#katolis business

[huntress-of-stories-and-dreams]

Headcanon #79

In order to help his brother and strenghten Katolis, Ezran pays N’than to return to the Crystal Labirynth and collect magic gems. 

#tdp #tdp headcanons #the dragon prince #tdp ezran #tdp n'than #king ezran #umber tor #crystal labirynth #primal magic #magic gems #magical artifacts #big brain time #ezran thinks #katolis business #preparing for aaravos

[blutopaz15]

rayllum week 2023

prompt: flowers

rated t, 2k

He probably doesn’t remember, and honestly…it’s okay.

She doesn’t blame him.

She’d decided that this morning, after the toppled pile of books and the rushed apology she’d woken up to.

“Sorry, Rayla! And, uh…morning!”

Callum’s steps had stuttered towards her, and even with sleep crusties and too much sunlight in her eyes, she’d still gotten a little swoony over that dorky-cute smile flashed in her direction, the bedhead he hadn’t even sorted out yet, that over-eager enthusiasm all over his everything…but then he’d turned away instead of coming closer. He’d jumped right back into sorting the books that he and Kazi had clearly been pulling off the shelves for at least an hour or two already, and she couldn’t deny she’d been a little disappointed—

“This pile’s for Aaravos, that one’s for the coins, and…let’s start a Sky magic stack, just because.”

—but she really couldn’t begrudge him that.

There were plenty of more important things to worry about besides her birthday, after all.

Anyway, she’d only mentioned it…what? Once? When they’d been sleep-deprived on the back of that ambler, pretending like they were listening to each other’s answers to five-, then twenty-questions, rather than just staring at each other’s lips, hardly keeping from kissing again?

But then, he’d mentioned it once too, on the road back to the Nexus, wondering aloud if—

If they’d be back to Katolis in time for their birthdays.

Even if he does remember…nothing is just about what she deserves anyway, as far as birthdays with Callum go, Rayla resolves when the morning passes without a word about it.

She spends the day stewing like that—excusing herself when Callum’s dumb, adorable face makes the regret too much to handle, trying to distract herself with patrolling and target practice, avoiding the reproachful looks from Amaya she’s been getting since they’d gotten here yesterday that she knows she deserves but really, really doesn’t need.

It’s dusk when she heads back inside, but research stretches on until nightfall, and she spends the difference talking herself out of the downward spiral that’d convinced her Callum was too hurt still to even bring up birthdays, let alone have any interest in acknowledging hers. Her head stops spinning—finally—once she and Stella retreat to their little corner of the abandoned Bookery, though.

Judging by the height of the pile that Callum had stacked there beside his bedroll—Sky magic books, she guesses—he’s been busy…and that’s all the reassurance she needs.

He just…doesn’t realize it’s her birthday, she tells herself again, like she had this morning. Clearly, he just has—they just have—a lot going on.

With the moon new, it’s dark enough that even she strains and squints to read the spines of the books, wondering to herself as she looks at the stack if she should tell him or not.…until familiar footsteps bring some firelight to their little not-quite camp.

“You have quite a collection going here, mage,” she chuckles, kneeling by his books, the light letting her confirm that, yes, this whole pile was Callum’s personal Sky magic stack. “Think you might need to send a few of these home to—oh.”

…and she doesn’t need to tell him, apparently, if the fistful of flowers and the smile on his face mean what she thinks they mean.

“It’s your birthday,” Callum starts, setting down the lantern to free a hand to hold out…and she exhales.

She thinks she hides the tingling wave of calm that comes with Callum reaching for her and knows she hides the relieved tears that prickle—just a bit—in her eyes, easily blinking them away before she even puts her hand in his.

“It is,” she says, just a hint of a snicker in her answer. Rayla smiles as she leans into his warm steady hand to stand…and that’s almost familiar again—the brief shows of support, the fleeting moments of comfort, the gentle reminders that he’s there for her. She almost leaves her hand there, covered completely by his, her thumb drifting to his wrist…but lingering like that was uncertain territory still since she’d been back. She remembers how surprised he’d been at her head on his shoulder and how stiff he’d been the whole time on her shadowpaw…so she pulls away and points to the flowers in his other hand instead, each bloom the same vibrant red. “What are these?”

“Uh…orchids, I think?” He examines them himself, peering down at the little bouquet held between them then tilting them to her, holding them out til the soft petals brush her hand. “I guess Sunfire elves do a lot of flowers, so when I told Kazi I needed a gift for you…”

“You told them?” she asks, fingertips brushing his as she takes the flowers by the stems, knowing no one else would’ve had a reason to know about her birthday if Callum didn’t mention it, wondering if anyone else had known all day.

“Just them. I asked them to keep it to themself.” Callum explains, haste in his voice, and Rayla looks up from fiddling with a leaf, realizing that her doubt might have read as displeasure. “You were…quiet this morning, so I thought maybe that was best?”

“We’re busy,” she nods. That’d been the right move, she thinks, even if she’d spent the day assuming the worst, and she squashes the urge to touch him as extra assurance that he’d done the right thing. A big deal about her birthday after what she’d done to him on his, would’ve been…not great. Her eyes fall back to the flowers, and she shuffles her weight to her other foot. “Plus, everyone’s kind of very not happy with me so—”

Rayla stops when his hand slips into hers, lifting her head and finding Callum staring at her sweet and sincere as ever—

“I’m happy with you,” he says, eyes half-lidded, smile sideways.

He’s leaning in, she thinks, paralyzed in place, knowing her mouth is hanging open, knowing she’s looking at his lips…but then the sideways smile there breaks to a wide grin and he repeats himself, squeezing her hand tight enough to snap her out of it.

“And it’s your birthday!” Callum exclaims, and then—

He starts singing, with his own special…Callum-ness that she’s sure isn’t actually a part of the Katolis birthday song.

Right out the gate, she has to bite her lip to stifle her laughter down to a giggle at the silly, dumb dance moves he’s clearly just making up to make her smile, and she almost loses it at the dramatic flourish he adds to the third birthday. Too quickly, the song is over, though, and she’s about to teasingly clap for him—

—but then his lips are on her cheek.

It takes longer than she cares to admit for her to grasp that it’d just been the wishes and kisses and laughter and love he’d just sung about that’d made him kiss her, and she covers the spot where his lips had been in the meantime, not quite knowing what else to do. There was no point in hiding her wide eyes or flushed cheeks, obviously, she realizes, especially seeing how satisfied Callum seemed with her response to his little performance.

“That…that was the—”

“Katolis birthday song,” Callum nods, grinning, and takes the flowers from her hands, leaving them on a table before cheerily pulling her to a spot without books underfoot, “and there’s a dance I’m supposed to learn, right?”

…and her pounding heart falls.

