#branturia

Some painting practice of @askbranwen‘s Branwen and @askthecustodes Arturia. 

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The weapon glinted in the dim light of Branwen’s quarters, ruddy gold marred by ten thousand years of wear and tear. Blood had clotted and dried in the recesses of the stylized wing patterns engraved down the sheath, causing the metal to appear more a copper-bronze than it should have been. All the same, Branwen knew exactly what the piece was - it was why she’d snatched it away from the Daemon Princess that had nearly taken her life.

A Misericordia.

Branwen had seen enough of them during her time among the Legio Custodes, on Terra. They were less combat knives and more badges of office, each one unique to its owner. That it had been claimed as a trophy... The Shadow-Captain could only imagine the rage and sorrow one of the Ten Thousand would have felt.

Hopefully there was a chance now to put that right.

Running a hand over the stylized double-eagle headed pommel, she began to type away on a dataslate.

-

Lady Arturia,

I hope that my words find you well, my love. Would that we could meet in person, but the campaign in the Invicta Sector has been demanding to say the least. Perhaps you could put in a good word to Lord Guilliman about granting us leave for Sanguinala. Completely for unselfish reasons, I promise.

While distance may prevent me from sending you the usual trinkets, shaped from bolt casings or from the lower deck-markets of a starship, I believe that what I found is significant enough to send to you. I do not know who it belonged to, only that it is important that it is returned to its rightful place - among those of the Legio.

I do hope it does not cause you too much grief, my Eagle. Were it in my power,  I would be there to comfort you.

Know that I love you, Arturia. Knowing that you are waiting for me to return has tempered my nature some - though Ashes may disagree rather emphatically. Please give Myrina a hug for me. Maybe Constantin too, but only if he’s behaving.

Your Raven, Branwen

-

With a series of buzzing reports, the slate ejected a length of parchment printed with her message. She deposited it within a sealed tube, placing it alongside the lined box that the Misericordia rested within.

“Do we have a transport bound for the Throneworld?”

Her vox crackled with a response a moment later. “Aye, Captain. Navy’s sending a squadron of Frigates to make contact with reinforcements from the Sol battlefleet.”

“Get a pilot onboard. I’ve a priority message for Custodian Blackhawk, eyes only.”

(Drabble for @40kartweek - for the ‘Gift’ prompt. Loosely based on tabletop events from last week - once Branwen got out of the Apothecarion for trying to fight a Daemon Prince. XD)

This was a Giveaway prize that I hadn’t gotten around to scanning/posting, but its the perfect week to do so! For 40k OC Week.

@askbranwen‘s Shadow Captain Branwen and @askthecustodes‘ Ephoroi Arturia Blackhawk about to share a kiss.

Branwen had hoped that her Shadow Force was still out on exercise. As she stepped into the block of barracks assigned to her Astartes, it became immediately apparent that this was not the case. Raven Guard were milling about, some still in their warplate while others wore their duty fatigues. They were seeing to weapon maintenance, or otherwise conversing in small groups.

“Cap!” Corbin called out with a hearty smile as she raised a bottle. “Some kind soul left us a gift!”

Branwen returned the smile as she made her way over, doing her best not to sigh - she’d been noticed. At a low table, the Veteran sat with her usual companions.

“Have a nip,” Corbin chuckled, pouring a glass for the Shadow-Captain. “Taste of home’ll heal your stomach up in no time!”

At her side, the Apothecary Addivaria scrunched up her face in disagreement, but said nothing.

“Who’s responsible?” Raana sipped at a cup, barely looking up from a dataslate that scrolled with lines of post-exercise statistics. “We’re a long way from Kiavahr.”

“Lady Arturia.” Thirteen piped up, turning down a proffered glass.

The four stopped, their heads turning to the Shadow-Captain as she felt a familiar warmth in her cheeks. She took a long sip, letting the liquid burn down her throat in an attempt to delay a response.

“Hey, uh, Cap? Where were you just now?” Corbin had a knowing smile on her face.

The heat of the spirits was matched only by that in Branwen’s face. “Uh... Well, she- er, Lady Arturia asked for my company after dropping off the gift.”

Addivaria leaned in, her eyes wide. “Are you two seeing eachother?”

“Do we really need to be asking the Captain this?” Raana looked up from her dataslate with an exasperated expression. Branwen glanced over to the no-nonsense Sergeant with a desperate, thankful expression.

“Yes!” Corbin and Addi chorused.

“Well,” Branwen stammered, “She wanted to take me to see the Inner Palace. We went to the Gardens...”

“And then?” Corbin’s grin widened. “Did you kiss her again?”

Branwen sputtered. She was sure her face was as red as IX Legion armor at this point. After a moment, she finally managed to regain her voice. “Don’t make me pull rank, you two!”

“Aye Captain,” The pair chorused once more, before Addi nudged Corbin. “That means yes.”

The Shadow-Captain sunk back in her seat, holding out her glass. “I’m going to need another.” She let out a long sigh, before catching Thirteen’s eye. The little Librarian was smiling as well, but something was different there. Hers was one of genuine happiness.

“I’m very happy for you, Captain.”

Despite her ruddy cheeks, Branwen felt her embarrassment ease as she smiled back.

(@40kartweek - for the ‘Blush’ prompt)

My (late) entry for 40k OC x OC Week Day Three - Angst. As per our thread, Primaris!Branwen has no recollection of her relationship with Arturia. Before her departure, she steals one last kiss, breaking the seal on the Captain’s memories.

Muses and thread by @askbranwen and @askthecustodes

@askbranwen‘s Shadow Captain Branwen and @askthecustodes‘ Custodian Arturia Blackhawk dressed to the nines for an official event.

Some clean lines of @askbranwen‘s Branwen and @askthecustodes‘ Arturia in their reunion thread.

A lineart of @askbranwen‘s Branwen and @askthecustodes‘ Arturia all dressed up in formalwear for some fancy gathering. I’ll color this in the future, but for now I have a whole pile of things to color.