#firefly's oc: leah

[firefly-factory]

WIP Wednesday :D

Thanks for tagging me @sulphuricgrin @skyrim-forever @changelingsandothernonsense

Imma no pressure tag @emicat1159 (because Astor! and Shayfer James!! Together!!)

Anyways it feels like it's been ages since I felt up to posting a WIP (it probably hasnt been that long lol) but I do have something this week! Dabbling in animation/animatics again and although it's slow going I feel like I'm getting better at the whole process (and better at choosing reasonable milestones lol

So far the characters are Astor (age of calamity) and my oc/his mom Leah :D Music is "Lighthouse Keeper" by Shayfer James.

I'm trying to do an animatic that follows some of the moments/feelings from my story (and also play around with putting art to music!). The goal is to do the whole song (it's about 2.5 mins long, so it seems doable)

Here it is so far-

Besides doing more art and stuff I think I need to work on the camera motions (make them a little less jerky). I also think I'm going to want to add subtitles to go with it. But so far, I'm pleased with this, and it's been going quicker than a lot of my other attempts at animation.

[flickycore]

If my DC/Batman OCs have headcanon voices, what would they sound like?

Benjamin Williams - K1B0 (Danganronpa) [VA - Lucien Dodge]

Hallow Crane - Vulture (Spectacular Spider Man) [VA - Robert Englund]

Meredith Miranda - Maud Pie (My Little Pony) [VA - Ingrid Nilson]

Yuki Blossoms - Tiff (Kirby - Right Back At Ya) [VA - Kerry Williams]

Marcus Todd - Raphael (2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) [VA - Sean Astin] or Red Hood (Injustice 2) [VA - Cameron Bowen]

Lauren Crane - Lilith Clawthorne (Owl House) [VA - Cissy Jones] or Loona (Helluva Boss) [VA - Erica Lindbeck]

Laurent Crane - Scarecrow (Arkham Knight Version) [VA - John Noble]

Trace Dent - Vaggie (Hazbin Hotel) [VA - Stephanie Beatriz]

Coona Walker - Sody Pop (Chikn Nuggit) [VA - Dawn M. Bennett]

Evelyn Wesker - Sage (Sonic Forces) [VA - Ryan Bartley]

Ember Lynns - Toga Himiko (My Hero Academia) [VA - Leah Clark] or Panty Anarchy (Panty and Stocking) [VA - Jamie Marchi]

Torch Lynns - Firefly (Arkham version) [VA - Crispin Freeman]

Cheryl - TSA! Amy [VA - Eileen Montgomery]

Topher Blackfire - Valentino (Hazbin Hotel) [VA - Joel Perez] or Hunter (Owl House) [VA - Zeno Robinson]

Oliver Miranda - Iscream (Chikn Nuggit) [VA - Nate Charpentier] or Cubot (Sonic) [VA - Wally Wingert]

Misty Miranda - Cream the Rabbit (Sonic) [VA - Rebecca Honig]

Spook - Collector (Owl House) [VA - Fryda Wolff]

Myers Miranda - Dr Facilier [Princess and The Frog [VA - Keith David]

Lunar Crane - Lumalee (Super Mario Bros Movie) [VA - Juliet Jelenic]

Leader Scorch - Father (Kids Next Door) [VA - Maurice LaMarche]

Harrison, Misty and Carrie - Delightful Children from Down the Lane (Kids Next Door) [VAs - Dee Bradley Baker(H) and Cree Summer(M and C)]

Craven Crane - Scarecrow (Arkham Asylum) [VA - Dino Andrade]

Clove Miranda - Stella (Helluva Boss) [VA - Georgina Leahy]

Fangs Langstrom - Cream the Rabbit (Sonic) [VA - Rebecca Honig]

Kaleb Langstrom - Thorax (My Little Pony) [VA - Kyle Rideout]

Kraig Jones - Goliath (Gargoyles) [VA - Keith David]

Tootsie Jingles - Fizzarolli (Helluva Boss) [VA - Alex Brightman]

Blade Quinzel - Secret History Tails [VA - Mick Lauer]

Harriet Miranda - Odalia Blight (Owl House) [VA - Rachael McFarlane]

[avatarskywalker78]

OC Birthdays so far!

