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aswrittenbyaj · 1 year

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stick and poke

pairing: shuri x black!fem!reader

summary: your time on vacation is slowly coming to an end so naturally you two try to find a way to commemorate it.

wordcount: 2.6k

warnings: this one's for the lovers. rated M for mature. minors dni. partial nudity as well as nipple play (reader-receiving) and a brief moment of impact play (titty-slapping, reader-receiving). briefest mention of a needle (tattooing, obviously). there's a few pet names, but none degrading. not beta'd (that's a warning in itself). let me know if i missed any!

a/n: so this was not on my wip list because i forgot i finished this a lil while back lol. a fun twist on the tattoo shop au that i hope you'll all enjoy. i don't know xhosa so any words in bold are to be assumed as spoken in xhosa. there's one or two words in the actual language and credit for their translation goes to @iinkonde from this post. banner and divider by: me.

you were going to miss this, miss the ease of moving through the day without obligations and responsibilities looming over your shoulder. there was nothing like waking up as you pleased next to the woman you loved while the sounds of waves crashing in the distance calmed your soul. the position of the sun being your only source of time, self-carved notches on the wooden planks of the treehouse wall the only indication of how many days had passed since the two of your arrived at the secluded beach.

there was tranquility in getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. even as you stared out at the vast water before you from where you sat in the sand, the waves crashing into one another, you tried imagining what life would be like if you never went back. you almost wished it were that simple.

"you still with me, yeah?"

shuri's voice found you before your eyes found her, the lithe woman approaching from behind, a green coconut in one hand, a bowie knife in the other.

you drunk in the sight of her, midriff peeking between the gap of her cropped white t-shirt and pink shorts that stopped mid-thigh, rich skin sun-kissed with a healthy glow, one that only came from inward peace and happiness. showing off her strength, shuri swung the knife at the tree nut, hacking away at the top with ease, giving you a chance to ogle the way her biceps flexed with the moment.

"always," you replied shamelessly.

if anything, these last two weeks were proof you didn't need all the riches and privileges that came with being connected to a wakandan royal, romantically or not. you just needed her. you just wanted her. always.

she tried to hide her grin behind the coconut as she took a drink from the opening she created, but you knew her, almost better than you knew yourself it sometimes seemed. there were few reasons her cheekbones would raise towards the sun, why her eyes would crinkle at the corner.

"except when your mind is kilometers away," she retorted, plopping down next to you, her knee brushing yours as she folded her legs pretzel-style beneath her. "no people, no technology, no work to distract you, and i lose you to the ocean!" she chuckled with a shake of her head, sea-salted curls swaying with the movement.

"you could never lose me. you know that. you just like to hear me say it."

leaning in, your pressed your lips to the corner of her mouth, leaving a sweet kiss as your hand swiped the coconut from her grasp.

"naturally." she replied in her native tongue. her words were flippant, teasing, but her voice was butter-soft with affection.

"naturally," you repeated in english, tone mocking bumping her bare shoulder with your own before bringing the coconut up to your lips.

the action was clumsy, the timing of your backwards head tilt slightly off, sending the sweet water dribbling in the miniscule gap between your lip and the nut shell. without a care, you drank deeply, your thirst not surprising given how long you had been soaking in the solar rays. your mother would be disappointed in your lack of uv protection, but in that moment, it was the furthest thing from mind.

you could feel shuri's gaze on you as you drank, leaving a path of warmth that felt different than the sun. that was one thing about being here alone with her, without the so-called distractions of life. everything felt acute, supercharged, and oh-so-very intense.

swallowing, you pulled the coconut away, turning to look at her.

"intoni ingxakhi?" what's wrong, you asked, your interchanging of english and xhosa becoming more natural every time you used the language.

your wrist bent as your arm raised to wipe the soon-to-be-sticky trail from your cheek, chin and neck, only shuri had beat you to it. instead of answering your question, she leaned in, the flat of her pink tongue sliding across the sensitive skin of your collarbone before trailing up you neck. closing your eyes, you tilted your head more to give her extra room to work with. full lips sucked softly at the moisture on your chin, dragging out a groan from the back of your throat.

coconut forgotten in the sand, you brought your hand up to grip the back of her head, soft curls pliable under the grip of your fingers. finally, her mouth moved to meet yours, but as you leaned in to meet her halfway, she pulled back slightly, your lips brushing against one another.

peeling your eyes open, you saw hers were already waiting to connect, heat stirring deep within her irises. you tempted once more to mold your lips together, but again, she leaned away, just enough to keep it from happening.

"shuri." you murmured your complaint, hooded gaze raising from her lips to her eyes than back again.

she challenged with a murmur of your name, lips barely moving before finally descending upon yours.

the sand was going to be a bitch to get out of the dark coiled crown on your head, but there was no stopping you from laying back against the ocean-pebbled surface, shuri's body a welcomed weight atop of yours. legs slotted together, she ground her thigh down against your warm center, a hum of pleasure pressing through lips moving in a synchronic dance only the two of you knew.

your hands resting on her lower back, shuri pulled away to look down at you. palms on the ground at either side of your head held her up so she could take in your beauty, so she could take in the wide set nose and kiss-bitten full lips, the brown eyes that were darkened with desire.

"bast, you are very beautiful."

there was something in the way shuri breathed those words out, almost as if she hadn't meant to say them out loud, or at least not loud enough for you to hear them. one hand left the ground to cup your cheek, thumb swiping gently at slope of your cheekbone, following the curve of your jawline before traveled lower, a loose grip around your neck. her fingers tightened, palm flat as you swallowed, the skin of your throat pressing against it. her hand felt like a brand, hot, possessive. if a mark was left in its place, it'd be one you'd wear with pride.

she could've left her hand there for an eons and you wouldn't have protested in the slightest. instead, it continue its course south, fingertips gliding against the melanin rich skin of chest before meeting the rim of your tank top. her index slowly trailed along the rib knit neckline, drifting back and and forth as if she were stuck in idle.

"don't tease me."

you had barely uttered the sentiment out before she gave into the demand. in a swift action, her second hand met the first and with an easy twist of her wrists, the cotton fabric gave way with an audible tear. the sudden sound stole a gasp from you, one shuri eagerly swallowed with her tongue. she enjoyed getting these reactions from you, reveled in whatever sounds she could make spill from those plum-colored lips. she'd yet to find her favorite sequence and hoped she never would.

her wandering fingers found your nipples, pinching and rolling it between them as her palms massaged the fullness of your breasts. she plucked them like a bassist did her favorite instrument, with care, with passion, with expertise, before delivering your left breast a sharp slap, drawing out a hiss from between your clenched teeth and a smirk overtop of hers.

narrowing your eyes, your hands tightened on her waist, rolling the two of you over. as if she already knew of your plan, shuri shifted her weight as well, the two of you spinning several times, garnering a few meters of distance from your original spot before landing in your desired position. the logroll shifted the tension in the air, laughter breaking the heated moment as the two of you caught your breath.

looking down at her, chest bare as your ruined top hung off your shoulders haphazardly, you smiled.

