#lucian royal family

[primamchorus]

Partial Dossier #01 :: The Lucian Royal Family

VOX INTELLIGENCE BUREAU THE LUCIAN ROYAL FAMILY

REPORT FROM PAX VOX

FFXV: Reimagined Table of Contents

Next ->

Having presided over the lands of Lucis for longer than our widely recognized calendar system, the Royal Family are ever the stalwart protectors of the Crystal of which they and their ennobled council draw their magical prowess. We are told that the Lucian Royal Family has been around for over two millennia, though there are plenty of records that have been lost or not yet been translated from their old texts due to being either too faded to read, or missing scores of information.

What is known is that in this current era, Noctis Lucis Caelum is due to become the 114th monarch in the line of Lucis. For now, his father, King Regis Lucis Caelum, reigns before him along with his wife, Queen Aulea Viridis Caelum. Though a strong and sapient ruler, the Wall having been shrunk down in King Mors’ time to protect just the city of Insomnia has left people outside its influence vulnerable.

Though King Regis has established the Kingsglaive to act as Noctis’ protectors, there is still the matter of the Crownsguard’s forces being reallocated across the city to protect not only the Crown, but her people, too. Notable families that have been ennobled by the Lucian Royal Family that have survived to this day are Houses Amicitia, Chorus, Scientia, Somnium, Viridis, and Vox. It is only recent that King Regis has ennobled that of Cor Leonis and his family, creating a new noble House for this generation. Whether or not this new noble family shall persist, however, remains to be seen.

[theroyalthrones]

Behind the Scenes | Various Locations | Rosiers, Toulon, Orillia

beginning | previous | next

script below↓↓

The leaves are falling as Francesca walks. The air is crisp in a way that Francesca had never been used to. Having grown up in the more so humid and warm weather of Castellon. Her little sister is chirping at her on the phone. She will miss these times, Just as she misses the times before the present.

Leandra] Yeah, and my friend’s having a birthday party this weekend. I wanted to go but I don’t no if Papa will let me.

F] chuckles Don’t worry Lea, I’lll convince him.

L] I don’t think you can, he’s already asleep. He’s been sleepy a lot!

F] I’ve got my ways…

As she walks, she can feel people staring at her. They are afar, but they are whispering. As she walks up toward the steps of the building, someone bumps into her. Her things clatter to the ground, but the assailant does not help her pick things up.

Person] watch were you’re going, you gold digging leech.

She feels her cheeks burning, but does nothing instead of walking forward toward her counselors office.

C] Ms. Ortega, there really isn’t anything to complain about. You are on track with a high gpa, and a possibility of early graduation if you keep up the good work.

F]Thank you mr.-

C] but your grades currently… I notice a slip since the semester began.

C] Whoever you might be associating yourself with, might not be in your best interests academically. People like you need to work harder. If things keep going in this direction, Post Graduate options might dwindle.

F] Y-Yes I understand.

C] I hope you do.

The sky is dark, it’s been raining all evening. Lucian and Francesca have been sitting in the library, studying for exams. it’s Finals week, of their sophomore year in school. They’re sectioned off a corner of the busy library. They’ve been there since the morning, and the cluttered desk makes that evident.

Francesca phone rings, it echos in the quiet space. She picks it up and whispers.

F] Lea, I can’t-

L] crying Cesca, it’s dad.

She barely registers the words, she’s up before she can even think. Lucian looks up at her puzzled. She’s hyperventilating, she’s crying.

L] Francesca, what?-

F] My dad- cries harder I-

L] Can you walk?

He carts her over to the door.

L] you need to be there.

F] mmhmm she barely makes out

he cups her face in his hand. he forces her to look at him, to focus on what he’s going to say.

L] Listen, Everything’s going to be ok- you’ll be ok. I’m going to make sure of that, ok Francesca?

F]cries harder

They are now at the airport. They rush in to the check-in area. Things are chaotic in the airport like they always are. Lucian pulls her hand, and spins her around to face him.

14-16

L] Are you sure I can’t come?

F] Yes, Stay. It’s finals, you must take them.

L] But yours-

F] I’ll figure it out, Luc.

L]… I love you, Cesca.

They kiss, and he watches her go. It’s 2093, and little does he know that this will be the last time he sees her in person since that fateful day in the news room, 6 years from then (2099).

Weeks pass as she is in Castellon.

She waits for hours in hospitals that feel like asylums. She is anxious always, she feels the clock ticking. This is a waiting game, her father, in a condition neither thought would be possible.

She is with her sister at times too. Eating dinners in hospital cafeterias after picking her up from school. This is just as hard for Leandra as it is for Cesca. Leandra being the one to find him collapsed.

She has also been feeling increasing sick. She looks and feels terrible in fact. She is fighting symptoms of pregnancy, but of course she does not know that yet. She is also throwing up, and showing signs of pregnancy(and in the details of the post. Show bottles of medicines and stiff)

The doctors come in to announce what had already been in the back of her mind for days now.

D] It’s lung Cancer.

F] shocked gasp C-Cancer?

D] He’s in the fourth stage, Ms. Ortega. It’d be best to get his affairs in order, as he might…

The sentence blurrs out because, No, she isn’t listening. An overwhelming piercing sound overwhelms her. She is in shock, the last parent she has in the world is dying. And it’s too late to save him. In the room full of doctors, Francesca Ortega Collapses.

She wakes up, she herself is in a hospital bed of her own. A nurse who happens to be in the room, rushes to her side. She tries to speak.

F]Wh- What am I?

N] There’s no need to worry. You collapsed due to dehydration and fatigue. Ms. Ortega, were you aware of the pregnancy?

F] Pregn-?

N] Pregnancy—Yes, you are going to have a child, Ms. Ortega.

This shocks Francesca of course, on top of everything, she is also pregnant. Of course things start clicking into place.

“I’m pregnant” she thinks.

Of course, she has been feeling nasceous, sick, fatigued,etc. all of the normal ailments that something like this could cause. She thought it was because of the stress of her father. Of course she understands now, And this understand makes her panic. How is her life going to be even more fucked up than it already has become? How will she go to graduate school with a mortage to pay for? How will she become what she wants with two children to raise(her little sister)? Her life is forever messed up, and how could she wreck his?

She decides she wont, she won’t say a thing. A few months later she begins to show, she’s on the phone with Lucian, who is none the wiser. (in the shot, show her with a close up on the phone, and then a wide show with her huge belly)

L] Nick is on my ass about trying out for the team next year. I don’t think I will.

F]…

L] My parents are forcing me to figure out my degree. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, It’s just that…

(fade off, next slide is the next part)

F] Are you excited for the semester?

L] I can’t be, not if you’re not there.

F] she laughs I can’t promise you that.

L] Are you alright, Cesca?

F] couldn’t be better. fake gleefulness

Standing in the hall of the hospital (another day). A Leandra rushed up to her, saying her father is awake.

She runs to his room, Leandra snuggles up to him. he’s laying in the bed, he’s laying with his eyes open, but he can’t speak. He doesn’t move as she gets close to him, and Cesca knows. She walks up to the bed, and lays her head on his chest. She cries.

F] crying Papa

P] Oh, La luz de mis ojos [The light of my eyes]

F] crying somore

P] I’m sorry for all the trouble i’ve caused, You’ll see. This will be behind all of us.

