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ravenriya · 5 years

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For the love of levers (A Clarke Griffin and her levers story)

Contains spoilers for season 6

Madi smiled, seeing Clarke fast asleep on top of her drawings. Madi knows Clarke has been up all night. Some rest will be good for her.

“No…No, p-please-“ Clarke mumbled in her sleep. Her eyes scrunched up and body stiffened. Madi rushed to her and put a hand on her shoulder, trying to wake her up.

“Clarke…Clarke, wake up!”

Clarke woke up startled. Her hands reaching for Madi frantically.

“Madi?” She said “What happened? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Everything is just as good as it was when you fell sleep.” Madi replied. “You were dreaming and-”

“Yeah, I just-“ Clarke paused. “You are supposed to be doing your homework.”

“Yeah, I was but then Jackson came by to ask if you will like to join this appendectomy he is doing in the evening. So I thought I’ll tell you.”

“God, you sound like mom.” Clarke smiled sadly. “Go now, do your homework.”

“Who sounds like mom now.” Madi rolled her eyes.

“You’re spending too much time with Murphy. He’s rubbing off on you.” Clarke said to her back, smiling.

Clarke stretches her arms. She was tired and her hurt a bit. She glanced back at drawing sheet she had fell asleep upon. The sketch brought her some peace deeply embedded in sadness. She took the paper and added it to her private sketchbook. A sketchbook that she never showed to anyone. A sketchbook filled with intricately drawn sketches of her only love.

Clarke turned over to the first page. The first time she had realised that she was not alone. That it was there for her. She still remembers the way it felt. Smooth and strong. The glassy finish and calmness that it entailed. The lever back in the spaceship in which she was sent to earth. The lever had come down with her. Had witnessed her struggles and responded with so much stillness that it filled Clarke’s insides with gratitude and respect. It did not let her do it alone. It held her hand as she burned her enemies to ashes. The sheer force and power of it amazed her.

Clarke sighed as she flipped to the next page. She closed her eyes immediately. It was the lever from the mountain. Not one of their best moments. But at least they were together. Together and powerful. It did not leave Clarke even when she wasn’t sure what to do. When Clarke pulled it, it irradiated hundreds of mountain man to save her loved ones. It bore it so she wouldn't have to. Clarke still rememberers how cold it felt. How ruthless. But it was on Clarke’s side nonetheless. So much power, yet still with her. That was the moment Clarke realised that their companionship was inevitable.

The next one, she saw in the City of light. Glittering in all its glory under the white light. It was unexpected. Clarke hadn’t anticipated meeting it there after what happen in the mountain. She had promised she would never touch it again if it meant death to people. But this time they both had grown so much without growing apart. This time it didn’t meant to kill it was their to save her. Her people. Her family. And when Becca and ALIE tried to drill their way into her head, she touched it. It immediately made her feel braver, stronger. Like they were meant to be together. She held it between her fingers and it gave her the power she needed. When she pulled it close inch by inch she felt the lightness in her head. The sense of content and love. The lever saved her once again.

Clarke wiped away the stray tears. The travel down the memory lane had taken more energy than she had anticipated. The next page was not a sketch of it. It was rather a sketch of herself at the top of the tower. If one looks closely, a wave of fire rolling in the background can be seen. The Praimfaya.

Clarke had thought she was left alone. When in fact she wasn’t. When Clarke saw it again on the top of the tower. She almost didn’t recognised it. The lever, it had grown so much. So evolved. But then again Clarke herself had grown much different. They both tried their best at the top of the tower to save her friends. Clarke knew it was the lever when she had to pull the satellite. When she had to touch the edges of the disc and pull it closer, it resisted. Clarke never understood why it had gone to such lengths to disguise itself and then resist. But somewhere deep inside, she knows the answer. The simple truth that it did not want her to suffer on earth when her friends live the rest of their lives in space. Because it wasn’t sure if this was their last moment together. But it succumbed to her wishes. How could it refuse her? How could it refuse her when she was so selfless and good? Clarke cried and screamed and fought as it went down in a ball of fire. As it wished to meet her in another life. Another time.

