#Yasha is a lovely lady and she just wants to love!

[eorzeanflowers]

What event within the course of the game had the biggest impact on your character(s) and why? Were they directly involved with it? Did the knowledge of it inspire them to do better? Did it leave them with scars they're not keen on talking about?

I'm just gonna answer for Yasha, (otherwise we would be hear alllll day.)

Yasha's biggest event, was the a bunch of little events that culminated into the main event. And that is meeting Tsuyu. Seeing the Imperial Viceroy as an amnesiac and with Gotetsu protecting her was a shock to her system. Up to that point, nearly all Garleans (and Garlean sympathizers) had been either a) soldiers that really didn't know better, or b) complicit officers in subjugation and conquest of other cultures.

So seeing Tsuyu made her wary, incredibly wary. But Gotetsu was a trusted friend and ally, so Yasha took his word to heart. She tried to open up to the vulnerable Tsuyu, and they established a good rapport. And Yasha, being the hopeless romantic she is, fell for yet another individual. Yasha never told Tsuyu, or her other partners about this falling in love. She thought that Lyse and Arenvald would not truly approve. (Fordola wasn't in the picture as a romantic partner yet.)

So when Tsuyu became Yotsuyu again, and summoned Tsukiyomi. Yasha was devastated. Yotsuyu remembered all their conversations as Tsuyu, but still Yotsuyu went down her broken path. Yasha, guilt-ridden over what could have been, did strike her down, and Yotsuyu remarked with her dying breaths that Yasha was too good to her, and that she would cherish their friendship, to the end.

Yasha was a withdrawn individual until Shadowbringers proper started, causing Lyse and Arenvald to be very concerned. But to this day, Yasha keeps this young blossom of love that she had for Yotsuyu locked deep in her heart. A yearning for what could've been. Those two wonder, but as Yasha still doesn't want to talk about it, they let the matter rest.

But it did open Yasha's eyes to not see things with the Garleans as so black and white. Leading to her being more compassionate to the peoples of Garlemald when their homeland was destroyed by Fandanial's schemes. Just one little love cut too short, brought about such wonderful change in her.

And it gave her no issues when Arenvald and Lyse brought Fordola into their polycule. Yasha welcomed Fordola with open arms.

[wayhaughtn7]

I’m currently on episode 93 in my C2 rewatch and I absolutely love Jester tricking Isharnai but I think that moment being so amazing overshadows some absolutely fantastic character moments from the other 3 ladies of the M9. You’ve got Veth who wants to be herself again so badly that she’s willing to restart a war the M9 has spent a lot of time and effort trying to find a way to stop. It’s such a selfish thing for her to do and would have ruined the lives of so many innocent people but it shows just how much Isharnai and the goblins actually messed her up.

Then we have Beau, the abused child who had to face her abuser again to help a friend the episode before and did it, but had to watch him gaslight her and her friends, get no support or even any real acknowledgment of how they wronged her from her mother or father, was introduced to the child they really wanted all along and despite herself couldn’t help but love him. I don’t think anyone in the M9 truly realized how much returning home messed up Beau and so they were surprised a few days later when she walked into the home of a hag and offered to give up everything and everyone she loves because Luc needs his mother. Beau, who is an asshole most of the time and acts like she doesn’t care a lot of the time, willingly offered to give up everything good in her life for someone else and that is such an important character moment for Beau. The Beau from episode 1 would have never done that. It’s an incredibly selfless act but it’s also proof that Beau believes she’s not worthy of the good things she has and that there must be something wrong with her for her parents to treat her the way they have and for the Cobalt Soul, the organization meant to root out corruption, to accept a bribe to kidnap her. Episode 92 and 93 are why Zeenoth and her father being punished for what they did to her came as such a surprise to Beau.

Lastly, we have Yasha, the woman who has been mourning her wife and best friend for most of the campaign and nearly killed Beau a few episodes before while under Obann’s control, realize what Beau offered the hag and immediately walked in an offered to give up her collection of flowers for Zuala and what she has left from Molly so Beau doesn’t have to make her deal. Yasha would have never done that before Obann and imo it’s a big clue how her feelings have developed for Beau. She willing to give up the way she honors and mourns her first love to keep from losing the woman she’s falling in love with.

This whole episode is amazing in so many ways and is one of my favorite episodes not named The Cathedral.

[thatonesadending]

How Caleb got that silly red ribbon

(I had to take a break from editing the 16,000 words I have yet to post for my main fic, and this happen) Established Essek/Caleb + feelings about Molly/Kingsley 

Angst/Pining/Not really a happy ending/open ending - Mild Mighty Nein Reunion Spoilers

_____

“I don’t know why you insist on wearing this thing, but if you must, at least insure that it is straight,” Essek sighed dramatically, leaning into Caleb in front of the others, pointedly ignoring their snickers and whispers while he adjusted the red bow at Caleb’s collar.

“Nothing about him is straight, Essek. You should know that,” Beau teased from the bean bag she was sharing with Yasha, pulled into the circle of furniture in the salon where the Nein had gathered for their first of many monthly gatherings in the Tower. 

Essek ignored her goating. They hadn’t made their relationship public yet, but there was increasingly less of a point to it since it was fairly obvious to everyone, especially since the spymaster elf could not contain his sly smile as he smooth his hands down Caleb’s shoulders after correcting the crooked bow and making the human blush. 

“It’s a tie,” Caleb offered as an excuse even though he knew none was needed for the playful ribbing.

“I may not be an expert in Empire fashions, but I am quite certain that this is not a tie,” Caleb opened his mouth to argue, but Essek swiftly stopped him by continuing, “and do not insult bow ties by insinuating that is one.”

“My students like it.”

“They like having something to snicker at,” Essek flicked one of the ends of the red ribbon before smiling into his half drunk glass of wine. It was good to see him like this, relaxed and enjoying himself. Not that that had been an uncommon sight for Caleb the past few months, but the rest of their friends hadn’t gotten to see much of it, and it made Caleb’s heart a little more full to be able to share it with them in their magical home. 

They all were gathered around a warm fire in the Salon, glasses all at different levels and with full bellies, relaxing in each other’s company with no looming threats for what felt like the first time. Or at least that’s what Caleb had thought, somehow missing the agitated swish of a lavender tail in the corner of the room. 

“Godsdamn,” Kingsley abruptly stood up, his stride smooth after a wobbly first one thanks to the endless refills of ale provided by the tower cats, “Had I known it was gonna bother your boyfriend so fucking much, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

The swashbuckler was attempting to keep his tone light, play off his annoyance as a joke, but Caleb could feel his hurt by how he squatted in front of where the human sat on the loveseat next to Essek and lifted his bearded chin a bit more roughly then necessary. Quick fingers and a tug, and the ribbon was gone from around Caleb’s next. He wanted to protest, ask to keep the ribbon at least, but Kingsley stood and already had his deft hands tying the colorful gifted ribbon around the wizard’s ponytail instead. 

“Ta-da! Better?” He asked Essek with a half sarcastic flourish, to which the elf stayed quite unsure how to interpret Kingsley's mood.

“Aww, now he kinda looks like a schoolgirl! I am sure your lady students will love it, Cayleb,” Jester was trying to defuse the tension, but Kingsley’s eye twitched before his face turned hard as stone. 

“You lot really will make fun of him for anything, huh?” The ribbon was pulled free again, and this time Kingsley took it with him as he walked away, leaving Caleb with his protests caught in his throat lest he make his friend more frustrated. He hadn’t reached the chaise lounge he had been occupying before another of their friends spoke up, and Caleb kicked himself for not stepping in sooner to defend the ribbon.

“What the fuck man? We are just having a little fun, it's just a ribbon,” Beau chuckled, half confused and half dismissive. 

Kingsley sighed, shaking his head as to dispel his foul mood. However, Caleb saw how his gloved hand clenched around the ribbon repeatedly before dumping the object of contention in one of the waste bins, and then stuffing his hands back into his coat pockets that were lined in the same material. 

“No, no you are right, I am just tired, is all. Bit sensitive from a day trying to keep the crew from ruining the hull further while we patched her up, apparently. Gonna go take a bath. Night y’all.” 

Kingsley didn’t give anyone the space to challenge him, but ducked out of the Salon much quicker than a sore sailor should be able to. An awkward silence stretched for a time, until a dark purple Mage Hand fished the discarded ribbon, and Essek dutifully cast Prestidigitation on it a few times despite there being nothing soiling it.  