The scene changes, it’s nighttime. Leandra is sleeping in the bed with her father still. Francesca is sitting in a chair close to the bed. She is also dozing but is quickly awaken by the sound of a loud, singular screech. It’s the heart monitor, he’s dying.

beepppppp

F]waking up Papa?

Nurses rush into the room, it’s chaos after that. Cesca scoops her sister into her arms, as the nurses rush around (***use the motion filter on ps). ****The girls stand apart from the chaos. Francesca is shaking, she is scared. Her world has forever changed.

Fully pregnant now, in her second trimester, the girls are in a small church, they are alone in the pews. The only sign of a funeral is the large wreaths and image of their father smiling happily. And the Casket at the front. She is staring blankly, nothing is quite feeling. She feels a buzzing in her bag, it’s a call from Lucian. She see’s this as she stares at her phone.

She goes outside of the place, she stands alone outside in a dark atmosphere of rain and cloudiness.

L] Francesca! You haven’t answered any of my calls!

F] I’m sorry… things have been busy.

L] You’re voice sounds rough… Is everything ok, Cesca?

F] hoarse laugh I love you, Lucian. You know I do?

L] chuckling Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?

F] I am.

L] laughing now Sure, I love you too.

She stands in the hallway, the atmosphere darker than ever. She knows that’s the last time they will speak.

Time goes on like it always does. We see shots of her kissing her sister on their way to school. She runs off excitedly.

We see Cesca working at multiple jobs, A barista, a cashier.

We see them surviving, we see them laughing. We see her even more pregnant than the last time. (*maybe in a shot with her being in her third trimester with that skin detail. And in a crop top)

In one of the last scenes, she is at work. Fully pregnant and doing her job. She hunches over in pain, clutching her stomach. Possibly show a bit of blood trickling down her legs. Francesca yells in pain.

She is rushed in an ambulance, the lights are flashing. At the hospital nurses are rushing in and out. All she can do is cry, all she can do is scream.

F] NO! No-nooo

The screams fade to black, They are now back in the present. This clip will be brief. They are now in Francesca’s apartment. sitting on the floor or something. They are both crying, Francesca and Lucian.

F] through the tears Are you happy now? 6 whole years later.

L]also crying…

F] I’ve tried, Luc. To protect— I- there is no amount of words to describe this pain… I feel. How did you not notice, Luc?

L] I didn’t—…I-

F] He is- Was yours, Lucian.

L] crying intensified Mine? My?… (clearly in shock)

L] sobbing…

F] leave. GET OUT LUCIAN, LEAVE! Please. crying

he gets up, and leaves. this is it, they’re done.

[nyardynn]

The 'Allegorical Blade' is a holy symbol and you're sleeping on the greatest thing about it

Ok, let us please talk about Ardyn’s healer sword, because I think you’re all sleeping on that absolutely delicious choice of a design. I’m talking about his sword as seen in Dissidia FF NT. It is called the ‘Allegorical Blade’ and released alongside his white healer attire called the ‘Devotee’s Raiment’.

You might have noticed the flashy design of this blade that has prompted some to assume it is supposed to be reminiscent of the citadel in Insomnia where the royal seat of Ardyn's family is located - a seat supposedly reserved for him in his healer times. 

Wrong.

Or, rather, not quite and not only.

The Allegorical blade is, in fact, designed as a monstrance, which is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic and some other faiths’ churches to display objects of piety and high religious importance at the altar, such as remains of saints or the sacramental bread, the host. I’ve attached a picture I took of one at the local cathedral.

FF15 is inspired by medieval European royalty where Catholicism was the prevalent and the only acceptable religion. Catholics believe that through consecration, items - most famously food items like bread, wine or the host - are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. They are not only spiritually transformed, they are believed to be substantially transformed and are divine from then on, although they retain their appearance as ordinary items. These items carry tremendous spiritual meaning and like the remains of saints, they are to be handled with care if they are to be shown to believers - they are put into a monstrance. The word ‘monstrance’ comes from latin ‘monstrare’ - to display or to show, which makes a monstrance a vessel to display the holiest objects. They are usually carried and lifted to believers during mess or in front of processions. They are often, but not always, designed to look like religiously important symbols or buildings like churches, the sun, and so on. The citadel being the place that holds the crystal and therefor being of the highest religious importance to Lucians, is exactly what a monstrance would be crafted to resemble.

The Allegorical Blade has a different name in Japanese where it is called the ‘kamikotoba no ken’. There are three kanji used: that for ‘god, divine, holy’, that for ‘word’ and the last one for ‘sword’. Basically it is called the ‘Sword of the Word of God’ or the ‘Sword of Divine Words’.

If his sword is a monstrance, then why doesn’t it hold and display any kind of holy object?

It does.

The thing it shows off is Ardyn himself.

Ardyn Lucis Caelum has been a devoted follower of Bahamut for all of his life. He considers his healing powers a gift from the gods, so he travels far and wide to cure the sick and ‘spread their mercy’ as he speaks about what he believes to be a divine calling. His altruism and faith are so great that he continues healing even though he knows the starscourge accumulates within his body and that it will kill him in time. He believes with a passion that the gods have a plan and will grant him mercy too, so that one day he will be able to heal all of Lucis as their king. He is, quite literally, Eos’ version of Jesus Christ only that his god turned out not benevolent at all.

The holy object his sword displays is himself as a representation of Bahamut’s word that holds true before and even after Ardyn’s fall from grace. Ardyn Lucis Caelum believed in his divine calling, but he misinterpreted it and instead of being the savior to heal the land, he turned out to be the sacrificial lamb to be slain at the alter. The role of Immortal Accursed, of the scapegoat, is not the role he ever wanted. It is one that holds only pain and suffering, one without reward or even recognition of all he sacrificed and one that will have him murder indiscriminately until his death, forcing him to undo all he’s achieved and all he wanted to be with his own hands. He is god’s judgment in the flesh, god’s will brought down on humanity and in terms of FF15, Bahamut's will is cruel and final.

There is an actual bible quote I want to cite here, bc it seems to me it could be an inspiration for his sword design:

“For the word of god is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints an marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12]

Bahamut issued his command to Ardyn in EPA in a cold and merciless manner that has to cause outrage and inspire hatred, but the truth is, Ardyn has carried that burden with him ever since his birth when his healing was gifted to him. What better way to show the double-edged sword of Bahamut’s favour than by giving it, quite literally, to Ardyn?

It’s called the ‘Allegorical blade’ because it is a symbol of the dichotomy of his fate - a healer and a killer - and position within the prophecy where he is both the sacrificial lamb needed to safe the world and the very thing that kills it.

[creatingblackcharacters]

Hi there, sorry if this is a silly question: I have a character who is Black and is a princess, very dedicated to the royal family and all that. What kind of hairstyle[s] embodies the wealth, money, and time that comes with aristocracy? I've been drawing her with a natural afro but your post about hairstyles made me think that she would want to put more time and effort into every hairstyle.

Well first: all of them! I don't like to attach Black hairstyles or texture to value. However we wear our hair, if it's being worn by someone royal, it is now a royal hairstyle! So don't do that. Afros are divine!

That emotional part out of the way, I assume what you mean is what are some examples of hairstyles worn by royalty, that look like they take a long time to do. And I'd say that depends on 1) what designates royalty in your fantasy culture (braids? Hair cuts? Headdresses or head coverings upon marriage?) and 2) what culture's hairstyles you're looking at.

