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mshalfemptygirl · 1 year

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The Prince Agent (S.R)

Plot: Reader is called to help Spencer with a case and things get too cute.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Dr!Fem!Reader

Contents: Really quicky mention to kidnapping and lots of fuffy

A/N: guys it’s my first fic, so let me know if you guys liked it, if you need a part 2. There are some translations at the end for you to understand the fic. Just give support and love. Thank you very much. Enjoy!

I never knew exactly where linguistics was going to take me, but this is too much. I was at the police station, dressed an updated version of what it was meant to be Mary Stuart all because I helped my teacher with an Scotch Language Class this afternoon. You know, I'm in the postdoctoral program and sometimes we need to help our teacher and that's mean look ridiculous when they ask you to do a "favor" to them. So, I'm here, next to the door, feeling lost and angry for not have time to change my outfit. They said that just need to find an Agent called Dr. Spencer Reid to translate a little girl who was saved by the team. It gonna be easy, but no.

I notice that there is a man looking at me, he’s next to bullpens with some paper in his right hand. He is tall and very handsome by the way. In fact, he's wearing a tie that makes him look really HOT but I can't think about those things at such a delicate moment like this, I need to focus. I walked towards him, looking at the floor because in addition to the long dress, I was wearing high heels and I didn't want to embarrass myself in the middle of the police station. When I stopped in front of him, he put the papers on the table and gave me a small smile.

“Excuse me, where can I find Dr. Spencer Reid?” I returned the smile, wishing it was him.

“Well, right here. I’m Dr Spencer Reid, nice to meet you. You should be Dr. Y/N L/N. Or maybe Princess Y/N L/N?” he give me a big smile. “Can you follow me?” I felt my face burn, he was making fun of me and it made me a thousand times more nervous. I start follow him to the hallway with many rooms, the walls were white and light blue, there is a clock on the wall.

“Sorry, I didn’t have time for change. And It supposed to be Mary Stuart. So it’s Queen Y/N L/N”. He nodded while he run his hand over his hair. He stopped to think about something. Even nervous, I can't take my eyes off him. “Did you know that Mary became Queen of Scots at only six days of age and Mary’s last night was spent drafting an elaborate will in which all her servants were remembered. On the day of her execution, she appeared in her customary black cloak and with a white veil over her head and she then dropped the cloak to reveal a crimson red dress?” he ask me, I can see the excited in his face. I couldn't help but smile big, he's so endearing, so cute. I think he's trying to make me more comfortable.

“Yes!!! And she also was the first woman to practice golf in Scotland. She even caused a scandal when she was seen playing the game at St Andrews within days of her husband Darnley's murder. She was a such badass, I like her” I said. Then I remember about the little girl, they must have been in a hurry to help her. “But Dr. Reid, changing the subject, can we talk about the little girl? What you want me to do?” the expression on his face changed from a happy face to a worried one.

He explained to me that she was only 6 years old, she is physically fine and she was rescued from a kidnapping a few hours ago, they couldn't find her family and they couldn't ask her questions because she only speaks Portuguese. That's why they called me. It looks like his team has been looking into this possible unsub for months. Well, now I'm more relieved to be dressed like this, she deserves a good time in the middle of this chaos, I hope she likes princesses. Doctor Reid will walk me into the room so I can be the bridge between him and Mila.

I was the first to enter the room, there were some children's things on a table in the corner of the room. In the center of the room was a shaggy green rug and a table. Mila was drawing on the table, she had her back to me, focused on drawing and there is another blonde woman in the room with her, it must be another agent. She got up and wished him good luck. I looked at him and he nodded for me to start.

"Oi Mila, me falaram que tinha uma princesa por aqui” ¹ she looked at me and took to give me a hug. She got really excited saying several things at the same time, I sat with her on the floor and she played with my hair. That's when she realized that Dr. Reid was in the room and her face was etched with fear. “Mila, ele não vai te fazer mal, ele é muito legal! Sabe, o nome dele é Spencer e ele é meu principe. Ele é meu cavaleiro que me protege de coisas ruins e ele protege princesas como você também. Então ele não vai te fazer mal. Okay?” ²

She waved at me and I gave her a smile. I called Spencer over and he sat on the other side of the table. I translated for him what I said to her and it was like that for 40 minutes. Mila was no longer afraid of him, she gave as much information as possible about the man who took her and she also talked about her family. When she was scared, she squeezed my hand really tight and I told her that everything was going to be alright. Now, she going to draw two drawings for us. “Y/N, I will pass the information for Agent Garcia so she can start the search. You helped a lot. Thank you. Can you stay with her?" I nodded to him. “Mila, diz “Bye, Spencer”, ele precisa ir agora” ³.

“NÃO! Ele tem que dar um presente para você. Ele é seu principe, não é? Vocês tem que casar e viver felizes para sempre” ⁴ At that moment my heart beat faster. Holy shit, how was I going to translate this to him?! I can feel the presure. If I was avoiding embarrassing myself, now is the time. She was looking for something in the toy box, she walked to Spencer and gave him a plastic ring. She just pointed at the ring and then at me. We looked at each other not knowing what to do. I was in PANIC. “Spencer, I think she wants us to get married. You don’t have to. Sorry, I can explain to her that...”.

“Oh, don't worry, I can give you the ring. Give me your left hand" I held out my hand to him and when he touched me I feel a good feeling. His hand are so soft. Looking right into Mila's face who seemed very happy with our misfortune. "Right, we are married. I’m married to a queen. I have to go now but can we talk after this, my lady?" he said after kissing the ring on my hand. Damn, he obviously has a hold on me."Yes, we can, Prince Agent Reid". Then I give him a smirk and he left the room. I show Mila my hand, she was happy for the first time in days and I was thinking how lucky I would be if this fairytale were true.

1 Hi Mila, someone told me there was a princess around here.

2 Mila, he won't hurt you, he's really nice! You know, his name is Spencer and he's my prince. He is my knight who protects me from bad things and he protects princesses like you too. So he won't hurt you. OK?.

3 Mila, say “Bye Spencer”, he needs to go.

4 NO! He has to give you a gift. He's your prince, isn't he? You have to get married and live happily ever after.

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid #spencer reid one shot #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid x fem!readr #spencer reid x y/n #criminal minds #spencer reid fandom #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid you #dr spencer reid

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beautifulblooms · 7 months

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A little catching up - Prince Sidon x Male Reader SMUT

So lmao, I finally got around to writing some nsfw content, this is actually fairly old but I figured I’d dig through some of my old files and post some things, I’m not super proud of this (deadass forgot I had it too, but I hope y’all enjoy it)

Heads-up, this doesn’t exactly reflect my current writing style (didn’t wanna rewrite all 3.2k words of it) so it might read a little funky with the first person reader.

Btw there will be more coming soon too, I’ve got a few projects in the works with CoD stuff.

CIS Women and Female Aligned people, please DNI, this story and all of my others are for non-binary, masculine aligned and male readers!

It’s been a long fucking week, first, you had to leave the domain to accompany Link on one of his quests, which left you bruised and pissed off. Then on the way back a blood moon rose to the sky and revived all the lizalfos, the octorocks, bokoblins, moblins, and even a few stray guardians that had landed themselves on the path back up to the domain. Finally reaching the bridge that led straight into the kingdom you sighed, the sun had risen by then and all you wanted to do was lay on Sidon’s stomach while he floated above the deep waters of the East reservoir.

Each step after the other felt forced and almost not your own as your legs began their usual path from the bridge up to the reservoir dam where the bed you had been given resided. Hoping to find your lover sprawled out there waiting for you or swimming within the waters you were sorely disappointed when he appeared to not even be there. Nor had anything changed in the area since you left. The bed was perfectly made from when you last left it. None of the bottles or dishes on the sides had been moved or opened. Even a thin layer of dust had begun to form, strange given the room was open air. Giving into the fact that your royal lover wasn’t there, you lay on the bed after removing your shield, armor, and weapons from their places amongst your body. Pulling the covers over yourself and closing your eyes a deep, well-deserved slumber was yours at last.

As you slept, Sidon was up at Vah Ruta watching over the lands of Hyrule as its red beam was aimed at Calamity Ganon. He had been none the wiser that you returned, your paths hadn’t collided given you could only take the roads home while he could swim all the way to the divine beast if he wished. The sun was directly overhead, noon, when Sidon decided he should head back, missing the comfort of the pools and the joyous laughter of young Zora running about. Climbing down the mountain Sidon wondered if you were back from your trip with Link yet. He only said that you would be gone a week at most, so he counted down the seven days that you were set to be gone. That’s the reason he came all the way up to Ruta, to see if he would be able to find you along the path and walk back to the domain hand in hand.

Once he reached the banks, he began swimming up the rivers, small falls, and finally one of the larger ones leading straight up into the central area of the domain. Asking around if anyone had seen you, the guard stationed at the entrance said you came through and said hello before heading up to the dam. He could’ve settled with a mere nod and would be sent running, but the fact that they told him where you were made him spring faster than he had ever run before. There was no direct path with water to your room, so the bridge and staircase leading up was the only option. Racing up the stairs, nearly falling off around the bends, he makes it to the top and finishes his sprint as he makes it to the bed.

He almost couldn’t help but pick you up and start swinging you around in his arms, but he knew you needed rest and a lot of it. Trips like these with Link always took it out of you and he knew it. Very gently he picked you up in his arms, removing your outer layer of clothes to leave you in a pair of boxers, he headed towards the reservoir. Thank the Goddess you were a deep sleeper, he had no intentions of waking you as he was getting into the lake. Making his way into the water, he turned onto his back with you on his stomach, almost curled up on his abdomen he smiled. He always loved these moments, the world was calm for the two of you, nothing else mattered, it was just you two in a lake with nothing to bother you.