“I sincerely apologize, Caleb. I had not meant any ill —”

“No need, Schatz. You did not do anything wrong, I know you only tease because you care. I took no offense,” the confusion and worry ebbed a bit from Essek’s eyes, which was worth admission of affection in front of their friends. 

“I do believe I need to apologize to Kingsley, however. I had not known he had gifted it to you, otherwise I wouldn’t have—”

“He did not,” Caleb felt horrible about cutting Essek off again, and worst for the listening ears now on him looking for an explanation, “He did not give it to me, not really. It had been meant as a gift for Frumpkin.”

The seconds dragged as Caleb fought not to get overwhelmed by the Nein’s silence as they all understood the unspoken in what he had said. All except for Essek. 

“To my knowledge, Kingsley never met Frumpkin, correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Oh.”

The skin on the back of his neck burned, but he dropped his voice closer to a whisper, knowing it wouldn’t do much good to the more inquisitive of their group. 

“I hadn’t expected him to be so upset when he found out Frumpkin was no longer with me. I took the gift and wore it myself as more of a joke to make him less sad. I will admit to continuing to wear it because it made him smile, and in turn me, because it reminded me of my friend,” the confession brought up so many conflicting and confusing feelings for the wizard that he had been stuffing down since they left Cognoza, and he couldn’t help the guilt that washed over him as he told his friend turned lover what he had been keeping private, “I am sorry, Essek. I should not have kept that from you.”

“It seems like both have a habit of apologizing to the wrong people,” Essek huffed, but still gave Caleb a kind smile while cupping his cheek with understanding the human was sure he didn’t deserve, “Go talk to him. I am sure he will be glad to retie it if you ask.”

“Nein,” Caleb shook his head, taking the hand away from his face and giving it a definitive kiss along the knuckles so Essek wouldn’t think for a moment he was wavering on his feelings for the other wizard.  “This is for the best. It hadn’t been meant for me, it will be better if I let it go.”

Let him go.

”Besides, you are right,” he continued, louder and with an attempt to return to casualness he did not feel, “it was a rather unprofessional tie. You will just have to help me select a new one before the start of the new semester at the Academy.” 

Predictably, there was a chorus of cheers and questions from the others at this confirmation that Caleb had finally accepted the offered teaching position at his old school. He answered all of them except for Jester’s more filthy ones about how he planned on christening his office. Eventually the good-natured mood returned to their group, aided with refilled glasses and fresh pastries. 

Everyone that was, except for Essek, whose gaze was watching Caleb a little too carefully in that way that told the human his partner was not happy with his evasiveness on the subject. Caleb watched the red ribbon disappear quietly into the elf’s WristPocket, he had almost reached out to grab it, to ask to keep it. But he didn’t think his heart would survive the explanation, that it was the only reminder he had left of his old friend. The colorful tattoo’s glamored away in an effort to make Kingsley more of his own, all his old jewelry lying in a shallow grave where Lucien had tossed them, the coat and cards all now belonging to someone new. 

The ribbon might have come from the scraps of Kingsley’s new identity, but it was all Caleb had to know that little fragment was still there, not completely lost to the ether. Reaching out to pet his cat like Mollymauk always used to, when really what the BloodHunter had wanted was Caleb’s attention. But the dirty old wizard had never given when he had had the chance, too scared of being hurt. Now too scared of being the one to hurt others. He owed it to Essek, to Kingsley, to not hurt them by holding on to a silly ribbon.

[seizedeath]

borrowing concepts from the dash (❤) by saying sparring with most of my muses would turn out fine. jester plays dirty with spells when she knows someone is better at fighting than she is (she's strong but extremely inexperienced with hand to hand combat). jinx is a beast, gets angry when things aren't going their way, and will get sloppy but more aggressive the more they lose. yasha is so hard to get the best of without magic that she is more impressed by people when they can knock her down. nott only plays dirty, and will bite when angered (is also easily angered), when she's back in her own body, she's a lot less interested in fighting. lucien also mostly plays dirty.

caduceus and molly would rather sit back and watch the sparring. molly considers getting rough and bloody a good time, but is picky with who they'll go up against. sparring is more a form of flirting than actual sparring.

varric says he's too old for sparring, and he prefers fighting at a distance. sera isn't very good at hand to hand, but she loves a little tumbling with ladies (what she calls sparring with women i'm so sorry). angeliki will not be caught dead sparring with anyone she's been tranquil for 11 years she's weak as hell

you don't want to fight dionysus. you just don't. they're a bitch + a god and will fuck around and mess with you the entire time in a not fun way. is not advised.

basically: don't fight jinx, nott, or dio if you want to have a decent time.

[thequeenofmyownscreen]

Twenty-four things I noted about the Campaign 2 Wrap-Up :

so much lore and so much love

THE LADIES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, I want what they're all wearing

Marisha in the DM seat is something that is so powerful

Marisha : "I will be lightly steering this round table discussion, making sure we get through as much as possible... and that we don't spend three and a half hours talking about Bowlgate" (with a strained smile, while probably internally screaming)

Liam immediately jumping at the opportunity to ask "WHO'S ON THE TAL'DOREI COUNCIL ???" made me laugh so much.

Like Sam says, this campaign wrap-up will be "people poorly remembering things"

Sam choosing Veth's name because it began with a V, because in Campaign 1 he made jokes about Vex and Vax's names, so it was just to fuck with Laura and Liam and to follow his own private joke, it the most Sam thing I've ever heard.

The fact that Matt had Matt Colville for an important NPC, waiting in the wings to guest, and that he never did because the Mighty Nein said "Crime ? Crime !"... I love it, but also ... in this kind of campaign, where a lot of leniency of choice is left to players, preparing fully like this for a story arc was getting ahead a little much.

It's so good to Ashly Burch again, I love her so much

"What was your favorite moment, as Keg ?" Ashly : "Well, Keg's is obvious. Keg's was... gettin' lucky !" (they put a little window of Marisha silently doing a "whoop-whoop !" gesture, I am SCREAMING)

Liam is answering a question about Caleb's feelings for Jester by be beginning with "I was never going to do romance of any kind, one-sided or otherwise in this campaign, because (he looks at Marisha) I felt like we really explored that pretty heavily campaign one... --" Ashley, jokingly : "Don't you make eyes at her ! (laughter) She's mine now !"

The idea that the beacon was basically the One Ring, in terms of what "a magnet for trouble" it could be, is so fascinating to think about. What could have been if Caleb didn't offered it to the Bright Queen...

Oh, so there was a loose connection between Cognouza and the Chained Oblivion ! The hungry void saw what Cognouza was attempting, and began to influence some of the dreams, because, hey, why not ??

Laura's reaction of Matt's revelation that Sprinkle would have gone with Jester either way, as a stowaway, if she didn't bought him : "I wasted money !" That's such a Laura thing to say, I love her

I LOVE MARISHA AND ASHLEY REVEALING HOW MUCH OF THE BEAU AND YASHA LIFE THEY THOUGHT ABOUT they have a text thread and thought about so much !!!

"What was your favorite moment, as yourself and/or Reani ?" Mica Burton : "Our moments are the exact same which was : sleeping with Beau." (they put another little window of Marisha throwing her arms out in victory, I am SCREAMING once more, all the ladies GOT IT and were happy)

Bonus Marisha, throwing her hair off the shoulders seductively : "I am everyone's legacy."

Matt's answer about the corrupted forest in Aeor (an arcane experiment that failed over and over) and its connection to Molaesmyr was juicy, in terms of what we know in Campaign 3. Matt said "one of these artifacts from this research period was uncovered or brought to Molaesmyr" : by who, huh ? Ludinus is responsible, 100%. And then, " !! and then "something was uncovered and accidentally detonated in Molaesmyr and when it did, it unleashed one of these failed experiments that didn't necessarily create new life, but it just corrupted it wholly and that changed the entire forest". That's what we learned in the Team Wildemount trip to Molaesmyr recently. I love seeing the connections, and I understand why Matt answered vaguely.

I'm dying, they really asked Chris Perkins to come and do an interview for Spurt that lasts the same duration he was on the show : 1 minute. I'm DYING. RIP Spurt, you were the best

Travis revealed the cast minus Marisha and Liam had a text thread, where they were fully planning how to take both Beau and Caleb out, if ever the eyes turned them evil. I WANT TO KNOOOOOOOW

OOOOh I so wanted to have seen one of them have nine yes, and become an NPC under control of Cognouza

Oh my god, if Caleb and Essek hadn't rolled so well on the time-travelling long rest, they could have ended up NOT rested and a day later, still fighting Cognouza, but not in the Astral Sea, in the sky of Exandria...

