Commander Vardon

[urmilkovich]

This is so cool put in your url or your friends and it gives an mbti personality type based on your blog.

[quillington]

James Garin vs. Xavier Vardon

First off, thank you for this visual bc klajsdflkjdskjflkdjls WHAT LOSERS <33333  Second, wow!!  This is actually really hard alkdsjfkljasdflkj  Also, it’s worth nothing that of these two James is ~my baby~ and so I ~want him to win in my heart of hearts which…I fear is keeping this from being a truly balanced discussion #sorrynotsorry

Ok, soooo obv if they have their native technology, Vardon would win bc he’d just shoot James before he could get close but since that’s not really a fair analysis of ~ability~ I’m gonna say that they’re just, like, idk bashing each other w rocks or something AND I’m gonna say it’s to the death so they’re both fighting full-out

Xavier is 38 years old w a loT of experience and aptitude in fighting, but he also hasn’t done it in a long time (he’s got minions for that now)

James is 32 (well, probs 33 or 34 now…I’m guessing it’s been at LEAST a year in Aragoth since we started writing like four years ago alksdjflksdjf) and fights basically everyday of his life (you…chose this life my buddy, my pal, don’t complain)

Both are trained in war, but one as a regular soldier; the other as a knight and later a pirate.  That is to say, one is more brutal than the other - and that in terms of personality, too.  Both are survivors.  Xavier is arrogant; James is cocky.  Xavier is a strategist; James is spontaneous.

They’re actually pr evenly matched, but I’m gonna give the edge to James.  They both enjoy battle (in v different ways!) and James is more likely to exhaust himself but he’s also more open to shifting up what’s he’s gonna do in terms of reacting to his opponent/less predictable.  That being said, the same things that would help James win the battle would loose him a war if they set out to fight a war rather than hand-to-hand combat.  So this fight I actually see James winning.  He’s younger, has more immediate practice, but GOD Xavier would mess him up like…he might win but if there weren’t ppl to tend to his wound immediately he might die anyway so….pyrrhic victory, I guess??????

[upryaxavier]

New Blood | Xavier & Victor

[upryaxavier]

upryavictor

All day, his thoughts had only been of Beatrice.

He knew he still loved her. When faced with the prospect of losing her (even after all she had done!), he’d been quick to see to it that Vardon made a deal that would, at the least, buy her more time. Had he felt any differently, he would have recommended her execution. In fact, he would have insisted upon it. Vardon was a merciful leader, but when it came to traitors and spies, there should be no tolerance.

And yet … knowing this full well, he’d suggested the plan that would secure Vardon Madeline Hartwright. He knew he’d seize this opportunity, despite the cost … despite the fact that one day he’d conquer the south and she would eventually be his, with or without this deal.

It had been the first time Victor had ever (knowingly) manipulated Vardon and it made him ill to think of. It made it worse still to think that this had been his reaction – to betray the man who had always been loyal to him, in order to save the woman who had been anything but.

Victor hadn’t been informed as to the nature of this meeting: but he felt he should have suspected the plans Vardon had had in mind for this evening. After everything, Xavier was ever the same. He looked at his friend and he saw simply that: his friend. Nowadays, Victor wondered if he even the deserved the title. He was in much of a mood to meet other women as he had always been, but tonight, the gesture meant more than it ever had.

“It’s … “ He managed a smile – a sad one – but a smile all the same. “I’m sure it will be … quite an evening … “

“Xavier, I … I need to speak with you.” He said, urgently. When Vardon had dismissed the servants and they were alone, he continued. “I … have been thinking. Perhaps I should resign from my post. I’ve always prided myself on my judgement, but … it seems I have had too much faith in it. I was such a fool and  … who knows how much she’s done? I let her come here, time and time again, putting you and your family – of all us – in danger. How can I expect you to trust me, when it seems I cannot trust myself? I am your man, now and always, you know that. But you should look to better men than myself to help guide you. I have proven that I am not up to the task.”

