#- themself in a really stupid way to earn this reputation

[frostgnawdraws]

I haven't posted any shitty trad doodles in like three weeks so obviously I had to fix that

[the-melting-world]

picrew

Seeing as how long I have been a HUGE fan of the airbender series (ATLA), it's actually kind of ridiculous that I never got into the fandom. Anyway, humor me while I go through each of my ocs and babble about their roles, histories, and bending styles in the ATLA universe! Also please excuse the fact that they had zero afro-textured options for hair in this one lol.

*Check under the cut for an unnecessary amount of lore.*

Kipling ~ Waterbender | Northern-style waterbending, vine/plant-bending, healing

Water Tribe Babeyyyyy

I don't really see Kip hailing from the Southern or Northern Water Tribes, but rather from a coastal village that developed after a handful of Southern Water Tribe hostages escaped one of the prisoner of war strongholds in the Earth Kingdom. I mean, if Hama (The Puppetmaster) and the plant benders from Foggy Swamp were any indication, there were water benders scattered all over the Earth Kingdom during Lord Ozai's military campaign.

Bending-wise, Kip has always been an average waterbender, whose bending is strongest when she's manipulating the water in plants and vines. When she comes of age, she is determined to advance her skills and find a way to serve her tribe more directly. So she travels to the Northern Water Tribe to seek an apprenticeship. There Kip advances her skills in traditional water bending forms (because up until then, her methods have been rather unorthodox) as well as her affinity for healing.

While Kip is up north, she does get close to Princess Yue in their healing classes. For a long time, Kip develops what she believes is a stupid crush, but eventually discovers the Princess has mutual feelings. Step aside, Sokka, you ain't the only one. Kip and Yue explore their relationship, but only briefly until the guilt and paranoia of getting caught and tarnishing Yue's reputation catches up to them. Kip ends up leaving in the dead of night leaving nothing but - you guessed it - a poem for Yue to find.

Kip happens to be one of the travelers Team Avatar meets while they're on the road. It's quite some time after the invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. This is after Yue has passed on, but before the group reaches Ba Sing Se. Both being kind of self-taught waterbenders, Kip and Katara bond very easily. Kip has a hard time being around Sokka since it's the first time she's felt something for someone since Yue. Still, despite Kip's efforts to ignore Sokka, they end up bonding over a lot of stuff, both stupid and serious. I'm not going to go into details about what went down when they inevitably learned of each other's past relationships with Yue, but yes, there were lots of emotions. A lot of Kip trying to run away and shake herself of Sokka. A lot of Sokka battling between pursuing her or leaving her alone. It's a mess. And no I still don't know how it turns out. Haven't planned it out that far.

After Ozai is defeated, Kip makes her living as a traveling waterbending instructor with her good Earth Kingdom friend, Khleo. She travels the territories, finding hidden water tribes and informing them of the fall of Ozai. She works with Khleo and the community members to open smalls schools, closely modeled after the earthbending schools in Omashu.

***

Khleo ~ Earthbender | earthbending, sandbending, lavabending

Khleo had a rocky start to their journey. Sorry, I couldn't help it.

They were born in an area that bordered on the Si Wong Desert and the mountain chain dividing the land from Chameleon Bay (where they later meet Kipling.) Naturally, Khleo picks up a little bit from each of the known forms of earth manipulation. Although they develop into a fully realized master by the time they reach adulthood, they don't ever try their hand at meltalbending when it starts to gain popularity after the fall of Ozai.

Khleo grew up poor and had to resort to unsavory business ventures with the local sandbenders in order to keep food on the table. But since they were the sole bender that could calm down the nearby volcanoes whenever they acted up, they were always regarded as a hero within the community.

Eventually, the Fire Nation finds a way to complicate Khleo's existence and they have to flee their home. First, they cross the mountain range to Chameleon Bay, where they meet the waterbender Kipling, who they easily bond with. Khleo and Kip travel together for some time until they run into Jet and his crew. Jet's lifestyle appeals to Khleo, who was tired of roughing it. But Kip takes one look at Jet and knows that he's bad news. She and Khleo part ways.

Like most of the kids in Jet's crew, Khleo blinded themself to his activities in order to survive and stay connected to a family group. But when his actions become too hard for them to go along with, they abandon the Freedom Fighters and go to go look for work elsewhere.

Khleo had set their sights on Omashu, where they believed they could earn an honest living and still practice their bending without the eyes of the Fire Nation bearing down on them. The journey was tough and Khleo had a few brushes with death, but they made it to Omashu. There they were immediately hired by a cabbage vendor who struggled in the past with keeping his wares in one piece. Khleo guarded his cabbage stand for all but a week before they were noticed by some Omashu academy trainers. They offered Khleo a job as an instructor in multiple earthbending forms. Surprised, but very willing, Khleo accepted. Eventually, Khleo was inducted into the Order of the White Lotus.

Years later, Khleo reunites with a very emotionally scarred Kipling. She stays with them until the capture of King Bumi, after which they quickly leave the city so that they can carry out the will of the White Lotus in hopes to undermine the Fire Nation's plan to conquer the Earth Kingdom on the day of Sozin's Comet 2.0.

***

Ozy ~ The Avatar Firebender/Airbender hybrid | firebending, airbending

Ozy's kind of special. He has an affinity for two elements.

He was born in the Fire Nation in a very, very small village on the coast of Crescent Island. When Ozy's parents noticed that their child was something of a prodigy, they brought him straight to the Fire Sages.

Now, there was a split among the sages. Some were loyal to Lord Ozai while others were secretly members of the Order of the White Lotus. One of the members recognized Ozy's affinity for airbending very early on and did everything they could to protect him.

Without being able to say goodbye to his parents or getting an explanation for what was happening, Ozy was sent to the Western Air Temple (you know, the cool upsidedown one) where he learned airbending with the help of older White Lotus members as well as spiritual experts like Guru Pathik (the same guru who taught Aang how to navigate the Avatar State.)

