#the unchosen 'verse
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Ok, so Adusa-daro is said to be "of his blood", speaking of Count Verandis, right? But we see him sworn never to turn anyone in his Montclair memories. And as far as I can tell, she doesn't know about his Grey Council past. But Gwendis says something about I know he had a past "before he found me", which suggests that's when the current rules of House Ravenwatch were created. And Adusa-daro says she traved with others before joining House Ravenwatch.
So it seems like the timeline goes Grey Council breakup -> turning Adusa -> separation from Adusa -> finding Gwendis -> founding House Ravenwatch -> recruiting Fennorian
I have no idea how long went between each event but the way Fenn both considers Verandis a father figure and also is nervous about seeing him again in Markarth makes me wonder just how recently he has joined. Given he is an altmer, even without the immortal vampire bit, recently for him could still be quite a while I guess?
I may continue burbling about this sometime when it isn't midnight, who knows
#house ravenwatch#elder scrols online#count verandis ravenwatch#Adusa-daro#gwendis ravenwatch#fennorian ravenwatch#a rambling nope appears#the unchosen 'verse
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Welcome!
FAQ:
1) What is Alvoskia?
Pitched as TDP x ATLA x Six of Crows, Alvoskia is the over arching name for the planned series. In-universe, it’s a fictional country in the West of Vita’s Land, ruled by a democratic monarchy and boasting variety of kingdoms and independent states. It is very socialist in its structure and shares its borders with just about every other people, including elves, wolf-human shapeshifters, giants, and their primary rival / long time enemy, Kilvoskia, the two countries largely splitting the continent in two. It is, therefore, also the main setting, loosely, for most of the book(s).
2) What is an Infran?
One of eight reincarnated protectors, each bound to their own cycle and with their own unique power set consisting of 3-4 abilities. The Infrans are as follows: Life, Death, Water, the Moon, Fire, Knowledge, Time, and Blood. Their abilities include but are not limited to shapeshifting, elemental manipulation, death and shadow magic, dream sharing, telekinesis, and healing.
3) Who are the main characters?
All of the main core cast (seven in total) are important, but the main protagonist throughout is Ally, a resourceful if insecure Infran of Life who has lost access to her abilities and is trying to get them back (an ‘unchosen’ one if you will). The other two leads of the first book is her twin sister Jamie, the Infran of Death and an asshole with a heart of gold (think if Kaz and Inej from Six of Crows were one person) and their mutual friend, Flames, a prodigal Infran of Fire with an equally sunny personality and a dark past to run from. Things take a turn when Alvoskia is threatened with war/invasion, but with hope that the peace treaty can still be renewed.
4) What inspired the premise?
A lot of things, but growing up as a very ATLA obsessed kid, I always wondered how people in the Avatar-verse knew that the Avatar would, without a doubt, be a good person, as well was what it would be like if there was more than one Avatar running around, and they could disagree with each other. Thus, Infrans was born with a strong mythic foundation as well as a desire to subvert typical fantasy tropes over how certain tropes like elves, dragons, unicorns, and indeed chosen ones, are typically portrayed.
5) Themes?
A focus on the complications of friendship (jealousy, resentment, trauma, found family), religion (religious trauma and reclamation, chosen one status), war (what is worth fighting for vs knowing when to yield), and trauma (acceptance, grief, healing).
6) Representation?
Everyone in the main cast is a person of colour except for Bill, the resident healer. Everyone in the main cast is canonically queer (featuring bi-ace, bi, pan, genderfluid / nb, trans, aspec characters) except for Isuri, who I picture as cishet but can honestly easily be read as arospec. She is Islamic coded as well and wears a hijab equivalent. Ally’s journey with her abilities is allegorical for growing up ND in a lot of ways; she and Jamie belong to an in-universe minority religion somewhat reminiscent of Yazidism. Flames is canonically Autistic and uses both she/her and he/him. One of their main instructors is an amputee and more characters become disabled over the course of the series.
7) Triggers?
TW: death, some mild gore and blood, mentions of abuse and indoctrination, body horror, and very minimal mentions of animal abuse/death. If you read The Hunger Games or Six of Crows, you’re probably good here. There are is no SA, racism, homo/transphobia, or religious discrimination, although the series does touch on xenophobia sometimes (think TDP).
8) Where am I publishing wise?
In late March 2023, I received an offer of publication from an indie press I had queried the previous year. I have accepted this offer as of September 2023 and signed paperwork as of October 2023, with an expected 2025 release date (likely in the fall). More details will follow and some of the journey will be blogged about here under “dragons’ publishing adventures”!
Thank you for checking out this blog, reading this post, and potentially following this blog. I’ll probably post here a few times a week with word counts for revisions I’m making in my own time, playlists, some edits/moodboards, and small snippets of writing. I’m still working on the characters page but the ‘about’ and ‘writing’ is done for now. Feel free to send in any questions or DMs, I would love to hear your thoughts!
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Image courtesy of Benjamin Garza
Guiding Star, Hidden Scars: The Plight of the Eldest Daughter
The candle burning bright, ignites a fiery flame,
But as it burns at both ends, it's never quite the same.
The passion once so vibrant, now flickers under strain,
A reminder that even the strongest can feel the pain.
From tender years, she was taught to lead,
To guide her siblings, and fill their need,
But who guides the guide when they lose their way?
As she tallies her responsibilities, in a never-ending fray.
When she falters or stumbles, the sound is loud,
The disappointment in the eyes of the crowd.
She’s meant to be flawless, a standard so high,
Yet she’s human, imperfect, and sometimes she cries.
In the quest for perfection, she lost herself,
Her dreams on hold, her passions on the shelf.
She carries the weight of expectations high,
A role unchosen, under the watchful sky.
She longed to be seen, not just for her role,
But for the person within, her own soul.
Yet who sees the sacrifice? The pain?
The sleepless night? The anxiety's heavy chain?
But for every struggle faced, a lesson learned, a strength gained,
And through the pain of growth, a pearl of wisdom is attained.
As she tries to begin again, to fill this gaping hole.
She seeks the light of dawn to mend her weary soul.
A piece of her youth is traded, for every victory she feels,
But she ties up her hair and smiles like it's no big deal.
With pages turned and lessons learned, she now walks just fine,
She pens her soul in verses bold, in crafted and straight lines.
So lift your head dear one, and like her carry-on,
For you are strong, courageous, and full of brawn.
And though the weight may seem too much to bear,
Know that you are capable and that you will get there.
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I am... frustrated with one aspect of Fringe's storytelling in particular, something I was holding out hope might be dealt with and now I'm losing hope with the amber timeline rewrite; and while my perception of it is definitely colored by Farscape comparisons, I'm pretty sure I would have been annoyed even if I'd seen this season of Fringe first: Peter never knew he had a son. It's literally never addressed, he had no idea Altlivia was pregnant, much less that she gave birth to their child. It's a hugely tragic thing that could have made for such good angst, that the amber timeline meant Henry was erased - not to mention the potential for angst about being a parent to a child on the other side! The tragic irony of the bridge coming too late! A layer added for Peter, the man erased from the timeline, to have to cope with his own loss on top of the one being lost! And man, while I wish Farscape had done more with John and Katralla's daughter - his oldest if not his firstborn, the child he would never know - they did let that situation carry some heavy emotional impact in the episode it happened, at least. (That hologram hug destroyed me, good grief!) The parallels are obvious, down to something good coming of an unchosen but not wholly unwanted violation - and Farscape used that to tell us something important about John as a character, the way he automatically chose (tried to choose, though thwarted) a future with the mother of his child over freedom, trading obligations (to his friends versus his blood, and then some). What could a red!verse baby have told us about Peter, about his choice between Olivias, between universes, between family of birth and family of choice? There's just so much wasted storytelling potential there and it is frustrating.