“What the devil is this?” demanded Xavier, when he heard what Victor had to say.  His eyes widened with disbelief.  “After all this we have faced the two of us together, and you would abandon me!  I won’t hear of it.  No, you may not resign.”  There was finality in his voice.  “I need you here.”  Irritably, Xavier cast another log into a nearby fire, though it was already quite hot.  He prodded at the fiery limb with a poker.  “How did this happen, Victor?  How could one woman bring you so low as this?  You’re not yourself.”

Replacing the poker, Xaiver turned back to face his friend, laying one hand on his shoulder.  “Listen to me.  That abominable whore took us both in, Victor.  Both of us.  Now you know I am not the trusting sort, but she pulled the wool over my eyes as well, so if your judgment was corroded, well, so was mine.  We’ve met with stumbling blocks before, my friend.  Many, many stumbling blocks but we didn’t let those things bring us down and neither will this.”  Xavier sat back, patted Victor’s shoulder before glancing back towards the fire.  “Neither will this.”

Shaking his head, he replied, “All you have proven, Victor, is that you care fiercely which is, in fact, one of your finest qualities.  Beatrice used that against you and proved herself unworthy of your loyalty, but that is on her, not you.  Chin up!  Don’t let her win.  Anyway, it all ended up well enough, didn’t it?  Seizing her sister back from Arcadia was both a personal triumph,” he said, placing a hand on his heart, “For me and a symbolic victory for Uprya: taking back what once had been stolen away and proving to the Arcadians just how useless their artifices ultimately are.  

“Besides, after Madeline has had a little time to...settle in, she may be more open to the truth about her sister and we can find out just how much Beatrice knows.  The bitch used us, yes, but there is still time to turn the tables.  She might still perform us a service, yet, Victor, mark my words.  They slice and dice Howard at the cost of their own, hm?  They may have valuable hostages, but so do we.”

[upryaxavier]

Praying | Xavier & Lina

[upryaxavier]

upryamadeline

He called her name, but she barely heard it.

Madeline.

Her father had been the only one to call her that. She still cringed when she heard it now. It was telling, she thought, that Xavier had never noticed that those closest to her never called her that. Her father had been the one to introduce them and so, to Xavier, she had always been Madeline. And it was clear he thought she was Madeline Vardon now, but she would never be anything other than Lina Gray.

His voice had been an unwelcome interruption to her thoughts. She’d been walking from one end of the gardens to the greenhouse and back, walking besides the fading footprints Seb had left in the snow: the one small trace left that he had been there at all.

She exhaled deeply, taking one extra moment to clear her mind before facing him. Don’t make him angry. Don’t make him suspicious. Remember Bea. Remember Seb.

She’d been determined to seem cheerful, at least, but the first words he’d said to her had been about “our little one” and she found she couldn’t even force a smile. So instead, she let him finish his comments and inquiries before she answered. A servant had been at the ready to take her coat and, once free of it, she walked towards the fire. She didn’t feel cold (if anything she felt numb) but it gave her something to do and, moreover, it gave her an excuse to step away from him.

She took another breath, “He’s been giving me some trouble,” She admitted, “but I’m not worried. I think he’s going to be strong … and more than a little stubborn. Like his father.” She smiled, almongst teasingly, at this and realized a moment later that she had been thinking about Seb, and not Xavier, as she had said it.

He watched her as she strolled past him to warm her hands before the fire.  She hardly smiled, hardly looked at him, but Xavier didn’t entirely mind.  As long as he triumphed in the end, he was quite fond of a challenge, and Lina seemed to become more radiant everyday, so he was confident the challenge was worth his while.  And, most importantly of all, already she carried his child, promising a future filled with many strong sons.

Xavier took several quick steps towards her but didn’t go so very close to her, as - having been indoors the whole while - it was too hot for him to come any closer to the flames.  But then, he considered with a frown, she was no doubt much more accustomed to heat than he, himself, having lived for a few years in the South.  Quickly, he turned his flexible mind towards another subject.  Her stint in Arcadia was not something he much liked to contemplate.  Perhaps, he told himself instead, that was why she so liked to walk in the snow - it helped her forget the heat of the South.  This line of reason pleased him much more than the one he had entertained just before and a smile found its way back to his lips.

