#eeonb

[nobodysdaydreams]

Hello TMBS fandom. This is a request for a little help with some of my fic writing from any extraordinary education fans.

So I write mostly for the show, but am at the point where I want to start writing and referencing “show versions” for some of the book characters, and the one I’m working on right now is Violet Hopefield. Sadly, I have not read extraordinary education, and was hoping to get some character details.

I do want to preface this by saying that my intention is to write the character in a way that follows the plot lines I’ve set up, so while I won’t be writing an exact copy of the character, I do want an idea of what she’s like. Think the differences between book and show Noland and Canonball or even book Curtain and show Curtain. Are they the same? No. But you see the book character they are based on in them, while acknowledging that this is a slightly different story and a different version of them, while still enjoying both the show and book versions of the characters.

Head canons or popular head canons are appreciated, but I'm mainly looking for what's canon so if something is "canon to you" based on how the character acts, I'll consider it, but please specify what's canon and what's not.

With that in mind, here's a rundown of what I know and what I'd like to know. I'll start with Violet, but I might include a few things for John too (and I'll have some questions about a few other book characters eventually, but I'll stick with them for now).

Violet Hopefield:

The biggest gripe I think people might have with the way I'd write her is her age. Apparently in the books, the ages are Nicholas (9), John (12), Violet (14). The fandom wikipedia stuff I found only said that Violet had an 8th grade education and didn't list her age, so in a book series about genius kids, I just imagined her being younger than John, around Nicholas' age. Obviously this was a mistake, and given that show Nicholas is 12, that bumps the ages at which he meets them to Nicholas (12), John (15), Violet (17). My question is, if I made her character younger, like...around Nicholas' age, would that completely destroy the character? I know this is a big ask, but please, it's for plot purposes, and you'll be grateful later. I just want to know if it's a situation where "yes the characters are technically different ages, but at the end of the day, they're all just friends hanging out and who the oldest is doesn't really matter" vs. "Violet is the older mature one of the group. This is one of, if not her main defining character trait and changing it completely changes the character." If it's option two, I might still make Violet younger, while being very careful to make her a younger but mature child, like what they did with show Constance where she's not a toddler anymore, but she makes up for it by being extremely violent and fighting falcons (or what they did with the twin's ages, and Number Two and Rhonda's ages, etc.)

I know Violet is deaf, and Nicholas learns sign language to talk to her, but she's extremely good at reading lips. Her disability would for sure be part of the fic, and I've already read tips on and thought about ways I can incorporate this (at the risk of finding false info on ASL signs, I plan on writing when signing occurs, but won't make an attempt to write out the exact hand motions unless I can verify that what I'm describing is factually correct). Her ability to read lips is interesting, and I'm not sure how it's done in the books or whether it's done accurately (It is estimated that only 30% to 40% of speech sounds can be lip-read even under the best conditions and extra information is usually required to understand what is being said. That's from google, but I've heard that stat a lot). I plan to stay true to the books in this regard, but will be highlighting the fact that this is unusual and extremely impressive on Violet's part. How will I be doing that? That's a spoiler so unfortunately, I can't share, but I do have that covered. If there are any descriptions of sign language or aspects of deaf culture included in the books that are also important to include in fic, please let me know (I am also aware that her mother is also deaf, more on her later).

I know she's an artist. Not sure what she likes to draw (people? nature?) or what style she uses (painting? sculpting? sketches?), but if there's info on that, I'll take it. I also know she had an interest in going to art school (the whole Nicholas thing isn't an issues anymore since he's adopted by the Glenn's), so I will have her doing art competitions and stuff like that.

And that's a summation of everything I know about her. Other details that are appreciated are physical appearance (though that's subject to change, the show certainly changed that a lot for some characters, but I'd like to know what I can use), any defining beliefs or principles she lives by or revolves her life around, the top adjectives you think describe her, character quirks (e.g., Kate's bucket), and if possible, some snippets of dialogue from the books that give a good impression of her character.

I'd also like to know if there is anything that falls under the "she would NOT say/do that OR she would not say/do that without very special circumstances. For example, book Curtain would never adopt a child. In the show, he does, and most of us are fine with that, because they explain and clearly show the differences between the show and book characters. In another example, they made show Benedict a more flawed or maybe a better word is relatable mentor. And most of us were fine with that too, again, because they showed us how he arrived at that point. However, if they made Mr. Benedict a mean or unpleasant person, that would totally rip apart his character, regardless of the justification you gave for it. Obviously, what falls into the "would never" and "under the right conditions" categories is subject to debate, so I'll use my best judgment, but would still appreciate a starter list to go off.

