Hello friendsssss!

I have had a mid-term/exam-filled week!

I hope your week was better than mine! 

I have more this week too ;-;

Feel like a stressed messss

But art takes away my stress so uh yay!

Here we go!

But first thing isn't CH/CB related so uh... be prepared-

Warning: spoilers for the Life series/Traffic Light SMP

GAHHH THE TORSO MAKES ME ANNOYEDDDD

Also, the gray outline was intentional; Sketchbook was just being a bitch >:(

Anyways, so in the SMP, they had their new series, aka Wild Life!

It was a great season and Joel Smallishbeans won so uh... I did some fanart because he won!

The ghosts (in series Winner order): Grian (sun), Scott (Star), Pearl (moon), Martyn (Mars), Scar (Pluto), anddd Cleo (Uranus) 

This isn't normally how I draw ghosts, however, I wanted to do something simple so I went with this.

Joel is holding an ender pearl because that's how he decided to end his series: by throwing them into the air and hitting the ground until he died. 

It was actually very silly.

Oh and the words after he won was: 'victory' so that's why I added that.

CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT SEASONNNNNNNNNNNN

ANY HOOT CH STUFF NOW:

ALASKAAAAA (Aka Russian America)

I had this idea for a bit but decided to wait till December because ykkk, s n o w

She is just looking at the Northern lights :)

Her outfit is based on Inuit outfits from the 1700s that I found online.

Also, drawing the wings was fun.

Regency of the Algiers! 

I was reading up on it out of boredom (because I liked the flag) and found out the country was involved in piracy, so I was like: yk what, I have an idea.

He just did some stuff that got him some coins yk?

What kind of stuff?

Idk man. I don't pay attention.

His outfit is based on Aruj Barbarossa who was the first guy to lead the country!

Now have this unfinished piece of-...... art.......

Gosh I hate this drawing-

uhh unfinished, because I lost motivation but um, that is supposed to be the Central African Empire.

I saw the name/flag, was interested, and learned a lot of stuff, including the dictator in charge of the country. 

I just want to say in case anybody is thinking of such, no I do not support the dictator that was in charge. Actually, I think learning about what he did was part of the reason I gave up on the drawing- 

But uh..

There...

Now, remember the little Osraige drawing from a couple chapters back? Wellll I was going to add something last chapter but I forgot... so.. now.. you have... a cursed... thing...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

NO REGRETS. 

A certain SOMEBODY also wanted this so ykkkk.. not to drop names or anythinggggggg......

Alright, so uh, over this week, I came up with a new AU that I really wanted to share with you guys. Which brings us to this art:

Sooo this AU I am calling the Tears Of A Glowing Ember AU. This is separate from my OG AU anddd I just got this silly little idea that I wanted to try. 

Mr. Meath right here has been having a ROUGH time.. but then... he finds a little em- stone. With this stone, he begins to talk to somebody unknown. 

He doesn't know who this person is. 

But they promise to help him. 

So will he really say no? :)

I won't say much else about this AU because I am seriously considering turning it into an actual book.

 Of course, I am still working on the Connacht thing (which will possibly have a first chapter posted sooonnnnn) however, I kind of want to work on this too because I am in love with this AU I made ;-;

I might make a spotify playlist for it as well, who knows! 

Just think of the possibilities rehehehehehe!

ANYWAYYY

BALLS:

Duchy of Normandy (red ball), Kingdom of France (his old flag, blue ball)

KoF had enough with this Norman shit. 

But don't worry! Normandy will be fineeeeeeee.. why would anything go wrong?

............

There may just be SOME slicing and dicing..............

Yk what?

Let's just cook up some lore for you, how about that? 

I am so glad you agree!

Let's go!

"I want you to know that I don't really want to see you." Ulaid stated in a firm tone, feeling uneasy and as uncomfortable as ever. This meeting had been planned and Ulaid had dreaded the days leading up to it. He didn't want to see Airgialla nor interact with her ever again, but unfortunately life didn't work that way. They still bordered each other, they still were enemies, and unfortunately, they were related.

Airgialla smiled cooly before speaking, her dark eyes reflecting her feelings. "Aw come on. I'm your daughter, didn't you miss me?"

"I can't say I did. Especially after what you did." Ulaid kept his calm composure, he wanted to say so many things, let out the anger and grief he'd felt since that day, but knew it wasn't worth it. It wouldn't change anything. He had to move on, and he had to keep calm. Five hundred years had passed, perhaps she changed. That was what he wanted to believe, but inside he still had doubts.

"Well how about for a moment we forget about all of that alright?" She asked, continuing to smile.

"Forget?" he scoffed, wondering if she was joking.

"Yes." Airgialla spoke in a sweet tone, full of joy.

"You are insane if you think I am just going to forget." Ulaid replied, gripping the sides of his robes tightly.

"Hm. Alright well, I understand why you may think I am lying and have ill intentions, but trust me, I just wanted to see my Áthair." Airgialla continued to smile, while Ulaid felt a frown form on his face.

