Written for Jily Week 2025 Day 1 prompt: Knight in Shining Armour
@sunshinemarauder @kay-elle-cee @jilymicro-oops
Lily insists she doesn't need a knight in shining armour. The knight and armour disagree.
“I’m saying it for the last time, Potter, I do not need you swooping in to save me or avenging me like a knight in shining armour!” Lily Evans fumed and sped up to get ahead of her patrol partner, one James Potter, who was fresh off his detention with Filch, meaning he was as far from fresh as possible.
She moved quickly, unseeingly, because her eyes weren’t the clearest, what with the incorrigible tears announcing their impending spillage. The empty corridor blurred past in her periphery — the couples tucked away in broom cupboards and alcoves tonight were in luck — and she hardly registered how the soles of her shoes slapped and echoed against the stone. But, by now, her body was completely attuned to James, and she knew he was catching up with her with his significantly longer strides well before his hand caught her wrist.
She stopped at once. She hadn’t really wanted to get away, after all.
The urban fantasy show I actually want to see is a hospital drama with a dedicated wing for supernatural illnesses.
Vampirism. Lycanthropy. Cheap spells gone wrong. A woman brought in for her prenatal has to be told her baby is a lindworm. Someone is literally being followed by the anthropomorphic personification of the Black Death.
Someone somewhere out there is having their perception of the world irreparably shattered by the knowledge that magic is real, and at the other side is a team of doctors who have to roll their eyes and pull out Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales because some high school kid tried to go Carrie with a cheap spellbook and turn all the kids at prom into frogs, and the doctors have to wrangle a couple dozen teenagers into admitting if they have a true love who can break the spell.
I want the hospital director to be some dark entity that feeds on human misery but figured out that if you successfully treat the source of the misery then instead of hunting you down as an abomination the humans start bringing more miserable people to your house en masse and things kinda got out of hand from there.
We need more women characters who are Male Protagonists. You know. Slightly haggard. She's splashing cold water on her face and gripping the edge of the sink staring in the mirror for a minute. She's coping badly with her deadwife
Kelsey ( @kay-elle-cee ) and I are thrilled to host Jily Week for the third year in a row. After being treated to 80+ creations each of the past two years, we can’t wait to see what all of you talented people will come up with this year. GET EXCITED for the week of August 17th to 23rd!!
To participate, post a creative work corresponding to the daily prompt – fanfiction, fanart, playlists, metas, moodboards, etc. – anything goes! You can participate in as few or as many days as possible, but we challenge everyone to try and create something for every prompt, even if it's only a hundred-word drabble or a 5-minute sketch! Don't stress about meeting the exact prompt or the deadline - the most important thing is to have fun with it!
Remember to tag your works with #jily week 2026, mention @sunshinemarauder and @kay-elle-cee, and add any fic you write to the Jily Week 2026 AO3 Collection.
🌟 PROMPTS:
☀️ Day 1 – 17th of August – Mistaken Identity
Or: when the road to love is obscured by mistaken identities. Secret superhero identities, masquerades, love squares, or wrong numbers can complicate things… but don’t worry, they’ll get there eventually.
☀️ Day 2 – 18th of August – Star Power
Romance is hard as it is, but it can get even more complicated when you’re in the limelight. Put one or both of our favorites in the public eye, and you get a recipe for delicious fanfiction. Make ’em celebs, actors, royals, athletes – anything goes!
☀️ Day 3 – 19th of August – Break Up / Make Up
You’ve heard of Angst vs Fluff – now get ready for Break Up / Make Up. Choose your fighter: break hearts or put them back together?
☀️ Day 4 – 20th of August – Mythos
Whether you choose to modernize your favorite myth or place James and Lily on Mt. Olympus, this is the perfect time to pull out all the obscure folkloric trivia we know you’ve been waiting to put in a story. (Percy Jackson crossovers WELCOMED.)
☀️ Day 5 – 21st of August – Damned to Detention
We all know the Marauders spent much of their Hogwarts years in and out of detention. Though Lily may have been a Prefect, she wasn’t so removed from their antics. Who’s the unlucky one this time?
