#empress frey au

[beck-a-leck]

Had a sudden and unexpected, but not unwelcomed idea about Empress 'Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely' Frey and immedietly went

You thought Ethelberd was bad, wait until the Empress, with Earthmate powers unseen in Sechs in a generation or more, with the power to command monsters and dragons takes the throne.

The Sechs Empire will know peace, but it will be the peace of submission.

When people speak in awe and terror of the Hunter Wolf, it's uncertain if they mean Frey or Skadi. They are equally deadly.

Very heavily influencing this with Narnia's White Witch and ring-tempted Galadriel's 'instead of a dark lord you shall have a queen, beautiful and terrible as the dawn. All will love me and despair'

[thebeckster]

Ben again with a second prompt for that reverse trope game: Forte/Frey and the soulmates fated to kill each other? (;w;)

HI BEN GUESS WHAT WAS SO PERFECTLY UP MY ALLEY FOR A COMPLETELY TRAGIC STORY INSTEAD OF MAKING THIS A SHORT PROMPT FILL LIKE I INTENDED IT BECAME A 7.3K WORD MONSTER!

As soon as I saw the prompt and the ship I just immediately went "Well, that's perfect for a Dark!Empress Frey AU!" And then I went into an ADHD fueled fugue state for 4 hours and came out with this!

I am not going to post the whole story here, even under a cut, I won't do that to y'all. So you can read the whole thing on AO3!

I'll put the juciest parts here. it will still be quite long under the cut, be warned.

CW: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, generally Mature content in the back half.

Forte only ever had her fortune told once. She had been a young girl, just about a year into her training – old enough to be concerned about the future, but young enough to believe in soothsayers. She went with a group of girlfriends, all giggling and nervous and excited to know what exactly fate had in store for them Would they find love? Glory? Power? One by one the girls stepped into the witch’s parlor, paid her the required coin, and asked their questions. Forte waited to go last. She didn’t know what she wanted to ask the seer. Before she made up her mind, the witch was calling her in. The parlor was dark, the air heavy with smokey incense. Candles flickered all around, they were the only source of light, aside from the faintly glowing milky crystal ball in the center of a small round table. The witch smiled kindly at her and held out her hand for Forte’s coin. “Take a seat, dear, and ask me what you would like to know.” Forte sat across from her at the table, trying to think of any question that was worth the seer’s time. Her mind was blank. “I… I suppose… I’m going to be a knight. I guess… what should my steed be? Horses are nice but…” What kind of question was that? It was so stupid! “A knight’s steed must match their nature. A bold knight can harness a mighty steed. A cunning knight knows to blend in as simple horse and rider. When were you born, my dear?” “No wait! Sorry, can I ask another. That was a stupid question.” Forte’s eyes had caught something when the witch set her cards aside. She’d set the deck upside down and the bottom card showed two figures holding hands, looking at each other. “Of course, dear.” The witch offered kindly, setting the star chart aside. Forte drew a breath. “I want to know if I’ll ever meet my soulmate.”

The witch’s smile widened. “Give me your hands.”

Forte held out her hands and the seer began carefully examining them, gently tracing her finger tip over the lines on Forte’s palm. “Your right hand is strong, the love line is long. When you fight for love, you will rarely lose. But your left hand,” she clicked her tongue softly in disappointment, “The hand with which you would hold your loves close… I’m afraid that love line has been cut short. This scar here, how long have you had it?”

“About a year.” It had been an accident in her early training, her hand had slipped while she was sharpening a blade.

The witch released Forte’s hands and placed the deck of cards in them. “Shuffle them however you please. When you are done, draw five cards.”

Forte shuffled a few times and drew her cards. She laid out a card with a woman on a throne, a card with a chariot, a card with a crumbling tower, a card with balanced scales, and a card with a man hanging upside down.

The witch spent a long moment studying the cards. The longer she studied, the more sorrowful she looked. Eventually she drew in a long breath and one by one pointed to the cards Forte had drawn. “The Empress, the Chariot, the Tower, Justice, and the Hanged Man. I am sorry, my dear, your future does not look to be a happy one.”

“What do you mean?” Forte asked. The cards didn’t look all that bad.

The witch closed her eyes, and when she spoke it was in a rougher voice, as if she was channeling some other spirit. “Your soulmate will come into your life most unexpectedly. She will be a force of nature, and a lover of it. Your time together will be short, but meaningful. Duty and ambition will drive you apart, set you upon different paths. Destruction will bring you together again, opposing forces upon a battlefield. She will be great and terrible, and you will be the mighty hand of justice. You reunion will bring death. Each falling to the hand of the other. So it is written. So it shall be.”

“Is this some kind of a joke?!” Forte jumped to her feet angrily. She expected some fluffy drivel about the right person coming into her life at a certain time, and a happily ever after to follow. Fortune tellers were just supposed to be good at telling people what they wanted to hear. Not go telling young girls of their death. “You’re just an old fraud, what do you know!”

The witch offered no counter. She merely watched Forte with a deeply piteous look.

Forte turned and stormed out of her parlor. The witch did not chase her.

Her friends were waiting by the door, ready to go, discussing their fortunes. They asked Forte about hers, but she wasn’t ready to answer, not until they were back in the street and free from the cloying stink of the fortune house, and those stupid cards were far behind her.

“Come on, Forte,” her friend asked, hooking her arm through hers to make her slow down a bit. “What did you ask her? What did she say?”

“Nothing,” Forte grumbled. “Nothing important. I asked her if I would ever meet my soulmate and she went on some crazy rant about how I’d end up killing her instead.” She kicked at a loose stone and sent it skittering off down the street.

“I wouldn’t worry about it. If you ask me, I think she was a fraud and just wanted to turn up the dramatics. You know what she told me? She said I’d marry some fat, bald, old baker and have eight of his kids.” She scoffed derisively. “As if!”

Her other friends joined in, weighing the validity of the seer’s prophecies. Half of them seemed to find hope, but the other half seemed to find their fortunes more than a little far-fetched. It didn’t take long at all for Forte to put the whole affair out of her mind entirely.

So when an amazing young woman, with the strongest powers Forte had ever seen, and an uncanny affinity for nature fell into her life, Forte didn’t think about a spread of cards from a decade past. All she thought about was the powerful connection the two of them shared, the way the air seemed charged with electricity whenever they spoke, the way her heart fluttered and her palms grew sweaty when Frey was around.

It didn’t take long for Forte to fall in love with Frey. She would stay up all night thinking about the future they could have together. The Earthmate Princess and the Dragon Knight – it could only ever be a fairytale romance. From the moment Frey entered her life, Forte couldn’t imagine a future without her in it. What they had together went beyond attraction and infatuation. She wouldn’t dare confess it yet, it was still too soon, but when she thought about Frey, Forte thought she understood what it meant to have a soulmate.

She didn’t work up the nerve to say anything before Ventuswill got sick. And Dragon Knight had to do her job and protect her charge. And Earthmate Princess had to play her role and go off and fix the problem.

In her waking and lucid moments, Ventuswill would tease Forte about how she loved Frey. Sometimes she would offer encouragement to the knight, telling her to tell Frey how she felt before it was too late. Once, she even fondly looked forward to seeing the two of them spend a happy lifetime together. They were meant for each other. Divine dragons know these things.

And Forte suddenly remembered a witch and a spread of cards and an ill-omened prophecy. And she wanted to ask Ventuswill if it could possibly be true. But the dragon had slipped back to sleep, and she was never lucid enough again to answer Forte’s questions about fate.

It couldn’t possibly come true. There could be no future where Forte ever saw Frey as an enemy. She loved her. The witch had been a fraud.

When this was over, the two of them would be together forever.

Except Frey ended up leaving Forte. She returned from battle victorious. She returned Empress. And Frey left Selphia, left Forte.

As suddenly and unexpectedly as she had come into her life, she left it.

The years passed. Forte dedicated herself to her knighthood. She never loved again, not in the same way she had loved Frey. She tried once or twice to fill the void, let other lovers heal her, but they were never quite right.

Eventually she stopped trying. She turned away potential interest and dismissed any who were bold enough to confess a desire to love her. She preferred it that way. She was a better knight without distractions pulling her from her duty.

Forte proved her place as a knight, time and time again. When she was challenged, she rose up to face it, and when she inevitably was victorious, she rose through the ranks. No longer a Dragon Knight, for there was no dragon these days in need of protection, she became a captain, a commander, a general. By the time she was the same age her father had been when he died, she had far surpassed his station.

