#✗ edward teach (mountain of a man)

[mmmerlenoir]

I wasn't tagged, but I wanna do this. 🙃😊

"Make a poll with five of your all time favorite characters and then tag five people to do the same."

5 is not enough 🙈 but here we go. I'm tagging @taeneth @janora00 @soupbtch.. and everyone who wants to do this ♡

[neverhangd]

character tag dump.

[kawaiibarty]

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR OBSESSION WITH XENO/GIVE ME HEADCANONS. I BEG.

XENOPHILIUS LOVEGOOD UABDJSNS

absolutely cannot be arsed with gender. if you asked him what he was he'd probably laugh at you and say that he's an elf.

the most gorgeous silvery, curly, cascading locks that literally glimmer. like edward cullen type shit

he's creepily tall and albino with the biggest, brightest blue eyes with this sort of red hue ARGH

i like to hc him as visually impaired because of albinism 😔

his voice is really deep and it surprises people whenever he talks because woah you don't sound like a forest fairy because you look like one mf

pearls, silver rings, gemstones, sea shells, doilies, tomes of the most arcane shit, paintings everywhere

oH i like to see him as a painter because i remember that the ceiling of lunas room was covered in paintings of her friends and i love love the idea of xeno being the one to teach her that skill.

his favourite things to paint were ocean landscapes and the mountain skyline.

his best subjects were astronomy and arithmancy

SKETCHBOOKS UGHHHHHH this man was obsessed with art !!!! but decided to pursue a career as a journalist because he loved writing stories about different kinds of magical creatures and he NEEDED everyone to know about them all

his favourite magical creatures were unicorns, thestrals and sirens

an only child and halfblood wizard

makes his own jewellery (that's how he and pandora bonded and then they discovered that they both loved all things whimsical and cryptic BOOM THE CUTEST FUCKING COUPLE EVER LIKE OMF XENODORA WILL ALWAYS BE ENDGAME TO ME)

norwegian/british

ALWAYS BRAIDED HIS HAIR IN THAT NORSE VIKING WAY

he's so beautiful omg

wait im rambling now im sorry

[stillxnunpxidintern]

A little medieval au thought I had a while ago and wrote this.

Roger and Rouge are King & Queen of a little Kingdom with both Shanks and Buggy as their adopted son while Ace is the heir to the Kingdom as neither Shanks or Buggy wished to be next King.

However when Ace was but a babe he was kidnapped from his cot in the middle of the night to be held for ransom but while escaping across the boarders into the another Kingdom, the kidnapper was attacked and during that Ace was lost in the forest, crying loudly.

He was eventually found by a young Makino, who took him with herself up the mountain to where Dadan lived. She agreed to look after Ace till his parents could be found, not knowing he was a prince and had been kidnapped.

When no one came forward to get him, Dadan raised him and upon seeing his spade like birthmark and thought about playing cards, coincidentally named him Ace.

Once Ace was old enough to travel to village where Makino lived, Dadan would send him down to run errands & help out a well teaching him how hunting.

All that time, Roger and Rouge never gave up on their child returning to them and still sent men out when they heard of rumours, however they need an heir so they named Shanks as their heir, who took this new responsible on his shoulders but really hoped that his youngest brother would return, he really didn't want to heir.

During his time living in the mountains he met a blonde boy name Sabo, who ran away from home and that how Ace gained a brother and when both boys were 8, Luffy had been dropped of by his grandfather who was an old friend of Dadan, as both his father and grandfather were worried that he would targeted for their positions/roles.

It didn't take long for the boys to become thick as thieves and then proclaimed that they were sworn brother having stolen some alcohol from Dadan.

Over the next 10 years, the brother honed their fighting and sneaking skills, as they would sometimes head to the next town over and fight thugs/anyone causing problems.

Both Ace and Sabo left when they were 18, Ace having heard stories from the villagers he decided that he wanted to join Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate army, a Duke and General of a neighbouring kingdom. While Sabo went and joined Dragon guild/organization after hearing & reading about what he does.

Having heard the stories of Whitebeard, Ace wanted to see if the man really lived up to his name, so as soon as he could Ace began demanding to face Whitebeard to see if the old man actually lived up to his reputation.

It took a few days of Ace demanding to fight with Whitebeard before he showed up and accepted Ace challenge. It went on for a fair few hours before Whitebeard had Ace on the ground, his naginate pointed at his throat.

Ace yielded with no other option and then told the Duke that he lived up to his reputation. After that every time Whitebeard came by Ace would try to attack him but was always ended up with naginate at his throat.

Soon Ace quickly rose through the ranks till he was offer the position of commander of Whitebeard 2nd division. It took him a while to accept the position as he felt he was still too new and someone who had been there longer would be suited better.

The people who were in the 2nd division told him to accept it as he has shown how hard of a worker he was and proven himself that the position of commander of 2nd was prefect for him. Hearing them all say they were happy to have him as Commander, Ace accepted the position.

For the next two year Ace proved himself over and over again to be the right choice for Commander of the 2nd division. Whitebeard told Ace that he was proud of him and asked the young commander to accompany him with a few of the other commanders to an event being held by old friends in another Kingdom.

The others commanders liked and enjoyed having him as a commander, though some of them would stare at Ace as if they trying to place him somewhere as there was just something about that him felt familiar but they could never figure out why.

While at the event Ace had expected to be introduced to new people by Whitebeard and make connections, what he hadn't been expecting is to be tackle the ground by Queen Rouge while walking through the palace gardens, the day after the event.

Ace was very confused and tried to calm the Queen down but it didn't work so he was had to wait till Whitebeard came who was happening to be talking to the king. Roger was able to coax his wife off of Ace but she refused to let Ace leave her sight.

Both King and Duke were at a lose for words, as they had never seen Rouge like that before and when Roger asked her about, she was blunt and pointed at Ace, saying she waited 20 years and she wasn't going to let him leave again.

Hearing that Roger knew what she meant and looked at her before asking if she was sure to which Rouge told him she knew that face as she stared at it every day, this only difference was it was black not blonde hair staring back this time.

Roger looked over at the young man and realised what his wife meant, and wanted nothing more to embrace the young but seeing the confusion over his face made the King stop himself. He looked at Whitebeard and asked if the two of them would come to his personal study in an hour to talk. Rouge tried to object to this but Roger was able to sooth his wife and said it was okay he would be back soon enough.

Whitebeard gave a nod and guided Ace away from the the couple back inside. Once it was just Roger and Rouge in the garden he wrapped his arms around his wife and held her close, as they came to realise that after 20 years they were close to having their son back.

In that hour Whitebeard explained to Ace the event that Rouge had been talking about and that had left Ace at a lose as to what to say, he had heard something about it when he was child but never paid any attention to it cause it didn't interest him.

When the four of them were in the Rogers personal study, Ace felt uncomfortable as both Roger and Rouge stared at him, but Whitebeard was standing behind him, with hand on his shoulder to reassure him.

Whitebeard is the one that broke the silence in the room, asking if there was anyway to confirm if Ace was indeed their son. Rouge then spoke of a birthmark that was in the shape of spade, that you would find on playing cards, on the left hip.

Upon hearing about the birthmark Ace froze, no one but Dadan, Luffy and Sabo knew about his birthmark, so to hear the Queen described shook him and couldn't get his mind around what this could potentially mean.

It became quiet again or least to Ace it was as his thoughts were so loud in his head it was stopping any other words from reaching him. He was brought out of his thoughts when Whitebeard gripped Ace shoulder very firmly and called his in a tone that made the young man react instantly.

