silvercat17 | Network

It took me a lot longer than it should have to read this excellent book, because my depression made reading the ebook version a slog, even though it was extremely good and I knew it. Months later, I listened to the audiobook version, and I finally finished it. And I am so glad I did, because I was right. This book is amazing! I love the characters, I love the magic in it, I love the mystery and the heartbreak and the action. I love the world-building! I love everything about this book!

The story follows Malik, a young black man (seventeen for most of the story) with a history of pain and heartbreak. He is a strongly principled young man, and he has magic. He doesn't know how to use it at first, because he's on his own. But he manages to figure out enough to help his brother so they can start a new life together. In the process, he is found by lost family that have been trying to find him for ten years, a family of fellow magic users. He gets into a school of magic, reluctantly at first, but he needs answers to what happened to his mother. The school of magic he gets into is an HBCU -- a Historically Black College/University, and it is a vibrant and fascinating place, the writing is very well done, the author made the place come alive so powerfully.

The mystery in this story is a wild ride. I was able to put some things together ahead of him. Other things surprised me just as much as they surprised him. I am very, very much looking forward to the next installment, which is currently on hold at my local library. I hope it's at least as good as this one, and I have a lot of faith that it will be.

If you want to read a story about a young man finding his magic and getting involved in fighting the forces of wickedness, and you're tired of it always being a white boy, then I have a strong feeling you will love this, because all the major characters in this book are black, and most of them are magic users. I can only think of one white character at all in the book, a very minor one in the beginning, who didn't even get a name.

Seriously, this is light-years better than Harry Potter, no contest. And none of the bigotry! Along with many black characters, one of Malik's friends at school is a non-binary trans person, and another friend of his is a bisexual dude. I don't know about you, but I consider these things to be big pluses.

If I could give this book ten stars, I would!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6539846073

(I gave it five stars out of five.)

Current Mood: ecstatic

redbird

The three of us voted this afternoon, then went to the supermarket, where we had to deal with a pushy person who wanted us to sign dodgy-looking petitions: he said they were for same-day voter registration, but I noticed that the page he wanted us to sign didn't say what we were signing for. There are dozens of possible state ballot questions for next year, so it could be almost anything. (The procedure in Massachusetts, as I understand it, is people or organizations say "I want to put this on the ballot," and then the attorney general vets the proposals, and either OKs them or explains why not. After that, they can collect signatures.)

The only thing on the ballot in Boston today was city council seats, after the incumbent mayor's main opponent formally withdrew after coming in a distant second in the primary. Happily, I had a choice of five or six good candidates for the four at-large city council seats.

nevanna

The first episode of X-Men: Evolution aired 25 years ago today. I didn’t watch any of the show until several months later, and my love for these versions of the characters snuck up on me. However, to this day, although I haven’t (and can’t) run the numbers, I’ve probably written more fanfic for XME than for any other media. Here are five of the episodes from which I’ve taken the most inspiration over the years.

( Spoilers for a somewhat old show, but some people who read my entries have yet to watch it. )

I will warn you now that this will not be the last time that I talk about XME during November, because it is just that important to me.

reddwarf_ao3_feed

Posted by h3rb3rtw3st

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73704981

by h3rb3rtw3st

Rimmer has a dream about Lister. Unsurprisingly, he is a repressed idiot about it. (Takes place prior to series 1)

Words: 5151, Chapters: 1/4, Language: English

Fandoms: Red Dwarf (UK TV)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: M/M
Characters: Dave Lister, Arnold Rimmer, Rachael the Sex Doll (Red Dwarf)
Relationships: Dave Lister/Arnold Rimmer
Additional Tags: Dreams, Wet Dream, One-Sided Attraction, Internalized Homophobia, Repression, Sexual Repression, Pre-Season/Series 01, Not Beta Read, another half-accidental case of "character analysis followed by gay sex"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73704981

twistedchick

As a result of umpty years spinning yarn, I have a lot of it sitting in bags waiting for a project.

So, I'm looking for an extremely simple bulky-ish sweater that I can knit with whatever is at hand and reduce the stash a lot.

Suggestions, anyone? It's been so long since I knitted anything but socks that I'm not sure if I even have any patterns.

minoanmiss

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Mood: tired

case posting in

fandomsecrets

⌈ Secret Post #6878 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

( More! )

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 18 secrets from Secret Submission Post #982.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

senmut

Continuation of "Padawan Plight"

AO3 Link | Chaos Behind Them (1263 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Wars: The Clone Wars [2008] - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Barriss Offee/Ahsoka Tano
Characters: Barriss Offee, Ahsoka Tano, Luminara Unduli, Anakin Skywalker
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Kriffing Sith Plans
Summary:

The pieces have been placed, and while Ahsoka and Luminara are a part of it, neither lets it impact Barriss's peace.

