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starsreminisce · 27 days

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The bonus chapters do provide context and throwbacks to the main books, and it's frustrating to think they wouldn't impact the overall story. After all, the ACOMAF bonus chapter cemented Nessian's relationship and added depth to their story. SJM excels at weaving these elements seamlessly. Therefore, it feels like a step backward to argue that Elain will face a choice when the bonus chapter clearly shows Azriel's feelings for her and his developing friendship with Gwyn.

Elain demonstrably showed interest in Azriel, but he rejected her. Rhys reminded Azriel that Elain and Lucien still have a bond, and Lucien has the right to defend it. Elain returned his necklace, which Azriel then gave to Gwyn.

Both ACOSF bonus chapters establish context. Azriel's chapter clarifies his sullen behavior at the solstice, and Gwyn starts calling him "Shadowsinger" after he reveals the title. Feyre's chapter explains their choice of the name Nyx for their son.

Therefore, it's confusing why SJM would regress Elain and Azriel's interactions. The bonus chapter clearly showed Azriel hurting Elain to the point of returning his gift. Additionally, it focused on his growing investment in Gwyn. Elain's book likely won't start with a love triangle involving Lucien and Azriel. The bonus chapter suggests Elain has already made her choice.

Ideally, Elain's book will explore her reasons for accepting Azriel's rejection and delve into her feelings for her true mate. Most importantly, we should see Elain stand up for herself against Azriel. This is the third time he's acted without considering her, similar to how Tomas motivated Nesta to overcome her fear.

ACOMAF Bonus Chapter:

He didn’t care. Didn’t give a shit as she rose up on her toes, her mouth nearing his— Pain exploded between his legs, knocking the breath from his chest as that gods- damned knee of hers indeed found its mark. Cassian staggered back, swearing viciously. She snorted, looking down at him as he fell on his ass into an armchair, clutching his stomach, trying to reorder his brain— “You’re all the same,” she said, imperious as the night and cold as the dawn. “Perhaps being an immortal makes you predictable.”

In ACOMAF:

I’d had one break from Cassian’s brutal training—just one morning, when he’d flown to the human realm to see if my sisters had heard from the queens and deliver another letter from Rhys to be sent to them. I assumed seeing Nesta went about as poorly as could be imagined, because my lesson the following morning was longer and harder than it’d been in previous days. I’d asked what, exactly, Nesta had said to him to get under his skin so easily. But Cassian had only snarled and told me to mind my own business, and that my family was full of bossy, know-it-all females.

In ACOSAF:

He didn’t know why the hell he cared. Why he’d bothered. Even from the start. Even after she’d kneed him in the balls that one afternoon at her father’s house.

ACOMAF Bonus Chapter:

No, she had not been with any male, Fae or human. Tomas had wanted to, and she . . . some part of her had known no future lay with him. Knew about his hateful father, and that he did nothing to prevent the man from beating his mother. She had barely let Tomas kiss her, and that day when she had ended it, he’d . . . She swallowed, shutting out the memory of what he’d said and done. The sound of her tearing dress. No—it hadn’t gone that far, but . . . The blind terror in those moments he’d tried, before she’d screamed and clawed her way free. And never told anyone. Something must have shown on her face, in her scent. Because his annoyance vanished—no, it shifted. Into something else, something . . . Rage. That’s what stilled Cassian’s face. Pure, burning rage.

In ACOSF:

Three days afterward, Nesta broke it off with Tomas. Enraged, he’d launched himself at her, pinning her against the enormous woodpile stacked along the barn wall. Spiteful whore, he’d growled. You think you’re better than me? Acting like a queen when you haven’t got shit. She’d never forget the sound of her dress tearing, the greed in his eyes as his hands pawed at her skirts, trying to raise them as he fumbled with the buckle on his belt.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien #antie/riel #antielriel #gwynriel

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sparklecryptid · 2 months

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Inspired by one of @raven-6-10 latest asks:

Pre-reveal Ace gets deaged in the Citadel (visiting glaives?) and in his panic at being on the mainland in front of the king/king-adjacent people accidentally activates one of Ardyn's emergency beacons. Cue Ardyn warping in ready to Murder™ and Ace jumps at him and calls him Dad.

Several things occur in the instant between Ace seeing the King in person for the first time and making the choice to strategically retreat and one of the Glaives firing off a new spell they were testing. Ace backs away from the King and his retainers, Cor notices Ace backing away and makes a beeline for him, Ace pales and attempts to disengage from his conversation with Luche to avoid Co and then the spell the Glaive was casting misfires and hits Ace square in the chest before any of them can react.

There is a brief flash of light and when the light dims everyone is staring at a child.

Ace stares at the area he's in, the people he's in front of, and though he hides it well the growing panic on his face is obvious. Nyx and Libertus are the first to move but then-

Another flash of light and Ardyn is there. The relief on Ace's face made more apparent with how worry had worn its way into it mere seconds before.

"Dad!" Ace calls and clings to Ardyn's coat.

Libertus makes a noise like someone stabbed him.

Nyx looks like he's rewriting several pages of his future plans.

Luche suddenly has a headache the size of an imperial battleship.

Regis coughs and the attention diverts to the King.

"Chancellor." Regis is pleasant even when he doesn't want to be. "Mind telling me the reason for this intrusion?"

"You have my son." The answer is direct and Ace looks like he wants the ground to swallow him whole. "I would be remiss as a parent if i allowed anything to happen to him, isn't that right Father?"