Xavier frowned when Lina told him that the little one was proving troublesome, but the feeling stopped, his heart seemed to plummet.  Xavier had never seen her face change the way it did, eyes dancing, lips drawing into a bright grin, a tease.  Surely, that was an intimacy, and such an affectionate one, Xavier took a step closer, despite the heat.  Yes, yes, he’d been right.  Yes, she wanted to forget Arcadia, yes, he would prevail in the challenge of unlocking her heart.  

He felt warm, a pleasant heat, deep in his belly and reached out to place his hand under her chin, turn her to look towards him.  “There she is,” whispered Xavier, dropping his hand away.  He regarded her for a long moment.  No, he did not fully understand her yet, but he would.  This, this moment, he thought: it was the most genuine he’d ever seen in her.  “Our son,” he assured her.  “Will be strong.  He will bring vigor and pride to both his parents and he will raise Uprya by my side.  As our family grows great and strong, so shall our nation.  We will be unstoppable and you, Madeline, at my side shall be its glorious queen.  Tell me,” he added, softly.  “Does that not suit you?”

[lizzydobbs]

⭐️ vardon + cardon

So the other day I was thinking about the first party that they ever went to???? Like I’m sure they had lots of ~celebrations~ on the road to victory, but I’m talking about the first time that Xavier ever held a proper formal event. And omg, I feel like Victor was so!!! stiff!!! and uncomfortable. And like, they def had a Bingley/Darcy convo (yes, Xavier is Bingley in this situation lol just go with it ;DDD) where Xavier is all “I’ve never seen so many pretty girls!!!!! (i’m gonna marry all of them ;DDD) and Victor is like “You are dancing with the only handsome girl(s) in the room.”

And then grumpily being like “return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. you waste your time with me.” bUT you know xavier didn’t just let his bff hang out by himself when they were supposed to be having fun, and i FEEL like he got victor to loosen up and have a few drinks and I feel like victor even got tipsy and maybe had his first kiss and for awhile actually liked parties but then he met beatrice and omg can u imagine pre-spy!teenaged beatrice being asked to dance or something by victor??????? i feel like they had the UPR version of this convo

victor: hey can i have ur number?

beatrice: *while texting* sorry i don’t have a phone

and that’s the last time victor was any fun at a party. (another reason why xavier hates beatrice???)

[upryaxavier]

New Blood | Xavier & Victor

The day was hot, savagely hot - shocking for this time of year - and Xavier dabbed irritably at his brow with a linen kerchief.  Though he was in his office, Xavier had the doors open (a rare occurrence, indeed,) to let what little breeze there was waft in, but unfortunately this also welcomed the din into his work environment.  Outside, his servants were busy as bees, whisking here and there, moving tables about, carrying dishes to and fro.  The activity was hardly a shock to Xavier, coming as it did from his own orders, but that did not make it any less a nuisance.

Still, Xavier felt hopeful.  The servants were, after all, arranging for a gathering that, Xavier hoped, would finally put Victor’s frayed emotions at ease and, with that done, they could all move on with their lives.  Xavier had invited a mixture of Uprya’s most available women: single and not, tall and short, pale and dark...every category of woman that could be thought of at the pique of beauty or temperament.  And, whether elsewhere engaged or not, Xavier was ready to make each of them available at Victor’s request.  He felt confident that, with such a range of beauty and glamor, even Victor could not possibly resist.  And once he’d found another, his heart would mend.

He’d summoned Victor, but not told him why.  Xavier was hardly blind to the fact that Victor wasn’t eager to move on.  There was a corrosive quality, Xaiver often thought, to sorrow that prevented one from breaking out of a mold - but Xavier felt sure that a little exterior push from himself in this way would do the trick nicely, even if Victor was not free to do so himself.  Yes, this would help.

Hearing a familiar tread, Xavier signed a final document and turned to grin at his friend.  “You’re early,” he said, smiling.  He’d planned for all to be in readiness when Victor arrived...but he realized, now, that he’d based the schedule on Victor’s previous habits.  It had slipped his mind that Victor would not return to the house he’d kept with Bea today.  But it was no matter.

