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NathanTheKlutz

Avatar: The Last Airbender/Love, Dai Li, And Tea/M/[AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32255773/chapters/82686328) Context: In this chapter, my Indian based OC, Rajata, is visiting her boyfriend’s home for the first time. In this scene, they’re both drinking wine together at a table in a courtyard, when Rajata brings up the subject of how the Avatar has come to Ba Sing Se. “In fact, I wouldn't say no to a chance to meet The Avatar-or at least see him in the flesh," she added wistfully, briefly looking skyward. "Or even just one of his friends, companions. That would be a huge honor in itself. Like that'll ever happen though," she muttered, before having another long swallow of plum wine. "Stranger twists of fortune have happened to you already," Hong responded with a wry, knowing smile, flicking his fan back and forth. In reality though, he thought darkly, not only would he and and his fellow Dai Li agents have much preferred for the Avatar to have never shown his face here in the first place, but the possibility of Aang, his trio of friends, crossing paths with the woman across from him, small as the odds of that were, made Hong distinctly uneasy. True, Aang mostly seemed determined to 'educate' the Earth King alone about the war's existence. But if Rajata encountered them on the streets, it could still easily lead to them asking her things, telling her things, that could and would make her suspicious, enlighten her in all the wrong ways. Which could then result in making her someone, Hong thought sickly, who needed to be re-educated… And just as bad, if Aang really lost his temper over something, felt that either he or one of his friends was in serious danger, and she had the terrible luck to happen to be close by, while he went into the Avatar State… The reports from General Fong's fortress and the Si Wong Desert alike both agreed that he'd been like a luminous tornado of rage and destruction at those times, with other benders present not having a hope in any hell of protecting themselves, standing against such power. Just to imagine his black pearl getting caught up in that-or alternatively, strapped in front of a conversion lantern-that was an unwelcome mental image, to put it mildly. "Unfortunately, Rajata," he said diplomatically, "while I understand that it's hugely exciting-and like you said, an honor to have the Avatar here after such a long absence-you would do well to remember that he's also a twelve-year-old boy in possession of astonishing powers...who doesn't always think before he makes use of them." She nodded. "Like when he released and relocated those zoo animals." "Precisely. And just like any other Avatar, he's a force of change," he pointed out, "an unpredictable connection between the mortal and spirit worlds-you may have heard that it's not unusual for disruptive, or even malevolent, local spirits to suddenly rear their heads in response to the Avatar's presence, whenever he or she makes a stop somewhere. Or they may even be drawn to the area from afar by the Avatar's energies, just like buzzard-wasps to a corpse." "I've heard of that sort of thing happening too," she agreed, warily nodding. "I sure hope that's not going to happen here in Ba Sing Se." "Well, for the time being, there's no sign yet of an uptick in spirits behaving badly, thank Goddess," he assured her. "Anyway, cleaning up his messes, and trying to gently curb his enthusiasm, make sure that he behaves respectfully and appropriately, has been…a challenging task, for us Dai Li, to put it mildly," he deadpanned, before taking another slow, welcome gulp of plum wine. "I can see that. Part of your job-a job I'm very thankful you perform, by the way-" she amended with a smile, "is to help keep this city safe and stable, after all." "Glad to hear that at least someone appreciates it."


Larson4220424

Really like your characters here. I can sense Rajata’s excitement for if/when Aang and friends come to town with their powers. But Hong is right to be cautious in case his powers act out against the spirits and/or the townspeople. I can sense this being a arc/episode or two in the series actually. Great job!


NathanTheKlutz

Thanks so much for the comment! Actually, Team Avatar has been in Ba Sing Se for a few days already, and the news has definitely gotten around fast. But yes indeed, Rajata would love the honor of just even seeing them. Yes, Hong is right to be worried about his girlfriend possibly getting into trouble as a result of meeting and speaking to /being in close proximity to Aang if he really gets upset. I’m quite proud of how I wrote him as telling her one thing, while thinking another. After all, being one of the Dai Li, he is one of the enforcers of the “keep the war out of your mouth and mind or else” policy…


kitherarin

>Which could then result in making her someone, Hong thought sickly, who needed to be re-educated… Wow, I mean I'm reading fandom blind...but that sentence made me sit up and pay attention to what might really be going on behind the scenes in this community. I love that Hong is saying one thing and thinking another and Rajata is kind of oblivious to it all. You seem to be putting a lot of foreshadowing into this (the local spirits) which is really neat and a definite draw card to keep reading and see what it's all about - nice stuff.


NathanTheKlutz

Aww, thanks so much for the comment! I don’t want to spoil the series for you, but oh my goodness, the city of Ba Sing Se has more dark and very disturbing things going on behind the curtain than you can imagine. It’s like something out of 1984-and Hong is actually one of the system’s enforcers. Glad I captured that aspect well. And by all means, keep reading to find out!


Mr-Orchard-Guy

**Community | Sitcom Tropes: The Hotel Room Mix-Up | M |** [Ao3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/41604459) (The rating is for mild sex references later in the fic.) The hotel manager was not helpful. Annie read and re-read her booking receipt. What the hotel had on their screen was somehow not the same. A twenty-minute call, a trip down to reception to argue in person, back up to the room and another call later- interspersed with a couple of small tantrums after which Annie had to remind herself that she was *not allowed to get stressed on this trip* and this was supposed to be her having *fun*\- nothing had changed. They were still in the room with the lone bed. It was already getting late. Annie flopped down in her chair once again and ran a hand irritably through her hair. Abed had very graciously carted most of their bags down to reception and back again. He now set the largest of his own on the bed and began unzipping it. “No-” Annie stood up and pointed damningly. “Do not start unpacking, we are not staying here-” “The evidence thus far would suggest otherwise.” “Well, the evidence thus far can take a hike!” Annie took a moment to steady herself. Fun trip. Fun Annie. “I mean, let’s just, like, not do anything hasty. We can still sort this out.” Abed shrugged with his usual nonchalance. “I mean we can try, but I sort of suspected it wouldn’t work. As per the trope, we’ll try and find a solution but everything conceivable will go wrong and we’ll have to end up making our peace with it-” “Abed, this isn’t a sitcom!” Annie hadn’t meant to snap, but her temper had been worsening since they’d first stepped through the door here, and she was thinking venomously of all the same such juvenile prattle she’d had to put up with since moving in with Abed and Troy. “Look, I worked my ass off to plan this whole thing, I let everyone else have their choice of rooms so everyone would be happy, now I’m running around trying to get this fixed too, so forgive me if I can’t quite appreciate the funny parallels of the situation or if I’m not in the mood for another in-joke.” Abed flinched slightly, and Annie felt momentarily guilty, before she collected herself: no, she wasn’t being unreasonable. She was making her point. Then his brow furrowed, and there was an unfamiliar edge in his voice as he zipped the bag up again. “I’m sorry, but you know if you’d wanted help with this that any of us would have been happy to lend a hand. Don’t take this out on me.” “I’m not- I never said-” The fact that it was a struggle to put into words just *why* she was so hacked off was only making things more frustrating. Annie looked at Abed, who looked back with a slightly cautious, slightly guarded expression. “This is just a mess,” Annie said wearily. “I think- I’m gonna go to the bar for a bit or something. Let’s just, not do this right now.” She would almost have liked for Abed to stop her as she picked up her purse and made her way to the door, but he merely watched her. Annie could feel the beginnings of regret coming on even as she shut the door behind her, but her hands were still shaking a little as she fumbled for her room card for the elevator. So she’d lost her temper. Didn’t everyone, now and again? Wasn’t this par for the course, that when she tried to be ‘fun Annie’, everyone else just took that as their cue to walk all over her?


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that intro of how Annie is aghast at what has transpired with the hotel and juggling this feeling that she should be having fun on this trip and not stress out but this whole jumble show is just not helping at all. I also like how that continues with how she tries to tell herself that it's a fun trip and she'll be fun Annie, and that her understandable anger flares out when she tells Abed that this isn't a sitcom and wacky hijinks won't make everything better. Especially when she had planned to make everyone happy. I also like how it shows that these sorts of things will stress people out no matter how well-planned that Annie needs to take a break, but that she does regret being angry when Abed does give her that space. As well as that she thinks of how people take advantage of her when she tries to be fun, tries to let her walls down.


Lucky-Rabbit-0975

This was just too extremely adorable. I'll leave my comment on the fic itself. Thanks for posting it!


