsuki after the "I'm too blessed." scene. Most likely to hide the romantic love Izuku feels towards him from the reader.

I realised the same logic of the other couples also applied to Ochaco too a few months ago, while I was putting together this meta about all the ways Hori has indirectly shown readers what Izuku’s feelings for Kacchan are. Hori couldn’t say it outright because of his demographic and the current expectations society has that BL should stay in it's own category and far removed from shounen.

So Hori gave bkdk their moments without a whole lot of context and developed the idea of them simultaneously in another language, by getting other various characters to do the talking. And he used these characters to indirectly spell out bkdk’s love story in conjunction with bkdk’s own behaviour, all for the sake of his big bkdk reveal in the series' finale.

And to think he’s been doing this almost since the beginning blows my mind. (Chapter 15! Chapter 15 was the start of WWKD: What Would Kacchan Do) The man is a genius. A lot of this feels like he had needed to release his feelings about bkdk, so he left these trails of code throughout the manga... and we’ve finally cracked the damn thing.

We did it. We realised Hori’s 2nd language and roundabout method of telling one of the greatest love stories in shounen history. And I’m sure there’s even more examples of it to discover, that all our fandom's talented, keen-eyed bkdks find every day.

If Horikoshi Kohei-Sensei wrote this story because he wanted to cement his mark in jump history, he has deservedly done just that!

Part B - The real ship of dreams

(It felt too good to be true, yet I was quietly hoping...) .•° ✿ 5. TogaChako ೋღ

Circling back to the first part of this meta, "The Shape of an Eternal Bond" ... Do you remember when I talked about how BkDk couldn't imagine a world without each other, and the sense of an eternity they both exude together? Something that has always been, something that will always be. It seems more themes and feelings we get from bkdk's relationship have now been thrown into the Togachaco fight.

Ochaco gave Toga what is essentially a marriage proposal to a vampire, and then her wires made the shape of the infinity symbol. Toga expresses to her "I can't stand the thought of you not being in this world anymore." This is 1. so touching 2. bkdk as HELL, and I am certain that Katsuki and Izuku will confess their desires to be together forever before this manga ends.

I mean, this just goes to show you how us bkdks and Hori are literally on the same neural link, and we've been right about his methods of storytelling and how he's leaving trails of love inside these other couples to express concepts that are present in bkdk's own (soon to be) very romantic relationship.

It's a fun thought exercise to look at Togachaco's fight and predict what certain themes of theirs Hori will install into bkdk's talk/feelings they will express to each other... but there is a certain one, other than "forever", I feel very strongly about and will focus on here...

And that is Izuku's smile.

Something Katsuki once detested became the thing he most advocated for and longed to protect. His thumbs pointing to himself while talking about smiles... no wonder this had an air of Katsuki, himself, being the biggest reason Izuku smiles. "How could you leave me and choose this for us - a life of no smiling like that?"

At the start of the series, Katsuki couldn't stand Izuku's face or the smile he made at him. Whenever he saw it, he could only think of it as somebody laughing at him, looking down on him... but then DvK2 reframed Izuku's wide smiles at him and turned them into something pure, and genuine, and I think that's when Katsuki started to realise how much he was being loved the whole time.

And how could Katsuki possibly not reciprocate those earnest feelings from his special person who helped him find his heroic heart?

And this seems to be something Ochaco has noticed about Izuku? Ochaco, somebody who loves when people smile, noticed how big Izuku smiles when he talks about heroes... but especially the besotted faces he makes whenever he's with Katsuki... Of course she did.

On the Weekly Shounen Jump cover that featured bnha chapter 394, most of the characters on it are happy and smiling. Izuku isn't, however. That's because he's lost the ability to smile because Katsuki is still dead in the manga... Hori used this jump issue to build on this theme in the manga - that if you take Katsuki away, then away goes Izuku's smile, too.

Because Katsuki's very existence gives Izuku his happiness.

These two panels were supposed to be compared to each other - "Blood" and "Smiles" are two concepts mirroring each other in Togachaco's story. It's their different love languages. Toga felt like she couldn't ask Saito-kun for blood because he'd never accept her, Ochaco felt like she couldn't ask Izuku for his smile... because he'd also never accept her... she knew this was because Izuku already had somebody who gave him his sweetest smile... the same person who knew him more than anyone.

Chapter 395's title, 'shiawase no ue ni' was an interesting one that feels nuanced with Ochaco's feelings towards Izuku. It can be read as "Above (my) happiness..." I think this title is describing the concept of prioritising something else BEFORE one's own happiness. It's the perfect concept title for self-sacrifice, like Toga putting Ochaco's life above her own, but could ALSO be referencing Ochaco placing Izuku's happiness with Katsuki before her own feelings for him!!

Ochaco's story, at present, appears to be about putting aside unrequited love for a person she didn't quite understand, and instead placing her efforts into an attainable goal - rescuing somebody's heart from despair, and in doing so, becoming each other's important person. And then neither have to journey through life alone anymore. Ochaco knew this is something Izuku and Katsuki found in each other. In the image above, the girls are looking at Izuku and Saito, who won't turn their way, because they are both looking at a blonde boy next to them. Their "Sometimes Saturday." Katsuki.

The hidden face as Ochaco says she "came to like" Izuku Midoriya is quite suspicious. It belies what she's saying and she seems to either be hiding something negative or she’s not being truly forthcoming about her situation and feelings for Izuku. There are also themes of envy that finally showed up in Togachaco's dialogue which may be foundation Hori has laid down for the reveal of Ochaco's feelings later, as well. Envy about the attention Izuku received from others as a hero. Envy towards Izuku's innate passion for heroes, and the adoring faces he makes for Katsuki, perhaps.

So this smile that Katsuki has always misunderstood as something negative aimed towards him ended up turning into something... very lovely and important to him, as shown in Izuku's panel and how Ochaco described Toga's smile right afterwards.

And honestly... if we get little snapshots of the many smiles Izuku has made for Katsuki, while Katsuki is thinking about how adorable Izuku looks just for him when they're talking, I don't think I'll make it out of this bkdk reveal alive. Hori is going to obliterate us with whatever he's got cooking for them.

With all the major bkdk-alike couples now finished, the next post of this meta series will be: Part III, and the conclusion of this meta series ->

Back to Part One

#bakudeku #bnha meta #bkdk canon #hori trails #must read meta #kana writes #togachaco #bkdk #I'm sorry I took so long to post this part #you see... there was an order i was trying to do things in...#i wanted to link to topics I was writing on twitter but then stuff happened there which messed with my plans for writing these metas out #on top of that #the tumblr editor would randomly wipe out entire asks so I became really demotivated #but this is one of the last metas I wanted to write for bkdk so I will finish writing at least this series to completion #sorry the togachaco section is small I didn't want to make the post even longer but I felt like I should talk about them #as this was the intended final post of part II - I shoulda known togachaco would also become a big part of this meta series xD #but their themes and expressions of love are a happy and welcome surprise just like kiriminas :)

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altraviolet · 4 months

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2023 AO3 Wrap Up!

There's a "2023 AO3 Wrap Up" meme going around. I'd like to do it, but my answer to every question would be "The Echo Garden." It's the only fic I worked on in 2023.

So here are the 2023 TEG stats, as near as I can tell. AO3 doesn't track these numbers in a way that you can refer back to. I can only figure this out because I started writing the stats down this year in a journal.

words written: 78,633 hits: +77,651 comment threads: +1,066 bookmarks (all bookmarks, both private and public): +609 subscriptions: +484 kudos: +1,952

My *total* fic word count is 611,342 words. I have 33 works uploaded.

TEG is an outlier for Transformers fic stats. In 2023 it reached the #1 spot for hits in all three of its categories: The Transformers (IDW Generation One), Transformers Prime, and Transformers - All Media Types. It is #1 for most of, but not all, the other trackable stats in any/all of these categories. It has two translations in Russian and one in Chinese. It reached the 300,000 word mark on the very last day of the year, Dec 31 2023. It has been a work in progress for almost four years.

Stats are interesting, motivating, and intimidating to me, as the writer. Some days I am SO EXCITED to see the stats rise. Others, I want to scream and hide, because the expectations feel enormous (though everyone has always been so kind!). I am sure someday another fic will supersede The Echo Garden. But until then, I am your extremely screamy and grateful writer, because one thing is for absolute sure: stats are impossible without readers. Thank you everyone who's read the fic, shared with friends, made fan art, commented, sent a fun ask, etc! Your responses help fuel me through the difficulties of the writing process. They lift my spirits and calm my worries regarding the craft. I really appreciate them. Thank you! =)

The current plan for The Echo Garden in 2024:

Ch 52 is the last chapter Ch 53 is an epilogue Ch 54 is an afterword

I'd like to either post Ch 53 on Feb 4 2024 and backdate the afterword to that date later, or post Ch 53 earlier and have the afterword posted on Feb 4 2024. Either way, I want the fic to end Feb 4, 2024.

Finding the time and energy will be the key to achieving this goal. It's possible I may not be able to do it. But I really want to!

After TEG is done, I'm probably going to take a long TF fic break. If the thought of that makes you sad, please check out my other stories! I have a few other long ones.

I would like to give original fiction a try. I love writing fic, but I would like to be able to publish and make money from my work. I will, of course, share the original fiction I've written with you, unless it would be to my detriment to connect it to my fic-writing name. Let's see what 2024 brings!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year! Here's to good fun, good words, and good times! ❣️💎🎉

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alshamswelnahr · 15 days

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52 demon slayer questions

1) Which chapter title do you find the most clever or fitting

2) Which character(s) in the manga do you believe is/are the most well-written and what makes them stand out to you

3) Which character introduction stands out the most to you and what makes it memorable

4) Whose character's conclusion impacted you the most and which one do you believe was the most skillfully crafted

5) Thoughts on "Kimetsu Gakuen" and your favorite character(s)/chapter(s)

6) Favorite character design (including: eyes, color scheme, hairstyle, attire)

7) Top three breathing styles

8) Which character has the most compelling backstory

9) Favorite sword or weapon design

10) Favorite original soundtrack/OP/ED

11) Name your top three favorite fights

12) Favorite anime adaptation change or added scene

13) Is there any scene, aspect, or a detail that you preferred in it's manga version over it's anime counterpart

14) Which sibling or familial bond is your favorite and what distinguishes it as your favorite

15) Which three panels do you find visually stunning and which three panels are your personal favorites

16) Standout quote/dialogue from the manga and what makes it special to you

17) Your favorite parallel or foil within the story

18) What do you think each Hashira/Upper Moon represents symbolically in the story

19) What moment(s) in the manga saddened you the most

20) Have you read the light novels and if so which story was your favorite

21) If you could add an extra manga arc what would it be about and where would it fit in the story

22) Share any headcanons you won't take any criticism on

23) Is there an element of the story you feel passionate enough about to write a thesis on

24) What is your favorite blood demon art

25) In your opinion who is the best-written demon and why

26) Which side character do you think deserved more spotlight

27) If a new Gaiden were released which Hashira would you want it to focus on

28) Your favorite volume cover/sketch and your favorite cover page/colored page

29) Favorite Taisho era whisper

30) How would you rank the story arcs

31) What is the most intriguing piece of lore or world-building element for you and what aspects would you like to see explored further

32) Name a moment in the manga you'd love to experience for the first time again

33) What is your opinion on the manga's ending

34) What initially drew you to watch or read the series

35) What message(s) do you believe kny is trying to convey to its readers, and what idea(s) you think it aims to explore throughout the story

36) What scene in the manga/anime do you find the funniest

37) How would you recommend this manga to someone who's never read it before

38) Which location/setting in the manga or anime do you find the most beautiful

39) Do you create fandom content like fanfiction or fanart and if so what kind

40) What is your favorite dynamic whether platonic or romantic

41) Are there any chapters or volumes you never get tired of rereading

42) What was the most surprising twist in the story for you

43) If you could switch two characters roles in the story (living or dead) would you and how would that affect the narrative

44) Which character did you have the biggest change of opinion about throughout the manga

45) Since love plays a central role in KNY which act or display of love touched your heart the most in the story

46) Do you own any Demon Slayer merch? If yes what items do you own

47) Is there an anime episode you could watch repeatedly without getting tired of it

48) Which version do you prefer watching: sub or dub? also which voice actor do you believe truly embodied their character or portrayed them most convincingly?

49) Does kny bring you comfort? If it does in what way or through which character do you find comfort

50) In demon slayer love's endurance surpasses death making it a story haunted by ghosts. Which one of them do you like the most and which interaction between the living and the dead stands out as your favorite

51) Is there a character that inspires you or whom you strive to be like and is there any you hope to never resemble

52) Lastly, out of Tanjiro's connections and empathies towards the characters, which bond or connection resonated with you the most and what was the reason behind that

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #character asks #character ask meme #text #asks #blorbo #ask game #tanjiro kamado #kamado tanjiro #ask meme #kny asks #demon slayer asks #a

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windvexer · 1 year

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do you think its good to try doing one spell a week or once every two weeks? as a way to force yourself to practice. what spells would you recommend for that? im so passive i have a hard time thinking what i could do with spells.

Thoughts, in no particular order:

I suspect readers are going to take issue with your use of the word "force," but I empathize with wanting to develop a regular practice and needing a kick in the pants to engage. If you'll give me the time to drone on about what constitutes useful practice, I may have some actually helpful suggestions at the end.

If you're talking about witchcraft as a whole, there is a ton of stuff to do in order to practice and improve skills in sorcery which is not actual spellwork.

Practicing divination, psychism, energy work, and spirit communication (if you believe in spirits) are all useful to learn. They will also help you improve your spellwork (for example, by being able to use divination to clearly understand the outcome of a potential spell; or from being able to use energy work and psychism to "see" a spell as you are casting it).

But for many people, practicing those things often - including casting spells often - can be very draining. So it may be worthwhile to explore other things you can practice, which can still directly improve spellwork: practical crafts (as about any handy skill can be applied to further your magical craft), learning to write and format rituals and spells, studying magical texts, and so on.

Learning your local area and making friends with the land is yet another thing which can vastly improve spellwork, but which in and of itself isn't a spell.

Furthermore, many people may not really consider it to be "spellwork," but working on various magical skills - like crafting tools, amulets, and talismans; developing ritual formats to petition spirits; gaining and working with familiar or helper spirits, and so on, also help improve spellwork.

Consider the utility of learning the land, making friends with a river spirit, ritually collecting a stone from that river, hand-crafting the stone into a piece of jewelry, and finally magically consecrating the jewelry into a powerfully protective amulet. This requires many skills, only one of which is casting an actual spell.

You may also want to consider that if you end up working with a lot of long-term magic, like enchanted amulets and container spells, maintaining those spells is also going to take time and energy - not to mention a place to store them.

