#sisterly bonding over fanfiction

[loominggaia]

Skylie really seems to be a tad autistic to me, if more high functioning than Blomi of Folkvar. This is from the perspective of me, a clinically diagnosed high functioning autistic who ALSO writes and peruses fanfiction/fantasy incessantly. Seriously, I'm seeing a LOT of me in her. I'm actually making a fanfiction mostly centering on Cyana and her sneaking out, but Skylie (And Lazuline) are major supporting characters! It's on my AO3 of the same name as my Tumblr!

I'll take your experienced word for it! I declare autistic Skylie canon!

---> READ DARKWINGPHOENIX'S FANFIC ON AO3 <---

I just read your fanfiction, and I'm so impressed with the way you utilized the lore! You also characterized Indiga's family very well, they're all behaving pretty much the way I imagined. That little interaction between Cyana and Marine was perfect! I also like the way Cyana and Lazuline confide in eachother. Cyana trusts Lazuline like the mother she wishes she had. Even though they have their sisterly squabbles from time to time, they do share a common enemy: their overbearing parents. This is something they bond over, as they are both hiding secrets from them.

I realize this is only the first chapter but it's already so good, you've got me eager for more!

Here are some relevant lore tidbits that may or may not be useful to you:

-In addition to hand-copying Traditional Lindist texts, Lazuline also recruits the help of literate slaves to do it for her. The work is tedious, but the slaves are eager to do it because these texts are anti-slavery in nature, and spreading them to the public may help guide Evangelite culture in that direction one day. These texts also support women's rights and magic use for non-commoners, which are all things that Modern Lindism opposes.

-At some point, Lazuline's slaves learned to carve stamps out of wood or other scrap materials to make copying the texts faster. Each stamp contains one page of text. Obviously Lazuline must keep these stamps hidden when not in use.

-There are many illiterate people (especially slaves) in Evangeline Kingdom. So, Lazuline also spreads the texts by mouth. She does this by reading Traditional scriptures to groups of goblin slaves, then selling those slaves to masters all over the kingdom. Since goblins never forget anything they learn, they can recite these scriptures to other slaves they encounter while they work.

-Evangelites believe homosexuality is a literal disease that is spread by sexual activity between the same sexes. They believe victims cannot be cured, so they must be executed to contain the spread. However, exceptions are made for minors (in Evangelite culture this means under 16 years of age for humans), who are instead sent to special clinics to "treat" their disease (essentially conversion therapy). Evangelites believe there is a chance to cure the disease while the victim is still young, but once they are adults, it is too late.

Practically, this is meant to serve as a lesson to young gay Evangelites to shape up and pretend to conform, or else. It also offers mercy to children who contracted the disease through no fault of their own, such as in cases of sexual abuse. Less mercy is shown for adult victims, who are expected to "know better" and "protect themselves". Yes, victim-blaming is a rampant issue in this culture...

-Wealthy adults can also wiggle their way out of the death penalty by buying their way into special adult institutions, marketed as "quarantine centers" to keep the homosexual "disease" from spreading. The price is steep and they can never leave, but it does spare them from death. The royal family would certainly take this route with Cyana, and though these institutions offer cushy accommodations fit for the wealthy, the thought of being confined to them forever horrifies Cyana. These places are basically golden cages. Residents are closely monitored and all sexual activity is forbidden. Visitors are allowed, but they are watched the whole time to make sure there is no disease spread going on.

I imagine if Cyana's parents found out she was a lesbian, they would go on a rampage trying to find out who gave her the disease, and a lot of innocent slaves, castle staff, and townsfolk (especially the women Cyana hangs out with) would be executed without trial. I mean, just look at how they treated Saphirra's husbands: all imprisoned for life based on nothing but their daughter's accusations!

This fact alone scares the hell out of Cyana, so she is very careful not to get caught. She knows any woman she dates is in danger just by associating with her, and it plagues her with fear and guilt. This is why she dreams of just fleeing her kingdom entirely one day.

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

[girllookingoutwindow]

The Psionix (A Bridgerton Fanfiction by Ellie Cooper) - Part One

In a world tinted by the shimmering hues of the aurora borealis, where extraordinary powers were gifted to fifty unsuspecting souls, Portia's daughter Penelope stood apart. Although the cosmic phenomenon blessed many, the absence of superhuman abilities did not strip Penelope's life of complexity. Growing up under the shadow of her family's dismissive tendencies, she sensed that her very existence—a daughter born instead of the longed-for son—cast a pall over her childhood. The baronetcy weighed heavily on her parents' aspirations, and in their eyes, Penelope often felt relegated to the shadows, enduring verbal barbs that cut deeper than any physical ailment. Night after night, the quiet of her bedroom would be punctuated by her silent tears, as she grappled with the stark loneliness and confusion stemming from a profound lack of parental affection.

It was during a seemingly innocuous picnic in Hyde Park that fate would gently intervene, lightening the somber weight of her early years. A gust of wind whisked away Penelope's yellow bonnet, sending it into the path of a horse-riding boy with striking blue eyes, who was oblivious to the impending mishap. His thud onto the muddy ground was met not with anger, but with laughter—a delightful, infectious sound that echoed through the park. “Well, that wasn’t very well done of me,” he quipped, his boyish charm igniting a spark of warmth in Penelope’s heart. In that fleeting moment, Penelope discovered something rare: kindness. It was a revelation that unfurled the tangled knots of her childhood and hinted at a different kind of existence, one peppered with genuine connection, affection, and camaraderie.

That fateful encounter marked the beginning of a cherished bond with Colin Bridgerton—a boy who became her beacon in a world often overshadowed by rejection. Becoming closer to him through his spirited sister, Eloise Bridgerton, transformed Penelope's life in unexpected ways. Their friendship blossomed, pulling her into a vibrant circle that adored her presence and filled her life with laughter, adventure, and a sense of belonging she had never known. Anthony and Benedict protected her like a sister, while Daphne and Francesca embraced her with sisterly affection. To the younger Bridgertons, she was an idol, a figure of comfort amidst their youthful dramas, and to Violet, she was a beloved fifth daughter, a testament to the warmth that had replaced the coldness of her early years. Under the Bridgerton roof, Penelope began to weave her own narrative of love and acceptance, transforming the echoes of her childhood pain into a symphony of friendship and resilience. In their company, she not only found solace but also the strength to embrace her uniqueness, supernatural or not, as a vital part of who she was destined to become.

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing.

[dubiousculturalartifact]

oooooooh!!! 📓 tell me E V E R Y THING BESTIE

OKAY YOU GET THE BIG ONE

Put "📓" or some other version of a book emoji into my inbox and I'll explain the plot of a fanfiction that I haven't written but daydream about.

okay so Pride & Prejudice right. And Lydia ends up married to Wickham which FRANKLY SUCKS because like, obviously it was the best of bad options at the time, but SHE’S LITERALLY A TEENAGER AND HE’S A GROSS SERIAL SEXUAL PREDATOR, no amount of being annoying or clueless makes her deserve that.

So like, instead, it’s a bit (maybe 2-3 years?) after the events of the book, and WICKHAM FUCKING DIES. And so Lydia is broke, and has to A. Grow up a bit & B. move back home, and by the time the official mourning period is over she’s like ‘oh god I feel so stifled I need to go literally anywhere the fuck else’ because it’s like, her Dad who hates her, Mary who keeps trying to be supportive but in a way that implies her current situation is God’s Judgment for her loose morals, and her mum who is honestly like? Lydia loves her but she’s A Lot™️.

So SHE goes to visit HER SISTER. AT PEMBERLY. because Lydia is like idk that’s the rich sister so it’ll probably be a good time

and Georgiana isn’t supposed to be there but like, idk something happens so she IS, and they MEET, and it’s MEGA AWKWARD bcs Lydia doesn’t know the full deets but Wickham has definitely trash-talked Georgiana, so they dont get along at first but OH HOHO THEN THEY DO! And Lydia FEELS WEIRD ABOUT THIS! AND THEN SHE DOESNT!

and the usual Austen-y shenanigans happen, either Bath or London is probably visited, Significant Conversations™️ are had, sisterly bonding happens, Kitty might be around & marry a hot clergyman bcs you always need a romantic B-plot, and ANYWAY IN THE END GEORGIANA AND LYDIA TOTALLY SMOOCH and become very good lifelong companions (wink wink)

also Lydia has ADHD because I decided this.

fuck i really need to write this, someone make me write this

[heavensenthearty]

🔥ZK Book Recs 🌊

I have talked time and again about the many published authors whose works are inspired by Zutara (yes, the one and only Zutara) or that they have admitted to be Zutara shippers themselves. And there are even authors who aren't ATLA fans, but their works give BIG Zutara vibes (said every book blog entry titled "Book recs for ATLA fans" ever). Since all of those books are some of my faves, prompted by @that-turtleduck and @aurithearmy I decided to make this Zutara published books rec list. Let's start:

Books written by Zutara shippers:

Legacy of Orïsha trilogy by Tomi Adeyemi:

Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

TBA

It's the trilogy I was celebrating in this post when it was published amongst the 100 best fantasy books of all times. The worldbuilding and mythology are inspired by West African culture since the author is Nigerian-American and a public, unapologetic Zutara shipper. She has talked how she is aware people tends to call her books "Zutara Fanfiction".

She has made it very clear that she doesn't mind that they do. ☺️

Oh! And the books are already in the works for film adaptations! 😁

The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard:

0.5. Sightwitch

Truthwitch

Windwitch

Bloodwitch

Witchshadow

TBA

Is it too obvious that these were written by an ATLA fan? 😅 The magic system in the books is inspired by ATLA's bending; these are perfect for the ones who still wanted some more feminism and girls supporting girls dynamics in ATLA. The main protagonists are best friends with a sisterly bond, but one of them has a very interesting relationship with a certain scarred prince/vigilante with a treacherous sister...

And Susan Dennard approves her books to be recommended as "a romance with those Zutara feels"! ☺️

Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard:

0.1. Queen Song

0.2. Steel Scars

Red Queen

Glass Sword

King's Cage

War Storm

Broken Throne

It's the series I'm always hyping over!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

As you can see here 😅.

As I said, “stubborn brown-skinned girl with powers and an overprotective warrior older brother who joins a resistance against a tiranic goverment in a world at war/dark-haired, golden-eyed prince with fire powers, an evil, abused sibling and an abusive parent, who then joins the resistance” dynamic.

Besides, the books have their own version of Mailee going.

I can't say for sure if Victoria Aveyard is a Zutara shipper since in all my time following her I haven't seen anything ATLA-related from her... but that trope is way too specific for it to be a coincidence 🤨🧐

Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan

It's the book I've been talking you about, the one that's scheduled to come out next year and that is being marketed as a Zutara rewrite by the author herself.

There's little info about it so far, safe for the few updates I've been giving you. The worldbuilding is inspired by Chinese mythology for the author's heritage, the female lead looks like a cinnamon but could actually kill you, male lead is way too extra for his own good, "there's only one bed meets there's only one cave" trope, and see the recent Shipping Bingo that June CL Tan tweeted.

Looking good so far! 😉

Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo:

Six of Crows

Crooked Kingdom

TBA

I know I called it a duology and then listed three installments, it's just that Leigh hasn't talked much about the third book save for some few times, and she's one of those "I'll break your heart so you don't break mine" people, so I want to be cautious about it 🥺🥺🥺

Still, I absolutely adore these books!! If you follow me, you've probably seen me reblog content about them; the main couple give me such HUGE Zutara vibes, and with reason! Leigh is a multishipper: she ships Kataang and Zutara — (which explains some disagreements I may have with her other romance plots 😒)

Special mention to: Joe Abercrombie.

He hasn't written anything ZK-like, but he has tweeted about shipping Zutara and wanting to write some Zutara fanfiction, so you might as well want to give his books a chance.

Before you go, know that I'm not done yet 👇🏽

Books not written by Zutara shippers but recommended for the Zutara shippers:

These Violent Delights by Chloe Chong

Did anybody say Mafia!Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920's Shanghai?

We hunt the flame by Hafsah Faizal

Enemies to lovers parallelisms are everything!! 😍😍😍

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Also West African inspired.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Just 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍!!!!!

Special mention to: Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.

Must-read for every enemies to lovers fan 😎

*tired panting*

Feels good to be a bookworm! 📚🤓

[lilmissbacon]

Why Jelsa is Ridiculously Stupid

Let me start off by saying that the idea of this ship was cute at first, I have nothing against it. In fact I have a few ships myself that have nothing to back them up. I am not making this to convince people to be anti, stop the ship itself, or spread any form of hate what so ever.

But this Jelsa fandom has gone too far. And when I say "jelsa shippers," of course I don't mean ALL of them, just about 80% of them.

In fact, I'm very appreciative of the few jelsa shippers who don't go around harassing others because "jelsa is life."