It was nearly dark when you woke up, gently lifting your head, the surroundings set in rather quickly. You were no longer in the bed you fell asleep in, instead, you laid on your lover's chest, in the middle of the reservoir, at dusk.

“Good morning my darling,” he said in a quiet but excited tone, he could only hold back so much joy that you were awake.

“Good morning, well, it’s evening isn’t it” you giggled lightly at the end of your statement, happy to be where you were.

“I’m happy you’re back” Sidon spoke calmly, bringing a hand up to cup your cheek.

“I’m happy to be back, and in the one place I favor most of all, with you” Pushing back into his palm you smiled, locking eyes with the prince.

“What shall we do now that you’re awake? We could keep floating out here, go lay in your bed, watch the night sky, explore the mountains, what do you wish to do?” Sidon rattled off the first things he could think of for you both to do now that you were revitalized after your long journey.

“I think I have a better plan my prince, let’s get back to land first” There was a glint in your eyes as you said it, he couldn’t figure out what you meant by it but agreed nonetheless and started using his feet to kick you both back to the dam.

Standing on solid ground you stretch your limbs out, a few creaks here, a crack there, and a happy sigh leaves your lips. Coming up behind you Sidon wraps his arms around your shoulders, bringing you closer to him.

“So what did you have in mind my dear?” He whispered, the moment was peaceful and he dared not break it.

“How about we spend some quality time together, on my bed, for a few hours, and possibly have some fun while we’re at it?” There was that glint in your eyes, once again he couldn’t quite figure it out, but with the way your tone relayed its sultry message, he came to understand very quickly.

“I think that’s a lovely idea, but I do have a question,” you hummed, urging him to continue, “who’s going to be on top?”

“I’ve been gone far too long, and I want to please you my prince, allow me to do so.” Turning around to face him you started running a hand up his chest, leaving it near his pecs as he thought over his response.

“Then be my guest” Sidon replied huskily as he unwrapped his arms from you and headed towards your bed. Once in your small room, the boxers you had left yourself in were thrown to the side, next to everything you stripped off before your slumber. Sidon laid himself back on the bed, it was just big enough to where he could stretch his legs out and they had a couple inches before the end of the mattress. Spreading his legs apart with a hand on either of his knees, you scoot between them.

“How rough do you want me to be?” A normal question you would ask before sex, always wanting to make sure you weren’t too rough on the Zora.

“As rough as you please,” the look he gave you said more than his words did, needing no further response you continued to move closer to his crotch. Beginning to push onto his sheath, two tips began to poke their way through. A groan leaves Sidon’s mouth as you continue to prod at his sheath, he’s not all too used to having someone else do it for him. Finally able to see half of his cocks, you begin to lightly tug on them as well, encouraging them to fully come out. With a little more pressure and jerking of the lengths, they are fully erect and out of their sheath. Sidon locked eyes as you began to kiss the tip of each cock, a small whimper escapes him when the kisses become sloppier and precum starts to leak from his slits. Now you have deep-throated one of his lengths before, and while you’ve tried both, it’s never been possible for you. That was going to change today. Taking one into your mouth, you start the usual routine.

Sucking on one while your hand slowly pumps the other, after about a minute or two, you switch dicks, using your saliva as a lube of sorts to make it easier to jack him off.

“Oh my Goddess, (y/n) please keep going, you feel so good.” All Sidon could do was beg you to keep going and moan out with how good you made him feel. Pulling off his cock, you began to jerk both lightly, then you pushed both tips to your lips. Sidon let out a gasp as you took the first few inches of both cocks into your mouth. “Please don’t hurt yourself dEAR-“ his words were cut off with a moan as you shoved another few inches into your mouth. His lengths were equal in size, but they were not small in any capacity, both were long and thick, so 5-6 inches deep into both you could feel the tears beginning to streak down your face.

Once you got comfortable with that bit in your mouth you started bobbing your head, pushing a little bit further each time you went down. Eventually, you managed to get both cocks to the back of your throat, feeling the tips smack into your throat was a shock, a painfully pleasant one. Sidon put a hand on your head as he tried to steady himself with how much pleasure he was receiving from you. Moans and grunts were all he could produce at this point, too overwhelmed to form words let alone a sentence. Slowly speeding up once you felt his hand grip

your (h/l) (h/c) locks, the moans he let out became louder and higher pitched, he was coming close to his peak, and that only spurred you on further.

Thankful for the distance you had from the domain now more than ever as his volume somehow only increased. His hand never actually pushed you down further or faster than you went, he knew you were providing more than enough pleasure for him that he dared not intervene. A few more bobs of your head and he came, shooting stream after stream of thick cum down your throat. A lovely thing about Zora, their sperm glows in the dark, a beautiful thing to see especially when it’s nighttime. As you pulled off his cocks, a small bit of his cum dribbled out of the corner of your mouth. Swallowing whatever was in your mouth still, you made eye contact, heaving right after and moving forward to kiss Sidon.

“Every time I taste you, you only get better my prince.” Your words made him moan into the kiss, only able to speak between the searing lip lock you were caught in. As you moved a hand to his face, the other was busy at his ass, finding his hole rather quickly before using some of his own cum as lube. Pushing a finger in he moaned into the kiss once more, before you pulled away to scoot back on the bed. Making yourself level with his hole you began to stick your tongue inside of it, licking and opening him gently with the wet muscle before coming back in with a finger and then two. Scissoring those gently before getting rougher and rougher in your motions, a third finger is added as the process repeats once more.

“How do you feel Sidon, how do I make you feel?” Asking for his praise he moans and manages to get a few words out.

“Amazing! No one else could ever make me feel the way you make me feel!” Finally getting what you want, you remove your fingers, pleased with how stretched he is. Using some of your own spit left on your hand, you lube up your cock before aligning it with his hole. Slowly pushing the tip in he grabs at the sheets, trying to go slowly even with the urge to shove your whole length into him. Inch by inch you work your dick into his tight hole, reaching your pelvis you stop and let him rest with your dick fully inside. Sidon taps your thigh giving you a “go ahead” before you start moving slowly. Pulling out to the tip you push back in slowly, once you set this slow steady pace Sidon takes a couple of minutes to get used to it before begging you to speed up.

“Please (y/n), go faster please, we both know I can take it.” His words just urge you to pull out and slam back in. A shrill moan is ripped from his lips as you start a brutal pace into him. He was right about one thing, he could take whatever you gave him. Continuing the pace you grab his thighs, attempting to just push them up so his legs are bent. You continue with his legs like that for a good while before you decide you want to be deeper into your lover. Grabbing the back of his thighs you push them to lay on his chest, the new angle allows you to shove yourself all the way into his hole.

“BY THE GODDESS YES!” Sidon screams at the top of his lungs, his prostate well abused by now as your tip continues to jackhammer away at it. At some point, he grabs his legs by himself and holds them to his chest to allow you to use your arms for whatever you please. A hand went to his throat while the other went to his cocks, lightly squeezing his throat and jacking him off at the same time. It took very little time with all this stimulation to cum for the second time that night, the luminescent liquid splattering his chest, yours as well, your hands, and some even made it to his face.

“Look at you all covered in your own cum, how beautiful it is to see you glowing from it.” A chuckle followed your statement as you continued your brutal pace into his asshole. Letting go of his cocks to let them rest after orgasm, your other hand went to support you by holding onto his thigh. It only took another dozen thrusts or so before you were pouring your cum into his ass, filling him up with more than just your dick. Pulling out you let yourself catch your breath as Sidon stared up at you, blissed out and the happiest he’s ever been. “How about one more hm?” He perked up at your words, confused by what you meant. Then it all clicked when he saw you pulling his thighs down and straddling his waist.

“Wait (y/n) I just came and so did you, shouldn’t we wait a minute?” He hurriedly spoke, trying to figure out your rush in movement.

“But the best pleasure comes from that.” The words you spoke were full of lust, and nothing but it as you started to slowly grab and jerk off his cocks. Rising up above them, you aligned both with your own hole, slowly pushing down. Now you were not stretched nearly as much as he was for your cock, so the process of sinking down took much longer. Managing to get both tips in, you sit there for a moment, letting you both adjust to the feeling, then half an inch further, a rest, half an inch, rest, an inch, rest. This continued until you were sitting on both cocks, both deep inside your ass, brushing your prostate just by sitting there. Slowly you pulled your hips up, pulling out until his cocks were halfway out of you, then falling back down onto them. Doing this again and again you tried to set a pace for yourself on his massive lengths.

Finally getting a steady pace you pull out until nothing but his tips are inside you, then slam back down. You both moan louder than ever and then you do it again, lift up, slam down. Continuing over and over again, until you are simply fucking yourself dumb on his cocks. You knew his orgasm was approaching quickly when he started to grasp at your thighs and thrust up slightly when you came down. With his help thrusting up, you started to feel that oh-so-familiar knot bundling up in your stomach. Keeping up the pace you set, it took not more than 10 minutes before you both came in sync. Your cum shot onto his chest and face while he shot into your ass, filling you so much that it began to leak out around his cocks.

You sat there for a good while, not wanting to move from the rather comfortable position. After roughly 15 minutes you slowly pulled his softened cocks out of you, cum dripped out of your stretched hole and he was covered in it. Moving to lay beside him, you collapsed once you weren’t directly over him, shimmying closer to his larger frame for warmth.

“Was that enough pleasure for you my prince?” You ask quietly, not able to raise your voice with how sore your throat is.

“That was more than pleasure my dear, that was ecstacy and nirvana.” He gazed down at you as he spoke each word was quieter than the last. Sleep was slowly becoming a need for both of you, but not wishing to sleep covered in layers of cum you stood up and walked to the lake.