"I'm afraid I am not convinced." Ulaid replied, narrowing his eyes slightly, "but I will let you stay."

"Excellent." Airgiallas' eyes had lit up with joy as she spoke, "well then, how about this for a start, I am sorry for what I did and I am hoping to rebuild our relationship."

Ulaid eyed her cautiously, she seemed to be sincere but could she really be trusted after everything? "Perhaps, but if we do, you must know it will take time. It's hard for me to forgive you after what you did to Emain Macha."

"I didn't mean to kill him." Airgialla smiled smoothly.

Lies. Ulaid thought to himself, feeling his eyes narrow. Airgialla knew what she was doing. She knew he would die if she- Don't react. "You didn't..." 

"Nope!" Airgialla continued her smile, which Ulaid was half convinced was fake.

"I see..." He frowned.

"Now I think we should chat about something else... Like... how about.. Aliech just got the high kingship!" Airgialla suggested.

"Mhm... I have been getting raided. Specifically my monasteries.. With... fire..." His voice drifted slightly at the last word. He hated fire. He constantly felt like he had to double-check incessantly to be sure he didn't set something on fire. He knew he couldn't risk it ever getting out of hand again. "I find it silly of course since the title is only symbolic. I hate how she and Meath always act like they rule everybody..."

"I can relate; after all they don't truely own the island but you know we all have to push back against them just to remind them." Airgialla joyfully spoke. I have been fighting back. Ulaid thought, keeping his expression neutral, which took some effort. Who hasn't?

"Well I know it's been a little rough so why not do a little trade?" Airgialla suggested, offering a hand. 

Ulaid blinked in complete confusion. Was this truely what it was about? Did she simply only come here for trade? Was that why she said sorry? "Trade...?"

"Trade!"

"Trade what exactly?" Ulaid raised an eyebrow, feeling more focused on the conversation now and less focused on his own thoughts.

"Well I was thinking... Maybe some weapons? Just to help you defend? Or maybe some free livestock..." Airgialla continued to ramble on about what else they could trade and Ulaid simply started to drift off, not focused at all on the conversation before him.

He simply answered with "Mhm" and "Yep..." the conversation went on for quite some time until Ulaid finally tried to change the topic.

"Why are you really here?" Ulaid made direct eye contact, feeling uneasy.

"I already told you-"

"If you thought I actually believed that you must take me for a fool." Ulaid replied, his gaze darkening as he spoke.

Airgialla seemed to process his words before coming up with a response, "I do not take you for a fool."

"Then why are you really here?"

Airgialla didn't reply, she eyed him, her gaze no longer happy and at peace, but slightly agitated now. "I wanted to see yo-"

"Honesty."

"Fine, you want honest?" Her voice was snappish now, "Aleich wanted me to speak to you."

Ulaid groaned, staring at the stone ceiling above, looking like he wished it could just fall onto him, "Of course she did. I really can't tell if she or Connacht is worse sometimes..."

Airgialla chuckled, "well, that's why I am here. Now that you've got your answer-"

"Hold on, let's not change the topic here. What does NÚN want?" Ulaid demanded.

"NÚN?"

"Northern Úi Neill, Aliech, same person. You know who I'm talking about." Ulaid narrowed his eyes, staring at Airgialla with a fierce gaze.

"She just wanted to see how you were..."

"So she wanted you to spy?"

"Not exactly... She wants to just, you know, see if your land is good and stuff..." She seemed to struggle with her wording of the sentence.

"So, spying." Ulaid reaffirmed.

"Noooooooooooooooyesssssssssssss?" Airgialla's expression changed from a firm to a slightly guilty one.

"Of course she did..." He muttered, gripping the bridge of his nose, and closing his eyes. "I am not stupid, I know she wants to be the big controller of the north. That's why she even subjugated your lands to begin with." Ulaid narrowed his eyes, "I'm surprised you didn't fight back."

"I did." Airgialla didn't smile now, she seemed slightly annoyed.

"Then I assume you didn't fight hard enough." Ulaid paused before speaking once more, "I know she wants to fight me."

"That she does. Since you know, that was why you allied with Dál Riata?" She crossed her arms in an unimpressed way.

Ulaid didn't reply and due to the lack of reply she added, "I suggest you don't try anything. You would be sealing your own subjugation if you do that."

"I will do what I want, thank you." Ulaid could feel his fists clench.

Airgialla smirked "Of course you will, but just so you know I truly wasn't here to spy."

"Uh huh, and I am a Roman province." He rolled his eyes sarcastically. This earned him a frown. Ulaid sighed, "If you don't mind I am going to get some water. I apologize, but I am incredibly thirsty." He turned and began to walk the opposite direction, but heard the faintest sound of something being drawn.

In a flash Ulaid whipped around as a blade was brought downwards, and he grabbed the arm of Airgialla right before she could stab him. They stood there in silence for a moment, Airgialla holding the knife that would've buried into his back if he hadn't been alert, Ulaid holding the arm with the knife in the air. The knife glinting a vibrant silver from the shining light of the sun outside.