As Ozy became more and more enlightened, he came to believe that his gift was not a rare one. When he was not actively practicing the rudimentary components of bending, he was meditating on the factors that led the majority of people to believe that the ability to bend was inherited based on the ethnic and cultural group into which they were born. He thought that while this was true to some degree, additional affinities could be unlocked through the forgotten teachings of the Air Nomads.

To test his theory, Ozy went on a very dangerous journey to the Library in the Si Wong Desert, where he met and became very bonded to Uncle Iroh. Thankfully, Iroh and Ozy managed to not get eaten by the Library's spiritual patron. Later, Ozy declined Iroh's invitation to the Order of the White Lotus, instead choosing to retire to the Northern Air Temple. Thre he ended up assisting the mechanists with the construction of the flight technology (part of which had already been stolen and weaponized by the Fire Nation.) Ozy never left the Northern Air Temple to help in the fight against Ozai. Instead, he remained and became the first of the Air Acolytes, from which grows a community that later founded Air Temple Island and discovered the next child born into the Avatar Cycle - Korra of the Water Tribe.

***

Sun Bai ~ Airbender | proficient in airbending. Technically.

Bai, unfortunately, did not discover that he was an airbender until he was well into his twenties. The only way he unlocked his affinity for bending was through a traumatic event, the effects of which he managed to suppress for several years. It wasn't until Bai found himself in another flight or fight situation that he spontaneously called upon his connection to the air element. (Turns out Ozy was kind of right!)

Once Bai realized what he was made of, he made it a point to gather as much knowledge on the subject as he could. Everything that he came to understand about bending was self-taught. Meditation came more naturally to him, but even that required additional training, discipline, and theory to fully master. (He was basically the opposite of Avatar Korra, who picked up on the manual technique of airbending quite easily, but struggled with its spiritual component.)

Bai didn't really play a role in the fight against Lord Ozai. He didn't run into any of the Trio or Team Avatar. His journey didn't really start until after the war. At which point he meets General Adrenaline, and then later, Sascha of the Water Tribe.

General Rosario Adrenaline ~ Firebender | firebending, master in lightning redirection

Like Ozy, Adrenaline was another firebending prodigy. (In fact, it was Adrenaline who worked very closely with Princess Azula to hone her lightning redirection technique.) Eventually, Nali's skills were exploited to the fullest in the Fire Nation's military campaign, but long before that, firebending for her was a means to perform and entertain the masses.

Adrenaline grew up in the same circus troupe as Ty Lee! They had been best friends since childhood and ended up escaping together.

While Princess Azula always favored Ty Lee and Mei over Nali as bodyguards, she often went to Nali for "companionship." Azula kept her relationship with Nali very private. It lasted well into Azula's teenage years and got pretty serious. Though neither of them considered themselves in love with the other (just due to the fact that there was so much of a strain on them thanks to social hierarchy, and Azula being Azula) Nali developed a very deep, unhealthy loyalty to Azula, that in the end, resulted in her banishment from protecting the royal family.

After she was banished, Nali linked up with Zuko, who wasn't really all that happy about it, but Iroh steps in and gives the wise compassionate uncle lecture. Zuko folds and Nali becomes one his crew!

Nali and Azula continue to pursue their relationship. And now that it started to hinge on whenever Azula came around to fuck with Zuko's head, you can imagine how even more unhealthy and eventually toxic it became. Nali was torn between her loyalty to Azula versus her loyalty to Zuko. And Azula... didn't really care. It was a mess. Didn't end pretty.

Only after Azula was imprisoned by her brother did Nali finally wipe her hands completely clean of the Fire Nation's royal family. Not really caring what was happening in the rest of the world, she stumbled around from territory to territory, drinking, gambling, and taking up muscle for hire gigs to keep herself afloat. Until she meets and unexpectedly bonds with a very lazy monk, who needed an escort through the Serpent's Pass.

***

Sascha ~ Nonbender | weapons specialist - firearms and projectiles

Solo ~ Waterbender | Southern-style waterbending, bloodbending

Sascha and Solo were both students of Hama. Nuff said.

Although the twins soaked up much of Hama's ruthless, yet practical attitude towards survival, they just didn't inherit her very deep, eternal loathing for the Fire Nation.

They also realized that she was pretty messed up.

When Sascha and Solo were of age, they made a clean break from Hama and decided to open up a business in one of the towns along the mountainside.

Having grown up in the Fire Nation colonies, Sascha and Solo were very used to hiding their connection to their Water Tribe heritage. They blended in well and opened their garment and optics shop. It was a strange combination, but they managed to stake their claim in the community.

However, the two of them were still very clear enemies of the Fire Nation. They rebelled by getting the information out to other Water Tribe refugees living in hiding. Solo taught bloodbending in his self defense classes (which was much easier for him to pull off rather than traditional waterbending because it required less physical labor and thus did not put as much of a strain on his body.)

Meanwhile, Sascha would show Water Tribe nonbenders how to assemble firearms, which at the time, were considered still very new and dangerous technology.

Solo was happy with their life, but Sascha grew bored and restless. She wanted an adventure.

Then one day a very strange monk winds up wounded on her doorstep in the middle of the night. He's riddled with bullets - the kind of which only Fire Nation militia and Sascha herself would know how to remove and treat the damage they could cause...

***

And a treat for those that made it this far! 😜

Me!!! A water-airbender hybrid. And you're damn right I would have some hair loopies!

[greatteachergojou]

JJK chapter 148 thoughts

kinda forgot about this review draft i made for ch.148 (also cuz i’m really busy with uni) so i’m getting this out here now before i read ch. 149 (review for ch. 149 will be posted later today. or so i hope.)

Look at this absolute misogynistic asshole questioning and demanding answers from her like she’s some item that belongs to him. It’s none of your friggin business, Naoya.

I should be more prepared to become infuriated any time he opens his mouths but damn, it pisses me off so much yet again. Thanks for that panel showing him bullying Maki, Gege. Really helps with my mood and all (i’m not even over the last chapter yet, dammit).

Maki didn’t let this environment break her but I can see why Touji became the way he was. Not everyone comes out of this shithole unscathed. And not everyone can muster the strength to fight against this.

Again, love their bond. Megumi is a kind kid. They have each others back. LOVE THAT.