Ashley, speaking for the people : "Let's just play again !"

Awww, Matt thought about how the Gentleman and Marion would be together, I want to read that novel !!

The answer is, of course, that Vex is on the Tal'Dorei council, as Coin Mistress (yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah) (which I already knew thanks to Campaign 3 but still !! Also it was just so nice to see Laura dancing in celebration)

[goblin-king-jay]

I categorically disagree with anyone who thinks that Yasha's character can be distilled down to just "butch". She's so sweet and soft and vulnerable on the inside. She loves collecting flowers and wants to have a garden and learn to cook. She plays music and writes -- okay TRIES to write -- poetry lmao. She likes soft comfy things like fur hats and shawls. When choosing an outfit for a ball she opts for a black slinky dress, not a suit. And for all of her barbarian rage and martial prowess, she considers herself a coward for running away from her old life.

Where is the "butchness" in any of that?! As OP said, being a big buff sword lady does not a butch make. Tell me, is Scorpia (SPOP) a butch?! Come on y'all, we don't need to be so reductive.

if you'll allow me to comment on something that i shouldn't be giving too much brainspace to, I am honestly a bit perplexed by the assignment I've seen more frequently recently of beauyasha being labelled butch4butch and imodna being femme4femme. like honestly the only person there where I'm like yeah, sure, is laudna being femme but like, the other 3 absolutely fall in different grey areas, and I really enjoy that. im definitely a bit older and of a time when butch labels etc felt more prominent and I indetified as such, and honestly it felt to me that a lot of that as an identity has been a bit on a decline, but idk I think the whole "oh she's buff so she's butch" or "she wears a dress, femme" seems a bit of h0gwarts house sorting to me and misses a lot of what we're actually given by personality and body language. obviously you can identify as one or the other and have interests or mannerisms that go against the expectations of that, but I'm pretty sure none of these women/characters ever labelled themselves as such. idk whether butch4butch beauyasha or femme4femme imodna baffles me more haha. anyway. whatever. this is for discussion not diskhorse. maybe it's just for the sake of when the two couples are being compared, but then I think just saying buff ladies vs witches etc is suffice enough, or more importantly women at different stages of dealing with their traumas and in different ways. also, if it's a case of feminity or masculinity being based on strength alone and that in term defining 'butchness' then that feels pretty lame.

[professorthaddeus]

soften every edge

Luc doesn’t remember a lot about his early childhood.

He knows it wasn’t exactly the most normal of upbringings. He knows that most kids didn’t grow up with crossbow practice, magic books, and a dog that could blink in and out of existence. He knows he moved around a lot. He knows that Mom is a hero, and that she couldn’t be at home for a while.

He knows that at one point, he died.

Sometimes he’ll get flashes that he’ll try to make sense of. Frantic shouts in the air and splinters of wood at his feet as he runs alone to Old Edith’s. The twittering of a hummingbird on one shoulder and the steady hand of a man with a shock of white hair on the other. People rushing around him to a looming tower in the distance. A heat so intense it fills his lungs and makes his eyes water, a blaze of light, an explosion that turns everything to static and pain. Darkness.

Hands on his chest, gentle, but with a power that sends warmth pulsing from his heart to the tips of his fingers. Uncle Ducey, even paler than usual, his tired smile the first thing Luc sees when his eyes flutter open.

(They’ve always had a connection. It took a while for him to wrap his head around it, but he recognizes now that it was Uncle Ducey who brought him back to the land of the living. And at times it feels like Luc is only truly tethered here when he reaches up to tuck his hand into Uncle Ducey’s, when the two of them sit side by side in a garden, planting seeds in a peaceful silence interspersed by the occasional toot.)

Mom and Dad, hugging him between them, a tangle of arms and legs as they hold him close. Fabric damp from tears, a thick smell of smoke, but the familiar scent of Dad’s chemicals and Mom’s black powder as well.

(People might find it strange that such things are comforting to him, but they’re his reminders that Mom and Dad will always be his protectors. Not that they’d let him forget it anyway—they’ve always been a little overbearing. He gets it, and he can’t blame them when they want to keep an eye on him everywhere he goes or set up traps on all the windows of their home. At least Beau—not Auntie Beau, she always insists, and Luc agrees; Beau’s as much his aunt as anyone, but she’s also TJ’s sister and the label would be so weird—she teaches him how to sneak around the traps and makes him a master at coming up with excuses to get away when he needs it.)

Uncle Caleb’s face appears a lot too, screwed up in a haunted expression Luc doesn’t understand as Frumpkin is sent over to nuzzle in his arms.

(He understands a little, now. Regret, sadness, a weight of guilt that hunches thin shoulders and darkens blue eyes. He still sees it, sometimes, when he asks too many questions about Uncle Caleb’s adventures, about his scars, about how he picked up all the cool spells he’s teaching Luc now. Uncle Caleb always answers with a smile, as patient and warm as his bedtime stories and lessons in magic. But Luc’s learned that some things are difficult to talk about, and he’s learned to be careful not to push too much.)

There’s also Auntie Jester’s voice in his ear, always loud and lively, but occasionally with a wobble that makes him want to go back in time and give her a hug.

(It’s weird to think about Auntie Jester sounding scared. She’s the most badass blue lady in all of Exandria, and whenever she visits, they skip along the beaches of Nicodranas together and play pranks on grumpy shopkeepers. She’s always got a spring in her step and a pastry in hand, and she talks about things like pirates and sea serpents without missing a beat. Luc doesn’t know what could make her afraid. He doesn’t like thinking about it.)

He doesn’t think Uncle Fjord, Auntie Yasha, or Beau were there that night. But he can picture them surrounding him afterwards, a wall between him and any danger that would dare try to take him again.

(And of course, they’ve etched themselves into his history as much as the others since then. Uncle Fjord taught him how to swim, and the two of them have taken countless dives along miles of sparkling coral. Auntie Yasha is lessons in swordfighting and piggyback rides through the sky, and also lazy afternoons in the sun with notes from a harp drifting in the background. Beau’s the one Luc can tell anything without fear of being tattled on, the one who teaches him to use his fists, but only in defense of himself and his friends. Luc just hopes they don’t feel like they have to make up for that one moment they were gone.)

Sometimes it’s all a bit too much. Sometimes he’ll wake up clammy, his pajamas drenched in a cold sweat, with noises crawling into his ears and crowding in his head, and he has to reach for his copper wire and call for Mom or Dad to stay with him until he falls asleep again. He’s probably too old for that now.

They never ever judge him for it, though, or tell him he needs to grow up and face the nightmares alone. Uncle Ducey says it’s okay, too, that Luc’s worries of being annoying or a baby are just lies from his brain that he can recognize and shut down. There’s no shame in getting support from the people who love you. In fact, it’s one of the most precious gifts that nature can offer.

So he doesn’t remember a lot. But he knows he has the coolest parents in the world, even if they can be overprotective. And he knows he has six aunts and uncles who would do absolutely anything for him. It’s something he’s never going to take for granted.

(He’d be lying if he said he never takes advantage of it, though. But hey, he’s totally just using the resources the Wildmother gave him when he asks eight different adults for something until he gets an answer he wants. It would be wasteful not to.)

—————

also on ao3

[demigoddessqueens]

I would with some fluff with the ladies of VM, M9, and Bells Hell’s and Cassandra De Rolo.

Of course! They deserve all the love

Vex’ahlia - she loves how you’re patient with her, and also encouraging of resting every now and then; cuddles with Trinket, braiding her hair

Keyleth - if she’s up for it, take a shopping trip or kick back and enjoy some wine every now and then

Pike - if she wants to meditate, maybe some tea; or if it’s a lazy type of day, maybe some day naps

Cassandra - taking days off and some walks in the gardens

Jester - completely nerding out with the romance books she has stashed away

Yasha - braiding her hair, little beads and flowers in them, and if she’s ok with it, reapplying her face paint and markings that she has

Nott/Veth - sometimes she wants to practice her arrow range shooting with you or if it’s a quiet day, then obnoxiously reading and laughing at Tusk Love

Beau - if she’s ever pushed herself during training, your massages are the best and are welcomed

Laudna - little impromptu doll shows with her 🥺🥹💕, bonus points if you do different voices for each one of them

Imogen - sometimes her magic can be draining and give her headaches, so you’re there with the TLC kit or spending the whole day at the spa for R&R

Fearne - dynamic is “it’s against the law!”/“do it baby, I know/am the law” but if it’s not pulling a heist, then shopping trips for sure (just don’t steal!)

