#Ballade of Avaritia

[vixx-ari]

I made this thing-its so scruffy and Duffy and trashy but it's mrooge so it's OK 👍

(I will now shamelessly insert self advertisement for "Ballade of Avaritia", an "A Christmas Carol" fic that's still in production along with @thedivinelights and @vincentholdsapen on ao3 that you should totally check out if you're interested!)

[vixx-ari]

After nearly a month it's finally here!!

co-writers: @vincentholdsapen, @vixx-ari

Summary:

Ten years have passed since those fateful visitations, and Ebenezer Scrooge finally casts off his life as a mortal to ascend to the afterlife. Yet this is not the end of his tale, for Jacob Marley comes with a proposal he wouldn't dare to refuse.

Now learning how to harness his newfound abilities, the former miser must now prepare himself to defend the both the living and the dead, wielding the chains he cast aside to collect the rebellious souls who dare to harm either realm alongside the spectres who once guided him... with some unfamiliar spirits.

Needless to say, Scrooge has quite the journey ahead of him.

[SNIPPET UNDER THE CUT]

"Hurry, you two! Try to keep up!" Past gave a grin as they walked ahead of the duo, occasionally shifting into the forms of the occasional passerby to greet them before turning back into the form of Milligan. "We'll be late to the festivities if you two just lumber along like that!"

The two spirits groaned in unison, with Scrooge rubbing his eyes as he walked; it was too early for him to have the mental capacity to deal with this. "Do we truly have to go to this fair, Past? 'Tis just going to be a bunch of love-struck fools making googly eyes at each other and puckering their lips."

Marley, having resigned himself to his fate, shrugged his shoulders, causing his chains to rattle around him. "I'll admit, I don't see the harm in it, Ebenezer. We spend so much time indoors to begin with, maybe the change of pace would be good for us."

"Well, yes, but-"

"And besides..." Marley tilted his head to Past, whose waxy figure was still flitting ahead of them. "You know how they are. Once they have their head stuck into something, it is nearly impossible to dissuade them. I think it best to go along with them. Make the most of the situation, eh?"

Scrooge grumbled under his breath as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, eventually acquiescing to the whims of the wonderfully annoying yet open-handed Entis that was the Ghost of Christmas Past and eliciting a quiet laugh from his partner beside him.

They continued to trod along the streets, before finally getting to the fair. Neither of the two men had been to a single fair in their lives — so much to do, so little time to do so, they supposed — so the sight was definitely something to behold. The glistening horses that pranced around the carousels. The array of colourful streamers and balloons that littered the once dismal grounds. The people who walked about in pairs, threes, groups of five or more, with nothing but content and enjoyment in their undead souls. Yes, it was most definitely a sight to see.

“It’s loud.” Scrooge grumbled, his hands hovering over his ears as if it lessened the noise. “I did not imagine that there would be so many…”

“People?” Marley finished his partner’s sentence as he trailed off, looking around the field with an expression that could easily be interpreted as confused, astonished or almost terrified. Scrooge was certainly no better than him, eyeing those porcelain horses as if he’d seen a ghost. Hyperbole, of course.

Past though, ever the juxtaposition to their money lending companions, was essentially bouncing off both feet, screeching in their throat in what had to be in complete and utter thrill. Who would think an essentially omnipotent and omniscient being in terms of past events, and one of the triad of the Christmas, would be so enthralled with the festivities of romance and intimacy?

Whatever sickness of anticipation the spirit seemed to have caught must have not been contagious, as Scrooge's hands tightened around it himself, still eyeing those porcelain with cautious eyes. He almost shifted the opposite way from it. Marley was attempting to gather his chains in a somewhat orderly way, apologizing sincerely to another spirit who must have hit his foot in one of the metal boxes from how he hissed and hopped away in pain. 

Tagged: @undeadchestnut @pinkytoothlesso11 @girlbosseveyhammond

[pinkytoothlesso11]

What are your thoughts on that Christmas Carol fic 'Ballad of Avaritia'?

Okay I really, REALLY love it! It's such an original idea and I don't think it's anything like what I was expecting, with it set after Scrooge's death and in his afterlife.

Couldn't recommend it enough, both for the fantastic world-building and for the descriptive and compelling writing.

And of course it has slow-burn Scrooge x Marley in the background which helps lol.

[undeadchestnut]

Someone gifted me a fic on Ao3 for Ballad of Avaritia, and the idea of Ebenezer being insanely into music theory just SENDS me every time. Like, if prompted, he'd be able to direct the composition of 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' for fun!! Jacob, of course, would indulge him tremendously. I like to think Ebenezer can play the piano and Jacob can play the violin.

