#shut up cathan

[writerfae]

The Alderking

If you know my story, you know about the Alderking.

The bad guy that once upon a time turned against his siblings to become the only ruler of the fair fae and was only stopped through a trick and a curse. The king that my main antagonist wants to reawaken so he can start a new order.

But that's pretty much all you know, except for one or two details and cryptic posts about him. So, of course, he doesn't really make a good impression. In this post, though, I want to tell you more about him. Just so you get to know him a little better. Because while yes, he did horrible things, there's still more to him than just that. And wasn't really all bad, either.

Anyways, here's some Alderking facts to better get to know the man behind the legend of his betrayal:

"Alderking" is technically just his title. His real name is Rook, but it is almost forgotten nowadays. People just know him as the Alderking since he was the very first - and the last - to bear this title

out of the first six fair fae regents, he was the first to be "born", so eldest of the six siblings (though technically they weren't really siblings but it's close enough)

he founded the Alder Court, and over the hundreds of years of his reign, it grew and improved a lot, until it turned into quite the impressive kingdom. Rook worked very hard on it, he loved his kingdom

Rook was actually in a poly relationship. He had a wife, Kyndra, and the two had a lover, too, a wild fae named Nia. He loved them both a lot

he also had a daughter, Runa, that (almost) no one knew about. He only saw her once, tough, because he had sent Nia and the baby away once things got tricky, also he was cursed shortly after her birth (Nia was her biological mother, btw, Kyndra sadly couldn't have children)

his royal guard was actually one of the best. He put a lot of work in his guard and is actually the one who "invented" the guard system the other courts still use to this day (together with his brother, Cathan)

while we're already talking about the guard, Rook was an excellent fighter and hunter. He loved tournaments and going on hunts with his "inner circle"

he also adored reading and participating in religious practices and playing around with magic

our dear king was actually a very charming and charismatic person, with quite some humor and good looks. But he was also stubborn and could be quite grumpy. He was a bit of an idealist, too, and an overthinker

Rook had a personal guard who also happened to be one of his best generals and most trusted confidants (he even knew of Runa). His name was Cyprian (yes, it's the guy I never shut up about - and Talon’s ancestor). The two also happened to be best friends. They were really close

I know, it sounds strange when you know how he betrayed his siblings, but he genuinely loved them all. Before he betrayed them, he was a good big brother

His favorites were his brother Cathan (the Ashking) and his sister Caitria (the Willowqueen). He was very fond of the two and helped them out a lot. Especially with Cathan he spent lots of time and he influenced him a lot (you can still see this influence in some places at the Ash Court)

out of his brothers, Rook was the most mature one, but he was also the proudest and the one with the biggest ego, which is one reason why he fell for darkness so easily

Rook was known to be a pretty strict and kind of dominant king, but also hardworking and benevolent. And he was very beloved by his people

he was also pretty powerful. As child of one of the mighty trees, he was capable of magic, like all his siblings. His special magic field was soul magic, which included spirit connection and dream magic)

each of the first regents and their courts had one "special task" (beside protecting their tree), and as the Alderking, it was Rook's task to manage "foreign affairs" and protect all courts from outer threats

because of his task, he had pretty good connections to the wild fae. Most of them respected him because of his power, his courage (something he was known for) and because he hunted down dangerous creatures like forest demons, which were also a threat to the wild fae clans. He was also a member of the Wild Hunt

his sword, Minha’criahn, was a gift from the goddesses and able to cut through everything if he wanted it to. It was made specifically to fit him and it was pretty much holy to him

at his core, Rook was also a bit of a dreamer. Even his betrayal started out with good intentions. He wanted the courts to focus on their main task (protecting the trees) more and to bring them closer together again. But his pride got in his way, and that led to him getting corrupted by the shadow, which is a true shame

one thing is for sure, if his siblings hadn't lured him into a trap back after he got the mighty Alder's power, their courts probably wouldn't have had a chance in the war he had started. Not just because of his new might. Rook was clever, had the better army, and, due to him being corrupted by shadow, had become very ruthless

a fun fact about him taking some of the mighty Alder's power is that now their life forces are woven together, so he can't die or else the tree will decay too (that's the reason he was "only" cursed after all). BUT the problem (that no one knows about) is that his life force gets weaker over the decades, and one day, his mind and soul might die after all, and you all know what that would mean... not me already collecting sequel material

Anyway, i think thats enough on the Alderking for now. Is now a good time to admit that I'm actually quite the Alderking fan? I do adore him despite him ending up being a tyrant. And I hope you do too after this post xD

@bunnymermaidsblog here's my ramble post about the Alderking, I hope you'll enjoy learning more about him

#me? an aldeeking apologist? kinda #i mean i dont support his wrongs but i love him still #this is a collection of pretty random facts im sorry haha #i hope you like it still #gonna reblog with the full tag list tomorrow. i'm too tired now #writer speaks #writeblr #wip: the knights of the alder #not proofread btw we suffer like I will in the morning cause I stayed up late to post this

[ungrateful-cyborg]

❓ everybody... no ? Ok, you can do only the fun one ( the kitties, bunbun and her loved ones, the lizards, the babies with whoever you want )

Wolfe/Cathan

Does my muse trust yours? "Not much."