Trying to cast two or three spells a month may also cause you to run into issues of verifiability. Was your promotion because of your prosperity spell, your bad-boss-begone spell, or your good luck spell? What about the protection against malice ward, or the road-opener? Good results are good, but it's also good to be able to actually know what is working for you and what isn't. So I think that's something to consider.

If you do not have much experience with spell work, you may not know that spellcasting skills are not automatically interchangeable across types of magic. If you spend a year focusing on quick results spells for small changes in your life, you may get really good at that - but not necessarily good at other more long term forms of magic. It's not a bad thing, but it's good to be aware that you should practice the kind of magic you want to get good at, and not assume those skills will translate to all types of magic.

Then of course there are types of spells meant to be cast over a long period of time. Consider a planetary spell meant to be worked over the same day of the week, for multiple weeks. Would you count that as one spell, or one spell a week?

Well, anyway. All that being said, I do not think it is a bad idea to do a sort of 52 spells a year challenge. I can see a lot of pitfalls, but what's that thing people are always saying? Fuck around and find out? Find out about this, why not.

Now here is my actual answer to your question:

In regards to your passive mindset, try reframing your experiences from "it is what it is" to "I can change that." Start carrying around a notepad and make notes of things in your life that may irritate you, but that you've always just brushed over.

Make a list of all the tools and items you want for your magical practice. If there is something on the list you do not have, you can cast a spell to conjure it into your life.

If there is something on the list you already have, you can cast a spell to magically upgrade or improve it.

You can get practice by enchanting spell vessels without actually activating them. A simple example is a prosperity candle - you can enchant it and store it for later use. (This also gives experience with learning how to store magical items). Consider the utility of enchanting planetary candles under the correct day and hour, and storing them for when you need them.

If you just want to work magic and have no particular need, you can plan ahead and capitalize on opportune timings. Consider spending a month crafting a ward vessel, then waiting to enchant it on a very good astrological appointment.

If you've got local friends who are spiritually inclined, you can also prepare spell vessels for them. If you are considering a future in being the "village witch," this is very good practice for learning how to instruct others how to care for and use spell vessels that someone else has prepared.

You can cast the same spell over and over, including on the same spell vessel. So maybe you cast a prosperity spell candle and it doesn't seem to work. You can recast the identical spell over and over again as many times as you want. A good spell is like a good recipe - you can make it as many times as you please, and the more you work with it, the better you get at casting it. So you don't need to find 52 unique spells - and you might be better off sticking with a few you want to learn to work well.

If you've enchanted an amulet or talisman or container, you can also re-cast the same spell on it over and over again.

Other magical activities, like learning auric shielding and energy glamours, are very good for practice. These types of magic tend to fade quickly (often, within a day) and are a very fun way to experiment with magic.

Witches often enjoy little "tricks" to make their life easier, such as ensuring a parking spot is held free at a busy lot. These tricks are rarely cast with a candle and incantations, but rather are worked up in the moment, even in public spaces. Learning to develop a few tricks for yourself is fun, and very practical.

#answered #spellcrafting #tbl

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zeciex · 6 months

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Vow of Blood - 52

Warnings: This fic includes noncon, dubcon, manipulation, violence and inc3st. Tags will be added as the fic goes on. This is a dark!fic. 18+ only. Read at your own discretion. Please read the warnings before continuing.

Summary: “You will be trapped by the obligations of love and duty, unable to escape the web of expectations others have woven around you,“ the witch said….

Chapter 52: The Funeral of Boris Baratheon

AO3 - Masterlist

Boris Baratheon’s lifeless body lay upon a meticulously sculpted wooden bier, thoughtfully crafted to facilitate the ease of transporting his mortal remains. The bier itself was set upon an altar, which had been adorned with sheets of silk, their hues a solemn blend of yellow and black. Surrounding his body were candles and petite bundles of herbs, carefully placed to create an atmosphere of mourning. Additionally, small bowls filled with incense were distributed around him, releasing a potent fragrance that saturated the air, its intensity almost overwhelming and sticking to the back of the throat.

Funeral stones, intricately painted to mimic his once open eyes, now rested upon his closed eyelids, serving as a symbolic gesture to honor his soul. His sword, a silent testament to his supposed warrior life, was positioned upon his abdomen, securely held in place by his hands which were clasped together for his final rest.

The sept was steeped in mourning, every detail meticulously arranged to pay respects to the fallen lord, the very air seeming thick with grief for someone that, to her, hadn’t earned it.

Daenera’s gaze fixated on the lifeless form of her late husband, her senses assaulted by the pungent aroma of the herbs that had been packed into his cavities, treating him as though he was mere poultry. His vital organs, or what was left of them, had been meticulously removed, now resting in small vessels positioned adjacent to his corpse.

In a futile attempt to conceal the relentless advances of decay, herbs and incense had been used. However, the state of his remains, particularly the damaged state of his bowels, rendered these efforts nearly fruitless. Despite the work of the Silent Sisters, their ministrations could only stave off the inevitable for a short period.

Boris Baratheon was, quite undeniably, decomposing from within, a grotesque reality that no amount of aromatic herbs or incense could fully mask.

Daenera’s expression twisted subtly, her features contorting as she grappled with the overwhelming odors and the stark reality of her husband’s physical state. The scent of death lingered heavily in the air, a constant reminder of the crude scene before her.

The High Septon initiated his prepared oration, proclaiming, “My fellow brothers and sisters I welcome you here in the light of the Seven, as we gather today to mourn the passing of Lord Boris Baratheon, second son of Lord Boremund Baratheon and Lady Emolyn Penrose, brother to the Lord of Storm’s End, Lord Borros Baratheon.”

Daenera’s gaze narrowed as she strained to discern her surroundings through the opaque black veil shrouding her face. Her lips pressed together in thinly veiled irritation at the boredom she felt. She couldn’t help but question the necessity of such elaborate introductions. The assembly were well acquainted with her husband and his House; such details seemed redundant.

“Lord Boris Baratheon has left behind this earthly realm to be judged by the gods,” The High Septon continued, his voice resounding through the hallowed space. “In his lifetime, he bestowed honor upon his family name and brought glory to his noble house. He demonstrated unparalleled bravery and prowess in battle, securing a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.”

Daenera maintained her stoic exterior, though internally, she found herself wrestling with the High Septon’s words and the picture it painted of her husband’s life–one that seemed almost foreign in the light of her own experience with the man.

Boris Baratheon had been far from a warrior; his life had been devoid of real war. His most notable victories were confined to tournament arenas and minor skirmishes against ragtag groups of bandits and poachers. He epitomized the archetype of a pampered noble, one who wielded his sword more for sport than duty.

Somewhere in the back of the sept, a baby cried inconsolably.

“Let us not forget, he was not solely a warrior. He was a devout believer, a true adherent of the Faith of the Seven. He held his ideals of chivalry, justice, and mercy close to his heart.”

Daenera had to stifle a snicker, quickly covering it up by bringing her hand to her mouth, feigning a sob. The irony of the High Septon’s words was almost too much to bear.

Boris Baratheon’s devotion had been as one could expect from a man who squandered his wealth and seed in the brothels. His sense of chivalry was as genuine as it could be for a man who would raise his hand to his wife in a fit of rage. As for justice, it was as fair as it could be from a man confronted with the consequences of his own wrongdoings. There had been no trace of mercy in his heart; only a festering entitlement.

“Let us find comfort in the belief that he shall receive his just rewards in the afterlife for his unwavering faith. It is crucial for us to remember, death is the inevitable conclusion to life, a fate that awaits us all. The death of lord Boris Baratheon serves as a poignant reminder–to cherish every moment granted to us in this mortal realm, to lead our lives with honor and compassion, and to forever hold the gods close to our hearts.”

A priest quietly navigated the space around her deceased husband’s form, artfully swinging the censer as he went. The resultant smoke from the incense billowed around, creating a heavy, cloyingly sweet curtain in the air.

Daenera fought against the urge to cough, attempting to draw breath through the oppressive smoke that clung to the air, acutely aware that the entire congregation within the sept had their eyes fixed upon her.

“May the Father deliver unto lord Boris Baratheon his just due, and may the Mother envelop his soul in her caring embrace. Let the Warrior bestow upon him the fortitude necessary for navigating the trials awaiting him in the life hereafter, while the Smith charts his course to eternal peace. May the Crone endow him with wisdom, and the Maiden adorn him with eternal beauty. And in the face of the unknown, may the Stranger extend him the mercy we all shall hope to encounter in our time. In the name of the Father, and of the Mother, the Warrior, the Smith, the Crone, the Maiden, and the Stranger, we say our farewells to lord Boris Baratheon. May he find peace and eternal happiness in the embrace of the Seven.”

Daenera moved to stand vigil beside her husband’s body, lifting her veil to behold him in his final repose. They had applied a fine layer of powder to his face, attempting to mask the deep red blotches left by burst blood vessels. Yet, even with these efforts, the pallor of death clung to him, rendering him unnaturally pale.

Her gaze drifted to the high neckline of his ornate doublet, catching a glimpse of a dark, shadowy hue where the blood had settled and coagulated beneath the skin of his back. It was a shade undoubtedly as deep and morose as the bruises that marred her own back, a tapestry of blues, purples, and blacks, each telling a silent story of his violence. The stark difference lay in the fact that her wounds, unlike his, held the promise of healing over time.

“Grief agree with you, s ȳndor hen bantis rūklon ,” Aemond murmured, his voice a low timbre that resonated along her spine, sending shivers in its wake. Night shade . “Or should I say, widowhood.”

“You ought to remain silent,” Daenera rebuked, shooting him a stern look through her peripheral vision. As if navigating through the funeral’s tension wasn’t enough, she now had to contend with Aemond’s unsettling charm. He stood there, ever the epitome of grace, though his features were slightly obscured by the incense’s heavy smog.

A soft chuckle escaped Aemond, unfazed by her reproach.

“Can you not see that I am grieving?” Daenera said, keeping her face still as her eyes remained on her corpse of a husband.

“Clearly,” he responded, his tone cold and nonchalant, which only served to heighten her irritation. His voice lowered as he continued in high Valyrian. “ He resembles a roasted pig, all laid out amongst the herbs. Just missing the apple stuffed in his gob. ”

Daenera studied her dead husband. “ I’d argue the pig would be more enticing. ”

“ The decay’s setting in fast; he’ll be a maggots banquet before long ,” Aemond added, his tone laced with dark amusement. “ Recon he’d have any gripes about me taking you right here, while you keep vigil ?”

“Hold your tongue,” Daenera retorted sharply, forcing down her rising indignation, even as her cheeks began to flush at the audacity.

Daenera’s gaze momentarily shifted, slicing through the sea of onlookers before returning to her departed husband. Every glance sought to unravel her, meticulously picking at the seams of her composure, hoping to pull it apart and lay her bare for the world to see.

She continued in high Valyrian, “ This is neither the time or place. The eye’s of the court is upon us and my husband is not yet cold in the ground.”

Daenera bore the mask of mourning as she had borne the mask of happiness on her wedding day. Then, she had been the blushing bride, radiant and seemingly untouched by the wicked deeds of the world. She had smiled and danced and embodied the joy a bride should feel. It had been a performance of innocence and bliss.

Now, amidst the somber tones of her husband’s final farewell, society demanded her sorrow.

She was supposed to grieve the future they would never share, and the children that would never be. She was expected to inter her dreams and desires alongside him in the cold ground, surrendering a piece of her soul to the grave.

Yet, as Daenera’s gaze lingered on her deceased husband, her heart remained untouched by sorrow or regret. There was no well of grief waiting to spill over; no silent whisper of ‘what could have been’ echoing in her mind. In stark contrast to the expectations pressed upon her, she experienced an overwhelming surge of relief.

Aemond always seemed to take perverse pleasure in her reaction.

“ Perhaps I shall visit you once his body is bloating and festering with maggots, and you’re about to keel over from the stench of decay and this sickly incense, ” Aemond carried on, unabashedly crude, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. “ And give you a good fuck to help you forget your sorrows. ”

His words were laden with a brash audacity, and the air between them thickened with the unsaid, the impropriety of the situation hanging heavily as they shared this moment of unabashed disdain for Boris.

“The gods are like to send a bolt from the heavens and strike you down for your insolence,” Daenera mused, her tone laced with irony.

Daenera could sense his gaze upon her, a weight that was both unsettling and thrilling. She pivoted to meet his eye, catching a glint of something dangerous within it–a spark that hinted at intentions as yet unspoken. It was as though his hand hovered in the air between them, each unmade gesture charged with the promise of a touch that might trail across her cheek.

The air crackled with tension that seemed almost tangible, and in that moment, Daenera’s voice cut through, sharp and unyielding. “Touch me, and I will gouge your other eye out.”

Aemond’s reaction was a subtle dance of his features, his lips curling into a more pronounced smile, betraying a hint of amusement. It was a response that acknowledged the danger and the allure that lingered in that unbidden touch.

“Aemond.” The voice of the Queen, authoritative and clear, sliced through their exchange, widening the gap between them. Alicent placed a gentle hand on her son’s arm, offering him a soft smile. “May I have a word with the princess alone?”

With a curt nod, Aemond excused himself, leaving Daenera to navigate the treacherous waters of conversation with the Queen alone. She turned to face her, dipping into a respectful curtsy, while discreetly observing her ensemble. Alicent was clad in a gown of luxuriously heavy fabric, a green so deep it verged on black, yet it was decidedly not black.

Alicent placed a comforting hand upon Daenera’s arm, her touch feigning solace.

“My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow,” she offered her condolences, her voice laced with a subtle undercurrent.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Daenera replied, her tone steady as she adhered to the norms expected in such a somber gathering.

“How tragic it is, to lose your husband so young, and not even a full year into the marriage,” The Queen continued, her voice dripping with a thick sweetness. “It’s truly a shame, you being so young and now draped in the cloak of widowhood, with absolutely nothing to show for your short-lived marriage. No children, no title or lands.”

“Widowhood hardly offers itself as a matter of choice,” Daenera responded, her gaze shifting back to her dead husband, silently acknowledging her own ironic choice in the matter. She could feel the Queen’s scrutinizing eyes examining her every expression.

“It does strike one as strange, doesn’t it? A man of your late husband’s prowess in horsemanship meeting his demise in such a manner. It begs questioning, the likelihood of it all. He was after all an avid hunter,” Alicent remarked, her tone rich with insinuation.

Daenera perceived the sharpness in the Queen’s words, akin to thorns delicately concealed amidst a sprawling vine, poised to ensnare the delicate fabric of reality and truth in their deceptive grasp.

“He was not merely thrown off; the horse crushed him,” Daenera’s voice remained steady, though she internally reflected on the brutality of the scene that would be revealed if they were to undress the body–bones shattered, hips caved in, a canvas of black and blue across his torso. “Regrettably, my husband had quite the fondness for wine, and as the old adage warns, drinking and riding seldom mix well…”

“Be that as it may,” Alicent interjected, her voice remaining deceptively sharp, “one could still find the circumstance rather extraordinary.”

