onhirel

[onhirel]

I, Murderbot (Dianakko Week 2025) ch. 3

Akko bemoans the fact that things have not gone great since the Bringer of Joy mission. Amanda is being a jerk and having to go through quarantine sucked. More than anything else, though, she wanted to get closer to the beautiful Diana Cavendish, but isn't certain how to do so. Luckily, Lotte offers some advice.

For Diana, remaining in her quarters the vast majority of the time is actually a lot easier than it would be for a human or an augmented human. She doesn't need to eat and as a Construct she was expected to spend any transit time in a security pod. The small room that she was given here was an upgrade in that regards. Additionally, she had not only media files in her long term storage, but she also actually had a video game program downloaded...

...a video game program that ends up being a clue about her mysterious past!

Day 2: Video Game AU, 6488 words

Found on AO3, @dianakko-week

[onhirel]

I, Murderbot (Dianakko Week 2025) ch. 2

When the survivor of the Bringer of Joy woke up, it came as quite a shock that it was aboard a vessel that she had never seen before. What was worse, her internal diagnostics told her that she had been asleep for a very long time. Her bad luck continued to hold as she discovered that the Operating System of the ship was unnaturally powerful and seemed to find amusement in her suffering. On top of all of that, she was confronted by a member of the ship's crew that was obviously suspicious of her, if not outright hostile towards her.

Oh, and also, her governor module was disabled. If anyone discovered that, they would immediately do everything in their power to destroy her.

Well. Her day was going swimmingly. How could it possibly get any worse?

Dianakko Week 2025 Day 1 Part 2: Oblivious

5752 words

Found on AO3! @dianakko-week

[onhirel]

I, Murderbot (Dianakko Week 2025) ch. 1

Story Summary:

In the Corporation Rim, the various corporate entities will do anything and everything to squeeze every last ounce of value and worth out of everything that they had an influence over. Harsh contracts, indentured servitude, claims and stakes over entire planets and systems and everything else that they could get their greedy hands on. So, too, was it with even things like food and shelter and security. For the last part, there were the Construct beings known as Security Units. So duplicitous were the Corporations that they would not release various contracts for various missions without having their company supplied SecUnits along for the ride... and of course, while the SecUnits were providing said security, they were also spying on their clients, taking in every last spoken word, recording every last action so that their Company could then extort the clients or else run the risk of being blackmailed. Governor Modules meant that the SecUnits had no choice in the matter. They had to comply.

So what happens when what appears to be a Security Unit with no known owner is found on a derelict vessel? What happens when the puppet's strings have been cut? Only time will tell!

Chapter Summary:

The Perihelion-class Space Exploration and Research Vessel Woodward is on what seems to be a routine salvage and recovery operation of a derelict ship in a remote star system when a startling discovery is made: the twelve-year-old wreckage has a power source still active within it that suggests that there might still be a survivor aboard. For Salvage Specialist Akko Kagari, this is a chance for her to be a hero and save a life, something that she would hope anyone would do for her. Even better, the crew of the Woodward wouldn't even charge a rescue fee like a lot of ships from the Corporation Rim would. However, what she finds aboard the derelict vessel would change the trajectory of her life. What mysteries await her aboard this ghostly ship?

Dianakko Week 2025 Day 1 Part 1: Romantic Idiot

6976 words (nice)

Found on AO3!

Glad to be doing @dianakko-week once again! Day 1 Part 2 will be posted later today!

Art credit goes to the amazing and incomparable @homagetoerrata who helped bring the vision of Akko seeing Diana for the first time to life! Her Diana sketch also inspired me to have Diana in a stasis pod in the first place. Please go and check her work out!

[onhirel]

The Werewolf of Luna Nova ch. 3

Being a Werewolf isn't all fun and games. The heightened senses bring with them unique challenges, especially around humans that don't care about hygiene as much as they should. A bigger issue than that was that only changing with the full moon wasn't adequate. The good news was that Diana had a spacious bedroom and two very supportive friends as roommates. She was free to transform whenever she wanted to. The bad news was that when she was in her wolf form she was a lot more impulsive, and when Hannah and Barbara went to bed earlier than expected, Diana was able to make the decision to head out of their room in order to stretch her legs. It was late at night, surely that would be alright, yes?