#royal bastard au #ardyn voice: yeah sure why not #ardyn voice: i can cause chaos with this

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impossiblescissorspeachpaper · 10 months

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The Heart of a Wanderer III

Homecoming.

Read the previous part here.

2.3k words. Mild adult themes.

Elain decided she wanted nothing more than to spend the entire morning with her sisters, that same desire shared by Feyre and Nesta, obvious in the way they were barely able to leave her side. Their excitement at her return was palpable in every question they asked and every look of wonder they threw her way when she regaled their curiosities with her responses.

They wanted to know everything. Where she had been, who she had met, what she had learned. And she did her best to recount all the adventures of her travels to them. Feyre had pushed back all her meetings until after lunch and Nesta informed Cassian she would join the Valkyrie training after midday. Their mates happily obliged. It was obvious they had missed their sister.

Elain in turn had wanted to know about everything she had missed. Even though they had written to her often, she wanted it recounted in person. Elain asked about all of Nyx’s milestones, no matter how small or trivial they may have been. She wanted to hear about the progress Nesta had made with the Valkyries, how many more females she had recruited. She even asked about who had won the snowball fight last Solstice. To Rhys and Azriel’s chagrin, it had been Cassian again.

She asked Feyre how her gardens across the city had been faring and if the gardeners she had hired in her steed were doing an adequate job. She asked Nesta if her and Cassian had caused an avalanche across Velaris from their activities at the House of Wind. Nesta was not impressed with that particular line of enquiry, but Feyre had thrown her head back and laughed, agreeing she was unsure how the mountain had withstood their "enthusiasm".

Elain wanted to know everything. The only topic she prudently tiptoed around was one very specific one… That, she was sure, would be a discussion that would have to be had with Nuala and Cerridwen. Unfortunately. They wouldn’t let her skate around that topic for long.

But despite her warring thoughts about the male that continued to plague her mind, she still listened aptly to all the tales and chaos that had happened in her absence, and she couldn’t help but smile. She had almost forgotten just how much went on in Velaris and the Night Court.

Elain had always been her family’s balance. Their happy medium. The glue that had kept them together through all those years of hardship below the wall as well as their time in splendour. It was no different here in Velaris, and her absence the last fourteen months whilst she had been away had been felt very acutely. And apparently by all.

“We’re so happy you’re home, Elain,” Nesta lamented for the dozenth time since she’d returned early that morning, before her sister pinned her with a funny look. “I think Azriel is particularly happy to have you back, too.”

Elain’s breath halted delicately in her throat.

She glanced into her older sisters’ grey eyes, Nesta’s expression not giving away that she may know anything, surely testing the waters of whatever theory she had ticking away in that mind of hers. Nesta remained sitting stiffly beside her, her posture imperious and straight-backed. Elain raked her gaze down her form, noticed the regal way she carried herself. She was a warrior now. In some ways, Elain thought, she always had been. The only difference being that now, instead of spitting harsh words to tear down and maim, Nesta wielded her sword and strength.

Elain glanced back to Nyx who played at their side.

Wanting to take advantage of the last of the sunny weather before autumn truly gave way to winter, the sisters had laid out a large blanket in the gardens at the back of the river house. Elain sat sprawled out beside her nephew, sitting with her knees bent to the side, cups of tea and sugar biscuits and the last of the season’s plums scattered around them. She had changed out of her sodden pants, wearing one of the simple powder blue dresses she had left behind that remained perfectly preserved in her closet.

“I don’t see why he would,” she finally responded, trying in vain to keep the bite out of her voice.

“He was rather morose when you were away. Even for Az,” Feyre supplied, somewhat absent-mindedly. Feyre hadn’t glanced at her to note the slight tightening of her mouth, instead remaining distracted by Nyx who had brought over a small daisy he had picked from the garden, handing it proudly to his mother.

Elain smiled softly at the exchange, watching her nephew wander back down the lawn, his little wings fluttering behind him as he went searching for the next thing that caught his attention. He had grown so much in her absence.

Sensing Nesta’s attention, Elain glanced up, and once again was met with her sister’s steely gaze. But it had turned more contemplative, Nesta’s stormy eyes roaming over her expression as if she were trying to crack a difficult code.

“How was it that you were able to winnow so far on your first attempt, Elain?” Nesta asked suddenly. Elain stilled. Nesta had never been one to mince her words, getting straight to the point.

The question wasn’t unkind, but genuinely curious. Elain could see her sisters’ mind working at something, Nesta’s subconscious stitching whatever pieces she had collected and attempting to put them into some sort of semblance of order. Elain struggled not to squirm under the scrutiny.

Feyre had looked up at that, at the sudden change of topic, her attention finally drawn away from her son.

Elain didn’t let her discomfort show, schooling her face into one of mild indifference. She had always been adept at hiding her true emotions. Had become proficient at wearing an unassuming mask, like many others in this Court.

“I told you all before, I simply thought of home. Longed for it, in fact. To be here with all of you, and then I just stepped into the Void and…something showed me the way.”

She tried not to let the guilt of the white lie consume her, it wasn’t all untrue after all. She had been missing them all. It was just the thought of Azriel that had pushed her to make that move.

“Yes, and you ended up in Azriel’s bath,” Nesta said pointedly. “That seems curious, don’t you think?”

