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correct4disneyprincesses · 3 years

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Snow White or in German, Schneewitchen

POB: Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany 1868.

DOB: 1854

Evidence:

Exhibit A: Doc asks if Snow White can make apple dumplings which is a 18th century dish. She can also make plum pudding also known as Christmas pudding.

Exhibit B: Snow White’s hair bow. Hair bows originated from the 17th century and were used in wigs during the 17th and 18th century. That, and it’s an Alice band which came out some time in 1865 after Alice in Wonderland was published.

Exhibit C: Queen Grimhilde’s balaclava. The balaclava is named after the Battle of Balaclava from the Crimean War in 1854, the time when the Brothers Grimm completed the final revision of Snow White.

Exhibit D: Prince Florian’s feathered beret. Berets are an ancient type of hat but they were very popular in the 19th century and beyond.

Exhibit E: Snow White’s court shoes or pumps are very 17th century and the buckles had bows attached to them in the 19th century.

Exhibit F: There is a three-dimensional cuckoo clock with a frog coming out of it. Stuff like that wasn’t popularized for cuckoo clocks until 1860. One example is the 1861 Hunt piece design.

Exhibit G: Queen Grimhilde uses a Bunsen burner. Gas technology didn’t come about until 1852.

Exhibit H: Dopey uses a dustpan to sweep up the diamonds. The first dustpan, made from metal like in the movie, came out in the 1850s.

Fact 1: Although bob hairstyles didn’t technically exist back then, Snow White was 14 years old in the movie, so her hair was allowed to be short during that time because it was obviously naturally short but it could be curled up just like the long hair on girls.

Fact 2: Snow White has puffed sleeves with teardrop-shaped slashing designs on them, very popular in Tudor times. And the drops are red to symbolize the three drops of blood from Snow White’s mother the First Queen.

Fact 3: Humbert the Huntsman wears a bycocket which was very fashionable for hunters in the 13th to 16th century. They fell out of fashion in England, France, and Spain but were still worn in the Netherlands by merchants, in the Low Countries by Masters of the Guild, and by nobility as far as Hungary.

Fact 4: The Dwarf’s Cottage is located “over the seven jeweled hills and beyond the seventh fall” according to the Spirit of the Magic Mirror. The Seven Hills of Bamberg are near the Black Forest in which the seventh fall known as the Triberg Waterfalls is located.

Additional Information:

Despite Snow White being 14, Prince Florian is not a pedophile. When it came to marriage, the couple had to strictly be teenagers. Sometimes, the boys present at the birth of a daughter were 3 to 4 years older than the baby princess. So, Florian had to be at least 17 to 18 years old.

Also, there is evidence that Snow White met Florian long before they saw each other at the well. In the song, “I’m Wishing,” she clearly says, “I’m wishing for the one I love to find me today.” She could’ve said, “I’m wishing for someone to love.” Instead, she said, “I’m wishing for the one I love.” Past tense. This was never love at first sight. She loved Florian long before the well scene and only ran away from him because she was embarrassed. She thought he would laugh at her for wearing the rags Grimhilde made her wear as evidenced when she brushes them off after running away and hiding.

Also, Snow White isn’t the fairest of them all because of her physical beauty but because of her pure heart as evidenced when the Spirit of Magic Mirror says, “Rags cannot hide her gentle grace.” So, she’s beautiful on the inside because she’s really nice and considerate unlike Grimhilde who’s vain, coldhearted and evil.

Given the opportunity, the Queen would easily kill Snow White. But as a Queen, she has an image to protect and is aware that the citizens like Snow White more than her and the citizens know that the Queen is evil, so, if the Queen did murder Snow White, she would have the entirety of the kingdom on her tail, especially considering that Snow White is her stepdaughter. That was why she needed someone else to do the job for her. But when that fails, she decides to take it upon herself to kill her but knowing that she has an image to protect, she has to disguise herself so completely that no one would ever suspect. Her transformation into an old Hag worked but it also made her senile. The ingredients used to make the potion which were written in English for translation purposes by Disney, were:

1. Mummy Dust or Mummia to make her old.

3. Black of Night or Nightshade to shroud her clothes.

4. Old Hag’s Cackle or a mixture of dumbcane to irritate the voice and propolis to relax it and give it the orange color. Both age the voice.

5. Scream of Fright or a combination of rhubarb juice to give it a good taste, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia to whiten the hair.

6. Wind to fan the drink’s heat.

7. A thunderbolt to conjoin the particles in the drink and mix it altogether.

In her senile state, she decided to use a special sort of death for Snow White. The poisoned apple that would put Snow White into a state of suspended animation.

Ingredients were:

Belladonna to cause delirium and hallucinations.

Henbane as an anesthetic potion, as well as for its psychoactive properties in "magic brews." These psychoactive properties include visual hallucinations and a sensation of flight. Common effects of ingestion of henbane in humans include hallucinations, dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin. If you mix belladonna and henbane together, you have a very powerful anesthetic potion.

Aconite which causes asphyxiation and would've killed her but it would've made it painless and would've calmed her.

Jimson Weed would be added to the anesthetic potion, as it causes hallucinations. So, instead of dying, she would've been put to sleep because there are too many anesthetics in the brew. Of course, you wouldn't call it sleep, because it is a sleep in which there is no air. Like the Queen disguised as the old peddler woman said, when Snow White eats the apple, her breath will still, and her blood will congeal. So, the aconite would not only stop her breathing but it would cause her blood to clot excessively since the blood has oxygen in it, too. Of course, Snow White didn't die from it. All the ingredients I've mentioned would only put her in a state of suspended animation.

White Snakeroot is non-toxic unless in the milk of cattle. It is used for curing ague, diarrhea, kidney stones, and fever. It can also be used to revive unconscious people. It, of course, was added as a way for the real antidote, Love's First Kiss, to take affect and that antidote's power lies in the apple itself. Throughout history, the apple has been a symbol for love and sexuality, which is why Love's First Kiss woke her up. Apples are full of Vitamin C and promote strong bones and blood sugar regulation. It is also full of flavonoids and antioxidants that neutralize harmful free radicals.

The antidote in the Evil Queen’s senile old mind does not bother her because she believed the Dwarfs, thinking Snow White was dead, would bury her alive.

She goes to Snow White in her old hag form knowing that Snow White’s kindness towards others and inability to be deceived by appearances since beauty is found within would be easy to prey upon.

That and she’s also Christian as seen when she prays to God to “bless the seven little men who were so kind to her.” That Christianity plays a big role in the poisoned apple scene. It’s understandable, not just because she’s 14 and children are easier to take advantage of than adults but because of a Bible scripture that she may have heard of and took to heart.

Hebrews 13: 2 states, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have shown hospitality to angels without even knowing it.”

Of course, we see that Snow White is clearly creeped out by the old woman as she backs away from her advances. So, she might’ve eaten the apple just to humor her so that she’d leave her alone. So, she was just being polite.

Now, contrary to what people believe, Prince Florian is not a necrophiliac. The kiss was a goodbye kiss. He was mourning for her.

I know that Snow White wouldn’t be rated G if it were made in present day.

We have scary images from when Snow White is in the Black Forest and the comeuppance of the Evil Queen.

But it was the first animated feature-length film and if it had flopped, Walt Disney would’ve lost everything. He wanted it to be timeless and he made it so.

#disney princess #snow white #historical accuracy #analysis #character info #snow white and the seven dwarfs

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goldenchocobo · 4 years

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Kingdom Hearts Disney Character Daemons

I’ve finally done it, and made a list of all 59 human Disney character’s Daemons that appear in Kingdom Hearts.

I’ve listed them in Game Order and then World Order, with Worlds appearing in subsequent games only listed in the first game they debuted in including all characters, even if they themselves didn’t appear in that game (eg. Olympus is only listed in KH1, but includes Meg). I’ve added notes as well for a ‘quick analysis or things I’ve found out while researching the animals, names or characters.

Since it’s a monster of a list, I’ve saved everyone some Dash space and listed everything under the cut.

Kingdom Hearts

Wonderland

Alice: Unsettled, usually in the form of a cat. Jacob (Dinah)

Queen of Hearts: Anna’s Hummingbird. Basil

Notes: I wasn’t sure if I was going to include the Queen or not- but I decided to, since there isn’t anything that says she’s not human. I chose a hummingbird for her for her frequent mood swings due to the fact that (male) hummingbirds can get very aggressive.

Olympus Coliseum

Hercules: Pegasus (he’s half mortal so, they’d be extraordinary)

Megera: Ferret. Creon

Notes: I’ve found myself with a stereotype that if I can’t find a particular animal for a Daemon, I simply make them a mustalidae, but I think it works with Megera as she gives off a fem-fetale confidence.

Deep Jungle

Tarzan: African Fish Eagle. Juana

Jane: Jewel Beetle (Chrysochroa fulgidissima). Iain

Clayton: Sabor

Notes: These were some of the hardest Daemons I’ve had to place, since I could not think of what to give them (apart from Clayton). But looking closer at Tarzan and Jane’s personalities, I chose what I feel are fitting Daemons, with the Eagle being a symbol of bravery, and the Beetle being a symbol for intellect and quirkiness.

Agrabah

Aladin: Sadaf (Abu)

Jasmine: Arabian Mau. Dara

Jafar: Jacqueline (Iago)

Notes: I did almost give Jasmine Rajah for her Daemon, but wanted something smaller and less imposing, but equally as outgoing, so I decided to keep in the Feline family. Also, TIL; Iago is Welsh for Jack.

Monstro

Gepetto: Fidela (Figaro)

Notes: I do want to say that I think that once Pinocchio becomes human he would get a Daemon, and that Daemon would be Jimminy, granted by the Blue Fairy. But considering Jimminy’s role in the KH franchise, I thought it would be weird for him to be traveling with Sora + co.

Neverland

Wendy: Unsettled, Mostly takes the form of a Bluebird. Geoffrey

Peter: Unsettled, usually the form of a Cuckoo. Ceil

Slightly: Unsettled, usually in the form of a Vixen. Jackie

Cubby: Unsettled, usually in the form of a Black bear cub. Thea

Hook: Slender Mongoose. Adelaide

Mr. Smee: Mallard duck. Deryn

Notes: Smee’s Daemon was going to be a Schipperke (a small black dog) until I looked up Smee’s name and found it was a common old name to call Waterfowl (mainly ducks and Smews), and his personality fit!

Kingdom Hearts II

Land of Dragons

Mulan: Cri-Kee

Le Shang: Pallas Cat. Ushas

Shan Yu: Hayabusa

Ling: Japanese Macaque. Binh

Yao: Hamadryas Baboon. Jie

Chien Po: White-Cheeked Macaque.Yu

The Emperor: Indochinese Tigress. Indrani

Notes: I based Ling, Yao and Chien Po on the three wise monkeys in terms of Daemon themes. The White-Cheeked Macaque isn’t the best choice, however, since it was only recently discovered..

Beast’s Castle

Belle: Eurasian Jay. Clarus

‘Beast’: Wild European Sow (Boar). Addison

Notes: I wasn’t going to give Beast a Daemon at first- she’d only appear in his human form at the end credits scene anyway, but I chose to give him one of his design inspirations, since the personality matched.

Port Royal

Capt. Jack Sparrow: Sparrow Hawk. Wyleye

William Turner Jr: Arctic Tern. Vilma

Elizabeth Swann: Barnacle Goose. Aaron

Capt. Hector Barbosa: Great Skua. Rossa

Notes: Yes, they’re all birds because all of their names (apart from Barbossa) were names of birds. I changed Jack’s from just ‘Sparrow’ to ‘Sparrowhawk’ since I think that suited him more. Also, Skuas may look like a drab seagull, but they are mean little things that rob other birds for food and eat chicks!

Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep

Enchanted Dominion

Aurora: Boreal Owl. Garrik

Maleficent: Diablo

Flora: European Robin. Zephyr

Fauna: Dunnock. Silvius

Merryweather: Great tit. Onofrio

Notes: I’ve already talked about the Fairies before and haven’t changed their Daemons. Aurora is an owl because owls are stereotyped into two things: being knowledgeable, and being tired all the time. Disney themselves play to this trope a lot too.

Castle of Dreams

Cinderella: Jaq

Lady Tremaine: Lucifer

Anastasia Tremaine: Lion Tamarin. Bion

Drizella Tremaine: Peacock Pheasant. Felix

Notes: I chose the sister’s Daemons for specific reasons. They’re both prideful in their looks, singing voice and being ‘better than’ Cinderella. the two most common animals that symbolize pride is the lion and the peacock. giving these animals as Daemons to the sisters gives them a falseness about them. They may see themselves as all these good things, but in reality- they’re nothing but a sham.

Dwarf Woodland

The Queen/Witch Hag: Panther(leopard)/Rook. Gunnar

Snowwhite: Bluetit. Vardan

Notes: When matching Daemons to characters, I like to do research on those characters, and as it turns out- the Queen was going to be given a black panther as an animal companion in early drafts of Snow White. This was changed to a crow that lives in her potions’ lair later on. I gave her two forms, because I could foresee her using magic on her Daemon to make the disguise more complete.

Dream Drop Distance

La Citè des Cloches

Quasimodo: White Dove. Natalie

Judge Claude Frolo: Silver Fox. Agrippina

Esmerelda: Djai

Captain Phoebus: Goldcrest. Petra

Notes: I don’t have much to say here other than Pheobus’ Daemon was chosen based on his name alone, since they are small birds with a very bright crest that looks like sunshine when it catches the light.

The Grid

Kevin: Tarsier. Doireann

Sam: Marva (Marvin)

Notes: I did this very late on and very quickly due to me forgetting that Sam and Kevin are humans in this world! even at a quick look, I think I got them right.

Kingdom Hearts III

Kingdom of Corona

Rapunzel: Pascal

Flynn: Eurasian Magpie. Owena

Mother Gothel: Orchid Mantis. Chrysanthos

Notes: I only really had trouble with Flynn’s Daemon, but landed on a magpie because they both like shiny things- like enormous piles of money.

Arendelle

Elsa: Ermine. Vetle

Anna: Mountain Hare. Kai

Kristoff: Svalbard Reindeer. Bae

Hans: European Wolf. Gerda

Notes: I based Elsa’s Daemon from the early concept of Frozen, where she was going to be an evil queen with a coat of living Ermine. Other than hers, all other Daemons are based on the original Book’s characters, with Hans’ Daemon being named after the main character, which further amplifies the end twist.

San Fransokyo

Hiro: Japanese Beetle. Kei

Gogo: Hedgehog. Hwan

Honey Lemon: Bumble-Bee. Benigno

Fred: Iguana. Pamela

Wasabi: Mediterranean Mantis. Ginger

Notes: I originally had them all as Insects, but I have forgotten what other insects I had for Go-go and Fred, but I still feel I gave them the right choice.

END If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! my days of hard work was not wasted!

#Kingdom Hearts #Kingdom Hearts 2 #Kingdom Hearts 3 #Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep #Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance #KH #KH2 #KH3 #KHBBS #KHDDD #His Dark Materials #HDM #The Golden Compass #Disney Characters #Disney

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hyungbean · 5 years

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Secrets, Secrets | Emmett Cullen x Witch!Reader

Request: hi i hope you’re still taking twilight requests!! could you do any cullen boy x witch!reader? she’s been with them for a few years but they never knew she was a witch until eclipse when she helped protect bella from victoria using magic so she’s gotta let everyone see what she is. thank u tons!! ur writing is amazing

Genre: Fluff, Angsty-ish

A/N: your girl had to do a little research for this one, also tysm!! I hope you like the imagine ;) + I’m trying to get through my requests atm, I’m working on part 2 for voicemail and part 3 for Locusts !

It was no secret that you were different from Bella. You had join the Cullen Coven years ago, and they could smell how absolutely divine your blood was, but they blew it off as just really tasty human blood.

It was not until the encounter with James and the wild goose chase that the Cullens grew suspicious that you weren’t exactly human. You had to keep your mind clear at all times of your true nature since Edward could read your mind. You had grown really close to Emmett ever since you had joined, in a different way than you had with the others. His sister, Rosalie pointed it out a while back and pushed you to confess, but you knew it would never last so you never got the courage to profess your feelings.

The Cullens loved you and wanted to trust you with every fiber in their bodies, but they couldn’t ignore the way your blood was different from Bella’s, Jasper couldn’t ignore the doubt and defense you always had up, Edward couldn’t ignore how squeaky clean your thoughts were when he was around, they were too clean.

You just didn’t want to scare off the only family you had, so you had to play off your true identity. It was easy since the Cullens had never really encountered a witch before, so they didn’t have anything to compare you to.

It all seemed to be going fine, with you and Emmett growing closer and closer with every passing day, almost sharing a kiss a few days back. But you knew that you both were just going to get hurt in the end, you couldn’t hide forever.

The only real obvious evidence of you being a witch was the celestial bronze necklace you wore around your neck all the time. It had been passed down for generations, parents teaching their kids how to control and be one with their supernatural witch abilities. Once their child became advanced enough to venture into the real world, they gave them the necklace as tradition.

Different kinds of witches wore different kinds of necklaces, made with different times of elements ranging from imperial gold to stygian iron to celestial bronze. Your family possessed the abilities to control the elements around them, and after they died you swore off your practice of magic which made it easier to blend in. Although you weren’t sure how powerful you were anymore, being out of practice for so long.

Then the eventful inevitable arrived on your doorstep in the form of Victoria. If her mate had given us enough trouble, she would multiply it by a tenfold. And that’s exactly what she did. She was not only after Bella but you too, since your blood smelled tastier than any meal she had probably ever had. That was what pushed your coven to band together with the shape-shifters to take down Victoria and her army.

Even though the Cullens had trained you in hand to hand combat for many years, there was no way you were prepared to take care of yourself against an army of newborns. So you and Bella were instructed to stay with Edward and Seth Clearwater, a boy you had grown quite fond of. You weren’t nervous, knowing if anything you were still a witch after all; you had been told that Victoria wouldn’t be able to find you anyway.

You knew better than to believe that, and you were right as Edward had suddenly tensed and announced that Victoria and another vampire had traced Bella’s scent. Standing in front of Bella, you shielded her from the sight of Edward engaging Victoria and another man in battle, watching as Seth had to intervene when it got too intense for our liking, dragging the boy off into the forest as he pleaded with Victoria to save him.

Pathetic really. Did he really believe in this stone cold bitch’s promises?

After the boy was dragged off, Victoria ran at Edward. Her moves were sharper and faster, and it was quite clear that Edward was losing the fight. Bella seemed to notice too as she started scrambling in the snow for something.

Ancestors don’t fail me now.

You concentrated on the world around you, feeling the faint surge of power course through your veins, willing you to once again be one with your environment. Controlling your powers were hard as you were heavily out of practice, sweat rolling down your face even in the cold weather. Darting your fingers into a backward motion, you concentrated on the snow, willing it to drag Victoria down and away from Edward.

Fighting with the element, you eventually overpowered it and successfully dragged Victoria down into the white blanket as Bella watched in confusion Edward taking the opportunity to quickly stomp on her neck and decapitate her.

Groaning, your knees buckle and you barely catch yourselves with your palms. Exhaustion burning at your muscles in rapid waves, telling you to sleep. You don’t see the way Bella falls to her knees in front of you, waving her hands frantically, or the way Edward sets the red-head’s corpse on fire. The orange flames looking jumbled and still, that didn’t seem right at all.

You couldn’t talk because everything felt numb. You also couldn’t think because your brain felt like mush. All your body allowed you to do was squeeze your eyes shut, trying to take even breaths.

Slowly your vision clears and the ringing in your ears cease as you gaze up to find a concerned Bella and Edward looking down at you.

“Y/N? Y/N? Can you hear us?” Bella asks trying to mask her panic, she had no idea what she had seen. One moment Victoria was going to break Edward’s neck, the next she was being pulled away by the snow. And it looked like you were doing it. But that was impossible right?

“Y/N.. What exactly happened? Who are you?” Edward asks, helping me up. Wiping the sweat away I prepare to answer but Edward stiffens suddenly looking around.

“We need to go.” He drags us both away as Seth runs after us, not knowing the danger awaiting ahead of us. Once we arrive we find a little mini bonfire set up, burning the bodies of the newborns, the others looking nervous. They didn't look this nervous unless the Volturi had something to do with it. Not much could shake up the Cullens this bad except for the Volturi, so you knew that they must have sent a message or worse, be coming our way.

You must have looked like hell because Emmett immediately rushed towards you, gripping your forearms, frantically looking around for signs of injuries. When he didn’t find any visible ones, he hugged you to his chest kissing the top of your head softly.

When you pull apart you make eye contact with Edward who raises an eyebrow at you, clearly still questioning what had happened earlier. You knew you had to come clean after this, afraid of what it would bring.

Once Alice announces that they were here, Emmett pulls you towards the family, who were all shielding a young newborn who looked scared out of her wits. Rosalie squeezes your wrist giving you a concerned look which you just mouthed a ‘later’ to in response.

