#I've got external affairs

[secretpostsposts]

Hey, sorry if nothing has been posted in the last few weeks, I just went back to classes in college and I had a little trouble getting my rhythm back between college and my other stuff, and you know homework, so this week I'll try to post again and this coming week I'll update Beloved Little Brother along with the other Troll fics I have.

[bl00dlight]

Helaemond antis gotta be some of the most boring bitches

All they do is complain and gaslight us all into think we are delusional for picking up what the actors legit did themselves

Hmmmmmmmmmmm yessss I think alot of the antis come down to two camps;

-book purist reddit dudes

-self inserter girlies who love alysmond/helaegon

Prove me wrong.

Yea yea yea there are other bullshit excuses people might give. And sure they may be valid. But both Alys x Aemond and Helaena x Aegon are SIGNIFICANTLY more like... morally questionable. Oh okay, so we got the 40-400 year old witch who may or may not be a master manipulator fucking an 17-18 year old who is criminally insane and possibly has taken her as a sex slave after Ethnically cleansing her entire House, whom he also abandons and then decides to come back for as an afterthought...

And we got the martial rape/neglect poster Child Aegon who rapes young serving girls paired with the deeply traumatised Helaena.

And yet the idea of the doomed bpd Aemond x his prophetic neurodivergent sister where they find a shared understanding of being deeply neglected and then she watches him descend into darkness despite the fact he still ultimately loves and care for her - so basically.... Padame and ANAKIN LMAOOO or half the books popular on tik tok.

That is the one which is egregious? The only ship which has been even acknowledged by the actors to have weight in the theory that Helaena and Aemond share a bond? I mean like the show itself validates us, young aemond wishing he was betrothed to her, defending Helaena, the actors implementing the character relationships, the fact Aemond is the one to even clock Helaena is a dragon dreamer - the entire balcony scene.... also remember all those pre show leaks that discussed Aemond x Helaena x Aegon being in a Aemon x Naerys x Aegon parallel and uhhh young Aemond leaks about him supposedly being in love with his sister on the character descriptions?

Like there is plenty there for people to grasp onto lmao.

I think people were really fucked off about the whole 'the kids were his' thing, but personally I just thought that was fun speculation. Fan theories are a staple in this world? Also personally I've seen very few Helaemonds who died on the hill without question the kids were his.

Helaemond is probably the least insane ship, espeically when you think about the fact people ship.... Luke and Aemond.... uhhhh. Also... Aegon and Aemond. Idk about yall, I don't really think I've ever seen a moment between Aemond where he reasonably loved either Aegon or Luke. But he did move in front of Helaena when Rhaneys attacked the dragonpit... so... and he also did say as a kid he lowkey would marry her. And then also begged her to come with him to Harrenhal. So clearly there is uhhh some connection.

People also act as though the idea of Aemond and Helaena is so preposterous as if the entire show isn't about hypocrisy and external martial affairs.

They also act as though Targaryen siblings ain't constantly been getting into messy ass love triangles where they sucking or ATTEMPTING to suck and fuck one or both. Cough cough.

Visenya x Aegon x Rhaenys

Bittersteal x Sheira x Bloodraven

Aegon x Naerys x Aemon

And honourable mention to Baelon x Alyssa + this diva Viserra trying to suck and FUCK on Baelon???

So like.... not really so sure how it's such an outrageous concept.

Again most of the time the critiques of the ship aren't valid other than the fact that 'It isn't canon' - but it's like what the fuck constitutes as canon? And why does it only apply to Helaemond. No one cares that Rhaenyra x Alicent isn't canon. No one cares that Rhaenyra x Mysaria isn't canon. Daemon x Alys isn't canon AT ALL, like Daemon legit doesn't think twice about Alys. And Helaena and Aegon aren't canon either - they are just in a fucken marriage with each other to which the actors have stated they don't really love each other? So is it a canon romance? No. Are they married? Yes. But Rhaenyra and Laenor were married too, I don't see anyone shipping them.

I legit don't care who people ship. But it's always obvious it's a THEM thing when they haven't got any real points other than virtue signalling or just being hateful. Like I said, Helaemond is probably the least problematic logistically. And is not out of the question in world (as said by the actors and proof by canon have it be a theme amongst targ siblings). They mad cause they jealous, they mad cause it doesn't align with THEIR personal wants/desires etc.

For example you cant sit here and tell me Alys is a healthier choice for Aemond or Aegon a healthier choice for Helaena? At worst it's equal. So anyone who pretends to give a fuck is just like... annoying.

Which is a big factor. Many in this fandom are annoying as fuck. They are rude to actors, rude to other fans, hateful, and take it so seriously that it literally sucks the joy from it. Like seriously, it's not that fucken deep and people DO need to chill. I've seen fans on twitter get called BAD PEOPLE for shipping Helaena and Aemond??? Like that's crazy.

I'll sit here and admit I love toxic and messy ships cause it's interesting. I don't fucken like boring fluff. Go watch Bridgerton or whatever the fuck, HOTD is not for those ships. So it would be alot more fun if people would just admit to wanting to see some messy and fun shit instead of posturing morality over fictional magical dragon flying people.

The point is, people hate Helaemond because it has the most plausibility in the show to become a thing. And it did. People don't get that most Helaemonds don't really care nor did we expect a romance. We just wanted interaction with subtext... and uh.... we won. Hoes mad on tumblr cause they wanna self insert. Hoes mad on reddit cause they wanted a documentary instead of a prime time TV show.

But helaemond?

We won. Pay them no mind. We been out here doing it for helamond and they mad cause it worked.

Oop..

[writergeekrhw]

I love Elementary as a Holmes adaptation, but I have to ask about the copaganda. Not so much the overall presence/depiction of the NYPD as the generally benevolent venue for Joan and Sherlock to solve crime, but rather the occasional ep that veered off into wtf-level acts of police mouthpiecing: for example, the ep where Joan and Marcus flip the eff out after discovering that Marcus' girlfriend works in Internal Affairs. I'm curious whether stuff like that came directly out of perspectives native to the writers' room, or if it was more dictated from external sources as a cost-of-doing-business requirement. Similar to, "Microsoft will give your production money AS LONG AS you show your characters using Microsoft products to positive ends", was there a "you can depict the NYPD and call it by name AS LONG AS you include such-and-such lines of dialogue/story about how Police Are Great And Admirable And Beyond Reproach"?

(I get that you may not be able to or want to answer this question, but I caught the ep with Marcus' girlfriend yesterday and it's just so...vehement, in some really fucked up ways. I can't not ask, even if you don't answer. Thank you for keeping your askbox open!)

ON COPAGANDA

Great questions without an easy answer. Personally, I'm usually very cautious about outright copaganda, though I have a very close friend who joined the CHP and rose pretty high in the ranks, and I respect the hell out of him and what he did. That said, I think police are people and run the gamut from great to awful, like anyone. Worth noting, my buddy comes from a cop family, his older brother is a cop, and I know someone from a citizen group who basically said his brother was NOT a good cop at all. The opposite.

I've mostly had pretty good experiences with police, but when I was young, I was pulled over for driving while poor. I had a weapon in the car (a wooden club). Things got very tense. And I'm pretty sure that if I weren't so damn pale, that night might have gone way worse.

My friends who don't share my skin tone have, generally speaking, a much worse time with the police. I once gave a friend of mine shit for keeping his dealer tags on his car long past when he got his plates. His response: "It's another way to prove I own this car without having to reach into my glove compartment." My response: "Oh. Sorry. I'm an idiot."

So if you want to see what I think of the police... well, I wrote Bell and Gregson as good cops. I also wrote "End of Watch" and created Gina Cortes. I think, on the balance, ELEMENTARY showed good cops and bad, including shitheals like Captain Dwyer and outright villains like Frank DaSilva.

As for Shauna, in my opinion, Bell reflects the rank-and-file dislike for IA, and the fact that he blows up their relationship over it is supposed to be a huge mistake. Shauna is ultimately a good person, and Bell's prejudice costs him what could've been a wonderful relationship.

And yet... Gregson and Bell are heroes. Pretty much straight up. Sherlock and Joan work for the police, more often than not. And this is portrayed as a good thing. We had NYPD consultants on the show, and though they were mostly very helpful with making the cop stuff realistic, and I liked them a lot, they weren't super thrilled when we did stories about bad cops. I can't ever remember steering away from those stories because of their feedback, but... yeah.

On the balance, I'd say while ELEMENTARY did have our share of copaganda, we did try to create a more nuanced portrayal of police that most network procedurals.

I totally get it if you think differently.

And thanks for watching!

[transdimensional-void]

If I ask nicely will you yap about the plantagenets? Maybe some rec'd reading? :D

red! yes, yes i will yap about the plantagenets with only minimal prodding!

i'll start off with the disclaimer that i'm no historian and have not read a ton of books about this topic. a lot of what i've learned has been through documentaries rather than books, but i'll give my few recs at the end.

OKAY, so i think the plantagenet dynasty was the main family grrm had in mind when he created the targaryens. the dynasty's founding had its origins in a period of english history known as the anarchy, which was the inspiration for the dance of the dragons, and the dynasty ended with the end of the wars of the roses, which was a major inspiration for the events of asoiaf.

the dynasty ruled england for over 300 years (from 1154 to 1485), and there was like sooooo much war, both internally and externally during that time period. the plantagenets obviously had a massive influence on the political, economic, and cultural development of england, considering how long they ruled.

so here's some of my favorite plantagenets to yap about:

henry ii - he was the first ruler of the dynasty, and nowadays is best known for maybe possibly ordering the murder of his best friend/archbishop of canterbury, thomas becket. the guys murdered him literally INSIDE the cathedral while he was performing mass. so then the king had to be like "oopsie. i'll just do a quick penance, shall i?" and thomas becket was made a saint as like an apology.

edward ii - was he a disaster bi or were those guys really just his good friends? we don't know! but we DO know that he liked his really good friends so much that he did not care about anything else and was such a terrible king that everyone attempted to depose him from his nobles to his own cousin to, eventually, his own wife and son! in which they succeeded! and then his wife had him discreetly murdered in prison and served as regent for their son until he came of age.

isabella of france, the she-wolf of france - the aforementioned wife! she was forced to marry this guy when she was 12, made the best of a bad situation and even had uneasy alliances with her husband's "good friends" until the second one purged her household and kidnapped her children to reduce her power. and THEN she recruited her brother (the king of france) her husband's exiled number 1 enemy (who became her lover), her 12-year-old son (the heir to her husband's throne), and a mere 700 mercenaries to depose her husband. and succeeded! what a woman.

edward iii - aforementioned 12-year-old son, who went on to be remembered as one of england's most effective kings. he made peace with scotland for a while (after killing a lot of scottish people and trying to put his own puppet monarch on their throne), made peace with france for a while (um while also kicking off the 100 years war lol), handled the black plague (then fixed laborers' wages to pre-plague levels lol), had one of the most harmonious and loving marriages the english monarchy has ever seen, and fought a shit-ton of battles. oh, he also made english the official language of government, since it had been french before!

