Gods' Rising

ten teenagers go on a roadtrip around England to collect ritual items to resurrect the gods while being chased by several groups

[gods-rising]

I’m sorry for being inactive, it’s been a busy few months.

[gods-rising]

May Post - Mothers’ Day

How would the cast of Gods’ Rising celebrate their mothers - or just their family in general - on Mothers’ Day? Mothers’ Day has happened already in England however that month was dedicated to Birthdays. Sorry for how late this is, life got busy at the wrong time.

Main protagonists first, then minor protagonists, then main antagonists, then minor antagonists. Background characters not included.

Jakob Sullivan - Jakob doesn’t remember his mother or if he even actually had one. But if he did have a mother, he’d buy pretty flowers, a nice card (and write a personal message, maybe thanking her for specific details, maybe nodding toward an inside joke) and cook her a nice breakfast in bed. Even if it turns out he didn’t, or doesn’t, have a good relationship with his mother, he’d try his best to make her feel loved that day.

Zlatko Jones - Zlatko celebrates Mothers’ Day by bringing his mother breakfast in bed and treating her and his little brother to a three person feast with a homemade dessert and ice cream. He’d get his brother a present and card to give to their mother, and get a smaller present and card for himself as well as a big card from the both of them. It’s her day, he reminds himself, and it’s up to him to make her feel special, everyday.

Charlie Parker - Charlie is sans a mother figure, so she takes it as another day to celebrate her father, whom she loves dearly. She’ll throw him a present, probably a corny mug, and give him a Mothers’ Day card and write a joke in it. She likes hearing his laughter; even if the joke is terrible, he’ll chuckle over a hot mug of coffee, which she’ll make (and maybe deliberately fuck up), and she’ll know that she made his day a bit better.

Alex Wilson - Alex, before everything fell apart, would rarely help his siblings get gifts for their mother, having to be urged by either his father, uncles or grandparents to just wish her a good day. Sometimes he’d give her the presents that had been bought by someone else and wouldn’t resist too much to be in the pictures they took each year with her. Looking back in time, he realises, he wishes he’d been persuaded more often.

Kenna Collier -  Kenna wants to stay as far from her mother as she can after the divorce - her mum’s... bizarre nature often ruins her daughter’s plans and mood, and there’s certainly a disconnect between the pair. The moment the opportunity arises to avoid spending Mother’s Day with, well, her mother, she’ll take it without hesitation. She’s disinterested in spending time with her mother. Her mother knows nothing about her.

Klara Lullay - Klara never really celebrated Mother’s Day. Without a mother and a father and grandfather she didn’t see worth celebrating, there was never any need. She’d celebrate herself, because she was the only one who was worth it, in her perspective. When not being hassled or tutored by her grandfather, she’d make herself a cup of tea (despite not being fond of it, she saw it as a celebratory drink) and make some food.

Eban Jones - Eban really wants to make his mother feel special but his anxiety gets in the way of him buying things (it’s hard to buy things when you can barely talk to the cashier). So he finds himself still having to get Zlatko to buy stuff for him. He does help his brother in the kitchen though when making the Mother’s Day meal - but whether that’s for better or for worse, no one is really sure. It’s a hit or miss most years.

Grace Smith - Grace was the closest with her mother and would often draw things for her, get her father to make a breakfast for her to bring to her mother in bed and would go outside and pick flowers from the neighbour’s garden for her. But now, her mother is gone, so she takes the time to appreciate her father and, since she can’t ask him to cook for her, she either gets Kai to help or just goes down to the nearest shop to buy a meal deal.

Kai Smith - Kai was never really too close with his mother, and she seemed to feel the same way, but would still try to participate in Grace’s celebrations of her. This usually met carrying anything Grace couldn’t or wouldn’t. Even before his mother was gone, Kai would prefer to spend time with his father, helping him wash up from Grace’s endeavours, watching television with him and playing video games. Now they have a Player Three.

Maddie Eyighes - Maddie barely celebrates her foster mother, only joining in just enough to get by without hassle, whether that means carrying the breakfast or just being in the background while her foster siblings surprise their mother or opening doors for her foster mum. The moment her necessary deed is done, she’s off, outside and running. Not like she can do anything inside, it’ll be taken up by her foster mother, and outside she’s free.

Nastasia Lavisco - Nastasia, for Mother’s Day, decides to get into more paid fights, win more supplies, trade some of the rest for more profitable supplies to sell, put some of the original supplies up as winnings for two people to fight over, hide some of the profitable but criminal supplies in too, sell the rest, use the money to buy better weapons and repeat the cycle. It’s what she does everyday, and why should a holiday about a mother change that?

