magickedhat

[magickedhat]

god ok i know the comic im working on has nothing to do with the blog but i need people to see the absolute THING i just struggled through

#ooc. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐧𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #ive been working on this for THREE DAYS #im SO OVER IT #I’ll try to do things here tonight but honestly I’m so tired from working on this shjdhjcniv

[magickedhat]

“you guys are gonna be the death of me.   we leave the two of you alone for one day!”   there’s humor in their voice, despite their boisterous reaction.

“in my defense, she flirted with me first — i think — so that makes it entirely alright for me to flirt back.”

“also in my defense, have you met her? i had to flirt.”

#theaterism #ic. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩! ❜◞ #CDHUSIFHV IM CRYING LMAO #wren very much has Thoughts!!!!

[magickedhat]

fox.

foxtrot didn’t know what to do.

perhaps this was why he eventually allowed estella (invited her) to see his memories again when words failed him, desperate she’d tell him how to fix things. secrets don’t survive in relationships, she’d said. people don’t want apologies, they want reasons. i hope wren will be giving you some soon enough.

when? foxtrot had thought, over and over. time kept passing and they kept avoiding him, and he fought the growing fear they’d never speak to him again.

he distracted himself to keep from sinking into his thoughts. he did whatever stagehand tasks people asked of him, without a single complaint and without speaking much at all unless necessary. he performed coin tricks alone until his hands ached. each time he overheard a whisper about him or himself and wren, he ducked his head and quickly slipped away.

when he had a chance to venture into town, he gathered gifts like a magpie seeking glittery items. keychains. earrings shaped like suns. shiny stones. he hid them around the circus where he hoped wren would find them: wordless reminders that he still cared, he hadn’t vanished, hadn’t gotten on another train and disappeared. reminders he was still… there.

even though he felt invisible.

when wren found foxtrot in the dream palace at last, their voice startled him. he spun to face them, heart skipping a beat and surprise vivid in his eyes — both at their sudden appearance and at the realization they’d spoken to him. they’d searched for him. then they spoke again, invited him to talk. it took a second for him to regain his wits and summon a response.

“yeah,” he replied, as though he hadn’t been waiting for them to approach him for days. his voice came out quiet and hoarse from underuse. he cleared his throat. “sure. just, um… lead the way.” he would still follow them anywhere, despite everything.

wren led foxtrot out of the tent, their knees weak.   they tried not to focus on the eyes of the other circus members as they went, or the sharp pang that went through them the moment they laid eyes on fox.   they’d given themself time, but they still seemed to be caught in-between their emotions, each stronger than the last---between fear, and love, and hate for something he hadn’t yet committed.

with all of this inside them, it was rather difficult to make small talk.

though the circus had moved even further up north, the temperature remained just about the same, the sky gray with clouds.   wren turned to look at fox, feeling like they might crawl out of their skin.  “um,” they said, their voice soft, their fingers fidgetting.  “i’m-- sorry for taking so long to reach out.   i worried i might do something bad.”

a terrible explanation.   they pushed past the lump in their throat, past the lies they’ve already said thus far, and their eyes flickered to the scattered tents around them.   “when i brought you here, um-- none of the mirrors had actually been broken,” they admitted.   whether or not foxtrot had suspected it already, they didn’t know---clever as he was, he had probably given them the benefit of the doubt.   "it was something i made up with gilmore ‘cause i knew i'd fuck up even more if we stayed at the hotel, and i know that’s bullshit to hear, but-- but i have a track record of doing that when i feel that way, and---”

their stomach twisted, and their chest ached.   “and you can be honest with me,”   they say, their gaze meeting his at last.   their arms were crossed over their chest---protectively, defensively, as though the words themselves could hurt them.   "do you think i’m mad?   after this, after everything---i lied and avoided you for days.   i saw how you looked at me that night.”   hesitant,  dumbstruck,  afraid.   the full force of their rage and desperation revealed, to receive the appropriate response and consequences.

they gripped their arms, their fingers pressing into their skin.   when they looked at fox again, they could do nothing but say, their eyes gleaming with water,   “tell me if you don’t want me anymore?”

