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>>2552277
"I -" you cut your own answer off. "Can I know more? Among other things I don't want to just volunteer my Motley..."

"Granted. You'd have to recover medically before anything happens, but let's go with the assumption that your friends might be just a little angry that someone tried to assassinate you." Zoe flashes a grin that is a lot less 'happy' and a lot more 'shared bad feelings'. "I know Forum's feeling emotions right now."

You laugh despite yourself. "Well...what is taking care of Philly to you? A war? Can we even go to war?"

Zoe shakes her head. "Not as most people would think of it anyway. And definitely not with the Valks on the table. I've gotten some intel from Arthur about you, shouldn't be a surprise, and he says Philly is a shithole. So, fine. That's not my problem. Stopping further attacks and making it clear that they won't be tolerated? That's my problem. Whoever gets sent is gonna be sent to take Andy Nubis off this throne by hook or by crook and secure a formal peace between his Summer and New Avalon. That's a small-team sort of job. It'd be hostile territory, far from support, but...you know the lay of the land. You're not a bad candidate in and of yourself if the whole 'exile' thing can be danced around. The resources you have on hand aren't bad either - an assassin who can speak to the Court as an equal, a talented politician, and a technical boy to throw off most conventional methods of tracing you, plus whoever else you drag along."

"Whoever else?" you ask, confused.

"Something tells me Peters is going to volunteer." Zoe brushes a lock of flaming hair back behind her ear. "I won't tell you to go. I'm asking if you'd like to, or if I should start grooming an argument for another team."

You work your way through it for a long moment; the Queen of Bonfires gives you the time, keeping a warm silence between the two of you that is colored by her attention. Reminisce adjusts in his place on her shoulders, making his way to the other side of Zoe's body and leaving impressions in the leather of her jacket from where his talons have been resting.

"I should finish what I started," you tell her at last. "Pending my Motley's approval and agreement. Listen, Erin offered to heal Trevor's legs -"

"Don't bother holding her to it. I'll get it taken care of," Zoe promises. "You look like shit. All of your friends look like shit. And from the fact that your hands won't leave those black blades at your side but you won't look at them, I'm betting they were Susan's."

You look down. When did you pick those up? They're thrust through your belt, the longer one just behind Bifrost, the shorter one opposite it.

"I...I promised her a funeral..."

"I'll let Misery know," Zoe murmurs. "And I'll get the location of her body from the Rook. It'll be taken care of, alright? Just don't...go telling people that I did that. Grab your friends and go see Sally and Jesse. Get patched up."

* * * *

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>>2552286
The sun is coming up by the time you make it back to your house after seeing the doctors. Everyone is eager to get back to their own homes, their own beds, to sleep things off and then take a shower.

Erin's farewell had been lingering. She'd taken your hand, and tried, so hard, to say something, anything.

In the end Erin Peters had kissed your cheek and left behind a scattering of flowers from both of your Mantles, and then she'd left.

Fido is waiting for you when you get inside. You hug him gingerly and pet him and tell him what a good boy he is, and somewhere in there all the crying you'd been trying not to do comes spilling out. He snuggles in on you while you lock the door blindly behind yourself and slump against it.

Fancy finds you there, just after noon, and wakes you from an uneasy sleep by calling your name.

"Rough trip?" the dancer asks.

"No. Yes." Fido stirs in your arms and licks your cheek, and you pet him. "It was great, until...until...there were some people from Philly. They wanted revenge, and they didn't get it."

"Oh Colors..." Fancy goes down to one knee and goes to touch your cheek; you flinch away, and she draws her hand back. "Do you just need time?"

You suck in a shuddering breath and close your eyes.

"Is it about what I said before you left?" your friend asks, trying to sound out what's wrong.

> You asked if I still want Erin. I do, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you...
> Can we work, Fancy? Can we really ever work?
> I just need time, and my own bed, and to handle some things when I wake back up again
> You said you needed to think about what you want. What do you want?
> Write-in?

>>2552289
> You said you needed to think about what you want. What do you want?

>>2552289
>You said you needed to think about what you want. What do you want?

I like this for multiple reasons. Colors is still not good with emotions, neither her own nor those of others. Add the fact that she’s physically and mentally drained, and this is the only one that makes sense.

If we go to Philadelphia, we had better have a good Social person. Colors is very distrusted in that Court.

> Can we work, Fancy? Can we really ever work?

>>2552382
Hmm, Winter in Philly may want to help against a common enemy

If Erin chooses to go with us, is she the most socially adept of our group ?

>>2552289
>> You said you needed to think about what you want. What do you want?

>>2552427
Winter in Philly may alsao be a gigantic sack of dongs too though. it might be better to look for allies in spring or fall rather than get tied up in the existing narrative struggle of iron vs obsidian

also, before we go to Philie is there time for a goblin market visit?

>>2552289
> You said you needed to think about what you want. What do you want?
> First tell her we're going back into danger in Philly

>>2552427
We should get Erin to convince Cherry to come.

Or like.

Do we even know anyone other than Erin who is good at socializing?

>>2552289
What are our odds of Ramona coming with us while Natalia holds the fort?

>>2553176
Pretty fuckin' low. Ramona has responsibilities. Natalia also has responsibilities.

Gonna call and write Soon(tm), gotta finish doing Adult things.

Aight, called, writing.

I'm beginning to think that Vox doesn't love us anymore.

>>2554196
Joke's on you I don't even love myself any more.

Nah work's just been shit and my head is not together.

>>2554247

Work has been shit everywhere Vox. And even if there's no love from you, there's love from me. They say it's unhealthy, but eh, fuck em.

It's dem bones and cheek structure, unf.

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>>2552289
"Sort of," you manage. "Can...I need to check the house. Let me check the house and get out of this armor and out of these clothes, and...and...and talk, then we can talk."

"Sounds reasonable," Fancy agrees. "Would you like a hand up?"

Don't cry again. Don't do it. Don't do it.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Gods fucking take it you're crying again.

"Colors...it's been nine days on my side with nothing to do but think and play with Fido," Fancy answers gently. "I'm ready to talk if you are. No matter how this goes I still want to be your friend. Friends help."

You reach blindly for her hand, get pulled to your feet, and hug the dancer tightly. Sometime later, when you're finally in control of yourself, she disengages gently and gestures into the deeper house; you set your hand on Bifrost's hilt and go investigating your home.

It's clean. Of course it's clean. But the relief in confirming that is unreal. You get out of your armor and clothes fast enough that you tear your shirt a bit at the side seam (damnit), get the former on its stand and the latter in the hamper (don't forget to sew it up before you wash it fuck urrrrrrrrgh) and get into the shower.

You immediately burn yourself when you manage to set the temp too high but fuck it, the sheer feeling of clean is worth it.

'Better' wouldn't be a fair way to describe how everything feels after you've had the chance to clean your body, put on new clothes, and scrub down your armor, your weapons, and your equipment, but things are more even, more - okay? Okay isn't the right word either. But somehow you're more prepared to Deal With It Directly.

