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wearepaladin · 3 months

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If you do end up writing that scene about your RT, please share it with us!

Orphic Hymn 64 to Nomos (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) : "Hymn to Nomos (Law). The holy king of gods and men I call, heavenly Nomos, the righteous seal of all: the seal which stamps whatever the earth contains, and all concealed within the liquid plains: stable, and starry, of harmonious frame, preserving laws eternally the same. Thy all-composing power in heaven appears, connects its frame, and props the starry spheres; and unjust envy shakes with dreadful sound, tossed by thy arm in giddy whirls around. 'Tis thine the life of mortals to defend, and crown existence with a blessed end; for thy command alone, of all that lives, order and rule to every dwelling goes. Ever observant of the upright mind, and of just actions the companion kind. Foe to the lawless, with avenging ire, their steps involving in destruction dire. Come, blest, abundant power, whom all reverse, by all desired, with favouring mind draw near; give me through life on thee to fix my sight, and never forsake the equal paths of right."

It always begins and ends with numbers. In a material universe, there are laws written unto the foundation of everything, from the most ancient stars to the machinery of atoms, the edicts that dictate the fundament are written eternal. In this place absent of meaning, walls of metal and the hollow men who loomed over the lost and the damned, did Thane Solcar fortify her mind with numbers, the digits providing rhythm, the equations lyrics, and solutions a chorus.

Estimated population of the Imperium between (10 to the 15th power) and (10 to the 24th power).

Thane Solcar had been someone small as opposed to negligible value in the Imperium of Man. The younger daughter of a minor nobility, an off shoot of some distant ancestor of greater significance whose wayward progeny had used their inheritance to separate from the greater dynasty to find their own way as a merchant noble making their travails among the stars. Not content to settle into a sedentary life upon anyone one location in the Empire of Humanity, they had been wayfarers upon the void. And her parents had ensured she'd never lacked the respect in the machine spirits and their codices on the proper maintenance and direction, and she had taken well to it, learning keenly and adapting what could be safely learned for one technically not part of the Followers of the Omnissiah, but like any of the voidborn, their ship was the world, the galaxy distant compared to the great emptiness that fills it. And the reliance upon the Light that allowed one to navigate it.

Tithe requires 1,000-4,000 subjects daily. In a single year, 365,000 to 1,460,000 are brought to Holy Terra. They are brought...

The Astronomican, the Light that spanned across the Imperium, allowing The Imperium to exist, was known to any Voidborn who bothered to use their ears. The need to have it and the Navis Nobiliti, who alone could used that Light as a point of reference across the infinite. Thane knew the Navis were psyker mutants, and thus not trusted by many of the ground walkers, but the necessity of them, both in the immediate wellbeing of her family's fortunes and mankind as a whole, went a long way to smothering the hatred that Thane was told she should feel for such beings. What use was hate for something that you needed to live? This thought process proved beneficial, a passive acceptance of the need of psykers. It helped when she learned that she herself was one.

...before the Astronomican, and aid in its care, under the gaze of His Divine Majesty. This has been the case for the last 10,000 years. Therefore...

It began innocently enough. Thane thought she heard choruses outside the hull and tried to imitate them, trying to find harmony, and Things began listen to and object to the harmony. The discordance (Chaos) overtook so much, and only the harmonies that sought brought a notion of defense even as ice began to freeze her surroundings. The Caretakers of the Black Ships thus found her, lost in the harmonies and the numbers she mumbled like a shield, even as everything else was lost. ...those brought to the Astronomican in the history of the Imperium thus number between 3 to 8 billion depending on the consistency of those provided by the Black Ships. But....where do they go, the numbers of people, they need somewhere to go...where are...

Thus it had been for the days of the journey on Black Ship, the vessels whose purpose was to find and transport the Tithe, the psykers the Imperium could provide. That the Imperium needed. She could not trust her newfound senses, but Thane had been using the far more trusted sense of her ears, and listened to what little the guardians on the ship had said. She knew they were going to the homeworld of mankind, to serve The God Emperor in some way related to the Astronomican. Unknown to her, two women observed her briefly as they studied Thane and the other Psyker prisoners. They spoke with their hands, having long ago made an oath of silence. (This one?) (Too weak willed. Mumbling throughout the journey, insane due to what happened to her kinsmen aboard the ship we found her. She will serve the God-Emperor by providing him the kindling He needs) And with that, her fate decided, they walked by, moving on to determine fate of the next imprisoned, and Thane Solcar was sentenced by the servants of The Emperor. And that should have been the end of it. -----

The Golden Throne is often invoked by the denizens of the Imperium of man, nearly as synonymous as their empire and the god they are devoted to as the emblem of the Aquila, the icon of their empire. But the Throne itself is often less depicted beyond a simple chair that the iconography of the Emperor at rest. In truth, it is more than that. Housed in the holy mountain that had once been known as Everest as a sign of human pride or Chomolungma for those who'd been born under her shadow and thus knew her as Mother of the world, the Mountain had been hollowed long ago, and it was here and among the sister mountains that the Imperial Palace resided, respledent with a majesty that silenced the past natural beauty in favor of the crafted golden glory of the relatively recent Imperium of Man. It was here, that Thane Solcar was brought, her newfound senses blinding her to any notion of Imperial Opulence, as the Light of the Astronomican burned so brightly, making even the sun seem a distant comparison to the Light that crowned this world. And beneath that crown sat Him, The Emperor. She could not see Him, hidden away in a labyrinth of gold, iron, and stone, but as she was laid out among the rows upon rows of other Tithed, she could feel Him, like a crystaline spike that all reality seemed to twist through. One by one, then multitude by multitude, she watched as the Tithed became part of that light, their souls as bright as myriad stars, were taken, absorbed, added ot the conflagration that was Him. Death, she realized. Death was what awaited those sacrficed before Him on Earth. With comprehension did not rouse panic, not yet, but as she hummed her harmonies, her soul beginning to be dragged into the cosmic bonfire that was Soul of the Master of Mankind, she dared something that some would consider blasphemy as her soul made contact with the Emperor.

Why?

The Light overtook her, and Annihilation or Consumption did not claim her. Instead she Saw, her single question answered in the form of a galaxy long burning. Thane Solcar saw the galaxy burning over a period of fifteen thousand years and humanity and xenos alike lost to that conflagration. Once great nations and dreams forever lost, be it to Man's own Folly, the machinations of dark powers from within and without reality, or the simple cruelties of fate. She saw the Emperor's dream of uniting mankind after the Long Night, a belief in the destiny of her species, their species, for He spoke to her now in a way that rendered others to embers, a fire she was now, and yet still herself.

She saw the events leading to the Great Crusade, the Crusade itself and the endless wars that followed, of Heresy, of Conquest, of Glory and Purpose. She saw why He had decided the neccessity of it all, paid in blood and lives uncountable.

And yet she counted. It pained her to, counting not only the psykers given to bonfire that was the Astronomican, but those lost to war and pogrom, genocide, betrayal, and hatred. So much hatred. She saw the nations that had been rebuilding before the Emperor had forced Compliance, and how many could have built back the lost empires and federation of humanity, not as a single beast with a emperor deified, either in faith or reason, but the lost cultures and hopes of peoples across countless worlds. She counted them all, considered them all, and this, more than anything, became a new flame that burned bright in her chest, the lost harmonies finding a home within Thane Solcar.

Thane looked at the Emperor, what remained of the man upon a dying throne. And named him Demiurge, master of much but not all, wise but flawed, alive but dead. More hollow god then broken man. She left the mythology he'd created with the Imperium as its spiritual demesne, and took her own faith with her, seeking Nomos elsewhere. Thus she was found, strange and heretical notions buried deep, alone alive among thousands given in blood and spiritual sacrifice, the mark of the Aquila branded in gold upon her brow. The sanctity of the Emperor, it was decided, and all the better for it. A Rogue trader house, distant ancestor of the Solcars, had been seeking this one errant psyker. Perhaps there she could be made to serve the Emperor and all His great works.

#rogue trader #warhammer 40k #long post #thane solcar von valancius #nomos

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princesssarisa · 1 month

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Conkiajgharuna, the Little Rag Girl (A Georgian Cinderella)

For @tamisdava2, and for @ariel-seagull-wings, since she's asked me to share the full texts of some of the Cinderella stories I've been reading lately.

THERE was and there was not, there was a miserable peasant. He had a wife and a little daughter. So poor was this peasant that his daughter was called Conkiajgharuna (the little girl in rags).