Also, allow me to correct you in saying that I'm not a jelsa hater, I'm a jelsa loather. There's a difference. Most jelsa haters, hate jelsa for the sake of hating it.

I genuinely hate it.

And don't go commenting about, "how do you know you don't like it if you've never tried it?" Because you see, that's where you're wrong. I did used to ship it, when I was 11. I was a child, I was new to the internet, I didn't know better. But I do now!

I am writing this so that some who may not know, will now understand why jelsa is bad and because I need to get all of this out of my system. I am slowly dieing inside.

First; I'm gonna go into how all the excuses to ship this are pointless. Next, I'll talk about just how these two would never work out as a couple. Then, will be what the toxicity has done to not just to the ship itself, but to the big four as well. And finally, I'll go into how uncreative the shippers are and just what horrible/stupid things they've done and are still doing.

1) Excuses are Pointless

Excuse #1: They have the same powers.

...Yeah, that's like saying you ship Lavagirl (Sharboy and Lavagirl) and Bolin (LoK) because they can both control lava. That's not a valid reason to ship anyone. There needs to be actual substance and I'll only say that once because that sentence applies to every excuse here.

Excuse #2: They look alike

🤦🤦🤦 First of all: that's also like saying you ship Tiana (Princess and the Frog) and Frozone (The Incredibles) because they're both black. Second of all: no they don't. It may be because I'm an artist so I notice small details, but here's how it is; Jack's hair is white, Elsa's is platinum blonde. Jack has a square chin, Elsa has a round face. Jack is much paler! THEIR EYES AREN'T EVEN THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE!!! Your excuse is null and void. Even so, if characters do look alike, then they're most likely to be related. Especially in animation.

Excuse #3: Jack can teach Elsa to have fun and Elsa can teach Jack to be serious

This clearly proves the point that jelsa shippers don't know these characters. The job of teaching Elsa how to be social and have fun is already taken by Anna. So if anything, Elsa will see Jack as a younger brother. And Jack wouldn't have been chosen to take on such a responsibility of guardianship if he didn't know when to quit. I don't know what it is about playful characters that make people think they're obnoxious. Jack is an immortal teenager with the heart of a child, that's what makes him a good guardian. But he's been alive for over 300 years, he bound to have the mind capacity of an adult and he does know better. He doesn't play when he's in battle, he's dead serious.

Excuse #4: They understand each other because they were both isolated for a long time

I don't know where you come from but people don't really "bond" over their trauma. Infact, if anything, that would make the relationship more unstable. Plus, Elsa isolated herself for 13 years because she was afraid of her powers. Jack was forced into isolation for 300 years! He has never been afraid of his powers and Elsa could still be seen throughout the day by parents and servants. They would never be able understand what the other went through.

Excuse #5: They both have a sister they love

SO WHAT?! At least half of the population have sisters. Simple as that. It's a horrible excuse.

Excuse #6: They both have an enemy in fear

Bruh, almost every fictional character has to deal with their fears, literal or mental. It's not at all unique to these two.

Excuse #7: Jack can teach Elsa to control her powers

She already has control of them by the end of the movie. And even if you mean prier to that, the reason she couldn't control them was because she feared them. I doubt that even if she could see him and if he showed her his powers, she's be irrational, believing that their powers were different.

Excuse #8: William Joyce says he ships it

Really, you're going to base the possibility of a ship because the writer of the 'books' that "inspired" rotg says he likes it. First: the books and movie are not the same worlds. Two: he most likely stated this in order for jelsa shippers to shut up to him about it. And three: his own canon with the books is a mess as it is. With him adding a bunch on random/unnecessary details on twitter that have no relevance or reference in the books. Even if he does ship it, everything that's going on with Jack's character in the books is weird enough as it is. Plus he's physically 14 in the books. I know age doesn't really matter but Elsa would definitely feel weird about dating someone who looks so young when she's currently 24 by the second movie.

Excuse #9: They could've met before the events of rotg

Not a reason to ship them but whatever 🙄 Even if their stories were based in the same world (which it isn't), Elsa never would've believed in fairy tales. Having to grow up so soon and all. She believes in magic, of course, but you need to believe in the individuals themselves in order to see them. Plus it is very clear in rotg that Jamie is Jack's first believer.

Excuse #10: Now that Frozen 2 is out, they are both spirits who followed the memories of their loved ones. They can live forever together!

Once AGAIN, how does this factor to them being a good couple? Plus the title of spirit is different in the Frozen-verse than the Guardian-verse. Guardian-verse; they are un-aging beings who keep the entire world in balance. Frozen-verse; never confirmed to be immortal (especially since 3 out of 5 spirits are inanimate objects), magical things that keep a single forest secure. The only reason the elements needed a fifth spirit was most likely because the one before Elsa died of old age. Plus the idea of Elsa outliving Anna goes against the theme of sisterly love that both movies strive on. This can be changed in fanfiction but I hate how people lie about her mortality for an excuse to ship.

Excuse #11: They're both single

So what? People ship characters who aren't single with other characters all the time. That's not a reason to ship them. Especially since your statement is false because Tooth is Jack's canon love interest.

It is true that jelsa haters will give reasons to not ship that I necessarily don't agree with.

•Like the age gap — Jack has the mental capacity of an adult, as I've said before. He's smart enough to make his own choices.

•Elsa not being immortal — that doesn't mean they can't still date, even if he outlives her. Plus you can change that in fanfiction.

•They come from different studios and will never be canon — Again, this is fanfiction, we can do whatever we want.

•Elsa is independent and shipping her with someone takes her independence away — for one: most of the world is bound to find love at some point in time. I would imagine that Elsa would want to find love like her sister. Two: Mulan, Pocahontas and Jasmine are very independent and they all still ended up with men. Three: she's not that independent to begin with. Independence isn't relationship status, it's your ability to make it on your own and Elsa is clearly, very dependant on Anna and her safety. Which is actually what pushes her to being a bad sister in Frozen 2. In fact it is because they made her more 'independant' in the sequel that Elsa clearly, no longer loves Anna as much as Anna loves her (you can check out Watso Videos' video on YouTube about how Elsa is a bad sister bc I'm not gonna go into it here).

My god that was ALL just part one. This is gonna take forever 😰

2) How they would never work out

For Elsa, she needs someone who is calm and collected. A rock for her to stand on when she's being irrational. Possibly even someone who is very stoic and straight to the point but with enough sense of humor to lighten the mood. And now that I'm thinking about it, Honeymaren fits that description to a tee. I'm not one to push LGBT+ in anyone's face, but I'm not gonna judge ships on characters assumed sexualities either. Even though Honeymaren didn't have much screen time, her personality still showed through and Elsamaren could very well work.

Jack on the other hand needs someone who would be able to keep up with his playful nature as well as be a rock for him to stand on when he's emotional. Tooth is a good suitor even though I don't really ship it myself. Hiccup, Merida and Rapunzel could also fit in this description.

They don't have the ability to be each other's rocks. They can't be stable if they both need someone to keep them so. If they were to date, the relationship would crumble before it even began.

Plus Jack has to be a guardian and there are a lot of fanfics that go into this idea of Jack being the king of Arendalle? First off: I'm fairly certain that you can't marry into royalty to become king. At least in the real world. Second: Jack wouldn't be able to handle that responsibility with him already being a guardian. And he can't just leave guardianship either, it was what he always was and was ment to be. And Elsa has the responsibility of keeping a magical forest in check, she can't leave to become a guardian.

3) The Toxicity

Oh my God! The fanfiction! As I usually say, you can do whatever you want in fanfiction. But if you have to butcher all the characters so much in EVERY fanfic in order to make the ship work, then there's clearly something wrong here! In every fanfic I've ever seen, the characters are so out of character it's insane. Not just Jack and Elsa, every character.

Olaf for example, is practically in love with Jack first meeting, in every fanfic. If he were to actually meet Jack, he would be apprehensive of him.

It's horrifying in not only that, but jelsa shippers will add Rapunzel a lot, just in spite of Jackunzel. They turn Rapunzel into a needy ex-girlfriend of Jack's when in reality, she's a very sweet and kind soul. Even if she and Jack had dated, they would've split on good terms and stayed friends after. There have also been cases where they do the same but with Tooth. Sometimes even both and it's honestly sick.

And let's talk about the sexism as well HAHA! I swear to God, they will rewrite Frozen but where Jack will save Elsa instead of Anna. They write Elsa as a hormonal teenage girl who falls in love with Jack within seconds.

This is from an actual jelsa shipper, my dude. WTF!!! They make Jack super dominant as well as a douche who cheats on Elsa half the time. Jack is not that dominant, he's a very emotional guy. And he'd be the most faithful boyfriend on the planet. He was alone for 300 years! If anything, he'd be clingy but not too clingy because he also understands personal space.

And if you like angsty fanfiction where a character cheats on the other, there are literally no fanfics where Elsa cheats on Jack. As if a woman couldn't possibly cheat. This is very sexist towards men and women and is toxic as hell.

If anything, Elsa would cheat on Jack, she's not exactly trustworthy in keeping promises or being loyal.

I swear, half of the jelsa shippers has never even seen rotg and just go by what they read in others fanfiction.

Jelsa shippers have gotten so bad about this ship that they've low-key harassed people for not shipping it, as well as start shipping wars within the big four fandom. That's the reason the fandom truly shrunk after 2013. I've seen posts about people admitting to leaving the fandom because it got so bad.

4) The Shippers

Jelsa shippers have literally threatened lives, not just to other fans but even to the creators of the movies. Literally threatening them into making the ship canon. They've made patitions to make it canon as if that would work. They've even harassed a lot of recent shippers to Elsamaren because "jelsa is canon."

Oh look at that, they're homophobic too...

...

...

...

... That's great 🙃

Isn't it a bigger sin to love a celestial being though? Therefore the fact that you –as a toxic christian– ship Elsa with a spirit it worse.

THEY'RE DELUSIONAL!!! So many of them have shipped jelsa so long that legit think it's canon!

Not only all that mess but there are literally more jelsa games on the internet then there are Merida games. I'm specifying this for personal reasons (aka Merida is my fave Disney princess)

And let's continue on with what really aggravates me as an artist. Jelsa shippers, stealing artwork, mostly from Jackunzel. This is not just a rumor, it's very much real.

And it doesn't help when all of their actual original fanart is just them taking scenes from Frozen and adding Jack. Then to add more salt on the wound is that almost all the fanfiction is the same, whether it'd be based during Frozen, rotg or in a highschool au.

There's literally nothing original about or going on with this ship, even after Frozen 2 came out, the shippers and fanfiction haven't changed. If anything it made the shippers spike up again.

The only thing that could say is original about jelsa is the frost daughter fanon. Oh boy! What we have to unpack here.

This is something that I recently heard about...

...

I am mortified.

Frost daughters is this little thing that jelsa shippers came up with, believing Jack and Elsa (if they could get pregnant) would have nothing but girls. What's scary about it is they're designs. Like they're trying to be original... But it's not really going great.

Most of them are just young!Elsa copies, some are edits of Elsa with Jack's hair color.

For example:

This is fine, this follows genetrical rules. I'm fine with this.

But what has me low-key petrified are some of the other designs.

Like... WTF IS ALL OF THIS!!! Where are this colors coming from?!! I don't understand 😭 You can see in the screen shots that these are literally titled as daughters of jelsa.

The white haired ones are fine. The ginger is understandable. Got it from Elsa's dad's genes. That's okay. A few are wearing pink? They can wear what ever they want. But wtf I'd going on with Nevada? Why is she black? Jack and Elsa the pastiest of white! And you cannot tell me that she got it from Elsa's mom because this was made BEFORE Frozen 2 and her mother is still white as an adult.

Where tf does the blue and pink hair come from? None of these make sense!

I want to kill myself, just looking at these!

That's gonna be the end of this rant

Now I'll say it again, I really have nothing against the ship itself. I too have casual ships that make no sense. But with ALL the fanfiction and fanart being so unoriginal and most jelsa shippers low-key being dangerous, it's hard for me respect people's opinions about it.

I try, trust me, I do! But it's become so murky in my brain that I can't tell the difference anymore and I'm also just not a fan of Elsa's character in general. And I like ships that actually make sense.

And being that I'm an equalist... it's really hard for me to look at this stuff and not get pissed off. I'm sorry if all of this comes off as aggressive because it kinda is.

I'm just very passionate, okay?

I hope you understand where I'm coming from. None of the pictures I used are mine. And I hope you have a good day?

