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toushindai · 2 months

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some nattering about how I characterize Rauru and Sonia in my Ganondorf/Rauru fics.

as I have mentioned before, usually I prefer to adhere strictly to canon when writing fanfiction, to the extent that I used to think of myself as trying to write exactly what the author had in mind but didn't put in the story. yes, I have always been this pretentious.

but then I looked at what Rauru and Ganondorf have going on and went "ah, they need to have nasty, resentful, dubcon-at-best sex about this" and I'll be honest I'm not sure played-straight loz characters (vs. various permutations of joke characters) are even allowed to know sex exists, so this was obviously a departure.

which means that Questions of Kingship exists, in my mind at least, in a strange space that is both canon-compliant and AU, and I have made characterization choices based on the story I was telling rather than prioritizing sticking to what the game has in mind. And I don't think my readings are entirely wrong--do I think Nintendo intends their King of Light to be a rapist, no, but they sure did write a guy who disregards and tramples over an implicit "no." This is what is conveyed by Ganondorf mentioning that Hyrule has sent the Gerudo repeated invitations! I didn't actually make that part up! Honestly I expected to have to defend my choices re: Rauru from some very irritated fans who forgot about the back button, but it seems that if I irritated anyone, they remembered the back button. Good for them, and to everyone pressing the "more of this" buttons instead, thank you, I appreciate you, what the fuck is UP with this guy amirite??

Anyway though,

Sonia.

Oh, I have struggled with Sonia mightily. I did not want Rauru to be cheating on her. And partially this is because I don't particularly care to write about cheating but largely it is because a huge part of Rauru's sense of superiority over Ganondorf is a moral one, and if Rauru were betraying someone he loved to carry out this affair, that sense of superiority would be chopped off at the knees. And I'm using that sense of superiority, thank you very much.

So: it became the case that Sonia needed to know about the affair, needed her to be on board with it. And well, there were very quickly quite a lot of jokes that she and Rauru had "looking for a third" vibes, and I do think that's true, and anyway that girl married a goat god. "A very canny monsterfucker" is the kernel of canon characterization that I wound up building around. Very clear-eyed, less self-deception than Rauru; an overpowering propensity to identify what she wants and go for it. It's just that Zelda didn't see much of that. I guess, is the argument I'm going for. Well, then, Sonia is someone who can play at sweet and harmless and kind until she reveals how much of an edge she has.

Does the game suggest she has such an edge? ...No? I guess it doesn't. I don't know. But if it is not possible to hide anything from Sonia, and Hyrule is behaving coercively towards its not-yet-allies (and it is! again I did not make that part up!), then she must be aware of this. And she must be on board with it. She adores Rauru--this is clear in the cutscenes, just look at the light in her eyes when Rauru is speaking sometimes--and so I make the two of them a team, united in intention. But where I write Rauru as conflicted--naive thoughts about kingship stumbling against the reality of it--I place Sonia in a more decided position. Her premises: that Rauru is good, and that a unified Hyrule is a superior outcome over disparate nations. She is aware that the latter premise is not automatically accepted by everyone, but she has unwavering faith in it so she moves to carry it out without the indignation that resistance inspires in Rauru. Resistance does not make her doubt herself in the same way. (That's worse??) She is more pointedly, more cannily political than Rauru. Rauru wants a kingdom united in friendship (genuinely he wants this, as I write him); Sonia knows that friendship is not what unites kingdoms.

She just... winds up with this strange amoral core to her. A surprising one, I think. What I find myself writing is a Sonia who seems kind and sweet and confident and only very occasionally lets anyone see the part of her where she has made up her mind and is unmovably certain of her own rightness. A part of her that doesn't need it to be a moral rightness. Am I making any sense here.

I mean for some of that startling strangeness to come out in the way she regards Rauru's relationship with Ganondorf--I don't know if that comes through. I write Ganondorf conflating Rauru's sexual submission with political submission to excess; Sonia is almost the opposite, believing that the relationship between the two can exist as a function of desire alone regardless of the political dimension. It's about wanting and having and that is all. But the very assumption that that's all comes from the position of Hyrule's dominance, an unassailable position in her mind. I'm having trouble getting at what I'm getting at, but, my point here is that she's a little scary. that's all.

@toushindai

#tou and the tearful kingdom #and we were both kings 😳#rape mention #ya I think I'm gonna make this one unrebloggable bc this really is entirely about how I write her in the environment I need her in #I get fidgety when my posts about my fics go wandering into the totk cr*tical corner of this blue hell #oh it's work time I have to do work now #may edit this later. gotta go

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tzeenneth · 6 months

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Chaos Wastes, Brazen Altar / PREV

"ᴛⷮhͪeͤrͬeͤ iͥs͛ s͛oͦ mͫuͧcͨhͪ hͪaͣррeͤniͥng oͦf laͣᴛⷮeͤ!"

The Aspect of Tzeentch chirped to his captive god-hound, much to Simaer-Khade's annoyance. Ordinarily, the Changer would share his plans with no one, not even his daemons, who were partial to treachery just as he was. But Khade was different. Not so treacherous (well, at least not without just cause).

And more importantly, held captive. The god-fragment couldn't escape Tzeentch's nattering even if he wanted to. When the Hound failed to ask, the Changer pushed on.

"Mⷨy liͥᴛⷮᴛⷮleͤ вiͥrͬdͩs͛ s͛eͤcͨrͬeͤᴛⷮeͤdͩ aͣвoͦuͧᴛⷮ ᴛⷮhͪeͤ ᴛⷮeͤmͫрᴛⷮeͤrͬ'́s͛ рaͣlaͣcͨeͤ whͪiͥs͛рeͤrͬ s͛uͧcͨhͪ iͥnᴛⷮeͤrͬeͤs͛ᴛⷮiͥng ᴛⷮhͪiͥngs͛ ᴛⷮoͦ mͫeͤ. Aͣndͩ mͫy aͣdͩoͦрᴛⷮeͤdͩ вloͦoͦdͩ-̄рuͧр aͣmͫaͣs͛s͛eͤs͛ oͦffeͤrͬiͥngs͛ iͥn mͫy naͣmͫeͤ!"

The hound, aside from the flattening of it's frills, didn't so much as react. The Aspect smirked.

"ᴛⷮhͪeͤrͬeͤ iͥs͛ s͛oͦmͫeͤᴛⷮhͪiͥng eͤls͛eͤ,̓ ᴛⷮoͦoͦ. ᴛⷮhͪeͤ Wrͬeͤᴛⷮcͨhͪeͤs͛ aͣndͩ ᴛⷮhͪrͬaͣlls͛ laͣnguͧiͥs͛hͪiͥng iͥn Nuͧrͬgleͤᴛⷮhͪ'́s͛ gaͣrͬdͩeͤn cͨoͦmͫeͤ ᴛⷮoͦ mͫeͤ wiͥᴛⷮhͪ s͛uͧcͨhͪ s͛oͦngs͛ aͣs͛ weͤll. ᴛⷮhͪeͤy s͛iͥng oͦf aͣ neͤw рlaͣguͧeͤ,̓ aͣ Рoͦxͯ oͦf Goͦdͩs͛. S͛aͣngrͬeͤneͤ Nuͧrͬgleͤ cͨaͣlls͛ iͥᴛⷮ-̄-̄ weͤll,̓ wiͥll cͨoͦmͫeͤ ᴛⷮoͦ cͨaͣll iͥᴛⷮ. Aͣ рoͦrͬᴛⷮmͫaͣnᴛⷮeͤaͣuͧ oͦf S͛aͣnguͧiͥneͤ aͣndͩ Gaͣngrͬeͤneͤ,̓ mͫaͣdͩeͤ frͬoͦmͫ ᴋⷦhͪoͦrͬneͤ'́s͛ oͦwn hͪoͦrͬn~"

Simaer-Khade held it's position. For a short while at least. But then it shifted, narrowed candy-red eyes blazing up at the beaked aspect of his erstwhile ally.

₪ 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔? The hound got to it's paws, turning, leering. 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑, 𝐍𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔. 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓?

"ᴛⷮhͪaͣᴛⷮ iͥs͛ foͦrͬ mͫeͤ ᴛⷮoͦ ᴋⷦnoͦw,̓ aͣlly oͦf mͫiͥneͤ. Aͣhͪ,̓ вuͧᴛⷮ yoͦuͧ hͪaͣvͮeͤ aͣmͫaͣs͛s͛iͥng ᴋⷦnoͦwleͤdͩgeͤ aͣs͛ weͤll,̓ hͪaͣvͮeͤ yoͦuͧ noͦᴛⷮ? Cͨuͧrͬiͥoͦuͧs͛ aͣвoͦuͧᴛⷮ ᴛⷮhͪeͤ neͤw рlaͣyeͤrͬs͛ oͦf ᴛⷮhͪeͤ gaͣmͫeͤ?"

₪ 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒. 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐈 𝐃𝐎.

Yoͦuͧ woͦuͧndͩ mͫeͤ,̓ Fiͥrͬs͛ᴛⷮliͥng. Aͣndͩ aͣfᴛⷮeͤrͬ eͤvͮeͤrͬyᴛⷮhͪiͥng Iͥ'́mͫ goͦiͥng ᴛⷮhͪrͬoͦuͧghͪ foͦrͬ yoͦuͧrͬ s͛aͣᴋⷦeͤ. ᴛⷮhͪeͤ hͪeͤaͣrͬᴛⷮs͛ Iͥ'́ll вrͬeͤaͣᴋⷦ,̓ ᴛⷮhͪeͤ вloͦoͦdͩ Iͥ'́ll s͛рiͥll,̓ ᴛⷮhͪeͤ s͛aͣᴛⷮiͥs͛faͣcͨᴛⷮiͥoͦn weͤ wiͥll вoͦᴛⷮhͪ ᴋⷦnoͦw iͥn ᴛⷮhͪeͤ dͩoͦiͥng.

