#and that she can go on to prove her skills as a queen (which seems to be what she's actually passionate about)

[wildflowercryptid]

barely 2 chapters into a semi-charming kind of life and i'm already screaming over the parallels i'm seeing between darling and apple, oh my god...

[blorbologist]

Re-watching Calamity (for ~research~) and this time around Patia has really stood out to me. Of course Cerrit and Laerryn and Zerxes are showstoppers, but I decided to pay more mind to the other three members of the Ring of Brass, and just... Patia Por'co, guys. Patia Por'co.

Patia's relationship to what she knows (and does not know) is, I think, the pure distillation of knowledge is power.

She carries all her knowledge, all of Avalir's knowledge, with her, levitating, all this power at her fingertips. I think that there's something to be said with her about how generational power and knowledge are so often intertwined - children of alumni having easier access to the same academic leg up as their parents, knowing who to know, having the ins and outs of how this works handy. I don't believe any of the other members of the Ring of Brass come from backgrounds like this, and if not it's fitting that the only one that does is the one most tied to knowledge. On top of being an elf to boot, something which must amplify the consolidation of resources throughout the years.

[Shunting the rest under the cut bc oops this got Long]

I think it's interesting, too, how Patia seems extremely adept at navigating the lies and half-truths of Avalir's politics, yet reserves honesty for her friends. If someone lesser than they knows what they shouldn't, she will take that power away from them. On my relisten, I'd forgotten that one of the memories the Ring of Brass analyzes tries to throw Patia under the bus, and how quickly she shows Nidas memories proving that she did as right by him as she could. And the reveal that she and Zerxes tried to bring back Evandrin, and upon the failure she removed the painful memory at his request.

(Mechanically, too; as a wizard, her knowledge literally is her power. That's the wizard thing, baby, and if Laerryn exemplifies a wizard whose INT is intellectual skill/problem-solving, then Patia is probably INT as memory. Streetsmart and booksmart besties. Also revealing herself to goad Dean Hollow into popping back in, only to immediately Sphere her and cause the bitch to get eaten by her own spell? Maybe that's a stretch of my 'knowledge is power' bit, but it's too fucking cool of a moment not to remind you of it.)

The first time she died, it was for knowledge. Touching the Tree of Names, and she never did let it go (would she, if she could have?). When she died - that first time - did she meet the Raven Queen?

Patia's direct tie to quite possibly the second-most knowledgeable being in the Exandrian mythos (behind Ioun, but I'd argue you know a lot to handle fate and death, on top of being a wizard in life) feels very deliberate to me. The Raven Queen, the mage who did what no other could (except Vecna a long-ass time later, and only for like a day or two), was at least a contemporary. Perhaps a teacher, or mentor, or admired idol. And now Patia can't even remember her name.

It's funny how much knowledge was actually taken from Patia, between that name and her parents'. Just as she removed knowledge from others. No matter how powerful you get, even with a protective ring, you are always at the mercy of your predecessors. What they chose to do with knowledge. And what Patia chooses to do, now.

In her last moment alone, she relates this knowledge to selfishness. Her grandfather's decision to make a city fly because he and others could. The Gau Drashari's decision to keep all information about the Tree of Names secret. While I disagree with her a bit, it really rounds out knowledge is power - because it's hoarded, it's made a tool for selfishness and control. And Patia acknowledges it likely always will be selfish, but for now at least she can break this cycle.

She breaks Avalir, the model of it her grandfather holds, and sends the Librarium with all the knowledge she carries to Maya.

(I'll note that Maya probably doesn't know what the orb is or does, so sending the model library is a great way to help get that message across, too, on top of the meaning of the moment.)

When it comes time to send all of Avalir's knowledge away, it's not some mage acquaintance from another city she sends it to. Hells - she doesn't even teleport herself out, with it, to ensure its protection and proper use. She sends it to a child, a teenager, the daughter of her friend. Someone with no power, who will have nothing but her family in the Calamity. I can't quite pin down why she choose Maya. Because a teenager is innocent, uncorrupted by power? Because she wanted to give the family of her friend leverage, knowledge to rebuild, a fighting chance?

There's so much Patia did not live to know. She points it out herself that she never found love, or became a parent, all for the sake of Avalir, for knowledge, for power. To maintain the legacy that preceded her. Excellent DMing on Brennan's part to take the quiet moment, as the sphere is sent to Maya, to then put Patia in the place of a child, one robbed of the knowledge of who her parents even were.

And yet. As she sends all she has ever known away, she still reaches for it. Almost wants it back. Almost.

Her story begins and ends with a wish: happy Replenishment, grandfather. And on that fateful day, in place of the stolen tithe she and Laerryn and Nidas have been shuffling around the city, she gives her life to save the world. and she gives away the knowledge to rebuild it.

And there's nothing else she needs to know.

IDK. I think we should talk about Patia more.

[cookies-and-music]

The Scam of a Lifetime.

Aleksander was tired.

Centuries of feigned deaths and new identities had worn him down.

Every day, upon waking, his mind chose a reason why existence was no longer bearable, and he spent the day brooding over it.

That day, it was about the King. Each time the king died, Aleksander had to gain the trust of the new one, prove his worth, and bow to people he could crush with a fingertip.

It had to end.

And it would end with her.

He approached her after the show. In centuries, Aleksander had seen many good actors, but none as skilled as the girl before him. Anya was young, around 16, with brown hair and light eyes. The only thing special about her was the uncanny resemblance to the Queen. It seemed that fate had spared him.

'Let's see if I understand, General Krignan.'

'Kirigan,' he corrected.

'Kirigan,' she echoed. 'Are you telling me that there existed a second daughter of the tsars, unknown to anyone, who disappeared right after birth, and the king is looking for her?'

'Correct.'

 'It seems crazy,' she crossed her arms, leaning on the back of the chair. 'But then, why is he looking for her, after all these years?'

'He is very ill,' Aleksander began.

'The tsar is dying?' the girl widened her eyes.

'Remember that everything we say is confidential, Miss Anya,' he said with a slight undertone of threat, and she nodded. 'The tsar claims that the disappearance of the second daughter is his greatest regret, and he cannot die peacefully until he finds her.'

She seemed to reflect on it for a while; Aleksander could see the gears in her brain turning. When she finished, she raised an eyebrow. 'So, I should go there, give him the farewell kiss, and then what?'

'Then you would retire to the quiet life you know and prefer, in a villa located in the countryside far from Os Alta, with more money than you can count, never worring about working ever again.'

Anya sensed it, the smell of bullshit. 'And what do you gain?'

'A peaceful passing for my beloved sovereign.'

The coldness with which he said it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand.

She took a second to think about it, but even if she knew he would gain something, Anya thought she didn't care much, as long as she came out of it alive. And rich. Terribly rich.

[][][]

During the carriage journey to Os Alta, Kirigan instructed Anya on everything she could say and, above all, what she shouldn't say. The lost princess Katarina had grown up in an orphanage on the border of Shu territory, never knowing who her parents were. When she was old enough to leave, she became a seamstress. They met in a shop where she worked and sold him gloves.

'But I don't know how to sew,' Anya had objected.

'You'll learn along the way,' Kirigan had replied without looking up from his lunch.

Anya had raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

Apart from that, the journey was mostly silent and terribly boring. The black carriage they traveled in had dark curtains that prevented them from seeing outside, making it difficult to distinguish morning from evening.

For three days, the General was her only company, as he had forbidden her to talk to anyone else to maintain secrecy.

Just beyond the gates of Os Alta, the terrible silence surrounding the carriage was broken by the chaos from outside. Intrigued by the commotion, Anya reached a hand toward the curtain and pulled it slightly.

Outside, an adoring crowd had gathered around the carriage. They threw flowers and shouted, 'Glory to the tsar, glory to Ravka.'

'I didn't know you were so loved, General,' Anya turned to Kirigan, who, with his dark and heavy clothes and long legs, seemed to take up all the space in front of her.

Kirigan moved a flap of the curtain with a finger.

'They're not cheering for me, Miss Anya.'

The girl looked confused, and he handed her a newspaper he had next to him.

'What am I supposed to do with this?' Anya waved it.

'Usually, people read newspapers, Miss Anya.'