Meeting the Queen’s gaze with a frosty intensity, Daenera replied, “That, Your Grace, is precisely why they call it an unfortunate accident, is it not?”

“I imagine this wasn’t the reunion with your husband’s family that you had envisioned. As difficult as it might be, I commend your decision to accompany your husband on his final voyage to Storm’s End,” Queen Alicent said, her words carefully crafted and woven together in a facade of casual conversation, yet brimming with underlying implications. Her voice resonated with an air of assumed virtue, brandishing it as a weapon while she cloaked herself in her own sanctimoniousness. “Undoubtedly, his brother will find solace in your presence.”

“Oh, I think there’s been a slight misunderstanding,” Daenera clarified, her voice carrying a tone of gentle astonishment. “I have dispatched a raven, expressing my apologies and explaining that I will not be able to accompany my husband on his final journey to Storm’s End.”

Alicent’s brow furrowed as she probed further, her tone laced with evident irritation and a hint of exasperation. Her gaze swiftly dropped to Daenera’s abdomen before lifting again.

“Is there a particular reason that prevents you from undertaking the journey?” She inquired, her voice carrying an undertone of weariness. “Could it be that there is a sliver of joy amidst these sorrowful times?”

Daenera subtly laid her hand upon her stomach, adopting a contemplative demeanor. “Should there be any joyful tidings, it is presently too premature to confirm. I implore you to maintain confidentiality on this matter, as I wish to avoid fostering false hopes in the event that there’s nothing to hope for.”

“Naturally,” Alicent responded, her words clipped and delivered with a brief nod.

The queen’s thumb caressed Daenera’s arm in a feigned gesture of comfort. “But I believe that, perhaps, this journey might bring you a measure of peace in these difficult times. I understand that your marriage may not have unfolded as you desired, but what is important now is to uphold the dignity of the position you hold and honor the memory of your husband.”

Queen Alicent extended her hand towards Daenera, gracefully capturing her hand within her own, her piercing dark eyes quickly flicking down to notice the bandaged wound on her palm. Her eyebrows arched subtly, a silent inquiry dancing in her gaze, yet as her eyes met Daenera’s once again, she chose a different path for her words. “Moreover, perhaps departing from King’s Landing might just be in your best interest. A period of respite and distance could potentially bring you some much-needed clarity and peace.”

“Why?” Daenera countered, her gaze narrowing slightly as she assessed the woman standing before her. She could sense a hidden sting in her words, a subtle jab masked behind a veil of concern.

Queen Alicent’s lips pressed into a thin line, her head subtly tilting as she allowed her eyes to traverse across Daenera’s face, scrutinizing her with an intensity that echoed Aemond’s piercing gaze – sharp and evaluating, with the same bite as a blade. “I have no intention of giving credibility to simple rumors, but I believe I should bring this matter to light. I am aware that your marriage has been… less than idyllic, but it is our duty as wives to stand by our husbands, even if their attentions have been wandering.”

Daenera felt a wave of apprehension wash over her, her posture straightening as she prepared herself for what was to come.

“But, regrettably, there are murmurs circulating, suggesting that he might not have been the sole one seeking comfort outside of the marriage bed,” Queen Alicent articulated with an eerie smoothness, her words cutting through the air as sharply as a dagger through flesh. Her condemnation carried an elegance, a venomous sting that hinted at a deep-seated resentment, harbored with a cruel intensity.

Suppressing the tides of discomfort and the tight knot of dread constricting her chest and stealing her breath, Daenera maintained the facade she had crafted. “It appears the be groundless slander with a familiar intent, aking to the allegations once cast upon my mother. Pray, Your Grace, are these whispers backed by any semblance of proof? Or are they simply the same, tired rumors wielded against every high-born woman as a means of subjugation?”

“Some might argue that the proof is evident, right in front of our very eyes, wouldn’t they?” Alicent proposed, her hold on Daenera’s hand intensifying.

“What we have before us is the lifeless body of my husband,” Daenera retorted, infusing her words with a steely resolve. “And I must say, I find it distasteful and utterly disrespectful that you would utilize his unfortunate demise as a base for such wild and, frankly, unbecoming insinuations.”

With a swift motion, Daenera extricated her hand from the Queen’s clutches, cradling it against her midriff as if to soothe an invisible ache.

“I assure you, I am leveling no such charge,” Alicent responded, her voice laden with frustration. “I am simply ensuring you’re aware of the circulating conversations and what is being whispered in hushed tones.”

Daenera harbored a deep-seated conviction that the primary source of these supposed rumors was none other than the Queen standing before her. What eluded her, however, was discerning the truth of the matter–whether these whispers were genuinely pervading the court, or if it was merely a manipulative tactic employed by the Queen to sway her to her own purpose.

“Your mother had the wisdom to escape the coming storm. Perhaps, by accompanying your deceased husband to Storm’s End to lay him to rest might allow these rumors to fade away,” the Queen suggested, her words seemingly dipped in concern.

“The issue with such a tempest, however, is its persistence, isn’t it?” Daenera retorted, stepping closer to the Queen with a defiant expression upon her face. “Another characteristic of these storms is their indiscriminate nature. They rarely limit their fury to a single individual. It wouldn’t surprise me if this storm were to ensnare your son in its violent whirlwind.”

The Queen’s eyes took on a sharper edge, narrowing perceptibly.

“If these unfounded rumors were to hold a grain of truth, an affair would implicate two individuals, not just one,” Daenera continued, feeling her palms dampen with perspiration as she clasped her hands together, summoning her inner fortitude. “Should you choose to lend credence to these allegations, the very least you owe to yourself and your position is to unearth the identity of the other party involved.”

From the periphery of her vision, Daenera detected a subtle stir, and she turned to regard Joyce as the woman approached her, her features etched with a frown. With a differential dip of her head towards the Queen, Joyce swiftly shifted her focus to Daenera, her demeanor earnest. “Everything is set for the afternoon service.”

Daenera summoned a gracious smile on her face, turning back to the Queen. “I appreciate your concern, Your Grace. It means a great deal to me in these trying times.”

With that, Daenera excused herself, gracefully making her way around the altar, where she would resume her vigil beside her late husband. The air around her felt heavy, laden with unsaid words and covert glances.

“I know who told Boris,” Daenera confided in Joyce as they walked.

With a discreet motion, Joyce extended her hand, transferring a heavy pouch brimming with coins into Daenera’s grasp. Daenera’s gaze met Joyce’s, and without a word exchanged, the message was clear.

The role the Queen had played in enlightening her husband became glaringly apparent. Yet, what also crystallized in that moment was the realization that cunningly provided him with insinuations, a mere smattering of hints, rather than solid proof. Not only that, she seemed at a loss who the affair had been with.

Their attention followed the Queen as she stood near the Sept’s entrance, engaging in a hushed discourse with Lord Larys Strong. In a fleeting instant, Alicent’s gaze landed upon Daenera. Though her countenance was somewhat obscured from Daenera’s view, she could sense the smoldering indignation emanating from her. With a swift, graceful turn, Alicent exited the Sept and fell entirely out of view.

“There isn’t a whisper in the Queen’s ear that the Lord Confessor hasn’t voiced himself,” Joyce subtly grumbled under her breath.

Daenera’s gaze darted towards Lord Larys Strong, locking eyes with him for a brief, chilling moment. His gaze, sharp and calculating, acknowledge her with a curt nod before he seamlessly fell into step behind the Queen, exiting the sept.

“Find out for me, would you, if these whispers has traveled beyond the Queen’s ear?” Daenera implored.

“I’ve kept my ear close to the ground among the servants,” Joyce responded, her voice low. “So far, the corridors are silent on this matter. If the servants remain oblivious, the nobility is likely in the dark as well… but we mustn’t forget, silence can be broken, especially with the Queen and Lord Confessor holding the knowledge.”

A burgeoning headache throbbed at Daenera’s temples as she processed this. “The Queen, she won’t tarnish her own son’s name in the process. She won't let this rumor spread any further.”

“Can you really be certain?” Joyce aueried, her own uncertainty and concern palpable in her voice. “She might very well use this situation to her advantage, discreetly laying the groundwork for suspicion, carefully trimming away any leads that could identify her son in this scandal, all the while subtly casting doubts upon your involvement in your husband’s demise.”

“Let her lay the seeds of doubt,” Daenera retorted, her voice laced with a steely resolve. “But if I’m to be thrust into the fires of scrutiny, I’ll make damn sure he gets dragged through the embers with me.”

As their conversation dwindled to a close, Daenera’s demeanor shifted seamlessly. She donned a warm, compassionate smile, turning her attention to the commoners who had begun to trickle into the sept to offer their condolences.

Generously, she handed out coins to both the pious and the impoverished, seizing the opportunity to garner their sympathy and bolster her reputation among the populace. She reasoned that if she had to endure the vigil for her late husband, she might as well capitalize on it, demonstrating to the smallfolk just how benevolent their princess could be.

The sept, awash in golden hues of the afternoon sun, stood solemn and majestic, its towering windows casting long, ethereal beams of light across the intricately tiled floor. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, enveloping the sacred space.

Murmurs and whispers reverberated through the vast expanse, creating a low, continuous hum, as the line of commoners, stretching from the princess’s side all the way to the imposing doors of the sept, waited patiently for their moment to step forward. Their expressions of sympathy and respect, each carrying the weight of the occasion in their hearts.

The sept’s ornate walls, adorned with stained glass and iconography, stood as silent guardians, bearing witness to the outpouring of grief and support. The light filtering through the windows played upon these images, casing colorful patterns upon the ground and walls. But in spite of the tall windows and the inpouring of light, the shadows clung to the sept, thriving between the columns and at the corners of the rooms.

Daenera, positioned near the altar, appeared as a beacon of strength and grace amidst the sea of condolences. Her presence commanded attention, and her demeanor exuded a sense of regality and composure.

As the line of commoners moved, the atmosphere in the sept seemed to breathe with them, each step forward accompanied by a wave of whispered prayers and shared sorrows.

Daenera’s limbs ached with fatigue after the long hours she spent standing, her back in a state of discomfort and her facial muscles sore from the incessant smiling.

A venerable old man approached, extending his rough, weather-beaten hands to clasp Daenera’s delicate ones. His skin, marked by years of hard labor, created a stark contrast against her softness, as he held onto her tightly, expressing his condolences. He was notably missing several teeth, and as he spoke, a faintly sweet and decayed scent wafted from his mouth.

“Thank you,” she responded, managing to infuse warmth into her voice as she slipped a silver coin into his palm.

“No, no, it is I who should be thanking you,” he replied, his voice cracked and aged, yet filled with genuine gratitude as he fervently shook her hand. “Thank you, Princess, for your compassion and benevolence.”

From behind Daenera, Fenrick emitted a low, throaty noise, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword as his discerning and weary eyes scanned through the gathering for any potential threats.

The elderly man finally relinquished his hold on Daenera’s hand and moved aside, paying his respects to the deceased with a deep bow before pivoting and making his way down the lengthy aisle, exiting the sept.

Feeling the strain in her lower back, Daenera subtly adjusted her stance, attempting to alleviate the mounting discomfort.

The following person to approach Daenera was a woman with a full, round face, cradling a child tightly in her arms. Her hair, the color of straw, was neatly arranged atop her head, adorned with a silver clamp amidst the curls, emulating the style of a noble lady. Her eyes, rimmed with red, bore the signs of recent tears, and her nose shared the same flushed hue. She adjusted the child in her arms, which eagerly stuffed a chubby hand into its mouth, creating a wet, slobbering mess.

With a strained smile, Daenera turned her attention to the woman.

“I-I am truly sorry for your loss, Princess,” the woman stammered, her voice laden with sorrow. “He–he was truly a good, kind man.”

Daenera maintained her gaze on the woman as she once again shifted the child in her arms, causing the little boy–with his mob of black hair–to express his discontent. A surge of irritation welled up within Daenera; the audacity of this woman to attend her husband’s funeral, and to bring his illegitimate child along, was staggering.

“M-may I… could I have a moment to see him?” The woman tentatively asked, her gaze flickering past Daenera’s shoulder towards the altar.

Daenera found herself at a crossroads, uncertain why she should consider indulging this request, and yet, a twinge of pity resonated with her.

Turning to Joyce, Daenera kept her voice hushed as she spoke, “Could you take my place for a moment?”

Joyce’s expression mirrored Daenera’s, her eyes exuding a frosty demeanor while her brows knitted together tightly. She gave a brisk nod, seamlessly stepping into the space Daenera had just vacated.

Daenera then ascended the steps leading to the altar, where her deceased husband resided. The woman, trailing closely behind, wore her grief openly, and she couldn’t decide whether it was a ploy or not. Fenrick adjusted his position to maintain a vigilant watch from the periphery, his eyes steadfast on the two women.

A choked sob escaped the woman as she laid her eyes upon her late lover and the man who provided for her and her son.

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Daenera stared down at her husband, her expression etched with icy detachment. She couldn’t muster even a shred of feigned emotion; her irritation at being confronted with her husband’s weeping mistress overshadowed all else.

Daenera addressed the woman with a frigid tone, “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I…I just needed to see him, just one final time,” the woman whispered, trying to pacify the fussing child in her embrace. The child was notably robust, with plump cheeks and a soldering build, unmistakably bearing the features of Daenera’s late husband, from its black hair to its blue eyes.

“He was a good man. He looked after us, treated us with kindness–”

“Why have you come here?” Daenera interjected, her patience wearing thin, unwilling to entertain any semblance of deception.

“I just–”

“Do not lie to me,” Daenera sharply retorted, her gaze piercing as she stared down at the woman, with little compassion in her eyes. “My husband was far from good or kind. He was a drunk with a temper, one I doubt he was unable to hide even from you. Nevertheless, he was my husband– My husband , and I will not tolerate his mistress and illegitimate child making a scene at his funerals, so, tell me, what is your intention? ”

Daenera scrutinized the woman’s features intently, attempting to discern what might have drawn her husband to her. She was moderately attractive, Daenera conceded inwardly, but she couldn’t help noting the stark contrast between them.

While she herself boasted a fuller figure, adorned with generous curves and pronounced hips, she was nowhere near as voluptuous as the woman before her, who sported rosy, round cheeks, breasts that seemed disproportionally large for her frame, and a thick waist that flared into wide, childbearing hips. Daenera’s features were characterized by their dark allure, a stark contrast to the woman’s lighter attributes, their skin tones being the sole point of similarity.

None of this came as a surprise to Daenera, aligning seamlessly with the information she had gathered regarding her late husband’s specific taste.

The woman’s gaze remained fixed on Boris’s lifeless form, her eyes filled with something Daenera found baffling.

Observing this, Daenera couldn’t suppress the scoff that escaped from her lips. “Don’t tell me you loved him.”

