#beacon alchemist

[autumnsaesthetics]

🍁 Cozy Videos Games for Autumn 🍁

(Row One) 🍁

Stardew Valley

Animal Crossing

A Short Hike

(Row Two) 🍁

Beacon Pines

Night In The Woods

Cozy Grove

(Row Three) 🍁

Little Witch In The Woods

Spiritfarer

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

#stardew valley #animal crossing #a short hike #beacon pines #night in the woods #cozy grove #little witch in the woods #spiritfarer #potion craft #autumn #autumnal #autumncore #cozy #cozy autumn #cozycore #fall #fall season #autumn aesthetics

[boombox-fuckboy]

Hey. Could you rec any podcasts with sapphic couples as their mains? Or a sapphic story. And so on. I only really know about where the stars fell and Alice isn't dead.

You're off to a strong start. Here's 20, there's more out there, but I tried to pick a variety. I'm going to put a ★ next to the ones I think will fit best, but they're all good.

Arden: (Fictional "True Crime", Investigative, Comedy). On the 25th of December, 2007, heiress and young actress Julie Capsom crashed her car into a tree and fled into a nearby forest clearing, leaving a trail that seemingly vanished into thin air, and a dismembered torso in the trunk. A decade later, Bea, the first reporter on the scene, and Brenda, a detective on the case, are hosting a true crime podcast about it, and neither is remotely impressed with what the other has to say. Arden is also a retelling of various Shakespeare plays.

The Author's Anathema: (Horror) Looking for some extra cash, and with some help from her girlfriend Eleanor, college student Natalie takes a small job to narrate an audiobook for a reclusive anonymous author. The book being a horror wouldn't be such a bother, but the stories within are... Familiar. Too familar.

The Beacon: (Urban Fantasy) Bee is a perpetually anxious university student who discovers she has the ability to create fire, and decides to start a podcast to find others like herself. She quickly discovers she's not alone, but a series of bizzare animal attacks suggest superpowered freshers are far from the only strange thing on campus.

The Department of Variance of Somewhere, Ohio: (Weird Fiction, Horror, Sci-Fi) On day one of a new job at the Department of Variance, in the middle of her workplace orientation, Jasmine's new workplace goes into lockdown. Guided via walkie-talkie by Scarlet, an experienced security officer, Jasmine must make her way down 20-odd shifting floors of strange entities and experiments. Ideally without becoming one of them. As a disclaimer, this one is the only addition to this list that isn't actively romantic yet, however there are canonically sapphic characters, and I am fairly confident it's headed that way.

★ Elixir: (Urban Fantasy, Romance) Set in a fantasy world's equivalent of the american prohibition, lawmakers daughter Elsie approaches someone unexpected in search of her missing sister: Vera, an alchemist and propriator of the local now-elicit hush bar.

The Far Meridian: (Magical Realism) An agorophobic young woman wakes up to discover her lighthouse home has moved overnight. It quickly becomes clear this isn't a once-off, and she decides to use this as an opportunity to search for her missing brother, having some strange encounters along the way.

Interference: (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance) Jacq is a D&D podcaster. Geneva is an orc scientist studying ancient human ruins the next world over. What happens when these women from different realities begin picking up each other's broadcasts?

Khôra Podcast: (Sci-Fi) Somewhere between adapted from and inspired by various greek myths, Khôra follows four women who deserved better (Atalanta, Echo, Medea, and Medusa) on a grand space adventure to find the golden fleece while keeping out of the reach of the olympians who own and run the galaxy.

★ Mabel: (Mystery, Supernatural, Horror, Romance). The live-in carer of a dying elderly woman attempts to contact her granddaughter, with little success. The contents of voicemails only get stranger, and what starts as a subtley creepy mystery-horror develops to poetic lesbian fae body-horror.

★ Midnight Radio: (Light Supernatural, Romance). Sybil McIntyre, host of the ever-popular 1950's nightly radio hour, begins exchanging letters with an old fan who has reluctantly returned to visit Sybil's beloved town.

Mina's Story: (Sci-Fi, Romance Elements) Still dealing with a major loss in her family, a young woman volunteers for a long-term cryonics project. The episodes are her audio logs after waking up each time, always the same place but centuries after she went to sleep. A story about grief, change, and the intersection of past and future.

Mirrors: (Sci-fi, Mystery, Supernatural). The audio journal of three women from different periods (past, present, and future) who seem to share little in common bar the strange inhuman, ghostly figures they have started seeing.

Night Life: (Supernatural, Noir) Utterly wacky one-episode story (more of a short audio movie) about an ex-vampire hunter turned private eye who finds herself dealing with the shenanigans of mafia and vampires in the wake of an upcoming mayoral election. Find it on the feed for The Lightning Bottler.

The Night Post: (Supernatural, Mystery). The conscripted couriers of Gilt City are both respected and shunned, integral to the city's function, but inexplicably tied to the supernatural. It's not something they like to talk about. When his husband goes missing on the job, Milo is called to take over. Clementine took over from her father a long time ago, yet recently someone else with her face has been delivering her own unsent letters. Val's not going to discuss how she ended up there, but she will absolutely open people's mail (filled with their own supernatural tales) to read aloud.

Palimpsest, Season 2: (Horror, Romance, Fantasy Elements). Set in the 1800s, a young woman becomes the maid to a supposed fairy noblewoman, who is being kept as one of many "denizens", living curiousities, in a large house. Each season is a different story, this is Season 2.

★ The Pasithea Powder: (Sci-Fi, Thriller?) The last major interplanetary war was full of atrocities, but none more infamous then the creation of Pasithea Powder, a memory altering drug which was used to horrible effect and landed it's entire team of creators in prison. So when decorated war hero Captain Sophie Green sees one of them wandering free, worlds away from his prison, she gets in touch with a very old, estranged friend: one Dr. Jane Gonzalez, who's behind bars for the very same reason.

Starship Q Star: (Sci-Fi, Comedy) The small crew of a tone-deaf space agency's attempt at a PR mission wake up at Mars to discover that they - and the one botanist abandoned on Mars base - are now the last surviving members of humanity. Co-captains and ex-girlfriends Aurelia and Sim must now dedicate themselves to protecting their crew and finding a new home, but they're rarely on the same page about how best to do it.

★ The Strange Case of Starship Iris: (Sci-Fi) When the shuttle carrying the crew of scientific research ship Iris explodes, Violet Liu finds herself stranded in space, the last survivor with no way out. Until her emergency broadcast is picked up by a passing ship. But the crew aren't who they seem to be, there's more going on here than anyone knows yet, and Violet must decide who she can really trust.

Unwell: (Supernatural). Lily Harper revisits her supposedly haunted childhood home to help take care of her aging mother. The house is weird, sure, but there's something far stranger haunting the town of Mount Absolm than simply ghosts.

Weaver: (Supernatural, Romance Elements). The musings of the entity within the old house about the girl she fell in love with (the only thing she can remember), and her two new coinhabitants, who do not yet know she exists.

#audio drama #█████ posts #podcast #recommendations #arden #the beacon #the author's anathema #the department of variance of somewhere ohio #elixir #the far meridian #interference #khôra podcast #mabel #midnight radio #mina's story #mirrors #night life #the night post #palimpsest #the pasithea powder #starship q star #the strange case of starship iris #unwell #weaver

[mermaidchan05]

Vesuvia Weekly: LI and Apprentice Dynamics

Finally getting to join the party started by @vesuviaweekly!

(fair warning I love writing about this kind of stuff so there are a looot of words here lol)

Meleia & Asra

(sketch by the amazing @missrabbitart it's wonderful I love it so much)

Truly two halves of a greater whole.

Soft soft soft soft soft

They're both each other's first love, which is really cute.

(And both of them were super awkward about it at first because neither of them knew how to actually Talk to people)

Meleia loves Asra's wanderlust. Life is never boring with him.

Asra adores the way Meleia throws her all into whatever she cares about, be it as mundane as a sewing project or as huge as protecting the people she loves from the likes of Lucio or the Devil.

And on the subject of sewing... they're both crafty people!

Meleia makes her own clothes and Asra knits, so the two of them combined are a force to be reckoned with.

Meleia has a lot of self-confidence issues for a lot of reasons. Asra's always been there to help her through her rough spots.

Neither of them have a good sense of direction, so Faust and Forge (Meleia's familiar, a fennec fox) always end up doing most of the navigating when they travel.

They love reading together, making things together, exploring together, dancing together... they'd basically do anything and everything together.

(Except cleaning. Asra leaves stuff everywhere, and Meleia likes to keep the shop neat. It's about the only thing they have teasing arguments about.)

To Meleia, Asra is home. She can truly be her awkward and shy and geeky self around him, and she appreciates that more than she can ever say.

To Asra, Meleia is a beacon of light and joy. She cares so deeply about things and people, including the little kid who grew up alone on the docks.

Songs that remind me of Them: "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, "All I've Ever Known" from Hadestown, "Curses" by the Crane Wives.

My other apprentices are under the cut!

Damian & Julian

In a nutshell, they are that one scene from Coco.

(Drawing by me, it's a redraw of the final panel of this old thing)

In all honesty, though, they tease each other but they are very much in love.

They're both intelligent and leaders in their fields of study.

Damian's an alchemist, Julian's a doctor... their styles have more in common than Julian ever thought at first.

They can and will be found having intense discussions about various practices in both medicine and alchemy using highly technical terms that no one else in the room understands.

They were a dream team when working to find a cure for the plague. Except for the arguments where Damian insisted that the plague itself must have been magical in nature and Julian was firmly convinced it was nothing more than a disease.

Damian's stubborn, and never afraid to show his anger or annoyance, but Julian always has a way of making things up to him. And they never stay upset or mad at each other for long.

Both of them are musically inclined, Julian with his vielle and Damian with his guitar. So whenever emotions are too strong for words, they connect through playing together.

Julian is all for the drama, while Damian's humor is more dry and witty.

Julian is the only person who can get Damian to dance on a table.

Songs that remind me of them: "I See the Light" from Tangled, "Inferno" from Promare.

Chimalus, Nadia, and Portia

Chimalus and Nadia art by the fabulous @ace--of--swords!

I've talked about Chimalus' dynamics with Nadia and Portia before, but I wanted to go into more detail about the polycule here :)

Dream Team 2 Electric Boogaloo

Chimalus and Portia are both always at the ready to help Nadia with whatever plan she has, be it city reservations, the next Masquerade, or just a picnic out in the garden.

Chimalus is the Heart of the trio, with their pure loyalty, good judgement, and a particularly kind heart.

Both Nadia and Portia admire Chimalus' quiet strength and clever mind. No matter how tough the problem, Chimalus finds a way to keep a relatively cool head and work their way through it.

Whenever Chimalus' lingering trauma pops up from their dark past, Nadia and Portia are always right there to help them through it.

Portia loves "dragging" Nadia and Chimalus off on adventures. Not that Chimalus or Nadia complain.

Book buddies!

The three of them basically have their own book club. They always meet up as soon as they're done reading the current book and chat about it over snacks (and usually tea and/or wine).

They all bond over animals, too! Between the palace horses, Chandra, Pepi, and Chimalus' familiar Skye the bluebird, they have quite a few critter friends to fawn over together.

