#apprenticealec

[artsyaprilmr]

Commission for @apprenticealec!! Thank you~~~

[viviae]

19 for all three of your OCs familiars!

Gladly and Again just posting refreshers before each of these

Celica - Amygdala (Ghost Bat)

Nefeli - Mr. Sir (King of Saxony Bird of Paradise)

Sidereus - Deimos & Phobos (Ferrets)

19. What is their relationship with your OC like?

Amygdala: Amygdala is Celica’s older big sister basically, she looks out and cares for Celica and helps her with her work but is also a gossip with the undead and teases her relentlessly. She is fully ready to drag Celica but the hair when she is overworking herself but will also toss a rat in her lap to startle her.

Mr. Sir: Nefeli and Mr. Sir originally did not get along as he was an egotistical bird who was gifted to her as a punishment until they both bonded over a mutual feeling of being a bird trapped in a cage. Mr. Sir encourages her to stand up for herself now and is her impulsive fire sign nature personified.

Deimos: Deimos presents himself as the more mature one of the brothers. It’s a lie and he only acts more serious because Deimos likely hasn’t been caught like Phobos has. Both Deimos and Phobos were gifted to Sidereus as punishment but their rowdy nature compliments his earth sign stubbornness quite well.

Phobos: Phobos is a sucker who schmoozes up to Sidereus considering he gets in trouble more often. Originally Sidereus believed Phobos’s social nature was him not respecting his role as a familiar but rather Phobos studies the magic around them while Deimos controls the magic within. 

[drdevoraak]

5, 10, and 14 for Iltariya from the chaos asks 👀 (this is @apprenticealec btw lmao)

Hi @apprenticealec 😘

5. Do they sleep under the covers, with one leg out, or on top/with no blankets?

,,, Iltariya knows no fear

Hogs all the blankets,

stuffs them in between her legs and under her chest

and lets a leg dangle over the edge of the bed 👀

10. Is a hot dog a sandwich?

Without hesitation, yes.

(She wouldn’t eat them though, she’s a vegetarian 🌱)

14. Do they bite ice cream or lick it?

👀 chomp chomp chomp

[mirablake]

This is so incredibly sweet 💜💜🥺💜💜

✨ Kipling’s Art Appreciation Journey ✨

Just wanted to show a little appreciation to all the artists who brought Kipling to life. I’ve tagged all of them so check them out, follow them, love them, and adore them!!!

First thanks goes out to @non-fatmilk​ ! Her apprentice is Eryn and she’s just the absolute cutest! Thank you for being Kipling’s first commission ever and I’ll definitely be back because your style is so fun and amazing.

@apprenticealec​ makes art and writes incredible fics! I love how her apprentice Alec takes Kip out of her comfort zone and encourages her to dance! Stay tuned for a fic inspired by this moment. Alec the apprentice is one of my absolute faves!

You might have seen this little beauty by @forgedarcana showing up on the Vulpes Animus series. Kipling and Asra’s connection is captured so perfectly here. Ahhhh, Sprite, you know how much this means to me and how I can’t thank you enough! 

Thank you, @heartofnopal for drawing Kipling in her natural habitat - right by the ocean! Her connection with the sea and the comfort it brings her is so clear on her face. This meant so much to me!

@foolofarcana​ You’re awesome for indulging my quirky wardrobe swap fantasies of Kip and Asra. My heart melts and my voice gets all squeaky every time I see this! Thanks again!

Kipling loves making new friends and so do I! Big thanks to @miserytheapprentice​ for bringing her in on this adorable little picnic. Can’t wait to see where this friendship goes! (Click here to see some more spicy art of Kipling and Asra!)

This one by @traviq​ simply made me melt into a puddle. Another perfect capture of Kip and Asra’s connection. I really adore this artist’s style and I can’t wait to see more!

[bastart13]

I got to use a lot of blue in these sketch commissions :D Thank you @apprenticealec and @tyraeltheapprentice! I loved drawing your OCs

[xx-sharpfawngz-xx]

@apprenticealec​ titties... <3

Individual panels under the cut!

