Title: Where the Green Things Grow Summary:  Celena Schezar was always happiest in a garden. There she could easily forget the years spent away from the splendors of nature and from the healing light of the sun.

Title: Somewhere Below the Sea Summary: Merle is haunted by a mysterious melody and she will not rest until she can find its source. Her search leads her to uncharted waters and a hidden corner of Gaea. Note:  Another addition to my collection of Merle-centric fics. [1, 2, 3, 4] Traveling Merle has practically become a genre for me at this point. But it's a good thing I reviewed my previous stories because I had almost written the same thing. Not that it ever gets old but I want to keep things fresh. As I racked my brain for ideas of places she has not yet explored (in my fics, at least), inspiration struck and here we are. I really love giving Merle a chance to go off on her own adventures. She is a more interesting character than the series tends to give her credit for. And as I was writing this, I thought she had some Disney princess vibes, in the best way. Musical Inspiration: 1, 2, 3, 4

Title: Fiat justitia ruat caelum Summary: Before flying towards his final confrontation with Emperor Dornkirk, Folken Fanel left something behind far more explosive than any destiny machine. He entrusted Eries Aston with revelations that would shake the foundation of Gaean society and had faith that she would take the right course of action.

Dryden Fassa finds an unlikely kindred spirit in the former Strategos of Zaibach as they realize they have both been enchanted by an Aston princess.

I've had the idea for this fic since at least 2018.  Here is the Dryden and Folken buddy story that grew from a one-shot to a trilogy. Such fun to write though. Dryden is one of my favorite characters because he is such a cool cat and a refreshing contrast against the brash and serious major male characters. He is always fun to write and I think he and Folken would get along swimmingly so it was great to write a scene for them to just hang out and discover what they have in common. This is my favorite piece for this week. I finally get to indulge in my ships and it is glorious.

“Why are you determined to reject any chance you have at happiness?” Dryden asked in exasperation. “Because I forfeited all such rights by working for Zaibach,” Folken argued, “And now, the only thing I can do is endeavor to atone for my sins. I can only seek the forgiveness of those I have hurt but I will never ever be deserving of it.”

Title: The Buried and the Bereft Summary: The Aston sisters lay flowers at the graves of the women they have lost. Musical Inspiration:  1, 2, 3

Title: The Marionette and the Master Summary: Folken Fanel gazed at his metal arm under the light of the two moons of Gaea and he realized that he had become what he had feared and hated.

Title: The Pyre of Reckoning Summary: "We will smoke the monsters out. They won't see us coming. Whatever they are trying to build, we will burn to the ground."