#*throws this a fellow fashionable lady*

[starwrote]

" you're not properly welcomed to fontaine until you've had a shopping spree with moi please, let us take haste!" the golden socialite spins around her parasol with a sparkling smile. / @withsorrowandregret for keqing.

[evilminji]

You know all those Cults in Gotham?

Bet at least ONE of them could spring for both a Legit Magic User and a Cloning pod.

Because The Wayne's? Hearts of Gold. Long standing pains in the asses. Probably the only thing standing between this gods forsaken wasteland of a city and Their Dark Lord. For GENERATIONS no less!

It's sooooo obnoxious!

So they want to Curse Um dead. Just a good ol fashioned bloodline curse. Destroy um from within, etc. BUT! To do THAT? You kinda need a blood relative to sacrifice!

And Bruce is... well... rather infamously An Orphan With No Biological Kids (at that point).

So? What do you do? Make one, obviously. You send in some of your own on a Holy Mission. Honeypot that playboy! Get us a kid to sacrifice! Our God will reward you etc! But... FFS! What? Are brunettes not your TYPE or something?! Pretty lady! Throwing herself at you!!

TAKE THE BAIT!

But he DOESN'T. Because he's both really used to that behavior, as The Wayne Heir and a False Playboy, AND because? He's fuckin Batman. He can see through your schemes.

Okay.

Okay!

Plan B!

Get us some DNA. We'll CLONE the sucker. That should be doable, right?

........OH COME ON! How?!

Batman: [REDACTED] / Cultists: 0

Fuck it! This is impossible! How are we supposed too... *eyes drift over to the Wayne Family Private Graveyard* .......Idea? Ideeeeaaaa~! Someone get us a shovel!

So they, cultist bastards that they are? Fuckin rob a grave for some DNA.

OBVIOUSLY though, it can't be one of the more RECENT graves! He probably VISITS those! Watches them! No we gotta be SNEAKY! Get one a bit further back! Mwahahahaha! We're so brilliant! Our God is gonna give us SUCH a Good Grade in follower!

A thing that is both REAL and possible to achieve!

So, while a Weirdly FURIOUS Batman? Is just... VIOLENTLY breaking ALL of their bones? Cultist 17 is furiously digging like his life depends on it. Either somebody snitched or Batman was hunting them down! Either way?

Gotta! Get! That! DNA!!! *digs faster*

Ah HA! Got it!

Fucking SCATTER! Run you fools, RUN!!! *everyone bolts*

And AT LAST! They have it! Wayne DNA! Now? Pop that sucker into the machine and make us a baby! Too sacrifice! *relieved noises* Man, that was hard work you guys. But we DID it!

Except??

Theoretical Babies? And "Real, slowly forming in front of me and becoming a human child" type babies? VERY DIFFERENT psychologically. It's ONE thing to sacrifice a HYPOTHETICAL baby... but when you're the guy running and monitoring the Cloning machine? Watching it slowly form and come together into... into a CHILD?

You start asking questions of yourself. Of God.

Of what, EXACTLY, you are willing to do.

What lines you find yourself unwilling to cross.

And yeah, your life was SHIT before the cult. Yeah, you were alone. Adrift. Without purpose. Angry at the world for all of its ugliness and failings. But... sitting, alone, in a dark room? Nothing but the steady hum of machines and the cool light of that pod? You are left with nothing but time... and your thoughts.

And the baby.

The one... the one YOU made.

Almost... he's almost like a son, in a way. Your son. Floating there, innocent and unknowing. Destined to be born, only to die painfully, for a cause he could not even begin to understand. Because he's too young. Too small. Just... just a baby.

The baby YOU made.

Doubt seeps in like mist. Creeping into the cracks forming in your faith. Surely there's another way, right? Why not save up for a better magician? Or... or hire a hitman? Why involve a child? Surely... surely your God would not WANT this, right? Or if He did! Surely, he would want the boy to be able to CHOOSE, right? A noble sacrifice, for the cause?

The pressure builds. Batman is tearing the city APART looking for your fellow Believers. Leadership is pressuring you to get "It" ready all ready.

He's not an "it".

They are dismissing your questions. Threatening and posturing, as you grapple with your faith. Where? Where is the COMMUNITY that you joined? The camaraderie? Every day, Believers are being torn down. The faith has lost so many!

How can this be WORTH it?

Your faith is slowly, cruelly, strangled in your chest. A death, by ten thousand silences, and ten thousand more cruelties.

Your son is ready.

You do not tell them.

The Clone of Bruce Wayne's great-grandfather is small, but healthy, in your arms. A tiny warm body, with a strong beating little heart. You call the police. Leave your phone, call running, on the desk. No one thinks to stop you, as you calmly walk out the back door.

Why would they doubt?

You are Faithful.

You drive. Pray to a God you have lost faith in, beg forgiveness for what you do now. Your beat up old junker of a car makes decent time, as you leave Gotham. Your son, asleep in a carefully made nest of blankets, on the seat next to you. You drive. You keep driving.

Past towns.

Past cities.

Out of the state.

Stopping only to feed your son and fuel your car. You... you can not bring yourself to care about what will happen to you now. You know they will find you. Know this is the end. But something ancient burns in your chest. A caring you never thought was REAL.

You are afraid.

But you will not let them harm your son.

Finally, a town. Far from Gotham. Quite and cheerful. It calls to you.

Here. It... it has to be here.

You find the hospital. Tears choking you. There is a place to drop of children. You've seen them before. How strange, that now you stand before it and HURT. Your arms not listening to your command. You... you have to do this. You HAVE too.

He is just a baby.

He is your son.

You have to keep him safe. And... and that can not be with you.

You gently put your baby boy into the drop off. Press the buzzer. And then? You make yourself walk away.

Get back in your car, and drive. The gun in your glove box will insure they can never pry from you, what you have done. Where he is. He is safe now. He has to be. You... you did your job. As his father. You made sure he was safe.

You can barely see the road, through your tears.

You take your secrets to the grave.

And Danny? He grows up. Is adopted young and never knows different. Both a Fenton and a Wayne. Knowing only one of these, to be his. But... that Wayne? Was a damn fine man. A pillar of his community and a champion of the people.

Got tossed more then a few blessings, in his life.

They weren't the STRONGEST. But they added up. And more importantly? Were hardly the refined magics of the more powerful. They were cast onto "Him". By blood and bone, more often then not. Which was all well and good!

When there was only ONE of "Him".

Cloning technology did not exsist. So why would you word carefully against it? Danny becomes a VERY lucky boy. Survives many things he should not. In fact, the kindness and hard work of his original? Gifted back in magically powered well wishes? By this, he survives something NO ONE could possibly expect him too.

It saves his life.

His template would be quite pleased, knowing that. That his life of good deeds, saved the life of the child he never got a chance to meet. That it protected his children, from even beyond death.

And in Gotham? At long, long last. The program Bruce made in his helplessness and despair, to search EVERY child until the child made of his bloodline was found? Spits out a match.

A Watchtower engineer.

Daniel J. Fenton.

@hdgnj @hypewinter @lolottes @babbling-babull @nerdpoe @mutable-manifestation

[colourstreakgryffin]

Hiiii

Can you make another Alastor x Rarity reader like I love it sm and I need more 😭😭❤️

If you do thank youuuu

I definitely can! My dear @sillyalastor, here will be yours and @nenerobobot’s post for Rarity-reader and Al! I hope you both like our kinda short follow up to the Radio Demon and his Drama Queen!

Alastor- Diamond Trio

Alastor knows how much of a detail-orientated and fussy woman you are, and he knows fashion colours, stitching processes, habits, facts and more on the top of his head. He knows what is considered eggshell white and what is considered ivory white. That’s how much time he spends with you

Alastor has been teaching you some new recipes, ones that get a bit messy. Whilst, you’re very worried about getting food on you and is wearing about five layers of protection each time you cook with him. He finds it cute and cheers you on for you being so precise and careful with the measurements. You’ll stand there for five minutes making sure the water percentage is just perfect and he thrives off that

Alastor is not a fan of you being friends with any of the Overlords except Rosie, so when he finds out, you befriended a fellow fashionista Velvette. He is supportive of your wishes but he is glaring down Velvette and threatening her behind your back to not hurt you or he’ll hurt her. Needless to say… Al’s protective and he doesn’t tolerate any of your friends trying to ruin your spirits or your work

So that means, if anybody rejects your outfit choice and creation you made for them, even politely. Alastor will hunt them down. You’re generous and you should be praised for that generosity. Alastor takes everything you give him, if he doesn’t like it, he’ll merely ask for some additions. He won’t ever demand a new outfit or item

Now. How did you and Alastor meet, you ask? You met him at a grand gala. It mainly consisted of Overlords but a handful of Sinners were invited and you were one of them, brought into this ‘incredible’ party

Alastor had been quite intrigued by you, the moment he saw you. A gorgeous, classy, sophisticated sinner dressed in the most pretty, regal maroon pink dress he has ever seen. You had attended this ‘best night ever’ party in hopes to find your prince, the man of your dreams and when you ran into a prissy but handsome Overlord that screamed prince-like grace, you immediately latched onto him. Unaware that you’re actual prince is the one Overlord all the guests avoided like the plague

