#brigid bites

[thuggaloshow]

Brigid Bites | Thuggalo Show: Zen of Juggs 🌹🌹🌹

December 2nd, 2022

((Juggalesque))

[president-homewrecker]

Chapters: 1/12 Fandom: BioShock 1 & 2 (Video Games) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jack & Brigid Tenenbaum, Little Sister & Brigid Tenenbaum Characters: Brigid Tenenbaum, Jack (BioShock), Little Sister (BioShock) Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Brigid Tenenbaum is best mom Summary:

After Fontaine's betrayal, Jack sets out for the elusive Lot 192, to remove the last bit of control Fontaine has over his mind.

The only problem is, that's all he wants to do, leaving Brigid to take up the mantle.

[disabled-dragoon]

The Disability Library

I love books, I love literature, and I love this blog, but it's only been recently that I've really been given the option to explore disabled literature, and I hate that. When I was a kid, all I wanted was to be able to read about characters like me, and now as an adult, all I want is to be able to read a book that takes us seriously.

And so, friends, Romans, countrymen, I present, a special disability and chronic illness booklist, compiled by myself and through the contributions of wonderful members from this site!

As always, if there are any at all that you want me to add, please just say. I'm always looking for more!

Edit 20/10/2023: You can now suggest books using the google form at the bottom!

Updated: 31/08/2023

Articles and Chapters

The Drifting Language of Architectural Accessibility in Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris, Essaka Joshua, 2012

Early Modern Literature and Disability Studies, Allison P. Hobgood, David Houston Wood, 2017

How Do You Develop Whole Object Relations as an Adult?, Elinor Greenburg, 2019

Making Do with What You Don't Have: Disabled Black Motherhood in Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, Anna Hinton, 2018

Necropolitics, Achille Mbeme, 2003 OR Necropolitics, Achille Mbeme, 2019

Wasted Lives: Modernity and Its Outcasts, Zygmunt Bauman, 2004

Witchcraft and deformity in early modern English Literature, Scott Eaton, 2020

Books

Fiction:

Misc:

10 Things I Can See From Here, Carrie Mac

A-F:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely, (Series), Brigid Kemmerer

Akata Witch, (Series), Nnedi Okorafor

A Mango-Shaped Space, Wendy Mass

Ancillary Justice, (Series), Ann Leckie

An Unkindness of Ghosts, Rivers Solomon

An Unseen Attraction, (Series), K. J. Charles

A Shot in the Dark, Victoria Lee

A Snicker of Magic, Natalie Lloyd

A Song of Ice and Fire, (series), George R. R. Martin

A Spindle Splintered, (Series), Alix E. Harrow

A Time to Dance, Padma Venkatraman

Bath Haus, P. J. Vernon

Beasts of Prey, (Series), Ayana Gray

The Bedlam Stacks, (Series), Natasha Pulley

Black Bird, Blue Road, Sofiya Pasternack

Black Sun, (Series), Rebecca Roanhorse

Blood Price, (Series), Tanya Huff

Borderline, (Series), Mishell Baker

Breath, Donna Jo Napoli

The Broken Kingdoms, (Series), N.K. Jemisin

Brute, Kim Fielding

Cafe con Lychee, Emery Lee

Carry the Ocean, (Series), Heidi Cullinan

Challenger Deep, Neal Shusterman

Cinder, (Series), Marissa Meyer

Clean, Amy Reed

Connection Error, (Series), Annabeth Albert

Cosima Unfortunate Steals A Star, Laura Noakes

Crazy, Benjamin Lebert

Crooked Kingdom, (Series), Leigh Bardugo

Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots, (Series), Cat Sebastian

Daniel, Deconstructed, James Ramos

Dead in the Garden, (Series), Dahlia Donovan

Dear Fang, With Love, Rufi Thorpe

Deathless Divide, (Series), Justina Ireland

The Degenerates, J. Albert Mann

The Doctor's Discretion, E.E. Ottoman

Earth Girl, (Series), Janet Edwards

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead, Emily R. Austin

The Extraordinaries, (Series), T. J. Klune

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict, (Series), Trenton Lee Stewart

Fight + Flight, Jules Machias

The Final Girl Support Group, Grady Hendrix

Finding My Voice, (Series), Aoife Dooley

The First Thing About You, Chaz Hayden

Follow My Leader, James B. Garfield

Forever Is Now, Mariama J. Lockington

Fortune Favours the Dead, (Series), Stephen Spotswood

Fresh, Margot Wood

H-0:

Harmony, London Price

Harrow the Ninth, (series), Tamsyn Muir

Hench, (Series), Natalia Zina Walschots

Highly Illogical Behaviour, John Corey Whaley

Honey Girl, Morgan Rogers

How to Become a Planet, Nicole Melleby

How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager, (Series), D. N. Bryn

How to Sell Your Blood & Fall in Love, (Series), D. N. Bryn

Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites, Joy Demorra

I Am Not Alone, Francisco X. Stork

The Immeasurable Depth of You, Maria Ingrande Mora

In the Ring, Sierra Isley

Into The Drowning Deep, (Series), Mira Grant

Iron Widow, (Series), Xiran Jay Zhao

Izzy at the End of the World, K. A. Reynolds

Jodie's Journey, Colin Thiele

Just by Looking at Him, Ryan O'Connell

Kissing Doorknobs, Terry Spencer Hesser

Lakelore, Anna-Marie McLemore

Learning Curves, (Series), Ceillie Simkiss

Let's Call It a Doomsday, Katie Henry

The Library of the Dead, (Series), TL Huchu

The Lion Hunter, (Series), Elizabeth Wein

Lirael, (Series), Garth Nix

Long Macchiatos and Monsters, Alison Evans

Love from A to Z, (Series), S.K. Ali

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses, Kristen O'Neal

Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro

The Never Tilting World, (Series), Rin Chupeco

The No-Girlfriend Rule, Christen Randall

Nona the Ninth, (series), Tamsyn Muir

Noor, Nnedi Okorafor

Odder Still, (Series), D. N. Bryn

Once Stolen, (Series), D. N. Bryn

One For All, Lillie Lainoff

On the Edge of Gone, Corinne Duyvis

Origami Striptease, Peggy Munson

Our Bloody Pearl, (Series), D. N. Bryn

Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper

P-T:

Parable of the Sower, (Series), Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Talents, (Series), Octavia E. Butler

