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angeledeggs · 10 months

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Main Six + The Courtiers with a bilingual partner

Main six plus the courtiers with a bilingual significant other! Hope y'all enjoy, and thanks for the surprising amount of support! :)

Asra 💜:

Finds it cool that you know another language, and will probably ask you how you learnt it, why you learned it, etc.

Asra is also bilingual! He speaks Arabic, too, which was his first language. He can also write in it flawlessly and though he speaks English very well, his writing in English can get a bit messy when he's tired

They'll probably want to learn a few things in the other languages you know just for fun, and if you want to have conversations in that language? Even better! Asra will hit the books right away!

If you have just a bit of an accent when you switch to English or the other language you know, Asra will probably blush a bit. He finds it attractive.

Will probably brag to their parents that you're so smart that you know more than one language, and probably to their friends, too.

If you know Arabic, or even better- learned it for Asra, he'll probably fall a bit harder for you and the bragging to his parents will most definitely be nonstop.

Muriel💙:

Finds it impressive, especially since he just knows English. Will ask you a bit about the language you know, how good you are, etc.

He'll probably not want to learn it though, not because he thinks it's weird, just because he's kind of bad at memorizing things (unless it comes to what you like).

If you want him to try though, he definitely will. He'd probably try to read some books and give up, and try flash cards instead. In the end, he can kind of carry a conversation with you in the language.

But if you want to speak in that language to him more often, he'll definitely amp up his studying and a lot of the times in the evening you'll find him quietly making more flashcards. It warms your heart.

He manages to stumble through an "I love you" in the language you know and gets really happy when you can understand him.

Nadia💎:

Finds it refined and elegant that you can speak in another language, even if you can barely do it and stutter through your words.

If you have any accent, she'll also find that extremely graceful of you.

She also knows a few languages herself which includes English and a few dialects of Hindi, but she won't tell you unless you ask, just because she's never thought of it before.

If you know her language or any of the dialects (or teach yourself), no matter how broken it is, she'll melt.

Is probably similar to Asra in the act of bragging to her family about you and your skills. A lot.

Might learn a phrase or two in the language you know, just to say it to you and see your reaction. But then she's suddenly studying it every night and sometimes mumbles it in her sleep when you two cuddle.

Julian🦠:

Thinks it's cool and deems you 'even smarter'

He knows Russian and might say a thing or two to you in it when he's teasing you. If you know Russian, he most definitely will blush whenever you even start to speak it for a second.

He insists that you teach him some together to 'bond', and he'll also most likely watch a few videos to learn it, too. His pronunciation is very bad, but he's so proud, you can't really tell him that.

He'll probably brag to Portia, too, about how awesome you are and how you're bilingual. He may or may not write down every little thing he loves about you in one of his journals. His journals are a mess though, so you'll never find it.

Will call you a nickname in the other language you know like sweetheart or honey. If you allow it, of course.

Portia🧡:

As soon as she hears you speak it, she's fallen in love all over again. Will definitely blush each time you speak it, which she can't help!

She knows just a bit of Russian, but not a lot, and mainly speaks English. Hearing and knowing that your bilingual definitely inspires her to get back to being fluent? And oh, if you speak Russian, she's absolutely floored.

Might study with you if you're not fluent yet, just for the bonding.

Gets all flustered if you have an accent, too.

She actually goes to her brother to get back into her Russian and will affectionately refer to you in terms of endearment of your own language, or her own like "Дорогой" or "Моя любовь"

Lucio👑:

Someone call an ambulance, because he thinks he's about to have a heart attack when he hears you speak in the other language that you know. A good heart attack, of course!

Only knows English himself and is impressed no matter what language you speak. He might even learn some of it just to impress you.

He's so proud of you for knowing another language, no matter what level of fluent you are. Sometimes he just asks you to speak it to him so he can relax.

If he's actually committed to learning your language for you, he'll put some TV shows on with voiceovers in the language you speak, since he heard that's the best way to learn.

Might even get a book, if he wants to feel like he really is trying.

After a long time, he'll be able to stutter through a conversation with you in the other language you know. But only to see you smile.

Valerius🍷:

How... Sophisticated. He's definitely impressed. Which, honestly, is rare for him. He only knows English, so to know that you know another language has him a bit speechless for a moment.

To show how impressed he is with your language abilities, he'll most likely get you a few books in the other language you know so that you can read them.

And if you have an accent? He's blushing already.

Will study the language half heartedly for a bit when one day he suddenly decides he actually wants to know it like you do, and studies much more.

He's able to keep a conversation with you, and to him, he's very proud of both you... And, yes, himself. But he definitely won't say it or brag or anything, he's just happy he can talk to you in the language. Especially gossip.

Vlastomil🐛:

Doesn't realize that you're bilingual at first, but when he does, he'll definitely compliment you on your knowledge.

Thinks that it's very smart for you to know more than one language, and finds himself impressed by the face that you're bilingual.

If you happen to have an accent in either your English or other language, he thinks that it's extremely cute and will probably ask you to speak to him in your other language just to hear it.

Just knows English and a bit of Latin, and that's probably enough for him. But if you want him to learn your language? For you, anything.

He'll definitely commit to it if you want him to learn it too, and will end up buying lots of books about the language. He ends up stuttering through it and half fluent, but very proud.

Valdemar🧠:

If you know a language, Valdemar probably knows it too, but they're still impressed. They probably won't admit it, though.

If you have an accent in either English or the other language, they find it, strangely... adorable. Very adorable, and they insist you speak it more often around them. They had spent years hiding their own accent/s wherever they went, after all.

Will definitely have a few books in the language you know. And they give it to you. They don't lend it to you. They give it to you, insisting that it was yours all along in the end.

If you call them something affectionate in your language, they will respond with a surprisingly enthusiastic kiss.

Volta🍰:

Wow, she's so impressed! She doesn't know many bilingual people and is monolingual herself, which makes your knowledge even more impressive to her.

Will want to watch shows with you that have your language in it, even though she can't understand it, just to bond.

She'll also probably want to try food from the country that speaks your language, just from curiousity.

She gets super blushy if you ever refer to her in your language as something affectionate, and will probably make a little squeaking noise.

Vulgora⚔️:

Only knows English, and is very impressed with your skill. Insists that they learn some, too, just so you two can talk in your other language.

They love it when you speak in the other language you know, and they find it actually calms them down, a lot. It's so calming to them that it's able to put them to sleep, really.

They brag about your skill to other nobles and maybe even the family members they still talk to.

If you ever refer to them as something affectionate in the language you know, they will demand you repeat it over and over for them until they can say it themselves and calm you that

It's surprisingly sweet for such an aggressive warrior.

❀

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luciosfanpage · 9 months

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Lucio: So what's your type?

Valerius: Blonde, dumb, extrovert–

Lucio: That sounds kinda like me! Too bad I'm not a girl.

Valerius: ...Did I mention dumb?

Lucio: Yeah.

Valerius: Okay just making sure.

#incorrect quotes #count lucio #lucio morgasson #lucio the arcana #the arcana #the arcana game #consul valerius #the arcana valerius #lucio x valerius

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k1nky-fool · 6 months

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The Ace of Swords

Book I: The Devil in the Details

Chapter IV: Blessings and Curses

Nadia Satrinava x OC, Callisto

Warnings: The Red Plague, angst, Lucio is still weird.

Masterlist

Chapter IV:

Lyra had asked for her presence the next morning. Which Callisto figures is good news, since she was conscious enough to ask for someone to talk to. When she arrived in her room, Lyra was sitting up. Valerius was absent from the room, which she noted as odd, but Julian was there writing down everything he could, even as illegible as his handwriting was.

“Callisto, thank you for coming.” Lyra relaxes. “I need your help.”

“Lyra, there’s not much I can do for you that Julian can’t.” Callisto said, noting that both her eyes had the red scaleria and she looked like she didn’t get a minute of sleep.

“I know.” She said. “You can’t cure the plague, but you can make me look like I don’t have it.”

She knew exactly what she was talking about. If Callisto could create light from any description, then making Lyra an illusion of health wouldn’t be impossible. “I would have to make you something that wouldn’t decay.” Callisto said. “A charm like that would take a little while to make.”