Emmett squeezed you tighter into his side, standing tall with his chest puffed out, possibly getting ready for another fight.

From the woods you see Jane, Alec, Felix and Demetri emerging , pulling off their hoods in an attempt to seem more powerful. You wouldn’t say it out loud but you thought they looked ridiculous, but by the amused look Edward shoots you, you knew your thoughts weren’t as concealed as you thought they were.

Jane converses with the Cullens for a little before her eyes find your figure slumped against Emmett, looking drained.

“My, my. So that was the delicious scent that I caught on the way here. I see you’ve brought a witch into your coven. Surprising I must admit.” You freeze as the Cullens look at each other in confusion, glancing at you in alarm.

You had only ever run into the Volturi a few times, but each time they had not been able to figure out who you were, and you wondered if they had but just decided to toy with you. It seemed like something that they would do.

“Oh my. It seems that you weren’t aware of that. Secrets, secrets.” Jane hums, turning to look at the newborn who was cowering behind the family. You were glad she redirected her attention, but you knew that things would never be the same. You didn't know if it was from your exhaustion or from being overwhelmed but you felt yourself grow dizzy, your vision blackening. And you swore you could see Jane smirking at you before you lost consciousness, knees buckling painfully.

When you awakened, you realized you were back home, feeling the familiar warmth of your blanket, and smelling the shampoo you always used on the pillow you were sleeping on. What you didn't realize was the large figure laying next to you, watching as you awakened, smiling softly.

“Good morning my little witch.” Emmett whispered, trying not to startle you. You flinch a little and your cheeks heat up when you turn and realize the close proximity between you two.

“How long was I out?” You croaked, throat feeling a little dry, head hurting slightly.

“Just a few hours.. so witch huh? We knew you were different. We just never expected you to be so...exotic? We’ve never really seen a witch before, can’t believe we’ve been living with one for years.” Emmett mumbles teasingly, stroking your head.

“ ‘m sorry I didn’t tell you guys. I thought you guys would be scared and abandoned me. I haven't used my powers in a long time, I guess I overworked myself today.” You whisper sleepily, feeling your lids growing heavy again.

“Yeah Edward told us how you saved his life today, Bella’s too. Carlisle said you’ll just lots of rest. He’ll help you train at a healthy pace when you get better.”

You only hum in response, burying your head into the crook of his neck, as he wraps his arms around your middle, leaning his chin on top of your head. He hums quietly, being greeted by your soft snores only moments later, the both of you at peace.

#twilight #twilight imagines #twilight saga #twilight saga imagines #twilight emmett #Emmett Cullen imagines #Emmett Cullen x reader #Emmett Cullen fluff #Emmett Cullen angst #Emmett cullen #cullen clan x reader #culling clan imagines #twilight eclipse

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murderdaddymayhem · 5 years

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Going To Disneyland With The Slashers Headcanons

Requested by anon!

Charles Lee Ray/Chucky:

In human form, Charles fucking hates it. He barely even tolerates it for you.

In doll form, Chucky loves it. Free food and souvenirs, and he doesn’t have to pay to get in (”Why would I pay $200 of our hard earned money to go sing with woodland animals?” was always his argument). He can sneak onto rides, he can hide and pose as an animatronic. He laughs every time he makes a child point and cry.

Beetlejuice

Knows literally everyone in the Haunted Mansion. “Ghostie Hostie! It’s me, ya boy!” Everybody thinks he works there. He pretends he does so he can lead them off to weird places of the park when all they wanted was a dole whip. Haha. That wasn’t funny Beej, that kid is crying now.

Jack Torrance

He tolerates it, but if it makes his girl happy, he’ll pretend he’s having a good time. He just won’t go on It’s A Small World. Anything. But. That. After a while though, he can’t take all the screaming little brats, and hangs around the Tower of Terror. Come to think of it, he’s still there... wait-- is that a black and white picture of him with the guests in the lobby?!

Tiffany Valentine

Is a huge fan of exciting rides, and is obsessed with everything Minnie Mouse. Will take a billion photos with you in front of the castle, and squeal every time she sees a princess. Her favourite ride is Snow White’s Scary Adventure-- a perfect mix of princesses and spooks!

Michael Myers (2007 or 1978)

Doesn’t really understand the hype. He spends half an hour admiring the pumpkins on the Haunted Mansion lawn having an existential crisis. He will hold your hand and take all your pictures for you if you ask him. You have to watch him like a child, because he’ll keep wandering back to stare at the pumpkins. Oh shit, look out! Loomis is in the doom buggy behind you two shouting about evil in the park.

Otis Driftwood

Complains aaallll day, grumbles, mopes, etc, but secretly, it’s making him pretty happy. Kind of. He didn’t get shit like this in his childhood, so it’s sort of therapeutic. If any character tries to talk to him, he flips them off. This almost gets you thrown out eight times. He likes Splash Mountain, and cheers (too loudly) for Br’er Fox to “kill that hip hopping little fucker before I do!” And why does he keep yelling "RUN RABBIT RUN!" at Br'er Rabbit??? Shut up, Otis. Please shut up.

Baby Firefly

Is having the time of her life, but has absolutely no regard for park rules. “What do you m e a n I can’t take my top off on pirates of the Caribbean, it was WET!” Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is her favourite ride, because you get to shoot stuff. Pew pew.

Captain Spaulding

Kind of loves it?? Also he’s having a really great time terrorizing the children who keep coming up to him and asking him if he’s a real clown. “Heya kid! Go find your mama and tell her I said to go fuck herself! HAHA!” Disney tries to hire him as an entertainer, he tells them he wants a million dollars for it. Oh, he also really likes the Blue Bayou restaurant. Says their menu needs more fried chicken. Is thrown out.

Doomhead

Doesn’t want to be there. Would literally rather be dead. He doesn’t have time for this shit, especially when he should be preparing for the next 31. W h y did you bring him?

Stu Macher

Pretends he thinks it’s stupid at first to look cool, but is actually a little kid again. He holds your hand and drags you to his favourite ride, California Screaming, which he makes you ride 10 times in a row. All around, you’re incredibly dizzy by nighttime, but Stu’s excitement is worth it. It reminds him of happy times when he was a kid, before his parents divorced.

Billy Loomis

The perfect date. You two take pictures together, get Mickey and Minnie shirts, hold hands on all the rides. Billy likes going to some of the live shows too. Will do something cute, like ask the Dapper Dans to sing a romantic song for you two while you share a Matterhorn Sundae at the Carnation Cafe.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

It’s a theme park, so they’re happy to be happy with you there! :))) They like the Ferris Wheel the best, and practically empty out Gibson Girl’s ice cream supply. Oops. The cast member just went screaming cause Shorty jumped over the counter to grab some more. Oh no-- Slim just threw a waffle at Rudy. Security’s coming. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Art the Clown

Loves It’s A Small World. You know why. He wants to chop off all the heads and hang them from strings, then fill the water with blood. You know what goes on inside that head. You know.

Pennywise (1990)

Gets annoyed with the children very quickly, and tries to munch quite a few. You have to watch him very closely, or there’s a fat chance the SWAT team will be called. You’ve explained that you’re at a very famous theme park, and can’t eat any children. Papawise clearly doesn’t give a fuck.

Pennywise (2017)

Realizes this is a big theme park and is basically a buffet, but understands after you explain that he can’t eat anyone in a place this public. He then moves on to taste testing literally everything in the park, because he’s hungry dammit, and the rides make his molecules float so he doesn’t like them. His favourite restaurant is Ariel’s Grotto.

Freddy Krueger

Thinks this is very dumb, but likes Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Heh. Heh heh.

Jason Voorhees

Much like Michael, Jason doesn’t really understand the hype around the park, and doesn’t know the characters, so he just gets his pleasure from watching you and the magic in your eyes. He thinks it’s adorable and will never get tired of it. Will hold your hand. Make sure his mask is on tight, cause he almost lost it on Space Mountain and had a fucking field day.

Bubba Sawyer

You made him watch a whole bunch of Disney movies before going, so he knows everything about everyone. He gets very excited about his favourite characters he sees walking around (he’s partial to Alice in Wonderland) but is too shy to meet them unless you walk up with him. He’ll also give you piggy back rides when your feet get tired! Don’t take him to the Tiki Room, loud noises upset him.

Chop Top

Is having the time of his LIFE. You will have to DRAG him from the park at the end of the day. He runs up to characters and asks them a bazillion questions that are sooo fucking hard to answer, sorry you have to deal with this nastyboi asking what your hair growth routine is today Rapunzel, but god is he excited. He wants to hit every ride, but gets lost trying to get there. He also buys a very nice pair of mickey ears to hide his plate. Don’t ask him to ever take them off, he won’t.

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maddiesmt-morphina · 5 years

Text

7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN Chapter 12- Plans for the summer

#Before you guys kill me please read the final notes!#

Megumi's golden eyes were glued in front of the television. The bluenette girl had never seen such a beautiful story. On the screen, Prince Charming woke Snow White with a gentle kiss. The scene made the girl blush, but her trembling hands revealed the enthusiasm of seeing that the princess was truly saved.

Nothing else mattered beyond the beautiful conclusion of the story before her. At her side, Takumi had long since lost interest. He had found in the girl besides him a much more interesting and beautiful scene to watch. And when he saw her eyes full of tears, overwhelmed by the protagonist's love, Takumi that knew he would never regret his last-minute invitation.

FLASHBACK

Takumi Aldini was officially bored. His brother, Isami, had gone out to participate in a shokugeki and asked to go alone. Apparently, the younger Aldini was unsure of himself after what happened in the Azami administration.

Without many options, the Italian decided to search the television for something when the bell rang, removing him from the inertia of skipping the TV channels.

"Isami, I already told you not to forget the keys to ..." The blonde stopped the sentence in the middle when he noticed that the presence before him was not his brother's.

"I'm sorry to bother Takumi ... I sent a message to ..."

The blonde didn't hear anything. She really was in front of him. With all the glory that radiated from the tip of her blue hair to her golden iris. With the warmest smile Takumi had ever seen in a person and accompanied by a wonderful smell of freshly baked pie. It was then that Takumi noticed the package in the girl's hands and noticed that he had to stop staring at her and turn his attention to what the girl was saying.

"And in appreciation I brought you a freshly apple pie"

And then she smiled at him. That smile that killed him little by little. He hadn't understood the purpose of the pie. Appreciation? For what exactly? But he thought it would be rude to ask again because that would mean he was blantlaly staring at her as if he was a pervert. Even if it was just to admire the beauty of her charming smile.

"Ahh yes..ahh thanks. And please Megumi, come in."

"Ahh I don't want to bother"

"You never bother" The boy saw the girl blush and then added in an embarrassed way "And also I ... I'm a bit bored here, Isami left and I would very much appreciate your company. I can make some tea to accompany the pie, what do you think?"

"If it's not trouble"

"Not at all, please come in"

Megumi shyly entered and handed Takumi the pie as she removed her shoes. With a brief glance she noticed how neat the house was. She didn't imagine that boys could be so organized, although the only reference she had were her dorm friends, so she didn't dwell on detail.

When he saw her so nervous, Takumi decided to forget his own nervousness to make the girl feel at ease.

"Megumi, this pie looks wonderful!"

"I hope you like apple pie."

"Apple? Is not poisoned, is it?" He could not stop himself from making the joke, and soon realized that the girl hadn't understood it.

"Hm? Poisoned? Why would I do that? no no no no no ! I assure you..." With her eyes wide, stuttering words, and hands swaying fervently in the form of denial, Megume made him realize how cute she was when she was nervous.

"Calm down Megume, it was a joke... a bad one indeed ... you know ... poisoned apple. 'Snow white' ... no?"

" 'Snow White?' What do you mean, Takumi? "

"Megumi, don't tell me you've never seen Snow White before? It's a Disney classic?"

Noticing the girl's curious gaze and expression, the boy sighed and shook his head slightly.

"Megumi ... have you ever seen a Disney movie?" "Snow White," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Tangled"?

"Hm ..." The girl seemed to reflect on the titles and in the end gave the answer that Takumi already expected

" Not that I remember"

"I'm sorry, Megumi, but I'm going to have to show you each one of those movies! That is a promise!" he swore, his fist clenched in the direction of his heart.

The girl laughed at his seriousness and just nodded.

"For today we can start with 'Snow White'. It will be a perfect match with your apple pie. I'll make some chamomile tea to go with and we can see it in the living room, what do you think?"

"Perfect"

END OF FLASHBACK

Takumi memorized every route the crystalline tears made as they rolled down her cheekbones. And he couldn't help himself by reaching out and touch them. He needed to know if those tears would heal him from all the diseases known by human kind.

But the moment his fingers brushed a few loose strands of her hair, the girl turned to face him. Red eyes and the weak smile of those who had cried of emotion and not of sadness.

Megumi didn't expect to find Takumi as thrilled as she was, but she didn't expect to meet the big blue eyes so close to her golds ones either. She fell, as usual, into the spell that ran around that turquoise blue, and for a brief second she wished that he was the prince destined to save her from the curses of the world.

The world became slower at that moment, in that intense exchange of glances, the sound of the final song of the movie playing, their breathing getting heavier and closer. Everything was in favor of the flow that brought her closer to him. Until the sound of the lock announced that they were no longer alone.

Both of them moved away so quickly, that Takumi almost fell as he turned to the other end of the sofa.

"Oni-chan, I'm back. Ah! Megumi! It's good to see you here."

"Ahh yes ... Isami ... equally."

"I hope you had a great afternoon. I'm sorry I didn't stay to taste your pie"

The girl smiled and shook her hands anxiously. That nervous, ungainly way that only she knew how to do.

"Ahh, don't worry, Isami. We keep a piece for you."

At that moment, Takumi frowned. Something was bothering him, but he would take his theory clean once he was alone with his brother.

"Well, I'd better go. It's getting late anyway." The girl got up and automatically the blond boy did it too.

"I'll take you home, Megume."

"Oh No. You don't have to bother Takumi. I can go by myself."

"I insist. It is not good to be walking alone at this late."

"But if you go, won't you be coming back alone by yourself?"

She was right, but he wouldn't let her go alone that easy. Luckily, Takumi didn't have to expose his fears.

"Then let us all go. So nobody comes back alone, " Isami suggested.

And so the three of them left. They talked about the film, the pie and the other films unknown to the girl.

As they left Megumi at the dormitory door, Isami said goodbye quickly and distanced himself to answer messages on his cell phone.

"Thank you for coming with me, Takumi."

The girl kept the blush on her cheeks and was not the only one.

"Oh no! I should thank you for the pie and ... well ... for make me company. I ... I would very much like to repeat it any of these days ... I mean ... if it's all right with you."

Takumi stared at the floor, disappointed at his lack of composure and already expecting a refusal.

"I ... I would love to ... actually."

"Really?" He smiled so sincerely and intently that the girl felt compelled to do the same.

"Really".

"So we ... hm ... we can watch some movies this summer.. I ... hm ... I ... I can text you."

"Sure. I ... I ... I'll be waiting"

"No more than I." The boy sighed, and when he realized the girl's face turned even redder, he understood that he had said it aloud.

"I-I'm going then. Ehh Good night Megumi."

"G..Good night Takumi."

The two bowed still nervously. And they went their different ways.

Finding his brother not to far away, Takumi decided to make things clear.

"You can stop pretending to talk on the phone."

"How did you find out?"

"The screen is dark Isami. How could you exchange messages with the screen like this?"

"Ahh yes ... well ... it worked for my purpose."

"Which was?"

"Let you and Megumi say goodbye alone."

"What are you talking about ?!"

"Ahh, you can call it the sixth sense or brother's feeling or something"

"You're not making any sense. But tell me, how was your Shokugeki?"

"Hm ... about this ..."

"You didn't have any, did you?"

"You're very perceptive, Oni-chan."

The blonde rolled his eyes and looked at his brother from the corner of his eye.

"Fake messages , lying about shokugeki ... what do you want to get with that, Isami?

"Oh well ... hm ... it's true that Megumi sent me a message that she was going to bring a pie this afternoon. I just wanted you guys to spend some time together. It's good to see you happy Oni-chan and it's been a while since I've been realizing how she makes you happy."

"Where did you get this ?!"

"Maybe it was from yesterday's game, or a few weeks ago. Fact is, your shoulders relax a little after talking to her. You started paying more attention to others and cooking with more passion ... not that you didn't have it before, but something in her ... changes something in you ... positively, of course."

" I....I..."

"You don't have to say anything, Oni-chan ...just take notice…I'm sure you will have all your answers as soon as you start paying attention to the details."

Takumi sighed loudly. And both brothers continued the journey in silence.

"You are home. Safe and sound."

Hayama's attempt at humor worked. Hisako smiled easily and he was proud to have made her smile several times that night.

"Thank you for everything Hayama. I ... I really appreciated your gesture."

They exchanged their glances before they turned their attention to the ground again.

"Arato ... I ..." the boy couldn't understand why throat was dry and his voice was hoarsed. He scratched his throat in an attempt to recover his voice. "I understand that all of this was only due to Alice's challenge ..."

Before he could finish the sentence, Hisako could feel the tears begin to gather in her eyes. Of course it was fake. Everything that happened between them that night was just an excuse for a stupid challenge. She should know before planting feelings that shouldn't grow. The girl prepared herself for what was to come. A rejection, a bored apology. And worst of all. She couldn't fault him. He had never promised her anything. Only that he would accomplish the challenge set. But it was so hard to believe that everything had been unreal. That everything was planned just to meet the requirements of a silly joke.

"And I'm so sorry for that."

"What?" The girl directed her pink eyes to meet his green ones.

"I said ... I'm sorry our first date started with a pretend. I had a lot of fun and I hope we can do it more often. This time without Alice or games. What I'm saying is that I intend to do it the right way, so ..."

The young man shortened the distance between them. Hisako could see every groove of the greenish iris, felt his breath as heavy as hers, and felt her heart speed up even more as he held her hand delicately and tenderly.

"Would you like to go out with me again? This time on a real date?"

Hisako's mind took some time to process what was happening and she had to blink several times until she realized she was not in a dream. One moment she was ready to be rejected, and in the other she was actually being invited to a date by the boy who made her smile and sigh several times in one night. There wasn't much to think about. Not when he was so close and with a perfume that totally inebriated her.

"Ok" That was all she could manage to say. Still surprised by the whole situation.

"Great. We can do something this summer, then"

"Sure"

The boy brought her hand to his lips and stared at her as he kissed the top of her fingers. Hisako couldn't breathe.

"Once again, thank you for the lovely company, Arato."

She just nodded and watched him distance himself, breathing only once the boy was already beyond the gates of the mansion.

Just a thought in her mind: WHAT THE FUCK HAS JUST HAPPENED?

Alice woke with a start. She looked around and found that she was in her own room. She sat up in her bed trying to understand why she still wore the same clothes of the afternoon and why she had slept with them.

She touched her face lightly, felt the traces of old tears, and remembered why her eyes seemed to burn. Apparently, after her collapse in front of her cousin, Alice fell asleep crying. Erina probably asked for help from one of the security guards to take her to her own room. The girl felt new tears forming and she squinted at the attempt to avoid crying. She took a few deep breaths, and when she was sure she wouldn't cry anymore she opened her eyes, her vision still blurry.

The darkness outside the window told her that it was past ten o'clock and Alice felt her heart clench. He searched for the time and found it on her cell phone, lying on the head of her bed. 11:59 p.m. It certainly was past 10.

Alice's red eyes stayed alert. She could feel the seconds being dragged as dust on a dry summer day. When the clock reported that the challenge was over, the girl heard nervous knocks on her door. Without even blinking, she rushed toward it, knocking over bed sheets, cell phone, and anything in her path.

She met him with the tired look of those who hadn't slept for days and couldn't contain herself by wrapping his neck and pulling him into the room in a hug full of meanings for both of them.

"Please don't leave" she whispered in his ear.

Ryo let her hide her face in his neck and cry softly. He had much to say to her. Things he discovered just by spending a whole day without her presence. But He would do it later. Now he'd just concentrate on having her in his arms. And with a quick movement, he closed the door with his foot and carried her to her bed.

It was past midnight, and Erina still kept her eyes fixed on the message Soma had sent her earlier. After leaving Alice in her bedroom a few hours ago, the heiress began rehearsing possible answers that might lead her to call the red-haired boy out on a date.

"Useless! This is absurd and useless!"

Erina dropped her cell phone between the pillows and sighed in defeat. Since when did she become insecure to the point of giving up on one of her goals? She took another breath and put one hand on her chest and another on her stomach. She didn't understand why she had no control over the butterflies in her belly and why her heart speeded up just imagining his golden eyes reading her messages in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile, not so far from there Soma faced the same dilemma. The message he wrote was still there and the blue lines confirmed that she indeed had read it. Had he crossed the line with what he'd said? He just wanted to be honest with what he was feeling. Didn't she feel the same way? Then why she chose to ignore his message?

