I AM IN PAIN. I just read the flashback arc and Kate's story literally changed my whole view of SH.
Firstly, SHE'S A HUMAN INFECTED BY A MORPH. Now I'm dying for her face reveal because she has really nice hair.
Secondly, THE DOLL SHE HAD. WHEN EMI GOT IT WET I WAS LIKE "I GET IT CHILDHOOD TOYS ARE IMPORTANT" BUT NO, SHE WAS MAD BECAUSE EMI MADE IT FOR HER WHEN SHE LIVED IN MIRRORSIDE AND ONE OF HER ONLY HAPPY MEMORIES WAS RUINED. AND KATE HAD TO KEEP SECRETS FOR SO LONG BECAUSE SHE KNEW EMILICO WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND. DHWSFQGDCKJO
may i ask what the flashback arc was about / what it was like?
oHHH boy OKAY SO.
This was a big experimental thing spanning about 3 months, so there is a LOT of content within the flashback arc, so it MIGHT seem like a lot to navigate....
but I'll link you some of my favorite art from the arc + all the previous recaps! (we gave up after a while and Chase just put all of our drabbles in chronological order, but after a certain point, we stopped using the asks for crucial exposition anyways)
SO!!!!!
Recap one
Recap two
Recap three
Summary of Flashback arc and Thorezille arc
Summary/Reading order! <- If you only look at one of these, make it this one!! It summarizes the arc from start to finish and explains what happens in each drabble!
AND some art!!!! Under the cut because this will get long. Some of these went along with/were inspired by the drabbles, so I'll include the name of the writing they go with too!
LEGACY!!! The first art I did of Harlan, back before Chase dragged him out of NPC status...
Ben and Chalir... rip Chals :(
Chalir being confronted by Harlan before his murder (That's past stuff!)
Harlan making Veylin feel like the anons don't care about her
OK NOW THE ART THAT GOES WITH THE DRABBLES!!
Progeny
Something New
Return
Carving
Recital
Isolation
You can also look at these if you feel so inclined!!
https://roetrolls.tumblr.com/tagged/benjin%20art
hihi i would like 2 read ur writing n get to know ur lore but i am. So confused can u tell me where to start perhaps <3?
See, I was going to treat this like a recap ask, but I'm a coward
I'm going to cheat and just link all of the drabbles.
Flashback Arc (Formerly known as the Benjin Escape Arc) started with Roe's troll Benjin was living his worst life with his ancestor The Dominion (Harlan).
I was like "Hey, I know a guy who can fix that."
I ALSO explicitly said.
we were never supposed to rp any of this because and i'm quoting myself here "i'm far too busy between work and school"
turns out that was a lie and i'm gonna say this here roe and i have complimentary writing styles okay they fit together okay
ANYWAY
here's the order to read the drabbles in <3
some of the drabbles had uh asks answered between them but i'll save that for the actual recap post and as for the "timeline" i would say along six months minimum, but.
that's just my pretty little bain thinking
it was a pretty experimental thing im not gonna lie, we let anons drive the first half of it and then came up with in character reasons for those things to happen
after a while we formed a loose plot/chain of events we'd hoped to see
(i,e: "at some point harlan would get his hands on zurven" became "an old friend of harlans heard harlan was active and decided to tell him about his moirails descendant" because of anons continuing to tell harlan about the existence of zurven etc etc)
recommended reading order under cut
Progeny - In which Harlan pays a visit to Benjin. This takes place shortly after Veylin contacts Caenos on Benjins behalf to get him the hell out of there.
Everything is Fine - In which Caenos goes to meet Benjin for himself! It kind of takes place during/after Progeny, and is really mostly Caenos coming to terms with the fuckery going on in front of him.
Reprieve - Benjin enjoys some freedom. <3
Something New - Here's a blast from the past! We learn a little bit more about Harlan and his moirail Orfuse (the Evocator)
Teacup (1) - Wuh woh, Harlan makes use of the knowledge contained in the journals of said moirail. And goes to meet Miss Kenshe. :)
Teacup (2) - Veylin tells Harlan he is full of shit.
Something Old? - After Harlan learns of the existence of his late Moirails descendant (Zurven) , he pays him a visit at the shop he works at :)
Something Apple, Something Tree - Benjin meets the Embalmer for tea! Unfortunately, Thanat and Harlan were quite acquainted in the youth. Thanat has an unfortunate slip that makes things rather awkward.
Throwback - Benjin literally can't catch a break! This boy has PTSD. Lets revisit that trauma.
Return - Benjin finds his way home. But don't worry, he left a note for Caenos I guess.
Carving - Uhm. Harlan starts to give his prisoners some special attentions. :/ He starts with Veylin.
Reminder - Zurvens turn! Harlan is a history nerd.
Interlude I - After a full day of being gone, Zurven is returned to their room. Benjin comforts him.
Interlude II - Benjin and Veylin convince Zurven it is a nice time to take a shower. Another trip to the past.
Zurven Saekul - Uhh. More Zurven comfort! Half of Flashback sets sail here. (As in they canonly admit their love for each other)
Recital - Benjins turn for some Harlan interaction! Except, well. Harlan thinks there needs to be an audience for this
Isolation - Harlan finds out about the events of Zurven Saekul, he's not happy about it. He take Veylin away.
Comfort - Zurven comforts Benjin.
Tick Tock - Benjin and Zurven do their best to cope. Veylin is returned to them.
Confluence - Flashback trio gives in to the new status quo, Zurven has an unsettling vision.
Edges - Honestly, they're all tired. Benjin does his best to keep all of Harlans attention on him in favor of giving his roommates some reprieve. More fatherson bonding.
Catharsis I - Did you forget about Thanat? Did you think he wouldn't come for Benjin? Harlan, too. Watch Thanat devolve and grapple with his obligation to the universe and what needs to be done about Harlan.
Catharsis II (Finale) - Just as with the first two drabbles, this one happens at the same time as it's predecessor. Follow Benjin as he goes through quite literally a rollercoaster of emotions at the prospect of going free or watching his savior get beaten to a bloody pulp. :) Their fate is hanging by a string, and boy are his about ready to snap.
---
Another Life - This one is an AU but it was written in the context of the arc so I'm including it, while Roe and I put the plot on pause just for the sake of us taking a break and such, I fucked around with the idea of Evil Thanat. I just want everyone to read this one again. Call it an extracurricular reading
