#nameless swordswoman

[brainworms-all-night-long]

>Makes my first ever oc that is still lacking a name

> Halfway through coloring realizes I basically made Ashikai into a Genshin character on accident

>Drops it on the internet anyway

>Refuses to elaborate further

Vision story/good old tragic back story:

___ trained with her best friend for as far back as she could remember, with their bond growing ever colser trough growing stronger in combat, until one fatefull day ___ received a Vision making the duo absolutely hyped and proud of how far have they come on their journey together at first. It only had to mean that the gods have knowledged it and deemed them worthy of their attention and praise!

That was, until it started to spark jelaousy from my the friend that felt unjustifiably left out and overlooked despite having put just as much passion and dedication into his training as ___ yep keeping it under wraps and his mouth shut, as not be seen as jealous prick.

But the sudden reality of having almost every person in his life turn their attention towards ___ for her 'by god's noticed ambition' did not help the situation.

Trying her hardest but always either proving her friend's point or not wording herself correctly, it only made the rift between the friends worse as ___ was only met with anger and distain from the other.

___ never percieved her friend as lesser or incompetent because of a lack of a Vision. But the damage overtime seemed to be too big to repair.

Their final confrontation has unwantingly escalated into a fear and hatered filled battle between the once ever close frinds. 'Let's see if you're really worthy of that power more than me!!' Were the last words ___ remebers from the other before falling back purely onto her instinct and muscle memory to survive an unwarranted duel to death. Seeing as they both were admirably skilled fighters the battle was indeed a sight to behold.

All of that before the other's blade falls to the ground, followed by the rest of his body. ___ heard him mutter something, but too horrified at what has happened her mind was clouded while her body moved on its own. Feeling the only possible course of action at the moment was to run away. Run away as far as possible and never return.

Perhaps a Vision is not as much of a blessing as people like to call it.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-•-—-—-—-—-—-—-—

The "___" being a placeholder for the character's future name

[llycaons]

oh my fucking god its happening

[throwaway-yandere]

FLAWLESS (Yandere!Various Genshin/Reader)

A/n: This is a complete interactive fic w/ CGs! There’s an HP system and 4 possible endings (yandere!Scaramouche, Alhaitham, Kaveh, and Kazuha). This is my final fanfic and I really put my best effort into drawing and writing this. Have fun!!! Your choices matter so read the evidences properly and try not to get a bad ending hahaha. (Pls answer this poll after and feel free to send me memes about who you got hAHHAHA)

Unreliable Synopsis: (Danganronpa!Genshin AU) If this is your last dance as an idol, then you do not want it. No. You’ll make the real criminal sing instead.

CW: yandere themes, blood, murders (well duh ansy–), and brief mentions of suicide.

Kazuha frowned. "For (L/n) (Y/n), this whole ordeal must seem like a flawless crime."

"They don't know the murder weapon, the suspects— no nothing." Kaveh sighed.

Alhaitham interjected. "Indeed, but the real questions will begin in a moment."

Words punctured the air in nameless accusations. Each time people enter this room, only distrust looms acting both as a safety blanket and suffocating plastic. You stared at the people left. One, two, three, four, five... You clenched your fist, and all those fingers pointed back at you. 

The sixth. 

There are only six survivors left.

"Say, (L/n) (Y/n)." Your Akademiyan companions stared at you as Kunikuzushi’s smirk could practically be heard in his voice. "Where were you at the time of the murder?"

You gulped.

The Teyvat Akademiya. Home only to the most renowned student of their craft. The faculty carefully picks out select groups of students to be their new freshmen- and it can only be counted by hand how many had declined such a generous offer. It was a government state university, but it was also a golden ticket to knowing people from high places.  

Each student was known for contributing something in their fields of interest. In fact, both your adoptive siblings were alumni of this prestigious school. Your brother Aether was a famous "adventurer" (as he loved to call himself instead of an artifact-obsessed archeologist) whereas your sister Lumine was a remarkable swordswoman with a straight-edged track record. Even your older friends, Dainsleif, and a certain glasses-wearing individual you had forgotten the name of were graduates and now boast incredible resumes befitting of an Akademiyan. Each alumnus you've met wasn't someone any person with a head on their shoulders would dare disrespect. 

But that was not the reason for your schoolmates’ evident intimidation.

“Allow them a moment to process,” Alhaitham scoffed. “The Body Discovery Announcement was approximately 2 hours ago. It’s challenging for individuals from the entertainment industry such as them to comprehend complicated matters in a few seconds.”

“I would’ve fainted at your rare attempt at empathy if it wasn't obviously pointed,” Kaveh scoffed before turning to you with a soft stare. “(Y/n), don’t listen to these two, I’m sure we can find out if you’re innocent or not later.”

You gave a short nod of assent.

Tragically, murders had become the norm for college students like yourself. No one has flinched at Kaveh’s grim mention of a suspect lurking by and none had the insanity to deny what had occurred.

It began when you first woke up in one of the Akademiya's classrooms. You stirred awake on a desk near Shikanoin Heizou, the "Detective Prince". He was a famous figure, so you instantly believed him when he said you were both hauled into this location against your will. You were enthused by his infectious desire to uncover whatever was behind the “kidnapping” you found yourselves in. He told you not to worry, that despite the barred windows and inaccessible exits, you'd both "probably" find a way out.  As you both wandered around the area, you found fourteen other students (some familiar faces, some not as much). For a brief moment of hope, everyone thought escape was possible. 

That was until a certain cold-eyed puppet entered the scene.

A heartless puppet you’re sure was waiting for everyone just under that elevator.

“Is… Is this everyone?” You asked like a mouse, frightened as your eyes darted for any hints of twinned cyan hair. Nothing about your recent behavior had gone unnoticed.

Senior Faruzan is missing…

Yoimiya frowned, grabbing your hand for comfort. “(Y/n)…”

Kunikuzushi scoffed. “Enough of this dumb ohhh boohoo exhibit. Let’s go.”

The most mysterious of the bunch left for the stairs immediately, punching the button on the elevator to its ground floor. Yoimiya huffed, muttering complaints about Kuni’s behavior while the three other men followed her silently. No one took the stairs two at a time and walked at a snail’s pace. A clear indication that no one wanted this to occur. 

And just like in the previous cases, Kazuha’s eyes were on you the entire time but spoke nothing of this behavior.

The elevator door opened. You looked at the camera above it. If the Shogun's words are to be trusted, then the outside world is watching your every move like reality TV.

If that's the case, might as well give them a show.

Kunikuzushi stepped aside, royally ushering everyone— and specifically YOU— in.

“Idols first.”

Everyone entered the trial room. If the mood from earlier was tense, it is worse now that you’re inside. Stepping into the cold room makes the situation all the more real.

There is an execution waiting to happen, but without a hint if it’ll be “us” or “them”. Every bright person inside the room here had previously partaken in 4 of these court sessions by force. Since no one can exit the premises nor contact the outside world, the only key out was to kill and avoid getting caught. 5 people had attempted to commit murder, and considering how you’re still breathing, none of the “blackened” had succeeded in getting their way.

How… How did it come to this? 

You enrolled in the Akademiya in hopes that you'd also find the subtle clues as to why Aether went missing, this wasn't in your plan.

Getting roped into this killing “game” was on no one’s to-do list. You received an invitation to enroll in the Akademiya because of your stark idol career, although your siblings being famous alumni may have greatly increased your chances of receiving that privilege. You would’ve thrown that paper into the fire if you knew you’d get dizzy upon arriving in the Akademiya and will wake up in such a heartbreaking dilemma. Hearing from a grapevine, you discovered that Kaveh was invited for his architectural drafts, Kazuha for his poems and a bit of swordsmanship in his repertoire, Yoimiya for her firework shows, and Kunikuzushi?… You don’t know. But you are wholly aware as to why Alhaitham is here as your senior— you were there when he opened his letter after all.

The “mascot” is yet to make her entrance. So, as “obedient” students, you’ve uncomfortably shuffled to the places you were meant to stand. Bile rose inside your throat as you looked at the last five students excluding yourself circling the room— with Faruzan’s crossed-out portrait to your right while Kamisato Ayaka’s on your left. It would appear that most of the dead students were on your side and the closest breathing person next to you was Kunikuzushi, who was two photographs away.

Alhaitham, Amber, Tighnari, Ajax, Albedo, Kamisato Ayaka, You, Faruzan, Xiao, "Kunikuzushi", Kaveh, Cyno, Yoimiya, Layla, Yunjin, Kaedehara Kazuha, and Shikanoin Heizou.

The deceased faces had been crossed out in bright violet paint, a nauseatingly unsubtle reminder that only six remained. Yet, the one that was meant to sit towering above was missing.

“… Where’s The Shogun?” Kazuha asked.

“Ah, so you do have a voice. And here I was about to call you a cricket. I thought our poet lost his words, considering how the previous trial ended,” Kunikuzushi mocked, rolling his eyes. “Just wait and see.”

