#bit of a long snippet

[mellohiizz]

I am still not over him... Also, I guess you guys can have a small nibble of Wifiescest just as a little treat. I found the song Real Boy by Lola Blanc after forgetting about it for years and went wait a moment... this reminds me of someone...

[arsenicflame]

It's a time-honoured tradition- every time Sam comes across Izzy (and Ed) in their travels, he asks Izzy to marry him. And every time, Izzy turns him down.

At this point, Sam is asking more for the sake of it than any belief Izzy will ever say yes, a remnant of childhood dedication touched with 30 years of heartbreak and regret- though even now, a small part of him still holds out hope. Sam's promises have only got more extravagant over the years, from a job as his first mate, to a captaincy, a fleet at his command, a whole fucking island if that's what Izzy wants- but he knows it isn't though, not really. If Izzy was ever going to agree to marry him, to leave his life and go with Sam, it wouldn't be for anything Sam could offer him. Izzy never did care for flashy shows of wealth, for a ship or to be captain. The only thing that ever mattered to him was loyalty given, and loyalty shown in return. 

It all comes to a head after Stede left and came back, after Izzy lost a toe, lost his leg. Sam hasn't seen him since before things with Ed started to really slide off the rails, before stress permanently set into the lines of Izzy’s face. So, when he sees a dishevelled man with a hoof for a leg in a no-name port, he doesn't even consider the idea that he might know him. It's only when he turns towards him, and Sam catches a glance at those oh too familiar tattoos, he realises this is Izzy, his Izzy, that stands before him.

Knowing Izzy's discomfort with pity, he doesn't treat him any differently than he would in years gone by, positioning himself in Izzy's line of sight before approaching and sweeping him up into a bone crushing hug. 

“Israel-goddamn-Hands!” he exclaims, as Izzy grumbles back a begrudging “Samuel-fucking-Bellamy”, a tradition almost as old as their friendship itself. Izzy might not hug him back, but he can’t keep the corner of his mouth from twitching, just for a second.

(If Sam holds Izzy a little tighter and a little longer than usual, well. That's his business)

By the time Sam lets go, most of the crew has appeared in the town square, drawn in by the commotion. They may have given Izzy his leg and welcomed him as one of them, but still there’s an underlying tension, with nobody quite ready to set aside everything that happened before the Kraken. Seeing him cosying up to an unknown man sets everyone on edge, unsure whether to come to their first mate’s aid, or to assume that they've been betrayed once again.

When Ed sees that the yelling was Sam, his hand goes tense where it's held in Stede's. He knows the routine, has seen it more times than he can count, but as he watches them part he realises that this is the first time in a long time he's unsure of what Izzy's response will be.

Knowing that something’s different, knowing that Izzy's feeling vulnerable already, Sam doesn't go for the same flashy proposal he’s been giving for years. He doesn't promise Izzy the world, he doesn't cause a scene (or, any more of a scene than he already has, anyway). He looks at the fractured man in front of him, takes his face in his hands, and says the exact same thing to him he said when they were little more than boys. “Israel, I have to ask you. I know what you'll say, but I have to try. Come with me. Marry me and sail away with me. I'll keep you safe”

And Izzy… hesitates. He glances over at Ed, at Stede, and says to Sam “...We’re staying in port for a week. Ask me again then”

That's the moment Sam knows there is something deeply, horribly, wrong. He's not just looking at an Izzy who got seriously injured in a fight and is struggling to cope, this is something so much bigger than that- and that Ed has something to do with it. Izzy wouldn't even be considering leaving if he didn't. Whether it was negligence or something more sinister, Sam doesn't yet know, but he intends to find out.

[wikiangela]

seven sentence sunday

thank you to everyone who's been tagging me, I've been slacking on posting here and keeping up with my notifs lmao but I appreciate y'all <3

sooo... did someone say post-bucktommy-break-up saltommy? 👀 (btw they're just friends here, no romantic feelings, just an unhealthy way to deal with shit for both of them lmao)

___

“You okay?” He asks quietly, his grip firm, genuine concern in his face. Tommy must look like hell. 

“No.” Tommy admits, managing a crooked smile. “Not at all.” He turns fully towards Sal, his arm falling out of his grasp. Tommy takes a step forward, into Sal’s space. “Why do you think I’m here at this hour?” 

“Tommy.” Sal says, a hint of warning in his voice when Tommy takes another step into Sal’s personal space. “You know how it goes. It won’t make you feel any better.”