Some time passed, and his wife died. He was unhappy before, but now a greater misfortune had befallen him. He grieved and grieved, and at last he said to himself: 'I will go and take another wife; she will mind the house, and tend my orphan child.' So he arose and took a second wife, but this wife brought with her a daughter of her own. When this woman came into her husband's house and saw his child, she was angry in heart.

She treated Conkiajgharuna badly. She petted her own daughter, but scolded her stepdaughter, and tried to get rid of her. Every day she gave her a piece of badly-cooked bread, and sent her out to watch the cow, saying: 'Here is a loaf; eat of it, give to every wayfarer, and bring the loaf home whole.' The girl went, and felt very miserable.

Once she was sitting sadly in the field, and began to weep bitterly. The cow listened, and then opened its mouth, and said: 'Why art thou weeping? what troubles thee?' The girl told her sad tale. The cow said: 'In one of my horns is honey, and in the other is butter, which thou canst take if thou wilt, so why be unhappy?' The girl took the butter and the honey, and in a short time she grew plump. When the stepmother noticed this she did not know what to do for rage. She rose, and after that every day she gave her a basket of wool with her; this wool was to be spun and brought home in the evening finished. The stepmother wished to tire the girl out with toil, so that she should grow thin and ugly.

Once when Conkiajgharuna was tending the cow, it ran away on to a roof. The girl pursued it, and wished to drive it back to the road, but she dropped her spindle on the roof. Looking inside she saw an old woman seated, and said to her: 'Good mother, wilt thou give me my spindle?' The old dame replied: 'I am not able, my child, come and take it thyself.' This old woman was a devi.

The girl went in and was lifting up her spindle, when the old dame called out: 'Daughter, daughter, come and look at my head a moment, I am almost eaten up.'

The girl came and looked at her head. She was filled with horror; all the worms in the earth seemed to be crawling there. The little girl stroked her head and removed some, and then said: 'Thou hast a clean head, why should I look at it?' This conduct pleased the old woman very much, and she said: 'When thou goest hence, go along such and such a road, and in a certain place thou wilt see three springs--one white, one black, and one yellow. Pass by the white and black, and put thy head in the yellow and lave it with thy hands.'

The girl did this. She went on her way, and came to the three springs. She passed by the white and black, and bathed her head with her hands in the yellow fountain. When she looked up she saw that her hair was quite golden, and her hands, too, shone like gold. In the evening, when she went home, her stepmother was filled with fury. After this she sent her own daughter with the cow. Perhaps the same good fortune would visit her!

So Conkiajgharuna stayed at home while her stepsister drove out the cow. Once more the cow ran on to the roof. The girl pursued it, and her spindle fell down. She looked in, and, seeing the devi woman, called out: 'Dog of an old woman! here! come and give me my spindle!' The old woman replied: 'I am not able, child, come and take it thyself.' When the girl came near, the old woman said: 'Come, child, and look at my head.' The girl came and looked at her head, and cried out: 'Ugh! what a horrid head thou hast! Thou art a disgusting old woman!' The old woman said: 'I thank thee, my child; when thou goest on thy way thou wilt see a yellow, a white, and a black spring. Pass by the yellow and the white springs, and lave thy head with thy hands in the black one.'

The girl did this. She passed by the yellow and white springs, and bathed her head in the black one. When she looked at herself she was black as a negro, and on her head there was a horn. She cut it off again and again, but it grew larger and larger.

She went home and complained to her mother, who was almost frenzied, but there was no help for it. Her mother said to herself: 'This is all the cow's fault, so it shall be killed.'

This cow knew the future. When it learned that it was to be killed, it went to Conkiajgharuna and said: 'When I am dead, gather my bones together and bury them in the earth. When thou art in trouble come to my grave, and cry aloud: "Bring my steed and my royal robes!"' Conkiajgharuna did exactly as the cow had told her. When it was dead she took its bones and buried them in the earth.

After this, some time passed. One holiday the stepmother took her daughter, and they went to church. She placed a trough in front of Conkiajgharuna, spread a codi (80 lbs.) of millet in the courtyard, and said: 'Before we come home from church fill this trough with tears, and gather up this millet, so that not one grain is left.' Then they went to church.

Conkiajgharuna sat down and began to weep. While she was crying a neighbour came in and said: 'Why art thou in tears? what is the matter?' The little girl told her tale. The woman brought all the brood-hens and chickens, and they picked up every grain of millet, then she put a lump of salt in the trough and poured water over it. 'There, child,' said she, 'these are thy tears! Now go and enjoy thyself.'

Conkiajgharuna then thought of the cow. She went to its grave and called out: 'Bring me my steed and my royal robes!' There appeared at once a horse and beautiful clothes. Conkiajgharuna put on the garments, mounted the horse, and went to the church.

There all the folk began to stare at her. They were amazed at her grandeur. Her stepsister whispered to her mother when she saw her: 'This girl is very much like our Conkiajgharuna!' Her mother smiled scornfully and said: 'Who would give that sun-darkener such robes?'

Conkiajgharuna left the church before any one else; she changed her clothes in time to appear before her stepmother in rags. On the way home, as she was leaping over a stream, in her haste she let her slipper fall in.

A long time passed. Once when the king's horses were drinking water in this stream, they saw the shining slipper, and were so afraid that they would drink no more water. The king was told that there was something shining in the stream, and that the horses were afraid.

The king commanded his divers to find out what it was. They found the golden slipper, and presented it to the king. When he saw it he commanded his viziers, saying: 'Go and seek the owner of this slipper, for I will wed none but her.' His viziers sought the maiden, but they could find no one whom the slipper would fit.

Conkiajgharuna's stepmother heard this, adorned her daughter, and placed her on a throne. Then she went and told the king that she had a daughter whose foot he might look at, it was exactly the model for the shoe. She put Conkiajgharuna in a corner, with a big basket over her. When the king came into the house he sat down on the basket, in order to try on the slipper.

Conkiajgharuna took a needle and pricked the king from under the basket. He jumped up, stinging with pain, and asked the stepmother what she had under the basket. The stepmother replied: '’Tis only a turkey I have there.' The king sat down on the basket again, and Conkiajgharuna again stuck the needle into him. The king jumped up, and cried out: 'Lift the basket, I will see underneath!' The stepmother entreated him, saying: 'Do not blame me, your majesty, it is only a turkey, and it will run away.'

But the king would not listen to her entreaties. He lifted the basket up, and Conkiajgharuna came forth, and said: 'This slipper is mine, and fits me well.' She sat down, and the king found that it was indeed a perfect fit. Conkiajgharuna became the king's wife, and her shameless stepmother was left with a dry throat.

#cinderella #fairy tale #georgia #conkiajgharuna #the little rag girl #georgian fairy tale #tw: racism

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georgiapeach30513 · 1 year

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Coming Soon

The Whiskey on Your Breath

Being a virginal saloon girl had it’s perks. Flirting with all the men. Becoming untouchable to them. All they wanted was you, and all you wanted was Raleigh Beckett. But sometimes what you want doesn’t matter. Not when your innocence is put up for sale. Losing it all to the highest bidder, while Raleigh had nothing...

Wayfaring Stranger

Newly appointed sheriff Lee Bodecker stumbled in on a secret. A teacher couldn’t stop thinking about five missing children. The other sheriff swept their disappearance under the rug, but she wouldn’t let Lee forget about them. The mountains can’t hide everything. Lee just never imagined that in finding these children, he would find you, and you were no longer a child.

Cicadas Dancing Soft & Sweet

When Hal Carter visits his grandmother he did not think he would run into the peculiar preacher’s family. Having five beautiful daughters made him overly protective. He was a mean and strict man who would not be happy knowing you couldn’t look away from Hal, and he definitely couldn’t stay away from you.

Red Riding Hood

Stay out of the woods. It was a simple task. You failed, but it was your brother’s fault. Don’t eat the apples. Failed again. And now you’re being chased by the most feared thing, or man, in the woods. You should have listened...

The Man That You Made

Bucky struggled. Years of pent up anger and trauma led him to you. Little by little you tear his walls down, but he was also able to remove some of your own. Will his past and your professional lead you to run away from him, just like you always do? *Part of the Keys in Your Ignition AU*

I Love You Like Crazy, Girl

Ari was reckless. He wasn’t your typical romantic guy. He didn’t want a house with a white picket fence or a wife with a baby on her hip. The one woman he tried to be faithful to and thrown him for a loop. She wanted everything he did not want. Needed to be loved and cared for, and he couldn’t be that man for her. And then there comes you. A long lost relative of someone with connections to his ex, and he becomes addicted to you, and you him. Twin flames getting high on living crazy. *Part of the Keys in Your Ignition AU*

Wake Up Call

A mess. Your life was always a mess. You should have been faithful to Ryan, especially since he was such a good father. But your mutual boss was persistent. Now ten years later will you be able to be faithful to your new husband? A mess. It’s what it always was.