Rhysand had said the same thing. Curious. She fought the blush that was threatening to colour the tops of her cheeks at the memory of what she had seen in that bath mere hours ago.

She wasn’t sure why she couldn’t tell her sisters about the suspicions she had for being able to winnow, or the thoughts she had been overcome with just before she had. She supposed it was because if she told them she suspected it was her desire to return to Azriel, then she would have to admit to the feelings she had for him. Which would in turn lead to conversations about why she had been so cold toward him of late, and therefore lead to admitting to the rejection she still felt so heavily from that Solstice night the year before last.

No, she couldn’t deal with all of that now. At least not yet. The humiliation still felt too raw. She had buried those feelings whilst she had been travelling, shoving them down as far as they would go. She realised she had been running from both the hurt of that rejection as well as her feelings for the Shadowsinger. But… she had returned to talk to him. She should at least do that before divulging anything to anyone else.

“I guess something was bound to go wrong. It was my first time winnowing, like you said,” Elain answered nonchalantly with a wave of her hand.

She brushed the back of a finger against Nyx’s smooth cheek, relishing in the soft texture, noting the distinct, sweet scent he exuded that she had missed so much whilst she was away. With a wide blink, the toddler presented a daisy for her too, the petals half crushed in his tiny fist, before he tottered back off again. She smiled down at the yellow flower in her hand.

“Have I told either of you about the parties Helion hosts in the private quarters of his palace?” Elain whispered, wanting to lead her sisters off the topic of Azriel, and into safer territory. She knew it was a cheap shot, but the Day Court orgies seemed enticing enough for the job.

Nesta’s eyes widened, the shock and intrigue evident on her face at Elain’s admission. “Elain! You didn’t go, did you?”

Elain smiled conspiratorially, her lips lifting into a sly grin. “I may have attended. Just to watch,” she verified.

Nesta regarded her sister with curious eyes at that admission, an interest creeping in that she had possibly never considered before.

Feyre’s eyes lit up like all her Solstices had come at once. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “Elain, tell us every little detail.”

Elain beamed as she delved into a somewhat scandalous story about the infamous parties the High Lord of Day was known to throw. Perhaps she would allow herself to enjoy just one day with her sisters before her male problems would come knocking on her door again.

It was naive of Elain to believe she could have an entire day of reprieve before she was confronted with anything to do with the mess that was her love life. If she could even call her situation a love life. It was more like an unwanted mateship with a smattering of stubborn males’ life. Elain shook her head. That made no sense.

But as she walked into the kitchen at the river manor, she was met with twin smirks glancing up at her. Elain halted suddenly as she took in their faces, smug with silent glee, as if they had been awaiting her company all morning.

“Do not even start,” Elain begged, one hand held up, her palm facing Nuala and Cerridwen.

“Why Lady Elain!” Nuala began in mock offense, “I was merely going to express our happiness at your return to the esteemed Night Court.”

Cerridwen’s shoulders shook with laughter as she beat eggs in a bowl, the preparations for dinner already underway.

Elain’s eyes narrowed at her friends. “I’ll have you know; I did not return home to be mocked by the two of you. Thank you very much.”

“What did you return home for, then?” Cerridwen asked without missing a beat, her face alight with mirth.

Elain sighed. Stepping into the warm kitchen, her eyes roving over the workbench the twins were standing behind.

“I missed you guys, too. Although I can do without the ribbing,” Elain responded, choosing to ignore her friend’s question. She reached over and popped a plump cherry into her mouth.

“We are grateful for your safe return, El. But from what we gathered from your letters; you had not been planning your homecoming yet? We wanted to throw you a party upon your return.”

Elain glanced around at the platters of already prepared roast meats, salads, terrines, and various pickles and chutneys. The delicious smell of crusty bread filled the kitchen. This was much more food than a standard dinner at the river house. Her friends had been preparing a feast in her honour. She was touched.

“Well, I decided to come home early, before winter truly took hold,” she replied.

“It seemed you surprised us all with your sudden appearance. I’m sure Master Azriel will not forget your…faux pas anytime soon.”

Elain couldn’t see her friends face as Nuala’s voice floated out from the large pantry, but she was sure the wraith was fighting off a smirk.

Elain groaned.

“Please, do not remind me.”

Cerridwen’s eyes lit up. “Why, are the rumours untrue? Does an Illyrian’s wingspan truly mean nothing?”

“Cerr!” Elain hissed harshly, a blush creeping up her cheeks, “Of course not!”

“So then, the whispers are true? His endowment is as impressive as they all say?” Nuala supplemented mischievously.

“By the Mother,” Elain groaned, sinking into the stool propped near the back door. “You two are insufferable. It’s not fair, there are two of you and only one of me.”

They just shot back twin grins, mischief lining every feature of their stunning faces. Nuala’s face softened slightly as she gazed upon her friend.

“We only tease you, Lady. But do you not find it curious at all that of all the places you could have winnowed to, you appear where the Shadowsinger happened to be?”

Curious. There was that word again. Elain couldn’t lie to her friends, because if she was being honest with herself, it certainly was curious that when she thought of home, she also thought of Azriel. It was silly of her to do so. He clearly did not want her in the same way, but he had always offered her the most comfort. She felt safe with him. Was it truly so curious that home and Azriel had somehow become synonymous in her mind?

Of course it ruddy was curious. He was not her mate, after all. He had no business meaning anything to her, at least that’s what everyone seemed to believe.

