#//finally got to draw my first oc otp. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

karahalloway · 2 years

Text

(Less Than) Noble Intentions: Chapter 12 - Ennobled

Fandom: TRR

Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC (Harper Gale)

Series Summary: The social season may be over, but Harper Gale's problems are just beginning. With everyone at court a potential suspect, can she and Drake survive the engagement tour and get to the bottom of the plot against her and clear her name? An AU take of TRR2 featuring my OTP - Harper & Drake.

Masterlist: (Less Than) Noble Intentions

Chapter Summary: Harper and Drake have a rude awakening… and Christian unveails an unexpected surprise.

Word Count: 6,400

Rating/Warnings: M (swearing, some smuttiness, angst, aggravation)

A/N1: So... I know people were hoping for Part III of Extraction, but a few weeks ago, I got hit with the scene that starts off this chapter, so I ended up writing out the whole thing (and starting on the following chapter as well, because that follows directly after the events of this chapter). Hopefully this doesn’t cause any major disappointments! 🙃 My plan is to get back to Extraction and/or Sleepless in New York after I post Chapter 13... She said... hoping that the fickle muse will be cooperative🤞

A/N2: Big thank you to @angelasscribbles for pulling me out of a massive tagent / rabbit hole that I accidentally threw myself down half-through this chapter, and for brainstorming the second half of the chapter with me! Also, big shoutout to hubby (who is worming himself into my writing process more and more as time goes on - the sneaky rascal! 🤣) for helping me out with a bunch of details for this chapter!

A/N3: Finally, special shoutout to @thegreentwin for insipring the bonus content at the end of the chapter. If you have not read The Rebel Prince, please do so! It is cute, funny, insightful and the gossip magazine covers that accompany several of the chapters are something else!

Chapter 12 - Ennobled

Bzzt... bzzt...

The loud buzzing rattles me from sleep. Scrunching my eyes together, I snuggle deeper into Drake's chest, hoping that if I ignore the ominous sound, it will just disappear.

Bzzt... bzzt...

But... no such luck.

"Sorry, baby..." mutters Drake into my hair. "Need to check who that is."

"Can't it wait...?" I groan, tightening my hold on his hand.

After gluing Drake's arm back together, putting our blood-splattered clothes in the sink to soak, and having a long, hot shower to wash away the stresses of the day, we hadn't ended up falling into bed until close to midnight. And I even though I had slept quite well — thanks to Drake's comforting presence by my side — I’m not ready to wake up just yet because I know that if I do, then this brief, peaceful interlude is going to be over.

"Probably not, by the sounds of it," he admits as his phone buzzes adamantly again.

"But it's still dark..." I protest.

"I know. But it could be important..." he murmurs, laying a soft kiss on my shoulder as he draws his free hand up my body.

His fingers coasting over the exposed skin of my stomach causes my body to arch back against him. "More important... than what you've obviously got in mind?" I ask as my backside brushes against the tell-tale bulge of his morning wood.

Bzzt... bzzt... bzzt...

"Evidently..." he sighs, dropping his head against the crook of my neck in defeat.

Untangling himself from me, he rolls over with a grunt of disapproval to check his phone.

I flop face-first into the pillow. "Will we ever be able to just wake up at a normal time like normal people...?" I grumble against the silk-clad goose-down.

It’s bad enough that I can literally count on one hand the number of times Drake and I have been able to fall asleep in the same bed since we've become semi-official. But even when we have managed to carve out some much-needed couple time, we aren’t even allowed two minutes to enjoy waking up together because one or both of us is always needed for some urgent thing at stupid-o'clock in the morning.

"Probably not while the tour's underway," he admits, falling back into his space next to me. "And definitely not while the Beaumonts run your schedule..."

"Is that who it was?" I ask, twisting around to settle my head against his shoulder with a frown. My bleary eyes widen as they land on the time at the top of the screen. "Are they being serious right now!"

"You know they don't sleep," he reminds me, scrolling through his texts.

"But it's not even 5am!" I protest. "What the hell could they want at this time?"

"You, apparently," he observes, tilting the screen so I could read the messages.

"Wow..." I breathe. "Our room switch caused quite the Beaumont meltdown, huh?"

"Seems so..." he agrees, locking his phone and dropping it back onto the bedside table. "But at least we know it's a solid countermeasure."

"Yes, and no..." I grumble. "They still woke us up, didn't they?"

"True..." he concedes, turning to face me with that impenetrable look of his. "But they're not in here with us."

"Don't count your blessings yet, bud," I warn as he snakes his arm around my waist. "They could get desperate and start searching all the rooms in the manor."

"That's why I locked the door," he states, pulling me on top of him. "So, unless they've got a battering ram, they ain't gettin' in."

"Mmm..." I purr, luxuriating in the feel of his solid warmth beneath me. "I love the way you think. But shouldn't we put them out of their misery?"

"They've survived this long," he declares roughly, splaying a possessive hand on my ass. "They can wait five more minutes."

"You sure?" I gasp as he pushes me down against his now very indisputable arousal. "It sounds like Bertrand is about to have a coronary."

"Max likes to over-exaggerate..." he murmurs, threading his other hand into my hair to draw me closer. "Plus, my alarm hasn't gone off yet, so..."

Beep...beep...beep...beep...

His head drops back against the pillow. "...motherfucker."

"You were sayin'...?" I ask sweetly, reaching over to turn the blaring off.

"Can't catch a fuckin' break..." he grits, digging his fingers into the softness of my backside, as if this will help alleviate his aggravation.

"Says the person who had to be convinced to stay last night..." I remind him, bopping him on the nose.

"Because I knew how goddamn hard it was gonna be to leave in the morning," he growls, flicking his tongue over the underside of my finger hungrily as I trail it past his mouth. "Especially since we never finished what we started back at Maddi’s."

"I thought we did finish..." I tease, rocking my pelvis against him. "Very loudly."

He swallows a groan as I feel his length nudge me through his boxers. "And was it enough?"

I flick my eyes up to his coyly as I continue to trail my finger down his chest. "Wasn't it?"

"Like hell."

In the next instant I find myself pinned beneath him, a leg hooked over his arm and his mouth claiming mine as he drives purposefully into me.

"Drake..." I moan against his lips, feeling him grind against the damp lace of my underwear, teasing me with the promise of fulfilment.

"Fuck, Harper," he growls, nipping my bottom lip. "You have no idea... how much I want you... how much I always want you."

"You have me," I assure him, wrapping my other leg around him, wanting to feel all of him with all of me. "And I'm not going anywhere."

"Having you... doesn't make me want you... any less," he huffs, meeting my eyes with his molten espresso gaze as he continues to move against me. "If anything... it makes me want you more. Christ, I want you... And it's never enough."

He’s right. Our much-too-brief reunion two nights ago hadn’t been nearly enough to make up for the time we'd had to spend apart. And the undeniable urgency of his need sparks my own desire alight faster than dropping a match into a propane tank.

"So, have me," I urge breathlessly, sliding my hands down his back to grip his ass, as he did with me.

He rams into me once more with a guttural sound before pulling back, breathing hard. "Don't tempt me, girl. I'm barely holding it together as it is. If we start, I'm not gonna be able to stop."

"Then don't," I prompt, coasting a hand around his waist to slip it beneath the waistband of his boxers.

A low groan rattles in his throat as he grits his teeth, fighting for control. "Trust me. If it were up to me, we wouldn't. Not until I've fucked you six ways to Sunday on every available surface in this room. And then some..."

His eyes meet mine with a darkly feral look that instantly drenches whatever part of my panties remained dry... before he drops his gaze ruefully.

"...but we can't. The Beaumonts are already going ape looking for you, and the rest of the court's about to descend on us. And we both know that you ain't exactly quiet when we get going..."

"You complainin'?" I ask cheekily, wrapping my fingers around the protrusion straining the front of his boxers.

"Never," he grins, bucking into my palm. Turning serious, he adds, "But you screaming the manor down isn't conducive to our plan to get your name cleared. So, we gotta wait."

"Can I convince you to stay five more minutes...?" I counter sweetly, giving him a meaningful squeeze. "Seeing as we're now both very much up?"

"And who's fault is that?" he smirks, diving down to scrape his teeth over my t-shirt clad breast.

"The Beaumonts'," I gasp with a jolt as he catches my nipple with his teeth.

He scoffs dryly, moving lower. "The only thing those two'll get pointing up in their direction is my middle finger."

My giggle scuttles into a moan as he skims his lips and tongue over the sensitive skin just below the hem of my t-shirt. "So, does that mean you'll stay?"

He pauses above the lace of my panties, the basic instincts of his physical desire clearly at war with the cold, hard logic of his self-imposed sense of responsibility.

"No..." he sighs begrudgingly, dropping his head. "As much as I want to, you know I can't. I need to make myself scarce before the staff start their rounds."

"Eugh... Fine..." I grump, my hands falling off him with a dejected thud. "But, you better make this up to me later, bud."

"Don't worry," he drawls, his breath fluttering over my heated skin. "I will. And by the time I'll get done with you, girl, you won't be able to see, let alone walk straight..." He rakes his tongue over my damp underwear to underscore his intent. "And that's a promise."

I reach for him with a mew, desperate for more...

...but all I grasp is air.

"Damn you, Walker..."

"Think of it as foreplay, Gale."

Opening eyes, I see that he's already on the other side of the room, rummaging around his duffle for some clean clothes.

I snort caustically. "Of course you'd call it that..."

He meets my less-than-amused glare with a brief, nonchalant smirk. "Hey. You're the one who started it."

"Me?" I gasp, snapping upright in disbelief. "You're the one who woke up horny!"

"And why d'you think that is...?"

My breath catches in my throat at the intensity of his gaze. "I—"

Bzzt... bzzt...

"You best find out what the Beaumonts want with you before they call in search and rescue," he advises, unfurling a fresh pair of jeans.

"Fine..." I grumble, shunting myself onto the other side of the bed like a land-locked seal to grab my own phone out of my bag.

Stupid Beaumonts... Stupid scandal... Stupid rules... Why can’t I just have sex with my boyfriend like a normal person...?

Lolling back onto the pillow, I unlock the screen, and nearly die of shock when I see how many missed calls and texts I've gotten.

"Jesus Christ...!"

"Everythin' okay?" queries Drake.

"I have twenty missed calls!" I exclaim. "Twenty! In the space of fifteen minutes!"

"They're nothing if not persistent..." he observes dryly, pulling on blue plaid shirt.

"That's one word for it," I mutter, hitting dial on Maxwell's number.

The line barely has a chance to connect before my sponsor's overtly excited voice assaults my eardrums. "Harper! Thank God you're okay! Wait... Are you okay? Why were you not picking up? Where are you? Bertrand and I have been going mental—"

"I'm fine..." I reply with deliberate slowness, hoping that he'll take the hint and tone the volume down...

...but, I’m going to have to keep on dreaming.

"Awesome!" enthuses Maxwell. "Bertrand will be thrilled that he can stop tearing his hair out!"

I massage my eyes, realising that I’m going to have to take control of this conversation. "Great. So, where's the fire?"