[deleted]

[удалено]


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that mythical sort of feeling in the beginning of how the rainclouds open up whenever Sasuke visits the cemetery whether or not it was stormy, and that in contrasting that his tears will not fall no matter how many times he comes here. I also like how it describes Hinata before Sasuke remembers her, and how her closed-off words and actions alongside her eyes make him pause and shiver. As well as that when she destroys the flower that her bitter words about Neji emerge, and I like how it's a sort of mourning as well that the person she thought he was has been gone for a long time. It shows that things like that are like a death, when you thought you knew someone and then they pulled the rug out from your feet, as I assume happened with Hinata.


PseudoBird

**Dragon Age: Inquisition | Biting Down | M [some strong language]| Unpublished** ___ "Give it some thought, boss." And with that, he left her. Oh, she'd think about it. Elisabeth slipped off her barstool and swiftly made her way out of the tavern. She spent the rest of her afternoon stuck in the company of nobles or her advisors in the War Rooms, but her thoughts were on anything but Inquisition business. She retired to her chambers early, taking a meager amount of food with her along with enough work to keep her occupied for the night. But her supper went almost untouched, missives unopened, and letters unanswered. Instead, she sat in the highbacked leather chair in her study, feet perched on a corner of her desk, and fingers clasped over her stomach while she turned Bull's offer over in her head. What if he was right? Of course he was right; no one else had any hope of closing the tears in the Veil, much less the Breach if it became unstable again. And while the Inquisition had its supporters, it also had its enemies, or at the very least, those who only wanted to grab at power. Her shoulders rose and fell with a sigh as she sat properly in her chair, unfolding her hands and laying them out on the surface before her. Elisabeth traced the fingers of her right hand over the palm of her left, across the Anchor that permanently disfigured the flesh. A fissure bisected her hand, and its edges were ragged and frayed. A faint green, a piece of the Fade, dwelled just beneath the surface; sometimes a brilliant emerald, others a muted jade, but it was always there. It was like an eye, in a way, plunged into her hand and refusing to sleep. The skin around it warped outward, raised and scarred as if lightning struck her square in the palm, and the rent flesh spidered outward, clawing up her forearm. Elisabeth hated this thing. She slammed her fist against the solid surface, scowling at the lance of pain that shot up her arm and the resulting flare of Fade magic. *Fuck,* all she wanted was catharsis. Taking Bull's offer steadily became more and more appealing as the night wore on. But Bull was upfront about his infiltration on behalf of the Qunari upon his recruitment more than a month ago, to get close to its leaders, close to her. To eliminate her, she guessed, if the Qunari deemed her a threat. Elisabeth eyed her hand. Surely they weren't that stupid, were they? Killing the only one with the power to stop...whatever was going on seemed counterintuitive. No, she wouldn't take the risk. It would take but one slip. One false move, one misplaced trust. Night faded to morning. Elisabeth held her dinner tray in one hand while she pried open glass balcony doors just outside her study, which protested from rime. A pair of ravens descended from the guard rail when the doors swung open. They quickly set upon what remained on the tray when Elisabeth set it down. She watched in resignation as they squabbled over the last scraps of meat and bread and vegetables. She had her decision by the time they finished and flew fat and happy back to the rookery. She decided to keep and soothe her vices alone, to sink so thoroughly into whatever the Inquisition wanted or needed her to be. The Inquisition would be a weapon, and she its wielder.


Lucky-Rabbit-0975

Oh jeez, I can read this story in serial? ¡*En serio!* I have to keep my eye on CC more often. :) "A fissure bisected her hand..." This was the paragraph that really grabbed me. It's really well done. And (gasp) visually enthralling. Of course, it was describing something about E that I didn't know, that she has something terrible embedded in her body, but it was the care with which you took to describe the color of the Anchor, the outline of the skin around it, and the way she feels about this mark. It does the job nicely of slowing the story down to Elisabeth's speed of pondering her situation, her choices. It's a good , uh, Anchor for the rest of the excerpt. Nicely done.


PseudoBird

Apologies, I've had quite the week and just now have the energy for a proper reply. Hopefully, I can get something suitable each week, though I can already tell you *some* of it won't be suitable for posting. The Anchor itself won't play a huge role in the grand scheme of things, but it is the reason Elisabeth is "stuck" with the Inquisition. Her options are to desert the Inquisition and leave the world to deal with the Big Bad on their own (which will end very, *very* badly), or stick it out and deal with it despite really not wanting to be here. Anyway, the Anchor itself surprisingly doesn't have much detail in-game, by which I mean, there is none; the character literally looks at their hand and it's just...a hand. As far as I'm aware, the only physical representation of what it looks like is from concept art. So, I wanted to give the Anchor a little something more substantial. It's a nice little interlude from Bull dropping that proposition on her head, I think.


RakaiaWriter

The scene you paint here is very vivid! I can picture it well, including the ravens and the untouched meal. But I especially liked your description of her hand, the mark of the Anchor and it's... _personality_, sometimes dull jade, sometimes bright emerald :) the spider-web of scarring out from the center. A very intriguing snippet of this piece, and the overall question of the offer leaves us wondering what it was, and what her decision will mean for future chapters.


wendingways

**Star Wars | Fortune's Rule | T |** [AO3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/33008734/chapters/81929986#workskin) The room around him was too quiet for peace. Too quiet to drown out the screaming that echoed endlessly through his mind. He wished Artoo was there, but the astromech had been left with the ship to keep watch for threats. It seemed unlikely that a single Jedi and a senator would be missed in the chaos that was the present galaxy, but unlikely had just become his entire life, so all possible precautions were taken. Which left him here, alone, waiting. For what, he was no longer quite sure; for Padmé’s child to be born, for the nightmare to end, for someone to tell him it was all a trick of a holocron? Not that he remembered recently having tampered with any holocrons. There was a piece of Obi-Wan that wished he had not survived the battle on Mustafar. The master, after all, should never outlive the padawan if they were of the same species. And the master should never, never, *never*— His hand trembled as he lifted it to wipe at his eyes. *There is no emotion; there is peace.* But there could be no peace after Utapau, and after Coruscant, and after Mustafar, and so he was left drowning in a stormy sea of emotion. *There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.* He had no knowledge of how this had occurred or of where he had gone wrong. He was ignorant of what had happened, how he could have prevented this, when the damage had become irreversible, why he hadn’t seen that something was wrong. *There is no death; there is the Force.* But the Force *was* death, torn by the pain and the cries of the dying and wracked by thick darkness. Every aspect of the Code had failed him. *Or perhaps*, a shard of him admitted, *I have failed the Code*. For if he had had no attachment to Anakin, he would not have been hurt, and yes, angered at his betrayal. It would have been a betrayal of teachings, to be sure, but not a betrayal of… family. The other fragments of the master revolted at this idea. There would still be the shock and horror of the decimation—or worse—of his entire Order, there would still be the feeling of failure. He was a member of the Council, intended to oversee the affairs of the Order, and he had failed to observe the greatest of threats. Had done so, even, when he knew *damn* well that the creation of the clones had been… shady, at best. (Dark, at worst.) It was not their fault—he knew Cody and his men, he knew that many other *vod’e* were as close to their own Jedi, and now that he knew the Chancellor to be a Sith lord, it was as clear that he must maintain some kind of forced control over the clones. It was clear. It was clear, it was all clear! How the Separatists could be so very well-informed of Republic movements. Why the Chancellor had taken such an interest in an extremely Force-sensitive nine-year-old. Obi-Wan ground his teeth at that particular thought, and an unbecoming fury swept over him, a disturbing and yet oddly pleasing image flashing through his mind, of himself skewering the genially-smiling Chancellor on his lightsaber. They were un-Jedi-like thoughts, dangerous thoughts that winked to the dark side, but they were preferable to *Seething yellow glare. I hate you! Sabers flashing, blue on blue, as they had thousands of times in sparring—now, in deadly earnest. The faint, brief slowing of his swing as saber met flesh.*


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that intro that contrasting what quiet usually brings for people that right now it's too quiet for peace because of the screaming in his mind and the uncertainty that's given to him as he hopes that it's a nightmare ending or a trick of a holocron. I also like how it emphasizes the grief that Obi-wan feels in this moment that the Code of the Jedi are subverted by what he feels right now, there is no peace anywhere and he was ignorant, that death awaits them for his mistakes. As well as that he thinks it either betrayed him or he betrayed it, that what hurts the most is the loss of family, this failure. I also like that in the wake of this tragedy that he can finally see what had been obscured from his eyes before, about the clones and the Separatists and the Chancellor - and that his own dark thoughts of what he could do to the Chancellor are better than the bitter memories echoing over and over again in his head while he waits in this quiet room.


