#‘tis the tragedy of having an OC/fan story

[sketchingstars03]

”You are always safe with me”

the autism™️ was begging me to draw more of these two I can’t help it

also hey my sketch bg is different now

ink sans by @/comyet

teeny sploot by me

[szynkaaa]

Some more Black Myth Wukong Destined One x reader / OC / self-insert / whatever-floats-your-boat thoughts

***** Black Myth: Wukong Ending Spoilers *****

While I know that in the true ending, the Destined Ones inherits all of Wukong's power and skill and memories and is basically the Monkey King reincarnated, I still kinda see them as two separate beings?

Especially in terms of shipping Destined One x reader LMFAO. IDK I just think this has a potential to be angsty or ending in a tragedy, like yeah you have heard stories of the great Monkey King (or not, depending on your character's backstory). But the monkey you are traveling with doesn't seem anything like the Great Sage you have heard so much about. It's hard to tell what he is thinking or wants but with time you learn how to read the Destined One (see my other hc here). This is the monkey you've been traveling with for some time, protecting you, listening to your woes and shower thoughts. Who made sure you were fed and safe and warm at night.

What does it mean then when he inherits all of Wukong's power and will and memories? Is his personality slowly gonna shift to be more and more like the monkey king's? Did the Destined One ever had a free will on his own? In the game when you die, a lot of times enemies will say "oh you are nothing like him" and that it is also not the first time the Destined One has been here (which I guess is tied to one of the game's ending). I think it's just kinda sad that the purpose of his entire existence is to go find the 6 relics, and then inherit Sun Wukong's memories and be basically the Monkey King reincarnated.

So I'm writing this with my OC in mind, but I feel like if she learns that his whole journey at the end is to become Sun Wukong and be his reincarnation, idk she is gonna absorb that information well. It may suddenly feel like you never really knew the Destined One at all? Was there ever a chance for you to be with him or be together? Once the Destined One inherits all of Sun Wukong's memories, will he still feel the same way about her? will he remember all the good times and bad times and ugly times they went through? I feel like there would be a whole new adjustment period lmfao. ofc this can all still end in a happy ending way, but right now my brain is just stuck in how sad this could also potentially be.

I think part of the reason why I also feel this way is because I am generally not a fan of the whole "past person reincarnated" trope (love isekai though).

I do love the game's ending as it is, but in terms of shipping with an OC or whatever (which is what I always do when I ✨ obsess ✨ over a fictional character), it's not my favorite

anyway yeah, I'm not good with putting my thoughts into words so I hope it makes sense what I'm trying to say

[gumi-writes]

i love it when people give me essays about their characters... they are more than characters!!! they are pieces of the soul and the living person and i have life threatening rabies. i really enjoyed hearing what you have to share about her and would always like to hear more!

also, i just really love the concept of being a leper, a face not even a mother loves - lingering on the outskirts of both human and monsterkind since birth. not quite one or the other, and the lack of the security a suffocating binary provides might as well be worse (but what does it matter to tien when love cannot change this story).

is humanity a choice? is it memories, our passion, our experiences? one cannot ponder theseus' paradox if the ship was born of war's wounds. no matter how you look at it, she's like a bystander. even monsters have desires like a thorn in their ribes (ais has desires the enormity of which disgusts him, vere swallow his through his pride, mhin presses down on it like a bruise), and when you live your live rejected and whittled by desire, the tender intimacy even the strongest ache over mean nothing to you. manmade horrors, the thrill! they say god is man but man is not god because He was born of their desire for goodness and greatness (but they are not clean). they are of humans but she is not a human.

also really big fan of characters who are apathetic in the sense they can 'like' you, but you will never have a place for yourself amidst the patchwork of their life. to be guilty over such thing would prove the tragedy's nature so she feels no guilt. they feel no shame. there is no goodness hiding inside the hollow heart. loving in a world that is cruel is to be lion hearted - then, you are brave. then, you are strong. and a heart that never loves, even in shame and disgust, is strong as the sentinel tiger is.

which really ties into the foxglove also meaning insincerity and a hardened heart! it can heal, but it is unfeeling. the foxglove can be used therapeutically to increase heart contractions. again it ties to the heart. maybe the only way she can feel is if another's poison will die on her lips like with every forgotten memory under the graveyard of their tongue and take them with it. but the foxglove will always bloom in spite of hardship. that is the real shame. she will come back again and they must forget again.

something about tien saving the mc from death with her blood. something about binding each other together like a cursed vow.

on another note, i think one of the many reasons i like tien is because i have an oc who works as a soulless hunter for a church in one of the cities outside of eridia. to be whittled away into a blade until you do not even know the privilege of desperation. wow. my jam!

you know at the very least if i'm going to continue writing this much i only hope it all makes sense HAHA

i think so too! i actually recently had a discussion about the kind of things that compel us when it comes to the creation of characters and relationships, and though the answer is obviously very varied, there is something to be said about those that essentially use it as a method of processing or even healing, if it comes down to it. this way makes it impossible to not pluck some of you to put into an oc, but i think it’s more fun that way. but i’m really glad you did! 🥰 i do have a ludicrous amount of thoughts on her, so the opportunity to put some of it down on paper and not floating in my brain like some kind of haunting essay is well, it’s really nice!

a leper is honestly a great way to put it. hard to form any sense of belonging, of kinship, if you know nothing of personhood. it’s somehow both an objectification and an ascension, and without the firsthand of a before experience, how can you imagine a change let alone manifest it? things have always been like this. they will always be like this. what good is an indomitable strength if it only keeps you bound? and how can love hope to change anything other than to make an end worthwhile? she can’t hope for more. she doesn’t even know what that would look like. in a kinder world, love would be the answer. but this isn’t a kind world. and tiên herself would not exist as she is in one.

“one cannot ponder theseus’ paradox if the ship was born of a war’s wounds” goes hard as hell actually. i think so too. it’s not like we can look to see a before where there was a start and a descent—tiên was already in the thick of it the moment she was cognizant, and perhaps the tragedy here is that the opportunity to learn how to be remotely human was never offered and now too late to be of any use. she doesn’t want for nothing but are desires not the core tenet of being alive, one of the things that both man and monster share? (your summary of ais, vere and mhin was delicious btw <3) even an end, about the only thing she could crave feels a futility—so her existence is one of stagnancy, a transient, liminal ache of a thing where, on her own, she can only hope to experience thin slivers of humanity through the tiny bites of connection her blood allows her. and even then, it is barely above a nothing—a curiosity that will fade as soon as the moment passes with it.

guilt or shame are largely human emotions, anyhow. taught in response to something you’ve done wrong, but a living weapon has no such need for such humanity. a tool can only do the thing it was meant to do or it doesn’t, and such binary options leave no room for the internal maze of remorse. any goodness died as the world itself lay dying till the very last death rattle. you want to survive? you need to match the violence you were born in the cradle of. maybe the truth is we’re all a little monstrous here.

and honestly? i kind of liken tiên to a lonely, chained god. it accounts for that stagnancy and strength, and that strange purity despite being embroiled in blood. even her amorality and being seemingly above human things—joys and despairs alike. her heart, though i have not actually thought the specifics of the where, may as well have origins something both timeless and yet, long gone.

but it is a shame. being a certainty where nothing else is. she can’t even hope to realise she loves you, and can only afford you recognition where she has almost next to none. is it enough? is it fair? she can’t even honour anything you have, though she can only vaguely feel an absence that will only be devoured by the rest of her ceaseless existence.

oh, anon. you are speaking my language <3 for all her expertise in the dealing of death, she can deal life where she is invested enough to do so. she can compensate for blood loss, gently plug and sew your wounds, even mend your bones, but are you prepared to have her in you in a way that not even she understands the full extend of? if there is something other than nothing, her blood will help instead of harm. but it is the hand of something older than you both.

ooh! 🥰 as someone that (obviously) loves the psychological and emotional implications of living weapons, that sounds so exciting? you must tell me more if you’re up for it. sounds like they’re married to the job, so to speak, and all the hardening that comes with it! to fight monsters for a living is to become a bit of one yourself, and i have to wonder myself if your oc had a choice when it came to such a living. but maybe they’re not even cognizant of the lack of choice. but i’m just spitballing. i’d love to hear more regardless!