Aidan Lavisco - Aidan is very lucky to have help from the people of the palace, as Mother’s Day is almost a necessity rather than a celebration. It’s the one time Aidan is allowed to run a dance, because the mother in question can’t be involved. He decides the scheme, the theme, the dress code, the predominant dance and the menu of it all, but it’s barely a choice. He’s been trained exactly what to say, by a mother who pulls the strings.

Valeriya Jones - Valeriya, as a mother herself, loves Mother’s Day. She always has, as she was especially close to her mother. They would cook together, Valeriya always learning a new recipe, a new trick, a new skill each time, and she treasured that time with her mother. Being a mother of two boys has been a challenge, but she can’t help but be cheerful when her sons show her their appreciation, especially through recipes she taught them.

Kyle Smith - Kyle had been eager to bring his mother gifts and flowers when he was younger, but stopped as the teen years got closer and his fights with his parents became more prominent. Then, when he had kids with his wife, he helped the two celebrate her, or spent time with his son if he wasn’t helping his sister at all. But those days, with his mother and wife, are behind him, and now he’s the one celebrated on Mother’s Day.

Tyler Brae - Tyler, being the immortal Demon King, is obviously without a mother but he finds the day endearing. For him, Mother’s Day is another opportunity to show how much his ragtag family means to him. He’ll choose some corny but interesting film, buy some snack food while his family is preoccupied during the day and get them all in the living room to watch it. They’ll pretend to hate it and complain but he knows that there’s nowhere they’d rather be.

Shadow - Shadow never celebrated Mother’s Day before and would happily continue to not... too bad he lives with Tyler. Finding himself wrapped up in the demon’s shenanigans continues on this day as he helps Tyler set everything up for the rest of the family. If Tyler wants to cook something, Shadow is there to help him and stop the inevitable house fire. Tyler might ask him one day if he’d prefer to stay out of it, but Shadow won’t let him do it alone.

Mehmun Salton - Mehmun doesn’t remember many Mother’s Days - not with his mother, not with his aunt, not with the mother of his daughter. He prefers not to, because who knows what other memories will arise? All he knows is that he had too few Mother’s Day with his actual mother and not enough with his wife. So he has no idea what he used to do - but he finds he enjoys watching shitty films with a group of other traumatised misfits.

Preston Sin - Preston’s mother is long gone, thanks to his immortality. When she was alive, Mother’s Day was special for her and gifts were expected. If she received one less gift, there was hell to pay, even though all of them knew the gifts would maybe last a day or two at best before finding themselves in the bin. But now, she’s gone, and he’s still around and kicking, with a new family who would never throw away presents.

Maggie Snare - Maggie didn’t celebrate her stepmother for Mother’s Day after her actual mother divorced and left her father, which may have started the rivalry and contempt but who knows? Most Mother’s Days, she’d go out with her friends or spend the day studying and being as far away from her stepmum as she could humanely be. If there were plans, she’d reluctantly abide by them. Now she has more freedom and people worth celebrating.

Luke Fortunato - Luke was too young to be able to get things for his mother before he and his brother were sent into care, plus there wasn’t much she cared for. The people running at the carehome weren’t motherly (or fatherly for that matter) so they never expected gifts, almost never received them and they seldom deserved them. He’s glad he didn’t bother because if he had, maybe Ezekiel would have been more bothered. 

Ezekiel Fortunato - Ezekiel’s only gift was to fuck shit up for them - pour the carers’ secret stash of booze or weed into the gutters, piss in their food, blocking the drains up, anything really to make the carers’ lives just as miserable as their clients’. It was a daily gift, because he didn’t know Mothers’ Day was a holiday for a long time, barely escaping his teen years without knowing it existed. He regrets not knowing - coulda done more.

Kiyoshi Kornai - Kiyoshi didn’t have a mother figure, even though she was a Born Hell Demon, and demons don’t celebrate human-made holidays regardless. It took a while for her to be introduced to the concept of the holiday and she’s still uncertain on how she feels about it - cute and something she celebrates with her family now but, at the same tine, how many times was she suffering on Mother’s Day?

Amber Miller - Amber used to love her mother and was often buying her flowers and chocolates. She’d buy her all sorts of flowers, like roses, and try to pick out all the best chocolates for her, wrap them up and bring them to her in her bed. Now she regrets bothering. She could have saved up that money for something, maybe for when she ran away after her parents refused to accept her as trans. But she didn’t. She wasted it on her mother.

Johnny Miller - Johnny would chip in with their sister’s presents to their mother, giving maybe a pound or two extra to really buy something nice. However, they weren’t as close with their mother, or their father really, Amber being the parent-adoring child. Johnny preferred his own company. But that didn’t make it any harder for Johnny to run away with Amber. Not that they’d ever choose them over their twin. They’ll never be far from her side.

