#Black Label Society - In This River

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

[xxstraymoonchildxx]

This Couple is Unusual

Prologue / Next

Chapter 1: This Couple, negotiating

cw: none

As Charles Dickens once put it: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.

The both of you sat in a horse carriage, cars being still not too common around that day, and looked outside the busy street.

England in the nineteenth century was a sight to behold. In awe you watched the people walking down the streets, clad in Victorian fashion - the men in suits, top hats (hopefully without mercury), and walking canes; women in long modest dresses with hoop skirts or bustles underneath giving a distinct shape and various little hats on skillfully made hair. You fit in perfectly with the clothes Asmodeus provided you with. Satan was dressed to the nines, the striped pine green waistcoat over the pristine white, high-collared shirt hugged his muscular frame nicely; the dark coat he wore fluttered slightly behind him when he walked (he couldn’t help himself and only wore one sleeve, the other draped over his shoulder casually). The ascot around his neck matched his black pants and shiny dress shoes. You matched him well - the bodice underneath the dress - white with pine green stripes - emphasized your waist but wasn’t too tight; the long-sleeved waistcoat had frills in the front that opened under the bust like a curtain and ended in your back with a large bow. Around your neck was a necklace with a cat pendant Satan gifted you for your last birthday. 

All that being said sadly didn't distract you from the fact that it smelled so bad. 

Occasionally little boys ran onto the bumpy roads, scooping up what the horses left behind. (You hoped none of those children would get themselves hurt or worse.) Not only that, the industrial smoke carried over from the factories, and people still threw things into the Thames that didn’t belong there (mainly human and industrial waste, and unsurprisingly the occasional corpse)

“I am grateful we didn’t visit London during the summer of 1858,” Satan stated after he saw you wrinkle your nose in displeasure ”I've read about it recently, it was labeled the Great Stink. There were various artists depicting their idea of a shinigami riding along the Thames during that time.”

“Guess it was easier to drop everything into the river. I can’t believe the working class had to bathe in that polluted water, like, eww. Bet Barbatos would've gotten a heart attack from those rats running around if he was with us.” 

Satan hummed in response, looking back outside the window.

You passed the central street that had various shops aligned next to each other.  Somewhere had to be one of the subsidiaries of the sorcerer's society where you would meet one of your teacher’s acquaintances, Viscount Laurent Cavendish who was responsible for the finances there. He was the son of a vineyard owner who made business with high society and offered wine tastings, perfect for making strong connections.

Satan helped you out of the carriage, the strong grip he had on your waist made your cheeks turn pink. The coachman handed you your luggage and wished you a nice day. 

The subsidiary looked like every other building in the business area, disguised as a bank (and also functioning like one for cover). You went inside, walking to the front desk of the entrance hall. An elderly gentleman sat behind the oak table.

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” he asked politely. You took out the letter from Solomon stored inside your bag, handing it over while introducing Satan and yourself. The man’s eyes widened, looking at the demon in surprise, then back to you. “We need to speak to Viscount Cavendish as soon as possible.” He nodded and made a quick phone call with a hushed voice. Not even a minute later you were escorted to Cavendish’s office.

You expected Laurent Cavendish to be a middle-aged man but you were mildly surprised to have someone sitting in an office chair who can’t be older than thirty. Auburn hair framed his oval in a style that reminded you of Mephistopheles and dark blue eyes looked up from his paperwork to eye you thoroughly. Come to think of it, the way he looks at you, judgingly, reminds you a bit too much of the aristocrat demon. He signed you to take the two seats in front of his desk.

“I’ve never expected this shady man to get himself an apprentice. Say, is his cooking still as horrendous?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Nearly killed me once.”

Cavendish sent you a crooked smile, just for a split second, before leaning back in his armchair, folding his slender hands. Back to business. “So, what brings you here? I assume you aren’t interested in opening a bank account.”