[saltyr3mix]

Hello!

Greeting. Ladies, gents all of the above,below and in-between. Tis' I Salt. yes like the rock, that you put on chips. why thats my name is a story for another day. Today im here to introduce myself.

You can call me Salt, or R3mix. (still pronounced Remix).

Im a minor. and currently identify as an ace, lesromanitc, non-binary/ don't know whats up with my gender anymore so i am experimenting.

Im an ambnivert, ENFP, Aries. Not that that stuff matters i just think its neat.

i draw and write for the many fandoms im in and even have a few stories of my own! The fandoms im currently into are Welcome to Dreamworld, FNAF, Undertale/Undervrese, TOH and MYCT (Outsiders, Pirates, Newlife, Rats.)

i mainly post fan art and fic updates, go on long rants about characters that take up way too much of my brain. And occasionally share some oc's!

My Ao3 : https://archiveofourown.org/users/Salty_R3mix/works

Some of my on going multi-chap fics and their summery:

-These walls scream you name - Demon Owen causes problems featuring very angry Magic, Apo in denial, traffic series members as watchers. (outsiders)

-To learn from the tragedies - At the end of episode 11 of WTDW all the animatronics get time traveled back 10 years. (welcome to dreamworld)

-Is this truly me? (am i going insane) - Pirates find a cursed sword that gives them memories of past lives/severs.(myct)

-Shattered Dreams - I re-wrote WTDW episodes 12-13 to make it extra angsty and sad. (welcome to dreamworld)

-Salts self indulgent OC's x Outsiders au - in the title. i threw a bunch of my own and some friends myct related oc's into the death maze for fun. (Original work and Outsiders)

My amazing partner who talks about a lot of our lore and silly little ocs in the best ways: https://www.tumblr.com/dragon-phoenix-along

Some other folks to be aware of are hurtmionedanger, voids-call, and crikkit-kitterton who are some of my besties and we will often get into random antics with each other.

Anyway, thought i would update this since it was kind of old and i had been updating some other things so yeah! This is me i guess.

[malriex]

The Demon Prince’s Wife

Tags: Omegaverse, Fantasy Romance, Fantasy, A/B/O, Omegaverse Fiction, A/B/O Fiction, Historical fantasy, Romance, Tragedy, Original Works, OC, Original Character, M Alpha OC X M Omega OC

Writers note: First time writing so yeah it's gonna suck in some areas.

Note: Historical fantasy society where Alpha, Beta, Omega, are all taken equally the only difference is their role in society and social hierarchy.

INTRO:

This is a story that’s been known by many. There was a great war between the Empire of Valoria and the Empire of Theryn. The conflict began when the Emperor of Valoria sought a huge land from the Empire of Theryn and claim it as his own, however the Emperor of Theryn confronted the Emperor of Valoria remind him that they are in a foreign land and is already owned by someone else. The Emperor of Valoria see this as an offence and declared war, called thousands of his soldiers, ready to invade Theryn.

Because of this the Emperor of Theryn armed all of his soldiers to retaliate and protect their home land. The war lasted for five years and many lives from both empires were claimed.

Until young prince of Valoria married the princess of Theryn. Thus bringing peace for both empires.

Chapter 1: The Imperial Order

"NO NO NO !!!!!!! NOT LIKE HIM !!!!!!" as a loud yell can be heard across the study room. A mid-teen male with a long blonde wavy hair, blue eyes keep and fair skin keep crying and pouting. Though he’s wearing a wonderful white long blouse matched with silk pants and shoes with an elegant embroidered light blue shawl, he’s on the floor kicking and throwing tantrums, his attitude didn't matched his elegant outfit. 

"THAT’S ENOUGH NALRE !!!! HOW COULD AN OMEGA LIKE YOU MARRY SOMEONE IF YOU KEEP ACTING LIKE A CHILD !!!!!" yelled by his mother Marchioness Aliges who dressed fancy but annoyed by her whinnying son that's right in front of her, as she sat like a queen in her throne, tapping the fan on her lips she's obviously hiding her frown glaring at her husband who's right across the room just standing there facing the fire place.

“Norai !!!! Why did agree to this !!??" Marchioness angrily asked Marquess.

"Marissa ... It is a discussion with me and the Empress..... I know this is a surprise for all of you....however it is an Imperial order .... She's looking for an omega as wife for his son Prince Silas, regardless if it’s male or female. Our family have what they're looking for....The prince is an alpha in his own right...... If we have ties with the Imperial family.... our family could rise to dukedom." Marquess Aliges trying to hide his emotions with a firm posture.

"Of course ...... Of course they'd look for an omega to put a length on that wrenched blood line !!!!" as Marchioness grits her teeth.

"I KNOW THAT !!!!.........I KNOW THAT PRINCE SILAS IS AN ALPHA !!!!, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS !!!! HE'S CALLED DEMON PRINCE !!!! EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW HE KILLED TWO OF HIS FIANCE !!!! HOW HE SLAUGHTERED ANOTHER NOBLE HOUSE !!!!"......"FATHER HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME !!!!!!"....."I KNOW THAT HE IS A PRINCE AND HIS MOTHER IS THE EMPRESS BUT HE'S NOT EVEN THE CROWN PRINCE....LIKE... LIKE PRINCE LORCAN....... FATHER DID YOU FORGET !!!!! ... I’M ALREADY A CADIATATE FOR THE NEXT EMPRESS ....... I SHOULD BE WITH PRINCE LORCAN !!!" Nalre cries even further.

The Marchioness stood up walks to the Marquess and scoffed "If there's one thing that baffles me.... Is why we Valorian even have to bow with that foreign Empress !!!".

"It is a peace treaty that we gave those Theryn." Marquess responds.

The rest of the Aliges family are all gathered in the study room unease with this revelation. Nalre's brother Lorai who’s just sitting on the couch crossing his arms and legs contemplating about the whole thing as he looked up and asked.

“Father which one ??? ....Did the empress specify on who is she going to take ???”

 “No.... As long as it’s a member direct of our family”   

“Hummmm........ if that’s the case then why don’t we give them Dianthus." Lorai points to his brother who's in the corner of the room.

Dianthus is shock about what Lorai said, gripping the chest fabric of his plain blouse with his head down, too timid to say anything.

Dianthus is similar to Nalre when it comes to appearance, he just wore plain clothes and try not to be a nuisance to the family. However Dianthus's short light golden brown hair with long uneven bangs covering his purple eyes what sets him apart from the rest of the family. Because the Marquess and Nalre have blonde hair and blue eyes, and Marchioness and Lorai have ginger hair and green eyes.

Lorai smirks "Father, Nalre is not the only omega in this house, like he said he's a candidate for the next Empress. So Nalre's hands already have a responsibility... Of course I can't be a wife !? I'm an alpha and going to be the next heir of this house.. Dianthus on the other hand is not even engage, he doesn't even have a suitor.... I think he's a perfect fit...... Besides Dia.... Make yourself useful for once.... Let's just dolled him up and maybe.... Just maybe the prince himself might have a liking to Dia.... Who knows.!?" as Lorai shrugs.

