Hi! You can call me Scum. I'm 29 and use she/her pronouns.
I post my fanfics onto this blog, however due to burnout and my job, posting writing is sporadic. Expect reblogs and yapping related to ikemen series/otome for the most part, with my writing sprinkled in-between.
Most posted about characters: Gilbert, Roderic, Clavis, Silvio, Isaac, Alfons and Elbert.
╰❧ Latest: Blog Update (Scum/Rest)
I also stream visual novels, horror, otome and more over on twitch under 'scumberly'. I have a blog for this as well -> @scumberly .
Okay, look, I get it, he's always doing chess stuff. We have very many cards and references to him and chess and sure it can get tiring but like, there's so much symbolism with it. The easiest stuff to note is him being the black king and Chevalier being the white king, especially when it's the two of them dealing with chess. Whiiiiiiich brings me to this card.
It is not lost on me how Gil is holding the white queen in his hand with the white king toppled on the board. For anyone that doesn't play chess, you topple the king on a checkmate. It means you've lost. Your opponent doesn't get to topple it, that's bad etiquette. YOU topple your own, lying him down to say that you accept defeat and the game is called.
But, see, that's also why this picture isn't about Gilbert playing chess with MC because there are NO other pieces on the board. You cannot, in fact, get a checkmate with only two kings on the board. That's a stalemate. You can't win. It's almost impossible to get that far in a game anyways, but that's not the point. This board is specifically set up to send a message, and that message is that the black king has somehow won in a one on one contest, and the white king has given up-- because there is no winning here otherwise! Chev had to forfeit! He had to say, "Okay, I'm done. You win." He had to topple his own king to end the game.
Do you see? Do you see why this card is driving me crazy?! Even if Chev isn't there, even if this story is about Gilbert's possessiveness (as I pretty much gathered from the event details), this picture has his opponent surrendering to the black king with no other pieces in play while Gil fondles the white queen he had captured.
Tell me that isn't something!
I'm going insane.
And! AND! The ONLY way for Gilbert to have the white queen IF there were only two kings and the queen left on the board is for the white queen to have moved RIGHT NEXT TO (in the black king's immediate spaces) the black king for him to take her! Like his route story literally had happen!! A king can only move one space. A king can only capture pieces right next to them. A queen can move practically any direction. But in this case, white had to give their queen to black in order for her to be captured. Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
Series: Ikemen Prince
Characters: Gilbert Kloss
Words: 900
Tags: Pre-Canon, Main Route Spoilers, Child!Gilbert, Blood & Violence, Angst, Hurt No Comfort
A/N: This was my submission for @ikemen-watch 's Ikemen Series Fanzine. You can find the free zine on itch.io, which was released on February 14th. The theme was "First Times."
Deep crimson gushed down the thin blade Gilbert held in his trembling hands. Coating his numb fingers and staining his shirt sleeves, dripping heavily on the stone floor. Thwap plap. Thwap plap. It was almost the sound of a heartbeat.
A gurgling sputter brought his uncovered eye up to his brother's shocked face. The man, fifteen years his senior, reached for the wound where Gilbert still held the stiletto deep in his chest, grasping at it to remove it, slicing through his hands in the process.
He was much stronger than the seven-year-old Gilbert, and after a few seconds of unfocused scrambling, he found the dagger and pulled it free from his body with a squelching sound followed by an enormous waterfall of blood. Like a cask of wine cracked open, it splashed violently onto Gilbert and the floor below. Even when he clutched at the wound to cover it with his own hands, the pool continued to grow beneath their feet with seemingly no end.
So much blood.
It crawled up Gilbert's white shirt, bleeding into the fibers. Like clawing hands reaching towards his own heart, the stain spread over him, burning scars beneath the skin into his very being.
Gilbert slid an uneasy step backwards, smearing the mess below him. Dagger desperately choked tightly in front of him as if he weren't sure he would need to use it again.
He wasn't sure if he did.
He had never taken a life before.
He had never considered taking a life before. Not until he had returned to Obsidian to find his mother and Albert welcoming him home as nothing more than heads on spikes. Not until he had heard his grandfather sneer haughtily about how weak and unfit they were. Not until he had heard the man in front of him laugh about how he encouraged the actions that led to their executions.
The man slumped to his knees, splattering more ruby droplets across the dark flooring. They shone in a way Gilbert hadn't expected, full of life. But soon they would dim and become tacky and dull as that life left them. Just like the man in front of him would soon do as well. He could already see the light leaving his eyes. His skin was dulling an ashen color, the blood on his lips browning as it dried. His red eyes—the same as Gilbert's, darkened with rage—were locked on Gil, hardening as his heart slowed to a stop. Losing their luster until they were as lifeless as stone.