“We are interested in the Whitechapel Murders. We plan on acting as reporters from a foreign country. Unfortunately, we don’t have the proper connections in the Londoner scene,” Satan answered and you continued “But my teacher recommended you, Viscount, saying you’re a powerful man in the Sorcerer’s Society and Londoner Underworld”

You hoped to tickle his ego to the best of your abilities. To drive it home, you opened your suitcase - enchanted so you can put as much as you want in it like in the RPGs Leviathan often plays with you; basically unlimited inventory space - and brought out a gift box, addressed towards the man in front of you and put it on his desk. “We can pay you for your troubles, of course”

Curiously Cavendish opened the present, hummed with a twinkle in his eyes, and closed it again. 

“Very well. The murders are all over the newspapers but Scotland Yard is, unsurprisingly, still clueless. Our Society isn’t interested in the case per se, but of course, we are up to date about everything even if we don’t involve ourselves in such … events. The victims are brought to the funeral parlor Undertaker; the owner is involved with the underworld as well and is a reliable informant, despite his unique personality. I’m also acquaintances with one of the Yard’s chief staff, Sir Redcliff. Although I’d advise you strictly to be discrete with any valuable information.”

Satan looked at you and nodded. Cavendish took a sip of his tea after this long monologue. “I’ll provide you with the necessities and wish you all the best. Please wait in the entrance hall. My secretary will bring it to you once I am finished.”

After shaking hands with him, or rather with Satan, you were escorted outside. But not without his calling something out to you right before the door closes:

“Beware the Queens Watchdog, Earl Phantomhive!”

“Well, that went smoothly,” Satan said, guiding you inside the called carriage. The Viscount supplied you with a hotel reservation as well as various objects for bribing purposes - like a bottle of expensive wine for the Yard and credentials. “He must be quiet in debt with Solomon to go for such length. I wonder what was in the present you gave him” You thought about it for a moment “Eh, I guess some rare ingredients or magical items. I didn’t look inside.” The blond demon let out a laugh “I am surprised, by how noisy you usually are”

“Hey!”

Half an hour later, you arrived at the hotel. It was nothing too fancy from the outside, a two-star equivalent from your own time maybe? You stood before the entrance door when you suddenly heard a gentle meowing noise. 

Satan was quick as always, crouching down to pet the little creature in front of him “Are you all alone?” he cooed, petting the few-month-old kitten. In the blink of an eye, not two, but three and four emerged around the corner. You watched it with a grin. 

//What magnificent creatures. What an adorable little family~// Blushing, he played with the litter of cats. He didn’t hear the sound of protest from around the corner.

It wasn’t until another set of hands appeared in his line of sight. He looked up, staring into a pair of reddish-brown eyes. 

Bonus:

Earlier that day:  Y/N: Okay, we should change into more time period-appropriate clothes *takes off top* Satan: HOLD U-!

__________________________________________________

Finally done it. Had like no time to write last week thanks to being short-staffed.I might edit something in case I notice spelling mistakes. I usually use Grammarly but it doesn't catch everything.

[doyourememberrocknrollradio]

In This River - Black Label Society(High Quality)

[baublekute]

OC SMASH or PASS

Tagged by @ghostoffuturespast! ♡⸜(ˆᗜˆ˵ )⸝

RULES: pretty self explanatory. include physical descriptions or pics, and propaganda. the “other” label can be used for “sexuality misalignment” (ie: oc is femme and you’re gay, vice versa or you aren’t into smashing but a specific thing you wanna do with them like perhaps hug or study them under a microscope idc).