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The Noble Quran தமிழ்
The Quran opens with a description of three types of human beings constituting the Human World.
The first is the Believer described in five verses. The second is the disbeliever described in three simple verses. The third is the hypocrite described in full 13 verses.
The hypocrite is difficult for the ordinary human being to assess. Whilst the hypocrite ultimately deceives himself, he causes much corruption and mischief in the earth and amongst unwary human beings. He displays all the characteristics of Satan and the ultimate incarnation of evil.
Zionism, stripped of all pretensions, is just that - pure and simple.
There is nothing but actions that are anti-human, anti-society, anti-culture and anti-god. If it’s fundamental idea is premised on the notion that it is “chosen” and the remaining 99.8% of the human race is “unchosen” what actions other than evil would you expect this idea but staggering hypocrisy.
This hypocrisy is in full display in the Zionist captured capitals and media of the Western World.
மனித உலகத்தை உருவாக்கும் மூன்று வகையான மனிதர்களின் விளக்கத்துடன் குர்ஆன் தொடங்குகிறது.
முதலாவது ஐந்து வசனங்களில் விவரிக்கப்பட்ட விசுவாசி. இரண்டாவதாக மூன்று எளிய வசனங்களில் விவரிக்கப்பட்ட காஃபிர். மூன்றாவது முழு 13 வசனங்களில் விவரிக்கப்பட்ட நயவஞ்சகர்.
நயவஞ்சகனை சாதாரண மனிதனால் மதிப்பிடுவது கடினம். நயவஞ்சகன் இறுதியில் தன்னைத்தானே ஏமாற்றிக் கொள்ளும்போது, அவன் பூமியிலும், விழிப்புணர்வில்லாத மனிதர்கள் மத்தியிலும் மிகுந்த ஊழலையும், குழப்பத்தையும் ஏற்படுத்துகிறான். அவர் சாத்தானின் அனைத்து குணாதிசயங்களையும் தீமையின் இறுதி அவதாரத்தையும் காட்டுகிறார்.
அனைத்து பாசாங்குகளிலிருந்தும் அகற்றப்பட்ட சியோனிசம், தூய்மையானது மற்றும் எளிமையானது.
மனித விரோத, சமூக விரோத, கலாச்சார விரோத, கடவுளுக்கு எதிரான செயல்களைத் தவிர வேறெதுவும் இல்லை. இது "தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டது" என்ற கருத்தின் அடிப்படையில் இது அடிப்படை யோசனையாக இருந்தால், மீதமுள்ள 99.8% மனித இனம் "தேர்வு செய்யப்படவில்லை" என்றால், தீமையைத் தவிர வேறு என்ன செயல்களை நீங்கள் எதிர்பார்க்கிறீர்கள், ஆனால் அதிர்ச்சியூட்டும் பாசாங்குத்தனத்தை.
மேற்கத்திய உலகின் சியோனிஸ்ட் கைப்பற்றப்பட்ட தலைநகரங்கள் மற்றும் ஊடகங்களில் இந்தப் பாசாங்குத்தனம் முழுமையாகக் காட்சியளிக்கிறது.
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It hadn't been some small village this time. The crown city was much larger, but this was no less a city of its own. The plague had taken over from the inside and the gates prevented any from leaving... if there were any survivors, they were few and far between. It had been put forward that they could reign fire upon the city and step in when the flames subsided, but it was a port and trading hub, too many valuables would be lost.
"Remember, this will be a battle in close quarters. Stay vigilant and prepare for daemons in every building, around every corner, do not fall prey to complacency."
There was no banter among the men, the mood somber in light of the task ahead. Aerith had worked tirelessly anointing soldiers with oil of thyme for courage and binding broken skin in soaked linens and leathers to prevent infection. In all of her preparations she spared no thoughts to the Gods, no prayers, her focus unwavering on what was practical.
Ever at Somnus' side, they followed after the initial charge. She didn't strike a single enemy with her shield. The moment they stepped through the gates it hit her, everything she once held onto falling to the cobbled street as she dropped to her knees with both hands desperately clutching her head. Her screams were immediate.
Falling at the point of entry made her an obstruction, her smaller frame toppled and accidentally stepped upon with the rush of men streaming in. None of it reached her, not truly, Bahamut's wrath incapacitating her to the point of wailing sobs. She didn't pray to him. Another insult to the affronted god.
Even worse, she hadn't told Somnus. It had happened once, in a dream, and weeks had passed. His god had been watching and she was found wanting. Her screaming drew out more of the daemons from their dwellings, and though she was far from being in a good position, had she been in that first charge her life would be forfeit.
Raids like this were never a simple thing. It needed tactic, preparation and care. And it needed bravery and courage from the troops. Faith that they could see this through – because what awaited them behind the gates and walls were monstrous things that seemed to have come out of nightmares.
Men, women, children. Dead or distorted by the sickness. None sane, none conscious anymore – but all fallen to the Scourge into some animalistic instinct. Kill, eat, devour, infect.
They needed to be fast and brutal.
So a sudden distraction, right at the gates was a hindrance.
Especially since it put a mental halt to Somnus’ thoughts. It did not add up. They had not yet come into contact with anything. But Aerith was down on her knees. And she was screaming. Wailing as if a Daemon had skinned her back.
And it made him stop immediately. His eyes glancing around, trying to make out what he had missed. Some other soldiers were confused, too. Afraid of what was happening they couldn’t understand.
“Move on!”, Somnus ordered the troops as he lurched back to get to her.
What had happened? Her head?
The Daemons were attracted by her screaming. They found them at an impractical spot. He had to be quick. Get her away from the others. See what happened.
Looping one arm around Aerith to hoist her up from the ground, Somnus could only give her a quick check to see any obvious wounds – before he used a shortsword to warp away from the other soldiers.
Landing up on a rooftop, Somnus held Aerith against himself, looking out for any Daemons coming their way, before he looked down onto her.
“Aerith? What is it?!”
Tears were streaking her face and her entire body was tense as if shocks were surging through it. No blood. No wounds. No broken bones. A few angry red spots where the others had accidentally stepped over her, but that had been after the fact she had broken down. They would bruise and heal quickly. Nothing to make her cry like this.
He didn’t understand – and that only served to make him even more nervous. He had never heard her like this. And he hated it. Her crying and sobbing tortured him, made his chest feel tight with helplessness.
“Aerith! Talk to me – please!”
He shook her briefly, before another noise caught his attention. Claws scratching against stone. A gurgled growl. The Daemons drew in closer again, lured by Aerith’s cries. He kept holding her in one arm, using his right to call upon his Armiger, letting weapon after weapon appear to keep them at distance. It demanded all of his attention for a few moments – until there was a moment to breathe. Raising up a wall of light around them, like an orb, he could ensure they were safe for some time.
