#if a space appears that needs a character and no canon ones are suitable then in they go!

[tendertendrils1]

For story ideas, any ocs or in game characters you’ve been thinking about adding in?

(biased ask because I’m curious about the thief girl from albw)

Yes there are several! At this point they are mostly centered around the Lorule side of things. Since the next update brings us back to Hyrule's mirror, there will be some old and some new Lorulean characters showing up in the next few months! Ravio has more old friends to reconnect with, and Link met some people during his initial travels there that he's going to be running into again. Good news for thief girl: she will be among them!

[thygoddessouijathicc]

Bad quality rambly ugly fanfic made at 2AM when sick

(Truly I do apologize for the poor quality and ramblyness of this fic. Scorpion is such a strange interesting character to me and I overall tried to keep close to my interpretation of canon with small amounts and of head canon tossed in

Warning for discussion of death, alcohol, fire, allusions to sexual stuff, and rat eating. Spoilers ahead.)

Scorpion had never really concerned himself with the affairs of lesser men. To him, they weren’t so much men as they were playthings.

He’d known ever since he was small that he would get away with whatever he did no matter how horrible. His parents encouraged him to do whatever he wanted. Except that. Never that. Or that. Oh God forbid that other thing they didn’t approve of.

Had he a proper heir he would have instated similar rules but he supposed with a face like that who cared about things so minor in comparison.

But really, who was he to speak now, as he sat wasting away in a cellar, burned beyond all recognition and really, truly, hideous. He shuddered to even think of what he could look like now, even the thought of it made him feel like he was about to puke.

Locking himself away really was the best course of action in such a situation, truly. But that didn’t stop the rightful containment from feeling so… restricting.

The fire that had ruined his face was 3 months behind him now. 3 months spent smashing mirrors, locking doors, painting over every image of himself, and drinking himself into a stupor.

He reasoned that his own wing would be where people would check first if they ever came looking for him so it was naturally unsuitable… not to mention… certain parts had begun to smell, at times it seemed the lack of any cleaning in such spaces didn’t bode well, perhaps the maids were useful in THAT regard at least. God knows they were useless when it came to giving him an heir.

Of course he couldn’t stay in his own wing but none of the others seemed quite suitable either. They didn’t meet his… needs. Not the way the cellar did. Honestly he doubted he could ever run out.

The one problem was how much the place… felt like a prison cell. He supposed it was a cell of sorts but that was good. He couldn’t be seen like this, thus he could never be seen again. Perfectly reasonable. Exactly what he had been taught. That which is not perfect is ugly and what it’s ugly should never see the light of day. Simple, reasonable, and undeniable.

The sound of something snapping shut pulls him out from his thoughts. What was that? Is someone here?! What does he even do!? He smacks himself to calm down and think this through… what could the sound have been… logically… it- oh. The cellar had a rat problem. It was… a rat trap?

He is ashamed of how… exited… he is as he rushes over to where he has heard the sound. His mouth is practically watering at the thought of getting to eat again.

He reaches out towards the dead rat… but stops himself. No he hasn’t really fallen this far… right? He’s not about to eat a dead rodent… it could be diseased… what if someone sees? He can feel them all staring at him. Looking at him like he’s the weird one, the wrong one, the imperfect one… nonono that can’t happen. It can’t. He may be hideous now but he’s still himself… right?

He is? He has to be. It doesn’t work like that. It… it doesn’t…

He finds himself thinking again about that night… all things considered before the incident it was pretty great. Of course it could have been better but orgies were only on Tuesdays. Could have been worse though he’s so glad his last party wasn’t a diplomatic dinner… ew.

He didn’t realize at first he’d been drugged he just thought he was going to have to fire one of his maids, after all they all knew they were supposed to WATER DOWN the wine to make his tolerance appear higher. But his condition just got worse. He wasn’t drunk… his whole head just felt almost… under water… his vision was blurry and doubled, and he almost tripped a few times on his way to the mirror.

He could feel the guests… they were… they were judging him. How dare they. Did they not understand he could have them killed with only a few words? Or better yet be reduced to pitiful serfs!

His reflection… no… that wasn’t his reflection it was… it was a lie and he wouldn’t stand for it. That mirror was some foul ploy and it had to go. He picked up the first thing he could find and… calmly… definitely very calmly and not at all in a blind rage… smashed the mirror… a shard flew off and hit him in the face. The shock of that seemed to be all he needed to collapse to the floor.

He heard shouting, screaming, fire crackling… doors slamming… when he rose again the room was empty of people… where did they all go?! He was surrounded by flames… but… where was everyone?! He could have died! Did they just leave him behind!? Oh he is going to make sure everyone at that party pays a blood price for that. They even cared enough to save his table but not him!? That man had no limbs he was worth nothing to anyone yet they chose him over their beloved prince!?

…Outrage wasn’t the only emotion Scorpion felt towards his apperant abandonment by all those people… though he’d never admit it truly… he always made sure his guests were entertained, that everything was perfect for them… he didn’t threaten them THAT often and it’s not like they seemed to care! They loved seeing eachother in trouble… a lot of those people were his friends… right? They said they were. He’d known some of them since he was a child…

…He would have done exactly the same thing to any of them though, really. After all he was a prince by nature he was more important… a more self aware man would realize the irony of being upset about being abandoned by people you’d leave to die without a second thought.

He snaps himself out of his thoughts and runs to the exit… only for it to collapse before he could reach freedom. No big deal there’s more ways out… except the next collapses too… and the next… every possible exit has fallen in. He’s trapped now, the flames are closing in, there’s smoke in his lungs, he tries to back towards a wall only to be burned.

His vision is fading… he isn’t ready to die… especially to face the idea of his corpse being so mutilated… but there’s little that can be done as he collapses to the floor…

Back in the present Scorpion has managed to turn away from the rat, making occasional glances back at it. Truly it would be a disgusting and disgraceful act…

But the emptiness in his stomach seems louder than his desire for dignity… damn it he is a prince he is supposed to be perfect! Not some feral rat eating savage! But… anything sounds so good right now…

The least he can do is not eat it raw.

Scorpion has never really had to know how to cook. Why would he have learned when he could have spent that time on what really mattered. Cocaine. A lot of cocaine. Dear god so much cocaine. But now he was starting to regret spending the time on cocaine rather than cooking.

He has stuck the rat in a broken wine bottle over top of a few wooden boards… he’d found some matches… all that was left to do was strike them. Fire was less of a welcome sight than he expected as he instinctively nearly dropped the match, he manages to light the boards before throwing the match down, stomping on it and jumping on top of some scaffolding to hide… the scaffolding collapses under his weight. Damn it he just fixed that.

He works up the courage to turn the rat over with a metal pole. And then quickly pulls it away from the fire and leaps onto the mattress with it. Staring at the flames as if they’re about to attack.

He bites into the rat. It’s burned. But somehow also raw. And very gross. he cooked it with all the fur on and the organs in. He regrets that. He has truly never eaten a grosser thing… but hey… it’s cooked… he’s not lost everything yet… right…

As he eats and stares at the fire he feels a strange… wateriness to his eyes. No. Stop. Men don’t cry. They don’t. Be a man Scorpion. It’s just how this has to be. No one is coming…

In the 3 months he’s been alone for no one has even checked for a body. No one will see him.

He’s never going to see the light of day. He’s never going to feel the warmth of sunlight on his skin. He’s never going to talk to another person. Never going to feel that rush he gets from being complimented, that rush stronger than any other drug he has yet to try… except cocaine. Never going to have an heir. He’s never going to leave this fucking basement.

He’s going to fade away and be forgotten in a dark, damp, basement.

There was so much he still wanted to do. He usually just did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted but there were some things that took more planning- some things he just had to wait for-

He doesn’t want to die. Not here. Please. Not here.

Not alone.

Scorpion can no longer stop the tears from falling. The thought of this basement being the last thing he ever sees terrifies him. He’s hideous. He can never leave. This is his home now.

Here he is, once a feared, utterly flawless prince, now a grotesquely ugly monster weeping like a child.

Scorpion doesn’t want it to end this way… oddly he finds himself questioning what truly led him here… he just can’t understand why everyone just… left him behind. Like he was worthless. They took the fucking amputee before him. They never looked for his body.

Why did Spider have to give birth to that hideous curse of a child. No one ever looked at him like a monster before he was forced to handle the creature. Surely it was the boy’s fault that his wife started to resent him. She was HIS. And that boy took her!

It was his fault. That child… all of this… who was he kidding… he wasn’t that stupid. He wasn’t one to believe his own lies.

He has finished the rat and the fire has gone out. But the crying didn’t stop.

Somewhere deep under the surface a part of him begged for someone, anyone, to come save him, to take him somewhere else. Out of this goddamn cell. Just… someone… they didn’t even have to save him… just… just talk to him… that’s all he needed. He’d even take his son right now…

He understood the futility of this. Perhaps part of him understood too that he didn’t deserve this mercy after all he had done. Though it cannot be said for certain.

But one thing is clear, one thing cannot be denied.

His son sure may have been ugly, but he was hideous on the inside.

[urne-buriall]

it's not on the list, but i need to know: in WBSR was cowboy!Dean real? separated from Cas and send back to the old west then killed and his ghost caught between times but then they changed the future so Dean never went back to die alone in the old west? or was it all a hallucinations because of the space magnets? ily 💝

the question you ask is one I can only answer by making things more complicated

1) the novel Cas reads in "the safe harbour" is Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. it's a metafictional book with nested stories taking place across different times, from past to future, where the main characters of each story are implied to be reincarnations, all bearing the same comet-shaped birthmark. there's an Inception-like quality to the way each nested story gets interrupted by the next until they conclude in reverse order (but Inception is levels and levels of dreams...). is present-day Dean in the canyon a reincarnation of 19th-century cowboy Dean who already tried and failed? is the cowboy a dream within a dream?

2a) where does a black hole lead? that black holes bend time and space is a given. we don't know what happens beyond the event horizon (just that you'd be dead before you got there), but theories about black holes facilitating time travel abound. it's why the time slips and loops are happening in that canyon. and in some theories, it's not so much travel through time as it is travel to parallel universes. here's a diagram of one popular theory:

2b) in canon, Dean dies impaled on a spike that runs through his chest. the cowboy is shot through the chest, identified by the exit wound in his back. in the canyon, Dean has Cas' hand thrust through his chest and it's a near thing to killing him, saved only by a confession. if he had not confessed (in a dream, at that), what would have been his fate? another dead Dean with a hole in his chest? has he spared his past and future selves, or do they live and die in parallel worlds, crossing over as visions linked by a black hole, or out of the collective unconscious?

3) speaking of the collective unconscious (something that informed the final chapter, but which I didn't have room to elucidate on), one of the archetypal symbols is that of the Shadow, an unconscious aspect of the personality that may be hidden or repressed by the conscious ego. the Shadow does not have to be negative, and interactions with it in the unconscious (such as dreams) may shed light on one's personality, state of mind, or underlying desires. Carl Jung also took many journeys into the unconscious with a "spirit guide" named Philemon, who first appeared to him in a dream, and represented superior insight and the actuality of the soul.

4) I left the following in response to another reader's comment: "time is a flat circle" and it has all happened and will always happen. the King in Yellow and Lucifer!Sam both say "You will always end up here" in cross-realities. Lucifer!Sam from "The End" was never real, or, rather, this reality never came to pass and was known only to Dean (who, by seeing it, returns to his time and prevents it from happening). it's so suitably complicated, in keeping with all I've said here.

so. was that an answer?

ask game

[its-whitetomorrow]

TR that I want to see more of...

I just don’t have words to describe how deeply HAPPY and ANNOYED both at the same time this second episode made me. At first, I thought they’re going to deliver on their “different personality” TR from the interviews and make them maliciously evil or something not caring about the fate of the universe and only interested in their gain at all cost so they need to be stopped by everyone including regular TR but then...

NO! This is a carefully laid out plan like in BW which shows that they CARE for the fate of all things and welfare of the reality that they want to conquer, they wouldn’t mess with space and time risking destruction if they didn’t have a good plan for it... so they are merely a regular TR but on a mission like BW, after all! Mewoth’s line in the end is even the exact same he used during one of their BW speeches if I’m not mistaken, and of course the black uniforms they wear underneath the gear are the exact same they used in their first batch of BW episodes.

Not only that... THIS version of TR got to show off all kinds of things I’ve dreamed of ever since the idea of TRio’s return to good standing with TR was introduced in BW, which are:

- They get to do shit on more regular basis if plot demands it, BUT it doesn’t mean they must act like it and do it all the time. They can still blast off, do more comic stuff and even do regular appearances 

- This makes them more nuanced and less stale characters, capable of more and suited for more (in a modern poke series) allowing for more interactions with their fellow rocket members as well

- They have underlings when suitable and they made them wear WHITE. Like Mondo. FUCK. Why can’t that be a part of regular TRio huh? Why??????

- Alternate exits or send off catchphrases, especially if they’re taking on a bigger role than your usual catch of the day. 

- Usage of tech and Pokemon mythos... so they can do shit in style, not just with bore net launchers

- Even if they fail and get beaten up... which they must of course... they were still a part of something / handled scheme preparation / gathered data and proved their worth on a few occasions so there is actually a strong canon reason for them NOT getting demoted/forgotten like they were in their old days in Kanto. AND THAT'S SOMETHING CRITICALLY NEEDED THESE DAYS

On top of that, they even managed to say the beginning of a motto, all the while the “regular” TR is bumbling without purpose with a few jokes and cute faces thrown in and stealing their screen time in this already heavily packed two-parter! UNTHINKABLE 

This episode made me experience the potential of Best Wishes anew and what could have been in different post-BW circumstances... but of course it still won’t happen! Because the writing is shit! And other reasons apparently, including possible behind-the-scenes-decisions and how HIGHLY AWARE yet artificially limiting the TR writing has become over the past years

Same thing here. This episode made me happy and surprised, things that happened here were unthinkable mere months ago. Yet at the same time they’re not canonically OUR regular TR and regular TR is forced onto the episode to do nothing... despite doing things on Giovanni’s orders not once not twice earlier in this series... YET at the same time... the mention of this TR being somehow different or alternate was almost non-existent, not even the narrator called them “alternate ones” even though he did explicitly mention both second Dawn and Ash were alternate ones... It’s like a perpetual cycle of acknowledgement and denial, all in the same sentence. It makes me mad. This kind of acknowledgement but unwillingness to evolve those characters and even, perhaps, straightforward ban on such things so they’re only acceptable if TRio in question are considered alternate reality ones... that’s... really disturbing and sad

How people who call themselves their fans can accept that sort of fakeness and even WISH for it... is freaking beyond me

[bebepac]

Derby Girl

ORIGINAL POST DATE: 05/12/21 at 7:22PM EST

This is The Life of Riley Book Two.  To catch up with what you’ve missed so far, please click:

  The Life of Riley- Book Two. 

My Book 2 starts with basically TRR book 1 starts.  

If you’re curious to see the elaborate back story I have created for my version of Riley Brooks Please click: 

The Life of Riley Book One.

It will answer a lot of your questions that are left out of the Canon that PB wrote.  

The Book: TRR

The Pairing:  Liam x Riley

Word Count: 2011

Warnings:  Sexual innuendo

Summary: Riley goes to her first derby.  Liam and Drake make a bet (this episode has a few canon-ish parts. The most you’ll see in my series.) 

Deena is my own character, all others belong to Pixelberry. 

A/N:  I’m on vacation as of yesterday until May 25th.  I plan to do as much writing as i can in this time period.  Hopefully release some chapters of people’s favorites and get back on schedule a little bit with some releases on things people haven’t seen in a bit.  

Riley slowly opened her eyes.   

She thought she had dreamed the whole thing.  She was sure she would wake up in her tiny little apartment with Daniel.  She sat up in the ornately designed bedroom.

She went to peer out over the balcony seeing the beautifully trimmed gardens.  

I really have the chance to win a Prince’s heart. She thought. Last night dancing in the Maze with Liam was the most amazing feeling. Riley could not wipe the dopey grin she had on her face.

There was a soft knock on her door.

Maxwell appeared.  

“Good Morning Little Blossom!  How are you today? You look so happy this morning.”

“I’m great.  I’m still so amazed by this place at times Maxwell.  There’s just so much beauty here. And Liam is here."

“And you get to be a part of this Little Blossom, because of the way he feels about you.  I see the way Prince Liam looks at you.”

“Then why can’t he just say it then?”

“Because that’s not how things are done here with people of his status.  You wouldn’t only be only his choice, but the choice of the people and they have to love you too and they don’t know you.  No one knows who Riley Antonia Brooks of New York truly is.”

Both Riley and Maxwell abruptly turned around to the voice of the person talking in the room.

Smile officially gone. Stolen by the rat bastard with the sneer standing at the door to her bedroom.

“Lady Riley meet my brother Bertrand.”

“The Duke of Ramsford.”

Riley decided since he went with such a formal title even though she was wearing her pajamas she should curtsy.   He seemed stuffy and the antithesis of Maxwell.

He nodded.  “The New Yorker can be trained to fit in here.”  

Riley glared at him.  “I’m not an animal Duke Ramsford.”  

“That remains to be seen.  If the Cordonian people do not fall in love with you, even though he could be Lady Riley, he will not choose you.  Love is not the only thing that matters here.  It’s honestly not even a factor here.  Prince Liam has a duty to his people to pick the most suitable woman to be at his side.  So you, my  dear idealistic girl, must learn to give the people what they want.  The derby today will give you the opportunity to meet the press for the first time.  This will set the tone of how the people will begin to approve of you or disapprove of you.  The Queen is also important here as well.”  

“I think the Queen might potentially be on my side.”  

Bertrand laughed.  “You don’t know The Queen.”  

“I met with her and she wasn’t rude to me. She was actually helpful when you think about it.  She told me to get a feel for the audience that will be watching me and dress for them.  I think that’s helpful advice.”

“You’re right, that is helpful advice.”  Maxwell chimed in trying to release some of the tension.

“You need to get ready. Head to the boutique and make sure you pick something suitable.”

Riley almost didn’t want to go to the boutique after what happened to her the last time.

However, when she walked in, she was greeted by a kind middle-aged woman with a genuinely welcoming smile.

“And you must be Lady Riley.”

“I am.” Riley still had her guard up her voice and body language tight and protecting herself.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  

“Oh?”

“I know that the last time you were here, you didn’t have the greatest experience with the staff, and I apologize for that, but if there is anything you need I will be more than willing to assist.”  

“Thank you so very much.”  

Riley smiled.

“It’s no wonder….”

“It’s no wonder what?”