Inspired by @daughter-of-melpomene's list because it's a very good ideas! A few of these just have the year because I haven't decided exactly when they're born, but you get the idea!

Steph Taylor (The Flash) - 12th of March 1986

Brianna Thawne (Legends of Tomorrow) - 18th of September 2165 (26 at the start of the story)

Nicky Connors (Miyagi-verse) - 10th of July 1967

Gemma Laura McKinney (Cobra Kai) - 18th of March 1997

Elaine Barnes (Cobra Kai) - 4th of September 2001

Leah Barnes (Cobra Kai) - 1970

Eliana Kent (Supergirl) - 28th of February 1995

Ashley Tanner (Krypton) - 10th of February 1995

Maia Curry (DCEU Aquaman) - 3rd of May 2003

Theodore Edward Thawne (The Flash) - 5th of February 2019 (21 at the start of the story)

Sophia Reynolds (Firefly) - 18th of July 2499

Sarah Thompson (Agent Carter) - 1922 (25 at the start of the story)

Alex Thompson (MCU) - 1977

Hannah Edwards (MCU) - 12th of October 1999

Kate Simons (MCU) - 1986 (28 at the start of the story)

Emma Johnson (Inhumans) - 1989

Caitlin Sherwood (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - 30th of September 1976

Teri Merlyn (Arrow - Earth-2) - 13th of January 1978 (35 at the start of the story)

Mel Hathaway (Star Trek TOS) - 10th of November 2226

Niamh Cassidy (Once Upon a Time) - 16th of January 2005

Sophie Sloan (Diagnosis Murder) - 1983 (10 at the start of the story)

Áine an Tordarroch (The Witcher) - 1230 (Arc 1 spans from ages 18 to 33)

Joanna Mayfield (Uncharted) - 10th of March 1993

Marie Douglas (The Professionals) - 18th of October 1952

Brianna Louise Wilson (NCIS) - 17th of January 1977 (33 at the start of the story)

Lexa Sullivan (The Old Guard) - 1988

Sheridan Ó Séaghdha (Thunderbirds TOS) - 2040 (25 at the start of the story)

Tiana Everton (Thunderbirds TOS) - 2042 (23 at the start of the story)

Devon Avery (Moonfall) - 12th of April 1980

Tagging (let me know if you want to be added or removed): @shrinkthisviolet @starstruckpurpledragon @vexic929 @negative-speedforce @dream-beyond-the-fantasy @lady-of-the-spirit @fezwearingjellybananas @far-shores

[sadsentinel]

wow it took me way longer to finish this story than i expected. but here you go, another stardew valley oneshot! this one is oc x alex :)

"You know, I've always dreamed of going pro."

"So you've said," I giggled. Alex ran a large, strong hand through his chestnut brown hair and scratched nervously.

"Right," he said, a tinge of embarrassment in his voice. The silence between us grew ever louder, just the same as the violent hum of the cicadas in the pine trees. A lone firefly hovered past, illuminating Alex's dark, intense eyes. They held a faraway, almost sad look.

"I'd love to hear more, though."

The familiar, unshakeable sparkle returned to his gaze.

"I've wanted to do it for years, but..."

"But?" I turned my head in interest. Gridball was all he ever talked about. Was it really possible it wasn't what he wanted anymore?

"Now I'm not so sure. A part of me still wants to, but..." He trailed off for a moment, and turned his gridball over in his hands, again and again. It was as if he'd become locked in a trance, all alone in his own world. "The more time we've been spending together, the less worried I am about money, and fame, and all that useless shit."

"Hey, money isn't totally useless," I grinned. I had just finished paying Robin to add a new room onto my farmhouse. Work was to begin bright and early in the morning.

Alex kept his pace, and I followed. We ambled through the deep, twisting forest back towards my farm. We'd gotten used to walking together, late at night. After I found him on the beach one evening, I'd convinced him to throw his gridball back and forth with me. He hadn't initially placed me as the athletic type, but I'd insisted. He smiled more genuine smiles that night than I'd seen since we'd met. Admittedly, we didn't spend much time together until that night, but ever since, he'd taken it upon himself to walk me home. We spent nearly every night together. On the nights when I walked back on my own, I missed his company.