In her time, Forte learned how to lead soldiers and command armies. Her troops quickly gained a reputation for their discipline, their efficiency, their prowess, their loyalty. General Forte’s command was built of people like her, people doubted every step of their journey, people who had to work twice as hard to get half as far as their peers. She knew promise and potential when she saw it. She loved a challenge, accepted the risks, bargained on the sure losers. And she was rarely disappointed. Forte was the best general among the best soldiers. When war broke, they would be the force to end it.

The war was brutal, and short.

Armies broke against each other. War machines slaughtered mindlessly.

But where the Empress thought that this war would be a show of her prowess, she was met with more resistance than she expected. Norad was no longer at the technological disadvantage as it had been in the last war. Their tacticians knew the enemy’s playbook well. Their generals were relentless.

Quickly the tide turned against the Empress. Steadily Norad pushed into the Empire, until the final battle was upon them.

The scattered remnants of the Empress’ armies had rallied around their beloved leader, and they were making a valiant final stand.

And the best of the King’s army was on the front line to meet her.

The Empire was beautiful. For everything the Empress had done, that had to be granted to her. She had inherited a land that had been nearly bled dry of all resources. Rivers ran poisoned, the skies choked with pollution, anything and everything was taken without thought. Her predecessor had so thoroughly ruined his own lands, even the famed most fertile valleys struggled to raise a crop. She had cured the lands; replanted forests, cleaned the rivers, cleared the skies.

Forte plucked a small yellow flower by her feet and twisted it thoughtfully between her fingers. Moondrops had been Frey’s favorite. She wondered if the Empress even had a favorite flower anymore. She tossed it aside.

It didn’t matter.

The Empress had long ago deviated far from anything or anyone Forte recognized. The young woman she’d fallen in love with decades ago was no more. Forte was hardly the same woman. Change came with the passage of time.

The girls of decades past no longer existed. The Frey that Forte had held onto since their parting, was not there. She had slipped away, piece by piece with every despicable act and crime against humanity she committed.

Forte watched carefully for signs of the Empress. It wouldn’t be long now. Soon she would have to come out and fight for herself. The signs would be subtle, a flash of gold, or destruction caused by something other than a war machine.

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end just moments before massive spiked of rock erupted in the middle of the battlefield, sending Norad soldiers flying. Hurricane force gusts sliced against lines of attackers. Solid walls of water slammed against machines. Tornadoes of fire burnt through the ranks.

Forte traced the attacks back to their source. The only Earthmate to be found in the Empire. The only Earthmate powerful enough to cause such death and destruction with little more than a wave of her hand. There! Riding her golden hunter wolf was the Empress.

Forte called for her own steed – a silver wolf she’d tamed after a long-lost love had encouraged and inspired her to do so – and leapt into the saddle. With a curt command, they were streaking across the battlefield. Her wolf was small and fast, perfect for moving unnoticed across the chaotic battlefield. Speed was of the essence. The longer it took her to get to the Empress, the more death she would deal upon the battlefield. If she was focused on a single target, her magic would not be turned against Forte’s soldiers, who had little defense against it.

The second before impact, before fangs pierced and claws tore, she leapt from the saddle, diving at the Empress, tackling her off the golden wolf’s back. They hit the ground together, separating on the roll. Both were quick to regain their feet.

The wolves clashed. Tearing, biting, snarling, grappling, rolling away down the hill. They had to be ignored.

Close enough for a proper look, Forte could size up her opponent. She wore minimal armor, a breastplate, sturdy leathers, some bracers on her arms. But she was dressed for ease of movement, as her magic required. She wasn’t even wearing a helmet, just a dark iron circlet on her brow.

Forte stared, her breath catching, her heart leaping into her throat. She hadn’t been this close to the Empress in decades. So much had changed. She was aged, as Forte was, there were lines and wrinkles and scars that had not been there before, her hair was faded with silver, styled in a practical manner for battle, her eyes were hard and cold and hateful, but they had not lost their sparkle. In that way, nothing had changed. She was still so beautiful.

Forte hated herself for thinking that.

Monsters, like the Empress had come to be, were not supposed to be beautiful.

The Empress tilted her head and smiled. “Finally, it’s you, Forte. I was beginning to think you’d never come to me. Pity it’s like this.” She readied her blade and shifted into a fighting stance. Quick as a flash, she threw a spell at her.

Forte was ready, dodging the fireball easily. “I’ll give you one chance to surrender.”

“Surrender? Not really my style.” She parried Forte’s sword. “What kind of empress would I be if I was not willing to make the same sacrifices as my own loyal subjects?”

Their swords met again. “You confuse fear and submission with loyalty.”

“Po-tay-to, po-tah-to,” the Empress shrugged, moving gracefully away and lifting a hand to whip at her opponent with a blade of air. Forte didn’t get a chance to dodge, but the air broke harmlessly over her armor. “Peace is peace; however it’s maintained.”

“I don’t think the thousands you slaughtered to make that peace would agree.”

A wicked grin and a cruel laugh. “Tell me the famous General Forte is not trying to take the moral high ground when it comes to slain enemies. How many have you killed over the years, my dear?”

“I do not revel in war. I find no glory in the loss of life.” They traded several blows, their swords ringing off each other. Every other attack or so, the Empress would throw another magic strike at Forte. “But your killing started long before the war.” She tripped up the Empress, sending her sprawling to the ground. “I didn’t want to believe it when I first heard the rumors. But when rumor proved true –” the Empress rolled away from her strike and regained her feet “—I knew you had changed into something I no longer recognized.”

“What have I done? I have brought peace and security to my Empire. You don’t understand. You couldn’t. You’ve never held the power I have.” Another flurry of magical attacks while Forte kept her distance.

It was risky, leaving herself open to attacks like this, but Forte knew that unless the Empress was drained of her magical reserves, she would be unbeatable. She remembered well her days of fighting alongside Frey, those moments when she drew beyond her magical limits and weakened herself terribly. She doubted the Empress was so inexperienced as to ignore her limits, and she knew time had only made her stronger magically. So Forte had to drain the reserves, make her spend and spend until there was nothing left, and the playing field was evened.

Forte saw an opening. She darted in, driving her sword into the Empress’ side. It cut deep; her blade came away red with blood. The Empress fell to her knee with a pained cry, clutching her wound. But when she met Forte’s eyes, she almost looked disappointed.

“Surely you haven’t forgotten everything about me, dear Forte.” Her fingers made the necessary signs, light flashed around them, she got to her feet as if nothing had happened. Only the blood on her shirt and the hole in the cloth showed there might have been an injury.

Forte was not daunted. A healing spell like that took a lot of energy. If she had to bleed the Empress dry with a thousand cuts, she would. This was what she had spent all her life training for. This fight was her destiny.

Forte got close enough to strike again, aiming for her neck. The Empress did a clever little twirl and transportation spell, appearing some yards away. “I will not be made a villain for using the tools I was given! The Empire gave me my position, gave me the authority to change laws, to be justice, to eliminate threats. Fate gave me the powers to bloom and wither, to create and destroy, to build and to burn.” She summoned another fireball and held it in her palm for a moment, examining it, almost enjoying the burn as it increased in size. “What do you think your king will do, if he wins this war and takes control of my empire? Surely you don’t’ expect my people to roll over like dogs? How many more deaths will your king order for peace?”

She threw the large fireball. Forte charged through it, ignoring how the flames licked at her exposed skin. She landed another hit against the Empress. With a frustrated snarl, the Empress leapt away, healing her injury as she ran.

“Well, you’re certainly still persistent and just as determined as you used to be,” the Empress laughed coolly, “Your courage seems to have grown. Pity you weren’t so bold back then as you are now.” She threw up a wall of rock just as Forte charged at her again. The knight collided with it with an unpleasant crunch.

The Empress made a series of lightning-quick slashes. Forte blocked and parried all of them, except the last one, which found a gap in her leg armor. The cut was shallow, but painful, and a new point of weakness for the Empress to exploit.

But Forte had noticed something. Her magic attacks were slowing down. Perhaps for dramatic effect while she taunted Forte, but instead of several attacks one after the other, she was only throwing one at her at a time. One fireball. One rock wall. She was using her sword for more than defense. Given how much magic she’d spent on the larger battlefield, and then again against Forte, she had to be reaching the end of her reserves. She was rationing now.

As if to prove her wrong, the Empress summoned two small blocks of stone right on either side of Forte’s injured leg. In the split second the knight was caught off balance from the injury, she slammed the blocks together around the leg.

Forte couldn’t help but scream as her armor buckled under the pressure. Joints and seams broke, jagged metal dug into her leg, and deep inside she felt something inside her break.

