#nobility universe

[bug-fics]

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

[wilimia]

Wonder if they'll ever go on that fishing trip 🤔

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu twilight #lu legend #wilimia art #god this took days and it looks so off to me anyways #cant be bothered with it anymore #also like idk if its noticeable but twis not fishing...has his eyes closed...kinda chilling...cuz y'know he's... #the colours look so ugly on nobile

[coffee-bard]

D&D session sketch page!! I’m getting to guest in a friend’s campaign as Veryl :3💜✨

#dnd #oc #original character #art #bard #veryl laylette #dnd oc #ttrpg #Veryl and his besties!! X3 #there’s like alternate universe shit happening here cuz in this world Veryl and Altan hadn’t met yet and aren’t married… #but altan has all the memories of their other life together via magic.. while Veryl does not. so they’re having to redo their meet cute #OH and in this world Veryl is being courted for marriage by a prince of the feywild which is crazy for him cuz he’s scared of nobility pfff #it’s a little will they won’t they drama rn #this is from a few months back but I forgot to post it 🧍

[kingoftheu]

Arms I made up for Jane Roland (and later Emily’s) Ducal House. Roland’s titles are never mentioned in the books, but I have her created Duchess of Carmarthen. Carmarthen was a major center in Wales prior to industrialization. It is meant something of an insult from the government because the Welsh are icky, just like women and aviators. The Rolands, naturally, do not care one bit and rather take a liking to the place. Most estates they are awarded are in England, however. They do not currently have a seat because they have dragons to fly. Might get some subsidiary titles (maybe something named for Scotland near Loch Laggan) so that Emily can be a Countess.

The dragon is not a perfect longwings, but it is blue, and holding a grenade to symbolize the guns and bombs. Four yellow stripes on green for an Admiral of the Air. Golden Laurels for Victory. A ducal coronet above. Jane is extremely mad that the College of Arms said she couldn’t swear in her motto, and refuses to use Latin or French until someone suggests “Excidium.” The dragon himself is quite pleased with this, although wishes his portrait was better. But the poor College of Arms people are already so sad about his hastily put together arms that Jane just left it.

#temeraire #jane roland #emily roland #Excidium #coats of arms #heraldry #temeraire series #dukes #peerage of Great Britain #great britain #united kingdom #duchess #duchy #earls #countess #earldom #aristocrats #peerage #nobility #in-universe media #william laurence

[muspeccoll]

"The twelve virtues of nobility", followed by an armorial. Folio (320 x 215 mm), [24]-[2 bl.] ff. on parchment, in pen and black ink, coats of arms with watercolor. Binding: waste from a liturgical manuscript in Latin. Text: calligraphic French verse, celebrating the virtues of the nobleman: nobility, faith, beauty, honor, righteousness, prowess, love, courtesy, diligence, neatness, generosity and sobriety. The armorial is made up of 30 coats of arms with their stamps, captioned in Dutch. The first 10, in large format, relate to large sovereign houses (Holy Empire, Bohemia, Brandenburg, Valois, Saxony, etc.), the other 20, in smaller format, relate in particular to the former Netherlands (Duchy of Brabant, counties of Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, Hainaut, Namur...) and the royal houses of Valois, Aragon, Bohemia and Portugal.

(via "Les douze vertus de la noblesse", with an armo...)

#heraldry #nobility #medieval manuscripts #manuscripts #illumination #coats of arms #french #poetry #muspeccoll #mizzou #university of missouri #libraries #private collection #fb #kelli h

[kirbyddd]

