#aph nyc

[ask-nyc-boroughs]

Tony/Brooklyn & Lynn/Manhattan going on vacation, Lynn said she’d also help carry bags…alas. Anyways they’re in a Leyendecker color study I did & that I am very proud of how it came out ! Tony & Lynn are only married for legal purposes cause of the 1898 amalgamation of NYC (which gives us 5 boroughs).

Also I haven’t talked about the boroughoes in ages! I’ve been very focused on my Alfred & states lore that I haven’t touched my NYC lore 😭❤️ my OG lore. I’ll share some major changes and other thoughts below the cut. Also scroll the bottom for a little doodle of the boroughs :D

I do love my borough ocs dearly they’re my oldest babies (9/10 years and going ❤️). And I love working on their lore BUT I feel a lot of the depth of their lore can be better discussed if I also work on lore at a state (Jennie/ New York State) and a national (Alfred/USA) level. Don’t worry I haven’t casted them aside, just cooking and learning new things as I work on Jennie & Alfred so I can better understand how different relationship dynamics impact each borough (especially as Lynn/Manhattan is basically their boss).

Before I delve into major changes in my lore, for newer folks, I’m gonna give a brief description of each borough oc:

Manaháhtaan “Lynn Cooper” / Manhattan borough is essentially the “boss” of all the boroughs. She’s born slightly before European colonization to Ms. Munsee Lenape and Mr. Mohican. For various reasons, she’s not particularly close to her parents nowadays. Lynn is a bit like a princess. She expects only the finest things in life, and she’s known to be perhaps a bit greedy and definitely cut-throat ambitious and will squash you like a bug if she deems you unworthy, but she’s quite charming. Her loud, bold, intense, no nonsense, but with perhaps a flirtatious smile makes her someone people wanna be around. She’s close friends with her fellow boroughs, Jennie/ New York State, and Alfred/ USA.

Anthonij “Tony” Cohen/ Brooklyn is a proud man who is always been rather peeved his best friend and greatest rival is essentially his boss and his legal wife, but he can’t ever really hate her. However, Tony will absolutely dig in his heels and give Lynn a hard time like pretending he’s a separate city still. His gregarious nature, and his interests in many topics from fashion to politics makes him someone you want to get know better. On another note, Tony was born to human parents during the New Netherland period, and he’s of African-American and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Tony began to connect more with Judaism in the late 1800s specifically Reform Judaism. Tony is dating Andy/Queens, and he likes hanging out with his friends (and also making fun of them). Tony is always a bit peeved at Jennie for making him and Lynn marry, but they mostly get along, and they often celebrate Jewish holidays together (alongside with Jennie’s sister Elise/ New Jersey). Tony is also good friends with Alfred.

Andrew “Andy” Perez/ Queens was born to human parents some point during the late 1800s and is of Dominican and Chinese (probably Cantonese) descent. He’s a rather reserved man. He does have a bit of a bitch face, but he’s honestly quite friendly if you get him talking. He enjoys a more quiet pace of life. You’ll find him hanging around his neighborhoods, playing chess or helping folks out or just yapping. During the summer, you’re highly likely to find him at Rockaway beach catching some waves.

Rodrick “Rodrigo” Madden/ The Bronx was born to human parents in the late 1800s and he’s of Puerto Rican and Irish descent. Nowadays, he does try to act like Mr. Tough guy, but that’s to hide the fact he doesn’t wanna be hurt again. He’s not been treated well by Lynn as a friend in the past and he somewhat blames his more naive and rather naturally friendly nature as the reason why. But Rodrigo is a sweetheart. His heart has almost always been in the right place. He’ll give you the clothes off his back even if it hurt him. He has a pet calico cat named Teddy that was once a barn cat from he used to be farmer (also I randomly decided the cat also immortal cause I can’t mentally kill off this cat).

François “Frank” Russo/Staten Island was born to human parents during the New Netherland period and is of Walloon and Italian (probably Neapolitan) descent. He can be rather intense especially when he’s passionate about something, and often thinks of himself as the center of universe. He may off as an annoying asshole but if you put aside the self centered attitude, the extreme bouts of passion and stubbornness, and maybe his lack of manners- you’ll find he’s not a bad guy.

Also why borough ocs, Egg? Uh cause I can. When I made them, no one else was doing this and I felt a New York City character can’t be explained in just a character alone plus culturally and politically the boroughs are actual entities thus for me mentally justifies why I could personify them.