Finally, he toppled onto the floor fully and Gilbert sucked in a deep breath.
It was rancid.
He could taste the rotting copper. He was covered in it. The bile that threatened to force its way from his stomach scorched the back of his throat as he swallowed down a gagging sob.
It was vile.
Pain needled his chest. His heavy heart convulsed unevenly. His lungs burned with every shallow gasp. The man was dead and yet he felt no relief to the heartache he had been carrying since his return home. The scars stung as if acid had been applied instead of salve, corroding the wounds further and poisoning his soul.
The world began to swim and warp and it was then that he realized he was crying. Hot tears filled his vision between each blink.
It was wrong.
Gilbert shakily turned to retreat back to his room. Dress shoes invented for graceful dancing slipped effortlessly in the thickening pool beneath him, causing him to stumble. His cheeks flared red from embarrassment.
So pathetic.
Anger spurred his steps faster until he was running, ramming into his bedroom door, throwing it open and then slamming it closed behind him.
Finally, he dropped the dagger. His hand cramped from being so forcefully curled around the handle that it wouldn't open fully resulting in a bloody claw for his eye to set on.
Finally, he let out an anguished cry. It all hurt so badly. He felt like his very being was being torn to shreds. He clutched his chest on the next ragged inhale and a violent coughing fit wracked his small form, forcing him to his knees.
His head was pounding harder than his feet had slapped the stone flooring. His heart was bleeding out quicker than the brother he had just murdered. His tears came easier, unbidden, unwanted.
He was dead. He caused the deaths of Gilbert's loved ones, and he was dead, but it still hurt so much. Nothing changed. Nothing was better. The hollow expressions of their weathered faces tormented him behind eyes shut tight. Now a third lifeless face haunted him and it wasn't fair!
He deserved the death he received, and yet… and yet Gilbert was still shedding tears.
Gil curled in on himself, wrapping his blood-stained knees with his blood-stained arms. His muddy crimson fingers were numb as they clutched at his clothing. He could taste the rotting copper with every shallow, gasping breath. His heart beat loudly in his ears, and his tears wet his cheeks.
He had never considered killing someone before. But now that he had experience, there was only room to improve.
Tag List: @bakersgrief @specters0rd @scummy-writes @rkmaru @oh-my-otome
If you would like to be added or removed from my tag list please comment or send a message. I'm very bad at remembering, so I'm sorry if I forgot you.
Ending A/N: The idea for the fanzine was first times, and you know I like my angst. I figured most people would write something fluffy or sweet dealing with a romance game, and I'm still on a mission to make people cry, so I decided to go with what I thought might leave a lasting impact.
The idea was, obviously, his first murder, but I wanted to highlight how it was tied in with the loss he suffered and show that he would continue to suffer that same grief over and over again for twenty more years. He never moved on from that day. Every life he took would bring him back because he couldn't kill the boy he was.
My brain has been screaming about Vamp closing for a long while. In this house we process trauma with writing.
Rarely is it posted, I'm old and don't always wanna share because my skills no longer match my previous expectations and works anymore. Yeah, still good but we are all our own harshest critic. However every now and then I am willing to toss something out regardless of self-perception/requirements.
So here is a slew of feelings given form on this. Is it irrational, yes, as well as slightly unhinged in desire. It is wordy, and overly descriptive. That is just how I write at times. If you don't like angst or excessive descriptions (not Tolkien talking trees but you will get the idea) please bypass. My writing is not to please everyone anymore. Comte centered.
Emotions were bubbling up as she rushed past. Greetings and friends that would normally have caught her for a moment of acknowledgment blended by in a swirl of colors and a whirlwind of movement. An amalgamation of feelings had been given life months ago. A wicked small thing that grew ever larger, with sharp teeth and claws that dug into her deepest core. It was a reeling experience of fear and loss that twisted hot and cold in her stomach.
She had been told by others to name feelings. That in doing so it would allow her more control over them and how they affected her. So, she named it sorrow to give it identity and recognition, then forced herself as best she could to forget.
Maybe if she ignored it long enough it would suffocate due to lack of acknowledgment. She had tried to bury it initially, immersing herself in denial and everyday tasks. She tried to drown it with happiness; with the joy he brought her with his presence. Pressed every moment deep into her heart and mind. So completely immersed she was certain he would never leave. It ate it. Every one of them consumed, like flame to paper, her joy crumbled and feathered apart.