☀️ Day 6 – 22nd of August – And There Was Only One Bed
You know it — a trope as old as time and a forever favorite.
☀️ Day 7 – 23rd of August – Write a Fic Rec
There’s a wealth of fantastic Jily works out and about. Take a moment to shine the spotlight upon a current fav/recent read/comfort fanfiction. Write the recommendation the author deserves and introduce it to a new audience!
———
Feel free to message either of us or drop an ask if you have questions! 🌟
You're going to be the drain of all my birthday money with all this talk about fountain pens RIP
Anyway, I'm hooked, do you have any recommendations for pens that feel really nice but are under $100?? Do they exist?
To make matters worse: I'm a lefty, so I don't know if I even could write with one. But I'm also an artist, so I could try drawing.
Thanks for all your advice!!
I regret nothing, let your wallet suffer as mine has!
please god no don't be like me
Not only do the pens you ask about exist, I have several recommendations for fountain pens under $100, fret not! There's a fountain pen for every budget, but I especially have some great recs if you want something that feels luxurious without paying top dollar.
My top recommendation in your case would be the Lamy Safari or the AL-Star (and you can go for one of the special limited editions that are on sale pretty much everywhere right now; you can find the regular editions under $20 at Amazon and some other online retailers; the AL-Star is a little more expensive).
Here's my reasoning:
1. They're not expensive.
2. Interchangeable nibs. Find that the fine is too thick? Why buy a whole ass other pen? Buy an extra-fine nib! And yes, technically many fountain pens have interchangeable nibs, but the Lamy's are by far the simplest I've encountered.
3. Lamy makes a left-handed nib (designated by LH). Now, this might make a big difference or not, but I have some lefty friends who swear by them, and they're not hard to find, nor are they more expensive than the regular nibs.
4. They're light. This can be a good thing or a bad one depending solely on your own preference, but since you seem to be interested in trying to draw with it, lighter is usually better (according to my fountain-pen peeps who actually draw with them!)
OK, so, it's no secret I love the Lamy Safari/AL-Stars -- they're my daily drivers, and have been for several years. However, not everyone is a fan, and that's OK! Here are some things people don't like so much about it:
1. The triangular grip -- while the grip is there to make sure you keep the pen at the correct position when you write, some people don't like it, because they grip the pen a little differently. This may be especially true for lefties -- if you've adapted your grip to write overhand, for example, the angle may be a little bit uncomfortable.
2. It doesn't come with a converter. Yeah, this one bothers me as well. There are plenty of cheap pens around that give us a converter to use bottled ink. The Safari doesn't -- if you want a converter to come with your pen, you have to shell out for the AL-Star. Lamy, why??
3. The line may be thicker than you expect. This is especially true for people who want very, very fine lines (usually for sketching, or if they have handwriting like my wife's, whose writing resembles morse code to the naked eye). This is true for most European-style nibs. If you want like, hairline-fine nibs, you gotta go for the Japanese extra fines!
If you'd like to delve much, much deeper into the countless other recommendations I have, see below the cut! You've been warned!
Here are some other recommendations, from least expensive to most expensive! I'm attaching links to certain fountain pen retailers, but feel free to look for these models elsewhere.
1. Jinhao X450/x750 ($6-$10)
Pros: Cheap, hefty, comes with a converter, several colour options
Cons: May be too heavy, nib comes in medium (and it can be juicy!). Luckily, you can buy separate #6 nibs that you can swap out.
2. Jinhao 8802 ($12-$20)
Pros: Cheap, pretty, good heft, comes with a converter, and comes in a fine nib!
Cons: ... struggling to think of any, tbh! I love this little pen!
3. Hong Dian Forest Series ($15-$20)
Pros: IT PRETTY and also one of the most reliable pens I own. Comes with a converter, fine nib options, it's all-metal.
Cons: May be a little too slim if you have big hands!