Percy Jackson & the Olympians, (series), Rick Riordan

Pomegranate, Helen Elaine Lee

The Prey of Gods, Nicky Drayden

The Pursuit Of..., (Series), Courtney Milan

The Queen's Thief, (Series), Megan Whalen Turner

The Quiet and the Loud, Helena Fox

The Raging Quiet, Sheryl Jordan

The Reanimator's Heart, (Series), Kara Jorgensen

The Remaking of Corbin Wale, Joan Parrish

Roll with It, (Series), Jamie Sumner

Russian Doll, (Series), Cristelle Comby

The Second Mango, (Series), Shira Glassman

Scar of the Bamboo Leaf, Sieni A.M

Shaman, (Series), Noah Gordon

Sick Kids in Love, Hannah Moskowitz

The Silent Boy, Lois Lowry

Six of Crows, (Series) Leigh Bardugo

Sizzle Reel, Carlyn Greenwald

The Spare Man, Mary Robinette Kowal

The Stagsblood Prince, (Series), Gideon E. Wood

Stake Sauce, Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient is Love. No, Really, (Series), RoAnna Sylver

Stars in Your Eyes, Kacen Callender [Expected release: Oct 2023]

The Storm Runner, (Series), J. C. Cervantes

Stronger Still, (Series), D. N. Bryn

Sweetblood, Pete Hautman

Tarnished Are the Stars, Rosiee Thor

The Theft of Sunlight, (Series), Intisar Khanani

Throwaway Girls, Andrea Contos

Top Ten, Katie Cotugno

Torch, Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Treasure, Rebekah Weatherspoon

Turtles All the Way Down, John Green

U-Z:

Unlicensed Delivery, Will Soulsby-McCreath Expected release October 2023

Verona Comics, Jennifer Dugan

Vorkosigan Saga, (Series), Lois McMaster Bujold

We Are the Ants, (Series), Shaun David Hutchinson

The Weight of Our Sky, Hanna Alkaf

Whip, Stir and Serve, Caitlyn Frost and Henry Drake

The Whispering Dark, Kelly Andrew

Wicked Sweet, Chelsea M. Cameron

Wonder, (Series), R. J. Palacio

Wrong to Need You, (Series), Alisha Rai

Ziggy, Stardust and Me, James Brandon

Graphic Novels:

A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability, (Non-Fiction), A. Andrews

Constellations, Kate Glasheen

Dancing After TEN: a graphic memoir, (memoir) (Non-Fiction), Vivian Chong, Georgia Webber

Everything Is an Emergency: An OCD Story in Words Pictures, (memoir) (Non-Fiction), Jason Adam Katzenstein

Frankie's World: A Graphic Novel, (Series), Aoife Dooley

The Golden Hour, Niki Smith

Nimona, N. D. Stevenson

The Third Person, (memoir) (Non-Fiction), Emma Grove

Magazines and Anthologies:

Artificial Divide, (Anthology), Robert Kingett, Randy Lacey

Beneath Ceaseless Skies #175: Grandmother-nai-Leylit's Cloth of Winds, (Article), R. B. Lemburg

Defying Doomsday, (Anthology), edited by Tsana Dolichva and Holly Kench

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish, (short story) (anthology), Seiko Tanabe

Nothing Without Us, edited by Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson

Nothing Without Us Too, edited by Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson

Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens, (Anthology), edited by Marieke Nijkamp

Uncanny #24: Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction, (Anthology), edited by: Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Dominik Parisien et al.

Uncanny #30: Disabled People Destroy Fantasy, (Anthology), edited by: Nicolette Barischoff, Lisa M. Bradley, Katharine Duckett

We Shall Be Monsters, edited by Derek Newman-Stille

Manga:

Perfect World, (Series), Rie Aruga

The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud, (Short Stories), Kuniko Tsurita

Non-Fiction:

Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education, Jay Timothy Dolmage

A Disability History of the United States, Kim E, Nielsen

The Architecture of Disability: Buildings, Cities, and Landscapes beyond Access, David Gissen

Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman's Fight to End Ableism, Elsa Sjunneson

Black Disability Politics, Sami Schalk

Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration, and Safety, Dr. Elinor Greenburg

Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure, Eli Clare

The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Disability, Barker, Clare and Stuart Murray, editors.

The Capacity Contract: Intellectual Disability and the Question of Citizenship, Stacy Clifford Simplican

Capitalism and Disability, Martha Russel

Care work: Dreaming Disability Justice, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Catatonia, Shutdown and Breakdown in Autism: A Psycho-Ecological Approach, Dr Amitta Shah

The Collected Schizophrenias: Essays, Esme Weijun Wang

Crip Kinship, Shayda Kafai

Crip Up the Kitchen: Tools, Tips and Recipes for the Disabled Cook, Jules Sherred

Culture – Theory – Disability: Encounters between Disability Studies and Cultural Studies, Anne Waldschmidt, Hanjo Berressem, Moritz Ingwersen

Decarcerating Disability: Deinstitutionalization and Prison Abolition, Liat Ben-Moshe

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally, Emily Ladau

Dirty River: A Queer Femme of Color Dreaming Her Way Home, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Disability Pride: Dispatches from a Post-ADA World, Ben Mattlin

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories From the Twenty-First Century, Alice Wong

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability and Making Space, Amanda Leduc

Every Cripple a Superhero, Christoph Keller

Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness and Liberation, Eli Clare

Feminist Queer Crip, Alison Kafer

The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Growing Up Disabled in Australia, Carly Findlay

It's Just Nerves: Notes on a Disability, Kelly Davio

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

Language Deprivation & Deaf Mental Health, Neil S. Glickman, Wyatte C. Hall

The Minority Body: A Theory of Disability, Elizabeth Barnes

My Body and Other Crumbling Empires: Lessons for Healing in a World That Is Sick, Lyndsey Medford

No Right to Be Idle: The Invention of Disability, 1840s-1930s, Sarah F. Rose

Nothing About Us Without Us: Disability Oppression and Empowerment, James I. Charlton

The Pedagogy of Pathologization Dis/abled Girls of Color in the School-prison Nexus, Subini Ancy Annamma

Physical Disability in British Romantic Literature, Essaka Joshua

QDA: A Queer Disability Anthology, Raymond Luczak, Editor.