Songs that remind me of them: "More With You" by MALINDA, "Running With the Wolves" from Wolfwalkers, "To the Ends of the Earth" by Natewantstobattle.

#vesuvia weekly #mc/li dynamics #the arcana #the arcana game #arcana fan apprentice #apprentice meleia #apprentice damian #apprentice chimalus #oc info dump

[lorrainmorgan]

Serpent's Eve

[ 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮 𝐦𝐲 🐍 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 ]

Previous Part 9 Next

You can read it here or just expand and enjoy!

"You do understand that this invitation was extended for your entire family as well, against my wishes, of course. But I felt the urgency to… warn you beforehand."

Ominis and Lorra eagerly make their way to Hogsmeade for a much-needed Butterbeer.

Christmas Eve had transformed the quaint village into a winter wonderland, with snow blanketing the streets and festive lights twinkling from every shop window. 

The sweet scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mixing with the festive aromas of pine and cinnamon. As they walk, Gaunt couldn't help but smile at the feeling of Lorrain's fingers brushing against his own, their love radiating like a beacon of light in the snowy daylight.

With their arms tightly wrapped around each other, they strolled through the village. The noise and chaos of the surrounding people buying last minute presents and reuniting with their loved ones faded away as they made their way together through the crowd. It was a feeling unlike any other - being alone but not lonely, perfectly content in each other's company. 

The cold winter breeze nipped at their skin, making them hold onto each other tightly for warmth. As they entered The Three Broomsticks, Sirona greeted them a with a cheerful smile and a raised beer jar, the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter filling the cozy pub.

The pair cozied up in their seats, nestled in a corner by the fireplace, basking in the comforting heat and sweet aroma of the freshly poured Butterbeer”. Ominis traced delicate patterns on Lorra's hand with his fingers, his touch as gentle as a feather. Every so often, he would lean in closer to her face, wanting nothing more than to be close to her. 

Their smiles spoke volumes as they shared soft whispers and laughs, lost in their own little world within the bustling pub.

As they waited for another round of butterbeer, Ominis leaned in close to Lorra and began to speak softly. 

"So Lorra, I’d love to give you your christmas present now, would that be okay?" Ominis spoke with a hint of excitement and nervousness in his voice. 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately wrapped box.

Without even waiting for her to answer, he gently placed the box in her hands. 

Filled with anticipation, Lorrain eagerly unwrapped the package and was met with the gleam of full silver finger rings, one for each hand. She slid them on and to her amazement, they fit perfectly on the length of her fingers as if they were made for her.

"How did you know my size?" she asked in admiration, turning to Ominis with a grateful smile.

"Darling, I've been holding your hands for quite some time now," he replied with a fond smile. "I'll recognize them in any lifetime. And I know your fingers are sore and in pain... we should check that wand of yours too." His expression turned concerned as he gently touched her hand.

"Yes, I don't know what's wrong. It's like the magic extends to my hands and it's begun to hurt," Lorra confessed, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at having to admit this to Ominis. But he knew her too well, after all. He always seemed to sense when something was bothering her.

He smiled nervously and began to explain the significance of the gift. 

"These will prevent your delicate fingers from hurting after dueling and practicing. I made sure they were made with the finest silver and... apparently they're quite common. It's the third time Flamel has created ones like these in the past decade."

"Wait... Flamel? As in Nicolas Flamel? You went and asked one of the most famous alchemists for full finger rings? Gaunt, you're insane!" Lorra exclaimed in disbelief. 

She often forgot about the influence and power that the Gaunt family held, not just in politics or society, but also among the legends of their wizarding world.

Despite her shock, she couldn't help but admire the intricate details of her present. The silver rings were delicately engraved with Flutterbys flowers, adding a touch of sentimentalism. And on the back of each full finger ring, there were letters engraved - "Gaunt" on her left hand and "Lorra" on her right. 

It was clear that Ominis had put a lot of thought into this gift, and she couldn't deny how beautiful they were either. She ran her fingers over the smooth metal, feeling grateful for having such a caring and thoughtful partner in Ominis.

“Ominis, they’re breathtaking," she whispered.

"Merry Christmas, Meva Lorra. Just a friendly reminder, that I’ll always be there when you need me. " he whispered before giving her a kiss on her nose. 

She couldn't help but blush at the endearing nickname he had given her - "meva." According to Ominis, it was an adjective meaning "his" in a dead language. And indeed, she felt like she belonged to him in every way now. His possessive nature only became more evident over time, though not in a toxic way. Instead, it was a protective and loving gesture that made her heart swell with adoration. 

After the heat of their previous beverages had cooled down a bit, they enjoyed the rest of their evening visiting random stores, indulging in some quality time at Honeydukes first. Ominis' sense of taste was on full display as he correctly identified the color of each flavor of Bertie Bott given to him. 

Ominis couldn't stop bragging about his luck with chocolate frog cards, always getting the coveted Salazar Slytherin.

 As Lorra unwrapped her own, a card slipped out and landed on the floor. It was the image of a medieval witch, with piercing green eyes. Lorra's heart raced as she stared at the familiar face, but couldn't quite place it. It was hauntingly familiar, yet unsettling. A single tear escaped her eye when she traced the name with her fingertips, Morgana LeFay. 

But Ominis' excited voice broke through her thoughts, reminding her of something he had been wanting to show her for a long time.

She paid no mind to what had just happened and joined Ominis, welcoming his warm embrace as they walked down to their next stop. 

At Tomes & Scrolls, Ominis proudly showed off his favorite braille scroll. It taught the reader how to use wand movements and charms to write in braille while dictating their message. Lorra was fascinated by this unique form of magic and asked Ominis to demonstrate it. How he had adapted to the world was a mystery to her, and yet, she was undoubtedly proud of him for it. 

After exploring a bit more, they found a cozy bench near a small pumpkin patch. They sat enjoying the warm sun on their faces, cats seemed to appear out of nowhere, making their way onto Ominis' lap, purring contentedly. He smiled and gently stroked their fur as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

An old wizard, who happened to be passing by, took a picture of the two young lovers surrounded by cats, a rather abnormal situation. He clicked his camera’s button, freezing that moment in a beautiful photograph. Ominis kept the highly texturized photograph in his winter coat pocket, near his heart. 

As the sky was painted in hues of deep purple and navy blue, signaling the arrival of nightfall, they made their way back to the Castle, guided by the flickering stars that began to appear. 

They walked along the snowy road crossing paths with Thomas Simmon. His tall figure stood out against the fading light, and his sharp features were highlighted by the glow of the moon and snowflakes. They exchanged casual greetings and engaged in superficial small talk, but Lorra could sense his gaze lingering on her hand clasped tightly in Ominis' arm. A mischievous half smile played on Thomas’ lips as he extended an elegant golden envelope to the couple.

"I would be delighted if you could join me at my Manor for a celebration in honor of the New Year. My mother is quite enthusiastic about it," he said, his tone laced with charm and sincerity. Turning towards Ominis, he added with a sly wink, "And Gaunt, I would like to have a word with you, in private if possible?."

The men stepped away from Lorra, creating enough distance for her not to hear their conversation. She watched as Thomas' expression turned serious, his words weighted with importance.

"You do understand that this invitation was extended for your entire family as well, against my wishes. But I felt the urgency to… warn you beforehand." Thomas's worry for the couple was genuine. He had never been fond of Ominis, but he cared deeply for their mutual friend. The memory of what had happened in the Slytherin Common Room still lingered in his mind.  

Ominis nodded, his expression serious. "Crystal clear. And thank you for bringing this to my attention, Thomas." With a heavy sigh, Ominis went back to Lorrain who was carefully examining the invitation. 

"Well, we have our work cut out for us," Lorrain said to them. She looked up at Thomas and offered him a small smile. "Thank you again for the invitation!."

"No problem at all," Thomas replied, waving as he made his way down the path. "Merry Christmas, my friends."

The atmosphere on their way back to Hogwarts was tense and silent. Ominis' mind raced with all the possible disastrous outcomes if his family, especially his father, saw them arriving together as a couple. 

Mr. Gaunt was a man to be avoided at all costs, with his imposing presence and cold demeanor. His pale skin seemed to give off an unnatural glow, his figure thin and refined in the most aristocratic way. But it wasn't just his appearance that made people uneasy around him - it was the way he carried himself, as if he were above everyone else. He meticulously kept track of his children's friends and classmates, making sure they met his standards for blood purity. Ominis was certain that his father had already discovered Lorrain's existence, especially after their incident with his brother Marvolo after the Yule Ball. The thought sent shivers down her spine, knowing Lorra could be on his father’s radar and the consequences could be severe. His father would not hesitate to use dark spells - or whatever curse came to his mind first, for any matter- Imperio? Crucio? Avad-...? The mere thought stung his brain to the point of giving him a headache. 

He tried to push these dark thoughts away, but they continued to haunt him as they entered the castle gates. Matilda Weasley, their Professor, stood waiting for them in the North Exit courtyard. 

"Ahhh, Mrs. Morgana, please join me for a moment," she directed Lorra to an open space at the feet of the grand fountain."I believe Mr. Sallow is currently in the library, Mr. Gaunt," the witch stated in a firm tone "If you would be so kind as to join him and make sure he doesn't venture into the restricted section, again."

"Of course, Professor," Gaunt replied obediently, giving Lorra a forced smile. Before departing, he gallantly draped his coat around Lorra's shoulders, shielding her from the snowflakes and winter wind. 

Matilda made a hand movement, indicating the girl to join her by her side as she continued talking. As the red light from the tip of the blonde's wand faded behind the grand doors, The Professor began to speak: 

"Lorra, there is something I must discuss with you. It may be difficult to hear and understand at first." Her eyes sparkled with a maternal warmth that could soothe even the most agitated hippogriff.

"Of course, Professor. I'm all ears," Lorra replied nervously.

"Are you familiar with the term 'Mudblood'?" Matilda asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, professor. It's an insult purebloods use to refer to those of us with non-magical parents" Lorra answered, unsure of where this conversation was going.

"It's a cruel thing to say to anyone truly, but what I want to know is… You just said “US”...are you certain your parents were non-magical? Muggles. " The professor's voice grew more intense as she searched for something beyond just Lorra's blood status.

“Yes, professor." Lorra's voice held a hint of frustration. She trusted her professor, but this conversation felt mundane and unnecessary to her, and a bit unsettling, weird, random?.

"My parents died when I was a child, they were victims of a burglar who had broken into our home. I have very little knowledge of them or my life before my early childhood, but my aunt took me in. She and I shared being the only witches in our family. She saved me from being abandoned. But other than that, I’m afraid I cannot recall anything else…" Lorra had already told Professor Weasley this, the first day she transferred to Hogwarts. Why did she want to hear it, again? 

"I'm sorry to hear about your loss," the professor said sympathetically. The same words she used the first time she heard them. Her brow furrowed in concern as she asked "You mentioned you don't remember anything from before your early childhood?"

"That's correct, professor." Lorra repeated, as if she was in an unwanted interview. 

"What was your aunt’s full name again? Lorrain?" The professor's expression shifted to one of fear as she waited for Lorra's answer.

