#the greens are exempt from this wish because they WILL suffer and I am looking forward to it

[b-rainlet]

(potential spoliers?) apparently aemond is a 12 year old horse girl talking to his mutant lizard like she is a real person, aegon doesn’t mind calling the exterminator for the remaining 2 bastard pups and he magically becomes an attentive husband who rushes to his pregnant wife and grabs her hand in comfort lmao. and they toned down b&c. probably all fake but 🤷🏽‍♀️ we got loser aemond and cute helaegon bits

Like Aemond wasn't a 12 year old horse girl before lmaooo, baby boy managed to claim the biggest and oldest dragon only a few days after said Dragon had to burn her rider alive, the sheer balls on that kid.

If that is indeed what's going to happy then I don't terribly mind it? If Helaena is still pregnant when the season starts it means they won't immediately jump to blood&cheese - which leaves a few episodes for them to really make it hit emotionally by showing Helaegon interacting with their children and it also make sense to have Aegon actually look at his wife more than once if that's what they're going for.

(I personally wouldn't mind if they just completely brushed over the whole rapist and child fighting stuff because it was pretty silly in the first place but even if they keep trying to make Aegon the worst person in Westeros, he can still feel protective over his Family. He's allowed to contain multitudes).

I wonder if there's gonna be more Helaemond scenes? Maybe it's because I've seen so many Helaemond Fans in this Fandom but it would make sense to give them some scenes too, since 1. Aemond is self-proclaimed Family Protector and 2. Blood&Cheese is very much his fault.

Not a fan that they potentially tone b&c down, but that's mostly because I am a gore hound and a horror movie freak so while I didn't necessarily think they would show a little child dying in every gorey detail, I at least expected the scene to be near unbearable emotionally with a heavy focus on Helaena's and Alicent's pain and some very awful scenes with them rather than the children (you know like, rape threats directed at them and them being touched and leered at and stuff).

I also heard somewhere that Daemon is gonna kidnap Jaehaerys instead? Idk, but that's not what I want.

My wants are very simple:

Make b&c as awful as possible

Have Aegon watch as Helaena commits suicide (maybe he's just walking into her chambers, calling for her and he sees her seconds before she jumps/she actually lands right next to him or/and Aemond)

Not gonna happen but I would love for Alicent to point out that Rhaenyra's plan of revenge not only hurt the murderer of her child but also her sister aka the one sibling she liked and doted on (via the book) and the only sibling who had the least to do with any of this and suffered the most for it

Jacaerys dying as awfully as possible (affectionate)

[whenwegounnoticed]

My Turn To Talk About VioletVineyard, MVCreates, and the Glaring Problems of Power Imbalances.

Introduction

I have been on the fence about talking about my experiences, on one hand, because one of her mods and I are or maybe were (?) friends, and I valued their friendship but in recent light, I don’t know and because I want my main to be a safe place for other writeblrs and because I am afraid.

I was in VioletVineyard at the beginning of it -- and being in it did not feel good for reasons I could never put my finger on.

Let's talk about me and who I am first without giving myself away:

I have a disorder that makes expressing myself difficult, this is due to childhood trauma and a form of self preservation. My wording will be clunky because only recently, with the help of amazing friends, I'm learning the right verbage.

Now. Some of you will know who I am. Hello. Please keep me anonymous. Some of you might have a guess. Hello. Surprised? Maybe you're wrong. I don't know, I'm not in your head just as you're not in mine.

I have screenshots for some stuff and none for others. These are all personal experiences.

I will not be sharing the screenshots of those who were victims to respect their privacy.

Please bear with me. I know this will be long and rambly, but it’s how I make sense of my thoughts and brain.

VioletVineyard: Questionable Reality

I joined VV at the start of it, although it was already pretty big. I was excited! I admired many writeblrs who were in there and wanted to be friends with many of them. They were all so welcoming. And I felt, for a hot minute, like I belonged.

It was sprint of my freshman semester as a journalism major, and Mina reached out to me in the general chat, saying that if I needed help or wanted an In at some journalism company, to let her know because she knows people.

Great! Cool. A little odd but that was nice of her -- and.

That's how it starts.

A side: my friend has a theory that if people only present how perfect and amazingly nice they are, they likely are rotting on the inside. Nobody is ever perfect and always super nice, do not trust them. I do not subscribe to this but it is a thought in my mind now.

It took a week of me being there for the not right feeling set in.

First:

There was drama.

She would start it. She'd vague in the vent about someone and then outright state who she was talking about. And it would be about someone whose opinions she disagreed with. People would go and send anons or they'd bitch about whoever was the victim in the vent channel.

I don't remember if I participated but if I did, I am truly and genuinely sorry.

I think I got stressed two weeks in. I was already ill from invisible physical problems. The server felt horribly unmoderated.

I remember saying something because Mina was doing it again and being told,

"Then support in here."

Mostly innocent right? You support your friends, right?

It wouldn't have been a problem if:

The victim did something wrong.

Mina and this person weren't in their goddamn 30s or near that. They have a child, by the way.

The person was at least under 20.

From my scattered memory, the issue was OP either slightly vagued abt Mina or she just disgreed with OP.

Lots of red flags, right?

"But OP why did you stay?"

Emotional masochism? Fear? Because she, either knowingly or unknowingly cultivated this sort of atmosphere? I cannot speak for anyone else, but that's the reasoning for me.

There was, also, in the beginning, a hope that maybe things would change. Varying personalities, you know? And a desperate need for validation.

So, so wrong.

MVCreates & OP

So, get to the point OP. What happened to you?

A vague threat.

Mina....had Opinions. And opinions are just that, opinions but for her, they were fact. After all, she has her own reality and own story that helped form hers but some of hers were odd. Maybe not to most people who aren’t paying attention or didn’t notice the red flags ( “through rose colored glasses, all red flags just look like flags”) but they were definitely something.

She, for awhile, talked an awful lot about writeblr positivity. I could never really make sense of it -- she either supported it or was against it, from what I remember. (keep in mind, this was a little over a year ago and visually, I can see the gaudy green - red - yellow colors for pronoun preferences).

And I made a vague post about it and her. A few times. I was in the wrong for vaguing about her instead of just saying something up front.

Her response was, and I will paraphrase,

“Do you ever screenshot people vaguing about you just in case they enter a political career?”

I wish I had taken a screenshot. I’m sorry now that I did not. Maybe someone saw that, maybe they brushed it off. I don’t know.

From then on, I kept quiet about my thoughts and opinions because I did have plans to go into a political career -- but jokes on her, I plan on being a human rights officer for the United Nations lmao

Another incident (we’re almost done, I promise):

I was -- venting about gender dysphoria. I was Peak Suicidal at this point in time, just knowing what I was born with brought me to tears frequently. Mina had jumped into in the conversation and started talking about something vaguely related. She started talking about trans BIPOC experiences, which is great! Their experiences are things that need to be talked about because they are often thrown to the side for trans white people’s experiences and that is not okay.

I forget the middle part, it’s been over a year. It went from BIPOC experiences to something else, a conversation about gender? I don’t know. Maybe there’s someone out there who remembers. I doubt it though.

I remember saying, “I wish I would have been born with testicles and everything else because [I’m in hell?]” and she answered with,

“That would [mean / cause / ???? ] privilege.”

This person who has claimed she is non binary, claimed to be a trans ally and part of the trans community, said that to someone in the height of dysphoria and was suicidal.

You do not say that to someone who is experiencing gender dysphoria. To say that is transphobia. And yes, trans & non binary people can be transphobic. You are not exempt.

Violet Vineyard & Reprehensible Behaviors

Before I start this section, and I promise this is almost done, I just want to thank:

@radley-writes​, @gingerly-writing​, @lilquill​, @sapiencenotes​  @rrrawrf-writes​ & many more who have come forward about their experiences, whether publicly and in private. It’s admirable and brave of you to do something I could not. @nuwuhorizons​ & @time-to-write-and-suffer​ have amazing documentation as well.

There isn’t much to say that hasn’t already been said and documented, but I can corroborate the bullying Mina and the mods engaged in -- the stuff Radley spoke about I did not know about -- and that makes me ill. I’m glad they owned up to what they did, and for that, thank you Radley. It shows you are a much bigger and better person.

I will not lie, however -- I was hurt and felt a bit ill when you talked about what the mods did. And it made me question and second guess a friendship I have (had?) with another mod. But I think that helped put some pieces of the puzzle together.

