chestnut0407

[chestnut0407]

okay here's a cafe au that we're just gonna noodle here ("we" lol - me, it's just me and my silly shenanigans) where basically Ava's going in for coffee and normally, idk, normally Mary is the one to get coffee when they're working together but Ava was being too annoying so Mary sent her out to get coffee and pastries.

when she steps into the cafe Mary had recommended, she immediately is grateful because at the register is one of the most beautiful women Ava's ever seen. sure, she has a strict looking bun and an unreadable expression, but Ava can work with that - especially when she notices how the woman's gaze flickers downward briefly. (Ava sends a thank you to Mary also for doing laundry yesterday)

as Ava steps up to the counter, she notices a nametag on the woman's chest - it's one of those "hi my name is" stickers and it's slightly askew, as if it had been haphazardly slapped on - which seems at odds with the rest of the woman's look (Ava notes that her shirt is actually tucked into her pants) but Ava's not one to judge. "hello, JC," Ava greets, giving the woman her best smile.

the woman frowns. "i'm not -" blinks, stutters, "um, yes, hello, welcome to Cat's Cradle," settles back into her unreadable expression by the end of the sentence. then, she gives Ava a soft smile. "what can i get started for you?"

Ava rattles off the order, throws in a couple extra pastries because why not, gives her name and her payment and stays close to the counter to watch JC make her drinks. she notices a couple other folks working too because wow, how the heck did this cafe employ the prettiest people: a taller guy with a rakish smile wearing a shirt that seems a size too small (let's be real: Ava's not complaining) and a nametag that says Camila; a shorter woman (omg, she's around Ava's height!) with a gleam in her eye and the bounciest curls and a nametag that says Beatrice. their voices are too low for Ava to make out what they're saying but whatever they're talking about prompts JC to shake her head, a bit of a blush on her cheeks, a smile lifting just at the edges of her mouth as she walks over to hand Ava her order.

"thank you," Ava says, hopes it doesn't sound as breathless as she's feeling but whatever, who can blame her when this murmurs so softly and genuinely to come again soon. 'oh i will,' Ava thinks, barely clothing her mouth from spewing the words (she does spew the whole story to Mary who rolls her eyes and chucks a piece of her pastry at Ava's head)

*

apparently, JC isn't the woman's name.

Ava figures it out the third time she visits (okay it's the same week, sue her - actually please don't, she doesn't get paid enough to afford a lawyer) because the real JC and Camila have been wearing those fancy carved nametag pins but Ms. Badass Barista (she's seen those guns, holy shit) is still using the "hi my name is" sticker.

today, the nametag sticker has Evelyn written in a fine cursive that distracts Ava enough that she fumbles her order. she at least manages a "thanks, Evelyn" as she steps back from the register and she gives herself a high five for not being a complete disaster.

watches 'Evelyn' pause, her hand frozen on the register for a moment before she blinks, a smile blooming small and shy. it makes Ava's breath catch and she's high off the feeling for the rest of the day. 

*

the name written on the nametag changes everyday. sometimes it's more masculine, sometimes it's more androgynous, sometimes written in heavy all-caps, sometimes with doodles of flowers and sparkles decorating the edges. Ava never knows what the expect, and though she doesn't know why the woman's name changes everyday, Ava loves a good game; can understand wanting to try something new - for the heck of it, for the life of it.

so she makes it a point to say the woman's given name at least once or twice whenever she visits, watches her reaction closely. some days she gets a smile, some days a laugh, some days no reaction at all. ('Archibald' had gotten a grimace from the woman, snorting cackles from JC and Camila).

then, one day, Ava steps up to the register and the woman doesn't have a nametag, the shirt bare save for the cafe's logo. Ava tilts her head curiously, notes also the way the woman has clasped her hands in front of her, something small turning between her fingers.

"so," Ava says slowly, spotting JC and Camila not-so-subtly eavesdropping from the back, "what should i call you today?"

the woman clears her throat. "well," she begins, bites momentarily at her bottom lip; it distracts Ava enough that she has to ask her to repeat the question: which one had fit her best?