She clenched her jaw, swallowing. 'The. P- Prin-cess. Princess.'

Aleksander furrowed his brow. 'Miss Anya... you can read, right?'

'Of course!' Anya seemed almost offended. 'I just don't like it that much.'

Aleksander almost laughed as he watched her straighten up and furrow her brows as if facing an indecipherable puzzle. 'The princess re-tu-returns ho-me.' Anya tossed the newspaper on the cushion beside her. 'I don't understand,' she sighed, looking at Kirigan.

‘They’re here for you, Princess Katarina.' He gave her a half-smile, and Anya's jaw dropped.

'I had never received applause before the performance.'

Aleksander almost laughed.

Around an hour later, the carriage stopped.

'Well, Miss Anya, the show is about to begin.' Aleksander opened a door and stepped out before reaching his hand inside to help Anya get down. As her eyes adjusted to the outside light, Aleksander took her arm and crossed it with his. For a moment, Anya was surprised by such chivalry until she realized that the proximity was necessary only to ensure that no one heard him when he whispered, 'And know that if you back out, no corner will be dark enough to hide you from me, Miss Anya.'

[sarnai4]

If Worlds Combined

For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge fan of Greek mythology. This comes in spurts sometimes and discovering Epic the Musical a few days ago absolutely reignited that. So, here comes my idea which is probably as weird as I think it is, but I can't get it out of my head now. Dragons characters in the world of Greek mythology. Please, ignore most of the relationships had for the Greek mythical characters unless otherwise specified since that would make this weird. (Spoilers for the series and movies later on, so beware)

Starting off with Dagur (because he's so fun to me), I would have him as Ares the god of war. Both are all about bloodlust and brutality, but they can be extremely protective too. Dagur has already started one and would have so much fun with the sheer excitement and chaos of constant wars. It doesn't even have to be him necessarily being good or bad since the wars can either be raged to stop tyrants or for the simple sake of him being bored. Plus, it ties to some later characters if we use some of the Greek lore.

Hiccup - Daedalus because Hiccup is always going to find a way to fly and if he needs wax wings to do it, by Thor, he'll do it. With Daedalus being such a skilled inventor, I see a lot of Hiccup in him.

Stoick - Zeus, since I really can't see Stoick ever not being in charge. He wouldn't do the assaulting that Zeus does, but he still could be hot-headed and the overall boss. Basically, I am thinking of the TV version of Stoick where he's stern, but he still is a lot nicer deep down.

Gobber - Hephaestus, since both are blacksmiths. I had to keep Gobber in this role and with him being one of the gods, he could still be buddies with Stoick.

Astrid - Athena, since both are warriors. She's basically the calmer side of Ares which is not too unlike Astrid and Dagur when it comes to their tempers/brutality. Athena also has that wise side that Astrid uses a lot with Hiccup when he needs advice.

Snotlout - Heracles, since both prioritize proving themselves to their dads and Snotlout's already done some extreme trials to become king, so I could see him doing more to be considered a hero. He also has some terrible luck like Heracles and is a genuinely good athlete.

Fishlegs - Apollo, since Apollo is actually really big on knowledge, art, and music. This would fit with Fishlegs wanting to have his spa area and just stay buried in books. Despite this, Apollo has a bit of a temper too like we've seen when Fishlegs stood up to Snotlout when he kept the dragon eggs from their mom back in the earlier seasons.

Ruffnut - Ate, I had no idea who this was at first, but she is a goddess of mischief. She even messed Zeus up with her antics. She's not actually bad or anything, but she just can't seem to stop doing and getting people to do rash things. Basically, both are just major pranksters.

Tuffnut - Dionysus, since both would be party animals. Like Ate, Dionysus is all about no impulse control. This way, Ruff and Tuff can still cause destruction everywhere they go.

Mala - Hippolyta, since they're both warrior queens who would do anything for their people. This is also why I need the relationships in the myths to just be thrown out the nearest window because there is no way she's going to be Dagur's daughter.

Throk - Achilles, since both are courageous warriors. I could also see Throk's Achilles's heel being Ruffnut so to speak, so they both would have some weakness that they cannot fully overcome.

Heather - Demeter, since they both can have a nurturing and bitter side. Demeter is known for being kind and almost motherly, but then she took away summer when her daughter was taken. Thinking about Heather's rage when her parents were killed, she would do that and worse.

Valka - Hera, since this would still let her be married to Stoick, but it also shows some of the problems they had. Considering how she never just flew close enough to Berk and said she escaped, rejoining her family, it can be comparable to how Hera gets furious with Zeus and probably doesn't really want to be married to him.

Atali - Artemis, since they both protect women in some way. Artemis does it literally whereas Atali does it with Razorwhips, but it could work still and both are warriors.

Minden - Atalanta, since they are warriors as well and Atalanta also is in gratitude to Artemis for saving her life when she was about to be killed as a baby. So, they could still be allies.

Spitelout - Patrocolus, another character I didn't know, but he was Achilles's first cousin who was sent to grow up with him after killing a kid when he was one himself. He doesn't know how to follow orders well. I could see Spitelout also just comparing himself and everyone else (Snotlout) to Achilles since he's such a great warrior.

Gothi - Panacea, since she's the goddess of healing. That's pretty much it, but I think it still could work.

Gustav - Icarus, because Gustav would hear "don't fly too close to the sun" and go straight for it.

Oswald - Jason of the Argonauts, since both have this love of sailing and exploring. Oswald would absolutely go look for a golden fleece and just spend the rest of his life on the sea since we STILL don't know why he actually left Berserker Island. I'll just say he heard about a fleece and went a-hunting.

Alvin - Poseidon, since this could let him still have a connection with Zeus/Stoick and both betray the latter. Like how Alvin is exiled, Poseidon got in trouble as well with the king of gods. They both have violent tempers and I could see Alvin sinking a city because he got a peeved. Also, Poseidon imprisoned Ares (who was just defending his daughter from Poseidon's horrible son by the way), so this works too if we keep some of the other lore.

Mildew - Geras, since this guy is somehow the god of old age. I'm not sure if this is more disrespectful to Mildew or fitting, but I still like it.

Johann - Hermes, since both are messengers in a way and Hermes is a protector of orators too. There's a bit of an untrustworthy side to Hermes in my opinion with him doing what suits him best and playing nice most of the time to fool people. Hermes also helped free Ares from Poseidon's prison, much like Johann did for Dagur by having his ship there.

Savage - Demaratus, since I actually think Savage is a bigger traitor than Johann. This guy has never stayed loyal to any side. At least Johann was semi working with Krogan. Savage turned on Alvin, the Hunters, and Dagur. Who better for him than another traitor? Demaratus was a co-regent of Sparta and still helped a Persian king take it over, wanting to become his advisor.

Ansson - Ascalabus, since this guy was so bold that he literally tried to bully a god. The fool mocked Athena for being thirsty and drinking a lot of water, then got turned into a lizard. Ansson wouldn't care either if she was a god or not.

Grimmel - Sisyphus, since this guy was a king who just liked killing people to show off his power. He thought that he could cheat death (entitled like Grimmel thinking he can just cause an extinction and that's okay). At the end of the day, the guy was cursed to spend the rest of his life pushing a boulder up a hill. Too good a fate for Grimmel, though.

Drago - Pelias, since he was a king who got the position after killing the rightful leader. It's like how Drago just decided to kill as many Vikings at the council meeting as humanly possible. Pelias even banished his own twin and half-brother afterwards. They're both power-hungry and care about nothing besides more bloodshed.

Krogan - Eurymedon, who is the king of the gigantes/giants. They're both leaders of fearsome groups and not to be trifled with.

Ryker - Charon, since he is a money collector and thought of as big and scary.

Viggo - Hades, since he is in charge of his domain (and Viggo would be that person to trick somebody into eating a pomegranate aril if it benefited him). Plus, this keeps him with Ryker as his flunky since Charon is the one who works for Hades. Despite Disney's portrayal (which I do love), Hades is normally less outwardly aggressive than the others. He's almost a suave god and this would be like Viggo even in all his villainy.