As expected, Megumi has zero interest in getting involved with the Zenin clan. He’s a Fushiguro. And he doesn’t care about the position of power as the clan head. He just wants to save the people he wants to save.

And I love how rational Maki goes about this. She wants to become clan head by earning the title rightfully and getting acknowledged (although I kinda doubt the folks in the clan would ever truly acknowledge her because they’ve got their heads too far up their own asses).

She wants real change, not only for her but also for Mai. And I can’t believe I never recognized that she left the clan not only for herself but also for Mai’s sake. Dammit, why can’t you two sit down and talk to each other properly. They’re acting all hard and stubborn on the outside but actually care so much about each other.

Damn, that hurt a lot. Even if you’d think she doesn’t have any feelings left for her family (exept Mai), we can see by her expression that it still hurts. It’s one of the most hurtful feelings for a child to be told by their parents that they regret giving birth to them (and they don’t have any right to say that. your child didn’t ask to be born into this shit family.)

The Zenin clan somehow manages to surprise me again by how disgusting they are. I made the mistake of expecting some sorts of caring words (yeah i feel stupid) coming from her mother because I somehow thought 'at least there should be someone in that family who has a heart, right?’ (I mean, look at Kamo’s mom. She was kind.) - But haha, nope, not happening with the Zenins. They’re the worst of the worst.

Hahaha, I’ll take all the Naoya slander, even if it’s coming from the Zenins. Naoya is too full of himself.

(Pretty sure Gojo and him have crossed path before since they’re important clan members. I’d like to see that. Knowing Gojo, he’d roast him so hard. And just roast the Zenins geezers in general whenever he can. Plz gimme that, Gege.)

Little do they know that the king of curses also has a very good, although on-sided, relationship with Megumi. (Speaking of which, I’d say Kamo Noritoshi’s relationship is also one-sided xD)

There’s already everything wrong with them actually believing that ones trustworthiness and reputation has anything to do with their child’s power. Leave it to the Zenins to place all the blame on their child instead of acknowledging that it is indeed themself who suck.

Are the other Zenin’s even allowed to acces the storage without the head’s permission? I guess it just goes to proof again that they don’t really care about Megumi legally being the head of their clan. They just won’t abide by that. Megumi is the head but it probably doesn’t mean that much if the other leaders in the clan don’t want to acknowledge that.

He had everything planned out and set up, waiting for her in the storage room, with no weapons to use for Maki, knowing fully well that she has great mastery in handling weapons - such absolute and relentless murderous intend. And also, leaving Mai alive only because she could be used as a bargaining chip? Are you fucking serious? I have to ask again, just how can a parent be so damn cruel? They are really just competing about who’s the worst scum, huh?

That old fart really shed a tear - not because he mortally wounded his own daugthers but because he’s feeling oh so sorry for his sorry pathetic self. And of course it’s never his fault but it’s all his daugthers fault.

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry after reading a chapter, or sweared as much (and i’ve been holding back actually...). I can’t with the Zenins. What the fuck is this family.

Anyways, I’m not that worried? Maki just survived Jogo so there’s no way she’ll die here. Part of me is hoping for Yuta (or Inumaki?) to back her up but I really want it to be her who ends up beating the shit out of all of them. It should be her own triumph over the clan. Hoping for Maki and Mai combo (somehow, maybe? i don’t care how. just make it happen Gege)

[sandstonesunspear]

Fairytale!AU

Director Sanvers

Found a prompt chart for Pride Month and figured I’d try my hand at it. I’m a day behind because life. Parings are random.

Thanks to @nerdsbianhokie for letting me ramble about this, and to @georgiew2304 for reading it over.

AO3

Samuel Lane, King of Smallville, had a headache. He had given his daughter to the dragon that terrorised the many kingdoms of the land to keep it from destroying his kingdom. Unfortunately, his people loved Lucy more than they loved him and so, to prevent a revolt, he had lied to them and told them that the dragon had kidnapped her. It worked to keep the people from seeking his throat, but led them to demand that he send for a hero to rescue her. As king, Sam was not a man who considered himself at the whims of those he ruled over, but he knew that a lack of action on his part could also spark rebellion. Thus, he put out a call for a hero to try and get her back.

That had been a month ago. In that time, dozens of knights had gone to try and rescue Lucy, but none had succeeded.

Which was why he found himself staring down at yet another knight.

“Who is this knight that comes before me to answer my call, Harper?” he asked.

Lord James Harper cleared his throat and looked over the scroll in his hands. His eyes widened at the name. “Alexandra of House Danvers, Princess of--”

“It’s Alex,” the knight interrupted, “and it’s Prince.”

Sam raised an eyebrow while Harper sputtered at the interruption. He leaned forward. “I wasn’t aware that the ruling house of Midvale contained a son.”

If he had, he would have arranged a marriage between Lucy and said son ages ago.

“It doesn’t, I am the eldest of my house, but neither a woman nor a man,” Alex said.

Sam’s eyebrow rose even higher at that. “Then what are you?” he asked.

Alex shrugged. “A prince, a knight, maybe a hero, who can say?”

Were anyone else to give him such a blase response, Sam would have them executed on the spot. But he wanted his daughter back and the dragon dead. Cutting down the self-styled Prince of Midvale would give him neither of those outcomes. If anything, it had the potential to doom Lucy and spark war between Smallville and Midvale.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sam saw Harper reddening with fury at the nonchalant Midvale royal. He raised his hand to stop his advisor from exploding. “Your presence in my court says that you are here to answer my call and rescue my daughter. Is this true?” he asked.

Alex nodded. “Yes.”

He leaned back into his throne. “I’ve had many knights before you come into my halls for the same purpose,” he said. “As you can see, none of them have succeeded. How do you think you will succeed where they have failed?”

A small smirk appeared on Alex’s lips. “Midvale is known for the impossible, Your Majesty, and as its prince, you can expect the impossible from me.”

Sam nodded. “Then expect the impossible I shall, Princess--”

“It’s Prince.”

He continued as if Alex hadn’t interrupted him, “Slay the dragon who kidnapped my daughter and return her to me, and you shall be rewarded.”