Experiences, glinted golden in the occurrence, leaving her to sleep soundly in moonlight’s embrace, but each day she woke again to the fragility of it all. Gossamer thin, memories held together with routine turned into ephemeral moments of smoke and torn spider silk that danced and shredded, dreams turned to ash scattered on waking. The jokes and the banter, stories that had become her daily moment of reprieve from a world that was too overwhelming, too jaded.
With every laugh and small glance, she forced herself to forget in the normalcy, buried the dark thing down further, deeper. Swept the memories back together to from corners of the mansion he had built for love and friends. She had bathed herself in the light of the holidays, participating in the traditions of snow and the new year once again. Accomplishments piled up as she returned each day, the same and the new. Beats to an old familiar dance that brought a soothing melody to life. It sharpened its claws.
Life in the mansion felt like a music box that she could wind and enjoy, a glimmer of twinkling notes in a place that had become a second home for six or seven years now. She could not remember exactly how long it had been, so much had happened. Love that was never ending, friends with expertise that she basked in their presence and knowledge. Acceptance that she had never found anywhere else despite her best efforts. Yet, it taunted in the depths of her mind, a growing shadow and creeping lariat that despite all her mental gymnastics continued to tighten around her.
She found it harder to ignore as days grew longer, where darkness lingered beyond the set of the sun and cold filled her bones. He was there again. Unbothered and unaffected by time. A gentle smile that steadied her wavering heart. In their years together silver has graced its way into her hair, while his remained unfailing gold, spun as though from a fairytale, where the guess of a name could save the day.
“What’s wrong Ma Cherie?”
She froze for a moment, steeling herself against the dreaded thing she would have to say, it had been threating to swallow her for some time, circling repeatedly each time she saw him.
“They are taking you from me.” He expected honesty from her, in his room, this small sanctuary of sands of time and tomes, with him sitting in his winged back chair she acknowledged it. The golden glow of him and the room dimming with the realization. He waited as always for her to continue. “They are taking you from me, and I can do nothing to stop them. I have begged, and cried, along with countless others for them to not do so.”
It stirred again, larger than she remembered it being, despite the depth she had buried it in and locks she had pushed it behind. It had consumed every barrier she had made, tainting and turning it all to despair in her search for something solid to stop the progression
His eyes met hers, unaffected and unsurprised with the statement. “That is not possible.”
“I can assure it, it is. No matter what I might pay, or time I might give, no matter where I might go, one day they will stop me from being able to see you. To share with you moments as we have already.”
He waited.
“They warned us all. Months ago. I thought, I tried to ignore it. To carry on and cherish what we have already.
“They said you would be removed from me, you will go on for others, but not for me. Then they came back, said that they were moved by all the pleas, and we can stay a bit longer. That I can see Leonardo’s growth. God knows he needs it, and I am glad to be here for it.” She felt herself smile at that. “That old wolf needs change and happiness as much as anyone, he has let fears consume him for too long, not without good reasons, but living in that fear stunted him.” She was rambling, thoughts coming faster than she could stop them poured from her lips.
“He has.” Comte acknowledged
She felt it fully. The impending loss, eating all joy that occurred being with him, the claws no longer took small bits, but sliced through everything with anticipatory dread. “I do not wish to be removed from the future with you all. I want to fight with Arthur, and have Theo call me puppy. To go shopping with Sebastain, to poke fun with Drake at Galileo. To go where you go and grow as you do I want this life!”
Ancient and hollow, this must be what it means to be vampire. Realization struck her. To forever want to persevere the moment, the beauty and joy while knowing the next moment or the one beyond held nothing but loss. To starve it all off until the very end, only to lose out to an uncontrollable and inevitable outcome.
Day in, day out. Year after year. Begging fate for longer moments wrapped in the golden hues he dressed himself in. It was a shield from it all. His colors. To wrap memory in a never fading, glinting, untarnished beauty to get through the next moment when the claws would come again.
He sat and waited for her to continue, countless years recognizing loss as only one can when one has already experienced it. “How?” It was a whisper, and a plea, a moth caught somewhere between the web and fangs, exhaustion stilling wings that had beat so long for freedom from inevitability. “How do you go on without going mad when you have found that place?”
