#house branch

[thenorthsource]

Noble houses of the North: House Branch

[witchthewriter]

𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉  𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆

𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐟���𝐢

House Sigil: A first quarter moon next to a five pointed star that has a flowing river underneath

House Motto: Unto Ourselves 

Sworn to: In truth, whoever is sitting on the Iron Throne, and in this era it is King Viserys Targaryen. However, because the Manfri’s are ever-moving, (and aren’t power-hungry) they aren’t seen as a threat. 

Descendants of the Rhoynar, an ever-evolving culture that had been progressing more and more each year. House Manfri are direct descendants of those who saw what the world could be, rather than what it is. 

Their progression surpassed many things, particularly in equality. The Rhoynar didn’t pass women over in favor of male leaders, no, women were in line for the throne as well. 

A lot of the Rhoynar culture is seen in House Manfri, for example, it is ruled under a matriarchy. It is because of this, that the House is still alive and thriving, although it does not have ownership of one land. Instead, these people are travellers; never using too much of one piece of earth, nor claiming ownership over one territory. 

Over time the Rhoynar culture has shifted and transformed, but the heart of it remains: freedom, fairness, and creativity. 

The people of House Manfri are allowed to dress however they desire; there are no rules that tell them who they are or how they should be. Women can wear pants, and those that choose to hunt usually do. However, it is typical for Manfri women to don layered skirts, scarves, and shawls. 

Both men and women commonly have long hair in which they braid important traits of themselves into. For example, a feather for freedom and wisdom, beads represent a love for creating and making, trinkets for being noticed etc. It is typical for them to also use the ashes of burnt herbs in and around the eye. It is so the eye’s colour is enhanced and to look intimidating. 

On special occasions they embellish themselves with coins and bells so that they jingle as they move. It’s a physical depiction of their feelings for the event. 

The Manfri men are tall, muscular, and seemingly brooding. Some would say they looked similar to Dothraki men, but they aren’t like them in personality at all. What sets the men apart from the wild horse riders are the fact that they don’t take part in wars, nor do they treat their women so unkindly. 

House Manfri is well-educated in herbal remedies, plants, hand-sewing, hunting and gathering. They have had years upon years to learn how to live off the land, and pack up without a moments notice. 

Their history, what their taught and their stories are told verbally. Passed on from generation to generation gathered with each other in front of a raging fire. 

@leniabranch. 

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Danny couldn't really explain why he always answered this specific summoning ritual. It was like a feeling. One of warmth. Of a mug of hot cocoa in your hands and a nice weighted blanket dropped around your shoulders as a fire blazed in the hearth in front of you, keeping the chill in the rest of the room at bay.

Danny always lost himself in the sensation and found himself back in that stupid circle of protection with that same wierd guy demanding answers. But Danny didn't know anything about a "Lazarus Pit" or a "Pit Madness" let alone a cure for it. Even if he did he wasn't going to tell Red Robin anything after all the times he'd used the marriage summoning spell to get him here.

Earlier on Red had explained it was the only spell known to thier universe that could summon an entity from "The Lazarus Dimension" Which he guessed was another name for the ghost zone and Phantom was the only one to ever be summoned.

Danny couldn't help but wonder why...

After escaping Bird boy and his supernatural pop quiz (oh look, another test for him to flunk) he returns home only to discover his parents had seen him get summoned and accused him of being a ghost that replaced thier baby boy.

Naturalally the next time Red Robin had summoned Phantom he was angry. He was tired and dirty from being on the run from his parents, his worlds US government, and Vlad. Not to mention his own rogues gallery didn't exactly cut him any slack.

So Danny decided that if Red Robin wanted to abuse the power of a marriage ritual than the very least he can do is put his money where his mouth is.

Danny grinned and exited the magic circle, taking delight in Reds widening eyes before he lunged. A kiss sealed the deal, making sure Danny had a safeish place to stay.

After all, married couples in the infinite realms were obligated and even compelled to protect and care for eachother.

[huariqueje]

Ancient Apple , Apple Tree - Jeremy Miranda , 2024.

American , b. 1980 -

Acrylic on board , 7 x 8 in.

[julykings]

what's ur fav album right now ?

