#the bard is my emotional support animal
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sheltered
relatonships: geraskier x magic!reader [tangled au]
word count: 1.8k
summary: your village believed you to be born cursed and would have killed you, if not for stragobor. you've spent your whole life locked away in a tower but now you've got a chance for freedom in the form of a bard, a witcher, and an pretty horse.
warnings: stragobor, emotionally abusive parent, gaslighting, anti witcher prejudice, death/murder, pre relationship, emotional support dogs
a/n: my first time writing for the witcher! what do you think? i might turn this into a series <3
Spring is coming so you’re making new outfits for your beloved hounds. Which isn’t at all depressing no matter what that one judgemental bird thinks. Anyways you’re using golden yellow fabric for Honeysuckle and cool blue for Periwinkle. As is customary.
Then you sense them. Strangers. You become almost dizzy with fear and excitement. A type of desperation only experienced when you live in a forced solitude. You make your way to the window, desperate for a glance. It’s not like they’ll be able to see you. Your entire tower is invisible to outsiders.
“Hey, look at this tower.”
You choke on air. Your dogs leap from your bed to check on you (still in their winter sweaters.) You hold your breath as two people and a horse step into the clearing. Then you meet yellow cat-like eyes and you’re diving to the floor with a startled noise.
“Careful. Magic.”
One of them is mumbling but it’s drowned out by the sound of your rapid heart. Honeysuckle whines in concern, licking your face. Periwinkle takes a protective stance over both of you, growling out the window.
Father has always told you witchers are bloodthirsty savages. They’ll kill any innocent being for a profit. They know no morals, only violence. When you were born under a black sun your religious village wanted you dead. Father hid you away for protection. You’re not looking to relieve the witch hunt experience.
You mentally poke at the witcher, feeling out his aura. He doesn’t seem particularly beastly. Animals tend to be more shallow than people, all instincts and simple emotions. Surprisingly he doesn’t feel that.
A part of you has always questioned your father's prejudice. You stopped voicing it but the concerns remained. Father hates witchers because they kill beasts. If monsters can be good, why can’t witchers? An old argument resurfaces in your memory.
“Have you listened to a word I’ve said, child?” Father asks angrily. “You cry when a rat dies yet defend butchers.” You look away, embarrassed by his mocking tone.
“This is why you stay in this tower. You’re too naïve for the outside world.”
You wonder if that’s the real reason he keeps you locked away. You’re capable of defending yourself now. So is he really protecting you? Or is he protecting the world? All because you were born under a black sun. Why must you be punished for being different? Why must witchers?
You think of the villagers who looked at a crying orphan and saw a threat. Who saw killing an infant as a lesser evil. You don’t want to be like that. Privately you wonder why your mentor sees compassion as a weakness but you’ve learnt it’s better to agree with him. “Yes father. I’m sorry.”
“No need to fear us. I’m Jaskier the bard, master of the seven liberal arts, and this is my companion, Geralt of Rivia! Could you give us directions to the nearest town?” The colorful man calls out.
Your heart races until you feel dizzy. So this is the butcher. The most beastly and cruel of all the witchers. He’s… underwhelming to say the least. Certainly least nightmarish and more dreamy than you imagined. But you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. You take a calming breath, petting your hounds to ground yourself.
The primal fear inside of you is wrestling with your desire for a real life conversation with a stranger. This could be your chance to hear both sides of what happened in Blaviken. Father always says you’re too naïve but only tells you his point of view. You’re almost sick with nerves when you blurt out rather loudly, “I wouldn't know. I’ve never been in the forest before.”
There’s a long pause and you can sense confusion. Have you already messed up? You don't want them to leave. Well the witcher can go, but the colorful one seems nice. You pop your head back into view, “I don’t leave my tower. I’m sorry. I… like your horse.” Compliments make you friends right?
“Don’t leave or can’t?” A much gruffer voice asks. You shiver. (He didn’t even say thank you for the compliment, how rude.)
“I’m safe here.” The words sound unconvincing to your own ears. You tell yourself it's because of fear. Not because you’re beginning to question them.
“Who says?”
“My father.”
They share a concerned look. You bite your lip in embarrassment. It sounds quite childish when you say it out loud. But you’ve been persecuted before, you aren’t about to let your guard down around a hired killer. So… why are you still talking to him?
Then you notice the brunet’s instrument. What a lovely change of subject. “Is that a lute?”
“It is!”
You’re practically jumping now. Honeysuckle, picking up on your excitement, smacks you with her wagging tail. “I’ve never heard a bard before! Play me something?”
Jaskier goes impossibly sad. You frown, hating the kicked puppy expression. What did you do wrong? Maybe you should just stick to socializing with animals. At least the rats find you charming.
“You’ve never heard music, my dear?”
Your face goes hot, both at the endearment and the pity in his voice. “I have lots of instruments but I don’t think I’m very good. Being self taught and all.”
“Why don’t I come up and give you a lesson? Free of charge!”
Your stomach twists in knots. You don’t know what’s more terrifying. Your new friend coming inside or leaving you to loneliness. You avoid eye contact when you answer. “My father wouldn’t like that.”
“What would you like?” The witcher asks sternly. You freeze. No one has ever cared what you wanted before. Is that concern you sense from him? Sympathy? From a so-called beast? Your silence seems like an answer enough. “So can’t leave,” he concludes.
“Can others enter?” Jaskier asks curiously.
You don’t know why you answer but you do. “Only with a portal. There’s no door.”
“But there’s a window.”
You frown. Obviously there’s a window, you’re talking out of it right now. Maybe your new friend is a little slow.
“Rope?” he proposes to the witcher.
Your mouth drops open. A rope? That’s it? Years of isolation by a warlock solved with a fucking rope? It can’t be that simple. It just can’t be. “My father is very powerful,” you warn. “And he hates witchers.”
“Him and most of the continent,” the man grumbles dryly. For some reason you feel guilty. Years of indoctrination to hate his kind, forgotten in mere minutes. Maybe you really are naïve.
“Who’s your father, dear? Maybe we know him?”
You sincerely hope not. “Stregobor.”
Dead silence. Then a very empathetic “fuck.”
Your stomach sinks. That’s the most emotion you’ve heard in the witcher’s voice so far and it doesn't sound good. Will they judge you for your fathers deeds? Wait, why are you assuming your father’s in the wrong? Since when did he become the bad guy? (Maybe he always has been but you’ve ignored it.)
“Let me guess, you were born during a black sun?” He asks flatly.
You feel as if a rug has been pulled out from under you. The comfort that’s been growing disappears, replaced with icy fear. You don’t even know this man yet you still feel betrayed. “Are you here to kill me?” You ask, slightly wobbly.
He sighs tiredly. Maybe he gets asked that a lot. “No. You aren’t fucking cursed. You were born during an eclipse. A completely natural phenomenon. A bunch of old bastards made up that curse for power and control.”
Your jaw drops, conflicting emotions raging inside of you. If he’s right you’re not cursed, which is great. But it also means your father has betrayed you. Your whole life can’t be a lie. It just can’t. A sinking part of you knows he’s making sense, even wants to believe him, but you desperately ignore it.
“I hurt people,” you confess abruptly.
“I thought you never left this tower?” Jaskier asks.
“When I was a baby.”
The witcher raises an unimpressed brow. “Did Stregobor tell you that?”
You growl in frustration as a strong wind rustles the trees. Jaskier looks around in bewilderment but the witcher holds your steady gaze. Not easily frightened by your show of power or glowing eyes.
“I’ve met a lot of monsters. You’re not one.”
The words you’ve always longed to hear. Uttered by the man you’ve been taught to hate. You take a moment to collect your flurry of emotions before answering. “Funny,” you smile weakly, “I was gonna say the same thing about you, witcher.”
You steady yourself before asking the next question. Knowing it won’t be easy but needing answers. The more you talk to Geralt the more you question what you’ve been taught about witchers. Maybe you don’t want him to be a monster. Maybe you’re so lonely you don’t care if he is.
“Tell me about Blaviken.”
“What?” His voice is somehow gruffer. Face horribly blank and posture rigid.
“Every story has two sides, yet I’ve only heard my father’s.”
He sighs deeply. Then begins. He tells you about Renfri. A princess born under the black sun. Her step mother was looking for a way to get rid of her and the curse was convenient. Stregobor agreed the girl was an evil mutant that must be isolated but her step mother wanted her dead. Together they ruined her life.
Renfri evaded them. She spent years being hunted, until she became the hunter. Eventually she formed a gang of sorts and tracked Stregobor to Blaviken but couldn’t enter his tower. (Apparently the idea of living in a tower forever was very distressing to your father. You don't know if you should laugh or vomit.)
Both Renfri and Stregobor asked Geralt to kill the other but he refused, not wanting to get involved. Although he hated Stregobor he tried to talk the princess out of revenge. It was too late. She threatened to kill townspeople until the warlock came out.
Your heart sinks at the ultimatum. Your father has never been a compassionate man. By the grim look on the witcher’s face he knew it too. In the end Geralt did what Stregobor wanted him to do. Instead of payment or thanks he was branded a butcher.
The fear-shame-grief rolling off of the witcher (definitely not emotionless by the way) is enough to make your eyes sting. Your gaze settles on Jaskier, who’s gone into full sad puppy mode. You have a feeling he’s never heard the full story either. You clear your choked throat.
“You mentioned a rope, good sir?”
#the witcher#geralt x jaskier x reader#geraskeir#geraskier x reader#geralt x jaskier#geralt x reader#geralt of rivia#jaskier x reader
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thinking about the owl house in terms of disabled representation and like. god if they don't abuse Hunter's new access to "magic" we.. successfully have a show with REALLY good disabled representation ?
Eda's curse is a disability. she isn't preforming magic the same way everyone else does, like bard magic. feeling extreme emotions or not getting her medication can put her in danger, to herself and others.
and she just lost an arm.
she's afraid of forming connections because of her curse and how it effects others.
Hunter can't preform magic the ways others can. he had his staff, and then he had Flapjack. and now he has. Zoomies. i think that as long as he can't like, cast magic spells . he's still disabled! As far as I can remember- his powers aren't like how others are magic. we don't see other people zooming aruond in flashes of light, like that. he's not casting spells. His disability is still there, he just has a different form of aid!!! being able to go fricking super sonic
i saw someone comparing Flapjack's death to "someone shooting my service dog, and i suddenly am cured of all disability because of how much i loved them" and !! thats not it !! its like breaking your wheelchair and getting a prosthetic !!! I UNDERSTAND that point. because like, yeah. that was his fucking therapy animal. i'd have preferred we kept Flapjack. but we didn't, and they're still handling it OKAY. Flapjack was akin to a mobility aid.
he didn't lose his disability.
he just got a new support system.
#we can be mad at him losing his therapy animal but he didnt lose his disability as far as im concerned.#-physically disabled with neurological disorders <3#toh#the owl house#toh hunter#disabled hunter#disabled hunter toh#disabled toh hunter#toh season 3#toh season three#mika-posts
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A Faerûnian Masterlist
I write mostly SFW fluff, angst, and adventure fic. Below you'll find plenty of cute moments, witty banters, angsty arguments, action scenes, and the occasional slightly NSFW hint that fades to black.