You can smell coffee downstairs, which gets your stomach rumbling; by the time you're done and re-dressed and with fresh cream and bandages for your wounds, you're also smelling pizza downstairs, which sorta makes it seem like this need was anticipated.

There's plates on the table already. From the boxes poking out of the trash can Fancy made some of your frozen pizzas which, aight, right now after two days of canned stuff and Hedge fruit you're down for frozen pizza. You sit slowly, hang Bifrost over the corner of the chair, and take a very long pull of the coffee.

"Didn't bring any on your trip did you?" Fancy asks.

"Nope," you answer, and then you finish the cup. "Thanks, for making the food. I promise we'll talk here shortly."

The belle snorts. "Eat. Then talk."

But 'then' talk doesn't end up happening; halfway through your first slice everything starts spilling out, starting with your attempt to talk to Erin about what had happened, the journey, her painful ritual, her giddy whiplashing emotions after and your own confused feelings watching her.

>>2554445
Hang on a tick what happened to all that hedgespun that we looted for her?

>>2554445
We gotta ask her to wait again while we go assassinate someone. Sure, someone who is a danger to us, and a danger to others, but we aren't pretending that this is a Human court of Law or anything.

We're going to murder someone because they are a threat, in cold blood, and instigate a regime change.

>>2554491
We can give her a friend gift.

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>>2554445
"Which reminds me," you say suddenly; you stand up and go for your backpack, trying your best to ignore Fido totally stealing half a slice of pizza off your plate. You bring out the dancing dress made of poems and its note-dripping bracelet, and Fancy's eyes light up in awe and wonder. "For you," you tell her, offering it out.

"I couldn't -" Fancy begins.

"I robbed a Fae for this explicitly to give to you," you interrupt. "You don't have to take it, but...it's for you."

Fancy goes to take the dress, stops, and goes to wash her hands. After she dries them she takes the outfit from you; the bracelet goes over her left wrist, and the dress she folds and puts in her lap. She can't stop looking down at it, off and on, while you describe the robbery (she tilts her head when you tell her how it was Erin's idea to get her something Hedgespun, but doesn't interrupt).

The longest part of the talk comes when you do what you know you're not technically supposed to do: explain Fetches. You walk her through the idea, then tell her about Susan - the first attack you made on her that dragged her screaming from her home and should have ended her life, your reunion in dreams, and the fight with the Hound Tribunal and what had become of your other.

You're not crying, though now you sort of wish you could. Everything just feels so...empty, after all that. It happened and time should have stood still and it didn't, and now the future is here without asking if you're good and ready for it.

"So that was my last two, three days," you finish. "...You asked what earlier was about. If it was about what you said before I left. And...some. But you said you needed to think about what you want. I...I dunno, maybe I should have saved the 'everything that happened' talk -"

"No, you're fine," Fancy reassures you.

"But I want to know about that first," you finish, with audible relief. "...You were wronged."

Fancy reaches her hand across the table and takes yours. "You're going somewhere again, aren't you? Because of what happened." You nod, and she takes a deep breath. "Something you said, when you came back, has been sticking with me. That Erin understands. And I don't - I know I don't. I know maybe I can't, but...I also haven't even tried. I went to go talk to your friend, Vickie, about that, about...not getting it, and...it was a long talk. There was tequila."

You laugh despite yourself. "Of course there was."

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>>2554556
"There's so much about your life and your experience and things important to you that I don't get," she continues. "Things like fighting. I was mad at Erin for stabbing you and you weren't, and you're the one who got stabbed. Things like your society and the whole 'warlock' thing and why that's important to you. Things...things I should try to understand. So I'm going to. I started training with the classes Vickie teaches -" she lifts her shirt to show dark bruises along her ribs, "and I...I want to get it. Or as much of it as I can understand."

"What about your dancing career?" you ask.

"I was thinking about enrolling in some college," she answers. "Thinking about maybe making dancing a hobby and taking up history. Someone's got to write all this down, and maybe I want that to be me. I got into dancing because of history, seems like a circle worth closing to me. Colors..."

She trails off into silence, until you squeeze her hand.

"I'm gonna ask you what I asked you that night," Fancy continues in a softer voice. "Do you want Erin? Or even just...not want me? I don't want you here because you think I'll be hurt or heartbroken if you're not, so don't...don't be like that if that's how you're thinking on being. You promised to be honest."

> I do want Erin
> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing...
> We can make this work. I want this to work.

> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing..

I don't know. I don't /know./ You're trying to learn what being a Changeling means and that is WONDERFUL. But part of what being a Changeling, especially Spring, especially an Elemental, means is trying to learn what being human means again. I'm sorry that you were and are an anchor to me; I thought and still think we can learn from each other. But this isn"t the last time I'm gonna Elemental myself, isn't the last time I'm gonna do something fucked up, isn't the last time I'm gonna run into danger, and I don't want you directly in the line of fire of my fucked up emotions and fucked up decisions, unless you can CHOOSE that, with the understanding of what it means.

>>2554572
>We can make this work. I want this to work.

But with this, we need to add >>2554601
This Anon’s explanation of how we’re trying to learn, and mistakes will happen.

>>2554572
>> We can make this work. I want this to work.

>>2554572
> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing...

>>2554572
> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing..

Finally.

>>2554572
> I do want Erin

I can't believe this is finally an option.

Come on guys. Best girl chance doesn't come without some loss. Don't be Shounen MC-kun stuck with first girl.

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>>2554572
Hey, is this going to allow a split vote between wanting Erin and not knowing?

Because if we break up with Fancy then Erin is still a chance later.

> MFW Fancy blocked the Harem route early on.

>>2554768
There was never a harem route & I also don't do routes.

>>2554774
Oh Vox, you might not do routes but your players surely do.

And whaddya mean there's no harem route? We already boned 2 girls at once and you're constantly giving us the option to cheat.

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>>2554781
Remember in pic related when I said any poly relationship I depict is going to be done with respect & thoughtful consideration on the topic?

That hasn't changed. Colors' being someone who in some ways is still exploring her sexuality and identity (something she didn't get to do as a teenager since she was busy being mutilated and abused by the Heartless Giant) is not the same as me offering harem dynamics.

I dunno, maybe you didn't read DLQ, and if that's the case hi, welcome to my work, 'm glad this was compelling enough to keep your interest. But a lot of what goes into writing my characters includes research and consultation with folks like those characters because portraying them with respect & nuance is important to me. An' now you know.

>>2554572
>> We can make this work. I want this to work.

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>>2554806

A) It's just shitposting, calm your tits.

B) As a Bisexual person who, surprise, has been in Poly relationships - mostly because I'm the kind of Bisexual all the rumours are true about - thanks for the consideration you put into your work for depicting realistic relationships.

C) You're not my fucking shield though, and I would appreciate it if you didn't condescend to me like you did in your last paragraph.

An' now you know.

Sorry I apparently triggered you by shitposting about Harems.