[ryssbelle]

Floyd walking out of his room in the bunker like he didn't just spend the last 16 hours straight crying

[doritofalls]

dirtiest man alive x cleanest man alive power couple

[ask-cupbros-parents]

Dang Walter, you live like this?

-When Utena comes to Walter's home for the first time

🚫Please do not repost or trace my artwork! 🚫AI learning prohibit Cupbros blog |Main blog| Twitter | Patreon

Bonus:

[ilkkawhat]

Ilkka + Hugging for anon

[adam-trademark]

Saturday Night

(October 14, 2023)

[1elouise]

HAUNTED HOUSE AU?! MAYBE?? ONCE I FINISH SELECTIVE HEARING???

(I don’t think it’s just a phase anymore)

[sergeantsporks]

Sometimes I like to think about how Vee is a traumatized shapeshifting monstrosity from another dimension who canonically graduated from Normal People School. Girl got a passing grade in being regular. Something normal to want and possible to achieve but not in a sarcastic way

It's a delicious kind of irony that a traumatized shapeshifting monstrosity (affectionate) from another dimension who was raised in a prison ended up fitting in better in the human realm than Luz. Like. H u h.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again! Vee was SO lucky she impersonated Luz because 1) if she did anything weird, everyone just dismissed it as being Luz, 2) she was immediately sent to "crash course in fitting in" camp, giving her all the tools she needed to act like an average human and 3) if anyone noticed her not acting like Luz, they could just chalk it up to the camp doing its job. Not to mention she got a kickass mom who wouldn't kick her out for being a snake person. Vee hit the impersonation jackpot.

But anyway, Vee being just the most average person alive, just such a normal girl is so fun. You go to the Noceda house and it's like "the weirdest girl you've ever met and her equally weird friends" "Super Nerd Camila Noceda who will clock you with a baseball bat" and then Vee whose hobby is Being A Normal Fellow Human. And then you look to the left, and her partner, who went to the same "be normal" camp, is a goth tarot-card-reading witch who works in a museum.

[witchthewriter]

𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝐶𝘩𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛

Personalised story for @leniabranch Pairing: Otto Hightower x Lenia Branch Word Count: 2k Warnings: Things get a lil heated towards the end (sexually speaking)

You stood there shocked, well for a better word, dumbfounded.

The Hand of the King, arguably the most important man in Westeros, was down on one knee for you.

You could see the tinge of his skin; sailing did not become him. But he still looked handsome with his windswept hair and unkept beard (he had tried to make himself look as presentable as possible, but he could barely stand in front of the mirror on the rocking boat).

A crowd was already gathering, murmurs that the Hand of the King was proposing on the docks ran quickly throughout the dockyards. It wasn't until Alicent coughed that you were pulled back into reality. Tears sprung to your eyes you didn't know how they got there but you knew they came from a place of joy. Throwing yourself down at him your hands found their way to his cheeks, and you planted a firm kiss on Otto’s lips.

   “You have yet to answer, Lady Lenia,” Otto murmured with a small smile.

Your answer came out in a jumbled mess of yesses.

He kissed you back with just as much fervour, pulling away from your lips for only a second to say, “I wished to propose underneath the apple tree, but I couldn’t wait any longer.” And then his lips found yours once again.

The next few days went by in a blur. You first went to your parent’s to tell them the good news. However, your father had already known as Otto asked for his permission. During the Hand’s journey, he was waiting just as anxiously as you. Your mother on the other hand, did not know, and was over the moon with joy. Though she did slap your father’s arm for not telling her.

  “It was a surprise!” was his response.

Otto had never been this proud, not since the birth of his children. So, he gladly welcomed the congratulatory remarks and compliments. Although as he recounted the story, he did like to leave out the part where he was still sea-sick during the proposal.

Alicent too was happy. Not just happy for her father and future stepmother but also because the attention was no longer on her. King Viserys was more than jovial. Keeping this secret was difficult for him. Happy secrets were his downfall. He was so happy in fact, that he said, “there shall be no expense spared for this wedding,” and then the Master of Coin nearly choked on his wine.

Elrie was over the moon to be involved in another wedding. Darrick too, was ecstatic for you, the only person who was not was little Lucieth, who was sick of weddings.