#theaterism #ic. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩! ❜◞ #fox & wren. ◜♥ / ❛ 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞. ❜◞ #CHDUSIFVHUI GOD............. #'he'd still follow them anywhere' meanwhile wren is asking him if he's going to leave them CHSUIFVHU #they are doing the exact OPPOSITE of damage control. theyve brought a baseball bat and they're swinging it with full force <3

[magickedhat]

“is it not socially acceptable to flirt with the sister of your best friend’s boyfriend?   genuine question.”

“not that i’ve done it.   too much.”

#open. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞! ❜◞ #hi sorry i've been thinking abt her <3 CHUSIFV #if only tumblr had not forgotten my character tags!!!

[magickedhat]

im gonna do like, some cleaning to the blog ?? deleting old drafts etc etc, just trying to make my return easier and dusting off the blog so i can more easily make the changes i want <33

#ooc. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐧𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #i also do not remember what i owe anymore . SHUIFV #lost in my activity!! #but yeah i totally need a hard change to get my creativity going again lmao

[magickedhat]

@theaterism​

wren wouldn’t describe themself as a coward.

selfish, however, would fit them like a golden-striped glove.

they’d evaded foxtrot for days.   hidden behind and in-between mirrors, their reflection veiled in the blind corners they’d invented through trial and error and need;  disappearing in the shadow-clad circus paths foxtrot had yet to memorize;  spending long hours hopping between tents, breaking a game or entering a sword fight with a zanni, the harmless metal providing only a breadth of release. 

finding little things from him.   gifts, unsaid messages from his nimble fingers.   stitching their story together until they were sound enough to tell it.

they knew foxtrot was helping in the upcoming play.   as much as they avoided him, the tight-knit circus was no place for secrets, and within a day everyone knew about the new stagehand.   (wren’s boyfriend, but they aren’t seeing each other a lot, have you noticed?---do you think...?---i’m surprised wren has lasted this long.)   they entered the dream palace like slipping into a memory, and they inhaled deeply before finding fox in the grand, impossible auditorium.

“hey,” they said to him, as though they hadn’t seen him in years or in minutes.   they stood between the sheets, the marble wall splitting in half around them.  “can i-- talk to you?   can we go outside?”

#theaterism #ic. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩! ❜◞ #fox & wren. ◜♥ / ❛ 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞. ❜◞ #GOD THE FACT THAT TUMBLR FORGOT THEIR TAG CDHUSIHVU #bullied by the hellsite itself!!!! #anyways hello here is the starter im so sorry for the wait HCFSUIFV #as always no need to match!! <333 #things are literally about to get wild again im crying -

[magickedhat]

me, having an epiphany: wren but in GREEN

#mun art. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬. ❜◞ #SHUDHJC every time i say I’ll write i immediately do something else <\3 #gimme a Moment and i will get to things i swear lmao #also i normally would not put them in green it's just that the backpack would clash with a red shirt #THIS is the status quo change ive been looking for !!

[magickedhat]

🏠 YESS THESE ARE SO FUN

Oh my god they were roommates ( Accepting ) || @magickedhat feat. Wren

Neff is equal parts the cool older sibling as much as she is the stressed older sibling LMAO

She gives them better and healthier options to properly express themself and is like "I am begging you to do any of these instead of going out there and causing chaos just for tonight"

Listens to any stories about the circus they're willing to tell, be it a good memory or a bad one. She wants both the lore and the tea.

MANY more funky conversations. It's their brand.

Will never force them to pursue an education or job, but will 100% help them try to find more hobbies and things of interest that could turn into them considering either option. She's knows it's tough out there in those streets so she'd rather help them find ways to make do with what they've got at a pace that works for them uwu She is NOT here to be a nagging mom whose actions aren't productive to either party. She wants her home to be a safe space not a stressful one.

Teaches them about the way she does her magic and talks with them about what it means for her to be a Dreamer. There's potential in them after all, so if there's any possibility they could end up in the same boat she wants them to be PREPARED.

#SO SWEEEET THANK U <33 #not neff having the potential to be the older sibling figure wren needs ABKXBID #saved.