"It's dangerous this late, you know. There could be bears or wolves."

He'd said that to me the first night he'd walked me home, even though we both knew I could handle myself.

The loud howl of a wolf echoed eerily in the distance. Alex leapt a mile in the air, a short yelp escaping from his parted lips. I placed a hand on the short sword I'd taken to carrying, and squeezed just above his elbow in an effort to comfort him.

"I thought you came to protect me," I joked. His eyebrows drew together in frustration at his reaction.

"I am," he huffed, throwing a muscular arm over my shoulder and drawing me in a bit roughly. He peered into the heavy blanket of darkness, and another firefly hovered past. "These things are everywhere," he said, watching as a few more floated weightlessly by. I tried to focus on the firefly, but my mind drifted to the warmth of his skin against mine.

"It's summertime," I said. I held my hand up and out, as if expecting one to come to me. I lowered my hand in embarrassment, realizing fireflies weren't like my dog back home. Alex's lips curved upwards in a smile and he nudged my arm.

"Hey, they are... pretty cool, I guess." His words distracted me from my own flustered thoughts, and I looked past the fireflies to his face. He watched them with wonder, like he was seeing them for the first time.

The hot, humid night air seemed a little less dreadful with the warm glow of the fireflies around. With Alex here too, it even felt kind of good.

I walked towards the dark, gurgling riverbank and took a seat, hoping to make the moment last just a little longer. We had made it just a bit upstream from Leah's cabin, which was nestled not far away, at the edge of the clearing. I could see the harsh glow of lights filtering through the closed curtains.

Alex's footsteps sounded behind me, and I realized he was coming to join me.

"Leah's up late, huh?" He glanced in the direction of her house. I knew he couldn't care less about Leah's sleeping habits, but things had become slightly awkward between us. I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but I settled on blaming my own stupid comments for the time being.

"I'm sorry I messed with you about your dreams."

"It's all good." Alex crouched down beside the dark, watery depths before us. "I just don't know if that's right for me anymore. But if it isn't, then... what is, y'know?"

On an impulse, I took his hand in mine, to comfort him. This wasn't something I had ever planned to do, and now that I was doing it, I felt a surge of adrenaline run through my veins. What am I doing?!

When I finally managed to meet his eyes, the corners of his lips were upturned in a smile. He turned his hand over and intertwined our fingers together, squeezing gently.

"I'm glad you made the first move. I was a bit nervous, to tell you the truth." I replayed his words over in my mind. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? He was interested in me? How had I not noticed? Then it hit me.

All the nights he'd walked me home, all the times we'd spent together on the beach. I'd just assumed we'd done all those things as friends, but could I have been wrong? This whole time?

Alex tilted his head, his deep gaze trained on my face.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, concern laced in his voice.

"I..." I wasn't sure, to be honest. What would I tell him? I had no idea you were interested?

How did I even feel about this? A jolt of excitement raced through my body and I think I knew my answer. I hadn't reached for his hand to profess my love or anything, but now that I knew how he felt...

"Oh. Oh no, did I misread this? You don't—" He jerked his hand away, mortified.

"Wait." I reached for his hand again, and though hesitant, he let me. "I never really... I didn't really know how I felt about this, but..."

"If you're willing to give it a shot..." he began, "I feel like I can deal with the uncertainties of my future with you here. Whether we're friends, or more than that. If you'll have me, that is." His usual confident smirk was absent. Instead, he wore the expression of a frazzled teenager who'd just asked out his crush. I felt like I hadn't seen that look since high school, but that all felt like millennia ago anyway. All my mind could really register was now. Me and Alex. Together. The thought had never truly crossed my mind, and yet... here we were.

I smiled at him then, and instantly, his expression changed. He was happy, and so was I. That's what really mattered.

"I'm willing to try if you are," I whispered. He pulled me into a hug then, his powerful arms wrapped firmly, but gently around my small frame. I could feel his nervous heartbeat through his thin T-shirt, and I knew that this is what I wanted.

It was just as he said. I can deal with the future, however uncertain it might be, as long as I have him.

[firefly-factory]

WIP Wednesday!