Ava thinks back to the different names and the different reactions the woman had had to each of them. the way they sounded in her own mouth, rolling off her own tongue. and Ava may be all sorts of desperate for this woman but she also cannot lie. "none of them?" Ava winces, but the woman doesn't seem disappointed at Ava's answer - in fact, she almost looks relieved.

"i ... have a complicated relationship with my real name," the woman says softly, eyeing the item in her hand. "it was chosen appearances, for a legacy i have no intention to uphold. but it's the name i was born with. i thought maybe i just needed a new name. but now i'm not so sure."

Ava smiles as gently as she can. "a name can be something that grows with you. something you can make into your own."

the woman smiles, nods. breathes in deep, then takes the item in her hand - a nametag, Ava realizes - and affixes it onto her chest. stands up straight and waits.

Ava lets her eyes curl around the letters in time with her tongue, tracing the name before setting it free: "Beatrice." the difference is clear, between all the other names and this one. the way Beatrice simultaneously softens and straightens, acceptance - of what is, what will be; of who she is. and Ava thinks -

"it's beautiful." doesn't stop there: "just like you."

a blush rises high on Beatrice's cheeks and on Ava's own but she won't take it back, not now, not when it's true.

"ask her out for dinner!" comes a hissed command from the back and Beatrice sends a glare over her shoulder and Ava giggles, which turn louder when Beatrice finally starts to laugh as well.

'it fits,' Ava thinks as Beatrice makes her order - after hammering out details for their date - watching her move, watching her be herself. 'it's you.'

[chestnut0407]

So Much (for) Stardust

Chapters: 1/15 Fandom: Warrior Nun (TV) Rating: Explicit Relationships: Sister Beatrice/Ava Silva, Shotgun Mary & Ava Silva, Sister Beatrice & Shotgun Mary (Warrior Nun) Summary:

Aboard the starship Areala lie five thousand people in stasis on their one-hundred-and-twenty-year journey to the new colony world of Arq II. Two of them, however, are awake ninety years too early, not knowing how they awoke or how to get back to sleep.

Ava Silva – mechanical engineer, eager to leave behind a world that refused her, searching for a way to be useful in this new society they’re hurtling towards, hoping for a better outcome this time.

And Beatrice Adams – journalist and writer, visionary of the new world, following a purpose for which she was raised to fulfill.

A Passengers AU, in which Ava and Beatrice discover if they are victims of circumstance, or victors of fate.

Read chapter 1 on AO3 here

Accompanying Spotify playlist

[chestnut0407]

It is with not inconsiderable pride and satisfaction that I bring you the companion art to Concept of a Hero, the superhero smau by my amazing partner Roman, for the Avatrice Big Bang event.

It took some blood, sweat and tears, but I'm very proud of completing this piece that challenged me to push my boundaries (most important of which: actually finishing a piece)

I'm so glad I made it, I love everyone from this event and a HUGE thank you to Erin, for putting the whole thing together.

[chestnut0407]

I collaborated with yet another amazing writer for the Avatrice Big Bang ❤️ I loved drawing guardian angel Bea 😇 i think it really fits her character!!

The fic is already fully posted here eheh

[chestnut0407]

She soaks in it, the feeling of deep thrill and comfort in equal measure, the way it materializes as something as wonderfully simple as Ava’s arms around her waist. The manifestation of being held. Being held dear.

holy ('til you let me go) ch 4 by @omomoification

[chestnut0407]

"Literally to just exist, Bea. I just want to try and enjoy life for a second - "

✨

I am happy to finally be able to show you something I have been working on for months along side an amazing fanfic writer for the Avatrice Big Bang project.

It was a pleasure working with you introvertedintellect350 on AO3. You can find her companion fanfic (here). You can also find her as @book-and-music-lover on Tumblr.

I had so much fun with this project so thank you to all admins for the support and organizing of this event.

