#Verse: Main (Past Tales)

[diverse-hearts-ocs]

@primowishes asked:

[ PERSEVERE ] : sender, having received a particularly bad wound, tells receiver they're fine, but ends up collapsing later on. (Bonanus + Indarias)

PROMPTS THAT MAKE YOU GO 👀

Fighting was what they were used to - the toil of this war was engraved into each of them, her sisters and brothers fighting by her side in order to protect the nation that was their home. This was their sacred duty, one that she would never give up for the world, and yet, the time would come when she'd be forced to - as it would for them all. Already, she could feel the claws of madness scratching at her mind - that distraction being the reason as to why her dearest sister had received such an injury in the first place. They weren't delicate by any imagination, and as such, the benefit of the doubt had been given when Bonanus had said Indarias' patchwork of dressing the wound had been enough, at least until they made it back to safety. Such words she'd taken for heart, perhaps as she didn't wish to believe her carelessness had hurt her sister in such a brutal manner - but as the rain continued to fall, and her own footsteps become rather laboured, Bonanus had been the one to fall to the ground.

With a short gasp, Indarias wrapped her warms carefully around the fallen Yakasha, pulling them under a nearby shelter, kneeling down to once again examine the wound. "...these type of things...we cannot lie about", she sighed lightly, but she couldn't find it within herself to grow angry, not at her sister at least. She'd just need to carry her back to the others - Indarais shifting the limp body to rest against her back instead, a deep breathe taken, before she was darting off into the rain, holding her precious cargo as carefully as she could.

[fctedivided]

Tags (5/?)

Final one for now. My apologies in advance for tag page spam.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Poetry

Poetry

A type of literature that conveys a thought, describes a scene or tells a story in a concentrated, lyrical arrangement of words.

Poems can be structured, with rhyming lines and meter, the rhythm and emphasis of a line based on syllabic beats.

Poems can also be freeform, which follows no formal structure.

The basic building block of a poem is a verse known as a stanza.

A stanza is a grouping of lines related to the same thought or topic, similar to a paragraph in prose.

A stanza can be subdivided based on the number of lines it contains.

For example, a couplet is a stanza with two lines.

On the page, poetry is visibly unique: a narrow column of words with recurring breaks between stanzas. Lines of a poem may be indented or lengthened with extra spacing between words. The white space that frames a poem is an aesthetic guide for how a poem is read.

Meter

A poem can contain many elements to give it structure.

Rhyme is perhaps the most common of these elements: countless poetic works, from limericks to epic poems to pop lyrics, contain rhymes.

But equally important is meter, which imposes specific length and emphasis on a given line of poetry.

Stanza

In poetry, a stanza is used to describe the main building block of a poem.

It is a unit of poetry composed of lines that relate to a similar thought or topic—like a paragraph in prose or a verse in a song.

Every stanza in a poem has its own concept and serves a unique purpose.

A stanza may be arranged according to rhyming patterns and meters—the syllabic beats of a line.

It can also be a free-flowing verse that has no formal structure.

Rhyme Scheme

There are many different types of rhymes that poets use in their work: internal rhymes, slant rhymes, eye rhymes, identical rhymes, and more.

One of the most common ways to write a rhyming poem is to use a rhyme scheme composed of shared vowel sounds or consonants.

Types of Poetic Forms

Some of literature’s most enduring types of poems.

Blank verse. Blank verse is poetry written with a precise meter—almost always iambic pentameter—that does not rhyme.

Rhymed poetry. In contrast to blank verse, rhymed poems rhyme by definition, although their scheme varies.

Free verse. Free verse poetry is poetry that lacks a consistent rhyme scheme, metrical pattern, or musical form.

Epics. An epic poem is a lengthy, narrative work of poetry; typically detail extraordinary feats and adventures of characters from a distant past.

Narrative poetry. Similar to an epic, a narrative poem tells a story. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” exemplify this form.

Haiku. A 3-line poetic form originating in Japan. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line again has five syllables.

Pastoral poetry. A pastoral poem is one that concerns the natural world, rural life, and landscapes. These poems have persevered from Ancient Greece (in the poetry of Hesiod) to Ancient Rome (Virgil) to the present day (Gary Snyder).

Sonnet. A sonnet is a 14 line poem, typically (but not exclusively) concerning the topic of love. Sonnets contain internal rhymes within their 14 lines; the exact rhyme scheme depends on the style of a sonnet.

Elegies. An elegy is a poem that reflects upon death or loss. Traditionally, it contains themes of mourning, loss, and reflection. However, it can also explore themes of redemption and consolation.

Ode. A tribute to its subject, although the subject need not be dead—or even sentient, as in John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn”.

Limerick. A 5-line poem that consists of a single stanza, an AABBA rhyme scheme, and whose subject is a short, pithy tale or description.

Lyric poetry. The broad category of poetry that concerns feelings and emotion. This distinguishes it from two other poetic categories: epic and dramatic.

Ballad. A form of narrative verse that can be either poetic or musical. It typically follows a pattern of rhymed quatrains. From John Keats to Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Bob Dylan, it represents a melodious form of storytelling.

Soliloquy. A soliloquy is a monologue in which a character speaks to him or herself, expressing inner thoughts that an audience might not otherwise know. Soliloquies are not definitionally poems, although they often can be—most famously in the plays of William Shakespeare.

Villanelle. A nineteen-line poem consisting of five tercets and a quatrain, with a highly specified internal rhyme scheme. Originally a variation on a pastoral, the villanelle has evolved to describe obsessions and other intense subject matters, as exemplified by Dylan Thomas, author of villanelles like “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.”

Imagery

In poetry and literature, imagery is the use of figurative language to evoke a sensory experience in the reader.

When a poet uses descriptive language well, they play to the reader’s senses, providing them with sights, tastes, smells, sounds, internal and external feelings, and even internal emotion.

Blank Verse & Free Verse Poetry

Free verse poetry has been popular from the 19th century onward and is not bound by rules regarding rhyme or meter.

Blank verse poetry came of age in the sixteenth century and has been famously employed by the likes of William Shakespeare, John Milton, William Wordsworth, and countless others.

Unlike free verse, it adheres to a strong metrical pattern.

Mimesis

Copying is something writers usually strive to avoid.

And yet, the literary theory of mimesis says that artists copy constantly, as a matter of necessity.

Does this make their art bad?

Centuries of thinkers from Plato and Aristotle onwards have attempted to answer this question by debating the nature of mimesis.

Onomatopoeia

Usually, how words sound bears no relationship to what they mean.

That’s not true in the case of onomatopoeia, where words sound like what they are. The English language is littered with these mimicking words, from meowing cats to babbling brooks.

In poetry and literature, the onomatopoeic effect is something writers can harness to create vivid imagery without verbosity.

Enjambment

Poetry is a structured literary form, with patterns and rhythms that dictate the flow of verses.

Lineation in poetry is how lines are divided and where they end in relation to a clause or thought. Having a line break at the end of a phrase or complete thought is a regular and expected pattern in poetry.

Poets subvert this expectation by using a technique called enjambment.

Dissonance

The human brain instinctively looks for harmony.

When it is denied harmony, it can create a powerful moment—whether that’s for the purposes of creating tension, capturing inner turmoil, or bringing a bit of levity.

Injects discomfort into text through inharmonious sounds and uneven rhythms.

Consonance

In poetry, rhyme isn’t the only way to introduce memorability and musicality.

Consonance presents poets with the possibility of playing around with the repetition of consonant sounds.

Assonance

Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, is distinct from consonance, which refers to the repetition of consonant sounds.

Along with rhyme and alliteration, it is a powerful poetic device that writers can use to make their words stand out.

Alliteration

Sometimes called initial rhyme or head rhyme, alliteration is one poetic device that’s unmissable in our everyday world.

Poets, advertisers and headline writers all regularly take this approach of repeating initial letter sounds to grab people’s attention.

In poetry, it also injects focus, harmony, and rhythm. 

Source ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ References for Poets ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[zaundads]

Sorry that I haven't been posting for a while, I gave myself a tumblr timeout while I try to force myself to fiinish at least one fic. It's not posted. I started this way back in season 1 long before the miner backstory or time travel hijinks were established within the show.