“Callum—” she starts, the words in her letter as fresh as the night she’d written them—for the both of them, apparently—and she swallows thickly, reminded again of all it had—how she had—ruined between them.

Callum shakes his head before she can say more, though, eyes soft and reassuring, and—

—it’s…okay, apparently.

“We’re not missing any more birthdays, alright?” he says, more unbothered than she can understand, easily putting a stop to the spiral she’d spent the day on with a final squeeze before he drops her hands and gestures to the open space around them.

It just takes a blink and a breath, and she follows suit, moving forward.

“Okay, well,” she starts, looking around, considering where to begin. “It works better with more people, but—”

“I can go get the others if you want?” Callum asks with a shrug, a thumb pointed over his shoulder…and she shakes her head in immediate answer, uninterested in spending her birthday with anyone but him.

“No, no, just—uh…just us is fine.” Showing him is obviously the answer, so Rayla presses on his shoulders to switch their spots. “The birthday elf—uhh, person—is supposed to be in the middle, and you kind of dance around them, so…belated birthday dance to demonstrate?”

Her proposition comes with an apologetic smile—she’d meant to make it back to the castle in time for his 17th—and he nods, everything about his answer soft, silent forgiveness.

She spends her first round humming music she hasn’t heard in ages, the second naming the steps as she goes, the third telling him the counts.

By her fourth, she hardly even blushes when the chain of turns at the end of the dance brings them nose-to-nose, close enough to kiss, which was kind of the point when your lover was a part of the dance, but…

She shouldn’t…so she doesn’t.

“Okay,” he says as she comes in close again. “I think I’ve got it.”

“Yeah?” She grins at the head-rush of his breath on her cheek before smoothly spinning away…except that she can’t, because Callum’s caught her hands again and uses her momentum to take her place.

“Eh…mostly?” he shrugs, before drawing a dramatic breath and setting himself up like she had at the start, his leg outstretched at something like the angle she’d shown him. She counts while he copies her, his memory accurate…even if the execution is a little off.

Really, though, considering the swaying in place that Katolis called dancing she’d seen those couple of weeks in the castle…he does pretty great, she thinks, tickled at him so attentive to learning something so familiar to her.

He starts that last series of turns that she knows will bring him in close, and she knows she shouldn’t kiss him kiss him…but he’d gotten her cheek earlier, hadn’t he?

“You’ve got it,” she nods after her lips leave his soft face, stomach fluttering at finding him almost as surprised and flushed as she’d been, then moves on just as quickly as he had. “Then usually you do it again—it’s supposed to be eighteen times for an eighteenth birthday—but kind of…rotate around? If there’s more than one dancer, that is.”

“Eighteen Moonshadow Birthday Dances, coming right up!” Callum says, determinedly setting up for another round. The steps flow, one into the next, a little better this second time, and she tells him so as he starts spinning in towards her again…but he pouts in answer instead of giving her another melty smile like the first time. “What…no kiss this time?”

And no way was she going to pass up that invitation.

Of course, she appeases him before grinning and sending him on his way, singing the tune now—on to a third, and fourth, and fifth repetition—each finished with her lips pressed to his cheek.

By his eighteenth time through, he has the pattern down pat. He hums along with her, even, and, of course, finishes the turns with his beaming face tilted to the side, welcoming her kiss like she’d worried he never would again.

…and she wonders about that last wish she’d had for Callum’s fifteenth birthday.

He’s done dancing now, and still just as close, still reaching for her.

“Happy birthday,” he says, leaning in again…and she’s just as still and speechless as before.

Her eyes flutter, her tongue wets her lips, her breath falls on his cheek, and he crashes into her, his arms locked around her waist, his heartbeat against her chest—

…his hug warm and tight and close.

…and that’s okay too.

#rayllum #rayllum fanfic #rayllum week 2023 #rayllum's bad vibes rodeo #the dragon prince #mild s5 trailer spoilers #aka happy birthday rayla!!! #there mayyyyy or may not be a follow up to come <3 #also theres a wholeeeeee lot of s5 speculation that i tried to get across without just dumping it all #might put this on ao3 but idk what the title is so #*shrug*

[zuppizup]

Fuel the Pyre - Chapter 5

Summary: For almost a decade now, life has been peaceful for the royal family of Katolis. All out war is becoming a distant memory as efforts to unite the continent continue. Open borders let more than friends in, however, and whispers of dangers lurking in the shadows are growing louder and more insistent.

Callum, Rayla and their adopted daughter Tio have bee trying to ignore the growing unease as best they can, but when the threat comes banging at their door, they can no longer turn a blind eye.

Pairing: Rayla/Callum

Rating: Mature

AO3 Link: Fuel the Pyre

They exited the throne room, Rayla still carrying Tio. She had perked up a little since Callum had calmed down, but she was still pouting and looking grumpy. She did go to him when he reached for her this time, and he relaxed a little as he held her.

“I’m assuming I missed out on a lot.” Rayla reached for one of his hands, her head moving in the direction of the dungeons. “Care to fill me in?”

“Yeah, of course.” Callum nodded, shifting Tio on his hip, his mind still reeling. “There’s, yeah…a lot.”

“Let’s swing by the kitchen and see if Barius has some jelly tarts.” Rayla grinned at Tio, then smiled warmly at Callum. “I know I need something sweet and delicious to take my mind off that whole mess. And we probably need some treats to keep this little crazy busy while we talk.”

Read More On AO3 – Fuel the Pyre: Chapter 5

#rayllum #rayllum fanfic #the dragon prince #tdp #the dragon prince fanfic #tdp fanfic #tdp rayla #tdp callum #rayla #callum #oc: tio #zuppi fanfic #fic: fuel the pyre #series: life is what happens

[raayllum]

Chapter length: 7.8k Summary: Callum and Rayla make their way north. Terry and Ezran ask questions. Karim receives some news. a/n: the Lore comes in, and is self indulgent. thank you xo

CHAPTER 8: Flowers of Elarion

Callum didn’t have the heart to remove Rayla from his bed when she fell asleep, curled up and all cried out. He simply laid there and looked at her, tucking white strands of hair out of her face till he drifted off, too.

The next time he woke up, he wasn’t in the dimly lit, wooden inn room at all—he was in a brown stone tower, drenched in sunlight pouring in from one of the many windows, but less ultimately spacious than his office in Katolis. A few curved, thin oaken tables were along the walls, with boilers emitting faint, multi-coloured smoke and books with fancy, loopy script along the spine. Clearly a mage’s study, but nothing like anything Callum had ever seen. A bright glowing orb, a primal stone of some kind, rested carefully on the nearest table.

How had he gotten here again? It was so very hard to remember where he’d been before here, the way it happened in a dream. This had to be a dream, but of what? He’d never had dreams be so blurry like this before, everything faintly fuzzy, like the bleeding edges of a watercolour painting. What was he doing here?