[magickedhat]

bit of an update ?? I've decided to make one (1) drabble at Best going over the things I wanted to write for wren's story, before making the appropriate changes to the blog and moving on with their character development. it pains me a bit bc I'll be speeding through some important character dev for side characters, but I need to accept that my schedule and priorities have changed too much for this thing to be feasible anymore abkdbk at the very least I want to give context for the things that are happening and move on with their story!!

#ooc. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐧𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #i adore wren vwry much and my dedication shows and this genuinely isnt sarcasm ABKDBID #im simply Busy!! cannot write things in detail!!

[magickedhat]

every single day i wish to change the status quo .

#ooc. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐧𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #AND THEN I DO NOT DO IT #i wanna do major changes to the blog CDSHUFV #move on with wren's story bc i Will Not finish my wip i simply know it!! #i just need to. figure out Exactly what happens before i do those changes ig #im struggling sm cdhsuifv #sorry for being so quiet again!! i've been busy but i should be around more often now <33

[magickedhat]

“no way, i dun wanna do this thing again.”

literally all they’ve done is wake up.

#ic. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩! ❜◞ #open. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞! ❜◞ #me: tries to do things here #also me: realizes wren is still goin thru it - #HUSFV MAN #sorry for my absense btw!! i've been so busy aaa #i'll do my best to do a thing tonight!!

[magickedhat]

Don't get sucked into the "if they really cared I wouldn't have to say something" spiral. No matter how close you are with someone, it's unfair to expect them to know things you haven't actually communicated.

#OH!!! INCREDIBLY RELEVANT #they have to learn this!!!! #musings. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #queue. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞! ❜◞

[magickedhat]

foxtrot.

relief washed over him when gilmore didn’t question him. a heavy fog had settled over foxtrot’s memory, but as he followed gilmore through the circus, he tried his best to remember important details.

paying attention wasn’t too difficult. gilmore spoke with as much captivating vibrancy as his demeanor. they journeyed along the paths open to guests and then along the concealed routes taken by those who worked there. even if gilmore paused long enough to let foxtrot speak, the boy remained silent — wonder had bloomed in him again and stolen his voice. he began to understand that he’d only caught a glimpse of the hidden side of the circus during the times wren had shown him around. this was different. this was another layer of secrets — and a sense of deeper layers that remained unseen and unspoken.

foxtrot also concluded that gilmore rather enjoyed the more peculiar aspects of the circus, even if they could disorient anyone caught unawares.

and then they dove into a tent that instantly took his breath away. a garden with flora that, upon closer inspection, appeared plucked straight from dreams. verdant plants, vivid blooms, all crafted in dough and sugar. foxtrot turned in a circle, admiring them. awe leapt in him again when a butterfly flitted past.

it all left him rather spellbound. gilmore broke this effect in a heartbeat with his request. foxtrot blinked at him, assuming a jest or a trick. it made more sense as the ringleader explained. necessary to keep him in one piece. a choice between an insect and a flower.

you’re free to pick.

foxtrot faltered, and distrust flickered in his eyes before he could hide it. evidently, he still had enough energy to overthink, because to him, this sounded suspiciously like a test. gilmore’s original request specified an insect. picking a flower might not mean failure, but it might risk… something.

or maybe gilmore just wanted him to eat a bug for a laugh. foxtrot’s thoughts muddled.

the crease in his brow betrayed a mental wrestling match between his options. after a few seconds — and a longing glance at the baked sunflowers — a weary sigh escaped him. “right,” he said, with a sort of grim determination. “best to be safe, i suppose.”

it only took a bit of bug-hunting before foxtrot found a ladybug perched on a leaf. swiftly yet gently, he closed his hands around it and slid it onto his palm. sugar powdered the ground like light snowfall. his hands hadn’t trembled enough to scare away the bug; which, foxtrot decided, proved he was awake enough to handle any chores gilmore gave him.

his palm tickled. the bug wasn’t alive, he reminded himself. it was just… moving. mimicking life. he had eaten moving gummy bears before, gifted to him by wren, so he could handle this. tightness coiled in his chest. he’d never realized how easily his thoughts slid to wren until the mere thought of them ached. he forced himself to refocus on the task at hand.

steeling himself and stifling the sudden fear that the bug was, in fact, real, he pinched it lightly between his fingers, and — without dwelling on it — popped it into his mouth. and… hummed softly, pleasantly surprised. sweetness melted on his tongue.

