Ordinary people with ordinary problems living in a future the United States is headed towards.
The Free States of America was formerly part of the United States, before it divided into four separate countries. Not only is the FSA fascist, with laws and attitudes reminiscent of the 19th century, but issues that have plagued humanity for centuries still remain. Unrequited love, wild shenanigans, cops on a power trip, and the occasional small town drama.
Gilran, Jefferson is part of the FSA, and this slice of life dystopian focuses on the everyday lives of six citizens. Jake, the justice-hungry son of a businessman; Maple, a rebellious teenager dreading her inevitable future as a housewife; Sebastian, the mayor's trauma-ridden son struggling to accept his sexuality; Axel, a defeatist mechanic living in his van; Stellaluna, a chronically bored woman married to a billionaire; and Luke, the single father of a five-year-old girl. Although their personalities and desires differ, they all wish for one thing: Freedom from oppression. If only the majority of the country agreed with them.
Unable to overthrow the government, they rebel against conformity by loving whoever they choose, despite the risk of becoming outcasts.
Something different from the average dystopian.
More emphasis on characters, less on setting.
The consequences of misinformation and divisiveness.
How people's lives have remained the same throughout history, and will likely continue to do so.
Flawed characters. Unique characters. Loveable characters. Hateable characters.
Love interests that aren't abusive. Abuse might come up, but it's never romanticized.
MxM relationships, MxF relationships, cross-class relationships, and unrequited love.
Occasional satire, farce, and situational humor.
A story that doesn't neatly fit under any specific genre. Is it Drama? Romance? Sci-fi? Literary? All of the above? Who knows!
Rated 18+
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(One day, this will have it's own page with more details.)
Outcasts and Rebels is an ongoing web serial that takes place about 100 years in the future. It's about a group of people who live in the fictional town of Gilran.
The United States has divided itself into four countries; The Equal States (ESA), The Free States (FSA), The Patriot States (PSA), and the Colonial States (CSA). But this story only focuses on the FSA, and occasionally the ESA. Gilran is located in Jefferson, a state in the FSA. It's a far-right country that basically, has the laws and attitudes of the 19th century.
This story revolves around the everyday lives of six citizens. Jake Williams, Maple Henderson, Sebastian Barstow, Axel Bremmer, Luke Lindberg, and Stellaluna Callahan.
Jake is the son of a businessman, and they both recently moved to Gilran from California, in the ESA. The ESA is far-left, and basically the opposite of The FSA. As a result, Jake experiences a lot of culture shock, and butts heads with pretty much everyone. He's very opinionated with strong morals.
Maple is a 17 year old girl who lives with her older brothers. They're trying to set up an arranged marriage for her, since women in this country are expected to get married and raise children. But Maple doesn't want that sort of future for herself. Unfortunately, she has no say in the matter because women basically have no rights.
Sebastian is the mayor's son. Seven years ago, he was caught making out with a man and sent to a conversion camp. To this day, he's struggling with trauma from that- on top of his ever-growing feelings towards Axel. Sometimes he gets dragged into things he wants no part of.
Axel is a friendly mechanic who lives in his van. He's homeless because he's been blacklisted for being gay. He becomes close friends with Jake and Sebastian. Despite his charms, he has a negative and defeatist attitude about the country improving.
Luke is a single father who finally met his five year old daughter for the first time. (The girl's mother died giving birth to her, and Luke was in jail at the time- long story.) He just got custody, and is having fun trying to raise her.
Stellaluna is a woman married to the richest man in Jefferson. She's often bored, and spends her time trying to find ways to entertain herself. Her life changes when she befriends one of the servants- a German man.
These characters' lives connect and intertwine as they struggle with their own unique challenges living in a world similar to the 1800's, but with future technology.