#and like. the idea of a show like The Bachelor. but for royalists. like i think this is SO believable publicity-wise

[zevranunderstander]

A thing ive been thinking about for years and years and years is. The Selection (you know those really mid hunger games ripoff books that everyone keeps joking about) has a core premise that is actually quite different and unique from hunger games and you could have gone off the hinges with this if you weren't an absolute centrist coward, with milquetoast, unreflected politics. but now I can't write this book that I am seeing in this story because I can't just rip off the premise of the book, you know??

[writings-of-a-hufflepuff]

Prompt List #9 - Historical Aus/Prompts (Requested)

@viseriyen I know your focus was more 18th century France, but I never covered that during my degree, my focus was more 19th century Britain. This has a variety of historical aus/prompts, they won’t all be relevant and I can’t guarantee their historical accuracy for France, but I hope they help, give you ideas etc. 

“I can’t...you know I have no control over my marriage. I can’t even divorce him...I have nothing to hold against him.” “Then give him something to divorce you for.” “And tarnish my good name?” 

AU in which character a is desperately in love with character b, but can’t divorce their husband because divorce laws make it nigh on impossible for ‘wives’ to divorce their husbands without a ‘legitimate reason’. 

Intense heated love letters because we have to keep our distance and can’t do anything that would jeopardise our positions or our reputations. But, I can send you lusty love letters that you hide under your pillow instead. 

Illegitimate child/unwed pregnancy and the trials of being together, loving your child together but knowing they have little standing in society and the way people treat you because of that.

Fan language AU -> https://raulersongirlstravel.com/language-of-fans/#The_Language_of_the_Fan 

My parents are trying to marry me off and you're the latest person they’ve brought to show me off to and I don’t want to like you, but I kind of do. You clearly don’t want to be here anymore than me. 

The smallest touch is the most intense. 

You went off to war and come back after a long campaign the papers have been reporting on. You have appear gruff, mean, and cold to everyone else, but are soft with me. 

The typical trope of hardened, gruff character a who melts around character b. 

(19th c) I’m the town’s school teacher and you’re the gruff wanderer/traveller/cowboy/outlaw/etc. That’s come to town. You help me fix the school house and wrangle the little demons I teach. 

Sweetheart trinkets, like embroidered handkerchiefs, engraved jewellery, hidden message rings, carved trinkets etc. Especially a ‘here I made this for you or I had this made for you’. 

Letters that were never sent. After character a’s death the letters are found and posted to or given to character b revealing the unsaid feelings. 

We compete for top spot in school in spelling, mathematics, science etc. School rivals.

Character a bathing in a river, character b awkwardly stumbling upon them all apologetic or alternatively character a bathing in a river and character b protecting them from some no good ruffians. 

Horse rides; for leisure, maybe character a was stranded and has to share a horse with character b, being stuck in a carriage together. 

Childhood rivals who finally see each other after years of being apart, maybe because of boarding school/finishing school or otherwise. The horrible realisation that your rival is now hot and also can keep up with you in conversation. 

Those gentle kisses to the top of a hand or gentle touches between gloved hands. Gentle hands!!! Gentle kisses!! All demure and totally appropriate but with hidden meaning and heat. 

Childhood friends who haven’t seen each other since they were little and are now betrothed and oh my, you’re beautiful/handsome and I am not prepared for this.

We’re betrothed but have only ever communicated through letters and this is our first ever meeting and i’m petrified you aren’t going to be the person I know through letters

Perfume scented letters, secret code, love poems, and dried flowers. Sent long distances to you with love. 

Contraception catalogues and the very specific packaging of sheaths (aka early condoms) as things like pill boxes, ladies power boxes, cigarettes, etc. to hide them. Do with this as you will. 

I am spinster, you are a bachelor and we have a rivalry because how dare you get paid more than me and while i’m compared to a rotten egg. Alternatively, I am spinster by choice and refuse to marry, but you are making this very very hard. 

Gals being pals, boys being ‘mates’, the known cases of boarding school love between same sex couples and also we’re both spinsters/bachelours and work together in our intellectual studies and we’re totally not in love...no sireee. 

Oscar Wilde had a thing working class and military kink so do with that what you will, i’m sure you could make a upperclass/working class au/couple. One’s rough, resilient, hard working, and one’s dainty, far too spoiled and brattish but they both like each other somehow. 

You’re gruff and rough/snappy, rude, but I can see how sweet you are to horses, animals, kids, and I know there’s a softer side beneath all of that. 

It’s my first ‘season’ and you save me from all these men/women sniffing around me trying to get my attention. 

Scandalous private time i.e. we’re supposed to be chaperoned but here we are in the garden on our own together or in the woods alone or in a small corner without a chaperone and what would people say. 

Character a defending character b’s honour. 

You’re my second in a duel/I’m your second in a duel, please don’t die

All the duels, duelling each other, duelling for the other, defending the other’s honour etc. 

You look beautiful but dear god why are there so many layers! 

I just spent an hour drawing you a bath bucket by bucket because I love you, but i’m a hot mess right now as a result. 

