#winter gryphon

[harkthorn]

A sort of mini-commission for @kabirdie.bsky.social of a griffon in a winter jacket and booties!

Is she unimpressed, or is that just how she looks?

-2565

[jagalart]

Thawing

Patron reward for the kindest Nirvash!

[isvoc]

Braving the Ice. More Blorb adventures for Arkenai 🦅

[whats-in-a-sentence]

"Griffons!"

"DragonLance Chronicles: Dragons of Winter Night" - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

[zerrart]

bird that gets fluffier every time its drawn

[kvalenagle]

Smashwords is having their 16th annual Summer/Winter Sale, and they're running a 50% off discount on all of my gryphon books, including the boxed sets!

From now until July 31st, grab any ebook (before Pridelord) for half off. Smashwords offers a DRM-free version you can put on any ereader/tablet, including Kindle, Kobo, Nook, or any app you want, really.

Catch up on the series called "Wings of Fire for adults - with gryphons!"

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/stetpublishing

[homemadehorrors]

This gryphon is *snow* excited about the winter weather!

[neo-hypocore]

The Gryphon, University of Guelph, Ontario.

> patiently watching over the campus, even in blistering cold.

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

I live for all these ships with Apollo like Apollo and Thanatos, Cupid, and even the most dumpsterfire ship of all time Copollo (I go feral over these two)

But one ship that stood out to me was Boreas and Apollo, and apparently the Boreads describe Apollo as "Beloved of our sire" And the fact that Koios is basically Boreas' boss makes this so much more better

So basically I'm asking for Boreas and Apollo headcanons 👀

(And if you take fic reqs, I wouldn't mind a fic with these two)

Apollo is SOOOOOO Shippable lmao XD He has such a variety of lovers and that really allows us to be able to explore a variety of relationship!

Healthy or toxic, lmao XD Copollo is Top Tier imo

and on the topic of Boreas, I have one extra thing to add there because I personally headcanon that Lelantos, titan of air & moving unseen (and apollo's uncle), used to be the head of the wind gods but was stripped of his title by Zeus post-titan war because he sided with Kronos.

So therefore, both of Boreas's bosses are relatives of Apollo's lmao XD

HEADCANONS, EH?

ahem

Imo, Hyperborea was some sort of courting gift or something Boreas gave Apollo. Because here's the thing with Hyperborea:

It's the One Place Boreas does not blow his winds, hence its title of Eternal Spring.

Boreas's palace resides at the southern border of Hyperborea, with gryphons who live in BOTH places.

Three of Boreas's son are PRIESTS of Hyperborea, and serve Apollo when he's there.

Three of Boreas's daughters joined Artemis's hunt (Oupis features in my fic Shattered Minds, btw!)

Hyperborea is literally "over the north wind" in Greek.

I think we can all agree winter is the time Apollo and Boreas hook up lmao XD

Boreas ALSO, in some versions, is a suitor of Hyacinthus, but he clearly doesn't hold any ill-will about Hya & Apollo because let's be real, he would have picked Apollo too XD

So imagine this. Hyacinthus & Apollo making out. Then Apollo & Boreas making out. HECK HYACINTHUS & BOREAS MAKING OUT.

THIS MEME IS THEM

ALSO I RAISE YOU-

Zephyrus has a crush on Apollo :3 (It makes sense. also Apollo is widely associated with spring and Zephyrus is the SPRING wind, and likes pretty guys and Apollo is the prettiest so-)

I blabbered about that in the Discord with @xxzephyrbreezexx and our fellow Discord user whom I don't know if they have a blog here 😭 KNOW I AM POINTING VIOLENTLY IN YOUR DIRECTION

You are Zephyrus. You have a crush on Apollo. You also get a crush on his boyfriend.

AND THEN YOUR BROTHER FUCKS BOTH OF THEM

The Hyacinthus Debacle, as I have dubbed it, also created a bit of a rift between Boreas and Zephyrus, which is Sad because they are usually associated with each other in literature, art, ect :(

Family dinners are Awkward. Even more so when Boreas brings Apollo along to the dinners hosted at his place.

They became Especially Awkward when Helios and Selene were still around because then Boreas would have to deal with Helios's Dad Instincts kicking in and staring him down.

(Helios is Boreas's uncle btw!)

(I have a Boreas thing planned in my Helios fic eheheheh. It's funny, don't panic)

And whenever Apollo pops in the visit Eos about light-related things or Astraeus (Eos & Astraeus are the winds' parents) it Still Is Awkward because Zephyrus just. BOLTS out of the room.

He is simultaneously Gay For and Terrified of Apollo.

Also if Asteria tags along with Apollo (because she is shooting stars/night prophecy and Astraeus is dusk/stars) she gives Zephyrus The Death Stare.

He is equally terrified of her, minus the horny.

Cupid/Eros, eh?

...are you in the Discord by chance? Because the fellows I mentioned previously and I have also discussed this👀

We get Boreas in my next fic, btw! :D No ApolloXBoreas, sadly, but I do have plans on incorporating them into a fic!

Perhaps my revolution fic, because I am getting Ideas concerning Boreas, Apollo, and Koios... >:3

[were-bastard]

Avian Masculinity

Note: When I use male/female in this, I’m talking about two of the many facets of bird gender (as I experience it) since the English language lacks vocabulary that I find sufficient to describe these experiences in their own right.

This is quite long, the rest is under the cut:

I think that the masculine/male side of my gender is really neat, since it’s not fully like the traditional idea of (white, western) human masculinity. Unlike the stereotypical idea of a [male] bird, I (along with the rest of my species) am not sexually dimorphic.

However, having been raised as human- and internalizing both human and highly sexually dimorphic avian ideas of gender- my gender is a bit different than a typical gryphon of my species.

For example, I’ve internalized the male avian need to be boldly coloured, as well as flashy and loud. While from humans I acquired a desire to be somewhat more muted in colour, but still posses a certain volume and “take up space”.

When compared to other [sexually dimorphic] avians, I’m fairly drab- preferring darker, more muted colors, albeit of a moderately “brighter” variety (ie. teal, blues, et cetera)- but compared to a male member of my own species, I’m unreasonably bright and flashy.

Male members of my species are the same as the females in both size and appearance. Interestingly, we do share a need to “project” and sing (moreso trill) with [some] other avian males- a need which the females lack. Both sexes have subtle variations upon brown-ish plumage with slightly darker speckling, barring, and the like (comparable to something like a Great Horned owl or Short-Eared owl) in summertime and generally white plumage with faint markings in the winter.

Due to my other avian influences, however, I identify more strongly with somewhat higher contrast between the body and stomach feathers, as well as brighter coloured tidbits here and there (think the blue-green iridescence of a magpie or Cayuga mallard). I also- in this passably human body- enjoy wearing brightly coloured jewelry (usually of the blue or green variety) because it helps to simulate iridescent accents in my feathers and also assists in sating my need to hoard (gryphon hoarding instincts my beloved beloathed).

Due to being socialized as human and also having absorbed “bird gender”, the way I present my gender is likely to come off (to other members of my species) as strangely gnc- if presenting as [a] gender of another species can be considered gnc (it can)- as well as to humans.

When you combine both human and avian gender ideals, you get a strange sort of gender nonconformity that goes both ways. For instance, I’m a trans-man, but due to the nature of my gender and experiences, I consider myself to be Butch (in the gender way), as well as a same gender pairing bird (despite the fact that I like women & am not one* [& am also aroace]). But as a bird, I would be considered (by my species) to be gender nonconforming in an odd way (species non conformity?), while to other species of bird I would seem unusually “feminine” in colour and behaviour (my species tends to be less vocally excessive, and has more subdued display practices than some other bird species). *[Side note: this is not due to me having been originally assigned “female”, since agab is a social construct and is, quite frankly, ridiculous.]

A fascinating side affect of the way my human learnt gender and avian gender interplay is I retain a strangely cobbled together presentation of femininity. From the human idea of gender, my paternal urges to brood and take care of eggs seem uniquely feminine, as well as my love for jewelry. On the other talon, to birds my “dull” colouration and general lack of fancy feathers seems strangely hen-like (hen as in a female avian). Compared to human ideas of female-ness and femininity, I really enjoy this form of “feminine” gender.

Altogether, my nonhumanity makes my gender weird and it’s pretty cool :]

[hemipenal-system]

Bit of a hard vore question... pack animals hunting you down to fight over you and tear you apart, single large animal that can swallow you whole, or tiny creature that burrows inside you to eat you from the inside out?

absolutely all, just different scenarios! cut here bc this one is massive

Pack Hunters

-werewolves chasing me down through the woods, waiting for me to trip over something. when i fall, they’re on me immediately, tearing at my limbs first, slowly, sadistically tearing me apart one section at a time, fucking my body before devouring it.