And he could focus on her again, his hand cupping over hers, as she was still clutching her head. The noise of fighting, the growling of Daemons was drowned out beneath the shield he had procured, but it did nothing against the blood rushing through his ears and the dull loud beat of his heart when he heard her still crying.
“Aerith? Can you hear me?”
But there was another feeling, too… as if they weren’t alone here. As if there was a third presence, along with them. And only on the corner of his eyes, Somnus could then see the figure of a man standing there, watching Aerith with blue glowing eyes.
@holyguardian
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She came among us, dressed in the guise of a woman, running from a past unchosen. A savior of those we held dear at risk to herself. A woman with wild honor, to stand before destruction for people regarding her with distaste.
And we saw what that honor tempered. We saw the fire, the rage, the primal savagery that burned at her core, that could consume us all with unerring efficiency. But instead, we embraced her. Welcomed her. She is one of us, and our enemies tremble at her name, the idea that she wields draconic fury as our shield.
SHYVANA, THE DRAGON OF DEMACIA
Independent, Multiship, Multiverse, OC Friendly
ABOUT | RULES | VERSES
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In deeply learned books, the medieval historian Mary Carruthers argues that in medieval monastic culture, contemplative prayer was primarily understood as a process of crafting thought. In this culture, she says, memory was understood not as a mirror of the past, or as a record of what has happened, but as a tool to make real what God desired.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul compared himself to a “wise master builder.” In medieval monasticism, this phrase would become the dominant representation for understanding what prayer did. Mental images were the building blocks. The thinker, the one who prayed, was the mason who set the stones in place to create a building in which God could dwell.
Recall that in the medieval world, one did not snuggle into the corner with one’s own beloved Bible. Texts were all important, but printing had not yet made it possible to own them individually. Books were manuscripts, rare and shared. Reading aloud was commonplace. One was explicitly expected to make a mental representation to remember what had been read.
Mental images were understood as the means to take in what was perceived through the senses and to shape and store that awareness in the mind. Those mental images determined what one remembered and how one remembered it. And unlike a modern psychology that imagines such mental images as unchosen and epiphenomenal, flitting through the mind like formless moths, monastic psychology treated images as chosen and substantial, as acting on the person and upon the world with power.
The monastics set out to teach themselves to use their mental images like instruments. Augustine spoke of “painting in the heart.” Those who listened to scripture were expected to “paint” in their mind’s eye, as the fifth-century monk Arnobius invites his audience to do when contemplating Psalm 98, vague but glorious: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.” Arnobius advises:
Paint, paint before your eyes the various fabricated things, whenever you chant of these [while reciting the verses of the psalm]. Of what sort? Those which were seen with wonder by the apostles [chiefly John]: paint the temples, paint the baths, paint the forums and the ramparts rising on the high summit.
Many of these medieval instructional texts presented scripture in highly visualizable language, and their readers—or more likely, listeners—moved from scene to scene and picture to picture as they progressed. Those pictures were meant to become part of their memory and thus their means to think and act; thus their character, who they were. This was an Augustinian psychology. In his Confessions, Augustine remarks: “Inside me, in the vast cloisters of my memory, are the sky, the earth, and the sea, ready at my summons, together with everything I have ever perceived in them by my senses.”
-- T. M. Luhrmann, When God Talks Back
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Mega Good Omens Fic Rec Post 1
OH BOY Y’ALL IT’S HERE
This is the first string of fics I would wholeheartedly recommend from my bookmarks (probably first of three, we’ll see). There are 65 fics sorted into 9 categories: Jaunts Through History/Canon; South Downs; Post-Apocalypse; Bus Ride/Night Before/Heaven and Hell; AU/UA (UA is Universe Alternate, where everything is the same, just...a bit to the left. I feel like that term has more nuance, idk); Soft; Touch-Starved/Body Worship/Wings; Bonus; H/C /Whump/BAMF. These will be the same categories for every fic rec post in this vein. I try to include warnings for sex and gore, if applicable, but please check the tags of each fic before you read, just in case.
Mega GOmens Fic Rec Post MASTER
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I BROKE A LINK OR MISATTRIBUTED SOMETHING.
I don’t read explicit works and I’m not a big fan of Human!AUs so there’s not any of those, but there’s a bit of just about everything else. Please enjoy! Hope the ReadMore works, sorry for folks on mobile if it doesn’t!
JAUNTS THROUGH HISTORY/CANON
1. Bright With His Splendour – Daegaer (T, specifically book-verse. This is an exquisite look at the developments in Crowley himself, especially as it relates to his war-related traumas in the War in Heaven and later WWI. The Arrangement is Aziraphale’s idea here, which is awesome. Highly emotional and visceral.)
2. Whatever Road We Choose – @ri-writing (T, the one where Aziraphale gets jumped by some demons and Crowley nurses him back to health, and Aziraphale has to confront his worldview when he realizes Heaven never responded to his call for help. Quiet and powerful as Aziraphale starts to realize Crowley isn’t everything he thought he was and maybe Heaven isn’t, either.)
3. Linked – @chekhov (T, the one where Crowley shows up in Bukhara and Aziraphale has to pretend to capture him so his angel intern doesn’t destroy Crowley entirely. Has a lot of fun moments and emotional growth in play. And yearning. Lots and lots of yearning.)
4. The Demon Favourite – @kanna-ophelia (T, the one where Crowley is posing as a nobleman and manages to build himself a little ramshackle family, and Aziraphale takes care of them when Crowley gets himself discorporated. Extremely tender, lots of Crowley cooing over babies.)
5. Akashic Records – @penig (Generally G, one T, the series where Crowley is head-over-heels from the start and broadcasts it loudly, and Aziraphale is in Panic Protective Mode. The series is gorgeous and vibrant, the characterizations are so spot-on and yet fresh, the dialogue is perfect, the character growth is delicious. I can’t gush enough about this one.)
6. But The Old Love Was Not So – BuggreAlleThis (G, the one written in the style of Le Morte d’Arthur about Aziraphale’s final few days in the court of King Arthur. Hilarious with the promise of emotional pain to come in the second half.)
7. flightless bird (dumb, wild, and free) – JennaCupcakes (@veganthranduil) (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale make out for half of history while Aziraphale has an ongoing existential crisis about being a broken angel. Poignant, sensual, culminates in a deliciously fraught confrontation where Aziraphale has to finally sort himself out and Crowley says some hard but true things. I once spent three hours trying to find this fic again without remembering the title so now it’s kinda ingrained.)
8. Nanny Knows Best – @patricianandclerk (M, rest of series is T, the one where Crowley endures some truly horrible experiences while serving as Warlock’s nanny. Adorable relationship between Warlock and Crowley, and it’s only getting better. The dynamic with Aziraphale is nuanced and beautiful. Rating for sexual harassment and groping, and it’s a bit of a difficult read at times during those moments, so be careful.)
9. The Holy Essence of Experience – Dragonsquill (T, the one where Aziraphale and Crowley have loved each other almost since the beginning, but have been very careful to not put a name to it. The yearning is real and so gorgeous. The scene just before they come up with their plan to avert Armageddon haunts me.)