 An incident that stands out to me (and honestly bothers me, so a few people have heard about this often and I’m sorry), very clearly and I have screenshots for but will not share to protect their privacy, was when they dogpiled someone who had been asking about writing a Jewish character. While they were falling into somewhat harmful stereotypes, VV was handling it.

Not well.

The person was a minor, for one -- teenagers make mistakes, they make them more if they’re not exposed to varying cultures and beliefs. And the person who was on the receiving end of this dogpile looked to be coming more and more unstable and all I could do is just. Grab screenshots of what I could.

And if you’re reading this, you know who you are, I am so sorry I didn’t say anything. That wasn’t right, the entire situation wasn’t okay. You shouldn’t have gone through that. I hope you find healing and peace.

A quick disclaimer: Violet Vineyard, as far as I know, didn’t have a lot of Jewish members. I know a mod was converting (but hadn’t yet) and I think I saw one or two people with the Star of David in their name or icon. That said, my paternal grandmother was Jewish and had been one of the few survivors of her family from the Holocaust. I cannot speak for the entire Jewish population, and I do not consider myself Jewish in religion but trust me when I say this:

YHWH would be disappointed in their (VV’s) behavior -- and if the moderator who is working on converting is genuine about converting, then I need them to think long and hard  about what is happening. This isn’t what Judaism teaches. And if you’re reading this, ask yourself, would G-d condone the actions of your fellow ex mods?

Final Words

Oof, this was long, wasn’t it? Must have been hard to sit through because I ramble! So. What’s left for me to say?

Not a whole lot but still, a lot but the stuff I want to say are not my lived experiences. It is not my place to speak on behalf of anyone else involved in all of this. And that is okay.

But to the people who were involved with the recent drama and dogpiled a trans teenager and to those who helped bully many people in this community on behalf of the oh so great Mina,

my question is  why?

What was a thirty year old woman, WHO HAS A CHILD, bullying a nineteen year old? Why was an almost thirty year old person with a toddler and one on the way involved in this as well?

Most or a decent handful of you were adults, some with children, some expecting. 

And Mina,

You used your age and position to manipulate people and for that, I find you the most reprehensible. Castor did not deserve what happened, neither did the victim mentioned above. Nobody did. 

I hope, in the end, you finally find happiness without having to lie about your talent and without having to manipulate people.

Thank you for listening and sticking around if you made it this far and didn’t bounce in the beginning.

I’ve said my part. If anyone wants to engage in constructive discussion or share their experiences, feel free to do so.

[hellomynudebrain]

Celestial witch

Hello nurses! I promied to come back, but it has been hard since a lot of stuff has been happenign lately at home, and the quarentine hasn’t helped me at all. I thought I could cpontinue writting from my house but I had to take care of my lil´ brother and helped him with his homework, besided to do my chroses at home. Right now, I’m using the computer from work because I’ll have to be here. 

Anyway, thi fic is a original story from me. I was reading these past few months Isekai mangas and manhwas and I couldn’t keep this story for myself. It’s too long but if you have the time to read it, I’ll be really thankful. n_n (I’ts a series sorry n_n;)