“Are you going to come wash yourself or are you going to lay there covered in cum?” Turning around to face Sidon, he moved his head up to look at you, not even thinking twice before standing up very slowly and carefully, having orgasmed three times he was shaky. Grabbing your hand, you both stepped into the lake and started to wash yourselves. Moving closer to the Zora you started helping him wash off some of the sweat and semen from his chest and face. Once you were both clean, you’d stepped out of the lake and walked back to the bed. Sidon’s cocks had gone back into their sheath by now, but you just grabbed your boxers you haphazardly discarded earlier and slipped them on.

Sidon removed the cum and sweat-covered sheets on the bed before grabbing a fresh set for you both to sleep on. Laying down he opened his arms, awaiting you to climb into bed with him to sleep. Falling into his arms, you snuggled ever closer to his chest before closing your eyes.

“Goodnight my prince, I love you.”

“I love you as well my dear, sleep well.”

#male reader #male reader fanfic #x male reader #mlm account #nblm account #prince sidon x male!reader #prince sidon x reader #prince sidon #sidon botw #botw fanfiction #loz botw #botw #prince Sidon botw #smut #botw smut

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wackus-bonkus-maximus · 1 year

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Hi It is me back at it again with sentitwin telepathy au propaganda. Heres felixs live reactions to adrien and marinette not being able to kiss each other for a painful amount of days

i think you will be pleased to know this propaganda worked, my dearest moonie. upon seeing this art i immediately went into a frenzy and realized i needed to combine my ♊twin telepathy au♊ with the 🤴🏻princess and the pauper au💂🏻‍♂️ to maximize the senti-twins' suffering.

here's a bit of an excerpt from what i wrote 👀

What color was Henry IV’s white horse? Félix stared at the page before him, even more baffled by the abundance of lines beneath the exam question. Glancing around, he found no sign of confusion from the other students filling the auditorium. While some were sneaking glances at the professor stationed down by the podium, or checking the time on their phones, most were bent over the exam booklets, scribbling away as though every question on the test made perfect sense. It was a trick. It had to be. Maybe Félix hadn’t done all the readings for this English History class, but he was certain this particular question hadn’t been on the study guide. Gray, came Adrien’s voice through the bond. Félix started at the sudden interruption, dropping his pen to the floor with a loud clatter. Several of his classmates turned to look at the offending noise; the professor was already glaring his way as he bent to retrieve it. Would you stop that? Félix shot back, hunching in his seat and dropping his head so low to the paper, he could no longer see anyone else. I’m in class. Henry IV’s horse was gray, not white. Félix pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to look like he was concentrating rather than being pestered by his twin. Are you some kind of historical horse expert now? Most horses that look white are actually gray, Adrien explained with more gusto than Félix’s history professor had ever demonstrated. Their dark coat loses pigmentation over time. There are some pure white horses, but they’re a result of cross-breeding techniques that didn’t exist during the time of Henry IV. Félix put his pen to the page, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Is that what they teach you in prince school? he asked, writing out Adrien’s answer word for word. That fancy royal education better not disappoint, Your Highness. I’m surprised you didn’t already know the answer, Felix. Adrien’s thoughts turned smug, a hint of glee slashing across the brooch on Félix’s chest. Since you always paid so much attention whenever I had lessons with Kagami. Félix ducked his head again, face hot as he moved to the next question. Sod off.

basically what's happened is, felix and adrien were separated at birth. adrien went to go be the prince of france while felix was raised as a filthy peasant british boy. they find out they're senti-twins when felix steals the peacock miraculous 👀

it's also love square prpr so all those adrinette almost-kisses would definitely happen, and felix will DEFINITELY be making those faces as he judges his loser twin (even though felix himself is just as big a loser ❤️)

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padfootdaredmetoo · 9 months

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Hii I can’t remember if I sent this in or not🤔🤔

Can I please (if it’s okay) request a Platonic!Tangerine + Lemon x fem!reader where Y/n is around 5/6 years old. After Tan & Lem save The Son, they happen to have to stop for gas before driving to the train station (lol I can see how much they would argue about that lol like, 🍊-“How exactly could you steal a car that doesn’t have gas??” 🍋-“How exactly was I supposed to know that??”🤣). Y/n sneaks into their car while their arguing about getting gas, steals both their wallets, and starts to run off but they notice her and are easily able to catch up to her and bring her back (although she kicks them in the shins and swats at them lol). They see their younger selves in this tiny, mischievous little girl and once again bicker on what to do (whether or not to bring her with them since she has nowhere to go), lol and Y/n is like, “Are you two almost done? I’ve got LOTS of places to be” and they look at each other, then her like “….🙄”. Anywayyyys, she goes with them on the Bullet Train (as they didn’t think it would be as eventful as it became), and she’s sitting in her seat, holding a momomon plushie (that Tangerine definitely nicked for her lol), sipping a juice box, and watching Thomas the Tank Engine on Lemon’s phone with headphones the whole time it goes down. Butttt she accidentally saves Tan when she goes looking for him and Lemon (she misses them) and finds Tan right as he’s confronting The Prince about being a Diesel. She yells his name and runs up, jumping into his arms happily, also happily jumping into Lemon’s arms when they realize that he was just asleep 🥺🥺 Tan, Lem, and their now new little sister escape the train and go home to London together where they raise her🥺🧡💛

Hey Love,

It's embarrassing how long ago this was sent in. Thanks for being a great friend <3 Hope you enjoy!

“Did you actually steal a car with no fucking gas in it?” Tangerine was pinching the bridge of his nose hating how his blood pressure was already through the roof and the stupid job wasn't even half over yet.

“Well, it's hard to know which cars have gas or not,” Lemon answered easily as he pulled over at an empty gas station. He wanted to shout but settled for slamming the dashboard with his hand instead.

He got out of the car to light a cigarette, he doubted the owner would get his car back, but still, he had manners. Lemon put gas in the car and Tan turned around to look at him, when in the corner of his eye he caught something move by his leg.

“OI!” He shouted and instinctively reached into his pants pocket to feel an empty place where his wallet should be. “FUCK.”

All the job details were scribbled on a napkin in his wallet, he took off into a run and caught the little kid. The first thing he noticed was how light they were. He felt triumphant as he caught the little bastard.

The knotted mats in the boy's hair and the dirt on his face made his heart sink.

He grew up with boys like this. He would thank God every day that his own mother held on as long as she did. He and Lemon still got put on a dark path, they had difficult childhoods, but nothing in comparison to what this boy must have gone through.

In his moment of reflection, he realized the boy was kicking him.

“Oi! Settle down.” He said unsure of what to do. He didnt know Japan well, not well enough to know a place to drop the kid where they would be safe.

“Fuck you.” a little English accent hit his ears and his heart gave a twinge. “Bit far from home, eh?” He said watching the kid still struggling in his grasp.

“Says you.” The kid bit back.

“What the fuck is this?’ Lemon had come over and took the wallet from the kid's fist. The kid tried to lunge at him, jaw snapping like a dog. He looked around thankful to see that no one seemed to notice or care.

“Piss off!” The boy yelled in a high voice.

“Well, can't just let you go can we?” Lemon said in a serious voice. Tan assumed he was trying to scare the boy into better behavior. He flashed the gun on his hip and the boy stopped moving immediately.

“Bit harsh” He mouthed silently.

“I can stay with you then?” The kid's voice was soft and he suddenly realized that he was dealing with a little girl.

Tan and Lemon looked at each other.

“Fuck.” Tan swore and hauled the little troublemaker back to the car. He would think of a plan on the way to the train. Maybe someone at the station would be able to help her find the authorities. Maybe she had parents desperately looking for her.

Looking over her bruised skin and dirty clothes he strongly doubted it. She had been on the streets for a long time, which was strange considering she hadn't even been alive that long.

He buckled her into the back seat and realized he was stuffing a small child next to a mob boss's incapacitated adult kid.

He gave her a stern look. “No funny business.” She gave him a nod. She was going with them too easily. How many other men had picked her up in the past?

He got into the passenger seat and Lemon pulled out of the gas station.

“Is he dead?” The girl asks looking over at the crumpled man.

“No, no, that’s our - um -” Lemon started.

“Friend! He’s just really sleepy” Tan continued.

“Jetlag, it’s a real killer.”

“Oh.” She said easily. “Where are we going?”

“On a train!” Lemon responded enthusiastically. Tan could have punched him in the face. Obviously, they weren't taking the girl on the mission with them. He reached into his pocket for a cigarette, to hell with the car owner, to hell with everything - except he wouldn't smoke in the car with a kid. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

“Lemon, we can't take her with us.” he hissed hoping she wouldn't pay attention.

“Can’t leave her with the police.” He hissed back.

“No! I don’t want to go with them.” She looked scared for the first time. Tan’s stomach gave a painful lurch and he sighed in defeat.

“See, she doesn't want to go with them,” Lemon said sternly. “She can stay with us until it’s over, then we can bring her back to England and try to find her family.”

“I don’t want to go with them either!” Her voice got even higher a sense of panic evident in her features.

“Well, then we can put you in boarding school or something?”

“Like Hogwarts?” She said suspiciously.

“Sure.” Lemon nodded. Tan gave him a light shove, he shouldn't be getting the girl's hopes up.

“Wot?!” Lemon said in a sharp tone. “She’s not going to get into a decent university unless she goes to a good school.”

“Ah yes, her university choices are what’s important right now,” Tan said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Never too soon to start thinking about your options. That was our mistake.” Lemon looked at the girl in the mirror. “What are you thinking? Doctor, neurosurgen, artist- “

“I was thinking about law actually.” She said in a mater of fact voice.

“That’s even better, street criminal turned lawyer. Excellent origin story.” Lemon gave a nod of approval.

Tan was thinking about how bad it would be if he opened the car door and jumped. The thought of being scattered across the highway was attractive, but he would never leave his brother. He sighed and prayed that the night would go by smoothly.