“He treated me well,” the woman softly asserted once again, shifting her gaze from her deceased lover to his living widow. “He showed me kindness when he didn’t have to, and when he discovered I was carrying his child, he was elated. He chose to provide for us.”

“I don’t believe you,” Daenera said, regarding her with incredulity that bordered on repulsion, finding it hard to digest her words.

Caught off guard, the woman’s brows furrowed in confusion as she stammered, “Wha–why?”

“You’re a whore,” Daenera clarified, her tone laced with an icy cold as she stepped closer, ensuring her voice would remain unheard by unwanted ears. “I won’t demean your circumstances; I understand you may have had little choice in the matter of your profession. But with your line of work, one would assume you possessed the knowledge to prevent such… entanglements.”

Gently, Daenera extended her hand towards the child, letting her fingers graze through his soft, black hair. the child responded with a bubbly giggle, his drool sliding down his chubby chin, his resemblance to Boris painfully evident.

“You may have grown fond of him,” she continued, her voice softening slightly, “and I genuinely pity you for that. However, I cannot help but doubt the innocence of your pregnancy. It’s hard for me to believe that it was all just a twist of fate.”

Daenera held a glimmer of sympathy for the woman, should her story truly be a tragic tale of shattered hopes and genuine affection. Yet, she couldn’t rid herself of prevailing skepticism.

“You saw an opportunity and you took it; I cannot begrudge you that,” Daenera said, her words carrying a weight of honesty. “You glimpsed a path out of a life of prostitution, an opportunity to secure a future for yourself and your child as a mistress of a lord… I can only blame my foolish husband.”

Her hands came together, resting poised in front of her, her demeanor emanating an aura of steely resolve. “Now, tell me, what do you want?”

The woman, cradling her child, appeared to ponder for a moment before responding. “Living in a world where you perceive everyone to be driven by self-interest must be disheartening. It has made you cold.”

Daenera’s eyebrow arched inquisitively. “ Am I wrong?”

“He spoke of you,” the woman said, the grief in her expression subsiding, transforming into something weathered and hardened, “labeling you his little, docile wife, while to me, he gave the endearment of his love. He depicted you as dull, stating all he desired from you was offspring. He deemed it your obligation, one that you couldn’t fulfill. He branded you ungrateful and a bastard, asserting he wed you solely for your position to the crown.”

Daenera regarded the woman with an air of indifference. The venomous words, intended to wound, merely grazed the surface, unable to penetrate her armor. Nonetheless, Daenera’s gaze sharpened, and she inquired with a composed tone, “And what else did he share with you?”

The woman inched closer, her voice taking on a conspiratorial whisper, “He said that he discovered marks upon your body that he knows he didn’t leave. He believed you might be unfaithful… He said he was going to confront you… and then he died…”

“I would be careful, if I were you,” Daenera hummed, head tilting to the side, “If I were capable of the heinous acts you accuse me of, what makes you think I wouldn’t simply eliminate you and your child from the equation?”

“Would you truly harm a child?” The woman’s arms encircled her child protectively, turning her body away from Daenera to shield the young one, as though this physical act could provide a barrier from potential harm.

“I have no desire to,” Daenera confessed, her voice weary as she shifted her stance to stand alongside the woman. “I also have no wish to end the life of his mother. Therefore, I am sure we can come to an agreement.”

“I can’t bear the thought of going back to a life of prostitution,” the woman voiced, her words quivering as she revealed her vulnerability. “You cannot fathom the lengths I’ve gone to just to survive… The men I’ve been with… The horrors they’ve subjected me to. You can’t possibly understand the degradation of selling your body for a pittance, nor the depravity of the men who pay for your time.”

The woman paused to shush her cooing child, bouncing from one leg to another. “I dreamt of being a singer; I have a remarkable voice. I know I might not appear the part, but it’s the truth.”

Daenera’s words died on her tongue, unsaid. Despite the disparity in their situation, Daenera’ couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy for her. She realized that given the same dire circumstances, she might have made similar choices to secure her own survival and that of her child

“I know he had a temper,” the woman continued, “and that he could be… unkind. But he could also be charming and affectionate, and he loved his son. He was going to provide for us and make sure that we’d never be on the streets again.”

The woman turned her head to meet Daenera’s eye. “I know he wasn’t a good husband to you, that he was violent and cruel, and I am sorry for that. I truly am. And I know he might have deserved what fate befell him… but he was my security, my way out.”

The woman continued, her voice laced with both sorrow and candidness, “I am aware of his volatile nature, and I won’t deny his capability for cruelty. Yet, he possessed a charming and tender side as well, and he held genuine affection for his son. He was our security–our future, ensuring that we would never have to face destitution again.”

Shifting her gaze to lock eyes with Daenera, she continued earnestly,” I recognize the ordeal he put you through as his wife, I know he was violent and cruel towards you, and for that, I offer my sincerest apologies. I truly mean that. I understand that perhaps he met a fate he had coming… but to me, he was a better life, my escape from the life I desperately wanted to leave behind.”

The authenticity in the woman’s demeanor was unmistakable; her voice trembled with sincerity, and her eyes shimmered, barely holding back tears. She sniffed, looking down at her child and giving him a sweet smile.

Daenera was resolved to keep her hands clean of their blood. With this in mind, she proposed an alternative solution. “Tell me, where would you go?”

“What?” The woman uttered, caught off guard by the question.

Daenera released a breath tinged with impatience, her neck rotating in an attempt to alleviate the mounting stress that crept from her back to her temples. “Staying in King’s Landing is not an option for you.”

The woman momentarily lost her voice, seeming to grapple with the gravity of the situation. In that quietude, Daenera also weighed her options.

Though she harbored no desire to harm them, she questioned the prudence in letting them leave unscathed. The prospect of the Queen incorporating the mistress’s account into her growing suspicions loomed large in Daenera’s mind, instigating a gnawing sense of unease and causing a heavy knot of dread to settle ominously in her stomach. If this were to happen, Daenera was acutely aware that the dungeons would likely be her next grim destination.

Daenera pressed further, the solution momentarily forgotten to assess the threat. Her eyes flicked over the woman’s round and puffy face, searching for signs of deceit. “Has there been any contact from the Queen or anyone else?”

“A man approached me,” the woman confessed, a hint of trepidation in her voice. “He was inquiring about my relationship with your husband and if he had confided in me about your marriage.”

“And your response?” Daenera prodded, her tone edged with intensity.

“I kept my silence on most matters,” the woman assured, and strand of hair escaping its confines from a delicate silver pin. “I only spoke of your husband’s discontent; I revealed nothing else.”

“Can you describe this man?” Daenera demanded, her voice now sharper and more urgent.

“I don’t know him. He was tall, with a bald spot,” the woman provided, her expression earnest. “He was unfamiliar, but his demeanor… It was harsh. Such men are commonplace in the taverns of Flea Bottom. Criminals.”

“Did he bear any distinctive marks or symbols?” Daenera persisted.

“He wore a pin,” the woman recalled, releasing her hold on her child momentarily to gesture to her chest where a brooch might be fastened. “Right here. It was a copper insect. It resembled a toe, but who would wear a toe as a brooch? I believe it was a fly, or something of that nature.”

“Has anyone else reached out to you?” Daenera continued her line of questioning. “The White Worm, perhaps?”

“The White Worm knows only what I disclosed to the man,” the woman confessed, a tremor of fear now evident in her voice. “I wanted to approach you directly–”

“Why?”

“Because you’re his wife,” the woman remarked, shifting the infant in her arms, as the little one battled the grip of sleep. “Regardless of his words about you, I’ve heard tales of your benevolence, and for that, I am grateful and apologetic for being the other woman.”

Daenera, feeling a pressure building up in the temples, massaged the bridge of her nose. “You’re better than most, then.”

“I hope to be,” the woman replied, gently kissing her son’s forehead in a tender display of motherly love. “I want to be better, for his sake.”

“That’s… commendable,” Daenera acknowledged.

“Once you experience motherhood, you’ll understand,” the woman said softly, offering Daenera a sympathetic smile.

Daenera let the words linger unanswered, choosing instead to focus on possible resolutions. “I’m willing to provide you with respectable employment. I have connections with the Blackwoods in the North, and I can secure a position for you in their household. In addition, I will ensure you are provided with a generous sum before you leave King’s Landing. Alternatively, if you prefer, I can arrange for you to travel across the Narrow Sea, although I cannot promise you what life awaits for you there.”

Daenera adopted a stern, no-nonsense tone as she outlined the conditions, “Your silence is linchpin of this agreement. Should I discover that you’ve divulged anything you think you know, I assure you, the consequences will be severe.”

“The North is said to have its own charm,” the woman remarked, a faint smile playing in her eyes, almost as if she were relieved. “I’ve never really taken to the heat, and I’ve yet to experience snow.”

“Does this mean you’re in agreement?” Daenera sought confirmation.

“I am.”

“Then you must leave King’s Landing without delay,” Daenera commanded, descending the steps with purpose towards Joyce and the guards that surrounded the table filled with pouches of coins to be given out. Retrieving a hefty pouch of coins, she placed it firmly in the woman’s hand, her grip lingering. “One of my men will accompany you to your residence and ensure your safe departure from the city. He will also provide you with additional funds to secure your passage and protection on your journey North.”

“Thank you, Princess,” the woman said and the expression upon her face was one of genuine gratitude.

As Kevan Mertyns led Teya away from the sept, Daenera’s gaze lingered on their retreating forms. Her hand subconsciously fidgeted with the ring on her finger, while her brow was drawn in a line of deep contemplation. She was acutely aware that immediate action was necessary to ensure Teya’s safe departure from the city, lest the Queen or others get to her.

#aemond targaryen #house of the dragon #hotd #aemond fanfiction #hotd aemond #aemond x reader #aemond x oc #aemond one eye #hotd fanfic #aemond smut #A Vow of Blood

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maironsbigboobs · 3 months

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Finrod/sauron and 52? 👀👉👈

52. out of lust

“Findaráto...”

The voice is soft as moonlight, coming out of the shadows. Findaráto clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. The feelings it invoked him were not unfamiliar; he knew it was desire that coursed under his skin, achingly hot, flooding him. He did not object to them, but to him.

Gorthaur’s form shimmered behind his eyelids, melting out of the darkness. For all Findaráto hated him, he was beautiful; he was fire made flesh, thrumming with Song, perfect as any jewel of the Noldor. It would have been easier if he was as dark and terrible as his craft.

“Findaráto...” The voice crooned again, and then soft fingers danced over his skin, as light as the breeze. But each brush against his skin left sweltering red marks, almost burning him. Findaráto bit back a moan. He so badly wanted to give in. He wanted. To taste the beauty of the ainur...

“Findaráto.” The third time the voice came from in front of him. Findaráto opened his eyes, blinking against the darkness. Gorthaur’s unblinking eyes looked back at him, taunting. And suddenly rage mingled with his lust and Findaráto lunged, grasping the sorcerer by the throat. Hidden strength welled up inside him and he threw him to the ground; in his haze of desire and rage, he did not question the lack of resistance. He kissed him, tasting ash and death on his lips and blood, bitter as iron. Gorthaur returned the kiss with fiendish delight as Findaráto’s hand squeezed around his throat.

He gave in to the desire inside him: his kisses grew more heated, devouring Gorthaur who writhed beneath him.

“Oh, Findaráto.” The voice from behind him. Findaráto watched in horror as the shape before him melted back into the shadow. He spun around to see Gorthaur’s mocking smile. “I always knew you wanted me.”

#answered #curufiin #finrod/sauron #finrod #sauron #fic #:3 #my fic

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simsinlowspace · 2 years

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Freetime Posters - 12 Games Hobby Posters

Happy weekend everyone! 💖 The next batch of Freetime Posters is ready to go -- this week's hobby is games! Swatch, details and download beneath thy cut! ♕

These are on @linacheries’ excellent 4t2 conversion of Simsza’s National Park Prints (mesh is included), and they feature another 12 designs made with Flaticon elements + lots of Simlish fonts. They’re all inspired by locations, items and features from the game.

Translations:

Side Pocket Pool Table Advertisement for the in-game item

Banner: Strangetown Chess Club Body: 88 Road to Nowhere Fridays, 7 - 9 PM I figured of all the neighborhoods, Strangetown would be the most likely to have a chess club

Burled Wood Dartboard Advertisement for the in-game item

SimBowl Lanes Advertisement for the Downtown lot. I'm not much of a movie person, but I love The Big Lebowski and I couldn't pass up the chance at a reference (and also ended up re-watching it while I worked on these because it's been a hot minute)

Speedy's Fast Lanes Bowling & Eats Advertisement for the other Downtown bowling alley

Four Blessing Mahjong Table I debated whether or not I should do another mahjong poster since I already have one in my BV Travel Poster set, but this was kind of my only opportunity to shoehorn some flowers into this batch, so that settled it XD

Inter@ctive Arcade Possibly the worst lot name in the game (Inter-at-ctive? Really?), but it made for a cool design, so! I figured I'd just roll with Maxis' questionable punnery on this one :P

Games of Glory For the games hobby secret lot

Maxis Game Simulator Advertisement for the in-game item

SSX 3 THIS DAMN GAME. Lol my Sims are always addicted to this thing, I had to make a poster for it. I tried to recreate the logo in Simlish as best I could...it's not quite as "action-y", but it's pretty close.

52 Pickup Card Table Advertisement for the in-game item

Don't Wake the Llama! Advertisement for the in-game item

No hobby trainers this time! 😲 There were so many items and lots associated with gaming that I didn't really see a way (or a necessity) to fit them in.

A numbered swatch is included.

Icons are by Freepik, mynamepong, justicon, Luvdat, Good Ware, BZZRINCANTATION, Chanut-is-Industries, Smashicons, monkik, and Ina Mella. Much gratitude as always for their awesome resources! <3

DOWNLOAD (SFS) Recolors are ~350KB

Lots of love, Spacey

UPDATE: Now that this series is complete, here is a master list of all the posts, plus a single download link for all the posters. All swatches are included, and files are sorted into folders so you can easily keep just what you like:

Tinkering Nature Arts & Crafts Fitness Science Cuisine Sports Games Music & Dance Film & Literature

DOWNLOAD ALL THE POSTERS (SFS) Recolors are ~8.5MB

You can now also get all the designs on BV's Travel Keeper!

#s2cc #ts2cc #ts2 download #sims 2 download #ts2 custom content #sims 2 custom content #s2 cc #ts2 art #ts2 #ts2 posters #ts2 wall decorations

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gentleman-todd · 8 months

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When you think about it the timeline in WFA doesn’t make any fucking sense. Unless - now that I think about it - WFA isn’t technically a sanitized version of post-crisis canon, but nu52 canon (which doesn’t fully uncomplicate things but would make a bit more sense). Because - and hear me out for real - if Jason (at least in season one) was 19 years old but already going under the Red Hood moniker and wearing a “bat symbol” then that means (and I’m specifically talking about Jason but the timeline stuff gets even more fucked up when you factor in Duke and other “newer” Bats) that the entirety of B:UTRH happens in one year. Hell, probably less than that.