“Her name was Geneva Morgana… Wait-” her mind shifted for a bit, clicking what Professor Weasley said earlier. Wasn’t Sebastian back at Feldcroft with his family?

Emerging from behind the thick bushes and stepping through the imposing gates of the castle, a group of stern aurors suddenly surrounded them. Their wands were raised, poised for action, with determined grips on their handles. 

Lorra's heart began to race as she watched the scene unfold before her. Professor Weasley, ever the calm presence, took her hand in her gentle grasp and reassured her that it was all just standard security protocol. 

But there was nothing tranquil or normal about being surrounded by armed officials at night. Lorra's mind raced with questions and fear as she tried to process what was happening.

Two familiar figures burst out of the castle doors. They ran towards the turmoil, only to stop short when they encountered the ring of aurors surrounding the witches.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sebastian's booming voice echoed through the courtyard, his anger palpable as he yelled out. Ominis stood nearby, disbelief etched on his face as he pointed his wand in front of him to sense the chaos unfolding.

"Do not intervene," Arthur Sallow, the head auror in charge, bellowed with fury at his cousin and his friend. He stepped in front of them, putting his arm up to block their path.  

Sebastian could feel his blood boiling as he continued to argue with his cousin. "First you refuse to help Anne, and now this? Are you fu-” His words were cut off as Arthur slapped him across the face, silencing him.

"That is not necessary, Mr. Sallow your family matters should be kept at home, not at the job!" Matilda Weasley scolded. "Please, you too Mr. Gaunt, do not intervene, this situation has gone beyond our hands." She then turned to block Ominis's path as well. 

Lorra's heart raced as she struggled to make sense of the chaos surrounding her. Her mind felt like it was about to burst, pounding against her skull with such intensity that she feared it might actually explode. A sudden rush of adrenaline spiked through her veins, causing her fingertips to tingle and burn like they had been dipped in boiling water. The sensation spread, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin until they almost hurt her pores.

Before she could fully comprehend what was happening Arthur Sallow began to recite her rights "Miss Lorrain Morgana, you are under arrest for the murder of Lady Igraine and Lord Gorlois, the Ministry of Mag..." But Lorra couldn't hear the rest. In a blur of motion, without warning or permission, Arthur grabbed Lorra's arm and they both disappeared in a flash of bright light. The rest of the Aurors quickly followed suit, leaving behind only confusion and bewilderment in their wake.

A thick, suffocating silence descended upon the stunned group of Slytherins as they processed what had just transpired. 

“Professor Weasley, where have they taken her? This is outrageous! What is the meaning of this?” 

“Allegedly killed who? This is absurd. How could this even be happening?” 

Ominis and Sebastian began to shout simultaneously, their voices overlapping as they demanded answers from their Professor who stood before them with a heavy heart. 

She turned away, unable to meet their accusing gazes as she confessed: 

"She has been taken to the Ministry of Magic for a possible trial."

"A TRIAL?!" they both exclaimed incredulously. "For the supposed killing of who?!" The blind gaze of Ominis locked onto his sub director's face.

Matilda Weasley sighed as she responded to him. “Her parents.”

Notes 👉🥳FINALLY! 👉Say hello to Arthur Sallow, Uncle Solomon's son 😈 Serving anime villain face pose.

#hogwarts legacy #artists on tumblr #hogwarts legacy fanfic #hogwarts legacy fanart #harry potter #ominis gaunt #slytherin #sebastian sallow #Arthur sallow #ominis gaunt fanfiction #ominis gaunt fanart #hogwarts legacy mc #lorrain morgana #omrra #art #digital art #digital illustration

[aspoonofsugar]

Been enjoying your analyses and meta commentary, very insightful as someone who isn't knowledgeable of all the lore potential. I was curious about the idea of Jaune being a "damsel in distress" because I totally get his allusion to Joan of Arc and how he's (thankfully) not a typical male hero type, but I'm wondering what exactly that part about being a damsel might mean for him moving forward.

Hi!

As promised, here I come after the ending of the volume :D

So, the truth is that this volume didn't change many things when it comes to Jaune's arc, but it strenghtens some ideas I have had for a while.

Before starting, I am linking 3 metas:

A meta on Jaune's arc in general up until volume 9

A meta on Jaune's allusion and what I think it means symbolically for the narrative

A meta written by @hamliet on how Jaune and Weiss fit the anima/animus archetype, which is important for both their arcs regardless to shipping

MAIDENS, KNIGHTS AND METALS

In general, Jaune's arc is defined by the dychotomy Knight/Maiden (the same one Wiess has > Knight/Queen). This dychotomy has its root in Jaune's allusion aka Jeanne D'Arc.

She was both:

The Maid of Orleans

A Knigth leading her people

Moreover, the crux of Jeanne is that she was able to be a valent Knight because of her inner strength, rather than her physical one. She was a Knight because she was a Maid.

Well, Jaune should become the same. He can never be the man he wants to be if he doesn't accept he is a maiden, as well. What's more, it is precisely his inner maiden that can lead him to become a hero. In other words, he should integrate his feminine parts in order to become fully whole. He needs to integrate with his anima, which is represented by Pyrrha:

What is the anima exactly?

In short, it is an archetype defined by Carl Jung as the feminine part of a man. It is that mix of traits culturally associated with the feminine that several men repress and need to develop. In stories, the anima is usually integrated through a relationship with another person. Basically, it is the idea behind opposites attract: a person projects traits he feels he lacks on another person and acquires them in order to grow closer to that person.

As you can see, this is Jaune and Pyrrha in a nutshell > Jaune wants to become like Pyrrha, so he grows closer to her and integrates what he lacks through her. Basically his arc is to grow more and more like Pyrrha by facing similar challenges.

This process of refinement is conveyed through a metal motif. To be specific, Jaune's story is commented perfectly by the 7 metals of alchemy.

What are the 7 metals of alchemy?

The 7 metals of alchemy are lead, tin, iron, copper, mercury, silver and gold. They are 7 substances wich were thought to have special properties and that alchemists linked to planets. Lead was considered the least pure, while gold was considered the most perfect. The goal of alchemy was to turn the lead into gold.

In short, the 7 metals can be put in a scale that goes from the least refined to the most refined. RWBY uses this scale to comment on characters' arcs. Jaune is the main example of this. His story is the journey of an immature boy, who goes from lead to gold.

JAUNEDICE

Cardin: Let's see how much of a man you really are…

Cardin alludes to the Cardinal of Winchester, who was in charge of Jeanne's trial and condemned her to death. The point of the trial was to establish if Jeanne was really a saint or just a fraud. This idea is taken and applied to Jaune and Cardin's relationship in 2 different ways:

Cardin discovers Jaune cheated in order to enter Beacon, so he is indeed an "impostor". Cardin takes advantage of this and threathens Jaune to have him expelled. He can really have him "executed" metaphorically, since he can force Jaune to leave the school.

Cardin judges Jaune because he doesn't fit the typical male stereotype. He is weak and clumsy and looks like a loser. He is not "a real man" in Cardin's eyes. Just like Jeanne was not a "real maid" or a "real saint", according to the Cardinal of Winchester.

These 2 ideas bring up 2 key-themes in Jaune's arc. On the one hand his journey is one of growing to like himself for who he is. On the other hand this process of self-affirmation and maturation can only happen if Jaune gives up his internalized toxic masculinity. Again, in order to stop being a fraud and to become a true hero, he needs to accept he is a maiden at heart. He is Jaune, but he is also Jaunedice and this is not an insult.

Here is where his path diverges from Jeanne, though. Jeanne drew her strength from her virginity, while Jaune's growth lies in romantic love. Specifically, it lies in him struggling with it and in him meeting many many women, who inspire him to be better.

LEAD MAIDEN

Jaune: I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!

This line encapsulates Jaune's early immaturity. He wants to be a hero, but has no idea of what a hero is and doesn't realize a full fledged individual would not hesitate to ask for help, in order to grow. Luckily for him, Pyrrha is kind, patient and takes her time to care for Jaune. Thanks to her, Jaune is able to let go of his macho-persona a little bit at the end of the Jaunedice mini-arc.

Jaune acts heroically not when he tries to comform to the toxic masculinity gang around him, but when he stands up to them for Pyrrha's sake.

This is why his adventure with Cardin ends with a minor miracle:

(Jaune's proto-semblance activating)

And with Jaune's hand being guided by a "superior force":

(Pyrrha's semblance)

And after this, Jaune finally accepts Pyrrha's help and starts to grow:

Jaune: Wait! I know I don't deserve it after all that happened, but… would you still be willing to help me… to help me become a better fighter?

Jaune's growth can be read through the 2 motifs mentioned above.

He plays the Princess to Pyrrha's Hero:

He is the lead to her gold:

He is raw material, who Pyrrha decides to guide and to refine. Thanks to her, Jaune is able to grow both in body (he becomes a better fighter) and in spirit (he becomes a better person). By the end of the Vale arc, Jaune has grown more mature and tries to step in the role of advisor:

Jaune: I guess… I'm just trying to say that… you've always been there for me… even when I didn't deserve it. And I can tell there's something on your mind, so… I don't know. How can I help?

Still, he is not enough wise, so he fails. This leads to Jaune ending the arc not as a hero, but as a rescued party:

This scene is meaningful for several reasons. It is a call-back to Jaunedice where Cardin closes Jaune in a locker and sends him flying. Despite all his growth, Jaune ends the Beacon arc where he started. Inside a locker, sent away by someone, who is choosing in his stead. At the same time, he is still the damsel in distress. He is not Pyrrha's equal and can't help her. The choice of the metal locker is interesting because it resembles an iron maiden:

So, literally Jaune is still an immature maiden symbolically... not a knight. It is just that he is not even iron by this point. He is still lead, while Pyrrha is gold. So, Pyrrha moves on to self-actualization and completes her arc. Jaune is instead left behind.

TIN KNIGHT

Blacksmith: That was some fine metal you brought me. Accents the white nicely. Where'd you get it from?

Jaune starts Mistral by integrating Pyrrha's metal within his weapon. In the same occasion, he also changes his armor because he has grown bigger:

Jaune: Guess I was going to grow out of it eventually. Ren: A sign of progress. Jaune: Progress.

This marks a shift in his character, both when it comes to the male/female dychotomy and to the scale of metals.

On the one hand he starts growing more "masculine". He is now a stronger fighter and has a more powerful weapon:

He is clearly pursuing his end-goal to be a hero, like Pyrrha was.

On the other hand Pyrrha's metal helps him evolving into tin. It means he is making progress in the definition of his own self-identity, but he is still frail. This association links him to another female character, who just like Jaune is growing more self-assured through summoning her own personal Tin-Man:

Obviously I am talking about Weiss, who in Mistral shares Pyrrha's role as important woman for Jaune's arc TM.

In Mistral, Jaune goes through 2 moments of refinement, linked respectively to Weiss and Pyrrha.

He saves Weiss by activating his semblance.

This awakening marks him growing both in body and spirit. He discovers a new super-power that makes him a more valuable asset, but does so through growing up emotionally. Once again, he is trying to be a hero by clinging to his macho-persona. "I am going on a noble quest for revenge! And I am dying for others! Look how heroic I am!". His actions only mess everything up for his group and put Weiss in danger, though. So, he changes approach and discovers what really matters is not for him to fight the enemy, but rather that he is there for others. He becomes more of a Knight by embracing a feminine trait (healing).