₪ 𝐈 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐓.

Oͦhͪ вeͤ s͛ᴛⷮiͥll,̓ yoͦuͧ s͛рeͤaͣᴋⷦ wiͥᴛⷮhͪ ᴋⷦhͪaͣrͬneͤᴛⷮhͪ'́s͛ woͦrͬdͩs͛. Iͥ wiͥll noͦᴛⷮ s͛uͧffeͤrͬ ᴛⷮwoͦ goͦdͩs͛ oͦf вloͦoͦdͩ."

And Simaer-Khade was. Tzeen'neth had done something, for he was unable to move or speak or even form sentences in his mind. It was like sinking through molasses and despite himself, the hound-host found itself back on it's belly, head at it's paws, eyelids heavy and mind full of fuzz.

#guest muse; simaer-khade #plot point #warhammer fantasy #tzeentch

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thiswaycomessomethingwicked · 1 year

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Spinning off from my question about Grima's favorite and least favorite foods, what about sweets? What sorts of pastries or candies do you think could be found in Rohan, and which ones do you think Grima likes best?

Oh man! Love me some food talk! Especially Grima food talk :D Thank you for dropping this into my inbox~~

As usual, this got hecka long. (This is what happens when I answer on my desktop and not my phone.)

I love food and food history – it’s something I’m super keen on and love nattering on about, particularly as it relates to the medieval and early modern period. Though, for Rohan, we’re really talking late antiquity and early medieval in terms of time but ingredients in European cooking didn’t take a dynamic change until 1492 and the colonization of the Americas began.

I have a lot of thoughts about what Middle Earth has access to in terms of food products from the Americas – because clearly they got tobacco somehow. Also, apparently, tomatoes? And potatoes. Etc. (I know Tolkien has an answer to this but I’m still a little hmmmm/consistency check needed Tolkien about it.)

My answer will generally work based on the assumption that Rohan has limited to no access to ingredients that are wholly and entirely native to the Americas. Because, as we know, Tolkien intended Rohan to be reminiscent of Anglo-Saxon England and early medieval Scandinavia so I tried to work at least vaguely within those parameters. (I know he was like: it’s Mercia! But I refuse to be hampered by a single kingdom that ranged from 6th to the 9th century because Tolkien didn’t limit himself either.)

my tl;dr is: Grima has a sweet-tooth and loves carbs and dairy products so he's all about them honey cakes and sweet cheese tarts.

----

Frist off - base ingredients that the average Rohirrim would be working with as sweeteners are honey, fruits, nuts (e.g., chestnuts, walnuts, almonds), herbs/spices, syrups/confits (fruit or cereal based – strawberry, for example) and cheeses/dairy products.

Pending Rohan’s climate and geography, they might have the correct maple trees for syrup tapping (i.e., sugar maple, red maple, and black maple), which would add an additional flavouring agent to their dessert foods. But I personally find that doubtful. The temperatures in spring need to range from -4 at night to around 6 or 7 in the day for a proper sugar tap and I don’t see Rohan getting that cold consistently enough to make it work.

For the wealthy, there might be access to sugarcane products (i.e., sugar, molasses, rum ;) etc.), but I just can’t get my head around Middle Earth having sugarcane. If they did, it’d be in lands controlled by Sauron so access would be limited during times of war. Therefore, Grima growing up would likely not have seen any white or brown sugar, if it existed.

Other things that would have been accessible more to the rich in Rohan than anyone else: cinnamon, cloves, allspice, cardamom, ginger, vanilla and other herbs, spices etc. that grow outside Rohan – and in regions, coincidentally, mostly controlled by Sauron and/or have rough trade relations with allies of Gondor.

As this is the case, most of the sweetening Grima would be familiar with would come from honey and fruit. His palate, like most in a late-antiquity and early medieval society, probably ran towards sour and tart. Our palates today, especially in the west, are incredibly sweet in comparison to what our ancestors were used to.

All fermenting was done with wild yeasts and that tends to give you more sour flavour profiles in your ales/beers, meads, and yogurts than the controlled approach to brewing and dairy products we have today. Meat and fish were often preserved via salting, vinegar, or with the sour dairy run-offs from the cheese and yogurt process.

All this said! Some deserts or sweet snacks Grima would likely be familiar with include, but are not limited to:

Sweet breads (e.g., gingerbread [for the wealthy, in 14th c England a pound of ginger cost the same as a sheep], apple loaf, honey load, nut bread etc.)

Fried breads (think beignets or zeppoli, but also proto-funnel cakes)

Fried, baked or stewed fruits

Sweet cheeses

Custards

Skyr/something similar

Honey

Candied fruits and nuts

Tarts and pies (a very wide range of tarts and pies existed)

Cakes (and there are a wide range of these, too, e.g., I’ve seen an early medieval cheesecake recipe)

Cookies or sweet biscuits

Fried figure-of-eight snacks (an early medieval pretzel, basically)

Fritters (so many fritters, so little time)

Sweet toasts i.e. toastee (most usually topped with spiced honey and available nuts)

For Grima – I firmly believe the man has a devil of a sweet-tooth and therefore likes any and all things put in front of him that are vaguely sweet in nature.

He’d have grown up on simpler versions of everything listed above – a lot of honey, orchard fruits (e.g., apple, pear, cherry, plum, quinces, medlars) and local berry flavourings (e.g., blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, lindenberry). Maybe nuts, depending on what was available. The herbs would have been rosemary, mint, elderflower, heather (get hiiiiigh), lavender (maybe), rose (for special occasions most likely), marjoram etc. Not sure his family would have had the income to access things like citrus of any kind, cinnamon, ginger etc.

Therefore, day to day when he was young it’d have been honey cakes and seed loafs and sweet cheeses and skyr + fruit (not unlike how we eat it today) and fruit or nut tarts etc.

When he entered Theoden’s household and was able to sit at the high table with the king’s family and chief advisors this is when he’d get the glories of cinnamon bread and candied ginger and lemon tarts and the like. Pineapples.

Grima: We can’t EAT the pineapple. We have to leave it on the table so people know we can afford it.

Eomer: We have more than one pineapple. We can eat it and display it.

Grima: M O R E. T H A N. O N E??

Personally, I think Grima just loves carbs. So he’s the one sharking all the sweet and fried bread products at the table. I think he also likes sweet cheeses and custards so is really happy whenever something is fried bread on the outside and a sweet cheese or something on the inside.

As palates ran tart/sour, I can see Grima enjoying Rohan’s answer to skyr straight with no additions to it. Same for sour cheeses served at the end of the meal.

If I had to rank Grima’s favourite deserts/treats, once he was part of Theoden’s household and can afford/has access to Fancy Things, I think it’d go:

Fried bread with cinnamon (i.e., Rohan-beignets)

Orange infused custard

Saffron custard tart

Honey cakes – preferably with cinnamon or vanilla

Skyr

Candied ginger and almonds

Gingerbread

Sweet cheese filled tarts (Rohan’s answer to the Danish)

Pear or apple fritters

That said, I can see him still enjoying throwbacks to the less fancy sweets of his childhood, such as the fritters, but also the more herbal and earthy flavourings that were available to his family—winter savory, lemon thyme, bay, lavender, mint, borage, rosemary, marigold, sweet marjoram etc.

I didn't get into sweet beverages (herbal wines, mulled anything, mead, flavoured ales, fruit wines etc.) because that's a whole other thing.

I hope this was helpful! These are many, many thoughts and honestly, I could probably have gone on for another three pages but I thought I should wrap it up.

Thank you so, so much for the ask! It made day :D :D

#lotr #lord of the rings #ask #reply #rohan #lotr meta #grima wormtongue #anon #food history #middle earth #grima thoughts #grima and food

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jamteayang · 1 year

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Stars, Hide Your Fires cover reveal 💖

Dusting off this blog to post ✨ book news ✨ Ever since I first saw the early cover sketches by the stellar @christinaillos in my inbox, I’ve been counting down the days until the cover reveal would go live. I mean, just look at that gorgeous cover.

On a personal note, I had an absolute blast editing this sapphic YA sci-fi book by the wonderful Jessica Mary Best. It’s writing like Best’s that make being a kidlit editor so much fun -- I cried, I laughed, I got chills, and I spat out my tea while snort-laughing. (Also, if you haven’t listened to Best’s audio drama The Strange Case of Starship Iris, you need to do that ASAP.)

Anyway, enough nattering from me! Here’s the description:

A wanted thief. A murdered emperor. A killer loose on the station. KNIVES OUT goes sci-fi in this gripping YA mystery set in space, perfect for fans of THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE US and IRON WIDOW. As an expert thief from a minor moon, Cass knows a good mark when she sees one. The emperor’s ball is her chance to steal a fortune for herself, her ailing father, and her scrappy crew of thieves and market vendors. Her plan is simple: 1. Hitch a ride to the planet of Ouris, the dazzling heart of the empire. 2. Sneak onto the imperial palace station to attend the emperor’s ball. 3. Steal from the rich, the royal, and the insufferable. But on the station, things quickly go awry. When the emperor is found dead, everyone in the palace is a suspect—and someone is setting Cass up to take the fall. To clear her name, Cass must work with an unlikely ally: a gorgeous and mysterious rebel with her own reasons for being on the station. Together, they unravel a secret that could change the fate of the empire.