You sighed, hoping it was quiet enough for Kuni not to have heard it. 

The last trial broke everyone’s spirits and sense of camaraderie the most. Before trials, the puppet gives everyone an incentive to kill. In the Ayaka-Heizou murder case, each student was given a videotape that raised more questions than answers. Yours was a clip of Lumine, your fellow theater actors, and idol mates congratulating you for your enrollment before it cuts off to a scene of your home burned to cinders. As for Ayaka, hers was a short-lived message of her older brother asking her to come visit the clan for Thoma’s upcoming birthday— before it cuts to a gruesome scene of her brother fatally wounded on their living room floor. 

“Find out what happens once you graduate!”... and then the tape ends.

Whoever was the mastermind behind this killing, you had to admit, they were an expert in psychological torture. And unfortunately for everyone, Ayaka was a smart individual— killing the most trustworthy student, Heizou, to cover her tracks better. She put up quite the fight in manipulating everyone to think that you and Kaveh were possible culprits.

You even got into an argument with the calmest person around. Kazuha was “convinced” that Ayaka was right, which led to you two entering an incredibly heated argument that left him depressed with his rejected apology. You were on "good terms" with him before, that being he would always offer to cook food and accompany you often. 

… Perhaps that was a good thing. Discreetly, you thought he strangely knew you to a degree that makes you far from comfortable. It still bugs you how he knew you all too well and yet you know nothing about him other than his aspirations: traditional Inazuman poetry writing with a bit of karuta on the side.

Maybe he used to be a big fan of yours? Even so, the foundation of your music, choreography, and persona was weaved through a tapestry of feel-good lies. And yet, he was wise enough to speak your true thoughts before you even hesitated to voice them in your cheery idol tone. 

But that’s not the issue right now. 

The issue on your plate was that you had no evidence to prove your innocence except for the list of school rules on your E-Handbook because you were convinced someone will kill you during the investigation.

You laughed to yourself bitterly. Might as well review those rules now.

You opened the E-Handbook.

As per “school rules”, there are regulations to be had in a murder game, but none stick to you as these three. Rule #10 and #7: A class trial will commence after three or more students have discovered a corpse, and a Body Discovery Announcement will play as soon as it occurs. However, a trial will be held if and only if every survivor is present; failure to do so will result in class “expulsion.” 

And the last rule that never left your mind was Rule #8: If the guilty party is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed.

By the end of Trial #4, she did not receive a proper execution. Ayaka was compelled to restore her honor and raised her sword to…

…

… You couldn’t hate her for it. Even though you were close friends with Heizou, you couldn’t hate any of your fellow students. They all had family, hopes, and visions for the future. Each one here was "a fledgling barely out of the nest." You couldn’t deny that you would’ve done the same.

"Since the Shogun isn't here yet, let's get a headstart," Kaveh gripped the court fence, eyeing everyone with a nervous stare and stiff posture. "What's your alibis?"

Nobody raised their voice initially. You cast a pitying glance toward Kaveh. When it comes to your closest friendships, he comes in second only to Heizou. As someone who had seen the horrors of the media which is essentially a mirror of the world's social issues, Kaveh's one of the few decent individuals left on the planet, in your opinion. In moments of quiet, you, Kaveh, and Faruzan used to chat together, with Heizou periodically interrupting to share his findings regarding everyone's entrapment.

Considering how Kaveh is your last true friend left, you volunteered yourself.

"I never left my room," you spoke audibly depressed, no longer caring that you appeared un-idol-like. "And I refused entry as well. I heard a couple of angry knocks at 9:37 p.m., but I didn't open my door for anyone."

You looked at Kazuha, hurt and accusingly.

You'd never forget how Kazuha called you a murderer. That intense argument made up 30% of Heizou's class trial. He lost his composure and called you a "dishonorable monster". The whole back-and-forth was very much unlike him. After the trial, neither of you talked– and you never left your room unless it was to get something to eat without anyone in sight.

If he was the one who killed Faruzan because he can’t get to you, then you’ll…

"9:37 eh? You got a watch now?" Kunikuzushi pointed at your wrist.

You snapped out of your aggression and nodded, which made him break out in a fit of laughter. 

"HAHAHA!!!" Kunikuzushi grinned, wide. "Learned your lesson, huh?!"

You scoffed, but your ego was humbled and your heart sank at his harsh words. 

Everyone in the room nearly lost their lives because of your time-blindness. It's precisely what made Kazuha suspicious of your motives. You were always unsure of the time, hence, you didn't have the most watertight alibi compared to Ayaka. Before you entered your room to lock yourself, Alhaitham blocked the door with his shoe and handed you his spare wristwatch. He was the last person you saw before your self-isolation.

"Good," Alhaitham said. "And you, Kunikuzushi?"

"Are we going to ignore that angry knocking thing?" Kaveh rightfully asked.

"Let's complete the first task first," Alhaitham answered. "Let's follow the circle; it's (Y/n), then Kunikuzushi, Kaveh, Yoimiya, Kazuha, then I."

"Conveniently putting yourself last," Kunikuzushi snarled. "But whatever. I was napping in my dorm. Woke up when I heard footsteps outside and decided to investigate. The discovery alarm rang off when I entered the nurse's office the second time."

Kaveh fell silent, his face pale.

"I… never went to m dorm that night"

"Oh?" You and Yoimiya curiously said in unison.

"I-I was with Alhaitham, patrolling!!!" Kaveh defended; his arms in the air. "I swear on my life, I was with him! We're probably the footsteps Kuni heard."

He spoke as if it was a good thing with his mouth, but he was whispering that it wasn’t with his eyes.

"Can't be certain," Kunikuzushi threw in a quick grumble and snapped his fingers. “But I think that's probably the case.”

"That makes sense. I mean, if Kuni was telling the truth then that just means there's more chance it's just those two hopping around. Oh, and I was actually on the second floor at the time. I was in the recreational room cause I wanted to get tokens for the cute little Shogun Stall.'' If Kuni’s side comment lasted a month, then Yoimiya's would be a year– but her good cheer is just what everyone needed to alleviate the tension.

"I wasn't in my dorm room either," Kazuha said. "I was in the cafeteria. I couldn't sleep so I decided to fry fish."

"True, I think. When I checked the cafeteria a knife was missing from the shelf."

"We’ll keep your fact-checking in mind, Miss Naganohara." 

No soul was sure if Alhaitham was being genuine about it except for you. And the answer was yes, he was being warily appreciative. Admittedly, you don’t know any of these people before this killing game started, except for one person…

Alhaitham looked away, conscious of how you looked at him.

In all fairness, Alhaitham was closer to Lumine than you and Aether, and he wasn’t your favorite neighbor either. As a kid, he was the type who would leave in the middle of hide-and-seek simply because the ordeal wasn’t “stimulating” to his developing intellect. He had a habit of causing uncomfortable situations just to “observe” your reactions with an emotionless stare. Alhaitham had once given you a sumeru rose with a startling grasshopper to see how you would behave, and the worst part is that everyone knows he did these without malice. His grandmother had to force a sorry out of him for your tears to dry. “He probably has a crush on you, you know how boys are,” was the excuse the old lady tried, but your twin siblings were quick to shut that thought down. You and he were simply oil and water, nothing more, nothing less.

But there were times you two got along. When you aired out loud sentiments regarding how stuffy his room must be, you snatched the book he was reading and dashed up the nearest tree. Despite his grumbling reservations, he was thankful that you taught him how to climb that afternoon. That was the first you saw him smile wider than usual and offered to narrate the book you stole: The Little Prince. 

However, that version of Alhaitham you’ve come to love remains awol amidst this killing game.

"As for my whereabouts: Kaveh is correct. He and I were patrolling just the first floor and exchanging conversation. Neither of us could sleep. We started at 9:15 and ended abruptly at 11:05, when we, along with Kunikuzushi, found–"

"The body." Kunikuzushi finished.

"Yes," Alhaitham said.

Kunikuzushi smirked. From your perspective, the worst part about this was not Kunikuzushi’s inappropriate smugness, but the look in his eyes that mirrored what Heizou used to have— what your good friend used to be. The light in his eyes, his more forward demeanor, the way he crossed his arms and snapped his fingers– it was as if he was copying him. 

Mocking him.

You hate Kunikuzushi. You detest just how much you don’t know why he’s in the Akademiya or anything else about him other than his first name. You loathe how he had made it his job to be the antagonist of every damn class trial. You hate how he looks at you as though you’re beneath him. You despise how much he is willing to withhold vital information till the very end.

Kunikuzushi is like a commedia dell’arte stock character. A Scaramouche. An unreliable servant. You can’t trust a man who said he was moved by your acting in all your filmography only to act like he wants nothing more than to crush your spirits once lives were at stake.