Thank y'all for tagging me @hircines-hunter @skyrim-forever @changelingsandothernonsense @theoneandonlysemla and @thequeenofthewinter <3 <3

Pretty late, but I'll tag @emicat1159 @pocket-vvardvark and @edgy-dragon-trash if you guys have anything you'd like to share :D

For my own WIP I have a snippet of what might be a new fic 🙈

This is when Astor was still a really young kid, and is actually set shortly after this comic. I'm thinking of expanding on some of the stuff I drew in prose-form, and sort of see where this goes <3

~

Leah awoke in total darkness. This was the way she normally woke, and in fact the way everyone in the hamlet awoke, so there was nothing to indicate that something was wrong. She sat up, rubbing her eyes blearily, and reached for her bedside table, where she usually kept a glass of water.

She felt slightly disoriented, her limbs still heavy with sleep, and it took a few fumbling attempts before she realized that the cup wasn’t there. Huh. She must have been more upset than she realized, last night. She fought back a yawn and picked up her hairbrush, still moving in the dark. This part of her routine at least—

“Gah!” The brush clattered to the floor. A shadow stood at the foot of her bed, dark in darkness, totally still, and for one terse moment her half-asleep mind imagined a demon creeping through the house, first going for the neighbors, then for her, and finally for . . . “Astor, sweetheart. You startled me.”

A small squeak, like a mouse getting stepped on. And then he stumbled forwards and she could still hardly see him, but she could feel the way his small form trembled as he wrapped his arms around her. She ran her fingers across the top of his head, holding him tightly to her chest. The front of her shirt dampened, but his sobs were almost entirely silent. She rocked back and forth slowly, trying to remember the last time he had cried like this.

Gradually his shaking slowed. She shifted one arm, keeping the other tightly around him. “I’m going to turn on a light, okay love?”

He nodded, whimpering softly. Leah pressed a kiss to his forehead, then reached for the lamp. She touched a fingertip to the wick, pursing her lips in concentration. A moment later, warm light flickered merrily across the room. She withdrew her hand, momentarily sucking at the hot pad of her finger with a wince, then turned back to Astor. Her heart just about broke in two.

His coin-bright eyes were red and swollen; his cheeks were streaked with tears. She brushed the hair out of his face and cupped his cheek with her hands. “Oh sweetheart, tell me what happened. Did you have a nightmare?”

[firefly-factory]

Astorvember Day 9: FORTUNE

Getting back on track slowly but surely!

The order gets a little mixed up here (mainly because I didn't think about the chronology until finishing this a few minutes ago) but this moment happens shortly before the comic for "Malice."

Having found a safe space for his mother, Astor tried to be content with a quiet, hidden life. He had lived that way for most of his childhood, thought he would have no trouble settling back into a daily routine. But after weeks of trying to settle down, he finally realized that Fate had a different plan for him.

When he set out on the road, he was surprised to find himself drawn back to Akkala. Still, there was a comfort in moving that he had been unable to find in settled life, and soon he grew eager for the inevitable confrontation with Herod.

Also a small thing, but I've decided that their braids are a way of honoring family/loved ones. Much to Leah's delight, Astor's braids are for both her and Vaari (Leah's are obviously for Astor and Vaari). The depth of significance of the braids varies from person to person, and can also vary based on day; for example, some people add braids for friends while others only have braids for blood-kin. Additionally, during holidays that put a focus on community, people might style their hair with numerous elaborate braids to recognize the role of the entire community in their life.

This ties into the promised Herod lore because despite being "Father" to the whole cult, he only has one braid--which he keeps hidden. This is the one way which he acknowledges Astor as his child (and is actually visible in "Malice" where he's not wearing his hood for once).

This isn't to say that he's secretly "a good dad." He's not. He's still a horrible person. But part of him still thinks of Astor as his kid and idk why but I get emotional whenever I think about it

[firefly-factory]

Astorvember Day 6: CROWNED 👑

A little different from the others I've posted so far and (if it isn't obvious) out of order from the comic I've been posting. But I wanted to do something cute and bright today, so have a picture of Astor's mom (Leah) and her wife Vaari <3

Still figuring out the specifics, but there's a period of time in Astor's life where he leaves the cult to follow the compulsions of Fate. He's convinces Father Herod that Leah must come with him, that Fate has selected her as his guide out of the Akkala region and towards Ganon's return. Though an obvious lie, Herod allows it, unwilling to let people think he's lost control of the Seer.