Finally, anything else you think is relevant about Violet or her relationships with other characters is appreciated.

John Cole:

I know John Cole is Violet's brother, and he is adopted. I understand this happens in the books and that Nicholas and John are in an orphanage together, but since this is a show version of the character, this will actually happen before Nicholas meets them, but John Cole is still adopted. What I don't know are the circumstances of his adoption. Did the Hopefield's adopt him because he was friends with Violet? Is that why they wanted to adopt Nicholas too? How did the Hopefield's meet him? Do we know anything about John's bio family and culture that differs from the Hopefield's?

I've seen a lot about John Cole and farms. And a post about he and his wife having a farm. Does he actually have a wife in canon? Do the Hopefield's have a farm? Or does John just have "farmer vibes"? Is getting a city job something John would do or did he declare himself to have a deep seated hatred of the big city?

I know John calls Nicholas "Nick" on at least one occasion. Is this what John normally calls him? Do the Hopefield's and Violet call Nicholas "Nick" too, or is this just a "John thing"?

Other details that are appreciated are physical appearance, any defining beliefs or principles John lives by or revolves his life around, the top adjectives you think describe him, character quirks, and if possible, some snippets of dialogue from the books that give a good impression of John's character.

I'd also like to know if there is anything that falls under the "he would NOT say/do that OR he would not say/do that without very special circumstances as discussed above.

Any of course, anything else you think is relevant about John Cole or his relationships with other characters is appreciated.

The Hopefields:

I know Mrs. Hopefield is also deaf. Can she read lips too? Is Mr. Hopefield also deaf?

What are the Hopefield's occupations? I read something about them being miners and poor, not sure if that's accurate.

Why are they interested in adopting? Have they always been interested in adopting? Why did they want to adopt John?

Are there any important aspects to the Hopefield's culture or family philosophy? For example, if the Hopefield's are, say, Jewish or immigrants, or some sort of culture is mentioned, I would like to know so I can represent that properly and not accidently write it out of the story.

Are there any other members of the Hopefield family besides the parents, Violet, and John? Any beloved pets?

Other details that are appreciated are physical appearance, any defining beliefs or principles they live by or revolve their lives around, the top adjectives you think describe them, character quirks, and if possible, some snippets of dialogue from the books that give a good impression of their characters.

I'd also like to know if there is anything that falls under the "they would NOT say/do that OR they would not say/do that without very special circumstances as discussed above.

Any of course, anything else you think is relevant about the Hopefields or their relationships with other characters is appreciated.

Thanks guys! Feel free to add to the post, DM, or drop by my ask box.

And yes, eventually with enough time, I might like to read extraordinary education someday, but I'd likely write this fic first, so I want to get some accurate info. Plot spoilers are fine, that won't deter me from reading it.

[mvshortcut]

Six times someone tells Nicholas Benedict how long he's been asleep, and one time he does the same for someone else.

little fic inspired by this post!

[oflightningandstars]

The woods at night parts of EEONB appeal to the same part of me that read the description for the Up All Night badge at the very beginning of Lumberjanes and was hooked instantly <3

[sophieswundergarten]

Happy Floorboard Chomping Friday!!!

Here are some truly wonderful fics that I think deserve all of the love, this time ones that don't have as many hits

All That You Don't See by @mvshortcut

She'd known, watching the four small children bustle away down the library staircase, that this would not be the end of it.

a cuckoo in the nest by @bi-demon-ium

A mistake was made. One of them was never supposed to be left behind. One of the Benedict twins is a changeling. The other is the real child. The trouble is, which is which?

nicholas and company destroy the prison industrial complex! by @mysteriouseggsbenedict

Nicholas Benedict used to want to send his evil mastermind of a brother to prison. That would be justice, he thought, when he was young and uninformed. But then he learned about….

The Extraordinary Friends and Acquaintances of Nicholas Benedict (A Show Version of EEONB) by @nobodysdaydreams

A show version of Extraordinary Education, or the story of what happened to Nicholas Benedict in the show in between the time when he left the orphanage to the beginning of season 1. Part of my SOS series, but this can also be read on its own. OR: Four times when Nicholas Benedict tried and failed to keep a promise to his best friend.

I don't even know my name yet by @never-wake-up

Nicholas has thoughts and feelings about family names. Nathaniel does too, to a lesser extent.