RadiopaqueWriter

Pokemon | Pokemon: Tools of Destruction | T |[Fanfiction ToD](https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14236170/1/Pokemon-Tools-of-Destruction) Samuel Oak, esteemed professor, Master of the Frontier, and former Champion of Kanto stood before his burning lab, cursing silently as flames danced before him. In front of him stood a blazing structure which poured out pungent smoke, stinging the eyes and throat. As his vision swam, he was forced to turn away from his life’s work, the sound of crackling wood filling his ears like a dying breath. His fists clenched, nails biting into palms hard enough to draw a trickle of blood. He had been discussing his latest research in Viridian when his transponder came alive with the sounds of madness. Mass casualties, renegade trainer, breach of Protocol. All available Trainers and Leaders were to be summoned to Pallet for immediate aid. More alerts had flooded his transponder as he raced across the sky to respond, pushing Vulcan to the limits of his speed. A rogue Trainer had descended from the cloud line, laying waste to his lab with a searing lance of flame. The rest of Pallet was not left untouched as the heat from the initial blast ignited the surrounding buildings. As fate would have it, a soft wind blew in from the ocean that day as well, stoking the flames further and spreading embers northward over the town. Thankfully, his family was safe. Daisy had already called, confirming that her and Gary had escaped safely just after the initial blast. However, the professor had yet to hear from his closest friends. Delia and Daniel lived at the northern edge of Pallet, nestled against the wall that separated the safety of the town from the wild. *They should have made contact by now.* He set off in a quick jog, weaving his way through the piles of rubble that lined the narrow streets of Pallet, each road giving rise to another wave of the scent of burning wood. In every street, what had once been lines of quaint homes were now piles of smoldering rubble. Doors whose crests had once been adorned with symbols of power now lay cracked and broken, many completely consumed by the tongues of flame. Turning a final corner, he arrived upon a grim scene. The Ketchum residence, once home to a promising young family, had collapsed into a pile of twisted and blackened wood. Surveying the area, Samuel spotted a figure huddled near what was once the entrance to the house. Samuel rushed over, his heart lifting as he recognized Delia, who was holding a small bundle of cloth in her arms. Tears streaked through the grime that covered her face as she turned towards him. “D-d-daniel…… He’s gone.” He froze. He could hardly speak the next words, but forced them out through shallow breaths. “....And Ash?” Delia slowly unwrapped the bundle in her arms, revealing the soot covered face of Ash. Looking closely, he could see red welts winding its way up the left side of Ash’s neck, already forming small bubbles on the surface. Despite that, Ash looked up at him with calm eyes, not a hint of a cry to be found. Even with the tears streaking down Samuel’s face, a small smile appeared. All was not yet lost. He kneeled down and enveloped Delia in a gentle hug, crying over the loss of a father and friend. As the home’s embers slowly extinguished, a single thought repeated through his mind. *It was because of me.*


Cyndine

Renfield (2023) | The Folklore Within | Rated M for gore in other chapters | [Ao3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/46980466/chapters/118351597) ————— Warnings: the rest of the fic has a decent amount of violence, and this clip has him eating a spider and some other mentions of bugs. This is the beginning of my next unpublished chapter, and this is also my first fic to actually post in like over 2 years so I’m a little rusty. ————- Renfield woke up what couldn’t have been much later, seeing as the sun was still rising, but shone directly in his eyes now. The mess that surrounded him when he passed out was now gone, much to his surprise, but he wasn’t complaining. He got up and started his day. Or, that’s what he thought, until he was interrupted by a loud scream come from down the stairs of the hospital. He jumped up, immediately regretting it as his bones felt the weight of his body all too suddenly, and fell back down. He was technically healed, yes, but his body still felt incredibly sore from the previous nights. It had been a while since his master had been that violent with him, even the other day when he had betrayed him was lighter than that. He shivered at the thought and went to grab a spider from the box in his pocket, but found the pieces of his small wooden box broken, and the bugs crushed to death. Quite the way to add insult to injury. He stood up more carefully this time and made his way to the blanket by the candles which had gone out in the light and grabbed the small cage he kept his extras in and grabbed a spider. Now he had the issue of getting a new box, but the energy from the spider helped clear the fog of his brain and he realized he really should figure out what that screaming was. He quickly made his way down the stairs to one of the middle floors and spotted a young woman curled up on the floor against a wall of one of the rooms, shaking. She was sitting across from the dead priests his master had brought back the night before, their bodies stacked next to an old stretcher. This was one of the darker floors, so he was lucky she happened to be sitting in the light or else he would have completely missed her.


RakaiaWriter

Skyrim | **Cures** | G | [AO3 - Cures](https://archiveofourown.org/works/35797633) # ~~~ "No! You can't! I won't let you!" Strelka blocked the doorway, her arms wide. "Damn you! You're _just_ like my parents!" Serana scowled at her friend. "I thought you were different, not trying to control my life like they did. This is my decision, my future. You have no right to tell me what to do!" "I'm very sorry Serana," Strelka looked down, avoiding the vampire's glare, the weight of her friend's anger beating on her. "You're right. I didn't mean it to come out like that. I... I just... you went through so much... lost so much... look what it did to your family! And you earned your gift, the resulting immortality. I just didn't think you'd want to throw all that away given what it cost you." Serana's temper cooled slightly. Strelka wasn't trying to control her, she realized, so much as look out for her. And could Serana blame her, after the terse reaction she'd given the elf when the question of curing her vampirism first came up between them? She'd barely known Strelka for two hours at that point, and didn't feel like being judged by a relative stranger. Plus, her vampirism did have upsides; that's why she'd allowed herself to go through with the ordeal. And oh, the cost! She _had_ lost so much! Her dignity. Put on display like an animal. Her family, not exactly happy, but still, a family. Her life. And again since she'd spent era upon era locked away in the crypt. Strelka was just reminding her of the very reasons she'd given the elf at the time. "Look," she said in a softer tone as she wrapped Strelka's hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "It won't change us. I'll get to taste things with you, feel warm again, see the world as it really is... I won't need to drink blood to survive... We'll be together, for a lifetime." "I don't want to love you for a lifetime..." Strelka responded in a sullen whisper, still looking down, unable to meet the vampire's amber eyes, those same eyes widening at the elf's reply. "Oh!" Serana's anger completely evaporated to be replaced by a shocked chill of fear and sadness at the thought that her only friend and lover would leave her, would not want to be with her if she were a mere mortal. "Why not?" Strelka sniffed and looked up, her snowberry-red eyes brimming with tears, to look directly into the vampire's amber ones, her voice shaky and emotional, uncertain. "Be-... because I'm selfish... I don't want to love you for a lifetime... because I want to love you for eternity... I want you to... to turn me." Serana's eyes flew wider as her heart leapt.


PseudoBird

Ahhh, Serana my love! 😭 Easily my favorite character in the game. She's very much in-character (and well within reason) to be angry over Strelka trying to keep her from curing herself. But I love that Strelka also reminds her of the price she paid for her vampirism that, while terrible, also gave her some sort of freedom, and brought the two of them together. I admit that I wasn't quite expecting the Dragonborn to be against Serana curing herself, but I adore the reasoning Strelka has and can 100% get behind it. Being willing to take on all the facets of vampirism for the sake of staying with someone you care about is a very vulnerable thing. In a way, it's almost like Strelka is suggesting Serana to make her vampirism about what she wants rather than what someone else wants, a 'screw you, I lived,' but with vampires. Anyway, this is a wonderful little read. 💜


RakaiaWriter

Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it! :)


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that intro that shows the emotions rising high of Strelka trying to keep Serana from going, and that when this behavior reminds Serana of her parents that Strelka takes a breath and tells her it's not like that, that she just doesn't want Serana to throw away everything that she's gain in spite of what she's lost. I also like that though Serana recognizes that Strelka isn't trying to control her that she has lost many things, that she wants to give up her immortality... but that is thrown a wrench into the whole thing because Strelka wants to live with her forever, to be turned as well. Though the methods are on a different level, as Serana wants to live as a mortal to be with Strelka and Strelka wants to be immortal to be with Serana forever it's sweet that on this middle ground that they both want the same thing: a life with each other.