It was just her luck that the hallways weren't quite as empty as she would have preferred...

Found on AO3, 3029 words.

[onhirel]

Let’s gooo!!!

Thank you everyone for voting! A few prompts stood out as the most popular, and here they are:

Day 1: Oblivious/Romantic Idiots

Day 2: Video Game AU

Day 3: Secret Relationship

Day 4: Soulmates/Fate

Day 5: Meet the Parents

Day 6: Myths & Monsters

Day 7: Free Day

Rules/Info:

This blog will not reblog any NSFW submissions.

You can make any kind of fanwork. Fanart, Fanfiction, AMV, Edits, whatever you like!

To participate, post your work for the day, tag it with #diakkoweek, and mention @dianakko-week!

The week begins on August 24th, but we've got some lovely illustrations to share with you in the weeks leading up to it, drawn by a variety of artists. So please look forward to them!

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to message us or send an ask. Spread the word and let’s all have another great year! See you in August!

Illustration by @vhalesa

[onhirel]

The Werewolf of Luna Nova ch. 2

Flight Class has begun at Luna Nova, bringing with it a grim realization: Atsuko Kagari cannot fly. Something about that fact tugs at Diana's mind and heart, for it reminded her of her own troubled childhood. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to give it too much thought, for everyone was preparing for one of Luna Nova's most fun and competitive traditions. This year was the 1333rd Luna Nova Cup broom relay… who was going to take the winning trophy home?

Silly question. It was obviously going to be Diana and her teammates…

…right?

Found on AO3, 6479 words.

[onhirel]

There's diakko week this year! Do you want to join?

Heck yeah I am!

[onhirel]

So my original sketch really motivated me to FINALLY download Krita. I am also very glad that I have a touchscreen laptop... that really helped the process go along. I also had a TON of fun with the various brushes, textures, and effects. If you like doing art but don't have a digital program for it, I highly recommend you download Krita. It's free!

[onhirel]

Speaking of drawing more, I actually did this one before the ‘silly Akk’ piece. It’s a bit rough and I’m not happy with the skirt, BUT I love how the fur came out.

Werewolf Diana, woo!

[onhirel]

So I’m trying to draw more and I find that I like the graph paper because it really helps me keep track of perspective. The challenge here was to draw a ‘silly Akk’ and I’m feeling pretty happy with the result.

Mechanical pencil on graph paper (drawn at work shhhh)

[onhirel]

Never Gonna Give You Up

If there was one thing that Akko genuinely enjoyed doing, it was pulling a fast one on her friends. Her prank wars with Amanda were things of legends, and she was finally gaining the confidence to actually start getting back at Sucy after being her test subject for who even knew how long. Some of her friends were strictly off limits, like Lotte and Jasminka. Both were too sweet to prank. Constanze was also out because her reaction to being pranked might actually be... oh, who was that one Italian writer? Mochiavelli? Akko was pretty certain it was Mochi-something, though why an Italian was named after mochi eluded her. Anyway, yeah, Constanze might actually obliterate Akko if Akko tried anything. Hannah and Barbara were prime targets, of course, which felt a bit therapeutic after their bullying.

There was, however, one target that Akko had thus far not been able to prank:

Diana.

Oh, Akko wanted to prank Diana so bad! Diana was so amazing at so many things that really pulling a fast one on her would be such an accomplishment as well as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Akko's professed rivalry of Diana, even if Diana never saw Akko as a rival... or so she said.

Akko suspected otherwise.

The question was which prank to do? It really had to be a good one. Diana deserved nothing less than the best, after all. Physical pranks like a harmless hex to turn her skin purple or to make is so that she only spoke in limericks or something didn't feel right. Plus, trying to prank Diana with magic was asking for trouble and there was no guarantee that Akko could actually pull that off, not with how fast Diana was on the wand. Amanda had tried something like that only to get hit with a counterspell so powerful that she spoke backwards for the next day.