Damien Roth - Damien was an Original Demon, created by the hands of the gods personally, meaning he has no family. He would celebrate the gods, before the war, and give the divine gifts - loyalty, worship, love. That changed when his eyes opened to the injustices demons faced in a world catered toward mortals. Now, with the gods dead and a King who needs to die, the only thing he’ll celebrate will be the promise of them never returning.

Ayla - Ayla is usually in charge of all the Light World balls - not the Mother’s Day one, however. She’s not involved, and leaves it to her son. However, she makes sure he knows what she wants, and that there’s hell to pay if demands aren’t met. Though the Mother’s Day ball is often praised as her son’s, it’s a product of her incessant control and manipulation. That’s the best Mother’s Day gift she can get - relentless power.

Loki Lullay - Loki grew up within the Lullay family and the supposed Lullay curse took his mother from him at a young age. Mother’s Days were the days he’d visit her grave with his brother and father, to lay the most gorgeous flowers for her. He hasn’t seen her grave for eighteen years while his traitor brother keeps up the tradition, or at least he assumes he does. Maybe that’s what drives him to madness. Twenty years away from her.

Malcolm Gull - Malcolm bought flowers for his own mother and his best friend’s mother, before she died at least. After that, he’d buy his best friend flowers on that day, even chocolates, and they’d have a picnic as well. Those were some of the best days for the pair of them, playing Frisbee and football. Then his best friend died. Because of the sorcerers. Because of a sorcerer. He’ll avenge them. He’ll avenge them both. He’ll avenge him.

Nico Angel - Nico never got into Mother’s Day. He’d buy stuff, or at least his father would, for her, maybe bring her a half-hearted breakfast in bed, but no real effort or time put into it. That changed when he became a father, as he’d help his child treat his wife on that day, making food, buying flowers, showering gifts. Too bad it didn’t stay that way - he didn’t stick around for long with them. He just hopes his sons treat their mother well.

Davey Sullivan - Davey grew up with no mother, a dead brother and hatred for his cousin. His father made sure he knew it was his cousin’s fault his mother and brother were dead and made sure that he knew it was his fault that his cousin got away unpunished for his guilt. But for Mother’s Day itself, he’d go to his mother and brother’s graves, lay flowers down and promise them he’d get his cousin punished. Once and for all.

Aerron Yelad - Aerron’s mother loved him much more before he got diagnosed with autism. Despite being ‘vaccine injured’ and ‘proof vaccines do more harm than good’ and ‘the reason I’m not vaccinating the rest of my kids’, he still loves her a lot. He understands that she does love him, he’s just harder to deal with, and she’s giving all the attention she can. But he still feels alone. Alone enough to make bad choices. He’s so desperate.

[gods-rising]

April Posts - Hogwarts

How would the cast of Gods’ Rising be sorted at the famous fictional school, Hogwarts, of Harry Potter? 

Main protagonists first, then minor protagonists, then main antagonists, then minor antagonists. Background characters not included.

Jakob Sullivan - Hufflepuff.

Zlatko Jones - Hufflepuff.

Charlie Parker - Gryffindor. 

Alex Wilson - Ravenclaw.

Kenna Collier - Slytherin.

Klara Lullay - Slytherin.

Eban Jones - Hufflepuff.

Grace Smith - Gryffindor. 

Kai Smith - Hufflepuff.

Maddie Eyighes - Gryffindor.

Nastasia Lavisco - Gryffindor.

Aidan Lavisco - Ravenclaw.

Valeriya Jones - Ravenclaw.

Kyle Smith - Hufflepuff.

Tyler Brae - Hufflepuff.

Shadow - Gryffindor.

Mehmun Salton - Ravenclaw.

Preston Sin - Gryffindor.

Maggie Snare - Gryffindor.

Luke Fortunato - Slytherin.

Ezekiel Fortunato - Slytherin.

Kiyoshi Kornai - Gryffindor.

Amber Miller - Gryffindor.

Johnny Miller - Slytherin.

Damien Roth - Slytherin.

Ayla - Gryffindor.

Loki Lullay - Ravenclaw.

Malcolm Gull - Gryffindor.

Nico Angel - Hufflepuff.

Davey Sullivan - Slytherin.

Aerron Yelad - Hufflepuff.

[gods-rising]

March Post - Birthdays

How would the cast of Gods’ Rising ideally celebrate their and others’ birthdays? (inspired by 13th March being birthday) Sorry for being late, it’s been busy!

Main protagonists first, then minor protagonists, then main antagonists, then minor antagonists. Background characters not included.

