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rhazberriquartz · 9 months

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Take The Spring: Swap!Arcana AU

AU by: @drakonishe go support them!

Writing: Rhazberriquartz

Note: This isn't edited or beta read. So, ignore my atrocious grammar errors. I have nothing posted about Rosie here. So, ha good luck. Also, big love letter to American Gods in a way. If you know you know.

The masquerade had been a disaster. My former wife, whom I had mourned had become our greatest enemy and the biggest threat Vesuvia has ever seen. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as she left with the members of her court. They held no loyalty to me or the city. But, as I watched her slink away with the others I noted a very important piece of her court missing.

“It couldn’t be…”

I looked at Andrea and the others, my hand threaded through my hair.

“What are we going to do?!” Andrea was distressed as we all were.

“I don’t know. This isn’t good.” Vlastomil Mused as he tried calming Agata.

I could barely hear anyone over my own thoughts as my mind reeled with possibilities. It wasn’t until Devarshi pulled me out of my own head that I realized I had been dissociated.

“You noticed too?” They asked me gently.

I nodded, “And I let my wife… Twenty One forgive me. I’ll be back!”

I turned on my heel and I sprinted for the terrarium room my wife kept her in. Did Nadia truly leave behind such an important piece of her plan? Or did she see herself above it? And how could I have not known? How could I have let the others torment her so? I felt guilt bubbling up in my belly like a geyser about to blow.

I let this happen. All of her approaches. Her clues. I ignored them! She knew what Nadia was up to and tried telling me.

She was here.

When I reached the terrarium I entered hoping the half baked plan I had would work. That she would agree to it. I looked around the terrarium in wonder. Her work had always been glorious. She and Valerius always made a team even the Gods would blush at. It showed even now. Monstrous flowers and plants bloomed in every corner of this room. It was almost unnatural.

But, I knew she was here waiting. If my theory was right - she was on our side and has been waiting for me to notice. To approach and ask for help.

“Ms. Lovecraft?” my voice echoed through the room, bioluminescent plants lit up around me.

She could eat me alive if she wished. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw her sitting on a bench. My shoulders fell as I noted the gentle smile she gave me.

“Please, I’m sorry. You gave me so many warning signs and I ignored them.”

I thought back to the books and notes she left. She never spoke a word. But, I had a feeling that was the work of Asra and Nadia, and the collar he forced her to wear. I could feel my knees shaking as I recalled the first time I saw Nadia sick her on some opponents in the battle field.

“You know what happened?” I asked.

Her brow quirked and she smirked looking at the view above us and then back to me.

“Ms. Lo- Rosie…” I carefully approached noting the moving flora around us, “I apologize for my discrepancies. I know who and what you are now. And… I need your help. We need your help.”

I watched her body language as she leaned back into her seat watching me intently.

“I…” I was looking for the words, but was failing to find what I wanted to say.

When Nadia said she had The World in her hands. I thought it was figurative. But, I now knew she was speaking in literal terms. I kneeled in front of her and bowed my head. Tears welling up in my eyes. I was about to speak again when I felt her hand on my shoulder.

“I want to make a deal. Please, I wouldn’t ask for your help if this wasn’t important. And… I don’t expect you to accept. Not after I- I let them treat you the way they did.” I looked up.

“I’ll free you and serve you from here on out. But, please help us conquer Nadia and the others.”

My platinum eyes met her amber eyes. A smile appeared on her face as the flowers in the room bloomed. I took that as a yes as I kissed her hand making the pact.

She gently pulled on the collar around her neck. With my left hand I grabbed where the lock was and squeezed it as tightly as possible, breaking it. It fell to the ground with a clunk.

“We have to find them. I… I know what must be done.”I looked down ashamed before standing up.

“My tribe… we used to fast. A form of ancient prayer to the deities we worshipped.” I watched her face contort into a dark smile, her eyes lighting up. “My people have never had to starve, to fight to survive in such a manner.”

I took another breath, “And while I do pride myself in taking care of my people and creating such a place where that hardship is not needed… right now - we need a motivator. My people will forgive me once they are aware of the seriousness of what’s happening.”

I held out my hands and let her place hers in mine. I knew if we did this it wouldn’t be for long. So, I held no qualms in inconveniencing my people. And by forcing people to pray to her it would increase her strength. And she would need it for this fight.

“It will draw them out and restore your magic in full. I will take full blame. I’m so sorry…”

There was a soft huff, “Sacrificing your clean name and reputation for me. What a dedication my dear starlight.”

My eyes widened as she spoke. I had never heard her voice before today and it was worth the years of waiting.

“Let’s go.” She said leading the way.

I kept up pace. I felt the ground shake with each step she took. Not even in her true form and it was affecting our surroundings. Had the collar dampened her magic? When we got to the main ballroom we passed the others heading outside.

“Montag what’s going on?” Devarshi asked.

“Rosie and I know how to draw them out, but…” I started.

“You’re not…” Valerius stared at me wide eyed before his gaze moved to Rosie who was in front of the steps to the palace.

