#sea shanties my beloved

[wordy-little-witch]

Okay but One Piece being in the pirate era and the lack of a frankly inordinate amount of sea shanties hurts me. Like you know DAMN well Roger was a partier, Buggy and Shanks undoubtedly know an incredible amount of shanties, from their first crews, from the new crews, from exploring and seeing and experiencing the world so thoroughly from such a young age.

Shanks would be the type to belt them, top of his lungs, but always adhere to the Codes, though he does think on it for a moment. People think he'd be a pirate head to toe, through and through, and he is! Truly, he is. He just doesn't really live by the Code and die by the Code the way some of the older generation does.

Buggy, despite popular belief, is the one to cling to those Codes with all he has. It's subtle, in the way he hums certain songs to himself but never sings the full lyrics without Meaning. He will sing and dance and party with his crew, they will make merry but they will do so properly. He's avant garde and nouveau expressionism but he's also old fashioned.

When he finds out Shanks taught this scrawny rubber twink everything the kid knows about piracy through sporadic meetings over a year, nearing a decade ago, he is absolutely livid. The swordsman is stupid but has a decent head on his shoulders for behavior. The redhead, from what he sees, knows more than most. He decides to put class in session.

He's surprised to be beaten so thoroughly and then furthermore to be removed succinctly. He's not gonna let it slide, obviously, but he'll play along. Sure. Could be fun. He was getting bored anyway.

Shit just so happens to hit the fan with this decision and all that follow. Shanks, knowing the truth of things, is simply VERY amused and Buggy is debating fratricide.

He's been playing this role for so long, it feels unnatural to drop it. It feels wrong. It makes him panic, makes him Itch.

It only comes to a head years later as he's humming to himself late in the evening on a certain day in September, having spent a good chunk of the day on his own, away from company and to the surprise of very few. Crocodile and Mihawk are among those who do not know why, but they alone are the ones to look for him.

Finding Buggy, singing softly to an animal as he gently brushes out their fur, surrounded by calm animals who seem to nearly build a wall with their bodies between himself and the world, was not anticipated to either men. Nor was hearing Buggy's voice, usually so shrill and rasped, flow gently over a melody with a grief filled expression. Ritchie, among the ones closest, gently head butted the clown with soulful eyes. Mihawk and Crocodile simply watch, seeing Buggy groom and pamper the creatures within the stables this far from town as he sings a specific sequence of songs.

Mihawk realizes first just what they're witnessing, and he grips the logia user's arm, guiding them both back. Crocodile, startled, goes to ask, and Hawkeyes simply shakes his head sharply. It is only once they are far enough that Mihawk breaths a stunned, "He's performing Rites."

"What?"

"Rites," the swordsman reiterates, sending the other a suspicious look. "The Rites of the Code."

The mafioso takes a drag from his cigar, gesturing for the other to go on.

Mihawk sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I forget," he remarks dryly, "how uneducated in ours ways you are."

"Excuse me-?!"

"Rites," the other interrupts, "are a form of mourning. Frequency varies, and the honoring actions can be altered as well. The constant component are the shanties sung in remembrance and the flags flown. For some, a single instance can be sufficient..." Golden eyes drift to the side, unfocused, as he continues. "For others, there is a need to continue doing so. Often, it is a crew mourning a commanding officer. Unlike Marines, Pirates all share an unspoken connection. Though paths may vary and goals may differ, we all care Her in our veins."

Violet eyes love to the expanse of blue, the horizon bleeding across the world. He knew. He may lack some of the nuance of the Code from his priorities laying further inland, but he knew this. How could he not when his own blood sang salted sprays? He knew this much at the very least.

"So the clown is in mourning."

"Yes."

".... why?"

"...... ....... it is September."

"And?"

"The 28th."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You were there, too, 25 years ago. Loguetown."

Silence falls.

The wind rustles branches overhead. It carries the faintest wisps of a voice. The two men pointedly ignore it and the choked quality it had.

".... I see."

"..... yes. That is my theory, at any rate."

"............. Hawkeye."

"What?"

"He was on the King's crew."

"Yes, this has been established."

"Why?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Why him? Why the clown? He's not even 40 yet, so that day... he'd have been, what, 15, at the most? He'd have been on the crew for years by that point. He was there before the man was crowned, after all."

"Shanks was, as well. I believe the earliest mention was when he mentioned an incident from their childhood. He'd said they were... oh, what was it? Seven? Thereabouts. To be on a crew so young..."

"To be there so long, Hawkeye. The brat would have been with them since childhood. That crew was infamous for the things they did - the clown does not fit the pattern."

"He does not boast anything nearing the decorum expected of a fledgling of a King..."

"He knows the Codes, something never mentioned to us nor taught explicitly to his crew that we know of. He served under the King and kept it hidden from the world government for decades. He escaped the Grandline and settled as an East Blue nuisance for years. He was imprisoned in Impel Down with no sea stone."