All or Nothing at All

Steve Rogers always doubted your feelings for him. He was supposed to be your everything, but he fell for someone else. Bucky Barnes was supposed to be your best friend, and nothing more. Good thing they both got lost in time. Or did the?

Taking My Heart

Alone in a cold dark basement. Being taunted by a masked man who was determined to make you his. He was never going to have you. Never...

Pistol By My Side

August Walker was dangerous. Dangerous and sexy. You would go to the ends of the earth to be with him. And he would lead you into a life of crime and sin. It’s a good thing your parents said you would never amount to anything.

Blackberry Winter

Cole Turner was once warm just like the summer. He was your sun, but then he grows distant. Just like the chill of blackberry winter.

My Prairie Song

Retiring from the rodeo, Bucky becomes a ranch hand for a local family. He always enjoyed the quiet life. Now he needs him someone that’s not so quiet to enjoy it with. You are the sweet little barista that always talks too fast, but Bucky finds it endearing. Just means he gets to listen to you more...

Nothing Left to Prove

Having a daughter with cystic fibrosis with Mickey Henry was not easy. He was great when he was around. But between her health, and you needing a better support system, you were run ragged. And then came the new specialist at clinic. He was kind and your daughter adored him. But will Dr. Frank Adler be able to let his walls down in order to be a good partner for you?

The Original Dolls

In a world where a man can have a wife and a doll, a real life sex doll. Pick out by their own hands and used for their pure filthy enjoyment. Better get used to the life of being their play toy, and these men never miss an opportunity to indulge in playtime, no matter where they are. And you can’t say no.

Hear That Whippoorwill

Going back to the mountains. You didn’t even realize you had ever been there. But when your last relative in those mountains dies, you were left with everything, including all the family secrets. Now there was too many rules; stay out of the woods, that bridge is dangerous, black cats are bad luck, don’t listen to the whippoorwill, girl. Too late. And now Steve has finally found you. He won’t stop trying to get you, until the curse is finally broke, and now you’re here....

There Goes My Life

Steve was your weakness. He was the person you loved the most, and then he was on the run. You had tried to tell him something important, and then the blip happened, and you weren’t able to. But your secret sure was able to tell him. Now Steve has to navigate this new life, plus find comfort for himself. But he never gives up on somehow being able to change what is going on in the world.

The Next Room

What if the man you were completely in love with never moved on from his “best friend”? How do you cope with your emotions? How does one even move on from the utmost heartbreak? Only time will tell.

Hiding Whiskey Scars

Sy’s worst mistake was letting you go. He didn’t expect to see you on the side of the road beaten and battered. He won’t be making another mistake again.

Every Ounce of Heart

One you couldn’t stay away from. The other you were falling so hard for. Problem was Jake didn’t like that his dog keeper was growing distant. Didn’t return his phone calls, and then one lonely night...he hears you. In his roommate’s room. Now, how will the two of them navigate through their senior year with both knowing what you taste like? One just wanted to take his frustrations out while the other loved playing with your body and testing out your kinks.

The End As It Begins

You are cordially invited to this season’s marriage market. Becoming the rare and sweet Rose of the Ball. Just the perfect and chaste eligible bachelorette. Bring your dance card, and search for the perfect match. Will it be the General Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers the Duke of Lavenham, Lord Dean Winchester, or Prince Charles Brandon. You have caught all their eyes. But be careful, they’re not the only ones watching. Lady Rose Waterton is also watching and reporting on the gossip of the evening. Make sure you have your chaperone…

A Little Kiss

When an ex leaves an unexpected surprise on Colin Shea’s doorstep, he quickly drowns in just what it is he needs to do. Trying to be everything that his unplanned daughter needs, but he is at a loss, and has no clue on what to do. And then there was you. The librarian that hosted children’s hours, and just so happened to be his next door neighbor. Even though you are resilient to help him, it’s not the baby’s fault that her father is an idiot.

Have Mercy on Me Please

He was precious like a flower. He was everything your blackened heart could ever desire, but he fell too hard and too fast. He was not the usual type of men that you made get into an impossible contract. They were always iron tight, and unable to get out of. Cole Riggan was different. He was too sweet to be damned, but is he someone you’re willing to let go? And if you didn’t have a heart, why did you want to protect this man? What would your father ever think?

Double or Nothing

Jake Jensen is a useful ally in the world of the suits. Beyond smart with weapons, and supposed to be in charge of the Queens. However, they were more in charge of him. Unable to speak up to his crew of bad ass women. You were an angel. The sweetest thing that he had ever laid eyes on, and you had found you’re way into the rabbit hole. The nanny to Jefferson and Bunny’s twin boys, and right there for Jake to corrupt. The perfect specimen of woman for him to control. Will he ever get the confidence he needed to be the leader of the Queens or was he destine to be their court jester?

#coming soon #georgiapeach30513

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rebelichor · 5 months

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MEDIEVAL

Ariadne Xeha Nihilis of the noble house Deleoux, first of her name, firstborn twin. Daughter of bravery, skies and tide. Forged of ichor and blood. Demigoddess of unseen forces. Naa of Xe tribe.

Ariadne is all that she is and all that she will become because of her twin brother, Vergil. Like ebb and flow, they maintain balance, and together they are stronger.

Ariadne is known across the Kinglands as the silver witch. It is a cold reputation, one that plays on peoples fear of the unknown. She is a master of that which the eye cannot see... What her reputation fails to acknowledge is the one behind it. The girl. Ariadne. The world is cruel but she is not. She seeks to be fair. To be honest. To have a merciful heart. However, the walls she has built around herself are a fortress, and she herself fears her own power, of losing control. It is better to keep the world at arms length with a reputation that pushes others away.

With maturity, she becomes a wayfarer with an adventurers heart, wishing to explore the world and to seek out knowledge whether it's yet to be found or long forgotten. Ariadne has documented several star maps with her celestial navigation, surveyed the flora and fauna of distant lands, and explored ruins from ages long since passed. Throughout her lifetime she expands the trade of goods across the waters, discovers natural medicines, and has hand written invaluable tomes for the scholars of her age.

Maternal grandparents Mahasra, goddess of the oceans. The Tidemother and patron goddess of Galahd. Celebrated for her fierce battle prowess and nurturing heart, she is a symbol for warriors and close family ties. Respect and maintaining balance is key. Galahdan's often warn fellow seafarers about only ever taking what is needed from the ocean and nothing more, else Mahara will reclaim the debt from seawrecks and catastrophic waves.

Xe, god of the night sky. Best known as simply the moon god, he is multifaceted — flamboyant with stars upon his skin and moonlight braided in his hair, the life of the party, full of laughter and mischief. But behind the mask that makes him difficult to read, he feels, and he feels deeply. His most devoted followers make home in the Tribelands, in a tribe of his namesake.

Mother Xemos, first of house Nihilis, goddess of eclipses, shadows, and dark tides. Xemos is as feared as they are misunderstood. They are a goddess of the road less traveled, of the unknown, and what has yet to be explored. They were not the first of the Reborn Pantheon to choose a life among mankind, but they are among the first to fully integrate into human society and remain within the mortal realm. Those who move within the shadows pray to Xemos — the downtrodden, the persecuted, and the criminal.

Paternal grandparents Menrva, goddess of the sky. Also known as the Skymother or Queen of the Gods. Though she is the most well known of all the gods and goddesses, little is known about her. She is a distant goddess, and deeply private, though surprisingly this has only served to elevate her status among mankind. Menrva ushered in a new age — having traveled from a dying star, she led fellow gods and goddesses to a new home. They were all young, minors among the Primordial Pantheon, and they made the heartbreaking decision to leave their dying home. To leave what was left of their families who refused to flee out of fear they would become dead without rest. To defy the end of days for a hope of another tomorrow. For this, Menrva is praised as a radiant leader among her peers, her word is law, and her law is absolute. The Kinglands pray to one Goddess for guidance, and she is always depicted with a solar crown.