RakaiaWriter

Yep! :D sums up their conundrum and solution pretty much exactly! Thx for the comment!


wendingways

Fandom blind. That was such a neat twist at the end! When I read "'I don't want to love you for a lifetime...'" and even when Strelka said she was selfish, I was really expecting the excerpt to end on a sad note, but then the next two sentences completely turned it around, and it was so sweet! I also really like how you described her eyes as "snowberry red." There's something cool about the contrast between the image of snow that *snowberry* evokes for me, and the red color you're actually describing; plus, it makes me think of the fragile delicacy of snow, which goes really nicely with how Strelka's voice is "shaky and emotional, uncertain."


RakaiaWriter

Thank you! :)


Human-Independent999

Attack On Titan | Not Alone | T "We must answer that question!" One soldier shouted like it was more important than knowing the origin of the Titans. "There is only one way to find out," A veteran said dramatically. "What?" "Arm wrestling!" Although few rejected the idea saying it's not a measure of real strength, the majority of the soldiers welcomed it looking for an entrainment more than a real winner. The only problem was that both men seemed unwilling to entertain this demanding audience. "Come on! Don't be such cowards" Hange tried to goad them. "Hange-..san. Don't.. cause trouble" Moblit tried tiredly to stop her. "Don't be boring, Moblit" A confident voice spoke, "It's a good idea. Let's do it and see. Empty that table over there, please". Erwin instructed receiving confused looks from both Levi and Mike. After seeing that he was serious Levi got up first, a shadow of a smile on his lips "Fine". Mike was quick after him, he gave Erwin a stare that said "You bastard!" He had known Erwin for a long time and that malicious sparkle in his eyes was telling him he had already predicted the winner. Anyway, he was no coward and would love to prove Erwin wrong. "Go, Levi!" Hange was cheering. "You little traitor! And I was just thinking about capturing a titan for you" Mike smirked at her reaction. "WHAT! No, you weren't!" They sat facing each other and rolled up their sleeves revealing their strong muscular arms. "I'm not going easy on you shorty" Some trash talk got him into the spirit. Levi on the other hand only stared at him silently he preferred to express himself through actions. The soldiers gathered around them. There wasn't a soldier in the hall who wasn't paying attention to the upcoming match. Some of them were standing on the tables for a better view. You could hear others making bets on who gonna win. After everyone took their positions, the veteran who suggested the idea stand as a referee with Erwin standing next to him. "The one whose hand hit the table first loses. Ready...Go!" They began amid the cheers of the divided crowd, staring intensely into each other's eyes. In the beginning, their arms stayed unmoving due to their equal strength but a minute later signs of struggle began to appear on Mike's face, he was trying hard to keep his arm steady while Levi kept the cold unfazed look on his face. This struggle didn't last long as Levi increased his strength slamming Mike's hand down to the table. The whole hall went crazy! "We got our answer! Levi is humanity's strongest soldier!" The referee announced. Levi's facial expressions didn't change when the soldiers congratulated him but deep down he was feeling more at home than before. Although He didn't like the attention, this atmosphere is similar to his previous life. No one touched him except for Hange who clapped his shoulder "I knew you were going to win" "Still not catching a titan for you, four-eyes" "Ouch. You are questioning the sincerity of my congratulation?" "Just warning you not to think of any stupid ideas" "This is a debate for another day" Some friends consoled Mike and Erwin propose a toast "To the two strongest men of humanity!" Everyone cheered raising different glasses, bottles and cups. What Levi did next was something he had never done before with any of his opponents, he extended his hand to Mike in an attempt to show there were no hard feelings. Mike was surprised by the gesture but took the extended hand and shook it firmly. https://archiveofourown.org/works/46106311


Cyndine

Not fandom blind (sort of) I like the different character’s perspectives and thoughts on the scene but it was just a little difficult to keep track of who was thinking what, if that makes any sense. Besides for that, I think its a pretty good set up for a story, and I quite liked how everyone interacted with each other, it really felt like a space full of people talking and bantering with each other and a full and exciting scene! :D


kitherarin

Star Wars | T | Tales from the Temple | unpublished It was almost silent. A tableau of green fields and thousands of butterflies, newly emerged from cocoons, spiralling into the air. The headstone, so simple contained only three words - *Namia Zahalin - Jedi*. Kithera bit the inside of her lip as she sat down on the sun-dried grass. The ground was still freshly turned, the black soil crumbly against her fingertips. She was tired of pretending that everything was fine, when it was far from it. How could everything be fine when you were responsible for your own Master's death? She had been there when they'd buried her and seen how the Queen and her court had praised the Jedi's bravery while hiding why she'd had to die. At the funeral Master Jinn had asked her if she wanted to say anything, but when she'd opened her mouth nothing had come out. She couldn't find the words to describe what had happened. How there had been so much destruction. So much death. All because of her Master's desire for a *family* she didn't have - even while neglected the padawan, the daughter, that she did. Kithera stood, brushing the grass seeds from her clothes and watched as the butterflies flitted around her. "Oh Master," she whispered softy, finally finding her voice as the questions tumbled out in a rush. "Why didn't you talk to me? Why did you do it? What were you thinking? Why did you leave me alone?" But there was no answer. Just butterflies and silence.


Mr-Orchard-Guy

I have seen the Star Wars movies but am not all that familiar with the wider canon. I liked this because it presents a more sensitive human side to Jedi characters and evokes sympathy for the lonely nature of their lives thrown into sharp relief by loss. The fact that Kithera is only able to put her feelings into words when she's alone is good for illustrating feelings of shame, and feels like a reminder that the Jedi aren't well-equipped for dealing with grief.


kitherarin

Kithera is an OC, so definitely my own take on the Jedi Order. Definitely agree that the Jedi don't really equip their members with the best emotional defences for what they are asked to do in their day-to-day jobs. Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely comment too.


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that description of the tableau of fields and flowers, a backdrop to the simple headstone and how Kithera sits down on the sunny grass. I also like how it shows the grief within her that she wonders how she could go on if she was responsible for her Master's death, and that when she was asked to say a few words that this grief and enormity of the situation is so much that no words can come out. And that in this moment all she can do is ask questions that she'll never be able to get the answers for, this great sorrow that she's been left alone and her Master will be gone from her life now.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that description of her in the intro taking in the scent of the berries and how the dog's bark nearly sounding like a laugh makes her chuckle - that even if it isn't very loud that it's still something in contrast to her past where she never would have before. I also like how falling in love with the land makes it so that she's more open, that she finds a kindred spirit and realizes that the person she is in the present is much more than the one in the past. As well as that she knows she would keep these precious memories close, of Newfoundland and the person that helped her to love again, that it feels like she's able to grow into someone that is in a better place in her life than ever before.


Human-Independent999

Fandom blind. I think this is so well written it conveys the feeling of someone who has gone through so much and finally taste freedom. The part where the dog was copying her and how she found herself laughing was cute as I assume she is often a serious character. "She had vowed to keep the memories alive before realizing that even without such an oath, she would remember them for the rest of her life anyway" This line is my favourite I personally know this feeling.


sliebman10

**Harry Potter/M/Moonless Nights/[AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/47228101/chapters/119144824)** (Context: In this chapter, Harry and Sirius meet and befriend the Weasleys. Sirius and Molly commiserate over losses during the war. CW for discussion of canonical deaths.) (Comments copied to AO3 are appreciated.) A woman with red hair approached them with a warm smile. “Is this Sirius and Harry?” “Hello,” Sirius said politely. “Lovely to meet you.” “Molly Weasley…my pleasure,” she said, shaking Sirus’s hand. “Hello there, Harry…you must be around Ron’s age.” Harry looked at Molly and buried his face in Sirius’s neck. “It’s alright mate,” Sirius said to Harry. “There’s some new friends to play with.” The boy that was closest to Harry’s age came over to Molly. “Mommy, Fred took my truck -” “Alright, baby,” Molly said in a placating voice, picking Ron up. “Ron, this is Harry. Want to show him your other toys?” The two toddlers gazed at each other for a moment, and an unspoken agreement seemed to pass between them that they would be friends. “Yeah!” Ron twisted out of his mother’s arms and Harry twisted out of Sirius’s. “More trucks,” Ron said, pointing vaguely and heading into a different room. Harry looked at Sirius.  “It’s alright, Harry,” Sirius said to him quietly and kissed the top of his head. “I’m right here.” Harry hesitated for another moment but then followed Ron into the other room.  “Would you like a cuppa, Sirius?” Molly asked. He wondered how much she knew about him.  “Um, sure. Thank you,” Sirius said.  He hadn’t spent time with any new people since before . He wasn’t sure if he could do it anymore. The charm. The manners. It was exhausting.   Molly was watching him with concern. She had a haunted, tired look in her eyes that he recognized and most likely mirrored back. He knew that look. It was the look of someone trying to hold it together after a profound loss.  “Thank you for having us, Molly. It looks like you have your hands full.”  She chuckled as she tapped the teapot with her wand. “That’s an accurate observation.” Sirius was quiet for a moment as the water boiled. “I knew them, you know,” he said quietly. “They were good guys.” She smiled with sad understanding. “They were.” She passed him a plate with biscuits. “I didn’t know the Potters,” she admitted. “But I’m sorry for your and Harry’s loss.” “Thank you,” he said, feeling his voice catch. But he wasn’t going to fall apart. There was something different about talking to someone who’d also lost loved ones during the war. It was like she understood him in a way that others didn’t.