“As expected form the heir of Aliges... My eldest son..... Brilliant indeed !!!” Marquess Aliges walks to his son laughing and hugging him, patting his shoulder proud of his suggestion.

"which reminds me... The Empress did told me the prince have a preference... He likes brown haired omegas.... That's why you're here Dianthus." as Marquess giggled.

The Marchioness opens her fan hiding her lips “This child out of wedlock do have a purpose after all.” and laugh. 

Nalre finally stop whining and grinning from ear to ear for what he just heard.

"So I'm not going !?" Nalre asked.

"HUMP !!!! .....Of course child why would we paired you with that foreign beast !!!!." Marchioness said proudly.

"yes... That would be all.... right Dia.!?" as marquess smiles at Dianthus.

"now we all must be ready for a wedding of a lifetime.!!!" as the Marquess he spread his arms announcing his words.

As they all looked at Dianthus with glee.

"wait !!..... but can I just......... Be other than that !?." Dianthus sheepishly asked.

Nalre stomps towards Dianthus as he slapped him across the face, screaming "YOU SHOULD BE GREATFUL YOU USELESS HALF CELTIC SCUM !!!!!...... OR YOU'LL LIVE IN THE ATTIC FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE !!!!!."

Nalre slapped Dianthus so hard he feel on the floor.

As the Marchioness walks toward Dianthus looks down on him saying "you're nothing but a mere dog in this house, you're lucky we still treat you like a human..... Now get up and go to the attic unless we call you." as she walks out of the room. Followed by the rest of the family.

[thatssonanii]

Masterlist

A/N: I'm still building this. So, if you're looking for fics of mine and they are not linked below, they're coming soon! Check the tags on this post in the meantime to find them!

Bloodline Family Series

Features Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & OCs

Welcome Home

Parent Conference

Embarrassing Moment

Parent Conference

Big Boy Simba

Just Say No 2

Just Say No 3

Just Say No 4

Fed Up 1

Fed Up 2

A New Leaf

Wait … Before You Hit Me

Guess What

Fight

M&M’s

Freshmeat

House Party

Simba’s First Date

Heartbreak Pt. 1

Heartbreak Pt. 2

Clumsy

Studying

Fan

Daddy’s Got You

Todd

Throuple

Meet the Family

Meet the Washingtons

What’s Done in the Dark

Comes to the Light

Birthday Girl

Early Christmas Gift Planning

Dinner & Dessert

New Blessings

Congrats, Grad

Attack

Attack 2

Attack 3

Old Wounds

Old Wounds II

Old Wounds III

Tha Block is Hot

Knock, Knock

Goin’ Off

Lines

Dinner

Surprise

Boxes

Well

Let’s Talk

Draft Night

Bloodline Family Series Shorties

Features Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & OCs

Do You Want It I’ll Buy It For You

Smoke

Haleigh & Carlito

Auntie A

You Don’t Have To Do All The Things You Do

I’m Not Gonna Stop Poking You

I Fell in Love With My Best Friend

It’s A Real Shame No One Asked For Your Opinion

You’re So Cute When You Pout Like That

That doesn’t Even Make Sense

Facetime

Child is Sick & Wants Daddy

Bedtime Temper Tantrum

Parental Paragraph

Is That Mistletoe?

My Parents Will Love You, Don’t Worry

Let’s Bake Cookies!

I Want A Picture with Santa

Daddy, Can you Help Me Write A Letter to Santa?

I Don’t Sing

Baby, Help Me Write Christmas Cards

It’s 1AM, Get Up!

Bloodline Family Series AU

Features Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & OCs

Netflix and …

Privacy

Family Ties

Spinoff from BLFS

(I wrote all fics linked here but this series is co-run with @annoyedkayah2395, go to her blog for the installments that she's written)

Practice

First Day In Cali (Goes with “Todd”)

Video

Cali

1+1=3

Just Because

Coping

Hear Me Out

Carlito’s First Sleepover

Girl Talk

Let Me Tell You

Morgan & Chenice

Nightmare

Father’s Day Prep

Come Get Her

Family Court

Story Time

Dreamin’

Storm

Pop Up

Tragedy

Hey Alexa

MJ

Family Ties AU

(I wrote all fics linked here but this series is co-run with @annoyedkayah2395, go to her blog for the installments that she's written)

Water Balloons

But …

Studio

Co-Parenting

BLFS//FT Crossover

Excuse Me Miss

Icky

Haleigh’s Appointment

Man to Man

Jealous

Charlotte

BBQ

Home Alone

Grandpa King’s Farm

Sour Patch Kid

Birthday Party

Mama Tasha

Caught

Like It?

BLFS//FT AU Crossover

Haleigh’s Visitor

New Kid on the Block

One

Two

Three

Late

Mommy

Gifts

Unicorns & Rainbows

Awkward 2

Movin’ Out

Get Right

My Baby

ER

Visiting

Responsibility

I’m Sorry

Mama Bear

Stop!

I’m Fine

Take Care of It

Runaway Bride

Firsts

Disrespect

First Trip

Kid Free

Have & Have Nots

(I wrote all fics linked her but this series is co-run with @annoyedkayah2395, go to her blog for the installments that she's written)

Officially A Malone

Gotta Go

Bonding

Confrontation

Mind Your Business

Emergency

Recovery

Pop Up

Formal Introduction

The Real Her

My Brother’s Keeper

Family Time

Father

Let’s Talk

The Morning After

Night Out

Checkmate

Saturday

Engagement Dinner

Another Emergency

Beat Down

Sweeties Day

Creepin’

What Are You Doing Here?

Skeletons 2

Why

For You

Blood

To Zion

WTF

First Day

Warning

Just In Case

Lunch

Dumb Broad

Lil Thug Life

Moving

Old Friends

Prep

A Tragic Day

Savannah

Thin Ice

Empty House

Officer

Full Story

Family Dinner

The Last Straw

Listen

Leaving

Unbelievable

Oops

Gee Wiz, It’s Christmas

Oh You Forgot?

Guests

Coach

Who Is She?

I’m Pregnant

Conley

Sneaky

Back In Town

Stop Playin’ With Me

Oliver & Company

Unbothered

Nerves

Plan B

Back Off

Sistas

The First Baby

Switch

You’re …

Caught

Enough

Sibling Rivalry

Another Willis

Have & Have Nots AU

10 Seconds

Trouble Man

Awkward

Be Nice

Dumbass

Tyson

New Leaf

One

Two

Just The Two of Us

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Seven

Eight

Nine

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

SVU

Familiar Face

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Trial Prep

A Special Victim

The Things We Have to Lose (Pt. 1)

The Canary

Features Roman Reigns & OCs

One

We All Want Love

Features Roman Reigns & OCs

Cast

Chapter One

Line in the Sand

Features Tama Tonga & OCs

One

Two

Three

Four

Five (Pt. 1)

Five (Pt. 2)

Six

Seven

Eight

Empire

(I wrote all fics linked her but this series is co-run with @annoyedkayah2395, go to her blog for the installments that she's written)

Prince of Rap

Group Project

Condo

Come Here

Faded Memories

Ghost

Come Clean

Ghost 2

Rocky

Meeting Ms. Taylor

McIntyre Family Series

Features Drew McIntyre, Montez Ford & OCs

Temper Tantrum

First Night Home

Bonding Time

Daddy, Can You Help Me Write A Letter to Santa?

I’m Pregnant

My Parents Will Love You

Is That A Mistletoe?