“What do you think?” he inquired, gesturing grandly towards the tables the servants were setting out.  “Grand bit of fun, hey?  I’ve invited some guests for dinner, do be nice.  Maybe you’ll make some friends.”

[upryarebecca]

ooc | Housing Situation

@upryalouisa & @upryaxavier - so I know there was some confusion about where the priors live – and I was thinking about it and I feel like they probably do just live with Xavier???? Thoughts??? 

[upryaxavier]

That sounds perfect to me!!  The more, the merrier when it comes to Xavier and the Priors <3

[upryaxavier]

Praying | Xavier & Lina

His wife was a vision, strolling in the crystilline gardens.  All around her, the world seemed to glitter: tinged with ice and exposed to the glow of the sun.  Madeline stood amongst these glories, cast in silhouette against them, but they were the shadow of her glory.  Trees and shrubs did not move or change, meant less and less, but Madeline did not belong.  No, she could be wherever she wished, she could breathe, she could live.  It was a function of human nature Xavier had never truly appreciated before the day his father had sold him: sold him as a fixable item, immobile and yielding.  The irony that Xavier had acquired this wife as once he, himself, had been acquired was lost on him.  The truth that she did not belong to him, even so, was not.

Xavier stood on a porch, surveying her.  At last, he thought.  At last, let this be my son.  Sixteen years, sixteen years Xavier had prayed for sons, and from those sixteen years all he had to show were two (beloved) little girls.  Xavier had won much else in his life, and he did not mean to be cheated of this goal.  No, he would have his sons, eventually, and he prayed that Lina’s new pregnancy was the long-awaited beginning of the Vardon army he meant to raise.  Where his father had tried, yes, Xavier would succeed.

Xavier took the steps that led into the garden eagerly.  Standing on the last one, he raised his voice.  “Madeline!”  He beckoned her.  “Come inside!  It’s much too cold for you out here.  Come warm yourself by the fire.”

There was something in Madeline, something he could not quite reach, but this did not vex him: there was time for that.  There was time for everything.  He was aware, after all, that she did not fully understand him, either.  He liked to think that, if she had, there would have been no need for coercion - and no need for Sebastian Gray.

“How is our little one?” he inquired as she approached, leaning to open the door for her.  “And how do you feel, today?”  He knew well enough about morning sickness, by now.  For all that he had only two surviving children, his wives had had more than enough pregnancies to acquaint him with the usual travails.  

He hoped it was good news she had for him.  He was much in need of good news, now.  With Victor’s spirits so low and the Priors in such straits, there was little enough to bring him joy, save his daughters - who were, themselves, quite out of sorts now that the Priors were gone - and Madeline with the hope of new children with her.  “Dr. Granton seems very optimistic,” he pointed out.  This, in itself, was good news to Xavier.  He’d had his fill of miscarriages.  “What about you?”

[andsowewalkalone-deactivated202]

Luke Evans - GQ Style Germany, Spring/Summer 2017

[upryajack]

ooc | Jack & Xavier

[upryaxavier]

upryajack

Okay, so I feel like they probably did meet back in the day when he and Jeanette were friends, come to think of it … b/c I do feel like Jack and Jeanette were really close. And like Jack didn’t know that he loved her until he made his proposal haha but he still did noT like xavier then and that was back when he was a semi-human and actually had hope!!!! about his future and actually cared!!!!! a lot!!!!! about another person and xavier meant to force her to do what he wanted and that!!! is not!!!! okay!!!!!!! so … i can see where xavier may have picked up on the fact that he was in love with jeanette, but in the end, jeanette picked him over jack and so jack lost and went away.  