-y’all ever heard of the Mares of Diomedes? something like that with unicorns or their demonic equivalent. walking through the stables not realizing they eat meat, idly scratching at them as i walk. stopping when one seems a bit too interested in my skin, its snuffling and mouthing at my hands becoming quick bites from sharp teeth hidden by thick lips. i go to step away and there’s another behind me. they’re all out of their stalls.

-walking through a hive of tiny dragons. stopping as one perches on my shoulder. shooing it off me. another one lands on my jacket, scrabbling up me to rest on my head. suddenly finding three or four on me. one clambers up to my face, wing-claws grabbing my ears as it sniffs me eagerly before dipping in and taking my nose in its mouth, biting hard and shaking its head back and forth until it tears off. the second the smell of blood is in the air, the entire hive drops onto me. i can run for the entrance, but there are thousands of them in this cave, and each one only needs about a finger’s worth of meat but i can only feed so many mouths…

Swallowed Whole

-dragon pinning me under its claws, licking me all over and drenching me with saliva before pulling me into its mouth, squeezing me in its tongue before swallowing me and holding me in its muscular crop, the wet walls sticking on to my face.

-basically the same as above but with a gryphon

-some manner of creature finding me in the harsh winter trying to start a fire, soaked and freezing to death, and well-meaningly swallowing me to keep me warm. it explains none of this to me, of course.

-playing hide and seek and hiding in a massive dusty chest. trying to get out after and it’s locked. realizing it’s a mimic when a long, wet tongue runs up one of my thighs.

-a naga not much bigger than me coiling me up, squeezing me until i can’t resist, and eating me slowly, muscular throat contracting again and again around me as it tries to pull in a prey animal just a bit too large

-me being really small and eaten by basically any small, harmless animal. rodents, rabbits, rat snakes, mustelids. you name it.

-actually quite a few dinosaurs satisfy the one about the dragon/gryphon above too

-specifically large carnivorous birds as preds. a hawk pinning me under her claws like a mouse, teasingly asking me why i’m not trying to run. the reason is because i know i wouldn’t be able to get anywhere even if i tried. her claws tighten around me before she grabs my legs in her beak, spreading her wings out and mantling me as she drags me into her mouth

Eaten Alive

this one has almost nothing but i do occasionally enjoy the idea of some kind of alien insect thing grabbing me and pulling me into a dark alleyway, slipping a slender ovipositor into me and filling me with hundreds of tiny eggs. then i just have to go about my life. when they hatch they all start eating each other until the biggest and strongest is sitting in my guts, and i can feel them all writhing around as that happens. it lives off my food for a while, but when it gets bigger that’s not enough and it starts taking small bites of me. it never kills me, but when it gets big enough to survive outside of its host it climbs up, slowly, methodically, clawed limbs hooking into me as it pulls itself up before climbing out of my throat and scurrying off into the darkness

[aqua-the-smiter]

Here it is! Part 3, the last one. I wasn't planning on it initially, but it felt incomplete otherwise. I wanted to give it a nice ending at least.

Selkie!Ferrus x Argena Seeva Some interesting happenings over the winter months SFW Very much inspiring by this song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR7QTKe1D7Q Iron Hands dividers by the lovely @squishyowl

He was indeed there the next day. And the next. By the turn of autumn Argena’s visits to Ferrus had become something of a daily thing. Not always, but when weather and duties permitted, more often than not they were there together. The flagging system they had wasn’t perfect by any means, but it worked. If he was there, he would leave a shell on a flat rock up the cliff. That way she wouldn’t have to climb all the way down for nothing.

Ferrus had to admit, he liked having her around. He remembered telling his brothers how he was fine being completely alone. That he could probably go until the end of time without talking to anyone. Which had not necessarily been a lie, but if he was forced to be honest, at least to himself, this was far preferable. Gena was a lovely woman. Sweet and lively and skilled. Sharp as a blade too, and eager to learn from him. She liked hearing about his travels, and about his immensely strange family. He was a little smug that she would take his side most of the time when he told her about their arguments, although she was perfectly willing to call him out if she felt like it.

And she wasn’t wrong either. He had been much more cold and callous in his youth. Not anymore. He still had some of it in him, but he’d long since realized that kind of thing did not make him look “cool”. He just looked silly, acting like that. Although his temper remained. Maybe not as quick to flare to its hottest, but it didn’t take long. She was good at calming him down though, he noticed on the few times he’d lost it around her. A gentle pat on the arm and a few soft words. Like cool water tempering hot metal. Her company had quickly become something much looked forward to. And was rapidly blooming into something a little stronger.

Her selkie lived in a cave further down the beach, where the cliffs were higher and more sheer. She had to cling to his back as he clambered up the stone with surprising grace for a man of his height and weight. During high tide the beach was covered altogether, and he’d had to carry her over the rushing surf. 

It was clear he’d been working on it for sometime. The main cavern branched out into two separate rooms. In one he stored a good stock of food in barrels and crates he’d scrounged up from somewhere, fish and shellfish preserved in salt. He could easily catch his own, either in or out of seal form, but he’d long since learned the value of taking precautions. The middle chamber held his bed, a fire pit, a few chairs and a low table. That was covered in wood shavings and carving tools, so metal work was not his only skill. The last one contained his much prized anvil, forging tool and a supply of metal. 

“Nice place.” She’d said the first time he brought her in, looking around.

“It’s not much, but I’m happy with it. Some of my brothers prefer opulence, although I could never see the appeal.” He shook his head. “They live in it, you make it.” Gena told him, admiring a few of his finished pieces sitting out.

They spent hours together working around his home or talking. He talked a lot about his brothers. Which made sense, as he’d been close with them for most of his life until recently. Apparently they weren’t all selkies, like she had initially thought. Leman was a large blond wolf, Roboute was a pegasus (a winged horse), Sanguinius was a harpy (some hybrid between a human and a bird). He had a brother named Magnus who was a sphinx, and the best mage among them by far. The twins, named Alpharius and Omegon, were sea serpents. Vulkan was a dragon, and there was another metalworking brother named Perturabo who was a gryphon.

“What was Fulgrim?” She asked. The two were sitting in the mouth of the cave, sucking the meat out of some cooked scallops she’d collected.

“He was a naga. Lower half was a snake, the upper was human. All my brothers have that in some capacity, actually. But as it happens, he has been turned into something else by Father. He was none too pleased about him stealing my sealskin, apparently.”

“So he didn’t get off scot free? Good.” Gena nodded her approval. “Your father seems sensible.”

Ferrus cracked open another scallop with his back teeth and spat out the excess shell. “He is. Tends to be hands off for the most part, but he steps in when he needs to. It’s difficult to keep all 18 of us from tearing each other’s throats out sometimes.”

“If all your brothers are their own thing, what about you? Are you still a real selkie? Do other selkies dislike you?”

“Of course I’m still a real selkie.” He huffed. “And I get along with them just fine. They see no difference in me aside from my size in human form, and they don’t mind that. Truthfully, I consider them more ‘my kind’ than my brothers.”

“Aww, that’s sweet.”

“I am grateful for it, yes.” 

“Even if it is a bunch of seals for family. Still weirder than mine.”

Now it was his turn to grill her. “You said you had siblings too, if I recall.”

“I do, but by your standards they’re nothing to write home about. My older brother Brendan is perfectly fine.Not as talented as me though.” She said with a smirk. “And my little sister Lillian does nothing but get underfoot and drive me mad.”

“Just remember it could always be worse.” Ferrus replied.

They got into the habit of giving each other small gifts. Ferrus would send her back with small treasures he’d found while diving in seal form. Iridescent shells, small gold coins and jewels from shipwrecks. Once he’d even presented her with a huge chunk of mother-of-pearl, which was easily her favorite. In return she usually brought him more practical things, utensils, pieces of wood and metal, cloth, etc. Not always though. Once she presented him with a gold armband she’d worked on in secret for a couple of weeks. It was beautiful, engraved with knotwork, and the words that adorned the tattoos on his upper arms that cut them off from the rest of his skin.

 Needless to say he was quite pleased with it.

“Làmhan iarainn. Hands of iron.” He translated as he slipped the band on. “Thank you, Gena.”

He smiled at her then, and she felt very pleased with herself. “You’re welcome. Are they?”

“Are what?”

“Your hands. Are they actually…y’know. Iron? They feel normal, aside from being so big.”

“There’s your answer. But they may be less normal than you think.” He winked at her, but didn’t elaborate.

Summer however, turned to autumn and winter, thus cutting their visits down. Both due to the weather and the increase in workload. Autumn might have its rains and chill  but winter was even more unkind with heavy snows, biting winds, and cold claws. Even when she did have a moment to spare, she would find that more often than not, the rock was barren of his shell. She didn't know what selkies did through the winter, but she assumed even he needed food and warmth to last him through it, no matter how extraordinary he was otherwise. So as much as she missed his company, she understood his absence. Her family noticed her somewhat dour shift in demeanor, and her sister had taken to asking her if her sweetheart had deserted her.

It was an effort to not thump Lillian for that.