Alex gave him a curt, half-bow but said nothing. They turned on their heel and marched out of the hall, leaving silence in their wake.

-

Gertrude’s growls were the first sign that something bad was coming. Seconds later, an inhuman roar caught Alex’s ears. They looked up in time to see a giant red dragon approaching. They and the hellhound quickly dove into the bushes and watched as the dragon flew past.

Alex glanced over the bush they were crouched behind. To their dismay, their eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on them. Perched atop the tower in the middle of the open field was a dragon, an honest to god dragon. They thought Kara had been kidding when she told them that Smallville had dragons.

Alex shifted ever so slightly to try and get a better view of the area without exposing themself. They felt a branch catch under their heel moments before they settled into position.

It snapped under their foot.

Alex winced.

“Who goes there?” a deep voice thundered.

Alex’s jaw dropped. It talked. Of course the damn dragon talked. They didn’t know why they were so surprised. They had a hellhound for a companion. Granted, she didn’t talk, but still. A talking dragon wasn’t the most ludicrous thing Alex had ever encountered.

“Who dares to enter my domain?” it continued. “What stupid creature dares to face my wrath this time?”

Alex reached down, picked up half of the branch they had stepped on, and threw it out into the open. They let out a shout, “I do!”

A gout of flame reduced the branch to ash.

“I’ll not stand parlor tricks!” the dragon roared. “Show yourself, mortal!”

Alex shared a grimace with Gertrude. They gripped the hilt of their sword and carefully made their way out from behind the bushes. They approached the tower, but signaled for Gertrude to stay a few paces behind them.

“Who are you, mortal? What is your business here?”

Alex drew themself up. “I am Prince Alex of Midvale,” they said, “and I’m here to rescue the princess you’ve kidnapped!”

The dragon laughed. Alex couldn’t stop themself from flinching at the noise. The dragon’s laughter was worse than its roars.

“Kidnapped? Smallville’s king gave her to me willingly, to spare his land from my wrath. I quite enjoy her company, and that of the other princess in my custody.”

Alex blinked. “What do you mean ‘other princess?’” they asked slowly.

The dragon gave Alex a smile that was all teeth. Even from the distance they were at and the sunlight shining above them, the darkness in the smile made both Alex and Gertrude take a step back.

“The king and queen of Blue Springs gifted her to me to remove the shame her proclivities caused,” the dragon said. “Her fear is so delicious. I’ll not relinquish her, nor will I release Smallville’s princess.”

Alex’s grip tightened around the hilt of their sword. “I’m not leaving without them,” they said, “and I’m more than happy to defeat you to make that happen.”

The dragon’s smile grew even darker. This time, Alex stood their ground. “You mortals are such fools,” it crooned. “I cannot be defeated by a man!”

Alex drew their sword. “Good thing I’m not a man, then,” they said.

“My kind learn from their mistakes,” it hissed and reared back. The way its throat lurched was the only warning Alex had before it spat fire at them. “No woman can defeat me either!”

Alex took half a step back and shouted, “Gert!”

Gertrude let out a loud woof and raced towards Alex. Alex held their hand out and remained steady, even with the fire roaring down towards them. They closed their eyes as thick black smoke enveloped them.

The trip lasted all of five seconds. Alex still swayed on their feet, though, when Gertrude dropped out of transport roughly forty feet away from where they had been standing. They recovered just in time to see the ground explode from the force of the fireball. It sent them and Gertrude flying.

Alex rolled to their feet, narrowly avoiding another blast. They grabbed Gertrude. “Up!” they ordered.

The two of them vanished in another puff of black smoke. Alex reappeared in the air right above the dragon, sword pulled back and ready to strike.

“No woman nor man can defeat me!” the dragon thundered. It reared back, ready to throw more fire at the falling prince-turned knight.

“I got news for you!” Alex drove their sword through its head before it could unleash another blast of fire. “I’m no woman either!”

Alex gave their sword one final twist, drawing a choked noise from the dragon, then yanked it out and jumped down onto the roof. They landed and rolled before quickly popping back up on their feet. A rumble caught their attention. They glanced over their shoulder to see the dragon’s corpse pitch over the side of the roof. Seconds later, the whole tower shook when the body impacted the earth.

Alex winced. They let out a sigh and closed their eyes before counting to ten. A woosh told them that Gertrude was back. They sheathed their sword, turned back to the two princesses, and felt their brain screech to a halt. The women in front of them were beautiful. One of them had striking green eyes that seemed to pierce Alex right to their core, while the other’s eyes had a steel and defiance behind them.

Alex startled when they felt a cold, bony nose nudge their hand. They glanced down at Gertrude, who shot a look of exasperation up at them. They swallowed and looked back up at the two princesses.

“Prince Alex of Midvale,” they stammered out.

The princess with striking green eyes looked rather unimpressed. “Princess Lucy of Smallville,” she said. She leaned back and folded her arms across her chest. “I wasn’t aware that the ruling house of Midvale had--”

“A son? It doesn’t,” Alex said.

The princess that Alex hadn’t planned on rescuing, spoke up, “I’d heard that the kingdom of Midvale was rather liberal about things like that.”

There was something odd colouring her tone, like she was both bitter about Midvale’s reputation but also in awe of it. It made Alex’s brow furrow.

“My father used to say that the people of Midvale are as free as the sea,” they said.

“Sounds nice. Blue Springs isn’t like that.” The bitterness came through clear with that statement.

It finally clicked for Alex. “You’re Princess Margarita--”

She cut them off, “It’s Maggie, just Maggie. And I’m no longer a princess, not if my parents have anything to say about it. My placement here should make that pretty obvious.”

“So your parents really did send you here,” Alex said. They glanced at Lucy. “And your father did as well?”

Both women nodded.

“My parents thought it best to remove me from Blue Springs, so that I wouldn’t have a ‘corrupting’ influence on my younger sister,” Maggie said. “So when they heard about the dragon, they figured they’d try to earn its goodwill preemptively and give me to it.”

Alex felt lost all over again. “Corrupting? What do you do, magic?” They knew that not all kingdoms held favourable views regarding those who were magically inclined.