Jakob Sullivan - Jakob may not have memories but he has natural instincts to try make his companions’ birthdays as great as they can be! He’ll try get them a nice gift or bake a cake or even just decorate wherever he is. Meanwhile, he’ll pretty much forget his own unless/until someone gives him a present or something. He’d bake his own cake unless someone else already has - no matter what, he’d appreciate their efforts!

Zlatko Jones - Zlatko loves birthday, whether his own or his acquaintances’. In love with traditions, he’ll bake a cake, stick the right amount of candles on and sing out Happy Birthday. He’ll buy balloons with the age of the birthday person and will wrap presents in newspaper (because after everything, he won’t have enough to buy actual wrapping paper!). He’ll help out on any birthday, even if it’s his own - it’s more rewarding for him.

Charlie Parker - Charlie loves surprise birthdays, but she struggles to keep them a secret if she’s part of the planning. It’s reasonable to assume that, if Charlie is a part of the planning, you’re in for a big surprise. And her own birthday, she always seems to know that she’s getting a surprise, but not what said surprise is! Even if she did, she’d feign surprise just to make the planner feel good, and will always show appreciation for it.

Alex Wilson - Alex isn’t one for birthdays - his or others’. Of course, he’s not an asshole, really, so he’ll buy a present, at least say ‘happy birthday’ to the birthday person and, if Charlie is with him or he’s in a good mood, begrudgingly sing Happy Birthday. He’ll casually mention his own birthday but he won’t make a fuss and any party he has, he’d prefer it to be a small gathering of his family-like and best friends.

Kenna Collier - Kenna will get passive aggressive toward anyone who forgets her birthday, and has dedicated an entire notebook to people’s birthdays and wishlists. She even knows her nemesis’ birthday, and will try to get even them as good a present because she thinks it’ll prove that she’s better. When it’s her birthday, she’s the type to wear a huge badge and to carry any presents around in her bag or hands until break.

Klara Lullay - Klara doesn’t give or expect material gifts. For sorcerers, they celebrate their and others’ birthdays, they either perform their talent or make edible presents - cookies, brownies, cakes, etc. - and give them either to the birthday person or, if it’s their birthday, to others, because they think material gifts can bring nostalgia and, if the person is no longer in their life, it will bring more pain. If given material gifts, she donates it.

Eban Jones - Eban will never be able to accept gifts without panicking and stammering and insisting they didn’t need to do this for him and that they really shouldn’t have, really. He’s too nervous to enjoy things, especially his birthday. As for others’ birthdays, he’ll panic and fluster months in advance and will try to subtly find out what they want. Luckily, he has a great mother who also doubles as a great gift giver.

Grace Smith - Grace procrastinates. A lot. And this applies for birthdays. Having a twin means she has to buy him a present and has once bought his present on their birthday. If she’s having a birthday bash and is the one in charge of organising it, it will be a subpar birthday bash that clearly was thrown together last minute. When it’s her birthday, she’s reminding everyone, even her own twin. She just doesn’t like being forgotten.

Kai Smith - Kai likes planning stuff. It's not really a love or obsession but if given a chance to organise an event, he’ll happily get involved. So he helps his father or any adult who asks to set up any party, whether it be decor or food plating or clearing up. He prefers to help out at others' parties so sees his and his sister's parties as hers. She's the popular one after all, and Kai prefers to stay out of his twin sister's limelight, 

Maddie Eyighes - Maddie would love to have an actual party. Her last birthday was her ordering a pizza and eating it outside the school because she didn't want to have to share it with her foster family. She never got to have an actual party with people she cared about because her foster family, already neglectful enough, couldn't afford anything big at the time of her birthday. Plus, she doesn't stay at school long enough to make friends.

Nastasia Lavisco - Nastasia, despite birthdays not really being celebrated (and even if they are, it’s either a bloodbath or a children’s party - not much difference), has never lost count of her or others’ ages and birthdays. So she’ll celebrate by giving them a discount on products she sells to buy weaponry or train them how to fight - maybe even give them one of her swords if they fight well enough and are deemed worthy.

Aidan Lavisco - Aidan has only had Light World royalty birthdays, the only birthdays truly celebrated in the Light World. He’s only attended the fanciest of parties that were his own or his mother’s, and no other person’s. Ballrooms, masks and elegance are birthdays to him. The spotlight is always upon him, as the former Prince and King, so he hates birthdays. Perhaps time on Earth with new friends will change his mind.

Valeriya Jones - Valeriya adores birthday parties and will happily host them, even if the birthday isn’t for someone she knows too well. When it’s one of her sons’, however, she’ll try celebrate it as best she can, with a homemade cake while otherwise she may just buy one. One thing is for certain though - if it’s someone she cares about deeply, she’ll take them out to her favourite spots and give the best gift she can - stories and experiences.