[jamieatthebarricade]

Maids to Wives

An Outlander AU based loosely on the TV Show and real life in the historic Jamestown

In 1619, one hundred and forty-four English women from good families crossed the Atlantic in response to the Virginia Company of London’s call for maids “young and corrupt” to make wives for the planters of it’s new colony in Virginia. One in six of the maids could even claim gentry status. Although promised a free choice of husband, they were in effect being traded into marriage for a bride price of 150 pounds of best leaf tobacco, the profits to flow to individual investors

In 1619, Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp made the voyage to do one thing: marry a man she's never met. But when she arrives, she comes to the startling realization that her heart belongs to someone else, a certain James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser.

Chapter 1/? : Aboard The Ship

April 17th, 1619, Claire’s POV

“I feel like my innards are swasheling ‘bout” Geillis hacked out her dinner for the 4th time this week. I tried my best to soothe her, rubbing her shoulders lightly, but the smell of old fish and stomach acid from the other’s puking made it hard to keep anything down. Most of us hadn't been on a boat before, let alone in the middle of the ocean where the monstrous waves led to monstrous waves of sea sickness. It took all my strength not to succumb to the churn in my own stomach. Poor Geillis didn't have the same strength as I.

Geillis was one of the first women I met on this voyage. Me and her bonded over our love of herbs and our older age. She has become one of my closest friends on this trek to find my future husband. 

My Husband. The word had only rolled off my tongue a few times in my life, but suddenly it was my entire world. It was all the ladies talked about, all they thought of,  all they could remember dreaming about. But, the rest of the women on the ship were different from me, and from Geillis too: they were young, and they were trained. Geillis and I were the eldest of all the brides -she being 31 and I being 27- and didn’t receive the same education as the rest of the girls. I myself spent my childhood traveling Europe with my Uncle Lamb, not learning how to be a good wife that could keep house. Perhaps if my parents hadn’t died when I was so young they could have instilled the passion for housekeeping in me, but a childhood under my Uncle’s influence assuredly led to the demise of any interest in such things. He even tried to enroll me in a dame school, but I refused. Can you imagine? Years of learning how to sew and knit and cook. I couldn’t think of a more revolting thing. I had longed to continue to travel with Uncle Lamb, as his career as an antiquarian required him to do, and so he had no choice but to keep me by his side. I imagine him beside me now, as if this voyage was just like any other: exploring new lands with curiosity and excitement. 

As Geillis continued to empty her stomach, I scanned the cabin, seeing some of the younger girls on the ship playing a card game. Their eyes lit a bright light inside of them when they got a good hand, and their smiles sparkled like pearls in the faint lantern light. Despite the ship muck they resided in, they still radiated beauty and grace. That and their training would make them excellent wives. 

Perhaps I should have let Uncle Lamb enroll me in that Dame school, I thought as I turned back to check on Geillis. Even though I got to choose the man I married, there was no guarantee that my husband would keep me when he found out how many skills I lacked. But no man could be so cruel, could he? While it made no sense to wish for a kind husband, I still did, as did all the women. I could only hope that my husband would be caring, smart, and understanding (and have a face and body with equally desirable qualities, but both together was the most rare of all).

A tug on Geillis’s hair called me back to reality. It seemed the sickness had faded for a moment or two, enough for her to speak. “Claire, I swear to ye, if I don’t make it on this ship, bury me in the new world. I dinna care if my flesh sticks up the whole bloody ship, I wilna be thrown to the sea, like a bone to a dog” 

“You’re not gonna die Geillis, it’s only 3 more weeks till the captains said we'll see land. If you die on this ship, I swear to you I’ll kill you” My remark managed to stifle a chuckle from Geillis’s sickly body. She smiled at me, and then her moment of peace was over: she went back to being sick almost immediately. I never found myself in the comfort of women, but Geillis was like a sister to me. Spending a month at sea in tight quarters did that to a friendship. 

Geillis wasn’t the only friend I made on the ship. To my left sat 15 year old Mary Hawkins, the youngest of the maids. Mary was just… small. A small frame and small face were the most startling of her features, and the month on the ship caused an almost deadly thinning of her figure. When she spoke, the words came in small stutters, and any movement made her jump. When I first saw her I wondered how Mary could have thought she could survive the trek across the ocean; that was, until I found out being a maid was her father’s scheme. After finding this out, a sisterly urge surged inside me, and I was her protector on the voyage ever since. And as her protector, I saw her shivering as I helped Geillis, and moved my arm from Geillis’s back to around Mary’s shoulders.  She gladly nestled herself into my side, but the shaking didn’t stop.

“A-am I going to die here, C-Claire?” She stuttered out. I quickly shook my head and turned to look down at her. I saw tears running down her face, but she didn’t look me in the eyes. She kept her gaze on the wall across from us, where a woman who looked the most sick of all rested her head. She didn’t look alive anymore, but with closer examination I saw her chest rose ever so slightly. I made a mental note to check on her later, if she hadn’t already died. So far, 34 women have died. While the cause of death varied from maid to maid, it was all from the same sickness that plagued our ship since the beginning of the second week aboard. Not all the women were victims, but the ones that were died swiftly and in immense pain. But, for every maid that died here, the same amount of men were left without a bride, and that would mean another wave of maids. I couldn’t imagine putting more girls through this hell. I was fortunate to be well, and above all else, alive. 

“No, you’re not. You’re gonna leave the ship with us and meet your husband.” I rubbed Mary’s shoulders gently. I felt her breath loosen, and she slumped slightly. Good, I thought. She fell asleep

I then stayed with Geillis until her nausea faded. After cleaning her up using my dress as a rag, I laid her down and watched her drift to sleep. I touched my hand to her forehead, and was thankful for not feeling any unusual temperature. I removed my arm from Mary’s shoulders, and slowly set her down near Geillis’ head. I tucked a small bag of grain beneath both of their heads, and thankfully none of them awoke from their slumber. I looked across the cabin and saw the pale woman from before. She hadn’t changed positions, but her chest still rose and fell like before. I moved in front of her, and placed my hand on her forehead. Hot. Burning hot. I shook her awake, and when she opened her eyes, they were bloodshot. 

“Will... you tell my husband that I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it” The sentence flowed out like any other statement, but the meaning behind it was darker.. She was a young woman, nearly 23 I guessed. Her hair was a soft blonde, and she had a pleasing aura about her. I could also tell she was quite pretty, underneath the sweat and sickness. Her hair stuck around her face, but she had the complexion of a sheet of paper. She was transparent, the veins of her body stuck out harshly against her pale face. When she spoke, it came out in a low whisper, as if her body didn’t have the willpower to use any strength.

“I’m Faith” She flashed a quick but weak attempt at a smile. I wished there was something I could do, to give her the strength that had saved me these past weeks. I reached beside her to grab a rag, in hopes of maybe wiping away the heat, but she put her hands over mine.

“Make the new world good for us” She spoke, before closing her eyes. Everything happened so suddenly, I could barely register it all. The minute she closed her eyes, any color that was left in her face disappeared. The rising of her chest stopped, and a hand fell limply from mine. 

I removed myself immediately, and sat next to Geillis. She stirred in her sleep before sitting up, tired. She must’ve heard what had happened, because just as I sat down she put her arm around mine. I wanted to cry, to feel some kind of pity for the woman, but nothing came out. ‘You should mourn her’ my brain told me but how could I? I just met her.

I didn’t have time to be like this. In a few short weeks we would be on the island with the men, living in the new world. Instead of feeling pity, I felt a sense of guilt. Out of nearly 100 women, only a few would step off this ship and into a new life. And I was one of them. Why did I get the luxury? I wasn’t ever a quiet, obeying miss, and I don’t think I could ever be. Why did god and those above think me fit to take on the responsibility of marriage? Faith would’ve probably made a fantastic wife, but here she lies dead by my feet and I am still breathing.

These thoughts ran rampant in my mind, so much so they exhausted me, and I felt myself roused into a deep slumber, with Geillis’ arm still around me and the soft breathing of the living filling my ears, reminding me I was still alive, that we all were. We bore the weight and responsibility of those who didn’t live, it was our job to make the new world good and prosperous.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hello everyone! This is my first chapter of a fanfiction I’m looking forward to writing! I’m a fairly new author so if everyone could be kind/give solid constructive criticism, that would be amazing! I’m looking forward to hopefully releasing more chapters later on!

[scrabbleknight]

35, honestly with 16 chapters for your Satf A.U. You deserve the chance to ramble(if you want to) and I, for one, would be glad to listen.

Haha, nice!

So, I'm not sure if people know about this but most of my fics start out on pure whim as a dumb thing I wanted to write because "wow, that would be cool!". You know, like a little kid. Seriously, you can take any of my fics and basically dumb it down into less than 10 words, starting with 'What if'.

What if Sasha and Anne switched places?

What if Miko was a Glitch?

What if Adora was raised by Hordak?

What if Luz was Belos's daughter?

There are also other ideas I never did or wanted to do but just decided not to. It happens and I have a document full of small summaries like this.

Sasha and the Frogs began its lifetime at the end of S1 on a whim. I never expected the fic to blow up the way it did and honestly, there have been times I felt like I just wanted to stop it there. I just imagined Sasha and Anne fighting like the S1 finale but switching sides. That's it. There's not really much planning out on that.

There's also my Glitch!Miko fic which I was super proud of. This is the one I put so much work into just because I love the premise. Meico (the OC) came on a whim like every other idea but it made perfect sense in context. Unlike SatF, GM had a lot of holes that I made and later had to fill. I accidentally made it far too complicated for my own liking, but I couldn't back down.

Like, here's a list: Shadowy organisation? What does it do? Why does it oppose Hinobi? Why did it create Miko and Meico? What about backstory? Economy? Characters? Etc? So much stuff that I've yet to answer, all by creating an enemy group. Thankfully, I do have a few answers and slowly but surely, I'm trying to implement them.

Here's a thing; I'm actually afraid of my own writing sometimes. Not because it's great (as if I have that kind of pride), but because of plot holes. If I write a dumb fact, I have to commit to it. I can't just ignore it or else someone will notice it and know that I also notice it. That's like, a bad move.

So GM has a lot of planning which is why even though it's shorter than SatF, it takes up way more work. Like, I just finished the dialogue for the next chapter and my first thought was "Yes, I finally solved that one problem by creating a completely different one!". Oh, the pain :v

But in the end, I'm usually proud of my work. Meico, which I started on a whim then planned on being a recurring antagonist only to shift gears and is now planned on being a slowly recovering protagonist OC, is oddly enough my favourite character. She has anger issues and zero parental guidance but deep down, she's just a young girl who was deeply hurt by the people she cared about, including Miko. Over time, she'll care for her and open up. That sisterly bond stuff :)

Finally, there's my greatest failure — a RWBY fic I started 6 years ago and only made like 2-3 chapters. I was young and stupid and it was technically the second fic I ever wrote but the first fic I actually care about. The idea was simple; what if Blake was adopted by the Schnees?

Keep in mind that when I wrote this, it was before any other Schnee appeared; before Monty passed away. There was a lot of hope and stuff in it but the workload crushed my motivation. School is hard and fanfiction is a lot of work. But like I said, it was one of my greatest failures.

Blake would've been part of the protest against the SDC's treatment of the Faunus alongside Adam. But then she'd get separated from him and got herself hurt, losing her memories. Due to Weiss's sympathy, Blake was "adopted" into the Schnee family but trained as a combat butler. Over time, the Schnee would employ more Faunus to work in thee family estate and slowly turn warm. Blake, without her memories, is completely indebted to Weiss for saving her life and Weiss, who sees Blake as a friend, grows up as a friendly and somewhat normal young woman. The two would have the best friend relationship despite the obvious power distance.

When Weiss goes to Beacon, Blake is tasked to follow her and report back to the SDC. She has a cold relationship with Yang due to her protectiveness and trust issues and would occasionally sneak out to do missions given by the company. At this point, the SDC has a SpecOps task force called the "Black Cats" who are made entirely of Faunus. The White Fang despises this group and calls them traitors for working for the SDC. On one particular mission, Blake would meet Adam and they have a fight (which she loses).

Now, these were the details I planned for back then in 2015. Even though I dropped the story, I never actually forgot about it. While watching RWBY, I'd unconsciously add more details like Blake meeting her parents and not recognizing them, or Blake denouncing herself from the SDC to help Weiss. Also, Weiss's dad had a different personality as well, being more of a businessman who doesn't understand his children and woes but still cares for them in his cold-hearted way. The story would've end with Weiss and her father no longer estranged.

So yeah, there was depth and love and other mushy stuff. But I decided to focus on schoolwork and over time, I cared less about RWBY fanfics as a whole.

It's a shame. A real shame.

Btw, I don't write shipping fics. Romance has never been my thing. My story might have shipping but they are never about shipping :O

[ladynuwanda]

Whatever Souls Are Made Of (Michael LangdonXMallory AU) - Epilogue

A/N: Now the conclusion to this story. This might be my fanfiction writing Swan Song, so I’d like to thank everyone who’s been around through any bit of these past 16 months. This is for you! <3

Warnings: Again, I think none. Let’s just tie the loose ends in a pretty little bow, shall we?!