Golden eyes widen. "You believe he has been hiding more than simply his heritage."

"What makes more sense? This, or what we have thought so far."

"How would we confirm it?"

"Just ask me, maybe?"

Neither man will admit to being startled when a new voice chimes in, soft and hoarse, drowsy. Buggy leans into Ritchie's side as the lion purrs loudly, the clown rubbing his eye.

He continues. "Tomorrow, though. It's late, I'm not feeling well, and Ritch and I have a date with my blanket nest."

"The lion?" / "Blanket nest?"

Buggy giggles softly. "Weighted blankets are expensive. Weighted Ritchies only cost snacks and chin scritches," he remarks softly. "As for the blankets, nests are the way to go. Good night."

Two dark haired men are left by a drowsy clown and lion in the woods on the edge of town with much to thing on and a list to compile for the next day.

The first question? How Mihawk had not sensed him whatsoever on approach.

[eluminium]

49

Oak & Ash & Thorn by The Longest Johns!

[scootatwoni]

Ok I have a couple of wakuu headcanons cookin in the ole noggin but I'll share my favorite one so far:

This is inspired by one of the post-marriage dialogues you can get with Wakuu, where he tells the player he bought his dad new yellow boots, but is pretty sure he won't bother to wear them.

My hc is that, yeah, Wakuu and Wataru still have their disagreements. Wataru still won't budge on certain things (especially new yellow rain boots). But if the farmer gives him those new boots? You will see him wearing them the very next day.

He is an absolute softie for his son's partner/spouse (even if it doesn't seem like it because he's still got his gruff edge)

And it's equal parts confusing, frustrating and endearing for Wakuu. But what Wakuu doesn't know is that Wataru gets soft because he's happy he gets to see his son happy w/ someone. It warms his stormy heart!

[noeyecontactpleasse]

Sea shanties just pulled me out of my depression slump.

[panhelleniios]

thinking too hard about pokemon verse herc despite barely establishing that the verse even exists on here

[dragongirl-casca]

I love sea shanties :3

[mooshie-blue]

Romantic Barnacles headcanons!!

He’s very big on acts of service and words of affirmation,

he doesn’t mind handling tasks or chores for his you when you’re not up for it. He’s happy to help no matter what! Sometimes he’ll take care of said tasks before you get a chance because he just wants to!

He’s always happy to let you know how greatly he appreciates you and everything you do, for him, on the octopod, in general, he adores you and everything you are and he’s not shy to explain the details. He loves seeing the embarrassed or shy smile on your face. He loves any chance he has to tell you every part of you that he loves. God, he just adores how much it warms your heart.

He doesn’t initiate physical affection much, not that he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t exactly know how to do so without feeling awkward. But he’s not above trying, his kisses are like whispers against your skin, delicate and gentle, his hugs are protective, he lets you know he’ll never leave your side no matter what. He loves burying his face in your chest or shoulder. He may not be a fan of warmth due to being a polar bear and growing up in cold environments, but the warmth you give is warmth he never wants to live without.

He’s not good with creative petnames, but the ones he has, he says with utter adoration and love, he uses names like “Darling,” “Dear, “My Love.” And in softer, more intimate moments he calls you more tender things like “Sweetness,” “Beautiful,” “Beloved,”“Pretty”

He loves taking care of you when your sick, of course he’ll have Peso check up on you and give you medicine if needed, but Barnacles helps prepare you food or making your bed more comfortable for you, he’ll help run you a bath, keep you company. He wants to be around you.

He serenades you. Ask him to sing he’ll happily go about it. He’ll play his accordion to if you want. His soft, smooth voice will set you in the right mood when you’re down, and his cheerful sea shanties will make you giggle. Even just humming.

Sometimes, just for the sake of genuineness and being old fashioned, he’ll write you letters, he’ll write about anything, about how your smile was especially bright today, or how pretty your voice is, etc.

He loves dancing with you, (in my opinion he’s 3 feet tall or so) he loves it when you hold him close to your chest, he loves hearing the soft bear of your heart and the way you carry him as you move.

This can apply to cuddling as well, he loves how safe you make him feel, especially since he’s usually the one to make others feel safe. He loves the way your arms feel around him, or how you rest your chin or cheek against his head. He loves how your lips feel against his muzzle. AGHHGH he loves you so much!!!

He’s a huge gentleman, of course in general but especially around you. He’ll kiss your hand to greet you or before he leaves. He holds your hand always, he lets you in first, stuff like that!