What her family knew about Ferrus was little and less, and she intended to keep it that way unless something out of pocket happened. But that was just fantasy on her part, she was sure. Her good reputation had kept anyone from asking too many questions. She didn’t outright lie, just gave slivers of the truth.

To keep herself distracted she set to work on weaving a tartan for the selkie. She had long accepted his lack of clothing and it made sense. But still, she thought he might appreciate one, just in case. She’d make sure to buy extra materials, because it would definitely need to be big, and found snatches of time to work on it between her other chores.

It would have been an uneventful winter otherwise. The snow was bad but not devastating, and in between bouts of it she even found a few spare moments to head down to the beach and see if Ferrus had left his shell. It was on one of these treks she discovered just what had become of his most loathed brother.

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That blasted horse wasn’t there, thankfully.

On the trail from her home to the moors and the shore there was either a very large pond or a very small loch, depending on who you asked. In the middle of it was a small island with a huge old oak tree growing in the center. And in that large pond or small loch there lived a peculiar white horse. 

Argena hated that horse.

He was beautiful, of course. His coat as white as the snow and his hooves black like polished onyx. His mane and tail were long and silky, and flowed like the foam of a rushing torrent. Everyone assumed he was a runoff of some farmer or warrior or what have you, and nobody understood her wariness around him. Many people had tried to capture him, only to be met with empty hands when he either disappeared or flung himself into the water and swam beyond her reach. He gave her the creeps.

Especially when he would stare at her from the far shore. Fox would always snort and lay her ears back when he was around. Argena would’ve swore on her life that the bastard was a kelpie. The only thing that didn’t make sense was why he never seemed to eat anyone. He’d certainly had the opportunity. 

Bastard.

But today, he wasn’t there. At least, not in the form she recognized him as. The snow was falling gently, and the sky was a flat, dove gray. 

No, wait, there. Not in his usual spot, instead sitting on a fallen tree near the path. And not a horse at all, not this time at least. He was a remarkably handsome, pale young man. A little too flawless, actually. It was uncanny. His long white mane and tail had become long, crystal white hair tangled with green strands of water plants. A few waterlilies stuck out here and there. His eyes were the purple of amethysts.

Her hands gripped the reins tighter and she tried to ignore him. She recognized him for what he was, of course. If the water plants in his hair hadn’t tipped her off, it was the fact that it was still dripping wet despite the cold that surely would’ve frozen it. But more than that, he was a one to one with Ferrus’s description of Fulgrim. She wanted no part of that.

But he studies her with those glittering eyes of his. His eyelashes were white too, she noticed.

Don’t look at him.

“Are you going to your selkie again?”

Her blood ran cold, and she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She refused to be afraid of such a petty jackass. Even if he wasn’t actually Fulgrim, which she doubted.

“Oh don’t play coy with me.” He unfolded himself and stood up. “You smell of forge smoke and sea spray whenever you come back.”

“And since when was I ever of interest to you? You know I’m too smart to let you just lure me in and eat me.”

With that, he exploded with a very indignant and horse-like snort. “I have never eaten anyone.”

Aha. Gotcha. “So you’re just here spying on your brother despite his wishes? I believe he made it quite clear that he never wanted to see you again?”

That made him shut down for a moment. “I am not spying on him.” He started, deciding it would be better to make at least a somewhat favorable impression on her, rather than continue to dig himself a hole. “Father turned me into this abominable horse monster, and I decided to come here until he decides I’ve been chastened enough.”

If nothing else his brother had certainly found a pretty thing as a playmate. Sharp too.

“And yet you decided to bed down in your brother’s home territory where he would most certainly return one day.” Gena said with a curl of her lip. “You really are as shameless as he’d told me. Seems you’ll be stuck like that for a while yet, since you clearly haven’t learned your lesson yet, Fulgrim!”

Before the kelpie could respond she’d spurred Fox on into a gallop. Not the safest in this snow, but she wanted to be away from him.

“And put some bloody pants on!”

Fulgrim sat there sulking for some time. A raven landed on a branch next to him. The crawling sounded suspiciously like laughter.

“She has a point you know.” Corvus said, shaking snow off his tail feathers.

“Shut up!”

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Ferrus hadn’t been there, so in the end she’d settled for leaving him a note on the rock, setting it in the small box of things she’d brought for him. Her little supply runs, and while she usually missed him taking it, the next time she came back the box was always empty. It wasn’t anything much, just some small dried foodstuffs she could spare, a needle and thread, and soap. 

But it seemed she was fated to spend the rest of the winter without her selkie. And she felt his absence sorely. It seemed the old saying of “distance makes the heart grow fonder” was well and truly accurate. Her heart had grown very fond of him over the months.

Actually, it was a little concerning.

It wasn’t just fondness. It had taken her much time to come to this conclusion, but now she was sure of it. She loved Ferrus, loved him and wanted him to know that she did. There was no way to know if he felt the same, but holding her blossoming feelings all winter was really starting to prickle. She’d only made one more trip down to the shore after her run in with Fulgrim. Sure enough, the box was empty, but Ferrus had once again been absent. It was starting to drive her nuts.

But it was spring now. The snow had long since melted into patches. The air was full of birdsong again, and the scent of freshly blooming flowers. People were beginning to gather outside again going about their work as the retreating cold allowed. It was nice.

Moreover, it meant she could see Ferrus again and give him the completed tartan. 

Riding past the very large pond/very small loch still made her shiver. Although she didn’t see any sign of Fulgrim, she doubted he was gone. And just because she couldn’t see him, doesn’t mean he couldn’t see her. The thought made her shiver.

Her mood rapidly approved upon reaching the rock. His shell was sitting there. The snow and ice encrusting the shore had long since melted away. And when she looked out over the water…

Yes! There he was! Swimming in seal form. He leapt out, more graceful than any dolphin despite his side, a huge fish clamped in his strong jaws and sharp teeth. Then disappeared back under the azure water. Quickly, she made her way down to the stretch of sand waving to him with her free hand the next time he surfaced.

He just about flung himself onto the beach, slithering upwards in that goofy caterpillar-esq way that seals had to on land. Even a seal as regal and majestic as him, because despite obviously having the looks of a predator, his seal form was undoubtedly a noble creature. Then the sealskin came off, draped in its usual place around his shoulders. The golden armband she’d made for him was still there. His silver eyes shone as he swept her into a tight embrace.

“Gena!” He held her as tight as he dared. “Father’s teeth! You’re alright!”

She hugged him back with the arm that wasn’t wrapped around the huge tartan. “Of course I’m alright. I was more concerned about you. Where were you all winter, you big lug?”

“Me? Swimming mostly. Traveling around, getting a lay of things. I’m not the one to be worried about. You met Fulgrim. And he’s a kelpie now no less! It could have been so much worse. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“What? You were worried about little old me?” She teased. “It was nothing, honest. He gives me the creeps for sure, but he seemed so petulant. He didn’t come off as threatening either. Just…weird.”

Gena felt his strong arms tighten around her. “All the same. I’m happy you’re safe.”

Her note had just about stopped his heart for a few moments. Especially after what he’d been pondering all winter. That being, the future of their association. But this, seeing her now, seeing her safe, and the warmth of relief and joy he felt at seeing her was all the confirmation he needed.

She really did look beautiful today. Her long, wavy black hair rippled down her back and over her shoulders, her golden eyes and sweet face bright with happiness at seeing him again, her fair skin given a rosy tint by the warming spring sun. He was happy to see her too.

His home hadn’t changed much since she’d left. The two sat near the mouth of the cavern again, eating chunks of slightly charred fish and shellfish off a wooden board. Ferrus, contrary to her worries, had been overjoyed with the tartan, and now wore the kilt as any proper Scotsman would. It looked good on him too. The black contrasted nicely with his pale skin, while the interweaving lines of gray, gold, and blue helped offset the otherwise gloomy coloring.

“It’s good to see you again. I confess I was wondering if you would be back.” The selkie admitted.

“Of course I would come back. You’re my friend.” Gena assured him, patting his knee.

“Yes, well…good to hear. I’m glad you did.” 

He seemed a little off

“I hope Fulgrim was the only strange encounter you had.” He said, almost prompting.

“He was, yes. Aside from my family being their usual selves. Why do you ask?”

“Aside from being concerned for your wellbeing? Well…there is something I’d like to ask you.” He said slowly. Hesitantly, even.

“Oh? Go ahead, ask.” She reached up and patted his cheek in reassurance.

His face colored slightly. “Well...alright. This might be sudden, but I…I would like your permission to court you, if I may.”

That made her freeze for a moment. Slowly, she brought her eyes up to meet his. “Court me? As in…”

“Yes. Like that. I love you, Argena.” Ferrus admitted. “I have been pining after you all winter and have only recently come to understand why, exactly. But it’s not something I can lie to myself about. I’ve been wondering if I should ask you. If it would ruin things between us. In the end I decided I would, and leave it up to you what you wanted to do next.”

“You’re very sweet, Ferrus.”  Gena smiled up at him, and placed her hand on his. “I never thought I’d see a man as big and strong as you so nervous.”