[jonthethinker]

“I feel like the ball’s in her court, she’s the one with the dead wife.”

This is a really funny line, and VERY in character for Beau, but in a weird way, it gave me a lot of hope for some reason?

Beau is my favorite character, and I feel pretty comfortable with any potential romance or lack there of for her in the future. But that line really makes me believe that maybe I’ll get my real wish to come true, which is for Beau to be pursued.

Beau really is the real loner of the group; the person who was introduced to us as Fjord and Jester’s third wheel, having only met them like a day or so before the start of the game, where as the various pairs each had already forged a good foundation of friendship between them. And that speaks to her character’s notion of herself, which is that nobody willingly chooses her.

I mean, her own father tried to replace her with a new child. Her life with the monks was meant to instill discipline and structure to some deviant, not to encourage enlightenment in a willing pupil. Even with her current lauded reputation in the Cobalt Soul, she believes it’s just because Dairon’s been speaking highly of her, and has nothing to do with her own value. I feel like even her view of the Nein itself has been clouded by this, like it’s especially precious to her because she got in under the wire before they could figure out how much of a piece of shit she really was.

I think this is why the deal with the Hag came so naturally to her; in her eyes she was living on borrowed time with these people anyway, may as well return the favor. A reasonable price to pay for the riches she stole in the form of their undeserved love.

But now she’s in a position where someone will have to go out of their way to choose to be with her. And not just because she’s some hot monk who can woo all the ladies; but because they want her heart. Her big, messy heart. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. I want her to feel wanted, needed, seen. In a way life so far has cruelly denied her until the Nein. But the Nein’s love is so subtle. I just really want someone to love her loudly, in a way even she has a hard time denying.

I mean, even the sentence itself shows what it would mean to love Beau. Because she’s being considerate, just in a very Beau way. It is a really sweet thing of her to insist Yasha gets to decide if and when this relationship happens; she’s lost her wife, and Beau understands and is sensitive to how hard it must be to deal with those feelings of loss. But she communicates that sensitivity like that. No sugar to help the medicine go down. Beau feels and loves like cutting paper without a dotted line. And if you want to be with her, you’re going to have to come to terms with that.

And it will mean so much if Yasha chooses to pursue Beau. Because Beau will have to reconcile the contradictions of her own self-image with the idea of a widow, that widow, choosing to love her. Because, I mean we all know Yasha is a catch, right? This sweet, quiet, strong woman who loves flowers and has literal angel wings, but also is this badass champion of a storm god who eats spiders and rips the wings off demons and is fiercely protective of the ones she loves. I don’t know a single woman who wouldn’t get the literal vapors about her if she were real.

Yasha is incredible, and if she’s ready to love again, there’s nothing making her choose Beau. Yasha has no more chains. She could find love anywhere in the world, any time down the line. So choosing Beau, chasing Beau, means something. Because Yasha really has seen Beau a lot, at her best and worst. Raging at Caleb over a magic pot. Crying over her father. At the other end of her blade, dying. But also rushing to save Nott from a river of lava. Quietly sharing a story of a lover of her own in the dead of night. Offering a Hag her only source of happiness if it meant Veth Brenatto got to live with her family again.

So choosing her despite all that, or perhaps because of it, would really have to mean something, wouldn’t it? I mean that’s why I think she keeps asking, and will probably continue to ask, if Yasha is into her. Because, wow, how could someone like Yasha choose someone like her?

It might just be yet another reason for Beau to reevaluate her own worth, and for me, that’s all I could ever ask for.

[chaos-burst]

questions and answers

He had meant to be rude. And it had not worked even a little bit. Eodwulf is sure that anyone else would have been offended. Hell, he’s even sure that the other members of this weird group were absolutely offended on behalf of their friend. But Eodwulf can’t say he has ever met a person like this.

There was no malice, no ill intent, no anger.

When you work with Trent you have to be aware of every little shift in the mood. The slightest twitch of an eyebrow can mean the weather is about to turn foul. Eodwulf knows what to look out for. It had been his intent to rev this weirdo up and it had backfired spectacularly.

Damn.

No meat. No booze. And balls of steel, apparently. Eodwulf had never seen anyone talk to Trent like that. And while Bren‘s—Caleb‘s—words of wanting to kill Trent outright had been more than Eodwulf would ever admit to his mentor, it somehow felt less crazily reckless than to call Trent Ikithon, Archmage of Civil Influence for the Cerberus Assembly and one of the most powerful mages in the Empire, a fucking fool.

To his face. With a smile. In a complete sincere manner.

Eodwulf doesn’t want to replay the words in his head over and over again but his dumb brain has latched onto them and he can’t stop. Only this time it’s not one of Trent’s lessons that forces him to obsessively repeat something until you have internalized it to the point where you can cite it in your sleep.

No.

“Pain doesn’t make people. It’s love that makes people.“

Eodwulf has it on repeat in his head the whole way back to the tower and it is still going when he lies down hours later to sleep.

“What are you“ had not been meant as a serious question when Eodwulf had asked it. But by the time he finally falls asleep he feels like it has become a very vital question indeed, because who or what would dare to speak to Master Trent Ikithon in a way like this with an honest smile on their face.

*

Because for some reason his thoughts have decided to betray him, Eodwulf’s brain makes his tongue and lips form the words again when they see the Mighty Nein the next time. This time, Astrid and Eodwulf have been invited to dinner—Trent has very specifically not been invited, you could say he was uninvited with quite a few flowery words in a strange accent.

And as soon as Eodwulf sees Caduceus he remembers the weirdly polite scratching of a chair, the wide smile that indicates that this is a person Eodwulf possibly can not force to lose their composure through careful placed rudeness. And his mouth betrays him.

“So. What are you, really?“

Caduceus blinks mildly surprised before his unfamiliar features shift into a warm smile that has Eodwulf feel quite a lot of inappropriate things he didn’t expect to find in a place like this.

“Gardener. Maker of fine tea. A decent cook. Keeper of graves“, Caduceus lists of and he uses his long fingers to count the things that are important to him about himself.

“Very powerful cleric“, Jester chimes in from the right. She has Astrid next to her in a chair and Eodwulf is pretty sure that Jester has started to put flowers in Astrid’s hair. But surely he must be mistaken. Who in the Nine Hells are these crazy people?

“Oh, yeah. Well, that too, I suppose“, Caduceus says, his smile still warm like honeyed wine.

“Huh“, Eodwulf says because he can’t for the life of him think of something else to say. But Caduceus is yet again pulling out a chair for him so Eodwulf straightens his shoulders and sits down next to Caduceus. Across the table from him the angry one throws herself into a chair and stares at him.

There’s no fear there either, but she can be easily angered, something Eodwulf is good at. He gives her a canine smile and she holds up her middle finger.

This group is full of people with an enormous lack of self preservation.

And they are so loud.

Eodwulf almost doesn’t hear it when Caduceus turns to him to ask him a question.

“Huh?“, he says again, like a fool.

“And what are you, was what I wanted to know“, Caduceus says, his lazy grin open and honest. There is no malice in his words. He actually wants to know.

Eodwulf thinks “Murderer, wizard, protégé, spy“ but he doesn’t say any of these things. “Maker of graves“ comes to mind, but it seems like too dark of a joke to make.

“Enthusiastic about both meat and booze“, he says in the end and Caduceus laughs.

“Yeah, as are most of my friends.“

The implication these words bring is probably only in Eodwulf’s mind but it makes him swallow and look away to find Astrid’s eyes. But Astrid now has pink flowers in her hair and a look of absolute confusion on her face as Jester rattles of compliment after compliment about various of Astrid’s features.

Eodwulf can’t help but look at Bre—Caleb. And he sees that there is a soft, barely noticeable smile on his old friend’s face as he watches the scene unfold.

What am I, indeed, he thinks.

*

Trent’s orders have been clear. Get close to the group called the Mighty Nein to find out what they are working on with Lady Vess DeRogna.

