I don’t know if you know this feeling, but today I saw a girl in public and she was the embodiment of bi culture. Like she was literally wearing cuffed jeans and a leather jacket. So I turned to my friend and was like “She seems hella bi” and my friend literally looked at me and told me she was actually bi. I felt so proud and just wanted to go to her and be like “YO, ME BI, TOO.”
“He won’t stop crying,” Magnus said as he rocked little Max in his arm, holding his phone to his ear with the other. It was Alec’s first major mission since the adoption, and he hadn’t been home in two days. “He misses you. Come back.”
***
“He won’t stop crying.” Max laid his hand on the name etched into the marble of the mausoleum. He couldn’t feel the tears running down his face. He could barely feel anything. “He misses you. Come back.”
one cool part about reviewing your outline to address notes/solve problems is that you notice cool things you did that you didn’t realize you were doing
for example, I have two pre-commission beats where Eli and Ambrose are unconsciously attracted to each other. They’re still rivals, but they’re making positive observations about each other. It’s subtle, and something I’m going to lean into in draft 3 to help address a note.
But these specific beats are both where Eli and Ambrose are seeing each other in their element. Ambrose is watching Eli as he navigates a networking night, Eli is watching Ambrose brew a potion.
I don’t know, something about that makes me happy.
Indian Shamshir Presented to King Edward VII by Pragmalji II Rao, Maharao of Cutch
A sword with a curved blade, and a solid gold enamelled hilt inlaid with diamonds arranged in a floral design. The pommel and ends of the cross-guard cast to resemble cheetah or leopard heads. The wooden scabbard encased in gold, worked in repousse and chased with designs of birds and flowers.
The enamelled hilt suggests that the sword was made in Bikaner or Jaipur, Rajasthan, two renowned centres in India for enamelling in red, blue and green. The blade also has a stamped mark usually associated with the Bikaner armoury. The scabbard was perhaps made by goldsmiths in Cutch, who produced vessels out of precious metals with similar ornamentation.
Presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Pragmalji II Rao, Maharao of Cutch.
Azriel never actually agreed to comply with Rhys’ orders to stay away from Elain
Elriel Month, Week 5: Anything Your Heart Desires
Just a friendly reminder that, while Azriel may have been knocked from his rage by Rhys threatening punishment and pulling rank during their talk on Solstice Night, he never actually agreed to stop pursuing Elain Archeron.
Have a look:
Rhys growled, “Allow me to make one thing very clear. You are to stay away from her.”
“You can’t order me to do that.”
“Oh, I can, and I will. If Lucien finds out you’re pursuing her, he has every right to defend their bond as he sees fit. Including invoking the Blood Duel.”
“That’s an Autumn Court tradition.” The battle to the death was so brutal that it was only enacted in rare cases. Despite being an outsider, Azriel had wanted to invoke it when he’d found Mor all those years ago. Had been ready to challenge both Beron and Eris to Blood Duels and kill them both. Only Mor’s right to claim their heads in vengeance had kept him from doing so.
“Lucien, as Beron’s son, has the right to demand it of you.“
"I’ll defeat him with little effort.” Pure arrogance laced every word, but it was true.
“I know.“ Rhys’s eyes flickered. "And your doing so will rip apart any fragile peace and alliances we have, not only with the Autumn Court but also with the Spring Court and Jurian and Vassa.” Rhys bared his teeth. “So you will leave Elain alone. If you need to fuck someone, go to a pleasure hall and pay for it, but stay away from her.”
Azriel snarled softly.
“Snarl all you want.” Rhys leaned back in his chair. “But if I see you panting after her again, I’ll make you regret it.”
Rhys had rarely threatened punishment or pulled rank. It stunned Azriel enough that it knocked him from his rage.
Rhys jerked his chin toward the door. “Get out”
Azriel tucked in his wings and left without another word, stalking through the house and onto the front lawn to sit in the frigid starlight. To let the frost in his veins match the air around him.
Until he felt nothing. Was again nothing at all.