One day probably pretty far in the future since there are so many projects I'm working on, I'd like to write a story like this. I have no idea what I'll be doing, but I'm wiling to try it out and see if it can actually be something that isn't horrible and incomprehensible. Hope this was fun to read if you made it this far!

[cerastes]

I managed to get Specter Alter off of a free pull, and I was already trying to roll for her, so I'm feeling pretty blessed. Already having her normal form, I will eventually learn the secrets of pure shark success, As a whole, she's a fun character, and going straight from reading Under Tides to prep for it, into the current event, has been a fun time.

NICE yeah she's a really fun character. Not gonna lie, I was A Bit Apprehensive, A Bit Concerned about her taking center stage because HG has, let's put it kindly, mishandled Specter in the past. I was a Tad Nervous about them dropping the bucket, but it's one of those shituations in which I'm plenty glad to have been wrong, to me, at least, they hit a homerun with Specter in SN. Ladylike Violence Shitter that is nonetheless pretty nurturing and aware of others and their needs.

I love the similarities and contrasts she has with Gladiia, as well as their dynamic. Check out her OP Record if you haven't yet, but it's really, really heartwarming to see how Gladiia made it a point to teach her dancing and, in her words, "life skills" before teaching her the art of slaughter, it puts into perspective that Gladiia's always seen becoming Abyssal Hunters a means to an end, not the end itself, and that she had -- still has! -- every intention for Hunters to be able to return to normal lives after their duty is complete. Laurentina herself seems to have taken these lessons to heart, and in a way, it was her shield when confronting Amaia: Her reaction to being told "why, yes, your flowing blood is that of a Seaborn" was "didn't ask lolololol I'm still me and I still love fighting and making beautiful statues, now die one thousand deaths", unperturbed queen, staying in her lane queen, she literally can't do anything about it? Whatever, focus on what you can do and affect instead!

And also, for all the teasing she inflicts upon Skadi, she really is thankful to her. You can be a Violence Stacy AND a loving person, as Laurentina well proves. Her dynamic with Irene is also really refreshing, how many times can one get away with calling what is technically a Super Cop "my little adorable fragile bird, fruit of elegance and effort"? Infinite times if you're hot enough, apparently. Irene under CONSTANT attack by the most dangerous force in the oceans throughout the entire event, and the Seaborn also were there, I guess.

[virtuouswhitehatorganization]

Code Breaker (Villainous Oc)

Name: Ruth Czarny 

Ethnicity: Polish American

Residence: Cosmopolis

Love Interest: Miss Heed (one-sided)

Affiliations: Miss Heed; Anana Pina; Sisterhood Of UWU

Occupation: Hacker; It Help Desk

Relatives: Rodney Czarny (father); Rhonda Czarny (mother)

Headcannon Voice Actor: Kristen Wiig (English); Carla Castañeda (Spanish)

Abilities: Computer & Hacking Skills; Intelligence 

Age: Same Age As Illuminarrow 

Personality: She is a zealot of Miss Heed and will do anything to please her. She is very extreme and will dox, threaten, humiliate, and even send viruses at designated enemies of Heed. She has a very black and white view of evil which includes anyone who is against Miss Heed is evil. She is also very gullible because she will fall for anythign at proves Miss Heed is innocent even with evidence towards the contrary. She also is for brainwashing or forcing villains to be not evil if it means stopping crime. She also is very obsessive about her interaction with Heed with swooning when even she is mentioned and going gaga when she's in her presence. She is very delusional about one day being with her and is very competitive to have her affection. She will fight someone who seems to have Miss Heed's affection or badmouths her. She hates Flug with great fury and wants him dead after he kissed Miss Heed. She has a victim complex and tries to act like she's a persecuted person when people point out her bs. She is very rude towards anyone she deems not worthy of her interests  and only really respects Miss Heed, Anana, and a few other members of the Sisterhood. She's very cocky and brags about herself often to others. She also has a not like other girls mentality that makes people find her obnoxious. 

Background: She was a normal relative of Comsopolis who was a fan of Miss Heed and would do anything to collect her stuff, follow her progress, and even attack her haters. She would do anything to defend her by sending threats, doxing humliate,, and even viruses at those she deemed as villains for targeting her beloved idol. She even continued her work as she was hypnotized by her beloved's product. When the news of Flug kissing Miss Heed was broke she broke out but she then switched to thinking she was framed and tried to everything she can to prove her innocence. She was then tapped by Anana who offered her a member in the sisterhood to help Miss Heed which she accepted and would do anything to help so this wouldn't happen again to her queen. 

* Her parents check on her if since she's always been sporadic. 

* She has money problems due to spending on Heed stuff. 

* She will get into a fight with Demencia over Miss Heed. 

* She is a cosplayer and often attends conventions. 

* She writes fanfiction of herself and Miss Heed fighting crime and getting married. 

* She often wears pink to correspond with Miss Heed. 

* She is based on rapid fans of Vivziepop and Velma from Velma 2023. 

* She was hated in high school due to how unpleasant she was and mistroncues it as her being bullied. 

[neptoons1998]

TW: Light human trafficking.

A/N: I’m back! I really like this head cannon very fluffy and I’m glad that other people are enjoying it.

Tag gang 🤘🏿: @mal-urameshi @somethingcleaverandwhitty @pantherheart @xblackreader

When Okoye was pregnant, Aneka made sure the woman would take her vitamins and help Okoye pick out baby names.

When toddler! Riri would stay at Aneka and Ayo’s house. She would cry when her mom would pick her up.

Riri(Hiccups): I-I don’t want to go! I want to stay with you.

Ayo: But you have to, your mama misses you.

Aneka(tearing up): So? She can make another one. We should keep small Riri.

Okoye (glares at Aneka): Really?

Riri would hate getting her hair done. She would walk real slow as she sat in between Okoye’s leg.

She’s not tender head, but she hates sitting still.

Okoye worries over Riri when she first started school. Riri was fine, she tend to be by herself, which cause Okoye to be concerned.

When Riri goes to school she wasn’t bullied but just left out in games and other activities with other children. She had more fun deconstructing old hoverboards and circuit boards.

Queen Ramonda: She could have a playdate with Shuri!

Okoye: Really? Are you sure?

Queen Ramonda: Yeah it will kill two birds with one stone. Shuri needs to talk to other people her own age, instead of bossing her lab assistants around.

Okoye: If you say so, my queen.

Okoye would hate doing going away missions, she felt like she rarely sees her daughter. She wasn’t there when Riri said her first word and first walk, which devastated Okoye.

Okoye worried that her child’s social skills and not being able to make friends. Was discussing her woes with the Queen when the pair was doing the queen’s daily stroll.

When Okoye and Ayo were on a mission in France. There was a rumor that the government found Vibranium, but instead, the pair found missing young girls and their captors. After the fight, the women made sure the missing girls are safe and found.

During the flight home was carrying/holding Riri. Riri would whine that she was a big girl and that she could walk. Okoye quietly promised herself she would keep her daughter safe by any means.

Flash forward to when Riri gains permission from the king and queen to go to school outside of Wakanda.

This was the first real fight that the mother and daughter had.

Riri: Why not?

Okoye: Because I said so. That should be enough.

Riri: I’m not one of your trainees, mama.

Okoye: You’re right. My trainees wouldn’t question the order I gave them.

Riri: Please just say that you’re mad that I can’t join.

Okoye: That’s not an issue. Riri: What’s the problem? I got accepted to one of the prestigious in the world. You’re mad at me.

Okoye: I’m not mad. Just disappointed that instead of talking about this with me. You decided to gain witness and permission with the royals to go outside of Wakanda.

Riri: Because you would have said no. Plus this would be a great way to help people.

Okoye: Well that’s the answer now. And help people? You can help here. Who put this idea in you’re head, Nakia?

Riri: Please mama. You make it seem like I’m so naive, just let me go and I can prove it to you.

Okoye (Thinks about the many human trafficking she witness in her years): You’re not leaving! That’s final.

Riri: Okay.

Riri attempted to run away at night but Okoye caught her before she made it out of the Rhino farm.

[sjsmith56]

Magic Moment - Chapter 11, Lord Buchanan

Summary: Arriving at the palace in the Kingdom of the Green Lands, Lord and Lady Buchanan are shown their quarters, where they indulge themselves until dressing for dinner. King Thorn presents Dr. Jane Foster to them, describing how she literally appeared in front of him. Ileana, then Queen Peg, and Lady Stark counsel her, revealing their own origins.