After listening to everyone’s alibis, your intuition screamed from something deep within a place you had begun to trust after experiencing these trials:

Out of six survivors, FOUR of them are hiding something.

“Is everyone present?”

Before you could speak up, a low and refined woman’s voice stole everyone’s attention. All turned to gaze at the long synthetic-haired lady with a katana by her side. She returned the stares with an unfathomable coldness as she strutted to her throne, the silk of her grand kimono touching the floor. 

There she is. The lone audience and judge. The puppet: the Almighty Raiden Shogun. Undoubtedly made of metal and not flesh. Xiao had learned that firsthand when he sacrificed his life in an honorable duel against the captor— but seeking freedom by force was of no use when she herself is capable of the murders she wished to witness.

“Very well. We shall begin.”

“W-Wait, hold up, ma'am!”

The last vaguely extroverted cheerleader raised her hand; her bravery to interrupt the Shogun was acknowledged.

“... Can I share my E-Handbook data with (Y/n)?” She asked, high-pitched.

The medical and criminological technology of this era eluded everyone. Trapped inside the Akademiya with no phones or any signal to the outside world, each student only has their E-Handbook to rely on. It contains information the owner investigated regarding murders and records testimonies made by their peers. A handbook is only “handy” for both people who were hoping to survive and those who were hoping to twist the facts. 

And that offer is exactly what you need.

“You see– they didn’t leave their room during the investigation period– probably worried that the killer might be after them next and they kinda turned into a hikikomori for the past few days. I’m kinda worried they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves on this trial so… So, uh… Pretty please?” The blonde girl smiled nervously.

The Raiden Shogun stared, calculating.

“I shall allow it.”

“Thank you so much!” Yoimiya tapped her E-Handbook as fast as she could, more eager than you were in watching the loading screen fill up.

(SYSTEM: RECEIVING NAGANOHARA YOIMIYA’S E-HANDBOOK DATA…)

(SYSTEM: TRANSFER COMPLETE.)

You smiled at Yoimiya but it came out crooked and jaded. She didn’t complain that you weren’t at your top form today, but she did send you a loud “Do your best!” in her native tongue.

The Shogun walked to the throne and took her seat.

“Now then, let the class trial begin.”

Out like a bolt of lightning, the doors behind you were completely shut with metal bars in her flick of a wrist. In her twisted form of justice, she hammered the circular surface with her gavel.

“Court is now in session.”

(SYSTEM: TAP HERE TO CONTINUE)

[iamalasagnagirl]

hey :),

I just read your recommendations for wlw books (thanks so much for those xD), but wanted to asked if you knew any sapphic fantasy books as well (preferably high fantasy/books with great worldbuilding). Sorry if this is too specific and thank you <3

Hei, the only book that comes to my mind is The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -> The premise of this book is a bit hard to describe because it tracks the perspectives of multiple characters from East and West, but essentially: Ead has been a transplant at a foreign court and is meant to protect Queen Sabran, who is the current ruler of the Virtudom and claims descent from the supposed defeater of the Nameless One (a big scary fire-breathing wyrm). She protects the queen using forbidden magic, which comes from her training as a mage in the Priory of the Orange Tree.

The world building is just intensely lush. It is so richly detailed, and while I spent a lot of time in the beginning having to double check where I was, the chapter headings with "East" and "West" simplified a lot for me.

It has sapphic romance in it, but I have to say that that's not what the main plot is about at all

I have other titles but i don't know if they're what you're looking for..

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir -> The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword and is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service. Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die. Of course, some things are better left dead.

Queens And Monsters by Cleo Evans -> Butch Perseus and her femme Medusa. This book has: two women that have been secretly pining for centuries. Demigods, monsters, and gods. SPICE. Sapphic monster romance and SO much more. Not really my thing but maybe you'll do.

A Song of Silver and Gold by Melissa Karibian -> For the past year, Princess Kaelyn of Avalon has disguised herself as a man, Captain Kae, and led her crew into tumultuous waters to eradicate sirens on a journey fueled by revenge. Aqeara is a siren warrior of Meyrial, an underwater kingdom hidden from humans. When her negligence during the Avalon harbor attack causes the death of Meyrial’s princess, she seeks the help of a sea witch to overturn her banishment. Aqeara is given a human body and has until the next full moon to carve out Captain Kae’s heart in exchange for a spell to bring the dead princess back to life.

I'm sorry but i haven't read many fantasy books in my life 🙈

[moss-bride]

Among moth eaten tomes

Enki Ankarian x fem!Reader. Complete One shot.

When the group first saw her, the barbarian had raised his weapon and the knight was at ready. Gritted teeth and faces bleached of everything except fear. Not moving from their defensive position until she explained that she wanted just to trade.

It was an excuse to interact on her part.

A lovely swordswoman. A shivering child. An outlander. A shewolf. A thief. And finally a priest of a devotion unknown to her. It's comedic. The party is a mishmash of characters from everywhere with no apparent alignment and they wander these cursed walls bound in tragedy.

She follows after the party on a hunch that they might have something to do with her mission.

Having been sent a long way from home to bear witness to the horrors of the deep.

Why, who and what? She doesn't know, and was told it is not her place to question the blessings of the divine path, it was the high priestess Ignat who sent her, having received a vision.

Ignat is too old to go, thus she was elected in her place. Observe from the shadows for any inclination on her duty. Whatever happens here, so far from the heavens, she was told, decides human advancements.

This group is something more than the other unfortunates. Not special. Not chosen. Just a strange group in the middle of a spider's woven web . She can feel the silk on her tongue and this she trails them.

If the monsters nearly killed her several times, it's pure torment for the party of six. She struggled not to intervene. (if that happened then she would die with them.)

From the shadows between pillars, Death precedes each move, each split decision. These mind weary travelers are stretched to their limits.

Watching them trudge and fight has become a habit.

And who can blame her if she leaves the rare treat of stale bread in their path when she has extra? She's not interfering! if anything just delaying the inevitable! Stalking the halls after them ,offering trades and bought for advice. Not that they heed it.

There's nothing wrong with feeding strays. She won't meddle (much) with each meeting she is tempted to do further for them. She learns their names via an exchange for a non rotten chunk of meat.

Her eye has caught by a figure that hangs in the back, not part of the comradery of the others, rather seeming to deem himself above it all.

Enki Ankarian.

A silver haired waif of a man. Tall but hunched in his dusty black robes. At first sight his gray complexion made her confuse him with a freshly reanimated corpse. He has as much expression as one. Face changing between consternation and annoyance when not in a fight for his life.

Yet she is enamored with this. Wanting nothing other than to sweep his thin form in her arms and take him home. The thought keeps her warm in the dungeons and helps send her off to sleep.

She should feel this strange pulsing need for the barbarian or the swordswoman, strong as they are with flexing muscles and glistening frames. Her usual type of craving. Even the thief has a charm to him. She's no stranger to the throes of lust. The bookish types were never her cravings until now.

As the rest of the group sleeps he is stowed away in the library.

His companions none the wiser but before she walks into the room he resides in she spies the owl pupils of the nameless child peering at her. Impossibly wide and tired under her choppy haircut.

She gives her a small smile and wave, entering, shaking the uneasy feeling the girl gives her. She should investigate that emotion further, her gut is rarely wrong.

When madness had not taken this place, the room must have been a study. Somewhere to document the keepings and supplies.

Now its words have are abandoned by all. Except her stubborn priest who is constantly studying. The candlelight gives his small nook away. Enki is in a tucked corner among bookshelves and a rock wall. Lost in his words, she leans silently on a shelf and looks him over.

Limp hair obscuring his down turned face, reading a heavy tome. heavy bags under his eyes and a lined forehead. Enki’s thin fingers turn the page carefully to not rip the delicate paper. Pouring over scrolls and pages of whatever he can get his hands on with no regard for whether what's inside is better left unread.

Suicide by learning . It would be the most fitting death for a (self centered bastard) ‘devoted scholar.’

He smells her before he sees her. The dog that has trailed them for days. Cahara had been the first to notice her and now she's everywhere they turn.

Her scent fills his lungs. Smoky wisps of incense and a pile of burning leaves, against his better judgment he inhales too long. Enjoying the clean scent free of disease and death. Gritting his teeth

, A distraction he doesn't want or need yet persist

Better her than the guards. She's thus far proven to be harmless. However, his suspicion rises as the others lower.

Finally, she speaks. “Ankarian.”

She savors the feeling of his eyes on her. Studying as if she is beneath his notice or a particularly annoying insect. She gives him her best smile. Batting her eyelashes.

“Oh, it's you again.” he scoffs and returns to reading.

Losing a man's attention to dusty old. Mama would laugh if she knew.

“What are you reading?”

His thin lips lift in a sneer “Something you wouldn't understand.” Another thing that should cool her ourdur for him but does the opposite, Enki is an arrogant prick. According to him, everyone is below his mighty brain and his intellect is matched by a rare few. Apparently, she isn't one of them.