Propaganda:

Just The Facts:

Full Name: Valerie Rose Barrère

Aliases: V, Val

Height: 5’3”

Age: 27

Pronouns: she/her

Gender: Cis woman

Sexuality: Mostly heterosexual (everything goes out the window if she comes across a hipster lesbian at the bar with swagger)

Features: White skin with some freckles/moles, magenta-ish hair (switches up her hairstyle but mostly sports the long hair undercut), green eyes, purple eyebrows, piercings (ear, eyebrow, bridge, nose, labret, naval), neck cyberware (she chose it cause it kinda looks like an upside down crescent moon), bold dramatic makeup, platinum mantis arms with pink blades, chrome talons (I mean fingernails), floral body tattoos in black with chrome accent

Pros:

Protective. Feisty. More willing to kick someone's ass for a friend or lover than for herself.

Extremely passionate, feels things very deeply. Tries to hide it but not very well. Authentic even when she doesn't want to be.

Silly, fun-loving. Will tell dad jokes and terrible puns.

Brave. Frequently does things she fears.

Kind, compassionate towards others (unless they're shitty, then all hell breaks loose.)

Ambitious, grandiose ideas (pro or con you decide)

Unconventional.

Strong moral compass.

Flexible. Good for the field and the bedroom.

Cons:

Guarded. She knows she's over the top but sometimes it's impossible to hide. "Crazy."

Easily bored.

Style over substance. If it ain't cute, she ain't wearing it.

Impulsive. Reckless. Doesn't always think before she acts.

Not lady-like. Too wild for "proper" society

It's summer and you want cuddles. Too bad. You'll be sleeping elsewhere and as far away from her as possible.

Tends to push people away, thinking they are safer/better off without her.

Asks too many questions.

Forgetful. Chaotic.

Thinking she can fix ALL THE THINGS by herself and blames herself when things go wrong. Terrible at asking for help.

Tagging no pressure!! @streetkid-named-desire @shimmer-like-agirl @harellan @miss--river @fly-amanitaa

Maybe you've done it and I missed it! Or I didn't tag you and you want to play!

[fulmine68]

In This River - Black Label Society(High Quality)

[daddymus-mamatron]

For the music meme, if you fancy it:

11:A song that you never get tired of

20:A song that has many meanings to you (also if you feel like explaining them I'd be fascinated...)

22:A song that moves you forward

23:A song that you think everybody should listen to (and why...)

11:A Pain - Three Days Grace I was hesitating but it was against 2 other TDG song (Home and Never Too Late)

20:A Spirit Never Dies like the AMV, this song can fit any of my blorbos. It's the Blorbo song from my 'classic era anime'. My fav are often the never giving up type, may it be heroic or spiteful. Plus the song is so great.

22:A Trampoline - SHAED the lyrics just speak to me on an ethereal level.

As I'm looking up Suddenly the sky erupts Flames alight the trees Spread to falling leaves Now they're right upon me Wait, if I'm on fire How am I so deep in love? When I dream of dying I never feel so loved

23: Mhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........ In This River - Black Label Society the guitar alone is worth it. but also piano on fire, dope song, poignant lyrics. good song

[unicornsandhandgrenades]

Watch "Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society - In This River" on YouTube

[daisiesandgiggles]

Black Label Society - In This River [Official Video] HQ

#Ro Ro # DC

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Black Label Society - In This River

[savyir-genesizz-the-wizard]

🌈PRIDE OC ASKS!

azya: 3, 8, 11

pig: 4, 5, 6

wolf: 1, 3, 5

aaand 18, 21

Azya Zaavim (check "read more" for some lore)

3) I suppose that he always knew that he's into men. He probably saw some musician in a magazine at a certain age lol.

8) He never did, really. He grew up with a foster family and lost contact with them when he moved to the capital with his adopted sister, who was very much ok with anything he did. So did his band really. Most prominent musicians in Ajidiali are queer. He did have some issues with his party members tho since while Ecres just calls itself an "agral union" they have a lot of conservative members.

11) He doesn't feel the need to talk about it much. There's no systematic homophobia in Ajidiali so. He probably would be more open about it if he lived in our world and use his platform to speak about queer rights. He will talk about his husband a lot if asked. He's a divorce lawer!