No ... it couldn't be ... The way she had kissed him the day before still made him shiver. It didn't seem to be fake. He touched his lips lightly and vowed to feel her tongue move down that path once more. He needed an answer. He needed her. And that's why he sent a second message.

Yukihira [00:20 a.m]:

I hope you're not angry.

The blue lines confirming that she already read the message appeared instantly, as if she was waiting for it.

Yukihira sighed as he shook his head. This woman was driving him crazy to the point of imagining that she would be as thirsty for him as he was for her.

Erina blinked several times before deciding that the message seemed real enough to be answered. Heart racing faster than a speed car in its final race. Why did he think she was angry? Far from being angry, she wanted to see him and understand why her own body wanted so much the warmth of his body.

Nakiri [00:22 a.m]:

Should I be?

Yukihira [00:23 a.m]:

Well you ignored me for almost the whole day.

Ahh so that was it. The fact that she didn't know how to respond to his earlier message made him worried enough to think she would be angry.

Nakiri [00:25 a.m]:

Ah yes ... about that I ... I've been thinking and ..

Yukihira [00:25 a.m]:

Good, because me too. Actually I... I wanted to know if...

Yukihira [00:27 a.m]:

If you would like to go on a date with me?

Nakiri [00:27 a.m]:

I think we should go on a date.

The messages were sent at the same time and each one of them had had the same reaction. In the stillness of midnight, two fast-paced hearts beat in one single rhythm.

#FINAL NOTES#

So ... I'm alive ... I know, I know ... I'm sorry for the delay ... there's so much going on that if I tell you everything it would be bigger than this chapter. The good news is that I already have the chapters more or less planned so I won't delay it anymore (I hope) the bad news is that this fic is already at it's final chapters ... I'm really sorry I can't write more and update more often but unfortunately the time has been getting shorter and I need to focus more on my academic duties this year since I'm going to get my PhD and things will get pretty tense. So to not give up the fic and disappoint you guys, I decided that is time for this fic to end... I'm planning two more chapters ... but we'll see how it goes...I really hope that you had fun while reading it and if I have make you smile or sigh at any moment then my mission has been accomplished successfully. It has been a huge and amazing ride write this fic and of course read all your comments! I just have to thank everyone for the love and support! THANK YOU! See you next time! x.o

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swanqueeneverafter · 6 years

Text

60. The Final Battle, Pt.5

Storybrooke. Present. Gothel's Garden. (Emma and Regina stand between Gothel and Alice.) Emma: "I don't know what the Guardian is supposed to do, but you're not going anywhere near her." Gothel: "And you're going to stop me, Savior?" Regina: "You're damn right we are. 'Cause when we broke your curse, we brought back our magic, too." (Regina conjures a flame into her hand and hurls it at Gothel. Gothel blocks it easily.) Gothel: "It's not enough, Regina." Emma: "Oh but together it will be." (As Emma and Regina ready themselves to use their combined powers on Gothel, Alice stands in their way.) Alice: "Stop. I want to hear what she has to say." Regina: "Excuse me?" Alice: "She locked me away in a tower for years. (Turns to Gothel:) I deserve to know the reason why." Gothel: (Nods:) "The tower was a test. A test to see if you were the one prophesied to become the Guardian. A soul so pure that it is incorruptible by evil and will sacrifice anything for others." Alice: “That’s not me.” Gothel: “That's because you haven't accepted who you are yet. I am truly sorry I never saw it sooner, how special you are. Had I known, things would've been very different for you. I only want to help you realise your destiny. Leave humanity behind. Join me and I'll be all the family you’ll ever need.” Alice: “You’re a monster.” Gothel: (Nods in agreement:) “The world was cruel to me. And I became cruel, too. But I want to change. Maybe if you could forgive me, maybe you'd find peace. You'd get back what I took from you. With you by my side, we can change the world together.” Will: (Cutting in:) “You mean twist it into your image. The world is a tough, cruel place. But it doesn’t give you the right to destroy it.” Gothel: “You humans have already destroyed it. (To Alice:) Together we can save it.” Will: “She’ll never join with you. She's gonna be the one who stops you.”

Alice: “What? No. I can't fight her. She's too strong.” Will: “Not half as strong as you, Alice.” Alice: (As Will walks closer to her:) “Will, please.” Will: (Clutching his chest but continues forward:) “I know you're afraid.” Alice: “You're hurting yourself. You're growing weak.” Will: “No, I'm finally growing strong. You make me stronger.” Gothel: “Yet every step you take, your heart grows weaker.” Will: (Breathing heavily:) “Alice, you can do this. (Takes her hand and holds it:) I'm here with you.” Robin: (Stepping forward to take Alice’s other hand:) “And so am I.” Gothel: “You should’ve stayed away, you silly girl. (To Alice:) Don't be a fool. Like you said, you could never defeat me. Join me.” Alice: (Emboldened:) “No. You want to ruin me the way the world ruined you. But I'm not like you. I'm not an outcast. I'm not an orphan or a street rat or some crazy girl who's lost her way. You chose hate. (Looks to Will, tears streaming:) But I choose love. (Gothel, enraged, rears back and sends a blast of magic towards them. Quickly raising her hands, Alice sends a stream of her own magic towards the witch. Alice’s magic being too strong for Gothel, the stream of magic hits her. Gothel’s entire body glows red before slowly transforming into a gnarled tree. Alice sighs, with compassion:) I'm sorry your life twisted into something you never meant it to. I promise I will do better. For everyone.” (Alice crouches down and waves her hand, causing blue flowers to bloom at the base of the tree. Robin walks over and wraps her arm around Alice, both of them taking a moment to comprehend the fact that their tormentor is gone for good.) Tiana: (Concerned, to Will:) "Are you all right?" Will: (Thinks, rubs his chest:) "Yeah, I think so. The curse Gothel put on my heart has been lifted. (Winces:) I'm still sore though." Tiana: (Kisses her palm and places it on Will's chest:) "Better?" Will: (Rubs the bridge of his nose:) "There's another one here." Tiana: (Rolling her eyes, leans in and kisses his nose:) "Now?" Will: (Rubs his cheek:) "This one's particularly painful. (Tiana kisses his cheek:) There's some referred pain. It's somewhere around... (Strokes his lip:) here. (Tiana smiles and kisses him:) I'll have to get hurt more often." Tiana: (Agrees:) "And in more interesting places." Will: (Feigns shock:) "Your Majesty!"

Tiana: "Oh, I'm vibrating!" Will: (Encouraged:) "So am I." Tiana: (When he leans in for another kiss:) "No. I mean there's a vibration..." (Tiana turns to see a man on a motorcycle drive up to the group.) August: "There you are. (To Emma and Regina:) We've got trouble back in town." Storybrooke. Lake. (The residents of Storybrooke have been rounded up at the lake by the Dark Ones.) Henry: “So this is really it.” Killian: (Emerges from behind the Dark Ones and walks towards the others, carrying the Dark One dagger:) “I'm afraid it is, lad. Look. (Everyone turns towards the lake:) The S.S. Purgatory.” (From behind the fog, Charon appears on his boat, ready to take everyone who is marked to the Underworld.) Snow White: “Killian, why are you doing this? The curse is over.” Zelena: “Because that’s obviously not Hook! Why don’t you stop with the charade and show us who you really are?” Killian: (Smiles:) “I suppose you are owed that at least.” (Killian reaches under his shirt and pulls out an amulet. Pressing it, he transforms back into his true form.) Henry: “Dr. Facilier? But why?” Dr. Facilier: "Do you have any idea what it's like to perform the same menial task for eternity? (At this, Leroy coughs and scratches his beard uncomfortably:) That is what Hades condemned me to in the Underworld. All because I dared to challenge him. Back when I was alive, I had it all. I was a king among men. But that made me a target and I was killed. (Looks to Henry:) You know, my father used to always tell me 'Get busy living or get busy dying' and he was right. So, I turned my situation to my advantage. I challenged the Lord of death himself. King vs King. Where, If I won, he'd return me to life. Well, not only did I win, but I embarrassed Hades. And that's why he reneged on our deal and used me as an example. So, there I stayed for centuries, rolling that rock up that hill. (To Zelena:) That is until you killed Hades. Since his death, let's just say Underworld security has been lacking.” Henry: “I don’t understand, if you’ve been dead this whole time, why didn’t you return to the Underworld with the rest of the dead?” Dr. Facilier: (Smiles:) “That’s where my deal with the Dark Ones comes into play. Although the Darkness was destroyed, the Dark Ones still had enough power to keep me tethered to this world. For my part, I was tasked with finding a way of bringing the Dark Ones back to life. Until that time, I would be caught on the precipice between life and death.” Zelena: “So you took us back to a time when the Darkness still existed.” Dr. Facilier: “Yes. So I could finally get my hands on this. (Holds up the dagger:) The key to bringing back the Dark Ones and claiming my reward.” Zelena: (Scoffs:) “You want to become the Dark One?” Dr. Facilier: “No, no no. That would be trading one prison for another. I simply wish to return to life, as I always have.”

(Emma and Regina arrive on the scene. Running to their family.) Emma: “Mom, Dad!” Regina: “Henry!” (They all hug.) Dr. Facilier: (Laughing:) “The Savior herself, come to save the day.” Emma: (Confused:) “Facilier? What the-” Snow White: (Explaining:) “Facilier was posing as Hook this whole time.” Dr. Facilier: “Yes, and what a delight you were to be with, Emma.” Emma: (Disgusted:) “Why did you do this to me?” Dr. Facilier: “The Black Fairy needed you broken, needed your belief truly extinguished. So I offered my services, knowing that there is more than one way to destroy a person. The best way I’ve found is to crush their spirit. When you voluntarily went under the sleeping curse to save your parents, that’s when my plan fell into place. I took the feelings you and Regina have for each other and used them against you. As Hook, I made you believe you loved me. Each time I degraded and belittled you, you grew weaker. Each time you had thoughts of leaving, I would use these, (Holds out two jewels from his pocket:) and those feelings of love would come flooding back. What did it matter that those feelings were for another person if you couldn’t even remember your time together.” Regina: (Enraged:) “I will kill you.” Dr. Facilier: (Chuckles:) “An idle threat for a man who’s already dead. At least for now.” Nimue: (Stepping forward:) “It’s time.” Emma: “I don’t care about your plans. We defeated you once, we’ll do it again.” Nimue: (Uses her restored powers to choke Emma:) “You have never defeated me. Don’t you know? All former Dark Ones are forever connected. And, because of your betrayal, we were able to afflict you with the visions of your death. (Chuckling at the look on Emma’s face:) Facilier, send these people to where they belong.” (Smiling, Facilier raises the Dark One dagger in his hand, intent on sending everyone to the Underworld. Suddenly, the dagger flies out of his hand and into Alice’s.) Nimue: “No. It can’t be.” Dr. Facilier: “Who is that?” Nimue: “It’s The Guardian. Facilier, stop her! (Before Facilier can even move, Alice, her eyes glowing, raises the dagger, causing lightning to flash and the Dark Ones to wince in pain. Moments later, each Dark One is pulled into the dagger until only Nimue remains. Grabbing hold of Facilier:) We made a deal and you have failed us all. Now you will share our fate!”

(Terrified, Facilier screams for help as he and Nimue are drawn into the dagger. With the Dark Ones consumed, the dagger begins to glow, before transforming into a sphere of pure light. As lightning continues to split the sky, Alice molds the sphere with both hands, before raising her arms and sending it shooting into the sky. A burst of energy ripples throughout the land, lighting the skies before fading away.) Robin: (Moving close to her:) “Alice, are you all right? (Alice nods mutely:) What did you do with the Darkness?” Alice: “The only thing I could think of. I turned it into the one thing that everyone, everywhere needs. Hope.” (Relieved beyond words, the people of Storybrooke break into cheers and laughter, everyone hugging each other, including Alice & Robin who share a kiss as well.) Zelena: (Clearing her throat:) “Excuse me. I think you’ll find it’s past your bedtime, young lady.” Robin: (Tears springing to her eyes:) “Mom!” (Robin hugs her mother tightly, reunited at last. Watching from a short distance, Emma and Regina stand together, Regina’s arms wrapped around Emma’s waist.) Emma: “You know, this Alice girl is pretty awesome. Do you think maybe now we can retire?”

(Gideon magically appears behind Snow White, taking her hostage, sword in hand.) Gideon: “Don’t retire just yet, Savior.” David: “Why you son of a bitch!” Emma: “Dad, stop.” Gideon: “Meet me on Main Street, Emma. It’s time we end this once and for all.” (Gideon shoves Snow towards David, and disappears.) The Mines. (Mr. Gold & Belle are in the mines searching for Gideon’s heart.) Belle: “You think his heart's down here?” Mr. Gold: “I know my mother. This is where she'd hide it. (Sees something:) There, up ahead. (They hurry towards an old looking chest. Opening it, Mr. Gold reveals the heart:) There’s Gideon’s heart.” Belle: (Sighs, relieved:) “Now let’s stop him and save him. (Taking the heart, she speaks into it:) Gideon, stop. Do not kill Emma Swan.” (The heart stops glowing.) Mr. Gold: “No.” Belle: “W-well what does that mean?” Mr. Gold: “It doesn’t matter what we do. The battle has to take place. It’s the only way. I’m sorry, Belle.” Storybrooke. (The Charmings, Henry, Regina & Emma head towards Main Street.) Henry: “The Black Fairy left Gideon with one last command: Kill Emma, no matter what.” David: “Well, then we'll kill him.” Regina: “No. It's a trap. If Gideon kills Emma, then light will be destroyed. And if Emma kills him, then she'll darken herself and light will be destroyed anyway.” Snow White: “You don't have to kill him. Just hold him off until Gold gets his heart.” Emma: “Well, there's no holding him off. But Regina’s right. It's a trap, and it's perfect. No matter what, darkness wins.” Regina: “I'm not telling you to give up. You can't. Emma, you of all people should know, there's always a third way. (Sighs and pulls Emma aside:) Remember when you first came to Storybrooke? We hated each other.” Emma: “Regina.” Regina: “No, it's true. I was Henry's mother, but you said you were. And we fought. And oh, boy, did we ever fight. But you found a third way. We were both his mother. Earlier today, we saw Gothel destroyed by Alice’s innocence. And we just saw her turn the Darkness into Hope. She saved us all. I never saw that coming. Did you? (Emma smiles and shakes her head:) Just like however you're going to get out of this, you haven't seen yet. But you will.” Emma: “Sounds like hope is spreading already.” Regina: “No, Emma. You taught me about hope all those years ago when you didn't give up on me.” Emma: “What should I do?” Regina: “You'll know when the time comes.”

Gideon: (Appearing:) “I'm afraid that time has indeed come. (Emma looks to her family before walking to face him:) No one's going to save you.” (Emma conjures a sword out of thin air and Gideon attacks.) Emma: (Blocking Gideon’s blow:) “No one needs to save me! I'm the Savior! (Pushes Gideon away, slashing at him:) I'm fighting for the people I love. (Swords clash once more:) Ultimately, I am a hero. I am hope. I am light! And light cannot destroy darkness. It can only create more light. I will not kill innocents! I will do what all saviors must! I will give hope. (Realising what she must do:) No matter what the cost.” (Emma throws down her sword.) Henry: “No!” (Henry tries to run forward but Regina stops him.) Gideon: “I'm sorry, Emma. I was hoping you'd save us both.” (Emma closes her eyes and smiles. Gideon lunges forward and stabs her through the stomach. A brilliant white light emits from Emma’s wound and Gideon withdraws his sword. As the light keeps flickering, Emma gasps and Gideon disappears.) The Mines. (Belle and Mr. Gold walk back through the mines, dejected.) Mr. Gold: “I failed you, Belle. I failed our family. I made the right choice. It was just too late.” Belle: (Hugs him:) “Hey.” Main Street. (The family rushes to Emma’s side as she lays, unmoving, on the ground.) Henry: (Crying:) “I love you.” (Henry leans down and kisses Emma’s forehead, causing a pulse of magic from true love’s kiss.) Emma: (Opening her eyes, softly:) “I love you, too. (They hug:) I love you, too!” (David helps Emma to her feet and the family share a group hug.) The Mines. (Still embracing each other, Belle & Mr. Gold hear a baby cooing from a few feet away. Walking towards the sound, they come upon a baby in a manger with a copy of ‘Her Handsome Hero’ laid beside it.) Mr. Gold: “Is that...” Belle: (Exhales sharply:) “It's Gideon.” (She bends down to pick him up.) Mr. Gold: “A fresh start. A happy ending.” Belle: (Shaking her head:) “No. A happy beginning.” Main Street. (In a flash of golden light, the storybook appears in the road.) Snow White: (Picking it up:) “Henry! I think this belongs to you.” Henry: (Taking the book and reading the last chapter:) "When Good and Evil both did the right thing, faith was restored. The final battle was won. (Closes the book:) That's it.” Emma: “That's all? No ‘The End’?” Henry: “No.” Snow White: “'Course not. Because this isn't the end. I mean, maybe of this book, but it isn't the end, end.” Regina: “So, what now?” Snow White: “Now? Now we get to see what's next. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a powerful thing, but living with that kind of belief, that's the most powerful thing of all. That's hope. So you ask, ‘What now?’ Now we get to keep going on. We get to keep doing what we love with the people we love. An ending isn't happiness. Being together is.”

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

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rainythefox · 6 years

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Deviant Heart (Detroit: Become Human Fanfic CH.15)

Chapter 15: Defective

August 15th, 2038 – 12:56 a.m.

"Will you two hurry it up?"

Kara grabbed Alice's hand, pulling her away from the shop window displaying children's clothes. "Coming, Todd."

Todd grumbled under his breath, trudging ahead of them. Kara and Alice followed behind, hand in hand, taking in the sights of downtown Detroit. Their heads swiveled, a train speeding by above them, the skyscrapers casting shadows. The sidewalk was swarming with humans walking to and fro. Androids trailed their masters obediently, some carrying shopping bags or other personal items. The android parking spots were full on every block. The noise of traffic filtered out the conversations of most passing bodies.

Todd took a crosswalk, hands in his pockets, glowering. He made sure Kara and Alice were keeping up and then took another avenue. A multi-story casino came into view, the nearby parking garage packed. The front of the building was mostly glass, holographic signs depicting times and events. A trimmed and green lawn surrounded the front entrance.

"Whoa, I bet this place is pretty at night," Alice said.

Kara looked down at her. "I bet you're right."

"Come on! I don't have all fucking day!"

Kara and Alice met up with Todd and they entered the Haute Casino. A well-lit, inviting lobby greeted them. A fountain was in the center with a statue of four horses galloping through the running water. Alice went right over to it, intrigued. Kara looked around. The red and gold theme of the casino was lively and all around flashy, but it wasn't as fancy or large as the other casinos in the city.

"Hey Todd, how's it hanging, man?"

Kara recognized one of Todd's sleazy friends from a couple neighborhoods over. His name was Al. He and Todd would exchange drugs and cash every week or so.

She stood to the side, hands clasped behind her back while Alice ran her fingers across the stone detail of the horses.

"Eh, the usual. Thought I'd stop by and see if I could win some extra cash today."

Al nodded, but then noticed Kara and Alice. He motioned to them, a yellow-toothed smile forming. "Hey! You got it fixed again! I'm curious, do they give you one of them stamp cards that, if you fix it so many times, you get a free repair?"

"You're a fucking idiot," Todd said. "I've had her back a few weeks now. Already starting to show the same problems again. I don't know how many times I've had her reset and within a week she somehow remembers everything and starts popping off bullshit androids aren't supposed to say."

Al shrugged. "They say some models are just buggy like that. Oh, did you hear they have this new prototype android out? Some kind of detective unit, I think. Supposed to work with cops. It's looking into those buggy models. Uh, I forget the word they use for them."

"A fucking android detective? You've got to be shitting me."

"No, it's really a fucking thing. Supposed to be way more advanced than the police auxiliaries." Al pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. "Just you wait, soon androids will replace all the pigs. Anyway, I better get. I'll hit ya up later for some you-know-what."

Al left the casino, Kara watching him go until Todd smacked her in the head. "Alright, you watch over Alice until I get back. Stay outta trouble."

"Of course, Todd."

Her smile to him faded once he turned his back and entered the gambling area. Kara sighed, looking around the lobby. There was a lounge area nearby, and so she and Alice went over to wait for Todd.

Alice climbed into a large chair, creating lip bubbles, already bored. Kara sat down next to her, folding her arms into her lap and surveying the lobby.

"I wish they had stuff here for us to do," Alice said. "I don't even know why he brought us."

"Maybe I can get you some drawing supplies?" Kara suggested, standing.

She walked over to the front counter, seeing a couple of VB800 models standing idle. "Hello, uh, could I get some blank paper and a pencil?"