>>2554572
> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing...
I don't judge, but Colors is simply not able to omtrol herself around Erin.

What does Color's religion say about infedility btw ?

>>2554806
>>2554851

Actually this came out more angry then I meant it. Probably because I come here for an escape from dealing with that stuff and didn't expect it to suddenly be super serious and thrown in my face.

>>2554851
>>2554856
No worries, I'm kinda used to causing or participating in communication issues. Autism Traitor Brain will do that to a guy.

Case in point I didn't mean that last paragraph to come off as condescending and evidently I fucked that up pretty bad.

> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing...

I stopped caring a long time ago, bury this sub plot in the trash where it belongs.

>>2554861
It's fine. I tend to blow up unreasonably about weird things online.

Nuance is a bitch with words alone unless you want to add in cancerous amounts of emoji.

>>2554910
Honestly I find Fancy to be just too perfect and giving etc.

She's just rather dull, for me.

>>2554922
I like her, she's a good match for Colors

>>2554938
I'd rather Colors have someone to love than have a good match.

>>2554938
Like.

It feels like we will just have a future of constantly apologizing to Fancy while she tolerates us fucking up. Like we're the Dad in a Sitcom on early 2000s television, the worst era of Dads.

Aside from that, it feels like Fancy was just dropped into the story as the most logical love interest, whereas what was developed with Erin shows a real character progression and interaction with.

Honestly, the person I feel the worst for is Vickie because she has everything Erin offered us but the Fancy thing blocked her from being the OTHER natural love interest and then we bone Erin despite trying to commit Fancy AFTER turning down a free ticket to ride the Vickie Slide.

Like goddamn. That's the kind of organic progression that is hard to find.

>>2554971
you say that like it's a bad thing. Fancy likes Colors because she's a good person and forgives her for making mistakes- she knows the fact that she's fucked up doesn't mean she's going to continue fucking up

>>2554987
You say that like it's okay if people aren't equals in a relationship.

>>2555004
No relationship is truly equal, Anon, coming from someone happily married with kids. The happiness comes from each being there for the other, being what the other can’t be. In this case, the two together can work to be a good person where each couldn’t be.

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I'm gonna attempt to update before work tomorrow (sometime before 2:00 PM EST or about 11 hours from now) but if that doesn't happen it'll be after midnight "tomorrow" (technically Sunday the 13th).

In the meantime, questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Also have a thing. Artist by the handle of Tredlocity was kind enough to handle this commission; it doesn't have 1:1 matches everywhere but some other esteemed folks have expressed Interests in trying their own takes.

>>2555167
That Colors is so gay that Christmas took a look at her and told her to tone it down.

>>2555167
Huh I'd imagined Colors as being much more angular like traditional stained glass.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter what Colors says here, because the people who want her to get with Erin won't ever stop. Even if Colors were to try to commit to Fancy here, every single decision on that subject from now till the end of the quest is going to be a battleground. The people who want Erin will always seek to wreck any other relationship in whatever way they can, including cheating again.

We may as well dump her now and get it out of the way. She seems like a great person, but a sizable enough chunk of the readers want to drive her away that I don't think a relationship will work.

>>2555302
Like. One person voted for Erin.

>>2555167
>but some other esteemed folks have expressed Interests in trying their own takes.
Would like to see them. Will under no circumstance react negetively to it, as I know the work they put into it.

>>2555474
Yet tons of people came out to vote for cheating with Erin and will do so again, even if the result of this particular vote is something else. Because there are enough people who will vote to wreck any relationship with someone other than Erin, all this does is guarantee more cheating later.

>>2555479
I wouldn't leap to characterize folks as acting in bad faith. That's not how I read the events and it's not how I'm reading these ones; if that was the case we'd be seeing a lot more Erin votes.

>>2555479
i figure that as long as we continue to vote for options that affirm a relationship with fancy, it'll mean that options to cheat will come up because it'd make less sense ic

>>2555819
I think it's more Lust is literally Colors vice so opportunities to indulge will always be highlighted.

>>2555925
Other side of the coin is that Colors can charn women in conversation, and that makes up a bit for her Elemental unsociabilty.

>2554572
> I don't know what I want...and you said before that means we're not a thing...
Vickie route 4ever!

>>2556764
Now now, Vox doesn't do routes. JK.

>>2555776
I don't see it as an issue of good or bad faith, just that past behavior is an indicator of future behavior. Previously we got people voting for a relationship with Fancy and then voting for cheating with Erin as soon as the opportunity presented itself. That means that in the future, even if the option to continue the relationship with Fancy wins now, it won't change the fact that people will still vote to cheat with Erin when the opportunity presents itself.

>>2557555
You worry too much. Just vote and move on.

Called, tallying, writing.

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>>2554572
You take a deep breath and brush Fancy's new bracelet with the tips of your fingers. "I...I don't know what I want, Fancy. And I get now why you said before that if that's how I'm feeling we're not a thing. I...I'm so glad to hear that you want to understand better, but that's...me too. As someone who's Lost. As someone who's Spring. As an Elemental, especially, I - I'm learning how to be human again, in a way I never could in Philly, in a way I couldn't with the Mask up. I kinda feel like I was using you as an anchor and that doesn't seem fair, but..."

"But?" she prompts. Fancy holds your gaze, not letting go of your hand but not trying to clutch onto it either.

You go looking for the words and try to ignore the windows calling out suggestions. "I think there's still a lot we could learn from each other," you continue in your softest voice. "But this isn't the last time I'm gonna...do the whole Elemental schtick. It's not the last time I'm gonna be so bad at feelings that I don't even know my own feelings. I'm doing that right now. And it's not the last time I'm gonna run screaming into danger with nothing but faith and a blade to protect me, and I don't want you directly in front of that until you understand enough to be able to choose it."

Fancy nods. "What happens now, with you? You said you're gearing up to leave."

You nod your head at the door. "I need to assemble my friends and discuss it with them. Who knows, maybe I'm not leaving. But since I probably am, I need to take care of that, maybe ask Misery for his advice too. If I've got time I need to cast my vote for next year's Spring Monarch. I'm gonna bring Fido this time since it's not the Hedge."

"Oh, it's not? Nice." Fancy lets go of your hand and picks up your empty coffee cup along with her own. "I'll come too."

"Yeah," you murmur distantly while she refills the cups.

Then it hits you. "Wait, what?"

* * * *

BEGIN PART THREE: LORD HERE I COME

Colors' Duplex, New Avalon - October 5th, 2017

You recover 1 damage

Forum's arms are mummified with bandages. In the thin darkness of the morning (with the temperature dropping but not yet freezing the mist persists past the sunrise, drowning the city in a faux night without any of the rich layers of true darkness) he sits at your table staring at Fido. Your dog sits with his head on Forum's lap, staring up with a big soulful look and his tale whack-whacking against the table legs in steady rhythm. The Rook sits too, nursing coffee and listening to Vickie cook.

"This is still weird," you opine to your friend. You get a hot pancake directly off the plate that holds the competed ones right in the face; it's warm, fluffy, and all over your eyes and nose.