#thief the dark project #thief 2 the metal age #yes the origins of the mechanists and city watch are fully explained #as well as the origins of the trickster and the nature of the eye #and the world's predisposition to forming citystates rather than nations and the fall of the precursors #also sorry Deadly Shadows the Keepers are not jedi and are a young Order compared to the Hammerites #go find a different series to inject your starwars fanfiction into #(I love Deadly Shadows by the way but it goes far beyond butchering the Thief story it's outright not even the same setting) #read the botany book by Constantine's bed and then play The Cathedral by the way #the nobility and barony and spiritual realm still arent fully explained though. Thief 2 Gold i miss you so much you wouldve given us it all #(T2G wouldve let us explore a noble university and the tower of the banished Hand Brotherhood acolyte) #(and also wouldve given us the actual version of Karras' story instead of the sudden ending) #Thief 3 wouldve been insane. Can you imagine the fall of the Barony and the City changing hands as the digital era approaches #oh yeah Thief is a post-electrical revolution modern setting with analogue electronics and advanced medicine didnt you know that? #you just don't see firearms often because there was little demand for them in the City compared to more versatile bows. but theyre there #theyre just used more for field and naval battle. the City is too cramped and winding for them to be effective #and there hasnt been the demand to lead to the development of advanced loading mechanisms #due to the fortification-centric nature of infrastructure (due to REDACTED) premodern structures arent torn down just reinforced with steel #yes you learn all of this if you actually play the games all the way through. the opening levels of T1 are bait and switch #portraying the world as primitive and backwards as seen through garrett's eyes #dont get me started on garrett's full character. play Ambush! and really look through his apartment

[crossdressingdeath]

People keep misunderstanding the Blackwall post and it drives me nuts, because my issue is not that characters in-universe demonize him for it. The hypocrisy of Cullen fucking Rutherford, Meredith's favourite mage murder machine who's for sure killed or been part of the killing of more children than Blackwall ever did or was, being the quest's mouthpiece is an issue, but that's a slightly different thing. I do not need five million people jumping down my throat to go "But he did a bad thing and people are mad about it in-universe!!!!!" I understand that, thank you. I get it, I get it, he did A Bad. It makes sense that a lot of people don't like him for it.

The issue is that the narrative of the game demonizes him for it. We don't get a single other perspective. We don't get any opportunity to suggest that maybe people need to lay off or even to point out that the people demonizing him for it have done things that are just as bad if not worse; I say again, Cullen is the mouthpiece for this quest, and we know the murder of children is pretty standard procedure for the Circles even outside of the hellhole that is the Gallows (hello, Harrowing!), but the game refuses to let us say a word about that. Think back to all the other characters who've done shitty things; you can usually agree that they did something necessary if not right, and even if you can't/don't want to do that there are usually options that allow you to lessen the burden of guilt or absolve them in some ways! It is only with Blackwall that the narrative bends over backwards to say he's the bad guy, and that's especially egregious in Inquisition because... well, let's be honest, when you're working with the Chantry most of the cast has done or been involved in worse. The game pushes us to agree that Blackwall is the worstest ever for something that is no worse than what other people in the game have done. Cassandra and Leliana both served the Divine directly, obeying all her horrific orders! Cassandra's whole order covered for the atrocities Templars committed! In the books Leliana acts as go-between for Justinia subtly giving Celene the go-ahead to deal with the elves of Halamshiral however she saw fit (nothing can convince me that Justinia and Leliana did not both know that would end in bloodshed) and in DA2 she's openly checking to see if there should be an Exalted March on Kirkwall because the mages are revolting against their inhumane conditions! Cullen was Knight-Captain in Kirkwall! So I'm sure as shit not going to passively accept the game trying to tell me that this guy has committed the worst crime ever because he murdered a few children when the Chantry most of my advisors help run kills more than that every day. That's my issue with Blackwall's quest, not the fact that the characters don't approve of him killing children. Can't believe I have to say that.

#dragon age inquisition #it's not about the in-universe reasoning! it's about the game trying to force a position onto my character! #MY CHARACTER WHO HAS NO REASON TO SEE ORLESIAN NOBILITY AS MORE VALUABLE THAN ANYONE ELSE! #sure children died and that sucks but he's stuck dealing with a templar and a seeker and THE LEFT HAND OF THE DAMN DIVINE #and blackwall's one of the few members of the inner circle who isn't a dick about him being an elf OR a mage #you think he cares about some dead orlesian noble brats right now when caring means losing one of the only decent people he's got? #BECAUSE HE DOESN'T BIOWARE. HE REALLY REALLY DOESN'T #LET MY BOY SAY THAT HE DOES NOT GIVE A SINGLE FLYING FUCK ABOUT ORLESIAN NOBLE BRATS RIGHT NOW BIOWARE #also frankly working for the inquisition is punishment ENOUGH for most things #also i'm still mad that a non-andrastian quiz can't go 'uh... in the name of andraste i absolve you' about it #hello bioware have you heard of a thing called LYING