Silco travels back in time to sleep with a younger version of Vander. One from before the betrayal, one who hasn't even met Silco yet.

the room upstairs by Arcane_ish Explicit, 3,549 Silco travels back to the past to seeks out Vander. A younger Vander from before he's even met Silco. One thing leads to another. ~~~~ Vander’s gaze flickers across his expensive vest. “You a Piltie?” he asks in a cocky drawl. “Wandered down here looking for adventure and got lost?” Silco throws down Vander’s drink without blinking. “Do I sound like one?”

I've also tried to catch up with my reading, so here a mixture of stuff I have enjoyed.

Longer:

These are the main WIPs I follow.

Lords of Zaun by juurensha A fic about how Silco and Vander made up after Silco found the letter with a very angry and bossy Silco, but Vander thinks that that is hot.

River Water by runrarebit An ABO fic, unwanted pregnancies, Viktor as Vander and Silco's bio child, delicious misunderstandings and fainting alphas.

I also have my eye on and have started: Only Zaun's Future Is Ours To Be Changed by Alishatheninth

Also a time travel age difference fic (but a lot more plotty than mine). I took a break when oh no, the season 1 plot is invading, I'm not ready for the heartbreak, I just wanna keep reading whacky angsty timetravel shenanigans. But I have been hearing rumblings of how things continue and I have plans to go back to it and finish it.

Spicy/Explicit:

haunting by aelandair I think there are a couple of "Silco and Vander start hooking up angrily after Silco finds the letter, but Silco has conditions" and this one is just perfectly executed. Poor Vander who so badly wants to touch Silco again and it to to keep his hands to himself.

Dogs of Progress by Faetality sweet making up in the AU verse and just the right dose of angst and snark for me.

With Kid Gloves by illmetkismet for sigilmint think this has been reblogged here before with the art, Vander disovers he has a leather kink after he sees Silco with sexy leather gloves.

Other stuff/wips where I don't think where they are going, but I like the setup:

Family Vacation by Ringmaster_kaja11 modern AU, divorced dads, chaotic family and a shared vacation

A Family Shattered by BlueSunnyTime regency AU, why has Vander left Silco and run off with Vi? Featuring Silco dancing with Singed to make Vander jealous.

I have read more (ie the smutty tales from GenGonGinGun, the dead dove from tardigrape) but those are some that stuck to my mind recently.

What are you reading? What are your wips of choice? What zaundads fic or fic concept has really stuck with you recently?

Got any recs for deep "how they won after reuniting in the AU"? Any cute kid Zaundads meeting each other? Miner love? Sexy Silco/Warwick brainrot? Angsty deep character exploration? Any great "how people handle Vi's death" in the AU or "Ekko finding out about Zaundad's past"?

[dinodontwait]

Epistles of Love(Preview/Teaser)

Summary: In a charming and new suburb, y/n stumbles upon cryptic letters from Woozi, unveiling a tale of love and heartbreak. As the past unfolds through Woozi's words, will y/n risk her heart to uncover the secrets hidden within each carefully penned letter?

Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense, and Contemporary Fiction.

Trope: Slow-Burn, Strangers-to-lovers?

Main Characters: afab!y/n , Woozi, Amour( real names will be revealed later)

Supporting Characters: Jeonghan, Mingyu, Seokmin, Myungho, Suengkwan and Soonyoung(This list might change as the story progresses)

Word Count: 1.3k

Release Date: 28th February

A/N:

Thank you all for your incredible enthusiasm and support! Seeing the strong response to the poll, I couldn't wait to share a sneak peek of what's in store for this story. Brace yourselves for a thrilling ride as I embark on this writing journey. Currently, I've crafted the first part, and I've sprinkled some teasers within this preview.

I'm envisioning this fic to unfold as a mini-series, spanning about 2-3 parts. However, keep in mind that I've only completed part 1, and there might be room for expansion as fresh ideas come my way. My target word count for the entire fic is around 30k, but who knows – that could evolve with the narrative.

As I dive into the world of writing, I'm aware that there might be a few bumps along the way. If you spot any mistakes or have suggestions, please feel free to let me know. I'm still learning and appreciate your input!

Thank you for joining me on this writing adventure. Your encouragement means the world to me! 🌟❤️

Holding the old-fashioned envelope in her hands, y/n hesitated. The letter inside seemed personal, like a peek into someone's private thoughts. She pondered whether to read it or not, feeling a mix of curiosity and respect for the past occupant's privacy.

The vintage style of the envelope, with its intentional old-timey vibe, hinted at a story waiting to be told. The decision to open it felt like standing on the edge of someone else's feelings and memories. The inked words on the letter, still folded, held the potential to reveal a part of someone's life not meant for casual eyes.

The mystery and curiosity won over her reservations. With a quiet determination, y/n decided to unfold the letter, ready to explore the hidden stories and emotions that the pages might unfold. The choice to step into this unknown space felt like opening a door to someone else's past, and she took that step with a mix of trepidation and anticipation.

Dear Amour,

In the silent embrace of this letter, the ink traces the echoes of a day that etched itself into the fabric of my existence.

The day unfolded like a poem, a delicate dance of moments that wove themselves into the very essence of my being. It was as if each passing second became a verse in the story of a land parched for the sweet touch of rain. The air, thick with anticipation, carried me toward a nearby cafe—an enclave of serenity that stood as a refuge from the monotony of the ordinary, a sanctuary where possibilities unfurled like petals in the gentle breeze.

Since the tapestry of my memories began, I've been the silent observer, finding solace in the quiet corners of my home. The contours of my existence were shaped by the solitude I sought, a realm where the whispers of my thoughts resonated in the stillness. Yet, on that fateful day, a gentle pull, like the invisible hands of fate, tugged at the strings of my solitude. It was an urging, a call to step into the unexplored territory of the cafe—a space that held the promise of encounters yet to unfold.

The very decision to step into that cafe marked a departure from the familiar script of my life. The door swung open, not merely to a physical space, but to the uncharted landscapes of possibility. With each step, I traversed the threshold of routine, embracing the unknown with a heart open to the serendipitous wonders that awaited within the walls of that sanctuary.

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans greeted me, weaving a sensory tapestry that spoke of warmth and familiarity. It was then that I saw her—the girl who, unbeknownst to her, would redefine the contours of my existence. She stood there, a living canvas painted by the hands of fate, the light wind playing a delicate symphony with the strands of her hair.

Her presence seemed like a stroke of destiny, a chapter written in the celestial script of our intertwined stories. As our eyes met, time suspended itself, and the ordinary boundaries of reality blurred. It was a moment that transcended the mundane, as if the universe conspired to orchestrate a connection, an unspoken agreement unfolding in the silent language of glances and smiles.

Her eyes, pools of warmth and mystery, held secrets and stories yet to be told. They mirrored the reflection of a kindred spirit, resonating with a depth that transcended the superficial. It was in that gaze that I felt the tendrils of an invisible thread weaving itself between our souls, binding us in a silent understanding that surpassed the limitations of spoken words.

In the symphony of that moment, the cafe transformed into a sacred space, a stage where our destinies briefly intersected. The ordinary chatter of patrons faded into background noise, leaving only the echo of our shared gaze. And in that silent exchange, a connection was forged, setting in motion a series of events that would shape the course of our intertwined narratives.

The girl I saw was you, and you had me the moment you looked at me. Your gaze became the catalyst for a myriad of emotions, unraveling a story written in the language of fate and woven into the very fabric of our shared existence.

Each recollection of that encounter is like a cherished melody, a timeless tune that plays on a loop in the quiet chambers of my thoughts. The symphony of that moment, the laughter echoing in the cafe, the delicate clink of coffee cups, all compose a melodic ode to the serendipity that unfolded that day. It's a melody that resonates through the corridors of my mind, an everlasting refrain of a connection that defies the constraints of time.

In these moments of reflection, the word "Amour" echoes through my mind, a gentle whisper that transcends the ordinary definitions of fate. It's more than a term; it's a name, a label that carries the weight of our shared connection. The mere utterance of it conjures images of you—the girl who became the focal point of a destiny written in invisible ink.