Eodwulf allows himself to think that Caduceus might have been right. Maybe Master Ikithon is indeed a fool.

Because being in the presence of these people is like nothing Eodwulf has ever experienced and it makes him think, wonder, question—

“Here we are again“, Caduceus says after, yet again, Astrid and Eodwulf have been invited for dinner. Eodwulf wonders if this group just wants to make it very easy to spy on them, or if they have an agenda of their own—but it’s hard to believe that there might be any coherent agenda behind anything these people do.

He has watched the buff one called Yasha try and play what looked like a harp made of bone and when the angry one, Beau, told her that she looked hot playing the harp Yasha had torn two of the strings which had led to a whole scene of apologies and various tries to fix the harp.

Jester has drawn dicks on pretty much every surface this magical mansion has and she delights in the fact that Caleb brings the dicks to life in various colors. At some point he made glowing sparkles shoot out of one of the dicks Jester had drawn and Jester had laughed as if this was the best joke she had ever witnessed.

Eodwulf notices Astrid’s eyes on Jester.

Eodwulf also notices that while there seems to be no agenda or efficiency behind anything, they are still being watched.

Beau and Fjord look at them. And Eodwulf is pretty sure Caduceus watches everything as well, but he does it without crossing his arms and glaring so much.

“Looks like it”, he answers. Caduceus offers him tea and Eodwulf’s first instinct is to decline, but then he remembers that “maker of fine tea” had been very high on the list of descriptors so he takes the cup he is offered while somewhere in the background people start screaming something that sounds like “FLUFFERNUTTER”.

Eodwulf tries the tea. He’s not a fan of tea, but this tea is absolutely delicious and he finds himself impressed.

“I believe this one comes from the Hollburns’ graves. Those remains made the tea grow quite fast, it was impressive.”

Eodwulf blinks at his tea and then at Caduceus. For a second his brain wonders if this statement should register as a threat, but it had been delivered with such honest delight and a sense of pride that Eodwulf discards that feeling.

“What?”, he asks. Caduceus points at the tea.

“Oh, well, my family grows tea on those graves we’re keeping. In case you wanted to ask me again what I am. Or—hm, I think I already mentioned that I am a keeper of graves?”

Caduceus trails off and looks thoughtful and Eodwulf stares at him.

“Keeper of Graves. That make you a follower of the Matron?”, he asks.

Caduceus looks at him and smiles.

“Not quite. My family serves Melora. But we are descended from a champion of the Raven Queen.”

Eodwulf can’t help but wonder if this was some kind of weird joke. But his goddess usually isn’t one for joking.

Eodwulf considers for a second, then he pulls out the raven feather pendant from under his cloak.

Caduceus nods. “So”, he says and smiles widely. “What are you?”

Eodwulf snorts.

“For real?”, he says.

Caduceus’ smile widens.

“For real.”

*

It feels like this has become a sort of game.

“What are you?”

“Moral compass. Middle sibling. Eccentric. Amateur flute player.”

Eodwulf finds that through this question he himself posed the first time, he’s been forced to think more about himself than he feels comfortable with.

“What are you?”

“Decent chess player. Dog person. Sportsman. Only child.”, are the things he says out loud.

“Self-made orphan. Patriot. Volstrucker. Torturer.”, are the things he thinks to himself.

Eodwulf has the impression that Caduceus is somehow aware of the things he doesn’t say.

*

“So. This is the crew you’re running with now?”, Eodwulf asks Bre—Caleb one night before the Mighty Nein will leave with Vess DeRogna to who-knows-where. Neither Astrid nor Eodwulf did get very far with their planned infiltration work. Eodwulf is not even sure how hard they even tried.

It’s very easy to get swept away by the chaos and the weirdness and the complete lack of fear that the group displays when it comes to him and Astrid. They are dangerous people in a lot of ways.

The Mighty Nein are also dangerous people in a very different way. A way that Eodwulf doesn’t know anything about.

“This is my family, ja.”

He says it, just like that, without looking at Eodwulf.

Family.

The word tastes bitter in Eodwulf’s mouth as he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.

“Weird people”, he says. Caleb huffs.

“You can say that, yes. But they grow on you very quickly”, he answers quietly and with a small, fond smile that makes something inside Eodwulf ache. For a long time Eodwulf pitied Bren for breaking, for not making it, for failing, for being locked away and discarded. Now he realizes that maybe, in a very macabre sort of way, Bren becoming Caleb through failure was the better end of the bargain.

It feels blasphemous to think that.

“The pink one is especially weird”, Eodwulf finds himself saying and he takes a big swig of whiskey from his flask before handing it to Caleb.

“Ja, I noticed that you seem to have a... uh... particular kind of interest in him. And, if I may add, he in you.”

Eodwulf takes the flask back after Caleb drinks. He contemplates the different sorts of feelings inside his gut as the words sink in. Then he tucks it all away very carefully, just as he learned through many years of being in Trent’s presence.

“Still don’t know what he is”, Eodwulf says. Caleb snorts and shakes his head.

“His people are called Firbolg”, he provides.

“Not sure that’s what I mean. Not anymore, at least.”

It seems dangerous to admit that. Caleb turns his head and looks at Eodwulf with a shimmer in his eyes that Eodwulf can’t read. Many years ago he was able to read Bren like an open book, but Caleb is another book entirely.

“You deserve to have some nice things, you know. You deserve friends. A chance of—hm. A chance of peace. A chance for redemption, if you want it.”

Eodwulf gets up and tugs away his flask.

“Pain doesn’t make people. It’s love that makes people. Pain is inconsequential, it’s love that saves them.”

Eodwulf understands the truth in these words now. Bren was broken, Caleb is being healed. Eodwulf doesn’t think that there’s anything left in him that can be saved. Or should be saved.

“Good luck on your journey tomorrow. Don’t die”, Eodwulf says and he leaves Caleb behind.

What are you, he thinks. A sentimental fool.

*

Astrid sits next to him on one of the balconies of her house and looks up at the stars above them. The Mighty Nein have been gone for six days and it has been very quiet.

They sit in silence and share a bottle of whiskey, passing it back and forth instead of words. It’s been like this for many many years that they’ve allowed themselves to just be. Today though, Astrid breaks the silence.

“I’m going to be the one who kills him.”

She says it quietly, without remorse, without indicating that this is a scandalous statement. She says it just how other people would say “I’ll go to bed soon.”.

Eodwulf stops breathing for just a moment. Then he inhales the cool night air and turns his head to look at her.

“Could kill you for treason”, he says. She looks at him and cocks her head slightly, the analyzing gaze of a murderous spy meets its equal in silence.

“I’d love to see you try”, she says. Eodwulf grins. It feels reckless.

“Don’t die”, he says, the same thing he’s said to Caleb before. Astrid regards him for a long moment and Eodwulf takes another sip. “Will you help me or try to stop me?”

Eodwulf considers this for a moment. Would he try to stop Astrid should she try to kill Trent? No. Would he help her? He doesn’t know that either.

“Can’t you just wait for Bren to do it for you?”

“I won’t lose to him again.”

Eodwulf snorts.

Always so competitive.

“That’s some fucked up shit, Astrid.”

“Shut up, Arschloch.”

Eodwulf grins before getting up to stretch. He puts his hands on the railing of Astrid’s balcony and wonders what Caleb’s new family is up to.

Making a new family never came to mind before. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale. While he contemplates the question whether he would help Astrid kill Trent Ikithon, a slow, familiar voice pops up in his head.

“Hey. Uh—Jester told me to send you an update. We’re still alive. Hope you’re good. Got  a new question for you. What will you become?”

The rustling of Astrid’s clothes as she stands up as well somehow tells him that she received a message in her head as well. She steps beside him and puts her hands on the railing next to his.

“They’re persistent”, she says quietly.

Eodwulf nods and inhales.

He doesn’t know what he will become. He didn’t even know that was a question to be asked. The path is clear. It always was.

Pain doesn’t make people.

“Not going to answer?”, she wants to know.

“Don’t have an answer yet.”

It’s unclear to him whether she means her own question or the message Caduceus just sent him.

He answers the sending spell with a simple “I don’t know.”. It takes a few minutes before another message comes in.

“That’s good. Uncertainty is good. It’s the first step in a better direction. I’m going to kill a dragon now. Wish me luck. Good night.”