You break social convention for my comfort. I.e. something like you forgo allowing people to watch our wedding night because you want me to be comfortable or you refuse to allow some other stupid tradition that you know scares/intimidates/upsets me. 

Over the top professions of love. 

“I would die, without an answer to my feelings. I would die here. My breath would choke in my throat, my blood run cold, and my selfish heart stop. I cannot live without answer, without knowing whether my feelings are returned or not.” 

Character a being the dotting husband/wife/partner and helping character b get out of all that ridiculous clothing so they can cuddle and sleep. Who needs maids and servants when you have a life partner. 

I want a partnership, a kindred spirit, a soul mate, not a servant.  You want the same thing. I am awed by this.  (possibly + we’re rivals, childhood enemies etc.) 

Your family don’t approve of me, and mine don’t approve of you. I wish we could simply run away, but that’s a foolish dream. 

Educated woman expects man to talk about her wandering womb and how education will make her insane and barren, instead finds man actually wants to hold an intellectual conversation with her and they strike up and unexpected friendship and then love. 

Character a denying themselves of character b because they don’t feel good enough or because they feel it would be selfish maybe because they’re in a war or because they can’t provide what they feel character b deserves. Character b is not here for this bullshit. 

We get trapped in a small cabin in a snowstorm together wild west au. 

We get trapped in any small space in any time period au

I would say we should stop having children but I love each and every one of them and I love you too. Large family AU.

We’ve just lost our child in infancy, grief, hurt/comfort. 

You’re in labour and i’m terrified for you. I am not allowed in the birthing chamber and the midwife would murder me if I tried. 

Alternatively, I refuse to not be present for the birth of our child and don’t care what anyone says. I'm here to support you and will be physically in the room. 

You’re competing for my affections but you never had to compete because you always had them. 

You do not have to duel everyone for me over the smallest slight, look now you’ve gone and hurt yourself and I suppose I’ll have to give you my favourite handkerchief to deal with it.

I am pro royalist and you are pro-republic. I should hate you, you should hate me, but god if you aren’t all consuming. 

You’re one of my suitors and the gifts you bring me aren’t jewels or flowers, but books, microscopes, telescopes, knowledge. I like the way you think and seem to seem me.

I am nearly trampled by someone’s horse in the street, but you step in just in time to get me out of the way even though it puts you in danger yourself

Despite the cost of sugary treats you always turn up to my parlour with some sort of sweet and I know they’re not the cheapest. 

Anything involving a copper bathtub is a vibe. 

I always look for your seal on my letters. Yours is the first letter I read and the one I treasure most. 

I have kept every note, every little, every little thing you’ve ever written or drawn for me.

If images inspire you you might find my other blog @theillustratedmagazine helpful. It has 20th and 19th century illustrations. 

[prestonwardffxiv]

Character Survey: Preston Ward

BASICS.

FULL NAME: Preston Ward

NICKNAME: ‘The Viper’

AGE: 28

BIRTHDAY: The 23rd Sun of the Fifth Umbral Moon

ETHNIC GROUP: Hyur Midlander

NATIONALITY: Ul’dahn

LANGUAGE(S): Common, Ishgardian, Thavnarian (conversationally)

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Heterosexual

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Hetero-romantic

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Taken

CLASS: Monetarist

HOMETOWN / AREA: Horizon, Western Thanalan

CURRENT HOME: Ul’dah/Mist

PROFESSION: Proprietor of the Sapphire Avenue Trust

PHYSICAL.

HAIR: Dark Brown

EYES: Amber

NOSE: Strong

FACE: Ovular.

LIPS: Full and usually pursed slightly

COMPLEXION: Tanned skin, free of blemishes and imperfections

BLEMISHES: None

SCARS: Several scars along his chest and back, faded from time. One fresh scar on the right side of his rib-cage. His largest scar resides on his right leg; Being a C-shaped burn marking hidden behind a large, raised self-inflicted scar.

TATTOOS: One full sleeve encasing his left arm and extending onto part of his chest and back. The pattern combines Ul’dahn and Ishgardian elements. The Scales of Ul’dah lay inlaid in the design near his shoulder.

HEIGHT: 6′2

WEIGHT: 195 ponze.

BUILD: Fit and toned, moreso than what one would expect of a desk-jockey.

FEATURES: None that stand out.

ALLERGIES: Shellfish.

USUAL HAIRSTYLE: Short-cropped and well maintained, styled forward with precise care. Three lines lay shaved into the right side of his head below the crown.

USUAL FACE LOOK: Preston carries himself with a standing dead-panned expression. A titular poker-face to be worn at all time. His eyes are piercing, however. Always seeing through their targets.

USUAL CLOTHING: Preston dresses with extreme care and thought to his direct outward appearance. Most often found in a four piece suit sans the jacket. Casually Preston is still a snappy dresser. Always ready to take in and receive the best of Ul’dah’s upper classes.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR(S): Becoming his father, someone he cares for dying because of his actions.