“Why are you really here, Forte? Why did you work so hard to orchestrate everything perfectly so that when it came down to it, it would be me and you alone? Guilt? Regret?”

Forte bowed her head, breathing slowly and deeply. She knew why she was here. She muttered it lowly.

“Come now, speak up. Don’t be shy.” She stepped close, close enough to get within inches of Forte’s face, so she could hear. Their eyes locked. There was… something like hope hiding in them. “Tell me.”

Forte’s hand wrapped around the handle of the dagger she had at her waist. She held the Empress’ gaze and she said slowly, and with much conviction. “I am here to end your tyranny.” She plunged the knife into the Empress’ gut and twisted it for good measure.

The Empress stepped back, pulling the knife out, closing up the wound. It healed completely. But Forte saw what she was looking for. That minute wince of pain, that heavy breath of exhaustion as the magic drained her strength.

The rocks around her leg crumbled to dust. Forte moved the instant she was free, bearing the excruciating pain in her injured leg, diving for her sword. She rearmed herself and got back to her unsteady feet just in time. She blocked one blow from the Empress. The second broke past her guard and cut deeply into her arm.

The Empress was no longer using the gracefully lethal techniques she’d used earlier. She was ready for this fight to be over. Now was the time for power. With a surprising show of strength, the Empress grabbed Forte and threw her to the ground.

She realized with a calm certainty that Frey would outmatch her. Her magical reserves may be exhausted, but physically she was faring far better than Forte. If this fight went on, Forte would be killed, and Frey would unleash her reign of terror upon the world.

The Empress knew this as well. She approached languidly like a cat playing with its food. She kicked Forte firmly in the chest to send her sprawling back, gasping for breath. Then she stepped onto Forte, grinding her boot into her injured leg, pinning her to the ground. Forte didn’t have the strength to throw her off, she couldn’t free herself. She stopped her struggling entirely when the Empress put the sharp point of her sword just under Forte’s chin.

Frey paused, looking at her with a mixture of pity and loathing. “I gave you the chance to follow me, do you remember? I asked you to come with me, and you refused.” She lifted her blade; the wet redness of Forte’s fresh blood caught the light. “Imagine what we could have been together. You would have been my right hand, my knight, my queen. Together we could have been unstoppable.”

Forte made a useless effort to throw her off. “Perhaps I should have. I could have stopped you when the darkness took you. I would have made it painless and saved countless lives.”

“Would you have even noticed? At that point, after so long together, would you have doubted me enough to raise a blade against me? I wouldn’t think so… but perhaps you have always hated me.” A look of regret crossed Frey’s face. “Do you know I loved you from the moment I met you? I never found the courage to tell you. But I always felt we were meant for each other. I’ve thought about you so much, my Forte.” She smiled, almost tenderly. “I was always so proud every time I heard you’d been promoted. I would have made you a general much faster than that fool of a king. I’d always hoped we would meet again.” Then that wicked, calculating look returned. “I waited until I was certain it would be you coming after me.”

Then the Empress surprised Forte. She moved her sword, and stepped off her, just for a moment. Just to reposition her feet, and lower down until she was straddling Forte’s hips. The Empress kept the General pinned with a heavy hand on her breastplate. She leaned over her and looked down. Her free hand cupped Forte’s face and tenderly wiped some of the blood and grime from her cheek and lips.

“You’re as beautiful now as you were the day we parted. I don’t want to kill you, Forte. And I know you don’t want to kill me. Join me, like you should have all those years ago. We may be much older now, but it’s not too late for us. With you next to me, all will finally be right. I know you still love me.”

Forte shook her head. Tears brimmed in her eyes, because for a brief moment, with the way the Empress looked at her, strands of hair fallen loose and framing her face, she looked like Frey again. “It isn’t you I was in love with. I was not meant to be with the Empress. It was always Frey who held my heart.”

The Empress’ face hardened. “Pity. You’ve made your choice then.” Her grip on Forte’s face tightened, squeezing her hard by the jaw. She leaned down and pressed a slow kiss to Forte’s lips. “I’m sorry my love,” she said as she got back to her feet. “Your death cannot be painless, but I will make it fast.” She raised her blade over her head and swung down swiftly with all her might.

Forte just got her own blade up in time to catch the blow. Steel screeched against steel until the blade caught against each other. Forte struggled to push the blade away, but she did not have the strength to fight for long, and the Empress had the advantage.

She leaned over Forte, putting her weight into the blade as well as her strength. Inch by hard fought inch, the point of her sword neared Forte’s chest. She took the time to angle the blade just so, to aim for the gap in the general’s armor.

Forte fought with every piece of her, until she realized, again with calm clarity, what she must do. Her mission was to end the Empress. Her survival was not necessary. So she dropped her blade, letting the Empress to fall the last several inches and plunge her sword into Forte. But that move would spell her doom. For Forte angled her own blade up and it slipped under the Empress’ breastplate and into her chest.

The Empress gasped, pulling away in shock, pulling her blade free only to drop it at her side. Her hands flew up to cup her chest, her fingers twitched instinctively to cast the magic to heal the wound, but there was nothing left inside her. Not even strength to sap and turn into magical energy. Her legs gave out. She struggled to breathe. Her hands vainly tried to stem the flow of blood.

Forte’s strike against the Empress had done much more damage than her strike against Forte. She was fading fast. She was dying.

“F-Forte?” Her voice sounded small, frightened. She reached for the knight with bloodied hands. They fell numbly against her armor, leaving red streaks on the steel.

Forte found the strength to sit up, to gather the Empress into her arms, to rest her head in her lap. The wound in her chest was fatal too, but not as immediately so. She might have an extra minute.

The Empress trembled as her body began to fail. A wry smile pulled at her mouth. “We might not have gotten a life together, but at least we’ll die together, my love.” Her eyes drifted to the grass they lay in, where, against all odds, Moondrops grew, untrampled by the battle, unmarred by war.

Her eyes slid closed. Her breaths were becoming more ragged, shallower. With great effort, she opened her eyes one last time. “I’m sorry for… In another life I would’ve…”

And then she was gone.

Forte let her tears run freely. She bent down and planted kisses on Frey’s forehead, her cheeks, her lips. “I’m sorry too, my love.” Her vision was dimming. She lost the strength to sit up. Air had no effect on her lungs. She was dying. With her last shreds of strength, she made her clumsy hands find Frey’s and she held them. With her last breath she whispered an apology.

[aashiyancha]

Since you're doing kiss prompts, I'd love to see #8 a gentle kiss on the back of the hand. But i cannot pick which ship i want to see more. Frey/Forte or Frey/Arthur 😵‍💫 I'll let you flip a coin and decide.

She has 2 hands 😌

I'm still down to do a couple more of these so if anyone feels like seeing a ship they like in a cute kissy scenario feel free to plop an ask with the pair and a prompt from this list

[love-bokumono-fics]

Fresh Crops! April 15 - April 21, 2024

This weeks newest fics and chapter updates for Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons on AO3!

The Wall Between Us - by Skullygal610; WIP, 20/25, 20k

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandom: Trio of Towns Relationships: Female Farmer/Wayne, Female Farmer/Ex-boyfriend; Characters: Wayne, Female Farmer Additional Tags: Adopted, farmer, Hurt, Love, Unrequited Love, relationships, Denial of Feelings, Fanfiction, Parents, friends, Guilt Summary: It all started with a rejection. Scarlett can't seem to get over the loss of her best friend since she rejected his confession of love. Already dealing with her own self-worth and feelings while keeping up with daily life, things soon become difficult when a familiar face from the past comes back to haunt her. Wayne struggles to let go of the girl he loved. However, things never go the way he plans. His parents are across the world without him. Friends are constantly concerned about his well-being. He wants to change, yet she keeps pulling him back. Can they ever hope to rekindle their long-lost friendship, or will it become something more?

Until Dawn - by Flickwisp; Complete, 1/1, 2.9k

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Casual Prompt Fills - by TheBeckster; WIP, 4/?, 2.5k

Rating: Not Rated; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Categories: Gen, F/F, F/M Fandoms: Trio of Towns, Friends of Mineral Town, Rune Factory 4 Relationships: Forte/Frey, Arthur/Frey, Forte/Frey/Arthur, Henry/Lisette; Characters: Female Farmer, Frey, Forte, Arthur, Lisette, Male Farmer Additional Tags: casual prompt fills, prompt fills, one shots, Ficlets, Art, Dark Empress Frey AU, Unhealthy Relationships, Individual Chapters will be Rated, Tumblr Prompt Summary: The collection of prompt fills I have done for the Casual Prompt Events by Love-Bokumono-Fics on Tumblr.