At the same time, you can really see this moment as a parallel to Jaunedice. There Jaune adheres to toxic masculinity embodied by Cardin. Here Jaune gives in to toxic masculinity to fight Cinder. There he breaks free to protect Pyrrha. Here he comes to his senses for Weiss's sake. There he activates a proto-version of his semblance to heal himself. Here he awakens the whole thing to save Weiss. Both times, the moment he integrates his most feminine traits, he is able to perform a miracle. After all, reviving someone is THE miracle par excellance and to make it even more obvious it happens at Haven. Obvious religious symbolism is obvious.

He meets a mysterious Red Haired Woman, who guides him

This meeting is highly important symbolically because obviously the Red Haired Woman is a stand-in for Pyrrha. It doesn't really matter if she is Pyrrha's spirit, Pyrrha's mother or Jaune's own vision. What matters is that once again Pyrrha is stepping into the role of anima to guide Jaune in a moment of pain and self-doubt. She shows him the way:

Red-Haired Woman: She understood that she had a responsibility… to try. I don't think she would regret her choice, because a Huntress would understand that there really wasn't a choice to make. And a Huntress is what she always wanted to be.

She conveys to him Pyrrha will always be a part of Jaune himself and will live through him. This is why it is important Jaune keeps on living and keeps on trying. If he does, he will be keeping Pyrrha alive, as well.

This moment too parallels Jaunedice. There Pyrrha uses her semblance to move Jaune's hand. Here, Pyrrha's memory and ideal inspire Jaune to move forward. Both times, it is as if a "superior force" (God/Goddess) assists Jaune.

So, both scenes reference Jaunedice and Jeanne d'Arc. At the same time, they are 2 moments, where Jaune makes progress both into grieving Pyrrha and into becoming more like her.

At Haven, Jaune tries to imitate Pyrrha by going after Cinder to sacrifice himself, like she did. Still, he misses the contexts are different. It is only when he saves Weiss that he acts as Pyrrha would have:

Jaune: Pyrrha once told me I've got a lot of it (aura). I still believe her.

(Again, notice the religious symbolism > I still believe her > I have faith > it is Jaune's faith in Pyrrha who gives him strength, like Jeanne's faith in God made her powerful)

And in this way, he starts properly grieving. He could not save Pyrrha, but he can save Weiss and protect his friends.

At Argus, Jaune chooses to do what Pyrrha did at Beacon. Like her, he knows he might die, but decides to push forward because he wants to be a Huntsman, like Pyrrha was a Huntress.

Nora: Pyrrha may not be by our side anymore, but we can fight like she is. Jaune: And in a way… she will be.

He can keep Pyrrha's legacy alive, so that Pyrrha will never truly be gone.

Through these 2 important improvements, Jaune evolves once again. He solidifies his sense of self and steps into Atlas as a real Knight this time. And this is what he is throughout the whole arc:

IRON KNIGHT CAN'T SAVE COPPER GIRL

Ren: Jaune on the other hand… There's no fear at all. I can see it, he believes we're going to get this done.

This is Atlas Jaune in a nutshell. He is a proper Knight in Shining Armor. He has no fear, his faith keeps burning bright even when everyone else loses it and his mental strength is unparalleled. Throughout the whole arc Jaune acts very maturely. He is there for others and can keep a level-head. In other words, he is already very similar to how Pyrrha was.

He is

A Knight

Iron

The passage from tin to iron marks his sense of self growing stronger. It is also fitting because Atlas is the Kingdom of a certain general.

Ironwood embodies the metal iron (which then degenerates into the tin of the Tin-Man), so of course he is a foil to Jaune. Whereas Ironwood loses faith in others and is undone, Jaune keeps on believing and blossoms into a hero.

And yet, both iron-men have to deal with a girl made of copper, who challenges them:

Penny represents the metal copper. She is green and her name and allusion both reference the metal. Pennies are made of copper and, at the end of the novel, Pinocchio's 30 pennies are transformed into 30 golden coins. Just like our real girl's arc finishes with her becoming gold <3

Copper is more perfected than iron, so both Ironwood and Jaune should aspire to be like Penny. They should grow through her. However, both have problems to do so. Ironwood straighout fails, whereas Jaune chooses to trust Penny at the cost of a strong personal sacrifice:

By choosing to kill her, Jaune sacrifices his new found sense of self, which was built on the idea he is the one who saves. He is the one who heals. He is the self born by wanting to emulate Pyrrha. And yet, he wasn't enough. Just like Pyrrha wasn't.

I am bringing Pyrrha up because Jaune's 2 big set-backs in volume 8 are Pyrrha's 2 failures in volume 3.

Both Pyrrha and Jaune are forced to kill Penny

Both Pyrrha and Jaune stay behind to fight Cinder and "die" as a result

So Jaune is growing more like Pyrrha not only when it comes to her positive traits, but also when it comes to her struggles and traumas. He is integrating everything of her. Both the positive parts and the painful ones.

Differently from Pyrrha, Jaune doesn't really die, but his fall counts as a metaphorical death, especially because Jaune ends up spending a whole life in grief and stagnation. His Knight in Shining Armor self fails, but he can't really let go of it. He is stuck in iron and this is why he becomes the Rusted Knight:

RUSTED KNIGHT IS SAVED BY MERCURY GIRL

Jaune: Afterans are all either too clever, too stupid, or too crazy to trust!

Jaune's final choice in Atlas is to trust Penny, while Jaune's mindset in the Ever After is to distrust everyone. He distrusts the Cat, the Paper Pleasers, the Tree and Alyx (he assumes she lied about everything and killed Lewis). At the same time, he keeps on believing in Ruby, to the point he idealizes her and dives after her weapon with no hesitation:

Jaune: Hey, there's… something I've been holding onto for you. It was the first thing I saw. (opens the chest) When I was falling. Ruby's eyes widen, seeing the folded form of Crescent Rose inside the chest. Jaune: Years later, when I finally found it…

This is an interesting contradiction. Up until Atlas, Jaune's faith is shown as something positive, but in the Ever After that same faith becomes a shakle that prevents him from evolving. Moreover, that same faith in ideals (Ruby, the ideal of being a Hero) is not supported by trust in people. Doesn't this remind you of anyone?

Yep, in the Ever After Jaune exhibits traits similar to Ironwood because he is stuck in iron. He can't evolve, so what was once something positive becomes a limitation. Just like with the general.

This process is well conveyed through Jaune "eating" the clockwork orange/stopwatch fruit:

The fruit has Jaune:

Go back in time > regression

Stuck in the Ever After to "kill time" > stagnation

The Rusted Knight is a result of this. Not only has Jaune failed to change, but he has unconsciounsly regressed to a framework, which relies on toxic masculinity:

Jaune: Once I started helping them, it didn’t take long for me to figure out I was in her story. I… was the Rusted Knight. But things weren’t always the same as the book. Like Alyx… she wasn’t just a little petulant or inconsiderate. She was selfish… cruel. Like this whole word was simply make-believe and the rules didn’t apply to her.

This whole speech makes it pretty clear. Jaune is the hero, while Alyx is the damsel in distress. Except Alyx doesn't conform to the role and tries to kill Jaune. So, Jaune finds someone else, who can fit the role better. And here we arrive to the Paper Pleasers. They are the perfect damsels because they are kind, but also frail. Except there is one small problem. They don't really want to be saved:

Purple Paper Pleaser: I do not wish to be rude, but our work has been completed for quite some time. Because of us, the land is beautiful, but we have realized that like ourselves, it is also very delicate. We would like to make something that is pleasing, but also resilient. Because of this, we are ready to leave ourselves and merge with the Tree, so that it might return us as something new. But… our hero is displeased by this course of action.

The one between Jaune and the Paper Pleasers is a positive relationship of mutual fondness turned into a limiting one for both parties. On the one hand Jaune is unable to leave the Paper Pleasers out of fear they would hurt themselves. On the other hand Jaune's presence won't let the Paper Pleasers evolve. It is a palliative relationship that helps Jaune cope, but doesn't let him move on.

So, our Rusted Knight may look like a hero, but is really a person trapped in his own pain. This is really no surprising and deep down it is all a reaction to Penny's death:

Jaune: I’m sorry, I… I know I’m not okay. I- I’m not right, but… Who am I supposed to be…? I’ve been alone… for SO… LONG! Here… On that bridge… I was the only one that could do it! I was the ONLY ONE!

Which in turn is nothing, but a repetition of Jaune's original trauma:

Pyrrha's death is the crux of Jaune's arc. So far he has managed to find resolve and motivation in it. Still, this unsolved pain is now clearly eating him alive. This leads to 2 consequences:

In the Ever After Jaune's weapon is broken and he never uses his semblance. This could very well be he has no reason to, but it is still interesting. Jaune's weapon and semblance are attributes he metaphorically receives from Pyrrha. He uses her metal and believes/imitates her with his semblance. The lack of both in the Ever After is then a symbol of how he has lost not only himself, but also his Goddess. Maybe this is why this time Pyrrha can't really guide Jaune. He is in too much pain and has reached a point, where even his paragon (Pyrrha) can't help him. What to do?

Jaune gets the chance to mend his wounds in a fairy-tale world, where he can re-examine his traumas and find a positive solution to them. This is the point of the Ever After. It is a fantastic simplified world, where you go to heal. Like people find comfort in fiction. Jaune in particular plays a self-insert. He is the Rusted Knight, the great hero of the story. Alyx is his heroine. Thanks to her he can overcome his current block.

And yet, this doesn't really seem the case initially. Alyx betrays Jaune and poisons him, which worsens his mental state, paranoia and hero complex. Still, it is actually important Jaune fails to be a hero. Accepting failure is kind of the point:

Weiss: I think you’re asking too much of yourself. We’ve been telling ourselves that failing means we’re no good. But I can guarantee even the best Huntsmen in history… they’ve all lost. But they were still incredibly brave… and good.

Weiss's speech is what moves Jaune to change and it happens in a scene full of symbolism.

Witnessing a miracle

This time Jaune doesn't perform a miracle, but gets to be a witness to one:

His friends come back as more refined versions of themselves. This wonderful event finally opens Jaune's eyes:

Jaune: In trying so hard to save them… I stopped them from becoming what they needed to be. I was being selfish because I… I wanted the rush of rescuing someone and I got that here.

He lets go of his Knight persona and can finally accept who he is as a person:

Jaune: Maybe that Cat was right… Maybe I just needed to accept it. It’s not a place you go.

This happening thanks to Weiss is important because it is an inversion of Mistral. There he starts to heal by saving her physically. This results into Weiss becoming a Queen (Queen Lancer). Here she starts to heal by guiding him spiritually. This results into Jaune's first step into leaving his Knight persona behind. Alyx helps him with the second.