She sighed. They were so confusing, these feelings. Sometimes she wondered if the pull she felt toward Azriel was merely a figment of her imagination. She often found herself pondering if his shadows matched the ones in her visions, the ones that twisted and twined until they depicted images of the future in swirling tableaus of black and white and grey.

“I guess it is curious,” Elain pondered quietly. “But it could also have been mere coincidence.” Her words sounded like a lie, even in her own ears.

Cerridwen gave her a kind, knowing smile, her eyes slightly sad as she gazed upon her friend. As if she could sense her denial, her confusion.

“One thing you must learn, Lady Elain, is that nothing in this world is mere coincidence.”

*******

tagging my OG list. If you'd like to be added or removed please let me know: @offtorivendell @fawnandshadows @the-laughing-bubble @swankii-art-teacher @pagemasters @tswaney17 @sakurakittypeach @thefangirlofhp @wingedblooms @duskwhisperer @ultadverb @reverie-tales

#elriel #the heart of a wanderer #t writes #elain x azriel #acotar #elriel fic #acotar fanfiction #elain archeron #azriel #traveller elain #elriel fanfic #archeron sisters #nuala and cerridwen

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calling4glaives · 7 months

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Kingsglaive Maps

Maps!

Thank you all for your patience! RL has been up to its normal tricks, but we have been working away just to spite it. Now, after much teasing, the long-awaited map analysis post!

We’ll start with some of the maps in the Kingsglaive briefing room. Some of these are familiar, and some of them are…less so.

Thanks so much to @starjunco who grabbed the screenshots and made the comparison graphics. Any images not from the movie are courtesy of the wiki.

Lucis Map

First off is a pretty standard map of Lucis. It matches the in-game map pretty well, except that Cavaugh and Insomnia have been sized up and shifted north.

In fact, Insomnia is laughably oversized if you consider Lucis to be continent size, even allowing for projection distortions (and regular projection distortions seem unlikely given the uniformity of the walls in the map). Likely it’s exaggerated for propaganda/tradition reasons. Given its location and lack of annotation, it’s likely not being used for actual reference. That said, the maps are also just wildly inconsistent regarding the placement and relative sizes of the continents/islands.

Behold! As best you can, at least, given the darkness of the in-game map.

It is also interesting that this map seems to exclude the parts of the outer islands, both east and west. Whichever side you think Galahd is on, it appears to often suffer the fate of New Zealand.

Political Map

The map on the left, which appears to be a political map divided into regions, doesn’t seem to match the world as we know it. It’s likely an easter egg, actually, because of its close resemblance to an early attempt at the FFXV map from the developers:

That said, echos of this map can be found in the world as we know it, from the odd bay on the eastern side of Tenebrae to the rough shape of the island of Cavaugh on the right edge.

World Map

Speaking of the “actual” world of Eos, the map behind Libertus seems to be just that, though the angle and the distance make it difficult to determine many details.

Troop Movement

Forgive the fragmentation of this one, but the pesky glaives actually doing plot stuff in this scene kept getting in the way of this map and the next.

Judging by the first image over Tredd’s shoulder, this appears to show anticipated landfall in Cavaugh of troops, likely Imperial ones. If this map is more than just dressing, it implies a much more imminent threat on the Crown City than just the existence of the Diamond Weapon.

Seeing the map from further away (and blurry, but we will blame Nyx and Tredd for hogging the focus for that), we see there are actually two (anticipated?) lines of attack into Cavaugh.

Interestingly, this map shows the larger and more northern Cavaugh position. Perhaps it was moved in the game to better fit on the map? Actually, Cavaugh here might be even larger than in the other map of Lucis in this room.

WHO IS MAKING THESE MAPS? DID BAHAMUT KILL ALL THE SURVEYORS?

The dots seem to indicate individual armies or commands, which also has interesting implications for the organization of the Imperial Army and possibly of Insomnian intelligence.

Mainland Lucis - Positions

On the far left, there is another blurry map that seems to show a close-up of the lower “staging” region in the previous map, with hints of red around the peninsula, and possibly around the disc of Cauthess. This could be further illustration of detailed Imperial positions, or could indicate where the Kingsglaive had been posted before they were pulled back.

Globe

And how could we miss our other favorite easter egg, the globe proving Eos is, indeed, round. Or at least some world is. ^_^

(If you don’t recognize what that world is, I’d recommend a second look)

Nyx’s Corkboard map

It’s very hard to see this through every interesting detail that Nyx has piled on top of it, but there is a map as the bottom layer of Nyx’s Corkboard.

Starjunco has taken a good look at it here, but for a quick summary:

Here is Nyx’s corkboard. The map we’re referring to is the black square with gold images on it covering the upper right corner of the board, underneath the articles, ticket, sticky notes, and pictures. In the lower right of the map, just under the picture of young Nyx and Libs playing in Galahd is what appears to be the compass:

You can see the landmass is covered in a grid and otherwise unmarked, which is an interesting choice. It’s anyone’s guess what the original purpose of this map was, but now it appears to show the edge of Niflheim around the picture of Selena and Mama Ulric:

And Lucis is covered up by most of the images. Compare it with the image of the continent found in Episode Ardyn, where the landmasses are much further apart, but the shape of the Western islands match what is found near the bouquet above:

Also of note is the small silver “x” that appears above the pin in the picture of a younger Nyx and Libertus in their uniforms. Is this where they are from, or where they first fought, or something else?