(Ding, Dong) (Ding, Dong) (Ding, Dong)  The story counst when the bells tower, from the white silk pallace can be hear through all the capital means two things. A joyfull event is happening, like the wedding from the next king or a trial, the dreadful fall from a noble.  Inside the silk white pallace was now the king as wise and cruel as a mortal being can be. Next to him is her queen. She was the second wife, since his first one died due a illness. The queen was a very beautiful brunette with green eyes as emeralds, always showing a happy kind of superficial smile on her face. And for the last, between them was the primer minester, Alec, all dress in black, almost if he was on a funeral. He is stoic, but his feets betrayed him, because, even if he was standing up as a firm tower, his feet move to one way to the other. He only could only lean next to his magesty and whisper.  -Sorry, his magesty, Caesar. I apologize for this unnecesary trial, if I only had acted on time... -The apologectic words break the stoic face from the firts minester.  -Alec....stop it. It's not your fault, you did what you could as father.- On the other side of the room, full from the all aristocracy from all the country, a petite brunette girl with a pink freckless dress could be noticed because she  was trembling and sobbing between the arms from a blond hair, hansome crown prince, Julius, who was really upset about make that girl come to the trial.   -Father! Please, bring that monster immediately! The poor Marywhite is trembling in fear. She doesn't have to endure this kind of ....only if she was... - Julius looked at the big gate, hoping that whoever had this trial come and end it relly soon. -Julius, I get your feeling but remember that you have to control yourself. Besides, Marywhite is stronger than you think, doesn´t she, Alec?- His magesty asked to the prime minester, who answered with no hesitation.  -That's right, your magesty. My daughter is strong, indeed. - The prime minester could be stoic, but when he answered, his eyes were full of pride direct to his daughter.  Marywhite, his daughter, when she saw the gaze from his father, she immediately could face the gate in front of her with determination. All the getlemen beside her gave her reasuring word.  - You can do it, Marywhite. If our other brother could be here, he will support you, too.- A man with red hair behind her said.  -Thank you, Prince Duncan. - The second prince looked at her with a daring gaze.  -Yes, you are very brave girl and my favorite cousin, Marywhite. -Said a stoic handome long gray man with glasses  besides her.  - You can be stubborn, but you aren't a coward, freckles girl. - A  white cute expressionless boy with a black cape spoke.  Words that sounded with bad intentions, but they were not came from that mouth.  -That's right, you have your friends with you. - A tall gentle boy with honey brown hair told her with a kind smile.  With the support word, Marywhite was encoraged to face "The monster from Silk Academy", her own half sister who name is Dahlia.  Dahlia was the first dauther from the minester and Julius' official beyonce. She was borned from a woman from Ocnut, a country in the south of the continent. The first minester hated, Dahlia, because she resembled her dead mother. So, he decided to let her live on the house where her mother died with the help. He never show up or pay a visit to know how she was. Isolated and with no love from her only father, Dahlia, became obese, with wire as hair and with a face cover with acne, but so much worse she used to put much make up, making her look more awful than she was. But above from that she had the worst personality, stupid and powerless. Her notes were the worst from her class and has no magic powers, that's why she bullied her sister, because she was jelaous from her. Neverheless, Marywhite was gentle, kind, smart and beautiful, besides Juliu's fell in love with Marywhite and ended up spending his time with her, which made Dahlia got angrier and throw Marywhite from the stairs. That's why the trial was set, Julius couldn't take it anymore and conviced the king, his father, to make a trial for all Dahlia's sins.  Finally the has come, the knights were runnign over the place, Dahlia was captured a day before and sent to the dugeons, because that way she couldn't escape. The gates were opening, Marywhite was facing the gate with courage, but her fist was shaking. She was there.  Dahlia entered to the room with a tacky black dress with brown and pink freckless. Indeed, she was obese. Her eyes were awfuly black, and no matter how many mutters she could hear in the room, she looked arrogant.  -His magesty, I, Dahlia Wickham, daugther from Paul Wickham and Viola Onyx, is in front of you, and honestly I don't know why I'm treated like this. When I am the daughter from the prime minester and a ducchess! I shouldn´t have to be like this! I'm a very important woman from this country and all have been really disrespectful with me! I can't tolerate this behavior!... And my sister....Agh! She is with MY beyonce! Father, that happened because you spoild her too much! And whatever it's my sin, I didn't do anything! - Dahlia stared talking without knowing she was adding fuel to the fire, making displease the king. -Duchess Dahlia! I, the king, permited that you could heritage the title from your mother since she was special for me and the court which also lead me to bring this trial, so if your faking innocence, I will not tolerate it, even if you are oblivious of your acts toward your sister, that wouldn't exempt you! - the king was incredible mad, he was a wise and calm ruler, but the arrogance and the hideous look from Dahlia made him wanted to end the trial as fast as he could.  -Julius, Ms. Marywhite! What is the sin from Dahlia?- The king turned his head where those two were and with a galant and brave look, Julius take Marywhite's hand and lead her with him in front from the monster.  - I, Julius, crown prince from the Silk kingdome testify against Dahlia Wickham, because since the begin, for jelously she harrassed her sister. Dahlia not only hurted her, even she tried to kill her while, my dear...this lovely being tried to confront bravely her own sister and she with malicious action throw Marywhite from the stairs!- Marywhite's hand were trembling with fear, but when she saw Julius confront Dahlia with resolution, she looked at her in the eyes and spoke.  -Yes, your highness! She sent a few ladies, who  were theatened by my sister position, to atack me on the library, they torned my dresses and leave dead animals in front of my room. Even I saw her cutting the strings from my viola...and finally...she send me a letter to see her on the music hall, and when she didn't show up, I turned my back to return to my dormitory, but a big a chubby hand pushed me...but I was lucky since prince Julius showed him self and save me with his magic!-  Marywhite was crying while she talked about Dahlia's sin, meanwhile Dahalia looked arrogant and pride of herself.  - I deny those actions and the proclamed sin that my sister and prince Julius are talking about and I don't know those ladies who harrassed my sister.- Dahlia was convinced about those words untill on the mutters of the crowd jumped five ladies with tears on their eyes.  - Your highness! That's right this woman threatened us with her power, she told us to do as her say or as a duchess or her father as the prime minester could over us! The king was atonished with the testimonies from the young ladies and her son. How the daughter from HER could be so vicious? This wise man was acing with this desicion, but the truth was there and he couldn't lessen his power with the nobles or the commoners.  - Silence! I heard enough! Prime minester, bring the white book!- After the crowd heard about the white book , the whispering become loud, almost as scream on the unisone.  The white book was a holy magic item and the record , where all the crimes from Silk were registered. All the criminal records and the judgement were written in there. The legend counts that, the king, exile and cut one arm from his own brother, who killed the previous king and forcefully take the crown.  The worst case, the dead penalty, the less harsh, the exile from the country and lose the tittle. But for a noble, someone from the aristocracy,the last one was the real death penalty. When the veredict was written on the book, it was better if the criminal do as it says, because if it wasn't like that, the celestial knight will torture and let the criminal to suffer long enough to wish to be dead  -Prime minester write this! Dahlia, daughter from the prime minester Alec Wickham and Viola Onyx, from now your engament with my son is annuled...-  The audience started talking at loud, because it was the best show they could've  ever saw. - Silence! I haven't finished talking! Your engament is annuled and your exile from my kingdome and your tittle as duchess is going to be erase from the noble record!-   After the king ended up with the judgement, Alec proceeded to write his daugther's name on the white book,  at that moment, Dahlia fell on the ground, sobbing and trembling. All was over for her. But Dahlia rised her gaze and growl in rage toward Marywhite making her shiver in fear Julius didn't think twice and took Marywhite to the place where they were at the begining of the trial and making a barricade with the youngman who were with them.  -Curse on you, you damn monster! How could you glare the pure Marywhite with those hideous eyes! Father!- Julius spook with hatred on his voice and direct his gaze where his father was. - Dahlia, you have to get out from my kingdome at the end of the day or a celestial knight will come after you! Did you get it?-  - Yes, your grace. But before I leave my home, May I ask a little favor, your grace?-  Dahlia answered with a docile and defeated voice - I wouldn't do a favor for someone who has been fall in disgrace, but your case is special...so, yes. What is this favor?- The king asked with tiredness. - May I do a little magic trick?- The moking and the laugherts sounded really loud in the room, even the king could't help to laugh a little, despise his friend, the prime minester, who was sinking in embarrasment.  -Yes, you can do a magic trick. Will you make a trick with cards or maybe some levitation?- The king's question was full from mockering and some giggles in it. -No, your grace. Something really shocking...but before that...Am I no longer someone from the nobles, right?- Dahlia asked that as she was putting salt on her own wound. -Yes....? Why do you ask? Your name is on the white book and it's irreversible! You are no longer a citizen from this kingdom and less part of the aristocracy!-  Suddenly, Dahlia stared  trembling, hoever,  she began to talk while do it.  -You know, dear father...No, that's not it...Mr. prime minester. Once you told me that you hated me since I look like my deceased mother and you only love Marywhite since she was the fruit from the love between your mistress and you....thank you for the hate!- After that a werid squeal could be hear coming from Dahlia. The horror faces from all the nobles and her father were indescribable, because Dahlia's body was melting since her tacky dress untill her arms and head. After that, she ended melting until a hard shell with a weird color was in front of them. All were afraid.  For a few seconds, there was silence. The silence wasn't calm or reasuring, but a long awful silence which predict the beginig from a storm. Suddenly, the rare shell beging to move, everybody put a step behing, all the young man surrounded  Marywhite, and put on guard with sword, enchantments and fist. The shell began to break, and a hand went out from it. A thing white hand, after that the hand began to crush the rest of the shell untill a woman was out of it. The woman was petite as Marywhite, but with wavy brown dark hair, plump pink lips and and dark eyes wich resemble the look of a cat. Her clothes were not from Silk kingdome. She was wearing a tight pair of  khaki pants, brown high boot heels, from another country, a jade necklace from the Lotto kingdom, a sword of black stone from Ture kingdom, a leather brown jacket, a rare ithem hanging on her right leg wich look look like a weapon, a white cotton blause from the Ocnut kingdome. She was something to see. The crowd was surprised and with their mounths open.  - Well, since I'm no longer a noble! Bring in on, paradise birds!- Dahlia yelled in the middle of  the place, and  all of a sudden, a pair of birds with many colors on its wings entered by the door and get near Dahlia and begin to talk.  - Dahlia Wickham, since you are now from the commoners, you, who has been gift with the most powerful magic and yearn for the top. You, who have completed your missions flawlessly, who has the most impressive physical habilities. Finally and officially, you have become a celestial knight!- After they spoke, a light start to cover her and in her left hand, on the ring finger, eight ring figures appear. And as the birds came they went away.  - Yes, finally! I'm a celestial knight!- Dahlia spoke lively.  While Dahlia was celebrating, all the nobles, the king, the queen an her father were atonished with the show they saw. Suddenly, The prime minester fell on his butt. The stoic face went away and instead a shocking face was in its place.  - Vi...vi...VIOLA!- The prime minester screamed in surprised and feared. The king was speachless, but Dahlia only looked at them with a mocking look in her eyes. She was having the time of her life.  - No, father....No, I mean Mr. Wickham. I'm not my mother, you will be unlucky if you saw her. - Said Dahlia with arrogant and amusing tone. The surprise was much more shocking. The monster has become a beautiful and cunning woman in front of them. But the silence and the surprice didn't  last much longer since on of the young man who was surrounding Marywhite lost his temper and attacked her.  - You have to be kidding me!- And a burst of ice magic was directed to Dahlia, but with just one hand she stoped it.  - Oh my, oh my! Mr. Rin. Are you deaf? - The cute boy was perplexe with the sudden display of power. Since he was the best mage from the white faction, a genius. The way Dahlia stop his atack was really impressive.  -Anyway, Mr. King. I'll be leaving since you order me to do so, but educate well your subdites....beacause, you know what happened if someone from your army attack me, don't you? - The arrogance was clearly showing in Dahlia's word, but more than that a shiver made jolt the king. Yes, he knew.  -Hey, old man!- Dahlia yelled to his father - Maybe this time you can go a take a stroll in that house where you abandoned me... Alright, since I got what I want, I'm leaving. - She take a strange pair of dark glasses  from a pocket and put her on her face, and as last act from her she turned her head and directed a few words for the king. -By the way, Mr. King, since I'm no longer a noble, or oven a citizen. Whatever happens in this country is out my bussiness-   In the begining from the trial, most of the noble went to kill their bore, but they got more than expected. Some others were hurt in their pride, as the knight with Brown hair, which name was Justin, who didn't heard the warning from the beautiful and powerful woman. So, when she turned her back to the royals, he attaccked her with his sword  since he saw a blind point, but he was so naive, because when he didn't see his sword had been collide with the black sword of hers.  -Justin, back off! You don't know what this attack can bring us as a country.- The king get up of his seat and scream in desperation. -But his grace... -  -No but's, back off!- The pride from Justin, the knight, who has never tasted the flavor of defeat, it was humilated. He decided to go back to where he was. Dahlia was mocking from the ones who came to mock of her and with an smirk on her face wave her hand on the air and pass through the door.  Once outside from the pallace, a seductive woman with curly red hair and a purple cape was accompanied  by a man with an androgynous features, white skin and black hair, who obviously belong to another country were waiting with three hippogriff.Dahlia didn't think twice and jump over the wild animal. The animal instead of kicking her or rampage, the wing animal was happy and even puring like a cat.  -Let's go, my lady. - Said the woman and the man at the same time.  -Hey, I'm not a noble anymore!- Dahlia replied in a displease way. The both of them, turned their head to each other and giggled about it.  -For us, you will be always our lady.- Dahlia sight in song of being annoyed with that response, but she let it happened.  Before the animal could open his wings and fly away from there. A young man was running through the stairs. It was the handsome man with the gray hair and glasses. He was infront of Dahlia out of breath, wich make him hard to talk.  -Ar...are you really Dahlia?! My cousin Dahlia?!- He said while leaning on his knees,  an uncool way to regain his breath. Dahlia was upset for the way he treated her, but in the end was her firts love.  - Have you not seen a portrait from my deseas mother, cousin James?- She asked annoyed.  -Yes, but...- He doubt of his answer which make Dhalia got angrier.  -Then, there's no need to ask.- She was clearly angry, but James tried to talk with her.  - You're barely 18 years old, where are you going? Who is these people? What about the state on the border?- He was desperate to get an answer, all his words trampled one after other. Dhalia could be mean, but she knew what she had to be done.  -James,  that old man will designate to take care of that state. When you'd arrive, all the rumors about that state will tumble. The reality from the state will shock you. Immediately, when you put an step on the house, you have to ask Miles about an old leather diary on the shelves from the main oficce. That diary has important information about the future of this country. It's up to you if you believe what I wrote in that diary, however, if you belive what is write, I left inside of it a leave a two pieces of clay in form of a Lamasu, don't breake it! If you are in inminet danger put the piece of clay in your hands and say "Bring me where Dahlia, the black flower is" . That's all. -  And with that, she raised her hand in sign of depart. The hippogriff open its silver wings wide open and started to flap them, raising through the sky. James was confused, all the information that was giving to him was nothing, he wanted to know how his cousin get so beautiful, how she became a celestia knight and what were her real intentions with this show disguise as trial. But in his desesparation he could only scream a few word.  - Dahlia! Wait, I need to know!- He had his eyes wide open and all his emotions ere showing in his face. Dahlia looked down and scream in resturn.  -Just do as I said, we will see each other when the time comes!- And with those words the magnificant animal with its beautiful rider rise through the sky with its companions and dissapeared from Jame´s view.  