He tried to stand but the hand on his shoulder stopped him so Ace looked up at him as Whitebeard asked him if was back with them again, and got a nod that he was. Ace was then asked if he had a birthmark that they described and he hesitated for a moment before looking at both King and Queen, giving a them a nod.

Both Roger and Rogue looked at him with hope shining in their eyes, as they asked if was possible to see it for themselves. Ace obliged and pulled the side of his trousers down where his birthmark was showed them it.

Upon seeing the birthmark, Rouge was up and in front of Ace, this was her son, stolen from her and lost for 20 years. She took his face in hand and smiled at him, welcoming him home at long last. Roger quickly joined and wrapped his arms around both wife & son, and hugged them both tightly.

The door of the study was quickly pushed open making a bang as two people entered, Shanks and Buggy the adopted sons of the Royal Couple, who looked out of breath as they looked at scene in front of them, with wide eyes as they're told Ace had returned to them.

Whitebeard smiled and made his excuse to leave, leaving the newly reunited family to themselves knowing there was going to be a lot for them to catch up on. The Duke chuckle to himself at the thought of telling his commanders why Ace looked so familiar.

Over the next few weeks Ace could seen with one of his family as they learnt about each other and how he grew up as well as his other brothers and adopted mother.

With how Ace spoke about his other family and smiling widely when he did Rouge had mentioned that she would like them. While missing out on most of his life, she was glad he had got to having a loving family and like to thank them for loving her son.

Over the weeks that Ace stayed in his home kingdom, it was discussed on what would happen with him now. Ace didn't want to leave being a commander for Whitebeard just yet so they came to the agreement that once Ace turns 25 then he returned to take up his royal duties and be crowned heir.

So while he got to stay with Whitebeard till he was 25, he was write often and come home when he could.

With everything settled for now, Rouge turned to the thought of potential partners for Ace. Hearing that both Shank and Buggy gave him a look that basically said 'good luck with that/You poor thing' but thankfully Roger was able to persuade her to hold off on that for now, which Ace was grateful for.

When Ace did finally bring Dadan, Luffy and Sabo to meet his newly found family and upon first meeting Rouge decided that they were also family now and enjoyed talking to Dadan about Ace and what he like growing up.

Seeing how Ace was with Luffy and Sabo made her heart feel so much lighter, at seeing how carefree was he was and just how much each of them loved each other.

While Rouge and Roger mourned missing out on watching their son grow in to the young man he was now, they were happy with how it had turned out as they got him back as well his brothers and adopted mother which brought them both more joy.

[reddeaddamnation]

What kind of girl would the assassin’s like in terms of appearance/looks & personality? I would like Arno, Ezio, Connor, Altair, Edward, Jacob etc.

Arno would like a gentle, feminine soul who's love language is touching and kissing. An educated girl who loves adventure so they can experience new things and travel around together, meaning she has to be open minded too. Love for the arts is also a big turn on for him, as he runs a cafe for that sort of thing. In terms of looks, he isn't picky. Would just like someone who is preferrably shorter than him and have wavy/curly hair.

Ezio on the other hand wants a challenge. Someone who would play hard to get so he will impress her. He also likes a bit of a rebellious soul who is ready to bend the rules of society so they can have fun together. And someone who is ok with corny jokes and laughs at them because he has a whole lot of them. He loves a curvy girl with lots of assets in typical rennaissance fashion.

Connor loves a free spirit who enjoys nature because really, he wouldn't be ok with a city dweller. He thrives when he is surrounded by the beauty of nature so his girl should enjoy walks in the forest or a hike in the mountains to enjoy a pretty view. He would also like someone who when talking says meaningful things instead of small talk or superficial stuff. He is not the kind to have preferred looks. He falls for the soul.

Altair wants someone who supports him and makes him want to do better. In a world where he is only critizised, a supportive partner who actually explains his mistakes without banishing him is a breath of fresh air. He would like someone who is like him - doesn't talk much, isn't needlessly a clown and is more on the laid back side but not reckless. One of them is enough. In terms of looks, he doesn't really care because his culture isn't one to teach you to go for looks first. But he does like deep set eyes with a unique color.

Edward would be thrilled by a flamboyant beauty who can fight and drink like a man. There's just more opportunities to have fun than him changing himself and his routines to fit the standard of a more laid back woman. He can't sit in one place for long so taking a sailor girl who can handle herself on his voyages is easier than having to wait excrutiating months of uncertainty and worrying about her wellbeing before seeing her again by his logic. And if it is meant, they can settle down together when they want. He likes a well toned body with curves and...big valuable assets...

Jacob isn't really picky to be honest. If a girl is like his sister, then of course he would like her. He loves his sister and if someone like her comes along, then why not? She is a great person in his eyes even if her constant criticism is annoying to him and if his girl is like her then they will be great friends so that's a double win. But he definitely would like a girl with whom he can cause trouble with all the time.

[mission2mordor]

Where the Wild Mustangs Roam

Western AU

Outlaw!Eddie Munson x Haunted Barkeep!Steve Harrington

Word count: 11.7K

Playlist

Summary:

Eddie Munson, Outlaw, rides into Hawkins one day on a mission, with a plan in mind. . .

. . . Everything goes out the window when he stumbles into a mystery he struggles to solve.

Read the teaser below!

Everyone this side of the west has heard about the wild mustangs that roam the fields and run free where the mountains meet the moon in the early hours of the night, but not many have ever caught wind of one, let alone tame one.

Those who have are often loners. Tumbleweeds with no path or seed to weigh them down. Empty as a husk but filled with just as much emotion as their wounds are with dirt.

Eddie’s always believed the west was meant to be his home. Some people grow up and move off to bigger towns up north or out east. Not him. Not ever. That doesn’t mean he lived by the book and the word, though. He follows his own rules. The only person he ever had any inkling of obeying was lost a few years back. He lives for him now, the legend that Wayne Munson was (and still is) to him.

See, the lifestyle Eddie lives isn’t exactly one that can be learned without a little…extended guidance, so to speak. Thank you, Uncle Wayne, for all that he knows. Truly. No seriously, Eddie is incredibly grateful to Wayne for teaching him how to live without fear, and how to be sneaky. For making him learn to be tougher than the railroad nails and quicker than the wind itself. For teaching him how to get by. For loving him. He’ll cry if he dwells on it any longer.

Eddie sits atop a log at his campsite, watching the fire blow and fiddling with his harmonica as he listens to the coyotes cry to the moon and yip at all the creatures who have yet to turn in for the night. Watches as the orange flames lick at the top of his roasting spit (read: stick wrapped in wet cloth) as the night drags. Listens to the foxes laugh and the vultures circle in the distance. There’s a buffalo herd not seven hundred and some feet from him. He thinks about them, how they travel with everything they’ll ever need and yet they carry nothing but the shaggy mess of hair on their backs. To the right of the fire, a pot of canned food sits, cooling quicker by the second, even in the muggy desert night air. The tent behind him has long since been abandoned for the night, and he debated taking it down before morning and riding out. Leaves it because he knows he’ll crash at some point. There’s a bottle of jack at his feet, a canteen to his left, and a loaded Apache revolver on his hip. His horse grazes at the stray grass next to him, silently leaving Eddie to his own devices.

The midnight hours are approaching, blanketing the red dirt with a sinfully empty dark blue aside from the stars, and the mountains in the distance meet the horizon in a kiss of melded oranges and blacks, just from what Eddie can see with his piss-poor little fire. His hat hangs over his eyes, legs crossed in front of the fire, boots barely avoiding the lick of the bright orange flames. His flannel unbuttoned and buckle undone to wind down for the night. A desert coyote cries as Eddie looks up at the stars, and he swigs some of his jack, chasing it with water and standing to retreat to his tent.