For example, my mom raised me that cowrie shells were a sign of wealth, and gave me some when I was an adult for hair and ornaments. That, I believe, is more Western African in nature though.

The Woman King: how hair and makeup tells the characters' stories

[hayamie]

Charlie's reaction to the Morningstar children + Reader(Step-mom)

Lucifer was nervous. And if the King of Hell is nervous, something huge is about to happen.

The Reader was the one who suggested telling Charlie together—calmly, honestly, with no theatrics. (Lucifer agreed... then tried to light candles and play dramatic background music anyway. He was promptly stopped by the reader.)

Charlie was invited to a “family talk,” and she knew something was off the moment she entered the room. Her dad looked awkward. The Reader looked excited. And there was an odd, fluttering tension in the air.

When Lucifer broke the news "You’re going to be a big sister"

Charlie froze.

“Wait. What?” Her brain glitched. She expected… what? News from heaven? A royal duty? Anything really, but a baby sibling?

Then the Reader chimed in, gently “You’re not just getting one. There are… two. Twins, actually.”

Charlie panicked silently. Her heart pounded.

Her father was having children… with someone who used to be a sinner, someone she once helped at the hotel, someone she had rooted for.

There was a small, sharp ache in her chest.

She was happy. But she was also hurt.

“What about Mom?” she asked quietly, almost whispering.

Lucifer didn’t respond right away. The room fell into soft silence. The Reader didn’t try to replace Lilith—not in tone, not in presence. Instead, you said “She’ll always be your mother, Charlie. I’m not here to take her place… only to bring something new into this family. Something warm.”

Charlie blinked. Slowly. Tears formed, unspilled. Something warm? The hell is that supposed to mean?

“So... I’ll be a big sister?” she repeated, more to herself than anyone else while making the thought disappear from her head.

Lucifer placed a hand on her shoulder, voice deep but gentle, “The kindest, brightest one they could ever ask for.”

That night, Charlie laid in her bed, Vaggie sleeping soundly beside her while she, unfortunately, couldn't sleep. Staring blankly at the ceiling.

She whispered to the darkness,

“I hope they like musicals…”

And maybe—just maybe—she smiled.

Evangeline Morningstar

“You’re doing amazing, Evangeline! Don’t worry, it’s okay to get upset—being cheerful all the time is hard. Trust me!”

Charlie absolutely adores how Evangeline calls her “Sissy.” It makes her melt and wants to hug her and spin her around and pinch her cheeks and—

Charlie is overjoyed that her little sister looks up to her, she tries to be a perfect role model for Evangeline… but she gets flustered when her little sister imitates her mannerisms (especially the awkward optimism).

Even if Evangeline��s attempts to be bubbly come off awkward or fail due to her temper, Charlie would never judge—it would actually endear her more.

She’s so proud of Evangeline’s royal poise and kindness. Always surprising her whenever Evangeline goes full on Authority mode to the sinners who messed with her big sister.

And whenever Evangeline’s temper flares, Charlie instinctively goes full “mom-sister mode” and starts calming her down with breathing techniques that totally don’t work.

“Okay! Deep breaths! Count to ten! Evangeline, no—don’t throw the whole vase! Wait! Don't kill the sinner using the vase! EVAAA!!”

Lucian Morningstar

“You’re too much like Dad, but somehow you make it work.”

Charlie would probably be so exasperated by Lucian. His flirty, mischievous nature. Always meddling in the pleasure district. Because of this, she was always concerned and a tad bit embarrassed.

But despite his flirtatious nature, Lucian cares deeply for his family and he is the type to not get a hellborn pregnant, he has common sense.

Which also surprised Charlie and ultimately made her respect him—even if she’s hesitant to admit it out loud.

She sees him flirt in public and wants to throw holy water at him, but the moment they’re home, he’s the picture of respect and responsibility.

He’s the one who pulls Evangeline away from a stress spiral during royal meetings and knows how to handle diplomacy better than most adult demons.

Charlie is secretly impressed when he steps up for important duties. Sometimes she catches herself thinking, “He’s going to be a better ruler than Dad someday.”

Estelle Morningstar

“You drew this? Oh Estelle, it’s beautiful! You’re amazing! Do you want to come help me decorate the hotel sometime? It could use a little of your creative touch!”

Charlie would bond with Estelle over creativity and kindness. She’d love reading her stories or looking at her drawings, giving over-the-top praise.

She'd be protective of Estelle’s gentle nature and probably worry that Hell might corrupt her. Which, inevitably, it will.

Whenever Estelle sends a drawing to Charlie, she would hang it up on the wall inside the hotel. No matter how badly the drawing is, she will hang it up for everyone to see.

Of course Estelle improves her drawing skills along the way, going from crayons to pastels to acrylic paints!

Charlie would be her number 1 buyer whenever Estelle sells one of her paintings to the public.

Hehe when Estelle first came to the hotel, she got jump scared by the amount of paintings hanging on the hallway walls she created over the years. Later she found out that the anonymous buyer was her big sister, Charlie all along!

Devon

“Don’t worry, kiddo… I’ve done this three times before. You’re in good hands.”

By the time Devon came along, Charlie was already a seasoned pro at baby care.

She was there for Evangeline’s fussy, Lucian’s chaos, and Estelle’s calm and quiet nights.

So when Devon arrived? Charlie was calm, cool, and completely in control.

She knows how to cradle him just right, how to hum lullabies that actually work, and exactly when to sneak out of the room whenever he dozes off.

Devon doesn’t cry with her. Not because he can’t, but because he feels safe. He watches her with those wide, innocent eyes like she’s the center of his tiny universe.

Charlie adores him more than words can say.

She coos to him gently, tells him old nursery rhymes, and sometimes just talks about her day while bouncing him in her arms.

“You know, you’re the only man- er, boy? Baby. who listens to me without interrupting. You’re gonna be dangerous when you’re older.”

She says while giving Devon lots of kisses on his wittle baby head!

Devon gurgles happily every time Charlie enters the room. He may not know who she is yet—but the bond is already there.

Also! Whenever Charlie is feeling overwhelmed, she would quietly teleport to his room and approach his crib, there, she would watch Devon sleep. She didn't know why she did this. She also did this when Evangeline, Lucian and Estelle were still babies. I guess you could say that watching sleeping babies, especially her own flesh and blood(she doesn't care if it's only half), calms her tremendously.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ➨ Photos are from PINTEREST.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ➥Charlie 1

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ➥ Shakes

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ➥Charlie 2

Where have I been for the past few months, you may ask? Well, all I have to say is— school and procrastination. I sincerely apologize that I took so long to make your request. But I hope you enjoyed reading this!

I'll be gone for a few months again, I'm preparing for a big Exam that's coming up. That's all, have a good day/evening everyone!

[whencyclopedia]

Callimachus of Cyrene

Callimachus of Cyrene (l. c. 310-c. 240 BCE) was a poet and scholar associated with the Library of Alexandria and best known for his Pinakes ("Tablets"), a bibliographic catalog of Greek literature, his poetry, and his literary aesthetic which rejected the epic in favor of shorter works and influenced the later development of Roman literature.

He is considered one of the greatest poets of antiquity, and, through his influence on Roman writers, set the course for Western literary development, especially through his emphasis on brevity and simplicity of form. Among his best-known quotes is "A big book is a big bore," by which he seems to have meant that "less is more" and one should strive to tell one's story as directly and succinctly as possible. Although much has been made of his rejection of Homer, it seems this has been sensationalized. He rejected the standard of literature Homer had come to define but not necessarily the work itself. A similar case could be made for his relationship with the works of Plato, but both authors clearly influenced his own works.