“I don’t care. Just- just shut up and kiss me.” Tommy gets so close their lips almost touch, his hands landing on Sal’s hips. “Please, Sal. If you- if you really don’t want to, don’t want me, just say a word and I’ll leave.” Tommy promises, though he doesn’t think he could handle a rejection well right now, when he’s already at his lowest. “But I need- I need you. Please.” He knows he sounds desperate, that’s because he really fucking is. He needs to feel something that’s not pain and heartache and sadness and so much self-hatred he could drown in it. For just a moment, he needs to feel good, at least physically. And it’s a guarantee with Sal.

@dr-shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @watchyourbuck @diazpatcher @monsterrae1 @pirrusstuff @rogerzsteven @honestlydarkprincess @steadfastsaturnsrings @diazheartsbuckley @giddyupbuck @thewolvesof1998 @underwaterninja13 @your-catfish-friend @louisferrignojr @beyourownanchor6 @weewootruck @kirkaut @jewishbuckley @doctorkinney @bucktommyscones @bucked-it-up @theotherbuckley @drcloyd @girlwonder-writes @dadbodbuck @loullaby @aringofsalt @actuallyitsellie @hippolotamus @diazsdimples @hyperfocusthusly @talktonytome @teenmaximoff @cornerofspace @tommybuckleys @kinard-buckley @perfectlysunny02

[lucabyte]

i am looking at nohats au 👀 please share more

So! NoHats! I'm going to grab you and use this to ramble. A Lot.

The NoHats AU is @samhainian's it's just that I'm the strange little freak who takes the words said unto me and executes on them. But I can still do a little explainer on what our overall thoughts and vibes are. (And, that we are in fact propping up a little box with some cheese under it here. 🪤 Please (PLEASE) feel free to pick up what we're putting down.)

We're far from the only ones exploring a "what if siffrin fucking died" AU, though the main difference with NoHats is the placement of the death in the timeline. Instead of being 'Mal Du Pays Wins' or 'Act 6 encounter goes horribly wrong', the death is… Just after the (literal) falling action.

(This placement is because Sam is a comic book fan who thus has become used to characters being ripped away at the cruelest times by shitty writers. THANK FUCKING GOD adrienne is not that and isat is delightful yippieee, but, back on topic.)

Giving the party the full understanding of What Happened that you get by putting the death after black hole siffrin, but before the A6 encounter leaves an interesting gap to be filled. See, making Siffrin's death very much not Loop's fault means that… this once again reads (when not read as simply a tragedy...) as the universe doing what it sees fit to fulfull Loop's wish… Thus making Siffrin's death Loop's fault again, but only in their eyes. And only in a way they could express if they were honest about who they were…

And this is where having had excuse to waffle about my general Postcanon Loop thoughts the other day comes in handy, because Sam and I have that as our canon-compliant reading to begin with, NoHats plays off of a lot of the same readings of Loop's character. Namely: Uh Oh Somebody's Lying By Fucking Omission Again. (BECAUSE TO BE FAIR THIS TIME… HOW THE FUCK WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT?)

Now, neither Sam nor I are fanfic writers, so this has been a little bit trapped in our heads and DMs (and my unfinished art but,)

But our thoughts on how NoHats like… Goes.

Siffrin's death is peaceful, but that does not mean the aftermath of it is. I can't imagine the party takes it well, especially after understanding the circumstances of the Loops. (And, of note, in A5 where nobody had the discussion on what to do with each other's bodies should something happen…) But I'd imagine it traumabonds them somewhat (understatement of the century) and now knowing how the rest of the party feels, they resolve to travel together for the forseeable future.

The party track down Loop to deliver the terrible news, since they were clearly Siffrin's friend too, and invite Loop along to travel at least long enough to (let them grieve) get the burial over with. Loop, here, can be helpful in knowing what Siffrin would've wanted where the party would be at a loss. Loop, I think, takes a bit of a lead on the funerary aspects of it all, because, um. (Performing rites on your own body, huh?)

Then, as things are after a death, life just… Kind of has to continue on as normal. The party travel, pick up Nille, and get to know Loop as this mysterious new person. Maybe in this situation they might stay in Bambouche for a while to give Bonnie more stability since. They are probably taking it the worst. It would've come out of absolutely nowhere for everyone in the party obviously but god, for a kid? For A Kid?

It should be stated NoHats is not intended to be grimdark, just y'know. An exploration of grief. This is also why it's got a bit of a lopsided focus on Bonnie vs the rest of the party because hhrrhghghhghghhhghhghhh <- incoherent

Now, a crossroads.

How does the party discover Loop to be Siffrin? How long does it take. How much have the party embraced them as part of the family (especially with something as intense to bond over as this)?

There's the Odile option. Have her put it together and have to bring it up somehow. This could also be done by Isabeau, perhaps. He's smart. (which. God. If anything's the real Isabeau Torment Nexus it's this)

Then there's the other option batted around by Sam and I. The: The Universe Dislikes Duplicates option.