If you want a lil sneak peek, the first chapter can be found here. And if you want to go straight to preordering (excellent choice!), why not preorder from Bookshop.org or your local indie? Stars, Hide Your Fires launches this summer on July 11th 🚀 Hope you’ll check it out! And since I’m breaking the seal on posting here -- if you have any questions about editing, kidlit (i.e. YA lit, MG), working in publishing etc, don’t hesitate to shoot me an ask! 😁 (I’m also on Instagram at the same handle 👋)

#stars hide your fires #ya lit #queer ya #sapphic ya #cover reveal

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merlinbingo · 2 years

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We're three months into this round of the bingo, and I could not be prouder of you all! We've had over 100 sign ups and 150 fills already, and we're not even a third of the way through yet!

This month, Merlin/Arthur is well and truly back in the lead when it comes to most featured ship – we got 20 fills this month where you said they were the main ship, and another couple where they were listed as a background pairing too! Second was gen/no ship (eight fills), and in a distant distant third were Merlin/Gwaine, Merlin/Lancelot, Elyan/Gwaine, and Merlin/Gwen/Arthur, all of which received two fills this month!

Fic is again the runaway format winner, with 37 out of 44 fills. That said, I was thrilled to see how many of you took the April bonus badge theme to heart and tried out a new medium – new is scary and change can be a challenge, so you all deserve a massive pat on the back!

Now, enough nattering from me, and on to the main event:

April fills

As per usual, fills are sorted by ship and then by rating. Please pay attention to the rating and any warnings, and practice self-care before clicking on those links.

Gen/no ship

Balinor : Pokemon Trainer by Ice-mint Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: bbc balinor , pokemon, digital art , merlin fanart Summary:

Flowershop!Merlin by feuxx Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

Holding Onto You by Camelots_Daffodil Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Arthur knows about Merlin’s Magic, sharing a bed, accidental cuddling, comfort, platonic or romantic Summary: Merlin and Arthur arrive at an inn while traveling, after a long ride through a storm. Both of them are exhausted. Things are looking good, when they get a room, but… what if… *gasp* There is only one bed Bet none of you saw that one coming. Includes Merlin comforting Arthur, accidental cuddles, and Arthur's daddy issues

Ikea debacle by Ice-mint Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Meme, ikea, knights Summary:

Little Glow Worm by archaeologist_d Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: canon era, during canon, silly, cracky, leeches have hats Summary: Merlin hated cleaning out the leech tank. So, he used a spell to get the leeches to do it.

Only the brave and the broken by teachinghimpoetry Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alternate Universe-Canon Divergence; Possibilities; Allies; Friendship Summary: Morgana deserved so much more than what she got. She deserved empathy and care. She deserved someone who was unfailingly honest, who knew about her magic and accepted it; who would value her in her own right, and not as a means to an end. She deserved a friend. What might Camelot have looked like if Will hadn’t died, and he and Morgana had found a connection they hadn’t anticipated, guided by the same moral compass: loyalty, equality and unity.

We're still here by donttouchtheneednoggle Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Whump, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Queerplatonic Relationships, Hopeful Ending Summary: Elyan and Gwaine. Both injured, both recovering, and both helping the other.

ongrats u found that family now u gotta traumatise them with sad movies by donttouchtheneednoggle Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Chaos, Modern Setting, Polyamory, Cuddling & Snuggling, Found Family Summary: Merlin decides the perfect time to show the resurected gang Ice Age is right after Lance has just had an operation. Horrible idea.

Merlin/Morgana

Blurred Lines and Darkened Morals by MerthurAllure Rating: Explicit Warnings: Rape/non-con Major tags: PWP, hate sex, wall sex, sex magic Summary: Merlin finds a weak, nearly dead Morgana alone in the woods. He hides her away below the castle while he decides what to do, and things escalate in a way neither of them saw coming.

Merlin/Freya

Sparks Fly When I'm With You by demitimelord42 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary: Freya thinks on her love for Merlin

Elyan/Morgana

A group of friends for a graduation party and... Elyan? by Laevateinn Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern AU, College AU, graduation party, moodboard Summary: When Morgana and her friends celebrate their graduation, Gwen’s older brother arrives and doesn’t leave her indifferent.

Freya/Leon

To Love by demitimelord42 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: modern au Summary: Leon thinks on his love for Freya

Gwen/Lancelot

For Love by archaeologist_d Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, canon, lancelot is a self-sacrificing idiot, just ask her Summary: Even though each step was an agony, Lancelot walked away from Guinevere, sacrificing himself for her.

Merlin/Gwen/Arthur

take your sleeping heart into the vast fields of light by stanzas Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: AU - Canon Divergent, Dreamsharing, Merlin's Magic Revealed, Spells & Curses, Hurt/Comfort Summary: Camelot is stricken by the news their beloved Queen Guinevere has fallen victim to a malicious curse. Merlin hatches a secret plan to save Gwen without alerting Arthur about the truth behind his abilities.

poetry and other sordid mysteries by stanzas Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Outsider POV, Accidental Voyeurism, Canon Era, Long Suffering Leon Summary: Throughout his life as a knight of Camelot, Sir Leon has caught the king at one point or another in some manner of bizarre or compromising situations, though this one in particular might finally push the unflappable first knight off the end of his very long, patient rope...

Elyan/Mordred

Cuddles by demitimelord42 Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: cuddles, fluff Summary: After Elyan gets injured during patrol, Mordred looks after him.

Balinor/Uther

for the one who stands outside the prison-wall by stanzas Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: AU - Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon, Angst, Unhealthy Relationships Summary: Before he can flee for Ealdor, Balinor is caught escaping from his cell in Camelot. Gaius pays the price for disobedience. Uther is left with a matching set of prisoners; the last dragonlord and his prized dragon. Flowing between the bars of cold iron dividing the king and his dragonlord, there is a storm of old grief and an unending sea of blood running through them.

Merlin/Elyan

First encounters by paintedpigeon Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Pre-slash, Elyan has magic, magic revealed Summary: Merlin, leaving home to avoid conscription in Cenred's army, meets Elyan, who's running away from Camelot.

Elyan/Gwaine

Trans Day Of Visibility by donttouchtheneednoggle Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Summary:

a song and dance of subduing self by stanzas Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Post-Episode: Herald of the New Age, Hurt/Comfort, Nightmares Summary: The servants sometimes shared little secrets behind closed doors, in the kitchens, whispering with heads pressed together and giggling together as they mused on their noble houses they served.

Merlin/Gwaine

If I Start a Commotion by peach Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: angst, Gwaine knows about Merlin's magic, established relationship, possibly unrequited love Summary: Falling in love is, Gwaine thinks, really not as fun as the minstrels make it sound.

The Equals We Found in Jokes and Fists by royal_spud Rating: Teen Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Gwaine and Merlin platonic, Bets and challenges, Powerful duo, Friendship Summary: After Gwaine corners Merlin in the back of the armory one day and reveals his knowledge of his magic, Merlin is compelled to show himself fully to the knight he so begrudgingly admired. And they find their even ground that day, taking sight of their mutuality, through jests and fist fights— managing to give the rest of the knights and the prince, a relative heart attack in the process.

Merlin/Lancelot

Abas ocus bithe duthectad bithlane by twosidesofthesameidiot Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Hurt/Comfort; Angst with Hurt/Comfort; There is sort of fluff as well Summary: “Please, please wake up,” Merlin pressed his forehead to Lancelot’s, “don’t leave me.” He traced the curve of Lancelot’s cheekbone, the path left behind, cleared of soot and blood, revealed a new scar and Merlin felt anger churning in his gut. Lancelot had done nothing wrong, he had done nothing wrong, yet here they were, scorned by King and country, Lancelot on the brink of death.

do it again so I don't miss it this time by kairennart Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Canon Era, Fluff, Humor, Magic Revealed, Summary: Merlin and Lancelot made a habit of cheating on their tasks with magic. One day, reports arrive of wyverns attacking villages' livestock. (Or: 4 times they were not exactly productive when hunting out in the forest + 1 time a hunt went much better than expected.)

Merlin/Arthur

Ditmas | Mumford & Sons by atlantablack Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: merthur, canon compliant Summary: And so I cry // As I hold you for the last time in this life

my fingers on your sleeping hand by Saurus Rating: General audiences Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Soft Arthur Pendragon, Fluff, Sleeping near each other for warmth Summary: Arthur keeps brushing his fingers against Merlin's. One night it changes.

What If You're Someone I Just Want Around by queerofthedagger Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Canon Compliant, Arthur Returns, Secrets, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: Sometimes, you love despite, not because. Sometimes, finding out does not change anything.

Knights of the Faceoff Circle by kirani Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern AU, NHL AU, friends to lovers, getting together, mutual pining Summary: Arthur Pendragon's first year in the NHL is exhilarating but he misses his teammate and long-time friend from the minors, Merlin. A wizard between the pipes and Arthur's best friend, everything changes when Merlin gets called up to play with him.

Horizons Over Battlegrounds by Zaharya Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: BAMF Merlin, Pranks, Baby Aithusa, Angst with a Happy Ending, Protective Arthur Pendragon Summary: Teasing and banter have always been part of Merlin's friendship with the knights. But when a prank hits a sore spot for Merlin, the fallout is fiercer than anybody imagined.

something I can breathe in by kirani Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Arthur Pendragon Returns, misunderstandings, humour, getting together Summary: He was trying very hard to fit in and watching Merlin when the older woman behind him leaned towards him over her trolly and asked with a mischievous glint in her eye, “You two are together, right?” Arthur looked at her for a moment, confused. Yes, he and Merlin were at the store together, he didn’t know why it mattered, though. They were stocking up on groceries for the week. He nodded. “I thought so,” she said with a grin. “It’s a game I like to play with myself in stores, you see.” --- Or: Arthur and Merlin get assumed gay couple by a stranger at a Tesco

Love of Mine by kirani Rating: Teen Warnings: Major character death Major tags: Magic reveal, temporary character death, hurt/comfort, poisoning Summary: Arthur found out about his magic, it's all out in the open. Now Arthur is angry and refusing to speak to Merlin. That won't prevent Merlin from continuing to protect his king, with his very life if he must.