To their knowledge, Edward and Wayne Munson are the only men this side of the west to ever successfully catch and tame two Mustang stallions.

To his knowledge, Edward Munson is the only person who knows where Wayne hid the missing money from some sundowner out a ways on the tracks.

And to his knowledge, he’s the last man standing in a long line of untouchable legends among the west.

[jrwi-art-archive]

Directionary:

(dividers by @cafekitsune )

Tws will be tagged as #tw trigger or #trigger

Campaigns:

The fated: #campaign: fated

Convergence: #campaign: convergence

Riptide and Black Rose Oneshot: #campaign: riptide

Prime Defenders and Age of Heroes Oneshot: #campaign: pd

Apotheosis: #campaign: apotheosis

Blood in the Bayou: #campaign: bitb

The Suckening: #campaign: suckening

Wonderlust: #campaign: wonderlust

Judgement: #campaign: judgement

Mythborne: #campaign: mythborne

Paradise Chronicles: #oneshot: paradise chronicles

Monster Control Service: #oneshot: monster control service

The final Episode: #oneshot: the final episode

Twitch Chat Oneshot: #oneshot: twitch chat

Player Characters:

The Fated:

#Br’aad Vengolor

#Sylnan Vengolor

#Velrisa

#Taxi

#Mountain

Convergence:

#Alastyr Cross

#Flynn Gustwind

#Kasper

#Kroe Wyse

Riptide:

#Gillion Tidestrider

#Jay Ferin

#Chip

#Goobleck

#Doppelgillion (all Doppelgillion posts will be tagged as Gillion as well)

Black Rose:

#Drey Ferin

#Finn Tidestrider

#Arlin James

Prime Defenders:

#Dakota Cole

#William Wisp

#Vyncent Sol

Age of Heroes:

#Ms. G

#Harlem Shade

#Jason King

Apotheosis:

#Peter Sqloint

Rumi/any of their other forms: #Rumi

#Thanatos

Blood in the Bayou:

#Rolan Deep

#Timothy Rand

#Kian Stone

The Suckening:

#Emizel Tucker

#Shilo Bathory

#Arthur Bennett

Wonderlust:

#Blink

#Troy Lougferd

#Runt

Total Monster Kill:

#lucia

Judgement:

#Mel

#Buck Barker

#Jaguar Joe

#Paeon Pestifus

Mythborne:

#Aster Aeliana

#Ryan Selucreh

#Connor Connors

Guest Characters:

Riptide:

#Duke D. Dukem

#Clorten

#La Alma

PD:

#Ashe Winters

The Fated:

Redd Boye

NPCs

The Fated:

#Miriam Vengolor

#Alwyn Vengolor

Riptide:

#Lizzie Lafayette

#Caspian

#Ollie Teach

#Felipe

#Alphonze

#Niklaus Hendrix

#Pretzel the Frogtopus

#Jayson Ferin

#Ava Ferin

#May Ferin

#Edyn Tidestrider

#Lunadeiys

#Aster (goddess)

#Anastasia

#Rudith

#Aslana

#Old man earl

#Zamia

#Marshall John

#Kira

#Captain Widow

#Reuben Price

#Starling

#Jasmine Drake

#Lucy the goat

#Captain Rose

#Faye Ferin

Prime Defenders:

#Le Frog

#Trickster

#Mark Winters

#Mynerva

#Lightspeed

#Summer Dileo

#Doug

#Tide Lambert

#Mark Winters

#Cantrip

#Xavier

#Alan

#Alastyr Cross

#Anna Sol

#Mr. Wisp

#Janet Wisp

#Alaska Damascus

#Wordsmith

#Bookworm

#Grandma Cole

#Mato Cole

#Alexander Hamilton

#Rosemary

#Finger

#Handjob

#Flow

#Peelbert

#Unnamed Hero

#Diana Shane

#Dave

#David Bell

#Mallard Conway

#Clarence Albert

#ram

#Bobo

Apotheosis:

#Lizard the lizard

#Yuri Dawnguard

Bitb:

#Becky Jones

#Rachel Rand

#Officer Dudes

#Rat Sanders

#Sarah Thompson

#Jesse

#Barcode the dog

The Suckening:

#Theo Collins //(soda)

#Void the cat

#Pepper the cat

#Pickles the pheasant

#Grefgore

#Uncle Lazarus

#Deacan Keller

#Queen Bathory (stand-in tag)

#Edward Twilight

#Viv Weylin

#Vex Weylin

#Mary Davis

Wonderlust:

#uncle threestrings

#aeon

#overseer

#ripley

#pinch

Ships

(all ship-art will be tagged with #jrwi shipping!)

(i will tag ships if op also tagged a ship)

Riptide:

Gillion x Chip: #Fish and Chips

Gillion x Jay: #Navyseal

Jay x Chip: #Mockingjay

Caspian x Gillion: #Swordfish

Ava x Lizzie: #Waning Crescent

Jay x Lizzie: #Pistolwhip

Jay x Anastasia: #Bloodshot

Jay x Edyn: #Sheshells

Jay x Chip x Gillion: #Poly Pirates

Chip x Niklaus: #Fools Gold

Chip x Queen: #Chiptune

Niklaus x Caspian: #Wishingpool

Chip x Jazz: #Scarlet Captains

Caspian x Lizzie: #Rosewater

Goobleck x Felipe: #Gummyfrog

PD:

Dakota x William: #ghostkicks

Dakota x Ashe: #demonkicks

Vyncent x William: #ghostknife

Summer x Cantrip: #suntrip

Apotheosis:

Rumi x Peter: #Angelstone

Bitb:

Rand x Rolan: #Keeperschampion

Rand x Rolan x Kian: #Nbr

Becky x Kian: #heartstrings

The Suckening:

Emizel x Soda: #fizzfangs

Shilo x Grefgore: #armored pheasant

Arthur x Deacon: #gothgun

Crossover:

William x Chip: #Flying Dutchman

Types of media

digital art: #digital

traditional art: #traditional

#webweave

#fanfic

#collage

#crochet

#video (animations, animatics etc. I don’t really want to judge what counts as animation/animatic so I will tag everything with #video, including gifs)

#stimboard (I know that stimboards aren’t usually considered art, but i like them so I’m gonna include them on this blog. for consistency’s sake i’ll tag stimboard makers artist:*insert name*)

Misc

#crossover (includes crossovers between campaigns and between jrwi and other media)

#official art

#jrwi au

#jrwi freak week

AUs/Crossovers

#pokemon

#ponies

#cats

#vampires

#fnaf

#marvel

#tma (the magnus archives)

#trolls

#spiderverse (will also be tagged as marvel)

#marvel

#superheroes

#undertale

#mermaids

(wip)

[cononeillbreastingboobily]

I think Izzy has a deep appreciation for the finer things. It just looks different than the way Stede or even Ed approach them.

It's in the way he gently puts down the miniature ship from Stede's room, where he could've very easily break it. It's in the way he keeps his hair pushed back, his clothing always neat and elegant.

It's obviously just a headcanon, but I think that growing up Izzy's family wasn't well-off, at least not most of the time. Perhaps he grew up in a modest upbringing where discipline and modesty were drilled into his head all the time. Perhaps he spent his childhood and adolescence longingly staring at beautiful things in displays of the shops in the town where he grew up, feeling pangs of guilt over wanting things his family would call "frivolous".

Perhaps his family stepped into wealth quite suddenly, and all but Izzy himself became drunk with money. Perhaps their nouveau riche way of being made Izzy despise people who overindulge in the goods around them. Perhaps that was all the more reason for him to become a pirate - he imagined living rough, wearing ragged clothes and eating any scraps he manages to catch.