Contents:
Popular One Shots
Tav/Durge-Specific Fics + Tav/Durge bios
Random Short Fics
Deep Dives in Lore
Ongoing Series (multi-chapter fics)
Click here to read my works on AO3 (where they are also slightly better organized).
Enjoy!
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Popular One-Shots
The things that have been Doing the Notes the most
Choosing to Live - Gale x You/Reader in which Gale struggles with the complicated emotional fallout of not obeying Mystra's command to self-destruct in Moonrise Towers (AO3 link)
he is enough - Gale x You/Reader but it's poetic thoughts about how Gale doesn't have to earn your love (AO3)
Ascension, Return - Gale x You/Reader where you're witness to Gale's ascension to godhood before he leaves to give the Crown of Karsus to Mystra...and you're a little scared he won't come back. (AO3)
Close - Halsin is playing hide and seek with the tiefling children, and Ardynn gets roped into the game. TLDR: trapped in a closet with Halsin (AO3)
———
Tav/Durge Fics
Fics arranged by Tav or Durge in mostly chronological order (they're better organized on AO3)
Meridan "Dani" Zavrai
A blue Mephistopheles tiefling bard who prefers her fiddle and a few handy spells over combat. Dani was briefly part of a band of bards called the Merry Rovers, led by a human named Brann who she views as essentially her father figure. She loves to talk her way into and out of trouble, making her silver tongue just as much an asset as it is a hindrance, and she finds it hard to resist the allure of a few gold coins in almost any circumstance. She is deeply devoted to her friends, however, and will defend or support them at the drop of a hat. You can rely on her for a good song, an encouraging word, a hearty laugh, and a healthy dose of Vicious Mockery heaped upon your enemies. Dani fell in love with Gale and the two spend most of their time in witty banter.
AO3 Link to all of Dani's fics in one place!
New Friend - 10yo Dani meets a lifelong best friend
Abducted - Dani is abducted by the nautiloid
Settling In - Dani reflects on her companions and her new place among them
Signs Part 1 + Signs Part 2 - Dani teaches the companions a new game (with some light romance angst)
The Art of the Night - Gale invites Dani to spend a perfect evening in Waterdeep and Dani reads poetry from The Art of the Night
(Im)possible Odds - Gale contemplates fulfilling Mystra's command in Act 2
Reunited Part 1 - Finally back in Baldur's Gate, Dani brings her companions to meet her mother
Reunited Part 2 - Several days later, Dani finally finds the Rovers at last
An Argument - Dani and Gale do not see eye to eye about the Crown of Karsus
A Little Boat Voyage - After their argument, Dani agrees to listen to Gale's plan for the crown...begrudgingly...
Siblings -Dani is not pleased at how Rolan is being treated at Sorcerous Sundries (half of this takes place both before "An Argument," and half of it after)
New Normal - Dani thinks back on the last six months after their victory over the Netherbrain
Ardynn Harrow
A half-elf ranger whose mother, a wood elf, abandoned her heritage to marry a human man, raising three children in a small clearing in the woods far from society. Ardynn grew up attuned to nature but with a marksman's talent for hunting. She views the world as an extension of nature's laws, of survival, and of balance, and she views herself as just one tiny part. To her, all life (animals, mortals, and otherwise) has value and should be treated with respect, but she also believes in survival and is a crackshot with a bow after years of hunting to feed her family. Just because you respect something doesn't mean you have to kneel to it and bare your neck, after all. She is unused to being in highly populated society but her desire to help others overcomes her anxiety about large crowds, busy streets, and labyrinthine cities. Ardynn had a crush on Halsin as soon as she met him and to this day is amazed that out of everyone in the camp (or the world), she was the one to catch and keep his attention.
AO3 Link to all of Ardynn's fics in one place!
Starstruck - Ardynn meets a certain very famous Archdruid
Close - Halsin is playing hide and seek with the tiefling children, and Ardynn gets roped into the game
Healing - Several scenes over the course of the game of times that Halsin has healed Ardynn
More That I Want... - Ardynn emerges from the Ketheric-Myrkul fight to find Halsin waiting for her in the throne room
Release - Ardynn struggles to cope with the stress of events in Baldur's Gate, but Halsin has a solution
Drowning - Ardynn faces her worst fear in the underwater prison of the Iron Throne
New Normal - Ardynn has some news to share with Halsin (part of the same post as Dani's, Ardynn's is second)
Freyr
A bloodthirsty human fighter who gets as much pleasure out of cleaving his greatsword through someone's skull as he does supporting his best friends in their endeavors. Freyr is a tall, buff, handsome Dark Urge who thinks with his sword before anything else. He doesn't talk much and is often mistaken for being morbidly stupid thanks to his irrational behavior and terse words, but he knows who to rely on when making difficult decisions and he's a surprisingly adept strategist on the battlefield. He also happens to be Faerûn's biggest hype man, that is, if you're pursuing personal dreams that lead to you having loads of awesome power. Just tell him who to murder on your path to success and you can consider it done. It was love at first sight for Freyr when he met Minthara, and whether he decided to rule the world in Bhaal's name or defeat the Netherbrain instead, he's making it his life's mission to make sure Minthara is there to rule beside him.
AO3 Link to all of Freyr's fics in one place!
Clarity - Freyr seeks Minthara fight in battle, and if he wasn't in love before, he sure is now
Slayer - Freyr tests out a new power
Hope - Freyr likes exactly one NPC in the game and her name is Hope
In Your Name - Freyr and Minthara discuss their future and Minthara gives him a new name
Invi
A high elf storm sorcerer, she is a mystery even to herself. At the start of her story, she knows almost nothing about her past, not even her own name, using the initials she finds carved on a pendant as inspiration for what people should call her. Plagued by dark urges that tempt her to kill and maim others, she has a hard time determining what is the "right" thing to do, resulting in more than a few mistakes with big consequences. She is a quiet, observant woman who frequently seeks others' wisdom on matters, viewing everyone's opinions and suggestions equally, and she has an uncanny knack for scientific study and realistic art that hint at some of the dark past she has yet to remember. She fell easily to Astarion's charms early on, but over time the bond they share deepens into a rich, enduring love as they seek answers for the mysteries in their lives and put an end to the forces that would seek to control them.
AO3 Link to all of Invi's fics in one place!
Awakening - Invi awakens on the ravaged beach and gives herself a new name
Together - Invi reflects on how nice Wyll is (it's a Wyll appreciation post okay)
Devil's Deal - Invi makes a deal with Raphael: one name in exchange for another
———
Posts with short fics for all or most of my Tavs/Durges on this list
Four Shared Baths - Dani, Ardynn, Invi, and Freyr share a bath with their LI...results vary
Songs and Lyrics - A few songs/lyrics that inspired little bit scenes for Ardynn, Dani, and Invi
First Confessions - The first time my Tavs/Durges said "I love you" to their LI
———
Deep Dives
Long posts that sparked my hyperfixation and had me red-string-theory connecting lore dots until I landed on a narrative that made sense in my head
Gale and Mystra (and Mystra, and Mystra...) - Meta post that dives into Forgotten Realms lore to discuss Mystra's multiple lives/deaths, how Gale fits into the timeline, when Mystra visited Gale, etc
Shadow Curse Events series - Meta posts that dive into Ketheric's descent into Sharran zealotry (Part 1), his war against the Harpers and Druids (Part 2), and the first 40 days of the shadow curse (Part 3).
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
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Ongoing Series
Below are the multi-chapter fics I'm currently working on, along with a short summary.
A Macabre Masquerade
Plot: One year after defeating the Netherbrain and saving the city, Dani and Gale receive a mysterious invitation to a masquerade ball. The invitation specifically invites them to participate as the Heroes of Baldur's Gate. However, when they get there, they soon realize they aren't the only Heroes of Baldur's Gate that got invited.
Characters/Pairings: Yes. All of them. Jk, but the core 8 companion + Tav/Durge romances are featured, also with some companion + companion romances implied or referenced
A/N: This fic brings together multiple Tavs/Durges in one place, including Tavs designed and played by some of my friends, but is written from the perspective of my current favorite Tav, Dani.
AO3 Link
Ch. 1 - An Invitation
Ch. 2 - Getting Ready
Ch. 3 - Donning the Masks
Ch. 4 - The Gang's All Here
Ch. 5 - Mirrors
Ch. 6 - For My Next Trick...
Ch. 7 - A Danse Macabre
#bg3#bg3 fic#bg3 fanfic#bg3 fanfiction#my fic#oc#gale#gale dekarios#astarion#halsin#minthara#bg3 companions#dani#meridan zavrai#ardynn#ardynn harrow#invi#freyr#baldur's gate 3
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Ok so I have been trying to pinpoint why Hira goes for Astarion in the beginning and I think it's a combination of smaller reasons, instead of one big reason.
First one being that they're inherently curious, a bit of a nosy bastard, and as I mentioned before, a hot vampire elf who brags about his sexual prowess is either gonna be great or terrible, which is great in a different way. Bards are gonna bard, and bragging about sleeping with a pretty vampire elf is a fun tale at the very least. (Also, in their experience, high elves are among the worst races in bed, so this will be extra funny if the trend continues.)
Second, they're midly attracted to him, probably because of the belligerent sexual tension, which they assume is mostly one-sided. Out of all the people who proposition them at the party, he's the most appealing. Lae'zel seems fun but very intense and might break their spine, Gale is too nice to ruin, and Shadowheart just isn't their type.
Third, I think they don't realize how fucked up he is at this point, because he hasn't actually told anyone, obviously. They're just like "oh just another bad boy with a big mouth and a bigger ego, I've handled those before, nbd" so they don't expect to step into premium bullshit. It'll just be a one night thing and then they can move on.
Fourth has something to do with their backstory, in which they were betrayed by someone they thought was the love of their life, pretty much out of nowhere. So going for a guy who's an outright stated untrustworthy freak is like, cool, I know what I'm getting into, don't have to trust him with anything, especially not my heart.
As for why they go for him long-term? I don't think it's a conscious decision, actually. I think the romance interactions with him post-sex but pre-Araj can be read as somewhat platonic, or at least not overtly romantic. As I stated before, they don't have sex that second time in my headcanon, so Hira continues to sort of gently flirt with him but keeps things cool and doesn't do anything overtly romantic or sexual. But somewhere after the mirror scene and before the hug, Hiraeth realizes that Astarion is just a scared animal, hissing and scratching in self-defense, and sort of treats him like that?
They don't believe in perfect victims, and think he's fully within his right to be a huge bitch about everything, and that he's actually surprisingly functional for what he's been through. They can't even imagine 200 years of torture, so this guy being as, frankly, normal as he is, is a good sign that there's plenty to salvage in there. In his shoes, they'd probably be on a killing spree. So they think, ok, I'll just give him room to figure himself out, give him a nice cozy nook to feel safe in, and keep him fed (with my blood). Not fix him, but give him space to fix himself. If he does, that's great! They don't even consider that they might be together at any point.