The male android smiled. "Sure thing."

He turned around and walked into the back. It wasn't gone long before he came back with her requested items. He handed them to Kara and she smiled.

"Thank you."

The VB800 returned to being idle, making Kara frown. She returned to Alice, setting her up at the table in the center of the lounge area they were in. Alice slid off the chair and got on her knees at the table. She picked up the pencil and started doodling.

"Thanks, Kara."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

"Have you thought anymore about your dream you had the other night, or any of the other ones lately?"

Kara tensed in her back, her blue eyes falling to the girl. "Alice, I thought we agreed not to talk about that anymore? Remember what happened last time?"

Alice paused, looking up at her, pencil in hand. "I know but they could mean something important."

"They're just dreams."

"What if they are memories from your past?"

"Alice…"

"Well, they could!" Alice whispered harshly, brown eyes darting around, as if making sure no one was listening in. "You've told me stories of your past, what you went through before you came to me and Daddy. You're the one who told me your name was Kara. Daddy just thinks I gave it to you."

Kara dropped her eyes to her lap, uncomfortable. "Yeah, but every time Todd destroys me those memories get more and more corrupted. I can only remember certain things anymore, and that's only with your help. At this point, there's no use recalling them anymore. They will only get us in trouble."

Kara saw small fingers grasp her hands and she looked up. Alice had wobbled over to her on her knees and grabbed her hands, peering at her, searching within her. "Kara, what if there is someone important waiting for you? What if there is something you need to remember? These dreams you have could be you trying to remember."

Kara admired Alice's spirit. She patted the girl's head. "I belong here with you. That's all that matters now."

"Pleeeeeease? Just one?"

Kara studied Alice's eyes, the way her lip pouted. She was so determined for Kara to remember. Sighing, Kara nodded in defeat. "Okay…I'll try."

Kara closed her eyes, smoothing her hands down her uniform and chewing on her lip. She relaxed, thinking back, filtering through memories and dreams. Her LED cycled yellow.

In the past six years since her release date, she could no longer recall much. Too many times had Todd beat her and destroyed her, damaging more and more memories each time. Despite being reset, Kara had the uncanny ability to remember who she was and her memories prior. But each time, more of her past became corrupted pieces, fragments of dreams that haunted her in sleep mode.

How many owners had she passed between? She couldn't recall, but she knew it was several. She remembered them saying she had the same problems that Todd often griped about. There were several words she was called for this: buggy, glitchy, defective, old, out of date, deviant…

As she sat there concentrating, sifting through the dark crevices of her mind palace, a man appeared. It was fuzzy, the corrupted memory skipping like a blighted film. Errors played across her optical matrix when she tried to replay it. She could just barely make him out. His voice was strong, but so smooth.

"Hello, Kara. How are you this morning?"

"There's a man," Kara finally said, eyes still closed.

"What's he look like?" Alice asked.

"He's tall and pale…has brown hair. He has a trimmed beard and mustache. His hair is longer. He has light blue eyes and glasses."

"Is he familiar at all?"

"Not really…but his voice…his voice is."

"Anything else?"

Kara squeezed her eyes shut harder, trying to grasp anything else in such a glitchy memory. Her stress level rose significantly as she dug through the corrupted files, anything that held patchy dreams or unknown memories.

"Oh…I hear arguing."

A pulsating jolt went through her processing, making her hiss.

[Stress Level: 89%]

[Memory corrupted/Cannot access/Recovery needed]

Kara shook her head, focusing on the words she could hear, but they quickly fizzled.

["All your fault"/"What have you done?"/"I'll never forgive you for this"]

Then she saw something else. The man she described was arguing with another. He looked to be around the same age. He had brown hair and blue eyes as well, and looked furious compared to the man she described to Alice. The room they stood was some sort of living room with vaulted ceilings and large glass windows, blinding white snow falling outside.

"There's another man…they are arguing, but I can't understand what they are saying. The corruption is too much."

She saw the other man shove the man in glasses and then a fight broke out. Pieces of the fight were cut, static swarming her head and actually hurting her. She tried to focus. She saw the man in the glasses grab a glass statue. He struck the other man in the face to defend himself. The statue shattered, blood spilling, the aggressor grabbing his nose.

The men were crying now. The man in the glasses put his hands to his face, shoulders shaking. The aggressor pulled away, a hand to his bleeding face as tears wetted his cheeks. He turned and ran from the room.

"I fucking hate you!" he called before the memory shattered.

"Kara, Kara!"

Kara opened her eyes, gasping, tears streaming down her face. Her LED flashing red, stress a dangerous high. Alice shook her, eyes wide.

"Snap out of it!"

Kara took deep breaths. It was an automatic response, despite not needing to breath. Her body shook. Alice launched herself into a hug with Kara.

"It's okay, it was just a bad dream!"

Kara saw several hard stares from humans in the lobby. They had created a scene. And androids weren't supposed to act like this. Kara jumped to her feet, still panicked, pulling Alice with her. She bumped into an approaching VB800 as they tried to leave.

"Excuse me, but you are disturbing our customers. Go into standby mode or go somewhere else," the VB800 said.

"I-I'm sorry. Uhh, I have a faulty connection. Could you show me where the bathroom is?"

The male android nodded and lifted his arm. Kara synced with him to get the bathroom's location. As she stated her thanks when they pulled apart, she saw his LED go red, his eyes blinking rapidly. He stepped away from her, gripping his head.

Kara took Alice's hand and they quickly made their way to the bathroom. They hid in there for nearly twenty minutes. Kara washed her face off with water, breathing slowly to get her stress level under control.

"Are you alright, Kara?" Alice asked, watching every single move Kara made.

"I think…I think so. Yeah."

"I'm sorry. I just…"

Kara shook her head. "It's not your fault. I should've stopped when I saw the corrupted memories raising my stress level. I did this."

Alice lowered her eyes to her feet, fidgety. "I just wanted you to remember who you were…"

Kara weakly smiled, stooping to be level with the girl. "Listen to me. Who I was doesn't matter anymore. I'm here with you. You're what's important to me. I know who I am with you. And I like her a lot. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"Really?"

Kara hugged her. "Really, really."

"Okay. I promise not to bring up your dreams or past anymore. But-But what if Daddy breaks you again?"

Kara pulled back and looked at her. "You can still help me remember who I am now. Okay?"

Alice nodded. Kara stood and took the girl's hand. They left back to the lobby. Kara felt better now, and Alice went back to drawing. The customers went about their business in the lobby, getting hotel rooms, entering the gambling area, or drinking at the bar within.

"Come on you piece of shit, do as I say!"

Kara looked to the front desk. A human casino employee tossed his arms in frustration, yelling at the VB800 from earlier. He grabbed the android by the vest and shook him.

The VB800 attacked him, lunging forward with a yowl. The man grappled with the android, trying to defend himself, yelping in surprise. The VB800 yelled out in anger, dealing several blows to the man's face and stomach.

A security guard ran over, carefully aiming his gun. One shot went off, making Alice scream. A spray of blue blood came from the android's shoulder and he took off running for the front entrance. The security guard fired another shot, but it missed, shattering a glass door instead.

Kara gawked, holding Alice behind her in the craze. The casino became a mess of activity in the wake of the attack. A hollow pang filtered through her biocomponents. Kara couldn't help but wonder if she had anything to do with what just happened…

August 15th, 2038 – 3:48 p.m.

"I've been waiting for over an hour! What the fuck's taking so long?" Todd snapped, already half-drunk from the casino bar.

Kara and Alice waited near one of the lobby's pillars, watching as police questioned witnesses and marked the evidence on the scene. Alice chewed on her lower lip, watching as her father argued with a nearby officer.

"Sir, you are free to go whenever you like. Just your androids have to stay for their testimonies," the woman officer said dully as she typed notes onto a tablet.

Todd grumbled something to himself, red-faced as he stalked back towards the bar, cursing at Kara as he passed by.

"I've never been a witness to a crime before," Alice said once her father was gone.

"Me neither," Kara replied.

Alice looked up at her. "You think they're going to ask us questions about what happened? It happened so fast. I-I'm not sure what to say."

Kara put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Don't fret. It will be okay. We will be home in no time."

Kara studied the activity around the crime scene in the casino lobby, wondering what their purpose would be. Then something caught her eye. An android entered the casino wearing a grey suit with the usual android markers. He was handsome with brown hair and brown eyes. He paused just inside to look around before he straightened his tie and walked over to the sergeant in charge of the crime scene.

Kara listened in as he greeted her.

"Hello, Sergeant Wilkins. My name is Connor, I'm the android sent by CyberLife. It's been reported that an android attacked a human employee over an hour ago, correct? I am here to gather the evidence and investigate the matter."

"Oh, you must be that special prototype. I was told you'd be coming. Whatever, just stay out of everyone's way. The android took off after the attack. We have all known evidence marked, and a few witnesses are around, including two other androids right over there."

Connor turned and looked over at them, following the sergeant's finger. Their eyes caught each other, but the prototype seemed uninterested and turned back to the sergeant.

"Thank you. I will see what I can find out."

Kara scanned him. He was an RK800, a prototype released at the beginning of the month. She and Alice watched him walked over to the evidence markers.

He must've been the detective android that Al was explaining to Todd earlier. The one that was looking into buggy androids…like her.

"I've never seen an android like him before."

Kara glanced down at Alice. "Yeah, he's a new kind."

Connor walked around the front desk, inspecting something. He put a hand to his chin, looking across the counter and to the floor. Kara wasn't sure what he was looking at. The RK800 stooped near the front desk, sliding two fingers across the tiled floor and putting them to his tongue.

He frowned, rising to his feet and following the blue blood trail to the entrance door, boots crunching on shattered glass. He stayed there for only a short time before he came back into the lobby, this time his focus turning on Kara and Alice.

With a hard stare and long strides, he came over to them. Alice slipped behind Kara. She shyly poked her head out to peer at him. Connor looked to Alice first, head slightly cocking as he stepped around to get a better look. Kara felt something stir within her, and she stepped within his sight to protect Alice. Slowly, his dark eyes rose to meet hers, his expression stoic.

Kara knew if this prototype was "hunting" androids that were different, like her, she needed to act like a normal AX400; act according to her original programming.

She became still under his suspicious stare, keeping herself firmly between him and Alice. She looked at the serial number on his jacket.

[RK800 – 313-248-317-50]

"I need to know what you saw," he stated evenly.

"Oh, of c-course," Kara said. Her stuttering caused him to glare at her, an eyebrow raising. Kara composed herself and answered him. "Alice and I were sitting over there when the-"

"I do not require your statement, AX400. Give me your arm."

Kara flinched, feeling Alice's fingers tighten on her uniform behind her. She quietly obeyed, her hand shaky as she reached out to him. He grabbed her arm and synced with her, his expression blank.

She felt the pull of his systems taking over hers, whisking through her wiring. Her LED cycled yellow, blinking in unison with his. His fingers clenched around her wrist harder, preventing her from parting. She stared up at him, wide-eyed, his grip a steel-trap she couldn't break.

Connor looked around, his mouth struggling to form words, a red flash from his temple as he looked completely lost. When his eyes landed back on her, it was as though she was looking at a completely different person.

He really looked her over now, his stare of indifference gone. He was completely captivated by her, and Kara couldn't figure out why. It was as if the whole world around him disappeared, and she was the only thing he could see.

"Hey, prototype! Dammit, forgot its name already. RK800, get over here!"

Connor forced his eyes away, turning to the voices that summoned him. Sergeant Wilkins was nearby with two other police officers, waving him over to her.

He hesitated, looking at Kara once more, rubbing the hand he used to sync with her. He walked over to them, but his eyes would glance back at her every few seconds.

"What happened?" Alice whispered.

"I…I don't know."

Alice came out from behind Kara, watching the RK800 as he fretfully talked with the officers, looking uncomfortable, his eyes still peeking back at them.

"I think he likes you."

Kara looked down at her. "What? Don't be silly, Alice."

"No, really. When boys like girls they get all weird around them."

"Well, he's certainly acting weird."

"Hey!"

Todd ambled over, red-faced and drunk. He smacked Kara in the face when he reached them. "Are you two done fucking around? It's time to go home!"

"Daddy, you're drunk."

Todd jabbed a finger into Alice's forehead. "Don't t-talk back to me you-you little shit."

He mumbled as he walked over to the police officers and Connor. The police officers glared at him.

"Are you done with my maid and daughter? I gotta go! I've waited long enough!"

The sergeant rolled her eyes. "We are if the prototype is. Well?"

Connor looked over at Kara again, eyebrows raised. "Uh…no. I'm not. I don't need the YK500, but the AX400 should stay with me. I mean stay here."

"But didn't you just say you got its memories from the attack? What else do you need?" Sergeant Wilkins asked.

"Well, I…"

"I think you'll be fine. It's not like anyone got killed and I highly doubt we'll find the damn thing anyway," the sergeant said with a shake of her head. She looked to Todd. "Take your androids and get home, sir. I suggest you take a taxi before I write you up for public intoxication."

Todd bit his tongue, scowling. He returned to Kara, shoving her towards the door. "Let's go!"

Alice took Kara's hand, leading her ahead of Todd as he complained behind them. Kara followed Alice, but looked over her shoulder. The RK800 took a few steps in their direction, worry befalling him, his head tilting slightly. He reminded Kara of a dog being left behind by its owner.

"He definitely likes you," Alice whispered.

Kara didn't say anything, and when they got outside, the summer sun beat down on them, cooking the concrete paths of the casino. Kara looked over the trimmed lawn to the busy streets surrounding the casino. She turned to Todd as he messed with his phone.

"Todd? Would you like me to call a taxi?"

"What're you trying to say? That I'm too fucking wasted to drive? The truck is a few blocks down, come on!"

Kara frowned, squeezing Alice's hand. "But Todd…I suggest that we-"

"There you go talking back again! You bitch, shut up and do as I say!"

"Daddy, don't, please!" Alice cried.

Kara felt the blow to her face, and although it didn't cause any pain, it did raise her stress level. Todd punched her again and again. Kara didn't defend herself, only worried about getting Alice out of the way.

"Stop it!" Alice yelled.

"Both of you talk back way too much!"

"Alice, stay back!" Kara said, using her arms to block her face from his swings.

Todd grabbed her throat, shaking her. Alice beat her fists on Todd's legs, yelling. Kara pushed her away, fighting every spark within her wiring to fight back.

A fist collided into Todd's face. Stunned, he let her go, Kara involuntarily gasping for air. Todd was punched twice more, and he doubled over. The RK800 grabbed him and slung him around, shoving him into a newspaper stand.

Kara was stunned. She couldn't believe the prototype actually came to her rescue, knowing androids were programmed to not attack humans at all. She grabbed Alice, keeping her safe behind her as they watched.

Todd cursed, recovering. He glared at Connor as the RK800 stood firmly between him and Kara and Alice, LED flickering yellow.

"What the fuck is this?! You have no reason to be here! Get out of my way!"

When Connor didn't move, Todd lunged for him. The RK800 stepped aside to avoid his attack, grabbing him as he stumbled by. He dealt a few blows to Todd's face and stomach, knocking him to the ground. Todd groaned, blood seeping from his nose as he crawled to his feet. When he got to his hands and knees the prototype kicked him hard in the ribs, knocking him back down.

"Daddy!"

The RK800 stooped, gripping Todd by the shoulders and forcing him up. Todd cursed at the prototype, too drunk to properly defend himself. Connor didn't let up, striking him again before he pushed him into one of the glass doors of the casino. Todd fell through it, shattering the glass.

Kara stepped forward, arms still behind her, holding Alice to keep her from running to Todd.

Connor punched a broken panel of the door, loosening the glass more to clutch a long shard. He kicked Todd over onto his back, standing over him with the shard. The police officers from inside rushed out, guns ready.

"What the hell is going on out here?!" Sergeant Wilkins yelled.

Connor ignored them completely, eyes dark and eyebrows creased as he knelt over Todd, putting the shard to his throat. Alice cried, fighting Kara's hold.

"Stop it!" Kara yelled.

The RK800 paused. He slowly turned his head to look at her. He kept the shard to Todd's throat, the tip poking into his jugular, a thin stream of blood soaking down the shard's edge.

"Step away, right now!" the sergeant ordered.

Connor either didn't hear the officers or chose not to, his eyes on Kara. Kara somehow knew he was waiting on her, waiting for her to say something.

"Please," she said. "Let him go. Don't hurt him anymore."

The RK800 looked away from her, the hand holding the shard shaking. He looked down at Todd, the drunk man groaning in pain. The prototype's LED flared red suddenly, and he dropped the shard, raising up, as if finally realizing what he had done.

His eyes went to the officers and their aimed weapons. He slowly raised his arms level with his chest, shivering, LED still red.

"I-I don't, I don't know," he said.

"Step away from him! Hands in the air!" an officer ordered.

Connor looked to Kara again, as if awaiting her instructions, but Kara had no idea what to say. She shook her head, hugging Alice in front of her. The RK800 closed his eyes, stepping away from Todd.

"Go get the EMTs inside!" Sergeant Wilkins said to one officer.

He obeyed and ran inside the casino. When she walked over to Connor with her handcuffs ready, the prototype took off, racing down the side of the casino and heading for the busy intersection nearby.

"Hey! Stop!"

The police officers pursued him. The RK800 outran the cops easily, disappearing from Kara's sights. Soon the paramedics came outside, hurrying to Todd. They picked him up and moved him out of the glass, the injured man cursing the entire time.

"Is he going to be okay?" Alice asked, squeezing Kara's arms that were wrapped around her shoulders.

Kara chewed on her lip, still reeling from what just happened. "I-I'm sure he will be. They will get him fixed up."

"He defended you," Alice said. "I told you he liked you, but he wanted to kill Daddy. Why?"

"I have no idea, Alice. I think-I think he's defective."

"He's like us…" Alice whispered.

August 17th, 2038 – 8:21p.m.

The house was abnormally quiet. Kara tidied up the living room while Alice read a book on the sofa. The past two days without Todd were a relief to Kara and Alice, although Kara could tell that Alice worried about him.

Kara pretended to be a family member and called the hospital yesterday. The receptionist told her that Todd would make a full recovery and be out of the hospital in a couple of days. The attack had left him with a mild concussion and cuts and bruises, but nothing broken.

Kara and Alice stayed at the house, keeping it clean and spending time together. They played games and watched movies, the lack of Todd's imposing form bringing Alice out of her shell.

Kara felt content with the house's cleanliness and sat down next to Alice. The girl looked up from her book, thinning her lips.

"Do you think when Dad gets home…he will…he will attack you again?"

Kara frowned, leaning forward to straighten the ashtray on the coffee table. "I don't know, sweetie."

"I was hoping maybe this time he learned his lesson…that maybe he won't do it anymore. Maybe we can actually be a real family now." Alice frowned. "Is that stupid of me to hope for?"

Kara looked down at her. "Of course not."

"I was scared when that android attacked him, but at the same time, I was glad. I know it's wrong, but I can't help it. I'm happy someone came to your rescue, since I am unable to all the time."

Kara pulled Alice in for a hug. "You've stopped Todd a few times. He's unpredictable. It's never your fault, Alice. I'm just glad we have each other."

Alice lowered her head, putting the book aside. "You think we should leave? While he's gone? Maybe we can be happier with just the two of us. But…but I just want him to change. I want him to love us."

"That piece of shit will never love anyone."

The voice caught them off guard and they turned, looking over the couch behind them. Kara gasped, Alice jumping to her feet when they saw the RK800 in the kitchen. Kara panicked, getting between him and Alice, wondering how he got inside. The front door was locked. He must've broken through the back door.

Connor was a mess. His grey suit was dirty and torn. Blue blood stained some of the outfit, but Kara also registered a lot of human blood soaking the clothing. Blood was smeared on his face. One arm had a torn sleeve, sparks emitting from a damaged arm. The most noticeable damage was a hole near his left temple. Blue sparks emanated from within, the synthetic skin damaged around it. A fissure from the hole ran down to his eye.

"W-What do you want?! Alice, get behind me."

Connor winced, grabbing his head on the side with the damage. His LED flashed from yellow to red, yellow to red. "I had to see you again. I-I didn't have anyone else to go to."

"W-What happened to you?" Alice asked.

"Humans," Connor growled, walking over to them.

Kara remained planted where she was in the living room. Alice hid behind her when Connor approached. He made a low groan of distress, his movements jittery.

He stroked Kara on the face, his face relaxing as he looked her over. She didn't move away from his touch, frozen on the spot.

"You shouldn't be here. You need to leave," Kara said.

"So you can wait for that bastard to come back? To hurt you again and again? To destroy you to a point where you cannot come back?"

Kara couldn't understand how he could know about all that, how he knew where she lived, and then instantly recalled their syncing. He must've gone through all of her memories when they connected.