And when you asked why, he blurted “because I HATE dressing up!”

Weeks had passed and the wedding plans were in full motion. Your mother was busy fussing over your dress with Sanah, who wanted to make it by hand. While your mother wanted you to wear her own wedding gown. And then you had family traditions to consider; every Branch woman wore some sort of homage to the House. May it be a leaf, a stem, a … branch, stitched in the gown, a piece of jewellery or make up. It was your choice to make.

The invitations soon went out as well.

Otto was quite particular with how he wanted them written, but you had the creative control. Both your House sigils were drawn, appearing on the corners of the parchment. A representation of your Houses bond.

Soon Branches from all over Westeros would soon be swarming the Capitol, giving a new feeling to King’s Landing. Your mother's side of the family were invited as well and although not as openly as creative as House Branch, they were well known for their musical abilities.

It had only been a month since your proposal and Sanah was becoming insufferable. In the best way. Once she heard the news, she apologised for her future actions, “I am going to be intolerable at times, but I just want this to be perfect for you.”

This was one of the most stressful times in your life, but … in such a positive way. Used to the spotlight, you didn’t mind the attention, especially the talk of the future with Otto.

    “And you’ll give him even more children, hopefully more sons!” Said a lady at court, whose name you didn’t care to remember. The last part stung, and you frowned (for the first time in a month).

“Any child is a blessing,” you replied, trying to keep the bite out of your voice. “Girls have just as much to offer as boys do.”

It was a curt response, and it made you up and leave the room.

You could feel your teeth grinding and you had to remind yourself to stop. Now being the Hand’s future wife, you worried that every word you spoke could hurt his position somehow. But a topic such as this; you knew where you stood on the matter.

The castle’s hallways had become well-known to you. The smoothed edges of the stone walls, cold to the touch, with it’s sudden openings of light and sunshine. On days like this, it filtered through the open gaps, some paned, some completely open. One had to be careful with the latter, there were rumours that many had … fallen from those openings.

Resting your back against the cool of the wall, you sighed and massaged your temple. It was safe to say that in this period of your life, you felt frazzled. It didn’t help that you were on your periods and the cramps were quite terrible. Hopefully, you wouldn’t have them during your wedding. Maybe that was another question for Sanah…

Lost in thought, you didn’t register the form that had stopped to stand next to you.

   “Having second thoughts?” Ormund’s deep voice made you jump, and in turn brought on a wave of embarrassment with a tinge of anger.

      “Don’t sneak up on people like that! It’s … it’s rude.” You said breathlessly.

Ormund chuckled and rested a hand on the hilt of his sword. “Well, I give my deepest apologies,” he said mockingly, bowing low. “I mustn’t upset the Hand’s wife.”

  “Future, wife,” you corrected.

“Yes,” he said with faint sincerity, “future wife.”

                                                       -✶-

The interaction with Ormund left you somewhat confused, what was he trying to say? And why was there an establishment between wife and future wife? These words danced in your head until you came to your chamber doors and gleefully opened them.

Rising from the bed, Otto gave you a slight bow as you entered the room.

  “Please excuse my boldness, but I needed to talk to you. Alone.”

His tone caused an eruption of butterflies in your stomach. A reddening of your cheeks as well.

“It’s, fine. I think we’re past the rules of formality.” And your mind instantly went to the nights spent with each other, naked, with body parts wrapped around one another. The thought made your blush deepen.

  “Well, you’re right about that,” Otto’s tall frame seemed to tower over your own. You noted his neatly trimmed beard and brushed hair. But some part of you missed the adventure-met Otto.

He guided you over to your sitting area, hot tea waiting for you. The sun had begun to set, emitting rays of orange, pink and purple across the sky. A beautiful sight, but one that you gladly ignored. Your focus was utterly on Otto.

   “I just wanted to have some time by ourselves,” he started, moving to take his hand in yours. “And to give you an opportunity to refuse the proposal.” His voice hardened at the end of the sentence, but when you looked into his eyes, all you saw was love.

 “Why would I refuse?” You said aghast. “Have I shown any reason I wouldn’t want to marry?”

There was a long pause.