Does my muse dislike yours? "He's tolerable when he's not talking."

Would my muse kill someone for yours? "Again: fuck no."

Would my muse kill your muse? "I do not kill people."

Would my muse save yours? "Yeah, if he needs saving. We're more worried about his brother, though."

Does my muse find your muse attractive? "... when he shuts up, doesn’t smirk and doesn't look smug. Not often, if you had a doubt."

Is my muse disgusted by yours? "No. Disgruntled, however..."

Would my muse go on a date with your muse? "I like my sanity intact, thank you very much."

Would my muse kiss yours? "No."

Would my muse betray yours? "If he ever feels like I betrayed him, then he's a worst judge of character than I thought."

My muse’s favorite thing about yours is "... he's an asshole."

The thing my muse dislikes about yours is "that he's a fucking asshole."

Inge/Yersinia

Does my muse trust yours? "Of course!"

Does my muse dislike yours? "I... No. No, I don't dislike her at all."

Would my muse kill someone for yours? "To save her life."

Would my muse kill your muse? "Never. I don't think I could."

Would my muse save yours? "Should it go so far that she needs saving, you'd better not try to stop me from doing it."

Does my muse find your muse attractive? "Yes."

Is my muse disgusted by yours? "Absolutely not."

Would my muse go on a date with your muse? "I'm not sure what you'd consider a date but I'm sure we've had a few."

Would my muse kiss yours? "I actually do that when I see her, yes."

Would my muse betray yours? "I’d love to say I’d do it in a heartbeat to save her life, but she’s too stubborn and would endanger herself to do what she wanted to do anyway. All I can say is that, should the situation be dire enough for the thought to cross my mind, I hope she’d trust my judgement.”

My muse’s favorite thing about yours is "her mind, her sense of humor. Her ass."

The thing my muse dislikes about yours is "hm... I wish she was better than me at starting uncomfortable discussions."

Inge/Qin’Sae

Does my muse trust yours? "With my life.”

Does my muse dislike yours? "It’d take a lot to ever reach that point.”

Would my muse kill someone for yours? "He’s usually the one doing the killing, but to save him, I would.”

Would my muse kill your muse? "I don’t think I would have the strength to do it.”

Would my muse save yours? "Without hesitation.”

Does my muse find your muse attractive? "He’s a beautiful man, but attraction isn’t really a part of our relationship.”

Is my muse disgusted by yours? "I don’t see how that’d happen.”

Would my muse go on a date with your muse? "This would be terribly, terribly awkward.”

Would my muse kiss yours? "No."

Would my muse betray yours? "Never."

My muse’s favorite thing about yours is "his good heart, his loyalty.”

The thing my muse dislikes about yours is "how lost he looks now.”

Kazan/Seimei

Does my muse trust yours? "As far as I can trust.”

Does my muse dislike yours? "Unfortunately, no.”

Would my muse kill someone for yours? "I have.”

Would my muse kill your muse? "If he ever betrays me, yes.”

Would my muse save yours? "This is my job. I have done that many times, I will do it again.”

Does my muse find your muse attractive? "I do not see him that way.”

Is my muse disgusted by yours? "I am disgusted by some things he has done whenever I am unfortunate enough to be reminded of it.”

Would my muse go on a date with your muse? "Absolutely never.”

Would my muse kiss yours? "How do you say in Eorzea already? AH, yes. Hells no.”

Would my muse betray yours? "Not as long as he does not give me reasons to.”

My muse’s favorite thing about yours is "the fishes he brings back.”

The thing my muse dislikes about yours is "his absolute lack of self-preservation instincts. Half the time, I feel like I am saving him from himself.”

A’idan/I’nah

Does my muse trust yours? "Obviously! We’re friends!”

Does my muse dislike yours? "I know some people pretend to be friends with other people they don’t actually like but I just don’t get the point of that. We’re friends. Of course I like him.”

Would my muse kill someone for yours? "I... No? Maybe? I can’t imagine myself killing anyone.”

Would my muse kill your muse? "Definitely not.”