The Right to Maim: Debility, Capacity, Disability, Jasbir K. Puar

Sitting Pretty, (memoir), Rebecca Taussig

Sounds Like Home: Growing Up Black & Deaf in the South, Mary Herring Wright

Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness: How to Stay Sane and Live One Step Ahead of Your Symptoms, Ilana Jacqueline

The Things We Don't Say: An Anthology of Chronic Illness Truths, Julie Morgenlender

Uncanny Bodies: Superhero Comics and Disability, Scott T. Smith, José Alaniz 

Uncomfortable Labels: My Life as a Gay Autistic Trans Woman, (memoir), Laura Kate Dale

Unmasking Autism, Devon Price

The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe, Ellen Clifford

We've Got This: Essays by Disabled Parents, Eliza Hull

Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life, (memoir) (essays) Alice Wong

Picture Books:

A Day With No Words, Tiffany Hammond, Kate Cosgrove-

A Friend for Henry, Jenn Bailey, Mika Song

Ali and the Sea Stars, Ali Stroker, Gillian Reid

All Are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman

All the Way to the Top, Annette Bay Pimentel, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, Nabi Ali

Can Bears Ski?, Raymond Antrobus, Polly Dunbar

Different -- A Great Thing to Be!, Heather Alvis, Sarah Mensinga

Everyone Belongs, Heather Alvis, Sarah Mensinga

I Talk Like a River, Jordan Scott, Sydney Smith

Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream, K. T. Johnson, Anabella Ortiz

Just Ask!, Sonia Sotomayor, Rafael López

Kami and the Yaks, Andrea Stenn Stryer, Bert Dodson

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay, Cari Best, Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship, Jessica Kensky, Patrick Downes, Scott Magoon

Sam's Super Seats, Keah Brown, Sharee Miller

Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster, Manka Kasha

We Move Together, Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire, Eduardo Trejos

We're Different, We're the Same, and We're All Wonderful!, Bobbi Jane Kates, Joe Mathieu

What Happened to You?, James Catchpole, Karen George

The World Needs More Purple People, Kristen Bell, Benjamin Hart, Daniel Wiseman

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion, Margaret O'Hair, Sofia Sanchez, Sofia Cardoso

You Are Loved: A Book About Families, Margaret O'Hair, Sofia Sanchez, Sofia Cardoso

The You Kind of Kind, Nina West, Hayden Evans

Zoom!, Robert Munsch, Michael Martchenko

Plays:

Peeling, Kate O'Reilly

---

With an extra special thank you to @parafoxicalk @craftybookworms @lunod @galaxyaroace @shub-s @trans-axolotl @suspicious-whumping-egg @ya-world-challenge @fictionalgirlsworld @rubyjewelqueen @some-weird-queer-writer @jacensolodjo @cherry-sys @dralthon @thebibliosphere @brynwrites @aj-grimoire @shade-and-sun @ceanothusspinosus @edhelwen1 @waltzofthewifi @spiderleggedhorse @sleepneverheardofher @highladyluck @oftheides @thecouragetobekind @nopoodles @lupadracolis @elusivemellifluence @creativiteaa @moonflowero1 @the-bi-library @chronically-chaotic-cryptid for your absolutely fantastic contributions!

---

Submit a Book:

[fabdante]

I was tagged by @robinainthood !

Make a poll with five of your all time favorite characters and then tag five people to do the same. See which character is everyone’s favorite.

I tried to limit things to one per fandom and also promptly forgot every character I ever liked however I could not exclude all 3 of my DmC kids so bonus Vergil option.

anywho, tagging: @thevampireauthoress @whimsipunk @ro-blaze @destroyyaa @bigsister-watches @cainite-bite (no pressure, only if you want!)

[riordanverserpdatabase]

With our event now concluded!! We'd like to add our newest camper to the registry

Meet @the-mourning-moon-sheds-no-tears

His names Cillian! A son of The Morrígan...he doesn't bite!! [ we promise]

Thank you Camp Tara for keeping us updated!!! And congratulations on your new camper!!! He seems... Completely normal!!! Let's let the other campers know he's here!!!

Aidan O'Neil, Son of Lugh @lughs-lightheaded-son

Alan, Son of The Cailleach @howl-at-the-winter-moon

Calista, Child of Clíodhna @calista-croia

Dandelion, Child of the Dagada @wishing-0n-dandelions

Eirian, Son of Lugh @gold-runs-through-me

Eithne, Child of the Moorigan @eithnetheraven

Eva Mae (Mace), Daughter of Brigid @evamae-brigidisntfrigid

Róisín, child of Caer Ibormeith @gardnros

Ronan Callahan, Child of Ogham @ronan-child-of-ogham

Taran Keir, Daughter of The Cailleach @daughter-of-the-cailleach

We wonder if this is going to make Eithne more calm... or if they will just be the most unnerving sibling duo possible now. We know which one we would like to see!!!!!

[the-seelie-court-official]

brigid showed up in a dream to tell me to bite nazis as much as possible. based.

[starsandauras]

Entry 23: On Cloud Nine

FFXIV 30 Day Writing Challenge Prompt 23: On Cloud Nine grá amháin translates to loved one

Dzoldzaya watched the small patch of black running through the white of the Mol’s flock of sheep. Sometimes it would sink below the white, only to pop back up, excited giggles coming from it.

Brigid settled on the ground beside him, but not too close, both of them still trying to figure out how to be around each other. But she smiled, watching the patch of black. “He’s likin’ sheep,” she murmured, and Cred disappeared only to pop up again, looking around with a bright smile on his face.

Dzoldzaya nodded, watching Cred disappear yet again, but the shifting and soft baas coming from the sheep marked his path. The white haired man who had come with them — Thancred? — was perched on a rock, watching Cred intently while also being far enough away to give himself and Brigid their privacy. “He is of the Steppe,” he offered, a light smile touching his lips as Brigid laughed softly, a hand coming up to her lips.

“His mum’s also spinnin’ her own yarn and bein’ fond of sheep in her own right,” she replied.

“Mama!” Cred suddenly called out, waving at them. “Sheep!”

He saw Thancred shift slightly, as though he was relaxing, just a little. Brigid grinned and waved back. “Aye grá amháin,” she cheered back at him. “Sheep!”

Cred laughed and turned back to the sheep, reaching out to grab the one nearest him, and Dzoldzaya realized what Cred was about to do only a split second before his mother and… da, apparently. “Cred darlin!” Brigid called out, and both of them shifted to stand when Dzoldzaya placed a hand on her arm.

“All the Mol children try to ride the sheep,” he said softly, meeting her eyes. “Don’t worry.”