He chuckled then, a dark sound that was not often released “Who says we are not mad? To know love it is to know madness. To know loss is to embrace it. To hunt it again is to search in madness.” He did not move, the molten amber of his eyes capturing hers as he spoke. “We are all mad Ma Charie, it is unending. You learn to live with it. To know when it sleeps and when it eats. To go beyond it. To grow despite it.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” It sounded true through, somewhere it resonated with the thing that had been eating away at her, stilling it for a moment like a morning bell breaking through fog.
“We love, and we lose, and we fall, looking for what we once held, even in small fragments. Balms to fille holes left by love. Memories fade, and become stories that we recall. With time they dull, only momentary notes calling back to us, as though they happened to someone else. Still, we search for them again, in other places and other people.”
His eyes never moved, a scholar in this he knew it better than anyone. “Sometimes it is in different ways. Love, that consumes everything waking as it did for Vlad, to work to preserve only the perfection while finding that one person again. Others it is as it was for Galileo and Drake, to remove obstacles in the hopes it could never come again to harm. To deny it time as Leonardo had. The more one tries to control love, the more painful it becomes, turns to madness and we lose it. Ultimately, we are all just stories. Motes of light that resonate for an infinitesimal amount of time with the potential to resonate with others. Once that light is out, we search for it again in the darkness. In people, in places or experiences. Hoping to see and feel it once again.” He gave a small smile that did not reach his eyes.
“It is learning to live with the madness, and not allowing it to consume you that is the hardest part for loss. Time helps, and eventually hope returns. I may not be by your side, even were you turned, memory eventually fades to story, and story becomes inspiration for obtainment. It is what gives life purpose, this madness and desire for that once more.”
“You will find me in places you do not expect, in foods you have yet tasted, in people you have yet to meet. It will not be all of me, but parts of me that grow. You will have to search, sometimes it will be easy to find. Others, you may look for years, or a lifetime. Love is something with wings, that escapes even the hardest pursuits. That is why you must not sink all of yourself into it. Grow, become, learn, it will come. It may not stay forever, despite our best efforts, but it will be there at some point once again.”
“It is the only way I can never be taken from you; your access may go, memory will fade. Life will move forward, but I will never truly be gone. You will find me and I will find you. Somewhere in time.”
Blinking, she realized she had sat as she listened to him, on the windowpane as light and warmth draped over her. Sunshine. Slowly it soaked into her, the beams carrying Comte’s words. They steeped through muscle and sinew, filling her bones with the warm promise of spring. She could hear voices on the other side. The verbose cacophony of Arthur and Isaac and Dazai as they quarreled in the garden. Piano notes danced on the wind, Mozart. A distant clang of swords. Jean and Napoleon. It was home, in a strange sort of way she would never be able to describe. It was surreal and more real than anything else she had experienced.
They would all part one day, regardless of availability. That was life, nothing could stop change, seasons would come and go, the same and so very different time and time again. Endless.
Ancient. He waited for her, in the depths of room where light did not quiet reach. Strides away but it felt like the world. He waited. Neither pressing nor rushing, for her to accept, as he always did. A lifetime could have passed as he waited for her to process it all. It was a burden she would have to carry, regardless of his desire to do it for her.
“I will not stop looking for you. In time, in space. Wherever I must go, or however long I must wait, I will find you. I will never say goodbye. I will simply find you again. Until next time.”
“I know. You have done so, before. You will doubtless do so again.”
Brr, if you thought that fanfic is all sunshine and rainbows, you haven't tasted the premium grade angst delivered by none other than @rjthirsty! Prepare to get your core shaken!
If you want to see what happened to Gilbert, do make sure to stay tuned for the release of First Time For Everything Ikemen Fan Zine. Coming to you this February!
This is the first zine I've ever participated in, and what a perfect theme, too!
Release is expected mid-Febuary! I can't wait to share another Gil fic with you guys, and everyone else has done such amazing work as well. For real real, it has all been super cool to see coming together.
Making these for the last time (ikemen wise), so this time I've made them for 2026 and 2027. These are to print out for free! These calendars not only mark down ikemen birthdays (from select games) but they also have a slot for you to insert your own photo of whatever you'd like!
They were made with my wallet in mind to be wary of when cyb*rd may drop birthday sale sets.
A special thanks to @natimiles for compiling a list of bdays across all the cybird games, it was very handy for me to use as reference! Another special thanks to @rjthirsty for helping me get the ikemen villains emblems to use on here.
Here is an example of Feb 2026! Each folder is broken up into Ikemen Prince only Calendars, Ikemen Vampire, Ikemen Villains, a combo of all three, or just versions without any ikemen bdays as well!