The fifth time Clarke met it, they both knew they were made for each other. That their whole life was a struggle to be close to each other. All the battles and sacrifices so that she could come near it. Touch it. Feel it. Love it. On the Eligius ship when Clarke found it again, she cherished it. She held it in her hand and felt the familiar connection once again. She sobbed. And it supported her. The lever never let go of her. It was ready to save her from Damocles. It got angry when Bellamy refused to come in. It wanted Clarke to pull. It wanted her to save herself. But she didn’t. So it stayed patient. It wasn’t like it will do anything against Clarke’s wishes. She was it’s queen. It’s ruler. The one it served with every atom constituted in it. The one it loved with its many forms and figures. She was it’s Wanlever.

The last and most recent drawing made Clarke’s heart break into millions of pieces. The lever that got her Mother (or her body) killed. Clarke still remembers the moment like it happened seconds ago. The grief and love etched so deep in her mind. When she had nothing and no one, the lever was there. The lever was the one constant thing in her life. And it held so much power for her. It made her so strong.

When her own mother’s mind was snatched by the primes, she was devastated. But it gave her leverage. The lever gave her leverage, ironic. It had witnessed so many deaths, floated so many people but it was their at Clarke’s command when she needed it the most. It saved her life again and more vigorously than one might think.

Simone pretended to be Abby, she might have believed her if it wasn’t for the lever. The lever in her hand vibrated, reminding her of its presence. It reminded her of all the times they had been together. All the times when humans did terrible things just to get what they want. They lie and cheat and pretend to be other people. It reminded her of all the people that were floated. It reminded her of her father.

“What’s my father’s name?” She asked although it ached like hell. And the answer was what she had known all along. A bloody fucking lie.

Simone-Abby launched herself but Clarke was too quick. She pulled it and it sent all the evil primes right out in space. But Simone-Abby clinged to Clarke. She pulled her and tried to climb back. All Clarke needed to do was push her. But for a moment, Clarke looked back at the lever. It seemed so far away. Could she do it? Could she float her own mother. The lever replied in stillness. Lowered and waiting for her. They had been through it all and still it waits for Clarke to make the right choice. The lever will stand by her no matter what she chose. It urges Clarke to choose the right thing. So she pushed taking one last glance at her mother’s face. She pushed until Simone-Abby floated away from her.

It was her will to go back to the lever that drove her to choose right. She fought and pulled herself back to it. She held it tightly and pulled it up, closing the air duct. For the next few minutes, it was just her and the lever, sitting there in silence sad Clarke sobbed for her mother. The lever stayed quite. It grounded her to reality for what was yet to be done. The lever anchored her.

And now looking back at the charcoal sketch of the lever, Clarke knew that only the lever understood her pain because they lived through the horrible things she did together. It was their for her when nobody else was, when an army of grounders attacked and everybody looked at her for a decision, when her friend’s lives were on the line, when an artificial intelligence tried to take over the world, when the world ended again, when she went back to space and when her own mother tried to kill her. It was there forever and always.

Clarke blinked out of her trance when she heard a faint knock on the door of her studio. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and opened the door slightly to reveal Bellamy standing on the other side.

“Hey,” he smiled.

“Hi,” she replied. “What are you doing here?”

“I…I have something I just wanted to drop off.” Bellamy said sheepishly. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” Clarke opened the door wider.

Bellamy walked in to the centre of the studio, under the dimly lit chandelier. Clarke stood right in front of him, smiling slightly. They still weren’t used to these casual walk-ins. When there was no matter of urgency, no one trying to kill them and no earth was being attacked. It felt odd but nice.

“So…?” Clarke trailed off.

Bellamy held out a small packet that he was holding behind his back. It was neatly wrapped and tied by a thread in a small brown paper.

“What’s this?” Clarkd asked curiously.

“Open it.” Bellamy said. “I once saw Finn made you one of these for you…so, I thought I’ll give it a try, you know…”

Clarke pulled the end of the thread excitedly, it wasn’t everyday that she got gifts. The package opened to reveal a necklace. But when she looked closer to the pendant, it was something magnificent. Something that took her breath away. She gasped. A miniature lever made of shiny metal encased in a gold frame. She couldn’t believe her eyes. It looked perfect with little handles and everything.