Brigid looked at him, biting her lower lip, then over to Thancred, who was frozen in place, waiting for her. Meanwhile, Cred was trying to hike his leg over the sheep. She looked back at Dzoldzaya, who nodded slowly. Brigid slowly resumed her seat, and he saw Thancred do the same. “‘Tis goin’ to be a mess,” she murmured.

“I don’t mind.”

Brigid sighed, seemingly accepting his words, and slowly relaxed again. All three watched as Cred successfully climbed onto the back of the sheep, the sheep in question seemingly entirely unbothered by the small child clambering onto it. Instead it started ambling around slowly, and Cred squealed in happiness.

Brigid smiled again, pulling her legs up to perch her chin on her knees, and Dzoldzaya smiled at her. “‘Tis good he’s fittin’ in so well here,” she murmured. “‘Tis his as much as Eorzea’s bein’.”

He nodded, watching the child — his son, and he was still getting used to that fact — take part in the same activities that any other child of the Steppe would enjoy, despite his being born so far away.

[theeccentricraven]

OC Headcanons

Thank you @kaylinalexanderbooks the Great for the tag! (here)

Rules: use this website to generate headcanons for your OCs, then explain if they're right or not!

The Blood Cleaners

Justin almost drank the lethal dosage of caffeine once.

I never thought of that before. I'm so tempted to add this to canon.

Joselyn enjoys doing taxes.

Oh, you don't know her if you believe that.

Clarice forgets to eat sometimes.

Tried to think of a situation where she would....maybe I should portray her eating before I decide if this is canon or fanon.

Sanctuary Calling

Nari is a sleepwalker.

Actually, later in the story she suffers from PTSD where this could be a symptom.

Abraham has punched a hole in their wall.

I have never seen such a polar opposite deviance from a canon before.

The Keeper of Maralla

Juva hates being alone.

Half true? She is a loner, shy, quiet, and solitary. She can never be completely alone, though. She would break down if she got lost. Good thing she always has Maralla for company.

Maralla does not know what sleep is.

Quite the opposite, she slept for hundreds of years in a fairy ring.

Jorem tackles and wrestles people to show affection.

No, he shows affection by teasing and witty compliments.

Columbus Day

Julie has not showered in two and a half weeks.

Apparently the generator confused Julie with Juva.

Tsicatam bites their nails.

True, but for a different reason than it seems. He is an alien with claws and keratin teeth. He, like all of his people, often bites his claws and nails while eating.

Brigid Aideen

Aideen has an incredible spice tolerance.

She can tolerate almost anything.

Lou needs a nightlight to sleep.

I worry this would make him too much of a stereotypical wimpy nerd/geek.

David cringes at their middle school yearbook photos.

I believe it.

Tagging (no pressure): @buffythevampirelover @wyked-ao3 @winterandwords @kitkins13 @poethill @willtheweaver @orphanheirs and open!

[tiofrean]

Tell me more about rage against the dying of the light please!!!

Oh my dear!!! <3333 Thanks for the ask, first of all! Second - this is my absolute favorite position on the list, even though I hardly have 10 pages.

Some time ago I started to think up a character - Gabriel "Roots" Rothenberg. I knew how he looked like, I knew what and how he was. I started to put him into different scenarios, like one does with an OC. And one day a scenario came to my mind about a kinda-medieval thing, with him being in the army (near-border watch sorta thing), in a world where the kingdom he hails from is at war with the neighboring one. They try as much as they can, but sometimes there's nothing they can do to help the people that are being raided. A missive comes that the king has died and so Gabe and his unit have to move on, traveling to the capital for the coronation and the swearing-in while another unit takes their place.

But! He would have been lonely even with his soldiers (he's a traumatized dude, give him a break, wait a minute Wednesday, etc. etc.) so I made him a boyfriend, Danny Leeds :D He joins Gabe's unit after his whole village got culled. So! There we are :D <3

I may publish it one day when I actually have something to publish... but here's a snippet for you <333

Gabe Roots hated rabbit stew. Whoever had thought up this particular concoction of vegetables and meat must have been an evil spirit amusing himself on his day off, he thought, peering into his bowl. There was a sad little slice of carrot drifting at the surface, pale enough that it could be considered parsley if one squinted hard enough. Maybe it was, seeing as everything growing in this godforsaken piece of land was so bland there was no telling for sure what their most recent foraging quest had unearthed. Jacob had deemed it edible, though, and Gabe trusted their cook implicitly. Reluctantly, he dug out his spoon and stirred the contents, shuddering at the pieces of rabbit floating up to the surface. 

Even without tasting it, he knew it would be chewy as shit. 

How did the meat stay so damn dry after soaking in boiling water for close to an hour, he could never guess, but his suspicions were confirmed with the first bite. He munched on it carefully, frowning at Avery slurping up his portion and smacking his lips soundly afterwards. “That was delightful,” he commented, and Jacob grinned, waving his hand in thanks. Gabe shivered again, looking down only to see the sad slice of carrot finally give up and sink to the bottom of the bowl. 

He gritted his teeth and kept on eating, barely reacting when he felt another presence sitting down next to him. “It’s getting colder,” Cinder’s voice was low, deceptively conversational. He grunted instead of answering her, and tried to find the unfortunate carrot, mostly to get rid of it. “If we don’t get orders to move out soon, we’ll be doomed,” his captain went on, well-used to his moods. Gabe nodded absentmindedly, upturning a piece of something looking suspiciously like a bone. “The girls will be back,” he reminded her, glaring at the elusive slice when he caught a glimpse of it slipping away and back to the bottom of the slop. “Let’s hope they didn’t encounter any trouble.” “Brigid?” Gabe huffed, amused. “The last time someone tried to get in her way we had two bodies to bury.” He grinned at the memory. 

Brigid was rather on the short side, and her long, blond hair and big, blue eyes lent her a soft appearance, to the dismay of anyone trying to intimidate her. She was quick as a snake, carried five knives, and knew well where to stick them.  “Besides, Elizabeth is with her,” Gabe went on, shrugging, finally managing to pin the offending piece of vegetable to the side of his bowl. He dragged it up. “If her glare won’t put off any possible brigands, her bow will.” “She’s a hunter,” Cinder replied, her gaze flickering to his determined battle. “And a marksman,” he added, gathering the carrot on his spoon. He brought it up for inspection, glaring at it. “What in the world is that?” He asked with distaste, and his captain chuckled. “White beetroot,” she enlightened him, her amusement turning into a full-on laughter when he tossed it to the side. 

