#fandom: shades of magic

[graaaaaayy]

there’s few things that are more disappointing than when you finish a really good book, go online to find fandom content and there’s maybe 3 fanart pieces, a dozen fics and the most of the posts are from three years ago when the fandom was actually active.

[purplebass]

When fandoms are going through a quiet phase because there is no new content it is a little sad and discouraging to those of us who are still posting because we like that thing too much and think about it every single second of our existence and feel the need to share our thoughts about it even if only few people will care. As someone who enjoys writing posts/fics, it can be discouraging because I spend time and effort into something and I want people to see it. But I told myself not to care about instant gratification and post whatever the heck I want because if it makes me happy I should continue doing it even if only reaches a small circle of people. The good side to this is that this quietude makes the fandom experience more cozy and it makes me feel like we are hanging out together and we all know each other

[beautifulmakkaris]

okay guys, can i get your recommendations for media to check out if you’re missing lockwood and co? can be because the vibes, the characters, the ships, the worldbuilding, anything about it gives you the same feel as l&co! i want to put together a little master post of things people can check out to fill the l&co hole in their lives while we keep fighting for s2 and it’s always fun to find new books/films/shows!

[ramblings-of-lola]

I'm sure that I'm not the first person to say this, but I really wouldn't mind a season of a show or a book in a series that is just characters living their lives. There isn't any world-shattering problem that the characters need to solve, no villain to fight, etc.

I think the best way to do this would be a sitcom or a book of short stories. Sitcom's are already insanely popular and it's usually just ordinary people dealing with everyday normal problems. Die-hard fans of book series with read any content related to their favorite characters. Also, imagine the character development! If characters are used to being in danger constantly, how will they handle ordinary life? How would it impact their relationships with the other characters?

So much potential!

[starsailores]

i just think he deserves to be treated nicely. for once

[httpsrozi]

kell and lila in another universe 😌↕️

[kaetor]

okay so it's close to that time of year again + I won't have much time in June proper so send me a character plus a pride flag and I'll draw then using those colors :D

[vvyvernicus]

Thought I'd share the beginning of a long fanfiction chapter for the Sofia the First fandom! Takes place in the beginning of Season 2 and introduces a new face to the cast. Someone even more infamous than Cedric?

Also just a heads up that it's slightly darker than its upbeat source material. Nothing worse than the darkest Disney movies 🙂

In the magical world of the EverRealm, curses were just as abundant as the magic that created them. Sprouting up from just about any corner of the world. As much as magic benefitted those who lived with it, it was still quite volatile and dangerous in these circumstances. To have one person be affected by a curse was already a serious problem depending on the severity. But a whole town? Civilization?

To be cursed is to be punished. Be that by a divine being or powerful magic. In most cases, the latter is far more common. 

A curse that affected a large land mass was only slightly more common than natural disasters. Even those were often said to be born from magical disturbances. But few people were capable of stopping them solely on their own.

Enchancia was currently under the influence of a widespread curse; nearly the entire kingdom was affected. This was dubbed as the curse of Eternal Night. It was not as harmful as other curses, but still caused unrest within the kingdom. When crops and fauna began to wither, the king knew that he had to take drastic measures to bring sunlight back to the lands.

King Roland the Second was quick to act since day one of this curse. His first order was to send out knights to patrol the kingdom for any signs of foul sorcery. Right after he sent them off, he then turned to someone who specialized in the manner of all things magic. This was of course the kingdom's very own royal sorcerer, Cedric. 

Despite being the kingdom's royal sorcerer, not a lot of people put much faith in him to do things right. Spells going awry was a common occurrence. Of course, he would get things correct eventually, but not until after everyone bore witness to the failures. Thus it was no surprise to him when he was not able to produce results for the root cause of the curse even after a week. 

While the kingdom itself was able to receive imports from its neighboring monarchies and the people were able to take in sunlight by leaving the kingdom's borders, it was still in a state of crisis. With not even the moon or stars illuminating the sky, it sunk the morale of the usually upbeat locals. Not only that but it caused disarray among the commoners who did not have clocks in their homes. The only sort of light that bloomed in the kingdom was the flickering of torches and candles alike.

By the time the two week mark hit, the people's panic continued to grow. Local flora was beginning to die and leaves had begun to fall off trees. Even with the kingdom's best efforts, no one was able to locate the cause of this curse nor knew of a way to stop it. Not even Princess Sofia's assistance was enough to aid the kingdom this time. So King Roland was left with no other choice than to seek help from outside Enchancia.