Alastor couldn’t bring himself to just ignore the only shining jewel within this boring, prim and proper high-class party. He was so uninterested that he only got entertainment out of talking to his dear friend, Rosie. So after some careful yet quick consideration, he begun to follow you and your… date around the large palace hosting this gala under the cover of shadows. He was curious on what you’d do and the disgust he felt over this Overlord acting so uncharming and so harsh to a sweet lady such as yourself. He doesn’t tolerate women of radiance being disrespected

Alastor is so glad that you finally put your foot down after all the treatment: that ‘Prince’ of a Overlord making you pay for treats, making you give up the cushion seat, taking your rose for himself, making you throw your gorgeous silky-fabric shawl over a puddle so neither of you would slip. No gentleman should treat his lady this way and his blood is boiling in pure disgust at his fellow Overlord. The final straw is when that Overlord used you as a shield to block off the pretty strawberry icing cheesecake that came flying at the pair of you

Alastor watched from the sidelines with much pride and respect, over you talking that Overlord down and proclaiming he is a royal pain but of course, that ‘prince’ only cared about his looks and was scared of you drenched in the cake. Shaking off some of the cake on your dress, hair and face to get it onto the Overlord, out of raw rage. You ended up stomping out of the main big dance ballroom, furious and on the verge of crying. Leaving that ‘date’ of yours behind

Alastor couldn’t stop himself from following you. He was curious how a pretty mid-atlantic accented lady would handle being humiliated and having lashed out against her ‘date’ in front of almost ALL of the guests in the Gala. Your pretty sparkly almost diamond-like eyes poured tears, smudging your nice mascara and light blue eyeshadow as you stomped into the pretty empty gardens and cried out your rage

Oh. Alastor didn’t like seeing somebody so innocent and done no wrong mistreated like this. Even if it was amusing, he doesn’t like it

So, he finally approaches you after a few seconds of watching you vent out your feelings through sobs. His strong sharp crimson red eyes going from your forehead golden crown to the glass plumps to the still damp shawl tied around your shoulders in a classy princess style. You’re the most beautiful guest at this sorry excuse of a Gala. Alastor folds one arm behind his back, his own gala-style black, white and red coloured suit making his red and black colouration pop as he presents you with a rose

“I believe this is yours, my dear” Your glassy eyes turned over to look at him, the almost folded, multi-layers of your dress hugging your curves and hiding your leg movements as it just felt like this night went from the worst to the best. Is this the actual gentleman you’ve always wanted?! Gently reaching out, you’re a bit intimidated by how strong his glare is, how visible his golden yellow fangs are through that wide open grin, with how menacing his long fingers are

Taking the still stemmed rose from Alastor, you didn’t even know his name but you wished you did… you are a bit scared he may be a fake like that awful Overlord you were chasing after just before but he seems friendly enough. Alastor lifts up your hands with his single one, precisely placing the rose into your prettily curled and tied up hair, just above your bangs before speaking once more. His entire presence leaking charm, grace and poise

“Shall we dance?”

You were a bit shy, still drenched in destroyed layered cake batter but Alastor didn’t even chuckle at how ruined your clean, neat look is now. He merely snaps his fingers and like that, all the sweet confectionery remains are gone and all the ruffled, ripped or knotted parts of your dress and hair is smoothed out to perfection, as well as your slightly wet shawl back to being completely dry and your makeup returned to more presentable. Just like how you looked when you entered this Gala and when Alastor first saw you. Taking a deep breath, your cheeks flustered and blushy

You take his hand and with a single tug, you and him are dancing together in the calm, breezy, beautiful gardens of the giant gala palace, no music, no other prissy annoying guests. Just the plants, the animals and you two

Your eyes are no long filled to the brim with tears, anger and heartbreak. You’re now developing a sense of admiration and awe at Alastor being so gentlemanly and sweet with you in seconds flat, he’s treating you the way you wanted that blueblood ass to treat you and it’s making your heart flutter. Twirling slowly in a nice slow steady waltz, the only music ringing is the sound of the nearby birds singing

That night was the best night ever

[unnaturalequilibrium]

Capítulo 2 & 3

- Mafin rewatch (Sueños de Libertad)

Watching the de la Reina siblings is a hoot. It's all so deliciously dysfunctional. Damian's three porcelain dolls, all dressed up and filled with generational trauma. How could that not be fun to watch?! I enjoy that Marta is the action oriented one of them. The boys bicker, but she refuses to play their game, instead tries for a solution and an action forward. It’s notable that both brothers turn to her as if her agreement, her word actually holds sway. They’re already making a point of this being a man’s world, but these men, even if it’s a means to play out each other, hang on her word and give it weight.

I’m kind of sad Jesús is such a right villain, because I enjoy him and Marta together. They play off each other well and you instantly get the nuances between them, making it super easy to envision how things were before Andrés return. The way they’ve kept that business afloat, probably stood side by side against their father on a number of occasions. I feel like they’ve kept each other alert, maybe a bit too guarded, but also with a sense of mutual respect despite all of the other muddled feelings of jealousy and resentment and old-fashioned sibling rivalry. In a world where Jesús wasn't such an evil man I think this could have been one of my favourite relationships on the show, if they'd taken the time to develop it more. Especially in the way she yields to him in the beginning and how her character growth comes into play later on.

Carmen is the boss you want to have before she’s even anyone’s boss. The way she is straightforward and stands up to Marta for her own and her fellow workers sake and safety. I wish she was my workplace Union rep. She’s such a competent lady and I'd gladly line up behind. But why throw fucking caveman Tasio around her neck like a noose I’ll never understand. Though I’m getting ahead of myself, or ahead of the show at least.

I mean seriously, what’s up with that opening credit?! Of all the characters, they get a two shot. In bed. The two of them who at this point in time have nothing to tie them together. A flimsy string of connection through fathers, through work. I wasn’t here from the start, but I assume they were shipped from day one? Granted by my arguing maybe Gaspar and Tasio should be shipped too, but at least those two aren't in bed together. And no, don't enlighten me if there are people who do ship them. Some things I'd rather go through life without knowing. This would be one of those.

Lol, Luz is so no-nonsense as she saves Damian's life. “Stop praying and let me stab him with a giant needle, you rich fools!”. Her and Begona sharing the medical field and a bit of empathy with each other is nice too. An ensemble cast that is balanced between men and women seldom leave room for a lot of female friendship, but this one does. I appreciate that.

Fina establishing from the very beginning what she thinks of men, and especially the fool ones like Carmen's deadbeat boyfriend. I feel you. And I am in love with the way she throughout all the episodes to date will be used as a way of voicing what the tired lesbian feminist in all of us wishes she could say, out loud.

If trolls exist, you know like proper giant ones, the kind that can be mistaken for a mountain, covered in moss and trees and then suddenly just opens its eyes and stands up to stretch. You know the kind of trolls you think of when listening to Grieg's In the Mountain King's Hall - yeah those. I imagine if they existed then they'd sound exactly like a sickly Don Damian, like a melodic stone avalanche. That said I’ve never envision mountain trolls to sound Spanish before now. But maybe that’s on me.

Joaquín is a bit of an ass, calling Fina (and the rest of them) lazy - my eyes are narrowed. It wasn’t actually something he developed when he got on my shitlist by flirting with the secretary while having a cute as a button wife or pointing a gun at Marta. Apparently the assery was a pre-existing condition. It’s interesting though that Luis is the one talking about taking over the company, yet he still comes off as the decent one of them.

“You don’t notice the boys?”- Petra, you blonde little snake, don’t call my Fina out like that. Maybe we're allowed to know she's a lesbian, but don't flaunt it in front of the entire canteen like that. It’s kind of funny though how Fina is so clear about Luis not being her type, yet there are so many common denominators between him and Marta both in personality and in physicality (except of course the most important one in this case, their sex).

I know he’s supposed to be one of the good guys, but honestly, Andrés is a bit of a douchebag, isn’t he?! Or maybe that's a bit harsh, but he comes across as pretty smarmy. He's like what the wall behind your stove would be if anthropomorphised, kind of greasy, kind of sticky and in constant need of being hosed down. But yay for not letting the roof drop on your employees, I guess.

[msweebyness]

Akuma AU- The Villain Class

Here it issss! The formal introduction to my new villainous AU, where all the kids are their akuma selves!

Here’s the rundown: Paris is split into two sides, dark and light. The dark side regularly terrorizes the light, though a resistance tries to fight them. All people on the dark side are akumas, so all the kids’ families are. The deal is: you don’t get a supervillain name until you prove yourself and demonstrate your power to do harm and cause chaos, and most akumas are just content to be evil but otherwise normal people. The akuma class are like the ‘gifted’ class of Dark Paris, everybody knows these guys. I’ll also be expanding on some of their powers! Also, they wouldn’t be their ugly and fashion-backward canon akuma looks. I REALLY like the akuma redesigns for the Scarlet Lady AU by Zoe-oneesama, so imagine them in something like that! Alright, let’s get into it! @artzychic27 @imsparky2002

Miss Fortune (aka Marinette Dupain-Cheng): Born with the power to inflict terrible luck and pain on whoever she pleases by way of her hexes and anti-charms, Marinette is a girl who has more than a couple screws loose. She adores seeing people get hurt and actively goes out of her way to make things go wrong in every way possible. Serving as the class’ unofficial leader, Marinette often takes the helm when they go out to terrorize Paris. As dark as her heart is, Marinette adores her partners and family and would do anything to keep her friends safe.