But then, the most extraordinary thing happened. An Edward Teach appeared on his path, a man who came from a background even more modest than his own, but completely lacking Izzy's guilt over indulging in the finer things in life.

Ed insisted that Izzy wear nice clothes, and Izzy didn't protest when, after looting a ship of vacationing aristocrats, he was handed a mountain of clothes, and tasked with choosing something nice for himself.

The ring on his tie was a personal touch from Ed. Izzy didn't protest.

So that was fine. Edward liked fine things, and Izzy liked Edward, whether he realised it or not.

But then - Stede.

A man so deeply reminding him of his own family as if he did it just to anger Izzy specifically.

He surrounded himself with beauty simply because he could and did things on a whim, and Edward loved that.

And it was Izzy's personal hell.

[friendlyperson123]

Song Of The Manutu!!!

We call unto Manutu Child

Where the mountains touch the sky

Manutu is the source of STRENGTH

And our priestly guide

Sister teaches Manutu truth

So bright is her array

She Hath taken dark of night

And turned it into day

The Celestial Union of the Blacks

Rewarded with Manutu Child

Brings forth cosmic Unity

And purifies all humans defiled

[storycollectorstash]

New Blood

Chapter 6: Deaths and Tourneys

The following days the kingdom was bustling. A tourney to honor the new Hand of the King was about to commence and Andorra had to make herself more presentable than usual. 

After all many families of Westeros would be attending. So a good time for them to see what she has to offer. 

Edward was not happy. He was furious at Andorras decision to give her hand in marriage to one they would find suitable, so he took what power he had and asked the king if a tournament for her hand could take place. This was he can access all those who wish to marry the princess were true to their words and not one’s looking to claim their throne. 

Robert agreed and said he would announce the tournament at the tourney later that day. 

Andorra was with Sansa while getting ready. Andorra promised Sansa to put up her hair in a Polina style as she promised and Andorra was right. The hair style complimented Sansa red hair and gave her a more mature look. 

Andorra smiled at the girls enthusiasm when she saw her face in the mirror. 

“It looks wonderful! you must teach my handmaidens to do this!” Sansa says admiring her hair

“I can have my friends teach them. It may look simple but when you first learn it can be a challenge.” Andorra explains as she pulls out a hair pin from when she was Sansas age. 

“Here, you can wear this too.” Andorra says showing Sansa the small but beautiful hair pin. 

It was in the shape of a blooming rose and had small little jewels embedding the outside giving it a ethereal effect. 

“It’s so beautiful. You should wear it, after all I’m not the one looking for a husband” Sansa teased as the princess rolled her eyes. 

“Yes, your right, however.” Andorra paused bringing out a golden hair stick with pearl white flowers and light turquoise stones hanging off the end 

“I will be wearing this. My mother wore it when she and my father got betrothed. I consider it good luck to wear it if i ever had to find love.” Andorra told as he girl gushed at the small story 

“Well then i guess if i must, i can wear the pin” Sansa says sarcastically as Andorra gave a small laugh and told the girl to turn around 

She pinned the rose right at the curve of her braid giving it the illusion that the pin is holding everything together.

A knock at the door was heard, 

“My ladies, it is time,” Sansa handmaiden says as the girls exited the doors and head out to the tourney. Edward and Andorra had seats near the King and Sansa was in front view of the jousts. 

King Robert stood up and raised his mug. 

“Today we celebrate a new hand to the Kingdom!” He says as everyone cheered and went quiet again 

“But, I have a very important announcement!” He says gesturing for Andorra to stand 

“In a months time, Princess of Andorra is giving her hand in marriage to solidify the alliance between Westeros and Polina. Her hand will be won by a tournament of arms looked over by Prince Edward.” Roberts says as everyone began to mutter about 

“One more thing, they must be from a prominent house that has pledged loyalty to the main houses of our land from the Starks of Winterfell to the Tyrells of High Garden. So prepare yourselves and let the jousts begin!” He shouted as the tourney was now in full swing. 

Knight after knight would go against each other in a sometimes gruesome scene. 

Many would be looking at Andorra too distracted to notice they had lost. It both annoyed and amused the princess. But her eyes would often look at Sandor stoic gaze after the jousts to see if he would have any reaction. So far nothing until the proclaimed ‘flower knight’ Sansa has raved about was going against the Mountain. Sandor brother. 

He was a large man even bigger than his brother. Andorra hoped he wouldn’t be in the tournament. She heard of his brutality on and off the battlefield. Something felt off about the battle. 

The mountains horse was acting erratic before the joust and when they had the signal to go the horse was the reason to his defeat. 

Outraged he took a sword to the horses neck ending its life. Andorra had to close her eyes at the picture and when she heard a cry she saw the man going after Ser Loras. The men man a round trip around the jousting field until Robert called for it to stop. Sandor quickly jumped in front of Gregory’s blade and blocked it, saving the knights life. The 2 battled as Andorra watched in both horror and anticipation. She prayed to any god to hope Sandor would survive the fight. 

“That’s enough!” The king cried as Sandor quickly knelt as Gregory’s sword barley missed his head making Andorra jump out of her seat. 

“Gregor, you have lost! Off with you. Let’s return to the jousting this fighting is a bore” The King says as everyone cheered and the tourney started up once again. 

“Now that we have that settled bring out the next round!” The king shouted as Sandor got off his knee as Ser Loras approached the man 

“I owe you my life Ser” He says putting his hand on Sandors shoulder 

“I’m no Ser” he gruffly says to the ‘flower night’ 

“You should be, what is your name?” He asked as Sandor rolled his eyes 

“Call me The Hound” He says not wanting the knight to shout his name

“I thank you, To The Hound!” He says raising his arm as the crowd cheered, Sansa stood up and clapped as Andorra looked at Sandors face of annoyance and clapped at he made eye contact. 

She nodded her head as he was brought back up to stand behind the king and herself. 

After the eventful day Everyone was back in the castle enjoying a feast with all the participants of the joust. Andorra and Edward were conversing with a few of the winners, no doubt trying to talk to the eligible princess but to meet the possible King of Polina. Andorra noticed Sandor brooding with a cup of wine in the corner watching all the knights and ladies flirt and chat amongst themselves. 

“Pardon me, I wish to congratulate the Hound, its been a pleasure to talk with you both” Andorra says smoothly as she made her way across the hall to the tall man. 

Leaning against the wall with him she saw him side eye her as he took a long drink of his cup until it was empty 

“I believe a congratulations is in order hm?” Andorra asked as Sandor remained silent 

“I mean after all you saved ‘The Prince of Flowers’. What an accomplishment,” Andorra sarcastically says causing a smirk to break on Sandors face. 

“Well it wasn’t the only eventful thing today. How are the knights of Kingslanding treating the most eligible princess in a hundred miles” Sandor retorts back causing Andorra to smile and laugh a bit 

“Oh just grand! You know every lady loves when men talk to you and are looking at everything but your face” She says seeing a few knights in a group looking at her and smiling. 

“That’s what happens when the King announces your possibility of being married off” Sandor says grabbing the pitcher of wine from a passing maid and another glass off of a near by table.

“Here, wine will make half these pricks look somewhat decent” He says pouring Andorra a cup of dark wine. This caused Andorra to laugh

“So, is that why King is always drunk when he goes to bed?” Andorra shot back causing Sandor to choke on his wine. He quickly recovered and swallowed it as he wiped his face. He grinned at the woman. 