[blackswaneuroparedux]

In feudal times the aristocracy had sent their sons to university, conferring superiority on the institution. Nowadays it was the other way round: the university conferred superiority on the man.

- Ursula K. Le Guin

I remember graduation day well when walking down King’s Parade past King’s College Chapel on our way to Senate House.

Good times. Although I had no idea where or how fast those three years went. Probably the classic three B’s: books, booze, and bonking. And not always in that order and sometimes all three at the same time. Everything that I try to recall is a hazy dream.

Contrary to what le Guin states, I can say, speaking for myself and my peers, we left university with uncertainty, insecurity, and a hell of a lot of growing up to do.

#le guin #ursula le guin #quote #aristocracy #landed gentry #toryism #nobility #class #university #oxbridge #kings college #cambridge #society #culture #history #british #britain #personal

[teamdays]

Wahhhh ocs ocs I miss my ocs I want to keep drawing !!! (Already drew two mini pieces of them today and has a final tomorrow. It’s 1am)

#I need. to keep fixing up my Lilly/lily/lillith/HARBRINGER OF DEATH #Ive drawn lilac like 50 times this week but barely lilly. but I’ve always had more or less an idea of what lilac should look like #lilly is a silly individual she literally changes. probably like 15 times over the span of a few years in universe #born into nobility and made to dress a certain way changing yourself after running away finding a new identity #and then having all of that topple over once you’re finally stable because the person most important to you just died 🤗 #lilac (guy who is put into situations always) and lilly (has no choice but to just watch and deal with it) #I think. at one point she looks normal but after everything she looks like an overgrown vine. and then normal again I’m hoping #ok goodnight physics final tomorrow snzzzzz

[universestreasures]

@universestreasures​ --> @crimsonkaiser​ --> @extremebattler​ 

They had all been silent since managing to get pretty far away from the village where they had that run in with the Pale Moon Circus. Misaki and Kamui still didn’t know what happened, even after having set up camp as they usually did. Kai had returned to them earlier with Aichi passed out in his arms with his disguise almost broken without saying anything more than what was needed for them to escape. Then again, it wasn’t in his character to elaborate needlessly, a trait she shared with him. 

However, now that they were settled in with Aichi having woken up and Kai’s pendent having been repaired, the half kitsune feels like it’s time for a chat. The embers of the fire crackled as the woman moved to stand up from her comfortable position on a log to address the group as a whole. She knows getting information out of the two of them, mainly the flame dragon, isn’t going to be easy, but it needed to be done. Misaki and Kamui deserved to know what happened. All of it.

“It’s been long enough. I think it’s time we address the...elephant in the room.” Her serious yet soft gaze shifts towards Kai, the one person who was conscious for the entire encounter. Aichi’s expression looked hesitant, but he chooses to not intervene on the converation. “Please, please tell us what happened, Kai. Tell us everything. This...This wasn’t a normal encounter with the circus, was it? That much is obvious by how you were when we found you and Aichi.” 

@crimsonkaiser​​​ you’re up! <3

~

#crimsonkaiser #extremebattler #💎 Memory Treasure (Misaki Tokura) #💎 Paladin Treasure (Aichi Sendou) #💎 Memory's Home Of Magical Nobility (Misaki Nobles Of Nature AU) #💎 Paladin's Home Of Magical Nobility (Aichi Nobles Of Nature AU) #💎 Off Gathering More Treasures From The Universes (Queue) #(Q4 THREAD. Q4 THREAD! #(CHALLENGE TO KEEP THESE SHORT SINCE PEN ISNT A NOVELIST LIKE YOU AND I CRIX BUT YEAHH #(LETSS GOOOO #(KAMUI IS GONNA PROBABLY FIGHT KAI CAUSE KAI DOESNT WANNA GIVE THEM THE DEEP LORE BUT #(HES GOTTA