Not only that either, but from 18 to 19 he would’ve had to have found and then formed the Outlaws (both versions considering his relationships with Roy, Artemis, & Bizz), reconciled with Bruce, met a ten year old Damian way earlier than in the comics, met Duke way earlier than in the comics (+Duke’s already Signal and has powers so a lot of story beats for him would’ve had to happen in a laughably short amount of time as well), and established himself as a hero under Batman to Gotham and her citizens to the extent that he’s automatically recognized as such.

Now, I don’t like to think about the WFA timeline too much for this exact reason, but I am nothing if not the exact type of person that would take the time out to do just that so whatever. Long story short the WFA timeline gives me a headache because it’s clearly not meant to be thought about and dissected as much as I’m dissecting it but I can’t help myself.

The new 52 angle makes sense for Jason’s personality too, not fully because he’s being sanitized in WFA (like how characters are sanitized in stuff like Justice League: Action or the Batman: Unlimited animations), but way closer a personality match than if WFA!Jason was based directly off post-crisis Jason. Yeah, there’s just no other way.

That would also explain why Cass’s uniform is the way it is in WFA. (Listen, the more I write this the more I realize that I’m probably not the first person to come to this realization, but just let me figure things out at my own speed, OK?)

Question: Is Jason 19 the entire time in the new 52 continuity? Edit: I checked and the answer is yes, but also no? Like, he ages, but the ages are kinda wonky because nu52!Jason dies at 16, but is only gone for (I think) two years instead of five like in post-crisis, but they fit a lot of story and development into those two years that Jason’s “dead” and honing his craft or whatever.

#jason todd #red hood #the shit just doesn’t make any sense #jason todd wfa #batman: wayne family adventures #wayne family adventures #wfa #the bitch speaks💕#the bitch speaks•#thoughts #+w #don’t ask me why the fuck I decided I wanted to talk about wfa of all things at random #I don’t know

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95cest · 11 months

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1. are u good with ur hands? are u better at practical stuff like fixing things, crafting-type stuff, or fine arts?

2. what are ur feelings on the beach

3. how do u deal w/ bugs in the house

4. have u ever experienced a death in the family that actually mattered to u

5. how quickly do u generally pick up new skills or knowledge? are u better at learning "book" knowledge or hands on stuff

6. what are u sleeping habits? can u fall asleep anywhere or do u need total silence and darkness type of thing? would u feel comfortable sharing a bed with a stranger?

7. do u have any genuinely irrational fears or phobias? did something cause it?

8. describe your dream house

9. if u were strongly outnumbered in a fight but u were genuinely in the right and like ur point was super valid would u stand ur ground or run away

10. how do u feel about your body

11. if u were shipwrecked on a deserted island, how long would u survive

12. do u have tattoos/piercings and do they have any particular meanings

13. how well can u cook? do u like it? WOULD u like it if u could?

14. would u rather travel all around the world but not have an actual home, or stay in your home town with family and friends but never leave the state

15. ur in a burning room and u can only save 1 thing: $1,000,000 or a living animal

16. how do u show affection

17. do you like fashion/do you like the way you dress

18. do you wanna be famous? if u WERE famous what would it be for

19. how do u react to people u don't like flirting w u

20. is loyalty or morality more important

21. do u believe in ghosts?

22. off the top of ur head what is ur best and wirst quality (say the first thing that comes to ur brain)

23. are u the type of person to correct someone's grammar while they're speaking

24. would u prefer to live alone or with roommtes

25. how fast do u think u could solve a rubiks cube be honest

26. ur held at gunpoint and forced to participate in a cosplay convention, who r u being

27. what would be ur 3 genie wishes

28. what is your biggest 1) personality and 2) physical insecurity

29. if u woke up one day and were in a male body what would u do

30. do u feel like u fit in w ur culture

31. u are watching someone be bullied firsthand what do u do

32. are u susceptible to peer pressure? are u susceptible to family pressure?

33. u have to live in an alternate universe, where r u going (like marvel, naria, whatevs)

34. did you have a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, doll, etc. as a child? do u still have it/when did u stop using it?

35. if u were given $1,000 dollars to spend on things for ur own entertainment what would u do

36. how would u describe ur own appearance? do u think u have a skewed perception of urself or do u think u accurately know urself

37. do u have any bad habits or compulsions

38. is there anyone you'd truly be willing to die for

39. do u think ur charismatic or does it take time for people to warm up to u ? why do u think this is?

40. what are the longest romantic and platonic relationships you've had

41. what's something u never go anywhere without (don't say phone or wallet lame-o)

42. name ur favorite fictional character from a) tv show b) movie c) book

43. name a fictional character that u think is a lot like u whether or not u like them

44. are u a spender or a saver

45. have u ever gotten in trouble w the law

46. is there anything in history ur super interested in

47. if u lived in a magic world what would u be

48. do u think ur self-aware (this is an ironic question bc a self-unaware peson would have no idea whether or not they are aware)

49. would u put yourself in danger to help a stranger

50. what is the most useless thing you would buy if u could

51. how do u react to conflict (physical and emotional)

52. what's ur ideal vacation

53. are u athletic

54. are u a thinker or a doer ? would u rather plan an idea or actually do it

55. do u take unnecessary risks? do u get into trouble often?

56. do u act differently around strangers compared to around friends? how dramatic is the difference?

57. do u cheat when playing card/board games

58. how do u react to frustration

59. do u get worked up easily

60. have u ever fainted or been unconscious

61. can u easily entertain urself

62. are u good at staying in touch w people/calling/texting?

63. do u prefer playing games at amusement parks or going on rides

64. are u clumsy or coordinated

65. do u have any special nicknames

66. what is the worst physical injury you've encountered

67. how would u react if someone tried to rob ur house while u were there

68. are u patient? are u patient w EVERYONE?

69. whats ur first email address

70. ur webkinz user?

71. do u have any scars and what r they from

72. how well do u handle ur emotions? do u breakdown often?

73. do u like receiving gifts in front of others or does it make u shy

74. do u spend a lot of time on grooming

75. what's the most expensive thing you bought yourself

76. who do u tell your secrets to? and who do u tell other people's secrets to? do u tell other people's secrets even if they tell u not to?

77. what's something petty that makes you mad

78. what are your pet peeves

79. what's something important you look for in a friend

80. what do you try to steer clear of in a friend

81. a job you could NEVER do

82. if you had to choose a career path that has nothing to do with what you're doing now what would it be

83. ugliest color combo you can think of

84. if u were a fantasy villain whats ur weapon on choice

85. who is a celebrity you are attracted to but you can't really explain why

86. a show or movie u love but people make fun of u for

87. which divergent faction would u actually be in vs. what faction would u want to be in

88. have you ever witnessed a crime or an arrest being made

89. what gives you butterflies

90. tell any fun memory that comes to ur head rn

91. name your top 3 favorites singers (purely from voice not music)

92. if u were planning a music festival for urself who would ur headliners be

93. if u were planning a music festival for the public who would ur headliners be

94. what's a stupid or silly thing u do when no one is looking

95. what's a red flag of yours

96. what are u a hypocrite about

97. where is a place you will never go back to

98. ur famous. ur doing a press tour and u need to select a talk show to promote ur newest project which one would you choose and why

99. if u were a cartoon character what animation style would u be drawn in

100. pick 3 things that you genuinely love about yourself and wouldn't change

101. 3 things about yourself that u want to brag about but never get the chance to

102. explain something that pisses you off when you think about it, no matter how small

103. rant about something you really need to complain about

104. longest grudge you've ever held?

#question tag

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velkyr · 3 months

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DUSK QUESTIONS MOMENT. 1, 10, 40, 52!! 👀

ON IT BOSS!!!! o7 (tysmmmm for letting me ramble mwah. I wrote more than I expected as per usual 💖)

(original ask game post here)

I've read more'd this because oops it got so long sorry orz

Why did you pick the race you did for your Tav?

the short answer is always just going to be I love tieflings, I am weak for tieflings, this is a universal unchangeable fact amen 🙏 I think 3 of the... 6(? I might be forgetting some other oneshot-only characters idk) characters I've played at a table have been tiefs or homebrew variants of them! they're very gender to me, I felt that way before I even really knew jackshit about my own gender. absolutely batshit that I still thought I was cis when I started playing d&d lmfao. also horns tails fangs and claws need I say more. I shan't, I don't have to

but yeah specifically for Dusk, I wanted to base them off of my first d&d character in particular, who was a tiefling homebrew to represent an au ra from ffxiv in our homebrew campaign based around the game. so it was important to me they were also a tiefling draconic sorcerer to match!

a lot has changed about them while I've reworked them, but many of the fundamentals have remained the same. gender, motivations, reasoning and general force of personality have been altered towards things that I find more compelling or more fitting, 6 years down the line - but race and class, the idea of them being nobility who left their home(land) and has a bunch of hangups around it, that's all as it was back then.

10. If your Tav didn’t become an adventurer, what else would they be doing?

this is an interesting one, I've been stewing on it a fair bit recently while I've been thinking about what they'd do post-bg3 shenanigans. the thing with Dusk is I've infused them with So Much raw adhd (to the point of it far surpassing my own, oops. this seems to be how I bestow love on my favourite OCs at this point), they Need enough outlets in their day-to-day life or they'll end up in an understimulated mess pretty quickly.

adventuring is obviously a solid option for that need! but without that on the table, I think it needs to be something that caters strongly to their interests and whims. I can see them working well in a profession involving enchantment and/or working with jewels and precious metals. enchanting things would be a good way to siphon off some of that raw sorcerer magic - if they don't use it often enough, there's a build up of sorts. with it being lightning based, it's a bit like having an unstable motor that runs way too fast, and it makes them incredibly irritable.

as for the crafting part of the equation, well, they're already fascinated by shiny things, they're pretty detail oriented and good with their hands, and it's the kind of skilled manual work that requires Just Enough focus to be stimulating. the only thing they'd probably end up hating about either of these would be dealing with noble clientele lmao, but I have no doubt they'd find a way to exploit that anyway. while they may not be the most book smart in the world, they're people smart by necessity. (something something insight proficiency)

and really, as an alternative or perhaps on the side, I don't think they'd be opposed to sex work if it were an environment they felt comfortable in, with a well-vetted set of clientele that they have full autonomy over.

40. What is the biggest mistake your Tav ever made?

welcome to 'pick a struggle' with Dusk, they have their fair share,,,

there's a couple of things that stick out, but I'll stick with one that's pretty fundamental to them. they deeply regret having lashed out at and pushed away the people that tried to help them when they were younger, still stuck living in elturel.

while they can't entirely be blamed for it - they were conditioned to think and feel a certain way, and those patterns were ingrained across a lifetime, all the hallmarks of the abuse they faced - at the end of the day, the friends they'd made after they started sneaking out at night were only trying to help them see how awful their living situation was.

by the time Dusk fled home, they'd burned all the bridges they'd tentatively built over the years. their best friend at the time was the one who made a sort of last ditch attempt to convince them, and it came at the right place, the right time to push them into leaving. but it was outright said that none of them wanted to see them again, after all of the vitriol.

with the distance of years and the gift of hindsight, they regret it all the more. they haven't really forgiven themselves for it.

52. What is your Tav’s worst fear?

oh you already know this one I'm sure 🤠 but I'll elaborate it into something a bit broader that pokes at the Theming more.

they fear being forced back into a gilded cage - whether that's being dragged back home to their family or pushed into a new one. they fear the loss of the autonomy they've carved out for themselves. they fear a loss of identity, and the concept of having it stripped from them, reducing them back into some (feminine) trophy to be given away for material gain.

at its core, it's a loathing of the idea of heteronormativity, really. that's what I always parallel it to, and it's pretty on the nose in that regard.

granted, it's kind of a paradoxical fear for them. they're so thoroughly weary after spending so long living with their guard up, molding themselves into someone who can take on the world alone, that in secret, there's a part of them that just doesn't want to fight anymore. that part would be tempted to give up - to let themselves be reshackled, so to speak - if the circumstances were dire, so long as there were the promise of them being safe and cared for at the end.

as a secondary but very much related thing, they've also come to fear and resent being alone, and the idea of being left behind by people they care about.

#me: oh I can be concise about this obviously #also me over an hour later: wait where did all of these words come from nobody could have predicted this wtf #local brainworm haver has brainworms over their favourite lizard more at 11 #tysm again <3 #dusk

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devsquared · 7 months

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For Theatre International we're supposed to bring in the text of a post from the internet that we find this week that is particularly striking

There's a bird site post floating around here I'm going to use, a post Michael Sheen wrote to a fan in answer to a question about their lack of confidence causing them trouble in a role they'd been cast in:

"Imagine the character is a real person who can only live again when someone plays them. They're desperate to be alive. To connect with people. To breathe. To see. To touch. Only you have the power to give that to them. Now get on with it and leave your worrying about yourself"

I love this so, so much. Memorised it immediately

Never been able to just "be confident." Oh sure I can fake it, but it's brittle and liable to lead to a self-centred sort of insecurity that revolves on itself getting ever worse, like the midnight picking of a hangnail. Bah. Useless. Boring

But shift the lens from the artist as someone who has to do it "right" - whatever that even means - to the artist as someone helping someone else, that's a mental-emotional place I can work from and thrive even in terrifying or frustrating conditions

It's like helping a friend move house, isn't it? You don't endlessly wonder if you're carrying the cartons "correctly." Or how other people will perceive your carton carrying. Cartons need carried; you carry cartons. Doesn't even matter if you're not confident about it. Your friend needs help and you provide it. I'm not trying to say there's no craft; I am saying that if there's craft in carton carrying, it probably comes after self-aware pantomime carton carrying gives way to authentic carton carrying

Very cool and sexy of the world to give me the 52 words that sever the entire artistic process from the rubbish holding me back right when I needed them and was ready to listen

#acting #quotes #Michael Sheen #confidence #hi yes #welcome to my art blog/ photo/ blog / apparently now therapy journal #where I apparently write in round-about fashion about trying to get over whatever the pandemic did to me

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oraclekleo · 1 year

Text

@taste-like-vanilla + Minatozaki Sana (Twice) - The Path of the Dragon - Relationship Progress ver. Tarot Reading

Disclaimer:

All celebrity readings have purely entertainment nature

I don’t know any of the celebrities personally

Don’t base life decisions purely on tarot readings

I can never guarantee any of what’s said in the reading

This a digital content only, no physical item will be shipped to you

Due to this fact, there are no refunds for paid readings

Reading Info:

Rating: 18+

Reading Type: Single - Couple

Requested: Yes - No

Requester: @taste-like-vanilla

Deck(s): The Light Seer’s Tarot

Spread: The Path of the Dragon - Relationship Progress ver.