Akko didn't relish the thought of experiencing the same thing.

She also wasn't fond of the idea of using her skill at transformation magic to try and do a jump scare or the like. That, too, Diana didn't deserve. If she got pranked, it would have to be a good one and not something that was going to cause Diana distress or harm. With all that in mind, there really was only one option:

The classics.

Akko realized which one she wanted to do when she found out that there were actually video recordings of the broadcast of her and Diana fighting against the Noir Missile. Diana had absolutely no idea about anything internet related, which was both wildly hilarious and also deeply frustrating, but it was also an opportunity here. Diana had NO idea what memes were, and what better meme to use to prank her than the King of Memes?

Akko made the video herself, and actually felt pretty accomplished with it, given how it wasn't an instantaneous transition between the videos. She added a sharp camera pan to the right, complete with a blur effect before the new video started. Not the best she'd ever seen for this particular meme, but pretty darn good considering that she was doing this on her phone.

Luckily, the opportunity to actually spring the prank on Diana happened sooner rather than later. It was actually the weekend after Akko finally managed to start flying on her own. She was still terribly slow and couldn't quite manage to fly every time that she cast Tia Freyre but everyone else still wanted to celebrate her success, so they all went out to Blytonbury together. For the first hour or so they all humored Akko, getting ice cream and checking out the Last Wednesday Society. Akko definitely wanted to get Diana alone because she just totally knew that Amanda would spoil the surprise if given the chance, and Akko really wanted to get Diana with this. So, after lunch, Akko gave Diana a beaming grin. "Hey, hey, Diana! Mind if we go swing by the fountain real fast? I have something I want to show you!"

The way that everyone else looked at her, you'd think that she had grown another head or something! Sheesh, she was just asking Diana for a moment of privacy, was all! Amanda opened her mouth, only to release a muffled cry as Hannah clapped both her hands over her mouth. Barbara, for her part, was all but shoving Diana towards Akko. "Go on, Diana!" she said... with a blush, of all things. Lotte, too, was blushing, while Sucy and Constanze looked somewhat exasperated. Jasminka merely kept eating the remainder of her fries, though her smile seemed warmer than it had just a moment ago.

Akko gave her friends a suspicious look before she and Diana headed off alone together. "That was weird, wasn't it?" she asked, only to notice that Diana, too, was giving her a strange look. "What?"

"Oh, it's... it's nothing," Diana said as she waved one hand dismissively. Was it just Akko's imagination, or were Diana's cheeks pink, too? Why was everyone being so weird? "What did you want to show me?"

Akko mentally shook herself before she grinned again. "Did you know that there are recordings of the two of us fighting the Noir Missile?"

Diana's eyebrows shot up. "No. I didn't. Are there, really?"

"Yeah! And I figured that it would be neat to watch the video with you without anyone else making comments!" That sounded perfectly reasonable to Akko... so why did Diana look almost disappointed? "We, um... we can show them a bit later. It just feels right watching it the first time with you, since it was just the two of us up there when the broadcast was happening." They had entered the town square, and Diana nodded as they sat down at the fountain. Huh. Diana's shoulder was bumping Akko's, which... well, that wasn't entirely like Diana, was it? Usually Akko was the one with, ahh, boundary issues, so to speak.

Why was everyone being so darn weird?

Akko put that out of her head as she pulled out her phone. "Ready?"

Diana nodded as she leaned in closer to see better, and a flutter hit Akko's tummy. Must've been the food she had eaten for lunch mixing up with the ice cream from earlier. Ignoring her tummy rumbles, she pulled up the video and hit play.

She had to admit that it was a little weird to see her and Diana flying high like this. At the time, they had been so busy just trying to survive that there was no time to think about how they looked, but... well, they looked good, even if it was weird to see herself and Diana like this, flying in tandem and fighting for their lives. She had left a good minute of the broadcast intact, and Diana hummed softly as she leaned in closer.