[thetravelingymleader]

Heya!

In case you don't know, the name's Nox, I'm 26, and use He/they pronouns (That's me above)! I'm from Hearthome, Sinnoh where I'm going to be future a Gym leader at my Aunt Fantina's gym!

Right now I'm traveling to various regions, trying to grow as a person and become the best gym leader I can be!

Current Location: Paldea

~If you want to know more about me and my pokemon, then just read below:

(PLEASE READ BEFORE INTERACTING)

I have two teams! One's is my future gym team, and the other is a ragtag, misfit team for traveling (Don't worry all my pokemon get equal love and attention <3) :

My misfit Team:

☆ Loa (Banette) ♀

☆ Jasper (Sableye) ♂

☆ Pluto (Gengar) ♂

☆ Artemis (Mightyena) ♀

☆ Wednesday (Mimikyu) ♀

☆ Hecate (Noivern) ♀

☆ Ace (Amped-up Toxtricity) ♂

☆ Anthrax (Toxicroak) ♂

☆ Suzu (Bronzong)

☆ Raijin (Luxray) ♂

☆ Baku (Mawhile) ♂

Newbies!:

☆Inari (Hisuian Zorua) ♂

☆Morrigan (Shiny Marshadow)

☆Khepri (Scolipede) ♂

☆Kanaloa (Inkay) ♂

☆Ceres (Dartrix) ♂

☆Haku (Sligoo) ♂

Paldean team!:

☆ Alto (Crocolar) ♂

☆ Brigid (Tinkatink) ♀

☆ Cadmium (Shroodle) ♀

Ultra-Domesticated Rescues!:

☆Lil' Dipper (UD Nidoran)♂ *NON-BATTLER

☆Eris (UD Gastly) ♀ *NON-BATTLER

Here's My dad, Nanu's trainer card too!

Quick run-down on my family:

My Aunt Shauntal, who has a blog on here too! (@three-out-of-four), My Aunt Fantina, Agatha (Grandmother-deceased), and Bertha (Grandmother).*

My dad, Nanu, shows up on my blog sometimes and he's available for asks as well! he's a bit grumpy and quiet, but says he'll answer any questions directed to him. My dad isn't with me right now, as I'm in Paldea! I'll tell him you say "Hi" though c:

-As you can see, I have a lot to live up to as a trainer!

If you wanna talk to me, feel free to bug me anytime! I'm always ready for battles AND asks >:)

---

*(Mun Note: This is an au where Shauntal and Fantina are half-sisters; Agatha and Bertha were twin sisters. Agatha has passed away as well.)

DNI: PRO-SHIPPERS, TERFS RAD/LIBFEMS, TRANSPHOBES, RACISTS,, ETC. NO NSFW POSTS/RPS ALLOWED

(If you do nsfw, keep it off my blog thank you.)

Hey, mun Nova, here 30+ years old and I use he/they pronouns!

If you have any questions don't be afraid to contact me, my DMs are always open! Also this is an rp blog that takes place in the pokemon universe, so pls keep in mind I will be RPing as such! Also I will be using A LOT of personal HCs, so if you don't like them err... sorry?

>Friendly reminder that if you try to engage a plot with me without at least discussing it with me first, then I will likely not respond. Even if you do approach me with a plot in mind, there is no guarantee I will agree.

I AM A-OKAY INTERACTING WITH OCS. This involves: Fallers, Eebydeebies, sentient pokemon, hybrids, etc. If you're not sure just ask! I promise I do not bite <3

If you are looking to interact with my muse, and your muse is tied to some potentially triggering topics, I would prefer if you discussed potential interactions with me first. This is for my own comfort, so please keep this in mind.

This is a side blog, so I'll usually send asks on anon and sign off with either -Thetravelingymleader or depending.

I follow back from my main @galactic-mermaid

IF YOU READ THIS ENTIRE THING, PLS SEND (DM or Ask) THE PHRASE "Paper Tiger" TO ME AS CONFIRMATION.

Check out my other Pokemon RP blogs!:

@piers-official (Piers/Marnie RP blog)

@ghostly-groundskeeper (Pokemon OC)

@darkpunkrocker (Sidney E4 RP Blog)

@ragingwaters (Nessa RP blog)

@krazy-for-klara (Klara RP blog)

@a-gastly-trio (Pokemon Gijinka OCs) ((HIATUS))

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E Bios: Conan Pritchard

The Cyhyraeth Duke of C.R.C Conan Pritchard (2020)

The eldest son of Maeve, and eldest grandson of Naoise, Conan. An Irish-Catholic living in Wales and an artistic, lively father. Conan is Kirby's first cousin once removed.

"By blood-line, I am a Rhydderch."

Name

Full Legal Name: Conan Bairrfhionn Gwythyr Bláán Pritchard

First Name: Conan

Meaning: Means 'Little Wolf' or 'Little hound' from Irish 'Cú' 'Wolf, Hound' combined with a diminutive suffix.

Pronunciation: ko-NAN

Origin: Irish

Middle Name(s): Bairrfhionn, Gwythyr, Bláán

Meaning(s): Bairrfhionn: Means 'Fair-Haired', derived from Old Irish 'Barr' 'Top, Head' and 'Finn' 'White, Blessed'. Gwythyr: Welsh form of 'Victor', a Roman name meaning 'Victor, Conquerer' in Latin. Bláán: From Old Irish 'Blá' meaning 'Yellow' combined with a diminutive suffix.

Pronunciation(s): BAR-in / BAR-uwn / BAR-oon. GWIH-th-iyr. BLAAN

Origin(s): Irish. Welsh Mythology. Old Irish.