Questions:

The Offering (First Meeting)

The Sacrifice (Dating)

The Fox (Kissing)

The Punishment (Making Out)

The Purifying Fire (First Night)

The Death (Sexual Chemistry)

The Dragon (Wedding)

Celebrity Info:

Full Name: Minatozaki Sana

Stage Name: Sana

Group: Twice

DOB: 29.12.1996

Blood Type: B

MBTI: ENFP

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Chinese Sign: Fire Rat

Life Path Number: 3

Masterpost: TWICE

Minatozaki Sana

@taste-like-vanilla + Sana (Twice)

DOB: 29.12.1996 Blood Type: B MBTI: ENFP Sun Sign: Capricorn Chinese Sign: Fire Rat Life Path Number: 3

Spread: The Path of the Dragon - Relationship Progress ver. Deck: The Light Seer’s Tarot

The Offering (First Meeting) [31] - V The Hierophant

You have been acting a certain way most of your life, following the teachings and patterns you found fit. However, once you meet Sana, those are no longer helpful or relevant to you. Nobody says you should disrespect traditions but maybe they are no longer suited for you and Sana. Once you meet, it feels like a gateway towards new horizons, you make your own rules now, you are free to follow your own compass. It might even feel like a spiritual awakening, something grand happening, pieces of puzzle falling into their place.

The Sacrifice (Dating) [32] - 8 of Pentacles

Either you or Sana or both of you are perfectionists in a way. Your dating phase is likely to be carefully scripted, crafted and scheduled in order to build the bond and relationship. Love is your goal and you pursue it consistently and methodically. You are likely to always find time for each other, no matter how the schedules are packed. You excel in honest and direct communication while dating and you hardly ever feel the need to hide or tell white lies to each other. You don’t take shortcuts towards a happy relationship, you put your energy, passion and effort into this and it’s likely to pay off in connection based on a solid foundation.

The Fox (Kissing) [14] - VI The Emperor

This is a very dom type of card. Your first kiss and all the kisses that come is likely to originate in a firm determination and based in solid unshakeable facts. Your kissing sessions might lack some emotional depth to them but the more they are passionate and mastered. While the desire is high, you are still able to control the impulses and keep the reins in your hands. You are not likely to lose your head in the kiss, more likely it makes you more alert of what’s going on. Hickies and teeth marks may occur frequently as you both put some force into your kissing.

The Punishment (Making Out) [41] - Ace of Pentacles

Your kissing is likely to often escalate into make out sessions when you both get rather handsy and thirsty for skinship. There’s nothing cute or giggly about your make outs, you take them seriously and you put a lot of passion and desire into them. Your make outs are not catapulting you to the cloud 9, they ground you, make you feel firmly connected and they are very physical. Touching, stroking, squeezing, scratching, sucking, licking and pushing and pulling are all likely to be part of your routine. The ace holds a big potential so it’s very likely your make out sessions serve as foreplay for even hotter action.

The Purifying Fire (First Night) [51, 52] - 8 of Wands, XVII The Star

With this type of high physical attraction between you and Sana it’s no surprise that the decision to take things further is made in a split-second. At one point your make out escalates and there’s no way back. Not that any of you would actually want to rewind the time. While the wands here signify high speed and momentum, the Star card is an assurance that you are both on the right path and your decision, no matter how quick, is a right one. Your first time might be a real quickie, a result of pent up tension and suppressed desires. Once it happens, it feels nearly healing, it’s simply the cure for your horny ache. Lol… Sorry for the expression, but it came to my mind so I have to share it with you to be completely honest.

The Death (Sexual Chemistry) [13] - King of Wands

Oh yeah! The chemistry is good. Like if you haven’t guessed that from the previous parts. The physical and sexual attraction is very strong between you and Sana, you genuinely feel pulled to each other like a magnet. The passion and lust is freely flowing in between you, creating delightful spicy tension. You can jokingly seduce each other during the day only to act upon your jokes at night.

The Dragon (Wedding) [29] - 9 of Cups

Sana’s and your wedding would be a dream come true. A fulfilled wish, a grand occasion celebrated with all the loved ones. The cups here can denote more of a private occasion with only the ones that are closest to both of you but taken to perfection in all aspects - dresses, flowers, venue, music, cake, everything is picture perfect and according to your taste.

Thank you for reading!

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theworldoffandoming · 2 months

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Extremely sad to hear that you didn't receive any character asks before, so I'm making up for it by sending LOTS! :3c Your characters are wonderful and I want to hear more about them. Feel free to answer as many or as few as you'd like!

How about 2, 3, 9, 15, 19, 24, 28, 42, 46, 52 for any characters of your choice :>

Oh my goodness!! Thank you!!

Uh let's see let's see!!

2. How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

Oh boy I have a whole essay on this one let's see!!

I wanna start out by saying that I have thought a lot the word for friend in the islanders' language, Zavira Kara. So I think once I talk about that I'll then define what a friend is for each of the characters. Slightly off-topic I guess but I have Thoughts™️

In Zavira Kara, the term for friend is often used in compounds that extend into romantic territory so isn't explicitly a platonic word, but is understood to be one way or another in certain contexts. But anyways, the word in question, 'tawe,' is a very simple compound comprised of 'ta,' meaning one, and 'we' (pronounced weh), meaning two. In its simplest sense it refers to a pair. They might use a different word when referring to more than one friend, not sure. 🤔 Anyways, tawe generally refers to someone you have a longstanding sense of camaraderie with.

Now for specifics.

Tsuname - Coming at it from this angle, a tawe is like a chair you can lean back on. If you've been out for a long time and are tired, they're someone you can come back to and rest for a while with.

Sz'nami - A tawe is like a door. Lots of potential, full of adventure and the unknown. Even doors you've passed through hundreds of times can still hold excitement and mystery, even if they've grown familiar.

Sh'zkai - At worst, a tawe is a chain. It holds you down, grounds you to the place where everyone expects you to be. At best, it's similar to Sz'nami's view. A door, full of unknowns and uncharted waters. It also makes it a little dangerous.

Ril'siiya - A tawe is everybody. You're a tawe, he's a tawe, she's a tawe. We're all tawe! Now a riho or a riha tawe... That's like a brother or a sister. That's much more serious and is a much closer bond. Not quite blood family, there's a small degree of separation there, but very close and in her case closer than she was even to certain blood relatives. A riha or riho tawe is someone's arms you can fall back into and rest in.

And that's all the islanders I'll do for now. Moving on...

Korosa - a friend is a joke to him. At best, perhaps it could be some kind of war bond. It annoys him to see people being friendly. Often leads him to believe people are conspiring against him (his defining trait is paranoia btw). It would take a long time for him to call anybody truly a friend. Deep down, I think he does wish he could have someone he could trust. Maybe that's part of what irks him about seeing people being friendly with each other. On the one hand he thinks it's stupid and they're stupid and that they're playing with fire and waiting to be stabbed in the back. Perhaps even thinks he's above them. That he's smarter for not making dumb decisions and trusting people like them. That all he needs are his weapons and his shop and his things. That he doesn't need them or their approval, let alone their affection. His craft speaks for itself and he knows his own worth.

Okay, maybe answered that in a roundabout way, but moving on XD;

3. How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

Shiido's very stoic, so it takes an audience look generally to know what's going on inside. If he's particularly angry sometimes some cold anger may slip through the cracks. Generally though he's learned not to show weakness.

Waizu is often a puzzle, creating a persona and acting kind to get the results he wants. Sometimes though, the faintest hint of his real emotions do shine through. He's a little more expressive around those he doesn't need to put on an act around, but even then there still can be a layer of distance.

Korosa is far more of an open book than he'd like people to think. Though he can put on an act, he's generally bad at hiding his real emotions, much to his detriment. His solution is generally just to mask everything with anger. Usually cracks start to form though and there will be something of a tell. Shaking fists, avoiding eye contact, stuttering depending on what emotion he's trying to hide.

Nell is a practiced performer. It generally takes someone he can let down his guard with or someone he's particularly angry with to start showing tells. A flick of the tail, a calculating look, a tilt of the head, whatever it may be. For everyone else he puts on a performance. Rarely if ever will you see any real emotion out of performance mode, but if you're lucky (or unlucky) you might get a few tells- an ominous blank stare if you've made him angry, or he's perceived a serious threat from you; an undertone of exasperation if you've annoyed him.

Tsuname I don't even think has ever tried to hide his emotions. That's not to say he's incapable of showing respect, though that does get a lot worse after he gets back from space. But yeah, generally he shows his emotions to any and everyone indiscriminately. If he ever does learn to mask, it will probably be with sorrow or great effort. Being told he was effeminate at a delicate point in his life I think kind of froze his maturity in time. It's only once he starts being mentored by Gangarame that he starts to learn how to take responsibility for his actions and be a man when he's felt like just a boy all his life.

Naru also tends to show her real emotions pretty indiscriminately and similarly lacks self-control. Ironically she might be slightly better on both fronts than Tsuname though. She does have moments of being more stoic and reclusive, especially later in life, but the former is generally her thinking face and the latter may be a more of a symptom of distrust and suspicion than emotional masking. A defense mechanism of sorts.

Sz'nami is more of a middle ground. She for sure shows emotions, but is one of the best at regulating. There's for sure little tells if she's hiding an emotion. She isn't able to completely mask her emotions, especially strong ones, but she definitely has some endurance when it comes to them and can pretty well mask smaller ones. Probably the healthiest emotional expressor of the bunch.

Ril'siiya - Very expressive, probably a middle ground between Tsuname and Sz'nami. More than happy to express how she feels, but has far more emotional endurance than someone like Tsuname. Is genuine and friendly with everyone she meets. Does little to mask fear, though it's a non-neglible amount. Will yell at you if she is genuinely furious, but you'd have to have pushed her far to get there. If you annoy her it will start seeping out. Though genuine and expressive, she does have a non-neglible masking ability and has the ability to process her emotions, even if they are loud. What the audience will get to know is likely details of what's going on with her behind the scenes. Characters might get more of an overview unless it's a deep conversation.

9. Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

Korosa- gives tough with a capital T. I don't even think he knows how to give it gentle and his efforts to do so would be stilted. I think secretly he'd prefer to receive gentle, though if he ever encountered it he'd likely perceive it as a threat.

Sh'zkai - If Korosa's is tough, hers is razor sharp. Even with someone she genuinely cares about she'd probably be pretty brutal if they came to her for advice. She might prefer to take it tough too. Though on some level she probably likes being treated gently, being fawned over makes her uncomfortable, so there's a line there.

(Terramun folk)

Kokuen - famous for her edgelady status. I think there's some part of her that wants to be treated gently, but when she encounters it she tends to assume the worst about people. She's not very good at taking tough love though. She prefers to dish it out in heaps, but doesn't tolerate it from anyone else.

Elyse - probably unintentionally sharp. It doesn't help that Kokuen's rubbed off on her. Though she can take it, she finds tough love kind of annoying, especially since it generally means a lecture from Kokuen these days. On the other hand, she doesn't know how to process gentle love, so she probably prefers somewhere in between. I think she appreciates people being genuine with her.

Harsha- prefers to dish it out gentle, but is more resilient to tough love than you might expect, probably also thanks to Kokuen. Too much can probably get annoying, but it'd have to be something intentionally sharp or biting.

Lico - gives gentle, prefers gentle. He grew up in a tough environment with a lot of criticism directed towards him, so he tends to be gentle with people. It's how he would have wanted to be treated.

Taffy - though he can for sure handle tough love, I think does prefer gentle. I think he can get a bit defensive when the tough stuff's directed at him. I think on general he's gentle with people, but will give it tough for particularly obstinate cases where actual harm could come from a situation.

15. What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

Shiido - I think for sure his expressiveness. Though he tends to mask around people, he's far more expressive when he's alone, though even then he might still hold a little back.

Korosa - probably acts pretty similar between work and being alone since he spends so much time at the shop, often by himself. Just puts on more of an act for people. When he's not at the shop, probably forced to be because of moving locations with the platoon, he might let down his guard a little in his tent.

Friends probably fall into that acting category until they really get through to him. Back with the platoon though, people generally gave up on getting to know him, so he didn't have any friends there. Even his customers usually just put in an order and tried to interact with him face to face as little as possible. He's pushed everyone there away and several people are frankly sick of him, even his commander.

19. What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

Korosa - Accuse them of stalking probably and make it out to be the other person's fault they're stuck here.

Naru - Squeeze herself into a corner and glare.

Shiido - strike up a conversation with them.

Tsuname - awkwardly wave and talk to them nervously.

Ril'siiya - express in no uncertain terms that she's annoyed with the other person and was trying to avoid them. Probably annoy them and poke them.

Sh'zkai - plot their demise.

Sz'nami - make awkward small talk with them.

Kokuen - make death threats probably.

Elyse - find a corner of the room to lay on the floor in.

Harsha - Say hello awkwardly and fidget.

Lico - Try to find out more about the other person.

24. Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?

(Twin Scars characters; project on indefinite hiatus)

Isura - yes, sugar cookie

Megan - yes, it had pink glitter sprinkles on it

28. What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

I'll tell you what I want

What I really, really want

So tell me what you want

What you really, really want

I wanna (Hey!), I wanna (Hey!)

If you wanna be my lover

You gotta get with my friends (Gotta get with my friends)

Make it last forever, friendship never ends

Anyways... XD

Naru - especially as a teen she'd tell people she wanted a hug. What she really wanted though was a deeper relationship.

Shiido - will rarely tell people what he wants unless it's something mundane. If we're talking any emotional need, you had to have really bothered him to get him to express it. He probably wants to be left alone, which is true. He probably needs to decompress and think.

What he won't tell you is that he's trying to find the middle ground between conviction and happiness. That he'd only tell someone he really trusts. He wants to be happy without guilt. He wants to find a way to do things right. At least that's where he's at in his late teens.

Tsuname - For all his emotionalness, he may not actually be very honest with people about what he wants unless pushed. Even if it's something mundane, he may hem and haw until he has no choice but to ask. Otherwise he might find a way to get whatever it is he's looking for on his own. He also isn't very honest about his emotional needs unless it's very clear there's a disconnect and he's desperate enough to be understood. Most often, he'd probably tell people to leave for their own safety. If he's been pushed far enough into expressing that, leave quietly or tread with extreme caution and be prepared.