Word Count: 1,4K

“There was no consolation for poor Mallory after that... She could not look down to this floor, but his features would be shaped on the flags! In every cloud, in every tree... filling the air at night, and caught by glimpses in every object by day, she was surrounded with his image! The most ordinary faces of men and women, even her own features, mocked her with a resemblance. The entire world was a dreadful collection of memoranda that he had existed, and that she had lost him!”

“What happened to the other inhabitants of Thrushcross... I mean Hawthorne Grange?”, Emily seemed uncomfortable with the uncertainty of the events that could have taken place in her new home, before she came around. “We found Thrushcross Grange entirely empty in the wake of the massacre”, Misty said simply, “we assume Lady Mead had run away again, and probably relieved the servants from their duties”. “How can you be certain that she didn’t kill them all?”, Timothy seemed to be expecting almost anything from the lady he had never met, only judging by the story he had just heard. “The only corpse that was left behind was the Governess’s, Wilhelmina Venable. Apparently the two ladies didn’t get along as well as they’d want us to believe”, an unusually bitter grin crossed Misty’s lips at the thought.

But whatever it was that each of them could be thinking, after the truth had been brought to the surface one more time, was interrupted by the sound of a piercing cry coming from upstairs. Kyle Spencer rushed into the room in a few moments, eyes wide and breathing heavily “Miss Day! Come quick! It’s Lady Mallory!”, he managed to spurt out the words between agonised gasps, and left again. Timothy and Emily stood up, like they had been called as well, like there was anything at all that they could do to help, whatever emergency it might be. But Misty was already walking out of the room, an unreadable expression on her face as she followed Mister Spencer “That was not Mallory’s voice”, her own voice was weak and Misty herself felt lost in a dream.

The three of them went to the room the young couple had been occupying earlier that night, and found a woman standing in front of the shattered window looking down. “Cordelia?”, Misty’s voice was barely more than a whisper but the woman turned around immediately. Without a second thought, Lady Cordelia threw herself into her paramour’s arms and kissed Misty passionately. “How’s it possible?”, happy tears were falling from Misty’s eyes as she lovingly touched her lover’s face and hair. “Mallory. She performed a Reverse Sacred Taking. I had heard about it, I knew it was possible, but it had never been done by any Supreme in the entire history of the Coven.”, Cordelia smiled and cried at the same time. And still in a state of disbelieving daze, she explained that Mallory had sacrificed herself to give full power to the next Supreme before a new Supreme had risen. Mallory had performed a Descensum at the same time, and brought Cordelia back from the Underworld, in a last effort to make things right.

They looked down from what was left of the window, Mallory’s ruined body was on the ground bellow, one hand still clutching the hilt of the silver ceremonial dagger that she had stabbed her own heart with, before going through the window. Kyle Spencer was leaning over the body of the late Supreme, unaware of what her gesture had made happen, only regretting that he wasn’t able to protect her from her own despair. A delicate figure with long hair approached him slowly, and gently placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Kyle took the hand that was offered and looked around to see who with was, to find Zoe Benson staring back at him. She had tears of joy in her eyes and the sweetest smile on her lips. Standing up, he pulled her to himself, and kissed her like nothing else mattered. He wouldn’t even bother to find out how this miracle was possible, he just wanted to hold her tight and never let her go again.

All around the Manor, the witches that had been massacred on that doomed day, when Michael died, were coming back to life where day had fallen. It was a miracle, indeed, and none of them would bother to understand it yet. They were just happy to be reunited with the sisters they thought had been lost for eternity. Madison and Zoe were finally able to put their differences aside and share a sincere sisterly embrace, but Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt simply stood still next to Mallory’s body, staring in disbelief at who was now the only fallen witch. “It was the price to reverse the evil that was made that day. And she gladly payed for it.”, it was Myrtle Snow’s voice carrying wisdom, enlightening the others on what Mallory’s plan might have been, “Delia. My dear child... you’re alive!”, and Lady Cordelia responded by wrapping her mentor in a warm embrace, finally reunited with the one who had been the closest thing she ever had to a mother.

Mallory’s sacrifice was the start of a long period of peace and prosperity to the Coven, which lead everyone to believe that, wherever they were, Mallory and Michael were together and happy at long last. There was no place for the star-crossed lovers in this world, but they would always find each other. Even in the afterlife. The peace and prosperity of the Coven extended to its tenants in the Grange, as well. The night they had spent in the Manor forged a bond of friendship between the young couple and their neighbours. The school was reopened, the witches had much to teach, and new students would arrive often. The next Autumn, Emily announced they were expecting their first child. And in early August, the following year, they welcomed a healthy baby boy they named Devan.

Devan was generally a good natured-child. He was incredibly clever and charming from a very early age, and the entire Coven considered itself his Godmothers. He was always welcome in the Manor to play with the younger witches, and there would be a tray of his favourite cake waiting for him whenever he went there. Timothy and Emily worried about how spoiled their child could be when they had Witch Godmothers looking after him. But it was only when he started to develop some unusual pastimes that they really had reasons to worry. They were standing in the animal shed of the Grange, looking at the butchered parts of what had been all the goats they’d had, and the innocent looking face of their blood-smeared child. It was hard for them to decide what the appropriate punishment could be when Devan didn’t even seem to understand he had done something wrong. “It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this”, it was the voice of a strange woman, a sturdy lady that had approached the animal shed without being noticed. She was beaming benevolently at the scene before her, but there was a devilish glint to her green eyes, “my name is Miriam Mead, I’m here to help.”

Taglist: @angel-langdon @blakewaterxx @burn-thevvitch @ccodyfern @certifiedmoth @consultingsnowqueen @crossdressingpirate-deactivated @ghostwithangeleyes @hecohansen31 @kalam22 @lathraios @laying-with-the-devil @michael-langdon-appreciation @mvllorylvngdon @mytrash-mylife @nuke-em-from-orbit @psychobitchtess @queen-of-quotes @rocketgirl2410 @rosegoldrichie  @suspirateux @tayfinities @touch-in-the-night @wvntersldr @xavierplympton

[burtfromohio]

This is a bunch of OC stuff

Big long post, will take energy to get through. Enjoy.

Nessalyn Aradath

     Born to Joselyn Aradath and a father who is not in the picture. After Joselyn had Nessalyn, she moved from her home (in an underwater city I’m sure exists) to Elmville in Solace to have a better life with her daughter and to decrease the chances of seeing her slimy ex.

     Nessalyn (Ness) grew up in a very suburban non exciting environment. Her mom let her go to Aguefort because she thought adventuring would let out any pent up energy and curb any teenage rebellion. In school, Ness completed her freshman year as a fighter who wields a trident then multiclassed wizard with ice spells as her go to (because of the aesthetic). Also because of aesthetic I think she fuses her focus into her trident so she can cast from it. After graduation, Ness wanted to continue adventuring through college and go into a career that includes adventure; however, her mom convinced her to “choose a sustainable career choice”. Ness went to a four year university and became an accountant after college. She felt fine with it mostly, but after getting out of a very bland relationship, she knew she had to reevaluate her life.

     While cleaning and redecorating her living space, she finds her old trident and decides to screw what anyone says and start adventuring again. She’s kept up her health and endurance so she thinks she can go back into it but she’s really rusty with magic and combat stuff (see rust condition in the players handbook I’m not writing lol). She takes all her money and puts a lot of it in a bag of holding to hide it and goes out into the ocean to, at 26, start life over and become a pirate because what else do you do as a semi aquatic with pent up aggression.

     She makes her pirate living by taking jobs from non water breathers on Leviathan to dive for treasure. She of course skims a little treasure to keep for herself in her bag of holding that no one knows she has as she keeps many bags on her belt, delivers the treasure after which she is paid her cut.

     She does find her way to The Gold Gardens and meets Garthy (bc that’s why I made her in the first place) and after some fanfiction worthy stuff and time they become really good close friends. I like to think Garthy confides in her as much as she confides in them.

Side notes:

Ness gets her name from my usual screen name plus Triton naming conventions

I use my regular voice (standard american accent) for her just a bit more mature and optimistic sounding i guess

This is me if i could be a cool pirate almost mermaid and friends with everyone at the Gold Gardens especially Garthy

Urchin

     Born to an neglectful orc mother she doesn’t really remember and a shitty triton father she remembers only slightly with great hatred. When she was very young, her mother gave her to her deadbeat father to take care of which he did for like a month then dropped her off where he thought was the most civilized place in the middle of the ocean that was close and convenient. He was wrong and left the young child to fend for herself on Leviathan. He kind of just dropped her on the lowest, closest stoop from the ocean which ended up being The Bilge.

     She hid in the dark until she was brave enough to head out where more people were to find help. She was treated incredibly poorly. In fact, when asked what her name is, her answer is “the only thing anyone has called me is ‘a filthy street urchin’. Makes sense,”. She did catch a glimpse of fighting especially from the Row and the Ruction and learned that the only way to survive was to be able to fight and hide and steal. She slept in only the darkest parts of Leviathan and sometimes had to hideaway in the ocean. She stole two gorgeous scimitar (gold hilt, black blade)from a ship with no detection. She classifies as a fighter and rogue.

     She stalks in the shadows and has at least a little info on everyone in Leviathan. Her dream is to sink the whole place down but with powerful people like Ayda and Garthy calling Leviathan home, she wouldn’t dare act on her desire.

     Urchin did once try to reach out to Garthy but upon seeing the gorgeous people who wandered about in The Gold Gardens, she assumed they would turn their noses up at her like most people did and assumed that about Garthy as well because those people were the type of company they keep.

     She has gathered info to try to track her mother and father down and confront them by stealing various documents and records from all over Leviathan and any significant ships. She doesn’t find her mother that way but she did find her father or at least his name.

Side notes:

Urchin has a real name read below

I use a kind of british accent for her voice (think Karliah Skyrim) with a little more idk cockney in there