He does give them plenty of glimpses that he's not just a little garbage man through and through, even if they enjoy him being a little bit garbage sometimes, so they find that they have a lot of gentle thoughts of him, particularly when after he's been vulnerable with them or struggled to find the words to accept their kindness, despite clealry wanting to. He tries to hide that he has any genuine emotions, but because they can tell he's lying, they know there's something to hide, and they want to see what it is.
So they keep treating him like an equal and a valued member of the team, hearing out his stupid ideas and considering his cringe opinions. Not because they agree, but because he deserves to be heard, even if he doesn't deserve obedience.
So when they give him that nice hug and he immediately takes their hand and says he likes whatever this is, they're genuinely taken aback like, what? Already? I mean sure, yes, let's try it out, but are you sure? I'm not really offering you anything extraordinary except my continued care and support, which I will give anyway.
(Good ending) Astarion acknowledges Tav's patience with and care for him in the final romance cutscene in the game, and I think that works as a motivatior for him, as well. I don't think Astarion always likes or agrees with Hiraeth's penchant for kindness or their silly little oath, but in the end, he understands, at least logically, that if they weren't this kind to others, they would also not be this kind to him. So them being a soft-hearted little idiot is a prerequisite for them being his soft-hearted little idiot, which means fine, he'll tolerate it, even if he'll grumble about it, even if their kindness is a waste sometimes. Like maybe he sometimes gets really jealous when they turn their bright sun of a smile on anyone but him, but he'll be fine as long as it's only for him at the end of the day. Ya know?
Haha anyway. I'm insane 💅💅💅
#bg3#oc: hiraeth#worsties to lovers#bg3 spoilers#also i think it's important to note that hira is kind but they're not stupid#they're very manipulative and specific about their application of kindness#much like how they tell bosses to kill themselves not because they believe it's more peaceful but because it's funnier and also#less dangerous than actually facing them in combat#so they're like 'i will be kind to you on purpose'#'i am conscious and deliberate about how i treat you'#'it's not a reflex based on blind morality but a willing choice i'm making'#hence the cult leader vibes#hira wants people to trust and like them#to be eager to follow and obey them#and yes that's kind of sinister#but i love making characters who could be oh so evil but simply choose not to be#the paarthurnax effect<3#'i want you to trust and like me. not for nefarious purposes. just feels nice :)'
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Love Interests For Batgirl
I want to go through the best options for her instead of sticking her with Nightwing all the time.
First I'll start with my okay & itcks
I know people like Nightwing & Batgirl together. Sometimes they can be cute and good for each other. I really just like them as friends hell, they same to work pretty damn well as friends.
I'm also tired of them having her date/romantic with every guy in the batfamily
Batman & Batgirl
Just eww no, it was weird in the Animated Series/Movie (Killing Joke movie) and that one Lego Movie still weird till this day. BruceTimverse had her mess with him & Nightwing his adopted son.
Robin/Red Robin ( Tim Drake) & Batgirl
Honestly why? I know its not canon but, like out of all people why Tim?
Batwing (Luke Fox) & Batgirl
I mean they tried with this couple but honestly it was so damn boring. Truth be told Luke Fox (Batwing) he's lame to me.
Red Hood (Jason Todd) & Batgirl
They always try to push them together & it just feels weird doesn't really work at all. Even the non canon Joker(3 jokers) it doesn't feel right.
Like damn... who's next Duke, Alfred or Azrael?
Now on to my favorite exploring other love intrests
Ted Kord (Blue Bettle II) My top pick
To me they just clicked with each other so well.
he really brought out the best qualities in her in a way that her other romances didn't.
He genuinely didn't care about the wheelchair. In fact, I noticed rereading some old Birds of Prey stories that he's pushing her wheelchair around at many moments. That shows something. Babs doesn't let anyone push her wheelchair. Not even Canary or Grayson. Slowly pushed past her emotional defenses.
He made her laugh. He was loyal to a fault. Drew her out of her brooding and depression without pushing. Supported her without trying to take over. Encouraged her to go after her interests and shared alot of the same interests.
During that time in BOP, Grayson treated her like something broken that he needed to fix. Ted treated her like she was an amazing person that he wanted to be with.
Jason Bard
I mean they got engaged to each other they were together for a long time ago. I can't remeber much about his couple but how deeply they care for each other showed.
Nick Gage
They used to date it was alright.
Sam Young
they got married in one contiunity so I wonder about they're relationship is like seems nice and healthy. I do remeber he is they mayor & she is the commisoner(In the Batman Beyond)
Steve Harris
In Future's End, do know how it started but when reading a bit they are so both smitten lol its beautiful.
I'd say Ted Kord is my pick for her I wish they gave Babs & Ted another try. If not Jason Bard or another hero that be cool just not Batwing that relationship had me on a snooze fest.
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VOX MACHINA SEASON 2 WAS AWESOME!
What a season! WHAT A SEASON!
Chroma Conclave is a difficult arc to adapt and so far, they have been fantastic. I have enjoyed all of the changes, save perhaps the ones they made for Zahra and Syldor’s personality, though I can live with it and Zahra is amazing as an asshole anti-villain too.
The pacing was lovely, they did not shy away from their more filthy and rowdy aspects, but got a much better balance of it. Humor was on point and it always added and elevated the emotional scenes instead of undermining them.
Animation was even better than last season and fight scenes... OMG THE FIGHT SCENES! The action was top notch. The Kill Box was magnificent and again, I enjoyed the changes they have made in order to show the power scaling and more varied, exciting challenges.
Once again, plenty of characters got to shine, but of course, some are less than others, because in a cast this large, you gotta wait your turn. Last season was all Percy with some decent Pike and a little bit of Keyleth. This season they took a back seat while the rest got amazing arcs, with again, a little bit of Keyleth, because my girl has a long journey!
I loved it, I loved everything about it. The way they set up powers, plot points and events and then provide the pay off, the way how no scene is wasted and everything has value and meaning, the way in which this show constantly provides even in the background, even in quiet scenes and demands and deserves your attention... They are giving a masterclass in screenwriting here.
Every single character develops, properly and with still room to grow. I love how they balance friends supporting each other and not abandoning one another, without falling into coddling, overshadowing or inhibiting anyone’s personal achievements.
The songs! So many amazing songs! They absolutely bring everything up, not leaving any unique value on the cutting room floor. They have a bard, and beautiful voices, and they are using it in ways that enhance the story and the viewing experience.
This is what an adaptation should be. This is the dream, the ideal adaptation any fan wants for their beloved works.
KUDOS Critical Role, Hats off to you, take bow, what a magnificent season of animation this was.
Now we await the season 3 and also AMAZON; GIMME MY SEASON 4 AND 5!!!!!!
(But also thank you for the Mighty Nein and other projects love you!)
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Arianna for V? (an abandoned or empty place)
I’m sorry this took so long and it’s not even for Arianna’s perspective, though she is a the foucs character! I’ve used the prompt to write a prequel oneshot to my longfic ‘Ready Now’. This is quite long, so under the Read More it goes!
From Now On
Summary: After the spectre’s defeat, Layton promises to protect the Barde siblings.
Set: Set after the PL4 epilogue, when the Golden Garden is uncovered… Leads into an AU, though at this point, it could still be considered canon, outside of a credits picture or a bonus episode.
Spoilers: For PL4, and implications for Lost Future, Miracle Mask and Azran Legacy. All the games referencing Layton’s tragic backstory! I’m sure this won’t influence his decision to adopt two orphaned kids!
Warnings: Discussion of canon character death… Typical orphan angst for the series… Minor reference to Arianna’s illness… Minor reference to Layton’s stay in hospital… Descole isn’t portrayed in the best light since, at this point, he did just kidnap a bunch of people and try to destroy a town… Bumbling-dad Layton falls off a ladder, hurts his knees and flashes back to his childhood… That’s it!
Inspiration: I’m kind of embarrassed to say it’s ‘From Now On’ from the Greatest Showman. Also, the credits theme from PL4– Paxmáveiti
Arianna and Tony were, understandably, quiet as they left the Golden Garden.
Hershel had never lost an animal companion— his mother was wary of dogs, his father was allergic to cats, and Claire hadn’t had time for pets— but then again, Loosha had been much more than that.
Hershel couldn’t attest to the emotional intelligence of Loosha’s kind. (He was no palaeontologist ormarine biologist!) All he could assess was what he had witnessed and heard.
Loosha had been alone, until she’d found kinship with the Barde siblings. After their father died, she had become a guardian to the both of them and to Misthallery as a whole.
Loosha had sought out the Golden Garden with the hope of healing Arianna’s illness.
As a social creature, she had wanted Arianna and Tony to let others into their lives.
According to Luke, Loosha had thanked the siblings for their time together before she passed away. Perhaps Luke was merely trying to comfort his friends… but Hershel would like to believe this was true.
Dogs had the capacity to experience fear and anger, happiness and sadness, along with loyalty and love. Some canines could even sense disease in humans.
Why should an ancient sea creature be all that different?
It didn’t matter what Hershel believed, anyway. The matter stood that Arianna and Tony— already orphaned and ostracised— had just lost their dearest friend.
Not their only friend, mind you; Luke and the reliable townsfolk would do all they could to support the Bardes from now on. Hershel and Emmy would be amongst them, even if it meant travelling back and forth from London.
But for Arianna and Tony, letting people in was still going to take time.
Even after the spectre’s defeat… Even with those rumours about the ‘calamity witch’ cleared up… Even though there were and always had been neighbours who cared about the Barde children… There would still be those odd few who shunned them.
Tony and especially Arianna had reason to be reluctant, after how much they were accused of ruining Misthallery.
(Hershel could definitely relate to that.)
Would Arianna and Tony feel safe returning to Barde Manor?
Before, the siblings had at least had Loosha at their beck and call, but now…
Hershel turned his head to check the Bardes were trailing behind he, Emmy and Luke as they trudged out of the tunnel.
Arianna had her arm around Tony’s shoulder as Tony clung to her back. For some reason he couldn’t explain, Hershel found the scene striking, and he had to force himself to look away. (A gentleman should never stare.)
He and Emmy lifted the children out of the golden gateway.
When they emerged from the passage, blinking around at the empty reservoir, the Bardes looked like a pair of lost chicks.
“D-do you think everyone was okay,” Tony wondered, “after the flood?” His dark eyes asked a different question: Do you think everyone will blame Loosha— and us?
Arianna gazed down at a puddle near their feet.
Gently, Hershel reminded them, “Everyone was evacuated when the… machines came in.” ‘Robots’ would be a more appropriate term. (Hershel would have been shocked, had he not encountered mechanical mummies at Akbadain seventeen years ago…)
If the spectre robots had survived the flood, perhaps they could be put to good use rebuilding the town.
“I hope Dad got evacuated with them,” Luke gasped.
“He was most likely organising the evacuation,” Hershel said. As much as Clark had struggled with his mayoral duties, no one could deny that he was organised.
“What about Mum?” Luke asked. “And Do— the real Donald? Where are they?”
“They’re safe as can be at the Black Market,” Emmy said brightly.
Surprisingly, Tony nodded with approval. Had Crow and the other Ravens left a good impression on him?