Lazarus, former head of the noble house Deleoux, also known as the crownless King, whose selfless deeds elevated him to that of a folk hero of his age. Grounded and chivalrous, he was the mortal Prince who fell in love with Menrva and sought to prove himself worthy of her affection. There are those that confuse his tale as that of a man who sought godhood, when he stripped himself of his birthright to inherit his father's crown, and when he sold his material possessions to found the humble beginnings of the home of scholars, he did so for betterment of people, all people, not only the rich.

Father Lazentis Deleoux, demigod of order and divine protector of mankind. He is the first and the only child of Menrva and Lazarus, a golden child among gods and mortals. Before he drew his first breath he had impossible standards expected of him, and he will strive until his dying day to not only meet, but to exceed each and every one of them. He is a gentleman and a perfectionist whose work is never done, but do not test his patience or good will. He has the kind of stern gaze that can cut a person down without so much as a word. Lazentis is best known among scholars and knights, he receives few prayers because those that look to him look for the strength of his convictions.

#this artwork is the sketch form of a paid commission #art credit: ana1984 #one day I will upload the finished version with better listed credits #but today I will flood the dash with my fever dream typing as a self treat #art #Ariadne #headcanon #verse; medieval #tw long post #Vergil #Mahasra #Xe #Xemos #Menrva #Lazarus #Lazentis

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bug-fics · 1 year

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Nobility

Pairing: Stable boy! Eddie Munson x Fem! reader

Summery: Eddie was just a mere stable boy who yearned for adventure and a happy ending. Falling in love with a nobleman's daughter was never apart of the plan, nor was stealing her away from the life of luxury she was handed.

AN: This is set up to be a mini series, so depending on how this does ill knock out another part soon. This part is basically all world building, i would have just made it longer to include actual plot but its better this way.

Word count: 5.6k

Living as a stable boy was never a part of Eddie’s life plan. Being the son of a provincial farmer was discouraging enough for the young dreamer, his boyhood was full of work, and no time to be a kid. Generation after generation, the Munson family were victims of the working class. His uncle helped around the quaint farm, helping take care of the small selection of livestock while his father was able to tend to the small plot of land that held an assortment of crops. Farm work wasn't ideal, but at the end of the day, it was honest work. Following his written legacy, Eddie took on the job as a stable boy to provide stability to the small household.

The funds were good, excellent even, seeing as though he worked for the highest noble family in the diminutive village of Hawkins. Nonetheless, while money was generous, Eddie yearned for adventure, and making up stories wasn’t enough for his wandering mind. The young lad was always drawn to fairytales, ones about great wayfarers who got the pleasure of undergoing danger and heroics, and maybe even love if they were fortunate.

But Eddie wasn't a traveler, he's never come close to leaving his small town. The rumors of the edge scared most people from leaving. The woods were filled with trouble, magic, and dangerous beings. Only an idiot would go beyond the edge without proper protection. Hell, Eddie hasn't been to most of the places in his hometown, spending most of his time at the cottage helping around the farm or slaving away in the stables. If he found the time, he would spend his nights at the local pub, his tab growing through the night as he told made-up tales to the locals. Against the barmaid’s pleas, Eddie loved to stand on the long tables, shouting theatrics and acting out sword fights with anyone willing to join in on the fun.

Lucas Sinclair, the baker's son, who had a habit of burning everything he touched was one of the few people who've stuck by Eddie all his life. Mike Wheeler, a sarcastic barkeep who happened to work at the dingy hideout with the rest of his family. The teen did more talking than working, continuously getting told off by his elder sister. Lastly, there was Gareth Emerson, an apprentice for the local blacksmith. His mother was a lovely woman, a lady in waiting who worked alongside Eddie at Cambridge manor. The two had a mutual understanding of life, both families dependent on the only people who seemed to matter in this godforsaken town.

The elders of the village feared the small crowd was supplying the younger residents’ minds with stupidity, a few of them already endeavoring to leave in search of conquest. This never dwindled Eddie’s spirits, in fact, he wished he had the nerve to pull the same stunts, rejecting the cards handed to him for a real taste of freedom.

“I don't know why you won't just leave,” Dustin Henderson was one of Eddie's best friends, he was one of the only people who could keep up with the dramatics that the farmhand lived by. Being one of Eddie’s closest comrades, Dustin also experienced every yearning sigh, every rant of adventure, every sad glance at what could exist in the beyond. “God knows how badly you wish to leave, why force yourself to stick around? Even Wayne has told you to relish in new liberations. Why are you still here?”

“There are things keeping me in this stupid place, I don't know.”

Dustin rolled his eyes at this response, it was no secret that Eddie had eyes for his employer's eldest daughter, “And by things you mean a certain Cambridge who you've barely spoken to, ‘oh Dustin! She looked at me today like really looked at me. Dustin, you won't believe what she said to me today. Her laugh oh her laugh, can you believe I made her laugh’ honestly dude, it's getting kind of embarrassing.”

A deep blush flooded Eddie’s face, I mean yeah he thought you were pretty, and yeah he thought your laugh sounded better than any music he's ever heard. And I mean sure, he thought your eyes were rather fetching, and your hair always looked lovely, and when you wore those tight, tight, riding pants during your lessons near the stables he couldn't help but stare.

But he didn't have a crush on you, Dustin's right, he's barely even spoken to you. It was an unspoken rule that nobles and the working class don’t clash. Your family was likable, but it was social suicide to even consider having a meaningful conversation with the long-haired man.

Shoving the young boy, Eddie fought with his brain to think of a rebuttal. “Listen, it's complicated. I can't just leave, the only thing that would make me leave is if I absolutely had to. Like a life or death situation, or maybe if I was kidnapped.”

Yeah, Eddie adored the fantasy of adventure, but as much as he would love to run away he had a job, responsibilities, and his uncle to take care of. He couldn't abandon all he loved just because he wanted to experience a rush of a crusade. Getting to watch you from afar was just the thing that made his life bearable. So he sat, drank, yelled, and laughed his nights away and in the morning he would suffer a day of hard work. It was his only option, adventure wasn't written in his cards unless an outside force made him have to run.

“You need to get out of here, we need to get out of here. This village is rotting from the inside out. Please, we could leave now it wouldn't be hard.”

“Dustin, we can't. You know we can't. Not now at least.” It was hard to deny the opportunity. If Eddie was a real adventurer he would agree as soon as Dustin asked. He’d run and gather his things and leave before the sun broke through the dark sky. But he wasn't a real adventurer. He was a coward, he was scared of the edge, he was scared of leaving his family, and he was scared of failing.

The night ended soon enough and the group of friends who littered the bar well past closing hours sluggishly swayed home, attempting to get just a little sleep before their day of work began again. This was the routine that was built.

Drink, sleep, work, repeat.

It was a disappointing loop, everyone was living to die. Money was tight, food was scarce, and no one was happy. Yet, Eddie and his crew seemed to be the only ones longing for an out. The poor grew weaker as the rich gained new opportunities.

Dawn broke in the sky bright and early, the roosters waking Eddie up, the natural alarm clock he needed to get on with his day. Dressing in his work linens, he rushed down the old wooden stairs, nearly tripping down the last few into the small kitchen of his dainty hut. Breakfast consisted of three large eggs from the barn, and a warmed slice of stale bread. It was the breakfast of an adventurer, Eddie liked to tell himself. This allowed him to play into his internal fantasy world when in reality, it was the breakfast of an impoverished rural family who could hardly make ends meet.

Eddie was the main source of income for the Munson household. The Cambridge family was a distinguished name in the village of Hawkins. They were the local emissaries for the kingdom of Demo, the family being the only contact people had with the sovereign when they needed resources. Many pleas went unheard, war was looming over the nation and the king believed he had more important duties than making sure his people survived the famish. The Cambridge family could only do so much.

Victor Cambridge was the head of the house. He was wealthy, awarded many luxuries from his position in the noble ranks. He had no time to help care for his lineage, it was no secret that he neglected his family’s needs, preferring to spend every waking hour he had working hard to keep the village from sinking further into filth than it already was. His wife, Virginia, was a kind woman, a lovely lady who had used to be a commoner in her youth. She spent most of her days in charge of the house staff, handing out workloads to the retinue of workers. She was a simple lady, a devotee to her husband and his love.

The couple had three children. The heir, Henry, was a young boy with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was expected to fill in his father's position as every son for generations has. The stress already fueled the young boy's rage and internal anguish, with no time for play. He was forced to be a man.

The youngest daughter, Alice, was a shy sprite of a girl. She was a mere child, easily influenceable, a small little field mouse who was rarely given the opportunity to flourish. She was tenacious and rotten, often using leverage over the staff to get what she asked for, a behavior often demonstrated by her father.