So, let this letter be a testament to the serendipity that brought us together—the day the drought of my soul quenches its thirst with the rain of your presence. Every word etched on this paper is a silent acknowledgment of the profound impact you've had on the rhythm of my life.

In the quiet solitude of my room, as I pen down these words, I find myself grappling with the uncertainty that shrouds our future. This letter, crafted with the ink of genuine emotions, might never reach your hands. I am left to wonder if our paths will ever cross again, if the serendipity that united us will weave its magic once more.

Yet, even in the face of this uncertainty, I write with a glimmer of hope—a hope that transcends the boundaries of time and distance. This letter becomes a vessel, carrying not only my sentiments but also the silent yearning to see you again. And even if this letter remains unsent, floating in the sea of unsent letters, it stands as a testament to the sincerity of my emotions and the silent hope that someday, our stories will intersect again.

Yours in reminiscence,

Woozi

The words lingered in the air as y/n absorbed the emotions woven into each sentence. The letter had painted a picture of a connection that transcended time and space. The vintage charm of the envelope seemed to have carried not just a message from the past but a piece of a love story waiting to be unfolded.

As she set the letter aside, the room felt different, as if the walls whispered secrets that begged to be heard. It felt like the quiet town held more stories than she had initially imagined, and within its embrace, she found herself entangled in the enigmatic tale of Woozi and Amour. She hoped to find more, but the letter just ends, and she keeps thinking about it. The night enveloped the town in its quiet embrace, and y/n found herself entangled in the web of possibilities. The journey into the unknown had just begun, and the quiet town, with its cobblestone streets and whispered rumors, held the key to a myriad of untold narratives.

With a heart brimming with curiosity, she hoped to uncover the layers of mystery that clung to the very fabric of her surroundings. But for now, the letter remained a silent witness to the unexplored depths of the town's history. Its words, though poignant and evocative, were a mere prologue to the stories that awaited her. As she drifted into contemplation, the vintage envelope and its contents became a beacon, guiding her into a world where love and suspense danced in tandem, inviting her to be a part of a narrative that defied the boundaries of time.

[kynimdraws]

Top lane diff standoff TFW my obsession with an au pairing spills over to the main Runeterra hc-verse despite these characters not having actual interaction voicelines LOL

If you actually wanna read about this hc of Yone and K'sante meeting please read the TL;DR under the cut

The defeat of the Cobra-Lion and his meetup with Tope (in "Everything We Should Have Said") closed an important chapter in K'sante's life. Despite this, he still desires to further improve himself as Nazumah's greatest warrior-hunter. After all, he always is open for learning.

His brief conversations with nomadic tribes/merchants that pass through Nazumah and tales of the wandering Icathian weaponmaster (Jax) motivates him. With the blessing of the leaders of his homeland, he sets out on his journey.

He travels past the familiar sands/oases of the desert and the fringes of the remains of Icathia. This is how he meets other champion characters like Jax, Sivir, Akshan, and specifically Taliyah.

Taliyah tells about her mentor Yasuo, who had hailed from a distant land called Ionia and had recently separated from him. K'sante had been fairly directionless with his travels, so this suggestion is taken to heart.

This journey to Ionia of course was very fruitful as he sees other lands and their cultures. He passes through the dense forests of Ixtal (Rengar), the technological marvels of Piltover/Zaun (Jayce, Camille), the wild streets of Bilgewater (Nilah)…and finally Ionia.

K'sante luckily is able to get audience with Sett by just boldly participating in his fighting pit just a few days after reaching Navori. The two strike a friendship after their fight ends in a tie (K'sante still thinks Sett is an immature boy but that's another conversation). After hearing K'sante's purpose of his trip, Sett suggests visiting the Ionian temples/monasteries, the centers of martial arts.

It is a given that through this entire trip, K'sante always stops to help anyone that is in trouble. His trek in Ionia doesn't change any of this, but he does notice that some of the things he is fighting are more…spiritual/ephemeral, a contrast to the more physical monsters/vagabonds he has known for so long. Due to the Shuriman Empire's history of rejecting spiritual beliefs, Nazumah was still slowly trying to regain that school of thought. K'sante cherishes this oppurtunity.

In one of the Ionian villages he stopped by, K'sante volunteers to help hunt down some demons. The chieftain of the village briefs him on what he can do, and remarks about how a mysterious masked man had been stalking around the area when these demons started appearing.

"We do not know much about this figure, but he has always appeared with the presence of the demons and azakana…it is possible he is the cause of it all. His masks may be summoning the malevolent spirits to make us suffer. Beware of lone man with many masks, stranger."

K'sante accepts this precaution well enough. After all, he was an experienced warrior. If needed, he will just fight and defeat this masked man. That night, he goes on patrol as he planned. Suddenly he senses another presence following him.

Turning around sharply, K'sante sees what he assumes is the supposed masked man that had control over demons. The man had a red mask with glowing eyes, and exuded a strange aura. Before K'sante can move, the mysterious figure runs his crimson sword through him. K'sante gasps and thinks he is dead, but feels no pain or sees blood....just coldness. He hears the masked man murmur something before withdrawing the sword. Soon a mask materializes from the masked man's hand.

"A small azakana, significantly weakend over time." the masked man simply speaks before he starts to walk away. Confused but wanting to know what the hell happened, K'sante grabs the masked man's arm, demanding what that was about.

"I simply am purging this land from azakana. Your spirit had actually mostly overcome the nightmare that had threatened to overwhelm you...but I thought it would be good to finish the job for you myself."

Hearing this, K'sante demands the masked man to teach his technique of hunting down this...supposed "azakana." The masked man tries to pull away saying this is a task only he can do, but K'sante is more stubborn and refuses to let go. Yone could have disassociated from the situation by having his spirit be unbound, but a part of him is intrigued by this stranger's strong will...a will that could weaken azakana without his help.

"I suppose I can teach you a few things. What is your name?"

"K'sante, a warrior-hunter of Nazumah."

"...Yone. Just Yone."

To be contd... here

[lamialamia]

hai!!! are there any sledgefu fanfics or writers u could rec to me?

Anon I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to this. I was swamped with exams and deadlines and traveling. But gosh. I GOT CHU. I got recs!!!

This got insanely long so I'm putting a read more

Fanfic - Canon-verse (no AU)

Sleep Aid by someonesgrlbomb. Gosh. Okay. We all know the weird, fucked up bond between Sledge and Snafu is so interesting. They are traumatized young men who are wrestling with their humanity in hellish conditions. And this fic is one amazing look into this bond.

C’est ta main dans ma main doucement oubliée. by ijustlookatpictures. This one is heartbreaking. Not healthy in the slightest. But if you want to be devastated, this fic is for you.

I do my best because I'm counting on you counting on me by ijustlookatpictures. A groundhog day AU set in the war so I still put it here. I love this fic for its Snafu's voice. Trust me, Snafu is a tough character to write for because he is a layered bastard who has so much going for him. I re-read this fic like once every few months.

As It Was by SJtrinity. Possibly one of the best post-war fics for sledgefu out there. This fic might be formatted a little weird on Ao3 but trust me, it's worth it. Sledge and Snafu's road to a happy endings isn't easy or simple and this fic makes them earn their happy endings (even after surviving a war). READ THIS FIC PLEASE. I'M ON MY KNEES BEGGING YOU.

i’m the diode, you’re the kerosene by getmean. This imo is one of the required reading sledgefu fics. I mean, I would say that about any of getmean's fic but yeah. Realistic about PTSD but so perfectly balance with the slow-burn romance we all crave. Simply magnificent.

an angel like a memory by starblessed. Another incredible fic that nailed Snafu's voice.

gone but not entirely by marinersapptcomplex. Angst for the ages. Sledgefu is treasure trove of angst and in the right hand, it would fuck you up. Because this fic fucked me up. It's so good and deserve thousand of kudos.

The Boy and the Magpie by harin91. Oh this is a special sledgefu fic. It moved me to tears. It showed but never told. It got me craving for all the pretty jewels and lost loves and fairy-tale dreamings one could possibly have. If I think about this fic too much I might lost it.