[writing-ro]

Too Good To Refuse

Series: The High and Noble Houses of Cybertron (1/?) Rating: G for General Audiences Fandom: Transformers Prime, Transformers - All Media Types Characters: Nightingale (Cybertronian June Darby), Bluefire (Cybertronian Jack Darby), Optimus Prime Ships: Nightingale/Optimus Prime Tags: Arranged Marriage, Royalty AU, Engagement ceremonies, Robots wear clothes Also Available: AO3, Fanfiction.net, DeviantArt

Lady Nightingale gives her hand away to help her people. Could love possibly blossom from such an arranged marriage?

Nightingale read and reread the letter on the datapad before setting it down between the two others she’d received. It would be a great honor to be the bondmate of the new Prime, and a union of Lady Nightingale of the High and Noble House of Kalis with Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Iacon would ensure the security of the people of Kalis for the next several generations.

She pondered the reason for this potential union, and it all led back to the recent insurgence of the Decepticon movement. It had had not lasted long, she thanked Primus and the Thirteen for that, but of all the city states that were affected by the fighting, Kalis was one of the worse, only barely preceding Kaon, which had been razed in the hunts for the Decepticon leadership.

She still clearly remembered the morning the war had started, here in her own home city. She and her creation Bluefire had been out with some others of her court, walking the streets as ordinary citizens. While of the HIgh and Noble House, her grand-carrier on her sire’s side had been a common archivist, and her own carrier had been well-born into the entertainment guild, until she’d become alt-mode exempt and studied medicine.

It was as she and Bluefire were watching some street performers when the first bomb went off. Several of the guards had thrown themselves between the explosion and the civilians, taking the blasts and likely saving a few lives. Mechs emerged from the crowd, armed and firing wherever they wished, though several had aimed their weapons at herself and Bluefire.

The guards had ushered her and Bluefire to a safe hiding place, and they had huddled with others, nobile and civilian alike, until the Iaconian guard had come and informed them that the attackers had been thrown back. Leaving the hiding place, she nearly cried from the destruction around her. But instead, she steeled herself and ordered some guards to take Bluefire back to the palace while she herself went to the nearest medical station.

She’d used her training from her younger days, when she had been allowed to study before taking over her duties as Head of the House upon her sire, carrier and elder brother’s passings, and worked side by side with medics to save as many of her people as possible. None died under her servos, but when she returned to the palace, she’d nearly broke from the sheer number and magnitude of the injuries.

That attack was not the last Kalis suffered. Her city state was situated directly between Iacon and the Neutral Territories. As peace had been the rule almost since the Quintesson War, their armies were not built, and so they provided the easiest path to invade the Capital City. Iacon also recognized this, and Sentinel Prime had written her a missive ostentatiously asking permission to hold troops in her State. It was of course a formality, as no High and Noble house would dare refuse the Prime, and so the troops came.

Some of the harshest fighting of the war happened in Kalis. Her people’s homes, livelihoods and many families and friends were destroyed with bombs, gunshots and blades. The Prime’s Autobot forces eventually pushed the Decepticons back, but what was left in the ashes was barely able to be called land, let alone be viable for anything.

She’d done all she could for her people. She opened the palace’s lower levels for refugees, hired as many as possible into the palace’s staff, worked hours in medical centers and the camps helping in any way she could. Bluefire joined her in this, acting as a courier and a helping servo in the camps. It wasn’t until she had nearly entirely depleted the House’s treasury that she realized it would take so much more to help her people. She has taken to praying almost night and day for a solution. One of her advisors finally gave her one.

And so the announcement was made that she would exchange her servo in marriage for aid in restoring Kalis. And all she could do was wait. And wait. And wait, until the proposal was accepted.

And for the response to come from the House of Prime had astonished her. The missive had been the equivalent to a contract, with conditions for the proposal. The bonding would take place a groon from the official engagement announcement. A preliminary amount of aid was sent with the letter, but the first true payments of relief would be given the day of the announcement. Bluefire would not be in line for the traditional Primal succession, but would be able to become Lord of Kalis upon coming of age. A very reasonable, in fact a generous offer for her servo.

The other letters were responses from the High and Noble House of Tarn and the High and Royal House of Vos. Tarn would have her wed Duke Shockwave, and while they would send relief, she would have to live in the palace of Darkmount, and by Tarnish law, she wouldn’t be able to oversee her state, her bondmate would. And Shockwave had become a cold being since his face and servos had been taken by an old order. He saw the world in statistics, and her people, while they may not suffer, would not flourish under his rule.

The letter from Vos was little better. She would be wed to Winglord Solarwind’s youngest creation Starscream, and she knew she was only considered because of her seeker bloodline and how Kalis provided an access to Iacon. She had met the young prince at a festival event not long before the insurgence. He was smart and educated, but egotistical and with an ambition to prove himself better than his siblings and wingmates. A bonding between them would barely hold, and the strain of it alone would make both their lives miserable.

As she thought of it, she had never met the new Prime. His existence had been announced shortly after the start of the war, when Sentinel had been gravely injured and Alpha Trion had presented Optimus as the new heir of the Primacy. She knew he’d been at the forefront of the fighting in Kalis, but he didn’t stay in the palace like most of the generals had. But all stories and reports said he was a kind and fair mech. He stopped the razing of Kaon immediately upon taking up the Matrix, and he seemed to care about the common mecha.

Well, this arrangement wasn’t about love. It was about her people, and what was best thing for them. And this offer was too good to refuse.

With that thought, she signed her signature on the drafted letter for her future bondmate, agreeing to the contract.

“Carrier, are you sure about this?”

Nightingale turned from the servants doing her detailing to see her creation. Bluefire had her optics, but he took after his sire all the more. The same helm, his colors of dark blue and red flames, along with his silver face and details. Even their alt mode was the same, a truck against her seeker frame. He had also been decorated in silver, with all the fine symbols worthy of his position as Heir of a High and Noble House.

The years had dulled the ache, but in moments like these, she could feel the rough edges of her broken bond. The only reason she had survived the break was the fact the two of them had been blocking the bond near constantly for the past several vorn, and he had been offworld when his ship malfunctioned and was destroyed in a freak accident. And it truly was, despite some bots’ wonderings of if she’d killed him. Idiots, why would she kill her own bondmate, no matter how rough their relationship and strained the bond became.

“Yes, I am absolutely certain, Bluefire,” she told him. “Of all the courses of action available to us, this is the best for you and for our people.”

“But what about you, Carrier?” Bluefire asked. “Is this your best course of action?”

Nightingale took a deep vent and stepped over to him, placing her servos on his shoulders. “Bluefire, I know you worry about me, but in truth, my happiness does not matter. This is duty, and I am bound as the Head of our House to follow my duty.”

He vented as well. “I understand, Carrier. I will also fulfill my duty to our House.”