"i love you."

it wasn't the first time you confessed those three not-so-little words, not that day, not that week, but you meant it as full as the first time you thought it to yourself. the two of you weren't even in the same country at the time. hell, you hadn't even had a conversation in days. instead, you had been watching a live feed on c-span of a united nations conference in your rented apartment.

the camera had panned to some other country's ambassador when you saw her, queen shuri looking regally bored in the background. she wasn't even the one speaking and yet you couldn't keep your eyes off of her. you could've and would've paid the cameraman three-month's salary to always have her in frame, just so you could've seen her for the full duration of the livestream.

you couldn't help but wonder if that was going to be the life you were heading back to in seven days' time, one filled with kisses in passing and workplace obligations that kept you countries-apart on a consistent basis. finding each other in a world of nearly eight billion people was kismet, but even fate had a funny way of insisting on a more difficult journey for lovers.

"what stole your mind from me?" she demanded softly, pulling you back to the present, the fiery mirth within her eyes dulling as concern filled its space.

with a soft sigh, you shifted, finding a seat in her lap as you straddled her, your bare legs aligning with her muscled thighs. though she remained reclined, shuri brought her knees up slightly, toes wiggling in the sand, one hand settling behind her head, the other resting on the curve of your ass.

"i don't want to leave yet. i know we still have a week of holiday left here, but one week is not enough when i desire an eternity with you."

you ducked your head, for speaking like that always made you a bit bashful. it didn't matter how much you knew shuri loved you or how many times she shared her affection towards you, you still couldn't imagine the queen of wakanda continuing to choose you as her boundless love.

"so then we stay."

an unamused huff of air pushed through your nostrils at her suggestion, one brow raising.

"have you forgotten who you are?" you asked incredulously, your voice raising an octave.

"have you?"

the tone of shuri's voice forced you to swallow your tongue, to choose your words, your tone a little more carefully. yes, she was your lover in all definitions, but she was still queen of the most powerful nation on land (and most-likely the sea as well, but that was a conversation for another day). if she wanted to stay, you had no doubt she would find a way to make it happen, even if it was just for a little while longer.

"i don't mean to doubt your capabilities. it's just that your people need you home. they only tolerate me. and if they found out you were considering abandoning your duties for an outsider..."

your voice trailed off, teeth sinking into your bottom lip as your shook your head, refusing to finish the sentence.

the two of you didn't talk about your shaky wakandan lineage. sure your grandmother had talked fondly of the wakandan country and its people, but they were only stories, ones that couldn't be proven, not since your war dog grandfather had disappeared sometime after your mother's birth.

shuri had offer to do some digging, but you had declined, too afraid of the truth drawing a wedge not only between the two of you, but also between you and your family. whether she looked on her own, she hadn't said and you were grateful for the silence on the topic.

"so marry me."

"er...what?"

the turns this conversation had taken was sending your mind into a spin cycle. one minute you were disheartened by the fact that you had to leave her soon and the next you were in the middle of a marriage proposal.

"marry. me."

the chuckle that escaped from between your lips was an accident, a knee-jerk reaction. you had dreamt of those words coming from out of her mouth for months now and to think that they were finally here almost felt too surreal.

almost.

"you're serious?"

sitting up, shuri rested her weight on one hand, leaning in to affectionate bump her nose against yours.

"how could i not be when i am talking about a lifetime with the love of my existence?"

the unwavering of her stare as she looked into your eyes killed any thought of this being a playful joke to lighten the moment, to ease your worries. your mind decided it was the perfect time to short circuit as you tried to figure out the right thing to say.

"well it wasn't that great of a proposal so..." you said, a cheeky response to try ease the pressure in your chest.

shuri gasped at your gall, fingers digging into your side, sending you into giggles. gasping for air, you tried to squirm away, but she didn't let up nor did she let you get away.

"mercy, queen. mercy," you choked out between your laughter.

chest rising and falling rapidly, you were grateful when she finally let you catch your breath...only for her to steal it away again with the sincerity in her voice with her next words.

"do you want to marry me, nkosazana sam?" she asked her princess, the term of endearment one that melted your heart every time.

there was only one response to give her.

"yes, i want to marry you."

you closed the gap between you and shuri, your palms resting on either side of her head while you pressed your lips against hers. pulling away, you couldn't resist one more joke.

"though you might want to get used to calling me queen."

with one more quick kiss to her lips, you pushed up onto your feet and took off down the shoreline, seafoam brushing your ankles as you splashed long the waterline, your fiancée hot on your heels.

"hold still," you complained seriously, though the cackle spilling between your words didn't help.

"you are literally stabbing me with a needle. there is no 'holding still.'"

the two of you were back up in the treehouse, naked as the day, shuri lying face down on the queen-sized bed, the only luxurious furniture in the space.

you were straddling her again, only this time you had settled down on the plump of her backside, hunched over as you tried to deliver as clean of a stick-and-poke tattoo as you could to her spine. the words "eternally yours" in wakandan glyphs that trailed from the nape of your neck to the space between your shoulder blades were identical to the sentiment you were currently trying to imprint in the same location on shuri's back.

"well, it's about to say 'eternally yout' if you don't stop wiggling." you dipped the needle in the ink again as you spoke before returning back to the task at hand. "then you'll have to spend a lifetime explaining why the black panther, the fiercest and strongest creature on earth, couldn't even sit still for one measly little tatto- ow!"

before you could finish your sentence, shuri had sneakily reached her hand back to pinch your leg.

"such a brat." she snarked under her breath as she folded her arm back under her chin, making you chuckle because where was the lie.

"you love this brat, though," you countered with ease, giving her finished tattoo one final wipe, sitting back to admire your handy work.

"i do. i really do."

#as written by aj #shuri x reader #shuri x black!reader #shuri fanfiction #shuri fanfic #shuri x fem!reader #shuri fic #shuri x you #shuri x f!reader #black panther fanfic #shuri fluff

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tmapagans · 3 months

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THE VAST

[Image link]

Epithets

The Fallen Titan

Sky Blue

Correspondences

Blue crystals

The sky

The ocean

Stars

Wide open spaces

Fulgurite

Offerings

Smoothies/milkshakes

Blue crystals

Shells/things from the ocean

Mementos from high places

Pictures that give you vertigo

Those night sky/star projectors

Devotional Acts

Skydiving/paragliding/any similar sport [please only do this if you can do it safely]

Climbing trees/stairs [again, safely]

Stargazing

If you have any suggestions/UPG involving the Vast, feel free to suggest them as this post is a constant WIP

#the vast #pop culture paganism #pop culture witchcraft #the magnus archives

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illiasha · 28 days

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Seven Sentence Sunday

In which Mobius witnesses all the potential lives he and Loki have on the timelines.

