#espada asks

[cepheusgalaxy]

sometimes i think about if my ocs would be good if they were in espa's position (i.e working as living weapons in espada's universe)

👀 wait this is a very cool thought....espada crossover au when

[cepheusgalaxy]

That chapter made me feel hollow inside.

I need at least a business week to process this.

On one hand I am pretty happy that my so awaited arc finale seems to have such an intense impact <3 but on the other hand: YEAH 😭

Oh goddddd that chapter hurts. Fun facts: I rewrote it about three times (ciça's final scene in particular) because i just couldnt nail it down for the life of me and part of me was like 'well, something is better than nothing and you dont have to have it perfect! just 'good enough' is good enough!' and the other was 'SHE NEEDS TO GO OUT WITH A BLAST!!!!!!' I also usually think of the chapter's titles either a couple chapters in advance or in a whim as I go, right, but ch22? I had that title planned out since like. Gisele's introduction. It haunted my thoughts for fifteen months before I even wrote it. I was counting down the days to finally reach it. And I've NEVER stuck to a story for so long that i'd finished a whole ass arc so this is very huge to me :) anyways

I don't think I've actually delved deep into what Ciça's death actually means for everyone involved beyond the immediate aftermath. This is an inciting incident. Espa isn't the only to grieve her- Remember how Ciça has a whole ass family living a couple cities over? Augg I'll try not to reveal much more than what I already have but yeah. I am really excited to show y'all how this is gonna go.

Also, nobody asked, but in sort of an indirect way Ann is SO getting in trouble for that final shot.

[cepheusgalaxy]

ESPADA WHUMP ASK GAME BLAST💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

49) Tell everything you've ever wanted to say to your whumper (we won't tell anyone!)

50) Share one of your happiest moment of freedom for us!

46) If you could become an animal, which one would you choose? Why?

43) Are you afraid to die?

40) Does your whumper listen to your pleads, complaints or requests? What would you never ask them for even if you absolutely needed?

35) If you were given an opportunity to escape, what would you do? Where would you run to?

21) Does your whumper provide you with any things of entertainment to do in your spare time?

15) Have you ever tried asking anyone for help? If so, how did they react?

16) Do you hide from your whumper? Does it help? How long it takes for them to find you?

8) How would you describe your whumper?

9) How strict your whumper has been with you?

10) At which points are you most scared of your whumper?

7) Have you ever planned your escape? If so, do you think it's gonna work? (We won't tell anyone)

5) Have you ever been interrogated? For what reason? Were you tortured there?

1) When did you meet your whumper for the first time? How was it like?

v big blast.....woah

:D omg..... asks...... :D

1) When did you meet your whumper for the first time? How was it like?

They stop for a moment, trying to bring back the memory.

"It was around six years ago," they say. "I--my former handler had just passed away." There is a pause. You're not sure of what it means. Before you can think much of it, it's already resumed: "She was imposing. But I guess I didn't really have any stronger impression at first."

5) Have you ever been interrogated? For what reason? Were you tortured there?

You almost catch an aborted sigh.

"Just the usual."

7) Have you ever planned your escape? If so, do you think it's gonna work? (We won't tell anyone)

That gets it to stare blanky at you. You begin to second-guess if asking this one was a good idea.

"Never," she lies. A frown takes over its face. "Abandoning your family is abandoning yourself."

8) How would you describe your whumper?

It bites its lip. "Competent."

You wait, thinking she'll go on. Multiple descriptions seem to cross over her mind - scary, hot-headed, difficult to please, terrifying, maybe? - but she doesn't.

9) How strict your whumper has been with you?

"Strict enough," she answers. Then, after a pause, "Maybe not enough. She follows the regulations as intended," it's quick to add, as if it doesn't want you to think poorly of the handler.

10) At which points are you most scared of your whumper?

There is a pause. Espa's eyes go a little vacant. "When I mess up."

15) Have you ever tried asking anyone for help? If so, how did they react?