Eve’s fun time - by Thefallen1986; Complete, 1/1, <1k

Rating: Explicit; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandoms: Animal Parade Character: Eve Additional Tags: **NOTE: Tags were Not Safe For Tumblr. Please See AO3 post for complete tag list ** Summary: Eve spends sometime in her shed…

Fact and Friction - by actaeoncross; Complete, 5/5, 6.2k

Rating: Not Rated; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Fandoms: A Wonderful Life, Animal Parade Relationships: Daryl/Pony, Cecilia/Nami mentioned, Gordy/Matthew mentioned, Rock/Molly mentioned, Gustafa/Lumina mentioned; Characters: Daryl, Pony | Aya | Jill, Forget Me Not villagers, Wizard Gale, Witch Vivi, Harvest King Ignis Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Supernatural Elements, Suspense, Romance, NaNoWriMo 2023, Not Beta Read Summary: Struggling to come to grips with the death of her parents, Pony moves to Forget-Me-Not Valley. She tries to avoid being involved with sprites, gods, or goddesses, only to be drawn in against her will. Pony's only help to solve the disappearance of the Harvest Goddess involves three enthusiastic but not very helpful sprites and a scientist. She slowly learns that she cannot run from herself and to come to terms with her past and feelings—even those for the infuriating scientist.

Tumblr Posts for A Wonderful Life Characters - by actaeoncross; WIP, 44/?, 44k

Rating: Not Rated; Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings; Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M, Multi Fandoms: A Wonderful Life Relationship: Multiple Characters x Reader; Characters: Celia | Seperia | Cecilia, Cody | Gordy, Daryl, Flora, Gustafa, Lumina, Marlin | Mash | Matthew, Muffy | Molly Nami, Rock, Reader Summary: A collection of Tumblr posts for A Wonderful Life Characters x Reader prompts.

This is impossible! - by WolfyKnight5071; Complete, 1/1, 1.2k

Rating: General Audiences; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandoms: A Wonderful Life Relationships: Nami/Farmer, Nami & Muffy | Molly; Characters: Nami, Farmer, Muffy | Molly, Baddoch Additional Tags: Nonbinary Farmer, Hurt/Comfort, Explaining how they got their son lol, magic baby, Nami panics, Molly helps comfort, Finley is AFAB, Hugh is here very briefly too Summary: Nami and Finn have been married for just shy of a year. They had both been thinking of having kids, but given it isn’t physically possible, Nami never brought it up besides that small talk on their wedding night.

Burning Gold - by AppleBeryll; WIP, 2/?, 2.8k

Rating: Mature; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandom: Friends of Mineral Town Relationships: Claire the Farmer/Gray, Gray/Mary the Librarian | Marie, Claire the Farmer/Rick, Karen/Rick, Ann the Innkeeper | Ran/Cliff, Kai/Popuri; Characters: Kai, Claire, Cliff, Ann the Innkeeper | Ran, Doug | Dudley, Rick, Popuri, Saibara, Karen, Mineral Town Residents, Gray Additional Tags: Slow Burn Summary: Claire seeks a new life, will mineral town be what she's hoping for ?

[tareloin]

Roleswap AU!

(Individual portraits under cut.)

Guard Captain Luanna

Knight Captain Ereve

Guardian Priest Frey

Emperor Allon

[ysabeau-valikov]

Phantom of the Opera au, I am admittedly quite proud of the dress.

[empressarcana]

Can we have an AshBella coffeeshop AU, please?! I'm surprised no one has thought of this yet!