“Why he’s so enchanted with you.  Lady Riley you’re absolutely breathtaking, without a stitch of makeup, and you have such a kind-hearted spirit. I can almost feel it radiate off you.  I was sworn to secrecy, because he couldn’t hide how he feels about you.  Let me know if you need any help picking out something for him.  You’re living your very own Cinderella story right now.”  

It was the nicest anyone had been to her since she landed.  Riley’s eyes filled with tears.  

“Oh no, don’t do that dear.  I know things have been a little rough for you.  The royal life is not easy.  They don’t only fight with words, they fight with glares and  underhanded behaviors.  But I’m here now.  At least here, you will always be treated like the royalty I believe you will become someday.  Now let’s pick out something beautiful for him.”

Riley thumbed through the racks.

"If I may?  I did notice his eyes fall on this dress here.  It looks to be your size, and that color would look like heaven on you."

"Pink is my favorite color."

"Then you should try it on."

This woman Deena, had made the palace boutique an oasis.

Riley tried on the dress staring at herself in the mirror.

"His face is going to be just as pink as that dress when he sees you. That dress was made for you. And since you're going to the derby try this as well."

She gave Riley a white hat.

The hat didn't quite stay on.

Riley laughed. "Big hair goals and hats don't generally mix."

Deena laughed.  "This is true. I think Dolly Parton said it best, if someone tells you hair is too big. Get rid of them, you don't need that kind of negativity in your life!"

"That's a plan!"

“Thank you Deena.”  

“You show them honey. You show them why he’s picking you.”  

Riley decided to be the "Derby Girl" for the day she would straighten her hair. The hat laid perfectly.  

“Little Blossom! You look amazing!”

“Thank you Lord Maxwell,” she responded as Bertrand walked into the room.

“Yes, she picked a suitable outfit to be seen in and for the media.  We should be on our way.”

The whole duration of the ride Bertrand droned on about  royalty, the queen, and the event and the Cordonian Ruby Apple.  

“When you are done with your interview you’re going to go over to the pink tents to watch the race with the other suitors.”  

“Greaaat. Will Prince Liam be dropping by?”  

“Probably not, you’ll see him at the picnic afterwards.”  

“You got this Little Blossom!”

Riley managed to stay cool and calm while talking to the press.  The press deemed her “The Mystery Woman” based on her answers.  It was fitting she thought, because a lot of her life, even for herself, was a mystery to her. All the missing memory gaps she had of her life before the accident, at times, Riley felt she barely knew herself.  

She looked for the pink tents not seeing any, but when she turned she saw Drake heading toward  a tent.   She quickly followed him, leaping inside.  

The Prince jumped to attention, his jaw locked, his body rigid, and his face stern.  She realized what she had done.  He had probably been trained for surprise attacks, and he had to always be alert.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t think..” Riley whispered.  

The prince visibly relaxed. 

“No, on the contrary it’s a very welcome surprise.  How did you manage to get in here?”  

“Playing a game of following the leader.”

The beer Drake was about to drink she pulled from his hand.

“Thanks for the beer Drake, you're too kind.”

Drake looked like he wanted to say something, but  he remained silent.  

Liam lightly cleared his throat.  

“I’m going to….”  

“You don’t have to….”  Riley started to say, but she saw the look in Liam’s eyes.

“Bye Drake.”  She whispered, her eyes not leaving Liam’s.  

Drake walked out letting the tent fall closed.  

He pulled Riley to his lap, softly stroking her hair.  

“You look beautiful.  But you know I love your curls.”

“I know.  I would have had a wardrobe malfunction otherwise if i didn’t straighten it.  My hat wouldn’t fit.”  

“You would have been just as beautiful without it.”  

“I know but it’s the derby and Bertrand was making such a big deal about the derby and looking appropriate.  And even though I know nothing else about derbys I know next to the horse race, number two is woman in hats.  Your hat game must be on point.  Serious hat-age.”

Liam laughed, tightening his grip around her.

“Lady Riley, no one makes me laugh like you do.   I’m always so happy when you’re around.  Not just the things you say, or the way you look at me.  It’s who you are, that radiates off you, and I just feel it wrap around me.”

“And what does that feel like?”

“You feel like sunshine Lady Riley.  Sunshine on a summer day.  The perfect summer day. When you close your eyes and just feel the sun warm your skin, and you are so content to just.....be in that moment.  That’s how I feel when we are in the same space together.”

She softly kissed his lips.  

He began another kiss, but then pulled away too soon.  “As much as I would love to see where this could go, we have to at least watch the race.” Riley slipped off his lap into the seat next to him as he opened the tent.  

Drake came in a few minutes later with new beers.  

Riley was silent, listening to Liam and Drake talk about  the race and their friendly wager, and how she got roped into it she’ll never know.  She was going to be sitting on the back of the loser while they did ten push-ups.  

“Who’s your money on winning the bet, me or Drake?”

Riley winced.  

“As much faith as I have in you Liam, I think Drake might know more about horses and the stables. So my money is on Drake. I’m sorry.”

“Ouch that had to hurt Liam.”  Drake chuckled.

Liam looked hurt. 

“Did you want the truth, or did you want me to lie to you Liam?”

“The truth Lady Riley, always the truth.”  

Annnnd…. Riley was right.

Liam unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it on the empty chair.

He got into a push-up position.

“Lady Riley if you will.”

Riley hopped onto Liam’s back.  Even though he was surprised he still held a tight planked push up position.  

“Lady Riley!”

“God she’s ruthless, are you sure you want this one?”  Drake laughed.

“I’ve been on him before, I knew he could handle it.”  

Liam choked back a laugh for a moment, his form unwavering.

“She’s right, I can handle her.”  

“TMI Brooks!!!”

Liam easily did all ten push ups unbroken.  

When Liam was done  he put on his dress shirt again.  

“Drake will take you back to the other suitors for a late lunch.”

“A sweet little goodbye kiss to tide me over until I'm in your presence again?”

Riley seductively puckered her lips, tapping her index finger against them.  

Liam glanced around  and pulled her to him kissing her.   Her fingers gently tugged his hair as his kiss deepened and his grip tightened around her.

Drake dropped her off with the other suitors.  

“I can’t believe we didn’t even get to see  Prince Liam at all!”   Lady Penelope's voice rang out in annoyance. “I had the best story to tell about my poodles to make him laugh.”  

“Where were you Lady Riley?”  

“I got lost again.  All these places around here look the same.  Drake found me finally and brought me over here to you guys.”

“Lady Riley you need to get it together.  Being late because you got lost won’t look well for you with the media.”    Lady Kiara  shook her head.  

“I’m not sure I believe her.”  

Olivia stepped up to her staring into Riley’s face.  

“Why would I lie?  You saw Drake drop me off here right Liv?”  

“I saw, but something feels off.  I don’t trust you Lady Riley.  Something is afoot.”

“Well, then I guess it’s game on then, Scarlet Duchess?”

“Yes.  Game on.”  

Tags in the comments!

[gascon-en-exil]

About the post you reblogged about canon complaint fics. Fire Emblem is a fountain of ideas for compliant fics due to the narrative structure of the games in which supports and romances are often done in three or four "conversations" but we all know it's basically the script of the relationships and therefore more happened between such events, letting the player to fill the blanks. Therefore most fics that don't contradict canon are indeed canon compliant (as long the authors or developers don't release information that contradict it) so I need to disagree overall with the person who said that fics are often divergent by nature. If depends very much of the fandom. In my experience Fire Emblem fanbase is a 50/50, considering that half of the fics on ao3, for example, are one shot smut that can't be necessarily considered canon compliant as there's no heavy plot lol but most heavily plot oriented long fics follow the canon specifically.

That must have been in tags and I don't recall who said it, but I'd imagine that that person was thinking of fanfic in general which does indeed proceed from a postmodern, decentralized conception of the relationship between author, text, and audience. Death of the author is a foundational principle of transformative fandom, in other words, regardless of how canon-compliant any given piece of fanwork claims to be. This is especially true when canon is vague or inconsistent, leading to disagreement among fans over what it actually says which as an example is how we got to the entrenched factions of the Three Houses fandom. That aside however, it's impossible not to bring something of one's own preferences and biases to fanfic - or meta, for that matter - even when aiming to be canon-compliant. For instance, I emphasize queer subtext in much of my own meta, but people who aren't interested in that kind of content or who have a motive of their own in making alternative readings, ex. a rival ship, or opposition to a character based in part on their perceived alignment with conservative attributes *cough*Dimitri*cough*, will disregard or deny that subtext as they deem fit. This easily applies to fanfic as well, in the characters and ships and genres of fic a person is drawn to reading and writing about.

Regarding Fire Emblem specifically, it's always had a lot of space in its text to spin stories in different directions. At least some plotless smut fics could be described as canon-compliant from a transformative perspective if not from a meta-writing one; for example, there's nothing in canon to suggest that furtive teenage sex wasn't a part of Dimitri and Dedue's four years of intense trauma bonding prior to the start of the game, which is suitable fodder for technically canon-compliant fic even if I wouldn't be able to use it to make any kind of definitive claims regarding their (canon) sexualities because it's still a form of divergence from the heteronormative assumption that every character is straight unless they have a romantic S rank with same-sex Byleth. On the flip side, personalized retellings of FE main stories have been popular as a fic genre at least since the mid-2000s, when FFN.net was inundated by personal spins on Lyn's story in FE7 that usually included pairing her with that game's proto-Avatar tactician. This kind of story has only become even more popular with the introduction of actual designated self-insert Avatars, and as these are effectively the authors' OCs when they appear in fic their characterization can be quite revealing of the writer's interests and priorities - which is where the divergence comes in.

The Three Houses author who many of us over here have been criticizing has been from what I've seen quite open about what from his personal life he's been bringing to his work. The trouble is that he appears to lack the self-awareness to distinguish between his own biases and what's actually in the script of Three Houses, on top of a lack of understanding that meta and fanfic differ significantly from one another - in their assumed approaches to canon, in their expected levels of objectivity, and in how audiences engage with them. The result is an Edeleth novelization of CF that claims to also be meta (and is taken as such by a group of Redditors, a demographic that typically engages less with transformative fanwork) and presumably canon-compliant as his fandom faction sees it even though it's as much a reflection of the author's subjective experience as all those Lyn/Tactician fics or indeed pretty much any FE Avatar-centric fanwork. That his fic diverges so heavily from canon - and in ways that are often offensive especially when paired with the author's performatively progressive slant - while being held up as objective and compliant to (an observably flawed) canon is what bothers people, I think.

[nottheleavesarecinders]

ACOFS Prythian Map Appreciation Post

So, the fandom is in a bit of an unrest right now, so I’ve decided to offer you the best distraction I could think of: an appreciation of the Prythian map that came inside ACOSF, since it is absolutely GORGEOUS and I don’t feel like we talk about it enough!

One thing I’ve always loved about the ACOTAR maps it’s the fact that every single book there are new details included in them, either due to an stylistic choice or to portray new locations that become relevant in the book. With time, more and more things have been popping up, leaving us with the work of art that is the ACOSF map.

For those of you that may have not seen it yet, this is the map! Look how pretty it is!

I’m going to leave my fangirling after a read more because this will be very long!

So, first things first: obviously you can see Hybern, Prythian and The Continent, with the Mortal Lands and Fae Realms portrayed where they are. There are a ton of little details added to them, mostly portraying different locations, so let’s look at them more closely!

First there is Hybern. As you can see, there is a little crown and a castle drawn in it! The crown probably symbolizes the fact that Hybern is ruled by a King instead of High Lords, so it’s a way to show the influence of royalty in that land. The castle signals... yeah, the castle we went to in ACOMAF. I don´t really think its location it’s accurate, since as fas as I remember we weren’t really told were it was... but to be honest, it being near the shoreline DOES sound familiar, so probably it is a good approximation of its real location. Also, let’s take in how many mountains there are, it gives Hybern a very wild feeling that I think fits it REALLY well!

Now, let’s switch to Prythian! As you can see, The Wall is clearly signaled with a thick, black line, but my favourites are the borders between the Courts (divided by The Middle, with the Seasonal Courts below it and the Solar Courts above)- shown as thorny branches, which really portray the feeling of nature that suits the Fae so much. There is one interesting detail, though: the only missing border is the one between the Day and Night Courts. Maybe it’s because they are already divided by a mountain range? Hmmm I wonder...

So, I’ll talk first about the Mortal Lands and the Seasonal Courts, then about The Middle and Solar Courts!

The Mortal Lands don’t have a lot of detail in them, but you can see a tiny drawing of Feyre’s village under The Wall! It’s obviously not in scale, but I love the level of detail you can find in it- specially the tiny tower that seems to belong to a church! It really gives the “kinda-medieval-village” vibes Sarah seemed to want to portray in ACOTAR, and that little tower just makes it perfect!

Then you have the Seasonal Courts!

First there is the Spring Court. There is one detail I personally find REALLY interesting about it, and that’s the fact that the Manor doesn’t appear- in fact it hasn’t shown up in any of the maps we have seen so far. You would think that such an important location would be shown, at least with a little skecht like Hybern’s Castle... but no, it’s missing. I wonder why... One of it’s features that has appeared since the beginning is its eastern river, which hasn’t appeared in the books so far. I wonder if it’s going to become relevant at some point or if it’s rather an stylistic choice. It seems there is a river in the UK near the same place, so maybe it’s simply based on it.

Next up it’s the Autumn Court! My favourite! Yay! There is something I absolutely LOVE about how it appears in this map, and thats the fact that it has the most amount of forests by FAR, which I think really fits it. Another detail I find charming is how we can see the Forest House and then a drawing of some kind of big cottage or almost farm house representing it. Knowing what we know about the people in the Autumn Court, I’m pretty sure they would resent seeing their home shows as just a “simple” building. There is something else than I like, and thats the fact that, except from the mountains in the north that separates it from the Winter Court and all the forests, the rest of the terrain is flat, which makes sense knowing that they have lots of fields. I simply love this Court.

Now let’s focus on the Summer Court. This one doesn’t have tiny drawings of castles either, but you can see Adriata and one arrow showing us where it would be. As you can see, its placed next to a river’s delta, which makes a lot of sense taking into account the huge ammount of emphasys the Summer Court has in ships and sailing, it’s natural that its capital is not only in the shoreline (as we saw in ACOMAF), but also near a river they could travel in too. I also love how you can see a spatter of forests in the east and some mountains near Adriata and in the North, but the rest of the terrain is flat. I feel like it has a very summery vibe, clear but also with a little bit of everything else.

Lastly, the Winter Court. This is the Seasonal Court we know the least from, at least when dealing with geograhy. The only thing we have learned is that Viviane held a small city during Amarantha’s Reign, which sadly doesn’t appear in the map, not even with a small drawing. What we can see it’s really close to canon, tho. We know that there is a mountain range between the Winter and Autumn Courts, which it is indeed shown in the map. On its north side there is The Middle, which means mountains as well, and there are also represented here. The rest of the Court seems to be flat, which again makes sense, taking into account the short description we get from Feyre in ACOWAR, when she’s running away with Lucien from Eris and his brothers. The idea of flat, icy fields and lakes surrounded by snow capped mountains REALLY fits winter, so I really like how this map transmits it!

Now, this is probably my favourite detail about the Courts: all of them have symbols drawn in them that symbolize their nature! In the case of the Seasonal Courts, they are flowers! They used to appear in random spots inside their territories, but this map has moved them so they frame the Court’s names! Please, feel free to correct me if I mess up with any of the flowers, but in this map I think they are: lavender for Spring, oak leaves and acorns for Autumn, magnolias for Summer and Holly for Winter! 

Let’s go North now. The Middle and the Solar Courts: Dawn, Day and Night.

In The Middle you can see Under the Mountain and the Weaver’s Cottage (I just noticed I cut the name out Oooops). The Mountain is suitably big- there is no way you can mistake it for a normal mountain. I also love how much sharper it seems compared to the others near it. The Weaver’s Cottage is... a cottage. I would have liked to see the forest surrounding it and the Bog of Oorid, though. Maybe they’ll show up in the next book?

The Dawn Court. We get another tiny drawing: a castle (signaled by its own arrow) which looks suspicioulsly medieval-looking (it even has a tiny flag on top, which is unbelievably cute). I wich it were a little more stilized though, since it doesn’t fit at all the image I had of the Dawn Court Palace in my mind. I mean, Feyre was almost jelaous of the decoration, there is some fancy stuff in there. Appart from that, there are a bit of trees and several mountains. It’s likely that the entire territory is mountanous, but we cannot see that because they need a blank space so we can see the court’s name, same thing with the Day and Night Courts. Mountains everywhere seems to be a theme in the Solar Courts. It looks very similar to the Day Court, which i guess makes sense, taking into account that they are sibling courts. The Night Court does look different but... I mean, we already knew that.

The Day Court! Again, no drawings and no cities and no nothing, which makes sense because that’s the exact ammount we know about this Court, since it’s the only one none of the POV characters have been in. I cannot wait to travel there in a future book, Helion is the best and it’s pretty sad there are no noteworthy features in its map. If in the next book there isn’t at least a tiny pegasus drawn somewhere I’ll riot.

Then the Night Court. Of course, since it is the court version of the Main Character, it is the one with the biggest ammount of stuff in it... except for Ramiel, or a mountain in The Prison. I’m still salty about this, I would have LOVED to see Ramiel portrayed as a huge mountain, with a slender monolith on top and three starts crowning it. This would represent the Night Court perfectly as well, and I’m sure it would have looked GORGEOUS. And I’m noy going to lie, I would have also enjoyed having the three sacred mountains protrayed at the same time, mainly to draw lines between them and feel like a investigator. Anyways, what we DO have is the Court of Nightmares, Velaris and The Prison. I think there are no drawings of castles or houses here because they wouldn’t really fit, but I do appreciate that you can see that Velaris is near the sea- and quite away from the Court of Nigthmares. It would have been lovely to see the Sidra and the location of the Cabin as well, but I guess there are just so many locations in the Night Court that it’s impossible to fit all of them.

This Courts also have their own symbols next to their names! A sun peaking out for Dawn, a full sun for Day and a bunch of stars for Night!

Nooow to finish off the locations, let’s go to the Continent! Compared with all the info we know about Prythian, they show very little. We can see Scythia in the Mortal Lands, the home of Vassa. Then, in the Fae Realms the territories of Montesere and Vallahan are clearly marked (with simple lines, not thorns like the Courts in Prythian. I approve, since there is no denying Montesere and Vallahan cannot compete with our beloved Courts in seer amount of DramaTM, so it’s a fitting choice). Then Rask is also shown offmap with an arrow. To recap (I had to look this up because my knowledge of this territories is shaky at best): Montesere is one of the territories that allied themselves with Hybern with the goal to defeat Phythian. There is nothing else noteworthy about it for now. Vallahan was also part of this alliance, and it’s the place where Ianthe was born and run away from. This is also the country Mor spends a huge ammount of time in during ACOSF. Rask also allied itself with Hybern... and I think we know nothing else about it.