He was never the head of the Library at Alexandria, though this is often claimed, but he may have been the teacher of Apollonius of Rhodes (l. 3rd century BCE), the head librarian after Zenodotus (l. 3rd century BCE) the first librarian at Alexandria. The alleged feud between Callimachus and Apollonius seems to have also been sensationalized and is based on interpretations of fragments of their works as almost nothing is known of the lives of either of them. Apollonius was succeeded as librarian by Eratosthenes (l. c. 276-195 BCE), who may have also been a student of Callimachus.

Although few of his works have survived, he is referenced extensively by later writers who praise his economy of prose and emphasis on an emotional response to personal experience in his poetry. His influence on later writers was enormous, including such notables as Horace, Propertius, Ovid, and Virgil. The details and essential character of his literary aesthetic are still debated today, but not its influence on Western literature.

Family & Early Life

Almost nothing is known of Callimachus' life and most biographical information comes from the Suda (10th century CE), not from his works or those of his contemporaries. He was born to an upper-class family of Cyrene in North Africa and refers to himself as a "son of Battus", meaning Battus I (r. c. 631 to c. 599 BCE), founder of the city of Cyrene and the Battiad Dynasty that developed the surrounding region of Cyrenaica. Callimachus most likely means this reference simply to establish that he is from Cyrene, it does not necessarily mean, as some have claimed, that he was related to the royal house. Scholars Benjamin Acosta-Hughes and Susan A. Stephens give a brief glimpse of his family:

His grandfather, also named Callimachus, was probably the Cyrenean general. Callimachus' sister, Megatima, seems to have married into a high-ranking Cypriot family. A great-grandfather has been identified as Anniceris, a Cyrenean, who, according to an anecdote preserved in Lucian and Aelian, tried to impress Plato by driving his chariot (bound for the Olympic Games) around the periphery of the Academy. Anniceris must have been a man of considerable wealth because he was also said to have ransomed Plato from Dionysius of Syracuse. (4)

Little else is known of Callimachus' early life except that his mother was also named Megatima, he seems to have been educated in Cyrene, and he was living and writing in Alexandria under the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282-246 BCE). Acosta-Hughes and Stephens write:

Callimachus lived the majority of his adulthood during the reign of the second Ptolemy, the period when the Ptolemaic empire was at its height. The Suda tells us that he was an elementary schoolmaster in Eleusis, but if he is already writing for the court in the late 280's BC, his academic career must have been quite brief. In contrast, Tzetzes records that he was a "youth of the court", an official status that is incompatible with elementary school teaching but would fit with a poetic career that seems to have begun in his early twenties. The easiest explanation for the Suda's information is that it was extrapolated from poems in which Callimachus speaks of the schoolroom or schoolmasters. (3)

As a "youth of the court" and later court poet, Callimachus wrote works for Ptolemy I Soter (r. 323-282 BCE), Ptolemy II, and Ptolemy III Euergetes (r. 246-222 BCE). He most likely arrived in Alexandria from Cyrene toward the end of the reign of Ptolemy I. Although it seems he was associated with the Library of Alexandria under Ptolemy II, his position is unclear. He was never the head librarian, and there is no evidence he was involved in acquisitions.

Continue reading...

[neonravengames]

⚘ Sword of Spring ⚘ Romance Options

Throughout your time in Tir Arandor, you'll be able to bond with other characters.

Some things to note:

All ROs are playersexual. Meaning you can romance them no matter what your gender is.

You can be Asexual

All explicit scenes can be skipped.

These relationships will span over multiple years, and the ages listed are the characters' ages during their 'commitment' scene.

The (current) poly option is Taryn/MC/Ali

Taryn - They/Them

Taryn, the second-born of the royal family, is a whirlwind of laughter and energy in a world that often feels too serious. With a sharp wit and a playful spirit, they bring a sense of joy to the stifling halls of Tir Arandor. But behind their humorous facade lies a deep struggle. Often called "The Spare," Taryn yearns for change, craving the freedom to carve their own path, yet they often feel powerless and trapped by the weight of their birthright. While their father supports Taryn's whimsical nature, their older brother—Lucian—watches with a mix of exasperation and concern. He carries the expectations of the kingdom on his shoulders and often finds Taryn's antics annoying, even as he understands the pressure they both face. As the responsibility of royal duty looms closer, Taryn finds themselves torn between their desire to be true to themselves and the role they must eventually embrace. Will you stand by Taryn as they navigate the treacherous waters of court life? Or will your growing feelings for them complicate their journey towards destiny?

Rhiannon - She/Her

Rhiannon is a formidable presence within the castle, a wall of strength and discipline as the best swordsman in Tir Arandor. With her striking red hair and unwavering focus, she commands respect in every training session and fight. But behind her stoic facade lies a heart riddled with doubts and fears that she dares not show. As the oldest child of the castle blacksmith, Rhiannon has trained tirelessly to prove herself worthy of respect—not just from the court but from the family she fiercely protects. Her loyalty to Taryn and the royal family runs deep, and she would lay down her life to fulfill her duty. However, earning her respect is no easy feat; she expects nothing less than absolute dedication from herself and those around her. If you can break through her defenses, the bond you forge will be unbreakable, and she may be your greatest ally or your most formidable opponent. Will you help her confront the fears that haunt her, or will your growing feelings complicate her already tumultuous world?

Lirien- He/Him

Lirien sweeps into the court of Tir Arandor like a whisper of wind through the Shadowbloom. Playful, charismatic, and brimming with secrets, he quickly becomes a figure of intrigue and danger. As the Fae ambassador, Lirien carries with him the weight of Val'Arath’s mysteries, never revealing more than he chooses to. His motives are as elusive as his smile, and his every word dances between truth and deception as he balances the unpredictability of Human/Fae relations. Despite his light-hearted demeanor, Lirien is anything but careless. There’s an edge to his charm, and his playful flirtations are laced with a deeper, more dangerous game. Will you risk getting closer to him, knowing the secrets he keeps could unravel everything? A relationship with Lirien may be intoxicating, but the price of his affection could be higher than you imagine.

Morgan - Female/NB (maybe)

Morgan serves as the apprentice to the king’s magic advisor, quietly mastering the arcane arts within the castle’s stone walls. With an analytical mind and a keen understanding of magical theory, Morgan is often reserved, preferring the company of dusty tomes and ancient scrolls to the political intrigues of the court. Their distant demeanor hides a fierce intellect and a deep curiosity about the world—and about you. While their loyalty to the crown is unwavering, Morgan is not without ambition. They seek knowledge and power, but also connection, something deeper that may lie beyond the realms of conventional magic. Your relationship with Morgan could blossom into a powerful bond, though magic always comes with a price. Will you explore the mysteries of the arcane together, or will the secrets they guard come between you?

Sorin - Selectable

Quiet, kind, and ever watchful, Sorin has devoted their life to healing others. As the castle’s healer, their days are spent mending wounds and tending to the sick. They rarely speak of their own pain, preferring to pour their energy into helping those in need. With healing magic that requires as much strength as it does compassion, they stand as a beacon of calm in the midst of the court’s chaos. But behind their gentle smiles lies a deeper hurt—one they’ve kept hidden for years. Will you be the one to earn their trust and help them confront the scars they carry? A relationship with Sorin/Sylvie is one of patience and empathy, requiring you to look past their exterior and discover the resilient heart that beats beneath.

