#ghostfables

Rainbow Factory Au

Owner: YourInternetMom

Creator & Former Owner: Dodo/Fervaki

Inspiration: Clown

It has been confirmed by Clown that during the winter (also known as HomeWarming), Julie hibernates until spring arrives. She makes a nest using various leaves, branches, blankets, and pillows.

And it has me thinking, what if Julianne hibernates?

When she feels the seasons shift, she prepares with the help of her husband, gathering pillows and blankets to build a makeshift nest inside a fort.

It had been a routine long before they started dating.

When Walden learned that Julianne’s species hibernated, a gnawing worry settled in his mind. It annoyed him. She annoyed him.

Logic told him it was normal and that she would be fine, yet he knew mortality rates during hibernation could be high. Even though their suppressed immune systems allowed survival through long periods of inactivity, it also left them vulnerable to infection and disease.

He soon volunteered to help Frank after overhearing him venting a bit of his stress to his husband on the phone in the break room. He struggled to balance factory work, home life, and caring for Julianne during her hibernation. Frank was a bit hesitant at first, but Julianne had cameras that she gave him access to incase of anything.

Walden’s tasks were simple: care for her pet, check on her, and keep the apartment clean, especially since dust could trigger her asthma.

He scolded himself for being foolish as he stood in front of the door of her home, for finding her troublesome, yet still used the spare key Frank had given him and quietly let himself in quietly.

Her small one bedroom studio was simple and comfortable, filled with the scent of pear blossom, peony, and vanilla. A scent he associated with her. Soft, sweet, and warm.

That was when her dog greeted him.

Noodle was a silver backed dapple dachshund with black flecks and mismatched eyes, one blue and one hazel. After a few curious sniffs, then burst into excited circles, tugging playfully at his pant leg.

Walden froze. The dog looked barely a year old, maybe less. He had never been good with pets, and the last one he tried to take in was a memory best left alone.

He gently pushed Noodle away and worked through the list Dr. Frankly had given him.

Refilling Noodle’s food and water

Replacing the training pad

Take noodle on a walk around the complex

Clean any messes the little wiener dog may have had or has caused (tearing apart said training pad, causing a mess with dropping the kibble on the floor with his snout, or getting his paws on something that Julianne forgot to pick up before she fell asleep)

Overall, help keep the apartment tidy and dust free

Finally, checking up on Julianne

Note: If the temperature rises a bit she might wake up for a short period of time and would need food and water before falling back asleep.

While he worked, Walden turned toward where her nest resided in the living room curiously.

There she is, cocooned by a plethora of pillows and blankets dressed in a black tank top and grey sweatpants. Her hair fanned out beneath her like a river of gold silk. Emerald eyes with specks of gold now hidden behind her eyelids framed with wisps of long sooty lashes. Button nose. Plush pink lips, parted a bit as her breathing was slow and even.

“Beautiful…” he whispered.

The word startled him.

Flustered, he rushed through his remaining tasks, heat creeping into the tips of his ears. After one last check to ensure Julianne and Noodle were safe, he left, hesitant but reassured.

From then on, Frank trusted Walden to help watch over Julianne. Though wary at first, seeing how carefully Walden followed instructions eased his concern. He believed a friendship between them might do Walden some good.

things you said when || accepting.