john of gaunt - edward's third son (to survive to adulthood) who eventually became the wealthiest and most influential noble in all of england, the duke of lancaster, through his marriage to his beloved first wife, blanche of lancaster. he was patron to geoffrey chaucer (he of the "canterbury tales," which were about a bunch of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of saint thomas, that guy maybe killed by henry ii!), who eventually became his brother-in-law! after blanche's death, john began a decades-long love affair with his daughters' nanny, katherine swynford, who gave birth to four illegitimate children for him, who took the surname beaufort. eventually, he married katherine as his third wife and had the pope legitimize their children. AND IT WAS THROUGH THOSE CHILDREN THAT THE TUDORS GOT THEIR CLAIM TO THE THRONE A CENTURY LATER!!

henry iv - john of gaunt's eldest son and heir to the title of duke of lancaster. as a child, henry was friend to his cousin, richard, who was second in line to the throne. then richard's father and grandfather both died, and richard became king at only 10 years old. he ended up being a pretty terrible king (and might have had some sort of personality disorder), which led henry to eventually oppose him along with a bunch of other nobles, including one of their uncles. so richard banished him, and when john of gaunt died, richard refused to let henry inherit. but the thing was, pretty much everybody hated richard, and lots of people liked henry. so henry waited until richard had popped over to conquer ireland and quietly sailed to england and was like, "ha ha, i'm only here to claim my inheritance uwu," and then he gathered an army and took the throne with pretty much zero resistance. and when richard returned, he arrested him, forced him to publicly accept henry as king, imprisoned him in a castle being overseen by his stepbrother (katherine swynford's son!), and then richard ~mysteriously died~ in prison. oops. but the funniest thing was that HENRY WASN'T EVEN NEXT IN LINE TO THE THRONE SINCE HIS DAD WAS ONLY THE THIRD SON!! i smell a succession dispute brewing... (there was. this is what sowed the seeds for the wars of the roses that raged throughout the 15th century.) oh, also, henry's legitimized bastard siblings, the beauforts, helped him gain the throne, but then henry was like, "hmm actually i'm going to unilaterally decree you all excluded from the line of succession. who needs parliament's approval to change the succession? not me!" so lots of people claim that the beaufort line was ineligible to inherit the throne, but it's not really clear that henry even had the authority to exclude them since he did it without parliament's approval. oh, also he was the first king of england who spoke english as his primary language! (edit: should have said the first english king *post-norman invasion to speak english as his primary language. and he definitely was the first to speak MIDDLE english as his primary language).

joan beaufort - okay, so joan was one of the beaufort children of john of gaunt and katherine swynford, and her second marriage was to ralph de neville. at the time she married him, ralph already had EIGHT children from his first marriage, and then she gave birth to at least an additional NINE children for him. NINE. guess which family in asoiaf these two inspired? if you guessed the freys, you were right! joan was the half-sister of the KING, so you can imagine she had some serious connections and influence. and she used them to get REALLY REALLY advantageous marriages for her children. they all married heirs and heiresses who were wards of the crown. and then oopsie daisy her husband's older children from his first marriage got overlooked as his heirs and her son became the heir over his elder brother. this kicked off what became known as the neville-neville dispute, which, due to joan's children all being married into major noble houses, drew a ton of other families into the conflict... which eventually widened into the wars of the roses. well done, joan!

margaret beaufort - margaret was descended from both joan and joan's older brother, john beaufort. toward the end of the wars of the roses, pretty much all of the male claimants from the beauforts' side of the conflict (the lancastrian side) had been killed off. thus, margaret's descent from john of gaunt made her important to the lancastrian side. so, she was married off several times, starting at the age of 1 year old! dear god! the marriage that became her most important, though, was to edmund tudor. she was married to him at the age of 12 and gave birth to his son, her only ever child, at only 13, after which her husband promptly died in battle. that son was henry tudor, who inherited his mother's claim to the throne and thus became the final heir around whom the lancastrian side rallied in the final battle of the wars of the roses... which he won, largely thanks to his mother's tireless efforts to make her son king. which, honestly, if i'd been married off at the age of 1, forced to give birth at 13 almost killing me and permanently damaging my body, i'd want something to show for it too! well done, margaret!

oh no, i just scrolled up and realized just how much i yapped. feel free to ignore all of this if it's too much for you XD.

anyway, i've enjoyed the documentaries on this channel a lot: https://www.youtube.com/@PeopleProfiles

also, dan jones' four-part series called "britain's bloodiest dynasty," also available on youtube.

my main platagenet blorbo is katherine swynford, so a lot of what i know is from biographies i've read of her, including:

"mistress of the monarchy" by alison weir

"katherine swynford: the history of a medieval mistress" by jeannette lucraft

i also have a book on the wars of the roses that i read years ago, but it's in storage right now, and i don't remember the author's name. the title was just "the wars of the roses."

(sorry again for yapping so much XD. maybe you'll find something interesting or enjoyable here. i hope. thanks for the ask!!)

[jess-the-reckless]

First chapter of the Ladygardener sequel is done. And I am having FUN. Brace for angel cakes, unpleasant neighbours, and Crowley running a children's gardening competition like a mad drill instructor. First chapter is up on my Patreon, and coming to AO3 soon. I've resolved not to be that person who leaves people hanging anymore.

So it was probably no surprise that she would manage to make even dungarees look slutty.

Crowley had always had an unholy gift of making every outfit look like an invitation to a sexual free-for-all so eyewateringly filthy that it would have made even the muckiest Renaissance popes pull out the fainting couch and come down with the vapours. She’d tried her best in her Nanny days, but never pulled it off, largely because she rarely bothered with underwear, and her nipples would always be playing peek-a-boo with the sheer stripes in her high necked pussy-bow blouses. She’d put on pencil skirts that were supposed to make her look as uninspiringly up-and-down as possible, but instead they would convey the impression that she was wearing them because she needed some external force to keep her legs together, a restrictive touch echoed in her penchant for black leather gloves, and the spikiest of pin heels. She had regularly sent men into all kinds of Soho phone-box imaginings, featuring riding crops, high button boots, and all manner of delicious punishments.

One strap was undone altogether, although at least this time she was wearing a bra. The trouble was, Aziraphale recognised that bra. It was one of the ones she’d bought Crowley for their anniversary, and it wasn’t exactly practical. Not for gardening, anyway. It was burgundy and black, a push-up affair with sheer lace cups that left little to the imagination. As usual, Crowley entered the room crotch first, all hips and swagger. Her thick red curls were half-falling down from a sloppy bun, and there was an aubergine flower behind her ear. Her wellington boots were snakeskin.

“Did you sign up?” she hissed, wriggling her way to Aziraphale’s elbow.

“No, not yet.”

Crowley raised her hand, revealing an unshaven armpit. She smelled faintly of Talisker, which maybe went some way to explaining the whimsy of the flower behind her ear. “Excuse me,” she said, startling Roger Dunmore. “Have you done the baking competition? My wife would like to enter the baking competition.”

"I’m sorry,” said Aziraphale. “I tried to explain to her that we haven’t got to that part yet.”

Roger Dunmore peered over his glasses at Crowley. “We haven’t,” he said. “But we were about to get to the children’s community garden project. And we desperately need someone to supervise the kids. Didn’t you used to be a nanny, Ms. Ash?”

“She did!” said Aziraphale.

“Shut up,” said Crowley, discreetly stepping on her foot.

“No. You’re good with children. You are.”

“I want a divorce,” said Crowley. “I’m not with her.”

[historia-vitae-magistras]

12 for the disaster boy Matthew please 🙏🏽

Very short, very shitty, very dialogue heavy but it is fic so it is getting posted.

London, 21st Century

"You look like you haven't slept in days."

"I'm just a little jetlagged," Matthew demurred from Arthur's intense scan, holding the mug closer to his body. He was utterly washed out, even fresh from a hot shower, and Arthur resisted the urge to feel his forehead, settling for pouring out more tea.

"Looks a touch more than that."

His boy snorted. "Like you'd know what a well-rested person looks like."

"I'll have you know I've gotten at least 5 hours every night this week."

"You and Uncle Rhys getting hammered and passing out in the parlour watching Coronation Street for a week straight doesn't count as healthy sleep habits."

"Cheeky little—" Arthur gave him a tender smack upside the head. "I'll have you know I got a prescription for it."

"What, you're legally chugging laudanum now? Zee will love that.

"You've got a bloody attitude about you today,"

"Sorry." Matt returned automatically. "I'm tired."

"Sleep then."

"I'll just keep myself awake tonight."

"I somehow doubt that. How many time zones have you been in the last few weeks? If you're this mouthy, it must be at least seven."

"I'm not being mouthy."

"Aren't you?" Arthur snorted and ruffled his hair. His hand lingered there, and he rested the back of his hand on the boy's forehead, surprised if pleased to find it cool to the touch. "I swear your external affairs swings you around the planet like a ball on the cricket pitch. A few extra hours of sleep can't do you any harm."

Matthew looked at him, surprised and a little suspicious. "Don't you need the study?"

"If I do, it's not as if I'd wake you up. The laptops these days are far quieter than the typewriters, god knows,"

"Are you sure?" Matthew scrubbed damp curls off his forehead.

"Yes, Christ, now go lay down before you fall over."

[ga-yuu]

[Gilbert Von Obsidian Story Chapter 2]

----Part 1----

I now became Prince Gilbert's friend.

I safely returned back to the palace after what happened in the bookstore.

Gilbert: "Speaking of which, friends eat together, don't they?"

Prince Gilbert who seemed like he's in a happy mood, asked out of nowhere.

And me who is already exhausted, can only return a strained smile.

Gilbert: "Starting tomorrow, I'll have you prepare every meal next to me."

Emma: ".....Can I decline..."

Gilbert: "Oh, what's that? You wanna hear my military strategy?"

Emma: "Ah, I'm honored to have meal with you everyday, Prince Gilbert. I couldn't ask God for anymore."

Gilbert: "Ahahaha, I'm glad to see you excited as I am."

Emma: "........."

Gilbert: "Goodnight, little bunny."

Prince Gilbert easily flips off his cloak and turns his steps toward the guest room.

The moment his back was out of sight, I let out a huge sigh of relief.

(Let's go see Sir Sariel right now!)

Even after the Trampling Beast was gone, the feeling of helplessness didn't go away and my hands were shaking.

It was as if I was trapped in a situation where I was looking down from a long cliff and a tiger standing behind me.

(.....I won't cry, but I want to cry)

I started walking quickly with my head down and accidentally bumped into someone.

Emma: "S-Sorry, I didn't---"

Chevalier: "................."

Emma: "....mean to bump into you.."

Chevalier: ".............."

Emma: "Prince Chevalier?"

Prince Chevalier doesn't say anything and simply stares at me coldly.

The head of the external affairs faction is sometimes called the Ruthless and Cruel Beast, but he is also a man with a heart.

Without changing his expression, Prince Chevalier turned his back to me and started walking the way he came.

(Weren't you heading outside?)

Prince Chevalier looked back at me when I was standing still and moves his chin.

(Oh, are you asking me to follow you?)

...........

I quickly followed him and very arrived at the back row of the library.

(This place)

The shelves were jam-packed with books that are more artistic in nature, such as plays, poetry, and stories, rather than books of a practical nature.

The usual me would jump in excitement at the sight of it.

Chevalier: "I heard you went town with Eyepatch."

Standing next to a window under the moonlight, Prince Chevalier opens his mouth.

Chevalier: "What did he ask you to do?"

(Asking 'what he asked you to do' instead of 'what happened' shows how much insightful Prince Chevalier is)

Emma: "He asked me to be his friend."

Chevalier: "............"