Ali - Selectable

Alister/Alista (Ali) is the person chosen to marry Taryn, a union forged out of political necessity rather than love. The ninth born to a distant noble house with a reputation for ambition, they’ve been raised to fulfill the expectations of the court. Graceful, intelligent, and always composed, they are well aware of the duties that come with their position. While they seem resigned to their fate, there’s a quiet yearning beneath the surface—whether it’s for freedom from their obligations or a deeper connection with Taryn, even they may not fully understand. As the royal betrothal takes shape, your arrival throws everything into question. Will you challenge the expectations placed upon them or help forge a lasting bond with Taryn that’s more than mere politics?

[cinnamon-lotus]

do u like characters who haunt the narrative or do they irritate tf out of you? Additionally, which is your fav "haunts the narrative" character <3

So ok. U can't ask me this. I have 0 control over my emotions right now. I HAVE SEVERAL. But i will give u 2 or a few or idk Im writting this without a thought and a structure.

*Coming here after writting my last word. I GOT MAD. I wrote 3 people: Jace Herondale, Julian Blackthorn and lastly and my FAVOURITE ROSE HATHAWAY. (This last one has spoilers from 3 to 6 books, and i left out SOOOOOO MUCH, But I spoilered the biggest plot twists. so dont read it if ur planning to read Vampire acedemy)

*Also realized u asked if i liked characters that haunt the narrative. Its at the bottom.

JACE HERONDALE. I know everyone says Will and i get u, but mine is Jace. I read him when i was a freshly teen I GOT OBSSESSED Im still are.

He suffered SO MUCH for just existing (kind of like Sebastian but thats another talk). When there was a little calm, another thing happened. Her lover turned to be her sister, then her stepmum didnt wanted him,the Lucian started to take him as a stepfather -kind of the same he was to Clary-, Also fxing Valentine, realzing he is a experiment, thinking he is A DEMon, but that was just the real brother of Clary. Being controled, HE DIED once, and almost twice by Simon AND HE WOULD HAVE LET HIM. He was stabbed 2. People he loved died and he still was fighting FOR HIS GIRL. All of that to, us readers, realize Clary rejected his proposal and NOW FUCKING JANUS IS TRYING TO STEAL HIS GIRL CAUSE JANUS IS FUCKINGG HAUNTING THE NARRATIVE TOO.

JULIAN BLACKTHORN, omg, omg, omg... This boy... He doesnt haunt the narrative, he fucking haunt MINDS. OURS. He started being a stepfather AT 12. I need to reread this ook again and again and again, to be as obssessed as i am for Jace but, Julian endured SO much and still found peace having Emma unable to touch her, because she reminded him everything was normal. AAAAAAAAHHHH. Stop it. Sometimes I might be at doing wahtever and then I remember how he didn`t have a driver lisence and had to get the groceries delivered and carried them uo to the institute. Stop it.

SPOILERS

BUT NOW, MY ONLY ONE. THIS MEN DOES NOT HAUNT THE NARRATIVE. NARRATIVE HAUNTS HIM. WELL

ROSE HATHAWAY. She is from Vampire Acdemy from Richelle Mead.

There is No girl like her.

Bitch, I need to breath.

She is a damphir, she is born to be a guardian. To guard her best friend Lisa, a princess from the vampire royal family. At first u see her having this amazing conection with her and then u learn about the bond, al because that accident.

Now she gets soooooo in love with DIMITRI, her guardian/warrior teacher. And something happens to him. He gets bite and transform to Strigoi. But they made a promise. For who is tranformed, the other will end that sufferable life.

NOW HERE IS WHEN I CRY.

She left. she left even when she was getting crazier because of the bond. She left her STUDIES. IN HER LAST YEAR BEFORE GRADUATING. GUYS U SHOULD NEVER LEAVE UR STUDIES. BUT SHE DID. BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE.

She fucking left USA to go FUCKING RUSSIA TO KILL HIM. She is there as always fearless, but almost dead herself for having to kill him. SHE MET HER FAMILY AND FOR SOME TIME SHE THOUGHT ABOUT STAYING WITH THEM. BUT SHE HAD A PROMISE.

So she left, and when she found him she couldnt kill him. She just couldnt.

"Roza, you forgot my lesson. Don't hesitate" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

U just cant understand me. U just cant. I HAVE NONE TO TALK ABOUT ROSE AND DIMITRI.

And then Dimitri kidnapped her and he drunk of her kissing her and making her mind foggy. But when she is most wake up she fights and gets out. She summon the ghosts to make him slower, at the end she stands at the bridge, on top the railing. She would rather die than become strigoi.

She still asks him, just for trying, just out of love, "why should she stay together with him" He says because he wants her.

Strigois wants things, poeple. They are used to rutines from the past. They just want to posses and have.

when she falls she knows she woul catch her, because there is this things they still have. the same mechanism. So she has a stake in her hand when he puts her back on top of the railing not realizing the stake. AND SHE KILLS HIM. SHE SATBS HIM WHILE SHE SAYS "I LOVE YOU".

DIMITRI THE SAYS , "THATS WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAID".

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

NOW HE IS DEAD. DEAD.

ONLY TO DISCOVER, HE DID NOT. ROZA DID NOT STAB DEEPER ENOUGH. SO HE SURVIVED. NOW HE IS HUNTING HER.

But then she finds she can turn him back TO LIFE, but for that she creates A PLAN TO KIDNAP FROM THE MOST GUARDED JAIL A ROYAL MEMBER WHO TRIED TO KILL LISA.

SO THEY DO THAT. SHE PLANS EVERYTHING KNOWING FUCKING WELL THEY WILL EXPELL HER IF THEY FOUND OUT BUT SHE DOES NOT CARE. SHE WILL FIGHT FOR HIM. A WHOLE BOOK OF THIS AND MORE ILLEGAL THINGS THAT ROSE DOES FOR HIM JUST FOR HIM TO BE COME BACK ALIVE AS A DAMPHIR -the last thing was that lisa had to be the one to stab kim with thius new stake sin she had the spirit.- AND SAID HE OWES LIS. LISA. DEFUCK U R ASYING. SHHUT THE FUCK UP. GET THE FUCK OUT. I HAVE NEVER, NEVER, BEEN SO MAD INNMY LIFE. I THING SOMETHIMES ABOUT THIS AND I AM FUMING.

DIMITRI DEVOTES THEN HIS LIFE TO LISA AND REFUSE TO TALK TO ROSE. BECAUSE OF HOOOOW TRAUMATIZED HE IS ABOUT ABUSING Rose and killing innocents as a Strigoi.

SHUT THE FUCK UP.

I PITY ROSE. IMAGINE DOING ALL THE WORK BEING THREATED MILLION TIME STO BE EXPELLED KNOWING WELL THE OTHER ROUT THE FEMALES DAMPHIR ENDS IS AS BLOODWHORES, JUTS FRO DIMITRI TO CARFE ONLY FOR LISA.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISAPOINTED IN MY LIFE. AND THIS IS NOT THE END.