“Good.” She patted his shoulders. “Now, you hurry and get your last minute details done as I get mine.”

He nodded and turned, his cape flaring out behind him as he left. She turned herself back to her maid’s care, standing for them as they finished detailing the blue symbols for engagement and bonding over her servos, faceplates and chassis. They then slipped a half-skirt over her hips and matching ribbons about her wings and arms, and a long cape between her wings, which trailed behind her several feet. Silver with energon blue embroideries over it, they complemented her white, green and yellow color scheme, and were a prelude to what her bonding gown would look like. Rumor said the Prime had commissioned it from a high quality arachacon seamstress, and the fabric was so silken, Nightingale could believe it. Only the best for the Consort of the Prime.

The final piece of her appearance was a circlet of silver, with a trio of gems clustered in the front to set in the center of her helm crest. One gem was green, the Colour of Kalis; one was dark blue, the Colour of the Primacy. The third was light blue, the Colour of Sparklight and Primus, the symbol of love and light.

So ornamented, she left her chambers and made her way to one of the vestibules of the throne room. Inside the hall, all the nobles of Kalis, Iacon and the surrounding states would be waiting. Bluefire stood with her; as the highest ranked in her House, as well as the Heir, he would hand her to the Prime’s care. Two young femmes, the creations of her lady’s maids, held the train of her cape, ensuring it would not snag behind her. The Prime would be directly across from of her, in the vestibule on the other side with his own attendants.

She had the ceremony memorized. At the signal, she would enter the hall, escorted by Bluefire, as the Prime entered from the opposite side. Bluefire would take her to the center aisle, and announce that the House of Kalis willingly gave her to the House of Prime to be bonded. Then he would step away as the Prime willingly accepted the offer and her servo. He would lead her to the dias and present her to the Chief Priest of Primus, and the Chief Senator, asking if they held any objections to the betrothal.

If neither had an objection, then they would kneel, and the Senator would hold a small energon good to them, first the Prime to take a bite, then to her to finish the good. After, the Priest would anoint them with the Marks of the Betrothed on their left cheekplates and the Mark of Primus between their optics. While the rest of their finery would be removed after the ceremony, those two marks would remain, until the actual bonding, where they would be replaced by the Marks of the Bonded, which would last until they naturally faded.

She had performed this ceremony herself numerous times, standing in the Chief Senator’s place as members of her court finalized their engagements. And once, she had been in the Prime’s place, accepting Bluefire’s sire as her betrothed. The higher rank always accepted the lower, as was the rule. And now she was the lower, and would be given to the Prime.

In the time she had recalled this, her HUD alerted her that it was very close to the time of the signal. She pulled herself out of her thoughts and looked to Bluefire. His gaze met hers, and while no words were exchanged, she knew he was ready to give her away, and he was asking if she was. She wasn’t, if truth were to be told, but she would not let it show.

The signal came, a tune played by the musicians chosen for the ceremony and the doors opened, She and Bluefire stood tall and strode into the audience hall, slow enough to seem unhurried, but fast enough that it was only a few minutes later they met the Prime in the center aisle.

And he was not what she had expected. Sentinel Prime, the few times she had met him, had been so proud you could practically see it rolling off him. He was also short for a Prime, still taller than her, but not too terribly much.

But Optimus was different. He was at least a full helm taller, maybe even two. He also was more humble in his stance and field, and he walked tall, but it was almost as if his ruby red cap had weight in the end and must stand tall to keep them off the floor. His plating was decorated with the same symbols that were on her, and he wore a jeweled circlet as well, his being gold. His faceplates were stoic, but there seemed to be a hint of something in his otics. She would almost say it was kindness and gentleness, but she couldn’t observe long, for ceremony must be followed.

“Who stands here to take Lady Nightingale from the High and Noble House of Kalis,” Bluefire asked, his intonation perfected after much practice.

“I, Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, stand to take Lady Nightingale as Consort and Bondmate, and bring her into the House of Prime.”

Oh, his voice. If Nightingale could find no other redeeming factor in the Prime after the ceremony, she would remember his voice and how divine it sounds.

“I, Bluefire, Heir to the High and Noble House of Kalis, ask of you what you will provide for Lady Nightingale in exchange for her servo and spark?”

“I will provide a home, to give her shelter. I will provide energon, to keep her fed. I will provide companionship, that she never be lonely. And I will give her my spark, that we may be one before Primus and the Law.”

“And what will you provide the House of Kalis in exchange for her servo and spark?”

“I will provide the House of Kalis with monetary support, for the sake of the people of Kalis. I will also provide a stipend to the Heir of the House of Kalis until he comes of age and takes the place as Head of his High and Noble House.”

Bluefire nodded. “The House of Kalis accepts this offering, and we give you the servo of our Lady Nightingale.” Bluefire took Nightingales right servo and held it to the Prime.

Optimus Prime bowed deeply over her servo, lightly pressing his lipplates to her backs of her digits. “It is my great honor to accept this gift, and to bring the Lady Nightingale into my House.” He raised his left servo and took hers from Bluefire’s.

Bluefire nodded and stepped away to stand at the edge of the dias. Optimus Prime then turned Nightingale and guided her up the first step of the dias, presenting her to the Chief Priest Mechalight and the Chief Senator Halogen.

“Who stands before us seeking a union?” Halogen asked.

“I, Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, seek to make a union with the High and Noble House of Kalis, and to take the Lady Nightingale of the House of Kalis to be my Consort and Bondmate.”

Mechalight turned to Nightingale. “Do you accept this betrothal and union, Lady Nightingale of the House of Kalis?”

Formally addressed for the first time in the ceremony, Nightingale said, “I accept the betrothal and union between myself and Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime.”

Optimus looked to the Priest. “Does the Temple of Primus hold any objection to our union?”

“Primus holds no objections to this union of the House of Kalis and the House of Prime,” Mechalight said. “And as such, the Temple of Primus, holds none as well.”

Optimus bowed to the Priest, then turned to the Halogen. “Does the House of the Senators hold any objections?”

“We hold one slight concern,” Halogen said. “The Lady Nightingale has bonded once previously and borne an Heir to her House. But her Bondmate was passed into the Well of AllSparks, and we express concern over how well a new bond would take.”

Nightingale could hear some murmuring in the crowd behind her, but she and Bluefire had prepared for this.

Bluefire stepped forward. “The Lady Nightingale has been examined by many of the finest medics available. Her spark is whole and can easily form a bond and create newsparks for the lineage of the House of Prime.”

Halogen looked to Bluefire for a moment, then nodded. “The House of the Senators hold no objections to this union of the House of Kalis and the House of Primes.”

Optimus bowed to Halogen, and he and Nightingale knelt down. Halogen turned to a mechservant and took a small energon good from him. It was one half green and one half blue. He held it to show the audience, announcing “This cube represents Houses of Kalis and Prime. By accepting this good, they will accept each other’s Houses as their Houses, for good and for all.” He held the green side to Optimus’s lips. “Do you accept the House of Kalis as your own?”

“I do.” Optimus took a bite of the cube, cleanly splitting it green from blue, and chewed the bite with dignity before swallowing.

Halogen held the remains to Nightingale. “Do you accept the House of Prime as your own?”

“I do.” She took the rest of the good from him, noting briefly it was one of the best tasting goods she’d ever had.

Halogen stepped away, washing his servo in a bowl provided for him, and Mechalight stepped to stand between them. He started chanting in the Primal Vernacular, calling on Primus to bless the engagement and the future union. She knew the words, but she didn’t try to interpret them in the moment. Her mind was filled with recognizing she was officially betrothed to a mech she’d never met, and that she would be expected to bond and merge with enough to create at least one newspark. It would be nerve wracking, if she hadn’t been through this before.

Mechalight turned to a Temple Acolyte at his side and picked up a brush from the bowl they held. He turned back to the couple and stood before Nightingale, tilting her helm up. “With this brush, I mark you as betrothed, with the blessing of Primus. May he guide your spark to happiness in the bond.” He painted first the Mark of Primus, then the Mark of the Betrothed onto her faceplate.

“I thank you, High Priest Mechalight, for your blessing,” Nightingale said.

He smiled down at her, then took up his serious mantle again and went to Optimus, repeating the rite. After, he handed the brush back to his acolyte, and took Nightingale’s left servo and Optimus’s right, guiding them to rise “I present to you Lady Nightingale of the High and Noble House of Kalis and Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, newly betrothed, and soon to bond.” He joined their servos and they turned to face the audience, who began applauding.