Kyle Smith - Kyle didn’t care much for his birthday for a while, or any birthdays really, but once he became a single father, he realised their importance and seemed to become a birthday enthusiast overnight. No one blows their party horn as loud, sings Happy Birthday as vigorously or parties as hard as Kyle on birthdays that aren’t his own. His own? He’ll sit at home, eat cake and think. A lot. Maybe too much.

Tyler Brae - Tyler enjoys parties. He doesn’t like getting older - who does - but does that really happen to him? He likes the idea of birthdays being an excuse to eat cake and have fun and celebrate a person or people annually. His favourite part is buying the presents because he gets to think about the person a lot more and really pick something out he hopes they’ll love enough to keep. And if he can’t find something, who doesn’t love chocolate?

Shadow - Shadow isn’t keen on celebrating birthdays due to past memories of his human life, but now recognises that those days are gone and dead. He has the opportunity to make new, better memories. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be a party animal - he’ll buy a present, give it as a gift with Tyler, wish the person a happy birthday, take a slice of cake and then sit and brood in the corner. Even on his own birthday. He likes it that way.

Mehmun Salton - Mehmun doesn’t remember the last time he had a proper, celebrated birthday but that may be because he must have been around six when he last had one. With his uncle not caring about him and his former mentor either forgetting or too mad to care, he’s almost forgotten birthdays are a thing. Few reasons have kept him remembering - the cupcakes his cousin would make and his new family never letting him forget.

Preston Sin - Preston is ready with a song and dance and musical number for his birthday and will not let anyone forget. And the same, honestly goes for everyone else’s birthdays. Unlike his siblings, he will never let a birthday go by without the birthday person at the very least blowing out some candles and eating cake, and he never forgets a birthday. No one has found a way to hide the dates from him - perhaps they never will.

Maggie Snare - Maggie isn’t one to make a big scene about her birthday but she can and will make a scene about someone else’s. Already prepared with cake, candle and song, she just needs a date, victim and time and then she’s ready to go. These feelings are only intensified the closer the person is to her - have mercy on her boyfriends’ souls when it’s one of their birthdays, because she will not let them have a terrible day.

Luke Fortunato - Luke just wants a quiet day. He wants a cupcake and the tranquillity of his room (without Ezekiel) and to be left alone. It’s his one birthday wish, the only thing he asks as he’s forced to blow out his candles, and he’s been disappointed every year for three and a half decades. While he’s given up on his own birthday dreams, he won’t let others do the same. He’ll join in with the festivities if they so wish but he just wants a birthday nap.

Ezekiel Fortunato - Ezekiel wants to make a huge statement or at least a huge yell on his birthday. No one will escape the birthday boy and if it’s someone else’s birthday, they can’t ever escape him. On another’s birthday, he’ll scoop them up into a hug, squeeze them and chant Happy Birthday relentlessly. So, on his birthday, he expects something similar. It’s not a birthday in his mind if it’s not loud, obnoxious and interrupted by angry neighbours.

Kiyoshi Kornai - Kiyoshi doesn’t know her birthday so she celebrates the day she escaped the laboratory. She’s happy enough with the idea that she’s out and able to celebrate it as well as the idea that the scientists who worked on her didn’t manage to keep her in, but she still appreciates cake and gifts. On others’ birthdays, she tends to stand on the side but will totally sing along and celebrate with them. After all, she’s free.

Amber Miller - Amber doesn’t care much about birthdays. On others’ birthdays, she’ll throw their (non fragile) presents at them, yell a ‘you’re welcome’ then enjoy the party. She refuses to sing, every time. On her birthday, she’ll open her presents, eat cake and disappear. She hates being sung to so she’ll wear headphones if she’s forced to stick around. But she’ll always give a present to her twin on their birthday and tell them happy birthday.

Johnny Miller - Johnny finds that birthdays make them anxious. They don’t like not knowing what they’re going to get and choosing presents for others is what they dread all the time. The mere thought of giving them something they don’t want makes them want to throw up, so they either get help from someone else or stick to vaguely coveted-by-everyone gifts. Aside from that, they do enjoy birthdays, the cake, the singing, the celebrating... it’s just presents.

Damien Roth - Damien doesn’t care for birthday - he is a demon, immortal, practically ageless, why should he? Though he doesn’t see a point in celebrating a silly tradition, he recognises its uses and will partake in others’ celebration if it creates openings for him - such as organising a vessel or to have something against someone who may otherwise not give him what he asks for. He may not have his own, but he can make birthdays all about him.