Come Take Me Home Again by ThrillingDetectiveTales. Ehehhe, very sexy and very cute and made me giggle every time I re-read this.

Let Me Know The Way by bearkare. Epistolary story telling is no small task to pull off. Something which was done here so good it felt like I actually get to step into the characters' heads and dive into their inner turmoil. Another fic that takes the slow road to Sledgefu's happy ending. Love every word of this.

a collection of fragmented thoughts that were never written and never sent by canimo. Underrated. So fucking underrated. All the angst, and well, sledgefu have a tendency in many fic to not end happily at all. They are after all two very different people and with everything that happened, no matter how much love they might share, it isn't easy.

I Was Fixed on Your Hand of Gold by Cinderscream. Another epistolary fic that amazed me with the ease of how they manage to make story unfold within the limited confinement of letter writing. Love this one to bits.

friends who share your past by kinnoth. Once in a while, you had to let your OTP be toxic and unhealthy and unable to communicate and lead them to their downfall. Yeah.

fill in the holes you've made by foreignconstellations. Relationships are complicated. This one managed to capture that in just 2.5k words, which I absolutely can not comprehend.

Sweet Water, Wash Me Down by modernature. Atmospheric and very gripping. Amazing world building where the world felt alive and wriggling and squirming in the best possible way.

Leave your baggage here by malmanagement. Sometimes, we needed a groundhog day AU to make stubborn idiots understands.

Fanfic - AU:

got a fire but you just can't use it by getmean. I binged this instead of sleeping. Worth it.

catch it down in new orleans by starblessed. This is one of my comfort fics of all time. It's so funny and so charming. Never failed to lift me out of a bad mood.

Unknown Number by harin91. In which our favorite idiots tried long distance and it is endlessly entertaining.

lest we fall into the dark by gingerwerk. Oh everything about this AU is incredible. The slowburn is so good I wish I can lost my memory to read this again completely fresh.

Oh! Darling by Anonymous. I waited years for this fic to finally finish. I screamed when I saw the final update. Sexy and lovely. Can not recommend this fic enough.

Author:

getmean. Well you can't mention sledgefu without this author. No matter what their fics deliver. I aspire to write as good as them one day.

SJtrinity. I don't know what to say about this author because... my english could never measure my awe and love for their works

starblessed. You saw how many times I rec their fics? Yeah. Read everything this author write please.

Stolperzunge. I love them and their works. I could write a love letter here but I don't wanna be cringe.

bearkare. ANything written by this author made me feral <3 <3 <3

Honorable mention: eugeneshelton whose sledgefu fics gave me diabetes, and endlessly inspire me with his sledgefu ideas :*

[pollydoodles]

Masterlist

So it turns out I've written quite a lot over the years.

If you're interested in wintershock/shieldshock/buffy crossovers/general MCU mischief, check below:

WinterShock

Series

The Pizza Dog Chronicles

pizza dog

/ pitsə dɒɡ /

noun

a domesticated (mostly) carnivorous omnivorous four legged mammal, supposedly related to the common wolf (canis lupis), typically be found in one of two places: the kitchen, or any other place where food is. not a cat.

(18 Fics - and counting)

The Wider Pizza-Verse

These are all set within the world that Pizza Dog inhabits, but he is not the main focus of these stories, which instead concentrate on the burgeoning relationship between Bucky Barnes & Darcy Lewis.

(13 Fics - and counting)

A Small Slice of Life

Excerpts and outtakes from the Pizza-verse.

Some behind the scenes stuff, some alternate looks, some expansions on scenarios detailed in Pizza Dog Chronicles.

(3 Fics)

50 Ways to Meet Your Lover

50 different ways that Bucky meets Darcy.

(3 Fics - and counting)

Non-Series

When We Collide (We Come Together)

Wakanda has been compromised.

Steve Rogers, no longer Captain America and now an internationally wanted criminal, manages with the help of King T'Challa to remove James Buchanan Barnes before things go completely south.

Rogers leaves him with the only person he realistically can. Darcy Lewis.

Barnes, awakened prematurely from cryo-sleep and still missing one arm as well as his sense of humour, is not impressed.

The Only Logical Solution

Bucky's pining after a girl. Darcy wishes the guy she's gone on would notice her. Somehow, there's only one logical solution.

(Warning : Explicit)

The Working Girl's Guide to Taming Your Imaginary Boyfriend

Jane, who was only trying to help - honest - inadvertently stitches Darcy up. Darcy, who's never been known to back down from a challenge, runs with it. Awkwardly.

Bucky Barnes doesn't know what's about to hit him.

You & Me (We Gotta Whole Lotta History)

When Jane is summoned by Tony Stark to work alongside the Avengers, Darcy tags along but after a workplace accident finds herself thrown back and forth against her will through history. In the present timeline, Steve struggles with the Winter Soldier and what may or may not be left of Bucky within the hollow shell that haunts him. In the past, Darcy struggles to reconcile the man she meets across space and time with the assassin that arrives at the tower strapped to a gurney with armed guards afraid to let him out of their sight.

Back in Black (with @wunderlass)

Bucky’s the mysterious newcomer to Ramsay Street and everyone thinks he’s bad for Darcy. This is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Australian soap opera style.

Advent

advent ˈadv(ə)nt,-vɛnt/ noun noun: advent; plural noun: advents; noun: Advent Old English, from Latin adventus ‘arrival’, from advenire, from ad- ‘to’ + venire ‘come’.

1. the arrival of a notable person or thing.

L-O-V-E (Love the Way You Give it to Me)

Bucky arrives home late after a mission as Captain America. Darcy's promised to wait up for him. (Explicit)

Ever After

When Bucky prevents little Darcy Lewis from breaking a limb or two as she falls down the stairs, he's unprepared for what the bump on her head that he was unable to stop will bring them both.

All That Hocus Pocus

Darcy Lewis does a good deed, and rescues a cat from outside her local grocers. All she wanted was to be a good person, and maybe catch up with the other, more traditional, witches. She's in for a nasty shock.

A Twist in the Tale

Darcy's helping out whilst Jane does her bit to promote STEM to a class of little girls. They've been tasked with 'Adopt a Soldier', a program that organises letters and care packages to soldiers serving overseas. In the meantime, Jane's working hard on the Einstein-Rosen Bridge theory and when it becomes practical then the program changes quite significantly.

Do Not Count the Candles (But Notice the Light They Give)

He’s disappeared.

It’s his birthday party, the one that Stark insisted on throwing for him, and he’s just gone. Vanished like hot breath on a mirror, there and then gone, no trace left behind. No one else, she thinks, has noticed yet. Steve will, give it another ten minutes maybe and he’ll look up from the pool table where Sam is currently kicking his ass, and he’ll realise that Bucky is nowhere to be seen.

Spellbound

Halloween is 'Come As You Aren't' night; and Bucky's trying out something else for size. (Explicit)

Do You Want to Play a Game?

It had been Barton’s idea.

His idea, and his grey eyes crinkled and the corners of his mouth twitched as he looked over at Natasha whilst explaining it. The game, he said, was called Assassins.

Natasha’s right eyebrow raised at that, but she made no other comment.

Stark, also looking over at Romanoff, grinned. “Continue, Legolas.”

Shieldshock

Series

Perfect Storm

Having suffered a long week together in a tiny safe house in the Scottish Highlands, Darcy and Steve are trapped for another night when the weather turns on them. (Explicit)

Non-Series

Baby Mama

What to do when your best friend has the world's cutest baby, and your biological clock suddenly starts ticking loud enough for the whole Avengers tower to hear? (Explicit)

If You're Looking for Someone (To Write Your Breakup Songs About)

Steve Rogers is a shitty boyfriend. And Darcy Lewis is - finally - going to do something about that.

Pennies & Dimes (For a Kiss)

Steve has the bright idea of selling kisses for charity. Jane's not certain why Darcy's not jumping at the chance.

0800-DRCY-LWS

Steve Rogers dials an epic wrong number; but maybe – just maybe – it was the right number all along.