So yeah — I feel like their past probably wasn’t good but then jack left and he never came back and he decided not to feel feelings anymore so working for vardon didn’t like a problem.

anyway idk if vardon would have remembered him from like sixteen years ago or not??? I can def see where vardon would have handled this situation, himself, for a lot!!! of reasons!!!! so I can see them having interacted briefly on a ~professional~ level??? but yeah, if vardon did remember him, idk if that would have had any negative effects on their relationship since he wasn’t the nicest person to him once???? or if he’s just kind of over it since jack was the loser in that situation and jeanette picked xavier over him in the end???? and despite it all, jack is still like “vardon is better than virginia and i’m gonna work for him” ???? for sure, jack has def changed his tone towards vardon now that he is paying him a lot haha

Ok, in that case, Xavier probs does vaguely remember, but 10/10 that was a victory and Jack handled it the way Xavier wants ++ Jeanette chose Xavier so honestly it’s all v positive as far as Xavier is concerned!!!  I mean, he didn’t enjoy Jack’s existence ~at the time~ until Jeanette chose him over Jack (or, at least, that’s what he ~thinks happened #whoops), but yeah.  And, in fact, his general impression of Jack is actually positive bc of it bc tbh he! likes! to! win!  And now Jack works for him so it’s all good all around, these days!!  But yeah by now that’s all largely ~in the past~ and Xavier moved on emotionally like two wives ago #husbandoftheyearsixteenyearsrunning #byorderofcommandervardon

So yeah basically I do think Xavier remembers him, but I don’t think he really cares that much anymore??????  I mean, if Jack ever gave him even the slightest reason to think he was still interested in Jeanette, that could get bad!!!!! but I feel like that probs isn’t an issue since Jack is all ‘emotions????? never heard of them’ basically?????

anwAY!!  I agree that they probs interacted professionally when Jack came forward w his news hahaha but I do feel like that encounter was probs strictly professional in nature, yeah????  I mean, Xavier for one was deeply absorbed in it ~that way~ bc he wanted to handle it in the best way possible so as to minimize the damage (both strategically and emotionally re: victor) to his side of the board.  And honestly the whole Jeanette thing probs wasn’t on his mind much, if at all, w all of that tbh unless you think Jack would’ve brought it up?

[upryalouisa]

An Unremarkable Wednesday || Louisa + Xavier

“Knock knock!”

Louisa had been only slightly disappointed when she had stopped by the nursery only to discover the Nanny had taken the girls out for a walk. It was an unremarkable Wednesday afternoon that the young woman had hoped to make a bit more remarkable for her two nieces in the form of presents she’d picked up the previous day on her trip to the market with Rebecca. She’d  thought to leave the gifts as a surprise for the girls upon their return, but somewhat selfishly wanted to see their joyful reactions, so instead had the parcel tucked under her arm as she wandered the long corridor’s of the mansion.

Normally Xavier’s office door was tightly shut, guards posted outside to only allow those approved persons inside. Today, however, was one of those rare occasions when the door was ajar and unattended. Without a thought, she stuck her head inside, beaming at the room’s occupant.

“You aren’t terribly busy, are you?” Louisa inquired, pushing the door open enough to slip inside. She knew that he couldn’t be, otherwise he’d have the door locked in order to keep from being disturbed. She also knew it was a very rare occurrence that Xavier would refuse her company, even for a few moments.

“Your daughters are out with the Nanny so I suppose I’m stuck with you until they return,” she teased, seating herself neatly in the chair opposite Xavier’s desk. If one could be a perfectionist at sitting, it would be Louisa. She never slouched, barely mussed her clothing, and never fidgeted.  She placed the parcel meant for the girls beside her, knowing Xavier would undoubtedly tease her about spoiling his daughters at some point.

She immediately felt guilt, however, for her someone jovial attitude. A cloud had hung over all of her friends and family since her dear brother, Howard, had been abducted and taken to the South. Knowing the Southern rebels were the ones who caused her parents’ deaths simply added to her fear that the only way Howard would return to them was in a box.

Still, Louisa was confident that if anyone could bring Howard back home, it was the man sitting in front of her. He had rebuilt the world from utter destruction, he had kept them all safe, he had helped return the lives of everyone in the north to a comfortable, pleasant existence.

“Have you… has their been any news of Howard?” she inquired quickly, both because she wanted to know and to not appear as though she had forgotten about the precarious situation. She did not want to be a silly woman who pretended everything was perfectly fine. She knew Xavier did not see her in that sort of way, of course.

