#imodnovember

[batwingsandblackcats]

the sweater curse

Read on Ao3

1/1 15,764 (complete)

Rating: not rated

Archive Warnings: no archive warnings apply

Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)

Relationships: Laudna/Imogen Temult

Characters: Laudna (Critical Role), Imogen Temult, Deanna Leimert

Other Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic, Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Fluff and Angst, when you realize you're in love with you best friend and have a crisis about it, Laudna Needs a Hug (Critical Role), Imogen Temult Needs a Hug, Love Confessions, Winter's Crest (Critical Role)

Summary: "Laudna?" Deanna said, waving her hand in front of Laudna's face. "Yes?" Laudna said, her voice slightly manic as she was shaken from her thoughts. Deanna gave her a long look. "You and Imogen aren't dating, are you?" "What?" Laudna asked, her voice going from manic to nearly hysterical as she took a half a step back. "No! No, no, not at all, Imogen could do much better than the likes of me," she said, her tone almost insulted as her words tripped over each other about as fast as her thoughts were rattling around. They were just friends! The best of friends! Sure, they spent nearly all of their free time together, constantly stayed over at each other's apartments—to the point where they'd both, admittedly, entertained the idea of becoming roommates more than once—and, sure, they loved each other, deeply, but they weren't...they weren't dating. That would be absurd. ...right? Deanna watched Laudna in silence for a long moment. "Do you...want you and Imogen to be dating?" or It's almost Winter's Crest, and while making a sweater for Imogen, Laudna has an epiphany. And then a crisis. (Technically a fic for @imodnovember day 10 - Cold)

Notes: Happy Winter's Crest y'all! I hope whatever holiday you celebrate is lovely, and if you don't celebrate, that you have a nice, cozy day! This fic has been in the works for a while--it started out as a fic for the Imodnovember prompt "Cold" but then spiraled out of control like usual. It wasn't originally supposed to be a Winter's Crest fic, but then November came and went and I always like to post a story for the holidays, so I decided to go through and do a little retrofitting. This also wasn't originally going to be modern with magic either, so this fic has gone through quite a few adjustments lol. I may actually come back and update this down the road--I just realized that I didn't add any scenes with Pâté like I wanted to. Oh the hazards of writing on your phone in the middle of the night. Anyways, thanks so much for reading and I hope y'all enjoy! (Also just wanna say that the next chapter of Once & Formerly Haunted is in the works--I've been slowly chipping away at it. Thank you for all of your lovely comments, reading them makes my day!)

[ratinayellowbandana]

Imodna gentle prompt #18: Can I join you?

hi! this prompt is... embarrassingly late. so, so sorry about that. spoilers for episode 103. i also took advantage of this to jump on the imodnovember day 14 train (prompt: crawl).