Even I who has been staying at the royal court as Belle for a short time, could see it.

Prince Chevalier is by far the most intelligent and visionary of the eight princes.

Even for Prince Chevalier, the word 'friend' left him in a momentary surprise.

Chevalier: "Why did he ask you to be his friend?"

Emma: "I didn't quite understand either."

Thinking back to my exchange with Prince Gilbert, I report everything exactly to Prince Chevalier.

Eventually after I finish, silence resonate.

(Again in retrospect, there is a lot of mystery, but all I know is that there's some sort of plotting)

Emma: "Prince Chevalier....is there any way I can stop being friends with him?"

Chevalier: "Why do you want to stop?"

Emma: ".....I feel like the fate of my country depends on me, and I'm scared."

My heart still palpitates because depending on what I say or do, the beautiful roses could be stained with blood again.

I don't think I can handle any more responsibilities because I've got my hands full with the duties of Belle.

I bit my lip in frustration and Prince Chevalier chuckled.

Chevalier: "Didn't know you are so arrogant."

----Part 2-----

Chevalier: "Our country is not so fragile that it will fall because of the words and actions of one mere girl."

Chevalier: "Your statement just now, means that I am incompetent."

(............That's)

Rhodolite has eight noble beasts.

It's their duty to protect the country and my statement just now is tantamount to saying that they will not be able to fulfill that duty.

(Even though the Princes of Rhodolite would never lose to Prince Gilbert)

Chevalier: "You are a fool to take his threats seriously."

Emma: "....Please forgive me."

(I'm not alone)

I felt as if the threads of tension that had been clamping my heart is being blown away.

Chevalier: "A verbal apology is unnecessary."

Emma: "Ouch!"

His long finger flicked my forehead and I can't help but raise my eyebrow.

(I've been bitten, and flicked on the forehead...could this day get any more worse)

Chevalier: "As punishment, you must show me your sincerity."

Emma: "What do you mean?"

Chevalier: "Yeah, I was thinking of many ways to use you."

Prince Chevalier, with a smile, looked no less than the Trampling Beast itself.

Chevalier: "Be my pawn, imbecile."

Emma: "....Pawn?"

Chevalier: "As his friend, I want you to gather info."

(....!)

Emma: "You mean....to be a spy?"

Chevalier: "Only for me."

I held by breath at the offer made to me.

(I thought...being friends could be a bad thing, but I never thought, I could use it in this way)

Why did Prince Gilbert appear on the diplomatic scene and decided to stay in Rhodolite for an extended period or time?

In the first place, why has Obsidian, which has long maintained its diplomatic relations with the country started to make a move now?

There is too little information at hand to counter unknown threats.

But Prince Gilbert should know most of the answers that Rhodolite seeks.

(If I stick around, I might learn a thing or two)

(And based on that, Prince Chevalier and others can take countermeasures)

When I looked up at him, Prince Chevalier snickered at me.

Chevalier: "Incidentally, our personal spy never reveals info to anyone but his master."

Chevalier: "Do you know...what that means?"

Emma: "....The other princes must not know about this, right?"

Chevalier: "Yes. Report everything you learned about Eyepatch only to me."

Chevalier: "The other princes, bureaucrats, servants, even your butler. Don't trust anyone."

Emma: "Why..."

Chevalier: "A number of people from the Obsidian's side have already infiltrated the castle."

The sentence felt painful as if a rose thorn is stuck to my throat.

(But....I knew)

(The fact that Prince Gilbert knows 'Belle' means that someone tipped him off)

The 'someone' may be in a position to obtain confidential information about the Country of Roses.

Anyone, the princes, the court officials or even Rio could be that someone.

(I want to believe everyone but I need to accept the reality)

Chevalier: "Above all, the Trampling Beast excels at dominating and manipulating people."

Chevalier: "It's entirely possible that today's allies could become tomorrow's enemies."

(I don't even want to think about such a horrible thing happening, but....)

I'm sure Prince Chevalier knows more about Prince Gilbert than I do.

(And I'm no stranger to that)

I already know that there is no 'choice' in the options given by Prince Gilbert.

Emma: ".....I will remember that."

Nodding in acceptance, Prince Chevalier pulled out something shiny and golden out of his pocket.

He rubbed it with his thumb and placed in my palm.

Emma: "This is...?"

----Part 3----

(An insignia of a tiger)

Each Prince has one attached to their coat.

Their personal servants and knights wear plain insignia on their uniforms.

It was the first time I had ever seen Prince Chevalier's insignia.

Chevalier: "I can predict what Eyepatch is going to do next."

Chevalier: "I'm sure he will make some nasty demands in the future, and you won't have time to consult Glasses."

(Glasses...you mean Sir Sariel)

Chevalier: "You can make decisions on your own and don't have to ask for permission."

Chevalier: "I will take full responsibility for everything you do and say."

(....! So that's what this insignia is for)

It is a small emblem, but the meaning behind it is significant.

Emma: "....Can I really keep this?"

Chevalier: "As long as you do your job properly."

Chevalier: "As long as you're beneficial for me, I'll protect you."

Chevalier: "If I find you worthless, I'll cut you down myself if worse comes to worst."

Emma: "........"

Chevalier: "That's all for now."

(.....I was so worried that my hands were shaking, but now, I feel much more relaxed)

Prince Chevalier's presence was enough to bring warmth back to my fingertips.

Emma: "Thank you very much....I'll definitely live up to your expectation."

After bowing deeply, Prince Chevalier snickers and heads to the door.

But before he can leave, he stops.

Emma: "....Prince Chevalier?"

Chevalier: "Once there was a boy that said the essence of people was love."

(......Love?)

He continues talking without looking back.

Chevalier: "In this case, love is more like compassion for others."

Chevalier: "He said that there are no real bad people in this world, people become bad because of the influence of their surroundings."

Chevalier: "What do you think?"

(That's difficult.....)

It's a question I never thought about before.

I try to gather up all the words in my head, but I can't find any answers.

(Are you asking if the essence of a bad guy is 'love', right?)

The first person that came to my mind was Prince Gilbert.

(Does that person have something called 'love'?)

Can Prince Gilbert, who can trample on others with a smile, have any compassion for others?

I can only tilt my head in wonder.

Emma: "I don't know...."

Emma: "I think only Prince Gilbert can answer that."

Chevalier: "........."

Prince Chevalier says nothing and leaves the library.

(I wonder a day will come when I can understand the meaning of that question)

I clutched the insignia tightly in my hands.

............

After a bad day, I headed to the dining hall where the guests gathered.

Emma: "........"

Silvio: "..........."

Keith: ".........."

Gilbert: "Little bunny, you like sweets, don't you? Look look, I asked them to prepare a lot for you."

Gilbert: "Eat as much as you like. Oh and give me all the leftovers."

Gilbert: "Our country was food insecure for a while, so we don't want to waste our food."

Gilbert: "Fufu, what do want to eat first?"

(...What is this situation?)

Both Prince Silvio and Prince Keith, stopped eating and looked surprised.

Next to me, Prince Gilbert is smiling brightly waiting for me to start eating the mountain of sweets in front of me.

To begin with, the table is filled with food to feed at least ten people and there are only four of us.

At least 70% of the food is in front of Prince Gilbert himself.

(Lot of things are going wrong and his staring hurts even more)

I was prepared for this from the moment I was invited to dinner, but this is actually tougher than I thought.

Gilbert: "Hurry up. Or do you want me to feed you?"

Emma: "N-No.....Thank you for the food."

(I can feel the eyes in front of me wanting to say something but for once, I'll just let my mind go blank)

-----Part 4----

I picked up the fork and knife and started eating the cake in front of me.

Remembering the table manners that were drilled into me by Sir Sariel, I brought it to my mouth.

(.......I never even told Prince Gilbert that I like sweets in the first place)

Gilbert: "How is it?"

-----Options------

I'm nervous and can't taste

It's delicious

How about you, Prince Gilbert?

--------

Emma: "....I'm too nervous and can't taste."

Gilbert: "Hahaha, at least you're being honest."

I thought I might make him uncomfortable, but surprisingly he laughed happily.

Gilbert: "You don't have to be so polite, just because you're in front of us."

Gilbert: "If anyone says anything about manners, I'll shut them up...okay?"

(I can't fail)

Silvio: "Hey, you two-faced bastard. What do you see right now?"

Keith: "..Well, a little rabbit inside a tiger's cage who can't escape."

Silvio: "How did the little rabbit get inside that cage in the first place? Was she forced?"

Keith: "Can't say for sure..."

Gilbert: "Hehe What's wrong? Are you curious about our relationship?"

(....Finally someone asked)

Both Prince Silvio and Prince Keith must have been wondering since the goodwill party.

For the friendly Benitoite and neutral Jade, the Obsidian is a symbol of threat.

They must be wondering who the noblewoman is that was escorted by the Prince of enemy territory himself.

Emma: "We're friends."

Before Prince Gilbert can answer, I jumped in and replied.

(It's better than having him give hints that I'm Belle)

Silvio: "Huh? Don't lie so transparently."

Gilbert: "It's true. As proof, I know a lot about her."

Silvio: "Like?"

Gilbert: "There's a bakery near her house run by an elderly couple. She likes the sandwiches there."

(!?)

Gilbert: "One time, she bought some sandwiches and went to a hilltop to view the city and read a book.

Gilbert: "Sometimes, she even ends up reading books from morning till evening and because of that she caught a bad cold one time."

Gilbert: "Everyone in the town was worried about her."

(..........Only people who are close to me know about this stuff)

(And the last time I had a cold was before I met Rio, so that was at least three years ago)

I thought that I got the attention of Prince Gilbert because I became Belle.

I don't think there is a spy who would report even such trivial things in the past that would be of no use.

(Could it be the Prince Gilbert had his eyes on me, even before I became Belle?)

(....No way, I'm just a random town girl)

I have done nothing to attract the attention of a prince from such great nation.

I've never met Prince Gilbert before.

(I'll never forget such a distinctive person once I see them....)

But facts must be accepted as facts.

Prince Gilbert knows everything about me, probably.

(Who the hell am I to...)

The more I think about it, my fingertips tremble and my fork slips out of my fingers.

(....Oops)

I was about to pick it up in panic but Prince Gilbert's hands stopped me.

Gilbert: "Little bunny, it's the commoners who pick up what's fallen on the ground by themselves."

(Ah....)

Emma: "....Sorry. I panicked for a moment."

I sat back properly and looked towards the maid who was waiting by the wall.

The whole process of entrusting a dropped item and taking a new fork is another thing that was taught to me.

Thankfully, Prince Silvio and Prince Keith, did not pay attention.

Rather they gave me a sympathetic look.

Silvio: "From the looks of it, you got info about this woman from somewhere, didn't you?"

Gilbert: "Mm."

Silvio: "You don't know anything else, do you?"

Gilbert: "No no. I've got 100 more....do you wanna hear?"

(...........Someone please kill me)

Keith: "Prince Gilbert...even if you really are a friend, you're stepping too much into a woman's private life."

Silvio: "Do you know what they call people like you?"

Silvio: "Perverted stalker."

(Prince Silvio!?)

Gilbert: "Hahaha. I've never heard of that word before, because it doesn't exist in Obsidian."

Prince Gilbert didn't seem offended and simply laughed it off.

His smile looked like he was enjoying himself.