Only to make a small and confused noise as the video transition happened. It was at the moment that Akko realized that her brilliance had a flaw: anyone else would have immediately recognized the opening notes of the meme song and given a groan of exasperation, which would give Akko her victory.

Diana wasn't anyone else. She was Diana. She had no idea what a Rickroll was.

Cue Akko's second mistake: she hadn't kept the meme video down to its meme format of, what, ten or fifteen seconds? No, she had put in the entire video and Diana was giving the phone her full attention as the instrumental intro ended. It felt like it would be really rude to pause the video or lower the phone. So, she panicked and kept the phone up, and the video continued playing.

We're no strangers to love You know the rules and so do I A full commitment's what I'm thinkin' of You wouldn't get this from any other guy

Diana's right eyebrow had raised when the video had first transitioned. As Rick Astley started singing, her left eyebrow shot up to join the first, and her gaze grew all the more focused on Akko's phone. The song continued.

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling Gotta make you understand Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you We've known each other for so long Your heart's been aching, but you're too shy to say it Inside, we both know what's been going on We know the game and we're gonna play it And if you ask me how I'm feeling Don't tell me you're too blind to see

Oh. Okay, um... that was actually kind of romantic, wasn't it? Oops. Akko felt herself blushing as the video continued, and she was amazed that save for Diana's laser focus on her phone and her raised eyebrows, she was as cool as a cucumber.

Or... at least... that's what Akko was seeing.

For Diana? She rather felt like a duck. On the surface, she was calm and composed, the product of countless etiquette classes and stiff resolve. Internally, below the metaphorical surface of the water, she was desperately kicking to try and stay afloat. She had been flustered from the moment that Akko had asked for a moment of privacy. Diana... was fully aware of her feelings for Akko but didn't know how Akko felt back. She hadn't wanted to presume anything and make a move and ruin everything. She wasn't even certain if Akko liked anyone, much less her! Perhaps Akko just wasn't ready for a romantic partner. That was fine. Diana would cherish her friendship. Having Akko in her life was what was important, whether that was as a friend or as something more.

So, yes, when Akko asked for privacy, Diana almost panicked. Had she missed the signs? Then Akko mentioned the subject of the video, and the pendulum swung firmly back to the domain of friendship. Of course Akko would want to share the video with her in a moment of privacy. Reading any further into it would only lead Diana somewhere that Akko wasn't ready to go.

That was fine.

Then the new video started, and Diana wasn't so removed from Mundane life and culture that she didn't recognize it as a music video... one decades old, judging by the clothing styles and the quality of the video itself. At first she was only confused. What did this have to do with the Noir Missile.

Then the lead singer started singing and Diana bloody well nearly had a heart attack. A full commitment? Akko wanted to tell Diana how she was feeling? Line after line hammered home the theme of love and support. The vernacular was perhaps a bit slangy for Diana's tastes, but the message was unmistakable.

Akko was never going to give Diana up. She was never going to let Diana down. She was never going to desert Diana. She was never going to make Diana cry. She was never going to say goodbye. And, oh heavens, Akko was so much more perceptive than Diana expected! Yes, Diana's heart had been aching, and yes, she was too shy to say it! Bloody hell, maybe she was too blind to see Akko's feelings for her!

As the verses repeated themselves, Diana felt like she had heard enough and so turned to Akko, who paused the video and lowered her phone. "Yes," Diana said.

Akko's eyes widened. "Huh?"

Oh, did her darling wish to hear all the words? Very well. "Yes, I will happily date you, Kagari Atsuko."

Diana had never seen Akko's face get that red before. "Eh?! N-n-nani?!"

Diana felt a blush touch her own cheeks. Only it wasn't a good blush. Doubt and embarrassment were swelling up. "That... that was very romantic. I... am impressed at... at how much effort you put into confessing your feelings. So, I accept." Diana nervously wet her lips. "That's... what that was, right? It was a confession?" she asked, the words faltering towards the end. "Or... did I misunderstand?"