Lastly, there was you. As the family's Eldest daughter, you understood the politics of the town and the detrimental situation of those in the working class. Being a daughter of a nobleman, you were often ignored even when you tried to make your voice heard. Women had no place in the world of war.

Eddie looked up to you, he’s overheard tales from other staff members of instances where you stood up for those who needed a voice; turning a blind eye when a break lasted too long, indulging the staff in royal gossip, and being one of the few members of the family to treat the staff as human. While you were headstrong, speaking out was still against the rules, and in fear of diminishing the Cambridge name, you slipped into the background most days. However, Eddie would never see you as a simple background character. You were the girl of his dreams, a kind spirit, a work of art.

Eddie knew little to nothing about you, but he was head over heels. A small crush that plagued his thoughts and fueled his existence in a silly fantasy he could indulge in while going about his day. He had a sweet image of you fabricated in his creative mind. You were a delicate flower who’d love him eternally, even if he was a simple man who worked for your family.

He was lucky enough to secure a position under the Cambridge family, many wished to work in such a position, and being in the right place at the right time paid off. Eddie could still remember the day he was offered the job, walking past the luxurious manor just as the old stable boy was thrown to the curb. Rumor states he was stealing jewels from the family and was finally caught. When Victor noticed Eddie standing, watching the commotion go down, he was offered a job. Eddie would have been stupid to turn down the offer, and his small history of working on a farm for his family was enough to give him a confidence boost to accept.

Work was far from glamorous, many hours were spent shoveling horse manure and caring for the horses under the hot sun. However, some days Eddie was granted the opportunity to teach the Cambridge children their riding lessons. The family had a professional instructor to aid in classes but with the impending war, it wasn't rare for her to be called away, handing the torch over to the stableboy.

Teaching the younger children was always a low point of his day, but these instances were some of the only opportunities Eddie had to properly speak with you. Mumbling dumb jokes that forced you to stifle a laugh, listening to you softly rant about your morning, and discussing the duties he was forced to partake in for work. However, his favorite moments were those when he could slip in a small compliment in passing. The flustered look you'd shoot his way always made the risk of getting in trouble worth it.

‘My lady, have I ever told you that you are the sunlight through a window in which I stand, warmed and welcoming.’

‘Edward, I don't appreciate flattery.’

‘Nonsense. Venus in her shell was never so lovely, and Diana in the forest never so graceful as you’

‘Shut up’ A soft smile graced your face as you made an attempt to shy away from him. The huge grin Eddie presented went unnoticed

His favorite memory was a recent one. A month or so ago the heel of your boot got caught against the stirrup of the saddle. Your shriek rang through his ears, fear in your voice as the ground rushed towards you, but Eddie was quick, as he managed to catch you in his arms. The smell of your floral perfume clouded his mind as you begged him not to drop you. ‘only a fool would drop a girl like you’. The shy expression that graced your face at his words as you let a soft smile slip through the elegant façade was enough to put Eddie in the best spirit for the rest of the day.

Eddie couldn’t help but think you were the prettiest thing he’s ever laid eyes on. Your passing conversation was enough to leave a smile on his face, he’d envision your laughter while he worked, and the gleam in your eyes would help to make time speed by faster. And most of the time Eddie would imagine what it would be like if you were in one of his stories, one where he was the hero who got to fall in love with the princess. But of course, he was just your average stable boy, none of him worthy of a maiden such as a nobleman’s daughter, especially not one as beautiful as yourself.

Today was no different, when Eddie rode in on his less-than-impressive family steed, you were already seated in the lush garden on an expensive blanket, enjoying your breakfast with a book in hand. The food on the cloth were commodities Eddie couldn't even dream of enjoying. Imported fruits, fresh bread still producing a soft steam from the cool morning air, sweet tarts from the king's baker himself, and small sandwiches that would look ridiculous between his calloused fingers.

The dress that rested against your plush skin was expensive, everything about you and your family was expensive. Your gaze lifted from the crisp pages of your book to glance towards the stable boy as if you felt his lingering gaze taking in every detail of your being.

The breath Eddie was holding was sucked away when you beamed his way with a short wave. Your family was less than kind, a smile like that was rare, but being on the receiving end felt like heaven. You weren't supposed to converse with the commons who littered the grounds of the manor, your siblings had no trouble following that authority, but you were never a stickler for every rule. You were often found gossiping with the gardener, telling stories to the cooks, and being friendly with the cleaners. Eddie was internally grateful when he learned Gareth’s mother worked under your authority, a kind soul, rather than the evil that plagued your family.

That's one of the things Eddie was enamored with. You were beautiful, gorgeous, ethereal even, but your kindness even if rarely directed towards him was admirable. The smile Eddie's way was enough to kick him into gear, sending him straight to the barn with a flush of red gracing his cheeks.

The day was a slow day for the pair, Eddie’s daily chores were already complete and your lessons were cut short due to a small royal emergency. Deciding to make the most of your free time you snuck out around the distant barn to the stables, picnic basket resting in the crook of your elbow as you searched for your favorite boy. Of course, Eddie didn't know you felt that way, you've barely interacted, but he always treated you with such devotion and care without treating you like some princess. It was romantic, even if he was only being friendly.

“Sir Munson, it's awfully warm out today. Care to join me for lunch?”

The sound of your voice was enough to make Eddie jump. This was the most you'd spoken to him in a day, it was rare for your paths to cross. And yet you had put in the effort to seek him out. Your previous attire was replaced with a simple dress, one he’s never seen on someone with such high power. You were wearing a commoner’s dress.

“Oh, I don't think your father or mother would approve of such, don't you think my lady?” The soft words were spoken as Eddie dropped to a small bow, still able to make eye contact. His big puppy eyes stared into your soul as a small smirk graced his lips.

“Maybe I'm done following the rules?”

“All the rules? Lady Y/N, murder is a very serious commitment. Do you wish to be burned at the stake for this outrageous announcement?” A hand was sent to his chest, an exaggerated gasp slipped from his pink lips as he did his best to give you a serious look.

"You know that's not what I mean Sir Munson.”

“Oh no no no, I'm positive I heard you say all the rules. Are you here to convince me to be an accomplice for these heinous crimes you wish to commit? An aristocratic woman like yourself should know better.” As he initially sought to receive, you offer him a soft giggle. It filled Eddie’s mind with sweetness and sunshine.

“Okay, maybe not all the rules. But I think you deserve a lovely meal for all of your hard work, don't you?”

“As you wish.”

With a smile, Eddie swiped his arm in another bow, a silent lead the way hung in the air as he followed you through the wooden gate of the barn, down the grassy hill, towards a huge blooming willow tree. There was a river nearby, adding the soft sound of trickling water to the air. This was a spot many knew well by the staff. It was one of the only places that provided a sense of peace, especially during a hard day of work. The destination was far enough from wandering eyes, but near enough where if called you could rush back to the manor without much worry.

Offering you a soft glance, Eddie took the basket from your arms, opting to be a gentleman, and set out the picnic that you'd brought along. It was the least he could do, you were jeopardizing everything your family stood for by being near him, let alone offering him a small feast for his hard work. Your kindness would be thought about for months, anything you did lived in his mind for ages. A soft conversation lulled between the two of you, today was one of many firsts.

“What's it like working in the stables? I've always wondered what it was like to have a proper job.”

“It's a lot of work if I'm being honest. I've always lived on a farm so caring for horses is nothing new. I think the worst part of the job is the fear of messing up. If I mess up on my farm it's okay, my horses are cheap, if I don't braid their manes or something, everything is fine. But here? Here I feel the impending doom that one mistake will have my head on a spike. Don't get me wrong, your family has never threatened me, but there is always that fear that comes with working. I enjoy it though, it's good money.” Eddie was right, finger sandwiches looked hilarious held between his fingers. “I think you're lucky, god knows I wouldn't wish for a job if I got to live in luxury as you do. Being poor is the only thing the village is known for, a noble like you wouldn't fit in with the working class. Nice dress by the way.”

The silence between you two was deafening. Eddie didn’t mean to overstep, his mouth moving faster than his mind. It was no secret that no matter how kind nobles were to their people, everyone despised the rich. Especially in the villages with high poverty rates.

However, implying you wanted to play dress up as an impoverished maiden wasn't the way to your heart, even if Eddie didn't mean to be crude. God, here you were providing him with a lunch fit for a king, better than the staff typically get, sitting with him under a gorgeous willow tree, asking him about his life, and he goes and blew it.