First of all, I'm so sorry Anons that I'm finally getting to this now! Better late than never, right?Either way, I can definitely see Isabella as barista, even if she will struggle not to drink all the coffee she prepares. Oh god, I can imagine her internal struggle, looking down at the coffee that she makes or her coworker hands her and Isabella is begging to just drink it. Eventually, with time working at Czarbucks, she manages to control her coffee urges and leaves the consumption of coffee for after work or for breaks.Her world changes the moment a customer by the name of Ashton Frey enters her life. Every time he orders, Isabella is absolutely appalled at the amount of sugar the man requests in his coffee. Whenever her friend, Rebecca, comes in after class, Isabella cannot help but talk about this one customer of hers that is going to induce a sugar coma and get sent to an early grave because of it. In time, Rebecca puts two and two together and realizes that the person Isabella is talking about is indeed someone she knows all too well."Are you talking about Ashton?" Rebecca looks at Isabella with an eyebrow raised.It takes Isabella about a second, yeah just about a second, for a small switch to go off inside her head. She nods and remembers every single time she would write the man's name and cringe at the contents of his coffee. "Yeah, that's his name! But how do you know him, Becca?"Rebecca's expression changed from confusion to looking kind of annoyed, "He is my childhood friend..." She still looked annoyed but something else seemed to be bothering her."Oh, you've known each other since you were kids? Whoa, that's insane! Has he always liked pouring the whole bag of sugar into his coffee?""Right, yes," the redhead sighed and took a sip of her tea. "I was wondering who he was talking about... He kept showing me all these foam coffee cups with little designs drawn by this new "hip" barista."Isabella felt her cheeks flush and shook her head in disbelief, "He has kept each of the foam coffee cups?! I mean, that is kinda sweet in a weird way...? The little designs are really nothing... I just like drawing..." "It seems the both of you only know how to talk about each other," Rebecca was struggling to flash Isabella a smile. Something was wrong and Isabella wanted to poke and prod but she didn't feel it was the right moment for it. "I have to go. Good luck with work. See you tomorrow." With that Rebecca stood from her seat and walked out of Czarbucks, leaving a very confused Isabella behind."Tomorrow then, Becca..." Isabella sighed.

~~~To be continued?

[mytwilightimagines13]

Vampire (Caius Volturi) (Part Eight)

Word count: 1785

(Alright, this is mostly just the musical. Only the last part is back to the main characters part. If anyone wants to see the musical with English subtitles: Part one Part two I hope you will all enjoy it!)

The judge called upon Luigi Lucheni to tell his story. To tell the reason why he killed the beloved empress Elisabeth. “Nacht für Nacht dieselbe Frage. Seit hundert Jahren! Was soll die Fragerei? Merda. Ich bin tot!” he would shout in his defence. Yes, he indeed was dead, yet this was his punishment. Every night he would have to stand in front of a judge and explain why he had committed such a horrible crime. “Nennen Sie endlich die Hintergründe!” the judge would shout out to Lucheni, wanting the murderer to take his responsibility. “Die Hintergründe? Ich habe sie ermordet, weil sie es wollte!” was his reasoning. He had only murdered her because she wanted him to. “Und reden immer noch von… Elisabeth!” he would shout as the dead slowly rose up and started to chant about how to old world has sunken. Luchini sang about how Elisabeth hated them all, every single one of them while the dead chanted about how everyone has danced with Death, yet no one like Elisabeth. “Attenzione! Ihre Majestät der Tod!” he would shout as the room grew quiet. Death made her way down the stairs, looking down at the dead. Her hair hanging in loose curls down her back, the upper part clipped back neatly with a Celtic looking pin. She was completely clothed in white, looking like and angel. “Was hat es zu bedeuten: dies alte Lied. Das mir seit jenen Zeiten die Brust durchglüht? Engel nennen’s Freude, Teufel nennen’s Pein. Menschen meinen, es muss Liebe sein.” She sang, her voice lovely yet dangerous. Yes, love was a curse, and it stood in the way of her job. She quickly made her way further down the stairs, past the dead and past Lucheni. “Mein Auftrag heißt zerstören. Ich tu es kalt. Ich hol, die mir gehören, jung oder alt. Weiß nicht, wie geschehn kann, was es gar nicht gibt – Doch es stimmt: Ich habe sie geliebt” she sang, yes she had loved Elisabeth, and the game they had played throughout the empress life, even though she had no idea how it had happened.

The first meeting between Death and Elisabeth was when the empress was only sixteen years old. At a family meeting Elisabeth had climbed up a tree, when a branch had broken below her feet and she had plummeted to the ground. Death, now dressed completely in black, had swooped her in her arms and gently brought her back to the living, wanting nothing more than to take the young woman with her, but knowing she couldn’t do it just yet. Elisabeth was a flower in bloom, and her beauty had Death in awe. “Est ist Liebe! Per Dio!” came Lucheni’s explanation. “Wohin gehst du, schwarzer Prinzessin? Warum bleibst du nicht hier? Ich hab mich in deinen Armen wohlgefühlt. Und ich spürte eine Sehnsucht. Mich von allem zu befrei'n. Wie ein schwarzer Vogel. Stolz und allein. Ja, ich weiß, du bist der Tod. Und alle fürchten dich. Doch ich denk an dich. Was immer ich auch tu. Träume und Gedichte schreiben. Oder reiten mit dem Wind... Niemand versteht mich so wie du!” Was Elisabeth’s claim of love for Death, her Death. She didn’t want her dark princess to leave, not now that she had felt what freedom was. And no one had every understood her as much as she had. Yet Death turned her back towards the young girl now and disappeared, yet she always stayed close to her. Soon Elisabeth met her other love, Franz Joseph, emperor of Austria and soon their wonderful wedding day passed by. “Augustinerkirche, halb sieben Uhr abends. Merkwürdige Zeit für eine Trauung, aber passend, An diesem 24. April 1854. Sehr passend, porca miseria!” Lucheni shouted towards the judges. The crowd sang about how all the questions had been asked as the couple made its way towards the priest. “Wenn das Euer Wille ist, so antwortet mit Ja!” if this was their will, then they must answer once with Yes. “Ja!” was their answer. The wedding bells sounded and Death herself was hanging on the cord, pulling it down. Laughing frantically as she knew Elisabeth would be hers, and that Franz Joseph will begin the chain of events that would lead Elisabeth into her sweet embrace. Many of the guests along with Elisabeth’s father, mother and mother in law were bickering whether the young girl and the emperor were a good fit or not. As Elisabeth tried to dance in her own way, Franz kept the young girl on track of the classic waltz, not once giving her the freedom to dance the way she wanted to dance. Death looked at the young woman, a small smirk on her face as she and hear angels of death emerged. With a snap of her finger the angels spread and the guests froze on the spot. All but Elisabeth. Death held her hand out for Elisabeth, inviting her to dance. Elisabeth smiled and made her way towards Death and soon they circled around each other, never once touching. Soon Elisabeth got out of her trance and ran towards Franz Joseph, whom was still frozen in trance. Death made her way halfway up the slope, and slowly sat down in sync with her angels. She sang about the old song of one loved by two. “Der letzte Tanz, der letzte Tanz. Gehört allein nur mir! Den letzten Tanz, den letzten Tanz, Tanz ich allein mit dir!” she sang, her voice soft yet threatening. She sang about the time, how it influenced the wine and made it old, the air in the mirror hall was growing thick. Invisible eyes were watching the two of them, all of them waiting for their Rendezvous. Death grabbed Elisabeth and danced with her before pushing her down, in a dance of dominance, one that Death would win. “Und so wart' ich im Dunkeln. Und schau zu dir hin. Als der große Verlierer. Doch ich weiß, ich gewinn!” she sang, yes she was waiting in the darkness, looking like the loser, but she knew, she would win in the end. She ran up the slope as it ascended once more, making it into a bridge on the top of the stage. “Den letzten Tanz, den letzten Tanz. Tanz ich nur mit dir!” she sang, the final note long and strong before walking of the stage. Four years passed, Elisabeth herself very soon comes to regret her seemingly "fairy-tale marriage". She feels abandoned by her careless husband, psychologically abused by her possessive mother-in-law, and is chronically depressed due to her loneliness. There is only one thing that keeps her emotionally stimulated—the dark and sensual shadow of Death; but Elisabeth is reluctant to consummate their relationship. When Death takes her infant daughter, the tragedy shakes the young Empress extremely. “Nein!” Elisabeth shouted as her daughter blew out her last breath. She runs towards her but is stopped by Death and falls to her knees. Death sends her a gentle and welcoming smile. “Weißt du noch, wie wir erbebten. Als wir zwei im Tanze schwebten? Du brauchst mich. Ja, du brauchst mich.” Her tone grew threatening, but soon returned to her sweet, angelic voice. “Gib doch zu, daß du mich mehr liebst, Als den Mann an deiner Seite. Auch wenn du ihm scheinbar mehr gibst. Du ziehst ihn in die Nacht” she sang as she told Elisabeth the truth of her husband. “Die Schatten werden länger, Es wird Abend, eh’ dein Tag begann. Die Schatten werden länger. Mit dir stirbt die Welt. Halt dich nicht fest daran” Death finished, trying to sway Elisabeth to come to her embrace but she refuses to give in to Death's sway.