[dmclemblems]

im just thinking suddenly about gw/ag miklan and edelgard like

lol r u fckn kiddin me

they basically implied that the empire had their hands full on the western front (for the entire game in gw bc miklan never dies in gw, only matthias does)

and u got edelgard over here like I FIGHT FOR A NEW CRESTLESS SYSTEM SOCIETY IF U DON’T HAVE A CREST U WILL STILL GET POSITIONS OF POWER U DO SHIT BY YOUR OWN MERIT YEAHHHH

and a little tumbleweed blows by the entire western front like girl are you actually fucking serious right now are you literally murdering people left and right to change a system that right before your eyes has clearly already come apart at the seams in faerghus

like girl you’re literally behind the times get with it you RLY over here talking about a future for fodlan that can “only” happen if xyz but... it... already... happened... outside the empire... which means... if YOU are still having trouble fixing YOUR system AS THE EMPEROR with the supreme power of your country where YOU have the final say in shit... girl... that’s a fckn Y O U problem don’t drag the rest of fodlan into ur shit

now mind you in gw claude also manages to change the system in his country and fix their biggest problems (re: the roundtable during war), which means both leicester and faerghus ain’t havin’ a hard time fixing their systems or the overall crest problem in fodlan

nah that’s LITERALLY an empire based problem if y’all still havin’ a hard time over there bc the rest of fodlan is moving on without a hitch

“but the CHURCH likes their cwest system uwu”

cool seteth actually complimented miklan and has a good deal of trust in his ability at the western front and even got approval from rhea to send their personal soldiers to aid miklan in the defense of the sturdiest fortress in all of faerghus, possibly all of fodlan so what im telling u is that RHEA sent her own soldiers to AID A CRESTLESS COMMANDER WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY DISINHERITED AND DISOWNED and left their lives in his hands bc ya boi seteth has a good opinion of miklan BASED ON WHAT HE HAS SEEN/HEARD ABOUT HIM and ain’t even worried about his crest situation he lookin at the MAN not the crest or lack thereof (mind you this information is shown in ag, but all the routes show the story from a different perspective, which means seteth still had to talk to rhea about sending church soldiers to aid the west and defend from the empire which as i understand it, miklan had the highest authority or at least one of the highest authorities in that area, but rhea and seteth put their soldiers in the hands of a crestless man and seteth found him very capable)

so basically tl;dr edelgard’s entire reasoning for war falls apart completely because it’s literally only the empire having these issues still, two+ years (timeskip+time passed during the war) into all the lords taking full power in their countries. she basically goes to war with all of fodlan to conquer it just so everything is the empire, not to fix the system in “fodlan” because the only system that needs fixing at this point is the empire’s. instead of focusing on fixing the empire’s issues, she assumes the empire’s issues are everyone’s issues and goes to war over it because she can only see what’s happening in the empire.

NOW MIND YOU that two years was spent by dimitri by reforming the crest system and his own private army. he had miklan located before he even knew edelgard was going to start a war. he had him trained in military thoroughly by matthias himself (who has defended against sreng for many years and has the prowess to speak of) and successfully created a private army of commoners. everything edelgard is claiming she fights for was already done and sealed in faerghus BEFORE she even started a war and yet she didn’t even think about the continent outside of anything in her immediate view i.e. the empire’s problems which she assumed were fodlan’s problem, showing how tunnel visioned she is and how if the empire is having problems she’s gonna make it everyone’s problem.

so basically her only goal is to make the whole of fodlan under the empire’s flag and nothing else because the rest of the shit she claims to fight for has already been in progress elsewhere and she’s THAT ignorant to anything outside the empire that she’ll start a continental war over the issues within the empire.