[babufactory]

Amazing commission of Oc Syd, charming pirate Captain that I would gladly like to meet on the open sea, for @apprenticealec !

Thank you so much for commission me!

-

Comm info I Ko-fi I Patreon

[mirablake]

Can you do another Muriel story please using the prompt “If I could, I would kiss away all of your scars.”

I feel like Muriel is quickly becoming my favorite character for fluff lol but I’m not mad about it ✨ Thanks for sending this in @simpsonjenna1! Made this a continuation of the post-bath scene in Book XIV: Temperance.

***

“Just... don’t leave.” Muriel’s voice was quiet, and if his forehead wasn’t pressed against Alec’s shoulder, breath ghosting over her chest, she might not have heard it.

She pressed a kiss to the top of his head, petting his hair gently. “I won’t.” Pulling back, she placed her hand under his chin, tilting his head until he was looking at her. “Don’t leave me either, Muri. Please?”

A soft pink dusted his cheeks, but he nodded. “Okay.”

Her hand reached out to take his, lacing their fingers together as they both settled into the much-too-comfortable bed. Alec thought the exhaustion would take her as soon as her head hit the pillow, but her mind was still swarming with everything that had happened the past few weeks, no—the past month or so.

The longer she lay awake, the faster her mind raced, and she started to feel a heavy wave of anxiety wash over her. She had been sincere when she told Muriel that she wouldn’t let anyone else get hurt, that she knew they could handle it together, but that didn’t stop her thoughts from spiraling. What if someone else got hurt—got killed because of Lucio? What if Asra got hurt, or if it was Muriel—Alec’s heart twisted in her chest.

Her hand being softly squeezed brought her back to the present. When she blinked, letting her eyes focus, she caught Muriel’s concerned stare in the dim light of the moon shining from the window.

“I’m okay,” she whispered, but winced when she heard the waver in her voice.

“You’re not.” He slowly reached out to pull her into his chest, pressing their foreheads together. “I don’t—you don’t need to be okay... all the time.”

Alec felt her breath catch in her throat. Before she could burst into tears, she buried her face in his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered against his skin, pressing a soft kiss in the crook of his neck.

He grunted in response, his hands resting lightly on her back. After a few moments in silence, he spoke. “I-is there anything you want?”

“Hm?”

“Earlier... inthebath... you let me talk about what I wanted.” A sigh ruffled her hair, and she turned her face slightly to look to him. “What do you want?”

The answer came almost too quickly to Alec. She cupped his face in her hands, shifting in the bed to look at him straight on. “I want this. I want to be with you. When this is all over, I want to stay with you.”

She felt the furious blush that spread across his face, as his skin under her hands suddenly became warmer. But, he didn’t pull away, like he might have before. Instead he turned his head slightly, and she felt the ghost of his lips on her palm. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Even with...” he stopped—and for a moment Alec thought he might not continue—but she stroked his cheek with her thumb, and he put his hand over hers, holding it still. “...with everything that’s happened, with everything I’ve done, all of my scars—”

Just like in the bath, it was like the lid on his thoughts had burst. “Muriel, if I could, I would kiss away all of your scars. I know what it feels like to hate them.” She gently guided his hand to rest on her hip, where a particularly nasty scar lay. “I can’t... I don’t even remember where mine came from.” His hand twitched against her, thumb slowly tracing the long-healed skin. “But I don’t think of myself as any less for having them, or you. Do you think of me as less for them?”

“N-no, of course not.”

She gave him a soft smile, squeezing his hand. “As for everything you’ve done, that’s not for me to judge. I don’t know everything you did.” His face tightened, but she pushed forward. “But I know who you are now, and I... I really do care about you. The past month or so hasn’t necessarily been fun, but it hasn’t been all bad, and I would do it all over again with you.

“Muri, no one... there’s no one that understands me in the way you do, after everything we went through. I wouldn't give that up for the world.”