5 Times Someone Else Flirted with Merlin and 1 Time Arthur Did by kirani Rating: Teen Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: 5+1 Things, flirting, everyone loves merlin, jealous arthur Summary: Exactly what it says on the tin: 5 times someone else flirted with Merlin and 1 time Arthur did. Or tried to, at least.

Mirrors by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: AU, canon era, role-playing, romance Summary: Sometimes role-playing was just a game and sometimes it was not.

To Fight or to fall; In the name of Destiny by royal_spud Rating: Mature Warnings: Major character death, Graphic depictions of violence Major tags: Battle of Camlann(Merlin), Fatal injuries, manipulating destiny, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Last kiss Summary: When the king rides out to war without his weapon; calling a distressed, secretive Merlin a coward- Merlin seems to be presented with a choice of limited options, one of the king's certain death... the other with nothing but a single chance. There's no guarantee of success, and destiny mocks him as it strips him bare of power, of chances, and with each passing moment... of time. But there was never a choice. Because for a chance to see the man he loved breathe another day, Merlin would give up his dignity, his safety and everything in between without a bat of an eye. For his desire to see the love of his life alive stretches beyond what destiny can ever comprehend. Even if his love would never be heard, nor reciprocated... nor even spoken out loud; leaving him to love him from afar for the rest of eternity.

And Tell by archaeologist_d Rating: Mature Warnings: Major character death, suicide Major tags: agnst, major character death, canonical character death, AU Summary: Merlin would have done anything to save Arthur. But it was already too late.

Milestone by archaeologistD Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: fluff, modern au, established relationship Summary: Merlin’s a fanfic writer and just reached a milestone of words. Arthur’s less than pleased.

Death is but the next great adventure by Just_another_shipper Rating: Mature Warnings: Choose not to use archive warnings Major tags: Post-Battle of Camlann, Arthur Knows About Merlin's Magic, Arthur Pendragon Has Magic, Harry Potter Elements, Arthur Pendragon Returns (Merlin) Summary: The last thing Arthur remembered was Merlin whispering something he didn’t quite understand, then darkness enveloped him. Arthur assumed that was the end of his story. He was wrong. Or Before Arthur can rise again, Albion needs him to go on a very peculiar quest.

The Dark Heart of the Matter by teachinghimpoetry Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Reincarnation; Modern AU with magic; Friends to Enemies to Lovers; Astronomy; Smart Arthur Pendragon Summary: Merlin and Arthur get off on the wrong foot when they first meet, but they soon realise there are much bigger things to focus on. They put their differences aside to save the world, and realise their joint destiny is written in the stars. Or: In which Merlin really does teach Arthur some poetry.

Bad Choice of Words in My Alibi by queerofthedagger Rating: Mature Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Accidental Soul Bond, Magic Revealed, Emrys Reveal, Quests, Mutual Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending Summary: One hot summer day and an ill-advised kiss leave Arthur with an incomplete soul bond, panic about all his secrets coming to light, and the question of why Merlin is so afraid of Uther. Actually, scratch that—why is Merlin afraid of him?

Lampblack Consequences by The_Alternate_Menu Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: PWP, Dom/Sub, Bondage, Orgasm Control, Anal Sex Summary: Of all the ways he’s tried to punish Merlin, this seems to be the only one that gets him to know his place.

Uncharted by follow_your_fire Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Bottom!Arthur, Top!Merlin, Porn with feelings, Fluff and Smut Summary: Arthur's dreamed of shooting a video with Merlin even since he'd first seen him in action. It would seem that some dreams come true. Except for one teeny tiny detail. Arthur doesn't bottom.

A Matter of Trust by kirani Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Magic BDSM, kink negotiation, established relationship Summary: They had not been terribly adventurous in bed yet, but the other night when Merlin had gathered Arthur’s wrists together and pressed them into the pillow as he’d fucked him, it had excited Arthur in a way he’d never felt before. He wanted more.

Desperate To Be Filled With You by MerthurAllure Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics, PWP, Knotting Summary: It’s inappropriate for an omega to flash their scent, but Merlin has tried everything else to get Arthur’s attention. He comes up with one last desperate plan.

Excalibur marks the spot by teachinghimpoetry Rating: Explicit Warnings: No archive warnings apply Major tags: Modern AU with Magic; Idiots in love; Mutual pining; fluff and smut; cocks and cocktails Summary: Arthur Pendragon, Associate Director of Pendragon & Son, is overworked, stressed and fed up. The cure for this is a dark-haired blue-eyed barman whose cocktails are just magic, and whose cock is even more so.

#merlin bingo #bbc merlin #round up #april

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friendlyneighbourhoodelf · 10 days

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duel of the fates my beloved. specifically thinking about it in terms of the maul v obi wan fight in the phantom menace then it’s (reworked) reappearance in the anakin v obi wan fight in revenge of the sith

#it’s about the themes #etc etc #also it just sounds awesome #i want to play it so badly #star wars #obi wan kenobi #<- sorta #he’s in the post #pretty sure this i’m right about revenge of the sith if not post cancelled #ally natters

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usafphantom2 · 2 years

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flickr

Ronnie Bell Following

The Bachem Ba 349 Natter

Dr. Erich Bachem's Ba 349 Natter (Viper) was the world's first, manned, vertical-take-off interceptor. The aircraft was an imaginative solution to a desperate problem but World War II ended before the weapon saw combat. Dr. Werner von Baun first proposed the concept in 1939 but the Air Ministry (RLM) rejected it as "unnecessary and unworkable." Bachem, an engineer with the Fieseler works, thought the idea had merit. He tried but failed to generate interest in several different proposals for a rocket interceptor.

During spring 1944, the Allied bombing offensive began taking a serious toll on the German war machine. None of the conventional methods employed by the Luftwaffe to intercept the bombers seemed to work so the service began to explore unconventional means. The RLM Technical Office issued requirements for an inexpensive fighter made of non-essential materials that could defend important targets. Messerschmitt, Junkers, Heinkel, and Erich Bachem submitted proposals but RLM officials remained unenthusiastic about Bachem's design. They chose a more conventional offering from Heinkel but Bachem refused to give up. He sought the support of Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS (Nazi Party security forces). Himmler liked Bachem's proposal and signed an order to build 150 Natters using SS funds. It was now possible that the SS might develop an aircraft beyond the RLM's control so they placed their own order for 50 Natters and announced the official designation, Bachem Ba 349.

Bachem's design was simple and easy to build. Semi-skilled labor could construct one in about 1000 man-hours. The wings were plain rectangular wooden slabs without ailerons, flaps, or other control devices. The cruciform tail consisted of four fins and control surfaces. Deflecting these surfaces in various combinations controlled pitch, yaw, and roll, once the Ba 349 had reached sufficient speed to generate adequate airflow. Aerodynamic control was augmented by guide vanes connected to the four control surfaces. Bachem positioned each vane within the exhaust plume of the main engine, a Walter 109-509A rocket motor. This is the same basic engine used in the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (also preserved in the NASM collection). Two liquid fuels combined inside the motor to generate thrust. When T-Stoff (a highly caustic solution of hydrogen peroxide and a stabilizing chemical) mixed with C-Stoff (a hydrazine hydrate/methanol/water mixture), combustion was spontaneous so extreme care was required to handle both chemicals. The Walter motor generated about 1,700 kg (3,740 lb) of thrust but a loaded Ba 349A weighed more than 1,818 kg (4,000 lb) so liftoff required more power.

Bachem got the extra thrust from four Schmidding 109-533 solid-fuel rocket motors that he bolted to the aft fuselage, two per side. Each motor produced 500 kg (1,100 lb) of thrust. At liftoff, all five motors ignited, generating about 3,700 kg (8,140 lb) of thrust. The resulting 1.6 to 1 thrust-to-weight ratio produced acceptable climb performance.

Natter operations were relatively simple and the following account describes a hypothetical mission. A 24 m (79 ft) tower guided the rocket plane during liftoff. The wingtips and lower fin fit inside guide rails to stabilize the aircraft until it cleared the tower. The flight controls remained locked in neutral position until the solid boosters burned out about 10 seconds into the flight. At burnout, explosive bolts blasted away the solids, the flight controls unlocked, and the Natter's 3-axis Patin autopilot began receiving steering commands from the ground via radio. The airplane continued climbing but the pilot could intercede at any time and take full control. Bachem calculated maximum climb rate at 11,563 m (37, 400 ft) meters per minute but flight tests did not confirm this figure.

American daylight bomber formations often approached a target at an altitude of 6,250 m (20,000 ft) to 9,375 m (30,000 ft). After the Natter had climbed even with the formation, the pilot took control, steering his Natter in close. At a range of about 1.6-3.2 kilometers (1-2 miles) from the formation, the Natter pilot jettisoned the nose cone and shotgun style, salvoed all 24 Henschel Hs 217 Föhn unguided rockets.

Rocket fuel would be nearly exhausted by now, so the pilot began to descend. At about 1,400 m (4500 ft), the pilot released his seat harness and fired a ring of explosive bolts to blow off the entire nose section. A parachute simultaneously deployed from the rear fuselage and the sudden deceleration literally threw the pilot from his seat. The pilot activated his own parachute after waiting a safe interval to clear the bits of falling Natter. Ground crews recovered the Walter motor to use again but the airframe was now scrap.