NOW THERE IS THE LAST BOOK WHERE HE HAS TO HELP ROSE TO ESCAPE BECAUSE SOMEONE ACUSSED HER OF KILLING THE QUEEN. U KNOW WHY HE DOES HELP HER? BECAUSE LISA TOLD HIM.

I WANT TO STAB HIM MYSELF.

And blabla at the end he stop guiltying himself and loving Rose but blablabla like im so mad about before. its just i became a monster.

U GUYS DONT UNDERSTAND)

Btw, the song Little Girl Gone reminds me so much of Rose in her adventure to try and kill dimitri. Hear the lyrics.

OMG I just realized u asked me if i like it or not. Well u can tell for how i wrote that up there. Well. I do love characters that haunt the narrative. I also fucking irritated abot it. They make me suffer. but their endings are more satisfactory (unless the endings are sad endings too¿? like the existance of its own characters. Thats how i feel.

[ac-fandom]

compilation kisaku family AU

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

They are company party of Sharp other companies, and they like 17 years.

David: don't like people, huh?

Jude: I don't like to talking to people..

David: like i didn't know that

Jude: but I love talking to you, Dave

David: *internal screams* yea me too...

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

Jude: i'm not mad i just want to know why you two need a fake ID?

Preston: *mumbles*

Jude: what you said?

Lucian: you need to be over 18 at PetCo to hold the puppies...

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

X: it's not natural for girls play soccer

Chiara: no it's not natural for someone to be stupid as they is tall and yea..

Chiara: and there you stand

Caleb: THAT'S MY NEICE!

Caleb: I'm so proud of her 🥹 *wipes away a tear*

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

*Caleb and Joe saw Quentin and Chiara kissing and Joe is is visiting the Royal Academy*

Chiara: I kiss like a princess!

Joe: you are grouned...

Joe: for till college

Chiara: for till college?

Caleb: FOR TILL COLLEGE!

Chiara: why?

Caleb: FOR KISSING THAT DELINQUENT

Chiara: you're the one who took him under your wing!

Caleb: Well, this wing shall flap no more!

Joe: Quentin is never allowed up here again, and you're never allowed to have any contact with him

Chiara: why! What did I do that was so bad!?!

Caleb: OH YOU KNOW, LIPSY!

Chiara: i'm almost 15 who old you were when you started kissing boys?

Cabel: elev-

Joe:THAT NOT THE ISSUES!

Chiara: the issues is the you two are totally overreacting

Caleb: say whatever you want, you're so grounder!

Chaira: AHHH! *walks away angry*

Caleb: we did it for her own good, we are such great uncles!

Joe: well yes, but who tells Jude and Dave that Chiara has a boyfriend?

Caleb: Holy shit I forgot that part...

Caleb: oh well in case they will find out by themselves...

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

Chiara: dad Pà, I'm not coming back for dinner, I'm staying with my boyfriend!

Jude:*in the kitchen with David* okay Chiara, call if you need something *realizes what she said* YOUR WHAT!?

Chiara: Yes?,I have a boyfriend, didn't I tell you?

David: who is it, I'll kill him.

Chiara: dad, don't be so exaggerated...

Preston: But most important is Quentin or Sangoku? Cause i like more Sangoku *at the table with Lucian*

Lucian: Preston come on, it was supposed to be a secret!

Jude and David: WHAT!?!

Chiara: oh come on, did you know that I'm polyamorous!

David: That's not the problem, darling, BUT THE FACT THAT TWO SHITS HAVE PUT THEIR FILTHY HANDS ON YOU! *takes a deep breath* anyway, give me their numbers and I'll have to have a little talk...

Chiara: *is about to speak*

Jude: No, you're not going out anymore, and give they numbers to your father.

Chiara: ...

Chiara: WELL PRESTON IS LOVE WITH DRACON!

Preston: I HATE YOU!

《Yes Chiara is in a polyamorous relationship with Sangoku and Quentin. (I also have a little something almost ready for them)》

[goddessofroyalty]

Imagine Prompto ending up with Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis. And Sephiroth has never really been too partial to Prompto, he's not weak, technically, but compared to a lot of his family? He seems that way. But Sephiroth is more than happy that at least his oldest has chosen some good blood to reproduce with. (🤢) Prompto definitely hates it, he just wants to be with his partners and not have it be a big deal. But of course, his partners are all public figures, so he has stress from both sides, lol.

No exactly what this ask is about but it's prompted this thought - it's not actually that Sephiroth sees Prompto as weak even compared tot he rest of his family. Sephiroth sees potential in Prompto he just thinks Prompto is squandering it by focusing on video games and taking photos instead of the 'more important' things (ie training and school work).

But that doesn't change the fact that he's very happy with Prompto's choice in partners and is not even remotely trying to hide that fact. Prompto has chosen very well in his eyes, he's marrying into a Royal Family that comes from a very powerful bloodline. His children will be heirs and will have the power to ensure they're rule (of course in part of the genetics Prompto is bringing to the match as well in Sephiroth's eyes).

Prompto hates it but yeah he's getting it from both sides because there's definitively people in the broader Lucian Royal Court who are very happy with this match - Sephiroth may not carry any bloodline titles but he's a very well acclaimed general and while Cloud is a nobody on paper there are the stories about how he's the only person who has been able to defeat Sephiroth in a fight. There's also those who don't like this match because of concerns about Sephiroth perhaps wanting to gain influence over the Lucian Royal Family through his son. Generally Prompto feels like all eyes are on him despite the fact he didn't seek his partners out because of the titles they carry but rather because he fell in love with them as people. He's so stressed but is still determined to be with them even knowing that it means that this will be the rest of his life.

[florian-luster]

𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓕𝓸𝔁

Part of Noctis’s royal retinue and a member of the crownsguard, labelled the King’s Spear as Noctis’s polearm weapons teacher and companion.

Born June 23, M.E. 734 in the royal capital of Insomnia to the noble family of house Fox, a few months after Ignis Scientia. Florian is second cousin to Prince Noctis with his grandfather, King Mors, being the brother of her grandmother, Princess Vera. 

[Florian is not in line for the throne but is titled Lady due to her noble status - she is able to summon weapons and dismiss them but not warp like the Kingsglaive of those in the direct line]

An idea proposed by King Regis along with a letter of permission from Lord Leon Fox, Florian’s father, suggested an engagement between the Prince of Tenebrae and the Lady Florian to strengthen bonds further between Lucis and the line of the Oracle. 

[This decision was made with the knowledge that Florian has Lucian blood in mind] 

The engagement is accepted by the Oracle and reigning Queen Sylva Via Fleuret and a Royal engagement is set until the two are older.

The two are separated when Tenebrae is annexed with Florian escaping to Lucis regretably.

Florian keeps correspondence with Ravus through letters, hoping to make a state visit so that the two may meet again as they are separated by the war between Lucis and the Empire.

The star-crossed pair finally reunite after the attack on Insomnia and Florian is conflicted between her allegiance to Noctis and her love for Ravus.

(see previous posts for more Ravus x Florian art)

[queenoffishingandcookies]

I keep thinking of the ring containing the souls/spirits of the Kings of Yore who ascended the throne, but now I’m considering if all members of the Lucis Caelum bloodline over the generations - both bloodline and married into the bloodline - are also in the ring, since they were bound to the crystal by Lucis Caelum magic for life.

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Parents, Siblings, etc.

Now adding in the concept that bearers of the ring can hear the previous generations of Kings/Queens speaking to them, imagine every family member - ever.