“I'm so sor-”

With a soft breathy laugh, you interrupt him, “You're right, wishing to be a commoner is ridiculous. I just hate it here so much you know? It's lonely. And I see all of the staff have a found family of sorts while I'm forced to keep to my bubble. I can't remember the last conversation I had with either of my parents. Nannies can only do so much, I'm tired of being prim and proper. I wish things were different, I think that's why I look up to you. You and everyone else in the town are dealt, pardon my French, shitty cards, and yet I've overheard you in the kitchens, talking about your nights in the tavern and it just makes me smile.” You risk a glance towards Eddie, offering a look of awe. There was no hurt behind your eyes, Eddie had not overstepped like he thought he had. You looked up to him.

All his life Eddie had assumed that a life of money provided enough stability to feel content no matter what problems were thrown your way. Nobles and kings didn’t have to work all day to afford a loaf of bread. They didn’t have to worry about cold winter nights harming a loved one when the temperature dropped too low, they should be happy. Yet, here you stood sharing your sorrows with the stable boy. Loneliness was a burden no one should carry. People always say money can’t buy happiness, and now Eddie had living breathing proof that statement was true.

You looked up to him.

“I’ll tell you what. Pick a day, I’ll risk everything to sneak you into the tavern. You can drink to your heart's content, stand on tables, yell and laugh as loud as you want. You can meet new people, I’ll introduce you to my friends, you can have people in your corner for once. It'll help to give you your freedom, you deserve it.”

“Promise?”

“Promise, I'd do anything for you, my lady.”

The conversation took a lighter turn, hope filling the air. Eddie told you all of the stories his friends have gone tired of listening to. He showed you how to sword fight using branches he ripped from the willow and he was able to make you laugh when he let you win, dropping to the ground in a dramatic defeat. The little bubble under the willow was enough to relish in this newfound fantasy. There were no nobles and commoners. No rich and poor, Just you and Eddie being able to enjoy a newfound friendship.

Eddie could still imagine the shocked look that fell onto your face when he made you laugh so hard that let out an unattractive snort. The action was quite unladylike, something that would get you in trouble within the manor walls, which only fueled the fire, making the pair double over in a fit of laughter once more.

You told him of your favorite novels, ones quite similar to the stories Eddie loved to tell. You shared the new gossip that flittered throughout the manor recently. He even told you all about the time that he and his friends had gotten so drunk they barfed all over the floor, leaving the poor Wheeler family to care for the rowdy group in their state of intoxication.

The best part was the moment when you begged Eddie to teach you how to climb a tree for the first time. He showed you how to scale the thick branches of the willow tree, before climbing down to help you do the same. A dark blush erupted across his face when he accidentally got a glance up your dress. In his humble opinion, the memory he will cherish forever was being able to watch you attempt to hang down from a thick branch. Your knees bent, attempting to keep hold while you laughed, begging him to make sure you didn’t fall.

‘Eddie! Please if I fall I'll kill you, I'll do it. I'm gonna die, holy- don't let me fall. Eddie! I’m gonna fall, don't drop me! Please! Please I'm begging’

The shrieking of your words masked by the laughter you slipped out. And as a true gentleman, he gave you the same response he gave you months ago.

‘Relax, only a fool would drop a girl like you.’

The sacred moments were over faster than either of you had hoped, the two of you stood barefoot in the river, splashing water and giggling together. Your hands reach out between you as you grasp tightly onto Eddie's fingertips, eyes disappearing from how wide your smile was. It was the happiest you had felt in a long while until your name was called from a distance. Your disappearance was finally noticed.

Eddie waved you off, offering to clean up so you didn’t get in more trouble for running off than you no doubt were already in. With one last grin, brighter than he's ever been offered before, you ran away leaving Eddie to marvel at the experience he had just lived. Not only did you offer to spend the afternoon with him under the hot sun, but you laughed with him, you talked to him, you showed him a new side of you he's never seen before, and you looked up to him.

He couldn't wait to share this moment with anyone who would listen. A new fantasy to fuel his day of work, one where you fell in love with him, one where you ran away from responsibility and expectations. One where he was your hero, giving you the life you yearned for.

One where it was just you and Eddie.

Being home was never something Eddie enjoyed. It was a reminder of the way the world worked. The doors of the cottage were rotting, mildew sprouted from the walls and the thatch on the roof had microscopic holes that allowed rainwater to dribble in during a storm. It was ugly and smelled awful, but it was home. Dinner had gone and passed, and as Eddie prepped for a night of rest, the thoughts of his afternoon danced through his mind.

The way you looked at him like he was a person, a friend. It was new. Eddie wasn't stupid, today changed nothing, he was still just a mere stable boy, you would marry a wealthy man, a prince if you were lucky, and rule over a village just like Hawkins. It was written in your cards, just as working to survive was in Eddies.

Sleep was short-lived, Eddie barely drifted off into a slumber before the sound of pebbles hitting his window had awoken him. It wasn't rare for one of his friends to wake him in the middle of the night, the dark was the perfect time to do things that aren't acceptable to do during the day, but tonight Eddie wanted a night of rest.

Deciding to ignore the sound, he closed his eyes in an attempt to seek the comfort he desired until the sound of something heavier hit his window. It was clear the perpetrator wasn't going to leave without a fight, and Eddie was forced to drag himself out of the straw mattress he called his bed.

Throwing on a few layers of clothes, enough to hang out if his friends wouldn't take no for an answer, Eddie crept down the stairs, making as little noise as possible. The thought of waking his uncle wasn't something he wished to do.

Opening the door, Eddie came face to face with Dustin, who has a weary smile on his face. Behind him stood the rest of their shared friends. Gareth stared Eddie down with a deep unreadable stare as Mike and Lucas avoided eye contact, like two children being scorned by an angry parent. They all shared a skittish look, one that could only mean trouble. Eddie was used to solving their problems, especially after the many nights the group spent drinking away their sorrows at the hideout.

“What did you do Henderson?” His question was answered by a different voice. Not one he was used to hearing, a soft yet cheerful sound, one he recognized immediately.

“Eddie! Hello, wonderful night isn't it? It seems as though I've been taken for ransom,” There, thrown over the back of a horse, one of your horses, you shot Eddie a wide smile. You were tied by your wrists and ankles, dressed in a long satin slip that was made no doubt for sleep. The look you shot Eddie was one of amusement, as if this was the best thing to ever happen to you. Aggressively rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Eddie did a double take towards where you were draped, just behind a stuffed satchel, no doubt filled with supplies.

“Shush, you're supposed to be a hostage. Really, Eddie, she's been cracking jokes this whole time. I think she's perfect for you. You know, I thought you were crazy. I mean what poor man falls in love with royalty, but now I see why,” The young boy shot Eddie a wide smile before glancing your way.

“I'm sorry, what on earth is going on here? Why Is she tied up? Why are you all here? What the hell is happening?”

“You said you wanted an adventure, now we have one. You're looking at your adventure party!”

“That doesn't mean kidnapping a princess?”

You let out a quip in response even though no one seemed willing to acknowledge you at the moment, ‘for the record, not a princess.’

“You said you would leave this sad excuse for a village if it were life or death… your life is currently on the line. You also said you would leave if you were kidnapped. We kidnapped. This is literally what you asked of me!”

“Dustin, I swear to every higher being... you're insane. I aid if I was kidnapped, not just anyone? This is crazy, you’re all crazy.'' The exasperated look on Eddie's face made you stifle a giggle. In reality, this whole situation should be terrifying, but Eddie was nice. When Dustin appeared in your room that night he had mentioned being a friend of Eddie’s. Your conversation from the afternoon still stuck in your mind, you willingly followed out of the window, only to be tied up.

“Hey, I am doing you a favor, though we need to hurry, time is running out.”

“Time? We need to return her, what are you on about?”

“Well, when we took her we left a note. Well, we didn't really take her, it was easier than I thought. She was very willing when we mentioned your name. Anyways, we left her family a note and they think you, my dear friend, kidnapped her.”

“Me? Henderson I swe-”

“As I said, time is running short, get on her horse, I'll grab one from your barn and we can be on our way. We already have plenty of supplies, food, weapons, first aid, clothes. You don't really have a choice here do you?” The young boy shot Eddie one last smile before jogging towards the farmland behind the cottage.

With a frustrated cry, Eddie took a solemn glance toward his cottage before reflecting on the men standing in front of him. These were his closest friends, and they were jeopardizing everything to give him the one thing he's always yearned for. They were his family, his people. Each one stared back at him with the same look.

‘This is how we get out.’