“Valerius will pay you to get the materials and for the rush.” Lyra said quickly. “I need to be able to fool Lucio.”

Julian stopped writing, and it caught Callisto off guard too. She however, recovered fast. “Hey, I don’t need a reason to make a fool of Lucio.” Thankfully, Lyra found it funny. Callisto took a notebook out of her bag and started writing down ingredients she’d need, and her regular rate for a spell like this. “Should I give this to you or the Consul?”

“He’s meeting with the Countess for tea right now. Since you’re friends with the countess, you could catch him there.” Lyra said.

“Gotcha.” She nodded. “Stay alive.”

Lyra laughed. “I would rather give him the plague than die with a portrait unfinished.”

“You know he’ll ask me to summon your ghost so you can finish it, right?”

“Good, I’ll haunt him while I’m at it.” She huffed, turning over in bed.

Nothing like an inevitable death to change an attitude. “Take care of her, Julian.”

“I’ll do everything I can.” He said, but his voice was shaky, and unconvinced. Julian was never good at focusing on the present. The inevitable drop that every patient experienced was hanging over his head. There wasn’t much Callisto could do to help him out.

When she found Valerius and Nadia on the veranda, sipping tea, Valerius was the first one to notice her. “Welcome Callisto. I take it Lyra got the chance to speak to you.”

“Yes, she told me to give this to you.” He took the folded up piece of paper, and studied it.

“That’s all?” He asked, perplexed. “I expected you to take advantage of the proposition.”

“My prices are enough to sustain my lifestyle. Most of the high prices are for specific ingredients that are difficult for me to obtain.” She explained, as Nadia gestured to invite her to sit down. “Besides, I think it would be plain evil to take advantage of a client that needs my services.”

“I appreciate the gesture.” Valerius said blankly, as if it pained him to say so.

If Callisto had gotten to know Nadia at all in the last few days, then she definitely knew that Nadia had already figured out what was going on with Lyra whether or not Valerius had told her.

“I hope you understand, Countess, Lyra’s privacy is very important to me.” He said, tucking the note into his jacket.

“You needn’t worry Consul.” She promised. “The palace will keep her safe.”

“I appreciate it.” He nodded. “If you would excuse me, I have some matters I must attend to quickly.”

Nadia didn’t immediately jump onto asking about what he learned from Lucio. Lyra’s prognosis was a shroud that hung over the entire palace. It seemed that she’d found a place in the hearts of everyone that stumbled upon her. Even someone as haughty as Valerius couldn’t help but fall in love with her.

“She wants to finish the portrait, then?” Nadia asked.

“Can you blame her? I’d haunt my shop if I left a spell undone.” Callisto attempted to lighten the mood, but the small smile on Nadia’s face disappeared as fast as it had appeared.

“I often wish I could have answers to my questions, even as selfish as some are. It’s a horrible kind of longing, when you want for something that you know was never yours to reach for.” Nadia mused, looking up at clouds swirling above Vesuvia.

“Why not try to reach for answers?” Callisto asked.

“Because when I ask why, I am terrified to hear what I will be told.” Nadia said, honestly.

“I get terrifying answers every day.” She said. “I’m more scared of finding questions that don’t get answers.”

“Have you ever had a question that never got an answer?” Nadia asked.

“I got four yesterday.” Callisto reported, and Nadia immediately looked at her in shock. “Valdemar, Vulgora, Volta and Vlastomil. I read them in front of Lucio and it is clear to me that they are not human. On top of that, whatever they are, they’re powerful enough to silence one Arcana each.”

“I expected that the news would get worse before it gets better. Not this much worse.” She sighed.

“Did you learn anything from Valerius?”

“He suspects that the court’s incompetence is related to Lucio’s influence. However, he did note that Valdemar is far more malicious than the others.” She explained. “I think if anyone knows the most, it’s the Quaestor, yet I suspect getting any answers from them will be impossible unless we have something to offer them.”

“Hate to be crass-”

“No you don’t.”

“Fair enough, but we don’t have shit for Valdemar.” Callisto said. “There is nothing we have that they want.”

Nadia agreed. “We may need to ask the Arcana for a new approach, then.”

She didn’t need to be asked twice. The deck all but lept into her hand, and with a small shuffle, a card fell out of the deck and landed face up on the table.

The Moon was making his appearance once again, but the feeling she got was not any kind of answer or even question. Callisto closed her eyes and concentrated, but the vision that she received was a memory. Nadia’s open balcony door from a few nights ago. Clio’s voice rang in her head.

“Invitation.”

“I have another approach.” Callisto said, “Do you have somewhere I can perform a ritual without being found?”

Nadia caught her eye with a mischievous smile. “I do.”

Callisto followed her through luxurious halls until they got to a gilded door that she quickly realized was Nadia’s bedroom, but they didn’t stop there. Nadia brought her to a wall in the corner of the room where a hidden lever revealed a stone staircase. They ascended stairs in silence for a long while, but Callisto couldn’t help but focus on Nadia pulling her by the hand as they continued. Once at the top, a beautiful studio was the reward. The ceiling was vaulted and there was an unmistakable owl roost near the top. The walls were marble, and the windows were stained glass. There was a crescent pool that was filled by a sparkling, waterfall, fountain. The other side of the room was home to a desk filled with small clockwork pieces.

“Welcome to my contemplation tower.” Nadia smiled. “I admit I would often use this place to hide from the palace as a whole, but if you do not wish to be disturbed, then this is the place for you.”

“I’m your only guest?” Callisto asked.

“You and Chandra.” Nadia teased. “But to be completely honest, we are her guests.”

She couldn’t deny that she felt special. Like maybe Nadia was more open to Callisto than she initially thought. Up until three days ago, Nadia was an elusive figure among Vesuvia’s most elite. Now she’s letting Callisto in on where she was hiding all this time. It’s a gesture of trust that leaves her blushing.

“This will work perfectly.” She smiles, and sits beside the water.

“What sort of ritual are you performing?”

“I’m going to speak to an Arcana.” Callisto answered. “They exist in worlds far beyond ours, and magicians can reach them through a personalized gate. I’ve had a gate since I was fifteen, but it has been a while since I’ve tried to contact any of them.”

“When was the last time you attempted this?” Nadia asked.

“When Aunt Mosyne died. I spoke to The Empress to meet with her one last time.” Callisto said. “Now I’m trying to reach The Moon, but I need to stash my body here while I’m traversing the Arcana’s world.”

“Is this dangerous?” Nadia asked, through a strained voice. “I admit I’m not an expert in this craft, but I understand that metaphysical travel is not always safe.”

“I won’t lie to you. It’s fairly dangerous, but the good news is that magic is considerably amplified in metaphysical worlds.” Callisto said. “I’m not unprepared, Nadia.”

Nadia let her lay down, and as she drifted off, she found herself being dropped into water.

Callisto remembered this, knowing that if she could just convince herself that she didn’t need to breathe, she wouldn’t drown.

When Callisto broke the water’s surface, she found a bench beside the fountain she’d crawled out of. Her clothes weren’t wet, and the world before her was something she knew she’d missed. Her gate was a beautiful pavilion in a garden, the night sky sparkled with moving stars that drifted around like ocean currents. Fluffy insects and glowing cotton puffs from the rainbow trees floated through the air and made their home in the gate.

From the far side of the garden, Callisto spotted someone walking down the cobblestone path. Once the figure was within sight, she was left a little confused. “Morrigan?”

“Oh, this is your gate.” She stated blankly, like she had only just realized where she was. Morrigan was always priestly, with long, dark robes and ornamented, black, locks. It was rare that her face held any expression, but Callisto’s skills always made it easy to read her. Though, while her senses were sharper here, Morrigan’s mask was stronger too, and Callisto was no longer more skilled than her old coven sister.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“Finding you, I suppose.” She replied, but Callisto knew she wasn’t being difficult. In these realms, there was often no telling where anybody would show up. The only thing Magicians like them knew was that they end up exactly where they’re meant to be.

“Do you have a message or a question for me?” Callisto asked.

“A little of both.” Morrigan said. “I gave Julian a tonic. It has the potential to delay the plague for some time, even in the second and third phases, but eventually the plague gains a resistance to it within the patient.”

“That buys time, something we desperately need.”