The answers came unbidden, like a revelation from the heart. He was busy with a project. The boilers. Humming a tune as he bustled around the room, taller than he thought he should be by a good few inches at least.

Raising a hand, Callum reached toward the tiny row of phials intending to pour one in, and reeled back. His skin was a deep, purplish blue, beset with perpetually twinkling stars. That wasn’t—

“Laurelion?”

He turned instinctively at the sound of his name—was that his name—as a woman walked through the office door. Human, with a heart shaped face, light brown skin and curlier, darker hair. Her orange dress and gold adornments were almost reminiscent of Katolian fashion, just—older. Ancient, even if she was fair younger, in her mid-twenties maybe at most.

“Elara,” he greeted with a smile, fresh warmth welling up from an endless spring in his chest. 

#rayllum #tdp #the dragon prince #only one real messy ezran scene this chapter but quality > quantity i think #my fic #fic #fic: teach me how to name the bigger light #getting to type 'a fair exchange of beloved for beloved' #WAS SO GODDAMN SATSIFYING LEMME TELL U

[thrandilf]

do you have a guide as to the extra materials for The Dragon Prince? i keep seeing stuff about comics or books but idk where to start

Not on hand but I can make one here! :D

There are two, soon to be three, canon graphic novels.

Through the Moon takes place between seasons 3 and 4, like a little season 3.5 It isn't Necessary to read it before watching S4 but the story is cool and the extra information is neat. It feels like we might get more info regarding what happened to Rayla while she was gone later in the show

Bloodmoon Huntress takes place when Rayla is a child around when her parents leave. Lots of Runaan and Ethari, also introduces Kim'dael who will be in S5. Again, not Required reading but a fun extra story.

Puzzle House is coming out August 1st and is about Claudia and Soren as children, and we also get a look at younger Viren and other people. Harrow's father, King Atticus is still king in this one so interesting Katolis lore, SUPER hyped for when we get to read all of this one. The Scholastic link has a 15 pages preview if you wanna take a peek.

There are novelizations for Dragon Prince Season 1 and Season 2, they add a bit of introspection and small extra details. Viren in particular gets more of his internal thought processes laid out and for me it just Confirmed a lot of things. Season 3's novelization is coming out April 2nd, 2024. I'm sure all 7 seasons will eventually have novelizations.

Tales of Xadia is the ttrpg book and it's gorgeous and is probably the most lore heavy supplemental material as far as world building goes. The system also looks fun! The website has a character builder too for OC making. As a writer, it's been a great help as far as seeing some aspects of the world laid out. The system looks fun and there are videos of some of the cortex(?) team playing ToX official tales/campaigns but I haven't watched them yet. The campaigns are also available to look at online too.

I think that ToX is getting an expansion at some point since the base game doesn't touch much on Ocean or Star magic, I imagine due to spoilers for the seasons we're coming up on.

There's also a tabletop game called Battlecharged which I haven't personally played and I don't think it Adds lore but I've heard it's fun.

Also, it will likely be a long time before we see it, but there's a video game in the works as well that's in alpha testing right now called Project Arcanum. Wonderstorm is pretty busy!

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE

The Free Stuff:

Reflections are official short stories hosted on TDP's website and all of them are excellent and provide little extra scenes. Some of them are quite impactful, and the ones in this second batch are promising an absolutely wild S5. The first batch was released pre S4 and the second batch is being released now pre S5 as we count down to the new season. They aren't Required reading since the most key information from them will be in the show (going by the S4 ones) but I highly HIGHLY rec reading them all. Banger after banger. As of posting this there may be one more coming.

There's also little 4 panel comics called Everyday Xadia that have been also released during countdown mode and they're just fun/cute. Volume One and Volume 2 (still coming out). Sometimes when people say comics they might mean these, or the graphic novels lol.

Thank you for the ask, I'm always happy to share the TDP love and I hope this was helpful to you and anyone else who'd like a ref!

#tdp #the dragon prince #tdp netflix #puzzle house #tales of xadia #ref #reference #feel free to rb/save!

[jelzorz]

You don’t know how long i’ve been waiting for you to say that (i do—and it’s been about 20 months lmao)

Continuation of ia67? Please? 🥺

166.

do you know how far I had to scroll for this @captainjamba??? Rest of the series linked here for convenience

The Katolis Symphonic Orchestra has a Christmas concert every year. Usually it's all the classic stuff: arrangements of Silent Night, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas that are easily recognisable and never fail, and it's, y'know, fun and all but the classics are getting a bit too classic, even for Callum. Opeli is a bit like that as a conductor: straight laced and maybe a bit too serious, which is why this year's set list is such a shock when it's sent out to him that afternoon.

It's Wednesday, and Barius' cafe is packed given it's the awkward time of two PM. It's been, what, almost two years since that Valentine's Day he came here with Rayla after rehearsal, and busy rehearsal schedules aside, it's been a pretty good two years. Rayla disappears in the early mornings for rehearsals at the studio, and Callum isn't home until nine on some nights because so many of his own rehearsals are after work (the KSO is great, but it doesn't quite manage all the bills), but they've made it work, and Callum would rather work around the weird hours than not be with her at all.

This life suits them. He hopes it will for a while yet.

The bell at the cafe door rings, and Callum looks up and grins when he spots Rayla in the doorway brushing snow off her coat. He stands as she edges her way through the crowd towards him. "Hey," he greets brightly, leaning over the table for a kiss. "How was your day?"

Rayla grimaces. "Eh."

"That bad?"

She pauses. The way her brow furrows over her eyes says it all.

Callum frowns. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I—" Rayla presses her lips together and takes a breath. "If I had to move, would you move with me?"

There's a pause. A long pause. Callum studies her over the menu on the fake-marble tabletop. "Would you want me to move with you?"

"I—" Rayla sighs and fiddles with a napkin. "I couldn't ask you to," she says quietly. "Things are going so well with the KSO, and you're sharing first chair with Claudia now, and things are good here, so I wouldn't—couldn't ask you to leave all of that behind for me, but..." She blinks like she wants to cry. "The director of Spire Ballet called me today. They've got an opening for a principal, and they want—they want me to come and audition."

"What?" Callum's lips twitch upwards. "Rayla that's amazing!"

"But I'd have to leave—"

"And I'd go with you," says Callum firmly. "No question about it. No doubt in my mind. I'd go with you if you wanted it."

"But—the KSO," says Rayla. "All your friends and family, your brother, how could I ask you to—"

"You aren't asking me," says Callum. "They don't need me. They've got Claudia. And you—" He reaches for her hands across the table and presses her knuckles against his lips. "I'd be a shit violinist without my muse."