She heard a soft whine escape him and felt a tear land on the hand that was still holding his face. “Alec,” he murmured, but before she could answer, his lips pressed against the corner of her mouth. Too quickly, he moved away. “I... I care about you too.”

Heart fluttering against her ribcage, Alec pulled him back to her to kiss him fully,  breathlessly, desperately. As if he was her last thread to the world around them.

When they broke apart, she leaned her forehead against his again, tucking his hair behind his ear. He did the same for her, resting his hand behind her head. Their legs were wrapped around each other, and she felt like a piece of her that had been missing was finally returned. 

Her earlier anxiety gone—for now, at least—she was ready to slip into a deep, dreamless sleep. And, with Muriel curled around her, she did.

[maffidraws]

Buff girls appreciation ᕦ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕤ

Was commissioned by the lovely @apprenticealec

I posted these on instagram but completely forgot to post it here ;-; but yeah, I had so much fun with it no matter how much i struggled with the details (￣x￣;)

Hopefully I'll have more commissions like these in the future, they're a pleasure to do ✨

[artsyaprilmr]

Commission for @apprenticealec ! Thank you so much!!

[empanator]

This Was Unplanned, Us Holding Hands

Preview: Apparently, something lighter has taken root inside of her these days. Something that allows her to linger, to forget hesitancy. Only now, she’s afraid she’s misstepped in letting her guard down enough to act naturally without calculation.  Pairing/Characters: OC Miriam x MC Nel, some Portia, a bit of Nadia  Rating/Genre: Friends to lovers/friendship fic, safe for work  Word Count: 2,093 (5 pages) 

Part 1 of MirNel adventures is here!  Part 2 [coming soon]  Part 3 [coming soon] 

Miriam belongs to @apprenticealec 

“Her ladyship will be here in just a moment!” Portia shows Nel to her seat within the grand dining room. They pass by platters and porcelains filled with the most vibrant and aromatic foods the likes of which Nel has never seen. 

The palace sommelier, Miriam, moves in and out of the room, directing an array of servants as they finish the plate setting. Miriam looks over the hard work and mentally ticks each item off a checklist. Nothing is missing, and all is ready, but she notices that there have not been any special requests from the wine cellars. This strikes her as a bit odd, considering her title and all. Thinking there may have been an oversight in the meal arrangement, Miriam presents herself at the end of the table closest to the magician whom she has yet to meet. Now is as good a time as any to make an introduction. 

“Ah, Nel.” Miriam welcomes warmly. “I hope what we’ve prepared today is to your liking. We house an extensive and diverse collection of wine with plenty that pair perfectly with this evening’s meal. Would you care for some samples to best suit your tastes?” 

Nel stammers for just a moment before her answer comes from elsewhere in the room. 

“Oh, that’s quite all right, Miriam.” Nadia gently steps in and subtles a knowing glance Nel’s way. “Our guest does not partake, if I recall from earlier discussions of her forthcoming stay.” 

Nel clears her throat, a hint of red glowing up through her olive cheeks. “That is correct. Though—Miriam, is it? I do appreciate the offer.” She gives a slight bow of her head in respect for the woman, not wanting her refusal to be taken as anything more than preference. 

Introductions and the basics out of the way, Miriam returns to her post with Portia and one or two more servants to ensure the meeting and dining operations pass smoothly. Conversation progresses through Nadia’s intentions for Nel’s employment and their shared expectations. Through the distracting clinking of tableware and bustling of workers, Miriam deciphers just a few points regarding this new guest that have her... thinking. 

For one, Nel is already expressing a quick, earnest, genuine loyalty to Nadia. The more they speak, the more apparent it is that they are of the same mind and will work together wonderfully. And two, Nadia is… or was a dear friend and lover to Miriam. Back when things were different, before she lost her memories and all connection to her. Miriam is relieved that Nadia seems to be making a new, positive connection to someone with whom to share her burden. Someone who can make things easier for her. Someone so willing to step in and make things right, just as she herself had done while Nadia was asleep. If anything could instill within Miriam confidence, faith, and interest in a visitor to this palace, it would be just that. 