He looks at you like THIS:

[bebemoon]

hi dove 🤍 I've been dreaming of weddings lately, and I wondered about what your take would be on a beach wedding? I have the feeling you could put together the most picturesque and magical event ever !

as far as visuals, this is the right place. mermaid bride was the basic concept of my archive c. 2o17 - 2o22...maybe even a little earlier/later than that. the earlier of those years, the warmer months were within in the rusalochka palette. {x} {x} {x} {x} {x} {x}

my take is a lot, frankly. i would, in my wildest fantasy, arrive by silk-laden ship and take a little flower-filled boat to shore to reach the altar. little girls from the wedding party would absolutely be with me, in the boat, tossing petals into the sea and my veil would be so over-long it would trail and drift along in the tide behind us. other boats would accompany mine, i think, possibly with sailors in smart uniform singing really old romantic shanties to echo off the glistening shore- ghostly in the petal-scattered offing. i'd have my baby brother help me down from the boat once i reached the shore and we'd wade through ankle-deep waters to the beach where my beloved waits. past wild horses who keep to the shoreline (observers, like any wedding guest), towers of sand and shell, pearl pots and scattered flowers and candles long-blown-out by the sea breeze. wed by personal friend, qiuetly exchanging vows and rings- all drowned-out from the ears of others by the sound of the sea behind us. our loved ones would enjoy a feast of delicacies set upon long tables in the shallows (x). lively string music and bonfires would spring to life as night falls. and, after everything, we would leave our guests in a slip of moonlight by boat to return to the ship. from the edge, we would still see our friends and family by firelight, dancing and waving back at us from the beach.

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

The Arcana HCs: M6 when a spell goes wrong and they're stuck as a small child for a day

Reverse scenario is here:

~ to set the scene ~

It's been a while since your little mishap with your notebook and spell development. At this point, your day as a toddler has become a funny story to share with guests over dinner. You're reminiscing on it early one morning as you lie awake next to your slumbering beloved. You never did figure out exactly what was going on with that circle. You decide to flip through your notebook and take another look at it while you wait for your darling to wake up.

As you're reading back over it, you feel them stir next to you. "MC? What are you looking at?" Still half asleep, they reach over to pull you closer, but instead their hand falls flat against the page. One bright light later, you're gazing over wide-eyed at the small child rubbing their eyes next to you.

(I've included the official art of child!Julian, Asra, Muriel, and Portia. Unfortunately there's no game art for child!Nadia or Lucio, but I was able to get sketches from the old livestreams. Enjoy! - brainrot)

Julian

Figures out his predicament almost immediately. From the way you're looking at him to how small his hands suddenly are, he knows

What neither of you expects is the pipsqueak voice that comes out of him when he opens his mouth to talk to you

"MC, I - ah! Is that my voice?!"

He's going to spend the next hour while you make and eat breakfast trying to figure out the funniest thing to say in a child's voice, ranging from his extensive knowledge of curse words to lectures on medicine to warbling ancient Vesuvian operas

Malak thinks it's fantastic. He's following nearby, cawing along to whatever Julian has to say

You end up putting him in one of his normal dress shirts, which looks like a dress on him now, and using a scarf for a sash

He'll get bored rather quickly - all of his favorite activities are off the table until he's an adult again

You remember him mentioning living with his parents on one of their merchant ships as a boy though, so you take him down to the docks

A couple polite requests later, and several of the sailors agree to let him explore their ships as long as he doesn't get underfoot

It's a special time for him, running around a ship with the same perspective that he had when his parents were alive. It unearths some memories he had previously forgotten and that makes him so happy

You also had Malak take a message up to the palace inviting Portia down (you didn't want to risk losing Julian in the crowd in the trek up) and she arrives just in time for lunch with Mazelinka in tow

Portia absolutely gets misty-eyed seeing her brother like this again, she always used to think he was so grown-up next to her but realizing he was just a child too is doing things to her heart

You'll have a late lunch on the beach together before heading back to his house

Since all three of them are feeling nostalgic, Julian, Portia, and Mazelinka will pass the afternoon reminiscing on what life was like the last time he looked like this

They leave before the sun sets - they have lives to get back to, and you have dinner to prepare

The first thing he does after poofing back is bellow out a raunchy sea shanty and hunt down the liquor he's been saving in the back of the cabinet. He missed being an adult

Asra

They knew what has happening as it happened, they saw their palm landing on the spell circle and had resigned themselves to the outcome before the light had faded

The first thing he does is take full advantage of his new size to snuggle up on your chest and fall back asleep

And hey, it's several hours before their normal wake-up time, and it's not like you'll be able to do anything else today, so you fall back asleep too

When you re-awaken it's to a suspiciously quiet house

When you find him he's tucked away in a corner with Faust, scheming brainstorming about the opportunities his temporary shift affords him

You're able to distract them with breakfast, but it quickly becomes obvious that their attention span is considerably shorter and their sense of propriety considerably less inhibiting than their adult form

Cue a wild game of chase around the closed shop, Faust watching gleefully from the rafters as Asra keeps setting off latent spells just to watch your reactions before scampering off in a fit of giggles

They're surprisingly docile once you catch them though, as soon as you've got your arms around them they're cuddling up. You've never held a snugglier child