Chat Blanc (aka Adrien Agreste): Wielding the power to destroy anything he pleases with a flick of his wrist, Adrien is not someone you want to cross for any reason. Just like 1/3 of his partners, Marinette, he lives for seeing chaos and pain, especially when he can make it as big a show as possible. He’s known to taunt and mock the people he terrorizes with cruel jokes just to add a little further humiliation. Despite being evil, he’s normally a jovial guy…unless you make the mistake of making him angry. Let’s just say it’s a bad idea to bring up his father.

Lady WiFi (aka Alya Cesaire): Wielding the power to control the world around her as if it were a livestream, Alya boasts a massive amount of power over the digital world and as such, rules the media of Paris with an iron fist! Serving as Marinette’s right hand woman, Alya makes sure her bestie’s orders are carried out without question and broadcasts their victories to spread fear in the light side of Paris. It’s useless to try and hide anything from her, Alya has surveillance in every corner of Paris and uses this to the advantage of herself and her class. She also adores her boyfriend Nino, and is quite protective of her sisters.

Bubbler (aka Nino Lahiffe): While Nino’s powers, creating bubbles that serve various functions, may not seem threatening at first glance, this villainous DJ is not one to be messed with. He’s a master of making people feel at ease before he strikes and causes as much chaos as possible, alongside his friends and girlfriend. Nino is fond of throwing parties and knows how to give his fellow villains a good time, but heaven help you if you’re a good citizen who wanders in. Like his bro Adrien, he’s a chill guy most of the time, until something sets him off and he goes full villain.

Queen Wasp (aka Chloe Bourgeois): Hosting quite possibly the biggest ego of any of the fledgling villains, Chloe wields the power to make anyone stung by her beloved wasps obey her every command, often to do degrading tasks. Almost seeing fitted to her powers, Chloe has a rather imperious attitude and expects people to do what she tells them to when she tells them to do it, and can be more than a little arrogant. However, she also has a soft spot for her best friend Sabrina and sister Zoe, and will eviscerate anyone who messes with them. If you value your freedom, don’t cross this queen.

Vanisher (aka Sabrina Raincomprix): Given the power of fading into the background like no one else can, Sabrina’s ability to become invisible and/or intangible gives her a major edge in the battles against the heroic citizens. Sabrina is a vindictive young woman who loves to use her powers to find people’s secrets and then exploit them to her own benefit. She’s also fond of pulling pranks and watching her best friend Chloe order her minions around, which she finds endlessly amusing. Always make sure to check your surroundings around this one!

Gamer (aka Max Kante): Max’s formidable powers allow him to bring video games into the real world, corrupting reality around him into whatever he would like it to be. Considering himself to be intellectually superior to the common rabble of Paris, Max enjoys using his technology to drive people to the brink of madness, knowing they don’t have the capacity to fight back. His arrogance in his intelligence can sometimes make him come off as a know-it-all to his friends, but he’s loyal anyway. His ingenuity makes him a valuable asset to the class.

Timebreaker (aka Alix Kubdel): Alix’s powers allow her to steal time from the people around her in order to accelerate her own speed, and if she gathers enough, she can reverse the flow of time. A reckless lover of chaos if ever there was one, Alix loves to speed around causing as much confusion, damage and panic as possible. She has a special love for getting under people’s skin and causing them to lash out, only to knock them flat on their backs. While mischievous, she’s a loyal friend who will take a hit for someone she cares about. Keep clear of this speed demon’s path.

Dark Cupid (aka Le Chien Kim): Kim’s power over the heart cannot be denied, though it’s not the power to spread love. Whoever gets hit by his arrows is overcome by hatred and anger. A bruiser at heart, Kim loves to stir up arguments and get fists flying whenever he can, almost as much as he loves causing drama in the relationships of others, replacing happiness with animosity. Despite this, he cares deeply for his friends and especially his girlfriend, Ondine, with whom he shares a passionate love that they love to flaunt to others. You better run fast, because he always shoots true.

Princess Fragrance (aka Rose Lavillant): Rose’s powerful and toxic perfume can do a myriad of wicked things, but it’s most prominent ability is to turn anyone who breathes it in into a dutiful servant of the princess. Though she’s not above a good poisoning every now and again. Rose doesn’t see most people as ‘people’ so much as drones meant to serve her and her friends’ purposes. After all, are some not made more powerful than others? It’s towards only her friends and her beloved Juleka, who she treats like a queen, that she shows a more loving side. All bow to the princess!

Reflekta (aka Juleka Couffaine): Juleka’s wicked transformation powers are a thing to be feared should you ever cross her in any way, she can reflect her thoughts to turn you into whatever she pleases! A malevolent trickster at heart, she loves to put people in the most inconvenient and dangerous situations she can when she transforms them. She also has a habit of transforming into something frightening to scare people, an activity often engaged in when hanging out with Mylene. Despite her pranking nature, she’s fiercely protective of those she cares about, especially her girlfriend Rose and brother Luka. Don’t trust the image you see in the mirror!

Horrificator (aka Mylene Haprele): One of the most terrifying villains in the whole menagerie, Mylene possesses the two-fold ability of not only finding your worst fear and producing it, but growing in strength and power from the fear she garners from you! She takes great delight in the mental anguish she can cause her victims and relishes nothing more than the sound of screams, and loves to give the occasional spook to her friends and her beloved boyfriend as well. Surprisingly, she also has a strong motherly side and will often comfort them when needed. Make sure you check under your bed with this one around.

Stoneheart (aka Ivan Bruel): A villain whose strength cannot be overstated, Ivan’s massive frame and physical matter made of solid stone make him functionally indestructible, more so when you add the fact that any blow dealt to him only increases his already tremendous size and strength. With a quick temper and massive brawn to back it up, Ivan enjoys nothing more than some head bashing and property destruction when he goes out to terrorize Paris. Despite this, he’s very protective and gentle with those close to him, especially his girlfriend and his little sister. Think twice before trying to rile this guy up.

Evillustrator (aka Nathaniel Kurtzberg): Nathaniel’s powerful sketchpad allows him to bring whatever dastardly things he might wish to draw to life to attack his enemies or cause general mischief. Something of an unpredictable and unhinged creative type, Nathaniel is always conjuring up new weapons, beasts and means of torment on the fly, laughing maniacally as he uses them to terrorize good citizens alongside his villainous classmates. He especially loves drawing tributes to his boyfriend Marc, who he’s devoted to above all else. An artist can be a fickle thing!

Special Additions:

Syren (aka Ondine Rivas): Ondine’s tears pack more of a wallop than most girls, given that with them she can flood the city as well as control any source of water in her range. Vindictive and manipulative, Ondine loves to trick unsuspecting citizens into sinking into the watery depths with her charming voice and wiles, seeing them thrash and struggle to stay afloat. She can also be a bit unstable, her moods fluctuating unpredictably, though she is generally kind and supportive with her friends. She has a bit of a playful streak and especially loves teasing her beloved prince, Kim, and they are never shy with affection. Steer clear of the deep water, you never know what’s lurking!

Silencer (aka Luka Couffaine): Luka’s power to silence those he doesn’t like is menacing because it doesn’t just wear off when he leaves, he can permanently steal someone’s voice! He also has the power to manipulate sound as a whole. A reserved and stoic individual, Luka prefers to let his powers do the talking for him when he’s wreaking havoc across Paris, smiling serenely as he tears apart entire blocks with sonic blasts. He serves as a steadying presence for his partners, sister and classmates, reminding them to look before they leap and serving as a source of advice. The sound of danger is approaching quickly!

Riposte (aka Kagami Tsurugi): No blade on earth can rival the power of the ones Kagami summons, which can slice through anything without a problem. Which, combined with her icredible speed and agility, makes for a powerful enemy. Cold and cruel with no concern for anyone outside of her friend circle, Kagami relishes the feeling on causing her opponent a world of pain and subjecting them to the crushing humiliation of defeat. This also makes her a bit of a sore loser. Despite her icy demeanor, Kagami has a caring side with her friends and partners, and will protect them at any cost. She’s a cut above the rest!

Reverser (aka Marc Anciel): Marc’s powers are as confusing as they are terrifying, with the ability to turn people against their own natures, to become their polar opposite once his paper airplanes touch them. Unpredictable and chaotic, Marc loves nothing more than to turn Paris upside down and leave everyone in a maddened state of despair. He’s not even above using his powers to mess with his friends, though he does care for them. His greatest joys are spending time with his boyfriend Nathaniel and teaching his young brother Kiran (aka Sandboy) the ways of villainy. You never know what you’ll get with this guy!