They’d drive each other nuts, if they don’t have personal rooms or something in The Beyond/The Ring/The Crystal (ex: the wedding cutscene post game) and only somethings are present - maybe the spirit/soul of the previous reigning monarch + those you’d have the royal arms of are more ‘present’?

There’s also the funnier idea that by stealing the crystal, Iedolas unintentionally welcomes in over a hundred generations of the LC’s into Gralea.

Especially if the LC’s can manifest their ghosts/spirits in real life. They inhabit the statues of the wall (or the statues are infused with their magic, if we look at the guardians in Ep Ardyn’s DLC, maybe, since there’s so many of them?)

So there’s (kind of?) a precedence? It’s all over if they find something like a body they can inhabit (or they make one, if ghosts can still use elemancy - or the crystal itself does something)

Iedolas literally let ghosts of the nation he tries to crush into his home. Including Regis.

Who he had killed when Insomnia fell.

Imagine the terror of seeing The Father in every corner of your vision when you know he is dead, when his body is laying on the floor of his own home or buried in a pauper’s grave (or, worst comes to worst, in a Niflheim laboratory trying to dissect Lucian magic in a way that would allow them to utilize it, now that they have ways to block it).

(Which also adds interesting Whump ideas for Ardyn, spoilers below the cut).

There’s the sunlight-cage thing in Besithia’s lab - because the Adagium is an asset to them first, and Ardyn second, except maybe for Besithia and we don’t get what goes through his head very much except for his fascination with daemons and his own experiments + everything that happens in Episode Prompto. Again, might not see Ardyn himself as a person - but an intriguing curiosity or something.

You can’t tell me they didn’t poke and prod at this man, under the facade of asking permission - or even not, considering they took and imprisoned Ifrit on ice. If they captured a god, what could they do to the Adagium, who was neither human, nor god, or even a proper daemon.

Ardyn hates Lucis due to Somnus’ betrayal and layers and layers of trauma built in isolation for over to millennium and no access to an even slightly healthy coping mechanism - but just because Niflheim got him of Angelgard, doesn’t make him loyal to the empire either.

He was as much a prisoner at the labs in Nifelheim as Angelgard - and they’re actually the ones who planted the concept of hating Lucis as a whole (and Somnus’ bloodline) into Ardyn’s head (plus the whole thing with Bahamut, the draconian bastard).

They don’t actually get him help. (Ardyn makes my heart hurt so much, he deserved so much better)

Back to the topic in the post though, this lends an interesting concept towards a part of Ardyn resonating below the rest of the LC’s, not fully conscious because he isn’t fully dead - he’s still alive. But he’s also not, and the crystal magic is as interwoven in his body as the starscourge became if not even more so, as (in my headcanon) he and Somnus were the first born with Crystal Magic in their veins, rather than building that bond with ceremony and prayer and blessing etc.

If we’re looking at Dawn of the Future, I think a part of his soul was literally stuck in the crystal from back when he and Aera were first killed? Or I’m mixing it up with a fic I read maybe, but the concept is still there and interesting to think about.

[theroyalthrones]

Behind the Scenes | Various Locations | Alland, Romagna, Orillia

beginning | previous | next

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Lucian? He's still asleep, he doesn't hear. Maybe have this slide be the sun coming in from the windows. FRANCESCA ORTEGA Luc?

LUCIAN CRIMSON ...Mmm?

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Why haven't you asked me?

2 LUCIAN CRIMSON What?

FRANCESCA ORTEGA The Winter's Gala for the College of Arts. I wanted to go.

LUCIAN CRIMSON Can't we just stay here? It's comfortable... And you're soft...

FRANCESCA ORTEGA ... Are you ashamed of me?

He get's up, he's more awake now

3LUCIAN CRIMSON How could you think that?

FRANCESCA ORTEGA I don't know, maybe it's because all we do is hide in here.

LUCIAN CRIMSON I can't complain

He's on the ground putting on his pants

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Well I can! I'm sorry I'm not some plastic heiress like all the girls you've been with befor-

LUCIAN CRIMSON That's not what I want anyway, Cesca. I want you.

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Then take me to the dance.

He kisses her

LUCIAN CRIMSON I'm sorry, I can't. I have my reasons, trust me. FRANCESCA ORTEGA ...

LUCIAN CRIMSON I'll make it up to you, promise? I'm late to practice, Nic is going to kill me. This is where their kid is probably conceived.

Now they're back in the present. Their in a swanky restuarant. Francesca arrives, the host leads her

FRANCESCA ORTEGA I'm meeting someone, he should be here already.

HOST Right this way. In the back room, Lucian is at the table. He gets up and kisses her cheek. Sitting down, he takes her hand in his. LUCIAN CRIMSON Call me crazy, but I've been thinking. FRANCESCA ORTEGA Oh no, I'm scared.

LUCIAN CRIMSON What if we arrived to our dates together instead of separately.Or Walked in public, with no disguises?

FRANCESCA ORTEGA (mocking sarcasm) I have to lock you up, Luc. That's the craziest thing ever. I'm sure absolutely no one does it. LUCIAN CRIMSON (chuckles) But we don't. She takes her hand back. FRANCESCA ORTEGA You know why, absolutely nothing about you is mundane.

LUCIAN CRIMSON Is there a scale to mundanity? I'm just a Man, Cesca. I could tr-

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Oh please, Luc. That is never in the cards for us. People would talk.

FRANCESCA ORTEGA It wouldn't be good.

LUCIAN CRIMSON People are always talking, Francesca. I'm done letting that effect my life. We've wasted too much time.

LUCIAN CRIMSON I don't want to waste more.

FRANCESCA ORTEGA ...

They leave the restuarant.

LUCIAN CRIMSON We're really doing this again?

FRANCESCA ORTEGA (Sighs) I'll see you at the car.

She sits alone in the dark restuarant room. Sadly. They Drive home silently in the back of a limo. At her apartment, she gets out. But Lucian Grabs her hand

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Lucian! (whisper shout) Someone'll see! LUCIAN CRIMSON (Laughs) Goodnight, Cesca.

FRANCESCA ORTEGA Hurry, Lucian!

[invisibleicewands]

Michael Sheen narrates our brand-new show for The Snowman Tour

We are thrilled to announce that Michael Sheen has recorded the narration of The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle for us, ready for its world premiere on The Snowman Tour, 2024.

“I get to tell the story of The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle! It's something that I'm really excited to be a part of; the storytelling by David Litchfield is so rich, and the music that has been composed by Daniel Whibley is incredibly beautiful. To be able to contribute to such a lovely family experience this Christmas brings me a lot of joy.” Michael Sheen

Our Managing Director, Rachel Whibley, explains, "It’s been a joy collaborating with award-winning author-illustrator David Litchfield, award-winning composer (and Carrot Productions' very own Artistic Director) Daniel Whibley, and animator Kevin Francis to bring The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle to life for our audiences.”

"We are hugely honoured that Michael Sheen agreed to narrate The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle!" Rachel enthuses. "He is a phenomenal actor and an all-round lovely human being, and it has been a privilege to collaborate with him on this project."

Michael recorded the narration last week in a London studio, and we are delighted to be able to share a sneak preview of his beautiful narration alongside the animation and music.

Michael Sheen

Michael is a multi-award-winning Welsh actor and RADA graduate known for his extensive work across film, TV and stage, as well as his charity work. His vast film credits include The Damned United, David Frost in Frost/Nixon, Tony Blair in The Queen, Lucian in the Underworld series, Aro in The Twilight Saga, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, and Apostle.