Length: 3.2K

Characters: Lord and Lady Buchanan, King Steven and Queen Peg, Lord and Lady Stark, King Thorn, Dr. Jane Foster.

Warnings: Minors DNI - contains sexual content which may be unsuitable for readers under the age of 18. Some discussion of roles of women in this society.

Author’s notes: Pretty straightforward. Jane’s presence will become more important as her scientific knowledge will help uncover some mysteries about this particular world.

<<Chapter 10

🏰 🌳

Tom Cooper proved to be good at his tasks as he organized Lady Natasha's dresser to be ready in an hour to accompany the Lady Natasha to King Thorn's castle.  Once she was away he rode back to the castle and sought out Lady Yelena, advising her of her sister's wishes.  Yelena packed her sister's battle gear and entrusted it to the young man.  As he spoke to her his own sister appeared and they reunited briefly before he returned to the tent to await the lady and accompany her to his Lord.

As Lady Natasha's preparations were being made so were those of Lord Buchanan and the Lady Ileana.  It was his intention to ride to his lands immediately after the coronation but he asked Ileana to stay at the castle until he was sure his lands were safe.  She complied after a lively discussion with Buchanan when she realized that he was not willing to be flexible where her safety was concerned.   On the journey to King Thorn's castle Lord Buchanan rode beside his wife.

"Your riding skills have improved greatly in the past week," he said.  "I have a fine horse in mind for you once it is safe to return to my lands."

"It is part of my training, my Lord," she replied.  "As long as it is a horse that can be ridden into battle I will be satisfied."

"Surely you don't plan to stay in the Queen's Guard forever?" he asked. 

"I told you of my intentions before we consummated our marriage," she said with feeling.  "You agreed then.  Are you withdrawing your agreement now that we are fully married?  Is that the kind of man you are?"

"No," he said after a few moments.  "Perhaps I was testing your resolve as well as my own.  You are much changed from the maiden I rescued when you first arrived.   It still takes some getting used to but you still have my heart and my support, fair lady."

Ileana put her hand out to her husband and he took it briefly as Magnus moved closer to her smaller horse.   The ride to King Thorn's castle took several hours but was uneventful.  When they arrived the atmosphere was filled with pageantry as banners and flags flew everywhere.  Grooms appeared out of nowhere to handle the horses and once Buchanan dismounted he offered her his arms to dismount her horse.  She accepted it, wanting to feel his arms around her again which didn't go unnoticed by him as he held her in his arms for a few moments.

"My lady, I think you wish a repeat of our earlier tryst," he said in a low voice.  "I must admit to wishing for it myself."

He lowered her to the ground and offered his arm as they entered the reception hall of King Thorn.  It was a truly beautiful castle, reminding Ileana of something out of a movie.  The hall was high ceilinged with great columns of stone in front of massive windows.  Below the ceiling were great chandeliers that seemed to float in the air.  Buchanan watched her reaction to the palace.

"King Thorn comes from a line with magic in their blood," he explained.  "Their lands are rich with precious metals but they have found a way to extract them without damaging their forests.  It's why this kingdom is known as the Kingdom of the Green Lands."

"No wonder his brother wanted it for himself," she commented.  "It is magnificent."

At the end of the reception hall King Thorn was greeting each Lord and Lady in person, thanking them for their help in securing his throne.  When Buchanan presented himself, Thorn embraced him affectionately then turned his attention to Ileana.

"Lady Buchanan," he said.  "The description that was given of you was inadequate.  The women from your world truly carry themselves differently than those born here.  You are a vision of great beauty, combined with intelligence and understanding.  I am envious of Buchanan for securing your heart before I had a chance to compete for it."

"Perhaps a fair lady from my world will appear in your kingdom and be meant for you, your Majesty," said Ileana, curtsying gracefully.  "I believe magic brought me here.  My Lord has said you are descended from magic.  Perhaps that can secure you your queen."

"I will take comfort in your words," said the King.   "Please, both of you, join me in my private dining hall for a more intimate meal later with our friends."

Ileana curtsied again and Buchanan bowed.  They walked through the great hall to a large doorway that led to a garden centred with an ancient tree.  Its trunk was twisted and gnarled but the canopy of leaves it produced were as green as any other tree.

"It's said this tree was planted over a thousand years ago by the ancestor of the King," said Buchanan, "As long as it stands and bears green leaves so shall the kingdom stand."

They sat on a bench and gazed at the magnificence of the ancient tree until a servant appeared to lead them to their quarters.  They went up a great staircase to the second level of the palace and were shown into a large room with a large bed set against the far wall.  The windows were open to the garden with the ancient tree but were covered by gauzy linens to give them privacy from anyone viewing from the other side.  Two doors led to their dressing areas, each with hot running water and a large bath. 

"This kingdom has always been more advanced than our own," said Buchanan.  "They have used magic to create much of the magnificence you see.  It will be several hours until we join the King in his private dining hall.  Would you lay with me for a time?"

Ileana took off her riding cloak and sat in a chair to remove her boots.  Buchanan kneeled before her and removed them for her.  He massaged her feet and removed her stockings before leaning in and kissing her tenderly.  His hands found their way inside her riding skirt and Ileana gasped slightly when he touched her undergarment.  In response she lifted his riding jacket off and undid the buttons of his vest, pulling it off his shoulders and letting it drop to the floor.  He pulled his riding shirt off, exposing his well muscled torso, then lifted her out of the chair and placed her on the bed where she fumbled trying to undo her own jacket and corset.  Smiling he leaned over her.

"Let me, my Ileana," he whispered.

She allowed him to undress her which he did sensuously, stopping to kiss and caress her as he removed every piece of clothing she wore.  Only then did he remove his boots and breeches and lay on top of her, their legs intertwined as they felt the pleasures from the touching of their skin.   When she opened herself to his entry he slipped in fully, filling her with passion.  She kissed him fiercely and wrapped her arms and legs around her husband pulling him deeper into her as if they could merge their bodies into one.  He responded in kind, mouthing her neck and breasts as he continued pressing his manhood into her.  When he felt her body tense just prior to her release he kissed her forcefully then watched the ecstasy play itself over her face and being before allowing himself to join her in bliss.  Both were glistening from the exertion of their bodies but neither cared as they hungrily kissed and caressed the other. 

"James, what was that?" asked Ileana.  "Never has sex been so intense for me."

"Truly I don't know what came over us," he said softly, as he continued kissing her.  "Perhaps it is the magic in this place.  I felt as one with you from the moment I joined with your body.  Ileana, I love you with all that is in me."

He pulled a cover over them and they continued to enjoy the remnants of the intense joining they had just experienced.  So involved were they with each other that they didn't notice the doors to their dressing areas open to signal their baths were ready.  Alice and Gerard looked at each other from the opposite doorways wondering if they dared to intrude on the couple.  Hesitantly Gerard cleared his throat.

"M'Lord," he said clearly.  "Your baths have been drawn and your clothes for the private dinner with King Thorn have been laid out.  Alice and I await you and M'Lady's indulgence."

Buchanan lifted his head finally noticing the change in the sun's shadow indicating the passage of time. 

"Thank you, Gerard," he said.  "Bring me my dressing gown and I will leave first.  Alice may attend my Lady after."

Gerard brought out a dressing gown for Buchanan and returned to the dressing area.  Kissing Ileana lovingly once more he covered himself and retired to his dressing area.  Alice brought out Ileana's dressing gown.

"I'm sorry we interrupted, M'Lady," she said.  "You were both wrapped up in the enchantment after your coupling.  Truly your marriage is blessed to have such harmony in the bedroom."

"We were definitely wrapped up in each other," replied Ileana.  "I was in another relationship before I was brought to this world.  Never did I experience with him what I have experienced with Lord Buchanan." 

She covered herself with her dressing gown and followed Alice to the dressing area.  Alice bound her hair up in a covering before assisting her into the stone bathtub.  The water was as warm as that in a hot tub and it warmed Ileana thoroughly within minutes.  She noticed the tub had fixtures.