After her remaining two children are taken from Elisabeth, she grows cold, and sets Franz Joseph for an ultimatum. “Ich habe ein förmliches Ultimatum aufgesetzt. Wenn du mich nicht verlieren willst, erfüll' es. Ich möchte selbst über die Erziehung meiner Kinder bestimmen. Und von nun an will ich entscheiden, was ich tue und lasse. Lies mein Schreiben und entscheide dich: Für deine Mutter oder mich! Und jetzt lass mich allein.” She said as she felt her depression creep up to her again, and soon she heard the voice of her beloved Death. Elisabeth turned around and saw Death sitting on a love seat in her bedroom, her arms opened in a welcoming way. “Elisabeth! Sei nicht verzweifelt. Ruh dich aus in meinem Arm. Ich will dich trösten.” She sang and soon sprang up. “Flieh, und du wirst frei sein, Und alles Kämpfen wird vorbei sein. Ich führ dich fort aus Raum und Zeit, In eine bessre Wirklichkeit.” Death held her hand out for Elisabeth to take, her voice growing soft, and loving. “Elisabeth! Elisabeth! Ich liebe dich...” “Nein! Ich möchte leben! Ich bin zu jung um aufzugeben. Ich weiß, ich kann mich selbst befrein. Jetzt setz ich meine Schönheit ein.” Elisabeth sang, her voice growing firm. She didn’t need Death, she would find her own way to freedom! “Geh! Ich will dich nicht! Ich brauch dich nicht! Geh!” Death frowned and fled back into the shadows quickly.

But it had been too late. Elisabeth calluses over and becomes cold and selfish. She flees the Austrian court and spends decades restlessly travelling all over the world, trying in vain to escape from her fear of emptiness. Eventually, Elisabeth makes peace with her husband, when he finds her. He begged for her forgiveness, and he swore he would give her anything she wanted. Elisabeth walks through a mirror, completely dolled up looking absolutely gorgeous. “Soll ich dich verstehen. Will ich auch verstanden sein. Ich will mit dir gehen. Doch sperr mich nicht länger ein. Ich bin nicht das Eigentum von dir. Denn ich gehör nur mir.” She sang. Soon Death herself emerged from the same mirror, yet stayed within the frames. “Was heut das Auge sieht. Ist morgen schon Vergangenheit. Wohin dein Blick auch flieht. Auf meiner Seite ist die Zeit.” She sang as she watched Elisabeth from the shadows once more. “Du musst mir nichts geben. Nur lass mir mein Leben! Denn ich gehör...” Elisabeth sang. “ Du gehörst…” Death sang. “Nur mir!” Elisabeth and Death sang together.

During the final part before the break was the first time I looked up at the balcony I knew the Cullens and Volturi were sitting. I had felt his glance on me the entire time, and it made me want to perform on my best. His red eyes pierced through mine, and even from here, I could see a gentle look in his eyes as he watched me perform. Elisabeth sang her lust, high note and the lights turned off, signalling it was time for the break.

[berlinonair]

Jade Empress - Golden Hours (Indie Pop)

🕑 Lesedauer: 2 min / 📷 Rebel Visuals Offizielles Erscheinungsdatum: 03.02.22             'Golden Hours', das ist die neu erschienene Debut Single der australischen Künstlerin Jade Empress aus Melbourne, welche wir euch gerne vorstellen möchten. Zum Vorschein kommt ein solider und zielstrebiger Indie Pop Track, der für uns in Hinblick auf Melodie und Text zugleich sowohl etwas Sehnsüchtiges, als auch Optimistisches enthüllt. Besonders authentisch verkörpert wird dies durch die helle und klar definierte Stimme, die sich mit ohrwurmverdächtigen Melodien im unmittelbaren Fokus positioniert und das Aushängeschild des Ganzen bildet. Mit einem sehr entschlossenen und dominanten Charakter entfaltet sie sich frei über dem Instrumental und wird von sanften Backing Vocals untermalt. Die Begleitung besteht weitestgehend aus einem Gitarren Arrangement, welches von geerdeten Drums in einen angenehmen Rhythmus versetzt wird. 'Golden Hours' hat etwas Kraft spendendes an sich und bestärkt seine Hörer, gerade wenn es um die Verwirklichung von Träumen geht. Wir denken, dass euch Jade Empress Musik mindestens genau so gut gefallen könnte wir uns...dies war ihre erste Single und wir sind uns sicher, dass weitere tolle Songs folgen werden. Stay tuned: Melodie: ★★★★★ | Produktion: ★★★★☆ | Arrangement: ★★★☆☆ | Lyrics: ★★★★★ |  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1EDY293jh517352FEZm0aY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadexempress Text: Adrian Prath /discovered by Musosoup #sustainablecurator

[valerie-royeaux]

OC Kiss Week - Day 1

Junia Cadash & Frey Mahariel

Starting OC Kiss Week 2018 with Zevran pairing my Junia and @crashed-down-in-a-hurricane‘s Frey Mahariel. @crashed-down-in-a-hurricane is one of my favorite artists, a great friend, and a huge inspiration. So I wanted to give her a bit more than just a drawing: here’s also a ficlet set in the AU where Junia and Frey coexist, and telling how this kiss happened:

Fifty Sovereigns Word count: 1,644

The Herald’s Rest was bursting with activity and people. A murmur of voices, song, booze and smoke that filled the air with a particular scent the elf liked to breathe. Not quite the incenses and quiet of the Sabrae camp from so long ago – Gods, how long ago? He couldn’t remember. A life almost forgotten, somebody else’s. It faded before the years side by side with Zevran, taking care of their little girl. It was muffled under the sweat, song and booze that made that corner of that inn so cozy for Frey.

“Por el amor de nuestro Criador, Frey! Do you have to be the Hooded Man Sitting in the Dark Corner?” Zevran handed Frey a pint of ale, and took a long sip of his own, taking care to wipe his thick lips with his tongue afterwards. “I will never get used to Fereldan booze. You would think a dwarf running this Inquisicion would have better ale, but of course that would be too much too hope.”

“An Andrastian dwarf, Zevran. What kind of spirits do you think she would carry?” said Frey, taking his time savouring his pint. It wasn’t half as bad as Zevran was waking it sound. “And regardless of faith or drinks, we are safe here. Nobody other than Leliana knows who we are. And she said this is the safest place for us. For our family. Until the dwarf and her Inquisition take care of Clarel, we stay put.”

Frey waited for Zevran to sit next to him, to join him in being the Hooded Men in the Corner. But the other elf kept standing, his eyes fixed on the main table in the hall: the Herald herself. Frey knew the mischief brewing. It thundered Zevran’s brows, and the former Dalish was tempted to just take his loved one by the hand and walk out of there. But Frey Mahariel loved Zevran. He knew the Antivan was getting stir crazy in Skyhold, so… Maybe it would be for the best to let him roam free for a bit.

Although, maybe it was not a good idea. Zevran had not averted his eyes from the table where Junia Cadash and a few friends were sat, drinking and laughing as loud as everybody else in the Herald’s Rest. In fact, Frey could clearly hear the Herald saying how she was afraid of finding cobwebs in her mouth, so long it had been since she kissed someone. A bearded man on the other side of the table from her seemed to have issues with that. He was worried what others would think hearing the Herald of Andraste say such things. And Frey liked Junia more when she replied, in half a scold, that the Maker’s word was love, and all love should be seen and taken kindly, whether given for free or purchased. In fact, she was the Herald of Andraste, and she knew better than anyone what the Maker wanted. So she should order everybody to kiss everybody, so all could finally understand what the Chantry was about. But alas, the people were not yet ready for the nakedness of the Maker’s truth. The other two women at the table, another dwarf and a tall, blonde elf, bent over in laughter, and raised their glasses at that, much to the bearded man’s dismay.

“You know, if the Chantry had been introduced to me this way, things might have been different, Zev – Zevran?!”

But Zevran was already on his way to Junia’s table.

“Excuse me, everyone. Excuse me, por favor.” Frey kept sat in his Dark Corner, knowing, somehow, Zevran would involve him in his plays. “I could not help overhearing the Lady Herald of Andraste say how she misses the tender lipery touch of somebody’s kiss.” Frey was ready to sink in his seat and maybe find what lies beneath Skyhold, while Zevran, full of his typical flamboyance, continued. “As it happens, the Maker may have set me in your path, your Sanctity, because as it happens, I – Horacio Malvidar de la Vega y Carrera, am a renowned salesman. I sell the best kisses in Thedas!”

Despite all his worries, Frey couldn’t help but feel drawn forward. It was Zevran being Zevran, and there was no better moment to love him when Frey could do just that: watch him being Zevran from the perfect distance and angle which allowed the Antivan to be witnessed in all his glory. A glory that could easily be pounded by the bearded man who stood and proved to be at least two full feet taller than Zevran. But the women at the table didn’t seem to take offense.

“A kiss seller, yeah?” Said the blonde elven woman “And you have a box full of ‘em?”

Zevran couldn’t have a readier answer: “Not a box, no, my lady, but lips! The best lips ever created by the hands of Our Heavenly Father. A kiss second only to Andraste’s! And since this was clearly meant to be, Thy Holiness will be able to have it for only… Fifty sovereigns.”

Frey didn’t flinch when the bearded guy rose immediately and clutched Zevran’s neck in a hand. “You will apologize to the Lady Herald and drag your sorry ass out of here”, said the man in a husky, coarse, beautiful voice. Frey was sure that aroused Zevran. What surprised Frey is that the Lady Herald’s eyes were focused instead on him, Frey. She held his gaze for a few instants while Zevran inundated the bearded man in a slurry of words which would keep a fist away from his elven face.

“Let the elf go, Blackwall.” Junia said nonchalantly, with a soft smirk in her thick lips. Frey liked how they looked. She looked up at Zevran who adjusted his throat back in place. “This kiss better be worthy fifty sovereigns, señor Vega y Carrera.” She made a pause of effect, with both hands on her hips, slipping a quick glance at Frey before returning to Zevran. “I will have Blackwall behead you if it isn’t.”

