eldritchcoffeefiend

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

Does anyone else desperately want to read fanfics that are relevant to your interests but are afraid to because you've got a fic on the go and are afraid that you'll end up accidentally nicking someone else's ideas because they burrow into your brain and won't go away? Is it just me?

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

After years of such servitude, during an unguarded moment, Arcade used a surgical scalpel and his bare hands to disembowel himself. Caesar mourned his loss for months.

study of david's death of marat

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

I got something similar yesterday and instantly was suspicious. It was like... thanks, but I never finished that story? Just deleted the message and moved on with my day.

Hi I recently got this comment on my fic, and I looked into it and it's def a spam bot(copy and pasted comments both on ao3 and ffn, posts about it on the ffn reddit + tumblr in general)

This is what it looks like:

Just trying to spread the word, thank you!

Thanks!

Hey folks keep an eye out!

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

Random Head Canon - Post Hoover Dam, Caesar's Legion Aligned Courier

The golden laurel leaf crown was carefully placed on the Courier's head. No. No longer the Courier. Years ago she had another name, a name that had been erased by two bullets, and was replaced by that apocryphal epithet. At least, until Caesar bestowed another new name on her. Now she was Bellona - named after an ancient Roman warrior goddess who, according to Caesar, was known for her bloodlust and madness in battle.

Bellona's attendant was silent and carefully made the final adjustments to the wreath, nestling it amongst the curls and securing it with bobby pins. Once satisfied, she dabbed perfumed oil behind her mistress' ears.

The final touch was the Mark of Caesar, tied around Bellona's neck, the burnished gold dully glinting. Although it wasn't necessary to wear it now, her reputation preceded her now, she did so out of habit and, perhaps, over the years it had unwittingly become a good luck charm for her, evidenced by how the relief of Caesar had been smoothed over time from idle touches.

"Thank you," Bellona said, dismissing the girl and not a moment too soon. From somewhere in the apartment, there was a crash followed by the sound of shouting boys, a barking dog and the annoyed voice of another servant - most likely the cook - telling them all to clear off and let her work.

Bellona smiled to herself and considered going to the rescue, but a knock on the door stopped her. Stepping into the foyer, and opening the door, she found a Praetorian on her doorstep.

"Bellona," he greeted with a nod. "I am to escort you to Caesar for your weekly audience with him."

Smiling, she fell into step next to the young man as he led her out of the Ultra-Luxe and into the glaring midday sun.

"How is Lucius these days?" she asked, resting a hand on the Praetorian's forearm.

"My father's as well as can be expected," he replied. "His eyesight has declined further. Caesar has been generous enough to allow him to serve as an advisor to the new head Praetorian. At the very least it's stopped him from being such a grumpy bastard to my mothers."

Bellona's step faltered. Even after all this time, occasionally she forgot that many of the high ranking officers had multiple wives. For those who served most loyally and faithfully, it wasn't uncommon for them to have at least four. Lucius had, if rumour was to be believed, six at one point. It had also become common, now that the Legion had settled in New Vegas, for these multiple wives to oversee their households in conjunction with one another, raising their children (at least until they reached the age to start schooling and training) and seeing to their husband's needs.

She, however, had been the exception to that rule. Bellona did not like to share at the best of times and had vehemently argued with Caesar that as part of her reward her husband would be hers and hers alone.

"I'm sorry, Gaius," she replied. "He was always patient with me and my ceaseless questions when I first became part of the Legion. I've always highly regarded him. When you see him next, could you please let him know that I asked after him?"

"Of course," he succinctly replied. Gaius had grown up hearing tales of his father's bravery and fierceness, but to hear Bellona speak so fondly of him was odd.

Along the Strip, drunken gamblers milling about had been replaced by rushing slaves, citizens and Legionaries. Tired whores, dubious weapons merchants and hawkers trying to lure customers into the casinos were long distant memories of a different age. Now the Strip was a giant marketplace, the casinos serving as barracks for troops with the penthouses were reserved for the upper echelons of the Legion. The only other exception was Gomorrah, which had been given to the priestesses to be repurposed as a temple.

Bellona held her head high as they approached the Lucky 38, ignoring the whispers and stares. She'd grown used to it, to a degree, as she'd essentially become a living legend - further proof of the divine become flesh , according to Caesar himself and now preached by the priestesses.

Now inside the Lucky 38, the doors sliding closed behind them, allowing the deathly silence of the disused casino to settle over them like a blanket. It had always made her shiver, the darkness, the mustiness - and if she stood still for too long, she was sure she could hear the ghosts of a long dead era whispering in her ear. And, while she didn't trust the creaking elevator, she was relieved to hear it ding and it's doors rattle open.