"Guest, your house," Vickie says by way of explanation.

"That means I should be feeding you!"

"I used your kitchen supplies," Vickie says with a haughty sniff.

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>>2559250
"Just let it go," Erin advises from the third chair on the table. The blind Fairest is cradling her head in one hand and slowly using her other to take sips of Gatorade as she works through a hangover. "Please Colors. Please just let it go."

"Why am I sitting when you're hurt and standing?" Fancy asks from the last free chair in the room.

"To keep you in arm's reach of the Rook when you say the thing you said earlier again," you tell her. "I'm just waiting on the breakfast to -"

"Wait no more Fearless Leader, food." Vickie sets down the big plates of pancakes, bacon, sausage patties, and the bottle of syrup that has survived in your pantry by virtue of you never cooking for yourself. The Darkling does you up a plate while the others fill theirs, then gets one for herself.

"Why does this dog thing I'm gonna feed him?" Forum asks.

"I have no idea," you admit. You drop a strip of bacon on the floor and Fido abandons the Troll to go and eat it up with great enthusiasm. "Okay, so...some things happened that we need to catch Vickie up on. The Hounds came, from Philly, to try and exact their revenge on me, with the blessing of their King. The Queen of Bonfires wants Andy Nubis off the throne of Summer and replaced by someone who won't try to wage war with distant Freeholds, and...she's offered us the chance to be the people who do it."

"Hatchet job, cool," Vickie says around a bite of pancake. She swallows before she keeps going. "When do we kill the fucker?"

"Intelligent thought might reveal several non-murder solutions to this problem," Forum says. "Depose isn't the same as 'assassinate'."

"He tried to kill Colors -"

"Colors is the person with the right to be angry about that," the Rook interrupts, looking at you. "And she seems oddly not angry."

"I mean..." you shrug. "I'm not okay with it, but I...did sort of kill my superior officer and leave them holding the bag. I knew it was gonna come eventually. Still...I should finish what I started. I want to finish what I started."

Erin sets her Gatorade down as gingerly as she can. "I'd like to help," she says. "You helped me out. It's the least, literally the least, I can do. But that throws my timetable for paying all of you a little off. Would you want to handle that before the trip?"

"Put a pin in that." Vickie points at Fancy with her fork. "Why're you here?"

"I'm going with," Fancy says again, just as simply and irrefutably as she did the first time.

"Are you trying to die?" Vickie asks.

"It makes sense to me," the Rook interjects, his television-screen eye going to your dancer friend. "There are uses for a mortal in such an endeavor, especially if we need to interface with exclusively mortal societies. And Colors is her friend too."

"Forum, back me up here," Vickie demands, gesturing to the Troll. "This is crazy!"

"I'm not sure it is," comes Forum's answer, prompting Vickie to growl in exasperation.

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>>2559298
Erin looks away. "You sure that's the best plan?" she asks in a small voice. "With everything...with..."

"Oh just say it you -" Vickie stops herself, closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. "Nevermind, I didn't say anything. That's not gonna be me today, today's gonna be a good day."

Fancy looks Erin up and down, then shrugs. "I'm a big girl," she says after a moment. "...Thanks. For my present."

Sweet gods Erin is actually blushing. "Just helping my friend out. She picked it."

> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Save it for later so you don't accidentally get Hedge Drama. Again.

AND

> Take Fancy along
> Refuse her help

>>2559309
>> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along

Like she said she's a big girl and can make her own decisions.

>>2559309
> Take Fancy along
And the motley grows by half this day.

> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
There might be something we can use, either as a magical item, bargaining chip, a pretty mirror for Vickie so she too can feel appreciated as a beautiful darkling, etc.

>>2559309
>> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along

>>2559309
> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along

The others have a point that she can be useful, especially in the Unmasked World. We need the gear that we can find in the old flophouse, just in case. Too much can go wrong in too many ways in Philadelphia, every edge we can get will be crucial.

>>2557487
>Now now, Vox doesn't do routes. JK.
You're right, Vickie deserves her own highway.

>>2557555
You're correct. I think Colors should have a certain amount of difficulty in self-control when it comes to romance. That's why it's generally going to be in-character for her to cheat.

> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along

I mean, Fancy is going to stay the hell away from lethal action. She's a ballerina, not a fighter, not even a little bit. And Goblin Fruits ain't gonna work for her, I don't think. But she can be useful, if we are considering a non-lethal dethroning.

>>2559471
>But she can be useful, if we are considering a non-lethal dethroning.
What influence can a mortal have in Court matters ?

>>2559309
> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip

> Take Fancy along

Give her one last shot to be more interesting.

>>2559309
> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along
We're going to need all the help we can get.

>>2559675
I'm sure the Rook and Forum have better ideas about that. At the very least she'd be another pair of eyes that they will probably not realize are working with Colours, especially given Summer is the enemy of Winter in Philly.

>>2559309
>Winning vote + can we get some healing and Glamour Fruits from a Goblin Market ?

I'm gonna update later (I'm working until 11 PM EST, or about 11 hours from now); I've gotta get my head together and I haven't had any coffee yet. Thank y'all for your patience.

>>2559309
>> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Refuse her help

>>2559762
>support for goblin market

>>2559309
> Take care of Erin's payment to you before the trip
> Take Fancy along

>>2560032
I too support checking out the Goblin Market.

>>2562372
>>2560258
>>2559762
I'm gonna be completely real, I am not yet ready to do a Goblin Market. I wanna do one & make one available to y'all but I'm nowhere near like, fuckin' prepared for it. The desire to stock up on fruits is understandable and I'm gonna offer the chance to do that, but I just don't have my shit around for a Goblin Market and all the opportunity, danger, & wonder it implies.

That in mind, called, writing.

>>2562648
GOBLIN MARKET GONNA BE GREAT GET HYPE

>>2562648
Who's going to look after our dog then?

>>2562682
Good point. Not that he isn't the BESTEST BOY EVER but Fido is not trained for any kind of fieldwork, nor should he be. He's a dog, not a soldier. Maybe he can stay with Ramona?

>>2562682
>>2562702
During...what? The Erin thing? The Philly thing? Because he's going with you for the Philly thing. He doesn't need to do field work there.

>>2562737
Okay then.

Can someone fill me in on Goblin Markets? What are they and why are they hard to write?

>>2563192
Goblins are creatures that populate the hedge. They've got markets in the hedge where all manner of creatures (hobgoblins, changelings, true fae, etc.) can all come to trade. There's a particularly brutal flag of truce that is enforced at the market, so starting shit is generally unwise. That means you can get lots of normally hostile groups (like freehold changelings vs privateer changelings) present. Basically anything can be found there, including a lot of stuff that is not physically possible. It's basically a flea market in the hedge, with all the craziness that idea implies. Like a lot of stuff in the hedge, the market itself is alive and has a mind of its own, independent of all the various creatures that are selling stuff there.