Aaaaah! 😭 I don't think either of them would've ever taken the time to learn an instrument? (Too busy with work!) Sounds like an "in another lifetime" kind of thing to me, but oh my god, the very thought of Ebenezer playing the Piano and JACOB THE VIOLIN!!!

[balladofavaritia]

co-writers: @vincentholdsapen, @vixx-ari

Hey y'all, it's me, @thedivinelights! And I've made a new blog entirely dedicated to Ballad of Avaritia now that I've finished Stave One!

All chapters for Stave Two and onward will now be posted here, and (hopefully) we can continue onward to deliver the stories of Scrooge, Marley, and so many more.

Get ready... because Stave Two is going to be much more than what you expect it to be.

Feel free to ask anything regarding BoA and, within reason, we'll answer!

[just-tadzio]

3 . “ Désenchanté . “

L’Orgueil

Superbia en latin.

"Consiste à s’attribuer des mérites qui sont des dons de Dieu."

Tadzio pense qu’il peut lui même faire sa justice. Prendre une vie, celle de son tortionnaire. S’il est appr��cié, c’est parce qu’il est doué, beau, intéressant. Il a beau se détester secrètement parfois, il porte souvent une haute estime de lui même, et joue de ses charmes. Et il a toujours raison, toujours.

L’Avarice

Avaritia en latin.

"Principe et action d’accumulation de richesses recherchées pour elles-mêmes."

Tadzio veut ce joli manteau, ce nouveau téléphone, des bijoux, il ne les rangera jamais, les perdra sûrement, mais il veut, il veut toutes ces belles choses. On les lui paie, ou il les achète. Ca ne sert à rien, il n’a nulle part ou les ranger, mais il en veut toujours plus. Quelle jolie paire de talons! Ah.. Il les veut.

L’Envie

Invidia en latin.

"Le fait de ressentir de la tristesse face à la possession par un autre d’un bien avec la volonté de se l’approprier à tout prix."

Le client a un joli vase, un joli canapé, de beaux meubles et des vêtements plus beaux que les siens. Il tripote, il regarde, il a envie de les posséder. Tadzio se ballade dans l’appartement en s’imaginant y vivre, il est jaloux. Jaloux aussi du couple qui se tient la main, rentrant chez eux, jaloux à mourir des gens qui ont une vie normale, même si au final il n’aimerait pas qu’ils aient la sienne, non, il aimerait mériter d’avoir cette vie là aussi. Hop, un collier est glissé dans sa poche, il le vole, il se sent un peu mieux.

La Colère

Ira en latin.

"Comportement (paroles et actes) excessif se traduisant par des violences et des insultes."

Ca monte comme la moutarde, Tadzio fronce les sourcils. Sa souffrance se mue en rage, et il crie, il lance les objets autour de lui, frappe du pied, renverse un meuble. Il beugle des insultes, et il a envie de frapper. Parfois ça lui prend, une claque sur la joue de son interlocuteur qui a dit quelque chose qu’il ne fallait pas, ou une colère sourde lorsqu’il se rappelle que son agresseur est toujours là, quelque part, à vivre sa meilleure vie. Enfoiré, il aimerait qu’il crève de ses propres mains.

La Luxure

Luxuria en latin.

"Le plaisir sexuel est recherché pour lui-même."

Vous croyez qu’il n’y prend pas plaisir ? Avec ses clients ? Ah, parfois, ça arrive. Il y a des mauvais coups partout. Mais au final, Tadzio s’y ai fait, et il adore ça, le sexe. Il y est presque autant drogué qu’à sa cigarette. Sous son petit air innocent -quand il n’ouvre pas sa bouche-, il scrute la foule, minaudant, battant des cils, espérant que le bel homme,  là bas, lui demande de ses services. Ah, et en plus il est payé pour prendre son pied, ça au moins, c’est bien.

La Paresse

Acedia en latin.

"La paresse est ici morale voire intellectuelle.L’âme n’est plus nourrie par la lecture spirituelle, la prière et la pénitence."

On lui demande ce qu’il pense du culte, il hausse les épaules. Tadzio s’en fout. Pour autant, plus jeune, il lisait beaucoup, s’intéressait à l’ancien monde autrement que pour sa mode, ses musiques, mais maintenant, il s’en fiche. Pourquoi réfléchir trop longtemps ? Ah! Ca lui ferait du mal, il sait que ça l’énerverait. Alors il ne fait pas d’efforts, pour sa santé mentale déjà bancale.

La Gourmandise

Gula en latin.

"Le mot plus juste serait la gloutonnerie qui traduit l’idée de démesure."