OK also one of the more major changes to the lore is that Lynn & Tony are now legally married due to the 1898 amalgamation. As I mentioned numerous times on this blog, I want to explore more serious and complicated themes especially as I’ve gotten older. I now interpret the amalgamation a bit like a marriage between New York City (then just Lynn) and the city of Brooklyn. They’re still friends/rivals. Also Tony is gay. But I’m interested in exploring the idea of these personifications being public figures and how aspects maybe like tokenization, homophobia, misogyny can also impact them. I’ll expand on this another time as I don’t want to take away from the point of this post.

The other major update is that Andy/Queens & Rodrigo/the Bronx only come into existence as aeterni (borrowing term from a pirenaia on twitter) when they’re older kids and at some point btwn 1870s-1890s. This just changes their aging timeline a bit is all. I made this change cause I really want my borough ocs to reflect the inhabitants and groups that have had significant influences on the culture of this city. As Rodrigo is Puerto Rican / Irish in his ethnic background and Andy is Chinese / Dominican, the most significant beginnings of the migration of these groups to the city started in the late 1800s (picked up x1000 post wwii). It wasn’t like impossible before but I felt the explanation was too loose ++ the Bronx & Queens were just beginning to urbanize at this period & beforehand I’m gonna argue did not have much of a major cultural thing. I need both a major cultural aspect and some sort of political aspect to create ocs. Alsooo eastern Bronx as a character no longer exists in this universe- Frances rip 🙏

hehe that’s all (for now)- here’s a boroughoes doodle

[todaysromano]

12.13.2023

Today, Romano found an old stash of olive oil he had forgotten about.

[breitzbachbea]

Now that's a SicIre AU set in America. Also one that recreates the IP dynamic of Harry being unnecessarily macho while Michele was like 'Ohhh, he's so dreamy <3' From minute one. The other workers, like Herakles and Feliks, wonder when the Irishman is gonna realize it. Harry knocks himself out with his own spade during one stunt to play the tough guy. After they did rush to his aid, Michele looks at Herakles like 'I can't NOT fuck him, can I?'.

[ellavei]

pls send my thanks to the NYC rats

the further you delve into the hidekaz himaruya lore the worse it gets. what do you mean that man was a parsons drop-out. what do you mean he started that god-forsaken manga while living in NYC. do you think the subway broke him. do you think he saw a rat and thought up arthur kirkland

[askaphmaine]

Massachusetts: There’s seven chairs and ten people. What do you do?

Albany: Have everyone stand.

Boston: Bring more chairs.

NYC: The best seven of the lot (me) can sit down.

Augusta: Kill three.

[astereacosplay]

Jones aboard the USS Intrepid in NYC! 🗽

I sure do miss travelling with friends and going to cool locations like this to take photos! But eventually, I hope we’ll all be able to do that again. Till then, stay safe!

Photographer/travel buddy: @onichild-art

[cloversreblogs]

Submission for day 2: music for aphrarepairweek!

New York likes hip hop, though DC has a taste for gogo

[ask-indonesia]

Favorite sport(s)?

“I do play badminton!”

[mandelene]

The football culture is scarring LMAO I wonder if Arthur screams at the TV during football matches, esp the world cup, like my family do? I always just turn off my hearing aids during that LMAO its never coming home, its been scared away from home, its run off to Germany.

Oh, he definitely does. There is no doubt in my mind. He’s calmed down as he's gotten older and doesn’t watch all of the Premier League matches like he used to, but he still gets really heated when he does watch. And if you let him have a drink during the match -- it’s not going to end well lmao.

It’s certainly never coming home. 😂 Germany and France will always take it away. 

[ask-nyc-boroughs]

NY: Why should he apologize for inventing literally the best thing ever? Remember when we had no regulations. Those were days.

Manhattan, whispering: Yeah, those were. Anyways who’s the fucking weirdo in dressing like he’s gonna go to some sort of pirate reenactment thing? Oh and the guy with a gun?

NY: Ruben and…I think that’s Wincenty…but when did he get a hair cut…?

Manhattan: Oh that [redacted] [redcadted] [redacted] [redcadted] [redacted] [redcadted] [redacted] [redcadted] [redacted] [redcadted] [redacted] [redcadted] !

Ruben. Apologize for making capitalism.

Holland: “And let me make one thing very clear...”

“I never apologize.”

[ask-nyc-boroughs]

Some Hudson Valley holidays that occur in May ft. my idiots. Just wanted to draw some costumes ngl 💀. Anyways I’ll give some explanation to each of the little Polaroids cause ik most of these holidays aren’t well known.