Not to mention how kindly Nel regards her, or how many times she glances over to her before embarrassedly averting her deep brown eyes, or the return of that blush when Nadia asks Miriam to escort her to her palace accommodations, or the peculiarly nervous energy she carries along with her the whole way there. Teasing nudges from Portia sure do nothing to downplay any of it. 

For Nel, this whole ordeal is a bit rattling, but she can’t remember the last time she felt purpose. Well, she can’t remember much at all. But being tasked with something so monumental, and in a place like this? It’s all a little unreal, but the people she’s been meeting—the countess, the head servant, the sommelier—seem grounded and true, as does the cause. Miriam chats and tours her through the many halls and corridors, and Nel follows diligently, committing all to memory and admiring the woman’s knowledge and guidance all the while. She finds it easy to pay attention in a leading presence such as hers in this moment. It’s rather exciting, for lack of a better word. 

Once at the guest room, the pair pause in front of the door. “I suppose I’ll leave you to it, then,” Miriam sighs with a slight smirk. But one more thing before she leaves: Beginning again, she drops her voice on the next few words. “Or, if there is anything you need… Anything. You let me know.” She winks, sealing the meaning of her message tightly in Nel’s now-whirring mind. 

Burning up physically, visibly, and at a loss for anything of use to say, Nel stands rigid as a statue with death grips pulling taut her sidebag strap. Miriam merely breathes a small laugh and signals a parting hand wave, bidding the magician a pleasant evening. Nearly stumbling out of her shock and over her words, Nel calls out. 

“Um, I—thank you for showing me the palace. It is quite beautiful. I do hope to cross paths again.” Her tone and complete lack of innuendo strike rather clearly that she means precisely what she says and nothing more. No implications, or expectations. Reaching that understanding together and exchanging soft smiles, they part, Nel entering her new place of residence and Miriam heading back the way they came. 

Time proceeds, and the investigation is fully underway. Through her many searches and explorations, Nel gains greater familiarity with the grounds and its many inhabitants, employees, and visitors. By the same token, she has been running into Miriam and Portia on a frequent basis, gaining both their friendship and their collaboration. This trio keeps quite busy, buzzing around and sharing information, stopping for bits of light fun and relaxation (well, as much “relaxation” as people like them can hope to achieve, at least). Countess Nadia herself is as attentive to their findings as one can imagine, and even she can be seen enjoying company among the group. 

But the closer of friends they become, the more comfortable Nel becomes with reaching out for moments of friendly, physical affection. A touchy-feely type at heart she is, though resigned to small and brief displays that fit within her reserved nature. A comforting hand on a shoulder, picking a spot of debris off one’s clothing, or even offering a shoulder to lean on—these are common and expected of her. What Nel doesn’t seem to realize, though, is how much more open and drawn she is to one particular friend. 

Miriam. 

Nel is trusting her, connecting with her. Subconsciously letting a hand pause against her, a gradual, and admittedly mutual, closing of their respective personal spaces. And Miriam, for all her touch starvation, can’t help but feel each moment linger, the warmth remaining present in body and in mind long after they have parted. With every passing day, she wonders what this means. Since Nel had politely declined her advances not that long ago, when they’d first met, Miriam didn’t want to assume anything. But, boy, does she wonder. In the back of her mind, she may even hold a sliver of hope. 

During one of their near-routine breaks on the veranda, Nel, Miriam, and Portia chat while sipping teas and tasting fresh goodies Portia picked up on her way past the kitchens. Portia gossips about some inconsequential thing, Miriam cracks a particularly well received joke. They erupt with laughter, but something is different. Nel allows herself to laugh joyously, freely—without her usual self-imposed restraint. Without any thought in the midst of her delight, she places her hand squarely on top of Miram’s. A brief squeeze, an absentminded winding of her fingers. With a blush as pink as her hair, Miriam’s widened eyes lock onto Portia, whose jaw is not-so-subtly dropped. Miriam can feel her breath snatching in her throat while her brain attempts to remind her to just breathe. 