What IS interesting about this map is that it shows what I think it would be fair to agree it’s Koschei’s Castle. There is a huge lake in the middle of that mountainous-and-forestal formation (which I think looks eerily like South America, which I’m sure you cannot unsee now), and on top of that the drawing of a tall, narrow castle. How cool is this??? I think it was featured in the ACOWAR map as well, which I LOVED. This only seems to further confirm the importance of this place in future books, and I honestly cannot wait to see more of Koschei and this continent.

I also need a map with all the Mortal Queens’ territories asap, I would LOVE to see their borders!

Now, to put an end to this Map Appreciation post, I want to point out some details that I think really complete it, are very fitting and also absolutely gorgeous.

The first one it that over Hybern you can see a very simple compass Rose (it shows only the north), but in this map it is The Cauldron! It’s tilted and pouring water, so at first it looks like something melting inside a circle, but when you pay attention to it it’s clear that it represents the Cauldron, maybe in a moment of creation! I LOVED this detail, it’s so perfect!

Also, now that I,ve brought your attention to this image: on the left there is a column, and on it you can see symbols of the Summer and Spring Courts, represented with a wave and a rose and shining oh so bright. In fact, every single Court appears in the map like this! I also love how they are surrounded by roses, it’s SO beautiful!

This is the other side of the map, where you can see the Autumn (acorns) and winter (snowflake) courts. Again, with the roses running up the column and the light rays around it. UGH SO GOOD.

But my favourites are the Solar Courts, which appear in the center of the map and let me tell you, I almost feel like using this as a screensaver because it’s sooo beautiful.

You have the Sun (Day court) shining bright in the middle, with its rays influencing the entire map, another Sun rising from clouds (dawn court) at the bottom, and it looks just so soft and ethereal, and lastly the Moon (night court) at the top, surrounded by stars, which you can see at the top of the entire map. I seriously love how this combination looks, it’s just so beautifu!

So, that’s all I have to say about this map! I hope you discovered details you may have not seen before, and if you have noticed something that I haven’t ttalked about PLEASE let me know, I would absolutely love to hear about it! I hope you enjoyed the Post!

[iamnightduchess]

ReinerxMikasa (ReiKasa) Extremely Kinky A to Z Ask Game (R20+) Headcanon #19

*Update: 24 March 2021

A continuation of this ask & inspired by this original post. Dedicated to @xrocketmanx for their amazing 💖 on my ko-fi page!

(A/N: ‼️WARNING‼️Graphic description of very explicit smut with potentially provocative images ⛔ Please don't click Keep Reading if you're below 20 🙅‍♀️ Sorry kiddos! To my more adult readers, please absorb this post's content with appropriate discretion & maturity)

(In complete Alphabetical Order)

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

People expect Reiner to be the one who would jump off the bed immediately soon after when they’re done but on the contrary, he just loves lying there and holding Mikasa in his arms post-coitus. Although, they do sleep with Mikasa lying on his chest most nights. Mikasa wasn’t used to be held intimately in the first few months of their relationship, so the first time they made love, Reiner gave her the space that she needed before, during and after. It was Mikasa who finally initiated their first cuddle post-coitus after the next several weeks.

B = Body part (Their favourite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Reiner: Very confident of his physical appearance and in his skin. He really loves everything on and about Mikasa. He loves her body type the way she is - to him, hers is just perfect. But, his most favorite body part of hers he'd like to touch first every time he could is her hands. He just like holding her hands when he wakes up, winding down for the night & even when he's asleep.

Mikasa: This woman, despite having a bombshell athletic figure, still secretly feels insecure of the way she looks. She loves Reiner's biceps the most - at home, she'll sneak a quick peck or a nibble on his biceps when he's doing the dishes or making dinner. She also likes to snuggle up to him on the couch with his arm draped around her shoulders, sometimes until she falls asleep.

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… lol)

She...swallows? 🙈 (holy shizz i'm not so sure of this one. Can't think of a suitable answer without being cringey 🤣)

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Reiner & Mikasa once had a quickie inside the changing booth during a beach trip with their friends. Reiner had also went down on Mikasa after dinner at his mum's place, right in Karina's laundry room because he 'accidentally' spilt some wine on her dress & wanted to get her dress cleaned up. He ended up having her as dessert on top of the moving dryer & she left her underwear there by accident.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

They were both not each other’s first lovers but when they first got together, the experience is like being with no other. They discovered new parts & points of not only their significant other’s physical & spiritual strengths but also their own respective preferences as well. Reiner’s quite a ladies’ man during his early years in the military but after a while, he got bored of the game. Meeting Mikasa, he realised he wants to play the game again but this time to win it for good. Mikasa has only been with one boyfriend since college & being with Reiner opened her eyes up to vast possibilities.

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual)

No, Reiner doesn't do the Military Style despite being a military man 🤣 Missionary & Cow Girl are their standard starting positions. Despite Mikasa being very flexible, which gave them more advantage in attempting the more physically-challenging positions, but the following are their more favorite experimental ones:

Oasis

Basket

Watering Can

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

A little bit of both, no doubt. Reiner has a dorky sense of humor & Mikasa's odd humor makes for a good tension-breaking combination. Their foreplays always begin with a good laugh - with Reiner ghosting his teasing touches on her love handles. Gets her in the mood for some serious sexing every time.

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

For both, the carpets matched the drapes. Mikasa tried Brazillian wax once and uhh...Reiner abstained for a week & a half because he prefers her au naturalé 🙈 He said it felt odd from what he's used to haha

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

There are days they’ll just have a quickie if they get in the mood while just chilling, watching TV together after dinner. Before the children came, they would always have slow, intense eye-gazing, tantric, unrushed lovemaking. After the twins came into the picture, they’ll be lucky if they can even have cuddle time together >D Mikasa doesn’t say “I love you” out-loud but showed it in the way she touches & kisses Reiner’s arm when he’s in the kitchen making dinner or when he’s giving the twins a bath.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

Oooh...Reiner rarely does this after he dated Mikasa & married her. But he loves getting her to touch herself in the showers. While he watches.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Did i tell you about their muscle kink & how much they love each other’s muscles?? Roleplay :) They like to pretend they’re strangers meeting in a cafe or a hotel bar and later have a ‘pretend one-night stand’ with each other haha It keeps the flame burning! (i posted a oneshot on this.)

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do)

Home: bedroom, kitchen and in his home office. In the showers too!

They're not one to do it in public but they did have several outdoor trysts on the back of his 4WD while having a romantic night under the stars.

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going) haha can't help not including this gif

When Mikasa rubs one of Reiner's thighs, rest assured that his gears will be running. Meanwhile when Reiner nuzzles her neck and started caressing her abs, oh it's an on for her alright.

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

⛔ Backdoors are a big N.O ⛔

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

They're both amazing givers... You know what it means: 34 + 35 🤫 Reiner would sometimes initiates when Mikasa's already asleep. Remember that Zoom Conference & online gaming session? Mikasa likes to get back at Reiner when he least expects it.

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

Both depending on their moods...quickies are usually fast pounding yet not too rough, Reiner respects Mikasa too much to ever be at risk of hurting her. Usually their lovemaking would be sensual & soul-bonding at the same time.

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

Mikasa prefers to wear pants when they ever go for outings, movie trips, hiking trips. But, she wears skirts when they're visiting their families for a reason: smoother access for quickies. The moment she walks down the stairs in a beautiful dress before they head to his mum's or her aunts', Reiner already knows it. They be getting freaky with a quickie later 🙈

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

Reiner & Mikasa are very experimental in the bedroom. Sure, they don’t have frequent lovemaking but when they’re in the mood, fireworks are a guarantee throughout with different new positions ;) Risk-taker? Let’s just say Reiner’s virility and Mikasa’s flexibility provided a lot of perks in their love lives together (and some pregnancy scares too! before they were ready to conceive) Mikasa once gave Reiner head while they're stuck in traffic heading into a road block. He'd finished just before the the car in front of them pass the inspection 🙈

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

Ooh boy, all night haha Rounds: 2 max at one time. Duration: At least 1.5hours X) They both are super fit, athletic people so one can expect their staminas to be nothing less than subpar. *cough* In Canon AU: Max 4 times or 1/3 of the night *winks* because supernatural & acker powers!

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

No, they don't 🙈

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Goes without saying: a lot. Mikasa likes to wear Reiner's tshirts/ dress shirts at home to tease him. While Reiner likes to wear his reading glasses a lot at home because that is one of her biggest turn ons from him.

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

Mikasa's the quiet one between the two and the loudest she'd ever been was just a deep, heavy whimper. Reiner's the louder one that sometimes Mikasa would have to smother him when they're having a quickie 🤣

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

Even after more than 20 years together, Reiner and Mikasa still make out like they're teenagers - pretending to sneak around and grinding in hidden, cramped spaces away from their kids.

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

Mikasa : Dynamite & powerful grip - thighs and you-know-what (even after 3 kids!)

Reiner : Thicc - ass & this man is packing. He has girth!

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest: 15 🤣 There's something about getting Mikasa to relax and laugh during their chill time, that just instantaneously revved up their engines at the same time. Reiner is a very tender, romantic person & Mikasa cannot resist it when he starts to tell her how much he loves her & appreciates her. He likes to kiss her hand when they're just hanging out even with friends. Everything Reiner does is genuine & that warms her heart everytime.

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Reiner would be the first to go out like a light & Mikasa just likes to rest her head on his chest and hear his beating heart & relaxed breathing. Mikasa thinks Reiner's little snores are adorable. But when they're just cuddling on the couch, Mikasa would fall asleep first & Reiner would carry her to the bed.

-------------------

A/N: I had a lot of fun with this & I hope you'll enjoy it too! Thank you so much for the support & love 💖 xoxo More asks to come!

[braveggg-hq]

Mermay EVENT

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Topic: Mermay -Month long event for May 2021

Subject: GaoGaiGar Police Verse

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The events and personalities/history of characters are not CANON to either show or universe. It’s only for the event of mermay and this universe only. Please do not think these changes in character are canon. As well it’s not required to read the about for characters, but just there for help or any questions on them.

-Thank you for reading <3

[Mobile format in mind, just a heads up]

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The A.I units are waterbased and land based, though some are able to be air based as well. They were created by the Brave Police and Three G almost at the same time. Though each company was very much oblivious to the actions of each other, mostly due to how they wanted to keep it a secret due to the slowly rising cases of oceanatic life and pollution suspected to be done by the rising ALPHA and Pollion organizations. The Brave Police and Three G would both end up coming together after their units were released and ended up meeting one another.

The Three G and Brave Police ended up merging their programs and working with one another. Which would lead to the creation of the new ocentic rehibilitation center in Nanamagari city near the oceans edge. The purpose being to save, clean, heal, and then return ocean life to the ocean if found harmed or lost. As well as taking in mermaid pods and lost mermaids. It also holds other areas open to the public for learning needs, sometimes holding more open and social mermaids to the public to watch heal or learn about. The creatures that live in the zoo for full or lifetime usually can be found in very suitable permanent tanks. The commissioners of the Units as well can be found around the zoo/lab. Sometimes blending into the area around them.

Zonders can be found in both land, water, and air. Zonders are harmful to the ocean and it’s creatures as well. they are very agressive adn do attempt to either harm, damage permanently, or kill their host. There are as well poactures and hunters that go after these creatures, to which the A.I units of both organizaitons and stations go after to protect and contain as well as arrest-of course. Another thing to note in this universe is that there are far more units present as well as other people. Zonders to note as well target mermaids, mostly to build up and use them to their advantage. Which leads to....[ ]. Zonders are a very high threat, more then the humans who attempt to create and harm the life around them. Zonders are highly toxic and can easily spread and grow in population due to the high amount of ocean creatures and fish. As well as human beach goers and air born life forms. Zonders can as well take on human forms and life forms though cannot get the eyes right nor voice or sounds. Usually keeping to their usual sounds.

[[ KEY

Betterman vs GaoGaiGar or new - ————

Negative - ————

Character change Major - ——

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HUMANS

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The humans include almost all of the usually members of the two universes

Yuuta: Born and abandoned as a infant, Yuuta was adopted by the Amami family. His adoptive family would treat him as their own and raise him as their own. Of course, this leading him to take a liking to both ocean life and robotics or robots. He was almost on top of his class but as well down to earth and very cheerful and playful. He would end up finding out of the two orginizations when his brother Mamaoru ended up meeting with them for the grand opening of the zoo and lab of Nanamagari. Later on he would bond with Deckard- unit and gain the abilities to link up with them after the AK 020 Event.

Mamaoru: Born and found as an infant from a strange matalic lion, his adoptive parents Ai and Ammi Amami. He would end up being an only child until his parents found Yuuta, the two would grow close to one another over the years and usually forgot they were both from seperate famliies. Mamaoru would end up being brought into the Three G when it was found out he could cure Zonderfined humans, creatures, and mermaids. Later on he would be found to be one of the holder of the G-stone, as well as brought into working with the Three G. Refered to Agent Mamaoru and commondly found to be with Gai or Agent volfogg. He would be the one to help zonderfied lifeforms and later fight and defent the lab and zoos from Zonder attacks or attacks in general.

Gai: A cyborge once man. Send to Jupitor as a young man, he would return badly damaged and within a strange matalic lion which would be kept in the Three G labs and storage. Gai is the son of Leo and ———. He is highly skilled in fighting and is able to be both land and water bound. able to have his legs link up to create a fish tail, making him able to fight both on land and water without hinderance. Gai was given his new body after being brought back by the lion from space. Though his water bound abilites were given after Zonders were found in the ocean. He is able to link up with the lion to form GaiGar, a unit that is able to walk on land and water. Though is not able to travel under the water. Merely stand or fly above (Though only with certain units)

Mikioto: A very happy, kindhearted, worker at the G three. She is commonly seen working around and proforming the tasks the late Papillion once did, though commonly now a days works with the head cases and headstation. She presses the button that allows GaiGar to for GaoGaiGar or any other weapons/abilities. She also is known to have an unknown connection with the zonders.

Hyuuma (Geki): hot headed and very blunt. Yet fun and caring when he wants to be. He’s built for fighting, as some say. He’s very hot headed and couragous. Once used for Goldymarg project, he has become very blunt, serious, and tempermental after the Incident 192_Zonder accident. However, he has an odd bond with Ushiyama.

Ikumi (Arma): A quiet strange boy, he is very quiet and can be seen hiding around or stalking different workers of the Three G and later the Brave Police. He is suspected to have a connection to the Zonders or atleast the strange being seen around. Known as Able. He also can be seen protecting the workers of the Three G and Brave Police. Rarely will he be seen or heard speaking.

Papillion Noir: Once a worker for the Three G, after the Zonder incident 192, she has been suspected to have been killed and taken over by one of the leading zonders. Rarely will she appear on land but mostly be seen in the ocean in her new form as a strange jellyfish like being. She can be seen usually drowning or paralizing humans and the creatures of the sea. Rarely however, will she even come out for physical attacks. She was once one of the higher developers for the A.I units and other robotics. As well as having a relationship with Entouji. She is known to have been soft toned, sweet, considerate, and very motherly at times.

Ushiyama (Kazuo): A worker for the three G and one of the repair workers of the A.I units. He is noted to having an odd bond with Hyuuma (Geki).

Leo and liger: Both bothers are on uneven terms. Though get along well. Both are seen as high class workers and are usually up to working on experiements and creating new technology. Though take their jobs seriously. They can be noted as being serious, blunt, nice, exagerent, childish, and hard working. Leo is the father of Gai and Liger the father of Renais. Leo tends to stay in Japan while Liger tends to stay in America with Swan and stallion White and Mic Sounders.

Isogai: Originally the secretary of President Tagia, she has gone missing after the Zonder incident 192. She was seen as studious, sweet, hard working, and cheerful. Her position for the organization was for taking notes, arriends, checking up on developments, and a part of the team Ammar. She tends to use objects as her weapon in the group. (Mostly her pole). Isogai was noted to go to the mermaids after the labs and zoos locked up or closed and play, entertain, and chat with them. Sometimes teaching them defense tatics.

(Operator) Entouji: The developer and creator for most if not all A.I units, also called The Father of A.Is. He is one of the very slim pergentage of highly intelligent human beings. He is commonly in a chair and working at the computer. He tends to become messy and is usually over worked. however, that is his fault. He always is on the run for working and getting things done. Now more then before due to Papillions absents. He’s quiet, friendly, intelligent, and studious. Tends to be messy and forget to take baths.

Ayako: One of the photographers and works for the Brave Police of Nanamagari city. she’s very friendly, exagerant, joyful, talkative, and abrasive. Always in it for that perfect or new hot photo. she usually ends up in the Medical bay or doctors office due to her newest photo or story. She’s a very passionate gal and can be seen with Dumpson half the time. She also is a lover of surfing and new reporting.

Shunsuke: A repair worker for the Nanamagari City Brave Police. Though once the organizations mashed together, works along side Ushiyama and Entouji. He gets along well with almost everyone but has a habit of getting to into his works. Such as repairing things that don’t need to be repaired or updating things. He’s very serious, blunt, joyful, kidding, and strong willed. He tends to be very sarcastic. He has a habit of visiting Gunmax after hours to chat and joke. Or just bicker with.

Seia: A highly respected commander of the army nearby, she’s high ranking and has a lot of sass to her. Though outside of her work, she’s friendly, comforting, and in a way motherly. She’s always ready to help others out and to encourage other activities. She’s a sweetheart yet very stern. She has a special bond with McCrane. She as well has a younger brother who has now passed away due to the events of 192.