“This is an important thing I’m asking you. We could be married.”

“I’d like that. Being your little mortal wife.”

He snorted. “Don’t put it like that! You’re more than that to me. Although I suppose that does bring up an unfortunate aspect.”

“You’d probably outlive me by several centuries at the very least. Yes, I know. I don’t mind. I’ve been doing some thinking over the winter too, you know?”

“Of course. But I mind. I don’t want to outlive you. Have you for some decades and then not. You’re precious to me beyond words Gena.”

Now it was her turn to blush, and she rested her head against his side. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. That was as much of a yes as anything else she’d said. “You know, it reminds me of a story my grandmother told me once. Her mother-my great grandmother-buried a sealskin underneath an old oak. She said whoever dug it up and put it on would have a new life as a selkie.”

“Do you believe it’s true?” Ferrus asked, suddenly hopeful. 

“Is it possible for a selkie’s skin to pass on that kind of power?”

“It is. But only if the selkie dies in human form or otherwise abandons the coat. Which is possible, and doesn’t even require something terrible happening. Not every selkie who weds a human does so because he or she is forced. Burying the sealskin somewhere very safe and secure is a way to also bury the call of the sea if someone feels they’re not strong enough to resist it. Not always, and it’s not something I would do. But it’s not out of the question. Do you know where this oak is?”

“It’s on a little island in that small loch where I met Fulgrim.”

“He won’t be a problem.” The selkie swore. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

It felt like flowers were blooming in her heart. “It’s all just like that song you were singing when we first met.”

He smiled at the memory. “It does, doesn’t it? I still have to sing you the rest of it sometime. After we find that sealskin. If that’s what you want.”

“Trust me Ferrus, I don’t think there’s anything I’ve wanted more. I love you, my fair selkie.”

She reached up and placed her hands on his cheeks. He leaned down, and she pressed a kiss to his lips.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦✦✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Fulgrim, indeed, turned out to be no problem at all. Ferrus surprised her the next day with the sealskin. Just where the story had said it would be.

“It looks just like yours.” Gena told him. Dark gray on top, light gray on the sides, dark speckles. “And what about your brother?”

“We exchanged a few words. He will leave you alone. In fact, he’s going to leave this land entirely. And he’s fully aware that I still despise him.”

“Thank you, Ferrus.” She hugged him tightly around the hips. 

“When you feel you’ve spent enough decades here, tell me. We’ll go back to the sea, you and I. That sealskin is the real thing, I can feel it. Until then, and after, I am yours.”

“And I am yours.”

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦✦✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Epilogue

In the end there wasn’t much fuss made about Gena’s strange new betrothed when she finally brought him home. Ferrus was impressed with how clever she’d been, spinning a tale about a shipwrecked sailor she’d nursed back to health and fallen in love with. There was a grain of truth in it, as in all the best lies. He’d had to use a bit of his own magic as well, mostly to lower his height so he was not so freakishly tall compared to the humans. He was still a respectable seven feet, but that could easily be written off as just rare luck with his ancestry. Moreover, he had proven himself a dab hand in the forge, so clearly she was not marrying a good-for-nothing.

The hoops to jump through had been numerous but worth it. Especially now.

“He’s beautiful.” Ferrus said, his silver eyes full of fatherly love as he looked down at the little boy in his wife’s arms.

Little Melor looked just like him. It was uncanny. Except for his eyes. Those were beautiful and golden, just like his mothers. He kissed Gena on the cheek as she rested against him.

“He’ll be as handsome as his father when he grows up.” Argena agreed, tapping their little son on the nose. The babe giggled.

Underneath his swaddling was a tiny sealskin. He’d come out wrapped in it. Ferrus had assured her it would grow with him. A selkie’s skin would always fit. It was a very rare occurrence for the union of a human and a selkie to produce another selkie, but it was possible. Evidently, Gena already had good luck with selkies.

“You want to hold your pup?” She asked. “You haven’t gotten to as much as you’d like, I think.”

In short order Melor was handed off to his father. The baby was still absolutely tiny in his father’s arms. Despite being so big Ferrus held him tenderly. He wriggled a bit.

“A little restless.” Gena noted. 

“A little.” He agreed. Then he began to sing.

Once a fair and handsome seal-lord lay his foot upon the sand For to woo the fisher's daughter and to claim her marriage hand. "I have come in from the ocean, I have come in from the sea, And I'll not go to the waves, love, lest ye come along with me."

"Lord, long have I loved you as a selkie on the foam. "I would gladly go and wed ye and be Lady of your home But I cannot go into the ocean, I cannot go into the sea. I would drown beneath your waves, love, if I went along with ye."

"Lady, long have I loved you: I would have you for my wife. I shall stay upon your shoreland though it robs me of my life. I will stay one night beside you, never go back to the sea, I will stay and be thy husband though it be the death of me."

"Lord, I cannot go and wed thee all to watch my lover die! Since I'll not be left a widow I have a plan for us to try: Let us speak with my grandmother who's ever dwelt beside the sea. She may know some trick or treasure that I may wed my fair selkie."

So they've gone to her grandmother's little cottage by the sea To inquire how a maiden can be wed to her selkie. For the selkie's watery kingdom would surely rob her of her breath But to stay on land past midnight, it would surely be his death.

"Lord, I know not how to aid you – you may never live on shore. For your kind to live 'til dawning has ne'er been seen before. But my mother had a seal-coat that she buried 'neath a tree For she told me that its wearer would become a fair selkie."

So they've journeyed farther inland though the seal-lord's getting weak And she's shouldering the shovel to unearth the thing they seek. At the rising of the full moon underneath the elfin oak She's unearthed that very treasure of which her grandmother spoke.

And just before the stroke of midnight they have made it back to sea And she's donned that magic seal-coat and become a maid selkie. Now they've gone into the ocean, hand in hand into the sea, She has gone along -- a fair seal-bride for her selkie.

Melor cooed softly before finally falling asleep, peaceful and content to be held by his father. Ferrus held him gently, and held him close. His other arm was around Gena. She smiled, listening to him sing. He did it often for her, and she never tired of hearing it.

“You know, I think I’m going to be just fine not going back to the sea for a while.”

“And your family?”

“They can lump it. I’ll see them eventually. It’s not like another several decades will kill them. It’s been centuries. And I have more important things to think about. Thank you, Gena. For coming to see me that day instead of just running away. I expected you to.”

“How could I run when I had you in front of me? I’m glad I went down too. I have you, and you’ve given me something infinitely precious. Thank you, Ferrus.”

“Only for you, mo ghaol.”

[thereareeyesinsidethetrees]

so. i like character associations! i think they’re fun and can lead to a lot of neat ideas! so i made a list of associations to fill in with any blorbos i choose. and since i’m going to be making multiple self indulgent posts about this, i figure i’ll share the list if anyone who sees this wants to do this too

also, since i’m primarily doing this with gravity falls characters and using the stan twins as examples, i’ll be putting this post in those tags (it can and will be used for non-gravity falls things too, though)

(this is designed to be copy-pasted into a new post!)

anyway, here’s the format i’ll be using:

character name:

color association:

plant association:

animal association:

asterism association:

general-thing-in-space association:

cryptid/mythological/supernatural association:

song association:

specific lyric/s association:

season association:

mineral association:

eyetrees periodic table/random association:

*this last one is basically a random oddness space. is the blorbo associated with wind from the ocean? maybe dreams and nightmares? flesh or space? flesh in space? non-Euclidean geometry? sand specifically from paths that creeping devils have made? anything goes, as long as it’s somewhat unusual or oddly specific

below the cut i have my associations with ford and stan! (and categories can be added or removed depending)

character name: ford :]

color association: blue

plant association: yellow rose

animal association: barn owl, screech owl, great horned owl, cat

asterism association: cetus, gemini

general-thing-in-space association: saturn

cryptid/mythological/supernatural association: gryphon

song association: Misery Meat by Sodikken

specific lyric/s association: ‘oh, what you are is hard to find. you could teach the deaf, or you could lead the blind, just by the shock of your touch, yeah, i know how it feels. or the knife in your stare, and the way that it peels me- over and over, ‘til i’m skinned to the core, i found a hole in my heart that wasn’t there before. i’m just a pale little boy, looking out for myself, but i start shaking for you and nobody else. yeah, i’d like to be just simple and dry, but it rains like a storm, and i can’t fight the sky’

season association: winter, autumn

mineral association: diamond, pyrite, obsidian, ice, fordite

eyetrees periodic table association: floating out in space, black ink, the starry sky over the ocean, sea glass, rain at midnight

///

character name: stan :]

color association: red

plant association: red snapdragon

animal association: shark, grey wolf, maned wolf, fox, coyote

asterism association: hydrus, gemini

general-thing-in-space association: mars, jupiter

cryptid/mythological/supernatural association: werewolf

song association: All That Glitters by Noisemaker

specific lyric/s association: ‘i died at 5:45. yeah, it says so on a sign. and my mother’s crying out her eyes- or is the radio telling lies? juvenile sinner, car crash winner, don’t let the devil take you out for dinner’

season association: winter, summer

mineral association: coal, sunstone, opal, carnelian

eyetrees periodic table association: specifically orange and red fire, sea glass, the thing about the creeping devils, leaning against a car at dusk, finding things that are dustier than you remember them being

///

there are more of these to come :] !