Unaware of her lunch companions’ reactions, Nel merely wipes away a tear under her glasses lens with her opposite hand as her laughter reaches its ending sigh. 

To Miriam’s dismay, Portia quickly, loudly excuses herself, obviously gesturing at the new development in Nel’s and Miriam’s “friendship.” 

Miriam nearly scrambles. “Portia, wait!” But nothing serves as a better motive to take an early leave than watching her two good friends flounder on their own. Yes, of course Portia has been picking up on how close the pair were getting, and yes, of course she’s been waiting for this day to happen, and YES, of course she continues observing from just around a corner. 

Nel, startled by what she’d done, snatches her hand back and holds it towards her chest as if to protect it or obstruct it. She hadn’t exactly been distant since her arrival by any means, what with her all warmed up and chummy with even the countess at this point in her investigation, but any and all contact heretofore had been more reserved, or perhaps stifled. As established, she’d been conscious of things like a habitual tap or nudge when sharing files and notes, or a gentle hand on Miriam’s back when she seemed to be having an extra busy day catering to visitors. Apparently, something lighter has taken root inside of her these days. Something that allows her to linger, to forget hesitancy. Only now, she’s afraid she’s misstepped in letting her guard down enough to act naturally without calculation. 

Through an abundance of stuttered apologies, steam may well be rising from beneath her shirt collar with the blush that mars her cheeks and nose. 

“No, no. You haven’t done anything wrong.” The pink in Miriam’s own freckled cheeks grows into a deep red. Sensing it might take more than just that bit of reassurance, and despite her own flustered and fluttering nerves, Miriam opens her hand face-up on the table. An offering. “I actually enjoyed it, but I understand if my reaction made you think otherwise.” 

“You… enjoyed holding my hand?” Tense, but beginning to soften once more, Nel cautiously returns to her place on the table—close to it at least, hesitating to make contact again. 

“Well, technically, you were holding my hand.” Miriam manages to point a teasing smirk her way. 

Oh, stars, I was, Nel thinks. Stricken face, balled fists, tensed posture—everything a silent scream of embarrassment. She can’t believe that this is happening, nor the fact that she’s the one who started it. 

Miriam flexes her fingers and nods. “But, yes. And I wouldn’t mind doing it again, if that’s all right with you?” 

With a tentative brush of fingertips, Nel accepts. She studies the way their hands fit together, now that the gesture is a shared one. Over her glasses, she glances up at Miriam and back down at their intertwined fingers. She gulps with a twitch of her brow before attempting to speak. 

“It is all right with me. In truth, I have thought about this a lot lately, but—” She strokes her thumb into Miriam’s palm, causing the slightest shiver in the woman. Not so far in the distance is a tiny gasp from a gawking Portia, to whom Miriam feigns disapproval in a light-hearted scowl. Nel quickly resumes despite the audience, if only just to settle her nerves sooner. 

“—But I was unsure how you would feel if I were to, um, to as- to ask you on a date.” Shimmering umber eyes search Miriam’s face for a response. 

“Well, are you going to ask me or just think about asking me?” Miriam tries her best to be composed and make Nel laugh with a tease, and while she is successful at the latter, it’s incredibly easy to notice how her voice and hands jitter. 

Nel sighs, amused and not at all opposed to reiterating herself for Miriam’s satisfaction. “I am asking, yes.” 

“Then I would love to.” Admittedly, it has been quite some time since Miriam’s been on a real date. The prospect of it makes her heart scamper around her chest, and in that rush she finds her lips pressed to the back of Nel’s hand. Before Nel can fully react beyond looking like she’s just been proposed to, Portia comes marching around the corner. 

“Okay, okay, I’m back! I promise I didn’t hear too much!” Portia beams as she assumes her seat once more. Excitement radiates from her as she clasps her hands together. “Actually, I heard everything. Sooo when’s the date?!” 