Astor helps Leah escape into the Eldin region, where she meets a travelling Gerudo gem merchant named Vaari. They stick together, both women far away from their homelands, and eventually fall in love.

Vaari is the one who gives Astor the ruby in his necklace, as a gift after she and Leah get married. She also teaches Leah about different Gerudo symbols, which Leah later embroiders into Astor's robes.

Vaari will admit that she is uncomfortable with Astor's continued association with Ganon, and has challenged him about it on numerous occasions (making for a few uncomfortable family meals). In some ways she plays a critical role in turning his eyes away from both Ganon and Hylia, and towards the impartiality of pure Fate.

Also, I'm counting this as "Crowned" because she's kissing her forehead (where a crown would go). And I think we can all agree that it would be much nicer to have a kiss on your forehead than some creepy circlet

[firefly-factory]

✨ - Tell something that makes this oc feel happy!

🧶 - Do they do any arts, crafts, or creative hobbies?

🍪 - What are their favorite scents?

☔ - How does this oc feel about rain?

🌲 - Do they have a favorite location to hang out in?

for Astor fam (dad, mom, bonus mom, weird dog)

More ask!! Thank youuuuuu <3 And yes let's talk about the Astor fam. I went ahead and answered every question for all of them so it's gonna be a little long :D

✨ - Tell something that makes this oc feel happy!

Herod (dad) - when something he's been working on pans out exactly how he intended. He knows that he can't control every aspect of a situation (though by Ganon he'll try his hardest to) so when things go off without a hitch he's always pleasantly surprised.

Leah (mom) - soft quiet moments with her loved ones. Some of her favorite moments from Astor was growing up were in the early-morning. He'd still be sleeping while she was getting ready for the day, and sometimes they'd open the windows early just to watch the sun rise together. Family is very important to her, and so whenever she's with her loved ones she'll savor every moment, even and especially the small ones.

Vaari (bonus mom) - she loves traveling in general, but her favorite part is the thrill of seeing something she's never seen before. It can be big things - like when she found the natural bridge hidden in cephla lake!!! - or teensy things, like when she saw a sunset firefly drinking from a dew drop early one morning. Best of all is when she's able to show these things to someone else. It magnifies the whole experience ten-fold

Harbinger ganon (weird dog) - the inevitable heat death of the universe. Barring that, it's a huge fan of a well-orchestrated ritual sacrifice :D

🧶 - Do they do any arts, crafts, or creative hobbies?

Herod - Manipulating people <3 But in all seriousness, he doesn't have a lot of time for creativity/proper hobbies because he's so focused on keeping things moving in the cult. When he does have free time, he'll usually spend it people-watching. He's incredibly interested in how people go about day-to-day, and if he sees a mannerism he like's he'll store it away for later.

Leah - Singing! Sometimes she'll sing traditional songs, other times she'll make up little lullabies for Astor or just sing about her day as she goes. She was actually a semi-professional singer before she joined the cult, and although she doesn't talk about that much anymore, the act of singing is still very comforting for her. Her father encouraged her to take it up when she was very young.

Vaari - She loves making jewelry, and is also does some embroidery! Still figuring out the timeline of this, but she's most likely the one who did the embroidery on Astor's robes. She's a traveling gem-merchant, and so whenever she has an imperfect stone, or one that just isn't selling, she turns it into jewelry. She's made a lot of jewelry for Leah, and also set the ruby in Astor's necklace (because that boy is ALWAYS cold).

Weird Dog™ - Hmm. Does tormenting wandering seers with visions of madness count?

🍪 - What are their favorite scents?

Herod - the smell of the woods at night in the summer.

Leah - Water on stone. She grew up in Deya Village and spent a lot of time playing down by the river, or up on the banks of the reservoir, and so the smelling brings back a lot of fond memories.

Vaari - hot sand. It's another nostalgic smell that reminds her of home. There's something about the dusty, mineral smell that she hasn't found anywhere else, and so whenever she gets a whiff of it it sends her back to the warmth of childhood. She also loves Leah's perfume, which smells like cedar and hickory shells.