Opening Map

Our last map from the movie is the one from the opening narration. This one seems to show Niflheim’s advance across Lucis, taking more and more territory, though in the game the Imperial presence doesn’t seem quite as entrenched as this gradual increase might imply. That is a whole different discussion, though!

It is nice to get the name for the Lucinia Sound, though, as well as the road maps. Enjoy speculating on what those might imply about cities and development!

#kingsglaive #ffxv #deep dive #maps #kglegends23

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ertrunkenerwassergeist · 3 months

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For the feathered serpent au - it occurs to me that if mainstream Lucis hears about/manages to get footage of witch!Nyx pretty much /singlehandedly/ foiling the Imperial attack on Galahd via magic, they might think he's a wayward/previously unknown /Lucis Caelum/. Because only the Royal Family has magic, right? Of course right! (this would result in the potential for extremely hilarious shenanigans if and when Lucis tries to reach out to Galahd with said assumption.)

The first time Regis hears about him, it is on an intercepted radio message. It's in Nifasi, but even before the translator finishes his work, he can hear the words 'Lucis Caelum'.

"All forces retreat. All forces retreat. Lucis Caelum on the battlefield. Fortress Achke is down. The magic is too strong to-"

It cuts off.

Regis doesn't know what to make of it. He hasn't left the city in years and his son is barely 5 years old. No other Lucis Caelums exist.

Right?

-----

The second time Regis hears about him is in rumours. Cor managed to go behind enemy lines yet again. (Please stop doing that, no matter how useful it is. I cannot bear to lose another friend.) He comes back reporting of whispers about a monster on Galahd. A man shaped thing that wields magic with ease, who can manipulate the weather and the elements. A man who simply needs to touch an MT and they collapse in on themselves.

Regis still doesn't know what to make of this. But this description sounds awefully similar to how, in the olden times, the Lucis Caelums were described by their enemies.

An idea takes root. Regis isn't even considering it.

-----

The third time Regis hears about him, he actually sees a picture. It's of a man with piercing blue eyes and long black hair twisted into a myriad of braids. A crow sits on his shoulder and around his hands dance sparks of brilliant magic.

It's... something.

Regis feels his gut twist at the sight.

Maybe he should re-check whether his father had any mistresses.

-----

The forth time Regis actually meets him.

They are on Galahd, the eastern-most shore. Regis's feet barely touch the ground before a crow swoops down right over his head. Its wing feathers brush against his ear. Both Cor and Clarus are on edge.

Then he sees them.

A man and a woman. They both have long black hair twisted into braids and decorated with all kinds of beads and pearly and wires. That is where their similarities end. Where the woman has golden eyes - the type only heard of in stories in these modern times - and dark skin, the man has blue eyes and a skin tone far lighter, but not as pale as the Insomnians.

There is something about the two of them that speaks of age and power.

"So a curious sky light has come to visit," the woman says.

"If you disturb these lands like the others, you will be made to leave just like them," the man says and it sounds like a promise.

Regis steps forward, ready to meet the man who very likely is a relative, if not a brother, and the woman, who looks to be his companion - or maybe wife?

#hamelin-born #ffxv #feathered serpent au #nyx ulric #regis lucis caelum #no matter what nyx says #that's his relative now #geist writes

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imperialnyx · 6 months

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He just really loves his crew ♥️

#imperial nyx #my art #one piece #monkey d. luffy #roronoa zoro #nami #strawhat pirates #one piece live action #one piece meme #op memes #that 70s show #op luffy #op zoro #nami op

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gabessquishytum · 9 months

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maybe the ask didn't go through but hi, it's the House of Night anon again?? bless💄for adding to that ask btw bc here is more

so something only hinted at in the last ask is that it's an au to the comic canon. Basically what if Morpheus reincarnated like Nada once Daniel took over?

he still met Hob in 1389, but because in this universe Night/Nyx is meddling permanently with humans, her reaction to Morpheus' wager is "alright then, he's mine now", leading to Hob being an Ultra-Late-Bloomer (thirties instead of late teens-early twenties back then. doesn't make sense to turn some malnourished 15 year old if the change woud kill them, does it?)

his working theory is that the Trackers just missed him in the midst of the plague and battlefield and that his Stranger gave them a firm talking to, since no other mature vampyr has heard of a similar case and hey he gets it, it's kinda Embarassing to admit if it was their fault

now this is a bit of a problem, because when Morpheus entered the house of night, it was easy enough thougt to push back. Hob wasn't joking when he said that Morpheus fit right in- he's pale and graceful, but clearly still human. any similarities to his Stranger are a coincidence

and then they go from sneaking around to sneaking around, Morpheus cornering him in the classroom or the stacks in the library, expression every bit of imperious Lordling while also shyly wringing his hands

it's so easy to draw him in, to press kisses to his high, dramatic cheeks, to offer his own neck in return while shoving his tigh in-between Morpheus'. everything he'd wanted to offer to his Stranger but didn't get a chance to

which means this is the perfect time for one of Hob's old mentees to pay a visit

the first time Morpheus finds Hob sitting at one of the library tables, deep in conversation with this unknown vampyr, all he wants to do is take a seat in Hob's lap because Hob is his. Better yet, drag Hob back to his flat and rub up against hjm until every vampyr in London can smell Morpheus on him

of course before he can actually try to follow through on that impulse, Hob catches sight of him and waves him over