They didn’t miss the way seemed to tense at their question. “I don’t like men,” Maggie said.

Ah.

Alex nodded. They could see why that could be a problem in a place like Blue Springs, especially for someone slated to be the next in line for the throne.

“If we’re announcing preferences like this, then let me just say, I like both men and women,” Lucy said. She aimed a look at Alex. “And you too, you’re pretty cute.”

Alex looked away and coughed, “Thank you, I think.” Their cheeks felt hotter than the first time Gertrude had licked their face.

“Never been called cute before?” Maggie asked.

“I have!” Alex said immediately. “Just, not by beautiful women--”

In the background, Gertrude let out a heavy, exasperated sigh.

“You think we’re beautiful?” Luck asked.

Alex immediately started sputtering, “No! I mean, yes, but--”

They stopped abruptly fell silent when the sound of Maggie’s laughter registered with their ears. It wasn’t unkind; instead, it was warm. She looked happy. From the way Lucy’s lips twitched into a small smile and quickly concealed look of awe on her face, Alex guessed it was the first time Lucy had heard Maggie laugh. It made Alex smile.

Eventually, Maggie’s laughter tapered off, but happiness on her face remained. She grinned at Alex. “I’ve got to agree with Lucy, you’re adorable.”

Alex felt their fading blush come back to their cheeks with a vengeance. They rubbed the back of their head, muttering, “Just don’t go spreading it around, I have a reputation to maintain.”

Maggie winked at them. “Your secret’s safe with us, Alex,” she said. “Can’t have it be known that the Prince of Midvale, Slayer of a dragon, is so easily flustered by two beautiful women.”

Beside Alex, Gertrude let out a noise that was somewhere between a bark and a cough. Alex knew that their partner was laughing at them.

They scowled down at her. “Whose side are you on here?” they grumbled.

She nuzzled their hand in apology.

Alex sighed. “Asshole,” they said. They scraped their nails against her skull nonetheless, drawing a wide canine grin from the hellhound.

Lucy coughed. “Not to ruin whatever atmosphere we have going on, but now what?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Alex asked.

Lucy shrugged. “I mean, what’s your next plan? The dragon is dead, you saved us, and you’re the only one who knows the truth about why me and Maggie are here,” she said.

Alex looked off into the distance. They had been around long enough, been ‘different’ long enough, to know to read in between the lines. They knew what Lucy was really asking: was Alex’s next step to give Lucy back to her father, and bring Maggie back to a family that had cast her aside, or was there something else in the works?

“I’d say,” they started, “that my plan is for you two to come back with me. To Midvale.”

Maggie and Lucy both blinked.

“You realise you barely even know us, right?” Maggie asked.

“I’d like to get to know the both of you better,” Alex said, “and if you come with me, I can do just that. We all can.”

“My father will never let me leave, not if it means losing his last bargaining chip,” Lucy said.

“Then we give him something that he needs: an alliance,” they said simply. “Both Smallville and Blue Springs need them, and they’re going to need to save face once word reaches your respective capitals that I’ve rescued you.”

Lucy scoffed, “That’ll never work.”

“I think it will.” Alex looked at the both of them. “Word in the taverns is that your father is desperate to secure an alliance between Smallville and another kingdom, but it’s been hard going because your sister eloped with some lowborn knight instead of going through with her betrothal to Prince Lex of Metropolis. And word about you,” they nodded to Maggie, “being missing hasn’t gone out. What kind of rumours do you think your parents will have to deal with when it comes out that their heir was missing and no one knew? They can’t plead ignorant.”

Alex watched realisation dawn on Maggie’s face.  

“So instead of asking for a reward outright, your plan is to make them think they’re saving face by agreeing to an alliance with Midvale,” she whispered.

Alex nodded. “Exactly,” they said. “Lucy’s father gets the alliance that he needs, your parents get to think that they’re sending you away, and the both of you get to stop being pawns in someone else’s game.”

“And yet, we’d still be pawns in your game,” Lucy said.

Alex laughed. “My game starts when we enter your father’s hall and ends when the two of you enter Midvale,” they said. “Before that and after that, it’s entirely up to the two of you. When I said I wanted to get to know the two you better, I meant it, but only if you’re up for it.”

Alex waited and held their breath as they waited for a response from Maggie and Lucy. They knew what they had proposed was unorthodox, but they couldn’t find it in themself to care. They knew just how lucky they had it, being the Prince of Midvale. They were practically living their own fairytale just by being able to live as they wished. Maggie and Lucy didn’t have that and Alex wanted to give that to the both of them. They wanted to see that spark of happiness on Maggie’s face again, wanted Lucy’s striking green eyes to see that she was more than just a bargaining chip for her father.

Maggie was the first one to speak. “Okay,” she said.

Alex blinked. “Okay?”

“Okay, I’ll come with you.” Her gaze grew distant, as if she was seeing something far beyond either Lucy and Alex. “I’ve always heard things about Midvale. I want to see if they’re true.”

They are, Alex wanted to say. But they held themself back. Instead they looked to Lucy and raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”

Lucy smirked. Alex unconsciously swallowed at the sight. “I’m in,” she said. “Just promise me one thing before we start all of this?”

“What is it?” Alex asked.

“Promise me that this’ll work.” For a brief moment, Alex saw vulnerability. It made them realise that as much as Lucy wanted the freedom this could bring her, she also wanted her kingdom to prosper.

Alex grinned at her. “Midvale is known for making the impossible, possible,” they said. “This will work.”

Lucy nodded. “All right, then. I’m holding you to that then, Alex.”

Maggie came up to Alex’s side. “We both are,” she said.

Alex nodded. “I certainly hope so, I’d be both a very poor prince and a very poor knight if my word meant nothing.” They held their hand out for Gertrude. “Ready Gert?”

Gertrude let out a loud bark.

They fisted their hand through the thick smoke of her body. “Let’s go home.”

Black smoke rose up to cover all of them. Alex closed their eyes. Then, they were gone.

[kolbehq]

FILE // BASIC INFORMATION

Name: Finley “Fin” Calder.