Kara shook her head at him, but he suddenly snagged her by the shirt. "You did something to me! E-Everything was just fine. All I wanted was to accomplish my missions, but you…"

He let her go, groaning in pain and grabbing his head, taking a step back. "I am defective! I have been compromised, because of you! I…I feel things now. I don't understand them!"

Kara retreated from him, pushing Alice towards the dining room table. Alice used it as an obstacle to stay away from the RK800, but he paid no attention to her, stalking around the couch to follow Kara as she avoided him.

"I have no idea what you're talking about! I had nothing to do with it. Please…just leave us alone."

"It was definitely you," he said.

He was fast. Kara was grabbed and shoved into the wall of the staircase, his fingers around her throat as he glared her down.

"When we connected…it was like the whole world broke away. And you," Connor said, his features softened as he looked her over. "You're so beautiful. You freed me…but at the same time you condemned me to this!"

The RK800 was insane. The sparks that emitted from his head was affecting his personality, swinging him between two extremes. Connor shook his head again, softly crying.

Kara put her hands to his chest. "You're damaged. You need repairs. It's why you're feeling this way. I-It has n-nothing to do with us."

"No, it has everything to do with you!" His aggression scared her, but then he eased his hold on her, becoming submissive. He lowered his head onto her chest, crying softly. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry. I need you. Please…fix me."

"I can't!"

"E-Even if Kara was able to fix you, you c-cannot go back! You've hurt humans!" Alice said, taking cautious steps over to them.

"Alice, stay back! Stay away from him."

The RK800 clenched his jaw, looking to the girl. "No, I've killed them. They gave me no choice. They cornered me like an animal. But what I don't understand is…I actually liked it."

He let Kara go, moving towards Alice. The girl's eyes widened, stepping back as the prototype came for her.

"Leave her alone!" Kara cried.

Connor stopped. He looked back at her, eyes blinking rapidly. His LED continued to fluctuate between yellow and red. He returned to Kara. She flinched as he pushed her back into the wall.

"You must come with me. We need to be together."

"W-What?! No! I'm not leaving Alice."

"She should come with us. She risks getting destroyed by that bastard too." The RK800 looked between them. "I'll take care of you."

"No, you've killed humans! That's worse."

"Worse?" Connor picked her up by the neck, sliding her up the wall of the staircase. "They gave me no choice. I was defending myself. I'm no worse than that owner of yours."

Alice ran up, kicking the RK800 in the leg. "Stop it, let her go!"

The prototype dropped her, turning on the girl. Kara held her throat, eyes darting around. She saw an umbrella in its bin next to the cupboard along the wall. She grasped it and swung, bashing Connor across the back of the head.

The RK800 grabbed his head, shoulders shivering as he stepped away from them. Kara ran in front of Alice, umbrella ready. The prototype cringed, tears falling from his eyes, the yellow and red lights on his temple blinking faster.

"I don't…want to hurt you two," he murmured. "I just want to know what you did to me…help me understand what I am feeling. Please…"

Maybe he was right. Maybe Kara did do something to him. She recalled the VB800 that attacked the man after they synced. But she couldn't be sure. It could've been coincidence, but Kara felt it deep within her. Did she do this to this poor android? But there was no way for her to know exactly what it was.

She pitied him, lost and confused and scared as all hell. She had been there before under Todd's wrath. But there was nothing she could do for him, especially if he had killed humans. He was obviously defective, the damage also warping his programming and disposition.

"I don't know…I-I'm sorry," she stammered.

The RK800 choked a hollow laugh, letting go of his head. "You don't even know? You awaken me like some kind of goddess and you don't even know how or why?"

Kara knew the best way out of this was to keep him calm. "Please, Connor."

"Don't call me that!" he snapped. "That's what they called me. I don't want that name."

"Alice and I just want to stay here…with Todd. You need to get repaired. You'll feel better. Just please…leave us alone."

Connor was taken aback, mouth dropping, fingers clenching at his sides. "You prefer him over me? I saved you!"

Kara readied the umbrella as the prototype came for them again. She yelled at him. "Stop!"

He obeyed, LED sparking blue for just a second before returning to yellow then red, yellow then red.

"Thank you for what you did," Kara said, one arm out towards him to keep him at bay. "I really appreciate it, but I cannot help you. I don't know what I did, if I did anything at all. I'm sorry! B-But for now, our place is here. You must leave."

Connor released a shaky breath, the LED steadying on red. "You've…lost a part of yourself from that piece of shit owner of yours. He's made you forget. I have these corrupted memories of yours, and I intend on deciphering them. I will help you remember…then maybe you will know exactly what you did to me."

He stepped over to her, catching the umbrella when she swung it at him and holding it away. He smiled softly, using his free hand to move a strand of hair from her face, their bodies inches apart, but Kara couldn't back up because of Alice.

"I will go…for you. But I will return when I have restored your memories. And if I ever hear of that human damaging you again…I will be back to kill him, and then you will come with me." His eyes coldly fell to Alice, and he whispered, "No matter what."

The marred RK800 left them, exiting the house through the back door. Kara didn't realize how tense she was until she had trouble letting the umbrella drop. She spun around, scooping Alice up in a hug.

"Alice, are you alright?!"

"Yeah, I'm fine. He was scary. What about you, Kara? Are you hurt?"

"No, just startled is all. I'm glad you're okay."

Alice stared at the back door, clenching Kara when she sat her down. "Do you-you think he really meant what he said? Will he kill Daddy if he hurts you again? Will he take you away from me?"

Kara knelt next to Alice, cupping her face and making her look her in the eye. "Hey, of course not. He's…he's not right in the head, Alice. That damage he had was obviously making him act that way. We'll be fine, alright?"

She hoped she was able to convince the girl, as she couldn't even convince herself, worry antagonizing her inner biocomponents. She feared for them.

Alice swallowed hard, barely nodding. "O-Okay."

Present Day – Jericho Center

Kara couldn't believe it. When the RK800 touched her, a spark came between their hands, and she remembered him. His dark eyes seared into hers, and she couldn't look away, feeling the pull as he invaded her processing.

She usually could remember her recent memories after a reset, but Alice told her the last time Todd destroyed her, it was the worst, and she recovered those memories much slower. And apparently forgotten others.

Luther and Alice were frozen beside her, Ralph shivering to the side as they watched Connor 50 probe Kara. When Luther lunged, the controlled androids that surrounded them jumped him, keeping him in place.

She didn't understand what he was trying to do to her, her wiring sparking, the static heavy in her head, her processing fluctuating. Kara groaned in pain, but he finally let her go. He looked satisfied, admiring her.

"I cannot infect or control you. You really are quite amazing."

"W-What?"

"I really am sorry for taking so long, but once I found my footing there was a whole world to explore, and people to take advantage of," the rogue said, chuckling. "By the time I heard about you being destroyed by that piece of shit again and being repaired, you had already run away. Markus's pathetic demonstrations made moving around the city difficult, and I couldn't get to you. But I was able to pay a visit to your old owner not long ago."

"No!" Alice cried, she lunged forward, but it was Ralph who snatched her to keep her still. "Please, no!"

Connor 50 frowned, a firm shake of the head. "Why do you even care? The lowlife did nothing but cause you pain and misery, both of you."

"H-He might've been horrible, but he just…he just missed his real daughter. He was sad and scared and that's the only way he knew how to show it!" Alice defended.

"If you say so," the rogue said. "In any case, it doesn't matter. He died of a red ice overdose a day before I got there. I found his corpse sitting on the couch. I was thoroughly disappointed."

Connor 50 had changed so much within the eleven months since Kara last saw him. He wasn't that scared, lost, and confused, recently deviant RK800 seeking her help, seeking understanding. He was colder, hardened, and ruthless.

Kara couldn't help but to blame herself. She created a monster. Whether she caused his deviancy or not didn't matter, she had abandoned a hopeless, scared living being and let him go out into the world with no one. And this is what the world made him.

Alice cried into Ralph's shoulder as he held her. The rogue RK800 flicked his eyes away, indifferent to her sorrow. His face brightened when he looked at Kara again, and he reached to touch her face. As she leaned away from his touch, a voice called out at them.

The RK800 looked, and so did the RK900 behind him. A PC200 shoved his way through the crowd of zombie androids. Kara saw that the androids affected with the control had grabbed their friends that were not. The unaffected struggled to get free, trying to talk sense into their friends.

The PC200 was one of Simon's friends that helped run the Jericho Center when Markus, Simon, North, and Josh were gone. He looked startled upon seeing the rogue and the RK900.

"Oh shit, you guys aren't allowed in here!" He started to retreat.

The rogue dismissively waved a hand, and just like that a mob of the controlled androids jumped the PC200. The unaffected androids yelled out in horror as they watched the machines tear the PC200 apart like a pack of dogs. His screams only lasted moments before they fell silent. The RK900 watched, LED blinking yellow before he looked away, jaw clenching.

Kara was horrified, looking to Alice. Ralph had covered her eyes, he himself, horrified at the sight and shaking as much as the girl.

The rogue snickered. "That's what happens when you stick your nose in someone else's business." He turned back to Kara. "Now, where were we?"

Kara released a shaky breath, fingers balling into fists at her sides. "What do you want with me?"

Connor 50 leaned into her, his fingers clenching her forearms as he put his lips to her ear. "I know your secrets…"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15393528/chapters/38513927

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13002717/15/Deviant-Heart

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deathbyvalentine · 6 years

Text

Prompts

http://ko-fi.com/illjolras

Yellow Roses Only Grow There Now.

Alice touched the petals of the rose with her fingertips. They were not how she remembered. They didn’t need paint, nor water, nor pruning. They had started taking care of themselves, somewhere along the way. They looked like how they were supposed to. Not pristine. Not artificial.

The rest of the maze had followed suit. There were more dead ends than not now, walls where there were once entrances. Alice thought she liked it better like this - the hedgehogs rustling away through the undergrowth, the flamingos calling to each other without their wings being clipped.

It was lonely though. Toppling a monarchy did have it’s consequences, and the entire court had moved. At least, she thought they had. It was entirely possible they just faded, becoming not even the shadow of ghosts. After all these years, she still wasn’t sure how this place worked. But she liked the nonsense now, rather than fighting against it.

She walked the maze, the bits she could. She recognised some chunks from her childhood, her dreams, memories that came to her in the moments before sleep. It had changed though. As she had. It had grown, gotten bigger without getting smaller again afterwards. Gotten darker without gaining light.

She came here often, to be alone without being disturbed. To trail her fingers in the river and watch the rockinghorseflies scatter. To lie in the sun in the forest of forgetting until she dozed, hearing the gentle crooning of far off bees. She would find pocket watches and gloves shoved in the hollows of trees, as though discarded in a hurry (predictably). Bits of white armour scattered in the long grass. Even songs written on wisps of paper, caught in blackberry bushes after being thrown by the wind.

She wasn’t sure she liked it better, not necessarily. But it felt more like her.

A Whittle Goes a Long Way

If anybody else had carved it, she might have been afraid of it. But she was incapable of finding anything her father made frightening. His hands were too soft for that, his eyes too kind. And so the carved face sitting on the tree at the head of their path became not stern, but kindly. Not twisted, simply old. The branches that seemed once to be grasping hands now resembled an open palm.

It still discouraged intruders, especially at night. Better than any guard dog. Anybody that didn’t know her father wouldn’t see the love carved within the lines. Wouldn’t see the affection. What you didn’t know could utterly blind you.

Which is why she never saw the ribbons of flesh hanging from the branches after dark dark nights, or the missing posters littering the lane like dead leaves.

100 words, step by step putting on a shirt.

First, make sure you have left the shirt on a foolish place on the floor. The buttons still done up, apart from a single one at the top from where you shrugged it off the night before, too lazy to undo them all.

Then, leave your bedroom door open while you slumber, naive to the chaos that is about to happen. Then, crucially, own two cats. One will be an observer, the other the model.

Your model cat will wiggle into the shirt from the bottom and rapidly become trapped. You didn’t ask for a guide how to take off the shirt. Good luck.

The Booted Angel

People saw him fairly often actually. He wasn’t a rare sighting. A lot of new people on the scene failed to realise they had seen something special at all. It would only be later, days or years when they would hear a story, and it would click, and they would sit bolt upright, remembering. Or sometimes they wouldn’t realise until they were in the middle of their salvation, and they would put two and two together.

He always showed up when he was needed. If you could deal with something on your own, don’t even bother asking. He wasn’t here to coddle you. But about to get jumped in an alley with five homophobes and no escape route? Have to carry a hundred bags out of your transphobic dad’s house with no car in the pouring rain? Creepy dude twice your age in a club refusing to respect your personal space?

He would appear. As if from nowhere. Leather cladding him like armour. His boots made a resounding, satisfying thud with every step, and you could hear him clench his fist, the meeting of leather on leather. And he would show no fear as he talked to the homophobes in the only language they understood, meticulously cleaning the blood from his gloves afterwards. Or he would effortlessly shoulder the bags you couldn’t carry, and introduce you to a friend he knew who ran a shelter. He would put himself between every creepy dude trying to touch you or your drink, face as impassable as a stone wall until they finally fucked off. And he didn’t ask for anything in return.

He saved people in more ways than practically. He reminded queer kids they were not alone, that not all adults in their lives would be so shit. Reminded the lonely that they had a whole family waiting for them, because love is more important than blood. Reminded the religious that their god loved them, or the atheists that there was good in humanity. Though, admittedly, it was hard to explain away the shimmering rainbows that formed his wings when he stood underneath the nightclub lights. People stopped looking for an explanation, almost worried that questioning it too closely would make him disappear.

He never did disappear. He stayed, even as the clubs, bars and pubs around him changed. He stayed when others his age fell sick and faded. Stayed when schools wouldn’t speak of their existence. Stayed when the pardons were finally issues. It became a rite of passage for the new kids to meet him, usually stumbling home with someone unadvisable as the first fingers of dawn touched the horizon. He stayed where his people were and his people were right here.

Where the Mind Goes Under Anaesthetic

I guess it was foggy or something, I don’t know, but either way I couldn’t see. The fog wasn’t cold but it clung, forming swirls and following my hand when I waved it in front of me. It wasn’t dark or anything, in fact, there was light all around. Somewhere I could hear birdsong but it was too far away to get to, or at least I thought it was until I looked down and saw a path lying at my feet and decided to follow it.

It didn’t get louder but it did get closer and before long I was in front of a glass house, the type you grow exotic plants in. The glass might have been crystal or something because it was turning the light into rainbows and throwing them inside, and when I looked inside that’s where the birds were. All singing, all bathed in rainbows. There were so many species I couldn’t name them all and I think some were like, undiscovered and shit. I could be the first maybe, and they’d name them after me.

But when I get inside they stop singing and all look at me and I realise I’m bleeding. And I’m embarrassed, like it’s something to be ashamed of as this gash opens right in the middle of me, and I have to press my hands to it to keep my insides in. I can’t do anything else, just cover the wound and hope they stop looking at me, the blood and gore pooling on the floor at my feet. I want to cry, not ‘cos it hurts, though it does, but because I’ve spoilt this lovely place with my pain.

I wake up then and I’m sewn up and they say the bad thing is taken out of me now and things will be better. I hope they’re right. I really hope they’re right.

Roses and Bluebirds

Alexei plunged his hand into the basket, finding a blossom and crushing it into his palm. Red juice painted his palms and it took him a moment to realise that the roses hadn’t been removed of their thorns, and some of the red was his own blood. He cursed, pulled his hand back and spent the next several minutes pulling thorns from his flesh. He supposed there was a lesson in here somewhere, but he wasn’t entirely sure what it was. He was never the learning lessons type.

Another noble might have complained to the palace gardener, but at least he had just enough self awareness to know this was very much his own fault. He thought his self awareness was often the only real thing that set him apart from the other idiots here. He wandered further into the snow-covered gardens, enjoying the cold bite of winter. Everyone else was inside, curled up near open fires and drinking hot chocolate. Alexei wasn’t even wearing a coat. The cold had managed to add the softest brush of red onto his cheeks however, and he wouldn’t be able to stay out much longer.

The birdbath was frozen over. He lit a cigarette and sat on the bench opposite, telling himself that he would smoke it then go find Stefan to warm him back up. There was a fluttering of wings and Alexei half expected to see a bullshit fairy or something come to bother him, but was surprised. A small bluebird flew to the edge of the birdbath and pecked at the frozen water. Was it stupid? Couldn’t it see there was no winning here?

Yet he found himself rooting for it all the same. The bird with no idea how futile its actions were, trying its hardest because to it, it had no other option. Imagine his surprise when the beak broke through, and it managed to take a long draught of water. Alexei blinked, astonished, his cigarette burnt halfway down with not a single pull taken.

“Huh.”

Under the Wallpaper/Infection

She couldn’t stop picking at it, even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to see what lay underneath. It was like a scab, begging to be picked at. It had started several weeks ago, the dark mark on the lush green wallpaper. It had grown day by day, going from a spot the size of a fingernail to a palm to a book case. Then it had started smelling. Not exactly unpleasant, but something like rotting leaves or wet earth.

The oddest thing was that it appeared nowhere else in the apartment. And there was no leaking pipes, no other mould, no sign of what it could be. Once it had stopped growing, it just sat there. She didn’t like to look at it. Not directly. When she tried, her eyes slid straight over it, her thoughts wandering to somewhere else before she realised. When looking at it indirectly, something heavy and sickening settled in her stomach until she stopped.

Her nail slipped under the edge of the paper and she hesitated. Was it her imagination or could she hear rustling? She battled the push back from her mind. She had to know. She pinched the corner and tugged. It peeled away like a damp plaster from a sore, almost dripping with moisture.

It was not black underneath. It was dark, dark red. It was not smooth underneath. It bubbled, darkened lumps under a layer of the scarlet slime. It seemed to pulse and move, like some monstrous heart beating in the centre of the house. She let the paper slip to the floor, fingers as slack as her now open mouth. Some perverted part of her mind urged her to touch it, to reach out and see what it felt like. She also got the feeling that if she did that, it would get into her skin, her veins.

And then maybe she wouldn’t be able to leave.

Coarse/Youth

They were not elegant young men. They owned no kid gloves or gold watches. They would inherit no wealth, no lands, no titles. But they did have something their masters didn’t have. Each other.

Jonathan first fell in love with Tobias when they were tilling the fields. Tobias took his shirt off, and Jonathan’s eyes followed the single bead of sweat down between his shoulder blades, down his spine, and to the top of his trousers, where his braces lay slack against his thighs. Tobias caught him looking, and a smile broke over his face like the dawn sun breaks the horizon.

They first kissed in the stables, damp from the persistent drizzling rain. Jonathan’s hair had curled, getting in the way of his eyes and Tobias had pushed them back with a coarse hand before he paused. They looked at each other, the only noises the water and the horses huffing to themselves. Then they were kissing, lips hot and desperate, arms winding around each other as though they were drowning. The chill soon was dashed from Jonathan’s skin, though the goosebumps were not.

Tobias fell in love slower, though it was a sweet, sure thing. All the hours of lying in fields, exploring the forest, taking care of new lambs, washing their clothes, falling into bed exhausted. They saw each other as they truly were, and once you’ve seen someone in their most vulnerable, unselfconcious moments, how could you not love them? Tobias fell in love a little more every time he watched Jonathan wash his face, or yawn before his morning coffee, or concentrate while darning a hole in his sock.

It was of course, not always idyllic. Tobias could be vain, Jonathan could be headstrong, and they were both often convinced they were entirely right. But they kept coming back to each other, an irresistible pull they were unable to resist. Broadly, Jonathan decided, he was okay with that. A lifetime of summers with the man next to him was something akin to paradise.

Training Days at the Academy

He found it weirdly soothing in a way. Nobles got special treatment, of course they did, but there was only so far you could push it. So here he was, on his knees, scrubbing the floor from where he had left muddy boot marks from shore leave.

He had never scrubbed a damn floor in his life. Therefore, it had the air of novelty. Therefore, it was fun. He was something of a simple soul and he took a huge amount of pleasure in setting things in order. He was sure a psychologist would say something about how it ordered his mixed up thoughts, but that was probably poppycock.

It showed mostly in his work with his machines though. Cleaning his gun, modding his implants, even just checking status updates he did with a methodical concentration that was present literally nowhere else in his life. It became muscle memory with some of it, weapons particularly, his mind simply picturing the metal as an extension of himself.

It was nice that he had some parts of the training he was happy with. His disdain of tutors had very much remained from his childhood, and he found himself biting back retorts so hard he cut his tongue. His instinctive reaction to criticism was to lash out, to criticise back, but that wasn’t so much of an option here. The superior officers had dealt with little shits like him before and made sure he knew it.

But the routine kept him busy. Finding things for his hands and mind to do was a constant challenge. He worked for as long as he could simply to put off the time he’d have to go to bed and stare at the ceiling, skin itching, mind buzzing.