10. The Arrangement – @writeonclara (T, the one where Aziraphale and Crowley try to get a handle on this sex thing. Non-explicit, hilarious, and unique! I can only assume the rating will probably be going up, which makes me sad because it’s hard to find nonexplicit fics that still deal with what sex brings to a relationship, but what’s written for now is well worth it.)
11. And After – @randomacts13 (T, the series where Crowley and Aziraphale work through their self-worth and have lots of flashbacks. The first one involves Crowley taking care of a seed that keeps dying and leaving another seed behind, which is not at all feeding into his self-hatred; the second has Crowley and Warlock gluing coins to the sidewalk; the third is about Aziraphale on a one-way flight to Complete Mental Breakdown if he doesn’t get some help for his anxiety and repressed emotions soon.)
12. The road to rapture has a lot of pit stops – emmagrant01 (E but only for the sixth chapter, the one where Aziraphale and Crowley have shared five kisses throughout history and one where they meant it. People like me who don’t like explicit material can skip Chapter 6 (or just read until they smooch) and go straight to the epilogue. The rest of it is amazing; every kiss is believable in context and has such good lead-up. Very romantic, very good.)
13. Round and Round the Garden – SanSanFanFan (G, the one where Brother Francis and Nanny Ashtoreth get up to some hanky-panky beneath a willow tree while Warlock sleeps in his pram. Just sweet and silly fluff.)
14. Flecks of Light and Dark – volunteerfd (T, the one where Aziraphale learns to deal with his emotions. Has a really beautiful recurring thing of Crowley and Aziraphale making up stories of who they’d be if they were human, and Aziraphale doing his best to do good and help even when Heaven ties his hands.)
15. Before the Water Rises – VitreousHumor (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale become friends while helping a village make rafts to escape the Flood. Has a lot of really cute moments and some pretty exquisite romantic tension.)
16. Beneath the Stars – @brooklynbabybucky (G, the one where Crowley asks Aziraphale to cut his hair. Just has some really lovely imagery and a sweet bonding moment.)
17. lit in the darkness – @toedenandbackagain (M, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale share a bed sometimes throughout history. Warnings for some sexual content in chapters 7 and 14, but each chapter has its own warnings in the description. Presents some beautiful bonding moments and the absolute finest pining known to man.)
SOUTH DOWNS
18. The Play’s the Thing – volunteerfd (G, the one where Aziraphale is cast in the local production of Hamlet and Crowley is trying his best to be supportive of his truly awful actor husband. Hilarious and light and absolutely a classic.)
19. Parsley, Thyme, Sage, Daffodils – @mostweakhamlets (NR, the one where Aziraphale has a cooking YouTube channel and Crowley is camera-shy. Tackles PTSD in a really thoughtful way and is Peak Soft Cottage Husbands aesthetic, it really packs in the most warm fuzzies in a small package.)
20. to carthage then i came – @lvslie (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale move to the South Downs and learn to work through their issues around being together and being their own people after cutting ties with Heaven and Hell. Poetic, poignant, the last chapter is a thing of absolute beauty. Very heavily symbolic, that one.)
21. A Better Place for Us to Be – @befuddledmackem (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale tour a particular cottage. Deeply emotional, the Absolute Best Real Estate Pr0n if you also secretly watch HGTV and weep, has completely ruined any future house-buying opportunity I might have because nothing will be this sweet and perfect.)
22. Something We Were Withholding Made Us Weak – trieduntrue (M, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale move to the South Downs and very carefully orbit into something more like a relationship. Exquisite tension, beautifully-done pining and slow-burn, really fun bits of world building. M is for a sex scene at the very end but it’s easy to skip over, it’s small.)
23. reasons wretched and divine – @stammiviktor (T, the one where Crowley storms out after a fight and finds himself in an actual conversation with God. Highly emotional and a great look into Crowley’s head, both in how he feels about God and how he feels about Aziraphale.)
24. The Sprawl of Life – @dietraumerei (T and G, the series where Crowley and Aziraphale settle into village life quite well. Has sex-positive asexual characters, which is fun (brief note about that: it’s not explicit, but the places it happens, there is clear leadup and it can get a bit intense, so take care of yourselves). Has touches of angst that balance beautifully with the fluff, lots of BAMF Aziraphale for the soul.)
25. Seashells and Fingerpainting – Vagabond (@waffleironbiddingwar) (T, and I recommend this one specifically from the series, can be read independently: the one where Gabriel is sent to the South Downs for a time out. This is quite possibly the best Gabriel character study I have ever seen; it’s tender and heartbreaking and somehow you find yourself rooting for Gabriel to figure out why he’s being punished despite yourself. All the warm fuzzies. All of them. Read the whole series, it’s great!)
POST-APOCALYPSE
26. Laugh When It Sinks In – @tenoko1 (G, the one where Crowley helps Aziraphale build a home in the bookshop flat. Another one that feeds right into my interior decorating itch. So sweet and uplifting, will absolutely make you feel proud of Aziraphale.)
27. Chosen and Unchosen – Bookwormgal (T, the one where the kids have to go save Aziraphale and Crowley from Heaven and Hell. Has some EXCELLENT Warlock characterization and some really good tension between him and Adam, and the angst is properly upsetting. A right good adventure romp that’s really starting to ramp up.)
28. Resonance – Macx (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale become something Else. Good world building, beautiful romance, and Gabriel getting told off. Love how Crowley and Aziraphale growing into their new roles is handled, and how Adam unexpectedly ties in at the end.)
29. Falling Heavenward – @kanna-ophelia (T, the one where Crowley unexpectedly has to win his angel back because of a really twisty deal with Heaven. This one is a pretty wild ride, but I would say the centerpiece is Fallen Gabriel, who becomes Asmodeus. It becomes a battle for Aziraphale’s heart, though Asmodeus isn’t in it for the feels so much as the revenge, obviously. Really interesting premise and something to read if rooting for Crowley is a way you like to spend your time.)
30. A Leisurely Stroll Down – Saturniidae (@Saturniiddae) (M, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale have to fight for their relationship. Has some sexual content that isn’t explicit, and gore that really sort of is. I have thrown things and cried a little at this one, but that was the price for reading while it was still updating. Absolutely gorgeous in every way. Also has God speaking through a household object and it’s hilarious.)
31. From God’s Perspective – Unfortunately (T, the one where God comes down personally to interfere in Her children’s business. The absolute best portrayal of God in any fic ever, really humanizes her in the best ways. I love how she interacts with her angel and demon children. It’s almost more of a character study of God than anything. And yes, the Sound of Music is sung.)
BUS RIDE/NIGHT BEFORE/HEAVEN AND HELL
32. Worth Knowing – summersage (T, the one where Aziraphale and Crowley discuss the Fall and manage Miltonian angel sex despite it. Has a take on how the Fall works that I was thinking about but couldn’t find words for until this fic, and it’s absolutely fantastic. The Miltonian angel sex is esoteric and weird and not at all erotic, but it is beautiful. The mortifying ordeal of being KNOWN indeed.)