______________________________________

After a quick stop for clothes and toiletries, they took over a disabled toilet and tried to clean the girl up. Thankfully she was at an age where she could manage almost everything alone leaving them to face the door. The son sitting on the toilet hunched against the tile wall.

She could manage everything except her long brown hair. Lemon sat her on the edge of the sink, putting her feet in the basin. He combed out what Knotts he could and he watched the girl try to sit very still. He picked a purple jumper that would cover the bruises on her arms. She and Lemon picked out a pair of bejeweled jeans and some light-up sneakers. They got her the essentials and stuffed them all into a light purple backpack that had daisies embroidered into it.

It’s stupid but it made him happy to do it. She got to pick whatever she wanted, no strings attached. Something he didnt have, that he could give to someone else. His heart felt a bit bigger, and he wondered if maybe he wanted kids someday.

“I can’t get the bigger ones out without detangler so I’ll have to do a braid for now.”

“Will you have to cut it?” Her eyes got wide.

“Nah, this is salvageable,” Lemon assured her and Tan wondered why he knew so much about hair. “We can get some proper stuff tomorrow.”

“Thanks for all this.” She said looking at her knees, face red. Lemon lifted her out of the sink and set her down on her feet.

“Don’t mention it.” Tan patted her head. “Now, I know you're probably thinking about bolting or just trouble-causing in general.”

She opened her mouth to protest and he held out a hand to silence her. “This is a work trip for us, any funny business and all three of us will be in big danger. Please do as I say on the train.” He started down at her trying to make sure she understood.

“Okay.” She nodded. He and Lemon gave each other a nod before getting out of the toilets.

______________________________________

Tan got the girl settled in the seat next to him handing her a stupid-looking plushy he snatched on the way in. Lemon took out his phone and handed it to her with a pair of headphones. Thomas the tank engine was on and she shrugged putting the earphones in.

Then everything went to shit. Thankfully every time he came back to the compartment she was sitting with the headphones in tucked into her seat.

_______________________________________

You didnt really understand what the men were doing. Or why they were named after fruits. You couldn't even truly understand why you were trusting them. You originally just wanted to make it back to London, not to find the family that abandoned you in Japan, just to be back where you came from.

Distant thoughts of a great aunt swam in your mind. Maybe she would take you in? You could live in the countryside with her. The thoughts slipped away as you looked back at the phone screen. Another episode of Thomas started and you sighed. This was a baby show and you wanted to watch something more grown up. You tried to use the phone but couldn't find any other movies or shows.

You looked at the time and realized that they had been gone for a long time. Your stomach dropped. What if they got off the train? Your heart started to race as you realized how much you wanted to stay with them.

You got out of the seat and moved through the train. It was completely empty so you ran faster. Your eyes started to fill up with tears and you thought it was stupid to get this upset. They wouldn't be the first people to let you down and they probably weren't the last either.

Men can't be trusted

The thought brought up a thousand painful memories and you tried to run away from them. Searching everywhere you made it into the last compartment. Tan was there, your eyes locked on to him and everything else became unimportant.

“TANGERINE.” You shouted then ran at him. He knelt down to catch you. You put your arms around his neck tightly, determined not to let go of him again.

“It’s alright. Everything is going to be alright.” He patted your back and you relaxed in his arms. As long as he didnt put you down you felt okay about everything.

__________________________________________________

Just as she burst into the carriage, the other girl turned to see who was barging in, a diesel sticker stuck to the back of her shoulder. The small girl jumped up into his arms and held on to him tightly. She hid her face in his neck and his protective senses went into overdrive.

Diesel was here and he had a fucking 5 year old in his arms. He just had to play it cool.

“It’s alright. Everything is going to be alright.” He murmured to the girl trying to soothe her and reassure himself.

There was a loud explosion of gunfire and Tan immediately tried to shield the little girl in his arms. So much for soothing. The Prince crumpled to the ground as her brain matter scattered the train car. Lemon lowered his gun and he was overwhelmed with emotion.

The kid was fine, Lemon was fine. He would make it through this. Lemon came over and put an arm around him and the girl. She reached a hand out to grab onto the collar of his shirt.

“That’s a sick fucking family reunion.” Ladybug came into the compartment looking agitated. He proceeded to throw up and then round on Lemon about shooting innocent girls. Eventually they all got on the same page and let the rest of the events take place.

___________________________________________

All in all, by the end of the night, he had adopted a kid, survived a train crash, almost lost his brother, and another hundred traumatic things. The girl had curled up in his lap and he held on to her while she slept. They had hijacked a tangerine truck and were trying to put as much distance between them and the crash as possible.

“I was serious about boarding school,” Lemon said while trying to steer and peel a tangerine at the same time.

“No,” Tan said firmly taking the fruit from him to peel it himself. There were a million reasons not to send her to boarding school. He hated snotty children and he knew they would make it their mission in life to make her miserable. She had no stability in her life, sending her to be raised like cattle in a school was just depressing. Not to mention what if the staff were awful to her? All sorts of terrible things could happen there.

“Look we can’t just leave her here.” Lemon said finally sounding genuinely upset.

“Doesnt mean we can’t get our self a spot somewhere nice and send her to school the normal way.” He shoved a slice of Tangerine in to Lemon’s hand.

“Finally get to go house shopping,” Lemon said excitedly and Tan started to envision what the rest of his life was going to look like. It was void of murder, women, drugs, and chaos. He would probably have to quit smoking too. He frowned, he didnt really have any idea about girls or how to raise them. Most of the girls from his neighborhood either got into drugs, prostitution, or married mobsters.

He looked down at the little kid in his lap. Her face was red and she was drooling on what was left of his suit. He would just do his best.

___________________________________________

Lemon picking a house and letting her help decorate it because it’s also her house too.

Them realizing that kids at her level at school can already read and do some maths. Them panicking and teaching her to read in a month so she’s ready when school starts in September. Her getting there and being ahead of the other kids because they messed up thinking she was a level ahead of her age. She gets to feel super smart for once and then becomes very bookish.

Tan and Lemon reading parenting books and quizzing eacohter on what to do in various situations and how to be strict. But when she asks for something with puppy dog eyes they cave anyway.

They always watch TV with her in case they don't like what’s happening on the show. Always trying to make sure she doesn't watch anything violent in case she gets triggered by what happened on the train or her life before.

Both of them sitting there trying not to smoke or die while listening to her struggle to read Harry Potter. After a few pages, Lemon goes “That was great almost done chapter one.” “That was only one chapter?” Tan says and Lemon gives him a look. “How long is this book anyway?” “The first one is the shortest.” “There's more than one?!”

“Duh, there’s 7” She says happy that there is so much material meaning there will be lots of reading time as a family.

Her actually becoming a Lawyer and putting criminals away rather than carrying on the family business of killing them.

#Bullet Train #Tangerine #Lemon #Lemon & Tangerine #Bullet Train fic #Bullet Train one shot #Bullet Train Request #Lemon X Reader #Tangerine X Reader #bullet train 2022

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sgiandubh · 6 months

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National personification

The UK has Britannia. France has Marianne. The US have Uncle Sam. National personifications, summing up supposed collective qualities and passing on a message, both to citizens and foreigners alike. Instantly recognizable by just about anyone. To be found everywhere, from city halls (busts, frescoes, tapestries) to subway walls (Army conscription posters - of course it rings a bell!).

Romania has this:

This is Revolutionary Romania, as seen by C.D. Rosenthal, an Austrian painter who found both friendship and an avid clientele among the Romanian young rebels who tried and failed to overthrow the corrupted Ottoman rule, in 1848. Following them in exile and probably also spying on their behalf, Rosenthal was finally arrested in Budapest and tortured to death by the Imperial authorities: a normal occurrence in troubled times. His memory went on and on and on, because the same friends were soon to come back home and become ministers, bankers, newspaper owners: a modern democracy slowly emerged.

This is his most famous portrait and it quickly became our Britannia of sorts. Ceaușescu had it placed in his office, for inspiration - it did not help much, though.

The woman painted by Rosenthal holds the red, yellow and blue flag and is dressed in a Southern peasant costume, as it was worn at the time. She gazes with strength, determination and confidence towards a future that spells free press, parliamentary elections, industrialization and capitalist speculation. In real life, she is Maria Rosetti, a personal friend and sponsor of his. The wife of C.A. Rosetti, an authentic Prince of Genoese and Greek stock, one of the leaders of both the rebellion and the future Liberal Party. Also a many times removed relative of this blogger - but let's not insist. 😉

There is a catch, however, in all this fine and dandy story. Our national personification, the woman I just mentioned, is Scottish. Her life begins in Guernsey in 1819, as Marie Grant, the daughter of Captain Edward Grant, a ship-owner businessman and member of the Clan Grant of Carron and Spey and Marie La Lacheur, a French Huguenot woman.

These people, who fought as Jacobites at Prestonpans and Culloden and whose motto was 'Stand Fast':

Marie came to Wallachia, or what is now the Southern part of Romania, around 1837, following her younger brother, Effingham Grant, who just managed to find a lucrative job as the private secretary of another Scot (Glaswegian, even), Robert Gilmour Colquhoun, the newly appointed British Consul-General. At the time, these were long term postings, not unlike a long sojourn on a space station of sorts: Colquhoun remained in Bucharest from 1835 to 1854, when he eventually was posted to Bosnia.

Because she needed to support herself, Marie found a well paid live-in job as a governess for the family of Ion Odobescu, a high ranking Police honcho (also a far removed relative, this time on my maternal grandmother's side - the world is really, really small). The rest was easy enough: having met Rosetti through her brother, they fell in love, eloped to Plymouth and got married there, for what was to become a life long equal political and business partnership. Because they owned several newspapers, she is our first female journalist. A truly remarkable woman, a philanthropist and an indispensable voice advocating for the dispossessed. Effingham went on to establish the biggest foundry in the country, along with a real estate company, a tobacco manufacture, an orchid greenhouse and a bread factory - all prospered beyond any expectations. A heavy traffic steel bridge in Bucharest still bears his name. Enduring legacies.