"They have plumbing here," she said.  "The Queen has told me that she and the King are looking to bring plumbing into their palace.  It makes it so much easier to be clean."

"All I had to do was turn the handle," said Alice.  "No hauling of water in buckets.  It was a pleasure to draw this bath for you."

Alice poured in some essence of wildflowers and Ileana washed herself in the scented water.  Upon its completion she once again allowed Alice to dress her, wearing the blue dress.  Her hair was twisted to lay to one side and adorned with small flowers.  When she stepped out of her dressing area Buchanan awaited her in his black breeches, silk shirt and vest, covered by a navy blue and black brocade jacket.  He smiled at her arrival and offered his arm, escorting her out of the room and down the great staircase to where a servant led them to the King's private dining hall.  Already there were King Thorn and a young woman dressed in plain but rich clothes who looked totally out of place.

"Good, you're here," said King Thorn.  "Lord and Lady Buchanan may I present Dr. Jane Foster.  She suddenly appeared not one hour ago and is from another world like yourself Lady Buchanan, but apparently not your world."

Ileana looked at the dark haired woman and approached her.  "Hi, I'm Ileana," she said.  "I come from a future timeline where I'm American, from New Orleans and I'm a website designer.   Tell me about yourself."

"You heard my name," said Jane.  "I'm a doctor of astrophysics, I've worked with SHIELD and the Avengers.  He keeps calling himself Thorn but in my world he is Thor, God of Thunder and we were a couple, until we weren't.   He was an Avenger."

Ileana shook her head.  "I don't know what SHIELD and the Avengers are," she explained.  "They're not a part of my world.  In this world King Thorn is King of the Green Lands.  In fact his coronation is tomorrow.  There are several modern women who have found themselves in this world.  It's overwhelming at first but we adapt.  I fell in love with my husband and made the decision to stay.  Queen Peg is from a modern world as well."

"I can't stay here," said Jane.  "He's too much like Thor and I don't know if I can bear it.  Plus, my work...I have to get back to my work."

"Your Majesty," said Ileana, "is the Sorceress nearby?  She needs to meet Dr. Foster and determine if her future is set."

"I have sent for her," he said, looking anxiously at Jane.  "Dr. Foster, please don't be distressed.  You are safe here, I promise."

"One thing I have found is that if a man of King Thorn's calibre promises your safety they will follow through on it," said Ileana.  "They are men of honour and will uphold your honour as well.  Relax, you are with friends, even if our home worlds are different."

Jane smiled and placed her hand on Ileana's.  "Thank you," she said.  "That helps.  King Thorn doesn't have a brother named Loki, does he?"

"No, his brother's name was Loke," said Ileana, then added in a low voice.  "He was forced to kill his brother after he attempted to seize the kingdom.  My husband, and our king, with many others supported Thorn in regaining control."

"That is just bizarre," said Jane.  "What can you tell me about the technology?"

"This timeline is a weird mixture of medieval and renaissance with magic thrown in as well," replied Ileana.  "They fight mostly with swords, and bow and arrows but Queen Peg designed a pistol that became used in the conflict.  Travel is by horseback.  They are aware of future timelines and the technology they have, like television and the internet, although they don't really understand it.  Queen Peg has a theory that women like us are being dropped here to change this world, modernize it."

Thorn and Buchanan watched the two women talk.  "Buck, she literally dropped in front of me," said Thorn.  "I knew from her clothing she was a future woman but she recognized me, except she called me Thor.  I suspect we were close in her timeline.  She is beautiful."

"Perhaps you have found your queen," replied Buchanan.  "Respect her space and get used to seeing her in breeches if she decides to stay."

King Steven and Queen Peg were the next to arrive along with Lady Falcon.  King Thorn apprised them of the situation and both Peg and Natasha went to the other women.  Ileana introduced them.  Although Natasha was native born she had learned much from her association with Queen Peg and she also brought up Peg's theory. 

"If you are here to bring change to my world I would beg you to stay," she said.  "Before the Queen I was destined to be married off to some fat old Lord who would treat me as his property.  But now I am one of the best warriors in the land and I chose my own husband, Lord Falcon."

"Natasha?" questioned Jane.  "Falcon is Sam Wilson?  Is that your husband's name?  Lord Buchanan, is his name James Barnes?  And King Steven...is his name Steve Rogers?  They are all Avengers in my timeline, as is Natasha."

The other three women looked astounded at her then looked at the other three men.  "That is too much to be a coincidence," said Peg.  "I wish the Sorceress were here.  She can see into other timelines and can interpret this, although even her knowledge has been unsure.  Ileana was supposed to go back but she had a seizure and it changed her future here."

Lord and Lady Stark were announced and Jane stood up.  "Oh my God," she said.  "That's Tony and Pepper Stark!  What the hell is going on?"

"Well, my name is Piper, not Pepper," said Lady Stark, "and my husband is Anthony.  You're from a future world?"

"As am I, and Lady Buchanan," said Queen Peg.  "Are you from a future world?"

Lady Stark looked at her husband and he raised his eyebrows then nodded.  "Yes, but only my husband knew," she said.  "I was CEO of a technology company when my corporate jet suffered a sudden decompression.  I woke up in this world with Lord Stark looking anxiously over me in his stables.   He was going to call the Sorceress but I begged him to keep my presence secret.  Seeing the times I was in I didn't want to risk being seen as something evil.  Looks like I needn't have worried."

"How long have you been here?" asked Ileana.

"About five years," replied Lady Stark.  "When I heard the Queen had designed a pistol and had kicked out the bishop I realized you were also from a future world.  Lady Buchanan, we have never met, but I heard you joined the Queen's Guard.  You're from a future world?"

Ileana nodded and Lady Stark looked back at her husband.  "You may be right," she said.  "Your world is on the cusp of a great change and I think we're the catalysts."

"I've been thinking this for some time, your Majesties, Lord Buchanan," said Lord Stark.  "Ever since we defeated the mad Titan so many changes have come upon our world, all centred around women from future times being trapped here.  Some were able to leave but many others have stayed and adapted to our world but have wrought subtle and not so subtle changes."

Lady Stark smiled.  "He had a lightbulb moment," she said to the amusement of the other women, except Lady Falcon.  "He's a very smart man.  You wouldn't believe the lab he has created in the castle.  It's like living with Leonardo da Vinci sometimes."

"There's a reason for all of this," said Jane.  "As a scientist I'm intrigued enough to stay and try to figure it out.  King Thorn, I will stay as your guest."

"You do me great honour," said Thorn, bowing low to her.  "Come, let us dine and we can discuss these new developments together, as friends and allies."

He offered his arm to Jane.  King Steven offered his arm to his queen, Buchanan offered his to both Ileana and Natasha, and Lord and Lady Stark came last.  Through the next door opening was the private dining room of King Thorn.  Like most of the other rooms in his palace it had large windows that looked out on the great tree at the centre of his interior garden.  The lights were suspended by magic and cast a golden glow over everything.  As the evening went on Jane Foster found herself enjoying the company of all of them but especially King Thorn.  He was so much like her Thor but he was different as well.  He still had a commanding presence but his intellect was keen and he had interests in music and literature.  Unlike Thor and Loki, Thorn and Loke were blood brothers, fathered by the same man but with different mothers as Thorn's mother died in childbirth.  His brother's betrayal and death still weighed heavily upon his mind.  By the end of the evening Jane found herself liking the man very much.  From across the table Peg, Ileana and Piper watched the couple and knew the magic of this world was influencing her just as it had influenced them.  Ultimately she would have to make a decision to stay or go back.

Chapter 12>>

Series Masterlist

Please like, comment or reblog if you liked this chapter.

[idealisticrealism]

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New trailer! Which means new details for me to obsess over lol, so get ready

First, there's a shot at the airplane hangar with a bunch of masked dudes in vans shooting the place up-- so looks like Thony's plan to bring meds from The Philippines (and to bring Fi back) will run into a big roadblock there. Probably a rival cartel (likely Sin Cara?) trying to prevent her bringing drugs onto their turf. But ugh also it looks like Arman's caddy is there????? Thony is there in her girlboss outfit when the shooting happens, so I'm guessing she was the one who drove the caddy there to keep up her appearance as the badass crime lady from 2x12 (which means she would have had to go to Arman and Nadia's house to ask Nadia for it probably?). But oh god I don't think I could take it if the caddy got destroyed... please writers, show some mercy!