Nightingale kept her calm face as she looked out over the crowd, containing nobility from across Cybertron, or their representatives, if the lord or lady could not be present themselves. She found it hard to put on a smile for them, despite her knowing it was expected.

She had a notification come across her HUD. She didn’t recognize it, except for a little glyph she’d seen signed at the base of the letter sent to her from the Prime. She opened it and it was a short message, written in common glyphs as opposed to the High and Noble vernacular.

[We can pretend together.]

She was surprised, but didn’t show it as she glanced over at Optimus. He caught her gaze and his optics made her an offer. An offer to try, and nothing more.

She smiled, lifting her right arm to wave at the applauding crowd. Out of the corner of her optic, she saw him do the same. To the world, they looked like a couple happy for their engagement. Internally, they knew that they’d made a promise to not instantly hate or fall for each other, but to try and make it work best for them. It was an offer too good to refuse.

[miniwolfsbane]

Copied from @andalite-angel post. Edited slightly.

A - Ships that you currently like a lot. (They don’t have to be OTPs because not everyone has OTPs.) Friendships, pairings, etc. are allowed.

Biospecialist, Marco/Rachel, Sam/Rahne, all cannon Disney Princess pairings, the two young kids Pacific Rim Uprising,  Lancitty, Evo Kurt/ Amanda,  Jott in Evo. Skyward??

B - A pairing–platonic, romantic or ***** that you initially didn’t consider, but someone changed your mind.

Fanfic writers and Evo romy, adult Jubilee x Gambit, others.

C - A ship you have never liked and probably never will.

Never gonna be big on Evo Romy ever again, will forever hate Rahne x Roberto, Sam and Rahne with anyone but each other!!

D - A pairing you wish you liked but just can’t.

Evo Romy...somtimes. Because it does sorta make sense IN FANNON, but not in cannon. And Jean x Scott, because it’s so iconic, but I only like them in Evo, so...yah.

E - Have you added anything cracky crazy/hilarious to your fandom? If so, what? 

See my fan fiction.

F - What’s the longest you’ve ever been in a fandom?

The Little Mermaid and Star Trek have been there for 95% of my life.

G - Have you ever had an OTP? If so, do you remember your first one? Who was in it?

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask, Sam/Rahne, Ariel and Eric (first when I was 5, even though I wanted to be Ariel), Rachel Tobias (first when I was actually gettin into fandom), Jake/Cassie (Animorphs), Clark/Lana, Clark/Lois (I think??) and Chloe/Ollie, Romy (even in Evo at a point!), and now Eliza and Goliath in Gargoyles. I keep saying I’m not a shipper, but I think I’m just a subtle one that pines and doesn’t read a lot of fanfic, but my heart swells over seeing my OTP on screen

H - What is your favorite source text for fandom stuff (e.g., TV shows, movies, books, anime, Western animation, etc.)?

TV Shows and Western (superhero) Animation mostly, but also a few animes.

I - Has Tumblr caused you to stop liking any fandoms, if so, which and why?

I was annoyed by the Agents Of Shield fandoms behavior for a while, but I’ve never stopped liking any fandoms because of Tumblr. 

J - Name a fandom you didn’t think about until you saw it all over Tumblr. (You don’t have to care about it or follow it; it just has to be something that Tumblr made you aware of.)

SuperWhoLock, Riverdale...some other popular teen shows.

K - What character has your favorite development arc/the best development arc?

Tie between Sailor Moon and Gambit I guess, but I’m sure there are lots of others. Sailor Jupiter has a good arc as well, even though she doesn’t have a lot of character development TBH.

L - Say something genuinely nice about a character who isn’t one of your faves. (Characters you’re neutral about are fair game, as are characters you merely dislike. Characters that you absolutely loathe with the fire of ten thousand suns are exempt, as there is no point in giving yourself an aneurysm over a character that you hate.)

Roberto Dacosta’s super strength power is pretty cool and he’s a chill guy. And rich. (I just realized that a lot of X-Men characters are rich, actually. Gambit, Xavier, Warren and him. Holy crap.)

M - Name a character that you’d like to have for a friend.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon. TAS Rogue too, because she seems fun to hang with, and who wouldn’t like to be called “Sugah” all the time?

N - Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice).

MORE GAMBIT (and comic Nightcrawler) IMAGINES!! And just more love and less fan wars across all fandoms, really.

O - Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of?

Hero by Chad Kroger. Ship: Romy or Mollyx Remy. Character: Gambit or Angel.

P - Invent a random AU for any fandom (we always need more ideas).

For any fandom? A mad scientist and a famous baker get together after the scientist contacts aliens, resulting in a warring invasion on earth.

Q - A fandom you’ve abandoned and why.

To be perfectly honest, The Smurfs because we’re a Christain household and we found it had stuff in it we didn’t agree with. I was three.  Other than that, I’ve only given up one other fandom permenantly that wasn’t what I thought it was and chosen at a bad time. 

R - Which friendship/platonic relationship is your favorite in fandom?

Kurt and Kitty in Evo, and Logan and Kurt is cool, but I don’t actually pay much attention to it.

S - Show us an example of your personal headcanon (prompts optional but encouraged)

Hmmm. One that isn’t too boring? Remy isn’t (wasn’t? He is married now) particular about a woman’s height and is comfortable enough with himself to date a woman much taller or shorter than he is. (Remember, Frenzy was freaking 6′7 before she got rebooted to a normal height and it was implied they had history.) For a while it was a wish of mine they’d pair him with a short gal, because all X-women are physically clones of each other, minus Rahne, Kitty and Jubilee. Blargh. Oooh, just had an idea for a new art project to make the girls look individual! ^_^

T - Do you have any hard and fast headcanons that you will die defending?

Besides the above? Uh...headcannon that Remy smells good and his hair is silky to the touch and yes I’m a sick, weird little person, I know. Haha, not really. I’m not much of a headcannon person. 

U - Three favorite characters from three different fandoms, and why they’re your favorites.

* Gambit: Hot, suave, lit, accent, good cook, romantic, my fictional ideal man (told you, I’m sick and weird). * Sailor Jupiter: Sweet, loyal, living on her own at bloody 14 years old, strong physically and emotionally, had trouble believing/finding her feminity like me, tall (not like me!), brunette character, thunder powers. * Tuvok (Star Trek): My second crush ever, calm, reflective, hot grandpa, sarcasm galore, strong, suffers emotionally and physically, POC and like the only black vulcan that I know of, cute little boy chest, that butt (XD), frakin’ hot.

V - Which character do you relate to most?

Surprisingly, one I haven’t talked about yet and that I’m not really fandom-y about. Rapunzel from Tangled. When I saw the movie, I was attached to her immediately. I’d grown up homeschooled and at that point I’d been caregiving for one of my parents for six years at that point, unable to move out and get married and have much of a life, so I was always metaphorically in a tower too. I have childish interests, am artistic and creative, have done LOTS of self-insert art like her, and am a generally happy person (even if I don’t always show it and don’t smile enough). So, out of every character in my many fandoms, I relate to Rapunzel the most. Also, I have only 2 things of Tangled merch-the movie, the soundtrack, and a gorgeous bedspread that’s actually based on the show, but doesn’t look like it. (I don’t like it’s animation/character designs, so it’s been hard to get into it.)

W - A trope which you are virtually certain to hate in any fandom.

OMG, do we have to go here? Anything over-sexualized or kinky or just plain gross/weird. (v***, gore, ect.) There’s this one X-Men:Evo artist on DA that would be brilliant, but I can’t stomach their gallery because they feel the need to do a few  v*** and bondage pics amongst otherwise G-rated pictures. *throws up* IT’S A SHOW FOR 7-YEAR OLDS!! 

X - A trope which you are almost certain to love in any fandom.

Huge guy, Tiny girl! (but it looks...weird...in live action. *Good Luck Charlie flashbacks*.) Also age differences. Some people are put off by Usagi and Mamo’s age difference in Classic, but I think it’s cute and they were really chaste about it. Specifically, I liked the part where he told her to do well in school for some reason. 

Y - What are your secondhand fandoms (i.e., fandoms you aren’t in personally but are tangentially familiar with because your friends/people on your dash are in them)? Holy crap, Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables. No one on my dash is into them though, it’s a real life thing. Long story.

Z - Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go! (Prompts optional but encouraged.)