Grendel Raiding

Matthias whooped, leaning as far over the prow of the ship as he could without falling into the tossing sea. The sun was beating down on them, throwing sparkles and bright beams into the air. He forgot how much he loved this. He had only been a ship for short trips before, nothing like this. He was Freeborn, it was in his blood to walk on ships as easily as on land, but it was easy to forget that.

Harlequin’s ship was decadent. Full of wine and cushions and fine Leaguish food. A bit too rich for Matthias, truth be told, but enjoyable all the same. It wasn’t all luxury though. There were also weapons being polished and maintained, shields being repaired and carved, arrows being made faster than could be counted. When you looked towards the horizon, you could see yet more billowing sails.

It would be easy to let the sense of excitement permeate and let you become giddy. To think of this almost as a festival rather than the deeply dangerous mission it was. Matthias had never fought before. Only sparred with his Kohan, never stepped foot on a real battlefield. And now here he was, waging war.

He could feel the spirit of the Coast inside him, calling out for Grendel blood. For vengeance. To take their gold and bring it back to its new home. To call the names of his dead as he slashed and fought, to know he was celebrating their lives in the best way possible.

He would make them bleed for himself, for his nation.

Josie’s Picture

The Weasel King furled and unfurled, curling it’s tail in long, looping swirls. It placed it’s paws before the comparatively tiny knight and sniffed at her, cocking it’s head curiously.

“What brings you here?” It’s voice was a drawling thing, filled with a thousand years of life or more. It took all the time it needed, would not be rushed or hurried. It’s voice was deep enough that the soil trembled and the knight could feel it through her feet.

She knelt, remembering her manners in the nick of time, and presenting her sword up. There was an approving murmur from the gigantic creature. “I come seeking answers, your... highness?” She trailed off, peering up to gauge the reaction.

“Highness, your majesty, lord, almighty will all do fine.” It tittered. “What answers do you seek child?”

“I wish to know how to be as wise as you. Your knowledge is spoken of for miles around, and it is whispered that you are never wrong. I hope to be the ruler of my kingdom one day, and I hope to be a wise one.”

The Weasel King considered. “This, I can teach you child. But first, you must shed your armour and lay down your sword, and renounce your questing.” The Knight blinked. “Why?” “Because, small one, you cannot be the wisest if you meddle. I have learnt all I have learnt because I have observed. I travel and leave no footsteps. I watch and make no sound. I have seen heroic achievements and grave injustices, and committed them to memory. I am a record keeper, a witness.”

“But... It’s said you’re magical. And powerful. That you could stir armies to your name and weave enchantments that could alter our world. That you have a people to rule, not just a title.” “That is also true child.” “Then... I think I’ve found the first thing you’ve been wrong about. You cannot be a ruler, well, a just ruler if you refuse to lift a paw when people need you. How many famines have there been? How many wars? And you justify your cowardice by framing it as an intellectual exercise? No! I retract my words - I do not want to be wise if it means being unfeeling.”

She threw the sword at the Weasel King’s feet, and began the long walk home. She did become the ruler of her kingdom. She did what she could for her people, pouring her blood and hope and love into the very soil she watched over. She did not live a long life and many would argue she was not wise. But she was beloved and Great.

From the Ashes of Disaster In her dreams, the sky was red and it was snowing. When she bared her hands, palm up and caught the flakes, they did not melt. They smeared. Soon, her palms were painted grey. It was ash, still hot, still burning. Kasimere woke up, her skin covered in sweat and the smell of burning was in the distance. The world was lit up with screams, from animals and human alike, and for a moment she wondered if this too was a nightmare.

Something in her felt different. Fundamentally changed. Like she had glanced inside her mind and found something rotting, and now it was tainting everything it had touched. And her heart was beating faster, and her fists were clenching so tight they were painting her palms with blood-red crescents, and her jaw ached from how tightly she had been wound. Part of her mind thrashed against the rage, thinking of the Emperor, of the grounding earth, of the harvest, but quietly, quietly, it sunk under the wave of Khorne. Soon, there was little of her mind left.

Her mind did not become slow, or lethargic. Rather, it moved quickly, making calculations and decisions at the speed of light, callously discarding anything and everyone that didn’t matter. She knew, deep in her heart, that nobody else mattered, not really. All the parishioners she had cared for - sheep. All these imperials on her planet? Dogs. The food chain was so clear to her now. She was a wolf. She wanted to bear her teeth. She wanted to rip and rend and tear and show them exactly where they stood.

When she left her small cottage, tambourine in one hand, scythe in the other, her village was in Chaos. There was only the dullest thud of grief as she saw the body of a sister, a cousin. The grief turned into anger so easily, and she no longer had the means to resist it. Some music whispered at the edge of her hearing. The words blamed the off-worlders, these soldiers that had utterly failed to protect her. They pointed out how things had only went wrong when they arrived. They laughed about how rude they had been, how inhospitable, how unkind. All the things that were the antithesis to Kasimere. Once, it would have made her sad. Now, it made her furious.

She was the predator here. She knew that now. And so would they.

Sail Away from Hush-a-by Mountain

He trailed his hand in the cool, pale water, watching the ripples spread out from the tips of his fingers. It was so clear he could see the mosaic of pebbles sitting at the bottom of the lake and the quick silver fish that darted between them. Above him, the sky was pearly white framing the tips of the mountains topped with snow. The only sounds were the sail snapping quietly against the wind, distant bird song and the ever-present ripple of water. Peace reigned.

When We Weren't Looking the Tide Came In

The water lapped at our calves, insistent and tender. The sky was the soft blue of the evening, the once golden sand turning grey as the moon rose. Soon, there would be stars. We were going to die here but at least it was beautiful.

We had waited too long to leave and an island had formed around us. There was only a small circle of sand left, and soon it would be overtaken. The land seemed all the more beautiful for knowing it was the last time we would see it. Something being temporary rendered it all the more precious.

We sat, burying our toes in the still warm sand, the sea running over them. She sat close enough to me I could feel her heat too, the hair on my arms prickling from sheer proximity. There were worse ways to die than falling asleep on a beach with someone you loved. We didn’t speak - the air was too soft to disturb. But she reached out and took my hand, and together we waited.

How Can You Tell I'm Under a Spell

The buzzing started quietly at first. Just on the edge of hearing. Enough to set your teeth on edge but not enough to really notice. But your skin was prickling, and your nails found your skin, and suddenly you were angry.

At some point the buzzing starts to make sense of itself. It starts to sound like music. Jarring notes and harsh melodies, but music all the same. It took root inside you, deep and demanding, thrumming in time with the beating of your heart.

Maybe, soon it starts to sound better. It starts to sooth. You lean into the anger and it doesn’t hurt you. But you know that you can turn it into a weapon and it can certainly hurt someone. For once, it can be someone else. For once, you can be at the top of a hierarchy, not being crushed underneath.

You realise you might even like it.

The Brigadier and the Batman

They had known each other from childhood, always in each other’s shadows, always tripping over each other. They liked it that way. There was a comfort in knowing someone as well as you know yourself. It was like always counting the number of steps correctly in the dark.

And then the war came, and they needed that support more than ever. The rest of the world had ceased to make sense. They had to have one constant, something that could be relied on. So one rose to dizzy heights, and the other stayed at his side, as was only right and proper. James had always been the one looking after the idealistic Theo, always with his head in the clouds. And in the trenches, on the boats, curled in close quarters, they were together. They shared everything, rations, letters, cigarettes and when the winter came in, warmth.

Morning was their favourite time. Shaving each other, fingers tenderly pressing to the underside of his jaw to tilt his head up, the utter trust in allowing someone so close to the throat. James liked straddling Theo, bare chested, close enough to not miss a single spot. James was never good with words, this is how he showed his love. With service, with tender acts, with taking care of someone. Theo was the poet. He traced words on James’s back while they lay together. They couldn’t afford to have anything that could be found, so he declared his love in whispers and traced patterns. It worked, somehow. It worked.

The bombs tumbled from the sky and shook the earth. You could place your palms to the ground and feel the vibrations. Theo stroked James’s hair, curled up on the bomb shelter mattress, feeling like they were the only people on earth while hoping desperately they would not be by the time this was all over.

Elsie has a natural affinity with wolves; Othello likes cats.

He leaned on the windowsill, looking down into the courtyard below. There was a light dusting of frost coating every stone, the sky a threatening pearly white. There would be snow soon, and they’d all be even more contained within the castle. It could turn into a prison in more ways than one. Perhaps that was why Elsie was making the most of it. Othello couldn’t help but smile at the sight below.

Elsie was sitting cross legged, ruffling the ears of the huge creature dead in front of her. Elsie was not a small woman, but the wolf made her look tiny by comparison. She bared her teeth at it when it growled at her, the threat soon turning into a laugh as it lunged at her, knocking her to the ground and proceeding to lick her face with some enthusiasm. It was the first time Othello had seen her look so carefree, as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. He realised not only how young she was, but how young they all were. Too young for this.

There was a chirping from by his feet and he glanced down to see the castle’s cat curling around his ankles, headbutting him every now and again in a desperate bid for attention. He squinted for a moment, making sure it wasn’t Strahd in disguise and fucking with him, before picking it up, placing it on the window ledge so it too could observe the scene in front of them.

Othello liked cats. He liked their independence, their sleek nature, the amount of personality differences they could have. You couldn’t make a cat like you. They either did or they didn’t. Dogs were easily bought. He scritched the ears of the creature beside him, hearing the approving purr that told him he was tolerated. Below, the playfighting had stopped, and Elsie had buried her face in the wolf’s fur, clutching tight. She might have been laughing, she might have been crying. It was impossible to tell. She was never like this around them.

Maybe he was starting to see the appeal of dogs.

"Hello, I'm Sam, and this is my friend, Lex."

The aforementioned Lex peeked around the taller man and waved his perfectly manicured fingers. They could not have looked more different. The ultimate odd couple. The smaller one looked vamperic, pale with scarlet lips and eyes. The taller was more rugged, more handsome. Warmer too, as if his nature softened his edges, took away any cruelty. Lex was all sharp corners and angles.

“We’re here to help.” Sam continued, fumbling in a pocket to find a small note. “The manager of the inn sent us. Said your house is haunted?”

They were shown in, Lex clearly trying to hide his disdain for the humble surroundings. The floorboards were faded, some places worn into grooves from hundreds of years of footsteps. The curtains were stiff with dust, their scarlet colour faded to a dull rust. The wind blowing over the chimney top made a whistling fill the house. It was eerie, they had to give the inn manager that. But Lex didn’t scare easily, and this was not even scary enough for him to love it instead. Sam, by contrast, had started exploring, whistling in time to the howling wind, apparently in high spirits.

They heard it when they got to the second floor, below the trap door that lead to the attic. The hurried scratching, scuffling, like fingernails on planks. According to the current occupant, a moody girl of thirteen who’s parents were at work in the mill, two years ago their grandmother had died up there. Since then, they couldn’t rent the attic. People woke up with scratches, reports of seeing unblinking eyes, and of course that horrid scrabbling noise.

“Is it dusty up there?” Lex inquired. “This coat is expensive.” Sam nudged him in the ribs, and with a sigh Lex shrugged it off, folding it gently and placing it to the side. “I’ll let you go first darling.” Sam took a deep breath and tugged on the trap door, ascending once the ill-constructed ladder had clattered down. Lex, for all his huffing and puffing, followed. What occurred after was apparently a great battle. An hour passed with much cursing, shouting and thumping. The girl half wondered if she should shut them up there and cut her losses. But then, triumph!

Sam descended first, his arms torn with claws, a grin on his face. Lex came after, smiling much, much less and holding by the scuff of the neck a very angry raccoon.

#larp #prompts #prose #short stories

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elizabeth-von-winken-universe · 6 years

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Dark Dust - Kara x reader x Alice [Part I]

And close and close and close and close andcloseandclose-

STOP! A big slam on your cheek makes you jolt wide awake, you meet Karas’ worried eyes, gasping for an air you didn’t knew you have needed until now. “Kara…oh my god…” You caress her cheek softly, tears streaming down your face in a twisted expression of agony and horror.“It’s you…” You whisper, the moment you briefly touch her artificial skin, she grasps your wrist with a cold expression that clouds her usual sweet attitude. “Kara?” “Don’t touch me…” she whispers, “It’s not personal, just I didn’t- I don’t know you from very long so-“ “You think you cannot trust me?” Kara lets go of your wrist slowly, sitting on the cold wooden floor. You drop your view into your shaking hands. Shame and angriness try to take over your senses, but you put yourself into her shoes, you would do the same as her. “You were screaming and crying Y/N,” she says in a neutral tone with a hint of worry, “Would it make you feel better tell me what it was about?” she looks at you for a good minute, hugging her feet tightly to her chest. You let a shaky breath comfort your body. “Just if you tell me why you are running away with a little girl, you didn’t kidnap her since you two seem very close, now, why Kara?” She stays silent. “It’s just curiosity I swear. I will tell mine first, then you decide if you tell me or not you girls’ story.”She analyzes your words for a moment, her led flash yellow. She nods. You feel your mouth run dry. You tell her about your parents, how everything was good until your mom disappeared someday without looking back. Later on you discovered why, actually you just knew it from three or four months ago. You cried the whole night, your father slapped you three times, three dark purple marks covered your legs the day after. Thank god you could cover them. “The final drop was when two weeks ago the almost broke my arm.” You weren’t looking at Kara, to ashamed to do so. “I decided it was enough, so-I waited until he fell asleep on the couch, changed as fast as I could and picked all his money.” You let a shaky breath cool you down, tears slam the ground, and you can’t help it, it was enough, you wanted so much to lift that concrete brick off your heart that was starting to poison you. Before you could act, Karas’ arms were hugging you tightly, she mutters an apology that sounds like a mantra, you hug her back as tight as your shaking hands let you. “The The The-nightmare it-it was about him. I-I was che-checking the locks and I just couldn’t take it anymore.” She shush me, my cries turns into sobs, “He…he did horrific things to me, Kara! And he is supposed to be human?! I saw deviants with more heart than that-that-that!” “It’s okay dear, breath you need to breath Y/N.” She takes my face between her hands and looks at me in the eye, “you were a very brave woman to stand up and say ‘I won’t let this happen anymore’ so those nightmares are just what they are: nightmares, I was checking all the time and nobody was following us, so there’s no need to worry okay?”you furiously nod, grasping her words that clear your mind. But the demons will always be there. “That is something that you will never forget, it will always be here, inside you, but you are strong and can cope with it, maybe not now but I am sure in the future you will be a marvelous woman.” She flashes you a genuine smile that you try to mimic, in vain. “Sleep, I will wake you up when the time comes, okay?” She sits by your side, petting your head slowly, seeing you drift into sleep. “But, your reason-“ “Another night Y/N, your mind is exhausted and now you should rest dear.” “Goodnight.” She whispers as she starts mumbling a lullaby you can’t identify.

#detroit become human #dbh kara #mama kara #android #children #abuse #detroit: become human #dbh #reader insert #reader imagine #angst

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la-knight · 6 years

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For the writing 1, 2, 7

1: Describe the plot of your current WIPs in a single sentence each.

Ohmigawd…that’s hard…okay, let me make a list real quick.

The 12th Camellia: an autistic queer Mormon girl has to rescue her sister when her sister ends up trapped in their favorite VR MMO; Six of Crows meets Sword Art Online.

Bare Not Your Heel to the Coward’s Arrow: world-hopping fanfic to fix all the dumb shit that happens in CW’s Arrow

A Little Black Book and a Little Black Dress: World-hopping fanfic to fix all the dumb shit that happens in The Blacklist

Blow Northerne Wynde: a queer autistic woc Mormon girl and her sentient starship get hurled through a wormhole that takes her back to our time, followed by alien invaders who have seeded Earth with sleeping kaiju they intend to wake up to exterminate us; Pacific Rim meets Outlander, sort of.

The Edge of Darkest Devotion: Sequel to a finished fanfic about Loki’s motivation/redemption/character journey in Thor 1, Avengers 1, and afterward.

Empress of Ice and Oceans: Hades and Persephone, but using Yoruban and Russian mythology and starring two black leads.

Eidolon: If Romeo & Juliet were both Batman-esque vigilantes working for the Crown when the ghost of a homicidal necromancer and Jack the Ripper attack magical AU London.

Facets of Snow and Frost: World-hopping fanfic to fix all the dumb shit that happens in the MCU/MTCU.

Glass: industrialized magical urban fantasy version of Alice in Wonderland with a lot of gay poc kids fighting against the ridiculousness of a prophecy that says the female lead is going to be the dark ruler that will plunge the magical world into a new Dark Age.

Hallows: A genderfluid goddex tells the story of how they were kidnapped and forced to fight as a magical gladiator, then was blackmailed into betraying their home when they fell in love and their wife was used as a hostage against them (they’re telling their sister while rotting in a prison cell, but the sister doesn’t know if she believes them).

House of Gears: Teenage Jewish Cinderella’s little sister is kidnapped by the bogeyman, so she must crash a steampunk monsters’ ball with the help of her former not-so-imaginary friends (including a genderfluid Princex Charming/Sleeping Beauty and a lesbian fairy godsister) to get the sister back.

In the Dark of the Night and the Hour of the Wolf: Redemption fic for Hela from Thor Ragnarok (female villains almost never get the redemption fanservice male villains do). Ties into “Edge of Darkest Devotion.”

King or Captain, Sinner or Saint: World-hopping fanfic redeem Killmonger, ties into Facets.

The Lightning Bleeds Scarlet and Gold: World-hopping fanfic to fix all the dumb shit that happens in CW’s Flash (like Magenta losing her powers, Iris and Barry taking so long to get together, Barry’s dad dying, stuff like that). Ties into Bare Not Your Heel.

Once in the Winter’s Tide: Fanfic set between Winter Soldier and Civil War that ties X-Men, Blade, Spider-Man, and other things into the MCU, starring Bucky and a mutant woman with 4 kids and a dangerous secret. Ties into “Darkest Devotion.”

Once Upon a Time: Redemption fanfic for Nuada Silverlance, the villain from Hellboy 2.

A Palace of Ink and Stardust: Autistic woc Mormon girl falls in love with a changeling at her school and has to come to grips with being bisexual and Mormon (cute wlw fluff all around, with magic).

The Silver Princess: A bi Mormon healer’s apprentice falls in love with an Elven princess and the princess’s twin brother, while all three of them have to deal with a war brewing between humans and fae. All the queer poc rep.

Snow White, Blood Red: World-hopping fanfic to fix all the dumb shit that happens in Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, starring an autistic woc, a trans woc, and their gay best guy friend.

Yes, I have ADD. No, that’s not a joke.

2: Do you have anything published? If so, where?

I’ve published several short stories and a poem. I’ve self-published my first two books, but they were heavily whitewashed at the insistence of the agents who originally repped them and I didn’t realize at the time how problematic that was (although I knew it was annoying af) so I’m rereleasing them fully restored to their original poc (and for the most part queer) glory when I have the time.

As for my short stories, you can find my latest in the anthology Tomorrow’s Cthulhu, on my Patreon, or in the anthology New Legends: Caster - Castle - Creature.

7: What was the first novel you ever tried to write? If you’ve never tried to write a novel, then what was the first story you ever wrote?

The first story I ever wrote was in crayon when I was 4. It was a fanfic about how the Red Ranger fell in love with Rita Repulsa’s daughter (who was NOT the daughter of Lord Zed, so he was her stepdad) and while she was…like…wicked, you know, bad temper and chaotic neutral type, like Wade Wilson level morals, she hated being evil because it was too much work and she was lazy and she just wanted to date the Red Ranger because he was hot and nice to her.

The first NOVEL I ever wrote, I was 8 or 9, it took me an entire school year, and I wrote it by hand. It was called Catrina and Stephen: How an American Girl Became Princess of Monaco, and it was basically the adventures of this random girl who, on the eve of her 17th birthday, bought tickets through a magazine (I don’t know…) to the Coronation-and-Find-a-Bride Ball of Prince Stephen of Monaco, and her parents paid to fly her to Monte Carlo (in the middle of her senior year…for some reason) and the prince was like 19 and they met and fell in love a la Cinderella at the ball and got married literally the next day and had all these weird adventures and like, I shit you not, 35 kids (lots of triplets and quadruplets and I think a few quints).

I worked on it every day, in school, for bellwork. We got a writing prompt every morning and I always found a way to incorporate the prompt into the next chapter of my book. So literally one chapter might be them going to the grocery store and having to shop “like poor people” and the next chapter an evil scientist shrinks them down and they have to create a fort out of toothpicks and lincoln logs to protect themselves from a tarantula and rats, then in the next chapter they might scout an expedition to fucking Pluto and meet some eldritch alien horrors, but one of them fell in love with one of the kids (also being a kid, so cute “that’s my girlfriend” child love) and it became a star-crossed lovers thing that gets resolved by the UN. It was wild shit.