Sole Crusher (aka Zoe Lee): Zoe’s shoes aren’t a pair you would ask to borrow if you have any sense. Anyone she crushes under her heel adds to her size and strength as she terrorizes Paris. Having more than a bit of a superiority complex, Zoe wants everyone to know how much better than them she and her friends are, and is willing to crush them underfoot for that to happen. Perhaps that’s why she gets along so well with her sister. She also might have feelings for a certain akuma in her class, though both have yet to admit it. Step out of the way or get stepped on.

Zombizou (aka Caline Bustier): The villain class’ nefarious teacher, with the power to hypnotize and zombify people with a kiss from her magic lip balm. She adores her students and enjoys teaching them to be the most vile villains they can possibly be. She’s able to turn anything into a lesson about doing evil, and especially loves taking them into the field for some hands-on experience. She’s also fiercely protective and if anyone messes with her kids, there’ll be hell to pay!

And there you have it, folks! The possible first set of Wicked Kiddies! Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs!

[eolewyn1010]

Downton Abbey Fashion 14 - post-war indoors fashion

Time to sic up Mary against Lavinia! Well, fashion-wise; Mary is remarkably tame this season (I guess that’s why her extreme relapse a couple seasons later vexes me so). But anyway, Matthew’s throw-away love interest and Matthew’s perfect-love-of-his-life-for-ever-and-ever serve us some interesting optical contrast.

Yay, boring white blouses for Mary. The second one is not so boring, sporting some darling lace and this Edwardian “two stripes running vertically from the shoulders over the front” style, which is neat, but I really don’t have anything to say about the first. Uhm, it has buttons?

This blouse on the other hand provokes not one, but two comments: Firstly, Mary is a hypocrite criticizing Edith’s sense of fashion when one of Edith’s outfits is almost 1:1 a copy of hers in the first picture, complete with a red skirt with buckle and a blouse that has these collar tails ending in tassels. Secondly, this type of way more streamlined blouse foreshadows that, different than Cora whose figure is imo best complimented by Edwardian fashion, Mary will transition into 1920s styles with ease; she is the somewhat angular type that was the fashion ideal then.

It’s the pretty grey linen dress! At least I assume it’s linen. This will be Anna’s in season 3, presumably after she has taken it in an inch or two on every seam. I don’t know what it is, but something about this dress compels me. The cute buttons? I’ll say it’s the cute buttons.

Pffft. Where I’ll say the previous dress looks cute and pretty on Mary, I just cannot take this one seriously. Where did she get that from? Did she order an Edwardian Heidi cosplay? Anyway. This sure is a dress that exists. Light blue stripey pattern, pleated front, white lace; it’s all where it should be. I just don’t think Mary should ever again wear something that makes her look like she got cast as Maria in The Sound Of Music. That is very much not her character type!

Better. A bit dull on the colors; I wouldn’t have minded if she’d worn this blouse with one of her deep red skirts, but I guess she went low risk with the richly flowered fabric. My guess is on chiffon because while this is not see-through in the critical places, it does seem very lightweight and drapey.

See? She’ll wear a red skirt with a patterned blouse. Silver silk seems to be a Crawley lady thing just after purple, whereas square buckles are a Mary thing. These colors and this styling look way more appropriate on her than the girly light blue dress.

… “Ugh, I hate black.” Sure you do; that’s why you wear a very plain, entirely undecorated black dress when there’s zero mourning to force you. Unless they all did some collective mourning as a society and just went in black after the war for a while. Seriously though, couldn’t she have been a tad more glamorous about the black? She goes with the most sack-like 1920s cut, the sleeves are boring, there’s no trim, embroidery or gathering anywhere. The neckline may be asymmetrical, but I’m not sure if it just doesn’t hang right in this shot. I like the red bead necklace, at least. Next!

--------------

Looking at Lavinia, two questions pop up: One, are they dressing her in more pronounced Edwardian fashions to make clear she’s of the past and won’t share the future with Matthew? And two, why does her hairdo remind me more of Bridgerton than the 1910s? Anyway. They do this “wide blouse gathered into a narrow waist” thing on her a lot, and then they accentuate said waist with wide velvet sashes. It looks quite cute, and the second blouse is another take on a style we’ve seen a few times on Edith and Sybil, but that’s just it: Optically, she’s thrown in with the younger Crawley girls, not with her romantic rival. They rub it up our noses that she cannot possibly keep up with Mary the Magnificent.

Perhaps I’m underestimating her character and Julian Fellowes just failed to live up to her potential of sass. Look at this shot and tell me that’s not a lurking bitchface. I expect I should snark at her doing dainty girly stay-at-home things like embroidery, but I have a lot of respect for people who have such a fine control over their needles. Did she do the black blouse herself? I think she could do such a blouse herself, you guys.

[sea-owl]

So you all know those plots where a loved one of someone disappears for years, decades even and then all of a sudden they reappear but they’re still the same age and no recollection that so much time has passed. Now they have to figure out how to live in this new world. I wanna throw the spouses in that kind of plot. 

When Violet Bridgerton was still Violet Ledger she had eight friends she was close to. There was Simon Basset, the much younger brother to the Duke of Hastings but he was an older brother figure to Violet. Kate Sharma, Miles Sharma’s older sister and was like an older sister to Violet as well. Sophie Beckett, the half sister to the heir of Pennwood, a total sweetheart in Violet’s opinion. Penelope Featherington, younger sister to Archibald, and Violet’s fellow wallflower. Phillip Crane, the younger brother of the current Sir Crane and as Violet likes to joke a plant enthusiast. Michael Stirling, the younger brother to the Stirling twins, and one of the biggest rakes of Violet’s generation. Gareth St. Clair, the nephew to Lady Danbury, and a little brother to Violet. And there was Lucy Abernathy, the younger sister to the Abernathy brothers. 

Those eight friends were sadly lost to sea when Violet was eighteen. They had left on a boat with promises to return in time for the season. They never came home, and no one knew what happened to them. 

Over two decades has passed since then, in that time Violet has become a wife, a mother, and a widow. While she will sometimes wonder what happened to her friends she has moved on with her life, understood that sometimes fate could be a cruel mistress. 

She didn’t know how cruel fate could be. 

Violet almost dropped the calling cards. It was not possible after two decades, but the proof was in her hands. 

Rushing down to the drawing room where she instructed her guests to be put Violet could hear their conversations from the open doorway. 

“Simon you owe me ten pounds!” That was Kate. 

Simon responded. “For what?”

“I told you it was only a matter of time before Violet married Bridgerton.”

“I really thought she say no, the boy threw mud pies in her hair.”

“You know you could always bet if she’s pregnant or had a kid yet,” Michael joked. “Can make your money back Simon.”

Had a child yet? Some of her old friends were older than her, surely they knew she would be past her child bearing years. The only lady in their group who might still be able to have children is Lucy and even she would be closing in on her years. 

But come to think of it, they did still sound rather youthful. 

When Violet walked into the drawing room she saw that no, none of her old friends were past their child bearing years. 

Walking back into that drawing room was almost like walking back in time. None of her friends had aged a day from Violet’s memories. Violet could only tell she was still here in the present is that they now wore today’s fashion, The girls with their empire waist dresses, and the men whose pants now reached their ankles instead of their knees. They looked like they could friends with her children-

Oh god, they were the same age as her children. 

All of a sudden they all looked up at her. Every single one of them stared at Violet in shock. 

“Violet? Violet Ledger?”

“You got so old!” 

Violet sat down, “And none of you have aged at all in the last twenty plus years.” 

They all looked confused. “What do you mean twenty years?” 

[whencyclopedia]

The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza―the Forgotten Queen Who Bridged Two Worlds

This book is highly recommend because it is gorgeously written as a novel with visual descriptions that are so clear that they can be painted on canvas. A screenplay of the book begs to be written and the film needs to be produced. The general audience would definitely find this title accessible.

British author, Sophie Shorland, a former Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, takes a very friendly approach to describe the difficult life of King Charles II's Queen Consort, the Portuguese Catherine of Braganza. Shorland's audience is general, especially those interested in the British Restoration, epitomized by the handsome, lusty Charles II ("The Merrie Monarch"). This title is an easy read and designed for the general readership. The level of engagement that the writing provides would make this book a blockbuster movie, filled with sparkling characters fighting for the top spot in the Royal Court.

Shorland divides Catherine's life into ten chapters, beginning with her repressive childhood, which coincides with her future husband's exile in France after the beheading of his father, Charles I. When the rigid dictatorship of Oliver Cromwell became too much to bear, the political pendulum swung back, and the people demanded the Restoration of the lawful King, the young Charles Stuart.

Readers follow the two years of political and financial machinations necessary to enthrone the indigent Charles. He needed to marry quickly to continue the Stuart succession. Charles's brother, James, Duke of York, was Catholic, just like Charles, heralding the anti-Catholic riots during his marriage to the Catholic Princess Catherine of Braganza. England needed a cash infusion, and Catherine's dowry was her most important attraction, bringing Tangier and parts of India to the marriage; Portugal, fighting for its independence from Spain, was poor, and unable to pay all the dowry to England.