I hope you enjoy it and give ii350 lots of kudos!!

[chestnut0407]

bat ava and cat lily comm for @lucy-westenra-apologist fic 💖💖

link to the fic!!

[chestnut0407]

Hi i don't have Twitter

All the fic Fab art and smau are gone be on that hell of app or there are gone be upload on a drive files?

Thank you for this beutifull project

Hi there, it's up to the artists as to where they post their work, so some are definitely probably going to be on there. Anything that is posted to tumblr will be reblogged to this page, though!!!

Fics should also have links to wherever their art is posted, though, so if you're missing some art, then you can find it that way!

I believe the SMAU is going to be posted on twitter though.

[chestnut0407]

just got this amazing commission from @daftpatience !!!

(ID: a digital drawing of Ava walking with Beatrice. Ava is using a cane and talking excitedly. Beatrice is smiling at Ava. /end ID)

[chestnut0407]

@princington's amazing art brought me back to this fic so have a little extra for them.

There are many, many terrible things about dating Beatrice.

For example: she manages to wake up at six AM every single morning to go jogging and comes home looking sweaty and sexy while Ava is still dealing with bedhead. She's also organised to the point of insanity and remembers every important date, even the ones Ava didn't realise she knew (like the date she opened the coffee shop. They hadn't even met for fuck's sake), and manages to swoop in with a thoughtful gift or kind word to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, Ava is still scribbling DON'T FORGET DENTIST - TUESDAY?? on the back of her hand like a high schooler.

And if all of that wasn't horrible enough, even after almost a year of dating, Beatrice can still roll up the cuffs of her sleeves or adjust her glasses or recite some complicated piece of research, and Ava winds up hopelessly turned on in public on the regular.

It sucks, actually. Ava's life is awful.

None of that is the worst part of it though. The worst part of dating Beatrice, who is sexy and thoughtful and intelligent, is that she's fucking impossible to buy gifts for.

Beatrice doesn't actually want anything is half the problem. She reads a lot of books but she mostly checks them out from the university library. She drinks a lot of tea, but Ava runs a coffee shop. If her girlfriend wants tea, she has a store room full of it. Other than that, she mostly likes crosswords, the gym, her friends, and… well. Ava.

It's making planning for the first birthday Beatrice has had since they've been together exceptionally stressful. Particularly since Ava knows for a fact that Beatrice's parents believed in a "socks and school supplies" style of gift giving which, as far as she's concerned, barely even count.

"What are you getting Bea for her birthday?" she whispers conspiriatorially to Camila one Saturday afternoon in Mary and Shannon's back yard. Beatrice herself is bouncing the baby on her knee and debating some obscure scientific hypothesis - something about mold. Ava is surprised to find she actually has an opinion on the topic. Probably all those mold documentaries.

Camila snorts, "Have you just figured out she's impossible to buy for?"

"Yes," Ava stresses, "C'mon, what are you getting her? And if it's really good I'm stealing your idea."

"Oh no." Camila shakes her head, "It took me all year to think of something. You're on your own."

"Cam." Ava tries her best pleading, puppy dog eyes. They don't work nearly as well on Camila as they do on Beatrice.

"Ava." Camila pats her hand comiseratingly, "Just get her what every self-respecting lesbian wants for their birthday."

Ava frowns, "Power tools?"

Camila smirks, "Strap-on and lingerie."

So that conversation was entirely useless - mostly because Ava already owns more than enough of both those things and they sort of seem like a gift for both of them more than just Beatrice. And more than anything else, Ava wants her girlfriend to feel special. Like she's worth something great that's for her and only her.

Shannon is her next port of call. Ava corners her in the kitchen where she's refilling drinks and, probably pre-warned by Camila, looks entirely unsurprised to be accosted.

"We normally order some of the gross British candy she likes," Shannon informs her. "And before you even try it - she knows that's what we get her every year, so don't try and steal the idea."