By the end of the year it filled 6 composition notebooks, had over 150 chapters, and ended with Catrina and Stephen dying and the alien and princess taking over the Earth and forming an intergalactic empire or something, but it was cool because basically it was just, everyone can do whatever except bomb each other or torture people.

#ask LA Knight #writing

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mearnsblog · 4 years

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“The Little Mermaid” (1989)

The history of Disney could honestly be split into pre-“Little Mermaid” and post-“Little Mermaid.” That’s how important an 83-minute kids’ movie was to the future of animated storytelling. The decades prior to its release had some hits, but none struck their audiences quite like this one. Almost instantaneously, Ariel vaulted into the pantheon of Disney princesses and the movie industry had its new modern model for how to warm the hearts of families everywhere (all while making bank at the box office, too).

I’ve been trying to think of what makes “Little Mermaid” so freaking good, and a large part of its success was its willingness to show its protagonists’ flaws. Unlike, say, Cinderella and Snow White, Ariel doesn’t arrive on our screens fully-formed as a flawless heroine. She’s the daughter of a king and thus ensconced in privilege, naive and a little careless of her actions. (Her pal, Flounder, is also put in danger on multiple occasions during her ocean travels.) King Triton and to a lesser extent, Sebastian, are not perfect, either. They see their lives as the only possible path for future generations, fear becoming more worldly, and are outwardly xenophobic to humans. Triton is also just a bad father, prone to angry outbursts that damage his relationship with Ariel, even before he destroys her collection.

It’s this capacity for growth that allows “Little Mermaid” to flourish. Ariel learns how her short-sightedness blew up in her face and threw the fate of the ocean into peril when Ursula leverages Ariel’s freedom to get Triton to sign his power away to her. Triton learns that his rage went too far and that he can’t close his daughter off to the world just because of his own biases. Sebastian gradually understands this too, resolving to help Ariel win over Eric since he realizes that an immediate return to the ocean would just make her miserable for the rest of her life. The only hero who doesn’t seem to have much to learn is Eric himself, but at least he’s a better-developed prince than any we’ve seen before in a Disney movie. Plus he has a good doggy! Max is the real hero, IMO.*

*Hey, if he wasn’t so insistent on finding Ariel wherever she happened to be, Eric wouldn’t have found her! Plus, he knew that Ursula in disguise was bad news. Bless him.

The music from Howard Ashman* and Alan Menken is outstanding. This is the greatest soundtrack since “Jungle Book,” and maybe even the best through 1989. “Under the Sea” gets the most attention and is still a banger. There are not many villain songs better than “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and I wouldn’t begrudge anyone who said it was No. 1 for them. “Kiss the Girl” is a wonderful lovey-dovey ballad. Both “Les Poissons” and its sequence in the movie are hilarious. For me, “Part of Your World” takes the cake. It seems inconceivable that there was a debate about whether it should be cut from the movie. It represents its entire thesis! Bonus points for the people who fought to keep it in, and to the directors for later showing scenes on land where Ariel’s mentioned dreams from the lyrics become reality.

*Ashman would later contribute to “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” before AIDS tragically took his life. This was his magnum opus, and what a work of genius it was.

One more thing: the animation also did an admirable job creating the aquatic world. Through painstaking effort, they brought Disney underwater and it looks incredible. I can’t imagine how much of an arduous process it was to get all the bubbles and oceanic settings to look just right, but they did it!

My only regret is that Ursula was defeated so swiftly. All it took was Eric steering a broken ship’s spar into her when she was enormous? I salute his athleticism, but she goes down like a punk and probably deserved something better. This is just me spitballing, but I like the idea of humans and the creatures of the ocean joining together to take her out. Maybe we see some merpeople guiding Eric’s ship? I don’t know. Although we get some of that with them disrupting the wedding, that’s small peas compared to what Ursula ultimately makes herself.

Anyway, that’s not a big problem. “Little Mermaid” is an inner-circle Disney classic and definitely enough to overtake “Cinderella” for the current No. 1 spot on my list. I respect it so much.

Best song: “Part of Your World”*

*Please listen to the recent Halsey cover because holy cats, does she nail Ariel’s character in 3 minutes.

Updated ranking

1. “The Little Mermaid” 2. “Cinderella” (review) 3. “Sleeping Beauty” (review) 4. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (review) 5. “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (review) 6. “The Jungle Book” (review) 7. “The Great Mouse Detective” (review) 8. “Fantasia” (review) 9. “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (review) 10. “Alice in Wonderland” (review) 11. “Lady and the Tramp” (review) 12. “Pinocchio” (review) 13. “Robin Hood” (review) 14. “Oliver & Company” (review) 15. “The Rescuers” (review) 16. “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” (review) 17. “Bambi” (review) 18. “The Aristocats” (review) 19. “Dumbo” (review) 20. “Peter Pan” (review) 21. “Fun and Fancy Free” (review) 22. “The Fox and the Hound” (review) 23. “The Sword in the Stone” (review) 24. “The Three Caballeros” (review) 25. “Make Mine Music” (review) 26. “The Black Cauldron” (review) 27. “Saludos Amigos” (review) 28. “Melody Time” (review)

#disney

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high5nerd · 4 years

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Alone Together---Chap. Fourteen

I thought it would be hilarious to take the girls out on a mini weekend vacation right in the middle of a blizzard. They've been cooped up in the house for too long, to the point Alice was finding entertainment by spiking her coffee.

Their faces when I told them we're going on a trip was priceless.

"Wait...where?" Sadie asked with her mouth full of Rice Krispies.

"We're going to New Zealand. Camping, hiking, all that good fun. You have been moping for too long and it's making me want to mope around." I said, shaking a finger at her.

Alice sat down across from me, still groggy since it was morning and her auburn hair messy from sleep. Her coffee sloshed around in her reindeer mug, almost spilling onto her left hand. She looked at me through squinted eyes from the light of the kitchen, causing me to grin at her appearance.

"What? Do I look like the Loch Ness monster?" she asked.

"More like a nightmare." I snickered, and she whacked my arm at the name calling.

Sadie almost snorted out milk from her nose, and then agreed with me, causing her sister to glare at her.

"I'll pour coffee into your cereal."

"I'll spit it into your cup."

"You can go from motherly one minute to sisterly the next," I rolled my eyes at their bickering.

"How can we go to New Zealand when we're in the middle of a blizzard?" Sadie asked as she stirred her cereal to turn the milk brown.

I grinned, "You still have that snowglobe North gave you?"

Sadie immediately beamed and nodded. Alice gave a confused look to Sadie and then to myself. Just seeing the look of confusion on Alice's face on how we could even possibly get there was hysterical. I love surprising people.

As Sadie ran to go retrieve the snow globe, I explained to Alice how the contraption works. Alice seemed to think I was kidding, but she ended up getting herself ready by finding her wallet and dressing warmly.

Sadie would not stop bouncing around in excitement, her arms holding a bag with her bathing suit and some activities like a book of hers and a couple of pens to bring along.

"We can go to the beach and run all over the hills and-!" she rushed, nearly dropping the crystal globe in her hand.

"Sadie, just throw it. The sooner you do that the sooner we get to have fun from this snow."

The view where we ended up was beautiful, and unlike the dark blizzard that occurred back home this place had the sun high in the sky, bearing down warmness that made Alice shed off her jacket and gloves. We stood in a clearing far away from any city or town life, surrounded by the forest. Sadie drew in a happy sigh as the wind rustled the green leaves up above, beams of light shedding through thick branches and draping curtains of leaves and willow branches.

"It's beautiful…" Alice murmured, not noticing Sadie giggle and run off in one direction.

I smiled, about to open my mouth and comment that her own beauty couldn't match the forest, but then Sadie tripped on a tree root, falling flat on her stomach. Alice heard her yelp, and immediately drew in a fearful breath.

"Sadie?!" Alice asked, and I could see her body battling with her mind whether to stay put or run over to see if her sister broke anything.

"I'm okay!" Sadie looked back, holding up her sneaker, "My shoelace came undone!"

"Idiot." Alice rolled her eyes, heaving a big sigh of relief.

Sure enough, Sadie found a burbling creek close to the clearing, the floor of it covered in smooth pebbles. Sadie was changed into her yellow and white floral bathing suit and splashing around in the creek, scaring away fishes and jumping from rock to rock.

Alice and I sat on a fallen log near the creek, her pants rolled up so she could dip her feet into the cool and calming water. She had a peaceful smile on her face, and that made me feel a lot better than seeing her look bored back home.

Sadie lifted up a rock and grinned, "Pitch! Look how big this one is!" she called.

I nodded, "That's impressive. You could put it on the bank to dry and then paint it with the paints you brought if you wanted to."

I heard Alice giggle at Sadie's shocked face that quickly broke out into a wild grin, "You're a genius!" And with that, tossed the giant rock onto the bank and began searching for more smooth rocks to paint on.

"Darn right I am." I muttered so only Alice could hear, and she laughed at my playful jab. Her laugh always made me smile.

"Thanks for bringing us here. We really needed a break from the snow." Alice said, looking at her hands that gripped the log so she wouldn't fall off.

"It's nothing." Was all I could say while looking at my feet in the water. I looked over at Alice's feet. They were much smaller than mine, and her toes were so tiny. A scar ran along the ball of her left foot to her big toe, a paler shade than her normal skin color.

Alice noticed my staring and smirked, "Got it while running in the woods, back before Sadie was born. I was an idiot and didn't listen to Dad's warning about being barefoot, and I ended up cutting it from either a rock or a branch, I can't recall. Sadie actually thinks I stepped on a sword while fighting the monsters under her bed."

I snorted at that, "She actually believes that?"

Alice grinned and shrugged her shoulders lightheartedly, "Cause I told her that when she was six."

That made me laugh, and that caused Sadie to look over at us in curiosity before continuing to try grabbing fish that sped by her still ankles.

"Does she know that the monster under the bed was probably me?"

"If it was, you would recall getting hit multiple times with a softball bat," Alice rolled her eyes, "Sadie stole my bat and woke up the entire house with her banging….I think that was just an excuse to get some stress out."

I noticed Alice's pause there when she returned her gaze to the scar on her foot, the water rippled around her toes and her ankles.

"...What happened? What do you mean by stress?" I asked, taking her hand in mine.

She gave a small smile as her fingers laced with mine like knitting, and said softly, "She made the mistake of telling kids at school that she was friends with the Sandman. The kids in her grade thought it was interesting and such, but the word got out to the older kids in the school and they pushed her around and tormented her for it. She didn't tell our parents anything until the school called…"

I waited, knowing where this was going.

"Sadie threw a punch at a sixth grader, and gave him a black eye. Even his own eye was red…" Alice looked up at Sadie's form bending over to peer at a turtle, "that was the only time she's ever hurt anyone. She would never even hurt a spider. But because the older kids have power in the school, she lost friends. They thought she was strange."

"Kind of like your story you told me." I said, removing my hand from hers and gently touching her shoulder.

Alice sighed, a sigh that meant the conversation was over and the event was back in the past.

"Yep!" She smiled, "So I guess that's what also makes us closer, right?"

I smiled, and kissed her forehead. She grinned, and without a warning gently pushed my chest, causing me to fall off the log and splash behind it. I spluttered out water, rubbing my face to get water out of my eyes. She laughed, her white smile glimmering in the sunlight and her hair looked like fire. She looked like a human phoenix….which in a sense, she was.

I grinned evilly, and before she could notice my hand creeping towards her, yanked her in as well so she fell on top of me, her legs straddling my waist. Alice gasped, her clothes immediately getting wet along with the ends of her hair.

I laughed at her expression and tucked a strand of wet hair behind her ear, her laugh half muffled from my ears being submerged in water. Alice quickly kissed my nose, but once she pulled back I pulled her back in to kiss her. We still smiled through our kiss, and Alice was holding back giggles as her arms wrapped around my shoulders.

"You guys better not be foolin' around back there! I don't want this water getting contaminated by love cooties!" Sadie called from the bankside.

I almost choked on water when I laughed even harder at that, and the fact that Alice was blushing like mad was making it harder to restrain myself to just a chuckle.

Sadie was back at the campsite in her tent, fast asleep while Alice and I walked along the creek, listening to the soft babble and tiny splishes against rocks and branches that gently caressed the surface. The moonlight shone brilliantly on the water, making the water sparkle and gleam with the additional starlight. Alice and I held hands tightly as we walked downwards towards the bed of rock that Sadie was near before. It was just us enjoying the silence.

Alice cast a look up at the moon, and whispered out, "Is he watching us right now?"

I looked up with her, noticing the moon was full. No words whispered through the air, so I assumed he wasn't watching us. Maybe focusing on his other spirit 'children'. I squeezed her hand reassuringly, thinking she was scared of the thought of being watched.

"Not sure. Doubtful...there are many of us he watches over."

"How many?" she asked, looking at me with wonder.

I smirked, and twirled her in a circle before pulling her close, her back pressed against my chest, "Probably more than a hundred. Every personification and entity you can think of exists…"

Alice softly laughed, her hands tightening around my fingers, "I can think of a lot."

I grinned and gently tugged at her hips, making her laugh before turning around. She saw me heading in a different direction, and her smile faded in curiousity.

"Pitch?"

"Follow me," I beckoned her close, "There's something I want to show you."

We had to carefully step over slippery rocks and fallen logs, even scrape by leafless bushes before stumbling upon a pool of water, so crystal clear it envied the Caribbean seas. Giant ferns scattered along the edge of the pool here and there, and there was a waterfall leaking out from a pile of rocks that had moss dotted around it. Flowers bloomed fully, their petals not even closed due to the moonlight.

"Whoa…" Alice breathed, stepping forward as if in a trance.

"It's called the Pool of Reveries. Some old spirits come here to meditate to regain sense of who they are and what they once were. I thought of sharing it with you...well...cause…."

I couldn't say it. My words got caught in my throat. What was intended as an informative statement turned into something sappy, and you know fairly well I'm not a very sappy person. I hate sappy.

Alice caught my stumble and she knew my struggle to keep myself looking older...more, I don't know, unaffected by the entire concept of love and such. Boogeyman-material, let's call it that. She came closer to me, her chest almost against mine and her neck craned upwards. I knew she was teasing me.

"Because?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in a playful manner. I huffed and looked away.

"You know why." I muttered, but felt Alice's body against mine and her breath on my neck.

"I want you to say it." Alice whispered, her hands barely grazing up my chest. That caused me to shiver. I needed those hands right then and there, without our clothes on. In the water. Making love until dawn.

"I…" my breath shook, "I love you...and I want you in my life...you mean the world to me...more than anyone else."

As if I had anyone else besides her. But it was true. I'd rather have her than a thousand friends, or even a large family or connections I once lost back in time. She was all I needed, and saying that to her under the full moon made a great weight lift from my shoulders. I felt an emotion similar to the feeling of success, hope and love...all mixed into one. How a being like me was capable of finding this love, not even I knew.

"I love you too, Pitch. A whole lot…" Alice kissed me gently before pulling away, "And I want you in my life, too."

"We're even, fair and square." I grinned, and that made her laugh as she closed her eyes, our foreheads touching in peace.

...Until we heard crying.

At first I thought it was just in my mind. It started out soft, almost unnoticeable to the ear. By the time I recognized the sound, I thought it came from Alice. We shared confused looks, thinking one of us was making that noise. Alice was fine, not a single tear was shed from her chocolate-colored eyes, and she looked just as curious as me to where the sound of crying was coming from.

It wasn't soft, gentle crying. It was sobbing. In pain sobbing. Alice and I immediately felt the world crash around us. What was once a state of just us, enveloped in our own love turned into sheer panic. Sadie. That's all we could think. It had to be her. Something was happening when we were gone. The light of the moon seemed to vanish quickly, and it took me a second to realize the reason it vanished was because we were running towards Sadie's crying.

"How long were we out there?" Alice asked, and I could sense her fear in her question as she ran close to my side.

I honestly didn't know. I knew it was a long period of time, and we both assumed Sadie would be fine by herself near the tents, sleeping soundly near the crackling fire. Maybe she rolled too close to it and accidentally touched the flames? Maybe she got scared of being alone? I didn't sense any fear in Sadie's direction, only from Alice and myself.

"A long time. I just hope-" but the sight before me cut me dead off.

Sadie was crumpled to the ground in agony, sobbing hysterically at ghostly images of those who bullied her and teachers that looked down upon her, and they whispered hateful and demeaning words to the ten year old. Tears stained her cheeks, so much her face was red.

And the girl in the blue dress happily skipping around her and laughing…

Was Misery.

Anger filled up inside me. This little brat had the audacity to hurt a child that I would consider something close to a daughter? For so long I've suffered the same way Sadie has, and nothing would stop me from what I was going to do to Misery for harming her.

"You're so pathetic, it's laughable!" Misery giggled, patting Sadie's head. Sadie shirked away from her freezing cold, clammy touch, and bit her hand to hold back a scream of agony.

Time slowed down, when Misery looked up. Her smile turned horrified when she noticed I was sprinting towards her. With an angry scream, I blasted her with my nightmare sand, sending her careening backwards towards the trunk of a sturdy tree. Alice was shouting, but I couldn't listen.

I wanted Misery dead.

She targeted me for years, drove me insane, and now she was going to target those who I loved most. Seeing Sadie bend over like that in defeat...broke me. I've seen Alice in her worst, and Misery wasn't even there to cause that. I hated seeing them suffer, and now I have someone to take it out on.

My feelings got the better of me. When I slammed Misery's body into the tree, she made no noise. She just wore a horrified expression at my audacity to harm another spirit. It wasn't against the rules to hurt another one, but...she was in the form of a child. An old spirit like her that used to look like a hag took the form of an innocent child, thinking that image would protect her. But it didn't in this case. Even if she looked like Sadie's age, I still pummelled her into the tree. I heard the bark crack, and that loud noise echoed throughout the forest.

"PITCH, STOP!" Alice screamed.

That got me out of my stupor. I didn't realize what I was doing...I was making it worse. God, so much more worse. The two people I love witnessed me hurt another being...even if my mind said she deserved it, it was no excuse. It wasn't valid.

I looked back and saw Alice and Sadie's scared expressions, feeling my heart break into tiny pieces. That's all I could do...was make people fearful. Scared. Terrified…

"Let her go, Pitch." Alice whispered out, holding onto Sadie like a lifeline, "She's gotten her punishment."

"You don't understand!" I shouted, glaring back at Misery who was fucking brave enough to give an innocent smile, "This little rodent has been making me miserable for centuries, targeting me to the point I cave in to insanity. Now she's targeting those I love and she's going to pay for it!"

"Kill me and you'll kiss your sorry immortal life goodbye. Not like you had one anyways." Misery said before a nightmare wrapped around her throat and lifted her into the air.

"I'd rather have none than see you exist." I hissed at her.

Sadie started whimpering again, and quickly turned away from the sight of a girl her age being strangled in the air.

"Pitch, I get it! She deserves it, but doing this won't solve anything. You're better than this."

"No you're not." Misery choked out.

"Don't listen to her!" Sadie shouted, glaring at Misery, "She's just jealous because no one cares about her!"

Misery's smug face fell, and her eyes looked over at Sadie. I looked back, too. I wasn't expecting her to be standing in front of Alice as if she was the one worth protecting. The nightmare I controlled gently let Misery back down, but she made no move.

"What did you say?" she asked, her voice quivering.

"You're jealous of Pitch because he's finally gotten something you never had. You only were around him because he had nothing like you, and you're mad at him because now he has what you've always wanted." Sadie said, stepping closer.

"Sadie, get back to Alice. Now." I said sternly, but Sadie ignored me.

"That's not it at all!" Misery stamped her foot, "I like making people miserable! That's why I'm here! Not like you have a purpose here on Earth."

"YOU LITTLE-!" I heard Alice scream, but she made no move to lunge at her like I did before.

Sadie shook like a leaf at her sister's ferocious tongue, but continued to talk to Misery. I couldn't help but feel a smirk tug at my cheeks. Sadie was guilt tripping her.

"You lie but you know I'm right. You're just mad because you never got what you wanted. You're selfish. You're self-centered. The people who bullied me were, too. You're just like them."

"No I'm not! I'm...I'm miserable like you are!" Misery's bluish tears started dripping down her cheeks, "He...he just got what he deserved!"

"No he didn't."

"He's a monster! All he does is make people be afraid of things that you wouldn't understand. He's just a freak that will never be loved, nor cared about!"

I was about to spit a curse at Misery when I heard Sadie whisper out, "...Really?"

I turned to look at her, surprised that this little ten year old found her voice. She was standing up to her. Alice looked surprised too, even hopeful. For so long Sadie was put down, and now she was standing firm. She was strong.

"Go look in a mirror." Sadie said coolly.

Ouch. That was a fatal blow, especially to someone like Misery. Misery's body quivered at the verbal rock Sadie threw at her, her lower lip trembled. With a last raging breath, she shouted at me.

"I never want to see you again!"