Saejima (Commissioner): He is commonly known as the new President of the two organizations after Taiga’s sudden leave. He’s known to be more serious, short tempered, studious, and on track with things then before. He over sees many projects and developments, as well as the tracking of those Zonderfied in the two organizations. He has a strong friendship with Shunsuke and once Taiga. He’s very serious when it comes to Zonder attacks and always in the front of things to see who or what is coming close. He suffers from heavy PTSD due to the Zonder Incident 192 and 3251AK. He tends to drink more often now then before. He has a bond with little unit Bishop and Gunmax along with Yan Long-Ki

(President) Taiga: Once the Three G President, he is now known as Zonder 1231.2, the second part of the suspected Abel. He can be seen as a large figure that appears as the myth of Cthulu. He can be seen in a human form that appears as him, though with red eyes and light purplish skin tone. Sticking to the Zonder appearance. He is noted to be highly agressive and dangerous. Targeting old friends and oblivous humans and mermaids. He is known to drown or rip apart victims in both forms. Before the incident, he was seen as very friendly, cheerful, couragous, fatherly, stern yet abrasive, and protective. He is known to have been married to [ ] and after her death have a relationship with his secretary. He was last seen attempting to protect several workers from a Zonder. Leaving him to being noted as missing in action. He as well was part of the Ammar group- leader. Since his absence GaiGaiGar’s Final form hasn’t been able to be activated as well as more dangerous and higher damaging weapons. Leaving the lab and groups more vunrable to more damaging attacks.

Azuma: He common works at Nanamagari City Brave Police station yet, having taken over for Commisioner Saejima. He’s noted to be cruel at times and very egotistic. However, has grown more kind and humble.

Yan Long-Ki (Commander): He leds the Three G in China and holds onto one of several labs that hold several highly dangerous zonder cases and forms. He has two units of his own that are stationed there for emergency services. He has a wife and young son as well.

Stallion White and Swan White: Two twins, brother and sister who live in America with Liger and Mic Sounders the 13th. They work side by side in the communications department. Stallion commonly stays in America to oversee the weapons build and communications as Swan Travels back and forth between America and Japan with Mic sounders. She has the second part of President tagias activation key. which allows GaiGar to Go to Black GaiGar and Jet GaoGaiGar. Swan white and Stallion white have a bond with Mic Sounders and Liger.

Hana: One of Mamaorus childhood friends and Yuutas best friends. She’s very meek and has a hard time getting things done due to her severe anxiety. however, she is commonly heard encouraging herself to be brave.

Ayame: Hana’s cousin and one of the more ranbuncious and trouble markers of the Zoo visitors.

Reiko, Takayasu, and Sueo: Mamaoru’s friends. Reiko comes from a high class family. she’s classy and knows what she wants but is caring for her friends. Common picks on Takayasu, || Takayasu comes from a high class family and has a high intelligence, he also gets picked on by Reiko. he’s friendly and tends to get the newest technology. ||| sueo is the younger brother of Ushiyama. He’s strong for his age and can be seen feeding the mermaids and animals after, during, and before the labs/zoo opens up. He isn’t too bright but he usually makes that up for thinking out of the box.

Keita Aono: showing up for an interview out of nowhere, He was hired almost right away due to his chrisma and kind personaltiy. He is noted to be clumsy, charming, kind, funny, and studious (at times) he tends to clean and feed the creatures and Mermaids. Though he was given the option to drive on the mobile units due to his actions during the Incident of 192 and 053. He has his own mecha suit. though after these events he is seen to be slightly more awkward, panic prone, kind, and clumsy. He’s still in employment but can be seen placed in much safer areas for work after the close call and accident report 293/13. He is protective of those around him and of course Hinoki. He is known to be willing to protect others even if it places himself in danger.

Ai Amami and Ammi Amami: Mamoru’s and Yuuta’s parents, not their birth parents but adoptive parents. they care for the two and would give anything for them to be safe.

Alouette: A almost genious-level child, she is around seven years old and almost tops Entouji. though they level out mid way. She was the one to help and complete Program Drive of GaogighGar’s final fusion sequense. She suffers from Amnesia, though this did lead her to live a normal life. however, she still retains high intelligence. however, this is not used in order to keep her living a normal life and childhood. Only used if needed. Even then she usually isn’t bothered by it. She is usually with Renais and Regina or playing with the other kids.

Regina: From Scottland and with her units from the Scottland yard. She is very studious, strict, polite, lady like, and graceful. She has a habit of getting protective of her units and hateful or spiteful towards anyone who dares harm them. She can hold a grude for years, though, once joining the labs she’s opened up and softened. Espeically with yuuta’s help. She’s learned to be less strict. though she has a protective grisp on her units still. It’s not as bad as before.

Renais: A cybrog formed aganst her will. She never wanted it, though she had no say. Being kiddnapped at a young age and witnissing her families death say for her father. To who she still has a resentment for at times. She’s strong willed, iron fisted, intelligent, sassy, and confident. She always is ready to put herself in the way of danger to protect those she loves, as well as work to help herself. She’s very confident in herself though has a low self-esteem at times. Renais is usually one to be serious in her work and focus on the objective. She has her own units and is part of Chasseur of France. She has some sort of bond with Alouette. With time she has softened up slightly, only slightly. She’s learned to have a bit of fun but be serious, with Mamauro’s and Yuuta’s help.

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A.I UNITS

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Ms.Piggy: A simple unit who can communicate with the units in certain beeping patterns. She commonly serves oil to them. Suspected to have a bond with volfogg.

Enryuu and Hyoryuu: two twins of the units, Enryuu being the oldest and Hyoryu being the youngest. Enryuu is more hot-headed, clumsy, fun, and blunt, Hyoryu is more serious, cool, friendly, and sweet. Enryu has fire based abilties and able to heat things up and Hyoryu being able to use ice and the cold to his advantage. They both as based off of Tiger sharks.

GoldyMarg: Once part of the Three G, he was zonderfied to the horror of the other units. Sadly, able to keep his self awareness but do nothing from distruction. He is based off a squid. Which only makes him more dangerous. He is often noted to be highly aggressive and dangerous. He has been spotted sinking several ships and taking Zonderfied A.I units to the surface for attacks.

GetsuRyuu+NichiRyu: Two twins built in Germany. they both are very sweet, intelligence, quick with actions, and elegant like the other two girls. They are very close with one another and often have to keep little Shouryu, Bishop, Drill Boy, and Mic out of trouble. They are based off Squids and the one able to fly, the only ones both flight, land, and water based. They can fly in the air due to their blasters and light weight metals.

Volfogg: A sleek and spy built unit, he is very quiet and keep to himself half the time. Often seen sleeping or doing work. He is built after a Seal. Volfogg has some sort of relationship with Ms.Piggy and is seen chatting with Entouji half the time. He is also one of the only units able to walk both on land and swim. He is very graceful and silent. Making him very scary at times due to his sudden apperances. He is often seen looking over late recording of missing or absent agents and workers.

Furyu and Rairyu: Both are land based units who are often based in China. Furryu is often seen as very childish, smart alic, abrasive, and couragous. Rairu is often seen as quiet, smart, brave, and couragous. They both tend to look after the workers and always on the edge due to the zonders getting lose.

Anryu and Kouryu: They are able to switch between both Water and land, but hardly do so. Even if they can, they are considered to be the second set of land based units, they are mostly seen swiming around. anryu is serious, quiet, and sassy. Kouryu is known to be bubbly, loud, and smart mouthed. Though the two are both very intelligent, elegant, and slick. anryu is able to use the darkness to her advantage due to her color and coding while Kouryu can use the light to her advantage. They are both based off Jellyfish and a bit of Beta fish.

Mic Sounders the 13th: He is another Land based A.I unit, commonly seen helping around and using his music to his advantage. He is loud, rembuncious, and joyful. He is also known to be very Childish. He will use his music to the advantage as well as vibrations around him. He’s a sweet unit in his minizied form but the other stuff comes out when he’s in his actual size. He tends to be a little to rambuncious at times but isn’t much of a threat. Just oblvious at times. however, when Swan’s around...he’s more calm and collected.

Rook and Pawn: twins that don’t look alike, they ain’t identical twins at all. Rook is classy and very quiet, Pawn is more loud and rambuncious. They are often seen working together when fighting but are pretty much opposet from one another outside of that. however, they do have a strong bond alonng like the others. They are as well land based. They both use their strangth and physical build for fighting.

Bishop: The youngest of all units, even from Shouryu. He’s meek at times, shy, soft toned, and passive. however, he can be very friendly when he wants to be. He’s often noted ot being the medic of the group along side Duke/Knight. He’s often seen alone and almost greaving the loss of one of his closet brothers/teammates. He’s land based as well. Has a staff he can use to his ability, though he cannnot use it to it’s full potential. Due to the hazard of it sucking all his energy away. this would cause his circuts to fry and in the end, be his death.

King: Able to be both land and water based, he is known to be silent, strong-willed, confident, and leaderlike. He doesn’t take anyones crap and very seirous in most if not all situations. though that is from all he’s had to do while under the old Regina’s control. He has softened up but that was mostly for Bishops sake. He’s more soft toned, quiet, strong-willed, and friendly. He’s based on a sea horse in his water form. He usually is seen with a sword for fights.

Duke/knight: After Goldymarg was lost, a search for him was sent out by the two organizations. However, this lead to a long and difficult battle between all the units. Leading to Knight being captured and as well being Zonderfied. He is land based so after falling into the water, he was easily captured. Leading him to being Zonderfied into a Kalpe type creature. So far no one’s seen him besides being seen before any fights. Suggesting he is a scout of sorts for them.

ShouRyuu: the second youngest of the group. Very naive, curious, childish, friendly, and sweet of the group. He’s very clingy to anyone bigger then him and is usually kept inside the headquarters, lab, or zoo. He can go onto land and into water. His water based form is of a simple Eel. he is able to work with electricty and able to control such. Luckily he cannot harm anyone if he does enter water. He tends to hang out and comfort Bishop.

Gunmax: A land based unit from America, he is commonly seen patroling the land and giving tickets. Though he is known to have a biker gang as friends. He honestly loves them, but is very much known to be a trouble maker. however, his charm, kindness, and joky behavor weights this out half the time. Later on he is given a water form due to the increase of water crimes. He is based off of a Dolphin. He has a pistol on land for fights and a harpoon for water based fights.

McCrane: Usually quiet, blunt, studious, and friendly. He tends to be with Seia half the time and enjoys her presents. He is water based and usually swims around with the other build team. fixing things broken. He is very charming to a lot of visitors and sometimes gets fanmail. He’s often seen fighting with his hands and a pole. He’s the oldest of the build team. He’s based off a clown fish.

Deckard: Paired up with Yuuta later on, he’s charming, friendly, sweet, intelligent, guideful, and fatherly. He is often the first appointed Water based unit. Deckard was the very first to be online and brought into the eye of the public first. Due to Yuuta interfering with one of the wonders that attempted to attack the delivering trucks. Deckard activated and save the young boy before the Wonder could harm him. This as well affected the units strength. While appearing very frail and weak, the unit is able to handle several thousand pounds. Deckard is the head leader of his group but is often looked to by the other units. Deckard is able to use his pistol on land and water, due to it being created just for him.

Drill Boy: the third youngest of all the units. He's not the smallest, but he is water bound. Often seen playing with the other younger units and by himself, he is noted for being a trickster and trouble maker. He is found of the older girls that visit and usually plays tricks for them. That is if he wants to. If he's on for a show he usually gives boring bland tricks. He's known to be childish, playful, sweet, annoying, and bubbly. He's built for building and is able to drill into the ground or surrounding area. He's based off a clownfish.

Shadowmaru and Kagaru: The two are twins, both similar in personality, though having their own differences. Such as Kaharu being more miscvious and trickster like. Shadowmaru is more serious and blunt. Shadowmaru is known to be the more serious of the two while Kagaru is known to be like a fox, trickster and miscvious. He doesn't tend to be as serious as Shadowmaru, though they both hold some serious fighting and weaponry. They take this seriously. Especially after Kagaru was almost reprogrammed by one of the other companies. Luckily he wasn’t but did cost his life. Though thanks to Papillion he survived. Shadowmaru and Kagaru are both able to be on land and water, as well as air. Their water forms are based on Octopus and their air forms are on two dragons.

dumpson: Ayako’s favorites units. Dumpson is slightly hot headed, joyful, iron-willed, and humble. He’s very strong, just slightly more then Deckard due to his framing, he’s able to lift a medium sized oil tanker if he wants though he must be careful due to his unit not wanting to pull or break anything. Especially under the water. He’s someone who will try and whoo others and sometimes without knowing, though he is very focused on his work, he’s part of the build team as well. He is very focused on what he needs to do and get done. Sometimes pushing himself to his limit. He’s based on a clown fish as well.

Power Joe: Another and the second oldest of the build team. He’s got an eye out for the art of fighting and karate, as well as art itself. He has an interest in art and fighting. He’s most often known for his ability for picking up all sorts of fighting ways and actions. He enjoys working along side his brothers, usually taking his time with certain parts, more so the oil areas. Not wanting any of it to leak out. He’s very charming, talkative, joking, mischivious, and lively. He has a crane built onto him as well, making him useful to builds that require high heights or carrying humans around. He’s based off a clowfish as well.

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OTHERS

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Soldato-J/Pizza + J-ark: He was from the Red Planet, but came with abel and Ikumi after it’s demise. He was made to protect the two but would end up in a coma after landing to earth. He would awaken after the evens of 192 and been seen watching over the ocean on nearby cliffs of the Three G labs and zoo. He is seen to not be a threat and protect those around there and fight Zonders. Though appears to be looking for someone of something.

Cain: Confirmed to be killed on his planet by his son Mamaoru after his link with Galeon (The lion). His form taken by a zonder he is often seen harming or killing those in Zonder attacks, though rarely has his form be seen fighting with itself while in attacks among humans. It can be noted he is not a high class threat due to how easy it is to deter this type to coming onto land. However, it can be noted this form of zonder- if able to make it onto land, can cause heavy damage. Though as long on water or in water, cannot.

Abel: while not Zonderfied she took to working along side after being fed lies by Palparepa and Pillus. She is naive and childish, very childish. Though her true form is a very tall woman. She is noted to be dosile and more of a nusisiouce.

Palparepa + Pillus: Both work hand in hand of causing as much damage and death. They have little care for other living beings and seem to enjoy in such activities. Papaprepa is able to take the form of a giant mecha and able to both fly, walk, and swim. Paparepa is seem often along side of Pillus who is seen as very unhinged. Palparepa is often spoted zonderfying other beings if given the chance by using his syring form of an arm while Pillus is seen leading most attacks upon humans and earth life. They often attempt to take over the units and damage them before zonderfing them. They both tend to watch and listen. They as well as known or atleast highly suspected for being the reason behind the zonderification of the Incident 192 and many more. Pillus can take the form of a large great white shark and Paplaperpa his mecha form.

Sakura Akamatsu: Soft toned, sweet heart, brave, studious, and clean. She is known for being found after one of the many attacks on the lab. Seeming to have washed upon the shore, though. The only recorded case of a natural Mermaid. She is known to get sick easily, bruised, or injured easlily. She is known for her bright blue eyes and soft cotton candy pink hair, as well as her soft spoken tone. She is usually held with the rest of the workers in their bunkers and has had custom made travel ways for herself around the area. She is able to travel into different channels of minds at random and able to connect to her very own unit, though this is risky and only done in Emegency cases or on her own will. She is seen often with the other units at times and speaks or plays with the other children best she can.

Hinoki Sai: Hired by the Three G before the events of 192. she was usually seen cleaning up messes and working on the garden. Though after the Zonder attacks of Accident 0029, she would end up with a mobile suit due to the abilities shown during the attack. She was as well moved to another part of Japan. Linking her up to work with the young Mikoto. She is confident at times but usually doubts herself and her intelligence. She is of high intelligence. She has a childhood friend named Keita though forgot of him during the first zonder attacks. However, once she meets him again when he is transferred to the current headquarters of the Three G. she is apathetic and tends to get a bad rep, and rumored to be rude. She has a good relationship with her friends; Mikoto, Swan, Keito (later), and once Papillion. She is commonly seen being in a Sullen manner.

[cordonian-literature]

Reluctant Reunion

Summary: Olivia reflects on her relationship with Vivienne

Premise: majority of TRH thrown out the window, but some elements are present. overall i’d say this isn’t canon. the MC’s name is Vivienne (nicknamed Vivi). her and Liam have two children: Eleanor and Evangeline. the gang hasn’t seen each other much.

A/N: hi! so i wanted to practice some writing since i’ve been kinda out of it, so i decided to do a @wackydrabbles​​​ prompt! i’ve seen some people do it and just wanted to participate :) this week’s prompt is not everything is a joke, and will be in bold

A/N 2: the idea for this fic came from Prompt #1407​​ (i’ve changed it up a bit though). i don’t know if i’ll continue this or not, but i’ve been playing around with the idea and just might

Word Count: (+/-) 1540

Warnings: none (i think. feel free to call me out if im wrong)

*All characters belong to Pixelberry, except those unique to my story*

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

Olivia tried to do what she could to keep Vivienne at arm’s length. But her smile was so disarming, and she was so genuine — how could one help the overwhelming want to get close to her, to be embraced by the soft care she expressed to everyone in her vicinity? Olivia didn’t want the bubbly feelings, the pounding in her chest. She believed that if she kept ignoring it, the emotions would go away.

The isolation of Lythikos allowed Olivia to stay focused; there was always some issue that would occupy her mind long enough so Olivia would not think of Vivienne, and would instead attend to her people’s concerns like the old rulers of Lythikos.

But Valtoria’s issues were not unique to Vivi’s duchy. The smallest familiarity between Valtorian and Lythikosian concerns would prompt a lighthearted, heartbreakingly friendly phone call from Vivienne. The Queen would invite the Duchess over for a discussion, and would afterward ask Olivia to extend her visit, which Olivia never did.

But something she couldn’t ignore was a surprise invitation from Duke Bertrand — “financial proposals need to be overlooked to confirm suitability for all duchies of Cordonia” prompted Olivia to start towards Ramsford. Olivia did not expect that the King, Queen, and their friends were already there.

It had been Lady Hana’s idea for them all to meet and enjoy an evening over tea after having spent months apart. But for the afternoon, the Queen and Duchess Olivia would attend Duke Bertrand’s meeting.

They both sat in front of Duke Bertrand, their chairs some feet apart, a distance Olivia felt keenly towards her left. Olivia’s chair fully faced the Duke, while Vivienne’s was turned so that in one swift glance she secured both their attentions.

Vivi didn’t hesitate in commenting that Bertrand’s proposal would negatively affect more than half the country. She opened up the discussion, allowing Olivia to speak first, then adding in her own opinions.

The three of them formed a rough plan with enough moving elements that at least one was sure to work. Leaving the office, Olivia made a beeline for the front of the estate.

Her heels tap sharply on the wooden floor. Olivia slows her pace so the taps are the same rhythm as the melody of Vivi’s voice, drawing Olivia into tranquil peace.

Unfamiliar tranquil peace. The inclusivity of Vivi’s words were not well-known to the Duchess that had come to terms with isolation. She wasn’t ready to embrace the friendships that she had disconnected from years ago.