[google-searchhistory-official]

Imagine being a furry artist in Manticore Kingdom taking a trip to Sphynx making an anthro treecat sona and you end up adopted by a treecat with similar markings to your drawing.

First of all, fucking empathic little shit knows the less than savory emotions that made way for certain assets in the drawing but then has the gall to declare you mentally stable enough to be worth adoption. Atleast the cat is aware that you would never view them the same as you view the character.

Second, would you dare name the cat after the character you just drew? I personally wouldn't but I'd be drawing a blank for a name for quite a while.

And like, do you just commit to staying on Sphynx despite its winter, or do you be one of the few civillian Gryphon or Manticore natives to just casually have a treecat. Would others expect you to join the RMN or other military branch and stop pursuit of your artist career? Or does the treecat encourage others that you are on the right track?

I think, taking out the furry aspect of the art, any artist with a treecat would either be looked down on for wasting a good mind or heralded as the best in the business no matter how mediocre their own art feels to themselves.

[yzeltia]

WOL/Raha Week Day 3 AU- Bridgerton

Rating: T for Tea Featuring: @ladyofvoss 's Thalia Voss Characters: G'raha Tia, Keith Summers, Fordola Lupis, Arenvald Lentinus, U'rahn Nuhn, Y'shtola Rhul, Newton, Y'zel Tia Notes: Dear Gentle Reader, I hope you enjoy

Dear Gentle Reader,

The town is abuzz once again as the society season picks up once more. Excited mamas are already setting their sights on G’raha t Gryphon, of which declared his intention to be wed this season. It’s not lost on this careful observer that last year’s talk of him being a notorious flirt for the ton’s war heroes has simply become muted. Perhaps the sizable Griffin fortune behind him helps overlook where he is wanting in poise and composure. Whatever the case, I imagine all our eyes will be on him and his prospective choices for the promise of the usual drama that comes with the season.

Speaking of potential scandal, the abandoned Lupis estate has been brought to life. Botanists have been seen cutting back jungles of weeds and staff have been seen coming and going through the back entrance with various supplies. It was reported in the Crier that the Former Duke Lupis who had spoken publicly against the peaceful policy of the King regarding foreign amnesty and was thus stripped of his title and land, died during the winter season. Our fair Queen Thalia, in her infinite wisdom, advocated against generational punishment and thus the title passed to his adopted son, one Keith Summers. 

As many of you know, the former's beloved parents who supported many charities and would send off the season each year with the spectacular Summer’s End Ball.  Tragically, they passed with his three brothers during a boating accident that left him orphaned. The former Duke, while lacking any of the grace or appeal of the Summer’s family, had at one point been fiercely in love with Kathrine Summers and had played for her hand and ensured the lad had the happiest remaining childhood alongside his only daughter, Fordola. Despite his exile, of course.

With the young Lord Summers returning to take up the property, it can only be assumed that he wishes to secure his adopted sister’s place in society through marriage. A bit of a late start on her part, if I dare say but with sympathetic circumstances. We shall see if her departed father’s reputation is a hindrance to the potential suitors. Hopefully the eager mamas will control their sharp wagging tongues to give her a fair chance.

In other news, Queen Thalia has declared Miss Lyse Hext as this season’s Diamond. We shall see.

Yours in anticipation,

-Lady Matoya

Fordola crossed her arms as the carriage rocked, staring daggers toward her brother as he stroked down the back of his corgi. He seemed rather calm, pleased even, to simply sit back and watch out the port on the door as the country disappeared into the towering buildings of the ton. “You are far too excited to return to a town which hates us,” she found herself huffing.

“Hate? I wouldn’t say that. Father had many friends here, even if his opinions were unpopular among them. His downfall was his pride, but I do not think that will be held against us…maybe you, though, if you are determined to hate those who were uninvolved though,” Keith replied. “Queen Thalia has already welcomed us back with open arms and was quite eager in her letter to see how you will fair this season. And I’m sure Newton will meet lots of new friends in the park.”

Fordola rolled her eyes as she watched her brother pick up his pooch and place him in his lap.“Yes, as entertainment for herself and the ton. They’re chomping at the bit for a new scandal. No doubt you’ve heard of Lady Matoya’s papers already giving us an unwelcome reintroduction.” She sighed, fishing out a biscuit from her handbag to give to Newton.

“I didn't miss it in my morning reading, no. But I think it was a good memorial to my folks and fair to our father. She must have respected him, I think,” Keith said.

Fordola raised her brow, scowling, “How so?”

“Well, she reminded us of his former title. He’s spent a greater part of a decade as Mr. Lupis. And, Lady Matoya is notorious for speaking her mind in the same fashion.”

“You speak as if she’s doing something brave. She hides behind anonymity. Father was brave, he spoke openly and freely, society be damned,” Fordola near shouted as she sat up.

Keith blinked then shook his head, “Dola, you shouldn’t swear. You’ve got to pretend to be a lady at least.”

“How about you pretend to be a lady!”

Dearest Gentle Reader,

I am absolutely stunned, in more ways than one. If you have been around as long as I, you might have remembered Fordola Lupis as a rough and tumble kind of girl that would take no qualms in mucking around with the boys in the fields, her older brother never far off trying to call her back home. If you were to have told me she’d grow up into the beauty that we’d seen last night at Ser Ement Vauban’s ball, you could have knocked me over with one of the many white feathers that decorated her dress. Her elegance and poise, not to mention the fortune put into that dress, had the mamas practically helping their sons scrawl their names across her dance card. Her fierce confidence and sharp tongue had the would-be suitors going back for seconds and those she turned out seemed to be put to tears. Or so does one rumor say.

This Dazzling Citrine of the ton far outshined this season’s Diamond. Miss Hext could be found quietly helping herself to some of the scrumptious pinwheels lovingly made by the host’s staff, an apparent favourite of our hero, the dazzling Shieldmaiden Vauban. 

Of note, Lord Gryphon seemed to have left in high spirits after his dance with Miss Lupis and seemed to have been talking rather closely with Duke Summers afterward. The race has begun. Mamas to your marks.

Yours in excitement,

-Lady Matoya

“I find your disposition rather amusing, Miss Lupis. I dare say I think you left your previous partner in a near state of tears.”

Fordola rose her brow high as G’raha smiled and led her about in a dance. She wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “Would you let another incessantly talk at you in close proximity after what I can only assume was eating an onion like an apple without saying something? Or am I so removed from the life of the ton that I’m supposed to find it flattering?”

G’raha laughed then shook his head. “I suppose that would be rather unpleasant. Though; if I was afoul I would be glad to have it pointed out so I could have the chance to rectify myself in private. That was…rather public.”

“I have spared my fellow dancers the niceties of enduring him. I saw Y’mhitra’s face turn as green as her elder sister’s unflattering dress and yet she thanked him for the opportunity to have done so at the end of the song. I have little doubt every other girl in here would have done the same if I had not pointed it out,” Fordola answered, spinning for G’raha before returning to his careful embrace. 

“I would be careful with your words. Lady Y’shtola has a reputation of being quite a grudge holder. She’s not taken kindly to the Queen’s ban of mourning colors at balls. I thought she looked rather striking in all that black to be honest. Ever content to be a spinster, she is, though I have heard gossip otherwise,” G’raha mused.

Fordola looked to the cross looking Miqo'te as she stayed in the shadows, glassy eyes seeming to scan through the crowd despite their apparent emptiness. “Gossip seems to be the local currency in the ton. What is her story?”

“Well, rumor has it…she was quite taken with Ser Vauban before she left for the King’s Navy. Y’shtola was fiercely against it, of course, the war and all. Thank the Twelve our Shieldmaiden has only sent news of victory and strategic retreats. Shortly after Lady Matoya’s papers started up, giving rise to the rumor that she is behind the elusive nom de plume,” G’raha whispered.

“And what do you think?”

G’raha folded his ears, thinking a moment before shaking his head. “She lost her vision during an unfortunate accident. While her wit and tongue are as sharp as any blade, there would need to be careful observations made that she simply couldn’t do without assistance of some sort. I suppose her many sisters could report to her…but I also don’t think she holds society in such a regard to be bothered with such a thing.”

Fordola pursed her lips then gave a little nod. “Alright then,” she hummed before letting her attention continue to wander the myriad of people around them, keeping up with G’raha’s footing. “Who’s the man in the chair? Standing next to the tall Miqo’te.”