ASPIRATION(S): Preston dreams of putting an end to the slaving system of Ul’dah. Most recently, his mindset has shifted slightly to securing a stable and safe future for his lover’s children.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Ambitious, Driven, Charismatic, Thoughtful

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Stubborn, Secretive, Deceptive, Overconfident

ZODIAC: Aries

TEMPERAMENT: Composed.

JOB STONE(S): Red Mage (Currently Training)

ANIMALS: His nickname-sake, a black viper.

VICE  HABIT(S): Preston is known to over-indulge in liquor when dealing with something. He is also known to seclude himself.

Patron Deity: Nald’thal.

GHOSTS?: Yes.

AFTERLIFE?: Yes.

REINCARNATION?: No.

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: Royalist.

SOCIO POLITICAL POSITION: Monetarist.

EDUCATION LEVEL: Self-taught. (College-level equivalent)

FAMILY

FATHER: Bayard Ballard (Alive, Age 60)

MOTHER: Senna Ballard (Deceased, Aged 46)

SIBLINGS: None.

CHILDREN: Guardian to his lover’s children, Miwa & Mirai Rilemont (Alive; Twins, 6 Months Currently)

NAME MEANING(S): Preston’s name does not hold any form of significance. It is a chosen moniker.

FAVORITES.

BOOK: Romance and Drama.

DEITY: Nald’thal.

HOLIDAY: Heavensturn/All Saint’s Wake

MONTH: October

SEASON: Autumn

PLACE: Ul’dah, Othard, The Black Shroud

WEATHER: Sunny with a slight breeze.

SOUND: Singing.

SCENT(S): Roses/floral scents.

TASTE(S): Mint.

FEEL(S): Dated parchment.

ANIMAL(S): Ravens/Snakes.

NUMBER: 12

COLORS: Amber, Black, White, Gold

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Singing, Writing, Winning Arguments.

BAD AT: Letting others in.

TURN ONS: Confidence and Passion.

TURN OFFS: People who make assumptions, Classism, Racism, Lack of self-confidence.

HOBBIES: Singing, Reading, Writing, Working.

TROPES: N/A

AESTHETIC TAGS: Royal Aesthetic, Business Aesthetic

FC INFO.

MAIN  FC(S): Nick Bateman

ALT FC(S): N/A

OLDER FC(S): N/A

YOUNGER  FC(S): N/A

VOICE CLAIM(S): Cullen from DA:I

GENDERBENT FC(S): N/A

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1: IF YOU COULD WRITE YOUR CHARACTER YOUR WAY IN THEIR OWN MOVIE, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED, WHAT STYLE WOULD IT BE FILMED IN, AND WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?:

I think Preston would fit into a movie along the same lines as The Wolf of Wall Street. By that same token, he would also fit well into a Game of Thrones style TV show/movie if he were to play a role similar to Petyr Baelish. A large inspiration for Preston’s character lies in the show Suits. As for a name, I have no idea. 

Q2: WHAT WOULD THEIR SOUNDTRACK / SCORE SOUND LIKE?:

The album Death of a Bachelor by Panic! At the Disco has become something of an apt soundtrack for Preston.

Q3: WHY DID YOU START WRITING THIS CHARACTER?:

Preston was a character concept that I had shelved for over a year. I first came to write his concept when I first started roleplaying, but never found the right time to bring him in until recently when I found myself with a bit of a lull with my other characters.

Q4: WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS CHARACTER?:

Preston is.. Complicated in a very intriguing and fun way. Previously my characters had some form of major combat ability, whereas Preston is just your average NPC-strength character. This forces him to find his way through situations using his wit and skilled tongue as opposed to resorting directly to violence as a means to an end. Preston is very careful and tactile; Choosing his words as weapons and choosing them wisely. I had never played an affluent character before; And he is also my first foray into playing a politically driven character.

Q5: DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST THING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR MUSE:

My biggest issue thus far is likely the misconception that he has some form of ulterior motive to everything that he does. While that’s true for most of what he does, it does not hold true for everything.

Q6: WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON WITH YOUR MUSE?:

Preston’s wit and argumentative nature is pulled directly from me, I think. He loves a good battle of words, and so do I.

Q7: HOW DOES YOUR MUSE FEEL ABOUT YOU?:

I think Preston would.. I don’t know. He probably wouldn’t bother with me because I’m broke and he’s a wealthy man on a mission. I’d just be common rabble to him.

Q8: WHAT CHARACTERS DOES YOUR MUSE HAVE INTERESTING INTERACTIONS WITH?

Preston has had a wild ride since I created him. A lot has happened in a little over a month, and a lot of that (okay well all of it) has had to do with the lovely folks of the Golden Arcana, including his lover Orianna Chant.

Q9: WHAT GIVES YOU INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR MUSE?:

Well the game he was created in, Final Fantasy XIV. Wouldn’t have ever started roleplaying were it not for that game and its community. But I think my main inspiration is drawn from the satisfaction I get each time I wrap a scene up with him. He’s a constant challenge to play, and I can feel and watch him grow. It’s rewarding.

Q10: HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE?:

Much longer than I’m willing to admit. xD