That draws a laugh out of her, and Callum grins, pleased he managed it. "Callum..."

"I'd go with you," he says again. "Always. Wherever you went—as long as you want me along."

Another pause. Rayla blinks and lets herself smile a little more genuinely. "Really?"

"Really."

Rayla swallows and grips his hand tighter. "It's just an audition for now. I just..."

"You don't have to explain," he says. "I can see how much you want this. You deserve it. And if we have to move, we will. Okay?"

"Okay." Rayla grins at him at last, the first hints of excitement lighting her eyes. Callum's heart warms at the sight of it, which only strengthens his resolve. "Sorry," she adds. "I didn't mean to ambush you like that. It's... a bit of a shake-up, y'know?"

"Oh I know," chuckles Callum. "KSO's getting one too. Look at our setlist." He slides his phone over to her to let her see, and Rayla barks out a laugh.

"Sleigh Ride?" She squawks. "The ridiculous one with the horsey-trumpet at the end? That Sleigh Ride? That's not Opeli's style, what's gotten into her?"

"I dunno," says Callum with a laugh. "Maybe it's just a good time for change."

Rayla grins and slides his phone back. "Maybe so."

#in anticipation #fess up jamba what do you play and how long have you played it #sbc #rayllum #if you look closely im in the video of sleigh ride that's linked

[behind-xemnas]

Trivia Facts about Viren

Decided to write down all small things we learn about Viren that (so far) haven’t been mentioned in the show, but only been revealed in the novels, interviews and other side material

- His title as Lord is something he got after being appointed High Mage of Katolis. He was not born noble, and actually does not come from a wealthy family at all.

- He was once good friends with Sarai and Amaya. His and Amayas friendship ended with Sarai’s death.

- Amaya even thinks, if there is one person who knew Sarai better than herself, it’s Viren.

- According to Callum, Viren used to be a kind and loving dad. He even considered him, along side Claudia and Soren, to be family after he came to the castle with his mother.

- He used to go mud sledding with his children.

- He had a Dark Magic mentor called K’ppar, who just dissapeared one day.

- When Soren fell so ill that his life was in danger, Viren performed a Dark Magic spell so save his life. This spell is what caused the Dark Magic scarrings on his face, and he only searched for a way to hide these scars because his wife Lissa was afraid of the way he looked. This incedent is what ultimately later led to their divorce.

- It’s also said, that when Soren fell ill, Viren asked his mentor for help. His mentor told him that in order to perfom the spell he would have to do morally questionable things to which Viren replied that he doesn’t care and that he is willing to do everything for his family.

- He once forgot Soren’s birthday because he was busy preparing Harrow’s birthday

- He also usually forgets his own birthday.

- He was willing to sacrifice himself for Harrow using the Soul Fang Serpant. (While it’s hinted in the show, it’s confirmed in the novel. The scene is written from his perspective.)

- He thinks Aaravos looks beautiful.

- He also thinks Aaravos voice sounds ravishing

- He is dissapointed that Soren shows no interest in magic, and even seems to be creeped out by it.

- He seems to still miss his wife, Lissa. 

#lord viren #tdp viren #tdp #the dragon prince #feel free to add more

[jedi-lothwolf]

Merry Whumpmas Day 3: Fever

Fandom: The Dragon Prince

Summary: Ezren gets sick

  It had been a while since Ezren or Callum had gotten sick. That was good. The Opeli came to talk to Callum. Ezren may be the king but he is still a child. Children are fragile.

    "High mage, your brother has fallen ill. He is in his room." Opeli informed him. Callum closed his book and walked to Ezren's room. He knew he would really only be able to keep him company.

    As he opened the door Bait greeted him. He walked over to Ezren's bed and sat down. The boy shifted from his place and leaned against Callum.

    Ezren was so warm. His skin felt like it was burning. "hey Ez, how are you doing?"

    "I don't feel well." Ezren muttered.

    "You'll be okay Ez. Get some rest."

Soon Ezren had fallen asleep. Callum leaned against his head broad and sighed. He pulled out a book and started to read it.

Opeli quietly came into the room with a glass of water and a small bucket of water that had a rag on the side of it. She placed them beside the bed and nodded to Callum. He smiled softly as she left the room, closing the door almost silently.

Almost an hour later Ezren started to stir. He muttered about something before waking up slightly. "Callum, can you get Dad?" He asked innocently.

Callum tried to figure out what to say. He was delirious. The fever had started to cause painful dreams. "He's busy but I'm here. Try to go back to sleep okay?"

Tears welled in the older brother's eyes as he reached for the rag and rang it out. He pressed the cloth gently against Ezren's head and shortly the boy was back asleep. Callum put the rage back in the bucket and leaned back against the headboard.

Tears fell softly from his eyes as he wondered about what would be different about their lives if Harrow had survived. Maybe Ezren's only family wouldn't be a mage and a general who is hours away. Maybe he wouldn't be the one who has to take care of Ezren.

It wasn't that Callum minded. He would do anything for him. But a father seemed better than a brother. They weren't very old and were already alone.

Of course there were doctors that could take care of Ezren. He was the king of Katolis after all. But for now all they could do is keep him comfortable. It was just a virus that would go away soon enough.

Still Callum worried. He did a lot of that as of lately. He worried about the people he was around. He couldn't help it.

Again Ezren stirred. Before he could wake up, Callum placed the damp rag on his head and started to whisper softly. He whispered words of comfort to him and soon the boy had settled again.

The rag hit the water as Callum closed his eyes. Hopefully Ezren would feel better soon.

#merrywhumpmas #whump #the dragon prince whump #the dragon prince #tdp ezran #king ezran #callum whump #tdp callum #tdp #dragon prince whump #fever #fever whump

[baatarthefirst]

❛ a golden cage is still just a cage ❜

The thieving do-gooders had a rather standard tradgic backstory. Their mother had died due to birthing complications, their father left them early as well. They couldn't live without getting a job, and no one would hire them because they were too young. Sarai started stealing to feed her little sister.

As they grew up, they got better. Better at stealing, better at escaping, better at fighting and better at...seducing. They'd gotten to a point where they could be choosy about who they stole from, making sure to only steal from those who could afford it and probably deserved it anyway. They grew to be masters at the art of theft. They also grew to be beautiful. Sometimes they barely had to cause an uproar at all. While one sister would seduce the local governor's teenaged sons and daughters, the other would steal a few mid-level valuables. Little things that would hardly make a splash; the Lady/Lordship would hardly miss them. And even if they did, what would their kids do, say 'We were robbed because I gave the key to a beautiful girl who let her sister in when I wasn't looking'? No, they almost always kept their mouths clamped. Between these scams and a few odd jobs, they were doing well enough to give some back, and take in the kids that fell through the cracks like them.