"this here is Jim", Hob introduces them, "my very first mentee. i thought maybe you'd like to hear someone else chatter about their experiences for a change."

of course when he hears "Mentee" Morpheus hears "other person I slept with" and is as grumpy and taciturn as always

Jim, bless him, takes the entire thing with good humor and pulls out the most embarrassing stories of Hob he has once they are left alone together

only under the threat of death will Morpheus admit that it works and that he starts to relax eventually. even permits Jim to squeeze his shoulder

"Don't worry about the crush", Jim says, "But don't get your hopes up either. Hob will never do anything to embarrass you, but he's too far gone on this 'old friend' to consider anyone else"

Morpheus thinks of all the things he did with Hob barely 24 hours ago and swallows

I’m so sorry your first ask got lost!! Thank you so much for making the effort and resending this.

As I mentioned, I haven’t actually read this book series but. BUT. I am still so invested in this au. Hob pining for his Stranger, not knowing that Morpheus is his stranger??? Amazing. The internal angst of Hob wanting to remain loyal to his stranger, loving him eternally but also…… he has this spark with Morpheus that he can’t ignore! He can’t stop himself from wanting to give Morpheus everything, too!!

Also love and appreciation for Jim, I love all Jim content but this feels especially perfect with Morpheus being jealous aksjdjfjf. I’m imagining them seeing the tension between Morpheus and Hob and slowly, slowly realising… Jim pulls Hob off to one side and is like “are you????? fucking??????” And Hob turns bright red. Oops.

It’s too late now, Hob doesn’t think he could stop if he tried. And Morpheus is obsessed. There’s probably nothing he wouldn’t do to stay with Hob. This “old friend” person can kindly fuck off, alright? Hob belongs to Morpheus now.

Little does he know… he always did.

#the sandman #dreamling #nsft #cw teacher/student #comic spoilers

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driftward · 7 months

Text

Title: FFXIV Write 2023 - Free Day 4 - 24. Lionize Characters: Aemilia sas Valentina, Katerina van Tullia, Nyx Blackmoon Rating: Teen Summary: On the right side of history, just at the wrong time Notes: Incomplete.

Her career started quietly.

A full blooded Garlean citizen of no note, joined the military to make a difference. Grew up under the shadow of Emperor Solus and his Magitek miracles. A few sorties, some success, canny intelligence, honorable but vicious.

No especial note was made of her. Another ambitious officer.

She climbed the ranks, if not easily, at least steadily. She learned from her errors and corrected her mistakes. She was a reliable part of the Garlean war machine, moving with her legion into new territories, conquering in the name of the Empire, forwarding the cause of Garlean hegemony.

Notes began to be made and compiled. It was important to know who she was, where her loyalties lie, guess at what she would become.

She gained a reputation as Garlemald gained its empire, and soon she was not a part of her legion, she was her legion, and then her legion was hers by right and in name, its Legatus, and she rode forward to victory, iron will riding her steel pride.

Now of course she was known, and the instruments of the Empire were at her disposal. The Iron Lion had become.

Conquering done, she switched to rule, and in this, the steel hammer was replaced with the velvet glove. While the rule of the day was to command with an iron fist, the Iron Line did no such thing. She was merciful in her leadership, showing an uncommon compassion to her subjects and subjugated. Work programs were put forth that paid fair wages and provided paths to, if not citizenship, at least comfortable and safe homes. Conscripts were treated well, and their tours were kept short. She did not turn on her populace with secret police and harsh adjudicators, instead allowing them largely to manage themselves, only the most egregious of offenses drawing the ire of Imperial ruthlessness. Many Legatuses on her position expanded, but the Iron Lion instead consolidated, and slowly, her province went from a war torn land to a rich source of food and material with which to feed the empire.

The Iron Lion no longer roared, and as she handed off her fiefdom to another Legatus - one hand picked by her to continue her efforts - she changed her aims, from military to political. With a groundswell of popular support and the loyalty of those who had known her, the Iron Lion sued for a spot in the Senate, and won.

The Frumentarium, of course, took careful note of this new trajectory.

An empire was not built in a day, neither Garlemald nor a more personal one. The Iron Lion, retired from a life of duty, now took up a life of service, as Katerina van Tullia. She took her place among the Imperial senate. Her power base was small, at first, buoyed by a successful military career and popularity at home. However, her views proved popular with an increasingly progressive Garlean citizenry, grown fat on military conquest and now warming to a life of leisure, as well as a sense of burgeoning responsibility, as conquerers now enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Power flowed and some with power began to view their privilege with a sense of noblesse oblige, and chief among those voices was that of the former Iron Lion.

"How are we to show the savages the value of civilization if we do not allow them the chance to participate in it? How can we uplift them from their dependence on their false gods if we cannot share with them the fruits of Imperial rule? We conquered them, yes, not only to retake our ancestral homes, but also, to prevent the ravaging of the land by their dread Eikons. But we must turn our faces towards the future, and I would reach out a hand, and offer it to them. Show them the benefits of being free, free from false worship and false deity. Then, I assure you, we need not conquer them anymore. They will come, of their own free will. This I decree!"

Katerina raised a hand to a cheering crowd, gray mane framing a proud face. The Iron Lion roared, and her voice could still be heard, it seemed.