“wasn’t as bad as i thought it’d be,” he confessed upon returning to gilmore. it hadn’t been a real bug, to his immense relief. he might switch to flowers if he had to eat something from the garden daily, though. a possibility struck him, and curiosity overwhelmed his exhaustion enough to brighten his gaze. “did lou’s dad help with any of this? it just, um… reminds me of his bakery, a bit.” both the beautiful creations and the scent filling the tent. he also dimly remembered learning lou’s father used to work in the circus.

though it had not been gilmore’s intention to startle or confuse the boy, he certainly didn’t appear alarmed by it.   in truth, gilmore had faced this exact reaction several times---from previous short-term employees who usually only needed a roof over their head for a couple of days, unbothered by the texture or material of the roof itself---and everytime, their bafflement and hesitation brought joy to his face.   they could take the job or leave it.   to gilmore, the simple concerns of humanity were extraordinarily amusing.

such as pondering whether a bug would crunch or melt between their teeth.

“take your time,” he cackled, plucking another piece of the lavender to eat.   the tent was small, so gilmore couldn’t lose sight of foxtrot as he weaved through the plants.   finally, the boy returned, his eyes somewhat lighter than before.   the consumption of the bug elicited only what any other delicacy would; pleasant surprise, easiness, sparkling contemnent.   however, gilmore could feel the subtle shift in the circus’ structure, in the invisible threads that held its magic together.   like a needle, weaving another stitch into a tapestry.

at foxtrot’s question, his gaze lit up. 

“mr hémery, yes!”  he agreed, his smile as bright as the circus lanterns.  “he used to travel with us some time ago.  this was his final contribution to the circus, as a parting gift and something of a love letter.   brilliant mind, that man, very brilliant---i haven’t seen anyone breathe life into sugar so convincingly.”   gilmore reached to break off a piece of sunflower and offer it to foxtrot.   its petals were still warm.   “here, have some more.   we have a bit of a walk ahead of us and i need your senses sharp.”

gilmore led him through twisting pathways and laughing vendors and shadow-veiled entrances.   it was not that long of a distance, but when everything twisted and bended into itself, even a single turn was a gateway to adventure.   in the meantime, gilmore went on, his voice now bouncing with unveiled excitement.

"your most important task during the day shall be to assist our performers in rehearsing for our returning play, ida,”  he said, pausing for a moment to watch a small, enclosed carriage drive through.   several zanni hands waved at them over a crowd of masked heads.   gilmore waved back, unphazed.  “it’s a story about a pair of desperate friends who attempt to steal a couple of stars from the queen of night, aspiring to wish for a better life for themselves.   there’s laughter, backstabbing, acrobatics---a masterpiece, a wonderful show!

i’d hope you would stay with us long enough to watch it in all its glory,” gilmore said, leading foxtrot towards a tent perched next to a lantern-clad tree,  “but our journey to the netherlands shall not last longer than a month.   at the very least, we could use your help with the preparations.”

inside, the tent was akin to a palace.   its walls stretched further and higher than they feasibly could, thick marble columns reaching high into the glittering ceiling.   a chandelier hang over a scattered crowd, chatting and laughing as they made their way through the maze of illusions.   a teenager leapt into the wall, his group screaming in delight as the marble enveloped him.

gilmore led foxtrot further within, approaching the woman in the blue gown.

“our dear illusionist,” he said, his eyes glittering.   estella appeared as catatonic and serene as always, but she nodded, her eyes lingering on foxtrot a moment longer than they ought to.

“a pleasure to see you again,”  she murmured, her dress swaying across the floor as she turned to face them.   “a spectator?”

“a stagehand,”  replied gilmore, flashing foxtrot a smile.  “i was telling him he was to assist in the preperation of ida, and wished to show him the auditorium for a spell.”  he was already moving behind estella, searching for an opening into the wall with his hands.

but estella’s gaze remained on foxtrot, her expression unreadable.  “how come you will be travelling with us?”  she questioned.   her weariness made her words slower, monotone, soft as a nightowl’s wings.

