𓅻

𓃦
The Stray Dog / taken
new to the town, has lived through a lot of shit. Comes from a very poor area. Cheeky, savvy, aloof, an eye for business. Always teetering on self destruct mode. Would have more friends if they weren't so closed off. Strong intuition, firmly independent, but likes the company of others. Misses home but amnesia keeps taking hold. Wishes he spoke his own language to chase the hungry waṡicu away. Masc/nb.

𓃹
White Rabbit / open
Has a serious autoimmune disease meaning they are in hospital or stuck in a medical room most of the time. Spent half their life behind a plastic sheets, delicate as a lamb. Albino rabbit made of glass. People forget that when glass shatters, it cuts razors in their pretty white skin. Multilingual, socially not the most adept. Sitting duck for bullies. Has visions of the forest, past and future. Prophecies seen through a clouded glass. fem/nb.

𓃬
Starboy, Boy Wonder / open
Charming, confident, calm. Poster boy (of colour). Star player of the sports team. Hard working, but with a persona to uphold. Always chasing his own achievements. Intimidated by the medals in his closet. If only he were white, he'd have the whole world at his feet. Only something is starting to suggest he wouldn't want it that way. His twin dies in his mid teens, and for the first time he realises maybe he doesn't quite fit in like he thought he did. Bisexual. masc/nb.

𓆉
Mother Courage and her children / open
Loyal, brave and sturdy, her kindness carries her world on her shoulders, as graceful and strong as the sea. Hard working, but highly strung. Very rational mind, balanced. Does well in school and comes from a strict traditional family. Fem/nb.

𓅪
The Sparrow / taken
Loud mouthed comedian, struggling with his sexuality. Messy, sweary, always running into trouble. Does poorly in school, a slacker. Likes to start fights. Always getting punched in the face for saying something incendiary, or teasing some hotshot. Not from here, and homesick as hell. Masc/nb.

𓃓
Raw Tooth / open

Covered in cuts and bruises, this kid has serious angst, and serious issue with violent outbursts. Has been suspended from school for bullying and violence before. The world is pointing knives against them so they might as well spit back. Always drawing shit on their arms. Local delinquent, has a hard time making friends and a harder time keeping them. Just wants to prove himself. Underneath they are lonely and desperate to be loved. Masc/nb

𓃠
That Mysterious Angelic Creature / open

Petite, alluring but always with something to say. Observant and creative. No one would guess it but she's probably going to be famous some day, for causing a stir in the creative world. Peach soft kisses but concealing cruel daggers in defence. When she hits her teen years she suddenly becomes desirable, and lets it wash over with a smirk. Boys either want her or think she's a freak. She knows how she's perceived and takes full advantage of it. Struggles with her mental health in her teens. Both demure and a wild child inside, when you get to know her. Confusing, sometimes hard to get along with, sometimes all too easy. Full of beautiful contradictions. Fem/nb.

𓆈
The Wiccaman / open
Uncle went missing in the forest two years ago and ever since they have been obsessed by the supernatural rumours in Bonewood. Budding Wiccan. Consider them an expert in all things freak. Precocious, as if they're the only one with sense in this town. Wishes they read more but their dyslexia gets in the way. Bullied, but they don't listen. Bit of a freak, but with big yearning heart. Scared shitless like the rest of us but pretends otherwise. fem/nb

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author's note. welcome to Bonemarrow, Child! I have wanted to do something like this for a while, so excited that it's finally taking shape.

This fic follows these characters as they struggle to come of age in a small town. Along the way they come into contact with mysterious forces in the forest. Visions of a man-elk who roams the woods, gentle vibes and healing plants to bandage their wounds. There is a darker side too, for this is a power greater than you and me. The forest sees the damage the older generations lay upon these children. In its small way, the forest fights back. These slots refer to the children who receive pagan experiences in the woods. There is also an opportunity to adjust/ design your own slot if you wish, but message me first so as not to duplicate anything we have already.

My first OC is Luko, who comes from Pine Ridge. He's Oglala Lakota and although tough as nails (boys don't cry..) he's reeling from the move and what came before. He's the main reason this fic came into being.

My second OC some of you might recognise. One of my oldest OCs but also one that is surgically attached to my heart. I swear this boy has a hold over me like nothing else. Part of my soul ripped raw. It's Callan! I know he's currently in a (great) apply fic but honestly idk how long I'll stay on wp and I've never got a chance to write him myself. I wasn't planning on having 2 OCs but the concept for this fic was originally conceived via Callan and I just couldn't let go...

A few notes on the open slots/inspiration:

Starboy/Boy Wonder was inspired by Jackson Marchetti. He's a jock but not an all star American asshat. I imagined him as black, but you can definitely change his ethnicity. But I won't accept a white character. Intended to be love interest of Callan, tbh, but that'll be the long game. Could date Mother Courage for a bit for sure. When he starts to embrace his queerness I think he could start changing - I kinda see a queer cowboy aesthetic? But that's totally optional, just an idea.

White Rabbit you can be as creative with as you want. This kid should be disabled though. I imagined albino as well, but it's totally up to you. She is definitely not so socially adept because she's spent a lot of time in hospital, but that doesn't mean she's meek/mild, or in need of 'saving' in any way. I want her to find her strength and grace. Make them/her awesome.

Mother Courage and her Children. I needed a neutral/balancing character, and tbh I am better at male OCs. Happy for this character to be adapted. But mothering instincts. A character that comes to mind is Taissa Turner. Gentle but firm, carries a lot on her shoulders. POC pls.

Raw Tooth: ideally masc/gender non conforming masc. definitely struggles with toxic masculinity in the very physical sense. Could play drums, or something. Ideally not white.

That Mysterious Angelic Creature. Inspired by Lila from Elena Ferrante's 'My Brilliant Friend', and the music of Jockstrap (Georgia Ellery). Manic Pixie Dream girl with a sinewy vengeance. Embrace her contradictions. Any race, probably traditionally beautiful.

other: would love a character to jewish (maybe Eastern European jewish) heritage? Trans and gnc love pls.

These are just my brainstorms that I noted when thinking of the slots; I'm sure you can come up with much better ideas! Get creative, and stay diverse.

Also, ty to blythering for the help with slots development, boysriot and alienglares for the tips on graphics and layout. More graphics to come when I get more Wi-Fi coz I can't seem to get my fun ones to load here.

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BONEMARROW, CHILD
applyfic 2023