“Bellamy…” Clarke said in a teary voice.

“I had nothing else to do - and it was there a metal plate in Ryker’s workshop - I thought I would make you one of these…” He rambled. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Clarke laughed. “But how did you know - is it that obvious?”

Bellamy chuckled. “Yeah.”

“Hey, don’t laugh.” She bumped his shoulder playfully. “Thank you, Bellamy. I don’t know how to explain I-”

“It’s okay. I get it. You don’t have to explain what you love and why you love. Besides, it’s a new world. Anything’s possible.”

“Anything is possible.” Clarke repeated and embraced Bellamy in a hug. “Thank you, for everything.” Bellamy nodded and held her tightly. She closed her fist around the mini lever pendant and held close, feeling the mental pour love in her.

May we meet again.

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ravenriya · 5 years

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For the love of levers (A Clarke Griffin and her levers story)

Contains spoilers for season 6

Madi smiled, seeing Clarke fast asleep on top of her drawings. Madi knows Clarke has been up all night. Some rest will be good for her.

“No…No, p-please-“ Clarke mumbled in her sleep. Her eyes scrunched up and body stiffened. Madi rushed to her and put a hand on her shoulder, trying to wake her up.

“Clarke…Clarke, wake up!”

Clarke woke up startled. Her hands reaching for Madi frantically.

“Madi?” She said “What happened? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Everything is just as good as it was when you fell sleep.” Madi replied. “You were dreaming and-”

“Yeah, I just-“ Clarke paused. “You are supposed to be doing your homework.”

“Yeah, I was but then Jackson came by to ask if you will like to join this appendectomy he is doing in the evening. So I thought I’ll tell you.”

“God, you sound like mom.” Clarke smiled sadly. “Go now, do your homework.”

“Who sounds like mom now.” Madi rolled her eyes.

“You’re spending too much time with Murphy. He’s rubbing off on you.” Clarke said to her back, smiling.

“What’s my father’s name?” She asked although it ached like hell. And the answer was what she had known all along. A bloody fucking lie.

“Hey,” he smiled.

“Hi,” she replied. “What are you doing here?”

“I…I have something I just wanted to drop off.” Bellamy said sheepishly. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” Clarke opened the door wider.

“So…?” Clarke trailed off.

Bellamy held out a small packet that he was holding behind his back. It was neatly wrapped and tied by a thread in a small brown paper.

“What’s this?” Clarkd asked curiously.

“Open it.” Bellamy said. “I once saw Finn made you one of these for you…so, I thought I’ll give it a try, you know…”

“Bellamy…” Clarke said in a teary voice.

“I had nothing else to do - and it was there a metal plate in Ryker’s workshop - I thought I would make you one of these…” He rambled. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Clarke laughed. “But how did you know - is it that obvious?”

Bellamy chuckled. “Yeah.”

“Hey, don’t laugh.” She bumped his shoulder playfully. “Thank you, Bellamy. I don’t know how to explain I-”

“It’s okay. I get it. You don’t have to explain what you love and why you love. Besides, it’s a new world. Anything’s possible.”

May we meet again.

#clarke griffin #the 100 #bellamy blake #clake griffin and the lever #just for fun #season 6

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ravenriya · 5 years

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Alex and Piper’s story arc season 7: Liked Vs. Disliked

Like: The constant referring of each other as wife even through all the mess that was made

Dislike: “Hey let’s have an open relationship” Well shit this is about to get fucked up. The whole cheating arc was pointless.

Like: Piper being unapologetically who she is, embracing all parts of herself, and being so self assured in she and Alex’s relationship.

Dislike: Alex being a jealous hypocrite of Piper having sex with a bunch of randos when you told her to do it!

Like: McCullough acting like a dork with a crush around Alex. I can’t blame her for that.

Dislike: McCullough and Alex’s “relationship” which was really just Alex manipulating, taking advantage of her, and toying with her feelings. I honestly felt a little bad for McCullough

Like: Alex being a manipulative asshole and let’s be honest, a horrible person. Only because we’ve never actually seen this dark side to Alex before. I hated her relationship with McCullough, I hated how she treated her, but I loved it because it offered some perspective into how Alex may have treated her mules.

