AnaWayne

[prokopetz]

The real reason your sapient dragon character needs a "rider":

Dragons on the wing are vulnerable to being mobbed by smaller, more agile flyers, particularly in your large rear blind spot, like a bird of prey being mobbed by crows. Having a human armed with a long spear perched on your back helps to dissuade anyone from getting any funny ideas.

Breath weapons are impressive enough on the ground, but in flight they're really only good for strafing stationary targets; trying to use your breath weapon in an aerial dogfight is a good way to get fire up your nose. A real fight calls for sterner measures – and, concomitantly, a crew to aim and reload the cannons.

In today's competitive world, it's not enough to devour a flock of sheep and call it a day if you want to keep your edge. You're accompanied at all times by a qualified personal alchemist tasked with carefully regulating your internal furnace to ensure peak performance, and sometimes you even listen to them.

No dragon of any quality would be caught dead without their valet. It's not as though you can announce your numerous long-winded titles yourself when introductions are called for, can you? You suppose next you'll be expected to pick up the spoils of your conquests yourself, like a common brigand. Perish the thought!

[mikkeneko]

[theotherghostgirl]

Also consider having a rider is considered a status thing because dragons are too large to effectively clean themselves of parasites. Birds are all well and good, but having a little dude who’s trained for years specifically to make sure that you are parasite free, but that your scales are appropriately oiled and shined, and that your teeth and claws are sharp and healthy.

It’s like having your own personal stylist/doctor on call, and all you have to do is occasionally take them places!

[luna-azzurra]

Tender, Subtle Ways to Show a Character Cares

For the characters who will literally die before saying it out loud, but their body and habits scream devotion.

Letting them walk on the inside of the sidewalk

Memorizing their coffee order

Keeping extra gloves/scarves/snacks just in case they forget theirs

Texting: “Are you home safe?” instead of “I miss you”

Tucking their hair tag in

Offering the last bite, even if they really wanted it

Taking mental notes on what makes them nervous or happy

Saying “Call me if you need anything” and meaning it

Sitting close enough that their shoulders brush

Keeping an umbrella in their bag. Just. In. Case.

Being the first to notice when something’s off

Defending them behind their back

Refusing to let them feel dumb, even for a second

Remembering little details from a single offhand comment

Turning down the music when they walk in without asking

[luna-azzurra]

Spicy Dialogue Starters Pack

Slow Burn That’s About to Explode

"If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to do something we’ll both regret."

"Say that again. Slower."

"You really like testing my patience, don’t you?"

"Back up. Closer. I want to see if you’ll actually do it."

"Do you realize how loud you were moaning my name last night?"

"You should probably stop touching me like that... unless you plan on finishing what you started."

"We’re not doing this here." – "Why not? Scared you’ll like it?"

"I dare you. No, seriously—I dare you."

"One bed. One night. You sure you can behave?"

"You think I won’t?" – "I know you will. That’s the problem."

Enemies to Lovers, but We’re Both Hot and Unhinged

"If I kiss you, it’s not because I like you. It’s because you won’t shut up."

"Do it. Touch me like you hate me."

"You’re infuriating." – "And you’re turned on."

"Careful. You’re starting to sound jealous."

"Admit it. You like it when we fight."

"You want me. You just don’t want to want me."

"If you’re going to stare, you might as well do something about it."

"Say it. Say you want me." – "Why? You’ll just use it against me."

"Keep talking like that and I’ll kiss you right here."

"Don’t tempt me." – "What if I want to?"

Post-Tension Intimacy (A.K.A. We Finally Snapped)

"You're shaking." – "So are you."

"This doesn’t mean anything." – "Then why are you holding me like that?"

"I’ve wanted this since the moment I met you."

"You're not getting any sleep tonight, just so you know."

"You're mine now. Say it."

"God, you feel so good." – "Yeah? Then shut up and keep going."

"You can hate me in the morning. Just… let me have this tonight."

"Is this what you wanted?" – "No. I wanted more."

"Don’t stop. Don’t you dare stop."

"I’m going to ruin you. And you’re going to thank me for it."

Teasing Touch, Dangerous Proximity

"You’re blushing." – "Shut up."