"It doesn't work like that," it answers instead, sounding the slightest bit annoyed. Exasperated. As much as Espa can be, anyways. "It- It doesn't work like that."

16) Do you hide from your whumper? Does it help? How long it takes for them to find you?

You catch a movement. It's as if she's clenching her jaw. "No. There's no use. It's disrespectful. She also wants it to get over with," they sigh. "It's better not to keep her waiting."

21) Does your whumper provide you with any things of entertainment to do in your spare time?

They seem a little uncomfortable at the question. "There's no need."

35) If you were given an opportunity to escape, what would you do? Where would you run to?

Espa shoots you a glare. It doesn't answer.

(ooc: stares at her like this 0_0)

40) Does your whumper listen to your pleads, complaints or requests? What would you never ask them for even if you absolutely needed?

It seems to take them aback. "No. Yes," she corrects. "I'm supposed to report when I'm compromised," it looks away. "She doesn't need to be bothered with anything else."

43) Are you afraid to die?

The pause is longer this time. "You're supposed to."

46) If you could become an animal, which one would you choose? Why?

They blink. "A dog?"

49) Tell everything you've ever wanted to say to your whumper (we won't tell anyone!)

Something that seems to be a groan crosses their features, suppressed before long. "There's nothing," it insists. "She is- she is a little bit prone to escalating. It's difficult to keep passerbies from driving her insane." It bites her lip. "Ms. Ann is much more reasonable than many handlers. It's nothing."

She doesn't tell you who the "many handlers" are.

50) Share one of your happiest moment of freedom for us!

Her face softens in surprise. They look down. The reply takes a while to come.

"With Ciça, she-" it bites its lip. Something's changed in its face. You're not quite sure of what it is. "She gave me cake, once. We've cooked together." Two separate instances. She doesn't seem like she wants to choose. A ghost of a smile shows up. "I'm not sure. Sorry."

[cepheusgalaxy]

Sending English Breakfast and Chai (from this ask game) for any characters you want to answer with, preferably including Gisele. :)

- @for-the-ouchies

Thank youu ^_^

English Breakfast: What is your OC’s morning routine?

Back at home, Gisele would wake up early and do her and her sister's breakfast then head out to work. Currently, she wakes up at around sunrise and starts getting shit done before Ann can come out and start getting in her way. She likes showering and eating and brushing her teeth all before seven (<- when ann usually wakes up) bc she loathes the idea of accidentally running into her on the bathroom, or WORSE, ann running in while she's there, and, god-forbid, showering. She's gotten nightmares with that scenario before and holds a reasonable belief that the handler would throw her out of the bathroom whenever if she needed to use it, soapy and wet and all, so she avoids doing it while she's awake. Gi doesn't usually have a lot in the way of breakfast so she holds onto a snack and starts making Ann and Espa's (<- since breakfast is the only actual meal espa gets aside from rations) and by then they both start waking up and she goes about the rest of her chores for the day

Chai: What is your OC’s comfort food/drink?

I think it's something like vatapá and caruru- it reminds her of home and of big family gatherings or special sunday evenings. Through a lot of her life, Gisele's had to cook for herself (+ her little sister), but early on it was her mom who taught her how to do it and she remembers her cooking fondly. Having a bit of a breather and having someone beloved make the food for her and then eat it in a merry day at peace... it wasn't often but she misses it.

If you don't know, vatapá + caruru are brazilian foods (most commonly found in the northeast, gisele is originally from the state of bahia) that carry a Huge african influence and they're not as common as like black beans+rice+meat+cassava flour but they are DELICIOUS. they usually go together (+ white rice) and this is what they look like:

At the top it's shrimp, to the shrimp's left is white rice, to the shrimp's right is farofa (basically you heat cassava flour a bunch and it gets kinda yellowy and its also tasty). below the rice is caruru and beside the caruru is vatapá + at the center are the beans! on it go stuff like palm oil & shrimp, black-eyed peas (like the beans in the picture) and peanuts and stuff. it's awesome. u can also put it in acarajé (kind of a fried bun of bean dough) but i'm getting off trackkk. yeah that's gisele's comfort/favorite food if you gave it to her rn she'd lowkey just start crying she has very fond memories of eating it