“So not only can you fight with a sword, your good a jokes as well?” He asks as she slyly grinned at Sandor 

“Hey, we all have our secrets, You have the story behind the scar, and I have my dark sense of humor” Andorra says as Edward waved her over. Gulping down the rest of the wine she winked at Sandor before departing 

“Duty calls” She says as she made her way back to her brother as Sandor watched her figure walk away.

“Seven hells, I’m hooked” he says to himself as he pours another glass of wine 

[phoenixduelist]

He was good and honorable. She knew he wouldn't strike first with her back half turned. Part of her mused whenever she would've been able to parry if he had. Brief surprise at the help she didn't ask for, she was perfectly capable of hauling Edward out, even with more delicacy too, simply she was still...not well enough mentally to care for such finesse. Therefore Rozália didn't protest, her one handed grip not faltering the slightest, quietly telling that she may be lighting fast, she also carried significant strength as well.

The smile cracking across her previously stone set features at the last sentence was unexpected.

“I would prefer to sort that issue out with a duel, if it happens.” like hell she would be tied down again “But I would be bringing my sabers for that.” her words light, her faith in her own crew unshakeable. A week and Ed will be jumping around like he's twenty again.

Then it hit her. The casual air, tone of the whole situation. Izzy's firm but practiced hold to not cause damage but still being secure. Not the first nor the second time he's doing this.

“You deserve so much more.” ...oh she said that out loud, didn't she? Edward unceremoniously dropped to the hardwood by her end, it felt wrong to say while in physical contact with him.

“If...If you ever had enough of this, the dismissal, the disrespect, the half plans leading to borderline suicide; I will always have a place for you on the Vihar.”

“Something definitely isn't right with me either, I'm not denying that. But I protect my own even if it costs my life. I haven't lost anyone since I started four years ago. The crew likes and respects you too. They definitely can fight and what Árpád and Botond couldn't teach them about sailing, you could. And I think Marcell would be relieved to not be first mate.” the offer bold and borderline outrageous, asking a lot “This isn't a one time offer. Any time you decide it's my crew you want, I will be waiting. The offer will always be open, no matter what. I trust you enough to let you into my family.”

The last sentence was heavy, warm with the first sign of vulnerability she has ever shown throughout months. She loved her crew, her family and would gladly die for them. Yet she offered an escape, safety, as if Izzy too had been sailing with them since they began their bloody journey. Her emotions under control once more as she resumed carrying the other unconscious Captain out of the smoke filled cabin.

“Marcell! Get that plank!” Rozália didn't waste a moment, yelling across ships as swinging over was now extremely crossed from the list of options of how to get him across. The mountain of a first mate managed the task easily, wood creaking slightly under his weight

“It will hold!” Árpád confirmed after a short assessment

“Not like a sack of potatoes. He's injured, internal bleeding, not caused by me, we don't know whenever sword or gunshot wound, nor if it has an exit would or not.” she explained quickly, motioning to set him down now to Izzy. That's when Marcell saw the finger shaped bruises and moved automatically.

“No. Stand down.” Rozália was smaller with less muscle, yet the collision with his body didn't push her back too much

“Not what you're thinking. Not that way. And I...dealt with it.” her hold on his shoulder firm and calming “I am alright. He's not.” she moved from her previous position; unbreakable trust.

“No, you're not.” Marcell grunted, but at least he didn't look like his only desire was to strangle the man “Can I?” the question aimed for Izzy “Promise I won't hurt him. Not throwing into the sea too.” he was starting to crouch, ready to carefully collect the man

“Oh one thing!” Rozy turned on her heels to face the curious onlookers of the Queen Anne “If this ship sails without Edward on it, I will hunt you down and slaughter all of you.”

“Enjoy the vacation.”

Ears trained to hear the slightest sign of approaching danger, the small dagger thrown by pure instinct, missing the First Mate although narrowly. A quieter noise from her throat, her head splitting as if something was prying it apart from the inside.

“A kurva apád retkes FASZÁT, hogy a világrabaszott, te szarházi faszkalap; hogy hagynálak inkább megdögleni a picsába!!” (Your whore of a father's slimy DICK, that he fucked you into the world, you dickhead son of a bitch; I should just let you fucking die)

The Hungarian Captain cursed as if summoning otherowordly forces, his blood still on her forehead and knee, right hand vibrating with phantom pain mixing with real one, adding to her looser grip on reality.

“Tudom, nem úgy látszik, de éppen segítek.” (I know it doesn't look like that, but I am currently helping.) Rozália turned to Izzy with a frustrated sigh. He was good. Good enough to skewer her if she's not fully in control of her mind. Then realized

“Wrong tongue. Language; fuck.” and she was suddenly really tempted to give the unconscious Edward one last kick to the ribs

“So. This idiot has been and is bleeding out; not because of me. Tried to get him to my ship because I don't trust this crew at all when it comes to internal injuries- fuck that, I don't trust this runt of a crew the slightest and should've set the whole ship on fire when I had the chance during that clash. But you already knew that, don't you?” Rozália sighed; only respected Izzy and Edward was her...friend on this ship

“The point is, I didn't kill him.” with that, instead of drawing swords, she reached down to start unceremoniously dragging Blackbeard out of the cabin by his beloved leathers IN THE FUCKING CARIBBEAN.

A small cry, her mind still having trouble deciding how much of the pain in her right was actually real, resulting in dropping the man from the jolt. With a snarl she continued where she left off with her left instead.

“Yet.”

[knowlesian]

my last post and the shameless mountain goats reference i threw in there got me thinking about one of my favorite story beats, because it combines a lot of character work and thematic oomph in one: ed being a victim of his own legend and ability to protect himself by hiding in plain sight + codeswitch into the version of himself that best suits the company/situation he’s in, in many ways but often most visibly through his interactions with izzy.

my take on “is blackbeard real or fake” has always been “yes”; blackbeard is pieces of ed filtered and strained and assembled and pruned down in ways that scarred him even as they kept him safe, in ways that are very sad and often stretching the definition of safe as far as ed’s personal definition of murder. nonetheless: it got him to the place he's at, still alive. could he have done it another way? who knows! that was the way he did it, it's the way he knows will work because it did work.

or: he thinks he knows that. but the legend was never all of ed and in fact demanded he spotlight pieces of himself he doesn't like so much a lot and repress a lot of the things that make him feel good, it’s not helping/hurting anymore. it’s just dragging him down.

so ed is sick of the blackbeard schtick; and here’s the rub. if he’d been worse at the art of personal fuckery alongside the pirate type, maybe none of this is happening. the world never knows his name; or worse, once he gets spotted as a man who won't kill they mock it. 

that version of ed does not attract izzy ‘ask me about my boner for the sunk cost fallacy’ hands, or does not keep him. because izzy has built his identity around ed’s legend; who is blackbeard’s first mate, if there is no blackbeard? who the fuck even is izzy hands, if he’s not seated at the right hand of edward teach?

now. you would hope, in a better world, that izzy would be like you know, edward, the thing here is: you wanting something different involves emotional consequences for me. i would have to figure out my whole life over again and i am simultaneously con o’neill’s age and emotionally sixteen like the real world me was, so you can see that would be super complicated. i have so fucking much baggage and you are just adding to it, and i do not like that. also: this fucks up my work situation and my home life at once, it makes me feel sad and abandoned and itchy in ways i do not wish to label with words because they would be gay ones like ‘please don’t leave me, i love you and i thought it was mutual’ so like... world rocked, thoroughly and in ways that make me want to rant until past last call, in conclusion this sucks and i think it's twenty mistakes in a trenchcoat, some of them maybe life threatening! i wish you would not.