The items in the house that fzzt away when inspected. The Universe doesn't like there to be two of something, at least not when they're acknowledged. But one of something is just fine…?

Which is to say. I'm not a personal proponent of 'Loop getting their body back'. EXCEPT …… except this one time.

There's only one Siffrin now, so they don't need to be obfuscated to exist.

Consider, if you will. Loop swallowing their guilt for long enough to be comfortable. Falling back into old habits. Without another Siffrin around to compete for the niche of, they actually begin to act like Siffrin again. Not intentionally, it's just… The party is as welcoming as they've always been. And the party swears they keep catching glimpses of a face under all the light.

Then, one day, while still not fully human again, the resemblence becomes undeniable. Loop having not even noticed until everyone looks at them like they've seen a ghost.

Has it been months? How long have they kept up this lie? Is it even a lie, to them? They're Loop. But they were, once, Siffrin.

Even after explaining it, does that make it better or worse?

Bonnie cuts through the betrayed, struck-nerve reactions with a sobering "I missed you."

… Anyway !

Yeah so that's the vibe for NoHats. As for LoopLoops? That's more nebulous. I think it can go anywhere really in the NoHats timeline. I err personally toward the "Loop continuously replays the last 10 minutes before Siffrin's death almost immediately after they find out and have to parkour their ass up the House in the most distressing situation possible to try and get them to hold on, just please hold on." (Remember! Siffrin can remember the contents of Loop's loop backs in the A6 fight!)

But there is the possibility that this happens months, or worse years down the road. One last Loop back. Throw it all away for the chance to just get that one thing you didn't know you even wanted but now know you NEED.

Misc:

Okay miscellaneous time.

This is where I admit that I have a bunch of unfinished NoHats art that I haven't gotten around to yet because I feel like a right tool being so obviously Loop-Centric with my fancontent (I AM . . I REALISE I AM NOT DOING MUCH TO BEAT THE ALLEGATIONS.) So like if people want to see that please say because euaghghghhfh <- the nervous.

this is like the most fucked up place to do isaloop fr. anyway.

one of Sam's mid-game observations that I'm just going to share for no particular reason is that Bonnie's hair shares a bunch of shapes with Siffrin's. The flick up at the top, the 3 pronged shape of the fringe… just something to think about.

Without 2 Siffrins around to compare each other to it'd likely be a lot harder to notice Loop's similarities. Doesn't mean that those similarities don't sting more in this context though.

If you do NoHats without LoopLoops. The concept of this all fading into memory years down the line while they just have slightly-glowy but otherwise regular Siffrin hanging out is fucked up to think about. Just like real grief. Augh

6. a peek into the original dms as a treat from us

[miasmaghoul]

happy wip wednesday, so says @belle--ofthebrawl; here's a lil chunk of an absolute beast of a fic i've been chipping away at for months now bc its gonna have a little bit of everything:

mountain's in rut, and hes gonna need lots of help - and a muzzle >:)

(this one's for @forlorn-crows ♡)

[varpusvaras]

Fox: Everybody always wants a tall man...everybody always wants a tall man with broad shoulders...everybody always wants a tall man until you are having his giant baby that is in 99 percentile on everything...you don't want a tall man, you want a moderately sized man....

Bail, on the other side of the room: ...I feel like I am being targeted right now

[hedwig221b]

Hello 👋🏾, are you really going to write the sterek twilight fic? 😳😁

Hi! 💗

I mean, I guess so? Everyone is so excited at the prospect.

Besides, I really struggled with writing since Yes To Heaven came out. Nothing sparked joy and writing felt like a chore and it saddened me to no end. This Twilight au idea came suddenly and I feel excited. I think I need to write this now firstly to heal this weird writing block and secondly, because everyone apparently wants it very much 😅

[thestarfishface]

Something a little different, but I've been toying around with prose recently and wrote a little short story about Verity's old crew!

What's currently posted is the first half of a rough chapter idea I have planned- I gotta hash out exactly what I wanna do for the back half, but I think the first part stands okay on its own! Look out for a continuation in the future, though :>

[dahlia-tourism-board]

You look just like your father: Damien

"It's just...sometimes I look at you and see him."

Damien and his mom Sofia are close. For the longest time, they only had each other as they made their way through the world, and they knew nearly everything about each other.

The "nearly" was new on Damien's part, as he was starting to realize his interest in his favorite actors wasn't entirely admiration for their craft.

Still, their movie nights together were immutable. His mom was moving up in the magical world, and her schedule was often limited. But on the first Friday night of every month, she made sure she and Damien were on her couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn and watching the movie next on their queue.