The vines of time wove and twisted like an ocean that stretched into infinity, all intertwining, all originating from one root: Loki.

Mobius looked up at his god, with his glimmering crown of obsidian burdening his head to bow and his hands so full with purpose there wasn’t even room for him to fit. There was no importance for Mobius in this life; he had fulfilled his role, and now he had no right to ask for more, especially now that Loki held all of time and space in his quivering hands.

The only thing he had left to give was himself, so Mobius approached Loki’s throne, the structure like a prison in itself, and dared to fit himself into Loki’s purpose.

His fingers stretched out and brushed Loki’s lonely cheek, then the vastness of the multiverse unraveled before his eyes and he saw. Everything, every life, every love, every betrayal and loyalty and journey, it was all revealed to him…everything that he could never have.

He realized with a certain finality that he was mourning—not for the variants of him and Loki, some together on the timelines, others on complete opposites of life but who will still inevitably find each other—but for himself, for the beautiful life he would never have with his Loki, his life, and a single tear dared to shed from Mobius’s eye.

A little snippet/summary of a wip I’ve had going on in the background for a while hahahhh 🙈

Thanks @loki-is-my-kink-awakening for the tag!! Also open tag for anyone who wants to hop on!

#lokius #loki series #mobius #marvel #fanfic #seven sentence sunday #writers on tumblr #my wips #writer tag game

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kuroneko1815 · 7 months

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Shatter me with a kiss or spare me my heart

Welcome to another instalment of El’s bedtime stories. This didn’t work and she proceeded to remain awake for another two or three hours. Anyway, this was based on the Descendants 3 song ‘one kiss’ that she sent me, so I guess kind of sleeping beauty. @eloise175 please go to sleep on time, or at least pretend to sleep after I send you a ficlet.

Penelope stared at Callisto, sleeping peacefully and deeply. Too deeply that it was unnerving. One would think he was dead. With the slow breaths he took, his pale countenance, and the slow beat of his heart. She was unused to such a quiet and still Prince. If anything, he was how she often wished him to be when he vexed her so.

‘Twas a curse from one of his enemies, they declared. Though she knew it was none other than his wretched, miserable, shrivelled up old stepmother who had long since chased away the emperor from her bed with her odious looks and personality that had caused this curse.

They all thought their relationship to be false and full of artifice, as though they had only put on a show. But she knew her feelings ran deep, as the saying goes ‘the course of true love never did run smooth’ or something of the sort. And Penelope loved him, loved her handsome, valiant, gentle, magnificently irritating lover of a dragon prince to the very depths of her soul and more. She would kiss him awake if only she knew it would work. If only she had any certainty that he felt even the barest of feelings for her other than amusement and fondness.

If he felt even the tiniest bit the way she had, she would kiss him true and break this curse. For surely her love would be enough to fill up what love lacked from him? But she was afraid to find out, to know, that she was nothing more than a whim and a moment in his life.

Outside those doors she knew Sir Porter waited to see his liege awake. She could walk out and lie, say that it didn’t work and let him sleep on forevermore, let her live with the delusion that he loved her and all she needed to do was gather her courage.

Or she could kiss him now. She could shatter it all, her delusions and her heart and kiss him to put an end to this farce and walk away from him and everything that reminded her of him. Let some other woman try their chance at being his true love, let her kiss be what woke him, her love be what healed the man broken by war and death.

She tried to imagine living her life in that delusion, that uncertainty always looming over her, that what if? Even if she walked away, she would never move on unless she knew. A broken heart she may have after this, she decided as she leaned closer, but at least she would have closure. Let this be the last then. “I love you, Callisto Regulus.” She said as she gathered what love she had in her for him, this insurmountably vast ocean whose depths were untold, fathoms and leagues unmeasured and unexplored, and put it all into one gentle kiss as she let what sadness linger in her eyes and heart, let a tear or two fall as she pulled away from her unresponsive prince.

So that was it then. She straightened herself. “Goodbye.”

And just as she’d walked two steps, a hand reached out and pulled her back, down she fell on to the bed and onto his chest, stunned and dazed as she looked at those piercing red eyes of the man who held her tenderly.

“And where were you to go, Princess?” He asked, voice hoarse from sleep and disuse. It had taken days for her to get the message and rush to his side after all. “I’d not given you permission to leave.”

“Your highness! You’re awake!” She cried happily, arms lacing around his neck. It mattered not that he couldn’t say it. Not yet at least. For she at least knew what he felt for her with the breaking of the curse.

Seriously though, if you have any idea how many plot bunnies, WIPs, and half finished chapters, stories, or instalments I have, you’d understand why I haven’t posted anything big recently. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. Stay healthy and safe everyone.

#death is the only ending for a villainess #villains are destined to die #vadd #callisto regulus #death is the only ending for the villainess #fanfic #death is the only ending for the villain #penelope eckart x callisto regulus #penelope eckhart #sleeping beauty curse made into Callisto #penelope eckhart x callisto regulus

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mysticstarlightduck · 2 months

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Worldbuilding In 5

Thank you for the tag. @anyablackwood!!! I'm a huge fan of worldbuilding, so this is going to be so fun! I'll go with my WIP Of Starlight and Beasts for this one!

Rules: post 3-5 images of a place in your world and tell us a bit about it!

Kingdom Of Tirawen

Tirawen is one of, if not the, most important cities in the realm. Capital of a kingdom (of the same name) Tirawen is nestled atop the eastern side of a vast mountain range, at the heart of the realm. It was once a "sibling kingdom" to its neighboring nation of Idraven before Idraven fell to the clutches of a harrowing curse that practically wiped it from history's records. Tirawen is ruled over by an ancient royal family, a dynasty said to have brought about an era of peace and prosperity to the once chaotic realm. The kingdom also has a darker side - beset by monstrous, twisted beasts from beyond the mountains, all throughout the year, but especially so during the long winter months of the kingdom, Tirawen strongly depends on its magical borders, which have provided effective protection from the beasts for centuries. However, in the beginning of the book, this magic begins to wane and falter, presenting a dire future that just may put at risk the existence and survival of this beautiful marble city, if not prevented on time.

The Frosts

The Frosts are a large expanse of land far beyond the territories of kingdoms like Tirawen, Monbern, or Orloch. A vast, frozen, and desertic tundra, the Frosts' land is untamable to outsiders who do not understand the power of its enchanted winter. This land is also the home of the first True Dragons and giant snakes, which seem to have been born of the raw magic present in the snowstorms and frozen oceans. The Frosts have their own kingdoms and divisions of land, independent from their neighbors on the other side of the continent - such as Tirawen, and the other cities - though the two lands have strong diplomatic bonds and trade. They're ruled over by five, ancient, matriarchal clans, who were the first humans to master both the art of survival and magic - and they have learned to both tame and leave peacefully with the giant draconic creatures surrounding them. This land is much, much more ancient than Tirawen and any of the kingdoms that grew around it.