Call him a fool, but Eddie was handed the perfect opportunity to seek adventure. Granted this wasn't the tale he imagined. He was now the villain, but it was still a chance at freedom. Sighing he hopped on the horse you were draped across. This was it. Eddie wanted an adventure, now he had one. With a final glance towards the three other men that surrounded him, he took a deep breath before commanding the horse to ride towards the dark edge.

Crossing over the threshold would mean no turning back, they would be fugitives for the rest of their lives. With one final glance towards the world, they once knew the party set off.

This was the only chance of newfound freedom.

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson au #eddie munson #eddie munson x female!reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson x you #stranger things x reader #🪲 my work #stable boy!eddie #Eddie Munson royal au #nobility universe

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raindrop-on-a-spiderweb · 6 months

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#Wayfaring Daughter #playlist #SoundCloud #the revenge vibes #pure Rosannah

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 4 months

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Drought, Famine, Sword, Pestilence

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.

7 O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

10 Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

11 Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

13 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

20 We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

21 Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things. — Jeremiah 14 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 49:21; Leviticus 26:40; Judges 19:17; 1 Samuel 5:12; 1 Samuel 12:22; 2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Kings 19:21; Job 39:5-6; Psalm 25:11; Psalm 79:2-3; Psalm 119:101; Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 22:2; Isaiah 56:10; Jeremiah 2:37; Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 5:12-13; Lamentations 1:20; Acts 14:15; Acts 15:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 1 John 4:1; 1 John 5:16; Revelation 6:8

#drought #famine #sword #pestilence #a prayer for mercy #Jeremiah 14 #Book of Jeremiah #Old Testament #KJV #King James Version Bible

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animereaderinsertwriter · 2 years

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Previous - Epilogue - Series Masterlist - Series Playlist

Pairing: Dabi x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Tags/Warnings: fantasy au, violence, smut, angst, fluff, non-major character death, pregnancy, dub con/fuck or die but only kinda?, enemies to lovers, there's an arranged betrothal somewhere in there that eventually goes away, spoilers for dabi's identity

ao3 link here / art here and here

And so it was.

The Black Dragon of the League became the right hand of Clan Todoroki's soon-to-be famous war general, and together, they forged the Clans into one mighty hammer with which to crush the Empire once and for all. The ensuing war lasted for many years to come, spiraling into what we know as the War of Wayfaring; and, as was her wont, the High Priestess of Cerridwen devoted herself to becoming one of those "wayfaring" soldiers, living the life of the roaming warriors that she had become accustomed to with the League. Like the warrior-women from the Age of the Immortals, she was as practiced with sword and shield as with puppets and playthings, choosing both motherhood and the life of the sword. Her daughter, Yara, grew up wild like a bob-cat and prettier than the finest pale-white lily— she was always underfoot of the greatest warriors of the age, and, having inherited her father's penchant for mischief and her mother's charisma, she often proved to be too wily for the life of any human child. Sometimes, it was whispered that there was something of the fae about her, something supernatural… but no one whispered too loudly too close to her father, who was known to bare dragon's teeth and swipe dragon's claw in defense of his darling child (who had plenty of dragon tooth and claw of her own to flash).

The War of Wayfaring lasted a decade— the longest war since the Battle of the Beginning, which lasted the fifty long years it took the goddess to cast out the Seven Devils from the Realm of Men. Many have said that the War of Wayfaring might have lasted years longer if it were not for the smallest Todoroki dragon making her debut on the scene of battle, but my mother— Jenny of the Archives, She Who Knows— always said it might have lasted decades longer if Yara Battle-born had not proved herself worthy of her name.

Truly proud like lions, the soldiers of the Empire foolishly clung to their power and prejudice alike for far longer than strategically advisable. Despite heavy losses, the Empire persevered in its attempt to oppress and subjugate the lands west of the Summit, closer to the sea where their supply ships had control of the harbors; it is believed that their strategy was to pull back to the coastline to control sea-trade on the western coast, which might have served them well had the Clans not produced the greatest smugglers the world had ever known. Whatever its purpose, the Empire's steady retreat westward was suspicious to the two Todoroki generals who manned the western front. Black Dabi and Shoto the Cold decided to hold off on chasing the imperial forces further west and to instead make camp inland so as to avoid walking into an ambush; my dear reader, I was in that camp, just a lad myself, when my Lady Yara was told of this news, and when I say here that I have never seen such wrath as I did on that day, I truly mean that no creature on this green earth could have been more against the halt of the company than the little lordly lass with flaming, Todoroki-red hair.

I remember well the way her eyes burned, the way the white streak at the front of her hair waved in the storm-day breeze; she was fierce and unyielding, and both of her parents threatened to hog-tie her if she didn't stop her raging. Not even my mother, her caretaker, could calm her fire, and when I think back to that day, I wonder if they should have hog-tied her— for that was the night I followed her into the unknown, packed with food and rations to last us the time it would take to get us from the camp to the coast. She was a vision, reader, a magnetic force unlike any I have ever felt. I would have followed her anywhere, and even then, whithersoever she asked me to go, I went.

What happened on those days of travel will remain a secret forever. It is not my story to tell, and Yara— my Lady, my dearest friend— would rather it remain a memory between only us two.

The story I can tell you, reader, is the Historie of the Battle of Barker's Bay. Three hundred and seventy-six imperial ships were burned that day, not including any ships of the traitor-clans which flew the flag of their family next to that of the imperials. Yara Battle-born, with blue flames and so many fire-arrows, burned them all with fire so hot no man could have survived; she was seen by none on the ships, and thanks to the Blessing I inherited from my absent father, she was seen by none leaving them, her form rendered invisible by the light-refraction I control at will.

Dear reader, I will never forget the words she said to me that night, when I asked what would happen should the fire spread. When she looked at me then, brilliant eyes aglow with azure flame, I felt a thrill up my spine and the goddess's eyes on my very soul as she said,

"Stand too close to the wicked, and fire from the heavens will strike you down just as surely. Any man might have done what I did tonight. None did. The will to do what others will not— that is what separates the Hand of the Goddess from the rest of mankind."

I have had many years to think of that night since. As I reflect now, Yara Battle-born was right; as her mother before her had taken a broken, wounded man and loved him whole, turning the tide of history,Yara has taken a broken, wounded nation and has done just the same… but I digress.

Upon Yara's return to the Clans' encampment, word of the incident at the bay had already reached the ears of her father and mother. After a sound scolding and an even more sound encounter of our bare bums with a freshly-cut switch, they told Yara and myself that our efforts had effectively cut the Empire off from their supplies, and that they had negotiated the terms of the Empire's surrender the day before. After so many years, the Clans were finally free of imperial rule.

Tonight, on the 50th anniversary of this day, I honor my Lady Yara's wishes in finishing the series of Histories she asked me to write on the legacy of her family. My purpose here is fulfilled, and yet too late, I fear; I had hoped to give this collection to the former Hand of the Goddess, my second-mother, grandmother of my children, so that she might be the first to read the story of her life, but not twenty hours since, she passed beyond the veil, never to return. I was not with her when she passed— I was here, writing, trying to finish on this day of remembrance— but my Lady Yara said that (Y/N), Hand of the Goddess, passed peacefully, and with a final command to her daughter, who held her hand as she left the earth.

"Take care of your fool father," she told her, smiling as merrily as ever she had. "He won't know what to do without me."

Black Dabi, too, met his end this day, not ten hours before the time I am writing this; upon seeing the body of his wife of fifty years (for the anniversary of their wedding was this very day), he turned to his daughter, kissed her forehead, and took my hand. He said to us,

"I will not long outlive your mother, I fear— her soul pulls at mine, insufferable bitch. When I die, tell your children the story of our line. Make sure they know who we were, and why we fought. That is my last request,"

There were tears in his voice, if not his eyes. In all my long years, I have never seen such grief from a single human being. I believe his death was a mercy— separation from the love of his life was too painful, even for a man who had known more pain than most. In a way, I understand. As the man who married his daughter, I know what it's like to bind my soul to a woman who is more divine than human. Your life belongs to her, whether you give it willingly or not, and it feels as if she owns your very soul.

Following the death of Todoroki Touya, there was a question of succession in the Clans. Since the end of the war, the Clans have been governed by a member of the Todoroki family, doing away with the ineffective Council. When Todoroki Shoto lost his life in a border skirmish some twenty years back, Todoroki Touya was there, battle-hardened and trustworthy to take the position, leaving his younger siblings, Todoroki Fuyumi and Todoroki Natsuo, to fulfill their chosen duties. Now, however, with two reluctant and aging Todorokis and one Hand of Cerridwen to choose from, there was some debate over whether allowing the Hand to rule or the elderly was more inappropriate.