Ayla - Ayla believes that birthdays do not celebrate someone’s life but their worth, wealth and uses. Thus, those outside the palace and the royal family don’t celebrate their own, at least not to the knowledge of the royal family. Birthdays celebrated consist of wealthy, gorgeous parties that celebrate the wealth of the one ageing - the grander the ball, the better the person. Ayla makes sure hers is the grandest of all.

Loki Lullay - Loki used to remember birthdays. He would plan for weeks, sometimes months, ahead, work with getting presents or getting his wishlist out and sorting decorations and food out. He would celebrate heartily with song and cheer and booze (even if the person was young), even make a cake for them as well. At no point would he allow the party to go sour, because he’d find something. Now, like his mind, those times are lost.

Malcolm Gull - Malcolm didn’t grow up in a birthday-celebrating home. It wasn’t because they didn’t care, they mostly just couldn’t afford a cake, its ingredients or gifts. They’d attend parties but, as they were never able to bestow gifts to their family and friends, that was often a rare occasion that they could only offer to bring themselves to. Nowadays, he makes sure to spoil his group and self with whatever he’s gotten his hands on.

Nico Angel - Nico, after being a family man, has a habit of getting very into birthday parties. On his own birthdays, he buys a little badge for himself to wear the entire day and tries to keep it for the next year (and is never able to). On others’, he will buy a cute little gift, a badge for them and, if he can afford it or the ingredients, a little cake, which he will then sing with. But his family is dead to him, and so birthdays aren’t as cherished.

Davey Sullivan - Davey never had a birthday and his father never let him go to parties - not that he’d get invited anyway, he wasn’t exactly the class favourite. He played the villain in everyone’s story, even his own, as his father said. However, he has inklings of what birthdays are like - but he still has no interest in going. Twenty nine years without one, he’s not about to break that streak. For all he cares, everyone can celebrate without him.

Aerron Yelad - Aerron last had a birthday maybe the year before or the year of he left school and ran away with Damien, for Damien, because of Damien.Twelve? He’s had mini celebrations since with Tyler and such, but Damien has always forbade anything more than a cake, some decor and five gifts maximum - ‘can’t let him become spoilt, not in my care’. But he’s been at enough birthdays to know he loves them.

[gods-rising]

February Post - Valentine’s Day

How would the cast of Gods’ Rising celebrate Valentine’s Day with their loved one? (not necessarily romantic, despite the holiday name)

Main protagonists first, then minor protagonists, then main antagonists, then minor antagonists. Background characters not included. 

Jakob Sullivan - Jakob would offer a simple picnic, perhaps not even outside in a park, and would make treats such as chocolate covered strawberries and fruit kebabs and even shape them into cute, though perhaps deformed, hearts. If outdoors, he’d then offer a game of some sport that can be done in the area. If indoors, he’d put on a film to watch and use the picnic blanket as an actual blanket. 

Zlatko Jones - Zlatko would buy a bouquet of flowers, trying to pick one out with his loved one’s favourite colours and/or flowers and even put them in a specially bought vase. He would also make a special dinner - most likely his Eban-approved spaghetti and add special ingredients to make it extra special for Valentine’s Day - followed by a dessert, usually an experimental dish to mix it up a bit. 

Charlie Parker - Charlie would take her loved one to karaoke and sing their favourite song, and then would force them to join her midway the song or the next song she sings. She would also buy matching customised shirts for them, or at least something more obvious than a bracelet unless she doesn’t have enough money - then she’ll make them a bracelet using their favourite colours of threads.

Alex Wilson - Alex would take his loved one to a place he loves, whether because it’s secluded, full of good memories or beautiful. He would tell them stories about the place, about his family, his childhood, anything that came to mind. Then he’d tell them how much they mean to him. How happy he is they’re in his life. He’ll make sure they never forget it, but he dedicates Valentine’s Day to this alone.

Kenna Collier - Kenna will meticulously plan the entire day, making sure she has enough money for anything that involves buying things, choosing the best outfit, making sure whatever she buys is at its best - she plans everything. Of course, she cannot plan spontaneity but will (albeit reluctantly) take it all in her stride - she just loves being around her loved one, even if her plans don’t go quite go to... plan.

Klara Lullay - Klara doesn’t show her sorcery to just anyone, you know, so when she uses it to make a special night even more magical for her loved one, you know that she trusts and even admires them. As for what that night actually holds, she’ll cook with them, perhaps even a bit of a food fight, and eat the concoction too with them as well while binge-watching anything they want to, shows or films.

Eban Jones - Eban would enjoy a walk with his loved one. Any time he can get away from his racist town, he’ll take, but Valentine’s Day is special because, when he was younger, his mother and brother would take him on this special hike to a beautiful view every Valentine’s Day. There’s surely not single a better place to show his loved one - a family tradition - that will show that they’re part of the Jones family.