Le blond n’a pas mangé depuis deux jours, mais le voilà, devant un poulet rôti entier, et ses frittes, sa montagne de frittes. Le gros gâteau au chocolat sur la table ? Ah! C’est pour lui aussi. Il avait si faim, il a bien travaillé, alors il mange, il mange, il mange, pendant des heures. Son client a le malheur de lui proposer à manger ? Il dévalise la cuisine. Ben quoi ? Il a besoin d’énergie, il est jeune et il se dépense beaucoup..

[thedivinelights]

So I was working on some character studying and decided to make a young Jacob with a young Ebenezer, roughly around the same age as shown in the book. I took a lot of inspiration from @undeadchestnut's designs for a young Jacob.

Have some two young men be ready to extort thee. Will you let them?

[thedivinelights]

Ballad of Avaritia: Ebenezer Scrooge

I gave Ebenezer chains that morph into a spear, and one thing's for sure: You don't want to be on the wrong end of his weapon...

And here's an extra drawing of Beryl!!!

[vixx-ari]

Dont worry guys, the slow burn will proceed to keep burning at painfully slow rate 🥲

co-writers: @vincentholdsapen , @vixx-ari

Ten years have passed since those fateful visitations, and Ebenezer Scrooge finally casts off his life as a mortal to ascend to the afterlife. Yet this is not the end of his tale, for Jacob Marley comes with a proposal he wouldn't dare to refuse.

Now learning how to harness his newfound abilities, the former miser must now prepare himself to defend the both the living and the dead, wielding the chains he cast aside to collect the rebellious souls who dare to harm either realm alongside the spectres who once guided him... with some unfamiliar spirits.

Needless to say, Scrooge has quite the journey ahead of him.

[SNIPPET UNDER THE CUT]

The Twin Realm Gates

To behold the majesty of such a sight as these gates is to glimpse the delicate intersection between the ethereal plane of the afterlife and the realm of the living.

The Twin Realm Gates, scattered across the globe like precious gems of transcendence, serve as conduits between the tangible world and the intangible realm beyond. Each gate is a formidable structure, standing tall and resolute, a testament to the ancient bond between the living and the dead. They bear the weight of eons, their architectural grandeur exuding an air of mystique and reverence far above the clouds of the greatest cities in the world, hidden from mortal eyes.

Approaching one of these gates is akin to stepping into a realm between worlds. They shimmer with an ethereal glow, as if dancing with the pale moonlight itself. The gates, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, seem to possess a consciousness of their own, whispering secrets from a forgotten time. The air around them crackles with energy, a gentle hum that resonates through the depths of one's being. And, perhaps what is most intriguing, are the multitude of draconic imagery that coils around the archways of these edifices. Many scholars, myself included, have debated and contested as to the true origins of these enigmatic structures, yet none can come to a consensus on a hypothesis. Mayhap we never will.

The Department of Afterlife Security and Enforcement, an authority tasked with maintaining order and regulating the flow of spirits, utilises the Twin Realm Gates as their guardians of border control. All spirits eager to traverse the threshold and enter the realm of the afterlife must navigate a labyrinth of bureaucracy, permits, and paperwork. The gates, therefore, serve not only as passageways but also as gatekeepers of the bureaucratic machinery that governs the transition.

Permits, meticulously filled with details of one's life and purpose in the afterlife, are submitted and reviewed, subjected to the scrutinising eyes of the diligent guards stationed at these gates. The spirits seeking passage must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by DASE. The bureaucracy — though frustratingly convoluted, I must admit —  is a necessary evil to maintain the delicate balance between realms and ensure the safety and integrity of both the living and the dead.

Though it should come as no surprise that access for Avaritions have been few and far between in known years since DASE was first established, and I dare not to falsely accuse for something that has been beneficial for most.

Tagged: @undeadchestnut @m0nsterwife @pinkytoothlesso11

[thedivinelights]

my magnum opus

That is EXACTLY what went through everyone's heads when we saw that!!! It was sooo funny omg and Ebenezer is just SO CONFUSED- 😂😂😂😂

THANK YOU for gifting us with that amazing fic for Ballad of Avaritia AND for the gorgeous fanart!!

Poor, sweet, innocent Eben not knowing what the hell is going on. Past is just having fun!!!

[thedivinelights]

Ballad of Avaritia Character Designs: Ebenezer Scrooge

LINK TO BALLAD OF AVARITIA

While working on Chapter 4 of Ballad of Avaritia with vincentholdsapen and vixx-ari I figured to give you all a character design for Ebenezer as of Stave One. This is just one of many character designs that will be in BoA, so be sure to be on the lookout for them.

This is actually a recent redraw of the design for BoA Ebenezer that I made a while back, and I figured I'd post the more recent one.

SO BEHOLD THE CHAINBREAKER HIMSELF, MR. EBENEZER SCROOGE.