By their early twenties, the business grew. They'd built up a following of kind like-minded citizen allies, as well as a vast network of spies, smugglers, petty thieves, con artists and tradesmen to outsmart the rich to help the less fortunate. The upper class was finally starting to figure out that if they didn't want to be robbed or conned, all they need to do is see that the people under their protection were well-cared for. It would be cheaper than losing everything to them.

It was going good until King Harrow gave away too much of the kingdom's food, then failed save them through that 'secret mission' to Xadia. A projected fifty-thousand people would starve that winter. Sarai and Amaya had always been daring, and since Xadia was the land of riches, they took a little team and snuck across the boarder to steal as much as they could.

There they found plants so warm they grew despite the cold and they stole an entire crop in one night; some of their finest work, if the sisters did say so themselves. They sent it off to Katolis to be distributed to the poor who couldn't afford the already astronomical price of food. Then they found rubies that radiated heat, they swiped those and sent them to trusted allies who would use them to warm soil and start community gardens. There were so many things in Xadia that could solve Katolis' hunger issue if used with intelligence and compassion.

But they'd caught the attention of the elves. No problem, they were underestimated and slipped through the elvish fingers. Until the fiery redhead came along. Their motives of stealing to feed starving people moved their captor, but not her big sister, the queen. She went on and on about the disgusting humans and did not take kindly to Sarai's question 'So what would you do if the tables were turned, watch people starve because elves are too 'good' to steal?'.

They escaped, but circumstances forced Sarai and Amaya to hide...and apparently they chose the queen's chambers to do so. They tied her up and waited, surprising the queen by only stealing the rubies in her lamps before leaving her unharmed.

The stealing still continued, they were caught several times throughout the winter, the queen seemed more and more aggravated with them; with Sarai specifically. While Amaya was a funny smartass who made the princess snort more than once (of course Amaya didn't have a crush on her...of course not), Sarai challenged the queen; made her think. She also may have seduced her during a private interrogation. A new step was added to the cycle; steal, get captured, indulge in the queen's guilty pleasure, escape. Repeat.

Sarai had snuck through a hidden door to Khessa's chambers, one thing led to another, as usual. As usual the queen got what she wanted, then threatened to execute the human as she redressed. The thief could only laugh at her, calling her bluff.

"You like having a taste of freedom too much for that, Sunshine." She said as she toyed with a strand of hair. Khessa huffed, maneuvering her golden locks out of Sarai's fingers.

"I am free, you are my prisoner."

"Dear Queen," Sarai kissed a bare shoulder, "I am freer now than you will ever be. Your surroundings may be nicer than my camp, but a golden cage is still just a cage." 

"Get. Out." Khessa ordered with venom. A pretty standard way for Sarai to get dismissed.

"Until next time, Queen Khessa." She bowed and took her leave, but not before taking a ruby from the lamp on the way out.

#Amaya's off visiting Janai #tdp #the dragon prince #Khessa #Sarai #Khesari

[nebulous-library]

Nebulous-Library Masterlist ✨

MY AO3 - All of my works are posted ONLY either here (on my main blog in some cases) or on my AO3 account. Nowhere else has permission to post or use them. Do not feed my work to robots. I can’t enforce that, I know, but like, I work really hard on this stuff and it would make me sad.

This masterlist is organized in two parts: 

Things that have the utmost brainrot at the current point in time.

Everything else, organized alphabetically by series.

Read more below!

Relatively current obsessions -

TOKYO REVENGERS

Hajime Kokonoi (Koko)

Better Together (Koko x Reader x Inupi)

my thoughts will echo your name until i see you again (NSFW - dark content, not porn)

Seishu Inui (Inupi)

Better Together (Koko x Reader x Inupi)

Misc. headcanons, musings, imagines

little acts of intimacy - how they like to be touched (misc. characters)

what their kisses are like (misc. characters)

what they sound like when they cum (misc. characters)

how they fall in love (misc. characters)

Baji with a crush (HC)

SPIDER-VERSE -

Lyla 

the one where lyla gets a physical body (HCs)

UPCOMING - Untitled work (Hologran!Lyla x Reader)

Miguel O’Hara

UPCOMING - Untitled work (Dr. Olivia Octavius x Reader, Miguel O’Hara x Reader)

Dr. Olivia Octavius 

UPCOMING - Untitled work (Dr. Olivia Octavius x Reader, Miguel O’Hara x Reader)

Peter B. Parker x Bagel (feat. Reader)

Fifty Shades of Grain (NSFW) - Peter's love of carbs goes a little too far when he finds himself alone in his apartment one morning, fantasizing about his cute neighbor and not having anything better to satisfy his cravings than the bagel from the coffee shop. Whilst getting jiggy with this bagel, Peter manages to find himself in a little bit of a predicament only said neighbor can help him get out of.

BUNGO STRAY DOGS

Chuuya Nakahara

wine & dine (NSFW) - When your plans for Chuuya’s birthday go awry, he keeps himself busy with a nice bottle of wine. However, when you arrive later that evening, you find that the wine has caused certain complications for Chuuya. No matter — he’s going to have a birthday feast one way or another.

wine & dine - the bonus chapter (NSFW) - The unplanned follow-up in which Chuuya finally gets to smash

Sigma

mile high club (NSFW) - Sigma didn’t think his first sexual encounter would be with his assistant manager at the Sky Casino. But things don’t always go as planned, do they?

Everything else, alphabetical by source material

AVATAR: THE LAST ARIBENDER -

Zuko 

Like a Moth to the Flame (NSFW) - You are with the Gaang at Zuko's family's abandoned vacation home on Ember Island. Sozin's Comet is due to return in three days' time. The entire squad is stressed, especially Zuko. You approach him that evening in an attempt to help him alleviate some of his tension.

DEMON SLAYER -

Headcanons, musings, imagines

Being romantically/sexually involved with Kagaya Ubayashiki [part 1] - [part 2] - [part 3]

Douma + breeding kink, kind of (HC)

Eggplant HCs [part 1] -  [part 2]

DRAGON PRINCE -

Araavos 

Milky Way (NSFW) - Whilst sneaking about where you shouldn't, you discovered the mirror from Viren's study down in an empty dungeon chamber. As captivating as such a relic as the mirror was, it was nowhere near as captivating as that which you saw in the glass.

Runaan 

Bound (NSFW) - You didn't mean to start semi-regularly having sex with the leader of one of the most notorious moonshadow elf assassin groups. But it happened, and now after having not seen him in months, he is being held captive in essentially the basement of your place of employment. You decide to pay him a friendly visit.

A Nocturnal Affair (NSFW) -  Night has fallen in Katolis, and what a beautiful night it is. Beautiful, but lonesome. Your chambers at the palace were lovely, but so very empty. Perhaps a sneaky late-night visit from a certain lover of yours can do something about that.