So going there is basically walking into the guts of a sapient hedge creature that is splayed open, and bartering with hobgoblins for things like the sound of a heart breaking for the first time, next to a true fae who is there to buy the last little bit of hope someone only realized they had when they lost it.

>>2562648
Can you send a npc wih a shopping list as a narrative shortcut ? He/she/x can buy hem offscreen.

>>2563207
>the sound of a heart breaking for the first time
>the last little bit of hope someone only realized they had when they lost it
What do people do with this stuff? Magic item crafting?

>>2563256
> What do people do with this stuff? Magic item crafting?
That's a common use for it among changelings. Stuff like that is also useful for certain contracts. Plus the true fae aren't actually capable of experiencing or comprehending those things on their own and would gladly kill to get their hands on them. If you've got something that a true fae really, really wants, that's serious power. It's also really dangerous, but that's the hedge for you.

The hedge is a realm of dreams and emotions. Powerful or unusual experiences are themselves tangible things that can be used, manipulated, and traded. Or eaten, if you're the sort of entity that does that, and plenty of beings like that exist in the hedge.

>>2563192
This basically >>2563207

There's also some events the Lost host that are a combination of markets & holidays, which I'm looking forward to writing (you missed the first Fallen Fair of the year but there's a second one coming up at the end of Autumn) but I wanna do 'em justice.

Because I have a childlike love for fairs, carnivals, and festivals despite my fucking traumatic experiences as a carnie. This is my trash and I will lay it upon you all.

>>2563210
This is not high on the list of winning ideas for either party. Goblin Markets are dangerous.

Called, writing.

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>>2559309
You clear your throat. "I'd like Fancy to come," you tell the others. "For practical reasons. For personal ones. I...I'm intending on seeing my father, while we're in town. I'm...I'm gonna need a friend for that."

"Are you going to tell him about Susan?" Fancy asks as gently as she can manage.

"Who's Susan?" Vickie asks, looking at you.

"My...my other," you answer. "My Fetch. She's gone now."

There is a complicated series of sounds from Vickie's Mantle; her face goes stony, and the stormclouds around her rumble, vibrate, swell and threaten to burst.

She sets both of her hands flat on the table, well away from the knives and forks. "Alright," Vickie says. "Are you gonna tell him?"

"I don't know. Susan didn't want me to. I'm not sure if I want to."

The Rook tries to clear his throat and really you'd think he'd know better by now; when he's done hacking into his sleeve he directs his attention to Fancy. "I agree with Colors' decision to fill you in, but there are certain considerations of secrecy that I will ask you to swear to before we all part ways today. The subject of the Fetch is...delicate." When Fancy nods in answer, he lapses into silence.

"We should handle payment before we leave," you tell Erin. "Not that I'm saying we distrust you, but it's more...there's a word for this..."

"Professional?" Forum proposes.

"Yeah," Erin agrees. "I understand entirely - handle obligations promptly, with a minimum of misunderstandings. The Hidden Hoard shouldn't be dangerous but I'd like the chance to recover." She sips her Gatorade. "And there's the thing coming up, the whole Crown thing."

"Yeah," you agree. "I -"

There's a knock on the door. Fido barks, helpfully alerting you to the fact that there has been a knock on the door. You shush him gently, rub his head, and go to answer.

It's Zoe. She has a backpack under her arm and a tired expression on her face. You nod to invite her in, and the Queen of Bonfires makes her way to the kitchen with the others. The backpack she presses into your arms - it's oddly heavy, with two tube-like objects in it - before eyeing the food.

"Help yourself," you tell her. "Is this...?"

"Yes," Zoe agrees, on her way to The Food. "Her remains. We have some things to talk about. You need to talk about any of them with just me, Colors?"

"No," you tell her. "Fancy knows. The others know."

The Queen of Bonfires nods while she loads her plate down. "This funeral, you looking to have it before or after your trip?"

"...After," you tell her. "I need time to decide if I'm telling my father. If he's going to know...if I tell him, he deserves the chance to say goodbye."

"That thing -" Vickie begins, only to stop when Forum touches the back of her hand with his fingertips. She cuts off in an angry growl and goes back to eating, sulking the entire time.

"I see you assumed we're going," the Rook comments. "...Not unreasonable."

Zoe shrugs expressively and takes a few moments to put food in her face.

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>>2566115
"I'm gonna need to chat with Vickie about her Arrayer duties for the absence," Zoe says after she swallows. "I imagine you've got some ideas for interim training?"

"Yeah, can I get back with you on that later today after I've asked around?" Vickie loads a second plate up and gestures with her fork. "I've got some helpful ideas but I need to confirm back with the people I want to ask before I just go promising results."

"Works for me. Rook, as far as your request goes -" the Rook perks up, his eye directly on Zoe's face. The Queen of Bonfires takes a deep breath. "You know it's not simple."

"I know," your friend rasps.

"Good." Zoe pauses, then sighs. "If you want my blessing on your duel with Rachael I'm going to have to demand that you renounce your claim to the Throne. Nothing more, nothing less. That's the condition for me to get people to sit back and let it happen. You sure you want it that badly?"

Fancy looks between the two of them in the silence that falls after that question. Forum has eyes for his old liege; Vickie glares at Zoe.

"When?" the Rook asks. You hold the backpack with Susan's remains in it tighter to your chest.

"Closer to the actual duel. Probably in the Spring, considering the trip you're about to take," Zoe answers. "In public."

The Rook nods. He looks away, at your kitchen window, and rumbles a cough low in his throat. "I do want it that badly," he says at last.

"So be it then." Zoe takes a deep breath and nods. "I'm here now - do any of you need anything before I fuck off?"

"I require Miss Fancy," the Rook says. "Shall we?"

Fancy and your Wizened friend drift towards your living room. Forum follows, as a witness or a protector or maybe just to get away from the knot of bad feelings in the kitchen.

> Take Zoe up on her implied offer from before. Offload some of your feelings about Susan
> You should tell Erin that you and Fancy aren't a thing
> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.
> Keep your own counsel (skip forward)
> Write-in?

>>2566121
>> Take Zoe up on her implied offer from before. Offload some of your feelings about Susan

>>2566121
>> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.

Hey. Hey. Hey. No. Rook is awesome, and should not revoke his claim to the Throne. He could still be a better sovereign than Zoe.
>Talk to the Rook.

>>2566121
> Take Zoe up on her implied offer from before. Offload some of your feelings about Susan

We gotta talk to someone we ain't sexually tensioned with.

>>2566164
Gotta pay to play. The only way it'll truly be believable that it's not out of a selfish motive for the Rook to duel Rachel is if he surrenders any claim to benefit from it.

But yeah, she's gotta die.

>>2566164
July at Christmas showed pretty clearly that no, Zoe's the better monarch. She saw that she needed to prove that she was the right choice by helping the freehold. Rook thought that the throne was his by right, and that all he needed to do was sweep aside the pretenders to clear the way for his ascension.

Gonna update tonight after work. Sorry for this y'all, shifts are moving towards late nights for summer hours.