“I have to see them!” Luke declared, grabbing hold of Emmy’s coat sleeve, as he had done to Hershel earlier.
“Your mum almost said the same thing about you,” Emmy chuckled. “I promised I’d bring you back—“
“Let’s go!” Luke tugged on her arm, but then he paused. He looked back at Arianna and Tony— the friends he had only just reconciled with after so long.
“It’s… alright, Luke,” Arianna said. She spoke falteringly, as if she feared her words would hurt him. “You should be with your family…”
“You could— come with us?” Luke offered.
“Thank you,” Arianna sighed wearily, “but I just want to go home.”
“M-me too,” Tony mumbled.
“On your own?” Emmy said. She frowned at Hershel, sharing the same concerns as him.
That masked man— Descole— had escaped after vowing to defeat them someday. His robot army was now waterlogged, but who knew what he was capable of? Surely he wouldn’t hesitate to take another hostage…
What about Third Eye Jakes, his thugs, or any fiend who wished ill on the Barde children?
Hershel held his hand out to Arianna and Tony. “May I accompany you home?”
“R-really?” Tony said.
“Of course. That’s what…” Hershel had been about to say, ‘That’s what a gentleman does!’, but he might risk upsetting Luke, who already felt conflicted about leaving his friends.
Though Luke was well on his way to becoming a young gentleman, he needed to be with his mother, after the months they had spent apart.
Hershel was keen to reconnect with Brenda himself— and Clark, now that he wasn’t under duress— but at that moment, Arianna and Tony needed him.
No one should be alone after suffering a loss. Clark and Brenda knew this.
“…That’s what I’ll do,” Hershel said, instead. Much to his relief, Arianna nodded in agreement.
The five of them plodded out of the dam together, but they had to part ways at the little bridge, which was miraculously still in tact.
Luke promised he would visit Arianna and Tony tomorrow. Emmy told Hershel she would collect him from Barde Manor later on.
With that, Luke and Emmy trooped down to the North Pier, while Hershel followed Arianna and Tony up to Barde Manor.
Arianna kept glancing down the hill as they walked.
“Luke is in safe hands,” Hershel informed her. “Emmy excels in self-defence— I saw her take out three thugs the other day.”
“That’s good,” Arianna whispered, looking ahead as they reached the rusty old gates.
Tony asked, “Do you know self-defence, Mr Layton?”
“I’m afraid not,” Hershel admitted. Usually, he wasn’t one to boast, but he couldn’t resist adding, “Though, I was part of a fencing club years ago…”
“Fencing?” Tony echoed. He surveyed the jagged blue fence surrounding the manor.
“With swords,” Hershel clarified, hiding a smile behind his hand.
“You can sword fight?!” Tony turned back to Hershel, gaping at him as if he was a knight in shining armour.
Hershel wished he possessed that amount of skill and chivalry. If Descole ambushed them now, Hershel feared he would be no help at all… unless the Bardes happened to have an ornamental sword or an umbrella somewhere around the manor!
There was a discarded hand trowel in the Bardes’ garden— maybe that would do?
As Hershel picked up the trowel, Tony grimaced. “Sorry, I… haven’t really been taking care of the garden.”
Hershel said, “My own garden isn’t much better…”
It was rather small and barren these days.
Claire had always remembered to water the plants, but now Hershel often relied on the rain or his neighbour, Mrs. Cecílie, with her sprinklers.
“We should plant some flowers soon,” Arianna murmured, “for Loosha.”
Hershel hummed. He recalled seeing a stall in the market that sold flowers. Perhaps the owner, or one of the other residents, could help fix up the Bardes’ garden?
Hershel would have offered, but he was hardly qualified. (Rosa had scolded him that time he’d let a potted plant wither on his office windowsill!)
As they wandered through the woodland part of the garden, Tony shivered and edged closer to Hershel. Either the poor boy was suffering from the cold or he was scared something might attack them. The fog had lifted slightly, but Hershel still remained vigilant.
Arianna strode on ahead of them, undaunted.
Hershel almost sighed with relief when they made it to the mansion. It didn’t seem as ominous as it had on first sight. Again, this might have been due to the fog clearing up…
Or could it be because Hershel now knew the occupants of the manor house? There were no witches or spectres to be found here— just two forlorn children.
Tony unlocked the front doors, and Hershel went in first.
The dust in the entrance hall appeared undisturbed; if an intruder had broken in, it wasn’t through here. Hershel didn’t let Arianna and Tony leave his side until they had checked the rest of the house.
After that, Arianna retired to her bedroom. Hershel was left with Tony.
The two of them spoke in unison:
“Do you—?”
“Can I—?”
Hershel gestured for Tony to go first.
“Can I get you anything?” Tony said.
“I was going to ask you the same,” Hershel said, smiling.
Tony fiddled with the ends of his scarf.“You’re a guest…”
You are a grieving child, Hershel thought, but he indulged Tony’s need to be useful and keep busy. “A cup of tea, perhaps?”
Tony nodded keenly and led Hershel down to the kitchen.
As Tony removed two cups, saucers and teabags from one of the many cupboards, Hershel tried to see how much food he and Arianna had left. It wasn’t much— and the fridge didn’t look very full either when Tony took out the milk.
Tony had visited the market the other day, hadn’t he? He would have to restock soon.
Hershel would save him another trip by going himself.
That would depend on when the market was open after the flood… and how long Hershel would remain in Misthallery.
While Tony boiled the kettle, Hershel remembered how he had rushed out of his office after reading what he believed to be Clark’s letter. He had practically disregarded Rosa…
What would Hershel’s poor students make of his sudden leave of absence? Dean Delmona would permit Hershel a few days away, but not too long.
Ma would go spare if Hershel failed to turn up for Sunday roast without an explanation. (He would definitely be omitting the more dangerous details of his latest case, especially the robot army!)
Did Emmy have family waiting for her at home— presuming she lived in London? He would have to ask her…
“Here you go.” Tony handed Hershel a steaming cup of tea with a saucer.
“Thank you.”
Tony watched anxiously as Hershel took a sip.
“Classic English breakfast tea…” Hershel hummed contently. “Can’t be beaten.” (If he was completely honest, he did find breakfast tea rather bland, but that was no fault of Tony’s.)
Rubbing the back of his head, Tony said, “Sorry I, um… threw you out last time you were here.”
“It’s no problem,” Hershel replied. He drained the rest of his tea before saying,
“I’m sorry we intruded— we were concerned for Arianna, but that’s no excuse.”
Had there been any previous attempts— well-intentioned or otherwise— to break in to Barde Manor? Hershel recalled one lady saying they used to check on the kids from time to time, but those visits had stopped due to all the disasters in town.
“Me too,” Tony sighed.
“May I ask, was Arianna aware of your… disguise?”
Arianna had seemed horrified when she heard Tony was behind the witch’s curse, but she hadn’t really commented on the fact that her little brother was disguised as ‘Seamus the gardener’. Surely she had questioned Tony’s absence whenever ‘Seamus’ was in the same room as her?
“I… I think so.” Tony stared at his feet. “I’m sorry about that too— I still have to tell everyone in town…”
Hershel pictured Tony in the plaza, surrounded by a temperamental crowd. Some of the townspeople— like the Black Ravens— would be forgiving, but others…
Others had simply watched as Arianna (an infirm preteen girl) was tied up and put on trial by their corrupt police chief.
Hershel quietly vowed to stand with Tony whenever he made his confession.
“Your motive of protecting Arianna was pure,” Hershel said firmly. Those witch’s marks had been a protest against Arianna’s disparagement… and a plea for help.
A small smile crept over Tony’s face. “Do you have any big sisters?” he asked Hershel. “Or brothers?”
“…No. I’m afraid not.”
Why had he hesitated like that? Hershel was, and always had been, an only child.
Perhaps he had reminded Angela of her older brother (according to Randall)… but that was irrelevant.
“Oh… That’s okay!” Tony said dismissively.
Tony picked up another teacup and saucer from the kitchen counter. “I’m just going to… to take this up to Arianna!”
Hershel inclined his head and held the door open for Tony.
“Be careful,” Hershel called as Tony almost spilled the tea running upstairs.
Hershel would have gone with him, but he got the feeling Tony wanted to speak to Arianna alone.
Hershel returned to the kitchen to tidy up the tea supplies. He then did a proper search of the cupboards and the fridge— yes, he would definitely need to do some shopping later.
During his inspection, he came across a cupboard containing a blue feather duster, a broom, and other cleaning essentials, along with a stepladder. All of this reminded him of a puzzle, but he would have to file it away for another time.
He might as well make himself useful while he was waiting…
Rosa would have been proud; Hershel started in the kitchen, wiping the countertops and sweeping the floor, before he proceeded out to the entrance hall.
He stopped for a moment at the bottom of the staircase, wondering if Arianna and Tony would object to his cleaning.
After their father’s death, the children had ordered the household staff to leave. (Even the sympathetic staff, such as Beth, were prone to gossiping about the Barde family.)
Now, hopefully, the staff would be invited back… but whether any of them would want to return was yet to be seen.
If Hershel could take some of the work off their plates, perhaps people would be more inclined to stay.
It would make sense to clear the cobwebs from the ceiling first, and then move on to the floor.
Unfortunately, even with the feather duster, Hershel couldn’t reach the ceiling. (Emmy would be tall enough, but she had claimed spiders were her one weakness!)
Fortunately, there was that stepladder in the cleaning cupboard…
Hershel placed the stepladder against the wall opposite the staircase. He climbed up and started dusting the ceiling corner.
“Excuse me, Miss…” he muttered apologetically as a spider scuttled away from him.
Above Hershel, there were some cobwebs streaming from the wooden beams of the ceiling that he still couldn’t touch— even with the feather duster and the ladder.
Hershel huffed. Clark had often poked fun at Hershel’s height back in university when Hershel couldn’t reach their top kitchen cupboard— but that was years ago… Surely Hershel had grown since then?
Hershel stretched out his arm, lifting the feather duster as far as he could. He stood on his tiptoes.
Hershel smiled as he finally bested the cobwebs. “Aha— WAH!”
The stepladder toppled over, taking Hershel with it.
“What was that noise?!”
“Mr Layton? What’s going on?”
Grunting with pain, Hershel sat up on the floor. He blinked his eyes open as two figures came pelting down the stairs.
The smaller figure had chestnut-ginger hair, dark eyes and a round face. He was wearing an orange coat-jacket with the buttons done up and a blue tie… Or was it a green scarf?
Hershel squinted.
The second figure was taller, with a white shirt collar and a red bow tie-ribbon. They were staring at Hershel with wide, fearful blue eyes— but wait… that wasn’t right…
“Who…?” Hershel thought, or maybe he said it aloud.
The smaller figure rushed towards him. Finally, Tony Barde came into focus.
“M-Mr Layton? Professor Layton! Are you okay?”
“Y-yes, just a bit dazed, is all…” Hershel sighed and fixed his hat. (Somehow, it was still on his head.)
Tony helped him stand up. Hershel tried not to wince as his knees ached. (Earlier, he had outrun a giant robot and a flood. A little fall was nothing for him to fuss over.)