4. Diplomat Magnum ($18-$25)
Pros: Ink-window so you can see your ink level, converter included, soft-touch nib (it can take a bit more pressure from people not used to fountain pens), several colour options
Cons: It's light. Very, very light, and some people really don't like that. It also has a triangle grip, so avoid if you're not into that.
5. Platinum Plaisir ($17-$43)
Pros: Japanese fine nib, so it goes very fine. Also, the Platinum seal on the cap is fucking phenomenal -- this shit NEVER dries out.
Cons: These nibs are pretty stiff and have a little feedback (a Platinum quirk). Also, the crazy difference in price reflects the addition of special editions.
See also: Platinum Preppy, Prefounte (cheaper!) and Procyon (expensive!)
6. Pilot Metropolitan ($15-$30)
Pros: classy look, good weight, smoothest fine nibs you'll find pretty much everywhere
Cons: a converter is included, but it is the shittiest one imaginable!
See also: Pilot Kakuno, Explorer (close or cheaper), Prera (expensive)
7. TWSBI Diamond 580 AL R ($50-$70)
Pros: It's a piston filler -- that means instead of that measly little cartridge or converter, you get a massive chunk of the pen body to house the ink! And it's a demonstrator, so you can see it sloshing around. It also has Fine and Extra-Fine nib options.
Cons: the TWSBI fine nibs are closer to the Lamy fines than the Pilot/Platinum ones -- they're overall juicier, which may be a hindrance for lefties.
See also: TWSBI ECO (cheaper, unless we're talking special editions), TWSBI Vac700r (expensive!)
8. Lamy Studio ($70-$80)
Pros: It's beautiful, comes with a converter, and has a nice weight to it without being too hefty. Plus, it takes the standard Lamy nibs -- from the Safari, AL-Star, LX, Aion, Scala, Logo, CP1... etc etc etc!
Cons: The usual with Lamy nibs (thicker line than you may expect). Plus, some people may find the grip a bit slippery (it's stainless steel).
9. Kaweco AL-Sport ($80-$90)
Pros: This little pen can take a beating. Toss it in your backpack, your laundry (pls don't), run it over with your car (pls pls don't). It's very compact, as it's a pocket pen -- fits in your palm!
Cons: It... tiny. Very tiny, with teeny ink capacity to match. No converter. Short cartridges only. Clip sold separately...
See also: Kaweco Sport Classic (cheaper, along with Frosted Sport and Skyline Sport!), Kaweco Sport Brass (same price or higher) Kaweco Perkeo (cheapest!)
WHEW, there you go. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg--there are many, many more pens around in this price range and below (and obviously, above). Have fun in the rabbit hole!
New to fountain pens? Long-time enthusiast? No matter, you’re probably sick of hearing about the Lamy Safari and the Pilot Metropolitan (or Pilot MR in certain markets) and their respective merits as beginner fountain pens. It feels like every other day someone asks for suggestions for their first fountain pen, and inevitably the recommendations for either of those two come flooding in.
It’s not without reason. I’m guilty too—the Lamy Safari is still one of my favourite pens of all time (and I will still recommend it), and the Metropolitan is just about the safest bet you can make on a fountain pen when you’re just getting started.
That being said, there are a ton of other pens out there, and I feel like newbies sometimes miss out on pens they might like better. So, to help further our collective horizons, here are 22 OTHER fountain pens for absolute beginners. With links!
All under $30.
1. Pilot Varsity ($3.30 or $21.25 for assorted 7-pack)
Afraid of commitment? Looking to dip your toes before diving in? No problem--just try out a disposable fountain pen! For a pen designed to be disposable, the Pilot Varsity writes pretty well and comes in 7 fun colours. Just mind the paper you're using--it can bleed through pretty easily, as it is one-size nib only (and that size is medium).
2. Platinum Preppy ($6.00)
Not quite as "disposable" as the Pilot Varsity, the Preppy has a few advantages: multiple nib sizes (though they're all pretty fine), a wide assortment of colours, and can even take a (proprietary) converter if you so choose. They do crack pretty easily, especially at the cap and grip section, but they're still a solid choice for a fountain pen newbie.