“But my question is a little more grim.” Morrigan warned. “The Runes have told me that you’re in dangerous waters.”

“What do you want to know?”

“What are you prepared to do to put an end to this?” Morrigan asked.

Was this really Morrigan? It wasn’t uncommon to find figures that were illusions of those she knew. But the mask she put up was recognizable as hers. Obscurity was where Morrigan had always resided. It seemed that Callisto needed to find her more than Morrigan needed to find her.

“I’m prepared to give anything.” Callisto said. “Vesuvia is sick, and I have an opportunity to eradicate the disease. I’d be selfish to give anything less.”

Morrigan leaned against the pillar as she watched the sparkling garden. “I was scared you might say that. I can’t deny that what happens next isn’t what you would have wanted.”

There was something bugging Callisto about Morrigan being here. It wasn’t an imposter, but it wasn’t Morrigan as she knew her. She was more powerful, more stoic, more concealed, and more surreal.

All at once the truth was revealed to her like the light hitting her face just right to catch a glimpse of her true face. “You’re older than me.” Callisto noted. “But you’re six months younger than me.”

“I should have known you’d figure that out.” Morrigan sighed, but wasn’t too upset by it. Callisto had a million questions, but knew Morrigan wouldn’t answer them. It was dangerous to know too much about the future, especially here in the metaphysical world. “Go, as I recall, you’re on your way to communicate with The Moon.”

So she finds out about this one way or another. “Do I make it?” Callisto asks.

“You will find what you need.” Morrigan wisely dodges, but Callisto knows how to read a magician's words. Even if this journey goes poorly, she will find something she needs.

“Thank you.” Callisto nods, and finds her own way down the path, until she’s passed through her gate into a road among the stars. Beneath the invisible road was a churning void of something horrifyingly alive.

“Ruff!”

The bark startled Callisto away from looking into the abyss. The being that stood in front of her was almost like an Arcana. She was a dog, but she stood like a person, and wore a dress with many layers for traveling, with a wooden walking stick in her paw.

“Hello.” Callisto greeted awkwardly. “You’re new.”

She wasn’t immediately scared of the traveler like the abyss below. There were many things that could put on a friendly face to lure someone into a trap, but Callisto’s intuition hadn’t led her astray yet.

“Can you take me to The Moon’s realm?” She asked.

The dog nodded. “Hmph.”

Callisto followed her along the road, moving in rushed steps to avoid being out here for too long. Being able to walk for so long without feeling tired was always an interesting feeling. Though, Callisto found herself looking down at just the wrong moment. Something, reaching out of the void, wrapped itself around her leg, and pulled her to the floor, but as soon as she hit, and her guide noticed she’d fallen, the floor disappeared out from under her, and she plummeted into the abyss.

When she could finally tie herself back to her senses, she was falling through branches until she hit a slimy, watery surface. Once she had surfaced again, she could stand on the marshy ground and take a look at where she’d ended up.

It was nearly impossible to see farther than a meter in front of her with the mist hanging low in the air. Trees that extended far into the mist, rooted in the swampy water, and an ominous red light came from every direction and illuminated the mist, but Callisto found herself deciding that this mess wasn’t for her to navigate on her own.

So long as she knew a tool to be in her bag, she could use it here. Asra’s compass pointed directly in front of her, and she followed it carefully. The needle would point her around certain puddles of water that looked suspiciously dark, and away from roots that she swore she’d seen move. The compass spun in a circle as soon as she found an island in the swamp with a red lamp post.

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” A disembodied voice said to her. “Mortals hardly ever reach here if they are looking for me.”

“Then I take it the invitation was from you, Hanged Man.” Callisto identified him easily. “I’ve heard your voice before.”

“You’re sharp, magician.” The Hanged Man said. A raven headed being came from the mist and stood in the lamplight with her.

“You likely know why I’m here.”

“You’ve exhausted your answers, and you need more questions.” He summarized. “I can’t imagine a better reason to come to The Arcana realms.”

“Well, you have a history of being elusive with answers. If I’m going to leave confused anyway, I might as well be confused about new things.” Callisto figured.

“So what compelled you to traverse here?” He asked as Callisto sat on the ground under the lamp, but she was quickly met with a chair made out of woven roots that appeared beneath her.

She pulled her feet onto the chair, making herself comfortable. “As you said, I’ve exhausted my answers and need better questions.” She repeated. “It’s clear that the Plague is tied to the Court, but I can’t narrow down exactly how, or even what started it. I know that questioning them can only get us so much, and we need a new plan.”

“We?” He clicked.

“Nadia and I.” She clarified. “She and I are helping each other root this out.”

“Why Nadia?” He asked.

Her heart dropped at his question. “Why not Nadia?”

“Why not Asra?” The Hanged Man parroted her. “Why not Julian, Valerius, Lyra, or Morrigan? Nadia is not your only option, so you have clearly chosen her. So why Nadia?”

Callisto felt empty, not having an answer for something she really should have considered before now. “Because she was the only one that cared to ask me for my help.”

“Then why didn’t you ask for Asra or Julian’s help? You had just as much agency to ask for their help as Nadia did to ask for yours.” He pointed out, but the mist closed around her, and she appeared in her shop.

The shelves are stocked well enough for when she opens again, and the lamp outside the shop was dark to alert the street that she’s closed. Callisto was packing supplies for her bunk in the plague dungeons with the rest of the doctors. She would have to be there full time for the first few weeks, and she wanted to make sure she’d have everything she needed.

The door unlocked, and she froze, as Asra caught her red handed. The Salamander sat atop the stove illuminating Callisto as she packed her bag. “I didn’t think you’d be in town until morning.” She pointed out.

“Callisto, what are you doing?” He asked.

“Packing.” She stated bluntly. “I’m going to the palace to study the Plague. I’m apprenticing under Julian.”

Asra tried to rest his hand atop hers to slow her down. “Callisto, we talked about this-”

“It’s not your choice.” She picked up the bag to leave Asra, but he grabbed the bag.

“Callisto, you know how dangerous Lucio is!” He begged.

“You keep saying that, but you haven’t explained yourself once!” Callisto shouted back. “No shit he’s dangerous, he’s the fucking Count. I’m not stupid, Asra, I can defend myself!” She yanked the bag away from him and began walking away.

“You don’t know what he’s capable of!” He yelled.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of!” The shockwave that split the air of the shop made Asra’s ears hurt, as he fell to his knees. She was so angry and hurt that after nearly a decade of being his friend, the only time he wouldn’t trust her was when she really needed him to. “I wanted you to come with me! But if you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.” She began to leave, while Asra got back to his feet. “Now get out of my shop. I don’t want to see you again.”

As she left the shop, she came back to the Hanged Man’s realm. She knew she’d never left, but the experience was jarring. He stood in front of her now. “Why didn’t you ask Julian?”

She fell through the muddy ground and appeared in another memory.

The dungeons were always most daunting at night. Especially as she aided Julian in an autopsy.

“Forceps.” Julian ordered, and she did as he said. The masks they wore were a little difficult to see through as they fogged up in the damp dungeon, but while that made it easier to look at the violence in front of them, even with the herbs and flowers in the beak of the mask, the smell was always rancid.

She knew he was investigating the neurocentric damage of the plague, so she looked away while she handed him tools to dissect the cadaver’s brain.

“Scalpel.” was his next command that she obeyed. But as he continued, he slowed down. “I hate when I’m right.”

“What?”

“This state of cerebral necrosis is concurrent with nearly a week’s worth of decay.” He explained. “This patient passed last night.”

The delusion symptom now had an explanation, but finding a way to combat it would be a long way away.

“Why don’t you go get some rest, Callisto. You’ve been awake for forty-eight hours.” He suggested.

“You’ve been awake for almost seventy-two.” She jabbed back.

“We should both get some sleep.” He concedes. “Quaestor? Would you like to pack him up?”

“Would I ever.” They appear, nearly out of nowhere, but their presence is always lurking beneath the palace.

Julian helped her out of her coat as she took the whole thing off with her gloves. She helped him do the same, even as their masks bumped with how bulky they were. She hesitated to help him take off his mask, and instead reached for her own.

He was nice enough to walk her up to her own bunk. “Are you alright, Callisto?”