For those brave enough or bored enough to look for more, here is the best detailed account on her I could find, based on Guernsey sources (but not only): https://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/node/386 .

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ratsoh-writes · 3 months

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Meet the Royals!!

Asgore: He's a stern intelligent and loyal ruler when on the job, and a soft gentle giant when off. Asgore reigns as the main king of ebott and his main job is to keep the other royals in line, approve new princes and government officials, and acts as the tie breaker for any laws being passed or taken down. He since had gotten back with his soulmate toriel after the crash, and they recently had a child, Lior.

things he loves: goldenflower tea, gardening shows, tea packets, the color gold, golf, tropical shirts

Toriel: she is a warm witty and caring monster. currently toriel runs the orphanage in ebott city although she does join the royals when important issues pop up. When working with the other royals, she has very little patience and is quite strict, but is gentle with the children. She has since gotten back with her soulmate asgore and they had a child, lior.

things she loves: the color purple, snail pie, children, puns, fancy soaps and conditioners

Winter: underswap Toriel, she is second in line behind asgore on the line of royals, and she normally handles building safety regulations. Winter is cold and a lady of few words when you first meet her, but in reality, she's terribly shy. With people she trusts and likes, she's warm, affectionate and chatty. She is separated from her ex husband plum, but they still have a friendly relationship.

things she loves: the color sky blue, swans and geese, echo flower tea, feather quills, steamy vampire romance novels

Plum: underswap asgore, he works under winter in building regulations and helps put together funds for new roads and bridges. Plum is a flighty and easily distracted monster, but he does do a good job on his work as long as he's reminded lol. he is separated from his ex wife winter, but they still have a friendly relationship.

things he loves: the color lilac, plums of course, pickleball, marathon running, novelty candies

King: underfell asgore, he is third in line in the lineup of royals after winter. King is head of the royal guard and delegates where the troops are stationed (when something calls for large numbers of guards) as well as deciding the requirements to join the guard. King is an intimidating figure, but once you get to know him, he's actually pretty silly and playful. he loves to tease. He's very happy to be separated from summer.

Things he loves: the color scarlet, antique rings, weightlifting, cats, dueling

Summer: underfell toriel, she oversees the standards of ebotts education system at the elementary level. Spring is a very stern and dry monster who takes the rules of polite company very seriously. she is closest with toriel and miss. she's VERY happy to be separated from king.

things she loves: the color orange, sudoku, silk gloves, polite children, fancy notebooks

Spring: swapfell toriel, she is the second main diplomat behind empress and plays the "good cop" when they work together. Spring is a total snake and does a wonderful job playing a bubbly airhead to make others underestimate her. she is energetic, but is in no way unintelligent. she's extremely loyal to her best friend empress. she is happily separated from tatters.

things she loves: the color purple, cherry blossoms, conspiracy theories, velvet dresses

Tatters: swapfell Asgore, he mainly works with funding of the police in ebott. Tatters is a very blunt and straightforward monster who can’t lie if his life depended on it. He’s easily irritated, but loyal to those he likes. He misses spring sometimes but recognizes they weren’t good for each other.

Things he loves: the color orange, apple flavored drinks, tapestry jackets, smoking pot, playing dominoes

Miss: horrortale toriel. While she is still considered a royal, she’s not actively on the board unless it’s an emergency. Miss lives at and helps out at toriels orphanage. She is a tired and quiet but gentle and caring monster. On her good days she’s quite witty.

Things she loves: the color purple, snail pie, children, crochet, puns

Empress: fellswap gold toriel, she is the main diplomat of ebott, and does good at playing the “bad cop” when she works with spring. Empress is extremely skilled at what she does. Empress is a cold, petty and sometimes cruel monster, but is also loyal, believes in rewards as incentive and pays her subjects well. She respects those who she considers deserving of it. She is currently soulbonded to her human husband but prefers his identity stay secret for privacy’s sake. She hates ivory.

Things she loves: blacksmithing, the color gold, small children, fancy swords and armor, strawberry shortcake

Ivory: fellswap gold Asgore, he is the record-keeper of the royals and is in charge ip updating ebotts current history in the books. Ivory is a nervous wreck of a monster and HATES crowds. So he’s known as the hardest royal to meet. Frankly many don’t believe he’s a fell monster as he seems much too soft for it. He hates empress

Things he loves: the color white, history books, pine scented candles, thunderstorms, plum pudding

Medusa: fellswap red toriel, she works with the navy of ebott in ship and weapons regulations. Medusa is a tired yet playful monster. She had an extremely difficult time in her old au due to noble monsters constantly starting rebellions and is happy for a bit of peace in ebott. She is still soulmates with snapper.

Things she loves: snapper, the color pink, her 12 pet snakes, watching the crocodile man on tv, swimming

Snapper: fellswap red Asgore, he determines what maximum jail time and fines are appropriate for different crimes. Snapper is a total busybody, always needing something to do or else he goes stir crazy. The only one he can relax around is his darling Medusa who he’s soulbonded to.

Things he loves: Medusa, the color pink, his 4 pet piranhas, swimming, watching duck dynasty

Eros: underlust Asgore, he is the representative of the farm monsters and handles farming and pesticide regulations. Eros is a kind, sweet and a tad shy ruler. He actually never took the lust serum, and when the board of rulers was formed, gave his title of the lust representative to his best friend charity.

Things he loves: the color powder blue, scenic paintings, pottery, livestock animals, potatoes

Charity: the main representatives of the lust monsters and in charge of ebotts welfare system. Charity is a generous and caring monster, and was Eros’ best friend and advisor before the crash. She loves her job and people.

Things she loves: the color white, fire pits, s’mores, ribbon dancing, pink lemonade

Satin: lustswap toriel, she determines the age ratings of ebotts entertainment and works closely with the mettas keeping them in line. Satin is a total party girl, very extroverted and full of energy. She’s been voted the most popular royal three years in a row once. She is in an open marriage with velvet

Things she loves: the color lime green, pole and arial dancing, gymnastics, theatre, musicals

Velvet: lustswap Asgore, he handles the requirements for reviving citizenship in ebott. Velvet is a very relaxed go with the flow kind of guy. He tends to overshare in conversations but his friendly demeanor keeps people listening lol. He’s in an open marriage with satin.

Things he loves: the color flamingo pink, ethnic foods, mariachi music, musicals, pole dancing

Vamp: he decides what foreign companies are allowed to do business in ebott. Vamp is a beast in the streets when it comes to business deals, and a beast in the sheets when it comes to dutchess and their five other mates they share together. He and dutchess are the only royals to have a living asriel from before the crash, along with two other children.

Things he loves: his soulmates, his sons, the color black, silk bedsheets, fancy three piece suits

Duchess: lustfell toriel, she barters with zeus over the royals budget and what projects they’ll fund. All the planners have to get the ok from her first before continuing. Duchess is very stubborn when it comes to the royal budget, but is quite the spoiler when it comes to her family lol. She adores her five mates and vamp as well as their three children.

Things she loves: her soulmates, her sons, the color silver, pearls, fancy tea parties

Zeus: outertale Asgore, he is the treasurer of the royals and is amazing with numbers. Zeus is playful, a total flirt and has very refined tastes in what he likes to chase after ;). Unlike the other royals, he and Hestia were born brother and sister so obviously no romantic relationship.

Things he loves: the color emerald, pretty humans and monsters, grape soda, leather jackets, motorcycles

Hestia: outertale toriel, she handles the taxes of ebott. Hestia is a calm and peaceful monster. It’s quite amazing how she keeps her cool despite the chaos of the other royals. Very dignified. Unlike the other royals, she and zeus were born sister and brother so obviously no romantic relationship.

Things she loves: the color grey, vintage lace, fancy cars, sunglasses, photography

Venice: dancetale Asgore, he oversees funding the arts in ebott, mainly centers of entertainment like stages. Venice is a refined and gentlemanly fellow. He’s known for being pretty easy to work with and is a big help keeping the peace with the other royals. He and swan are separated but consider each other best friends.

Things he loves: the color yellow, dancing of course, velvet chairs, his cane, binoculars

Swan: she heads the arts department of education for ebott’s colleges. Swan is a regal elegant lady with an open mind and love for all forms of art. She can be picky, but is reasonable most of the time. She and Venice are separated but consider each other best friends.

Things she loves: the color silver, ballet, the opera, dancing obviously, patterned ribbons

Scope: gastertale Asgore, he heads ebotts medical research. Scope has only one love in his life, and that is science! Thankfully he takes his job as ruler seriously, but if the world was perfect, he’d be trapped in a lab the rest of his days. To fulfill the requirement of a second ruler for his people, he appointed his most intelligent apprentice, silk, as his second.

Things he loves: SCIENCE, oh and the color blue sometimes

Silk: gastertale toriel, she created the undernet that ebott uses today, and is both second in command of ebotts medical research and scopes “handler”. She takes great care to make sure her friend and “boss” doesn’t die of starvation when he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. Silk is a no nonsense kind of monster with a rather dry sense of humor. She’s lovely to be around if you follow the rules

Things she loves: the color black, the undernet, scope and his team of scientists, the researchers of genetic disorders, water bears

Founder: nomadtale Asgore, he oversees ebotts national forest and the dam inside of it. Founder is a calm and gentle monster, he’s just happy to be here in a safe place where his people can prosper. He doesn’t understand smart phones. Founder is happily soulbonded to fey.