[upryaxavier]

Stacks and stacks of paper scattered across the desk.  Again and again Xavier’s pen scratched across each passing one, the streak of bold, black lettering that formed the Commander’s signature.  For all his faults, Xavier was a highly disciplined man (his father had seen to that, at least, in raising him as a soldier from the very first day), and however numbing the task before him, he did not delay: scribbling his name again and again and again.  Still, for all that, his hand rather ached and his mind rebelled, preferring to focus on the problems before him, rather than the simple matter of confirming orders in this tedious fashion.

Hearing her voice, Xavier couldn’t help the affectionate smile that lit his features and, dropping his pen (somewhat relievedly), he came to greet her with a smile, a hug, and a brotherly peck on the cheek, before returning to his seat.  “Never too busy for you,” he assured her.  “In fact, I’m very glad, both because - of course - it is always a joy to see you,” he began.  “And because this rather tedious business of signing things makes companionship especially welcome.”

Xavier chuckled.  “I suppose I will have to do, then, though I’m afraid I’m a poor substitute for my daughters.  My imagination is much more dreary than theirs,” he remarked.  “What have you brought them this time, Lulu?” he inquired, glancing towards the parcel.  He flipped to the next page, scanning its contents and signing it as well.  “Whatever it is, I am certain they will be utterly enchanted.  There’s little more captivating than Auntie Lulu and her gifts, I can assure you.”

His jocular attitude shifted at the sound of her question.  Xavier nodded, glanced back to the paperwork before him, half unseeing.  “Yes,” he commented.  “We do know that he is alive and well...but, while I don’t want to alarm you, I also don’t want to deceive you.  He is not out of danger.  At present, there is little I can do without risking his safety, but...” 

Xavier glanced away before picking up his chair, strolling to her side, and setting it there.  Sitting back down in it, he took her hands in his.  “I swear to you, Lulu, one way or another, I will bring your brother home to you.”  He rubbed her fingers soothingly with his thumb, holding her gaze.  Much could be said about Xavier Vardon, but one thing was sure: he was relentless.  Whatever else his virtues and vices may have been, he would not rest until his goals were achieved.  Because of this, he was a man accustomed to success, but he was far from blind to its cost.  He had lost everything to the pursuit of a goal, before: and likewise he had won everything in a similar fashion.  Whatever happened, he would not be stopped.

“At present, they have no reason to do any lasting harm to Howard, however.  Their intent so far is, merely, to garner information, my spies tell me,” he added, deciding to leave it there.  There was no need to distress Louisa unduly with the knowledge that he would most likely be subjected to torture - if he hadn’t already been - in order to extract said information.  “They may also have hope of converting your brother to their cause, but he’s of too sound a mind to be swayed by their hollow arguments,” added Xavier, patting her hand as he released it.  “It may take time, but the South will fall and all will be set to rights.  I will bring him home.”

[upryaxavier]

OOC | Xavier & Louisa

[upryaxavier]

upryalouisa

i’ll have to talk to lizzy about what her thoughts are regarding the prior’s living arrangements, but part of me thinks they honestly might live at vardon’s mansion? that’d probably make it easier for howard to see his wife… hahaha! plus since the girls aren’t married + they live in this rather partiarical society, I can’t imagine they’re off living on their own? like i said… i’ll talk to lizzy. regardless, they undoubtedly see one another ALL the time.

since they can’t really talk now due to the fact louisa is, well… not around hahaha, maybe we could do something IC pre the prior girls being absconded to the south?

That would make total sense!!  ++ like I said, it’s v large and obv Xavier would love to have them there around him!!!  Even if you guys decide they don’t live there ~full time~ they def still have their own quarters there, etc!!  Xavier’s home is their home tbh <3  

I love that notion!!  Would you like to start or shall I?  I’m happy either way <333

[huacheng-zhu]

“All I wanted was to teach a child to read.”