“I knew what I was signing up for. If I couldn’t stomach it, I’d have quit weeks ago.” She said plainly.

“I think you’re ready to do your own independent studies.” He blurted.

“You can’t be serious.” She laughed.

“I am.” He says. “I’m no magician, but you definitely are. Now that you know the basics, you can apply your own skills to your studies. I think it would do you a lot of good.”

“You sure this isn’t you pushing me away?” She asked, unfortunately remembering how Asra had reacted the first time she brought up studying under Julian at the Palace.

“Can you honestly say that your best work is elbows deep in corpses?” He asked, and he had a point. “With your own studies, you would also be able to split your time between your shop and the palace. You’d have a lot more luck using skills and tools you’re familiar with.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” She agreed.

When she came back, she was sitting in the chair again, but the Hanged Man was no longer standing with her. “I felt like I didn’t know Asra at all, but I knew Julian too much.”

“So why choose Nadia?” His voice came from everywhere once again. The chair’s roots wrapped around her arms and legs and began pulling her into the water behind the lamp. She knew she wouldn’t have to breathe, but this also felt much more real than the other two illusions.

Callisto couldn’t fight it at all and was pulled under the water. She had no idea how long she was under water, but eventually the roots released her as she relaxed. When she found the surface of the water, she wasn’t in the Hanged Man’s realm anymore.

Knee deep water surrounded her as she stood on an obsidian floor. Off in the distance, she saw a pavilion, but instead of a roof, the pillars were so tall that she couldn’t see where they ended. But as she got closer to it, the crescent moon was framed by the pillars along with a wolf-headed figure.

The Moon said nothing, but he stepped aside to show Callisto the water behind him that reflected the light from the moon above.

The light swirled in a way that hypnotized her. “What is this?”

“Watch.” Was all he said.

The light changed to an image of Nadia and Callisto dancing together, but they both looked different. Callisto looked like an entirely different person. Different clothes, different hair, and her expression was one of whimsy and excitement. Nadia looked happier, wearing a suit instead of her regular dresses, and she held Callisto close, like they were free to be happy together.

“Is this real?” She asked. Callisto hadn’t seen herself so happy since she was a child.

“What are you prepared to do to achieve this?” He asked, and Callisto felt her heart begin hurting.

She fell to sit down on the steps and tried to put pressure on her chest to stop the pain. “I’m not here for something so selfish.”

“Are you?”

“It’s not for me to have, while everyone else is still suffering.” Callisto argued through the stabbing in her heart.

“You are suffering.”

“So is everyone else!” She screamed out, but the pain wasn’t subsiding. “What do I have to do!?”

The pain stopped all at once. She looked back at the water and saw her reflection staring back at her with plague infected eyes.

Before she could even jump back in horror, Callisto awoke back in Nadia’s tower. Her heart was beating faster than a field mouse, and she jumped up to immediately run to test herself for the plague, but Nadia stopped her. “It’s alright! You’re safe.” She quickly assured.

“I need to test myself for the plague.” Callisto ordered, and continued back down the tower’s steps. The cards would likely just confirm her fear if she were to read them, but Julian had many more ways to test for the sickness.

“Callisto wait!” Nadia followed after her. She didn’t catch up to her until she was already half-way to Lyra’s room. “Stop for just a moment.” She finally caught her wrist and stopped her. “What is going on?”

“I got another question I don’t have an answer for.” She said, pulling away from her, but Nadia didn’t stop her this time, letting her head off to get to Julian.

She knocked before entering, but she didn’t wait for Lyra to finish saying it was alright to enter before she opened the door.

“Did Valerius play nice?” Lyra teased, but Callisto immediately went for Julian’s bag.

“What are you doing, Callisto?” Julian asked, seeing her shaky hands find a guarded scalpel, and cut her finger with it. She took the bottled leech out and popped the cork off, letting a drop of blood fall into the leech’s water. She closed the cork again and waited to see the leech’s reaction. Every muscle in her body relaxed as the leech curled around the blood, instead of pushing itself against the glass away from the drop.

“Oh, thank the stars.” She whispered to herself. Now she had much more to consider. “I’m ok. I thought I might have been exposed.”

“I’m glad everything is ok.” Julian said.

“Sorry.” Callisto said. “I need to get started on that charm.”

Upon returning to the guest room that Nadia had given her, Valerius was not kidding about getting the materials fast. He also got her much more than she wrote down. She’d be set on rare herbs for months.

He also managed to get her a selection of peridot stones. She was pulled toward the tastefully cut peridot ring, knowing that if Lyra had to wear this, it might as well be something nobody would look twice at.

Callisto let her intuition guide her as she made the charm, figuring out the appearance that needed to be presented. She thought of what needed to be concealed and what she needed to include with every ingredient she added. When her work was done, she went to bed, but her mind was still racing. It’s no wonder that she ended up back at her gate.

She walked in this time, thankfully without the sound of running water, she didn’t wake up in the fountain. But now that she was here, she couldn’t help but wonder why she was here. Such a long time away from here, but being called here twice in one day was quite a peculiar event.

When she walked down the path, she immediately found herself in a brilliantly colored oasis, but she couldn’t stop and appreciate the beauty as she got the sinking feeling of recognition in the magic. This was Asra’s gate.

Looking back, the doorway had closed. So the only way out was forward.

As the edge of the water came closer, she spotted a figure sitting against a palm tree, but he saw her too. Asra waved to her, but didn’t say anything, as if he already knew she was just passing through. But she figured she was here for a reason, so she approached him.

“Hey, Callisto.” He wouldn’t meet her eyeline.

Callisto knelt down in front of him and held out his compass to return it to him. “I got your message, but you need this more than I do.”

“I got yours too.” He accepted the compass, turning it over in his hand, using it as a distraction to not have to look at her. “Are we really ready to be friends again?”

The question pulled at her heart. “Asra, I needed you to trust me, and you didn’t.”

“And I needed to keep you safe.” He said. “Callisto, I would do anything to keep you safe.”

“Anything except trust me to keep myself safe.” She argued, getting back up to leave.

“Wait, Callisto. I wasn’t lying in my message.” She stopped, letting him speak. “Even if I don’t want you there, I want you to be successful. If there’s anyone that can save the city, it’s you.”

“I didn’t lie either, Asra.” She said, “You’ve been my best friend for six years. I know you wouldn’t be warning me if it wasn’t important to you. But you’ve known me as long as I’ve known you. Whatever you’re doing, I know it’s dangerous, but just as important, and I trust you to handle it. Let me handle the plague.”

“I’m trying to take down the Coliseum.” Asra said. “Muriel is trapped there, and I need to get him out.”

Callisto felt sick. Lucio and Vulgora were in charge of the Coliseum, and both of them had Muriel fighting in the arena. Muriel was the gentlest spirit she’d ever met. The horror of him being tormented at Lucio’s command made rage spread through her body, but when the sand beneath her feet began turning to glass, she calmed herself.

“I can bring it to the attention of Nadia. At the very least, she can get him some place to rest away from the Coliseum and it might give you a better chance to help him.” Callisto offered.

“Thank you, Callisto.” He smiled. “Anything you need from me?”

She thought for a long moment. “I could use some advice.” She sat down once again. “I’ve exhausted all my answers, and I need better questions. When I spoke to The Hanged Man and The Moon-”

“You managed to visit both The Hanged Man and The Moon?”

“On the same day, but really I fell into both.” She explained. “Anyway, both of them were more concerned about my relationship with Nadia.”

“You’re in a relationship with Countess Nadia!?” Asra exclaimed.

“A friendship, Asra.” She clarified. “They wanted to know why I chose to help her instead of asking you or Julian.”

“Well, why did you?” He asked.

“Because she asked.” Callisto answered again.

“Well, you could have asked too.” Asra said.

“You sound just like The Hanged Man.”

“When the Arcana give you a question, you usually can’t get another one until you have your answer.” Asra explained. “If that was the right answer, then you would have more questions by now.”

“I don’t know what kind of answer they’re looking for.”

“Well, deconstruct it. A little shadow work never hurt anybody.” He said. “What attracted you to Nadia?”

“Intuition?”

“And water is wet.” Asra commented.

“Not here!”

“Do you want my help or not?”