She sighs. “Try me?”

“No. Run along and leave me, I have no interest wasting my time with you “ and that's that for several minutes, she studies his jaw. Clenched due to her meddling.

He can feel her gaze burning a hole on his face. Failing to comprehend the page In front of him, he'll have to start over.

“You seek knowledge of the old gods?” She smiles pretty, making sure the candlelight catches her sharp teeth. “I have all the secrets you seek.”

"Do you? I highly doubt that a common ruffian such as you would have anything that interests me" he says in a tone that clearly does not believe her.

She nods. " Well I do but I won't tell you, because you are so mean."

A vein on his temple throbs. For a moment she swears he's about to attack her with an incantation. “I don't need anything from you. Leave me. Wench.”

She almost couldn't hold in her giggles.

[bri-the-nautilus]

Blorbo Headcanon: Lucatiel of Mirrah

So I've been doing some theorycrafting recently. And one of the results is this: Lucatiel of Mirrah is trans. Aslatiel of Mirrah doesn't exist. But that's a ways off. To start, let's review some basic information about them.

Lucatiel is a swordswoman from Mirrah, a land of knights built on pride and tradition. She is slowly Hollowing and losing her memory as she searches Drangleic for her long-lost brother. Her greatest fear is that her name and life will be forgotten, reiterating her name like a mantra and begging the Bearer of the Curse not to forget her. She wears a silver mask shaped like the face of a goateed, mustachioed man. The description of her mask in Dark Souls III even remarks that it's strange how the mask has a woman's name attached to it when it's styled after a man's face.

Aslatiel is a phantom who invades the player in Aldia's Keep (after their final meeting with Lucatiel if her quest was followed). He wears the same equipment as Lucatiel, including her mask (granted, the obtainable maskless Mirrah hat is a dlc item) and weapons. In her dialogue, Lucatiel mentions that they learned to fence together, but that Aslatiel was much better and she (despite the competence she displays in DSII and the fact that Aslatiel is a really easy invader) was never held to be anywhere near as good as him.

Now headcanon time. My personal headcanon is that Lucatiel is an only child. She was assigned male at birth and named Aslatiel. He grew up and became the most decorated swordsman in all Mirrah, issued a mask styled after his face as part of his knight's armor. But Aslatiel always felt like something was missing. Eventually, he realized that he was always meant to be someone else. And thus, Aslatiel of Mirrah disappeared and Lucatiel of Mirrah was born.

Those in her life didn't react well. In Mirrah, skill in battle and familial heritage are the only things of value. Lucatiel was and still is their greatest warrior, but the honor Aslatiel won for his nameless, penniless family is now detached from her in the eyes of the people. Lucatiel continues to wear the mask in the hopes that people will see she's still the same knight, but her family and fellow knights don't see it that way. "Aslatiel was better than you," they say. "Aslatiel was on a whole other level. You will never meet his measure. If only he were still here."

Eventually, Lucatiel leaves Mirrah and ends up in Drangleic. During this time, she becomes Undead and begins Hollowing. She says that she has started to lose her memories, oldest first. She forgets the part of her life where she transitioned. She thinks she was always the swordswoman Lucatiel and Aslatiel was a separate person entirely. A greater warrior than she, beloved by their family and people. A warrior whose measure she could never meet in all the time "they" spent training. If I could find Aslatiel, if I could bring him back to Mirrah, I can earn back the respect of my family, she thinks. The brother and hero we all miss dearly will be returned and all will be well. So she searches. She knows on some level that she will find Aslatiel in Drangleic, because Aslatiel is wherever she is. She was/is Aslatiel. She knows on some level that she was something before she was Lucatiel, and that her loved ones will be loath to remember her as Lucatiel, but she can't quite articulate it. As her memory fades further, all that remains is a fear that her hard-won truth of self will be lost. When she begs the BoTC to "remember her name," she isn't asking for the name and deeds of Lucatiel the warrior to be remembered. She's asking for the name and memory of Lucatiel the girl to be remembered. When she goes hollow, and the last memories of herself are gone, her spirit manifests in its most basal form, drained of all of the experience and memory and introspection that Lucatiel gained. Everything that made her Lucatiel. Aslatiel of Mirrah, clutching a tarnished blade, arises not far from where Lucatiel finally faded. A mindless Hollow who has truly, in every way, lost herself.

Now why am I telling you all this? Let's just say I have something in the works.

[colourstreakgryffin]

One Piece Treasures: Father! Roronoa Zoro Headcanons

For my little sister! I spent hours working on this! Please enjoy! Dokusha aka Y/N is called Shimotsuki here! The name is referencing Shimotsuki Kuina, the friend that basically shaped Zoro

Just a single set of unfortunate circumstances landed you, a abanonded helpless nameless eight-year-old, in the custody of the one and only Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro

Do you think Zoro is a bad parent? Hope not, because he isn’t. With the way he treats Luffy, he is, without a doubt, a very dedicated and accomodating figure

Overprotective is his middle name. The Thousand Sunny became childproof in mere seconds. All the sharp cutlery and tools, replaced with plastic replicas. All of the Crew’s stock of booze and cigarettes, over the deck in no time.

He can’t stand anybody talking down his cute little swordswoman but keeps all his fury bottled up. Lashing out in front of you will make you cry and Zoro doesn’t want to hurt or scare you so he becomes really good at keeping himself composed for longer periods of time

Zoro’s responsible and surprisingly well-equipped for parenthood. He cuts down his aggression and knocks off the swearing around you. His sense of organisation also jumped, he can look after your stuff alongside his excellently

Zoro has been teaching you his three-swords style. You need to be able to defend yourself when you grow up. It’s not like Zoro will sit down and let threats harm his daughter but he won’t be around forever to protect you

He gets a lot of shit from Nami for letting you handle his katanas. What’s the issue, woman?! He is always watching over you! He will make sure you don’t cut yourself, that being because Zoro will never let you out his sight

Off the grand high seas and at new islands, you sometimes have to deal with mean children and lose fights to them. Thankfully, Zoro will be there to shoo them away, cradle you, wipe away your tears and make you feel better

“Don’t worry, my little Strawberry. I’ll give you my katanas to deal with them next time, okay?”

Aunt Nami spoils you rotten. She takes you to play as girls, to go “shopping” and braid your cute hair! She barks a lot at Zoro for “not treating you like a child”

“Swords?! Are you moronic?! It seems like you’re trying to kill her! She’s only eight!”

“Relax! She can take care of herself and I’m literally right here!”

Zoro got you a carbon copy of his earrings so you’d match with him. He can’t help but feel his heart melt as you wave one of his sheathed swords around on the Poop Deck and yell “I’m trained by the best swordsman ever! I’m Tsuki Zoro!”

Zoro also got you a really cute kimono styled like his! You’re actually the biggest daddy’s little princess ever as you eventually end up matching him in many ways

Zoro is a affectionate father. He loves giving piggybacks, holding you on his hip, he sleeps with you cuddled to his chest, he gives you cheek and forehead kisses all the time. Zoro is especially affectionate after finishing a mission or a duty and returning to the Thousand Sunny as to make up for worrying you and/or not bringing you along

Zoro prefers that you stay on the Thousand Sunny as you’re safer there than with the adventuring crew. You have came along more than once against Zoro’s wishes but having you around raises Zoro’s defensive nature, he hisses at anybody who seems too friendly with you

“I’m sorry for being mean to that kid, little Strawberry. I just don’t trust any of these villagers. Could you stay with Daddy, please?”

Zoro can come back to the Thousand Sunny VERY injured and he will gladly give you piggybacks and/or shoulder rides to make you smile. Your happiness is his fuel and you’re his top priority

Uncle Luffy is your favourite caretaker but Zoro’s biggest headache. Zoro is still quite the overprotective dad and Luffy’s recklessness with you is stressing him out. Fun fact; Luffy got you a straw-hat charm bracelet for your first birthday with the Strawhat Crew! He thought it was cute

“Luffy! PLEASE, be careful for once! Shimotsuki’s too young to be playing up so high!”

“Strawberry! Come here! Give Daddy a hug! What happened? …What?! Uncle Sanji ignored you?! Here, go play with Uncle Luffy. Daddy needs to go talk to Uncle Sanji”

Cut to poor Sanji tied-up to the lookout tower with his mouth gagged as Luffy carries you out from the captain’s bunk to see the pretty waves. When you noticed Sanji, you pointed at him and asked Luffy about it

Zoro cries almost hysterically everytime you successfully perform a move from his three-swords style. He is so proud that he wants to scream it out to the seven seas

“That’s my girl! Go, little champion! Just look at her! …She’s on her way to be the best swordswoman”

Zoro’s crying with Luffy doing his best to comfort him whilst you bounce over to your father and happily babble about that you just performed a move without his help

Zoro is quite emotionally attached to you. To think, he was grossed out by the idea of parenting but in a few months, it all changed. Now, he can’t bare to imagine scouting these grand seas without his little strawberry

Zoro goes murder mode everytime any of the crew’s enemies manages to land a hit on you. You got that small left cheek scar from a Assassin out for Luffy’s bounty and Zoro had to be pinned down by his own team so he wouldn’t dice the assassin into crumbs on the spot

“Little Strawberry! Did that bad man hurt you? what a cut… Aww, go to Aunt Nami, she’ll look after you. Daddy and Uncle Luffy will take care of that bad man but quickly, give Daddy a hug. I’m so sorry I couldn’t stop that, love”

[supermarine-silvally]

Well, this turned out angstier than I intended lol but at least I kept it to under 1000 words!