>>2566121
>> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.

>>2566250
Yeah, but Rook isn't giving up his claim to the throne right now, he's giving up his claim to the throne forever!

>>2566862
Rook has a worrying weakness (the water spirit chafing in his lungs_ A Ruler needs to be very strong. And what would Rachael Reeds do if Rook became ruler ?

>>2566894
Then we should bind Rachael Reeds. Capture her or get something she dearly wants. Have her pledge to heal Rook. We don't actually need to kill her, and if we don't need to kill her, we don't need Zoe's permission.

>>2567124
Not sure how practical that would be. Besides being individually terrifying, we’d have to contend with her cult.

> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.

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>>2566121
> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.

>>2568113
>>2567660
Like it didn't hurt when we fucked Erin?

I mean. Do we have an emotional HP that depletes? Because I feel we need a beach episode or something so people stop constantly throwing Colors into continuous emotionally draining states.

In fact, trying to fix all her shit at once is IMO a large part of what ruined the Fancy social links.

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>>2568634
I'm not looking to have this conversation to accuse Vickie that she was in the wrong. I'm actually trying to have it keep the friendship from festering from hurt feelings on both sides. You're absolutely right that this wont be an easy conversation to have, but the sooner we bring our issues to the light, the more cleanly we can resolve it.

Gonna call and write tomorrow, work was long and I need the time to sleep.

>>2567124
What...anon, what gives you the impression that what exists between the Rook and Rachael can plausibly end that way? Or that it's even your shot to call? As his friend you of course have the right to your opinion but ultimately this is the Rook's damage, not yours.

>>2568668
Personally, I'd still like to try and get that water out of his lungs in a way that doesn't involve him fighting a potentially lethal duel against someone who was able to stomp him even back when he still had two arms, two eyes, and a functioning set of lungs. I mean, it's entirely possible that he could still win, but it would be better to avoid that gamble in the first place.

>>2566121
> Talk to Vickie. She didn't come and you accepted that, but...that hurt. And it hurt more because of what happened after.
Knives McStabbers really needs a proper rundown of what all happened. Not her fault for not coming, of course, but it still.. kinda was shitty it turned out to be a Big Fucking Deal at the end

>>2568647
Sometimes you have to let the raw edges heal a bit first though.

Called, writing.

>>2569634
So that didn't happen. Yesterday was kinda...shot.

I need to go Prevent Homelessness, then I'll come back and write.

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>>2566121
"I think I'm good, your Majesty," you say after a moment's thought. "But thank you. You didn't have to come out all this way."

"Yeah, well...I know how it goes," Zoe not-answers. "One thing Raven always did well was stay available to people who needed him and I'd like to be that kind of Queen."

Erin's head comes up. "If I was the one who needed you?" she asks in a low voice. "...Fairest to Fairest, not vassal to monarch."

You, Vickie, and Forum all look at Zoe. The Queen of Bonfires looks Erin up and down, then steps closer; gently, she takes your friend's wrist and holds it up, so she can look at the thickening sheet music that has been painting itself across her skin. The songs move like a sing-a-long, the notes bouncing and swaying down her arms before vanishing at the wrist to make room for new notes.

"Alright," Zoe agrees after a moment. "Back yard work for you?" She sets Erin's wrist back down, and your friend stands.

"Works for me," Erin Peters agrees, and the two of them drift towards the rear of the house.

"Can we talk?" you ask Vickie.

"I'll go," Forum announces.

"Stay." Vickie sets her silverware down on her plate and looks at you. "What'cha need, Fearless Leader? I think I already know but, tell me."

"I wish you'd come," you murmur. You pull out a chair and sit down to rest; your body aches still. "I...I really wish you'd come, Vickie."

Vickie sighs and looks away. After a moment she takes a handful of quarters out of her pockets and starts to toy with them; they ripple in waves across her knuckles, dancing and clinking against each other, always in motion. "You fucked Erin," she says after a moment.

"What does that have to -" Forum begins, then he processes it. "Wait, what?"

"Shh," Vickie soothes. "...I'm going somewhere with this. I was pretty mad about it. Like...and it's fucked up that I was mad about it. Am mad about it. You're not mine or anyone's, you're yours, who you sleep with is your damage. But I kept asking myself that same question, that whole 'why not me' thing. And I think I know. I've been selfish and self-absorbed, trying to make you prop me up and not caring that you've got needs too. That sound right?"

> Maybe...yeah...
> No, I just don't see you like that
> Write-in?

Sorry for the short update I figure it's better to get something moving before I go see this movie that way it'll be easier to write after.

>>2572231
>> Maybe...yeah...

Seriously? No. The reason we didn't screw Vickie is because she didn't need us.

>>2572231
> Write-in?
>Maybe? But i always felt like if we were gonna do it... we'd do it right, y'know? Not just doing it... but doing the whole thing. Erin's much simpler than that

>>2572231
OH MY GOD EMOTIONAL MATURITY! RUN! RUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

>Take a deep look inside yourself and consider that.
>I was torn between concern about our existing if tentative relationship and attempting to stay loyal to Fancy.

>>2572265
>support

>>2572231
>> No, I just don't see you like that

>>2572231
Supporting this >>2572301 and this >>2572265 if by "simpler" we mean "It was easier at the time to fuck up one relationship with just Fancy instead of our relationship with Fancy AND a Friendship with you. Where would we have gone afterwards of we HAD hooked up that night? It wasn't just sex you wanted from me, was it."

>>2572265
Erin > Vickie

>>2572231
>> Write-in?
You're very attractive, but sleeping with fellow Motley members will only create problems in the long term.

Also, I've betrayed too many people and don't want to betray you.

>>2572802
>>> Write-in?
>You're very attractive, but sleeping with fellow Motley members will only create problems in the long term. Also, I've betrayed too many people and don't want to betray you.

And now this

https://wildwestscifi.net/filler/16671-colorization

>>2572868
I'm not sure why, but the very top part of her scalp color there makes me think she's black, or was black as a human. Same with the hair. I'm pretty sure that's not the case so I have no idea why I'm thinking this

>>2572868
Man people really like Colors as a Butch lesbian.

Personally I've always preferred the more classic look used as picture as the start of the thread,

>>2572908
I've been describing her hair as glass spikes this entire time anon.

Also the pic at the start of this thread is Zoe.

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>>2572915

>>2572908
...We're 28 threads into Being a Butch Dyke So Gay She's Made of Rainbows and you just noticed? Cause boy do I have some news for you about lesbians and swords...

>>2572986
Honestly she's always seemed really feminine to me. Just, you know, stabby.

Gonna update tonight after work, give it about ten and a half hours.

Votes open in the meantime

>>2572908
yeah i agree, once the pic >>2572944
got posted i was sticking with that. Plus colors is basically crying all the time, didn't seem too butch to me

>>2573061
>>2573302
That pic...is still...butch though.