But as she's turned on the TV, the channel was playing an old romance movie and her hand stilled. Damien looked over at her, wondering why she hadn't launched a streaming app yet when he saw her pale face and widened eyes.

Within minutes, the main couple in the movie were standing in some city streets, yelling at each other about the nature of true love. And Damien's mom, for the first time he could remember, was crying.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

"Yes," She choked out through her tears. "Yes, dear, I'm fine. Only, could you pass me a napkin?"

He does, and he watches, worried, as she roughly wipes at her eyes. Something in this movie had shaken her. She wasn't fond of romantic movies, and never cried during any type of movie. So, it had to be something tangential. Possibly a memory. Likely nothing good.

"We can turn this off, mom, if it upsets you."

"Yes, that's probably for the best."

She raises the remote with shaking hands, taking a few tries to finally shut it off. The silence sits thick between them, broken only by her sniffles as she tried to regain her composure. A few moments later, she takes a deep breath and looks over at him, her eyes scanning his face in a way she'd never done before.

"I'm sorry about that. We watched this movie together, your father and I. It's just…sometimes I look at you and see him."

She blinks, and then puts her hand over her mouth, horrified, fresh tears falling from her eyes. Damien can only stare. They almost never talk about his biological father, him having left shortly after Damien was born. He'd never been curious about him. Damien had his mom, and that was all he needed, as far as he was concerned.

She quickly set the popcorn bowl on the coffee table and then leaned over, crushing him in a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry, dear, I shouldn't have said that. Yes, you look like him, and that can't be helped, but you're so much better than him. And you're going to keep getting better. You're going to do such great things, I know it."

She lets out one last sob and then pulled back, placing a hand on his cheek.

"And I know one day, when you're finished with your studies, you're going to find a nice girl and settle down properly."

Damien felt his stomach churn at that, but he could only nod. He was still trying to figure himself out; it didn't seem like the best time to start that conversation.

She smiled and nodded back, then finally launched a streaming app and hit play on the movie they'd meant to watch. She passed him the popcorn, but Damien's appetite is entirely gone. The movie, some war drama, washes over him completely.

A few days later, he catches his reflection. Despite himself, he wonders what parts of him look like his biological father. He prods at his arms, his chest, and wonders if more muscle would make him look different enough. He couldn't grow out a beard, a trait that apparently ran on his mom's side, but maybe he could grow out his hair. Maybe if it were longer, he could look more like his mom.

As for finding someone nice, regardless of gender, to settle down with...well, maybe when he looked more like someone worth all that.

One step at a time.

[static-radio-ao3]

sunday snippet !

waited so long that i am back on track hehe thank you @messymoony and @itsjaywalkers for the tags <33 i absolutely devoured your snippets <33

“Okay, well, just because I wear glasses doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself!” “The glasses have nothing to do with this. Sybill wears glasses and none of us think she’s incompetent,” Barty says. “Incompetent? What do you— You guys think I’m incompetent?” “It’s just—” “You freeze, James,” Frank cuts in before Barty says something he shouldn’t. He tries to keep his voice kind but it does nothing to soften the blow of his words. “Don’t you guys ever get a little scared?” James counters, defensive. He moves to cross his arms in front of his chest, but the crossbow he’s holding gets in the way so he ends up awkwardly putting one hand on his hip in a poor approximation of a power pose. Evan quirks an eyebrow at him as if to say, see? “Sure we do,” Dorcas says easily. “We’d all be dead if we didn’t get a little scared now and then. But you get really scared, James.” “And that’s okay! We all have our strengths and weaknesses,” Alice continues. Marlene nods, picking up right where Alice left off. “Your weaknesses just happen to put all of us in danger, too. So we think it’s best if you just play to your strengths.” “Which include, but are not limited to, making dinner and manning the radio,” Lily adds. “We love you, James,” Peter says, clapping a hand on James’ shoulder. “We really do!” Pandora confirms. “But you’re a bit of a liability,” Frank says with a nod and a mildly self-satisfied smile. James eyes all of them warily. “Why did that speech feel so rehearsed?”

no pressure tags: @carniferous @residentrookie @poetskings @lifeisabitch-butimcute @chericheribaby

[noodleblade]

kobd but knock out is the one smitten and pining for breakdown I feel like I always see it the other way

ahah I may have something in the works...