Things he loves: fey, the color cream, pine trees, the birds of the forest, swimming

Fey: nomadtale toriel, she oversees the forest with founder and regulates how much logging is allowed in it. Fey is stern but caring, and will put her foot down when founder is too easiky swayed. She understands smart phones but doesn’t like them. She is happily soulbonded to founder.

Things she loves: founder, the color pine green, wild forage, fishing, identifying clouds

Poseidon: seafell Asgore, he’s in charge of the navy, where they patrol and what they do with captured boats. Poseidon is a temperamental and harsh monster, but a good lover to his many SOs. He’s father to three children, only one is recognized as legitimate. He is unhappily separated from Salacia and wants her back

Things he loves: the color coral, sharks, guns, steak, ivory carvings

Salacia: seafell toriel, she handles fishing regulations for ebotts sea. She is a snippy and aggressive monster who takes no one’s sh*t. She has a dark sense of humor. After being cheated on many times by Poseidon, she fathered an illegitimate child herself. She doesn’t want anything to do with him

Things she loves: the color blood red, fishing harpoons, sailboats, romantic walks along the beach, murder podcasts

Lulworth: seatale Asgore, he monitors the politics around the costal cities and the factories there. Lulworth is a total nerd, and a tiny bit of a hoarder. He can’t help it, there’s just so many neat things on the surface to collect! He is separated from lapis but they have a good friendship

Things he loves: the color Ruby red, baseball cards, cool brooches and buttons, anime and cartoon figurines, glass eggs

Lapis: seatale toriel, she decides what cars are allowed to be sold in ebott and road safety regulations. Lapis is a playful and bubbly monster who adores the colors of life! She has quite the eye for art. She is separated from Lulworth but they still have a good friendship

Things she loves: watercolor postcards, the color canary yellow, floral arrangements, maximalist decor, goofy socks

Orca: seaswap Asgore, SAVE THE TURTLES- ahem, sorry, he is in charge of ocean wildlife conservation acts as well as keeping ebotts coastline clean of trash. Orca is a HUGE animal lover and is very passionate about his job. Many say he has a beautiful singing voice too. He and seahorse were ruling partners but were never romantically involved

Things he loves: THE TURTLES, sea turtle green, those tacky dolphin lamps, glass and reusable water bottles, boba tea

Seahorse: seaswap toriel, she funds and plans festivals! She was the first royal to suggest the golden festival and is trying to push for an official gyftmas parade like the humans do for their Christmas. Seahorse adores culture and celebration and believes the way to a happy people is a people allowed to appreciate the beauty of every season. She was ruling partners with orca but they were never romantically involved.

Things she loves: the color navy, every and all holidays, ornate woven grass rugs, her pet seahorse, rubies

Thunderstorm: birdtale Asgore, like Eros, he also stepped down as the bird monsters representative to step up as a representative of the farm monsters. Thunderstorm handles the sale and distribution of land to be used as farmland. He’s a cutie patootie. Just a sweet guy. Every one likes thunderstorm, if you don’t, you just don’t like nice people. He is extremely in love with his soulmate snowfall.

Things he loves: snowfall, the mountains of ebott, the color pale lilac, fine wines, sewing

Snowfall: she maintains and regulates the dumps of ebott and the recycling of trash. Snowfall is an honorable monster who isn’t afraid to do the jobs that others look down on. She’s incredibly compassionate and treats every one with respect regardless of who they are. She is deeply in love with her soulmate thunderstorm.

Things she loves: thunderstorm, the color grey-blue, art made of recycled materials, poetry, mourning lilies

Gallery: theatretale Asgore, he’s the supreme judge of ebotts court when a case gets high enough to reach him. Gallery is a fair and honorable monster, known for being ruled by facts over emotional responses. He is very polite and pleasant to work with. He and melody have a respectful relationship although they aren’t in love. Neither feel a need to search for a real romantic partner at the moment.

Things he loves: the color sage green, antique furniture, soccer, salads, the opera

Melody: theatretale toriel, she handles student scholarships for ebotts art schools as well as finding and lifting up promising new actors and artists. Melody is a flamboyant and loud monster with a love for life and music. She has a stunning high singing voice and has done a few opera roles herself. She and gallery have a respectful relationship although they aren’t in love. Neither feel a need to search for a real romantic partner at the moment.

Things she loves: the color wine, the opera, marble statues, teenagers, the comedy club.

Hercules: outerfell Asgore, he stepped down as a ruler of the outer monsters to represent factory monsters. He deals with workers rights and working conditions of the factories in ebott. Hercules is a strong fellow with a kind heart. He is harsh, but loyal and reasonable when he needs to be. He is separated from nebula but greatly respects her still.

Things he loves: the color black, Van Gogh art, metalwork, spam, sparring

Nebula: outerfell toriel, she’s in charge of ebotts small but growing air force. Nebula is a stern and unmoving monster. She has high standards for her work and hates failure. She however is also passionate about what she does and has high rewards for those who succeed. She is separated from Hercules but still has a great deal of respect for him.

Things she loves: the color sky blue, model airplanes, the shooting range, perfect posture, pickles

Saturn: outerswap toriel, she is set aside as an impartial judge for whenever government officials are put on trial. Saturn is a cool and very straight forward monster who HATES liars. Nobody wants to piss her off, her (totally legal) revenges are legendary. Like Zeus and Hestia, she and mars were born brother and sister.

Things she loves: the color orange, Roman mythology, pasta, her two terriers, lacrosse

Mars: ousterswap asgore, he handles the conditions of ebotts jails. He is a compassionate but strict monster, the perfect man for the job. He is a bit of a tease when it comes to the other royals and is the only one who can mess with his sister Saturn without repercussions.

Things he loves: the color rust red, Saturns terriers, monopoly and other ridiculously long board games, alien movies, doc martins

Fafnir: Draketale Asgore, he grants business loans using the royals budget with permission from duchess and zeus. Fafnir is a playful and gentle monster and a doting great grandfather to his children’s families, and an even more doting mate to Delphyne

Things he loves: Delphyne and his family, the color coffee brown, coffee, his grandkids art projects, baseball

Delphyne: she handles the language side of ebotts colleges working with several departments such as creative writing, foreign languages and reporting. Delphyne is the picture of elegance with a gentle dignified demeanor and a sweet personality. She’s a doting great grandmother and deeply in love with Fafnir

Things she loves: Fafnir and her family, fables, play scripts, the color moss green, slippers

Cupid: Lustswapfell Asgore, he handles propaganda and news station standards. He’s an extremely finicky and nit picky monster, which is great for his job, but bad for anyone working under him lol. The only creatures he’s truly nice to are anything toddler aged and under. He says he likes their honesty. He’s hard to please. He is happily separated from valentine.

Things he loves: the color indigo, morning glories, toddlers, visiting the library, his massive stamp collection

Valentine: she deals with insurance policy regulations in ebott. Valentines is as snobby as Cupid is picky. She hates dirt and grime and requires her working conditions to be spotless. She does love a good bout of gossip once in a while. For some reason, she and ivory are best friends. No one understands it. She is happily separated from Cupid.

Things she loves: the color peach, cheesy sitcoms, gossip magazines, spreading fake rumors to gossip magazines, ivory

Rhea: lustgold toriel, she handles the exports of ebott, making sure things are in good condition before being sold off. She’s a shrewd business woman who won’t rest till she gets the best possible deal. Rhea enjoys the fine things in life as a reward for her duties, like the best foods, entertainment, and the most beautiful soulmate, her darling tiras~

Things she loves: tiras, lingerie, the color blood red, fine jewelry, champagne

Tiras: he handles the upkeep of the government buildings in ebott center. He’s a quiet and shy monster but is also renowned for his beauty despite not believing everyone’s compliments. Tiras isn’t bothered by others attention but always seems flustered by Rhea. She’s the only one who can catch him off guard~

Things he loves: Rhea, the color gold, crochet and knitted clothing, fancy cheeses, … the lingerie Rhea picks for him~

Desire: lustred toriel, she is currently leading the battle against the human and monster trafficking in ebott. She is a vengeful and temperamental monster who can hold a grudge for scary long periods of time. She loves her people and will crush anyone who puts them in danger. Her most trusted advisor and friend is devotion. Their relationship is purely platonic.

Things she loves: the color blood, self defense weapons, teaching self defense classes, polite children, stained glass windows

Devotion: lustred Asgore, he leads the research in fertility among monsters, something he’s rather passionate about due to being born infertile himself. Devotion is aloof but gentle, only close with a small handful of people in his life, the most notable being desire. He’s been in love with her for years but knows she doesn’t feel the same.

Things he loves: desire, the color hot pink, children, frozen yogurt, taking self defense classes

Idun: drakeswap toriel, she works with scopes medical team in researching the disease dimming. She’s an intelligent and brave monster, and a big romantic. She adores her soulmate and wife, eir, a skeleton monster. She rules alongside her brother tyr.

Things she loves: eir, her grandchildren, the color mint, exotic teas, medical equipment

Tyr: drakeswap Asgore, he handles Iduns paperwork and press conferences so she can focus more on her research. He also plays representative for other royals who want to avoid the public eye. He’s friendly and easy to talk to. The public adores him for being “relatable”.

Things he loves: the color bubblegum, public speaking, dad jokes, sunbathing, beard care

Jigsaw: baubletale Asgore, he is also on the medical team researching cures and treatment for LV sickness. He is a frail but incredibly kind and compassionate monster. His bad health means that he’s out of duty quite a bit, but when he is in office, he gets plenty done. His best friend and advisor is marionette. They have joint custody of their cat, puppet

Things he loves: the color salmon, paint by numbers kits, jigsaw puzzles, redemption stories, kittens

Marionette: baubletale toriel, she works with immigration and immigrant rights. She’s a compassionate and happy monster who believes the best society is one that embraces all cultures. So she has a lot of love for the humans in ebott. Jigsaw is her best friend. They have joint custody of their cat, puppet.