Sleeping Headcanon

Anger Headcanon

Kissing Headcnnon

New Years #4

Main Event

Champ

Champ 2

Deja Vú

Features Florian Munteanu & OCs

One

Two

Three

Four

Shorties

Daddy Daughter Time (Seth Rollins)

Twitter Fingers (Tama Tonga)

Baby’s First Shots (Tama Tonga)

Temper Tantrum (Samoa Joe)

First Day of School (Tama Tonga)

Baby’s First Doctor’s Appointment (Jeff Hardy)

Nightmare (Tama Tonga)

Child is Sick (Jeff Hardy)

Breakfast Time (Samoa Joe)

Daddy Daughter Bonding (Jinder Mahal)

Parental Paragraph (Big E)

Director's Commentary

Haleigh & Messiah

Jey & Apryl

Roman & Kandice

Best & Worst Traits of Characters

Drew & Danica

[galadrieljones]

As You Were (Chapter 7)

Fandom: The Last of Us | Pairing: Joel x OC | Content: Fix-it | Rating: Mature

Masterpost

When Joel and Ellie take a wrong turn on their journey from Pittsburgh to Wyoming, they find themselves lost in what feels at first like a time warp: a beautiful place with a dark and dangerous secret. While there, they meet Cici and Noah, a mother and son fighting tirelessly for survival, and who have recently endured a terrible tragedy on their family farm. Amidst their joint desire to find hope for the future, the two groups decide to set out west together, changing the course of the story (as we know it), and the very course of their lives.

This is an AU, starting after the events of the Summer chapter in the first game, and extending into the timeline of the second game. Joel lives.

Chapter 7: Interlude I (Storm)

“Just admit you love it,” said Ellie. “Don’t be a bitch.”

She and Noah were in the back house as the rain pounded down on the roof. Neko Case was playing. In the past two weeks since arriving in Jackson, they had rigged up the stereo but not the space heaters. It was still the dog days of summer. Noah would just light a fire in the stove at night, because it was faster. And if it got too cold, they could just go to the main house and crash on the living room floor anyway.

“I will not deny that this is good shit,” said Noah. They were talking about the music, on the stereo. “You can count on me.”

“I love this music,” said Ellie. Every dial tone, every truck stop, every heartbreak, I love you more. “It’s pure.” She flopped back onto the bed and closed her eyes. “It sounds like water. I wonder if Joel knows about Neko.”

“Probably,” said Noah. He was on the floor, sawing two-by-fours. He wanted to make an end table. It had been a while since he’d done any sort of carpentry. “He knows a lot of weird shit about music.”

“Does Cici know Neko?”

“Maybe? Though we didn’t have any of this back at the house.”

Ellie stared up at the ceiling. They had stuck a bunch of glow-in-the-dark stars up there, loot from the Wal-mart back in Nebraska. Elsewhere on the walls there were posters and drawings by Ellie and maps that Noah had collected from their various stops, all along the I-80.

“Do you think this place will last?” said Ellie. “Jackson. Do you think it’s legit?”

“I hope so,” said Noah.

There was a knock on the door then. Ellie sat up straight, had switched her knife open just to look at it. “Who is it?” she said.

“It’s Dina. From the bonfire?”

Dina was a surprise. Ellie swung her feet around, over the side of the bed, electrocuted, and failed to speak.

“Hang on,” said Noah. He got up, set the saw on the kitchen table, which was stacked mostly with books. He opened the door, and there was Dina, standing like a picture, hands shoved in her pockets in her green hoodie.

“Hey,” she said. “You’re Noah, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “And you’re Dina.”

“Is Ellie here?”

“Yup. Come on in.”

Dina stepped inside, shook off the rain. Meanwhile, Ellie was just standing there with her knife still out, like she was going to stab someone. “Hey,” she said.

“You okay?” said Dina.        

“What?” said Ellie. She looked down at the blade, blushing awkwardly, then she put it away into her pocket. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine. What’s going on?”

“I just came because Maria got a call on the radio,” said Dina. Her hair was tied back tightly off her face. “Joel and Tommy are stuck at one of the lookouts over in town, because of the storm. They’re fine, but they’ll probably be gone till morning. She wanted me to let you know.”

“Why didn’t she just come herself?” said Ellie.

“Oh,” said Dina. “Well, I was there. I offered.”

“I should go tell my mom,” said Noah.

“Why don’t you just call her?” said Ellie. “On the walkie.”

“I could,” said Noah. He put on his sneakers. His hair was getting longer. Kind of floppy behind his ears. “But with it storming like this, she’s probably already worried.”

“Yeah,” said Ellie. “Nevermind. You’re right.”

“I’ll be back,” he said.

“See ya,” said Dina.

Once he was gone, Ellie and Dina stood in the room, just looking at each other. The thunder went off in the distance, bellowing somewhere over the mountain, low and mean. But it was just a storm, thought Ellie. Just a storm.

“So, how’s it going?” said Dina, eventually. She had her hands behind her back.

“Pretty good,” said Ellie. “How’s it going with you?”

“Not bad. Do you remember me, or…?”

“Of course,” said Ellie. She went over to the makeshift kitchen. There were some cokes in the cooler that she and Noah had salvaged a few days before. “You want one?”

“Hell yeah,” said Dina.

They opened their cokes and drank them sitting in bean bag chairs, listening to the music and the rain for a while. The soda was sort of flat, but they didn’t care. It tasted delicious. “This music is good,” said Dina. “It’s pretty, kind of country. What is it?”

“It’s this lady, named Neko Case,” said Ellie. She was wearing an old shirt, blue, with a surfer on the front and the words Cowabunga, dude. “I just discovered her actually. She’s really awesome. I think this album came out like, a week or so before the shit hit the fan in 2013?”

“Seriously?” said Dina.

“Yeah,” said Ellie. “Me and Noah have actually been scavenging all the best albums from that year, from like music stores and stuff. We’re trying to get as complete of a collection as possible.”

“That’s so neat,” said Dina. She held her coke with both hands, looking down at her thumbs. “You’re like really cool historians.”

“Sort of,” said Ellie. “But that’s being generous.”

They sipped.

“So, tell me something,” said Dina after a little while. Her voice changed, like she had gained confidence all of a sudden. “What’s the deal with you guys. Is Noah your real brother who you magically found after ten years of separation, or is that just a rumor?”

“It’s a rumor,” said Ellie. “Noah is just…we’re not related.”

“Well you guys seem like siblings.”

“We’ve been through a lot,” said Ellie. “Maybe that’s what people are sensing.”

“There’s definitely a bond there.”

“I don’t have any real siblings, that I know of at least,” said Ellie. “Do you?”

“Not anymore,” said Dina. Her eyes were very brown, like little mud puddles. Dina was an open book.

Noah came in the door then, loudly, and soaking wet. He was like a giant dog sometimes, stomping through the house. “Jesus Christ,” he said. “It is fucking pouring.”

“Yeah, we know,” said Dina.

“I’m gonna head out,” said Noah. He started rummaging through the bureau by the door, tugged a gray hoodie over his head, and then he yanked the drawstrings until the hood closed almost totally around his face so you could only see his nose. He looked like a too-tall alien. It was funny.

“Head out where?” said Ellie.

“To Jesse’s,” he said, loosening the hood. “You guys wanna come?”

“What about Cici?” said Ellie.

“She’s already on her way,” said Noah. “She was getting ready to leave when I went over there.”

Dina was looking down into her can again, as if it were full of secrets.

Ellie said, “Dina, you wanna go?”

The rain kicked up outside. It seemed like it wouldn’t let up for hours. Dina drank the last of her coke and set the empty can down on the floor. She stood quickly and smoothed out the wrinkles in her shirt. “Sure,” she said. “Let’s do it.”

“Sweet,” said Noah.

***

“So you just went on up there, to La Crosse, with the boy,” said Tommy, feet crossed up on the coffee table. They were getting old and half-high from the cigarettes. “No questions asked.”