This is just a really good idea i had and not me at all

~~~~~

The two now women do eventually have a chance encounter while Nessalyn hides in the Bilge from some people she screwed over. Urchin wants absolutely nothing to do with anyone and she knows base information about Ness (not her whole name tho), the optimistic new pirate wannabe who captured the heart of Garthy and everyone at The Gold Gardens. Ness is surprised at this and Urchin is surprised that Ness gives her the time of day since no one has ever spoken to her at length. When Ness asks her name she uses the quote above. Ness then vows to become Urchin’s friend because why not. Urchin hates this but maybe deep down likes it because she’s never had a friend and craves the affection she never had. After much persisting from Ness and repeat visits to talk, Urchin opens up about her shit family and how she has found some key info on her father and his whereabouts. Turns out his name is Syrus Aradath and he is held up in some sleezy underwater city that I’m sure exists. Ness is taken aback because that’s her last name (also to Urchins surprise since full names aren’t important unless they belong to powerful people)but doesnt know much about her father’s side of the family. All she knows is the one thing her mom had mentioned when she was worked up. Something about having to leave her two timing dirtbag husband who cheated on her when he was supposedly on a business trip but really he went to visit an orc. Then the final piece comes together with that memory and Ness is elated that she figured out that they are in fact half sisters with Ness being a little older though Urchin does not know her exact date of birth (Ness offers to share her birthday bc she’s cute like that). Urchin isn’t excited but in time warms up to the idea. They do forge a sisterly bond. Urchin finally meets Garthy and feels bad that she assumed they were going to be like mean or something. The two embark on a journey to confront their shit father and they do and tell him off and its cathartic and whatnot in the way that their father lives a deserved shitty life in an undersea hovel with many people mad at him for one reason or another. He truthfully claims he has no other children and Urchin gets the info on her mom, Valra Head Smasher, and goes off to confront her by herself for closure purposes. She does find her and sees that she leans more on the side of traditional orc (tough and mean). Her mom tells her that she was very small and weak when she was born and didn’t deserve a name that was fully orcish so she named her something kind of orcish but leaning more towards her weakling father’s heritage or something. Her real name is Korhal Aradath. Valra commends Urchin’s bravery of tracking her down and confronting her.

thats what ive got :p

[wezzaner]

TV Couples-Tropes in Descendants

Ever heard of the TV tropes: Alpha Couple, Beta Couple and Omega Couples?

The alpha couple are basically the narratively undeniable couple. They are the centerpiece, the untouchables, they are the story. They are written in the stars. No matter how you try to spin the canon narrative, you have to venture into AU or future-verse territories to not have them together.

The beta couple are the secondary couple. They are, more often than not, friends or confidants to the alpha couple. They act as a foil to the alpha couple, meaning, they basically highlight the alpha couple’s traits by contrast. They also tend to get their brief time in the spotlight then will get shoved aside for the rest of the story.

The omega couples exist more in the movie musicals genre and are convenient couples. A pair the spares situation, if you will. They are getting together last minute for no other reason other than the fact that we have the finale number coming up. Nothing leads up to it, they’re just there.

In Descendants:

Alpha couple: Mal/Ben

Beta couple(s): Evie/Doug and surprisingly, we get a second in Carlos/Jane

Omega couples: Jay/Audrey (D1), Carlos/Jane (D1, before being promoted to beta in D2), Chad/Lonnie (D1), Chad/Audrey (D3)

Notice how I did not include Jay/Lonnie (D2), Jay/Gil (D3) or Uma/Harry at all? Well, I can’t, none of them canonically got together to be betas, and they had their own mini arcs so they can’t be omegas.

I’d assume that Jay and Lonnie dated briefly and separated for some reason: be it an amicable separation simply due to graduation and going their separate ways (Everybody knows that you don’t bring the girl with you after high school. - Chad Danforth, HSM) or anything else. Like Jay coming to terms with his bisexuality, perhaps, and wanting to take his time before doing anything serious.

Uma/Harry, I wholeheartedly believe, are canon. Just future canon.

Jay/Gil are a wildcard. Their bonding is adorable, whether as friends or more. Or current friends with the possibility of something more, I am just glad I am here for it. And I will forever be giddy inside whenever I remember Disney allowed them to partner-up and dance.

Why such a seemingly irrelevant post?

Because there’s a certain mindset you must be familiar with before you jump into the “they deserved more screen time”, the “why didn’t they officially get together?” and the “F you Disney for doing this to us” chants. It is just how it goes, especially in a movie when you have time constrictions, unlike a TV show where multiple ships can sail simultaneously or in different times. So, what you have to do is, learn to appreciate what’s happening in the background. The fleeting looks, the hand-holding, the reassuring glances and the deleted scenes (chemistry between actors automatically translates to chemistry between the characters). A lot of scenes don’t end up making it into the final product and a lot of takes and angles don’t end up making it as well.

This isn’t me being mad at Disney, it’s just me trying to fill in the gaps to make sense of the story. Like a lot of fanfiction writers do to plot holes, right? But then, for me, it turned into this genuine confusion and curiosity to find out why some characters, like Doug, are so hated while he’s pretty much unexpendable to the story. Or why some people are hell-bent on Mal and Evie being a thing even though we have a proposal, two true love’s kisses and a song about sisterly love and friendship to counter that.

Basically, you need to understand that Evie/Doug and Carlos/Jane are foils to Mal/Ben. The only reason Evie/Doug got the spotlight somewhat in D1 is primarily to develop Evie’s character and then, along with Carlos/Jane, served their purpose only in D2 and D3 which was contradict Mal/Ben’s relationship. And anything meaningful that is meant to happen, happens to Mal and Ben.

Let’s see how:

In D1:

1- While Mal spelled Ben, jump starting their relationship faster than most. Evie and Doug started rather organically, getting to know each other. I’d even argue that Evie and Doug were strictly friends throughout the first movie and part of the six months between D1 and D2.

2- Bal unknowingly started Audrey’s downward spiral, Devie’s relationship didn’t step on any toes.

3- Bal’s started because Mal had a motive (stealing the wand) behind spelling him, unlike what he assumed. Devie was selfless on both parties, he defended her (selfless act) and she became intrigued by the person wasting their breath on a VK.

4- Jock versus nerd. Glaringly obvious.

5- Tomboy with a sharp tongue versus a feminine princess, arguably with social-cue issues.

6- Mal’s turned good for Ben. That’s it, she liked him and wanted to explore the relationship further. Evie’s motive was her exploring herself and all she could be. She found herself with Doug’s help, I’ll give you that, but she grew all on her own. He can’t take credit for that. I can also use Carlos and Jay as foils for Mal, Carlos turned good because he saw the life he could have away from his mother’s abuse and Jay found the error in his father’s teachings.

7- Both Mal and Evie are magical, but only Mal gets to exploit said magic while Evie’s is all but erased from the movies.

In D2:

The difference was more on how they handled problems. Also, Ben being Mal’s motive to be good meant that at the first sign of trouble in paradise, she had an identity crisis and fled.

1- Evie was straight forward with Ben, helping him get to the isle to confront Mal and bring her back. Jay and Carlos lied to Doug, their lies and his insecurities created a problem that wasn’t even there.

2- Ben’s and Doug’s approach to solving their problems was the same: desperate confrontation. Their attitudes and reasons were drastically different. Ben felt guilty for pressuring Mal and belittling the effort she was putting in being his girlfriend. Doug was frantic, fear and insecurity fueling his accusation.

3- Mal initially refused to compromise, basically kicking Ben out. Evie recognized the motive behind Doug’s accusation and shot them down immediately. You know, like the queen she is.

4- Again, Bal saying their “I love you”s while Devie take things slow, enjoying their time. Of course, also Carlos spending six whole months getting to know Jane before he even asked her out.

In D3:

Now D3 was exclusively action-based with very little relationship developments happening. This movie, which is even more Mal-centered and benches Ben altogether, turned almost every character into foils for Mal.

1- Mal and Ben being together long enough (two months shy of a year) to warrant a proposal. Evie and Doug struggle to say their “I love you”s. And Carlos freaks out over Jane’s first birthday since they got together.

2- Uma, Evie and Ben wanting to free the VKs while Mal wants to close the barrier for good based on a threat made for show by her own father. Then she opens the barrier for good to have a relationship with her own father. Nothing selfish about the motives of Uma, Evie and Ben and nothing is selfless about Mal’s motive.

3- Mal being in a happy stage of her relationship while everybody else seems to be struggling. Evie and Doug with their L-word issues, Carlos with Jane’s birthday, Chad still trying to be with Audrey, Uma’s reluctance sending Harry into a chaotic-flirting frenzy, Jay’s supposed recent break-up with Lonnie.

I’m not entirely sure what I had in mind when I started writing this, I guess I was trying to make sense of what we got in the final cut of each movie. It feels like the same frustrations I had watching the High School Musical movies so long ago and being curious as hell about pretty much everyone but Troy and Gabriella. And I am certain I skipped major plot points that would have emphasized everything I’m trying to say, feel free to add to this.

[q-gorgeous]

Sisters

fanfiction

continuation of this

It had been a few months since Paulina moved in with the Manson’s. Sam had given them some sort of half truth the next morning when they had all woken up. After that, everything started rolling pretty smoothly.

Mrs. Manson was so delighted once she realized she had someone who would willingly dress up and go shopping with her. They went out shopping for dresses, shoes, makeup. They even got frozen yogurt. It made Paulina’s heart burst.

It was the first time someone’s made her feel wanted in this kind of way.

Yeah, she’s wanted because she’s popular and pretty. But that’s different than being wanted in a familial way. After a month, one day when Mrs. Manson took Paulina to a fancy dinner with her friends, she introduced her as her daughter which made Paulina smile so big.

Being Mrs. Manson’s pseudo daughter then in turn made Sam her sister. Which kind of fit a little. They still bickered a lot at first and they were scolded when they did so. But eventually they got along better and Paulina even started hanging out with Sam’s friends.

Something still felt off about their new relationship though. Not off in a bad way. But Paulina couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Until one night while they were watching a movie. Her and Sam were sharing one of the oversized seats in the theater. Paulina was wearing one of Sam’s hoodies and had her legs draped over the other girls lap.

Something happened on screen, causing Paulina to jump and some strands of hair came loose from the clip holding them back.

Sam looked at Paulina and smiled, reaching over and tucking the strand of hair back behind her ear.

Paulina froze and gaped at Sam who had gone back to watching the movie.

The cogs in her brain began to turn as she processed what just happened and it clicked.

Despite what Mrs. Manson thought, Sam and Paulina hadn’t been forming a sisterly bond, no. Because that move right there?

That was so fucking gay and it was making Paulina swoon.

Sam’s eyes flicked away from the movie and landed on Paulina. She smirked before returning her gaze to the movie and whispering something.

“Clueless.”

[vanilla107]

Get Well Soon (One-Shot)

Hey everyone! So I'm super duper excited about the new Hey Arnold: Into the Jungle movie coming out in a few days that I just HAD to write some fanfiction about one of my favourite couples! I can't wait to see the movie and I hope you all like this! This lovely prompt was given to me by @heyarnoldlovexoxo!

Read on AO3

Fanfic Masterlist

*************************

Helga G Pataki let out a frustrated groan.  

This was all football head's fault.

That wasn't entirely true but hell, she needed someone to blame. At the thought of this she turned her head to look at Arnold Shortman, her beloved, who was sitting a few seats away from her.

They were both in detention.

She could see how annoyed he was with being in detention and she sighed. He just had to play hero didn't he?

It was all because she had been having a bad day.

Her sister, Olga I-am-so-great-at-everything Pataki, had come home from Atlanta last night and tried to do some ‘sisterly bonding’ which obviously hadn't worked. Olga then had the amazing idea to wake her up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast for her parents. So by the time she had gotten to school, she was in a foul mood and her day hadn’t gotten any better.

She had forgotten her English homework at home and seeing the disappointment on Mr. Simmons face was enough to make her feel awful. She didn’t like majority of the teachers but he was an exception. He always encouraged her and she would be lying if it didn’t motivate her to do better. By the time recess started, she just wanted to go home and sleep. Her best friend, Phoebe had already sensed that she wasn’t in the best of moods and thankfully refrained from asking questions.

The peace didn’t last long.

Harold had started to tease her to a point where she was about to sucker punch the guy when Arnold just had to jump in and try to stop her.

She would never hurt her beloved but hell, why did he have to test her? A teacher had stopped them and had seen the screaming match between her and Arnold and had given both of them detention.

Helga sighed her attention turning back to the page in front of her. Their punishment was to write an essay on ‘Why violence isn't the answer’ but she'd much rather write an essay on how the light caught her darling beloved’s golden hair or his gorgeous blue eyes.

The teacher in charge of watching them was Mr. Simmons who was marking math tests when he announced, “ Arnold, Helga, I’m just going to the photocopy room to get something. I won’t be long.”