33. Legendary Lovers; Your Hand in Mine – @tenoko1 (G, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale regroup in a hotel instead of his flat and have a bit of a knock-down-drag-out. Crowley is angry and scared and so in love he can’t stand it, and Aziraphale is practically going at light speed in confronting and knocking down his own barriers, and it’s highly emotionally charged and wonderful.)
AU/UA
34. Love of My Life – @ellewrites4 (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale get together very early and make it work all throughout history. Gorgeous romance, and the fallout from the Holy Water caper and the bandstand breakup are EXQUISITE. Peak emotional turmoil, sweet boundary negotiation, forgiveness and love and anxiety and fear—just delicious.)
35. True Love and High Adventure – @grifalinas (T, the one that’s a Princess Bride au. Absolutely on-point casting, wonderful writing style, the perfect escape fic for a little while. Incomplete but still worth the read.)
36. Inverse Omens – @amuseoffyre (T, the one where Aziraphale is a demon with a p0_rn shop and Crowley is an angel running a community center from a bombed-out church. Y’all recommended this to me on my demon!Aziraphale rating post, and it’s AMAZING. Perfect characterization and a wonderful retelling. Warning for Chapters 11 and 12, Aziraphale’s Nanny Ashtoreth messes with the Dowling parents in far more direct ways and there’s scenes of Mr. Dowling jerking it, so take care, friendos. Also Aziraphale makes the filthiest double entendres and it’s delightful. Also also Crowley needs all the hugs.)
37. A Blaze of Light – @wingedspirit (T, the one where Crowley is Raphael and he and Aziraphale make a Pact instead of an Arrangement. This one is a wild adventure, friends, and a riveting one. The Pact puts an interesting spin on their developing relationship, and by the time it gets to TV canon, it’s already off the rails in the best ways. Also Crowley has some pretty heavy depression that manifests in his former Archangel-level powers blowing up a bit, which is cool. Should be wrapping up soon and I’m pumped for it!)
38. it’s high time that you love me, cause you do it so well – mygalfriday (T, the one where Crowley can’t physically say the word “love” but can diddly dang well show it if he wants. Already super sweet but the confession scene at the end is just incredible.)
39. Hold the Line – sum_nemo (T, the one that’s a Pacific Rim AU. I adore PacRim, you guys, and this one is just *chef’s kiss*. Puts Crowley as Raleigh (lost his twin sister copilot) and Aziraphale as Mako and includes a pretty painful shared past between them, which is already simmering and delicious. Can’t wait to see where this one goes.)
40. The Truth Remains – @wanderingalicewrites (NR, the one where Crowley was Raphael, had a good relationship with his siblings, was in love with Aziraphale, and knew he was destined to Fall. Aziraphale is still in mourning for Raphael and Crowley is still working out the point of his existence, so there’s some very good pining and existential dread up in the mix. A highly interesting take on the situation and very, very good at punching you in the feels with the flashbacks to Heaven and how different things are now, especially with the other Archangels. LOL it just updated while I was writing this and I am UNDONE, I am in PAIN, the bandstand scene always hurts but NOT LIKE THIS. ALSO MORE ARCHANGEL FEELS, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN)
41. Everything Dark and Unseen – @enjambament (M, the one that’s a Psyche and Eros retelling. After the Fall but before Eden, Heaven and Hell need a truce, so they marry Crowley and Aziraphale to keep the peace in a symbolic sort of binding. A beautiful romance, an excellent action sequence, the cutest OC creatures, the best OC angels, and I wish there was a continuation of how canon progressed with this monumental change in their history bc I am THIRSTY for more. Rated M for a kinda-sorta sexy scene but there’s not really Efforts sooo…it’s more sensual than sexual? I guess? Either way, highly recommended.)
42. The Name of the Star is Wormwood – LusBeatha (T, the one where Crowley was Raphael and the Fruit of Knowledge of Good and Evil was a fly agaric mushroom. It is exactly as eccentric as it sounds, but presented in such a way that it actually makes sense. It jumps around in time, but the storyline taking place in the present is looking like Armageddon 2.0. Beautifully written, great take on canon.)
43. Sticks and Stones – @justkeeptrekkin (T, the one where Crowley takes on the guise of Casanova while trying to get over Aziraphale and Aziraphale shows up, whoops. GORGEOUS imagery, the most scrumptious pining, and if y’all appreciated the 2005 Pride and Prejudice dance scene, the one in here will about blow that one out of the water, if you can believe it. Knocked the breath right out of me.)
44. Yearning to Hold You Close – @guanin (T, the one where Aziraphale has a relationship with King Richard and asks Crowley to help save him, and there is a big sticky mess of feelings when they realize Richard and Crowley look almost exactly alike. In part inspired by David Tennant playing Richard II. A delicious, delicious emotional quandary where Crowley and Richard both wonder if Aziraphale only loves them because they look like each other, and Aziraphale doesn’t know how to say what he feels. Very sweet, very emotionally fraught.)
SOFT
45. Just This Once – @julia-writes-fanfic (T, the one where Crowley and Aziraphale kiss in the 90s and it’s amazing. The drunk 90s kiss is already good, but them revisiting it sober in 2010 makes both even better.)
46. A Sky Full of Stars – @kedreeva (G, the one where Aziraphale takes Crowley someplace where they can see the cosmos. The first GOmens fic I ever bookmarked, so I felt like including it, because it’s unbelievably sweet and has amazing visuals.)
47. The Serpent and the Seagull – @ineffably-good (G and T, the series where Aziraphale misses Crowley so he gets a little pet snake. Frederick the snake is among the best of the GOmens OCs, hilarious and foul-mouthed and once Crowley starts being able to understand him, it only gets better. Frederick likes helping his pets work their problems out so they’ll leave him alone to sleep. It’s extremely cute.)
48. The Discerning Black Swan – @lwtis (T, the one where Crowley is definitely not projecting on a black swan desperately trying to court a white mute swan in St James’ Park. I love how Crowley interfaces with his emotional problems through the swan, and the visual of the two swans is gorgeous.)
49. What A Demon Dreams – @whatawriterwields (G, the one where Crowley has some weird dreams, dude. I love the symbolism and the imagery in this one, it’s really vivid. It’s hard to pull off a concept like this so I respect how the author is able to do it and make it work.)
TOUCH STARVED/WINGS/BODY WORSHIP
50. Sunlight – crorvid (M, the one where Aziraphale is a touch-starved angel. Doesn’t deserve the M rating, in my opinion, but Aziraphale does feel the touching during their makeouts very intensely and it’s incredibly satisfying.)
51. The Curious Attractiveness of Others – @giddygeek (T, the one where Crowley finally gets to groom Aziraphale’s wings and Aziraphale gets to show Crowley how tender that can be. Another one with some great world building tucked into the corners, and emotionally satisfying grooming.)
52. Broken Wings – werebear (@werebeary) (T and M, the series where wing grooming is incredibly intimate and I got the vapors from the tenderness. Also the first time I saw anything about preen glands. The second one is rated M because the preening gets a bit…intense. Not sexual, exactly, but it’s close. Very passionate.)
53. Birthmark – Linebreaker (G, the one where Crowley has a scar on his lower back and a sad story to go with it. This one needs a bit of a harder rating, imo, and there’s one line that’s a bit Much, but otherwise it’s a sad and beautiful look at a potential reason why Crowley hates the fourteenth century so much. Lots of Crowley body worship packed into few words, very satisfying.)