Just a drawing of Emma celebrating Pinkster. I haven’t drawn Emma in years lolllll & I don’t work on her much anymore, but I thought she’d partake in the festivities. In this region, Pinkster is a Pentecost celebration brought over by the Dutch, but became more associated with the traditions brought over by enslaved Africans especially as their enslavers would allow them to travel and see their families and celebrate during this time. European settlers also partook in these festivities as well, but it just became more associated as an African-American holiday within New York & New Jersey.

Elise & Jennie being nice for a moment and taking a photo together lol, they probs went back to bickering after this cause they have issues 💀. Jennie is there cause this is her state capital, Elise was probably just invited cause she’s Jennie’s sister and both were alive during the Dutch colonial area. But anyways this is supposed to be them at Albany’s Tulip Festival. Tulip Fest began about 76 years ago celebrating Albany & Nijmegen’s friendship especially as the citizens of Albany raised significant funds and sent much needed supplies to Nijmegen following the Second World War. Also many Dutch-Americans in this area can trace their ancestry back to Gelderland. The Anyways Tulip Festival is a celebration of that friendship, but also of Albany’s Dutch heritage. The particular costumes Elise & Jennie are wearing is associated with the street sweeping ceremony + these costumes were only introduced to Albany 76 years ago. These are new here. Actually Emma & Will’s costumes are older.

Ok just a little silly doodle of Lynn giving Will a kiss during Pinkster.

[todaysromano]

12.11.2023

Today, Romano forgot his umbrella at home and got soaked in the rain.

[breitzbachbea]

Why make AUs in a way that only center on a fraction of the cast, when you could transplant the entirety of canon into a different world and make your imagination ungovernable

[askaphmaine]

((For the ship thing!)) Annapolis/Dover, Maine/New Hampshire, and Alaska/Hawaii?

//Oof, hope you’re ready for a read!

Annapolis/Dover

Who’s the more protective one

I’m going to say Dover. She seems like she’d follow in Delaware’s footsteps with how he treats Maryland, so she’d do everything to keep Anna safe. She also wants to be Anna’s ‘knight in shining armor’, so she feels like she has to protect Anna from literally anything.

Who’s more emotional

Also Dover. Dory tends to feel like she needs to ‘prove’ herself a lot and runs on high amounts of energy. This causes her to react in very emotionally driven ways, even when the best option is to sit back and relax.

How they balance each other out

Both are energetic. They can spend a lot of time together and never get bored. While Dory is more emotional, Anna tends to keep her calm. They enjoy similar things and grew up with one another, so they can read the other extremely easily.

How they clash

Both are energetic. While this can be a blessing, they can burn themselves out sometimes. Dover’s more emotional responses tend to cause anxiety in Anna, leading to her panicking in an attempt to help. These emotions bounce back and forth and escalate until the problem is solved or a state steps in.

How they confessed

Like I said before, the two are really good at reading each other. However, Anna would’ve pulled away in fear when she came to realize her feelings for Dory. This cause fear and heartbreak in Dory, which then caused those emotions to bounce back off of Anna. So they two avoided each other until they couldn’t take all the time apart. Either Trenton or Harrisburg would’ve stepped in, reminding them that the two of them had bee n close for years, so they were literally throwing away decades, if not centuries, of their friendship. However, due to the emotional tension, Dory basically yelled at Anna that she loved her. Anna then promptly tackled her.

What others think of the relationship

Both Delaware and Maryland approve 100% because who’s better for their capitals than the other’s? Maine only sees them through Augusta but she’d cover an escape for the two if they want some alone time. New Hampshire and Vermont think they’re cute, like two puppies.

As for other cities, Albany thinks they’re both terrors in their own right so they’re a perfect couple. Portland and NYC have learned to avoid them and any room they are in together, though they’ve learned how to hunt NYC down to play pranks. They don’t dare try to follow Portland. Augusta still hasn’t learned to avoid rooms they are alone in and has walked in on them making out many times.

All in all, everyone is okay with it but would prefer the non-straight jokes to stop, Dover.

Maine/New Hampshire

Who’s the more protective one

Now this is hard. Both Maine and New Hampshire are extremely protective people. However, Jacob wins by a slight margin. How? He knows Maine’s past. He knows how many people abandoned her. He’s seen her in the heat of battle, throwing her life on the line for others, including him. And he hates it. He can’t stand seeing her in pain ever again. In his eyes, she’s dealt with enough.