Without another word he walked out the room and closed the door behind him and immediately Helga started talking to Arnold.

“I seriously can’t believe you Football head!”

At these words, Arnold turned his head and sighed at the bully. Helga noticed that Arnold was already done with his essay and wanted to scream.

Why was he so perfect at everything?

“Believe what, Helga?”

“That you’d decide to play hero! Now you’re stuck in detention too!”

She crossed he arms and glared at him.

“Helga, are you saying that I shouldn’t of stopped you?”

“Well yes! Now you’re stuck here and doing a boring essay all because you just had to stop me! Crimany! Can’t you just let me pummel a guy when I feel like it?”

Helga let out a huff of annoyance and to her surprise she saw a small smile on Arnold’s face.

“Well, violence isn’t always the answer Helga.”

“Are you just directly quoting from the essay or is that actual advice, football head?”

“Maybe, but I know that it’s unusual for you to just lash out at someone. Normally it’s an insult or witty comment but you never lash out. Are you okay?”

Helga froze. Was she really that transparent that Arnold could see how she was feeling? Did that mean he knew how she felt about him?

“Of course I’m okay! I-uh- just had a bad sleep and I ended up waking up really early!” she said confidently.

Arnold raised an eyebrow at her and shrugged his shoulders.

“Whatever you say Helga-”

Arnold’s eyes widened and he clutched his side. Helga looked at him with a confused expression.

“Football head? Are you-?”

Arnold fell to the floor and Helga screamed.

“Arnold!”

She ran to his side and broke out into a sweat. “What’s wrong with you? I don’t know what to do! Help! Somebody!”

Mr Simmons burst through the door and stared at the two ten-year olds.

“Helga, we need to take Arnold to the hospital. This doesn’t look like something the nurse can deal with. Let’s go to my car.”

********************************************

Helga gripped the cup of juice so tightly that Mr. Simmon’s was afraid that it would break. They were waiting outside Arnold’s hospital room waiting to see Arnold. She stared at the wooden door and took a sip of her juice and covered her face with her hands.

According to the doctors, Arnold had appendicitis and he had gotten severe cramps while he was in detention. The doctors had immediately taken him in for surgery and Helga nearly fainted on the spot.

“He’s not gonna die is he?” Helga had screamed as they had taken her beloved to the operating room with Mr. Simmon’s restraining her. Mr. Simmons assured her that since they had gotten him to the hospital and that his appendix was going to be removed, he would be fine.

Arnold was currently asleep and the nurse said that once he woke up, she could visit him. Helga had been waiting for an half an hour and she was getting antsy. Suddenly two figures ran down the corridor and stopped in front of Helga and Mr. Simmons.

Helga recognized them as Arnold’s grandparents, Grandpa Phil and that crazy wife of his, and she felt a little bit relieved that some of Arnold’s family was there.

“Is Arnold okay? We raced over immediately after you phoned us,” panted Grandpa Phil.

“He’s alright Mr. Shortman, Arnold had appendicitis and collapsed in detention. The doctors have already operated on him and he is currently asleep. You can visit him once he’s awake.”

“Oh thank heavens! You hear that, Pookie? Arnold is going to be right as rain!”

Grandpa Phil hugged Pookie and noticed Helga sitting silently in her chair, looking at the floor.

“Oh, this is Helga. She was with Arnold when he collapsed and called for help. She’s in a bit of a shock but was very brave. She helped me carry him to the car and was calm the entire way through,” said Mr. Simmons with a smile.

Helga didn’t feel brave. She had been shaking furiously when she carried Arnold to the car and had been on the verge of a meltdown in the car. It was a miracle that she hadn’t fainted at all.

“Well then! I thank you, Helga! That must’ve been quite a traumatic experience for you but you saved our boy!” grinned Grandpa Phil and Pookie gave Helga a bone-crushing hug.

“Can’t...breathe..!” Helga gasped and Pookie let go and giggled.

Helga gave the old couple a smile and a nurse walked out of Arnold’s room.

“Arnold is awake. You may see him now,” the nurse said with a smile and Helga ran into the room. She saw him sitting up in his bed, still looking sleepy and his hair looked ridiculous. She ran to his bed and threw her arms around him. Arnold was surprised at the sudden gesture of affection but slowly put his arms around her.

“Don’t ever do that again, football head,” she whispered and felt the tears drip from her cheeks.

“Well I only had one appendix, so I promise it won’t happen again, Helga,” he said.

Arnold couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Was Helga Pataki crying because she was worried about him?

Helga let go of him and stood up from his bed. He looked so small in his hospital gown and he had an IV drip attached to his arm.

“I think I need to sleep for a thousand years because I’m exhausted,” murmured Helga and Grandpa Phil put a hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you for caring about our boy, Helga. It’s late and I think you should be getting home. Do you want us to drop you off at home?”

“It’s okay. You spend time with football- I mean- Arnold. Mr. Simmons can take me home.”

Mr. Simmons nodded and they said their goodbyes.

**************************************************

The school was a buzz of news the next day because of Arnold being in the hospital.

Helga had found out from Phoebe that Arnold had to stay at the hospital overnight to recover and naturally, if people didn’t know the full story of events….they tended to get a little twisted. She had heard many different stories about Arnold. The one that he had been attacked by an intruder after school and had to be rushed to hospital was currently the most ridiculous one and Helga chuckled to herself. She was planning to visit him after school to just check how he was doing.

“Class, there’s a math test tomorrow, so please study hard!” said Mr. Simmons as he handed out revision worksheets. There was wave of disappointed groans.

“Darn it, I was planning to visit Arnold after school but I have to study for this test. I can’t fail math,” groaned Gerald.

Helga sat up and felt a little sorry for Gerald. He just wanted to visit his friend but now he couldn’t because of the test. She sighed and nudged Phoebe.

“Hey, hair boy!” she whispered to Gerald. He groaned and turned to face her.

“What do you want?” he asked. Helga rolled her eyes.

“Listen up, I’m planning to visit football- Arnold after school so if you want...you can make him a card and I’ll give it to him.”

Gerald’s eyes widened and he looked at her as if she’d grown a second head.

“What? Why would you visit him?”

“Ugh, I was with him when he collapsed okay? He had appendicitis and I helped. Can you blame me for want to see if he’s okay since I literally had no idea what was wrong with him and thought he was dying?” Helga said in a whole breath.

“Wait..you were there?!” Gerald exclaimed.

Helga ran her hand down her face and took a deep breath.

“Are you going to make him a card or not, hair boy?”

Gerald nodded slowly and Helga grinned.

“Oh and I’m sure Phoebe can help you study for the test tomorrow, right Pheebs?” Helga nudged her small friend who had gone a brilliant red.

“Y-yeah, s-sure!”

Gerald grinned and Helga noticed the blush on his cheeks.

“Have that card ready by the end of today, otherwise no card for Arnold.”

****************************************************

Arnold’s jaw dropped when he saw Helga stroll into his hospital room with her arms full of cards and flowers. He also noticed the ‘GET WELL SOON’ balloon tied around her wrist and the how out of breath she was.

“Helga- what is this?”

Helga dumped the cards on his bed and put the flowers on the desk next to his bed.

“I swear you have way too many friends,” she groaned as she untied the balloon and tied it to the bed and looked at him.

Gerald had told their whole class that a ‘messenger’ was going to take get well soon cards to Arnold after school since they all had to study math and the whole class had immediately started working on their cards. Helga was happy that he didn’t mention her. The last thing she needed was the class teasing her about caring. When Gerald handed Helga more than thirty cards all from students and teachers as well as flowers and a balloon she thought the delivery would be impossible. Thankfully she had managed.

“So? Read them!” she huffed and sat down at the end of the bed.

Arnold looked at all the cards and picked up the first one he saw. It was from Gerald. And the next one was from Lila then Eugene then Rhonda then Phoebe and- he had received cards from almost everyone he knew. He read each one, his smile growing bigger and bigger. Once he had finished the last one he looked at Helga.

“Helga this is….thank you.”

“Well you should thank your friends. We have a math test tomorrow so most of them couldn’t visit you so I told them to make cards instead.”

Arnold was silent.

“But...why would you visit me? I thought you hated me?”

Helga froze and she mentally slapped herself.

“I-I was worried okay? I went through a really traumatising experience yesterday football head and I had no idea what appendicitis was until the doctors said so! I thought you were dying! Can you blame me for being worried? I mean who would I call football head if you died, right? Hahah,” she laughed nervously.

Arnold stared at her before smiling.

“But...you just said that there’s a math test tomorrow...don’t you need to study?”

Helga glared at Arnold, the faintest blush on her cheeks.

“Arnold can you just leave the situation alone and read all your cards otherwise I’ll hit you so hard you’ll need another surgery.”

“Okay, Helga,” he said with a smile.

The nurse came in with a bowl of soup and Helga ushered her out.

Helga watched as Arnold started to eat but she noticed he was having difficulty.

“Jeez, if you want help just ask football head.”

She scooted closer to him and took the bowl and spoon in her hands. She scooped up a small amount of soup and blew on it before stopping the soup in front of his mouth. He opened his mouth and closed it around the spoon and ate the soup. Helga repeated the process until the soup was all eaten and she put the bowl on the side.

Arnold noticed a pink card on his bed that he hadn’t read yet and picked it up.

“I missed one...it’s really pretty,” he murmured as he opened it and Helga nearly fell off the bed.

“Arnold no-! Don’t read it-!”

Arnold had already opened the card and his eyes widened as he began to read out loud.

Arnold.

I can’t believe you have so many people that care about you. It’s actually sickening.

Anyway, I’m happy you’re feeling better. It was scary going through that experience with you yesterday and I guess I’m happy you’ll be back at school in no time. It’s really boring without you. I suppose I do care about you...a little. I mean I decided to not study for math to visit you instead but you’ll probably never read this, since I’ll burn it after I visit you.

Good to see you again, Arnold.

Love Helga

Arnold looked at Helga who was dying internally.

“That...fell out of my p-pocket and y-you were n-never supposed t-to read i-it.”

Arnold was silent and Helga wanted him to say something, anything.

“I knew you cared….deep down. Thank you for all of this Helga.”

He gently crawled to the end of the bed and hugged her.

“Thank you,” he repeated and Helga slowly put her arms around him. The hug lasted a good two minutes and the sun was just starting to set, bathing the hospital in golden warmth.

After the hug, Helga cleared her throat.

“Well Arnold if any of this- and I mean any of this- gets back to the gang at school...you’ll wish you had appendicitis all over again,” she threatened but she knew that she was blushing.

Arnold grinned.

“Whatever you say Helga, whatever you say.”

[scrapyardboyfriends]

26 May 2017

[The Mill with Robert and Aaron]

AARON: Morning Robert! Check out this mug I bought yesterday - wait...yesterday? Was that before or after I decided to forgive you for cheating on me? - Nevermind, anyway, look “Property of World’s Best Husband”! Isn’t that adorable?

ROBERT: Is that to remind me of what I’m not?

AARON: Yes and to prompt you to thank me for being the best and most forgiving husband in the world because this mug is totally mine.

ROBERT: You’re the best and most forgiving husband in the world and you totally deserve that mug. I’m so glad the Plot took the day off yesterday and we got to have some real, deep, meaningful conversations about all of our issues and our love for each other. #QueenMaxine It’s almost like we were in one of those fan fiction stories I spent half of our break reading. But at least you’re Plot Aware now. I’m glad we’re in this together now.

AARON: *Tiniest Smile* *Resigned Look* #ThisPlotSucks

*Little kiss and hug* - for the fans

[The Woolpack with Rebecca and Chrissie]

*Marlon and Carly are being adorable with April to show the positive side of having children*

CHRISSIE: Look what you have to look forward to!

REBECCA: Yay! ...So do you think it’s really a good idea to be here in the pub...that’s owned by Aaron’s family. I mean I know they moved out yesterday but they could totally still come in.

CHRISSIE: Robert doesn’t dictate your life, Rebecca, the Plot does, usually through Robert because you only exist for him. But we’re having sisterly bonding time again so I’m going to get you some food before you turn on me again. You really are fickle.

[The Woolpack with Robert, Aaron, Rebecca, Chrissie, Marlon, Matt, Carly, Victoria, Lawrence and Ronnie...Paddy may have been there too but...you wouldn’t know it #Bitter]

*Robert and Aaron enter the pub*

AARON: *eye roll*

CHRISSIE: Ignore them

REBECCA: *nods* *Thanks for making the decision for me Face*

ROBERT: Aaron I have a bad feeling about this. We should just leave.

AARON: What the Plot? Is this what you’ve been dealing with? This is exhausting. I’m so sorry. Well...we’re gonna have to face them sooner or later.

ROBERT: Looks like Chrissie’s been made Plot Aware

AARON: Well...so have I. *Deep Breath for sanity* *Walks over to Chrissie and Rebecca’s table* I know, all about the Plot, you slept together and you were pregnant. I know.

REBECCA: He told you? I mean I know I told him on Wednesday to tell you but I didn’t think he’d actually do it. Look at my shocked face!

AARON: Yeah, and we had a great fanfiction episode yesterday where we talked it all out and I forgave him and it actually made sense. Even the fans were satisfied. #QueenMaxine So, look, whatever hold you think you have over him, ends now.

REBECCA: *So you don’t know the WHOLE Plot Face*

CHRISSIE: *Exists*

ROBERT: *Plot Calls for Extra Smug Face because Aaron forgave him* Oh I’m sorry Chrissie, did we ruin something for you? Some blackmail? Ross already tried blackmailing me and it didn’t take.

CHRISSIE: You forgave him...is it actually possible that you’re dumber than you look?

AARON: *Plot ignorance was bliss Face*