Summary: An innocent question from Perona leads to Yara unleashing some of her anger at her father, unaware of who might be listening.

Caution: Spoilers for the Marineford arc ahead. Tagging @oneirataxia-girl and @auxiliarydetective because you guys know what happens but fair warning to anyone who doesn't know how that arc ends.

“So what’s the deal, anyways?” Perona asked as she floated by the couch. “With you and ol’ Hawky, I mean.”

Yara shrugged and continued running the cloth up and down Yoake’s thin blade, wiping off the humandrill blood. “What’s there to say? I’m only here to get stronger so I can kill Teach and that magma bastard.”

“Yeah, but he’s your dad, isn’t he?”

“Only in a biological sense.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s get something straight, ghost princess.” Yara glanced up for a second, meeting Perona’s eyes before returning to cleaning her sword. “Dracule Mihawk might be my father, but there’s only one man who I recognize as my dad-- and that’s Edward Newgate. He loved us-- all sixteen-hundred of us-- like we were his own children, which is more than I can say for certain other people.”

“Harsh.”

“Not as harsh as abandoning your baby at a convent and cutting all contact with her for the next nineteen years.”

Perona stopped. “Oooh, damn. Is that what he did to you?”

“Pretty much, yeah. I guess my existence became too inconvenient for becoming the World’s Greatest Swordsman or whatever.” Yara let out a bitter laugh. “Which, you know what? I could almost forgive. Being a pirate is dangerous, and he doesn’t have a crew, so it’s not like he could just hand me off to someone else to look after while he goes and does sword things. So, sure. Leave me to spend the next thirteen years getting yelled at by nuns. But he never kept in touch. Never checked up on me, or gave me any indication about who I even was. I had no idea he was my father until I was about eight, and even finding that out was a complete coincidence.”

“What happened?”

“I discovered an old bounty poster at a market one day with his face on it, from before he joined the Seven Warlords. As soon as I saw his eyes…” She trailed off, before shaking her head. “I knew I finally had something of an answer to the question I’d been asking myself my entire life. When I showed it to the Mother Superior, she confirmed my suspicions. …That was a strange day. I went from being a nameless orphan with a funny eye to the daughter of one of the most powerful pirates roaming the seas, all before dinner.”

Yara dropped the bloodied cloth onto the floor and picked up a clean one, gently massaging it against the black blade. “I used to hate my left eye, you know. I didn’t understand why I looked like this, only that it made the other kids stare at me as if there was something wrong with me. For the longest time, I wore an eyepatch over it. Both to hide my association with Mihawk, and to keep people from thinking I was some sort of freak.” A sad smile rose to her lips, her tone softening. “Ace changed that. It was the first time anyone had ever made me feel beautiful.”

But as soon as the smile came, it vanished. “Not that it matters now. Ace is gone. Pops is gone. Most of the Whitebeard Pirates are gone. Perhaps being Mihawk’s daughter is all I have left.”

Perona opened her mouth as if to say something, but closed it again, apparently changing her mind and letting Yara continue. 

“Damn Mihawk. What pisses me off the most is that the man acts like he’s never had a challenge in his entire life,” the young swordswoman muttered, raising her blade in the air and studying it under the light. “But you know what would’ve really been a challenge? Maybe alleviated some of that infamous boredom of his? Raising his fucking child. I think he probably expected me to find out about him somehow and then show up in twenty years to throw down the gauntlet, but if he thinks I want anything to do with him beyond strengthening my swordplay and haki, then he’s delusional. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of a real fight.”

Yara lowered Yoake, placing it down on the couch beside her before giving the scabbard a quick wipe. “Ace and I used to talk about our shitty fathers all the time, and while his situation was terrible and I can’t even begin to imagine the pressure that was put on him his entire life, at least Gold Roger had the courtesy to be fucking dead. Mihawk couldn’t even give me that much.”

Perona’s eyes widened. “Uh, Yara--”

“--And you know what? If I could snap my fingers and change it so that he died while my mother lived, I would do it in a heartbeat. I don’t regret being born, but I do regret having such a useless father who couldn’t even do the bare minimum and send me the occasional birthday card.”

“Ya-ra.” Perona tapped her finger into the air twice, indicating towards something across the room. 

Yara turned around. Standing just behind her was Mihawk, his expression unreadable.

She leapt to her feet like a startled cat, meeting his stoic gaze with a ferocious glare. “What do you want?!”

Mihawk did not flinch. “Your observation haki needs some improvement,” was all he said. 

Yara’s eyes narrowed, a fierce, hot anger bubbling in her chest. “Oh, fuck you,” she spat, allowing it to boil over. “I’m glad you heard all that. You’ll never be even half the father Whitebeard was.” Whirling around, she slid Yoake back into its scabbard and stormed off. 

Silence descended upon the room as Mihawk and Perona watched her go. Zoro, who had arrived at the door behind Mihawk, did a prompt one-eighty-degree turn and quickly left.

[quietsun5268]

Who's the Most Likely, Least Likely, or Maybe Mothers for Lucina based on Classes, looks, supports, and/or mannerisms?

Most Child units inherit the hair color from their fathers (with the exception of Female Morgan, who inherited her mother's hair color, and Lucina). But some parents are more fitting for some child units then others based on Classes, looks, supports, mannerisms, etc. I'm not looking for who would make the kid stronger. Just a parent who would make sense for the Child Units.

Recap: Brady Severa Cynthia Laurent Noire Yarne Gerome Nah Kjelle

Owain

Inigo

Morgan

This time instead of Fathers, we're looking at Mothers for Lucina. Here's what I've gathered about her.

1.) Lucina seems like a bit of a tomboy (dressing up in masculine clothing, takes on a male persona, and is a very skilled swordswoman). Both Sully (obviously) and Robin (due to her slightly mischievous nature, her stronger interest in swordsmanship than the Male Avatar, and her love for training in general.) can be considered tomboys. Although Lucina also has a few girly tendencies as seen in her Supports. Robin can have feminine side too as seen in her C-Support with Chrom.

2.) Lucina's fighting style incorporates plenty of acrobatic flips and graceful twirls. Although it's Chrom who trains her to fight, I feel that she mixes some of Olivia's dances in it too.

3.) In some of the paralogues involving her potential siblings. Chrom would remark how Lucina neglected to mention she had a brother/sister when confirming the other child's identity. The Nameless Village Maiden, if married to Chrom, has no other children after Lucina

4.) One of Lucina's relationship event tiles has her asking "Mother, why don’t we have a little contest to see whose cooking Father prefers?" Remember both Sully and Robin are terrible cooks.

5.) Lucina's C and B support with her mother has her pick different dresses for her mother. But Lucina has a rather… unique sense of fashion that leaves her mother astonished. The snarkiness in their C Support would fit Sully plus she wouldn't be comfortable with the shopping and the girly stuff. But I feel she would be direct about it instead of thinking about it. Sumia I don't see snarky. Maribelle would be too picky and would comment over Lucina's fashion sense (see how she talks to her husband and Brady). This could fit both Robin and Olivia sense Robin does have her snarky moments and Olivia would be too nervous to to directly say anything about Lucina's fashion sense.

(?) Lucina's C support with her siblings has them being scared of a bug. I don't see Kjelle being scared of a bug. The way Brady talks doesn't make him suitable to be Chrom's son. I can see Cynthia, Morgan, and Inigo being scared of a bug. In Male Morgan's supports with Noire he said he likes bugs but he makes a couple of exceptions, cockroaches (in his sibling C Support with Lucina) and giant fire-breathing scorpions, so it's not too out of character for him to be scared. Before anyone says it's out of character for Inigo to say he'd sooner die loveless and alone than touch a bug, there's a reference to that in Fire Emblem Heroes (https://forums.serenesforest.net/index.php?/topic/94234-spring-inigo-references-lucina%E2%80%99s-sibling-supports-again/). As for Cynthia, well you know her personality. Additional info for possible siblings is that Male Morgan seems to have a few memories of Lucina if he's her sibling and Inigo, if Chrom is his father, has a brand of the royal family in his right eye.