Who’s more emotional

NH shows more, Maine feels more. While Jacob doesn’t show much emotion, he shows more than Mack. However, Mack feels too much. She tries to cut herself off from emotions but loses that if anyone shows resemblance to someone she deeply cares about, such as Vermont reminding her of Portland, NH reminding her of Augusta, and Jefferson reminding her of herself.

She also simply can’t hide her more motherly side. She raised both Portland and Augusta, not to mention herself. She nurses animals back to health. As such, she tends to take people younger than her under her wing, giving them more leeway than someone closer to her age. Two good examples would be Sacramento and Los Angeles, as she’s willing to put up with them far more than either California.

How they balance each other out

They understand what the other has gone through. They fought alongside each other, seen the same horrors as the other, ect. While Maine is cold to others, NH tried to be welcoming without overstepping her boundaries. He helps open her up to others, while she helps keep him from trying too hard or becoming a doormat.

How they clash

There’s a reason this blog has the words ‘What is ‘responsibility’ you speak of?’ in the description. While they both tend to act more reserve and calm, they’re also ticking time bombs. Not of anger or jealousy, but of awful ideas. They feed into one another and cause a lot of havoc.

How they confessed

It was a slow start. Maine didn’t want him to become too ingrained into her life, in case he left her. However, she also noted he was similar to Augusta, as he preferred to be left alone but would work with others if forced. Knowing that they had saved each other during the American Revolution helped as well. However, the tipping point was when their cities met. Portland and Augusta took some time to get used to Concord but refused to make him feel unwelcome, even if they weren’t sure how, which lead to the three becoming almost inseparable. NH decided enough was enough, so he tried going the romantic route and taking her on a moonlit walk in the woods. However, before he could even speak, she kissed him.

What others think of the relationship

Portland, Augusta, and Concord knew it was going to happen and worked hard to make sure they never got in the way, so they were excited when it finally happened. Vermont and Montpelier had a bonfire of their plans to get them together. It lasted for days.

Everyone else expected it. Seriously, everyone. While the two aren’t the most lovey-dovey couple, everyone knows how deeply they care about each other.

Alaska/Hawaii

Who’s the more protective one

Shockingly enough, Hawaii. Alaska was also an outsider due to his Russian roots, so he didn’t feel like he fit in. Hawaii knew this and refused to let anyone feel alone, so she began to argue with people that he’s just as much of a state as they are.

Who’s more emotional

Alaska. While he’s similar to Maine in the sense that he tries to hide it more, he put up with a lot growing up. He just bottles it up and waits for a better time to release it all at once. Hawaii is more ‘go with the flow’, unless Alaska is upset, in which case, she becomes protective.

How they balance each other out

Alaska is used to harsh conditions, while Hawaii isn’t. She reminds him to move forward in life and to relax, while he reminds her that sometimes ‘going with the flow’ isn’t the best option. While Alaska hides under a cold mask, Hawaii reminds him that people care about him and that he can open up. Hawaii tries to forgive and forget, but Alaska remind her that holding negative feelings for a short time isn’t the end of the world.

How they clash

Alaska can’t leave things undone. Hawaii can. They two clash a lot over time constraints, especially self-imposed ones. Due to Alaska’s stubborn nature, he’ll hide away when Hawaii has upset him, which annoys her, especially when she doesn’t know what exactly she did. This causes Alaska to get more upset and bottle up more negative emotions until one of them explodes and the two reconcile.

How they confessed

Alaska confessed on accident. They were hanging out on the islands, walking on a beach after a meeting. Hawaii had stood up for Alaska again and dragged him from the building to talk. He said ‘Have I ever told you how much I love you?’ and she responded with ‘No, but you should.’ and slipped her arm around his waist.

What others think of the relationship

Some were shocked. States on the East Coast were confused how the two got along so well and thought it was a joke at first. The Pacific States knew both of them and saw it coming for miles.

[astereacosplay]

Your America cosplay is brilliant! You give me a vibe if AFJ exists in reality THIS WOULD BE HIM. 🤩🤩🤩🤩

Hello anon!! 😃 Aaa coming on here and seeing this was such a wonderful surprise today, thank you!!💙🌟 That means a lot to me and I’m super flattered you think so ahaha!! 😁

Just for you, here’s a silly selfie from NYC 😉🌟

Have a great day! 😋✌🏻

[hwsameripan]

THEY'RE ON A DATE YOUR HONOR