Xadian Nights - Your relationship with Runaan has come to the point where you can no longer stand the sneaking around and the secrecy. Neither of you wants this to be all it is for the rest of your life. After what had started as wistful daydreaming of what your lives might be like under other circumstances, you decide you're going to do it. You are going to flee to Xadia. With Runaan by your side, you venture off on a life-changing journey. [prologue] -  [chapter 1] - [chapter 2] - [chapter 3]

HAIKYUU -

Oikawa Tooru 

The “Oikawa Has A Bedroom Full Of Mirror, Particularly On The Ceiling, And 100% Gets Off On His Own Reflection” saga (NSFW, drabbles/HCs) - [drabble 1] - [drabble 2] - [HC 1] - [HC 2] - [bonus]

Oikawa has both a praise kink AND a degradation kink (NSFW, HCs)

JUJUTSU KAISEN -

Kokichi Muta

Bringing him presents (HC)

Developing a relationship with him (drabble)

Going on dates with him if/when his body gets restored (drabbles) - [part 1] - [part 2]

Suguru Geto

Character Analysis Hours - [part 1] - [part 2]

High school Suguru + his piercings (HC)

Subby Suguru thoughts 

Misc. poly w/ SatoSugu thoughts [part 1] - [part 2]

Satoru Gojo

His sense of humor (HC)

Misc. poly w/ SatoSugu thoughts [part 1] - [part 2]

Kento Nanami

What flirting with him is like (HC)

Mahito

Learning how to speak like a person (HC)

SK8 THE INFINITY - 

Kaoru Sakurayashiki (Cherry Blossom)

what they’re like in bed (part 1)

Cherry/Joe/Adam cockblocking each other

Kojiro Nanjo (Joe)

what they’re like in bed (part 1)

Miscellaneous HCs (NSFW)

Cherry/Joe/Adam cockblocking each other

Ainosuke Shindo (Adam)

Adam’s shotgunning kink (NSFW, imagine)

what they’re like in bed (part 2 - the Adam-centric sequel)

Cherry/Joe/Adam cockblocking each other

Hiromi Higa (Shadow)

what they’re like in bed (part 1)

SPIDER-VERSE - 

Peter B. Parker x Bagel (feat. Reader) 

Fifty Shades of Grain (NSFW) - Peter's love of carbs goes a little too far when he finds himself alone in his apartment one morning, fantasizing about his cute neighbor and not having anything better to satisfy his cravings than the bagel from the coffee shop. Whilst getting jiggy with this bagel, Peter manages to find himself in a little bit of a predicament only said neighbor can help him get out of.

VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER -

Takashi Shriogane

Missing Pieces series - A pre-VLD series in which you, Shiro’s partner, are coping with losing him to the Kerberos mission.

Part one - Let Me Call You Sweetheart (SFW) - You and Shiro had just moved into your new place shortly before he left. Now everything just feels empty without him.

Part two - The Moon and Back (SFW) - Keith comes to check on how you’re doing.

Part three - Stay with Me (NSFW) - Keith’s comforting goes a step too far

Part four - Just One Yesterday (SFW) - A glimpse into the development of your relationship with Shiro when you were both eager young Garrison students

Part five - Somewhere Only We Know (NSFW) - A bittersweet reunion between you and Shiro after his alleged disappearance on the Kerberos mission.  

Part six - The Impossible Year (SFW) -  [chapter 1] - [chapter 2] - It's been almost a year since the Kerberos mission, since you thought you'd lost the love of your life forever. But a fire is brewing within your soul. Despite your previous beliefs, you no longer can sit idly by and accept what the Garrison has told you about the disappearance of the crew on that mission. You need answers. And it's about time you find your missing pieces 

#masterlist #bitch finally has one #tokyo revengers #bungo stray dogs #bsd #tokrev #atla #Avatar The Last Airbender #demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #the dragon prince #tdp #haikyuu #hq #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #sk8 #Joe sk8 the infinity #spiderverse #voltron #vld #more tags to come

[acronymking4tdp]

A Window of Opportunity, Ch1: Opeli’s Letter

(A TDP - S4 reunion fic by acronymKing) ���Perhaps if she had been here for the past two years, Lady Rayla would know the basics of Pentarchy politics and we wouldn’t need to stop to answer background questions.” Callum’s voice dripped sarcasm as he responded to Rayla’s request for clarification on how Korinn of Neolandia fit into the political landscape of the Pentarchy. “Maybe Opeli could arrange a tutor for after hours instruction and spare the rest of us these interruptions,” he continued, refusing to look at the moonshadow elf who had only recently become the newest member of King Ezran’s Royal Council. “Callum, please … don’t,” his brother the king admonished, clearly tired of having Callum’s anger towards Rayla once again put on display before the entire council. Opeli fidgeted with the scrolls in front of her while she observed the reactions of the rest of the council. Rayla was doing her best to appear unaffected, although anybody who knew her at all would know from the angle of her ears and the stiffness in her shoulders that she was upset. Soren and Corvus exchanged concerned looks, unsure of what to do for their friends who had once been a couple, and Barius studied the pastry dough that had dried around his cuticles, perhaps questioning why he had been so excited to join this council in the first place. Even Bait was a somber blue. Clearing her throat, the High Cleric and Regent to the Crown of Katolis decided that it was time to take matters into her own hands. “King Ezran, I believe that this interruption creates a good opportunity to adjourn for the day. I need to speak with you and Prince Callum on business that doesn’t concern the rest of the council,” Opeli murmured. Continued in AO3, A Window of Opportunity, Ch 1: Opeli’s Letter 

#callum & rayla #callum/rayla #acronymKing4tdp #The Dragon Prince S4 #TDP canonverse - canon divergent #Callum & Rayla reunion

[kradogsrats]

Something I noticed about that one picture with Sarai, Harrow, and Viren is that Callum’s outfit incorporates a bit from each of theirs. He’s got Viren’s center part, Sarai’s black form fitting sleeves and pants, and Harrow’s fingerless gloves

Yeah, there was a ton of chatter about this before s4 when Callum's high mage outfit was revealed! @raayllum did a ton of breakdowns on it.

IIRC there are several motifs that are visible in Callum and Ezran's s4 designs that appear to be derived specifically from ones that are unique to Sarai's design (vs. Harrow's, at least). Otherwise, Callum's high mage outfit is clearly meant to echo both his s1-s3 design (mostly in the color palette) and Viren's design (in silhouette and detail/fanciness level).