Catherine finally arrived in England, seasick, sneezing, and unable to speak English. Her subjects thought her strange, with her odd hairstyle, her olive skin, and her outlandish Portuguese gowns. The Restoration, known for its brilliant colors and lush materials (silk and velvet), saw Catherine and her female attendants wearing heavy black farthingales, skirts so wide that entry was only possible sideways. Catherine's annual allowance at her marriage was 30,000 pounds Sterling, most spent on her private chapel decorations, alienating her Protestant subjects. She tried to befriend her husband's mistresses (there were at least six) and all his illegitimate children. Lonely Catherine's sole English "friend" was the Catholic Lady Castlemaine, Barbara Palmer, Charles's chief mistress. Catherine tried to please Charles: taking dance lessons, throwing lavish parties, popularizing tea drinking, and promoting Baroque art and fashion. Her childlessness was disappointing both to her and to Charles, who was desperate for a legitimate heir. Her frequent miscarriages may have been caused by endometriosis, though that is uncertain. Charles was publicly polite to her but privately self-indulgent – with his mistresses, their children, and his "scientific" hobbies. He managed to persuade Catherine to accept his scientific interest, for they were frequently self-dosed with bizarre concoctions of pulverized skulls and dried snakes. She, seeking relief from depression and hysteria, resorted to laxatives, convincing herself that the "toxins" leaving her body would result in her renewed health.

Some years after Charles II's death, Catherine returned to Portugal, where her monarch brother soon died. Now Portuguese Regent, Catherine became their guardian-tutor, ironic since she had been so poorly educated. Her kindness was evident in her will: to free all child slaves, though she had never owned any. This wonderful book has a bibliography and complete citations, pointing readers to directions for further reading.

Continue reading...

[twistedisciple]

[ Fashion Police ] - my brother in freaky thou are serving. but i fear one of us has to change

the outfit isn't half bad, odin thinks, albeit lacking the intricacies of his own costume. there's an effortlessly sinister charm that he appreciates about the stranger's look — the shredded shirt alone reminds him of his own, uh, sheer number.

whoever this man is has a flair for theatrics. he's sure of it.

he approaches with an emboldened swagger, a proud grin adorning his countenance. but as he draws close, it suddenly occurs to him that this person just might be infringing on a certain fell hero's signature look.

odin confronts the tattooed, metal-clad man, his silence broken only by a loud chuckle. "i see you are a true peer, a fellow spelunker in the darkest of abysses. it would seem as though you and i...are cut from the same enigmatic cloth." a hand slowly creeps across his face, fingers spreading in dramatic fashion as his voice swells. "but as you know, there can only be ONE midnight sentinel. we'll have to resolve this in the only manner known to our kind: I, ODIN DARK, challenge thee to a Clandestine Clash: the Shadowed Duel of Destiny!! what say you...?"

This guy decked out in black and gold had sauntered up to Griss, floor-length cape billowing dramatically out behind him, like he'd had something to say. Something else to say, anyway, and so from the column he'd been leaning against, Griss had simply stared at him, champagne glass in hand.

A second longer and he would've asked the guy if he wanted him to make that goofy smile on his face permanent (Griss for "can I help you?"), but he beats him to it. Loudly. Boldly. Theatrically. With the flourish of hands and cape. Griss blinks.

"A fellow who in the what now?"

The first thing that comes to mind is a snowbird he'd seen shimmying for a lady back in the forests of Elusia.

"Clandestine... shadowed..." Griss repeats half-dazed, trying to find any word in the deluge that makes sense. He blinks again and shakes his head, but this time a grin stretches across his lips. Champagne sloshes out of his glass and splatters across the floor as he throws his arms out in welcome, like a secret code finally passed between sworn brothers.

"If you wanted a fight, you shoulda just said so at the beginning! So how you wanna do this, Mr. Dramatic?" Griss holds up his cup with two fingers. "I got a weapon right here that'll cut us both up. Or maybe wrestling's more your thing. Or--" This time he throws a look over the heads of the crowded dance floor, a dangerous glint in his eye. "I got magic that'll make a real nice firework show right in the middle here."

[officialleehadan]

Civilized Conversation

Hello darlings! Today's story was brought to you by Bradford! Darling, thank you so much for all your support! 

Prompt: HGE – The Maw

+++

Rilewithe turned out to be an attractive, and completely androgynous person, dressed in the lounge’s uniform, with a dusting of flour across an otherwise pristine apron. Their fae blood was clear in the fine lines of their face, and the silver of Underhill in their eyes.

They were also visibly nervous about being summoned to the front of house to speak to a dragon. That was, Mila understood, not something most anyone wanted to happen if they could avoid it. Hell, even he tried to avoid it most of the time. His fellow dragons were not, with a very few exceptions, good company.

“Please sit,” he said, careful to keep his demeanor inviting, and not intimidating. Here, in this lounge, it would be easy to throw his weight around, but he didn’t want to do that unless he absolutely had to. Rilewithe eyed him, but sat cautiously on the edge of their chair. Tilsie and Shaddra were across the room, discussing fashion with several other young ladies, and Mila was glad for it. This wasn’t a conversation Shaddra needed to be part of, and she was more comfortable if Tilsie was with her. “I’m only looking for information, and I don’t believe it’s information that will bring you distress.”

“Alright,” Rilewithe said hesitantly, but they did visibly relax a little. Mila poured them a glass of water and smiled encouragingly. “I’m just a dessert cook, but I’ll do my best.”

“It’s about Faerie Fruit,” Mila said, more serious now that he had reassured them that they were not the target of his anger. “Someone slipped my clan-sister some a few months back. As you can see, I’ve retrieved her, but it’s my duty to find out who’s slinging the stuff illegally. She knows better than to tangle with it on purpose.”

Immediately, Rilewithe’s face darkened with anger, as he knew it would. Faerie Fruit was always big news, and someone handling the stuff illegally was as major a crime as anything in the Empire. More than even simple murder, because it involved two or more of the major powers that made the Human Galactic Empire function in a happening fashion. Anything that threw the delicate balance of politics into question was something that got a great deal of attention in a hurry.

The Senate of Others did not like it when someone brought uncertainty to their long peace.

“I don’t know anyone stupid enough to cross the Crowns like that,” Rilewithe said anxiously, their hands twisted in their apron. Mila nodded encouragingly to coax them onward. “No one who works with Fruit themselves, legally, would ever put themselves into the kind of danger that comes with selling it on the side. I had an interview with Her Majesty when I petitioned for my license, and she checks on me, personally, a few times a year.”

Mila hadn’t known the Midsummer Queen took that much interest in he business, but he wasn’t all that surprised, either. Titania knew how dangerous Fruit was to humans, and wouldn’t risk the political disaster that would come if some of it made it to someone who was actually important. Shaddra was the daughter of a lesser baron, and while she was important, she wasn’t important to the Empire in a meaningful way. If Mila hadn’t gotten involved, probably no one outside her own family would notice she was gone.

If it made it to one of the Senate, or to one of the Imperial family, it would be a disaster.

“Do you know anyone who might know where to find that information?” Mila asked, and slid a glass coin, with a pressed flower inside, across the table. It was a clever magical artifact he had acquired some years ago. One of several items he carried as trade-goods for situations like this. Rilewithe eyed it, and him. “Payment for directions to anyone who might find out what I want to know.”

“There’s someone, further out, in Mushroom Grove,” Rilewithe named a beautiful moon that was largely a colony for the denizens of Underhill. “She peddles information. The shady sort. She isn’t one to take risks, but she’ll know of anyone who is.”

“Will she deal with a dragon?” Not everyone would, especially if they were of Underhill. Many of them preferred the chaos that was inherent to Underhill itself. Some of them disliked anything that was powerful enough to challenge them personally. Neither were ideal. “I can pay.”

“If the price is right. You dragons know a lot about what’s going on and you don’t tell everyone about it,” Rilewithe said with a shrug, which Mila couldn’t blame them for. It wasn’t their fault they didn’t know the price of the information he was seeking. “It will be expensive, though. What you want, it puts us all in danger, but we aren’t like dragons. We don’t enforce our laws like your people do.”

“Will she conceal the responsible person?”

“I don’t know.”

Not unexpected. That was manageable. He might need to make a call or two, but it was sounding like this might be a bigger threat than he originally thought. He would have to report to Hoshi, and maybe to Blaec, but with their approval, his ability to make promises was nearly unlimited. They wouldn’t allow Fruit to be sold illegally. Too many dragons had humans they cared for, who were terribly vulnerable to Fruit.

“I’ll manage,” he said, and nodded for the glass coin. “It will identify any plant for you, alive, dead, dried, or cooked, and give you information about it. How much depends what you ask it.”

“I haven’t earned this,” Rilewithe said uncomfortably and didn’t touch the coin. “What else are you buying, Lord Milastaer?”

“Nothing more than an ongoing discussion,” Mila promised easily. “If you hear of anyone slinging Fruit where they shouldn’t be, you let me know. Nothing I think you find disagreeable, yes?”

Rilewithe thought about it, which was sensible. They were a nervous one, and for good reason. The difference in his power and theirs was akin to an ant before a mountain giant. He would not blame them for refusing.

“I can’t promise to have information for you,” they said, and pocketed the glass coin at last. “But if I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Leave your comm number for me. I’ll keep an ear out.”

