carewyncromwell

[carewyncromwell]

AHHHH IT'S HERE!! More wonderful POTC Bendy content!! X3 I'll have to update my POTC AU masterpost later...

I just absolutely love the fact that Ben is on a ship with "Captain Black" and his ttly-not-a-certain-werewolf First Mate -- three very different flavors of Gryffindor, and we love them all here. <3 And of course Wendy's already matching wits perfectly with our flirty, chaotic Captain -- I'm sure Black later on casually mutters to Ben, "I can see what you like so much about the girl, Copper: she's a sharp one. *smirk*" Considering how many pirates tended to act more flamboyantly and threatening in public than they likely were in private (*points at teetotaler Black Bart Roberts as an example*), I don't think it's the least bit out of character for someone to have to act a bit more Chaotic Neutral like this in the cut-throat world of piracy, especially someone like Sirius who already has that dark, mischievous side. ^.^

I can't wait to read more! Bendy always brings me joy, and the POTC AU will always have a very special place in my heart, so yes, you bet I love this very much!! <33

Barter and Trade

Rereading @carewyncromwell 's Pirates of the Caribbean au and my own notes from it, I've been inspired to finish up a few short fic ideas I had for it. Then I can lay it to rest, 4 years later. Who knows, maybe it'll help me write my other projects. God only knows it won't leave me alone right now. A continuation of this post.

"Sit, mademoiselle."

Captain Black gestured to a chair at the oval-shaped dining room table in the center of the room. The captain's quarters were surprisingly immaculate. Based on the furnishings and the efficiency of the crew above, Wendy guessed the frigate once belonged to his majesty's navy.

The first mate - the one with tired eyes and large scars adorning his face - pulled a chair out for her at one long end. The captain took the seat opposite, setting his hat on the table and smoothing down his shoulder-length black curls with a hand.

Wendy tried to maintain a brave face, steeling herself for the inevitable harm that would befall her and the captured crew. Her head was aggravatingly empty. The only thing she could think to do was hold perfectly still under the gaze of the predator across the table. Hold still and wait.

"Well, well, well...what to do with you..." Black watched her, flipping a knife from blade to handle over in his hands. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you what happens to pretty young things on pirate ships."

"I am well aware of my position." The involuntary tremble in her own voice was infuriating.

"Good. Then we understand each other."

"Captain--" Ben's voice came from where he'd taken position beside her chair.

"What is it, Copper?"

"I'd like to ask for the girl."

The flipping knife stopped and silence fell over the cabin. The other two men raised their eyebrows and exchanged a glance. A sickening twist knotted itself in Wendy's stomach. So I'm to be bartered for.

The captain studied Ben for a drawn-out moment. "I've never known you to have such...appetites before. Why her in particular?"

Wendy stole a glance up at Ben. Tension pulsed in his clenched jaw and down into the tendons under the tan skin of his throat.

"She is a childhood friend, sir."

"Ah... That childhood friend?" The captain leaned back in his chair, folding his arms, turning his gaze to Wendy again. She fought the instinct to shrink into the chair and lifted her chin.

"Yes, sir."

"An interesting turn of events, isn't this?..." The captain tapped the chair's arm thoughtfully with one of his many rings. "Well, Copper. What are you offering for this fine young lady?"

"My cut of today's profit, and all my earnings for the next two years, sir."

Wendy couldn't help the little gasp that escaped her lips. "Benjamin..." She looked back up at him, but he maintained unwavering eye contact with the other man.

The older pirate's brows furrowed, "You'd indenture yourself to me for two years for this maid?"

"Yes."

"A bold proposition..."

"Wait!"

Something snapped inside Wendy, breaking the spell that kept her frozen in her seat. She slapped a hand on the table, panic rising in her chest. She couldn't let him do this. "My father is very rich."

"Yes, I gathered as much from your trunk, mademoiselle." Black gave her a smile that seemed to say 'There it is.'

"He owns the ship you just took."

"Gwendolyn..." Ben laid a hand on the back of her chair.

"Go on."

"He would pay a handsome sum for me to be returned unharmed. Even more for the crew...or...or what's left of them."

"Is that so? What kind of a handsome sum?" The captain returned to flipping his knife.

Suddenly, it felt like a match struck and flared to life in Wendy's head. Trade negotiations came as easy as breathing to her. This was something she knew how to do. "Gordon & Sons is prepared to part with £3200. Or £1500, 100 barrels of gunpowder, 32 barrels of shot, and 17 muskets."

"You know your father's business, I see."

"I help with the running of it."