Let’s disregard the fact that, assuming Rhys and Feyre’s assumptions about Lucien’s true paternity are accurate, it’s questionable whether he would even have the right to invoke the Blood Duel against Azriel; if Helion ever acknowledges Lucien, does the Day Court still allow it? And would Rhys’ lies about Lucien’s right to challenge Azriel for Elain’s love somehow invalidate a fundamental part of any hypothetical agreement that was made between himself and Az? I’m not sure whether the magic of bargain bonds - whatever it is - considers the spirit of the original agreement; at least, I wouldn’t count on it, just in case. It’s a big “if.”
So, in a world where your word can be a magically enforced and bonded bargain - clever Spymaster.
Remember the last time Rhys forbid Azriel from doing something? Interesting how we’re told about that argument as Azriel entrusts Truth-Teller to Elain, which he’s never done for anyone else. Rhys and Cassian couldn’t convince him to yield in his insistence to fight—they have to bring in a tearful Mor to finally get him to relent.
(On a side note, I can’t get over how Azriel pushes Cassian aside like his dagger offer is child’s play.And Elain’s reaction? I imagine something like, “Oh my, oh my my my” going through her head. This whole scene is a continuous double entendre.)
And even then, Azriel doesn’t—can’t possibly—keep his word.
Rhys sees the futility (and dire need of the situation), so he ultimately agrees.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Sarah highlighted this interaction. In the bonus, we got to see exactly what a swift,brutal argument looks like between Azriel and Rhys. I highly doubt that order is going to stand the test of time. I mean, the male is working himself day and night so that he doesn’t give in to the temptation, the rage and frustration and writhing need. Those are his thoughts when he is forbidden from claiming Elain, and that desperation—that need—is all too similar to the way our other couples have felt toward one another.
Feysand:
Nessian:
When Elain reads Azriel’s decision—to take this taste(just a little taste) in the dead of the longest night of the year—she responds like Nesta did to Cassian, and breathes, “Yes.” This draw and desperation seems mutual to me, even though we can’t read her thoughts yet.
Azriel needs so much that he’s in pain. And no, it’s not just need for anyone. If that were the case he’d find someone with little effort. Like Mor has said, he’s had no shortage of lovers over the centuries. That desperation he feels? That’s only for Elain. And it’s only a matter of time until they find a way—in secret, if required—to finally satisfy their mutual need and desire.
One of my favourite things about heartstopper is just how explicit it is that being closeted isn’t bad. Ben isn’t awful to Charlie because he’s closeted, he’s awful to Charlie because he’s cruel and insecure. And everybody tells Nick at every opportunity that he shouldn’t have to come out if he doesn’t want to, especially Charlie because he knows how hard it is to be out and he cares more about Nick being safe and happy than being open about their relationship
The closest anyone gets to telling him to come out is during the conversation he has with Tao. And even that’s just him saying that Charlie deserves more than to be the guy he kisses sometimes on the downlow, but it’s fine if he can’t give him more than that and that Charlie would never make him come out if he isn’t ready. He isn’t telling him to come out, he’s telling him to consider what Charlie would be feeling. And it feels more like he’s telling him to make it official than to actually come out, it was Nick’s decision to come out because he wanted to make it official
I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen a queer story be this kind to closeted people before. They aren’t treated like cowards or liars or burdens, they’re treated like people in situations where they may not feel comfortable/safe enough to come out. Because in a lot of cases, that’s what they are. And they’re treated with as much kindness and understanding as they deserve and I just love that
Based on the train of thought that Hunter has one hell of a swing + probably wants to stay in his role of looking out for everyone. I love watching what he does in the latest team fights, he’s just keeping everyone out of harms way.
(dialogue) Camila: I appreciate your dedication to protecting your friends, mijo
Camila: (takes Hunter’s bat) But bats are for hitting baseballs, not smashing in faces… I don’t want you to get in trouble.
[ID: A two panel comic of Hunter and Camila Noceda from the Owl House. Hunter is wearing a jacket and fingerless gloves. The first panel is Camila gently talking to Hunter, who stares back blankly. Camila says; “I appreciate your dedication to protecting your friends, mijo.” The second panel shows Camila looking worried, and taking a baseball bat out of Hunters hands, saying; “But bats are for hitting baseballs not smashing in faces. - I don’t want you to get in trouble.” end ID]