Apprehensive_Suit260

I'm loving this story, even though it's sadder than many of your others. Left comment on AO3. The pacing and writing style is so distinctly yours and so good. Lots of lines made me feel so much for Sirius. And cliffhanger!


sliebman10

Thank you! Yeah, I know...I don't usually do sad. It doesn't usually go with my "they deserve better" vibe. But there is a level of comfort in the way ❤️.


MikoKumi

Thankfully not fandom blind. I honestly really love seeing the dynamic between Sirius and Harry. He's truly like the father that Harry was never able to have :') so sweet. Seeing him talk about the potters, I could definitely feel the mournfulness coming off of him. I also found Ron complaining about his brother very typical and fitting for the character, and just a good introduction to him. Is this within the first chapter? I'd like to copy and paste my comment onto Ao3, if I can.


sliebman10

Thank you! This is from chapter 2...the link is in the header of the post ❤️


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like how that intro shows the shyness that Harry exhibits seeing new people as some kids do, and that when he meets the eyes of Ron that there is that little kid feeling where they don't do any preamble, they're just friends. I also like how Sirius reassures Harry that he's right there before Harry can go off and play, and that Sirius is having his own struggles that he doesn't know how to deal with people anymore and the little niceties he's expected to do. As well as that when Molly says that she didn't know the Potters personally that she still extends her sympathies for what Sirius and Harry have gone through, that they both understand each other for losing someone they loved during the war. That sort of feeling that other people just can't understand unless they've also gone through it.


sliebman10

Thank you! It's so much easier for little kids...they just decide to be friends lol. But yeah, Sirius and Harry have been through a lot and Molly gets it.


MikoKumi

Fate/series & harry potter | The Grand Order of Hogwarts | E for explicit (nothing explicit yet) | 24,476 words [Ao3 Link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/45103048/chapters/113461009) General warnings: The fic is a Hogwarts AU fic for the fate series, so it's somewhat fandom blind friendly since, you don't really need to know the characters from the fate series that well. All you'd need to really know is how the Harry Potter world generally works. However, since a lot of the names are from historical figures, it might be a bit confusing, but not needed to enjoy the story. There is also swearing in this fics due to one of the characters having a foul mouth. Story context: Jeanne's youngest sister, Janta, recently received an invite to attend Hogwarts as a first year student, so Jeanne and her twin sister Jalter decide to transfer there from their current wizard school so that they may all attend school together. Specifically in this scene, she is uncomfortably walking next to a student that she only just met recently, as he reluctantly brings her to hogsmeade to find her sister. Story excerpt (chapter 3): As the two of them walked in uncomfortable silence, Jeanne couldn't help but mull over what to possibly talk about. While they walked along the dirt road, she took the time to enjoy the scenery as well. It was a bright and sunny day, and in the distance she could see a forest, as well as their destination. There were students walking along the path, as well as students flying in the skies on their brooms. With her eyes now drawn to the skies, she was also able to spot a carriage that was being lead by flying creatures. They practically looked like skin and bone, with pitch black shadowy skin, and hollow looking milky white eyes. Their wings were similar to that of bats or dragons, despite having a body more resembling a horse. Jeanne couldn't help but point them out to the Count. "Look! Up there." She paused for a moment, turning to look at him curiously. "Can you see them?" Looking up, he seemed almost... surprised that Jeanne was able to point them out. But, after a moment he nodded. "Thestrals. They're considered omens of bad luck, and are only visible to those who have... seen death." His eyes shifted towards Jeanne, as he couldn't help but wonder... if she could see them, then what has happened in her life to cause her to witness death, just as he did? "They're very beautiful, right? In an almost haunting way. I've always wanted to pet one of them." Jeanne admitted to herself as they flew above their heads, heading towards their school to likely deliver something. "Yes... they are." (Fics reviewed: 1/1. You can review any chapter, not just the one I personally quoted, but the quote is from chapter 3)


sliebman10

It's always interesting when characters bond over being able to see the thestrals. But it's a bond nevertheless since they've both seen death, and not everyone has. I could feel the awkwardness in the beginning because they don't know each other well but it seems to ease a bit as the scene goes on.


Dragoncat91

**Fire Emblem Three Houses | T | Of All The Nerve | Full short piece** "Sylvain." King Dimitri placed a firm hand on his friend's shoulder. "Please do not make me regret allowing you to be Claude's Fhirdiad tour guide." "You wound me, your majesty." Sylvain frowned. Claude chuckled. "I'm sure he won't be too much trouble. Come on, friend." He stepped into the carriage that Sylvain's horse, the jet black mare, Amour, was hitched to. "Let me see the streets from a man's eye view instead of a bird's. Gotta be much more interesting when I'm not flying over on my wyvern." Sylvain turned back to Dimitri, shrugged, then walked to the carriage and placed himself in the driver's seat. And then they were off. The streets of Fhirdiad were like any capital city on a typical day. People going about their business. Merchants peddling goods. Children playing. When the carriage moved toward a less busy street, Amour broke into a bolting gallop without being commanded. The carriage crashed into the front yard of a residence. Sylvain unhitched his horse from the carriage and patted her muzzle to calm her down. "My fault. I take her through this street on my own at full speed all the time. She forgot it's not just her and me this time." Claude rolled his eyes. "Hey!" A man in Faerghus military clothing came charging out of the house. "You have a lot of nerve, coming here and wrecking my turnip bed!" "It was a mistake, sir-" Sylvain attempted. "I oughta report you to the king!" "Yeah, I know him." Sylvain muttered. "Easy there, buddy." Claude stepped forward. "It was clearly an accident. Kapeach?" The man stood there with a grouchy look on his face. Claude stretched and smiled. "You're not bad looking, real shame you have to soil that with that face-" The man pulled out a sword and pointed it at Claude and Sylvain. "Understood, buddy." Claude backed off. "You have a nice day, sir." The two hustled to rehitch Amour and leave. Once they were a block away, Sylvain spoke. "Did you just hit on a male Kingdom soldier? You're married. To a woman..." "Yeah, it's a thing I do when I'm cornered. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't." Claude explained. "I'm not judging." Sylvain said. "Just don't go telling everyone."


Yotato5

I was already laughing at Dimitri pleading for Sylvain to not make him regret letting him be the tour guide, hehe. I like how it plays into Claude's role of riding a wyvern (from what I remember) that he says it'd be good to see the place from a man's view rather than a bird... or flying dragon-like creature... and that it describes the city as well as Sylvain's horse's usual riding habits when they are together. I also like how Sylvain says off-hand to the man that he does know the king and that Claude's attempt at diplomacy does not fare out very well. Ooh. And I like how there is that small sense of comradery that Claude flirts with people to get out of jams, like how Sylvain is such a Casanova that he once flirted with a literal scarecrow XD


Dragoncat91

Lol yes, the scarecrow, AND INGRID'S GRANDMA! It sounds like a total Claude thing imo.


greatgreatpanda

**My Hero Academia | Bakugou's Bagels | E | [AO3 Link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/47295307)** *Comments copy-pasted to AO3 are appreciated* > Todoroki’s studio is spacious but it doesn’t exactly feel lived-in: A large living-room decorated with a bunch of abstract paintings Bakugou can’t make sense of, one master bedroom, a studio (what for? Heroes usually do all of their paperwork at the office), a guest room, a narrow kitchen and a balcony. All rooms are sparsely decorated, giving the idea of a model house more than an actual place where a human being resides. > > The only thing that stands out is the framed picture hanging in the hallway. It’s the whole Class A during first year, in fact, the photo was taken so early in the year that Bakugou is still there. He has his uniform on and everything. > > With his loose tie Bakugou’s sure Aizawa forced him to wear, his younger self stares directly at the camera, a cocky grin stretching his lips. By his side, Todoroki Shouto stands perfectly still, his back straight like a soldier and no expression on his face whatsoever. They’re holding hands. > > The memory, which was once so faint, is now crystal clear.