There's also the issue of clothes - none of his clothes fit, and he couldn't care less. You end up tying a shawl around him and knotting it in the back where he can't reach to take it off when it hinders his freedom of movement

If you need to have a serious conversation with them it's entirely possible, they're just living in the moment

You manage to pack a lunch and take him over to Aisha and Salim's

To say they're overjoyed is an understatement. They missed so much of Asra's childhood and growing up, and you've just given them several hours of that back

For the first fifteen minutes or so, he's got his guard up a little. It takes a lot of vulnerability to revisit that stage in life, with the parents he so keenly felt the loss of

But then one of them cracks an inside joke, and all the emotional walls come tumbling down

You get to spend the rest of the day getting a glimpse into the past, of what their family was like before the hard times started

You're also relieved that you're not the only one responsible for keeping them in check

As soon as he poofs back, he's waving goodbye and heading out the door with you. He misses his kisses

Nadia

She realizes a split second after you do, and she is Not Impressed

She's spent most of her life trying to outrun being perceived as the baby of the family, and now here she is - a baby!

She's not upset with you though, she knows if there's anyone to blame it's her for touching the page like that and the look on your face says you didn't mean to

She also knows that there's still Vesuvia to run - oh well, it looks like she'll be taking a vacation

She's standing on the bed, robe pulled around her, arms crossed over her tiny rib cage as she gives directions for her absence

You're quickly realizing that her sense of authority didn't come from ruling Vesuvia - it's clear she was just born with it

Finding a good outfit for her to wear is also quite difficult. She knows it's last minute, but one of the ways she combats her own insecurities is by appearing as put together as possible at all times

You're not sure what to do at first. You know the last thing she wants is to be in touch with her family right now, and she'll get bored quickly if she just stays inside her chambers with you

Luckily for you, she knows exactly what she wants to do - and that is everything that she wasn't allowed to do the last time she was this size

She's leading the way to the stables and getting ready to ride off into the sunset before you can blink

It quickly gets tiresome though. She was already sneaking off the last time she was this age, and she already knows all the area around the palace

Your wave of inspiration hits as it gets close to lunchtime. She's always wanted an incognito tour or Vesuvia. This is the perfect chance

She's immediately for the idea. She was never allowed to do this as a kid, and it's something she still struggles to get away with

You find her some every day kid's clothes in the marketplace and spend the afternoon wandering the streets, giving her a taste of the "real" Vesuvia

By the time you're heading back to the palace as the sun sets, her whole perspective about the day has shifted. She might ask you to do this again, if she needs to do something undercover

She chooses to wait until after poofing back to have dinner. After the day she's had, she wants her Golden Goose

She eventually agrees to let you tell parts of the story to her family members. Watching their reactions helps remind her that they did not look down on her, but truthfully admired her as a kid

Muriel

Completely frozen. It's up to you to make the first move

He understands what happened as soon as it happens, but he's in denial about it

He'll only start moving once you ask him if he's okay, if anything hurts, if he can talk, etc

The sudden levels of attention you're showing him will spur him to action and then he'll start responding again, shifting around and pulling the shirt he's drowning in closer around his shoulders

You'll probably end up tucking him back in bed and suggesting he rest and get over the shock a little more while you prepare breakfast. He'll agree because he's not sure what else to do

It really hits home with him when he sits down to a full, hot meal at the small table with you. You accidentally prepared the amount that the two of you normally eat and he doesn't remember ever having a full stomach at this age

You'll watch him wolf down his plate and then pause, struggling between the instinct to eat while there is food and the desire to savor having more food than he can eat

The morning continues like that, with him silently processing all the ways his life has changed for the better from his childhood's perspective

There is a funny moment with the chickens when it's time to feed them, of course

They've had to wait a few extra hours, so as soon as they hear the feed bucket they're charging at you twice as aggressively as normal

Now that he's small, they don't seem as tiny to him any more, and the hungry chicken avalanche leaves him a little shaken

You decide to give him a day as quiet and pleasant and safe as he deserved as a kid

You'll pack a big lunch of his favorites and go on a quiet stroll through the woods, listening to the bird song and admiring the plants

It's a strange experience for him because he's so used to being the biggest thing in the woods that having to look up at stuff is weird, and slightly frightening

On the other hand, the different vantage point has him noticing all kinds of details that never stood out to him before

Eating your packed lunch together in fields where the grass grows above his head is surreal. Being able to lie down next to you and know that only you and the sky and birds can see him is liberating

When he poofs back after returning to the hut, it's the first time he's felt truly thankful for his size. He can protect you better like this, now that he's been reminded of what the world can be like when you're small

Portia

It takes her a second. She hit the notebook instead of your face because her curls were in her eyes, and they're still in her eyes, but why are her arms so short when she pushes them out of her face?

Whoah, you've turned into a giant. Scratch that, everything is big now, that means she must have shrunk

Now she's spotting the notebook in your hand and the shock on your face, and her own voice confirms it

"MC, I just set off a spell, didn't I?"