Akko stared at her with wide eyes for a long moment, her mouth working soundlessly long enough that Diana started to feel utterly confused and humiliated. What signs had she misread? That was completely romantic! Akko had tied in a video of the moment where she and Diana had been as close as two people could be with a romantic song professing devotion! What was Diana missing? What didn't she understand?! Her eyes were stinging and she started to try and blink away the gathering tears. "I-I'm sorry. I must have made... made a mistake. S-sorry." She began rocking forward to stand up, only to freeze when Akko cupped her cheek with a warm hand. Akko turned Diana's head towards her before leaning in to kiss her with slightly chapped lips.

Again, Diana froze, only now it was because her heart was soaring just as high as she and Akko had. After a moment, she sighed and relaxed as she returned the kiss. This was right. This is what she needed. The kiss lingered and tingles ran through her body, warm and pleasant and perfect. Then, finally, Akko pulled back. "So... girlfriends?"

Diana blinked a few more times. "Yes. Was that not the intention of that?"

Akko giggled. "Well... let's just call it a perfect and happy accident. I promise I'll explain it all later. But right now? Right now, I think I want to kiss you again."

When she leaned in, Diana pulled back with a small shake of her head. "Before that happens... Akko? I promise you that I am never going to give you up."

Akko stared... laughed aloud... shook her head... leaned back in. "I'll tell you why that's so darn funny later," she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth, and Diana was a moment from inquiring further when their lips met again, and...

...well, that was enough, wasn't it?

Also found on AO3!

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 9

All stories must come to an end, but a story's end does not necessarily mean an end to happiness and joy. Years have already passed by, but many years still lay ahead. For our two champions, there were some downs but many more ups in the course of their lives together. They had crossed blades, yes, but they had also joined hearts, and that? That was the most special thing of all.

Found on AO3, 947 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 8

The Women's Individual Foil Event continues, with Akko starting the Round of 32 against Hannah, who she's feeling confident about facing. If and when she wins, she'll be starting the Quarterfinals versus either the impressively strong Jessica Guo from Canada or the incredibly skilled left-handed Lauren Scruggs from the USA. That match is honestly the one that Akko is the most worried about, given what she's seen of her potential opponents' abilities. Will she be able to win and continue on to the Semifinals and then Finals? How will the rest of Akko's fencing experience in the Paris Olympics go? One thing was for certain, though: Akko's experiences thus far had been nothing like she could have ever dreamed of. It was exciting to think about what was coming next!

Found on AO3, 5958 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 7

With Diana's help, Akko was able to get back on the road of fencing competitively. Through a great deal of hard work, she managed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. What adventure awaits her and all her friends in the City of Love?

Found on AO3, 8122 words

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 6

Sometimes, life isn't fair. Sometimes, life will drag you into the depths of despair. That doesn't mean that all hope is lost. Sometimes, the guardian angel makes it through the lines of battle. Sometimes the most important people in your life keep their promises. Sometimes the people who you love will save you from yourself. Even when it seems like there is no hope or goodness in the world, tomorrow always presents an opportunity. Sometimes, all that's needed is to believe in a believing heart.

Found on AO3, 7591 words

Only one more chapter to go!

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 5

For the rest of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, Akko and Diana get closer still and in several different ways, which... well, which isn't all that surprising, given the circumstances. After she returns home, Akko turns her gaze towards the rest of high school and Keio University (and the dreaded entrance exams) beyond. Unfortunately, something is coming. Something that will change the entire world...

Found on AO3, 6388 words.

[onhirel]

Crossed Blades, Joined Hearts ch. 4

Through very hard work, Akko has made it to the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, she will finally have the opportunity to show Diana how much work she has put into being her rival. There at the Olympics, their blades might finally clash together. What is to come from this fateful meeting of theirs?

Found on AO3, 9548 words

This chapter features art by @maximasmac ! I've had it saved to my computer for ages and I love it to bits!