54. They Are A Pale Picture of You – @ineffablefool (T, the one where they go for a walk during winter and things are just Soft. Ineffablefool has a wealth of body-positive asexual GOmens fics, but I think I like this one best, it’s sweet and adorable and some jerk who insults Aziraphale’s weight rightly gets the worst day of his life. Also Crowley compares Aziraphale in his winter wear to a plump little bird and it’s cute imagery.)
BONUS
55. Ineffable Bureaucracy Drabbles – Shift7 (T, the series of short fics where Gabriel and Beelzebub are kinda-sorta falling into friendship and being very judicious about it. Lots of paperwork, very orderly.)
56. Ineffable Bureaucracy – @eshnoazot (T and G, a series of longer fics where Gabriel and Beelzebub are navigating a careful arrangement of their own. Still lots of paperwork, of course, but there’s also emotional friction and conflict resolution. Excellent characterizations. Wednesday night Thai and Friendship night is a+++++. Gabriel deffo called a board meeting to talk about his feelings.)
57. A Bentley Sang in Berkeley Square – CastielHamilton (G, the one where the Bentley is sentient and a good, good girl. She is doing her best and I love her. Basically the series from her point of view.)
58. Fairest and Fallen – VitreousHumor (T, the series where Beelzebub and Gabriel encounter each other a few times and Gabriel tries his best to remember their shared pre-Fall history. Poignant, sad, and beautiful.)
59. Observer Effect – SquarePudding (T, the series where the Grigori in charge of recording Aziraphale’s Earthly movements starts to ship him and Crowley and records their romance. The Grigori, Rezathaniel, is a precious baby who needs to develop a better palate outside of “greasy literal garbage” and has 0 chill when it comes to their ship. They’re kind of like a celebrity blogger at this point but watching their character growth in the first story is very sweet.)
60. Soul of Vellum, Heart of Chrome – @29-pieces (G, the one where the Bentley and the Bookshop are sentient and very protective of their owners. This one is going to KILL ME with the plot I wasn’t expecting—Heaven and Hell are hunting Aziraphale and Crowley down again, so the Bentley and the Bookshop do their best to help. They’re doing so good and I’m so proud of them, it’s not their fault things went a bit south. Precious beans. Good, good things.)
61. Real Fire and Brimstone Stuff – @jessikast (G, the one where college-age Warlock helps accidentally summon his Nanny and a lot of things start to make sense. A very sweet story about Warlock getting closure and getting back in touch with Crowley and Aziraphale through the weirdest means possible.)
H/C /WHUMP/BAMF
62. Broken Hallelujah – @atlantis-is-burning (T, the one where Hastur comes to kill Aziraphale and Crowley and it’s ugly, folks. It is kinda gory and it is injury-ridden and painful, very touch-and-go for a bit. It ends well, though, and Hastur gets his, which is the Best. Tore me up one side and down the other in all the best ways.)
63. Fall Here – @marbledwings (T, the one where Aziraphale and Crowley are easing into a relationship in fits and starts, and then Crowley gets snatched. This one was AGONIZING to wait for it to update, so be glad it’s complete, because it gets pretty dark for a while. Be warned of torture, though it’s mostly implied and it’s the aftermath that’s dealt with most. It absolutely sticks the landing at the end, and has a great characterization of Michael.)
64. how deep the sand – Handful_of_Silence (G, the series where Aziraphale is trapped in a glass bubble in a wizard’s basement for fifty years and the ensuing aftermath. Feels mostly book-verse, but there are some cues from the show. Intense and realistic and emotional and heavy, drags you through the darkness and you appreciate the light all the more for it. A beautiful story.)
65. you taught me how to love, (it’s me who taught you how to stop) – @clankclunk (G, or the one where Aziraphale comes to find out that you can’t just rush into a relationship after six thousand years of repression. This one is absolutely murdering me. The angst is real. The hurt is real. I’m hoping the fluff and comfort promised in the tags is coming soon because WOW. Has a fantastically haunting view of what happens to angels, who are highly emotive beings, when they fall into depression. And Crowley’s adverse reactions to praise and love are so realistic and painful. Ouch.)
#good omens#good omens fic recs#mega gomens fic rec list#guys i'm so tired but it's so worth it#i love all of these#can't wait to rec more later
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AU Verse: 'The Unchosen One'
(This is more of a rearranging of events with in the timeline. The lore of FFXV is still in place) An uneasy peace has settled over the prosperous kingdom of Lucis ever since the Empire of Niflheim declared ceasefire and withdrew their armies from Lucian lands. The peace is tense however. While Niflheim has yet to overtly step onto Lucian soil their armies can be seen poised on the edge... waiting. War hero King Regis Lucis Caelum has returned to the Lucian capital of Insomnia and since had two sons. The first born is Ardyn Lucis Caelum. Well liked by the Lucian nobility Ardyn is possessed of an otherworldly charisma. However his succession is unknown for the crystal has yet to shine it's light on him making him anxious. In the meantime there are silent rumors that he might be colluding with Niflheim. 10 years Ardyn's senior is the second son of Lucis: Noctis Lucis Caelum, who is very much the apple of his father's eye because he bears all the looks of the Lucis line along with his mother's stunning blue eyes. Regis's beloved wife the queen died in childbirth making Noctis rather precious to his father through the tragedy. Even at a young age Noctis shows signs of becoming the crystal's chosen but his poor health and reclusive attitude do not win the young child favors with the nobility despite his known compassion. And then when Noctis was 9 the 'accident' happened. A royal convoy was attacked by daemons outside the city. Noctis is severely injured before Ardyn manages to turn the tide on the creatures to save the day. Noctis makes a valiant recovery but forever bears the scars of that day both physically and mentally. He is left paralyzed and in chronic pain. His succession is forever clouded and the nobility turns it's back on Regis's favorite son. Regis is determined though for Noctis to have a place in the world. He sends Noctis to public school and when the boy turns 16 he sets the teen up with his own household and surrounds him with the best staff and advisors. Noctis graduates highschool the top of his class and begins studying for law school. He is well known and liked in the city for helping aide in civil court cases, giving his time for free. Ardyn sees this, and he knows that the favor of his father and the crystal are not on his side... And there are rumblings on the outside....
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I am very sorry and I have horrible memory, but I submit the one OC you've been talking a lot about for the character bingo :]
(so sorry I forgot her name, I woke up about 4 minutes ago lol)
Hmmm, probably Hela the Unchosen? She and Isnen the Swift are the two I talk about most. Maybe I'll just do both?