Chaos Behind Them

Having aided the 501st in retrieving their man, and all the revelations that had brought, Luminara rested a hand on Anakin's shoulder, despite the fury and betrayal coursing through him.

"Do not let Tiplar's and Tup's sacrifice be in vain," she counseled. "Keep your men here in the field, with the 41st, to take advantage of Echo's intel. I will take him back to Corsucant, deliver him to Master Che for healing."

"But he—"

She squeezed, and Anakin was so unused to other Jedi braving his rage, touching him even!, that he subsided. "You cannot hide that knowledge. I, on the other hand, have no difficulty burying it beneath my Perfect Jedi Serenity," she said, her eyes amused despite the severity of where they stood in the war, to use that phrasing.

It worked, as Anakin sagged a little and huffed. "You and my Master."

"Sometimes, yes," she answered that, to add more levity, helping Anakin balance.

He groaned. "Don't … yeah, no, don't tell me any more about that." He searched her face, then took a deep breath. "Take Ahsoka. I have faith in your skill, Master, but you have seen her, you have worked with her."

"Her command of Teräs Käsi will protect the secret, and she is going to rival Kenobi for lightsaber skill, it is true." She inclined her head, privately thinking that if it grew too stressful, it would allow the padawan a chance to see Barriss as well.

"Don't tell me any of your plans," Anakin said, agreeing to the fact he was the major weakness in undoing it all, given who they knew the Sith was now. "She heard everything, made the jump to connect the pieces, so between the two of you — and Echo — I will trust in this being ended sooner rather than later."

"Thank you." She let go of him, then went to tell Gree he would be handling the battalion under Skywalker's command.

"No."

"He's my vod, my batch brother!"

Ahsoka looked at Fives and then moved to take his hands. "Trust me, Fives. You can't go along, none of you can. And you? I need you to look after Skyguy. You can't expect Artoo to handle it all by himself, and Rex is going to be busy without me here!"

She ached for him, where she wasn't a simmering cauldron of anger for all that she and the other Jedi had pieced together from Echo's intel. If they hadn't hit that listening station before the tragedy with Tup —

— well, they had. So Fives was distracted, and so was Rex, keeping them from putting the pieces together.

Fives had straightened, then he saluted her and left. She would trust him to stay close to Anakin, to keep her master calmer, even if none of the boys knew why he was so angry now. She finished throwing things in a bag, and headed to medical to catch Kix before she and Master Unduli took Echo away from him.

She had no doubt he was putting the pieces together… and she would warn him not to do anything risky until she got back.

The Master and Padawan, two pieces of different pairs, stepped out of the Council chamber and each relaxed from the strain in their own way. Ahsoka visibly sagged, then slumped against the wall without any cringing for what the Master might think. Luminara said nothing about it, still impressed by how well the girl had done under the long interrogation of all they had experienced. For her part, she caught the hem of her sleeve and started worrying at it, a small fidget that soothed her but could easily be stopped should someone walk out.

"When you go see Barriss, you cannot say anything," Luminara dutifully reminded Ahsoka.

"I know. Even if this didn't need to stay top secret, I wouldn't break her peace with it," Ahsoka said sincerely, knowing the words had to be said. "Will you be going there after they say we can leave?"

"I thought I'd let you have the first night back. I'll come tomorrow, if duty allows, and take her for a meal."

Ahsoka flashed a smile, wanting to hug the woman, but that was not Luminara's way, mostly. "Thank you, Master."

"Of course, Padawan."

Barriss did not betray her joy outwardly, too composed and controlled to be less than professional as she finished reviewing the medicine schedule with the family that had been her last appointment of the day. Ahsoka, however, could feel it in the Force, and relaxed even further to know that what they were was something that still mattered to Barriss. She really was grateful to Master Unduli for allowing her to come first.

Then again, no one on the Council really wanted the mere padawan to be as heavily involved in the operation they were planning as Master Unduli could be.

Commander Deron, Barriss's counterpart in this community outreach program, gave a brief nod to Ahsoka, then cleared his throat when the family left. "Ma'am, I can handle locking up with the others. Please go. It's not often Commander Tano is able to get back here."

Barriss opened her mouth, but the look from her right hand in all of this made her nod once, and turn to get her outer robe on, so she could go back with Ahsoka to the Temple.

"It is good to see you," she said, coming close enough that they were almost touching, walking out side by side.