I have written more self-inserts than is probably healthy, but at least I’ve mostly gotten past my teenage phase of thinking anime guys are hot and it’s extended to Gambit as well. I’d much rather see him be portrayed by a living, breathing actor semi-bringing my fantasies to life than as a drawn character. Well, not that I’m not happy seeing him animated and his voice in Evo is still super hot, but that’s another thing. Anyway, on that note, I wish XM:E weren’t a dead fandom and I could get more reviews instead of just faves/follows. I get so frustrated, because I’m not writing my fics for myself, I’m writing them to finish the story and for the fans. I know OCs/SI aren’t everyones bread and butter, but when you work hard on something, you want people to enjoy and appreciate it on it’s own merits. My regulars dropped off the planet and the fandom is just not that active online. (It’s still kind of active though, otherwise the Gambit and other prints on Steven Gordon’s online store wouldn’t have sold out so fast.) I wish it had been as creative as the MLP fandom, but even that wouldn’t have saved it. Thankfully, there are a few people “keeping the faith”, like Coldfusion180 and some others. They haven’t abandoned it and people have made AMVs for it in recent years, long after the shows cancellation. I know we’ve all moved on in one way or another, but it’s still nice to see the love for the show and it’s characters going strong, even if we’re now a niche fandom, tiny, but there. And even if I don’t get another single review up until the last in the series, at least I can say I finished it, if nothing else. Even if your fandom is dead, keep supporting it. If we don’t keep the characters alive, they die and are forgotten. They need us.

https://fanfiction.net/~miniwolfsbane

[writingroold]

Too Good To Refuse

Series: The High and Noble Houses of Cybertron (1/?) Rating: G for General Audiences Characters: Nightingale (Cybertronian June Darby), Bluefire (Cybertronian Jack Darby), Optimus Prime Ships: Nightingale/Optimus Prime Tags: Arranged Marriage, Royalty AU, Engagement ceremonies, Robots wear clothes Also Available: AO3, Fanfiction.net, DeviantArt

Lady Nightingale gives her hand away to help her people. Could love possibly blossom from such an arranged marriage?

Nightingale read and reread the letter on the datapad before setting it down between the two others she’d received. It would be a great honor to be the bondmate of the new Prime, and a union of Lady Nightingale of the High and Noble House of Kalis with Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Iacon would ensure the security of the people of Kalis for the next several generations.

She pondered the reason for this potential union, and it all led back to the recent insurgence of the Decepticon movement. It had had not lasted long, she thanked Primus and the Thirteen for that, but of all the city states that were affected by the fighting, Kalis was one of the worse, only barely preceding Kaon, which had been razed in the hunts for the Decepticon leadership. She still clearly remembered the morning the war had started, here in her own home city. She and her creation Bluefire had been out with some others of her court, walking the streets as ordinary citizens. While of the HIgh and Noble House, her grand-carrier on her sire’s side had been a common archivist, and her own carrier had been well-born into the entertainment guild, until she’d become alt-mode exempt and studied medicine. It was as she and Bluefire were watching some street performers when the first bomb went off. Several of the guards had thrown themselves between the explosion and the civilians, taking the blasts and likely saving a few lives. Mechs emerged from the crowd, armed and firing wherever they wished, though several had aimed their weapons at herself and Bluefire. The guards had ushered her and Bluefire to a safe hiding place, and they had huddled with others, nobile and civilian alike, until the Iaconian guard had come and informed them that the attackers had been thrown back. Leaving the hiding place, she nearly cried from the destruction around her. But instead, she steeled herself and ordered some guards to take Bluefire back to the palace while she herself went to the nearest medical station. She’d used her training from her younger days, when she had been allowed to study before taking over her duties as Head of the House upon her sire, carrier and elder brother’s passings, and worked side by side with medics to save as many of her people as possible. None died under her servos, but when she returned to the palace, she’d nearly broke from the sheer number and magnitude of the injuries. That attack was not the last Kalis suffered. Her city state was situated directly between Iacon and the Neutral Territories. As peace had been the rule almost since the Quintesson War, their armies were not built, and so they provided the easiest path to invade the Capital City. Iacon also recognized this, and Sentinel Prime had written her a missive ostentatiously asking permission to hold troops in her State. It was of course a formality, as no High and Noble house would dare refuse the Prime, and so the troops came. Some of the harshest fighting of the war happened in Kalis. Her people’s homes, livelihoods and many families and friends were destroyed with bombs, gunshots and blades. The Prime’s Autobot forces eventually pushed the Decepticons back, but what was left in the ashes was barely able to be called land, let alone be viable for anything. She’d done all she could for her people. She opened the palace’s lower levels for refugees, hired as many as possible into the palace’s staff, worked hours in medical centers and the camps helping in any way she could. Bluefire joined her in this, acting as a courier and a helping servo in the camps. It wasn't until she had nearly entirely depleted the House’s treasury that she realized it would take so much more to help her people. She has taken to praying almost night and day for a solution. One of her advisors finally gave her one. And so the announcement was made that she would exchange her servo in marriage for aid in restoring Kalis. And all she could do was wait. And wait. And wait, until the proposal was accepted. And for the response to come from the House of Prime had astonished her. The missive had been the equivalent to a contract, with conditions for the proposal. The bonding would take place a groon from the official engagement announcement. A preliminary amount of aid was sent with the letter, but the first true payments of relief would be given the day of the announcement. Bluefire would not be in line for the traditional Primal succession, but would be able to become Lord of Kalis upon coming of age. A very reasonable, in fact a generous offer for her servo. The other letters were responses from the High and Noble House of Tarn and the High and Royal House of Vos. Tarn would have her wed Duke Shockwave, and while they would send relief, she would have to live in the palace of (Darkmount), and by Tarnish law, she wouldn't be able to oversee her state, her bondmate would. And Shockwave had become a cold being since his face and servos had been taken by an old order. He saw the world in statistics, and her people, while they may not suffer, would not flourish under his rule. The letter from Vos was little better. She would be wed to Winglord Solarwind’s youngest creation Starscream, and she knew she was only considered because of her seeker bloodline and how Kalis provided an access to Iacon. She had met the young prince at a festival event not long before the insurgence. He was smart and educated, but egotistical and with an ambition to prove himself better than his siblings and wingmates. A bonding between them would barely hold, and the strain of it alone would make both their lives miserable. As she thought of it, she had never met the new Prime. He had arisen shortly after Sentinel’s death near the start of the war, and while she knew he had fought in Kalis, she’d never been allowed near the fighting for her protection. She’d only heard stories, that he was a kind and fair mech, and looked out for all people. Well, this arrangement wasn’t about love. It was about her people, and what was best thing for them. And this offer was too good to refuse. With that thought, she signed her signature on the drafted letter for her future bondmate, agreeing to the contract.