3. Jinhao 993 Shark ($3.95)
Not only are these pens adorable and affordable, their (hooded!) nib is exceptionally good considering the low price, though medium is the only nib size you'll get. Don't feel too bad though, because this pen comes with a converter included! I honestly have zero complaints about this pen, it's an awesome, quirky buy.
4. Jinhao x450 ($9.90) & x750 ($9.99)
Now these look like fountain pens. Pull one of these out at a meeting and you'll definitely get a couple of questions (or perhaps encounter a pen friend out in the wild!). Metal construction, medium (& somewhat gushy nibs), and a converter included? Sign me up! They might be a little heavier than what you're used to, but otherwise make for a great starter pen.
5. Paili 013 Vacuum Filler ($9.95)
Pro: a vacuum filler pen for under $10?? Yep. Forget those cartridges and unleash the power of bottled ink with this surprisingly reliable fountain pen!
Con: If you're a newbie, you're likely unfamiliar with this filling mechanism, so it might be a little daunting. But I promise there's no mystery, and YouTube is your friend!
6. Platinum Prefounte ($11.00)
Another Platinum, this time a little dressed up but still fun! The Prefounte comes in both fine and medium nibs and takes either proprietary Platinum cartridges or converters (sold separately, unfortunately). This pen is also pretty forgiving if you end up forgetting it in your drawer: Platinum's Slip & Seal mechanism can keep the ink from drying for quite a while (allegedly, up to a year). Keep in mind, Platinum pens tend to have a little bit more feedback (read: scratchy feel on paper), so if you don't like the feel of writing with pencil, for instance, maybe opt for a medium nib.
7. Luoshi Labyrinth ($12.95)
If you want something striking and unique, this Luoshi might be right up your alley. The Labyrinth is an all-metal pen with a surprisingly smooth medium-fine nib. It might be a little too weighty for those not accustomed to hefty metal pens, and some people have complained that the cut out labyrinth design adds some discomfort to lengthy writing sessions, so keep that in mind!
8. Pilot Kakuno ($13.50)
If you've heard good things about the nib on the Pilot Metropolitan but wanted something cheaper/quirkier, boy have I got good news for you! Marketed for children in Japan, the Kakuno has the same nib unit as the Metro, making for a superb writing experience at a considerably lower price point. They come in a ton of colors and take proprietary Pilot cartridges or converters. Nibs of different sizes come engraved with different smiley faces for extra fun.
9. HongDian Black Forest Series ($16.95)
This pen is just cool. Matte, all metal finish? Check. Cool colours? Check. Converter included? Check. Matching colour nib? Check (on a couple of them, at least). Though this pen is metal, it is pretty slim and comes with a textured grip, making for a pretty comfortable writing experience (unless, of course, you don't like slim pens!)
10. Kaweco Perkeo ($17.00)
I call this pen Kaweco's Kakuno, because... well, just look at it. Then go back up to #8 and see that I am right. Regardless, this pen is a solid choice for a beginner, with different nib options (all pretty smooth) and a great assortment of colours. It also has a triangular grip, which will help you hold the pen in the correct position--though some people find it uncomfortable, so keep that in mind!
11. Platinum Plaisir ($17.60)
Pros: Aluminum body, several colours to choose from, different nib options (fine & medium), and Platinum's magical sealing cap to prevent your ink from drying.
Cons: Converter (proprietary) sold separately. Boo.
12. TWSBI GO ($18.99)
This little pen (the most affordable TWSBI iirc) has quite a few things going for it. It comes in several colours and has a bunch of different nib sizes (from extra fine all the way to a 1.1mm stub). The filing mechanism (a simple spring loaded piston) is very practical and easy to use, though it may be a little unfamiliar to most beginners and will require bottled ink (so go ahead and add to cart while you're at it!).
13. ONLINE Slope ($19.00) & Switch Plus ($20.50)
Smooth writers with ergonomic grips (i.e., triangular) to keep you in position when writing. Both the Slope and Switch Plus are made of plastic with stainless steel nibs that come in both medium and fine and write pretty smoothly. They're a great choice for a beginner, but maybe skip these two if you're not a fan of the triangular grip or if you like heavier pens.