There's also a lot of related speculation about whether those motifs have a specific meaning or link to larger story elements, but my opinion as a somewhat jaded ex-designer is that a) there are a limited number of geometric motifs that look good without being overly busy and complex, and b) when your visual language for "characters associated with Katolis" is basically "clean, simple geometric motifs emphasizing vertical and diagonal elements," you're going to get a certain amount of similarity with... a LOT of other stuff.

#the dragon prince #ehhhh idk what to tag this as #personally i don't care a ton about the character design in depth bc i have so many other things to think about

[zuppizup]

Someone Like You - Chapter 14

Summary: Sometimes in trying to protect them, we cannot help but hurt the ones we love most.

Pairing: Rayla/Callum

Rating: Mature

Chapter: 14/16

AO3 Link: Someone Like You

They chat quietly about what happened while she was away, small talk really, but they’ve both been busy since she returned and it feels like the first time they’ve had a chance to be alone. He’s holding her hand, his fingers gently caressing her own and she finds it hard to concentrate fully on what he’s saying.

This part of the Narrows is close to river the flows through Katolis, which is why, she assumes, a small community of Tidebound elves have settled here. The street is lined with glowing lanterns, some bioluminescence she doesn’t really understand, but their soft glow illuminates his face in a way that is decidedly distracting, making his eyes some how even greener and more vivid.

Read More On AO3 – Someone Like You: Working back my memories

Art work by Numptypylon

#rayllum #rayllum fanfic #rayla x callum #callum x rayla #the dragon prince #tdp #rayla #callum #the dragon prince fanfic #tdp fanfic #zuppi fanfic #fic: someone like you #series: speculation pre season 4 musings

[raayllum]

Detective Rayla Theory

Otherwise known as: Why I think Rayla is Real in the Reunion Scene and Where I Think the Plot is Going, Subsequently. Discussion both for and against the Fake Rayla Theory here. Without further do, let’s get into it:

So I was having a good think on the bus today, turning it over and over in my head as to why Rayla would come back when she clearly hadn’t completed her mission - and trying to think up alternatives to 1) self worth development with Ethari in a flashback since that’d moot some of her natural S4 arc or 2) Aaravos somehow whipping up an illusion Viren for her to murder, as both seemed a bit more complicated than necessary. 

Which is to say: I think I’ve got it, and I think it explains more of the season this way, too. Basically: 

I think Rayla has come back to Katolis because the Dragon Queen, Zubeia, is there, and Rayla has information (based upon Claudia’s evil doings the past two years) that can’t wait to be shared, and she believes that the boys won’t get involved (because in her mind, why would they?)

Rayla has always been loyal to the Draconic royal family and would have been keeping an eye out for any dark magic-y stuff in Xadia because. I forget where it was said (an interview or AMA I believe) but Terry is more in tune with the minerals/earth side of Earthblood magic than flora or fauna, with possibly the ability to help make tunnels. We know he and Claudia have been running around Xadia collecting ingredients and doing dubious things to revive Viren. This means Rayla could’ve been somewhat tracking them, but ultimately foiled for obvious reasons, even if she could still find something clearly disturbing and worrying happening in the meantime. A trail of sorts.

There’s also the fact that with Zubeia is the only character we know of who’s 1) around prominently and 2) knows a shit ton about Aaravos. Avizandum is the one who imprisoned Aaravos in the first place (—3x06) and Zubeia would’ve seen the mirror in her lair every day for 300 years. Callum has no reason to think it was in the Dragon King and Queen’s chambers, but there’s a wealth of information at his finger tips if they can just make the connection.

But I’m getting ahead of myself: how and why does this relate to Rayla?

Well, mostly because of these three things: Rayla shows up in Katolis conveniently when the Dragon Queen and Zym are already there. While she wouldn’t want to drag the boys into everything, that’s also her queen and she wouldn’t keep information from Zubeia. And we know that the kids all end up in Xadia together, with Zubeia, later on in the season, and that the kids at are the Storm Spire before this too (since Callum already has Ibis’ staff).

— so whatever is going on is big enough and involves Zubeia enough, somehow, to have her travel with the kids and at least partially come on their adventure with them. And I don’t think Zubeia can know ahead of time that as much trouble is brewing in Xadia as it is, since I don’t think she’d be popping over to Katolis if she knew shit was about go down back home (she’d already been absent for one traumatic event at the Spire of her husband’s death, she’s not going to take any chances of something like that happening again)

We also get these lines from Zubeia (which given she only has one line in the whole show, no wonder I couldn’t place at first) and from Rayla, which have to factor into the season somehow:

which is all to say, I think Rayla, off sleuthing and doing detective work back in Xadia the past two years, has found something worrisome enough she has to tell the Dragon Queen right away, and has heard through the grapevine that Zubeia is in Katolis. Cue Rayla letting herself be indulgent (justify it to herself) to see the boys (and Callum) even though her mission isn’t over. To make sure he’s okay. Now that she’s reached what may be the final leg of her journey, she won’t be deterred by his presence — and she knows that the boys have been happy, busy, and safe in Katolis. Why would they get involved and leave now?

Only, the boys insist (or perhaps Zubeia asks), leaving Rayla to be upset and worried. This means she can go into full “protector” mode when they and Soren do accompany her and Zubeia back to Xadia / the Storm Spire, not realizing she’s just exacerbating her and Callum’s issues (i,e. “I don’t need to be protected” on his end and “Who’s protecting you?”). It also gives the group a reason to leave, a plot reason for her to come back so soon (just like Viren, her return is the plot catalyst) and to start hashing out the emotional consequences of her previous choices neither she nor Callum have fully dealt with.

Zubeia’s knowledge of Aaravos also gives Callum an opportunity to have room to mess with the mirror on his own before he fully knows what he’s dealing with. He (and the audience) can learn some of the reasons why and know enough that it would be a terrible awful thing for Aaravos to get out of his prison... because he’s getting out this season, and Callum likely has the Key.

However if Rayla comes back to kick off the Plot with Big Important Things and she’s right about Viren being alive (even if it’s not the way she thought), that means all her TTM decisions have been validated... and we can’t have that. Her first fuckup, perhaps, may be thinking she can see the boys without dragging them into her business, bringing back those good ol’ “I failed” feelings. The second fuck up will probably have to be far greater and given that we know aged up, scarfed Callum finds her blade later on this season, it is probably that she has been captured and then will be used against / to bait her loved ones.

This means that the Plot reason behind Rayla’s absence is because her paranoia about Viren and Claudia is the only character incentive we had for anyone to catch on, of the main cast, to what they were / are doing. The main S4 synopsis makes it sound like they know that Claudia is trying to free Aaravos (or at least something terrible and scary) and that they have to try to stop it. We know that whatever gets the kids out of Katolis with the political unrest Ezran is facing is big enough that Zubeia comes along for the partial ride. Rayla coming back out of a sense of duty also answers 1) why come back here and now specifically when she couldn’t have completed her mission and 2) leaves her emotional issues open and ripe for the picking.