There's an audible intake of breath on the other end of the line. "Fire? What fire? Oh, my giddy aunt! Bertrand! Harper's trapped in an inferno and sh—"

I suppress a sigh. This is way too much nervous energy for this early in the morning...

"I mean," I emphasise painstakingly, "what's the massive emergency?"

There is a long pause, followed by a sheepish chuckle. "Oh. Right. Whoops! Silly me! This is why Bertrand doesn't trust me with House Beaumont stuff. He says I'm always—"

"Give me that!"

I groan wearily. Great. Now Bertrand has the phone...

"Where in the blazes are you?" the elder Beaumont snaps down the line without preamble.

"In my room," I reply, pushing myself up.

This is not a conversation I’m having lying down... Literally, or metaphorically.

"I can assure you, that you are not," he hits back. "Maxwell and I have searched every inch of your room, and unless you have managed to squeeze yourself between the floorboards — which would be a mean feat, indeed! — you are to cease this childish game of hide-and-go-seek and—!"

"No."

I swear I hear the sound of Bertrand bursting a blood vessel. "I beg your pardon?"

I set my jaw determinedly. "First of all, I am not hiding. I switched rooms because someone — whether intentionally, or not — assigned me to the same room as last time, and there was no way in hell that I was going to sleep in the bed that I nearly got raped in."

I give him a moment to let that sink in.

"Oh. I-I see..." The consternation in his voice is palpable. "Erm... Yes. Of course... How crass of me... I—"

"Second," I continue, leaning into Drake as he bends down to drop a good-bye kiss into my hair, "you better have a damned good reason for waking me up before the crack of dawn—"

"It is hardly—"

"—especially since you told me in the car yesterday that today's event doesn't start until mid-morning, and we'd agreed in Ramsford that the way-too-early-o'clock wake up calls would stop."

"Unless there are extenuating circumstances," he reminds me.

"What kind of extenuating circumstances could there possibly be at four-thirty in the morning!" I cry exasperatedly.

"The kind that requires you to be dressed and presentable at six o'clock sharp."

I frown. "Why? What's happening at six?"

"You are meeting with the Royal Press Secretary. He has request—"

Not bothering to wait for Bertrand to mansplain how early morning appointments work, I pull the phone away from my ear and put myself on mute. Glancing up at Drake, I ask, "Did you know about this?"

He turns back from the door he’d just been about to open. "Know about what?"

"That I'm supposed to be meeting with the Royal Press Secretary this morning."

His grip on the door handle tightens. "No."

"Didn't think so," I mutter under my breath as I resume the call.

"—especially since His Majesty will be in attendance, and you will—"

My eyes widen. "Christian's going to be there too? Does that mean they have a lead on Tariq?"

I flick my gaze up to Drake's questioningly.

He shakes his head. No clue.

"I was not informed of the purpose of the meeting," replies Bertrand tartly. "I was simply tasked with ensuring your attendance. Now, since time is of the essence, we need to—"

"I am perfectly capable of getting myself ready," I inform him flatly. "So, just tell me where to go, and I'll meet you there."

Bertrand sucks in a scandalised breath. "That is highly improper! A young lady of your station should be escorted to the venue by her—"

"This isn't 1785, Bertrand..." I remind him exasperatedly. "My reputation isn't going to be ruined because I was found wandering around unsupervised. At least, not any more than it already has been by Tariq and his co-conspirators."

"Granted," he concedes. "But this isn't just about your reputation. It is about your safety as well. I gave my word to His Majesty that House Beaumont will look after you, and since you have a rather irksome habit of slinking off by yourself—"

"I don't slink off...!"

"Yes. You do."

I throw my head up in surprise.

Drake is leaning against the door with his arms crossed in stoic agreement. "You're a nightmare to run security for. Almost as bad as Leo."

"No, I'm not!" I protest. "I don't deliberately try and ditch my detail!"

"No," he concedes. "You just try to knock 'em out."

I feel the heat rise up my cheeks.

"Not to mention, you ain't exactly great at gettin’ where you're supposed to be without incident, or staying put once there."

"Well, no one told me that court was going to be such a literal minefield..." I gripe.

He cocks a brow. "Does the phrase 'be careful' mean somethin' different in Montana?"

"You could've been more specific!" I cry.

"Who are you talking to?"

Oh, shit... I'd forgotten about Bertrand.

"Erm... Doesn't matter," I say dismissively. Bertrand doesn’t need to know that Drake and I spent the night together, even if we didn't do anything besides sleeping. Returning to the topic at hand, I say, "And anyway. I have Allard and Schweitzer looking out for me, so I don't—"

"Who are conspicuously missing from outside of your room," Bertrand points out. "And any other room in the wing, for that matter. Therefore, I repeat: you are to cease this childish game of hide-and-go-seek and reveal to us your whereabouts, so we can find you and make you ready for your appointment, post haste."

"Wait..." I interject, suddenly realising something. "If the meeting is at six, what's the crazy rush? And why were you trying to wake me up at 4:30am?"

"Because the meeting is in Valtoria."

"Valtoria?" I ask, struggling a bit with the unfamiliar combination of vowels and consonants on my tongue. "Where is that?"

"Approximately thirty minutes away, so if you wish to partake in breakfast prior to our departure, I suggest you get a move on. I expect to see you in the entry hall by twenty-five past at the very latest."

The call clicks off.

Lowering the phone in a bit of a daze, I glance over at Drake.

He's typing away furiously on his phone with an expression that could've rent stone.

Pushing myself to my feet, I walk over to him. "Hey," I say softly, laying a hand on his wrist. "There's no need to crack your screen. I'll be—"

"That's not the point," he grits, fingers flying over the keyboard with a vengeance.

"Then, what?"

He sends off the text with a forceful jab at the screen. "Gee, I don't know... How 'bout the fact that I — the head of your protection detail — am only finding out about this meeting less than an hour before it's supposed to happen? Through the Beaumonts, of all people? Or the fact that the venue for said meeting happens to be a château that hasn't been lived in for over a decade, and which hasn't been vetted or swept by me or my guys? And let's not even get into the fact that this meeting isn't even in Chris' official diary, let alone his private one."

"Maybe because he doesn't want Madeleine finding out about it...?" I offer.

He scoffs acerbically. "Or me."

"I'm sure he just—"

Drake's phone pings with an incoming message. He glances at it briefly. "Un-fuckin'-believable..."

"What's wrong?" I ask as he starts throttling out a pissed-off response.

"Jurisdictional bullshit..."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"Apparently," he grits sarcastically, eyes not leaving the screen, "I didn't need to be notified of the meet because Chris' personal Guard are handling all the security arrangements. So, my involvement would've been redundant."

I raise a brow. "Are the Guard normally this territorial?"

"No," he scoffs bitterly, sending the text off. "You can't run a tight ship in terms of security if the different teams aren't in sync. They should've roped me in from the get-go."

"Maybe they just forgot...?" I suggest hopefully. "You used to be part of Christian's detail, so maybe whoever organised this just assumed you'd be passed the message?"

He shoves his phone back into his pocket with a non-committal grunt. "You better get ready. We don't want to keep His Royal Majesty waiting..." His voice drips with acrimony.

"Hey..." I say, reaching up to stroke his face. "Is there something else that's—?"

He pulls abruptly away. "I'll see you there."

Before I can say another word, he's out the door without so much as a backwards glance, duffle forgotten on the floor.

I heave a sigh.

This morning just keeps getting better and better...

"Wow..." I breathe, stepping out of the limo. "This place almost puts Riverrun to shame!"

The venue of today's impromptu meeting could've been pulled straight from a fairytale. The soft light of the rising sun colours the cream walls of the neo-gothic château’s sandstone a pale pink, making them glow with a seeming inner warmth. A long row of pear trees — heavy with fruit — line the gravel drive leading up to the romantic, fortress-like structure, behind which stretched pine-covered hills as far as the eye could see.

So idyllic is this place that I am half expecting a unicorn to come strolling out of the woods to the accompaniment of ethereal elven lute music.

"Riverrun?" queries Bertrand from the other side of the limo, snapping me out of my awed gawking. "That is not a domain that I am familiar with..."

I whirl around to face my sponsor disbelievingly. "Wait... You're a Harry Potter fan, but you haven't seen or read Game of Thrones?"

Bertrand tugs at his collar. "Wh-who is this Potter fellow that you speak of? I am afraid I do not—"

A snort of amusement escapes me. "Save the histrionics for the aristos, Bertrand. Maxwell's already let me in on the secret of your guilty little pleasure."

Bertrand's eyes widen in shock before he snaps his customary sneer back into place. "I thought we agreed to keep that information private!" he hisses, rounding in his brother.

Maxwell shrugs, totally non-pulsed by the unspoken threat of imminent punishment and/or death for his treacherous transgression. "It is private. Harper's basically family, isn't she?"

Bertrand opens, then and closes his mouth. "I... I suppose she is," he admits begrudgingly. "But I feel I should reiterate that—"

"My lips are sealed," I assure him with a wink, miming the closure of a zip over my mouth.

"Good," he grumbles. "See to it that it stays that way. We are having a bad enough time as it is as a result of this Ana de Luca piece about our finances without the nobility—"

"Ah, here you all are!" exclaims Christian with a grin, jogging down the manor's steps.

Today — in contrast to yesterday's garden party where he'd been in a suit — he is dressed quite casually in beige slacks and a pale blue button-down that he'd rolled up at the sleeves. And, for once, he looks happy and at ease — like the guy I met in New York, instead of the more serious royal that I've become accustomed to seeing since arriving in Cordonia.

"So glad you could make it!" he continues, giving each of the Beaumonts a quick shake and a familiar slap on the arm. "I know it was rather short notice, but given that the apple picking doesn't start until later in the day, I wanted to take advantage of this rare break in the itinerary to bring you out here."

"Of course, Your Highness," nods Bertrand dutifully. "The Beaumonts are always at your disposal."

"And why are we here exactly?" I ask, as Christian leans in to drop a kiss on my cheek by way of greeting. "Not that I'm complaining... This place is breathtaking and all, but wouldn't it have been easier to meet at Applewood, given that—"

"Ohmygiddyaunttheyhavepeacocks!"

Maxwell barrels past us in a blur, nearly knocking Christian over in his haste to get to the pair of indigo-coloured fowl that have wandered casually out onto the other side of the drive.

"He really does have a thing for peacocks, doesn't he?" I observe, watching Maxwell throw himself onto the ground, so he could start snapping eye-level selfies with the majestic birds.

"Quite," agrees Christian with a wry look, smoothing his hair back down. "So did the previous duchess, I believe."

Something about his tone gives me pause. But before I can formulate a response, Bertrand's already kow-towed himself in front of Christian.

"Your Highness, I am— What just happened was—" He hops stessily from foot-to-foot, evidently caught between the twin desires of wanting to apologise for Maxwell's clearly unacceptable behaviour, and marching after his brother to pummel him senseless.

"It is quite alright," Christian assures him with a gallant smile. "One cannot begrudge a man for pursuing his passion with such uncompromising enthusiasm."

"Even so, I— He should not hav—" Bertrand forces himself to draw a breath. "Please excuse me."

Turning on his heel, he rushes after his brother, hollering blue murder. "Maxwell!"