She stood in the front of the estate, watching the fog lift and dance around the marble columns. Some puffs of clouds were so large Olivia could put herself in a daze and imagine she had climbed the North-most mountain in Lythikos, her body kindly begging for oxygen, the ghost of Misha just on her heel. Other warm clouds were so small that Olivia could close them in her palm and diminish it from its lonely existence.

And then it was time for tea. When Olivia walked into the sitting room, the soft colors of the curtain compliment the gentle conversation of the friends who hadn't seen each other in a while. Olivia takes a seat on an empty couch, attempting to avoid bringing attention to herself.

Olivia takes a long breath. She smells the scent of the tea on the small table in front of her, the dry lemony tang of furniture polish, and the faint scent of Vivi's perfume, who had come to sit next to Olivia.

Eleanor takes a seat on the gray velvet settee with her father and asks where her sister, Evangeline, is.  

As if she'd been conjured by the mention of her name, the girl enters the room and grabs the pitcher off the table. Olivia notices that she is almost as tall as her father. Evangeline stares carefully at everyone's glass as she fills them, the tea pitcher looking like a child's toy in her hands.

She smooths the edge of her rose-colored dress as she sits near her mother, cupping the tea in her hands as if it were a valuable heat source. She looks over at her sister, who converses with Liam and Drake.

After she reached the age of twenty, Liam pulled Eleanor on the front lines of Cordonia’s issues, leaving the girl little time to spend with her family. Many called the Crown Princess rough, claiming her serious exterior was too extreme.

But now, next to her father and his friend, Eleanor is relaxed and leans back against the cushion. Evangeline eyes her sister, her own posture as stiff and straight as a wall. She analyzes the sleeveless, light green dress gently draped over Eleanor.

“Do you want me to put some ice in your tea?” Evangeline asks, motioning towards her sister’s casual attire. “You seem like you feel hot.”

Eleanor drifts apart from Liam and Drake’s conversation, a vacant smile on her face as she answers Evangeline. “No? Why do you ask?”

“Oh, nothing,” Evangeline smirks and takes a calm sip of her tea, a laugh hidden behind every word. “Just that I’ve never seen you wear something so… revealing.” She gives another critical look, her eyes glazing down to her sister’s shoes and back up to her face, giving an angry smile at the last second. “It doesn’t look too good on you. I’ll tell my dressmaker to make something that suits your style.”

“Thanks, but there’s no need.” Eleanor’s face falls as she turns back to her father.

“Oh, don’t be like that!” Evangeline leans over to put a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I was just joking with you. It’s sarcasm. Ever heard of it?”

“Not everything is a joke just because you say it is. Sarcasm or not.” The sisters turn away from each other. 

Vivi gives a gentle laugh in the direction of her daughters. “Drake was your babysitter once and all his sarcasm rubbed off on you.”

Conversations are paused as everyone absorbs Vivi’s words. Olivia remembers the diplomatic trip Liam and Vivi took to Italy less than two decades ago. Eleanor was able to come along, but Evangeline had been too small. Duke Bertrand and Lord Maxwell were also meant to make an appearance, Lady Hana was called to Shanghai to visit her parents, and Olivia had issues in Lythikos to attend to. The only person available had been Drake, and after that one week, he had become baby Evangeline’s favorite person.

When she was a child, she would constantly urge her parents to let her go on camping or fishing trips with Uncle Drake. Liam would always accompany them, but the younger sister had always been cold towards Eleanor, throwing a fit if her parents suggested she accompany them.

The group chuckles when they remember, even earning a smile from Olivia. But the grins dissolve into lost looks. They meet each other’s eyes, and though Olivia remains focused on the tea pitcher, she can sense the sad questions they kept to themselves: where had it all gone wrong? How did we let the distance become so large?

Olivia knows these questions depress those around her, but she has had a lifetime to adapt to them. From her lonely childhood — being her parents’ second priority, then being treated as the traitors’ daughter after they died. To growing distanced from the friends of her youth and her first love — Liam making it clear to her countless times that he would never reciprocate her feelings, and Olivia eventually coming to terms that such a love was never meant to be her’s. To a vast space having formed between her and the only woman that had ever believed in Olivia.

Maxwell gives an audible sigh. “If only my puns rubbed off on Eleanor.” 

The girl rolls her eyes, while her sister inspects her freshly painted nails. 

Maxwell playfully scolds her: “Were my play on words not good enough for you?” 

Eleanor laughs, a bright smile lifting the mood of the room. She speaks of her childhood, everything she remembers and misses, the adults adding in silly details of her childish antics. But Olivia has no memories of Eleanor’s childhood, nor of Evangeline’s. 

The friends’ conversations flowed gracefully, but Olivia could not contribute anything. 

And so she stood and left, quietly lifting herself out of her seat and spinning towards the door. She wondered if her driver were ready to bring her back to Lythikos. 

The fog embraces her, wrapping wet coils of air around her waist, drawing her away from Ramsford, away from memories she wasn’t a part of, away from Vivi.

But before she can lower her head and enter the limo, Vivi’s slender fingers wrap around Olivia’s wrist, drawing her away from the vehicle and slipping an envelope into her hands.

Her disarming smile doesn’t disappear until Olivia has opened the envelope: it’s an invitation to the palace.

Decline it, her head tells her. 

Accept it, her heart tells her. 

Vivi sighs, holding her arms against herself as if she were about to break. 

“You’re cold,” Olivia states.

Again that smile. Vivi agrees to go inside, Olivia agrees to consider the invitation, though she doesn’t want to. 

But her incompetent driver leads her to the palace anyway.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

i don’t have anyone to tag - but if you would like to be tagged if i continue this, let me know :)

[poi-bigbang]

Art Claims

(Thank you @caviezeldaily​ for this amazing banner!)

Here are the remaining summaries up for claim in the POI Big Bang: 

1. Title: Carbines and Capacitors

Relationships: Gen (Joss & Cheyenne, other Team Machine friendships); background John/Joss, brief Harold/Grace and Laskey/OFC, brief unrequited Shaw/Cheyenne, mention of past Joss/Cal and Cheyenne/Irene Travers, two staged scenes that are explicitly not preludes to romance Characters: (in order of appearance) Cheyenne Bodie, Joss Carter, Mike Laskey, Lionel Fusco, John Reese, Harold Finch, Bear, The Machine, Sameen Shaw, Zoe Morgan, Patrick Simmons, Raymond Terney, Genrika Zhirova, Timothy Sloan, Root | Samantha Groves, Peter Collier, Anthony Marconi, Carl Elias, Peter Yogorov, Grace Hendricks, Andrew Monahan, Alonzo Quinn, Fermin Ordoñez, Arthur Claypool, Tom "Sugarfoot" Brewster, Bronco Layne Rating: Teen Summary: A routine day for Team Machine turns into anything but when a cowboy from 1880 falls out of thin air and lands practically at Carter's feet.  Getting him well and acclimated to life in 2013 is only half the battle.  Computers are out of his line, but he does have other skills Finch can use… so the best laid schemes of Greer and Quinn are about to run into a 6'6" tank named Cheyenne Bodie. (Season 3 AU, crossover with Cheyenne, with cameos from Sugarfoot and Bronco)

(Wikipedia links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyenne_(TV_series); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarfoot; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronco_(TV_series); Fandom wiki: https://cheyenne.fandom.com/wiki/Cheyenne_Wiki; IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047720/) Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply; References to historical atrocities, uncomfortably timely conversations, canon-typical violence, canon-typical threats of violence, crude remarks by Shaw, Cheyenne comes from a 1950s Western and speaks/thinks/acts accordingly (but as in canon, he hates racism and injustice) Art Wishlist: Open to any media, although traditional/digital might be more suitable than manips because most available images of Cheyenne are B&W--as was the show, so vids and gifs might have the same problem.  Podfic would be welcome, and the story is finished (and long!), but recording could be a challenge because Cheyenne's voice is lower than John's and because there are lots of footnotes and a few words in the Northern Cheyenne dialect, Dutch, Spanish, Sioux, Russian, and Hebrew.  Cheyenne wears a very distinctive hat (brown with silver arrowheads around the band) that could be drawn as part of a still-life banner or divider, possibly with a Colt Peacemaker and a Desert Eagle (crossed?).  Also, if you're interested in illustrating a scene, there are... rather a lot to choose from, but I think I'd go for one of Cheyenne with John, Joss, and/or Shaw.  I will happily work with any artist to find what source/reference materials are needed--I don't know where Cheyenne is available to watch outside the US, but there are at least clips posted on YouTube.

2. Title: Spare Me Relationships: Lionel Fusco/John Reese Characters: Lionel Fusco, John Reese, Lee Fusco, Harold Finch, Bear, Root, Original Characters Rating: (use AO3 system) T (for a kiss and Fusco's bad language) Summary: (<100 words) "I don't need a genius to tell me that you're lonely." Fusco invites John to join the NYPD bowling league to give John something normal and fun to do for once. But soon Fusco realizes that John isn't the only one who's lonely. Warnings: (use AO3 system) None Art Wishlist: (what media you're open to, hoping for, any ideas) Anything is fine by me! I've never had someone make art for a story of mine, so I'm easy to please! 

3. Title: Kingfishers

Relationships: Harold Finch/John Reese/Grace Hendricks

Rating: M at the moment, maaaybe E by the time I’m done

Summary:

One morning, a handsome stranger walks up to Grace Hendricks in a park and introduces himself. His name is John, and he likes her paintings.

That afternoon, Grace meets a wealthy insurance executive who offers her a sizable art commission. He’s intelligent, interesting, and easy to talk to. His name is Harold.

(A different-first-meeting story, in which Harold ignored the Machine’s attempts to set him up with Grace in 2006, only to receive her number in 2012 after he and John have been working together for over a year.)

Warnings: inexplicit references to child abuse and alcoholism

Art Wishlist: Grace’s paintings and sketches, and her feelings about the art and artists she admires, are pretty important to the story. There are passages where I describe pictures and paintings she’s created, or beautiful objects of various kinds that she and Harold both admire. An illustration of any of that stuff would be amazing, or maybe a kind of Pre-Raphaelite picture of the characters. Also, kingfishers are kind of thematically/symbolically important, and very beautiful, and would make lovely art.

Two requests: please don’t make art of Harold and John that excludes Grace, and please no NSFW art.

4. [Fic previously claimed! Should not have been here! Apologies!]

5. Title: More Than Words Relationships: John Reese/Harold Finch/Grace Hendricks Characters: John Reese, Harold Finch, Grace Hendricks Rating: General Audiences Summary: John and Harold have a lot in common. They've loved. They've lost. They've done their best to help people. And now they have a matching pair of soulmarks- tattoos bearing the first words your soulmate says to you. The marks aren't what bring John and Harold together. But they might end up tearing the two of them apart. Warnings: Choose Not to Use Archive Warnings (this fic should be tagged for some of John's suicidal ideation pre-season 1 and in the fic) Art Wishlist: Looking for visual media/graphic design. Since this is a soulmate/soulmark AU, I would be very happy if someone could design the tattoos I have in mind, in their medium of choice. I am willing to collaborate, or just see what they come up with. But while that is my ideal art pairing, I am open to anything!

6. Title: Untitled Relationships: Harold/John Characters: Harold, John, Bear, Shaw, Fusco, Carter, OCs, *possibly* an appearance by Root Rating: Teen & Up Summary: When a number goes wrong and Harold is stabbed, his entire life is thrown into disarray. Seriously injured, he's left with no choice but to rely on someone else as he recovers. He chooses John (or, rather, John chooses himself) and invites John into his home and his very private life as he slowly heals from the trauma and the wounds.

What happens when he realizes he wants John to stay close? Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply (additional warning for panic attacks and memories of a violent attack) Art Wishlist: I'd especially love illustrations (traditional or digital), but I'm game for anything.

7. Title: Bonds Not Broken - Maybe??? Relationships: John Reese/Harold Finch Characters: John Reese, Harold Finch, Sameen Shaw, OCs, Elias, Heralds of Valdemar characters, Rolan, Weaponmaster Hersch, King Jesse, Bear the dog, a cast of thousands Rating: Adult M/M Summary: An AU Person of Interest/Heralds of Valdemar crossover. John is not only a Herald, but the King's Own. The story begins with the death of the king, and this is John's journey to find his place in Valdemar. Warnings: Author Chooses None Art Wishlist: I like most styles of fanart except chibi. I love a good photo manip but really anything! If the artist is interested, I have an Instagram where I put pictures that helped me write this monster. The instagram is blackchaps with a Hawkeye icon, easy to find.

8. Title: Untitled (for now) Relationships: Harold Finch/Lionel Fusco, Lionel Fusco & Sameen Shaw, Harold Finch & Sameen Shaw Characters: Harold Finch, Lionel Fusco, Sameen Shaw, Bear, Leon Tao Rating: E Summary: One year after the death of Samaritan, Harold Finch returns to New York City and reunites with his old friends. Sameen Shaw and Lionel Fusco, who have believed him to be dead for the past 12 months, are not exactly eager to trust him again. As Harold handles mysterious cases on the outside of their new organization, he works to repair his relationships with both. Sameen, who doubts his commitment, will be hard to convince. Lionel, who bears deep emotional scars, will be impossible. Warnings: Canon typical violence, drug/alcohol use Art Wishlist: I’m super flexible re: medium. I’m very into the idea of space-centric or detail-centric art, as opposed to character-centric art, if that makes sense. Re: space-centric, a lot of the fic is about loneliness and puts the characters in empty, uncomfortable, or sad rooms and the vibe is very like these Edward Hopper paintings, I think. Alternatively, it’s Finch POV and he’s doing a lot of focusing on tiiiiiiny details and significant objects, and I’d love some fancypants studies or edits of those.

9. Title: Degrees of Separation Relationships: Gen (but the whole point of the story is that they’ve all been separated, so there are no relationships in action) Characters: John Reese, Harold Finch, Sameen Shaw, Root, Lionel Fusco, Bear Rating: Teen and Up (due to a limited use of common profanity) Summary: The lives of the members of Team Machine in their new identities during the first months of Samaritan’s full operation, from the separation of the team at the end of “Deus Ex Machina” through the events that take place in “Panopticon.” Warnings: Choose Not to Use Archive Warnings Art Wishlist: I am open to any medium.  It would be great if the art focused on the separation that the characters are experiencing.

10. Title: If I Could Tell Him Relationships: Harold Finch/John Reese; Harold Finch & Root; minor Root/Sameen Shaw; past Harold Finch/Nathan Ingram Characters: Harold Finch, John Reese, Root, Nathan Ingram (mentioned) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Summary: Harold manages to tap on the fourth wall of 4x17 “Karma” and has some thoughts about the mirroring of himself with the victim counselor vigilante Shane Edwards. He and John go on their walk with Bear, but Harold keeps what he’s feeling to himself. Years later, after all of Team Machine survives the defeat of Samaritan, Harold comes across Edwards and realizes he never talked with John about all of the emotions that number still fosters, specifically regarding Nathan. Root gives him some advice, and they all work on a happiness that encompasses the past, present, and future. Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Art Wishlist: I’m open to anything, from digital art to fanmixes and anything else, really. This is a rinch fic but it’s also basically a Harold character study (entirely from his POV and a lot of internal narrative) so any art could probably focus on him.

11. 

Title: The Mysterious Human Heart in New York Relationships: Jessica/John, Harold and Jessica, Harold and John Characters: Jessica, John, Harold, Fusco Rating: Teen Summary: Agent Jessica Reese has managed to claw her way back from Ordos after being betrayed by her partner and the CIA. Gutshot and purposeless, she spends her days haunting the hospital in New Rochelle, watching her ex, John. John has his happily ever after: got his nursing degree, married a great guy, lives in a beautiful house. Jess is glad. He should be happy with Peter.

When she bumps into the mysterious Harold Finch, who knows too much about everyone, he tells her the unpleasant truth about John's dream marriage. Jess must face up to the fact that John needs her help to find safety and happiness. Warnings: Show level violence, some medical detail as John is a nurse. Art Wishlist: I am open to any medium except audio.  

12. Title: To my God, I sacrifice Relationships: John Reese & Root, John Reese/ Kara Stanton Characters: John Reese, Root, Sameen Shaw, Hersh, Kara Stanton, Harold Finch (mentioned) Rating: Mature Summary: Former soldier and CIA agent John Reese has condemned himself to a slow death after being burned by the agency. After witnessing a strange woman answering a forgotten payphone, he suddenly finds himself entangled in a web of secrets, zealotry and violence. Warnings: Canon typical violence, canon typical torture, mentions of suicide and rape, abusive/unbalanced dynamics, alcoholism Art Wishlist: I don't have any particular requests in regards to the art, I'm curious about what will the artist choose to interpret. If I had to choose, a scene illustration or a cover would be very cool :)

If you’d like to make art for any of these fics, the sign-ups for artists are here: 

https://poi-fanworks.dreamwidth.org/27461.html

And the claim post is here: 

https://poi-fanworks.dreamwidth.org/31548.html

[caracalfeather]

WARNING- Cats and Birds is a mob AU fanfiction of the Arcana game, and is not meant for young audiences and is not meant to offend anyone. Some writing choices were made so characters are out of their canon way of acting and thinking. Please do not be offended by character choices made by the authors and content creators, this story was made for fun and in the way we wanted it to be. The story was not hijacked by any of the authors to make any ships or characters overshadow any other. All content contained in this story has been agreed upon and accepted by all parties in it’s creation.

TW- Cats and Birds contains scenes that may not be suitable with some readers, including themes of violence, smoking/drug use, sex, cursing and various other strong themes. Special warnings for scenes will be posted with chapters. Proceed with caution and Reader’s discretion is advised.

2

Julian tried to focus on Rose and on the movie. But oh god it was so hard too, there were old suppressed memories trying to resurface and Julian COULD NOT let them. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, more than what he usually drank and he tossed it down his throat like a shot of tequila. He grunted and then sighed as the liquid stung his throat.

“Jesus christ Amor.” Rose looked up at him and sat up “That was a lot more than usual. You don't usually shoot whiskey.” She put down her glass and slid close, almost in his lap “Are you sure you're okay? Did something happen during the mission?”

“I’m fine Rose just….tired.” He picked up the bottle and stood up, “I’m...going to bed.” He walked out of her room and to his own, which...hadn’t happened in….well a year. But Julian didn’t really care, not now anyways.

Rose watched him leave, her heart sinking slightly. Had she done something wrong? It was possible…. It was probably her fault. With a heavy sigh she turned the movie off and put on the news, taking the bottle of whiskey and draining it before the commercial break and eventually passing out on the couch in a pile of blankets and self doubt. Eventually One of the Capos Vice, woke her up, helping her clean up.