God I love this skrunkly old man

OLDER ONE UNDER THE CUT:

[thedivinelights]

co-writers: @vincentholdsapen, @vixx-ari

Ebenezer Scrooge captured the Phantasim of Sloth two years ago, and the title of Chainbreaker has only brought the weight of more burdens to be rested upon him.

Now more experienced and knowledgeable in the ways of the afterlife. Scrooge must learn to navigate his own heart and the hearts of others to bring forth the equality that has been sorely lacking... all while dealing with his own search for answers he yearned for so, so long ago.

But will he like what he sees? None can say...

[SNIPPET UNDER THE CUT]

"Well… that was certainly a sight."

"Goodness, I don't think I've ever seen his face turn so red!"

You would think that the spiritual embodiments of Christmas would have some sense of decorum. Perhaps entertaining in the mannerisms befitting their stature in the upper echelons of society. They were mentors, after all. Guides, teachers, redeemers. Blessed with the ability to traverse through time and space, to witness cultures and empires rise and fall throughout centuries, encompassing all of humanity's capacity for kindness.

And yet here Past and Present were… having just been kicked out of the counting house by a red-faced Scrooge who had just about had it up to here with their childish bickering and immature meddling. It appeared he could only take so many accidents regarding ink and wine and flames before he reached his limit.

"I should have known better than to expect an ounce of professionalism out of you two!" If looks could kill, Scrooge would most definitely be considered a murderer at this point as he gripped the door of the counting house with such force that he could break the hinges off of it. A portion of his suit had been set aflame, and his hair was dishevelled and covered in ink, staining the silver and teal strands into a murky black. "Listen here, and listen well: I expect the both of you to go out and get… whatever it is you have to get out of your systems! I don't care if it involves chasing a greasy hog, roller skating, or any other ridiculous activity you come up with, but you are not to step foot into this office until you have regained some manner of rectitude!"

Past couldn't help but whine, their form shifting into that of a young boy as they stamped their foot. "But what about Future?!"

"Future at the very least knows how to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their stature as an Entis." His voice was stern, glaring daggers at Past and forcing them to shift back into their original form. "Now... off with you! Go! And I don't want to see you back here until you behave like the Christmas Ghosts you are meant to be!"

The door slammed shut. The Enti stood there frozen in a spot for a second. Then, the door opened again, revealing a still very much red faced Scrooge accompanied by his most loyal companion, Prudence, who stumbled out the door, eager and slightly confused. 

“Take Prudence with you while you're at it, she needs a breather. Do not get her into any of your preposterously dangerous shenanigans. I mean it!”

tagged: @pinkytoothlesso1 @rom-e-o @m0nsterwife @quill-pen @crimson-phantom-designs

[thedivinelights]

@rom-e-o Been rereading 'Begin Again' and…. I love Spirited (still mad about Patrick Page barely getting a song). I love A Christmas Carol. And since I'm already writing Ballad of Avaritia on Stave Two and me struggling with the Jacob/Ebenezer slowburn, I thought to share a Constance x Ebenezer song with you!! If… you've not already heard it, that is.

Just… them in the blossoming moments of their relationship, which I'm WISHING Jacob and Ebenezer are already doing in BoA for God's sake… XD

[thedivinelights]

Hope and Despair

Now that Ballad of Avaritia's Chapter 6 (and subsequently Chapter 7 cuz that was far too long for one chapter), please welcome our brand new original characters!!! The Ghosts of Valentine's Hope and Despair!! Their job is to bring together one couple — living, dead, it doesn't matter — every Valentine's Day! They have to be a bit more subtle in the afterlife because people know the as the Enti of Valentine's, but do they let such a thing stop them? Absolutely not!

Hope is always the optimist, willing to do anything and everything to bring couples together. Any soulmate trope you can think of, she'll do it!

That's why Despair is there, to help balance her out and ensure she doesn't go too far with her antics, even if he inevitably gets dragged into them. He's always been a bit of a pessimist with couples, but he cares enough to join his lover in her matchmaking and let her know both the pros and the cons of their relationship.

[thedivinelights]

MROOGE HUGS!!!

I drew this a long while ago so I thought I'd share this cute Modern AU thing! This was just one giant mess of me messing with the lasso tool in Clip Studio.

ALSO DRAWING SNIPPET FOR MY FIC, BALLAD OF AVARITIA:

HEHEHE

[thedivinelights]

William Lamb looks oddly familiar...

Link to Melbourne's Wikipedia

One of the historical characters we have in Ballad of Avaritia is William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (15 March 1779 – 24 November 1848), a former Home Secretary and two-time Prime Minister in office from 1835 - 1841.

And honestly? The more you look at Melbourne... doesn't his portrait look oddly familiar?