Arianna crept to his side as well. She looked from Hershel to the discarded step ladder and feather duster. “What were you doing up there?”
“Cleaning,” Hershel answered simply, “until I fell…” His knees popped with pain as he bent to pick up the stepladder. “I’m sorry for scaring you—“
Tony beat him to the stepladder. “We were worried about you!” Tony gasped, lifting the ladder up. “We thought someone had broken in and—“
“And injured you!” Arianna interjected.
Hershel was shocked by their concern— and touched. “I’m perfectly alright,” he reiterated. “And I… promise no one is going to break in.”
By now, Hershel should have known better than to make promises he couldn’t confidently keep. That outcome would depend on outside forces— Jean Descole, Third Eye Jakes and the like.
But if the worst came to pass, Hershel would do his best to uphold his promise— to protect Arianna and Tony.
Thankfully, Tony seemed reassured. “A gentleman never goes back on his word,” Tony reminded him.
Smiling, Hershel touched the brim of his hat. “Quite right, my boy.”
Tony asked, “Do you need another cup of tea?”
“A glass of water will do nicely, thank you…” Hershel turned to the feather duster, but Arianna had already retrieved it.
“You can sit down while you drink it,” Arianna said sternly, pointing the feather duster up the stairs.
While Tony returned the stepladder and the duster to the kitchen, Arianna led Hershel upstairs to a sitting room.
Even with all the dust, it remained a regal room, with paintings covering the walls, a diamond-patterned green carpet, a large stone fireplace, and salmon pink seating.
Luke had described meeting Arianna at one of Mr Barde’s parties. Perhaps it was in this very room?
At Arianna’s behest, Hershel lowered himself into an armchair.
Arianna hovered next to the chair for a moment, holding her hands behind her back. “Thank you for helping us,” she said formally.
“Your more than welcome,” Hershel replied.
Arianna looked around the sitting room. Furtively, Hershel followed her gaze to a
a portrait of a woman with auburn-coloured hair.
The woman’s eyes were crinkled shut in a beaming smile. She was wearing a white dress and appeared to be standing on the sunny deck of a ship—
Arianna glanced back to Hershel.
“How long will you be staying in Misthallery?” The question came out suddenly, as though Arianna was forcing herself to make conversation.
For as long as I’m needed, Hershel almost said. But on second thought, that was rather presumptuous…
Instead, he answered, “I’d like to catch with Clark and Brenda. The three of us were friends in university…”
That would depend on whether Clark and Brenda wanted to catch up with him. He hadn’t seen either of them since… since he’d woken up in hospital, seven years ago.
Hershel hadn’t left the Tritons on bitter terms (like with his friends from Stansbury), but he had buried himself in his work at Gressenheller, and they had moved out to the country. They had simply… drifted apart.
Should Hershel have made more of an effort to keep in touch?
Arianna continued, “What university did you all go to?”
“Gressenheller… That’s in Westminster, Lon—“
“In London, I know. Is that where you work now?”
Hershel nodded. “I never left,” he said, somewhat sheepishly.
After he was discharged from hospital… After his failed investigations into the institute explosion… After saying goodbye to his old university friends…
Hershel had settled into a life of teaching, late-night research, and assisting Scotland Yard with notable cases. (Nothing too notable— he knew better than that.)
Most of his colleagues saw him as a threat at best and a young upstart at worst.
His closest companions, outside of his parents, were Dean Delmona, Andrew and Rosa— all of whom cared for Hershel, but at the end of the day, it was their jobs to associate with him.
Hershel had resigned himself to puzzles, classes and his archaeological career— ironically, never looking back and thinking little of his future.
Or… that had been the case, until Hershel received a letter (seemingly) from his old classmate and something was set alight inside him.
Until Emmy Altava veered in front of the Laytonmobile and announced she was his new assistant.
Until he’d helped Luke save Misthallery, and Luke asked to become Hershel’s apprentice.
Arianna’s voice breached Hershel’s thoughts. “I suppose you’ll become rich and famous,” she said, her tone guarded, “with the discovery of the Golden Garden.”
Had she not heard him discussing this with Emmy earlier? Or, if even she had, did she believe him?
Hershel said, “As I told Emmy, I have no intention of revealing the garden to the public until you have recovered…”
Arianna’s eyes brightened.
“…Or at all, if that would be preferable,” he finished.
Technically, Loosha was the one who had discovered the garden. Hershel had just solved the puzzle of the gateway.
Furthermore, the Golden Garden was located on the Bardes’ land. Clark would transfer the land rights to Arianna and Tony— especially now that Arianna would certainly come of age. (Hershel couldn’t bear to imagine otherwise.)
With how things had improved, the Bardes might choose to share the garden with everyone in Misthallery.
Arianna nodded and quickly changed the subject. “Is— is Luke really going to become your apprentice?”
“Well…” Hershel cleared his throat. “Luke is very determined and… he has proved himself to be most dependable…”
Hershel was still getting used to having an assistant in Emmy. What would he expect of a ten-year-old apprentice?
Luke was very good at taking organised notes— but surely he would become bored sitting in on Hershel’s class?
Luke didn’t seem all that interested in archeology— at least, examining dig sites. His heart was more set on exploring, cracking puzzles and solving mysteries, much like…
Hershel shook his head. “But I will have to talk to his parents about it first.”
“Right…” Some of the tension left Arianna’s shoulders. Had she feared Hershel was going to take Luke away?
“If Luke does come to London, you and Tony will always be welcome to join us,” Hershel said.
Hershel had no idea how he would entertain three children... Provided that he could get the time off work, perhaps they could go to the museum, or the aquarium, or the theatre. (Arianna played the piano, didn’t she? And Tony had an affinity for costumes…)
Arianna blinked, before she gave Hershel a grateful smile. “I’ll… see what Tony thinks, and how I’m feeling. Thank you, Professor—“
There was the echo a knocking noise from somewhere downstairs. The fact that they could hear it up here meant it must have been very loud.
“Tony,” Arianna whispered, glancing at the sitting room door.
Hershel immediately stood up, ignoring the knock of pain in his knees.
He strode out to the atrium stairs with Arianna in tow. They reached the top of the stairs in time to see Tony rushing to the front doors.
“Tony, wait…!” Hershel called in warning. It might have seemed overly-cautious, but anyone could have been waiting on the doorstep.
Jean Descole. Third Eye Jakes. The police. Ruffians. An aggravated neighbour…
Anyone who could hurt Tony and Arianna, given the chance. They might not intend to injure the children physically, but their irate words could still harm Tony and Arianna at this most delicate time.
Tony froze, his hand on the golden door handle. He turned as Hershel hurried downstairs.
Tony mouthed, “Professor—“ but he was cut off by someone else shouting outside:
“Professor? Arianna? Tony? Helloooo?”
It sounded like Emmy…
“Emmy,” Hershel said slowly as Tony shuffled behind him. “Just for security, can you remind me of how we met?”
“Sure thing!” Emmy crowed. “I almost crashed into you with my scooter, but before that—“
“Really?” Another female voice exclaimed from outside.
“Beth…?” Tony breathed. Hershel looked back at him and Arianna. Would they mind if their old maid entered the house?
“Oh— Beth’s with me too, Professor!” Emmy explained. “But we can trust her!“
Arianna and Tony nodded to Hershel.
Hershel unlocked the doors. “Sorry about that,” he said as Emmy and Beth swept into the entrance hall. “We just needed to ensure you weren’t imposters—“
“Of course!” Beth said approvingly. “We don’t want another ‘Doland’ on our hands…” She gave Arianna and Tony a small wave.
Hershel asked, “How is Doland? And Brenda?”
“Worn out, but they’re both home now,” Emmy said with a smile. “Luke was so happy to see his mum…” Emmy’s smile faded slightly when she noticed Arianna and Tony staring at her.
“I’m glad they’re alright,” Arianna murmured.
“Luke said you can visit their house whenever you want,” Emmy parroted, “or he’ll come to you— whatever’s easier!”
“Maybe tomorrow?” Arianna suggested, to which everyone agreed.
Hershel was glad; although they would have welcomed Arianna and Tony, the Tritons could spend the evening together as a family.
Brenda and Doland could finally rest in their own beds. Luke could sleep soundly knowing his mother was home safe. And Clark would no longer have Descole’s threats looming over his head.
It would also give the Barde siblings a period of respite to grieve for Loosha. They wouldn’t be left alone, of course; Beth offered to stay the night at Barde Manor. She said she would just get on with the cleaning (probably doing a better job than Hershel), unless Arianna and Tony needed anything.
Before Hershel and Emmy could head back to the hotel, Tony asked, “Will we see you tomorrow as well?”
Hershel turned to Tony. He was standing in front of the stairs with Arianna. Once more, Hershel was struck by the sight of the two siblings:
The younger, who had hidden his true self away to protect his sister…
And the older, who was still wary and withdrawn, but had started to hope again. Tony was staring pleadingly at Hershel.
Emmy raised an eyebrow. “What do you think, Professor?”
“Of course,” Hershel assured Tony. “And, as I told Arianna, you will always be welcome to visit us in London.”
Hershel met Arianna’s eye. She smiled softly at him.
Tony held out his pinkie finger to Hershel. “Promise?”
“Erm…” Hershel linked pinkies with him and they shook on it. “Promise.”
Hershel would do anything to help the Barde children from now. This was one promise he knew he could keep.
#professor layton#Ready Now#Hershel Layton#Arianna Barde#Tony Barde#Luke Triton#Loosha#Emmy Altava#Beth (PL)#last spectre#Spectre’s call#My writing#pl fanfic#my fics#AU in which Layton adopts the Barde kids#I’m so sorry Crow’s only mentioned in one line here#Maybe I’ll write another fic from Crow’s POv#Where he decides he wants to be adopted by Layton too#Layton sees a lot of himself in Tony and a lot of his brother in Arianna#Who ironically had something to do with Mr Barde’s death#So now it’s up to Hershel to look after the orphaned kids#Hershel: *Quiet muttering about having to clean up his older brother’s mess*
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tell us about your coming of age/d&d parallell show
gdfgdf oh gladly! I may not be able to do the idea justice, but the basic concept is a bunch of kids in high school with Issues who all attend a D&D club after school, DMed by their English teacher. Over the course of the show, each episode basically has two stories running in parallel: one, in the world of the game, (possibly shown in a different art style/animation) and one in reality, in which all the kids have to deal with problems that come up, paralleled in the game world.
Like, for example, one of my less fleshed-out ideas is for a character who is normally incredibly reserved, but plays a Barbarian in the game, and has to learn to stand up for themselves by incorporating the aspects they play.
Of course, and this is the one supernatural point of order, which is that their English teacher has mild psychic abilties that he uses to try and help the kids deal with the issues in a virtual space. Should he be doing this? Probably not. Is it going to come up? Yes.
So far my ideas are pretty soft, but here are the characters I've worked out so far.
B: A somewhat quiet "boy" who plays a confident Tiefling Bard. You can probably guess where that's going. The only episode I wrote was about her finally coming to terms with herself and standing up to her father, represented in the game by the literal King of Hell.
Charity: Comes from an extremely evangelical family, plays a Cleric who slowly has to realize that their organized religion actually is pretty fucked up, and has to seek their own path to faith.