Grace Smith - Grace will take her loved one to the cinema. She’ll sneak in their favourite snacks but still buy the cinema popcorn, as big as she can afford, as well ice cream, if they have it and she has enough. As well as saving up, she’ll beg and plead her dad to give her more money and probably ask her twin brother too. Whatever they watch, probably something easy to make fun of, she’ll enjoy it with them.

Kai Smith - Kai loves simple stuff that is cheap or even free. He’d love just to hang out... but he’d especially love to stargaze with his loved one. Usually the weather is terrible though, so he doesn’t often get to. If he can't, he’ll just sit up by a cliff and look out at the view with his loved one. If he has enough money, he’ll buy ice cream - Ben and Jerry’s, duh - and a bunch of cans of Coke to share, whatever they do.

Maddie Eyighes - Maddie would rather go on a jog with her loved one or go cycling or swimming or literally anything else that keeps her active and out of her foster family’s house; she’d be grateful for the excuse to leave! She’d take her loved one down her favourite routes, whether it’s because of special memories or beautiful sights or because it’s longer and she wants as much time as she can get with them.

Nastasia Lavisco - Nastasia isn’t into affection or gifts. She’d rather give something that matters to her loved one, something she believes they can use. This usually means survival training, something she thinks everyone should have but only Dark Worldians truly need. This may come in form of building shelter, learning how to withstand pain, stitch up injuries. She actually taught everything to Aidan.

Aidan Lavisco - Aidan would try to be as unique as possible. He wants to make a impression, after all, so he’d pay attention to the desires of his loved one. They want to go ice-skating? He’ll take them ice-skating. They want a dinner? He’ll make them what he can. They want to go stargazing? Hell, he’ll take them stargazing. He’ll try to be the best he can be for his loved one - they’re his loved one for a reason.

Valeriya Jones - Valeriya would show that she trusts her loved one by letting them be around her as she works and perhaps even help. She’s not very romantic, preferring conversations, deep talks and working on projects together over big dramatic shows of affection, but she’ll certainly take the day to show them her appreciation by using her time to make a treasured, one of a kind present for them.

Kyle Smith - Kyle doesn’t see himself as having any particular talents but, if it’s a romantic loved one, he’ll write a song or poem to perform for them; he’s also a sucker for holding a stereo above his head and playing music. Even if it’s not romantic, he’ll try show how much he knows about them - play their favourite music, watch their favourite film, eat their favourite food, etc.. One thing is guaranteed - dad dancing.

Tyler Brae - Tyler much prefers to be around his family, so his loved one will usually find themself surrounded by the chaotic group; and so, it should be a nice change of pace on Valentine’s Day when Tyler takes them out on a (mostly) completely secluded meal and a small shopping spree. Ice cream will come after, of course, and then a little chat about how the days, weeks and months before have gone.

Shadow - Shadow... well, kudos to his loved one for gaining that status. He’ll make sure to show how much you matter and just why they’re his loved one. Not one for big shows of affection, Shadow would much rather just make small memories. Maybe a drinking game with others he considers important to him or small feasts, or a trip to a local restaurant with an all-you-can-eat-buffet to enjoy the night away.

Mehmun Salton - Mehmun, in all honesty, doesn’t have a lot of experience with appreciation, whether giving or receiving it. He’d fret for weeks about what to do and probably only calm down with some guidance from said loved one, so in the end, it’ll really be their decision. If they give no help, he’ll buy a gift and a film that he hopes they’ll enjoy. Maybe even watch the film - but only if the loved one wants to.

Preston Sin - Preston seems like he’d have his shit together for Valentine’s Day but, alas, he does not. He would offers beautiful flowers and then panic, worrying if they give off sexual, or at the very least romantic, intent, especially if the loved one receiving flowers is not so romantically. He’ll take them out on a shopping spree and would definitely make an outfit for them out of whatever they bought.

Maggie Snare - Maggie seems to be able to read her loved ones’ minds. Well, not quite, but she knows that flowers, chocolate covered strawberries and a trip out (to a shopping centre or a bar or a club) tend to go a long way. Sure, she’ll give gifts that won’t see the next sunrise but Maggie knows that those blended perfectly with memories that’ll last a lifetime and longer will certainly make for a fun time.

Ezekiel Fortunato - Ezekiel may seem to be sex-and-romance-oriented; while he is and may seem to prioritise them, he is also just as fond of familial and platonic relationships. If faced with a loved one who cannot be given gifts that could be perceived as romantic, he will joke that 'him being there' is the reward before giving them something like a homemade item of jewellery or a scrapbook - something very Ezekiel.