In one clip we see Thony sitting on the floor in Luca's room crying with a bottle of alcohol beside her, and she's looking at her phone- the trailer makes it look like she's talking to Fi about the price on her head, and she probably is, but what if it's a sneaky cut of a different phone conversation, and in that scene she's actually talking to someone about Arman??? ughhhh help me

Thony goes to someone to get in touch with the cartel, and then we see her basically offering her services to Jorge's sister Ramona (which makes sense; she has a skillset that she already knows is valuable to criminal organisations and which has saved her life before. Why wouldn't she try offering it again?), and then Ramona says that they will protect her family. So either Jorge and Ramona are part of a rival cartel from Sin Cara and are protecting her from them in exchange for her special cleaning lady skills, or they are Sin Cara (whether Thony knows it or not) and choose to use her rather than kill her, because doing so both eliminates the threat that her drug smuggling posed to their business, and also allows them to repeatedly punish her for it until they eventually do decide to kill her.

The glimpses of Jorge picking her up to go clean up a body in some kind of warehouse are clearly meant as parallels with those kind of moments she had with Arman, but I'm really hoping that the writers will flip the expectations there, and instead of having the same kind of partnership that formed between her and Arman happen again with Jorge, they write it to be much more antagonistic and captor/captive. After all, Arman had to put her in those tough situations because it was the only way he could prove her worth to Hayak and keep her safe; whereas Jorge very much seems to be the man in charge, which means he is putting her through all of that just because he can.

Anyways this 'new chapter' they keep pushing better be Thony's mob queen era and not her new romance arc that's all I'm saying lol

( @igetthebag @prhiswife @psharlovee you guys got any thoughts lol?)

[missingn000]

I love chapter 42 so much!✨️✨️✨️

It's so nice to see Suguru and Yuuji bonding even though the reason for it is so tragic... like, I am glad Suguru finally sees Yuuji as a person and that Yuuji can feel safe around someone, but I wish the reason wasn't Sukuna ruining everyone's lives because he's a drama queen.

Nobara getting ready to attack Sugur in Higurama's name is so sweet of her. Like, you really captured the essence of her character in that one scene!💖

Well, they're finally putting together the pieces of the puzzle and it doesn't look nice at all... At least now they're all kind of on the same page about Mahito, Hajime and Kenjaku.

Toji is right about blaming Sukuna. Like, I understand why Yuuji feels guilty (he is a precious bean and also 10), but I hope his family can convince him that getting possessed by an asshole doesn't mean you're guilty for his actions.

The conversation between Nanami and Sukuna was so interesting! I love how Sukuna overshares and monologues, I am certain spending however many years he spent all by himself did not help his social skills. Like, he is dropping so many hints about his tragic backstory: the psychological torture comments, the whole "sucks to be the strongest", the no longer having a soul, there is nothing good in this world anymore, the Yuu-Ji thing as well. Once I finish my final exam I will try to put together a theory because all I can do right now is rotate everything in my mind.

Sukuna's opinion on humanity is very interesting. I like how you gave him complex thoughts on human nature and a philosophy of his own. It's really great how you gave both him and Kenjaku ideologies that tie into the themes of the story instead of the classic "I am evil, always have been, always will be". Like, even though Kenjaku is irredeemable at least he is motivated by something. And if Sukuna is going to get forcefully added to the found family he needs some toxic beliefs to let go of.

Yuuji and Megumi make me so sad, but at least the bullying Sukuna club is there to make it better.

✨️Sukuna got called a weird individual!✨️

✨️Sukuna learned how to pronounce Yuuji's name!✨️

"There's nothing good left in the world!" This is Uraume slander. Like, I can't believe Sukuna is saying this while his bestie is still out there... smh. Uraume was there by his side during his entire flop era and this is how he repays them? I get that he needs to drop hints about his tragic backstory in the most dramatic fashion, but he could be more considerate.😔

Satoru and Suguru will finally talk!✨️✨️✨️Took them long enough.

Yuuji called Nanami his papa, told Shoko she is his mother!✨️ (I am so glad he disowned Kenjaku✨️✨️✨️)

Nanashoko is the only couple that has rights smh... I am glad they got together and proved that talking to each other like normal people has benefits. Good for them!🎉💖🎉

Nanami's second conversation with Sukuna was also interesting... Sukuna really says a lot of concerning stuff out of nowhere that makes zero sense without context and he seems less than willing to provide context. The one policy that he's no longer interested in is such and interesting thing and I am glad Nanami doesn't let him avoid the subject. Like, he managed to back the King of Curses into a corner! Good for him!

Also, congratulations on graduating!✨️

✨️💖✨️

i'm glad you enjoyed chapter 42!! yeah getou and yuuji bonding was sooo sweet, even if the origin of their cute dynamic was getou beating the shit out of the demon in yuuji's body, which was technically still yuuji himself. ouch. well at least getou made some serious progress seeing him as a person rather than, well, yknow

WAHH NOBARA AND HIGURUMA...they're making progress too, even if they're less open about it.

yeah, you could really see the puzzle pieces fitting together in that first scene huh? the poor fam realizing with mounting horror that this has all been planned for years...at least they figured out it isn't really getou's fault, and now they, for the most part, know who they're up against. though they definitely do not see who "yuuji's mother" is coming. toji's so right, sukuna's at fault here too

BRO THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN NANAMI AND SUKUNA WAS SO FUN TO WRITE. plus it was really fun to explore sukuna's potential thoughts on humanity in a compelling way since we know so little about his canon psyche. he deserves a philosophy of his own and weird, offputting takes on human nature!! plus i personally think evil because it's fun isnt quite as intriguing as evil because it's satisfying

regarding uraume...stay tuned, because THAT is gonna be crazy. i promise he didn't forget about them. he couldn't even if he tried. i'll leave it at that for now

PLEASE nanashoko rights!! stsg get your shit together, these two are outdoing you at communication and theyve been together for a few hours. nanami rlly managed to back sukuna into a corner RIGHT after that. this dude gets it.

tysm for reading <333

[justalittlegoblin]

🗒️📝❕

oh boy oh boy ok ty bud <3 <3 <3

📄What’s a WIP you never finished that you would like to go back and revisit?

The one I think of when I think of my WIPs is from Haikyuu!!, which is a VOLLEYBALL ANIME I had no business falling in love with but certainly did (*looks at my 94 published fics*). Sports animes are big on drawing blatant narrative foils. The mc Hinata and his rival/bestie/boyfriend Kageyama are light and dark, gregarious and awkward, intuition and skill, but both share one brain cell and have literally said to each other, "As long as you're with me, you're the greatest." ANYWAY....

The funky thing about going on the fic journey with a sports anime is eventually you'll arrive at an AU that's just character themes and nothing else? This WIP is peak achy/sad, where H is summer/growth and K is winter/death, and they are eternal, but have very little time they can spend with one another bc they are opposites at their core. K must carry sleeping chestnut seed!Hinata in a pouch against his heart as he blankets the world in snow, and has to plant him in a sacred grove and move on in the hopes that the seed will grow and warmth will come again. It's a very pandemic winter trying-to-preserve-hope-in-the-dark-months vibe.

📝Share a snippet of an unposted WIP, with or without context.

Dorian was lucky that only his lyre was broken – and not his hand – from a close call just moments before. His armor and travel gear clung to him in a sweaty film as he raced after Opal, Dariax, and Orym, with Fearne right on his heels.

“Remember that time I said breaking into a scary-evil-awful-glowing tower was probably a bad idea?” he yelped, narrowly dodging a sconce that ripped at his sleeve like a clawed beast as they advanced down the steadily contracting hallway. He yanked Fearne after him, the both of them escaping for the moment with shallow scrapes. Orym glanced over his shoulder at them, and the red-orange of flames reflecting in his wide eyes proved the trigger downstairs was far from exhausted.

Dorian didn’t have more time to stare, because the stone floor erupted under them in a tremendous wave, like it was made of storm-roughened waters, or billowing fabric, instead of solid rock. 