“No questions asked,” said Joel, finishing his cigarette. “It wasn’t like back in Boston.”

“What changed?”

“Noah kind of—he reminded me, of me. He needed to convince himself of something, maybe it was just to do with figuring out what was happening to his town, maybe it was a test. I don’t know. But he’s a good kid, and I didn’t want him going down the wrong path.”

“And Cici, what was her deal, back then?”

Joel leaned back in the chair, sinking. It was in tatters and the bottom was practically falling out. He said, “To be quite honest, she was a complete mystery to me. Still is."

"Ain't they all."

"Noah's much more forthcoming," said Joel. "Maybe too forthcoming, I don't know. Maybe it's a good thing, because he gets Ellie talking, even when she don't want to. Cici and me, we got along fine in the beginning, but it was like anything in a situation like that. It took us a while to become friends.”      

Tommy started laughing. “Guess it must be hard for you, big brother. Meeting your match like that.”

Joel just ashed his cigarette on the table as the storm raged outside.

“Well, I am glad you came back,” said Tommy, quiet. “To Jackson. When you all came through the first time, I really didn't know. I didn't know if we'd see you again. But we really needed you guys. And it’s good to—well, it’s just good to be together again, ain’t it?”

Joel took a drag, looking down at his knuckles. “This is a nice place you’ve built here, little brother. I'm sorry if it ever seemed like I doubted you. You and Maria have done good work.”

“Thanks,” said Tommy, placing his boots back on the ground. “Now, tell me what the hell happened next. Who the hell were these Circle of the Holy Signal motherfuckers? And what the hell did Cici say happened back at the farm—with the Amish girl?”

Joel smiled to himself as if recalling a joke out of the blue. “Brace yourself,” he said.

***

At Jesse’s, Cici sat alone on the covered back porch, looking up into the storm. She had a glass of whiskey, locally distilled in a barrel on the other side of the compound. Jackson made her think of home, filling her with unwanted memories, and a mild anxiety. Jesse’s parents had a dog named Cinderella. She was a black Schipperke mix, little and spry. She came along and licked Cici's hand where she sat, looking up at her expectantly, all wet from the rain.

“You want to be inside, don’t you?” said Cici. She smiled and patted the dog behind the ears. The little dog had brought her back down to earth, out of the raging sky. “Me, too. Let’s ditch this weather.”

Back in the house, the kids were in the living room, drinking soda and exchanging stories of the past. Noah and Ellie had arrived. They were sitting on the couch and waved when she came in. He had his arm slung around Ellie. She shared little of her life with the group, as usual, thought Cici, but she was always responsive and encouraging of others to share their lives with her. Dina was telling a story about New Mexico. Jesse watched her closely while leaning against the fireplace. There was music on the stereo, Fleetwood Mac.

Robin, Jesse’s mother, came along with a plate of chicken wings. “You want some?” she said.

“I'm good,” said Cici.

Robin took the plate out to the living room instead, set it on the coffee table where it would be devoured. Robin was a really nice woman and an excellent cook. She had always made Cici feel welcome. She pioneered most of the potlucks in town, and Jesse and Noah were becoming friends. That night, she had her hair down. She wore a hooded sweatshirt. She was a few years older than Cici, but that was inconsequential. “Where’s Joel?” she said.

“Him and Tommy got stuck at the lookout,” said Cici, sipping her whiskey. “Maria said they radio'd in. They’ll be back in the morning.”

"You worried?"

Cici shrugged. "I'm trying not to be. Maria said everything was all clear. It's just the storm."

Robin seemed to understand this. “Jonathan is working in his greenhouse,” she said. “Guess it’s just the the women and children tonight.”

“What’s he up to?”

“They want to expand the soy crop,” said Robin. “They need to build more space. With summer running out on us, there’s a crunch.”

Cici had helped out some, with the farming. Though she was not as familiar with greenhouses. “Are storms common in the mountains, in late summer?”

“Yes,” she said. “What about in the midwest?”

“Very much,” said Cici. “The changing of the seasons bring chaos everywhere.”

“I hear that.” Robin’s laugh was deep. It was reassuring. “Jesse likes this group,” she said, looking at the kids in the living room, sniping at one another and eating chicken. “He fits in with them. I like them, too. They’re rascals, all of them.”

“It’s good,” said Cici, “to see Noah, like this. With other teenagers. Just hanging out. For a long time, I was worried he would never have the chance."

“What about Joel?” said Robin. “How is he with Joel?”

Cici was staring at Noah. He had gotten taller, again. Just in that past year. She thought he might keep on growing forever, like one of those Giant Redwoods she had read about in childhood, the ones that lived way out in California. “He’s actually good,” she said. “He's always liked Joel. Joel was there for Noah, early on."

“That’s good.” Robin leaned past Cici to pick up a bottle of beer from the counter. She popped off the top and said, “Cheers. I’m glad you came tonight.”

“Me, too,” said Cici. They drank.

“Are you guys going to the softball game tomorrow?” said Robin.

“As long as the rain stays away, probably. Ellie mentioned something about making tee-shirts. She's pretty enthusiastic.”

Robin thought it was unironically a good idea. "I can help," she said.

Then the lights flickered, again, and then again. The rain was still heavy on the roof, and a hush fell over the room. Everybody looked around as if waiting for something to happen. Jesse paused the music and straightened up off the mantle. Noah was up, looking out the window. Ellie and Dina were looking at each other, as if making calculations in one another’s eyes about what to do next.

“It’s just the storm,” said Robin, as the tension died down. Jesse turned the music back on, and the talking resumed. “They are used to the worst case scenario. But you remember, don’t you, Cici? A time when a storm was just a storm.”

Cici watched Noah and Ellie. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it looked like he’d made some sort of stupid joke, and she was rumpling his hair, and they were laughing on the couch beneath the faint, white glow of the Christmas lights. They reminded her of puppies. When she was eighteen and pregnant, sitting on a river bank in Viroqua, WI, what had she imagined her life would become? Joel had said the same thing once, in a manner of speaking. When I was eighteen, I had a GED and two jobs, he’d said. Three, if you counted Sarah. She tried not thinking about him when he wasn't there.

There was a knock on the door then. It was Maria. At first, Cici was worried. But that was just the storm talking. Maria had a bottle of wine and a bowl of potato chips. Her hair was down, and she looked tired but pretty.

“Took you long enough,” said Robin.

“No rest for the wicked,” said Maria.

When Maria came into the kitchen, all the kids shouted HEY MARIA as raucously as possible, and everybody laughed and asked for her to hand over the chips. Maria was a stern woman but even she could not resist them.

***

Outside, later on, Ellie and Noah were sitting out on the porch. Noah was scratching Cinderella the dog behind the ears while Ellie sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, staring hard into the dark as if parsing its atoms, which screamed.

“So," said Noah. “What's going on with Dina?"

Dina was still inside the house with Jesse. They had gravitated toward one another as the night drew on.

“Nothing,” said Ellie, sighing. “I don’t know. Does it seem like something's going on?"

“She's nice,” he said. “You could tell me."

“I hardly know her,” said Ellie.

“That doesn’t always matter.”

“She likes Jesse anyway,” said Ellie. “I’m just some girl. I don’t fit.”

“Fit where?” said Noah.

Ellie laughed at this and shoved him in the shoulder. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious,” said Noah. “Where are you trying to fit?”

“I don’t know, Noah.”

“Is this a Riley thing?” he said.

“Please,” she said.

“Fine,” he said. Ellie was not an open book. “Well, I’ll still be your friend.”

“Oh, ha ha,” said Ellie, shoving him again, harder this time. He almost tipped in his chair, but that was on purpose. “Like you could unfriend me. You need me.”