Weird Dog™ - homemade cookies

☔ - How does this oc feel about rain?

Herod - He's not a fan. If asked directly, it's because rain - at best - is an inconvenience. At worst, intermittent flooding is a dangerous in the mountains and could undermine the structural integrity of both Shadow Hamlet and the Temple. What he'll never admit is that it goes deeper than that. Water was associated with punishment growing up and now, unless it's an environment he can control entirely, he hates the sensation of being wet.

Leah - she loves it. Shadow Hamlet is landlocked and pretty far from any permanent body of water, so rain is the only time she really gets that wet-stone nostalgia I talked about above. She loves sitting outside during a rainstorm and watch the dark clouds roll over Akkala below.

Vaari - mixed feelings. She's been traveling for a while now, but she's still Gerudo, and there's something unsettling about that much water coming from every direction. Still, as long as she's not actually in the rain when it hits, she likes it. She'll happily sit by the window, covered in blankets, and watch the rain come down, but she does not want to be out there. She'll leave that to Leah

Weird Dog™ - not a fan. It's water resistant but NOT waterproof (so thank goodness the Yiga live in the desert)

🌲 - Do they have a favorite location to hang out in?

Herod - he really likes visiting the hot-springs that are scattered around Death Mountain. He's cold almost all the time (poor Astor got his dad's shitty circulation) so the hot springs offer a nice reprieve. He spent a lot of time there when he was younger, when he was on diplomatic trips away from the Hamlet (and his mother). Since he took on the mantle of Augur (political and spiritual leader of the Ganon cult) he hasn't had many chances.

Leah - the home she makes with Vaari. It's a small, quiet place built in a half-hidden valley in death mountain, and it's just theirs. She loves the safety and isolation, as if no one else in the world could find them here, and the floor is always warm, as if a sunbeam were shining on it. The windows glitter with sun-catchers Vaari made or traded for, and they send rainbows dancing across the room when the sun starts to set.

Vaari - on a clear day, Vaari loves to scale the side of Death Mountain to see just how high she can climb. There's a ledge, just deep enough to lay down in, that she always rests at, and on a clear day she's able to see almost to the Gerudo Highlands. She loves to sit and take in the world from this bird's eye view. It reminds her of her days as a wandering vai. Maybe one day she'll show Leah, although her wife isn't very comfortable with heights . . .

Weird Dog™ - anywhere it shouldn't be. Also, on an altar surrounded by potential victims worshipers

[firefly-factory]

Astorvember Day 2: BRAIDS

Just doing one panel today because I'm going to be busy later

As a kid, Astor's mom always helped him with his hair, even when he got old enough to do it himself. In later years he would still reflect fondly on these quiet moments, even after other memories tried to overshadow them.

But let's not think about that right now!

Right now he's just a child getting his hair brushed by his mom. And if he's worried about his place in the world, well, that's just a part of growing up. He's doing okay.

[firefly-factory]

Ask game ask game ask game!

Here u goooo <3

💔 - Does forgiveness come easily or with difficulty to this oc? Can they forgive others? What about themselves?

🌊 - Does this oc have a secret or repressed desire?

📓 - Do you associate any quotes or lyrics with this oc?

🗡️ - Does this oc have a signature object, accessory, or weapon?

Questions are for Astor's parents since I wanna know more about them I want more reasons to hate his dad (ah you can add astor too if you wanna, have the whole family there lmao)

Hello, hello! And yess let's chew on his parents more.

💔 - Does forgiveness come easily or with difficulty to this oc? Can they forgive others? What about themselves?

Leah - When Leah is angry, it tends to burn bright and hot and short. She doesn't forgive instantly, but she doesn't hold long grudges, especially if someone is clearly trying to do better. The only exception is when it comes to her immediate family (Astor). If you do anything to hurt him she will never forgive you. When it comes to herself, she tries not to be hard on herself. Some days it's easier than others. But she knows she's trying her best, and surely that has to be enough?