Zevran did not even flinch at the threat, although Blackwall smiled at that, and the other two women were clapping and ooing. Zevran simply bowed in thanks, and turned to Frey: “Mi amor, queda-te a cá!”.

Frey widened his eyes and jolted forward, letting some of his drink spill out of his mouth. “Wait, what?!”

“Kiss the lady Herald, and show her how soft these lips of yours feel”. And turning to Junia, Zevran continued: “It is rumored in Orlais that empress Celene had a marriage arrangement with a gentleman, and a mere week before they tied the knots, said gentleman kissed these said lips. Well… The empress is single to this day.”

Upon hearing that, Junia chuckled lively, and after pondering for a few instants, so did Frey. What the hell! He stood from his seat and walked slowly towards the dwarf, not a single word said, only a discreet bow of his head given. “This better be really good. It is not everyday that I am in a mood to kiss men. Right, Sera?” said Junia. Sera and the other dwarf giggled at the provocation; Blackwall didn’t.

Frey and Junia stood there, looking at each other for a long time. Frey was willing to play Zevran’s game, but something about Junia’s gaze held him. Her eyes were full of an odd longing. He felt as if she was looking at details on his eyes, but not at them. Even her breathing felt elongated. But when that lasted too long, Sera shouted “kiss already”, and Zevran simply brought their heads to together, making Frey and Junia put a lot of laughter in between their lips as they kissed.

It didn’t last more than a few mere instants, but as they broke apart, Junia slapped her thigh and shouted at all around her: “Holly Maker, this is the best kiss I’ve ever had! Someone pay Horacio his fifty Anoras!”

The crowd around started to cheer and laugh, and soon kissing games started going all around. Sera did not let that opportunity go, and in an instant, she was kissing the other dwarf, who responded sheepishly. Frey heard Junia congratulate her, calling her Lace. As in a name, not a bow. And he could feel Zevran’s breath on his neck, the Antivan all too excited with all the merry going all around them. Blackwall had left. And maybe it was time for them to leave too.

***

Blackwall was leaving the Herald’s Rest in broad steps, the cold smoking his breath as he walked away, the snow of the trodden path no longer crushing under his boots. He stopped but didn’t turn when, already away from the noisy door, he heard Junia’s voice calling the name.

“Yes, my lady?”

“I did not mean to upset you. I am sorry. It is the liquor, I guess.”

He had not yet turned to the dwarf who slowly approached him from behind. He took a deep breath, and looked at her. “And I apologize for letting it get to my head, your worship. I shouldn’t bother.”

“No, no”, said Junia, hugging her own arms and stopping next to Blackwall, looking up at spot in the sky were some stars shone amid clouds. “I got carried away.” They stood in silence for a few moments, their breaths joining the clouds in trying to hide the sky. “I met a Grey Warden once. Over time, he developed the same eyes as that elf. A constant red outline. The skin that looks cracked close to the lips. Pupils that are not perfectly black.”

She continued after a pause: “You still don’t have those eyes, Blackwall.”

Blackwall swallowed and said nothing. He cupped his hands behind his back, and stood silent. Junia took a deep breathed and walked away.

[sylviaontour]

Zum ersten Mal machte ich eine geführte Rundreise mit Vögele Reisen und ich muss sagen ich bin begeistert. Anfangs war ich natürlich skeptisch, denn ich hatte in den letzen zehn Jahre nur individuell die Welt entdeckt. Doch alle meine Zweifel wurden beseitigt, und noch viel besser, es war einer der schönsten Urlaube in meinem Leben. Hier meine fünf Gründe weshalb ich sofort wieder mit Vögele Reisen verreisen würde:

1. Niemals allein

Obwohl natürlich ich mit meinem Vater reiste, waren wir eine tolle Gruppe von 27 Personen und man musste nie alleine sein und lernte ganz verschiedene Charaktere aus der ganzen Schweiz kennen. Natürlich waren da wenige dabei, mit denen man nie warm wurde, aber die restlichen 99% waren total liebe Menschen und wir hatte tolle Abende und viele gute Gespräche. Vom Alter her war ich die jüngste, aber mit nicht vielen Jahren Abstand kamen schon die nächsten bis schätzungsweise 80ig war alles mit dabei.

2. Hotels

Die Hotelauswahl war fantastisch. Alle Hotels hatten Charme, waren in einem Top Zustand und die in den Städten liegenden Hotels hatten einen super Standort.

The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique Resort & Spa: Schöne Anlage mit riesigen Zimmern, gleich am Fluss und das Restaurant war auch nur überdacht und lag sonst Frei

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Beautiful Hotel in Chiang Rai

Empress Hotel Chiang Mai: Super gelegen in der Stadt waren wir in 10 Minuten im Zentrum, perfekt für den Night Market und das Street Food

The Legendha Sukhothai Resort Wunderschöne ältere Zimmern und es knarkste auf dem Holz mal, aber die Natur und die Geckos waren toll

Zimmer

Anlage

Restaurant

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok: Neben der tollen Aussicht, war das Frühstück auch ein absoluter Hit. Dort fand ich auch mal Kässpätzle zum Essen

Veranda Resort & Spa Cha Am: Also absolut das Favoritenhotel, wunderschöne abgelegene Lage, toller Pool, wie auch schön dekoriert, mit Körben rund um den Pool oder nebst den üblichen Liegen gab es auch Sitzsäcke. Wunderschönes Zimmer mit einer Badewanne freistehen.

Pool

Zimmer

Pool vom Schatten

3. Restaurants

Im Programm waren einige übernommene Mittagessen oder Abendessen inklusive. Jedes Restaurant war ein Erlebnis! Die Mahlzeiten genossen wir meistens am Wasser, in wunderschönen Restaurants. Die hätte ich als Individuelreisende niemals gefunden, trotz Hilfe von Tripadvisor. Auch waren die thailändischen Spezialitäten immer lecker und jede Mahlzeit war auch ein Highlight. Vielen Dank für diese tollen Erfahrungen.

Restaurant in Bangkok

Restaurant in Bangkok

4. Programm

Auch hier hatte ich zuerst Zweifel, da ich doch gern ein ausgefülltes Programm habe. Doch es war perfekt. Wir hatten viel Abwechslung und viele besondere Erlebnisse. Wunderschöne Flussfahrten, die schönsten Tempel auf unserer Strecke, der überaus eindrückliche Elefantenpark oder die ruhige Ordchideenfarm. Genauso blieb uns immer wieder Zeit für uns, Zeit für das Land. Auch war unser Reiseleiter flexibel mit der Programmplanung und ging auf Bedürfnisse und Wünsche ein. So konnte ich in meinen Tigerpark und ein weiteres Lebenshighlight erleben.

  5. Reiseleiter

Thongchai war ein toller Reiseführer. Nicht nur das er uns mit Humor und Fakten das Land näher gebracht hat, er hat es auf eine ganz spezielle Art gemacht, dass man nach der Reise seine fröhliche Art vermisste. Er führte die Reisegruppe zusammen und war nebst einem guten Redner auch ein Zuhörer. Er wusste unglaublich viel und versuchte uns in kurzer Zeit so viel zu lehren. Auch kam er unseren Wünschen nach und dafür bin ich ihm sehr dankbar. Spontan zeigte er uns z.B. auch eine Schule in Thailand. Nicht im Programm, aber auch ein Highlight, das richtige Leben in Thailand zu erleben.

Es war wirklich eine beeindrucke Reise und hier noch meine 10 Highlights die ich nicht vergessen werde (es waren eigentlich viel mehr):

Wat Rung Khan

Auf unserer Reise durch Thailand haben wir viele schöne Tempel gesehen. Aber diesem kam keinem nahe, so kitschig und bis ins Detail gebaut. Nebem dem Tempel gab es ein weiteres Highlight, die schönste Toilette in Thailand, das darf man natürlich nicht verpassen. Dieser Tempel liegt ausserhalb von Chian Rai auf dem Weg Richtung Chiang Mai.

White Temple

White Temple

White Temple

White Temple

  Elefantenpark

Dieser Park war natürlich ein Erlebnis. Nicht nur der Ritt durch den Dschungel, schon die Show mit Showeinlagen wie Fussball spielen oder wirklich schöne Kunstwerke schaffen gaben einmalige Momente, die man nicht mehr vergisst. Bananen nicht vergessen zu kaufen, die verfressenen schöne Tiere lassen sich gerne füttern.

Elefantencamp

Elefantencamp

Bangkok bei Nacht

Natürlich ist bei Tag die Stadt spannend, die Flussfahrt durch Bangkok war auch besonders, wie natürlich auch der Königspalast, aber ich persönlich finde Bangkok in der Nacht am schönsten. Die verschiedenen Hochhäuser und Ihre Lichter. In unserem Rembrandt Hotel mitten in der Stadt konnte man sich im 26. Stock hinsetzten und einen Drink geniessen – einfach traumhaft.

Kok River Flussfahrt

Wir haben einige schöne Flussfahrten erlebt. Die fand ich besondern toll im Program. Doch die beste war die erste, vielleicht weil noch alles neu wahr, vielleicht weil es noch viel Natur ringsherum in Chiang Rai gab. So oder so war dies eine unvergessliche Fahrt im Norden Thailands.

Kok Flussfahrt

Historischer Park Sukhothai

Dieser Park ist auch gelistet in der Unesco Welterebe und der Besuch lohnte sich auf jeden Fall. Der schöne Park ist nebst dem vielen grün auch sehr interessant mit den Ruinen. Einfach nur schön!

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Ein weiterer Tempel hat es in die Top 10 geschafft. Denn nicht nur der Tempel ist interessant, sondern er liegt oben am Berg. Somit muss man natürlich zuerst eine kurvige Strasse mit dem Bus meistern und oben angekommen darf man zuerst nochmals 209 Treppen hinauf steigen, doch schon nur die schöne Aussicht auf Chiang Mai belohnt alle Strapazen. So oder so ist es ein wunderschöner Tempel in Gold, den man auch nicht verpassen sollte.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Zugmarkt

Dies war ein optionales Angebot das ich zusätzlich gebucht hatte als wir in Cha Am waren. Einer der skurillsten Märkte und wenn man schon in der Nähe ist, dann darf man dies nicht verpassen. Auch wenn zeitlich eingeschränkt (Fährt 6 Mal täglich).

Vor dem Zug

Während dem Zug

Chiang Mai

Nachtmarkt und Streetfood hier zu erleben war am eindrucksvollsten. Nebst den vielen Dingen die man hier tun kann, gefiel mir hier die Atmosphäre am besten. Live Musik kam aus verschiedenen Standorten und ich muss auch erwähnen, habe hier beim Nachtmarkt auch am besten zugeschlagen!