G’raha turned to see who she was looking at. An imposing blond haired man laughed, reclined in a wheelchair while above him the tall Miqo’te shook at his shoulders and thrashed his hair carelessly behind him and echoed in the laughter. “That is Lord Arenvald Lentius and his good friend stuffing his face with pinwheels is none other than Lord U’rahn t Drake. He was a farmboy given a title by King Rijin after returning from saving his squadron of men from a Garlean force in the war to the east. He lost the use of his legs in the process. Despite hanging to the side, they’re both rather popular with the ladies, but only the latter has had his sights set on a proper marriage. Why, last season my mother all but forged his name on my now married sister’s dance card. Really though, he’s a good man. Would you like an introduction?”

Fordola shook her head. “If I can bother to escape the relentless pursuits of your peers, I will introduce myself. You weren’t a terrible partner. If I have to keep doing these things, I will ensure you have a spot on my dance card.”

G’raha smiled as she pulled away, bowing to her before giving a small kiss at the back of her hand, ears perking as he heard his mother make a noise of delight in the distance. “I shall endeavor to seek you out on our next meeting then, Miss Lupis.”

With that, Fordola retreated, recruited quickly by the next on her card, leaving G’raha to shuffle off to find himself some food. Finding a rather large untouched sandwich, he snatched it away then hurried behind a pillar to squat down and hide from his mother and her pending interrogation.

“Aw….I was hoping that would have still been there for me when I returned,” sounded a disappointed voice from above.

Looking up, G’raha found Fordola’s older brother frowning down at him. Wiping crumbs from his face with his sleeve, G’raha stood then broke off the unbitten half of his sandwich to hand over. “Apologies. I often find myself ravenous after a round on the floor.”

Keith lit up as he was offered the sandwich, “No worries friend! Thanks!”

Eagerly, Keith started to chomp down with the same fervent excitement for the morsel that G’raha had himself. The latter found his gaze flitting up to his meal partner, lingering a bit on his sheer joy from the small snack. Clearing his throat, G’raha wiped more crumbs from himself then gave a little bow.“You are Duke Summers, are you not? I just came from the company of your sister on the dance floor. I say, she is a change of pace around here.”

Keith seemed to go pale, recoiling a bit, bread stuck to the side of his cheek. “Hells, she did not insult you did she? She is rather abrasive, but I assure you underneath that rough exterior…somewhere deep, she is the sweetest thing!”

G’raha blinked then let out a hearty laugh, shocking Keith even further. “No, she was a delight to have paired with and a fine dancer.”

“Oh. Good. Good good good,” Keith repeated, letting out a sigh of relief. “Wait, fine dancer? My sister. I could barely escape without bruised toes during practice…Ah, hells. She was doing it on purpose wasn’t she!”

His laughter couldn’t stop, G’raha finding the other charmingly amusing. “Surely you must be popular at the gentleman’s club. Your jests are as delightful as your sister.”

“Ah, so then is it your intention to court her,” Keith asked, hopefully.

G’raha’s laughter stopped immediately, as did his breath. Straightening up, he closed his eyes, not daring to consider a fellow head-of-estate’s inquiries to be with jovial intent. “I enjoyed her company, but when it comes to marriage I would keep my thoughts to myself. It is easy to make an enemy of a friend when it comes to their sisters.”

“I suppose that’s true; but, we are not friends yet. I do not know your name,” Keith said with a thoughtful nod. “We’ve broken bread together, though, so I suppose that makes us as close as friends already. Closer maybe as I would find myself hard pressed to hand over a coveted sandwich as well prepared as what has been provided by our host.”

“That is fair,” G’raha responded before carefully reaching up to thumb away the lingering crumb on the Duke’s cheek, “And as a new friend it would be remiss of me to let you walk around with your face covered in your meal.”

Keith flushed as the other touched his cheek, emerald eyes widening as G’raha’s ruby ones looked over the stubble on his chin before flitting up to meet his gaze. His heart leaped suddenly as the other’s touch lingered, feeling trapped in an infinite moment of casual intimacy. Keith pulled away, letting out a nervous chuckle. “Thank you. That would have been rather embarrassing. Though, I do not think anyone would bother to send gossip my way when my sister seems to have the attention of the ton.”

G’raha lowered his hand, looking rather unsure what to do with himself in the wake of the moment, looking at the ground before returning to Keith after he finished his thought. “You? Are you not the Duke of The Fringes? I’d dare say you should find yourself at the mercy of more ambitious mamas than I?”

“Well, I do not have one of my own to prevent me from avoiding their intentions. I’m not here for me anyway. I want my sister to find her happiness. Hopefully with someone as kind as you,” Keith said before giving a small bow as he backed away. “I beg your pardon, but I should see that she’s not left unescorted for too long, lest I get a bad reputation as a careless big brother.”

G’raha frowned as the man retreated, “I would be the first to tell them otherwise.”

Dear Gentle Reader,

Far be it from me to question the wisdom of our Queen, but it seems her Diamond just does not seem to be able to outshine Miss Lupis. Lord Gryphon’s frequent visits to the Lupis Estate seems to have everyone waiting with bated breath for the inevitable engagement announcement. Hopefully, with that out of the way, Miss Hext will get to sparkle for the Queen the rest of the season.

Yours truly,

Lady Matoya

“Have we truly no inkling as to the identity of this vile woman,” Queen Thalia huffed, flopping back into her dress upon a lounge. “She paints me as some sort of tethering gossipmonger. I know a Diamond when I see one. We must find Miss Hext her suitor! Y'zel, coffee biscuit!”

Y'zel sighed then brought over a tray of cookies for his Queen before offering one to Y'shtola as she quietly sipped her tea.

“What harm does a small societal paper pose to you? Let Lady Matoya have her audience,” Y'shtola responded.

“She poses no harm, but to question the Crown so unabashedly…Well, it weakens us in the eyes of the people. Our good King’s peaceful disposition has long made the Crown seem docile. We must show strength in our ability to direct the flow of society. To appear that we have control in all facets of life so that everyone has no reason to not feel secure in the ton and elsewhere in the Kingdom.”

“Ah yes, the Garleans tremble in fear of your astute choice of debutant. I for one will sleep better knowing we're safe once Miss Hext has been wedded and in her marriage bed,” Y'shtola hummed.

Thalia narrowed her eyes at her friend then sat up. “There are rumors that you are Lady Matoya, you know. Your tongue is certainly as sharp.”

“Me? I don't know when I'd find the time,” Y'shtola responded dismissively. “And then to risk your ire? I would miss the delicious tea so graciously brewed for us by my cousin.”

“Thank you, Miss,” Y'zel said with a little bow.

Thalia shifted in her seat then pulled out the papers to reread Lady Matoya’s words. “Well let us hope she is right about Miss Lupis in hopes that she is out of our view as fast as she came into it. Her father was a dissenter. Perhaps it is she that is writing against me to gain favour with the ton and you make me look foolish. I shall consider calling upon Lady Griffin before her ball. I can offer my assistance and if an engagement comes from it then it will be by my generosity and not her foresight.”

Y'shtola pursed her lips and stared at the Queen silently as the woman flipped through the papers again. “Tell me, have you noticed that Lord Griffin often hurries to Duke Summer’s side after every dance?”

“If one wishes to propose, I believe one would want to court favor with whoever holds his paramore’s dowry. That is nothing strange.”

“Really? Then I shall forget it then.”

Y'zel tilted his head as his cousin seemed to stare upward at the ceiling as the Queen forced the subject elsewhere. He could not help but think the Queen had missed a well placed trap.

Dear Gentle Reader,

This very well might not even be news, as Lady Gryphon’s annual Hyacinth Ball played host to what seemed like the entire ton. Even I could not keep up with all the faces and exchanges that occurred through the evening. Regardless, nothing could of happened that was more interesting than Miss Fordola’s near total humiliation on the dance floor. Once again Ser Arenvald Lentinis proved that even with it injured, he has more spine than any man in the ton save for our good King. Lord Gryphon might very well have lost his chance with our Citrine.

Yours truly,

Lady Matoya

G'raha smiled as he held Fordola close and spun about the dance floor as hyacinth petals fluttered down about them. It was picturesque, he thought. A brilliant show of beauty and grace and in the background the Duke’s smiling face as he watched.

“This is all a bit much, isn't it? Your mama cornered me early on requesting I make myself ready at the tenth bell as she appears to have hurt her ankle and would appreciate it if I would dance with you in her place at the climax of the night.”

“Is that so,” G’raha said, a slight blush across his cheek. “I am sorry for that. If you’d like, I will go speak to her,” he offered, looking up at the clock as it inched a quarter before the bell. 

“If you don’t want to dance with me-”

“That is not it at all! You just seemed to find all of this inundating,” G’raha assured her before stepping back with a bow as their song came to an end.

“I do; however, it will please my brother and I’m sure it’ll pacify your mother. If I have to be made a spectacle of, I’d at least like to do it with someone who I can tolerate,” Fordola huffed.

“Ah, well. I will consider that a high compliment then. If you’ll excuse me. I have something I’d like to discuss with the Duke.”