[upryarising]

update: january 3

Here’s a timeline I used to to write the bios. It is mainly focused on Vardon, but there are some important dates that involved everyone, so I figured this could be helpful with plotting. :) 

1888: First outbreak recorded

1890: Entire country is overrun

1905: Vardon is born

1923: Vardon starts his campaign to rid the country of the undead

1926: Vardon secures the North from the undead

1927: Vardon secures the South from the undead; declared Commander, marries Jeanette

1928: Jeanette’s first miscarriage

1930: Jeanette’s second miscarriage

1932: Jeanette’s third miscarriage

1933: Varon marries Gwen

1937: Vardon’s first daughter is born

1938: Jeanette’s fourth miscarriage

1941: Vardon’s second daughter is born

1943: Current year; Vardon marries Madeline

[upryaxavier]

OOC | Xavier & Becca

[upryaxavier]

upryarebecca

THAT IS ONE OF XAVIER’S FAVORITE QUALITIES IN A PERSON!!!!! (i died omg)

Anyway, yes! So I think that since she’s always just seen this softer, kinder version of him (++ for sure she’s romanticised him from day 1) she, like victor!, definitely looks at him and sees someone who can do no wrong!!!! (and she doesn’t have anyone like beatrice to come around and start showing her xavier’s flaws ;DD). Also, Xavier is the one who has given her family this great life and all of these wonderful things and opportunities!!!!! (and rebecca loves both things and opportunities haha) so like???? what’s not to love???????

And I do think that she was probably kind of obvious when she was a kid and had a crush on him?? Like, she certainly tried to be subtle but she was not and I’m sure she thought nobody knew (all of uprya: yeah we all know) but anyway as she’s grown up she definitely has come to see him as more of an older brother and those feelings have faded and looking back now, she probably realizes that it was v obvious and she remembers how kindly he treated her even tho she was an annoying kid and that just makes her like him all the more #facepalm

and yeah even though she’s surrounded by a bunch of people who are trying to convince her that he’s horrible, atm she’s still 100%%% on his side and won’t listen to any of their lies!!! she is SUPER concerned (and confused???) by louisa tho (@ Louisa: um WTF??!!?) she’s def convinced that they will all be rescued soon by xavier and her main goal right now is to shake some sense back into her sister.

OH also she feels a little uncomfortable with keeping the charlotte/howard secret from him! she definitely has encouraged both of them on numerous occasions to just tell xavier and that the only reason he would be upset is that they went behind his back!!!!! I think a part of her has wanted to just tell him, herself, but she does realize that it should come from them but they kept dragging their feet and now howard’s a prisoner so … that worked out well ;)

Honestly Xavier loves Becca so much!!!!  And he does love showering her in both things and opportunities hahaha esp since she’s so grateful!!  That just encourages him!!!!  

In that case, Xavier def knew and honestly he just thought it was cute and sweet but yeah he was v kind about it.  I def think he also views her as a sister!  Like, the Priors + Victor are his family and that’s the beginning and end to it, yknow?  He only thinks about his father when he smell burning meat ;D jk jk he actually thinks about him aloT but he ~wants to think about him exactly NEVER!!  But anYWAY!!  Becca is his kid sister and no one gets to mess w her!!!

Honestly, her loyalty esp in the face of doubt means the world to him!!  It really does!!!  Like, he totally expects ppl to just abandon him the ~instant they don’t perceive him as alexander the great’s platonic form of the strongest™ and the fact that Becca was confronted w potential weakness and was like ‘no!’ just I mean I literally can’t even tell you how much that means to him!!!!!!!!!!