(....................I don't know anything about Prince Gilbert)

Emma: "Where did you hear these stories?"

Gilbert: "It's a secret."

-----Part 5----

After all that talking.

We stopped and resumed eating.

(I didn't expect you to tell me so easily anyway....)

Emma: "...So unfair."

Gilbert: "Hm?"

I gather my courage remembering the insignia I carefully held in my pocket skirt.

Emma: "Prince Gilbert knows so much about me, but I don't know anything about you."

Emma: "As a 'friend' don't you think....it's a little unfair?"

Gilbert: "Ahaha! It is."

Unexpectedly, he accepted my words.

Gilbert: "Friendship is a process of getting to know each other. Therefore you have the right to know me as well."

Gilbert: "But simply having meals with me everyday, won't help you to know all about me, I guess."

Gilbert: "I would have to be with you all day to tell you about me."

Gilbert: "So...hmm?"

(Why am I breaking out in cold sweat when I'm the one who started this conversation?)

Prince Gilbert puts her knife and fork down and wraps my hands with both of his cold hands.

I felt like a helpless rabbit being patted by a big smiling tiger, even though he was not being rough.

Gilbert: "Let me help you with your work."

Emma: "Huh!?"

Keith and Silvio: "Ah..." "Pfftt..."

Prince Keith drops his fork and Prince Silvio spits out his tea.

(Help me with my work?)

(The Trampling Beast, the world's bane, the prince of the enemy nation, Prince Gilbert....)

Gilbert: "You...assist the princes in their official duties for the sake of your studies, right?"

Emma: "....Yes."

Of course, he knows that too.

But that's from an outsider's perspective.

(Maybe what he really meant was, 'I'll help you select your King')

Gilbert: "If I help you, we'll be together forever, right?"

Emma: "But, don't you have your own work to do...?"

Gilbert: "Don't worry. I can make time for you."

Gilbert: "Not a bad idea, right?"

Emma: ".........."

Gilbert: "I don't know if there's anything wrong with me helping out."

Feeling the gazes of both Prince Keith and Prince Silvio, I looked at Prince Gilbert, who narrowed his gaze at me.

(If I decline here, he will definitely bring up the topic of 'Belle')

Either I accept it willingly or force myself to accept it.

Again, it's an unreasonable choice.

(....I would be panicking now if I hadn't met up with Prince Chevalier last night)

(But now I have other duties to perform besides being Belle)

I brushed off Prince Gilbert's hand and lifted the corners of my mouth.

Emma: "...I understand."

Emma: "If Prince Gilbert is willing to help me, I would like to take you up on your offer."

Keith and Silvio: "Miss Emma!?" "Huh!?"

Gilbert: "..Oh?"

Emma: "Because....I want to know about you too."

Silvio: "Woman, are you seriously an idiot? Do you really think you can handle this problem on your own?"

Emma: "....No."

(Maybe Prince Chevalier also saw this coming)

If I consulted Sir Sariel and the other princes, they would have surely kept me away from Prince Gilbert.

But no one knows what Prince Gilbert is up to.

So Prince Chevalier made the first move.

(If I had refused, it could have been used as an excuse to make things more complicated)

(....He's really a great guy and probably might be the only person who can read Prince Gilbert's all moves)

I take the insignia out of my pocket and attached it to my chest.

Emma: "There should be no problem, right?"

The first to react to the insignia with the tiger's crest on it was Prince Gilbert.

Gilbert: "Ahahaha! I see. So it's Chevalier..."

Gilbert: "Did he read my actions?"

Emma: "....."

Prince Gilbert's laughs out loud as if he was sincerely enjoying himself.

Gilbert: "This why Rhodolite is..."

Gilbert: "so worth crushing...."

[thetruearchmagos]

Thoughts on Swift Seas And Whirlwinds

After spending so much time worldbuilding for Chainbreaker, a few thoughts've come to mind with SSAW and the conflict on which around centers, the Islander War.

Can't really think of a coherent format for it, so you're getting the raw stuff. Also, I'm writing most of this while half awake, so... apologies for incoherency.

Tagging @athenswrites @theprissythumbelina @hessdalen-globe @caxycreations @nerdexer @lividdreamz

3rd-Party States;

In coming up with the reasons why the Republic of Nouvolouis decide to start a war, I've decided it be more interesting to have a few to play with. One of them has to do with the RoN's relationships with the - currently unnamed - other sovereign states that made up the former Goilac Empire.

The gist of it is that, with the fall of Raimond's democracy, many imperial-era ideals and leaders would gradually creep into the Republic's institutions of government. Internally, this would lead to further oppression of the Aukarugyal minority of the Republic's southernmost province, and externally it would undermine previous republican attempts at repairing relations with those newly independent nations to the north. Successive regimes would amp up their coercion, but with the ascension of the Republic of Ngaionui - a former Imperial client state and colony - to the United Commonwealth, it seemed that the UC was going to be getting uncomfortably involved in the region's affairs. Now, this isn't actually too accurate an assessment of the UC's fairly reserved policy towards the fallen empire, but it did serve to stoke fears amongst the most revanchist elements of Nouvolouian government that the rest of their former subjects might get funny ideas.

From this paranoia would spawn the plan for a war. A short, sharp invasion of the westernmost and nearest island of Ngaionui would seize the island. After successfully repelling any Commonwealth counter stroke and suing for a fait accompli that would recognise RoN hegemony over the island and region at large, any other states considering joining the UC would have seen just how risky and ultimately pointless such a decision would be.

Unfortunately for the regime, reality, and the UC Navy, would be less kind.

---------

A Joke;

Something I've always wanted to explore in the 12 Worlds was media and the cultural 'zeitgeists' of the various societies and groups in it, and humour is one way of doing that. It is, however, pretty hard to make a niche, in-Setting joke funny in an understandable way, at least without diluting the exposition and sentiments I'm trying to convey through it. Here's a try at one I've been thinking about, communicated very poorly.;

"That a letter from your brother out at Rooster?" "Yes, sent last week, surprised it got here this early. He asks how the new roads are." "Oh, can't complain." Of course, there were no new roads, as Jean's brother damn well knew. They'd all helped put up the posters promising new roads, bridges, even schools and power cables, soon to appear winding all across the untamed jungle between every Auk village and the civilised country. But the diggers and builders never went past the last outpost, and wouldn't for as long as angry people with guns still stalked the trees like jaguars. That was precisely the reason men like Jean were here.

And now it's time to poorly explain the joke, a key component of humour as we all know. Rooster refers to... well, nothing right now, but I'm thinking it'll refer to some sort of well built up military base / depot in the rear, closer to that 'civilised country', which covers all the land firmly and solidly under military administration. 'Jean', who I've made up solely for this piece, is currently posted at one of the dozens of outposts the Nouvo Army built across the 'Auk' province. This forms part of the government's attempt to remove what little autonomy its population have, under the facade of providing them with the same services and infrastructure enjoyed by the Goilac majority in the heartland. Such development would also ease the exploitation of the province's natural resource wealth, as seen by the construction of various canals running across the jungle. That many culturally significant landmarks to the Aukarugyals rest on or near sites of interest to the Regime is somewhere between an unfortunate coincidence and a happy accident.

[adultqueerbookrecs]

Book Rec: A Marvelous Light by Freya Markse

Book 1 in the The Last Binding Trilogy

This may have been the most exciting book that I've read in a very long time. It's the book that got me back into reading after a very long slump - so much so that I read it twice in a row, and then again twice more via audiobook. I cannot think of a single miss-step in this book. The descriptions are rich and vibrant, a perfect blend of character voice and wit and image. The characters are beyond charming, and the villains straddle the line between melodrama and realism that makes every victory a delight and every loss heartbreaking. The plot is perfectly paced, a perfect parlor drama for someone who grew up reading Agatha Christie.

Plot/Character: The main characters are the new Sr Robert Blyth (Robin), the newly appointed (and sole) Assistant in the Office of Special Affairs and Complaints, and Edwin Courcey, the magical liaison with whom he'll now be working. Only, Robin has never heard of magic before, and Edwin is focused first on finding what happened to Gatling, Robin's predecessor. (Who is, by the way, very dead. We know this. It's the prologue. They don't. That's plot). Everything is complicated when Robin is cursed by Gatling's killer, who is looking for something called The Last Contract, and then it's off to the races (Courcey's family home in the country) to find a way to un-curse Robin, who is now subject to random bits of pain and alarming dizziness. Robin is a delight, trying to balance the untimely (possibly welcome) death of his parents, and the social-and-financial mess they left behind (unwelcome), with the revelations of magic and the magician who introduced it to him. He's easily characterized as a privileged jock, but his socially impeccable smile hides a large heart, a clever wit, and a deep love of art. He also boxes. Edwin might be my favorite character (with the exception of Robin's sister, Maude). He first appears as a tight-ass, and is quickly revealed that his tightness is born of both a need for control and an astounding lack of it in his personal life. He is magical, but "only just" and in a world where might-is-right, has internalized a lot of negativity while dealing with the external negativity of his family - his brother is a cruel bully, and his sister (and her friends) are habitual bullies. He compensates by living in London and studying *how* magic works - he is one of the most well-read magic users in the book. Perhaps because magic is a special interest - Edwin is also one of the best examples of an Autistic character that I have read. The development of the relationship between these two, while dealing with increasingly deadly stakes, is perf3ectly paced. It simmers and sparks, and it's so wonderful how they each fill needs the other has as well as desires. World building: The best word I have to describe it is immersive. From the very first chapter you get a sense of the history and presence of this alternate society that feels organically grown even as it is unfamiliar. The details are perfectly placed, the slight alteration of language - of common expressions beyond the terms used for the magic system itself, really ground this fiction in a sort of reality. Not to mention the *incredibly* fascinating magic system, built on contracts and cat's cradle and *consent* And speaking of consent, this book has some of the best written spicy scenes that I have seen in published fiction. These scenes break tension, forward emotional arcs, and explore characterization while being genuinely sensual and without the awkward phrasing that can sometimes be so off-putting. 10/10, no notes. Ultimately, I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a healthy bit of drama-plot in their romance, or romance in their fantasy.

[uselessidiotsquad]

Return of the Ruby!

Hey folks! It’s been a while. I’ve not been cold turkey off of Tumblr as I had hoped just because I still had some messages I wanted to answer and things like that. Having a bit of time off has really helped me and will hopefully let me have a stronger mindset going forward. However, there’s gonna be some changes to my blog and other details that I wanted to share.

The main one is I'm not going to be sharing my established writing any longer. And then the second one is come the start of 2023, I will be removing my established works from Ao3 and here.

I will still be doing character asks, short writing prompts, general engagement, and things of that nature! And that's the gist of it. There will be a detailed explanation under the cut for anyone interested.

Glad to be back folks! Looking forward to engaging with others, catching up on content I missed, and seeing what all is new around here.

Writing used to be my escape and my passion, but somewhere along the way it got tarnished. It was causing me to be really unhappy and making me feel like crap. And I needed a little time away to figure out why, but I’ve discovered it now.

I used to write because I was excited about my stories and happy enough with them that I wanted to share. But it morphed along the way. It was only here at the end of The Star and then evaluating my feelings on Affairs of the Heart that I realized it. I wasn't writing because it was making me happy - I was writing because I wanted to be told how good I was and how much people liked my writing, and by extension, me.