#theaterism #gilmore. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫. ❜◞ #estella rosales-mora. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭. ❜◞ #hi hello this is wild CDHUSIFHV #FOX THINKING HES EATING A REAL BUG.......... #i just adored his internal conflict ok he was having such a Moment fdhsuifv #gilmore found it SO amusing oh my god #also im so sorry but foxtrot cannot get a rest lmao #gives him estella bc of course - #VFHUIFV GOD........ LET HIM REST.........

[magickedhat]

i simply like m/f romances where the woman is completely feral and the guy is just little too into it

#CDHSUIFV LMAO #once again laura knows my characters too well <3 #farren v. ward. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡. ❜◞ #sonthi chater. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧. ❜◞

[magickedhat]

foxtrot.

foxtrot nodded in confirmation of his name, though gilmore’s next words left him a little baffled. how long did they expect him to travel with the circus? foxtrot realized he had few qualms about staying as long as they permitted him to stay. it felt like part of him had gone missing — the practical part that would have considered what his siblings might think or how the theater owners might respond if he didn’t return on time. foxtrot simply couldn’t bring himself to care.

his focus kept drifting into the past like a ship with a broken anchor, and as he listened to the duo, his thoughts floated backward again. this was the sort of aimless adult chatter, spoken with little regard for anyone listening in, that had once filled his father’s mansion during parties. several times, the boy had hidden beneath tables laden with treats to escape social expectations. he had sometimes dozed off there, listening to the thrum of words and laughter.

he imagined he might doze off now if he listened long enough — he already struggled to keep his eyes open — but the questions that surfaced in his mind kept him awake. who was ida? more importantly, who was gilmore’s companion? medico. a medic. he couldn’t help feeling studied a little too closely by him, like he saw through the cracks in his act.

self-conscious, foxtrot avoided his gaze and tugged at his sleeve. the chill of the early hour sent a shiver through him, but a warm flush had crept across his face as well, as it often did when others discussed his relationship with wren. guilt twisted in his chest this time, though. what would they say if they knew what happened last night? how would they treat him then?

gilmore addressed him again, jolting him back to the present. the ringleader radiated theatrics and energy despite the time — late, to those who lived in a circus that awoke at the magic hour. foxtrot nodded and stepped backward, ready to follow gilmore and begin working. then— might be best getting him to bed. he cast a startled glance at gilmore’s companion, then back at gilmore. a place for him to rest. foxtrot was half-desperate to collapse anywhere, but he ignored this. he wanted to claim that he wasn’t tired, but that would be a lie — an unconvincing one, at that — and he faintly remembered wren warning him long ago that gilmore despised being lied to.

“that… sounds nice,” he admitted, “and i appreciate the offer, but… sleep’s a bit tricky for me at the moment. i’d rather do something more useful than lying awake.” he needed a distraction, anything to keep his mind occupied. besides, wren had told him that assisting as a stagehand was a condition for him accompanying them. foxtrot knew exhaustion might force him to sleep eventually. just… not yet.

“wren hasn’t gotten much sleep either, though.” this part slipped out. even if he didn’t sleep, he wanted wren to have a chance. an inhale, trying to keep his voice steady. “i know they’ve got a broken mirror to fix, but they— they ought to get some rest as well.”

anyone working in the circus could attest to the fact that gilmore rarely saw limits, both to works of art and to human capabilities.   rather, he pushed the former, and entirely neglected the latter, oftentimes simply forgetting such a thing existed.   it was evident now, as foxtrot refused a chance to rest and opted to work instead, a decision which quickly convinced gilmore.   the only flaw he found was that sleep, apparently, evaded the boy.   gilmore had always believed that sleep was one of humanity’s greatest pleasures, alongside food and dance, and any chance to indulge should be appreciated.   

still, he believed foxtrot was aware of his own capabilities, and only nodded, knowing it’d be only few hours until sunrise anyway.   at the mention of wren, gilmore cackled, shaking his head.  “they’ll drop when they need to.   i don’t expect our troubles to be resolved tonight, and i am not responsible for my staff’s sleeping habits.   come, now, let us find something useful for you to do.”

with that, he bid his companion farewell, emphasizing that he’d like to find his drink as it is upon his return.   as the ringleader led foxtrot back into the golden side of the circus, weaving through the tents and stands without running into a single patron, he unravelled foxtrot’s responsibilities as a circus stagehand.

