In fandom lingo, shipping refers to wanting and advocating for a romantic relationship between two characters. Their names are typically meshed together into a portmanteau which becomes the name of the ship (think Brangelina). You will read things like “I ship these two!” and “I’m boarding that ship!” meaning the readers want to see the two characters get together. None of these have happened yet. Sometimes there are memes (le understatement).
The Book Devouring Horde has quite the naval force hehe.
The Metal Rose– the Capital Ship of the BDH. This involves Julie and Derek, and the name is based on the scene from Chapter 11 of Magic Burns, when Derek fashioned her a rose out of a metal coffee can and some nails. Julie has kept the rose all this time, but some of us have carried it in our hearts for 14 long years. Unsurprisingly, Team Metal Rose is pretty hardcore. We would actually go down with this ship. We won’t put our hands up or surrender. There will be no white flag above our doors and omg am I dating myself.
I think probably my favourite example of how deeply invested people are in this ship was during the discussion that followed the bathtub scene in Blood Heir, back when it was a weekly serial. Speculation was rife whether he had seen the metal rose and therefore recognised Julie. And then, someone suggested that Derek would not remember even if he did see it, that it was just a toy, which he forgot 5 minutes after he made, because the scene did not have the same impact for him as it did for Julie.
Reeling and bleeding from such a vicious attack, Team Metal Rose picked ourselves up and countered with the theory that Derek probably fashions a metal rose every day he thinks about Julie. Every day. Somewhere in Alaska, there’s a Monte Cristo style cave, with hundreds of metal roses in it! Melodramatic, us?!
The few dinghies floating alongside The Metal Rose are Julie/Ascanio and Julie/Yu Fong the dragon. They’re…cute for trying. The Julie/Saiman water raft sank under friendly fire (as in: Kill It With!).
Karakun– the newest and most high tech of the ships.
Commander Karat of House Krahr, favourite cousin of Arland and best friend of Maud, has chemistry with none other than Dagorkun, the Under-Khan of the Hope Crushing Horde. We first met him in Sweep in Peace as the son of the Khanum, and he’s currently visiting Gertrude Hunt as observer of the spousal selection. All they’ve done was stare each other down and agree a couple of times in conversation, but if you’re a shipper you know that means LURVE.
Miss “I’m too sane to fall in love“. Honestly, it’s like she doesn’t know the romance gods are always listening and wants to tempt them!
Anyway, so the BDH thinks the wedding will probably happen in spring, the bride will wear on-the-shoulder syn-armour, and they’ll settle on the space station near Daesyn – because it’s neutral territory in the vampires vs otrokars feud. The assumptions regarding Lord Soren’s reaction when he finds out are getting more hilarious each week. Barrels of espresso might not be enough!
Michella– Arabella ships are the bread and butter of the BDH navy.
Partly fuelled by House Andrews who said that Arabella’s books, if they happen, would feature several possible love interests until she settled on “the One”, the youngest Baylor is shipped with a lot of suitors. The main ones are Michella (Arabella/Record Keeper Michael) and Jiarabella (which evolved to Jingllebella) for either Stephen or Henry Jiang, the Aquakinetic Prime sons of House Jiang. Or maybe a Madero, or the mysterious sibling of Pancakes Montgomery or yet someone new from Ruby Fever…but I have said too much.
All we know is that we want our girl to have her adventures and take us with her!
Penhiro– The ship that must be protected at all cost. Penelope Baylor and Benjiro Heart, Rogan’s second in command, have had a warm and delicate relationship slowly blooming between them. With whispers and careful steps around it, both the Baylors and the BDH want to nurture it at all cost. This one must never feel rough seas.
Recovered at sea– Thought lost forever or shipwrecked, Sweep of the Heart also brought to port, after many years but more awesome than ever, a long awaited HEA. I cannot speak its name here, because I know not everyone reads SotH in serial form and I don’t want to spoil them before the book is published, but it’s in Chapter 9 part 2.
Gorvar and Beast– Speaking of Sweep of the Heart, you (gender neutral) guys… I don’t know about this one. Brings whole new meanings to screwing the pooch (I’m incorrigible, I know!).
Auul Tzu puppies would be terrifyingly cute, though.
When evil things get injured, sometimes they find this ship: Not a BDH ship, this is my personal yacht, because Mod Prerogatives and all that.
This is Roman, Chernobog’s volhv. He likes his personal space.
I am Mod R. I *also* like Roman’s personal space.
Apparently, I’ll have to contend with some witch. Pfft. I’ll keep hoping for the NY Times bestseller Volhvs in Moderation!
Let me know in the comments which BDH ship you sail, or forever be known as a lily-livered landlubber hehe.
In truth I sail all of them, well except Gorval/Beast because that would be downright psydically painful for Beast. My number 1 ship is The Metal Rose but I also find Karakun quite intriguing!
This is my favorite post ever!
Props for best use of “White Flag”.