“I’ll keep you posted on the answer to that question of yours. I’ll see you tomorrow”, he says and leaves Astrid behind on the balcony. Eodwulf thinks about something he hasn’t thought about in a very long time. A priestess in his Matron’s temple once told him: “Death is the only certainty in life.”.

He thinks that Caduceus would agree.

And Eodwulf hopes that the next time he sees that weird, reckless man, he’ll have an answer for him.

[peach-the-owl]

I loved the amnesia one and got really curious about the past of Molly’s kid, maybe this lady finds him somehow??? The hurt/comfort just popped into my head. Btw, love your work, always a delight to read 💕💕💕💕

Protective Molly hours, let gooooo!

(Idk how long some of these have been in my inbox for, let’s finally start whittling them down)

In My Time of Need

Child of the Nein (Molly & Child!Reader)

Warning: Mentions of child neglect and abuse (nothing happens, don’t worry) there might be more idk let me know it there’s any I should add

You cowered as Ms. Wolona marches angrily towards you, swiping the piece of bread out of your hands.

“Please! I’m sorry! I was just so hungry and-“

“Enough!” The headmistress hisses at you. “You’ve tested my patience too much for one day. Perhaps a few more nights in our Solitaire Square will finally straighten you out.” You were filled with panic, you hadn’t eaten since you last broke a vase and spent 2 days alone in that small room.

“No, please! I promise I’ll be good, just don’t send me back there.” You whimper. Ms. Wolona’s cold gaze told you enough, your words meant nothing to her, she reaches towards you. With a sudden burst of adrenaline you jump back and book it in the opposite direction, moving as fast as your legs could carry you. You skid to a stop when you slam yourself into a window, looking out at the rose bushes two story's below you, they were rather pretty.

“Disobedient child! Get over here this instant!” Ms. Wolona’s furious voice echo down the hall along side her heavy footsteps. Without much thought you push open the window, toppling out and down into the bushes below, and while the thorns may have pricked at you the bushes thankfully broke your fall. You scramble to your feet and run down an old, unused path without looking back, running as far as you could and then running some more, until you finally slowed to a walk.

Your legs felt as though they were on fire after hours of walking and your stomach growls at you in hunger. You march forward nonetheless, not sure as to where you were going, but just going. The burning slowly turned to a biting feeling until eventually your body forced you to drag yourself somewhere safe and out of sight to rest…

“What’s the sour look for?” Molly asks, nudging you back into reality.

“Huh!? Oh, umm, I was just thinking is all.” You say.

“About what?” He presses slightly.

“Just about the day before I met you.” You decided to be honest with him, knowing he would see through any of your lies like you could his.

“I see.” He pauses a second. “Well, I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you.” You look up at him confused but are only met with his signature smirk. You playfully roll your eyes at this and give him a light shove, the both of you sharing a small laugh together which helps calm whatever’s making you feel uneasy… for now.

For the most part Molly was right, you arrived at a quaint town, albeit feeling slightly familiar to you, and do some shopping with Molly, Jester and Yasha while the others checked in at the local inn for the night. Despite all this you just couldn’t shake this sinking feeling in your gut, and when you mindlessly shift your gaze does that sinking feeling completely drop in your stomach. Looming menacingly on a hill not too far off was a place you never wanted to see again, Cedar Pine Orphanage, named after the trees that grew around the area. You shake yourself out of your trance to go to join the others only to find them nowhere in sight, had you really been staring into space that long?

“Well what have we here?” There was no time to ponder your own question when a chillingly familiar voice hits your ears. “Two years and you managed to survive all that time. Shocking really, perhaps even the wilds do not wish to claim you.” You slowly turn to stare into the cold glare of the woman you never wanted to see again. You wanted to say something, tell her off for everything that she’s ever done but you couldn’t it was like your throat tightened up, preventing you from speaking. “Is that why you’ve returned? Couldn’t handle the real world after all and decided to coming home was the right choice after all?” She taunts you with a sickly sweet voice. “Perhaps now you’ll finally listen. Oh but don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did, you still have punishment to face for your actions.” While still holding that sickly sweet tone, her voice does drop slightly with an angered look in her eyes. You felt powerless only able to take a step back as she approaches you. Terrible decision. Her sharp gaze hardens even more if it’s possible as she reaches forward and snatches your arm in her grip, the world around you goes dark as panic wells up inside you, you know what’s coming.

“I’m sorry, it-it…” You trail off, finding yourself back to where you started, meek and helpless like you were before your adventures with the circus or the Mighty Nein… before you met Molly, where you had promised yourself you’d be braver, finally speak your mind and show the world you were worth something. All that progress was gone, just because of one woman’s disapproving scowl, you hated it, hated what she did to you and still you couldn’t find it in yourself to do anything about it.

“No more excuses child, I’m done playing games.” She hisses, raising a hand. You prepare yourself for the worst when she’s halted in her actions.

“Careful there madam, we’re in a public area.” Their voice helps bring you back into reality, looking over at Molly who held a firm grip on Ms. Wolona’s wrist.

“Get your hands off me! Filthy devil!” She sneers, yanking her arm away from him. He plays it off cool as he usually does but there’s this glint in his eyes, one even you couldn’t quite figure out.

“Me, a devil? Perhaps.” He starts off in a more playful tone but it drops quickly. “But I’d say you’re the real demon among us. Wolona was it?” You’ve never seen her face turn pale before at the sound of her own name.

“How did you-”

“Know who ya are?” Molly finishes for her with a smirk. “Simple, I heard a great deal ‘bout you from my kid. Ya know, the one you should let go of right now.” It was easy to see his casual facade break the longer Ms. Wolona held you in her tight grip, she takes a quick glance at you and scoffs.

“You can’t seriously mean this disgrace-” Once again she’s cut off but this time by the hard glare sent in her direction.

“Alright, now I’m the one done playing games.” Facade completely dropped, Molly’s demeanour shifts into a more broad stance, his tone growing dangerously low. “Listen carefully ‘cause I’m only saying it once. Either you let go of my child or I make you let go, I don’t care who’s watching.” When he says this you look around you seeing some folk watching everything play out, others still going about their day ignoring the scene as much as possible. Seems Ms. Wolona noticed as well, letting out an unamused huff.

“Fine, take them. One less problem for me to worry about anyways.” She whispers that last part as she nearly throws you towards Molly, who easily catches you, before scurrying away.

You’re shaking, physically shaking and unable to stop yourself no matter how much you try. Molly gently lifts you into his arms and carry’s you off to a less populated area before setting you down again, making sure your stable on your feet before completely letting go and kneeling down to match your height.

“Hey hey, it’s okay now, (y/n). I’m right here, you’re going to be okay.” He hushes you calmly, wiping away your tears, you didn’t even realize you were crying uncontrollably. Without thinking you lean forward and just bury your face into his shoulder, somewhat muffling your cries, it’s not long after that you feel his arms warp around you, he rubs soothing circles on your back. Maybe he wasn’t always the best when it came to handling heavy emotions, but for you he’d make the exception. When you finally calmed down enough to lift your head away from his shoulder you lift one of your arms to give a quick wipe to your eyes before looking at him properly.

“You shouldn’t listen to what that hag says.” Molly states firmly, you look at him confused. “You’re the kindest soul I know, far from being any form of disgrace and…” He trails off a second looking away, but quickly looks back with genuine care in his eyes. “And I don’t know where I’d be without you. I don’t know if I’ve told you this before, but you’re truly important to me, and I’d do anything to keep you safe.” He gives you a soft, playful pinch on the cheek as he says this making you giggle and placing a smile on his own face. “There’s that smile I love seeing.”

“Thanks Molly.” You say, finally getting your voice back. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” You nuzzle yourself into him again and he lifts you back up, securing his grip on you so you wouldn’t fall before making his way back to the inn.

“Speak for yourself kiddo.” He replies, placing a gentle kiss to the top of your head.

[glossolali]

hey idk if you'd entertain cross campaign shipping questions or would not but im kinda curious. and this isn't really a shipping question as much as a character reading question. anyway do you think beau would be interested in any of the ladies in bell's hells? bc i'm having a tough time imagining her hitting on any of them tbh lol what do you think?

Sure, I will entertain them! We love beau, chaotic witches, and wlw here

...and meta... and conjecture for the sake of fun

I mean thinking about the qualities they all have at first glance: they are all tall, beautiful, chaotic and intimidating.

I don't think she'd be cowed at all and is definitely very into tall, beautiful, intimidating women lol. As for the chaotic aspect, she was Chaos Crew and into Jester, who is probably the one that matches the BHs chaos level the most, so that wouldn't be an issue for her either.