Herod - It depends. For most people, he really doesn't care if they mess up. Not because he's forgiving, exactly, but more because he's come to expect a certain level of incompetence from the general population. He'd honestly be more surprised if they didn't mess something up. For himself, he is hyper-critical of any mistake (real or perceived) that he makes. To the same degree that he expects inadequacy from everyone else, he expects utter perfection from himself. Anything less than that is failure, and must never be shown.

🌊 - Does this oc have a secret or repressed desire?

Herod - He wants people to know how hard he works. He needs people to know how hard he works, so that their attention will be more proportionate to the effort it took to get there. But admitting that it took effort means admitting that not everything comes easily to him. And he can't do that. He can never do that.

Leah - This applies more to the beginning of the story (before she meets Vaari) but she wants to run away. She was supposed to travel, she would have kept traveling for years more if she hadn't been drawn in by Herod's charismatic act. She wants out. But she can't leave Astor. And sometimes (she would never say this to anyone. she'd hardly admit it to herself) she resents him for it. But he's her entire world. It's a hard place to be (and a very good thing for everyone when they finally do leave the cult)

📓 - Do you associate any quotes or lyrics with this oc?

Herod - Okay this is 100% predictable because you're the one who showed me this song. But these lines from Shayfer James' "Your Father's Son"

So if you're any good at bluffing / I suggest you do it quick / cause everyone is next to nothing / and every tock will have a tick

Leah - This was a little harder because I don't have a dedicated playlist for Leah, but I think this verse from Sea Wolf's "Dear Fellow Traveler" works for Leah on a lot of levels

You spoke my language and touched my limbs / It wasn't difficult to pull me from myself again / And in our travels, we found a rose / You held it like a mirror, showing me the life I chose

🗡️ - Does this oc have a signature object, accessory, or weapon?

Herod - the circlet (that later gets passed down to Astor). It's been the symbol of the Augur for as long as anyone can remember. His mother wore it, and his grandfather before her. Despite being passed through generations, it shows little wear, and is always a little too tight. It's a relatively simple gold band; despite being made of high-quality material, the metal-working isn't terribly ornate, and there isn't any gemstone set in the center, where one would expect. Stories passed from Augur to Augur say that it used to glow with a brilliant orange light; Herod always assumed this was a metaphor for some stone, now lost.

Leah - a necklace that Vaari made for her when they first got together. It's a simple chain with a raw ruby pendant. The stone was part of the ruby that Vaari faceted for Astor's necklace, and Leah liked the way the unfinished stone caught the light. Now she's able to carry both of her loved ones close to her heart.

[avatarskywalker78]

Talk Shop Tuesday: how do you name your OCs?

With great difficulty most of the time - it tends to take a while for me to even find a name because by that point I've got an appearance and a personality quite clear in my head, so the name has to fit them just right, and often I'll try and go with an important meaning, something that encapulsates them...but that's not always foolproof, because again, it comes down to whether a name suits them. Outside of my Legacy OCs, surnames are even harder - because then it's not just whether it fits the character but whether it fits the character's first name as well!!

Sometimes I do end up just taking a surname from another character in a franchise if I like it enough - Leah Barnes's maiden name being Reynolds because of Firefly, my Old Guard OC's surname being Sullivan because of Uncharted's Victor Sullivan - or, in Steph Taylor's case, the surname being an easter egg (that so far no one has figured out, but I'm gonna be so pleased one someone makes the connection, so pleased). And it's interesting when I have OCs whose current names weren't the names they were born with, like my Buffyverse and Due South ones - cos it adds mystery, makes you wonder who they were before and why they changed them.

So far I haven't had as much trouble with middle names, but that's simply because most of my OCs don't have them (or at least none have come to me so far), and the few that do have been fairly easy - Theodore's middle name is his uncle's regardless of whether Eddie died (like in his main series) or survived, regardless of whether Malcolm happened to be estranged from his brother or not because ultimately, Malcolm loves Eddie, of course he's gonna pay tribute to that. Likewise with my Cobra Kai OC Gemma Laura McKinney, whose middle name comes from the aunt she didn't meet for three years and who she barely remembers.

(In the case of my NCIS OC, Brianna Louise Wilson, it's just part of her wider name change; a fuck you to her so-called parents, a divide between her past and her future. Brianna Durand? Never heard of her.)

talk shop tuesday