mind you any nobility things in leicester like... nobody cared lmao the nobility protected the commonfolk and the commonfolk lived their lives literally like nobody cared about the system and everyone was fine. the lords at the roundtable argued and shit but like... usually it was just over their own territory and shit, it had nothing to do with crests and erwin was considered HIGHLY loved by his people regardless of having a crest.

erwin rly said like up yours @ edelgard and im here for it this guy is such a vibe and im trying not to like him so much bc of houses but im starting to fail the more i delve into his characterization in hopes ajkdhjasgdj erwin stOP

#Three Hopes Spoilers #is this an im angry at edelgard post? or is this... a miklan is superior post??? #or is this... edelgard looks like a damn fool precisely bc our boi mikky is here post?! #edelgard's motivations make me so tired... and i can see why they make dimi and claude tired too #i don't like micaiah but at least she had totally legit motivations #and in fact i hate micaiah and love jarod but i totally acknowledge jarod is the bad guy here lmfao #jarod is like top tier shithead but he's funny about it and he gives damn badass speeches so like #at least with him im willing to fully admit i like him and completely understand he is not in the right #im not gonna defend his bullshit just bc he's funny and badass and has a VERY loyal and interesting sidekick #like those two all in their own are cooler than edelgard and literally they just are like #more interested in their reputation in begnion at anyone's expense and THAT'S THE THING #i like them yes but im not willing to defend their intentions bc i can SEE how crappy they are #edelgard is like... worse ashnard too bc she has the same exact motivations as ashnard to the dot #just in another world/universe/continent with a SLIGHTLY different system i.e. crests but the nobility system is the same #but then you have laguz who have the exact kind of system edelgard would want and they're co-existing with ppl who have #the opposite kind of system i.e. beorc and nobody ever went to war over that between them #they went to war bc ashnard has a same general concept as edelgard except ashnard owns his shit #and he doesn't listen to what other ppl/his actual enemies tell him and take it as the truth #he also runs his own shit and doesn't make excuses for it like... at this point im sad that edelgard couldn't be #as cool a villain as tellius' villains bc it'd have been great to have a badass female villain like them #in such a nuanced game like houses. it's sad that one of the only female villains just couldn't be written AS a legit villain #instead the writers tried to uwu her bc pretty sexy bisexual girlboss when rly they could've just put in an ashnard clone #and i'd have taken that shit over edelgard's headache any day like just toss female ashnard at me and i'd take that #i ain't about to make excuses for ashnard and jarod im gonna like them and im gonna tell the world how shitty of people they are lmao #tl;dr miklan being in this game and his role in it just proved exactly how ignorant edelgard rly is and how much she literally #does not care about anything except being the supreme ruler and can't accept anything else #bc the rest of the continent moved on without her and she didn't even notice apparently #so she just assumed the empire's problems were the whole continent's problems and they were literally not #miklan and erwin both honestly make me gape in disbelief at her sheer volume of ignorance

[kunosoura]

and like I’ve said before… interpreting sauron’s “fair”ness as being like Aragorn’s, that of the charismatic man with a noble heritage and an enigmatic past, isn’t that bad of a take on him, especially when you’re in a post-Viggo-as-Aragorn world and you have audience expectations to play with (though I’ll always feel it’s not as interesting a direction to take it in). It just doesn’t work at all in RoP because they put all their chips on the audience seeing romantic tension between Halbrand and Galadriel and I simply didn’t buy into that at all.

#I like it less because it doesn’t make as much sense in universe #where Sauron wouldn’t be working on human notions of beauty and nobility to ingratiate himself but elven ones #like the halbrand persona is manipulating the audience with something that doesn’t happen in universe for countless years. #it doesn’t bear scrutiny and makes the story you’re telling even more reliant on the Movies than they already are

[lcfthaunted]

@capthcwzer • insp.

She knows better than to protest, better than to object, simply accepts that she now has protection. It is likely an issue from her betrothed; a ruler of a planet she has never been to, a man she has never met. She accepted that decision just as meekly, but that was because she knew fighting it would only put her sister in the line of fire. This way, at least, she might be able to leverage some protection for Mallaidh.