“Go on then,” Fordola sighed dismissively before checking her dance card to see which suitor would scoop her up next.

G’raha bowed again then removed himself from the floor, finding Keith waiting nearby. He smiled up at the other, feeling the familiar rush of his heartbeat as he drew closer. While he found Fordola to be a delightful change from the usual debutants flung at him by his mother, there was a guilty pang within him that noticed he had begun to approach her so that he might chance upon her brother. “Good evening, your Grace.”

“Not that again,” Keith laughed. “Keith, please for the love of The Twelve.”

“I wouldn’t dare do so without you announcing it. I do not want to run the risk of looking like I’m trying to be too informal with my betters,” G’raha said, grinning wide as he made his friend recoil.

“Betters? Are any of them here? Has the King deigned to join us,” Keith balked, playing along as he scanned the crowd.

“You flatter me too much, sir.”

“Throwing names at the kettle are we then?”

The two laughed, Keith soon clasping his hand onto G’raha’s shoulder a moment as he swayed. G’raha perked up, looking at Keith worried as he clutched his throat a bit. “Is something wrong?”

“My throat burns. Too many spirits I think. I should find a place to sit down,” Keith said before letting out a light cough.

“Come, my study is just down the hall,” G’raha said, taking Keith’s hand in his. As they made their way through to the inner parts of the mansion, G’raha stopped briefly to grab a flute of water before tucking into his study with Keith and sitting him down on the couch.

Keith smiled, taking the water then gratefully downing it as his friend took a seat beside him. “Thank you,” he said, clearing his throat a bit before looking about at the room, finding every wall to be littered with books.

“My father’s collection. I think I’ve read through every single one of them at least twice now. Even the dryer ones,” G’raha said, noting Keith’s wandering gaze.

“Really? That’s rather impressive. I can’t imagine what your library must be like then,” Keith marveled.

“Library?”

“Yeah? Where all the books in the house go?”

“This would be it. You have a library,” G’raha asked, eyes widening.

Keith nodded then leaned back on the couch. “Yeah. I thought all great houses did. We have one and then there’s a smaller one at the main house near Rhalgar’s Reach.”

“Oh. Oh, I would love to see it,” G’raha said, before shaking his head. “No, such collections of books are not of the norm for even the nicest of estates. Most are confined to a study like this. From what I remember of your father, his expansive library was open to the public. When I was a boy my father brought me to visit. I spent hours there poring over pages. It seems your adoptive father inherited the collection.”

“Perhaps. Wait, if you visited, where was I?” Keith asked.

G'raha sat back, shocked at the realization. “You know, I am unsure. I have a vague memory of your eldest brother there but I cannot recall meeting you. I-” G'raha stopped himself, ears sinking as he caught Keith's expression soften. “Apologies. This must be a difficult subject for you.”

“Huh? No. Go on. So few people speak of my family. What do you remember of Sammy,” Keith encouraged, taking G’raha’s hand in his own.

“Oh…,” G'raha said before looking down at where their hands met. “Um, well. As I said, it is vague. He was fascinated with the law. Said he wanted to be a lawyer. I don't remember where you were though.”

“Well, I wasn't one for books,” Keith chuckled, far lighter than normal. “I was probably out being led around on whatever adventure Fordola was on about. Sammy was definitely the smart one though…That brought me a lot of trouble. He could convince me of anything. That day…he told me that sharks could jump onto ships and eat a whole crew and I believed him. I'm kinda gullible…He saved me though, doing that. I wonder if he thought of that when the ship was lost…that he saved me.”

G'raha grunted as Keith squeezed his hand, the other’s face tense as he ground his teeth. Tears were in the corner of his eyes, and before G'raha knew it he was leaning in to brush them away with his free hand. Keith sniffled lightly, looking at him quietly before widening his eyes as G'raha closed in to kiss him.

The Duke remained still, not sure what to make of the other pawing at him. He'd never been kissed, not intimately at least. Still, he was caught in the moment, and somehow he figured to properly part his lips and invite G’raha to continue. On instinct he gripped the back of his head, holding him close as his loins stirred and he started to feel a strange tightness in his trousers. His stomach twisted, unsure whether it was his nerves or excitement, unable to tell the difference being ignorant to the realm of love making.

Still, he did not stop G’raha, finding the other purring softly into his mouth as he expertly worked open the front of his suit. Laid out on his couch, he found himself doing the same, mimicking the movements of the other’s tongue before sitting up and lowering the other onto his back. With a pant, he parted from the kiss, looking into G’raha’s nervous ruby gaze before trailing down to his neck then leaning in to give it a small nip, then a kiss, earning moans from the other under him. 

Above them, a clock started to chime for the hour, serenading them as their hips met. G’raha seemed to shudder with delight as their trapped bulges found one another. As the clock reached its tenth bell, G’raha’s ear perked. Squirming, he pushed Keith away then started to pant. “The music has stopped. The dance! Your sister…I’ve abandoned your sister.”

Keith bolted to his feet, stepping back from G’raha as he stood to fix his mussed up suit before starting for the door. He turned, looking to Keith nervously who seemed to be avoiding his gaze with his hand over his mouth, cheeks stained red with embarrassment. “I am sorry,” G’raha whispered before hurrying out back into the hall.

As he returned to the ballroom, the music had started back up. G’raha peaked over the crowd then pushed his way to the front, finding Ser Lentenis wheeling around in a circle with Fordola on his lap, moving in time with the music. Stopping, he let her stand then held her hand as she moved around him. In the distance, he saw his mother wringing out her glove in her hand staring daggers at him from across the way.

“Oh buddy, you’re so lucky,” a chipper voice said from beside him.

Turning, G’raha found Lord U’rahn t Drake watching the Ser Lentenis expertly wheel Fordola about for the party before others started to join in. G’raha swallowed hard. “Yes, it seems good Arenvald came to the rescue while I was engaged elsewhere.”

“A true herrro that one,” U’rahn agreed. “Though I do not think he’ll be able to save you from your mama.”

G’raha chuckled nervously, turning to look over his shoulder as Keith wandered back into the crowd, unable to meet his gaze. His heart sank.

Dear Gentle Reader,

I bring joyous news. It seems the coveted Lord G’raha t Gryphon has formally announced his engagement to the favorite of the season, Miss Fordola Lupis. It is good, for Miss Lupis’s reputation, that Lord Gryphon had been seen so frequently engaged with Duke Summers lest the state they were found in at the time of the proposal might have sparked illicit rumors that might have ruined the poor girl’s reputation. Do not let yourself be taken in by gossip, I can attest that whatever rumor you might hear, that all parties were innocent.

Yours in excitement,

Lady Matoya

“Are you really content to sit upon the shore,” G’raha asked, adjusting Keith’s parasol so as the other sat down on his blanket, Newton crawling up into his lap soon after with a happy bark.

“He’s still scared of open water. You would have a better chance at setting a fire under the waves than getting him on the boat let alone the docks,” Fordola said, tossing Keith a paper-wrapped sandwich from their picnic basket before pulling on G’raha’s arm toward the dock, not noticing the sausage link that she’d absently left out to dangle.

“Yeah…I’m going to be fine here,” Keith said, opening the sandwich lightly, not meeting G’raha’s gaze, as he’d avoided doing ever since the Hyacinth Ball.

“Ah, Miss Lupis. Why don’t you put our lunch on the sailboat and I will be right behind you,” G’raha requested, freeing his arm.

Fordola frowned then turned. “Whatever. Just hurry up. I’m starving. And mind the planks. They’re old,” she said before making her way off the beach and toward the docks.

Once she was out of ear shot, G’raha returned his attention to Keith, squatting down as Newton suddenly started to squirm about in his arms. “Keith…will you never look me in the eye again?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’ve looked you in the eyes plenty. You shouldn’t keep my sister waiting,” Keith said while trying to keep Newton still. “C’mon boy, chill out.”

“You have not. Not since we…since I assaulted you…”

“What? You did nothing of the sort,” Keith said, nearly losing his grip on his dog as he looked up in shock.

“I did! I forced myself on you and nearly humiliated your sister by acting out,” G’raha protested. “I could not control my feelings at the moment. I did not think about all the lines I was crossing. I just wanted to have you and you have me.”

“Did you not think I wanted the same? I gave just as much as you took; but, you are to be my sister’s happiness and nothing comes before that for me. If she wishes to keep accepting your courting, I cannot stop her,” Keith said before shaking his head and patting the struggling Newton. “She is my only family left.”

G’raha balled his fists. He wanted to tell Keith the real reason for his courting Miss Lupis, but even with the other admitting consent he could not bring himself to disappoint him by admitting his true inclinations for her brother. Men dueled for less. “Then I hope she accepts someone that will not give you cause for worry, so that way you might find your own happiness,” G’raha managed to get out, ears and tail falling limp.

Keith didn’t answer, but seemed to gaze down at his boots before feeling Newton slip from his arms and race down the beach toward the docks. “Newton! Hells! Newton!” he cried out, shifting onto his feet to give chase with G’raha.