“Fine.” Callisto groaned, thinking about the day she met Nadia. She closed her eyes and let the memory resonate within her. “She was curious, and mysterious.” She recalled her entering the Library and sitting down with her. She asked about her shop, and her craft with interest. “She was honest and intelligent. And the Arcana had a lot to say to her.”

“What did the Arcana say?”

“The Ace of Swords said she was powerful, and that she hadn’t yet decided to wield it, but when she did, she would lose almost everything, as the Five of Cups said. But the High Priestess promised her that her intuition would guide her.” Callisto recalled.

“It’s good that there’s at least one level-headed leader in Vesuvia.” Asra said. “What about after the reading? What stood out about her to you?”

“It was still the Arcana at that point.” Callisto admitted. “The cards had been difficult to read until Nadia came and asked her question. I was curious as to why they responded so well to her.”

“So what was it that made them respond to her?” He probed.

She thought back to her aura after the reading. “I was worried about her. I could see that her endeavor would lead her to danger, and I knew that if she did it alone, she would be hunted by her obsessions.”

“Were you worried enough to go with her then?” He asked.

“No, it wasn’t until we spoke at the Consul’s estate that I was fully committed to helping her.” She found.

“Then what was it there that convinced you?”

That was the question she was looking for to be able to figure this out. Nadia’s invitation was set in her mind, but the open door was not the choice. So what made her close the door behind her? “She asked me to call her by her first name.”

“And why was that so important to you?” Asra asks, knowing it’s the last question.

“Because she trusted me.” Callisto opened her eyes, feeling lighter now that she’d gotten to the bottom of it. Asra also realized what that meant for him and Julian. She didn’t ask them because they didn’t trust her. Julian didn’t trust her to handle the dungeons, and Asra didn’t trust her to make her own choice, while Nadia did. Her first gestures were ones of faith in Callisto, and she had given her faith to Nadia.

“There’s a door in the Oasis.” Asra informed. “Keep going in the direction you were going before. If the door feels dark, leave it, but you’ll know when you find the right one. You’ll find someone that can give you more questions.”

Callisto thanked him and got up to leave. “And Asra.” He looked up to her. “When this is all over, come back to the shop. It feels a little empty without you there, and Mosyne would haunt my ass if I ever locked you out of there permanently.”

Asra smiled. “I’ll see you when this is all over.” He promised.

Callisto did as Asra said, walking down the desert, ignoring the doors that pulled her in with intrusive and unsettling thoughts, but when she found the door near the end, she could feel something else pulling her in. It was something more mysterious, and mischievous.

As soon as her hand landed on the doorknob, she was on a beach and the door was gone. The waves were illuminated as they crashed, and the sand was soft and pleasant beneath her, and the gentle breeze that tossed the palm leaves whispered in languages she couldn’t recognize.

“Another curious student. How extraordinary.” A voice she knew spoke kindly.

“Magician.” Callisto spotted them further down the beach and walked up to them. “I’ve come looking for questions.”

“Then you have come prepared.” The Magician mused. Their fox-like expression made her certain that they had what she was looking for, but she knew no Arcana gave such questions out freely.

“Am I really prepared?” she asked.

“Are you willing to accept what you do not know?” They asked.

“Yes.”

“Then you are prepared.” They brought them away from the shore, and together, they entered an illusion of her shop. They sat down in her booth, and her tarot cards sat in the middle of the table. “First, what do you know?”

Callisto explained everything to The Magician. How the court weren’t humans, Lucio was planning something, and the plague was connected somehow.

“You have a lot of knowledge, but no perspective.” The Magician noted. “What perspective might give you a better image of your predicament?”

“I have the perspective of a Magician.” Callisto said.

“There are even things which are unknown to me.” The Magician said. “It is clear that this perspective will not be helpful until you see through a different one.”

“Then what do I look through?”

“Perhaps you haven’t even answered your most important question.” They proposed. “After all, do you even know what The Red Plague is?”

Callisto reached for the cards and asked the question. The Devil stared back at her, but while she did not receive any words, she heard the same chilling laughter that she heard the day Nadia came to her. “An obsession?”

“Close.” The Magician smiled.

Callisto focused harder, but when she closed her eyes, she saw nothing but red, and as burning chains slithered around her neck and limbs, she opened her eyes to expel them. “It’s a curse.” She realized. “Whose curse is it?”

“You have your questions, magician.” They smiled, and the world fell away as Callisto woke up in bed.

Asra’s compass was no longer in her bag.

#arcana fanfic #arcana visual novel #asra alnazar #nadia x callisto #nadia satrinava x oc #nadia x mc #nadia satrinava #julian devorak #consul valerius #procurator volta #pontifex vulgora #quaestor valdemar #praetor vlastomil #count lucio #the red plague #oc: callisto #oc: morrigan

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pandemoniclucio · 1 year

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Could you do hcs for the M6 + Valerius with a tiefling MC? Yknow, brightly colored skin, horns, tail, sharp teeth, all that? How'd they react if someone started saying things about their appearance? Im a nerd and like dnd and other fantasy games/settings so I like to imagine fantasy races being in The Arcana universe, just being a little rare. Love your stuff by the way!

Thank You! Sorry if this came out later than expected, I was writing exams.

The Arcana HC #14

I know nothing about Tieflings, when I think of them I think of Nixie from All For One. I'm not gonna lie this was a bit of a challenge for me since I have some writers block.

I don't know if The Devil counts as part of the Infernal Legacy trait, so assume there are Demon Lords.

Asra

They knew that there were still some people in Vesuvia who would be opposed to you, so they tried to avoid them as much as possible and always had a retort if they ever commmented about them, but was beyond disgusted when someone said something about you.

It was the city's resident loud-mouth, so once people saw Asra step towards them, they all left.

To make the fool pay for insulting you, they put as many hexes and jinxes on them, while he

To make Asra's job easier, Faust eventually wrapped around the offender, tightly, but not enough to cause any serious damage.

Once they let them go, they go to comfort you by taking you back to the shop for some tea.

They tell you that they'll cast spells, encahantments & etc, to make sure they don't harass you again, then proceeds to tell you about all the qualities good & bad that they love about you & that they don't care about your appearance.

Nadia

She has always known that not many people are accepting of other species and has had to help resolve some of these conflicts in Pakra, but Vesuvia was relatively peaceful, so she was absolutely appalled that someone would say that about you.

You and her were entertaining and mingling with visiting royals, nobles and Nadia's family, when a young royal made their comment about you.

As soon as Nadia heard that she stopped playing her instrument and calmly walked over to the royal, before glaring daggers at them before trying to give a good slap to their face, but was luckily held back by her siblings, so all she could do was shame them & put them under room arrest.

She was even considering letting Chandra to attack them for her, which Chandra would have done but decided to help hold Nadia back from trying to beat up the fool.

She grabs your arm & takes you with her to the gardens, where she got the staff the set up a luncheon just for the two of you.

Once she seems to have cooled off, she tells you about her plans to create a better environment for non humans, than tells you that she loves you.

Julian

He has travelled to many citites and knows from experience, how some people treat Tieflings, Vesuvia was relatively better, but he expected something to happen sooner or later, but was caught completely off guard when someone commented something about you, specifically.

You two were having your usual round at the Rowdy Raven with Malak, when a loud drunk insulted you, the whole bar went quite., while Julian was fuming as he got closer to the drunkard.

Julian's performance was enough to convince everyone that there was probably a reason he was put on Wanted posters. He berated & used medical threats on them. The patrons even joined in, removing the drunk from the bar & kicking them to the streets.

Malak, during Julian's threats, was just emphasising how painful all of Julians threats would be.

When the drunk is gone, you two go back to you're booth, while he asks if you're alright before getting a last drink for you both before heading to the docks.

When you get to the docks, you both take a seat by the ledge, where Julian begins to recount marvelous tales about Tieflings then about how you beat the Devil. before telling you that some people won't change but it's best to ignore them, before gently kissing you & leaning against you.

Muriel

He thinks everyone, except for evil people, should be treated with respect, he could relate to people being slightly intimidated by you but this was another level of low.

You two were walking into town to quickly collect some supplies when a gossip started loudly stating their comments.