[wikiangela]

tease tidbit tuesday

it's Tuesday somewhere so starting it off early lol

after 7x09 I had like 4 new ideas (plus maaaany more non-episode related ideas, istg lately there's so many, I don't know what to focus on lol my brain feels loud, and I feel like I'm writing a hundred things at once, I've been a chaotic mess this month istg) but for now im trying to focus on this one fic, and trying to finish whatever this is before the next episode

for now, here's a bit of bucktommy at the medal ceremony after the encounter with gerrard

___

He could punch Gerrard in the face. He really wants to, and if it was a couple years ago, he probably would – but he’s at a work event, the guy is a Captain, unfortunately, and Buck just got a medal, he’s not risking his job right now. He’s not the same impulsive kid he was seven years ago. He’s heard enough stories from Chimney and Hen, and recently some vague ones from Tommy, to know that he hates their old Cap. Tommy seems to want to open up to Buck, to let Buck truly know him, but talking about that past, about himself back then, about the whole environment is not easy, and Buck gets that. They have time to get to know each other, neither of them is going anywhere. Buck’s certainly not planning to, and when Tommy says he isn’t, either, Buck finds himself trusting him, which is very new but so exciting.

“It’s- well, it was to be expected.” Tommy shrugs, his face a careful, neutral mask that Buck’s just starting to learn to see past, then sits down when they approach the table, putting his plate down – they’re sharing it with Eddie, Marisol and Christopher, but the three of them are still at the buffet getting food. Buck takes a seat next to him, then scoots his chair closer – close enough that their knees touch, but far enough that they still appear professional. “It just threw me off. Actually, threw me twenty years back for a moment.” he huffs an unamused, bitter laugh.

___

no pressure tags: @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @watchyourbuck @loserdiaz @ladydorian05 @diazpatcher @monsterrae1 @weewootruck @spagheddiediaz @rainbow-nerdss @epicbuddieficrecs @pirrusstuff @nmcggg @rogerzsteven @bidisasterevankinard @giddyupbuck @sunshinediaz @honestlydarkprincess @911-on-abc @jesuisici33 @steadfastsaturnsrings @buddieswhvre @fortheloveofbuddie @daffi-990 @hoodie-buck @aroeddiediaz @thewolvesof1998 @exhuastedpigeon @underwaterninja13 @spotsandsocks @hippolotamus @your-catfish-friend @dangerpronebuddie @neverevan @loveyouanyway @tizniz @theotherbuckley @diazsdimples

[sotc]

IT'S JOEVER.

I BEAT ORIGINS. my heart is so full and i have so many feelings but ahhh I loved it SOOO MUCHHHH!!! Honestly surprised with how quickly I attached to my Warden and her story, all the companions are SO SO great. 10/10 best dragon age game by far.

I really enjoyed leaving Milana and Alistair to very much caring for each other after everything was said and done despite the unrequited romance. 😭💗 My heart is so full about those two being such such good friends. And I especially love that Morrigan and her became so close like sisters in the end too. Live well, my friend. Live gloriously. BABY GIRL I LOVE YOUUUUU. Special kiss to the wind for SHALE. Honestly the best person Milana loves to be snarky with fr. lol. NOW ONTO ZEVANA....

Just before the big battle with the Archdemon and I was exploring a few options and I personally headcanon it's a combination of these two scenes that Milana and Zevran share. Milana worried to put him in danger of the Archdemon only for him to tease and insist to come with her before she relents/agrees and finally admits that she loves him. There's something so profound in him not saying it back and yet equally so with Milana saying it to him. She doesn't even need to hear it back in this moment. She knows what he feels mirrors her own; he would choose to be by her side at the end in a shared suicide mission than not at all. That alone is her courage, her strength, her resolve. And Zevran knows it love despite himself but how fucking painful and scary is it to hear those three words in the face of uncertain death? When the last time he heard those three words from Rinna he had damned her and himself? To recognize once more his heart has been touched so irrevocably? He may be grateful fate has brought them together but the circumstances of it all are so, so cruel. Fate is a tricky whore!!!!! What a lovely and incredibly intimate character moment for the both of them. Ugh <33

... BUT ANYWAYS THEN THEY BOTH LIVED YAYYY!!!

MY FUCKIN BABIESSSSSS. SOBS. JUST-- RUN AND JUMPS INTO THAT MANS ARMS AND SMORCHES TF OUT OF HIMMMM. If only to slap his shoulder and roll her eyes when he teases her at the end there LOL. Sooooo... now to play Awakening and all the other dlcs I have yet to do? :)

[tartagliove]

hewwo, zebra! i would like to humbly request some vampire childe fic crumbs, if you would please hahaha ❤

hiii kaija!! I hope you're doing well! oh my gosh I'm so excited that you asked hehe, here's a snippet of an interaction between vampire!Childe and Reader ^u^

“What brings you here, Ajax?” He turns to keep you in view as you work. “Would you believe me if I said I was here for bread?” “No,” you say flatly. He clutches a heart to his chest and staggers dramatically. You simply step around him and make your way behind the counter. “You wound me! Perhaps I want to take your bread with me as I leave town.” That catches your interest. “You’re leaving?” You pause, then say, “Good. You’re as white as a sheet.” Childe grins. He leans against the counter, propping his chin up with one hand. “Aww, are you worried about me, sweetheart?” “Hardly,” you tell him. Placing both hands on the edge of the counter, you lean toward him, with a playful look on your face. Childe inhales slowly, your amusement sweet on his tongue as you say, “I just don’t want Teucer to be sad when his pitiful older brother keels over from dehydration.”