Bachem set up a factory to design and build his dream at Waldsee in the Black Forest. By November 1944, the first Natter was ready for tests configured as a motorless glider. A Heinkel He 111 bomber carried one to 18,000 ft and released it. The pilot found the aircraft easy to control. At 1000 m (3,200 ft), he fired the explosive bolts and the escape sequence worked as designed. A powered vertical launch failed on December 18 because of faulty ground equipment design. On December 22, the aircraft made its first successful launch with the solid fuel boosters only because the Walter motor was not ready. Ten more successful launches followed during the next several months. Early in 1945, the Walter engine arrived and the Natter launched successfully with a complete propulsion system on February 25, 1945, carrying a dummy pilot. The launch proved that the complete flight profile was workable. All went according to plan, including recovery of the pilot dummy and Walter rocket motor.

Now a man had to fly and the first test came on February 28. Oberleutnant Lothar Siebert climbed into a Ba 349A, strapped in, and rocketed off the launch tower. At about 500 m (1600 ft), the Natter shed its canopy and headrest and the aircraft veered off and flew into the ground, killing Siebert. No cause was determined but the ground crew may have failed to lock the canopy and it could have struck the pilot. Despite the tragedy, more pilots volunteered to fly and the Bachem team launched three flights in March.

With the end near, the Germans erected a battery of ten Natters at Kircheim near Stuttgart. Pilots stood alert day after day but no U. S. bombers flew into range. The U. S. Seventh Army overran the site but not before the Germans blew up all ten Natters and their launchers.

It is interesting to speculate about the Natter's potential effectiveness. Realistic flight training was next to impossible using an aircraft that destroyed itself after every flight. However, given the short duration of a typical interception (about 5-10 minutes), and positive ground control for much of the flight, the German could have eased training with a simple ground simulator. Once the German's erected a Natter site, U. S. Army Air Forces strike planners could easily route the bombers out of harm's way. Accuracy of the unguided rocket salvo is also questionable and it was a one-shot opportunity. It is safe to assume that the Bachem Ba 349A Natter was a bad idea from the start and as a bomber interceptor, it was a total failure.

Only two Bachem Natters are known to exist. The Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany, displays a Ba 349A restored in the colors and markings of one of the unmanned test aircraft. The NASM has the other Natter. U. S. forces captured this artifact at war's end and shipped it to Freeman Field, Indiana, for analysis. The captured equipment number T2-1 was assigned to the Natter and the U. S. Air Force transferred it to the National Air Museum (now NASM) on May 1, 1949.

Via Flickr

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hottakehoulihan · 7 months

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Pale: Fall Out - 14.3 (Spoilers)

I'm about two years behind in Wildbow's Pale, which I understand just ended and so I'd best finish reading it if I want to avoid spoilers.

Speaking of which, spoilers for anyone who hasn't read it; I'm currently on the Fall Out chapter just after the

SPOILERS

fight for the Crimson furs is wrapped up.

And I kind of hate Charles now, for all the pain he caused and the allies he betrayed, but I also see a sort of parable in him about how the revolution to fight the system will. hurt. allies. because your parents, friends, benefactors, and everyone else all have lives and jobs and loved ones who are surviving by being part of the extended infrastructure of the orphan-crushing machine.

I don't know what, if anything, Charles has planned past what he's already done, and it smells like he's one of those people throwing soup onto paintings or cutting down a rare tree to protest deforestation. Also I don't have the perspective to know whether Charles is mostly right or mostly wrong; this may be a "my father was on that Death Star in a facilities management role" or it may be a "throw paint on people's fur coats" situation.

But I figure the whole "you can't fight an evil system without hurting good people" situation is worthy of some meditation time. ..whether the karma system Charles is protesting is as awful as he argues or not, or whether he's got a better system in mind or not.

So, I'm leaving myself this little note, and nattering into the wind. Cheers!

#paleposting #houlihan reads pale #hhh.txt

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sashi-ya · 2 years

Note

If it's not yet taken, may I ask Zoro for day 11? Chocolate preferred with maybe F!reader? Up to you if you want it modern or canon ;w;

Hi hi!! Of course darling! I hope you enjoy this sweet snowball fight 💖 Thank u for requesting and have a wonderful holiday season! 💖

Chocolate Roronoa Zoro x F! Reader Day 11: Snowball Fight ~

tw: none. just soft sleepy marimos

a/n: inspired on this scene from Arabasta.

wc: 1K

The scent of roasting chestnuts Sanji is cooking is wafting through the air and it comes all the way up to the deck of the Thousand Sunny Go. Luffy is -of course- begging for a coat since Nami asked him if he wasn’t cold wearing just his vest and shorts. Chopper and Usopp are playing with the snow, making artistic snowmen (Usopp’s creating a beautiful “Snow Queen” that looks suspiciously similar to Kaya). Brook plays carols with his violin, while Franky and Jinbei work with something on the back.

Robin and you are having some hot beverages under the little table with an umbrella Sanji set up for you. And, your eyes get delighted by Zoro’s image, resting -snoring- against the mast, while snow accumulates over his green hair. If you ever let him under the snow somewhere with grass long enough, he would be perfectly camouflaged like a chameleon.

“I can’t help but ask myself how he is able to sleep like that, even under the snow and with all the noises around him” you state, clearly intrigued before taking a sip of your cappuccino. “He must be from another race, maybe he was a Lapin in his previous life” Robin says, and both of you giggle…

.. until something interrupts your pleasant natter. A snowball hits your face all of a sudden. The guys have started a snowball fight, and you are now a victim of Luffy’s “Gum Gum Snow Bazooka” and “Snowman punch”. Everything becomes a mess, even Nami is involved, and many arms sprout from the cold surface to throw several balls at the time (courtesy of Robin).

And everyone gets into it, but Zoro, who for some reason keeps sleeping and mumbling “katana” in between snores. “Gonna wake up the damn Marimo” Sanji prepares himself to throw the worst and biggest snowball ever made by his soft hands. “Allow me to, Sanji” you utter, smirking.

The cook hands over to you his deathly cold weapon and you get ready for the pitch.

“WAKE THE FUCK UP, MARIMO HEAD!!” you shout to impulse the snowball, hitting his left eye, making the ball stick to his scarred lid. Zoro slowly wakes up, all confused and without understanding who and how something hit him.

“Mhh? Is it morning already?”

Everybody burst into laughter, because of course Zoro would say that. Of course he will. You are no exception, he looks at you without understanding why you keep laughing at him, but the fact the ball is slowly melting in his eye it’s just so funny.

Zoro, despite being a little slow, finally realizes what’s going on and who was his attacker. You were spotted right away, and as he slowly leaves his katanas to rest over the mast, he stands up smirking.

“OH… OH LORD” you mumble, walking backwards, step by step. “IT WASN’T ME” you shout, lifting your hands up in the air. “Are you sure?” he asks, coming closer, with a devilishly stare and smile. “I SWEAR IT WAS HIM!” you point towards Usopp who has nothing to do, but still you thought it was a good idea to blame.

“Nah I don’t think Usopp was the one… he is too weak” he mumbles.

“Oi!!” the long nosed nakama protests.

"I'm sowwy" you purr, because your beloved sleepy nakama -crush- has a weak spot for you… or so that's what you thought…

"Come here!!!" He shouts and starts to chase you all around the deck. You run, trying to avoid the several icy impacts of the others aiming at you and Zoro, as well as, escaping from him.

Zoro gets behind because Chopper has decided to cover you, so you have enough time to make some snowballs to counter attack. "So you got allies here, huh? Well let's see!" Zoro says, shaking the remains of white product from his face and hair. You giggle, winking an eye to the little doctor.

But soon you realize you've been cornered against the railing of the Sunny go. The deck is not an island, and the surface is limited. You know there is no escape. Well maybe there is, but Zoro is about to do something to you, wouldn't it be that bad to enjoy it a little?

"Now you are all mine to take revenge!!!" He shouts and pounces into you. "Nooo!!" You shout like a damsel in distress. Zoro tickles you, until you fall to the floor. "Stoop I'm gonna pee!" You beg for mercy because you can't stop laughing.

"No, you gotta learn!" Zoro says, also laughing, and sliding between your clothes some of the snow that's been accumulating over the deck.

You squirm to the cold sensation of snow melting on your skin, but also in awe, cause Zoro has touched your skin just like that.

And you, with a handful of snow, do the same he did to you. You put some snow in between his haramaki and stomach, turning his belly warmer into an icy weapon. Your hand feels blessed, you just touched Zoro’s hard abs for the very first time. Something you wanted to do for so long.

"Ahhhh!! That's cold!!!" He protests, slipping over you, crushing you against the deck. Your faces get closer, closer than ever. So close, your lips end up pressing.

A few seconds after, that lasted eternally and boy how good it felt, the kiss breaks.

Zoro looks at you in amazed, what has just happened?. You, absolutely in heaven, enjoy the proximity of his now blushed tanned cheeks. "O-oi…" he mumbles. "Hm?" You ask, drunk with the holy image of his perfect countenance. "Aren't you cold? what about going inside?" He proposes.

And you completely understand what he meant… Zoro helps you stand, pulling from your hand. Both escaping stealthily so no one notices, you go inside to keep your "fight" with some other sweet kisses..