i hope you enjoy this very short lil piece! if you're reading this and so inclined to send me a prompt, go for it. no promises I'll get to it in a timely manner (once again, so sorry.) i do have a handful of prompt lists reblogged if you need inspiration :)

~~~

“Can I join you?”

Imogen gently shuts the door to Essek’s guest room, pressing her back against the wood. She tilts her head, studying Laudna on the bed. Lithe fingers poke and prod absently at the foreign pulse in her sternum. She drums her fingers against her chest lightly, sending amethyst sparks skittering under her skin. She looks up when Imogen approaches, humming.

“Of course.”

“I just didn’t know if you’d… if you’d want someone right now.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Laudna shifts to make more room, long limbs folding beneath her. Imogen crosses the room and crawls into bed beside her, tucking the blanket back around Laudna’s legs. 

“How’re you feelin’ after… today?” 

Laudna hums, considering. “Strange. Empty. Hard to believe she’s gone for good this time. Or,” she amends, “tucked away, as it were. She’s quite angry.”

Imogen’s imagination conjures a fuming Delilah Briarwood, royal robes and all, pacing in whatever prison cell Laudna’s subconscious could conjure for her. Probably something dark, perhaps just sticky enough to make fancy heels stick to the ground. A petty annoyance and nothing more. 

“Can you feel her?”

“It’s a bit like,” Laudna muses, “talking through a one-way pane of glass. I can see her, but she can’t see me.”

“Is she tryin’ to get out?”

“Oh, undoubtedly so, but I’m finding I quite like being in control.”  

Imogen smiles. “You deserve it, honey, after all this time.” 

“I was thinking about that, you know. How long it’s been. Where to go from here.”

“And what did you decide?”

“I think I’d like to learn to wield her power to fulfill our missions, and then,” she turns to Imogen, eyes warm, hopeful in a way Imogen has sorely missed, “perhaps, if you’re amenable, we could revisit our cottage?”

Imogen raises a hand to cup Laudna’s face, running a thumb across her cheek. Leaning in, she kisses her tenderly. 

[leet911]

Day8: Pets

“It's ok,” Imogen says, “she's skittish around other people.”

And for a moment, Laudna isn't sure if Imogen means her or Flora.  But when Imogen continues, it's clear her words are for the horse.  “Laudna's a friend.”

But Laudna's heart warms, because no one has ever called her friend.  And she's keenly aware of Imogen's hand on the back of hers, fingers interlaced as she guides Laudna's hand to Flora’s mane.

Laudna pets the horse, smiles when it doesn't bolt.  Because animals never like Laudna, but this is Imogen's horse.  And Laudna wants so much for Imogen to like her.

[imodnovember]

Hello everyone!

There's less than a week to go before day one of Imodnovember. Here are the prompts again, in cass you need them.

Have you got a plan or do you YOLO it? Have you got snacks? Your beverage of choice? Have you rewatched the supercut or episode 65 in preparation? Re-read your favourite fics or scrolled through your favourite artists' works?

Are you ready?

We're so close. See you in the trenches soon!

[lespetitesmortsde]

It's Imogen's first day on set of a highly-anticipated blockbuster sequel.

or

A Movie Star AU.

Day 1 of Imodnovember. 1 AU down, 29 to go. Prompt: Shock

Beginning excerpt:

Laudna Shines in Breakout Role as Vex’ahlia Vessar

At 20 years old, Laudna is what one might call a late-bloomer in Hollywood. With only a meagre handful of commercials to her name before now, this up-and-coming starlet is captivating audiences with her interpretation of beloved fantasy hero, Vex’ahlia Vessar. You’re going to be seeing a lot of this young actor in the years to come, not just because it’s confirmed that she stars in a limited series being released on the BBC this fall, but also because she has just inked a deal with Penguin Random House to narrate a series of young adult audiobooks.

Returning to the screen, The Legend of Vox Machina has long awaited its move from the page to live action. Fans of the trilogy of novels have been clamouring for months to get any information from the New Zealand sets, but director Delilah Briarwood has kept everything under lock and key. Despite the passing of her director-partner husband, Sylas Briarwood, near the start of filming, production has finally wrapped.

[Read the rest on AO3]

[dat-nerd-gurl]

Tether

You're my tether.

Our hearts beat in time

And minds collide in symphonies.

That red string of fate that ties you and I

Will never fray, never break.

You’re my anchor.

Without you I am adrift,

And the horrors of my mind become the reality of the world.

Life withers and blooms following my wake 

So that neither of us drowns in the storm.

You’re my everything.

From the moment we met

And I heard the music of your mind.

To when I watched our threads entwine,

Turning golden and connecting us evermore.

You’re my tether.

You’re my anchor.

You’re my everything.

And we will hold each other through the end of the world.

I wrote an Imodna poem for day 3 of Imodnovember. I have been thinking about the way Laudna and Imogen describe each other for a while now and these three words really stuck out for me. The conviction with which these words are spoken showcase the depth of the love that is felt. I hope I have done them justice.

[donteatthefishtacos]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Laudna/Imogen Temult Characters: Imogen Temult, Laudna (Critical Role), Dorian Storm, Orym (Critical Role), Ashton Greymoore, Fresh Cut Grass (Critical Role), Fearne Calloway, Chetney Pock O'Pea, Prism Grimpoppy, Deanna Leimert Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Getting Together, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Musicians Series: Part 2 of Imodnovember Summary:

After an extended absence, Imogen goes out with her friends again. Dorian's new bandmate is very distracting.

[lavenderknivess]

ok i need to yap with someone about a fic idea for imodnovember so i’m going to tumblr in order to do so

thinking about writing a bells hells walking the witches’ road au fic centering on imodna as agathario.

my first instinct was originally to have imogen in the role of agatha and laudna in the role of rio (because purple + dead lady, and also because the “you lied” scene would HIT) but i’ve also been thinking about flipping it, and having laudna as agatha and imogen as rio

agatha and laudna to me have kind of similar character parallels with their magic serving as a metaphor for addiction, reputation for being scary, and years of isolation (although they had very different responses to it). I also think it would work for laudna to have agatha’s trial on the road and bring in delilah instead of evanora. i have a LOT of thoughts here

i also think having imogen in rio’s place would be neat to explore in the fic: both of them having to deal with being hated for their force-of-nature type powers that they can’t help.

also pâté as nicky or señor scratchy would be hilarious ngl

i’ve already been plotting this out but i NEED to discuss

[imodnovember]

Adorable!!

fire(light)

i have two exams on back to back days…. we’ll see how this week goes. it’s already been a long week T-T

[ratinayellowbandana]

here's a soft little piece about imogen being touchstarved and down bad.

shoutout to @imodnovember for these prompts! sorry I'm sporadically jumping in all over the place.

day 15: charcoal (but i guess day 3 for me)

~600 words