[omelu]

The Class Ever After

So for a long time (since about 2018ish) I’ve had this kind of EAH story idea floating around in my head. Basically it’s about the class directly under Apple and Raven (aka the first-years) and how they handle the whole aftermath of Legacy Day and the destiny conflict. Pretty much all of the eah ocs I’ve made fit into this idea, and while I don’t really have a plot per say, I have lots of scenes, concepts and ideas floating around in my head (and in my computer).

I found a draft I had written that was supposed to be a “beginning” to the story and I revised it. I don’t know if I’ll extend this to an actual fic (since I have a lot of other original projects I want to be writing right now), but maybe I’ll write down some of the concepts and scenes I have.

The Class Ever After (snippet; ~1700 words)

Legacy Day was, by far, the biggest event at Ever After High. Thronecoming, Spring Fairest, and even Graduation Day were just breadcrumbs in comparison. That was fitting, since Legacy Day was so vital to the survival of Ever After. Every year, Ever After High’s second-years donned their ceremonial outfits, climbed the steps to the podium, and pledged to follow their fairy-tale destiny to the world by signing their names into the magical Storybook of Legends.

Without Legacy Day, fairy tales would stop being told.

Without Legacy Day, Ever After would go extinct.

Without Legacy Day, everyone would go poof.

And that’s how Marshal Nottingham found himself teetering on the edge of his seat, trying to catch a glimpse of the second-years lined up on the terrace. He’d never been to a Legacy Day ceremony before, and so he felt that it was his duty to study it all as closely as possible. The grand, book-shaped podium glittered in the moonlight, tall and regal. Above it, half a dozen mirrors magically floated in the air like jewels on a crown, prepared to broadcast each student’s face to the audience as they made the most important pledge of their lives. 

All around him, students buzzed with conversation. Third and fourth-years leaned back in their seats, reminiscing about their own Legacy Days. Faculty members congregated in their designated section, deep in hushed, frantic conversation. Second-years lined up in the hall, pacing anxiously or straightening their parent's outfits. First-years, like Marshal, watched anxiously to see what would happen.

“I should’ve brought my MirrorPad,” he muttered. “It would be much easier to take notes.”

In the seat next to him, Owlen von Rothbart yawned. “Oh, give it a rest. It’s not like you’re going to forget how to sign a book next year.”

Next year. Marshal looked up at the podium, dark eyes glittering. In just three hundred and sixty-five days, it would finally be his turn.

“One year!’ Marshal shook his head. “That’s barely any time to prepare! Do you know how quickly a year passes by if you’re not paying attention?”

Owlen just shrugged and flicked his mahogany bangs out of his eyes.

Marshal sighed. Normally, he got along well with Owlen. When he’d met his new roommate just a few weeks ago, on the first day of school, he knew that they’d be friends. Both boys were destined for villainy, and more importantly (at least to Marshal), both of them cared about keeping their shared room clean. They had so much in common that sometimes Marshal was taken aback by their differences. He just couldn’t fathom how casual Owlen was when it came to preparing for his destiny. But whenever Marshal brought it up, Owlen brushed him off and changed the subject. Which he was doing again now.

“Are they going to start soon?” he asked, craning his neck to see if Headmaster Grimm had gotten up yet. “I want to get some more barre practice in before curfew.”

Marshal sighed. Sometimes, he felt like the only one who took his destiny seriously.

“Hey, Marshal!” Bella Donna Gothel and Amber Fox stood in the aisle, waving at him. “Can we sit by you guys?”

“Of course!”

Bella and Amber slipped into the row, brushing nonexistent dust off of their formal clothes. Bella had dressed in a purple witch gown adorned with thorns, while Amber had opted for an orange pantsuit with a foxtail hem. Her bright red hair had been swept up in a ponytail, putting her fox ears on full display.

Marshal and Owlen had met the two girls in their General Villainy class, and together, the four of them had formed a coalition of sorts. Bella was the daughter of Rapunzel’s princess-napping witch, and Amber was the daughter of the fox who had tried to eat Coach Gingerbreadman once upon a time. With Owlen, the son of the sorcerer who had cursed the Swan Princess, and Marshal, the son of the sheriff who chased after Robin Hood, they made up the FVEAs– Future Villains of Ever After.