Download Links: 2026 Vers || 2027 Vers
Important Notes:
This was made for fun, and I am not an artist at all, so there may be small imperfections and boring design choices. I am sharing since friends and followers were interested.
The size of the calendars overall are made to print on a full sheet of regular printer paper (8.5x11). (I highly recommend using cardstock if you have the option!) You should be able to use your computer’s default printing option to print these off fine.
The size for the customized photo window is 1129x1241 pixels. You should be able to edit this in any program designed for editing photos, I even tested it and made sure you could put in a photo using MS Paint!
Keep in mind that when printing, some printers may skew the colors a bit and make them either lighter or darker.
For the jp spoiler characters/newest characters in ikevamp and ikepri, their bdays are not listed. I don't have their emblems/crests so I could not add them. (for ikepri this is azel, matias, and kagari, I can't find a clean version anywhere for them)
For the JP spoiler characters in ikevil, however, I was able to get their emblems!
Ikevamp has no July birthdays, so there is just a blank calendar in the Ikevamp Only set. In the other sets, it will only show the Ikepri/ikevil bday for that month.
The same thing happens in june, but with ikevil instead.
If there is an issue like a misspelling or a suitor’s birthday being listed wrong, please let me know 🙏
If you enjoy this or end up using it, please consider reblogging or commenting! That way I can consider revisiting this in 2026 and trying to make improvements based on the interest.
If you super duper enjoy it and feel very generous, I do have a ko-fi link in my pinned post, but these are 100% free to download and do not feel pressured to do anything else.
Ikevamp Masterlist || Ikepri Masterlist || Ikemen server (18+)
Tag list: @keithtopia @xbalayage @sleepingdatura @queengiuliettafirstlady @yarnnerdally
Seeing a post about LJ possibly shutting down, and I was thinking about all the fics and recs and meta that haven’t been posted elsewhere. A lot of people who got into fandoms later don’t know how much good stuff was never put on Ao3. Would just be sad to lose all that.
--
Yup.
I assume the post you saw was linking to Denise's thread. Your options are to import to DW (if it's your own LJ account or a community you own) or to buy ViddersAdmin's program, which sounds like it can grab coms, including all of a kinkmeme's comment threads. It doesn't sound like it can grab locked posts, but I'm not sure.
--
I hope this lights a fire under people's asses to save things. Personally, I got very tired after nobody gave two shits about yahoo groups.
People for whom LJ was peak fandom can work on saving LJ content.
Everyone has been posting some form of a wrap up regarding the new year, or talking about 2025 as a whole, and it made me a lil nostalgic. As much as I would love to boast about word counts and similar, I realized that for 2025, I posted a whopping two ikemen fanfics on AO3, when in 2024 I managed at least 13… 🥲
I don't bring that up to be like "aw man that fucking sucks", but to realize that when october hit, I managed a fanfic a month! short, but like. Still!! Whoa!! Writing!!! I think it was maybe obvious to a lot of people, except me, that I needed some new thing to sink my teeth into. And it's been really nice. To just start over again, on a new blog and having to rebuild roots, learning to navigate in new spaces.
It does make me nostalgic, because it's hard getting set up in a new space. It makes me think about the early days of postin ikemen fanfic and joining servers, slowly building up a fun group of friends to hang out with. I get to learn a lot about myself again! And appreciate all the kindness yall have shown me over the years, you know?
I don't have a huge, long post of various rants this time, just a little incoherent Thank You to yall, and for helpin me through 2025 even if it was clear I was dyin out a little. I'm not very good at expressing it, but I have too many fond memories here and think about them often. You guys were always super kind to me!
(PS: I do want to get another round of calendars out for myself, and I'm going to still post the ikemen ones if I have the time to. It'll probably be the last year for them! Thank you to everyone who uses those as well 🙇♀️)
Everyone has been posting some form of a wrap up regarding the new year, or talking about 2025 as a whole, and it made me a lil nostalgic. As much as I would love to boast about word counts and similar, I realized that for 2025, I posted a whopping two ikemen fanfics on AO3, when in 2024 I managed at least 13… 🥲
I don't bring that up to be like "aw man that fucking sucks", but to realize that when october hit, I managed a fanfic a month! short, but like. Still!! Whoa!! Writing!!! I think it was maybe obvious to a lot of people, except me, that I needed some new thing to sink my teeth into. And it's been really nice. To just start over again, on a new blog and having to rebuild roots, learning to navigate in new spaces.