"I'm pretty glad your master was willing to let me tag along," Ahsoka said blithely. "I've got to take an exam," she added, truth and her cover story for why she was on planet. In actuality, she'd had the pieces from Skyguy's side that made everything click into place, and had been the convincing part of their hours' long testimony to the Council.

"I'll help you study, if it is a subject I know," Barriss volunteered. "Your quarters?" she asked, a little shyly, but if her actual master was in Temple too, she wanted the privacy offered by Ahsoka's. "As it sounds like you are here without your master."

"Master Obi-Wan is en route, but not expected until tomorrow," Ahsoka agreed. He was coming to be part of the end game, she knew, while Master Tiin had been dispatched to help Skyguy, and their men, in the campaign against the Techno Union's latest captured planet.

"I… how soon is the exam?"

Ahsoka laughed merrily. "I won't need much study time."

Barriss blushed, but smiled down — not so far now — at her girlfriend.

Luminara took the fact that Barriss squeezed Ahsoka's hand in parting, in her own full view, as one more piece of her padawan's healing and growth from the awfulness of this war.

"I am looking forward to catching up on your life these last several weeks, Barriss," Luminara said once Ahsoka had left them.

The quiet smile she got in answer made her heart swell with pride for the padawan she did care for. If they could just shield her from the coming days' strife, all might stay on the best track.

"I wish to hear all about your weeks, and how our men are doing," Barriss agreed, as she did miss the people, if not the violence.

They settled into their catching-up, and Luminara firmly pushed away the horror behind why she was here, even as she decided to recommend allowing Barriss to help with the aftermath.

She thought her padawan would feel relief to save the men from their intended fate, after all.

fayanora

Apparently, I've lost weight. Used to be 260, now I'm 235. Nobody is more surprised than I am. I was fully convinced I couldn't lose weight.

murderbot_ao3_feed

Posted by areyouokaypanda, Jão (jaoTheHostileFauna)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73698986

by areyouokaypanda, Jão (jaoTheHostileFauna)

It was a bad idea for any of my humans to go to Corporation Rin space, but I suspected it was especially bad for Gurathin.

No one leaves the Corporation Rin with a smile and a pat on the back.

Words: 4136, Chapters: 1/8, Language: English

Fandoms: The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Categories: Other
Characters: Dr. Gurathin (Murderbot Diaries), Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries), ART | Perihelion
Relationships: Dr. Gurathin/Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries), Dr. Gurathin (Murderbot Diaries)/Original Character(s), ART | Perihelion & Murderbot
Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Swearing, The Corporation Rim Is Terrible (Murderbot Diaries), Forced Prostitution, Poverty, Gang Violence, Drug Addiction, Substance Abuse, Gun Violence, POV Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries), POV Dr. Gurathin (Murderbot Diaries), Embedded Images, The Murderbot Diaries Big Bang 2025, Slow Burn

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73698986

murderbot_ao3_feed

Posted by thetimesinbetween

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73692911

by thetimesinbetween

Seth was not satisfied with ART's explanation that the whole incident was “voluntary security training” (correct), “a learning experience for all of us” (ugh), or “possibly a form of bonding between SecUnits” (double ugh). So now Three and I had to have a meeting with Seth, Karime, and ART, plus Iris, who was sitting in to "listen and learn." I could have asked Mensah to talk her way in as an expert mediator or something, but let’s be real, I’m not going to do that.

(No, Mensah hadn't joined ART's crew. We were on our way back to Mihira, and she and her second-eldest had come along to visit Amena, who was studying at PSUMNT. Well, that's what she'd said. Clearly, they were also visiting me.)

(This was not really a great time to get in trouble for shooting someone, is what I’m saying.)

Words: 5493, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen
Characters: Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries), SecUnit 3 (Murderbot Diaries), ART | Perihelion, Seth (Murderbot Diaries), Karime (Murderbot Diaries), Iris (Murderbot Diaries), Dr. Mensah (Murderbot Diaries)
Relationships: Murderbot & SecUnit 3 (Murderbot Diaries), ART | Perihelion & Murderbot, Murderbot & Perihelion Crew (Murderbot Diaries), Dr. Mensah & Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries)
Additional Tags: Sparring, Training, Cultural Differences, Trust Issues, Trust, SecUnits (Murderbot Diaries), three humans two secunits and a transport walk into a mediation meeting, murderbot's no good very bad past experiences

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73692911

murderbot_ao3_feed

Posted by Whirl13

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73663536

by Whirl13

Mensah deserves a little time to feel strong, Secunit deserves a little time to feel weak.