I glance up questioningly at Christian. "Should we...?"

"They'll be fine," he assures me, taking my hand to loop my arm through his. "Shall we?"

"Don't you want to wait for them?" I ask as he begins leading me towards the manor's heavy-looking wood and wrought-iron doors.

"It looks like they'll be otherwise occupied for some time," he observes dryly, as Bertrand tries to shoo the offending fowl away, much to Maxwell's dismay. "And, I must admit, I was looking for a convenient excuse to divest ourselves of their company, anyway."

"Oh?" I query. "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Show you, rather," he corrects. "I was hoping to use the time to give you the grand tour. There is one room in particular that I think you'll be interested in seeing."

"Grand tour?" I query, confused. "I thought we were here to meet with the Royal Press Secretary."

"We are," he assures me. "But he is arriving a bit later."

I squint suspiciously up at him. "So, why the crazy morning rush, then?"

"Yes. We're all dying to find out the answer to that question, aren't we?"

"Jesus Christ!"

The sound of the unexpected voice nearly sends me up into the rafters.

Recollecting myself, I spin towards the source of the interruption… and spot Drake in the shadow of the doorway, leaning against the wall with an accusatory scowl on his face.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to do that!" I snipe, heart still hammering from the sudden spike of adrenaline.

"Should pay more attention to your surroundings, girl," he advises nonchalantly, keeping his eyes fixed on Christian. "Especially since we have no idea what you're walking into."

"My personal Guard have already done a full sweep of the property," Christian assures us. If he is surprised by Drake's presence — or his thinly veiled insinuation — he doesn't show it. "I can assure you that it is perfectly safe."

"For you, maybe," responds Drake, peeling himself away from the wall to stand in front of Christian with crossed arms. "But not for her."

Christian meets Drake's steely glare unflinchingly. "Why would Harper not be—?"

"Because if shit goes south, your team's priority will be to get you out. Not Gale. She'll be left high and dry."

I feel myself pale. "What?"

Christian's shaking his head. "If you're suggesting that I'd allow—"

Drake scoffs derisively. "Don't pretend you don't know how this works, Chris. Your safety trumps everything else, including — and especially — whatever noble intentions you may have. They're not gonna let you jeopardise an evac by bringing extra bodies along, nor are they gonna let you play martyr. When the life of the King is on the line, everyone else becomes expendable."

My eyes widen in sudden realisation. "That's why you got so pissed earlier..."

Drake nods. "Had I not happened to've still been in the room when Gale got the call from the Beaumonts, she'd've been rolling up here with zero security."

Christian's brows furrow. "But I gave her additional Guard for her detail."

"Who I've assigned to perimeter work. And with Allard and Schweitzer off-duty last night, not to mention Gale's habit of keeping important information to herself—"

"Hey!" I protest. "That happened one time!"

"Three times," corrects Drake. "And counting."

My jaw drops in disbelief. "You're counting?"

"Always," declares Drake without skipping a beat. "But that's not the point. Point is, this entire SNAFU could've been avoided if I'd been looped in from the start. Because the whole reason she got assigned her own detail in the first place was to avoid the same kinds of slip-ups that led to Tariq ending up alone with her at the Jamboree. But I can't coordinate her security if I don't know what the fuck is going on."

Christian's Adam's Apple bobs as he digests Drake's words. "No. You are right. And I can only apologise for—"

"I don't care who's fault it was," cuts in Drake brusquely. "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

Christian nods. "I will. Though, that will involve notifying all the Guard commanders of your new status. And since you were previously operating under the official radar—"

"Tell whoever you need to tell," Drake responds. "Gale's safety is more important than me staying covert. I'll even put on the uniform if needed."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Christian assures him with a smile. "Especially given that you hate wearing formal jackets on the best of days..."

Drake pulls a face. "They're always too tight around the shoulders."

"Then there is no need to compromise your comfort," Christian tells him with a clap on the shoulder, instantly dissipating the previous tension. "We want you paying attention to Harper, instead of fiddling with an ill-fitting piece of apparel."

"Shame," I murmur, meeting Drake's eye coquettishly. "I think you'd look hot in uniform."

He quirks a brow at me. "Does someone have a secret role-play fantasy they want to act out?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," I quip back. "And anyway. I'm not sure it counts as role-play if you actually are a Guard..."

"Maybe not," he admits, mocha eyes boring into mine. "But it'll sure as hell make the experience that much more immersive..."

"Only one way to found out, cowboy..." I purr, feeling the heat that he'd ignited in me earlier this morning burst into flame again under the intensity of his gaze...

...which immediately gets doused by the sound of Christian's polite cough.

"Erm, I hate to interrupt—"

I snap back from Drake in mortification, my cheeks flaming. Oh, my God, I can't believe we just engaged in dirty talk in front of the King of Cordonia!

"—but time is getting on," he continues, somehow managing to maintain a stoic façade despite what he'd just overheard, "and if we are to make it back in time for the apple picking, we should proceed with the reason for our visit."

"Which you still haven't shared..." Drake points out, completely unfazed by the fact that his friend had shared in our saucy moment. If anything, he looked annoyed at having been interrupted.

I peek up at Christian expectantly, also curious to hear his answer, even though I’m still dying inside.

He meets my gaze with a knowing look. "To show Harper her duchy, of course."

My jaw drops to the floor. "My...what!"

"Your duchy," Christian reiterates calmly. "Since you — as the Royal Consort — are now a de facto member of not only the court, but of the royal household as well, it is only proper that we bestow upon you the accordant lands and titles that normally complement such a high-ranking position."

"But I'm only pretending to be the Royal Consort," I remind him dazedly, my mind still whirling from this unexpected revelation. "You don't need t—"

"Actually, I do," he insists. "Granting you a duchy helps legitimise your new status both domestically and abroad, and aids in improving your image in the eyes of the press. After the double blow to your reputation caused by the candid photos of you and Tariq, and the revelation about the Beaumonts' financial situation, an uplift to your reputation is very much needed. Especially since you will be meeting with foreign dignitaries from next week onwards."

"Tell me about it," I mutter with a roll of my eyes. "But I don't really see how this helps... Doesn't this just make it look like you're playing favourites? And make people resent me more? I mean, I did something 'bad'—" I emphasise the interpretive nature of the word with air-quotes, "—and now you're rewarding me for it."

"Or," counters an unfamiliar voice, "—and this is the way we plan to spin it — you did nothing wrong and these royal favours are simply a public demonstration of the King's continued affection for you. As well as an official snub to your naysayers."

"Jonathan!" exclaims Christian with a wide smile as he turns to face the newcomer. "You got here earlier than expected."

"On the contrary, You Highness," replies Jonathan, who — based on his smartly tailored pinstripe suit, slicked back hair, and clipped accent — I am guessing is the Royal Press Secretary. "I am already running behind. So, if you'll pardon me, I have a press conference to organise. M'lady... Sir..." With a curt nod of his head, he's already disappeared inside the manor.

I stare at the spot he just occupied in stupefaction before finally finding my voice again. "What press conference?"

"The press conference where we will officially announce you as the new Duchess of Valtoria," explains Christian, looping my hand through his arm again to lead me after Jonathan.

"But—" I look back at Drake beseechingly, seeking back-up...

...and nearly lose my footing when I see the look on his face.

Oh, no...

I thought I'd seen Drake angry before — when he'd realised what Tariq had done to me… when he'd faced off against Bastien as the Guard dragged me from the Coronation Ball… and when he'd ripped into Christian at Ramsford for sending me away in the first place.

But this... This is something else.

This is beyond simple rage, or mere indignation. This is an expression that could've frozen all nine circles of hell... And it gives me the shivers, even though I’m not the target of it.

Christian — for his part — is completely oblivious to Drake's state of being, pulling me eagerly through the doors of the manor, as if he were a kid about to step through the gates of Disneyland for the first time.

I try to disentangle myself from him, wanting to rush back to Drake, wanting to stop for a minute so I could process what the hell was happening, but the next thing I know, we're over the threshold...

...and I am literally rendered speechless by the sight in front of me.

To say that I have stepped into a dream is an understatement. Someone has spent a literal fortune renovating the inside of the manor. No trace of the original gothic-style fixtures or furnishings could be seen. Instead, gilt and marble stretches as far as the eye can see in a fresh, modern take on Louis XIV's opulent style.

"Wow," is all I can say, taking in the pièce de la résistance of the place, which is a bifurcated grand-staircase that any real or wannabe princess would kill to make an entrance on.

"Makes an impression, doesn't it?" chuckles Christian softly from next to me.

"That's... one word for it," I reply dazedly, craning my neck around, trying to take it all in.

Had someone actually lived here? This place feels like a temple or a museum, rather than someone's house... How do they keep everything so spotless?

"The former Duke and Duchess were keen patrons of art and architecture. During their life, they helped fund several important renovation projects in the kingdom. And I am told that their private art collection is one of the finest on the continent."

"They definitely had a unique style," I agree, tracing my eyes around the intricate loops and swirls of the marble inlay at the foot of the staircase.

"Yes. They certainly did."

Turning my head, I see that Christian is surveying my reactions with an intent expression.

"Do you like it?" he asks, eyes searching mine as he waits for my answer.

"It's out of this world..." I admit carefully, fully conscious of Drake's blistering presence behind me. "But—"

"Let me show you the rest of it."

Before I have a chance to blink, he's swept me down the entrance hall.

We spend the next thirty minutes traipsing through more lavishly decorated rooms than I could count. There is a drawing room. A sitting room. A reading room. A study. A library. A games room. A spa. A home cinema complete with popcorn machine and reclining armchairs. Two ballrooms. An art gallery. A massive kitchen. A formal and an informal dining room. Twelve bedrooms, each with king size beds. A wine room — yes, a whole room devoted to housing all manner of one-of-kind, expensive wines that puts even Olivia's impressive collection to shame. Not to mention an entire wing of the upstairs seemed to function as an oversized closet for all the clothes, shoes and other fancy accessories that a nobleman and his wife apparently require to make themselves presentable at any given time.

But just when I think my head is about to burst from the never-ending display of wealth and extravagance, we arrive at a room that truly takes my breath away.

"Welcome... to the observatory," declares Christian grandly, sweeping his arm out.

"Is that... a telescope?" I breathe, eyes glued to the centrepiece of the oak-panelled attic room we are stood in.

"It most certainly is," affirms Christian with a wide smile, taking my hand to lead me up to it. "The former Duke was a keen—"

Bang!

The sound of the door slamming shut reverberates around the space, making me jump.

I glance behind me... and my stomach drops.

Drake is nowhere in sight.

I stare at the door in confusion, trying to figure out what could've caused him to storm out like this all of a sudden.

Yes, he'd spent the entire duration of the tour following behind Christian and me in tense, judgemental silence, but I'd thought that was because he was pissed about not having been given the heads-up about the upcoming press conference, and he was worried about a potential security breach...

...but then it hits me.

The stars.

My chest constricts in anguish. "Christian, I'm sorry..."

Wrenching my hand from his, I whirl around and sprint towards the door. Yanking it open, I fly down the narrow spiral staircase of the turret that housed the observatory, trying to catch up with Drake.