In the end, the Clans decided that they would rather disband from this cohesive form of government and return to ruling their own lands, tending their own flocks and farming their own fields, instead of caring for the collective good. Though my wife and I both agree on the folly of such a decision, I cannot deny that it is an honor and a privilege to record this event as it happens, chronicling it for future generations to study. It is the perfect end to the tale I aspired to tell.

I have done as you have asked me to do, Todoroki Touya. I am telling the future who you were, and why you fought.

So Ends the Age of the Clans.

Blessed be She who Reigns.

— Balthazar the Wise

#dabi #dabi x reader #mybigbangacademia #touya x reader #mha x reader #bnha x reader #dabi smut #dabi x y/n #touya x y/n #fantasy au #enemies to lovers #a suitable match (to start a fire)

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innominaterifter · 4 months

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Commissar Cain and Chaos cultists

Start here

Wayfarer, remember, you are stepping on a Spoiler Path Of No Return.

I really love the self-critical commissar and his irreplaceable assistant. My friends and I are making this cosplay, but there is still a lot that needs to be made (a working chainsword, for example). But even with what we have at the moment, our hands are itching to make stories. Here's one of them.

Those who wish can read the story in its entirety ("The Beguiling"), but I will tell it briefly here.

Commissar Cain, his assistant Jurgen, and two Valhallan guardsmen were hiding from the cultists of Nurgle, one of the gods of Chaos, who were pursuing them. Chance leads them to the walls of the Academy of Noble Maidens, secluded in the forests, and the Mother Abbess invites them to take refuge inside. The young pupils (daughters of noble families) and the abbess herself are incredibly friendly. Very friendly, very.

As you might expect, Cain falls from the frying pan into the fire. The Academy turns out to be a hidden cult of Slaanesh, another Chaos god/goddess. I’ll leave you to find out for yourself how the successful commissioner got out of this situation🧑‍💻

The video is not a direct transfer of history; rather, it is a visualization of the moment of entering the Academy and meeting with the abbess. We were limited by the number of people and ready-made cosplay, so we filmed as much as we could at that time.

Fun Easter Egg: The name of the academy, "Saint Trynia Academy for the Daughters of Gentlefolk", is a reference to the famous British films about St Trinian's School (Sandy Mitchell, author of books about Cain, British)

The films are based on the works of cartoonist Ronald Searle set in St Trinian's School. The cartoons all center on a boarding school for girls, where the teachers are sadists and the girls are juvenile delinquents.

I knew about the films, so when I read the name of the academy in the story about Cain, I immediately knew that I should expect something unusual. And I was right🙂

#commissar cain #ciaphas cain #commissar cosplay #commissar #warhammer cosplay #warhammer 40000 #warhammer 40k #wh40000 #wh40k #cosplay #chaos cultists #chaos #chainsword #slaanesh #emeli duboir #demoness #daemonette

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thetavolution · 27 days

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SHIRLEY

Full name:  Shirley Whiteclaw Evenwood Name meaning:  Shirley: bright clearing; Whiteclaw: self-explanatory Pronouns: She/Her Race: Half-Orc Age: 38 Orientation: Bisexual Romance: Undecided Class: Fighter Subclass: Champion Origin: Soldier Theme Song: Sweetest Devotion - Adele / I Lived - OneRepublic / You Said You’d Grow Old With Me - Michael Schulte

Personality Shirley is a single mom with two kids at home and she always puts them first. Her main focus is taking care of her family and working as a sword for hire puts food on the table. She’s a sweet gal, even if her day job involves a lot of killing. She’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but she’s cheery, friendly, and outgoing. She’s not book smart, but she has emotional intelligence. She’s also a very even-tempered person.

She’s talkative and the kind of person who’ll strike up a conversation with a total stranger like they’re old friends. Being a little dimwitted, she can be taken advantage of. She’s far too trusting for her own good. She is self-aware she’s not the smartest person in the room.

People often look at her and think, “There’s nothing going on behind those eyes.” She’s basically a Labrador Retriever as a half-orc.

Background Shirley is the product of an arranged marriage that was created to form an alliance between an orc tribe and the human village of Northwick. Her father relocated to the human village as part of the alliance since Shirley’s mother didn’t want to leave her hometown.

Fortunately, her parents did get along even if it was a loveless marriage. They were able to come together as friends to give their daughter a good life. It gave Shirley an unusual advantage compared to many other half-orcs. Her parents may not have been in love, but they did love her. She was raised in her mother’s village among humans. While she struggled to find acceptance, her good nature helped her worm her way into the hearts of the townspeople. She slowly got people to tolerate her and even won over some genuine friends.

Her father trained her to be a fighter and she became set on protecting Northwick. She worked as a guard and this helped earn her respect among some of the higher ranking villagers. She even met and married a human paladin, Kayne Evenwood. They would have three children together, Galvyn and Bilga. Sadly, not long after Bilga’s birth, Kayne drowned when he was caught in a current while trying to save a small child who slipped into the river. He was able to save the boy, but lost his life in the process.

Alone, she took jobs as a sword for hire to take care of her children. When a tadpole got lodged in her brain, she had to set out to save herself and her children. While away, the kids stay with their grandparents.

Likes: Her children, her late husband, giving her kids a better life, children (in general), animals especially dogs, giving to charity, volunteering, social events, talking with people, early mornings, and romance novels

Dislikes: Anything that could harm her family, being away from home, criminals, bullies, people judging her based on being a half-orc, loneliness, bugs, hurting people who don’t deserve it, math,

Fears: She’s afraid of anything happening to her children. Outside of her children, she’s terrified that she won’t be able to protect her village or that peace between the humans and nearby orcs will be compromised. She hates to admit she fears dying alone, too. She doesn’t feel like she should want love again, but she does. On a lighter note, she’s really scared of talking to a room full of people. She hates it.

Quirks: She talks pretty loudly, even when trying to whisper. There’s a running joke amongst her friends that she just CANNOT whisper even in a life or death situation.

Mental Health: She’s still grieving her husband while trying to focus on her children.

Favorite Food: Minted Pea Soup, Rabbit Stew, Wayfarers’ Cake, and Toasted Cockatrice Gizzards on Rye

Favorite Drink: Moon Mountain Ale, Mint Tea, and Apricot Cider

Favorite Flower: Summer Lillies and Peonies (Peonies was the first flower Kayne ever gave her)

Height: 6’2”

Skin: Sage Tone 5

Hair:  Red Black with Gray

Eyes:  Brown 1

Color Scheme:  She wears a lot of browns, silvers, and blues. She doesn’t really pick her armor based on color, but durability and strength. She never thinks to get things dyed or colored. When not in armor, she leans toward shades of green and blue.

Fashion Sense: She’s a simple woman with a simple wardrobe. It’s all about durability for her. As a woman with two kids, she doesn’t dress up fancy. (Bilga is just going to spit up on it.) She does like to wear nice things from time to time though. In those cases, she keeps it simple and elegant.

Family:

Nybarg Whiteclaw — He’s Shirley’s orc father. He was offered to the humans for the marriage contract simply because he didn’t really fit in with the other orcs. While he’s not cuddly and sweet, he is agreeable. He doesn’t actually like to turn to violence in most cases and prefers to just let people live and let live. He loves his daughter and grandchildren with every part of his being.

Enid Whiteclaw — She’s Shirley’s human mother. She’s a strong-willed and kind woman. She quickly earned her husband’s respect shortly after meeting each other, mostly because she’s an assertive person. She’s a bit pig-headed and she was definitely the head of the household. She loves her daughter and grandchildren more than anything. Enid and Nybarg are not in love, but grew to love one another as friends.

Kayne Whiteclaw Evenwood — He’s Shirley’s late husband. He was a human and a paladin who swore to the Oath of the Ancients. He fell in love with Shirley’s big heart. He was honorable, brave, and kind.

Galvyn Whiteclaw Evenwood — They’re Shirley’s 5-year-old kid.

Bilga Whiteclaw Evenwood — She’s Shirley’s 1-year-old daughter.

I slightly ignored how DnD does half-orc aging. I’m treating her more like she just ages the same as a human instead. If you don’t like it, you can fight me. But don’t actually because I can’t fight.

#bg3 oc #bg3 tav #my tav #half-orc #Shirley #Shirley Whiteclaw #I can't stop creating characters #Shirley is an older character #she's also from the original story Paloma and Lamia are from

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