He thought back to Moline, when they had found that arcade. It had been raining that night, too. He remembered the blood, gathering and running down the drain pipes, as if that's what they were meant for. “Let’s go inside before this storm gets the best of us,” he said.

***

On the Stereo:

"Calling Cards" by Neko Case  "Magpie to the Morning" by Neko Case  "Storms" by Fleetwood Mac 

[silyabeeodess]

So yeah, Premiere wasn’t my friend today and I got a bit lazy with the art, but here’s a rough animatic I made with my AHIT oc.  Notes below the cut:

Although I’m not actually a fan of the BatB remake and this isn’t the voice I have in mind for Kit, this was a song that I had on replay when working on her character, particularly for the “storybook” portion of The Firelands fic.  One of my reviews wondered if Kit would ever be able to make it back home, and it is an idea that I’ve thought of some; however, I don’t think it’ll work in the Clocks and Spirits series just because it would be like a side quest away from the main stories I have in mind thus far.

Basically though, while it would help Kit cope a little bit; it would also come as a major shock.  She’s been isolated in the Firelands for an insanely long time: Her family’s been dead for years and everything is a lot more advanced than what she was used to. It would take time for her to adjust to the world itself.  On her family’s part, her father actually would’ve become a somewhat famous artist--especially to her still small hometown--with her former home turned into an art museum.  The idea would be that, after she’d gone missing and there was no hope of her return, her father would grieve for a while and would create a few portraits to try to preserve her memory--the tragedy ironically boosting his reputation after his passing, as it became this interesting story tied to his work.  (A few of Kit’s own early pieces might’ve also been left behind and preserved there as well, but mostly just to tie into her connection with her father and her disappearance.)     

[pinespittinink]

Writer Tag

Saw this on @chalky-charlie‘s blog and thought I’d give it a whirl! 

1: Pen or pencil?

Pen. I love me a smooth rolling ink. 

2: Have you ever drawn your OCs?

I have tried, when I was like, ten or eleven. I wasn’t good at it. I leave drawing my ocs to other people.

3: Does your writing ever make you cry?

Oh yeah. I’m a really empathetic, emotional person-- it doesn’t take much to make me cry, but I remember the first time I really cried because of my characters when I was writing The Witch Market and it really struck me deep. I’ve cried while writing Bloodlines, and I’ve already gotten worked up about Solene’s verse. I feel very in tune with the emotional content of my stories (of which there is a lot), and the relationships between my characters and their own tragedies get me going a lot.

4: If your Muse was a person, what would they look like?

Hmmm.... (this is super interesting). I think of an old woman with a big hat and lots of flowers and a dress with enormous endless pockets that hold the universe, but that seems more like my writing persona. I think my muse probably looks more like a nymph-- ethereal, feminine, green and nature-tied, starlight in their skin, music in their movements. 

5: Which of your pieces would you choose to be remembered for?

Any of them, really. I feel like Solene’s verse could become a big epic that lots of people of wide range could gravitate to, especially fans of older fantasy. Star White has the most mainstream potential, especially within the YA/NA lgbt audience. But Bloodlines is my current pride and joy, and it’s embedded deep in me. I’d be honored just have anyone love and remember my work. 

6: How much have you written or worked on your WIP so far today?

None yet today-- but as soon as I’m done with this I’m queuing it and opening up Bloodlines to work on the new insert chapter.

7: Have you ever based a piece (or a portion of a piece) on a dream ?

This is how Solene’s verse came to be actually. He and Moses were in my dream, and it was a very, very clear scene, and I remember waking up and being like.. where’s the rest of it. 

8: Do you prefer silence, a little noise (music, ambient noise, fan etc) or a lot of noise when you’re writing?

Silence, some ambient noise depending on how I feel. 

9: Do you have any routines before you sit down to write?

Nope! Nothing particular. 

10: Have you ever participated in NaNoWrimo or a Camp?

I haven’t. I’ve tried nano before, but never with a fresh project, and the structure doesn’t work with my writing style. 

If you’d like to fill this out, go for it! Tag me in it if you do, I’d love to see your answers

[coffeeandcalligraphy]

OC Tag Game!

Thanks @owen-with-dashes​ for tagging me!

Rules: Share inspiration for your characters’ names and tag some other writers!

FOSTERED

Reeve Aldaine

Actual meaning: steward, bailiff

Does the meaning connect with her character? No, hahhaha

Reeve went through a couple of names, actually (Nell was her original name, changed to Glynne I think? until I settled with Reeve). Don’t really know why I chose it, I think I was just waiting for a name that clicked! Pretty sure I didn’t actually like her name though, just grew on me over time (I like it now!). As for her last name, I chose it based on how it fit with her first name!

Harrison Frost

Actual meaning: son of harry

Does the meaning connect with his character? lol also no loool

Harrison’s name has an interesting history actually (sort of). I came up with his nickname first (Ris) after finding the name Rhys (obviously not pronounced RHIS but), and gathered inspo from there. I wanted to name a character Ris, but never made the connection between the two. I found the name Harrison, thought it was a win, and realized Ris could be a nickname. Hence, Harrison’s uncommon nickname, lol. (This in theory, should’ve been simple but alas.)Though I do prefer his full name now, pretty sure my intention was just to call him Ris throughout the series, but that’s definitely not the case now! And for his last name it’s a tragedy and I wish I could change it lol (nothing wrong with the name just think there could’ve been a better fit). 

Foster Creed

Actual meaning: Of the woods, forest

Does the meaning connect with his character? It’s his actual aesthetic tho smol forest nymph boi (not purposeful but it works)

Ha, Foster’s name has an interesting backstory too! I initially named him Foster because I just liked the name, but his name literally created the main plot. I realized Foster isn’t a *super* common name, and wanted to explain it, and 13-year-old me thought it was a great idea to say his name rep’d his experience in foster homes (and was a nickname). That basically helped me create the base plot of the foster homes, so while his name didn’t come from anything special, it did drive the plot (but no the books aren’t named after him tbh harrison is more important than him oops). Also his real name is August as in August Rush and I have no regrets. (again with the last name thing, nothing wrong with it, I just ehh.)

here’s the explanation of his name in book one ft. some very old horrible writing but he info dumps his whole life story:

“Foster, huh?” I ask, curious.

“Yeah.” He replies, shaking his head with a laugh.

“What’s the story behind it?” He sighs, as if he’s told this story one too many times.

“Ever since I was a kid, I had no clue what my name was. You see, I was put into those foster homes, well I don’t know for what reason, but anyway my parents never said anything about me, not my name, or my age, not anything. I wasn’t the greatest kid around, always making trouble, so they kept switching the foster homes I was in. Once when I was in a home with three other boys, Ris befriended me and started calling me Foster when I told him I’d switched homes seventeen times.” I blink back at him, shock overcoming me.        

*shock overcoming me*

(also the lies in what Foster says yo he’s a cinnamon roll boi u ain’t no suave boi)

Lonan Clark

Actual meaning: blackbird

Does the meaning connect with his character? yuppers cuz he flies away from all his problems

(this also leads to beautiful fanart such as:)

All by the amaaaaaazing @sarahkelsiwrites​ :) (so good!)

Lonan’s first name doesn't have much of a story, just found the name through Magic Baby Names I think, and rolled with it (magic baby names is blessed). His last name on the other hand was created because I was driving to New York, had no internet, needed a last name ASAP, saw a street sign, and the rest is history. Though I am thrilled that his name means blackbird, lol the beatles boi in me was like queeeeen yeesssss.

Darren Peterson

Actual meaning: great

Does the meaning connect with his character? So much yes very many yes

Pretty sure his name was going to be Dennis, lol. I think I was making his brother a character profile, and was using @sarahkelsiwrites​’ profile of her character Delilah for formatting inspo, saw the name Darren somewhere in there, stole it, and here we areeee. Also stole the last name Peterson from her, ooooops. 