Aemilia sas Valentina was amongst the crowd, and she clapped along as they cheered, even if somewhat less enthusiastically. No frown creased her forehead, because she was a professional. But she looked around, noting several in the crowd, noting how this meeting had been larger than the last, and larger than the one before that. Despite herself, she did allow herself to spare a glance up into the ceiling. High above the meeting hall, she looked - and saw.

In the dark, a gleam. The silvery ring of the eye of the lever she would need.

She sighed. Well. The Empire needed yet to grow, and to continue to do so, it seemed it would need some pruning.

#ffxivwrite2023 #final fantasy xiv #aemilia sas valentina #katerina van tullia #nyx blackmoon #lionize #202309-25 #biot writes

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littlexsisterxulric · 6 months

Text

Continued from (X)

Prairie Outpost was scarily close to an Imperial base, but what other choice had they had? Her Dad said this place was safe, and that was the mantra Selena had uttered to herself over and over again, hoping that the more she said it, the more she would believe it eventually.

Watching the trucks roll in and roll out of the outpost, her eyes scanning the shellshocked faces to pick out anyone she knew - Nyx, Crowe, Libertus, Pelna, Luche, Yama ... Petra.

Petra.

He was alive - pushing through a throng of hunters, Selena's words were tumbling out of her mouth on a loop, her eyes wide and her heart thudding in her chest as she lurched forward, a part of her not willing to believe it was him until she had her arms wound around his middle and her face buried in chest.

"I thought you were dead - I was so worried ... I saw other airships heading for the city after we got out."

#luciancityguard

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sparklecryptid · 6 months

Note

Instead of telling Nyx and Lib that his bio-dad is from Insomnia, Ace only mentions he's a mainlander. When Ardyn "the Imperial Chancellor and Hat Menace" Izunia shows up and takes interest in Ace, and keeps on visiting, they come to the obvious conclusion.

Bonus points if they don't even think to mention it to Ace until literally years later.

"Wait, hold up," Ace says and the grin on his face is equal parts shame and laughter, "You thought Ardyn was my biological father."

"He's your dad in all the ways that matter," Libertus stresses, "Why wouldn't you be his spawn?"

"First of all, I'm offended you think he could spawn me, second of all, WE LOOK NOTHING ALIKE-"

"You and Regis do look similar," Nyx says thoughtfully, "Suppose that means I've bagged a DILF."

"We don't have kids."

"Yet."

"Can we get back to the conversation at hand?" Libertus asks, "Why didn't you tell us that he isn't your dad?"

"I called him uncle! For YEARS! I thought that was enough!"

#royal bastard au #ardyn has a BALL when he comes back and finds out half the glaive were operating on the assumption #ace was his biokid

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harinawa · 2 years

Text

dead man walking ➵ official intro

title: Dead Man Walking

genre: NA Fantasy and Adventure

type: novel

settings: Kosmos

status: first revision

themes: slow burn, found family, politics, pirates, witches, intense power couples, powerful female protagonists

content warnings: graphic depictions of death and violence, major character death, foul language, nudity and implied sex

Synopsis:

Kosmos was once a great empire, split into three when power and greed forced men to rip the lands apart. Now three mighty kingdoms stand in its place, and yet remnants of the curses of the ancient empire still linger up to this day.

The exiled heir to a powerful bloodline, Nyx Asteria wants nothing to do with curses and ancient empires. All she wants is to remove the seal burning on her back that forces her magic to feed on her own veins and carry on quietly as the handmaiden to the Duke’s Daughter. Just as she’s getting used to her new job and identity, she becomes an offering to the pirate captain of the Shadow.

So Nyx does what she does best and bargains for her life, entering what is already a shaky agreement and turning it into a soul-binding contract. Never mind that she can’t even do magic without feeling like she’s dying. Never mind that she’s with a band of peculiar pirates, united by their own selfish goals. Never mind that their captain’s notoriety reaches the ends of worlds, bordering on legend at best and sounding like fabrications at worst.

Nyx knew, though. The first time she saw him, she knew he was just a Dead Man Walking.

[more info + taglist under the cut]

Characters:

↺ Nyx Asteria - the Marked Witch; to remove the seal on her back that suppresses her magic, she will need to rest her entire fate on a legend.

↺ Erebus Castor - the Pirate Who Never Dies; being unable to feel nor die is an entire curse on its own.

↺ Callistus Pierre - the Mad Loyal; pity the fool who betrays the Shadow's Mad Dog.

↺ Valentine Octavius - the Shadow's Prince; vengeance will always be served, swift and unforgiving.

↺ Seneca Malfyra - the Maiden of the Sea; no one really outruns their sins.

↺ Artemis Aurum - the Master Strategist; the most capable should not have weaknesses.

↺ Sage Aquilus - the Shadow's Teeth; even the softest have secrets.

+++ others

Kosmos:

↺ Lurez - used to hold the center of power in the entire Kosmos, thereby referred to as the Empire. Highly strict and religious, Lurez is intolerant of the magefolk, as they believe all power should only come from the Divine, and the Divine's Chosen, which is the Imperial Family.

↺ Mignoa - as the most recent territory that earned its independence from Lurez, Mignoa has a weak government, its resources often exploited by Lurez. Known for the Dead Lands, a region in their kingdom where no life grows.

↺ Valhalle - the center for magefolk activity, Valhalle is ruled by a King and their Ten Generals. Magefolks are represented by the High Council, but do not hold government power as what they learned from previous incited wars.

Some territories of the Kosmos are still unknown and uncharted.