Words: 2499, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Murderbot Diaries - Martha Wells, Murderbot (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Other
Characters: Dr. Mensah (Murderbot Diaries), Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries)
Relationships: Dr. Mensah/Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries)
Additional Tags: non explicit smut, Hair-pulling, Light Dom/sub, sanctuary moon as aftercare

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73663536

ao3_bssm_feed

Posted by Cuddlyanimal

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73695406

by Cuddlyanimal

Nodding, Setsuna almost walked to the shop door until she heard fast footsteps nearby. She frowned and turned to the side. Her eyes flew open the minute a man ran to her.

Words: 332, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (Anime & Manga)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen
Characters: Meiou Setsuna, Tsukino Chibiusa
Additional Tags: Sailor Moon S | Infinity Arc, Cross-Post

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73695406

ao3_bssm_feed

Posted by Cuddlyanimal

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73695281

by Cuddlyanimal

Sailor Pluto then had her answer about not being able to protect Small Lady.

Words: 394, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (Anime & Manga)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen
Characters: Tsukino Chibiusa, Meiou Setsuna, Queen Badiane (Sailor Moon)
Additional Tags: Cross-Post, Sailor Moon SuperS Movie, Worry

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73695281

who_is_page

The temporary gig was... Unfortunately not sustainable. Walked in for the first day of training to incredibly predatory business practices, mind-boggling unprofessionalism, rampant nepotism and favoritism, and some clear outright lying/obfuscating of information/emotional manipulation going on. It was the most WTF I've ever had on the job. Of the eight hours of training I was scheduled for, exactly 2 hours ended up with me actually learning or doing anything relevant to the position (and one of those hours was.... sketchy, because it was reciting a sales pitch out loud for an hour straight).

I was stuck in a room with fifteen other people and held as a captive audience while the instructor took us through her life story of being a childhood actor, adventuring teenager, Normal Highschooler, rich Californian actor (with all the details of her amazing luxury condos and bullshit), single mother, Florida-hating transplant, budding pest control technician, to now-saleswoman, among other inane bullshit. I kept sitting there waiting for it to get better, and it was all downhill. She kept bragging about how everyone loves her and about how emotionally intelligent she is, and never before in my life have I wanted to slam my face into a desk harder. She started the whole thing off by threatening to fire people if they fell asleep or went onto their phones. At first I was like, "What do you mean 'if they fall asleep'?" but by hour five I was fucking dozing too, sitting in that same spot in front of a black computer listening to her ramble on and avoid questions actually related to the details of the company.

So, yeah. No dice.

On the bright side, I finished two weeks' worth of Calculus homework over the weekend. Keep running into the issue where I'm not sure how close the "write in how you found your answers" want me to get to the automatically generated "here's how you're supposed to do it" section. For one I tried hard to imitate its solution pattern from previous questions and got REALLY close, but still fucked it up. Right answer from the paper-solving, but wrote out the process wrong; forgot to fix the fucking denominator to make it look right for the quotient rule process. Facedesk. A part of me is also scared if trying to copy the solution patterns' syntax from the textbook and other questions is like, roundabout plagiarism???? It's different problems, but the same solution processes, so I don't really know how that works... But there's also the issue of I don't really know how to do some of these problems except how the textbook and homework program is showing me! Ughhhh. I love math, but this is stressful and sucks. I'm just extra paranoid because of that one Professor who used ChatGPT and hallucinated sources from it accused me of plagiarism way back when, because I used the school-supplied template for a homework assignment. =_= Like, fuck off, man. That's what I was supposed to do!!!

trobadora posting in

sid_guardian

Zhao Yunlan sprawled on a couch, grinning at his phone. The background shows a purply sky with stars. Text reads "Slo-Mo Rewatch. Guardian - half an episode per week @ sid-guardian.dreamwidth.org."

Hello, Guardian Rewatchers! Thanks to everyone who's been part of the discussion, or has been reading along. ♥

Come join us for round 2 of the Guardian Slo-Mo Rewatch! We're watching half an episode a week (about twenty minutes) so we can talk and squee about our beloved 镇魂 | Guardian drama. With the second batch of episodes, be ready for mirrors, web novels, book scams, Zhao Yunlan's disaster flat and the start of the Hanga arc!

(For those who remember our last rewatch, this time we're aiming for a lighter touch. Posts are on the minimalist side - a brief summary, one quote, one screencap, maybe one noteworthy detail and some discussion-starter questions.)

We're looking forward to some more fun discussions as we revisit Haixing, Dixing, and the SID – and of course you can always drop in on any of the previous discussions at any time.

Fans of the novel, the drama, or both are very welcome! You don't have to keep up with the rewatch – it's absolutely fine to dip in at any time. We want to hear what you think! Those of us who participated in the Novel Readalong or are otherwise familiar with the novel are likely to compare and contrast the two canons, but it's 100% okay to focus purely on the drama.