“I appreciate our conversation,” Mila said, careful not to make it thanks when no debt was owed. He had paid for their services. There was no need for thanks. “Look after yourself, Rilewithe. I hope your work is easy, and that you learn something of value. This errand is not one I can afford to take lightly.”

“None of us legitimate Fruit-sellers will either,” Rilewithe said, and stood to offer him a small bow of respect. He returned it politely, glad the conversation went so smoothly. “Travel safe, Dragon lord. And watch out for Nuellesa, She’s easy to offend, and takes a steep price even when she’s in a good mood.”

+++

HGE - The Maw: (FULL COLLECTION)

Back Room Handshakes

New Understandings

Poker Face

Tin Secrets

Coffee Treasure  (Subscriber Only!)

Fireworks At Midnight

Dragon-Tongue (Subscriber Only!)

Challenge-Battle (Subscriber Only!)

Courting Rituals

Gold Shoes and Blue Scales (Subscriber Only)

Lost Lost Lost (Subscriber Only!)

Wander Lost  (Subscriber Only!)

Three Questions  (Subscriber Only!)

Spent Like Rain

Sister Sister Treasure (Subscriber Only!)

Daughters Returned

Hunting Fruit

Truly Am (Subscriber Only!)

Lounge Wear (Subscriber Only!)

The Road to Santiago (Subscriber Only!)

Stubborn Charge

Civilized Conversation (New!)

+++

MASTERLIST

[honestsilasbirchtree]

About

(This blog is an experiment in finite RP that explores the Ciphertology storyline in "The Book of Bill". No threads, but asks/anons/other follower content are welcome as the main narrative progresses! Read my Rules and see (most) OOC asides and updates at @tesser-rp )

(Be advised, this blog will contain quite a lot of the following content: themes pertaining to cults and religious fanaticism, depictions of brainwashing and manipulation, some amount of violence and death, copious body horror and other kinds of horror -- but all within a PG-13 rating to the best of my ability.)

(Also, MASSIVE SPOILERS for Gravity Falls and other material, TBOB and its tie-in website. Read on at your own risk.)

ABOUT SILAS

(Silas Birchtree is a decently good-looking man of average height, with fair hair, conspicuously pale and cold skin, and unusually wide eyes. He smiles constantly and wears a suit and bowtie, and extremely shiny shoes. He smells strongly of formaldehyde and a faint buzzing sound is heard wherever he's standing.)

("Silas" is stuck chronologically in 1952. He will not know who the Pines family are or about anything plot-related that happened after that year. He knows about the prophecy and can see into the future, but it's an imprecise art.)

In life, Silas Birchtree was a failed, aimless snake-oil salesman drifting across shiny and desolate post-war America. (20% off the top-shelf cottonmouth, and two bottles of the ratsnake for $14.99 for a limited time only!) Early in 1952, while stopped in Orchard Lake, Kansas, he choked to death on a nickel and was buried quickly.

The next day, he was seen alive and... well??? And not only did he return from the dead with an entirely new and pretty obnoxious personality, but he also had something new to sell...

ABOUT CIPHERTOLOGY

Ciphertology was an apocalyptic cult that rose and fell within 1952 in the isolated and humble town of Orchard Lake BillVille, Kansas, which through the actions of the United States government no longer exists.

Ciphertologists were all about three things: throwing off the yokes of law, order, decency, humanity, and common sense; spreading "the Bad News" to whoever they could force to hear them out; and building, by order of their Lord and Master Silas Birchtree, a mysterious giant metal structure out in a field, that their leader called a "portal".

The cult ultimately met their demise around a year later, after a two week standoff with the Kansas state troopers and a helium explosion set off by a disgruntled old lady.

ABOUT BILL CIPHER

Silas introduced his followers to his "muse", an extradimensional entity of perfectly triangular form named Bill Cipher, who inspired madness whenever it spoke through its human host, and would frequently enter and take over the minds and bodies of dozens of the cultists at a time. (You've probably heard more about this unholy triangle fellow elsewhere.)

In truth, Cipher and "Silas Birchtree" were one and the same, Silas being nothing more than a husk for the beast to inhabit. It is fortunate that the creature's dark designs for our reality never came to pass.

(Bill will sometimes talk directly, instead of through Silas, under the tag #CIPHER SPEAKS. This version of him is canonical (or at least canon compatible), but is also chronologically locked in 1952.)

ARE YOU DEPRESSED? LONELY?

Then Ciphertology might be for you! That's right, you CAN, if you so choose, toss either yourself or your beloved roleplay character into this (possibly) metaphorical meat grinder of a triangle fanclub! Just follow, drop a line in the askbox, or contact @tesser-rp and we can, at next to no cost to you, let you sample some interesting perks, including:

A totally new and very dapper fashion sense! Mandatory bowties!

License to eat off your own fingers!

A rural 1950s Kansas town to run around in, shrieking all of Cipher's fun catchphrases to your heart's content! (Historical accuracy not guaranteed.)

Complimentary helium tanks!

Plenty of body modification options, starting with a shave and a cattle-brand!

The opportunity to marry into the Ciphertology family! Mass weddings are held every Friday at noon-- bring the kids! Bring the dog! Already married? Even better!

SEE YOU REAL SOON, AND REMEMBER--

(The bottom's been burnt off.)

[pr1ncessavar0se]

Into the Mystery Labyrinth with Lady

Author's Note: This is a short story regarding how Lady would react to the existence of Shinigami as well as the Mystery Labyrinth. The mystery scenario within this story is made up and is not present within the story's main plotline. Enjoy!

Another day in Kanai Ward, another day dealing with the Peacekeepers trying to annihilate the Master Detectives. The trainee, Yuma Kokohead, had just finished the investigation of a murder alongside his fellow detective, Lady Soot. The Master Detective was still a bit disoriented from using her Forensic Forte, a Forte which has some awful side effects that Yuma himself witnessed due to his own Coalescence. However, the initial side effects had worn off and the use of Lady’s Carnivorous Autopsy paid off, gathering useful information regarding the murder through her Carnivorous Autopsy. By using it, she and Yuma were able to gather the fact that the victim’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head with an unknown weapon. After they finally gathered enough evidence to conclude their investigation, the Peacekeepers showed up to foil everything, as per usual. “You’re surrounded! Surrender now, or we’ll have you executed for this crime!” Another one of Yomi’s goons shouted out at the two detectives, making sure they had no way out from the grasp of the Peacekeepers. Yuma began to shake and his face turned pale. “T-This is bad…what do we do?!” “Well, you could ask for a certain someone’s help!” Yuma heard Shinigami chime, her spirit floating right next to him. “I-I’m not doing that!” He thought to himself, which only Shinigami could hear. Yuma took a moment to look over at Lady, who was standing there with a rather shocked smile on her face, like a deer in the headlights. “Huh? L-Lady?!” Yuma called out, no response. Maybe she was still feeling the side effects of her Forte…? “Oh this is bad…!” Yuma thought to himself once more. “Come on, Master! If that sugarcoated minx isn’t gonna respond, you might have to pull out the Mystery Labyrinth!” Shinigami scolded Yuma, throwing her spirit fists in the air. Upon hearing this, Yuma emitted a soft sigh. “S-Shinigami… Please help me…!” He thought. Shinigami laughed before she responded, “Kyahahaha! That’s what I like to hear, Master!” And then, she said the magic words, “Arise! Mystery Labyrinth!” And with that, Shinigami had summoned the portal to the Mystery Labyrinth before she transformed from her spirit form to her humanized form. Once her magical girl-esque transformation was done, time stopped. It was just Yuma, Shinigami, and Lady now.

Lady’s eyes closed tight as she shook her head rapidly for a split second, her bright pink eyes studied the room as a soft, nervous giggle escaped her. “Ahahaha, am I having another intense sugar rush?” She softly asked, looking at everything around her. She began to even walk up to the Peacekeepers, waving in their faces, “Hellooooo, anyone home?” “Uhh, Lady… This isn’t a sugar rush…” Yuma stammered slightly, his nervous eyes locked onto Lady as she continued to attempt interacting with the frozen Peacekeepers. “It’s not?” Her response was immediate, her head turning towards Yuma and Shinigami at a rapid pace. “Well, Master…are you ready to head to the Labyrinth?” Shinigami interrupted their conversation, smiling sweetly at Yuma as she asked. Both Shinigami and Lady could see the look of hesitation in his eyes, the silence between the three beginning to grow. However, it was soon interrupted by a deep inhale from Lady, “Well Yuma, it’s very unlike you to refuse to take initiative. But if that’s the way you want to be, I can’t stop you.” She spoke quickly in typical Lady fashion, turning her head away from Yuma as she folded her arms across her chest. A small moment passed before Lady stopped pouting, and she herself rapidly charged at Yuma, tackling him through the Mystery Labyrinth’s portal. “Kyahahaha, I don’t even have to do my job anymore! Down the rabbit hole we go!” Shinigami chimed before she followed suit, jumping into the portal and joining the Master Detectives. After a long, long fall, Yuma, Lady, and Shinigami were now in the realm of the Mystery Labyrinth, the two Master Detectives rising to their feet. Yuma let out a soft groan as he got up, “It’s never a nice landing…” “Whose fault is that, Master? Cause it certainly isn’t mine!” Shinigami teased. As the trainee and the death god shared some light banter, Lady silently looked around with a smile on her face, to which Yuma had noticed. “Uhh…Lady? Are you okay?” he asked, watching as Lady turned around quickly, “ You seem a little quiet…” “Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine! You say that like we’re in an alternate universe based on a mystery that we now have to solve together because some death god sucked us in or something!” Lady responded to him with that same, sugarcoated smile of hers, which was met with pure shock from Yuma and Shinigami. “T-That’s because it is…” Yuma timidly stuttered. Hearing his response made Lady freeze in her tracks, her bright, pink, peppermint swirl eyes widening, “…I’m sorry, what.”