> Plus colors is basically crying all the time, didn't seem too butch to me

That is not relevant to her aesthetic or gender expression? People have emotions, sometimes strong ones. Things happen as a result.

>>2573307
>>2573307
Hmm maybe our definitions of butch differ?
>a lesbian whose appearance and behavior are seen as traditionally masculine.
is what i'm working from, thanks google. She's got that stylish bob cut, full lips, basically laser-drawn eyebrows... That's almost the definition of lipstick to me.
>emotions
I don't disagree that people have strong emotions, but I might imagine that someone with a butch aesthetic would go out of their way to react in a more masculine fashion, i.e. probably not crying quite so readily. For point of contrast, if we were playing a male character and he cried a lot, i imagine people would see him as pretty sensitive/feminine.

>>2573307
>>2573318
but again you're the qm so not trynna rile you up, your word is law.

Butch is... a complicated identity desu. The common perception is of female masculinity, but it's really this deep thing with decades of rich history. Butch is machismo, but as a signal to other lesbians that they are safe with us; butch is chivalry and gentle but straightforward flirtation; butch is vulnerability and tenderness behind closed doors. Butches are poets, caretakers, cooks, housekeepers; in a butch/femme couple, the butch is usually the stay-at-home housewife. Butch is knowing how to fight to keep your girl safe, even if you don't have a girl right now. Butch is being a strong shoulder for other women to cry on. Butch is gentle hands and a warm smile when life is hard.

And butch aesthetic is always evolving. A butch can be a dapper lesbian in a suit smoking a cigar, a punk in a spiked jacket with spiked hair, a gal in a tank and shorts in full suns out guns out cockiness, or even a goth with a side shave and bicep ink in a knee-length sleeveless dress. Butch and femme are so complicated that entire books have been written on their study and expression.

Also, get that butch a sword. Butches love swords.

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>>2573380

>>2573380
That's just masculinity you're describing IMO.

But honestly this topic is terrible and I'm sad it got started, but thank you for sharing your personal perspective on it.

Also, butches love cannons.

> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bYqxyCUn5uc

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>>2573380
I definitely meant how her jaw tends more towards the square in the picture and the hair resembles a buzz cut, or high & tight which are definitely much more classically butch than >>2572944, which DOES present more the appearance of a lipstick lesbian.

Especially with the colours evoking heavy but still quite traditional makeup which is a pretty big stretch to identify with Butch as a stylistic choice as opposed to an identification.

I guess Colors could be Butch in the sense that Bishounen are masculine.

Although I must say, I'm uncomfortable with the implication in your listing off of Butch qualia that femme lesbians wouldn't have those qualities, or femme women in general wouldn't have them. Kind of reflective of internalized infantilization of women a little bit there I feel, but also I doubt that was intended.

>>2573307
>>2573302

Pic related

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>>2574144

>>2574144

Butch/femme exist as a dynamic for a reason. Neither exists in a vacuum, neither can apply to non-lesbian positions in orientation, and, yeah, they're signalling certain qualities. A feminine bi woman isn't a femme, a femme is a dyke who wants a butch. Femmes are smart and iron-willed, tend to have razor-sharp wits and smiles that melt our (butches') hearts. Femmes tend to work with their minds more than their hands, and tend to like to be physically pampered after a hard day at work. Femmes have a lot of positive, powerful qualities- but positioning yourself as a femme is a different signal than positioning yourself as a butch. We exist in tandem as reflections and partners to one another, so our qualities tend to skew in certain directions compared to each other. Of course, these are broad trends, not prescriptions, and there exist delicate butches and femmes who kick ass... but on the whole, it's a culture, and cultural signals tend to be, well, signals.

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>>2574202
what's even happening anymore

>>2574202
i'm hetero and what is this

>>2574202
> neither can apply to non-lesbian positions in orientation

That only makes sense if we accept the framework of butch/femme identity being an attempt to define relationship roles in the context of hetero-normative values.

I mean, is a Butch lesbian still Butch when she's single? If it's just a matter of it being simply cultural on the whole, then what's the difference between a lesbian Butch and a straight woman who signals Butch qualia in her dress and manner?

> A feminine bi woman isn't a femme, a femme is a dyke who wants a butch.
> We exist in tandem as reflections and partners to one another

Except that Butch-Butch and Femme-Femme relationships do exist. Which in turn begs the question of the exact nature of the connection between sexual preference and Butch/Femme identity

After all, the label and identity of "Butch" predates the identity of "Femme" lesbians due to the much stricter scope of socially accepted gender behavioural norms. In fact there have been times where "Butch" was considered to be the only acceptable portrayal of lesbians both inside the Queer community as well as by mainstream society with "Femme" lesbians being discriminated against as "not real lesbians" because they can easily pass as straight. There was even a backlash against the terms Butch and Femme in 2nd wave Queer Feminism.

Indeed, the term "Butch" itself was originally used to describe a male "tough youth" (The example given was George "Butch" Cassidy and wasn't used to describe lesbian women until the 1940s.

To quickly compare back to Tomboys who are women that have masculine interests but don't necessarily wear masculine styles or act in a masculine fashion. It's practically a trope for women Mechanics to be very Feminine in dress and attitude while engaging in a traditionally masculine hobby or job. Tomboy is used both interchangeably and separately within the Queer community as well; Butch women can be Tomboys as well by having hobbies/work in traditionally masculine fields, but Tomboy isn't necessarily Butch as a woman can be a Tomboy while still conforming to gender norms in appearance and attitude to the degree that they pass as straight.

>>2574249
>>2574290

Sorry, I can stop talking about this topic if it's disruptive. I just find it interesting to discuss since so much of the issue is both subjective definition of qualities

> Butch women are "aggressive and confrontational" in comparison to what? Femme women? Traditional feminine standards? Masculine behaviour? Are Femme women less "Butch"? More Feminine? Is it more about the role the woman plays in a lesbian relationship or their personal identity - and can a woman be a Butch in one relationship but the Femme in a different one or is the context of a Butch or Femme identity independent of relationships. If it is independent of being in a lesbian relationship, then is it necessary to actually be a lesbian to be "Butch" or "Femme"?

> Also is B/F Identity a binary dichotomy, or is it more of a transitional scale from maximum Butch to maximum Femme? What makes certain qualities B/F, and how many or how strongly expressed do they need to be?

> What about Trans people? Is a Butch woman who transitions to male still Butch - or only if they are still attracted to women? What about a man who transitions to female, are they able to be Femme or Butch?

Context also comes up a lot.

> Which context is valid? The original use from the 40s and 50s to establish relationship roles conforming to traditional gender roles that excluded women BB and FF relationships as being Kiki identity separate from B/F?

> Does being visibly non-conforming to expected gender roles exclude a woman from being Femme? Does passing as straight exclude a woman from being Butch? And conversely, is it required to be visible or passing to be Butch or Femme?

> Is B/F identity separate from Hetero-normative expectations, an imitation of it, or a reaction against it?

> Is identifying as B/F an intrinsic quality? Can someone choose to be one or the other?