Would my muse save yours? "I’m trying to.”

Does my muse find your muse attractive? "Uh... No, not really. Sorry, I’nah.”

Is my muse disgusted by yours? "We’re friends. How often are you disgusted by your friends?”

Would my muse go on a date with your muse? "Maybe on double dates, if he finds someone.”

Would my muse kiss yours? "That’d be weird.”

Would my muse betray yours? "No!”

My muse’s favorite thing about yours is "he’s a cool dude with the heart in the right place, as my parents say! Well, they wouldn’t call him a dude but you know what I mean.”

The thing my muse dislikes about yours is "that he thinks he has to protect us. Honestly, I understand that he’s worried but we said that we would be doing things together and then, as soon as he needs us, he tries to leave on his own!”

#The More You Know #answered; Wolfe #answered; Inge #answered; Kazan #answered; A'idan #ty Mioup!

[yourstrugglingwriter]

The Kingdom Of The Ocean

Schools of fish pass by, but the tall man doesn’t notice. His eyes are fixated on the glass in front of him, a perfect display of the depthless ocean that surrounds him. Yet the view fades behind his own reflexion. 

Grey hair is peppered throughout his short curls. Months ago, they weren’t there. Neither were the dark circles under his grey eyes. Even his skin is grey, deprived of artificial sunlight from spending so many hours in his office. His old age sneaked up on him, rendering him bland. 

A Great White glides passed him. Beady, soulless eyes trailed by a large fin swaying back and forth lazily. The King of the Waters. Free to do as he wishes. Creatures cower in his wake, knowing better than to face the rows of pointed teeth. 

The man grins, wrinkles creasing. Such a beautiful beast. 

His gaze shifts to the hundreds of glass globes before him, seemingly unending. His own kingdom, Nepturi, given to him as a birthright. His eyes skim over them, counting each one. The numbers tally up, each a part of his possession. 

“Emperor Aul,” a familiar voice says as its owner enters the dark office. No lights are on, only the fragmented rays of sunlight able to reach through the ocean’s blue waters illuminate the room. 

Cathan turns around, his movements lazy. His back faces the vast biome, like a king standing before his kingdom. Feigning boredom, he slowly sits at his desk, facing his guest. “Commander Ray, please sit.” The politeness is mocking, but the Commander forces a grateful smile. 

“I’m afraid I cannot, there is a pressing issue at hand.” 

Cathan doesn’t flinch or lean forward. He remains slouched in his seat, an impassive face staring back at the Commander, who skirms in his spot. 

Everything is calculated. Every movement the Commander makes is noted, every word is carefully scrutinized. Any sign of defiance ready to be squashed by the powerful jaws of the Emperor’s power. A sliver of pride erupts deep inside his heart, proud of his might. 

Cathan Aul is the Great White of the City of Globes. Let them cower in my presence, says the demon inside him. Painfully slow, a grin spreads across his lips as if carved by a knife. “And what is this pressing issue, Commander?” 

“A prison break occurred exactly an hour ago.” The words are carefully let out. The bad news has yet to come. “The Doctor has escaped.”

Everything stills. No fish or sharks pass by the glass wall. The air grows cool as if Hell froze over, leaving the earth shivering and bare. 

Cathan’s grin widens dangerously. Beads of sweat roll down the Commander’s pale forehead, his dark beard catching each one like a fish net. To his credit, he keeps his dark eyes fixated on the Emperor. 

“I’m struggling to understand how the most secure cell in my prison was breached.” 

“Traitors of the prison guard, Your Majesty. Seems like the Doctor has many followers, more than we estimated.” 

Such disobedience. Schools of fish can gather like an army, but the jaws of the great white will win nonetheless. 

Rising to his feet, the Emperor returns to the glass wall behind his desk. The Commander flinches at the sudden movement. Aul’s blank eyes pore over the globes, counting them again. So many fish, but how many rising up against their King? 

“We are still in possession of the file. No matter what he tries, the Doctor won’t be able to sway the whole city against the throne.” Adds the Commander. When noticing His Majesty’s continued silence, he tries again. “We don’t know where he’s hiding, but intels have mentioned they’ve found his son. He’s hiding in Pearl Harbor.” 

At this, the Emperor’s eyes shift to a globe nearly too far to see. Pearl Harbor. He lets the Commander shift uncomfortably behind him, the awaited answer sitting purposefully on his tongue. Each second of silence makes the air grow denser, until a deranged sound escapes the man’s throat as if unable to breathe. Fear is a powerful claw. 

Finally, Cathan lets out the words in a calm manner, every syllable injected with more venom than the last. “Find his son, and if he escapes my prison, Commander, you will face the torture I have planned for his father.” 