ROBERT: Do not insult my #BeautifulHusband You never got over the fact that we didn’t have a proper affair aftermath. Are you still waiting to enact those revenge plots you’ve been working on since then?

CHRISSIE: I just care about my sister now, honest. I’m sure we won’t be at each other’s throats in a couple weeks again. Really. Your unborn child has really brought us closer together.

ROBERT: Yeah, well it wasn’t that difficult. Prepare yourself Bex, I’m about to go full 2D Villain here. Watch out.

REBECCA: *Puts on ‘I’m a Victim Face’*

ROBERT: *Ramps up for Villain Speech* Oh just quit the wounded ANGEL act will ya! - do you like how I called you an angel?

REBECCA: Yeah, it really solidifies my Sainthood. Keep going!

ROBERT: I mean you were just there like you always have been - because I was so hammered I forgot that I texted you - Easy, desperate...it runs in the family!

REBECCA: *’I’m a Victim Face’*

CHRISSIE: *to Aaron* Do you really think you know him?

AARON: I think the Plot doesn’t want me to feel like I do because it conveniently forgot that we had all of these great talks yesterday, forgot all we’ve been through. I also think you two should just stay out of our lives. Don’t you want your own storylines?

MATT: Hey...you’re doing this in the middle of a pub full of people. Don’t you have a back room for these types of intense chats? That’s where I was taken for mine.

ROBERT: It’s fine. The Plot wants us here. It wants me to look bad in front of as many people as possible. Anyway, they were just leaving.

CHRISSIE: You don’t dictate her life!

ROBERT: No! The Plot dictates all of our lives! And right now it wants me to be the absolute worst version of myself that I hoped didn’t still exist. I miss yesterday so much. Sorry for this, Bex, Aaron, but I’m told you have something to tell me and this is the ONLY way it will come out. *Drags Rebecca off of her chair by her jacket* YOU MEAN NOTHING TO ME!!!

AARON: Woah mate, calm down. Are you sure this is the only way?

ROBERT: Welcome to the Plot Aaron. I have to look as evil as possible. Just hold me back so I don’t do anything too stupid.

AARON: This Plot is horrible. *Holds Robert back*

CHRISSIE: Stop! She’s still pregnant!

ROBERT: Ah, now I get it.

*Shocked faces* *Random extra in the back so shocked she can’t even take a sip from her drink*

MATT: I know they’re family but that girl looked upset.

MARLON: *Token Dingle appearance* *Concerned but not allowed to interfere in the Plot Face* Just keep an eye on them.

ROBERT: *Distraught Face* We agreed you were going to take care of it Bex. We had like 500 conversations about it. How could this have happened?

REBECCA: I can’t do it, Robert, not after last time. I mean I know the slightly more rational me yesterday said that it was the right thing to do but now the Plot clearly wants me to feel like it was super traumatic again because I need to look like the victim some more.

AARON: Hold up. Last time?

CHRISSIE: Oh yeah. I found out about that yesterday. He got her pregnant when he was engaged to me. Still think he tells you everything.

AARON: *Exasperated by the Plot Face*

REBECCA: *Sad Face* Chrissie stop! This Plot is happening, none of us get a choice.

VICTORIA: Hey Carly, let me tell you about this other storyline I popped into for a bit!

CARLY: Shush, something major is kicking off in the middle of the pub. It involves your brother and his husband, who’s one of your best friends. I’m sure you should care.

VICTORIA: Oh, it involves my new Plot Friend, Rebecca. I definitely care.

AARON: What does the Plot want you to want out of this?

REBECCA: *Pained I don’t understand my motivations Face*

ROBERT: If it’s me the Plot wants you to want, then it’s a sad little dream.

CHRISSIE: Don’t be pathetic!

ROBERT: I was talking to her.

CHRISSIE: I know but we haven’t gotten to argue in a while and I miss it.

ROBERT: Me too...way more fun than arguing with your sister. *Distraught Face* *Hunched pitifully over table* *Doing what he can to make himself appear somewhat sympathetic despite the Plot* You can’t do this, Bex!

REBECCA: I can do what I like!

ROBERT: *Shakes head* No, no, we’re slaves to the Plot remember.

REBECCA: I remember, but it’s still my body and my choice even though it was totally Vic that convinced me to have it and that first abortion that’s sometimes the right thing and sometimes traumatic. Honestly, I just couldn’t be bothered to do anything because I can’t ever make up my mind so it was easier to just do nothing.

*Lawrence and Ronnie enter at the most convenient time possible*

REBECCA: I’m sorry, but for now, the Plot has decided I’m having this baby.

LAWRENCE: You’re pregnant? With Robert ‘Devil Incarnate’ Sugden’s baby? You’ve got to be joking! How long has this been going on? Maybe I should be happy I’m on the way out soon.

REBECCA: I’m sorry. The Plot made me do it.

ROBERT: *Guilty Face* Damnit, I really thought I was done with this expression.

[The Woolpack with...yep all those same people except Robert and Aaron are sneaking off to the toilet...and sadly not for fun sexy times]

MARLON: Look, we have a back room for exactly this purpose. Might I suggest you make use of it.

LAWRENCE: Don’t worry...I don’t intend to stay. This is already putting too much stress on my heart.

ROBERT: *to Aaron* This doesn’t take anything away from what we had yesterday. It’s just the Plot. It can’t hurt us. Don’t let it hurt us. Let’s just live in that moment where I full on snuggled against you while we sat on the floor and I held onto you for dear life. Don’t you remember that?

AARON: Yeah, I do, but…

REBECCA: I was going to tell you, but I had to wait until this very public moment. Sorry.

CHRISSIE: This is your grandchild! Yay! Sorry, I’ve got nothing else.

REBECCA: The Plot really wants me to keep it.

AARON: Oh ffs *Heads to the toilet* *Robert follows*

VICTORIA: You lied to me! Who cares about the fact that you slept with my brother and are possibly ruining his marriage as I speak, other than the fact that that means that child is going to be my blood relative. You know how much I want a baby! This could be my only chance to almost not really be a mother, because there are no other ways for me ever to have children, obviously.

REBECCA: *Pained face* I’m sorry. I lied to everyone. How many times can I say that the Plot made me do it!

CHRISSIE: She was going to leave the country and do this on her own, but at the last minute she changed her mind, shocker, and came back. So I said, even though we’re the most hated family in the Dales, we’re going to look after this second generation plot device together!

LAWRENCE: *Head in hands* How did this Plot even happen. This is ridiculous!

REBECCA: Dad?

LAWRENCE: NOOOOOOOO! #SpeakingForTheFandom

[The Woolpack Toilets with Robert and Aaron]

ROBERT: I didn’t know. I swear. This Plot Point took me by surprise too. I really don’t like it.

AARON: What, this time or the last?

ROBERT: I told you everything relevant yesterday. What happened in the past, was the past. Just tell me what to do to make this right. I wish Maxine was here to put the perfect words in my mouth like yesterday. Did I mention how much I miss yesterday?

AARON: *misses yesterday too*

ROBERT: Aaron, I love you. Tell me you still love me. All of our mutual ‘I love yous’ are painful. This totally fits the pattern, so you can say it back.

AARON: *nods* Yeah. But it’s a baby, her baby. A cheating Plot made at least some sense for us to help us deal with all of our issues, but this? This is too far.

ROBERT: I didn’t know this was going to happen. I thought I’d fixed it. Outsmarted the Plot.

AARON: Well, she’s still pregnant.

ROBERT: But I don’t want it!

AARON: But she’s carrying your child. You’re gonna be a dad. This Plot is happening and you know it’s not going to let you get out of it this easily.

ROBERT: I know, but do you still forgive me? I’m desperate here. I meant everything I said yesterday. Yesterday was such a good day. Don’t let the Plot destroy it. This changes nothing, I promise.

AARON: *Crying Face* You can’t promise that. She’s always gonna be there now. She’s always going to have that with you. It’s always going to be in my face, what you two did. *Voice Breaks* *Give Danny all the awards* Don’t you get that? You can’t make this go away #SpeakingForTheFandom

ROBERT: *As close to Crying Face as he can get* I won’t see it. Like it doesn’t exist. Please let there be a twist and it doesn’t exist. #PrayerCircle

AARON: You and her. It’s not over is it. It can never be over now. #SpeakingForTheFandom

ROBERT: Just come here, for the fans remember.

AARON: Don’t! The fans hate this Plot and so do I! *Storms Out*

ROBERT: *Distraught Almost Crying Face* - someday he’ll get there

[The Woolpack for Ashley’s Window Unveiling Drinks - oh look...there’s Paddy...let’s see what he’s up to]

PADDY: Sheep and unicorns. Ha Ha Ha! Love being in this storyline instead of the one where my son is falling apart and totally needs someone right now. If I ignore him long enough, he’ll have to go talk to Rebecca, which I’m told is what the Plot wants.

MARLON: Hey Vic, sorry about your brother’s marriage falling apart. You okay?

VICTORIA: Well, he hardly cared about mine so I’m just going to ignore his problems and focus on the fact that my super good friend Rebecca lied to me in ALL of those conversations we had where I basically steered her towards having this baby because the Plot wanted me to. It’s really upsetting me right now and it’s totally rational and logical that I would feel this betrayed by someone I was only friends with for Plot reasons. I mean I remember something yesterday about saying I was on Aaron’s side, but nope...that’s gone. This is all I care about now. I wonder if this will have anymore ramifications on my life choices?

[Home Farm with Rebecca, Chrissie and Ronnie...and an Aaron cameo]

REBECCA: It was my choice whether to tell him.

CHRISSIE: Look, the Plot needed it to come out today! From what I understand this has all dragged on long enough. Robert’s Plot driven action gave me the perfect opportunity to spill!

RONNIE: Oh you’re back. What the hell Plot have you dragged us into? Robert again? Haven’t you both been there soooo many times already? Honestly? Why can’t our family stay away from him and him us at this point? Surely that’s what everyone wants?

REBECCA: I should have just gone and should never have come back. #NowYou’reGettingIt #SpeakingForTheFandom #TakeYourOwnAdvice

AARON: There’s lots of things you shouldn’t have done #SpeakingForTheFandom

[Home Farm with Aaron and Rebecca]

*Emotional Aaron* > *Emotional Rebecca*

AARON: He doesn’t want you. He doesn’t want this baby. Neither do the fans. You can’t just trap him!

REBECCA: You really think that’s what this is?

AARON: *Shrugs* It’s a possibility. Nothing about you makes any sense. At least this would be a motivation.

REBECCA: I wanted to leave. Robert should never have known. *Fandom Facepalm* - Why couldn’t that happen? - I’m not trying to take your husband. *Fandom Eyeroll*

AARON: Are you sure? Because you’re doing a really good impression of someone who is. Just stay away from him.

REBECCA: And you think that’ll solve it?

AARON: It would make me happy and the fans. I told Robert I wanted to be happy yesterday as we snuggled on the floor. I miss yesterday so much too. It made sense, so much sense. It was so satisfying.

REBECCA: What do you want? That we all just pretend this isn’t happening? You go back to your marriage and just forget about it? *FANDOM SCREAMING ‘YES THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT’*

AARON: Yes, that’s exactly what I want. This Plot is the worst. I don’t know why I wanted to know about it so bad.

REBECCA: I like you Aaron. *Fandom Eyeroll* I want to help you.

AARON: *Laughs* *Fandom Laughs with you Aaron * Yeah well, you’re doing a great job. You ever think about a career in stand up because this is hilarious?

REBECCA: He hurt you. Like he hurt you before. Like he’s hurt everyone who ever cared about him. *Fandom Eyeroll* *Can’t roll eyes back any further*

AARON: Unless you’ve been binge watching our story on YouTube *shout out to Aaron Fan for bringing back the videos* then you know nothing about our relationship so don’t presume to. I’m different. Maxine knows so. The fans know. He loves me. He married me.

REBECCA: And then slept with me! #Because...Plot! He told me you were over and I trusted him because I always trust him because I have no thoughts of my own so I’m easily manipulated by everyone around me, especially Robert. Don’t make the same mistake. I mean...look at me? I’m pregnant. I’m carrying his child.

AARON: *Please don’t remind me Face*

REBECCA: I’m sorry, Aaron, but there’s going to be a baby here. (Tinfoil Fandom: Is there?)

AARON: *Please stop talking Face*

REBECCA: It’s going to be born (Tinfoil Fandom: Will it?) and you’re going to see it. (Fandom: Do we have to?) You can’t just ignore it. (Fandom: We can try really hard)

AARON: JUST STAY AWAY FROM HIM!!!

REBECCA: That was a near violent outburst designed to make me look afraid. *Afraid Face* so that I can look more like a victim, and not just me, but the baby. *Places hand protectively over womb*

AARON: Oh come on. I know NOTHING about women or periods and even I know that’s not the location of your womb. Try harder. But I guess the Plot wants both Robert and I to look bad today so I’m sorry...I would never hurt the baby. I’m really not like that.

REBECCA: This is what he does to you. This is why we have to protect ourselves. - Does it sound like I’m trying to turn you off of him so I can have him for myself and my PlotBaby because my motivations are so all over the place I’m not sure anymore - Can you really do this? Can you stand by him? Cope? When the baby’s here?

AARON: *Thoughtful Face* I’m pretty sure the Plot wants me to. I mean, they just built us a house. They let their best writer write some amazing scenes for us. I don’t feel like they would squander that this quickly, but this story is already giving me whiplash and I’ve barely been a part of it yet. How do you deal with it?

REBECCA: *Attempt at Sincere Face* Don’t worry about your marriage, Aaron, just save yourself and get out of this mess of a Plot.

AARON: *Thoughtful Face* This Plot does suck, but Robert said ‘messed up forever’ and I want that too.

REBECCA: Leave him. - wow I really am laying it on thick. What is my motivation here? -

AARON: *Sad thoughtful Face* Look, we’re seriously codependent and I can’t actually function without him so...we’re probably gonna stick together no matter what, but I’ll remain contemplative until Monday.

*Episode MVP goes to Stuffed Steve for being less ridiculous than this Plot and a more consistent character than Rebecca*

[blueraith]

Also looks like I won’t be going back to Supergirl

Watched all of Season 1, fell in love with the Danvers sisters. Sister relationships are one of my favorite dynamics. I’m the oldest of three girls. I get very tired of seeing sister relationships as nothing but toxic competitions or just played for laughs on television. So, Supergirl really hit that itch for me. And then I heard that they butchered Alex and Kara’s relationship in Season 2 and decided to hold off for a little bit. If it got better in S3, I’d think about returning. Even though Alex got a very well written, supposedly for just the first half at least, coming out plot. Alex was my favorite, even before I knew that. She was this kick ass older sister who was there for Kara in every way she could be. The show even got the parts right when Alex was hesitant to go to Kara about some things because she was afraid Kara either wouldn’t understand or that her issues weren’t something she wanted to burden Kara with. Totally understand that on an uncomfortable level.