Age: 25 years old.

Gender: Non-binary.

Pronouns: They/them.

Species: Human.

Home Planet: Creon.

Job: Mechanic.

Criminal Record: Theft and destruction of government property, illegal and dangerous modification of vehicles, resisting arrest, assaulting an officer.

Sentence: 5 years.

Faceclaim: Ezra Miller.

FILE // BACKGROUND

Hedone is a loud and crowded and chaotic city on a loud, crowded, and chaotic planet, and the birth of Finley Calder did nothing but contribute to that chaos. Their childhood was unconventional in many ways, but the one thing they never wanted for was love. Fin was raised in a winding series of rooms inhabited by a handful of single mothers, the occasional partner, and whoever else needed a few cushions and a corner to rest in. As far as Fin was concerned, those women and children were all their family, big and boisterous and unexpected as it was. And at it’s heart- in Fin’s mind, at least- stood their mother, Ella. Her smile is Fin’s most prized inheritance, her generosity their inspiration. 

For all the love that was packed in that small space, time was not something Fin’s mother, or any of the adults, really, had to spare for the herd of children gathered around them. School could only occupy so much time, and working in one of Creon’s tourist capitals meant long hours of exhausting work, so even when some of the adults were home the older children often took on the job of watching the younger ones. Fin was nurtured in equal parts curled up in a campbed with their mother, leaning in close as she whispered stories into their ear, and running as fast as short legs could take them to tag along at the heels of the bigger kids in the grimy backstreets of Hedone. They learned fast who to stay away from, who to approach only cautiously, and which bars would give them a glass of cold water if they clambered up onto a barstool and flashed a toothy grin. 

By the time Fin was five or six it became clear they were the boldest of the younger cohort of their unconventional family, and so it was only natural that they were the one who developed the quickest fingers. After all, they didn’t have the money to buy treats or tickets to play the games advertised with bright neon signs in buildings full of tourists. And so Fin would slip away and return with a handful of VR arcade game tokens and feel their heart swell at the glee on the other children’s faces, giggling and feigning protest at the rough and excited hugs they were dragged into. Even then, when things had felt innocent, when Fin hadn’t completely understood that stealing wasn’t generally considered the best behavior, even on Creon, they’d studiously kept it all a secret from their mother. 

It’d grown from there. Fin only grew bolder, and their legend grew from just the children of their family to the other kids in the gutters. If Fin had been older perhaps they might have anticipated their downfall, but it was at the immortal age of eight that they were first caught. The hand seemed to have come from nowhere, parting the crowd, big fingers completely encircling their upper arm in a sudden vice grip. Fin was thrown up against the nearest shopfront, and the stolen kiwis (imported, they later discovered, from Lysander, and stupid expensive) were retrieved from their pockets. They’d returned home with a deep purple ring of bruises around their arm and wide, watery eyes. 

Years later, when they stole something again for the first time, they discovered it was like riding a bike. Their fingers hadn’t forgotten. 

They’d just turned seventeen when their mother lost her job in the resort, and ignoring her protests, they’d dropped out of school and found a job with a mechanic, strenuous and unforgiving, but with decent pay. They were good with their hands, after all. Their employer, a big man who was at his best indifferent towards those working in his shop, didn’t particularly like Fin from the beginning (too loud, too bold, too prone to letting their tongue go unchecked), but indifference tempered with vague dislike was nothing Fin hadn’t shrugged off as not worth their time before. 

By nineteen, Fin knew their way around almost any model of ship that turned up in the shop, and knew intimately well that half the “repairs” the big boss was making the workforce on the floor execute were ineffective, or done with faulty parts, or just downright deliberately dangerous. If they had been more familiar with Old Earth culture they might have called him the quintessential crooked used-car salesman, except in this case the sleazy short cuts might result in an entire ship decompressing and killing everyone inside. They did their best to mitigate the damage, but it was a balancing act between doing what they could and making sure no one caught on. Something told them that to do anymore than warn clients and try to prevent the most potentially fatal patches would catch their boss’ eye, in which case he wasn’t likely to be willing to keep paying them. And their mother needed the money.

At twenty, Fin had had enough. They avoided visiting their mother for a couple of days until their black eye was at least slightly less swollen shut, but she fussed and told them off with deep sympathy anyway when they explained the explosion of rage that they had found themself the target of after their retrospectively misguided act of turning up at their boss’ office door to say they were quitting and also had notified the authorities and a number of officers should be there to arrest him in the next couple minutes. They’d stumbled out of the shop bruised and blooded, but with a bag of tools no one would miss under their arm. 

It’d been hard, after that, to find a job. It turned out having a moral compass, even a questionable one, didn’t endear one to employers in Hedone. Fin resorted to scraping by working one-off mechanical repairs, earning a reputation for fixing ships quickly and well for next to nothing. No one asked questions, and for a while it worked. Hardly anyone ever noticed if some parts went missing from the innards of a docked ship on the other side of town right around the same time a newly repaired one took off again. 

FILE // CURRENTLY

Fin had been caught before. Sneaky as they’d had to relearn being, once they’d been spotted they weren’t very good at blending into crowds. Wearing things like jackets they’d painted a gigantic purple python across the back of, or a skirt adorned with illuminated led flowers, made hiding harder than it was for most. But before that time, the very last time Fin had tried to lose a tail, not sacrificing the jacket had seemed worth a couple of punches or the occasional broken bone, maybe a night or two in the nearest jail cell. Maybe if they hadn’t been quite so them that day they might not have ended up in prison. And then subsequently trapped on a suicide mission on a ship to everywhere and nowhere, of course.

The crime that did them in was one they’d committed so many times before that they’d lost count. But they’d known from the start that the stakes were higher this time around. If they were on Antigone every other ship would have what they needed, but on Creon top-of-the-line parts were comparatively few and far between. They knew it was monumentally stupid to try to rip into the hull of a United Planets ship, even if it wasn’t a particularly important one, but jobs had been sparse, Fin wasn’t exactly thinking clearly, and the money would have lasted them months.