and then he would step back and let ed make his own fucking choices anyway and either do the work to figure himself out in the same space or finally grab those cds from the car and find his own place to do the same, because a shitty fact of adult life is sometimes people cannot be what we want or need. sometimes that is because they suck: sometimes, it’s just because they can’t or don't want to, and that isn't them being mean or withholding. they don't owe us more than the basic kindness and dignity we all owe to each other just because we put in our hours longing for them to do so. that’s some toxic, entitled shit. understandable! an impulse i share at times! but we should never be That Guy (gender neutral) because the friendzone doesn’t actually exist and nobody deserves to win someone else as a prize for hanging around long enough and driving them to the airport. that’s just called being friends, etc.

izzy is sadly currently stuck on being That Guy. so instead of realizing ed is an adult man and can make his own choices, even if izzy thinks they're bad ones, he fucking panics and starts swinging around and finally runs to big daddy england to make stede bonnet stooooooooop (messing with ed’s brain).

and of course he does something like that! he thinks a relationship is when you metaphorically own each other and when you can only be tender after putting your right foot in and then putting it out before once again putting it in and then proceeding to shake it all about, violent rituals unlock love style. he’s a desperate man in a hell entirely of his own making.

and so is ed, in this entirely different way but stuck in his own fucking orbit as firmly as izzy, only ed is trying to claw his way up and out to see what else he can be, while izzy would do juuuust about anything (including lick the king’s boots) to stay the same forever.

that’s some tragic shit. i love this writing team, the end.

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

Hallmark Reveals September Movie Lineup 

HALLMARK CHANNEL'S "FALL INTO LOVE" All premieres are at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Marry Me in Yosemite

Starring: Cindy Busby and Tyler Harlow Premieres: Saturday, Sept. 3 Zoe (Busby) is a top photojournalist who has published successful coffee table books featuring her images of iconic places. Her publisher wants her next subject to be Yosemite, so she heads west despite not being sure she can do justice to the majesty of the landscape. While there, she meets Jack (Harlow), an intriguing tour guide who opens her eyes to new possibilities as they take a journey together.

Marry Go Round

Starring: Amanda Schull and Brennan Elliott Premieres: Saturday, Sept. 10 Abby Foster (Schull) and Luke Walker (Elliott) were high school sweethearts who were married for a brief time. Many years later, Abby’s life seems perfect as she gets ready for a new life in Paris along with her soon-to-be husband, Edward. When an unexpected letter arrives throwing Abby off course, she must decide what her heart really wants.

Wedding of a Lifetime

Starring: Brooke D'Orsay and Jonathan Bennett Premieres: Saturday, Sept. 17 Darby (D’Orsay) and Jake (Bennett) are an engaged couple who have been together since their days as high school sweethearts in a close-knit mountain town. Over the years, they have found themselves in a rut and drifting apart. When their entire community nominates them to compete for an all-expenses paid wedding in a nationally televised contest, this just may be what the couple needs to rekindle their romance.

Fly Away With Me

Starring: Natalie Hall and Peter Mooney Premieres: Saturday, Sept. 24 When Angie (Hall) moves into her “no pets allowed” building, a parrot arrives unexpectedly. New neighbor Ted (Mooney) and the dog he’s secretly sitting try to help her find the bird’s owner without being caught.

HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES All premieres are 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Love's Portrait

Starring: Aubrey Reynolds and Richard McWilliams Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 4 Lily (Reynolds) is a museum curator who finds a painting that looks just like her. Lily’s search for the artist leads her to Ireland, where she meets William (McWilliams), a charming man who helps her on her quest and may also know more about the portrait’s origins than he’s letting on.

To Her, With Love

Starring: Skye P. Marshall and Tobias Truvillion with a cameo by Shanice Wilson-Knox Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 11 Kayla (Marshall) heads back to her hometown of Stansville, North Carolina, after her substitute teaching job at an elite, private high school comes to an early end. On her first day back, her loving yet inquisitive mother (Maria Howell, Hidden Figures) sets up a job interview at her high school alma mater. Kayla, who ultimately wants to get into a competitive teaching program in London, is hesitant to apply. However, when it turns out that her high school best friend Tanya (Brittany L. Smith, Sweet Magnolias) is a teacher there and she is offered the job on the spot and quickly accepts. When Kayla initially struggles to connect with her students, Jordan (Truvillion), a jack-of-all-trades teacher who is devoted to supporting underserved students, steps in to help. Though reluctant to accept his input at first, she is soon inspired to try a fresh approach to help each of her students tap into their unique artistic passions and her students begin flourishing. When Kayla learns the school may be cutting the arts department due to budget cuts, she and Jordan work together to set up a fundraising showcase, with a little help from her longtime friend Shanice Wilson-Knox. Soon, sparks are flying between Kayla and Jordan as they discover a shared love of teaching, service and Sidney Poitier movies. However, when Kayla receives some teaching opportunities that would take her away from Stansville -- and Jordan -- she finds that her heart may still have a few things to teach her about what will make her happy.

The Secrets of Bella Vista

Starring: Rachelle Lefevre and Niall Matter Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 18 Based on the book, The Apple Orchard, by Susan Wiggs. Tess Delaney (Lefevre) gets the surprising news by estate executor Damhnaic McAuley (Matter) that she has inherited half of an apple orchard from the father she never knew and has a half-sister she didn’t know about. When she visits the orchard and connects with her new-found family, she learns that the orchard is deep in debt. Using her knowledge as an antiques expert, Tess and her half-sister work to unravel the mystery of their grandmother’s “treasure” that could hold the key to saving the orchard. And, in the process, Tess ultimately finds a new understanding of herself.

Francesca Quinn, PI

Starring: Mallory Jansen and Dylan Bruce  Premieres: Sunday, Sept. 18 When private investigator Francesca “Frankie” Quinn’s (Jansen) fiancé is murdered, his sister hires her to find the killer. Frankie must work with Wyn (Bruce), the local detective assigned to the case…who also happens to be her ex. As the one-time couple joins forces to unravel a serpentine plot, the investigation strikes at their hearts.

Click the link below for the full article at ETOnline.

[mission2mordor]

Where the Wild Mustangs Roam

Eventual Steddie

Teaser thread (pt 1?)

Outlaw!Eddie Munson, Barkeep!Steve Harrington.

Everyone this side of the west has heard about the wild mustangs that roam the fields and run free where the mountains meet the moon in the early hours of the night, but not many have ever caught wind of one, let alone tame one.

Those who have are often loners. Tumbleweeds with no path or seed to weigh them down. Empty as a husk but filled with just as much emotion as their wounds are with dirt.

Eddie’s always believed the west was meant to be his home. Some people grow up and move off to bigger towns up north or out east. Not him. Not ever. That doesn’t mean he lived by the book and the word, though. He follows his own rules. The only person he ever had any inkling of obeying was lost a few years back. He lives for him now, the legend that Wayne Munson was (and still is) to him.

See, the lifestyle Eddie lives isn’t exactly one that can be learned without a little…extended guidance, so to speak. Thank you, Uncle Wayne, for all that he knows. Truly. No seriously, Eddie is incredibly grateful to Wayne for teaching him how to live without fear, and how to be sneaky. For making him learn to be tougher than the railroad nails and quicker than the wind itself. For teaching him how to get by. For loving him. He’ll cry if he dwells on it any longer.