You're nodding slowly, watching her carefully stand up and look around

When she turns back to you, it's with an all-too-familiar look of mischief

"This bed is huge when I'm this size! I don't have to worry about breaking it at all!"

She's bouncing on the bed, shrieking with laughter and giggling, and all you can feel is relief that she sees the mishap as a good thing

She'll ask you to send a message giving her the day off of work, of course, and then she'll start brainstorming things to do while she chases a very confused Pepi around the house

"Do you think they'll give me pastries if I ask nicely since I'm so small now? You have to admit I'm pretty cute. I bet I could ask for anything!"

So. Much. Energy. You end up leaving her to her own devices while you get breakfast together, and by the time she sits down to eat she's already deconstructed the entire living room

All of her shirts have wide necklines and don't stay up on her tiny form, so you have to put her in one of your own with a ribbon for a sash. Good luck trying to tie up her curls

You decide to take her into town for the day, on the condition that she not let go of your hand. You both agree eventually to tie a ribbon around her wrist for you to hold on to just in case

You're able to find her clothes that fit, and get a read on Julian's most likely location

As soon as you find him and he spots Portia, he is one smiling mess. So much of his identity is wrapped up in trying to be a good older brother to her, and now he has the chance to do that as an adult

He'll put her up on his shoulders and the three of you will saunter through all the fun parts of town, getting into all the best kinds of trouble

You'll get a summons from Nadia as well for afternoon tea. She wants to see one of her best friends as a child too

When Portia poofs back that evening all the exhaustion will hit her at once like a wave. This day will become one of her fondest memories

Lucio

Is convinced that you're just playing mind games to make the world look bigger than it is until you show him the notebook and explain that it's the same spell that hit you previously

He's a little panicked now. He's been able to survive this long because he was strong and vicious, and when he needed your help his big thing to contribute was his ability to protect you

What if you decide to leave because he can't protect you like this? He couldn't blame you, after the past you unearthed with him he knows you know exactly who he is and sometimes it's hard to believe you love him anyways

You can recognize those wide eyes and trembling lips anywhere, the first thing you're doing is pulling him into a hug

The hug does him in, Morga was never the affectionate type and being held in a such a safe embrace when he feels so small makes him fall apart a little

Will deny any and all emotional vulnerability. He has a reputation to uphold, dammit

You'll get him situated with one of his shirts and a scrapped together sash. He's too busy marveling at having both arms again to complain about it not being stylish

Quickly realizes from your reactions to his requests that he is in fact adorable in this form. Contrary to your expectations, he doesn't mind that at all

It's also becoming more and more apparent that the child-likeness is affecting him. It turns out his obsessive love of partying comes from a very playful nature

If you're on a job at the time, you'll decide to make it a travel day

He'll find a stick to use as his sword and tuck it into his sash since you've temporarily confiscated the real one

He's running circles around you, yelling his little boy's heart out, scrambling up every large rock you pass so you can compliment his climbing skills

Each time you praise him he'll flush, his normally sharp smile softer with the baby fat on his cheeks and his scrawny chest all puffed up with pride. Being a kid around someone who lets him actually act like one is the best thing that's ever happened to him

And that's how most of the day passes, traveling a bit slower than usual through nature, listening to his breathless story telling as he fights off imaginary beasts with his wooden sword and kissing the bumps and scrapes he gets so they heal better

He begins to get a little scared when night falls, because he knows his golden day is about to come to an end

So as soon as he poofs back, you pull him back into your arms so he knows you will always be there to hold him, no matter the state he's in

[wordy-little-witch]

I absolutely adore your thoughts on Buggy and Sea Shanties. So I'd like to share an inspiration and a thought, Tale of the Shadow by Sail North.

What if that's the treasure Buggy seaked when he was younger and just as the lyrics he found it but the crew he put together was not loyal like his cannon lot so they where killed but the Shadow took a liking to Buggy after he survived. I'm imagining him flirting with the ship helped in that regard. Buggy captain of the Shadow.

Okay but that would he SUCH a good take. ((I love Sail North honestly you are fueling my obsession yesss)).

Consider maybe instead of Buggy actively SEARCHING for it, he stumbled across it. And the Shadow being less of a Prize To Be Sought and more of a grim omen, a harbinger of sea stories, among the many Buggy knows by heart.

His first crew, the ones cobbled together so soon after his first abandoned him - I'm honestly thinking they were sort of thrown together and Buggy took charge as he tends to do. And the rest fall in line at a surface level but only insofar as completing their goals. Buggy knows, he can see it, but really the only people he's ever had in his life who took him and his wants semi-seriously are dead or dead-to-him at that point. He doesn't care. It's a means to an end, he tells himself. He's using them as much as they're using him - no, he's using them more! In the flashiest of ways!!