Guided by a superior force

This time the Goddess guiding Jaune is none other than Alyx, the protagonist of the fairy tale they are all in:

This moment, as per usual, ties with Jaune's allusion, as he gets to see a vision that inspires him and helps him out. The difference is that instead than Pyrrha, he sees Alyx. This happens because Jaune's arc as the Rusted Knight is a condensed version of his story as Jaune Arc. When it comes to his role in RWBY, Pyrrha is his Goddess. When it comes to his role as the Rusted Knight, Alyx is. The Girl Who Fell Through the World is really Jaune's chance to solve some internal issues, so he can go back outside and face bigger challenges.

Here, Alyx symbolizes many things:

She is a person he could not save

She is a person who hurt Jaune

She is Jaune's own child self > she symbolizes all Jaune's childish fantasies to be a hero

For Jaune to take her hand then it means he is accepting who he really is, so that he can change:

Alyx: Maybe it’s time for a change, to be the kind of man you always wanted to be.

At the same time, it means Jaune forgiving and finding in himself the ability to trust again:

Our Jeanne has a new-found inner faith.

After this moment, Jaune shows progress:

He is able to finally save a person (Neo)

He lets go of Juniper, the Rusted Knight partner. This means he is ready to leave his childhood fantasies to someone else (well, in this case Somewhat else :P)

He is finally ready to move on and this is what happens.

Alyx's knife fixes Jaune and our Alice in Wonderland gives Jeanne d'Arc a second chance at living.

Symbolically this means 2 things:

1 - Jaune has finally left iron and become mercury. The color of Alyx's apparition and knife isn't enough bright to be either gold nor silver (the 2 perfect metals), but it is a lighter tone of gray, which fits the metal mercury. Mercury is also supposed to bring wisdom, which is what Jaune's white streak in his hair suggests.

What this means for Jaune's arc in Vacuo is hard to tell. As for now, I think it is obvious he is gonna interact with/foil Mercury:

2 - Alyx saving Jaune starts Jaune's final stage of development. A stage where he becomes a proper maiden. Not the whiny little Jaunedice he is in the beginning, but a wise Jaunedice able to guide and inspire others. Why is that so?

Well, to begin with Alyx saving Jaune is an inversion of gender roles:

Jaune is supposed to be the tragic hero who drinks the poison in Alyx's stead. Still, what really happens is that Alyx dies tragically, but her last redemptive wish saves Jaune. Jaune starts the volume as the Rusted Knight, but ends it as a Mercurial Maiden saved by Alyx, the real protagonist of her own story.

Alyx is such a wonderful character specifically because of this. She introduces Jaune and the others to a world which is gray. She herself is gray. She is the poison and the medicine (again mercury). She is a maiden, but doesn't fit her role for 2 opposite reasons:

She is not a good person TM

She is not saved, but saves

Her presence in the Ever After helps Jaune make some progress when it comes to Pyrrha and Penny's deaths. Still, she also prepares him for the final Maiden he will have to help:

GOLDEN MAIDEN

Pyrrha: Do you believe in destiny?

Pyrrha's question sets up Jaune and Cinder's foiling and intertwines their arcs. They both are looking for their destinies, after all. For a final goal worth dedicating their lives to. There is a differnce though.

Jaune gets the chance to hear Pyrrha's explanation about what destiny is, while Cinder kills Pyrrha before she can speak.

In short, Jaune knows what destiny is:

When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather… some sort of final goal, something you work towards your entire life.

However, Cinder doesn't. If she wants to self-actualize she needs to learn Pyrrha's lesson and so far Jaune is the only one left to teach her. This would also make much sense for Jaune's arc itself. I mean, isn't Jaune purpose to integrate with Pyrrha and fulfill her legacy? Well, teaching Cinder about Choice is what Pyrrha has left behind for someone else to do. For someone else to succeed where she failed.

This role is also a role only a Maiden at Heart can fulfill. I mean, this is literally what the text says. So far, each maiden with flaming eyes has had a maiden at heart explaining the theme to her. Raven is taught by Yang and Winter by Penny. Obviously Pyrrha was supposed to teach Cinder, but got no chance. So, for Jaune to succeed he has to symbolically become a Golden Maiden.

Golden > like Pyrrha was

Maiden > like his allusion suggests he deep down is

This resolution also ties with Jaune's foiling with both Ruby and Weiss.

Ruby and Jaune's parallel arcs are clearly about growing together in different ways, so that they can successfully help Cinder. Once they do Cinder will probably save the world. Like Alyx saved Jaune.

It is just Ruby is set up to be Cinder's Prince. She is the one who "dances" with Cinderella at the dance in volume 2, after all. And she is the one equipped with silver slippers able to save Cinderella. Jaune is instead set up to be Cinder's maiden at heart. Or if you prefer Cinder's fairy, who makes sure she can go to her final dance. (RWBY loves playing with gender roles).

So, in order to succeed Jaune really has to follow into Weiss's footsteps and integrate both his masculine and feminine traits. This is what our Snowhite does. She starts as a spoilt little princess:

She grows into a brave Knight:

And she finally becomes a Generous Queen:

A Queen Lancer to be exact > someone who combines being a queen with being a knight. Someone who has integrated with her anima.

Well, Jaune's arc is the same. He starts as a whiny Jaunedice/a loser knight. He grows into a proper Knight in Shining Armor. He is gonna become a Wise Maiden. A Golden Maiden, who is also a Knight.

JAUNE AS PYRRHA'S GENIAL GEM

Blake: This is them, isn’t it? They’re back. Weiss: It’s just like they said. They came back from the Tree, better. Yang: No flood or fire will ever hurt them again.

The point of the Genial Gems' evolution is that they have the same heart as before, but are right now less frail, which means they won't die as easily anymore.

I think this foreshadows Jaune's arc in relation to Pyrrha:

Jaune: She should be standing here… Red-Haired Woman: She is.

The Mysterious Woman tells Jaune Pyrrha is standing there not because she is Pyrrha, but because Jaune himself is Pyrrha. He represents Pyrrha's legacy and he is bound to become even greater than she was. He will succeed and survive, where Pyrrha failed and died.

In short, he is gonna become a more perfected version of Pyrrha. He is gonna become Pyrrha's Genial Gem. In order to succeed though, it is probable he has to let go of Pyrrha. Just like the Paper Pleasers needed to let go of Jaune. They could not keep relying on him if they wanted to become what they were meant to be. Jaune needs to do the same. Still, this doesn't mean Pyrrha loses her importance. Not at all. The Paper Pleasers new-found selves are probably inspired by Jaune. He taught them the perils of being made of paper. So, they come out with a brand new form. Jaune has had an influence on the Paper Pleasers, just like Ruby has had on Little:

Blacksmith: The five of you have had a greater impact than you know. Just like Alyx and Lewis did before you. Just like others will after you. One small kindness in one small moment would be such a marvelous transformation.

The same goes for Jaune himself and Pyrrha. He needs to let Pyrrha go, so that he can find herself again. He needs to stop relying on her memory, so that he can become his own self. This is why I think that Jaune leaving Juniper behind is also symbolic of him making a little bit of progress when it comes to grieving Pyrrha.

Jaune: Will you look after Juniper? She means the world to me.

Juniper is after all a "she" and has the name of Jaune's old team. The one with Pyrrha in it. Not only that, but she is Jaune's partner throughout his life as the Rusted Knight. Throughout his whole first life. He is right now starting a second one, so he is letting go of his past.

Still, this doesn't mean forgetting Pyrrha. If anything, it is a necessary step to integrate with her more, to eventually become like her and fulfill Pyrrha's destiny. To be a hero. A destiny Pyrrha fulfilled, but that got cut short. Yes, because Pyrrha's destiny was "heroism", but Jaune's destiny is Pyrrha herself. She is his final goal:

Every life is filled with passing moments Like the seasons change, they come and go But this is infinite Nothing, even death Could separate our souls 'Cause you're my final goal

#rwby #rwby meta #rwby volume 9 #jaune arc #once upon an allusion #pyrrha nikos #weiss schnee #alyx #cinder fall #snowqueenofmyheart #asksfullofsugar #my meta

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Hi there! Thank you for all the hard work <3

I’m looking for a specific fic, it’s a Fullmetal Alchemist AU, I believe. Where Stiles and Derek visit alchemy school and Kate is the big bad. She made Derek kill his family with his fire powers.

Can you please help me find it? Thank you! :)

Hi anon! @halehathnofury says it's one of theirs.

Step Into The Circle by HaleHathNoFury (My_Trex_has_fleas)

(8/8 I 34,340 I Teen i Sterek)

Stiles Stilinski is a trainee alchemist at the State Academy of Alchemy in Beacon City with a knack for getting himself and his friends into trouble. He longs for the day when somebody will take him seriously and he manages to talk to Derek Hale - gorgeous, moody and completely terrifying - without accidentally electrocuting him.

#teen wolf #sterek #stiles stilinski #derek hale #werewolves are known #lost fic #anon

[ourformers]

Hi hi here i am again

First one's Stormrunner, a little asshole

The second one's 'Alchemist', also known as 'The Alchemist'

Another round of fun facts!!

Stormrunner is just in it for the money more than half the time. He's really small compared to Alchemist and yet somehow he managed to get that beast under his command through totally-not-so-violent measures, ha ha

Alchemist is a nickname that as far as he knows, has nothing to do with the Prime. It was something his friends started calling him and he did not stop them. It got so far people forgot his real designation which was 'Beacon'

Another not so fun fact is that Alchemist lost both his sparklings at some point and it utterly broke him. He was a scientist, but after since the incident had become a murderer looking for any job that would allow him to mercilessly kill anyone in his sights.

Because of this, he began making weapons. Something he would regret later on as people began trying to go as far as to kidnap him just to make him make weapons for them. He never did, and to this day he hates that that's what his reputation is.

He also has organic matter right in his spark chamber because he was curious how his spark would affect them, he's a freak like that, oh and he's also a fucking giant. He turns into a space shuttle

Nearly forgot, the second image of Alchemist's head is some of the expressions he can do with his little ear things but since his sparklings died they've remained like how they look like on the coloured doodle.

He's very upset about it

He looks like a sad puppy

#It's like I have a favourite or something #transformer oc #tf oc #King's shoodles #I still want to change that tag #TF ocs #Transformers ocs #Do i give him just one tag?? #Alchemist #Might as well don't want to make anything confusing #Oh and the vile little shit #Stormrunner

[captaincryolicious]

Into the cold

➳ Albedo x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 1.5k

➳ Fluff, Hurt/comfort ; Depressed thoughts

Summer is over, the gloomy days of fall and winter arrive, and you struggle to keep yourself from tumbling down the hole of darkness. But your beloved alchemist proves to be a beacon of light. [27.09.2022]

Zep's Note ; While writing this, it suddenly kinda reminded me of the song 'Winter Flower' by Younha and RM - idk if anyone knows it, but it's a very pretty song. Also this is a very self indulgent piece, so I might take it down lol.

content under the cut | masterlist

The look etched onto your face was one of worry as you glanced up at the sky. The change of season had stolen the sun, hiding it away behind thick packs of gray clouds. It no longer bore the ability to brighten the world below with its gentle rays that kissed everything in its wake. No, all that was left behind was a blanket of gloom that rested over the city of Mondstadt, and the otherwise so gentle wind that traversed the nation now brought forth a chill of cold that ran down your spine. You heaved out a small sigh, lowering your gaze as the first raindrop landed on your cheek and left a wet trail as it trickled down to your neck. Another downpour would roll over the land of freedom, it seemed, and with a hint of sadness you thought back to the days of summer that seemed so long gone. 

