#Val the apprentice

[lokidanger]

Loki will be taking everyone's period cramps, doubling it and passing it to the next person... for free!!!

It will all be to the same person.

[somemaycallthisjunk]

[consul-valerius]

A little updated headshot for Don Don, I’ve only been in the mood to draw silly portraits like this and then fuck around with the layers lmfao been rotating them so much in my mind but haven’t found the brains to put thoughts into words, but S O O N. Anyway, have mood ring hair alts to go with because I must emphasize they have the RANGE

^ including the “high out of their mind”/sub space hair because it’s been a minute lmfao

[heythereimashley]

🎉🎉🎉 SUNDAY RANDOMS 🎉🎉🎉

[jkparkin]

The Slasher's Apprentice #3 (Mad Cave Studios, July 2025) cover by Val Halvorson

[smashpages]

Out this week: The Slasher’s Apprentice #1 (Mad Cave Studios, $4.99): 

Justin Richards and Val Halvorson tell the story of a horror podcaster’s attempts to gain an internship with her favorite legendary serial killer.

See what else is coming to your local comic shop this week!

[imjustheretomooch]

The Fall of Magic series continues to not leave my mind. I've just heard tell from Val Neil's email subscription that the next book is called Dark Whispers, and I'm shaking with excitement.

I really like how Medea and Nikolai have actually started communicating and building an odd little... friendship? Comradery? Relationship of some sort? I'm interested to see where it goes in Dark Whispers.

One aspect I can’t figure out is if they will ever become a couple or romantically involved, because I genuinely can’t intuit it. They will definitely will become close confidants/friends/something special to one another but there’s just so. much. to work through if they were to ever get together romantically.

Sex is so important/necessary to Nikolai and Medea has a horrible relationship with it. Medea and Nikolai both view love with disdain and as an illness. Medea would never again share the secret of immortality, and even if she did, Nikolai can’t achieve her form of it thus making them somewhat doomed. Nikolai is a serial non-monogamist and has expressed disdain for being tied down and also physically isn’t capable of a genuine, deep form of love (unless he is? We’re not sure just how deeply he felt for his mother) whereas Medea would likely off herself before allowing herself to fall in love and make stupid decisions again. It just doesn’t seem possible for where they are right now nor does it seem like something either would ever want.��

Then again, Medea’s character development arc will have to include coming to terms with whatever happened with Thomas and her love for him, and seeing her in a relationship could be seen as a narratively appropriate conclusion, and there’s no one else aside from Nikolai in the story that she can stand to hold conversation with. Also, were Nikolai to ever consider entering a relationship with someone, it would sort of have to be Medea, because he respects her like no one else, and he even acknowledges that she’s slowly making it onto the list of people he genuinely cares for. 

Either way I love them, so I don’t care and I’m so excited for their dynamic no matter if it takes the form of platonic or romantic attraction (or maybe they develop into enemies?? That’d also be delicious and I’d cry). I wonder if I’m just being heteronormative because they’re a male and female lead in a book together, but then again some of their conversations seemed borderline intimate, so I don’t know anymore. I forced two of my friends to read the books so we could discuss and no one knows.

[graphicpolicy]

The Slasher's Apprentice #1 kicks off an intriguing concept #comics #comicbooks

[aseqan]

working seven hours at a second hand/vintage store KILLS ME but i also love it so much. i'm going INSANE.

[lokidanger]

He almost got convinced

[princeescaluswords]

Credit Where Credit is Due

One of the most depressing things I've encountered in the fandom after Andor is finished is people complaining about "Luthen was privileged over Cassian" or "Val didn't do as much as Kleya" or "No one gives Mon Mothma credit." Even worse, I've seen takes complaining about how Luke, Han, and Chewbacca get medals at the end of A New Hope.

Wow, are they missing the point.

First, celebrations at the end of A New Hope are not just about the people getting the medals. Anointing heroes in a ceremony gives the participants -- all the participants, from the person who cleans the X-wings after missions to the workers in the Rebel cafeteria -- a feeling of belonging. The rebellion can't afford to give medals to the gardeners who keep Yavin's jungle plant life from breaking the communication system, but their work is necessary, too.

Second, this type of 'who is the real hero' nitpicking does show up in Andor: IN THE ISB. From the moment, the show began with Syril overstepping his bounds in Season 1, the Empire is constantly hampered by characters demanding the credit and, as a consequence, botching the very tasks that would keep the Empire viable. Heert, Dedra, Partagaz, and even Krennic all spent time that could have been used stopping the rebels making sure they were recognized.