Eddie sits atop a log at his campsite, watching the fire blow and fiddling with his harmonica as he listens to the coyotes cry to the moon and yip at all the creatures who have yet to turn in for the night. Watches as the orange flames lick at the top of his roasting spit (read: stick wrapped in wet cloth) as the night drags. Listens to the foxes laugh and the vultures circle in the distance. There’s a buffalo herd not seven hundred and some feet from him. He thinks about them, how they travel with everything they’ll ever need and yet they carry nothing but the shaggy mess of hair on their backs. To the right of the fire, a pot of canned food sits, cooling quicker by the second, even in the muggy desert night air. The tent behind him has long since been abandoned for the night, and he debated taking it down before morning and riding out. Leaves it because he knows he’ll crash at some point. There’s a bottle of jack at his feet, a canteen to his left, and a loaded Apache revolver on his hip. His horse grazes at the stray grass next to him, silently leaving Eddie to his own devices.

The midnight hours are approaching, blanketing the red dirt with a sinfully empty dark blue aside from the stars, and the mountains in the distance meet the horizon in a kiss of melded oranges and blacks, just from what Eddie can see with his piss-poor little fire. His hat hangs over his eyes, legs crossed in front of the fire, boots barely avoiding the lick of the bright orange flames. His flannel unbuttoned and buckle undone to wind down for the night. A desert coyote cries as Eddie looks up at the stars, and he swigs some of his jack, chasing it with water and standing to retreat to his tent.

To their knowledge, Edward and Wayne Munson are the only men this side of the west to ever successfully catch and tame two Mustang stallions.

To his knowledge, Edward Munson is the only person who knows where Wayne hid the missing money from some sundowner out a ways on the tracks.

And to his knowledge, he’s the last man standing in a long line of untouchable legends among the west.

[afledglings-guideto-witchcraft]

Aleister Crowley

And why he's a douche bag.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Antisemitism, sex magic, racism, sexism/misogyny and cultural appropriation.

Born Edward Alexander Crowley on October 12, 1875 he grew up to found Thelema (an esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy and new religious movement), he was also a poet, painter, novelist and mountaineer.

He was the creator of the Thoth Tarot, popularized sex magic, the "black arts" and popularized the spelling of Magick rather than Magic.

However what you might not have known is that Crowley was also an anti-semitic, an appropriator, a bigot, a misogynist, a racist and a sexist. He also spread misinformation and faked his own death. He even claimed to be a prophet that would lead human kind through the Aeon of Horus.

Crowley was a huge antsemetic and yet he appropriated the Kabbalah. The Kabbalah should only be practiced by Rabbis or Jewish people who know what they're doing, which Crowley was neither of.

Crowley's 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings is just an assortment of papers that he wrote that takes the teachings of the Kabbalah and bastardizes them into his own version of what they really are.

A misogynist and sexist, Crowley claimed to be a bisexual and while most bisexuals may have one preferance over another and this lines with how Crowley preferred women to men, he was extremely misogynistic to the women he dated and had sexual intercourse with.

He would say that women were 'morally inferior' and 'secondary social beings in terms of intellect and sensibility'. Some people believe that this behavior of women was because of his relationship with his mother but that should not have excused his behavior.

A racist, here are a few things that Crowley had to say about certain race groups.

About the Chinese: “One cannot fraternize with the Chinese of the lower classes; one must treat them with absolute contempt and callousness“ and "The Chinese does not respect the white man as the Indian does — for his possession of high moral qualities.“ 

About Mexicans: “Neither the coyotes nor the turkey-buzzards will touch a dead Mexican. His flesh has been too thoroughly impregnated with chillies and other pungent condiments.”

About Blacks:  “Where Islam and Christianity meet in open competition, as in some parts of Africa, it is found that only the lowest type of Negro, such as is accustomed to arrange matters with conscience by hanging a rag on a piece of stick, accepts Christianity”

About Indians:  “I am not fond of Benaglis at the best and he as the worst specimen of his race I have ever seen. He was fat and oily, with small piglike treacherous eyes.”

As you can see, Crowley was a huge douche bag, he was very opinionated on these specific topics and should not be supported even if he has been dead for 76 years. While he did live in another time period where racism was allowed and openky discussed as if they were discussing the weather, it is now the 21st century and that kind of behavior is no longer tolerated.

[yohohohomos]

Retirement

(Part 1) A good Omens/OFMD crossover.

Tags; No Archive Warnings Apply, Stede Bonnet/Edward Teach, Aziraphale/Crowley, Good Omens Pirate AU

%%%%%%%##%%%%%%%

Ed had never hidden his particular distrust of land. 

In particular were lands and ports such as this; on a small hidden island of lush plains and high mountain ranges, bursting of village people who eye the ship warily, ushering children back into their homes. There were no navy men in the Devil’s Dyke; the island seemed to be too small and underdeveloped to be taken notice of on their radar, its spot on the map too far away from anything else to be of tactical advantage in battle. 

This was a peaceful, white canvas of a village, and Ed feels, not for the first time, like a streak of black grease. Or perhaps a smudge of kohl. 

They had found the inhabited island by pure happenstance. The Revenge was short on fruits and freshwater, Roach had complained, and Lucius had added that he was running out of ink. They couldn't land just anywhere, of course, on account of how they were still being hunted by the British Naval Fleet with urgency due to killing a ship of their best men and a Naval Admiral. Their initial destination had been further east, closer to the Indian Ocean. Far enough away out of range for the English to do much damage, but a pit stop was inevitable. 

Besides, Stede had added cheerily. He'd run out of books to read the crew, good ones. And he would need to restock. 

Buttons, from the mast, had spotted the island first, and civilization had been a pleasant surprise. Ed could see from even a distance out to sea the town square, perched uphill. He reckons, once again, that this was the luck of the Gentleman Pirate, with miracles shining out of his ass. 

"Reckon there'll be ink shops and fruit nunneries in a place like that, ey?" Ed chuckles, while Jim rolls their eyes at the memory. Ed pats Izzy, manning the helm, on the back with perhaps too much vigour, and yells for the boys to drop anchor. 

They leave Frenchie, Fang, and Izzy to guard the ship while the rest piles into the generous dinghy, and they reach the port by noon, with the sun burning over their heads with it's familiar fire-y Caribbean enthusiasm. Ed shrugs off his leather number, lest it cook him itself, but Stede hardly breaks a sweat at all, sitting demurely in his sky blue and pink puffy layers. Like a cake. 

They let the rest of the crew off first, already chattering and discussing endlessly on their stocking plans with much distraction. Lucius, in particular, had stepped on port with an impatient sort of relish, with Pete helping him up against the sway of the boat. 

The co-captains climb last, Stede stepping confidently with the help of the rope rails and Ed's steady, outstretched palm, inspired by Black Pete's earlier courtesy. 

.... 

"Right there, Ed! Doesn't that look like a bookshop to you?" 

Ed hums in a vague sort of agreement. He'd never read a book willingly in his life, much less approached a book shop with any other intention but burning it down. It was a small, stout, two-storied piece, sequestered between the edge of town and the forest beyond. There was a sign hanging by its side, and Ed couldn't read most of Stede's favorites, but he could certainly read this. 

'A.Z.Fell and Co, purveyor of books and antiquities' 

"Antiquities, eh?" Stede reads, his voice pitched in endearing glee. His smile mirrors the beam of the north star or perhaps one of those lighthouses he was so fond of. It tugs the smile from Ed, too. "Perhaps we could even find some knick-knacks for you and the crew, even Izzy! D'you think?" 

He did think so. But then again, there wasn't much he liked to disagree on with Stede, and he had a reputation to upkeep. "Not a big fan of antiques, me." Ed sniffles instead. "Just old stuff, things you gave away. Trash, basically, innit?" 

"Oh, sometimes old things are the best things," Stede reminds him, already moving forward to push through the door. "It's treasure to the people who matter most, don't you agree?" 