The man bows as quickly as he can before scurrying out, the heavy doors of the office nearly slamming shut behind him. 

A set of pearly white teeth glimmer in the reflection on the glass. Hungry and dangerous, like the jaws of a Great White ready to drain life out of its prey. 

#story writing #storytelling #creative #creative writing #novel #prologue #kingdom #king #dystopia #future #underwater #ocean #shark #my writing

[josephkitchen0]

Some Pretty Things Happened

December 6 Reminded that life can change in an instant, I feel particularly keen to take pictures of what I see and love, and enjoy, and it helps me, now, to look at pictures (before and after)... to remember, to appreciate anew, to let go, but quietly, with a thankful heart. So, I look at Maria in her Witch Thursday hat, the one her friend painted for her for her birthday, and though it is bittersweet, because I love every happy memory of Jet Puff, our family car, and I am sad it's gone, I am glad I have this photograph, this normal, happy moment. And after the hospital, and the tests, and all of the scary and surreal events of the night, I finally did go upstairs to my dear, familiar bed, and Cairo came and did what a sweet pet will... he stayed close beside me, warm, and comforting, and I felt at home, which meant the beginning of healing. All of these pictures are moments in December when I saw something beautiful, wanted to hold on to scenes when I felt something joyful. I was a quiet observer, or was aware of what I could not do, or how much of what was happening was an altered, or interrupted event... I don't know how to explain it, but even the good in these moments makes me recall what was also difficult, or disappointing, painful, or muddled. Still, I am glad that we took as much of our time and intentions as we could, and made the very best of it we could. (I am not convinced that was a good sentence, but...) December 9 The first Monday morning when Maria would go into school, and Max, too. When the day should have been routine, and I might have baked treats for her to share with classmates, or helped her choose a fun holiday outfit. I walked into her quiet room and sat on her bed, and felt the most profound relief and thankfulness... just to be there, to see her sleeping, to wake her, and do all I could to give her a nice start to her day. I really am so lucky, I thought. I really do love to be here, to be a mother, to have this home, and family, and to have a community to support me, us. I wanted to keep her home, to slip into family time and all of the happiness of the holidays, but I was thankful, too, that she would have her school and friends, the classes she loves, and all that she needs in her own abilities, and confidence to get through her day. I think this is one of the prettiest Christmas trees we have ever had. The first week we left it alone, and just adored its plain, piney boughs. Then William and Alex put lights on it... white lights, this year, because I wanted their calm, and soft glow. And that's as far as we got. Just the lights, then an ornament from Kim, then tiny gifts, but we never brought out our ornaments, or an angel or star. And while it wasn't a disappointment, I was aware that we were just a bit overwhelmed, and simple suited us better. December 10 These pictures... this was the first really happy laughing, I had. And so silly. Cairo was after my tiny tree I put on that cupboard, and he was biting it and knocking it over. So! I sprayed it with an essential oil mosquito repellent, because I read "mint" on the bottle and he hates mint. Well, after I sprayed, he was worse! He tore the tree down, and went for the things on the wall, and then! Then he started chewing the carpeting! I was aghast. Alex, asked about the spray and I told him, and he laughed, reminding me that the natural repellent, so effective at discouraging mosquitos, was mostly catmint! Poor Cairo was high as kite! Muddled, muddled me. This was such a beautiful sunrise, and I was happily awake, having had my first night of sleep since the accident. It was a visit from friend and therapist, Mahshid, that relieved some of my pain, emotional and physical. Her wisdom is still serving me well. December 11 December 12 My Mom came all the way from Oregon, the very next day after the thing. And Hans, my brother, drove her from the airport. By the end of her first week, we had a bit of a routine, that I miss. We would take Maria to school, then walk. Walking was not much more than making an errand, the market, or pharmacy, or a shop, and we would stop for soup, or tea, to take pictures. Our outings perked me up, and tired me, in a good way. I felt quiet and slow, and she kept pace with me. At home she was wrestling with laundry, and getting hot meals on the table, matching socks, answering Chango's requests. She bought me a heating pad, one of Mahshid's brilliant prescriptions. Everyone should have a heating pad. Cairo is a heating pad, too. And I appreciated his warm company. Finally, I had to give up on the little tree, but chamomile came back at Trader Joe's and I could have cried from happiness! And Jennifer sent gifts, which she suggested I open early... a brilliant suggestion! December 14 Every year I am full of best intentions and plans for Christmas, for gifts, cards, gestures, thanks, decorating, and playing. I never quite achieve the height of perfection I imagine and hope for... this year was nearly a bust, on my part. Thankfully, I had the sense