Dislike: Piper admitting that she can’t lie to Alex about having feelings for Zelda. I mean what the actual fuck was that?!

Like: I appreciate Piper not lying to Alex about Zelda. But come the fuck on! Alex just opened up and told you that she’s afraid you’re going to leave her and then you go and scare the shit out of her by saying that you can’t lie to her about having feelings for Zelda. A part of me kind of wishes that she would have lied.

Dislike: McCullough showing up at Piper’s house like a crazy psycho stalker. Bitch have you lost your mind?! But again I can’t exactly blame her. Alex’s golden pussy created this monster. She made this mess.

Like: Alex using physical violence to let McCullough know that she fucked up when she thought it was a good idea to confront Piper at her house. Bonus points because Alex was ready to fuck up a CO over Piper.

Like: Piper making well over a hundred plus slips stating reasons why she loved Alex. I really need to read all of these.

Like: The first thing Alex does after breaking up with Piper is go back to her cell and starts picking up and reading Piper’s slips.

Like: Piper describing Alex as being a part of her body. I fucking melted.

Like: Piper deciding not to go to Northhampton with Zelda, not to stay in New York and wait for Alex, but to pack all of her things and move to Ohio.

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ravenriya · 5 years

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I was finally able to buy some of your prints (and a boat load of stickers!) And I'm framing one currently and it's a super exciting process so I just wanted to take a second to tell you how talented and wonderful you are and that we all adore you greatly ♡

ahh thank you! I’m really happy you like them !!!

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ravenriya · 5 years

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Completed fics? Or one shots? Ur amazing

A Foolish Wit - seabiscuit

Lena Luthor needs a husband, Clark Danvers needs an easy resolution to his cash flow problem. Unfortunately, the best laid plans often go awry. Or, Lena Luthor is actually rich, but Clark Danvers isn’t actually Clark Danvers. It’s complicated.

sojourn - concreteskies

When Lena has to move to London for a month, she asks Kara to come along and join her. As friends of course. (Friends that smile at each other a lot. Friends that think about each other’s lips a lot. That kind of friends.) It goes about as well as you’d imagine.

you are the fire (and i’m gasoline) - youmeandem

Lena forgets all about the stars and how pretty they are at the sight of Kara laughing, because even in the bad torch lighting, Kara is prettier than all the stars combined. Something twists in Lena’s stomach. She wants to lean forward and press her lips against Kara’s, and she almost does, but then she realizes what she’s doing and she stops herself just in time before Kara notices anything. or: kara and lena meet as teenagers au

A fiancée for Christmas - kellsbells

Alex is, as always, being hounded by Eliza about Kara’s life. In particular, her personal life. Alex blurts out a lie on a whim, pretending that Kara is engaged, and begs Kara to go along with the lie. Kara mentions the situation to her very platonic friend Lena Luthor, who offers to step in. Hijinks ensue

Monster Under The Bed - BiJane

Lillian Luthor wants everyone to fear Supergirl. That includes her daughter.

The Fifth Wall - Black_Tea_and_Bones

Kara goes to bed with Mon-El, and wakes up with Lena Luthor. But it isn’t Kara’s bed, and they’re not in Lena’s apartment, and that is definitely not their baby… Right?

Kara is Terrible at Keeping Secrets - Rhino (RhinoMouse)

Twenty-eight ways Lena Luther could find out that Kara is an alien. Surprisingly that doesn’t necessarily mean she finds out she’s Supergirl. Because Kara is really terrible at keeping secrets.

Destruction (sometimes means rebirth) - BloodInTheFields

There’s not much that she can do. The heat, she doesn’t feel. She walks through the flames and uses her x-ray vision to spot any survivor, but there’s nothing. Only devastation. or, in which Kara loses Lena, but does she really?