Muriel isn't a fan of violence but he was considering it, luckily he didn't have to do much. One glare from Muriel was enough to get them to back off.

Innana also noticed the tension in the air and joined Muriel in the art of glaring at the offender and posse, but with an added bonus if teeth and snarls.

He pulls you protectively into his side before leading you & Inanna to a secluded pond in the forest, where you both sit for a while before he breaks the silence.

He apologises that there isn't much he can do, but eventually oulls you into a hug , confesses his love & care for you, then kisses you, which causes you to tackle him to the ground to continue kissing the snuggling.

Portia

She has heard stories about how people treat Tieflings, but has never come across any problems until someone commentated on you.

You two were about to leave for port when a passenger coming off another ship commmented about Portia, that made her scoff, but when they said something about you, she was about to lose it.

She immediately called them out, demanded everyone to stay out of it. She then proceeded to switch between insulting the offender and bragging about how amazing you are.

Pepi just snuggled around you while it happened and hissed at the person when Portia let them go.

When she's done, she gives you a great bear hug and tells you that everything they said was wrong and that they didn't know what they were the scum of the earth.

She eventually leads you back to the ship's kitchen, where you & her prepare some goods and dinner to eat later on.

Lucio

He knew from battles that Tieflings were great at fighting & since he grew up in a warrior clan and made a deal with the Devil, he respected Tieflings & didn't understand why people hated your kind, but this comment just made his blood boil.

You were both at a market place, to collect money for a job you both completed, when a passerby commented on your appearance.

You swear if it wasn't for the fact that you were in a public area and this person clearly wasn't wanted, Lucio would've killed them, but decided to settle on woulding him, deeply.

Melchoir and Mercendes, comforted & tried to protect you by snarling at anyone else looking for a fight, while Camio was busy trying to claw the offender's eyes out.

When he's done, he decides to take you for a ride to a secluded hot spring he heaerd about where you both could set up nearby, while comforting you about the incident.

He thought it best that you were relaxed when he tells you how much he cares for you and that he would hunt down anyone who hurt you.

Valerius

He didn't have any problems with different species, he just hated specific people and most of his hate waas directed at the person who dared comment such rubbish about you.

You two were on a visit to a reknowned Winery when one of the other guests rudely commentated on your apearance.

He has never been more pissed in his life, but instead of losing his temper at the person, he kept his cool while he insulted and threatened to throw him in jail, calmly.

He then proceeded to make this person's visit a nightmare, when he managed to convince the other guests that the offender was some sort of criminal.

Once he was done tormnenting your bully, he comforts you, by giving you the best luxury experience at the winery and spoils you with picnics galore

He tells you that you are amazing and despite his earlier reservations about you he's grown to love you, regarless of your race, and promises to send guards fot anyone who dares to insult you again.

To anyone wanting to request anything, expect it to be delivered a bit late or until 30 November or 1 December since my exams end.

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consul-valerius · 10 months

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To Fuck Around is Human; To Find Out is Divine (1/4)

It just wasn’t fair ; it wasn’t fair that Sam always got what he wanted, and Valerius always ended up like this . And it wasn’t fair that he loved ending up like this—it just made Sam cheekier, more boastful. […]“Pretty soon you’re going to be thanking me, boy,” Sam whispered in a low growl. These next words were for Valerius and only Valerius. The attention alone had him on cloud nine—how pathetic . “You can cry and pout all you want—you and I both know how this story ends: with you begging daddy for more .”

Valerius attempts to dominate The Duke of Pearl Isles, which goes just as well as was expected. But with his spouse's help, can he for once turn the tables on him? Or will all three fall back into their usual roles?

Rating: 18+ minors DNI or I’m gonna eat your homework

WC: 5728 (im sorry…… my brain exploded)

Characters and relationships: Valerius, Sam, Lucio, brief DonDon, and two nameless OCs; primary Valerius/Sam but background Sam/Lucio and Valucio (and obvious ValDonna)

Content warnings: established Dom/Sub dynamics; non-consensual/dubiously-consensual spankings (did I just make up a word lol); punishments; light bondage; humiliation & degradation; daddy dom, Valerius’s canon foot fetish

A/N: its whack a doodle time. It is whack a doodle. Time. LOL I got my dick back in force and now I’m going to just dedicate time to doing self indulgent smut of these three LMFAO I can’t say there’s NO plot, but this is just a silly little blip in time for them that is vaguely post-game/whatever AU the tales take place in :’)

Preview undercut—full fic linked in the title✨

“Enlighten me, consul,” Sam was practically growling now, teasing a strand of Valerius’s bangs between two gloved fingers. “Seeing as you are suddenly the expert on discipline , what’s the proper way to teach a man like me some manners?”

Sam was clearly baiting him; everyone knew it, most of all Valerius. But he was giving him an out too: if he apologized, tail between his legs, Sam would let it all go. If it was really pretty, maybe he would even invite Valerius onto his lap next—he would have Valerius do something extra special to apologize.

On his lap next to Lucio—Lucio, whose eyes were glued to every move Valerius made, those eyes moving quickly to capture every breath, every small shudder. Valerius sucked in air through his nose, bracing himself to apologize. He wasn’t sure why he had looked to Lucio—normally he could turn to Donna for some visual reassurance.

Instead, Lucio quirked his brow at him, a wicked smile on his face as he tilted his chin up at Valerius.

You don’t have the balls.

“Well, obviously a spanking would be in order.”

Valerius tried not to jump at the ruckus he had caused. The two women tried to stifle their chuckles; Lucio chose to laugh and giggle openly, even so much as to kick his legs too. Sam’s eyes snapped to him for a moment before zeroing in on Valerius. Before Valerius could take the words back, Sam was laughing next, loud and hysterical.

“And just who would be able to do that to me, hm?”

This was bad. This was bad, and Valerius needed to stop.

“Oh, I can name quite a few I’ve seen firsthand tanning your hide—”

Sam was going to kill him. He was digging his own grave.

“My spouse, of course, being one of them.”

But how could he stop when Lucio looked so thrilled? Looked so impressed by him , not Sam, not even Nadia.

Sam’s eyes widened; it only made his forced smile all the scarier.

“Ah, I see ,” Sam chuckled, his voice too sweet. “Gonna run and tell on me like you always do? Gonna go tell mommy that daddy’s being a big ol’ meanie?”

Valerius felt his stomach drop, his face instantly igniting. Damn him . Damn him for saying that in front of those women—they would get the wrong idea, that he was really into all of that. Really, it was for Donna. And for Sam. And it made him happy to make them happy, it wasn’t that he was into it—

“Does it look like I’m running ? Are your eyes just as bad as your decorum?”

Sam sucked in a breath, practically hissing as he tilted his head down at Valerius. Valerius swallowed, his eyelashes fluttering.

“Oh? You gonna do it then, Valerius?” Sam took another step forward. Valerius took a step back. “You gonna put me in my place?”

Valerius felt like his brain was turning off, that he could will his soul from his body at this very moment. Lucio’s small giggle broke him out of his stupor.

“I could if I wanted to.”

“And you simply just never felt the urge? With how ill-mannered and barbaric I am, you’ve just always so happened to let me throw you over my knee?”

“I said if I wanted to—”

“Seems like you wana now.”

“Well, perhaps I do “wan-ah” —!”

“ Perfect!I”

#bottom writes #nsft #the arcana lemon #the arcana #consul valerius #the duke #Sam x Valerius #Lucio is there too but not enough to warrant a tag on here lol #lemon #Valerius x OC #fan apprentice donna #don’t worry they’re getting their time to really shine in the next chapters lmfao #photo doesn’t really relate to the fic but it captures the vibes like truly LMFAO

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doctor-001 · 1 year

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Rules for this Blog

What I write;

-headcanons (especially headcanons)

-x reader stories

-drabbles

Who I write for;

-the main Six

Julian

Asra

Muriel

Lucio

Nadia

Portia

-the courtiers

Valdemar

Vulgora

Volta

Valerius

Nastomil

What I won't write;

Since I do try to be as close to canon as possible, I will not make the not so kind characters *cough* Valerius *cough*

Into sweet angels. So, nothing ooc

#the arcana #the arcane game #quaestor valdemar #pontifex vulgora #julian devorak #portia devorak #countess nadia #count lucio #asra alzanar #procurator volta #consul valerius #praetor vlastomil #muriel the arcana #the arcana x reader #the arcana headcanons

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trashiesttrashboy · 1 year

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fuckincrow · 2 years

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Heyy Gabi! Which characters are you able to write? Just a question in case I want to request you a short drabble soon.

omg my first anon <3 hi anon! im currently making a masterlist, but im comfortable with any character (however, i have the most experience with julian and lucio). the only character i won’t be writing anything romantic with is valdemar, out of respect for their canon sexuality. i am comfortable with sfw and nsfw as long as it’s legal!