Aside from that hmmm something she'd have more easily and more often. i think pastel :) it was not too expensive (she knew a place that sold it for cheap near home) so when she couldnt cook shed just buy that for her and giovanna. it was nice. she's really fond of the plantain + shredded/dried meat one and would ask for that same flavor everytime. it always helped lift her moods

[cepheusgalaxy]

maybe this has been mentioned in the story and i haven't gotten far enough yet, but what about ciça's childhood? :]

:D

Ok so in short: Ciça was born in the 1960's (coinciding with the beggining of the military dictadorship in brazil also) and she lived with her single dad and older sister :) Her sister's name is Maria Evangelista (or just "Eva") and they used to get along well in the beggining but then like. Ciça started exploring her sexuality and dressing a little less "ladylike" (she's always had her hair buzzed like that) and they were both raised Christian right, and Eva was always really conservative and she started resenting Ciça for that. (Ciça still is religious shes just not weird about it like Eva.) They grew up n stuff (they were not super rich but they were okay and the both of them managed to get an education and pretty okay jobs and live well) and Eva mostly kept civil for the sake of their dad (his name was Antônio) and so through the decades they've always lived together. Eva started a family (married with this one guy who's unimportant he's dead by now also) and had three kids, who in their turn had lots of children as well, and Ciça helped raise them and stuff and the little kids' grand-grandfather was always there as well. Peaceful times

Anyways around 5 years ago Antônio died (old age and also covid didn't help) and Eva didn't have reason to keep her around anymore so she just kicked her out and Ciça's had very little contact with her family since then 👍 That's why she lives alone in Sebastião da Graça.

(Fun fact: Her family lives in the capital and one of Eva's grandkids is trans (his name is Guy and he actually will show up in the next arcs) and she is Not Chill About It but Ciça was and she was his only support inside the family (one of his aunts is also ok with it but she doesnt go against the matriarch so its worth nothing) and its pretty rough for him now that she lives in another city.)

[cepheusgalaxy]

From this ask game:

17. What is the worst punishment you've received?

26. Do you like yourself?

and

37. Who do you trust the most right now?

for Espa (and anyone else you want to answer with).

- @for-the-ouchies

17. What is the worst punishment you've received?

Espa's focus turns inwards for a while, as they try to catalogue something as the worst. It's painful to dig too deep. It takes a deep breath before settling on, "Back with my old handler." Her gaze lowers down a bit. "Mr. Cláudio had to tie me up outside once. It was hot."

26. Do you like yourself?

The weapon blinks, the slightest frown. "I apologize," they say. "I'm not sure I understand the question."

(It's complicated. It doesn't see what is it there to like or dislike, but Espa is constantly feeling worthless and insufficient, so they'd definitely "like" it if they were "better".)

37. Who do you trust the most right now?

A fond expression that almost passes for a smile lines their face. It's subtle. Soft. "My handlers," they lie, without effort. It's almost rehearsed, even as their mind strays to someone else, disconnected from their words. A brother. "It is thanks to the ones who trained me and keep me in line that I am able to serve well.

[cepheusgalaxy]

can you draw espa??

beloved if there is one thing i can draw it's espa

[cepheusgalaxy]

how come every single handler is soo onboard with like. child torture and human trafficking like, do none of them feel any regret? how did the dove made them all so loyal if theyre all just. normal-passing people🤔 not as critism of course im just curious its v valid if the answer is rule of cool lolz.

but like...can there be reluctant or conflicted whumpers on it 👁️👁️ feared whumperees?? (besides the weapons of course)

gonna cop-out with the rule of cool card thank you ❤🌹

i do think its kind of family business for some. i havent rlly fleshed out ann's background but in my mind its sort of like that too. the dove's been around for a while now