~@~@~@~@~@~@~

"Ah, Bellona!" Caesar warmly greeted, smiling broadly at her.

She paused long enough to press a closed fist to her heart and bow deeply.

"My Lord, Caesar," she returned the greeting.

"It's always good to see you," he said, waving her over while a Praetorian brought a chair near to Caesar's throne.

As she rose to her full height, her eyes flicked in the direction of Vulpes and, as much as she hated it, she could feel a blush creep into her cheeks. Even after all these years, after everything they'd been through, he still had this effect on her.

A quick quirk of the corner of his mouth, a distinct gleam in his eye - all subtle signs that most would miss. Bellona didn't. She knew her husband too well. She also knew that look in his eye meant that tonight, once the evening meal was done and the children were sound asleep, Vulpes would drag her to bed and ravish her. Although, in all truth, she was happy to acquiesce to him, relishing how he kept her lingering between pleasure and pain until they were both spent and exhausted.

"Everyone out!" Caesar demanded, breaking Bellona's train of thought.

There was a long pause, some uncertain shuffling of feet and finally the men started to file out of the room.

"Wife," Vulpes quietly greeted as he passed by.

"Husband," she replied, practically purring.

And, unnoticed by others, their little fingers briefly linked before Vulpes exited, leaving Bellona alone with Caesar.

Pretence dropped and as she took her seat, she chuckled, "I thought they'd never fucking leave."

Laughing, he shook his head, always amused by the blunt nature of the former Courier.

"I hear that congratulations are in order. Again," Caesar eyed up Bellona's barely there baby bump. "How many is this?"

Resting a hand on her belly, she smiled, somehow looking embarrassed, and said, "Six. Unless we have more twins, which I swear I'll throw myself off Hoover Dam if that happens. It's fucking awful carrying twins."

"The rate you two are going, you're going to have a Centuria of your own," Caesar laughed.

"Not if I can help it!" she exclaimed. "I've... told him no more after this one."

Caesar arched an eyebrow at her in question.

Bellona sniffed and shrugged, "I'm getting fat."

Caesar burst out laughing, pounding a fist on the arm of his throne, but then went into a coughing fit. Producing a cloth from seemingly nowhere, he held it to his mouth until the coughing subsided.

As he sat there wheezing, trying to catch his breath, his hand fell limply into his lap revealing bright red streaks of blood on the cloth.

Bellona stared at it wide eyed.

"Fuck," he gasped. Watery eyes looked into hers and he bluntly stated, "I'm dying."

She gave him a crooked grin and exclaimed, "Well fuck, Eddie, ain't we all dyin'? You ain't nothin' special."

"Fuckin' insolent bitch," he rasped and tried to not laugh. "Should have had Vulpes crucify you ages ago."

"Well someone's got to try and keep you humble. Also, what would have been the fun in that? Besides, do you think he actually would have done it?" she asked, a wry grin on her lips.

He huffed, staring at her, trying to ignore the niggling paranoia in the back of his brain, wondering how many times she and Vulpes may have plotted against him.

And, as if she was reading his mind, she placed a hand on his arm and quietly said, "He would have simply because you commanded it and Vulpes has always loved you more."

Caesar slumped on his throne and stared unseeing into the distance.

"Thanks to you, my Legion has it's Rome. It has gone from strength to strength, growing and thriving more than ever. However..." Caesar looked over at Bellona, his brow furrowed, "I hear that Lanius grows anxious. He's no longer content to sit within our own borders, that he's eager to conquer more lands, more tribes. His eyes are firmly set on annexing the NCR."

"Does anyone else know?" she asked.

"No, only you."

They stared at each other for a long time before she offered him a broad, toothy grin.

"Well, Old Man, let's talk succession."

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

My dog has issues. He's nervous about other dogs, which is fair enough, but he will bark incessantly at dogs that pass by our house. Unfortunately, my dog also can not distinguish that high schoolers with backpacks and toddlers on reins aren't dogs. I can almost forgive him for barking at the toddlers because, well, they're essentially on a leash. But look at that fuzzy idiot! I can’t stay mad at him for long.

[eldritchcoffeefiend]

Guess I better say something, not that many people really care when I do. At any rate, I'll start off with some bad screenshots of my Courier Six, Sadie. And Vulpes. Because I'm clearly a terrible person and am mildly obsessed with him. I have plans for some other shots inspired by Jack Vettriano's art, but I'm having to remember how to make poses in super old ass Blender, and my even older ass brain has forgotten everything I learned back in the day.