It does make me nostalgic, because it's hard getting set up in a new space. It makes me think about the early days of postin ikemen fanfic and joining servers, slowly building up a fun group of friends to hang out with. I get to learn a lot about myself again! And appreciate all the kindness yall have shown me over the years, you know?
I don't have a huge, long post of various rants this time, just a little incoherent Thank You to yall, and for helpin me through 2025 even if it was clear I was dyin out a little. I'm not very good at expressing it, but I have too many fond memories here and think about them often. You guys were always super kind to me!
(PS: I do want to get another round of calendars out for myself, and I'm going to still post the ikemen ones if I have the time to. It'll probably be the last year for them! Thank you to everyone who uses those as well 🙇♀️)
I've been debating on making a sappy new years/2025 reflection post while I've been cleaning today (i will likely do so, i just get embarrassed when I'm super sappy), and then it came time to take this dude down
I loved making this lil thing. I thought it was super cute and i locked sharing it for others to print off. (Ngl, I miss making things like that in general).
But i...literally never used it 😭 the dates say november, but thats of nov 2024 or 2023, whatever year I made them in... 😭 i never could stick to it.
Kinda crazy how you can go so far as making your own bs weekly schedule to help with the possible adhd issues, and two years later you're like "damn gil, I didnt even use you huh, you were just a pretty face on the wall"
hello, I don't like doing this but due to some unplanned circumstances with my job I am very short on money this month. I have set up a kofi page here if anyone is able to help
: ̗̀➛ A/N: This was a Secret Santa gift! I was very very excited to write Clavis and think I got his gentlemanly behavior and questionable choices down pat! I did not expect this to actually predict our now current story event in EN ("Our Tailor-Made Romance") but I'm all for happy coincidences 😂 inspired a little by the chorus to Kacey Musgrave's "Ribbons and Bows", I thought it fits Clavis' desire for love and tying up MC
: ̗̀➛ Warnings: No pronouns but reader wears a dress, Clavis brand tricks and traps, Clavis brand flirting, questionable displays of romance, the whole kingdom pities you, a smidgen of sexual tension~
: ̗̀➛ Word count: 2182
Masterlist
Clavis could hardly be considered a conventional type of lover, but it’d be a lie to say you didn’t appreciate all his eccentric ideas of love. Whether it meant strangely colored and shaped confections, extravagant and sentimental decorations, or his sickeningly sweet nicknames, the previously titled third prince worked tirelessly to show you his love and his worthiness to earn yours back. It was something he had always shown you since first meeting him, though you knew his antics in the beginning were less about love and more about garnering attention, in whatever way he could do it. However, as your relationship grew and bonds deepened, his actions became more sincere, honest attempts to win your heart and secure your love.
With that being said, there was still the occasional moment that made you question just how far he was willing to go to test your resolve in being with him. With the holidays approaching, it didn’t escape your notice that Clavis was clearly scheming. He never told you outright lies, of course, and you knew that he always sought to make you smile. But his glittering golden eyes seemed to look a little bit more mischievous, his words and smiles a little more ominous, and you didn’t miss the pitying looks from the townspeople, Cyran especially, whenever you made your greetings. Attempts to glean any information were met with a “I wish I could say” or an “I’m sorry”, but whether that meant they knew as little as you did or that they were sworn to secrecy, you weren’t sure. All you could do was mentally prepare yourself for whatever Clavis had in store.
By the time Christmas Day arrived, your nerves were frazzled, more than a little jumpy as you expected— Well, you didn’t know what you expected, and that was the problem. Whether it was a smoke bomb, a pit trap, funny foods, or a net, Clavis was capable of many surprises. One of these surprises was a perfectly normal looking breakfast.
“Clavis... what is this?” You couldn’t help asking, seeing a smattering of dishes across the dining table. You could see crepes, sliced fruit, a bowl of whipped cream and some chocolate spread, along with eggs and a couple kinds of meat. It all appeared so... normal. The colors weren’t unusual, and the food smelled perfectly delicious.
This was not your troublesome fiancé.
Clavis’ expression twisted a little, putting on a hurt face as he ushered you towards your seat.
“Dearie me, isn’t it obvious?” he said, pulling out your seat expectantly. “I just wanted to make a delicious Christmas breakfast for my dear lover, to give you some energy for what we have planned for later. Isn’t that okay?”
He caught the questionable look you gave the chair, but it was always impossible to say no to Clavis. You let him seat you, relaxing just a little when nothing seemed to jump out or grab you. “And just what do we have planned? You haven’t mentioned anything to me yet.”