But — as always — he's much faster than me, and there's so sight or sound of him.

I reach the bottom step, panting, and finally spot him at the end of the hallway.

"Drake!" I call, dashing after him.

But if he hears me, he doesn't slow down. If anything, he only seems to speed up.

"Dra—!"

"Ah, there you are!" Bertrand appears in front of me, blocking my path. "I was asked t—"

"I can't," I gasp, dodging around him to get to the front door that Drake had just stormed through. "I need to—"

But I feel Bertrand grab me by the wrist.

"Now is not the time for personal sideshows," he declares, dragging me back the way I'd come... and away from Drake. "The members of the press are already here, eager for the briefing to start. And it would be rude to keep them waiting. Especially since we need to rough your appearance into shape first."

"But I—"

"And I'm sure Mr Walker has important matters to attend to as well. He appeared to be in quite the hurry."

I clench my eyes shut. If only you knew the half of it...

Gritting my teeth, I snap my wrist from my sponsor’s hold like Allard had taught me, and peg it towards the door, determined to catch up with Drake.

But just as I reach the threshold, I hear the sound of tires spitting gravel, and I realise that I'm too late.

He is gone.

The story continues in Chapter 13 - Invidia

A few notes for your attention, as per usual 😇:

Apple picking: Yes, this chapter (and the next) reference ‘apple picking’ as the next event on the engagement tour calendar, instead of ‘barn raising’. This is deliberate: barn raising is very much a Midwestern US tradition (with some mentions of it taking place in England), and definately not something that would happen in a Mediterranean country, especially as part of a high-profile royal tour. Since apples feature a lot in canon, I decided to just keep things close to home, and - since this part of the story takes place in August - that ties in nicely with the traditional timing of European harvest festivals.

Valtoria: For anyone who is interested, I have used Chateau Amboise - located in France’s Loire Valley - as my stand-in for Valtoria.

SNAFU: For anyone not familiar with military slang, SNAFU means ‘situation normal: all fucked up’ and basically is a sarcastic way of saying that everything has gone to shit (though a SNAFU is generally more salvageable than a complete FUBAR i.e. a situation that is ‘fucked up beyond all recognition’.)

Security: Everything security-related that Drake mentions in this chapter is accurate. A security team is exclusively responsible for their own principle, and - in a crisis situation - each team would focus on evacuating their principal, and their principal only (at the expense of everyone else). It would not matter if the principal wanted to save someone else - s/he would not be allowed to, because such actions would be deemed to compromise the principal’s safety, and potentially undermine a successful evacuation. Therefore, on this basis, Drake storming off is probably not 100% realistic (especially if he is literally the only person present from Harper’s detail), but I HC that he’d radioed for Allard and Schweitzer to come up as well (and I will mention this in the next chapter probably), but this is a work of fiction, and I don’t always need to let facts get in the way of a juicy bit of dramatic tension 😅

Picture credits: Valtoria - Harper

Permatags (let me know if you want to be added):

@twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @kingliam2019 @petiteboheme @aussiegurl1234 @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @tessa-liam @alyshak92 @secretaryunpaid @princessleac1 @walkerdrakewalker @angelasscribbles @drakewalkerisreal @nestledonthaveone @tinkie1973 @twinkle-320 @lunaseasblog @indiana-jr @knaussal @differenttyphoonwerewolf @eversoaringqueen12 @pinklipsandmasonjars @sillydg @spookycolorpeanut @peonierose @mrsnazariowrites @shellybee85 @3pawandme @honey358luv @atha68 @anahoreva @minicraftywitch @deepestphantomstranger @xpandass420x @choicesficwriterscreations @ficloverevie @alexabeta @lolablackwrites @ivyflowers13

(Less Than) Noble Intentions only (let me know if you want to be added!)

@thetruthisthatiloveyou @anakjaybon-blog

#harper gale #drake walker #drake x mc #less than noble intentions #the royal romance #trr fanfic #maxwell beaumont #bertrand beaumont #king liam #choices fic writers creations #cfcw fic of the week

61 notes · View notes

audre-falrose · 1 year

Note

17, 19 and 23 for the OC Ask!

17. Any OC OTPs?

Most of my OCs fall into the OC X CANNON sort of thing so yes I do have a lot of these. If I really like a character in like a show or video game then I'll likely make an oc to ship with them. One example being an MHA OC of mine by the name of Shiro. I ship her w Jirou cuz I love her sm. Her quirk is called "Fear Manifest" which means she can make people see what they fear most. (Yeah I absolutely need to do a redesign tho)

19. Introduce an OC that means a lot to you (and explain why)

I at some point in the future wanna make a video game of my own (I'll need to learn programming and 3d modeling ofc) so I've got a lot of character concepts on the back burner. Katsuka is one such character. I wanna do like a Pirate vs Ninja vs Imperial sort of story and Katsuka would be the playable for the ninja story line. (I still gotta design the other two but hey I'm getting there)

I couldn't find the piece I did do of her so here, have this initial concept I did in gacha club (ik it's kinda silly but I still sometimes use it to make character concepts n shit) and sketch cuz I finally found that part

23. Introduce OC that has changed from your first idea concerning what the character would be like?

A RWBY oc of mine went through like 4 different iterations and now I think she's done. (Fuck if I know anymore tho...) only found these 2 sketches so far and uh yeah... I now want her to be a Mercenary in Vacuoo (that one dessert nation that's hard to live in)

Side note, I never realized how hard bird claws are to draw

#OC asks #rwby oc #mha oc

4 notes · View notes

laylamva · 2 years

Text

Miitopia Nuzlocke!

Okay, so I’d been doing a Miitopia Nuzlocke for a month and decided to chronicle it. Spoilers…I didn’t make it.

Rules

If a Mii falls in battle, they’re gone for good (Unless it’s the protagonist).

I will only use the Life Sprinkle on the protagonist.

If the whole party falls in the same battle, everyone will still be counted as alive.

If a Mii is resurrected by another party member, they will be counted as alive.

If the dead Miis cost us the final boss, only then will I go back to level them up.

When a Mii dies, I will change their hair color to white, their eye color to black, and rename them “Spooky Ghost” to keep track of who I’ve lost (and also to make me feel better about sentencing my beloveds to death).

I will draw random characters from Mii Maker for every major character and decide party jobs by spinning a wheel.

The Nuzlocke ends after the main story. I cannot bring myself to care about the post-game.

If the protagonist dies on their own, the Nuzlocke is aborted.

Sabrina Raincomprix is protag/safe gorl.

WALUIGI x TEMMIE OTP (they’re the lovey-dovey couple)

Sassy Child Elmo pretending to be a dragon foreshadows Dominic.

Lenny

Dark Lord Chloé Bourgeois is fun to voice

Sabrina’s a chef.

Simone Soleil! Male Pop Star.

Before you look him up, Simone’s an OC. I put an OC in here. Help.

Every time I have played this game with Spotpass on, the freaking blobfish Mii always weasels its way in! (It’s the Nintendo Fangirl)

Got the new Zelda amiibo. Wonder if it’ll give me a costume?

IT DID!

I changed Sabrina’s eyebrows to match the Zelda wig…she looks exactly like me.

Leon Kuwata, Ultimate Mage AU

AU where Genocider Syo is a good guy who unkills people

I almost lost the Danganronpa characters, but we lost the fight.

Simone’s dead. But it’s okay, because he’s a spooky ghost.

I actually made up a “Farm Upstate” story to make myself feel better about Miis dying. “They’re not dead, they just turned into ghosts because of a cosmic paradox and can’t leave the inn as a side effect!”

Leon is at war with the moles. And also Sabrina, apparently.

On a related note, Sabrina Raincomprix and Genocider Syo BroTP???

I made Teruteru Hanamura the King. If you’ve seen all his Free Time Events, the calming fruit mission hits different.

And Sonia Nevermind is the princess. Can you tell what my current hyperfocus is?

Why does the wheel keep giving me Pop Star things? Simone’s been dead for three sessions it’s time to move on—

General Sonia killed Leon and Syo. My entire first party is DEAD.

Sabrina’s a warrior now.

Maya Aida from Glitter Force Doki Doki is my Imp.

One time when I was playing this game, I tried making a Starlow Mii from scratch, but then I realized it looked like someone different. Someone better. And now it’s all come full circle as Tonker Bell joins us as the Airheaded Cat!

Sabrina just got the Bee Armor. Suck it, Chloé!

Genie of the Lamp The Master World’s End Club

Homura Akemi as the Dancing Guide? Imagine Homura being happy.

Steve from Blue’s Clues: The Kind Thief

Steve and Tonker Bell BroTP!

tonker bell just died.

If we’re going with the “Sabrina dumped Chloé” narrative, I feel like even with two kind party members, Sabrina would keep chanting until the genie was sealed again.

Crap I bought Tonker Bell something

I LOOK AWAY FOR ONE SECOND AND NOW MAYA’S DEAD OH GOD—

Steve’s the only one left.

Ugh, scratch that.

OK, Sabrina’s on her own. If she dies, game over.

Why am I listening to Dodie music while I’m doing this? It’s making this sadder.

WHY IS MY FIRST FIGHT ALONE AGAINST HOMURA???

AND SHE’S A PAINTING I’M BONED—

I lost. The Nuzlocke is over. RIP.

So…yeah. I plan on doing this again on the Switch later, but that’s gonna go on YouTube…as soon as I can figure out how my capture card works. BTW, “Spooky Ghost” didn’t fit in the text box for Mii names, so here’s what I named them instead:

Simone: Sun Ghost

Tonker Bell: Disbelief

Maya: AngelHeart

Steve: At College

Syo and Leon were taken away before I could give them ghost names, but if I did, they would’ve been called 11037 and Genocided. And I didn’t name Ghost Sabrina because the Nuzlocke ended. But, hypothetically…Vanisher.

#gaming #nuzlocke #miitopia

10 notes · View notes

zeeboomblebee · 2 years

Text

A Little About Me: Welcome to My Blog!

Guess I’m finally getting around to this. Anyway, hi, I go by Zee here. I use she/her pronouns but am perfectly happy with they/them as well. I’m 21 and identify as aroace. Irl wise, I’m currently attending college as a Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology major (and Avian Science minor) with dreams to someday become an ornithologist. I love birds.

(The rest is under the cut bc it got a bit long.)

I love to read fics, write, draw, listen to/play music, binge Netflix, and birdwatch. Most of the content I create is fan work, especially for Ninjago. I do post some of my artworks on this (and my other) blog, but I am pretty shy, self-conscious, and a perfectionist, so I don't post my own works very often. And despite having, probably at this point, a hundred thousand words worth of fics from my various fandoms tucked away in google docs, I have never posted a single written work. I’m very fond of writing, and am proud of some of my works, but I have yet to find the courage to post them anywhere. A lot of them are incomplete, and I’m scared of posting something that I cannot guarantee I will finish. I also have a very beloved Ninjago OC (that I have tons of fics and art pieces of), but have rarely shown her to anyone. Maybe someday I’ll find the confidence to share my unposted stuff. But for now, I’m perfectly content sitting on the sidelines and admiring everyone else’s beautiful contributions to my fandoms.

