Brain Fog Central

wolstinien week 2026 :: faith & fury

Let’s play the biggest game of kick the can on the internet.

“Do you suppose we’re heading the right way?” Alphinaud inquires from a ledge not far from him.

Estinien grunts, looking between the map and the sky islands in front of him. Alphinaud turns, an amused grin on his face. 

He sighs as the boy, now almost through his teen years, comes to stand beside him. 

“I daresay, Alinea could have given us at least a vague idea to the path we should take,” Alphinaud frowns, looking at the map in Estinien’s hands. 

Estinien chuckles, before fondly ruffling Alphinaud’s hair. “Aye, she could have, but doubtless she’d have said that that would ruin our experience.”

Alphinaud laughs, straightening, before imitating Alinea, “If you boys want to have a camping trip, then by all means enjoy it.” “All of it,” they finish together. Alphinaud grins at Estinien, who smiles back. 

“At least she was kind enough to pack us a bit of extra food.” Estinien pulls out some grilled squid that Alinea had prepared for him, while Alphinaud frowns at some of the other ingredients. 

“Looks like we’ll still have to cook some of this ourselves.”

“Aye, but we’ve managed with worse.”

“Rightly said. Now, since we’re still lost,” he laughs at Estinien’s glare, “shall we make camp near here and then in the morning, start again for this vantage point Alinea told us about?”

Estinien finishes his squid and stretches, “Aye, sounds like a plan. I’ll set up the tent and you’ll…” He raises a brow at Alphinaud who grins triumphantly.

“Why, I’ll find the firewood, of course.”

When they return a couple of days later, Alinea welcomes them with a home-cooked meal and hot tea. She laughs as Alphinaud recounts their trip and once he leaves, curls up on the sofa next to Estinien.

"So same time in two months?" She asks, brow raised.

"Aye, wherever you chose to send us next."

"Well, better be faster next time."

----------

The sun’s rays tell him that they should both be out of bed and busy with their day, but it’s rare that they can share a day without responsibilities calling them. He turns to his side and runs his fingers over the stars on Alinea’s back. He smiles at the small sound that comes from her and is greeted to her eyes watching him. He traces patterns across the constellations and frowns at one spot. 

“I remember, not long after we met, we were involved in a skirmish with the dragons. One clipped you over here. You wouldn’t tell Alphinaud about it, not that the boy would have noticed on his own at the time.” He lays a kiss on the spot. “You used to have a small scar there. It only showed up at times, but I remember it.” 

Alinea doesn’t say anything, but there’s a warmth in her eyes as she watches Estinien start his tracing again. 

“And here,” he presses a spot near her neck, and she rolls over to face him, giving him better access to view it. “Here you had a scar as well, but from before I ever knew you. I once asked Alphinaud about it, but he couldn’t recall. Alisaie said you had it when she first met you.” 

Alinea closes her eyes and smiles, “Aye, I recall that. I don’t know how I got it to be honest. Though knowing me,” her eyes open and she grins, “It was probably something silly like getting a cat out of a tree.”

He laughs, pulling her close to him and kisses her head before tilting her chin to his. He kisses her gently, before pulling away to lie on his back, letting her cuddle into his chest. 

“Does it bother you?,” she asks. “Me not having my scars anymore?”

He looks down at her head and rubs her back gently. 

“Does it bother you that I’m covered in more scars than the day we first met? I’m far more hideous than I was then.” He winks at her scowling face, earning a swat to his chest. 

He laughs, before pulling her closer. “No love, scars or no, you’re still you. You’re as beautiful as the day I met you and you’ve always been, whether primped up for a ball or soaked head to toe in blood.” He smiles as she laughs. “I could care less about your appearance. I just want you to know, I remember every story and I’m proud for all the ones I get to walk beside you on.”

She raises her head and kisses him again, before settling back to cuddle. “Thank you,” she says, reaching her hand to his, letting their fingers align and slot together. “There are still days where I feel weird in my body. Where I too recall the scars that are no longer there. Sometimes it does feel like it’s another lifetime after all we’ve been through, but each one is a part of me.” She looks to him and smiles, “Just as your scars make you, you. I would never change a single one, Estinien. You are more handsome to me every moment I spend with you and I will never stop falling in love with you.” 

She kisses him more deeply, before winking, “The only bad thing is women, and men, seem to love ogling after your scars.” She sighs, dropping her chin onto his chest, before lifting her eyes to meet his. “Just means I have to keep kissing you in public.” 

He laughs, “What a hard life to lead.” 

“So tiring.”

He kisses her, “Well then, why don’t we stay here all day. Let you conserve your strength.”

wolstinien week 2026 :: family

we're looking to create an AI policy, and when we were talking about this, my boss (older millennial) was genuinely shocked to hear that younger people do not (seem) to view AI positively (a la the recent commencement speakers being booed)

please rb for larger sample size!

Question 1/3

Thank you for helping with this data collection. Please rb for as big a sample as possible!

wolstinien week 2026 :: travel