Now there's nothing wrong with wanting validation, it's perfectly human. However, there is something wrong with having external validation be the only means for you to be able to create and your only motivation. And in turn, when you feel like that is missing to be upset and feel unable to create. It isn't fair for me to expect that of anyone and it also isn't fair to me.

If you've talked with me at all about writing, you'll know that even my heaviest content comes from my personal experiences, which have been extrapolated on/morphed into what I need them to be for the story. The contexts and situations all change but the seed of the issues come from me. Digging up and dredging old baggage has a time and a place, but doing it with the sole intent of getting praise is not one of them. That's the boat I found myself in and really need some time and space to sit with that.

So! There you have it. I am still writing behind the scenes to conclude my kiddos stories in a way I feel they deserve. But it will be kept close to home again. I am still going to be rambling and yelling about my OC's - asking people about theirs - and being involved. I thought about just not posting new stuff and leaving it at that but I found I was still checking for interaction on my main pieces and feeding the cycle. So I've decided to clean the slate and just engage with people here outside of my writing context.

Thanks for reading! Glad to get back into the swing of this again.

[navree]

Was Alicent really religious in the book? Wasn't she more of Margaery-type of a character ? I remember there was something about her seducing/having affair with Viserys when Aemma was alive , and i don't really remember the greens were conservatives and religious in F&B they seem more ambitious, also wasn't Aegon the only one who was genuinely religious after what happened to him?

Sorry for my many questions but there are many attacks on anyone likes the greens characters in saying that they're misgonystic, right-wingers , trump supporters etc.... And i got confused by that because it has been a long time since I've read the book

(so gonna be honest, it's been a while since I've read the book as well, but I tend to do most of my reading on Ebooks since that's what I've got available so when I remember certain quotations or areas of the story I can just use the search function to pull up the passages I look for, but in terms of beginning to end read throughs? It's been at least a couple years)

So, for starters, the Greens can't be "right wingers" or "Trump supporters" since they don't live in 21rst century America nor is the society that they live in analogous in any way shape or form to 21rst century American society, so the anti-Greens can jot that down and also learn what some words mean (there's a screed somewhere on my blog if you scroll through my "answered" tag on why the "women for Trump" thing wrt Alicent is stupid because of how that's a specific political movement in a very specific social context in a specific moment in time).

The thing is, when I constantly point out that Fire&Blood is a "history textbook" rather than a narrative, I'm not doing that for no reason. It is imperative to understand that the characters in Fire&Blood are not written to be characters in a novel, they are written to act as historical figures that we are reading about from an academic source, all discussed by people with their own agendas and compiled by another person centuries after the events described happened. Nothing in Fire&Blood can be ascertained as one hundred percent true or false save for previously recorded dates of birth and death and major historical events that had multiple witnesses (such as the main battles of the Conquest, or coronations/weddings/other ceremonies). People's thoughts and feelings aren't often written down unless they were being expressed externally, because that's how historical chronicles in a pre-mass literacy society operate in our world. Let me explain: I read a lot of historical texts. And because of my own interests, I've developed a tendency to gravitate towards historical figures who don't always have the best posthumous reputations and around whom there are a lot of "yes no maybe so" type of stories. I'll provide two examples, because this has a point.

Example one, Augustus. Very famous guy, incredibly influential, basically helped shape the Western world as we know it. Also had a lot written about him, not just contemporaneously but also well after he died. There's a story that was spread while Augustus was alive, that was written down by numerous Roman historians as a "well people said it happened so let's just include that they said it did just incase" type of story, that Augustus, who was Julius Caesar's great-nephew through his mother and from a relatively minor branch of the family, ingratiated himself to Caesar in order to become Caesar's primary heir in his will (that happening was a whole Thing) by having a sexual affair with him during a campaign in Hispania when Augustus was 17. However, while we're never going to know for certain, we can pretty confidently say that didn't happen because war camps were just a really inconvenient place to have affairs, for one, and for two, the people spreading this rumor were Mark Antony and his supporters, who had a vested interest at the time in painting Augustus as weak, sexually deviant, conniving, and unworthy fo what he had, due to the fact that he was Antony's primary political rival and was amassing power directly at Antony's expense (if you're wondering why I didn't include things like age or laws against incest in why this might not have happened, Augustus would have been a legal adult at the time and also the Romans didn't consider it incest if the sexual relation was between two people related matrilineally, because they were fucking weird). Another rumor about Augustus is one written down by Suetonius, a Roman historian, who was writing decades after the fact because Augustus had been dead for multiple years and his dynasty (the Julio-Claudians) had already died out by the time Suetonius was born. Suetonius writes that Augustus had an apparent predilection for cheating on his third wife, Livia Drusilla, and specifically with virgins. Again, while possible, it's likely also not true because Augustus was a notorious square personality-wise who also put in place several conservative family and marriage laws that he wanted followed so religiously that when his own daughter, his only child, broke them, he exiled her and permanently ended their relationship, and also Suetonius is notorious for literally just inventing shit and putting it in his works as objective fact.

Example two: Richard III. And I'm not reinventing the wheel by pointing out that a large part of Richard's bad rap after his death comes directly from the vested political interest his successor and his successor's family in painting their reign as legitimate, which would only be possible at the direct expense of Richard (and I am not here to rehash the Wars of the Roses for the five hundredth time, birthright monarchy is a scam and Henry VII won the fight fair and square and both men had good and bad qualities that make them enjoyable to read/learn about). One of the most famous ways that Richard's posthumous reputation was dragged through the mud is with the story that he was heinously deformed, which was a sign of his secret evil. Nowadays, we know for a fact that this isn't true because when his remains were discovered in Leicester, the only "deformity" that was discovered was a case of adolescent onset scoliosis that, while creating a severe S-curve in his spine, would only have manifested physically as one shoulder looking slightly higher than the other, easily disguised with clothing, and that otherwise he seems to have a fair looking dude. But even before we dug up His Majesty's Royal Parking Lot, we could generally figure out that Richard's "deformity" was either an outright fabrication or very slight. Contemporary chroniclers all agreed during Richard's lifetime that the only known physical abnormality was having one shoulder higher than the other, and John Rous, who was at Richard's court and no friendly to Richard considering he also wrote that the dude poisoned his wife (he did not) did note that, while he had a shoulder higher than the other, the difference was slight enough that he wasn't able to remember which shoulder was higher than rich. But once Richard was defeated at Bosworth in 1485 and Henry Tudor took the throne, the line that would ingratiate you to the new king and also show that you weren't a traitor was to point out that Richard sucked, with one of the first instances of "actually Richard was super uggo" happening in 1491 (already six years after Richard died) when a school teacher heard a defense of Richard and launched into a rant about how he was a "crookback" who deserved what he got. Then there was Thomas More, who was a friend to the Tudor royals and whose power at court relied on his proximity to the family and their love for him, who went further in describing Richard as outwardly ugly in order to have it reflect on the fact that he was ugly on the inside as well, even though More was the tender age of seven when Richard died and likely never saw him in person. And then, famously, Shakespeare, patroned by a Tudor and thus knowing that his monetary success came as a direct result of what made the Tudor dynasty happy, took all these biased sources presenting themselves as historical fact and wrote a play depicting Richard as the evil and most monstrously hideous man to have ever lived, and since Shakespeare is more famous than God and had such a huge affect on the English speaking world at large that no one could have ever predicted ("oh Shakespeare's not as famous/influential as-" gonna stop you right there, Shakespeare invented the word pickle, no one is more famous than that), that became stuck in the public consciousness as objective fact, in spite of the contemporary sources and the dodginess of the non-contemporary ones, until we got physical proof of what was true and what wasn't.

So what does that tell us? Historical sources can have biases due to the political machinations of the time, reputations and popular views often get distorted as the years go on and more contemporaries of the subject die, the pop culture understanding of a subject by the general populace can infect even "unbiased" historical compilations about someone, people lie about other people for the furtherances of their own agendas, and that things told after someone's death by non-contemporaneous writers need to be examined within the context of that person's known personality and habits and also that sometimes people are just liars for no other reason than the lolz. Historical texts in a pre-mass literacy society, while important, are not wholly unbiased sources, since the concept of "the biography" is only a couple centuries old (and I'm being generous). Historical texts can include things like political leanings dictating what's being written down, distortions in the hopes of gaining favors, social views that were the norm at the time but changed from then to the present, the inclusion of rumors without delving into whether they're valid or not, and sometimes authors just blatantly making shit up. That is the conceit under which Fire&Blood operates as a book. That, unless it's a birth, death, or major historical event, we simply cannot know anything as objectively true or false and need to take every single story with a grain of salt, and it's up to us as the readers to decide what's most likely based on consistencies in stories/characterization along with the objective known facts. Nothing about these people can be taken at complete face value and any stories told about them need to be closely examined even by us as readers who are aware that it's fictional.

So, with all that in mind.

Is Alicent described as religious in the book? Not explicitly, since not much of her personality was recorded and we actually know very little about her character. But it's safe to assume that she was religious to an extent, the Hightowers are from Oldtown and Oldtown was the current center of the Faith of Seven at the time since the Starry Sept was still the epicenter of that religion given that it only changed once Baelor built his Great Sept. And even beyond that, Westeros is a religious society, analogous to Middle Ages Europe, and religion played a significant part in every day life. So it's not out of the question that Alicent was religious, perhaps even more religious than the average Jeyne, but whether she was as religious as her show counterpart, and whether the motivations were the same (loneliness, desire for community amidst isolation, clinging to moral superiority when she feels she's a bad person for her wants and desire) is unknown.

Wasn't she more of Margaery-type character? Well, for one, book Margaery or show Margaery. The two Margaeys are incredibly different characters, almost to the point of not being the same character at all. Since Margaery is not a POV character in the books, and we only see her through the eyes of Sansa, Cersei, and briefly Tyrion, we don't really know what she's like. We know she's very intelligent, and we know that she possesses a shrewdness and cunning not unlike Olenna, as Sansa remarks, but Margaery is also very kind, very sweet and gentle, and tenderhearted to a certain extent, as well as the model of a proper young Westerosi (and also according to Cersei a vicious slut but Cersei's viewpoint of people is so distorted we can't rely on anything she says or thinks). Show Margaery is honestly just what Cersei thinks book Margaery is, as if D&D read Cersei's POVs for Margaery and took that at face value without remembering that Cersei has never had a correct observation about another person ever, except Robert. Show Margaery is also intelligent and cunning, but she's conniving and fiercely manipulative, incredibly power hungry and more sexually open than book Margaery. Is Alicent like either of those? Again, hard to say, we don't really know much about Alicent as a character other than that she held grudges, was ambitious for her kids, and loved her family with everything, tender and gentle with people who mattered like her children and grandchildren (given that they always came to have her say goodnight to them every night aaaaaaahhhhh) and was a somewhat unforgiving person, which she appeared to pass on to her two eldest sons. She doesn't really seem like either Margaery to me, especially in the fact that, while book Margaery might be putting up a sweet facade to hide true feelings and show Margaery absolutely does that, Alicent doesn't. She has no problem exhibiting what she really feels on full display without hiding anything, likely due to her power as queen consort (like her "do keep trying Ser Laenor" line, ugh cuntery at its finest). The main similarity between either Margaery and Alicent that I can think of is that they're both incredibly well loved by the commons.