Fandom wise, I’m a bit all over the place. I would say my (current) top fandoms are Ninjago, Marvel MCU, Kirby, Pokémon, Avatar (TLA and TLOK), Steven Universe, and The Owl House. I’m very fond of found family dynamics, and, heh, am not really the biggest shipper, but I do have some OTPs I would die for. I’m always down to be introduced to more deep, cartoonish shows (especially with some good ole LGBTQIA+ rep), so if you have any suggestions, I’d be more than happy to hear them!

Lastly, this is honestly my most active social media site where I actually post (or at least reblog slkdskg) stuff. I’m really not that active on social media sites despite frequenting them often to hunt for fan works. Quite frankly, this blog is organized horribly (mishmash of fandoms, poor tagging, etc), and I have a hard time finding my own stuff on here half the time. I hope to someday scrape up the motivation to renovate this little place, but who knows when that will happen.

If you’re still here, thanks so much for making it! I really love interacting with my fellow fans but can be painfully shy at times and can find it difficult to make the first move when I see someone I want to talk to. Don’t be afraid to reach out anytime with anything from a hello to a random funny bird video with zero context. I can’t promise I’ll always be active, but I’m bound to return from a sudden impromptu hiatus at some point. Meanwhile, I hope to get to know everyone! :D

#personal #blog introduction

11 notes · View notes

wtchlings · 3 years

Photo

Teatober Day 1: WARM

Love can make you feel all warm inside.

Based on prompts by the lovely @hispydamy618. Ref under the cut.

#teatober 2021 #artists on tumblr #art #digital artist #poc artist #chvzdraws #chvzcreates #chvzocs #anabella callaway #avan waraich #//finally got to draw my first oc otp.

3 notes · View notes

nightklok · 3 years

Text

I really can’t thank this fandom enough for the joy it brought me since 2020. I never imagined getting so heavily into this fandom when I really needed something like this. This fandom has not only introduced me to the best possible i could ever meet but I also got to create I never imagined creating before. everyone here is wonderful and thanks so much to everyone that even gave me the time of day. I really could write letters of appreciation forever haha but I’ll try and keep the sappiness to a minimum. Everyone has been wonderful and I can’t thank you guys enough. I tried to include everyone but if I forgot anyone, if you liked any of my posts, I consider you my friend <3 (And also feel free to spam my inbox if you want compliments because i got a lot to give tonight <3)

@dynamesvirtue @lampmeeting @galgalgo (for being my first friends when I came around in this fandom!! Thank you all you guys are so wonderful to me and wonderful people to have around. You guys have been here in this fandom for quite a long time but never made me or any newer fans feel isolated, you are all as welcoming and kind as can be, thank you for being here for me guys when I needed it the most. Rose,I will always adore Bailee (who has a special place in my heart), Kelly, the fanart you drew of one of my fics still lives in my brain, and Gal, I still remember your compliment when I finally published my first MTL fic. Thanks so much guysv❤️❤️❤️)

@little-murmaider @pikaflute (my New Jersey pals and also the content you guys created this year 👀 your love for your OTPs is infectious and I absolutely love how you both write and contribute to the fandom in the best ways possible ❤️ Maryrose, your Cry for Judas fic is honestly one of my favorites and APA was one of the first skwistok fics i read so it holds a special place in my heart. Charles, you’re an amazing writer and that chickles fic still lives rent free in my head )

@getting-sloppy For being there for me the moment we met and being the person I decided to open my heart enough to let you in (now it’s closed and your trapped rip) you already know what I’m probably gonna say and i won’t get sappy on a public post but ❤❤❤❤

@sourbat @metalrat @wumbo-calling 🐀🐀🐀 And also thanks for being my friends-you guys make so much amazing content i am merely lucky to be in your presence- Rye, you have been so kind from day one and you really made your entrance to writing in the MTL fandom with such a bang, you have poured out nothing but wonderful content afterwords!! Razz, your writing and art never ceases to amaze me and I just love your creativity! Feather, I have always admired you from afar and glad we got to talk more often now-you are so talented in everything you do and i appreciate skwismag because of you!! (knubdengail rights)

@thatwritingho @atmilliways @offdensmith @fishklok @dicksoutformtl @cloudchaser2000 @coldethyl75 @catrchckern @molcocktease gosh if I could write letters of appreciation for each and every one of you, it would’ve taken me quite as long to write! Whether it’s because met/started talking more because of the discord server, or through other things, i can’t thank you guys enough ❤️ thank you Kay for making the server and you have been a joy to talk to! Jean you are so helpful and kind and thanks for being such a big help to me! Will, you have always been a writer I admired and I”m so glad we got to talk more-you write magnus so wonderful and i love how unique you write him!, fish, the way you write is just wonderful and your art too!! Your sense of humor honestly is the best(Also knubdengail rights), Len, your letter made me smile and you honestly are a great support in the fandom!! Claire, you have been nothing but kind and open to my ideas (and also your pajamas pants are the warmest pair i have thank u), cat, you were also one of my first friends and i love how you draw (also magnus plush-) Tomie, thank u for making wonderful art especially of my OC and i can’t thank u enough!! (Also the bingus sticker arrived yesterday and thank u for that)

@metaldevil @ph0enixpers0n @scrambles-the-death-dealer i see you guys reblog my content sometimes or just show up in my activity and your presence i absolutely adore <3

@papabigtoes @gluku-pikron @agaricales @trin0dinz @robinsnest2111 @deth-of-a-king @autistictoki @rustyisdead @chopsfluffed @grimvee @metalitaph all artists/writers that i have watched from afar and I am honestly fond of your works. Whether because I have seen it since day one or recently seen it, it’s art that always lights up my dash. Whether it’s art that honestly fits my surreal dark humor, art/writing of pairings i never even thought of but adore now, art that I must’ve spent quite a while scrolling through because of the amount of content there is, beautifully handdrawn art that makes everyone so soft and warm and i wanna hug, art that makes nathan big and soft and therefore makes me happy, art having such a unique artstyle i can’t quite describe, art that makes me soft, art that gives characters piercings i wish the show actually gave them, art that gives character an almost realistic/fictional style that i love and breathtaking art-i really adore the art you all make and look forward to seeing more!!

#Sorry for this being longer than i wanted sfdljk #if anyone wants more compliments or i missed you #just DM or throw an askbox at me #let me share the loveee #<333

53 notes · View notes

galaxina-the-pyro · 3 years

Note

Isabella!! For the character ask

Bless your heart, I love you, thank you.

Favorite Thing About Them: Isabella is such an adorable bean and such a potent badass. Every time I see her in an episode, even for a moment, the enjoyment just increases. I guess you could say that I appreciate that she’s...a girl. She’s not a tomboy, not a girly-girl, not some kinda stereotype even though the show makes you think that at first, she’s just a girl. A girl who likes selling cupcakes, singing songs, being cute, all the stuff girls are stereotypically known for to the point of pink being her iconic color - and then you see her doing stuff like making a manly announcement about a truck rally, taking on Buford, being incredibly competitive and loving extreme sports, earning insane, non-conventional patches, FIGHTING ROBOTS, she’s a flipping beast. And she does it as HERSELF - there’s no one telling Isabella she shouldn’t like pink or should conform to one line of thinking. Heck, her whole shtick is just having a crush on a boy - and even though fans may complain about that, and even if the universe seems against Isabella at times, her friends never show disdain toward her feelings, it’s never implied that Isabella is WRONG for doing or liking things. She’s just...being her. She’s a girl - and a girl can like dolls and they can like bb guns. Heck, Isabella’s the character who made me realize how stupid labels really are, and that I should just focus on being me instead of trying to avoid being a stereotype.

I can also very much relate TO her crush on Phineas - I’ve felt that same fear whenever I had a crush on a boy. Heck, my favorite Isabella centered episode, “Operation Crumb Cake” really nails down all the aspects of Isabella that I ESPECIALLY adore. Isabella’s loyalty to Phineas is just...so wholesome and loving. More on that later.

Least Favorite Thing About Them: Isabella is a feminist icon - probably more-so than even Candace, Vanessa, or any other female in the show. As a result, though it’s not TOO often, she’s usually the mouthpiece for certain propaganda regarding the whole “girls are better than boys” fallacy that seems to be littered in children’s programming, Phineas and Ferb sadly being no exception. On one hand, it can be done relatively well - I liked her interactions with Buford in “Got Game?”, as she never once implied that girls were necessarily better than boys, rather that girls COULD beat boys.

On the other hand, you have Mission Marvel, where Isabella complains that there are NO superheroines in the group, even though she’s never had a problem being the only female in the group in the past. It greatly weakens her character whenever she plays a propaganda mouthpiece - this goes without saying for any character, but a character like Isabella especially.

Favorite Line: “Oh, Phineas, yes! I've been right here in front of you all along just waiting for you to...oh...wait. You were talking about the puppet, weren’t you?”

(Much like Phineas, Isabella has A LOT of good lines that are underappreciated - “Do we have chopped liver? What do you think this place is? Chopped li-- oh, that doesn’t really work.”, “See what I mean? One woman’s capris pants is another’s...what’d I miss?”, and ya’ll know how much I love her “IT’S EXTREME!” tangents.)

brOTP: Isabella’s got a good list of brOTPs, namely with the Fireside Girls, Candace, Ferb, and of course Phineas - since I’m just gonna be gushing about Phinabella in the next part, I’m just gonna talk about the obvious:

I like how The Fireside Girls are in sync, but they’re also not perfect. They’re a clique of sorts, but not necessarily in a bad way. They still make mistakes, like pick on Ginger, and they seem to follow Isabella a little too easily, but their bond is, regardless, part of what makes them all so likable. I really wish we had more Fireside Girls episodes, because those girls deserved more development, and Isabella ROCKS that uniform.

Isabella and Candace’s relationship isn’t as forward as the others, but I really like their interactions - Isabella’s always willing to give Candace advice even if it wasn’t asked for, and Candace was so earnest in comforting Isabella when Pinky went missing and was even supportive of Isabella’s crush on Phineas even though she personally didn’t get the attraction. These two are gonna be rad sister inlaws.

Then there’s Ferb, which was a very interesting development. Isabella went from simply acknowledging him, to outright trying to push him and the others out of the picture, to appreciating him, and finally to really truly getting to know how he thinks. Ferb is an awesome wingman, and a supportive friend - he’s also a total troll, and I love him all the same.

Edit: Adding this here, I also really love Isabella’s friendship/rivalry with Doofenshmirtz, like, they were kinda hostile at first but then she became like? So supportive? She gave him a patch and everything, and I think that’s like, so important, because not many people believe in Doofenshmirtz and assume the worst, and then here’s Isabella who’s gotten to know him and believes he can accomplish his goal enough to give him a patch revolving around it - it’s so wonderful, and if we ever get more content I want them to interact again because any positive reinforcement for Doof is fantastic.

OTP: Phinabella. That’s a given, let’s all be real here. Isabella’s love for Phineas has always been a personal source of joy for me, and I hope to be as devoted as her when I find that special someone. Phineas and Isabella are just...so very in sync, and have such a great bond with each other. Sure, it’s hilarious whenever Isabella’s shot down, but what REALLY makes this ship is just their interactions. Whenever they dance together, whenever Phineas involves Isabella with a project or asks her what they should do, the puns they shared in “De Plane! De Plane!”, how protective they are of each other, how much they care for their feelings - it’s just so darn sweet.