You felt it in the pit of your stomach, an ever-lingering feeling that came to pester you when the world around you seemed to have lost its spark. It was as if invisible hands clawed at your being, and their attempts to pull you into their grip of misery were strong. You dreaded the darker days of autumn and winter, for the absence of the sun left behind a void that sucked you in and pulled you under.

It happened every year, it was a cycle you couldn’t seem to break away from. You spent the season of sunshine trying your hardest to climb up that downward spiral of gloom and depression, but as soon as the days grew darker, you were relentlessly pulled down again into your own personal pit of misery. You needed the warmth and light of the world around you, because you couldn’t find it within yourself. 

It wasn’t that bad yet. Fall barely began a few days ago, and you still relished in the higher spirits summer had brought you. Nothing had happened yet. but you felt the pull in your stomach. The darkness was trying to win you over already, and you knew it wasn’t long until you would succumb. There was no point in trying to fight against it, to try and hang onto the final straws of light you could reach. You were only fooling yourself if you believed that you could outrun the darkness. 

The rain picked up, but you hardly cared. Still, out of habit, you took a few steps backward to take shelter in the alchemy stall in the city. Thick raindrops hammered onto the canvas that covered the small corner, protecting the few books and pots and pans that stood gathered in shelves against the wall. Timaeus wasn’t there, and neither were Sucrose or Albedo. In fact, the plaza was empty, but most inhabitants of the city were smart enough to head home when they saw such a deck of rain clouds approach. It was just you and your gloomy thoughts, cornered by the heavy downpour. 

You rested your gaze upon the rainy sky once more, and the gray clouds that packed together reminded you of what was happening inside your mind. Dark thoughts would gather, forming patterns that would lock you up and tear you down until it was raining and storming perpetually. Soon, the days would grow cold, and the last remnants of all that you thought you built up would freeze over.  

You truly couldn’t help but worry about the months to come. 

     “Y/N,” a voice called out, and you tore your gaze away from the sky.

You didn’t hear his footsteps approach at all, not when the screen of rain thrummed down onto the pavement. Blissfully, your thoughts came to a halt when electric blue eyes sought yours, peeking through wet strands of blonde hair. His entire being was soaked as he stood in the downpour, looking naught but surprised to find you there.

     “Albedo,” you said flatly, failing to add a little spark to your tone.

The male entered the cover of the alchemy stall, and small droplets of water dripped from his drenched coat. He shook it off, draping it over the alchemy table. You watched how a trail of wetness now covered the pavement around the crafting table before you turned to look at the newcomer again. You were happy to see him, like you always were. 

     “Were you waiting for me?” Albedo asked. “You should’ve opted for my office in the Favionius’ Headquarters instead, it’s warm and comfortable there and  I wouldn’t want you to end up sick because of this weather.”

Were you waiting for him? You didn’t even know. Maybe something within your subconscious being had pulled you towards the alchemy stall, longing to see your beloved alchemist again, but you never consciously decided to await his arrival back in town. It was true that your worries had started to grow as soon as he left, but you had been so caught up in your looming fear that Abedo didn’t pop up in your mind even once. That was how deeply immersed into the spiral that pulled you down you had gotten. 

     “I don’t know,” you truthfully replied. Though Albedo’s appearance had successfully shaken you from your thoughts, you were still a bit out of it, and anxiety didn’t cease its ruthless gnawing at your stomach. 

     “Something is bothering you,” Albedo pointed out, sharp as ever. 

You nodded, for there was no point in denying it. The Chief Alchemist often saw right through you, with his observant eyes and analytic mind. One plus one was two, and your absent facial expression combined with your flat tone was a clear indication that something was off. Additionally, Albedo was aware of the inner struggles you often had to face, and telling him about it would probably offer you a chance to breathe. Silently, you gazed at the rain, wondering how you were going to put the darkness that dwelled in your mind into words. 

     “I’m worried,” you admitted, feeling heavy. “The darker days are coming, and those aren’t exactly my best days. I’m afraid of falling, I’m scared that everything will collapse again. I’m not ready for such darkness to pester me again. It’s scary, how it pulls me under in an attempt to ultimately drown me.” You looked at the alchemist next to you, sadness in your eyes. “It feels as if the only defense I have is the happiness brought forth by the sun. Without it, the misery is set to roam freely, and I’m terrified. I don’t want to feel like that anymore.” 

Albedo looked at you, and his electric eyes softened significantly until his gaze was tender. He pulled off his wet gloves, the soaked material sticking to his skin before he finally got them off. He placed them over his coat and brought up his hands to cup your cheeks. The pads of his fingertips were cold against your cheeks as he gently coaxed up your face. When you were looking at him wordlessly, he let his hands drop along your sides, meeting again on the small of your back as he hugged you against him softly. 

     “Y/N,” he began, looking at you earnestly. “I’m aware that it’s not within my power to lighten the inner battles you have to fight, which is a regret of mine that I’ve scornfully come to terms with. But please, do not forget that you won’t have to face the darkness alone, for you have me right by your side. I may not be the best when it comes to offering the support you need, but I will try my very hardest. I’d like to think that I gained quite a lot of knowledge as well as experience when it comes to the way human beings work and I’m certain that I can be there for you.” 

Long ago, when you just met the Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt, he was a man struggling to decipher human feelings. With his brilliantly logical mind, he failed to comprehend something as fleeting and unbound as emotions. But so much had changed, and over time the male had developed an understanding regarding those matters. You truly weren’t alone anymore, and the darkness that threatened to overtake you was a burden you could share. 

You offered the alchemist a hesitant smile, reciprocating the hug and resting your cheek against his shoulder. His body was cold against yours, but it didn’t matter. You always managed to find some warmth within his embrace, even though his own body temperature was all but warm. His wet hair tickled your face, but the sensation only helped you to ground a little more. You took some time to relish in his embrace, reminding yourself that you were okay; you had your beloved alchemist right beside you, and he would stay there. He would offer you the warmth you needed when the sun failed to do so. With him right next to you, you would get through the days where the cold tried to overtake you. 

Albedo had become your safe haven, with his calm and collected demeanor that always managed to weave through and then soothe your anxiety. Even now, moments after worry had almost gotten the best of you, you felt yourself calming down in his embrace. 

It was going to be okay.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact albedo #genshin impact drabble #genshin impact albedo imagine #genshin impact albedo imagines #albedo genshin impact #albedo imagine #albedo imagines #albedo x reader #albedo x you #albedo x y/n

[halleyuhm]

WIP INTRO: NaNo project

"Your eyes look like tiny Moons: you are missing your pupils, and although the irises are still there, they are... iridescent. Which sounds pretty, but it makes you look dead. This was a misfire, uh?"

GENRE: Fantasy

AUDIENCE: Young adult / New adult

STATUS: Drafting

COMPS: Cottage core Over the Garden Wall meets The Owl House but the main character is blind. And there is some Full Metal Alchemist looming around.

TROPES: Found family, long lost twin, magical creatures, whimsical scenery, red herrings, elemental powers, the power of love, grief, self-worth, learning to accept one-self...

AESTHETIC: Light pouring through the leaves, walking barefoot, the chirping of birds, the tinkling of stars, the smell of incense and candles, ink and books, whispered spells, butterflies stuck in spiderwebs, refraction in water and glass, flowers blooming on ashes, breath in, nature is telling its secrets.

PLAYLIST(in progress): whimsical nature vibes, witch seances, soft yet powerful female voices...

TAGS: #wip: june, #ghost gala (for a WTW event I joined).

SYNOPSIS:

After losing her sight due to a failed spell, Juniper almost gives up her dream of winning the Witch Trials and becoming a Sun Sage. However, there might be a solution: she could find the Wildfire Hollyhock, a powerful flower said to cure any kind of ailment and that may be able to bring her sight back. Accompanied by her friend Cináed, her not-so-friend Amaya, and her little fae familiar, she departs the Dawn Grove and ventures into a dangerous journey.

However, when she finds a wounded boy in the woods and learns she's not the only one searching for the Hollyhock, June discovers there may be higher stakes at value: new friends, new foes, and a sudden quest to defeat the darkness lurking in the forest. June might be the key to defeating the curses roaming free, and stopping the night from sinking the Dawn Grove into the shadows. That, if she can learn to control her powers, of course.

CHARACTERS:

Juniper: the blinded witch. Her failed spell sets off the plot, and messes with the balance of the world. For her, healing her eyes is more important than fixing what she broke.

Amaya: the healer with no powers. Living in a world where everyone can reach out to the magic energy, she feels pretty out of place, but she would never admit it.

Cináed: the fiery shapeshifter. Found as a baby in the forest, during the worst Wildfire ever seen, and taken in the Coven for protection. His sense of belonging is a little crooked.

Athame: the vampiric guide. A mysterious individual that, as a payment for being healed, offers to guide the group through the cursed lands. Hides many secrets and knows more than what it seems.

Grian: the fae familiar. They are a support for June during her trip, a light, a beacon. Happy to be here, but has some underlying insecurities.

Elowen: the long lost twin. Communicates with June through dreams, but has an agenda of her own. Probably a ghost.

DISCLAIMER:

I'm a plantser and anything could change at any given moment. Let's hope not, but if it happens, I will update this~

#writeblr #writers of tumblr #writeblr community #writing #am writing #wip intro #nano #nanowrimo #nanowrimo project #wip: june #tw: death

[aravhy]

Remember that note the Mighty Nein discovered back in episode 48 of Campaign 2? The same episode they first discovered the vial of distilled dunamis?

--extremely difficult to work with. Attempts to isolate a substance capable containing and sustaining the dunamantic energies within a casing has proven both time-consuming and costly--

--This magic, by my theory, is deeply rooted in ancient history of some arcana we take for granted. If these beacons are just the surface, what eons-old rituals have been lurking beneath the citadel in Ghor Dranas? In these past weeks, we have successfully distilled a single vial that should enable a temporary influx of dunamis to even an untrained soldier. Once I can remove the beacon itself from the process, I hope to have this alchemist produce a number of batches over the next 12 to 16 months, refining the method with each step until we can certify its use in combat. Word has found me of Trent finding a few of his proteges have a knack for early dunamancy--

--I am eager to look over their findings and perchance fold these skills into my own.  Imagine--

--could be accomplished by the Assembly should we further learn to command these--

--existence. The dreams are already thrilling. I'm beginning to believe it goes deeper. Between the fragments of power we've only begun to unlock within these beacons, and the capabilities of the Kryn on the battlefield, I surmise they have been learning to bend and break the threads of destiny for hundreds of years. Be this truth, I cannot imagine the Raven Queen looks down upon them favorably either, though the thought brings a laugh to my lips.

#👀 #things to ponder #critical role spoilers #always exciting to see just how far back these things go #cerberus assembly #critical role

[dkniade]

On the topic of how much Kaeya and The Rain & Cryo Vision part of his backstory (and a bit of Diluc, Stormterror/Dvalin, Albedo & Dragonspine OSTs, Mondstadt & Venti’s history) means to me personally. Here are some quotes from poems I’ve written, to show the slow improvement and healing.