Lincoln Mayhew

Actual meaning: From the settlement by the pool.

Does the meaning connect with his character? Sounds just about as pretentious as him. 

I’m pretty sure I took his name from a list, not that interesting, but tis my space to say yuppers Lincoln and Lonan are basically the same name oops I know. (I get really attached to things easily hence why I didn’t change it lol ooooops.)

Christiane “Double” Aldaine

Actual meaning: Follower of Christ

Does the meaning connect with her character? Not really heh

I decided to explain this one because it’s kind of weird, lol. Christiane “Double” Aldaine is Reeve’s younger sister, and the name backstory is *so* ?? I just ? Basically, Reeve has an older sister named Christiane too who died, so her mom named her youngest daughter after her, so Reeve (who isn’t a fan) and also to differentiate between the two, nicknames her sister Double (because she’s a double of the original name). Double is also known as ‘Chris’ in the spinoff, because she obviously doesn't know her sister calls her this. So many naaames. oof.

I’M DISAPPOINTED

Clifford Wright

Actual meaning: ford by a cliff

Does the meaning connect with his character? No, but Sarah calls him ford by a cliff a lot lol

It took me a bit to find Clifford’s name, but when I found it, typed out CLIFFORD in all caps in my document, lol. His last name didn’t stem from anything but has led to many jokes like this:

“My name’s Clifford Wright.” I start hesitantly, reading off the words Julian wrote about me with pure caution. “Which is stupid, because I know everyone thinks I’m Clifford Wrong. You know why? Because I never do anything that makes sense.”

im deceased.

“pure caution”

Ben “Benjamin” Wright and Gracelyn “Grace” Wright

Actual meaning (Ben): Son of my right hand

Does the meaning connect with his character? Ben is always your right hand man stillllll

Actual meaning (Grace): Goodness and generosity.

Does the meaning connect with her character? Grace is more like the opposite of goodness and generosity

Grouping Ben and Grace together because they share the same backstory. In 2015, I was driving back down from New York and really needed names. I found Gracelyn in my name list doc, and came up with Ben on the spot (the creativityyy)

So this was fun! Thanks again @owen-with-dashes​ for tagging me! I’m going to tag @sssoto​, @sarahkelsiwrites​, @shaelinwrites​, and @alliewritesbooks​ to do this!

--Rachel

[woodelf68]

TEA RECS

Kudos to you all!

Fluff

Family: All I needed by still-searching47, Irish Twins by winterswanderlust, Spinner’s Wife by ishtarelishiba, Accidental Magic by woodelf68, Transposing Digits by still-searching47

Comfort: Some Rules are Meant to be Broken by @rainydaybatsy, Prompt: The Past Comes into the Present by little-inkstone, Spinning by woodelf68

Fix-It: Chipped and whole by @barpurplewrites, Suddenly I Know I’m Not Sleeping by @ryik-the-rumbeller-oncer, Higher by woodelf68, Just A dream by woodelf68, Wedding Dance by woodelf68, Marriage Counseling: Gold Edition by NejiHina100 (on FFN), The End of the chapter by @caveyoja, The Alternative byTPren (on AO3), Learn to Love Again by @mystical-flute, Sacrifice by barpurplewrites

Smut

Threesome; We Are Both by @magnoliatattoo

PWP: Over-leveraged by @mrsstiltskin, Cave of Wonders by @worryinglyinnocent, The Elf: December 13, Morning by @tinuviel-undomiel, Playtime: Halloween by @worryinglyinnocent, A Much Needed Vacation by rowofstars, To Teach Her, to Learn Him by @be-a-warrior-not-a-worrier

Kink: The things we do for love by woodelf68, Unwind by @worryinglyinnocent​, The Ring by gwenore, Overleveraged by mrsstiltskin, Cleanliness by @ladybookwormwithteeth, dog trainer verse prompt: has Gold ever deliberately invited punishment? by standbyyourmantis, Late Night Snack by mrsstiltskin, Playtime: harem by @worryinglyinnocent​

Romance: Tacky Little Dolls by @mrgoldsdearie, Inheritance by rufeepeach, Marked by Fate by thescholarstrumpet, The One Night Stand by standbyyourmantis

Comedy:  Mr Good Mood by standbyyourmantis, The Others by applejackcat, The Things we do For Love by woodelf68

BDSM: Call it Magic: Illusions by standbyyourmantis, Cleanliness by @annievh

Angst

Why?: 3:15 by @godofmichif, Prompt: Rumpel Kills Zelena by @little-inkstone, Piece by Broken Piece by @ceiphiedknight, True Love’s Kiss...True Love’s Sorrow by @handwithquill

Death:You Never Expect by @rainydaybatsy, Her Price by @bad-faery

Oops: Of Bunnies and Strawberries by revever

Hurts so good: The Perfect Year by worryinginnocent, Do the Brave Thing by spottytonguedog, The Right Choice by Sarashouldbestudying, In the Depths by applejackcat, Just Seven Little Words by @thedarkcheessmaster, If Walls Could Talk by @jollyholidaybakery, Imprisoned by @starkid-for-life,

Romance

Best Date

Best Courtship: Mr Good Mood by standbyyourmantis, I Love the Way by still-searching47, Spinner’s Helper by ishtarelishiba, Spinner’s Wife by ishtarelishiba

Best Bed Sharing: A Life Unexpected by charmedrumbelle, A Conspiracy Afloat by still-searching47, Little White Lie by thatravenclawbitch

Best First Meeting: Code Words and Kiss Cams by b-does-the-write-thing, Two STeps Forward by 13callieb, Locked out: First Run by worryinglyinnocent, Locked out: Second Run by @worryinglyinnocent, Locked out: Final Run by @worryinglyinnocent, Tales of Threes @itsclydebitches, Girls on Film by woodelf68

GENERAL AWARDS

Best One-Shot: Tortoise!Rumbelle by @bad-faery, Bad Timing by thestraggletag, In Time by thenaughtyscandalousscorpio, Hunting Treasure by @spottytonguedog, Marble and Brass by lotus0kid, Girls on Film by woodelf68, Turning the Page by lotus0kid, Suddenly I Know I’m Not Sleeping by @ryik-the-rumbeller-oncer​, Made to Measure by emospritelet, If Walls Could Talk by jollyholidaybakery, Belle and Rumpel are Extreme Nerds... by b-does-the-write-thing

Best Drabble: Higher by woodelf68, Wedding Dance by woodelf68, Prompt: Personal History does have its benefits by little-inkstone, Ties prompt by @leni-ba, This Day by @simplythedarkone, Redial by rufepeach, Rumbelle and sunscreen prompt by little-inkstone, Spinning by woodelf68

Best Post-Ep fic: Chains by @callafallon, prompt: Under the bed, flickering, scream by applejackcat, Calamari and the God of Dreams by spottytonguedog, Death Can’t Stop True Love by @we-aim-to-misbehave, Moving On by spottytonguedog

Best Comedy Fic: Five Times Belle Felt Like An Idiot in front of her hot neighbor by standbyyourmantis, Locked Out: Final Run by worryinglyinnocent, Locked OUt: First Run by worryinglyinnocent, Locked OUt: Second Run by worryinglyinnocent, Belle Unleashed by @junoinferno,

Best Historical AU: Of Shirtwaists and Bells by @thepurplemadness

Best AU: Inheritance by Rufeepeach, Red Lights by rufeepeach, 12 Days of Limbo by 13 callieb, Irish Twins by winterwanderslust, Two Steps Forward by 13callieb, Fractured Blue by maplesyrupao3, Transposing Digits by still-searching47, Downside Up by lotus0kid, A Dragon’s Heart by worryinglyinnocent, A Fresh Start by woodelf68