And then they happen across a fog. And Buggy can Feel something out there that's Looking and Searching and Calling. He is absolutely not about that, no sir. He gives the orders to sail westward, navigating by the stars and not the log pose which is wobbling steadily to that Other Presence. The crew, if they can even be called that, are not happy with the order.

Buggy by this point is young still, maybe sixteen thereabouts at most, and he is the youngest on the ship. And the smallest. And seems the weakest.

He is not, the group learns terrifyingly quickly. He is thin, fast, skilled with a blade and smarter than he pretends to be. He's got experience under his belt and on his side against opponents bigger, stronger, better than him - and he's used to being outnumbered too.

The fight takes time and Buggy soon gets hit with a lucky shot, sending him sprawling to the deck and nearly crushed beneath ratty boots and cruel laughter. He is panting against the wood, straining to get up, to move, to fight or flee-

And he freezes.

The Presence is back and it's stronger than ever, right on top of them. It's only his resistance to Conquerors Haki which keeps him from so much as fluttering an eyelid under the sudden pressure choking the men and women alike on his ship.

Not many have the nerve to approach my hull with so little awareness.

Buggy goes still at the soft voice while the other's scatter, scramble, search for the interloper. They shout demands for the person to show themselves. Buggy merely pushes himself up enough to bow properly. That is no person, he knows, not in the way these bozos think.

There's a sudden whirl of air, rigging springing into motion, ropes and sails unwinding to snatch bodies and cut voices into choked gargling frenzies.

Buggy does not move. His head aches, his body sore, but his mind is racing over contingency after contingency. He needs to think, needs to figure out a way to survive this unholy clusterfuck of a situation-

He freezes as he catches a black intangible hem from his periphery.

A hand touches his head, soft despite the carnage swaying above by their will.

So small you are, little star, and yet so brightly you shine in the gloom...

A hand takes his chin, tilts his head up. Buggy squeezes his eyes shut.

Look upon me, star child.

"N-No," he declares decisively, though not impolitely. "It is disrespectful for mortals to meet the gaze of Spirits."

Ohhh, how bright you are, little star. What say the waves to my hull, what say the winds to my sails, that by which you are known?

He thinks for a moment, carefully, then answers. "I am called Buggy."

Oh, my sweet, my darling, how interesting you are, how clever, how wise for your sweet short years. By what means have the Fates forged a mind and soul like this? Such a gift to my heart, so intriguing.

"... what..." He licks his lips. "What say the sea, the winds, to that which you are called?"

... I am called many things, my junebug. But now? This Era knows me as The Shadow... but you knew that, didn't you?

"..."

Hm~ Yes. You will do nicely.

"What- aAA-!!"

Shhh, sleep, my sweet, let my love fill your pores and lungs. Dream sweetly under my spells and carry the blackened blessing of my Self with you into the Beginning and End. You, sweet Buggy, are destined for great things. I will carry you there, so long as you carry me in turn...

Buggy screamed into the wooden planks as blackness swallowed his senses, burning and baptizing his cells. The only thing he was aware of was the soft hand in his hair, the whispered assurances like dripping ink, and the pain.

Buggy was swallowed whole on a ship in the fog, cradled by a faceless being and guarded by corpses.

He awakens some time later on his ship, battered and damaged, dirty but warm under the warm, blazing sun. The rigging is damaged, the bodies gone. Buggy is alone, but, he finds sometime later, not unscathed. Staring back from the backs of his hands are two inky stylized emblems. The eyes stare into the air and space, offset by his skin.

He shudders.

He takes to wearing gloves.

He doesn't notice until weeks later that sometimes his shadow will smile at him, warm, loving, intelligent.

He learns more in the ensuing time, but not a word of it is ever breathed to another person.

One does not speak of deals with the fae, after all.

[the-province-of-nova-scotia-real]

LET YOUR MOUNTAINS DARK AND DREARY BE.

anyways vaguely pointing everyone towards the song Manitoba by kieran campbell because its SO SOFT and SO SWEET and oddly nostalgic feeling somehow and NO I DONT ACTUALLY KNOW 99% OF THE LYRICS but still. anyways. go listen i highly recommend.

[spearxwind]

heyyy im making a pirate character. got any pirate music recs

OH ABSOLUTELY

Alestorm (band) these guys make exclusively pirate themed music. Here's a rly charming music vid of one lmao (p.a.r.t.y. by alestorm) I'm also partial to fucked with an anchor cause i think its hilarious. But they have many bangers :)

Old Maui - Brave the Sea (its a metal cover of a known sea shanty. if you like the lyrics but not the genre you can find many different covers of it! Brave the Sea also does pirate themed music)

Thunder - pegboard nerds (Pirate themed bc of the soundbites but its electronic. btw!! this song is from the outlaw ocean project where music artists make jams with a sound library thats composed of solely audiobits from actual for real documentaries on modern pirates. You can find the project here its one of my fave things :3)