“H-Huh?” Yuma stammered upon seeing Lady’s reaction. “Master, I’m confused…does she even remember anything?” Shinigami asked Yuma, her tone conveying obvious confusion. “Remember what? I literally bullshitted that entire thing!” Lady added on, her rapid speech being laced with shock. Hearing this made Yuma stammer, “Wait, you guessed…?!” “Yes, I guessed! There’s no way that was supposed to be correct!” Lady raised her voice. “Wait, in that case…Lady, what do you remember?” Yuma asked, trying to get to the bottom of the mystery revolving Lady’s guess. He was met with silence as Lady lightly licked her lips. “I certainly don’t remember tasting blood, so why the hell do I taste it?!” Lady began to panic, her body began to lightly shake. That made Yuma think, as Lady consumed blood in order to use her Forte. His eyes widened in shock at the revelation, “You can use your Forte in the Mystery Labyrinth?” “She shouldn’t be able to…” Shinigami responded, still confused by the whole ordeal. “I can’t pick up anything from it if that’s what you mean,” Lady responded, “But I can still taste the blood and it’s awful!” She sounded utterly disgusted when talking about the taste of blood, but that made her realize something, making her stop in her tracks again. “Wait. That means I used my Forte at some point, but…” She then turned to Yuma, “…Yuma, you didn’t…see me use it, did you?” The look on her face was that of worry, which was a rare sight for the pretty in pink detective, and seeing that look made Yuma frown. “…Yeah, I did.” He seemed rather ashamed to admit it, but the look on his face indicated that Lady had to know the truth. He used his Coalescence when Lady used her own Forte, therefore he knew everything. He knew about her consuming blood to use it, he knew about the awful side effects, he even could taste a bit of the victim’s blood without actually eating it. He knew how much of a mental strain it took for her to even bring herself to use her Carnivorous Autopsy, which made him realize that she was her most vulnerable when using it. He watched as Lady began to pout before speaking, “Oh Yuma, I really hoped you didn’t have to see that. It’s so embarrassing…!” “Sheesh, you’re acting like a schoolgirl whose crush found out she liked them!” Shinigami sneered as she watched Lady whine! “Anyway, enough chit chat!” With that, Shinigami floated behind Yuma, her hands resting on his shoulders as she smirked at him, “Master, are you ready to give your life the truth?” Yuma couldn’t help but softly blush as he looked up at Shinigami, “F-Fine…”

After his reluctant answer, Shinigami and Yuma did the usual, putting on a show just to retrieve the solution blade, with Yuma pulling it out of Shinigami’s mouth as if it were a circus trick. Lady watched as the pair waltzed around and fetched the sword, her eyes locking onto the blade. She let out a soft laugh as she spoke, “Now, I think I’ve really seen it all!” “Kyahaha, you haven’t seen anything yet!” Shinigami laughed as well before she deeply inhaled, “Bleeeegh!” The death god then hurled, spewing out a pretty rainbow of cutesy colors, and what else fell onto the ground? A big, golden key ring with all sorts of keys attached to it. Shinigami clapped as she had a big smile plastered on her face, “Here you go, Master! Here’s your solution keys!” Lady watched as Yuma picked up the big keyring, and then she started putting two and two together. “Wait, the sword’s got a keyhole in it. Does that mean you put the keys in it when you’re using it in battle or something?” “S-Sort of…these keys are the clues to our case, and they’ll help us advance closer to the truth.” Yuma’s response was meek, but his words made sense to the pretty pink detective. “Oh yeah, we are solving a case, aren’t we?” Lady chuckled, “Still can’t believe my guess was right on the money…” “Well, you better believe it, ‘cause now we’re all set to seek the truth!” Shinigami responded in a chipper tone, ready to conquer another Mystery Labyrinth with her master. Hearing the death god’s words managed to hype Lady up, “What are we waiting for?” She clicked her heels twice, retracting the wheels built into her red mary janes, “Let’s hunt down this culprit who preys on the truth! We’ll get them in our sights!” And with that, Lady began to skate inside the Mystery Labyrinth, seeming really enthusiastic to venture through the place with Yuma and Shinigami. “Hey, that’s my line!” Shinigami yelled out in frustration, flying as fast as she could so she could catch up with Lady, thus causing Yuma to be dragged along by the ghost chain that connected the two. “Ahh!”

[autumnslance]

Writer's Game: First Sentences

Rules: post the first sentence of your last ten fics. If you haven't written ten fics, share as many first-sentences as you have.

Tagged by @elveny! ♥️

Tagging: @driftward @mintibunny @yzeltia @scrollsfromarebornrealm @chysgoda @punchelf @gunbun @dragons-bones @theepicreboot @thebmatt @rinzukodas @phaedra-mero @eremiss @anomaliewrites @raelly-writing and whoever else would like to (also y'all should check these folks out).

Many of these are shippy nonsense, as my pairing sparks joy. I’ve been writing a lot of drabbles and microfics lately, though some things I’d only count as captions more than fics.

I seem to like shorter, snappy openers (especially compared to many of my longer sentences in a given fic), often with or entirely a little dialogue.

1 “Bearing Sins of the Past”, the current (as of 3/13/23) fic in progress on Ao3.

“You say Ser Alberic is missing?” the old lady knight asked as Aeryn warmed herself by the fire.

2 “A Little Lady’s Realization” a microfic about dresses and faith.

*Sigh* “I suppose my ‘princess’ must insist on keeping this new dress as well?”

3 “Linkpearls” a Year of the OTP prompt response.

When Aeryn answered the chiming linkpearl, Thancred’s familiar voice crackled on the other side of the line. “I received your letter.”

4 “Dual Perspectives” also a Year of the OTP prompt response. This line appears first in both sections.

Whenever I look at you, I see Light and Hope.

5 “Misunderstanding” a little pre-Endwalker culture clash.

“Everything all right?” Thancred asked, waiting a bit further along the trail as Estinien and Aeryn caught up.

6 An untitled blurb about languages I should clean up and move from Tumblr to Ao3.

Nanamo had a headache.

7 “Northern Lights” another drabble, about fashion in cold weather

“These northern lights are still impressive after everything.”

8 “This Home Wrested Forth” from the Dark Knight zine, Sidurgu’s 2nd person POV.

Your clan fled the Empire, crossing Ilsabard in search of homelike climes.

9 “Scholarly” a prompt response for Roevember 2022, Felina of the Night’s Blessed reminiscing.

While many important books had been taken to the Crystarium, or copied for inclusion to the Cabinet of Curiosity, a good number of tomes yet remained in the Bookman’s Shelves, a hidden and hard to reach library of history and magical theories.

10 “Mountain” also from Roevember 2022, Felina and Runar at the base of Mt Gulg.

The waiting was the worst part.

Bonus: Current first couple lines of that long promised Shadowbringers Thancred WIP...

“Let expanse contract—Eon become instant! Throw wide the gates that we may pass!”

One moment Thancred was presenting his proposal to the assembled Alliance leaders and his colleagues, the Admiral expressing her approval which was convincing the rest. The next moment, he was clutching his head in agony, hearing as if from a great distance his fellow Scions crying out, while the others called to them in confusion.

[verfound]

FIC: The Rocking Epic of Lukas Stone and His Lady Faire (1/5) (MLB, Lukanette)

Rating: Teen & Up

Characters/Pairings: Anarka Couffaine, Jagged Stone, Juleka Couffaine, Luka Couffaine, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Tikki; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Jagged Stone/Anarka Couffaine (Past)

Summary: Meeting your soulmate is supposed to be the most magical moment of your life, and perhaps it would have been if Marinette’s soulmate hadn’t gone and gotten himself kidnapped by a dragon the very same night.  Now she’s on a quest with a princess and a bug-sized god to bring him home, hopefully before he gets himself eaten…  (Or: Ver said “No Valentine’s Epics” this year and Cap just laughed.)

Author’s Notes/Warnings: Last year, after PH exploded like it did, I swore up and down there would be no Valentine’s Epics this year.  And then I got @chromemist , our dear cap’n of the good ship @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers, and her prompts – especially when she expanded on them – gave no room for non-epics.  😂  My prompts were “Soulmate AU” and “Royalty AU”, and Cap?  You can expect me this weekend. I have Words for you, ma’am.  😂  (Specifically, as of right now, at least five chapters and a potential sequel’s worth.  😂)

The Rocking Epic of Lukas Stone and His Lady Faire

Chapter One: Hey Dilly Dilly, Aren’t Soulmates Just Silly?