When other kingdoms became aware of Enchancia's plight, they did their best to offer support and advice. However none could truly do anything in regards to the curse itself. Unfortunately, it was decided that the kingdom was in dire need of a professional to deal with the issue at hand. And there was only one such person who was readily available to be contacted at any given time.

A curse exorcist. That is what they call sorcerers who devote their lives to the study and elimination of curses. There were few who existed in the world, but those who did were dedicated to their craft. One in particular was widely known to have a notably high success rate in vanquishing every curse they came across. Eris the Accursed.

King Roland had just informed this to his family during another dinner illuminated by candlelight. While this was supposed to be a good thing, many appeared skeptical at first. After all, it was not too long ago with their last encounter with a sorceress. She was proven to be a fraud in the end, but it still put a damper on expectations.

The youngest child could only smile at the news. This was no time to be sad after all. If it was a chance to cure the kingdom, how could she not be ecstatic?

“Then that's great! She'll be able to make the darkness go away!” Sofia smiled with excitement as there was finally a promising lead on putting an end to the curse. Her stepfather did not share the same enthusiasm.

“She is still a dangerous woman, Sofia. There is a reason she is called Eris the Accursed. Inviting her into the kingdom may only bring more trouble,” Roland explained to her as the girl's blue eyes went back down to her food.

Queen Miranda looked towards her daughter with understanding as she placed a hand against Sofia's back. Sofia was truly a girl pure of heart and always sought to see the best in people. But, like her husband, she too was cautious of this curse exorcist.

“You've always been a very kind girl, Sofia. But as your father says, she is not a person we can trust so easily. We'll just have to hope for the best upon her arrival,” Miranda said in that naturally soothing voice she had that seemed to put everyone in a better mood. At least until the twins added their thoughts on the topic.

“So, is she actually super evil?” James piped up with curiosity. His question had visibly worried his twin sister. Before Roland could answer him, his eldest daughter spoke first.

“She won't try to harm us, will she?” Amber whimpered, thinking about some evil villainess showing up with the goal of taking over the kingdom. It seemed unlikely that would happen, but it was still a cause for concern. 

Roland sighed as he crossed his arms. In his mind he was thinking that this was a risk they would have to take. But to pacify the worried faces of the children, he had to downplay his own concerns.

���As long as you don't go near her alone, everything will be fine. She wouldn't dare to do anything like that with an audience. None of the rumors have mentioned her being so bold,” Roland explained to them which seemed to ease Amber a little. But only more questions popped up.

“Rumors?” the young Sofia spoke up, prompting her stepfather to sigh. He supposed there was no reason to keep these from them. In fact, it would only encourage them to maintain their distance from Eris—should she arrive in Enchancia.

Roland sighed again, realizing there was little point in withholding the truth from them. “Yes, rumors,” he began, his voice lowering as if the shadows themselves might be listening. “The most well-known one is that townsfolk have reported their neighbors going missing after interacting with a woman dressed in a dark cloak…”

Let me know if you have any thoughts!

[happygirl2oo2]

[Magnus' background fanart credit to @fukashimi, Alucard's background fanart credit to @ace-artemis-fanartist]

[do-you-know-this-queer-character]

Do you know this queer character?

Alucard is Gay and uses He/Him pronouns!

[bluecichlid]

at the risk of sounding deeply weird, i've been dipping my toes into the ADSoM fandom and 1) (the normal part) love your fics, ive read all of them twice and need to kick myself into gear to actually drop a comment, and 2) (the deeply weird part) i often see your comments on other fics and they're always so lovely and thoughtful, and they make me smile everytime i see them <3

Aw - thank you so much! You made my day. I really enjoy commenting on people's fics - it makes me read them a bit more in-depth and look at what the writer is trying to do. Plus, if people are encouraged, I get to read more great fics, so it is win-win! :) Also, thank you for the kind words on my own fics. You are awesome!

[ravencromwell]

Ros Vortalis trans headcanons

There are some remarkable trans Holland fics and headcanons, but can we talk about Ros Vortalis, whom all of his friends simply call Vor? Who, even when he’s _dying Holland calls Vor, to be expected, but also Vortalis which’s so much longer than Ros.