#the arcana #the arcana x reader #lucio the arcana #muriel the arcana #asra the arcana #portia the arcana #nadia the arcana #julian the arcana #valerius the arcana #the arcana courtiers #pontifex vulgora #praetor vlastomil #procurator volta #consul valerius #quaestor valdemar #the arcana vulgora

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angeledeggs · 10 months

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Main 6 + The Courtiers with a MC/Partner that's extremely affectionate

Some head cannons I wrote while chilling :) requests are open, so feel free to make some as long as you follow the rules, I love requests! Hope you enjoy, Xoxo!

Asra💜:

They think it's absolutely adorable, really, that you're so affectionate towards them.

Asra's love language is physical affection, so to have a partner that is also affectionate is like a bonus! But he expressed his love in other ways, too, of course.

Most of the time he doesn't even realize that he's touching you, he just is since he's so used to it by now.

Usually goes for hand holding or hugs from behind, since that's their favorite form of affection.

He still isn't used to his past partners being so affectionate, either, so when you show him any touchy affection he gets a bit blushy and smiles real big before returning the affection enthusiastically.

If you get embarrassed showing physical affection in public, he obviously won't do none of that in public because he respects your boundaries. But if not, he'll usually just hold your hand or give you a few chaste kisses on the cheek every now and then

Muriel💙:

Gets extremely nervous and happy whenever you touch him at all. He'll usually return the affection very briefly and bashfully.

He does really appreciate the affection, since it makes him feel all warm and fuzzy, he just gets nervous and fumbles a bit when you do, since it surprises him each time.

He'll get really red if you kiss him in public (though he won't object at all--) but will always hold your hand since you're always so affectionate.

When he initiates physical affection, he always catches your eye to make sure it's okay with you before he continues. And if not, he'll pull away and probably feel a bit bad and say a quiet apology just to let you know he doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable.

His favorite form of affection is cuddling, since it feels so close and nice to him. He usually likes to be the big spoon, but will sometimes be the little spoon, too.

Julian🦠:

He absolutely loves it that you're so affectionate!

He probably brags to Portia about it, too, and will rant to her about how much he loves being around you and that you're so affectionate.

If he ever happens to wear his gloves while you want to touch or hold his hands, he'll definitely take them off just to make the contact more nice feeling rather than his latex gloves lol.

He loves it whenever you hug him or even jump on him, and will give you a happy and brief little squeeze around the back to show his appreciation. It's definitely his favorite part of you being so affectionate.

Will make sure to ask you before y'all go into public if it's okay for him to hold your hand or sling an arm around you. He just wants to make sure, after all.

Nadia💎:

Is very touched by how affectionate you are towards her. She finds it extremely romantic that you are.

She'll most likely always be touching you now that she knows how touchy you are, whether it's a hand on your shoulder or holding your own hand throughout her day.

Likes to be more discreet affection wise in public, but will most likely hold your hand or keep a guiding palm on your back.

Rarely gets embarrassed and if she does she can hide it very well. Except for the first time you gave her a big hug. She actually had a blush, but thankfully her dark skin made it barely noticeable. But you noticed the brief stutter she had developed at the hug. If you ever mention it, she'll deny it. But it's hard to really believe her when you notice that she is vigorously fanning her blush.

Loves it when you touch her hair or hands, but her favorite form of affection is probably a head massage because of her headaches. She always finds that if you're around during a headache, it becomes a bit easier just from your presence.

Portia🧡:

Is also very affectionate, and thinks it's awesome that you are too!

She loves to hold your hand, and that's probably her favorite way to show her affection. She always grabs your hand when you two walk together, and always does a quick look over at you to make sure it's okay with you before she squeezes your hand and grins at you.

Excited that you both are affectionate together, and will probably get all happy whenever you initiate physical affection.

Always finds excuses to be affectionate whether it's straightening your jacket (she's done that five times in an hour, once) or 'feeling your temperature' by holding your hand.

She blushes each and every time you're affectionate with each other, and it always makes her lips tilt up when you are.

Loves to cuddle you a lot. Her favorite cuddle position is your head in her lap or on her chest while you two either do your own things or nap together, since it feels so close and cozy to her.

Lucio👑:

Is surprised that you're so touchy. After all, his love language is acts of service, and he never really got affection as a child. Its... strange.

In a good way! Of course in a good way if it's you. He's just not used to it. He'll play it off cool like he always does, but that won't hide his blush at first. Or his smirk when he gets more comfortable.

After awhile of getting used to you being affectionate, he'll start to initiate affection by slinging an arm around your shoulders (as long as it's okay with you, of course).

His favorite form of affection is you playing with his air, since he dosent let anyone besides you touch him, and especially his hair.

Will probably never admit out loud that you being so affectionate makes him really bashful, and will hide his nervousness and giddiness with a soft smirk whenever you're affectionate.

His smirk dosent hide his red blush, though.

Valerius🍷:

Can't make up his mind if he loves it, or hates it. On one hand, it's you, and how can he hate anything you do-- and then on the other hand he finds himself stuttering so hard that he is making a complete fool of himself whenever your hand slips into his.

If you notice and ever attempt to pull away for him to save face, he will immediately take your hand in his own once more and say nothing, simply sip his wine that is nearly as red as his flushed ears.

He'll get quickly used to it, though it still surprises him each time you do it. He prefers for you to initiate the affection, and has to bite back a smile each time you do. He can't quite bite back his red, blushing ears, though.

But after awhile, he'll start to take your hand in the privacy of your own home. Then in the palace, sometimes, when he needs to feel your hand. Then in public. But just so he dosent lose you amongst the crowd. Or at least, that's what he tells himself.

If you ever try to tease him or mention the fact that he likes it when you hug or touch him, he'll make a choking noise that he turns into a loud scoff and will hurriedly find an excuse to get more wine, even though his glass is always full.

Vlastomil🐛:

Finds it so romantic and cute that you're physically affectionate.

Will most definitely brag to the other courtiers that, 'they don't make partners like that anymore' and that you're the cutest partner ever. In fact, his rants about you almost are as much as his worm rants.

Loves to tap his rings against any jewelry you might have on, or against your palms, it's his favorite type of affection to give. He just does, dosent really know why.

He'll also insist to 'guide you' in public by holding your hand or putting his palm against your back. He gets visibly smug when you let him.

Just does a quick glance every time he grabs your hand to make sure it's okay, then gives your hand a kiss just because he can.

Valdemar🧠:

Acts as though it's annoying at first. They'll shake away your touch and scoff. But then they'll beckon you over and have you sit on their lap as they work. If you say anything about it, they'll threaten to make you get up. But you know they won't.

Always wears their gloves unless they are asleep or alone with you, so their fingers are always latex encased when they hold your hand in public. They hold your hand with a thumb pressed against your pulse.

Their favorite form of affection is either to have you in their lap or just generally close to them, or they'll hook an arm around yours in public.

If you happen to tease them about it, they give you a cold look and will pull away until you apologize. But they'd go back to touching you anyway, even if you didn't apologize. Their ego will never let them admit it, though.

Once they've established that you are affectionate, they'll most likely establish affection more often in the form of a 'check up' like feeling your head for a temperature or your pulse.

Volta🍰:

Is so happy that you like hugging her! She likes hugging you, too!

Definitely hugs you every time she sees you, even if you were just one for a few minutes. She likes to do it since she knows how affectionate you are.

In the beginning she'll ask for permission each and every time to touch you, but once she understands how affectionate with you, she'll just look at you and make sure you're okay with it before she hugs you.

Her favorite form of affection is kisses on the cheek, since she thinks it's cute and romantic. Especially when you do it.