to let mail order and shipping help me, and I relied heavily on assurances that 'no one expected me to do everything, or anything, this year,' which was kind. But I missed feeling capable of doing better. I was sad not to have a chance to do a better version of my best. I know I sent someone a heating pad, because everyone should have a heating pad. Sometimes I took pictures of... of maybe kind of odd scenes, but they seemed so precious to me, so poignant. It's difficult not to find beauty in odd places when you are lucky to be alive, or simply concussed. December 16 They never complained. It doesn't surprise me. They are happy, easy, content with simple pleasures. But still. They missed a lot. We had plans. And besides the very special things we missed, our regular routines and peace of home were derailed, and disrupted, and I wouldn't have blamed them or thought any less of them if they made a little protest, or whine. But they were all comfort and joy, gratitude, and resilience. I am not boasting or wearing rose-tinted glasses. I sometimes feel I say too little about what a joy our children are, and in this instance I want to really acknowledge how much easier they made things for me, how thankful I am for them. December 17 December 18 December 19 When this box of homemade cookies from Laura and Gary came in the post, it was a moment that felt like Now, it's really Christmas! Their cookies, so prettily decorated, so delicious, too, are a welcome tradition. Last year, we wished we could have been in Wisconsin. We wished for a last Christmas in the house on Park Street, with Grandma Nancy. And this year... this year we simply missed everything and everyone we love in Wisconsin. December 20 When I was showing signs of rallying, when the government was about to shut down... my Mom had to make a choice about getting home. I wish we had taken more pictures. Yeah, see... this seems like a lot of pictures, for some, I suppose. But I was keenly aware that I was not taking as many as I usually do, that I didn't have the mental vigor to organize family pictures, or more... what are those called? Natural? Spontaneous? Darn word... Anyway, suddenly my Mom was flying home, which was good, because she was going to be with Dad, and could hopefully recover. And I just wish I had more pictures. What is that word? Candid. Ugh. Is this concussion, or just being 52 years old? Let's call it concussion. Because I am not in the mood to imagine that I am mentally doddering, yet. I had to analyze many things that were on the calendar or planned for, and consider what I was up for, capable of managing, or consider how we could make them manageable. Like school. My last day of school was the very next morning after the thing, and missing my final was way sadder to me, more unbearable, than I could stand, so with Alex's company and assistance I went to school. I was slow and felt strange and... no matter, I felt empowered, and triumphant and glad to have made it. But then shock wore off and pain crept up and up, and things made me very tired, or simply run out of anything like energy or sense... and we started crossing things off the to-do list. Of all the big and fun happy holiday events, my favorite tradition is probably celebrating Solstice. I always feel as though it's our gift to our friends, our thank you to them, and such fun to gather and observe the fortune of friends, light, merriment. But I wasn't sure it was such a good idea this year, which was too depressing to accept. Finally, William, Alex, Maria and Max, looked me in the eye, assuredly and calmly, and said, Don't worry. We will get everything ready, and it will be an easy and happy party, that you will love, and will not want to miss. And it was. They rallied. They cleaned, cooked, prepped, and hosted. Ruth came early, to bring apple crisp, and yellow roses. I had made the theme about our heritage, everyone's heritages, the recipes and traditions we have from our immigrant or Native ancestors, and it was a potluck. Everyone shared food, recipes, snacks, anything that comes from family, from love. I loved the stories. I loved the whole night. Maria and Amira... last day of school, first night of winter break! Kay and Max~ With Swedish snacks, like Wasa crackers and herring! Avram, Sanjana, Coram, and Cathan, with Indian spicy snacks! Spencer and Ido... Leslie, Simon, and Bex, too. They brought Turkish delight, and Hummus! And robots! December 21 I wish I had taken more pictures. It was a full house, and spread out into the front yard, too. I went to bed late, and happily tired. December 22 Next time I will blog about Christmas Eve and Day, and a birthday... and more memories, more moments that make me smile, thankful, heartened. I know I mixed in mention of that event, the accident, but that's how it's been. It's part of the story, sadly, but I mean to deal with it by speaking of it, and acknowledging that it happened and it caused things. It helps me feel some power over what happened... I've noticed that other hard things that I've kept to myself, or tried to cope with by hiding, suppressing or minimizing don't go away, or get better, but just kind of linger, ache, resurface in unexpected or mixed up ways. So... new approach is to talk, speak, voice, express, write, cry, laugh, deal with it. And then look at all of the good, and celebrate, and triumph! And heating pads. Everyone should have a heating pad. Some Pretty Things Happened was originally posted by All About Chickens