Giant - coeurastronaute

Kara and Lena meet in high school, but then life. (not a high school AU). Lena leaves and they meet up again, this time as Supergirl and Lena Luthor.

no one but you (got me feeling this way) - AgentJoanneMills

It’s not like Kara deliberately sets out to make her life harder than it should be. It’s not her fault that she’s excitable, okay, and she forgets things sometimes and maybe those things should not be forgotten under any circumstances. Maybe those things include, well, housing forms, which as it turns out are super important to submit on time if she wants to not be homeless in her sophomore year of college. Her sister’s going to give her so much crap about this (Alternatively: in which Kara forgot to fill out the housing form and was left with no choice but to live in the most exclusive apartment on campus.)

If you don’t love me, pretend (just for a few more hours)… - Khrat9

Kara Danvers had been a recent development she never saw coming. They weren’t friends. Lena didn’t like to blur the lines; she made a point to be professional with everyone in her workspace and especially reporters, however cute they may be. Au : where Kara and Lena aren’t friends. One night stands… but like several nights per month, sometimes more.

Not Afraid to Fall - prettyaveragewhiteshark

Lena Luthor has a strictly sexual relationship with Supergirl, but when her feelings for amateur journalist Kara Danvers begin to grow, everything gets a lot more complicated. See inside for smut, feelings, rogue DEO agents, feelings, explosions, angst, and more feelings!

Unavoidable Dreams - C_AND_B

“Kara had sex dreams. About Lena. Kara Danvers had extremely vivid sex dreams about Lena Luthor and she couldn’t stop thinking about it. It comes in snippets, and flashes, and visions and then it slams into her all at once, so fast she can barely breathe through the palpitations in her chest. Then it lingers. It’s there when she blinks, and when she sleeps, and every time she turns and finds Lena by her side (which seems to be increasing with every passing day).” Or, Kara has sex dreams and then just awkwardly fumbles through interactions with Lena.

Swipe Right for a Super - eluigih

Lena Luthor matches with Supergirl on tinder and she’s convinced that she’s being catfished.

Whispers - gabs88

“Lena is pale, her face washed out. Her knuckles are white where they grip her glass. Lillian is standing in the doorway as if this is any normal meeting, her face humourless. A mask. It’s what Kara noticed most, trapped with Mon’El in that place. Lillian is a difficult person to get any kind of read on. In some ways, so is Lena. But she’s warm where her mother is not. Smiles softly, grins like seeing Kara is the highlight of her day. She throws expressions around with ease. Ones that make Kara’s heart speed up, make her want to bite her own lip in return. Or bite Lena’s for her. But have they been real? That’s an entirely different question.”

Secretaries Know Best - Rhino (RhinoMouse)

Jess has been Ms.Luthor’s assistant long enough to know that she has terrible taste in women. So when her boss finally starts crushing on newbie reporter and loyal beam of sunshine Kara Danvers, Jess rejoices. But there are vultures hovering, unworthy boys and a pesky caped wonder and Jess will damned before she lets them ruin things.

but i’m weak (and what’s wrong with that?) - exprsslyfrbidden

Lillian threatens to hurt Supergirl if Lena continues their friendship. Naturally, this means they should become friends with benefits.

a necessary ingredient - geoclaire

Kara and Lena go out for drinks after work, and end up talking about how the general public think about Supergirl. And how Lena does. Things flow from there. But how exactly are an alien and the sister of the country’s most famous xenophobe supposed to build a relationship?

One Shots

make my wish come true - falsealarm

“Kara said she could come over whenever she was free, had literally texted Lena saying she would welcome the company so she knows she isn’t going to intrude but Lena’s three hours early and she doesn’t know if that welcome extends this far ahead.” AKA Lena shows up early to a friend get-together at Kara’s and things get festive (and flirty) real quick.

we are what we pretend to be - C_AND_B

After the unrestricted office access, and the flowers, and the surprise visits to Catco, everyone just kinda starts to assume Kara and Lena are dating, and maybe they should let them. (AKA, Lena and Kara really just date whilst pretending they’re fake dating).