**(Pictures from Pinterest)

Tagging - @crowandmoonwriting, @littleladymab, @lassiesandiego, @little-peril-stories, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @thepeculiarbird, @blind-the-winds, @cowboybrunch, @memento-morri-writes, @rickie-the-storyteller, @tabswrites, @illarian-rambling, @oh-no-another-idea, @i-can-even-burn-salad, @clairelsonao3 and OPEN TAG

#wip of starlight and beasts #worldbuilding in five #writers on tumblr #writerblr #my wips #character writing #writers #my characters #writeblr #writing #my writing

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rivensdefenseattorney · 5 months

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Andros

Here's a link to the source for each image: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

___

(WIP)

Capital: Tides

Government of Andros: Dual-Monarchy

Demographics and Population

Population Size: Large

Population Distribution by Race:

Merfolk: (45-50%)

Fairies: (20-25%)

Elves: (10-15%)

Human: (10-15%)

Other: (5-10%)

History and Origins

In the realm of Andros, the two kingdoms, Terra and Mare, share a profound connection. Their bond traces back to a time long past, when a union between the Faefolk of Terra and Mare forged a single lineage that would shape the destiny of the realm.

The Royal Family of Terra, stemming from the fairy ancestry, preside over the sprawling landscapes and majestic cities of the surface kingdom. Endowed with wings of delicate beauty, an affinity for the natural elements, and a mastery of earthbound enchantments, they oversee the flourishing forests, meadows, and towering mountains of Terra.

The Royal Family of Mare, stemming from the merfolk ancestry, reign over the oceanic expanse of Andros. With their ethereal beauty, iridescent tails, and an innate understanding of the ocean's secrets, they hold court in the shimmering palaces beneath the waves. Their lineage boasts an intimate connection with Morphix, harnessing the elemental magic that pulses through the depths.

Though distinct in their heritage, the Royal Families of Mare and Terra are bound by blood, sharing the legacy of their common ancestors. Over the ages, this shared lineage has fostered a tradition of collaboration and mutual respect between the two kingdoms, symbolizing the inherent balance between land and sea.

Kingdom of Terra

The Kingdom of Terra represents the land regions of Andros. The fertile earth yields bountiful harvests, making agriculture one of the epicenters of this realm. Vast fields of vibrant crops stretch across rolling hills and verdant valleys, a testament to the kingdom's thriving agricultural industry. Visitors are greeted with open arms, embraced by a sense of warm hospitality that permeates the tropical air.

Amidst the picturesque scenery, a lively energy permeates every corner. Terra pulses with the rhythm of festivals, the melodies of music, and the infectious spirit of dance. The people of Terra are often fluent in a multitude of languages. They effortlessly weave a cultural tapestry that celebrates diversity. They come together in joyful gatherings, sharing their traditions through cultural exchanges.

Tourism thrives amidst this blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Visitors are drawn to the kingdom's idyllic beaches, verdant jungles, and cascading waterfalls, finding solace in the laid-back atmosphere. Adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike find their haven in Terra's tropical paradise, where every experience is colored by the kingdom's zest for life and celebration. The air is filled with the aroma of unique spices and flavors, as Terra's cuisine, a fusion of diverse influences, delights the senses and leaves an impression on every traveler's palate.

Kingdom of Mare

Intertidal Zone

Here, where the sea kisses the land, the Halflings find their home. Halflings move effortlessly between the surface and the depths. Their communities, nestled in hidden coves and near coastal cliffs, serve as a bridge between the kingdoms of Terra and Mare. Halflings, being adept at traversing both realms, act as intermediaries, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation between the two kingdoms.

Photic Zone

As sunlight pierces the surface waters, it bathes the photic zone in a mesmerizing glow. This well-lit region supports an abundance of marine life. Here, the cities of Mare flourish, their structures crafted from luminescent materials that harness the sunlight filtering through the waves. The merfolk inhabitants, with their affinity for illumination, enhance this zone with enchantments that create breathtaking displays of bioluminescence, turning the ocean depths into a living tapestry of color and light.

Aphotic Zone

In the dark and mysterious depths of the aphotic zone, Merfolk with unique adaptations thrive, attuned to the energies of Morphix. Their bioluminescent features, whether glowing orbs or intricate patterns that shimmer like ancient runes, attune them to the lifeforce, allowing them to draw sustenance and power from its essence. The cities of the Aphotic Zone exist as captivating marvels beneath the shroud of darkness. The cityscape shimmers with a mosaic of colors, vibrant and ever-changing, as Merfolk artisans infuse their creations with Morphix. The architecture within these cities is a testament to the mastery of bioluminescent craftsmanship.

Infinite Ocean

The Infinite Ocean is an endless expanse that transcends the boundaries of realms. The Infinite Ocean stands as a testament to the unifying force of water, an eternal realm that unites the disparate seas of Andros into a harmonious, interconnected whole.

The Labyrinth of the Abysses

A complex labyrinthine system spread across the abyssal depths, shrouded in an aura of ancient pathways. It constantly shifts, creating a maze where paths change. The Labyrinth serves as a threshold to the heart of the abyss, guiding seekers toward the source of Morphix. Explorers and seekers often traverse this labyrinth, facing trials and tests of wisdom.

The Deep Blue - Heart of the Abysses

The Deep Blue represents the epicenter where Morphix emanates, radiating a mesmerizing blue luminescence that illuminates the darkest depths. Revered as a sacred sanctuary by merfolk and creatures of the abyss, embodying the ocean's life force and primal energy. Various merfolk societies hold rituals or ceremonies, offering reverence and seeking blessings for their communities.

Morphix

Morphix, a luminescent and multifaceted energy, is the lifeblood of the infinite ocean, replacing conventional needs such as sunlight or fire, granting vitality, sustenance, and life to oceanic flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Its essence adapts to diverse oceanic environments, catering to the needs of creatures dwelling across varying depths and regions.

It emanates from sacred locations such as the Deep Blue at the heart of the abyssal depths, generating life, fostering growth, and offering spiritual sustenance to the ocean's inhabitants. It powers the ocean gates, serving as a cosmic key that enables safe passage and interconnectivity between different underwater realms.

Morphix is highly revered, enshrined in lore and cultural practices, and embodies unity and interconnectedness among diverse underwater communities. Its purity and uninterrupted flow are guarded by custodians and gatekeepers who ensure its sanctity, protecting against disruptions, and maintaining its integrity for the stability of the ocean gates and vitality of the oceanic realms.

Mood Board Notes

I decided to try adding a mood board last minute to this post, so forgive me if it isn't the best. I've created mood boards a couple years ago when I first started my rewrite, but I'm not sure if I feel conformable sharing them as they are. I don't fully get the ethics/legality of mood boards using copyrighted materials, so I just wanted to play it safe with some images I found from a free to use image website.