"That shirt’s doing you no favors. Take it off."

"If you wanted me to kiss you, you could’ve just said so."

"I like the way you say my name. Say it again."

"You’re standing really close." – "Yeah? You gonna move?"

"I can feel your heartbeat. Is that for me?"

"Your hands are shaking... here, let me help you."

"Careful. Someone might think you actually want me."

"You know exactly what you’re doing to me, don’t you?"

"We’re not supposed to do this." – "Since when has that ever stopped us?"

Voice Low, Words Barely Whispers

"Keep your voice down. Or don’t. Let them hear."

"Every time you talk, all I can think about is your mouth on mine."

"Say the word, and I’ll have you against that wall in five seconds."

"What do you think happens if I kiss you right now?"

"You smell like trouble." – "You taste like it."

"Look me in the eyes when you lie like that."

"One more step and I won’t be able to hold back."

"If you keep teasing me like that, I’m going to ruin you."

"Tell me to stop." – silence – "Didn’t think so."

"We’re alone now. You still pretending this is just tension?"

Hot-Headed, Argument-Laced, About to Snap

"Why do you always have to push my buttons?" – "Because I love watching you lose control."

"You think you’re in control here? That’s cute."

"You're not walking away from me. Not this time."

"God, you're impossible." – "You didn’t seem to mind last night."

"Say it louder. Maybe if you scream my name again, I’ll believe you."

"Keep pretending you don’t want me. I’ll keep proving you wrong."

"You're dangerous." – "Only if you ask nicely."

"Is this still an argument or are we just flirting with knives now?"

"Admit it. You love it when I get like this."

"Don’t act like you don’t want this too."

[anawayne]

[lets-get-lit]

I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.

- Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

[lets-get-lit]

I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.

- Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

[incorrectbatfam]

Hal: It kind of feels like you’re prioritizing work over our friendship.

Bruce: Because I barely know you?

Hal: Fine, message received.

[prideprejudce]

house of the dragon & religious imagery 🤝

[prideprejudce]

alicent being portrayed as the “pure mother” who is pious and devout (stifled by her own prison of faith) and rhaenyra as the “fallen angel” expelled from her own kingdom (for her sins of being a woman and bearing bastard children) who is now looking for revenge and fighting over the rule of heaven

[thesilverlady]

“There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin.” — Mitch Albom

[anawayne]

[villainslut]

“Oh they’re so toxic.” “They’re so unhinged.” “They’re so sad and pathetic.” “You think you can fix them?”

No. I’m going to fuck them as is.

[anawayne]

[anawayne]

[anawayne]

[anawayne]

[anawayne]

In the 119 AC, Runesport was attacked by pirates. While it is speculated that those were remaining of the failed Triarchy that joined forces to take revenge on Prince Daemon for the War of Stepstones in 111-113 AC, others are certain that it was an attack planned by the Hightower and another more obscure source says that the attack came from Ironborn; however, the lack of any flags, banners or survivors made it difficult to ascertain the truth. Runesport was attacked a little after noon by a force as strong as fifty ships, in the beginning, the pirates seemed to have the upper hand, until Princess Alyssa started with forces of her own and Princess Selaena appeared leading her dragons and her sisters to burn the ships. Runesport lost three hundred lives in that attack, but the world saw the death of at least half a thousand pirates by the leadership of the two daughters of Daemon Targaryen. Excerpt from The Dragon Princesses of Runestone by Maester Garlan

[anawayne]

Queen Aemma Arryn, first wife to King Viserys I, had many pregnancies. Her first was a successful one, resulting in the birth of Princess Rhaenyra in 95 AC. Her following pregnancies resulted in two miscarriages and a stillborn daughter before she gave birth to Prince Jaehearon, a name Viserys claimed from a dream, in ten years later. The heir was born curiously quiet, but alive and breathing. His first sound, it is said, was a joyful laugh when a week after his birth, the egg placed at his crib hatched. Aemma had still another two pregnancies: one ended in a miscarriage and the last pregnancy—the one whose birthbed claimed her life—in Prince Baelon, whose last breath was just a day after his first.

 Excerpt from the Dragons of the new century, Maester Finwick.