"I guess I did fail in parenting after all with you," He replied, feeling his pent up rage finally releasing itself. "I clearly didn't teach you how to be conspicuous."

Airgialla, didn't reply, just glared silently, Ulaid continued, "you didn't even try to hide the fact you were pulling out you're blade, I heard it and saw a flicker from the shadows, two, your aim would have simply injured me if you landed a blow simply because from the angle you were going for, you wouldn't have hit anything vital. I assume that was what you were going for, am I correct?"

Ulaid let go of Airgialla, and threw her back, glaring down at her. Airgialla slowly straightened up and put her blade in her cloak before smiling, "Hm, well I mean I guess you are still sharp."

"I never underestimate someone who killed my capital." His tone was cold as ice.

She sighed giving a smile "Athair... how about we pretend that didn't happen and continue our previous discussion."

"You came into my house, you tried to kill me, and now you are asking to stay?" Ulaid sounded incredibly unimpressed.

"Well I mean... Yes?" Airgialla tried to smile. Ulaid didn't return the smile.

"Did Aliech tell you to come and kill me?" He asked, crossing his arms.

"Maybe she did, maybe she didn't."

"Get out." He pointed at the door and for a long while she gazed at him with a strict glare before shrugging.

"You have always been a little stubborn." She observed.

"Being stubborn has kept me alive this long, while you are just reckless, now get out." He snapped.

"Times change Athair. Let that stick in your mind. You know Aliech doesn't give up easily. She never does." With those last words, she left he could feel the resentment burning off of her. 

He watched her leave as the door closed with a snap. Once she was gone, Ulaid fell to his knees, the wooden floor hard and creaky, feeling sweat drip down his brow. His breath was quick and he felt himself shaking uncontrollably. You're fine. You're fine, GAH! What is wrong with me?!

His hands curled into fists as he sat on the floor, trying to avoid thinking about that night, trying not to think about- wait, what if she burns down the house?! There are candles everywhere and-

He shot up to his feet and right as he did, the door opened to reveal Iveagh. "Airgialla is gone, Athair."

Ulaid felt slight relaxation, but it wasn't fully gone. He wanted to make sure, he wanted to check himself-

"I know what you're thinking." Iveagh frowned, approaching him and grabbing his arm. "She's gone Athair, you don't have to check five times to be sure."

"But what if-" He didn't hide the anxiousness that showed in his voice. It was funny, he was supposed to be the calm one, the one that didn't have panic attacks, but he felt like ever since that terrible night he had them. He hated himself for it. He wanted them to go away, to simply put them on a pause.

"It will be fine." Iveagh sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Athair, please trust me. Everything will be fine."

"No, it won't." Ulaid looked out the window, he could see her going over the hill but what if she was going to come back?!

"Athair!" Ulaid's gaze snapped to Iveagh who's eyes were narrowed now. "You will be fine."

Ulaid sighed, "I'm sorry I just..."

"I know... Get some rest." Iveagh smiled, "I will take care of everything in the meantime."

"Iveagh. I can't rest. Not when I know that Aliech wants to invade-"

"Athair." Iveagh sounded a little stern now.

"Iveagh you don't understand. You better hope you stay as a tuatha. Trust me, it's better that way." He muttered looking away at a table where rows of papers laid some in neat piles while others were scattered on different sides on the table. The papers included all sorts of letters, plans, news, and just notes he'd taken for some reason or another. Some of them were older then Ulaid would have liked to think, he knew he could've just burned them, but Ulaid had a bad habit of keeping letters, and also he would've rather stayed away from fire.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to meet Iveagh's gaze, she repeated herself "Athair, let me take care of things. You can trust me. I promise I'll watch everything, the house won't burn down, and you'll be fine."

"Thank you..." Ulaid sighed, looking away in shame. He hated that he acted like this and truly wished he was different.

As Ulaid exited the room and walked through the empty grey hallway, he felt a chill run down his spine, wondering what Aliech was planning.

On the bright side, I can get my water now.

End.

Yayyyyyy attempted murder!

As you can see, Ulaid needs therapy! 

Historical context: The Northern Ui Neill and Ulaid both fought each other for power in the north. Ulaid at one point allied with Dál Riata and thy both combined forced to fight the Northern Ui Neill at the Battle of Moira. 

You can guess who won that- 

About Ulaid's capital: according to Irish legend, the people of Airgialla burned down the ancient capital of Ulaid (Emain Macha); however, this account was written in about the 800s AD/CE and this was said to have happened sometime in the 300s. Sooo it calls the account into question-

Because it's very possible this account was just written so that the Northern Ui Neill would be willing to ally with Airgialla.

In my AU though, there is SOME truth to it. Airgialla did in fact kill him, but she twisted the truth a little to make it seem in her words: cooler!

Note about Airgialla: She does many things that, in her mind, guarantee her (and those she actually cares about) survival.

Sighhh I am getting tired now :(

Also I have to study. 

Questions, theories, or concerns?

Well it that's all:

I WILL SEE Y'ALL ON THE FLIP SIDEEEEE

BYE BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!