“Since when do we make smart decisions,” Orym grunted, darting up the side of the wall for a breathless moment to dodge flying shrapnel.

“That Orroyen lady said, ‘the wizard has answers,’” Opal hissed, sliding down the hall on her heeled boots as the walls warped and squeezed threateningly. 

“She didn’t mention if he had hospitality!” Dariax said in that way he had, which – despite everything – had the lot of them wheezing with disbelieving laughter as they sprinted deeper along the twisting corridors. 

Dorian loved these idiots. He felt awful, completely flattened and horrible and dirty and exhausted, but life was nothing if not exciting with them, every single sweaty day.

“Queen bitch, you plan on helping us anytime soon?!” screamed Opal, glaring upward.

Whatever the response was, all the rest of them could hear was the creeping sound of crawling insects, and then the hallway straightened out in a snap, revealing a tall, narrow, turquoise door that had seemed eons away just moments before.

“Check for traps, Dari – okay.” Orym reached out, but Dorian caught him by the armor and pulled him back, nearly slamming him into his and Fearne’s legs where they were plastered against the wall. 

Dariax narrowly avoided the dart that ejected from a hole in the wall, when he finally unlocked the door.

[sxmmander]

These Violent Acts CH 10 - House of the Dragon fic

THESE VIOLENT ACTS CHAPTER 10 |  THE GREAT STAG

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They would bow. She would make them bow.

Naenya watched the storms ravage against the glass panes of the castle. Such storms only left the strong standing, taking everything weak into its grasp and tearing it apart. The castle of House Baratheon was indeed a strong thing.

As Naenya stared deeper into the storm, she was reminded that she was also a strong thing. Despite the storms' darkness masking the abyss-coloured scales, Naenya could spot her dragon from anywhere. The wild green eyes bore into her from a nearby rock cliff, which was being washed by the rainfall. Such intense storms seemed to pull Cannibal's more protective nature out of him. Even within the eye of the storm, Naenya held power none of the weather-hardened Baratheons could ever dream of.

"Princess Enya,"

Naenya broke her stare with Cannibal, turning to see Elden Baratheon standing before her. The smell of the feast still lingered on him, though another smell wrapped around Elden and reached towards her. The scent was warm and earthly, with a distinct hint of dew. He almost reminded her of early spring at Dragonstone. The familiar scent wrapped around such an unfamiliar man left her stomach turning.

"Lord Elden," Naenya greeted.

Turning her gaze back to the window, Cannibal's eyes were nowhere to be seen.

"I had assumed you'd gone to bed," Elden spoke, watching Naenya with his signature stupid grin, "That's what you told Lord Baratheon, at least,"

"I did, didn't I?" Naenya hummed, taking a second to pause before shrugging her shoulders.

Elden let out a short chuckle, shoving his hands into his dress pants as he walked up to her, "I can show you around our great Storms End if you like. Or you can return to the feast?"

Elden's eyes raked over Naenya's face, searching for the reaction he was trying to pull out of her. Naenya had spent months practising the skills that made a good Queen. She had slowly developed the skills required to come off as calm and collected, the talent of reducing one's expressions to a hardly noticeable twitch of the eyebrow or slight clench of a fist. The ability to appear unreadable to others was something Naenya had little skill in prior to her departure from Kings Landing. Now, about a year in, Naenya was certain the mixture of irritation and vexation was unnoticeable to those that did not know intently know her.

"I would love a tour," Naenya finally said, brushing down her uncrinkled dress, "I shall fetch Ser Loren,"

"I will accompany you to him," Elden said, his voice a husky drawl as he took purposefully slow steps after her, "After all, you had such a hard time at Caterly Rock. We don't want you to have a similar experience,"

Naenya contained her bristles, keeping her head high as she walked through the halls towards the kitchen where Ser Loren was eating. Ser Loren had never liked to eat in crowds.

The two walked through the halls in silence, an act Naenya was surprised Elden Baratheon could manage. Unfortunately for her, Elden Baratheon could only hold his tongue for so long.

"So, how's your mission going?"

"Mission?" Naenya quirked a brow, side-eying the eldest son.

"To prove yourself to the Lords. To gain their respect and loyalty," Elden said casually, giving her a sly, knowing look, "Not the loyalty they already gave you, bending the knee and reciting old words. Their true loyalty, undying,"

Naenya stopped short, rage running through her veins like the fire that breathed out of Cannibal's mouth. She was being deliberately triggered, pushed into the inferno of pure emotions. Elden Baratheon wanted to see the true her. She would give him that, if he so desperately wanted it.

A sharp slap bounced through the empty stone walls. Elden stood with a grin, his face tinged with a delicate red handprint, his face only slightly titled to show the force of the attack upon him. Naenya stood in front of him, fire painting her eyes. Fire that burned hot and died fast. The speed at which the Targaryen dragon princess took control of herself and regained composure was an impressive sight to behold.

Naenya took a step away from Elden, smoothing down her dress as she let out a restrained breath.

"Sorry, I saw a mosquito," Naenya said cooly, clearing her mind with a head shake.

Elden stared at her intensely, the silence deafening as his face became stone until he finally spoke up.

"...I liked that," Elden broke into an approving smile, "Do it again,"

Naenya scoffed, rolling her eyes, "And since you so... desperately wish to know, I do not need anyone's approval, and I already hold the loyalty of the entire Kingdom. You forget yourself,"

"No, you certainly don't need it," Elden agreed, his eyes sparkling, "And I think you'll find you have more undying loyalty than you first thought,"

Naenya let out a short but bitter laugh, "And I assume you are one of those? Those who swear undying loyalty to me?"

Elden gives a small smile as he lowers his head, shoving his hands into his pants as he gazes up at her from his eyelashes.

"Of course, after all, a king consort must be utterly supportive of his queen," Elden told her, "After all, supporting a strong dragon Queen as she wields her power over the realm? Sounds like a dream. I'll even take up the more womanly duties like raising the children, only for you of course,"

A short silence befell the two as Naenya absorbed the information her ears had just received until she finally burst into laughter. It was a pure kind of laughter that signalled clear joy and happiness had been received from whatever had caused the laughter. It was obvious to anyone that Eden was mesmerised by it, the way Naenya's head tilted back, and her soft lips parted. Luckily, no one was around to notice it, and Naenya was too absorbed in laughter to notice fully.

"You are utterly vxing," Naenya said, as she regained her composure.

"So I've been told," Elden grinned, "Though my mother thinks I'm quite handsome too,"

Author typing...

Young Elden, love him. Older Elden? Love him even more!

[thykingdomrp7]

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN

In the world where Kings and Queens prevailed, ruled over lands, and control every businesses and politicians in their land lived one true great Queen - the beautiful and austere Queen Verena.

Head of the House of Hohenzollern, Queen Verena ruled over the Kingdom of Hohenzollern, the land of Bradenburg and most of Germany and even parts of Europe. She is the most powerful and respected royalty in all the lands. She is the richest also the kindest and most ruthless queen who ever walked the Earth. 

Her kingdom is known, not only for its rich, vast land, and great noblemen and noblewomen, but also for a tradition as old as the land itself.

Each year, young princes and princesses from all over the world are sent as tributes to the Queen to participate in a tradition that entailed and consisted of rigorous training and education through the means of a sacred sexual slavery.

This education is offered only to the most beautiful and worthy princes and princesses and is deemed as a high and esteemed honor to the Kingdom from which they came. At the end of their training these tributes would be returned to their own Kingdoms, more disciplined and better equipped to continue and rule as noblemen and noblewomen.

Once within the Queen’s Kingdom, each tribute is stripped of their title and from that point on, considered to be a slave. Any man or woman of the kingdom, serving the Queen, has the right to handle, train, and educate the tributes in any way they see fit, as long as certain rules are being met and followed.

From time to time, these rules are broken by the trainers, the severe punishment for which is that the trainer is put in the tribute’s place and sent to town for auction as a slave.

Townspeople can purchase a slave, for they are quite affordable, and then they are allowed to train their slave/tribute until they deem that they are ready to re-enter the castle. Much stricter rules are enforced onto the townspeople training the slaves than those that bind trainers and tributes. As there are rules for trainers and townspeople, there are rules for the tributes as well. Breaking the rule for a tribute would mean a trip to town.