(?) Tiki hints that Chrom is a similar person to a distant ancestor of his. Sigurd married Deirdre, despite not knowing one another long after a chance encounter. There has been rumors that Sigurd is an ancestor of his and he's who Tiki is talking about. If it's true then Therefore, due to Chrom and Sigurd's similar personality and take on the world, and Sigurd and Deirdre's canonical relationship, Chrom and Olivia's marriage could be a reference to this.

Who do you think is the child's units mostly likely, maybe, and least likely parents based on Classes, looks, supports, mannerisms, etc?

I'm not sure if I got everything. There's always a chance I'm missing something but I'm willing to listen to any input and reasons why you think whatever mother is suitable for Lucina.

Who's the Most Likely Mother for Lucina based on Classes, looks, supports, and/or mannerisms?: https://strawpoll.com/polls/NoZrLlGb3n3

Who's the Least Likely Mother for Lucina based on Classes, looks, supports, and/or mannerisms?: https://strawpoll.com/polls/BJnX4vXlLnv

Reddit (you can click here if you want to see what other people think in the comments. But know that the polls aren't in Reddit)

[statecryptids]

Meant to post these photos yesterday for Trans Day of Rememberance but I had a lot going on. I’m always at a lost for what to do on this day, but I feel like I need to do something besides just reposting memes.

So as a librarian, I thought I would share some of the books from my collection written by and/or about trans, non-binary and gender-nonconforming folks. Maybe y’all will find something new to read.

(Stuffed Tullimonstrum and Helicoprion buzz-saw Blåhaj for scale).

Also some fiction books written by trans/nonbinary authors

And in case you can’t read all the titles

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Born Both: An Intersex Life -Hida Viloria

Trans New York -Peter Bussian

‘O Au no Keia: Voices from Hawai’i’s Mahu and Transgender Communities -Andrew Matzner

Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and identity edited by Micah Rajunov and Scott Duane

Nameless Women: an anthology of fiction by Trans Women of Color- editors: Ellyn Peña, Jamie Berrout, and Venus Selenite

Refuse- Elliot DeLine

I Know Very Well How I Got My Name- Elliot DeLine

Shiva XIV: Book I -Aryl Shanti

The Encyclopedia of Amazons -Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Tomoe Gozen Jessica Amanda Salmonson

The Swordswoman -Jessica Amanda Salmonson

The Worm and His Kings- Hailey Piper

[akampana]

Hmmm, i'm gonna be somewhat self indulgent and...

Arthurian Regend (Arturia x Koujiro), 18.

Wonder what caused him to take such a direct approach instead of his usual sharp comments...

18. “I am only going to say this once, so you better listen – I love you.”

Kojirou Sasaki x Arturia pendragon

____

It was always straightforward with Kojiro Sasaki. There were no pretenses, no statuses she had to maintain. Arturia Pendragon knew when they met swords, it mattered not to him that she was king or knight, only that she was a worthy opponent. So, when his words were biting, when he admonished her technique as he pushed her sword out of the way, she knew he meant every word.

"Predictable," he muttered, weaving his sword around hers till its tip touched the chink in her armor.

"Predictable," he commented, this time resting the blunt side of his blade on her jugular.

"So predictable," he said as his hand stayed her wrist. "At this rate, King of Knights, you'll deem yourself unworthy of your class. Mm. Perhaps this nameless swordsman should take it up instead. It would quite suit a man who's trounced you thrice."

Arturia yanked her wrist out of his grip, readying Excalibur for another bout.

"You will rue the words that just left your lips—"

Gently, the samurai rested his fingers on her blade, running his fingers down the flat of it without fear. She would not harm him, not as long as his sword remained sheathed. She was honorable that way.

"I refuse further victories on account of your distraction,” Assassin huffed, disarming his frequent foe as soon as his fingers touched Excalibur’s hilt. “Hollow victories bring no joy to my already pointless existence.”

“Master would not like that kind of self-deprecating talk, Kojirou,” Arturia deflected. “He lovingly dubs you the savior of France for a reason.”

The storybook samurai raised an eyebrow, unfazed lilac irises staring straight through to Arturia’s spirit origin.

“Forgive me,” blurted out the short king, “My emotions have dulled my sword. ‘Twasn’t my intention to face you at any less than my best. I...”

Her words folded over themselves like clumsy accordion paper, but Kojirou did not seem to mind her discomfort.

“My knights say that they enjoy my company, but I wonder perhaps if that is because I am their king,” she mused. “The King of Heroes and the King of Conquerors still invite me for drinks, but there are times I am convinced they do so merely because I share their title, nominal as it is in Iskandar’s eyes.”

Arturia inhaled and exhaled, her shoulders falling with her sigh. “I’ve committed quite the fault against Diarmuid, and to Cú I owe my life and my former Master’s. Even if they treat me amicably, I question if their conduct with me is given without reservation, or perhaps on account of us all being knights.”

“Is there a point to this line of conversation, Saber? Or is all this an elaborate ruse to soften me up for our next match? Hm. I thought it was I that relied on my “wiles”, like you once said.”

The king bit her lip, tasting hesitance on her own tongue. Reluctance wasn’t in her nature.

“I thoroughly enjoy our bouts, Assassin," she said, “The hours I spend with you are a wonderful respite from our mission. Do you feel the same—that is to say—am I, perhaps, a person you like?”

Like?

A small sigh escaped his curled lip. Arturia could not be more incorrect if she tried. He’d never thought a word could be so blatantly inadequate, but here he was proven wrong.

He did not like the magnificent swordswoman who came running up the temple steps to grant him the fight of his afterlife. He did not like the one Servant who dared waste hours in the sparring room with his fictional, fake little soul. He did not like the lioness who showed him his resurrection had meaning through the crossing of their swords.

“Like” barely even scratched the surface.

The forlorn look in her eyes told him he had stayed silent for far too long.

“I am only going to say this once, so you better listen,” he stated, drawing his blade once again.

“I love you.”

The sound of metal on metal echoed through the simulation room as Kojirou tapped Monohoshizao to her sword. Fondly, the swordswoman responded, her anxious heart settling into a steady rhythm.

It was always straightforward with Kojiro Sasaki. There were no pretenses, no statuses she had to maintain. If he told her he loved her,

He meant every word.

[ladywindrunner]

Sylvanas having a gay awakening?

messages // always accepting ::

Her hair reminded Sylvanas of the wilds of Eversong. Locks of a deep auburn that shined with hues of crimson in the golden sun. Long hair woven into an intricate braid that came to rest on her shoulder. She stood taller than the ranger, and carried with her an alluring strength. She strode by in her armour with the utmost confidence, rivaling the pride that Sylvanas always held.

           Windrunner found she could not take her eyes off the woman.

           She did not carry a shield, only a single sword whose hilt poked out from over her right shoulder. Her cloak was crimson, the bottom ragged and torn. Her armour was leather and scale, simple but well kept. Her arms were bare, revealing the scarred flesh that was taught over strong muscles.

           “That’s the tallest woman I’ve ever seen,” mumbled a farstrider in their native tongue, to keep her observation private. They all watched with curiosity. Why would the stranger be at the Farstrider Enclave?

           Was she here to speak to the Ranger-General?

           Sylvanas wondered what her mother may need with the swordswoman, particularly a human.

           Her ears were round, not long and pointed. Her brown eyes, which glanced around the central chamber of the Farstrider structure in faint interest, did not waver from a single suspicious or wondering gaze.

           Lireesa Windrunner, Sylvanas’ mother and the Ranger-General of Silvermoon, was on the upper platform to the left. Sylvanas stood at the bottom partition, where two ramps spawned.

           The woman approached, and when so many would flinch or look away from the Ranger-Captain’s critical gaze – she did not. No, the warrior effortlessly met Sylvanas’ glare with a kinder, but assured look.

           She said nothing to Sylvanas, offering just a simple, respectful nod that the quel’dorei returned in kind.

           The human broke the gaze as she passed by, ascending the ramp to where the Ranger-General waited.

           Sylvanas watched her go.

           She’s gorgeous.

           The thought was followed with a panic that struck as though it were a dagger. There was no harm in recognizing the beauty of another, but that’s not what that thought it.

           It was different. It was foreign, an admiration born of attraction. It was such a simple, flowing, and natural thought that had it’d not been so alien and in the face of normality than Sylvanas probably wouldn’t have panicked over it.

           But she did.

           She stood in silence as a thousand excuses flew through her mind as to what just happened. Her gaze fell to the floor in quiet, sudden shame.

           When she looked up, she spotted Lor’themar and found herself thanking the Light.

           “Lor’themar,” she approached him, burying the sudden and uncomfortable turmoil roiling in the put of her stomach. “Is it possible for you to take my post? I… don’t feel well.”

           Lor’themar nodded, “have you informed the… Sylvanas?”

           She was already walking away, pretending as if her friend’s voice did not reach her ears. She did not look to anyone as she hurried towards her hawkstrider, intent on riding far away from here.

           Her memory was cruel.

