OneWhoTurns

A/N Nov 2018: So. Chapter 6 (7 on AO3) is going to have a lot of technical stuff. I’m a sucker for the imagery of magic control so... it may be wordy and potentially clunky... Though that’s mostly 6-2. A little in this section too, though, so if you’ve got feedback on if/how to clean it up and make it more concise, lemme know. Always looking for comments. ^^  Elsewhere: AO3, FFnet, ko-fi (for 6-2 preview).

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: 6 (as of yet untitled)
Chapter Part: 1/?
Story Part: 18/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1798
Rating: T
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (5-3), next part (6-2)

“The key to resisting enchantment is an unwavering surety in one’s own self.”

They’d paused mid-afternoon by a stream Emily had never been aware of before. Then again, they’d been traveling far from any path she’d known, the forest parting to let them pass. While she’d taken a moment to rest, the Outsider had slipped silently into the trees, melting down to shadow again, and returned a few minutes later with an update about the witches’ progress in their search. Satisfied that they had a substantial lead, with the witches searching west instead of east, he’d initiated her first lesson.

“Doubt is both necessary and disastrous. You cannot doubt the tenets of your will, but you must doubt what you are being asked to do.”

A/N Nov 2018: This fae au just keeps growing, I guess. If you’re enjoying it I’d love to see some love for it over on AO3 where it’s going up under the title Iron and Gold. Elsewhere: AO3, FFnet, and the next preview on ko-fi.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: 5 (I can't fuckin title stuff to save my life)
Chapter Part: 2/3
Story Part: 16/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 2179
Rating: T
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (5-1), next part (5-3)

They went about their business separately, silently, and Emily realized they were getting a much later start than she’d expected. When she’d tucked in for the night she thought she would be lucky to get a few hours of sleep and wake at dawn, but by the time they mounted up it was nearly noon. The realization hit her with a quick jolt of panic as they worked their way deeper into the woods, the horses seemingly briefed on their route beforehand, and she chided herself for not thinking of it sooner. Then again, she’d never been on the run before. If she’d been in Delilah’s place there would’ve been scouts out all night with dogs, seeking out the escaped captive. By noon the next day they would’ve searched well past the point in the forest where the queen now rode.

A/N Nov 2018: Oh wow. I guess I’m all caught up posting the faeU. Working on 5-1/5-2 now, posting the whole project (in full chapters) over on AO3, as well... but in case anyone is trying to keep up with things, I thought I’d keep sharing. This section contains something akin to a panic attack, and a bit of distorted thought processes and teensy bit of comforting around trauma. Reader discretion is advised. Also; shifter! AO3, FFnet, and over on ko-fi, there’s a bit of 5-1.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: Flight
Chapter Part: 3/3
Story Part: 14/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1885
Rating: T maybe M
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (4-2), next part (5-1)

Her supplies weren’t exactly ideal, grabbed rather hastily in her escape, but Emily made do. She could focus on future plans in the morning - where she was going, how she’d feed herself, defend herself. Morning was only a few hours away, if she woke at the crack of dawn. She needed rest and she needed to stay warm as autumn shifted to its second half. With the dry chill in the air she hadn’t bothered using her quickly waning energy for building a full shelter, instead setting up a makeshift bedroll between log and fire, where she now lay staring at the leaves that blocked her view of the sky.

A/N Nov 2018: A heads up for some self-blame and anxiety this chapter. Just a content warning.
A/N Oct 2018: So many tropes that I adore. People being decent to others who are under the influence is one of them. If you want to read some of my actual posted stuff: AO3, FFnet, and if you’re curious about a ko-fi preview of 4-2.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: Flight
Chapter Part: 1/3
Story Part: 12/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1750
Rating: T maybe M
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (3-3), next part (4-2)

She was hungry. She felt so empty without the taste of sunshine that had filled her with such joy, such warmth - such complete delirious contentment. She’d tried to clean it all off of her, slurping at the fabric of her dress, licking her fingers raw, but there was nothing left. But she’d been told to wait. That if she waited there would be more. So she did.

A/N Oct 2018: The continuation of the faeU! In which we meet Delilah. Elsewhere: my AO3, FFnet, ko-fi preview for 3-3.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: The Usurper
Chapter Part: 2/3
Story Part: 10/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 2333
Rating: T maybe M
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (3-1), next part (3-3)

Emily felt her head pounding and breath shallow even as she held her head high, irritated but not altogether ungrateful for the unyielding holds of the women who guided her back to the royal palace. Her legs were trembling. Had she been asked to walk on her own, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stay as composed.

A/N Oct 2018: Elsewhere: AO3, FFnet, and the preview on ko-fi for the next section. It seems that the “2″ section of the fae au is a bit more segmented than 1. But - of course - I’m a sucker for drawing out anything before a kiss. Speaking of kisses...