It's almost as if the Star Wars universe argues that soulless fascist organizations oppress its own members so badly that they feel entitled to do anything to satisfy their own desires rather than be willing to sublimate their own needs to the greater good.

Did Luthen Rael treat others as pawns from his luxury haulcraft and Coruscant antiquities shop? Yes. But his spy network allowed the Rebellion to begin. Was Mon Mothma sheltered by her status as a senator? Yes. But she gave the Rebellion political legitimacy. Did Cassian keep one eye looking for a back door out? Yes. But he gave his full measure when it was needed. Was Luke a farm boy-space wizard apprentice with no idea what these people (and Kleya, and Val, and Cinta, and Bix, and Lonni, and so many others) had given up? Yes. But he still took all the work they had done and blew up the damn Death Star.

The medal wasn't just for him.

[valverii]

in which i try to chronologically order the events in this godforsaken au (see bottom of post for further details)

STATUS : last updated 04 | 02 | 2024

AU INTRODUCTION (one)

CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS (one--two--three--four—five)

DESIGN ANALYSIS (one--two)

origins (zero|features a flashback--one--two)

chuuya's part time job interlude (one--two--three|featured in 2nd half--four)

chuuya's entrance examination (one)

reaction to chuuya's ada status (one)

clearing chuuya’s name (one)

the sheep (one)

chuuango alliance (one)

atsushi joins the agency (one—two—three)

kouyou and chuuya | dazai and akutagwa interactions (one)

chuuya mentors atsushi (one--two--three--four)

dazai mentors akutagawa (one)

chuuran shenanagins (one--two--three)

atsushi meets akutagawa (one--two)

atsushi meets dazai (one)

corruption (one)

pm and ada alliance (one)

guild arc (zero—one—two—three—four)

chuuya gets a puppy (one)

dazai Also gets a puppy (one)

the ada chaos ensues (one—two—three)

fathers day special (one)

oda and the flags react (one)

chuuya deals with atsushi’s love life—unwillingly (one)

atsushi deals with chuuya’s love life—unwillingly (one)

the best dressed apprentice (one—two—three)

great bungo sleepover (one)

i tried to include and organize all the au posts as best as i could but there were some that didn't exactly fit but i was able to include the most plot relevant posts above (i’m gonna try to keep this list updated!!)

you can find some other scattered posts below!

500 follower post (one--two) | 1000 follower post (one--two) |

switch au meets canon!(one—two) | ability debate (one--two--three) |

air kiss! (one) | hug-bots-1000 (one—two) |

dazai's birthday (one) | chuuya's no good very bad day (one) | old friends (one)

AND FINALLY!! there have been so many talented people making fanworks for this au and i IMPLORE you all to go check them out and give them all the support, you can find me gushing over their works in the "#soukoku switch au" tag and "#val rb" tag!!

[rookamell]

OC Meme: Cora "Rook" Amell

Thank you so much for the tag @pixiedurango, @flowersforthemachines and @rookinthecrownest !!! I love yapping about herrr.

Edit since I'm stupid and forgot to put in a picture of her beautiful face:

(^regular Cora expression™️)

GENERAL

Name: Cora Amell

Alias(es): Rook, Cor

Gender: Female

Age: 29

Place of birth: Redcliffe, Ferelden

Spoken languages: Trade, Orlesian, and a smattering of Tevene

Sexual orientation: She's never thought about it once in her life.

Occupation: Pre-Veilguard: The Maker's Favourite Chew-Toy, Bard/Spy, Inquisition Mage, Shadow Dragon agent. Veilguard: Reluctant Team Leader, Even More Reluctant And Underqualified Team Therapist, Professional Nuisance, Most Repressed Woman In Thedas. Post-Veilguard: Spy/Intelligence Network Coordinator, First Talon's Personal Alibi And Confidante, Career Window Seat Lounger, Wicked Grace World Champion, Dinner Table Arguer and Public Gathering Hater

FAVOURITE

Colour: Pink, Blue, Purple, Yellow

Entertainment: Theatre (she was a very big lover of Orlesian Theatre when she lived in Val Royeaux), Music (Street or Professional), Watching people play The Game (Even though she hates playing it herself). After Veilguard Lucanis takes her to the Opera in Treviso and she loves that just as much.