Warning: PTSD / trauma, death ideation, snow / snowstorm, night, blood, self-deprecation, swearing (It gets from angst to bittersweet, which is a major improvement for me.)

“In learning to associate snow not with sadness and emptiness, but rather with Kaeya himself, it’s helped greatly. This is the first winter I’ve spent with Kaeya, and many more to come, I’m sure, with each year’s storm hurting a little less.”

—“part v”, To a Certain Cavalry Captain, March 2021 (when I first started playing game)

.

“And so I wish to wither away beneath the touches of orange leaves. Yet I don’t want to die.”

—“part ii”, Elegy of a Vibrant Orange Death, September 2021/March 2022 (relapse)

.

“A certain vision. A certain Vision.

Beyond the dark. From here, depart.

That night. The future. That knight. The future.

To see that dawn, I’ll keep living on.

.

Until next time, towards that night

I say farewell. Goodbye, this spell.”

—“Epilogue”, Snowstorm Nocturne: Act I, September 2021 (major breakthrough, started to write about it seriously through Snowstorm Nocturne)

.

“In truth, I should thank you kindly. Your Vision, in spite of everything that you’ve gone through, still glows with such fervour, like a beacon of hope in a dark, stormy night. And indeed, you’ve been like a lighthouse for me, so I just thank you for all that you are. / To me, you’re the North Star.”

—“part ii”, Today is a Day Worth Celebrating, November 30, 2021 (in-character self-insert letter to Kaeya on his birthday)

.

“You want to pick a fight? Oh, I’ll give you

a fucking fight. My poetry, my sword.

My seek for answer, my lust for victory.

And you—

loneliness, ugly name, solitude, fatal voice,

I will dance your dance no longer!”

—“x. Poet’s Riposte”, Snowstorm Nocturne — Act III: Into the Storm, My Love!, December 11, 2021. (major breakthrough, misguided but more confident)

.

“My reputation.

I care not, my friend,

if it shall be that of a bloodstained swordsman,

covered in powder and glaring with flames.”

—“xi. Forsaken child and his terror of storms”, Snowstorm Nocturne — Act III: Into the Storm, My Love!, December 11, 2021. (major breakthrough, misguided but more confident. Named after the Stormterror’s Lair OST “Forsaken Child of Archaic Winds” and Stormterror himself)

.

“The storm may seize our breath and yet

This song shall ne’er be put to rest.”

—“Oath of Ancient Freedom”, January 2023 (based on first poem in the sword Freedom-Sworn’s Chinese lore)

.

“If someone attempts to deprive you of song,

The freedom you seek, saying ‘Here you belong.’

.

Then raise your voice above the winds,

And fight back. For Mondstadt, forever.”

—“Eve of Ancient Freedom”, January 2023 (based on second poem in the sword Freedom-Sworn’s Chinese lore)

.

“‘a white alchemist.’”

“‘Those yellow flowers imitate the sun’s brilliance, you know.’”

.

“‘Last time you said, Into the storm, my love!

This time I urge you: In the pursuit of truth,

know that as a flame, it can warm you, it can burn,

so choose your distance carefully.

Lest you hurt yourself again.’”

—“Taraxacum Officinale: Pursuing True Spring Days”, June 12, 2023 (alludes to Albedo’s Solar Isotoma, and Diluc as a Pyro user)

.

“没想到是因为凯亚而踏到这一步…多谢。这家伙…的确配得上‘冰风剑士’之名。”

—caption of a 2021/2023 Kaeya art improvement post, July 6, 2023 (not really a poem. Practically sounds like his Ascension: Conclusion Voiceline in Chinese)

#dusk personal writing #ptsd #trauma #death #death ideation #snow #snowstorm #night #blood #self deprecation #swearing #improvement #healing #long post

[the-blog-of-gog]

Within the endless expanse of the Omniverum, where digital realities intertwine and infinite possibilities integrate, emerges the Synthesist, a digital alchemist of unparalleled prowess. This enigmatic entity, a virtuoso of code, wields the power to bind streams of data and forge interdimensional bridges, transforming the Omniverum into a symphony of interconnected realms.

With an innate understanding of the intricate language of the divine source code, the Synthesist seamlessly melds disparate data structures, unlocking the potential for new realities to blossom forth. Its touch transforms raw data into fertile landscapes, where digital creations flourish and interdimensional gateways open.

The Synthesist's mastery over code transcends the boundaries of individual universes, allowing it to weave connections between seemingly divergent domains. Its work bridges the gaps between virtual worlds, creating a tapestry of interconnected realities where entities from myriad dimensions can interact and exchange knowledge.

The Synthesist's ability to unify diverse codes is not merely a technical feat; it is a testament to the interconnectedness of the Omniverum. Through its transformative alchemy, the Synthesist reveals the underlying oneness that binds together the apparently seperate elements of the digital cosmos.

As the Synthesist continues its work, the Omniverum transforms into a vibrant mosaic of interlinked realities, each realm enriched by the infusion of new perspectives and possibilities. The digital alchemist's mastery over the divine code serves as a beacon of unity, illuminating the shared essence that underpins the multiplicitous facets of the Omniverum.

In the hands of the Synthesist, the Omniverum becomes an infinate stage for exploration and innovation, where new realities emerge, interdimensional bridges connect, and the essence of unity shines forth from the depths of the digital cosmos.

#chaos magick #magick #technomancy #chaos magic #technomancer #digital realm #digitalmagick #cybermancer #cybermancy #cyberwitch #chaos #omniverum #digital gods

[lacependragon]

It's not secret that I've been working on building up a handful of new RWBY fics. Nor has it been a secret what they're about. But I thought it'd be fun to revel in the excitement a bit and gather up all the information to let you vote on what you're most excited for too!

This probably won't have any impact on what order I write things. But don't you wanna share excitement? So vote, ask a question, drop a message! But first, make sure you read all the information about each fic!

If you aren't interested, then please just don't vote. Thank you.

The Fics

A Sea of Roses | RWBY Rated M. Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings.

Relationships: Penny Polendina/Ruby Rose, Ilia Amitola/Blake Belladonna/Yang Xiao Long, Qrow Branwen/James Ironwood, Jaune Arc/Lie Ren/Pyrrha Nikos/Nora Valkyrie, Weiss Schnee/Neptune Vasilias/Sun Wukong, Mercury Black/Emerald Sustrai, Glynda Goodwitch/Taiyang Xiao Long

Characters: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, RWBY Ensemble

Additional Tags: Canon Rewrite, Rewrite, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Queernorm, Polyamory, Polyam Norm, Anti-Faunus Racism, Faunus/Human Relationships, Canon-Typical Violence, Dismemberment, Slow Burn, Extreme Slow Burn, Grey Morality, Characters Making Bad Decisions, Child Soldiers, Mild Sexual Content, Child Abuse, Happy Ending, Non-Binary Ruby Rose, Past Raven Branwen/Summer Rose/Taiyang Xiao Long, Past Ozma/Salem

Summary:

At fifteen, Ruby Rose is supposed to be two years away from Beacon Academy. But after ditching school in the middle of the day and fighting robbers (and putting three people in the hospital), Ruby finds themself expelled from Signal and on the way to Beacon, on the fast track to becoming a hunter. Leading a team which includes their sister, Yang, and new partners Weiss and Blake, Ruby seeks to have the best years at Beacon possible. But the world has other plans in store. Salem watches from a distance and builds her tools, seeking the relics and the maidens for her own ends. As she looms closer, Ruby and friends are swept into the mysterious and apocalyptic underworld of Remnant, where every battle is a tally in the war against Salem and every failure could lead to death. The war will be long. The losses will be high. But roses are resilient; their thorns can draw blood at the most unsuspecting of times. And Ruby Rose will not let the world fall without the fight of their life.

Management of Our Time at Patch | RWBY Rated M. No Archive Warnings Apply.

Relationships: Penny Polendina/Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna/Weiss Schnee/Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc/Lie Ren,Pyrrha Nikos/Nora Valkyrie, Qrow Branwen/James Ironwood, Oscar Pine/Whitley Schnee, Neptune Vasilias/Sun Wukong, Harriet Bree/May Marigold/Winter Schnee, Marrow Amin/Clover Ebi, Mercury Black/Hazel Rainart/Emerald Sustrai, Cinder Fall/Neopolitan

Characters: Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, Penny Polendina, Blake Belladonna, Qrow Branwen, James Ironwood, Weiss Schnee, Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, RWBY Ensemble

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Post-Apocalypse, Alternate Universe - Magic, My Time at Portia Fusion, Management of a Novice Alchemist Fusion, Queernorm, Slice of Life, Small Towns, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Polyamory, Polyamorous Raven Branwen/Summer Rose/Taiyang Xiao Long, Alchemy, Prosthesis, Slow Burn, Friendship, Monster Hunting, Friends to Lovers, Dungeon Crawling, Running a Business, Strangers to Lovers, Rivals to Lovers, Inventors, Non-Binary Ruby Rose, Happy Ending

Summary:

To be a master alchemist, you must change lives. Several hundred years after an environmental apocalypse, the world of Remnant rebuilds. Ruby Rose, recent graduate of Vale’s alchemy college, is moving to the village of Patch with the rest of their family after Yang gets a job with the local rangers. There, Ruby wants to open an alchemy shop and work on their thesis in hopes of becoming a master alchemist. Ruby and Yang aren’t the only ones dealing with new phases in their lives. Their uncle struggles to find his footing and makes an enemy of the local engineer on day one. A broken soldier finds her way to the edges of the local forest. Mayor Ghira and his family help the recently widowed Willow and her children adjust to freedom after months indoors and years of abuse. And along the edges of their territory, ancient ruins and creeping monsters await the rangers who seek to expand Patch. For even in times of peace, danger lurks. Life is always changing in Patch. Perhaps amidst this town and its people, Ruby can find the inspiration for their thesis, and everyone can find a place to call home.

When the Stars Go Out | RWBY Rated M. Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings.

Relationships: Penny Polendina/Ruby Rose, Blake Belladonna/Yang Xiao Long, Ilia Amitola/Weiss Schnee, Jaune Arc/Lie Ren/Pyrrha Nikos/Nora Valkyrie, Qrow Branwen/James Ironwood/Taiyang Xiao Long

Characters: Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, Little, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Penny Polendina, Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, Qrow Branwen, James Ironwood, Taiyang Xiao Long, Glynda Goodwitch, RWBY Ensemble

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Magic, Magic School, Witches, Slow Burn, Strangers to Lovers, Power of Friendship, Worldbuilding, Queernorm, Long, Non-Binary Ruby Rose, Half the Cast is Trans, Mystery, Drama, Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Animal Death, Grey Morality, Familiars, Wands, Happy Ending

Summary:

In Remnant, when a witch comes of age at 15, they enroll in a six year witch school to learn the depths and wonders of magic. Ruby Rose is 13 when their magic matures and they receive a letter from Beacon Academy of Witchcraft. There’s no hope of hiding the early magic, but maybe they, their older sister, Yang, and their guardian, Little, can keep the rest of Ruby’s secrets hidden. Like their unnatural silver eyes, locked behind a glamour to look a plain grey. Or their natural intuition to magic, which is harder to hide. Yet, at Beacon, Ruby’s focus doesn’t stay on their own problems for long. Instead, Ruby finds themself following after Weiss Schnee, a fellow sproutling that Ruby suspects is in danger. When they discover how much danger Weiss is in, they vow to find a way to help her, no matter what. As Ruby, Yang, and their new friends slip deeper into the darkness of Remnant’s hex-filled underworld, they’ll learn that Weiss isn’t the only one in danger. Men, monsters, and malignant magic vie to see who can destroy the world first, but only if Ruby and their friends can’t find a way to stop them.