Ain't Dead Yet

It's an otherwise quiet day in the Wild West when Miss Darcy Lewis seeks out one James Buchanan Barnes, he's fully intending to take the drink she's paid for and leave her be. But a wedge of cash turns his head, and suddenly Barnes is forming a man hunt to track down the fella that shot Lewis' father. Only problem is, Barnes isn't the quick draw he used to be, not after that accident.

Enter one Steve Rogers; decent marksman, preacher's son and all around upstanding citizen. Lewis & Barnes are about to change his entire world view. (Explicit)

Today's Special

Of all the diners in all of New York, he had to walk into hers. (Explicit)

Walk Me to the Water, Wash Away My Sins

Steve Rogers goes to church every Sunday to absolve his sins, even if he does it out of habit and duty more than faith these days. He finds that there are other ways to atone when he's on his knees. (Explicit)

Little White Lies

Steve Rogers has a problem with the Fourth of July. Darcy helps him end it with a bang. (Explicit)

In The Dark of the Night

Darcy's troubled by nightmares. Steve has a solution. (Explicit)

Diversion

The Avengers have to perform some clean up in London; it doesn't go entirely as expected. Steve's got a few things on his mind, not least of which is one Darcy Lewis. But before he can possibly address that, he has to contend with Thor's left over Frost Beast, the implications of calling in a bomb threat and the Metropolitan Police force.

Denial

Steve doesn't think he's allowed to have the things he wants. (Explicit)

Distraction

Darcy Lewis is bored. Steve Rogers has a serious crush. And Hawkeye always hits his target, even when hammered. (Explicit)

Slayerverse

These Endless Days (Are Finally Ending in a Blaze)

Following the events of Civil War, the Avengers are disbanded, scattered and in hiding - and not coping all that well. The rise of anti-superhuman feeling continues, and it's not only the Avengers who are feeling the effects. Steve Rogers and team are about to discover a whole other world, and with it comes what might be the biggest threat they've ever faced.

Photograph

When the chips are down, Steve knows a guy who can help.

Fun General Fics

Justice is Blonde

The United States vs Bucky Barnes.

The Winter Soldier is called to account for his crimes. He needs a miracle. He needs a decent lawyer. He needs Elle Woods. He just doesn't know it yet.

The Lemon is in Play

Steve takes a dim view when the team want to play games on missions. They don't take an awful lot of notice ...

Old Dogs, New Tricks

Spotting a loophole, a flaw in their logic and ruthlessly exploiting it, Bucky enthusiastically signs up for a senior citizenship offered by Stark Industries science division. Steve has little option but to sign up with him.

The Wrong Kind of Service

Bucky's therapist suggests he gets a service dog. It doesn't really work out that way, for anyone involved.

Do a Good Turn Daily

Steve returns to the tower every Thursday evening, looking like he’s been fighting the Nazis again.

[not-poignant]

hi there! i just wanted to say i love your writing sooo much, i started out reading your fandom works a few months ago (palmarosa is absolutely delectable) but after dipping my toes into your original work via underline the blue i decided to delve into it more deeply. your universe was hella intimidating ngl (2.6 million words just for the core texts of spoils & fae tales is insane and also very impressive!) but i started with falling falling stars since it appealed to me the most and i’ve read almost the whole thing in the past 4 days. it’s just THAT GOOD.

anyways i suppose i don’t really have a proper question except… in falling falling stars, augus comes across as kinda horrible. i can’t possibly wrap my head around him and gwyn being the “original main couple” or main characters i’m supposed to root for in the rest of the series. is augus really that much of a dickhead in the spoils of the spoiled as well? it seems like that fic must present an entirely different perspective on the character for it to even make sense to root for him. (i hope it wasn’t silly of me to read falling falling stars before the spoils of the spoiled!)

reading underline the blue and then meeting nate in falling falling stars was also like… whiplash. the character seems so incredibly different. is this something i should take into account when it comes to your other verses? underline the rainbow versus spoils versus fae tales i mean. are the stories and plotlines and characters completely different and there’s only internal consistency within each individual universe so to speak?

anyways, reading your author’s notes about your health is so stereotypically ao3 and makes me incredibly grateful that you still take the time to write all this for FREE for us! i wish you the best n hope you don’t take offense to my questions, i really am just curious. you’re a fantastic writer and the way you tackle these difficult subjects is often very cathartic for me to read. i sincerely appreciate everything you do n hope you have a great day whenever you’re reading this :)

Hi anon!

So Falling Falling Stars is like a role reversal of Spoils of the Spoiled. Spoils of the Spoiled actually came many years before, and in that, Efnisien was such a villain that quite a lot of people have never been able to read Falling Falling Stars, or they had to wait a long time to see if it would be worth reading.

Both stories kind of function as 'the main character is the hero of his own story.' Or 'the person who is a villain to one person is a hero to another.'

Augus does do some pretty bad things in Spoils of the Spoiled, but he shows he's capable of growth, he saves Gwyn's life, he's molested by Efnisien (unprovoked), and he's a victim of a lot of circumstances. Much like Efnisien in Falling Falling Stars, he's complicated.

Characters aren't black and white, anon, they have nuance. Someone can do something bad to one person, but still be wonderful to another. Efnisien is actually a great example of this. We're rooting for him. The people who know the people who hurt, might want him dead. Both of those things are true and both of things can be valid. I find that a really interesting grey area to write within! But Augus is very much in that area as well.

Falling Falling Stars and Efnisien's journey would never exist if it wasn't for Augus saving Gwyn's life in Spoils of the Spoiled. In a way, Efnisien - though he'll never realise it - is indebted to Augus for his actions in helping and galvanising Gwyn into the emancipation case that got him away from his abusive family (which very much included Efnisien at the time). And Augus was hurt and threatened by Efnisien for it, more than once.

It's funny reading this though, and I think a few other readers might feel that way. Your feelings about Augus and Gwyn and not being able to 'wrap your head around' them as the good guys / protagonists in the rest of the series is actually how everyone felt about Efnisien.

Like, literally. You're just...on the other end of something everyone else has felt for the character you like.

So we know it's possible, because we all went through it re: learning to care for this version of Efnisien lol.

I will say canon Efnisien in the Fae Tales canon is literally an irredeemable monster, capable of no compassion, who glories in defilement, degradation and torture. He's really not comparable to his human counterpart.

is augus really that much of a dickhead in the spoils of the spoiled as well?

I mean no. Otherwise no one would read the story. He has his dickhead moments, especially in the beginning, just like Efnisien had his dickhead moments in the beginning when he was thinking of torturing Gary and animals and children and other people.

reading underline the blue and then meeting nate in falling falling stars was also like… whiplash. the character seems so incredibly different. is this something i should take into account when it comes to your other verses?

Yes, absolutely.

are the stories and plotlines and characters completely different and there’s only internal consistency within each individual universe so to speak?

It sounds like this might be the first time you've encountered the concept of an Alternative Universe! An Alternative Universe in fandom tends to keep the characters (generally) and changes everything or some other things around them as a way of exploring new scenarios, but also seeing how those scenarios impact the characters.

For example Falling Falling Stars and Spoils of the Spoiled both explored 'what if these characters were human' 'what if they didn't have magical healing' 'what if Gwyn managed to get away from his family.' The characters preserve some aspects of themselves, but not others, as a result.

It's logical that if you take a character that's one thing, and put them in a world where their job, their friends, even their partners change, then aspects of their personality will change! And then the challenge (and fun for us as readers and writers) is to see where they're the same, why they're the same, and where they're different, and why they're different.

What's cathartic about AUs (alternate universes) is we often still get to hit very meaningful moments over and over again in different ways - for example Augus and Gwyn falling in love, or Efnisien making a connection with Gary, or Efnisien starting out very abrasive and hostile and becoming softer and more caring over time etc. The themes are similar, but there's different reasons for these big moments to be happening, and so they happen in different ways, with different dialogue etc.

Meanwhile Nate, as an example, is someone in FFS who we only ever see as an outsider. We don't know how soft he is with Janusz at home. Or with his friends. We only see him in response to a trigger (PTSD), and see him in a very limited way. Of course he will be different when we see a story from his perspective! He's not going to see himself the way someone who hardly knows him and has never seen him vulnerable sees him. Even without him being an omega etc. in Underline the Blue, how Nate lives his life and sees himself has nothing to do with Efnisien. Efnisien has seen maybe 0.00000001% of his entire life and personality (I don't know how numbers work, but trust me, we can't get an accurate read through 'Efnisien the unreliable narrator'), Nate's the one who has to live it. In that sense, it's easier to trust Nate and his loved ones re: what he's really like, than Efnisien.