Pastime: She loves reading books. She loves dancing but she won't do it in front of anyone unless she's drunk because she's godawful at it poor girl. She also loves singing and, to an extent, sparring. It helps her relax and focus and get some energy out.

Food: Stew! She loves Orlesian Stew! But she also loves anything she doesn't have to make herself and has a special place in her heart for honey.

Drink: Coffee! As hot as she can get it with just a little bit of cream for flavour. Dorian introduced her to coffee when she got to Minrathous and she never looked back.

Books: She loves adventure, court intrigue and chevalier tales (<- I assume thedas has an equivalent to Arthurian romances centred on the chevaliers?) She also loves folk tales and old history. "Just not Genetivi, he can make anything boring".

HAVE THEY

Passed university: No! Lol this is so funny the mage rebellion happened before she could even attempt her Harrowing and then with the rebellion and a giant hole in the sky spitting demons right after no one... really cared? Technically she's still an apprentice. She and Dorian both think it's hilarious, but Emmrich has a conniption about it when he hears.

Had sex: Nope! While everyone else was having sex she was studying the blade aka being conscripted into the Inquisition and refusing to think about her life or form any meaningful connections outside of the guy paying her to spy for him(he's paying her so it's not real so he can't hurt her <- incredibly healthy reasoning)

Had sex in public: Nope. Never have and never will.

Gotten tattoos: Nope.

Gotten piercings: Nope.

Gotten scarred: Yuh. Pride demon at Adamant hit her with a nasty bolt of lightning, scars everywhere, she hates them. The first time she met Teia she got a knife to the face and a scar on her cheek

Had a broken heart: Romantically? No. In general tho her heart's been broken since her mom called the templars on her when she was 7 and her dad didn't stop them from taking her :(

Been in love: Before Lucanis? No. She's had crushes but they were never pursued/reciprocated so she was never really invested in them. They were sort of like celebrity crushes or people who were unavailable. (Of the top of my head: Cullen, Rhys, and maybe a small crush on Teia but she's not going to examine that in any way shape or form)

ARE THEY

A cuddler: When she gets comfortable with someone? Absolutely. It's her main form of comfort for Davrin and Lucanis. It makes Taash uncomfortable but they allow it because it's Rook. She routinely falls asleep on Lucanis and Bellara cause she lays over/on them all the time.

Scared easily: No. She's been expecting to die since she was eight and "after the third or fourth near-death experience it starts to lose its lustre a little bit". I will say though she's terrified of the dark and of small spaces because of those isolation rooms in the Circle towers and also being kept in the Pit for a bit in the White Spire.

Jealous easily: Idk if she knows she's allowed to get jealous. I also don't know that Lucanis ever gives her a reason to. The only time I could think that she would is Taash's comment about the strawberry girl? And she won't say anything cause like I said idk if she knows she can. It's a conversation they need to have. What I will say tho is that she really gets jealous of Kieran (who is her cousin) whenever she sees him with Morrigan/Aidan (my Warden), because she knows she'll never have that with her family again.

Trustworthy: uuuuuuuhhhhhmmmm. She tries really hard to be? Lucanis trusted her to help in Treviso :). But then Neve trusted her to help in Minrathous :(. And she was also trained as a spy by Leliana. Mostly though she just tries to do what she thinks is the right thing, so you can trust her to do that. Trustworthy is such an interesting concept when you think about it.

FAMILY

Sibling(s): She has one younger brother called Cailan. He studies/researches Ferelden and Orlesian history at the University of Orlais. His wife ig is also technically a sibling. Her name is Marchellete and she studies/researches Ferelden and Orlesian history at the University of Orlais.

Parents: Her dad (Victor Amell) was Captain of Arl Eamon's (and later Arl Teagan's) guards at Redcliffe and my Warden, Aidan's, older brother. He's dead, unfortunately. Her mother (Amelie) is a noble Orlesian lady (I haven't centred on a family yet but I'm leaning toward a branch of de Lydes) who gave up her title to marry her dad. She is in Orlais during Veilguard and she and her daughter have very many unresolved issues all starting with the fact that Cora turned out to be a mage.

Children: I'm very certain that any children she and Lucanis end up having will be an accident because she is so subconsciously terrified of one of her children being born a mage. I am leaning heavily toward the hc that it accidentally happens about eight years after Veilguard tho and they have twin boys that Illario, Teia and Davrin all go absolutely insane over. One of them does turn out to be a mage.