Tags:

dmw - main content

dmw.rant - author thoughts, most likely cursing

dmw.aes - aesthetic and inspo

dmw.random - memes and experiences

dmw.txt - snippets

Writer's Thoughts:

I think I'll release three versions of the intro before getting satisfied (jk). If you're still reading up to here, thank you! The worldbuilding of this novel is a l o t to unpack so most of my content will probably be centered here. *phew*

Taglist [ask/dm to be added/removed]:

@memento-morri-writes // @inkingfireplace // @zonnemaagd // @mary-is-writing // @creepypyromancer // @kahvilahuhut // @lyra-brie // @writingbyjillian // @lockejhaven

#wip intro #wip #writeblr #reintro #dmw #pirates #mythologies #fantasy #writing

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lablass-2882 · 1 year

Text

The daughter’s of Clones.

Part one of my crazy ass Clone Kids au that has fully taken over my brain. Anyway, here are the daughters of the 10+ person group I am working on.

Why did I do this to myself again?

I’m calling it Clone Kids Au or Clone Squad Au.

First things first, most of them are the biological offspring of Clone soldiers. The rest are adopted, children or Foundlings. And honestly, some of the kids just so up. The clones rarely make a fuss about this. Most of the kids that come to them have nowhere else to go, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Meh, free kid.

The surviving clones have made up their own unit in the Rebellion, and for the most part, they just do their own thing. Several Rebel units are wary of working with the Clones, which also extends to their kids. But they make it work. The different squads have proven to be effective strike units, scouting teams, and recovery groups. So the Rebellion isn’t complaining.

These are also some of the characters I am writing in the crack fic. I’ll link it below.

Characters. (Left to Right.)

Capt. Taliyah (Tally) Fett. Code name: Tally-Mark. Tally is the daughter of Clone from the 212th and an Infernal Woman (aka Space Tieflings.). She was adopted by Commander Cody after her parents were killed in an Imperial attack. This event was also when she lost her legs (she has prosthetic ones now), broke her horn, and earned her nickname of Tally-Mark. She has a running tally of near-death experiences. Tally is second in command for her unit and is one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in the Rebellion.

Quirks

Multilingual

Short tempered.

Very good at paperwork.

Commander Aurora Fett. Code name: Frost. Aurora is the daughter of a Clone from the Coruscant Guard and a Pantorans woman. Her father’s dying breath was to tell Fox about his secret daughter. Fox finds her two days later and had three million panic attacks about being responsible for a small child. He loops Thorn into the mess, and the three of them start planning to desert the GAR. Several poorly times plans later, all three end up in the Clone Rebellion. Aurora is currently in charge of the Squad and desperately needs a nap.

Quirks

Tea and Coffee snob.

Is actually kind of shy

Hates paperwork with a passion.

Nyx Rime. Code name: Night. Nyx is half Nautolan and Clone. Like Tally, her father was a part of the 212th. Nyx never knew who her father was until the Rebel unit came to her home world, but once she found out, she was all in. Her mother’s family was less than thrilled but reasoned that they could stop her from running off. She is one of the older kids in the Squad, but you wouldn’t know it by how she acts. Nyx currently works for the Fulcrum unit alongside Fae.

Quirks

Is a major flirt.

Scary good at reading people.

Loves sweets.

Faelynn Kin. Code name: Stripes. Fae isn’t biologically related to a clone but was raised alongside the other kids in the Rebellion. Not that any of the kids really care about that distinction. Everyone gets treated like a sibling in the different squads, regardless of genetics. Fae is a Lasat who was found abandoned by a Clone soldier from the 501st and taken to the Clone Rebellion. She is deeply grateful for this act of kindness and wants to pay that kindness forward. She is currently working for the Fulcrum unit with Nyx. Fae isn’t happy about it, but she doesn’t want Nyx to be working on her own, so she sticks around the team anyway.

Quirks

Team Mom

Is protective of her family.

Gets drunk super easily.

Sev'eere'nuruodo or Sparks. Code name: Glitter. Strap in cause Sparks has a very fun backstory. For starters, Sparks is the daughter of either Comet, Sinks, or Boost, but no one who did the deed. Sparks’ mother was a Chiss courtesan on some outer rim planet and had “relations” with all three clones. When the Wolfpack returned to the planet, Spark’s mum just sorta…. dropped Sparks off with them and left. Que, one very understandable freakout and one very frantic call to Woffle for advice. Sparks is aware of all of this but just doesn’t care. She has her dads, her siblings, and her inventions. What else does she need?

Quirks

Causer of problems.

Is actually very smart.

Is the baby of the group.

Branch Fett. Code name: Duo 1. Branch is the Twin sister to Twig and is the daughter of a Trooper from 501st. She is half Twi’lek and is very proud of her heritage. She and Twig were brought into the Rebellion by Numa when the Empire attacked their home. The two were later placed within the Squad. Branch can be a bit of a loudmouth and shit disrupter when bored. Branch is a pilot /mechanic for the Squad and is one of the best. She is a Hera fan girl, btw.

Quirks

Gossip Girl.

Only trust her twin to co-pilot.

Runs a not-so-secret betting ring.

And that is all for now.

Here is the link to crack fic.

The guys are up next and then probably a round-up of any loose characters that are in my head for this crazy AU that my brain is building up. Hopefully, I will be able to draw them some more.

Anyway, have a good week y’all.

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