Likewise, it's easier to trust Augus and Gwyn over what Augus is really like, than Efnisien. And it's easier for us to trust Efnisien and Arden and Kadek over what Efnisien's really like, instead of Augus' perspective, or even Gwyn's.

Efnisien in the Fae Tales canon is only ever an outsider. In fact he's dead by like chapter 15 of Game Theory. Which is good, because he's awful and incapable of being redeemed in any way. He's a torturer in The Wildness Within. Obviously that's quite different to who we end up with, in Falling Falling Stars, and we only end up with him because of Augus and Gwyn's journey in Spoils of the Spoiled. (If you'd read Spoils first anon, trust me, you'd be asking yourself 'I don't know how I could ever want to read a story about Efnisien he seems so awful' instead lol - but I like...the journey, and the challenge, to see if I can guide a reader through someone's inner universe so they can trust a character's growth, even if they don't like them in the beginning).

Anyway, degrees of separation impact how we see the people around us. We as readers are extremely separate from Nate in FFS because Efnisien is. So...yeah, he feels different when we get a story from his perspective! The whiplash is real. Because he becomes a developed character, and not just a 'bad impression' in Efnisien's insecure, sensitive mind. That's the same with Spoils and Falling Falling Stars, we never see Augus' perspective in FFS, we never see Efnisien's in Spoils. That matters.

Sometimes seeing the character's perspective changes everything! I hope that helps :D

[seventeenlovesthree]

So I watched the German rendition of "& Juliet" in theaters yesterday and it was an overall cute performance, I adored the stage design, the costumes, choreography... But what stuck with me the most was the overall theme of the play.

Because... Of course it was all about "modernizing" an old tale. We live in a time that is dominated by reboots, remakes and the general idea of retelling old stories over and over again with different spins - which is also why "the multiverse" itself has become a trope and permeates almost EVERY series/franchise I am drawn to to at least some degree. Alternate realities, possibilities, perspectives to look at what could be, what could have been...

While I am certainly among those who think that we do not NEED a retelling of every story out there... It really feels like there is a theme of human desire which has so many layers to it that I really wanted to sort out my thoughts about it.

First of all - ignoring the idea that the main intention behind every multiverse/reboot story is based on milking the cash cow, it's natural to believe that there is an inherent desire to turn back to the past. We live in terribly uncertain times and I personally have a tendency to rewatch my comfort shows and movies rather than turning to new things. Out of fear of disappointment or simply because it's easier on the mind. I DID find new stories I fell in love with this year - but I still find myself going back to rewatch certain movies each Christmas or anything revolving around the 90s Sailor Moon anime, as well as the older Digimon Adventure stuff. I am a super nostalgic person and there was a time when the prospect of getting new content for my old hyperfixations excited me. And like I said, I am drawn to the idea of the multiverse - but usually not in the way that "canon" portrays it.

Now, you'll say, that's what fanfiction is there for, right? And that's absolutely true! One of the main themes of "& Juliet" has been about "changing the narrative on a whim with just a stroke of the pen/feather"... And that perfectly aligns with how I see the Digimon Adventure franchise these days. My personal headcanon revolves around Takeru Takaishi being the author of the story - so every single iteration of the Adventure verse gives it a different spin, slightly to the left or right; some are earlier, some are later of his works, revolving around different focuses, while still having a similar theme.

"You wanted conflict, right? Now you got your conflict", was also a line in the musical. A musical revolving around nostalgia and giving it a modern spin at the same time. A piece that plays with different forms of Zeitgeist, showing how different people, different generations have different priorities, different customs and traditions, different values - and how these clash with one another if we don't properly communicate.

I feel like multiverse stories are often tied to a sense of regret and guilt. Because looking at how complicated modern life is - isn't it comforting to know that you can undo the mistakes you've made previously? That you can replay those scenes, moments, mend broken relationships and go down different paths, just to see what happens? If you're not happy with what you did - you can always do it again. And if you're not happy with how canon goes - you can always change it in your head.

Which brings me back to the subject of proper communication - because I feel like we've largely unlearned how that works here on the internet. There are countless posts on tumblr mourning the loss of proper commenting culture. There is a sense of entitlement when it comes to "consuming content" like it's some kind of fast food. Some kind of "purity culture" trying to censor "unpleasant" themes they do not want to be exposed to - because there are only limited spaces left on the modern internet. It's a cesspool of everyone and anyone being thrown into the same spaces, people of all ages and backgrounds, and, unfortunately, it's rare to see healthy discourse making the rounds. The multiverse was meant to give everyone a space for themselves, sharing it with the world - but today's environment is very hostile when it comes to "allowing different viewpoints" and is very keen to establish group mentalities. "You're either with us or against us", "Your view doesn't align with my own, so it's wrong/bad". There IS problematic behaviour, harmful ideas out there that deserves to be called out - but the tone has to be right. If you have to be afraid to be chastised for every depiction of a story that does not conform to a certain way, I'm not sure if we're doing this right.

I don't exactly know what happened to "Don't like, don't read". I don't exactly know why it has become commonplace to be mean and controversial - aside from the idea that it creates attention ("clicks, likes and views") in ways that are way worse than normal "don't feed the troll" behaviour.

Long story short, my words don't have to make sense to you - but I've always believed that it was possible to talk things out without accusing others. Without having a mob mentality about our differences in fan portrayals. And I wish it was possible to establish a healthy communication culture again - one that allows old and new ideas to thrive, giving each of them a place for themselves. Because I feel like that was what the multiverse was there for - to give everyone the possibility to share their own piece of mind on a matter.

[mirukiamauri]

Since we now discovered all the main brands so far I needed to do this poll!!

Btw on the last 3: Crystal Verse is an AiPri Verse arcade game only brand, it's the one that makes the horoscope and fairy tales inspired dresses; Pretty Collection is that brand that makes the new coords based on the past Pretty Series; Prism Stone just has the “regular” coords from the past series.

[narration-ator]

platonic!batsis masterlist

bats main masterlist

ONE-SHOTS

undoing fate inspired oneshot - none

inspired

i didn’t mean to do it, but i mean i had to do it - neal caffrey

white collar!crossover | you’ve never exactly fit in within your family. while they work to stop crime, you’ve, well… fallen for the bad boy, aka the person who just stole a painting from gotham museum of art. this goes about as well as you can imagine.

SERIES

it takes two (to make a thing go right) 'verse - conner kent

in the time after the deaths of the batfamily, you and your husband, conner kent, became the heads of the next-gen jl. after a two-year-long war for earth, you win, but at the cost of your and kon's lives. suddenly thrust two decades in the past, you have a chance to save your family... or destroy your world trying. multi-book universe

girl in calico 'verse - mcu!peter parker

mcu!crossover | when your brother's boyfriend asks for a favor, of course you come through. when that leads to you running away from gotham as a preventative measure before you can get kicked out and disowned, well... everyone's past comes back to bite them sooner or later. multi-book universe

one tangled web - tasm!peter parker

tasm!crossover | in the aftermath of your brother jason's death, you throw yourself into your work. somehow, this ends with you with spider powers, living in queens, new york with a fake i.d.--and a crush on your classmate, one peter parker. and suddenly, the tangled web you find yourself stuck in is no longer your own.

sisters by blood (sweat, and tears) ‘verse - graham humbert

There’s a few things the TV show got wrong, as all are wont to do, with the story of Emma Swan and the inhabitants of Storybrooke. One major plot point: Emma wasn’t alone upon her return with Henry. She brought with her her twin sister, Elizabeth. This is the Tale of the Forgotten Twin. story variant 3/3

[psychologeek]

Psy's masterpost

Like my writing? Came here for a prompt and wants more? (update: 06.05.24/

I HAVE AO3! PsycholoGeek feel free to look. (I love comments. Just saying 😜)

Writing Tags:

"my additions" (adding to others)

"my writing" (og/long adds)

"my poems" (poems)

Not all my writing is there, of course.