Things she loves: the color royal purple, human culture, tshirts with goofy sayings, playing the clarinet, cats

Titanic: Hadaltale Asgore, he is busy making the rest of ebott more accessible to the hadal monsters. Titanic is a curious and passionate monster with a deep love for his people and family. Especially his mates Olympia and voyager.

Things he loves: Olympia and voyager, the color bright yellow, sparring, exploring the surface, sea lions

Olympia: Hadaltale toriel, she has the same job as titanic in uniting the hadal monsters wigj every one else on the surface. She’s the more cautious of the two, taking care to make sure the hadal people are getting the best possible deal. She’s a proud and affectionate monster, and a great lover to titanic and voyager.

Things she loves: titanic and voyager, the color white, sparring, stone carvings, cuttlefish

Cheesecake: flavortale Asgore, he deals with food regulations. Cheesecake just recently took the place of his now retired father mordac, and is still a bit nervous about his job. He is the youngest royal after all. The press nicknamed him cheesecake after a photo of him with cake in his beard was slipped to the public. He’s doing his best to be a good sport about it. The other royal is his aunt meringue.

Things he loves: the color aqua, all cake but cheesecake especially lol, baking, playing poker, tulips

Meringue: flavortale toriel, she handles cleanliness standards of food places and food sold and processed. She’s a jolly playful monster and mercilessly teases her nephew cheesecake and all the other royals. She’s quite close with the more serious ones as someone who never seems put off my their snappy moods.

Things she loves: the color pastel yellow, chickens, ice cream, pickleball, puns

#undertale imagines #undertale headcanons #worldbuilding

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bruhstation · 8 months

Note

Any fun facts on your bigg city cast you would like to share?

Can you share how you wrote fortezza bigg city. Such as inspiration and resources you found?

of course! I have a lot to share too (copy pasting some of these from my google docs, haha!)

their nicknames are their boats' names. conveniently, some of them are quite fitting for their sailors.

example: "ten cents" because he always asks to borrow a dime from his coworkers (and seldom returns them), "top hat" because he never goes anywhere without it, "hercules" because it's derived from his real name, "zip" because its both his given name and has a plethora of meaning in the dictionary (he was named first, then his boat), "boomer" because of its literal meaning and because he started going by his boat's unceremoniously changed name, etc.

they all refer to their boats with "she/her" pronouns.

zip doesn't know big words and talks simply and concisely. he knows how to read, though slowly, but is still learning how to write. he reads many children's books that are easy to digest in both story and words, like pollyana, pinocchio, heidi, the wonderful wizard of oz, and various children's fables. he also likes doing word puzzles like crosswords and word searches from newspapers.

zorran knows how to forge other people's handwriting, making him an even more valuable asset to captain zero.

top hat's family runs a boutique. he dresses and acts like an upper class socialite, much to his parents' disapprovement.

the bridge cafe is a popular hangout place for bigg city port's sailors. the members of the star fleet and z-stacks meet each other here coincidentally. navies also stuck around the bridge cafe when they got stationed in bigg city port like bluenose and grampus, much to the annoyance of everyone.

captain zero and captain star got married in 1909, at age 25. they got divorced in 1931, at age 47.

the reason? captain got involved with criminals for money, basically lying about his job as a normal, well-adjusted businessman who’s probably involved with bigg city port’s mafia or other mercenaries, so captain star divorced him. both because he’s a patriotic navy at the time and because captain zero has created more than enough lies for captain star to handle. other people got dragged into the aftermath of their divorce and lies. also they're not beating the mid dad allegations

captain star and captain zero rarely show up in person. they're very careful of their public appearance.

the z-stacks are part of something bigger. zip doesn't know this.

johnny cuba has some blackmail on captain zero.

ten cents and zip are thomas' grandparents.

zorran is diesel's grandfather.

regarding the story, here are some (fun) facts I want to share.

themes of names, youth, and freedom will be prevalent.

fortezza bigg city is set in 1938. the narrator is captain star. the stories are excerpts from his diaries.

if you’ve been following me for a while and paid attention to casa tidmouth, I aim to make FBC the foil to CSTM. it’s similar but also different to casa tidmouth. both feature regular, unremarkable people who are just doing their jobs while juggling with their environmental threat and conflicting relationships with their loved ones. the difference is that CSTM has more of a mystery urban fantasy feeling to it (gold dust, sodor's 70s tech in the year 1999, lady’s patrons who are keeping secrets from their loved ones, etc) while FBC has more of a realistic background to it (interwar era, criminal backgrounds, the great depression, etc)

the titles of both works are italian. casa means home. fortezza means fortress.

a lot of literature I've read are inspirations for fortezza bigg city. demian, catcher in the rye, moby dick, the little prince, l'etranger, watership down are some of them. emil sinclair's character and his relationship with frau eva and franz kromer helped me write zip. you can say that ten cents is his max demian wait who said that.

many of t*tsuki f*jimoto's works are huge inspirations for fortezza bigg city, and my works as a whole. ch*insaw m*n, g*odbye eri, m*rmaid rhapsody, and f*re punch are some of it. the way he writes adolescents and their complex relationships with their parental figures became a great help to me. I also write from my personal experiences and thoughts, especially regarding the captains' relationships with their youngest members. (here's some panels from g*odbye eri that stuck with me)

h*useki no kuni is also an inspiration, but its effects are not as big as the one in casa tidmouth.

many clothing resources are taken from vintagedancer, old magazines, photos, leyendecker's works, and even my university's library. here are some of my favorites.

despite the way I've described captain star's relationship with TC and captain zero's relationship with zorran+zip and the overall setting of it, I want FBC to have a more hopeful feeling to it. I have a vision of making FBC some kind of crime comedy (it's hard to describe the genres of my stories)

I think that's all I have to say for now!

#asks #isjssjsjshuuuuuuuuuuuuyyyyyyyyyy #this is tugs #fortezza bigg city

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melbmemories · 1 year

Photo

Flinders Street looking towards Spring Street about 1912.

#1910s #flinders street #st pauls #Princes Bridge Station

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scotianostra · 8 months

Text

On October 15th 1902 Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel opened its doors for the first time.

Look out for my own connections to this grand old hotel, both in a personal sense and through my home town of Loanhead.

Back then it was called The North British and in Edinburgh a lot of people, myself included, still refer to it by the initials NB.

On Wednesday 15 October, 1902, on the front page of The Scotsman newspaper, a small advert appeared: “North British Station Hotel. This hotel in direct communication with Waverley Station is now open F.T. Burcher, hotel manager.”

According to the hotel’s official history, the North British was “a vanguard for the railway company which built it, a surrogate for the grand station they had never been permitted to erect in the sensitive site between Old and New Town.” The architecture, executed in golden sandstone, features towers and balconies galore. It’s a glorious mash-up of influences from across northern Europe. Expensive to build as well as to run – it gobbled upwards of 200 tons of coal every month – the hotel was seen as a “sign of the future heralded by the railways, the newly opened Forth Bridge and the electric lights switched on in Princes Street just seven years earlier”.

Nevertheless, some believed the Caledonian, which opened a year later, boasted the more advantageous location. And some detractors found the sheer size of the hotel gauche, complaining “it is coarse and obstructive at once”.

The hotel – working name “Waverley Station Hotel” – was the brainchild of George Wieland, a former NBR company secretary who retired to its board in 1890. Having toured some of the most lavish hotels in the world – where he realised the importance of having a banqueting hall to bring in business – he hired W Hamilton Beattie to draw up plans for Edinburgh. The hotel would have 300 bedrooms, 52 bathrooms, and 70 lavatories, and was designed to encourage the circulation of fresh air. Lifts shot people straight from the station into the hotel’s foyer, and beyond that, to rooms furnished with mahogany, leather and crimson moquette. It’s said that the bill for plants and flowers exceeded the bill for gas, and there was even a special machine to burnish the silver. Weiland made sure the new hotel’s cellars were full of the finest champagnes, hocks, ports, and whisky, the better to entice his ideal customers – wealthy, landed families moving between their multiple residences.

In 1922, the hotel became part of the London and North Eastern Railway Company and by all accounts the hotel sparkled from top to bottom, but after the Second World War, when the railways were nationalised, and Prestwick airport began getting transatlantic traffic, things began a slow downward trajectory. Even so, the hotel remained the destination for Edinburgh society events, be they corporate or personal. In 1983, British Rail sold off its rather faded North British Hotel. In 1988, it closed for refurbishment, it was in dire need of this, some of the rooms were looking a wee bit shabby, the wooden window frames unable to open fully, and how do I know this? Well I used to be the window cleaner in the hotel and the windows that didn't open meant I had to find one close by and edge along the crumbling sandstone ledges, the worst affected, and highest were on the south of the hotel and there was a six storey drop down to the train station below.

At the start of the 1990s, Balmoral International Hotels, an Edinburgh based company, bought the venue. In 1997, the Balmoral became the first hotel bought by Sir Rocco Forte as he assembled his portfolio of hotels. It currently boasts Scotland’s only Bollinger Bar, as well as the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant run by executive chef Jeff Bland, a spa, and ten function rooms accommodating up to 450 people.

Famous guests over the years have included Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Palin, Beyoncé and JK Rowling, who finished the last Harry Potter novel here, on 11 January, 2007, and then daubed her signature on a bust in her room.

A second wee link with the hotel, is Charles Forte, Grandfather of the present owner began his working life in my home town of Loanhead when he moved to Scotland from Italy.