Did Alicent have an affair with Viserys while Aemma was alive? No. Again, not something we can know for certain because "historical" but looking at it, no. There's no evidence that Viserys ever kept any mistresses in either of his marriages, Alicent doesn't get married as young as she is in the show but she's still eighteen and that's pretty young, the only way this would be marginally appropriate and allowed by Westerosi customs is if she were an official mistress, which she isn't ever described as, it doesn't line up with any of her following actions or how she's described later in her life, and also the only person who even hints at any sexual impropriety in Alicent's past in F&B is Mushroom, who is one of those aforementioned sources that lies just because they wanna lie and add things in for no reason (and also because GRRM likely wanted more sex stuff in the book than he'd have been able to do due to the constraints of the format he chose and added Mushroom in as this asshole ribald lil lying liar who lies in order to do that).

Were the Greens conservative and religious? For religion, please see answer number one, which is just: most likely religious, no way to know whether they were more or less religious than other Westerosi, particularly Westerosi Faith worshipers. For conservatism, pleas see the first full paragraph of this behemoth of an answer. The concept of conservatism has changed drastically over human history, and often has specific definitions and political affiliations based on which country you live in, and even if we mean American conservative, this is not an American based society with any American based values and it's practically impossible to try and attach those to people living in what amounts to Middle Ages England but with dragons and blood magic.

Were the Greens ambitious? Yes, they very much were ambitious. So is every other character in Fire&Blood. They're not more or less ambitious than any Westerosi family, it doesn't seem like that ambitious motivation was changed all that much in the show either, just certain characters are less so (most notably Alicent).

Wasn't Aegon the only genuinely religious one? Again, I return us to the first answer, which is that he likely was religious but there's no way to know whether he was more or less so than anyone else (unless you take a certain Mushroom story at face value which I do not because not even the guys compiling the in universe histories take Mushroom at face value). There's nothing written down about Aegon being particularly more devout than most people expect, since the majority of what's written about him on his own as a person is devoted to him during wartime, in which he isn't described as doing anything particularly religious since he's either fighting or convalescing. The only concrete thing we get is when he goes to the royal sept and subsequently dies, and there's no explanation given for why he wanted to go there (if you're like me, it's cuz you believe the suicide theory and are incorporating it into how you think the show should end so that you can then cry for ten thousand years about it). You can certainly believe that his experiences and what he suffered might have made him more open to devotion, that he turned to the gods in hope of comfort, but you could also make the argument that all his pain would have turned him against the gods, like Stannis's anti-Seven ideals being borne of how he refuses to worship any gods who would let him watch his parents die.

And lastly, never apologize for too many questions anon! For one, people make this confusing because between the source material and the changes and everyone taking this shit way too seriously, it can be tough to parse everything out. And for two, I love questions! I'm an incessant rambler and I get bored easily and unless people are being rude, I always love when people wanna chitchat with me about stuff <3

[libraryofcirclaria]

17 October 1260

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Five: Oscar Lehman

I'm just astounded that Karlin Maryk would be so accepting, without further question, of such a radical and expensive idea proposed by a Freshman Member.

I've been a Member, myself, of the Third Level Society for four years, and Karlin Maryk three years. But his leadership talent was what made me to help push for his election as the next Dungeonmaster two years ago, after Jon Beyon's departure. Karlin and I had been close friends up to that point, for he is also my roommate in House Fleming. And we grew closer ever more while I worked as an Administrator of the Cresca Sector of the Arturian Realm.

Just last month, we formed a coalition against a proposal in the Caucus to endorse Edward Jackson as the next Prime Minister of the Federal Estates of Retun. That proposal was made by Adam Mensley, a stout supporter of Jackson, firmly believing that Jackson would defeat the incumbent James Black, who was running on the Foundationist Party platform against the National Labor Party candidate, Robert Smith. We initially thought that an independent candidate of the National Diplomatic Party, a third party, would stand no chance of breaking the mold of a two-party dynamic already in place in the Republic. Of course, with the election at an equal tie between the three candidates, no one would have guessed that, with the courts calling recount after recount, we still don't know who our next Prime Minister will be.

But here we had Adam Mensley, thinking it a bright idea to have our Third Level Society Caucus vote to endorse Edward Jackson. True, the name of our Membership Body "Caucus" derives from the notion that the Society, early on, intended to establish an external voting group to influence legislative proceedings in the Council of Cabotton proper. That notion was shortly abandoned, though we kept the name, "Caucus."

Karlin and I met in our Common Room and came to the conclusion that we had trouble. Up to this point, the Society had never taken part in any external political matter, let alone a federal election. In fact, such is against our Principles. Also, on a national scale, the Third Level Society, a local presence at best, stands next to null in terms of exerting political influence on a national level, making Mensley's endorsement idea pointless. Furthermore, and most importantly, not everyone in the Society supports Jackson. So making a move like that would put the Society in danger of strife.

So during our meeting in our Common Room, we made a plan to generate flyers to get the Caucus to vote down Mensley's idea. We had many fellow Members pass these around and make pledges to us, but such efforts were in vain; the Caucus ended up supporting Mensley by a thin margin and voted in favor of endorsing Jackson.

It was embarrassing for us. Furthermore, Mensley called out Dungeonmaster Karlin Maryk over the Ticketer Public Section for exercising an opinion on this. This was most likely what got Karlin to invite me, after that Mensley endorsement vote, to make a joint statement with him to ensure the Society otherwise upholds traditions and trie to maintain neutrality in external political affairs going forward. We launched a subsequent pledge on this and convinced a large number of Members, having been opposed to Mensley, to not leave the Society.

Our resilience at that time last month was, I feel, the strongest chapter in our friendship.

But Karlin joined forces this month with this radical Freshman. I cannot fathom how Karlin does not understand what this will do to the Society. I am truly baffled.

The Freshman's name is Marcus Terrings, 23 years old, a student who graduated Cabotton University one year before me. I stand corrected when saying that, technically, he is not actually a Freshman. Terrings is a seasoned Veteran, but everyone in the Society thought he was weird. Even Jon Beyon, the radical inventor of the Jon Beyon Console, saw Terrings as a radical.

You see, Terrings is obsessed with astronomy, the stars, and the planets. There's nothing wrong with that. And he did point out that the Original Story telling of the fictitional establishment of the Arturian Realm involved a fifth layer, known as the Cosmoworld, of our multi-faceted Arturian Realm.

For context, our Realm is divided into four "Worlds": the Underworld, known as the Antecosmos; the Dungeonworld; the Terraworld, where most quests are carried out; and the Divineworld, where dwell the deity-avatars and their antics.

Terrings pointed out that, according to the Doctrine of the Beginnings of the Arturian Realm, which all of us refer to as the Original Story, but nonetheless which every Freshman Member is encouraged to learn when they first join, there is actually a fifth "World": the Cosmoworld. In that Cosmoworld are other globes similar to Arturia that are colonized by the Five Nations.

Of course, our actual Realm in which we engage our avatars consists only of Arturia, which is actually a grid; though we have "loop boundaries" at each of the four edges which help to simulate Arturia as a globe; and each of the Netherworlds in the Antecosmos has this as well. As for the Cosmoworld, our Algorithms Books acknowledge that such a Cosmoworld exists, though we do not have a Cosmoworld to access because building something like that is beyond our technological scope. Instead, we have algorithm-generated avatars that appear and disappear as if they are going to and from the aforementioned exoplanets; and we also have other back-dynamics embedded in our Algorithms Books to cast various influences and nuances upon our dymensional plane to help simulate as if Planet Arturia was one of many globes. But in reality, the Arturian Realm has been the only world in which we have engaged.

And Marcus Terrings was not satisfied with this, which is part of what makes him weird. All throughout his time in the Society, he obsessed over the existence of the Cosmoworld, and insisted that we make it a possibility. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with that except for the required fundamental changes to our dymensional plane, which are exhausting logistically, not to mention financially. So everyone else has been accepting of our current arrangement.

Nonetheless, Terrings persisted. He made proposals at every session, much to everyone's annoyance. Finally, it took Jon Beyon having a private conversation with him to get him to stop. That was two years ago. And stop he did, but then he held a grudge and renounced his Membership. We did not hear much from Terrings over the two years that followed other than that he decided to double-major in Astronomy and Dymensionalism. We found that a bit odd, owing to his fallout with us. But it turns out he had a plan.

Over this past summer and the last, Terrings built a device combining a planetarium machine with a dymensional frame. And he actually managed to create globular dymensional planes. Not just one but many, structured with smaller ones inside bigger ones.

This was unheard of. When Karlin and I first heard, we dismissed it as a rumor. Then we forgot about it as we were dealing with Adam Mensley. Last week, however, Terrings returned and approached the Bookkeeper to have our Caucus session on Wednesday September 5 dedicated as a venue for him to present his invention.

At first, I was curious about this, so I went. In fact, there were at least 500 people there to hear about this as well. And I will have to admit, what he presented was quite interesting. He designed a holographic dymensional plane, a globular one, of a system of stars, around each orbited six gas giants, and around each gas giant orbited six worlds that could hold the equivalent of a world like the Arturian Realm. His new machine, which he called a "Planetaryum," also consisted a fancy array of optical projection capabilities so that he could zoom out and show that the star system he showed us was, in fact, one of six orbiting a close-knit cluster of stars in the center.

Another feature of this globular dymensional plane was its ability to condense itself to fit into a reasonably-sized frame, which is good considering how unbelieveably large it is. In fact, I was wondering how anyone would be able to navigate their avatar across its vastness without losing interest, when Terrings presented his next feature: the interglobal gyroship. This was like an airship, except it had the ability to travel through outer space from planet to planet. He demonstrated the gyroship's capability to "sprint" from one planet to another in the same star system, and then to "jump" from one star system to another. I almost laughed at this, not because I was unimpressed, but because scientists in recent years dreamed of the idea of building an airship capable of leaving our atmosphere in order to transit the void to explore our blue planetary neighbor: Nephina. Obviously, these were merely fantasies.

It's incredible, though, Marcus Terrings' globular dymensional plane. It really is. And Terrings really should get recognition for this. I believe there is no one else in history that has been able to craft a globular dymensional plane. And in fact, he did mention that he was being considered for an invitation to the Canticulan city of Cenofan, across the Ocean, for formal recognition from the international organization, Congress of Circlaria, for significant progress in the art of spellcrafting.

However, its implementation would fundamentally alter the well-standing political dynamics that exist both in the Arturian Realm and between Society Members.

When the Arturian Realm was initially conceived, Ivella Ogden and the other founders intended originally for the Realm to be a stratification of types of technology with a particular type to be made appropriate to the level in the political hierarchy. So the political hierarchy of the Arturian Realm is as follows: the Realm consists of five Nations; each Nation consists of Provinces; each Province consists of Counties; each County consists of Municipalities; and each County consists of commercial, military, governmental, or residential Plots. In fact, this hierarchy was inspired by real political hierarchies in the Retunian Republic, and our neighbor, the Kingdom of the Great North. And in terms of technology, it was originally intended that each Plot conveyed life in the Rope Age, like in ancient Remikra; that each Municipality conveyed life in the Water Age, like in ancient Wannonia; that each County conveyed life in the Steam Age, like in Remikra before the foundation of Combria in 1086; that each Province conveyed life in the Modern Age, like the world today; and that each Nation, and the Five Nations together in Arturia, conveyed life in a futuristic age of "gyro-mechanisation."