A bit of googling informs me Ros is “protector” in German, which’s chef’s kiss one hundred/ten no notes V.E. But it’s also, more frequently, a diminutive of Rosalind. Disclaimer before I start these that I respect and love! the headcanons of Makt as fairly gender nonrestrictive, with power being more of a defining factor of treatment. My Makt, however, is more complicated, with gender and gender transitions being imperfect but still a site where joy can be created, much like the rest of White London existence. Putting the rest of these beneath a cut with that in mind because as a trans person, I know some days I can’t handle transness as careful complication to be navigated and don’t want to inflict it on anyone unprepared. (Though, I promise! there’re fluffy as fuck nsfw Vor/Holland and Vor/friends headcanons in here to cut the angst.)

Ros retains a shortened form of his given namefor business purposes within the Shal—we know Shal means “market” in Red London, and I tend to think it means the same in White, such that when Holland calls him a “thug from the Shal” he’s referring to Vor being in the merchant/smuggling business. When he transitions, he’s relatively young and honestly to flagrantly demand a name change would be seen by too many as blood in the water. His greatest focus, always, is Makt rather than his personal happiness and he’d rather be burdened with the “nickname” Ros and be capable of rising in the Shal in service of becoming king.

There’re two ways of transitioning: the easiest and least painful is utilizing a spell similar to Astrid’s with Lila and stealing a face and voice. But that spell fades with death and though Vor understands that his body is likely destined for desecration once he’s gone as Makt’s people drain its blood and magic, there’s still this stubborn demand that they destroy a body without the face that made him shudder every time his child self caught a glimpse (he is so grateful for a lack of mirrors in Makt for much of his young adulthood.)

So he chooses the harder, excruciating method: finds a bone magician to permanently reshape his body. Session after session, over months traveling abroad on a ship with only the open sea and crew to hear him scream himself hoarse.

The first time they share a bed, Holland strokes along the broadened shoulders, runs fingers along the scars on his chest—eyes fixed on Vor’s all the while— and murmurs: “If they did not believe you would hold the throne, they were fools.”

“I’m flattered.” He’s bright-eyed, with that deep, rolling-sea laugh.

“After this, very little would stop you.” Fools have marveled at the extent of spells across his body, and inwardly he howls in hysterical laughter because there is very little to dull pain in Makt, and the shipboard pain was so vast it made everything else feel like pinpricks by comparison. He’s never bedded someone who would know that as intimately as the man who had done his damndest to use that same magic in stopping Vor’s fist before it connected with his face, and the admiration uncoils something deep in his chest. “Sometimes I’m certain I can’t keep it. One moment it will be there and then not.” He manages a farse of a smile “Foolish, after all these decades, but such is the weakness of your future king, Holland.”

“Lucky you would have an Antari to put it back, then.”

By the time he returned to London, voice rumbling deep from an expanded chest, people understood quickly to use “Ros” with the proper pronouns or see just how effective the runes on his hands were. But well…Ros is an easier shirt than Rosalind to slip into, but it will never sit comfortably. As he develops allies, he finds that Vor and Vortalis fit easier. And it becomes a good gauge for trust. Those who understand implicitly how painful his given name is and respect that, are people worth keeping. It becomes easier, as fewer and fewer people survive who remember Rosalind.

There are far too many moments to count when former friends or lovers try to use “Ros” as a weapon, with a little smirk that says: “You never said we _couldn’t call you that.” And he’s deeply glad he made a relatively small name fuss and provided only a small chink in his armor. (Those sorts of people tend, inevitably, to cause the use of his knives. As though letting them close and showing kindness is an invitation for open season. But such are the risks in Makt, and he is a man who craves touch and closeness. What good to craft the ideal body only to never have it appreciated. The way Holland simply…withdrew from people after Talya is something almost unfathomable. Whether they’re the closest of friends or both king and night and! king and beloved—which’s pretty much always in my head—there’s a deep, profound ache that he could never touch Holland enough to make up for too many years alone.

It’s the dimmest flicker every time he sees the “knight” and “Antari” masks slip, when Holland leans against his shoulder or puts his head in Vor’s lap, eyes half-closing at fingers in his hair. But, simply because the task is nigh on impossible, doesn’t mean he won’t do his best. Vor touches Holland Vosijk a hundred thousand times in those two years of rule—and so, so many more if they both survive—and is so very, very grateful he could take the touches the best of his lovers and allies offered over the last thirty years. (On a slashy front, can we also just talk about how, as a couple, there’s an incomparable way arousal and awe intertwine for Vor _every time Holland reaches out and shows affection: a kiss against his temple as Vor lets their foreheads rest together; a hand moving slow and easy down his back. To be trusted enough for the most guarded man he’s ever met—it took Vor _months to convince him to kill Gorst and he’s never had to work so hard or wanted so desperately for someone to say yes in his life—to touch him is such a valuable thing that he has immense responsibility not to break.)