“Slow down! Newton!” G’raha called after, hurrying with Keith to the dock.

Newton barked happily as he continued to give chase, rushing by folks until hitting the dock and chasing down Fordola and the stray sausage sticking out from her basket, only to fall through a gap in the planks. G’raha hurried to look over to find the dog paddling happily in the gentle waves below and barking. He turned, looking back at Keith who was on his knees at where the docks met the sand holding himself. Before he could go to say everything was okay, the wood under him gave and he fell, hitting his head against the opposite plank. As he hit the water, everything went dark.

When he stirred again, he felt a pair of soft lips on his own and little licks on his cheeks. Sitting up, he coughed up seawater then rubbed his eyes, finding his jacket missing and his white shirt stuck to him with seawater. Beside him on the dock, a very wet Newton sat then wagged up at him while Fordola panted on his opposite side, soaked in her dressing gown. “You idiot. I warned you,” she scolded.

“Yes,” he said, flushing at the state of her undress.

Looking to the beach, he saw Keith where he’d last seen him. Beyond people were starting to take notice, U’rahn t Drake and Ser Arenvald being among the crowd as the latter wheeled down to Keith with the former riding on the back of his chair. With Fordola’s help, they returned to shore, finding the Duke almost in tears as he shook. 

“We’re fine brother, we’re fine,” Fordola said softly, lowering to her knees to hug her brother.

“Rahn, go fetch Miss Lupis’s gown. This attention will not be good,” Arenvald said, his friend giving a nod and hurrying down the docks to collect Fordola’s discarded things. “Is everything alright? I fear the sand will stall me, but my lungs are hearty enough to call for help, though a delay might be wise. Should a crowd come upon Miss Lupis undressed as she is…”

“I was saving his life,” Fordola snapped. “They can mind their own business. My dignity or virtue or whatever those gossips care about does not outweigh the life of another. My brother is the one that needs care. He’s in shock. His family was lost to the sea, y’know,” she said, arm around Keith.

G’raha shook his head then looked out as people started to gather close. “It will be your life forfeit. Your brother wants nothing more than to see you settled in a life that will keep you happy. If anyone spied us on the docks and got the wrong idea your place in society will be compromised by jealous tongue wagging and the schemes of those who wish to see you fall out. That Lady Matoya painted a rather large target upon your back. You will become untouchable,” he started before getting onto his knee, looking Keith in the eye as he picked up his hand. “Keith…I mean your Grace. Please allow me to propose to your sister…and Fordola, please do me the honor of accepting. We might not be a love match but we are good company and I can ensure you a life that you might do as you please.”

Keith gave a little nod, petting Newton as the wet dog crawled up into his lap. His family restored, he took in a deep breath then looked up at everyone. “Yes, that…that seems for the best,” he said as Fordola helped him to his feet in time for U’rahn to return with her basket and dress for her to put back on.

“I could do worse,” Fordola said in the mess of fabric before popping her head out from the top. “Fine. I accept.”

G’raha’s heart raced as he gave a nod before Arenvald turned in his chair to look back at the crowd. “Clear a path! Lord Drake and his fiance have suffered a small accident on the docks and the Duke is in a fit of shock! Get back!” he ordered, letting U’rahn help him back up the hill to part people out of the way so that the trio and Newton could advance forward behind them.

Dear Gentle Reader,

It warms my heart to see how year after year the ton doesn't cease to give us a surprise. Gentle reader, it is true what they say: True love is not selfish. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.

Yours in love,

Lady Matoya

G’raha swallowed as he stood at the front of the church, the priest impatiently drumming his fingers upon the Enchiridion as he waited. His brothers stood behind him, occasionally reaching out to pat his back while his mother sat teary eyed up front with his sisters. Across the aisle a few people from town sat, Lord Drake and Ser Letinis up front giving him a thumbs up of encouragement. On the bride’s side, Newton sat in a little peach bow tie, wagging his little stub of a tail.

Soon the music started and through the doors Duke Summers in his cream suit and Miss Lupis in her peach dress laced with little purple flowers started their procession forward together. Arriving at the altar, Keith kissed his sister’s forehead then led her up to G’raha before taking his place to stand behind her with Newton.

“Well then, if we are finally ready to begin,” the priest said before clearing his throat to start the ceremony.

G’raha smiled, not really paying attention as the man spoke, looking at Fordola as she stared neutrally back before letting his gaze slip up toward Keith’s. Eyes locked, he inhaled nervously unable to push back the pang of loss in his heart, noting a similar expression on Keith’s face: An unspoken melancholy of a future together, but at the same time apart. G’raha’s attention returning to Fordola, he found her tracing where his attention had gone. “Oh, swive me,” she breathed out, getting a startled gasp from the audience.

“I beg your pardon Miss! This is a holy place,” the priest cut in.

“By the Twelve, you’re both such idiots,” Fordola huffed, ignoring the priest before turning to her brother. “You’re both in love aren’t you?”

The crowd murmured as G’raha was taken aback, stumbling back into one of his brothers only to be pushed forward as Keith shook his head. “F-Fordola. Please. Don’t-” the Duke protested before finding his sister putting her flowers in G’raha’s hands then pushing her brother forward. 

“I am not about to sit here and be sold off and spend my days being a third wheel in my own marriage. I had my suspicions, but your Lord here cannot get through our wedding ceremony without giving you a longing stare. For once, do something for yourself and not worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Keith gulped, looking at G’raha with the flowers then to the increasingly annoyed priest staring daggers between them. Without realizing it, he found himself reaching down to take G’raha’s in his, looking at it then up to his nervous face.

“Did we get ourselves sorted out,” the priest asked.

“I…I think so,” Keith breathed out before turning to his sister, “But- What about you?”

Fordola rolled her eyes then turned and pointed into the front row. “You. You want to spend the rest of our days getting to know one another?”

“Me,” U’rahn asked, pointing to himself as he stood up eagerly.

“No.”

“Oh,” U’rahn sounded before lowering his ears and taking a seat as he looked to Arenvald as he wheeled forward.

“Truly,” he asked, brows raised high.

“Aside from my brother’s love here you’re the only one that has been tolerable and I find you pleasing to the eyes and enjoy your humor. You could have worse offers,” Fordola huffed, cheeks turning red as she looked away.

“I accept then,” Arenvald said, wheeling forward, taking Fordola by the hand to guide her into his lap.

“Can you multitask,” Fordola asked, looking up at the priest.

“...When there is a very large, generous donation from Duke Summers on the horizon, I suppose,” the priest answered unamused, raising his brow toward Keith.

“O-Of course,” Keith breathed out before looking at G'raha and grinning.

“Very well then. Unless there’s someone else wanting to interrupt and make this day any stranger…” the priest trailed before returning to the ceremony.

Once it finished, the hall filled with music once more leaving Keith to lean in and kiss G’raha then take his hand to escort him away with Newton following behind. “Well, this was…unexpected…are dowries exchanged here? We might have to look into that. Ah, no matter. We’re starting a life together. What do we even do now?”

G’raha balked as they paused just outside the church, “Have you not given marriage any thought?”

Keith shook his head. “I wanted to get Fordola settled but beyond that I had no plans for myself. Once she was happy, I was going to continue the work my birth parents started. Y’know, charities and all that. Hey! There’s an idea, we can open up the library again and you can run it!”

“Yes, charities will be a good use of our time…and I would love to see those books…though I suppose, I will be living among them. We have so much to figure out,” G’raha breathed out.

“We do. But we can figure it out together,” Keith said before leaning down to kiss his new husband before leading him off to their happily ever after.

Inside, Fordola wrapped her arm around Arenvald and let him start wheeling after her brothers. They paused briefly as Arenvald caught U’rahn crying in the front row. “You okay,” he asked, putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Yeah. It was just all so beautiful,” U’rahn said before wiping at his face and beaming up at the happy couple. “That was trrrue love!”

Dear Gentle Reader,

The Summers-Lupis Library has finally been opened to the public, promising a wealth of knowledge to a town for their perusing. While we all had a shock of seeing the Duke take up Lord Gryphon as his betrothed, it seems their union is destined to be a happy one. Even the King and Queen are said to have come to the opening of their estate to the public to congratulate them on their marriage and give their marked approval of the library.

Many have been chomping at the bit as to what will be made of the Dukedom’s line. While the happy couple has declared they will soon be looking into adopting after their newlywed phase, Duke Summers has requested to pass the title to his sister’s first eligible heir, returning the title to the family who had graciously taken him in. Speaking of Mrs. Linitus, an heir, is rumored to be on the way! 

With the season coming to a close, I wish you all safe travels back to your estates and look forward to reuniting with you next summer.

Yours truly,

Lady Matoya

[kvalenagle]

I usually write snowy books in the hot summer and desert books in the freezing winter, but I'm breaking that rule on Saberbeak to write some cute gay taiga gryphons flirting in the snow.