Ril'siiya - If it's some material object, she will give you a list. Otherwise, it depends. If you've made her angry and she wants you to leave, she will probably point away and tell you in no uncertain terms. She probably needs to recover her shredded dignity. If you've annoyed her, wow, you must have been really trying hard to. She will probably shoo you away so she can similarly recover. For any mundane need like that she'll be pretty upfront about it. She's bored, she will tell you and then go off to find stimulation. It's the deeper needs that are harder to get out of her. She buries a lot of that deep down and keeps it locked. Might not even be honest with herself about it, it's so shut down inside. Even then it's probably something generic, like, wants to be understood, maybe wants to be loved but the memory of her family being taken from her is right there with it so she flinches back from the idea and fills her life with all various things to keep it down and buried. She finds other ways to be fulfilled generally, and she isn't without familial love in the form of Sz'nami and even her grandmother to some extent. So it isn't like that need goes unfulfilled either. It's just not something she says with words, so relationships where she has to express those deeper needs verbally are harder for her.

Korosa - will tell people he wants to be left alone. Deep down though, he also seeks someone who will understand him.

42. If invited to a TED Talk, what topic would they present on? What would the title of their presentation be?

Elyse - Why Kokuen is a Bully and Should be Avoided

Kokuen - Why Clark is Definitely Stalking Me

46. Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Ril'siiya LOVES to talk. She will talk SO much. You really have to be serious and level with her to get her to listen. She will probably be looking for opportunities to keep talking though. She is someone who generally enjoys the cadence of her own speech and gets carried away.

Shiido - a listener with a slice of talking. He might talk just to keep the conversation going. But beyond conjunctive phrases, to really get him talking you have to get him going on something he's interested in and it has to be specific. Definitely don't hit him with open-ended questions. He will give the shortest answer possible. It probably takes knowing ahead of time what will work, a good guess or just luck, but if you start saying something like "I'm looking into getting a new spaceship..." He will talk endlessly about the different models and upgrades and automatically go into salesman mode and recommend you something based on what he knows. So I guess the method with him is act like you're looking for something he has some knowledge base in. This works with food to a lesser degree, but he may not be as loquacious. But yeah, really mundane stuff like that or even maybe specific stuff about flooring or other interior design elements might get him going a bit. Robots are also probably a topic he could talk extensively on given the right lead-in. If it's something mechanical there's a good chance he'll know something. If it's out of his depth, he'll probably recommend you do your research.

Tsuname - Definitely more of a talker. These days it's a little harder to get him talking, but he likes doing it. He certainly isn't comfortable just listening either. To get him really listening probably takes some finesse. It probably has to be someone really good with words and preferably knowing about him to get him to calm down and listen. Otherwise it probably took violence to get to this point.

Naru - talker, but she isn't that verbose, not unless you've really got her going. She'll probably listen just as readily if you level with her, but she will get uncomfortable if it goes on too long.

Sh'zkai - in theory she could be more of a listener, but she generally doesn't pay you heed. She prefers to be the one doing the talking, even if she uses speech more like a weapon and a shield than deriving any joy out of it. She probably would be more than happy to let you talk, she just won't listen. She only really listens if there's something in it for her.

Korosa - prefers to be the one on top of the conversation, but he will listen if you're sincere. He will definitely be the one trying to come out of top of the conversation at first though. He might learn how listen better later. There is still some part of him that likes to talk a little, but in general he uses them like knives. Tools for cutting open the conversation and getting at what lies underneath. If he feels he can successfully master the conversation, he does get some satisfaction from that though.

Sz'nami - While she for sure likes to talk and likes the sound of her own voice a little, she's more than happy to listen to other people. She definitely derives joy out of being able to bear someone's burden. It makes her feel important. She may get a little impatient if someone goes on too long, but it would have to be an especially long and self-absorbed rant to get to that point.

52. Do they act on their immediate emotions, or do they wait for the facts before acting?

Naru - especially as a teen she tended to go wherever her emotions took her. She had to learn the hard way that acting on them would lead to disaster.

Shiido - He operates more on convictions than emotions. If something isn't right he'll prioritize that over what his emotions are telling him. He's for sure a planner, especially when he has the opportunity to do so.

Sz'nami - a little bit of both I wanna say. She'll for sure act on emotion if she thinks the situation calls for it. There are other times she might want to get away and plan first though. Maybe step back and observe for a bit.

Ril'siiya - Depends on the situation. She tends to express her emotions pretty quickly, but there might be times she chooses to step back and observe/plan if she's uncertain or there's something that requires a little thought.

Thanks for all the asks!!!

#Kaze OCs #Oc talk #Oc asks #Oc ask answers #Kaze talks #Kaze talks about OCs #Aliens #Terramun #Twin Scars

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cg29fics · 11 months

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Gone

Having issues with my post’s again. So If you are reading along with this then you may need to check you’ve not missed previous chapters.

Tagging 🔖 Sorry if I’ve missed anyone - If you would like to be tagged in these updates then please let me know and I’ll add you to the list: @janetm74 @drileyf @katblu42 @psychoseal @weirdburketeer @alexthefly @misstb2 @thundergeek59 @burningcowboyhoagietaco @dragonoffantasyandreality

Countdown to the final chapter - 2 - left to go. You can also read the complete fic on Ao3 or FFNet - CreativeGirl29

Previous: Chapter 52. Preparations.

Chapter 53. Home

Jeff pulled the car he was driving to a halt and surveyed his sleeping son who was comfortably propped up in the back seat. Virgil had been full of joyful energy after he had received the news that he was going home. However, shortly after saying their goodbyes to Gerry and carefully placing him in the car, the medication he had been given just before leaving had hit, Virgil’s energy had dissipated, and he’d drifted off to sleep. Jeff released a contented sigh as he continued to watch his child enjoy a peaceful slumber. He really didn’t want to wake him, but he knew he wouldn’t hear the end of it if Virgil missed the arrival of his beloved bird. So, even though there was currently no sign of Thunderbird 2’s arrival at their designated pickup point, Jeff reached over into the back seat and placed his hand on Virgil’s arm. “Hey son, time to wake up.”

“Mm…” Virgil yawned, slowly opening his eyes. “Sorry dad, what did you say?”

“Your girl will be here soon,” Jeff informed him.

Virgil released a big grin and looked out the window at the bright blue sky. “How long until she’s here?”

“Not long,” Jeff replied, checking his watch, “by the time we get you out the car and into your wheelchair then I’m sure she’ll be coming into view.”

“FAB!” Virgil responded excitedly.

Ten minutes later, Virgil, who was now sitting comfortably in his wheelchair, looked up at the sky when a familiar sound began to fill the air. “She’s here,” he beamed, as he observed Thunderbird 2 finally coming into view. Like each of his brothers he was obsessed with his own bird. Constantly cleaning her, checking her over for damage, and helping with upgrades to her systems. Also, like each of his brothers he believed his Thunderbird was the best. It was always an intense discussion between them, each of them making their own valid points, and each of them mocking each other’s crafts. During one of their heated arguments, Gordon had earned himself a laugh from the others and a slap around the head from Virgil when he had compared Thunderbird 2 to a giant flying toad. Virgil had gone on to explain to them that she was only clunky when she was not being handled correctly, if she was treated with respect, then she was graceful like an Albatross soaring through the sky. Now as he watched her coming into land he really felt like that comparison was the right one to make. Although, Scott was making a hash of the landing. “Hey dad, tell Scott to ease of the pedal and she will land much easier for him.”

“Do your own dirty work!” Jeff chuckled.

Virgil grinned at his father and pressed his watch. “Hey Scott.”

“Hi Virg, are you calling through to tell me how to handle your girl? Because if you are then I’m happy to turn around and leave you here,” he joked.

“I wouldn’t dream of it!” Virgil responded.

“Good,” Scott laughed, “because I know how to fly your lady.”

“Oh, you certainly do!” Virgil responded back, watching Scott finally bring her onto the ground.

“So, who is the best pilot?” Scott questioned.

“You’re one of the best… Although, not as good as me!” He added under his breath.

Scott jumped out of the pilot seat and climbed out of Thunderbird 2. “Hey bro, I’ve missed you.”

Virgil returned the hug that Scott was wrapping him in. “Missed you too!”

“Hey,” Jeff said, with a fake pout, “am I invisible here?”

Scott shook his head at his father’s reaction and pulled him into a warm embrace. “You know, you really do take after Gordon!”

“I think you’ll find it’s the other way around,” Jeff replied, with a deep laugh.

Virgil coughed to gain their attention. “Come on you two… I want to go home!”

Jeff glanced at Scott. “Shall we leave him here?”

“Yes,” Scott nodded, “especially if he’s going to do an Alan and ask if we are there yet every five minutes!”

“I promise to be good,” Virgil stated, pulling huge puppy dog eyes at them both.

“Come on then,” Scott smiled, taking control of Virgil’s wheelchair and pushing him towards his bird, “let’s get you into your flying frog!”

“She’s not a frog,” Virgil retaliated, “she’s a green goddess!”

“If you say so,” Scott chuckled, ruffling his brother’s hair, “now come on, let’s get you home!”

… …

“Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be making our final descent in the next five minutes. Please take this time to make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened, and any carry-on-luggage is safely stored away… Thank you!”

Virgil rolled his eyes at Scott’s announcement and gazed out at the view before him. It had taken a lot of his persuasive powers to convince his dad and his brother to allow him to sit up front and not in the infirmary. Along with his firm promise not to tell Scott how to control his bird during the flight. It had been very difficult to keep that part of his bargain, especially knowing what some of Scott’s habits were when he was piloting. Now, as the familiar sights appeared before him, he realised his silence had been worth it. Firstly, he’d only been able to make out the once volcanic ridge, which from a distance made the island appear barren. Then, upon inching that little bit closer he’d been able to see the turquoise waves cascading onto the golden beach, and the luscious dark greens of the forest that covered half of the island. A few years back he had loved exploring the woods and camping out with his brothers on the beach. However, since International Rescue had become fully operational, they had kept saying they would go out, but none of them had found the time. That was something that would have to change, ‘as soon as I can walk again,’ he thought to himself. Life was to short and precious to keep putting things off.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she!” Jeff said, snapping Virgil out of his daze.

“Yes, she is,” Virgil replied, grinning at his father as their hidden home with Gordon’s much-loved pool appeared before him, “I’ve made this descent so many times, but I’ve never really taken in her true beauty… I knew I was a bit homesick, but I guess I’ve missed the place more than I realised.”

“Well, you’re home now!” Scott announced, gliding Thunderbird 2 along the runway, past the tipped palm trees, and into the hangar.

… …

“Virgil!” Alan practically sang, bouncing over to his brother who had just been brought out of Thunderbird 2 and placed in his chair.

Virgil smiled at his youngest brother’s enthusiasm. “Hey Alligator, I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too,” Alan replied, laughing at the childhood nickname while enveloping Virgil into a warm embrace, “and you as well dad.”

“Missed you too son,” Jeff added, hugging Alan.

“Hey,” Scott protested, “what about me?”

“You’ve only been gone a couple of hours!” Alan laughed.

“Still,” Scott pouted, “one of your hugs would be nice.”

“Okay,” Alan grinned, allowing Scott to wrap him in a quick hold.

“So, where are those other two brothers of mine?” Virgil questioned, when Alan had turned to face him once more.

“No idea!” Alan smirked.

Mm, really… What are you up too?” Virgil responded, raising his eyebrows.

“Nothing!” Alan answered, far too quickly and suspiciously for Virgil’s liking.

Virgil kept his eyes on a grinning Alan as all of them made their way from the hangar. “Where is everyone?” He asked, when they entered the very quiet Villa.

“Surprise… Welcome home!”

Virgil practically jumped in his chair, even though he had suspected a surprise party may have been organised, and then exhaled with relief when he saw the delighted faces before him. Not only were his two other brothers and grandma now embracing him, but standing there grinning back at him were Tin-Tin and her father Kyrano, alongside Brains, Parker, and… “Hey,” he sighed, at the sight of the beautiful Penelope.

“Hello,” she smiled sweetly, making her way towards him and holding him gently in her arms, before kissing him softly on his lips.

“What the?” Tin-Tin mouthed to Alan who was now standing next to her.

“No idea,” Alan shrugged, “they’re being mysterious and won’t tell us what’s going on.”

“Pen is my best friend, I’ll find out,” she assured Alan before acknowledging Virgil who was now grinning back at her, after finally letting Penny go. “Hello Virgil.”

“Hey sweetheart, do I get a cuddle?”

“Of course!”

“I hope you’ve been looking after that baby brother of mine?” Virgil whispered in her ear as he held her.

“Yes, I have,” Tin-Tin answered shyly, while turning bright red.

Virgil chuckled at her response and then turned to face the rest of the congregation. “Kyrano.”

“Master Virgil, it’s very good to see you.”

“And you too, Kyrano,” Virgil replied, shaking the man by his hand, “Brains… I’ve been told that I’ll be answering to you for all of my medical needs from now on?” Virgil questioned, while shaking his hand.

“That’s correct,” Brains responded, fiddling with his glasses.

“Well don’t worry, I promise to be good and do everything you say!” Virgil stated before glancing over to Parker who was still staring at him quite sternly after he had embraced Penny. “Hello Parker.”

“Master Tracy,” Parker greeted, firmly shaking Virgil’s hand, while sustaining a look of distrust on his face.

Virgil maintaining a hold of Parker’s hand, beckoned him towards him and began to speak quietly. “Parker, I understand that Penelope is like a daughter to you, and you would do absolutely anything to protect her!”

“That’s correct!”

“Well, I want you to know that I care about her very deeply, and I promise I will never do anything to hurt her!”

“That’s all I needed to hear Master Virgil,” Parker stated, instantly relaxing.

“Are you tired?” Ruth questioned, when everyone else had gone to fetch the party food from the kitchen. “Your father said you didn’t sleep during the flight back home. We can delay the party until you’ve had some rest.”

“What, and miss out on some of that awesome looking food,” Virgil answered, his mouth watering as Kyrano and Parker carried some of the treats into the room.

“We can save you some,” his grandma replied.

“With four brothers, there’s no chance of any surviving!”

“That’s true… Plus, I have made all of your favourites.”

“Well, that settles it, I’m certainly not resting then!”

“Well, if you do feel sleepy let one of us know, okay?”

“I will grandma!”

Ruth ruffled his hair, then turned to face the table so she could supervise her always ravenous grandsons. “Gordon Cooper Tracy… Put down that knife, Virgil gets to cut the cake and have the first slice!”

#thunderbirds fanfiction #cg29fics #thunderbirds #thunderbirds original series #thunderbirds are go fanfiction #thunderbirds are go

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about-faces · 1 year

Note

Congratulations on your Top 22-list! Sheesh, I've been gone for a month and I feel like I've missed like half a life in the meantime. Anyway, reading through the list was a hoot. There was a surprising amount of RECENT comics as well on that list, and far up in the list too! Which leads me to a question about a story that DIDN'T make the cut, one that I was surprised didn't get a mention even at the bottom half of the list: Nightwing: The Great Leap. What made that one fall through the top 22?

Thanks, man! I was also surprised by how much recent stuff I included, but dang, it's really been a surprising last few year for good Two-Face content! When I first tried doing a Top 22 list five or six years ago, it was almost entirely older content. With potential exceptions like Peter Tomasi's work, including The Great Leap.