Her love language is more so acts of service, but she's definitely affectionate, too, and will hug and kiss you every chance she gets.

Vulgora⚔️:

Gets aggressively happy when you do, and has to remind themselves constantly to not squeeze you too hard. They never do, though.

Will probably spin you around in a hug whenever you two greet each other, just cause they like to.

Will give you high fives and fist bumps, which seems out of character of them. But they love to do it, to, "celebrate imminent victory".

Has the strength two, and most likely will lift you and carry you whenever they feel like it (which is often).

They probably also like to carry you the best, just so that they can show off their strength to you and have you in their arms.

❀

#the arcana #valdemar x mc #consul valerius #asra alzanar #portia devorak #julian devorak #muriel the arcana #count lucio #nadia satrinava #nadia the arcana #the arcana fanfic #the arcana apprentice #lgbtq #the arcana game

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to-the-stars8 · 2 years

Text

The Lamentation of the Apprentice

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Ao3 A/N; Another shortish chapter this time, lol

Chapter 8

Asra pulled away from the kiss, surprised, turning around to look at me with confused, wild eyes. My heart pounded in my chest, and suddenly it felt like the world was at an end. Apologies were tumbling from me in fast, hardly coherent sentences. Desperately, I raked through all the excuses I could think of. As I asked for forgiveness, my eyes would not meet his, and I was sure that I would never see those pretty purple eyes again.

Yet, when his hand came upon my face, stroking away any worry I had left, he leaned in such a way that our eyes met again. A small smile crossed his face and he brought me to him. Our lips met in a chaste kiss. It was brief but ultimately new. Then, we kissed again. His lips were soft, just as soft as I had imagined.

When we pulled away again I giggled and turned my head away so Asra would not see the blush I could feel rise to my cheeks. I could feel his own breathless laugh against my cheek slowly fade as he turned away to hide his own embarrassment from me, but I could see the pink on the tip of his ears.

“We are still friends, then?” I whispered after a few moments.

Asra looked at me. “Surely, when you kiss me like that you would not consider us only to be friends?”

“No,” I grinned. “I would not.”

As Asra had said, spring did come soon and summer even closer behind. Little had changed between us during those months that had passed. Between his trips and business growing in my shop we had moved at a much slower pace. Nonetheless, I had noticed a change in his attitude toward me. The things he said and did were more intimate, as though he was not scared to touch my hand openly now or compliment me every day. He had also started to spend more time in the shop, eventually staying nights to simply talk.

Asra’s presence in the shop even drew Muriel into town with Inanna by his side. Though he did not like the crowds, Muriel seemed taken to the shop, which only brought the magician to my home more. Often, when it was too hot for anyone to be outside, we lounged around the shop--Other times, we lazed around Muriel’s woods.

This day was not such, as a cool rain brought in few customers and I was forced to stand at the counter waiting for those daring to brave the wet, humid weather. I was reading through the logs of orders when I heard the door ring open and saw a man with long ombre hair walk in. Just by the amount of gold in his clothes, it was obvious that he was from Lucio’s court.

“Good day,” I smiled despite the knowledge that this man was going to absolute dread fill my mind. “How may I be of help?”

The man gave me a once over with his eyes before sighing long and deep. “Well, I doubt you’re the magician Asra. I hear he is more…noticeable in talent.”

I couldn’t help but a quick laugh. “Ahem, forgive me. He is not here, I am afraid. Perhaps come by tomorrow--”

I was cut off by the ringing of the front door and Asra rushing in with wet hair, huffing. The wind had been at him by the looks of the wild white curls on his head and clothes disheveled. “For-forgive me. I had lost track of time.”

The courtier looked over Asra once before nodding nonchalantly. Little was portrayed by the man other than annoyance and disgust by all things, not him or gold. “I hope you do not make it a habit of being late to your card readings.”

Asra shuffled around the man awkwardly. “No, I do not. MC, may I speak with you for a moment?”

I nodded and gestured to the kitchen, excusing us to the gold-dressed man who only rolled his eyes, we disappeared behind the curtain in the adjacent room. When we were alone, the magician leaned in close to me with a pleading look in his eyes.

“MC, may I use your appointment room to do my reading?” His voice sounded panicked. “I told the consul that it would be professional.”

I narrowed my eyes, a bit annoyed that Asra would use me and my shop in such a way. By the apologetic and pleading look my friend gave me, he understood. Sighing, I relented. “Fine. I do not like this suddenly sprung onto me, Asra.”

“Thank you, MC,” Asra pressed a feather-light kiss to my lips. The magician started to step away before turning back to give another kiss. I leaned in this time, keeping it for just a moment longer before he turned on his heel and then disappeared behind the curtain.

While Asra did his reading I continued my duties around the main floor of the shop. Eventually, after everything had been done, all that was left to do was dust and continue to act busy. Every now and then, when there was silence between cleaning, parts of their conversation were clear. I told myself hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the question, “Will I be the next count?” Hit the air loudly.

For a moment, I worried for Asra’s safety. Montag never took kindly to betrayals, even indirectly, so if he found out a bounty would surely be on the magician's head. There was hesitation in the answer. “I…I do not believe that is wise for me to answer.”

The man scoffed. “Not wise? Unbelievable considering how much I am paying you. Nevertheless, I suppose I will ask another…”

I had tuned out of the conversation as another customer walked in. The card reading must have been going well because, as I was helping put together an order, I heard clapping along with cheerful praise. Something in my heart swelled knowing that I, the shopkeeper, knew the great magician Asra who brought more cheer to Vesuvia than the count.

When the customer left, the consul and the magician finally emerged from the appointment room with smiles on their faces. The consul placed a purple silk pouch in Asra’s hands before leaving, not saying goodbye or thank you to anyone.

The instant the bell on the door rang, indicating that he was gone, I immediately went over to Asra. “I cannot believe he asked you if he was going to be the next count!”

His laugh was light. “Yes, I could hardly believe it myself. You should have seen the look on his face, though, when I told him that it was not likely the count would marry him.”

I gasped then laughed, thinking of how only a short while ago was the count married to the Princess of Prakra. The wedding was quick, but lavish all the same. People talked about it was wall to wall in Prakran flowers with gold accents, which was not surprising.

Since then, we had seen the Princess a few times through Vesuvia, and Asra would tease me about my secret love for her. Though love would be quite a strong word, I had started to admire her love for the Vesuvian people and her shared goals of making the place better. It seemed the count had made at least one good decision in his reign.

Asra turned back into the appointment room and I followed since the business of the day had started to die. He sat there counting the coins he had been given then started to gather his cards. Looking at them in the golden light, now I could see them better, they seemed personal--Handmade. It was obvious a lot of detail and attention went into every card.

“Great Magician Asra,” Was a name that he hated to be called, especially by me, but that did not deter me from using it. “These cards, did you make them yourself?”

“I did,” He sounded proud and splayed them out for me.

I picked up a card, the fool. Oddly enough, the fool on the card almost looked the same as me. Not thinking much of it, I put it back down with the rest of them. “It’s impressive, my dear. If I may ask, why do you tell fortunes?”

Asra shrugged and started to shuffle the cards as he pondered on the question a bit longer. “I always have…It was something I could do after my parents disappeared.”

It wasn’t often Asra spoke of his parents, as he claimed he didn’t know much about them or could remember much, anyway. They had been gone for over ten years, and that was as much as he could or would tell me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning over to press a kiss on his temple.

“Don’t be. Now I have money to buy things,” Asra smirked and shook the purple pouch that jingled with coins inside. “You know, perhaps you can start reading fortunes! I could teach you if you like-- More, I know you have some knowledge already.”

I looked down at the tarot cards again, pondering on the thought for a moment, before I looked to my magician. His violet eyes were so bright and hopeful of my yes that I could not say no. When I confirmed my answer, his grin only got wider before motioning me to sit to begin our lessons that would later cause me nothing but dread. Despite that, seeing Asra happy would be worth more than the world.

#the arcana fandom #the arcana fanfic #asra x apprentice #asra x mc #asra x y/n #asra x you #asra alnazar #the arcana game #the arcana apprentice #asrathearcana #valerius the arcana #nadia satrinava #montag #the arcana lucio

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