           Even as she rode, with the wind blowing her hood down and making her hair dance – the woman was etched into her mind. The fighter who stood taller than she, with a coy smirk curving her lips. The stranger who hadn’t cared about the demeaning glances of the high elves, who whilst they gawked whispered doubts and unkind words.

           Amidst the constricting disgust with herself, blossomed Light forsaken allure.

           Sylvanas would never forget the nameless beauty.

           Even if she wished she could.

[ayafoxheart]

An Aside with Samu’El

The part of the nameless client played by: Aya Foxheart The part of the nameless Ala Mhigan swordswoman played by: Cassidy Thorne ( @tonberryslantern ) The part of the grumpy old man played by, well... Samu'El.

For the earlier events with  Hejji the Hellion

Samu'El sat at his table like he did almost every evening, downing the morsels of spiced meat that made for a savory dinner.

While Fredison, as he often did, wordlessly took a seat at the same table, setting down his meal and pint of cold beer. The two greeted each other with grunts of mutual understanding.

"So... how'd it go today?"

Samu'El gazed up from his bowl with the usual scowl. His grizzled features betrayed decades of hazardous work in the Blood Sands. He chewed his morsels slowly and deliberately before answering the question: "Well."

The simple statement of fact took his friend by complete surprise. He looked bewildered, giving his head a shake before laughing.

"Well!" Fredison repeated, loudly. "Now that must really be something."

Fredison leaned closer, drawing near enough to Samu'El that he could speak in a low voice, "You're still not going to tell me who your client is?" The old man stoically returned to eating his meal. "Come on. You know at this rate we are going to have to start a pool to see who can name her first."  Still, Samu’El did not answer. Finally, annoyed but not surprised, Fredison sat back, folding his arms across his body as he smirked at the old gladiator. "You know, its just curiosity. And only a matter of time."

Samu'El watched carefully. Taking his time to finish the mouthful of spiced beef. He forcefully thrust his fork back into the bowl, "She pays well to not be known." He took another bite, rather than changing the subject himself.

"Ah.. ah..." the wizened friend replies, seemingly sated for the moment. "No doubt she must..." The unstated words stabbed at the old Gladiator’s pride, but he refused to budge and continued to eat his meal.

"But - “ rejoined Fredison, “you said 'well'? I don't think I've ever heard you so excited about a day's work." His lips spread into a broad grin as he clapped a hand upon his knee.

Samu'El nodded, his voice liberated by the shift in topic, "Aye. We had her go up against a new training partner this morning."

"Ah!" Fredison reacted in surprise, "Not since Hejji..." Samu'el didn't let the man finish the name, interrupting his eating to loudly shush him as he peered around. "Damn it Fredison you'll get us all in hell if you keep mouthing off like that!"

The other man just waved off Samu'El's annoyance, but kept clear of the name. "But, after what happened... with her..."

"Yeah, its been a while. It has. Too long,” he admitted. “You can't keep learning without facing new challenges." He took his time, taking another morsel of his meal. “But it was tough. You understand.” Fredison nodded. “Can’t have another round of that. My constitution won’t take it!”

“Who’d you find for it?” Fredison eyed him with curiosity.

"This one was her own recommendation.” Samu’El paused dramatically,  “A 'highland swordswoman of renown' she said."

"Another Highlander?!" Fredison could scarcely believe it, "But..!"

"I KNOW!" The old gladiator laughed and then grimaced. "Do you have any idea how anxious I was all morning? Thall's Ball's and Nald’s cod sack, that damn girl was going to fight another Highlander? After the last time? I might have had three heart attacks this morning just thinking about it."

"Did you take any precautions...?"

Samu’El nodded, scratching his upper lip, "Yeah, I had Lunk pack his real blades. Just in case..."

"But..." the old man waved him off and continued himself.

"So, this 'legendary' swordswoman of 'renown' shows up, and she is this tiny blonde thing. I think Lunk could eat four of ‘er for breakfast."

His friend just blinked back in some confusion.

"And for a sword she had a wooden paddle. This thing was almost two yalms in length! And at least a fulm wide. Not light, either. Just broad and flat. Bloody’ paddle. You could spank a Chocobo into next week with it."

The description was met with a laugh.

"I have seen two-handed practice swords before, but this one was really something else."  The old man sat up in his chair, satisfied with his meal and he wound his way into the story of the bout.

"So my girl, she is all ready. I don't know what to make of it just yet. This little highlander woman, she just swings that paddle around, and doesn't even wait to size her up. She just dashes in, swinging that thing with a speed you wouldn't imagine. Right into my girl's leg. And my girl is quick. Quicker than you would expect."

Fredison nodded, "Like Lucasio?"  Samu'El belched and then laughed, "No! Lucasio telegraphed his movements. You could hem him in, pin him down." The old man gestured dramatically with  his arms, suggesting the movements of gladiators, "He had speed but he was overrated! No instinct!"

Fredison nodded again, fingers stroking the brown strands of his beard, "You mean she moves better than Lucasio..?"

Samu'El nodded, gesturing like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah. Faster. Better."

Stroking his beard more energetically, Fredison turned his head a bit, "But you've said she would never make it on the Sands?"

The old gladiator let out another laugh, "No! Not for her. But she would put on a show like you'd never seen-" his friend simply nodded, though clearly not satisfied, as the story continued, "-but this swordswoman got her on the first dash. I was worried. Real worried. The speed with which she moved that stick was enough to make a man like me flinch, even in my prime."

"I watched my girl put some distance between them," he returned to gesturing with his hands, "and use her feet to keep away from that sword while she sized up the situation."

"But after that, the swordswoman barely wanted to move. She stayed almost perfectly still as my girl maneuvered. She was like a coiled snake, waiting motionless until springing to strike! But I've taught my girl some patience. Some care. She didn't let the woman get to her so easily again. The next time she approached within reach, she dipped out of the way, and kept the woman off balance with this movement I can’t even describe!" He laughed heartily, an uncharacteristic grin on his face as he made a spinning gesture with his hands.

“I taught her the basic foot work, but there’s more to it than that.” He nodded, looking quietly and uncharacteristically proud.

"But when it seemed like things were about to go my girl's way, this swordswoman did something I have -never- seen before! She stabbed that damn paddle into the ground, and in an instant it looked like my girl was trapped in water! Like the air itself, was just congealed around her - trapping in place. It had to be some form or magic, and of a sort I've never seen in the Sands! That Ala Mhigan dove forward, like lunging serpant, but she left her sword behind: and my girl spun away in just the knick of time." He leaned back, grinning proudly. “Spoiling the whole trick!”

"Then she counter-attacked! A spinning kick, landed thanks to a feint with her sword." He slashed the air with his arm, laughing.

Fredison snapped a grin all his own, "The Hellion would be proud!" Both men laughed together before stopping abruptly with an uncomfortable shared stare.

"Ahem, yes, well... it was enough. I think that swordswoman felt a little shame creepin' in. She was the one supposed to be teachin' after all, and even her magic trick wasn't enough.  She leaned back into the attack, using all of her speed and might with that big paddle. She whipped it this way and that, I swear it looked like she was going in with everything she had. My girl was just having a good time.  Good time..." he leaned back, offering an inscrutable expression as he folded his hands across his belly.

"Weren't you worried?"

"Yeah." Samu'El scratched his own beard. "But that's what I mean 'bout her not making it on the Sands. She was learning, that's what she wants. She was watching, and studying, not really looking for the kill. I think that Swordswoman needed it more. Needed to prove to 'erself that she could beat my girl. While she, well, she was satisfied with that kick landing so well."

"They went back and forth a while longer," he laughed, "the swordswoman made her a little angry for a while there. That was fun to see. I like it when she is angry.” He blinked a few times, and then shrugged at the conclusion, “And then it was over."

"Over?!" exclaimed Fredison, as if that could not be all there was to it. "Yeah, she took the girl down hard with a kick. And applied the kill with a gentle nudge of that giant paddle of hers." He laughed again, rubbing his fingers into his beard.

"She's a damn fine swordswoman. That's all I can say."

Fredison nodded, "So it seems... and this is what you're so excited about?"

Samu'El let out another laugh, "Yeah. Seems like the best thing I've seen in a while."

His friend stared at that inscrutable expression a while longer, taking what he could from their unspoken communication.  He finally broke the long silence, "So would she work with mine as well?"

Samu'El's expression went flat and serious, "Maybe. It will cost a pretty penny."

[satoshi-mochida]

Marvelous has detailed new playable servants Francis Drake, Astolfo, and Scathach, and announced a Premium limited edition for Fate/Extella Link in Japan, which was recently dated for a June 7 release on PlayStation 4 and PS Vita.

Get the details below.

■ Key Visual

■ An Introduction to the Newly Playable Servants

In addition to the 16 Servants that appeared in Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, Fate/Extella Link introduces 10 newly playable Servants, four of which will be introduced below. Pay attention to the Aruko wada-illustrated character designs. Also, the Servant classes for the remaining six playable Servants have also been revealed.