So I honestly think she would hit on all of them right away and at once LMAO

But here's what I think of if she'd be actually into them after a while of knowing them:

Imogen: I can definitely see Beau being into Imogen because she was into how mysterious and stoic Yasha was, and we know Beau loves solving mysteries lol— but no really she would love helping her research her past since she's so good at that, and could also help her get access to books/records etc. (Cobalt Soul do have a satellite archive in Ank'harel!) so that is an avenue to connect for them.

She would also be very emotionally supportive if Imogen needed that (just thinking about the nightmares and breaking down after) which is another way I see them connecting. That probably just comes from Marisha being a lovely caring person! Since Laudna is very supportive of Imogen.

Imogen is also definitely one of the voices of reason in Bell's Hells, and so is Beau in TM9 (to a certain extent), so another point of connection there— but the real question is would Imogen be into her? I don't know lol, she has Laudna (and that has got to be at least a QPR, right?) and she seems very no nonsense and single minded about her goal right now, and she's very guarded.

Fearne: Beau is inevitably very charmed by her (because who wouldn't be) but perhaps would be too suspicious of her since Beau would be one of the first to catch her lying or stealing or fucking around. She may think it's fun eventually if they do it together (Chaos Crew 2.0 let's go!!!!) and I can see Beau being into the mysterious aspects of Fearne, although the lying + stealing + mystery may be too much for her to be trusted.

Would Fearne be into Beau? I think so? Would definitely flirt or be charming to get her way at some point. Fearne gives off that energy like she is into everyone and no one all at once lol

Laudna: I have no idea lmao, I've been trying to think about it for like 30 minutes but having a hard time reconciling it since both charas are Marisha lmao, but I think she'd probably be like "ohhhkay weirdo" OR "fuck yeah weirdo!" (or both) in general with regards to her, and she'd also think Laudna is very sweet tbh.

I think she may be too suspicious for her though. The fact that things don't reeeeally add up about her past and that she has voices in her head she talks to? (and you know, that she's literally dead) I can imagine Beau being cautious around her and being like "No one is worried that she's dead?? I'm sorry why are we all acting normal about this" and then she would want to solve the mystery ofc lmao

Laudna to Beau? Naaaaaah, Imogen is her Number 1

There ya go!

(Oh man now I want Jester to go party and have pastries with the witches)

[randoimago]

Hi There! Just stumbled across your page and I am loving your work keep it up ❤️. Could I please request head canons for the Critical Role ladies with a secret paladin S/O? Like they think their S/O seems like a normal fighter till they use lay on hands or divine smite. I played a character like this in my campaign and I would love to see how this scenario would play out.

S/O Being a Secret Paladin

FANDOM: Critical Role, Campaign 2

Character(s): Beauregard Lionett, Jester Lavorre, Veth Brenatto, Yasha Nydoorin

Type of Request: Headcanons

Word Count: 417

Note(s): I did this for the C2 Ladies so I hope that’s okay!

Beau

Beau thought something was a bit off cause she has met many fighters and you just felt a bit off from that. 

She didn’t want to mention anything in case you got uncomfortable or something. You’re her S/O and figured you’d tell her what’s up when you wanted to.

Does make comments about you having magic hands now. Always has a dumb grin on her face when she says that stuff too.

Honestly, you secretly being a paladin isn’t too huge to her. I mean there have been a lot worse secrets in the group so you being able to heal now is very helpful.

Jester

“You mean you could’ve healed this whole time?!” Will definitely tease you about your lack of healing and what kind of paladin doesn’t heal. 

Her learning you becoming a paladin will cause her to question your deity as well. 

I mean you’re cool but she will talk crap about your deity because they’re not as cool as The Traveler. 

Unless you also follow The Traveler then she’ll be even more “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?!”

Veth

“Hey Jester, we have another healer that’s not you!” Of course she’ll have a million questions as to why hide this but also using this new information to mess with Jester.

Might also make jokes about “Oh so you can heal?”. Like will jokingly scoff at you being a Paladin because no you’re not. You don’t heal. Oh your hands glow and your weapon does too when you smite? Yeah right.

Okay but does ask you lots of questions like why you were hiding this. Do you follow a god? Did you take an oath of celibacy?? 

“Wow Fjord, look at all these cool things that S/O can do! Isn’t it great how amazing and strong they are?” She’s throwing all the shade honestly.

Yasha

Definitely gives you an eyebrow raise at seeing you casting healing magic or watching you smite someone. 

Asks if this is some new powers or if you’ve always been able to do this. At hearing that this is something that you’ve always been able to do she’ll give you a nod. 

She’s not mad or anything that you hid these powers. You probably had some kind of reason behind it. And honestly this is a lot better of a secret than a lot of other ones. 

Also would make jokes about you having magic hands. But also makes jokes about how you’ll smite someone if they’re annoying.

[captainsspnanon]

C3E22 - reaction

Using Critrolestat’s liveblogged tweets to make sure I cover everything I wanted to, because I went to sleep pretty much right after watching the episode and need to remember.

First things first, I can’t tell if I am shipping Fearne/Orym or not.  Either I am shipping them, or I’m just desperate for Liam and Ashley interactions.  There was nowhere near enough Pike Vax conversations, nor Yasha Caleb.  So I’m jonesing hard for that pair to get more screentime together, PLEASE.  I love it so much!

Okay, into the episode proper.

Having Ashley back definitely cemented that only the PCs can really play the PCs.  Even when Matt does his best, it still never flows as well as the actual player.  Same with his bit of Dorian at the end of the episode, it just doesn’t work without Robbie.

Fearne’s exploration of Ashton’s head is so in character I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before.  There’s a lack of boundaries with her, but the staring and touching is so true to force.  I know Fearne/Ashton is starting to get popularity as a ship, and while I’m not shipping it, I can see it.  I’m glad that Ashley and Taliesin are getting the ability to have good interactions in C3, I know that having Molly die really put the breaks on their RP together, at least for closer PCs.

MEMRIEEESSSS!  I love how we got a lot more about Ashton this episode.  I’m glad that I’ve been enjoying them regardless, this new level, while it adds intrigue, doesn’t suddenly make me go ‘okay, now I’m interested’.  I’ve been interested after the first few episodes, and it just adds depth to their characterization. LOL at missing memories again though.  It doesn’t actually remind me of Molly and how his schtick worked, and I’m pleased with the separation between the two PCs for me now.  I know there was fanbase speculation on Ashton missing memories, and I still disagree with most of what I was seeing early game.  The missing memories seem to be just related to this one job, not some ongoing thing.

Controversial comment, but we are now four for four, so I just need to accept that Taliesin is not interested in roleplaying more vulnerable emotions.  Anger, lashing out, sarcasm, stunned silence, sure.  *shrugs*  I just need to get over my disappointment, and enjoy what Tal puts out for me to see, rather than want him to show more. This is where I’ve always held true – as much as it’s a show that we see live, I still want the players to be playing for themselves.  And if Tal doesn’t want to play those emotions, I need to not want to demand it from him.  He’ll say his PC is having a panic attack or a heart attack or whatever, and I need to just take it from there and not want further RP into it.

I’m really enjoying Jiana Hexum and I hope she keeps coming as a reoccurring NPC.  As proprietary as she was over FCG, she’s also shown that over Ashton while he was still in her debt, so it seems to be more her treating of people that she deems herself above.  I would love to see how the relationships with her would change or have impact on the story as the game progresses and the PCs grow.

Going with that thought, I’m glad to have real solid confirmation now that when FCG is being snarky, it’s not Sam doing it OOC.  This, more than anything, I think is helping me connect more with FCG as a PC.  When they were all just ‘smiley day’ therapy bot, it felt very shallow, and as much as knowing that Sam for sure had something planned, I just wasn’t connecting as well, and FCG was at the bottom of my favorites list.  Now that we’re seeing more of varied emotions and thoughts coming through, it’s lending more depth to the character and I’m excited to see where it goes, not just what the mechanical glitches would mean.

(BTW- I do like everyone from C3, so the favorites ranking is just how I’m vibing with them, no one is in a ‘dislike’ status!)

Okay, the fact that the ladies are thirsting hard after Eshteross is amazing and I don’t want it to stop, EVER.   ...that’s a crack ship I’d be down for, ngl.