Laine: Basically someone who spends so much of her time and herself helping people that she never gets her time in the spotlight. Plays a support Paladin.
Ross: Plays a headstrong Rogue who is constantly going ahead of the group and doing her own plans, often to the detriment of others. In real life, she and Laine have to work out their relationship to be on more equal grounds, where Ross learns to support Laine, and Laine learns to stand up for herself.
Dorian: Plays a joke character, Sloppy Jeff, a Warlock who wears a bathrobe and gets his powers from an eldritch seagull. Basically is constantly deflecting with jokes, sort of seen as a class clown. Has a fuckton of issues and Sloppy Jeff eventually has a heartbreaking story arc about how he actually obtained his powers, and his relationship with his older brother.
I only have one actual episode scripted out, which I wrote for a screenwriting class, intended to be a season finale of sorts. I might post it!
I just think that it would be a lot more interesting and easier to connect with than if you just did, like, a typical D&D campaign. Like, if you're just going to tell a Generic Fantasy Story, why are you making a D&D show? Make anything else! (Like a Stormlight Archives show please)
Also, this more from a cynical production standpoint, but shooting half your epic fantasy show in a typical high school would really cut down on the budget, and allow you to do a lot of cool, high-production moments in the Campaign world to underscore the emotional beats of the real world moments!
So yeah. Please hire me WOTC.
#halfway joking there but in general i think its a pretty good idea that ive had fun doing!#sort of playing off of like#class stereotypes and what that means for the real people playing the characters#and giving them a bit more depth#and obviously this is like a show for younger people
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DnD (5e) Classes for my Trolls
Look, I’m bored, because I can’t draw right now so imma start assigning DnD Classes to my kids! Feel free to reply with yours too! Let’s make it a meme lol!
All my kids and their classes (and maybe some reasoning if im feeling like it) under the cut:
Look, I have a lot more Characters but these are the ones I’ve already gotten onto this blog more or less fully. Plus I’m picking these entirely on Lore/Flavor, because who the fuck cares about stats here?
Aitreo - Immortal Half-Elf Rogue - Assassin
He has no idea how he turned immortal, he’s kinda pissed by it, but he can’t change it. It’s fine... he’s found ways to deal with the boredom of existence. Taking Assassination jobs being one of those ways to deal with it, heh...
Alfadi - Elf Sorcerer - Divine Soul
This one was kind of hard to pick actually! Alfadi is by nature a healer and a creator of things, but I just can’t see her in heavy plate armor! That just doesn’t work for her! So hey, a sorcerer with a focus on healing and party support!
Athokk - Human Warlock - Great Old One Pact
A man which holds so many goddamn secrets... and so much information... and all that information... it could kill you... it could drive you insane... it could destroy you... beware this one. He looks friendly and unassuming, but behind that ever neutral face of his, is a vast array of unfathomable dangers...
Elyzia - Aasimar Bard - College of Eloquence
Elyzia is not a fighter. At all... they would rather talk through issues and resolve things peacefully. This class seems most fitting for that task. And hey, they are an Aasimar with a celestial parent that most definitely would have their hands in the domain of love and emotions in general.
Etatio - Half-Orc Barbarian - Path of the Berserker
Easy pick for this one! Boy is angery and gets himself into trouble with it! What else is there to say really? The rage makes him stronger, but it has drawbacks! For flavor I think he’d be Half-Orc and Half-Triton (Shark) maybe?
Rodisa - Changeling Bard - College of Glamour
She’s a performer first and foremost! She can do anything that is asked for her, change into any type of personality, she can be charming, she can be intimidating, she can be anything and everything! And this choice definitely describes her extremely well. I love this woman.
Sintai - Human Artificer - Alchemist
This girl is creative as fuck, but she doesn’t like the spotlight or getting too much attention, or fighting... She prefers being in the back, playing support for those she deems more important. That creativity of hers is so well developed though, that I see her coming up with so many amazing items and consumables and other ways to help others! She’d definitely be a major asset to have around, even if she would disagree on that. She’s not afraid of experimenting with new concoctions, trying out new things as long as its in the safety of her workshops, with all kind of precautions, of course. Whatever ails ya, she can probably make it!
Somnee - Shifter Ranger - Beastmaster
Somnee grew up most of her life away from civilization, learning to survive out in the wilds, with a fuckton of wild animals. She’s learned to understand and befriend whem. She doesn’t care as much about protecting the land as she cares that the creatures in her homelands can live a life worth living. And her gryphon lusus basically already functions as her beast companion. There really was no choice to be made here, haha. The shifter genes would probably be weretiger.
Striga - Daywalker Druid - Circle of the Land
This one was pretty easy to pick, since Striga already is a druid, haha. She already protects the land deemed her domain and is very eager to preserve all the knowledge given by her parent. It’s all about balancing things out, being one with the land while at the same time satisfying his own wants and needs.
Xiento - Eladrin Wizard - Order of the Scribes
Xiento is fucking DILIGENT in literally everything he does, so I can see him being an extremely potent Wizard, always on the hunt for new spells, expanding his repertoire on the daily, if possible. He’s very smart with the use of his spells, often thinking outside of the box and proactive with everything else. He’ll prepare resources before they are needed and isn’t afraid to spend his money where he deems it necessary. He is however physically on the weak side and needs others to keep his back clear so he can do his work properly, so Wizard seems very fitting.
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CreativeAI 2.0 Review - Turns Your Alexa-Like Voice Commands Into Videos | Akshat Gupta!
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sir those are my emotional support 6 month old browser tabs
#meme#writing meme#anxiety meme#writing#anxienty#not me having 5 ao3 tabs open at any given time#the bard is my emotional support animal#the witcher#witcher#jaskier#dandelion#julian alfred pankratz#viscount de lettenhove#joey batey#geralt#witcher netflix#the witcher season 2#geraskier#witcher fandom#yennefer of vengerberg#yennefer#fanfiction#fan fiction writing
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• Fluff headcanons •
Characters included: Albedo, Childe, Diluc, Kaeya, Thoma, Venti, Zhongli and Xiao [separately] x GN!Reader.
Gif: "Magi" anime.
Albedo 📚
Even though he tries his best to not sound or look so excited, Albedo loves whenever you visit him on his lab. You make him feel comfortable and he can't help but be grateful of how much your support helps him with his experiments.
Albedo enjoys desserts, as he says in a voiceline, so his heart will melt whenever you offer him candies or some sweet dish you bought or made.
Childe 🌊
He's extremely proud of you and he'll praise you often about how awesome you're to his eyes.
Childe is super fond of cuddling with you and he always whispers sweet nothings into your ears as he plays with your hair while your body is pressed against his.
Days at the beach are funny and heartwarming with him. Even if you don't like the sea or the sand, Childe will make you happy and interested in the ride.
Diluc 🦉
Imagine that your daughter gained a vision even though she's really young and Diluc, your husband, is super proud of her and helps her with training her new powers and abilities. (Little imagine)
He made a special drink with your name and it's one of the most famous drinks of Monstad, even though if it's alcohol free.
His favorite part of his day is when he finally can take a bath and lay by your side on the bed, hiding his face against your neck as he enjoys your scent.
Diluc loves when you caress his hair. During nighttime, right before you both sleep, his voice is hoarse due the tiredness and he usually gives up from talking because of how good the hair playing make him feel.
Kaeya ❄
He enjoys giving you gifts! You'll often receive cute things such as a stuffed animal - your favorite one was a peacock you named 'Snowflake' - or maybe a jewelry that always reminds you of him.
Kaeya absolutely is the "where's my hug at?" guy, so he'll often seek for physical contact with you, not bothering if you're out in public or not (if you're comfortable with that idea, of course). His hugs are the best, since his cologne and embrace make you feel safe and cozy.
He definitely brags about being your boyfriend to the people he's closest with.
Thoma 🎋
He enjoys cooking for you. His skills with house chores is almost like a blessing and the meals he prepares are absolutely delicious. Be prepared to be spoiled with your favorite dishs often.
Venti 🍎
The bard uses you as his inspiration to write many songs and that made people of Monstad adore you because of the love that Venti puts into his words.
Venti takes you often to Starsnatch Cliff just so you both can gather Cecilias to braid them into your hair. He's also super fond of how your hair feels and smells like.
Zhongli 🐉
He may seem like he has no mora, but he loves taking you out for dinner at the best restaurants of Liyue.
Afternoon tea is everything for the both of you. Zhongli prepares the best tea combinations ever and it's quite hard to not like the beverage when it is made by your partner.
His stories are interesting to listen to and Zhongli can't help but fall even more for you at how amazed you look once he's finished with his talking. Your eyes carry so many emotions and happiness he's weak to his knees.
Xiao 🎆
He enjoys talking about his day with you. The adeptus has a harsh routine and being by your side as he rambles about some things is more than enough to bring him some peace.
Xiao is a fan of your Almond Tofu - the dish you learned how to cook just for him. He'll praise how good it taste like while his mouth is stuffed with his favorite food and he's really cute while doing so.
Your boyfriend also likes to walk through some of his favorites landscapes of Liyue. One of them it's Dihua Marsh, the place where he plays the flute to make you smile.
#childe x reader#diluc x reader#xiao x reader#kaeya x reader#venti x reader#zhongli x reader#thoma x reader#albedo x reader#genshin fanfic#genshin scenarios#genshin headcanons#genshin fluff#albedo fluff#childe fluff#diluc fluff#kaeya fluff#genshin x reader#im tired of putting tags#genshin impact x reader
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Do you have any fanfictions that you would recommend for the fandom(s) you are in right now?
so i have this dreadful habit of 1. never bookmarking anything and 2. always reading on ao3 when I'm not logged in. however. i have very talented friends and i can recommend the following:
these are all witcher fics
Dandelion's Gift by @officerjennie: geralt x dandelion, T, complete, 7.7k, soft husbands being soft
Warrior's Blues by @ahh-fxck: geralt x jaskier, E, WIP, 111k modern military au (mind the tags)
That Unwanted Animal by @softdarlingjaskier: eskel x jaskier, T, WIP, 8k, eskel takes care of jaskier
You're Safe With Me, I Promise by @funkylittlebard: geralt x eskel, E, complete, 10k, injured eskel, trans!geralt, sexy times (mind the tags)
He's Not Important by @geraltrogerericduhautebellegarde: jaskier x valdo with past geralt x jaskier, E, complete, 1.5k, toxic relationships and jaskier is conflicted
Can't by grassylampshade: geralt x jaskier, T, complete, 5k, geralt tells harmless lies to jaskier about witcher biology and it gets out of hand
Dead I Live by @dapandapod: geralt x jaskier, E, WIP, 20k, jaskier dies and is resurrected by a necromancer (mind the tags)
Aflutter by @wolf-and-bard: geralt x jaskier, E, complete, 9.5k, fake dating and jaskier is rich.