Massagen

Wie ich die Massagen vermisse! Nun die waren ganz toll, natürlich konnte man überall sich massieren lassen, in allen Städten wurde es natürlich in den Läden dort angeboten. In allen Hotel konnte man die kostenspielige Variante wählen, ich genoss die schönsten und beste Massage am Meer. Täglich ging ich zu den Liegen, schloss die Augen und genoss zum Meeresrauschen eine einstündige Ölmassage für 200 baht (ca. etwas mehr als 5 €). Das i-Tüpfelchen waren aber die wundervollen Menschen dort, ich schloss meine Masseuse Zom Za gleich ins Herz und vermisse sie und ihre kleine süsse Tochter.

Massage

Massage

best Masseuse :)

Tiger Kingdom

Auch wenn ich schiss hatte, war es ein Ereigniss, dass ich nie vergessen werde. Nicht die Fotos waren das Highlight, sondern das Gefühl wenn man einem Tiger ganz nah ist und es streichelt.

Vielen Dank Vögele Reisen für diese tollen unvergesslichen Erlebnisse, ich freu mich schon auf die nächste Reise mit euch!

Ganz besondern muss ich sagen, dank euch habe ich eine neue Liebe gefunden – die Liebe zu Thailand. Es war ein wunderschönes und faszinierendes Land mit unglaublichen Menschen. Die Erinnerungen und Gefühle kann man nur im Herzen als Souvenir mit nach Hause nehmen, aber genau aus solchen Gründen liebe ich das Reisen.

Mehr Informationen zu Vögele Reisen oder gleich die Rundreise Thailand.

Bei Fragen helfe ich natürlich auch gerne weiter, ich kann jedem die Reise wärmsten weiterempfehlen!

Thailand Rundreise mit Vögele Zum ersten Mal machte ich eine geführte Rundreise mit Vögele Reisen und ich muss sagen ich bin begeistert.

[beck-a-leck]

I'm a few days late, but I finally got a chance to edit my entry for teh @love-bokumono-fics Casual Prompt for last month.

The prompt was Songfics, and since I've recently been entertaining myself with Dark Empress Frey AUs, and also the song Tongues & Teeth by The Crane Wives the two of them came together in a lovey, intense dark chocolate indulgence.

I had fun with this one, digging into some deeply unhealthy relationships. Cheers!

Tongues & Teeth; M; Frey/Forte, Frey/Arthur.

To be Empress is to be lonely. Forte watches the walls build, brick by brick. For Frey’s own good, she even helps lay a few. She helps build the persona, encourages the Hunter Wolf Empress to come forth. Frey disappears into a cloister of her own making. To be Frey is to be vulnerable, gullible, underestimated. To be the Empress is to be respected, powerful, feared. Frey struggles to connect with anyone on a personal level. Frey becomes painfully isolated. The Empress covers it well with biting wit and acerbic moods. The Empress brings warm bodies into her bed. She devours them like a ravenous wolf among lambs. Forte tells herself she does not envy the lambs. The Empress has never so much as bared her teeth at her loyal Knight.

[thebeckster]

I want to collect all my Empress Frey AU pieces into a series on AO3, and I decided to separate out the Dark Empress AU piece I wrote last month for a prompt fill into it's pwn piece for easy collecting.

In case you haven't read it yet 👀

It's a wonderful dark chocolate indulgence featuring very unhealthy relationships.

To be Empress is to be lonely. Forte watches the walls build, brick by brick. For Frey’s own good, she even helps lay a few. She helps build the persona, encourages the Hunter Wolf Empress to come forth. Frey disappears into a cloister of her own making. To be Frey is to be vulnerable, gullible, underestimated. To be the Empress is to be respected, powerful, feared. Frey struggles to connect with anyone on a personal level. Frey becomes painfully isolated. The Empress covers it well with biting wit and acerbic moods. The Empress brings warm bodies into her bed. She devours them like a ravenous wolf among lambs. Forte tells herself she does not envy the lambs. The Empress has never so much as bared her teeth at her loyal Knight.

[beck-a-leck]

If i post this at 2:30AM then nobody will see it and I can just pretend it doesn't exist until people wake up and I'm in bed lmao

Anyways, I finished up a long in progress WIP last night and I did want to share it before I lost my nerve, because I've never shared anything Explicitly Spicy before.

Have a little AU of the Empress Frey AU, because I had an idea and while I didn't want it to be canon, it was too delicious to not write.

Adored - by TheBeckster; Complete, 1/1, 6k

Rating: Explicit; Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply; Category: F/M Fandoms: Rune Factory 4 Relationship: Frey/Vishnal; Characters: Frey, Vishnal Additional Tags: Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Porn with Feelings, Empress Frey AU, Vishnal has an authority kink, Frey kinda likes bossing him around, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Sex, One Night Stands, Foreplay, Tenderness, Undressing, Not actually canon to Our Dear Empress. Just in the same AU, Dom/sub Undertones, how do you tag porn? halp! i've never shared anything spicy before. i hope it's not hot garbage Summary: “We’ve gotta make the most of our one night together. When it’s over and done, we’ll both be so alone.” It's Frey's last night in Selphia before she leaves forever to become Empress of the Sechs Empire, and she desperately does not want to be alone. Vishnal brings his princess one last cup of tea, a butler doing his duties. They can't bear to speak the half-lies and premature truths their hearts so desperately call out.

Preview:

A sudden urge gripped Frey; a flood of regrets, so many things left unsaid, things she never gathered the courage to confess. "Vishnal, I never told –" "Hush, you don't have to say anything." He squeezed her hands. "Yes, I do. I'll regret it forever if I leave without saying it." "And if you leave having said it, Frey, will that make things any better?" No. It very well might make things worse, make leaving harder, but Frey had to say it. She had to say something. She had so many chances to bring it up. His solemn eyes met hers, pleading and understanding. “I always thought there would be more time… Vishnal, we could have been…” “I know.” Frey moved without thinking. She leaned forward, closing the gap between her and Vishnal, pressing her lips against his. He was stunned for a moment before he responded. His hand came up and cupped her cheek, his thumb brushed over her tear-streaked cheek. Then he froze, pulled away. “We can’t.” He whispered hoarsely. “N-not like this. It’s not appropriate. It was tricky enough when you were just my-our princess.” Frey leaned back, created more space. “I’m not your princess anymore. You are not my butler.” “You’re an Empress now. I am just a servant.”

[beck-a-leck]

Very sudden and unexpected Our Dear Empress inspo at 2:30am

The song Tongues and Teeth by The Crane Wives just feels very 'Empress Frey trying to navigate a possible love and/or a political marriage in the Consort AU'

Particularly the opening lines:

I've grown a mouth so sharp and cruel

It's all that I can give to you, my dear

And when you come in quick to steal a kiss

My teeth will only cut your lips, my dear

That's a Frey who has become completely dedicated to her role as Empress and might have forgotten how to be Frey. All of her gentleness has long been sharpened to a razor's edge. That's a Frey who more often likes what she's become as Empress than dislikes it. That's a Frey who long ago accepted the power of her station and happily uses it.

[beck-a-leck]

Curious about visuals in your Frey Empress Au. Haven't finished all the chapters yet so sorry if I asked something you already answered but....

Does Frey have a special outfit as Empress? Like a go-to thing that you imagine her wearing when she is the Empress. If so, what does it look like? 👀

Ooh, this is fun! I don't necessarily have specific visuals for like An Outfit, but more of just general vibes for how she would dress.

Considering as Empress, her image is very important and can be ways she makes a statement, Frey doesn't really get the chance to just throw on any outfit and go about her day. She has people helping style her and picking/making her clothes, and everything she wears now happens with intention. She gets input on styles and colors and such, but she also has a peer review process for how she's dressed each day. Given her youth, I do think there will be an emphasis on picking items that make her appear mature, competent, and confident.

I think particularly in her early days as Empress, she'd opt for darker and more muted colors, both to keep with her state of mourning, and also to project a sense of maturity and seriousness. I think once she feels more secure in her position and time has passed, she'll break into lighter and more vibrant colors.

Her day-to-day wear as Empress would be more formal than she previously would have considered daily wear in Selphia. Whether it's Frey's choice, or that of the people helping her construct her image, she would pick more Elegant styles than something overly Ornate - though there are certainly Very Fancy and ornate styles she'll wear for special events - something that is still very well made, but not an ostentatious show of wealth and power.

She does stop wearing her hair in the twin ponytails that we see her in, as she finds the look to clash with the image she wants to project as Empress. I do think in future years she will take to cutting her hair shorter, but as a new empress her hair is still very long. Most days she'll opt for a single braid, or have all her hair kept up off the back of her neck in elegant buns or braided crowns.

And speaking of crowns... this is the only thing I have a solid idea of. Haven't gotten to it in story but we'll get there soon. There is an Imperial Crown. It's a heavy, ornate, kind of ugly thing that has been worn by all past leaders of the Empire. While it can be worn on the daily, nobody really did. It's definitely more ceremonial than functional. On the daily, Frey has a circlet made for her, and while it doesn't initially reflect her choice aesthetics (I think she'd want something light and nature-inspired) it was made by the artisans of Sechs to reflect the aesthetics of Sechs, so she wears it to represent her People.