Marinette didn’t like parties.

“I must say, you do look enchanting tonight,” the man leading her around the dancefloor said lowly, smiling at her as he bent closer.  She hoped she wasn’t too obvious in the way she leaned back – his cologne was strong enough to make her gag.

“Thank you,” she murmured politely.  She hoped he took the demure way she turned her head from him as a show of coy shyness and not what it was: a desperate search for the nearest exit.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like parties.  Not really.  She just didn’t much like these parties.

These parties were parties thrown by her favorite uncle, King Jacob Stone.  When Marinette thought of parties she thought of the gatherings her friend Alya liked to host, with maybe three musicians in the corner and casual dancing and a table with snacks in the back corner.  Or maybe the dinners Gabriel Agreste, head of the most prominent fashion guild, hosted for his fellow guildsmen, hours of polite conversation around an elaborate ten-course meal.  She certainly didn’t think of extravagant gowns, stiff suits, formal dancing to a fifteen-piece band, and servants circulating with trays of drink and food for the partygoers to enjoy.  King Stone didn’t so much throw parties as he threw lavish balls, with all the pomp and circumstance befitting one of royal status (and all the…eccentricities befitting a royal like Jagged Stone).

This particular ball, a masquerade at that, was being thrown in honor of his eldest son, the crown prince.  Today was the prince’s birthday – his eighteenth birthday, at that.  So if King Stone had gone a little…well, overboard with things, no one entirely blamed him.  Your eldest son only came of age once, after all.  It was, Marinette supposed, a pretty big deal.

It was still more party than Marinette was accustomed to dealing with.

[taldigi]

Will the miracle shrine you mentioned in one of your reverse felinette posts apper in your fashion club au, maybe as a gateway to the faewild?

prolly yeah. mix that with my old rewrite faerie garden concept too. lemmie throw an idea together about that:

"Our kind are not unknown to your people," Heehaw hummed, "Humans would oft erect Miracle Shrines at locations where the barrier between the mortal realm and the other realms are at their weakest. In fact, It is what drew us here specifically- even with your ugly built city- upon it, magic snakes through the leylines beneath the earth. It is very invigorating here."

Marinette cocked an eyebrow, leaning forward on her windowsill as she spoke to the small donkey fae, "What does it look like?"

"Back before I slept, the shrines existed above the ground. Many in temples, though some simply existed as piles of stones. Though these days they are in ruin or forgotten. A shame, considering the shrines not only act as waystones to access points, but reinforced the barriers as well."

Marinette opened her mouth to speak, but her companion piped up first, "You do not think that is why Null has begun to stir...?"

Heehaw shook his head, "I am not sure, my lady." he cast a sympathetic gaze at his fellow faerie, "but I would not discount the possibility."

Tikki emitted a shallow, concerned noise- one that made Marinette worry.

[eolewyn1010]

Downton Abbey Fashion 12 - post-war outdoors fashion

We have everything from high glamor to realistically shabby today, so let's jump into the younger generation's fashion choices in the second season!

Ah, Mary’s famous red coats. Now, since I’m an honest soul I will admit that she looks fabulous. Interestingly, despite the passionate associations of the color and Mary’s overall temperament, I think she wears this outfit and a similar one predominantly in her loveless engagement with Jorah Mormont Richard Whatshisrank. But anyway, if you have these velvet cuffs and collar, what else do you need? Well, except a matching hat with a silk sash. A shame she doesn’t wear this again the coming seasons, but I guess the waistband dates it too much, fashion-wise.

Gotta own up to my double standards here: A servant or commoner, I would have complimented on such a nice, sturdy, comfy-looking tweed coat. But since it’s aristocratic fashion queen Mary, I’m tempted to ask her why it had to be such a boring thing. Ah well, at least it has some subtle Tartan going for it.

This one isn’t much different, granted, but I feel the collar shape adds a point of interest. Also, the little ear studs plus the feathers on her hat emphasize the red lines in this tweed’s check pattern. Nice.

I did say the asymmetrical semi-cowl collars are something of a Mary thing, so here, have another. Somehow, I feel she should have worn a scarf to this; her neck looks weirdly naked between this and the hat. The hat itself is fine, if not overly flattering.

Speaking of unflattering – this is one of those coats that throw my brain for a loop, because it just doesn’t look like something Lady Mary Crawley would own. It’s this weird khaki brown shade, and it looks undecorated and, most of all, worn. I have no idea why she would keep something that looks so ragged, and maybe she doesn’t, because after her prostration before Matthew, this is never seen again. Symbolism about humility, I guess? Which is why it wouldn’t stick.

The other gorgeous red coat! Well, walking suit, perhaps; the skirt may come in a set with the coat. Anna wears a coat in season that is dark blue, but has this exact two-pointed configuration of the collar in the back. Granted, Anna’s hat isn’t so chic. Look at the cute feathers! Red to match the skirt, burgundy to match the coat, but I also find some useless joy in the little toothed trim around the brim.

And another walking suit, Mary steals the show in the shiniest blue silk. Big-ass lapels are something of a Mary feature, too, although I can’t say it’s not worth it. Why so blue, girl? You look fantastic. Including that cute little brooch she’s put on the neckline of her blouse.

--------------

There’s something about certain combinations of black and white that make me think monochrome is the peak of all elegance. Like this. Lavinia looks great in it, and it’s not even much? The collar is not any special shape, there’s no decoration on it other than the closures of her cuffs; I couldn’t tell you what it is that catches my eye here, but I want this.

If you look at this closely, you can see that Lavinia’s jacket also rocks the aforementioned two-pointed collar back look. Since we already know that part and I don’t know enough about fur to discuss the stola – let’s talk about the cute hat. Sometimes, a little white trim is really all it takes. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Mary could respect Lavinia, because she’s also a fashion queen.

This jacket looks like it belongs to Edith, and the blouse doesn’t help the impression. It’s strange; these wide collars serve to accentuate Mary’s wide shoulders and make her appear tall and regal, but because Lavinia’s shoulders are narrower, the collar serves to make her look smaller than she is. I should probably not complain about that, as it is the whole point, but I fucking hate how Julian Fellowes wrote her arc. Poor little frail flower, too good for this world. Give me a break.

Another lovely coat! Bit more understated with the brown, but it looks quite comfortable and the golden lapel embroidery pops nicely. Also, I like that, this time, the hat is actually a shade off from the coat instead of tone-in-tone; it gives the outfit a little more color, in this case some red.

--------------

When it comes to Edith’s out-of-place looking coat, at least we get an in-universe explanation: The farmer’s wife on whose farm Edith helps out says that she’s going to need to find something for Edith to wear during work. It’s a ragged thing, but I like it better on her than I did the other on Mary, perhaps because Edith is lovely when she finds joy in something and is flushed with a day’s work well done. Still. Don’t kiss married men, girl.

Let it henceforth be known that I am proletarian trash, for I like this outfit even though there’s absolutely nothing special about it. I don’t know, this knit jacket is so cute. I want one. Also, Edith may be wearing a skirt in the second image, but that in the first? Those are trousers. And she wears them several times during the season, on her bicycle and at work. Sybil, your pantaloon pioneering was not in vain!

Is this corduroy? I think it may be. It feels a tad too green to be brown (you know what I mean), and we get some lovely piping around the collar. Shame that I can’t see much of the hat, but that looks like a red or orange ribbon in the back, so thanks for the contrast point.

Oh hey, is this the same hat? Look, there’s embroidery! And Edith learning to drive is fun, and foreshadows her stepping somewhat into Sybil’s footsteps regarding her curiosity about modern developments and women’s emancipation. As for the walking suit – I feel like later on, Edith chooses decidedly nicer shades of orange. This is a bit too pale to be flattering. Although it has subtle stripes; that’s a plus in my book.

I first thought this was vertical stripes, but the later picture from season 3 proves me wrong; it’s actually plaid. The grey walking suit isn’t really a catastrophe, but it only does so much to keep me interested. I kinda like the flowered blouse, leaning toward art nouveau when most fashion is screaming for art deco around them. The hat is. Fine. Not my personal favorite style, but I do feel obliged to mention the velvet ribbon giving it some shimmer, whereas the one in the second shot it pleated into little squares, repeating the suit pattern.

Return of the pale orange, and of the hat shape that is not to my taste. This walking dress is one of the last pieces of Edith’s daywear that has a distinctly Edwardian feel to it; come next season, she has pretty solidly transitioned into post-war fashions. I don’t hate it; it’s got some pin tucks and all that and doesn’t look bad upon its last hurrah in season 3, but these white sailor collars give a little bit of the impression that Edith doesn’t have an adult sense of fashion. Which she very soon proves wrong, so the sooner Julian Fellowes gives up on it, the happier I will be.

--------------

I really only have one outdoors look for Sybil this season? And then I picked a shot where we hardly see anything of the coat; I must have been unimpressed with it. Sorry. In all fairness, it’s the war season, so Sybil spends most of her time in her nurse uniform. But we get the cutest hat of all! This colorful embroidery is so whimsical! And the tassel in the back that hangs down her neck, that’s also whimsical. I can’t believe we’ll never see that hat again.