Marshal liked hanging out with the three of them. They understood what it was like to have a villain for a parent. They knew what it was like to have other kids run away from them, to be scolded for being polite, and to live with the hexpectation of being ruthless at all times. Being a villain kid was tough, but Marshal knew he could handle it with these three at his side.

“Ooh, don’t look now, but–” Amber elbowed Owlen in the ribs and stealthily motioned to the aisle.

Laura Stahlbaum, the daughter of Clara, glided down the aisle, shimmering in her red and white dress. She was holding hands with a short boy made of wood. Nathan Nutcracker. The two were laughing about something, looking every bit like the picturesque fairytale couple they would become one day.

Owlen’s face went pink and he slid down in his seat.

“You should say something to her,” Bella gently urged.

Marshal frowned. He didn’t understand why Bella and Amber kept feeding into Owlen’s crush on Laura. He wasn’t her destined prince. In Marshal’s mind, he should just forget about Laura and focus more on mastering evil spells.

“Absolutely not.” Owlen slid down further as they came closer. “You know she’s with Nathan Nutcracker.”

Marshal swelled with pride. Owlen was staying strong in his destiny!

“Hi Owlen!” Laura called, waving daintily at him as she passed their row.

Owlen sat up quickly, fixing his feathered bow tie and blushing madly. “H-hey…” 

Marshal deflated. Or maybe not. Even if Laura and Nathan’s story didn’t technically end in a fairytale wedding, Owlen still had no part in their destinies. Why was Marshal the only one who saw that?

The fairy lights dimmed as Headmaster Grimm took to the podium. A hush fell over the crowd. Marshal sat at attention.

“Today is a momentous day,” he began, his voice deep and regal. “Today, we will witness the very magic that allows the world of Ever After– and our lives– to exist.” He shifted to face the second-years, who had lined up on the podium stairs as he had spoken. “By fulfilling your destinies, you ensure that stories continue to be told. You ensure that we all have a future. No part is too small or insignificant. You each have a part to play, a duty to fulfill. I urge you not to take this responsibility lightly.”

Marshal straightened his spine. Even though Headmaster Grimm was speaking to the second-years, he could feel the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders. He wished he could be one of the students lined up by the podium, but he only had a year to wait. One year before his destiny began. Yes, he would grow to be despised and hated, but he would be fulfilling his duty to the world. He would have a purpose.

Headmaster Grimm finished his speech to thunderous applause and stepped back, letting the second-years into the spotlight. Marshal watched intently as a girl carved of wood took the stage and announced herself as Cedar Wood, destined to be the next Pinocchio. He gasped when the key magically appeared and the Storybook of Legends flipped to life. Though he couldn’t see the book, he could see the story playing out in the girl’s eyes. The slight changes in her expression as she saw her whole life play out in front of her. Marshal longed to be in her place.

When she signed, the crowd erupted into cheers. 

“Go Cedar!” Nathan Nutcracker cheered, leaping onto his seat. 

“Sit down, you scratching post!” Cato en Boots hissed, his ginger ears flicking in annoyance. “Some of us are trying to watch!”

Sheepishly, Nathan plopped back down and the ceremony continued. Marshal watched it all with wide eyes, trying to commit each pledge to memory. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Owlen take out his MirrorPhone and start lazily scrolling through MyChapter. He frowned. Shouldn’t he be paying attention? His focus shifted to the rest of his friends. Amber looked at her long, sharp nails, and yawned. Bella was quietly using her magic on a patch of clover growing through the terrace tiles, letting it wrap around her chair leg.

Marshal’s spirit sank. Once again, he was the only one who cared. Suddenly he felt alone, like he was stranded on a little island with all the passing ships too far away to call out to.

He was distracted from his internal woes when Apple White took the stage. The daughter of Snow White was a legend amongst Ever After High’s students, a person that everyone admired and looked up to, including upperclassmen. She was everything any future fairytale should aspire to be.

She delivered the pledge perfectly, grinning so widely that she could have been mistaken for the daughter of the Cheshire Cat. When she signed the book, the crowd erupted into its loudest and most raucous cheers yet. Someone started tossing confetti in the air, and a few royals tossed their crowns with it. Apple White was the ultimate celebration of destiny.

The celebration died almost instantly when Raven Queen took the stage. Lightning crackled behind her. Marshal sat a little straighter. She was the first future villain to take the stage. Next to him, his friends abandoned their distractions, staring up at the future Evil Queen with wide eyes. Hope stirred in Marshal’s chest. Maybe they cared after all.