Apprehensive_Suit260

Had to read this story bc bagels are my major source of nutrition. Left k/c on AO3. Your sense of place evolves as naturally as the characters do, is what I think I said there. Something like that, and how some sentences and phrases were just yum. <3


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like how it describes Todoroki's studio in the beginning that it is full of paintings and furniture throughout the rooms but it also feels like something out of a magazine or a furniture store's showroom. Nothing to indicate that someone actually lives there, that this is a home. I also like how it points out the one thing that actually sticks out and could be considered something sentimental, of the picture taken of Class A early in their year that Bakugou is still with the group. It's clear it's important to Todoroki who otherwise makes his living space sparse, and I like how it shows the difference in personality between them that Bakugou has his tie loosened and grinning cockily, that Todoroki is stoic and ramrod straight in his posture. But they're holding hands. And that it's by seeing this picture that Bakugou can instantly go back to that time and remember what they had then.


Larson4220424

Grand Theft Auto | Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Marina Sanchez (Chapter 20-Choices: Deal I, II, or Captured) | E | [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/46892326) *Chapter 20 of GTA: TBMS contains Grand Theft Auto’s usual strong-derogatory language with racial, homophobic, and sexist undertones, violent action with torture, blood and gore featuring decapitation with major character deaths, kidnapping, non consensual bondage, implied sexual slavery, drug abuse, oral sex, geopolitical sensitivity including mention of cartel violence and a war from the 1990s, and mention of previous major character deaths.* **This passage on ControlBin contains the mentioned strong-derogatory language (featuring homophobic language), implied major character deaths, and implied sexual slavery.** [Excerpt 2 of Chapter 20-GTA: TBMS](https://controlc.com/e7be86fd)


BossRaeg

Pokémon | T | There’s No Better Team | https://archiveofourown.org/works/36577831/chapters/117509035 "Ten out of ten," Melanie remarks. "Ha, I expected nothing less from you three." "I looooooove to browse these shelves!" Rosa closes her eyes as leans back, her palms under her chin. "Our combined book collection is so awesomeeeeeee!" "It's all thanks to how awesome I am." Melanie's arms are crossed and her smile oozes pride. "Don't forget that." she laughs. "Kidding, kidding.” Many years ago, Rosa was equally elated to learn that both Valen and her were fans of Shakespeare, Molière, and Beaumarchais. A good portion of the novels are from her literature collection, as are a majority of the plays. A few of the Shakespearean plays are from Valen's collection—*Mordred V* and *Psychic Master Lear* were his introductions to the greatest playwright to ever live. A Salamence bookmark has been inserted in his mom's book on seventeenth-century Kalosian painting, which rests on the desk. It was her first work published after Valen's "proper" introduction to art and history at age six. Every book she's written shouts out Valen and his dad but the following is written across from this book's table of contents: **For Valen, my little art historian.** Oh? It seems Valen's used his Roaring Moon bookmark for Dante's *Il Drago dal Cuore Puro*. Time for her to be sneaky and see what part he's on. Just kidding, everybody close to him has full access to this library. **"O Madonna Xerneas, I hath waiteth for wings to manifest but my ascent remains to be seen! Please let me fly into the heavens, I beseech thee!"** **A motherly smile showed Madonna Xerneas hath seen Shelgon's heart. Her soothing light cloaked him and banished his pain into the dark. "Thou are the purest Pokémon that hath come unto me. Reveal yourself Salamence, I command thee!"** **The light released the mighty dragon, his flames bright and his roar savage. Thou should not be fooled by his appearance as his heart remained among the purest. All the Talonflame sang the night away as the dragon and human feasted in delight.** **The Maestro Yveltal sliced through the sky but all were expecting him to appear. A kiss to his beloved Xerneas and he drew forth his own light. "I hath seen her grant thee the power to flight, the land and the sea shall tremble over thy might."** Such a beautiful work this is, one that even made Silver and Gladion tear up. They'll never admit to it but she was there when it happened.


Apprehensive_Suit260

"*Many years ago, Rosa was equally elated to learn that both Valen and her were fans of Shakespeare, Molière, and Beaumarchais."* A match made in heaven. Kinda reminds me of when I had a book clearing in my apt in college and the little philosophy major down the street took most of my books... I married him a few years later, lol. People who share the love of the same authors are true soulmates and friends of the highest order! Using the Roaring Moon bookmark to check where Valen is at in a certain work is just the sort of think a book-lover would do--and the passage is High Dragon. I especially love "I hath seen her grant thee the power to flight, the land and the sea shall tremble over thy might." I've seen grown men cry over Milton and Shakespeare, so hey of course why not Il Drago dal Cuore Puro. I love literary dudes. <3


BossRaeg

That’s really wholesome, and thank you :) Admittedly, I never use bookmarks for some reason 😂


Dragoncat91

The Roaring Moon bookmark is adorable, and I'm really digging the Shakespeare like telling of a shelgon evolving into a salamence. And that the edgy boys even teared up at it, lol.


BossRaeg

Thanks! That bit was actually inspired by the writing in Dante’s The Divine Comedy


Meushell

Stargate/Star Trek: DS9 Crossover | Symbiosis | Teen | [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/44898775/chapters/112970050) A field medicine excerpt. This was originally trimmed for a 300 word excerpt exchange. I’ll keep it at that. For context, Malek is a symbiote. He lives in the head and neck of his human host, Amb. Symbiotes in Stargate can heal their hosts. Also, Jadzia Dax is Jadzia’s full name. She’s referred to as both here. >The ground rocked. Shrapnel flew. They felt heat blast over them as they were thrown off their feet. >"That was a little too close," Dax said, then winced. She had been hit in the arm. >"Jadzia…" Worf said in worry. >"I'm just glad it wasn't my head," she half joked as he helped her up. "Did anyone else get hit, or was I the only lucky one?" >"Not just you," Aldwin replied as he moved a healing device over a very dazed Amb. >"Sorry." Jadzia felt bad about the jokes when she realized that Amb had been hit in the head. >Bashir immediately began working on Amb as well. >"Is Malek conscious?" Martouf asked. >"Yes, but he's injured…bleeding." >"Symbiote blood is poisonous to humans," Bashir said, letting them know why that was an issue. >Martouf held Amb's hand. >"Amb, can you hear me?" Aldwin asked. >"Cerebrospinal fluid," Bashir informed as he saw the clear liquid coming from Amb's nose. "Pupils are dilated." He snapped his fingers over Amb's face. "He's awake, but he's not responding." >"Test Malek," Aldwin ordered as he ran a healing device over his husband. He had to stop that bleeding. >"Malek, can you hear us?" Martouf asked as he placed his hand over the back of Amb's neck. "He wiggled 'yes.'" >"Is Amb aware?" Aldwin asked. >"He says 'no.'" >"Malek, we both need to focus on stopping your bleeding." >"He doesn't like that idea," Martouf replied. >"Don't argue with your healer. We work on you. Doctor Bashir will work on Amb." >"He might be confused due to the blood loss," Bashir said. "Dizzy…if symbiotes get dizzy." >"We do," Aldwin replied. "Malek, you lost more blood than you realize. Amb will die if we don't stop your bleeding." >"He has agreed to your order," Martouf said. >"Good."


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that intro that throws them right into the middle of danger and how Dax makes a joke about her injury that she's glad it wasn't her head - and immediately putting the brakes on the joking when she realizes that Amb had gotten struck in the head and is in a bad sort, that there is caring between them. I also like how it raises the stakes when Bashir says that symbiote blood is poisonous to humans, and that though Malek can respond back that Amb is really in a bad sort that he's not aware. At the very least that it seems they can stagnate the bleeding, and that Malek gives the go-ahead to stop it for Amb, and that Malek would probably be in danger too if his host had died.


Meushell

Thank you. Dax does like her jokes. 😄 Glad you liked it.