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: An Offer
Chapter Part: 4/4
Story Part: 8/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1673
Rating: T
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (2-3), next part (3-1)

Emily didn’t notice it at first. She assumed the leaves that brushed her slippered feet were just more of the forest floor, overgrown with roots and weeds as it was. It was only when she tried to move toward him that she realized her feet were tangled in ivy. She blinked at them in confusion, and saw them continuing a slow weaving pattern, trapping her there. Startled, she looked to the faerie. “Did you-” She fell silent as he rested his finger on her lips. Not a single word came to her tongue as she watched in dawning awe at the subtle changes taking place.

A/N Oct 2018: Here comes some more of the fae au! My AO3 and FFnet and a preview on ko-fi for 2-3. Comments, likes, and reblogs are all massively appreciated!

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: An Offer
Chapter Part: 2/4
Story Part: 6/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1491
Rating: PG (higher rating later chapters)
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (2-1), next part (2-3)

He never spoke, she observed distantly as they walked just slightly faster than meandering, her escort seeming to know exactly where he was going. His face was expressive, smile small and disconcertingly polite, but he made no attempt to speak a word. She couldn’t drag her eyes away from him. The moon turned his hair a rich blue black even as it bleached every creamy fold and glittering flower of her dress white. Her breath was calmer than it probably should have been, watching how his fingers just barely supported her hand, a delicate whisper of skin on skin that felt effervescent.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: The Queen
Chapter Part: 3/3
Story Part: 4/?
Pairing: Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 965
Rating: PG (higher rating later chapters)
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), previously (1-2), next part (2-1)

“If I may?”

Before she could protest, the young lord stepped away. Emily’s eyes narrowed at the man who took his place, though she accepted his hand on her back without comment. He said not a word, and his silence was intriguing. She studied him carefully as they danced.

Story Title: Iron & Gold
Chapter Title: The Queen
Chapter Part: 1/3
Story Part: 2/?
Pairing: eventual Emily/Outsider (emsider)
Word count: 1530
Rating: PG (higher rating later chapters)
Summary: Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings – faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales... [A Dishonored fae AU]
start here (prelude), next part (1-2)

Ever since she was a child Emily had been cautioned: beware the fae. She’d heard the typical warnings -- faerie rings, wishing wells, mysterious lights in the darkness. But they were just cautionary tales, names of people she’d never met, stories about a land where things were so beautiful they would drive men mad. She’d never known a family that thought itself to have a changeling. She’d never spotted a brownie dusting up the corners of the castle. No faerie-gifted musicians or craftsmen had ever taken work in the royal palace.

When she was ten - when her mother was murdered - things changed. Years later Emily struggled to remember that day-- those months. People grabbing her, pulling her away as she screamed for her mother, watching glassy eyes that stared unblinkingly to the sky, fingers digging into her shoulders as she shrieked and wailed. Some time - days? weeks? - locked up in a room with only masked jailers to bring her sustenance. Losing herself in daydreams of how her mother was fine, and how she’d have every guard and soldier and knight in the kingdom looking for her daughter, how Corvo would come for her. Every time she heard swords clashing she’d imagine it was him, on the warpath to come rescue her. But it never was. Then she’d been moved.

A/N Sept 2018: So I wrote this a while back, and intended it to be part of a longer fic, with this as the ‘jumping right into the deep end’ nightmare prologue, but it works well enough as a standalone ficlet. I may end up posting on AO3/FFnet, I may not. For more of my work - AO3, FFnet, ko-fi. This one is... dark. Gory. Perhaps depressing. But, as I said, it’s a nightmare.

Title: beastly
Chapter: 1/1
Characters: Emily Kaldwin
Word count: 2289
Rating: T/M for canon-typical gore
Summary: Emily has a nightmare?

Emily felt the sting and burn of the blade cutting into her flesh even as she ducked and dodged, but, true to her training, she didn’t falter. A flash of steel and one attacker fell, grabbing at his sliced tendon, a thud and he was out cold thanks to a heavy blow to the temple. She tried not to kill them. She’d been trying. But her non-lethal ammo ran out after the first ten or twenty and they seemed to keep coming.

Her Void-given abilities had helped take them down efficiently at first, but she only had so much energy. The bodies had begun to pile up. For a fairly large room, there wasn’t much space to maneuver around the unconscious bodies that littered the floor.

How long had she been fighting? It felt like ages, though she knew it couldn’t have been that long -- time seemed to slow in a fight, but it couldn’t have been more than eight minutes. Still, eight minutes was an eternity. Most fights were over in one, maybe two. But - seven strictures - they kept coming.