It actually is all the stronger given how oblivious Phineas is, because that let’s you know that those gestures are ALL the more sincere. Phineas just so very deeply cares for Isabella, and Isabella cares very deeply for Phineas. I wish “Act Your Age” showcased this more instead of tearing them a part for a while, because I have a hard time believing they’d lose touch even if Isabella were to try to move on from Phineas - because their friendship isn’t just BECAUSE of Isabella’s crush, and their chemistry isn’t because of romance itself, it’s from the fact that they’re deeply connected in the most pure ways imaginable. I just...love them so much.

I like shipping Isabella with other characters, mostly OCs and...well...Buford oddly enough, but I can’t really see any of those ships being truly endgame. It’s always Phinabella in my heart, it always has to be.

nOTP: Let’s see, uh...Doofbella, Isabella/Candace, Isabella x any of the Fireside Girls, Isabella x Perry...I’d put Ferbella here, but I’m actually okay with that ship. I don’t CARE for it, but I don’t outright despise it either.

Random Headcanon: Based on the events of “La Candace-Cabra”, pulling Isabella’s dress inside out reveals that it doubles as a goat costume; she claims that all the dresses of this particular style and brand do this, and that she only has this dress because “there was a sale at the Googleplex mall”. She ultimately despises the fact her dresses have this feature, but appreciates how soft the goat-costume fur makes the outfit.

Unpopular Opinion: I kinda sorta wish that there was an episode where Buford won against Isabella? Or maybe, just put Isabella in a position where she didn’t necessarily SUCCEED against an opponent. I’d find that kinda conflict interesting.

Song I Associate With Them: “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

Favorite Picture of Them:

To be fair there’s like...too many pictures to count, but if I had to choose, it’d be this one...oh, and uh, this one too (I know it’s a gif, but c’mon, this is amazing):

Wow...I talked about Isabella A LOT. Maybe she really IS my favorite...

...nope. Still a three-way draw.

#Phineas and Ferb #isabella garcia-shapiro #phinbella #phinabella #pnf #ask game #character ask #i really like isabella a lot #she just makes me super happy #lol

33 notes · View notes

iustine · 3 years

Text

Hello ^.^ I was tagged by @haledamage to present one of my OCs. Thanks for prompting me :), otherwise I would probably still put it off XD.

I will tag @ihavethemindofamaster, @becksterr, @doodlin and @risualto, but please, feel no pressure. If you prefer not to do it then that’s good too.

And if anyone else sees it and considers it fun then please have a go too. The more the merrier ^.^

Honestly, I wasn’t going to create it right now. I meant to do it after monday, but I really had to unwind some recent events, so here it is :D

Around 2 years ago I started playing Morrowind and I really got into it. Ranith is a character that accompanied me all this time, evolving far beyond my expectations XD She is the one that forced me to return to drawing/writing after stopping for literal years, she is very dear to my heart. I have a sketch of her, but it is the very first thing I drew digitally, so I ‘must’ redone it before posting it anywhere XD

B A S I C S :

Full Name: Ranith Cyreriil

Gender: Woman

Sexuality: Demisexual

Pronouns: She/her

O T H E R :

Family: Maerven Cyreriil (adopted mother)

Birthplace: Unknown, after birth given to Temple of Kvatch in Cyrodiil, Tamriel

Job(s): Adventurer, Blade, Member of Mages’ Guild, Member of Thieves’ Guild (sort of…) Member of Twin Lamps, Nerevarine, Ashlander

Phobias: Abandonment, Fire, Losing control of her magic (Not really phoby itself but can send her spiraling)

Guilty Pleasures: Using magic when it is not strictly necessary (levitating whenever it is possible, Vivec doesn’t count as there it IS necessary), spending money on things she doesn’t really need, creating completely useless potions for her own amusement (healing potion that poisons)

Hobbies: Writing, Drawing, Reading, Experimating with spell creation, Alchemy, Cooking, Mixing Alchemy with Cooking, Taking care of animals (she really loves guars)

M O R A L S :

Moral alignment: This is a hard one. She starts being a Lawful/Neutral Good, being raised by (and also being very close with) a priestess of Maternity/Family and all. After ‘things’ that happend later, her being sentenced to death, being sent off to Vvardenfell it changes to Chaotic Neutral, eventually she ends up as Chaotic Good. (Her chaotic neutral also isn’t as dark as it could be I suppose, it is mostly connected to her episodes of loss of control.)

Sins: lust / greed / envy / gluttony / pride / wrath / sloth

Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

T H I S - O R - T H A T :

introvert / extrovert

organized / disorganized

close-minded / open-minded

calm / anxious / restless

disagreeable / agreeable / in-between

patient / impatient

outspoken / reserved

leader / follower / flexible

empathetic / unempathetic

optimistic / pessimistic / realistic

traditional / modern / in-between

hard-working / lazy

R E L A T I O N S H I P S :

OTP: Ranith/Julan (From @fallingawkwardly “Julan, Ashlander Companion” mod, hands down the best mod I have ever played)

Acceptable ships: Ranith/Ashabranirr(Asha), Ranith/Haran

BROTP: Ranith/Asha, Ranith/Ajira, Ranith/Haran, Ranith/Shani (also from Kateri’s “Julan” mod). Ranith feels an affinity to outcasts, people who don’t really fit. As I imagine it she was a Dunmer in a primary human town, her adopted mother was an Altmer. Even in Vvardenfell, dumner homeland she is still outsider, “outlander”. Her closest friends belong to discriminated beastfolk races, Julan himself in an outcast too. She and Shani bonded over a very traumatic event, and with her help she eventually managed to get over with it and finally start to heal.

(Asha is a Khajiit and Ranith’s closest friend. They met in Bruma’s Mages guild shortly after Maerven’s death, she has been with her during her worst times. Haran is an Argonian, member of Twin Lamps that Ranith freed from slavers right after leaving Seyna Neen. They tend to travel together from time to time freeing slaves in Vvardenfell.)

NOTP: Ranith/Caius, Ranith/Martin, she was raised in Kvatch and she was a kid at the same time Martin was a priest there. Noneless to say, she considers him an older brother.

(Ranith won’t know peace for quite some time. After dealing with primary Vvardenfell troubles she will get mixed with Oblivion crisis. I created her having in mind that she would later help Hero of Kvatch (and Martin would actually survive) and save Vvardenfell from a ‘horrendous’ idea of a former living god.

#I forgot to tag it XD I will do it now XD #It took me longer than it should #But I had a lot of fun #I am really happy I made this for Ranith #Maybe at some point I should try answering some OC's questions #Though for that I should probably go Risu's example and create an OC masterlist #Then I would at least know where to look for all of them XD #oc: ranith #Morrowind #Morrowind stuff #TES stuff

9 notes · View notes

mastar-week · 3 years

Photo

MaStar Members Month Post (Dec 2020 #2)

Featuring: happyisahabit/happyfanart

Good Things™ that happened to me in 2020

I CROSSED 100K OF MASTAR FANFIC WRITTEN

I got back into Naruto and this has actually been excellent bc there are a ton of BAMF Sakura fanfics to devour.

I started painting a lot more and streaming it with family and friends.

I got back in touch with a lot of old friends virtually via zoom and discord and it is wonderful.

Good Things™ to come in 2021

I’m moving in January to a new place!

All things willing, I will FINALLY see the Backstreet Boys again. (I’ve tried to see them twice in recent years and had both canceled.)

A lot of rad new stuff will be happening at work.

More MaStar art and fic. :P

Places to find me:

Tumblr: @happyisahabit / @happyfanart

Archive of Our Own: happyisahabit

Fanfiction.net: happyisahabit

Insta: @liz_paints_sometimes / @astromech_treks

Reflecting on Starlight:

I joined the SE fandom on a whim after logging into my inactive tumblr, seeing some sick gifs of Maka kicking ass, and getting Netflix. I read the manga after that and joined a few fandom events, which I’d never done before. It was fun and I stuck with a vanilla interpretation of the series until I came across Inmates, by l0chn3ss. Then… it was like the walls unraveled and I saw just how big of a playground the SE series was, but I had only been stuck on the swing set.

It was crazy. I wrote my first SE fic (of over 100k by now which is actually insane to me) for MaStar as a BroTP. I did art for Inmates. That was it. I never stopped after that, and though I sometimes write or draw other rarepairs for fun and to give people who like those characters more content, I can’t ever get MaStar out of my head. It’s my default state now tbh.

In the process, I’ve made friends with the ‘starlight squad’ and ‘ma girls’ and that’s greatly enhanced the fun. We talk headcanons, make up child OCs, share WIPs, and support each other and its probably one of the purest group chats I’m in; they’re all great and I would punch a death god in the face for any of them. I’m mentally preparing myself for more MaStar longfic in the future and honestly that should tell you more than anything that this is a true OTP to me.

#mmm #mastar members month #dec 2020 #happyisahabit #submission #happyfanart

10 notes · View notes

duhragonball · 3 years

Note

I'd like to suggest Majin Buu for the character asks. He's a strange dude who stuck around longer then expected, so I'd imagine you have some mixed feelings on the character. I'd say any version of Buu applies, but thats up to you.

Give me a character and I will answer:

Why I like them: Those who know me, know that I am all about that post-Frieza era of DBZ. That’s why I want Hit to kill him again, because it did wonders for Z, and maybe it could improve Super II or whatever they end up calling it. I’ve already discussed why I love Cell, but for me, the Buu Saga was not much of a step down. I came out of the Cell Games wanting more, really craving an epilogue to show how everyone was getting along after Cell’s defeat. And the Buu Saga gave me exactly that.

The common criticism leveled against Buu is that he isn’t much on personality. He doesn’t have the charisma of a Frieza or Buu, but I think that works in his favor, since it gives the good guys more time to work out all their issues. A big part of the arc was about Goku and Vegeta getting on the same page, and it’s tough to make that happen when the bad guy has his own monologue. I think that’s why you don’t see much of them together on Namek, or during the Androids crisis.

I’ve seen Team Four Star compare Super Buu’s absorption forms to sort of a carbon copy of Perfect Cell. I’m not sure I agree, but 1) I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, even if it’s true, and 2) If you don’t like Buuhan, don’t worry, because he doesn’t stay that way for very long. Majin Buu has lots of variety, is my point. No one’s going to love all of his different forms and appearances, but you’re probably going to find a few that appeal to you. I had trouble picking a header image for this, because it feels like it does a disservice to the character. He’s so many different things. He can be cute and cuddly, or vicious and terrifying, or sassy and rude.

I also like what he represents to the series as a whole. When he was first introduced, Buu was presented as this instant “game over” for the universe. If Babidi reawakens him, that’s it, we all lose. No one can stop him. But then he breaks out anyway, and the good guys still manage to rally. He proves too powerful to defeat, but Goku comes up with a plan, and the Supreme Kai comes up with a plan, and the Old Kai comes up with a plan, and finally Vegeta comes up with a plan, and all of them are premised on the idea that maybe we’re not so doomed after all. Maybe the Z-Fighters are strong enough to pull this off. And they do pull it off, and somehow turn Buu good in the process. There’s a very hopeful message in that.