I Just Want to Love You in My Own Language - lynnearlington

“In the center of it all, on her desk, is a gorgeous glass vase full of over two dozen lavender roses. “Pretty,” she murmurs as she comes around to look at them. In the middle of the light purple flowers is a small card, thank you written in elegant script over the surface. There’s no name, but there doesn’t need to be.” [A love story, told with flowers]

wonderful electric (cover me in you) - falsealarm

Lena makes Kara feel like she’s vibrating, like her nerve endings are alight with electricity and it’s intoxicating to say the least. (Tentatively, 4 interruptions + 1 free night.)

in the sun - isawet

Lena needs a date and Kara needs a job. (fake dating supercorp)

You to Me, Me to You - wtfoctagon

When Kara sees a vase of flowers on Lena’s desk, she doesn’t get jealous per se– it’s just that she thinks that Lena deserves so much better than a measly, cliche bunch of roses.

you can hear it in the silence (you’re in love) - C_AND_B

“Kara who always makes her feel trusted, and believed in, and safe. Kara who makes her glance up at a shooting star and make a wish. Kara whose frame is sturdy but soft. Kara whose slight touch makes a shiver run down her spine. Kara who she’s fairly sure she’ll be irrevocably in love with before she can figure out a way to stop it.– She might already be too late.” (the evolution of Kara and Lena’s relationship alongside the lyrics of ‘you are in love’)

Our Circle Meets - uhpockuhlipz

Meeting one’s soulmate is supposed to be monumental. It is supposed to be the most important event of one’s life and from everything Lena’s seen, that moment is almost sacred. So it’s a bit baffling when Lena finds hers and the whole world seems to stop spinning in that moment… but Kara Danvers doesn’t seem to notice it at all. OR the quintessential red string of fate AU (though it’s woven into canon ‘verse).

cops, robbers & incredibly bad decisions - C_AND_B

Kara’s been trying to catch a masked criminal for months, and Lena, well Lena is just trying to steal from the rich and give to the poor (or something along those lines).

The Six Times Lena Tries to Tell Kara She’s Pregnant and the One Time Kara Takes the Hint - JediFighterPilot2727

Can you write a one shot where Lena finds out she is pregnant and then gives little hints to Kara and then because Kara is obvious Lena has to yell it out to her. Extra points for over the moon Kara and smut!!!

pain - cautiouslyoptimistic

lena’s never felt her soulmate’s pain and she’s sure that it’s because her soulmate doesn’t exist at all or, it takes twenty-one years and thousands of light years for lena to find kara

Luthor Escort Services - uhpockuhlipz

Kara needs a last minute date to her sister’s wedding. Luthor’s Escort Services is there to help, but Lena is nothing like what Kara was expecting or a fake dating AU that is just… ridiculous.

when i think about you (well, you know the rest) - Jazzfordshire

“The world comes to a grinding halt for a moment when she sees something bad. Something horrific. Possibly the worst thing that’s ever happened in human or Kryptonian history. A solid little purple arrow, coloured in, next to Lena’s name.” OR - Wherein Lena makes a realization during a private moment, and Snapchat almost ruins Kara’s life.

Lena Luthor’s Apartment - 13lxclkr

Lena Luthor actually has an apartment and sometimes, a certain blonde likes to crash on her couch.

Comfort and Warmth - spacemanearthgirl

Kara’s heart is pounding in her chest, this certainly isn’t the way she wanted Alex to find out about her small (giant) crush on Lena.

your sunday best (looks best on my floor) - Jazzfordshire

“Siri, is it possible to die from sexual frustration?” “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” Lena sighs. “Of course you don’t. Fine. Siri, make a note – give incentives to the R&D team for finishing the red sun lamp. As quickly as possible.”

exception - cautiouslyoptimistic

kara keeps doing strange things, and lena doesn’t know what to make of it or, kara is in love and it takes lena an absurdly long time to notice

Hey, Are You Lena Luthor? - gveret

Those first words a soulmate is destined to say to you are supposed to be magical, indescribable, life changing. But for Lena Luthor, they’re just an everyday occurrence. (In which Lena has the most infuriatingly mundane soul mark.)

out of the darkness (and into the sun) - intolauren

“I hit you with my car and was the only one to visit you in the hospital, this is sort of awkward, are you okay?”

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ravenriya · 5 years

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My cat does this cuddle thing where she lays next to me and kneads with all four paws, and for some reason it made me think of Lena and how she is probably the type of person that requires all limbs to have a fulfilling cuddle.