#scotland #scottish #history #edinburgh #Hotel #Princes street

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valandhirwriter · 10 days

Text

Another snippet

For @laurikarauchscat. This is a snippet of pregnant Ciri, it was meant for a sequel to "Heirs of Nilfgaard" that never materialised. I totally agree that Ciri as a Mom is an idea that doesn't always work, and that not everyone believes possible. I respect your opinion absolutely. I still had fun with the idea of her being pregnant with little Prince Geralt.

The carriage rattled over another bridge, and Cirilla leaned back into the soft upholstery. The roads of the Empire were the best she had ever seen, and the carriage was made for comfort, still, she was exhausted. When her father had suggested they leave the City of Golden Towers and travel to Loc Grim, in spite of the time of the year, she had thought nothing of it. Her father loved to confuse his court and did so with great skill and more glee than one might think. Travelling to the Imperial Summer residence in February had certainly thrown the court into disarray.

Cirilla herself had agreed at once. She might be pregnant, but she was not an invalid. Even as the entire household, the guards, and everyone else conspired to fulfil her every wish and whim, she insisted on caring for herself and not being treated like a porcelain doll. She had little success with it. The servants were all set on making sure she had everything she might possibly need, had every comfort that one might imagine, and her guards were not much better. Captain Adair and his soldiers had made it their personal mission to ensure that she travelled as pampered as she had been at the main palace. Beginning with the best, most comfortable quarters and ending with whatever food she might take a fancy to. Had they all been scraping sycophants, Cirilla would have known how to handle them, but they were not. They were honestly happy and honestly worried for her. There was a type of care she could barely describe.

Ever since her pregnancy had become known, assassination attempts too had increased, and while assassins never could expect any mercy from Impera, there was a new quality to the assassin hunt now. She did not know all the details, and maybe she should be glad not to know what happened to those who had tried to kill her and who were taken alive. She had heard the Captain of her father’s personal guard talk to Captain Adair, saying that Vattier’s cells filled rapidly and that the old spy was as happy as a hog in a wallow and was working all the hours the Emperor sent.

The carriage slowed down behind the bridge; they must have reached a station to change the horses. Cirilla leaned back and listened to the voices outside: soldiers giving orders and servants running. She was not expected to do anything, sun forbid that she would have to bother with such mundane things. Still, she did not escape the polite question of whether she wished for anything, water. Tea? Some light food? And when she indicated she wished for nothing, the polite negotiations for maybe a little tea and platter of fruit continued. She gave in with a sigh, pointing out she wanted only a little.

She was more than relieved when Morvran joined her in the carriage. “You can help me eat up all that,” she pointed to the platter with fruit, delicate cheese and other small but enticing bits. “I swear everyone in this household conspires to feed me.”

Morvran smiled gently at her. “You don’t eat enough, my dear,” he said, taking her hand. “And they have worked out what will entice you. Captain Adair most certainly conspired with some officers native to the region to procure your favourite things.”

Ciri sighed. “I am not used to being pampered like that, Morvran. Even being pregnant with the heir to this Empire does not warrant that much fuss. I understand my maids, ladies in waiting and other household people, but the soldiers? Really?” It was what irritated her most. In Cintra, a pregnant princess wouldn’t have been made such a fuss about.

“They remember,” Morvran replied thoughtfully.

“Remember what?” Ciri asked, “I understand that my father’s refusal to marry certainly had people nervous.”

Morvran shifted, leaning his arms on his knees and looked at her. “Long before your father returned to Nilfgaard, there was a strong opposition to the Usurper, nobles, commoners, and soldiers, it went across all classes and estates. Nobles and escaped slaves conspired to take down the Usurper together. But one question remained wide open: the succession. Who should take the throne, once that man was dead? Some groups were fiercely loyal to your house; if they were not loyal to Emperor Fergus, who was dead, they were loyal to his father’s memory. Emperor Torres cast a long shadow over this land. Some of the nobles wanted to elect a new Emperor from their ranks, but they had to realise that the broad base of the resisters would not go with that. That’s why they expended so much effort to find your father and bring him back to Nilfgaard.” He gently took her hand in his. “The fear of those years, the fear of exchanging one tyrant with a worse one, is still there. Your father proved to be a magnificent ruler, a beloved ruler as far as the common man goes, but he had no children. The question…”

“The question what would happen when he died was still there,” Cirilla replied. She had learned that according to the common Nilfgaardians her father was a beloved ruler; in the eyes of the people, he had done everything right. It was something she was still struggling with.

“Exactly,” Morvran shrugged, “I was to be his heir, but the distrust was great. When you returned, it assuaged some of the fears. And now, knowing you are pregnant with the next in the line… it shows something is right again, dear heart. The sun is still shining on Nilfgaard. Many of the soldiers out there saw the civil war as young men, and to them, the thought that their sons and grandsons won’t be thrown into one again, that there is stability, is a great gift.”

Ciri squeezed his hand, smiling at him. She was delighted with their first child, she wanted it safe and healthy, but she still struggled with being pampered like that. “So everyone from here to Darn Rowan is conspiring to pamper me,” she said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. “I will have to accept that.”

Captain Adair knocked on the door of the carriage to report that both carriages were ready to go again, inquiring whether she needed some additional rest before proceeding. Cirilla shook her head, casting a glance at Morvran. “Stay for a while?” Most of the time, Morvran rode with the escort; he got restless when cooped up the entire day.

But he smiled and inclined his head. “Of course, my dear.”

The carriage was closed, and the escort mounted their fresh horses. Cirilla could see her father’s carriage move out first through the window, surrounded by a heavy cordon of mounted Impera before their own carriage began moving again. To her surprise, she spotted that her father’s carriage was not drawn by the typical White Albans that served as Imperial coach horses, instead, much heavier horses - Roweni military horses - had been used.

“Is something off at the station?” she asked Morvran. “Don’t tell me that anyone would have the Imperial carriage drawn by the same type of horse your armies use to move supplies and catapults.” Her husband was a cavalryman; he needed no further explanation.

Morvran shrugged. “Your father decided to leave the Alban road and take the shortcut to get us to Loc Grim faster. The white road shaves six days off our journey, but we need to cross the ridge from here. White Albans would have problems with that ascent. For Roweni, it is no problem at all. I heard your father liked taking the route right through the garden districts; rumours had it, that sometimes he went as far as riding that part of the route.”

Cirilla chuckled before suddenly putting a hand over her belly, as the little life inside her became known through a few strong kicks. “Someone agrees,” she said, not removing the hand. “But my father and riding? He hates travelling on horseback. The worst days on the entire journey from Vizima were when the carriage broke down, and he had to ride.”

She could see the amusement sparkling in her husband’s eyes. “One might say that even your father now and then has the youthful impetus to show he is not a machine of the state but a man. The garden districts bring that out in him, or so the word goes.”

It was an amusing thought. Cirilla knew her father was a great statesman, a machine of the state in some ways, always working on things, not wasting time on unnecessary distractions. And yet… the idea that even he might want to enjoy some things or be perceived as a man by someone… it was an intriguing thought. Something else came to her mind again. “That word - the garden districts, I know it must mean the region around Loc Grim, but it’s not in the maps.”

“It’s colloquial for the Imperial heartlands,” Morvran explained. “The garden districts comprise of Loc Grim District, the Golden Hills and the Dakhur District. Once we are across the ridge, you’ll see why your father insisted on making the trip, early though it is.”

The name of the singular provinces Cirilla knew, they had come up in various things she had learned about the Empire since arriving in the south. They were among the economic strongest of the Empire, trading in various goods, especially dyes, silks and medicines. “While I would like to know what my father’s possible reasons could be, I also am just realising that I cannot recall many noble houses from the region.”

“There aren’t that many,” Morvran said, “except a few minor titles that are as old as the Empire itself. Most of the region is immediate to the Empire, making it the place with the least influence of the great houses in all the Empire. Which would be one reason, the reason of state, why your father chose to move you here before birth.”

It made sense, Cirilla agreed, that a few houses would still be miffed that her father had spurned them, bringing his daughter from the North to Nilfgaard and marrying her safely to one of his allies. While she had fallen in love with Morvran by herself, and he had been willing to wait for her, wait for a long time if necessary, many houses believed they should have had a slice of the Imperial cake. “Provided that the region’s populace isn’t worse than certain houses…”

Morvran laughed heartily at the suggestion. “With another Emperor, maybe, but your father? When he took the throne, he ended the religious persecution of all the heretics in these districts, stopped his secret service to further nose after traces of the old religious organisations that preceded Sol Invictus as state religion and generally allowed them to live in peace. Keep the Imperial law, pay taxes, and no one will ask to whom or what they pray or whether they believe your father to be a deity or not. Even before, many loyalists came from these hills, but after your father lifted the persecution, it gained him a few provinces with fanatically loyal people. I don’t want to know how many would-be-assassins were taken out by the locals before they could even come close to the summer palace.”

It was one thing that Cirilla truly struggled with - state religion saw her father as a deity incarnate, and she had encountered many people to whom this was important. Her father had allowed for certain religious liberties among his people, stopping zealous persecution of heretics and sects, something she wholeheartedly agreed with. But the entire idea was still very complicated to her. “And what would the other reason be?” she asked when she felt the carriage sway slightly as it began to be drawn along a steep rise.

Suddenly Morvran beamed at her. “Look outside,” he said softly, cradling her hand between his.

Peering through the window of the carriage, Cirilla gasped. They were just drawing across the ridge, and beyond she could see white road winding across the hills. Sharp black basalt cliffs formed the background, overgrown and dotted with flowering bushes and trees. Where the capital had been grey and stormy when they departed, spring had already come to these hills. The burst of red and violet bushes in front of the black cliffs were marvelous, and the fragrance of them even made it past the windows of the carriage. “It’s beautiful…”

Strong, warm hands squeezed hers. “The garden districts usually have an early spring, because the mountains shield them from the rough sea winds,” Morvan said.

#witcher fanfiction #Heirs of Nilfgaard

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