Surname: Pritchard

Meaning: From Welsh 'Ap Richard' meaning 'Son of Richard'

Pronunciation: PRIT-chard

Origin: Welsh

Alias: Cyhyraeth Duke, Conan Pritchard

Reason: This is Conan's ring name

Titles: Mr

Characteristics

Age: 30

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: Welsh

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: March 1st 1990

Symbols: Banshees, Cyhyraeths, Ghosts, Crowns

Sexuality: Bisexual

Religion: Irish-Catholic

Native Language: Welsh

Spoken Languages: Welsh, Irish, Scottish (Scots Gaelic), English

Relationship Status: Married

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Theme Song: 'What Do They Know?' - Mindless Self Indulgence (2008-)

Voice Actor: Lee Evans

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Tullahought, Kilkenny, Ireland

Current Location: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Hometown: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Appearance

Height: 6'6" / 198 cm

Weight: 240 lbs / 108 kg

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: Dark Orange

Body Hair: Sparse

Facial Hair: Clean Shaven

Tattoos: (As of Jan 2020) 15

Piercings: Ear Lobe (Triple, Both), Eyebrow (Double, Both), Tragus (Both), Nasallang, Cyber Bites

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Allies: (As of Jan 2020) The Rhydderch Clan

Enemies: (As of Jan 2020) None

Friends: Ardalion Volkov, Patrick Turner, Heddwyn Pritchard, Neil Pritchard, Glyn Pritchard, Joshua Pritchard

Colleagues: The C.R.C Locker Rooms / Too Many To List

Rivals: None

Closest Confidant: Brighid Pritchard

Mentor: Conall Pritchard

Significant Other: Brighid Pritchard (31, Wife, Née MacKenzie)

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Conall Pritchard (51, Father), Maeve Pritchard (50, Mother, Née Rhydderch)

Parents-In-Law: Cian MacKenzie (61, Father-In-Law), Brigid MacKenzie (62, Mother-In-Law, Née Chevrolet)

Siblings: Eira MacThaoig (27, Sister, Née Pritchard), Seren Mathieson (24, Sister, Née Pritchard), Heddwyn Pritchard (21, Brother), Tegwen Pritchard (18, Sister), Neil Pritchard (15, Brother), Owena Pritchard (12, Sister), Glyn Pritchard (9, Brother), Joshua Pritchard (6, Brother), Ulyssa Pritchard (3, Sister)

Siblings-In-Law: Cillian MacThaoig (28, Eira's Husband), Conn Mathieson (25, Seren's Husband), Eithne Pritchard (22, Heddwyn's Wife, Née McCulloch), Gael MacKenzie (28, Brighid's Brother), Nerthus MacKenzie (29, Gael's Wife, Née Hendry), Berthild Holmes (25, Brighid's Sister, Née MacKenzie), Chavdar Holmes (26, Berthild's Husband), Gwendal MacKenzie (22, Brighid's Brother), Aglaia MacKenzie (23, Gwendal's Wife, Née Hughes), Chlodechilda MacKenzie (19, Brighid's Sister), Gwenneg MacKenzie (16, Brighid's Brother), Clothildis MacKenzie (13, Brighid's Siister)

Nieces & Nephews: Brendan MacThaoig (7, Nephew), Damhnait MacThaoig (4, Niece), Deirbhile MacThaoig (1, Niece), Brian Mathieson (4, Nephew), Cairbre Mathieson (1, Nephew), Fiadh Pritchard (1, Niece), Borislav MacKenzie (8, Nephew), Alodia MacKenzie (5, Niece), Boyko MacKenzie (2, Nephew), Geloyra Holmes (5, Niece), Daniel Holmes (2, Nephew), Aikaterini MacKenzie (2, Niece)

Children: Aonghus Pritchard (10, Son), Caoilfhionn Pritchard (7, Daughter), Clodagh Pritchard (4, Daughter), Ardghal Pritchard (1, Son)

Children-In-Law: None

Grandkids: None

Great Grandkids: None

Wrestling

Billed From: Kilkenny, Ireland

Trainer: The C.R>C Wrestling School, Naoise Rhydderch, Conall Pritchard

Managers: Brighid Pritchard

Wrestlers Managed: Brighid Pritchard

Debut: 2008

Debut Match: Conan Pritchard VS Conall Pritchard. Conan won via pinfall

Retired: N/A

Retirement Match: N/A

Wrestling Style: Brawler / Hardcore

Stables: The Rhydderch Clan (2008-)

Teams: No Team Names

Regular Moves: Belly-To-Back Suplex, Bulldog, Figure-Four Leglock, Inverted Atomic Drop, Low Blow, Multiple Jabs, Poking / Raking Opponent's Eyes, Running High Knee Strike, Big Boot, Atomic Drop, Backbreaker Rack, Diving Overhead Chop, High Knee, One-Armed Body Slam, Piledriver, Running Big Boot, Running Leg Drop, Vertical Suplex Powerslam

Finishers: Sleeper Hold, Jumping Knee Drop, Top Rope Jumping Knee Drop

Refers To Fans As: The Fans, The Family

Extras

Backstory: Conan Pritchard of the C.R.C (Welsh Wrestling League / Cynghrair Reslo Cymru) owning Rhydderch family. When Maeve dies Conan will have a 1/560th ownership of the promotion. Conan is a 'Cyhyraeth Style' (Brawler/Hardcore) trainer. He's mostly Welsh.

Trivia: Nothing of Note

[thuggaloshow]

iLL e. Gal summons a tarot reading for The Thuggalo Show in 2023 🔮🔮🔮

[ollovae3]

Currently in a bit of a brain-is-mushy state still, wrote most of this days ago, but thought I'd toss this at y'all who remained through my hiatus (depression and burnout followed by school is,,,, fun)?? Like I said before, I've gotten hooked on The Walking Dead—also got my mom hooked on it somehow, so I'm cackling. As usual, that means my lil OC brain is churning a mile a minute but with no ability to choose, so I'd love y'all's opinions?

No art atm since I'm still recovering from literally drawing every day w the fear of 1000 gazelles (if that makes ANY sense), but I've got some picrews and info for em!! Not all the info tho cause I straight up have about 3 pages per character, in 2-column, 10pt font format. 💀 So here's their picrews and their initial moodboards!! Appearances changed since the boards so sorry abt that. 😅 Bless Canva tho, been addicted to that damn site since HS 👌

And yes I got attached to Daryl, leave me be w my love for the grump-w/-a-golden-heart trope— 🫣💀

Warning for some TWD-typical violence below, as well as mention of addiction/withdrawal.

Characters:

Halina Waldron:

Halina Waldron essentially had the Worst Vacation of Her Life. Went on a post-grad celebration trip, only for the Outbreak to start JUST as they got to their new stop for the trip (near the Atlanta area).

Managed to find the Dixon brothers before they found the Quarry, and essentially annoyed them into letting her tag along and learn from them. She hopes to find her family back in Vermont, but her story follows mostly along the canon route with the rest of the survivors.

Admittedly am tempted though to have her end up working for (not a soldier for) the Saviors at some point, as a way to change canon/put in some interesting conflict? But we'll see 👀

Brigid Hassall

Brigid Hassall, the Granny Witch from the Georgia portion of Appalachia! Personally designed her to be of partially Melungeon descent, as well as visibly Autistic?