It will deF be a cause for freak! out! when Xavier discovers tbh.  I mean, the fact that Charlotte is pregnant alone is supER distressing bc of his girls, buT it will be better to know she wasn’t like bringing a bunch of stray rando guys around his kids, hOWEvER, it will raise the much more troubling issue of trust and #yikeseedoodledoo that will noT be a happy day esp bc I do think if Howard had just approached him and been like ‘yo i wanna marry charlotte’ Xavier would’ve been like ‘ok!!!!  let me find a suitable new nanny and then she’s free to be yours!!!!’ and i mean admittedly who ~knows how long it’d take to find a replacement that ticks off all Xavier’s exacting boxes buT anyway permission would’ve been granted immediately, yknow?  But yeah, I feel like it’ll come out sooner or later bc yknow obv Charlotte ~is preggers hahaha and it won’t! be! fun!  I do think Xavier will be a lil upset that Becca knew and didn’t tell him, but mostly she’ll be spared his fury that’ll be directed at Howard and Charlotte #funtimes

[upryajack]

ooc | Jack & Xavier

So idk that these two have ever actually met or not???? jack spies for him but idk that he’s dealt with xavier directly???? thoughts???? jack did live in the city for a hot second when he was younger and he was close with jeanette and fell in love with her and even asked her to run away with him when she was going to marry xavier but she thought he was just joking and he thought she’d rather marry xavier than him so that was fun! but yeah idk that xavier knew about jack’s plans/intentions since it wasn’t even clear to jeanette lol … he definitely wasn’t at all in xavier’s social circles, but when he was pursuing jeanette, I guess they could have met then????? but if they did, i feel like jack wouldn’t have been super pleasant towards him and idk if that would have affected his ability to later work for vardon? 

BUT yeah now jack is like ~whatever~ and he’s putting his past hard feelings against xavier aside b/c he can see what he can gain by working for him. and since he exposed beatrice, I feel like he got a LOT of compensation for that one????? and he’s realizing the happier he makes xavier, the more he gets. I think his new plan is going to be to try to rescue the priors, himself, and get them back to the north b/f the south can try to make any kind of deal for them and claim the reward for himself. I feel like this is probably a harder task than exposing beatrice was but jack is up for the challenge :) 

[upryaxavier]

He may have known Jack peripherally as ~a friend of Jeanette~ but yeah I def doubt he knew of Jack’s plans bc he would not!! have!! taken!! that!! well!!  That being said, I do think, if he did know, he’d be delighted the Jeanette chose Xavier over Jack (except not #whoops) but yeah since she didn’t even realize I v, v doubt that Xavier did!!!!!  Although he def might’ve noticed that Jack was heart eyes at her in which case Xavier would’ve fixated on him while he hung around but after he was gone and stayed gone ++ Jeanette got less interesting to Xavier, that would’ve def faded away.  So, yeah, if he knew, that’s probs the deal.

If he did meet him, but didn’t notice that Jack was ~interested, he probs wouldn’t have really noticed tbh?????  I mean, when he popped up in that context, back then, he’d be like ‘oh hello rando friend-of-my-future-wife’ (‘my future wife’ pronounced a la Tommy Wiseau no doubt ;DDD jk jk) but honestly since he hasn’t been around in awhile, he probs wouldn’t remember that they had that connection unless he saw them in the same room again hahaha #attentivehubby

If they’ve only met on a professional basis - and since Jack conveyed something as sensitive as VICTORS WIFE IS A SPY - I can see where that might’ve at least garnered him an interview w Xavier bc that’s def something Xavier would’ve wanted to handle himself no! one! touches! his! friends!  Esp bc - I’m guessing? - Victor (and/or Victor & Howard jointly???) is Xavier’s heir until Xavier has a son of his own????  Since I doubt Xavier would even think to leave his empire to his daughters, mere females that they are???????  ANYWAY!!!!  If they’ve met in that capacity, I’m sure their relationship is strictly professional obv hahahha but Xavier rewards loyalty abundantly so it’s a positive working relationship, I’d guess, atp hahaha since Jack gave them such! valuable! info! that really worked out well for Xavier in so many ways #yikes

Obv, if they haven’t met, they have no relationship whatsoever hahaha

Anyway, which of these sounds most likely/interesting to you?

[arkham-kat]

Here stands a man At the bottom of a hole he’s made Still sweating from the rush His body tense His hands, they shake Oh this, this is a man, boy Here stands a man With a bullet in his clenched right hand Don’t push him son For he’s got the power to crush this land Oh hear, hear him cry, boy Don’t you ever leave me alone My war is over Be my shelter from the storm My war is over I am a sad boy