Julian slammed the door to his room, and flopped on the bed, the dresser across from him almost beckoning him. He growled and turned over, his eyes wandering over to that bottom drawer, he looked down at the bottle of wine he carried with him.

“I can hear your gasp of horror.” He sighed, “If you saw what shit i was drinking tonight you’d smack me square in the face…” he took a swig, “but it keeps me from remembering you...even if you are turning in your grave..” he stared at that drawer again, it was calling to him. He flipped it off, clearly drunk, “Fuck offfffff….I have a good life now.” He drained the bottle and blacked out in his bed, not even bothering to change.

Plume was the one who found him later that night, dropping his bag on the floor and dragging him to the shower, putting him in and blasting him with ice cold water “Despierta idiota. I don't know how the hell you drained that bottle alone.”

He jerked awake coughing and gasping for air. “PLUME! THE HELL?!” He shouted through his coughing fit, rolling onto the floor with a thud, groaning in pain, he was hungover as all shit. “We're celebrating a mission gone right...I assume Rose told you…”

“No actually. I heard from witnesses.” Plume through a towel onto him “Rose left for the night. I assume she went to the red district to drown sorrows with a stripper or a bottle of vodka.” he leaned against the sink cabinet, his golden eyes showing their usual look of anger.

“Ahhhhhhhhfuck…” he moaned, standing up and rubbing his auburn hair dry, “I’ll go get her if that’s what you're suggesting.”

“No. Im wondering what the fuck you did to her. It's been months since she’s done that.” He huffed and walked into the bedroom “You aren't leaving the den.”

Julian scoffed, “fine...so be it.” He threw off his shirt and searched his closet for a new one. “We just saw a dog yesterday thats all…” he called from the closet rummaging around for a clean jacket.

Plume rolled his eyes “A dog doesn't cause emotional stress to our boss idiot.” He sat on the bed and tied up his hair “There was an empty whiskey bottle and cigarette box on the couch. She was pretty drunk when she left it’d looked like.

“Well what else do you want me to say Plume?” He shrugged, running a hand through his hair. “I thought I recognized the dog and it threw me off for a while, THAT’S IT.” He appeared from the closet with fresh clothes on throwing his hands out in a dramatic way.

“Jesus christ. And did you tell her that it threw you off or did you just leave her so you could drink alone?” He stood and walked to the door “Because I think she blames herself for the mess you're making of yourself.”

“Ah shit..” he sighed, leaning against the closet entrance, “well...no I didn't tell her. Are you sure you still want me to stay here? Because the sooner I don’t cause anymore emotional messes, the sooner we can have our Queen back.”

“...Take the car. Naga has the keys. Make sure to check the Raven.” He tossed the keys over and grumbled “She’d only listen to you anyways.”

Julian was out the door in a hurry and sped to the Raven, throwing open the doors and frantically searching for his love. The sooner he fixes this...the sooner he can move on and forget the years and years of suppressed feelings.

Rose was in her usual booth at the bar, nursing a glass of tequila and groaning to herself. Her knuckles were bruised from punching a wall and she was extremely drunk.

“I know you don't want to see me right now.” He started to say, “but...I do owe you an explanation as to why I left with that….horribly flat tasting wine.” He sat in front of her, almost expecting her to react violently towards him.

She rolled her eyes, dowing the drink with a growl “Fuck off ilya. I don't know what i did but clearly you don't trust me enough to say so.” She stood, wrapping herself in her leather jacket and starting towards the door.

“Wait! Please just...hold on a second.” He grabbed her arm, “It’s just the dog that’s all..I thought I recognized it from...somewhere and it threw me off. It has nothing to do with you.”

She laughed, lacing it with slight drunken malice “Oh bull shit ilya. Let me go…” She stumbled back, leaning against him and growling “Damn alcohol.”

Julian rolled his eyes with a huff and in one smooth motion he picked Rose up bridal style and left the bar. “We’re going home..I’ll send Plume for your car later.”

“Fuuck you…” She slurred, leaning into his chest. He was so warm, it was almost impossible not to be soothed by his touch and scent “Fucking ditched me...son of a bitch…” She wiggled in his grasp until giving into her numb thoughts.

“Curse me out all you want, you’re not changing my mind.” He set her in the car and started to drive. An awkward silence filling the space as Julian hoped Rose would drop the topic so they could move on with life.

Rose was quiet on the way home, looking out the window as she got home. Plume made Julian put her to bed so he could get the car. Rose leaned into Julian as they got to the mattress, her eyes were dull.

“Sleep love.” He crooned, pulling a blanket over her, he kissed her forehead. “The Den needs their Cat.”

The alcohol was starting to take over her brain as she whispered “Don't call me that… you don't love me….” she was passed out in minutes.

“I love you more than there are stars in the sky…” he whispered into her ear before her lids closed. Julian returned to his room, the drawer still calling out to him. With a hard sigh he pulled out his knife and pulled back the comforter on his bed. On the left side of the mattress there was a gash in the bed sloppily sewn together in bright red thread. With one swipe of the knife Julian cut the threads and stuck his hand in the opening. He spent a few minutes searching before his fingers graced the surface of something cool and metal. He pulled it out and there it was...a key.

He walked over to the dresser and knelt down, staring the locked bottom drawer in the face. He hesitated for a moment before unlocking the drawer. Inside its wooden interior was a single magazine.

VOGUE

“The Loveliest Face in France says ‘Fantastic!’ To Jean Romeo’s latest rendition of ‘Cinderella; The Ballet’’

[ardenttheories]

Thoughts on the epilogue so far?

So glad you asked, anon. I’ve spend a while thinking over it, and I’ve got a few thoughts in mind. Mostly ramblings and potentials, at the moment. 

Prefacing that with a warning, and some information:

All of the CW tags on the Epilogue are relevant. I’ve seen a lot of people assuming it’s a joke, or Hussie mocking people - but it’s genuinely not. The tags have apparently been checked by a lot of people (including trans folk and cis women) to ensure they’re relevant and suitable for the content. However, a lot of it is apparently just going to be talked about, not actually brought up in graphic detail during the events of the Epilogue - so please take caution as we continue on. I’m sure people will eventually write up a page-by-page of content warnings so that we know exactly where each potential trigger comes in, and someone, somewhere, will do a writeup of what happens to avoid the warnings altogether. 

Additionally, the entire Epilogue has already been written up, which means we’re back to upd8 schedules. We’ll just have to see how they plan on working the upd8s, since, as far as I can tell, there’s currently no specific plan in place, or at least not one that we know of.

And now, into my ramblings.  

First of all, the hints towards relationships? Very cool. It’s nice that we confirmed Dave, Karkat, and Jade have that weird dynamic going on that none of them even really understand, and that Roxy and Calliope remain a sapphic mystery to pretty much everyone. Hopefully a lot of this gets confirmed later on in the Epilogue - or at least that we get something more solid to hold onto than John’s non-understanding of relationships. 

John’s lamentations on his potential relationship with Roxy also seemed incredibly sad, and actually furthers my theory on John as a True Heir of Breath. As does just about everything he mentions, honestly. 

Since he still has his Retcon powers, he’s still technically “Free”; Free from Canon, yes, but also free from the potential destruction of their Canonicity. He’s also, once again, the person who has to Free everyone from that fate. He’s Freedom incarnate, but also, it seems, Apathy incarnate. The fact that he’s apparently barely been speaking to any of his friends, feels disconnect between who they were and who they are now, still seems to be struggling to find his place in Earth C, and (so far, at least) seems unable to fully connect with Rose and Roxy implies that his inheritance of Breath is slowly reaching its peak. 

On the other hand, the talk of Canon is wildly interesting. I never 100% completed the comic - lost my place somewhere before the Tricksters, but kept roughly up to date on stuff that happened afterwards and have since managed to catch back up to Jane’s introduction, though I’ve yet to continue reading again - so I know she’s likely referencing things I don’t fully understand yet. 

Having said that, there is something pretty disturbing about the ideas that Rose is presenting. 

The way she puts it, there’s three categories of existence defined by the amount of three different factors within them:

Relevance, Truth, and Essentiality.  

Canon has varying levels of Relevance and Essentiality, I’m assuming based on the fact that past events can be changed through something like a Retcon and thus nothing that happens is entirely Essential and nor is everything in Canon wholly Relevant. All things in Canon, however, are True - the full events of the story 100% unquestionable. 

Non-Canon has no Truth behind it, and thus renders whatever Relevance or Essentiality it has meaningless. It doesn’t matter that the events happening in these Non-Canon scenes are Relevant or Essential to a subjective degree - that to us, or to the characters, they’re Relevant to development or the story, or Essential to moving the plot on in the direction the author wants, or in presenting an idea or foundation for a character’s development - because they’re not Canon, and they can never be canon unless brought into Canon by the Canonical author or characters. 

Out-of-Canon has almost no Relevance or Essentiality and holds no baring on Canon events or plots at all, but remains Truth in the sense that it’s still part of Canonicity. These events don’t matter to the main Canon, the real Canon, but they aren’t exactly Untrue. They’re as real as whatever’s happening in Canon, but can be easily looked over, forgotten, or overall viewed as insignificant. 

This is, essentially, what Rose is implying is happening to Earth C. It’s becoming forgotten and insignificant, it’s shifting too far away from Canon, and something very bad will happen if it does - not physically, but metaphysically. I think she essentially means they’ll either become Non-Canon, or they’ll lose their place as the Alpha Timeline. 

That’s a lot to think about, so let me use an example I gave a friend who has never read Homestuck:

The Star Wars movies are considered to be Canon. These are what you go to when you want to watch the actual events of the Star Wars series - the main plot, the main storylines, the main characters. 

The comics and the animated TV shows are Out-of-Canon. These events do not follow the main Canonical events of the Canon movies, but still happen within the same world at roughly the same time, or set up/explain events that happen in the movies. Sometimes they don’t even include main characters, and characters mentioned in the comics/TV shows may not ever appear in the movies, or even be referenced. These are True events, but hold little Relevance towards the watching of the Canon movies - and can hold varying degrees of Essentiality based on what the comics and TV shows are showing.

Fanfiction is Non-Canon. These are events that hold absolutely no Truth towards either the Out-of-Canon or Canon plot and storylines of Star Wars. Reading a piece of Fanfiction will never give you any additional, Canonical information about Star Wars unless it’s made Canon by a writer. Princess Leia might absolutely deck a Storm Trooper and single-handedly raid a Sith hideout and slaughter the bad guys with one hand tied behind her back to save Han Solo in a fanfic, but none of those events have ever actually happened in Canon. They might hold some sort of Relevance or Essentiality - either because they develop the characters better, or plug up plot holes, or spread some Canonicity of events, or even just help to keep the actual Canon alive by ensuring fans are still consuming anything about it so it stays firm in their minds - but they are never True. 

So what Earth C has done is placed itself in a position where they no longer align with the Canon events of Homestuck. Homestuck finished as soon as they stepped through that door, but they are still very much Canonical. They no longer contribute to the progression of canon, but they are still a product of Canonical events and are 100% the Canonical players of Homestuck. 

But the longer they stay Out-of-Canon, they lose their Relevance and Essentiality - their Importance. That’s what Light is all about, after all. Rose is essentially realising that the longer they stay living in Earth C, in a world that Hussie can’t ever fully write out, no matter how hard he tries, they’re going to become less and less important. 

Rose’s marriage to Kanaya is Out-of-Canon. Wholly Canonical, and it definitely happened, but her marriage is in no way Essential to the progression of Homestuck. It’s losing its meaning and importance because it didn’t happen in Canon. The more they do Out-of-Canon, the more unimportant it gets - until eventually some drastic event occurs that means it’s completely lost its Truth. 

So, John has to go back and defeat Lord English to ensure they stay Canonical. If he doesn’t, their timeline will go on - but they’ll no longer be the Alpha timeline, and they’ll no longer be Canonical. They’ll become Non-Canon. They’ll lose all Truth completely. 

I have the feeling the Apophis thing that kept popping up in the 413 event on FFBF will also become relevant here. I mean, it’s literally a snake that’s meant to eat the sun, and we get told that the Green Sun has to be consumed by a supermassive blackhole - one that John’s been dreaming about “in anime”, which I think probably means something to do with Lord English. At the very least, Caliborn. 

I’m incredibly interested by the idea of John going back into canon, nabbing their younger selves, and doing… something. He can’t attack LE head on, and they’re going after his younger self - so Caliborn, probably? - but I’m genuinely curious where in the timeline John will end up, and who he’ll need to take. Definitely Dave, at least, since Rose mentioned some sort of weapon he has, and I’m assuming by proxy that means the other kids - but which trolls, and does that also include Calliope? Is this the event we’ve been waiting for, where John goes back and saves everyone? 

John’s dream also worries me. A supermassive blackhole devouring the entirety of Paradox Space, permakilling billions upon billions of ghosts as it spans the width of the universe. This makes me wonder if we’re going to get the final ending to Homestuck - the True ending. One where everything is wrapped up so neatly that every other timeline is devoured by this blackhole. There will be no more offshoots, no reason for doomed timelines or successful-but-not-Canon sessions. I get the feeling that’s where it might be going, or at least that’s what John’s dream is implying. 

So what that concerns me with, then, is Rose’s hesitance when John says he’ll come back. There’s the implication there that, no, John won’t be coming back. Or at least that Rose won’t be seeing him again. Roxy’s concern, too - and Calliope’s ensuring that this is a choice John gets to make rather than something he has to do - holds some sort of worrying note I’m not fully sure of yet. 

Talking to a few people, I get the feeling it might be something along the lines of these:

- John has to die to complete this mission.

John’s death is at the hands of LE, or in his attempts to defeat LE, and becomes a vital part to his defeat

John’s the “powerful being” who attempts the suicide strike to destroy the Green Sun, and that’s why he’s having dreams about it now

- John will be creating a new timeline, and will end up getting Canon-locked into it, meaning that he won’t be able to return to the current Alpha-timeline Earth C 

- Something will happen to Rose? Her condition might be worse than she initially thought, or she might be downplaying it for John’s sake, and rather then being concerned about his safety, she’s actually concerned about hers

- John will create a timeline that has no End State, or will create a new Alpha timeline. Either way, he’ll be dooming the current Alpha-timeline Earth C.

In any case, I am incredibly excited to see what happens with this. I feel like it’s going to be a very long, very interesting Epilogue - one that, hopefully, plugs up a lot of the plotholes we’ve been complaining about over the past three years. 

[homestucky]

Davekat fic recs?

hrrmm wow i will have to think. ill probs just check my bookmarks which means i probably wont be able to think of many one chapter fics off the top of my head since i dont tend to bookmark them. also some that havent been updated in yrs i wont put here bcaus thats just frustrating unless theyre rlly notable and may come back i may not link them

also disclaimer that while im not super into smut so its unlikely im gonna recommend just porn fics, some may have some sexy times incidentally i suppose. also a lot of them are dave centric/dave POV bcaus hes my BOY

M.C. Escher that’s my favourite MC by Unda (COMPLETE)  is a wild ride and long but i recommend for sure, very well written n thought out. also check out the other fics in the series bcaus if i recall correctly there are some other shorter fics that unda wrote to give some background or develop characters. but theyre also really great even stand-alone! its finished now and i followed it the whole time :0. cw for child abuse and death 

Within, Without by reinkist (COMPLETE)  i actually read a long time ago so i dont remember it so well. i do remember thinking it was pretty great tho, so i do recommend it. i should probably go back for a reread some time. its just a really good meteor fic that explores everything you’d want it to, and does that well, u kno? its like the fic that u wanted to exist but couldnt find. but here it is!

Doc Scratch’s School for Supernaturally Gifted Adolescents by medical  (UNFINISHED AND RECENTLY UPDATED)is great, its like a multichapter magic/superhero au thing. its fun and characters in it are rlly well developed, like, i do enjoy a davekat fic which has a good and significant rose characterisation in there too. but theres some serious plot goin in in here too…. very exciting. 

To Be Taken Care Of by shitstuck  (COMPLETE)is good, its god some deep convos about troll v human culture and stuff, some rosemary too. bit of body horror but if i can handle it its not too bad. i just reread it lol. the epilogue changes the tone of things a bit n id be interested to know other peoples thoughts on that ;_;

Don’t Forget the Sun by Weevilo707 is rlly good but sadly NOT COMPLETE AND HASNT BEEN UPDATED IN AGES :@!! hope the authors doin ok  (EDIT: APPARENTLY the author is not planning on updating this one again, but i still think its a good read :^) )

Book Covers by turntechGeneticist717  (COMPLETE) is rlly great also!! big recommend. dave is lookin after a babby dirk as his big brother in college. i havent read it in a while but i remember when it was updating being like !!!!!!!!!!!Aaa!! also there are others in the series so take a look :)

The Truth is in the Eyes by AcrylicMist  (COMPLETE)is like a rlly mythological/fantasy interpretation of canon post game which is very cool????? like the world is sort of medieval or something but w the gods n magicky stuff. rlly interesting. , very dope again havent read it in a while and am running out of steam for ranting about fics but!! yea its sweet w an intriguing plot

The Eurydice Suite by callmearcturus  (COMPLETE) !!!!!!!!!!! i love this fic so much like its bonkers n i just. its like an inception sort of inspired au and i have NEVER watched inception but im just super into the concept. its just. a rlly amazing well written fic w perfect pacing and characterisation like the plot is like a beautiful spider web where time flicks back and forth yet makes perfect sense. theres such a sense of atmosphere. ive reread it so many times. also!!1111111 i love the dave in it, and i love the strilondes family relationsy stuff!! i also feel like it ties everything up rlly nicely despite having like all the main characters in it p much. hell yeaaaa. its my fav by this author whos an AMAZING writer like they just DROP U IN to the world with so much confidence and drop context and background in at a perfect pace so ur never confused but always intrigued. but often i find the atmosphere in their fics almost TOO intense u know?? like i feel like i wake up in a ditch after reading one like wh,,h who am i?? i hate using this word but the writing is weirdly like… “sensual” which i think means the writing is great, rlly strong atmosphere but im not  always 100% able to handle it. this one does not make me feel so dazed and its just.. yess

The Lucky Ones by daniomalley (COMPLETE) is another one i followed as it came out. a cool spacey au. sorry i cant think of anything else to say aaaa

Off Court by levvan (ON HIATUS?) is great tho strong themes of abuse from the start. not that none of the above have that if i havent said so uhhhh yea be wary of the tags i guess. but yes. 

three rounds and a sound by skitpost (UNFINISHED AND RECENTLY UPDATED) is rlly great, like a magic school au. very excited to see whats gonna happen next :0

We’re All Friends & Family Here (And Frankly, We’re Sick Of Your Shit) byLandOfMistAndSecrets (COMPLETE) is TECHNICALLY a dirkjake fic but it has very cute little pastiches of other characters and the DK ones are very cute and well characterised

An Alien and a DJ Walk into a Bar (and Accidentally Start a Relationship) by Kadaaver (APPEARS TO BE ON HIATUS) i was p into when it was still updating. theres not actually MUCH relationship stuff yet if i recall correctly but still. good. and i enjoy the characterisation of dave being p socially anxious.

turntechGodhead is offline by forestknifefight (UNFINISHED AND RECENTLY UPDATED) well relatively recently. i like this one a lot! theres some good beta kid friendship and some good karkat.