◆ Unannounced Playable Servants

◆ Revealed New Playable Servants

Francis Drake

“The king of the storms, the swarm of ghosts, and the beginning of the wild hunt!”

Voiced by: Urara Takano

Class: Rider

Noble Phantasm: Golden Wild Hunt: The Night of the Golden Hind and the Storm

A voyager who lived during the Age of Discovery in the 16th century. She was an adventurer and pirate who was feared by the name “El Draque” from the fact that she destroyed the Spanish ships and settlements in the West Indies.

Astolfo

“That’s why it’s alright! I’m Astolfo the Rider! I’m going to ride the Titanic, leave it to me!

Voiced by: Rumi Ookubo

Class: Rider

Noble Phantasm: Hippogriff: Otherwordly Phantom Horse

One of the 12 Warriors of Charlemagne. While inferior in ability as a knight, he overcomes those difficulties through the use of various Noble Phantasms. He has a carefree personality where he does not particularly think much about anything.

Scathach

“Hmph… It seems that the daredevil has arrived. Will you be able to kill me?”

Voiced by: Mamiko Noto

Class: Lancer

Noble Phantasm: Gate of Skye: Gate to the Magical Realm Brimming with Death

A queen and warrior of Celtic Ulster legend. As the queen and gatekeeper of the strange land known as the “Land of Shadows,” she is naturally gifted in the use of spears and Rune magecraft. She is the teacher of Cu Chulainn, who she taught all of his techniques, as well as gave him his favorite magic spear.

Charlemagne

“I am the Saber, Charlemagne. Now, won’t you settle down and listen to my story?”

Class: Saber

Noble Phantasm: Joyeuse Ordre: Show Us The Hero! Twelve Radiant Swords That Travel the Wide World

A carefree young man who rather bluntly says he is not very well suited to be king. He decides his actions and aesthetic based on “whether it’s cool” or “whether it’s tacky.” Even if it’s bad for himself, or bad for his Master…

◆ Three of the 16 Returning Playable Servants

Nero Claudius

Voiced by: Sakura Tange

Class: Saber

Noble Phantasm: Aestus Domus Aurea: Golden Theater of the Flamboyant

This self-styled swordswoman, in her vivid crimson dress, calls herself a “King.” Full of bold confidence, she never hesitates to proclaim her peerless skill or her universal artistic genius.

Tamamo no Mae

Voiced by: Chiwa Saitou

Class: Caster

Noble Phantasm: Eightfold Blessings of Amaterasu on the Weight Stone under the Sunlit Watery Heavens

With her cute fangs and her trademark fox ears, Tamamo fancies herself a royal beauty. In legends, her malevolent spirit possessed various high-ranking courtesans, using them to corrupt the rulers they fawned over. Despite her history, Tamamo maintains that she only wants to be the perfect wife for her ideal Master.

Nameless

Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe

Class: Archer

Noble Phantasm: Unlimited Blade Works: Infinite Creation of Swords

Wears his trademark red coat over iron buckles. He appears to be cold and cynical, but he genuinely cares underneath. Despite being an Archer-class Servant, he often favors hand-to-hand combat. While not exceptionally powerful in any one field, he makes an excellent all-purpose handyman.

■ PlayStation 4 and PS Vita Cross-Save

By uploading your save data to PlayStation Network, you can cross-save and share your game progress between the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita versions of Fate/Extella Link. Play the PlayStation 4 version on the big screen at home, and on PS Vita on the go.

■ Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star Save Data Compatibility

If you have save data from Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star, you can obtain the following costumes in Fate/Extella Link.

Nero Claudius: “Crimson Noble”

Tamamo no Mae: “Shocking School Uniform”

Altera: “Steel Nurse Uniform”

Artoria Pendragon: “Azure Dress”

■ Box Art

■ Premium Limited Edition

Premium Limited Edition Fate/Extella Link for PlayStation 4 (14,980 yen)

A copy of Fate/Extella Link for PlayStation 4

Aruko Wada-illustrated “Moon Holy Tile” Mahjong Tile Set – Battle in the game through “Online Battles,” and in real life with “Holy Tile” battles! Play four-person strike mahjong with Aruko Wada-illustrated tiles.

Aruko Wada-illustrated special box – Packaging featuring an illustration by Aruko Wada.

Scathach Costume “Makyou Sergeant” Product Code – A product code to download the “Makyou Sergeant” costume for Scathach.

Fate/Extella Link Original Soundtrack – An original soundtrack featuring the music of Fate/Extella Link.

Premium Limited Edition Fate/Extella Link for PS Vita (12,980 yen)

A copy of Fate/Extella Link for PS Vita

Aruko Wada-illustrated “Moon Holy Tile” Mahjong Tile Set – Battle in the game through “Online Battles,” and in real life with “Holy Tile” battles! Play four-person strike mahjong with Aruko Wada-illustrated tiles.

Aruko Wada-illustrated special box – Packaging featuring an illustration by Aruko Wada.

Nameless Costume “Archer of Justice” Product Code – A product code to download the “Archer of Justice” costume for Nameless.

Fate/Extella Link Original Soundtrack – An original soundtrack featuring the music of Fate/Extella Link.

■ Shop-Specific Bonuses

By pre-ordering Fate/Extella Link at a specific shop, you may receive a shop-specific bonus in addition to the first-print bonus.

Animate

An A5 acrylic panel and 54mm tin badge set.

Amazon.co.jp

Altera costume “Jogging Beauty” product code.

Amiami

Original slim tapestry.

e-Capcom

Original acrylic stand.

Ebten

Original B3 tapestry.

Gamerz

Original B5 microfiber towel.

Game Tsutaya and Imagine Web Shop

Tamamo no Mae costume “Welcome Home Cook Apron” product code.

GEO

Artoria Pendragon costume “Knight Gym Uniform” product code and GEO-exclusive SteelBook.

Joshin Denki / Joshin Net Shopping

Astolfo costume “Uniform Code” product code.

Sofmap

B2 tapestry.

Trader

Extra large tapestry.

Furuhon Ichiba

Original mouse pad.

Rakuten Books

Jeanne D’Arc costume “Library Saint” product code.

Loppi / Lawson Ticket HMV

Nero Claudius costume “Winter Rome” product code.

WonderGOO

B2 tapestry.

View a new set of images at the gallery.

[authoralexharvey]

Worldbuilding June - Day 2

Worldbuilding June is a phenomenon every June where, as the title might imply, you answer prompts every day sharing about and building a world of your machination. I love it, I’ve done it before, I finally have a new world in which I can do it again. Great! Except, the official blog who handles all things WBJ ( @worldbuildingjune) is on hiatus this year… so we’re just going to reuse the prompts from last year. 

I’m also not going to try to link previous posts because I’ve come to realize that that’s super exhausting. However, I will have a post linking all of them at the end. So.

Day Two - What’s the geography of your world?

I kind of touched on this in the day one post, but I’ll rehash it really quick. Basically, this nameless planet is 95% water and 2% ice. The remaining 3% are land masses, most of which are islands that were formed via volcanic activity. Think: Hawaii. The actual environment on each island varies. While I did try to mostly avoid “this island is this”, it is helpful in game design, so... The only exception to this rule is the country of Parisol, the largest island in the world and a blossoming civilization. Each island has a name (subject to change), but I’ve only given major, serious thought to three of them, as those are the islands in which I actually have something set so far.

Pymte is the smallest island nation in existence, having been formed more recently. It’s really warm and really wet, thick with jungle. The island is under occupation by Parisol and it’s often said the jungles are haunted. There’s even tales of a legendary sleeping swordswoman, deep in the heart of the jungle... It’s also an island split into three major villages on the shores, though intra-village communication and travel is common, especially in ritual. 

Dinas is an arid desert of an island. Again, much of the civilization lives towards the shore. Despite being one and a half times the size of Pymte, it’s got a smaller population and one major society to speak of. There are of course villages on the fringes, but when people think Dinas, it’s typically the largest city there. Deeper into the island is a valley thick with caves, important to the island’s religious beliefs. 

Parisol is the largest island/continent in the world, with civilization stretched all throughout. It’s “split” into a northern and southern half by the country’s one major road, called Valettia’s Arc after one of the founding settlers who aided in the island’s exploration. This arc starts in East End, where it’s generally argued the Parish started/came from, and cuts western and a bit to the south, ending in a bridge joining the major country with a smaller islet. The northern half of the island is more moderate in temperature, with thick forests and even snow in the winter, which is much more uncommon in the southern half. The southern half of Parisol is much warmer and flatter for the most part, with large expanses of grassland. The divisions in climate and environment are not the only things dividing the Parish, however, as technology and religious tensions threaten to drive the country into civil war - or even into secession. There’s also a prominent coral garden on the south shores.