> How much of B/F identity is social signaling and presentation? Can someone dress and act according to one position in the community while assuming the relationship role of the other position? Or if it dresses like a Butch, walks like a Butch, and talks like a Butch is that person Butch or do they have to also "be on top" in bed, take care of the household instead of work, be the only one to fight?

> Can Butch/Femme roles or identity be present in non-traditional relationships? Does it require a 1-1 ratio or exclude Poly relationships entirely? Does it require sexual intercourse within a relationship?

I got one more splurge after this, but it's the most relevant bit.

>>2574604
>>2574202

So finally we come to the current state of affairs. Recently there has been a big backlash towards Butch lesbians in many Queer communities - oddly paralleling the same backlash to gay Femme men.

Issues are arising with perceived sexual aggressiveness associated with Butch identity, a history of Femme lesbians being discriminated against within the lesbian community (I remember when Lipstick Lesbian was an insult implying a woman was pretending for male attention, or intending to stay in the closet, or experimenting / sexual tourism and intending to return to a hetero-normative lifestyle. Remember Tatu?), and increased acceptance by mainstream society allowing Lesbians (and Queer orientation people in general) to retain and make social connections outside of the queer community while at the same time reducing the perceived need for visible representation and pressure to conform to specific Queer identity.

This is causing an increasing isolation of Butch women in Lesbian communities. Some claim it's internalized homophobia in favour of "passing" or adherence to "traditional" beauty standards, others say that it's because Butch/Femme isn't as relevant anymore. After all, straight women are wearing pants, playing sports, competing in combat sports like UFC, getting Michelle Obama arms, etc reducing the visibility of Butch women anyways.

Additionally there are Bisexual women who are now seeing more acceptance by mainstream society than they are in lesbian communities. Where they previously stayed and pretended to be fully gay, they're now leaving a lot of communities behind.

> A feminine bi woman isn't a femme,

*Cough* Bi erasure *Cough*. Fucking Gold Star bullshit.

As well Trans* people are becoming more visible and divides over their role within Queer communities are appearing. Many FtM present as Butch Lesbians, but what about after they transition? What about MtF lesbians?

> Further recommended reading: "Historical Dictionary of the Lesbian and Gay Liberation Movements" by JoAnne Myers - describes the origin and evolution of B/F identity and it's acceptance by academic, Queer, and mainstream society for both lesbians and gays.

> Queering the Field? by Jayne Caudwell on Lesbian Football players. Personal accounts of both Butch and Femme women and their interactions with each other and straight teammates, as well as quotes from outside people about how women athletes are perceived.

> "Butch-Femme" by Teresa Theophano - A concise short summary with sources about the evolution of B/F identity.

So I hope all this background about Butch and Femme identities has given other players if not some potential perspective on how Colors presents and how other people both Queer and straight might perceive her, then it's given some direction for further investigation into Queer and specifically Lesbian identity. I also hope to see some of these issues encountered during the Quest.

>>2572231
>> Write-in?

> Partly?
> I don't...think it was about "you or her," I think it was just that...she was there, and she needed me, and she showed it. And it was at a time when I needed something, too.
> And...well, I'm not sure if it was really right or not. I mean, I'm still trying to figure out what I have with Fancy, and it's—she's really important to me, and...
> ...and mostly I'm just really confused, and I don't want you to think that because I did one thing one time, it reflects a well-thought-out decision on my part or a solid understanding of my own emotional state.

...Though most of that is probably way too self-aware for Colors to really be able to access and articulate.

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>>2573281
Do me two personal favors y'all:

1. Try to be courteous to one another

2. If you're at the grocery store and you have two orders in two different carts, for the love of FUCKING GOD, PUT THE FIRST ORDER IN THE FRONT. I don't care how you have to arrange it if I find out halfway through that you're gonna have to try and shuffle this shit in some kinda interdimensional space-warping bullshit to get the second order behind the first with a packed line of people watching you do this I'm gonna burn this world to the ground and let the squid-people rise to claim our place as the dominant fucking species.

Votes remain open.

>>2575310
Do you do writing for money ever?

Because it sounds like your current job (since DLQ) is pretty fucking terrible.

Like. It's been three years Vox. Help me understand what is going on and why you aren't doing other things that make you happy.

>>2575725
I have children and retail work keeps them in things like food, clothing, and school supplies that fucking off to be a starving writer until I either make it into an actual career or die won't. They didn't ask to be ripped from the void and imprisoned in a sack of stone and meat, I did that shit to them, I kinda need to take responsibility for that.

Plus I like, love and care for them an' shit.

>>2575763

I was thinking more like journalism writing for supplemental income. Or setting up a patreon for writing things like the Jacks Unsanctioned Editorials you do for the Avalon setting. Or reviewing RPGs. Or writing scenarios in your settings for RPG systems. Or even getting together with an artist to do short comics.

No judgement on what you're already doing I know that it takes time and energy you might not have even if you had the desire to do those sorts of things.

I'm just spitballing things I believe you would do well enough at people would pay for it.

I want to make it clear that I don't intend any implication that your job is underachieving or anything. I mean it provides for your kids after all, but even then I don't think people are obligated to chase "success". Judging people as "underachieving" for not pursuing a better "career" or for not risking everything to follow their "dreams" is bullshit, however you choose to live your life is valid.

I just wanted to put out some positivity that if you did choose to change things that i believe you would succeed and that i would be willing to contribute to it. Not much, like $10 a month or for every "extra" that you create for the quest. Because I want more threads and more extras.

It might have been a totally unnecessary offer as well but I was concerned about the consistency of your posts about the toll your job takes on you and your dissatisfaction with the environment.

Also a final reminder that you ARE choosing to continue on at your job and you can take pride in the fact that you aren't trapped there but are doing exactly what you want despite not enjoying it. Exercising your will to power doesn't mean always choosing the easiest or most comfortable path.

HOKAY SO:

Here in about a week I pick up my spawn for their summer visit. As is customary, I will not be posting during that time. However, it is my intention to begin the hiatus early. I'm going to spend some time tomorrow (Sunday) getting this conversation to a stopping point so that I can step back, cycle my brain off, and focus on some of the Professional Writing Obligations.

You may see more side material during the visit if I get the bug upon me, and I'll announce when it's time to restart on the Tumblr, as usual.

Thank y'all for your patience.

>>2578463
Enjoy the summer visit!

Be sure to make allowances in your schedule to account for all the plagues they're about to spread to you!

But seriously, have fun with your family.

Gonna archive the thread. Got struck down by illness so it's just gonna have to sit here until the visit is over. My apologies folks.

>>2587572
>My apologies folks.
Surely not, the only important thing is that you get well soon.

>>2587572

How does a lich get sick? Aren't you supposed to be the one making the disease sick?

>>2587847
You see, when a sexy lich sees a sexy schlickin' bitch and said sexy lich seeks to lick said sexy schlickin' bitch's six sis, but then said sexy lich slipped on said sexy schlickin' bitch, said sexy lich is now a sick sexy lich.