Ed is glad it was a rhetorical question. The memory of their night, lit by the moon and the screams of damned, has him choking on something thick and inscrutable, has him wiping down his palms into the leather of his trousers. The memory rises, unbidden, of their almost kiss, and the gold of Stede's hair like the kind of things he was never born to possess, and the sparkle of his eyes as gentle as the embrace of sea foam onshore. 

These were damning, haunting thoughts, as haunting and damning of his cowardice soon after. What-if and could-have-been's. 

His shock puts him a beat behind Stede upon entering the shop, but Stede holds the door back just long enough to keep it from swinging into his face. A gentlemanly habit, Ed's sure. 

Ed didn’t realize he even had expectations of what a bookshop looked like until the interior of A.Z.Fell’s fulfilled every single one of them. The air smelled of parchment and dusty oak, and books, piled or filed into chaotic rows of mismatched shelves, towered over their forms like dense forestry. There were nightstands and islands of grouped odds and ends, things with rusted gears and dimmed sparkle, like forgotten gems lost and buried within the sands of time. Ed finds, even, an umbrella stand of sheathed and dulled rapiers, machetes, and swords. They had been well cared for, Ed gawks to discover, and wouldn't take much polishing to be returned to their battle-ready forms.

"My word," Stede is babbling somewhere off east, swallowed between a nook and a wall. He has a few tomes stacked into his arms already, peering at a third one-handed with a bibliophile's expertise. "I think we've found ourselves quite the treasure trove, don't you agree?" 

The comparison sobers him up. Ed looks around; he wasn't a wee babe of the sea after all. The thing about treasures and troves, the way he saw it, was that the shinier the horde, the more ruthless the dragon, and the shop remains as empty and proprietor-less as whence they'd arrived moments ago. 

"Ed?" 

"Keep looking, Stede," Ed smiles, even as he unsheathes his knife. The weight of its well-worn crude wooden handle is reassuring. Stede's eyes dart between it and Ed's face with suspicion. 

"I'm just looking for the owner of the place," he explains. 

"Oh, please don't threaten him, Ed. We're not looking for any trouble." 

Trouble tends to find us instead, is what Ed neglects to say. He agrees with the other man nonetheless, and leaves him there so he might continue with his jolly perusing while he appeases his instincts to skulk around. 

There was no largely visible set of stairs to the floor above where Ed would wager the proprietor to be, and by sticking close to the walls to find it, he finds an empty lounge/study behind an old curtain, next to a door that must lead outside. Pressing his ears against the grain, he hears the shuffle of movement and quiet humming. One set of feet. His arm bent and hovered over his holsters as he swung it open gently. It squeaks once, and doesn't complain again. 

 The whole area is fenced off as a garden, between civilization and the wilds; meticulous and bountiful. Rows of herbs, fruits and trellis flowers, and a man hunched over a bed of lily pink roses. Ed sees loose white linen drenched in sweat, and a wide-brimmed straw hat in an attempt to stave off the heat, breeches perhaps a tad more tight than necessary, boots dusty and brown with muck. 

Ed had not made a particular effort to hide his presence, but the man had stopped humming. His gut twists in displeasure, demands him to stop, shut up, and look a little closer. 

The Gardener straightens, and his back is straight, shoulders loose enough for an attempt of nonchalance, but battle-ready. The air had become charged and tense, as if waiting for an opponent to make the first move. The Gardener turns, just enough for Ed to see sunglasses perched on a handsome, crooked nose. Aquiline, as he'd heard Stede call it once. 

Ed leans against the doorframe, a pretense of loose guard from a stalking panther. His arms crossed, hands twitching for a gun, he speaks. 

"Easy there, mate. Just looking for the owner of this establishment." 

"Might as well be lookin' at im," the Gardener drawls in response, and Ed's brain itches in recognition of its slur and lisp. 

"Mr. A.Z.Fell himself?" 

"More of the Co, if I'm being quite honest," The Gardener wears gloves, Ed notices now that the man begins to pull them off. Scarred hands and well-kept nails. "But that’s quite enough about me, eh?" 

The man twists now, fully, and Ed takes in the slender, sharp features, and the dust of freckles upon the bridge of his sunburnt nose. Paired with the sunglasses, and the braided locks of ginger hair in the shade of a setting sun, the pieces click together like the pull of an aimed pistol. 

"Fucking Viper?" Ed restrains a shout, only barely. "What the fuck, I thought you were-," 

“Dead,” the ginger growls, and while Ed was the armed one between them, there is that familiar fear of seeing the striking cobra, spitting venom and baring fangs. A fellow predator. “Aye, if you knew what’s best for you, the rumors would stay that way.”

Ed knows, at this point, that he must be staring. The last time they had seen each other had been a generous 8 years ago, on two sides of a burning, sinking ship. There was, of course, the fangs and the glasses, but the Viper-The Devil’s Tongue, the Sea Serpent, the 9th Terror of the 7 seas-had been drenched in blood, stinking of burning flesh and scorched wood. He’d come to loot (and scout the newcomer, Blackbeard would come to learn later. Viper had been in the business longer than he has) Queen Anne’s, and his men had massacred a great deal of his. They’d both barely escaped with their lives and, with what Ed had hoped, a modicum of respect for one another. 

Word on the mill had painted him to have died a lunatic’s death, sinking with an English Navy ship 5 years ago, as if he had left something behind. His screech of agony haunts the sea for months as Davy Jones dragged him down to answer his final master. A fittingly morbid death for a fittingly morbid legend.

And yet here he stands, in breeches and linen and dirt smudged into well-braided hair, a red duller than it had been when they were both a great deal younger. A phantom? A fuckery? For what?

“Was just lookin’ for something to buy and bring back into the ship,” Ed says instead, trying to give nothing away. There is a story here, a puzzle of which he had not all the pieces. “And if you own the place…,”

There is a deep line of confusion between the other man’s brows, and his scowl of rage had melted into one of bafflement. “Never knew the great Blackbeard to be visiting bookshops in his ballads,” he points out. “And never one to not simply take what he wanted. Pirates be doin’ a lot of reading these days?”

“I read,” Ed growls. 

“Bet you you do,” the ginger agrees easily. Ed doesn’t like it, the relaxation of his guard, the way it seems the dead pirate is taking him into a new light. The Viper crosses his arms, flicking up the brim of his hat. “And if it’s not my bounty you’re after-a bounty laid moot, if I could remind you, what brings you to the humble town of Devil’s Dyke, eh?”

Ed takes a bit to think about answering that one. He has half a mind to shoot the man (never mind the Viper could take a bullet about as well as Ed could take the sword through his left side), but Stede’s posh, clear voice rings through the shop, loud and undeniable. 

“Ed! I’ve found the owner! He’s invited us in for tea!”

Viper’s brows, just as Ed watches, shoots upwards as if he had been delightfully surprised. His mouth, which had just been twisted in a scowl, upticks instead into a grin. The result of such a combination is pleasant, softening sharp features and retracting his fangs. It makes Ed uncomfortable. 

“And that must be,” The Viper cocks his head. “The Gentleman Pirate?”

Ed squints in suspicion. “You knew?”

“Rumors carry. The Navy are obnoxious fucks. Old habits, you know,” The Viper sighs, beginning to walk towards him, out of the sun. Ed clutches his knife, instinctive, and the other man doesn’t even flinch. “And he must’ve found my husband.”

Ed releases his knife, his own brow shooting up in surprise. The Viper grimaces. 

“And if he asks, call me Crowley. I’ve left the names as well as I’ve left the sea.”

Ed hesitates, and sheaths the knife to shake the outstretched hand. It feels like an end to a rivalry. Neutral ground. A compromise.

“Edward. Teach.”

The Viper-Crowley, smiles. 

“Anthony Crowley.”