Fic Recs (personal favourites)

Who am I (to disappear) - DC, Cass-centric, 22k words. Who am I (to disappear) - David Cain tried to create a weapon. Weapon forge themself into something new. (Many names, they\them Cass). Ft. Kid!Jason, Mayan mythology, and the many forms of communication. It also has an extended version. I highly recommend reading the fic first, and THEN going for.the EV, as it contains spoilers and lose the emotional damage and delight you may get.

Witwat and the Jin - Batman, 2,245 words. Damian had a brother, once. (H/C. Happy ending.)

Grave Promises - Batman, 2,111 words. Healing and recovery and disability isn't a tragedy.

Sing Me To Sleep - DP*DC 19k words. Tws in tags. Tim and healing (it gets worse before it gets better. But it gets better.)

A list of my fics (complete and WIPs) undercut:

Completed one-shot:

Who am I (to disappear) - David Cain tried to create a weapon. Weapon forge themself into something new. (Many names, they\them Cass). Ft. Kid!Jason Todd, Mayan mythology, and sign language. (Stand alone, technically prequel to "Sweet Dreams", but no need to read.)

Grave Promises (Batman, 2,111 words) - very important to me. Life, recovery, and disability is not a tragedy. Barbara kill the Joker, but it isn't the focus.(Barbara Gordon focused.)

Do You Understand?  ( Encanto, 330 words).c

Witwat and the Jin (Batman, 2,245 words) - Dami-being-Dami and slowly understandings.

Just short of a fairy tale (I told myself that I wouldn't be scared) (Batman, 770 words) - urban fantasy. Jason Todd centric.

Sing Me To Sleep - DP*DC (19k words). After fired from Robin, Tim had enough. He's done with life. Clockwork said "not today, bitch" and got some good old ectoshot. Ft. Jazz Fenton as an older sister TM and the 3Ds as their usual chaotic selves. (I wrote the second half, chapters 2-6. A bit heavy, but I hope I did well with the subject.)

Hold Them Close -DP*DC (12k words). I wrote the first chapter+Fanart. Danny escaped Vlad and his experiments with bb!Ellie, and flew straight up-up-and above. In the watchtower, our heroes sees a monster and (what they think is) a child in distress. Misunderstandings and whump, with the last quarter of the fic as comfort and fluff :)

Main serieses:

Sweet Dreams - (DC, 3 works, 1 complete. ~17k words). Reverse Robins + Badman verse (inspired by @byrambles fic). Batboy's younger brothers were taken by the Batman who defeated his father. Trying to protect them, he promise his loyalty to the newcomer. But even though he assure him he is perfectly trained, and can properly punish the kids to surrender, the man isn't impressed. In which there's Misunderstandings and sadness (first fic). The series deals with trauma and the ongoing issues it causes, and shows how it changes you. TW: Include suicidality+mention of kid's suicidality, flashbacks, mentioned past child sexual abuse, dissociations, Whump and angst with eventual comfort. I don't go in details about their past, but it's important to notice that the first 2 fics contains HEAVY (but non graphic) themes.

Liminal Skills for the Living Dead - also known as "therapy verse". DP x DC xover. AKA Anger Management! Fake dating for fun and profit. Enter family, friends, and Wikipedia explanations of some necessary skills as titles. Jazz is her autistic with anxiety self. Jason is a crime lord with anger management issues.

Or: in which THERE'S THERAPY!! (6 works - 4 are complete. ~30k words)

Lost and Found (if this wings could fly) - also known as "FF AU". DP x DC xover. Jazz and Jason as childhood mutuals. (4 complete works, ~10k in total. more to come)

(also some other things. Feel free to look, ask and comment!)

[adarkrainbow]

Fairytale trivia of the day!

The version of "Donkeyskin" (Peau d'âne) you probably know - and the one most well-known by people, is actually not the original nor "correct" one. I'll explain.

Peau d'Âne, Donkeyskin, was indeed a French fairytale written by Charles Perrault, and is part of his famous stories alongside Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Puss in Boots and more. HOWEVER, Donkeyskin was not published alongside the others in Perrault's book "Histoires ou Contes du temps passé" (Stories or Tales of the past), alternatively known as "Les Contes de Ma Mère L'Oie" (Mother Goose Fairytales). No, Donkeyskin was published prior to this book release, in a different collection called "Contes en vers" (Tales in verse). The difference between the two books being, obviously, that one was written in verse, and the other in prose. Of the three stories making "Tales in verse", only Donkeyskin is an actual "fairytale" in the sense we understand today - the other two are Griselidis (which is more of a short story/moral tale/moral fable with nothing magical about it) and "The Ridiculous Wishes" which is an humoristic take on the fables a la Aesop and La Fontaine. As a result, Peau d'Âne is usually taken out of the Tales in Verse to join the Mother Goose Fairytales.

But again, the problem is that Peau d'Âne was written in verse, which clashes with the other fairytales, written in prose. So, someone one day decided to rewrite Donkeyskin as a prose story, so that it could be more easily added to the Mother Goose Fairytales. But who did? No actual idea. The prose-Peau d'Âne was published in 1781 by an editor named Lamy, so almost a century after Perrault's original text - and we do not know to this date who actually wrote it. This prose Donkeyskin became a massive success, and was reprinted everywhere, to the point that for a very long time, people thought it had been written by Perrault itself. Flaubert for example, when he talked about the fairytales of Perrault, treated the prose Peau d'Âne as written by him. And the famous illustrated version of Perrault's fairytales by Gustave Doré? The Donkeyskin illustrations correspond to the prose-Donkeyskin, not the verse one. It was only recently that people had to put back on the table the fact that the prose Donkeyskin was a later rewrite.

And this is something very important to keep in mind because the verse and the prose Donkeyskin have several differences. The prose Donkeyskin remove some elements, add some scenes and changes several details. I won't list each and every difference here, but for example, the main difference between the two tales comes with the approach the king has to the whole "incest" business.

In the prose Donkeyskin, the king does not want to marry his daughter - he is pressured into accepting such a perverse plan by his government, which insists on him having a male heir for the throne, and by his refusal to break the vow he made to his dead wife. In the verse-Peau d'Âne, the king has the idea all of his own, and comes up with the incest without anybody's help. Worse - while in the prose Peau d'Âne the king only marries again because he has the duty to give a male heir, and else would stay sad and a widow all of his life, in the verse Peau d'Âne it is explicitly stated that his grief at his wife's death was exaggerated/half-faked, and that as soon as the decent time for grieving was other he jumped on the occasion to marry again.

Another difference comes with the "voice of authority" that comes to help the king's plan. In the prose Peau d'Âne, the king consults an old and ambitious, greedy druid who is clearly a very bad advisor to the king and encourages him in this plan he doesn't want in the first place - in the original version by Charles Perrault, the king went to find a casuist who could prove that his incestuous desires were legitimate in the eyes of moral and religion. (It was part of a common literary habit at the time to denounce the loose moral of the Jesuits, thanks to their dubious casuistic)

[theprogrockbstheorist]

BS Analysis no. 2: The Parody of Thick as a Brick

“Really don’t mind if you sit this one out…”

This may be the most ambitious analysis I’ve done yet, which is going to be a breakdown and analysis of Jethro Tull’s 1972 album Thick as a Brick, notable in the prog community for being an entire album comprising of a singular song: the titular “Thick as a Brick”. This song is divided into two parts, however, the only reason for the split was due to the limitations of vinyl records: a singular side of vinyl can only hold around 20 minutes of music, therefore the song needed to be split in two. “Thick as a Brick” pt.1 and pt.2 are a combined 43 minutes in length, with the album package as well meant to be taken as part of the piece. To highlight the meticulous creation of the iconic newspaper album cover, the album's recording took less time than the cover!