Then I found out that Alex totally slacks on her sister duties. Focuses too much on her girlfriend. Then said relationship with said girlfriend get put to the sidelines in favor of Kara’s relationship with this guy I don’t hear particularly great things about.

All of that I could have dismissed if S3 turned out to be any good. Shows often have an awkward stage. This show literally changed networks and writing teams. I suppose some mistakes are to be expected. I was prepared to forgive and forget so long as S3 did anything whatsoever to rectify all the missteps.

And then came the news about SDCC. And I’m like, nah, I’m out. For the foreseeable future. Fanfiction will just have to do. That and Wynonna Earp. Wearp is totally beating Supergirl to death in terms of sisterly bonding and LGBT representation. It’s not even a competition, and it’s sad really. It’s not hard to do these things. Wynonna Earp literally rewrote their second season to accommodate a surprise development with one of their cast members. And said accommodation is actually working. I don’t know why this show decided to focus so much on a male character when Season 1 was so focused on making Kara into her own person, to finding her own way, and getting out of Superman’s shadow. And then they take about 30 steps back. And then the cast seems so tone deaf about it all.

I don’t care if it was a non-canon ship. I read a few supercorp fanfics every once in a while. Sanvers was always more of my thing. But I enjoyed it for what it was. Unfollowed anybody toxic on Tumblr on both sides. It’s not hard to manage your dash and avoid all the bullshit in shipping wars. The cast should have been far more aware of this stuff. You don’t make fun of ships, canon or not. Folks aren’t stupid. They knew it was unlikely this show would be brave or forward enough to make their lead character anything but straight. They could barely include Sanvers in the end there, after all. Treat your fans with some basic decency, y’all. I know Jeremy’s past with his family issues. He did a great thing there. But just because he did a great thing, stood up for what was right then, it doesn’t mean it’s over. Allies are allies 24/7. It doesn’t end. Just like being LGBT doesn’t end, you gotta realize that you don’t get to pick and choose. And when you make a mistake, you’ve gotta own it 100%. Because we deal with a constantly aware world. Your fans are closer to you than ever. You have to keep that in mind at all times. You have to keep in mind that you’re dealing with people who are young, who are probably impulsive, who are not going to react to your words and ‘jokes’ as well as you would have hoped for. (Also it is only a joke when everyone is laughing. Jokes are not something you get to decide them to be when the target of the alleged joke is also the butt of the ‘joke.’ Come on, that’s Joking 101.)

He should have apologized in a far less defensive manner far sooner than he had. If he did, the fandom probably wouldn’t be such a dumpster fire right now. It doesn’t really matter that there are fans who are overreacting right now. That’s to be expected when something like that happens. It’s a shame that some folks take it way too far, that they won’t take responsibility for any threats they may make, but that’s the world we live in. That’s what’s going to end up happening in a fandom crisis nowadays. Especially when dealing with a young fandom like Supergirl. It’s on the CW for god’s sake. This freakout should have been expected for PR. Somebody should have been with this dude from the moment it happened to slap some sense into him and to screen his posts. This is basic stuff nowadays. Don’t say shit that’s even remotely flammable when this stuff happens. You literally cannot afford it in a professional setting. That’s the main reason I feel sorry for absolutely no one in the cast right now. Reddit is all about blaming the fans at the moment, saying that it’s Tumblr freakout from a bunch of immature babies, but that’s the reality right now. You literally hurt the feelings of teenagers in a vulnerable position. You and your cast members are the adults here. The writing team, the PR team, your team, you all have to be far more conscious of this stuff than you are. A lot of these kids look to these shows for an escape. When you threaten that, this is what you get. Folks saying this is just an overreaction that’s unwarranted are never going to get it. They have hundreds of shows to choose from when it comes to representation. Losing one is never going to hurt them as much as it hurts a minority group. Never.

And that’s what frustrates me the most here. Because if you’re this tone deaf, if you can’t even grasp how simple it is to not go out of your way to hurt your fans feelings like this, it’s going to happen again. PR did absolutely no favors for this fandom. The cast members who started this did no favors. They don’t even grasp what really went wrong here. You don’t mock a non-canon ship that’s m/f, right? That’s often just taken in stride, right? Then why do it for any gay ship? Because it’s a joke to y’all? That’s what’s got everyone upset in the end, dudes. It’s really a shame that it has to be spelled out, but that’s the world we live in. Jeremy, folks are being hard on you not to be mean for shits and giggles. They’re going after you because you’re so fucking tone deaf, so insensitive, that had they not smacked you as hard as they have, you likely never would have realized you did anything wrong in the first place.

Supergirl is gonna have an uphill battle to win any LGBT fans back. I mean, we got Wynonna Earp a third season with #NoChill. This community is easily the loudest on the internet. You’re gonna lose all that if you don’t wise up and take some steps to fix this. But I doubt you guys are gonna pull it off. Because you don’t really get it, do you? You don’t get what made Supergirl great in the first place, you’re focusing on bullshit that is literally the same from show to show, network to network, 24/7. Your m/f ships are never going to make headlines here. You’re doing nothing particularly noteworthy with them. You live in the golden age of television right now, guys. Wise up a little bit. Disrespecting your fanbase like you are is going to do you no favors.

We live in the golden age of television. I already replaced you with another show before all of this. Why in the world should I go back now? What have you got for me? Until you can answer that question, looks like I’m staying away.

[the-hand-that-wrote-blog]

Snow and Stardust

She had never been close enough to see his eyes, not to really look. Now that their faces were mere centimetres apart she could see. He was a liar. He felt things; he cared. The emotions ran deep, deep, so deep, but oh, so strong.

Elena would never be fooled by that wicked smile again. It was all there, in his eyes.

Picking up the book she had been using to keep track of the canon, she turned in her desk chair and walked over to her bookcase. It was completely stuffed with books, many of which could be described euphemistically as well-loved. They had been thumbed through repeatedly and rapidly, had the corners folded down to mark places and one or two had had that heart-stopping experience of slipping out of her fingers in the bath. She owned multiple copies of some of her favourites; the nicer covers were kept on a shelf above her bed.

On the way she caught the eye of her reflection in the mirror on her wall. Flinging the book carelessly onto her bed, she approached herself curiously. Her silver hair still hung freely down her back. With the long, tie-died, ocean-hued dress and the multitude of heavy silver bracelets and necklaces she wore, she looked more like an elven princess than the daughter of two prominent politicians. She wriggled her bare toes happily at this thought. Good.

Taking another step she opened her mouth and tilted her head to get a good look inside. All normal. She closed her mouth and took a deep breath.

“...”

No.

Come on, say something. Say hello.

“...”

Nothing. She frowned at her reflection.

Say hello.

“...”

Not today, it seemed. Maybe not any day.

A memory surfaced; a memory that if given physical form would be as foxed and worried at as the most battered book on her shelf.

The crisis had left Sophia traumatised. Everyone had been so busy that it had taken a while for anyone to notice that she had not spoken since that incident, even longer for them to grow concerned, sympathetic, irritated, angry. It did not matter what was said to her. She refused to speak a single word.

A year or so later Sophia had realised that she was no longer holding her silence deliberately. It was not would not, but could not, and she was frightened. She had cried, often, alone in her room as her voice failed her again and again.

In her memory her sister Astrid – the perfect girl, with perfect grades and perfect manners – chose this time to lose her practically patented cool.

“For Pete’s sake, Sophia, why can’t you just quit it? You’re making everyone worry; Mum and Dad are half-crazy over it. Do you have to be so weird?”

Sophia simply looked at her helplessly.

“It’s not like I never want to act out – get a C in a class I hate, or-or make out with some loser behind the gym – but I can’t, because one weirdo is bad enough, and I care about this family. You’re not just hurting our parents emotionally, you know.”

That got Sophia angry. Astrid cared more about her parents careers than her sister’s pain? Fuck that.

Since then Sophia had barely acknowledged Astrid’s existence, and for all she could tell the older girl had done the same. A (perfect) University student now, she still lived in their parents mansion. It was easy for them to avoid one another in the grand rooms. At meal times they avoided eye contact, each pretending that the other was absent, eating in icy silence for the most part.

***

But that’s so sad, Astrid thought, sitting alone in her room. She knew all about forcing feelings down, keeping them out of one’s face and behaviour. Reading this fanfic made her very sad.

Not that she would ever behave like Damon.

Long, elegant fingers on the keys, she posted the Dramione one-shot she had written. She was toying with the idea of turning it into a series of related short fics concentrating on her favourite Harry Potter ships. Mostly Dramione. They were Astrid’s OTP and she would hear no more about it. She added a little question testing out the idea in her author’s notes and went back to the essay she was supposed to be working on.

Damon and Elena still turned in her mind as she wrote.

In her next study break she logged back in and sent the author of If You’ll Let Me, the 40,000 words and growing Vampire Diaries fanfic a message praising the work.

-

Stardust-Girl,

I am loving 'If You’ll Let Me'. The most recent chapter in particular really got to me. I am not especially good at expressing myself personally, and the idea of someone getting close enough (physically and emotionally!) and making the effort to understand me...It’s. Just. So. Beautiful. The slow build of their relationship and starting to trust each other –

Basically, please never stop!

HCA-SnowQueen

-

Astrid hesitated before hitting send. It was a little bit overly candid, wasn’t it? She almost never shared so much about her inner life, even with close friends. But that was the advantage of online interactions, wasn’t it? The ability to be candid, safe in the anonymity and the distance screen to screen?

She was surprised by a prompt reply.

-

Hi SnowQueen

Thank you so much for your message – it made me really happy! I always read your fics. This latest Dramione one was fantastic, like a dream of beautiful tragedy. I hope there will be more of it – I’m holding my breath so hurry hurry hurry!

There will definitely be more Elena/Damon action from me. Their story is pretty interesting given that they’ve both hurt each other and, yeah like you say, Damon is pretty sucky at showing any vulnerability. It’s a slow burn huh!?

Stardust-Girl

-

Astrid bit her lip, excited and flattered. She liked her stories? She took her laptop onto her bed and typed a response.

-

Stardust-Girl

OMG I can’t believe you read my fics, I’m so embarrassed!

HCA-SnowQueen

P.S. Does it have to be such a slow burn? Give me results, I need them!

No, honestly don’t, the anticipation is better than anything!

-

SnowQueen

Haha, you’re adorable.

And anticipation is everything. Better than the dirty deed itself, no?

SG

-

Stardust-Girl

Lol, I’d be the last to know.

HCA-SnowQueen

-

Wait, why did I send that? she thought. Way too much information. She fretted for a few minutes until the reply came back.

-

Snow,

Me too. Though, there is someone...

SG

-

***

Logging onto her computer, Sophia was pleased to see a new message from Snow. They had been chatting for a few weeks, sharing bits and pieces of writing and bits and pieces of their lives. Snow sounded like she did not have a lot of friends IRL, but she was very easy to talk to once she got more comfortable. Sophia had shared an awful lot with her, and received a few things back. The talk was light and fun, but real.

-

Stardust,

How are things with the guy?

I’m still floundering of course. Sorry to massively overshare, but I’m starting to think I might be, I don’t know. I am too old to be having these sexual identity questions but I guess I was always too repressed to pay attention when a male or female caught my eye. And now I think it may be both?? God I’m weird.

Snow

-

Sophia barely thought for a moment before composing her reply.

-

Snow, sweetie, no, you’re not weird at all, why would you think that??

Just love who you love, nothing in the world wrong with you!

SG

-

Stardust

Yeah, I guess I feel like I’m under a lot of pressure to be normal, or to be better or something. It drives me pretty crazy half the time ngl.

Snow

-

Snow

I know exactly how you feel. I have the same thing at home.

Caved under it, actually. Or rebelled, or a combination thereof.

I don’t talk to my family anymore.

Or anyone else for that matter.

I can’t, actually.

It started as a conscious decision not to – remember the crisis? – it all got too much. I stopped talking. Not a word. Then after a while I was not choosing to be silent. I couldn’t make a sound. If I tried, nothing came out.

It was a really hard time for me, realising I couldn’t ever go back to normal.

SG

-

Sophia was crying. It was so painful, yet such a relief as well to put it down in writing to another human being. The truth.

She waited tensely for a reply which did not come.

Finally a sound startled her out of her vigil.

A knock.

A real life knock on her door.

“Sophia?” her sister’s quiet voice.

It came again, this time more uncertain, quieter, hesitant.

“Stardust?”

Snow?