Please consider hosting a post or two, if you're willing and able to! Comment with a date from the schedule below. Posts should ideally be made sometime on the Friday or Saturday, in any time zone.

Schedule for round 2
Weekend of 14 November - episode 6 up to 22:44:
Weekend of 21 November - episode 6 from 22:44:
Weekend of 28 November - episode 7 up to 24:30:
Weekend of 5 December - episode 7 from 24:30:
Weekend of 12 December - episode 8 up to 22:19:
Weekend of 19 December - episode 8 from 22:19:
Weekend of 26 December - no new post; catch-up time!
Weekend of 2 January - no new post; catch-up time!
Weekend of 9 January - - episode 9 up to 22:52:
Weekend of 16 January - episode 9 from 22:52:
Weekend of 23 January - episode 10 up to 22:09:
Weekend of 30 January - episode 10 from 22:09:

oursin

Actually I daresay it was bots, even then, but it had a vaguely handspun amateur air about it-

Does anyone else remember (did anyone else receive) those scam messages alleging that they had VIDEO of the recipient pleasuring themself to PORN and if X amount was not sent to scamdealer's bitcoin wallet, they would send it to all of the recipient's contacts?

This was all badly enough spelt and ungrammatical enough, before the whole This Never Happened factor, that it could be readily dismissed.

(Or do I lead an unnaturally clean life? Is this a version of 'Fly! All Is Discovered!' at which a significant % who receive the message will, indeed, Get Out Of Dodge Pronto.)

Anyway, it sounds positively sweet and pastoral, compared to this, which is presumably pulling on the same shame strings: Rise of the ‘porno-trolls’: how one porn platform made millions suing its viewers:

Thousands of lawsuits follow a similar formula: Strike 3 claims to use a proprietary software called VXN Scan to track IP addresses that have downloaded porn they own. The software cannot identify the user beyond a rough geographic location, so Strike 3 files suit against an anonymous John Doe, and subpoenas their internet service provider (ISP) to unmask the user. The ISP in turn alerts the subscriber – which is when most people find out they have been sued. These people are often keen to settle, being cheaper than litigation and the only way to ensure their anonymity.
....
Thousands of lawsuits follow a similar formula: Strike 3 claims to use a proprietary software called VXN Scan to track IP addresses that have downloaded porn they own. The software cannot identify the user beyond a rough geographic location, so Strike 3 files suit against an anonymous John Doe, and subpoenas their internet service provider (ISP) to unmask the user. The ISP in turn alerts the subscriber – which is when most people find out they have been sued. These people are often keen to settle, being cheaper than litigation and the only way to ensure their anonymity.

The further one reads, the dodgier this all sounds.

james_davis_nicoll

Because both shows feature a red-haired teenaged girl with a monosyllabic name and a troubled relationship with their family, my brain merged the continuities of Son of a Critch and Stranger Things.

ao3_bssm_feed

Posted by beholdthelastparagraph

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73678131

by beholdthelastparagraph

Her heart still beats with her performer’s high, the violin rings through her head, its case is firm under her arm. There’s a soft, dewy rain falling. Haruka unfolds an umbrella over the two of them as they rush down the street: neon-smears of light refracting in the gossamer rain, traffic honking, asphalt oilslick-glitter-wet. Michiru laughs as Haruka half-hoists her over a puddle, an exuberant twirl, a grin into her hair.

Maybe that’s the point of it all. The why. She’s a performer, and this life of hers: that’s the one thing that will never get applause. That’s how she knows it’s hers. That’s how she knows she’s living it. That it won’t kill her, in the end.

Words: 6598, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/F
Characters: Kaiou Michiru, Tenou Haruka
Relationships: Kaiou Michiru/Tenou Haruka
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Porn With Plot, fluff interspersed with surprisingly deep gender thoughts, Butch/Femme, but sorta a bit deconstructed, my personal love letter to Michiru and all devastatingly elegant femmes everywhere, POV Kaiou Michiru, this is unforgivably romantic

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73678131

trobadora posting in

girlgay

forgetting any other tie but this (5410 words)
Fandom: 山河令 | Word of Honor (TV 2021)
Rating: Mature
Relationship: Liu Qianqiao/Luo Fumeng
Content Tags: Backstory, Canon Compliant, Getting Together, Ghost Valley, Ghost Valley Politics, Department of the Unfaithful, Worldbuilding, cameos by Wen Kexing and Gu Xiang, and several original Ghost characters

Summary: Something was wrong with Xi Sang Gui, and Liu Qianqiao couldn't simply sit and wait.