Naturally, things do not always run as smoothly as the Queen would like. There are greater worries which make the problems experienced from tributes and trainers seem like minor misdemeanors. Bandits and pirates frequent the land often in the knowledge that they can kidnap the valuable tributes, skilled trainers, and even some worthy townspeople. This angers the Queen because it takes her time and attention away from her devoted tributes and forces her to face these matters of a most displeasurable nature…

THE NEW REGIME

On top of the highest mountain in South of Prussia, lies a kingdom where, as tributes to it’s beloved Queen, young royals from around the world are sent to her Kingdom for education and discipline. Only the Queen’s lessons are not quite what they expected…After many years, the game changed. A chain of events led to diminished power and Kingdoms of the world questioning the Queen’s competence as a leader of the age-old tradition. Eventually, the Queen was driven out of her own kingdom and now? The Silent King reigns.

Cracks were beginning  to show with the publishing of a book that included detailed accounts of the going-on in Hohenzollern, Queen Verena and her Kingdom. Then after the brutality that occurred during the Annual Hunt back at the beginning of the year, with many tributes and trainers injured or killed, many kingdoms of the world were left questioning the abilities of Queen Verena to run Hohenzollern effectively and worried for the safety of their children that they had entrusted to the Queen. Slowly they reclaimed their children and the Kingdom began to spiral further into a deeper disaster.  Decision after decision, the Queen made only proved that she was unstable and becoming incompetent. Trouble was clearly brewing and something had to happen. Things appeared to be in repose; for a while.  But this was only the calm before the storm.  The Queen was over-thrown and was replaced by Viktor Wolff, The Silent King. What would become of the Kingdom of Hohenzollern under a new regime?

[sentofight]

[ PIN ]:     sender pins the receiver to the ground and straddles them while training together. ( Amon @ Luci. 👀 )

Would it be strange that one of their love languages is sparring? Perhaps it is something that the young Exalt has influenced upon her young Emperor but knowing Amon, he is eager as her to prove his skills and wits.

The sun was sitting down and a beautiful mix of orange and dark blue colored the sky giving out a relaxing atmosphere. It certainly is different sky than she is used to see in Ylisse. The sky is the same, everyone knows that, but you know, the feeling is different. She used to look at it and wonder if things can go smoothly as she hopes without any needing of bloodshed. The hours and days she spent hoping to prevent that fate to befall her people. What is it now? Over 30 years since her late grandfather waged a losing war against another nation and believe it or not the scars of that war is still aching at times.

"Hm ... so beautiful ..." a hand wrapped around her waist to snap her out of her thoughts. "Amon! Ah, yes. I was admiring the sky. It's beautiful. Say ..." she poked at his side. "You mister are slacking off on your training~" she grins at him. "Come on, we are sparring tonight." she places her hand over his arm and pulls him towards the training grounds. Luckily, no one was there--and if there was someone, they usually scatter so quickly before they are noticed. Seems like an order from the emperor who knows his queen likes to spar without getting interrupted.

"En garde!" the two had picked their weapons and commenced their usual flirting--sparring. The colorful sparked caused by the swords clashing against each other. Not to mention the emperor's flames dancing around them like small fireworks popping here and there due to Lucina's blocking and slashing against them. If someone didn't know better, they would think they are after each other throats but in fact, they are quite enjoying their time battling and pushing each other to their limit.

"You're mine!" and the exalt thought she got the last strike when her emperor surprised her with a light explosion which messed up her footing and tripped on her feet, falling on her back. "Urk! D-dang it!" but before she could get up, she felt something heavy press over her body.

"--!? Wh-- Hey! Get off--aaah!!" in a quick motion which she didn't anticipate , he had disarmed her, pinning her arms against the ground with his face few inches close to hers.

"Amon!? I-- not here! Wait! That's--" she choked on her words, embarrassment swelled in her chest, her cheeks are bright red. "--people could see us..." her words are the opposite of what her eyes are telling him. They were fixated on his lips, expecting the kiss any time now. Don't leave her hanging on.

"O-okay, you win. C-can you get up now?" feeling his weight over her body makes the girl think of well, naughty thoughts. She can't help it. Someone, save her.

things done while sparring / fighting | accepting | @rcdhotnight

[rainywerewolfmoon]

The Fairyland

Ao3 link here The Fairyland - Chapter 8 - Princessmh9 - Multifandom [Archive of Our Own]

Chapter 8: Hunt for Excalibur

Meanwhile, in the dark forests and moorlands of the western realm, a magnificent and imposing castle emerges from the depths. The atmosphere here is filled with an eerie darkness. In the reading room of the castle, a group of Fae and Folk anxiously await the return of the wolves. Queen Mab, one of the Fae, gazes out of the high windows, her wings fluttering nervously. Her daughter, Princess Dela, amuses herself by shooting fire sparks at a raven. King Arawn, her father, stares into the fire while Prince Valory, Dela's brother, polishes his dagger.

Mab: And are you absolutely certain she had the necklace, my dear?

Dela (annoyed): Yes, Mother. I already told you she not only had the necklace but also resembled Merlin himself. She is of Merlin's bloodline.

At that moment, the door swings open, and a tall Elf enters—the leader of the Wild Hunt, Eerden, followed by the wolves.

Eerden: Your Majesties. (He bows to Queen Mab)

Mab: Well? Is what my daughter says true? Is Merlin's kin here in our realm?

Arawn (with bated breath): Tell us, Eerden.

Eerden: I'm afraid so, Your Majesty. Emry's great-granddaughter is here in the Fairy realm. She is traveling north with Prince Adonis, son of King Linder and Queen Albina, towards the kingdom of Enchantra ruled by King Oberon and Queen Titiana.

Arawn (furious, slamming his fist on the table): We cannot allow the prophecy to come true. Merlin has had it coming.

Mab (pondering): And where is Excalibur?

Eerden: The Seelie Merfolk still possess it, Your Majesty.

Dela: But she is human! There's no way she can retrieve it.

Valory: Ah, but you forget, dear sister. She is not entirely human but a being of the Folk. She possesses magic, which gives her the means to reach Excalibur. Besides, what's to stop the

Seelie Court from aiding her?

Arawn: Valory is right. Once she obtains Excalibur, it will be all over for us.

Mab: Not necessarily, my love. Not if we acquire it first.

Dela and Valory (together): What do you have in mind?

Mab: Eerden, take my children and the amateur hunters and courtiers on a raid. Send them to the Seelie Merfolk Kingdoms and retrieve Excalibur. We must obtain it before they do.

Eerden (bowing): Yes, Your Majesty.

Dela (delighted): Finally, I can have some fun and prove that I am a better hunter than you, brother.

Valory: Not a chance, dear sister. I am the best there ever was.

Dela and Valory engage in an argument, but Arawn interrupts them.

Arawn: Enough, both of you. You are both skilled hunters, and you can prove it when you reach the Kingdoms. Keep your quarrels in check until then, my dear children. Now go, and do not disappoint your mother or me. There will be severe consequences if you fail.

Dela and Valory (standing next to each other, nodding): Yes, Father. We won't let you down. They leave the room, still arguing in hushed whispers. Eerden follows them with the wolves at his side. Mab joins her husband, slipping into his embrace as he lovingly smiles at her.

Mab: You know how to handle those two so well Arawn: My wickedly wonderful Queen, I've had plenty of practice dealing with their spirited nature. We must ensure they stay focused on the task at hand and set aside their rivalry. The success of our mission depends on it.

Mab: Indeed, my love. They are strong-willed, but they possess the skills needed for this undertaking. And with Eerden leading them, I have confidence in their abilities.

As they share a kiss, rain begins to fall, and thunder and lightning illuminate the sky.

Arawn: The elements seem to mirror the intensity of our situation. But together, we shall navigate these treacherous waters and safeguard our realm from Merlin's kin.

Mab: Our love and cunning shall guide us, my King. We shall retrieve Excalibur and ensure that the prophecy takes a different turn—one that favors us and our subjects.

They embrace tightly, united in their determination to secure the legendary sword before their adversaries.

[angrytheoristzombie]

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