Unleashed (album) - two steps from hell (VERY GOOD ALBUM IM OBSESSED WITH. Neptune and mars is my fave track i have it on talas' playlist. Run free, impossible, and molto piratissimo are very good too)

The sea of thieves soundtrack fr. Many different jams all of them good, you can pick and choose which vibe you like. Some of my faves: Sea fort medley, becalmed (instrumental) and becalmed (sung), who shall not be returning and rise of the reapers

Salty seadog's tavern - Antti Martikainen

Eye of the storm - johnathan young (metal cover)

Barrett's privateers - johnathan young (metal cover collab)

Hoist the colours - peyton parrish (another metal cover. im obsessed with this mans covers tbh)

In case its not obvious the pirates of the caribbean soundtracks are a must. I dont think there's anyone on earth who hasnt seen those movies but on the off chance you havent: please do

ALSO I am tagging aer my beloved friend aer @silvaerial who is a pirate enthusiast in case they wanna add on any recs that i might have missed

[amkalus]

~~~

Figured I'd introduce myself properly to this wonderful community! I am Ann (26). Primarily interested in exploring archetypes, symbols, and fairy tale elements plot-wise, as well as physical and mental health issues character-wise. I write fantasy and science fiction (and occasionally historical fiction).

About me:

Majored in Psychology and English with Creative Writing (English is my second language)

Writing is basically my lifeline, I get depressed if I don't do it

Infatuated with myths, legends, folklore—and history

Questionably obsessed with the mad genius trope [I blame Victor Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and Gregory House for this]

In love with the sea and all things age of sail [I went for a swim during a black-clouded thunderstorm on a cold September afternoon once, that's how down bad I am]

Can't write a short story to save my life [you shall only find novels beyond this gate, traveler]

My WIPs:

Oh boy, I've got a lot of them, but I'll share the main ones briefly. [bonus, emojis for vibes lol]

The Sea Whisperer (finished, 122k words) 🌊⚓🌩️

Already have a post about this YA adventure fantasy (seek #The Sea Whisperer) and planning to add some more, but here's the premise once more:

The fishing village of Galacair has been the only home Earwyn’s ever known. Between the mysterious illness that plagues her and the villagers who consider her cursed, surviving gets harder with each dreary day. But there are whispers coming from the sea which ceaselessly beckon her, and an ominous vision of a calamity that haunts her dreams. Earwyn fears they could be a part of her illness too, and that madness has befallen her. The only one who seems to know something about it is Galacair’s lighthouse keeper, whose tower is as strange and remote as he is.

Wrote this story because I wanted to bring some awareness to PCOS syndrome and the difficulties of living with it. But also because of my aforementioned love for the sea, including tall ships, shanties, and magic.

I've been querying for this one for 6 months with no success. Likely to undergo new revisions/editing.

The King's Steward/The King's Embroiderer 🗡️❄️🔥

A loose retelling of a quite obscure Nenets fairy tale called Kotura, Lord of the Winds with a Skyrim-esque Scandinavian-inspired medieval setting. A sort of fire vs ice battle going on. Definitely in the YA range. Very likely to be a duology!

Aira Alderkvist knows she's destined to become the kingdom's best and most beloved embroiderer, in the court of the king. She met him once when she was a child, alone by the snow-clad woods, and no one believed her. But she will finally prove her skill and that her story was true at the upcoming obeisance.

In the capital city of Vallholm, Sorena Froradottir prepares to abandon her post as a steward imposed on her against her will, and flee. However, on the night of the king's obeisance where noblemen and commoners gather, jarl Ravnan Jarnsen unexpectedly usurps the throne. Sorena must decide between deserting the kingdom in the hands of a tyrant rumored to be using forbidden fire magic... or leave, and find a new life unburdened and free.

So far I have 18k words written on this and a detailed plan chapter by chapter, which I will hopefully stick to (doubtful).

To All the Royal Subjects in the Land (working title because this is too long and cringe?) 🍁🕸️🎭

This is basically a dream project for me, for I have always dreamed of writing fantasy comedy. Only, I played myself cause medieval-based comedy is hard as hell? Honestly, though, I absolutely love wracking my brain with it. You can't be a writer without being at least a little masochistic, I think.

This is an NA/Adult fantasy rom-com [Mrs Maisel meets Beauty and the Beast], and a gender-bent version of the Russian fairy tale The Princess Who Never Smiled, in which a clever traveling jestress who values her freedom above all faces a joyless Prince.

Soon after entering a kingdom where joy and laughter are forbidden, Sarai realizes she'll be forced to break a foul spell if she wants to leave. And she grudgingly agrees. But it promises to be no easy task when this withering kingdom is caught in endless autumn, the Prince's odd, mist-veiled castle seems to be crumbling each day, and his knights are ever-so eerily quiet.