Lilacs by spidermans_understudy

SQ has a nightmare, and pays a visit to Mr. Benedict’s study.

Lovely to Meet You (My Darling SQ) by @heyitsthatonesmolgay

SQ gets a mysterious note to meet someone in his father's abandoned office. He knows he has to investigate, despite the danger it might bring.

Cirque des Étoiles by @oflightningandstars

A small child from a small planet in a small corner of the galaxy runs away and joins a circus. Or: Kate Wetherall's time in the circus in a Space Opera AU

But where have we come? And where shall we end? by @crow-in-springtime

On especially hard days, he would stare at the light in the lantern and will himself to see the silhouette of little Katie-Cat, her soul trapped inside the lantern yet still dancing and swinging happily around

Leave a light on when you go by @plentyghosts

She is blocking the view of her room through the open door. Her packed bags sit guiltily at the foot of her bed. - or, Number Two leaves

Birdcage by @ae-jurumi

Dr. Curtain and Mr. Benedict have a conversation over the phone. Season 1 AU where Dr. Curtain kidnapped Nicholas earlier in the timeline. In a moment of weakness, he lies about not being the Sender, and now has to figure out how to deal with the situation.

we could have gotten here sooner by @myfairkatiecat

Constance Contraire uses a newly discovered power of hers to throw redeemed Nathaniel Benedict into the past and fix things with his brother sooner.

[oflightningandstars]

I just finished the Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict. I will have more thoughts eventually but right now I am just Emotions

[oflightningandstars]

I have finished The Prisoner's Dilemma and I intend to make it Everyone's problem.

probably tomorrow

[nobodysdaydreams]

I have procrastinated on important things to bring you the first chapter of my next TMBS fic (a show version of EEONB)

I promised you more angst, and now TMBS fandom, I have come to deliver. It's technically part of the sos series, but this chapter you can read with no context. Here's the summary:

Summary: A show version of Extraordinary Education, or the story of what happened to Nicholas Benedict in the show in between the time when he left the orphanage and the beginning of season 1.

OR: Four times when Nicholas Benedict tried and failed to keep a promise to his best friend.

"And a fifth time when he tried and succeed, right Bods?"

No. Suffer :)

[nobodysdaydreams]

Hi, Bods!! I hope you are having a marvelous day. I think this time I'll go with Nicholas Benedict himself! (Show or Books, it doesn't matter to me)

Thank you Sophie!

Sadly, I don’t know if there is anything I could possibly recommend that you haven’t already read. But I can recommend fics by genre, which might help you find something!

Crack fic:

nicholas and company destroy the prison industrial complex! by @mysteriouseggsbenedict is great if you want a fun crack fic that exposes the lies of the prison industrial complex in the best way possible.

Angst/Hurt Comfort:

The Best Decision by @heyitsthatonesmolgay is CRIMINALLY underrated angst where Nicholas and Nathaniel meet their past selves and question whether they would have ever done things differently.

Don’t you ever wonder if I’m ok (after all you put me through) by @myfairkatiecat is another underrated fic (and I’m not just saying that because some of these are gift fics that I adore and read a lot) and it deals with Nathaniel and Nicholas (show versions) confronting each other and what they did to each other.

Fluff:

Thank the Stars Above By @mvshortcut a cute fic about Nicholas and his daughter. It’s very wholesome. This one is book versions I believe, so book fans might prefer this one.

If you like young Nicholas or the dynamic he had with Violet Hopefield and John Cole…

Truth or Dare By @sophieswundergarten cute fluff and found family with Nicholas and the Hopefields. It’s incredibly sweet.

The Extraordinary Friends and Acquaintances of Nicholas Benedict (A Show Version of EEONB) my version of what happens to show Nicholas when he leaves the orphanage and eventually I do plan to include the Hopefields.

[mvshortcut]

@oflightningandstars here is your ask game answer minus the ask <3 🍒 What’s your favorite character dynamic to write? (Can be romantic or platonic, specific or general!)

I don’t write them nearly enough but Sticky and Constance. Peak sibling on sibling violence that will throw down for the other at a moment’s notice

🍊 Who’s a character you don’t write for that often, but keep meaning to write for more? (They’re so interesting! But maybe you have trouble pinning them down, or keep getting distracted by another blorbo…)

All of the EEONB characters! Also Captain Noland but in his younger days with Nicholas as young adults, so kind of also in the EEONB era.