Michael’s numerous TV credits include The Special Relationship, Masters of Sex, for which he was also a producer, Good Omens, Prodigal Son, Quiz, and Staged - the hit lockdown comedy co-created with David Tennant. Sheen's acclaimed stage performances include Amadeus, Caligula, and Hamlet. Recently, he made his directorial debut with The Way and played Prince Andrew in A Very Royal Scandal. He created, co-directed, and performed in the ground-breaking three-day live event The Passion in Port Talbot for National Theatre Wales.

The Bear and the Piano - the book trilogy

The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle, published in 2018, is the second book in the trilogy created by the multi-award winning illustrator and author, David Litchfield. The original book,The Bear and the Piano, took the world by storm in 2016, winning numerous awards, including Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for the Best Illustrated Book of the year. The final book, The Bear, the Piano, and Little Bear’s Concert published in 2020, sees Bear’s international concert days behind him; now a father, his musical adventures continue closer to home. 

The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle - the story

Set in New Orleans with a new cast of animal musicians, this charming sequel is a story about friendship and perseverance. Hector, a fiddle player, and his dog, Hugo, are best friends. They have made music together through good times, bad times and even some crazy times. Hugo is Hector's biggest fan, and when Hector retires, Hugo secretly learns to play the fiddle himself. But when Hugo gets the chance to play and tour with Bear’s Big Band – an opportunity that Hector had always dreamed of – Hector’s jealousy gets the better of him. Will Hector be able to overcome his own disappointment and learn to be happy for his friend?

This heartfelt tale reminds us that there are many different kinds of success. It celebrates the joy and healing powers of music and friendship, and teaches that friendship, like good music, lasts forever.

David Litchfield - the author and illustrator

David is a multi-award winning illustrator and author. David first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones ‘mash up’ comics for his older brother and sister. Since then his work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts. He has also exhibited his illustrations in both solo and group shows in the U.K, Europe and America. In addition to The Bear and the Piano trilogy, David’s author/illustrator picture books include Grandad’s Secret Giant, Lights On Cotton Rock, T, and Kid Christmas: Of The Claus Brothers Toyshop. David has illustrated books for authors Ross Montgomery, Gregory Maguire, David Almond and Smriti Halls; Miss Muffet, Or What Came After for Marilyn Singer and book covers for Kate Dicamillo, Neil Patrick Harris, Chloe Daykin and many more. David lives with his family in Bedfordshire, England.

“I am so excited that Carrot Productions are adapting my book 'The Bear, the Piano, the Dog & the Fiddle' for their amazing live performance. Seeing my first book 'The Bear and the Piano' come to life on stage in Carrot's previous shows was one of the highlights of my life and I cannot wait to see what these incredible musicians and storytellers achieve with this new book.” David Litchfield

Daniel Whibley - the composer

Daniel is a composer and arranger whose music is heard live each year by thousands of people across the world, featured on TV and all BBC Radio stations. He was commissioned by Aardman to produce orchestral arrangements for all four Wallace & Gromit films and additional material for Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep in Concert. He wrote music for the 2023 CBeebies Prom and Mr Tumble’s Special Adventure with the BBC Philharmonic. His Musical Story of the Gingerbread Man has had millions of views, and his 10-part CBeebies series, Musical Storyland, was recently nominated for a Royal Television Society award.

“I’ve relished working alongside animator Kevin Francis to create a brand new score for The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle. Expect some very virtuosic violin playing at the performances!” Daniel Whibley

The Snowman Tour 2024

Carrot Productions are excited to be staging not one, but two world premieres for the 2024 The Snowman Tour. Alongside the screening of The Snowman, we will premiere two films featuring two very special dogs - Hugo the violin-playing dog, and The Snowdog himself.

We will be touring to venues across the country this November and December with two different shows. Choose between:

The Snowman™withThe Snowman and the Snowdog or The Snowman™withThe Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle

Our shows feature screenings of the films, accompanied live by full orchestra, together with some other festive musical delights, and even an appearance from the Snowman himself!

You can hear Michael Sheen's charming and evocative narration of The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle at venues including: Stockport, Oldham, Derby, Buxton, Guildford, Birmingham, Liverpool, York and Chester. See listings for details.

“It's been wonderful to collaborate with the creatives at Penguin and author-illustrator David Litchfield to bring these films to life for our audiences.” Rachel Whibley, Managing Director, Carrot Productions

[ofgrenvde]

Name: Lucian Tae-Yang Kang

Age: 30

Pronouns: he/him

Face Claim: Cha Eun-Woo

Occupation: Video Game Developer

Neighborhood: Dynasty Hills

2 Positive Traits: Creative & Determined

2 Negative Traits: Vindictive & Self Sabotaging

TL;DR

Lucian grew up as Min-ho Kang's "Tuesday kid" – the secret son across town while his half-brother Thomas got the mansion and the legitimacy. He found his groove coding games in college and met Afet, who tore apart his designs then helped rebuild them. They clicked for two years until Lucian bolted, terrified of becoming his two-timing dad. Now at 32, he's grinding at BigPixel while taking legal shots at Thomas for control of the family casino. The guy who once plastered his room with punk posters is finally stepping out of the shadows, ready to claim what he believes is rightfully his.

Biography

Lucian never talked about those first sixteen years—living across town from the Kang mansion, seeing his father on random Tuesdays when Min-ho could slip away. His mother called it "complicated." He called it bullshit. When his father finally brought him home, the old man probably expected gratitude. Instead, he got a resentful teenager who decorated his room with middle fingers to family tradition—posters of punk bands and half-finished code on sticky notes. Thomas was already gone by then, and hated Lucian with a burning passion. The golden son. The legitimate one. Fortunately for him, Lucian hated him back. In his eyes, his brother got everything he never did. All because his mother was married to their father. At college, Lucian found his passion. He was often hunched over a keyboard, building a game about a character who could reshape reality. His professors called it genius. His father called it an expensive hobby and a waste of time. But those lines of code made more sense than family ever had. He met Afet during a game jam—she ripped his interface design to shreds, then stayed up thirty hours straight helping him rebuild it. For two years, they dated, made his apartment feel like home with prototype controllers. He started dreaming about something permanent, and that's when the panic hit. He'd watched his father maintain two families like separate game save files. He swore he'd never be that man, so he did something worse, he walked away. Now, he creates worlds for BigPixel while plotting his return to the real one. The Grand Royale isn't just a casino; it's the crown jewel Thomas inherited without earning. Lucian's legal challenge has the family lawyers working overtime. At thirty-two, his reflection showed his father's eyes staring back. But unlike Min-ho, Lucian's done pretending. Devil's Junction would know exactly who he was now.

[artoftiam]

I feel like I've been neglecting my original characters the last couple years. And while I've enjoyed getting back into fanart, I also kind of miss drawing my silly guys.

So, here's Pepper and Lucian. I've yet to finalize their designs, but this is a scene where they're out of their normal clothes.

When I finished this I felt some Cinderella vibes. Dunno if that's just me. But Lucian is no prince, and Pepper, well, he actually does have ties to the royal family. Even if he severed them.

Also, my tablet's screen has the colors off and so does my laptop, so I'm kind of in this state where I'm never sure if my colors look right. So hopefully nothing looks too off.