                three  days  heat,  after  five  days  rain  and  finally,  it  feels  like  summer  :  it’s  softness  and  stillness,  the  air  humid  as  an  open  mouth.  the  birds  chirp  overhead,  the  bees  drone  on,  drunk  off  honey.  the  sun  glares  down  and  the  air  is  thick  with  the  heavy  wetness  of  humidity.  sam’s  knees  press  at  the  wet  of  the  earth,  and  he’s  a  man  of  the  sky,  but  to  be  grounded  like  this,  his  fingers  fast  at  the  tangled  undergrowth  of  weeds.  to  have  the  the  sun  rain  down  and  shower  them  so  their  skin  is  drenched  with  the  honey  glow.  there’s  freedom  up  there,  sure,  in  the  cut  of  the  wind  under  his  wings,  but  here,  paradise  is  made  of  these  earthly  things.  the  freckles  dusted  at  his  shoulder,  his  golden  tan  skin,  their  wet  kisses  and  watermelon  baths.  the  heat  trembling  up  from  the  concrete  and  flushing  his  cheeks  to  a  sharp  pink.  the  crying   ring  of  the  ice  cream  shop,  basketballs  bouncing  on  cracked  courts.  how  bucky  sips  his  lemonade  and  smirks  over  the  rim  of  his  glass.  summer  is  made  of  all  these  things:  sun  and  smiles,  laughter  and  light.

┆❥ Julianne has always been mindful of her horns since she was young. She had firsthand experience and learned that a broken horn hurts worse than any broken bone could. Luckily, a Rainbow Monster’s horns do grow back, but it depends on where it breaks. If it is broken or pulled violently from the base, there is no chance of regrowth.

Fun fact: I got the inspiration for Rainbow Monsters’ horns from goats. It states here “Goat horns are incredibly strong, and with good reason. The core is made of thick, live bone growing from the goat’s skull. This bone is covered by a layer of keratin. Keratin is a vital component in hair, fingernails, hooves, and claws. This combination allows the goat to use its horns to vigorously butt and jab. The horn’s outer layer is mostly insensitive to pain. However, the bone underneath houses blood vessels, tissue, and nerves. Any damage to the horn will cause pain, and attempts to remove the horn completely can be agonizing for the goat.”

┆❥ When she goes to bed, she normally doesn’t have any issues. Unless she is sleeping in a hammock, she needs to place a blanket and pillow so her horns wouldn’t get tangled up in it.

┆❥ Cuddling with Walden brings no issues since he likes to burrow his face into her neck, back, or lay his head on her chest. Especially on her chest because he loves having her arms surrounding him. Feeling her warmth, smelling her scent that is just uniquely hers, and hearing the steady thrumming of her heartbeat against his ears. They are each other’s safe space. Whenever he’s feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated by the world around him, he just picks her up and takes her to his safe space with him. Just wanting the world to stop, even if it’s for a short time to let him breathe and enjoy Julianne’s presence, his person.

┆❥ The act of sleeping used to be a struggle. Due to past experiences in her life, Julianne developed insomnia and severe anxiety. Not many people are aware because Julianne doesn’t like to be a burden on anyone. She doesn’t want to be a problem, the issue that people need to solve and fix. She is normally the person others can depend on, to be there for them. Not to make herself feel good, but to never let someone she cares about ever experience or feel anything similar that she went through. Only a handful of people know (including Walden), but he isn’t aware of how deep it’s rooted in.

┆❥ Walden does his best to help Julianne however he can. He isn’t the best at comforting people, something that he didn’t receive much of until Barnaby and his wife came into the picture. Then Julianne came around, but he shows it through his actions. Which Julianne appreciates and is aware of. Hence, the acts of service, quality time, and physical touch are his love languages. Back to the trouble sleeping, before Walden, Julianne would medicate herself to fall asleep. After Walden, she found herself falling asleep much more easily. It took some time for her to get used to the thought and feeling of sleeping beside someone. And it was the same for Walden since they are both each other’s first real relationship. Walden has gone on a few dates tailored by his father in hopes of strengthening his power over the businesses under their control and the factory. Unfortunately for Wallace, Walden wasn’t interested given the mountains of work he needed to do. As well as not liking the idea of his father controlling another aspect of his life. He also had a slight aversion when it came to love because of how his father treated him. He doesn’t see him as his son; he sees him as the murderer of his wife that he had to tolerate. It was suffocating.