Zoro’s special spot on the crow’s nest feels warm enough, warm, and lonely for you two. From the windows you can see your nakamas still playing in the snow, hugged to your sleepy Marimo💖~

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cinebration · 3 years

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A Challenge (Sherlock Holmes x Reader) [Part 1]

I would to see a Sherlock Holmes x reader fic where they meet at a party for the first time. Perhaps introduced to each other by Mycroft. — Requested by @inlovewithhisblueeyes

Part 1 | Part 2

Tagged: @bichibibi

Warnings: none

Gif Source: kpfun

Sherlock hated parties. They were a waste of his time, not to mention populated with far more people than he cared to be around—namely, all of them.

But Mycroft insisted. “Fame carries much weight, and if you won’t utilize it, then I shall,” he would say.

Thus he would parade Sherlock about like some exotic curiosity, introducing him to all kinds of members belonging to the upper echelons of English society. Sherlock would muster up a fake smile, which barely touched his lips, and listen to his brother and whichever poor soul he was trying to introduce Sherlock to natter over trivialities.

Mycroft had introduced half a dozen of said individuals within the first half hour of the party, and Sherlock was quite made up he was done humoring his brother. As he headed for the door, content to rid himself of social obligation, he found himself intercepted once more by his brother.

“Mycroft, no,” he said, trying to sidestep him.

“You will have to excuse him, miss,” Mycroft said to you, shooting a glare at Sherlock. “Sherlock, play nice. This is—oh damn, it’s Duke Farringdon. I trust you can take care of the introductions?”

With that, Mycroft raced to the other side of the room in the direction of a portly man with startlingly skinny legs for the size of his belly.

You smiled awkwardly, laughing with mild nervousness. “Well, introductions can be tricky business.”

Suppressing a sigh, Sherlock fixed his attention on you. “When it comes to my brother, that is true. I am Sherlock Holmes.” He waited for the gasp of surprise that usually followed.

Instead, you nodded and introduced yourself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m sorry, but I was expecting…” He shook his head. “My brother usually introduces me to people who take an interest in my work.”

“What do you do?”

Puzzled, Sherlock answered, “I am a detective.”

“Oh! From Scotland Yard?”

He laughed. “Please. I have more dignity than that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.” You spoke rapidly, pushing past it. “I’ve been abroad the last decade. I haven’t heard much news from England.”

That explained it. Before Sherlock could comment, you continued, “So, then, are you much like the Pinkertons?”

Eyebrows arching in surprise, Sherlock scrutinized your face. “I operate on my own.”

“Ah, an independent contractor. How delightful. I was hoping you weren’t like the Pinkertons. They seem to operate more for the robber barons than for anyone else.”

“I take it your travels took you to America.”

“Yes, how could you tell?” Amusement glimmered in your eyes.

“It wasn’t a difficult deduction.”

“Clearly.” You swept your gaze around the room. “Parties can be so boring, can’t they? Everyone is at their best when they are deep in their cups, and for those of us who abstain, we are left with the dregs of their behavior.”

Sherlock chuckled. “I agree.”

“My brother dragged me here. I suppose his first thought was that, rather than returning home to rest after my travels, I would rather surround myself with strangers.” A rueful smile touched you lips. “He doesn’t know me at all.”

“He didn’t travel with you?”

“Good heavens, no. If the sea passage didn’t kill him, I would have.”

Sherlock felt a smile fluttering at his lips. Something about your blatant honestly and sardonic humor was appealing to him, especially after a half-hour of sycophantic talk from the others at the party.

“Were you traveling for work or pleasure?”

“A bit of both. I have always wanted to see the world, and my current position had allied me to just that.”

“What work?”

You arched an eyebrow. “You’re the detective. You tell me.”

He examined you. Your dress was two years old, indicating a lack of funds and status—or a general disregard for fashion trends. Gloves covered your hands, preventing him from seeing anything telltale there. A single necklace around your neck spoke of some inherited wealth.

“You were a lady’s companion.”

“Incorrect.”

He blinked. Mistakes were bound to happen, however ,especially with so little evidence. He considered your mentioning Pinkertons. “A journalist, perhaps?”

“Incorrect again. My, my, you aren’t very clever, are you?”

He would have been affronted but for the laughter in your face that spoke of teasing.

“Well, Mr. Holmes, as delightful as I find your company, I am desperate to flee before my brother notices my absence. If you figure it out, please do ring me.” Reaching into your small purse, you handed him a calling card. “I’m sure you will figure it out in time.”

Bowing your head slightly, you retreated, slipping out of the ballroom with a haste that Sherlock envied. He flipped the card over in his hand, checking the thickness of it and the printing. It wasn’t as high-quality as he expected.

“Mycroft,” he called, practically peeling him away from the duke, “the woman you introduced me to—”

“Yes, she’s such-and-such’s sister, I believe.”

“Who, exactly?”

Mycroft’s forehead creased. “Why?”

“Answer the question.”

“Him,” he said, gesturing to a thin man not far from them. “She was quite eager to meet you.”

Sherlock frowned. “She didn’t know who I was.”

“Yes, she did. She asked me to introduce you.”

Apprehension mounting, Sherlock strode over to your brother, interrupting a conversation he was having with two young women. “Sir, can you tell me where your sister has gone?”

The man frowned. “I don’t have a sister.”

Sherlock glanced back at your hasty exit, a deep frown scoring his face. Seeing it, Mycroft immediately joined him.

“What is it?”

“That woman lied to me.”

Mycroft’s eyebrow arched. “Well, they can’t be trusted.”

Sherlock shot him a look.

“Fine, fine, but really, she lied and you didn’t see through it?” Mycroft shook his head. “You are losing your touch.”

Sherlock examined your card.

It was a challenge.

A smile pulled at his lips. He loved a challenge.

#Sherlock Holmes x Reader #Sherlock Holmes #Sherlock Holmes imagine #Henry Cavill x Reader #Henry Cavill #Henry Cavill imagine #Enola Holmes

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bamf-jaskier · 3 years

Text

Who the Fuck is Philippa Eilhart?

I don’t know if you’ve been following Witcher news lately but Philippa has just been cast!

Of course, many show-only fans might not be familiar with her character and game-only fans might not know how different her story is in the books, so I’m here to give a relatively brief overview of her plot line in the books. Warning: lots of book spoilers ahead as well as the standard graphic violence that is the norm in the books.

With that, Hi! I’m Aaliyah and this is Part 6 of my WTF Series - a crash course in subject from The Witcher books.

The first time we meet Philippa in Blood of Elves, she is an advisor to the King of Redania. Dandelion is brought before The Redanian Secret Service because they wish to know Geralt’s whereabouts.

Excerpt:

Dandilion glanced at the fourth person present at the meeting, who until then had remained silent. Philippa Eilhart must have only recently arrived in Oxenfurt, or was perhaps intending to leave at once, since she wore neither a dress nor her favourite black agate jewellery nor any sharp make-up.

She was wearing a man’s short jacket, leggings and high boots – a “field” outfit as the poet called it. The enchantress’s dark hair, usually loose and worn in a picturesque mess, was brushed smooth and tied back at the nape of her neck.

“Let’s not waste time,” she said, raising her even eyebrows. “Dandilion’s right. We can spare ourselves the rhetoric and slick eloquence which leads nowhere when the matter at hand is so simple and trivial.”

Here are some of Dandelion’s thoughts on Philippa:

Dandilion divided women – including magicians – into very likeable, likeable, unlikeable and very unlikeable. The very likeable reacted to the proposition of being bedded with joyful acquiescence, the likeable with a happy smile. The unlikeable reacted unpredictably. The very unlikeable were counted by the troubadour to be those to whom the very thought of presenting such a proposition made his back go strangely cold and his knees shake.

Philippa Eilhart, although very attractive, was decidedly very unlikeable. Apart from that, Philippa Eilhart was an important figure in the Council of Wizards, and King Vizimir’s trusted court magician.

She was a very talented enchantress. Word had it that she was one of the few to have mastered the art of polymorphy. She looked thirty. In truth she was probably no less than three hundred years old.”

Then, Dandelion leaves to go back to Geralt and Philippa follows him in the form of an owl:

A big grey owl glided down to the sill without a sound. Shani cried out quietly. Geralt reached for his sword.

“Don’t be silly, Philippa,” said Dandilion.

The owl disappeared and Philippa Eilhart appeared in its place, squatting awkwardly. The magician immediately jumped into the room, smoothing down her hair and clothes.

“Good evening,” she said coldly. “Introduce me, Dandilion.”

“Geralt of Rivia. Shani of Medicine. And that owl which so craftily flew in my tracks is no owl. This is Philippa Eilhart from the Council of Wizards, at present in King Vizimir’s service and pride of the Tretogor court. It’s a shame we’ve only got one chair in here.”

Geralt is trying to hunt down a wizard, Rience, who is trying to get Ciri. When Geralt is about to kill Rience, Philippa lets Rience portal away and Geralt, Shani and Dandelion are quite upset:

“Philippa!” shouted Dandilion, still holding the weeping Shani. “Have you gone mad?”

“No,” said the witcher with some effort. “She’s quite sane. And knows perfectly well what she’s doing. She knew all along what she was doing. She took advantage of us. Betrayed us. Deceived—”

“Calm down,” repeated Philippa Eilhart. “You won’t understand and you don’t have to understand. I did what I had to do. And don’t call me a traitor. Because I did this precisely so as not to betray a cause which is greater than you can imagine.

A great and important cause, so important that minor matters have to be sacrificed for it without second thoughts, if faced with such a choice. Geralt, damn it, we’re nattering and you’re standing in a pool of blood. Calm down and let Shani and me take care of you.”