Lena I-don’t-cuddle Luthor 10 minutes after falling asleep next to Kara

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ravenriya · 5 years

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i need an epilogue of that epilogue

Oh you mean like the very real fact that Lena’s exerience at hands of her brother’s hired mercs left her significantly fucked up and Kara only realizes this slowly and the first time she mentions how tired she looks and eventually puts together that it’s nightmares and PTSD keeping her up at night and says something about it Lena gets ANGRY and deflects with accusations of her own.

Like what would Kara know? She hasn’t cared about anyone but herself since the day they met, and if she’s really turned over a new leaf then where has she been the last three years? The entire world knows what happened and when Lena was trying to recover from one ordeal she was suffering another with the press and her brother’s trial and the truth he wanted her dead and even though Lena kept waiting and hoping Kara would call she never did. She made Lena go through all of it alone! So Kara doesn’t get to care now and she can keep her concern to herself now please kindly fuck off.

And after Lena storms off, Kara tries to figure out what to do. She wants to respect Lena’s space, and her anger, but she’s worried too. And that worry wins out and when she goes to Lena’s apartment to talk to her, Lena relents and let’s Kara past the threshold. And only then does Kara start to discover that even though Lena’s on the up and up even now, she’s struggling.

She can’t sleep with the light off (which she finds out the hard way), and she has chronic pain from her captivity that she’s dealing with, not to mention the significant mental and emotional toll the experience took on her that left her isolated and alone to the point that when she left Metropolis no one even bothered to say goodbye.

And Kara has to deal with her guilt, and Lena has to learn how to trust again.

Is that what you mean?

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ravenriya · 5 years

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I do not feel ashamed.

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ravenriya · 5 years

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I do not feel ashamed.

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ravenriya · 5 years

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Worldbuilding: The Government & Politics

Each land has somebody in charge. Be it Monarchy, Senate or theocracy. Let’s have a look at what you should consider when building your government.

Styles of Government

Absolute Monarchy: The state is run by one person and one person only.

Constitutional Monarchy: This style means that the monarch only has a figure-head position of the government while the government rules the kingdom.

Senate: Elected officials sit and debate over matters of state.

Theocracy: The Church rules the land

In Service to the People

All governments are there to provide the people with different services and are there to service their interests. At least they are supposed to do that.

Governments are meant to ensure that people are provided with leadership, healthcare, protection and trade. It is up to you to assign politicians to oversee each of these issues.

Taxation

All of these services had to be paid somehow. So taxes must be levied. If you have some issues in thinking of taxes, feel free to borrow from history and even now. Some governments will place taxes on merchants who import foreign goods. This is put in place to protect national trade. Some governments tax nobility in order to keep them from getting too powerful.

Positions in the Government

As I have outlined above, some parties and politicians are granted the right to rule over different services the government provides.

But how are these positions filled? Whenever election seasons comes along, we have officials hammering at our doors, holding up children and splashing their faces everywhere. A modern practice? Nope. Roman politicians used to hold games, feed the people and make rousing speeches in order to get elected. Remember one thing: the politicians may wield the power but the people have the real power.

This is only if the post is elective. Some governments are focused on hereditary or appointment. In mediaeval times, the government would be made up with the monarch and a council of lords. These lords were chosen for their nobility and power over their merits. In England during the Tudor era, Henry VIII made a ruckus by appointing two councils one who was son of a butcher and the other who was son of a blacksmith. The nobility hated them despite their success in administration.

For most nobles and wealthy, a place in office is seen as one way to power. In Ancient Rome and Greece, politics was one of two career choices for noble men. The other being war.

Might and Right

How powerful is your kingdom? Is it relatively powers or weak? You should always make a study of the hierarchy of power in your world from most powerful to least. In real world history, we always favour the larger and richer country as being the most power. Of course throw in the army and we got a superpower. Look at America for a second. Strip away the military, the corporations and trade, and what is it? It needs all of these to be powerful and without it, it is just a land where crazy shit occurs.

Monarchies

If you gave your land a monarchy, there are some things you must consider. Look at any of the monarchy posts I made here. You will need to look at succession laws, regencies, protecting your monarch, their reach of power.