Ava groans despondently, "I'm hitting a wall here. What the fuck do you buy for someone who doesn't actually want anything?"

Beatrice does always say that her best friend is unreasonably logical and practical in her advice. For the first time, Ava understands her plight when Shannon shrugs and says, "Have you tried asking her?"

With nothing else to do, Ava tries. Admittedly, she probably picks a bad time to do it: she's shirtless and sitting cross-legged on their bed while Beatrice massages lotion into the new tattoo on her shoulder. Bea's fingers are gentle and thorough and very, extremely distracting.

"Hey," Ava says a little breathlessly, her eyes closed, "What do you want for your birthday?"

Beatrice, because she is Beatrice, says, "You don't have to get me anything."

Typical. This is why dating her is so difficult. "Obviously I do," Ava points out. "For my birthday you took me to a theme park even though it's your idea of actual, literal hell." Bea had even bought and worn a t-shirt that said "I RODE THE BIG ONE". Camila has the photograph framed in her office.

"Not actual, literal hell," Beatrice argues, "I enjoyed that you had fun."

"There's really nothing you want?" Ava asks.

Disappointingly, Beatrice's fingers stop their movement and she puts a cap on the lotion, moving off the bed behind Ava. "Is this what you were whispering with Camila and Shannon about earlier?"

"Maybe. They weren't helpful."

Beatrice's smile is affectionate, "They never are." She leans in to kiss her, her hand landing on Ava's bare shoulder and skirting over her neck, "I'd like to spend my birthday with you. That's all."

Ava wraps her arms aroud her shoulders and sighs, "Dating you is the worst."

"Mm, awful," Beatrice agrees, kissing the corner of her mouth and then her jaw. "Shall we break up?"

"Yep." Ava turns her head to press their lips together again and uses her distraction to lie back, pulling Beatrice down on top of her. "We're over."

(On her birthday, they drink tea in bed and do a crossword puzzle with Ava's head on Beatrice's shoulder. Later, they wander through a museum eating wine gums and holding hands. At Shannon and Mary's place, Beatrice unwraps the cordless drill that Ava bought for her.

"Thank you," she says, "It's just what I wanted.")

(Ava saves the strap-on and lingerie for later.)

[chestnut0407]

Then I saw your face, your forgiving eyes Looking back at me from the other side Like you understood me And I'm never letting you go

Twitter commission for @/beavatrice

[chestnut0407]

We danced on tabletops, and we took too many shots

Twitter commission for @/SwitzerlanBaby

[chestnut0407]

finished piece!!

[chestnut0407]

Fic Title: Rain

Characters: Sister Beatrice, Ava Silva

Relationships: Sister Beatrice/Ava Silva

Tags: Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Character Study, Inspired by Fanart, Internalized Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Pining, First Kiss, Canon Compliant, Switzerland era, Blood mention, Mention of a canon character death

Summary:

After years of slowly breaking down, Beatrice starts to believe that this is just the way she's supposed to be. It isn't until she meets Ava that she realizes that healing–and maybe even love–are possibilities for her.

But how does someone so broken love someone so whole?

Notes:

This fic was inspired by one of my favorite pieces of Avatrice fanart by @blueeriver and the song they said inspired their art, "Neptune" by Sleeping At Last.

Read on AO3

[chestnut0407]

Hello Alms!! For the asking game: 3. Are there any fics that inspired you to write what you do?

Hi there! Absolutely, lots of fics have inspired me. My first fic, Friends with my Ex, (and the decision to write generally) was heavily influenced by Sei's SMAU "Theory of Parallel and Intersecting Lines," sometimes referred to as TOPAIL. My second fic was indirectly inspired by frenchsoda's "The to do list," which really cracked open for me the idea of here's how to make Beatrice more proactive in the friends to lovers dynamic (and probably subconsciously influenced the structure of that fic). My vampire fics were influenced in the negative by puppybusby's "in my veins" in that I wanted to avoid doing a more serious vampire piece like that (and some minor character choices, like for Crimson and Mary, were more directly influenced by it).