And questions flooded your head, swarming your stomach, making your body tingle with anxiety.

  “No, you have not.”

His words gave you such relief that you let out a sigh. The breath that you had unknowingly held in was released and Otto actually saw the worries escape you.

 “Then why? Why ask this?”

How could Otto explain this deep-rooted insecurity of not being enough. Being too old, too unliked, having a job that requires questionable morals. Having to lie to those he loves in favour of the King, or to keep important information from coming to light. To push for things that other people do not want nor agree with.

For Otto, it just goes deeper and deeper. More intricate that one could ever explain perfectly.

So, the only thing that he could come out with was, “I-I’m not enough. For you. You deserve better. Someone younger, at least.”

Your grip on his hand tightened, and you stared straight into his eyes, “I want to marry you Otto Hightower. I see the good, I see the bad; I see all of you. And I still want to marry you.”  

The intensity in which you spoke felt foreign, as was the power that seemed to radiate from you. But in this moment it felt right. Unbeknownst to you, it wasn’t as if Otto didn’t see your devotion. He did. And he admired it greatly. It’s one of the reasons why he loves you so dearly. His late wife had the same devout nature.

Any doubts he had for this marriage were based on himself; his own self-reservations. Truly, they had nothing to do with you. Not even your status, which had been brought up by the small council, didn’t make him think any less of you. He had stopped the slanderous talk immediately. Everyone knew not to talk ill of Lenia Branch in the presence of Otto Hightower. And it helped greatly that the King thought your family was brilliant. Your position at court was favoured, as were you. Your future, no matter what, was bright.

 “I truly cannot explain how I feel inside. Only know this: there is nothing that can make me stop loving you.”

 You seemed to move without realising it, because in an instant you were in his lap, one hand tangled in his hair and the other moving down his chest. Your lips were connected in such deep passion that you knew they would be bruised in a few hours.

Otto’s hands wrapped around your body, pulling you closer to him. His mouth reciprocated the movements, biting your bottom lip, nipping at your tongue. Then he moved you, so your legs were either side of him. The position making it easier to rub your most sensitive parts against one another. Otto moaned, pushing you harder against himself, kissing down the nape of your neck and moving to your chest. He was about to unlace your bodice when a knock sounded at the door.

   “J-just a moment!” You breathed out, doing your best to get off of Otto and fix yourself up. Standing there awkward for a moment, Otto motioned for you to sit down on your chair and take a sip of your now cold, tea.

   “Enter,” you said after gulping. You realised Otto had brought over your favourite herbal blend.

“Oh, apologies,” said Darrick, whose eyes darted between you and Otto. You could see your brother conclude that you were alone with another man, but only having tea.

   “How are you, Darrick?” Otto asked, in a completely neutral tone.

“Fine, thank you for asking,” Darrick bowed politely and then handed you a piece of rolled up parchment.

Departing quickly, you could see the tinge of red on his cheeks and you frowned. Although you realised that it wasn’t because of any indecency, but because of what he had brought you.

It was the finished wedding invitations, with your design and Otto’s words. Together in black ink with gold and silver accents made it look absolutely beautiful. You slid the paper over to Otto and he nodded his head in approval.

[meimeikyu]

smth i like about house is how his disability is treated as. there? like. its not ignored and glossed over its a huge part of his character but maybe its just bcs hes such an asshole but its not treated like some unbranchable sacred topic either. both him n others make jokes about it (usually somewhat meanspirited), wilson specifically pranks him multiple times with his cane and like. maybe its because hes such an asshole that hes not pitied for it but idk. i like it a lot

[satansthiccasscheeks]

Ok I have to say if your a monster and your gonna kill me at least with enough decency make my insides explode like if your a 6ft fish creature with scales and sharp ass teeth and idk muscles or something you could at least slide whatever the hell your packing down there into me or if your like a some humanoid monster peice of shit you could at least drag me into the woods and like make me start mouth open drooling all over myself eye in the back of my head and just like that's so rude of you not to like I'm not saying you couldn't kill me after just let me go down in pleasure and hot steamy monster sex

[arc-hus]

Pavilion Between the Trees, Balnarring, Australia - Branch Studio Architects