Why I don’t: Not gonna lie, I find it somewhat uncomfy that Fat Buu survives the conflict and just... stays that way. I’m not talking about his appearance, mind you, I mean he still seems like the same guy who gouged out Dabura’s eyes, who creeped on that one lady, and seemed unable to stop eating.

Let me put it like this: When I first watched the episodes where Mr. Satan befriends Buu, I wasn’t entirely surprised, but what worried me was that he cooked food for Buu, and then he’d immediately demand another meal. The implication, for me anyway, was that maybe Buu couldn’t be reformed, and he would be compelled by an endless hunger to destroy everything in his sight, regardless of how he might have felt about it.

In hindsight, I think the “can’t-stop-eating” bit was just intended to set up the emergence of Evil Buu. Once he got that out of his system, he was fine, but it still bugged me, and even Vegeta was concerned about Buu making another Kid Buu someday. Because no one really understood what Buu was or how he worked, so who’s to say that he could truly shake off the ways of evil? Also, Fat Buu owes his existence to absorbing two of the ancient Supreme Kais, so it bothered me that they got everyone else de-absorbed but not them.

But, I can’t say that bothers me too much, since the final episodes of DBZ show that he lived peacefully with Mr. Satan for at least a decade. Even so, I wasn’t surprised to see Dragon Ball GT merge him with Uub. I think the urge to write him out of the story was pretty strong. Notice how Dragon Ball Super has Majin Buu, but they hardly ever use him. It makes you wonder.

Favorite episode (scene if movie): You know, I think I might go with the one where the Supreme Kai explains Buu’s backstory to the Old Kai. Pretty sure that one ends with Kid Buu blowing up the world, so it’s got a lot going for it.

Favorite season/movie: The Fusion Saga is kind of my go-to answer for the best of Buu, but after I rewatched everything last year, I think the Kid Buu Saga make be the better arc. It’s tough to decide.

Favorite line: When Goku and Vegeta power up on the Supreme Kai Planet to draw Buu’s attention, he senses their ki and grins, saying “Dum-dums!” like he’s so excited that they’re gonna try and fight him again. That’s in the dub, anyway, but I always liked that this was Kid Buu’s pet name for those two idiots.

Favorite outfit: I don’t think I have a preference, but it might have been nice to see more of this version:

OTP: I guess that female Buu he made so he could have children? Honestly, the less I have to think about Buu being romantic the better I like it.

Brotp: Gotta be Mr. Satan.

Head Canon: The Xenoverse games and Dragon Ball Online introduced this whole notion of Buu starting his own race of Majins on Earth. I’ve been trying to figure out how to work with that in my fanfic, and the main thing that sticks out in my mind is that Buu is the progenitor of that entire population, and I’m pretty sure he’d still be alive at any given time, so it intrigues me that a Majin OC I might come up with could just stroll on over to Buu’s house and say hello. But I’m not really sure what they’d talk about.

Unpopular opinion: Killing him off was one of the few smart moves GT made, and providing a means for the absorbed Supreme Kai’s to escape was one of the few smart moves Toyotaro made.

A wish: If they do another Tournament of Power, Buu should actually be in it. He can absorb Frieza and that way they can get around the cap on team members.

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: If they do another big fight, for the love of crap, don’t just have him nap through it. I just realized he probably slept through the Broly movie too. Lazy bastard.

5 words to best describe them: That’s the tubby custard machine.

My nickname for them: “You r--” whoa ho-hoooo. Just kidding.

#dragon ball #ask duhragonball #majin buu #offbeatcat

7 notes · View notes

tropicalfreckles · 4 years

Note

Beej?

Anon you’ve opened the floodgates you absolute fool(i’m kidding) OKAY, let me tell you all about what I like about the smelly trash man cause if it wasn’t obvious before with me not being so subtle I have a big crush and enjoy this stupid demon a lot (crush on musical beej specifically of course LAWL)

Why I Like them: OKAY IN ORDER, first movie Beetlejuice. I enjoy he’s a big sleazy asshole that has funny one-liners every time he actually just show up in the movie. He’s a fast-talking con man that acts like a used car salesman and he has a sleazy charm to him. I also enjoy watching Barbara school his ass every time I rewatch the movie, stan movie Barbara y’all she’s a babe and will take you down. I also like to thank Michael Keaton for his performance it was a great one and we all have movie Beej to thank for the other Beetlejuices we got!

Toon Beej! Adorable, a brat, a jerk, a man that would do anything to make a quick buck and he’s gross and such a petty shithead I love him lmao. He can be pure and adorable and nice when he wants to be even if he doesn’t like to show that he has a soft side. Also holy shit all his puns??? YES?? I LOVE PUNS. His jokes, his powers, everything about this middle aged dead ghoul is A+ and ya know what when karma does slap him that’s good too cause he does deserve to get taken down a peg some times lmao. Toon Beej is someone I’d happily be friends with.

now we get to my big ass crush on a stupid, smelly BASTARD OF A BUGMAN

Musical Juice. What don’t I like about him? Besides his dumb ass plan of a green card marriage lmao (I mean movie beej also sleazy af for doing that too). ANYWAYS. What I like. His stupid smile (both blum and brightman just WHY ARE THEY BOTH SO ATTRACTIVE AHHH), his unhinged pansexual disaster energy, who tf is letting this man do coke that is a terrible idea but it gives such hilarious results, the fact that he uses his humor with his trauma he needs to NOT call me out like that lol. I weirdly relate to Musicaljuice like a lot (as someone who struggles with trying not to be petty or get jealous and stuff like that), plus him feeling invisible and lonely also hit home really hard when people in middle school and high school would randomly just drop/ghost me out of the blue. He’s such a chaotic sleaze and I just enjoy his energy and his jokes so much. His dirty humor? Sign me up I keep it clean here folks cause I got another blog for dirty stuff but I like dirty humor when it’s done right lmao. Also dadbod. Dadbod is CHEF KISS. The little things I also enjoy. How he does have an affectionate side (him being just affection/touch starved also coming for the throat cause me too), the fact that he jumped to protect Lydia after she rightfully killed him and he even gave her his cowboy hat as a goodbye present. I thought it was nice of him to yeet out of there cause he did do a lot of bads lmao. I also love how excited he got and the chaotic sibling energy he had with Lydia when scaring. I just really, really enjoy musical Beetlejuice a lot guys.

Sorry I’m such a simp for him lmao

He is my emotional support bastard

Why I don’t: I honestly do not hate his character at all, but, I can criticize his actions. To a degree. I can’t exactly say (ex. Musicaljuice)“Oh no! a demon trying to kill Lydia’s friends and family?? How unexpected!!” he’s a demon he’s gonna do evil-ish things. Which is why I applaud Lydia taking matters into her own hands good kid 10/10. and like movie Juice is a bastard sleazy man of course he’s gonna have a shitty idea as to marry a teenage girl so he can freely do whatever he wants in the world of the living. He never in the final script showed any creepy shit towards her which god I am grateful for I don’t need someone perving on this teenager that’s already having a wild time in her new house. He’s a conman just trying to have a good time but goes about it by crappy means. The petty/jealousy thing can go too far some times (but I chalk that up to musicaljuice’s sad upringing along with not having an positive relationships that we know of in his life to support him) for musical and toon juice (toon juice once again I don’t think had any friends that really understood him when he was alive and when he died so he just does whatever he wants since people already think so little of him before he meets Lydia), however with the proper talking to I think both could improve from it. Like in an analysis way I know these guys are fictional just like character development thoughts. All three have said and or done some things ranging from like small shitty things to problematic obviously. Beetlejuice is a very complex character as a whole. Movie juice obviously not as developed since he’s barely in the film to kind of shroud him in more mystery but that doesn’t mean his motives aren’t intriguing. I don’t want to make this post longer than it already is so that’s just all of my thoughts summarized.

Favorite Episode (scene if Movie): Fav movie beej scene is hard.

His first time meeting the Maitlands, his charades with Lydia, then the ending scene are all so good.

Toon Beej I’m trying to think. Once again I’ve only rewatched like 20+ episodes for the cartoon so it’s hard to pick with limited options. Uhhhh I like the haunted attraction episode lmao also the creepy tree and how he went out of his way to help Lydia move her favorite tree and in the end tried saying something nice to the tree even though eh was annoyed with it the whole episode.

Musical juice that is HARD, Blum and Brightman just own every scene they’re in shit lawl. I really like the evil plan reveal during the séance. The whole being dead pt 1&2 (the guide reprise), say my name, his scenes with the maitlands.

Favorite season/movie: Skip

Favorite Line: NICE FUCKING MODEL!! *honkhonk* (pfft)

also like... everything beetlejuice says in the musical lmao “new phone who dis”

Favorite Outfit: HONESTLY I love every single outfit all three beetlejuices wear. I want the fucking guide hat so badly!!!

OTP:

hahahaAAAHH ah. Well. Ya see here. Let’s go with the first options. Cause of a number of artists on here I’ve been pretty keen on the BeetlejuicexMiss Argentina ship for moviejuice tbh lmao. I like the idea they had an office fling. Musicaljuice and Miss Argentina sounds cute too.

I don’t actively go into the Beetlands tag but I do think the art and idea for it (after a lot of building up trust/consent/and talking) think it can be a super cute poly ship! I like.

I don’t really ship Toon Beej with anyone tbh.

so now into the self indulgent shit lmaaoo

I love people’s ocs/self inserts with the Bugman a lot and I myself super hardcore ship my oc Leilani and musicaljuice. I... maye have drawn self insert art I have no posted here out of being shy but it’s on another blog that will stay hidden lmao. I don’t normally post self insert stuff of myself cause man I can draw it easily for other people but when it comes to myself I am shy.

I mean I’m writing a fic for beej and lani as we speak and you all know by now if you’ve been following me for the past couple of months I’ve drawn a handful of doodles plus commissioned numbnutspo to draw my self indulgent ship lawl

BROTP: The obvious for toon and musicaljuice is Lydia Deetz of course. Chaos siblings. Also I have a BROTP of my demon oc Antares with musicaljuice too. Dumb demon bros.

Unpopular Opinion: TBH Idk if I have one. I like to think there’s a resounding hiss @ the ship that shall not be named lmao.

A Wish: Same wish I had for Lydia’s ask, I wanna see the musical live REAL BADLY. I also wish I could tell the cast/crew of the musical how much it has helped me get through this shitty year and how it legit just revived my passion for drawing again. I got to meet a lot of people through the musical and made some new friends. Plus I’m actually making money off my art now???