It also means that the Narrative Weight awarded to her absence, at least in the most straightforward way with the information we have now, is to accentuate Callum’s love for her, as he has the other half of their post-TTM arc. Prior to this point, one of his main motivations was that he couldn’t / refused to lose her, such as when he did dark magic in 2x07, much of S3, the main climax of Arc 1 with him jumping off the Pinnacle, and all of TTM.

But post-TTM, he has lost her, and he’s had to live with that every day for two whole years. He hasn’t moved on, it’s still a deep core wound for him, Aaravos will likely be able to witness their reunion through the mirror, and Callum has his Key - and Aaravos will likely have Rayla.

Those who fail Tests of Love are simple animals.

And we also have this line from Rayla’s letter to Callum as well:

They said that, sometimes, we make sacrifices so that the ones we love don’t have to. It’s part of protecting them—part of protecting you. Taking on hard choices and going to dark places is an act of love.

Rayla made that decision back in TTM and then made an active choice to come back to Callum in a way, while he remained more passive. By the end of the season it’ll be his turn to go after her and make a choice — and pass the Test of Love Aaravos has set for him for her life, because re S4, he’s lost her once. He’s not going to go through that again, and that’s the Point of her absence from a Thematic standpoint, too.

Basically me trying to connect the Plot, Theme, and Characterization Dots together desperately with the endgame of Aaravos getting out of the mirror this season (because we already know) and I hope you enjoyed my latest two cents / probably the path I’m leaning the most towards with the info we have right now.

#detective rayla theory #tdp #tdp spoilers #rayllum #cube hostage exchange theory #the dragon queen #s4 #s4 spoilers #predictions #like depending on how the reunion goes we'll know right away if she's legit or not #but for now i'm leaning towards 'yes and' #arc 2 #trailer #the dragon prince #zubeia #aaravos #writing this wore me out tbh #analysis series

[ask-ethari-anything]

Hey, Ethari. How is your Shadowpaw? Did they come back after they helped Rayla?

Yes, Tethu made it safely home. Rayla made certain of it. She didn't linger much longer that time than the first. I met her outside the village with a satchel packed with supplies for her trip to Katolis, and she and Callum caught up with friends at the Adoraburr Meadow and traveled west with them.

Tethu and I have been busy, scouting about and seeing friends and getting things done... as one does when one is, er, self-employed. He's still my best fluffy boy, and he always makes a nice warm snuggly companion for nights on the road.

#ask ethari #tethu #just shadowpaw things

[jelzorz]

Not a ship, but I'd love to hear more on how Claudia and Opeli's dynamic works in the snake! Correct me if I'm crazy (I sped through all the chapters and haven't re-read them yet), but I don't think they've had a ton of interaction yet? Or even just less general sisters-in-law headcanons, if you didn't wanna give fic details away!

OH CAKE I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT OPELI AND CLAUDIA AS SISTERS IN LAW! @raayllum and I were talking about it once the concept of them as sister-in-law threw is both for a loop for a second but nevertheless

I actually have a wip in my drafts about how Claudia finds out. She comes back to the castle and is relegated to the castle gardens to tend to their medicinal plants as per her sentence of service and starts to notice... some things. Soren and Opeli are hanging out a lot when she returns, and even though they're not really doing anything (yet), Claudia is also familiar with Soren's tells and starts to wonder if there's something she should know.

She says nothing though. She tells no one. It's Soren's business and she doesn't think Opeli would appreciate being asked. She'll admit she's a little surprised because historically (according to Claudia), Opeli's never liked them, but things have changed and. Well. Okay.

Meanwhile, Opeli is. Cautious. To be fair, she was a little wary of Soren when his allegiances were still ostensibly to Viren, but she learned quickly enough that he wasn't like his dad At All, especially after he got her, Corvus, Barius, and most importantly, Ezran out of Katolis during Viren's coup in season 1. She can extend that same grace towards Claudia on her return, especially because 1) Ezran vouches for her and insists they give her a chance, and 2) Soren wants to keep his relationship with his sister. She isn't Welcoming exactly, but she is less hostile than certain other people for sure.

So for a little while they don't have a lot to do with each other. Claudia is very quietly keeping tabs on the way her brother behaves around Opeli, but so too is Opeli keeping tabs on Claudia's interactions with Ezran. She doesn't approve per se, but she also can't say anything about it because. Well. You know.

Quick recap from the fruit: Rayla is about 20 weeks pregnant when Claudia comes home and goes into labour in the early morning at the end of that summer. She has a bleed shortly after her baby is born, but it's not one the midwives can control with their standard procedures. Normally, women with bleeds like the one Rayla has die, but Claudia is present and knows exactly what to do. The midwives let her in, Ez fetches the appropriate remedy, Rayla comes out of it fine. By this point, Ez and Claudia are a little more than friends but not formally courting, and after they know Rayla's okay, Soren makes it clear that he isn't just hanging around Opeli for fun. Their physical fling starts shortly afterwards.

No one says anything about anything. Opeli and Soren's thing is supposed to be a secret but Claudia's been onto them for ages, and she Knows what's up the moment Soren appears at breakfast looking a bit more cheery than usual. Opeli is still wary about Claudia hanging around Ezran but won't let herself say anything about it because of the thing with Soren. They're not Friends at all, but there's a sense of respect there, and there's enough of it that they don't pry into each other's business more than they need UNTIL

Opeli misses a bleed and starts throwing up. She essentially breaks up with Soren in her panic but won't go to Claudia who 100% has the herbs that she needs because her brother is the reason Opeli needs them at all. Rayla goes in her stead and tries to be vague about it. Claudia admits she already knows what's going on. She hands over the herbs and keeps her lips tightly sealed.

[insert the rest of the fruit here]

They have a proper talk about it after Opeli is released from the infirmary. Fresh starts, you know? The bottom line is that they want one thing from each other, and that is to keep their boys safe. Claudia swears on her life that she would never hurt Ezran. Opeli swears to LJ that she would never hurt Soren. After that, they are considerably warmer to each other and frequently have tea together with Rayla to get breaks from the dumb ass things the boys get up to.

It's a shame BC the snake starts off with Claudia saying some nasty things to Opeli in light of the situation with Viren but in this timeline, they actually get along fine! Opeli's heard worse and she doesn't hold it against Claudia, and ultimately, she's advocating for Viren—which is something she never thought she'd do, but something that Claudia is ultimately grateful for. I won't spoil the snake, but things get better again for them and altogether, they make p good sisters-in-law.

#sorpeli #claudiez #rayllum #canon crack quartet #THANK YOU CAKE THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN TO ANSWER