Hela the Unchosen, has a whole lot, on account of being sacrificed to Molag Bal. Twice. Once by her own father
Isnene the Swift, has a whole lot on account of being both herself and also Nerevar
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https://youtu.be/Swp4FmTPkpc
youtube
Mentioned this before but i really love this song and it fits my brazen and bright verse (you know the one with fem!luche?) so well
Staring at death, I take a breath, there's nothing left
Now close my eyes, for one last time, and say goodbye
Lying naked while the snow falls all around me
Drifting closer to the edge but She won't have me
Wake up in sweat, full of regret, try to forget
These memories, lurking beneath, lost in a dream
Unchosen paths, a broken past, forespoken wrath
The pain won't cease, I'll find no peace, no sweet release
Fragile creatures, we are taught to fear the Reaper
Ever running, we are dead before we meet Her
These voices telling me let it go (let it all go)
I try and try but I can't say no (try and say no)
This endless nightmare has just begun (nowhere to run)
My heart is dragging me down into oblivion
The endless lies, I've cast aside, locked them in ice
Steeled is my soul, my blood grown cold, I've gained control
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❝ been hoping , I have what it takes to keep rolling .
that the rise and the fall of the tide , won't catch me and wash me aside ❞
CHARLI CARR ; basic character info
BASIC
name: charli carr
age: twenty
species: human ( powered )
superpower: creation ( ability to create objects/images/projections. limited to generally small objects/images/projections and they fade with time )
gender: cis + female
sexuality: lesbian
ethnicity: white
nationality/residency: verse-dependent .
occupation: part time supermarket worker , superhero ( part time / verse dependent ) , being a young adult hopelessly unsure of what to do with their life, aspiring film maker .
birthday + star sign: march 20th . pisces
language: english
moral alignment : true neutral
APPEARENCE
hair / eyes : naturally medium brown, generally with dyed pink hair. roots almost always grown out at the top. cut shoulder length. / dark brown eyes
height : 5″7
scars and marking : birth mark across her left lip, freckles across her shoulder, a visible scar along her arm from an injury
TROPES & ARCHETYPES
heroic wannabe / intent on the idea of becoming a hero . tend not to think about what being a "hero" really means or what you have to do to become one . using heroism to guide purpose
coming of age / longing for independence, with all the reckless teenage decisions that come with it
inferiority superiority complex / eager, even desperate, to prove themselves, and they won't take it well if their attempt fails . using humour to mask pain , hopelessness and desperation
unchosen hero / chooses to answer the call themselves , not destiny
CHARLI CARR ; full bio
#ch bio . charli carr#me typing this out. thats my baby and im proud#okay I need to type the full bio out but im tired so ill do that tomorrow#what do u need to know briefly: young woman who doesn't know#what to do with life or how to get there#who uses superheroism as a crutch to deal with the feeling of being useless even tho#she is a Bad Hero and she's not helping anyone#literally my BABY#okay thanku for ur time I'm gonna go link this into my muses page#long post for tw#bio: charli carr
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Lysandre is actually a really scary villain if you think deeply into the premise of his character.
I’ve done a little bit of research on him already and have analyzed some theories + “evidence” that crosses between the games, the manga, the specials and the anime and, honestly, Lysandre is actually fucking terrifying if we assume his true personality is an amalgamation of all his counterparts.
I mean, for one, he’s really good at manipulating people. You can see this in a lot of ways but the most noticeable one is convincing rich people to buy into his weird-ass genocidal organization. Just thinking about that alone boggles the mind a little because he’s managed to get people to spend millions alone on just getting just a fancy suit and a “promised place in utopia”.
For two, Lysandre has a lot of control over the Kalos region, more control than anyone should be allowed. Literally let me exist the examples of how much control he has:
1.) Lysandre has control Lysandre Labs - a company that literally doles out all of Kalos’s most advanced technology (a la Pokemon Generations episode 16) - and has made it so that many people likely depend on his services. And, as mentioned in the manga (though I don’t know if this is a games-related factor but I would assume so) Lysandre is a brilliant engineer who’s come up with a lot of this amazing technology, putting him in a place of power through his skills alone.
2.) Lysandre is friends with the Kalos region CHAMPION and REGIONAL PROFESSOR. He literally has them both admiring him and respecting him - a feat usually only reserved for the player character. And yet, all the while, Lysandre is using and abusing Sycamore’s and Diantha’s trust in him to do terrible things. So much so that Sycamore even admits in the games of how he was aware of Lysandre’s wrong-doings but was unable to stop him.
3.) Lysandre has control over the news media. This is pointed out in the games, in the manga, in the anime, and in the Pokemon Generations anime. And, the consistency is really appreciated because this is fucking scary. Lysandre has the ability to control how people see him through the news outlets. By using Malva - who broadcasts news to most of Kalos’s people - as a biased outlet meant to make him look good, Lysandre can easily spread lies and deceit to get people to respect him.
4.) I don’t really think this has to be said but Lysandre is very charismatic and a convincing actor. Even if you pinpoint him as the villain early on thanks to his garish design, it’s hard not to notice how everyone is in awe of him or how no one questions his motives. Lysandre is good at being liked, strangely so, and even if you feel an urge to hate him as the player character it’s hard not to notice the way many people in-verse treat him as someone to respect and be inspired from.
For third, let’s discuss the anime.
The third reason that Lysandre’s so scary is due to his relationship with Alan in the animated version of XY/XYZ/TSME.
Throughout the duration of the show, Lysandre is very much a puppet master moving all his pieces into place. One such puppet is young Alan, a trainer who he’s manipulated and set into place like a toy on a string.
The first time Lysandre meets Alan, it’s actually kind of terrifying to think about. He meets Alan in the midst of ruins, battles him, defeats him, and then coaxes Alan into becoming his minion. Not only that but he uses Alan’s lone role model against him - using Alan’s love for Professor Sycamore to drive him away from the man and into Lysandre’s care only.
Lysandre abuses Alan’s trust in him as an authority figure and makes use of that trust in his favor. He uses Alan as his assistant in his plot, letting Alan think that he is doing good without telling a single lie to the boy. The man uses Alan without remorse, depending on his skills and prowess while also treating him as disposable if he becomes “weak” (as mentioned in TSME episode 4 when Lysandre notes “I don’t need weaklings”).
Furthermore, when Lysandre recognizes Alan’s fondness and guilt over Manon and her Chespin’s condition, he uses that as a tool to get Alan to continue collecting energy. While Alan is hurting over how his actions have caused his closest companions pain, Lysandre weaponizes Alan’s feelings by feeding him tales of “how he can save Chespie” if he just “collects Mega Evolution energy”.
It’s terrible and it’s downright horrifying. Even as Alan’s obviously breaking down, Lysandre’s first thoughts are not to help the boy but to use Alan’s feelings for his own personal plans. He cares little for how Alan or Manon actually feel and, instead, chooses to use their unfortunate situation in a way that only truly benefits him.
It’s cruel and malicious, selfish and yet cold-hearted. Lysandre’s relationship with Alan is honestly really toxic. He controls Alan, cuts off his closest connections, and weaponizes said connections to put the boy under his control.
For the fourth reason for why this man is scary it’s because Lysandre thinks he’s in the right and doesn’t think himself wrong. Lysandre’s goals, though seemingly flimsy in design and terrible in the game’s execution, get established in the anime as something almost...sympathetic. In the anime, though it’s only brief, Lysandre explains a little bit of his reasoning for his actions: a reasoning that I will paraphrase here to make sense for the context of his overall character.
His explanation is that he wanted to help people who were suffering, lending them his time, money, and charity in order to help them. At first, he was thanked and appreciated and everyone loved him for it. This was something that Lysandre arguably considered “beautiful”.