~ “Carrier, are you sure about this?” Nightingale turned from the servants doing her detailing to see her creation. Bluefire had her optics, but he took after his sire all the more. The same helm, his colors of dark blue and red flames, along with his silver face and details. Even their alt mode was the same, a truck against her seeker frame. He had also been decorated in silver, with all the fine symbols worthy of his position as Heir of a High and Noble House. The years had dulled the ache, but in moments like these, she could feel the rough edges of her broken bond. The only reason she had survived the break was the fact the two of them had been blocking the bond near constantly for the past several vorn, and he had been offworld when his ship malfunctioned and was destroyed in a freak accident. And it truly was, despite some bots’ wonderings of if she’d killed him. Idiots, why would she kill her own bondmate, no matter how rough their relationship and strained the bond became. “Yes, I am absolutely certain, Bluefire,” she told him. “Of all the courses of action available to us, this is the best for you and for our people.” “But what about you, Carrier?” Bluefire asked. “Is this your best course of action?” Nightingale took a deep vent and stepped over to him, placing her servos on his shoulders. “Bluefire, I know you worry about me, but in truth, my happiness does not matter. This is duty, and I am bound as the Head of our House to follow my duty.” He vented as well. “I understand, Carrier. I will also fulfill my duty to our House.” “Good.” She patted his shoulders. “Now, you hurry and get your last minute details done as I get mine.” He nodded and turned, his cape flaring out behind him as he left. She turned herself back to her maid’s care, standing for them as they finished detailing the blue symbols for engagement and bonding over her servos, faceplates and chassis. They then slipped a half-skirt over her hips and matching ribbons about her wings and arms, and a long cape between her wings, which trailed behind her several feet. Silver with energon blue embroideries over it, they complemented her white, green and yellow color scheme, and were a prelude to what her bonding gown would look like. Rumor said the Prime had commissioned it from a high quality arachacon seamstress, and the fabric was so silken, Nightingale could believe it. Only the best for the Consort of the Prime. The final piece of her appearance was a circlet of silver, with a trio of gems clustered in the front to set in the center of her helm crest. One gem was green, the Colour of Kalis; one was dark blue, the Colour of the Primacy. The third was light blue, the Colour of Sparklight and Primus, the symbol of love and light. So ornamented, she left her chambers and made her way to one of the vestibules of the throne room. Inside the hall, all the nobles of Kalis, Iacon and the surrounding states would be waiting. Bluefire stood with her; as the highest ranked in her House, as well as the Heir, he would hand her to the Prime’s care. Two young femmes, the creations of her lady's maids, held the train of her cape, ensuring it would not snag behind her. The Prime would be directly across from of her, in the vestibule on the other side with his own attendants. She had the ceremony memorized. At the signal, she would enter the hall, escorted by Bluefire, as the Prime entered from the opposite side. Bluefire would take her to the center aisle, and announce that the House of Kalis willingly gave her to the House of Prime to be bonded. Then he would step away as the Prime willingly accepted the offer and her servo. He would lead her to the dias and present her to the Chief Priest of Primus, and the Chief Senator, asking if they held any objections to the betrothal. If neither had an objection, then they would kneel, and the Senator would hold a small energon good to them, first the Prime to take a bite, then to her to finish the good. After, the Priest would anoint them with the Marks of the Betrothed on their left cheekplates and the Mark of Primus between their optics. While the rest of their finery would be removed after the ceremony, those two marks would remain, until the actual bonding, where they would be replaced by the Marks of the Bonded, which would last until they naturally faded. She had performed this ceremony herself numerous times, standing in the Chief Senator’s place as members of her court finalized their engagements. And once, she had been in the Prime’s place, accepting Bluefire’s sire as her betrothed. The higher rank always accepted the lower, as was the rule. And now she was the lower, and would be given to the Prime. In the time she had recalled this, her HUD alerted her that it was very close to the time of the signal. She pulled herself out of her thoughts and looked to Bluefire. His gaze met hers, and while no words were exchanged, she knew he was ready to give her away, and he was asking if she was. She wasn’t, if truth were to be told, but she would not let it show. The signal came, a tune played by the musicians chosen for the ceremony and the doors opened, She and Bluefire stood tall and strode into the audience hall, slow enough to seem unhurried, but fast enough that it was only a few minutes later they met the Prime in the center aisle. And he was not what she had expected. Sentinel Prime, the few times she had met him, had been so proud you could practically see it rolling off him. He was also short for a Prime, still taller than her, but not too terribly much. But Optimus was different. He was at least a full helm taller, maybe even two. He also was more humble in his stance and field, and he walked tall, but it was almost as if his ruby red cap had weight in the end and must stand tall to keep them off the floor. His plating was decorated with the same symbols that were on her, and he wore a jeweled circlet as well, his being gold. His faceplates were stoic, but there seemed to be a hint of something in his otics. She would almost say it was kindness and gentleness, but she couldn’t observe long, for ceremony must be followed. “Who stands here to take Lady Nightingale from the High and Noble House of Kalis,” Bluefire asked, his intonation perfected after much practice. “I, Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, stand to take Lady Nightingale as Consort and Bondmate, and bring her into the House of Prime.” Oh, his voice. If Nightingale could find no other redeeming factor in the Prime after the ceremony, she would remember his voice and how divine it sounds. “I, Bluefire, Heir to the High and Noble House of Kalis, ask of you what you will provide for Lady Nightingale in exchange for her servo and spark?” “I will provide a home, to give her shelter. I will provide energon, to keep her fed. I will provide companionship, that she never be lonely. And I will give her my spark, that we may be one before Primus and the Law.” “And what will you provide the House of Kalis in exchange for her servo and spark?” “I will provide the House of Kalis with monetary support, for the sake of the people of Kalis. I will also provide a stipend to the Heir of the House of Kalis until he comes of age and takes the place as Head of his High and Noble House.” Bluefire nodded. “The House of Kalis accepts this offering, and we give you the servo of our Lady Nightingale.” Bluefire took Nightingales right servo and held it to the Prime. Optimus Prime bowed deeply over her servo, lightly pressing his lipplates to her backs of her digits. “It is my great honor to accept this gift, and to bring the Lady Nightingale into my House.” He raised his left servo and took hers from Bluefire’s. Bluefire nodded and stepped away to stand at the edge of the dias. Optimus Prime then turned Nightingale and guided her up the first step of the dias, presenting her to the Chief Priest Mechalight and the Chief Senator Halogen. “Who stands before us seeking a union?” Halogen asked. “I, Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, seek to make a union with the High and Noble House of Kalis, and to take the Lady Nightingale of the House of Kalis to be my Consort and Bondmate.” Mechalight turned to Nightingale. “Do you accept this betrothal and union, Lady Nightingale of the House of Kalis?” Formally addressed for the first time in the ceremony, Nightingale said, “I accept the betrothal and union between myself and Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime.” Optimus looked to the Priest. “Does the Temple of Primus hold any objection to our union?” “Primus holds no objections to this union of the House of Kalis and the House of Prime,” Mechalight said. “And as such, the Temple of Primus, holds none as well.” Optimus bowed to the Priest, then turned to the Halogen. “Does the House of the Senators hold any objections?” “We hold one slight concern,” Halogen said. “The Lady Nightingale has bonded once previously and borne an Heir to her House. But her Bondmate was passed into the Well of AllSparks, and we express concern over how well a new bond would take.” Nightingale could hear some murmuring in the crowd behind her, but she and Bluefire had prepared for this. Bluefire stepped forward. “The Lady Nightingale has been examined by many of the finest medics available. Her spark is whole and can easily form a bond and create newsparks for the lineage of the House of Prime.” Halogen looked to Bluefire for a moment, then nodded. “The House of the Senators hold no objections to this union of the House of Kalis and the House of Primes.” Optimus bowed to Halogen, and he and Nightingale knelt down. Halogen turned to a mechservant and took a small energon good from him. It was one half green and one half blue. He held it to show the audience, announcing “This cube represents Houses of Kalis and Prime. By accepting this good, they will accept each other’s Houses as their Houses, for good and for all.” He held the green side to Optimus’s lips. “Do you accept the House of Kalis as your own?” “I do.” Optimus took a bite of the cube, cleanly splitting it green from blue, and chewed the bite with dignity before swallowing. Halogen held the remains to Nightingale. “Do you accept the House of Prime as your own?” “I do.” She took the rest of the good from him, noting briefly it was one of the best tasting goods she’d ever had. Halogen stepped away, washing his servo in a bowl provided for him, and Mechalight stepped to stand between them. He started chanting in the Primal Vernacular, calling on Primus to bless the engagement and the future union. She knew the words, but she didn’t try to interpret them in the moment. Her mind was filled with recognizing she was officially betrothed to a mech she’d never met, and that she would be expected to bond and merge with enough to create at least one newspark. It would be nerve wracking, if she hadn’t been through this before. Mechalight turned to a Temple Acolyte at his side and picked up a brush from the bowl they held. He turned back to the couple and stood before Nightingale, tilting her helm up. “With this brush, I mark you as betrothed, with the blessing of Primus. May he guide your spark to happiness in the bond.” He painted first the Mark of Primus, then the Mark of the Betrothed onto her faceplate. “I thank you, High Priest Mechalight, for your blessing,” Nightingale said. He smiled down at her, then took up his serious mantle again and went to Optimus, repeating the rite. After, he handed the brush back to his acolyte, and took Nightingale’s left servo and Optimus’s right, guiding them to rise “I present to you Lady Nightingale of the High and Noble House of Kalis and Optimus Prime of the High and Royal House of Prime, newly betrothed, and soon to bond.” He joined their servos and they turned to face the audience, who began applauding. Nightingale kept her calm face as she looked out over the crowd, containing nobility from across Cybertron, or their representatives, if the lord or lady could not be present themselves. She found it hard to put on a smile for them, despite her knowing it was expected. She had a notification come across her HUD. She didn’t recognize it, except for a little glyph she’d seen signed at the base of the letter sent to her from the Prime. She opened it and it was a short message, written in common glyphs as opposed to the High and Noble vernacular. [We can pretend together.] She was surprised, but didn’t show it as she glanced over at Optimus. He caught her gaze and his optics made her an offer. An offer to try, and nothing more. She smiled, lifting her right arm to wave at the applauding crowd. Out of the corner of her optic, she saw him do the same. To the world, they looked like a couple happy for their engagement. Internally, they knew that they’d made a promise to not instantly hate or fall for each other, but to try and make it work best for them. It was an offer too good to refuse.