┆❥ With Julianne, she has been to a couple of group dates that her classmates invited her to while in university. It was interesting, but it wasn’t her cup of tea. She was more focused on trying to finish her classes and get her degrees than dating. Finding it troublesome and not being a high priority for her. If it happens, it happens; if it doesn’t, then oh well. She was fine with it.

(Very serious threat, will stab my phone with a knife if you do not comply)

┆❥ Hehehe, you guys are silly ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)

┆❥ Currently, I am transferring my written works to a new writing system that I was recommended by TikTok (that I absolutely adore and highly recommend if you guys want to find an alternative to Google Docs) called ellipsus. Good Notes will just be a backup in case if anything, you know? I like to be prepare in case if I end up potentially losing a portion of my written work because of faulty technology or losing internet midway through a scene.

┆❥ As you see in one of the screenshots, here is a small sneak peak of who will be involved in the story. There are more, but those are a secret until later :3 As well as another fanfiction that I am working on involving the Rainbow Factory Au and Demon Slayer.

┆❥ I love Demon Slayer, especially the Infinity Castle movie, which inspired me to write the fanfiction in the first place. Particularly Akaza (Hakuji)’s story, the dynamic and relationship between him and Koyuki is something I wanted for Walden and Julianne. I mean look at them 🥺

Spoiler: https://youtube.com/shorts/hDKqWoQ6bTQ?si=8JyULcGM7uOX5zGG

┆❥ I love them so much, and I can’t help but imagine Walden and Julianne as them in the scene.

┆❥ I was unsure how to approach it and what roles will each character play. As well as what will come of the Rainbow Factory since it’s one of the staples of what makes the RF Au what it is. I am not giving up though. Right now I am gathering everything about Demon Slayer as a whole and workshopping/exploring different concepts for each character. It will be difficult, but I am excited and can’t wait to share with everyone here.

┆❥ Another sneak peak I will share is how Ophelia came into their lives. I shared this back in the Appleblossom server (April 21, 2024) about the background I have for her.

Ophelia Rose Darling Daughter of Walden Darling & Julianne Joyful-Darling Found in the forest, Abandoned

When Ophelia was found in the forest near the factory, Walden was stunned. He immediately rushed her to the hospital and contacted the police. As he stood by the incubator, watching the baby sleep, he felt a deep sense of anger and sadness over how she had been abandoned and left to suffer.

Ophelia was cold and malnourished when she was found, and doctors immediately ran tests to ensure there were no other underlying health issues. The road ahead was uncertain.

When Julianne called to check on him, Walden told her everything. She came to the hospital right away to be there for her husband and to see the baby for herself.

Together, they began discussing the possibility of adoption, even though they knew it would not be simple or guaranteed.

At the time, the baby was listed as a Jane Doe, the name given to unidentified individuals. Later, Walden and Julianne decided to name her Ophelia, a name meaning strong willed, a reflection of her survival despite the circumstances.

The authorities were unable to locate her mother, who had fled the country, making an arrest for child endangerment and neglect impossible. The father was unaware of the pregnancy and, once informed, chose to sign away his parental rights, wanting no involvement in the child’s life, though this part of the case was still unresolved. (This concept is still under construction, may change may not. Or it may lead to being in another fanfiction involving the Au.)

I like this part of the story because rather than simply taking Ophelia home, Walden and Julianne are navigating the long and emotionally exhausting adoption process (leaning more toward the U.S system of adoption in this story.) Since they found Ophelia they need to face:

Reporting the found child to police and child services immediately

The child is placed under state custody

Medical exams and safety assessments

Investigation to locate biological parents or relatives

Temporary foster placement while the case is open

Found family (them) can apply to foster the child

Background checks and home study

Court reviews and a waiting period

Parental rights are terminated if reunification fails

Foster to adopt process begins

Adoption finalization through the court

As a couple, they experienced excitement, fear, and doubt, but they remained determined to give Ophelia the love, stability, and support they knew they could provide.