I'm thinking of possibly creating a collage instead for the character mood boards I currently have. I think those are more transformative? If anyone has some insight on this I'd appreciate any info and advice you have. I'd also like to know if this is even something anyone would be interested in seeing before I put all this effort into figuring out how to add some visuals. @_@

Andros Notes

I've always envisioned Andros, especially Terra, to be like a mixture of the Caribbean and Polynesia across it's various cities if it were to be real. This is only my first draft, so I'll most likely be adding more information in the future to what I see fit.

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deepspacedukat · 7 months

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Veiled Interludes

This is just a random plot bunny. I'll get back to my wips and requests after this, I promise. 💖 In the meantime, this is set way before ST:TNG S3E23 "Sarek" - maybe 4-5 years prior. Tbh, I didn't think it through that far. Blame "The Meeting on the Turret Stairs" for this, because although I've seen that painting many times, it gave me many intense feelings early yesterday morning.

Cross-posted to AO3 here.

~*~

Sakkath (ST:TNG) x Reader

[A/N: This is just fluff. Allusions to intimacy, but nothing graphic or explicit.]

Warnings: Interspecies flirting, Human/Vulcan flirting, fluff, interspecies kissing, sneaky relationship, they're both v professional but also v in love, Sakkath drinks his respect women juice daily, idk man this just came to me.

~*~

Sakkath's eyes found her immediately when he entered the conference room. He'd seen her so many times before during diplomatic functions or around their offices, and every time he couldn't help but marvel at her. Even from across the room, she was extraordinary - she always was, but tonight she was even more exceptional than usual. The way her dress dripped from her frame, modest and elegant in the traditional Vulcan style despite their current locale, filled his head with plentiful improper thoughts.

They'd known each other across a number of years thanks to their occupations. Where he was Ambassador Sarek's personal assistant, she was the same for Ambassador Lojal. Owing to their friendship, the two diplomats often worked closely, so their PA's naturally grew to know each other, as well. Sakkath had been intrigued by Lojal's assistant the moment he laid eyes on her, but even he didn't know what that curiosity would evolve into when he initially greeted her.

Outwardly, they were the picture of professionalism - a Vulcan and a Human who worked well together when their jobs required it - but those observations didn't begin to scratch the surface of the relationship that Sakkath and his Human counterpart had developed.

Even across the conference room when her eyes met his, Sakkath felt his inner beast perking up. They had seen each other only three days prior, but they'd barely had the chance to speak. Managing a single stolen ozh'esta, they'd been forced to part without so much as an inquiry into each other's health. Tonight, however, both the Ambassadors would be busy mingling, and the two assistants would be free to do as they pleased.

As soon as it was socially acceptable, he excused himself and slipped away from Ambassador Sarek's side. Glancing quickly over the crowd, he spotted her by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the vastness of one of Earth's oceans. Snagging two drinks from a passing waiter, Sakkath made his way over to her, handing her the drink without a word and taking his place beside her like a silent sentinel.

That was what he'd been for her since shortly after their acquaintance began, after all. He noticed early on that she was so often spoken over or interrupted that she'd simply cease speaking or find reasons to extricate herself from conversations, especially at events like this. The first time, he'd thought it was a fluke - an accident perpetrated by those who were not paying enough attention to social cues to realize they'd been impolite - but as that occurrence repeated itself over and over, Sakkath grew increasingly troubled and protective over her.

She was intelligent and insightful. Could nobody but himself see that she would not have spoken if she hadn't something valuable to contribute? He wanted to take her into his arms and show her that she was not as invisible as perhaps she believed herself to be, but that would not have been proper in such a public setting.

Instead, Sakkath had followed her when she broke away from the group, standing silently by her side. All too often, she was forced to listen to others without being afforded the same courtesy in return. Thus, even when she looked curiously over at him that first night, he merely gave her a respectful nod of his head.

During subsequent encounters, he'd made certain to take up a position near her and keep her company, wanting to show her that he was not simply socializing with her in order to make her listen to him ramble. Once, he was even so bold as to call a Bolian ambassador out for speaking over her. The gruff diplomat had been irritated that a mere personal assistant would speak to him that way, but the beautiful blush that had colored his lady's cheeks had made his actions worth it. When they'd walked away to a quiet corner that night, she'd laid a hand carefully on the sleeve of his tunic and thanked him with an earnestness that almost alarmed him. Had nobody ever stood up for her before?

That had been the first night she'd spoken to him about anything outside of their work. It was also the first time that he'd stated outright that he enjoyed hearing her speak.

Their relationship had developed naturally over the months that passed, settling into a balanced, yet surreptitious set of romantic rendezvous ranging from the brief clasping of hands in back stairwells, to abbreviated embraces between meetings, to passionate, intimate assignations in empty conference rooms. He'd even been so bold as to don a hooded cape and visit her quarters when both their Ambassadors had been sent to the same set of negotiations a few months back.

Neither Sakkath nor his lover had ever once truly risked their positions by displaying their affections in public. Oh, it wasn't that their relationship would be forbidden - on the contrary, there were no regulations against interoffice romances - however, publicly unprofessional behavior was certainly grounds for disciplinary censure, and he would never risk sullying her reputation with his own indiscretions.

That was why tonight, though the beast of his emotions roared in his chest for him to tug her out of the room and utterly fuse his scent with hers, he refrained. Watching her take a sip from the glass he'd obtained for her instead, they looked out the window together at the rippling water.

"This is my first time on your planet in many years, t'sai. I find the view quite a bit more...stimulating than I did before," he said quietly, hoping that she knew - she had to know - that he wasn't referring exclusively to the starlight reflecting off the ocean's gently cresting waves. The soft, inconspicuous brush of her fingers against the back of his hand made his breath hitch.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your time here, osu," she said before lowering her voice to just above a whisper. "You look very distinguished tonight, Sakkath."

"I had hoped my choice of outfit would be aesthetically agreeable to you, ashaya, but you should know that you are infinitely more pleasing to look at," he replied brushing his hand against hers a bit more firmly. All of his emotions beat at the barrier of his control at once, and, taking a chance, he whispered the one thing he'd longed to since he entered the conference room. "You have stolen my logic from me. I wish nothing more fervently than to have you alone in my arms..."

He knew he shouldn't be speaking like this in public, even though he was being quiet enough that only she could hear him, but he could help it. Sakkath ached for her as he'd done for no one else. He knew that she'd never heard him be so open when they were anywhere other than safely tucked away in each others' arms.

"Sakkath?" She breathed, looking at him with wide eyes. "Are you alright?"