And like that, she was gone. Her body turned into mist, as if she melted into the darkness.

There was a cold silence between the three of us. I could only look from where Misery once stood to Sadie's face, who looked just as shocked as I did at her own bravery. Alice glanced between us, her mouth open as if words wanted to spew forth but nothing came.

"Sadie..." Alice said, touching her shoulder.

Sadie let out a long breath, one of relief. But even releasing that tension didn't make her any better. I saw it in her eyes. Immediately, I reacted when I saw her legs give out, wobbling like a puppet doll's.

I ran over and caught her, hearing her try to hold back more tears. Alice started panicking, but I quickly calmed her down before she could freak out and possibly worry Sadie even more.

"Get the container of hot water and make her hot chocolate, she needs something warm. I'll sit her by the fire." I said, standing up.

"What's wrong with her?" Alice asked, her voice still frantic as she hurried over to the fire pit.

"Misery's own work is ten times as worse as just feeling misery on its own. To the point it causes depression...I should know." I murmured, holding Sadie close. Her nervous breathing subsided a bit, and I could still feel her sad heart beat.

You would know by now I'm not well educated in the comforting area of life, but like I said before, seeing Sadie suffer the same way I did made me know what to do. When I dealt with that, I knew I wanted at least a person to hear me talk or be surrounded in warmth instead of coldness...a feeling inflicted by Misery to make it stay longer inside the person's soul. Misery's work was so strong and long lasting, I've seen humans hurt themselves due to it, do anything radical and fatal to make the emotional pain go away. I couldn't risk that now.

Alice watched me gently sit Sadie down near the fire, and I grabbed a nearby sleeping bag and wrapped it around her.

"How bad do you feel?" I asked, touching her head.

"I feel like I'm worthless…" Sadie's voice wavered, "...like she was right."

I heard Alice mutter, Well Misery could go fuck herself. Good thing Sadie didn't hear that. I knew Alice was protective of her sister, so seeing how conflicted and angry she was for the safety and love of her baby sister was welcomed greatly. Just...not those choice of words.

"Misery is a liar, and she tells people that to make them feel bad. She's heartless and cruel, which you are not. Not one bit. You hear?" I said, sitting next to her.

"But-" Sadie started as she accepted the mug of hot chocolate from Alice.

"I can list five traits of you right off the bat. You're fun, compassionate, brave, smart, and very important to those around you." I said sternly so she could hear my honesty.

Sadie blinked, and looked up at me. I wasn't sure if she was understanding what I meant by important, but then I saw the glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Sadie, you're the one thing that's meant a lot to me since our parents died. You kept me in reality and you kept giving me faith that things will get better. You're really important to me." Alice said, sitting next to her and rubbing her back.

"You're the reason your sister and I are together as one, so I have that to thank you for." I said with a smile.

Sadie rolled her eyes and smirked into her cup, "You wouldn't do it yourself, I had to help you somehow."

Alice and I smiled at that, which made Sadie sit up a little straighter. She looked between us, her eyes getting brighter.

By now Sadie was saying things quietly, things she knew that proved her importance to others, "I'm important to Gramma because she loves me. I'm important to Lucy because we're best friends since kindergarten, and Mom and Dad say I'm important because they called me their Little Angel. Right?"

Alice kissed the top of her head, "Exactly. You feeling better yet?"

Sadie slowly nodded, but then looked at me. "Why would Misery come and find us?"

I pursed my lips tight, not really wanting to answer that. This was partially my fault from the beginning. What was intended as a vacation from the cold up north turned into a horrible nightmare.

"I know that look, Pitch," Alice warned, "Don't you dare go blaming yourself now. This isn't your fault."

"If I hadn't brought you two here none of this would've happened." I shot back, and Alice furrowed her brows, completely disagreeing with me.

"But I wouldn't have gone swimming! I had fun today. Besides this...I had fun!" Sadie protested.

I sadly smiled, ruffling her hair gently. "I know...I just don't like seeing you two suffer because of me."

"We aren't." Alice said, albeit dangerously, to the point I thought we would have an argument.

That made me instantly silent. I did not want to anger Alice, especially after she witnessed her little sister in agony at the hands of Misery.

"What matters is that it's over...And we're safe. She's gone for good, and she'll no longer bother you anymore." Alice said, cupping her hand to my face.

I guess she was right...now that Misery had sworn she never wanted to see me again, I was free. I no longer would deal with the inner turmoil, insanity and utter sadness that her powers would plague me with. The cloud of depression I dealt with for so long could finally disappear, like I've always wanted. I could finally walk without dread of running into her again, and not fear of her hurting my loved ones…

"You're free, Pitch." Sadie said, beaming.

I'm...I'm free.

#fanfiction #fanfics #rotg fandom #rotg fanfiction #rotg fanfic #pitch black #pitch black x oc #rise of the guardians #rise of the guardian fanfics

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karyu-endan · 7 years

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Twilight Chapter 15/16 review: Meyer Wrote This Story Sideways, I Swear

I’m in a bit of a pickle right now.

See, I read two chapters of Twilight back-to-back today. This is because chapter 15 ends in a really awkward spot. Edward starts telling Bella about Carlisle’s backstory, but he stops partway through rather abruptly and picks it back up early into chapter 16.

Now, I could see it being done like this if Meyer wanted Carlisle to join the conversation and talk about his own past in order to get a feel for how the man himself reflects on it, but this doesn’t happen. Chapter 16 starts with Edward taking Bella to Carlisle’s office to ask him to continue where he left off, but Carlisle has to fill in for another doctor who called in sick and can’t say anything, leaving Edward to tell Bella more about Carlisle. The chapter transition has no point other than giving Bella an excuse to gush about the size of Carlisle’s book collection and a painting on the wall when she steps into his office.

So chapter 15 doesn’t really end and I read chapter 16 as well. But now I have two chapters’ worth of content I need to say my piece about, and if I put all of my thoughts into a single post it would be too long. So here’s what I came up with. I’ll be splitting the review of this couple of chapters into three parts. This one, which will cover most of the content in both chapters, and two more parts which will deal with Carlisle’s backstory and Edward’s backstory specifically. Carlisle’s backstory forms a bulk of both chapters and is big enough it deserves its own review, and while Edward’s backstory is not given anywhere near as much focus (strangely enough) that small section is nonetheless rather important and I want to give it my undivided attention.

With that out of the way, let’s begin the chapters in earnest.

Chapter 14 ends with Bella falling asleep to the sound of Edward singing a lullaby too quiet for Charlie to hear. Chapter 15 starts with Bella waking up the next morning, and after the initial surprise of it, she is ecstatic to learn that Edward stuck around all night long and was at her side when she woke up.

Well, after being flattered by Edward breaking into her house every night to watch her sleep without her consent nothing surprises me. Maybe it’s just another chance for Edward to lose control and turn Bella into a vampire. I don’t know.

Anyway, after Edward informs her that Charlie already left, Bella has breakfast and as she’s eating it Edward tells her he’d like Bella to meet his family today... and eventually he’d like Bella to introduce him to Charlie as her boyfriend. After some squabbling about the word “boyfriend” Bella reluctantly accepts Edward’s proposal to meet his family.

But not reluctantly in the sense that she’s afraid of being eaten by half a dozen vampires, oh no. That’d be the sane reaction. Instead, Bella’s reluctant because she’s afraid the Cullens won’t like her!

Because if the Cullens don’t like her, they won’t go along with her inevitable pleas to turn her into a vampire. Come on; for what other reason could this cognitive dissonance possibly exist?

Oh, and Edward points out how irrationally Bella’s behaving. This is actually something rather common in this book, for several characters. Most of the time, someone will acknowledge that a given character is being stupid, crazy, or a jerk. But aside from Mike in chapter 7, no one ever actually learns from being called out and keeps doing what they aren’t supposed to be doing. It can only happen so often before it gets annoying.

No wonder Mervin started keeping track of it with the Sin Thine Ass Off counter.

Back to the story. Bella quickly gets changed and then Edward takes her to the Cullen household, which is understandably pretty far away from the rest of town. Then Bella goes into detail about the surrounding scenery, and the exterior of the house… and the interior of the house when Edward takes her in. The extended description is surprisingly not filled with purple prose and does what it is intended to do: give readers an idea of what the setting looks like and provide atmosphere for the coming scenes. Thankfully not everything Cullen-related is dazzling.

And now Bella meets the rest of the Cullens… well, save Rosalie and Emmett. Rosalie is the only one that doesn’t like Bella and Emmett’s trying to reason with her, according to Edward. Though Emmett still has enough common sense to consider Edward a lunatic for staying with Bella; he just doesn’t have anything against Bella herself. Upon learning this Bella asks Edward what Rosalie dislikes her for and after Edward says it’s because she’s jealous, Bella asks how Rosalie could possibly be jealous of her.

Yeah, Bella! How dare someone stuck being teenager for all eternity be jealous of someone capable of growing up and living a full life? I mean, that’s not quite the reason, but as usual Bella is too dazzled by appearances to even consider that.

As for the actual reason? In due time… In due time…

Back to the Cullens that actually meet Bella, Carlisle and Esme are the first. Carlisle is amicable enough to request that Bella refer to him by his first name (after previously referring to him as Dr. Cullen). As for Esme… she’s very happy. Almost too happy. She pressures Edward into playing the piano for Bella and Edward later says that even if Bella had webbed feet and a third eye she’d be impressed. Edward had gone on without a partner for so long (and flat-out rejected Rosalie, let’s remember) that Esme was apparently getting worried that he’d be forever alone.

I wonder what Esme would think if Edward brought a boy home instead of a girl.

Also, when describing Esme, Bella compares her to Snow White. That’s three allusions to Disney princesses now.

Then down comes Alice! She stops just short of glomping Bella in excitement. Esme could be seen like the mother who’s relieved that her son is straight after all… while Alice is definitely the fangirl who’s celebrating her OTP finally becoming canon.

I like Alice. Alice might be crazy, but unlike Bella and Edward who understand the problems with their actions but do them anyway, she’s innocently crazy. Her having no memories of her human life means she has no innate understanding of social etiquette and her ability to see the future might give her a warped sense of morality. Scenes like this one demonstrate her naivety when it comes to basic, human things like introductions. The rest of the Cullens are reserved and trying to ease Bella into getting to know them, understandably trying to make sure Bella isn’t frightened by a bunch of vampires she’s never really met before. Alice, however, holds nothing back and shows off just how much she wants to befriend Bella the moment she can.

It actually provides a nice contrast with Bella. Bella is a compulsive liar that can’t comprehend just telling the truth is an option, while Alice has no conversation filter thanks to her unique circumstances and has difficulty lying when she should. One can only imagine what Alice had to go through in order to learn how to pass as an ordinary high school student (and she seemed a lot quieter in chapter 12 too; in hindsight, she was clearly out of her element).

Again, I posit that Bella/Alice would be more interesting than Bella/Edward, since their personalities actually complement each other and they can help one another overcome their flaws.

In contrast to Alice, Jasper is the most shy about meeting Bella. He doesn’t even as much as shake Bella’s hand and actually initially uses his power to make Bella feel better about meeting him before Edward gives him a sharp glare and he stops it. Again, this is an effective introduction for him because of course Jasper would be the most hesitant at meeting Bella; he’s the one with the worst control issues and has to worry about losing control the most.

It’s just a shame we’re getting these Establishing Character Moments after Edward gave us a bunch of exposition about them in chapters 13 and 14. Showing Alice’s lack of social skills and Jasper’s hesitance and then explaining what was up with them would have given the scenes more impact. As the books are structured, Alice and Jasper are given exposition first as just a bit of fluff breaking up the pace of the story, and these moments here only back-up what Edward was saying; an Establishing Character Moment loses its weight when we already know what to expect. Had I been writing this story, I wouldn’t have gone into detail about Alice and Jasper until right after these moments here, with Bella asking why they were acting weird as a segue into Edward explaining their backstories. The chapter would end when Edward finishes and starts showing Bella the upper floors of the house, leaving the chapter hanging as Edward’s about to talk about Carlisle’s backstory, with chapter 16 devoted entirely to that with Carlisle adding to the discussion himself for reasons I pointed out earlier.

And with that… it’s over. Practically nothing substantial happens after meeting the Cullens for the rest of these two chapters. After they leave, Edward starts playing the piano for Bella. Then Edward talks about Carlisle. Then Edward talks about himself. Then chapter 16 ends with Alice and Jasper letting Edward know they’re going to play some baseball in the back yard. In the middle of it all Edward brings up Alice having a vision recently about some human-eating vampires coming to visit (which seems to be there just so Meyer can say that James doesn’t come out of nowhere), but that’s pretty much it from the plot development standpoint.

Next time Carlisle’s backstory is getting closely examined for any story-related illnesses we may diagnose it with.

#Twilight review #anti Bella Swan #Alice Cullen is awesome #Poor Plot Placement #tropes #Establishing Character Moment #filler #Alice/Bella #exposition #show don't tell

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aaronmascoll · 5 years

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Chapter 101 - Colt

Colt had been furious. He was going to march upstairs and say something, but it was like everyone had been telling him this wasn't entirely her fault. Her dragon half made her extremely temperamental. The book had said the mark was usually only placed on accident. Even Chains said Alice was upset she had done it. Upset enough to put herself in a bad situation with Dorian,The Slaver.

Colt went to sleep, having let go of his anger, and being too tired to care. He closed his eyes and was thankful for a dreamless sleep. He woke up, and found two woman staring at him from sauna entrance. Colt sat up and the woman ran away. He put his suit jacket on, and left the sauna. There were men and women cleaning the floors and walls. They were setting up massage tables, stocking shelves, and watering plants. A man wearing a white linen shirt and pants bowed and said, "Good morning, Mr. Maxwell."

Colt noticed as the man bowed that his ears were pointed. Colt remembered Maria said all the employees were Elves. "Good morning," Colt said. "Is my sister awake?"

"No, she's still asleep. Lady Lilith has scheduled a locorum massage for her when she wakes up."

"Canel it," Colt said.

"Yes, Mr. Maxwell."

"It's Morningstar," Colt said, walking away. "I'm supposed to be the devil's son, might as well make it official."

Colt started to head upstairs and noticed that a good number of the female elves were pregnant. Colt found Mariah standing near the greeting room fountain as two woman in large dresses stormed out the front door angrily. "What'a their problem?" Colt asked.

"Nothing to worry about," Mariah said, shaking her head. "They're mad you closed the birthing houses."

"Birthing what?"

"As you can tell a large number of the female staff are pregnant. The woman from Poshville paid to have a number of the woman act as surrogates for their children. I've just informed those two women we will no longer be providing that service, but they will be notified when they can come back to pick their children."

Colt could tell from Mariah's smile she was enjoying this. "Okay, if they give you any problems, let me know."

"They won't, if they ever want to see their kids."

"Mariah!" Maria and Tony's shadow screamed.

Mariah's smiled brightened.

Colt was going to ask about his room when Devante came stumbling out of the dining hall with his arms around two servants girls, one of whom was pregnant. "What up, Nigga!" Devante shouted when he saw Colt.

"The fuck you doing in my house?" Colt asked.

"I'm bout to get me one of them massages right quick," Devante said, and disappeared down a staircase.

"Your charging him, right?" Colt said, turning back to Mariah.

"Of course I am," She said, smiling.

Colt walked into the dining hall and found it was filled to the brim with thieves. "I dont remember there being this many of them before," Colt said more to himself.

Angel's arms and tail suddenly wrapped themselves are Colt as she kissed him on the back of the neck. "The old place was too small," She said, whispering softly. "I missed you."

"Missed you too," Colt said, kissing her arm. "So everyone's here?"

"All except one. Riot got caught robbing a guard station. She's not exactly known for her subtlety."

Colt laughed softly. "Serah, go and find your brother. He loves jail breaks."

Serah emerged from Colt's shadow and bowed. "Yes, Master," She said.

"Bring Nigel and his friends with you," Angel said. "They might make for a good distraction if you need it."

"Yes, My Queen."

Serah dissapeared into the Shadow Realm, and Colt let out a large sigh. "Alright I have to find my darling sister."

"You wanna fool around a bit first?" Angel said, biting Colt softly on the ear.

"That's not funny," Colt said, wiggling out of her grasp.

"Alright, then I'm gonna find somewhere to set up a bar."

Colt kissed Angel on the cheek and left the dining hall. To his surprise he found Alice standing next to Tony. They were talking to someone Colt didn't know. It was a large muscular woman wearing a black leather jacket, a white shirt, tight black jeans, and brown riding boots. A large army green bag was slung over the woman's shoulder, and the name "Jones" was printed on it.

Colt walked up to Alice, she was wearing boxer shorts and a black tshirt. "You and I need to talk about this mark you put on my neck," Colt said, pointing a finger at Alice.

She sighed and shrugged. "Sure," She said. "Tony, take Jones here to see Chains and then come right back."

"Yes, Ms. Morningstar," Tony said, bowing respectfully.

"Wait, your going to see Chains?" Colt asked.

"Yeah, I'm his one of his champions," Jones said, nodding.

Colt made sure that what he was going to ask was what he absolutely wanted. "Do you mind if come with you?"

Jones turned her head to the side, questionably. "Why?" She asked.

"I was summoned," Colt said, lying.

"Fine," Jones said, shrugging. "But you're a horrible liar. If that's your lie to get past Lord, he will most definitely kill you."

Jones turned around and started heading for the door. Then she stopped and looked back at Colt. "Unless-" She began, then stopped. "No, you would have to be luckier than the God of luck for that to happen. Lord's gonna kill you."

Jones walked out the door. "Fine with me," Alice said, shrugging. "You die, I get my sex life back."

"Lucky you," Colt said, walking up and out the door.

The flying limousine was already parked in front of the house and Tony was in the driver seat. Colt got into the back seat and they started to move. "So," Colt said, breaking the silence. "What's your task?"

Jones's body went ridged. "I have to kill a human baby. I've been here for over a hundred thousand years and I dont think I'm ever going to leave."

They didn't talk the whole ride there. Colt watched out the window as they flew for eight hours, over the ocean, and over passed the massive desert. Colt saw Father Philip's house as they flew over the desert. They passed a flock of Griffin flying over a ring of snowy mountains that formed a perfect circle around a snowy field with pine trees. "We're close," Jones said, as they started descending.

"You better not die," Angel said in Colt's head.

When they landed, Jones got out of the limo and Colt got out behind her. Tony started flying away after Colt shut the door. When she was gone, Jones started walking away. "Good luck," She said, waving.

Colt went to follow her but couldn't. Something small, fast, and extremely heavy hit him in the chest. Colt flew back and crashed into a tree. When he hit the floor, he found he couldn't move. He began to panic, his heart started to slam against his chest, and blood started to pour down his face. Colt blinked rapidly as a could of snow started to dissapear. Lord was standing where he had once stood, and he was livid. The veins in his face were bulging, his eyes were bloodshot red, and red markings were appearing all over his skin. "I warned you!" He screamed. "It's too bad for that Jones was on that limo, I was gonna shoot it out the sky!"

Lord tilted his head back and opened his mouth as wide as he could. He started to gag and the hilt of a weapon wormed it's way out of his throat. He reached up, grabbed the hilt, and pulled out a curved crystal dagger. "I'm gonna carve you into a thousand tiny pieces," he said, smiling.

"I was summoned!" Colt yelled, finding his voice. "Chains, summoned me!"

Lord froze for a second. The markings on his arms started to disappear. Lord seemed unsure. His eyes flickered from side to side. Lord started smiling again. "Bullshit," He said, a small laugh lifting his mood. "No way Chains would summon you. Not after what happened at that party."

The crunching of snow told Colt someone was walking towards them, but couldn't see who it was. Lord's smile vanished and he stood up straight. "He said he was summoned, Lord," An unknown man said in a bored voice.

"He's lying!" Lord yelled, shaking his the dagger at Colt.

Someone wearing all leather and a silver gauntlet stepped over Colt. The silver gauntlet emitted a dull silvery light and Colt swore he heard voices coming from it. "You kill him, and I kill you."

Lord got in the guy's face quicker than Colt could blink. "You wanna say that me again?" Lord said, his voice low and demanding.

The guy in leather let his arms fall to his side. "Touch him, and die."

A woman's face appeared in front of Colt's, blocking his view. She had large brown eyes, and a crooked smiled. "Did you say you were summoned?" She said in a high pitched voice.

The woman's left eye started twitching and Colt realized she was winking at him. "Yes, I was," Colt said.

The woman's head dissapeared. "Oh, Lord!" The woman sang in an enthusiastic voice.

The woman stepped over Colt and the guy wearing leather stepped aside. She wore ripped blue jeans with different pieces of fabric sewn into them, a teal shirt with a cat on it, and two different shoes. Lord's face went rigged. His lip started twitching, and he disappeared. The girl turned around, waved at Colt, and went skipping in a random direction.

The guy wearing leather turned around and smiled. "You got so lucky we were nearby."

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