Best AU!OUAT: Break the Chain by dreatine, Blushes and Brushes by rowofstars, Square One by 13callieb, Prompt: Belle and Rumpel are Extreme Nerds...by @b-does-the-write-thing, Marble and Brass by lotus0kid, Breathe Symphonies: Find Their Own by @triplepirouette,What to Expect When You’re Expecting by @callafallon, Thrall by little-inkstone, Healing Hearts by @teacupsroses, Nothing Ever Changes in Storybrooke by standbyyourmantis, An Unknown Road by lotus0kid, Homecoming by Rowofstars, The Final Rose by standbyyourmantis

Best Series - Trading For Touch by @suchadearie, bunny!Rumbelle by @revever, Breathe Symphonies by triplepirouette,

Best Crossover: A Helping Hand From Beyond by @worryinglyinnocent, Gold Rush by annievh, Too Late by @belleandherstorybooks, Diversion by @rioghna7, Dewey Decimal Fairy by @barpurplewrites, Green Christmas by rioghna7

Best Holiday Fic: Trick or Treat by woodelf68, The Perfect Year by worryinglyinnocent, Brandy, Apples and Spice byr rufeepeach, All Hallow’s Fall by still-searching47

Best Remix: Pixie Dust by @emospritelet

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

Best Supernatural - Heaven Sent, Hell Bent by @worryinglyinnocent, His Price is Her by @applejackcat, New Shoes by @villainsarebetter

Best Crack!Fic: Cockroach!rumbelle by @bad-faery, Just A Dream by woodelf68, Belle Unleashed by junoinferno, Rumbelle on a Motorcycle prompt by applejackcat, Calamari and the God of Dreams by @spottytonguedog​

Best Drama: Apologia (Stories Told In Dreams) by Taisch (on AO3), Londyn Bridge by Ellynne (on FFN), Conspiracy Afloat by @still-searching47,

Best Season Rewrite; The War Within, @still-searching47

Best Trend: I Want to See Your Gyardos by applejackcat, The Best Catch of All by @prissyhalliwell, The Lesson by woodelf68, Gotta Catch ‘Em All by @rumpledspinster

Events

(All fics in this category are limited to 2016)

Rumbelle Secret Santa: 12 Days of Limbo by @13callieb, A Dragon’s Heart by @worryinglyinnocent, Random Acts of Sanctuary by @notalwayslate, Do the Brave Thing by @spottytonguedog, Suddenly I Know I’m Not Sleeping by @ryik-the-rumbeller-oncer, Turning the Page by lotus0kid

Rumbelle Christmas in July: And Dark One Makes three by standbyyourmantis, Red Lights by rufeepeach, What We Call Heroes by @ak-vintage, Made to Measure by @emospritelet, Blushes and Brushes by @rowofstars, Marked by Fate by @thescholarlystrumpet, A Life Unexpected by @charmedrumbelle, Tune As Old As Song by @sarashouldbestudying, Escaping the Heat by @junoinferno, The Nanny by @thatravenclawbitch, Break the Chain by @dreatine, Operation Labrador by @whitesheepcbd, The Thing That’s Killing Me by notalwayslate, Bad Timing by @thestraggletag, In Time by @thenaughtyscandalousscorpio, Hunting Treasure by @spottytonguedog,  Belle’s Lost Toy by @anneelliotscat

Rumbelle Revelry: The Beauty and the Tragedy by still-searching47, In the Shadows by thestraggletag, The Lighthouse by @winterswanderlust, Madness is White by @13callieb, A Safe Place by lotus0kid, In the Depths by applejackcat

Mantis’ Menagerie (will be known as May Day Menagerie from 2017 on): Finding Home by @thecompletebookworm, Adrift by thestraggletag, Calling the Ocean Home by @villainsarebetter, Harborside by @minticetea

Monthly Rumbelle (Non-smut): A Fresh Start by @woodelf68, Trick or Treat by woodelf68, New Message by worryinglyinnocent, Transposing Digits by still-searching47, Proposals and Hurricanes by thedarkcheessmaster (or was this smut?)

Monthly Rumbelle (Smut): Poppet by woodelf68, Reflections by woodelf68, Unwind by worryinglyinnocent, Cave of Wonders by worryinglyinnocent,

Great Rumbelle Blow Off: The Blow Job by @standbyyourmantis, Love In An Elevator by @xxlovesuicide61xx, Slings and Arrows by @rowofstars, Spinner’s Helper by @ishtarelishiba, Head over Heels by @theplasticview, Here, Tonight by @rufeepeach, Fall on Your Knees by @thescholarlystrumpet

Rumbelle is Hope: Family Tree by @ishtarelishiba, Spinner’s Wife by ishtarelishiba, Better than A Dog Or Cat by @ifishouldvanish, The Final Rose by standbyyourmantis, Late Night Snack by @mrsstiltskin, Slow As by ishtarelishiba

CHARACTER AWARDS

Best Dark One!Belle: The Sweetheart Deal by little-inkstone

Dark One: Thrall by little-inkstone, Turning the Page by lotus0kid,

Best Belle: Irish Twins by winterswanderlust

Best Mr. Gold: The Perfect Year by worryinglyinnocent,, Irish Twins by winterswanderlust

Best Spinner!Rumple: Spinner’s Wife by ishtarelishiba, Downside Up by lotus0kid, the Queen’s Request by b-does-the-write-thing, the Sweetheart Deal by little-inkstone,  Homecoming by rowofstars

Best Woobie!Rum: from Locked out:Final Run by worryinglyinnocent, Dog Days by itsclydebitches, cockroach!Rumpel by bad-faery, tortoise!rumpel by bad-faery, Bad Timing by thestraggletag, Random Acts of Sanctuary by @natashavonlecter​

Best OC: Jenny from Accidental Magic by woodelf68, the imps from Beneath the Skin by @gwenore​

Best Rumbelle Child: Jenny from Accidental Magic by woodelf68, Gideon from Higher by woodelf68, empath!Gideon from Father and Son by callafallon

Art

Best Graphic Art: Gif sets, photo sets, etc.: Rumpel and the white cat by @rumplestiltskin

Best Fan Art: You feed the madness by @wackos-everywhere, Skin Derps! by @delintthedarkone, I like to watch the wheel by @wackos-everywhere,  ‘There. I fixed it’ (Rumpel with baby Gideon) by @cocoadrops​, Adorable by @licieoic​, Mr and Mrs Gold by @allicamallison, A Glimpse of the Darkness by @rumpleantares, Mr Gold by @ifishouldvanish (alternating b/w & colored art)

Best Comic/Graphic Novel: Winter Wonderland by @delintthedarkone, So smol! by @kamdensl, I want my Bell back by @mercisnm, Warm Rumple by mercisnm, 

Best Artist: @cocoadrops, @klorobenzene, @licieoic

BEST AUTHOR: @rufeepeach, @still-searching47, @lotus0kid, Nym ( @wibblywobblywritery), @worryinglyinnocent,

BEST RUMBELLE FIC: An Unknown Road by lotus0kid

BEST ANYELLE FIC: Feast for the Senses by @bad-faery, Under My Skin by still-searching47, Not All Who Wander by @barpurplewrites, Story as Old As Video by still-searching47, Fall On Your Knees by thescholarstrumpet, Spilt Milk: Rush meets the keeper of the cows again by worryinglyinnocent, First Time on a Unicorn: Rush and Belle’s Second Time by worryinglyinnocent

Newbie Spotlight: still-searching47, @gwenore, @nirvigedearie, @theoneandonlylittlebird