Pig

4) When she used to be in the army it was... well, as unsupportive as could be, really. After deserting she was mostly a loner before meeting Steel Soldier and Unit 81, and then Blink and the rest of the gang, who are all very supportive people. A lot of her hypersexuality is just posturing but she've made a lot of friends in various lesbian bars around the Solar system.

Here's a bonus "before" and "now":

5) Uh, I dunno. Came to me in a vision, like with most of my ocs.

6) She would never police other people but about herself... She would say that she's "bisexual but men don't dig this handsome face anymore". It's a short response that works for her well enough.

Wolf Tangermann

1) "Oh, my gen-der? What, you want to steal it? To black-mail me? Well, you won't get it!" There are two theories on its gender - some say that it's simply hiding it, as it hides any other information about itself, and some say that it doesn't have it. Have it lost it? Who can say. Maybe it has just discarded it, like a snake discards it's skin.

3) In truth, it itself doesn't know. It's certain that it known it while on the surface but perhaps some things are better left behind.

5) I didn't and I think that it actually fits it well.

18) I figure them out eventually, like any other part of their character. Generally, I think that oc's relationship, or lack there of, to a label is more important than the label itself.

21) Below the cut 👇

Family structures and queerness in Ajidiali

As the concept of "sexuality" as known in modern western society is quite new on our Earth, I've decided that in Ajidiali it's nonexistent, outside of academic fields. An Ajidialian would rather use a word "preference".

- Mountain people

Mostly monogamous. Households are mostly isolated so close family lives far away from other people (around half a day of walking). It is however possible to "swap" wife (or husband in more matrialchal groups) with another couple, if both parties agree. Parents usually live with the adult youngest child. First marriage is expected to be heterosexual but one can "swap wife for a husband" (tho this is frown upon if it's done before having at least one older child). In modern day, swapping is less common, as parents don't have this much say in what the original marriage should look like.

- River people

Mostly polygamous, living in groups of 3 adults (two women and one man or two men and one woman) per house + one women's parents (as it's usually their house). Taking care of children is a community's job. Small kids can choose where they want to sleep and play but teenagers are expected to stick to one household (of their choice). This is to this day the most common family structure in the country, both on the country side and in the cities. People who don't want to have children of their own are still expected to take care of other's small kids but not of teenagers and are expected to live in monogamous relationships or remain single.

How a household itself functions is very much dependand on a region and group. These marriages are to this day often arranged and romantic love within them is not generally expected. Everything outside of these 3 people households, or changing their inside rules, is what is considered to be "queer".

- Sea people

Most of their family habits were lost when that started to consider themselves as part of Ajidiali. The main differences from River people are that they are more often patriarchal and queer people tend to be more isolated from the community.

- Ex-nomads

Despite being a completely different group, they don't have much differences from the River people either. They have lost a lot of their culture when they abandoned their nomad lifestyle. However, their differences are more noticable - their family units are bigger (usually 4-6 adults with their parents) and there is less pressure on having children (which seems to not impact the demography).

[while-the-days-slipped-by]

RULES: Shuffle your repeat playlist and post the first TEN tracks, then tag 10 people.

I was tagged by @the-night-wizard , thanks! Awesome music choices, I love Miracle of Sound! Here's what I got:

Evergrey - Where August Mourns

Claus Ogerman - Cityscape

Isao Tomito - The Sea Named Solaris

Santana - She's Not There

Black Label Society - In This River

Joe Satriani - If I Could Fly

Joe Louis Walker - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Type O Negative - Love You To Death

Shawn Lane - Death Theme

Vinai Trinateepakdee - Move The Sky

Thanks again that was fun! I'll tag @musicaddictt @jennykin @geekmybride @broadminded @crashtestjeffy @dethblow @sinnerinsaintseyes if you want to do it!

[hell---on---heels]

Black Label Society - In This River (Doom Troopin' Live)