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: I wanna forget that clean beetlejuice from that one episode of the cartoon exists lmao it scares me (I mean I wouldn’t object to musical juice to taking a fucking bath or brushing his teeth but let’s be real that ain’t happening)

5 words to best describe them: Bastard, Unhinged, Handsome, 1-Brain Cell, Huggable

My nickname for Them: I mean when I refer to him or write fics it’s always Beej, BJ, Bugman, Bug, Bastard Man, Smelly Trashman, Garbage Man, Lawrence, the list goes on lawl

and now I have aired out more of my stupid obsession with this dumb demon

edit: I FORGOT HEADCANONS

OKAY HEADCANONS. Musical juice is definitely the oldest of the three, (in dead terms too, in alive terms he was ony alive for like less than 3 minutes or something), I love musicaljuice pansexual/genderfluid so much. I have a bunch but my mind is like blank rn for the rest shit sorry but I added those in at least

also I like the funny headcanon toon juice is taller than keatlejuice and musicaljuice

I also like the headcanon for autistic beetlejuice (as someone who is also autistic)

#asks #long post #anon #beetlejuice #musical beetlejuice #asks game #Anonymous

8 notes · View notes

smolbeandrabbles · 4 years

Text

Still - Director Keller x OC (Captain Marvel)

Out Of Nowhere Girl (For Reference): Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Author’s Note: I wrote this as soon as I got out of the theatre when I saw Endgame... As the eventual ending to ‘Out Of Nowhere Girl’... Anyway, basically I spent so long talking about these two to @mendelskrull and this fic was basically finished anyway, that I decided to put it out! 😁

UGH. I love them. They must be my second OTP after Lorennic... Now they need a name...

I also realise that he’s referred to as Keller for the majority of this story... 🤔 We’ll just roll with that.

Keller’s astronomy ring is like this.

Disclaimer: We’re going to pretend that timelines don’t exist. / MCU characters/plots/events not mine / lyrics not mine

Premise: When Thanos snaps away half the universe, Maliyah loses everything. It’s a long and difficult 5 years, but now the battle is won...

Words: 1830

Warnings: N/A. I mean we talk about stuff that happened in Infinity War and Endgame, so, a little bit of angst.

_____

Remember when I told you you were mine, all mine I couldn't get you, baby, off my mind Me and you we were the real thing You didn't know but I had butterflies 'Cause I knew then, leaning in Baby I was never looking back again Every day changes but it doesn't change The way you make me smile when you say my name And when you laugh, it makes me laugh And when you cry, it makes me cry Yeah like it did back then When we were just beginning And girl it always will I want you, I need you, still And I don't care how many times that story is told Cover to cover, it never gets old Like a fairy tale, gets better and better Boy meets girl and spends forever together Yeah and, oh my God You are my whole world And we're spinnin' When you look my way Everything stops And time stands still

---

The Snap

Maliyah had barely been able to face Keller’s family.

His parents had lost their only son, and their grand-daughter. His sister had lost her best friend, and her niece. Maliyah had tried to make sure they hadn’t lost her too. Turning up on their doorstep two days after their worlds had been utterly devastated, it was nothing more than constant hugging and crying. She should have been there for them before then, but for those first few days she was in too much pain – it was beyond unbearable. The bond between their DNA was very suddenly ripped apart, the brightly lit patterns that used to cross her body were now solid black lines. She’d told him once that was never something she wanted to happen; and now Maliyah had failed to protect him, so these marks of shame were his. Maliyah wanted to stay with what family she had left on Earth, but there was so much to help Carol take care of around the Universe – that was before adding on trying to settle whatever was left of the Xandarian’s. Her home destroyed by Thanos even before he’d done the unthinkable. Maliyah was their Supernova – it was her duty to help them rebuild what they could. It kept her preoccupied, a fact for which she was glad. There was so much pain that those two names bought her she wasn’t able to return to Keller’s family easily. Maliyah knew she shouldn’t, but she wanted to face this alone. There were many memorials around the world to the victims of what Earth was calling ‘the Blip’, but this one was her favourite. If that was even the right way to talk about it. Maliyah touched his name gently, but her lip quivered and pretty soon she found herself with her forehead pressed against the letters and her tears wetting the stone. Why? Why had they taken him from her? Why had they taken their daughter? This wasn’t right. Maliyah’s name should be on this, not theirs. She knew she didn’t deserve to live on, not instead of them. Talia was nothing but innocent, and Keller, he’d pretty much single handily raised her. He was a good man - a better husband and father than Maliyah would ever be mother. And yet she lived... She had never deserved anything less in all her life.

She remembered her final conversation with him. Thanos had taken her home from her, Xandar was no more. And he was coming for Earth for the infinity stones, and then god knows what would happen if he succeeded. “You’ll get him. Maliyah. You’ll stop him.” “What if I can’t? Even with help, what if it just doesn’t happen? What if he wins? With those stones-” “If. IF he gets them, Mali... then you can reverse it. I know you can. I know you will. But it’s a big if.” And that smile he’d give her, of assurance. Keller was always so sure. “And I know it won’t come to that.” But it had, and it had taken her family away from her. Maliyah had watched too many turn to dust with shock on that initial battlefield before pain shot through her. At first she thought that she was dying too, but Maliyah hadn’t been that lucky; curled up in pain and screaming as her body warned her that he was in trouble. Just like that Keller was gone, wiped away so unnaturally that her body still didn’t know how to react. Panic for her daughter had eventually spurred her to the house – still too young to be able to fend for herself alone. Maliyah had found nothing but an empty home. And all she’d felt was empty ever since. It had been hard to walk around with the silence hanging the way it was. Uncomfortably loud. The only real indications that anyone had just disappeared was the computer system was still on, pages of notes with a word half written… drawings and crayons on the floor – too peculiar to look like two people had just left in a hurry. Keller’s astronomy ring sat on his desk in open position – that wasn’t insignificant. He knew what was happening, he’d have left it for her. Maliyah picked it up delicately, closing it back to a single gold band: an unusual choice of wedding ring. She’d worn it on a chain around her neck ever since. It had been 5 years, and some had simply accepted and moved on. Maliyah was one of the few that couldn’t – he’d told her not to give up, and she never would no matter how long it took. She refused to believe that Keller was gone forever. And with the help of the assembled team, constantly in contact over video link, she would get him back; everything would be as it should. Maliyah could afford to wait for eternity…. But his family couldn’t. They needed closure and answers: she vowed to help them.

*** The Aftermath.

Maliyah and Carol arrived on the battlefield together, Earth bound shooting stars. They were used to teaming up by now – and with the Universe corrected, there was only one thing left to do. Win the battle and the war. She knew before the battle was even won: the energy and serenity that suddenly flowed through her could only have one source. How, despite him being a few thousand miles away, Keller’s colours ignited over her skin as she fought. Time to show them what a real Supernova could do… The funeral of Tony Stark was a quiet affair, even if it was well attended. She stood respectfully back, nearer to Carol and Nick than the rest of the group. They were probably her closest friends here, standing slightly forward for Peter Quill – he’d been missing for the past five years too. Maliyah had too much to catch up on. There was a lot of quiet contemplation between the groups. A lot of where to next. For Maliyah there was only ever one answer to that question. Before she jetted off to the stars, or helped anyone with anything. “Maliyah... won’t you stay??” She shook her head at Nick with a small smile, “What’s left of the S.H.I.E.L.D organisation could really use you...!” Carol scoffed, arms folded, “No! She needs to come with me!” She gave Maliyah a soft wink, “What do you say? Marvel and Supernova saving the universe?” Maliyah couldn’t help but laugh, “If you wait for me Carol, I’ll take you up on that... but right now I’ve got somewhere else to be...” “... Right. Of course, Maliyah Keller has somewhere else to be!” She turned from Carol’s big smile and grinned across to Nick Fury with a nod, knowing how perfectly he understood, “You’re damn right!”

***

Flying halfway across America was not what was sending Maliyah crazy. Her palms were sweaty and her heart was beating so fast as she landed herself softly in front of the country home. Surrounded by acres and acres of land, it was in the middle of nowhere for so many reasons... It reminded her so much of his parents.

The breeze tousled her hair as it played through the trees. It had been 5 long years - or short - but it felt to her like a lifetime. Every time she read those two names on the mural she broke down in tears. It only served to shatter her heart into more pieces. But all that was reversed now... The door opened, and Maliyah didn’t think her heart had the ability to beat as quick as it did. She couldn’t breathe. He was standing in a three-piece suit. Sans jacket. Sleeves rolled up, he placed both hands in his pockets. The sun hit his face, his hair, his eyes; that gorgeous blue she hadn’t seen in 5 lifetimes... and he smiled taking the two steps down to the driveway, she illuminated in blue and white - brighter than she ever had before. His emotion hit her full force and she could feel herself start to cry. She wanted so badly to sprint to him, but he engulfed her. Her senses were overwhelmed by Keller. Something they had yearned for for 5 years.

It didn’t matter, because Jonathan sprinted to her, and suddenly she was in his arms. She couldn’t grab enough of him close to her; and he couldn’t either. “You did it, you did it... I knew you would.” Keller’s voice was soft as he held her to him, breathing her in as much as she was him. He’d woken up in the same place he’d watched their daughter disappear into thin air. The same place he’d done exactly the same thing - but years after... he’d known life without Maliyah for maybe a month. She had been without him far longer. She laughed through her tears, “I think my input was minimal!” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. Her colours burning a new level of bright. “We’re back. Because of you.” There was nothing she could say back, it was hardly true but Keller wasn’t about to let her argue with him – she knew that, pushing up on her toes to press her forehead against his, Maliyah slipped the chain from her neck, taking his hand to reunite him with the ring. “I knew you’d have taken it with you.” “I needed you.” “You didn’t give up. Not that I expected you to, Supernova.” Keller pulled her back to him, capturing her lips. “MOMMY!!” Maliyah left Keller’s arms, kiss cut short, to see her daughter now sprinting down the same steps. “Tali!” She ran, skidding to her knees. She was still 6; still her baby. Maliyah had missed to much already, she was glad she wouldn’t miss anything else. She placed her head gently against her daughters, Keller watched with a smile as they both lit up in the same amalgamation of purples, pinks and soft blues. There was a communication there he would never understand, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know what it meant.

Maliyah stood, gathering Talia in her arms, and Keller wandered to them, taking them both in his own arms. His girls were both okay. And they were both here. Talia wrapped her arms tightly around Maliyah’s neck and entwined her tiny fingers with his. Keller kissed her again. A real kiss, one she savoured with her eyes closed; gentle, nice and slow. “Stay...” He breathed it. “This time, please stay.” She knew Jonathan wanted nothing more than for her to be here. For them to finally be a family. For Maliyah it had been 11 years: for 6 she’d been unprepared to be a mother, for the last 5 she hadn’t had a choice. Those five years put the three of them into real perspective. She smiled; as if she really had a choice? “I’ll stay.” Maliyah took his hand, “I’m going to stay.”

---

Thank you for reading! 😅

#My little Space Girl deserves her OG story #But I don't feel like I'm at OG level yet I really do #There's much work to be done yet.#Director Keller #Maliyah x Keller #Maliyah #Captain Marvel #183 #Note: His sister knows that she's from Space but his parents don't.#Not that that makes an overall difference to the story - buuut!#It's been sitting in my notes too long and I just kinda want it gone so we're going to get it gone.#I wish I could do these two better justice than this... Buuuuut #They're certainly not my forte #Linzi writes #Smol Bean Drabbles #we'll bury this and move on.#Wont tag Mendo this time

12 notes · View notes