"No, I am not. I find myself...unsettled when I am away from you. Every moment we spend parted is...I can think of no descriptor more applicable than 'torture.' If you wish me to stop, to keep our relationship to our current parameters, then I shall silence myself," he promised. Sakkath hadn't planned to admit any of this today, but he meant it all the same. "However, you should know that there is no other who has laid claim to my heart as you have. I...wish to be yours. Entirely."

As he spoke, his heart hammered away in his side, and as he fell silent again, he looked over at the woman he loved. Foremost in his mind was the day prior to their first tryst.

Sakkath had been accompanying Ambassador Sarek to a turbolift in the embassy on Vulcan. As they approached, however, the door slid open to reveal Lojal and his own assistant. Her eyes met Sakkath's, and without so much as a word passing their lips, they each took up positions behind their superiors. As they passed each other, she silently caught his hand, but before she could let go, Sakkath lifted her wrist to his mouth, pressing a delicate, sensual kiss above her fluttering pulse.

She swore later that he'd looked as though he'd wanted to eat her, and he promised with every fiber of his being that if the Ambassadors had been absent, he would've knelt before her and done just that.

He felt the same hunger now, even as he awaited her decision.

"Sakkath..." she breathed, and heat rose to the Vulcan's cheeks as he realized the next words out of her mouth would either shatter his heart or make him whole for the first time in his life.

Ambassadors Sarek and Lojal spoke quietly from their place near the back of the room, trading stories and staunchly avoiding most of the more unpleasant diplomats for as long as they could. When a familiar pair by one of the large windows caught Sarek's eye, he pointed them out to his colleague.

"I believe he will ask her tonight," Lojal said to his friend, elevating his chin with a hint of pride. Sarek lifted an eyebrow and glanced at him, not with reproach but with curiosity. The two men had been watching their personal assistants dance around each other for so long, attempting to be discreet about their obviously growing romantic relationship. The pair had conducted this conversation many times, but it was usually Sarek who predicted the impending approach of the inevitable question, not Lojal.

"What makes you believe that tonight will be any different than the others?" Sarek had been married twice, both times to Human women. He knew their appeal and how easily they could drive even the most controlled Vulcan to madness, yet he could sense no noticeable increase in such madness in his assistant tonight. He had no reason to suspect that Sakkath was close to his breaking point, so why did Lojal sound so certain?

"It is logical," Lojal said almost smugly before taking a sip of water from his glass. At Sarek's bewildered expression, he explained himself further. "Observe the drink in his hand. Vulcan port. Normally, Sakkath is too professional to even consider imbibing at an official event, however, with such a task before him, he obviously wishes for some 'liquid courage' as the Humans would say. In addition, he has purchased a new tunic for tonight - note the slight stiffness in the fabric from its lack of wear. Even if he was not aware of the significance of his own choices, he is attempting to prove himself a worthy potential mate."

Sarek nodded his head quietly. That was all quite correct, and he had to admit that those observations were, in fact, logical.

"You are quite correct, however, that does not mean that she will accept his adva–" The Ambassador broke off when Lojal's assistant grabbed Sakkath's hand and led him through one of the doors at the side of the room with a shy, joyful smile on her lips. A vibrant green blush colored her companion's cheeks as he allowed himself to quite happily be led away into the moonlit garden maze. "...I stand corrected."

Lojal hummed quietly, and after a moment's lapsed silence, a thought occurred.

"Perhaps we should suggest that they both take some leave time," Sarek suggested, and Lojal nodded his head.

"I have already taken the liberty of offering my assistant leave. Logic would suggest that she will likely ask Sakkath to join her during their liaison tonight," the Ambassador murmured to Sarek.

"I will, then, anticipate Sakkath's absence," he muttered, but he stared pensively at the doorway through which they'd exited. "They seem well-suited. She will be patient with him."

"And he will be devoted to her," Lojal added setting his now-empty glass aside. "It seems as though we shall be feigning even more meetings, and you would be wise to prepare yourself for a few less-than-subtle questions about romantic relationships with Humans."

"Indeed. We will both be inconvenienced," Sarek murmured thoughtfully, "but such a love as theirs is worth the sacrifice."

~*~*~

Vulcan Words:

t'sai = my lady

osu = sir

ashaya = darling

ozh'esta = finger smooch

~*~

Taglist:

@akamitrani @android-boyfriends @attention-bajoranworkers @bigblissandlove1 @darkmattervibes @emilie786 @horta-in-charge @live-logs-and-proper @slutty-slutty-vulcans @starrynightgardens @toebeans-mcgee

#deepspacedukat fic #Sakkath x Reader

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talesofsorrowandofruin · 1 month

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Rewrite Tag

Thanks for tagging me, @buffythevampirelover! :D

Rules: rewrite the given line in your voice, then provide a line from your WIP for others to rewrite!

Your snippet:

The town sends me off. A tight knit community, so it’s a big deal when someone comes or goes. I’m the first of my generation to go in a very long time. Besides those who left to train for the royal guard and become a knight, no one my age has left. The boat ride is short, our island is quite close to the next. Tayanbith. It has the biggest mountain range, and also the only island with such vast and varied weather. Even as I soar on the ocean, freezing wind making my two braids dance, I can feel the temperature rise.

My rewrite:

The town turns out to see me go. In a tight-knit community like this, comings and goings are always important. Especially when I'm the first in a very long time of my generation to leave — except the ones who go to train for the royal guard, then become knights. It's a short boat ride from our island to Tayanbith. Of all the islands, Tayanbith has the biggest mountain range and the least predictable weather. I can feel the temperature rise even out here, soaring on the ocean, the freezing wind catching my braids and making them dance.

Tagging @eccaiia, @ahordeofwasps, @words-after-midnight, and anyone else who wants to do this! :D

New excerpt, from Silver Glass:

"It's not what you think," Eames insisted before Yo-han had a chance to say anything. When people thought someone didn't believe them, they had an amazing tendency to give away information they otherwise wouldn't have admitted under torture. Yo-han already had a fairly clear idea of exactly what was happening, and if it wasn't what he thought then he should retire, so it was easy to look disbelieving.

#tag game #writing #my writing #other people's writing #my WIPs #WIP: glass #the case files of seo yo han

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sensitiveheartless · 1 year

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ten first lines/last ten fics meme

Tagged by @feralrookie! (Thank you!! :D)

I am also going to use a few of my current WIPs here because a) I don’t have 10 published fics and b) if I include Torn to Pieces in this I’m going to want to tear my own face off, because from the very first line it is painfully obvious I hadn’t read Storm Bringer yet alsksjdjfjf

1. 5 times Chuuya attempted high school romance tropes + 1 time Dazai realized what was going on (WIP)

During the first incident, Dazai almost convinced himself was hallucinating — it was only later, when his bottom lip began to bruise, that he truly internalized what had happened.

2. High school play(Snow White) AU (WIP)

Of course, the one time Chuuya got the chance to play a lead role, Dazai had to be there to ruin it.

