#captainvonchan

[dreamsincolor]

@captainvonchan replied to your post “It’s my birthday and I made a tweet thanking Jason Mellin for the most...”

EMBARRASSING DOLPHIN NOISES!!

Footage of me getting the notification for his reply:

[ernmark]

The first thing I read of yours was the Human Arum fic and I have been hooked ever since. I have adored everything you've done and I want to say thank you so so much for sharing this with us. Thank you for the time, effort and skill that you've shared with this beautiful fandom. I know you said the story is done but I was curious how Arum and Rilla reacted to Damien returning to his queen without them and his return to them from that trip. THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Thank you!

You know, I wrote that fic before we ever saw Arum and Rilla interact (or hell, before we saw much of Rilla at all). At the time I didn’t know if they’d get along at all, let alone start crushing on each other, and I didn’t want to write something that would turn out to be heinously out of character, so I kept things with her fairly vague. 

It’s a little bit trippy going back to that story after we know what we do about her.

I should also add that I wrote that note and the fic associated with it a looong while back, and I kept waiting to post it because I couldn’t figure out how to work their reactions to Damien coming back (without it mirroring other scenes I’ve written too closely, anyway). But I figure I’m overdue to post some fics, so I’d rather share what I’ve got. 

For those who don’t remember, the Human Arum AU can be found here. 

Arum wakes to softness and warmth and the smell of humans on his tongue. He nuzzles closer against the body nearest his, all but purring his contentment. 

This is how things should be. How they will be, forever.

And then he opens his eyes. His arms are twined with a warm, supple body. 

Only one body. 

And he knows. 

He sits up abruptly, disentangling himself from Rilla. Without her against him, the air feels unbearably cold and sharp against his scales. 

Beside him, Rilla blinks in bleary confusion. “Arum? What is it?” And then her eyes fall on the empty space where another body should have been. The sleep drains from her voice. “Arum? Where’s Damien?”

But it isn’t a question. 

She knows, too.

But she shouldn’t know. Neither of them should. This shouldn’t be happening at all. They bartered with the Queen. They escaped to his swamp. They defeated the sorcerer. They’re safe and free and they have everything they could possibly need, so why is he gone?

And why are neither of them surprised?

“We need to go after him,” Arum says. “We can still catch him, and we can talk him out of this idiotic plan.” He stumbles to his feet, his claws flexing against the floor. “Well?” he demands. “Are you coming, or am I going alone?”

But Rilla hasn’t moved. Her eyes are on the window, and on the sun streaming through the trees, high overhead.

“Damien usually wakes around dawn,” she says quietly. It’s logical and reasonable and he hates every syllable that comes out of her mouth. “He probably left hours ago.”

“Then we’ll go to the Citadel and take him back by force.”

“We can’t do that.”

He rolls out of the bed, already grabbing at his clothes, almost tearing them in his haste. “Then stay here for all I care. If you won’t save him, then I will.”

He hates the hurt in her eyes when she looks up at him. He hates that she still isn’t moved to join him. “That isn’t going to work.”

“It will!” Arum snarls. “I don’t care how many knights there are. I’ll fight them all. I’ll level that wretched city if I have to!”

“It won’t work,” Rilla says, harsh but brittle. Her words feel like they’re caving in on themselves. “I don’t care how hard you storm in there, it won’t make a difference if he refuses to leave with you. This is his choice. You can’t save him from it.” 

Arum tries to look for an argument, a fault in her logic, anything that will prove her wrong. He finds nothing but the pain in the pit of his chest. 

“Damn him,” he hisses. “Damn him and his title, and his duty, and his stupid, self-righteous honor, and his– his–” 

Rilla’s hands wrap around his arm, and he isn’t sure if it’s meant to restrain him or brace him or shut him up. But he doesn’t want to shut up. Not here, not now, not when Damien is gone after everything.

“Why?” he demands. “How could he just leave? Wasn’t this enough for him? Weren’t we–” His voice cracks, and he doesn’t have the dignity left to pretend otherwise. “Weren’t we enough?”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Rilla says quietly, her vibrant voice gone dull. 

“Then how does it work?” Arum demands. “You’re the one who always has the answers up your sleeve, aren’t you? You’re the one with all the explanations. So explain it to me!”

Rilla doesn’t answer. Her head is bowed, her hair fallen over her eyes. Her grip on his arm is painfully tight. She might be shaking– or maybe that’s him.

“Amaryllis,” he snarls, but it loses its edge, chips and breaks and turns into shameless begging. “Amaryllis, please.” 

He pulls her close, and he doesn’t know anymore which one of them is comforting the other. His arms are tight around her, his hand is petting her hair like it’s under a compulsion, and he’s all too aware of how small and fragile she really is, and that terrifies him, and yet he’s clinging to her like a whelp in its first thunderstorm, desperately hoping that she knows something doesn’t.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

[dreamsincolor]

@captainvonchan replied to your photo: Happy (belated) birthday to my favorite...

Send her my love for me!!

Will do!!! <3

[dreamsincolor]

Today: a wee queue while I work and then I’m taking my family to go see Star Wars because Mom hasn’t seen it! (I had several gift cards that were going unused, so technically my clients are taking my family out, but whatever.) Tomorrow: celebrating my brother’s birthday and then I have a rehearsal/recording session in the evening. Busy weekend. As per usual.

And because I forgot to do it publicly: a very happy birthday yesterday to @captainvonchan, she is the greatest and I’m so lucky to call her my friend. :)

[dreamsincolor]

I am the happiest lady because I got to see my lovely @captainvonchan last night!!! Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Anyway, a small queue while I work, rehearse, and watch Elementary tonight. Hoping to pop in on Saturday night for another spam. Be cool until then, okay Tumblr?

[dreamsincolor]

I was tagged by @captainvonchan a million years ago and also @bohemu kinda and ALSO another friend who has deleted their blog. That’s how long ago I was tagged.

One Song: Vesuvius (by Sufjan OF COURSE)

Two Movies: The Emperor’s New Groove, Kingsman (the last 2 I watched)

Three Shows: ELEMENTARY, Last Week Tonight, Castle (the only ones I’m up to date on)

Four People: @captainvonchan @ionsquare @burningupsobright @sarahmonious are my main Tumblr squad rn

Five Foods: graze’s Tuscan Pesto Kern Pops, Amy’s Southwestern Burritos, mini chocolate cream pies, grilled cheese in all forms, Asian pears

Six Tags: nope

[dreamsincolor]

My favorite thing about you is everything. Just all of thiisss :: flails hand indicating all of you :: You're brilliant, beautiful, funny, kind, and have impeccable taste in just about everything. (Well except computers lol ah well) <3 x a billionty

*SMISHES YOU FOREVER*

[dreamsincolor]

Playlist: "Our Road Trip" <3

Ahhh I’m not sure if this is “songs to play on a road trip” or “songs about road trips” so I’m gonna do the first one because it’s way easier.

Patchwork Girlfriend

Here It Goes Again

Cinderella

Wannabe (obligatory nostalgia bomb)

Flaws

Blank Space

Lantern

Smooth Sailin’

S.O.B.

By Hook or By Crook

surprise bonus track!!!

This could also be called “some songs I have been listening to a lot in the car lately and some songs I haven’t listened to in a really long time but are still awesome.”