A Sight For Soft Eyes by @kuripon: geralt x jaskier, G, complete, 500 words, geralt gets glasses and jaskier helps him clean them
The Apple Of My Eye by @professorjaskier: geralt x jaskier, G, WIP, 72k, modern au where geralt and jaskier are both teachers (mind the tags)
Young Corpses Will Always Haunt Me by @unremarkablegirl: yennefer, T, complete, 1k, yennefer's thoughts and feelings about the beach scene in 1x04 with the dead child
I Shiver In Gold by @kueble: geralt x jaskier, E, complete, 3k, jaskier wears lingerie and he and geralt have fun
Christmas Downhill by @avengeful-bunny: geralt x jaskier, T, complete, 66k, a fake dating, christmas, modern au based off of hallmark movies
All I Ever Wanted by @jaskierswolf: geralt x dandelion, G, complete, 750 words, geralt and dandelion retire to corvo bianco together
Biting Snake Isn't Better Than Knife In Your Back by @damatris: geralt x jaskier, M, complete, 280k, slow burn, geralt and jaskier go through some things but in the end they have each other (mind the tags)
All You Have Is Your Fire by @king-finnigan: geralt x jaskier, E, complete, 65k, a modern prison au turned flower shop au with a slowburn (mind the tags)
Tell Me About The Light Behind My Eyes by @natskier: geralt x jaskier, M, WIP, 40k, after the mountain yennefer asks jaskier to come to kaer morhen as ciri's emotional support bard
The Road Not Taken by me @all-hail-the-witcher: geralt x eskel, E, complete, 3k, modern au where geralt left town to become a country singer and in a moment of weakness he returns
#the witcher#witcher#witcher fics#witcher fanfiction#geralt#jaskier#eskel#yennefer#geralt x jaskier#geraskier#jeskel#jaskier x eskel#geskel#geralt x eskel#witcher fic rec#fic rec#my friends are all talented go read their stuff#not a tag#from saph
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Venti x depressed! reader oneshot
Before reading any further:
• This story contains: Venti x depressed! Gn Reader
• TW: depression, mentions of death
• Author: Kay
• This is my first oneshot, my first story and I hope you'll like it lol. I'm sorry for grammar mistakes and for some auto-correct words that I didn't notice. Enjoy the story~
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
As the cold breeze gently touched your soft skin and as the sun shone to your lost gaze before disappearing you sat lonely on the highest cliff of the city of freedom, your mind elsewhere but here, thinking, thinking and thinking, maybe overthinking. No known face around to be found, just you, the nature and the wind keeping you company while you endlessly fall into the depths of the dark thoughts, eating up the light you had inside you. Why....why...why..why..why? How many days was it? 3 or 5 or 8 or 10? Perhaps you were all by yourself for eternity, doomed to be alone, destined to be trapped in the void in your own head, that has been killing you slowly. Without your notice a tear or two caressed your rosy cheeks, wondering, what are you even feeling anymore? Your current state didn't let you to notice a fellow bard of Mondstadt approaching you with two apples and a tune just for you. "Ah-ha! There you are!" his joyfull voice ringing in your ears, but also being the sweet melody you enjoy to hear, bringing you back to the reality you grew in. A weak smile appeared on your face as you greed the bard with the wave of your hand. The bard however noticed your tears as your eyes told him, how you feel. Quietly he sits beside you giving you one of the apples he got from one of the apple trees. "What is that you're doing here? All alone by yourself, perhaps the stars and the moon got your attention before me?" Venti chuckled slightly, then took a bite to his apple, looking at the night sky full of stars and the moon. You took a second before responding "Oh, I was just thinking... thinking about things.." you knew you could trust Venti with your burdens, but you questioned yourself if perhaps you weren't too much to deal with already, if your feelings and cries weren't cutting the wings of the anemo archon. Sure, as a god, he can take and give more than a mortal, but still... is it okay to burden him more? Your train of these thoughts stopped when Venti placed his hand on yours and looked into your eyes, cupping your face with his gentle hands as he said " Your eyes told me the truth [Y/n]... fear not to tell me, I am here for you and I always will be." The more you stared into his aqua eyes, the more blurry your vision was, because of your tears blocking you from seeing Venti's worried face. As youblink finally, tears started to flow down your cheeks before Venti carefully kissing them away. He knew as you started sobbing quietly, that now is not the time to make you talk, instead he pulled you into his embrace, wrapping his arms around you, letting you cry into his shirt as he gently rubbed your back. You were lost, not a single thought but at the same time millions of thoughts running in your head, you felt awful as you once again had to be comforted by the only person, who lights your way in the dark.
'Apologize, apologize, apologize, suck it up or he will leave just as everyone, too much to handle, trapping his free spirit in the claws of your darkness..' you said to yourself.
"I'm so s-sorry...!" you said in between sobs, catching the bard's attention. Before he speaks you cut him off screaming against his shirt "I'm sorry, I always end up crying and dragging you down with my never ending depressed- stupid emotions! I wish I could be just normal, I wish I didn't have to ground you, tie down your freedom...!" the following part you said was not loud, but a soft whisper in your sobs, but Venti still heard "...I wish I could just... die..". At this very moment Venti just freezed. Hearing your wish to die just further proved him, how badly scared were you from life to wish something like this. He hold you tighter now, not letting you go. Tears started forming in his aqua eyes aswell, he felt bad for you and if he could he would just take all your negative emotions and make them disappear right here and now. "Oh [y/n]... if only you could see into my head and my heart how amazing of a person you are. You do not burden me, you never did and never will. Your feelings are valid and you know well how much I care about your well-being, right? I cannot tell you what you should do as this would go against the freedom I always wished for for everyone, but please know your death will not hurt only me, but many other people that care for you. You might feel like you're at the bottom of the world, but the good thing is that the only way now is up and I will always lift you with the wind once you need it the most..." as you quietly listened, you felt the wind getting stronger as it slowly lifted both of you up into the sky. Venti was holding your hands with his own, breaking the embrace so you see the world around you. He looks at you with the warmest and most sincere smile on his face, his eyes glittering in the dark telling you more than words can describe. His sidetails shining light blue from using his powers as the wind makes them swing slowly. This moment made you feel something you never felt before..... hope? You didn't know exactly, but it felt like the archon in front of you lit your candle again. "My dearest [y/n], my muse, my melody, my star, my moon, my world..." his voice was echoing in the sky as you watchem him silently, your tears being softly wiped away by the gentle wind, forming your tears into a small drop before falling slowly all the way down from the sky and the cliff to reach the ground. "... on the days when you find no one but yourself in the dark, your light fading, your vision blurring, your heart aching, remember that that the wind is always with you, when I will be too far away to reach you.... no matter where in the world you will be, no matter how weak the wind is gonna be, it will always be here to listen, to guide and to love and support you no matter what. Listen to the wind, speak to the wind for I will always listen and send you sweet tunes like this one.." he let go of your hands slowly so you won't lose your balance while you levitate as he takes out his lyre and starts playing a sweet gentle tune lulling you to sleep. Once he's sure you have fallen asleep, he puts his lyre away and gently graps your levitating sleeping body, adoring your face, holding you close as he makes you both return back to the cliff settling your head on his lap and brushing your hair off of your face. He stays with you till you wake, till the sun shines the day, till you open your eyes again and till he gets the chance to make you laughs and smile.
Under the night sky he thinks, how will he make you laugh and smile to make your negative thoughts say goodbye?
#venti#genshin#gi venti#venti genshin#genshin venti#genshin impact venti#venti the bard#venti x reader#venti x you#venti oneshot#venti barbatos#genshin oneshot#venti genshin impact#venti comfort#venti headcanons#venti fluff#Spotify
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"Gabrielle, Tell him. Do the Bard thing" Chariots of War
From the very first episode Gabrielle is introduced as a storyteller and straight away it is hard not to be impressed with the level of authenticity the writers give to Gabrielle’s skills as a Bard. Many of these stories she tells are based on fragments of authentic myths.
'Chariots of War', the second episode of the series, opens on Gabrielle telling Xena a story as they make their way to the bar in a village tavern. Though we only catch the ending of her story, there is still interesting details to unpick.
G: “And so, Zeus, in his appreciation, turned the two lovers into oak trees. And then do you know what happened?”
X: “Somebody built a boat out of them?”
G: “No-- their branches intertwined, and they spent the rest of their days in each other’s embrace.”
There are a lot of stories in Greek myth involving 'metamorphoses', the Greek word for ‘transformations’, with both gods and mortals turning into other things like plants or animals. The only story that comes close to the one Gabrielle tells is the story of Baucis and Philemon.
The complete version of the myth is only found in the work ‘Metamorphoses'. It is a collection of myths woven together into a narrative through their common theme of transformation. It was written by the Roman poet Ovid who lived between 43 BC and 17 AD, a period of Roman history which saw the end of the Roman Republic and the reign of the first Emperor, Augustus.
The gods Zeus and Hermes (known here in their Roman forms, Jupiter and Mercury) disguise themselves as mortals and travel across Greece. When they seek hospitality from the mortals they encounter, they find themselves turned away from every household until the come upon the simple home of Philemon and Baucis.
‘Looking for shelter and rest, they called at a thousand
homesteads;
a thousand doors were bolted against them. One
house, however,
did make them welcome, a humble abode with a roof
of straw
and marsh reed, one that new its duty to the gods and men.
Here good Philemon an Baucis had happily passed
their youth
and here they had reached old age, enduring their
poverty lightly
by owning it freely and being content with the little
they had.’
Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.628-635
Here the couple greet the strangers and offer up what little they have, providing them with the best of the meagre food and wine unknowing their true divine identities. Ovid goes in to quite a bit of detail describing the hospitality the couple offer especially the dishes that make up their feast during. While they entertain their guests the cups magically refill with wine.
‘Meanwhile, whenever the mixing-bowl got empty,
it seemed
To refill of its own accord, with the wine welling up by
itself.
Stunned and scared by this wonder, Philemon,
trembling, and Baucis
lifted their upturn hands to heaven and fervently
prayed
For forgiveness after serving so poorly prepared a repast.’
Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.679-682
Fearing they have offended their divine guest they seek to appease them by sacrificing their only goose. This leads to a comical scene with the elderly couple chasing the goose and failing to catch it. It appears to run towards to gods for safety which seems to work as the gods command them to spare the bird as they are grateful for what they have already provided.
They then proclaim that the couple will be spared from the punishment they will inflict of their impious neighbours who refused to honour the Greek custom of hospitality known as xenia (ξενία), a word derived from the Greek word for stranger xenos(ξένος). Sometimes referred to as 'ritualized friendship' the custom was based on generosity, courtesy and gift-giving that strengthen ties between people. In earlier times when it was thought that the gods walked among mortals it was even more important to respect these customs to avoid incurring the wrath of a visiting god. It would became seen as a moral obligation for both Guest and Host to show respect to each other.
Returning to Ovid's story, the couple leave their home with the gods and head to the safety mountains. There they witness the flood the gods send down to wipe out their impious neighbours. Nothing is spared except the couple’s home which undergoes its own transformation as it becomes a temple to the gods.
The gods offer to grant the couple anything they desire as reward. After deliberating with each other Philemon and Baucis ask to be guardians of the new temple and also, that when the time comes for them to die, that they die together so they don’t have to suffer the loss of their partner. After many years happy years together they are transformed into Trees. Philemon an Oak and Baucis a linden.