Politics

Politics makes the world go around. Nah, it doesn’t but it’s supposed to at any rate. Politics is always one issue that is difficult to address in worldbuilding. It’s a great beast that none of us really understand or think is important. Unfortunately it is so let’s have a look at worldbuilding politics.

Major political factions

Turn on the news and find the politics tab. They will talk about different parties which all seem similar but are slightly different. Not all politics is like sheep in a pen. You’ll have groups who believe one thing that contrasts the other.

In Ireland, we have Sinn Fein, Fine Gael, Fine Fail, Labour, independents and some others my teachers failed to mention.

In America, you have a simpler version with your Democrats and Republicans.

In Ancient Rome, they had a Senate where two political parties who sit: the people and the nobility.

In Tudor England, we had am interesting one. Spain and France were allies waiting to be had so some nobles supported relations with one or the other, which led to nobles arguing over the best option while Henry VIII fucked everyone and ate himself from an Abercrombie model to a middling whale. Then you had the entire RELIGIOUS crisis shit but let’s not go there.

When making different factions, give them each a number of the same number of time thinking. Give them goals, notable members, reasons that they are there, followers and goodies and baddies. Note which factions get on with one another and which ones hate one another, this can be used for plot later on.

Money, Threats and Bribery

Let’s take another look at the real world. What other groups sometimes influence politics? These groups don’t necessarily have to be evil. Some of these groups might lobby politicians to change laws that effect them or to make laws to suit their needs.

In Italy, mostly in the period of before and during the Renaissance, the Pope had some pull in each city state and each ruler of the city states had pull with the Vatican. A Pope might be involved in a plot to take down a pair of powerful brothers (I cannot watch you die, not again Bradley James) and a family might take over the Vatican, like the Borgias and Medici.

During the Wars of the Roses, London merchants tipped the scales of power by disallowing the Queen of England to enter the city and claim residence meaning she had to go somewhere else. When the new claimant arrived, they crowned him king. Why did they do this? Margaret of Anjou had an army of Scottish and the ability to keep the war going. Edward of York could stop the war, letting the merchants get back to making money.

Of course, Ireland has Catholicism sitting on the shoulder of the government and influencing every major decision.

Relations Abroad

All politics are both prevalent at home and abroad. All kingdoms and countries have relationships with other lands. And always remember: knowledge is power so have your spies at the ready. Some relations are good and some are terrible. When choosing how your kingdom sees their neighbors, look at your map. Are there any borders that might be in dispute? Any resources like mines and rivers? Or is there any reason when they ought to be friends? A greater threat that threatens your nations?

Going back to Tudor times, Spain, France and England had a funny sort of relationship. They would all take turns being friends and then the vilest of enemies. France would make a friendship with Spain to take down England. Then Spain would be friends with England to ensure that they could take down France. Then France would ally with Spain to end England. This tomfoolery kept the balance of power in Europe for years.

To make or keep a good relationship or any relationship with another country you must communicate with them. Sending ambassadors of gold standing is seen as an excellent try for peace. If you send a shitty ambassador who is of bad standing, this may effect relations and could lead to bad blood between the nations. Most courts included permanent ambassadors who dwelt either in or near the palace who acted as a mouthpiece between rulers ad governments.

Treaties are also things you must think about. These are documents that bind nations in agreements. These can cover peace, war and trade. Some treaties can also cause trouble. The only reason why England and Russia got involved in WWI, was because Russia had a treaty with Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian empire invaded them putting Russia at war. When this happened, England got involved and declared war on the empire. Make sure to mention a few of them that are in place or in talks.

Always ensure that you make note of which countries have traditional rivalries or alliances. France and England were always at each other’s throats. Well, England was at everyone’s throat because they couldn’t stop invading other countries for five fucking minutes. (*clears throat*) So I suggest making lists of which countries have rivalries and which have always been friends and why. Of course speaking of alliances, which monarchs are related by blood or marriage? Think of Europe at any stage in time. All the monarchs were related to some degree, no more prevalent after Victoria pumped out all her kids and married them off. Look at how these relationships effect the running of the country.

For @el-queen

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