Pets: She's wanted a mabari since her uncle Aidan brought one home after the Blight but she's never been able to have one :(. Honestly she knows she and Lucanis are too busy for any pets really. But she learns to love Lucanis' little snake ig. (Davrin does carve her a little wooden mabari tho and she loves it and calls it Alistair and it goes with her absolutely everywhere)

Tagging: @corvus-frugilegus @serensama @saessenach @mythals-whore @thesecollidinghearts if you would like to or haven't done this yet, otherwise just ignore me❤️. Also anyone else who sees this and wants to just tag me I love reading about people's Rooks!

[tattocopy]

Four soldiers died—the whole Havoc squad. The Alliance didn't had enough trained people to lose soldiers this way.

The conflict within the operatives didn't help either. Soldiers and spies worked differently, and Pubs and Imps did too. Not even her inner circle could work together.

"Fuck, this is a shit show." She murmurs.

Alvol Rhiavi, the commander, Darth Nox, the Sith, the hero. She looked into the Odessen night. The air was light, and the force around her felt different. It had been different since Valkorion left.

"Credit for your thoughts." Lana's voice said behind her.

"You wouldn't like them."

"Try me"

"This Alliance… We are fucked" Rhiavi straightened her posture. "You, my inner circle, my seconds in command, can't work together. Hell, Lana, not even I can fully trust this team!"

"You don't trust me?"

Rhiavi looked at her and a dry laugh left her lips. From all her team, from all the people in this fucking Alliance, Lana was the only one she truly trusted. All they have gone through in Yavin 4, Zion, and even after that… She looked for her; she saved her from dying in carbonite. Lana was the only reason she was here right now.

"You are kidding, Lana? If I trust someone on this whole planet, it is you."

Lana smiled sadly. She knew Rhiavi had lost everyone, everything. Her Crew, her apprentices, her friends. This Alliance was not the same. It was not the drinks at the bar with Andronikus, the philosophy debates with Ashara, the ruthless training with Xalek or Khem Val, or the archeology lectures with Talos. Lana saw all that the few times she spent with them during the Revanites campaigns. The trust built between that odd team was something this Alliance was far from achieving.

"Koth is an idiot, naive, and pretty much a chauvinist." Rhiavi was still talking. "Senya is a mother; she will not be able to strike her children when we get to it."

Lana said nothing, she just walked over to the railing and leaned on it, looking at Odessen's night. Rhiavi continued.

"I like Kaliyo, but her methods go against any military discipline; the soldiers, imperial, and pubs can't stand her."

"Well, that's logical; she was a spy and a bounty hunter." Lana's tone was carefully neutral.

"And SCORPIO… She has her own agenda. You told me her work with that agent was transactional, and she is highly unpredictable. She will betray us."

There was silence between them. Lana's gaze was lost on the horizon, and Rhiavi looked at the blonde back, something heavy between them.

"If that happens," Lana said, "If this Alliance doesn't work, I will stay by your side."

The blonde turned around to look at the sith. Her yellow eyes were hard. She closed the gap between them with steady steps and rested her hand on Rhiavis's chest.

"I will rip this whole galaxy apart for you, Rhiavi. So if it is only us at the end, we will take as many of them as we can with us."

The Odessen wind was could, but there was heat between them. Their golden eyes glowed with passion and desire.

Avol Rhiavi took the communicator in her Armband and called the war room.

"SCORPIO, do the night guard. The rest of you go to sleep or take the night off." Rhiavi said in a low, commanding voice, not looking apart from Lana. "And useless Arcann is raining bombs on us. I don't want to be bothered tonight."

She could hear Theron's distant laugh, but she cut the call before he could make any comments. Lana gave her a smile mixed with hungry anticipation.

The sith's hand embraced Lana by the waist and murmured in the blonde's ear.

"My quarters, in my personal ship. I will block the system; no one will bother us tonight." Rhiavi's voice was low and husky.

Lana let out a small moan and hugged Rhiavi by the neck. She looked into her eyes while biting her lip.

"Lead the way, my lord."

Yei! This is my first fanfic. I honestly like it. I know it's not the best you will find, but this is not my forte.

I really like how they interact, and I'm kind of sorry I can't replay the whole romance again and again, so I have to come up with my own stuff to fill the gap.

Hope you like the short story and leave a comment or something. Bye!

[jkparkin]

The Slasher's Apprentice #2 (Mad Cave Studios, June 2025) cover by Val Halvorson

[lemonekat]

I read that fan Val route and it ended up sketching some scenes 😝 using my old fan apprentice Katherine