14. Delike Mojiang Pocket Pen ($19.95)
If you'd like to give pocket pens a try, maybe start with the Mojiang. This little pen is all-metal, which gives it a nice heft despite its small size. It only comes in fine, but writes more like a medium. Though it takes standard international converters and cartridges, watch the size--some converters might be too long to fit! Furthermore, smaller pens usually mean smaller ink capacity, so if you're writing in long sessions you may have to refill more frequently.
15. Moonman M2 Eyedropper ($21.95)
If you want a large ink capacity and want to see it slosh around your pen as you write... well, look no further! Though this pen can take cartridges and converters, it was designed as an eye dropper pen, meaning you fill the body of the pen itself with the ink of your choice with... you guessed it, an eyedropper (included!).
16. Wancai Mini ($21.25)
Same as the above, just. Teeny tiny!
17. Diplomat Magnum ($23.20)
Despite its lofty name, the Diplomat Magnum is pretty slim, not to mention super light. It has a nifty little ink window so you can keep an eye on your ink level and comes Diplomat's soft touch stainless steel nib (in sizes extra-fine to medium) for a super smooth writing experience. This is another pen with a (less pronounced) triangle grip, and comes with a converter included.
18. Pilot Explorer ($23.60)
Pilot at it again with the superb nibs. Like the Kakuno and the Metropolitan, the Explorer also features a frankly incredible stainless steel nib (in both fine and medium). It comes in several colours and Pilot even deigned to include a converter with this one (though it's a squeeze converter that 1. might be a little unfamiliar to some and 2. kind of sucks in general, so maybe stick to the Pilot cartridges with this one).
19. Faber-Castell Grip ($24.00)
This pen is literally designed to be a beginner fountain pen, but it still looks pretty sleek, imo. It does feel a little plasticky/cheap, but that Faber-Castell nib writes super smoothly. It only comes in fine, though it writes more like a medium. No converter included with this one (boo-hoo).
20. Kaweco Sport ($25.00)
Another German pen, and another pocket pen! I love Kaweco nibs (from EF to medium, though you can buy other Kaweco nibs separately), and the Kaweco Sport is a great introduction to pocket pens. They come in a ton of colours and are pretty reliable, though they only take short international cartridges (and a short converter, which, you guessed it, is sold separately). There are several colour and material variations, but the classic has a plastic body and stainless steel nib. Maybe skip if slim writing utensils are not comfortable!
21. Pelikan Twist ($26.00)
OK, this pen may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I had to add it. It's super funky and the nib (medium) is pretty good. All in all, it's a pretty nifty way to try out a Pelikan, and if you're into the design (and the triangular grip) it can be a fun and reliable daily writer. Converter sold separately (askjdbaklsdjb)
22. TWSBI Swipe ($26.99)
This pen may not look like it goes over the top, but let me tell you, it does. The TWSBI Swipe boasts no less than four different ways of filling it. You can use your regular cartridge. You can use the (included!!) traditional converter. You can then swap that converter out for a piston converter (also included! what?!), and if you're not happy, you can just eyedropper the whole dang pen. It might be a little too much, too soon for complete newbies, but the learning curve is not very steep, and it's a great way to try out all of these methods on a single pen. Like the TWSBI GO, nibs (stainless steel) go from an extra-fine all the way up to a 1.1mm stub.
influencers don’t get it. sure you can stage beautiful pictures of your beautiful self in your beautiful house in expensive workout gear without ever going to the gym. take a mirror selfie that isn’t actually a mirror selfie. it’s you holding your phone with another camera on a timer. get your 500k instalikes. sell tea that makes us shit. vitamin supplements we piss out. you will never have the impact of a girl blogger with 10 likes on a post about the strawberries she got on sale at the grocery store today. i love when social media is a diary. i love you mundane expression. i love you pictures of pets i love you casual selfies i love you weird lighting. i love you diary entries. i love you alive girl