"Well, then, why not double the powder and shot, and throw in some barrels of rum?"

"That is what we are prepared to part with from our Port Royal warehouse. If you want payment with any expedience, you'll take that. Your men currently hold our restock."

"A pity. Well, what of the rum?"

"I can offer you 5 barrels."

"15."

"10 and that's final."

Black leaned forward with a wicked grin and asked in a low voice, "And what would your father offer if I returned you alive, but a little spoiled?"

She felt stirring to her side where Ben stood, but she dared not take her eyes off the pirate. Wendy gritted her teeth. The man was enjoying toying with her. "£3200 and a gunship with your name on every cannonball to retrieve it."

The captain laughed and waved a hand. "I'll take the former deal, girl. And Copper's proposition on the top."

"What?!" She launched to her feet. A strong hand gripped her arm. The audacity of this man.

Captain Black looked her over, unflapped and amused. "As extra collateral for the trouble I'll be going to with you aboard. To keep you fed; to keep certain members of my crew away from you; all the bad luck you'll bring; explaining to the crew why the second mate gets to lay claim to the prettiest spoils..." The grip on her arm stiffened as the pirate gave Ben a pointed look. "It's only fair."

#potc au #gwendolyn gordon #ben copper #sirius black #remus lupin

[carewyncromwell]

🥰 I still love revisiting this story after all this time, and even if Bendy is only mentioned briefly, it does make me so very happyyyyy 💕

Found

@carewyncromwell ​ made me do it. She twisted my arm real bad and stole my lunch money. I’m totally not lying or falsifying ANY information here. (Based off her awesome HPHM!POTC AU and this little post right here)

They say women should never go to sea - that we’re bad luck to a ship.

Wendy shifts uncomfortably in the darkness of the hold, running a finger under the now impossibly tight velvet ribbon around her neck. Her stays pinch her something awful in this squatting position, and a single cold bead of sweat finds its way down the middle of her back.

How long has she been down here, whispering prayer after silent prayer? Thirty minutes; an hour?

The sounds of muskets and clashing steel died down some time ago, replaced by scuffling and loud thumps as the upper decks are plundered. A cry of pain occasionally splits the cacophony from above.

They certainly made short work of the crew. 

Her stomach turns at the thought of dead and injured men - men she traded laughs and smiles with only a few hours ago. And, poor old Rebecca. She had lost sight of her elderly maid shortly after the chaos erupted. Guilt gnaws at her that she hadn’t kept a better eye on the old woman - called her name, took her hand, something.

Now she’s all alone, she reckons, without a single friendly face left onboard.

The cold steel of a rigging knife bites into her hand as she clings to the tiny weapon for dear life. It was pressed hastily into her hands by the ship’s captain as he shoved her in the direction of the lower decks, yelling at her to find a place to hide.

Now that she thinks of it, the hold is probably the worst place she could have chosen, and the thought leaves a cold pit in her chest. Someone is bound to come down here. As if in answer to her thoughts, the hatch to the hold flies open and slams against the floor above.

“Didja hear?” A nasally voice floats down trough the opening. “There’s a girl on board.”

“If you mean that old bat you gutted, I’d ‘ardly call ‘er a girl.” Another, gruffer voice grumbles in reply.

Footsteps descend the stairs, sending Wendy’s heart racing as a fresh wave of adrenaline courses through her veins.

“No, there’s a chest of women’s things in the guest’s quarters - fancy things. Cap’n says there’s a lady on board.”

“Heh, that’d be finer prize‘n anythin’ we find down ‘ere.” The second voice cackles maliciously.

Swallowing, she leans forward cautiously to peer through a small gap in the stack of barrels between her and the motley little group of three men now standing at the foot of the stairs, illuminated by lanters. She isn’t sure who to be more afraid of: the short man built like a barrel with a predatory gleam in his eye; the spindly, parrot-looking fellow; or the one standing a whole head above the other two.

To be frank, she wouldn’t be able to take any of them in a struggle, but that tall fellow…well, him least of all. With those broad shoulders, she reckons he could easily toss her about like a ragdoll.

“Lookee all that!” The man with the hooked nose whistles, marveling at the cargo. “She’s a right prize well worth the effort.”

The tall one gestures to the opposite end of the hold, taking a lantern from the squat man. “You two take that side, I’ll look over here.”

There’s something familiar about his frame; something she can’t quite put a finger on. He doesn’t resemble anyone she’s ever met, and yet…

He turns towards her side of the hold as the others slink off, the flickering flame casting a rich glow on his features. Wendy gasps as her racing heartbeat comes to a screeching stop. The face is older, tanned, more masculine, than the drowned one that has haunted her dreams for the last four years, but she’d recognize it anywhere.