Of course, this is all a part of Philippa’s larger plan to hold a coup and gain political power. Vilgefortz hired Rience and if Geralt had found that out then Vilgefortz would be revealed as a traitor to the Brotherhood and Philippa couldn’t have that happening before her coup.

The next time we see Philippa is in Time of Contempt at the banquet on Thanedd Island. She talks to many of the guests, here is a short conversation between her and Geralt:

“There’s no caviar.’ (Geralt)

‘One moment.’ (Philippa)

She looked around quickly, waved a hand and mumbled a spell. The silver dish in the shape of a leaping fish immediately filled with the roe of the endangered shovelnose sturgeon. The Witcher smiled.

‘Can one eat one’s fill of an illusion?’

‘No. But snobbish tastes can be pleasantly titillated by it. Have a try.’

‘Hmm… Indeed… I’d say it’s tastier than the real thing…’

‘And it’s not at all fattening,’ said the enchantress proudly, squeezing lemon juice over a heaped teaspoon of caviar. ‘May I have another goblet of white wine?’

‘At your service. Philippa?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m told etiquette precludes the use of spells here. Wouldn’t it be safer, then, to conjure up the illusion of the taste of caviar alone, without the caviar? Just the sensation? You’d surely be able to…’

‘Of course I would,’ said Philippa Eilhart, looking at him through her crystal goblet. ‘The construction of such a spell is easy as pie. But were you only to have the sensation of taste, you’d lose the pleasure the activity offers. The process, the accompanying ritual movements, the gestures, the conversation and eye contact which accompanies the process… I’ll entertain you with a witty comparison. Would you like that?’

‘Please do. I’m looking forward to it.’

‘I’d also be capable of conjuring the sensation of an orgasm.”

She is quite ruthless and cutting and while Geralt remains upset about Rience, Philippa, in true sorceress fashion, has already moved on. As well, she is explicitly queer in the books which I talk about here

Later, Geralt gets up in the night to go to the bathroom and stumbles upon Philippa attempting a coup. Triss temporarily blinds Geralt and Philippa and Tissaia exchange tense words. Philippa sends Geralt away with Dijkstra, offering him mercy despite him finding out about her coup.

However, Geralt gets away from Dijkstra and goes back to Thanedd where a full-battle is going on.

Turns out, Tissaia and Philippa’s fight cumulated in Tissaia releasing Vilgefortz and lowering the barrier as seen in this passage:

“They’re still fighting,’ said Carduin, grinding his teeth. ‘It’s hot down there, one spell after another…’

‘Spells? In Garstang? But there’s an anti-magic aura there!’

‘It was Tissaia’s doing. She suddenly decided whose side she was on. She took down the blockade, removed the aura and neutralised the dimeritium. Then everyone went for each other! Vilgefortz and Terranova on one side, Philippa and Sabrina on the other… The columns cracked and the vaulting collapsed… And then Francesca opened the entrance to the cellars, and those elven devils suddenly leapt out… We told them that we were neutral, but Vilgefortz only laughed.”

Geralt then runs in Keira Metz who was thrown out a window and she explains that after Vilgefortz was released the Scoia’tael (Elven and Non-human fighters who are allied with Nilfgaard sort of) attacked:

“Sorry. How did the Scoia’tael get here?”

“They were hidden in the cellars. Thanedd is as hollow as a nutshell and there’s a huge cavern under it; you could sail a ship in if you knew how. Someone must have told them the way—Ouuuch! Be careful! Stop jolting me!’

‘Sorry. So the Squirrels came here by sea? When?’

‘God knows when. It might have been yesterday, or a week ago. We were preparing to strike at Vilgefortz, and Vilgefortz at us. Vilgefortz, Francesca, Terranova and Fercart… They conned us good and proper. Philippa thought they were planning a slow seizure of power in the Chapter, and to put pressure on the kings… But they were planning to finish us off during the Conclave… Geralt, it’s too painful… It’s my leg… Put me down for a second. Ouuuch!”

Later, there is a flashback to Philippa and Tissaia’s fight:

‘Enough!’ Philippa slammed her fist down on the table. ‘I shall satisfy your curiosity, Carduin. You ask who is preparing a war? Nilfgaard. They intend to attack and destroy us. But Emhyr var Emreis remembers Sodden Hill and has decided to protect himself by removing the mages from the game first. With this in mind, he made contact with Vilgefortz of Roggeveen. He bought him with promises of power and honour.

Yes, Tissaia. Vilgefortz, hero of Sodden, sold us out to become the governor and ruler of all the conquered territories of the north. Vilgefortz, helped by Terranova and Fercart, shall rule the provinces which will be established in place of the conquered kingdoms. It is he who will wield the Nilfgaardian scourge over the people who inhabit those lands and will begin toiling as the Empire’s slaves.

And Francesca Findabair, Enid an Gleanna, will become queen of the land of the free elves. It will, of course, be a Nilfgaardian protectorate, but it will suffice for the elves so long as Emperor Emhyr will give them a free hand to murder humans. The elves desire nothing so much as to murder Dh’oine.”

Tissaia states, “That is a serious accusation. Which means the proof will also have to be as weighty. But before you throw your proof onto the scale, Philippa Eilhart, be aware of my stance. Proof may be fabricated. Actions and their motives may be misinterpreted.

But nothing can change existing facts. You have broken the unity and solidarity of the Brotherhood, Philippa Eilhart. You have handcuffed members of the Chapter like criminals. So do not dare to offer me a position in the new Chapter which your gang of traitors–who have sold out to the kings, rather than to Nilfgaaard–intend to create.

We are separated by death and blood. The death of Hen Gedymdeith. And the blood of Lydia van Bredevoort. You spilled that blood with contempt. You were my best pupil, Philippa Eilhart. I was always proud of you. But now I have nothing but contempt for you.”

I won’t go into detail for the sake of brevity, but Philippa ends up escaping Thanedd unharmed after her failed coup and we don’t see her again until Baptism of Fire when she is forming The Lodge.

Here is an excerpt of her pitch speech about The Lodge to the other mages:

Philippa Eilhart stood up, her dress rustling.

‘Distinguished sisters,’ she said. ‘Our situation is grave. Magic is under threat. The tragic events on Thanedd, to which my thoughts return with regret and reluctance, proved that the effects of hundreds of years of apparently peaceful cooperation could be laid waste in an instant, as self-interest and inflated ambitions came to the fore.

We now have discord, disorder, mutual hostility and mistrust. Events are beginning to get out of control. In order to regain control, in order to prevent a cataclysm happening, the helm of this storm-tossed ship must be grasped by strong hands.

Mistress Laux-Antille, Mistress Merigold, Mistress Metz and I have discussed the matter and we are in agreement. It is not enough to re-establish the Chapter and the Council, which were destroyed on Thanedd. In any case, there is no one left to rebuild the two institutions, no guarantee that should they be rebuilt they would not be infected with the disease that destroyed the previous ones.

An utterly new, secret organisation should be founded which will exclusively serve matters of magic. Which will do everything to prevent a cataclysm. For if magic were to perish, our world would perish with it.

Just as happened many centuries ago, the world without magic and the progress it brings with it will be plunged into chaos and darkness; will drown in blood and barbarity. We invite the ladies present here to take part in our initiative: to actively participate in the work proposed by this secret assembly. We took the decision to summon you here in order to hear your opinions on this matter. With this, I have finished.’

Then, later on in Baptism of Fire at the first official meeting of the Lodge Philippa discusses how she wants to make Ciri Queen of the North.

“Who, then, is to be this Queen of the North?’

‘A girl from a royal family,’ Philippa calmly replied, ‘in whose veins flows royal blood, the blood of several great dynasties. Very young and capable of producing offspring. A girl with exceptional magical and prophetic abilities, a carrier of the Elder Blood as the prophecies have heralded. A girl who will play her role with great aplomb without direction, prompt, sycophants or grey eminences, because that is what her destiny demands.

A girl, whose true abilities are and will be known only to us: Cirilla, daughter of Princess Pavetta of Cintra, the granddaughter of the Queen Calanthe called the Lioness of Cintra. The Elder Blood, the Icy Flame of the North, the Destroyer and Restorer, whose coming was prophesied centuries ago. Ciri of Cintra, the Queen of the North. And her blood, from which will be born the Queen of the World.”

After this, Yennefer, who was brought to the Lodge agains her will (although she is a member) escapes with Fringilla’s help in order to find Ciri and Philippa is furious.

The next time we see Philippa is in The Tower of the Swallows and it is when Yennefer is hunting down Vilgefortz and contacts Philippa for help:

Philippa stared at her from under lowered eyelids. “If you believe,” she said finally, “that you've won peace, time, or security with this declaration, then you've miscalculated. Make no mistake about it, Yennefer.

When you fled from Montecalvo, you made your decision. You chose to stand on a different side of the barricade. If you are not with the Lodge, you are against the Lodge. Now you're trying to forestall us from finding Ciri, and the motives that guide you are opposed to ours.

You act against us. You do not want to allow us to use Ciri for our political purposes. You shouldknow that we will also do everything in our power to make sure that you cannot use the girl for your sentimental purposes.”

“So, it’s war?”

“Competition.” Philippa smiled toxically. “Competition only, Yennefer.”

“Decent and honorable?”

“You must be joking.”

“Obviously. Though on at least one specific issue, I would like to have an honest and genuine conversation. And, incidentally, it involves a favor to me.”

“Speak.”

“Over the next few days, maybe even tomorrow, events will occur whose consequences I cannot foresee. It may happen that our competition and rivalry suddenly has no meaning. For the simple reason that one of the competitors will not be there anymore.”