"We
ask
to be priests and to guard your temple; and since we
have passed our years
together in peace, let the same hour carry us off, so I
need not
look on my dear wife’s grave, nor she have to bury my
body."
Their wish was granted; as long as life was allowed
them, they served
as the temple’s guardians. When time had taken its
final toll,
and while they were casually standing in front of the
steps of the building,
telling the sanctuary’s history, both Philemon and
Baucis
witnessed their partner sprouting leaves on their worn
old limbs
As the tops of the trees spread over their lip sand concealed
them forever.
Still to this day the peasants of Phrygia point to the oak
and the linden nearby which once where the forms of
Philemon and Baucis.’ Ovid, Metamorphoses, 8.712-720
The devotion the couple have for each other is really endearing. You can really see why this story would appeal to a young Gabrielle who left her home and arranged marriage to find the true place she feels she belongs.
It is also an interesting choice of story to share with Xena, someone she’s just met who is aloof and independent. She’s eager to befriend the warrior but is finding her emotionally distant. This emotional distance is reflected in the physical distance between them. In these early episodes they have clearly defined personal spaces, such as sperate bedrolls, and they spend a lot of time apart as Gabrielle is left behind in a 'safe' location. You could read into this that just as Xena tries to keep distance between her and Gabrielle physically to protect her, she is trying to keep her emotionally distant for safety reasons as well. In some ways Gabrielle may understand this which is why she choses to tell this particular story to Xena. The old couple might seem weak and vulnerable but they are given strength by the devotion and support they have for each other. Gabrielle is trying to show her new friend that caring isn't a weakness but a source of strength by using this story as an example.
X: “What’s the point?”
G: “Come on, Xena. I believe everyone will find their tree in the forest someday-- even you.”
X: “I find the strongest trees in the forest stand alone.”
G: “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Xena; sometimes it’s good for the soul to be soft.”
This moment beautifully foreshadows the relationship that grows between Xena and Gabrielle throughout the series as both become entwined emotionally, spiritually and physically in a multiple of ways. There are moments that the imagery of the myth is invoked in such a way that Xena and Gabrielle symbolically become the lovers. Intentional or not by the writers it is a fantastic coincidence.
One episode that subtly does this is ‘The Abyss’ during one of its poignant cave scenes. After an encounter with cannibals Xena and an injured Gabrielle become tapped in a cave that is rapidly flooding. As Xena tries to get them out, Gabrielle tells Xena her final wish, that she wants to be buried with Xena.
X [Whispers]: "Gabrielle-- Gabrielle-- here-- here. The time's
come. We're getting you out of here, all right?"
G: "Oh."
X: "All right."
G: "Xena, I have a-- a last wish."
X: "I don't want to hear of it."
G: "No-- I'm serious. You don't want to know?"
X: "What is it, then?"
G: "I don't-- want to be buried-- with the Amazons."
X: "All right. Well, in fifty years, when the time comes."
G: "Xena-- I wanna lie with you-- with your family? In
Amphipolis."
X: "What about your family?"
G: "I love them-- but I'm a part of you. I want it to be like
that forever. I love you."
It is the climax of a series of intimate moments that are grounded in their love and devotion to each other. Gabrielle’s words cement their soulmate relationship. They are meant to be, and will be, together forever like the lovers of her story.
The context of this moment adds another layer to this allusion. As Gabrielle is affirming to Xena that she is a part of her, the warrior princess is preparing to save her injured partner by tying her to herself using vines. This nicely invokes images of Gabrielle’s story of the two lovers who becoming trees and entwining together. Also it connects with Ovid's tale of Philemon and Baucis as like the mythic couple, Xena cannot bear to witness the death of her partner. As Philemon and Baucis were spared that fate by being transformed into trees, Xena is using a plant to physically entwine her and Gabrielle to save her from death.
This climb up the ravine walls to escape the rising water could be reminiscent of Philemon's and Baucis' arduous climb up the mountain to escape the flood or just another coincidence. What perhaps isn't is that it is love and devotion that binds each couple together for eternity. Just like the lovers in the story Gabrielle tells in season one, and the myth it is based upon, Xena and Gabrielle will be together for eternity in each other's embrace.
Throughout the series there are a number of different ways Xena and Gabrielle become entwined together. As the emotional distance between them shrinks, the physical space seen in earlier episodes disappears and they begin to embrace each other. Not only is there a myriad of touches and hugs to connect them but while sitting, walking and even fighting they become inseparable.
They become so close that they pick up traits from each other and almost merge into one. This is such a vast topic to discuss it really needs its own post to explore in detail but the importance for this discussion is the idea that they merge into one entity. The idea that they become one is the connection with the myths and invokes the imagery of metamorphosis.
This metamorphosis becomes literal later in the series. In season 5’s ‘Succession’ during Ares’ contest to determine a worthy successor to Xena as his Chosen, he places Gabrielle and Xena into the same body. At dawn they discover that Gabrielle metamorphoses in to Xena and dusk, Xena into Gabrielle. This nicely alludes to Gabrielle’s story as they transform, much like the couple becoming entwine trees, two individuals become one entwined in each others bodies.
This physical metamorphoses happens in the series when it has become fully established that these two are soulmates, destined to be together for eternity. They are truly devoted to each other that they cannot be separated, just as the lovers cannot bear to be parted from each other even when they are transformed into trees.
As Gabrielle predicted at the end of her story, they both found their tree in the forest in each other.
Sources
Ovid, Metamorphoses
Whoosh.org, Episode Transcripts
Screen captures by myself
Thanks to Simjay on the Discord Xena group for the Gifs!
#xena#gabrielle#xena and gabrielle#xena fan#xenites#xena warrior princess#xwp#xenite#xena gabrielle#lucy lawless#ovid#renee o'connor#metamorphosis#metamorphoses#greek gods#myth#mythology#greek mythology#zeus#hermes
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An Amateur DM’s Worldbuilding Thoughts...
I should write my own sea shanties for my nautical campaigns.
There should be a stage in the tavern in case the Bard wants to perform.
I wish I knew more about food so I could write better tavern menus.
A lot of NPCs are probably farmers; potato farmers, fruit farmers, cattle farmers etc.
I should include more diverse NPCs.
Natural disasters can be the basis for an adventure, what’s causing the tsunamis on the coast, what’s making volcanoes erupt and earthquakes happen.
I should use weather and environments to evoke emotions and imagery way more.
Asian hair tends to be thick and straight, whereas European hair tends to be thinner and can be wavy, and African hair tends to be coarse and have very tight curls.
Historical accounts suggest that some women tried to bleach their hair with lemon juice or darken it with indigo or even mud to fit the current trends, so maybe the players meet a lighter haired woman who smells faintly of lemons!
A wizard’s spellbook probably has stains on its parchment from various foods and drinks.
A mute NPC would be a fun way to test myself and see if I can express concepts and ideas to the Party without just saying them.
“Common” often refers to English, but what about different dialects?
I should come up with more fantasy slang and insults.
Some regional fantasy greetings would be a cool way to immerse the Players in the world, such as “Be Pleasured.” meaning “Hello!”.
I should expand on the cosmology of the material plane, what constellations are in the sky, can the Players see other planets if they look up, how many moons does the world have?
The Party, when they're famous enough, probably have random people wanting to speak with them or get their autograph, which would be a great way to break up any monotony caused by shopping montages or downtime activities.
In a busy urban city, there’s probably a lot of street food and street performers.
In a big city, there’s probably a lot of horses and carriages passing through, so the Party probably aren’t walking in the middle of the road unless the road is too small for that sort of thing.
A country is probably broken up into provinces, counties or territories, and cities are probably broken up into districts.
What’s the longest road or trading route in the world? And why is it so popular?
What’s the longest river or mountain range in the world? Where’s the highest mountain located?
Where are the fault lines in the world? Would there be lot’s of mountains or lots of earthquakes there?
Which countries have the best archers or soldiers or cavalry? Which country has the best naval fleet?
If giant animals and dire beasts (like dire wolfs and giant owls) exist, would people try to use them like cavalry, with people flying giant owls carrying power-kegs so they could drop bombs on the bad guys, or people riding armoured dire beasts into battle...
Certain regions probably have certain cuisines, which would be reflected in their tavern menus.
Different cultures have different views on music, as well as different superstitions and different folk tales.
Different cultures have different architecture, from wood or stone buildings to tents to maybe no “Buildings” at all!
Before a person becomes an adventurer, they were most likely a farmer or labourer of some kind.
Wizards and bards would be great translators.
What does the flag or banner of each country look like, or do certain parts of the country have their own heraldry or coat of arms?
People from the Underdark probably eat a lot of fungus, plants and bugs, so most probably don’t even know what “Meat” is!
There’s lot of downtime entertainment that could engage the Party, from underground fight clubs to libraries to arenas and theatres.
Each district or province of an area probably has their own landmarks, from rivers and castles to statues and other more fantastical landmarks like famous magic shops.
Festivals, Fairs and Concerts are always a fun way to introduce players to a new culture or city. Perhaps it's a noble ball that's invite only, or perhaps the festival doesn't even take place on this plane of existence!
Most birds don’t react to super spicy food (like chilli peppers) like humans do, so most bird-like D&D Races (like Kenku and Aarakocra) might absolutely love (or hate) spicy food!
Sunlight entering water can travel about 3,000 feet under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond about 600 feet, meaning you could potentially have underwater combat take place in complete and utter darkness!
Does my world have fishing laws? Like do they care about fish population enough to have laws to help prevent over-fishing?
A party member hears footsteps and whispers from outside their room, only to open their door and find another patron of the inn trying to sneak to their room without waking anyone up.
Fantasy street food can be pretty much anything! From chocolate to meat on skewers to noodles or even sausages stuffed and grilled quickly right in front of the Players as they walk through the streets!
It’s definitely a strength check to try and break out of bonds, but it’s a dexterity check to wiggle yourself out of handcuffs or bindings, remember that!
Hobo Symbols (an actual thing created by wandering adventurers and nomads) could make for a great way to communicate places of interest to a Party of New Adventurers.
I should use Electrum Pieces more often.
Characters with more siblings means more fun and relevant NPCs you could put in interesting positions. For example, imagine the brother or sister of a Party Member working for the opposing side during a war....
The BBEG could have multiple enemies or allies in high and low places, meaning potential new allies and enemies for the Party to make.
If you want your Players to think you’re a galaxy brain DM, drip feed info little by little into parts of the campaign from the very start, both in and out of combat, that way when the big reveal comes along, the Players think you’re a big-brained master of plot and storytelling!
Some taverns could have darkened or tinted windows, since that'll make every drunkard inside think it's still early in the night.
If a band of bards is playing in a tavern, the Party can probably hear the noises from outside.
More taverns should have a dance-floor!
There should be more families in taverns and inns, since most taverns and inns are similar to hotels or restaurants.
The walls and ceilings of a tavern could be filled with all sorts of things: Light fixtures, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, wooden beams supporting the walls. Or maybe something more artistic: Paintings, mounted animal heads, tapestries, curtains hanging above windows and doors, just to give a few examples...
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