┆❥ Thank you ໒꒰ྀི ˶• ༝ •˶ ྀི১ 💕 and Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you are having a great day ^_^

┆❥ For Valentine’s Day, Julianne and Walden either spend the entire day at home or take a short trip. Since Walden cannot be away from the factory for long, their trips last three or four days and are somewhere close enough to return quickly in case of an emergency.

┆❥ They often stay in because neither of them likes crowds. For Julianne, they are too overstimulating. Although she is a social butterfly, once her social battery is drained, she wants to go home, curl up on the couch, and decompress. Walden is accustomed to social events because his father forced him to attend business gatherings and factory meetings. Does he like it? No. Does he go because declining is more troublesome than attending? Yes. Days when he can relax in his safe space with the one he loves feel like bliss.

┆❥ When they travel, they choose places a little farther from home, rent an Airbnb, and explore the area. They learn about the history, try different foods, buy gifts for their loved ones (and for themselves), take photos, and enjoy each other’s company.

┆❥ The city and its surroundings in my head canon version of the Au are inspired by a blend of Southern California, Japan, and Switzerland (which are places I would love to visit and explore). This may change over time, but I want the setting to reflect a rich mix of cultures and landscapes.

┆❥ I genuinely head canon that Julianne and Eddie are open minded and enjoy trying new foods with their partners. However, Julianne is sensitive to texture and needs to be introduced to certain foods slowly. Preparation makes a difference. For example, she dislikes lentils, especially lentil soup cooked with bacon when the bacon is soft and greasy rather than crispy. The texture makes her gag and writhe internally in disgust.

┆❥ Walden is also sensitive to texture, depending on the meal. He cannot stand a combination of slimy and crunchy textures. If that happens, he will discreetly spit the food into a napkin, and his appetite disappears for hours.

Side Note: Frank and Eddie are a canon couple in my head canon version of the Rainbow Factory AU. For Valentine’s Day, they usually go to the club Eddie frequents for drag shows. Frank joins from time to time to show support and help with makeup mishaps or outfit malfunctions. On Valentine’s Day, the club hosts an annual event where drag queens can sign up to raise money for The Trevor Project, The Ali Forney Center (Dedicated to preventing homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth by providing safe housing and services), and other nonprofit organizations. Each year after the event, Eddie and Frank go out to eat. Afterward they do their tradition of taking turns deciding where they go and what they will do. If they choose to travel, they plan ahead, request time off work, and organize their itinerary and budget.

┆❥ When Ophelia came into their lives, they began including her in their celebrations. They spend time together, and once she is put down for her nap, they share a small candlelit dinner before going to the living room to cuddle. They watch a movie and enjoy each other’s company while the baby monitor rests nearby. It became a tradition to spend the first half of the day with Ophelia and the second half focused on each other. Sometimes Ophelia joins their travel plans. Other times, she stays with her godparents or her aunts and uncles.

Another side note: Walden always buys flowers for Julianne and Ophelia along with their favorite snacks and a small gift. For Ophelia, he prepares a basket filled with her favorite treats, a couple of toys, and coloring books. For Julianne, he gives a bouquet of one hundred roses and sunflowers, her favorite snacks, and a new charm for the bracelet he gave her on their first Valentine’s Day as a couple. She always wore it and now keeps it safely in her jewelry box (which is also a music box) that holds memories from past dates, travels, and gifts he has given her.

In return, Julianne and Ophelia give Walden gifts as well. Ophelia helps make his favorite dessert, German Butter Cake also known as Butterkuchen, and serves it with a cup of vanilla dark roast coffee with a splash of creamer. She presents it to him with a drawing she made of herself, Julianne, and Walden, decorated with stickers, glue, and glitter. Earlier that morning, Julianne prepares his favorite hearty breakfast: a cheese omelette filled with spinach, diced bell peppers, and sausage, served with hot sauce mixed with ketchup on the side.