3. Vampire Chuuya oneshot (WIP)

“Executive Nakahara Chuuya-kun has been hit by an unidentified ability.”

4. Skyline Pigeon (WIP)

Silhouetted against the stark blue sky, an albatross soared in gentle circles without so much of a flap of its wings, blissfully unheeding of the violence below.

5. My rider keeps horsing around with the Demon Prince! (WIP)

My name is Sheep, and I am a horse.

6. An Unsent Letter

The letter was spotted with dried smears of blood and odd drops of water.

7. Dazai and the Moving Detective Agency

Once upon a time, there was a boy who caught a falling star.

8. This is how it feels to take a fall

There was too much blood.

9. Plate :(

Crack.

Dazai stares down at the chipped plate in his hands, unblinking.

10. Zut alors! I have missed one!

The ocean was a lot of things, but above all, it was vast, and generally quite silent.

Open tags on this one! :D if anyone sees this and feels like doing it, consider yourself tagged!

#reviewing these makes me realize how chaotic my writing process is #some of mine don’t have first lines yet lol #I am allergic to writing in chronological order #tag game #senhart's writing

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aristocratic-otter · 10 months

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Thank you, my friends, for keeping me in your thoughts while I took a two week hiatus from posting. I did still enjoy reading your own work! I'm back from vacation now, and have some things to share (and fewer WIPs for the moment, since Raising Dragons and Tickle the Dragon's Tail and Threads of Fate are posted) (We'll see how long that lasts).

Thank you to all of you who've tagged me while I was gone: @artsyunderstudy, @alleycat0306, @aroace-genderfluid-sheep, @j-nipper-95@prettygoododds, @fatalfangirl, @larkral, @whatevertheweather, @blackberrysummerblog, @nausikaaa, @annabellelux, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @shrekgogurt, @ivelovedhimthroughworse, @nightimedreamersghost, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @confused-bi-queer, @palimpsessed, @theearlgreymage, and @iamamythologicalcreature! Tag Backsies for today or Wednesday!

Here we go!

From my nameless Age of Sail Au:

Baz

I’ve never been so scared in my life.

Each time the ship falls forward into the trough of an enormous wave, I’m certain that this is the end, that the ship will roll and capsize, dragging us under to drown. I can only breathe again once we start to rise up the crest of the next wave.

I think Simon is as frightened as I am, but he’s hiding it well. Still, I feel his arm tense up against mine each time the ship pitches and rolls, and I hear his faint gasp of relief each time we survive again.

It feels like the ship is tossed about the vast ocean like a toy for hours, but there’s really no way of knowing how long it’s been when an immense jolt shudders through the frame of the ship.

From my 2023 COTTA, Snow Fox:

“You’re not going to die tomorrow!” my voice is fierce, and Baz startles at my volume. “You’re not,” I repeat, lowering my voice. I step into him, pressing my naked flesh to his. His breath catches in his chest at the feel of me against him. I can see his face now, and my chest hurts at the doubt and sorrow I read there.

“You can’t promise that,” he says, shaking his head.

From my 2021 COTTA (wince): Westward Son:

We want to make up the time we lost by stopping early yesterday, so everyone is skipping a morning meal around the campfire. Instead, Henri passes about the coffee ewer so we can fill a canteen with the energizing drink, and we all stuff some nuts and dried meat and fruit in our pockets, to eat while we’re on the move.

When our small caravan starts single file up the narrow mountain road, I shiver a little. It’s getting colder, but that’s not why. I shiver because the few wagons and people that walk ahead of us seem so insignificant and helpless against the might of the Blue Mountains. I close my eyes briefly and say a small prayer to any gods that actually exist, that we’ll come out of these mountains in the same condition in which we’re entering.

From the upcoming chapter of Saving Simon Snow:

“Not only is my father quite unhappy with my queerness, he’s probably furious that he has to give up punishing you in order to save me.”

I think about that. It makes sense. I’m sorry that Baz’s relationship with his father was harmed by his bond to me, but I can’t exactly be sorry that the old homophobe was forced to accept Baz’s situation.

“That and he probably doesn’t want to have to think about us having gay sex in his house,” I say wryly.

From the upcoming chapter of The Naked Next (coming in the next day or so!):

As I stride to sickbay, Simon cuddling into my chest and babbling praises of my beauty into my collarbone, I’m thinking furiously. What is this disease, if it is a disease? It acts like intoxication. Are the effects the same? Is this how Simon would act with the lowered inhibitions of an inebriated state? I’ve never seen him drunk. But…in vino veritas, isn’t that what humans say?

From: To Heal a Broken Heart (probably posting in the next six weeks!) (Sorry it took so long, Macey!):

“All th’ years I fought w’ you…and I was in love w’ you the whole time—that’s so stupid. I’m so stupid.” He laughs through his teeth like a donkey braying.

I laugh too, at the sound. Then my sluggish brain processes what he said. “Wait, what?”

Simon’s face is turned away from me, so I reach out to shake his arm. “What did you say?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, his head rolls towards me like its strings have been cut. His eyes are open and his face is vacant.

“Simon!”

So, I'm momentarily back down to six WIPs, lol. Except I just started plotting a canon divergence where Simon's known to be Davy's son and therefore Baz sets out to seduce him in order to get at the Mage...and Fristi and I are working out a new idea....Also still thinking about the Simon as a tiktok dancer au...sigh.

Tagging, along with everyone above, (since it's actually still Sunday for once):

@bazzybelle, @bookish-bogwitch, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @dragoneggos, @erzbethluna, @frjsti, @facewithoutheart, @giishu, @hushed-chorus, @ic3-que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists, @krisrix, @letraspal, @moodandmist, @onepintobean, @rimeswithpurple, @raenestee, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @tea-brigade, @technetiumai, @upuntil6am, @whogaveyoupermission, @yellobb-old

#six sentence sunday #cotta 2023 #Cotta 2021 #Canon Divergence #Forced Marriage #Oregon trail au #American Civil War AU #Age of Sail Au #House Au #Star Trek AU #simon snow series #co/ws/awtwb

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buffythevampirelover · 1 month

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Rewrite Tag Game

Thanks for the tag @theeccentricraven !! Their post is here

Rules: rewrite the given line in your voice, then provide a line from your WIP for others to rewrite!

My excerpt: Justin felt a ripple go up his spine that felt like a thousand knives stabbing him. He curved his back and cried as he felt a burning sensation reaching into every corner of his body. Deep inside his thighs, in his stomach, in his elbows, feet, chest, and knees, he could feel something eating inside him. It was like millions of worms crawling inside him and eating every inch of his body inside and out.

My rewrite: The shiver that rippled up Justin's spine was as if a thousand knives were stabbing him. Crying, he curved his back as he felt a burning sensation reach into every corner and crevice of his crumbling body. Deep inside his thighs, his stomach, feet, chest, and now wobbling knees. There was something eating inside him, and it was agony to feel. As if a million worms were crawling inside him and gnawing every inch of him. Inside and out.