“I thought we’d take a little trip in the carriage, see the beautiful sights of the Kingdom of Lelouch, followed by a little Christmas party with our friends, and ending with a special night with yours truly.” Clavis gave you a big, handsome grin as he took his seat, looking quite like the cat that got the cream. He speared a piece of fruit with his fork and took a bite, then looked at you expectantly. “Doesn’t that sound like a perfect way to spend the holiday?”
You studied your fiancé’s face, but his expression gave nothing away.
Truthfully, you weren’t actually that anxious. Perhaps you were just used to his antics, or maybe you were just that twisted yourself. Either way, what Clavis described to you sounded simple and enjoyable enough, and the joy and excitement of the holiday season started to override your need for caution. Clavis gave nothing away as you watched him closely, and eventually your rumbling stomach urged you to move on.
Your next hurdle for the morning was the food in front of you. It figures that now that you were used to his odd dishes and tastes, the “normal” food would weird you out. Clavis watched you closely as you cautiously built together a fruit crepe and took your first bite. You were almost disappointed as the flavors of the fruit and whipped cream melted in your mouth, tasting exactly as they should.. and yet not quite as expected. You could see your lover fighting a smile, and you knew that he had truly changed you, for better or worse. But with that, you two enjoyed a seemingly peaceful breakfast together, discussing your plans and basking in each others’ presence.
After breakfast was the snow ride. Snow had fallen the night before, leaving a soft white blanket on the ground, and while it was beautiful, it was still chilly. Clavis presented you with your first three gifts specifically for your trip, the first being a beautiful light cream gown with lavender accents just for the holiday. The dress hugged you so comfortably, and a smartly designed layering of side slits allowed your lover access to your legs without sacrificing too much warmth or dignity. A large white ribbon accented your waist, giving you the distinct feeling of being a present yourself. Second was a pair of rhodolite and pearl earrings, your lover ever mindful of your love for the kingdom, and he gladly took his time putting them in for you. And for the third gift, as you were ready to go outside, he adorned you with a crushed velvet cloak in a rich purple color as the finishing touch. Clavis’ eyes were dancing with delight as he took in your image, seeing you dressed in his colors and the items he chose just for you. It was a fight for him to contain himself, but you could see the way he (barely) reined himself in before setting out on your date.
The carriage ride was uneventful, if you weren't counting the way Clavis kept you close and seemed to suffer from Wandering Hand Syndrome. It was a chance to relax after breakfast, see the way the snow transformed the landscape, and catch a glimpse of the happy townspeople as they participated in their own celebrations. If it had just been you and Clavis huddled away somewhere cozy like this, this already would have made for the perfect Christmas. However, you couldn't help the nagging sensation that Clavis was still up to no good, especially as the scenic ride came to a close without a hitch.
Once you returned home, time passed by in a whirl as you prepared for your party and waited for your guests to arrive. A handful of Clavis’ brothers arrived, not all of them being able to escape their duties for Christmas back home, and each gave you their greetings, gifts, and the usual condolences. Besides the Rhodolitian princes, various noblemen and women, even some local townspeople, also arrived, leading to a lively atmosphere of varying backgrounds. Cyran, Kai, and Hugo of course had the opportunity to join in, and it was wonderful seeing them get to indulge for once. You'd never seen them eat so much food, but you supposed it was thanks to Clavis preparing more seemingly-normal dishes, and them taking advantage before something unexpected happens.
Cyran and the boys weren't the only ones feeling suspicious. Everyone could sense a trickster's air coming from the former third prince, and his ever-present smile did nothing to assuage their doubts. But once again, as the clock ticked away and the energy in the room began to dwindle, nothing seemed to jump out or catch anyone. No smoke bombs were thrown, no funny looking foods were given, and there were no pit traps to be found. You couldn't help throwing your fiancé the occasional suspicious look, trying to suss him out or at least have him break his facade. But as the party wore on, your lover acted the perfect gentleman, with nary a trap in sight.
Once evening arrived, you two said goodbye to your guests and left the mess for the morning, the only thing remaining now was the “special night” you’d been promised. Knowing your fiancé, he had any number of ideas in mind to make the evening hot, and it was easy to get carried away with the possibilities. You decidedly ignored the heat filling your cheeks and your lower belly.
With the party concluded, Clavis told you to head to the bedroom first, claiming he would grab some drinks while you get changed. You thought nothing of it as you went down the hall, excited to see what was in store.