In public, she is every inch the dutiful daughter, the proper heiress. She is ever careful to appease the right people, to calm arguments, to accept what is dealt to her. It is only behind closed doors that she ever allows her anger any rein, and even then she is careful not to take it out on staff, including her guard. Everything she’s learned, everything she does, is in service to her sister’s future, and she cannot afford to upset the wrong person.

It is some time into the assignment before Mazie addresses her guard beyond superficial kindnesses or imparting decisions for the day. She is exhausted after a long day of politicking and Machiavellian manipulations, but she knows, from an outside perspective, it was not a very thrilling day. “This must be a rather dull assignment for you, Captain,” she says, not quite succeeding in keeping the exhaustion from her voice. “For your sake, I hope it is not much longer before I am handed off and you will be free to seek a more engaging assignment.”

#capthcwzer #& a never needy ever lovely jewel • nobility #grabbed a pen and an old napkin • responses #( like obv whatever happens happens but. i am eternally grabby hands at protector/protected prompts and could Not resist ) #( idk enough abt the universe to do any genuine worldbuilding i am happy to follow whatever decisions you go with )

[v-thinks-on]

“I know you’re following me.” Tom Riddle stopped in his tracks and the footsteps behind him belatedly fell silent.

He turned. Skulking along the wall was what at first glance appeared to be an ordinary pageboy with a smooth face and short, dark hair that was badly in need of taming. However, Tom slowly registered that it was in fact a woman of his own age, but with the hardened eyes of one who has seen battle. It was just the two of them in the long, dark corridor in one of the far reaches of the manor—he had taken the back way for a reason.

“What is it you want, then?” Tom demanded with some impatience and the slightest glint of something more dangerous.

To his surprise, she did not break his gaze. Instead, she raised her head in proud defiance and stepped away from the wall, into the middle of the hall, as though to confront him—as though she thought she was something more than a mere servant in a precarious disguise.

(Read More on AO3)

#v writes #When Harry Met Tom - The_Carnivorous_Muffin. #Recursive fic #Nobility AU #Harry x Tom x Alphard #Alternate Universe Exchange

[chilope]

i cant truly explain why but i almost cried yesterday while talking to a woman who studies medieval rus goldwork embroidery, who explained that there is a very particular method that is used to do goldwork embroidery called couching that keeps the thread on the top of the fabric (compared to normal embroidery techniques, where the thread goes over and under the fabric for each stitch) to conserve the very expensive gold thread and this technique is seen historically on more or less all examples of goldwork pieces commissioned by the church, nobility, or chivalric orders from goldwork guilds. however, rural gravesites reveal that lots of people, not just the wealthy, owned a small piece or two of goldwork embroidery, usually collars or cuffs, that were made by someone they knew. these pieces were almost universally made using typical embroidery techniques, meaning they used up twice the gold thread. something about the idea of people, so long ago, saving up to make something beautiful and expensive and special for someone they love, even lacking the specialized knowledge to do it the "proper" way, is so human to me.

[chimaerakitten]

One under-appreciated breed of fic writer are the ones who hyperfocus on logistics to the exclusion of all canon shortcuts, and thus usually strike upon an awesome way to flesh out the worldbuilding or characters.

Like, I’m not necessarily talking realism here since often it’s still pretty far from realistic, but more like, “someone has to be running spies in this fantasy kingdom, and we’ve seen the whole royal court, so which background character is it? How does that change these three major interactions?” Or “real life historical nobility did in fact have some things to do that were like jobs, how does this human disaster cope with running an estate?” Or “there’s no reason for a sci-fi robot detective to know how to whitewater kayak, where’d she learn?” Or “if this guy is serving the emperor directly he has to be way high up in the space empire servant hierarchy, why is he doing this menial task for someone else? What’s his motive? Does he perhaps have the secret space telepathy?”

Anyway I’m always DELIGHTED to find a fic or writer who asks these questions because the fics themselves are universally bangers.

#fic writing #the kitten rambles #fanfiction #idk I just love em #if you have any favorites in this genre send ‘em my way