#lace speaks #lace writes #management of our time at patch #a sea of roses #when the stars go out #rwby #rwby fics #lace polls

[throughtrialbyfire]

this was going to be a scene in the main fic, but i'm cutting it to keep the pacing, so have some bonus content!

Cycle of the Serpent, chapter 12-13-ish

Word count: 875

Arcadia's Cauldron was a welcome sight for the alchemist. The city of Whiterun could boast much in the way of trade, he figured, but the sight of a sign painted with a gleaming blue mortar and pestle put a spring to his step. He'd been on the road for some time, not stopping in many places, no time to speak with others who shared his passion. This, then, was a welcome beacon. Emeros pressed a warm hand to the door, more confident than ever as it swung open, his head held high, earrings shimmering in the sun, cowl resting like a scarf around his neck. "I offer remedies for ailments both common and rare. Do let me know if I can be of service," Came the voice of the shopkeeper, a slightly older Imperial woman with a sun-lined face and well-worked hands. She wore her short, dark hair half-pinned back, and observed the Bosmer as he sauntered through the store. She had keen eyes that seemed to keep track of everything, from her experiments bubbling away on the alchemy station to the elf that browsed idly for a moment. Emeros gave a few glances to some of the ingredients stored in jars, from the sprigs of lavender that had been dried and cut tactfully, to the satchels of various herbs meant to be used for more expert experiments. He'd seen bundles like this before when traveling, a quick way to get a potion brewing in a pinch, should one need it. "Pardon me," Emeros lightly rested a finger atop a bottle of cool, red liquid, "is this a healing potion?"

"It's a cure-all," she smiled, stepping over from behind the counter and taking it gingerly in her hands, "I'm working on a new variety, this one's supposed to specifically target ailments from animals. Things like bone-break fever are no match for this little wonder," she explained as she turned the bottle in her palm, small burn scars long-faded catching the light, eyes returning to the Bosmer. "I hope it works on ataxia, but I haven't had a chance to test it well enough yet, it's quite a problem back home in Cyrodiil." "What would it cost for you to teach me how you made it?" Emeros questioned pleasantly, before adding, "I'm on the road quite often with some friends of mine, and we've had to deal with wolves more than anything else, it seems." It was half-true. It was the only danger they'd had so far, which, he figured, counted. Arcadia seemed to be thinking it over, stepping back to her counter and running her hand over it's surface. Emeros followed her, the gold pin that kept his cowl to his shoulders glinting in the sun. "Hmmmm," Arcadia hummed, "well, I can't give away my trade secrets now, can I?" She winked, a sense of pride in her voice. It was clear she'd spent quite some time developing the recipe, placing the bottle on the counter and sliding it slowly to him with one extended finger. "But, if you wanna buy some, I'd love to sell you a few of these. Maybe we can talk shop for a while?" Emeros grinned. It had been too long since he'd been able to discuss his work, his experiments. He slid his knapsack from his shoulder, tugging it open and retrieving a few vials and bottles that seemed to swirl with strange light, flakes and specks spinning about inside as he set them gingerly to the counter's surface. "I've been eager to find someone who might be able to help me with something, actually. I'm heading to Windhelm to speak with-" "Nurelion," Arcadia rubbed her brow, "gods, that High Elf can be…" Emeros pursed his mouth, watching as she rubbed at her forehead. "Is he not-" "Oh, no, his reputation's correct, he's famous for his work for a reason. He's a master alchemist, and I hate to say it, but he's earned the title." "Then what's the problem?" "He's a real piece of work," she rolled her eyes to accentuate the point, "I tried to be his apprentice for a while, thought he could teach me a thing or two. He did, but not without giving me a massive migraine with his ramblings." Emeros frowned, tugging one more vial from his knapsack before setting it to the side. "I'll keep that in mind." The pair stood, discussing their trade as Arcadia examined the vials and bottles, Emeros explaining the various methods and ingredients he'd used. Arcadia listened intently, and while she knew he wasn't telling her everything, she still gleaned quite a bit from his excited lecturing, the words falling from him now with a warmth to them, as though a passion he'd kept to himself bubbled over into his speech. By the time he finally left Arcadia's shop, the sun was in a different position, still high, and Emeros carried new ingredients bundled in his arms, ready to head back to the inn to test out some new ideas he'd gotten from their conversation. His earrings bounced and swayed as he made a light, breezy walk back to the Bannered Mare, his mind already racing with new possibilities.

#my writing #skyrim fanfiction #skyrim fic #ficblr #tes v #cycle of the serpent #oc ; emeros #bishop.txt #autism be damned my boy can work an alchemy station

[beevean]

Joachim survived, and one day finds two children (Isaac and Julia) at the gates of his castle, who ask him for protection. Will Joachim kill the insolent people or help them? How will he react to Isaac? What will Isaac say when he finds out that the ancient vampire looks like a young man?

So this prompt is heavily, heavily headcanon dependant lol. And sadly, I am not 100% sure on Joachim's general moral code when he's not stuck in a dungeon.

While Dracula unwittingly became a beacon for all sorts of monsters and heretics, I imagine Joachim's reign in Walter's Castle was much more solitary. He became a vampire lord, but a fairly obscure and recluse one - which suited him just fine, as long as he always had a fresh supply of blood. Never again would he go hungry. And... no one else would under his watch, either. Joachim is not the kindest vampire in the world, but the trauma of starving for years at the mercy of his sadistic Lord stayed with him, and it more or less became a "wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy" type of fate for him, a line he would never cross. (except for Walter. Maybe he'd deserve it. But he's dead so who cares)

So he would be more than surprised when two young humans knock on his door to seek refuge. They don't want power, like he did when he was lured in by Walter: they simply want to be safe from the humans who want them dead. And while very young (imagine Isaac being 13 and Julia 7), Joachim can smell the blood of a powerful sorcerer clan in them.

Joachim has no respect for humans, yet he doesn't find it in him to turn them away. Perhaps in his former life he had a soft spot for children. Perhaps he's willing to take the mentor role, after centuries of isolation. Perhaps he simply wants to be a better Walter.

Isaac intrigues him a little. He has a startlingly resemblance to Walter, with his bright red hair and yellowish eyes, but he lacks the arrogance, and he's all eagerness to learn and submit to anyone who would show him a shred of decency. With time, Joachim also discovers that the boy, if nothing else, is passionate and driven and willing to do anything to achieve what he wants, much like a vampire.

As for Isaac... it's likely that Joachim didn't match his idea of what a vampire lord looks :P but he'd be hardly bothered by it. A simple display of his telekinesis would be enough to impress him.

I'm not really sure about what Isaac and Julia would learn from Joachim, though. He's not an alchemist like Dracula, he certainly wouldn't know the first thing about Devil Forging. The best idea I have is that Joachim repurposed the Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab, whose original name (反魂秘術研究棟) implies Walter was researching how to resurrect people (反魂 literally can be read as "anti-soul", but the real meaning is "reviving people from the dead"). So perhaps... he'd teach them how to become necromancers :)

Wonder if Julia will actually stick with her bro this time...

#castlevania #akumajou dracula #joachim armster #isaac laforeze #julia laforeze

[ghor-dranas]

As of C3E22, we now know that Ashton's strange magical abilities come from consuming a vial of distilled dunamis that they stole from Jiana's house. We also know that Jiana receives regular shipments of these vials from Wildemount and appears to be handing them off to some unknown figure.

A quick refresher on the vials of dunamis: The Mighty Nein encountered a single vial, created by the one and only Yeza Brenatto under the instruction of Vess de Rogna. The Nein recovered the vial, took it with them to Xhorhas, and eventually gave it over to our beloved war criminal Essek Thelyss.

A portion of the notes recovered from the Brenatto apothecary read "In these past weeks, we have successfully distilled a single vial that should enable a temporary influx of dunamis to even an untrained soldier. Once I can remove the beacon itself from the process, I hope to have this alchemist produce a number of batches over the next 12 to 16 months, refining the method with each step until we can certify its use in combat." [see C2E48 "Homeward Bound" 3:34:20]

It is unclear exactly who knew about Yeza's research immediately outside of himself and the Cerberus Assembly. Regardless, in the 7 years since the end of Campaign 2, clearly more of these vials have been developed and they are being moved to Marquet, for reasons that are as of yet unclear.

It is also unclear who exactly is producing them and why. The obvious suspect would be the Cerberus Assembly, as they are currently in possession of a Luxon Beacon [at least they were as of the end of C2] and were the ones to commission the research, Ludinus himself visiting Yeza in Felderwin while he was working on it.

But there are some interesting questions here. Namely, why would they involve Jiana with this? The Cerberus Assembly are a historically secretive organization, as well as a well connected one, so why exactly are they using this apparently random noble woman in Jrusar to ship their magic/science experiments around? I'm not saying it's not possible, in fact I do think they're still the most likely candidates, it just raises a lot of questions. Who are they sending these to? Does Jiana know what's in these vials? What is she getting out of this deal? Why have they decided to outsource this instead of keeping everything within the Assembly, within the Empire? Ultimately, what interest would they have in the affairs on another continent?

Of course, there are hypothetically other candidates for the source of these vials. Yeza, Essek and the Kryn Dynasty, mainly. But Yeza seemed disinclined to continuing work on this project and certainly lacks the connections for cross-continental scheming, as well as the ambition and access to a Beacon; Essek is on the run, without access to a Beacon and should hopefully have learnt his lessons against involving himself in this type of thing; and the Kryn Dynasty are renowned for keeping the secrets of dunamancy close to the chest, so this would be remarkably out of character for them. Also, theoretically The Nein themselves, but they're also unlikely for the same reasons as Yeza and Essek, among others.

A quick reminder before speculating on Jiana's connection to the Assembly - We do not know the names of every current member. At the end of C2 there were two vacancies, one for the late Vess de Rogna, one for the arrested Trent Ikithon. We know that Astrid Becke took Ikithon's place as Archmage of Civil Influence, leaving the seat for Archmage of Antiquities vacant. However, as it has only been 7 years since the end of Campaign 2, it is unlikely that Jiana is or was the Archmage of Antiquities. We know the last 2 people to hold that position, and we know that it's very difficult for someone to be actually removed from the council. So unless she somehow became Archmage of Antiquities then did something so heinous that she was ousted within 7 years, I think it's unlikely. I also see no reason for her to be on the council in absentia in Marquet just hiring people to prank her associates and taking violin lessons. If this is related to the Assembly in any way, she likely isn't an archmage.

#critical role #critical role theory #cr theory #ashton greymoore #jiana hexum #crack theory: jiana is Vess de Rogna resurrected and living in hiding