Lived in the same lil town as the Dixons, with the talents of/later studying to be a medicine witch (variant of Granny Witches afaik). Was good friends with Daryl in school, and helped both brothers whenever they needed patching up or Merle needed help trying to quit whatever he was on. She turned semi-agoraphobic after losing her family, so the boys didn't see her and couldn't find her after The Outbreak. She did survive though, and kept growing things and hunting when she needed, helping travelers or defending her home from them.

Shows up around S3, during the Prison-Era. Got sought out for help w medicine and associated horticulture knowledge.

Andromeda Shaw

Andromeda Shaw, also called Meda [mee-dah], is a bit of a harsher character? She and her family were out camping with friends to escape the nasty flu going around when things hit. They lost their friends, who Meda had to stop from biting her family or getting into their RV, which hardened her, but broke her sibling (understandable ngl-).

After that, she and the family have been wandering in the RV, hoping to find people to trade with or somewhere safe to stay. Her parents had to focus on protecting and stabilizing her sib after that camping trip, so Meda's placed herself as the defacto family shield of sorts, there to have her dad's back and to help provide when the others can't.

The Shaws end up muddling with canon a bit, but don't show until around the Post-Governor Prison-Era in late-S3/S4? Eventually become more of a staple in canon during S6, when it turns out they're runners and residents of Alexandria.

So yeah!! I'd love any opinions on which of these girls you think I should run with more? I rlly like all of em so I'm just stuck blue-screening about which to work with, and I'd appreciate anything you might have honestly 😅.

Happy to answer additional questions abt em if that helps at all!! 💖

[lightspren]

3, 11, 14? c:

3. What were your top five books of the year?

Answered! But I still had it copied so answering again lol. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Sanderson, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Sanderson, Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites by Joy Demorra, Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer, and the Broken Earth series by NK Jemison. Honorable mention to The Saltwater Heir by Cassidy Clarke

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

Answered this one too but I’m gonna pick a second now that the opportunity presents itself! I really enjoyed the Broken Earth series, I’d put it off because I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy the seriousness of it but I did!

14. What books do you want to finish before the year is over?

So I’m in the middle of rereading Hero of Ages and would like to finish that. I’d also like to get Defiant and read it too, but tbh it’ll probably be next year bc I need to reread Cytonic and the novellas first. My memories are a little fuzzy on them lol. Honesty most of my reading plans are for after the new year. I have like 5 chapters left on the rough draft of my book and that’s really where my focus is rn. bc it’s so. so close to done. but after I edit it into a first draft, I want to stop and read a lot for a while, both to clean my brain out and to reread some old faves so I can focus on like. sentence structure, pacing, etc and digest that to improve my own work. you’re welcome for the unprompted tangent about my own unfinished book LOL

[furmity]

I missed La Fheill Brigde/ Imbolc, and I'm sorry for it. It wasn't a thing where I was with only two seasons: wet and dry, which flip like a coin it seems. Now I'm home I see that orchid buds, jasmine, and fruit blossoms are appearing, wattle, wattle everywhere! Today was a clear blue sky, the sun has some bite again, and the grass is that green it can only be in spring sunshine.

I am grateful to the Bride this year, I intended to welcome her into the house. Associated with livestock, healing, smithing, fire, and snakes, who else can I turn to to watch over my domestic python? Ood the Dude had some skin troubles this year, with prayers to Brigid to forge him new scales. He has healed.

In actual Rainbow Serpent Dreaming country, my cycle was fully synced with the Imbolc full moon. This hasn't been the case for nearlly a decade. What does that mean? Probably nothing. Ood always sheds while I bleed, and that means everything (together since my menarche).

With each shed his scales are forged stronger, and this time he looks so bright in his yellows, so velvety the black, his iridescence so luminous in the light...

[musingsofella]

5.

Ceux Qui Ne Meurent Jamais

a story of legends, ladies, and those who never die

"I'm what you'd call lucky."

Nathalie had spent the past week poring over every book in the library about the history of their order, looking for anything about Léonie or le cavalier de l’ombre, and had barely made a dent. There were hundreds of books and she had no better method of searching than starting at the very first volume on the shelf and going book by book, page by page. It was a slow and somewhat ineffective process, especially with one person. 

She hadn’t told Lucie what she was doing. At least, not the bit about Léonie. She wasn’t ready to try and pry answers from her yet, and she was still intimidated by Lady Brigid, so for the most part her research remained solitary. 

As the days passed, she had developed a routine. Every morning, she woke up just in time for breakfast, ate with Lucie in the dining room, and washed the dishes before taking the next book off the shelf to an armchair with a large end table on the first balcony. She read and took notes on anything that seemed important or relevant until early afternoon, when she took a break for lunch and sometimes an errand into town. The first few days were then followed by time unpacking her things and organizing her new room, which slowly turned into exploring the manor until the sun began to set. She then resumed her research until she was too tired to continue before going to bed. 

Lady Brigid was rarely seen outside of the library, and Nathalie hadn’t heard a word from her since she had yelled at the other two ladies in the manor. She was always in there reading before Nathalie awoke, and was still occupied when Nathalie went to bed. It was hardly a surprise when one morning she was asleep in her chair, the book still open in her lap. 

“Happens about once a week or so,” Lucie had said. “She just changes clothes and comes right back.”

Lucie was a mystery in her own right. While Lady Brigid was rarely seen outside the library, Lucie was rarely seen in it. She preferred more practical knowledge, she told Nathalie, and was found in the kitchen more often than not. In fact, Nathalie never saw her anywhere but the kitchen or the library, leaving the manor empty for her to explore.

Among the more interesting things she had found included a large banquet hall with a grand piano, several books that had been left scattered about the manor years ago, and significant evidence of a squirrel den in the attic, although there was no evidence of the squirrels themselves. All discoveries in their own right, but nothing that helped Nathalie discover who Léonie was and why she’d never heard of her.

After a week, Nathalie was growing tired. She had never been described as patient, and the monotony of her days with no progress became increasingly frustrating. If only she had someone to talk to about her search, to discuss theories with, she might actually make some sort of breakthrough.

Thursday morning dawned bright and cold, just like the previous days had, but with one exception. She and Lucie were eating breakfast in the dining room when there was a knock on the door. Nathalie stopped mid-bite, confused as to who would be at the door. Lucie, however, was unfazed. If anything, she seemed alarmed. She jumped up and ran out of the room. Curious, Nathalie followed her towards the large front doors she had been on the other side of just days prior. 