“there are about two hours left before sunrise, so there is little to do other than get you accustomed to your temporary space,”  he said, his voice bright but imposing, companding attention---his days as an active ringleader and a performer showing through even now.   he led foxtrot through the main paths of the circus, explaining the composition and the fact that everything, essentially, connected in interwoven circles that evaded the eye if they beholder was unprepared or unaware of them.   “most of the magic fades by day, the roads brighten, and the circus is much easier to navigate,”  gilmore added, with some disdain.

he continued to explain a regular stagehand’s duties and the well-hidden passageways used to empty bins or restock stands.   in the night’s shadows and a step behind the outstanding decorations, they were indeed almost entirely unnoticed, unless outright pointed out.   “you, specifically, shall be given another sort of task, given your previous work environment.   but these will be amongst your duties.”

then, gilmore led him into a tent, giving him no warning of what to expect other than a boisterous “follow me!” before diving between the sheets.   the tent smelled strongly of dough and sweet things.   all around, a bright-colored garden filled what little space it was given, and should one look closer, they’d realize that every leaf, petal and stem was an edible piece of art composed and decorated with expert showmanship.   a butterfly fluttered over a patch of blue carnation, its wings transluscent.

gilmore went straight to the lillies, plucking an obligatory piece. 

“my first request for you,” he said, breaking off a petal,  “is to find an insect here and eat it.”   his voice was alight with amusement as he popped the petal into his mouth, the melting sugar eliciting a joyous hum.   he continued,  his gaze alight.   “i promise, it isn’t as strange as it sounds.   you see, it’s of great importance that you eat something from the circus should we wish to keep you in one piece.   our magic is powerful, but accidents happen even to the best of machines.   instead of producing an entire, long-winded contract for such a short-term employment, i’d much rather you ate a piece of this place every day you’re travelling with us, as a safety net.”

he shrugged, his eyes flickering to a pot of baked sunflowers.  “i’ve found that the insects are much more reliable than the flowers, so i recommend them the most.   but of course, you’re free to pick.”

#theaterism #gilmore. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫. ❜◞ #!!!! hi thank u so much im crying VHFSUIG #also i find it SO funny that both wren and fox have now worked for each other's bosses for any amount of time #its just such a time HCUSFV #also fox remembering his dad's parties while listening to the two talk oh my GOD #and him turning down a place to rest chusfv he needs to Sit Down!!! #gilmore has such little knowledge of what humans can do despite consistently working with them and im just crying -

[magickedhat]

when i see writing advice that says “nobody refers to somone by name at the end of the sentence in a conversation” all i can think is gilmore and how he does, in fact, consistently and unapologetically do that

#ooc. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐧𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬. ❜◞ #he just does it so often im CHSUIFV #either by name or by some sort of title!! #he loves calling random strangers 'my good friend' too bc of course he does #im pretty sure people have questioned him abt this or told him it's annoying/unsettling #honestly i think that just fueled him to keep going CHSUIFV #it's just a habit now!!

[magickedhat]

fox.

into wren’s hat. wonder swirled within foxtrot, a giddiness that briefly distracted him and lifted the heavy weight within him. this meant something, didn’t it? despite everything, wren still allowed him to enter somewhere as special to them as this.

then wren released his hand and left him with only the ghost of warmth on his fingertips. they led him onward between cluttered trinkets, without pausing and without a single glimpse of simus. they guided foxtrot through a mirror of gold and shadow.

about last night, they said nothing, nothing, nothing.

as they moved, the sun charm hung around foxtrot’s neck tapped against his chest, tucked beneath his sweater. he focused on its rhythm to keep himself present. still, time skipped a beat or two. after they stumbled into the mirror house, the next moments passed in traces of image and sensation. a gallery of peculiar reflections - crisp air in his lungs - a smooth curve of circus tent that brushed against his arm.