Astronomy in Reverse by PunkZucchini, sicklekind (ON HIATUS>??????) cute + features BIGKAT is i recall correctly

Bring You Down by acedavestrider (COMPLETE) idk what to say about this but thats not a criticism. its just a legit cute fic that is good for the heart. human au, earth n whatever. karkat is a student nurse!! yeaa! thats kind of incidental but i like it

Survival of the Richest by ireallyloveicecream (HIATUS???) theres not a lot of it but im so intrigued. some kind of a fae/magic fairy folk kinda thing

Californian Son by LivTC (COMPLETE BUT THERES MORE IN THE SERIES WHICH I HOPE WILL CONTINUE TO BE UPDATED ETC ETC) !! ok this one is kind of sexy n angsty and daves a REAL DICK in it but it rlly well written and i rlly wanna know more jijhihihu

First Contact by yesfir (UNFINISHED AND RECENTLY UPDATED) !! its au but like idk scifi, humans having to make a deal with/coexist with trolls. space colonies!! this one is great… good character development and plot… does that great thing of pacing the revelations of the plot rlly gradually so ur like ! somethings happening here and i must know more!!!

Feathered by AlloftheFandom  (UNFINISHED, RECENTLY UPDATED) this ones exciting :3 karkat has only just been introduced to it. its like a magicky world w a bit of mild body horror so far. some good strilondes also… has anyone noticed that i need strilonde family relations in a fic i love….

Soulmates by egossweetheart  (UNFINISHED (fairly..?) RECENTLY UPDATED) this is a souleater au which i dont know a lot about??? but its cool, i am suitably intrigued. bit of body horror. idk as always check the tags. idek why im bothering to specify that. anyways,

 Vladimir and Estragon Cope with Their Trauma by Volo (UNFINISHED RECENTLY UPDATED ETC) afterlife au. so yea TW death. im into it tho

The Importance of Being Karkat by choicescarfsylveon (UNFINISHED RECENTLY UPDATED ETC) karkat has a radioshow, dave is kind of a dick. some parts of that change. i wont spoil which. theres something deeper goin on too…….. mysterios….

anyways here are some fics that i think are cool. sorry it took ages i just wanted to give it a good effort ukno?? its not an exhaustive list but its what i found. thanks to all these authors and hey, while we’re at it, all fanfic authors!! good work and i hope u all know how appreciated it is. anyways i have a headache so i guess ill finish this up. peace!

[i-choose-liam]

April Come She Will

Summary: What if Liam was a commoner, unburdened with propriety and a horde of duties towards an entire country? What if he was born with the freedom he so longed for, and could go for the woman he wanted without a care in the world? If he was free to pursue his passions and desires, what kind of a lover and man he would be? An Alternate Universe fic set in the USA, where Liam, a commoner, meets and falls for a writer, April. Characters: Liam, April Pole, Hana Lee, Maxwell Beaumont, Drake Walker, etc.

Tags: Romance, friendship, fluff, humour, family, drama, hurt, etc.

Word Count: 4k +

A/N: I wanted to explore the pipe dream of Liam's where he can be the kind of man he wants to be without anything holding him back. I wanted him to have everything in this story that he couldn't have in TRR. And I KNOW FOR A FACT that he is much more playful and kinky than his princely upbringing in TRR ever permitted him to be, so he’s pretty flirty in this fic, be warned. His romantic interest in this fic is not like the MC from TRR. She's an OC, and I really wanted to write about a plus sized female lead of colour. Since this is an AU fic, TRR isn't canon in it. If any of the changes are confusing, please let me know. Thanks!

Chapter 1: Belle of the Boulevard

There were so many better ways he could have come up with for spending his Sunday evening. But there he was - stuck in Drake's bar. "Whiskey Duck", it was called. Some sexual malfunction innuendo Liam hadn't understood the first time he had read that name. The kitchen plus backroom in Drake's bar smelled like batter-oil and alcohol. And it wasn't a particularly good smell. But Liam didn't complain. He was always eager to lend a helping hand. Especially on such a busy night when two of Drake's regular staff had taken a sick day. "Liam? We need more beer. Can you get that keg from over there?" "Sure" Drake only had a moment to say "Thanks" before his head disappeared from the doorframe, and he got back to tending the bar. Liam lifted the heavy keg onto his shoulder and made for the door. The door was so small and narrow, his elbow scraped against the doorframe. He mumbled no oaths and carried the keg towards the tap behind the bar. Drake took over from there. Liam used the moment to make sure their buddy Maxwell was not messing around. "Coming right up!" He heard Maxwell's voice chirp that to a customer at one of the tables. Maxwell came to them then, smiling at Drake. "Barkeep! One Peachy Delight and your finest malt for table number 3!", he said. Liam occupied himself with wiping a glass, lest Drake caught him grinning at the exchange that was most likely about to ensue. "Maxwell, you're not a server, I told you that. They have to place their drink order here and then we call. And what the hell is a Peachy Delight?" "I don't know. It sounds tasty though. Why don't you whip it up and I'll let them know when it's done?" Drake frowned, "We don't serve ridiculous fruity cocktails here! That's not on the menu. I'm not making that" Maxwell seemed disappointed, "But the girl asked for it so nicely. She bowed her head at me" He whispered to Liam, "I think she's royalty" Drake said, "There's no royalty in New York. You go over and tell that girl right now that we don't serve that shit in here" "But Drake..." Just then, Drake was called away to the other end of the bar by a customer. Liam tried to cheer up Maxwell. "You want me to tell her?" Maxwell exclaimed, looking quite relieved, "Yes, please! That girl seems so sweet. I don't want to be the one to deny her a Peachy Delight" Liam walked over to him, smiling, "I got your back" He gave Maxwell a pat on the shoulder before approaching the table he had been pointed to. There was a lovely looking girl there in a pink dress with a sullen companion. "Hi", Liam said to them, sounding apologetic and polite, "I regret to tell you that we actually don't serve cocktails like Peachy Delight here. If there's something else on the menu that you would like, you can place an order at the bar. Sorry for the inconvenience" The man gave such a grunt of disgust, it appalled Liam. "Self service? Hmph" The girl looked embarrassed enough for the both of them. She said to Liam, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Thanks for telling us" Liam gave her a nod and walked back to behind the bar. He saw Drake snatching a set of pliers and an expensive bottle of cabernet out of Maxwell's hands. As much as he loved those two lugs, he really wished he was spending that evening in a different manner. The evening drew on. Liam was checking messages on his phone, when - "How can you not have curly fries?!" Maxwell asked Drake that question with an indignant gasp. The two started bickering again. Their friend sighed and put a hand to the side of head. He pulled his gaze away from them towards the girl in the pink dress. She looked even more embarrassed than before. The guy she had come in with was standing up, looking down at her as he spoke. Liam couldn't hear much but it didn't look like a pleasant conversation. He stepped out from behind the bar, mainly because the poor girl looked ready to burst in tears. Her date was talking loud enough now for the whole bar to hear them. "... your parents who threw you at me and now you are brushing me off?!" The girl tried, in a meek voice, "Neville, please..." "I was doing you a favour. I don't even bother to take girls like you to dinner. You..." Before Liam could approach the table and give the scoundrel a piece of his mind, someone else piped up. "Hey", she said, "You mind keeping your voice down? Some of us are trying to read here" Because the rude man was standing in the way, Liam couldn't see the patron who was asking for quiet. The man took it as a great insult and grabbed his companion's arm. "Come on. Let's get out of this dump", he said. She winced but removed her arm from his hold, saying, "You should go ahead, Neville. I'll find my way home" Neville didn't seem to like that either. He glowered like a bull and practically yanked the girl out of her seat. "We're leaving" Before Liam could react, the feminine voice from earlier said, "Leave her the fuck alone. With that mouth and skunkass perfume you got on, no girl would want to go home with you, okay?" Neville turned to the source of that voice, his back to Liam now. He practically raged, bellowing, "Stay out of this, you c*nt!" His temper flaring, Liam rushed towards the scene and he could hear two pairs of footsteps right behind him. But before either of them could reach Neville, he was punched smack in the face, and as a result of the astounding blow, he was thrown at his date's feet. "Oooh!", someone hollered. "Ouch" Others whistled. As Neville lay on the floor, cupping his face with both hands, Liam saw the girl who had punched him. And he saw and he saw. Standing tall and proud, her eyebrows drawn in the cutest frown he had seen on an adult woman, the girl couldn't have seemed more attractive to him in that moment. She flipped a mop of brown hair over one shoulder, the action almost appearing to him in slow motion. She mouthed "Shit", and shook her right hand like it stung. Liam watched her empty the glass of clear liquid that had been on her table, her head thrown back and her throat exposed. She wiped her lips with the other hand, setting the glass down. She mouthed "Oh shit" again and checked on her book that was on the table too. He was impressed by the manner in which she cradled the book in her arm, like one would do to a child who had just been hurt. Drake yelled right by his ear, "Not again, April!" Liam recoiled, jerked out of his ogling. The girl exclaimed, "He was hurting her!" 'April', Liam memorised the name. 

Amidst all the cheering and hooting, Liam forced himself to act. He instructed Drake, "You take care of the ladies, I'll take him outside" "No, you get the girls. I'll handle him" "You sure?" "Yeah", Drake helped Neville up, "Come on, man" They walked out of the bar. Maxwell said aloud, "That was awesome!" Liam turned to him, "Maxwell, could you please tend the bar for a while?" He turned to the girls, wanting to minimise the scene. "If both of you could follow me, please", he said. They did. In the bar's tiny kitchen, April, Liam and the girl crowded themselves. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault", the girl kept saying. "Nah", April told her, "Just don't pick a jerk next time to go out with?" "I know. He was just... it's a long story", the girl sighed, "Anyway, are you okay?" "I'm fine. Haven't hit somebody in a while but it's good to know I still got the magic touch" Liam glanced at her swollen knuckles and said, "That does not look fine" The girl in the pink dress gasped on seeing April's injury. "Oh my god. That looks bad" "Is fine" April was obviously reveling in the attention she was being given, one usually reserved for a wrestler after her Olympic finals. Liam couldn't help but be amused by it. However, the angry-red knuckles were staring him in the face. "Let me get some ice on that" So saying, he scooched past the girl and walked into the bar. He collected some ice from the dispenser in his handkerchief, looking around to see that Maxwell was handling his task well. "Here", Liam stepped past the girl again, "Show me your hands" "I'm telling you, I'm fine", April said. In that cramped up kitchen, he tried to find a suitable enough space from where he could stand and administer to April's injury. "Uh...", he moved around, trying to get past the liqueur bottles on the counter to reach her hand. "Wait" The girl moved away from the counter opposite to the one April was leaning against. Liam took her place before the ice could melt any further. "Thanks...?" "Hana", she supplied her name. "Thanks, Hana", he said. She said, "I'll get some more ice. Just a second" Hana went back to the bar. Now Liam found himself less than a foot away from April. If she hadn't just pulled back her feet, their shoes would have touched. When he looked back up again, he was staring into her face that was so close to his own. There was no harshness anymore on it. A gentle curiosity conveyed itself through her dark eyes. Felt like you could just float away if you kept looking at them. Liam cleared his throat to will himself back to earth. "Your hand, please" April held out her right hand. Liam gingerly placed his kerchief cum icepack on her knuckles. The hand trembled once but stayed afloat. When he looked at her face again, she seemed to be clenching her teeth behind a mouth shut tight. "It's okay if you want to... make a sound" April mumbled, "I'm good" It was painful in itself to watch her keep a stoic face through the ordeal. Liam tried to divert her attention. "So... what do you do?" "Huh?", she looked at him. "Your job, your hobbies. What do you do?" Her hand began to sink to escape the healing pain of ice. Liam reached his own hand from below to hold hers steady. He was smiling, her skin was super smooth. "I'm a small time writer", April told him. "That's interesting. Anything I might have read?" "That depends. Do you read romance erotica?" He grinned, still looking at her hand in his. "I'm afraid I don't" "You have such welcoming eyes" 'Oh wow' Liam chuckled at that sudden remark. April quickly bit her tongue. "Thanks. You have lovely eyes too", he tried to seem nonchalant, "I couldn't help but notice" "Thank you" The pause lasted only a second. He felt himself too desperate to keep the conversation going. "So, are we talking paperback books?" April gave a shrug, "Paperback, ebooks. I prefer the ebooks. Part of being a writer with a conscience is feeling guilty for all the trees they use to make your books" "I get that. It's why I prefer my Kindle. But nothing beats the smell of new books", Liam said. They shared a smile. April said, "I like to smell the old ones" "Yeah?" "Yeah. It's like they have been sweetened by the smiles of their readers" "That's a beautiful way of putting it" Liam shifted the ice. April asked him, "What do you do for a living?" "I work at a school" "Really?" "Yeah", he smiled at her again, "Not here though. I am on vacation here" "Liam?" "In New York or in the US?" "Earth to Liam?" "In New York. I am from..." "Liam!" The sound of Drake's voice made them both spring apart from each other. Hana was standing behind Drake, holding a glass full of ice cubes. Liam glanced at April once before saying, "I was just icing her knuckles" "With melted ice?" They all looked at the water trickling down April's hand and its fingers. Liam tried to dab it with his kerchief, apologising, "I'm so sorry. I... I didn't even realise" April's voice was lilting, "Neither did I" Eyes met eyes again. There was definitely something going on here, Liam thought. Something with the potential to be amazing, if explored. He couldn't look away until he heard Drake mutter under his breath, "Great" April moved past Liam. She was standing between him and Drake. "Thanks for everything, guys. I should be heading out now. Drake, how much do I owe you?" "$42" April grumbled but opened her purse anyway, "I only had one drink" Drake said, "Yeah. The most expensive Polish vodka I have" He took the money and asked her, "You're not driving that bicycle from hell in your condition, are you?" "It's called a scooter, Grandpa. And I’m fine. I have to get going now. Move" "Let Liam drive you" Liam felt like he could have kissed Drake right then. The way April looked at him, trying to seem cool when her excitement clearly showed, he would have ridden a tricycle at that moment if she needed him to. "You sure?", she asked him. Hana suggested, "Or we could share an uber. I can call..." Drake discreetly shook his head at Hana. Only it wasn't so discreet. "So...", April began. "I'll drive you", Liam stepped up. "Good", she said, "Thanks" Before they could indulge in another stare session, Drake announced, "Okay, people. Form a line. You may have noticed, only one can pass through this door at a time. After you, Hana" Liam was the last in line right behind April. He inhaled as they walked. She smelled warm and comforting, like coffee beans and sunflowers. "You sure you can drive a scooter?", she smiled at him from over her shoulder. Liam returned that smile, gazing at her lips, feeling more confident with her attention. "Let's just say I can surprise you" Hana's horrendous date was nowhere in sight when they stepped out. April was reminding herself to 'Be cool, be cool'. But her sisterhood spirit was high too. "Can you do me a favour, Hana?" "Of course" April whipped out her phone. "Give me your number. I'll give you a ring. You can text me when you get home safe" "That is so sweet of you", Hana smiled, "But it's okay. I'll get home just fine. Nadeem has driven me home many times before. He's practically a friend" April looked at the uber driver blasting Bollywood music on his car stereo. She said to Hana, "Okay then. It was nice meeting you. And I'm sorry if I ruined your date. I mean, that guy was no Prince Charming but I still feel bad about it" "No, no. Please don't. You did me a favour", Hana smiled again, "Do you think... we could hang out sometime? I don't have many girlfriends here. Friends who are girls! Or friends" "Sure. Here's my number" They exchanged digits. Hana was beaming with joy. She shook hands with the three, thanking each one of them individually. "You take care", Drake said. "I will. Bye, everyone" Hana was still smiling and waving when she got into the cab. April stood on the curb until the car was out of sight. Now it was her turn to shine. "See you around, April", Drake said, "Liam, hit the brakes hard" "I heard that", she turned to them. Drake clapped his friend on the back, "Don't worry, April. Liam's a gentleman. He won't make a move without your permission even if his life depended on it. Or yours" Liam shrugged him off, "I'll take it from here, Drake. Thanks for nothing. You can go back inside now" Was he really not going to make a move? April had hoped he kind of would. She would have to reject him, of course, since her five-year plan didn't have room for a boyfriend. But for crying out loud, he was so handsome! And sweet. "May I have your keys?" There. You see? Perfect grammar. And that sexy accent. 'I get turned on with every word he speaks' "Here you go", April handed him her keys, "There's two helmets under the seat. The pink one's my roommate's" Liam fetched them both and held one on each side of his head. "Which suits me better? It's the pink one, isn't it?" She tried not to giggle, "Pink is so your colour. You're going to break hearts with pink" "Then it's decided. You get the yellow one" "Thank you", she grinned and put it on. A man who was secure enough in his masculinity to not be intimidated by pink - was Liam even real? "Nice pick up for an electric", he commented on starting the scooter. April put a hand on his shoulder and straddled the seat, "You know scooters" "I know electric engines. Ready?" "Yep" She could hear the hint of a smile in his voice, "Hold on tight then" They weaved through traffic seamlessly. It was one of the perks of being on two wheels. April was holding on to the back of her scooter with one hand and spraying a minty freshener into her mouth with the other. Liam had to speak loudly to be heard over the wind. He asked, "Left or right?" "Right!", so did she. They turned smoothly towards their desired path. April was still debating holding onto Liam. 'Come on, girl. When are you going to get a chance to hold onto a sexy stranger like this? And it's just flirting. You're not leading him on' "Speed bumps ahead. You might want to hold on", Liam suggested. 'Now or never' Her heart racing wildly, April put her arms around Liam's torso. Her skin tingled on coming in contact with the firm, hard surface of his body. He smelled nice too. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Her fingers lay content against the soft fabric of Liam's shirt. His body was so different than the ones she usually hugged - Jenna, her parents, her little cousins, her sister. 'Do all dudes feel like this?' As they drove nearer to her place, April instructing Liam where to turn, she couldn't stop over-thinking everything. 'So maybe I do ask him to come up. And maybe we do hit it off. What do you think is going to happen when he realises you're a 27-year old virgin, April? Laughter, that's what' "You okay? You've been pretty quiet throughout the ride", Liam asked. "I'm fine", she answered. "People seldom are fine when they say they are" ‘Ugh. Thoughtful too. Damn you, sexy thing’ "How's your hand? Better?", he asked. "Yeah" Like she had time to worry about her hand when she was hanging onto his back like a koala. "Take a left. Now straight. This is it. You can stop now"