Also in couple’s verse: If Vor has a small regret, it’s that the bone magicians are far more skilled with outward, above-the-waist presentation—because the best of them have not only done this for trans people, but for criminals etc. seeking a disguise. Thankfully, they had no trouble cutting him open to ensure he would never be with child—he doesn’t have the vocabulary for dysphoria, but the idea of his stomach rounded and heavy is one of the few things that can make him viciously soul-deep terrified. But the below the waist equipment well, it’s not a magic Makt has the luxury of learning.

By the time he meets Holland, it’s the very faintest of regrets: he has a collection of strap-ons for when he and a lover want to indulge in that particular fantasy—and is comfortable enough in his skin it’s an indulgence and not a requirement. It’s beautiful to watch lovers slide to their knees and take them in their hands or mouths or slide inside and watch them arch with pleasure. But oh, oh he wishes he could _feel it. It’s not a complaint worth voicing, and honestly after he becomes king, there’s very little time to indulge.

But one day, Holland comes back, smelling of flowers holding a box, tells the guards to wait at the end of the hall because he has crucial business from “the other London” for the king’s ears alone, which has Vor intrigued and concerned because he hasn’t come close to asking Holand to send a message. But before the concern can swell to anything beyond a flicker, he sees a flush so faint anyone would miss it who wasn’t watching. (Even before the Danes, Holland held his feelings and desires in an iron grip; Vor learned early in sharing a bed that Holland loathed the idea of being heard by those not his lovers when losing control: not merely a discomfort that could add spice to an evening, but viscerally, the way it would take everything Vor had to turn his back on an armed opponent.) This is pleasure, not business and he flicks his fingers in a silent command before they can even turn to look.

"Go get yourselves some dinner,“ he says for good measure, "If there is a foe Holland cannot protect me from, there’s little more bodies can do.”

When he opens the box…there are the usual straps but the cock. The cock feels like _skin. “The Arnesians-” and oh, there’s still so much contempt in those words “With their infinite supply of magic have learned to transmute. From earth to bone, and then something softer. There is an illusion for the Arnesians who want to forget the straps.” There were layers upon layers beneath that statement: neither of them wished, at least then, to go begging for scraps, but to _take a little of the bounty Arnes had hoarded,

“_Yes!”

Neither of them know how the illusion works: it is as mysterious as the fireworks Holland has seen that fool his eyes into certainty dragons fly across the unbearably vivid Arnesian sky. It does not matter; in those moments when Holland’s mouth is hot on skin, Vor is utterly, entirely certain Holland is swallowing down the cock he has always had.

It’s almost too much, leaves him speechless for the first time in decades, has Holland scrambling up and onto the bed even as his eyes are still glassy from watching the king come undone to wrap himself around Vor’s back until the world comes into focus again. “Is it only good once or-” he asks, finally and Holland’s smirk is wicked.

When he’s upending the Ost table and coughing up blood—, so much, too much kajt I hope Holland can take the throne because whoever these bastards are they can’t rule, the thing he clings to: more than “Stay with me"—though he _tries—, more than the raw panic in Holland _swearing—is the name. _Vortalis, he says when the table overturns—though it would be such a forgivable mistake to use Ros. Vor, he says while chanting stay and one of his blood spells. He will die as who he made himself, not as he was born.

The three threads of coherence for Holland are the blood spell. That Vor _has to stay. And that if he cannot be enough to stop this, he _will not let Vor die hearing him use the wrong name.

In verses where Vor lives, they both know the "thank you” when he wakes is not for the healing, though to be alive is a joy.

[badassbutterfly1987]

Even though being in a small fandom means there are less people to interact with, both on tumblr and ao3, it makes for a pretty chill time.

Firstly, it means the people that are there are more likely to form a genuine bond with each other. Secondly, because large fandoms tend to turn into echo chambers of toxicity.

Yes, I am referring to the dragon show, it's like the MCU post Civil War but with more people calling the source material awful.

[starsailores]

i love adsomblr for many reasons, one of which being the fact that i could make a post saying something like 'holland vosijk is truly the man of all time, i want to see him sopping wet and shivering and crying from the weight of his crimes' and the same group of four or five tumblr users would immediately find it and reblog it with tags like "he is my tragic little meow meow and i want to pat him on the head' and 'op you are so real for this'. you people get me like nobody else

[typingwithmyhandstied]

Alucard: I only ever see you awake, do you ever shut down or stop running? Lila: Oh, I’m always running. Lila: The question is from what.