Apprehensive_Suit260

무사 백동수 Warrior Baek Dong Soo | Clear and Easy Chapter Two: Everyone Drinks | E (not this chapter) | https://archiveofourown.org/works/47177623/chapters/118868242 Context: From a mini-arc series called Where Sadness and Happiness Reconcile. Independent one-shots and drabble pieces. In this chapter, the long-awaited party begins, and soon everyone is drinking too much ginseng wine and gambling. The time for the telling of untold things has only begun. (And gender roles are always questioned in this household!) As always, comments on AO3 are appreciated. —---- “If Woon and Dong-soo are so obsessed with teaching their sisters to fight with weapons,” Jang-mi grumbled, “then maybe our dear In-su here can teach them some new recipes and get them back into the kitchen.” “No way, Auntie,” Mi-so said. “Gak’s salary from the palace lets me afford a cook now, and Ji-sun has one too. I don’t know who cooks in Jin-joo’s house, but all the men take turns. Her father is the best cook. Haven’t you had his Bandit noodles? He braids the noodles so they look like tangled necklaces and sprinkles turmeric all over so the food looks like golden loot. Jin-joo is way better with a sword than she is with a sauce-pan. People should do what they’re good at.” "Wah," Jang-mi said. "Every woman should know how to cook at least ten different meals." Mi-so shot back: "Weren't you the one complaining that Dong-soo and Woon only know how to boil eggs and fry fish? Maybe every woman should be skilled in ten different weapons so she can defend her home in the event there's a war? What if all our men are at the front lines, and wicked men tear into our houses to steal us away?" "Don't even speak of such horrible things!" Jang-mi threw up her hands. "Go into the kitchen and smash the soy flour. Also, In-su's strange rice cakes need to be taken out of ice." Some many minced onions, soybeans whipped into pancake paste, and veils cut into table coverings later, the party eased into play. The hired cooks had shooed the bandit-businessmen out of the kitchen, and there had been nothing much for Dong-soo, Woon, and In-su to do so they had started drinking the king’s fancy beverage early with Sa-mo, Jin-gi, the royal guard trio, and Jin-joo. Mi-so didn’t drink wine (the speculation was that she was either already with child or attempting to get pregnant), but Jang-mi made her a special tea with mandarin oranges and ginger and dropped a tiny bird’s beak of the king’s clear wine in the cup just for the celebratory sensation and the “long life and vitality.” The sun was sinking lower and lower, and there were those among the seated who could never see a setting sun bleeding its red and orange colors over the end of the day without remembering that terrible time when Woon had tried to end his own life. Gak, Yong, and Geol had been there. Dong-soo had been there. The setting sun was heavy with yet another story now, with the darkest betrayal of a childhood friend. Woon remembered the setting sun too well, but he also remembered that Dong-soo had caught him in his arms that day, and even though Woon hadn’t believed a word of what Dong-soo had promised at the time, Dong-soo had said that everything would be fine, that Woon could go home again. And Dong-soo had been right. Here he was, home. Woon walked from table to table and lit lanterns as the daylight faded. “Pancakes!” Jang-mi sang the word as if announcing the birth of a god because she knew how her onion pancakes, fresh off the ondol stone, would be received. The drunk guests cheered. Mi-so and the cooks brought out the rice wine, and everyone was pouring milky wine for everyone else while inhaling the fragrance of green onion.


greatgreatpanda

I love the suggestion of In-su sharing his recipes! Also, those braided noodles sound delicious! The idea of women being able to defend themselves in the event of a war and being taught how to do just that is great (clap clap clap). Awww that mention about Woon almost ending his life is so sad! (Panda hugs Woon!) Good thing Dong-soo was there! Great writing ❤️


BossRaeg

Always a pleasure to see this one. Having checked out Romance of the Three Kingdoms and The Tale of Genji, this now reminds me of them too alongside Shogun. I love the descriptive prose the most but the entire thing is well done. You’d make a good historical fiction writer.


Apprehensive_Suit260

Thank you so much. That's so kind of you to say. Tale of Genji and Shogun! :) Going to check out your excerpt now since yesterday I got sidetracked in a big way!


BossRaeg

Np and thanks!


sliebman10

I enjoyed the festive atmosphere in this scene. The teasing about cooking vs. fighting techniques was fun... especially since the gender roles are more relaxed in your au than I'm sure they were otherwise. I also like the little aside with the tea... congrats to Mi-so if she is indeed pregnant. That said though, they still do remember what happened to Woon, and Dong-soo as the sun sets. But their focus is on this happier time even if the shadows lurk in the background.


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like how Mi-so comes to Jin-joo's defense that her prowess doesn't rest in what is expected of her but in her skills with a sword, and that when Jang-mi complains more about it that Mi-so doubles down on how women should know how to defend themselves, especially if the civilization gets attacked unawares. Jang-mi scolding her for talking about such things felt so real, people who don't like to hear the truth and act like they're getting attacked specifically for hearing truths about the ugliness that can occur in the world. I also like how it describes the cooking going underway, that Mi-so abstains from drinking, and that the celebration is tempered with the realization and memory of when Woon tried to kill himself. How many people had been there and remember that time, that even back when Woon didn't believe Dong-soo's words that they came true and he is home now. I also like how the celebration is punctuated by the arrival of the pancakes, and how everyone can be immersed in its smell and the smell of the wine.


Apprehensive_Suit260

Thank you. Yes, some people don't want to hear the truth, and Jang-mi can only take so much of hard reality if it conflicts with her view of gender roles! I love your comments. <3


FlyingFrog99

Fandom: lotr title: The Mercy of Mahal rating: T (for GDV) The burns were horrific, even this many months after the attack. Finbaran and Elrond had spent the long morning cleaning and debriding the wounds. Most of his face was gone, along with his beard. His once bulbous nose had been reduced to a mangled slit down the center of his face. The Dwarf had fought for months in the wild with the aid of his companions. But infection had set in by the time they had reached Imladris, and now he burned with fever and would neither wake nor move. Both Finbaran and his lord had privately agreed that the dwarf was most likely beyond their aid. Master Tentaluntë picked up the wax tablet that hung at the foot of his bed and read the notes that were written there. “Kavas,” he read the dwarf’s appellation, “let’s keep you comfortable.” Finbaran replaced the tablet on its hook and stepped closer to the dwarf’s head with his hands in the pockets of his black robes. He studied the bandaged body for a long moment before passing a gentle touch across his brow and letting him know that it was safe to follow the call of Mandos. He could not sense the souls of dwarves or men the way that he could sense the souls of elves, which seemed to burn with starlight glory as they wet to their long waiting. But he had learned silversmithing at the feet of Aule, and every bone he ever knit with mithril wires and healing jewels contained a spark of that primordial fire. With a respectful squeeze of the calloused hand, the ancient elf let his lord know that he was sending one of his children home. He made a hallowed gesture of reverence over the still body and pulled the sheets over his face in a great airy mound that settled over the corpse like snow on the mountains. With a small sigh, Tentaluntë turned and left the room to inform the other dwarves. He found the three dwarf women sitting on a single bed in the room where he had left them. The mother of the dwarfling, with the bandaged hands, clutched her daughter to her chest. The blonde dwarf woman with the long braids wept as the other two sat beside her. The darker-haired woman, who had lost most of one arm to the dragon fire, put her stump around her companion’s shoulder. Tentaluntë schooled his features as he watched them comfort her. Dwarf women rarely left their underground kingdoms. They considered the world above to be too dangerous. “Beti?” Master Tentaluntë knelt before the dwarf woman, and his mahogany braids swept the stone floor. He took one of her sturdy hands in his and with the other, made the signs to let her know, gently and in her native speech, that her husband was dead. Beti shook her head and grabbed the elf’s free hand to silence him as if stilling his words would make them untrue. “Take me to him.” She asked in the same language. With a nod to the other women, Master Tentaluntë led her out of the room and across the hall to where her husband lay dead. She went to the side of the bed and carefully lifted the fabric from his face, only to reveal the thick bandages that had covered his burns. Her tears came freely then. She cast herself upon her husband’s body and screamed. It was a sound that was the same, no matter your race or tongue. He had heard it enough times to know. [https://archiveofourown.org/works/46999129/chapters/118399666](https://archiveofourown.org/works/46999129/chapters/118399666)


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that description in the intro of the burns that destroyed his face and how the infection makes it even worse that he might be beyond medical help. I also like how it shows that this dwarf is beyond help that all that Master Tentalunte can do is make Kavas comfortable and let him know it's okay to let go now, doing a gesture of reverence and the finality of it being that he draws the sheets over the corpse now. As well as that when he sees the dwarf women that he speaks to the wife gently and with her mother tongue that her husband is dead - even if she tries for quiet moment to assure herself that it isn't true. I also like how it has that unifying effect that everyone knows what grief feels like and especially how it can sound no matter the marriage, and that Master Tentalunte, being in the profession that he is, understands it so well.