The scooter's engine whirred down as Liam turned the key. April got off the ride first, then him. He unlocked the seat and stashed the tiny helmets in their place. April smiled at him when he gave her back the keys. They were standing in her apartment building's parking structure and the moon provided terrible lighting. Yet it couldn't hide the heightened colour of Liam's cheeks. It looked like the cold night wind had repeatedly kissed his cheeks. 'I don't blame you, wind' The moonbeams seemed to dance off his head, forming a kind of halo. "Will you be okay?" "..." "April?" "Yeah", she recovered, "Yeah. I'll be fine. Thank you so much. Tell Drake too my thanks. That-that I thanked him too. For... for making you offer. I mean, for suggesting you offer..." He nodded, "I will" "Good. How do you plan to get back to the bar?" "I will get a cab from the main street. It's just a few minutes' walk from here probably. Right?" 'Yeah, and then you disappear out of my life forever' "Or you could call an uber", she shrugged, "You can wait upstairs until it arrives" "Nah. I'll just hail a taxi" "The chances of finding one at this time of the night are pretty slim, trust me. Uber's the logical choice" "Are you sure about letting me wait for it at your place? I don't want to impose" "Oh please. I owe you one" "No, you don't" April smiled, "Fine. Then just accept my temporary hospitality" He smiled too, "Very well. I accept" "Come on then" She walked to the bottom of the stairs. Liam insisted, "After you" "No way. Start climbing" "Why?", he laughed but did as told. "I don't want you looking at my butt", she mumbled. He turned to look at her over his shoulder, "But now you're looking at my butt" "That's fine 'cause you've got a great butt", she hurriedly explained, "Not that I would know. I'm just making an assumption. I didn't check you out or anything" 'I'm such a liar. I did. I checked you out. I totally checked you out' Liam chuckled. "You didn't?" "Nope" He gave her a rakish grin, "Too bad" Still blushing, April stopped at the landing on the fourth floor. Through the corners of her eyes, she looked for signs of fatigue or even shortness of breath in Liam. But the man hadn't sweat a drop. 'Oh boy. He probably has super stamina in... don't think about his stamina in bed!' "Welcome to my humble abode", she opened the door and let him in. Taking off her coat, April let the warmth of her apartment soothe her. She was aware of Liam lingering inside the door, looking around. "Have a seat", she gestured to the couch. "Thanks" "April?", a voice called from inside the apartment. She turned to Liam, "That's my roommate, Jenna" Jenna strode into the drawing room soon, wearing her bathrobe and a face mask. April buckled herself for a shitstorm. Jenna did not like strangers seeing her without her makeup on. "Did you get my text? You better have bought my face cr... oh my god" It was difficult to make out from the tight mask, but the tone had been ominous. April saw Liam get off the couch. "Jen, this is Liam. He offered to drive me home tonight" "Hi", Liam stepped forward to greet her. Jenna stared at Liam, her jaw hanging open. "Oh my god" April hissed, "Jen!" Her roommate scanned Liam up and down with her eyes before bursting into a wanton giggle. Jenna gave him her hand, "My prayers have been answered. Enchanted to meet you, Liam. Enchanted!" "As am I", he said. Jenna gasped and put a hand to her heart, "You British?" "I was born there, yeah" "My, oh my" "Jen", April said again and got between them, "I got you your face cream. It’s in my bag. Why don't you go inside and try it on?" Jenna easily pushed her aside. "Hold on now, Apricot. Let me talk to your man-date here" April coloured on seeing Liam grin. "He's not my man-date. He's a friend of Drake's" "Ah, Drake", Jenna pretended to swoon, "Tell me - is he still working those abs?" Liam seemed to ponder aloud, "There's a load of his sweaty clothes in the laundry everyday, so I'd say yes" "You live with him? Lucky you! Hey", Jenna winked at him, "Wanna trade places? You can have her" "Jenna!" Liam laughed, "You know what? I just might take you up on that" Jenna turned to April, her outstretched hand pointing a finger at Liam. "He's a treasure, baby. Don't you ruin it" "He's not my... ugh", April rolled her eyes. "I don't mean to interrupt but my cab is here", Liam announced. "Aw. Already?", Jenna asked. "Yeah. Sorry about that", Liam smiled, "It was really nice meeting you though" "Well, you come back around any time, sweetheart. Jenna will cook you a chicken dinner and April will entertain you" April mocked her, "Ha ha. We're leaving, Liam. Right now" He took it all in good stride, "I'll hold you to that, Jenna. See you around" "You do that, cutie. Tell Drake I said hi!" "I will. Thanks again. Good night" "Nighty night! April, don't let him go without a good night's kiss" "Oh shut up" April fumed to hide her embarrassment and walked down the stairs with an obviously pleased Liam. Jenna was a delight. Liam could hardly wait to tease Drake about her. "Hi. Lyle?", he asked the cab driver. "Yep. Hop in" April folded her arms across her chest. She had left her jacket upstairs. "Thank you for everything today. Let me pay for the uber at least", she said. "No, thank you. I may not be a hotshot writer, but I can afford an uber" She scoffed, "Yeah, hotshot writer is right. I'm just rolling naked in money every night" He stopped himself from reaching for the cab door. April's facial expression froze into one of utter shame. Liam grinned, "Thank you for that visual" "I didn't... I didn't mean to... you know what? Just... thank you. For taking care of my hand and driving me" He gave her a nod, "You're welcome" She was looking at him hopefully. It was a vulnerable look, one that seemed oddly sweet on her. "So... good night", she said. Oh. So she wasn't going to... oh well. Maybe some other time. Liam took the hint. "Good night" He gave her one last smile before turning to the cab. But maybe he should have made a move after all... "Wait!" ‘Thank God’ Liam turned to find April with her mouth hanging open. "Uh... um..." He adopted the friendliest, most sympathetic expression he could think of. "I..." She was struggling to get the words out. He wanted to help... "I am too opinionated", she said and exhaled a loud breath, "Not that... it's a bad thing. It's not. It's a sign that you care" "I guess so" "And I...", she went on, "I have major trust issues? And I am a workaholic. I have never been in a relationship before. And..." Liam witnessed with bated breath her nervous speech. She took some deep breaths. "I...", she sighed, exhausted, "Oh my goodness..." "April?" She covered her face with both hands. Liam smiled, "Are you trying to ask me out?" She nodded rapidly. He checked the laughter rising inside him. "I would love to go out with you" She looked up, "You would?" "Yeah" "Wow" "Don't look so surprised", he grinned. She shrugged, "I'm not. I'm just... whatevs. Cool. I'll get in touch with you" "Great. Would you like my number or will you give me yours?" "Let's do both. Unless I... unless one of us chickens out" "Okay" They exchanged numbers, smiling sheepish smiles. Liam took one long good look at her face but before he could say 'adieu'... "That thing that Jenna said..." He thought of her inviting him for dinner. "Yes?" April looked at his face before rising and laying a sweet kiss on his cheek. 'Mother of...' It was so good that Liam was transfixed for a second. A simple, sweet gesture... that made him feel so light the wind could have carried him away. "That's for icing my swelling" "Is it?" She smiled, "Yeah" "If I had had to give you stitches, would I have gotten a bigger reward?" She nodded, matching his wit, "Oh much bigger. Like second base. And if you ever performed surgery on me, boy oh boy" "I kind of regret not going to medical school now" They shared a laugh, and she looked away as he gazed upon her. Lyle decided to ruin the moment by honking. "I better get going", Liam said. She took a step back, "Yeah. Good night, Liam" "Sweet dreams, April" He wouldn't let Lyle drive away until she had safely gone back inside the building. And yet the moment she was out of sight, Liam was filled with a unique blend of disappointment and hope.

[twitchesandstitches]

When it comes to this "thicc crossover AU", will the girls from Monster Musume be there too? What about digimon since they're interdimentional beings (and in a scrapped script for Adventure02 they were supposed to arrive from space) or maybe humanized version of the Godzilla kaijus? (Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, SpaceGodzilla and many others either comes from space or have been in space.) Or what about Rayman, Warcraft or Skyrim?

The answer to all of these is a BIG RESOUNDING YES.The first relevant detail is that in the thicc crossover AU, ya gotta be sure whether it refers to membership in the MILF fleet or not; they’re a large group, but they don’t comprise every group in everything, ever, that i personally happen to like! They may be part of other factions, antagonist or otherwise, or be people they meet along the way, or groups with their own agendas, doing their own thing.

Additionally, I lean towards some things where I don’t much care for groups in general or know much abou the canon, but i find species really interesting, and in which case, those species form large amounts of background characters; different factions might have a lot of monster girls, orks, or elves or Digimon somewhere in the background. So even if specific characters aren’t mentioned, the species certainly are there somewhere.

Monster Musume - In this case, the monster people of Monster Musume are explicitly the same kind of beings as the monsters of Undertale, and are either a seperate sub-group tha tsplit off from an analogue to the kingdom of Asgore a long time ago, or have attempted to coexist with humans, possibly in various dangerous environments where they protect humans in exchange for the humans being their lovers to reproduce the monster girls. I have an AU of Monster Musume with a MILF vibe, where the monster gals of canon are notably older than Kimihito and protect him, and the idea of a polyamorous relationship is set up from the beginning. They’re also much bigger than in canon, with even Papi dwarfing a human (and being a major shortstack, to boot), and far more monstrous and inhuman in appearance, leaning more towards the ‘monster’ part of the equation.

As Undertale-style monsters, these gals are effectively masses of living magic, perhaps being species that in the AU taken on a form that has some weight in the collective consciousness; hence, monster girls adopting forms similar to human mythological concepts. They are thus vulnerable to raw hatred, but are enormously powerful, not to mention curvaceous. But that goes without saying in this AU. Assume that the monsters in general are huge, towering over humans by several times.

My interest in the series is limited to mostly liking the fan art, that slice of life monster girl series that preceded it, reading a few chapters, and liking minor character like Cathyl and Tionishia. Consequently, most of the characters of significance are not part of the MILF fleet, though they may be part of associated groups that could merge with them over time or are considered cousin fleets. They’d likely be allies, but not part of the core group? Tionishia would be an exception, and definitely part of the main group. If you like, I can go into more detail about how the monster girls differ from canon, in their size and monstery looks.

Digimon: an interesting case! Digimon was one of my biggest and first true fandoms (alongside Transformers, Gargoyles and similar series, which may explain why i love nonhuman protags so much), so of course they gotta be in here somewhere. In this case, I’m drawing a bit on the old notion of Cyberspace that was used a lot in Digimon, and while I’ve mentioned this before, it bears repeating.

The Digital World here is effectively the old concept of cyberspace as its own realm; all data and information takes on a life of its own, and the Digimon are self-aware emanations of this realm, effectively AIs with inherent power that may or may not be magic-ish in nature. Mostly the tone is inspired by the original Digimon world, with aspects from the first two seasons and Tamers: Digimon are effectively immortal, having a symbiotic relationship with the mortal planes; cyberspace is basically born in individual servers, and may take on its own life if those servers ceased to function, but it would be a chaotic and distressed life.

All Digimon that are canon, and plenty that aren’t, can be in the AU as background characters, with a few rules. Firstly, Digimon normally do not enter into the physical world on their own, existing mostly within the realms of cyberspace. They can slot into mechanical bodies or upload themselves into robots and operate them, but they don’t have any special powers; however, they do have access to a lot of computing power, and serve as the dedicated AI networks of the fleet’s ships, maintaining things for everyone, regarding it as diving into a strange and alien world.

Digievolution levels might be based on an individual Digimon’s complexity, and most spend their time in Rookie or Champion levels, stabilizing there; they can digivolve into stronger forms, but this doesn’t often last long, and as they weaken, they will enter weaker forms until they hit Baby and In-Training, and then must recuperate. ADditionally, they are becoming less complex as they devolve, and find the experience unpleasant, like losing bits of your mind for a while. (if you’re familiar with eclipse phase, they are basically infomorphs.)

Some Digimon can assume hyper curvy monster girl forms, if it pleases their aesthetics. Rarely, they can directly materailize into the physical realm, though this often requires a partner to help them, and its often a revolving set of different people they happen to be friends with. Common Digimon include Guilmon and Tentomon, and canon characters, including Digimon, are present throughout the AU in the different factions, though fairly different from canon; Digi-Destined is not a relevant thing here. They might be technicians working closely with the Digimon or explorers into the data realms, though.

Godzilla: I’m also including Gamera here. And yes, it’s very possible! In this AU, the kaiju of Godzilla and similar series are all canon, and are explicitly divine entities that embody concepts predating humanity. They are god-like figures that don’t hate humans, and at worst are indifferent to them, perhaps embodying the need to achieve symbiosis with the world rather than attempting to dominate it (and the hubris to follow). The ‘Good Kaiju’, such as Godzilla and their followers, may regard humans with vague interest, such as one might give to ants that spell out your name, and don’t mean them harm. They are likely worshiped across the cosmos, and have no direct link to the fleet; Godzilla or GAmera might have some connection to the fleet, but it may be as incredibly potent summons they might put enormous effort into calling forth… and since this involves being pregnant with the being in question before they are ready to materialize, this is a heavy duty. The kaiju might then take on some of the summoner’s characteristics, and take a shine to them.

The malicious monsetrs, such as Ghidorah, are spare-faring agents of raw destruction, gods of annihilation that wipe away all they see, perhaps as primordial architects of the mysterious cataclysm… or involved in it in some way, in the same way that the ocean is involved in the sinking of Atlantis. It didn’t cause it, but it certainly ended the continent all the same. They can also be hyper curvaceous and giantesses, as that seems to be an aspect of enough magic power in this AU? The villains might pregnancy-summon them in a fashion. Possibly the Cobalts have a kaiju or two in their repertoire, but it would have to be one that is sufficiently mild. Or it might be something like Destroyah, a hyper curvy monster girl in their hands, that has been tamed and soothed by their attention. She’s something like their kraken now, or even toes their flagship while slumbering, awakening only when they want something to feed her bloodlust?

Rayman: I can see Rayman being it’s own world/demiplane within the realms of magic, Rayman himself as a kind of protector golem (which is sorta canon) and the fairies as magical lords over their world, with the world itself as their domain. Of these, Edith Up is likely to be the most relevant because have you seen her, she is ADORABLE. The Razorbeard Pirates can certainly make suitable space pirate antagonists, perhaps as part of a criminal organization that tends towards more malicious deeds than suits the like of the Cobalts.

Warcraft: The Blizzard franchises are all looped together here, Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo and the other Heroes of The Storm games are part of a complicated network of alliances, rivalries and foes right by a particuarlly nasty magic rift where all kinds of power leaks from across the planes. Celetials and fiends can emerge here, embodiments of justice and evil alike, and have orchestrated terrible wars and conflict, and so the events of Warcraft may have happened in such a fashion; orcs (or orks) were manipulated by demons that are efffectively the Burning Legion but with a more Diablo aspect into war against the Alliance (a faction of humans, human relations, eldar, and others, all tightly tied to magic more than other spacefaring human societies) in a desperate hunt for a new homeland. Thrall emerged as per canon, rising up and uniting the dispossed into a true Horde looking out for each other, and is heading a tentative alliance between the various good-ish forces against the literal demons from Hell, including the Starcraft, Overwatch and other Blizzard properties.

Name a Horde race, and it likely has denizens aboard the fleet, as well as the other factions present. Something similar would apply for the other factions throughout. Named characters are trickier, since I don’t know much about them in general; the united group of Heroes of the Storm are likely their own entity, and big enough to serve as a proper sci fi fleet that can stop demons and monsters from escaping that area of space, and may regard it as their duty to protect the rest of the multiverse from letting those things get loose. Alextrasza, however, is an exception; I’ve read about her and cool badass dragon mom who is kind to all beings and once swallowed a bad guy whole, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME ABOUT HER SOONER. She is definitely on the fleet, but in what capacity I’m not sure.

Skyrim: The Elder Scrolls setting is likely a lage expanse of space, heavily influenced with raw magical energy, but considering the weirdness of the original setting, it might also do as a demi-plane within the magical realms. In any case, the gods and daedra are likely to be worshiped throughout the multiverse. Malacath might have some vague approval of the milf fleet, while Molog Baal is a major antagonist because he FUCKING DESERVES IT THE ASSHOLE. Possibly some of the mightiest fleet moms are plotting to devour him and take his power for their own, or the goddesses associated with the fleet are deliberately scheming to do just that. Sanguine, in contrast, is probably backing the Cobalts for the fun of it.

The races in the Elder Scrolls can make up a wide variety of background characters throughout the cosmos; in general, assume that if you’re talking about actual elf ethnic background, think in terms of Elder Scrolls, with different elf types as more cultural or faction-themed. Dunmer are very common, and make up most of the eldar on the MILF fleet, for instance. The orsimer are orks,with a greater emphasis on martial honor and ferocity, and may be magically altered by a connection to Malacath specifically; perhaps descended from orks thatt revered him and took his essence into themselves. The Cobalts might have Snow Elves and Aldmer as a lot of the elves on their group due to them moving in the areas where those elves have settled over the eons. Argonians are also pretty common in the fleet!

The Empire is known as the Cyrodillic Imperium, and has way more influences from the real life inspirations of the different cultures in the Elder Scrolls to fit a more diverse, old society like a proper space opera should have, and the Aldmeri Dominion is probably the asshole elves you expect.

I’m not sure how to handle the specific characters, but some examples: update the Skyrim Civil War o be a cosmic battle, with the Stormcloaks as a rebel fleet with Ulfric as a somewhat sympathetic warlord. He might be an antagonist, but not one with morals opposed to the fleet; he’s just a human-centric ruler with little interest for others that aren’t ‘his people’. The dragons in general, especially Alduin, would be way more eldritch horror here, with optional hyper busty monster girl forms. With an element of kaiju; they’re probably big enough to wreck starships and can exist in space.