Philippa Eilhart narrowed her blue-shaded eyes. “I understand.”

“Ensure that I posthumously gain back my reputation and good name. I will no longer be held for a traitor or an accomplice of Vilgefortz. I ask this of the Lodge. I ask this of you, personally.”

Philippa was silent for a moment.“I deny your request,” she said finally. “I'm sorry, but your exoneration is not in the interest of the Lodge. If you die, you die a traitor. You'll be a traitor and criminal to Ciri, because then it will be easier to manipulate the girl.”

“Before you do something that could be fatal,” Triss said suddenly, “leave something behind for us…”

“A will?” Yennefer said.

“Something that allows us to… continue. To find Ciri. Because we are primarily concerned for her health! For her life! Yennefer, Dijkstra has found some traces of… some traces of certain activities have been found. If Vilgefortz does have Ciri, then the girl faces a horrible death.”

“Be quiet, Triss,” Philippa Eilhart hissed sharply. “We are not trading or bargaining.”

“I will leave you the information,” Yennefer said slowly. “I'll leave you the information on what I've found and what I plan. I’ll leave a trail you can follow to her. But not in vain. If you will not facilitate my exoneration in the eyes of the world, then to hell with you and with the world. But at least grant me exoneration in the eyes of the witcher.”

“No,” Philippa denied the request almost instantly. “That is also not in the interest of the Lodge. You will also remain a traitor and a mercenary sorceress to your witcher. It is not in the interest of the Lodge for him to furiously attempt to avenge you. If he despises you, he will not attempt to take revenge. By the way, he's probably already dead or will die any day now.”

“The information,” Yennefer said dully, “for his life. Save him, Philippa.”

“No, Yennefer.”

“Because it's not in the interest of the Lodge.” A purple fire kindled in the sorceress’ eyes. “Did you hear that Triss? There, you have your Lodge. You see their true colors, their true interests. And what do you think of them? You were a mentor to the girl, almost – as you put it – a big sister. And Geralt…”

“Do not attack Triss’ relationships, Yennefer.” Philippa retaliated with her own fire in her eyes. “We will find and rescue the girl without your help. And if you succeed, that's fine, a thousand thanks, because you will have saved us the trouble. You tear the girl out of the hands of Vilgefortz and we will be happy. And Geralt? Who cares about Geralt?”

“Did you hear that, Triss?”

“Forgive me,” said Triss Merigold dully. “Forgive me, Yennefer.”

“Oh, no, Triss. Never.”

I know this is a long scene, but it’s so important and isn’t one I felt right in slicing up. This establishes Triss’ true betrayal of Yennefer. Just prior to this, it is practically stated that Triss and Philippa slept together and despite Triss’ love for Yennefer her loyalty to Philippa is stronger in this moment which makes this hurt so much more. Philippa is also so cruel to Yennefer in this scene, denying both Geralt and Ciri the truth of her motivations as to better manipulate them. It really showcases how her lust for power overrides her empathy.

The final time we see Philippa is in Lady of the Lake when Ciri is brought before the Lodge. Here, Philippa describes what their plans are for Ciri:

“You are coming with me,” Lady Owl (Philippa) said, breaking the heavy silence, “and Sile to Kovir, to Pont Vanis, the summer capital of the kingdom. As you are no longer Cirilla of Cintra, during the course of the audience you will be presented as an adept of magic, being protected by us.

At that audience you will meet a very wise king, Esterad Thyssen. You will meet his wife, the Queen Zuleyka, a person of singular nobility and goodness. You will also meet their son and heir, Prince Tancred.”

Ciri was beginning to understand and rolled her eyes. Lady Owl did not miss that detail.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “First of all you must impress prince Tancred. Because you are going to become his lover and give him a child.”

“If you were still Cirilla of Cintra,” Philippa continued after a long pause, “still the daughter of Pavetta and granddaughter of Calanthe, you would become Prince Tancred’s legal wife. You’d be the princess and later the queen of Poviss and Kovir. Unfortunately, and I tell you with genuine regret, fate has deprived you of everything. Including your future. You will only be his mistress. His favourite.”

Then Later:

“Your’s and Tancred’s child,” Philippa watched here with dark eyes, “will ensure the future and status of this Lodge. Take note that it will be a great thing. You will be a part of it, because right after the birth you will sit with us at this table. We will teach you. You are one of us, even if you do not want to admit it yet.”

“On the island of Thanedd,” Ciri overcame the tightness in her throat, “you said I was a mindless tool, even a monster, Lady Owl, and now you say that I am one of you.”

Then, the Lodge asks Ciri what her last name will be, Philippa and others offering theirs but Ciri declines in favor of choosing Yennefer’s:

“Thank you, Lady Philippa,” Ciri said after a few moments, squeezing the head of the sphinxes in her hands. “I also feel honoured with the proposal to take the surname de Tancarville. However, it seems to me that my new last name is the only thing that I can choose for myself, I thank the two mistresses. But I want to be called Cirilla of Vengerberg, daughter of Yennefer.”

Ciri requests to go and see Geralt and The Lodge votes on this and Philippa is the deciding vote. At first, she is hesitant but then Ciri shows her a vision and Philippa says this:

“This Lodge,” Philippa said at last in a firm voice, “is to decide the fate of the world. So, this Lodge must reflect the world. Here, equilibrium and wisdom does not always mean cold and selfish, calculation and vileness, and sentimentality is not always naive. On one hand, iron discipline and on the other responsibility, resistance to violence, gentleness and trust. Cool reason… And heart.”

“I,” she said into the silence that reigned after her introduction, “cast the last vote. I will take into account one more thing. An element that without balancing anything, balances everything.”

“Following her gaze, everyone looked at the wall, to a mosaic of many multicolour tiles depicting the snake Uroboros, biting it’s own tail.

“That thing,” she continued, staring with her dark eyes at Ciri, “is destiny in which I, Philippa Eilhart have only begun to believe in recently, which I have only recently begun to understand. Destiny is not the way to providence or comfortable fatalism. Destiny is hope. I am full of hope that it will become what we want to happen, so I give my vote to Ciri - Child of Destiny, Child of Hope”

In the pillared hall of Montecalvo the was silence for a long time. From outside of the window came the hunting cry from a sea eagle.

“Lady Yennefer,” Ciri whispered. “It means…”

“Come, my daughter,” Yennefer whispered back. “Geralt is waiting for is and it is a long road ahead.”

This is the last time we see Philippa, but based on what we hear at other parts of Lady of Lake, we know she does not have a happy ending. After this, the Witch Hunt begin, a period of time when the Clergy hunted and murdered sorceresses and destroyed their pictures and images. The Witcher Hunts themselves could be an entirely separate post there is so much there.

Many sorceresses, Philippa included as later considered Martyrs but she was killed viciously by the clergy as described in this passage from Lady of the Lake:

…As well as many of the other faithful, St. Philippa was also besmirched with betraying the Kingdom, inducing riots and plotting a coup. Willemer, a heretic and sectarian, unlawfully appointed himself the title of archpriest, and ordered St. Philippa to be thrown into a dark dungeon, and to plague her with cold and hunger, until she confessed to her sins of which she was accused and repented.

Also various instruments of torture were used to try and break her spirit. But St. Philippa with disdain, spit in his face and accused him of sodomy.

The heretic had her disrobed and whipped her with barbed wire and placed sharp splinters under her nails. While unceasingly preaching about his faith and denouncing the Goddess. But St. Philippa laughed at him and recommended to him to heal his sick mind.”

“Willemer then gave the order to have her taken to the rack and stretched, while tearing her body with sharp hooks and burning her with candles. Although thus tormented, St. Philippa showed no weakness in body and indeed her resistance and endurance seemed almost superhuman.

The executioner’s arms went limp and with fear they retreated from her. Then the filthy heretic, Willemer, began to threaten them and told them to continue the torment. They burned St. Philippa with red-hot irons, pulled her limbs out of their joints and pulled at her breasts with blacksmith tongs. And although she passed away from this torment, she confessed nothing.

The shameless heretic Willemer, we read in the books of our holy fathers, later suffered for this punishment and it was that lice and worms began to eat him alive, his entrails rotted away and he died miserably.

His carcass carried with it a foul stench and nobody wanted to bury him, and so he was dropped in a swamp.

For the suffering and death of St. Philippa the eternal memory of a martyr’s crown rightfully belongs. Let us give the Great Mother Goddess praise for her lessons and teachings. Amen.

The Life of St. Philippa, Martyr of Mons Calvus

The Book of Martyrs Compiled in the Breviary of Tretogor, For the

Contemplation of the Holy Fathers and Mothers.”

Needless to say, Philippa’s hunger for power and The Lodge end in ruin. There are very few happy endings in The Witcher and this is just another example.

So that’s my overview on Philippa! I had to cut some scenes and moments in the hope of keeping it short, but I hope it was still an enjoyable read. If you want another character/topic WTF post leave something in my inbox and I will get to it when I can.

#I tried to keep it as short as possible while still doing justice to the character and this is still so fucking long #Philippa is so goddamn ruthless #I love how people say that Yennefer's character int he show is like Philippa's because like...damn #Yennefer in the show is empathic and kind and sometimes too trusting and it just hurts #I am interested to see how they bring in Philippa considering how she wasn't in S1 #perhaps she was a student of Tissaia's from before Yennefer's time that she didn't want to talk about #or perhaps she was a student and Tissaia just didn't want to say anything #either way she's a very important character to the plot of the books #Philippa eilhart #the witcher #meta #The Witcher books #the tower of the swallow #lady of the lake #time of contempt #baptism of fire #blood of elves #the lodge #myposts #wtf series

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