~~~

There is a palm pressed flat against her back, cool and clammy, with charcoal nails that graze the thin, satiny fabric of Imogen’s dress. She jumps slightly at the contact, earning her a raised eyebrow that she rejects with a shake of her head. Dark eyes narrow imperceptibly, but the hand does not pull away. 

It has taken her what feels like half an age to shove off her instinct to flinch, to replace the impulsive urge to break away with the reminder that this is welcome. Laudna’s touches are never unpleasant. Surprising, sometimes, yes, but always welcome. A reminder that Imogen is wanted here, wanted in Laudna’s space.

Laudna has carefully curated her belongings over the years, whittling down her creations and findings to what she could carry on her back or around her belt. When they stop for the evening, she removes them one by one from her pack and lays them on the ground, inspects them for gods-know-what, sets them back in their proper places with a pleased little smile that makes Imogen’s heart sigh. That she has chosen to collect Imogen is an honor unto itself, to adopt Imogen into her meager collection of Belongings (things that Belong), counting Imogen among the baubles and assorted precious items.

And, it is a bit silly, really, the way Laudna’s arm around her waist sends a peculiar fluttering up Imogen’s spine. Like beetles climbing and weaving between her vertebrae. A silly little tickle that feels pleasantly like home. 

They wander through the marketplace, Laudna’s fingers a gentle, guiding pressure on the small of Imogen’s back. She points out bolts of cloth in vibrant hues, tutting at the occasional price point and launching into colorful explanations of various and sundry dye practices that Imogen half-hears. Something about an exceedingly rare Zephran flower, the color of which could be mimicked with common delphiniums, so the duplicitous merchant was, really, in all likelihood, advertising false wares rather than selling textiles at a steep loss. Imogen nods along, underscoring her mutual disapproval with a furrowed brow and a low hum, all the while terribly distracted. The sharp tips of Laudna’s fingernails, in her vehemence, had begun plucking absently at the swath of thin fabric above Imogen’s waist, you see, and, quite understandably, pulled much of her focus.   

It isn’t until Laudna pauses her unconscious ministrations, pulling her hand away, that Imogen turns to see a pale face full of concern. She offers a reassuring smile, suppressing a shiver at the loss of contact. It does not go unnoticed. 

“Are you feeling alright?” Laudna asks with a worried tilt of her head.

Imogen feels color flood her face. “I’m fine.” 

Clicking her tongue, Laudna presses the back of her abnormally chilly hand to Imogen’s forehead. “You feel warm.”