Such stratification was somehow maintained in that fateful TableQuest session back in 1243, apparently. But when put into practice in the implementation of the Third Level Society, things began to deviate fairly quickly.

First, the Members and avatars in the topmost hierarchy quickly abandoned "gyro-mechanisation." My guess was that it was too radical and abstract; so those members lost interest quickly and turned to the electric machines and vehicles, some turning even to the steam vessels.

It was with the Steam Age component that things changed the most. In building the Arturian Realm, and rebuilding it for the Society, its builders, especially Ivella Ogden, were made to deeply delve into the research of the Steam Age that happened in our world, which accompanied the days of prestigious global trade for the Kingdom of the Great North. In the course of research, the partakers became quite fascinated with the Steam World, both in terms of its technology and some of its political dynamics. And this gave rise to a rapidly-increasing base of Members considered to be "Steamsters."

Furthermore, many quest leaders and powerful questors had ascended to but largely remained at the County hierarchical level, thus incentivizing them to partake in the Steam Age component. This has been the case with every passing year. Members with avatars in the Province, Municipality, and Plot hierarchies gravitated to this "Steamster" base during this time, so that, even as early on as the latter half of Ivella Ogden's Dungeonmaster tenure, the Steam Age all but defined the Arturian Realm, and the culture of the Membership Caucus.

The "Steamster" culture knows no partisan boundaries, not from what I've experienced. I know both Traditionalists and Progressivists long seasoned by the "Steamster" fabric, and have steadfast passion for it as I do. It is the only thing, I feel, that keeps the Society from being ripped apart by the dueling Traditionalist and Progressivist camps. Jon Beyon endorsed it; in fact, he was the first to use the word "Steamster" and told us to boast that term with pride. That's why he got elected. And Karlin, as Dungeonmaster, tipped his hat to the "Steamster" title out of respect.

Marcus Terrings voiced annoyance at this early on, when he first joined. That's what made him all but an outcast. Though still a Member, he did not...shall I say...mesh with the fabric of the Society. He imposed his idea that we were "backward" and that the Society should "modernize" and convert into a dymensional world that "conquers the Cosmos with vessels to explore the Cosmos." We were all uncomfortable with this, because, obviously, that would render the "Steamsters" obsolete, thus giving opportunity for Traditionalist-Progressivist rivalries to fester. Jon Beyon made this clear to Terrings. But instead of voicing understanding, Terrings stormed out.

But now Terrings is back, and he is back with the same attitude. The only thing that's changed is his strategy. It works, too. I was quite fascinated with his invention, but unlike the other 200 or so people in the Caucus Chamber, I knew better than to simply buy into this and turn my back on the "Steamster" culture. To clarify, the Chamber, that night, was split evenly over the issue, causing me a bit of anxiety. However, I am not surprised, as there has been quite the influx of new Members from more distant parts of Remikra in recently.

That's the issue, though. Our country has, now, a more complete cable rail network than it did ten years ago. One can now travel by cable train without interruption between here and Savel on the West Coast, and even into the Great North. While I see that as an improvement, with cable rail travel having facilitated tourism and permanent relocation, we have seen, especially in the last two years, quite the influx of newcomers. And many of these have joined our Society, which now has about 900 Members. More than a fourth of our Caucus consists of Freshmen and young Veterans who would not have the audacity to vote out an unstable figure like Cray Fenton from the Dungeonmaster position should we encounter that again. We have more diversity, but we have less understanding of what the Society is and what it stands for.

That Saturday, I met with Dungeonmaster Karlin Maryk, for he was at Terrings' presentation as well, and saw the excitement displayed by the Members at simply embracing the radical change without considering the consequences. I hardly needed to mention to Karlin that not only would the undertaking incur enough costs to consider a loan from a financial institution, but also, atop having to face such a debt, our revenue would decrease substantially. Yes, we have 900 Members, but only a fourth of them are naive Freshmen in support of Terrings' idea while the remaining 75 percent is split almost evenly between the Progressivist and Traditionalist camps. And although I have gravitated toward the Progressivist camp in recent months, I am close friends to those who call themselves Traditionalists; and many of these Traditionalists, including significant Quest Leaders, threatened to leave the Society if the "Steamster" world was lost to Terrings' reforms. Thus, our resulting reduction in revenue would render us incapable of paying our debts and even risk forcing the Society to have to file for bankruptcy.

Karlin completely dismissed this concern when I told him.

In fact, he explicitly told me that he was elated. His excuse was that the Arturian Realm as it was has become "saturated with avatars, and that inter-avatar dynamics were turning dull."

"Terrings understands," Karlin told me. "We need to expand the 'playing field' many-fold."

"Are you out of your mind!?" I told him. "What you'll get is a mass-exodus of avatars rushing out into the Cosmos to explore the exoplanets. That means we will spread out and become separate...far too quickly!"

"Why are you concerned about that?"

"Why do you not understand!? That means smaller questing teams, meaning more rivalries between avatars and between Members. More division in the Society!"

"That's why we have Caucus meetings, Oscar. We Members always convene every Wednesday to discuss what is best for the organization. Also, more Members are going to be joining soon, which I'm sure will counterbalance any Membership exodus that may ensue."

I rose up out of my seat in rage to this. "So you're turning your back on the 'Steamster' community!"

"The 'Steamster' vibe will persevere," Karlin said calmly with a smile.

"On what hard proof do you base that claim?"

Karlin's smile got ever wider but still stayed innocent. "None, I will admit. But at the end of the day, though we all wish not to admit it, there is such a thing as blind faith."

I still am absolutely baffled at Karlin's ignorant attitude. He is becoming delusional like Cray Fenton. Even worse, while Cray Fenton's paranoia was seen a long way off, Karlin Maryk's attitude came out of nowhere. I just don't understand. In the time I knew him, he was the "Steamster" of all "Steamsters." We had a mutual pact to remain independent of the Traditionalist and Progressivist camps, even though I took a liking to a lot of what the Progressivists had to say and Karlin the Traditionalists. We had sense to not let this divide us or put our friendship in jeopardy.

Perhaps he is doing this to try and assert his independent stance, by coming off as a figure open to compromise. But to support this drastic change puts the "Steamster" culture, itself, in jeopardy. That was what kept us together, our mutual liking for "Steam." That was what kept the entire Society together. If this change goes through, I honestly do not know what the future of the Society will bring other than the grim prediction I'm conceiving at this time.

I've been in love with the Society. I feel that I am one with it. I would never imagine in my wildest dreams that I would ever think to separate from it. But honestly, if this storm comes to pass, I do not feel comfortable sticking around when the mighty walls come tumbling down.

-> 23 October 1260 ->

[stevesbbg]

a new chapter - battison!bruce wayne x reader

a/n: i wrote this at 2am trying to get my brain working again - this hasn't been re-read or anything so if there's any improper grammar plz let me know *sob* i really don't like the way this turned out but i'm publishing it anyway :D

tw: language, fake dating to lovers, mentions of death, fighting, angst, fluff, a bad attempt at breaking up, i wrote this at 2 am without re-reading it so it probably won't make much sense - go writing block ;-;

"So that's it," She froze, "I'm just some stupid girl who means nothing to you?"

His grey eyes snapped to hers, "Yes, you mean nothing to me. You never have and you never will." He swallowed thickly, as if he regretted what he was saying.

She knew he was lying, but it still hurt. He was her best friend for fucks sake. Even if she tried with her whole heart, she knew deep down she could never actually hate him.

"And cut. That was perfect guys, I'll be sure to leak it to everyone."

Bruce and Y/N had been putting on a show for the media for quite a few weeks now. The fake dating was his parents grand idea. Before they had passed away, they had set up the two childhood friends in hope that they could maintain the family fortune. Bruce thought the whole affair was disgusting, but now he could finally be free from whatever the hell this was.

Y/N on the other-hand, never gave it much thought. She grew up without parents of her own, so she had been determined to keep Mr. and Mrs. Wayne happy.

"Are you alright?" Bruce sat back down in his chair. He pulled open a drawer to get the sunglasses he had set aside for the video.

Y/N stood there, "Is any of this right? I feel like we shouldn't do this." She walked over to a mirror and fixed the hair that had fallen from its previous position. They were both a mess, internally and externally.

"Nothing about my family is right. The way they died, the way they forced us into this." He said in a tone dripping with venom.

"I don't really think it's that bad," Y/N began, but stopped before Bruce got even more upset, "But if you need me, I'll be in my room." She left with a small smile and a few tears in her eyes.

She had always cared about Bruce. She hated the way he carried the weight of his parents on his back, constantly blaming everything on himself. She wanted him to have a better life, but he was just too stubborn.

That was another thing she loved about him.

When she reached her room, Alfred had already made some tea and set it by her bed. Being a Wayne was extremely tiring but even more so when it's all fake. None of this was real, and that made everything harder.

Y/N fell asleep reading a book she wanted Bruce to read, finally resting after the draining day they had both experienced.

After a few hours, Bruce had walked in. Seeing the blankets had fallen off, he picked them back up and gently covered the girl back up. He stood there watching her calm face and rising and falling chest. He would never admit to it, but sometimes he could swear Y/N did something to him. Like the world was less cruel when she was around him. That was impossible though, of course.

The next morning, every news outlet in Gotham and the surrounding cities were on fire with the 'leaked' video of the famous Wayne couple splitting.

Y/N, walking downstairs, could already feel the tension. Bruce stood by the television with a sturdy scowl.

"Hell of a way to wake up, huh?" She tried to break the ice. She sat down on the sofa and shook her head, "You're a pretty good actor."

"Part of that was true, you know." Bruce faced her, "I don't want to be with you."

Y/N's heart sank a bit. She figured he would push her away after this, but God knows she wasn't ready for it.

"Shit," He mumbled to himself, "I don't mean it like that. I just don't want to be forced, you know? I feel like we would've ended up together anyway regardless of my family."

Oh.

"I've always had feelings for you. Its been like that ever since we met, and I've always been sure I wanted to be with you forever."

"Well it's kind of fucked up now, isn't it?" She looked him in the eyes with a hint of sadness.

He looked down at his slippers. She had bought him those for his birthday.

They sat there for what felt like an eternity. The only sounds were the hustle and bustle of early morning traffic and heavy hearts. Neither one could speak, because what was there to be said? The only way they could be together now was too be together in secret, in the dark. It was ironic in a way.

"Good morning, Master Wayne. You have a call from someone." Alfred came in to break the silence.

Bruce got up and walked out, shuffling to his office. Usually he wouldn't answer, but God knew he wanted to get out of the awkward quietness.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Alfred fixed the pillows where Bruce had been sitting, "I'm sure a cup of tea would help. Peppermint or Green?"

"Peppermint's fine." Y/N sighed, "Alfred, is this ever going to get better? I feel like this is all my fault."

"Time heals all wounds, Mrs. Wayne." He smiled and went to the kitchen. Did he not remember she and Bruce had split? They were no longer associated like that.

The staged video popped back up onto the screen of the TV. The familiar yelling and crying coming back to her. It all looked pretty believable.

"You've been lying this whole time about your love for me?" The camera zoomed in on Y/N's face, catching the almost real heartbreak on her face.

The camera switched over to Bruce, who was straight-faced, "I've never loved you."

Y/N shut the TV off, not wanting to relive it again. She got up, went into the kitchen to grab the tea Alfred had made, and went up to her room. She plopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

The door creaked open and the tall, brooding man walked through and sat by her.