Without even knowing that answer for themselves, Miriam and Nel simply laugh. In this moment, they need only share this air of relief until palace duty calls. And yet, all the while, they don’t let go.

[viviae]

12 and 27 for your OCs pls! 🥰

12. Is there some particular talent, skill, or attribute that they simply could not give up?

Celica: As much as she wishes she could give up her Necromancy its so ingrained into her at this point she has no idea what it would be like to have it. It’s an extension of her limbs at this point and while she hides it out of necessity she finds love in the work she does.

Nefeli: Unable to give up her passion of writing. Poetry and stage writing is her bread and butter and although she might pretend she wants to be the ideal wife and noble socialite she is proud of her talents and cannot hide it away. Even when she left home and was traveling alone she couldn’t abandon her muses.

Sidereus: A lot of things Sidereus is unwilling to give up is related to items or people around him but he could not give up his desire for travel. He has walked the continent many times over and will continue to do so, stopping at every little town to learn every little colloquialism 

27. If your character was going to get arrested, what would be the most likely reason for it?

Celica: (Answered Here)

Nefeli: Well Nefeli is legitimately a criminal hence is why she is on the run from Hesperia and headed to Vesuvia. She would likely be arrested for the attempted murder of her mother, destruction of property, and an accomplice in murder for the rouse her mother did to fake Nefeli’s death. Also probably tax evasion for faking being dead.

Sidereus: Due to the nature of his work of hunting down cursed items and objects he’d probably get caught with a lot of trespassing and breaking & entering. Also if you depend to categorize the curses he places on minor individuals who annoy him you can probably get harassment or defamation of character.

[ia-bi-tia]

@apprenticealec

Rodrigo my beloved.png

[the-melting-world]

rules: tag nine people you'd like to catch up with or get to know better

@atypicalacademic Thanks for tagging me!

favorite colour: anything on the blue-green spectrum

currently reading: Defender by CJ Cherryh (take this as an author recommendation bc holy shit what a gem), The Gray House (Book 3) by Mariam Petrosyan, Vagabond (Volume 14) by Takehiko Inoue

last song: The Look by Metronomy

last movie: (ugh i'm so picky that haven't watched anything brand new in a while. sorry) last movie binge was the Eastrail 177 Trilogy

last series: (interpreting this as books and tv shows) Need to start the last book of the Daevabad Trilogy, Black (Netflix), Megalobox, One Piece

tea or coffee: Coffee for now

Tagging @popcornaddict500 @lucigucci @arcanecadenza @apprenticealec @vissenta-senadz @nvvermore @ligiawrites @fullyfunctionalminiaturebeehive @dreams-of-the-arcana (sorry if you've been tagged already, but I really do love reading/listening/watching recs)

[vampiresuns]

A thunder broke behind them as they lifted a leg over the railing. That’s when they saw it. With both arms extended, their sword on the left hand pointing towards the sky, a lightning strike hit Julianus.

Jules condensed it in their free hand as it sizzled and crackled without harming their skin. Angling themselves, they threw it into the water, hitting one of the sirens straight on the chest.

— Secrets of An Ancient Moon, Chapter 6, part 2: Corazón Sufriente, Corazón Sangrante

@ia-bi-tia my beloved did this illustration of the Notorious JC Sanlaurento and their lightning manipulation magic! Thank you so, so, so much for going down into this multiple reference rabbit hole with me.

The piece is inspired by all this picture, Alexandre Cabanel’s Fallen Angel and The Wanderer Above The Sea of Fog, so once again, thank you SO much Kris for picking my own brain with me.

This is meant to become the cover of Secrets of An Ancient Moon. The storm with the skin and wandering lawyer known as Julianus C. Sanlaurento very much deserves it.

Paging @apprenticealec, tell Saoirse to come get their voidfriend.

[joeyhazell-art]

My third batch of Arcana commissions!

Like these? Check out my sale here.

These apprentices belong to, respectively, @borednschooled, @apprenticealec, and @weetlebeetle