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPP!!!!!!!!  I love how excited they always get over maps, it’s such genuine delight, but also WE NEED TO GO EVERYWHERE ON IT which I’m sure Matt truly appreciates.

Speaking of though, a big difference I’m seeing between C2 and C3 is where the PCs stories are taking place.  C2, every story was spread out across the continent, and while some would have overlap, the individual aspects still took place all over.  C3?  Everyone seems to be converging in the same areas.  Bassuras is Ashton and FCG and Eshteross plot, Aeshanadoor is Orym and Imogen and Chetney and is very close to Bassuras.  It’s giving the world still a bit of a sandbox feel like C2 was, but there’s much more obvious pointed signs saying ‘you want to go here’.  Plus, it’s keeping the group together, because it’s not just an offshoot trip for one person, it’s multiple people being impacted by one trip, so of course why wouldn’t the group go together?   I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it, I think because I like it and am a little disappointed at the same time?  I like it because it IS providing that structure to the campaign, and it’s keeping things moving more fast paced and tied together.  On the other hand, Marquet seems like a large continent.  And everything they need it all nicely grouped together?  I really enjoyed how much the C2 gang actually ended up traveling and going all over, but I’m wondering if the C3 gang is going to feel more like the C1 gang.  Traveling a bit, but here are your main hubs that you come back to all the time.  Way too early to judge now, so I’m still excited to see how it goes!

AIRSHIP!  Oh, I don’t know how I feel about this either!  On the one hand, yay they can easily get to their destinations that they want to go to!  On the other hand, boo, they can EASILY get to the destinations they want to go to, so we lose out a bit on the journey aspect.  You gave us a map full of sinkholes, but now you’re just gonna fly over it.  (I fully acknowledge that I’m speaking on this WAY too early.  This is one of the things you can’t even really judge til mid or late campaign.  For all I know, Matt’s planning on having the airship downed, or they have the airship for ONE trip there, but then need to go back and will need to go the long way.  Or if they DID go the long way, it wouldn’t be as played out as much.)

FINALLY they talk about Chetney attacking Orym.  The whole scene with Ajit was great and really added a lot of plot threads for Chetney to cling to, as well as a direction.  I fall in a weird boat with Chetney, especially while rewatching C2.  I adore Chet and he’s great, but oh man he’s no Fjord.  And bits where Fjord would learn where to go just hit better to me than with Chetney.  I don’t know, I do love Chet, but I can’t wait to start getting in depth stuff from him.  A lot of what we’ve seen with him is humorous, even when it leads into deeper backstory stuff (the Ultgar mention standoff).

*snerk*  Oh Ashton, you wanted to keep everyone using your buddy at the stalls rather than go into the Trove of Marwa, and then as soon as the group went there no one wanted to leave.  XD  I still wonder if this is going to have impact down the line or not.  Either way, Marwa’s amazing and I love everything about her.  Considering we have Gilmore shirts and Pumat Sol shirts, I wonder if Marwa is going to end up being the C3 storekeeper shirt.

Fearne and Chetney both taking a dip into Rogue.  I look forwards to seeing where this goes!

@suicidallyreckless

[lyricalporcupine]

Beauyasha week 2021 Day 3: Hold Me

Another ficlet to go with this one under the cut!

The Nein had been walking for hours through the dense jungle. It was humid and hot and just ugh. No one was happy and conversation had all but died between them.

And despite the lovely scenery around them, they hadn’t seen anything interesting and the greenery had slowly morphed into a blur of a background and it’s beauty ceased to be a topic of discussion.

Beau trudged next to Yasha, picking at her nails absently before sticking one in her mouth to chew on it.

“When is the last time you washed your hands,” Yasha asked, giving the monk a side eye grin.

Finger still shoved in her mouth, Beau’s eyes flicked up towards the canopy and squinted. She thought for a long moment before turning her gaze back to Yasha with a shrug.

Yasha shook  her head, an indulgent and soft smile on her lips.

They continued on for a while, Beau still chewing on her nails when suddenly she hissed in pain. Yasha turned towards the human, as did Jester.

“What’s wrong, Beau,” the tiefling asked, peering around Beau to look at her.

“Pulled the quick,” she grumbled. There was a small pool of blood welling up between Beau’s finger and her nail from where she had pulled the quick out. She stuck her bleeding finger back into her mouth and tasted copper.

“Are you all right,” Yasha asked, leaning closer to Beau.

Beau blushed but smiled and waved her hand. “Totally,” she said, pulling her finger from her mouth in order to speak. “It’ll be sore for a day and be real annoying but I’m fine.”

Jester’s face split into a conspiratory grin. “Are you sure, Beau,” she asked, her voice laced with fake concern. “You’re injured and bleeding! Maybe you need healing!”

Beau turned and gave her best friend a strange look. “Are you drunk,” she asked. “It’s fine?”

Jester gave her a look, her eyes dancing towards Yasha, who was still beside Beau and had a look of actual, genuine concern over Beau’s hand. It eventually clicked in her mind what Jester was trying to do.

“You know what,” Beau said, “I do feel faint.” She raised her hand and placed it against her forehead. “Oh, I’m so weak. Yasha! Hold me!” And here Beau tilted sideways, letting her feet slip out from under her.

Beau felt Yasha’s strong arms wrap around her, stopping her fall. She lifted Beau easily, cradling her close. Beau lowered her hand to her own chest, face flushing, as she looked towards Yasha who simply smiled at her.

“Save your strength,” Yasha teased. “Wouldn’t want you hurting yourself further out here.”

Beau felt her cheeks grow hotter as she smiled up the aasimar. “My hero,” she whispered, tilting her head to rest against Yasha’s broad shoulder.

Yasha chuffed and dipped her head at Beau. “My lady,” she said just as quietly.

Beau bit her lip, just barely containing the squealing giggle that threatened to escape her.

[missnewtuti]

Real talk 115 showed Beau is not only the smartest and most mature member of the M9 but also the most qualified to be a leader.

Beau:

The only one to ask “why” and “should we” instead of “could we” and “ooo shiny” at the clearly evil, damage inducing gem.

Also the only one to listen to the very clear and relevant “don’t let your hubris kill you while scavenging” warning

Wouldn’t let Yasha go hit the - again clearly evil and damage inducing upon touch - gem with her sword

Babysits the M9 during gem shenanigans and makes them stick to the 1 hour time limit

Only one to realize this situation is similar to Obann, who led them into a trap and completely came out with the upper hand, and decided they needed a better plan than “fuck it let’s fight it’ll be fine” this time

Even though she’s known as the group hot head, kept calm and rationale the whole ep (while others were flipping off an inanimate object)

Actively worked to deescalate the yeti situation

Now let’s look at the rest of the M9.

Jester: Sure she’s cute, but she went out of her way to get ppl murdered by a gem for funsies, right after members of the M9 advocated for the opposite (girl is Chaotic Neutral to the core and can only feel empathy for ppl standing in front of her, e.g. the yeti, but doesn’t fully grasp actions have consequences)

Caleb: Gets way to in the gem thing. Irrational and short sighted at the cave entrance. Also remember that time he and Fjord literally blindly made a blood pact with Deshilla’s altar with no concern of the consequence, so let’s not pretend his argument to Beau held any weight

Fjord: “Look a shiny object let me touch it regardless of consequences” part 100. Clearly out of depths in any situation he can’t talk himself out of. Negative WIS and it shows. No surprise this guy made a blood pact, like cmon he also helped break an evil leviathan 2/3 the way out before questioning it bc he got a cool sword.

Cad: no interest in being a leader, down to watch and occasionally weigh in. Not pro gem shenanigans but not gonna go against the group to try to stop them. Willing to watch the group make bad decisions. This is fine dot jpeg.

Yasha: also doesn’t want to be a leader just happy to be here. Also part of negative WIS club. Offered to touch the gem multiple times sending poor Beau into a gay panic. Cares about the safety of the rest of the M9 but not herself. Gets bonus points for recognizing Beau is smart and a good leader in her love letter.

Veth: down to blindly follow Caleb bc he’s the first one she met and was a hot hobo? “Look a shiny object let me touch it without consequences” part 102. Literally attuned to a CURSED dagger they got from an evil undead pirate lady who is cult member patient zero for an evil eye sea monster who gains followers by giving them fancy evil weapons.

In conclusion Beau is the hard partying friend that’s delighted the whole squad came out only to end up playing DD/mom friend by the end of the night