The newspaper album cover is important because it relays the story of Gerald Bostock: a fictional 8-year-old child prodigy whose poem, “Thick as a Brick” was disqualified from winning an award due to being too abrasive and, according to the article on the album cover, “unwholesome”. Bostock’s character was made up by frontman and flutist Ian Anderson, who wrote the lyrics to the song in character, describing Bostock’s choices as a young man: either to become a soldier and go into the military like his father or to follow his own wishes and to become a poet. Already present is this sort of layered story of creating a character, writing from that character’s perspective, creating a newspaper article detailing the character's life, and including an article in the newspaper that claims that the band set Bostock’s poem to music. It’s honestly a bit convoluted, which may have been on purpose. 

The song itself criticizes British society, specifically that of the middle and upper classes, both satirizing the concept of being a proper gentleman that went into the military, and also being self-aware that poets, artists, and musicians can be too idealistic. The title of the song is essentially calling out the pretentiousness of supposed wisemen in society that assume they know everything with the lines, “So you ride yourselves over the fields/ And you make all your animal deals/ And your wise men don’t know how it feels/ To be thick as a brick”. These lines are in the song's first verse and are repeated at the very end, emphasizing the message and tying the whole piece together. It is interesting that the song deals so explicitly with class and one’s place in society, when prog rock itself primarily developed from people with middle-class British backgrounds, with a few exceptions, and that the main character is a prodigy, and several prog musicians have been called virtuosos at their instruments. This is especially notable since Ian Anderson has claimed in the past that the song is a self-aware parody of the genre, coming about after critics interpreted Aqualung as a concept album (which I’ll definitely share my opinions on at some point!). In response, he created Thick as a Brick. 

Now, what is notable about Thick as a Brick is that it is a relatively early development in the history of prog: it was released on January 7th, 1972, which was before: 

Foxtrot by Genesis (released in the spring of 1972)

Close to the Edge by Yes (released in the summer of 1972)

Trilogy by ELP (released in the summer of 1972)

Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (released the winter of 1973)

Larks’ Tongue in Aspic by King Crimson (released in the spring of 1973)

Tales from Topographic Oceans AND Brain Salad Surgery, by Yes and ELP respectively (both released in the autumn of 1973)

This begs the question: if this is indeed a parody… what was it parodying? 

Now, there were epic songs and concept albums in existence before Thick as a Brick: both of ELP’s prior albums had contained an epic song (“Tarkus”, released in 1971, and “Take a Pebble”, 1970), Pink Floyd had already done “Echoes”, and The Nice had done “Ars Longa Vita Brevis” all the way back in the 60s. However, the epic wasn’t really central to the prog genre yet, although the suite had existed for some time, and bands were experimenting with longer song forms. Besides, Jethro Tull wanted to move in a more progressive direction anyway, so why parody the form of music? 

The parody of Thick as a Brick is not necessarily the music itself, although you could argue that it was exaggerating the music that already existed for comedic effect. However, Jethro Tull is considered a prog band after all, and this would not be the last of their prog works; what it is primarily parodying is the attitude of some prog musicians during the time period: to make their music longer, more experimental, more difficult to play, and more inaccessible to audiences. It does this by using jarring time signature changes, studio effects, some odd experimental sections, specifically in the second half, and of course, the length being double anything that came prior. Part of the parody, as well, is the concept: a child prodigy, writing about class conflict is reminiscent of both the backgrounds of many prog musicians and also reflective of how underqualified many of them are for making statements on political affairs, while also being the creation of a prog musician. They are simultaneously the overly confident and pretentious “wise men” that are described in the lyrics, and Bostock himself, making fun of the “wise men” while being a literal child and debating his own place in life. It is not a scathing criticism, however: the whole album does come from a place of respect for the musicians. Jethro Tull toured with several other prog bands and struck up friendships with various members of those bands, so it’s more of a reminder for prog musicians to take themselves less seriously. 

Did they do that? Well… uh… no, not really. As evidenced by seeing what came out after Thick as a Brick, the music the prog musicians were making became even more ambitious and challenging, creating almost a self-fulfilling prophecy of Thick as a Brick being a parody. In fact, I’m willing to bet that at least one member of Yes saw this album, went, “Shit, Jethro Tull just made an album consisting entirely of one song, we’ve got to one-up Ian and the lads!”, and then proceeded to make Tales from Topographic Oceans. That’s not a diss towards Tales…, by the way, because I do love that album, but it is basically the very thing that Thick as a Brick was parodying, and it came out over a year after Thick as a Brick. 

The unique thing about Thick as a Brick is that it is simultaneously a parody of the genre, while also making a genuine effort to make a prog album, so there is some sincerity in the themes that Anderson wrote about. It is comedic: how could anyone not laugh a little at the lines, “Your sperm’s in the gutter/ your love’s in the sink”, especially coming from a character that’s supposed to be a child? But, like any good parody, it also does have real messages and criticisms of not only progressive rock, but also British society in the 20th Century. 

[the-au-collector]

Welcome

I’m The AU Collector, call me Collector. You can find me under the same name on AO3. Here you’ll find my own AUs, my original world, and lots of reblogs. I’m mainly in the Linked Universe and Kingdom Hearts fandoms, but you’ll also see me stray into others like Tales of the Abyss, Lockwood & Co, Batfam, etc. I call pretty much all of my works AUs, so even if it’s a fic, I’ll call it AU for simplicity’s sake.

I have a lot of AUs so I thought I would break them down below for people wondering what they are. Also feel free to ask me about any of them. I’d love to ramble about them!

Linked Universe

Relinked AU: 23 years after Linked Universe, the Links’ kids are kidnapped, forcing the Links on another time-traveling adventure to save them. Meanwhile, the kids go on their own adventure to get home.

Reconnect the Chain AU: AU of Relinked. Taking place 10 years after Linked Universe, the Chain reconnects themselves. It’s my happy, slice-of-lifey version of Relinked. Most drawings or writing I do with the Relinked kids as kids will be tagged as both RtC and Relinked if it’s pre-reunion.

Radio AU: Modern College AU. The Chain are all somehow affiliated with the college radio station at Kakariko University. Hyrule’s a new student who gets dragged into their chaos, and learns a little bit about himself in the process.

Cupcakes for Harmony: Inspired by Their Melody. I looked at Their Melody and said “what if I made it sadder?”

Adventures of Uncle Alfon: Legend’s Uncle has some things to say. A non-linear, slice-of-life fic focusing on Uncle Alfon and his relationship with Legend.

Epic AU: Ongoing brainstorming. Epic: The Musical has inspired a plot in my head but idk what’s happening with it yet. All I really know is it’s another LU Links Reunite fic, plus some.

Second Chain/Ultimate Chain AU: Alternate versions of the same AU. I add some more heroes into the mix! Features The Hero of the Kingdom (TOTK), The Hero of Ages (Age of Calamity), The First Hero (Skyward Sword Manga), The Shadow of the Hero (Four Swords Adventures), The (younger) Hero of Legend (A Link To The Past), and The Hero of the Minish (Minish Cap). Potentially, I may even add the Ancient Hero (Tears of the Kingdom).

Kingdom Hearts

Those Who Have Been Wronged Series: A multi-book series currently in the works. It’s canon-compliant up until the secret ending of KH3. Follows the Foretellers’ arc with Kairi as the main protagonist as she searches for Sora and works to defeat the Master of Masters alongside Ven, Namine, Vanitas, and Lauriam. It does include all the KH characters, and almost everyone gets their own time to shine, but Kairi and co. (The Reflection Crew) is the main group.

Together AU: KH3 onwards AU where everything is wrapped up during KH3. The Union Leaders are here. Eraqus is back. Everyone is (mostly) happy. A soft, slice-of-life series I write when the Wronged Series is getting to overwhelming.

Miscellaneous AUs: Occassionally a KH AU will pop into my head. These aren’t very serious works, just fun ideas.

Tales of the Abyss:

Fire Rises: Mostly vibes at this point, Fire Rises will focus on a cast of 6-7 Unscored (people born outside of the Score) trying to make their lives in a world that still holds onto their hatred for them. Takes place 5-ish years after Tales of the Abyss.

OG-Verse:

The OG-verse is my original world called Auran which shares a good portion of worldbuilding as the Wronged Series and Together AU. It’s where all my KH OCs have gone to live. I have a lot of worldbuilding for this but not a lot of story at the moment.