It was a testament to just how desperate they knew the job was from the beginning that Fin wasn’t exactly sober when they had slipped away from the UP ship, critical mechanical part tucked deep into the pocket of their too-long jacket. They’d blame that lack of sobriety for the fact that they didn’t just let themself be dragged away when a hand came out of the crowd and locked around their upper arm. It was all over then, and they knew it, but they’d racked up another criminal charge anyway by kicking one guard in the crotch and throwing a wrench grabbed blindly from their pocket at another, cursing and squirming the entire time.

Not that it had amounted to anything more than a new set of bruises. The arrest had led to an investigation which had led to the uncovering of a pattern of crimes, and the authorities didn’t seem impressed by the fact that Fin had never left any ships unsafe for flight. They were more concerned with the illegal bits. Of which there seemed to be many.

Fin spent the next year in prison. It was jarring to only see their mother a handful of times over those months after years of practically living out of each other’s pockets even when Fin had moved out. She would be fine, or so she had sworn up and down to them- she had support in the women Fin had always regarded as family, some savings that Fin had tucked away, and a job again. They still couldn’t help but feel like they’d completely failed her. They resorted to spending all their free time in the prison library, filling out the theoretical side their education in mechanics had lacked, driven out of self preservation more than anything else. It was this studiousness, regardless of motivation, that had landed them standing in front of a group of people asking them what they could do to help a mission to find humanity’s next home. They’d laughed.

What had followed was a long and arduous process as the powers that be evaluated their ability and fitness to join the ES Kolbe, and Fin paid the whole thing only half their attention as they wrestled with the reality that they were considering running from everything with the distinct possibility of never returning. It was the insidious thought that their mother was probably better off without them that had Fin signing their life away, and drove their feet forward as they stepped aboard the ship.

In many ways, Fin’s job on the Kolbe is easier than the work they did back on Creon. The tools are newer, better models, and there are actually spare parts and materials to made repairs with. On such a large ship inhabited by so many people, things break or malfunction on a daily basis, so Fin finds themself zigzagging all over the Kolbe to attend to whichever panel is rattling or door sparking at any given moment. Even if their job didn’t demand constant motion, Fin would be on the move. They haven’t really sat down to consider how they feel now that they’re on the Kolbe, and they aren’t convinced that they ever want to, either.  

[pmcurtis]

Can you do all the in depth headcanon promos for tim Shepard?

☠ : Are there any recent/daily thoughts they have about death or dying?

While Tim has had many friends die, he doesn’t think about death all that often. He can’t help but think of himself as sort of invincible, however, he’s smart enough to not be stupid with that theory. 

☯ : Do they believe for every darkness there is a lightness? If not, why?

He’s sure there’s good in the world, but he’s seen a lot of that bad and finds it easy to believe that perhaps there’s more darkness in this world than light. 

♥ : Name one thing about the way their emotions work that they despise.

Honestly, doesn’t give much thought on his emotions. He’s a man of action and he’s confident that it’s what makes him a good leader and his judgement isn’t easily clouded by his emotions. 

☆ : Would they ever wish upon a falling star? If so, what would they wish?

When he was younger and his parents were drunk and yelling, he’d often wish on a star to just let his house be quiet so he could sleep. 

☁ : Describe how they would spend a stormy, overcast/rainy day.

Tim knows how to use poor weather to his advantage. Rainy and overcast days are the best for extracting revenge, or even doing something as simple as stealing hubcaps, since people tend to keep a low profile during bad weather. 

☂ : Storms or clear skies?

Storms. Tim loves the thrill of a storm and extreme weather. The howling winds and crashing thunder almost gives him a sense of calm. He has a healthy respect for the forces of nature. 

εжз : What about nature do they find calming? What about nature do they find disagreeable?

He finds trees and bushes useful for hiding and stashing things, especially if cops are getting nosy, so in a way, he’s more calm with a large tree or bush around. Hornets, though, can fuck right off. 

☎ : List three or more people they would call out for during an emergency.

Angela, Darry, or Dally. He’s been known to call Two-bit, too, if he’s desperate enough. 

☛ : What is their typical response to being given orders?

Tim doesn’t get orders, he gives them, and everybody knows that.

☢ : Describe a thought or dream that would cause them to have a mental meltdown.

He’s secretly terrified of Angela or Curly getting killed. There really the only people he truly cares about and he refuses to think of what he’d do without them. 

✄ : Are there any reasons why they would ever think of self-harm? If so, what are they?

No.

❤ : Describe a physical action that shows complete trust.

Tim’s very adamant on showing his dominance in the gang, so if he lets you lead near the front with him, he trusts you.

❥ : Describe a verbal way they would express complete trust.

Asking you to help him out with something. Unless he’s with his gang, he’s generally more of a ‘lone wolf’ type, so if he’s willing to have you tag a long, it’s a good sign. 

✗ : Explain how they portray feelings of hostility or dislike.

Switch blade out the moment you show up, having his gang circle around you, tight, clenched jaw, clenched fists.

⊗ : What is something that causes them to question themself?

Sometimes he sees all of the shit Curly gets into and wonders if he was that fucking stupid back when he was Curly’s age. 

☾ : On a sleepless night, what would they be found doing?

Tim is an avid reader, so if he can’t sleep you can definitely find him up reading and smoking.  

☤ : Is there anything about their health they are continuously on edge about? Something they disregard?

He’s actually pretty damn healthy, but he hasn’t been to a dentist for a good number of years.

✓ : Name at least two people who can trust them with their life.

Darry and Angela. 

❣: Describe a way that will earn affection (whether platonic or romantic) from them.

He’s not really an affectionate guy, but if he’s known you long enough sometimes he’ll give you a friendly shoulder punch, or throw his arm around your shoulder while budding around. 

✖ : Describe a way to make them uneasy or apprehensive.

He gets uneasy when anyone gets overly emotional in front of him because he’s not really sure how to act. He’s also apprehensive when it comes to comforting others because he’s never really found a good way to do it. 

♆ : Are they prone to violent outbursts or thoughts?

While he generally keeps a lid of his emotions, he’s not afraid to act out violently if his reputation, family, a member of his gang, or another greaser is threatened. 