Will likely share more about what this story features in other posts! This is currently sitting at 22.5k words.

Sentinel Chronicles Series 🚀🌌✨

This one is probably closest to my heart. My first project ever [started writing this series 7 years ago], and have a detailed plan for 5 books in total, with more spin-offs for a side character very likely to appear later.

The first book [Transcendence] is finished at 96k words, and the second is written halfway. Transcendence is Star Trek meets House MD adult science fiction. It's a space adventure with aspects of science mixed with philosophical elements and a dash of humor. I have a very found-family-centered theme here with the crew. And a (very) slow-burn romance that would spread over the 5 books.

The story follows eccentric science genius Ashton Axolem as he attempts to take on scientific issues beyond his understanding with the help of Doctor Amelia Harper, who, like everyone else, is convinced mixing madness with science will never result in anything good. But her close encounter with Axolem leaves her questioning her understanding of both madness and goodness.

Will probably be blogging a lot about this one because I've had years to form it in my mind lol

Thanks for reading, that was a bit long! Hopefully, I set up some sort of tag system for all those WIPs soon.

[panhelleniios]

i love how many smart people like being around herc because while they're working on a logical and reasonable solution to an issue, he barges in with his tried and true technique of "hit it until it stops moving"

[adventure-showdown]

What is your favourite Doctor Who story?

TOURNAMENT MASTERPOST

synopses and propaganda under the cut

City of Death

Synopsis

While taking in the sights of Paris in 1979, the Fourth Doctor and Romana sense that someone is tampering with time. Who is the mysterious Count Scarlioni? Why does he seem to have counterparts scattered through time? And just how many copies of the Mona Lisa did Leonardo da Vinci paint?

Propaganda

even if your not a classic who fan, you have seen moments from this, “wonderful butler, he’s so violent”, “youre a beautiful woman, probably”, “if you wanted an omelette I’d expect to find a pile of broken crockery, a cooker in flames, and an unconscious chef”. The location shooting, iconic, the music, iconic, the plot, so iconic I was once watching something (non doctor who) that referenced it as a fake historical event. Dare I say duggan is the greatest side character of all time. Romana’s outfit, the design of scaroth, the implication time lords can fly. it’s not my favourite overall, but its damn near close, it deserves AT LEAST the semi finals, AT LEAST. If you’ve not seen it or any classic who, go watch it, its so good, one of the best of the era. Also, how could I forget, the most watched episode on broadcast out of all of doctor who, including new who. (yes it was because itv was off the air due to strikes, but im glad its this episode that holds the record) (anonymous)

Doctor Who and the Pirates

Synopsis

All aboard, me hearties, for a rip-roaring tale of adventure on the high seas!

There'll be rum for all and sea shanties galore as we travel back in time to join the valiant crew of the good ship Sea Eagle, braving perils, pirates and a peripatetic old sea-dog known only as the Doctor!

Gasp as our Gallifreyan buccaneer crosses swords with the fearsome Red Jasper, scourge of the seven seas and possessor of at least one wooden leg! Thrill as Evil Evelyn the Pirate Queen sets sail in search of buried treasure, with only a foppish ship's captain and an innocent young cabin boy by her side! Marvel at the melodious mayhem which ensues as we sail the ocean blue!

And wonder why Evelyn still hasn't realised that very few stories have happy endings...

Propaganda

DOCTOR WHO AND THE PIRATES MY BELOVED Just. A masterpiece of somehow very sad nonsense with an entire episode full of Gilbert and Sullivan songs, all about trying to stop a young woman from committing suicide. Of course it is. The subtitle is ""The Lass Who Lost a Sailor"" which makes me feel emotions (HMS Pinafore's subtitle is The Lass Who Loved a Sailor). (@mischieffoal )

[lady-stormbraver]

my beloved @starcrier tagged me to name 5 songs I've been obsessed with lately, and I am going to offer zero (0) apologies for this lineup:

Follow My Feet - The Unlikely Candidates -- new bop wonderful bop!!

Bounce Back - CHINCHILLA -- another new bop, stellar oc vibes.

Suffering & Different Beast - Jorge Rivera-Herrans and Anna Lea, from the shiny new release of Epic: The Thunder Saga -- had to include both songs together because the best experience is listening to them back to back. Odysseus vs the Sirens, feat. a tender lil bubblegum pop duet with "Penelope" and an extremely cursed sea shanty that goes SO hard. Jorge, sir, you are making Odysseus's nosedive into monstrosity and steadfast love for his wife way more hot attractive compelling than I anticipated.

Call My Name - The Unlikely Candidates -- not a recent obsession but definitely an ongoing one.

Overcompensate - Twenty-One Pilots -- blaming @kyber-hearts for this one, which has been an earworm for months. <3

Sending tags out to @kyber-hearts @child-of-thekindlywest @mandaloriandragontrainer @brown-little-robin @swinging-stars-from-satellites @called-kept and anyone else who wants to play!!!