“Montag! This will devastate the entire city!” Agata protested.

“No, he’s onto something. If she drains the city… it will take almost all magic with it. Which means…” Andrea started.

“They won’t be able to hide or draw magic from this place.” Vlastomil stated, “Montag how did you…”

“I ignored a lot during my time as Count. And even more when everything started happening. I let her be abused by the others. Thinking it was family bonding.” I stated as we watched as the spring disappeared. Color draining from Vesuvia.

Then her form shifted. Bones and muscle cracked and changed her form shifting into one I knew all too well. Teeth bared and claws dug into the ground below as she drained the magic from the city. There was a roar almost like the sound of a whale in distress as the flowers that adorned her bloomed.

I could hear whispered panic as Rosie left only existing produce and food.

“You better be right about this.” Andrea said, looking at me.

“I have to be…” I swallowed watching as Rosie’s true form let out another cry before I spoke.

“Citizens of Vesuvia. I have taken the magic and spring until we have Captured Nadia and her Court. It turns out she isn’t the ally she promised to be. And The World has agreed to help, but we must work together! This is the only way.” I let my voice boom though it was filled with regret.

I could hear the chatter. Most folks seemed to show understanding and agreed to help, while a few did throw some colorful names my way. I looked at Rosie watching her form shift back into something more human. I could see the colors swirling around her, whorls of magic zipped about as she bowed to the citizens.

She looked like herself. Her Rose Crown was in full bloom and the tendrils adorned with teeth no longer hidden in hair and ribbons. She was no longer weak and frail. I offered her my hand as she took it. I prayed I was right in doing this.

And in the end I was.

#the arcana #the arcana au #rosie #drakonishe #thearcanaprojects #courtier swap au

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apprenticevida · 3 years

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Stained

Word Count: 606

Pairings: Mild Vida/Asra/Julian

Synopsis: Court Librarian Vida’s transformation.

Notes: I’m still suffering from Courtier Swap AU that @drakonishe made. I’ll edit with a proper title later.

Warnings: Body horror (mild? maybe??),

The change started, as it so often does, slowly and imperceptibly. A tingling numbness in their fingertips. Their nails grew faster than usual, and felt thicker— harder to trim. Their hands felt dry even on the most humid days.

Vida had experienced each symptom at least once in their life, and so they dismissed them and didn’t take notice.

But then the dreams started. Wrapped in heavy chains, surrounded by heady red smoke that left them dizzy with need. White fur, dark horns and darker eyes, with a voice somehow both smooth and gravelly offering all their dreams realized.

Knowledge. Power. Love. Safety.

All they had to do was offer a trade. A deal. What’s a piece of a soul in comparison to the hidden knowledge of the world? To be of use to those they yearned for? An aching need in their core finally soothed by hands, lips, bodies they had only dreamed of feeling.

The price was more than reasonable. It wasn’t their whole soul, after all. Their magic didn’t depend on it. They weren’t even using it, really.

They’d be a fool to refuse.

The more they traded the faster the changes happened, until they could no longer wash the ink stains off their fingers. Until their nails blackened on their own. Until the scaled back of their hand was undeniable.

But still, they were of use. Any tome lost to history could be found on the shelves of the library. Their library. Very useful indeed to a guarded, aloof Magician or a harried, overworked Plague Doctor.

Hands were easily covered with gloves, which grew longer as the discoloration spread. Gloves were easy to explain away. They handle so many fragile books, you know. And hands can produce oils that could discolor ink or damage the paper. Better to be safe.

The antlers though? That was another matter entirely. A headache. It started as a headache, anyway. Localized at the front, worst in two spots above their brows along their hairline. Any touch there became unbearable. When the protrusions came in the pain was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to when they broke through the skin. Blinded by pain and blood, Vida hid away in their room, cowering in the dark.

What were they becoming?

Was it ever going to stop?

When the library aides arrived Vida insisted behind the door that they go back to their work. They were under the weather. No, do not send for a doctor. Especially that one.

He didn’t need to see them like this.

A clever worker noticed they didn’t say anything about magicians, though.

A letter was sent— xie wasn’t desperate enough to meet the Magician in person — explaining the situation to them.

Annoyed in equal parts by the interruption of his day and the threat to his access to books, Asra quickly arrived at the library, where he was guided to Vida’s quarters. After dismissing the guide he entered their room.

A wretched and bloody Vida was curled on the floor, sobbing in pain and frustration. Their hands now fully claws, scratching at the bleeding felt peeling off their antlers. Broken bits of bone were scattered below them from where they managed to break off the points.

It was interesting, he mused, since deer became rare after the Countess’s many gruesome hunts.

At the realization they were no longer alone, they scrambled to a corner, apologizing for their weakness through choked sobs. How could they be of help now, with the mess they’ve made of things?

“Oh habibi, I don’t think you’ve realized how much more useful to me you’ve just become.”

#court librarian vida #fan apprentice #fan fiction #courtier swap au #the arcana oc #asra alnazar #I wrote a thing!! holy shit!! I haven’t written (and finished) a proper piece in so long!

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