✏ : What are their creative outlets?

He reads a lot of novel. He’s actually very intelligent, and reading books allows him to escape from his busy mind. 

✉ : Do they tend to rely on words or actions more?

Tim know’s the importance of both, but he’d much rather show you a consequence than tell you. Words, too him, are useless without action. 

♡ : Is there a certain scent that brings about nostalgia? If so, describe a memory this scent brings back.

Any sort of salty smell reminds him of a fishing trip he and his friends went on when he was around 14. It was the first time he left Tulsa, and he’d love to take Curly and Angela some day. 

۞: Are there any inner demons they can never seem to get rid of? What are they?

Because of how bad his relationship with his parents is, he’s terrified of ever becoming a dad, so he has a hard time developing a long-term relationship with a girl. 

[freneticliar]

Let’s play, “was I abused” game! Reblog and bold the things your parents have done to you! Italicize if you’re not sure. (copy paste it all and then bold)

Physical abuse

parent slapped me to prove their point/teach me a lesson

parent spanked me as a “punishment” saying it was for my own good

parent pulled on my hair to force me to move

parent threw things at me while angry, things heavy enough to hurt me

parent trapped me into a room/corner so I couldn’t escape them

parent hit me when I wouldn’t obey them/tried to confront them

parent used a twig/stick/belt to lash at my body

parent grabbed me to force me to pay attention to them

parent pinned me down and physically prevented me from escaping

parent brought me into situations where I feared for my life

parent made it painfully obvious for me that I’ll obey them or suffer injuries

parent threatened to beat me if I wouldn’t do as they say

parent forcefully fed me something I refused to eat

parent made an attempt at strangling/drowning/burning me

parent banged my head/body into the wall/furniture

parent forced me into sexual activities

Emotional abuse

parent called me derogatory names and slurs more than once

parent said my name mostly with hatred and scorn in their voice

parent degraded and humiliated me in front of others for fun

parent insulted and devalued something really important to me

parent deprived me of something that meant the world to me

parent yelled and swore at me in anger more than once

parent blamed me for things that were out of my control/not my fault

parent shamed me for my physical appearance

parent guilt-tripped me for not pleasing them well enough

parent regarded me as a burden, and shamed me for needing them at all

parent insisted I couldn’t take a joke after I got hurt from their insults

parent never comforted me/got angry if I reached for comfort

parent punished me for crying/showing fear/showing trauma symptoms

parent humiliated me for showing excitement and happiness

parent subtly let me know that my feelings and my problems don’t matter

parent got angry at me for feeling depressed/angry/tired/suicidal

parent blamed me for feeling depressed/angry/tired/suicidal

parent compared me to cousins/other children to prove how I’m the worst

parent decided for me how I feel when it was convenient for them

parent told me that I was crazy/delusional/need to be locked away

parent threatened me with kicking me out/sending away if I don’t change

parent refused to accept my sexuality/tried to force it to change

parent required for me to act normal to protect family’s reputation

parent isolated me from family activities they all enjoy

parent assured me that nobody will ever want me

parent insisted that I was lucky and that I could have had it much worse

parent made me responsible for their well being and made me the caretaker

parent insisted that their harmful acts were all made “out of love”

parent demanded me to be available for their requests at any time

parent punished me for trying to establish boundaries

parent destroyed my belongings as a revenge

parent made inappropriate sex jokes and comments in my presence

parent denied doing any of this and insists that all the blame is on me

Psychological Abuse

parent kept pointing out my flaws as proofs that I wont achieve anything

parent called me stupid, incompetent, ignorant, while withholding information that I needed to know in order to complete tasks

parent would change their side of the agreement in crucial moment and then pretend it was obvious from the start

parent stalked me/distrusted me without any reason/invaded my privacy

parent attacked my insecurities and vulnerabilities in any argument

parent forced me into degrading actions while they watched me do it

parent threatened to leave me

parent accused me regularly of behaving the way they did

parent never acknowledged, praised or approved of my actions

parent always demanded they are right without any proof/explanation

parent insisted that they’re a great parent using financial support as proof

parent insisted that I should be grateful for how good they are to me

parent gaslighted me and tried to make me believe my memories weren’t real if I confronted them with what they did

Neglect

parent didn’t notice I haven’t been eating properly

parent didn’t notice I was sick/didn’t care for me while I was sick

parent didn’t notice I was injured

parent didn’t notice I didn’t have clothes/shoes I needed for school

parent didn’t notice I suffered from trauma

parent didn’t notice I was anxious and stressed

parent didn’t notice I was depressed

parent didn’t notice I was cutting myself

parent didn’t notice I was suicidal

parent didn’t notice I was being sexually abused

parent didn’t notice I was being bullied

parent failed to get me medical attention when it was needed

parent failed to teach me the very basics of self care

parent didn’t seem to notice any of my needs and feelings except the absolute minimum I required to survive

when I notified them of these things, they denied it, accused me of lying, decided it wasn’t happening and/or blamed me for it

Financial Abuse

parent made me feel ashamed for needing money

parent made me feel like I’m a financial burden to them

parent only gave me minimal money to survive

parent made sure I never have a decent amount of money on me

parent took the money I earned from me

parent used the money to blackmail me (if you continue this way let’s see who will pay for your bus ticket!)

parent insisted since they “pay for my stuff” they have the right to control my behaviour and actions

parent had enough money for luxury but kept me without anything

parent refused to get my medicine/get me medical attention because it’s too expensive while they got everything for themselves

parent would keep me anxious over if they would pay my expenses or not

parent would make me do as much work for them as possible before they would pay for a necessity

parent kept me in the dark over family finances even when I was of age

parent would make sure I never have enough money to escape them

If you bold more than 5 things, you have been through abuse. For some particular ones, even one true thing on this list means you’ve been badly harmed by your parents. Also this list is not complete, there are many more abusive behaviours not listed here, feel free to add!

Some others of mine:

• parent said that they would kill themself and it would all be my fault

• parent said they were having a heart attack and said I had killed them

• parent said their alcohol dependency and binge drinking was all my fault

• parent said I ruined their life and they can’t bear to look at me