“You feel cold,” Imogen counters, adjusting her sleeve rather than meeting Laudna’s gaze. It was a weak defense, but the forthright reason sticks like honey in her throat. She fails to miss Laudna’s grumble. “‘Sides, we’ve been out a while.”

“Back home, then?”

“I don’t wanna cut our trip into the city short. You haven’t even found any drawer knobs yet. Pâté’s been waitin’ on a new door for his house.” 

“And he can wait a while longer.” 

“I’m just fine, Laudna. A little distracted is all.” 

That, apparently, had the opposite intended effect.

“Are the people too much? Too loud?”

Imogen merely shakes her head. “C’mon, let’s find Pâté a new doorknob.” She holds out a hand. Immediately, Laudna’s palm melts against hers with that pleased little smile that does nothing for the heat in Imogen’s cheeks. She squeezes Laudna’s hand, interlocking their fingers and tugging her along. Her spine buzzes. 

[leet911]

Day1: Shock

The little girl hands Imogen a flower — purple — like the color of her hair.  “Thank you,” Imogen says, and when Imogen smiles, Laudna beams as well.  But Laudna’s smile is not what most people would consider pretty.  Laudna's smile is too wide, lips too dark, teeth too narrow and too long.

The child screams in shock, runs crying back to her parents, who hurry her away quickly.  And then it's Laudna's turn to recoil, blinking back inky tears.

But Imogen takes her hand and pulls her along, tucks the purple flower into Laudna's hair and speaks a single word.  “Beautiful.”

[leet911]

Day7: Ring

They wake to the sound of ringing bells drifting through the window of their room at the inn. It's almost noon, but they had only arrived in this town late last night.

“Look Laudna, it's a wedding,” Imogen points to the town square, where a small crowd is gathered around a couple. A young boy rings the town’s bell, and people are throwing flowers into the air.

“Do you want to get married someday?”

And Imogen’s heart skips a beat before she realizes Laudna means it in the abstract. Not to each other.

“Oh, I don't know,” but Imogen smiles.

[imodnovember]

Hello Imogen x Laudna fan creators!

November is ticking closer so let's take a look at the first couple of days of prompts for Imodnovember. Keep your eyes peeled as we reveal the whole month over the next couple of weeks!

Tell your friends, your favorite artists, your beloved fic writers, and let's have a hell of a time this fall!

Remember to use and look for the tag: #imodnovember

[leet911]

Day3: Tether

Laudna tightens the rope around her waist, and checks the other end that’s around Imogen.  “This way we’re tethered together.  I’ll go first.”  She smiles at Imogen.  “Just don’t look down.”  Then Laudna scrambles effortlessly up the cliffside.

Halfway there, she waits for Imogen to catch up, reaches down with a thin hand to help her.  “Don’t worry,” Laudna says as their hands touch, the fingers wrapping themselves together, “I won't let you fall.”

But Imogen can only stare up Laudna’s face, her head framed by the sky, pale features in the dying orange pink glow of dusk.

Too late.

[leet911]

Day27: Poppy

The day they go to save the world, Orym blesses each of them with flowers.  Laudna gets poppies, of course, a crown of bright red blooms atop her head and streaming down her dress.

“It’s pretty,“ Imogen says to her later, when it’s just the two of them.

“Yours too,” Laudna runs a finger along Imogen’s collar where lilacs encircle her neck.

“If we don’t—” Imogen starts, but Laudna interrupts with a finger to her lips.

Laudna plucks a single poppy from her dress, affixes it to Imogen’s wrist with a flash of magic.  “I love you.  And we will.”

[leet911]

Day22: Tumult

“Tell me a story, Laudna.”

And Laudna doesn't think she knows any good bedtime stories, but if she can help Imogen sleep, she will try.  So she runs her fingers through purple hair, adjusts Imogen's head in her lap, and she speaks words she read in a book long ago.

“The elves were the firstborn of Creation, breathed into life by the twin goddesses of darkness and light.”

Imogen closes her eyes, listens to the soft voice in her ears, the gentle music in her mind, and for a moment, she forgets the tumult of storms churning in her nightmares.