at last, they stopped. foxtrot blinked back to sharper awareness and looked where wren pointed. gilmore. right. and even though foxtrot had hoped to spend time with wren and talk about what happened, they were now splitting up again anyway. part of foxtrot — the part that had grown stronger over the last several hours — had expected this. of course wren wouldn’t stay with him long. they had business to handle alone, troubles with the broken mirror. he shouldn’t be childish. but a pang still went through him.

if you need me.

unspoken words tingled on his lips: i need you now. he stifled this reply, barely, and nodded. “alright.”

they were turning to go. without meeting their gaze and before cowardice could restrain him, foxtrot caught their hand and squeezed it once — gently, but firmly. it was an attempt to convey something. a reassurance, a reminder, a silent plea. barely a second passed before he let go and started walking toward gilmore. he forced himself not to look back.

a tickle against his cheek; he finally registered the fact his hair was loose. he slid a tie from his wrist and swiftly wove it back into a messy braid, the familiar motion bringing comfort. by the time he reached the ringleader, he had mustered all his acting skill and all the politeness ingrained into him as a child. a halfway decent facade was better than none. he couldn’t hide everything — it showed in tired eyes, in hands buried into pockets to press a coin between his fingers — but he managed to look like he wasn’t falling apart.

once noticed, he offered a flicker of an apologetic smile. “sorry to interrupt. wren just… told me you’d spoken with them, said i might be of use while i’m here. is there anything i can help with?”

wren knew they could not avoid the events of last night forever.   they knew the subject would be broached, one way or another, because it felt more tangible than everything else they had collectively ignored thus far, and because they knew that should they not discuss it, wren was capable of doing far worse things to dismiss it entirely.

but foxtrot must’ve gotten as little sleep as they had, perhaps even less so.   they didn’t spare many glances his way, but his presence was half-there, silent but clumsy.   their mistakes from last night crawled across their skin; they couldn’t look at him without being reminded of how terribly they had slipped.   how terribly they continued to treat him, even after having calmed down.

when foxtrot took their hand, wren sincerely wished they could crawl out of their skin.

he let go as quickly as he’d held them, already making his way to gilmore.   wren’s gaze lingered on the crumpled grass in his wake for only a few seconds.   then, they were good as gone, their form vanishing between golden tents and pathways.

in the meantime, it was quite possible gilmore had half-forgotten about the peculiar arrangement he’d agreed to a few hours before.   when the boy appeared before him, drowsy-eyed and slightly disheveled, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes before he seemed to recollect himself.  “ah!   right, of course.   foxtrot, wasn’t it?”   the ringleader grinned towards his companion, a knowing glint in his eye.  “do you see, medico?   this is wren’s partner.   he shall be accompanying us for a while as we make our way to the netherlands.   we shall be bringing back ida, have you heard?”

“only four times this weekend,” le medico chuckled, leaning back in his chair to properly study foxtrot’s face.   “don’t they grow up fast?   i swear wren was only this big when they first popped in here!”  it was almost mandatory for adults to make such statements, ones that had nothing to do with the child’s age and everything to do with their long-lost time, and le medico seemed entirely content with carrying out this responsibility.  “imagine, for them to be old enough to have a boyfriend!”

“why is this so disheartening to you, my dear medic?   have you lost any time at all?”  asked gilmore, and they both cackled wholeheartedly.   finally, gilmore passed his drink to his companion and rose, dusting off his trousers for a bit of show.  “now, then!”  he nodded to fox, much too awake for the late hour.   “let’s get you sorted, shall we?”

“might be best getting him to bed,”  le medico said, taking a sip of gilmore’s drink.   “he looks sleep-deprived.   anything you say to him, he’ll completely forget by tomorrow.”

“i do believe it’s quite late,” agreed gilmore, studying fox as though he hadn’t noticed such a thing before.   “shall we find a place for you to rest, then?”

#theaterism #ic. ◜♣ / ❛ 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐩! ❜◞ #fox & wren. ◜♥ / ❛ 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞. ❜◞ #god im crying HSUIFHVU #IM SORRY THIS IS SO LONG #i start to write gilmore and then i dont stop. its a pattern. CSHUIFVHU #BUT GOD....... THESE TWO #they are going to be a mess the next day and i am not looking forward to it!!!