In a broader sense, I've read over 1000 Warrior Nun fics (including SMAUs), so I've been influenced by a LOT. Some highlights off the top of my head are simplykorra and puppybusby, whose characterizations across their fics are probably the foundation of how I hear these characters in my head. Thistle's Beyond our Space and Starlight is something I think about a lot, and especially whenever I write action. If I write a metaphor or a line that sounds particularly beautiful, I probably read something by Casper (daisychiansandbowties on AO3) shortly before writing it, or had something by Casper in my mind. sunsafe's Do a Flip and its Land Upright series are a major influence on a WIP I haven't released yet. If I'm taking a big swing without regard for whether it will be populat because I know it's right for the story, MsWitsEnd's Crowne Affair is probably in the back of my mind.

Too many to list in full, to be honest. This fandom blows me away.

[chestnut0407]

fic drop: cleared for landing

Fandom: Warrior Nun

Title: cleared for landing

Pairing: Ava/Beatrice

Rating: T

Word count: 6.9k (chapter 1/3)

AO3 Link Here

Beatrice likes her life. Her work is fulfilling, her team is supportive, her friends love her (and potentially, despite all appearances, so do her parents). She wants for nothing. She wants nothing. Then a chance meeting with a friendly flight attendant throws all of that certainty up in the air.

[chestnut0407]

what are these "best fics youve ever read that barely have any hits" you mentioned? can you give us a top 5 or sonething?

Oh God, you've really shamed me here because I read a LOT of random fics from fandoms I'm not even part of and the stories I was referring to largely come from there.

However, in the interest of practising what I preach, I sat down today and read a bunch of Warrior Nun fics I'd never read before so I could rec you some. To be totally clear, these aren't necessarily going to have "hardly any hits" but are fics that I think could use more love in general.

In no particular order:

I was seeing black and white (and now I'm living in color) by gayestcatra - 1281 words, a beautifully soft fic set in Switzerland with gorgeous description. By the same author I also enjoyed (your life was) my life's best part, an angsty Mary/Shannon exploring Mary's (heartbreaking) grief after Shannon's death.

Cat’s Cradle security checkpoint logs by @jtl07 - 518 words, have I raved enough on tumblr yet about how much I love their writing? No? Oh okay I'll do it again then. JT is one of my favourite writers in the fandom and I love this series of fics they did giving creative looks into the characters - this particular one is the contents of their bags but the whole series is worth checking out (and everything else they write too, obviously).

Lauds by @sisterdivinium - 3152 words, Mother Superion/Jillian Salvius. WE LOVE A RAREPAIR. Gorgeously written fic where you feel the weight of every single action. The author has a TON of fics if you liked this one too.

you're my best friend (in a world we must defend) by @daisychainsandbowties - 3980 words, avatrice and Pokemon. Beatrice's characterisation in this drives me insane. I MUST know more. If you know nothing about pokemon here's your primer: they're funny little guys you catch and make fight, exactly like the Catholic church did to Ava. There, now you've got no excuse not to read it.

Dead People Don't Shiver by waterintheshadows - 2068 words, avatrice soulmate AU set in a morgue FUCK YEAH. This is the kind of shit I live for. Great concept, great execution.

Where The River Bends by @itchyouchyz - 100,750 words, avatrice 1960s midwife AU. Full disclosure - it's 100k - I haven't finished it yet. But I LOVE what I've read so far, tender and lovely. Check the tags for trigger warnings on this one!

keep me in your mirror (but don't take your eyes off the road) by minutetuna - 26,343 words, avatrice season 2 road trip au. It made me feel this precise emotion: hnnnnnnghhhhh. There is a particular style of writing which is just bouncy and pacy and still draws you into every single emotion and this author has it in spades. LOVE.

This was so much fun! If anyone else wants to hit me up with some recs I'd love to hear them - even if (especially if) they're your fics. It's a long weekend, might as well spend it reading fanfiction.