Luke Fortunato - Luke is an avid believer that a picnic in a beautiful location is just as good as any material item. He will make small versions of favourite meals of his loved one for the picnic and bring all sorts of other goods to appreciate. Once they've used the sights as much as possible, he'll drive them along a long, scenic route to a store and buy the two of them ice cream to eat as they drive home - well, Luke will have to wait.

Kiyoshi Kornai - Kiyoshi, for the most part, isn't used to affection - giving or receiving. So when the holiday comes along, all she can offer is freedom. She knows how liberating it can be to be outside, unconstrained by societal norms, the claustrophobic buildings and people's expectations, so she'll take them as far away from the world as she can. Perhaps a drive along the beach or swim in the sea will suffice.

Amber Miller - Amber will trash talk the holiday every other day but the day itself? Will aggressively go all out as much she can, if it's affordable or possible. She'll definitely want to show her appreciation for her loved one. She'd achieve this by meeting them in town and going shopping, buying food and drinks and sightseeing. She'd document the entire day in pictures and look at them whenever she's sad. 

Johnny Miller - Johnny will be too nervous to go all out for their loved one. They'll organise a meet-up but won't go as far as their twin. A cinema trip to watch a bad film and then to a coffee shop for a good coffee and a long chat. They'll happily talk about anything, whether it's a sweet, simple topic about a cute dog or favourite cat breeds or something more serious like politics or the news, and will just be happy for the company. 

Damien Roth - Damien does not think he has a loved one. Most of the time, anyone at his side as an ally is a means to an end - a vessel, a vessel turned soldier or someone he has made a deal with to get his way. Most 'loved ones' are pawns, but he understands that bribery and behaviour training may be necessary. So he will pay attention and reward allies, especially on this holiday, and customise their reward. 

Ayla - Ayla knows she, despite best efforts, is in a vulnerable place - as a tyrant, she wears a target on her back with arrogance but also knows that if she treats her guards and servants well, they will be conflicted and unlikely to listen to her enemies, let alone join them. She will give clothes and accessories as materialistic gifts amongst wealthy food and luxuries. They may not be loved ones, but she'll let them think they are. 

Loki Lullay - Loki has not had a loved one for a while, as he gave no reason for them to stay. In his saner days, and even for a short while after, he cared a lot more. He would teach his loved one to sing or play his mother's guitar, giving tips and demonstrating what to do next, indulging his loved one in the Lullay history of music and song. But those days are long gone along with his mind and any thoughts unfocused on revenge. 

Malcolm Gull - Malcolm is not a callous man, though now there are few he truly cherishes outside his group of Magic Hunters. He’ll treat them to a morning of hunting and then an afternoon of relaxation - eating by a fire, singing songs and sharing campfire stories, whether it's real or fiction (when you've nearly abandoned civilised life to kill sorcerers, it's harder to tell). An evening will go similarly, but with lots more booze!

Nico Angel - Nico no longer trusts loved ones, but he also understands that what made him not trust them was his fault. If he was still in contact with his former loved ones, on Valentine’s Day he would treat them well. He would show them he cared by taking them on an adventure, their own personal little trip into the unknown and explore with them. But now, he is alone. He has no loved ones to explore the world with.

Davey Sullivan - Davey has a rather warped sense of love. He doesn't conform to conventions because no such conventions were established to him in his sheltered, controlled childhood and life. He expresses love through a similar control, which may cause belief that he doesn't trust his loved ones. It's true. He does not trust them to make their own decisions in life, because he was never trusted to make his own.

Aerron Yelad - Aerron grew up with two types of love - breaking love and beneficial love. But he has been welcomed into a new love - love itself. On this day, he will try to give back the love he has been given back. He will make small but meaningful presents that reflect who they are to be gifted to in a way, and they will also be given to those who have given him a bad love. It's fair, after all, to at least try.

[gods-rising]

Gods’ Rising - a Diverse and LGBT+ series

Do you like fantasy? Do you like stories set in your world? Do you like corrupt systems, dead gods and hidden lore? Well, then Gods’ Rising is right up your alley!

Gods’ Rising is a fantasy thriller book series that celebrates diversity and LGBT+ characters. The story is about ten teenagers who attempt to fulfil a prophecy, resurrect the gods of their world and claim their place as heroes and legends. However, once their journey begins, so does the hunt as they discover there are plenty of people who will do anything to either stop the gods from coming back or kill them. You can learn more about the synopsis here!

While the series has a standard plot to carry it, it has themes of love, friendship, acceptance, abuse, trauma, neglect and more. It may be upsetting for some readers; to learn if this series deals with topics you are unable to handle, please read the disclaimer provided. 

With an array of unique characters, arcs and themes, there’s something for everyone! You can learn more about the cast here!

Follow the @gods-rising for monthly posts about the characters and excerpts!