Lucie pushed open the ornately carved door. “Théodore, what are you doing? Come in, come in!” She grabbed a young boy by the arm and pulled him inside.

“I’m so sorry, Lucie, I had to come now,” said the boy as he peeled a scarf away from his face. His dark hair was plastered down with sweat despite the cold, and he was out of breath, like he’d just run for miles. 

“What could be so important that you’d risk Brigid finding out you still come? You know better than that!”

“And you know I wouldn’t be here so early if I didn’t have to be.”

“That doesn’t make it any less risky.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

Lucie grew quiet, looking down at her feet. The boy gave her a knowing stare before nodding towards Nathalie. “Who’s this?”

Unsure if she should trust him, Nathalie remained silent. Lucie must have sensed her hesitation as she spoke up. “This is Lady Nathalie. She arrived earlier this week.”

“Nice to meet you, Nathalie,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Théodore Bassett.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you he was coming,” Lucie said as the two shook hands. “He wasn’t supposed to come for a few weeks.”

“I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t send a note, but this is important.” He unbuttoned his coat. “You wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat? I haven’t eaten since Tuesday morning.”

“Of course. Let’s go to the kitchen, it’s warmer, and Brigid won’t accidentally wander in there.” Lucie took his scarf and led him down the hall.

Nathalie lingered in the foyer. Who was he? What was he doing here? Why couldn’t Lady Brigid know he was here? But she knew she wouldn’t get any answers standing around, so she followed the pair to the kitchen, where Lucie was already scooping porridge into a bowl for him. 

“So what was so important you had to come early?” she asked, handing him the food.

He accepted it and took a bite before saying, “You know the shadow rider?”

Lucie nodded. “Le cavalier de l’ombre.”

“They were spotted just north of here. Some shopkeeper said he heard a ruckus downstairs, and when he went to see what was the matter, he saw a ‘man in black jump on a horse and ride away’. Nothing was disturbed, but the shopkeeper said it felt like the cold was reaching toward him, like it wanted to take him away. Of course, I heard it in a tavern, so everyone wrote him off as drunk or maybe crazy, but that’s how it always is. I came here quick as I could.” 

Théodore held out his bowl, which was now empty. Lucie didn’t move. He shrugged and turned to face Nathalie. “How much do you know about this shadow rider? Clearly enough, because you haven't asked any questions, and obviously Lucie trusts you if she didn’t shoo you away.” When Nathalie still didn’t speak, he added, “I know you don’t know me, but you can trust me.”

“Who even are you?” she asked, putting no thought into the question.

He chuckled. “Fair. You already know my name, so I won’t repeat that.”

“How do you know about our order?”

“Ah. I’m what you’d call lucky.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He’s one of us,” Lucie said, her eyes still to the floor.

Nathalie paused. “What do you mean, one of us?”

Lucie started to speak, but Théodore cut her off. “Let me. You know how your order is all ladies? They teach you that the order is all ladies because only ladies are immortal, but that’s a lie. There’s plenty of folks who aren’t ladies but are immortal, just like you. Just like me.”

“There’s another order?”

“We don’t have such a nice order as yours, but we do exist. You’ve never heard of us because you ladies like to pretend we don’t.”

“But why?”

“Nathalie, there’s more to our history than you think there is. It’s just been washed out.” Lucie said. “I didn’t think we’d have to get into this so soon after you getting here, because I didn’t realize Théodore was going to come so early, and I thought I could hide him a while longer.”

Nathalie sank to the floor. “This is all so much. Why didn’t I know any of this?”

“They didn’t teach you any of this because they’re ashamed of it, so they pretend it doesn’t exist.”

“No, they don’t want you to see the cracks in your organization,” Théodore corrected. “If you become aware of your flaws, you'll want to fix them, and you can’t do that without destroying the fundamentals of the order.”

“Fundamentals?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about your order, Nathalie. Most ladies, it takes them at least three or four cycles to figure all this out. Have you ever thought about where your immortality comes from?”

“I…” she paused. She had never questioned why the ladies were immortal. If anything, her teachers had always said the ladies were ‘special’ or ‘blessed’. They had never specified why.

“That’s because it comes from dark magic.” Théodore sat down on the floor across from Nathalie. “An elite group of ladies are able to harness this power and wield it, creating the ladies in their order. Did you ever wonder why so many of your classmates’ mothers had died in childbirth?”

She hadn’t before, but now that he mentioned that, she realized that she was the only one in her class whose mother hadn’t died giving birth. Lady Sylviane had disapproved of the girls discussing their lives before they came to the children’s manor, so the subject was brought up infrequently, but the subject of family had come up a few times throughout her youth. 

“They use the magic to infect women who are with child, and when the child is born the mother tends to pass away. Then, with the mothers gone, they’re able to take the children away by the time they’re a few years old. That is, only the daughters, of course. That’s why my order is primarily men, although we’re not as exclusive as your order.” 

Théodore spoke quietly, barely above a whisper, but his words seemed to echo through the room. If what he was saying was true, then Nathalie wasn’t so sure she wanted to be a part of this order anymore.

“Lucie, is he telling the truth?” Nathalie asked timidly.

She nodded. “Léonie is the one who told me. She somehow figured it out in her first cycle, and she convinced me that we needed to do education of self together so she could tell me all of this in secret. Then she…” Lucie trailed off.

“What about Lady Brigid?”

“Léonie and I tried to ask her about it once, but she got mad at us. She told us we were making things up, trying to dismantle the order from the inside. That’s why she doesn’t know that Théodore visits.”

“And I visit because Lucie’s stuck here with Brigid and I can bring news of what’s happening beyond the village and the forest,” Théodore piped up. “I also try to keep a lookout for any unrest within either order, and for that shadow rider.”

“I know it’s a lot,” Lucie assured Nathalie. “I know it’s hard to believe, but we’re telling the truth. We’ve been trying to figure out the vulnerabilities of le cavalier de l’ombre, some way to destroy them, ever since Léonie died. And now that you’ve seen them too, you can help us in our search.”

Nathalie started to speak when Théodore interrupted. “Wait, you’ve seen le cavalier? And you remember?” He paled when Nathalie nodded. “Then the clock is ticking. If you want to live, you’re going to have to trust every word I say, or you’re going to die regretting.”

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