Ben? 

She claps a hand over her mouth in horror, realizing too late that she uttered the word aloud as a pair of brown eyes dart towards her hiding spot. Her own eyes close as she leans back against creaking wood, shaking hands sliding up to cover her face. There’s nothing for it now but to wait.

Her mind races in a flurry of a thousand thoughts. It must be an uncanny resemblance, not a ghost. Anything else is impossible. Right? Lord knows what he–what they might do if she’s found. She knows the stories; heard the warnings about what pirates do to women. She never should have set foot on this boat…

“Please, miss, on your feet. And, no sudden movements.”

Sharp, cold steel presses against her chin.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” The voice is kind, apologetic even.

Slowly, Wendy stands, lowering hands cautiously to her sides. They stare dumbfounded at each other for a few tense heartbeats.

“Gwendolyn…” He breathes her name.

Recognition and joy flash across his features. He takes an impulsive step forward, setting down the lantern and reaching a hand out to touch her cheek. For a moment, the sounds of the ship die away, and all that exists is this contact. He is warm and real, his pulse beating faintly against her skin.

How? And, why?

Ben backs away abruptly, as though burned, “Oh, no…oh, no, no, no…” 

His free hand flutters up to run through his shoulder-length hair. “You cannot–this cannot–Gwendolyn, what are you doing here?” he hisses.

“What am I doing here?” Wendy retorts, “What are you doing here? You are supposed to be dead!” she searches his face, a little indignation bubbling up among the confusion and wonder.

“Well, Copper.”  The gruff voice of the short man chuckles with wicked delight from behind Ben.

“What ‘ave you found ‘ere?”

#if you ever wrote more for this I would devour it #out of love #because honestly POTC!Ben and Wendy is adorbs #all Ben/Wendy is adorbs #gwendolyn gordon #ben copper #POTC AU

[carewyncromwell]

How the first meeting should have gone:

#ouch!! #‘father of the year’ ladies and gentlemen 😒 #hphm #hogwarts mystery #other people’s mcs #peregrine #talbott winger #art

[carewyncromwell]

Stardust (2007) Dir. Matthew Vaughn

#lane cromwell #evan bach #gifs

[carewyncromwell]

STARDUST (2007) | dir. Matthew Vaughn @lgbtqcreators creator bingo – comfort

#lane cromwell #evan bach #gifs

[carewyncromwell]

Oh, Flitwick! Bless your sweet little heart! <3 I am 120% behind Flitwick being sweet to most of his students but also ttly coddling his favorites. You'd best believe Jacob Cromwell was also one back in the day. As was Carey bear. 😂 I also agree that Charms Prodigy Ben would be Flitwick's favorite student in that particular school year, and you can tear that out of my cold dead hands, because as Flitwick insinuates, Ben needs a proper mentor figure, mmkay.

Also yes, I completely agree about Filch. Can we also ditch Binns while we're clearing out the staff roster? :I

Dentention for charms prodigies: #2

A conversation overheard from outside the door to the teachers lounge. Have you ever wondered why MC never sees Ben in the kitchens for detention? He never seems to get caught for all his sneaking out and fighting...

"Minnie, please--

"The boy cannot get special privileges just because he's your favorite prodigy, Filius."

"And I hardly think 6 months of scrubbing your cauldrons is going to fix the problem, Severus. He needs guidance, man, guidance. Besides, the offense barely deserves corporeal punishment."

"I was not made aware that we allow free reign for brawling in the hallways now. Hogwarts is a fight club?"

"You know very well the circumstances of the fight."

"This is the 5th offense since September. He cannot be allowed to go un-punished."

"He's not wrong, you know."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The boy's been nothing but brutally bullied since he arrived here. And, what, with all that business surrounding MC, and the cursed ice, and his home life, it's little wonder he has gone off the rails, as it were. I'd be surprised if he wasn't lashing out at this point."

*scoff* "Not all of Hogwarts can be held to the warm, fuzzy standards of Hufflepuff house, Pomona. But I've never known you to side with a miscarriage of justice..."

"What I am saying, Severus, is that Mr. Copper may be a special circumstance. Perhaps his punishments should take the form of something more rehabilitative."

"And his talents would be wasted on your cauldrons, anyway."

"You just want someone to grade your papers, Filius."

"Well, selfishly, I do admit he's quite handy to have around. Those first year papers are quite...abominable *ahem*."