He watched with bated breath as Raven nervously stumbled through the pledge. Her key appeared, and the Storybook of Legends flipped open. Raven watched her destiny unfold with a frown. The hope in Marshal’s chest stirred and became something uncomfortable, settling like a pit in his stomach. 

The quill appeared, and Raven reached for it– and then hesitated. Stopped. Suddenly, she pulled her hand back, squared her shoulders, and looked directly into the audience.

“I am Raven Queen,” she announced, her voice powerful and bold. “And I’m going to write my own destiny. My Happily Ever After starts now!”

She slammed the Storybook of Legends shut. Above her head, the projection mirrors shattered and exploded, along with Marshal’s hopes for his future.

Next to him, his friends cheered.

[leifyposting]

New Jarch celebration ask! If you were to write a modern (<-optional) AU inspired by your own life/hobby/passion/whatever activity you practice yourself, what would it be like? (This is meant to be Jean centered, but information about other characters are more than welcome too!)

fun fact about me is that i’m a marketer by trade but a journalist by training. so…

KoF newsroom au okay hear me out

jean is the managing editor of a failing newsroom. public trust in journalism is down. half her staff has left for more stable jobs in PR and marketing. her editor-in-chief is off on a sabbatical to barbatos-knows-where and keeps posting gorgeous beach pictures on his instagram story

she looks at the accounts and comes to the realization that they’re bleeding money. they’re running on a skeleton crew with no room for layoffs and she’s already slashed her print issues from 6/year to 4/year. if they don’t get subscriptions up by the end of the year they’re going to have to shutter operations

to save the newsroom she loves, jean and her motley crew of reporters are going to have to put on the biggest talent show break the biggest story this town has ever seen

meet the cast:

jean, the managing editor, is a rising star in the journalism world. she honed her reporting and investigative skills at international gigs in liyue and sumeru before returning home to pick up an editor position at the mondstadt times. she isn’t technically supposed to be in charge of the finances… or of the editorial direction… but with her editor-in-chief on sabbatical and her director of operations off to greener pastures, she kind of just does everything that needs doing. you can often find her and her red pen at the newsroom long after everyone else has gone home

amber is the newspaper’s one and only reporter on the breaking news beat. the times moved away from breaking news a few years ago to focus on more longform stories but amber has stubbornly stuck around. this beat is particularly gruelling because of how quickly news moves - you have to be on your toes all the time, filing sometimes 3-4 stories a day - but amber works tirelessly and with so much enthusiasm that jean sometimes wonders if she’s found something stronger than coffee to get her through the day

lisa is technically the features editor, but since they’re so shorthanded, she’s taken up the responsibility of working with the freelance fact-checkers as well, which jean is desperately grateful for. she doesn’t pull the long hours that jean and amber do, but she gets an incredible amount of work done in her 7-hour workdays. noelle is one of their longtime fact-checkers who’s incredibly meticulous and good at her job - she’s been gunning for a full-time position forever but jean just doesn’t have space in the budget to bring her on

albedo, the lightly mysterious science-prodigy-turned-reporter, heads up the investigative journalists. journos in general tend to be driven by curiosity (read: they love drama) but this bunch in particular loves to stick their noses in things. half their sources only offer information “not for attribution” (their quotes must remain anonymous) or “on background” (they cannot be quoted directly at all). sucrose is a relatively new addition to the team who’s been killing it (somewhat to jean’s surprise) because her inoffensive demeanour makes nervous sources more likely to want to speak with her

eula works the politics beat, which was itself a big headline when she joined the times. no one trusted a lawrence, scion of one of mondstadt’s oldest and most corrupt political dynasties, to report accurately on national politics. but eula has proved herself an invaluable addition to the newsroom - she’s earned a reputation for tough questions and hard-nosed reporting, and has gotten herself thrown out of city hall more than once for refusing to back down from a line of questioning. mika is a younger reporter on the international news beat - he doesn’t have eula’s doggedness, but his head for geopolitics is unparalleled

kaeya is in charge of the lifestyle section - he writes (or assigns) all the fun fluff pieces on celebrities, culture, fashion, food and wine, etc. despite leading the lowest-stakes section, he’s been known to bring jean massive political stories before eula or albedo even catch wind of them. jean suspects he maintains contacts from his time on the crime beat - but when she asks he always just blinks innocently at her and doesn’t respond. he’s also unofficially in charge of babysitting klee, who at the tender age of 8 is the times’s only unpaid intern (mostly because, when alice dropped her into jean’s care, it was easier to give her a title and let her hang around the newsroom than find an after-school program capable of keeping her from causing chaos)