Over time, however, he noticed something changed in the people he helped. They became greedy, wanting more and more of whatever he could provide. He was treated horribly because he could not provide what the people wanted. This, in turn, opened his eyes to the “ugliness” of humanity. He grew bitter, grew spiteful of the people he helped because they saw him as something akin to a tool rather than as a hero.
This doesn’t explain how he developed genocidal tendencies, of course, but it does give a realistic background story that I can believe and yet somehow sympathize with. Lysandre wanted to help people. But, in doing so, he made them greedy. They wanted more from him, wanted him to do more things for them because of their “rights”, and this greed ultimately makes Lysandre start to snap.
Moving on, I think a lot of the inspiration for Lysandre’s deeply off-the-rockers and genocidal maniac transformation lies in the real fictional story of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.
In said story, the main character - Dorian Gray - comes to be inspired by the views of a man known as Lord Henry Wotton. Lord Henry believes fully in beauty as the only thing being worthy of being pursued in life. Taking up this view, Dorian Gray wishes that a painting of himself would age in his place so that he can pursue nothing but beauty and sensual fulfillment.
Taking this (very short hand) explanation of the plot in association to Lysandre, I think there’s a connection here. Dorian Gray, upon becoming smitten with the idea of endless beauty, seeks to keep himself beautiful forever. And Lysandre, who’s views of the world have warped into ugliness, seeks to pursue that beauty, wanting to rid the world of “ugliness” (human greed, “unworthy people”) so that he can keep the "beautiful” all around him (the “chosen ones”).
This ties back into the story’s themes of life and destruction.
Lysandre seeks life to keep himself and the “chosen ones” beautiful, to keep Kalos looking as pretty as he feels it should.
But, Lysandre also seeks destruction (or, if you’re like me, death) and wants to rid Kalos of its impurities (people who are “consumed by their greed” and “unchosen” just like members of Team Flare or people who fail to realize what beauty means).
And, while pursuing the beauty of Kalos, he’s created such a mindset that only HE is in the right. He is the only person who realizes that Kalos is losing its beauty and, therefore, it’s up to him to make the world beautiful.
This is further pronounced in the XY manga. There, the ugliness of humanity is further brought up in the way the Kalos region reacts to tragedies. When a whole town is destroyed and left in shambles, those who did not experience the tragedy “shake it off” and “remain smiling in their day to day lives”.
There’s a certain kind of ugliness present in this scenario. The people of Kalos who weren’t involved in Vanivelle’s destruction live on happily. They smile and carry on their day-to-day lives while ignoring the suffering of others. This shows humanity’s weakness: humans do not care for things that don’t concern them personally. It’s a gut punch kind of message because it’s honestly kind of true. Until something impacts a person personally, they won’t care for the misery of others and, instead, choose to go about their merry way while another person suffers the consequences of things like poverty, famine, war, etc.
And, in a way, it kind of makes you think Lysandre is right to want to retain beauty and to destroy anything that messes with that ideal. If someone isn’t beautiful - if they’re greedy or selfish or unsympathetic to the pain of others - than you kind of understand why Lysandre would want to get rid of those kinds of people.
This is what makes Lysandre scary: you can sympathize with and even understand his thought process on a deeper level. He’s a genocidal maniac who’s too obsessed with beauty, yes, but there’s an underlying understanding of why he likely ended up the way that he did.
In conclusion, Lysandre is actually legitimately a terrifying villain and if he was a real person we’d all be really scared of him. He’s charismatic and manipulative and holds a lot of power in his hands. He can influence people and has control over how a lot of people as a result. His obsession with beauty, with correcting the path of humanity for its greed and impurities, not only reeks of real-life historical implications but also of realism too.
Lysandre’s the kind of villain you would expect to see in real life, someone who, if stripped of his Pokemon-verse significance, would easily exist as a person in the real world. He’s cunning and knows how to take control. Not to mention that he’s rich and the kind of person who could easily hide under the kind facade of charity. Lysandre is a dangerous man, far dangerous than any first glimpse of him might suggest, but he wields power like a sword and has the ability to determine between life and death at a moment’s notice.
#pokemon#Lysandre#Professor Sycamore#Diantha#Malva#ngl reading the XY manga#playing the games#watching the anime and the generations specials#has all made me realize that Lysandre is actually really fucking terrifying#and he's actually kind of a realistic villain in that it'd actually be possible for him to exist in the real world#and fuck shit up this badly without Pokemon around#my respect for Lysandre has shot up a lot because of the anime version of him tho ngl#never expected that the anime would make me love Lysandre#but thanks anyways anime#hello my Chandelier and I like to talk about Pokemon
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||OOC: Verse page updated with a new verse. For those who don’t want to go to my blog to read it, I shall be posting it right here, though under a readmore.
Abyss Prince: Since the player can choose to either play as Aether or Lumine, the unchosen twin becoming the leader of the Abyss people, this is for situations where Lumine is the Traveler. This verse is available for anyone who asks for it and is only available upon request. Reading the About Muse page will help with understanding how I play Aether as the Abyss Prince.
Without Lumine, Aether is wholly alone in Teyvat and has no one to help him calm his grudge against the mysterious god that took his and Lumine's powers away and everything else that happened to them, in canon, in the beginning. While alone, Aether's hatred and need for revenge grows and grows, and grows. Now, this is where the About Muse page comes in handy; since Aether has only ever needed Lumine, he does not see other people as important enough to even care about. They're toys and pawns to him. So, with that in mind, Aether uses his charm to win people over to his side.
As time has gone on, Aether has not only resonated with the different Archons of Teyvat, but he has regained some of his original power, as well. Now, he no longer needs to rely solely on charm; when charm doesn't work, he uses utter brutality. Lives mean nothing to Aether if he cannot use them for his own gain, so anyone he deems useless is killed, plain and simple. He will torture, maim, and murder even the innocent, all to get what he wants. What does he want?
The total destruction of all gods, Archons, and Celestia.
It isn't until much later that he is made aware of Lumine being alive, since Aether was left to roam Teyvat for many, many centuries before Lumine was awoken from her sealed state. No matter how much he longs to go to her, Aether is determined to see his revenge to the end, first. Once he destroys all divine beings in Teyvat, then he can be with his sister and they can leave for somewhere better.
While cruel, manipulative, and abusive, Aether still has a part of his caring heart, so, if the right person comes along, he could end up falling for them and wouldn't stop himself from being in a relationship with them. However, it will be quite difficult to break through the walls he has placed around his heart and there will be no straying him from his path, so any potential partner, if they wish to stay with him, will either have to go along with Aether's plans, or be left behind.
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[ push ] - You should really tuck into bed, you look stressed.
[ push ] your muse pushing mine into bed.
He had never met this girl before, he was quite sure of that. And yet she boldly pushed him into his own bed – luckily Somnus’ reflexes were fast at his young age. So the prince had held onto her wrist and simply pulled her alongside down with him. Smirking at the girl now laying beside him, as he was quite satisfied with himself at that.
“Is that so? Well, fighting Daemons can get stressful, I will admit that much. Now to your stress though: I would like to know who is that bold to push- no, to practically jump into bed with me.”
@holyguardian
#holyguardian#VERSE | The Unchosen#your ffxv verse doesnt fit that time - but Aerith gets young Som for this#payback for being so cheeky
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