*Tchk* "Minnie, you are his house head. The decision is ultimately yours."

"Indeed, Severus.... I think Filius is on to something. It is entirely possible that something of a corporeal nature will only make the problem worse. Do you have something in mind?"

"6 months as my teacher's assistant, grading papers and prepping the classes. Redirect his energy, hone his talents, give him a purpose - something to be proud of."

"That is practically a reward. Minerva, do you really think--"

"Sometimes children need discipline, not punishment. We'll do it your way, Filius, but we'll make the post conditional on his good behavior. And, if nothing changes, Severus' cauldrons will still be there."

...

"Argus wants to flog him in the dungeons..."

"Ugh, honestly, that man. Why is he still allowed near the children?"

Previous

#fanfiction #hphm #ben copper #filius flitwick #pomona sprout #minerva mcgonagall #severus snape

[carewyncromwell]

Ominis Gaunt is dead.

He died long ago sometime in the 1910s. His death was ruled an accident...or was it a suicide?... or a murder? Who can say at this point.

With the death of his oldest brother Marvolo, the male line is cut off. The known lines of parselmouths among pureblood wizards in the UK are, for all intents and purposes, extinct.

Hmmm, what's that? No, Grandad's name is Osiris Flett... no, no relation.

On an entirely unrelated note, Wendy Gordon has always had a particular affinity for occamys and coatls. Obviously, she can't actually speak to them in so many words, but the ones she's met always seem to have a way of getting their thoughts across. I suppose that's why she's one of the world's top experts on handling feathered serpentine magical creatures.

For example, that one over there is clearly annoyed that you're so close to its nest. Can't you hear it?

It's asking you to please step back. The eggs are restless. Your coat smells like your house cat, and it's a little known fact that occamys don't like house cats. This one in particular doesn't like tabbies.

#I love this lore of yours I know I've told you before #but yes jackson would struggle a bit trying to come up with good nicknames for his old roomie #'gaunt old boy' had such a good ring to it #and 'flett old boy' just doesn't have the same charm XDDD #jackson would completely understand wanting to get away from that nasty family though :I #ominis gaunt #gwendolyn gordon #other people's mcs

[carewyncromwell]

Ben Copper lovers and haters unite.

MC slides into the booth next to Charlie Weasley. Who better to ask than his best friend? MC passes him a butter beer as a bribe.

#I admit I always headcanoned Benjamin #BUUUUT I admit Benedict Copper does sound pretty bad-ass 😂 #ben copper #hphm #hogwarts mystery #polls

[carewyncromwell]

Making a Magizoologist: #8? - timeskip to sometime in 1993

Well, this wasn't supposed to happen. It probably wasn't the best idea. But it was nice, and Ned was there to supervise.

#d'awww :3 #ben copper #gwendolyn gordon #other people's mcs #art

[carewyncromwell]

When your best friend comes home after more than a year of no contact with a beard. How actually dare he?

He literally can't win with her.

#LMAO #oh gosh!! #I giggled so much looking at this #it definitely does make you look different benny ben #wendy's face tho XDDD #gwendolyn gordon #ben copper #other people's mcs #art

[carewyncromwell]

🥣

Okay, so I had this idea. Because sometimes you just want to scream about your lore, but can't bring yourself to just do it or you get no bitches asks, I could be your ambassador of fun once and a while by posing some character/world building questions. I figured I could give it a shot and, if we like it, I'll try it again.

It's Worldbuilding Wednesday! Leave out, uh, a bowl of soup, and the soup fairy may come by your window and duct tape a random world/character building question to your ask box.

Doesn't matter what fandom you're in. Doesn't matter if you're a follower or not.

#mwah!! #soup for the soup fairy <3 #worldbuilding wednesday

[carewyncromwell]

Hass Idriss | Untitiled Creation 2024

#dress robes #fashion

[carewyncromwell]

Teuta Matoshi 'Silver Blossom' & 'Garden of Grace' Gowns

#fashion #dress robes

[carewyncromwell]

@dat-silvers-girl I saw this and got Sarahi vibes! :3

Teuta Matoshi | Spring/Summer 2024

#fashion #sarahi silvers #other people's mcs

[carewyncromwell]

@kc-and-co I am imagining Murphy McNully watching this and having a minor aneurysm. 😂

the ultimate game of AI chess: Stockfish (white) vs ChatGPT (black)

#LOL #chess #murphy mcnully #hphm

[carewyncromwell]

Charlie Cox in Daredevil (1.09)

#Evan Bach #gifs

[carewyncromwell]

#Evan Bach #gifs