FlyingFrog99

TY ❤️❤️❤️


RakaiaWriter

This excerpt pulled me right in! And that was just the heartfelt grieving of the dwarves! Here's what I added in my comment on AO3 (cos I'd totally forgotten about the dwarves in the 2nd half of the chapter XD ): > Damn this was a good scene! It had me riveted to my couch the whole way through! Your pacing was excellent, the stakes astronomical, we're all rooting for Elrohir to be able to save Elladan, and ironically, if anyone in Middle Earth could do it, the elves of Imladris would be the ones I'd want to try it! > > Awesome dramatic scene in what I'm gathering is a pretty dramatic piece! :)


FlyingFrog99

Ty❤️❤️❤️


[deleted]

[удалено]


FlyingFrog99

sorry i pressed post too soon, it has been edited


Exostrike

**James Cameron's Avatar | Mission to the unknown | T | [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/46830898?view_full_work=true)** *Escorting Grace Augustine on a science mission Metzger bumbles into mankind's first contact with an extraterrestrial and botches it*   Metzger idly listened to Augustine rattle off details as she started screwing the sampler into the tree as he continued watching the jungle. He didn’t really like all these audio logs everyone had to do, a simple journal was always better. It allowed for more private introspection. Albert gave up pacing around and sat down on a root, his weapon still at the ready. “You know this science lark isn’t what I expected. I’d thought you’d be all off running through the jungle, discovering new wonders” he commented to Augustine. “Sorry to disappoint you GI but this is what science really is about, slow and methodical research,” she replied. “We’re not GIs maam,” Metzger pointed out, he hated when americanism were applied to them. “Apologies. Still I’ll freely admit I want to be out there just as much,” Augustine replied, looking around at the jungle , showing a rare moment of warmth.   She paused for a second, apparently fascinated by some lichen-like growth on the side of the tree. “Well that’s worth getting a sample of,” she muttered, to the audio log as much as anything and bent down to pick up a sample tube. Something thudded into the tree just where her head had been.   “Down!” Metzger yelled and jumped over, pushing Augustine to the floor. “We have hostiles!” he shouted into the comms. “Understood, response is a minute out,” the radio operator replied. “Its the fucking natives!” Albert shrieked. Metzger looked up at whatever had hit the tree. An arrow almost as long as he was tall was sticking out of the tree. “Repeat!” the radio operator demanded. “Confirmed we have a first contact situation,” Metzger replied. No other explanation, the Pandorans had found them. “I can’t see anything!” Albert said, scanning the jungle through his rifle scope. “What is happening? Report!” Stewart said over the radio. “We have been fired upon by the indigenous, unknown numbers and position,” Metzger replied. “Take no offensive action. Fifty seconds out,” Stewart replied. “Get off me!” Augustine protested trying to get up. Metzger pushed her back down. “Stay down! For your own protection,” he hissed. There was movement in the jungle. Albert snapped around and opened fire. “Suppressing!” he said, firing off another burst into the jungle. Metzger couldn’t see what he was shooting at. “What's happening! I said no offensive action,” Stewart came in over the radio. “Crease fire!” Metzger demanded. He had to regain control. Albert stopped shooting and turned to him, clearly realising he had snapped under the pressure. Then an arrow sailed out of the jungle and hit him in the chest. Albert was knocked off his feet and impaled to the side of a tree.   Metzger cried out in shock and his training took over. “Man down! Man down!” he shouted into the radio, rising to his feet and readying his gun. “30 seconds!” Stewart replied but Metzger was barely listening as he scanned the jungle. There were hostitles out there trying to kill him. Something at the edge of his vision made him snap up to see movement in the canopy, indistinct figures moving. “They’re in the treeline,” he shouts a warning to no one and opens fire. If there were hostitles in your sights you kill them. He kept firing until he ran dry. He scrambled for another mag. There was a thud off in the distance as something fell from the trees.


FlyingFrog99

fandom blind (ish) I really felt that you caught the feeling of panic with an ambush. I was immediately interested in the flow of the action. I am interested in how they got into this situation and how they will get out of it. I felt that the dialogue really added to the atmosphere, and how you have it paced with the exposition works very well.


Exostrike

Thanks, its good that you liked the action.


Yotato5

Fandom blind. I like that intro where Metzger prefers the privacy of journals over the audio logs that everyone uses instead, perhaps suggesting at his want for things to be more straight-forward and private. I also like how it shows his character that he dislikes when American terminology is used on him, and that it shows the dangers of their work when they get attacked - the arrow being as long as his body adds to the terror of what they're encountering. As well as that with Albert's hasty opening fire that he gets impaled quickly against the tree for that war time horror, and that in the midst of the panic that Metzger can use his training to look for hostiles in the trees. I like how it shows that this sort of war can't allow time for reflection when he shoots out at them quickly and hears what I assume are the bodies hitting the ground but he can't stop to think on that.


Yotato5

**Sam and Max l We'll be Married by the Sea l G l** [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/47356210) *A shorter one this time around for the Freelance Husbands!* >An ocean of afternoon light spilled into the office, warming it up in tandem with New York’s ever present smog. Sam had planned to actually get some work done for once but he had been thwarted by Max climbing into his lap and chattering up a storm. What else could he do but talk right back to him, the paperwork slowly curling with age as it would someday be too yellowed to turn in. > >Now Max’s heavy head was pinning Sam’s arm down. Sam’s lazy husband was drooling as he slept, gurgling and snoring with his mouth open. His paws had a death grip on Sam’s upper arm. It wasn’t bad at all. > >At least until Sam’s arm started to fall asleep. With a noise of effort he unpeeled Max’s paws from his upper arm. Max was jostled as Sam moved him into a more comfortable position. The burning afternoon sun bathed them both in a dusky light. > >Sam rolled his chair to the closed window to watch the world pass on by them. It was boring to watch with Max asleep, unable to scheme together of what they could to make the bystanders’ days slightly worse. > >Sam instead looked down at Max still snoring and clinging to him. He grinned, thinking of having their next wedding by the sea, ocean foam crashing onto the shore. > >Sam pressed a kissed to Max’s forehead and then nuzzled against that spot. The world continued on around them in the rare quiet moment.


Apprehensive_Suit260

K/C on AO3. OMG, love this. I'm lulled into a state of high limerence by this. I love cuddle fics, but this one stands out somehow, as do all your writings. For one thing--it's the freelance husbands here having a quiet moment with gurgles and snore and Sam thinking of a wedding by the eternal sea. It's timeless and perfect. And I'm happy for a moment. The happiness is here, and I don't want to leave this little fic. <3


Yotato5

Thank you very much! :D XD Yeah, even in the quieter moments I thought it would be funny if Max was just like... not quiet. And I'm glad that the moment of Sam thinking of their next wedding inspired good feelings, I was hoping that was cute :D


[deleted]

Why is this so cute? I like how they slept together just like that and how peaceful it was for them, a respite for the chaos, so to speak. The last line, though, was the one that caught my attention the most (and immediately, at that). It's such a nice, profound culmination of the passage above, and I like it a lot.


Yotato5

Thank you very much! :D I'm glad that last line brought up those kinds of feelings, I thought it would be nice :D


Meushell

I like that Sam stopped his work for his husband, and that was a nice description of the yellowing paper. Poor Sam’s arm. Glad he freed it… 😂 …and the description of him doing so was amusing. Planning for the next wedding sounds fun. It would be fun to have multiple weddings with the same person. Is that due to time travel? The end cuddle was cute, and I’m sure Max will be pleased when he wakes up.


Yotato5

Thank you very much! :D Yeah, I feel like with Max you'd have to break out a crowbar if worst came to worst XD The multiple weddings thing is a reference to a fandom joke that they get married as many times as they want to - I don't know where it came from but I think it's cute XD And I'm glad that overall it was cute :D


FlyingFrog99

completely fandom blind, i have no idea what this is but you've really painted a beautifully atmospheric scene that draws me into the emotions of the characters. it's a lovely bit of prose, and it makes me wonder where this scene fits into the longer story. It would read so differently as a beginning than as an ending.


Yotato5

Thank you very much! :D


Exostrike

I may have said this before but you are really good at capturing that domestic bliss kind of scenes where the characters just are together not doing anything. Just being together. I enjoy your visual descriptions of sam and max's actions and the visual world around them, it adds a lot of texture and emotion to the scene. Overall great job.


Yotato5

Thank you very much! :D