After being suspicious for so long, you finally had to admit that Clavis may have simply decided to be good, and that maybe you should have trusted him and his plans. What you weren’t going to admit was the strange disappointment at the lack of chaos, because you knew your lover would only take that as a sign to go wild next year. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth and all. Instead, you were going to just let some giddy excitement run through you, and really enjoy whatever your fiancé planned to give you…
…which was a mistake.
A second after you opened the bedroom door, some sixth sense seemed to go off, telling you to run. But before you could act, you were whirled around and swept up into the air, your arms and legs getting bound together in an all too familiar fashion. Sure enough, looking down as you hung from the ceiling, you could see a red and white striped ribbon wrapped around your body, a little bow made here and there in what you could only assume was in the spirit of Christmas. It was certainly festive, you had to admit.
The ceiling trap wasn't the only thing Clavis had planned. As you took stock of your surroundings, you realized you weren't only thing wrapped in ribbon. Nearly every visible surface of the bedroom was all wrapped up in ribbons and silk of varying widths and colors, different designs, and different fabrics. The pillows were wrapped, and so was a chair, and even the little clay figures made to represent you and Clavis were decorated with little matching festive bows. The variety of colors and designs was a feast for the eyes, chaotic yet still united in their mayhem.
A laugh bubbled up in your chest.
It was so clearly Clavis, something only a god of chaos like your lover would come up with to celebrate the day of St. Nicholas. As you couldn't hold back your laughter, a slow clapping could be heard as Clavis finally entered the room.
“Well, well, well, I didn't think you would be laughing so soon, my dear,” Clavis said. “Perhaps I don't need to ask anymore, but what do you think of your Christmas surprise?” Just his expression said how happy he was about your reaction, his eyes glowing in excitement. But something you learned early on in your relationship with this mischievous man was that he relied on both your words and your actions to ascertain your feelings.
It was hard to talk through the giggles, but you managed to string together your words. “I love it, Clavis, even if it means we’ll be unwrapping things in the room for the next week,” you said, your cheeks starting to hurt from smiling so much. “I knew you were up to something, and I should have known it'd have to do with a trap. I love it very much, but can you release me now? I still have to give you your presents too. I also want to give you a kiss.”
You leveled your best puppy eyes at your fiancé, hoping it would convince him to end his scheme. If Clavis was weak to anything, it was your kisses. The offer certainly seemed to get his attention, however his expression didn't change.
“Hmmmm…” Clavis hummed as he stepped up close. He used a single finger to trace the ribbons stretched across your body, starting up high and slowly moving downwards. The movement sent a spike of heat through you, and suddenly the ribbons felt too constricting, your senses becoming overly aware of how each one wrapped around you. As a heat and a restlessness settled in your limbs, Clavis’ hand finally stopped, resting over one of your thighs. It was then that you noticed his smile had turned devious and sultry, a heat in his eyes that wasn't there a minute ago.
“I don't think I can do that just yet. After all, shouldn't I get to unwrap this Christmas present first?”
His hand lightly stroked your thigh, slowly moving inwards, and it wasn't long before you were feeling much too warm in your clothes. As ribbons came undone and clothes fell apart, you knew you were in for a very long, very merry Christmas night.
My commissions are open — actually I've always had them open on Worfi, but nobody has ever actually commissioned me on Tumblr before. I'm expecting an influx of bot dms and nothing else. I think this place might just not be good for this. I'm stuck over on Twitter forever.
@xxsycamore and I were considering facilitating a Content Creation Challenge in an effort to try and bring some activity back into the fandoms.
There's been a lot of changes that have happened on the game fronts, and even if the challenge was modified, we wanted to put this survey out to try and gauge if there would be any interest.
This survey is for both creators and consumers. Click HERE to share your feedback.
Let me know if you have any questions, and we're happy to hear your thoughts! Please help us share for additional reach!
We'll be glad to see what you guys are in the mood for these days in the fandom! Let's find a way together to bring back some activity and have fun like the good old days! ❤️
I've been going through some of the promos just to try and be like "maybe this is a filter fucking things up?" and other backgrounds, and man. Here's some from the Shadow News promo photos of the room with Levi:
I dont really think a filter would meld all the utensils together for the Ultimate Wooden Utensil like this, when the other ones and other thin details arent mesed up, and then what is going on with the paper towels?
more background stuff from normal story progression:
why are the centers melding in like this to this flower shape middle...
the banister doesnt connect with pieces of itself?? and whats with the weird chair backing?
what in the hell happened, i thought they had the assets from the og games?? maybe they couldnt and tried to use ai to recreate them??