I'll be lightly tagging @talesinmyhead040122 @simonnebethel @nettleandthorne @laplumedemaureen @talesofsorrowandofruin @creatrackers @spitefulbull @kaylinalexanderbooks @thepeculiarbird but no pressure <3 hope you're all doing well!!

Your snippet to rewrite, from my unnamed and barely worked on fantasy wip: "The town sends me off. A tight knit community, so it’s a big deal when someone comes or goes. I’m the first of my generation to go in a very long time. Besides those who left to train for the royal guard and become a knight, no one my age has left. The boat ride is short, our island is quite close to the next. Tayanbith. It has the biggest mountain range, and also the only island with such vast and varied weather. Even as I soar on the ocean, freezing wind making my two braids dance, I can feel the temperature rise."

#I am so shit at editing so this was difficult but SO fun! I love your snippet Raven <3 #tag game #writeblr #my writing #other writers #writing snippet #fantasy wip #fantasy world #lgbtq #queer writers

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rowanisawriter · 4 months

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wip whenever

thanks for the tag, @cr-noble-writes and i’m glad to see the durgetash infection is spreading lol 😭

i’m writing gale/mira with some mystra weirdness again:

In his dreams, Mystra touches him and it feels like a cool rain shower, falling over his body gently, unhurriedly. She has always moved with excruciating slowness, the slowness of an immortal, unhurried, unbothered. He could feel then the tightness of anxiety in his chest and feels it now in a dream of a memory, a knot by his heart, awareness that there is no time, not nearly enough. At least, not for him.

The inequality of their longevity hadn’t bothered him at first, but now even in dreams he finds it unbearable, that he is but a drop in the vast ocean of Mystra’s long memory, that one day he will be gone and she will all but have forgotten him. But I choose this, he reminds himself, startling awake. I choose to be forgotten by you.

tagging… @mightymizora @smoreofbabylon @orlesianapologist and @loveofdetail (if you want to share any of your mystra divorce fic!!)

#wip whenever #more heresy more god killing

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autumnwoodsdreamer · 8 months

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WiP Wednesday

Sorry. This is just me craving that vintage Mandalorian season 1 vibe

. . . . .

The ice flats of Maldo Kreis were once oceans and forests.

It was beautiful, it was warm; there were trees and flowers and animals that played and danced under the sun.

Then something or the other happened, the planet’s axis tilted and it all froze solid as rock; the creatures dependant on warmth died off and the ones already built for cold multiplied and overwhelmed the world.

The records couldn’t say for certain whether or not a native people once dwelled on the planet. Some believed there had to have been, but any evidence lay beneath tonnes of impenetrable ice, buried for the rest of eternity.

Ancient, unverifiable history aside, Maldo Kreis’ only redeeming quality these days was its location in the Outer Rim. It resided near Tatooine, ironically orbiting one of its suns; it brushed a hyperspace lane rather cozily; and neither Empire nor Republic ever deigned to bother themselves with it given its lack of interesting resources and its only permanent population consisting of old whalers kicking around in lonely, far-flung settlements.

It had no spaceport, no trading hub, no industry (unless one counted the fishing), but it was close to everything and it possessed the one thing the majority of travellers in these parts sought most keenly.

A cantina.

It was a gross exaggeration to say bounty hunters always found their quarries in cantinas, but things often worked out that way. If they weren’t presently drowning their sorrows or burning time via fights and other vices, then it was a safe bet that either the proprietor or the patrons had information—information easily unlocked with a few loose credits.

The Mythrol was a cantina-crawler.

His last known location was the watering hole in Mos Eisley. He hung around nearly a full week, playing rigged games of sabaac and the like, until he swindled the wrong person and almost got his physical features rearranged. Chaos broke out and he absconded in the confusion.

Despite his chosen vocation as a high-stakes gambler, he was a coward: he would’ve taken the first scrap of transport off-world he could reach and a quick check of the local shuttle schedules narrowed the search down to either Nal Hutta or Maldo Kreis.

While the Mythrol hadn’t demonstrated the greatest intelligence in the galaxy, one had to be a legendary breed of stupid to wander anywhere near Nal Hutta with an active bounty on their head and a laundry list of debts.

So the middle-of-nowhere ice world it was.

As soon as the Razor Crest dropped from hyperspace, the tracking fob wedged in beside the fuel gauge awoke, instantly validating Din’s hunch.

He breathed out in relief, trepidation dissipating—he had yet to rid his cloak of the stench of Nal Hutta’s swamp soup from his last sojourn six cycles ago.

The time between blinks clipped shorter and shorter as he breached atmosphere. Positional data suggested the Northern Hemisphere, so Din adjusted course accordingly.

Beginning descent, the layers of grey quickly cancelled out the ambient glow from sun and stars, accentuating the artificial light of the cockpit and the controls. The ‘Crest juddered and bucked, but the old ship barrelled on without let-up—it had weathered hail and hell a thousand times over, it could handle some snow.

Gradually, the dense clouds dissolved, exposing a tundra without end or border in sight. The viewport and the helmet’s visor narrowed the scene but Din saw more than enough to paint a vast, vacuous landscape.

He cycled through the landing procedure and set down in the shipyards, just off from the port: an area distinguished from the surrounding flats less by the fishing paraphernalia and more by the unnatural lake of murky sludge seeping around the parked ships.

Din set down as far away from the sludge as possible, refusing to trade one swamp for another.

He went through the cycle of switching everything off, flicking switches without even glancing at them.

It all stopped.

The engines wound down, metal pinged as it cooled, wind howled and lashed; his world fell still but not settled, not silent.

He sat there a moment—not pinned but not pulled, not despondent but not driven. He only was: nothing more, nothing less.

Snow drifted across the viewport, falling one way before the wind dictated another. He watched it in a vague way, his mind on other matters.

This was the last stop for the trip. After this job, he would return to Nevarro, collect his earnings, deliver them to the covert, pick his next commissions, refuel the ship and go again.

And again and again and again.

He had heard of people who faced the endless and went mad.

He was not one of them

He feared the ending.

It would come.

He was sure of himself, determined, but he was no fool. One day, a blade would strike too deep, he would lose one ounce of blood too many, or a concussion would put him to sleep permanently. One day, he would meet a challenge or an opponent he couldn’t outsmart or outmanoeuvr; he would lose his footing, draw a heartbeat too late, miss…

And if he outran all that?

Well.

Then it was just a question of how long until his back broke for good.

A sigh dispelled his straying thoughts. They did that, more and more these days; he put it down to getting older.

But the never ending wasn’t ending today.

#din djarin #the mandalorian #my writing #fanfiction #the mandalorian fanfiction #WiP #wip wednesday #work in progress

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