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him. His hair falling in his face, his eyes practically dyed black from the paint he used to help conceal his identity. To most it would likely scare them away, but to Y/N, it was familiar.

"I am too, bats." She sat up and rested her head on his shoulder, "I am too."

"Do you think we would've had a chance if they didn't set us up?" He questioned softly.

Y/N chuckled quietly. The odds had been stacked against the two since day one. She thought about it for a moment, then answered.

"I think we would've tried."

"So why don't we," He looked down at the girl resting on him, "We can always say we're trying to patch things up if the press asks. We could just start a new book and fill it with better things."

Y/N didn't know how to word it, "What went wrong in the first place?"

Bruce bit his lip, "I think we were just given a bad script, a bad plot. We did the best we could with it though."

"Apparently we have good character development," Y/N smiled, "So maybe this isn't the end of the story necessarily, just a new chapter."

He kissed the top of her head, "You know, even though we were just putting on a show for everyone, I legitimately loved you. I feel like a bitch for trying to distance you from me." He paused, "I just wasn't sure you were happy where you were."

"As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy. No matter what happens," She wrapped her arm around him and hugged his side, "Here's to a new chapter, right?"

"Yeah," He nodded, "A new chapter."

[antimony-medusa]

Fanfic ask! 15 and 35

15. What’s the weirdest fandom you’ve ever written for?

hahahah okay guys so I've written exclusively for minecraft fanfiction so you are both the most normal and the weirdest. Sorry. However the direct inspiration for the latest thing I wrote was a richard silken poem, the wikipedia article about burial methods, a hugo acceptance speech about whalefall, and wilbur soot, so that one probably counts as especially weird.

35. Ramble about any fic-related thing you want!

Okay so. I came into fanfic from writing over in original fiction, and I loved to hear people talk about craft, but mostly I was trying to read (and write) YA spec fic, MG spec fic, and grownup spec-fic (from a few trusted authors). A lot of adventures and worldbuilding and puzzles and heroism and community, etc. I was getting less and less into the romance plots in YA and trying to avoid them, hence simultaniously diverging into MG and books for the adult market. 

A couple years ago I noticed a phenomenon that people were tying to talk about but were having difficulty with, because when people say “reads like fanfiction” when they’re talking in published work they mean it derogatorily (because of an expectation of no original characters or derivative or uh, often sexism but we’ll move past that), but people were trying to say this as a tonal note that wasn’t about character work or something, about people who’d really gotten their start in fanfic and weren’t hiding that. There was a specific tone and we were all trying to figure out what it was. 

Anyways I finally figured out what I was trying to describe a couple months into reading almost exclusively fanfic and trying to narrow down on what I want to read so I could search for it. 

When you are reading a story, usually there is a central mystery or problem that the reader is trying to figure out. When it’s a mystery, it’s a really obvious thing— it’s a literal mystery. When you’re reading literary fiction (the pinaccle of show don’t tell), you’re trying to figure out the interior world of the charcters you’re seeing on stage in front of you. When you’re reading spec fic, the problem you’re trying to unfurl is now the how the world works. (When we’re talking in huge broad strokes here.) Going from one genre to another can be jarring, cause if you’re used to trying to figure out what’s going on with interiority in a character, you hit SF, and it gets incredibly boring because the story just tells you shit about how your character is feeling, because the story isn’t concerned (as a first order of structure) with the interior lives of its characters. The story is concerned with how a military fleet abandoned in a nebula has built a civilization of permanent readiness and honor-duty-sacrifice and mandatory nostalgia for an empire that fell two centuries ago and also how you keep air recyclers going. Meanwhile someone from SF swans into a literary fiction book and goes “what the hell this is set in suburbia and there’s just a guy having three affairs for no reason he explains, and he has GOT to be alcoholic how much is he drinking”. 

Barriers between genres are always permeable, especially in a world where people buy books online and stories don’t have to be shelved in specific spots, however, those are like, huge broad strokes of genre concerns. You get genres with external plots (SF, mystery, thriller), you get genres with internal plots (romance, literary fiction, yes they do that in totally different ways), and broadly there’s a certain tone to how stories are structured that you can tell from where you pick up a book in the bookstore and what the cover art looks like. Horror does its own thing, nobody is doing it like horror. 

Meanwhile (I told you I was taking it back to fanfic), fan writers often take characters who are from media where the central concern is not really the interior lives of the characters (tv medical dramas, superhero franchises, cooking shows, minecraft roleplay), and it puts the interior lives back in, because it loves the characters. The central concern of the genre is not as much required here, because everyone is already familiar with the world, so we take these people and we focus on internal lives and internally-driven plots, whether that’s about someone coming to grips with their grief or falling in love or slowly healing or going on a self-destructive vengance spree. 

People were saying “it reads like fanfic but I mean that in a good way” with authors who were doing the normal genre constraints but also bringing in internally-driven character plots (most often concerned with healing and flourishing) into their space dramas. 

Anyways I figured this out cause I love externally driven plots with interiority as order two and I had to find authors who did the interiority but were also concerned with air recyclers. 

[Fic questions for Writers]

[arminsrealwaifu]

Hello! I have a head canon on how Armin fell in love with Annie and I really need to get this out of my head so if you're a shipper I hope you'll like this ♡

I tried my best to be as objective as possible (wink wink)

We all know about how things went for the Survey Corps following the Battle of Shiganshina— from Hange carrying on as the 14th Cdr. to the resettlement of refugees to Wall Maria.

What we've missed however is what the time skip did to individual characters, and in this article, to Armin and his relationship to both Mikasa and Eren.

So we're all well aware that it has always been Armin's dream to explore the world. Flaming water, ocean, sandy fields, and all which could only be realized if they rid of all the titans outside the walls.

And they did.

They reclaimed Wall Maria and exterminated every single mindless titan which lead us to that ✨depressing beach episode✨.

Now I would like to focus on how Eren reacted to Armin's little dialogue about the outside world.

This is probably the moment Armin understood that everything isn't just about ocean tides, sunsets, volcanoes, etc.

(so this is where my actual hc or theory maybe¿ comes into play)

Eren grows more and more detached from his surroundings with every passing day. Most of the time, you'll either find him sitting alone in deep thought or looking far beyond as if he's gazing somewhere in the distant future.

He had no time to talk and listen to Armin's hopeful dreams as his mind is already full of guilt and sorrow towards his foreseen future.

Same goes with Mikasa who's always busy worrying about Eren and his plans for their island's fate.

Connie, Sasha, and Jean would obviously be out of the picture since they don't share the same depth of emotional attachment to Armin as the latter does for Eren and Mikasa.

I reckon that Hange and Levi would be very busy handling both internal and external affairs and the two of them also have their own conflicts to deal with, i.e. Erwin and Moblit's death.

Floch (eye roll emoji), does nothing but his best to show Armin that choosing Erwin would be the best for all, preaching about devils and strategies.

The emotional strain of killing people (Marleyan Fleets) and not having someone to discuss it with, forsaken dreams—solitude amidst the crowd.

Armin was left with no one to turn to.

Here's the part where the memories of Borutoto comes in.

Annie.

It's evident that Boruto has seen Annie's guilt and remorse. (Marco's death on episode 52)

She never truly wanted to kill people.

She's a girl taught to it.

Just like how the Survey Corps killed Anti-personnel Control Squad— she's got no choice but to abandon her humanity and kill those with a different goal and perspective.

Armin must've thought that if there's anyone who would understand his sentiments, someone who would listen without making him feel guilty about being alive, it's Annie.

It must've all started with Armin confiding his guilt, regrets, and dreams to Annie's crystalized form, gradually falling in love.

He must've found comfort and consolation with Annie's silence.

Never judging nor disregarding.

It's just the two of them.

Her silence and his dreams.

Memories play an important role in the formation of a person's personality. Given how a shifter's memories could be passed from one to another, I acknowledge that Armin must have been, in little ways, influenced by Boruto's memories, but that DOESN'T necessarily means that THEY HAVE BECOME THE SAME PERSON.

I mean was Eren romantically attracted to his mom? No.

Is Falco in love with Historia? No.

Memories are a given, but love is a choice.

If what I've written makes sense, I really hope that it helped clear some misunderstanding about Armin's character.

And pls stop calling him a simp ( ⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⌢⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀)

[22degreehalo]

I think OP has a slightly different point actually, that modern discourse seems to be favouring a weird state of affairs where some things are presented as omnipresent and of extreme importance IRL (e.g. police brutality, sexual predators) but also as things that shouldn't be present in fiction at all.

Like, I do think a big part of the Hayes Code was an attempt to 'erase' behaviours so that people don't get 'ideas'; as though all people will naturally act as proper heterosexuals (or rather, 'normal people'), and everything else is the result of external influence.

I don't think (most) people believe that e.g. if fiction never depicted adults preying on minors, it wouldn't happen. There's some hazy talking about 'romanticization', but mostly I think the idea is that fiction should be escape from the hells of the real world, and any depiction of serious bigotry or abuse makes it unable to be that for some people.

That has been around in activism for a while. I remember when Game of Thrones was airing, all the talk about depictions of misogyny in medieval societies and how it alienated women, or how the emphasis on homophobia in stories about queer people constituted 'trauma porn.'

I personally have always had mixed feelings; depicting societies as totally feminist and queer-friendly sometimes just feels like it's brushing away the real ills of history and pretending they never happened. But I've since learned that a lot of people saying all this really don't seem to believe it happened and that all bigotry is a consequence of either Western imperialism or 19th century capitalism, so I guess that's a disagreement on fact.

But there's another point, and it's that depictions of suffering - the consequences of bigotry - can lead to people understanding and empathising with others. A lot of that gay 'trauma porn' was inspired by the AIDs crisis, when too many people manifestly did not care that queer men were suffering. The genre wasn't 'romanticising pain' in the sense of normalising it, but in the sense of treating it as something worth caring about. As someone whose oppressions are mostly around erasure and denial of experiences, dear god I wish that aspecs and people with ADHD got MORE 'trauma porn'.

And so I worry that this normal seeks to sorta separate badness from its reason for being bad. I read a very good essay on here about Scott Pilgrim which I should reblog, about how the original comic didn't outright have characters say that Scott was an asshole for dating Knives, but did depict the consequences of it: she gets way too emotionally invested in this relationship she wasn't mature enough to understand (while for him the whole thing never meant much) and it exposed her to a world and social group she sorta wasn't ready for and couldn't help her. Meanwhile, the new series can't stop talking about how bad what Scott did to Knives was... but she seems kinda fine, honestly?

I don't especially like this shift. I don't like the idea that all fiction must portray a better world, like there's no value in teaching people they're not alone in their pain. But I also don't like that it feels like we're veering more and more into Innate Badness: the idea that police or age gaps or whatever are just Inherently Bad regardless of actual empirical consequences. It sets up a false Bad People versus Good People dichotomy, and it treats morality as something you just Know, and never something influenced by your factual knowledge of a situation.

Re: two different threads swirling around my dash at the moment ('no cops' rules for RPGs and Scott Pilgrim discourse)

It's funny that we've come to a place where the correct way to 'condemn' something is basically just to refuse to portray it. Both cases have moved from portraying something as a negative to actually kind of stripping any of the negative consequences away from the thing in the new portrayal, and that's somehow seen as a more effective condemnation.

Which is weird to me.