In fact, that story is a perfect example of why I was so riddled with indecision about how to compile this list. Before this year, I would have included Tomasi's The Big Burn and Ugly Heart (the New 52 stories) together as "one" story, but I could easily have also included The Great Leap as a kind of "trilogy" of Tomasi's particular take on Harvey, but that seemed like cheating.

The problem with all three stories is that they are all very mixed bags. Some absolutely fantastic Harvey content, combined with flaws from both Tomasi and DC editorial screwing around with things. For The Great Leap specifically, I didn't include it because of a few factors.

1.) Carol Birmingham. She was clearly made as a bland Rachel Dawes stand-in at Gilda's expense, and I have never liked Harvey having an emotional affair with her--and even LOVING her--more than Gilda. The fact that Tomasi forgot to make her a distinct character in her own right instead of just a damsel didn't help any.

2.) I hate how the story seems to be crafting a complicated, conflicted Harvey, then abandons it all in the third act to turn him into a supervillain maniac who shows no regrets nor torment over what he went through. ESPECIALLY since Harvey arguably succeeded in saving Carol from himself (by getting Nightwing's help in the first place), which could have been tragically bittersweet if Tomasi had wanted it to be.

3.) Nightwing's "No, Harvey, YOU let him win!" Dick's whole attitude towards Harvey makes perfect sense, including his callous disregard for Harvey's mental illness, but the way the narrative fully supports Dick's assertions by the end--despite everything we've seen--still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

There was a time when the pickins were slimmer for good Two-Face content that this could have still made the list. But now we're lucky enough to not have to settle for mostly mixed-bags. Hell, we're right in the middle of two potential all-time great Two-Face sagas: "Gotham Nocturne" in Tec and Batman: The Audio Adventures. It's been an exciting time! Even the mixed bags are more interesting to me than The Great Leap, like his oddball role in Priest's Deathstroke and his team-up with Jason Todd in Task Force Z. And when it comes to Tomasi, I'd still sooner include The Big Burn/Ugly Heart over TGL at this point.

I really look forward to revising the list in the coming years, to see which choices I made in 2022 have aged well and which haven't, not to mention what other new stuff might make the cut!

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lets-try-some-writing · 1 year

Text

I posted 91 times in 2022

That's 91 more posts than 2021!

44 posts created (48%)

47 posts reblogged (52%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@novafire-is-thinking

@brobotsbro

@justanotherperson1

@macadam

I tagged 84 of my posts in 2022

Only 8% of my posts had no tags

#transformers prime - 49 posts

#transformers - 48 posts

#optimus prime - 24 posts

#tfp - 24 posts

#ratchet - 16 posts

#maccadam - 15 posts

#megatron - 13 posts

#bumblebee - 13 posts

#starscream - 12 posts

#transformers ideas - 12 posts

Longest Tag: 127 characters

#imagine optimus coming back and realizing he gave the key to a human newspark and not a fully grown adult member of the species

My Top Posts in 2022:

Guilty Pleasures (Part 2)

More secret/wholesome hobbies for my giant lovely robots!

Starscream

Starscream is a bundle of pent up everything with paranoia serving as the cherry on top, and so to deal with it he picked up several small wholesome hobbies over the course of the war.

He tried writing for a while, (he still has a stash of his old works somewhere) he did painting as well, (his art is still on display in his berthroom) and he even committed to sculpting for a while (his rather vivid depictions of Megatron in various states of defeat are proudly displayed on a shelf)

However his most recent hobby is one he acquired from earth.

Currently he handles his pent up emotions through knitting, something he picked up after he found out that a determined knitter can make just about anything.

Inspired, he took up the craft and uses his sharp talon like digits to knit while he has nothing better to do.

When he can, he will requisition a Vehicon or two to hold his yarn balls and follow him around so that he can pace and knit at the same time.

But due to how often Starscream needs to vent out his frustrations via knitting he developed quite a large pile of finished accessories.

And so to make way for even better works of 'art' Starscream gives his little creations away to others on board the nemesis, and sometimes those not of Decepticon allegiance.

Knockout has found himself with several well knit neon pink sweaters that he hates with a passion not only because the color clashes with his armor but also because they all have some iteration of 'Slagger' on the back.

Breakdown has been given a few rainbow colored beanies that he isn't quite sure what to do with, and Soundwave has acquired a handful of knitted stuffed animals with various angry expressions.

All the Vehicons have little mittens or scarfs of various colors and Shockwave has begrudgingly accepted an eye mask with a rather disturbing optic knitted on the front.

Not even the Autobots are safe from Starscream's passive aggressive knitted works.

Optimus has five quilts as large as he is tall depicting Starscream perched upon a throne with both Optimus and Megatron at his pedes, usually 'All Hail Starscream' is present somewhere as well.

And Ratchet has two dozen rugs that seem to be a series of sorts as each has 'Frag Megatron' kitted in a different language.

No one is quite sure how to react to it.

Arcee

Despite her sarcastic, stoic, and blunt behavior, Arcee has an incredibly wholesome hobby, the hobby in question being gardening.

What she did on Cybertron wasn't really gardening by earth standards.

Before the war and even during its early years she kept and incredibly well maintained crystal garden to which she devoted enormous amounts of time to.

She had a whole room filled with towering spires of glowing crystals which had been carefully directed to grow in splendid archways and branching designs over vorns.

Each crystal had a date carefully carved into its base and was skillfully attuned to her own spark signature, helping them to grow and offering her a deep sense of peace when in her garden.

It helped ease a great deal of the stress she accumulated throughout the early years leading up to the war.

However her garden was ruthlessly destroyed after her residence was bombed.

She tried keeping a few small potted crystals which she managed to salvage from her old garden but it was mostly a lost cause with how often she was required to change bases and locations to fight.

She still kept a few of the shards with her though when she travelled to earth, more as a sentimental item than anything else.

When she arrived to earth she was introduced to the human concept of gardening.

Organic things were not an unknown concept to her, but caring for plants is far different than caring for crystals.

See the full post

213 notes - Posted October 2, 2022

I finished this piece and simply couldn't wait to share it. It was a ton of fun to draw, so if you all have any suggestions for more doodles I am all ears.

366 notes - Posted September 18, 2022

Aching Scars

I came across this headcannon that all the TFP bots have some sort of disability or injury that bothers them. As you might expect I felt the need to expand on the thought a little bit. And don't worry, it ain't all doom and gloom, after all I am a sucker for fluff.

Arcee

Arcee, despite her aggressiveness, has managed to avoid serious injury for most of the war, as such her problems lay not in body, but in mind.

She suffers from extreme PTSD from the loss of so many of her partners, it has led her to pull away from others and keep to herself.

Thankfully upon coming to earth and being assigned as Jack's guardian she lightens up again, content in knowing that she has a chance to try again as a protector once more.

She still has bad night terrors and occasionally has mental breakdowns thought, even if she is generally good at hiding it.

When the team do manage to see through her attempts at hiding her condition they do their best to comfort her in little ways.

Bad days usually end with the team watching a movie together, keeping Arcee from focusing too much on her own dark thoughts.

Arcee is particularly fond of romance films, not that she will ever admit it aloud.

Bulkhead

While no bot comes out of a war unscathed mentally, Bulkhead is by far the most mentally stable of the Cybertronian half of the team.

However that does not mean he is in pristine condition. His joints in his knees and knuckles are unfortunately rather stiff and painful from his many long years enduring hostile environments.

He does his work regardless of the pain, he has long since learned to tune it out for the most part.

But on days where the weather is off, his joints end up becoming near unbearable.

He usually plays it off with a joke or two but the team notices and does not hesitate to do something about it.

Optimus puts Bulkhead on groundbridge duty during those days, and the rest of the team ask him to handle minor tasks on the computer in order to keep him off his pedes while not damaging his pride.

Miko almost always ropes Bulkhead into having a spa day with her on such days. He tries to object but succumbs to her pleading in the end.

When the team return from their various missions they don't mention the almost comical sight of Bulkhead resting with pillows over his optics as the bright pink paint on his servo tips dries.

Wheeljack

He isn't one to hang around the team much, but when he does drop by, occasionally his ADHD rears its helm.

On such days he is fidgety, ready for a fight and eager to get into trouble.

In order to keep him from driving Ratchet to commit a murder, the team enact game nights whenever he comes round, even if he isn't having an off day.

Twister, UNO, Video games are the primary activities of the team game nights.

Wheeljack is incredibly competitive and always does a little dance when he wins.

His scrap eating grin when he absolutely demolishes Bulkhead and Bumblebee in racing games oozes with smugness.

His competitiveness has caused more than a few half hearted fights to break out over the true victor in a game, but no one really minds as it allows everyone to blow off steam.

In the end, even if he is a bit much at times, the team wouldn't have it any other way.

After all it wouldn't be the same if there wasn't a fight to break up, or cry of victory to be heard as Wheeljack gets far too into the game for his own good.

Smokescreen

See the full post

380 notes - Posted September 22, 2022

Guilty Pleasures

Every sentient being has a secret hobby or interest. Autonomous robotic organisms not excluded.

Megatron

The only one who knows about his little hobby is Soundwave, it's a good thing too, because Megatron would kill anyone else who uncovered his secret.

Despite his general distaste for humans, Megatron admires their creativity, more specifically their literature.

He may be a warrior first and foremost but he also has a love for any all all historical and poetic works.

He enjoys reading and having to decipher the hidden meanings behind the stories he collects.

It fascinates him to read about just how different and how similar Cybertronian societies are.

However he would never be caught dead reading a book written by a human. So he sends Soundwave to fetch him good books whenever there is nothing more important on the agenda.

He is greatly inspired by Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, J.R.R Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and Homer.

He has a whole secret closet in his berthroom filled with dataslates that contain the works of his favorite authors.

He will often read them before falling into recharge, and occasionally he will attempt a little writing of his own if he is feeling particularly inspired.

This has led him to create another secret stash in his berthroom filled with his own stories, ones that mostly illustrate his own life and views on how society should be structured.

(If Megatron's works make their way into the newly rebuilt Iacon hall of records in the future due to a certain Prime, then no bot comments on it)

Optimus

He has a rather unique little hobby, one that like Megatron, he would never be caught dead engaging in.

His particular hobby stems from his base coding as an Archivist.

Since the war did not really grant him much opportunity to work with and organize the data he desired, he ended up developing a tendency to note and catalogue the relationships of bots around him.

In short, Optimus is a shipper.

It was not a purposeful thing, but as time passed and tensions heightened Optimus just started listening in on conversations more frequently and paying extra attention to body language and how other bots interacted with one another.

He found it fascinating and so began to write it all down on a dataslate, and from there it just escalated as he began noting how certain bots reacted around others.

It really began after he started listing known relationships and all the information he had on them (In surprising and almost creepy detail)

Then he started theorizing and creating a whole separate catalogue dedicated to organizing gossip and discerning what was correct and incorrect so that he could get his relationship files properly updated.

In the end he created the most intricate and well informed database filled with information regarding every known relationship, platonic, familial, and romantic that he caught wind of.

But of course that still wasn't enough for his Archivist coding, he needed and still needs a constant flow of fresh data, and so he started playing a role in the relationships around him.

A well placed rumor here, a slight change of orders there, and Optimus's notes gain new additions from either the success or fallout of the event, satisfying his urges and helping his troops sort out their feelings much quicker than they would have otherwise.

To the complete and utter shock of everyone when they eventually find out; it is not Smokescreen, Bumblebee, Jazz, or any other source that has all the tea. No, it's all Optimus, and he knows everything and will gladly play matchmaker for his favorite OTP.

Soundwave

Cats. Soundwave. Loves. CATS.

He thinks they are the best to thing to happen since Primus himself came into being and nothing will change his mind.

See the full post

418 notes - Posted September 28, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Irrational Fears

Earth is absolutely terrifying, a fact that both Autobots and Decepticons can attest to.

Megatron

Despite being so big and tough, there is one thing about the earth that just scares the scrap out of Megatron.

He does not really fear what lurks within earth's biggest bodies of water, no, he fears the bodies of water themselves.

He never needed to learn to swim since Cybertron didn't exactly have huge bodies of anything resembling liquid near the surface beside the occasional acid pool.

And the safe liquids that existed on Cybertron were far denser than earth's liquids, often being thick enough to almost be a paste, posing little issues for those who got stuck in them besides some sticky residue being left on their armor afterward.

As such arriving on earth and falling into the ocean for the first time was rather traumatizing.

His usual method of handling being in liquid did absolutely nothing for him since water is not nearly as dense as what Megatron is familiar with.

He sank like a rock and was left at the bottom of the fragging ocean in the dark with no clear way to get out besides walking to the surface since transforming or ground bridging out would cause more trouble than it was worth.

He was irritated but fine with it at first, after all, no organic thing in the waters could really do him any harm.

But the ominous noises, the random currents which threw his sensors into overdrive, the extreme water pressure, and the rather freaky things passing by him as he traveled back to land just... traumatized him in a way he couldn't really describe.

The ocean threw Megatron off, and since then he has sworn off going near the Unmaker-cursed liquid pools when possible.

Optimus

Surprisingly Optimus's worst fear that originated on earth was not of natural disasters or anything of the sort, no, his fear is of the roads, or more specifically, the people driving on the roads.

Optimus is a textbook driver and obeys every road law to the letter, as such most human drivers scare him half to death.

American drivers are a melting pot of every form of insanity, with customs from all over the world resulting in the most confusing road culture imaginable.

Poor Optimus can't make heads or tails of it and often finds himself bewildered when other drivers honk or scream obscenities at him for following the rules.

Not only that but Americans are freaking crazy drivers.

Optimus has gotten hit, crashed into, pushed off the road, and forced to swerve to save some poor idiotic soul far more times than he will ever be comfortable admitting.

When it happens he panics. After all, the human vehicles have humans in them, and humans are squishy and easily damaged, unlike Cybertronians.

It isn't much better in other countries.

The Europeans are agonizingly slow drivers and park where ever their car will fit, trying to travel through British towns and cities on their tiny roads is an absolute nightmare.

For a vehicle of Optimus's size Europe, as a general rule, is one of the worst places to drive.

But oh boy, Europe has nothing on the Asian and middle eastern countries.

Driving there induces some of the worst anxiety Optimus has ever had since the war began, and that is saying something.

Random cattle on the roads, junk cars sputtering along looking like they are going to explode at any moment, the absurd amount of potholes, the fearless jaywalkers, and the maze-like structure of most roads make Optimus nearly have a panic attack every time he is forced to go driving in such areas.

He doesn't even want to get started on the state of the roads in Canada or the terrifying scrap he has seen while driving in Australia.

Starscream

Fragging Pigeons, Starscream simultaneously hates and fears them with a passion.

See the full post

623 notes - Posted October 12, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

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